EX-3.1 2 dex31.htm RESTATED CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION Restated Certificate of Incorporation

Exhibit 3.1

RESTATED CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION

OF

FIRST MIDWEST BANCORP, INC.

UNDER SECTION 245

OF THE GENERAL CORPORATION LAW OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE

First Midwest Bancorp, Inc., a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the State of Delaware, hereby certifies as follows:

 

1. The name of the Corporation is FIRST MIDWEST BANCORP, INC.

 

2. The date of filing of the Corporation’s original Certificate of Incorporation with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware was May 14, 1982.

 

3. This Restated Certificate of Incorporation only restates and integrates and does not further amend the provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation of this Corporation as heretofore amended or supplemented and there is no discrepancy between those provisions and the provisions of this Restated Certificate of Incorporation.

 

4. The text of the Certificate of Incorporation as amended or supplemented heretofore is hereby restated without further amendment or changes to read as herein set forth on EXHIBIT A.

 

5. The Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation, in the form attached hereto as EXHIBIT A, was duly adopted by the Board of Directors of the Corporation in accordance with Section 245 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, said First Midwest Bancorp, Inc. has caused this Certificate to be signed by its Executive Vice President and Corporate Secretary this 25th day of February 2009.

 

FIRST MIDWEST BANCORP, INC.

/s/ CYNTHIA A. LANCE

Cynthia A. Lance
Executive Vice President and Corporate Secretary

 

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EXHIBIT A

To the Restated Certificate of Incorporation

RESTATED CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION OF

FIRST MIDWEST BANCORP, INC.

ARTICLE FIRST. Name.

The name of the Corporation is FIRST MIDWEST BANCORP, INC.

ARTICLE SECOND. Registered Agent.

The registered office of the Corporation in the State of Delaware is located at 2711 Centerville Road, Suite 400, Wilmington, Delaware 19808, New Castle County. The name of its registered agent at such address is United States Corporation Company.

ARTICLE THIRD. Purpose.

The purpose of the Corporation is to engage in any lawful act or activity for which corporations may be organized under the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware.

ARTICLE FOURTH. Authorized Stock.

The total number of shares of stock which the Corporation shall have authority to issue is One Hundred One Million (101,000,000) shares, of which One Million (1,000,000) shares shall be shares of Preferred Stock without par value (hereinafter sometimes referred to as “Preferred Stock”), and One Hundred Million (100,000,000) shares shall be shares of Common Stock, $0.01 par value per share (hereinafter sometimes referred to as “Common Stock”).

PART I—PREFERRED STOCK

The Board of Directors is expressly authorized to adopt, from time to time, a resolution or resolutions providing for the issue of Preferred Stock in one or more series, to fix the number of shares in each such series and to fix the designations and the powers, preferences and relative, optional or other special rights, and the qualifications, limitations and restrictions thereof, of each such series. The authority of the Board of Directors with respect to each such series shall include a determination of the following (which may vary as between the different series of Preferred Stock):

 

  (a) The number of shares constituting the series and the distinctive designation of the series;

 

  (b) The dividend rate on the shares of the series, the conditions and dates upon which dividends thereon shall be payable, the extent, if any, to which dividends thereon shall be cumulative, and the relative rights of preference, if any, of payment of dividends thereon;

 

  (c) Whether or not the shares of the series are redeemable and, if redeemable, including whether such shares shall be redeemable for cash, property or rights or any combination thereof and the times during which such shares shall be redeemable and the amount per share payable in case of redemption, which amount may, but need not, vary according to the time and circumstances of such action;

 

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  (d) The amount payable in respect of the shares of the series, in the event of any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation, which amount may, but need not, vary according to the time or circumstances of such action, and the relative rights of preference, if any, of payment of such amount;

 

  (e) Any requirement as to a sinking fund for the shares of the series, or any requirement as to the redemption, purchase or other retirement by the Corporation of the shares of the series;

 

  (f) The right, if any, to exchange or convert shares of the series into shares of any other series or class of stock of the Corporation and the rate or basis, time, manner and condition of exchange or conversion;

 

  (g) The voting rights, if any, to which the holders of shares of the series shall be entitled; and

 

  (h) Any other term, condition or provision [not involving any further participation in the assets or profits of the Corporation other than as permitted and provided for pursuant to the provisions of paragraphs (b), (c), (d), (e) and (f) of this Part I] with respect to the series as the Board of Directors may deem advisable and as shall not be inconsistent with the provisions of this Article Fourth.

 

  (i) Pursuant to the authority conferred upon the Board of Directors by Article FOURTH of the Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation, the Board of Directors on November 19, 2008, adopted a resolution creating a series of Preferred Stock designated as Fixed Rate Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock, Series B. The designation and number of shares of such series, and the voting and other powers, preferences and relative, participating, optional or other rights, and the qualifications, limitations and restrictions thereof, of the shares of such series, adopted pursuant to such resolution are set forth at Exhibit B to this Restated Certificate of Incorporation.

PART II—COMMON STOCK

 

  (a) Dividends. Subject to any rights to receive dividends to which the holders of any outstanding Preferred Stock may be entitled, the holders of the common Stock shall be entitled to receive dividends, if and when declared payable from time to time by the Board of Directors from any funds legally available therefore.

 

  (b)

Liquidation. In the event of any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation, whether voluntary or involuntary, after payment or provision for payment of the debts and other liabilities of the Corporation and the preferential amounts to which the holders of any outstanding Preferred Stock shall be entitled, the holders of the Common Stock shall be entitled to share ratably in the remaining assets of the Corporation. The merger or consolidation of the Corporation into

 

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or with any other corporation, or the merger of any other corporation into it, or a sale of all or substantially all of the assets of the Corporation, or any purchase or redemption of shares of stock of the Corporation of any class, shall not be deemed to be a liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation for purposes of this paragraph (b).

 

  (c) Voting. Each outstanding share of Common Stock of the Corporation shall entitle the holder thereof to one vote, and, except as otherwise stated or expressed in a resolution or resolutions adopted by the Board of Directors providing for the issue of any Preferred stock or as otherwise provided by law, the exclusive voting power for all purposes shall be vested in the holders of Common Stock.

PART III—GENERAL PROVISIONS

 

  (a) No Stockholder Consents in Lieu of Voting. No action required to be taken or which may be taken at any annual or special meeting of stockholders of the Corporation may be taken without a meeting, and the power of stockholders to consent in writing, without a meeting, to the taking of any action is specifically denied.

 

  (b) Right to Call Special Meetings. Special meetings of the stockholders of the Corporation may be called only by the Board of Directors or the Chairman of the Board of Director or President of the Corporation; provided, however, that, notwithstanding the foregoing, a special meeting of stockholders may be called by the holders of at least 51% of the voting power of the then outstanding shares of capital stock of the Corporation entitled to vote generally in the election of directors (the “Voting Stock”) solely for the purpose of removing a director or directors for cause [it being understand that, for purposes of this paragraph (b), each share of the Voting Stock shall have the number of votes granted to it pursuant to this Article Fourth].

 

  (c) Removal of Directors. No director may be removed from office except for cause; provided, that, in addition to any affirmative vote required by law or any other provision of this Restated Certificate of Incorporation, the removal of any director shall require the affirmative vote of the holders of at least 67% of the voting power of the then outstanding Voting Stock [it being understood that, for purposes of this paragraph (c), each share of the Voting Stock shall have the number of votes granted to it pursuant to this Article Fourth], and such affirmative vote shall be required notwithstanding the fact that a lesser percentage may be specified by law or in any agreement with any national securities exchange or otherwise.

 

  (d)

Advance Notice of Stockholder Proposals. At any annual or special meeting of stockholders, proposals by stockholders and persons nominated by stockholders for election as directors shall be considered only if advance notice thereof has been timely given as provided herein by a stockholder of record as of the time of such notice who is entitled to vote at the meeting and such proposals or nominations are otherwise proper for consideration under applicable law and this Restated

 

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Certificate of Incorporation and the By-laws of the Corporation. Notice of any proposal to be presented by any stockholder or of the name of any person to be nominated by any stockholder for election as a director of the Corporation at any meeting of stockholders shall be delivered to the Secretary of the Corporation at its principal executive office not less than 120 nor more than 180 days prior to the date of the meeting; provided, however, that if the date of the meeting is first publicly announced or disclosed (in a public filing or otherwise) less than 130 days prior to the date of the meeting, such advance notice shall be given not more than 10 days after such date is first so announced or disclosed. Public notice shall be deemed to have been given more than 130 days in advance of the annual meeting if the Corporation shall have previously disclosed, in the By-laws or otherwise, that the annual meeting in each year is to be held on a determinable date, unless and until the Board determines to hold the meeting on a different date. Any stockholder who gives notice of any such proposal shall deliver therewith the text of the proposal to be presented and a brief written statement of the reasons why such stockholder favors the proposal and setting forth such stockholder’s name and address, the number and class of all shares of each class of stock of the Corporation beneficially owned by such stockholder and any material interest of such stockholder in the proposal (other than as a stockholder). Any stockholder desiring to nominate any person for election as a director of the Corporation shall deliver with such notice a statement in writing setting forth the name of the person to be nominated, the number and class of all shares of each class or stock of the Corporation beneficially owned by such person, the information regarding any such person required by paragraphs (a), (e) and (f) of Item 401 of Regulation S-K adopted by the Securities and Exchange Commission (or the corresponding provisions of any regulation subsequently adopted by the Securities and Exchange commission applicable to this Corporation), such person’s signed consent to serve as a director of the Corporation if elected, such stockholder’s name and address and the number and class of all shares of each class of stock of the Corporation beneficially owned by such stockholder. As used herein, shares “beneficially owned” shall mean all shares as to which such person, together with such person’s affiliates and associates (as defined in Rule 12b-2 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934), may be deemed to beneficially own pursuant to Rules 13d-3 and 13d-5 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as well as all shares as to which such person, together with such person’s affiliates and associates, has the right to become the beneficial owner pursuant to any agreement or understanding, or upon the exercise of warrants, options or rights to convert or exchange (whether such rights are exercisable immediately or only after the passage of time or the occurrence of conditions). The person presiding at the meeting, in addition to making any other determinations that may be appropriate to the conduct of the meeting, shall determine whether such notice has been duly given and shall direct that proposals and nominees not be considered if such notice has not been given.

 

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ARTICLE FIFTH. Board of Directors.

 

  (a) The business and affairs of the Corporation shall be managed by or under the direction of the Board of Directors.

 

  (b) The number of directors constituting the Board of Directors of the Corporation shall be such number, not fewer than three nor more than twenty, as shall be fixed from time to time by resolution of the Board of Directors adopted by the affirmative vote of at least a majority of all members thereof.

 

  (c) The Board of Directors shall be and is divided into three classes, Class I, Class II and Class III, which shall be as nearly equal in number as possible. Each director shall serve for a term ending on the date of the third annual meeting of stockholders of the Corporation following the annual meeting at which such director was elected; provided, however, that (1) each director in Class I elected at the annual meeting of stockholders in 1985 shall hold office until the annual meeting of stockholders in 1986, (2) each director in Class II elected at the annual meeting of stockholders in 1985 shall hold office until the annual meeting of stockholders in 1987, and (3) each director in Class III elected at the annual meeting of stockholders in 1985 shall hold office until the annual meeting of stockholders in 1988.

 

  (d) In the event of any increase or decrease in the authorized number of directors, (1) each director then serving as such shall nevertheless continue as a director of the class of which he or she is a member until the expiration of his or her current term, or his or her prior death, retirement, resignation, or removal, and (2) the newly created or eliminated directorships resulting from such increase or decrease shall be apportioned by the Board of Directors among the three classes of directors so as to maintain such classes as nearly equal in number as possible.

 

  (e) Notwithstanding any of the foregoing provisions of this Article Fifth, each director shall serve until his or her successor is elected and qualified or until his or her death, retirement, resignation or removal. Should a vacancy occur or be created, whether arising through death, retirement, resignation or removal of a director or through an increase in the number of directors of any class, such vacancy shall be filled by a majority vote of the remaining directors of all classes then in office although less than a quorum, or by the sole remaining director. A director so elected to fill a vacancy shall serve for the remainder of the then present term of office of the class in which the vacancy shall have occurred or shall have been created.

 

  (f) Notwithstanding any of the foregoing provisions of this Article Fifth, whenever the holders of any outstanding class or series of Preferred Stock shall have the right, voting separately by class or series, to elect directors at an annual or special meeting of stockholders, the election, term of office, filling of vacancies and other features of such directorships shall be governed by the terms of this Restated Certificate of Incorporation and of the resolution of the Board of Directors providing for the issue of such class or series of Preferred Stocked applicable thereto, and such directors so elected shall not be divided into classes pursuant to this Article Fifth, unless expressly provided by such terms.

 

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  (g) The Board of Directors, by resolution adopted by the affirmative vote of at least a majority of all members thereof, shall have concurrent power with the stockholders to adopt, amend or repeal the By-laws of the Corporation; provided, however, that the By-laws of the Corporation shall not be adopted, amended or repealed by the stockholders except by the affirmative vote of the holders of at least 67% of the voting power of the then outstanding Voting Stock, voting together as a single class [it being understood that, for purposes of this paragraph (g), each share of the Voting Stock shall have the number of votes granted to it pursuant to Article Fourth hereof], and such affirmative vote shall be required notwithstanding the fact that a lesser percentage may be specified by law or in any agreement with any national securities exchange or otherwise.

 

  (h) Wherever the term “Board of Directors” is used in this Restated Certificate of Incorporation, such term shall mean the Board of Directors of the Corporation; provided, however, that, to the extent any committee of directors of the Corporation is lawfully entitled to exercise the powers of the Board of Directors, such committee, to the extent provided by resolution of the Board of Directors or the By-laws, may exercise any power or authority of the Board of Directors under this Restated Certificate of Incorporation in the management of the business and affairs of the Corporation.

 

  (i) The books of the Corporation (subject to the provisions of the laws of the State of Delaware) may be kept outside of the State of Delaware at such places as may be from time to time designated by the Board of Directors. Elections of directors need not be by ballot unless the By-laws so provide.

 

  (j) No Director of the Corporation shall be personally liable to the Corporation or any of its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a Director, except to the extent that such exemption from liability or limitation thereof is not permitted under the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, as it may be in effect from time to time. No amendment to or repeal of this paragraph (j) shall apply to or have any effect on the liability or alleged liability of any Director of the Corporation for or with respect to any acts or omissions of such Director occurring prior to such amendment or repeal.

ARTICLE SIXTH. Indemnification.

Without limiting in any manner any power of the Corporation conferred by statute, each person who is or was a director or officer of the Corporation shall be indemnified by the Corporation to the full extent permitted by the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, as it may be in effect from time to time, against any liability, cost or expense incurred by him in his capacity as a director or officer or arising out of his status as a director or officer.

 

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ARTICLE SEVENTH. Certain Business Combinations.

 

  (a) Higher Vote for Certain Business Combinations.

In addition to any affirmative vote required by law or any other provision of this Restated Certificate of Incorporation, and except as otherwise expressly provided in paragraph (b) of this Article Seventh:

 

  (1) Any merger or consolidation of the Corporation or any Subsidiary with any (A) Interested Stockholder or (B) any other corporation (whether or not itself an Interested Stockholder) which is, or after such merger or consolidation would be, an Affiliate of an Interested Stockholder; or

 

  (2) Any sale, lease, exchange, mortgage, pledge, transfer or other disposition (in one transaction or a series of transactions) to or with any Interested Stockholder or any Affiliate of any Interested Stockholder of any assets of the Corporation or any Subsidiary having an aggregate Fair Market Value of $5 million or more; or

 

  (3) The issuance or transfer by the Corporation or any Subsidiary (in one transaction or a series of transactions) of any securities of the Corporation or any Subsidiary to any Interested Stockholder or any Affiliate of any Interested Stockholder in exchange for cash, securities or other property (or a combination thereof) having an aggregate Fair Market value of $5 million or more; or

 

  (4) The adoption of any plan or proposal for the liquidation or dissolution of the Corporation proposal by or on behalf of an Interested Stockholder or any Affiliate of any Interested Stockholder; or

 

  (5) Any reclassification of securities (including any reverse stock split), or recapitalization of the Corporation, or any merger or consolidation of the Corporation with any of its Subsidiaries or any other transaction (whether or not with or into or otherwise involving an Interested Stockholder) which has the effect, directly or indirectly, of increasing the proportionate share of the outstanding shares of any class of equity or convertible securities of the Corporation or any Subsidiary which is directly or indirectly owned by any Interested Stockholder or any Affiliate of any Interested Stockholder;

shall require the affirmative vote of the holders of at least 80% of the voting power of the then outstanding Voting Stock, voting together as a single class [it being understood that, for purposes of this paragraph (a), each share of the Voting Stock shall have the number of votes granted to in pursuant to Article Fourth hereof]. Such affirmative vote shall be required notwithstanding the fact that no vote may be required, or that a lesser percentage may be specified, by law or in any agreement with any national securities exchange or otherwise. The term “Business Combination”, as used in this Article Seventh, means any transaction which is referred to in any one or more of clauses (1) through (5) of this paragraph (a).

 

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  (b) When Higher Vote is Not Required.

The provisions of paragraph (a) of this Article Seventh shall not be applicable to any particular Business Combination, and such Business Combination shall require only such affirmative vote, if any, as is required by law or any other provision of this Restated Certificate of Incorporation or the By-laws of the Corporation, if all the conditions specified in either subparagraph (b)(1) or (2) below are met:

 

  (1) Approval by Disinterested Directors.

Such Business Combination shall have been approved by a majority of the Disinterested Directors.

 

  (2) Price and Procedure Requirements.

All of the following conditions shall have been met:

 

  (A) The aggregate amount of the cash and the Fair Market value as of the date of the consummation of such Business Combination of consideration other than cash to be received per share by holders of Common Stock in such Business Combination shall be at least equal to the highest of the following:

 

  (i) (if applicable) the highest per share price (including any brokerage commissions, transfer taxes and soliciting dealers’ fees) paid by the Interested Stockholder involved for any shares of Common Stock acquired by it (I) within the two-year period ending on the date of the first public announcement of the proposal of such Business Combination (the “Announcement Date”) or (II) in the transaction in which it became an Interested Stockholder, whichever is higher;

 

  (ii)

(if applicable) an amount which bears the same or a greater percentage relationship to the Fair Market Value per share of Common Stock on the Announcement Date or on the date on which the Interested Stockholder involved became an Interested Stockholder (such latter date is referred to in this Article Seventh as the “Determination Date”), whichever is higher, as the highest per share price determined under subparagraph (b)(2)(A)(1) bears to the Fair Market Value per share of Common Stock on the first

 

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day within the two-year period ending on the Announcement Date on which such Interested Stockholder acquired beneficial ownership of any share of Common Stock; and

 

  (iii) the Fair Market Value per share of Common Stock on the Announcement Date or on the Determination Date, whichever is higher,

 

  (B) The aggregate amount of the cash and the Fair Market Value as of the date of the consummation of such Business Combination of consideration other than cash to be received per share by holders of shares of any class of outstanding Voting Stock, shall be at least equal to the highest of the following [it being intended that the requirements of this subparagraph (b)(2)(B) shall be required to be met with respect to each class of outstanding Voting Stock, other than Common Stock, whether or not the Interested Stockholder involved has previously acquired any shares of such class of Voting Stock]:

 

  (i) (if applicable) the highest per share price (including any brokerage commissions, transfer taxes and soliciting dealers’ fees) paid by the Interested Stockholder involved for any share of such class of Voting Stock acquired by it (I) with the two-year period ending on the Announcement Date or (II) in the transaction in which it became an Interested Stockholder, whichever is higher;

 

  (ii) (if applicable) the highest preferential amount per share to which the holders of shares of such class of Voting Stock are entitled in the event of any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation;

 

  (iii) (if applicable) an amount which bears the same or a greater percentage relationship to the Fair Market Value per share of such class of Voting Stock on the Announcement Date or on the Determination Date, whichever is higher, as the highest per share price determined under subparagraph (b)(2)(B)(i) bears to the Fair Market Value per share of such class of Voting Stock on the first day within two year period ending on the Announcement Date on which the Interested Stockholder involved acquired beneficial ownership of any share of such class of Voting Stock; and

 

  (iv) the Fair Market Value per share of such class of Voting Stock on the Announcement Date or on the Determination Date, whichever is higher.

 

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  (C) The consideration to be received by holders of a particular class of outstanding Voting Stock (including Common Stock) shall be in cash or in the same form as the Interested Stockholder involved has previously paid for shares of such class of Voting Stock. If such Interested Stockholder has paid for shares of any class of Voting Stock with varying forms of consideration, the form of consideration for such class of Voting Stock shall be either cash or the form used to acquire the largest number of shares of such class of Voting Stock previously acquired by it. The prices determined in accordance with subparagraphs (b)(2)(A) and (b)(2)(B) shall be subject to appropriate adjustment in the event of any stock dividend, stock split, combination of shares or similar event.

 

  (D) After the Interested Stockholder involved has become an Interested Stockholder and prior to the consummation of such Business Combination: (i) there shall have been (I) no reduction in the annual rate of dividends paid on the Common Stock (except as necessary to reflect any subdivision of the Common Stock), except as approved by a majority of the Disinterested Directors, and (II) an increase in such annual rate of dividends as necessary to reflect any reclassification (including any reverse stock split), recapitalization, reorganization or any similar transaction which has the effect of reducing the number of outstanding shares of the Common Stock, unless the failure so to increase such annual rate is approved by a majority of the Disinterested Directors; and (ii) such Interested Stockholder shall not have become the beneficial owner of any additional shares of Voting Stock except as part of the transaction which results in such Interested Stockholder becoming an Interested Stockholder.

 

  (E) After the Interested Stockholder involved has become an Interested Stockholder, such Interested Stockholder shall not have received the benefit, directly or indirectly (except proportionately as a stockholder), of any loans, advances, guarantees, pledges or other financial assistance or any tax credits or other tax advantages provided by the Corporation, whether in anticipation of or in connection with such Business Combination or otherwise.

 

  (F) A proxy or information statement describing the proposed Business Combination and complying with the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the rules and regulations thereunder (or any subsequent provisions replacing such Act, rules or regulations) shall be mailed to public stockholders of the Corporation at least 30 days prior to the consummation of such Business Combination (whether or not such proxy or information statement is required to be mailed pursuant to such Act or subsequent provisions).

 

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  (c) Certain Definitions.

For purposes of this Restated Certificate of Incorporation:

 

  (1) The term “person” means any individual, firm, corporation or other entity.

 

  (2) The term “Interested Stockholder” means any person (other than the Corporation or any Subsidiary and other than any profit-sharing, employee stock ownership or other employee benefit plan of the Corporation or any Subsidiary or any trustee of or fiduciary with respect to any such plan when acting in such capacity) who or which:

 

  (A) is the beneficial owner, directly or indirectly, of 5% or more of the voting power of the outstanding Voting Stock; or

 

  (B) is an Affiliate of the Corporation and at any time within the two-year period ending on the date in question was the beneficial owner, directly or indirectly, of 5% or more of the voting power of the then outstanding Voting Stock; or

 

  (C) is an assignee of or has otherwise succeeded to any shares of Voting Stock which were at any time within the two-year period ending on the date in question beneficially owned by any Interested Stockholder, if such assignment or succession shall have occurred in the course of a transaction or series of transactions not involving a public offering within the meaning of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

 

  (3) A person shall be a “beneficial owner” of any Voting Stock:

 

  (A) which such person or any of his or its Affiliates or Associates beneficially owns, directly or indirectly, or

 

  (B) which such person or any of his or its Affiliates or Associates has (i) the right to acquire (whether such right is exercisable immediately or only after the passage of time), pursuant to any agreement, arrangement or understanding or upon the exercise of conversion rights, exchange rights, warrants or options, or otherwise, or (ii) the right to vote pursuant to any agreement, arrangement or understanding; or

 

  (C) which are beneficially owned, directly or indirectly, by any other person with which such person or any of its Affiliates or Associates has any agreement, arrangement or understanding for the purpose of acquiring, holding, voting or disposing of any shares of Voting Stock.

 

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  (4) For purposes of determining whether a person is an Interested Stockholder pursuant to subparagraph (c)(2), the number of shares of Voting Stock deemed to be outstanding shall include shares deemed owned through application of subparagraph (c)(3) but shall not include any other shares of Voting Stock which may be issuable pursuant to any agreement, arrangement or understanding, or upon exercise of conversion rights, warrants or options, or otherwise. The phrase “Interested Stockholder involved” means, in respect of any Business Combination, the Interested Stockholder that, or whose Affiliate, is a party to or otherwise involved (other than merely as a stockholder of the Corporation) in such Business Combination.

 

  (5) The terms “Affiliate” and “Associate” shall have the respective meanings ascribed to such terms in Rule 12b-2 of the General Rules and Regulations under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as in effect on March 1, 1985.

 

  (6) The term “Subsidiary” means any corporation of which a majority of any class of equity security is owned, directly or indirectly, by the corporation; provided, however, that, for purposes of the definition of Interested Stockholder set forth in subparagraph (c)(2), the term “Subsidiary” shall mean only a corporation of which a majority of each class of equity security is owned, directly or indirectly, by the Corporation.

 

  (7) The term “Disinterested Director” means, in respect of any Business Combination, any member of the Board of Directors who is unaffiliated with the Interested Stockholder involved in such Business Combination and who was a member of the Board of Directors prior to the time that such Interested Stockholder became an Interested Stockholder, and any successor of a Disinterested Director who is unaffiliated with such Interested Stockholder and who is recommended to succeed a Disinterested Director by a majority of Disinterested Directors then on the Board of Directors.

 

  (8) The term “Fair Market Value” means: (A) in the case of stock, the highest closing sale price during the 30-day period ending on the date in question of a share of such stock on the Composite Tape for New York Stock Exchange-Listed Stocks, or, if such stock is not quoted on the Composite Tape, on the New York Stock Exchange, or, if such stock is not listed on such Exchange, on the principal United States securities exchange registered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 on which such stock is listed, or, if such stock is not listed on any such exchange, the highest closing bid quotation with respect to a share of such stock during the 30-day period ending on the date in question on the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. Automated Quotations System or any system then in use, or if no such quotations are available, the fair market value on the date in question of a share of such stock as determined by the Board of Directors in good faith; and (B) in the case of property other than cash or stock, the fair market value on such property on the date in question as determined by the Board of Directors in good faith.

 

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  (9) In the event of any Business Combination in which the Corporation survives, the phrase “consideration other than cash to be received”, as used in subparagraphs (b)(2)(A) and (b)(2)(B), shall include the shares of any Common Stock and the shares of any other class of outstanding Voting Stock retained by the holders of such shares.

 

  (d) Certain Powers of the Board of Directors.

A majority of the Board of Directors shall have the power and duty to determine, for purposes of this Article Seventh, on the basis of information known to them after reasonable inquiry, (1) whether a person is an Interested Stockholder, (2) the number of shares of Voting Stock beneficially owned by any person, (3) whether a person is an Affiliate or Associate of another, and (4) whether the assets which are the subject of any Business Combination have, or the consideration to be received for the issuance or transfer of securities by the Corporation or any Subsidiary in any Business Combination has, an aggregate Fair Market Value of $5 million or more. A majority of the Board of Directors shall have the further power to interpret all of the terms and provisions of this Article Seventh.

 

  (e) No Effect on Fiduciary Obligations of Interested Stockholders.

Nothing contained in this Article Seventh shall be construed to relieve any Interested Stockholder from any fiduciary obligation imposed by law.

ARTICLE EIGHTH. Considerations for Board of Directors in Evaluation of Certain Acquisition Proposals.

In connection with the exercise of its judgment in determining what is in the best interests of the Corporation and its stockholders when evaluating a proposal by another person or persons to make a tender or exchange offer for any equity security of the Corporation or any Subsidiary, to merge or consolidate with the Corporation or any Subsidiary or to purchase or otherwise acquire all or substantially all of the assets of the Corporation or any Subsidiary, the Board of Directors of the Corporation shall, in addition to considering the adequacy of the amount to be paid in connection with any such transaction, consider all of the following factors and any other factors which it deems relevant: (a) the social and economic effects of the transaction on the Corporation and its Subsidiaries, the employees, depositors, loan and other customers and creditors of the Corporation and its Subsidiaries and the other elements of the communities in which the Corporation and its Subsidiaries operate or are located; (b) the business and financial condition and earnings prospects of the acquiring person or persons, including, but not limited to, debt service and other existing or likely financial obligations of the acquiring person or persons, and the possible effect of such conditions upon the Corporation and its Subsidiaries and the other elements of the communities in which the Corporation and its Subsidiaries operate or are located; and (c) the competence, experience, and integrity of the acquiring person or persons and its or their management.

 

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ARTICLE NINTH. Perpetual Existence.

The Corporation shall have perpetual existence.

ARTICLE TENTH. Amendments and Repeal.

 

  (a) Notwithstanding the fact that a lesser percentage vote for the amendment or repeal of this Restated Certificate of Incorporation shall be specified by law or in any agreement with any national securities exchange or otherwise, and in addition to any affirmative vote required by law or any other provision of this Restated Certificate of Incorporation, the provisions of this Article Tenth and of Articles Fourth through Ninth hereof may not be amended or repealed in any respect, unless such action is approved by the affirmative vote of the holders of at least 80% of the voting power of the then outstanding Voting Stock, voting together as a single class [it being understood that, for purposes of this paragraph (a), each share of the Voting Stock shall have the number of votes granted to it pursuant to Article Fourth hereof]; provided, however, that the foregoing provisions of this paragraph (a) shall not be applicable to any particular proposal to amend or repeal any provision of this Restated Certificate of Incorporation, and such proposed amendment or repeal shall require only such affirmative vote as is required by law or any other provision of this Restated Certificate of Incorporation or the By-laws of the Corporation, if such proposed amendment or repeal shall have been approved by resolution of the Board of Directors adopted by the affirmative vote of at least 80% of all members thereof.

 

  (b) Subject to paragraph (a) of this Article Tenth, the Corporation reserves the right to amend, alter, change or repeal any provision of this Restated Certificate of Incorporation, in the manner now or hereafter prescribed by the laws of the State of Delaware, and all rights and powers conferred herein upon stockholders and directors are granted subject to this reservation. All references herein to “this Restated Certificate of Incorporation” shall be deemed to encompass this Restated Certificate of Incorporation, as the same shall be amended from time to time.

 

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Exhibit B

To the Restated Certificate of Incorporation

CERTIFICATE OF DESIGNATIONS

OF

FIXED RATE CUMULATIVE PERPETUAL PREFERRED STOCK, SERIES B

OF

FIRST MIDWEST BANCORP, INC.

First Midwest Bancorp, Inc., a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the State of Delaware (the “Corporation”), in accordance with the provisions of Section 101 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware thereof, does hereby certify:

The board of directors of the Corporation (the “Board of Directors”) or an applicable committee of the Board of Directors, in accordance with the certificate of incorporation and bylaws of the Corporation and applicable law, adopted the following resolution on November 19, 2008 creating a series of 193,000 shares of Preferred Stock of the Corporation designated as “Fixed Rate Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock, Series B”.

RESOLVED, that pursuant to the provisions of the certificate of incorporation and the bylaws of the Corporation and applicable law, a series of Preferred Stock, no par value per share, of the Corporation be and hereby is created, and that the designation and number of shares of such series, and the voting and other powers, preferences and relative, participating, optional or other rights, and the qualifications, limitations and restrictions thereof, of the shares of such series, are as follows:

Part 1. Designation and Number of Shares. There is hereby created out of the authorized and unissued shares of preferred stock of the Corporation a series of preferred stock designated as the “Fixed Rate Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock, Series B” (the “Designated Preferred Stock”). The authorized number of shares of Designated Preferred Stock shall be 193,000.

Part 2. Standard Provisions. The Standard Provisions contained in Annex A attached hereto are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety and shall be deemed to be a part of this Certificate of Designations to the same extent as if such provisions had been set forth in full herein.

Part. 3. Definitions. The following terms are used in this Certificate of Designations (including the Standard Provisions in Annex A hereto) as defined below:

(a) “Common Stock” means the common stock, par value $0.01 per share, of the Corporation.

(b) “Dividend Payment Date” means February 15, May 15, August 15 and November 15 of each year.

(c) “Junior Stock” means the Common Stock, and any other class or series of stock of the Corporation the terms of which expressly provide that it ranks junior to Designated Preferred Stock as to dividend rights and/or as to rights on liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation.

 

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(d) “Liquidation Amount” means $1,000 per share of Designated Preferred Stock.

(e) “Minimum Amount” means $48,250,000

(f) “Parity Stock” means any class or series of stock of the Corporation (other than Designated Preferred Stock) the terms of which do not expressly provide that such class or series will rank senior or junior to Designated Preferred Stock as to dividend rights and/or as to rights on liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation (in each case without regard to whether dividends accrue cumulatively or non-cumulatively).

(g) “Signing Date” means December 5, 2008.

Part. 4. Certain Voting Matters. Holders of shares of Designated Preferred Stock will be entitled to one vote for each such share on any matter on which holders of Designated Preferred Stock are entitled to vote, including any action by written consent.

[Remainder of Page Intentionally Left Blank]

 

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ANNEX A

To the Certificate of Designations

STANDARD PROVISIONS

Section 1. General Matters. Each share of Designated Preferred Stock shall be identical in all respects to every other share of Designated Preferred Stock. The Designated Preferred Stock shall be perpetual, subject to the provisions of Section 5 of these Standard Provisions that form a part of the Certificate of Designations. The Designated Preferred Stock shall rank equally with Parity Stock and shall rank senior to Junior Stock with respect to the payment of dividends and the distribution of assets in the event of any dissolution, liquidation or winding up of the Corporation.

Section 2. Standard Definitions. As used herein with respect to Designated Preferred Stock:

(a) “Applicable Dividend Rate” means (i) during the period from the Original Issue Date to, but excluding, the first day of the first Dividend Period commencing on or after the fifth anniversary of the Original Issue Date, 5% per annum and (ii) from and after the first day of the first Dividend Period commencing on or after the fifth anniversary of the Original Issue Date, 9% per annum.

(b) “Appropriate Federal Banking Agency” means the “appropriate Federal banking agency” with respect to the Corporation as defined in Section 3(q) of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act (12 U.S.C. Section 1813(q)), or any successor provision.

(c) “Business Combination” means a merger, consolidation, statutory share exchange or similar transaction that requires the approval of the Corporation’s stockholders.

(d) “Business Day” means any day except Saturday, Sunday and any day on which banking institutions in the State of New York generally are authorized or required by law or other governmental actions to close.

(e) “Bylaws” means the bylaws of the Corporation, as they may be amended from time to time.

(f) “Certificate of Designations” means the Certificate of Designations or comparable instrument relating to the Designated Preferred Stock, of which these Standard Provisions form a part, as it may be amended from time to time.

(g) “Charter” means the Corporation’s certificate or articles of incorporation, articles of association, or similar organizational document.

(h) “Dividend Period” has the meaning set forth in Section 3(a).

(i) “Dividend Record Date” has the meaning set forth in Section 3(a).

(j) “Liquidation Preference” has the meaning set forth in Section 4(a).

(k) “Original Issue Date” means the date on which shares of Designated Preferred Stock are first issued.

(l) “Preferred Director” has the meaning set forth in Section 7(b).

 

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(m) “Preferred Stock” means any and all series of preferred stock of the Corporation, including the Designated Preferred Stock.

(n) “Qualified Equity Offering” means the sale and issuance for cash by the Corporation to persons other than the Corporation or any of its subsidiaries after the Original Issue Date of shares of perpetual Preferred Stock, Common Stock or any combination of such stock, that, in each case, qualify as and may be included in Tier 1 capital of the Corporation at the time of issuance under the applicable risk-based capital guidelines of the Corporation’s Appropriate Federal Banking Agency (other than any such sales and issuances made pursuant to agreements or arrangements entered into, or pursuant to financing plans which were publicly announced, on or prior to October 13, 2008).

(o) “Share Dilution Amount” has the meaning set forth in Section 3(b).

(p) “Standard Provisions” mean these Standard Provisions that form a part of the Certificate of Designations relating to the Designated Preferred Stock.

(q) “Successor Preferred Stock” has the meaning set forth in Section 5(a).

(r) “Voting Parity Stock” means, with regard to any matter as to which the holders of Designated Preferred Stock are entitled to vote as specified in Sections 7(a) and 7(b) of these Standard Provisions that form a part of the Certificate of Designations, any and all series of Parity Stock upon which like voting rights have been conferred and are exercisable with respect to such matter.

Section 3. Dividends.

(a) Rate. Holders of Designated Preferred Stock shall be entitled to receive, on each share of Designated Preferred Stock if, as and when declared by the Board of Directors or any duly authorized committee of the Board of Directors, but only out of assets legally available therefor, cumulative cash dividends with respect to each Dividend Period (as defined below) at a rate per annum equal to the Applicable Dividend Rate on (i) the Liquidation Amount per share of Designated Preferred Stock and (ii) the amount of accrued and unpaid dividends for any prior Dividend Period on such share of Designated Preferred Stock, if any. Such dividends shall begin to accrue and be cumulative from the Original Issue Date, shall compound on each subsequent Dividend Payment Date (i.e., no dividends shall accrue on other dividends unless and until the first Dividend Payment Date for such other dividends has passed without such other dividends having been paid on such date) and shall be payable quarterly in arrears on each Dividend Payment Date, commencing with the first such Dividend Payment Date to occur at least 20 calendar days after the Original Issue Date. In the event that any Dividend Payment Date would otherwise fall on a day that is not a Business Day, the dividend payment due on that date will be postponed to the next day that is a Business Day and no additional dividends will accrue as a result of that postponement. The period from and including any Dividend Payment Date to, but excluding, the next Dividend Payment Date is a “Dividend Period”, provided that the initial Dividend Period shall be the period from and including the Original Issue Date to, but excluding, the next Dividend Payment Date.

Dividends that are payable on Designated Preferred Stock in respect of any Dividend Period shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months. The amount of dividends payable on Designated Preferred Stock on any date prior to the end of a Dividend Period, and for the initial Dividend Period, shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months, and actual days elapsed over a 30-day month.

 

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Dividends that are payable on Designated Preferred Stock on any Dividend Payment Date will be payable to holders of record of Designated Preferred Stock as they appear on the stock register of the Corporation on the applicable record date, which shall be the 15th calendar day immediately preceding such Dividend Payment Date or such other record date fixed by the Board of Directors or any duly authorized committee of the Board of Directors that is not more than 60 nor less than 10 days prior to such Dividend Payment Date (each, a “Dividend Record Date”). Any such day that is a Dividend Record Date shall be a Dividend Record Date whether or not such day is a Business Day.

Holders of Designated Preferred Stock shall not be entitled to any dividends, whether payable in cash, securities or other property, other than dividends (if any) declared and payable on Designated Preferred Stock as specified in this Section 3 (subject to the other provisions of the Certificate of Designations).

(b) Priority of Dividends. So long as any share of Designated Preferred Stock remains outstanding, no dividend or distribution shall be declared or paid on the Common Stock or any other shares of Junior Stock (other than dividends payable solely in shares of Common Stock) or Parity Stock, subject to the immediately following paragraph in the case of Parity Stock, and no Common Stock, Junior Stock or Parity Stock shall be, directly or indirectly, purchased, redeemed or otherwise acquired for consideration by the Corporation or any of its subsidiaries unless all accrued and unpaid dividends for all past Dividend Periods, including the latest completed Dividend Period (including, if applicable as provided in Section 3(a) above, dividends on such amount), on all outstanding shares of Designated Preferred Stock have been or are contemporaneously declared and paid in full (or have been declared and a sum sufficient for the payment thereof has been set aside for the benefit of the holders of shares of Designated Preferred Stock on the applicable record date). The foregoing limitation shall not apply to (i) redemptions, purchases or other acquisitions of shares of Common Stock or other Junior Stock in connection with the administration of any employee benefit plan in the ordinary course of business (including purchases to offset the Share Dilution Amount (as defined below) pursuant to a publicly announced repurchase plan) and consistent with past practice, provided that any purchases to offset the Share Dilution Amount shall in no event exceed the Share Dilution Amount; (ii) purchases or other acquisitions by a broker-dealer subsidiary of the Corporation solely for the purpose of market-making, stabilization or customer facilitation transactions in Junior Stock or Parity Stock in the ordinary course of its business; (iii) purchases by a broker-dealer subsidiary of the Corporation of capital stock of the Corporation for resale pursuant to an offering by the Corporation of such capital stock underwritten by such broker-dealer subsidiary; (iv) any dividends or distributions of rights or Junior Stock in connection with a stockholders’ rights plan or any redemption or repurchase of rights pursuant to any stockholders’ rights plan; (v) the acquisition by the Corporation or any of its subsidiaries of record ownership in Junior Stock or Parity Stock for the beneficial ownership of any other persons (other than the Corporation or any of its subsidiaries), including as trustees or custodians; and (vi) the exchange or conversion of Junior Stock for or into other Junior Stock or of Parity Stock for or into other Parity Stock (with the same or lesser aggregate liquidation amount) or Junior Stock, in each case, solely to the extent required pursuant to binding contractual agreements entered into prior to the Signing Date or any subsequent agreement for the accelerated exercise, settlement or exchange thereof for Common Stock. “Share Dilution Amount” means the increase in the number of diluted shares outstanding (determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States, and as measured from the date of the Corporation’s consolidated financial statements most recently filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission prior to the Original Issue Date) resulting from the grant, vesting or exercise of equity-based compensation to employees and equitably adjusted for any stock split, stock dividend, reverse stock split, reclassification or similar transaction.

 

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When dividends are not paid (or declared and a sum sufficient for payment thereof set aside for the benefit of the holders thereof on the applicable record date) on any Dividend Payment Date (or, in the case of Parity Stock having dividend payment dates different from the Dividend Payment Dates, on a dividend payment date falling within a Dividend Period related to such Dividend Payment Date) in full upon Designated Preferred Stock and any shares of Parity Stock, all dividends declared on Designated Preferred Stock and all such Parity Stock and payable on such Dividend Payment Date (or, in the case of Parity Stock having dividend payment dates different from the Dividend Payment Dates, on a dividend payment date falling within the Dividend Period related to such Dividend Payment Date) shall be declared pro rata so that the respective amounts of such dividends declared shall bear the same ratio to each other as all accrued and unpaid dividends per share on the shares of Designated Preferred Stock (including, if applicable as provided in Section 3(a) above, dividends on such amount) and all Parity Stock payable on such Dividend Payment Date (or, in the case of Parity Stock having dividend payment dates different from the Dividend Payment Dates, on a dividend payment date falling within the Dividend Period related to such Dividend Payment Date) (subject to their having been declared by the Board of Directors or a duly authorized committee of the Board of Directors out of legally available funds and including, in the case of Parity Stock that bears cumulative dividends, all accrued but unpaid dividends) bear to each other. If the Board of Directors or a duly authorized committee of the Board of Directors determines not to pay any dividend or a full dividend on a Dividend Payment Date, the Corporation will provide written notice to the holders of Designated Preferred Stock prior to such Dividend Payment Date.

Subject to the foregoing, and not otherwise, such dividends (payable in cash, securities or other property) as may be determined by the Board of Directors or any duly authorized committee of the Board of Directors may be declared and paid on any securities, including Common Stock and other Junior Stock, from time to time out of any funds legally available for such payment, and holders of Designated Preferred Stock shall not be entitled to participate in any such dividends.

Section 4. Liquidation Rights.

(a) Voluntary or Involuntary Liquidation. In the event of any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the affairs of the Corporation, whether voluntary or involuntary, holders of Designated Preferred Stock shall be entitled to receive for each share of Designated Preferred Stock, out of the assets of the Corporation or proceeds thereof (whether capital or surplus) available for distribution to stockholders of the Corporation, subject to the rights of any creditors of the Corporation, before any distribution of such assets or proceeds is made to or set aside for the holders of Common Stock and any other stock of the Corporation ranking junior to Designated Preferred Stock as to such distribution, payment in full in an amount equal to the sum of (i) the Liquidation Amount per share and (ii) the amount of any accrued and unpaid dividends (including, if applicable as provided in Section 3(a) above, dividends on such amount), whether or not declared, to the date of payment (such amounts collectively, the “Liquidation Preference”).

(b) Partial Payment. If in any distribution described in Section 4(a) above the assets of the Corporation or proceeds thereof are not sufficient to pay in full the amounts payable with respect to all outstanding shares of Designated Preferred Stock and the corresponding amounts payable with respect of any other stock of the Corporation ranking equally with Designated Preferred Stock as to such distribution, holders of Designated Preferred Stock and the holders of such other stock shall share ratably in any such distribution in proportion to the full respective distributions to which they are entitled.

 

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(c) Residual Distributions. If the Liquidation Preference has been paid in full to all holders of Designated Preferred Stock and the corresponding amounts payable with respect of any other stock of the Corporation ranking equally with Designated Preferred Stock as to such distribution has been paid in full, the holders of other stock of the Corporation shall be entitled to receive all remaining assets of the Corporation (or proceeds thereof) according to their respective rights and preferences.

(d) Merger, Consolidation and Sale of Assets Not Liquidation. For purposes of this Section 4, the merger or consolidation of the Corporation with any other corporation or other entity, including a merger or consolidation in which the holders of Designated Preferred Stock receive cash, securities or other property for their shares, or the sale, lease or exchange (for cash, securities or other property) of all or substantially all of the assets of the Corporation, shall not constitute a liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation.

Section 5. Redemption.

(a) Optional Redemption. Except as provided below, the Designated Preferred Stock may not be redeemed prior to the first Dividend Payment Date falling on or after the third anniversary of the Original Issue Date. On or after the first Dividend Payment Date falling on or after the third anniversary of the Original Issue Date, the Corporation, at its option, subject to the approval of the Appropriate Federal Banking Agency, may redeem, in whole or in part, at any time and from time to time, out of funds legally available therefor, the shares of Designated Preferred Stock at the time outstanding, upon notice given as provided in Section 5(c) below, at a redemption price equal to the sum of (i) the Liquidation Amount per share and (ii) except as otherwise provided below, any accrued and unpaid dividends (including, if applicable as provided in Section 3(a) above, dividends on such amount) (regardless of whether any dividends are actually declared) to, but excluding, the date fixed for redemption.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, prior to the first Dividend Payment Date falling on or after the third anniversary of the Original Issue Date, the Corporation, at its option, subject to the approval of the Appropriate Federal Banking Agency, may redeem, in whole or in part, at any time and from time to time, the shares of Designated Preferred Stock at the time outstanding, upon notice given as provided in Section 5(c) below, at a redemption price equal to the sum of (i) the Liquidation Amount per share and (ii) except as otherwise provided below, any accrued and unpaid dividends (including, if applicable as provided in Section 3(a) above, dividends on such amount) (regardless of whether any dividends are actually declared) to, but excluding, the date fixed for redemption; provided that (x) the Corporation (or any successor by Business Combination) has received aggregate gross proceeds of not less than the Minimum Amount (plus the “Minimum Amount” as defined in the relevant certificate of designations for each other outstanding series of preferred stock of such successor that was originally issued to the United States Department of the Treasury (the “Successor Preferred Stock”) in connection with the Troubled Asset Relief Program Capital Purchase Program) from one or more Qualified Equity Offerings (including Qualified Equity Offerings of such successor), and (y) the aggregate redemption price of the Designated Preferred Stock (and any Successor Preferred Stock) redeemed pursuant to this paragraph may not exceed the aggregate net cash proceeds received by the Corporation (or any successor by Business Combination) from such Qualified Equity Offerings (including Qualified Equity Offerings of such successor).

 

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The redemption price for any shares of Designated Preferred Stock shall be payable on the redemption date to the holder of such shares against surrender of the certificate(s) evidencing such shares to the Corporation or its agent. Any declared but unpaid dividends payable on a redemption date that occurs subsequent to the Dividend Record Date for a Dividend Period shall not be paid to the holder entitled to receive the redemption price on the redemption date, but rather shall be paid to the holder of record of the redeemed shares on such Dividend Record Date relating to the Dividend Payment Date as provided in Section 3 above.

(b) No Sinking Fund. The Designated Preferred Stock will not be subject to any mandatory redemption, sinking fund or other similar provisions. Holders of Designated Preferred Stock will have no right to require redemption or repurchase of any shares of Designated Preferred Stock.

(c) Notice of Redemption. Notice of every redemption of shares of Designated Preferred Stock shall be given by first class mail, postage prepaid, addressed to the holders of record of the shares to be redeemed at their respective last addresses appearing on the books of the Corporation. Such mailing shall be at least 30 days and not more than 60 days before the date fixed for redemption. Any notice mailed as provided in this Subsection shall be conclusively presumed to have been duly given, whether or not the holder receives such notice, but failure duly to give such notice by mail, or any defect in such notice or in the mailing thereof, to any holder of shares of Designated Preferred Stock designated for redemption shall not affect the validity of the proceedings for the redemption of any other shares of Designated Preferred Stock. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if shares of Designated Preferred Stock are issued in book-entry form through The Depository Trust Corporation or any other similar facility, notice of redemption may be given to the holders of Designated Preferred Stock at such time and in any manner permitted by such facility. Each notice of redemption given to a holder shall state: (1) the redemption date; (2) the number of shares of Designated Preferred Stock to be redeemed and, if less than all the shares held by such holder are to be redeemed, the number of such shares to be redeemed from such holder; (3) the redemption price; and (4) the place or places where certificates for such shares are to be surrendered for payment of the redemption price.

(d) Partial Redemption. In case of any redemption of part of the shares of Designated Preferred Stock at the time outstanding, the shares to be redeemed shall be selected either pro rata or in such other manner as the Board of Directors or a duly authorized committee thereof may determine to be fair and equitable. Subject to the provisions hereof, the Board of Directors or a duly authorized committee thereof shall have full power and authority to prescribe the terms and conditions upon which shares of Designated Preferred Stock shall be redeemed from time to time. If fewer than all the shares represented by any certificate are redeemed, a new certificate shall be issued representing the unredeemed shares without charge to the holder thereof.

(e) Effectiveness of Redemption. If notice of redemption has been duly given and if on or before the redemption date specified in the notice all funds necessary for the redemption have been deposited by the Corporation, in trust for the pro rata benefit of the holders of the shares called for redemption, with a bank or trust company doing business in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, and having a capital and surplus of at least $500 million and selected by the Board of Directors, so as to be and continue to be available solely therefor, then, notwithstanding that any certificate for any share so called for redemption has not been surrendered for cancellation, on and after the redemption date dividends shall cease to accrue on all shares so called for redemption, all shares so called for redemption shall no longer be deemed outstanding and all rights with respect to such shares shall forthwith on such redemption date cease and terminate, except only the right of the holders thereof to receive the amount payable on such

 

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redemption from such bank or trust company, without interest. Any funds unclaimed at the end of three years from the redemption date shall, to the extent permitted by law, be released to the Corporation, after which time the holders of the shares so called for redemption shall look only to the Corporation for payment of the redemption price of such shares.

(f) Status of Redeemed Shares. Shares of Designated Preferred Stock that are redeemed, repurchased or otherwise acquired by the Corporation shall revert to authorized but unissued shares of Preferred Stock (provided that any such cancelled shares of Designated Preferred Stock may be reissued only as shares of any series of Preferred Stock other than Designated Preferred Stock).

Section 6. Conversion. Holders of Designated Preferred Stock shares shall have no right to exchange or convert such shares into any other securities.

Section 7. Voting Rights.

(a) General. The holders of Designated Preferred Stock shall not have any voting rights except as set forth below or as otherwise from time to time required by law.

(b) Preferred Stock Directors. Whenever, at any time or times, dividends payable on the shares of Designated Preferred Stock have not been paid for an aggregate of six quarterly Dividend Periods or more, whether or not consecutive, the authorized number of directors of the Corporation shall automatically be increased by two and the holders of the Designated Preferred Stock shall have the right, with holders of shares of any one or more other classes or series of Voting Parity Stock outstanding at the time, voting together as a class, to elect two directors (hereinafter the “Preferred Directors” and each a “Preferred Director”) to fill such newly created directorships at the Corporation’s next annual meeting of stockholders (or at a special meeting called for that purpose prior to such next annual meeting) and at each subsequent annual meeting of stockholders until all accrued and unpaid dividends for all past Dividend Periods, including the latest completed Dividend Period (including, if applicable as provided in Section 3(a) above, dividends on such amount), on all outstanding shares of Designated Preferred Stock have been declared and paid in full at which time such right shall terminate with respect to the Designated Preferred Stock, except as herein or by law expressly provided, subject to revesting in the event of each and every subsequent default of the character above mentioned; provided that it shall be a qualification for election for any Preferred Director that the election of such Preferred Director shall not cause the Corporation to violate any corporate governance requirements of any securities exchange or other trading facility on which securities of the Corporation may then be listed or traded that listed or traded companies must have a majority of independent directors. Upon any termination of the right of the holders of shares of Designated Preferred Stock and Voting Parity Stock as a class to vote for directors as provided above, the Preferred Directors shall cease to be qualified as directors, the term of office of all Preferred Directors then in office shall terminate immediately and the authorized number of directors shall be reduced by the number of Preferred Directors elected pursuant hereto. Any Preferred Director may be removed at any time, with or without cause, and any vacancy created thereby may be filled, only by the affirmative vote of the holders a majority of the shares of Designated Preferred Stock at the time outstanding voting separately as a class together with the holders of shares of Voting Parity Stock, to the extent the voting rights of such holders described above are then exercisable. If the office of any Preferred Director becomes vacant for any reason other than removal from office as aforesaid, the remaining Preferred Director may choose a successor who shall hold office for the unexpired term in respect of which such vacancy occurred.

(c) Class Voting Rights as to Particular Matters. So long as any shares of Designated Preferred Stock are outstanding, in addition

 

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to any other vote or consent of stockholders required by law or by the Charter, the vote or consent of the holders of at least 66  2/3% of the shares of Designated Preferred Stock at the time outstanding, voting as a separate class, given in person or by proxy, either in writing without a meeting or by vote at any meeting called for the purpose, shall be necessary for effecting or validating:

(i) Authorization of Senior Stock. Any amendment or alteration of the Certificate of Designations for the Designated Preferred Stock or the Charter to authorize or create or increase the authorized amount of, or any issuance of, any shares of, or any securities convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for shares of, any class or series of capital stock of the Corporation ranking senior to Designated Preferred Stock with respect to either or both the payment of dividends and/or the distribution of assets on any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation;

(ii) Amendment of Designated Preferred Stock. Any amendment, alteration or repeal of any provision of the Certificate of Designations for the Designated Preferred Stock or the Charter (including, unless no vote on such merger or consolidation is required by Section 7(c)(iii) below, any amendment, alteration or repeal by means of a merger, consolidation or otherwise) so as to adversely affect the rights, preferences, privileges or voting powers of the Designated Preferred Stock; or

(iii) Share Exchanges, Reclassifications, Mergers and Consolidations. Any consummation of a binding share exchange or reclassification involving the Designated Preferred Stock, or of a merger or consolidation of the Corporation with another corporation or other entity, unless in each case (x) the shares of Designated Preferred Stock remain outstanding or, in the case of any such merger or consolidation with respect to which the Corporation is not the surviving or resulting entity, are converted into or exchanged for preference securities of the surviving or resulting entity or its ultimate parent, and (y) such shares remaining outstanding or such preference securities, as the case may be, have such rights, preferences, privileges and voting powers, and limitations and restrictions thereof, taken as a whole, as are not materially less favorable to the holders thereof than the rights, preferences, privileges and voting powers, and limitations and restrictions thereof, of Designated Preferred Stock immediately prior to such consummation, taken as a whole;

provided, however, that for all purposes of this Section 7(c), any increase in the amount of the authorized Preferred Stock, including any increase in the authorized amount of Designated Preferred Stock necessary to satisfy preemptive or similar rights granted by the Corporation to other persons prior to the Signing Date, or the creation and issuance, or an increase in the authorized or issued amount, whether pursuant to preemptive or similar rights or otherwise, of any other series of Preferred Stock, or any securities convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for any other series of Preferred Stock, ranking equally with and/or junior to Designated Preferred Stock with respect to the payment of dividends (whether such dividends are cumulative or non-cumulative) and the distribution of assets upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation will not be deemed to adversely affect the rights, preferences, privileges or voting powers, and shall not require the affirmative vote or consent of, the holders of outstanding shares of the Designated Preferred Stock.

(d) Changes after Provision for Redemption. No vote or consent of the holders of Designated Preferred Stock shall be required pursuant to Section 7(c) above if, at or prior to the time when any such vote or consent would otherwise be required pursuant to such Section, all outstanding shares of the Designated Preferred Stock shall have been redeemed, or shall have been called for redemption upon proper notice and sufficient funds shall have been deposited in trust for such redemption, in each case pursuant to Section 5 above.

 

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(e) Procedures for Voting and Consents. The rules and procedures for calling and conducting any meeting of the holders of Designated Preferred Stock (including, without limitation, the fixing of a record date in connection therewith), the solicitation and use of proxies at such a meeting, the obtaining of written consents and any other aspect or matter with regard to such a meeting or such consents shall be governed by any rules of the Board of Directors or any duly authorized committee of the Board of Directors, in its discretion, may adopt from time to time, which rules and procedures shall conform to the requirements of the Charter, the Bylaws, and applicable law and the rules of any national securities exchange or other trading facility on which Designated Preferred Stock is listed or traded at the time.

Section 8. Record Holders. To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, the Corporation and the transfer agent for Designated Preferred Stock may deem and treat the record holder of any share of Designated Preferred Stock as the true and lawful owner thereof for all purposes, and neither the Corporation nor such transfer agent shall be affected by any notice to the contrary.

Section 9. Notices. All notices or communications in respect of Designated Preferred Stock shall be sufficiently given if given in writing and delivered in person or by first class mail, postage prepaid, or if given in such other manner as may be permitted in this Certificate of Designations, in the Charter or Bylaws or by applicable law. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if shares of Designated Preferred Stock are issued in book-entry form through The Depository Trust Corporation or any similar facility, such notices may be given to the holders of Designated Preferred Stock in any manner permitted by such facility.

Section 10. No Preemptive Rights. No share of Designated Preferred Stock shall have any rights of preemption whatsoever as to any securities of the Corporation, or any warrants, rights or options issued or granted with respect thereto, regardless of how such securities, or such warrants, rights or options, may be designated, issued or granted.

Section 11. Replacement Certificates. The Corporation shall replace any mutilated certificate at the holder’s expense upon surrender of that certificate to the Corporation. The Corporation shall replace certificates that become destroyed, stolen or lost at the holder’s expense upon delivery to the Corporation of reasonably satisfactory evidence that the certificate has been destroyed, stolen or lost, together with any indemnity that may be reasonably required by the Corporation.

Section 12. Other Rights. The shares of Designated Preferred Stock shall not have any rights, preferences, privileges or voting powers or relative, participating, optional or other special rights, or qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof, other than as set forth herein or in the Charter or as provided by applicable law.

 

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