UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
SCHEDULE 13D
Under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Amendment No. 4
FIRST CITIZENS BANCSHARES, INC.
(Name of Issuer)
CLASS A COMMON STOCK, $1.00 PAR VALUE
(Title of Class of Securities)
31946M-10-3
(CUSIP Number)
William R. Lathan, Jr.
Ward and Smith, P.A.
1001 College Court
New Bern, North Carolina 28562
(252) 672-5400
(Name, Address and Telephone Number of Person Authorized to Receive Notices and Communications)
October 15, 2020
(Date of Event which Requires Filing of this Statement)
If the filing person has previously filed a statement on Schedule 13G to report the acquisition which is the subject of this Schedule 13D, and is filing this schedule because of §§ 240.13d-1(e), 240.13d-1(f) or 240.13d-1(g), check the following box ☐.
* | The remainder of this cover page shall be filled out for a reporting persons initial filing on this form with respect to the subject class of securities, and for any subsequent amendment containing information which would alter disclosures provided in a prior cover page. |
The information required on the remainder of this cover page shall not be deemed to be filed for the purpose of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (Act) or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section of the Act but shall be subject to all other provisions of the Act (however, see the Notes).
SCHEDULE 13D
CUSIP No. 31946M-10-3 |
Page 2 of 18 Pages |
1 |
NAME OF REPORTING PERSONS
FRANK B. HOLDING, JR. | |||||
2 | CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP (SEE INSTRUCTIONS) (a) ☐ (b) ☒
| |||||
3 | SEC USE ONLY
| |||||
4 | SOURCE OF FUNDS (SEE INSTRUCTIONS)
PF, AF, SC, OO | |||||
5 | CHECK IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO ITEMS 2(d) or 2(e)
☐ | |||||
6 | CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION
United States of America |
NUMBER OF SHARES BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON WITH
|
7 | SOLE VOTING POWER
570,349 | ||||
8 | SHARED VOTING POWER
58,812 | |||||
9 | SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
570,349 | |||||
10 | SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
58,812 |
11 |
AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON
629,161 | |||||
12 | CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES (SEE INSTRUCTIONS)
☒ | |||||
13 | PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11)
7.14% | |||||
14 | TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON (SEE INSTRUCTIONS)
IN |
SEC 1746(12-91)
SCHEDULE 13D
CUSIP No. 31946M-10-3 |
Page 3 of 18 Pages |
1 |
NAME OF REPORTING PERSONS
HOPE H. BRYANT | |||||
2 | CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP (SEE INSTRUCTIONS) (a) ☐ (b) ☒
| |||||
3 | SEC USE ONLY
| |||||
4 | SOURCE OF FUNDS (SEE INSTRUCTIONS)
PF, AF, SC, OO | |||||
5 | CHECK IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO ITEMS 2(d) or 2(e)
☐ | |||||
6 | CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION
United States of America |
NUMBER OF SHARES BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON WITH
|
7 | SOLE VOTING POWER
502,043 | ||||
8 | SHARED VOTING POWER
90,758 | |||||
9 | SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
500,549 | |||||
10 | SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
90,758 |
11 |
AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON
592,801 | |||||
12 | CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES (SEE INSTRUCTIONS)
☒ | |||||
13 | PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11)
6.73% | |||||
14 | TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON (SEE INSTRUCTIONS)
IN |
SCHEDULE 13D
CUSIP No. 31946M-10-3 |
Page 4 of 18 Pages |
1 |
NAME OF REPORTING PERSONS
OLIVIA B. HOLDING | |||||
2 | CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP (SEE INSTRUCTIONS) (a) ☐ (b) ☒
| |||||
3 | SEC USE ONLY
| |||||
4 | SOURCE OF FUNDS (SEE INSTRUCTIONS)
PF, AF, SC, OO | |||||
5 | CHECK IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO ITEMS 2(d) or 2(e)
☐ | |||||
6 | CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION
United States of America |
NUMBER OF SHARES BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON WITH
|
7 | SOLE VOTING POWER
654,187 | ||||
8 | SHARED VOTING POWER
63,583 | |||||
9 | SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
654,187 | |||||
10 | SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
75,735 |
11 |
AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON
729,922 | |||||
12 | CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES (SEE INSTRUCTIONS)
☒ | |||||
13 | PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11)
8.28% | |||||
14 | TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON (SEE INSTRUCTIONS)
IN |
SCHEDULE 13D
CUSIP No. 31946M-10-3 |
Page 5 of 18 Pages |
1 |
NAME OF REPORTING PERSONS
CLAIRE H. BRISTOW | |||||
2 | CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP (SEE INSTRUCTIONS) (a) ☐ (b) ☒
| |||||
3 | SEC USE ONLY
| |||||
4 | SOURCE OF FUNDS (SEE INSTRUCTIONS)
PF, AF, SC, OO | |||||
5 | CHECK IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO ITEMS 2(d) or 2(e)
☐ | |||||
6 | CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION
United States of America |
NUMBER OF SHARES BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON WITH
|
7 | SOLE VOTING POWER
410,685 | ||||
8 | SHARED VOTING POWER
109,455 | |||||
9 | SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
398,533 | |||||
10 | SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
115,603 |
11 |
AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON
520,140 | |||||
12 | CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES (SEE INSTRUCTIONS)
☒ | |||||
13 | PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11)
5.90% | |||||
14 | TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON (SEE INSTRUCTIONS)
IN |
SCHEDULE 13D
CUSIP No. 31946M-10-3 |
Page 6 of 18 Pages |
1 |
NAME OF REPORTING PERSONS
CARSON H. BRICE | |||||
2 | CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP (SEE INSTRUCTIONS) (a) ☐ (b) ☒
| |||||
3 | SEC USE ONLY
| |||||
4 | SOURCE OF FUNDS (SEE INSTRUCTIONS)
PF, AF, SC, OO | |||||
5 | CHECK IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO ITEMS 2(d) or 2(e)
☐ | |||||
6 | CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION
United States of America |
NUMBER OF SHARES BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON WITH
|
7 | SOLE VOTING POWER
502,978 | ||||
8 | SHARED VOTING POWER
313 | |||||
9 | SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
502,978 | |||||
10 | SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
313 |
11 |
AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON
503,291 | |||||
12 | CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES (SEE INSTRUCTIONS)
☒ | |||||
13 | PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11)
5.71% | |||||
14 | TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON (SEE INSTRUCTIONS)
IN |
SCHEDULE 13D
CUSIP No. 31946M-10-3 |
Page 7 of 18 Pages |
1 |
NAME OF REPORTING PERSONS
ELLA ANN L. HOLDING | |||||
2 | CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP (SEE INSTRUCTIONS) (a) ☐ (b) ☒
| |||||
3 | SEC USE ONLY
| |||||
4 | SOURCE OF FUNDS (SEE INSTRUCTIONS)
PF, AF, SC, OO | |||||
5 | CHECK IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO ITEMS 2(d) or 2(e)
☐ | |||||
6 | CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION
United States of America |
NUMBER OF SHARES BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON WITH
|
7 | SOLE VOTING POWER
56,561 | ||||
8 | SHARED VOTING POWER
-0- | |||||
9 | SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
56,561 | |||||
10 | SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
-0- |
11 |
AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON
56,561 | |||||
12 | CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES (SEE INSTRUCTIONS)
☒ | |||||
13 | PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11)
0.64% | |||||
14 | TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON (SEE INSTRUCTIONS)
IN |
This Amendment No. 4 amends and restates the Reporting Persons joint Schedule 13D to report the execution and delivery by certain of the Reporting Persons of a Voting Agreement (in the form attached hereto as Exhibit B) in connection with the Issuers entry into the Merger Agreement described herein and to update the numbers of shares and percentages of the Issuers Class A Common Stock that may be deemed to be beneficially owned by each of them to reflect changes in their beneficial ownership since the filing of the previous amendment.
Item 1. Security and Issuer.
This Statement relates to the Class A Common Stock, $1 par value per share (Class A Common Stock), of First Citizens BancShares, Inc. (the Issuer). The Issuers principal executive offices are located at 4300 Six Forks Road, Raleigh, North Carolina 27609.
Item 2. Identity and Background.
This statement is filed jointly by Frank B. Holding, Jr., Hope H. Bryant, Olivia B. Holding, Claire H. Bristow, and Carson H. Brice, and their mother, Ella Ann L. Holding. The Reorting Persons are members of the same family, but each of them disclaims membership in a group. Their addresses are as follows:
Name |
Address |
Principal Occupation | ||
Frank B. Holding, Jr. |
4300 Six Forks Road Raleigh, NC 27609 |
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Issuer and its subsidiary | ||
Hope H. Bryant |
4300 Six Forks Road Raleigh, NC 27609 |
Vice Chairman of the Issuer and its subsidiary | ||
Olivia B. Holding |
P.O. Box 1352 Smithfield, NC 27577 |
Business manager | ||
Claire H. Bristow |
P.O. Box 1417 Smithfield, NC 27577 |
Commercial interior designer | ||
Carson H. Brice |
P.O. Box 1417 Smithfield, NC 27577 |
Community Volunteer | ||
Ella Ann L. Holding |
409 East Market Street Smithfield, NC 27577 |
Community Volunteer |
During the last five years, none of the Reporting Persons have been convicted in any criminal proceeding (excluding traffic violations or similar misdemeanors), nor have any of them been a party to a civil proceeding of a judicial or administrative body of competent jurisdiction as a result of which they were or are subject to a judgment, decree or final order enjoining future violations of, or prohibiting or mandating activities subject to, federal or state securities laws or finding any violation with respect to such laws.
Each of the Reporting Persons is a citizen of the United States of America.
Item 3. Source and Amount of Funds or Other Consideration.
The shares of the Issuers Class A Common Stock held individually by Frank B. Holding, Jr., Hope H. Bryant, Olivia B. Holding, Claire H. Bristow and Carson H. Brice, respectively, were acquired in part through gifts from their parents, Frank B. Holding and Ella Ann L. Holding, in part with their personal funds, in part in exchange for their shares of First Citizens Bancorporation, Inc. (Bancorp) upon its merger into the Issuer effective October 1, 2014 (the Merger), and in part, directly or indirectly, from or through the estate of their father, Frank B. Holding. Shares held by their children and grandchildren were acquired in part through gifts from them and Frank B. Holding and Ella Ann L. Holding and in part in connection with the Merger. Shares held by Ella Ann L. Holding were acquired in part at the time of the Issuers formation in 1986 in exchange for shares of its predecessor, in part with personal funds, in part as a beneficiary of her husband, Frank B. Holdings estate, and in part in connection with the Merger. Shares
Page 8 of 18
held by the various entities listed in the tables below were acquired by those entities in part with their separate funds or, in the case of the two charitable foundations, contributions by Lewis R. Holding and Frank B. and Ella Ann L. Holding, and in part in connection with the Merger. In connection with the Merger, each of the Reporting Persons, their children and the various entities, as shareholders of Bancorp, received shares of the Issuers Class A Common Stock in exchange for shares of common stock of Bancorp they held at the time of the Merger.
Item 4. Purpose of the Transaction.
Frank B. Holding, Jr., Hope H. Bryant, and Claire H. Bristows spouse, Peter M. Bristow, serve as executive officers and directors of the Issuer and, therefore, participate with the Issuers management and Board of Directors in the making of policy and the consideration of and taking of action on significant corporate events involving the Issuer. However, shares of the Issuers Class A Common Stock beneficially owned by each of them and by each of the other individuals and entities named in the tables below are held as described below for investment purposes.
On October 15, 2020, the Issuer entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the Merger Agreement) by and among the Issuer, First-Citizens Bank & Trust Company, a North Carolina chartered commercial bank and direct, wholly owned subsidiary of the Issuer (FCB), FC Merger Subsidiary IX, Inc., a direct, wholly owned subsidiary of FCB (Merger Sub), and CIT Group Inc., a Delaware corporation (CIT) and the parent company of CIT Bank, N.A., a national banking association (CIT Bank). Pursuant to the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Merger Agreement, Merger Sub will merge with and into CIT, with CIT as the surviving entity (the First-Step Merger), and as soon as reasonably practicable following the effective time of the First-Step Merger, CIT will merge with and into FCB, with FCB as the surviving entity (together with the First-Step Merger, the Mergers). The Merger Agreement further provides that immediately following the consummation of the Mergers, CIT Bank will merge with and into FCB, with FCB as the surviving bank (together with the Mergers, the Transaction).
Upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Merger Agreement, at the effective time of the First-Step Merger (the Effective Time), each share of the common stock, par value $0.01 per share, of CIT issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time (CIT Common Stock), except for certain shares of CIT Common Stock owned by CIT or the Issuer, will be converted into the right to receive 0.06200 shares (the Exchange Ratio, and such shares, the Merger Consideration) of the Issuers Class A Common Stock. In addition, at the Effective Time, each share of Fixed-to-Floating Rate Non-Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock, Series A, par value $0.01 per share, of CIT (CIT Series A Preferred Stock) and 5.625% Non-Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock, Series B, par value $0.01 per share, of CIT (CIT Series B Preferred Stock) issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time will automatically be converted into the right to receive one share of a newly created series of preferred stock, Series B, of the Issuer and one share of a newly created series of preferred stock, Series C, of the Issuer, respectively, having such rights, preferences, privileges and voting powers, and limitations and restrictions, taken as a whole, that are not materially less favorable to the holders thereof than the rights, preferences, privileges and voting powers, and limitations and restrictions, taken as a whole, of the CIT Series A Preferred Stock and the CIT Series B Preferred Stock, respectively (taking into account that CIT will not survive the consummation of the Transaction and any adjustment to the right of optional redemption by the Issuer that is reasonably necessary to obtain Tier 1 Capital treatment from the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System for such preferred stock. Pursuant to the terms set forth in the Merger Agreement, effective as of the Effective Time, the Boards of Directors of the combined company and the combined bank will consist of 14 directors, (i) 11 of whom will be the current Board of Directors of the Issuer, and (ii) three of whom will be selected from among the current Board of Directors of CIT and will include as one of those three Ellen R. Alemany, Chairwoman and Chief Executive Officer of CIT.
Page 9 of 18
As an inducement for CIT to enter into the Merger Agreement, contemporaneously with the execution of the Merger Agreement, Frank B. Holding, Jr. Hope H. Bryant, Claire H. Bristow, and her spouse, Peter M. Bristow, entered into a Voting Agreement (the Voting Agreement) with CIT, pursuant to which each such person agreed, among other things:
(a) | to vote a number of shares of the Issuers Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock beneficially owned by them, respectively (the Shares, as specified in Schedule A to the Voting Agreement), (i) in favor of the approval of the issuance of shares of the Issuers capital stock pursuant to the Merger Agreement, (ii) in favor of any proposals for the approval and adoption of the Merger Agreement or any other proposal submitted to the Issuers shareholders pursuant to or necessary for the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement, (iii) against certain other proposals described therein (including without limitation any other proposal made in opposition to or that is otherwise in competition or inconsistent with the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement), without regard to any recommendation to the Issuers shareholders by its Board of Directors concerning such proposals, and without regard to the terms of such proposals, (iv) against any agreement, amendment of any agreement or organizational document inconsistent with the Voting Agreement or the Merger Agreement and (v) against any action, agreement, transaction or proposal that would reasonably be expected to result in a material breach of any representation, warranty, covenant, agreement or other obligation of the issuer under the Merger Agreement or that would reasonably be expected to prevent, impede or materially delay the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement; and |
(b) | not to, directly or indirectly, subject to certain exceptions, sell, offer to sell, give, pledge, grant a security interest in, encumber, assign, grant any option for the sale of or otherwise transfer or dispose of any of the Shares, or enter into any agreement, arrangement or understanding to take any of the foregoing actions. |
The Voting Agreement covers shares totaling approximately 29.43% of the total outstanding voting power of the Issuers common stock. Any shares or other voting securities of the Issuer with respect to which one of the signers of the Voting Agreement acquires sole voting power or sole power of disposition (including, without limitation, by purchase, as a result of a stock dividend, stock split, recapitalization, combination, reclassification, exchange or change of such shares or upon exercise or conversion of any securities of the Issuer, if any) after the date of the Voting Agreement will automatically become subject to the terms of the Voting Agreement for all purposes thereunder.
The Voting Agreement and all obligations thereunder will terminate upon the earlier to occur of: (i) the Effective Time and (ii) the date of termination of the Merger Agreement in accordance with its terms; provided, however, that certain obligations may continue for 6 months following the termination of the Merger Agreement related to a bona fide Acquisition Proposal (as defined in the Merger Agreement).
The foregoing description of the Voting Agreement does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the Voting Agreement, which is attached hereto as Exhibit B and is incorporated herein by reference.
Item 5. Interest in Securities of the Issuer.
The following tables list shares of the Issuers Class A Common Stock as to which each of the Reporting Persons may be considered to have sole or shared voting and/or dispositive power as of the filing date of this Schedule 13D/A, and the percentage of the outstanding shares of the Issuers Class A Common Stock (8,811,220 outstanding shares as of October 15, 2020) represented by the shares listed for each Reporting Person. In the aggregate, the reporting persons may be considered to beneficially own 3,010,833 shares of Class A Common Stock, or approximately 34.17% of the outstanding shares of that class. Other entities in which certain of the Reporting Persons are shareholders and serve as directors hold 466,532 shares of Class A Common Stock, or approximately 5.29% of the outstanding shares of the class. The Reporting Persons disclaim voting and dispositive power with respect to the shares held by those other entities.
Page 10 of 18
In addition to the shares of Class A Common Stock described in the tables below, the Reporting Persons may be considered to beneficially own, in the aggregate, approximately 70.89% of the outstanding shares of the Issuers outstanding Class B Common Stock which is a separate class of common stock, and 0.80% of the Issuers outstanding Depositary Shares, and other entities in which certain of the Reporting Persons are shareholders and serve as directors hold approximately 2.66% of the outstanding shares of Class B Common Stock and 2.03% of the outstanding Depositary Shares. The Reporting Persons disclaim voting and dispositive power with respect to the shares held by those other entities.
Frank B. Holding, Jr. Mr. Holding is, or may be deemed to be, the beneficial owner of an aggregate of 629,161 shares of Class A Common Stock, amounting to 7.14% of the outstanding Class A Common Stock, as described in the table below.
Holder of Shares |
Number of Shares |
Voting Power | Dispositive Power | |||||||||||||||||
Sole | Shared | Sole | Shared | |||||||||||||||||
Frank B Holding, Jr. |
522,303 | 522,303 | -0- | 522,303 | -0- | |||||||||||||||
As beneficiary of trust |
11,140 | 11,140 | -0- | 11,140 | -0- | |||||||||||||||
By spouse |
8,586 | -0- | 8,586 | -0- | 8,586 | |||||||||||||||
As custodian for daughter |
17,600 | 17,600 | -0- | 17,600 | -0- | |||||||||||||||
As custodian for son |
17,350 | 17,350 | -0- | 17,350 | -0- | |||||||||||||||
As custodian for grandson |
1,828 | 1,828 | -0- | 1,828 | -0- | |||||||||||||||
As Trustee of trust |
32 | 32 | -0- | 32 | -0- | |||||||||||||||
As Trustee of trust |
32 | 32 | -0- | 32 | -0- | |||||||||||||||
As Trustee of trust |
32 | 32 | -0- | 32 | -0- | |||||||||||||||
As Trustee of trust |
32 | 32 | -0- | 32 | -0- | |||||||||||||||
By Robert P. Holding Foundation (1) |
46,995 | -0- | 46,995 | -0- | 46,995 | |||||||||||||||
By Ella Ann and Frank B. Holding Foundation (1) |
3,231 | -0- | 3,231 | -0- | 3,231 | |||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
Total |
629,161 | 570,349 | 58,812 | 570,349 | 58,812 | |||||||||||||||
|
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|
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(1) | Each Foundation is a charitable foundation organized as a non-profit corporation under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Mr. Holding serves as an officer and one of five directors of each of the Foundations and, as a result, may be considered to have shared voting and/or dispositive power with respect to shares held by the Foundations. Mr. Holding disclaims beneficial ownership of those shares. |
Mr. Holding and his spouse, respectively, receive or have the sole or shared power to direct the receipt of dividends from, or the proceeds from the sale of, the shares beneficially owned by them individually. Mr. Holding, for the benefit of his children and grandchildren, receives or has the power to direct the receipt of dividends and sale proceeds from the shares held by him as custodian. The distribution of dividends and sale proceeds from shares held as a trustee and/or beneficiary of trusts is determined based on the terms of the governing instruments of the trusts. The Foundations receive, or their managements have the power to direct the receipt of, dividends and sale proceeds from the shares they hold.
During the 60 days preceding the filing of this Schedule 13D/A, neither Mr. Holding nor any of the other holders of shares listed in the table above purchased or sold any shares, or effected any other transactions in, Class A Common Stock.
Mr. Holding disclaims voting and dispositive power with respect to certain shares of the Issuers Class A Common Stock which are not listed in the table above as follows:
(a) | an aggregate of 16,373 shares held by a family member as trustee of an irrevocable trust for the benefit of his son; |
(b) | an aggregate of 25,313 shares held individually by his adult children; and |
Page 11 of 18
(c) | an aggregate of 479,889 shares held by certain corporations of which Mr. Holding and/or his spouse are shareholders but of which neither of them serves as a director or officer as follows: Southern BancShares (N.C.), Inc., Mt. Olive, N.C., and its wholly-owned bank subsidiary 192,063 shares; Fidelity BancShares (N.C.), Inc., Fuquay-Varina, N.C. 100,000 shares; Yadkin Valley Company and its subsidiary 174,469 shares; Twin States Farming, Inc. 12,530 shares; and E&F Properties, Inc. 827 shares. |
Hope H. Bryant. Mrs. Bryant is, or may be deemed to be, the beneficial owner of an aggregate of 592,801 shares of Class A Common Stock, amounting to 6.73% of the outstanding Class A Common Stock, as described in the table below.
Holder of Shares |
Number of Shares |
Voting Power | Dispositive Power | |||||||||||||||||
Sole | Shared | Sole | Shared | |||||||||||||||||
Hope H. Bryant |
175,417 | 175,417 | -0- | 175,417 | -0- | |||||||||||||||
As beneficiary of trust |
10,772 | 10,772 | -0- | 10,772 | -0- | |||||||||||||||
As Trustee and beneficiary of Hope H. Bryant 2019 Grantor Retained Annuity Trust |
21,353 | 21,353 | -0- | 21,353 | -0- | |||||||||||||||
As Trustee and beneficiary of Hope H. Bryant 2020 Grantor Retained Annuity Trust |
214,343 | 214,343 | -0- | 214,343 | -0- | |||||||||||||||
As Trustee and beneficiary of Hope H. Bryant 2020 Grantor Retained Annuity Trust #2 |
50,247 | 50,247 | -0- | 50,247 | -0- | |||||||||||||||
As Trustee and beneficiary of Hope H. Bryant Revocable Trust |
10,000 | 10,000 | -0- | 10,000 | -0- | |||||||||||||||
By Spouse |
15 | -0- | 15 | -0- | 15 | |||||||||||||||
By Revocable Trust for son |
27,160 | -0- | 27,160 | -0- | 27,160 | |||||||||||||||
As Trustee of trust |
619 | 619 | -0- | 619 | -0- | |||||||||||||||
As Trustee of trust |
1,425 | 1,425 | -0- | 1,425 | -0- | |||||||||||||||
As Trustee of trust |
16,373 | 16,373 | -0- | 16,373 | -0- | |||||||||||||||
By various Trusts (1) |
1,494 | 1,494 | -0- | -0- | -0- | |||||||||||||||
By Ella Ann and Frank B. Holding Foundation (2) |
3,231 | -0- | 3,231 | -0- | 3,231 | |||||||||||||||
By Robert P. Holding Foundation (2) |
46,995 | -0- | 46,995 | -0- | 46,995 | |||||||||||||||
By E&F Properties, Inc. (3) |
827 | -0- | 827 | -0- | 827 | |||||||||||||||
By Twin States Farming, Inc. (3) |
12,530 | -0- | 12,530 | -0- | 12,530 | |||||||||||||||
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Total |
592,801 | 502,043 | 90,758 | 500,549 | 90,758 | |||||||||||||||
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|
(1) | Includes two trusts of which Mrs. Bryant does not serve as a trustee but has the power to vote shares held by the trusts. |
(2) | Each Foundation is a charitable foundation organized as a non-profit corporation under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Mrs. Bryant serves as an officer and one of five directors of each Foundation and, as a result, may be considered to have shared voting and/or dispositive power with respect to shares held by the Foundations. Mrs. Bryant disclaims beneficial ownership of those shares. |
(3) | Mrs. Bryant is a shareholder and serves as an officer and director of E&F Properties, Inc. and Twin States Farming, Inc., and, as a result, may be considered to have shared voting and/or dispositive power with respect to shares held by those entities. |
Mrs. Bryant and her spouse, respectively, receive or have the sole or shared power to direct the receipt of dividends from, or the proceeds from the sale of, the shares beneficially owned by them individually. The distribution of dividends and sale proceeds from shares held as a trustee and/or beneficiary of trusts is determined based on the terms of the governing instruments of those trusts. Each of the entities and foundations listed above receives, or its management has the power to direct the receipt of, dividends and sale proceeds from the shares it holds.
Page 12 of 18
During the 60 days preceding the filing of this Schedule 13D/A, neither Mrs. Bryant nor any of the other holders of shares listed in the table above purchased or sold any shares of, or effected any other transactions in, Class A Common Stock.
Mrs. Bryant disclaims voting and dispositive power with respect to certain shares of the Issuers Class A Common Stock which are not listed in the table above as follows:
(a) | an aggregate of 115 shares held by her adult step-son; |
(b) | an aggregate of 53,888 shares held by revocable trusts for two of her adult children; |
(c) | an aggregate of 128 shares held by a family member as trustee of four trusts for the benefit of her adult children and step-child; |
(d) | an aggregate of 292,063 shares held by other corporations of which Mrs. Bryant is a shareholder and a director as follows: Southern BancShares (N.C.), Inc., Mt. Olive, N.C., and its wholly-owned bank subsidiary 192,063 shares, and Fidelity BancShares (N.C.), Inc., Fuquay-Varina, N.C. 100,000 shares; and |
(e) | an aggregate of 174,469 shares held by Yadkin Valley Company, and its subsidiary of which Mrs. Bryant is a shareholder of the parent company but does not serve as a director or executive officer . |
Olivia B. Holding. Ms. Holding is, or may be deemed to be, the beneficial owner of an aggregate of 729,922 shares of Class A Common Stock, amounting to 8.28% of the outstanding Class A Common Stock, as described in the table below.
Holder of Shares |
Number of Shares |
Voting Power | Dispositive Power | |||||||||||||||||
Sole | Shared | Sole | Shared | |||||||||||||||||
Olivia B. Holding |
151,451 | 151,451 | -0- | 151,451 | -0- | |||||||||||||||
As Trustee and beneficiary of Olivia B. Holding Revocable Trust |
408,649 | 408,649 | -0- | 408,649 | -0- | |||||||||||||||
As beneficiary of trust |
10,544 | 10,544 | -0- | 10,544 | -0- | |||||||||||||||
As Trustee of trust |
1,930 | 1,930 | -0- | 1,930 | -0- | |||||||||||||||
As Trustee of trust |
78,938 | 78,938 | -0- | 78,938 | -0- | |||||||||||||||
As Co-Trustee Peter M. Bristow Family Irrevocable Trust (1) |
12,152 | -0- | -0- | -0- | 12,152 | |||||||||||||||
By Robert P. Holding Foundation (2) |
46,995 | -0- | 46,995 | -0- | 46,995 | |||||||||||||||
By Ella Ann and Frank B. Holding Foundation (2) |
3,231 | -0- | 3,231 | -0- | 3,231 | |||||||||||||||
By Holding Properties, LLC (3) |
2,675 | 2,675 | -0- | 2,675 | -0- | |||||||||||||||
By E&F Properties, Inc. (3) |
827 | -0- | 827 | -0- | 827 | |||||||||||||||
By Twin States Farming, Inc. (3) |
12,530 | -0- | 12,530 | -0- | 12,530 | |||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
Total |
729,922 | 654,187 | 63,583 | 654,187 | 75,735 | |||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1) | Ms. Holding is one of two co-trustees for the Peter M. Bristow Family Irrevocable Trust and may be considered to have shared dispositive power, but no voting power, with respect to these shares. |
(2) | Each Foundation is a charitable foundation organized as a non-profit corporation under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Ms. Holding serves as an officer and one of five directors of each of the Foundations and, as a result, may be considered to have shared voting and/or dispositive power with respect to shares held by the Foundations. Ms. Holding disclaims beneficial ownership of those shares. |
(3) | Ms. Holding serves as Manager of Holding Properties, LLC and as an officer and director of E&F Properties, Inc. and Twin States Farming, Inc. She may be considered to have sole voting and/or dispositive power with respect to shares held by the limited liability company and shared voting and/or dispositive power with respect to shares held by the two corporations. |
Ms. Holding receives or has the sole or shared power to direct the receipt of dividends from, or the proceeds from the sale of, the shares beneficially owned by her individually. The distribution of dividends and sale proceeds from shares held as a trustee or co-trustee and/or beneficiary of trusts is determined based on the terms of the governing instruments of those trusts. Each of the entities listed above receives, or its respective officers and directors or manager have the power to direct the receipt of, dividends and sale proceeds from the shares it holds.
Page 13 of 18
During the 60 days preceding the filing of this Schedule 13D/A, neither Ms. Holding nor any of the other holders of shares listed in the table above purchased or sold any shares of, or effected any other transactions in, Class A Common Stock, with the exception of Ms. Holdings transfer without consideration of 402,569 shares of Class A Common Stock from her individual name to her revocable trust.
Ms. Holding disclaims voting and dispositive power with respect to certain shares of the Issuers Class A Common Stock which are not listed in the table above as follows:
(a) | an aggregate of 466,532 shares held by other corporations of which Ms. Holding is a shareholder and a director as follows: Southern BancShares (N.C.), Inc., Mt. Olive, N.C., and its wholly-owned bank subsidiary, 192,063 shares, Fidelity BancShares (N.C.), Inc., Fuquay-Varina, N.C. 100,000 shares and Yadkin Valley Company and its subsidiary 174,469 shares. |
Claire H. Bristow. Mrs. Bristow is, or may be deemed to be, the beneficial owner of an aggregate of 520,140 shares of Class A Common Stock, amounting to 5.90% of the outstanding Class A Common Stock, as described in the table below.
Holder of Shares |
Number of Shares |
Voting Power | Dispositive Power | |||||||||||||||||
Sole | Shared | Sole | Shared | |||||||||||||||||
Claire H. Bristow |
30,000 | 30,000 | -0- | 30,000 | -0- | |||||||||||||||
As beneficiary of trust |
10,858 | 10,858 | -0- | 10,858 | -0- | |||||||||||||||
As Trustee and beneficiary of Claire H. Bristow 2nd Amended and Restated Trust |
257,675 | 257,675 | -0- | 257,675 | -0- | |||||||||||||||
As beneficiary of Claire H. Bristow 2018 Irrevocable Family Trust (3) |
14,500 | -0- | 14,500 | -0- | 14,500 | |||||||||||||||
As Trustee and beneficiary of Claire H. Bristow 2020 Grantor Retained Annuity Trust |
100,000 | 100,000 | -0- | 100,000 | -0- | |||||||||||||||
Peter M. Bristow 2nd Amended and Restated Trust (2) |
8,963 | -0- | 8,963 | -0- | 8,963 | |||||||||||||||
Co-trustee Peter M. Bristow Family Irrevocable Trust (1) |
12,152 | 12,152 | -0- | -0- | 12,152 | |||||||||||||||
By daughter |
12,560 | -0- | 12,560 | -0- | 12,560 | |||||||||||||||
By spouse as Trustee for son (2)(3) |
19,041 | -0- | 19,041 | -0- | 19,041 | |||||||||||||||
By spouse as Trustee for daughter (2)(3) |
19,041 | -0- | 19,041 | -0- | 19,041 | |||||||||||||||
By spouse as Trustee for daughter (2)(3) |
19,041 | -0- | 19,041 | -0- | 19,041 | |||||||||||||||
By PMB Investments LLC (2)(4) |
6,106 | -0- | 6,106 | -0- | 6,106 | |||||||||||||||
By CRB Investments LLC (2)(4) |
2,154 | -0- | 2,154 | -0- | 2,154 | |||||||||||||||
By EHB Investments LLC (2)(4) |
2,045 | -0- | 2,045 | -0- | 2,045 | |||||||||||||||
By various Trusts (2)(5) |
6,004 | -0- | 6,004 | -0- | -0- | |||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
Total |
520,140 | 410,685 | 109,455 | 398,533 | 115,603 | |||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1) | Ms. Bristow is one of two co-trustees for the Peter M. Bristow Family Irrevocable Trust and may be considered to have sole voting and shared dispositive power with respect to these shares. |
(2) | All shares are held separately by Mrs. Bristows spouse as trustee and beneficiary of a trust, as trustee of trusts or manager of limited liability companies for the benefit of their adult children, or with voting power over shares held by other trusts. While Mrs. Bristow may be considered to have shared voting and dispositive power with respect to the shares because of their spousal relationship, she has no such actual power. She disclaims beneficial ownership of the shares held by her spouse, and this Schedule 13D/A shall not be construed as an admission that Mrs. Holding is the beneficial owner of those shares. |
Page 14 of 18
(3) | In the case of each trust, Mrs. Bristows spouse serves as trustee and she or one of their adult children is the income beneficiary. |
(4) | In the case of each limited liability company, Mrs. Bristows spouse serves as manager and one of their adult children is the majority owner. |
(5) | Includes two trusts of which Mrs. Bristows spouse is not a trustee but has the power to vote shares held by the trusts. |
Mrs. Bristow and her daughter, respectively, receive or have the power to direct the receipt of dividends from, or the proceeds from the sale of, the shares beneficially owned by them individually. The distribution of dividends and sale proceeds from shares held as a trustee and/or beneficiary of trusts is determined based on the terms of the governing instruments of the trusts. The distribution of dividends and sale proceeds from shares held by the limited liability companies is determined based on the terms of the governing instruments of those entities.
During the 60 days preceding the filing of this Schedule 13D/A, neither Mrs. Bristow nor any of the other holders of shares listed in the table above purchased or sold any shares of, or effected any other transactions in, Class A Common Stock.
Mrs. Bristow disclaims voting and dispositive power with respect to certain shares of the Issuers Class A Common Stock which are not listed in the table above as follows:
(a) | 3,231 shares held by the Ella Ann and Frank B. Holding Foundation of which Mrs. Bristow serves as one of five directors but not as an officer; |
(b) | an aggregate of 479,889 shares held by certain other corporations of which Mrs. Bristow and/or her spouse are shareholders but of which neither of them serves as a director or officer as follows: Southern BancShares (N.C.), Inc., Mt. Olive, N.C., and its wholly-owned bank subsidiary 192,063 shares; Fidelity BancShares (N.C.), Inc., Fuquay-Varina, N.C. 100,000 shares; Yadkin Valley Company and its subsidiary 174,469 shares; Twin States Farming, Inc. 12,530 shares; and E&F Properties, Inc. 827 shares; and |
(c) | an aggregate of 25,602 shares held individually by her adult children. |
Carson H. Brice. Mrs. Brice is, or may be deemed to be, the beneficial owner of an aggregate of 503,291 shares of Class A Common Stock, amounting to 5.71% of the outstanding Class A Common Stock, as described in the table below.
Holder of Shares |
Number of Shares |
Voting Power | Dispositive Power | |||||||||||||||||
Sole | Shared | Sole | Shared | |||||||||||||||||
Carson H. Brice |
429,023 | 429,023 | -0- | 429,023 | -0- | |||||||||||||||
As Trustee and beneficiary or Carson H. Brice Revocable Trust |
13,265 | 13,265 | -0- | 13,265 | -0- | |||||||||||||||
As beneficiary of Trust |
10,652 | 10,652 | -0- | 10,652 | -0- | |||||||||||||||
By spouse |
313 | -0- | 313 | -0- | 313 | |||||||||||||||
As custodian for son |
17,460 | 17,460 | -0- | 17,460 | -0- | |||||||||||||||
As custodian for daughter |
16,289 | 16,289 | -0- | 16,289 | -0- | |||||||||||||||
As custodian for daughter |
16,289 | 16,289 | -0- | 16,289 | -0- | |||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
Total |
503,291 | 502,978 | 313 | 502,978 | 313 | |||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Mrs. Brice and her spouse, respectively, receive or have the power to direct the receipt of dividends from, or the proceeds from the sale of, the shares beneficially owned by them individually. Mrs. Brice receives or has the power to direct the receipt of dividends and sale proceeds, for the benefit of her children, from the shares held by her as custodian. The distribution of dividends and sale proceeds from shares held as a trustee and/or beneficiary of trusts is determined based on the terms of the governing instruments of the trusts.
Page 15 of 18
During the 60 days preceding the filing of this Schedule 13D/A, neither Mrs. Brice nor any of the other holders of shares listed in the table above purchased or sold any shares of, or effected any other transactions in Class A Common Stock.
Mrs. Brice disclaims voting and dispositive power with respect to certain shares of the Issuers Class A Common Stock which are not listed in the table above as follows:
(a) | an aggregate of 78,938 shares held by a family member as trustee of irrevocable trusts for the benefit of her children; |
(b) | an aggregate of 50,226 shares held by the Robert P. Holding Foundation and the Ella Ann and Frank B. Holding Foundation, of each of which Mrs. Brice serves as one of five directors but not as an officer; and |
(c) | an aggregate of 479,889 shares held by certain corporations of which Mrs. Brice and/or her spouse are shareholders but of which neither of them serves as a director or officer as follows: Southern BancShares (N.C.), Inc., Mt. Olive, N.C., and its wholly-owned bank subsidiary 192,063 shares; Fidelity BancShares (N.C.), Inc., Fuquay-Varina, N.C. 100,000 shares; Yadkin Valley Company and its subsidiary 174,469 shares; Twin States Farming, Inc. 12,530 shares; E&F Properties, Inc. 827 shares. |
Ella Ann L. Holding. Mrs. Holding is, or may be deemed to be, the beneficial owner of an aggregate of 56,561 shares of Class A Common Stock, amounting to 0.64% of the outstanding Class A Common Stock, as described in the table below.
Holder of Shares |
Number of Shares |
Voting Power | Dispositive Power | |||||||||||||||||
Sole | Shared | Sole | Shared | |||||||||||||||||
As Trustee and beneficiary of Ella Ann Holding 2d Amended and Restated Revocable Trust |
56,561 | 56,561 | -0- | 56,561 | -0- | |||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
Total |
56,561 | 56,561 | -0- | 56,561 | -0- | |||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The distribution of dividends and sale proceeds from shares held by Mrs. Holdings revocable trust are determined based on the terms of the governing instruments of the trust.
During the 60 days preceding the filing of this Schedule 13D/A, neither Mrs. Holding nor her revocable trust purchased or sold any shares of, or effected any other transactions in, Class A Common Stock.
Mrs. Holding disclaims voting and dispositive power with respect to certain shares of the Issuers Class A Common Stock which are not listed in the table above as follows:
(a) | shares listed in the other Reporting Persons tables above which are held by or for Mrs. Holdings adult children, their spouses and her grandchildren; |
(b) | an aggregate of 66,258 shares held by certain entities in which Mrs. Holding has equity interests but of which she does not serve as a director, officer or manager, and by two charitable foundations of which Mrs. Holding does not serve as a director or officer, as follows: Holding Properties, LLC 2,675 shares; E&F Properties, Inc. 827 shares; Twin States Farming, Inc. 12,530 shares; Robert P. Holding Foundation 46,995 shares; and Ella Ann and Frank B. Holding Foundation 3,231 shares; and |
(c) | an aggregate of 466,532 shares held by certain other corporations in which Mrs. Holding is a shareholder but of which she does not serve as a director or officer as follows: Southern BancShares (N.C.), Inc., Mt. Olive, N.C., and its wholly owned bank subsidiary 192,063 shares; Fidelity BancShares (N.C.), Inc., Fuquay-Varina, N.C. 100,000 shares; and Yadkin Valley Company and its subsidiary 174,469 shares. |
Page 16 of 18
Item 6. Contracts, Arrangements, Understandings or Relationships with Respect to Securities of the Issuer.
The information set forth in Item 4 of this Amendment No. 4 is hereby incorporated by reference into this Item 6.
Item 7. Material to be Filed as Exhibits.
[SIGNATURES APPEAR ON FOLLOWING PAGE.]
Page 17 of 18
SIGNATURES
After reasonable inquiry and to the best of my knowledge and belief, I certify that the information set forth in this statement is true, complete and correct.
October 19, 2020
/S/ Frank B. Holding, Jr. |
Frank B. Holding, Jr. |
/S/ Hope H. Bryant |
Hope H. Bryant |
/S/ Olivia B. Holding |
Olivia B. Holding |
/S/ Claire H. Bristow |
Claire H. Bristow |
/S/ Carson H. Brice |
Carson H. Brice |
/S/ Ella Ann L. Holding |
Ella Ann L. Holding |
[Schedule 13D/A Signature Page - Class A]
Page 18 of 18
EXHIBIT B
VOTING AGREEMENT
This VOTING AGREEMENT (this Agreement), dated as of October 15, 2020, is by and among CIT Group Inc., a Delaware corporation (CIT), and each of the persons whose name appears in the signature block to this Agreement (each, a Stockholder and, collectively, the Stockholders). Capitalized terms used herein but not defined shall have the meanings specified in the Merger Agreement (as defined below).
W I T N E S S E T H:
WHEREAS, concurrently with the execution and delivery of this Agreement, CIT, First Citizens BancShares, Inc., a Delaware corporation (BancShares), First-Citizens Bank & Trust Company, a North Carolina chartered commercial bank and direct, wholly owned subsidiary of BancShares (FCB), and FC Merger Subsidiary IX, Inc., a Delaware corporation and a direct, wholly owned subsidiary of FCB (Merger Sub) are entering into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the Merger Agreement) pursuant to which, on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth therein, (i) at the Effective Time, Merger Sub will be merged with and into CIT, and CIT will continue as the surviving corporation (in such capacity, the Interim Surviving Entity), (ii) at the Second Step Effective Time, BancShares will cause the Interim Surviving Entity to be, and the Interim Surviving Entity will be, merged with and into FCB, and FCB will continue as the surviving entity (in such capacity, the Surviving Entity), and (iii) immediately following the Second Step Effective Time, CIT Bank, National Association, a wholly owned subsidiary of CIT, will merge with and into FCB, and FCB will continue as the surviving entity;
WHEREAS, as of the date hereof, each Stockholder is the record and beneficial owner of the number of shares of BancShares common stock set forth on Schedule A hereto (the Shares);
WHEREAS, as an inducement to CIT to enter into the Merger Agreement and incur the obligations therein, CIT has required that the Stockholders individually enter into this Agreement.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements set forth herein, and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto agree as follows:
Section 1. Agreement to Vote; Restrictions on Transfers.
(a) Agreement to Vote the Shares. Each Stockholder hereby irrevocably and unconditionally agrees that from the date hereof until the termination of this Agreement (the Expiration Time), at any meeting (whether annual or special and each adjourned or postponed meeting) of BancShares stockholders, however called, such Stockholder will (i) appear at such meeting or otherwise cause all of the Shares to be counted as present thereat for purposes of calculating a quorum and (ii) vote or cause to be voted all of the Shares, (A) in favor of the approval of the issuance of the shares of BancShares capital stock pursuant to the Merger Agreement, (B) in favor of any proposals for the approval and adoption of the Merger Agreement or any other proposal submitted to the BancShares stockholders pursuant to or
B-1
necessary for the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement, (C) against any Acquisition Proposal, without regard to any recommendation to the stockholders of BancShares by the Board of Directors of BancShares concerning such Acquisition Proposal, and without regard to the terms of such Acquisition Proposal, or other proposal made in opposition to or that is otherwise in competition or inconsistent with the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement, (D) against any agreement, amendment of any agreement or organizational document inconsistent with this Agreement or the Merger Agreement and (E) against any action, agreement, transaction or proposal that would reasonably be expected to result in a material breach of any representation, warranty, covenant, agreement or other obligation of BancShares under the Merger Agreement or that would reasonably be expected to prevent, impede or materially delay the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement. In the event that, after the date hereof and prior to the termination of the Merger Agreement, a bona fide Acquisition Proposal (I) shall have been communicated to or otherwise made known to the Board of Directors or senior management of BancShares or (II) shall have been made directly to the stockholders of BancShares or any person shall have publicly announced (and not withdrawn at least two (2) business days prior to the BancShares Meeting) an Acquisition Proposal, in each case with respect to BancShares, and thereafter the Merger Agreement is terminated without the Requisite BancShares Vote having been obtained, then each Stockholder hereby irrevocably and unconditionally agrees that from the date hereof until the date that is six (6) months after the date of the termination of the Merger Agreement, at any meeting (whether annual or special and each adjourned or postponed meeting) of BancShares stockholders, however called, such Stockholder will vote or cause to be voted all Shares against any Acquisition Proposal (whether or not the same Acquisition Proposal as that referred to above), without regard to any recommendation to the stockholders of BancShares by the Board of Directors of BancShares concerning such Acquisition Proposal, and without regard to the terms of such Acquisition Proposal; provided, however, that with respect to clause (I) above, such obligation with respect to a Stockholder who is not on the Board of Directors or a member of senior management of BancShares shall be limited to such Stockholders actual knowledge of such Acquisition Proposal.
(b) Restrictions on Transfers. Each Stockholder hereby agrees that, from the date hereof until the Expiration Time, such Stockholder shall not, directly or indirectly, sell, offer to sell, give, pledge, grant a security interest in, encumber, assign, grant any option for the sale of or otherwise transfer or dispose of any Shares, or enter into any agreement, arrangement or understanding to take any of the foregoing actions (each, a Transfer) other than any Transfer of Shares (i) as a bona fide gift or gifts, (ii) by will, other testamentary document or intestate succession to the legal representative, heir, beneficiary or a member of the family of the Stockholder or (iii) by operation of law, in each of (i)-(iii), so long as such transferee executes a joinder to this Agreement, in a form reasonably acceptable to CIT, pursuant to which such transferee agrees to become a party to this Agreement and be subject to the restrictions and obligations applicable to the Stockholder and otherwise become a party for all purposes of this Agreement to the extent relating to such transferred Shares. Any Transfer in violation of this Section 1(b) shall be null and void. Each Stockholder further agrees to authorize and request BancShares to notify BancShares transfer agent that there is a stop transfer order with respect to all of the Shares and that this Agreement places limits on the voting and Transfer of the Shares.
B-2
(c) Transfer of Voting Rights. Each Stockholder hereby agrees that such Stockholder shall not deposit any Shares in a voting trust, grant any proxy or power of attorney or enter into any voting agreement or similar agreement or arrangement in contravention of the obligations of the Stockholder under this Agreement with respect to any of the Shares owned by such Stockholder.
(d) Acquired Shares. Any shares or other voting securities of BancShares in which a Stockholder acquires sole voting power and sole power of disposition with respect to such shares (including, without limitation, by purchase, as a result of a stock dividend, stock split, recapitalization, combination, reclassification, exchange or change of such shares or upon exercise or conversion of any securities of BancShares, if any) after the date of this Agreement shall automatically become subject to the terms of this Agreement and shall become Shares for all purposes hereof.
(e) No Inconsistent Agreements. Each Stockholder hereby agrees that such Stockholder shall not enter into any agreement, contract or understanding with any person prior to the termination of this Agreement in accordance with its terms, directly or indirectly, to vote, grant a proxy or power of attorney or give instructions with respect to the voting of the Shares in any manner which is inconsistent with this Agreement.
Section 2. Non-Solicit. The Stockholders shall not, directly or indirectly, (i) initiate, solicit, knowingly encourage or knowingly facilitate inquiries or proposals with respect to any Acquisition Proposal, (ii) engage or participate in any negotiations with any person concerning any Acquisition Proposal, or (iii) provide any confidential or nonpublic information or data to, or have or participate in any discussions with, any person relating to any Acquisition Proposal (except to disclose the existence of the provisions of this Section), or (iv) recommend or endorse an Acquisition Proposal or publicly disclose your intention to do so. For the avoidance of doubt, nothing contained herein shall prohibit each Stockholder, in his or her capacity as a member of the Board of Directors of BancShares, from taking any action in such capacity to the extent such action is permitted by the Merger Agreement or consistent with his or her obligations or rights under the Merger Agreement as a member of the Board of Directors of BancShares.
Section 3. Representations and Warranties of the Stockholder.
(a) Representations and Warranties. Each Stockholder represents and warrants to CIT as follows:
(i) Power and Authority; Consents. Each Stockholder has the requisite capacity and authority to enter into and perform his or her obligations under this Agreement. No filing with, and no permit, authorization, consent or approval of, any Governmental Entity is necessary on the part of such Stockholder for the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement by such Stockholder or the consummation by the Stockholder of the transactions contemplated hereby.
B-3
(ii) Due Authorization. This Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by each Stockholder and, assuming the due authorization, execution and delivery of this Agreement by CIT, this Agreement constitutes the valid and binding agreement of the Stockholder, enforceable against the Stockholder in accordance with its terms (except in all cases as such enforceability may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, moratorium, reorganization or similar laws affecting the rights of creditors generally and the availability of equitable remedies).
(iii) Non-Contravention. The execution and delivery of this Agreement by such Stockholder does not, and the performance by such Stockholder of his or her obligations hereunder and the consummation by such Stockholder of the transactions contemplated hereby will not, violate or conflict with, or constitute a default under, any agreement, instrument, contract or other obligation or any order, arbitration award, judgment or decree to which the Stockholder is a party or by which the Stockholder or his or her property or assets is bound, or any statute, rule or regulation to which the Stockholder or his or her property or assets is subject. Such Stockholder has not appointed or granted a proxy or power of attorney to any person with respect to any Shares that remains in effect. Except for this Agreement, such Stockholder is not a party to any voting agreement, voting trust or any other contract with respect to the voting, transfer or ownership of any Shares.
(iv) Ownership of Shares. Except as disclosed in any BancShares Reports and except for restrictions in favor of CIT pursuant to this Agreement and transfer restrictions of general applicability as may be provided under the Securities Act and the blue sky laws of the various States of the United States, each Stockholder owns, beneficially and of record, all of the Shares free and clear of any proxy, voting restriction, adverse claim, or other Lien, and has voting power with respect to the Shares with no restrictions on the Stockholders rights of voting or disposition pertaining thereto. As of the date hereof, the number of the Shares is set forth on Schedule A hereto.
(v) Legal Actions. There is no action, suit, investigation, complaint or other proceeding pending against such Stockholder or, to the knowledge of the Stockholder, any other person or, to the knowledge of such Stockholder, threatened against such Stockholder or any other person that restricts or prohibits (or, if successful, would restrict or prohibit) the exercise by CIT of its rights under this Agreement or the performance by such Stockholder of its obligations under this Agreement.
(vi) Reliance. The Stockholder understands and acknowledges that CIT is entering into the Merger Agreement in reliance upon the Stockholders execution and delivery of this Agreement and the representations and warranties of the Stockholder contained herein.
Section 4. Termination. This Agreement will terminate upon the earlier of (a) the Effective Time and (b) the date of termination of the Merger Agreement in accordance with its terms (the Expiration Time); provided, however, that (a) the obligations of each Stockholder under the last sentence of Section 1(a) shall survive for six (6) months following the termination of the Merger Agreement, and (b) this Section 4 and Section 5 shall survive the Expiration Time indefinitely; provided, further that no such termination or expiration shall relieve any party hereto from any liability for any intentional breach of this Agreement occurring prior to such termination.
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Section 5. Miscellaneous.
(a) Expenses. All expenses incurred in connection with this Agreement and the transactions contemplated by this Agreement shall be paid by the party incurring such expenses.
(b) Notices. All notices and other communications hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed given if delivered personally, telecopied or emailed (with confirmation), mailed by registered or certified mail (return receipt requested) or delivered by an express courier (with confirmation) to the parties at the following addresses (or at such other address for a party as shall be specified by like notice):
(i) if to CIT to:
CIT Group Inc.
1 CIT Drive
Livingston, NJ 07039
Attention: James R. Hubbard, General Counsel
E-mail: James.Hubbard@cit.com
with a copy (which shall not constitute notice) to:
Sullivan & Cromwell LLP 125 Broad Street
New York, New York 10004
Attention: H. Rodgin Cohen
Mitchell S. Eitel
Facsimile: (212) 558-3588
Email: cohenhr@sullcrom.com
eitelm@sullcrom.com
and
(ii) if to any Stockholder, addressed to it at the address set forth below such Stockholders signature hereto:
In each case, with copies, which shall not constitute notice, to:
First Citizens BancShares, Inc.
4300 Six Forks Road
Raleigh, North Carolina 27609
Attention: Craig L. Nix
E-mail: craig.nix@firstcitizens.com
Smith, Anderson, Blount, Dorsett, Mitchell & Jernigan, L.L.P.
150 Fayetteville Street, Suite 2300
Raleigh, North Carolina 27601
Attention: Gerald F. Roach
E-mail: groach@smithlaw.com
B-5
(c) Amendments, Waivers, Etc. This Agreement may not be amended, changed, supplemented, waived or otherwise modified or terminated except by an instrument in writing signed by each of the parties hereto.
(d) Successors and Assigns; Third Party Beneficiaries. Neither this Agreement nor any of the rights, interests or obligations contained herein shall be assigned by any of the parties hereto (whether by operation of law or otherwise) without the prior written consent of the other parties. Any purported assignment in contravention hereof shall be null and void. Subject to the preceding sentences, this Agreement will be binding upon, inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by the parties and their respective successors and permitted assigns.
(e) No Partnership, Agency, or Joint Venture. This Agreement is intended to create, and creates, a contractual relationship and is not intended to create, and does not create, any agency, partnership, joint venture or any like relationship between the parties hereto.
(f) Entire Agreement. This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement among the parties hereto relating to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior agreements and understandings, both written and oral, among the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof.
(h) Severability. Whenever possible, each provision or portion of any provision of this Agreement shall be interpreted in such manner as to be effective and valid under applicable law, but if any provision or portion of any provision of this Agreement is held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect under any applicable law or rule in any jurisdiction, such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability shall not affect any other provision or portion of any provision in such jurisdiction, and this Agreement shall be reformed, construed and enforced in such jurisdiction such that the invalid, illegal or unenforceable provision or portion thereof shall be interpreted to be only so broad as is enforceable.
(i) Specific Performance. The parties hereto agree that irreparable damage would occur if any provision of this Agreement were not performed in accordance with the terms hereof and, accordingly, that the parties shall be entitled to an injunction or injunctions to prevent breaches or threatened breaches of this Agreement or to enforce specifically the performance of the terms and provisions hereof, in addition to any other remedy to which they are entitled at law or in equity. Each of the parties hereby further waives (a) any defense in any action for specific performance that a remedy at law would be adequate and (b) any requirement under any law to post security or a bond as a prerequisite to obtaining equitable relief.
(j) Liability. The rights and obligations of each of the Stockholders under this Agreement shall be several and not joint. All references to actions to be taken by the Stockholders, or representations and warranties to be made, under this Agreement refer to actions to be taken or representations and warranties to be made by Stockholders acting severally and not jointly. Except for any liability for claims, losses, damages, liabilities or other obligations arising out of a Stockholders failure to perform its obligations hereunder, the parties agree that no Stockholder (in its capacity as a Stockholder of BancShares) will be liable for claims, losses, damages, liabilities or other obligations resulting from or relating to the Merger Agreement, including any breach by BancShares of the Merger Agreement, and that BancShares shall not be liable for claims, losses, damages, liabilities or other obligations resulting from or related to any Stockholders failure to perform its obligations hereunder.
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(k) No Waiver. The failure of any party hereto to exercise any right, power or remedy provided under this Agreement or otherwise available in respect hereof at law or in equity, or to insist upon compliance by any other party hereto with its obligations hereunder, and any custom or practice of the parties at variance with the terms hereof, shall not constitute a waiver by such party of its right to exercise any such or other right, power or remedy or to demand such compliance.
(l) Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware, without regard to any applicable conflicts of law principles.
(m) Submission to Jurisdiction. Each party agrees that it will bring any action or proceeding in respect of any claim arising out of or related to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby exclusively in the Delaware Court of Chancery and any state appellate court therefrom within the State of Delaware or, if the Delaware Court of Chancery declines to accept jurisdiction over a particular matter, any federal or state court of competent jurisdiction located in the State of Delaware (the Chosen Courts), and, solely in connection with claims arising under this Agreement or the transactions that are the subject of this Agreement, (i) irrevocably submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of the Chosen Courts, (ii) waives any objection to laying venue in any such action or proceeding in the Chosen Courts, (iii) waives any objection that the Chosen Courts are an inconvenient forum or do not have jurisdiction over any party and (iv) agrees that service of process upon such party in any such action or proceeding will be effective if notice is given in accordance with Section 5(b).
(n) Waiver of Jury Trial. EACH PARTY ACKNOWLEDGES AND AGREES THAT ANY CONTROVERSY WHICH MAY ARISE UNDER THIS AGREEMENT IS LIKELY TO INVOLVE COMPLICATED AND DIFFICULT ISSUES, AND THEREFORE EACH SUCH PARTY HEREBY IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY WAIVES, TO THE EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW AT THE TIME OF INSTITUTION OF THE APPLICABLE LITIGATION, ANY RIGHT SUCH PARTY MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN RESPECT OF ANY LITIGATION DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED BY THIS AGREEMENT. EACH PARTY CERTIFIES AND ACKNOWLEDGES THAT: (I) NO REPRESENTATIVE, AGENT OR ATTORNEY OF ANY OTHER PARTY HAS REPRESENTED, EXPRESSLY OR OTHERWISE, THAT SUCH OTHER PARTY WOULD NOT, IN THE EVENT OF LITIGATION, SEEK TO ENFORCE THE FOREGOING WAIVER, (II) EACH PARTY UNDERSTANDS AND HAS CONSIDERED THE IMPLICATIONS OF THIS WAIVER, (III) EACH PARTY MAKES THIS WAIVER VOLUNTARILY, AND (IV) EACH PARTY HAS BEEN INDUCED TO ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE MUTUAL WAIVERS AND CERTIFICATIONS IN THIS SECTION 5(n).
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(o) Drafting and Representation. The parties have participated jointly in negotiating and drafting this Agreement. In the event that an ambiguity or a question of intent or interpretation arises, this Agreement shall be construed as if drafted jointly by the parties, and no presumption or burden of proof shall arise favoring or disfavoring any party by virtue of the authorship of any provision of this Agreement. When a reference is made in this Agreement to Articles, Sections or Schedules, such reference shall be to an Article or Section of or Schedule to this Agreement unless otherwise indicated. Headings contained in this Agreement are for reference purposes only and shall not affect in any way the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement. Whenever the words include, includes or including are used in this Agreement, they shall be deemed to be followed by the words without limitation. The word or shall not be exclusive. References to the date hereof shall mean the date of this Agreement. This Agreement shall not be interpreted or construed to require any Person to take any action, or fail to take any action, if to do so would violate any applicable law. References to any statute or regulation refer to such statute or regulation as amended, modified, supplemented or replaced from time to time (and, in the case of statutes, include any rules and regulations promulgated under the statute) and references to any section of any statute or regulation include any successor to such section.
(p) Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in counterparts (including by facsimile or other electronic means), all of which shall be considered one and the same agreement and shall become effective when counterparts have been signed by each of the parties and delivered to the other parties, it being understood that all parties need not sign the same counterpart.
(q) Capacity as a Stockholder. This Agreement shall apply to each Stockholder solely in such Stockholders capacity as a stockholder of BancShares and shall not apply in any manner to such Stockholder or any family member of such Stockholder in any capacity as a director or officer of BancShares or its Subsidiaries or in any other capacity (and shall not limit or affect any actions taken by such Stockholder or any family member of such Stockholder in the capacity of director or officer of BancShares or its Subsidiaries, and no such action taken by such Stockholder or any family member of such Stockholder in the capacity of director or officer of BancShares or its Subsidiaries shall be deemed to constitute a breach of this Agreement).
(r) Beneficial Ownership. As used in this Agreement, the term beneficial ownership has the meaning ascribed to such term in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act. The terms beneficially own, beneficially owned and beneficial owner each have a correlative meaning.
[Signature Pages Follow]
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be signed as of the date first written above.
CIT Group Inc. | ||
By: | /s/ Ellen R. Alemany | |
Name: Ellen R. Alemany | ||
Title: Chairwoman and Chief Executive Officer |
[Signature Page to Voting Agreement]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be signed as of the date first written above.
/s/ Frank B. Holding, Jr. |
Name: Frank B. Holding, Jr. |
Address: |
4300 Six Forks Road |
Raleigh, NC 27609 |
[Signature Page to Voting Agreement]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be signed as of the date first written above.
/s/ Hope H. Bryant |
Name: Hope H. Bryant |
Address: |
4300 Six Forks Road |
Raleigh, NC 27609 |
[Signature Page to Voting Agreement]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be signed as of the date first written above.
/s/ Peter M. Bristow |
Name: Peter M. Bristow |
Address: |
4300 Six Forks Road |
Raleigh, NC 27609 |
/s/ Claire H. Bristow |
Name: Claire H. Bristow |
Address: |
P.O. Box 1417 |
Smithfield, NC 27577 |
[Signature Page to Voting Agreement]
SCHEDULE A
Stockholder |
Class A Common Shares Beneficially Owned |
Class B Common Shares Beneficially Owned |
Total Voting Power of Shares Beneficially Owned |
% of Total Voting Power |
||||||||||||
Frank B. Holding, Jr. |
570,349 | 145,738 | 2,902,157 | 11.66 | % | |||||||||||
Hope Holding Bryant |
498,505 | 102,405 | 2,136,985 | 8.58 | % | |||||||||||
Peter M. Bristow |
90,891 | 26,448 | 514,059 | 2.06 | % | |||||||||||
Claire Holding Bristow |
410,685 | 85,200 | 1,773.885 | 7.13 | % | |||||||||||
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Total |
1,570,430 | 359,791 | 7,327,086 | 29.43 | % | |||||||||||
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