EX-3.2 4 d375346dex32.htm EX-3.2 EX-3.2

Exhibit 3.2

BYLAWS

RBB BANCORP

BYLAWS

OF

RBB BANCORP

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

         Page
ARTICLE I — CORPORATE OFFICES    1

1.1

  

PRINCIPAL OFFICE

    1

1.2

  

OTHER OFFICES

    1
ARTICLE II — MEETINGS OF SHAREHOLDERS    1

2.1

  

PLACE OF MEETINGS

    1

2.2

  

ANNUAL MEETING

    1

2.3

  

SPECIAL MEETINGS

    2

2.3.5

  

ELECTRONIC MEETINGS

    2

2.4

  

NOTICE OF SHAREHOLDERS’ MEETINGS

    2

2.5

  

MANNER OF GIVING NOTICE; AFFIDAVIT OF NOTICE

    3

2.6

  

QUORUM

    4

2.7

  

ADJOURNED MEETING; NOTICE

    4

2.8

  

VOTING

    4

2.9

  

VALIDATION OF MEETINGS; WAIVER OF NOTICE; CONSENT

    5

2.10

  

SHAREHOLDER ACTION BY WRITTEN CONSENT WITHOUT A MEETING

    5

2.11

  

RECORD DATE FOR SHAREHOLDER NOTICE; VOTING; GIVING CONSENTS

    6

2.12

  

PROXIES

    7

2.13

  

INSPECTORS OF ELECTION

    7

2.14

  

NOMINATION OF DIRECTORS

    7
ARTICLE III — DIRECTORS    8

3.1

  

POWERS

    8

3.2

  

NUMBER OF DIRECTORS

    8

3.3

  

ELECTION AND TERM OF OFFICE OF DIRECTORS

    8

3.4

  

REMOVAL

    9

3.5

  

RESIGNATION AND VACANCIES

    9

3.6

  

PLACE OF MEETINGS; MEETINGS BY TELEPHONE AND ELECTRONIC TRANSMISSION

    10

3.7

  

REGULAR MEETINGS

    10

3.8

  

SPECIAL MEETINGS; NOTICE

    10

3.9

  

QUORUM

    11

3.10

  

WAIVER OF NOTICE

    11

3.11

  

ADJOURNMENT

    11

3.12

  

NOTICE OF ADJOURNMENT

    11

3.13

  

BOARD ACTION BY WRITTEN CONSENT WITHOUT A MEETING

    11

3.14

  

FEES AND COMPENSATION OF DIRECTORS

    11
ARTICLE IV — COMMITTEES    12

4.1

  

COMMITTEES OF DIRECTORS

    12

4.2

  

MEETINGS AND ACTION OF COMMITTEES

    13
ARTICLE V — OFFICERS    13

5.1

  

OFFICERS

    13

5.2

  

APPOINTMENT OF OFFICERS

    13

5.3

  

SUBORDINATE OFFICERS

    13

5.4

  

REMOVAL AND RESIGNATION OF OFFICERS

    13

5.5

  

VACANCIES IN OFFICES

    14

5.6

  

CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD

    14

5.7

  

VICE CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD

    14

5.8

  

PRESIDENT

    14

5.9

  

VICE PRESIDENTS

    14

5.10

  

SECRETARY

    14

5.11

  

CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER

    15

5.12

  

CREDIT OFFICER

    15
ARTICLE VI — INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS, OFFICERS EMPLOYEES, AND OTHER AGENTS    16

6.1

  

INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS

    16

6.2

  

INDEMNIFICATION OF OTHERS

    16

6.3

  

PAYMENT OF EXPENSES IN ADVANCE

      17  

6.4

  

INDEMNITY NOT EXCLUSIVE

      18  

6.5

  

INSURANCE INDEMNIFICATION

      18  

6.6

  

CONFLICTS

      18  

6.7

  

RIGHT TO BRING SUIT

      18  

6.8

  

INDEMNITY AGREEMENTS

      19  

6.9

  

AMENDMENT, REPEAL OR MODIFICATION

      19  

6.10

  

FEDERAL LAW

      19  

ARTICLE VII — RECORDS AND REPORTS

      19  

7.1

  

MAINTENANCE AND INSPECTION OF SHARE REGISTER

      19  

7.2

  

MAINTENANCE AND INSPECTION OF BYLAWS

      20  

7.3

  

MAINTENANCE AND INSPECTION OF OTHER CORPORATE RECORDS

      20  

7.4

  

INSPECTION BY DIRECTORS

      20  

7.5

  

ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS; WAIVER

      20  

7.6

  

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

      21  

7.7

  

REPRESENTATION OF SHARES OF OTHER CORPORATIONS

      21  

ARTICLE VIII — GENERAL MATTERS

      21  

8.1

  

RECORD DATE FOR PURPOSES OTHER THAN NOTICE AND VOTING

      21  

8.2

  

CHECKS; DRAFTS; EVIDENCES OF INDEBTEDNESS

      22  

8.3

  

CORPORATE CONTRACTS AND INSTRUMENTS: HOW EXECUTED

      22  

8.4

  

CERTIFICATES FOR SHARES

      22  

8.5

  

LOST CERTIFICATES

      22  

8.6

  

CONSTRUCTION; DEFINITIONS

      23  

ARTICLE IX — AMENDMENTS

      23  

9.1

  

AMENDMENT BY SHAREHOLDERS

      23  

9.2

  

AMENDMENT BY DIRECTORS

      23  

9.3

  

RECORD OF AMENDMENTS

      23  

ARTICLE X — INTERPRETATION

      23  

BYLAWS

OF

RBB BANCORP

ARTICLE I— CORPORATE OFFICES

1.1    PRINCIPAL OFFICE

The Board of Directors shall fix the location of the principal executive office of the corporation at any place within the State of California.

1.2    OTHER OFFICES

The Board of Directors may at any time establish branch or subordinate offices at any place or places.

ARTICLE II — MEETINGS OF SHAREHOLDERS

2.1    PLACE OF MEETINGS

(a) Meetings of shareholders shall be held at any place within the State of California designated by the Board of Directors. In the absence of any such designation, shareholders’ meetings shall be held at the principal executive office of the corporation or at any place consented to in writing by all persons entitled to vote at such meeting, given before or after the meeting and filed with the Secretary of the corporation. Unless prohibited by the bylaws of the corporation, if authorized by the board of directors in its sole discretion, and subject to the requirement of consent in clause (b) of Section 20 of the California Corporations Code (the “Code”) and those guidelines and procedures as the board of directors may adopt, shareholders not physically present in person or by proxy at a meeting of shareholders may, by electronic transmission by and to the corporation (Sections 20 and 21 of the Code) or by electronic video screen communication, participate in a meeting of shareholders, be deemed present in person or by proxy, and vote at a meeting of shareholders whether that meeting is to be held at a designated place or in whole or in part by means of electronic transmission by and to the corporation or by electronic video screen communication, in accordance with subdivision (e) of Section 600 of the Code and Section 2.3.5.

2.2    ANNUAL MEETING

The annuai meeting of shareholders shall be held each year on a date and at a time designated by the Board of Directors. At that meeting, directors shall be elected. Any other proper business may be transacted at the annual meeting of shareholders.

 

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2.3    SPECIAL MEETINGS

Special meetings of the shareholders may be called at any time, subject to the provisions of Sections 2.4 and 2.5 of these Bylaws, by the Board of Directors, the Chairman of the Board, the President or the holders of shares entitled to cast not less than ten percent (10%) of the votes at that meeting.

If a special meeting is called by anyone other than the Board of Directors or the President or the Chairman of the Board, then the request shall be in writing, specifying the time of such meeting and the general nature of the business proposed to be transacted, and shall be delivered personally or sent by registered mail or by other written communication to the corporation addressed to the attention of the Chairman of the Board, the President, any Vice President or the Secretary of the corporation. The officer receiving the request forthwith shall cause notice to be given to the shareholders entitled to vote, in accordance with the provisions of Sections 2.4 and 2.5 of these Bylaws, that a meeting will be held at the time requested by the person or persons calling the meeting, so long as that time is not less than thirty-five (35) nor more than sixty (60) days after the receipt of the request. If the notice is not given within twenty (20) days after receipt of the request, then the person or persons requesting the meeting may give the notice. Nothing contained in this paragraph of this Section 2.3 shall be construed as limiting, fixing or affecting the time when a meeting of shareholders called by action of the Board of Directors may be held.

2.3.5    ELECTRONIC MEETINGS

A meeting of the shareholders may be conducted, in whole or in part, by electronic transmission by and to the corporation or by electronic video screen communication (1) if the corporation implements reasonable measures to provide shareholders (in person or by proxy) a reasonable opportunity to participate in the meeting and to vote on matters submitted to the shareholders, including an opportunity to read or hear the proceedings of the meeting concurrently with those proceedings, and (2) if any shareholder votes or takes other action at the meeting by means of electronic transmission to the corporation or electronic video screen communication, a record of that vote or action is maintained by the corporation. Any request by a corporation to a shareholder pursuant to clause (b) of Section 20 of the Code for consent to conduct a meeting of shareholders by electronic transmission by and to the corporation, shall include a notice that absent consent of the shareholder pursuant to clause (b) of Section 20 of the Code, the meeting shall be held at a physical location in accordance with Section 2.1.

2.4    NOTICE OF SHAREHOLDERS’ MEETINGS

All notices of meetings of shareholders shall be sent or otherwise given in accordance with Section 2.5 of these Bylaws not less than ten (10) (or, if sent by third-class mail pursuant to Section 2.5 of these Bylaws, not less than thirty (30)) nor more than sixty (60) days before the date of the meeting to each shareholder entitled to vote thereat. Such notice shall state the place, date, and hour of the meeting, the means of electronic transmission by and to the corporation (Sections 20 and 21 of the Code) or electronic video screen communication, if any, by which shareholders may participate in that meeting, and (i) in the case of a special meeting, the general nature of the business to be transacted, and no business other than that specified in the notice may be transacted, or (ii) in the case of the annual meeting, those matters which the Board of Directors, at the time of the mailing of the notice, intends to present for action by the shareholders, but, subject to the provisions of the next paragraph of this Section 2.4, any proper matter may presented the meeting action. The notice of any meeting [...] which Directors are to be elected shall include the names of nominees intended at the time of the notice to be presented by the Board for election.

 

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If action is proposed to be taken at any meeting for approval of (i) a contract or transaction in which a director has a direct or indirect financial interest, pursuant to Section 310 of the Code, (ii) an amendment of the Articles of Incorporation, pursuant to Section 902 of the Code, (iii) a conversion of the corporation, pursuant to Section 1152 of the Code, (iv) a reorganization of the corporation, pursuant to Section 1201 of the Code, (v) a voluntary dissolution of the corporation, pursuant to Section 1900 of the Code, or (vi) a distribution in dissolution other than in accordance with the rights of any outstanding preferred shares, pursuant to Section 2007 of the Code, then the notice shall also state the general nature of that proposal.

2.5    MANNER OF GIVING NOTICE; AFFIDAVIT OF NOTICE

Notice of a shareholders’ meeting shall be given either personally, by electronic transmission by the corporation, or by first-class mail, or, if the corporation has outstanding shares held of record by five hundred (500) or more persons (determined as provided in Section 605 of the Code) on the record date for the shareholders’ meeting, notice may also be sent by third-class mail, or other means of written communication, addressed to the shareholder at the address of the shareholder appearing on the books of the corporation or given by the shareholder to the corporation for the purpose of notice; or if no such address appears or is given, at the place where the principal executive office of the corporation is located or by publication at least once in a newspaper of general circulation in the county in which the principal executive office is located. The notice shall be deemed to have been given at the time when delivered personally, sent by electronic transmission by the corporation, or deposited in the mail or sent by other means of written communication.

If any notice (or any report referenced in Article VII of these Bylaws) addressed to a shareholder at the address of such shareholder appearing on the books of the corporation is returned to the corporation by the United States Postal Service marked to indicate that the United States Postal Service is unable to deliver the notice to the shareholder at that address all future notices or reports shall be deemed to have been duly given without further mailing if the same shall be available to the shareholder upon written demand of the shareholder at the principal executive office of the corporation for a period of one (1) year from the date of the giving of the notice.

Notice given by electronic transmission by the corporation under this subdivision shall be valid only if it complies with Section 20 of the Code. Notwithstanding the foregoing, notice shall not be given by electronic transmission by the corporation under this subdivision after either of the following:

 

  (1) The corporation is unable to deliver two consecutive notices to the shareholder by that means.

 

  (2) The inability to so deliver the notices to the shareholder becomes known to the secretary, any assistant secretary, the transfer agent, or other person responsible for the giving of the notice.

An affidavit of mailing or electronic transmission by the corporation of any notice or report in accordance with the provisions of this Section 2.5, executed by the Secretary, Assistant Secretary or any transfer agent, shall prima facie evidence of the giving of the notice or report.

 

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2.6    QUORUM

Unless otherwise provided in the Articles of Incorporation of the corporation, a majority of the shares entitled to vote, represented in person or by proxy, shall constitute a quorum at a meeting of the shareholders. The shareholders present at a duly called or held meeting at which a quorum is present may continue to transact business untiladjournment notwithstanding the withdrawal of enough shareholders to leave less than a quorum, if any action taken (other than adjournment) is approved by at least a majority of the shares required to constitute a quorum.

In the absence of a quorum, any meeting of shareholders may be adjourned from time to time by the vote of a majority of the shares represented either in person or by proxy, but no other business may be transacted, except as provided in the last sentence of the preceding paragraph.

2.7    ADJOURNED MEETING; NOTICE

Any shareholders’ meeting, annual or special, whether or not a quorum is present, may be adjourned from time to time by the vote of the majority of the shares represented at that meeting, either in person or by proxy.

When any meeting of shareholders, either annual or special, is adjourned to another time or place, notice need not be given of the adjourned meeting if its time and place (or the means of electronic transmission by and to the corporation or electronic video screen communication, if any, by which the shareholders may participate) are announced at the meeting at which the adjournment is taken. However, if the adjournment is for more than forty-five (45) days from the date set for the original meeting or if a new record date for the adjourned meeting is fixed, a notice of the adjourned meeting shall be given to each shareholder of record entitled to vote at the adjourned meeting in accordance with the provisions of Sections 2.4 and 2.5 of these Bylaws. At any adjourned meeting the corporation may transact any business which might have been transacted at the original meeting.

2.8    VOTING

The shareholders entitled to vote at any meeting of shareholders shall be determined in accordance with the provisions of Section 2.11 of these Bylaws, subject to the provisions of Sections 702 through 704 of the Code (relating to voting shares held by a fiduciary, in the name of a corporation, or in joint ownership).

Elections for directors and voting on any other matter at a shareholders’ meeting need not be by ballot unless a shareholder demands election by ballot at the meeting and before the voting begins.

Except as provided in the last paragraph of this Section 2.8, or as may be otherwise provided in the Articles of Incorporation, each outstanding share, regardless of class, shall be entitled to one vote on each matter submitted to a vote of the shareholders. Any holder of shares entitled to vote on any matter may vote part of the shares in favor of the proposal and refrain from voting the remaining shares or may vote them against the proposal other than elections to office, but, if the shareholder fails to specify the number of shares such shareholder is voting affirmatively, it will be conclusively presumed that the shareholder’s approving vote is with respect to all shares which the shareholder is entitled to vote.

 

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The affirmative vote of the majority of the shares represented and voting at a duly held meeting at which a quorum is present (which shares voting affirmatively also constitute at least a majority of the required quorum) shall be the act of the shareholders, unless the vote of a greater number or voting by classes is required by the Code or by the Articles of Incorporation.

At a shareholders’ meeting at which directors are to be elected, a shareholder shall be entitled to cumulate votes either (i) by giving one candidate a number of votes equal to the number of directors to be elected multiplied by the number of votes to which that shareholder’s shares are normally entitled or (ii) by distributing the shareholder’s votes on the same principle among as many candidates as the shareholder thinks fit, if the candidate or candidates’ names have been placed in nomination prior to the voting and the shareholder has given notice prior to the voting of the shareholder’s intention to cumulate the shareholder’s votes. If anyone shareholder has given such a notice, then every shareholder entitled to vote may cumulate votes for candidates in nomination. The candidates receiving the highest number of affirmative votes, up to the number of directors to be elected, shall be elected; votes against any candidate and votes withheld shall have no legal effect.

2.9    VALIDATION OF MEETINGS; WAIVER OF NOTICE; CONSENT

The transactions of any meeting of shareholders, either annual or special, however called and noticed, and wherever held, are as valid as though they had been taken at a meeting duly held after regular call and notice, if a quorum be present either in person or by proxy, and if, either before or after the meeting, each of the persons entitled to vote, not present in person or by proxy, provides a waiver of notice or a consent to the holding of the meeting or an approval of the minutes thereof in writing. Neither the business to be transacted at nor the purpose of any annual or special meeting of shareholders need be specified in any written waiver of notice or consent to the holding of the meeting or approval of the minutes thereof, except that if action is taken or proposed to be taken for approval of any of those matters specified in the second paragraph of Section 2.4 of these Bylaws, the waiver of notice or consent or approval shall state the general nature of the proposal. All such waivers, consents, and approvals shall be filed with the corporate records or made a part of the minutes of the meeting.

Attendance of a person at a meeting shall constitute a waiver of notice of and presence at that meeting, except when the person objects, at the beginning of the meeting, to the transaction of any business because the meeting is not lawfully called or convened and except that attendance at a meeting is not a waiver of any right to object to the consideration of matters required by the Code to be included in the notice of such meeting but not so included, if such objection is expressly made at the meeting.

2.10    SHAREHOLDER ACTION BY WRITTEN CONSENT WITHOUT A MEETING

Any action which may be taken at any annual or special meeting of shareholders may be taken without a meeting and without prior notice, if a consent in writing, setting forth the action so taken, shall be signed by the holders of outstanding shares having not less than the minimum number of votes that wou Id be necessary to authorize or take such action at a meeting at which all shares entitled to vote thereon were present and voted.

Directors may not be elected by written consent except by unanimous written consent of all shares entitled to vote for the election of directors. However, a director may be elected at any time to fill any vacancy on the Board of Directors, provided that it was not created by removal of a director and that it has not been filled by the directors, by the written consent of the holders of a majority the outstanding shares entitled vote for the election directors.

 

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All such consents shall be maintained in the corporate records. Any shareholder giving a written consent, or the shareholder’s proxy holders, or a transferee of the shares, or a personal representative of the shareholder, or their respective proxy holders, may revoke the consent personally or by proxy by a writing received by the Secretary of the corporation before written consents of the number of shares required to authorize the proposed action have been filed with the Secretary.

If the consents of all shareholders entitled to vote have not been solicited in writing, the Secretary shall give prompt notice of any corporate action approved by the shareholders without a meeting by less than unanimous written consent to those shareholders entitled to vote who have not consented in writing. Such notice shall be given in the manner specified in Section 2.5 of these Bylaws.

In the case of approval of (i) a contract or transaction in which a director has a direct or indirect financial interest, pursuant to Section 310 of the Code, (ii) indemnification of a corporate “agent,” pursuant to Section 317 of the Code, (iii) a conversion of the corporation pursuant to Section 1152 of the Code, (iv) a reorganization of the corporation, pursuant to Section 1201 of the Code, and (v) a distribution in dissolution other than in accordance with the rights of outstanding preferred shares, pursuant to Section 2007 of the Code, the notice shall be given at least ten (10) days before the consummation of any action authorized by that approval, unless the consents of all shareholders entitled to vote have been solicited in writing. Notice shall be given as provided in Section 2.5.

2.11    RECORD DATE FOR SHAREHOLDER NOTICE; VOTING; GIVING CONSENTS

In order that the corporation may determine the shareholders entitled to notice of any meeting or to vote, the Board of Directors may fix, in advance, a record date, which shall not be more than sixty (60) days nor less than ten (10) days prior to the date of such meeting nor more than sixty (60) days before any other action. Shareholders at the close of business on the record date are entitled to notice and to vote, as the case may be, notwithstanding any transfer of any shares on the books of the corporation after the record date, except as otherwise provided in the Articles of Incorporation or the Code.

A determination of shareholders of record entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting of shareholders shall apply to any adjournment of the meeting unless the Board of Directors fixes a new record date for the adjourned meeting, but the Board of Directors shall fix a new record date if the meeting is adjourned for more than forty-five (45) days from the date set for the original meeting.

If the Board of Directors does not so fix a record date:

 

  (a) The record date for determining shareholders entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting of shareholders shall be at the close of business on the business day next preceding the day on which notice is given or, if notice is waived, at the close of business on the business day next preceding the day on which the meeting is held.

 

  (b) The record date for determining shareholders entitled to give consent to corporate action in writing without a meeting, (i) when no prior action by the Board has been taken, shall be the day on which the first written consent is given, or (ii) when prior action by the Board has been taken, shall be at the close of business on day on which the Board adopts relating thereto, or (60th) day such is

 

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The record date for any other purpose shall be as provided in Section 8.1 of these Bylaws.

2.12    PROXIES

Every person entitled to vote for directors, or on any other matter, shall have the right to do so either in person or by one or more agents authorized by a written proxy signed by the person and filed with the Secretary of the corporation. A proxy shall be deemed signed if the shareholder’s name or other authorization is placed on the proxy (whether by manual signature, type\witing, telegraphic or electronic transmission or othenNise) by the shareholder or the shareholder’s attorney-in-fact. A validly executed proxy which does not state that it is irrevocable shall continue in full force and effect unless (i) the person who executed the proxy revokes it prior to the time of voting by delivering a writing to the corporation stating that the proxy is revoked or by executing a subsequent proxy and presenting it to the meeting or by attendance at such meeting and voting in person, or (ii) written notice of the death or incapacity of the maker of that proxy is received by the corporation before the vote pursuant to that proxy is counted; provided, however, that no proxy shall be valid after the expiration of eleven (11) months from the date thereof, unless otherwise provided in the proxy. The dates contained on the forms of proxy presumptively determine the order of execution, regardless of the postmark dates on the envelopes in which they are mailed. The revocability of a proxy that states on its face that it is irrevocable shall be governed by the provisions of Sections 705(e) and 705(f) of the Code.

2.13    INSPECTORS OF ELECTION

In advance of any meeting of shareholders, the Board of Directors may appoint inspectors of election to act at the meeting and any adjournment thereof. If inspectors of election are not so appointed or designated or if any persons so appointed failto appear or refuse to act, then the Chairman of the meeting may, and on the request of any shareholder or a shareholder’s proxy shall, appoint inspectors of election (or persons to replace those who so fail to appear) at the meeting. The number of inspectors shall be either one (1) or three (3). If appointed at a meeting on the request of one (1) or more shareholders or proxies, the majority of shares represented in person or by proxy shall determine whether one (1) or three (3) inspectors are to be appointed.

The inspectors of election shall determine the number of shares outstanding and the voting power of each, the shares represented at the meeting, the existence of a quorum, and the authenticity, validity, and effect of proxies, receive votes, ballots or consents, hear and determine all challenges and questions in any way arising in connection with the right to vote, count and tabulate all votes or consents, determine when the polls shall close, determine the result and do any other acts that may be proper to conduct the election or vote with fairness to all shareholders.

2.14    NOMINATION OF DIRECTORS

Nominations for election of members of the board of directors may be made by the board of directors or by any shareholder of any outstanding class of capital stock of the corporation entitled to vote for the election of directors. Notice of intention to make any nominations (other than for persons named in the notice of the meeting at which such nomination is to be made) shall be made in writing and shall be delivered to the president of the corporation by the later of the close of business twenty-one ) days prior to any meeting of shareholders called for the election directors or seven days after date mailing of notice the meeting shareholders. known

 

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the notifying shareholder: (a) the name and address of each proposed nominee; (b) the principal occupation of each proposed nominee; (c) the number of shares of capital stock of the corporation owned by each proposed nominee; (d) the name and residence address of the notifying shareholder; (e) the number of shares of capital stock of the corporation owned by the notifying shareholder; (f) with the written consent of the proposed nominee, a copy of which shall be furnished with the notification, whether the proposed nominee has ever been convicted of or pleaded nolo contendere to any criminal offence involving dishonesty or breach of trust, filed a petition in bankruptcy, or been adjudged bankrupt. The notice shall be signed by the nominating shareholder and by the nominee. Nominations not made in accordance herewith shall be disregarded by the chairman of the meeting, and upon his instructions, the inspectors of election shall disregard all votes cast for each such nominee. The restrictions set forth in this paragraph shall not apply to nomination of a person to replace a proposed nominee who has died or otherwise become incapacitated to serve as a director between the last day for giving notice hereunder and the date of election of directors if the procedure called for in this paragraph was followed with respect to the nomination of the proposed nominee.

A copy of the preceding paragraph shall be set forth in the notice to shareholders of any meeting at which directors are to be elected.

ARTICLE III — DIRECTORS

3.1    POWERS

Subject to the provisions of the Code and any limitations in the Articles of Incorporation and these Bylaws relating to action required to be approved by the shareholders or by the outstanding shares, the business and affairs of the corporation shall be managed and all corporate powers shall be exercised by or under the direction of the Board of Directors.

3.2    NUMBER OF DIRECTORS

The authorized number of directors of the corporation shall be not less than seven (7) nor more than thirteen (13) (which in no case shall be greater than two times the stated minimum minus one), and the exact number of directors shall be eleven (11) until changed, within the limits specified above, by a resolution amending such exact number, duly adopted by the Board of Directors or by the shareholders. The minimum and maximum number of directors may be changed, or a definite number may be fixed without provision for an indefinite number, by a duly adopted amendment to the Articles of Incorporation or by an amendment to this Bylaw duly adopted by the vote or written consent of holders of a majority of the outstanding shares entitled to vote; provided, however, that an amendment reducing the fixed number or the minimum number of directors to a number less than five (5) cannot be adopted if the votes cast against its adoption at a meeting, or the shares not consenting in the case of an action by written consent, are equal to more than sixteen and two-thirds percent (16 2/3%) of the outstanding shares entitled to vote thereon.

No reduction of the authorized number of directors shall have the effect of removing any director before that director’s term of office expires.

3.3    ELECTION AND TERM OF OFFICE OF DIRECTORS

At each annual meeting of shareholders, directors shall be elected to hold office until the next annual meeting. Each director, including a director elected to fill a vacancy, shall hold office until the expiration of the term for which elected and until a successor has been elected and

 

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qualified, except in the case of the death, resignation, or removal of such a director. The President and Chief Executive Officer shall be nominated as a director by the Board of Directors for each annual meeting of shareholders.

3.4     REMOVAL

The entire Board of Directors or any individual director may be removed from office without cause by the affirmative vote of a majority of the outstanding shares entitled to vote on such removal; provided, however, that unless the entire Board is removed, no individual director may be removed when the votes cast against such director’s removal, or not consenting in writing to such removal, would be sufficient to elect that director if voted cumulatively at an election at which the same total number of votes cast were cast (or, if such action is taken by written consent, all shares entitled to vote were voted) and the entire number of directors authorized at the time of such director’s most recent election were then being elected.

3.5    RESIGNATION AND VACANCIES

Any director may resign effective upon giving written notice to the Chairman of the Board, the President, the Secretary or the Board of Directors, unless the notice specifies a later time for the effectiveness of such resignation. If the resignation of a director is effective at a future time, the Board of Directors may elect a successor to take office when the resignation becomes effective.

Vacancies on the Board of Directors may be filled by a majority of the remaining directors, or if the number of directors then in office is less than a quorum by (i) unanimous written consent of the directors then in office, (ii) the affirmative vote of a majority of the directors then in office at a meeting held pursuant to notice or waivers of notice, or (iii) a sole remaining director; however, a vacancy created by the removal of a director by the vote or written consent of the shareholders or by court order may be filled only by the affirmative vote of a majority of the shares represented and voting at a duly held meeting at which a quorum is present (which shares voting affirmatively also constitute at least a majority of the required quorum), or by the unanimous written consent of all shares entitled to vote thereon. Each director so elected shall hold office until the next annual meeting of the shareholders and until a successor has been elected and qualified, or until his or her death, resignation or removal.

A vacancy or vacancies in the Board of Directors shall be deemed to exist (i) in the event of the death, resignation or removal of any director, (ii) if the Board of Directors by resolution declares vacant the office of a director who has been declared of unsound mind by an order of court or convicted of a felony, (iii) if the authorized number of directors is increased, or (iv) if the shareholders fail, at any meeting of shareholders at which any director or directors are elected, to elect the full authorized number of directors to be elected at that meeting.

The shareholders may elect a director or directors at any time to fill any vacancy or vacancies not filled by the directors, but any such election by written consent, other than to fill a vacancy created by removal, shall require the consent of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares entitled to vote thereon. A director may not be elected by written consent to fill a vacancy created by removal except by unanimous consent of all shares entitled to vote for the election of directors.

 

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3.6    PLACE OF MEETINGS; MEETINGS BY TELEPHONE AND ELECTRONIC TRANSMISSION

Regular meetings of the Board of Directors may be held at any place within the State of California that has been designated from time to time by resolution of the Board. In the absence of such a designation, regular meetings shall be held at the principal executive office of the corporation. Special meetings of the Board may be held at any place within or outside the State of California that has been designated in the notice of the meeting or, if not stated in the notice or if there is no notice, at the principal executive office of the corporation.

Members of the Board may participate in a meeting through the use of conference telephone, electronic video screen communication, or electronic transmission by and to the corporation (Sections 20 and 21 of the Code). Participation in a meeting through use of conference telephone or electronic video screen communication pursuant to this subdivision constitutes presence in person at that meeting as long as all members participating in the meeting are able to hear one another. Participation in a meeting through electronic transmission by and to the corporation (other than conference telephone and electronic video screen communication), pursuant to this subdivision constitutes presence in person at that meeting if both of the following apply:

 

  (A) Each member participating in the meeting can communicate with all of the other members concurrently.

 

  (B) Each member is provided the means of participating in all matters before the board, including, without limitation, the capacity to propose, or to interpose an objection to, a specific action to be taken by the corporation.

3.7    REGULAR MEETINGS

Regular meetings of the Board of Directors shall be held without notice if the time and place of such meetings are fixed by the Board of Directors.

3.8    SPECIAL MEETINGS; NOTICE

Subject to the provisions of the following paragraph, special meetings of the Board of Directors for any purpose or purposes may be called at any time by the Chairman of the Board the President, the Secretary or any two (2) directors.

Notice of the time and place of special meetings shall be delivered personally or by telephone, including voice messaging system or by electronic transmission by the corporation (Section 20 of the Code) to each director or sent by first-class mail, telegram (charges prepaid), or by, electronic mail (e-mail - read receipt) to each director at that director’s address as it is shown on the records of the corporation. If the notice is mailed, it shall be deposited in the United States mail at least four (4) days before the time of the holding of the meeting. If the notice is delivered personally or by telephone, including voice messaging system or by electronic transmission by the corporation (Section 20 of the Code) or by facsimile, telegram, or e-mail, it shall be delivered at least forty-eight (48) hours before the time of the holding of the meeting. Any oral notice given personally or by telephone may be communicated either to the director or to a person at the office of the director who the person giving the notice has reason to believe will promptly communicate it to the director. The notice need not specify the purpose of the meeting.

 

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3.9    QUORUM

A majority of the authorized number of directors shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business, except to adjourn as provided in Section 3.11 of these Bylaws. Every act or decision done or made by a majority of the directors present at a meeting duly held at which a quorum is present is the act of the Board of Directors, subject to the provisions of Section 310 of the Code (as to approval of contracts or transactions in which a director has a direct or indirect material financial interest), Section 311 of the Code (as to appointment of committees), Section 317(e) of the Code (as to indemnification of directors), the Articles of Incorporation, and other applicable law.

A meeting at which a quorum is initially present may continue to transact business notwithstanding the withdrawal of directors, if any action taken is approved by at least a majority of the required quorum for such meeting.

3.10    WAIVER OF NOTICE

Notice of a meeting need not be given to any director who signs a waiver of notice or a consent to holding the meeting or an approval of the minutes thereof, whether before or after the meeting, or who attends the meeting without protesting, prior thereto or at its commencement, the lack of notice to such director. All such waivers, consents, and approvals shall be filed with the corporate records or made a part of the minutes of the meeting. A waiver of notice need not specify the purpose of any regular or special meeting of the Board of Directors.

3.11    ADJOURNMENT

A majority of the directors present, whether or not a quorum is present, may adjourn any meeting to another time and place.

3.12    NOTICE OF ADJOURNMENT

If the meeting is adjourned for more than twenty-four (24) hours, notice of any adjournment to another time and place shall be given prior to the time of the adjourned meeting to the directors who were not present at the time of the adjournment.

3.13    BOARD ACTION BY WRITTEN CONSENT WITHOUT A MEETING

Any action required or permitted to be taken by the Board of Directors may be taken without a meeting, if all members of the Board individually or collectively consent in writing to such action. Such written consent or consents shall be filed with the minutes of the proceedings of the Board. Such action by written consent shall have the same force and effect as a unanimous vote of the Board of Directors.

3.14    FEES AND COMPENSATION OF DIRECTORS

Directors and members of committees may receive such compensation, if any, for their services and such reimbursement of expenses as may be fixed or determined by resolution of the Board of Directors. This Section 3.14 shall not be construed to preclude any director from serving the corporation in any other capacity as an officer, agent, employee or otherwise and receiving compensation for those services.

 

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ARTICLE IV — COMMITTEES

4.1    COMMITTEES OF DIRECTORS

The Board of Directors may, by resolution adopted by a majority of the authorized number of directors, designate one or more committees, each consisting of three (3) or more directors, to serve at the pleasure of the Board. The Board may designate one or more directors as alternate members of any committee, who may replace any absent member at any meeting of the committee. The appointment of members or alternate members of a committee requires the vote of a majority of the authorized number of directors. Any such committee shall have authority to act in the manner and to the extent provided in the resolution of the Board and may have all the authority of the Board, except with respect to:

 

  (a) The approval of any action which, under the Code, also requires shareholders’ approval or approval of the outstanding shares;

 

  (b) The filling of vacancies on the Board of Directors or in any committee;

 

  (c) The fixing of compensation of the directors for serving on the Board or on any committee;

 

  (d) The amendment or repeal of these Bylaws or the adoption of new Bylaws;

 

  (e) The amendment or repeal of any resolution of the Board of Directors which by its express terms is not so amendable or repeatable;

 

  (f) A distribution to the shareholders of the corporation, except at a rate, in a periodic amount or within a price range set forth in the Articles of Incorporation or determined by the Board of Directors;

 

  (g) The appointment of any other committees of the Board of Directors or the members thereof; or

 

  (h) The approval of any action for which the California Financial Code requires the approval of a greater number of directors.

Members of the Board Committees may participate in a meeting through the use of conference telephone, electronic video screen communication, or electronic transmission by and to the corporation (Sections 20 and 21 of the Code). Participation in a meeting through use of conference telephone or electronic video screen communication pursuant to this subdivision constitutes presence in person at that meeting as long as all members participating in the meeting are able to hear one another. Participation in a meeting through electronic transmission by and to the corporation (other than conference telephone and electronic video screen communication), pursuant to this subdivision constitutes presence in person at that meeting if both of the following apply:

 

  (A) Each member participating in the meeting can communicate with all of the other members concurrently.

Each member is provided the means participating all matters before the board, including, without limitation, the capacity to propose, or to interpose an [...] a by the corporation

 

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4.2    MEETINGS AND ACTION OF COMMITTEES

Meetings and actions of committees shall be governed by, and held and taken in accordance with, the provisions of Article 111 of these Bylaws, Section 3.6 (place of meetings), Section 3.7 (regular meetings), Section 3.8 (special meetings and notice), Section 3.9 (quorum), Section 3.10 (waiver of notice), Section 3.11 (adjournment), Section 3.12 (notice of adjournment), and Section 3.13 (action without meeting), with such changes in the context of those Bylaws as are necessary to substitute the committee and its members for the Board of Directors and its members; provided, however, that the time of regular meetings of committees may be determined either by resolution of the Board of Directors or by resolution of the committee, that special meetings of committees may also be called by resolution of the Board of Directors, and that notice of special meetings of committees shall also be given to all alternate members, who shall have the right to attend all meetings of the committee. The Board of Directors may adopt rules for the government of any committee not inconsistent with the provisions of these Bylaws.

ARTICLE V — OFFICERS

5.1    OFFICERS

The officers of the corporation shall be a President, a Secretary, a Chief Financial Officer and a Chief Credit Officer. The corporation may also have, at the discretion of the Board of Directors, a Chairman of the Board, a Vice Chairman of the Board, a Secretary, one or more Vice Presidents, one or more Assistant Secretaries, and such other officers as may be appointed in accordance with the provisions of Section 5.3 of these Bylaws. Any number of offices may be held by the same person.

5.2    APPOINTMENT OF OFFICERS

The officers of the corporation, except such officers as may be appointed in accordance with the provisions of Section 5.3 or Section 5.5 of these Bylaws, shall be chosen by the Board and serve at the pleasure of the Board, subject to the rights, if any, of an officer under any contract of employment.

5.3    SUBORDINATE OFFICERS

The Board of Directors may appoint, or may empower the President to appoint, such other officers as the business of the corporation may require, each of whom shall hold office for such period, have such authority, and perform such duties as are provided in these Bylaws or as the Board of Directors may from time to time determine.

5.4    REMOVAL AND RESIGNATION OF OFFICERS

Subject to the rights, if any, of an officer under any contract of employment, all officers serve at the pleasure of the Board of Directors and any officer may be removed, either with or without cause, by the Board of Directors at any regular or special meeting of the Board or, except in case of an officer chosen by the Board of Directors, by any officer upon whom such power of removal may be conferred by the Board of Directors.

 

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Any officer may resign at any time by giving written notice to the corporation. Any resignation shall take effect at the date of the receipt of that notice or at any later time specified in that notice; and, unless otherwise specified in that notice, the acceptance of the resignation shall not be necessary to make it effective. Any resignation is without prejudice to the rights, if any, of the corporation under any contract to which the officer is a party.

5.5    VACANCIES IN OFFICES

A vacancy in any office because of death, resignation, removal, disqualification or any other cause sha!! be filled in the manner prescribed in these Bylaws for regular appointments to that office.

5.6    CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD

The Chairman of the Board, if such an officer be elected, shall, if present, preside at meetings of the Board of Directors and shareholders and exercise and perform such other powers and duties as may from time to time be assigned by the Board of Directors or as may be prescribed by these Bylaws.

5.7    VICE CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD

The Vice Chairman of the Board, if such an officer be elected, shall exercise and perform such other powers and duties as may from time to time be assigned by the Board of Directors, the Chairman of the Board, or as may be prescribed by these Bylaws. If there is no Chairman of the Board or if the Chairman of the Board is unable to serve, the Vice Chairman of the Board shall also preside at meetings of the Board of Directors and shareholders.

5.8    PRESIDENT

Subject to such supervisory powers, if any, as may be given by the Board of Directors to the Chairman of the Board and the Vice Chairman of the Board, if there be such officers, the President shall be the chief executive officer of the corporation and shall, subject to the control of the Board of Directors, have general supervision, direction, and control of the business and the officers of the corporation. The President shall have the general powers and duties of management usually vested in the office of President of a corporation, and shall have such other powers and duties as may be prescribed by the Board of Directors or these Bylaws.

5.9    VICE PRESIDENTS

In the absence or disability of the President, the Vice Presidents, if any, in order of their rank as fixed by the Board of Directors or, if not ranked, a Vice President designated by the Board of Directors, shall perform all the duties of the President and when so acting shall have all the powers of, and be subject to all the restrictions upon, the President. The Vice Presidents shall have such other powers and perform such other duties as from time to time may be prescribed for them respectively by the Board of Directors, these Bylaws, or the President.

5.10    SECRETARY

The Secretary shall keep or cause to be kept, at the principal executive office of the corporation or such other place as the Board of Directors may direct, a book of minutes of all meetings and actions of Directors, committees of directors and shareholders. minutes shall show the time and place of each meeting, whether regular or (and, if authorized the notice given), the names of those present at directors’ meetings or committee meetings, the number of shares present or represented at shareholders’ meetings, and the proceedings thereof.

 

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The Secretary shall keep, or cause to be kept, at the principal executive office of the corporation or at the office of the corporation’s transfer agent or registrar, as determined by resolution of the Board of Directors, a share register, or a duplicate share register, showing the names of all shareholders and their addresses, the number and classes of shares held by each, the number and date of certificates evidencing such shares, and the number and date of cancellation of every certificate surrendered for cancellation.

The Secretary shall give, or cause to be given, notice of all meetings of the shareholders and of the Board of Directors required to be given by law or by these Bylaws. The Secretary shall keep the seal of the corporation, if one be adopted, in safe custody and shall have such other powers and perform such other duties as may be prescribed by the Board of Directors or by these Bylaws.

5.11    CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER

The Chief Financial Officer shall keep and maintain, or cause to be kept and maintained, adequate and correct books and records of accounts of the properties and business transactions of the corporation, including accounts of its assets, liabilities, receipts, disbursements, gains, losses, capital, retained earnings, and shares. The books of account shall at all reasonable times be open to inspection by any director.

The Chief Financial Officer shall deposit all money and other valuables in the name and to the credit of the corporation with such depositories as may be designated by the Board of Directors or the President. The Chief Financial Officer shall disburse the funds of the corporation as may be ordered by the Board of Directors or President, shall render to the President and directors, whenever they request it, an account of all of his or her transactions as Chief Financial Officer and of the financial condition of the corporation, and shall have such other powers and perform such other duties as may be prescribed by the Board of Directors, these Bylaws, or the President.

5.12    CHIEF CREDIT OFFICER

The Chief Credit Officer shall be directly responsible for the safety and soundness of the loan portfolio. The Chief Credit Officer shall be responsible for the adequacy of the loan loss reserve. The Chief Credit Officer shall maintain current and relevant lending policies, provide for on-going training of lending and credit administration personnel and develop and operate appropriate systems and procedures to properly manage the loan portfolio. The Chief Credit Officer shall render reports as requested by the Board of Directors and the President. The Chief Credit Officer shall perform such other assignments as the President or the Board of Directors may prescribe.

 

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ARTICLE VI — INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS, OFFICERS EMPLOYEES, AND OTHER AGENTS

6.1    INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS

The corporation shall, to the maximum extent and in the manner permitted by the Code, indemnify each of its directors against expenses (as defined in Section 317(a) of the Code), judgments, fines, settlements, and other amounts actually and reasonably incurred in connection with any proceeding (as defined in Section 317(a) of the Code), arising by reason of the fact that such person is or was a director of the corporation. For purposes of this Article VI, a “director” of the corporation includes any person (i) who is or was a director of the corporation, (ii) who is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director of another foreign or domestic corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, or (iii) who was a director of a corporation which was a predecessor corporation of the corporation or of another enterprise at the request of such predecessor corporation.

Any indemnification under this Section 6.1 shall be subject to applicable federal law, including but not limited to Section 18(k) of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act (12 U.S.C. Section 1828(k)) and Part 359 of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation’s Regulations (12 C.F.R. Sections 359.0 et seq.). In accordance with federal law, the corporation may indemnify its directors for reasonable expenses and costs associated with respect to an administrative proceeding or civil action initiated by any federal banking agency only if (i) the Board of Directors, in good faith, determines in writing after due investigation and consideration that the director acted in good faith and in a manner he or she believed to be in the best interests of the corporation and that the payment of such expenses will not materially adversely affect the corporation’s safety and soundness, (ii) the indemnification payments are not otherwise prohibited by this Section 6.1, and (iii) the director agrees in writing to reimburse the corporation, to the extent not covered by payments from insurance purchased pursuant to Section 6.5, for that portion of the advanced indemnification payments received under Section 6.3 which subsequently become prohibited pursuant to this Section 6.1.

Notwithstanding the above, the corporation is prohibited from paying or reimbursing a director for (a) any civil money penalty or judgment resulting from any administrative or civil action instituted by any federal banking agency, or (b) any other liability or legal expense with regard to any administrative proceeding or civil action instituted by any federal banking agency which results in a final order or settlement pursuant to which a director is (i) assessed a civil money penalty, (ii) removed from office or prohibited from participating in the affairs of the corporation, or (iii) required to cease and desist from or take an affirmative action described in Section 8(b) of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act (12 U.S.C. Section 1818(b)) with respect to the corporation. The corporation may, however, indemnify a director for legal or professional expenses specifically attributable to particular charges for which there has been a formal and final adjudication or finding in connection with a settlement that the director has not violated certain banking laws or regulations or has not engaged in certain unsafe or unsound banking practices or breaches of fiduciary duty, unless the administrative action or civil proceeding has resulted in a final prohibition order against the director.

6.2    INDEMNIFICATION OF OTHERS

[...]

 

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Section 317(a) of the Code), arising by reason of the fact that such person is or was an employee, officer, or agent of the corporation. For purposes of this Article VI, an “employee” or “officer” or “agent” of the corporation (other than a director) includes any person (i) who is or was an employee, officer, or agent of the corporation, (ii) who is or was serving at the request of the corporation as an employee, officer, or agent of another foreign or domestic corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, or (iii) who was an employee, officer, or agent of a corporation which was a predecessor corporation of the corporation or of another enterprise at the request of such predecessor corporation.

Any indemnification under this Section 6.2 shall be subject to applicable federal law, including but not limited to Section 18(k) of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act (12 U.S.C. Section 1828(k)) and Part 359 of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation’s Regulations (12 C.F.R. Sections 359.0 et seq.). In accordance with federal law, the corporation may indemnify its employees, officers or agents for reasonable expenses and costs associated with respect to an administrative proceeding or civil action initiated by any federal banking agency only if (i) the Board of Directors, in good faith, determines in writing after due investigation and consideration that the employee, officer or agent acted in good faith and in a manner he or she believed to be in the best interests of the corporation and that the payment of such expenses will not materially adversely affect the corporation’s safety and soundness, (ii) the indemnification payments are not otherwise prohibited by this Section 6.2, and (iii) the employee, officer or agent agrees in writing to reimburse the corporation, to the extent not covered by payments from insurance purchased pursuant to Section 6.5, for that portion of the advanced indemnification payments received under Section 6.3 which subsequently become prohibited pursuant to this Section 6.2.

Notwithstanding the above, the corporation is prohibited from paying or reimbursing an employee, officer or agent (other than a director) for (a) any civil money penalty or judgment resulting from any administrative or civil action instituted by any federal banking agency, or (b) any other liability or legal expense with regard to any administrative proceeding or civil action instituted by any federal banking agency which results in a final order or settlement pursuant to which an employee, officer or agent is (i) assessed a civil money penalty, (ii) removed from office or prohibited from participating in the affairs of the corporation, or (iii) required to cease and desist from or take an affirmative action described in Section 8(b) of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act (12 U.S.C. Section 1818(b) with respect to the corporation. The corporation may, however, indemnify an employee, officer or agent for legal or professional expenses specifically attributable to particular charges for which there has been a formal and final adjudication or finding in connection with a settlement that the employee, officer or agent has not violated certain banking laws or regulations or has not engaged in certain unsafe or unsound banking practices or breaches of fiduciary duty, unless the administrative action or civil proceeding has resulted in a final prohibition order against the employee, officer or agent.

6.3    PAYMENT OF EXPENSES IN ADVANCE

Expenses and attorneys’ fees incurred in defending any civil or criminal action or proceeding for which indemnification is required pursuant to Section 6.1, or if otherwise authorized by the Board of Directors, shall be paid by the corporation in advance of the final disposition of such action or proceeding upon receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of the indemnified party to repay such amount if it shall ultimately be determined that the indemnified party is not entitled to be indemnified as authorized in this Article VI.

 

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6.4    INDEMNITY NOT EXCLUSIVE

The indemnification provided by this Article VI shall not be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which those seeking indemnification may be entitled under any Bylaw, agreement, vote of shareholders or directors or otherwise, both as to action in an official capacity and as to action in another capacity while holding such office. The rights to indemnity hereunder shall continue as to a person who has ceased to be a director, officer, employee, or agent and shall inure to the benefit of the heirs, executors, and administrators of the person.

6.5    INSURANCE INDEMNIFICATION

Notwithstanding the provisions of Sections 6.1 and 6.2, the corporation shall have the power to purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of any person who is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation against any liability asserted against or incurred by such person in such capacity or arising out of that person’s status as such, whether or not the corporation would have the power to indemnify that person against such liability under the provisions of this Article VI, provided that such insurance policy shall not be used to payor reimburse a director, employee, officer or agent for the cost of any judgment or civil money penalty assessed against such person in an administrative proceeding or civil action commenced by any federal banking agency, but may pay any legal or professional expenses incurred in connection with such proceeding or action or the amount of any restitution to the corporation.

6.6    CONFLICTS

No indemnification or advance shall be made under this Article VI, except where such indemnification or advance is mandated by law or the order, judgment or decree of any court of competent jurisdiction, in any circumstance where it appears:

 

  (1) That it would be inconsistent with a provision of the Articles of Incorporation, these Bylaws, a resolution of the shareholders or an agreement in effect at the time of the accrual of the alleged cause of the action asserted in the proceeding in which the expenses were incurred or other amounts were paid, which prohibits or otherwise limits indemnification; or

 

  (2) That it would be inconsistent with any condition expressly imposed by a court in approving a settlement.

6.7    RIGHT TO BRING SUIT

If a claim under this Article is not paid in full by the corporation within 90 days after a written claim has been received by the corporation (either because the claim is denied or because no determination is made), the claimant may at any time thereafter bring suit against the corporation to recover the unpaid amount of the claim and, if successful in whole or in part, the claimant shall also be entitled to be paid the expenses of prosecuting such claim. The corporation shall be entitled to raise as a defense to any such action that the claimant has not met the standards of conduct that make it permissible under the Code or applicable federal law for the corporation to indemnify the claimant for the claim. Neither the failure of the corporation (including its Board of Directors, independent legal counsel, or its shareholders) to have made a determination prior to the commencement of such action that indemnification of the claimant is [...] the circumstances because he or she has the applicable standard of conduct, if any, nor an actual by the its Board of Directors,

 

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independent legal counsel, or its shareholders) that the claimant has not met the applicable standard of conduct, shall be a defense to such action or create a presumption for the purposes of such action that the claimant has not met the applicable standard of conduct.

6.8    INDEMNITY AGREEMENTS

The Board of Directors is authorized to enter into a contract with any director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation, or any person who is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, including employee benefit plans, or any person who was a director, officer, employee or agent of a corporation which was a predecessor corporation of the corporation or of another enterprise at the request of such predecessor corporation, providing for indemnification rights equivalent to or, if the Board of Directors so determines and to the extent permitted by applicable law, greater than, those provided for in this Article VI.

6.9    AMENDMENT, REPEAL OR MODIFICATION

Any amendment, repeal or modification of any provision of this Article VI shall not adversely affect any right or protection of a director or agent of the corporation existing/at the time of such amendment, repeal or modification.

6.10    FEDERAL LAW

To the extent there is any conflict between state and federal law regarding any provision of this Article VI or such other provisions in these Bylaws, federal law shall supercede and control.

ARTICLE VII — RECORDS AND REPORTS

7.1    MAINTENANCE AND INSPECTION OF SHARE REGISTER

The corporation shall keep either at its principal executive office or at the office of its transfer agent or registrar (if either be appointed), as determined by resolution of the Board of Directors, a record of its shareholders listing the names and addresses of all shareholders and the number and class of shares held by each shareholder.

A shareholder or shareholders of the corporation holding at least five percent (5%) in the aggregate of the outstanding voting shares of the corporation or who hold at least one percent (1%) of such voting shares and have filed a Form F-6 (or equivalent form) with the appropriate federal bank regulatory agency, shall have an absolute right to do either or both of the following (i) inspect and copy the record of shareholders’ names, addresses, and shareholdings during usual business hours upon five (5) days’ prior written demand upon the corporation, or (ii) obtain from the transfer agent for the corporation, upon written demand and upon the tender of such transfer agent’s usual charges for such list (the amount of which charges shall be stated to the shareholder by the transfer agent upon request), a list of the shareholders’ names and addresses who are entitled to vote for the election of directors, and their shareholdings, as 0£ the most recent record date for which it has been compiled or as of a date specified by the shareholder subsequent to the date of demand. The list shall be made available on or before the later of five (5) business days after the demand is received or the date specified therein as the date as of which the list is to be compiled.

 

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The record of shareholders shall also be open to inspection and copying by any shareholder or holder of a voting trust certificate at any time during usual business hours upon written demand on the corporation, for a purpose reasonably related to the holder’s interests as a shareholder or holder of a voting trust certificate.

Any inspection and copying under this Section 7.1 may be made in person or by an agent or attorney of the shareholder or holder of a voting trust certificate making the demand.

7.2    MAINTENANCE AND INSPECTION OF BYLAWS

The corporation shall keep at its principal executive office or, if its principal executive office is not in the State of California, at its principal business office in California, the original or a copy of these Bylaws as amended to date, which shall be open to inspection by the shareholders at all reasonable times during office hours. If the principal executive office of the corporation is outside the State of California and the corporation has no principal business office in such state, then it shall, upon the written request of any shareholder, furnish to such shareholder a copy of these Bylaws as amended to date.

7.3    MAINTENANCE AND INSPECTION OF OTHER CORPORATE RECORDS

The accounting books and records and the minutes of proceedings of the shareholders and the Board of Directors, and committees of the Board of Directors shall be kept at such place or places as are designated by the Board of Directors or, in absence of such designation, at the principal executive office of the corporation. The minutes shall be kept in written form, and the accounting books and records shall be kept either in written form or in any other form capable of being converted into written form.

The minutes and accounting books and records shall be open to inspection upon the written demand on the corporation of any shareholder or holder of a voting trust certificate at any reasonable time during usual business hours, for a purpose reasonably related to such holder’s interests as a shareholder or as the holder of a voting trust certificate. Such inspection by a shareholder or holder of a voting trust certificate may be made in person or by an agent or attorney and the right of inspection includes the right to copy and make extracts. Such rights of inspection shall extend to the records of each subsidiary corporation of the corporation.

7.4    INSPECTION BY DIRECTORS

Every director shall have the absolute right at any reasonable time to inspect and copy all books, records, and documents of every kind and to inspect the physical properties of the corporation and each of its subsidiary corporations, domestic or foreign. Such inspection by a director may be made in person or by an agent or attorney and the right of inspection includes the right to copy and make extracts.

7.5    ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS; WAIVER

The Board of Directors shall cause an annual report to be sent to the shareholders not later than one hundred twenty (120) days after the close of the fiscal year adopted by the corporation. Such report shall be sent to the shareholders at least fifteen (15) (or, if sent by third-class mail, thirty-five (35)) days prior to the annual meeting of shareholders to be held during the next fiscal year and in the manner specified in Section 2.5 of these Bylaws for giving notice to shareholders of the corporation.

 

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The annual report shall contain a balance sheet as of the end of the fiscal year and an income statement and statement of changes in financial position for the fiscal year, accompanied by any report thereon of independent accountants or, if there is no such report, the certificate of an authorized officer of the corporation that the statements were prepared without audit from the books and records of the corporation.

The foregoing requirement of an annual report shall be waived so long as the shares of the corporation are held by fewer than one hundred (100) holders of record.

7.6    FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

A shareholder or shareholders holding at least five percent (5%) of the outstanding shares of any class of the corporation may make a written request to the corporation for an income statement of the corporation for the three-month, six-month or nine-month period of the current fiscal year ended more than thirty (30) days prior to the date of the request and a balance sheet of the corporation as of the end of that period. The statements shall be delivered or mailed to the person making the request within thirty (30) days thereafter. A copy of the statements shall be kept on file in the principal office of the corporation for twelve (12) months and it shall be exhibited at all reasonable times to any shareholder demanding an examination of the statements or a copy shall be mailed to the shareholder. If the corporation has not sent to the shareholders its annual report for the last fiscal year, the statements referred to in the first paragraph of this Section 7.6 shall likewise be delivered or mailed to the shareholder or shareholders within thirty (30) days after the request.

The quarterly income statements and balance sheets referred to in this section shall be accompanied by the report thereon, if any, of any independent accountants engaged by the corporation or the certificate of an authorized officer of the corporation that the financial statements were prepared without audit from the books and records of the corporation.

7.7    REPRESENTATION OF SHARES OF OTHER CORPORATIONS

The Chairman of the Board, the President, the Executive Vice President, or any other person authorized by the Board of Directors or the President or the Executive Vice President, is authorized to vote, represent, and exercise on behalf of this corporation all rights incident to any and all shares of any other corporation or corporations standing in the name of this corporation. The authority herein granted may be exercised either by such person directly or by any other person authorized to do so by proxy or power of attorney duly executed by such person having the authority.

ARTICLE VIII — GENERAL MATTERS

8.1    RECORD DATE FOR PURPOSES OTHER THAN NOTICE AND VOTING

For purposes of determining the shareholders entitled to receive payment of any dividend or other distribution or allotment of any rights or entitled to exercise any rights in respect of any other lawful action (other than with respect to notice or voting at a shareholders meeting or action by shareholders by written consent without a meeting), the Board of Directors may fix, in advance, a record date, which shall not be more than sixty (60) days prior to any such action. Only shareholders of record at the close of business on the record date are entitled to receive the dividend, distribution or allotment of rights, or to exercise the rights, as the case may notwithstanding any transfer of any shares on books after [...] as otherwise provided in the Articles of Incorporation or the Code

 

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If the Board of Directors does not so fix a record date, then the record date for determining shareholders for any such purpose shall be at the close of business on the day on which the Board adopts the resolution relating thereto or the sixtieth (60th) day prior to the date of that action, whichever is later.

8.2    CHECKS; DRAFTS; EVIDENCES OF INDEBTEDNESS

From time to time, the Board of Directors shall determine by resolution which person or persons may sign or endorse all checks, drafts, other orders for payment of money, notes or other evidences of indebtedness that are issued in the name of or payable to the corporation, and only the persons so authorized shall sign or endorse those instruments.

8.3    CORPORATE CONTRACTS AND INSTRUMENTS: HOW EXECUTED

The Board of Directors, except as otherwise provided in these Bylaws, may authorize any officer or officers, or agent or agents, to enter into any contract or execute any instrument in the name of and on behalf of the corporation; such authority may be general or confined to specific instances. Unless so authorized or ratified by the Board of Directors or within the agency power of an officer, no officer, agent or employee shall have any power or authority to bind the corporation by any contract or engagement or to pledge its credit or to render it liable for any purpose or for any amount.

8.4    CERTIFICATES FOR SHARES

A certificate or certificates for shares of the corporation shall be issued to each shareholder when any of such shares are fully paid. All certificates shall be signed in the name of the corporation by the Chairman of the Board or the Vice Chairman of the Board or the President or a Vice President and by the Chief Financial Officer or an Assistant Treasurer or the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary, certifying the number of shares and the class or series of shares owned by the shareholder. Any or all of the signatures on the certificate may be by facsimile.

In case any officer, transfer agent or registrar who has signed or whose facsimile signature has been placed on a certificate has ceased to be such officer, transfer agent or registrar before such certificate is issued, it may be issued by the corporation with the same effect as if that person were an officer, transfer agent or registrar at the date of issue.

8.5    LOST CERTIFICATES

Except as provided in this Section 8.5, no new certificates for shares shall be issued to replace a previously issued certificate unless the latter is surrendered to the corporation or its transfer agent or registrar and canceled at the same time. The Board of Directors may, in case any share certificate or certificate for any other security is lost, stolen or destroyed (as evidenced by a written affidavit or affirmation of such fact), authorize the issuance of replacement certificates on such terms and conditions as the Board may require; the Board may require indemnification of the corporation secured by a bond or other adequate security sufficient to protect the corporation against any claim that may be made against it, including any expense or liability, on account of the alleged loss, theft or destruction of the certificate or the issuance of the replacement certificate.

 

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8.6    CONSTRUCTION; DEFINITIONS

Unless the context requires otherwise, the general provisions, rules of construction, and definitions in the Code shall govern the construction of these Bylaws. Without limiting the generality of this provision, the singular number includes the plural, the plural number includes the singular, and the term “person” includes both a corporation and a natural person.

ARTICLE IX - AMENDMENTS

9.1    AMENDMENT BY SHAREHOLDERS

New Bylaws may be adopted or these Bylaws may be amended or repealed by the vote or written consent of holders of a majority of the outstanding shares entitled to vote; provided, however, that if the Articles of Incorporation of the corporation set forth the number of authorized Directors of the corporation, then the authorized number of Directors may be changed only by an amendment of the Articles of Incorporation.

9.2    AMENDMENT BY DIRECTORS

Subject to the rights of the shareholders as provided in Section 9.1 of these Bylaws, Bylaws, other than a Bylaw or an amendment of a Bylaw changing the authorized number of directors (except to fix the authorized number of directors pursuant to a Bylaw providing for a variable number of directors), may be adopted, amended or repealed by the Board of Directors.

9.3    RECORD OF AMENDMENTS

Whenever an amendment or new Bylaw is adopted, it shall be copied in the book of minutes with the original Bylaws. If any Bylaw is repealed, the fact of repeal, with the date of the meeting at which the repeal was enacted or written consent was filed, shall be stated in said book.

ARTICLE X — INTERPRETATION

Reference in these Bylaws to any provision of the California Corporations Code shall be deemed to include all amendments thereof.

 

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SECRETARY’S CERTIFICATE OF ADOPTION OF BYLAWS

OF

RBB BANCORP

I, the undersigned, do hereby certify:

1.    That Iam the duly elected and acting Secretary of RBB Bancorp, a California corporation.

2.    That the foregoing Bylaws, comprising 24 pages, including this page, constitute the Bylaws of said corporation as adopted by the Board of Directors at a meeting held on June 16, 2010.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto subscribed my name this 15th day of September, 2010.

 

 

Pei-Ching (Peggy) Huang
Secretary

 

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SECRETARY’S CERTIFICATE OF ADOPTION OF BYLAWS

OF

RBB BANCORP

I, the undersigned, do hereby certify:

1.    That I am the duly elected and acting Secretary of RBB Bancorp, a California corporation.

2.    That the foregoing Bylaws, comprising 24 pages, including this page, constitute the Bylaws of said corporation as adopted by the Board of Directors at a meeting held on June 16, 2010.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto subscribed my name this 15th day of September, 2010.

 

LOGO

 

Pei-Ching (Peggy) Huang
Secretary

 

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