UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 OR 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): April 17, 2012
Northern Trust Corporation
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware | 0-5965 | 36-2723087 | ||
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation) |
(Commission File Number) |
(IRS Employer Identification No.) | ||
50 South LaSalle Street, Chicago, Illinois | 60603 | |||
(Address of principal executive offices) | (Zip Code) |
(312) 630-6000
(Registrants telephone number, including area code)
Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:
¨ | Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425) |
¨ | Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12) |
¨ | Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b)) |
¨ | Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c)) |
Item 5.03. | Amendments to Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws; Changes in Fiscal Year. |
On April 17, 2012, the Board of Directors of Northern Trust Corporation (the Corporation) amended the Corporations By-laws (the By-laws), effective April 17, 2012. The principal changes to the By-laws affected by this amendment are as follows:
Maximum Size of the Board of Directors
Section 2.2 of the By-laws was amended to reduce the maximum size of the Board of Directors of the Corporation from no more than 25 to no more than fifteen directors.
Notice by Electronic Means
Section 2.4 and Section 2.5 of the By-laws was amended to provide that notice of regular and special meetings of the Board of Directors of the Corporation may be given by electronic transmission. The amendment also clarifies that notice of regular and special meetings of the Board of Directors of the Corporation sent by mail must be sent by registered or certified mail or a nationally recognized overnight courier, with such notice being effective upon receipt by the director.
Officers
Article IX of By-laws was amended to, among other things, expressly authorize either or both the Chief Executive Officer and the chief human resources officer of the Corporation to appoint and fix the compensation of certain officers of the Corporation. The foregoing authorization is limited by the power specifically reserved for the Board of Directors of the Corporation to (i) elect the Chairman of the Board, a President, one or more Vice Chairmen, a Chief Financial Officer, a General Auditor, one or more Executive Vice Presidents, a Secretary and a Treasurer and such other officers as may from time to time be elected by the Board of Directors of the Corporation and (ii) fix the compensation of any officer to the extent required by the rules of the securities exchange on which the Corporations securities are listed and any other officer as may be designated by the Board of Director of the Corporation. The amendment also clarifies the powers and duties of certain officers.
The preceding description is qualified in its entirety by reference to the By-laws, as amended, which are attached hereto as Exhibit 3.1, and are incorporated herein by reference.
Item 9.01 | Financial Statements and Exhibits. |
(d) Exhibits.
3.1 | By-laws of Northern Trust Corporation, as amended through April 17, 2012 |
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
Northern Trust Corporation | ||||||
Date: April 18, 2012 | By: | /s/ Rose A. Ellis | ||||
Rose A. Ellis Corporate Secretary |
EXHIBIT INDEX
Exhibit |
Description of Exhibit | |
3.1 | By-laws of Northern Trust Corporation, as amended through April 17, 2012 |
Exhibit 3.1
By-laws
of
Northern Trust Corporation
Chicago, Illinois
As Amended Through April 17, 2012
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page | ||||||||
ARTICLE I THE STOCKHOLDERS |
1 | |||||||
SECTION 1.1 | Annual Meeting | 1 | ||||||
SECTION 1.2 | Special Meetings | 1 | ||||||
SECTION 1.3 | Notice of Meetings | 1 | ||||||
SECTION 1.4 | Fixing Date of Record | 1 | ||||||
SECTION 1.5 | Inspectors of Elections | 2 | ||||||
SECTION 1.6 | Quorum | 3 | ||||||
SECTION 1.7 | Majority Vote Required | 3 | ||||||
SECTION 1.8 | Proxies | 3 | ||||||
SECTION 1.9 | Voting by Ballot | 4 | ||||||
SECTION 1.10 | Voting Lists | 4 | ||||||
SECTION 1.11 | Place of Meeting | 4 | ||||||
SECTION 1.12 | Voting of Shares of Certain Holders | 4 | ||||||
SECTION 1.13 | Nature of Business at Annual Meeting of Stockholders | 5 | ||||||
ARTICLE II THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS |
6 | |||||||
SECTION 2.1 | General Powers | 6 | ||||||
SECTION 2.2 | Number, Tenure and Qualifications | 6 | ||||||
SECTION 2.3 | Regular Meetings | 7 | ||||||
SECTION 2.4 | Special Meetings; Notice | 7 | ||||||
SECTION 2.5 | Time of Notice | 7 | ||||||
SECTION 2.6 | Quorum | 7 | ||||||
SECTION 2.7 | Manner of Acting | 7 | ||||||
SECTION 2.8 | Directors Compensation | 8 | ||||||
SECTION 2.9 | Vacancies | 8 | ||||||
SECTION 2.10 | Consent in Lieu of Meeting | 8 | ||||||
SECTION 2.11 | The Lead Director | 8 | ||||||
SECTION 2.12 | Nomination of Directors | 8 | ||||||
ARTICLE III THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE |
10 | |||||||
SECTION 3.1 | The Executive Committee | 10 | ||||||
ARTICLE IV THE AUDIT COMMITTEE |
10 | |||||||
SECTION 4.1 | The Audit Committee | 10 | ||||||
ARTICLE V THE CORPORATE GOVERNANCE COMMITTEE |
10 | |||||||
SECTION 5.1 | The Corporate Governance Committee | 10 | ||||||
ARTICLE VI THE COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS COMMITTEE |
11 |
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
(continued)
Page | ||||||||
SECTION 6.1 | The Compensation and Benefits Committee | 11 | ||||||
ARTICLE VII THE BUSINESS RISK COMMITTEE |
11 | |||||||
SECTION 7.1 | The Business Risk Committee | 11 | ||||||
ARTICLE VIII THE BUSINESS STRATEGY COMMITTEE |
12 | |||||||
SECTION 8.1 | The Business Strategy Committee | 12 | ||||||
ARTICLE IX THE OFFICERS |
12 | |||||||
SECTION 9.1 | Number, Election or Appointment, and Term of Office | 12 | ||||||
SECTION 9.2 | Removal | 13 | ||||||
SECTION 9.3 | The Chairman of the Board | 13 | ||||||
SECTION 9.4 | The Chief Executive Officer | 13 | ||||||
SECTION 9.5 | The President | 13 | ||||||
SECTION 9.6 | The Vice Chairmen | 13 | ||||||
SECTION 9.7 | The Executive Vice Presidents | 13 | ||||||
SECTION 9.8 | The Vice Presidents | 13 | ||||||
SECTION 9.9 | The Treasurer | 14 | ||||||
SECTION 9.10 | The Secretary | 14 | ||||||
SECTION 9.11 | Assistant Treasurers and Assistant Secretaries | 14 | ||||||
SECTION 9.12 | Compensation | 14 | ||||||
ARTICLE X CONTRACTS, LOANS, CHECKS AND DEPOSITS | 15 | |||||||
SECTION 10.1 | Contracts | 15 | ||||||
SECTION 10.2 | Loans | 15 | ||||||
SECTION 10.3 | Checks, Drafts, etc | 15 | ||||||
SECTION 10.4 | Deposits | 15 | ||||||
SECTION 10.5 | Power to Execute Proxies | 15 | ||||||
ARTICLE XI CERTIFICATED AND UNCERTIFICATED SHARES AND THEIR TRANSFER |
15 | |||||||
SECTION 11.1 | Certificated and Uncertificated Shares | 15 | ||||||
SECTION 11.2 | Transfers of Shares | 16 | ||||||
ARTICLE XII FISCAL YEAR |
16 | |||||||
SECTION 12.1 | Fiscal Year | 16 | ||||||
ARTICLE XIII SEAL |
16 | |||||||
SECTION 13.1 | Seal | 16 | ||||||
ARTICLE XIV WAIVER OF NOTICE | 16 | |||||||
SECTION 14.1 | Waiver of Notice | 16 | ||||||
ARTICLE XV INDEMNIFICATION |
17 |
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
(continued)
Page | ||||||||
SECTION 15.1 | Indemnification Request | 17 | ||||||
SECTION 15.2 | Determination of Indemnification Request | 17 | ||||||
SECTION 15.3 | Presumption of Entitlement; Conclusive Effect of Findings of Fact and Law; Other Procedures | 17 | ||||||
SECTION 15.4 | Cooperation and Expenses | 17 | ||||||
SECTION 15.5 | Selection of Independent Counsel | 18 | ||||||
SECTION 15.6 | Time for Determination | 18 | ||||||
SECTION 15.7 | Failure To Make Determination; Remedies For Enforcement | 18 | ||||||
SECTION 15.8 | Appeal of Adverse Determination | 19 | ||||||
SECTION 15.9 | Burden of Proof | 19 | ||||||
SECTION 15.10 | Definition of Disinterested Director | 19 | ||||||
SECTION 15.11 | Definition of Change of Control | 19 | ||||||
SECTION 15.12 | Advancement of Expenses | 20 | ||||||
SECTION 15.13 | Personal Liability of Directors | 20 | ||||||
ARTICLE XVI AMENDMENTS |
20 | |||||||
SECTION 16.1 | Amendments | 20 |
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By-laws
of
Northern Trust Corporation
Chicago, Illinois
ARTICLE I
THE STOCKHOLDERS
SECTION 1.1 Annual Meeting. The annual meeting of stockholders shall be held on such date and at such time as shall be designated from time to time by the Board of Directors and stated in the notice of the meeting, at which meeting the stockholders shall elect directors, and transact such other business as may properly be brought before the meeting.
SECTION 1.2 Special Meetings. A special meeting of the stockholders may be called at any time by the Board of Directors, the Chairman of the Board or the President. At a special meeting of the stockholders, only such business shall be conducted as shall be specified in the notice of meeting (or any supplement thereto) given by or at the direction of the Board of Directors.
SECTION 1.3 Notice of Meetings. Unless a different manner of giving notice is prescribed by statute, written or printed notice stating the place, day, and hour of the meeting, and in case of a special meeting, the purpose or purposes for which the meeting is called, shall be delivered not more than 50 days nor less than 10 days (or less than 20 days if a merger or consolidation of the Corporation, or a sale, lease or exchange of all or substantially all of the Corporations property or assets, is to be acted upon at the meeting) before the date of the meeting either personally or by mail, to each stockholder of record entitled to vote at such meeting. If mailed, such notice shall be deemed to be delivered when deposited in the United States mail with postage thereon prepaid addressed to the stockholder at the stockholders address as it appears on the records of the Corporation.
SECTION 1.4 Fixing Date of Record.
(a) In order that the Corporation may determine the stockholders entitled to notice of or to vote at any meeting of stockholders or any adjournment thereof, the Board of Directors may fix a record date, which record date shall not precede the date on which the resolution fixing the record date is adopted by the Board of Directors, and which record date shall not be more than 60 nor less than 10 days (or less than 20 days if a merger or consolidation of the Corporation, or a sale, lease or exchange of all or substantially all of the Corporations property or assets, is to be acted upon at the meeting) before the date of such meeting. If no record date is fixed by the Board of Directors, the record date for determining stockholders entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting of stockholders shall be at the close of business on the next day preceding the day on
which notice is given, or, if notice is waived, at the close of business on the day next preceding the day on which the meeting is held. A determination of stockholders of record entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting of stockholders shall apply to an adjournment of the meeting; provided, however, that the Board of Directors may fix a new record date for the adjourned meeting.
(b) In order that the Corporation may determine the stockholders entitled to consent to corporate action in writing without a meeting, the Board of Directors may fix a record date, which record date shall not precede the date on which the resolution fixing the record date is adopted by the Board of Directors, and which date shall not be more than 10 days after the date upon which the resolution fixing the record date is adopted by the Board of Directors. Any stockholder of record seeking to have the stockholders authorize or take corporate action by written consent shall, by written notice to the Secretary, request the Board of Directors to fix a record date. The Board of Directors shall promptly, but in all events within 10 days after the date on which such a request is received, adopt a resolution fixing the record date. If no record date has been fixed by the Board of Directors within 10 days of the date on which such a request is received, the record date for determining stockholders entitled to consent to corporate action in writing without a meeting, when no prior action by the Board of Directors is required by the Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation or by statute, shall be the first date on which a signed written consent setting forth the action taken or proposed to be taken is delivered in the manner required by law to the Corporation at its registered office in the State of Delaware or at its principal place of business or to an officer or agent of the Corporation having custody of the book in which proceedings of meetings of the Corporations stockholders are recorded. Delivery made to the Corporations registered office shall be by hand delivery or by certified or registered mail, return receipt requested. If no record date has been fixed by the Board of Directors and prior action by the Board of Directors is required by the Restated Certificate of Incorporation or by statute, the record date for determining stockholders entitled to consent to corporate action in writing without a meeting shall be at the close of business on the day on which the Board of Directors adopts the resolution taking such prior action.
(c) In order that the Corporation may determine the stockholders entitled to receive payment of any dividend or other distribution or allotment of any rights or the stockholders entitled to exercise any rights in respect of any change, conversion or exchange of stock, or for the purpose of any other lawful action, the Board of Directors may fix a record date, which record date shall not precede the date upon which the resolution fixing the record date is adopted, and which record date shall not be more than 60 days prior to such action. If no record date is fixed, the record date for determining stockholders for any such purpose shall be at the close of business on the day on which the Board of Directors adopts the resolution relating thereto.
(d) Only those who shall be stockholders of record on the record date so fixed as aforesaid shall be entitled to such notice of, and to vote at, such meeting and any adjournment thereof, or to receive payment of such dividend or other distribution, or to receive such allotment of rights, or to exercise such rights, as the case may be, notwithstanding the transfer of any stock on the books of the Corporation after the applicable record date.
SECTION 1.5 Inspectors of Elections. The Board of Directors or the Executive Committee of the Board of Directors of the Corporation shall appoint, in advance, one or more
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inspectors to act at each meeting of the stockholders of the Corporation. If no inspector has been appointed or one or more have been appointed but are unable or fail to act, the presiding officer of any meeting of the stockholders shall appoint one or more persons as inspectors for such meeting. Such inspectors shall ascertain the number of shares of stock of the Corporation outstanding and entitled to vote at the meeting and the voting power of each share; determine and report the number of shares represented at the meeting, based upon their determination of the validity and effect of proxies and ballots; count all votes and ballots and report the results; and do such other acts as are required by law or are proper to conduct the election and voting with impartiality and fairness to all the stockholders. Each report of an inspector shall be in writing and signed by him or her or a majority of them if there is more than one inspector acting at such meeting. If there is more than one inspector, the report of a majority shall be the report of the inspectors. The report of the inspector or inspectors on the number of shares represented at the meeting and the results of the voting shall be prima facie evidence thereof. The inspector or inspectors may appoint or retain other persons or entities to assist in performing their duties.
SECTION 1.6 Quorum. The holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of capital stock entitled to vote at the meeting, represented in person or by proxy, shall constitute a quorum at a meeting of stockholders. A quorum, once established, shall not be broken by the withdrawal of enough votes to leave less than a quorum. If, however, such quorum shall not be present or represented at any meeting of the stockholders, the presiding officer at the meeting or the stockholders entitled to vote thereat, present in person or represented by proxy, shall have power to adjourn the meeting from time to time, without notice other than announcement at the meeting, until a quorum shall be present or represented. At such adjourned meeting at which a quorum shall be present or represented, any business may be transacted which might have been transacted at the meeting as originally noticed.
SECTION 1.7 Majority Vote Required. In all uncontested elections of Directors of the Corporation (i.e., an election where the only nominees are those recommended by the Board), to be elected as a Director, a nominee for Director must receive the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes present and voting at the meeting of Stockholders. In all contested elections of Directors of the Corporation, the affirmative vote of a plurality of the votes present and voting will be required to elect a Director.
SECTION 1.8 Proxies. Each stockholder entitled to vote at a meeting of stockholders or to express consent or dissent to corporate action in writing without a meeting may authorize another person or persons to act for such stockholder by proxy, but no such proxy shall be voted or acted upon after three years from its date, unless the proxy provides for a longer period. Without limiting the manner in which a stockholder may authorize another person or persons to act for such stockholder as proxy pursuant to the foregoing sentence, a stockholder may validly grant such authority by (a) executing a writing authorizing another person or persons to act for such stockholder as proxy, (b) authorizing another person or persons to act for such stockholder as proxy by transmitting or authorizing the transmission of a telegram, cablegram, or other means of electronic transmission to the person who will be the holder of the proxy or to a proxy solicitation firm, proxy support service organization or like agent duly authorized by the person who will be the holder of the proxy to receive such transmission, provided that any such telegram, cablegram or other means of electronic transmission must either set forth or be submitted with information from which it can be determined that the telegram, cablegram or other electronic transmission was authorized by the stockholder, or (c) any other means permitted under the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware.
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SECTION 1.9 Voting by Ballot. Voting in any election for Directors shall be by ballot.
SECTION 1.10 Voting Lists. The officer who has charge of the stock ledger of the Corporation shall prepare and make, at least 10 days before every meeting of stockholders, a complete list of the stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting, arranged in alphabetical order, and showing the address of each stockholder and the number of shares registered in the name of each stockholder. Such list shall be open to the examination of any stockholder, for any purpose germane to the meeting, during ordinary business hours, for a period of at least 10 days prior to the meeting, either at a place within the city where the meeting is to be held, which place shall be specified in the notice of the meeting, or, if not so specified, at the place where the meeting is to be held. The list shall also be produced and kept at the time and place of the meeting during the whole time thereof, and may be inspected by any stockholder who is present.
SECTION 1.11 Place of Meeting. The Board of Directors may designate any place, either within or without the State of Delaware, as the place of meeting for any annual meeting or any special meeting called by the Board of Directors. If no designation is made, or if a special meeting is otherwise called, the place of meeting shall be the principal office of the Corporation in the City of Chicago.
SECTION 1.12 Voting of Shares of Certain Holders. Shares of capital stock of the Corporation standing in the name of another corporation, domestic or foreign, may be voted by such officer, agent, or proxy as the by-laws of such corporation may prescribe, or, in the absence of such provision, as the Board of Directors of such corporation may determine.
Shares of capital stock of the Corporation standing in the name of a deceased person, a minor ward or an incompetent person, may be voted by his or her administrator, executor, court appointed guardian or conservator, either in person or by proxy without a transfer of such shares into the name of such administrator, executor, court appointed guardian or conservator. Shares of capital stock of the Corporation standing in the name of a trustee may be voted by the trustee, either in person or by proxy.
Shares of capital stock of the Corporation standing in the name of a receiver may be voted by such receiver, and shares held by or under the control of a receiver may be voted by such receiver without the transfer thereof into the receivers name if authority so to do be contained in an appropriate order of the court by which such receiver was appointed.
A stockholder whose shares are pledged shall be entitled to vote such shares until the shares have been transferred into the name of the pledgee, and thereafter the pledgee shall be entitled to vote the shares so transferred.
Shares of its own capital stock belonging to this Corporation shall not be voted, directly or indirectly, at any meeting and shall not be counted in determining the total number of outstanding shares at any given time, but shares of its own stock held by it in a fiduciary capacity may be voted and shall be counted in determining the total number of outstanding shares at any given time.
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SECTION 1.13 Nature of Business at Annual Meeting of Stockholders. No business may be transacted at an annual meeting of stockholders, other than business that is either (a) specified in the notice of meeting (or any supplement thereto) given by or at the direction of the Board of Directors (or any duly authorized committee thereof), (b) otherwise properly brought before the annual meeting by or at the direction of the Board of Directors (or any duly authorized committee thereof) or (c) otherwise properly brought before the annual meeting by any stockholder of the Corporation (i) who is a stockholder of record on the date of the giving of the notice provided for in this Section 1.13 and on the record date for the determination of stockholders entitled to vote at such annual meeting and (ii) who complies with the notice procedures set forth in this Section 1.13.
In addition to any other applicable requirements, for business to be properly brought before an annual meeting by a stockholder, such stockholder must have given timely notice thereof in proper written form to the Secretary of the Corporation.
To be timely, a stockholders notice to the Secretary must be delivered to or mailed and received at the principal executive offices of the Corporation not less than one-hundred twenty (120) days prior to the anniversary date of the immediately preceding annual meeting of stockholders; provided, however, that in the event that the annual meeting is called for a date that is not within thirty (30) days before or after the anniversary date of the preceding annual meeting, notice by the stockholder in order to be timely must be so received not later than the close of business on the tenth (10th) day following the day on which such notice of the date of the annual meeting was mailed or such public disclosure of the date of the annual meeting was made, whichever first occurs.
To be in proper written form, a stockholders notice to the Secretary must set forth as to each matter such stockholder proposes to bring before the annual meeting a brief description of the business desired to be brought before the annual meeting and the reasons for conducting such business at the annual meeting and as to the stockholder giving the notice and any Stockholder Associated Person (as defined below): (i) the name and record address of such person, (ii) the class or series and number of shares of capital stock of the Corporation which are, directly or indirectly, owned beneficially (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the Exchange Act)) or of record by such person, except that such person shall in all events be deemed to beneficially own any shares of capital stock of the Corporation as to which such person has a right to acquire beneficial ownership at any time in the future (the disclosures to be made pursuant to the foregoing clauses (i) and (ii) are referred to as the Stockholder Information), (iii) whether and the extent to which any hedging or other transaction or series of transactions has been entered into by or on behalf of, or any other agreement, arrangement or understanding (including any derivative or short positions, profit interests, options or borrowed or loaned shares) has been made, the effect or intent of which is to mitigate loss to or manage risk or benefit of share price changes for, or to increase or decrease the voting power of, such person with respect to any share of stock of the Corporation, (iv) to the extent known by the stockholder giving the notice, the name and address of any other stockholder supporting the proposal of business on the date of such stockholders notice, (v) a
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description of all arrangements or understandings between or among the stockholder giving the notice and any other person or persons (including their names) in connection with the proposal of such business by such stockholder and any material interest of such stockholder in such business, (vi) a representation that the stockholder giving the notice intends to appear in person or by proxy at the annual meeting to bring such business before the meeting, (vii) notice whether such person intends to solicit proxies in connection with the proposed matter and (viii) any other information relating to such person that would be required to be disclosed in a proxy statement or other filings required to be made in connection with the solicitation of proxies pursuant to Section 14 of the Exchange Act, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder (the disclosures to be made pursuant to the foregoing clauses (iii) through (viii) are referred to as the Disclosable Interests); provided, however, that Disclosable Interests shall not include any such disclosure with respect to the ordinary course business activities of any broker, dealer, commercial bank, trust company or other nominee who is a Stockholder Associated Person solely as a result of being the stockholder directed to prepare and submit the notice required by these By-laws on behalf of a beneficial owner. Stockholder Associated Person of any stockholder shall mean (i) any person acting in concert, directly or indirectly, with such stockholder and (ii) any person controlling, controlled by or under common control with such stockholder or any Stockholder Associated Person. Any information required pursuant to this paragraph shall be supplemented to speak as of the record date for the meeting by the stockholder giving the notice not later than ten (10) days after such record date.
No business shall be conducted at the annual meeting of stockholders except business brought before the annual meeting in accordance with the procedures set forth in this Section 1.13, provided, however, that, once business has been properly brought before the annual meeting in accordance with such procedures, nothing in this Section 1.13 shall be deemed to preclude discussion by any stockholder of any such business. If the Chairman of an annual meeting determines that business was not properly brought before the annual meeting in accordance with the foregoing procedures, the Chairman shall declare to the meeting that the business was not properly brought before the meeting and such business shall not be transacted.
Nothing in this Section 1.13 shall be deemed to affect the rights of stockholders to request inclusion of proposals in the Corporations proxy statement pursuant to Rule 14a-8 under the Exchange Act.
ARTICLE II
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
SECTION 2.1 General Powers. The business and affairs of the Corporation shall be managed by or under the direction of its Board of Directors.
SECTION 2.2 Number, Tenure and Qualifications. The Board of Directors of the Corporation shall consist of such number of Directors, not less than five nor more than fifteen, as shall be fixed from time to time by the Board of Directors. Each Director shall hold office until the next annual meeting of stockholders or until a successor is elected.
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SECTION 2.3 Regular Meetings. A regular meeting of the Board of Directors shall be held at least once each quarter at such place, date and hour as the Board may appoint. Notice of each regular meeting, unless waived, shall be given in the same manner as is provided for notice of a special meeting.
SECTION 2.4 Special Meetings; Notice. A special meeting of the Board of Directors may be called by or at the request of the Chairman of the Board, the Lead Director, or a majority of the Directors then in office. The person or persons calling or requesting such meeting may fix the place, date and hour thereof.
Notice of the place, date, and hour of each special meeting, unless waived, shall be given to each Director either by registered or certified mail or a nationally recognized overnight courier not less than forty-eight (48) hours before the date of the meeting, by telephone, facsimile, electronic mail or other electronic means on twenty-four (24) hours notice, or on such shorter notice as the person or persons calling such meeting may deem necessary or appropriate in the circumstances. Such notice may be given by the Secretary or by the officer or Directors calling the meeting.
SECTION 2.5 Time of Notice. If notice to a Director is given:
(a) in person, such notice shall be deemed to have been given when delivered;
(b) by registered or certified mail or a nationally recognized overnight courier, such notice shall be deemed to have been given upon receipt by the Director at such address as appears on the records of the Corporation for such Director;
(c) by facsimile or by telephone, wireless or other means of voice transmission, such notice shall be deemed to have been given when transmitted to such number or call designation as appears on the records of the Corporation for such Director;
(d) by electronic mail, when received by the electronic mail address as appears on the records of the Corporation for such Director; or
(e) by any other form of electronic transmission, when received by the Director.
Any meeting of the Board of Directors shall be a legal meeting without any notice having been given if all the Directors are present at the meeting, and no notice of a meeting shall be required to be given to any Director who attends such meetings.
SECTION 2.6 Quorum. A majority of the Board of Directors shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at any meeting of the Board of Directors, provided that if less than a majority of the Directors are present at said meeting, a majority of the Directors present may adjourn the meeting from time to time without further notice.
SECTION 2.7 Manner of Acting. The act of the majority of the Directors present at a meeting at which a quorum is present shall be the act of the Board of Directors, except on additions, amendments, repeal or any changes whatsoever in the By-laws or the adoption of new By-laws, when the affirmative votes of at least a majority of the members of the Board shall be necessary for the adoption of such changes.
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A director may participate in a meeting of the Board of Directors or any committee thereof by means of conference telephone or similar communications equipment by means of which all persons participating in the meeting can hear each other, and such participation shall constitute presence in person at such meetings.
SECTION 2.8 Directors Compensation. The Directors shall receive such compensation as may be fixed by the Board for services to the Corporation.
SECTION 2.9 Vacancies. If vacancies occur in the Board of Directors caused by death, resignation, retirement, disqualification or removal from office of any Director or Directors, or otherwise, or if any new Directorship is created by any increase in the authorized number of Directors, a majority of the surviving or remaining Directors then in office, though less than a quorum, may choose a successor or successors, or fill the newly created Directorship, and the Directors so chosen shall hold office until the next annual meeting of stockholders or until their successors are elected.
SECTION 2.10 Consent in Lieu of Meeting. Unless otherwise restricted by the Restated Certificate of Incorporation or these By-laws, any action required or permitted to be taken at any meeting of the Board of Directors or any committee thereof may be taken without a meeting if all members of the Board or committee thereof, as the case may be, consent thereto in writing, and the writing or writings are filed with the minutes of the proceedings of the Board or committee.
SECTION 2.11 The Lead Director. The Board of Directors, by the affirmative vote of a majority of those directors who have been determined to be independent for purposes of the applicable NASDAQ Stock Market requirements, shall annually designate one of the independent directors as Lead Director. The Lead Director shall have such duties and responsibilities as may be assigned to the Lead Director from time to time by these By-laws, the Corporations Corporate Governance Guidelines and the Board of Directors. In the absence or inability to act of the Chairman of the Board, or upon the request of the Chairman of the Board, the Lead Director shall preside at meetings of the stockholders and of the Board of Directors and shall have and exercise all of the powers and duties of the Chairman of the Board.
SECTION 2.12 Nomination of Directors. Only persons who are nominated in accordance with the following procedures shall be eligible for election as directors of the Corporation at an annual meeting, except as may be otherwise provided in the Restated Certificate of Incorporation with respect to the right of holders of preferred stock of the Corporation to nominate and elect a specified number of directors in certain circumstances. Nominations of persons for election to the Board of Directors may be made at any annual meeting of stockholders (a) by or at the direction of the Board of Directors (or any duly authorized committee thereof) or (b) by any stockholder of the Corporation (i) who is a stockholder of record on the date of the giving of the notice provided for in this Section 2.12 and on the record date for the determination of stockholders entitled to vote at such meeting and (ii) who complies with the notice procedures set forth in this Section 2.12.
In addition to any other applicable requirements, for a nomination to be made by a stockholder, such stockholder must have given timely notice thereof in proper written form to the Secretary of the Corporation.
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To be timely, a stockholders notice to the Secretary must be delivered to or mailed and received at the principal executive offices of the Corporation not less than one-hundred twenty (120) days prior to the anniversary date of the immediately preceding annual meeting of stockholders; provided, however, that in the event that the annual meeting is called for a date that is not within thirty (30) days before or after the anniversary date of the preceding annual meeting, notice by the stockholder in order to be timely must be so received not later than the close of business on the tenth (10th) day following the day on which such notice of the date of the annual meeting was mailed or such public disclosure of the date of the annual meeting was made, whichever first occurs.
To be in proper written form, a stockholders notice to the Secretary must set forth: (a) as to the nominating stockholder and any Stockholder Associated Person (i) the Stockholder Information (as defined in Section 1.13) and (ii) any Disclosable Interest (as defined in Section 1.13, except that the disclosure in clause (viii) of Section 1.13 shall be made with respect to the election of directors at the meeting) and (b) as to each person whom the stockholder proposes to nominate for election as a director (i) all information with respect to such proposed nominee that would be required to be set forth in a stockholders notice pursuant to this Section 2.12 if such proposed nominee were a nominating stockholder, (ii) a description of all direct and indirect compensation and other material monetary agreements, arrangements and understandings during the past three years, and any other material relationships, between or among the nominating stockholder and any Stockholder Associated Person, on the one hand, and each proposed nominee, his or her respective affiliates and associates and any other person with whom such proposed nominee (or any of his or her respective affiliates and associates) is acting in concert, on the other hand, including, without limitation, all information that would be required to be disclosed pursuant to Item 404 under Regulation S-K if such nominating stockholder were the registrant for purposes of such rule and the proposed nominee were a director or executive officer of such registrant, and (iii) any other information relating to the proposed nominee that would be required to be disclosed in solicitations for proxies for election of directors pursuant to Section 14 of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder (including such proposed nominees written consent to being named as a nominee and to serve as a director if elected). The Corporation may require any proposed nominee to furnish such other information as may reasonably be required by the Corporation to determine the eligibility of such proposed nominee to serve as director of the Corporation.
No person shall be eligible for election as a director of the Corporation unless nominated in accordance with the procedures set forth in this Section 2.12. If the Chairman of the meeting determines that a nomination was not made in accordance with the foregoing procedures, the Chairman shall declare to the meeting that the nomination was defective and such defective nomination shall be disregarded.
Any information required pursuant to this paragraph shall be supplemented to speak as of the record date for the meeting by the stockholder giving the notice not later than ten (10) days after such record date.
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ARTICLE III
THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
SECTION 3.1 The Executive Committee. An Executive Committee and its Chairman shall be appointed by the Board of Directors annually at its organization meeting. The Committee shall perform such functions as the Board shall direct, as are set forth in an Executive Committee Charter adopted by the Board. The Committee shall consist of no fewer than five Directors, one of whom shall be the Chairman of the Board and one of whom shall be the President if the President is designated the Chief Executive Officer. The Committee shall meet upon the call of the Chairman, the President if the President is a member of the Committee, or a majority of the members of the Committee. A majority of the Committees members shall constitute a quorum, and the act of a majority of the members at which a quorum is present shall be the act of the Committee. In the event of a tie vote on any issue, the Chairmans vote shall decide the issue. In the absence or disqualification of a member of the Committee, the members thereof present at any meeting and not disqualified from voting, whether or not they constitute a quorum, may unanimously appoint another member of the Board of Directors to act at the meeting in the place of any such absent or disqualified member.
ARTICLE IV
THE AUDIT COMMITTEE
SECTION 4.1 The Audit Committee. An Audit Committee and its Chairman shall be appointed by the Board of Directors annually at its organization meeting. The Committee shall perform such functions, both for the Corporation and its subsidiaries on a consolidated basis and for such individual banking subsidiaries as the Board shall direct, as are set forth in an Audit Committee Charter adopted by the Board and conforming to the requirements of The Nasdaq Stock Market, Inc. (Nasdaq), the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (the Act), and applicable regulatory authorities. The Committee shall consist of at least four Directors. The membership of the Committee shall meet the requirements of Nasdaq, the Act and applicable regulatory authorities, as set forth in the Audit Committee Charter. The Committee shall meet upon the call of its Chairman or any member of the Committee. A majority of the Committees members shall constitute a quorum, and the act of a majority of the members at which a quorum is present shall be the act of the Committee. In the event of a tie vote on any issue, the Chairmans vote shall decide the issue. In the absence or disqualification of a member of the Committee, the members present at any meeting and not disqualified from voting, whether or not they constitute a quorum, may unanimously appoint another member of the Board who meets the Committee membership requirements set forth in the Audit Committee Charter to act at the meeting in the place of any such absent or disqualified member.
ARTICLE V
THE CORPORATE GOVERNANCE COMMITTEE
SECTION 5.1 The Corporate Governance Committee. A Corporate Governance Committee and its Chairman shall be appointed by the Board of Directors annually at its
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organization meeting. The Committee shall perform such functions as the Board shall direct, as are set forth in a Corporate Governance Committee Charter adopted by the Board and conforming to the requirements of Nasdaq and applicable regulatory authorities. The Committee shall consist of at least three Directors. The membership of the Committee shall meet the requirements of Nasdaq and applicable regulatory authorities, as set forth in the Corporate Governance Committee Charter. The Committee shall meet upon the call of its Chairman or any member of the Committee. A majority of the Committees members shall constitute a quorum, and the act of a majority of the members at which a quorum is present shall be the act of the Committee. In the event of a tie vote on any issue, the Chairmans vote shall decide the issue. In the absence or disqualification of a member of the Committee, the members present at any meeting and not disqualified from voting, whether or not they constitute a quorum, may unanimously appoint another member of the Board who meets the Committee membership requirements set forth in the Corporate Governance Committee Charter to act at the meeting in the place of any such absent or disqualified member.
ARTICLE VI
THE COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS COMMITTEE
SECTION 6.1 The Compensation and Benefits Committee. A Compensation and Benefits Committee and its Chairman shall be appointed by the Board of Directors annually at its organization meeting. The Committee shall perform such functions as the Board shall direct, as are set forth in a Compensation and Benefits Committee Charter adopted by the Board and conforming to the requirements of Nasdaq and applicable regulatory authorities. The Committee shall consist of at least three Directors. The membership of the Committee shall meet the requirements of Nasdaq and applicable regulatory authorities, as set forth in the Compensation and Benefits Committee Charter. The Committee shall meet upon the call of its Chairman or any member of the Committee. A majority of the Committees members shall constitute a quorum, and the act of a majority of the members at which a quorum is present shall be the act of the Committee. In the event of a tie vote on any issue, the Chairmans vote shall decide the issue. In the absence or disqualification of a member of the Committee, the members present at any meeting and not disqualified from voting, whether or not they constitute a quorum, may unanimously appoint another member of the Board who meets the Committee membership requirements set forth in the Compensation and Benefits Committee Charter to act at the meeting in the place of any such absent or disqualified member.
ARTICLE VII
THE BUSINESS RISK COMMITTEE
SECTION 7.1 The Business Risk Committee. A Business Risk Committee and its Chairman shall be appointed by the Board of Directors annually at its organization meeting. The Committee shall perform such functions as the Board shall direct, as are set forth in a Business Risk Committee Charter adopted by the Board. The Committee shall consist of no less than three Directors, none of whom shall be an employee of the Corporation or any of its subsidiaries. The Committee shall meet upon the call of the Chairman or any member of the Committee, and a majority of the Committees members shall constitute a quorum. In the absence or
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disqualification of a member of the Committee, the members thereof present at any meeting and not disqualified from voting, whether or not they constitute a quorum, may unanimously appoint another member of the Board of Directors to act at the meeting in the place of any such absent or disqualified member.
ARTICLE VIII
THE BUSINESS STRATEGY COMMITTEE
SECTION 8.1 The Business Strategy Committee. A Business Strategy Committee and its Chairman shall be appointed by the Board of Directors annually at its organization meeting. The Committee shall perform such functions as the Board shall direct, as are set forth in a Business Strategy Committee Charter adopted by the Board. The Committee shall consist of no less than three Directors, none of whom shall be an employee of the Corporation or any of its subsidiaries. The Committee shall meet upon the call of the Chairman or any member of the Committee, and a majority of the Committees members shall constitute a quorum. In the absence or disqualification of a member of the Committee, the members thereof present at any meeting and not disqualified from voting, whether or not they constitute a quorum, may unanimously appoint another member of the Board of Directors to act at the meeting in the place of any such absent or disqualified member.
ARTICLE IX
THE OFFICERS
SECTION 9.1 Number, Election or Appointment, and Term of Office. The officers of the Corporation shall include a Chairman of the Board and a President, one of whom shall be designated Chief Executive Officer by the Board of Directors, and may also include one or more Vice Chairmen, a General Auditor, one or more Executive Vice Presidents (any of whom may be designated a Senior Executive Vice President), a Secretary and a Treasurer and such other officers as may from time to time be elected by the Board of Directors. Each of the foregoing officers is referred to in these By-laws as an elected officer. For the avoidance of doubt, no officer shall be deemed to be an elected officer unless the officer holds a title listed in the first sentence of this Section 9.1 or is expressly designated as such by the Board of Directors. Either or both of the Chief Executive Officer and the chief human resources officer of the Corporation may appoint one or more Senior Vice Presidents, Vice Presidents, Second Vice Presidents, other officers and any assistant officers (collectively, appointed officers), any of whom may have such other titles and designations (other than those of an elected officer) as the Chief Executive Officer or the chief human resources officer of the Corporation may determine. Any two or more offices may be held by the same person. The Chairman of the Board shall be elected from among the Directors.
The elected officers of the Corporation shall be elected annually by the Board of Directors at the first meeting of the Board of Directors held after each annual meeting of stockholders. The appointed officers may be appointed from time to time. Vacancies or new offices may be filled at any time. Each elected officer shall hold office until a successor shall have been duly elected or until his or her death or until he or she shall resign or shall have been removed by the Board of Directors. Each appointed officer shall hold office until death, resignation or removal by the Chief Executive Officer or the chief human resources officer of the Corporation.
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SECTION 9.2 Removal. Any elected or appointed officer may be removed by the Board of Directors, and any appointed officer may be removed by the Chief Executive Officer or the chief human resources officer of the Corporation whenever in its or such officers judgment the best interests of the Corporation would be served thereby.
SECTION 9.3 The Chairman of the Board. The Chairman of the Board shall have such powers as are vested in him or her by the Board of Directors, by law or by these By-laws. The Chairman shall preside at the meetings of the stockholders, of the Board of Directors, and of the Executive Committee. In the absence or inability to act of the Chairman of the Board, or upon the request of the Chairman of the Board, the Lead Director shall preside at meetings of the stockholders and of the Board of Directors and shall have and exercise all of the powers and duties of the Chairman of the Board. In the absence or inability to act of the Chairman of the Board and the Lead Director, the Board of Directors, by the affirmative vote of a majority of those directors who have been determined to be independent for purposes of the applicable NASDAQ Stock Market requirements, shall designate a director or officer to preside at meetings of the stockholders and of the Board of Directors and such person shall have and exercise all of the powers and duties of the Chairman of the Board.
SECTION 9.4 The Chief Executive Officer. The Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation shall have, subject to the supervision and direction of the Board of Directors or of the Executive Committee, general supervision of the business, property and affairs of the Corporation and the powers vested in him or her by the Board of Directors, by law or by these By-laws or which usually attach or pertain to such office. Except in those instances in which the authority to execute is expressly delegated to another officer or agent of the Corporation or a different mode of execution is expressly prescribed by the Board of Directors, the Chief Executive Officer may execute for the Corporation any contracts, deeds, mortgages, bonds, or other instruments which the Board of Directors has authorized, and the Chief Executive Officer may (without previous authorization by the Board of Directors) execute such contracts and other instruments as the conduct of the Corporations business in its ordinary course requires.
SECTION 9.5 The President. The President shall have the powers and duties vested in him or her by the Board of Directors, the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, by law or by these By-laws.
SECTION 9.6 The Vice Chairmen. A Vice Chairman shall have such powers and perform such duties as are vested in or assigned to him or her by the Board of Directors, the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, the President or these By-laws.
SECTION 9.7 The Executive Vice Presidents. Any Executive Vice President shall perform such duties as from time to time may be assigned to him or her by the Board of Directors, the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, the President, a Vice Chairman or these By-laws.
SECTION 9.8 The Vice Presidents. The Vice Presidents shall perform such duties as may be assigned to them from time to time by the Board of Directors, the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, the President, a Vice Chairman or these By-laws.
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SECTION 9.9 The Treasurer. If required by the Board of Directors, the Treasurer shall give a bond for the faithful discharge of his or her duties in such sum and with such surety or sureties as the Board of Directors shall determine. The Treasurer shall: (a) have charge and custody of and be responsible for all funds and securities of the Corporation; receive and give receipts for moneys due and payable to the Corporation from any source whatsoever, and deposit all such moneys in the name of the Corporation in such banks, trust companies or other depositaries as shall be selected in accordance with the provisions of Article X of these By-laws; and (b) in general perform all the duties incident to the office of Treasurer and such other duties as from time to time may be assigned to him or her by the Board of Directors, the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, the President, a Vice Chairman or these By-laws.
SECTION 9.10 The Secretary. The Secretary shall have the custody of the corporate seal and the Secretary or any Assistant Secretary shall affix the same to all instruments or papers requiring the seal of the Corporation. The Secretary, or in his or her absence, any Assistant Secretary, shall see that proper notices are sent of the meetings of the stockholders, the Board of Directors and the Executive Committee, and shall see that all proper notices are given, as required by these By-laws. The Secretary or any Assistant Secretary shall keep the minutes of all meetings of stockholders, the Board of Directors and all committees of the Board of Directors which may request their services. The Secretary shall perform such other duties as from time to time may be assigned to him or her by the Board of Directors, the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, the President, a Vice Chairman or these By-laws.
SECTION 9.11 Assistant Treasurers and Assistant Secretaries. The Assistant Treasurers shall respectively, if required by the Board of Directors, give bonds for the faithful discharge of their duties in such sums and with such sureties as the Board of Directors shall determine. The Assistant Treasurers and Assistant Secretaries, in general, shall perform such duties as shall be assigned to them by the Treasurer or the Secretary, respectively, or by the Board of Directors, the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, the President, a Vice Chairman or these By-laws.
SECTION 9.12 Compensation. To the extent required by the rules of the exchange on which the Corporations securities are listed, the compensation of the officers, and such other officers as may be designated by the Board of Directors, shall be fixed from time to time by the Board of Directors or a committee thereof. The compensation of all other officers shall be fixed by the Chief Executive Officer or the chief human resources officer of the Corporation. No officer shall be prevented from receiving compensation by reason of the fact that the officer is also a director of the Corporation.
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ARTICLE X
CONTRACTS, LOANS, CHECKS AND DEPOSITS
SECTION 10.1 Contracts. The Board of Directors may authorize any officer or officers, agent or agents, to enter into any contract or execute and deliver any instrument in the name of and on behalf of the Corporation, and such authority may be general or confined to specific instances.
SECTION 10.2 Loans. No loans shall be contracted on behalf of the Corporation and no evidences of indebtedness shall be issued in its name unless authorized by a resolution of the Board of Directors. Such authority may be general or confined to specific instances.
SECTION 10.3 Checks, Drafts, etc. All checks, drafts or other orders for the payment of money, notes or other evidences of indebtedness issued in the name of the Corporation, shall be signed by such officer or officers, agent or agents of the Corporation and in such manner as shall from time to time be determined by resolution of the Board of Directors.
SECTION 10.4 Deposits. All funds of the Corporation not otherwise employed shall be deposited from time to time to the credit of the Corporation in such banks, trust companies or other depositaries as the Board of Directors may select.
SECTION 10.5 Power to Execute Proxies. The Chairman of the Board, the President, a Vice Chairman, or any Executive Vice President may execute proxies on behalf of the Corporation with respect to the voting of any shares of stock owned by the Corporation.
ARTICLE XI
CERTIFICATED AND UNCERTIFICATED SHARES AND THEIR TRANSFER
SECTION 11.1 Certificated and Uncertificated Shares. Shares of the Corporations stock may be certificated or uncertificated, as provided under the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware. Any stockholder, upon written request to the transfer agent or registrar of the Corporation, shall be entitled to a certificate representing shares of the Corporation. Any certificates representing shares of the Corporation shall be in such form as may be determined by the Board of Directors. Such certificates shall be signed by the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, the President, a Vice Chairman, an Executive Vice President or a Vice President and by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary and shall be sealed with the seal of the Corporation. The seal may be a facsimile. If a stock certificate is countersigned (i) by a transfer agent other than the Corporation or its employee, or (ii) by a registrar other than the Corporation or its employee, any other signature on the certificate may be a facsimile. In case any officer, transfer agent or registrar who has signed or whose facsimile signature has been placed upon a certificate shall have 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 he or she were such officer, transfer agent or registrar at the date of issue. Any certificates for shares shall be consecutively numbered or otherwise identified. The name of the person to whom the shares represented thereby are issued, with the number of shares and date of issue, shall be entered on the books of the Corporation.
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In the case of stock represented by a certificate, all certificates surrendered to the Corporation for transfer shall be cancelled and no new certificates shall be issued until the former certificate for a like number of shares shall have been surrendered and cancelled, except that in case of a lost, destroyed or mutilated certificate, a new certificate may be issued therefore upon such terms and indemnity to the Corporation as the Board of Directors may prescribe.
SECTION 11.2 Transfers of Shares. Transfers of shares of the Corporation shall be made only on the books of the Corporation by the holder of record thereof or by the holders legal representative, who shall furnish proper evidence of authority to transfer, or by the holders attorney thereunto authorized by power of attorney duly executed and filed with the Secretary of the Corporation, and either (a) in the case of stock represented by a certificate, on surrender for cancellation of any certificate for such shares, or (b) in the case of uncertificated shares, on proper instructions from the holder of record of such shares or the holders legal representative. The person in whose name shares stand on the books of the Corporation shall be deemed the owner thereof for all purposes as regards the Corporation.
ARTICLE XII
FISCAL YEAR
SECTION 12.1 Fiscal Year. The fiscal year of the Corporation shall begin on the first day of January in each year and end on the last day of December in each year.
ARTICLE XIII
SEAL
SECTION 13.1 Seal. The Board of Directors shall provide a corporate seal which shall be in the form of a circle and shall have inscribed thereon the name of the Corporation.
ARTICLE XIV
WAIVER OF NOTICE
SECTION 14.1 Waiver of Notice. Whenever any notice whatever is required to be given under the provisions of these By-laws or under the provisions of the Restated Certificate of Incorporation or under the provisions of the General Corporation Law of Delaware, waiver thereof in writing, signed by the person or persons entitled to such notice, whether before or after the time stated therein, shall be deemed equivalent to the giving of such notice. Attendance of any person at a meeting for which any notice whatever is required to be given under the provisions of these By-laws, the Restated Certificate of Incorporation or the General Corporation Law of Delaware shall constitute a waiver of notice of such meeting, except when the person attends for the express purpose of objecting, at the beginning of the meeting, to the transaction of any business because the meeting is not lawfully called or convened.
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ARTICLE XV
INDEMNIFICATION
SECTION 15.1 Indemnification Request. A director, officer or other person (the Indemnitee) who seeks indemnification (other than advancement of expenses pursuant to Section 15.12 hereof), in respect of amounts paid or owing as expenses, judgments, fines, or in settlement, shall submit a written request for indemnification (the Indemnification Request) to the Board of Directors of the Corporation by delivering or mailing the same, registered or certified mail, to the Board of Directors c/o the Secretary of the Corporation at the Corporations principal executive offices. If mailed, the Indemnification Request shall be deemed made 48 hours after depositing the same in the United States mail addressed as aforesaid.
SECTION 15.2 Determination of Indemnification Request. The determination of the Indemnitees entitlement to indemnification as set forth in the Indemnification Request shall be made in the specific case, at the expense of the Corporation, as set forth in paragraph 5 of Article Eighth of the Restated Certificate of Incorporation. However, in the event a Change of Control (as hereinafter defined) shall have occurred, such determination shall be made by Independent Counsel in a written opinion to the Board of Directors, a copy of which shall be delivered to the Indemnitee.
SECTION 15.3 Presumption of Entitlement; Conclusive Effect of Findings of Fact and Law; Other Procedures. The termination with respect to the Indemnitee of any action, suit or proceeding or of any claim, issue or matter therein, by judgment, order, settlement or conviction, or upon a plea of nolo contendere or its equivalent, shall not of itself adversely affect the right of the Indemnitee to indemnification or create a presumption that the Indemnitee did not meet the standard of conduct required by Article Eighth of the Restated Certificate of Incorporation for indemnification. If the Indemnitee is a person referred to in paragraphs 1, 2 or 3 of Article Eighth of the Restated Certificate of Incorporation, the Indemnitee shall be presumed to have met the required standard of conduct but only to the extent not contrary to any final findings of fact or law made in any action, suit or proceeding to which the Indemnitee is or was a party and for which indemnification is requested. The person, persons or entity making the determination of the Indemnitees entitlement to indemnification shall be entitled to rely upon all such findings of fact and law made known to such person, persons or entity. Such person, persons or entity may consider such other matters as they or it deem appropriate, shall not be required to receive or hear evidence, oral presentations, briefs or other submission, shall not be required to hold hearings, and shall not otherwise be subject to any rules of evidence or procedure applicable to judicial or other proceedings.
SECTION 15.4 Cooperation and Expenses. The Indemnitee shall cooperate with the person, persons or entity making the determination with respect to the Indemnitees entitlement to indemnification, including providing to such person, persons or entity upon reasonable advance request, any documentation or information which is not privileged or otherwise protected from disclosure and which is reasonably available to the Indemnitee and reasonably necessary to such determination. Any costs or expenses (including attorneys fees and disbursements) reasonably incurred by the Indemnitee in so cooperating with the person, persons or entity making such determination shall be borne by the Corporation irrespective of the determination as to the Indemnitees entitlement to indemnification.
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SECTION 15.5 Selection of Independent Counsel. If a determination of the Indemnitees entitlement to indemnification is to be made by Independent Counsel, the Independent Counsel shall be selected as provided in this Section 15.5. If a Change of Control shall not have occurred, Independent Counsel shall be selected by a majority vote of a quorum of the Board of Directors consisting of Disinterested Directors. If a Change of Control shall have occurred, or if a quorum shall decline or fail to select Independent Counsel within five business days after having directed, pursuant to paragraph 5(b) of Article Eighth of the Restated Certificate of Incorporation, the determination of the Indemnitees entitlement to indemnification to be submitted to Independent Counsel, then Independent Counsel shall be selected by the law firm regularly or most frequently engaged by the Corporation during the preceding three years for representation or counseling in connection with general corporate matters. In any event, Independent Counsel shall be selected from among those Chicago, Illinois, or Delaware law firms having a significant and continuous practice in the field of corporate law but excluding any firm that: (i) has, within the preceding three years represented the Corporation, the Indemnitee or affiliates of either in any significant matter; (ii) has, within the preceding three years, represented any other party in any significant judicial or other proceeding against or in opposition to the Corporation, the Indemnitee or any affiliate of either; (iii) had any involvement of any significant nature in or with respect to the claim for which indemnification is requested; or (iv) has any other material conflict of interest in being engaged as Independent Counsel.
SECTION 15.6 Time for Determination. The determination of the Indemnitees entitlement to indemnification shall be made within 60 days after such Indemnitee shall have submitted all such additional information, if any, as shall have been reasonably requested during the 30-day period following the initial submission of the Indemnification Request to the Board of Directors pursuant to Section 15.1 hereof. The foregoing notwithstanding, in the event that the claim with respect to which indemnification is requested is the subject of a judicial, government or other proceeding, the Board of Directors, stockholders or Independent Counsel, as the case may be, may defer their determination until 60 days after any such proceeding shall have been finally adjudicated or terminated (by settlement or otherwise) and all periods for appeal, rehearing or reinstitution of such proceeding (whether in a different forum or otherwise) have expired.
SECTION 15.7 Failure To Make Determination; Remedies For Enforcement. If a determination of the Indemnitees entitlement to indemnification shall not be made within the period specified in these By-laws, unless due to a material failure of the Indemnitee to comply with his or her obligations under Section 15.4 hereof, then the Indemnitee shall be entitled to indemnification to the extent and in the manner set forth in the Indemnification Request. The Indemnitee may only enforce his or her rights to indemnification, whether pursuant to a determination that the Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification or pursuant to this Section 15.7, in any judicial proceeding brought, at the election of the Indemnitee, in any court having jurisdiction within the State of Delaware, the State of Illinois, or the state in which the Corporation shall then have its principal executive offices. The Indemnitee shall be entitled to all expenses actually and reasonably incurred by him or her in connection with the successful enforcement of the Indemnitees right to indemnification.
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SECTION 15.8 Appeal of Adverse Determination. In the event that a determination shall be made that the Indemnitee is not entitled to indemnification, in whole or in part, the Indemnitee may only institute an action in any court having jurisdiction within the State of Delaware, the State of Illinois, or the state in which the Corporation shall have its principal executive offices to establish the Indemnitees right to indemnification. Any such proceeding shall be conducted in all respects as a de novo determination on the merits and any such prior determination made pursuant to these By-laws that the Indemnitee is not entitled to indemnification shall not constitute a presumption that the Indemnitee is not entitled to indemnification.
SECTION 15.9 Burden of Proof. In any judicial proceeding regarding the Indemnitees right or entitlement to indemnification or advancement of expenses, the Corporation shall have the burden of proving that any Indemnitee who is a person referred to in paragraphs 1, 2 or 3 of Article Eighth of the Restated Certificate of Incorporation is not entitled to indemnification or advancement of expenses as the case may be, subject, however, to principles of res judicata and collateral estoppel relating to prior judicial proceedings to which the Indemnitee is or was a party. In cases in which the Indemnitee is not a person referred to in paragraphs 1, 2 or 3 of Article Eighth of the Restated Certificate of Incorporation, the Indemnitee shall have the burden of proving he or she is entitled to indemnification or the advancement of expenses.
SECTION 15.10 Definition of Disinterested Director. A Disinterested Director shall mean any director who: (i) was not a party to the claim or proceeding with respect to which indemnification is requested; (ii) has not submitted an Indemnification Request or a request for advancement of expenses on his or her own behalf that has not been finally resolved; or (iii) does not have any direct and material financial or other personal interest in the determination of the Indemnification Request.
SECTION 15.11 Definition of Change of Control. A Change of Control shall be deemed to have occurred on the earliest of:
(a) The receipt by the Corporation of a Schedule 13D or other statement filed under Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act, indicating that any entity, person, or group has acquired beneficial ownership, as that term is defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act, of more than 30% of the outstanding capital stock of the Corporation entitled to vote for the election of directors (voting stock);
(b) The commencement by an entity, person, or group (other than the Corporation or a subsidiary of the Corporation) of a tender offer or an exchange offer for more than 20% of the outstanding voting stock of the Corporation;
(c) The effective time of (i) a merger or consolidation of the Corporation with one or more other corporations as a result of which the holders of the outstanding voting stock of the Corporation immediately prior to such merger or consolidation hold less than 80% of the voting stock of the surviving or resulting corporation, or (ii) a transfer of substantially all of the property of the Corporation other than to an entity of which the Corporation owns at least 80% of the voting stock; or
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(d) The election to the Board of Directors of the Corporation, without the recommendation or approval of the incumbent Board of Directors of the Corporation, of the lesser of (i) three directors or (ii) directors constituting a majority of the number of directors of the Corporation then in office.
SECTION 15.12 Advancement of Expenses. Expenses as may be incurred by a person referred to in paragraphs 1, 2 or 3 of Article Eighth of the Restated Certificate of Incorporation in defending a civil or criminal action, suit or proceeding shall be paid by the Corporation in advance of the final disposition of such action, suit or proceeding upon receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of such person to repay such amount if it shall ultimately be determined that he or she is not entitled to be indemnified by the Corporation as authorized in such Article Eighth. Such expenses as may be incurred by other employees and agents may be so paid on such terms and conditions, if any, as the Board of Directors deems appropriate. For purposes of the foregoing, a determination that a person referred to in paragraphs 1, 2 or 3 of Article Eighth of the Restated Certificate of Incorporation is not entitled to be indemnified by the Corporation shall be made in the manner hereinbefore provided for the determination of an Indemnification Request; provided, however, that the Board of Directors may initiate such determination whenever it shall deem the same to be appropriate. In connection with such determination, such person shall be subject to all requirements of these By-laws imposed on an Indemnitee in respect of a determination made pursuant to Section 15.2 hereof.
SECTION 15.13 Personal Liability of Directors. No director of the Corporation shall be personally liable to any person seeking indemnification or advancement of expenses for any determination, act or omission in connection therewith.
ARTICLE XVI
AMENDMENTS
SECTION 16.1 Amendments. These By-laws may be altered, amended or repealed and new By-laws may be adopted at any meeting of the Board of Directors of the Corporation by the affirmative vote of a majority of the members of the Board. These By-laws may also be amended or repealed, or new By-laws may be adopted, by action taken by the stockholders of the Corporation.
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