0001193125-12-084528.txt : 20120228 0001193125-12-084528.hdr.sgml : 20120228 20120228135227 ACCESSION NUMBER: 0001193125-12-084528 CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE: 10-K PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT: 23 CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT: 20111231 FILED AS OF DATE: 20120228 DATE AS OF CHANGE: 20120228 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: WELLS FARGO & CO/MN CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0000072971 STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION: NATIONAL COMMERCIAL BANKS [6021] IRS NUMBER: 410449260 STATE OF INCORPORATION: DE FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: 10-K SEC ACT: 1934 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 001-02979 FILM NUMBER: 12646021 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 420 MONTGOMERY STREET CITY: SAN FRANCISCO STATE: CA ZIP: 94163 BUSINESS PHONE: 6126671234 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: WELLS FARGO & COMPANY STREET 2: 420 MONTGOMERY STREET CITY: SAN FRANCISCO STATE: CA ZIP: 94163 FORMER COMPANY: FORMER CONFORMED NAME: NORWEST CORP DATE OF NAME CHANGE: 19920703 FORMER COMPANY: FORMER CONFORMED NAME: NORTHWEST BANCORPORATION DATE OF NAME CHANGE: 19830516 10-K 1 d280360d10k.htm FORM 10-K Form 10-K

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

Form 10-K

Annual Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

 

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2011   Commission File Number 001-2979

WELLS FARGO & COMPANY

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Delaware

(State of incorporation)

 

No. 41-0449260

(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

420 Montgomery Street, San Francisco, California 94163

(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: 1-866-878-5865

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

 

Title of Each Class

  

Name of Each Exchange

on Which Registered

Common Stock, par value $1-2/3    New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”)
Depositary Shares, each representing a 1/40th interest in a share of 8.00% Non-Cumulative Perpetual Class A Preferred Stock, Series J    NYSE

7.5% Non-Cumulative Perpetual Convertible Class A Preferred Stock, Series L

Warrants to purchase shares of Common Stock (expiring October 28, 2018)

  

NYSE

NYSE

See list of additional securities listed on the NYSE on the page directly following this cover page.

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:

Dividend Equalization Preferred Shares, no par value

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes    ü    No        

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act. Yes          No    ü  

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months, and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past

90 days. Yes    ü    No        

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Website, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes    ü    No        

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K.    ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

Large accelerated filer  þ

  

Accelerated filer  ¨

Non-accelerated filer  ¨

(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)

  

Smaller reporting company  ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell Company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act). Yes          No    ü  

At June 30, 2011, the aggregate market value of common stock held by non-affiliates was approximately $147.1 billion, based on a closing price of $28.06. At January 31, 2012, 5,273,240,691 shares of common stock were outstanding.

Documents Incorporated by Reference in Form 10-K

 

Incorporated Documents

  

Where incorporated in Form 10-K

1. Portions of the Company’s Annual Report to Stockholders for the year ended December 31, 2011 (“2011 Annual Report to Stockholders”)

   Part I – Items 1, 1A, 2 and 3; Part II –Items 5, 6, 7, 7A, 8 and 9A; and Part IV– Item 15.

2. Portions of the Company’s Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held April 24, 2012 (“2012 Proxy Statement”)

   Part III – Items 10, 11, 12, 13 and 14


Additional securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Exchange Act:

 

Title of Each Class

  

Name of Each Exchange

on Which Registered

Guarantee of 5.85% Trust Preferred Securities (TRUPS®) of Wells Fargo Capital VII

   NYSE

Guarantee of 5.625% Trust Preferred Securities of Wells Fargo Capital VIII

   NYSE

Guarantee of 5.625% Trust Originated Preferred Securities (TOPrSSM) of Wells Fargo Capital IX

   NYSE

Guarantee of 6.25% Enhanced Trust Preferred Securities (Enhanced TruPS®) of Wells Fargo Capital XI

   NYSE

Guarantee of 7.875% Enhanced Trust Preferred Securities (Enhanced TruPS®) of Wells Fargo Capital XII

   NYSE
Guarantee of 5.80% Fixed-to-Floating Rate Normal Wachovia Income Trust Securities of Wachovia Capital Trust III    NYSE

Guarantee of 6.375% Trust Preferred Securities of Wachovia Capital Trust IV

   NYSE

Guarantee of 6.375% Trust Preferred Securities of Wachovia Capital Trust IX

   NYSE


PART I.

 

ITEM 1. BUSINESS

Wells Fargo & Company is a corporation organized under the laws of Delaware and a financial holding company and a bank holding company registered under the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, as amended (BHC Act). Its principal business is to act as a holding company for its subsidiaries. References in this report to “the Parent” mean the holding company. References to “we,” “our,” “us” or “the Company” mean the holding company and its subsidiaries that are consolidated for financial reporting purposes.

At December 31, 2011, we had assets of $1.3 trillion, loans of $770 billion, deposits of $920 billion and stockholders’ equity of $140 billion. Based on assets, we were the fourth largest bank holding company in the United States. At December 31, 2011, Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. was the Company’s principal subsidiary with assets of $1.2 trillion, or 88% of the Company’s assets.

At December 31, 2011, we had 264,200 active, full-time equivalent team members.

Our annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K, and amendments to those reports, are available free at www.wellsfargo.com/invest_relations/filings as soon as reasonably practicable after they are electronically filed with or furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). They are also available free on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.

 

DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS

General

We are a diversified financial services company. We provide retail, commercial and corporate banking services through banking stores and offices, the internet and other distribution channels to individuals, businesses and institutions in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and in other countries. We provide other financial services through subsidiaries engaged in various businesses, principally: wholesale banking, mortgage banking, consumer finance, equipment leasing, agricultural finance, commercial finance, securities brokerage and investment banking, insurance agency and brokerage services, computer and data processing services, trust services, investment advisory services, mortgage-backed securities servicing and venture capital investment.

We have three operating segments for management reporting purposes: Community Banking; Wholesale Banking; and Wealth, Brokerage and Retirement. The 2011 Annual Report to Stockholders includes financial information and descriptions of these operating segments.

Competition

The financial services industry is highly competitive. Our subsidiaries compete with financial services providers such as banks, savings and loan associations, credit unions, finance companies, mortgage banking companies, insurance companies, investment banks and mutual fund companies. They also face increased competition from nonbank institutions such as brokerage houses, as well as from financial services subsidiaries of commercial and manufacturing companies. Many of these competitors enjoy fewer regulatory constraints and some may have lower cost structures.

Securities firms and insurance companies that elect to become financial holding companies may acquire banks and other financial institutions. Combinations of this type could significantly change the competitive environment in which we conduct business. The financial services industry is also likely to become more competitive as further technological advances enable more companies to provide financial services. These technological advances may diminish the importance of depository institutions and other financial intermediaries in the transfer of funds between parties.

 

 

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REGULATION AND SUPERVISION

We describe below, and in Notes 3 (Cash, Loan and Dividend Restrictions) and 26 (Regulatory and Agency Capital Requirements) to Financial Statements included in the 2011 Annual Report to Stockholders, the material elements of the regulatory framework applicable to us. Banking statutes, regulations and policies are continually under review by Congress and state legislatures and federal and state regulatory agencies, and a change in them, including changes in how they are interpreted or implemented, could have a material effect on our business. The regulatory framework applicable to bank holding companies is intended to protect depositors, federal deposit insurance funds, consumers and the banking system as a whole, and not necessarily investors in bank holding companies such as the Company.

Statutes, regulations and policies could restrict our ability to diversify into other areas of financial services, acquire depository institutions, and pay dividends on our capital stock. They may also require us to provide financial support to one or more of our subsidiary banks, maintain capital balances in excess of amounts desired by management, and pay higher deposit insurance premiums as a result of a general deterioration in the financial condition of depository institutions. See the “Risk Factors” section in the 2011 Annual Report to Stockholders for additional information.

General

Parent Bank Holding Company. As a bank holding company, the Parent is subject to regulation under the BHC Act and to inspection, examination and supervision by its primary regulator, the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (Federal Reserve Board or FRB). The Parent is also subject to the disclosure and regulatory requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, both as administered by the SEC. As a company with securities listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), the Parent is subject to the rules of the NYSE for listed companies.

Subsidiary Banks. Our subsidiary national banks, and their subsidiaries, are subject to regulation and examination primarily by the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) and also by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) and the FRB. The foreign branches and representative offices of our subsidiary national banks are subject to regulation and examination by their respective foreign financial regulators as well as by the OCC and the FRB. Foreign subsidiaries of our national bank subsidiaries may be subject to the laws and regulations of the foreign countries in which they conduct business. Our state-chartered banks are subject to primary federal regulation and examination by the FDIC and, in addition, are regulated and examined by their respective state banking departments.

Nonbank Subsidiaries. Many of our nonbank subsidiaries are also subject to regulation by the FRB and other applicable federal and state agencies. Our insurance subsidiaries are subject

to regulation by applicable state insurance regulatory agencies, as well as the FRB. Our brokerage subsidiaries are regulated by the SEC, the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) and, in some cases, the Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board, and state securities regulators. Our other nonbank subsidiaries may be subject to the laws and regulations of the federal government and/or the various states as well as foreign countries in which they conduct business.

Parent Bank Holding Company Activities

“Financial in Nature” Requirement. We became a financial holding company effective March 13, 2000. We continue to maintain our status as a bank holding company for purposes of other FRB regulations. As a bank holding company that has elected to become a financial holding company pursuant to the BHC Act, we may affiliate with securities firms and insurance companies and engage in other activities that are financial in nature or incidental or complementary to activities that are financial in nature. “Financial in nature” activities include securities underwriting, dealing and market making; sponsoring mutual funds and investment companies; insurance underwriting and agency; merchant banking; and activities that the FRB, in consultation with the Secretary of the U.S. Treasury, determines to be financial in nature or incidental to such financial activity. “Complementary activities” are activities that the FRB determines upon application to be complementary to a financial activity and do not pose a safety and soundness risk.

FRB approval is not generally required for us to acquire a company (other than a bank holding company, bank or savings association) engaged in activities that are financial in nature or incidental to activities that are financial in nature, as determined by the FRB. Prior notice to the FRB may be required, however, if the company to be acquired has total consolidated assets of $10 billion or more. Prior FRB approval is required before we may acquire the beneficial ownership or control of more than 5% of the voting shares or substantially all of the assets of a bank holding company, bank or savings association. In addition, the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (Dodd-Frank Act) also prohibits our ability to merge, acquire all or substantially all of the assets of, or acquire control of another company if our total resulting consolidated liabilities would exceed 10% of the aggregate consolidated liabilities of all financial companies.

Because we are a financial holding company, if any of our subsidiary banks receives a rating under the Community Reinvestment Act of 1977, as amended (CRA), of less than satisfactory, we will be prohibited, until the rating is raised to satisfactory or better, from engaging in new activities or acquiring companies other than bank holding companies, banks or savings associations, except that we could engage in new activities, or acquire companies engaged in activities, that are closely related to banking under the BHC Act. In addition, if the FRB finds that any one of our subsidiary banks is not well capitalized or well managed, we would be required to enter into an agreement with the FRB to comply with all applicable capital and management requirements and which may contain additional limitations or conditions. Until corrected, we could be

 

 

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prohibited from engaging in any new activity or acquiring companies engaged in activities that are not closely related to banking under the BHC Act without prior FRB approval. If we fail to correct any such condition within a prescribed period, the FRB could order us to divest our banking subsidiaries or, in the alternative, to cease engaging in activities other than those closely related to banking under the BHC Act.

Interstate Banking. Under the Riegle-Neal Interstate Banking and Branching Act (Riegle-Neal Act), a bank holding company may acquire banks in states other than its home state, subject to any state requirement that the bank has been organized and operating for a minimum period of time, not to exceed five years, and the requirement that the bank holding company not control, prior to or following the proposed acquisition, more than 10% of the total amount of deposits of insured depository institutions nationwide or, unless the acquisition is the bank holding company’s initial entry into the state, more than 30% of such deposits in the state (or such lesser or greater amount set by the state).

The Riegle-Neal Act also authorizes banks to merge across state lines, thereby creating interstate branches. Banks are also permitted to acquire and to establish new branches in other states where authorized under the laws of those states.

Regulatory Approval. In determining whether to approve a proposed bank acquisition, federal bank regulators will consider, among other factors, the effect of the acquisition on competition, financial condition, and future prospects including current and projected capital ratios and levels, the competence, experience, and integrity of management and record of compliance with laws and regulations, the convenience and needs of the communities to be served, including the acquiring institution’s record of compliance under the CRA, the effectiveness of the acquiring institution in combating money laundering activities and the risk to the stability of the United States banking system.

Dividend Restrictions

The Parent is a legal entity separate and distinct from its subsidiary banks and other subsidiaries. A significant source of funds to pay dividends on our common and preferred stock and principal and interest on our debt is dividends from the Parent’s subsidiaries. Various federal and state statutory provisions and regulations limit the amount of dividends the Parent’s subsidiary banks and certain other subsidiaries may pay without regulatory approval. Federal bank regulatory agencies have the authority to prohibit the Parent’s subsidiary banks from engaging in unsafe or unsound practices in conducting their businesses. The payment of dividends, depending on the financial condition of the bank in question, could be deemed an unsafe or unsound practice. The ability of the Parent’s subsidiary banks to pay dividends in the future is currently, and could be further, influenced by bank regulatory policies and capital guidelines. For information about the restrictions applicable to the Parent’s subsidiary banks, see Note 3 (Cash, Loan and Dividend Restrictions) to Financial Statements included in the 2011 Annual Report to Stockholders.

In addition to these restrictions on the ability of our subsidiary banks to pay dividends to us, the FRB finalized rules in late December 2011 that require large bank holding companies (BHCs), including Wells Fargo, to submit annual capital plans and to obtain regulatory approval before making capital distributions, such as the payment of dividends. In late 2011 the FRB also proposed additional regulations that would restrict or prohibit our ability to pay dividends upon the occurrence of capital, stress test, risk management, or liquidity risk management triggers.

Holding Company Structure

Transfer of Funds from Subsidiary Banks. The Parent’s subsidiary banks are subject to restrictions under federal law that limit the transfer of funds or other items of value from such subsidiaries to the Parent and its nonbank subsidiaries (including affiliates) in so-called “covered transactions.” In general, covered transactions include loans and other extensions of credit, investments and asset purchases, as well as certain other transactions involving the transfer of value from a subsidiary bank to an affiliate or for the benefit of an affiliate. Unless an exemption applies, covered transactions by a subsidiary bank with a single affiliate are limited to 10% of the subsidiary bank’s capital and surplus and, with respect to all covered transactions with affiliates in the aggregate, to 20% of the subsidiary bank’s capital and surplus. Also, loans and extensions of credit to affiliates generally are required to be secured by qualifying collateral. A bank’s transactions with its nonbank affiliates are also generally required to be on arm’s length terms.

Source of Strength. The FRB has a policy that a BHC is expected to act as a source of financial and managerial strength to each of its subsidiary banks and, under appropriate circumstances, to commit resources to support each such subsidiary bank. This support may be required at times when the BHC may not have the resources to provide the support.

The OCC may order an assessment of the Parent if the capital of one of its national bank subsidiaries were to become impaired. If the Parent failed to pay the assessment within three months, the OCC could order the sale of the Parent’s stock in the national bank to cover the deficiency.

Capital loans by the Parent to any of its subsidiary banks are subordinate in right of payment to deposits and certain other indebtedness of the subsidiary bank. In addition, in the event of the Parent’s bankruptcy, any commitment by the Parent to a federal bank regulatory agency to maintain the capital of a subsidiary bank will be assumed by the bankruptcy trustee and entitled to a priority of payment.

Depositor Preference. The Federal Deposit Insurance Act (FDI Act) provides that, in the event of the “liquidation or other resolution” of an insured depository institution, the claims of depositors of the institution (including the claims of the FDIC as subrogee of insured depositors) and certain claims for administrative expenses of the FDIC as a receiver will have

 

 

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priority over other general unsecured claims against the institution. If an insured depository institution fails, insured and uninsured depositors, along with the FDIC, will have priority in payment ahead of unsecured, nondeposit creditors, including the Parent, with respect to any extensions of credit they have made to such insured depository institution.

Liability of Commonly Controlled Institutions. All of the Company’s subsidiary banks are insured by the FDIC. FDIC-insured depository institutions can be held liable for any loss incurred, or reasonably expected to be incurred, by the FDIC due to the default of an FDIC-insured depository institution controlled by the same bank holding company, and for any assistance provided by the FDIC to an FDIC-insured depository institution that is in danger of default and that is controlled by the same bank holding company. “Default” means generally the appointment of a conservator or receiver. “In danger of default” means generally the existence of certain conditions indicating that a default is likely to occur in the absence of regulatory assistance.

Dodd-Frank Act

The Dodd-Frank Act, enacted on July 21, 2010, will result in broad changes to the U.S. financial system and is the most significant financial reform legislation since the 1930s. Although a number of its provisions are effective, many of these provisions require the issuance of rules or other agency guidance which remain open to public comment and are not final. As a result, much of the impact of the Dodd-Frank Act is not yet known, but we anticipate the Dodd-Frank Act will affect most of our businesses in some way, either directly through regulation of specific activities or indirectly through regulation of concentration risks, capital or liquidity. At the enterprise level, the FRB recently proposed rules to implement the provisions of the Dodd-Frank Act regarding enhanced supervision and regulation of large BHCs like Wells Fargo and other systemically significant firms. The proposed rules include new risk-based capital requirements and leverage limits, liquidity requirements, counterparty credit exposure limits, risk management requirements, stress testing requirements, debt-to-equity requirements, and early remediation requirements. The FRB published the proposed rules in December 2011. Until the proposed rules are final, we are unable to accurately estimate their impact on the Company, but we expect the final rules will significantly increase our compliance and regulatory requirements.

In addition to proposing rules in 2011 for the enhanced supervision and regulation of large BHCs and other systemically significant firms, federal financial regulators also implemented rules to facilitate the resolution of financial companies. At the end of 2011, the FDIC and FRB finalized regulations requiring large BHCs like Wells Fargo to prepare and periodically revise resolution plans in the event of material distress or failure. The FDIC also finalized rules implementing provisions of the Dodd-Frank Act authorizing it to resolve some financial companies and, under its authority as the agency responsible for insuring deposits with banks, the FDIC implemented rules requiring large

banks to prepare resolution plans. The FDIC also implemented rules shifting the basis for calculating FDIC assessments from deposits to assets and imposing a separate risk-based assessment on large banks.

During 2011, the FRB finalized rules implementing other provisions of the Dodd-Frank Act, including for the regulation of interchange fees (the Durbin Amendment) and for the repeal of the prohibition on the payment of interest on business checking accounts. The final rules implementing the Durbin Amendment establish a maximum fee that we may generally receive for electronic debit transactions, and the repeal of the prohibition on payment of interest on business checking accounts required changes to our affected products.

Federal regulatory agencies issued numerous other rulemakings in 2011 to implement various other requirements of the Dodd-Frank Act, but many of these other proposed rules remain open for comment. Agencies have proposed rules establishing a comprehensive framework for the regulation of derivatives, prohibiting banking entities from engaging in proprietary trading or owning interests in or sponsoring hedge funds or private equity funds (the Volcker Rule), and requiring sponsors of asset-backed securities (ABS) to retain an ownership stake in the ABS. Although we have analyzed these and other proposed rules, the absence of final rules and the complexity of some of the proposed rules make it difficult for the Company to estimate the financial, compliance or operational impacts.

The Dodd-Frank Act also established the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) to ensure consumers receive clear and accurate disclosures regarding financial products and to protect consumers from hidden fees and unfair or abusive practices. The CFPB has begun exercising supervisory review of banks under its jurisdiction and is expected to focus its rulemaking efforts on a variety of mortgage-related topics, such as the steering of consumers toward certain products, abusive or unfair lending practices, disclosure requirements, mortgage underwriting standards and mortgage servicing standards. Proposed regulations have been issued on several topics, including minimum mortgage underwriting standards; however, the content of final rules and impacts to our businesses are uncertain at this time.

Capital Requirements

We are subject to regulatory capital requirements and guidelines imposed by the FRB, which are substantially similar to those imposed by the OCC and the FDIC on depository institutions within their jurisdictions. Under these guidelines, a depository institution’s or a holding company’s assets and certain specified off-balance sheet commitments and obligations are assigned to various risk categories. Tier 1 capital is considered core capital and generally includes common stockholders’ equity, qualifying preferred stock, and trust preferred securities, and noncontrolling interests in consolidated subsidiaries, reduced by goodwill, net of related taxes, certain intangible and other assets in excess of prescribed limitations, and adjusted for the aggregate impact of certain items included in other comprehensive income. Total capital includes Tier 1 capital, subordinated debt and other components that do not qualify for

 

 

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Tier 1 capital, and the aggregate allowance for credit losses up to a specified percentage of risk-weighted assets. In addition to measures of Tier 1 and Total capital, a further measure of capital, Tier 1 common capital, reflects common equity and retained earnings, less goodwill and certain other deductions.

During 2011, we redeemed $9.2 billion of our trust preferred securities as a result of a provision of the Dodd-Frank Act known as the Collins Amendment that phases out trust preferred securities from the calculation of Tier 1 capital. We will be required to phase existing trust preferred securities out of Tier 1 capital over three years beginning January 1, 2013. We expect proposed rules implementing the Collins Amendment to provide additional clarity regarding the timing of the phase out.

National banks and bank holding companies currently are required to maintain Tier 1 and Total capital equal to at least 4% and 8%, respectively, of their total risk-weighted assets (including certain off-balance sheet items, such as standby letters of credit). The risk-based capital rules state that the capital requirements are minimum standards based primarily on broad credit-risk considerations and do not take into account the other types of risk a banking organization may be exposed to (e.g., interest rate, market, liquidity and operational risks). The FRB may, therefore, set higher capital requirements for categories of banks (e.g. systematically important firms), or for an individual bank as situations warrant. For example, holding companies experiencing internal growth or making acquisitions are expected to maintain strong capital positions substantially above the minimum supervisory levels, without significant reliance on intangible assets. For these reasons, we are expected to operate with a capital position well above the minimum ratios, with the amount of capital held to be determined by us through an internal capital assessment that corresponds to our broad risk exposure.

The regulatory capital rules state that voting common stockholders’ equity should be the dominant element within Tier 1 capital and that banking organizations should avoid overreliance on non-common equity elements. During 2009, in conjunction with the FRB’s SCAP stress test process, the ratio of Tier 1 common equity to risk-weighted assets became significant as a measurement of the predominance of common equity in Tier 1 capital. There is currently no mandated minimum ratio.

In June 2004, the Basel Committee on Bank Supervision (BCBS) published new international guidelines for determining regulatory capital that are designed to be more risk sensitive than the existing framework and to promote enhanced risk management practices among large, internationally active banking organizations. The United States federal bank regulatory agencies each approved a final rule similar to the international guidelines in November 2007. This advanced capital adequacy framework is known as “Basel II,” and is intended to more closely align regulatory capital requirements with actual risks. Basel II incorporates three pillars that address (a) capital adequacy, (b) supervisory review, which relates to the computation of capital and internal assessment processes, and (c) market discipline, through increased disclosure requirements. Embodied within these pillars are aspects of risk strategy, measurement and management that relate to credit risk, market risk, and operational risk. Banking organizations

are required to enhance the measurement and management of those risks through the use of advanced approaches for calculating risk-based capital requirements. Basel II includes safeguards that include a requirement that banking organizations conduct a parallel run over a period of four consecutive calendar quarters for measuring regulatory capital under the new regulatory capital rules and the existing general risk-based capital rules before solely operating under the Basel II framework; a requirement that an institution satisfactorily complete a series of transitional periods before operating under Basel II without floors; and a commitment by the federal bank regulatory agencies to conduct ongoing analysis of the framework to ensure Basel II is working as intended. However, the federal bank regulators adopted a final rule in 2011 to replace the transitional floors in the advanced approaches with a permanent capital floor equal to the risk-based capital requirements under the Basel I capital adequacy guidelines. Wells Fargo is implementing the advanced approach under Basel II, and has established a project management infrastructure to implement the regulations and enter the parallel run in 2012 with regulatory approval. Our delayed entry into the parallel run phase was approved by the FRB in 2010 as a result of our acquisition of Wachovia.

In addition, the federal bank regulatory agencies have established minimum leverage (Tier 1 capital to adjusted average total assets) guidelines for banks within their regulatory jurisdiction. These guidelines provide for a minimum leverage ratio of 3% for banks that meet certain specified criteria, including excellent asset quality, high liquidity, low interest rate exposure and the highest regulatory rating. Institutions not meeting these criteria are required to maintain a leverage ratio of 4%. Our Tier 1 and total risk-based capital ratios and leverage ratio as of December 31, 2011, are included in Note 26 (Regulatory and Agency Capital Requirements) to Financial Statements included in the 2011 Annual Report to Stockholders. At December 31, 2011, the Company and each of its subsidiary banks were “well capitalized” under the applicable regulatory capital adequacy guidelines.

In December 2010, the BCBS finalized a set of international guidelines for determining regulatory capital known as “Basel III.” These guidelines were developed in response to the financial crisis of 2008 and 2009 and address many of the weaknesses identified in the banking sector as contributing to the crisis including excessive leverage, inadequate and low quality capital and insufficient liquidity buffers. Basel III fundamentals:

   

raise the quality of capital for banks to be better able to absorb losses on both a going concern and gone concern basis;

   

increase the risk coverage of the capital framework, specifically for trading activities, securitizations, exposures to off-balance sheet vehicles, and counterparty credit exposures arising from derivatives;

 

 

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raise the level of minimum capital requirements;

   

establish an international leverage ratio;

   

develop capital buffers; and

   

raise standards for the supervisory review process (Pillar 2) and public disclosures (Pillar 3).

The U.S. regulatory bodies are reviewing the final international standards and final U.S. rulemaking is expected to be completed in 2012.

The BCBS proposed additional Tier 1 common equity surcharge requirements for global systemically important banks (G-SIBs). The surcharge ranges from 1.0% to 3.5% depending on the bank’s systemic importance to be determined under an indicator-based approach that would consider five broad categories: cross-jurisdictional activity, size, inter-connectedness, substitutability/financial institution infrastructure and complexity. These additional capital requirements, which would be phased in beginning in January 2016 and become fully effective on January 1, 2019, would be in addition to the minimum Basel III 7.0% Tier 1 common equity requirement finalized in December 2010. The Financial Stability Board has determined that the Company is one of the initial 29 G-SIBs that would be subject to the surcharge, but has not yet determined the surcharge amount for us and the other banks.

In December 2011, the FRB issued proposed rules requiring large BHCs like Wells Fargo to submit annual capital plans demonstrating their ability to maintain capital above existing minimum regulatory capital ratios and above a Tier 1 common ratio of 5% under both expected and stressed conditions over at least a nine-quarter period. The proposed rule did not include Basel III capital requirements or a surcharge for G-SIBs. The FRB, however, did indicate it is continuing to implement Basel III capital reforms and expects to adopt rules in 2014 that will implement a G-SIB surcharge consistent with the BCBS approach.

Although uncertainty exists regarding final capital rules, including the FRB’s approach to capital requirements, we evaluate the impact of Basel III on our capital ratios based on our interpretation of the proposed capital requirements and we estimate that our Tier 1 common equity ratio under the Basel III proposal exceeded the fully phased-in minimum of 7.0% by 50 basis points at the end of 2011. This estimate is subject to change depending on final promulgation of Basel III capital rulemaking and interpretations thereof by regulatory authorities.

From time to time, the FRB and the Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council (FFIEC) propose changes and amendments to, and issue interpretations of, risk-based capital guidelines and related reporting instructions. In addition, the FRB has closely monitored capital levels of the institutions it supervises during the ongoing financial disruption, and may require such institutions to modify capital levels based on FRB determinations. Such determinations, proposals or interpretations could, if implemented in the future, affect our reported capital ratios and net risk-adjusted assets.

As an additional means to identify problems in the financial management of depository institutions, the FDI Act requires federal bank regulatory agencies to establish certain non-capital

safety and soundness standards for institutions for which they are the primary federal regulator. The standards relate generally to operations and management, asset quality, interest rate exposure, executive compensation and risk management. The agencies are authorized to take action against institutions that fail to meet such standards.

The FDI Act requires federal bank regulatory agencies to take “prompt corrective action” with respect to FDIC-insured depository institutions that do not meet minimum capital requirements. A depository institution’s treatment for purposes of the prompt corrective action provisions will depend upon how its capital levels compare to various capital measures and certain other factors, as established by regulation.

Capital Planning

In connection with its increased focus on the adequacy of regulatory capital and risk management for large financial firms, the FRB required large banks to submit a capital plan in early 2011 as part of its Comprehensive Capital Analysis and Review (CCAR). Following submission of our capital plan on January 7, 2011, the FRB notified us on March 18, 2011, that it did not object to our 2011 capital plan. Since that notification, the Company took several capital actions in 2011, including increasing the quarterly common stock dividend to $0.12 a share, repurchasing $2.4 billion of our common stock, and redeeming $9.2 billion of trust preferred securities that will no longer count as Tier 1 capital under the Dodd-Frank Act and the proposed Basel III capital standards.

In late 2011, the FRB finalized rules to require large BHCs to submit capital plans annually and to obtain regulatory approval before making capital distributions. The rule requires updates to capital plans in the event of material changes in a BHC’s risk profile, including as a result of any significant acquisitions.

Under the FRB’s new capital plan rule, 2012 CCAR will include a BHC’s comprehensive capital plan supported by an assessment of expected uses and sources of capital over a given planning horizon under a range of expected and stress scenarios, similar to the process the FRB relied upon to conduct the 2011 CCAR. As part of the 2012 CCAR, the FRB will also generate a supervisory stress test driven by a sharp decline in the economy and significant decline in asset pricing using the information provided by the BHC to estimate performance. The FRB has indicated it will publish its estimates of performance under this scenario on a BHC-specific basis. We submitted our board-approved 2012 capital plan to the FRB on January 6, 2012. We expect the FRB’s response to our submission in March 2012.

Deposit Insurance Assessments

Our bank subsidiaries, including Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., are members of the Deposit Insurance Fund (DIF) maintained by the FDIC. Through the DIF, the FDIC insures the deposits of our banks up to prescribed limits for each depositor. The DIF was formed March 31, 2006, upon the merger of the Bank Insurance Fund and the Savings Insurance Fund in accordance with the Federal Deposit Insurance Reform Act of 2005 (the FDIR Act). The FDIR Act established a range of 1.15% to 1.50% within which

 

 

6


the FDIC board of directors may set the Designated Reserve Ratio (reserve ratio or DRR). The FDIR Act also granted the FDIC Board the discretion to price deposit insurance according to risk for all insured institutions regardless of the level of the reserve ratio.

The Dodd-Frank Act gave the FDIC greater discretion to manage the DIF, raised the minimum DRR to 1.35% and removed the upper limit of the range. In October 2010, the FDIC Board adopted a Restoration Plan to ensure that the DIF reserve ratio reaches 1.35% by September 30, 2020, as required by the Dodd-Frank Act. At the same time, the FDIC Board proposed a comprehensive, long-range plan for DIF management. In December 2010, as part of the comprehensive plan, the FDIC Board adopted a final rule to set the DRR at 2%, and in February 2011, the FDIC Board approved the remainder of the comprehensive plan. The Restoration Plan eliminated a 3 basis point increase in the annual assessment rates that was to take effect January 1, 2011.

In 2009, the FDIC undertook several measures in an effort to replenish the DIF. On February 27, 2009, the FDIC adopted a final rule modifying the risk-based assessment system and set new initial base assessment rates beginning April 1, 2009. Rates ranged from a minimum of 12 cents per $100 of domestic deposits for well-managed, well-capitalized institutions with the highest credit ratings, to 45 cents per $100 for those institutions posing the most risk to the DIF. Risk-based adjustments to the initial assessment rate could have lowered the rate to 7 cents per $100 of domestic deposits for well-managed, well-capitalized banks with the highest credit ratings or raised the rate to 77.5 cents per $100 for depository institutions posing the most risk to the DIF. On May 22, 2009, the FDIC adopted a final rule imposing a 5 basis point special assessment on each insured depository institution’s assets minus Tier 1 capital as of June 30, 2009. The amount of the special assessment for any institution was limited to 10 basis points times the institution’s assessment base for the second quarter 2009. On November 17, 2009, the FDIC amended its regulations to require insured institutions to prepay their estimated quarterly risk-based assessments for fourth quarter 2009, and all of 2010, 2011, and 2012. For purposes of determining the prepayment, the FDIC used the institution’s assessment rate in effect on September 30, 2009. The combined prepayment amount for our banking subsidiaries was $3.9 billion, of which $1.4 billion remains available to offset future assessments.

On February 7, 2011, the FDIC Board approved a final rule on assessments, dividends, assessment base and large bank pricing that took effect on April 1, 2011. To maintain the DIF, member institutions are assessed an insurance premium based on an assessment base and an assessment rate. Generally, the assessment base is an institution’s average consolidated total assets minus average tangible equity. For large and highly complex institutions (those that are very large and are structurally and operationally complex or that pose unique challenges and risks in the case of failure), the assessment rate is determined by combining supervisory ratings and certain financial measures into scorecards. The score received by an institution will be converted into an assessment rate for the institution. The FDIC retains the ability to adjust the total score

of large and highly complex institutions based upon quantitative or qualitative measures not adequately captured in the scorecards.

All FDIC-insured depository institutions must also pay a quarterly assessment towards interest payments on bonds issued by the Financing Corporation, a federal corporation chartered under the authority of the Federal Housing Finance Board. The bonds (commonly referred to as FICO bonds) were issued to capitalize the Federal Savings and Loan Insurance Corporation. FDIC-insured depository institutions paid approximately 1.00 to 1.02 cents per $100 of assessable deposits during the first nine months of 2011. To coincide with Dodd-Frank Act mandated changes to the insurance assessment base, the FDIC established lower FICO assessment rates, .68 cents per $100 of assessment base for the fourth quarter of 2011 and .66 cents per $100 of assessment base for first quarter 2012. For the year ended December 31, 2011, the Company’s FDIC deposit insurance assessments, including FICO assessments, totaled $1.3 billion.

The FDIC may terminate a depository institution’s deposit insurance upon a finding that the institution’s financial condition is unsafe or unsound or that the institution has engaged in unsafe or unsound practices or has violated any applicable rule, regulation, order or condition enacted or imposed by the institution’s regulatory agency. The termination of deposit insurance for one or more of our bank subsidiaries could have a material adverse effect on our earnings, depending on the collective size of the particular banks involved.

Fiscal and Monetary Policies

Our business and earnings are affected significantly by the fiscal and monetary policies of the federal government and its agencies. We are particularly affected by the policies of the FRB, which regulates the supply of money and credit in the United States. Among the instruments of monetary policy available to the FRB are (a) conducting open market operations in United States government securities, (b) changing the discount rates of borrowings of depository institutions, (c) imposing or changing reserve requirements against depository institutions’ deposits, and (d) imposing or changing reserve requirements against certain borrowings by banks and their affiliates. These methods are used in varying degrees and combinations to directly affect the availability of bank loans and deposits, as well as the interest rates charged on loans and paid on deposits. The policies of the FRB may have a material effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.

Privacy Provisions of the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act and Restrictions on Cross-Selling

Federal banking regulators, as required under the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act (the GLB Act), have adopted rules limiting the ability of banks and other financial institutions to disclose nonpublic information about consumers to nonaffiliated third parties. The rules require disclosure of privacy policies to consumers and, in some circumstances, allow consumers to prevent disclosure of certain personal information to nonaffiliated third parties. The privacy provisions of the GLB Act affect how consumer information

 

 

7


is transmitted through diversified financial services companies and conveyed to outside vendors. Federal financial regulators have issued regulations under the Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act that have the effect of increasing the length of the waiting period, after privacy disclosures are provided to new customers, before information can be shared among different affiliated companies for the purpose of cross-selling products and services between those affiliated companies.

Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

The Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (Sarbanes-Oxley) implemented a broad range of corporate governance and accounting measures to increase corporate responsibility, to provide for enhanced penalties for accounting and auditing improprieties at publicly traded companies, and to protect investors by improving the accuracy and reliability of disclosures under federal securities laws. We are subject to Sarbanes-Oxley because we are required to file periodic reports with the SEC under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Among other things, Sarbanes-Oxley and/or its implementing regulations established membership requirements and additional responsibilities for our audit committee, imposed restrictions on the relationship between us and our outside auditors (including restrictions on the types of non-audit services our auditors may provide to us), imposed additional responsibilities for our external financial statements on our chief executive officer and chief financial officer, expanded the disclosure requirements for our corporate insiders, required our management to evaluate our disclosure controls and procedures and our internal control over financial reporting, and required our auditors to issue a report on our internal control over financial reporting.

Patriot Act

The Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act of 2001 (Patriot Act) is intended to strengthen the ability of U.S. law enforcement agencies and intelligence communities to work together to combat terrorism on a variety of fronts. The Patriot Act has significant implications for depository institutions, brokers, dealers and other businesses involved in the transfer of money. The Patriot Act required us to implement new or revised policies and procedures relating to anti-money laundering, compliance, suspicious activities, and currency transaction reporting and due diligence on customers. The Patriot Act also requires federal bank regulators to evaluate the effectiveness of an applicant in combating money laundering in determining whether to approve a proposed bank acquisition.

Future Legislation or Regulation

In light of recent conditions in the U.S. and global financial markets and the U.S. and global economy, legislators, the presidential administration and regulators have continued their increased focus on regulation of the financial services industry. Proposals that further increase regulation of the financial services industry have been and are expected to continue to be

introduced in the U.S. Congress in state legislatures and abroad. Only a small percentage of the regulations authorized or required under the Dodd-Frank Act have been proposed or finalized by federal regulators. Further legislative changes and additional regulations may change our operating environment in substantial and unpredictable ways. Such legislation and regulations could increase our cost of doing business, affect our compensation structure, limit or expand permissible activities or affect the competitive balance among banks, savings associations, credit unions, and other financial institutions. We cannot predict whether future legislative proposals will be enacted and, if enacted, the effect that they, or any implementing regulations, would have on our business, results of operations or financial condition. The same uncertainty exists with respect to regulations authorized or required under the Dodd-Frank Act but that have not yet been proposed or finalized.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Additional information in response to this Item 1 can be found in the 2011 Annual Report to Stockholders under “Financial Review” and under “Financial Statements.” That information is incorporated into this item by reference.

 

ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS

Information in response to this Item 1A can be found in this report on pages 2-8 and in the 2011 Annual Report to Stockholders under “Financial Review – Risk Factors.” That information is incorporated into this item by reference.

 

ITEM 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS

Not applicable.

 

 

8


ITEM 2. PROPERTIES

 

 

 

    

City

  

State

We own our corporate headquarters building in:

   San Francisco    California

We own administrative facilities in:

   Anchorage    Alaska
   Chandler    Arizona
   Phoenix    Arizona
   Tempe    Arizona
   El Monte    California
   Fremont    California
   Irvine    California
   San Francisco    California
   Walnut Creek    California
   Boise    Idaho
   Clive    Iowa
   Des Moines    Iowa
   Minneapolis    Minnesota
   Shoreview    Minnesota
   St. Louis    Missouri
   Billings    Montana
   Omaha    Nebraska
   Albuquerque    New Mexico
   Summit    New Jersey
   Charlotte    North Carolina
   Raleigh    North Carolina
   Portland    Oregon
   Sioux Falls    South Dakota
   Salt Lake City    Utah
   Glen Allen    Virginia

We own operations/servicing centers in:

   Birmingham    Alabama
   Homewood    Alabama
   San Leandro    California
   Springfield    Illinois
   West Des Moines    Iowa
   Minneapolis    Minnesota
   St. Louis    Missouri
   Charlotte    North Carolina
   Winston-Salem    North Carolina
   Sioux Falls    South Dakota
   San Antonio    Texas
    

State

We lease office space for various administrative departments in major locations in:

   Arizona    New Jersey
   California    New York
   Colorado    North Carolina
   Delaware    North Dakota
   Florida    Oregon
   Georgia    Pennsylvania
   Illinois    South Carolina
   Iowa    South Dakota
   Kansas    Texas
   Maryland    Virginia
   Massachusetts    Washington
   Minnesota    Wisconsin
   Missouri    Ontario, Canada
   Nevada    Puerto Rico

We lease office space for various operations/ servicing centers in:

   California    Oregon
   Florida    Pennsylvania
   Georgia    Virginia
   North Carolina   
    

City

  

State

We are a joint venture partner in an office building in:

   Minneapolis    Minnesota
    

Country

We lease office space for international operations in:

   Argentina    Italy
   Australia    Japan
   Bangladesh    Malaysia
   Brazil    Mexico
   Cayman Islands    Philippines
   Chile    Russia
   China    Singapore
   Colombia    South Africa
   Dominican Republic    South Korea
   Ecuador    Spain
   Egypt    Taiwan
   France    Thailand
   Germany    Turkey
   India    United Arab Emirates
   Indonesia    United Kingdom
   Ireland    Vietnam
 

 

 

As of December 31, 2011, we provided banking, insurance, investments, mortgage and consumer and commercial finance from more than 9,000 domestic stores under ownership and lease agreements.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Additional information in response to this Item 2 can be found in the 2011 Annual Report to Stockholders under “Financial Statements – Notes to Financial Statements – Note 7 (Premises, Equipment, Lease Commitments and Other Assets).” That information is incorporated into this item by reference.

 

 

9


ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

Information in response to this Item 3 can be found in the 2011 Annual Report to Stockholders under “Financial Statements – Notes to Financial Statements – Note 15 (Legal Actions).” That information is incorporated into this item by reference.

EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT

Information relating to the Company’s executive officers is included in Item 10 of this report.

 

ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES

Not applicable.

 

 

10


PART II

 

ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES

MARKET INFORMATION

The Company’s common stock is listed on the NYSE (symbol “WFC”). The Quarterly Financial Data table of the 2011 Annual Report to Stockholders provides the quarterly prices of, and quarterly dividends paid on, the Company’s common stock for the two-year period ended December 31, 2011, and is incorporated herein by reference. Prices shown represent the daily high and low, and the quarter-end sale prices of the Company’s common stock as reported on the NYSE Composite Transaction Reporting System for the periods indicated. At January 31, 2012, there were 200,518 holders of record of the Company’s common stock.

DIVIDENDS

The dividend restrictions discussions on page 3 of this report and in the 2011 Annual Report to Stockholders under “Financial Statements – Notes to Financial Statements – Note 3 (Cash, Loan and Dividend Restrictions)” are incorporated into this item by reference.

REPURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES

In September 2008, our Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of 25 million shares of our common stock and in March 2011, our Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of an additional 200 million shares of our common stock. The authorization covered shares repurchased to meet team member benefit plan requirements. The Company maintains a variety of retirement plans for its team members and typically is a net issuer of shares of common stock to these plans. From time to time, it also purchases shares of common stock from these plans to accommodate team member preferences. Share repurchases are subtracted from the Company’s repurchase authority without offset for share issuances. Shares may be repurchased as part of employee stock option exercises, from the different benefit plans or in the open market, subject to regulatory approval.

The amount and timing of stock repurchases will be based on various factors, including our capital requirements, the number of shares we expect to issue for employee benefit plans and acquisitions, market conditions (including the trading price of our stock), and regulatory and legal considerations. In June 2010, our Board of Directors also authorized the repurchase of up to $1 billion of warrants to purchase our common stock. The warrants are listed on the NYSE under the symbol “WFCWS.” The amount and timing of warrant repurchases will be based on various factors including market conditions. See the “Capital Management” section in the 2011 Annual Report to Stockholders for additional information about our common stock and warrant repurchases.

 

 

11


The following table shows Company repurchases of its common stock for each calendar month in the quarter ended December 31, 2011.

 

 

Calendar month    Total number of
shares
repurchased (1)
     Weighted-average
price paid per share
     Maximum number of
shares that may yet
be purchased under
the authorizations
 

October

     2,098,981      $ 24.92        141,771,511  

November (2)

     21,981,056        24.41        119,790,455  

December

     2,497,232        26.45        117,293,223  

 

       

Total

     26,577,269        

 

       

 

(1) All shares were repurchased under an authorization covering up to 200 million shares of common stock approved by the Board of Directors and publicly announced by the Company on March 18, 2011. Unless modified or revoked by the Board, this authorization does not expire.
(2) Includes 6,252,840 shares at a weighted-average price paid per share of $23.99 repurchased in a private transaction.

The following table shows Company repurchases of the warrants for each calendar month in the quarter ended December 31, 2011.

 

 

Calendar month    Total number of
warrants
repurchased (1)
     Average price
paid per warrant
     Maximum dollar value
of warrants that
may yet be purchased
 

October

     13,900      $ 8.24        453,225,607  

November

     83,900        8.08        452,547,853  

December

                     452,547,853  

 

       

Total

     97,800        

 

       

 

(1) Warrants are purchased under the authorization covering up to $1 billion in warrants approved by the Board of Directors (ratified and approved on June 22, 2010). Unless modified or revoked by the Board, this authorization does not expire.

 

ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

Information in response to this Item 6 can be found in the 2011 Annual Report to Stockholders under “Financial Review” in Table 1. That information is incorporated into this item by reference.

 

ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Information in response to this Item 7 can be found in the 2011 Annual Report to Stockholders under “Financial Review.” That information is incorporated into this item by reference.

 

ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

Information in response to this Item 7A can be found in the 2011 Annual Report to Stockholders under “Financial Review – Risk Management – Asset/Liability Management.” That information is incorporated into this item by reference.

ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

Information in response to this Item 8 can be found in the 2011 Annual Report to Stockholders under “Financial Statements” and under “Quarterly Financial Data.” That information is incorporated into this item by reference.

 

ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE

Not applicable.

 

ITEM 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

Information in response to this Item 9A can be found in the 2011 Annual Report to Stockholders under “Controls and Procedures.” That information is incorporated into this item by reference.

 

ITEM 9B. OTHER INFORMATION

Not applicable.

 

 

12


PART III

 

ITEM 10. DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT

Patricia R. Callahan (age 58)

Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer since February 2011;

Executive Vice President (Office of Transition) from January 2009 to February 2011;

Executive Vice President (Social Responsibility Group) from June 2008 to December 2008;

Executive Vice President (Compliance and Risk) from June 2005 to September 2007.

Ms. Callahan has served with the Company or its predecessors for 34 years.

David M. Carroll (age 54)

Senior Executive Vice President (Wealth, Brokerage and Retirement Services) since January 2009;

Senior Executive Vice President of Wachovia Corporation from September 2001 to January 2009.

Mr. Carroll has served with the Company or its predecessors for 30 years.

Michael J. Heid (age 54)

Executive Vice President (and President of Wells Fargo Home Mortgage, a division of Wells Fargo Bank, N.A.) since July 2011;

Co-President of Wells Fargo Home Mortgage from May 2004 to July 2011.

Mr. Heid has served with the Company or its predecessors for 24 years.

David A. Hoyt (age 56)

Senior Executive Vice President (Wholesale Banking) since August 2005.

Mr. Hoyt has served with the Company or its predecessors for 30 years.

Richard D. Levy (age 54)

Executive Vice President and Controller since February 2007;

Senior Vice President and Controller from September 2002 to February 2007.

Mr. Levy has served with the Company for 9 years.

Michael J. Loughlin (age 56)

Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Risk Officer since July 2011;

Executive Vice President and Chief Risk Officer from November 2010 to July 2011;

Executive Vice President and Chief Credit and Risk Officer from April 2006 to November 2010.

Mr. Loughlin has served with the Company or its predecessors for 30 years.

Avid Modjtabai (age 50)

Senior Executive Vice President (Consumer Lending) since July 2011;

Executive Vice President and Chief Information Officer from April 2007 to July 2011;

Executive Vice President (Human Resources) from June 2005 to April 2007.

Ms. Modjtabai has served with the Company or its predecessors for 18 years.

Kevin A. Rhein (age 58)

Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Information Officer since July 2011;

Executive Vice President (Card Services and Consumer Lending) from January 2009 to July 2011;

Executive Vice President (Card Services) of Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. from February 2004 to January 2009.

Mr. Rhein has served with the Company or its predecessors for 33 years.

Timothy J. Sloan (age 51)

Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer since February 2011;

Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer from September 2010 to February 2011;

Executive Vice President (Commercial Banking, Real Estate and Specialized Financial Services) of Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. from June 2006 to September 2010.

Mr. Sloan has served with the Company or its predecessors for 24 years.

 

13


James M. Strother (age 60)

Senior Executive Vice President and General Counsel since July 2011;

Executive Vice President and General Counsel from January 2004 to July 2011.

Mr. Strother has served with the Company or its predecessors for 25 years.

John G. Stumpf (age 58)

Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer since January 2010;

President and Chief Executive Officer from June 2007 to January 2010;

President and Chief Operating Officer from August 2005 to June 2007.

Mr. Stumpf has served with the Company or its predecessors for 30 years.

Carrie L. Tolstedt (age 52)

Senior Executive Vice President (Community Banking) since June 2007;

Group Executive Vice President (Regional Banking) from July 2002 to June 2007.

Ms. Tolstedt has served with the Company or its predecessors for 22 years.

There is no family relationship between any of the Company’s executive officers or directors. All executive officers serve at the pleasure of the Board of Directors.

 

14


AUDIT COMMITTEE INFORMATION

The Audit and Examination Committee is a standing audit committee of the Board of Directors established in accordance with Section 3(a)(58)(A) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. The Committee has six members: John D. Baker II, Enrique Hernandez, Jr., Nicholas G. Moore (Chair), Federico F. Peña, Philip J. Quigley and Susan G. Swenson. Each member is independent, as independence for audit committee members is defined by NYSE rules. The Board of Directors has determined, in its business judgment, that each member of the Audit and Examination Committee is financially literate, as required by NYSE rules, and that each qualifies as an “audit committee financial expert” as defined by SEC regulations.

CODE OF ETHICS AND BUSINESS CONDUCT

The Company’s Code of Ethics and Business Conduct for team members (including executive officers), Director Code of Ethics, the Company’s corporate governance guidelines, and the charters for the Audit and Examination, Governance and Nominating, Human Resources, Corporate Responsibility, Credit, Finance, and Risk Committees are available at www.wellsfargo.com/about/corporate/corporate_governance. This information is also available in print to any stockholder upon written request to the Office of the Secretary, Wells Fargo & Company, MAC N9305-173, Wells Fargo Center, Sixth and Marquette, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55479.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Additional information in response to this Item 10 can be found in the Company’s 2012 Proxy Statement under “Ownership of Our Common Stock – Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance” and “Item 1 – Election of Directors – Director Nominees for Election” and “–Other Matters Relating to Directors.” That information is incorporated into this item by reference.

 

ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

Information in response to this Item 11 can be found in the Company’s 2012 Proxy Statement under “Item 1 – Election of Directors – Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation” and “–Director Compensation,” under “Corporate Governance – Risk Management and Compensation Practices,” under “Information About Related Persons – Related Person Transactions,” and under “Item 2 – Executive Compensation and Advisory Resolution (Say-on-Pay)” excluding “–Advisory Resolution Regarding Named Executives’ Compensation.” That information is incorporated into this item by reference.

 

 

15


 

ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS

EQUITY COMPENSATION PLAN INFORMATION

The following table provides information about our equity compensation plans in effect on December 31, 2011, separately aggregated for plans approved by stockholders and for plans not approved by stockholders. A description of the material features of each equity compensation plan not approved by stockholders follows the table. All outstanding awards relate to shares of our common stock. Information is as of December 31, 2011, unless otherwise indicated.

 

 

Equity Compensation Plan Information (1)

 

     (a)     (b)      (c)  
Plan category    # of shares to be
issued upon exercise
of outstanding
options, warrants
and rights
    Weighted-average
exercise price of
outstanding
options, warrants
and rights  (2)
     # of shares remaining
available for future
issuance under equity
compensation plans
(excluding securities
reflected in column (a))
 

Equity compensation plans approved by security holders

     292,558,671  (3)    $ 27.68        157,624,092  (4) 

Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders

     39,586,149  (5)      94.78        3,655,193  (6) 

 

      

 

 

 

Total

     332,144,820       35.74        161,279,285  

 

      

 

 

 

 

(1) The table above does not include information about equity compensation plans assumed in mergers that we froze at the time of the merger. Under these assumed plans a total of 6,646,893 shares of common stock were issuable upon exercise of options and 23,438 shares upon distribution of vested but deferred share-based awards. The weighted average exercise price per share of our common stock of the outstanding options was $121.58. We assumed the amended and restated Wachovia Corporation 2003 Stock Incentive Plan (2003 SIP) in the Wachovia merger and in February 2009 used substantially all remaining available shares for stock option grants to legacy Wachovia team members. Information for the 2003 SIP is included in the table above under the plan category for equity compensation plans not approved by security holders. No awards have been granted since February 2009, and no future awards will be granted under the 2003 SIP.
(2) Does not reflect restricted share rights (RSRs), restricted share units (RSUs), or restricted share awards (RSAs) or deferred compensation benefits because they have no exercise price.
(3) For the Long-Term Incentive Compensation Plan (LTICP), consists of 239,355,639 shares subject to options, 3,678 shares subject to RSAs, 38,680,011 shares subject to unvested RSRs, 84,356 shares issuable upon distribution of vested but deferred RSRs, and a maximum of 9,095,943 performance shares. For the Supplemental 401(k) Plan, consists of 4,051,318 shares issuable upon distribution of benefits. For the Directors Stock Compensation and Deferral Plan (Directors Plan), consists of 721,432 shares subject to options, 208,062 shares issuable upon distribution of vested but deferred stock awards, and 358,232 shares issuable upon distribution of deferred compensation benefits.
(4) We could have issued the number of shares of our common stock indicated in the following table pursuant to any of the award types listed for the plan or, if indicated for the plan, pursuant to distributions of deferred compensation benefits. Each share of common stock issued under the LTICP pursuant to awards other than options or SARs counts as two shares. Effective January 24, 2012, the Board authorized an additional 500,000 shares of common stock for issuance under the Directors Plan for compensation deferrals only.

 

 

Plan    # of shares      Award types

LTICP

     157,072,090      Stock options, stock, SARs, restricted stock, RSRs, performance shares, performance units

Supplemental 401(k) Plan

     351,752      Deferral distribution

Directors Plan

     200,250      Stock options, deferral distribution

 

 

(5) For the 2003 SIP, consists of 25,296,071 shares subject to options and 596,440 shares subject to RSAs. For the PartnerShares Stock Option Plan (PartnerShares), consists of 7,477,472 shares subject to options. For the other plans, consists of 6,216,166 shares of common stock issuable upon distribution of deferred compensation benefits.
(6) We could have issued the number of shares of our common stock indicated in the following table pursuant to any of the award types listed for the plan or, if indicated for the plan, pursuant to distributions of deferred compensation benefits. No information is provided for the 2003 SIP, PartnerShares Plan, the Norwest Corporation Directors’ Formula Stock Award Plan and the Norwest Corporation Directors’ Stock Deferral Plan because no future awards or deferrals will be made under these plans and because column (a) reflects all shares issuable under those plans upon exercise or distribution of outstanding awards or deferred compensation benefits.

 

 

Plan    # of shares      Award types

Deferred Compensation Plan

         3,314,646      Deferral distribution

Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation Plan for Independent Contractors

     340,547      Deferral distribution

 

 

16


Material Features of Equity Compensation Plans Not Approved by Stockholders

The 2003 SIP. The amended and restated Wachovia Corporation 2003 Stock Incentive Plan (2003 SIP) was originally approved by Wachovia’s shareholders in 2003 and prior to the merger had been used for equity awards to Wachovia’s executive officers and other key employees. We assumed the 2003 SIP in the merger and in February 2009 used substantially all remaining available shares for stock option grants to legacy Wachovia team members. No awards have been granted since then, and no future awards will be granted under the 2003 SIP.

At December 31, 2011, only options and stock awards in the form of RSAs were outstanding under the 2003 SIP. The options generally expire on the tenth anniversary of the grant date and vest ratably over a three-year period from the grant date. The option price is payable to us in full by methods the Board’s Human Resources Committee (HRC) designates, including, but not limited to, in cash or its equivalent, by tendering or withholding shares of our common stock having a fair market value at the time of exercise equal to the total option price, or by a combination of the foregoing. Unless the HRC determines otherwise or except as prohibited by applicable law, options may also be exercised by a “cashless exercise” where the participant gives irrevocable instructions to a broker to promptly deliver to us the amount of sale proceeds from the shares covered by the option exercised, together with any withholding taxes due to the Company. The proceeds from any cash payments upon option exercise are added to our general funds and used for general corporate purposes. The outstanding RSAs vest upon the achievement of the specified performance criteria. Prior to vesting, the holders of RSAs may exercise full voting rights with respect to those shares and are entitled to receive all dividends and other distributions paid with respect to those shares. Each participant’s award agreement will state the extent, if any, to which the participant may receive unvested stock awards following termination of employment.

PartnerShares Plan. We used the PartnerShares Stock Option Plan (PartnerShares) from 1996-2002 primarily for equity awards to team members not eligible for grants under the LTICP. The plan was in effect at December 31, 2011, only as to the issuance of common stock upon exercise of outstanding options. No future awards may be granted under the PartnerShares Plan.

Options under the PartnerShares Plan are exercisable at the closing share price of our common stock as of the trading day immediately before the grant date. All options granted under the plan were vested at December 31, 2011. Options are exercisable for ten years from the grant date or one year from the participant’s death, whichever occurs first. If a participant leaves the Company other than because of death, permanent disability or discharge for cause, the option terminates immediately or three months after termination, as specified in

the grant terms. If a participant is discharged for cause, the option terminates immediately. Participants can pay the exercise price in cash or by cashless exercise through a broker.

Deferred Compensation Plan. Under the Deferred Compensation Plan eligible team members may defer receipt of salary, bonuses and certain other compensation subject to the terms of the plan. Deferral elections are irrevocable once made except for limited re-deferral opportunities. We treat amounts deferred by a participant as if invested in the earnings options selected by the participant, and determine the deferred compensation benefit payable to the participant based on the performance of those earnings options. The plan offers a number of earnings options, including one based on our common stock with dividends reinvested. We generally distribute amounts allocated to the common stock option in shares of common stock. Participants have no direct interest in any of the earnings options and are general unsecured creditors of the Company with respect to their deferred compensation benefits under the plan.

Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation Plan for Independent Contractors. Under the Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation Plan for Independent Contractors participants who perform qualifying investment or other financial services for participating affiliates as independent contractors may defer all or part of their eligible compensation payable to them by the affiliate subject to the terms of the plan. Deferral elections are irrevocable once made. Amounts deferred by a participant are treated as if invested in the earnings options selected by the participant, which determine the deferred compensation benefit payable to the participant. The plan offers a number of earnings options, including one based on our common stock with dividends reinvested. We generally distribute amounts allocated to the common stock option in shares of common stock. The plan is sponsored by a wholly owned subsidiary, WF Deferred Compensation Holdings, Inc. We have guaranteed its obligations under the plan. Participants have no direct interest in any of the earnings options and are general unsecured creditors of the plan sponsor and the Company with respect to their deferred compensation benefits under the plan.

Norwest Corporation Directors’ Formula Stock Award Plan. Under the Norwest Corporation Directors’ Formula Stock Award Plan we awarded shares of common stock to non-employee directors. The plan allowed participants to defer receipt of all or a portion of their awards, with dividends reinvested, until a future year or years as selected by the participants subject to the terms of the plan. Participants can elect one time to defer commencement of distribution of their deferral accounts if the election is made sufficiently in advance of the original distribution commencement date and the new distribution commencement date is sufficiently beyond the original distribution commencement date. Participants have no direct interest in the shares deferred under the plan and are general unsecured creditors of the Company with respect to payment of their deferred stock awards under the plan. No future stock awards or deferrals may be made under this plan.

 

 

17


Norwest Corporation Directors’ Stock Deferral Plan. Under the Norwest Corporation Directors’ Stock Deferral Plan a participating director could defer receipt of all or part of the annual cash retainer and meeting fees payable to the director until a future year or years as selected by the director subject to the terms of the plan. A participating director could elect distribution of his or her deferral account in a lump sum in either cash or whole shares of common stock, or a combination of both. Alternatively, the director could elect to receive the distribution in up to ten annual installments of cash. A participant can elect one time to defer commencement of distribution of his or her deferral account if the election is made sufficiently in advance of the original distribution commencement date and the new distribution commencement date is sufficiently beyond the original distribution commencement date. No future deferrals may be made under this plan.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Additional information in response to this Item 12 can be found in the Company’s 2012 Proxy Statement under “Ownership of Our Common Stock – Directors and Executive Officers” and “–Principal Stockholders.” That information is incorporated into this item by reference.

 

ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE

Information in response to this Item 13 can be found in the Company’s 2012 Proxy Statement under “Corporate Governance – Director Independence” and under “Information About Related Persons.” That information is incorporated into this item by reference.

 

ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING FEES AND SERVICES

Information in response to this Item 14 can be found in the Company’s 2012 Proxy Statement under “Item 3 – Appointment of Independent Auditors – KPMG Fees” and “–Audit and Examination Committee Pre-Approval Policies and Procedures.” That information is incorporated into this item by reference.

 

 

18


PART IV

 

ITEM 15. EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES

1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The Company’s consolidated financial statements, including the notes thereto, and the report of the independent registered public accounting firm thereon, are set forth in the 2011 Annual Report to Stockholders, and are incorporated into this item by reference.

2. FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES

All financial statement schedules for the Company have been included in the consolidated financial statements or the related footnotes, or are either inapplicable or not required.

3. EXHIBITS

A list of exhibits to this Form 10-K is set forth on the Exhibit Index immediately preceding such exhibits and is incorporated into this item by reference.

Stockholders may obtain a copy of any of the following exhibits, upon payment of a reasonable fee, by writing to Wells Fargo & Company, Office of the Secretary, Wells Fargo Center, N9305-173, Sixth and Marquette, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55479.

The Company’s SEC file number is 001-2979. On and before November 2, 1998, the Company filed documents with the SEC under the name Norwest Corporation. The former Wells Fargo & Company filed documents under SEC file number 001-6214. The former Wachovia Corporation filed documents under SEC file number 001-10000.

 

 

19


SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, on February 28, 2012.

 

WELLS FARGO & COMPANY
By:   /s/ JOHN G. STUMPF
 

John G. Stumpf

Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

 

By:   /s/ JOHN G. STUMPF
 

John G. Stumpf

Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer

(Principal Executive Officer)

February 28, 2012

By:   /s/ TIMOTHY J. SLOAN
 

Timothy J. Sloan

Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

(Principal Financial Officer)

February 28, 2012

By:   /s/ RICHARD D. LEVY
 

Richard D. Levy

Executive Vice President and Controller

(Principal Accounting Officer)

February 28, 2012

The Directors of Wells Fargo & Company listed below have duly executed powers of attorney empowering Nicholas G. Moore to sign this document on their behalf.

 

John D. Baker II

Elaine L. Chao

John S. Chen

Lloyd H. Dean

Susan E. Engel

Enrique Hernandez, Jr.

Mackey J. McDonald

Cynthia H. Milligan

Nicholas G. Moore

Federico F. Peña

Philip J. Quigley

Judith M. Runstad

Stephen W. Sanger

John G. Stumpf

Susan G. Swenson

 
By:   /s/ NICHOLAS G. MOORE
 

Nicholas G. Moore

Director and Attorney-in-fact

February 28, 2012

 

20


EXHIBIT INDEX

 

Exhibit

Number

  

Description

  

Location

  3(a)

   Restated Certificate of Incorporation, as amended and in effect on the date hereof.    Filed herewith.

  3(b)

   By-Laws.    Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed January 28, 2011.

  4(a)

   See Exhibits 3(a) and 3(b).   

  4(b)

   The Company agrees to furnish upon request to the Commission a copy of each instrument defining the rights of holders of senior and subordinated debt of the Company.   

10(a)*

   Long-Term Incentive Compensation Plan.    Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(a) to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2009.
  

Forms of Performance Share Award Agreement:

  
  

For grants on or after February 28, 2012;

   Filed herewith.
  

For grants on February 22, 2011; and

   Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(a) to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010.
  

For grants to John G. Stumpf, Howard I. Atkins, David M. Carroll, David A. Hoyt, Mark C. Oman and Carrie L. Tolstedt on June 22, 2010.

   Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(a) to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed June 25, 2010.
  

Form of Retention Performance Share Award Agreement for grants to John G. Stumpf, Howard I. Atkins, David A. Hoyt, Mark C. Oman and Carrie L. Tolstedt on December 24, 2009.

   Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(a) to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed December 31, 2009.
  

Forms of Award Agreement for grants of stock awards to John G. Stumpf, Howard I. Atkins, David A. Hoyt and Mark C. Oman.

   Incorporated by reference to Exhibits 10(a), 10(b), 10(c) and 10(d) to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed August 6, 2009.
  

Forms of Restricted Share Rights Award Agreement.

  
  

For grants on or after February 28, 2012, including grants to John G. Stumpf, Timothy J. Sloan, David M. Carroll, David A. Hoyt, and Carrie L. Tolstedt;

   Filed herewith.
  

For grants on February 22, 2011, including grants to John G. Stumpf, Howard I. Atkins, David M. Carroll, David A. Hoyt, Mark C. Oman, Timothy J. Sloan and Carrie L. Tolstedt;

   Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(a) to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010.
  

For grants prior to February 22, 2011, including grants to John G. Stumpf, Howard I. Atkins, David M. Carroll, David A. Hoyt, Mark C. Oman, Timothy J. Sloan and Carrie L. Tolstedt;

   Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(a) to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009.
  

For grant to David M. Carroll on December 24, 2009;

   Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(a) to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009.
  

For grant to John G. Stumpf on August 3, 2009; and

   Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(e) to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed August 6, 2009.
  

For grants to Howard I. Atkins, David A. Hoyt, Mark C. Oman and Carrie L. Tolstedt on February 24, 2009, as amended on November 16, 2010.

   Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(a) to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed February 27, 2009, and Exhibit 10(a) to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010.

 

 

* 

Management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement.

 

21


Exhibit

Number

  

Description

  

Location

  

Form of Non-Qualified Stock Option Agreement, including grants to John G. Stumpf, Howard I. Atkins, David M. Carroll, David A. Hoyt, Mark C. Oman, Timothy J. Sloan and Carrie L. Tolstedt.

   Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(a) to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009.

10(b)*

   Long-Term Incentive Plan.    Incorporated by reference to Exhibit A to the former Wells Fargo’s Proxy Statement filed March 14, 1994.

10(c)*

   Wells Fargo Bonus Plan, as amended effective January 1, 2011.    Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(c) to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2011.

10(d)*

   Performance-Based Compensation Policy.    Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(b) to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed May 5, 2008.

10(e)*

   Deferred Compensation Plan, as amended effective January 1, 2008.    Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(f) to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009.
  

Amendment to Deferred Compensation Plan, effective January 1, 2011.

   Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(a) to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2011.
  

Amendment to Deferred Compensation Plan, effective December 1, 2009.

   Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(f) to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009.

10(f)*

   Directors Stock Compensation and Deferral Plan.    Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(f) to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007.
  

Amendment to Directors Stock Compensation and Deferral Plan, effective January 24, 2012.

   Filed herewith.
  

Amendment to Directors Stock Compensation and Deferral Plan, effective January 25, 2011.

   Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(d) to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2011.
  

Amendment to Directors Stock Compensation and Deferral Plan, effective February 24, 2009.

   Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(a) to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2009.
  

Amendments to Directors Stock Compensation and Deferral Plan, effective September 23, 2008.

   Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(a) to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2008.
  

Amendment to Directors Stock Compensation and Deferral Plan, effective January 22, 2008.

   Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(f) to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007.
  

Action of Governance and Nominating Committee Increasing Amount of Formula Stock and Option Awards Under Directors Stock Compensation and Deferral Plan, effective January 1, 2007.

   Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(f) to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006.

10(g)*

   Deferred Compensation Plan for Non-Employee Directors of the former Norwest.    Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(c) to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 1999.
  

Amendment to Deferred Compensation Plan for Non-Employee Directors, effective November 1, 2000.

   Filed as paragraph (4) of Exhibit 10(ff) to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2000.
  

Amendment to Deferred Compensation Plan for Non-Employee Directors, effective January 1, 2004.

   Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(a) to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2003.

 

22


Exhibit

Number

  

Description

  

Location

10(h)*

   Directors’ Stock Deferral Plan for directors of the former Norwest.    Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(d) to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 1999.
  

Amendment to Directors’ Stock Deferral Plan, effective November 1, 2000.

   Filed as paragraph (5) of Exhibit 10(ff) to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2000.
  

Amendment to Directors’ Stock Deferral Plan, effective January 1, 2004.

   Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(c) to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2003.

10(i)*

   Directors’ Formula Stock Award Plan for directors of the former Norwest.    Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(e) to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 1999.
  

Amendment to Directors’ Formula Stock Award Plan, effective November 1, 2000.

   Filed as paragraph (6) of Exhibit 10(ff) to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2000.
  

Amendment to Directors’ Formula Stock Award Plan, effective January 1, 2004.

   Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(b) to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2003.

10(j)*

   Deferral Plan for Directors of the former Wells Fargo.    Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(b) to the former Wells Fargo’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1997.
  

Amendment to Deferral Plan, effective January 1, 2004.

   Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(d) to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2003.

10(k)*

   Supplemental 401(k) Plan.    Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(c) to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed May 4, 2009.

10(l)*

   Supplemental Cash Balance Plan.    Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(b) to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed May 4, 2009.

10(m)*

   Supplemental Long-Term Disability Plan.    Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(f) to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1990.
  

Amendment to Supplemental Long-Term Disability Plan.

   Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(g) to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1992.

10(n)*

   Agreement, dated July 11, 2001, between the Company and Howard I. Atkins.    Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2001.

10(o)*

   Agreement between the Company and Mark C. Oman, dated May 7, 1999.    Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(y) to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1999.
  

Amendment No. 1 to Agreement between the Company and Mark C. Oman, effective December 29, 2008.

   Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(q) to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008.

10(p)*

   Description of Relocation Program.    Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(y) to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2003.

10(q)

   PartnerShares Stock Option Plan.    Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(x) to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2004.
  

Amendment to PartnerShares Stock Option Plan, effective August 1, 2005.

   Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(c) to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2005.

 

23


Exhibit

Number

  

Description

  

Location

  

Amendment to PartnerShares Stock Option Plan, effective August 4, 2006.

   Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(c) to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2006.
  

Amendment to PartnerShares Stock Option Plan, effective January 1, 2007.

   Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(g) to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2007.
  

Amendment to PartnerShares Stock Option Plan, effective January 22, 2008.

   Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(v) to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007.

10(r)

   Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation Plan for Independent Contractors.    Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(x) to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007.
  

Amendment to Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation Plan for Independent Contractors, effective January 1, 2009.

   Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(w) to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009.

10(s)*

   Description of Chairman/CEO Post-Retirement Policy.    Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(w) to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008.

10(t)*

   Description of Non-Employee Director Equity Compensation Program.    Filed herewith.

10(u)*

   Employment Agreement, dated December 30, 2008, between the Company and David M. Carroll.    Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(y) to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008.

10(v)*

   Amended and Restated Wachovia Corporation Deferred Compensation Plan for Non-Employee Directors.    Incorporated by reference to Exhibit (10)(f) to Wachovia Corporation’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed December 29, 2008.
  

Amendment to Amended and Restated Wachovia Corporation Deferred Compensation Plan for Non-Employee Directors, effective June 1, 2009.

   Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(aa) to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009.

10(w)*

   Wachovia Corporation Executive Deferred Compensation Plan.    Incorporated by reference to Exhibit (10)(d) to Wachovia Corporation’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1997.

10(x)*

   Wachovia Corporation Supplemental Executive Long-Term Disability Plan, as amended and restated.    Incorporated by reference to Exhibit (99) to Wachovia Corporation’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed January 5, 2005.

10(y)*

   Amended and Restated Wachovia Corporation Elective Deferral Plan (as amended and restated effective January 1, 2009).    Incorporated by reference to Exhibit (10)(a) to Wachovia Corporation’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed December 29, 2008.

10(z)*

   Wachovia Corporation 1998 Stock Incentive Plan, as amended.    Incorporated by reference to Exhibit (10)(j) to Wachovia Corporation’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2001.

10(aa)*

   Employment Agreement between Wachovia Corporation and David M. Carroll.    Incorporated by reference to Exhibit (10)(m) to Wachovia Corporation’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2004.
  

Amendment No. 1 to Employment Agreement between Wachovia Corporation and David M. Carroll.

   Incorporated by reference to Exhibit (10)(a) to Wachovia Corporation’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed December 22, 2005.
  

Amendment No. 2 to Employment Agreement between Wachovia Corporation and David M. Carroll.

   Incorporated by reference to Exhibit (10)(h) to Wachovia Corporation’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed December 29, 2008.

10(bb)*

   Wachovia Corporation 2001 Stock Incentive Plan.    Incorporated by reference to Exhibit (10)(v) to Wachovia Corporation’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2001.

 

24


Exhibit

Number

  

Description

  

Location

10(cc)*

   Wachovia Corporation Savings Restoration Plan.    Incorporated by reference to Exhibit (10)(gg) to Wachovia Corporation’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2002.

10(dd)*

   Amendment 2007-1 to Wachovia Corporation Savings Restoration Plan.    Incorporated by reference to Exhibit (10)(b) to Wachovia Corporation’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed December 20, 2007.
  

Amendment 2008-1 to Wachovia Corporation Savings Restoration Plan.

   Incorporated by reference to Exhibit (10)(c) to Wachovia Corporation’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed December 29, 2008.

10(ee)*

   Amended and Restated Wachovia Corporation Savings Restoration Plan.    Incorporated by reference to Exhibit (10)(b) to Wachovia Corporation’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed December 29, 2008.

10(ff)*

   Form of stock award agreement for Executive Officers of Wachovia Corporation, including David M. Carroll.    Incorporated by reference to Exhibit (10)(ss) to Wachovia Corporation’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2004.

10(gg)*

   Amended and Restated Wachovia Corporation 2003 Stock Incentive Plan.    Incorporated by reference to Appendix E to Wachovia Corporation’s Registration Statement on Form S-4 (Reg. No. 333-134656) filed on July 24, 2006.
  

Amendment to Amended and Restated Wachovia Corporation 2003 Stock Incentive Plan, effective February 24, 2009.

   Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(b) to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2009.

12(a)

   Computation of Ratios of Earnings to Fixed Charges:    Filed herewith.

 

         Year ended December 31,  
         2011      2010      2009      2008      2007  
 

 

 
 

Including interest on deposits

     4.32        3.21        2.68        1.33        1.81   
 

Excluding interest on deposits

     5.92        4.32        3.64        1.60        2.85   
 

 

 

 

12(b)   Computation of Ratios of Earnings to Fixed Charges and Preferred Dividends:    Filed herewith.

 

         Year ended December 31,  
         2011      2010      2009      2008      2007  
 

 

 
 

Including interest on deposits

     3.67        2.84        1.69        1.28        1.81   
 

Excluding interest on deposits

     4.69        3.61        1.90        1.50        2.85   
 

 

 

 

25


 

Exhibit

Number

 

Description

  

Location

13   2011 Annual Report to Stockholders.    Filed herewith.
21   Subsidiaries of the Company.    Filed herewith.
23   Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.    Filed herewith.
24   Powers of Attorney.    Filed herewith.
31(a)   Certification of principal executive officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.    Filed herewith.
31(b)   Certification of principal financial officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.    Filed herewith.
32(a)   Certification of Periodic Financial Report by Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and 18 U.S.C. § 1350.    Furnished herewith.
32(b)   Certification of Periodic Financial Report by Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and 18 U.S.C. § 1350.    Furnished herewith.
99   Description of Replacement Capital Covenants of Wells Fargo and Wachovia.    Filed herewith.
101.Ins   XBRL Instance Document    Filed herewith.
101.Sch   XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document    Filed herewith.
101.Cal   XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document    Filed herewith.
101.Def   XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definitions Linkbase Document    Filed herewith.
101.Lab   XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document    Filed herewith.
101.Pre   XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document    Filed herewith.

 

26

EX-3.(A) 2 d280360dex3a.htm RESTATED CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION Restated Certificate of Incorporation

Exhibit 3(a)

RESTATED CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION

OF

WELLS FARGO & COMPANY

 

 

Pursuant to Section 245 of the

General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware

 

 

Wells Fargo & Company, a corporation organized and existing under the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, hereby certifies as follows:

 

  1. The present name of the corporation is Wells Fargo & Company.

 

  2. The corporation was originally incorporated under the name Northwest Bancorporation, and its original Certificate of Incorporation was filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware on January 24, 1929. On April 26, 1983 the corporation filed an amendment to its Certificate of Incorporation to change its name from Northwest Bancorporation to Norwest Corporation effective April 29, 1983, and on November 2, 1998 the corporation filed an amendment to its Certificate of Incorporation to change its name from Norwest Corporation to Wells Fargo & Company.

 

  3. The corporation’s Board of Directors has duly adopted this Restated Certificate of Incorporation in accordance with the provisions of Section 245 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware. This Restated Certificate of Incorporation only restates and integrates and does not further amend the provisions of the corporation’s Certificate of Incorporation, as theretofore amended or supplemented or restated, and there is no discrepancy between those provisions and the provisions of this Restated Certificate of Incorporation.

 

  4. The text of the corporation’s Certificate of Incorporation, as heretofore amended or supplemented or restated, is hereby restated to read in its entirety as follows:

FIRST: The name of this corporation is Wells Fargo & Company.

SECOND: Its registered office in the State of Delaware is located in the City of Wilmington, County of New Castle. The name and address of its registered agent is Corporation Service Company, 2711 Centerville Road, Suite 400, Wilmington, New Castle County, Delaware 19808.

THIRD: The nature of the business, or objects or purposes to be transacted, promoted or carried on, are:

To acquire by purchase, subscription or otherwise, and to own and hold, for investment purposes, the capital stock, scrip or any voting trust certificates in respect of the shares of capital stock issued or created by any moneyed, financial or investment corporation or association created and organized, or to be created and organized, under the laws of the United States of America or of any State or territory thereof; and to issue in exchange therefor shares of the capital stock of this corporation; and while the holder or owner of any such shares of capital stock, scrip or voting trust certificates, to possess and exercise in respect thereof any and all rights, powers and privileges of ownership, including the right to vote thereon;


To loan money to any aforesaid corporation or association, any of whose shares of capital stock, scrip or voting trust certificates aforesaid shall be owned at the time of such loan by this corporation, and to do any and all lawful things designed to protect, preserve, improve or enhance the value of any such shares, scrip or voting trust certificates;

In addition to and not in limitation of any of the aforesaid powers, to invest temporarily any of its capital or surplus funds in bonds, mortgages or evidences of indebtedness and any other securities issued or created by any individual, copartnership or other corporation, joint stock company or association, public or private, or of the Government of the United States of America, or of any Foreign Government, or of any State, territory, municipality or other political subdivision or of any governmental agency;

To acquire, hold, sell, reissue or cancel any shares of its own capital stock; provided, however, that this corporation may not use any of its funds or property for the purchase of its own shares of capital stock when such use would cause any impairment of the capital of this corporation, and provided further that the shares of its own capital stock belonging to this corporation shall not be voted, directly or indirectly;

To organize, incorporate and reorganize subsidiary corporations for all lawful purposes;

To conduct all or any part of its operations and business without restriction or limit as to amount in the State of Delaware or in any or all other States, territories, districts, colonies and dependencies of the United States of America;

To have and to exercise any and all powers and privileges now or hereafter conferred by the laws of the State of Delaware upon corporations formed under the Acts hereinafter referred to, or under any Act amendatory thereof or supplemental thereto or substituted therefor;

The foregoing clauses shall be construed both as objects and powers; and it is hereby expressly provided that the foregoing enumeration of specific powers shall not be held to limit or restrict in any manner the powers of this corporation.

FOURTH: The total number of shares of all classes of stock which the corporation shall have authority to issue is Six Billion Twenty-Four Million (6,024,000,000), consisting of Twenty Million (20,000,000) shares of Preferred Stock without par value, Four Million (4,000,000) shares of Preference Stock without par value, and Six Billion (6,000,000,000) shares of Common Stock of the par value of $1-2/3 per share.

The designations and the voting powers, preferences and relative, participating, optional or other special rights, and qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof, of the Preferred Stock, the Preference Stock and the Common Stock which are fixed by the Certificate of Incorporation and the express grant of authority to the Board of Directors of the corporation (hereinafter referred to as the “Board of Directors”) to fix by resolution or resolutions the designations and the voting powers, preferences and relative, participating, optional or other special rights, and qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof, of the Preferred Stock and the Preference Stock which are not fixed by the Certificate of Incorporation are as follows:

1. The Preferred Stock may be issued at any time or from time to time in any amount, provided not more than 20,000,000 shares thereof shall be outstanding at any one time, as Preferred Stock

 

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of one or more series, as hereinafter provided. Each share of any one series of Preferred Stock shall be identical in all respects except as to the date from which dividends thereon may be cumulative, each series of Preferred Stock shall be distinctly designated by letter or descriptive words, and all series of Preferred Stock shall rank equally and be identical in all respects except as permitted by the provisions of Section 2 of this Article FOURTH. Shares of Preferred Stock shall be issued only as fully paid and non-assessable shares.

The Preference Stock may be issued at any time or from time to time in any amount, provided not more than 4,000,000 shares thereof shall be outstanding at any one time, as Preference Stock of one or more series, as hereinafter provided. Each share of any one series of Preference Stock shall be identical in all respects except as to the date from which dividends thereon may be cumulative, each series of Preference Stock shall be distinctly designated by letter or descriptive words, and all series of Preference Stock shall rank equally and be identical in all respects except as permitted by the provisions of Section 2 of this Article FOURTH. Shares of Preference Stock shall be issued only as fully paid and non-assessable shares.

2. Authority is hereby expressly granted to and vested in the Board of Directors at any time or from time to time to issue the Preferred Stock as Preferred Stock of any series and the Preference Stock as Preference Stock of any series and, in connection with the creation of each such series, to fix by resolution or resolutions providing for the issue of shares thereof the designations and the voting powers, preferences and relative, participating, optional or other special rights, and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof, of such series so far as not inconsistent with the provisions of this Article FOURTH applicable to all series of Preferred Stock or Preference Stock, respectively, and to the full extent now or hereafter permitted by the laws of the State of Delaware, including the following:

(a) The distinctive designation of such series and the number of shares which shall constitute such series, which number may be increased (except where otherwise provided by the Board of Directors in creating such series) or decreased (but not below the number of shares thereof then outstanding) from time to time by like action of the Board of Directors;

(b) The annual rate or rates of dividends payable on shares of such series, whether dividends shall be cumulative and, if so, the date or dates from which dividends shall be cumulative on the shares of such series, the preferences, restrictions, limitations and conditions upon the payment of dividends, and the dates on which dividends, if declared, shall be payable;

(c) Whether shares of such series shall be redeemable and, if so, the terms and conditions of such redemption, including the date or dates upon or after which they shall be redeemable, and the amount per share payable in case of redemption, which amount may vary under different conditions and at different redemption dates;

(d) The rights of the shares of such series in the event of voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the corporation, and the relative rights of priority, if any, of payment of shares of such series;

(e) Whether shares of such series shall have a purchase, retirement or sinking fund for the purchase, retirement, or redemption of shares of such series and, if so, the terms and provisions thereof;

 

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(f) Whether shares of such series shall have conversion privileges and, if so, the terms and provisions thereof, including provision for adjustment of the conversion rate in such events as the Board of Directors shall determine;

(g) Whether shares of such series shall have voting rights, in addition to voting rights provided by law, and, if so, the terms and provisions thereof; and

(h) Any other preferences and relative, participating, optional or other special rights, and qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof.

3. The holders of the Preferred Stock of each series and the holders of the Preference Stock of each series, respectively, shall be entitled to receive such dividends, when and as declared by the Board of Directors, out of funds legally available therefor, as they may be entitled to in accordance with the resolution or resolutions adopted by the Board of Directors providing for the issue of such series, payable on such dates as may be fixed in such resolution or resolutions. So long as there shall be outstanding any shares of Preferred Stock of any series or any shares of Preference Stock of any series entitled to cumulative dividends pursuant to the resolution or resolutions providing for the issue of such series, no dividend, whether in cash or property, shall be paid or declared, nor shall any distribution be made, on the Common Stock, nor shall any shares of Common Stock be purchased, redeemed or otherwise acquired for value by the corporation, if at the time of making such payment, declaration, distribution, purchase, redemption or acquisition the corporation shall be in default with respect to any dividend payable on, or obligation to maintain a purchase, retirement or sinking fund with respect to or to redeem, shares of Preferred Stock of any series or shares of Preference Stock of any series. The foregoing provisions of this Section 3 shall not, however, apply to a dividend payable in Common Stock or to the acquisition of shares of Common Stock in exchange for, or through application of the proceeds of the sale of, shares of Common Stock.

Subject to the foregoing and to any further limitations prescribed in accordance with the provisions of Section 2 of this Article FOURTH, the Board of Directors may declare, out of any funds legally available therefor, dividends upon the then outstanding shares of Common Stock, and shares of Preferred Stock of any series and shares of Preference Stock of any series shall not be entitled to participate therein.

4. In the event of any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the corporation, the holders of the Preferred Stock of each series and the holders of the Preference Stock of each series shall be entitled to receive, out of the assets of the corporation available for distribution to its stockholders, before any distribution of assets shall be made to the holders of the Common Stock, the amount per share fixed by the Board of Directors pursuant to Section 2 of this Article FOURTH, plus in each such case an amount equal to any cumulative dividends thereon to the date of final distribution to the holders of the Preferred Stock or to the holders of the Preference Stock, respectively; and the holders of the Common Stock shall be entitled, to the exclusion of the holders of the Preferred Stock of any and all series and the holders of the Preference Stock of any and all series, respectively, to participate ratably in all the assets of the corporation then remaining in accordance with their respective rights and preferences. If upon any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the corporation the assets available for distribution shall be insufficient to pay the holders of all outstanding shares of Preferred Stock or the holders of all outstanding shares of Preference Stock the full amounts to which they respectively shall be entitled, the holders of shares of Preferred Stock of all series and the holders of shares of Preference Stock of all series, respectively, shall participate ratably in any distribution of assets according to the respective amounts which would be payable in respect of the shares of Preferred Stock or shares of Preference Stock held by them upon such distribution if all amounts payable in respect of the Preferred Stock of all series or the Preference Stock of all series, respectively, were paid in full. Neither the statutory merger nor consolidation of the corporation into or with any other corporation, nor the statutory merger or consolidation of any other

 

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corporation into or with the corporation, nor a sale, transfer or lease of all or any part of the assets of the corporation, shall be deemed to be a liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the corporation within the meaning of this Section 4.

5. The corporation, at the option of the Board of Directors, may redeem the whole or any part of the Preferred Stock of any series or of the Preference Stock of any series at the price or prices and on the terms and conditions provided in the resolution or resolutions adopted by the Board of Directors providing for the issue of such series.

6. Anything herein or in any resolution or resolutions adopted by the Board of Directors providing for the issue of any series of Preferred Stock or any series of Preference Stock contained to the contrary notwithstanding, the rights of the holders of all classes of stock of the corporation in respect of dividends and purchase, retirement or sinking funds, if any, shall at all times be subject to the power of the Board of Directors from time to time to set aside such reserves and to make such other provisions, if any, as the Board of Directors shall deem to be necessary or advisable for working capital, for expansion of the corporation’s business (including the acquisition of real and personal property for that purpose) and for any other purpose of the corporation.

7. Except as otherwise provided by the statutes of the State of Delaware or by the Certificate of Incorporation or by the resolution or resolutions adopted by the Board of Directors providing for the issue of any series of Preferred Stock or any series of Preference Stock, the holders of the Preferred Stock and the holders of the Preference Stock shall have no right to vote. The holders of the Preferred Stock and the holders of the Preference Stock shall not be entitled to receive notice of any meeting of stockholders at which they are not entitled to vote or consent. The holders of shares of Preference Stock shall not be entitled to more than one vote per share.

8. Except as otherwise provided by the statutes of the State of Delaware or by the Certificate of Incorporation or by the resolution or resolutions adopted by the Board of Directors providing for the issue of any series of Preferred Stock or any series of Preference Stock, the vote of the holders of all or any portion of any class of stock, as a class, shall not be required for any action whatsoever to be taken or authorized by the stockholders of the corporation, including any amendment of the Certificate of Incorporation.

9. No holder of shares of the corporation of any class or of any security or obligation convertible into, or of any warrant, option or right to subscribe for, purchase or otherwise acquire, shares of the corporation of any class, whether now or hereafter authorized, shall, as such holder, have any preemptive right whatsoever to subscribe for, purchase or otherwise acquire shares of the corporation of any class or any security or obligation convertible into, or any warrant, option or right to subscribe for, purchase or otherwise acquire, shares of the corporation of any class, whether now or hereafter authorized.

10. If it deems it desirable so to do, the Board of Directors may from time to time issue scrip for fractional shares of stock. Such scrip shall not confer upon the holder any voting or other rights of a stockholder of the corporation, but the corporation shall from time to time, within such time as the Board of Directors may determine, issue one whole share of stock upon the surrender of scrip for fractional shares aggregating one whole share, properly endorsed if in registered form.

Pursuant to the authority conferred by this Article FOURTH, the following series of Preferred Stock have been designated, each such series consisting of such number of shares, with such voting powers, designations, preferences and relative, participating, optional or other special rights, and qualifications,

 

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limitations or restrictions thereof as are stated and expressed in the exhibit with respect to such series attached hereto as specified below and incorporated herein by reference:

 

Exhibit A    1997 ESOP Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock*
Exhibit B    1998 ESOP Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock*
Exhibit C    1999 ESOP Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock*
Exhibit D    2000 ESOP Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock*
Exhibit E    2001 ESOP Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock*
Exhibit F    2002 ESOP Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock*
Exhibit G    2003 ESOP Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock
Exhibit H    2004 ESOP Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock
Exhibit I    2005 ESOP Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock
Exhibit J    2006 ESOP Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock

 

* Wells Fargo & Company has filed Certificates Eliminating the Certificates of Designations for each of Wells Fargo’s 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, and 2002 ESOP Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock (Exhibits A through F above)

FIFTH: The amount of capital with which this corporation will commence business is One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00), being twenty (20) shares of the par value of Fifty Dollars ($50.00) each.

SIXTH: The names and places of residence of the subscribers to the capital stock and the number of shares subscribed for by each are as follows:

 

Name

  

Residence

   No. of Shares

A. V. Lane

   Wilmington, Delaware    18
C. S. Peabbles    Wilmington, Delaware    1
L. E. Gray    Wilmington, Delaware    1

SEVENTH: This corporation is to have perpetual existence.

EIGHTH: The private property of the stockholders shall not be subject to the payment of corporate debts to any extent whatever.

NINTH: The number of Directors of the corporation shall be as specified in the By-Laws, and such number may from time to time be increased or decreased in such manner as may be prescribed in the By-Laws, provided the number of Directors of the corporation shall not be less than three (3). In case of any increase in the number of Directors, the additional Directors may be elected by the Board of Directors to hold office until the next annual meeting of the stockholders and until their successors are elected and qualified. In case of a vacancy in the Board of Directors, a majority of the remaining members of the Board may elect Directors to fill such vacancy.

Directors shall be stockholders.

TENTH: In furtherance and not in limitation of the powers conferred by the laws of the State of Delaware, the Board of Directors is expressly authorized:

To make, alter, amend or repeal the By-Laws of the corporation, except as otherwise provided in said By-Laws;

 

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To determine from time to time whether and to what extent and at what times and places and under what conditions and regulations the accounts and books of the corporation, or any of them, shall be open to the inspection of the stockholders; and no stockholder shall have any right to inspect any account or book or document of the corporation except as conferred by the laws of the State of Delaware, unless and until authorized so to do by resolution of the Board of Directors, or of the stockholders.

To set apart out of any funds of the corporation available for dividends a reserve or reserves for working capital or for any other lawful purpose, and also to abolish any such reserve in the same manner in which it was created;

If the By-Laws so provide, to designate two or more of its number to constitute an Executive Committee, which Committee shall for the time being, as provided in said resolution or in the By-Laws of this corporation, have and exercise any or all of the powers of the Board of Directors in the management of the business and affairs of this corporation and have power to authorize the seal of this corporation to be affixed to all papers which may require it.

This corporation may in its By-Laws confer powers upon its Directors in addition to the foregoing and in addition to the powers and authorities expressly conferred upon them by the Statute.

Both stockholders and Directors shall have power, if the By-Laws so provide, to hold their meetings and to have one or more offices within or without the State of Delaware and to keep the books of this corporation (subject to the provisions of the Statutes) outside of the State of Delaware at such places as may be from time to time designated by the Board of Directors.

ELEVENTH: In the absence of fraud, no contract or transaction between this corporation and any other association or corporation shall be affected by the fact that any of the Directors or officers of this corporation are interested in or are Directors or officers of such other association or corporation, and any Director or officer of this corporation individually may be a party to or may be interested in any such contract or transaction of this corporation; and no such contract or transaction of this corporation with any person or persons, firm, association or corporation shall be affected by the fact that any Director or officer of this corporation is a party to or interested in such contract or transaction in any way connected with such person or persons, firm, association or corporation; provided that such contract or other transaction shall be authorized or ratified by the vote of a majority of the Directors of this corporation not so interested; and each and every person who may become a Director or officer of this corporation is hereby relieved from any liability that might otherwise exist from thus contracting with this corporation for the benefit of himself or any person, firm, association or corporation in which he may be in anywise interested.

TWELFTH: This corporation reserves the right to amend, alter, change or repeal any provision contained in this Certificate of Incorporation in the manner now or hereafter prescribed by Statute, and all rights conferred upon stockholders herein are granted subject to this reservation.

THIRTEENTH: The Board of Directors is expressly authorized:

(i) to adopt, and from time to time to amend, one or more pension, profit sharing, retirement, and benefit plans benefiting any or all officers and employees and former officers and employees of this corporation and affiliated banks and companies;

(ii) to adopt, and from time to time to amend, one or more stock option, stock purchase, stock bonus, incentive, and compensation plans benefiting any or all officers and employees of this corporation and affiliated banks and corporations; and

 

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(iii) to authorize affiliated banks and companies, on behalf of this corporation as a stockholder therein, to adopt, and from time to time to amend, any of said types of plans enumerated in clause (i) of this Article THIRTEENTH benefiting any or all officers and employees and former officers and employees thereof and any of said types of plans enumerated in clause (ii) of this Article THIRTEENTH benefiting any or all officers and employees thereof.

No action shall be taken under this Article except by the affirmative vote of a majority of the directors in office at the time such action is taken, and such majority shall not include any director who is a salaried officer of the corporation or of any affiliated bank or company.

FOURTEENTH: (a) Elimination of Certain Liability of Directors. A director of the corporation shall not be personally liable to the corporation or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director, except for liability (i) for any breach of the director’s duty of loyalty to the corporation or its stockholders, (ii) for acts or omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law, (iii) under Section 174 of the Delaware General Corporation Law, or (iv) for any transaction from which the director derived an improper personal benefit.

(b)(1) Right to Indemnification. Each person who was or is made a party or is threatened to be a made a party to or is involved in any action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (hereinafter a “proceeding”), by reason of the fact that he or she, or a person of whom he or she is the legal representative, is or was a director or officer of the corporation or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation or of a partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, including service with respect to employee benefit plans, whether the basis of such proceeding is alleged action or inaction in an official capacity as a director, officer, employee or agent or in any other capacity while serving as a director, officer, employee or agent, shall be indemnified and held harmless by the corporation to the fullest extent authorized by the Delaware General Corporation Law, as the same exists or may hereafter be amended (but, in the case of any such amendment, only to the extent that such amendment permits the corporation to provide broader indemnification rights than said law permitted the corporation to provide prior to such amendment), against all expense, liability and loss (including attorneys’ fees, judgments, fines, ERISA excise taxes or penalties and amounts paid or to be paid in settlement) reasonably incurred or suffered by such person in connection therewith and such indemnification shall continue as to a person who has ceased to be a director, officer, employee or agent and shall inure to the benefit of his or her heirs, executors and administrators; provided, however, that, except as provided in subparagraph (b)(2), the corporation shall indemnify any such person seeking indemnification in connection with a proceeding (or part thereof) initiated by such person only if such proceeding (or part thereof) was authorized by the Board of Directors of the corporation. The right to indemnification conferred in this paragraph (b) shall be a contract right and shall include the right to be paid by the corporation the expenses incurred in defending any such proceeding in advance of its final disposition; provided, however, that, if the Delaware General Corporation Law requires, the payment of such expenses incurred by a director or officer in his or her capacity as a director or officer (and not in any other capacity in which service was or is rendered by such person while a director or officer, including, without limitation, service to an employee benefit plan) in advance of the final disposition of a proceeding, shall be made only upon delivery to the corporation of an undertaking, by or on behalf of such director or officer, to repay all amounts so advanced if it shall ultimately be determined that such director or officer is not entitled to be indemnified under this paragraph (b) or otherwise. The corporation may, by action of its Board of Directors, provide indemnification to employees and agents of the corporation with the same scope and effect as the foregoing indemnification of directors and officers.

 

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(2) Right of Claimant to Bring Suit. If a claim under subparagraph (b)(1) is not paid in full by the corporation within 30 days after a written claim has been received by the corporation, the claimant may at any time thereafter bring suit against the corporation to recover the unpaid amount of the claim and, if successful in whole or in part, the claimant shall be entitled to be paid also the expense of prosecuting such claim. It shall be a defense to any such action (other than an action brought to enforce a claim for expenses incurred in defending any proceeding in advance of its final disposition where the required undertaking, if any is required, has been tendered to the corporation) that the claimant has not met the standards of conduct which make it permissible under the Delaware General Corporation Law for the corporation to indemnify the claimant for the amount claimed, but the burden of proving such defense shall be on the corporation. Neither the failure of the corporation (including its Board of Directors, independent legal counsel, or its stockholders) to have made a determination prior to the commencement of such action that indemnification of the claimant is proper in the circumstances because he or she has met the applicable standard of conduct set forth in the Delaware General Corporation Law, nor an actual determination by the corporation (including its Board of Directors, independent legal counsel, or its stockholders) that the claimant has not met such applicable standard of conduct, shall be a defense to the action or create a presumption that the claimant has not met the applicable standard of conduct.

(3) Non-Exclusivity of Rights. The right to indemnification and the payment of expenses incurred in defending a proceeding in advance of its final disposition conferred in this paragraph (b) shall not be exclusive of any other right which any person may have or hereafter acquire under any statute, provision of the Certificate of Incorporation, by-law, agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors or otherwise.

(4) Insurance. The corporation may maintain insurance, at its expense, to protect itself and any director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation or another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise against any such expense, liability or loss, whether or not the corporation would have the power to indemnify such person against such expense, liability or loss under the Delaware General Corporation Law.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Restated Certificate of Incorporation is executed on behalf of the corporation by its Chairman and attested by its Secretary this 28th day of September, 2006.

 

/s/ Richard M. Kovacevich

Richard M. Kovacevich, Chairman

 

Attest:  

/s/ Laurel A. Holschuh

  Laurel A. Holschuh, Secretary

[As filed with the Delaware Secretary of State on September 28, 2006.]

 

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EXHIBIT G

CERTIFICATE OF DESIGNATIONS

Pursuant to Section 151 of the

General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware

 

 

2003 ESOP CUMULATIVE CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED STOCK

(Without Par Value)

 

 

WELLS FARGO & COMPANY, a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the State of Delaware (the “Company”), HEREBY CERTIFIES that, pursuant to authority conferred upon the Board of Directors of the Company (the “Board”) by the provisions of the Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company, as amended, which authorizes the issuance of not more than 20,000,000 shares of Preferred Stock, without par value (the “Preferred Stock”), and pursuant to authority conferred upon the ESOP Preferred Stock Committee I of the Board (the “ESOP Committee”) in accordance with Section 141(c) of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the “General Corporation Law”) and by the resolutions of the Board set forth herein, the following resolutions were duly adopted by the Board at a meeting of the Board duly held on January 25, 2000, and by the ESOP Committee pursuant to the written consent of the ESOP Committee duly adopted on March 12, 2003, in accordance with Section 141(f) of the General Corporation Law:

1. On January 25, 2000, the Board adopted the following resolutions (the “ESOP Board Resolutions”) appointing the ESOP Committee and delegating to the ESOP Committee the full powers of the Board, subject to the ESOP Board Resolutions, in all matters relating to issuance of one or more series of Preferred Stock (“ESOP Preferred Stock”) to the trustee on behalf of the Company’s 401(k) Plan hereinafter referred to:

RESOLVED that a committee of one member of the Board of the Company is hereby appointed by the Board as the ESOP Preferred Stock Committee I (the “First Committee”), which shall have and may exercise the full powers of the Board, subject to these resolutions, to issue from time to time one or more series of ESOP Preferred Stock, including any shares of Company common stock ($1-2/3 par value) issuable upon conversion of ESOP Preferred Stock, and in connection therewith, to fix the designations, voting powers, preferences, and all other rights, qualifications and restrictions of such ESOP Preferred Stock, to sell such ESOP Preferred Stock to the Plan on such terms and conditions and for such purchase price as the First Committee in its discretion shall approve, and to take any and all actions as the First Committee shall deem necessary or appropriate.

RESOLVED that Richard M. Kovacevich is designated to serve as the sole member of the First Committee until his successor is duly elected and qualified.

* * * *

RESOLVED that any series of ESOP Preferred Stock authorized for issuance by the First Committee . . . shall have the voting rights set forth in Appendix A to these resolutions.

 

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APPENDIX A - VOTING RIGHTS

No series of the Preferred Stock, except as hereinafter set forth in this resolution or as otherwise from time to time required by law, shall have voting rights. Whenever, at any time or times, dividends payable on any shares of a designated series of the Preferred Stock (such shares of such designated series of Preferred Stock being hereinafter referred to as the “Shares of such series”) shall be in arrears for such number of dividend periods which shall in the aggregate contain not less than 540 days, the holders of the outstanding Shares of such series shall have the exclusive right, voting together as a class with holders of shares of any one or more other series of Preferred Stock ranking on a parity with the Shares of such series, either as to dividends or on the distribution of assets upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up, and upon which like voting rights have been conferred and are exercisable, to elect two directors of the Company at the Company’s next annual meeting of stockholders and at each subsequent annual meeting of stockholders. At elections for such directors, each holder of the Shares of such series shall be entitled to one vote for each share held (the holders of shares of any other series of Preferred Stock ranking on such a parity being entitled to such number of votes, if any, for each share of Preferred Stock held as may be granted to them). Upon the vesting of such right of such holders, the maximum authorized number of members of the Board shall automatically be increased by two and the two vacancies so created shall be filled by vote of the holders of such outstanding Shares of such series (together with the holders of shares of any one or more other series of Preferred Stock ranking on such a parity and upon which like voting rights have been conferred and are exercisable) as herein set forth. The right of such holders of such Shares of such series (voting together as a class with the holders of shares of any one or more other series of Preferred Stock ranking on such a parity and upon which like voting rights have been conferred and are exercisable) to elect members of the Board as aforesaid shall continue until such time as all dividends accumulated on such Shares of such series shall have been paid in full, at which time such right with respect to such Shares of such series shall terminate, 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.

Upon any termination of the right of the holders of all shares of Preferred Stock entitled to vote for directors as herein provided, the term of office of all directors then in office elected by such holders voting as a class shall terminate immediately. If the office of any director elected by such holders voting as a class becomes vacant by reason of death, resignation, retirement, disqualification, removal from office or otherwise, the remaining director elected by such holders may choose a successor to fill such vacancy, which such successor shall hold office for the unexpired term in respect of which such vacancy occurred. Whenever the term of office of the directors elected by such holders voting as a class shall end and the special voting powers vested in such holders as provided in this resolution shall have expired, the number of directors shall be such number as may be provided for in the By-Laws of the Company irrespective of any increase made pursuant to the provisions of this resolution.

So long as any Shares of such series remain outstanding, the consent of the holders of the outstanding Shares of such series and outstanding shares of all other series of Preferred Stock ranking on a parity with such Shares of such series either as to dividends or the distribution of assets upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up and upon which like voting rights have been conferred and are exercisable, by a vote of at least two-thirds of all such outstanding Shares of such series and such other series of Preferred Stock voting together as a class, given in person or by proxy, either in writing or at any special or annual meeting called for the purpose, shall be necessary to permit, effect or validate any one or more of the following:

(a) the authorization, creation or issuance, or any increase in the authorized or issued amount, of any class or series of stock ranking prior to the Shares of such series with respect to payment of dividends or the distribution of assets on liquidation, dissolution or winding up, or

 

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(b) the amendment, alteration or repeal, whether by merger, consolidation or otherwise, of any of the provisions of the Restated Certificate of Incorporation or of the resolutions set forth in a Certificate of Designation for the Shares of such series designating the Shares of such series and the preferences and relative, participating, optional and other special rights and qualifications, limitations and restrictions thereof which would materially and adversely affect any right, preference, privilege or voting power of the Shares of such series or of the holders thereof; provided, however, that any increase in the amount of authorized Preferred Stock or the creation and issuance of other series of Preferred Stock, or any increase in the amount of authorized shares of any series of Preferred Stock, in each case ranking on a parity with or junior to the Shares of such series with respect to the payment of dividends and the distribution of assets upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up, shall not be deemed to materially and adversely affect such rights, preferences, privileges or voting powers.

The foregoing voting provisions shall not apply if, at or prior to the time when the act with respect to which such vote would otherwise be required shall be effected, all outstanding Shares of such series shall have been redeemed or sufficient funds shall have been deposited in trust to effect such redemption.

2. On March 12, 2003, pursuant to authority conferred upon it by the Board in the ESOP Board Resolutions, the ESOP Committee adopted the following resolutions by written consent in accordance with Section 141(f) of the General Corporation Law:

RESOLVED that the issuance of a series of Preferred Stock, without par value, of the Company is hereby authorized and the designation, voting powers, preferences, and relative, participating, optional, and other special rights, and qualifications, limitations and restrictions thereof, in addition to those set forth in the Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company, as amended, are hereby fixed as follows:

2003 ESOP CUMULATIVE CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED STOCK

1. Designation and Number of Shares; Restricted Issue.

(a) The designation of the series of Preferred Stock, without par value, provided for herein shall be “2003 ESOP Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock” (hereinafter referred to as the “2003 ESOP Preferred Stock”) and the number of authorized shares constituting the 2003 ESOP Preferred Stock is 260,200, based on an offering price for the 2003 ESOP Preferred Stock of $1,071.40 per share. Each share of 2003 ESOP Preferred Stock shall have a stated value of $1,000.00 per share. The number of authorized shares of 2003 ESOP Preferred Stock may be reduced by further resolution duly adopted by the Board or the Securities Committee and by the filing of a certificate pursuant to the provisions of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware stating that such reduction has been so authorized, provided, however, that the authorized number of shares of 2003 ESOP Preferred Stock shall not be decreased below the then outstanding number of such shares, and provided further that the number of authorized shares of 2003 ESOP Preferred Stock shall not be increased. All shares of the 2003 ESOP Preferred Stock purchased, redeemed, or converted by the Company shall be retired and canceled and shall be restored to the status of authorized but unissued shares of Preferred Stock, without designation as to series, and may thereafter be issued, but not as shares of 2003 ESOP Preferred Stock.

 

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(b) Shares of 2003 ESOP Preferred Stock shall be issued only to a trustee (the “Trustee”) acting on behalf of the Wells Fargo & Company 401(k) Plan, or any successor to such plan (the “Plan”). All references to the holder of shares of 2003 ESOP Preferred Stock shall mean the Trustee or any company with which or into which the Trustee may merge or any successor trustee under the trust agreement with respect to the Plan. In the event of any transfer of record ownership of shares of 2003 ESOP Preferred Stock to any person other than any successor trustee under the Plan, the shares of 2003 ESOP Preferred Stock so transferred, upon such transfer and without any further action by the Company or the holder thereof, shall be automatically converted into shares of the common stock, par value $1-2/3 per share, of the Company (the “Common Stock”) on the terms otherwise provided for the conversion of the shares of 2003 ESOP Preferred Stock into shares of Common Stock pursuant to paragraph (a) of Section 4 hereof, and no such transferee shall have any of the voting powers, preferences, and relative, participating, optional or special rights ascribed to shares of 2003 ESOP Preferred Stock hereunder but, rather, only the powers and rights pertaining to the Common Stock into which such shares of 2003 ESOP Preferred Stock shall be so converted. In the event of such a conversion, the transferee of the shares of 2003 ESOP Preferred Stock shall be treated for all purposes as the record holder of the shares of Common Stock into which such shares of 2003 ESOP Preferred Stock have been automatically converted as of the date of such transfer. Shares of 2003 ESOP Preferred Stock may be certificated or uncertificated, at the Company’s option. Certificates representing shares of 2003 ESOP Preferred Stock shall bear a legend to reflect the foregoing provisions. In the case of uncertificated 2003 ESOP Preferred Stock, the transfer agent for the 2003 ESOP Preferred Stock shall note the foregoing provisions on each 2003 ESOP Preferred Stock book entry account. The Company may require that, as a condition to transferring record ownership of any uncertificated 2003 ESOP Preferred Stock, the proposed transferee acknowledge in writing that the shares of 2003 ESOP Preferred Stock are subject to the foregoing provisions. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this paragraph (b) of Section 1, shares of 2003 ESOP Preferred Stock (i)(A) shall be converted into shares of Common Stock as provided in paragraph (a) of Section 4 hereof, and (B) may be converted into shares of Common Stock as provided by paragraph (b) of Section 4 hereof and the shares of Common Stock issued upon such conversion may be transferred by the holder thereof as permitted by law and (ii) shall be redeemable by the Company upon the terms and conditions provided in Sections 5 and 6(c) hereof.

2. Voting Rights. No shares of 2003 ESOP Preferred Stock shall have voting rights except such voting rights as may from time to time be required by law and as set forth in this Section 2, as follows:

(a) Whenever, at any time or times, dividends payable on shares of 2003 ESOP Preferred Stock shall be in arrears for such number of dividend periods which shall in the aggregate contain not less than 540 days, the holders of the outstanding shares of 2003 ESOP Preferred Stock shall have the exclusive right, voting together as a class with holders of shares of any one or more other series of Preferred Stock ranking on a parity with the shares of 2003 ESOP Preferred Stock, either as to dividends or on the distribution of assets upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up, and upon which like voting rights have been conferred and are exercisable, to elect two directors of the Company at the Company’s next annual meeting of stockholders and at each subsequent annual meeting of stockholders. At elections for such directors, each holder of the shares of 2003 ESOP Preferred Stock shall be entitled to one vote for each share held (the holders of shares of any other series of Preferred Stock ranking on such a parity being entitled to such number of votes, if any, for each share of Preferred Stock held as may be granted to them). Upon the vesting of such right of such holders, the maximum authorized number of members of the Board shall automatically be increased by two and the two vacancies so created shall be filled by vote of the holders of such outstanding shares of 2003 ESOP Preferred Stock (together with the holders of shares of any one or more other series of Preferred Stock ranking on such a parity and upon which like voting rights have been conferred and are exercisable) as herein set forth. The right of such holders of such shares of 2003 ESOP Preferred Stock (voting together as a class with the holders of

 

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shares of any one or more other series of Preferred Stock ranking on such a parity and upon which like voting rights have been conferred and are exercisable) to elect members of the Board as aforesaid shall continue until such time as all dividends accumulated on such shares of 2003 ESOP Preferred Stock shall have been paid in full, at which time such right with respect to such shares of 2003 ESOP Preferred Stock shall terminate, 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.

(b) Upon any termination of the right of the holders of all shares of Preferred Stock entitled to vote for directors as herein provided, the term of office of all directors then in office elected by such holders voting as a class shall terminate immediately. If the office of any director elected by such holders voting as a class becomes vacant by reason of death, resignation, retirement, disqualification, removal from office or otherwise, the remaining director elected by such holders may choose a successor to fill such vacancy, which such successor shall hold office for the unexpired term in respect of which such vacancy occurred. Whenever the term of office of the directors elected by such holders voting as a class shall end and the special voting powers vested in such holders as provided in this resolution shall have expired, the number of directors shall be such number as may be provided for in the By-Laws of the Company irrespective of any increase made pursuant to the provisions of this resolution.

(c) So long as any shares of 2003 ESOP Preferred Stock remain outstanding, the consent of the holders of the outstanding shares of 2003 ESOP Preferred Stock and outstanding shares of all other series of Preferred Stock ranking on a parity with such shares of 2003 ESOP Preferred Stock either as to dividends or the distribution of assets upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up and upon which like voting rights have been conferred and are exercisable, by a vote of at least two-thirds of all such outstanding shares of 2003 ESOP Preferred Stock and such other series of Preferred Stock voting together as a class, given in person or by proxy, either in writing or at any special or annual meeting called for the purpose, shall be necessary to permit, effect or validate any one or more of the following:

(i) the authorization, creation or issuance, or any increase in the authorized or issued amount, of any class or series of stock ranking prior to shares of 2003 ESOP Preferred Stock with respect to payment of dividends or the distribution of assets on liquidation, dissolution or winding up, or

(ii) the amendment, alteration or repeal, whether by merger, consolidation or otherwise, of any of the provisions of the Restated Certificate of Incorporation or of the resolutions set forth in a Certificate of Designations designating shares of 2003 ESOP Preferred Stock and the preferences and relative, participating, optional and other special rights and qualifications, limitations and restrictions thereof which would materially and adversely affect any right, preference, privilege or voting power of the shares of 2003 ESOP Preferred Stock or of the holders thereof; provided, however, that any increase in the amount of authorized Preferred Stock, or the creation and issuance of other series of Preferred Stock, or any increase in the amount of authorized shares of any series of Preferred Stock, in each case ranking on a parity with or junior to the shares of 2003 ESOP Preferred Stock with respect to the payment of dividends and the distribution of assets upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up, shall not be deemed to materially and adversely affect such rights, preferences, privileges or voting powers.

(d) The foregoing voting provisions shall not apply if, at or prior to the time when the act with respect to which such vote would otherwise be required shall be effected, all outstanding shares of 2003 ESOP Preferred Stock shall have been redeemed or sufficient funds shall have been deposited in trust to effect such redemption.

 

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3. Dividends. (a)(i) Holders of shares of 2003 ESOP Preferred Stock will be entitled to receive, when and as declared by the Board or a duly authorized committee thereof, out of assets of the Company legally available for payment, an annual cash dividend of $85.00 (the “Base Dividend”) per share, which Base Dividend shall be subject to adjustment from time to time as provided in this Section 3.

(ii) The Base Dividend shall be adjusted, effective on December 1, 2004 and on each December 1 thereafter until December 1, 2012, as follows:

(1) If the Current Market Price (as hereinafter defined) of one share of Common Stock on November 30 (or the next preceding Trading Day (as hereinafter defined) if November 30 is not a Trading Day) of any year listed in the Dividend Adjustment Table below is equal to or greater than the First Target Price but less than the Second Target Price shown opposite that year in such table, then holders of shares of the 2003 ESOP Preferred Stock will be entitled to receive a cash dividend for the immediately following twelve month period equal to $90.00 per share (the “First Adjusted Dividend”).

(2) If the Current Market Price of one share of Common Stock on November 30 (or the next preceding Trading Day if November 30 is not a Trading Day) of any year listed in the Dividend Adjustment Table below is equal to or greater than the Second Target Price shown opposite that year in such table, then holders of shares of 2003 ESOP Preferred Stock will be entitled to receive a cash dividend for the immediately following twelve month period equal to $95.00 per share (the “Second Adjusted Dividend”).

(3) If the Current Market Price of one share of Common Stock on November 30 (or next preceding Trading Day if November 30 is not a Trading Day) of any year listed in the Dividend Adjustment Table below is less than the First Target Price shown opposite that year in such table, then the holders of shares of 2003 ESOP Preferred Stock will be entitled to receive a cash dividend for the immediately following twelve month period equal to the Base Dividend.

Dividend Adjustment Table

 

Closing Price on 11/30

   First Target Price      Second Target Price  

2004

     51.914         57.922   

2005

     56.275         66.842   

2006

     61.002         77.136   

2007

     66.126         89.015   

2008

     71.681         102.723   

2009

     77.702         118.542   

2010

     84.229         136.798   

2011

     91.304         157.865   

2012

     98.974         182.176   

(4) As an example of the adjustments described in subparagraphs (1) through (3) above, if on November 30, 2006, the Current Market Price of one share of Common Stock is $70.00, then the cash dividend payable for the immediately following twelve month period per share of 2003 ESOP Preferred Stock would equal $90.00, with the first quarterly payment of such $90.00 dividend to be made on March 1, 2007. If on November 30, 2007, the Current Market Price of one share of Common Stock is $100.00, then the cash dividend payable for the immediately following twelve month period per share of 2003 ESOP Preferred Stock

 

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would equal $95.00, with the first quarterly payment of such $95.00 dividend to be made on March 1, 2008. If on November 30, 2008, the Current Market Price of one share of Common Stock is $70.00, then the cash dividend payable for the immediately following twelve month period per share of 2003 ESOP Preferred Stock would equal $85.00, with the first quarterly payment of such $85.00 dividend to be made on March 1, 2009.

(5) For purposes of this Section 3, the terms “First Adjusted Dividend” and “Second Adjusted Dividend” are sometimes referred to as an “Adjusted Dividend;” the term “Current Market Price” shall have the meaning given to it in Section 4(c)(iv); and the term “Trading Day” shall have the meaning given to it in Section 4(c)(vi).

(iii) If one share of Common Stock in any year listed in the Dividend Adjustment Table shall be changed into a different number of shares or a different class of shares by reason of any reclassification, recapitalization, split-up, combination, exchange of shares or readjustment, or if a stock dividend thereon shall be declared with a record date within such period, then the First Target Price and the Second Target Price listed in such table for that year and each subsequent year will be appropriately and proportionately adjusted.

(iv) Dividends payable on shares of the 2003 ESOP Preferred Stock (whether such dividends are equal to the Base Dividend or to an Adjusted Dividend) shall be payable quarterly on March 1, June 1, September 1, and December 1 of each year, commencing June 1, 2003. Dividends on shares of the 2003 ESOP Preferred Stock will be cumulative from the date of initial issuance of such shares of 2003 ESOP Preferred Stock. Dividends will be payable, in arrears, to holders of record as they appear on the stock books of the Company on such record dates, not more than 30 days nor less than 15 days preceding the payment dates thereof, as shall be fixed by the Board or a duly authorized committee thereof. The amount of dividends payable per share for each dividend period shall be computed by dividing by four the Base Dividend or the Adjusted Dividend, whichever is then applicable. The amount of dividends payable for the initial dividend period or any period shorter than a full dividend period shall be calculated on the basis of actual days elapsed in a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months.

(b)(i) No full dividends shall be declared or paid or set apart for payment on any stock of the Company ranking, as to dividends, on a parity with or junior to the 2003 ESOP Preferred Stock for any period unless full cumulative dividends have been or contemporaneously are declared and paid or declared and a sum sufficient for the payment thereof has been set apart for such payment on shares of 2003 ESOP Preferred Stock for all dividend payment periods terminating on or prior to the date of payment of such full cumulative dividends. When dividends are not paid in full, as aforesaid, upon the shares of 2003 ESOP Preferred Stock and any other series of Preferred Stock ranking on a parity as to dividends with 2003 ESOP Preferred Stock, all dividends declared upon shares of 2003 ESOP Preferred Stock and any other series of Preferred Stock ranking on a parity as to dividends with 2003 ESOP Preferred Stock shall be declared pro rata so that the amount of dividends declared per share on 2003 ESOP Preferred Stock and such other series of Preferred Stock shall in all cases bear to each other the same ratio that accrued dividends per share on the shares of 2003 ESOP Preferred Stock and such other series of Preferred Stock bear to each other. Holders of shares of 2003 ESOP Preferred Stock shall not be entitled to any dividend, whether payable in cash, property, or stock, in excess of full cumulative dividends, as herein provided, on 2003 ESOP Preferred Stock. No interest, or sum of money in lieu of interest, shall be payable in respect of any dividend payment or payments on 2003 ESOP Preferred Stock which may be in arrears.

(ii) So long as any shares of 2003 ESOP Preferred Stock are outstanding, no dividend (other than dividends or distributions paid in shares of, or options, warrants, or rights to

 

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subscribe for or purchase shares of, Common Stock or any other stock ranking junior to 2003 ESOP Preferred Stock as to dividends or upon liquidation and other than as provided in paragraph (b)(i) of this Section 3) shall be declared or paid or set aside for payment or other distribution declared or made upon Common Stock or any other capital stock of the Company ranking junior to or on a parity with 2003 ESOP Preferred Stock as to dividends or upon liquidation, nor shall any Common Stock or any other capital stock of the Company ranking junior to or on a parity with 2003 ESOP Preferred Stock as to dividends or upon liquidation be redeemed, purchased, or otherwise acquired for any consideration (or any moneys be paid to or made available for a sinking fund for the redemption of any shares of any such stock) by the Company (except by conversion into or exchange for stock of the Company ranking junior to 2003 ESOP Preferred Stock as to dividends or upon liquidation), unless, in each case, the full cumulative dividends on all outstanding shares of 2003 ESOP Preferred Stock shall have been paid or declared and set aside for payment of the then current dividend payment period and all past dividend payment periods.

4. Conversion. Shares of 2003 ESOP Preferred Stock are convertible from time to time hereafter pursuant to the provisions of paragraphs (a) or (b) of this Section 4 into that number of shares of Common Stock determined by dividing the stated value of each share of 2003 ESOP Preferred Stock by the then applicable Conversion Price, (as determined in accordance with the provisions of paragraph (c)(iii) of this Section 4), as follows:

(a) Each share of 2003 ESOP Preferred Stock released from the unallocated reserve of the Plan in accordance with the terms thereof shall be automatically converted, without any further action by the Company or the holder thereof, as of the date such release occurs (the “Release Date”), into fully paid and nonassessable shares of Common Stock at the then applicable Conversion Price for the 2003 ESOP Preferred Stock provided for in paragraph (c) of this Section 4.

(b) Subject to and upon compliance with the provisions of this Section 4, a holder of 2003 ESOP Preferred Stock shall be entitled at any time, prior to the close of business on the date fixed for redemption of such shares pursuant to Sections 5 or 6 hereof, to cause any or all of the shares of 2003 ESOP Preferred Stock held by such holder to be converted into fully paid and nonassessable shares of Common Stock at the then applicable Conversion Price for 2003 ESOP Preferred Stock provided for in paragraph (c) of this Section 4.

(c) For purposes of these resolutions, the following terms shall have the meanings set forth below:

(i) The “Average Current Market Price” per share of Common Stock on any date shall be deemed to be the average of the Current Market Price for one share of Common Stock for the twenty (20) consecutive Trading Days ending on the Trading Day occurring prior to the date the “Purchase Offer” is made (as that term is defined in Section 6(d) hereof).

(ii) A “Business Day” means each day that is not a Saturday, Sunday, or a day on which state or federally chartered banking institutions in the State of New York are not required to be open.

(iii) (A) For purposes of a mandatory conversion of shares of 2003 ESOP Preferred Stock into shares of Common Stock pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (a) of this Section 4, the “Conversion Price” for such shares of 2003 ESOP Preferred Stock shall be the Current Market Price of one share of Common Stock on the relevant Release Date.

 

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(B) For purposes of an optional conversion of shares of 2003 ESOP Preferred Stock into shares of Common Stock pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (b) of this Section 4, the “Conversion Price” for such shares of 2003 ESOP Preferred Stock shall be the Current Market Price of one share of Common Stock on the date the Conversion Notice (as that term is defined in paragraph (d) of this Section 4) is received by the Company, by the transfer agent for the 2003 ESOP Preferred Stock or by any agent for conversion of the 2003 ESOP Preferred Stock designated as such pursuant to paragraph (d) of this Section 4.

(C) For purposes of a conversion of shares of 2003 ESOP Preferred Stock into shares of Common Stock in connection with a “Purchase Offer” (as defined in Section 6(d) hereof), the “Conversion Price” for such shares of 2003 ESOP Preferred Stock shall be the Average Current Market Price of one share of Common Stock.

Each share of 2003 ESOP Preferred Stock shall be valued at its stated value of $1,000.00 for purposes of computing, based on the applicable Conversion Price, the number of shares of Common Stock into which the shares of 2003 ESOP Preferred Stock will be converted.

(iv) The “Current Market Price” of publicly traded shares of Common Stock or any other class of capital stock or other security of the Company or any other issuer for any day shall mean the reported last sale price, regular way, or, in case no sale takes place on such day, the average of the reported closing bid and asked prices, regular way, in either case as reported on the New York Stock Exchange only or, if the Common Stock is not listed or admitted to trading on the New York Stock Exchange, on the principal national securities exchange on which the Common Stock is listed or admitted to trading or, if not listed or admitted to trading on any national securities exchange, on the National Market System of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. Automated Quotations System (“NASDAQ”) or, if the Common Stock is not quoted on such National Market System, the average of the closing bid and asked prices on such day in the over-the-counter market as reported by NASDAQ or, if bid and asked prices for the Common Stock on each such day shall not have been reported through NASDAQ, the average of the bid and asked prices for such day as furnished by any New York Stock Exchange member firm regularly making a market in the Common Stock selected for such purpose by the Board or a committee thereof or, if no such quotations are available, the fair market value of the Common Stock as determined by a New York Stock Exchange member firm regularly making a market in the Common Stock selected for such purpose by the Board or a committee thereof.

(v) “Common Stock” shall mean the Common Stock of the Company as the same exists at the date of this Certificate of Designations or as such stock may be constituted from time to time.

(vi) “Trading Day” with respect to Common Stock means (x) if the Common Stock is listed or admitted for trading on the New York Stock Exchange or another national securities exchange, a day on which the New York Stock Exchange or such other national securities exchange is open for business or (y) if the Common Stock is quoted on the National Market System of NASDAQ, a day on which trades may be made on such National Market System or (z) otherwise, any Business Day.

(d) In connection with any conversion of 2003 ESOP Preferred Stock pursuant to this Section 4, a written notice of conversion (the “Conversion Notice”) shall be delivered to the Company at its principal executive office or the offices of the transfer agent for the 2003 ESOP Preferred Stock or such office or offices in the continental United States of an agent for conversion as may from time to time be designated by notice to the holders of the 2003 ESOP Preferred Stock by the Company or the transfer agent for the 2003 ESOP Preferred Stock, which notice shall be accompanied by (a) in the case

 

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of certificated 2003 ESOP Preferred Stock, the certificate or certificates representing the shares of 2003 ESOP Preferred Stock being converted pursuant to this Section 4, duly assigned or endorsed for transfer to the Company (or accompanied by duly executed stock powers relating thereto) and (b) in the case of uncertificated 2003 ESOP Preferred Stock, duly executed assignment and transfer documents for the shares of 2003 ESOP Preferred Stock being converted pursuant to this Section 4. Each Conversion Notice shall specify (i)(y) in the case of a mandatory conversion pursuant to paragraph (a) of this Section 4, the number of shares of 2003 ESOP Preferred Stock released from the unallocated reserve of the Plan on the Release Date or (z) in the case of an optional conversion pursuant to paragraph (b) of this Section 4, the number of shares of 2003 ESOP Preferred Stock being converted, and (ii) in connection with any conversion hereunder, (x) the name or names in which such holder wishes the certificate or certificates for Common Stock and, in the case of certificated 2003 ESOP Preferred Stock, for any shares of 2003 ESOP Preferred Stock not to be so converted to be issued, (y) the address to which such holder wishes delivery to be made of such new certificates to be issued upon such conversion, and (z) such other information as the Company or its agents may reasonably request.

(e) Upon delivery to the Company or the transfer agent for the 2003 ESOP Preferred Stock of the Conversion Notice and all other documentation and certificates required to effect the conversion, as provided in paragraph (d) of this Section 4, the Company shall issue and send by hand delivery, by courier or by first-class mail (postage prepaid) to the holder thereof or to such holder’s designee, at the address designated by such holder, a certificate or certificates for the number of shares of Common Stock to which such holder shall be entitled upon conversion. If there shall have been surrendered a certificate or certificates representing shares of 2003 ESOP Preferred Stock only part of which are to be converted, the Company shall issue and deliver to such holder or such holder’s designee, in the manner set forth in the preceding sentence, a new certificate or certificates representing the number of shares of 2003 ESOP Preferred Stock which shall not have been converted.

(f) The issuance by the Company of shares of Common Stock upon a conversion of shares of 2003 ESOP Preferred Stock into shares of Common Stock made pursuant to this Section 4 shall be effective (i) in the case of a mandatory conversion of shares of 2003 ESOP Preferred Stock pursuant to paragraph (a) of this Section 4, as of the Release Date; and (ii) in the case of an optional conversion of such shares pursuant to paragraph (b) of this Section 4, as of the earlier of (A) the delivery to such holder or such holder’s designee of the certificates representing the shares of Common Stock issued upon conversion thereof or (B) the commencement of business on the second Business Day after the delivery to the Company or the transfer agent for the 2003 ESOP Preferred Stock of the Conversion Notice and all other documentation and certificates required to effect the conversion, as provided in paragraph (d) of this Section 4. On and after the effective date of conversion, the person or persons entitled to receive the Common Stock issuable upon such conversion shall be treated for all purposes as the record holder or holders of such shares of Common Stock, but no allowance or adjustment shall be made in respect of dividends payable to holders of Common Stock in respect of any period prior to such effective date. The Company shall not be obligated to pay any dividends which shall have accrued or have been declared and shall be payable to holders of shares of 2003 ESOP Preferred Stock if the date on which such dividends are paid is on or after the effective date of conversion of such shares.

(g) The Company shall not be obligated to deliver to holders of 2003 ESOP Preferred Stock any fractional share or shares of Common Stock issuable upon any conversion of such shares of 2003 ESOP Preferred Stock, but in lieu thereof may make a cash payment in respect thereof in any manner permitted by law.

(h) The Company shall at all times reserve and keep available out of its authorized and unissued Common Stock, solely for issuance upon the conversion of shares of 2003 ESOP Preferred

 

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Stock as herein provided, free from any preemptive rights, such number of shares of Common Stock as shall from time to time be issuable upon the conversion of all the shares of 2003 ESOP Preferred Stock then outstanding.

(i) The Company will use its best efforts to cause the listing of the shares of Common Stock required to be delivered upon conversion of the 2003 ESOP Preferred Stock prior to distribution to Plan participants on the national securities exchange, if any, upon which the outstanding Common Stock is listed at the time of such delivery.

(j) The Company will pay any and all documentary stamp or similar issue or transfer taxes payable in respect of the issue or delivery of shares of Common Stock on conversions of the 2003 ESOP Preferred Stock pursuant hereto; provided, however, that the Company shall not be required to pay any tax which may be payable in respect of any transfer involved in the issue or delivery of shares of Common Stock in a name other than that of the holder of the 2003 ESOP Preferred Stock to be converted and no such issue or delivery shall be made unless and until the person requesting such issue or delivery has paid to the Company the amount of any such tax or has established, to the satisfaction of the Company, that such tax has been paid.

5. Redemption At the Option of the Company. (a) The 2003 ESOP Preferred Stock shall be redeemable, in whole or in part, at the option of the Company at any time, at a redemption price per share of 2003 ESOP Preferred Stock equal to the higher of (x) $1,000.00 per share, plus an amount equal to all accrued and unpaid dividends thereon to the date fixed for redemption, and (y) the Fair Market Value (as that term is defined in paragraph (d) of this Section 5) per share of 2003 ESOP Preferred Stock on the date fixed for redemption. Payment of the redemption price shall be made by the Company in cash or shares of Common Stock, or a combination thereof, as permitted by paragraph (c) of this Section 5. From and after the date fixed for redemption, dividends on shares of 2003 ESOP Preferred Stock called for redemption will cease to accrue and all rights in respect of such shares of the Company shall cease, except the right to receive the redemption price. Upon payment of the redemption price, such shares shall be deemed to have been transferred to the Company, to be retired as provided in paragraph (a) of Section 1. If the full cumulative dividends have not been paid, or contemporaneously declared and set aside for payment, on all outstanding shares of 2003 ESOP Preferred Stock, the Company may not redeem fewer than all the outstanding shares of 2003 ESOP Preferred Stock pursuant to this Section 5.

(b) Unless otherwise required by law, notice of any redemption pursuant to this Section 5 will be sent to the holders of 2003 ESOP Preferred Stock at the address shown on the books of the Company or any transfer agent for the 2003 ESOP Preferred Stock by hand delivery, by courier, by standard form of telecommunication or by first-class mail (postage prepaid) delivered, sent or mailed, as the case may be, not less than twenty (20) days nor more than sixty (60) days prior to the redemption date. Each such notice shall state: (i) the redemption date; (ii) the total number of shares of the 2003 ESOP Preferred Stock to be redeemed and, if fewer than all the shares held by such holder are to be redeemed, the number of such shares to be redeemed from such holder; (iii) the redemption price; (iv) whether the redemption price shall be paid in cash or in shares of Common Stock, or in a combination of such Common Stock and cash; (v) in the case of certificated 2003 ESOP Preferred Stock the place or places where certificates for such shares are to be surrendered for payment of the redemption price; (vi) that dividends on the shares to be redeemed will cease to accrue on such redemption date; and (vii) the conversion rights of the shares to be redeemed, the period within which conversion rights may be exercised and the manner in which the number of shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion of a share of 2003 ESOP Preferred Stock will be determined. The Company shall redeem shares so called for redemption and not previously converted at the date fixed for redemption and at the

 

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redemption price set forth in this Section 5, provided that, in the case of certificated 2003 ESOP Preferred Stock, the Company shall not be obligated to pay the redemption price until the certificates for the shares to be redeemed are surrendered (properly endorsed or assigned for transfer, if the Board of Directors of the Company shall so require and the notice shall so state).

(c) The Company, at its option, may make payment of the redemption price required upon redemption of shares of 2003 ESOP Preferred Stock in cash or in shares of Common Stock, or in a combination of such Common Stock and cash, any such shares of Common Stock to be valued for such purposes at their Fair Market Value (as defined in paragraph (d)(ii) of this Section 5) or their Current Market Price, in either case as of the date fixed for redemption of the 2003 ESOP Preferred Stock, whichever value will result in the issuance of the greater number of shares of Common Stock to the holder of the 2003 ESOP Preferred Stock then being redeemed.

(d) For purposes of these resolutions, the following terms shall have the meanings set forth below:

(i) “Adjustment Period” shall mean the period of five (5) consecutive Trading Days preceding the date as of which the Fair Market Value of a security is to be determined.

(ii) “Fair Market Value” shall mean, as to shares of Common Stock or any other class of capital stock or securities of the Company or any other issue which are publicly traded, the average of the Current Market Prices of such shares or securities for each day of the Adjustment Period. The “Fair Market Value” of any security which is not publicly traded (other than the 2003 ESOP Preferred Stock) or of any other property shall mean the fair value thereof on the date as of which the Fair Market Value of the security is to be determined, as determined by an independent investment banking or appraisal firm experienced in the valuation of such securities or property selected in good faith by the Board or a committee thereof. The “Fair Market Value” of the 2003 ESOP Preferred Stock for purposes of paragraph (a) of Section 5, and for purposes of paragraph (c) of Section 6 shall mean the fair market value thereof determined by an independent appraiser, appointed by the Trustee of the Plan in accordance with the provisions of the Plan, as of the date fixed for redemption of the 2003 ESOP Preferred Stock (in the case of a redemption pursuant to Section 5) or as of the date specified in paragraph (c) of Section 6 (in the case of a redemption under that section). For purposes of determining the Fair Market Value of the 2003 ESOP Preferred Stock, the independent appraiser shall assume (i) that all dividends on the 2003 ESOP Preferred Stock would have been paid when due, and (ii) that the mandatory conversion of shares of 2003 ESOP Preferred Stock held by the Plan into shares of Common Stock pursuant to Section 4(a) hereof would have occurred when and as payments of principal (together with accrued interest thereon) would have been made by the Trustee of the Plan in accordance with the terms of that certain 2003 ESOP Convertible Preferred Stock Note Agreement dated on or about March 17, 2003 between the Company and the Plan (including any amendments or modifications thereto).

6. Consolidation, Merger, Etc. (a) If the Company consummates any consolidation or merger or similar business combination, pursuant to which the outstanding shares of Common Stock are by operation of law exchanged solely for or changed, reclassified or converted solely into stock of any successor or resulting corporation (including the Company) that constitutes “qualifying employer securities” with respect to a holder of 2003 ESOP Preferred Stock within the meaning of Section 409(1) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and Section 407(d)(5) of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, or any successor provisions of law, and, if applicable, for a cash payment in lieu of fractional shares, if any, the shares of 2003 ESOP Preferred Stock of such holder shall, in connection with such consolidation, merger or similar business combination, be assumed by and

 

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shall become Preferred Stock of such successor or resulting corporation, having in respect of such corporation, insofar as possible, the same powers, preferences and relative, participating, optional or other special rights (including the redemption rights provided by Sections 5 and 6 hereof), and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereon, that the 2003 ESOP Preferred Stock had immediately prior to such transaction, subject to the following:

(1) After such transaction each share of the 2003 ESOP Preferred Stock shall be convertible, otherwise on the terms and conditions provided by Section 4 hereof, into the number and kind of qualifying employer securities so receivable by a holder of the number of shares of Common Stock into which such shares of 2003 ESOP Preferred Stock could have been converted immediately prior to such transaction.

(2) The Company shall not consummate any such merger, consolidation or similar transaction unless all then outstanding shares of 2003 ESOP Preferred Stock shall be assumed and authorized by the successor or resulting corporation as aforesaid.

(b) If the Company consummates any consolidation or merger or similar business combination, pursuant to which the outstanding shares of Common Stock are by operation of law exchanged for or changed, reclassified or converted into other stock or securities or cash or any other property, or any combination thereof, other than any such consideration which is constituted solely of qualifying employer securities (as referred to in paragraph (a) of this Section 6) and cash payments, if applicable, in lieu of fractional shares, outstanding shares of 2003 ESOP Preferred Stock shall, without any action on the part of the Company or any holder thereof (but subject to paragraph (c) of this Section 6), be automatically converted by virtue of such merger, consolidation or similar transaction immediately prior to such consummation into the number of shares of Common Stock into which such shares of 2003 ESOP Preferred Stock could have been converted at such time so that each share of 2003 ESOP Preferred Stock shall, by virtue of such transaction and on the same terms as apply to the holders of Common Stock, be converted into or exchanged for the aggregate amount of stock, securities, cash or other property (payable in like kind) receivable by a holder of the number of shares of Common Stock into which such shares of 2003 ESOP Preferred Stock could have been converted immediately prior to such transaction. However, if by virtue of the structure of such transaction, a holder of Common Stock is required to make an election with respect to the nature and kind of consideration to be received in such transaction, which election cannot practicably be made by the holders of the 2003 ESOP Preferred Stock, then the shares of 2003 ESOP Preferred Stock shall, by virtue of such transaction and on the same terms as apply to the holders of Common Stock, be converted into or exchanged for the aggregate amount of stock, securities, cash or other property (payable in kind) receivable by a holder of the number of shares of Common Stock into which such shares of 2003 ESOP Preferred Stock could have been converted immediately prior to such transaction if such holder of Common Stock failed to exercise any rights of election as to the kind or amount of stock, securities, cash or other property receivable upon such transaction. If the kind or amount of stock, securities, cash or other property receivable upon such transaction is not the same for each non-electing share, then the kind and amount of stock, securities, cash or other property receivable upon such transaction for each non-electing share shall be the kind and amount so receivable per share by a plurality of the non-electing shares.

(c) In the event the Company shall enter into any agreement providing for any consolidation or merger or similar business combination described in paragraph (b) of this Section 6 (a “Business Combination”), then the Company shall as soon as practicable thereafter (and in any event at least fifteen (15) Business Days before consummation of such transaction) give notice of such agreement and the material terms thereof to each holder of 2003 ESOP Preferred Stock and each such holder shall have the right to elect, by written notice to the Company, to receive, upon consummation of such

 

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transaction (if and when such transaction is consummated), from the Company or the successor of the Company, in redemption and retirement of such 2003 ESOP Preferred Stock, a cash payment per share of 2003 ESOP Preferred Stock equal to the higher of (x) $1,000.00, plus accrued and unpaid dividends thereon to the date of consummation of such transaction or (y) the Fair Market Value per share of 2003 ESOP Preferred Stock, as of the last Business Day (as defined in paragraph (c) of Section 4 hereof) immediately preceding the date the Business Combination is consummated. No such notice of redemption shall be effective unless given to the Company prior to the close of business on the last Business Day prior to consummation of such transaction, unless the Company or the successor of the Company shall waive such prior notice, but any notice of redemption so given prior to such time may be withdrawn by notice of withdrawal given to the Company prior to the close of business on the last Business Day prior to consummation of such transaction.

(d) In the event that a Purchase Offer (as defined below) shall have been made and shall be continuing, each holder of 2003 ESOP Preferred Stock shall have the right to convert shares of 2003 ESOP Preferred Stock into shares of Common Stock at the Conversion Price specified in Section 4(c)(iii)(C) hereof until the date the Purchase Offer is terminated, including without limitation because the original Purchase Offer is withdrawn or because the Purchase Offer has expired and is not renewed, upon notice of such conversion given to the Company not later than the close of business on the date the Purchase Offer terminates (the “Purchase Offer Conversion Period”), unless the Company or any successor of the Company shall waive such prior notice, but any notice of conversion so given may be withdrawn by notice of withdrawal given to the Company prior to the end of the Purchase Offer Conversion Period.

For purposes of this paragraph (d), the following terms shall have the meanings set forth below:

(i) “Beneficial Ownership” shall have the meaning ascribed to it in Rule 13d-3 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”) and “person” shall have the meanings specified in Sections 3(a)(9) and 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act.

(ii) A “Purchase Offer” shall have been made when any person (other than the Company or any affiliate of the Company) shall have “commenced” (as such term is defined in Rule 14d-2 under the Exchange Act) a tender offer or exchange offer to purchase shares of Common Stock, such that, upon consummation of such offer, such person would have Beneficial Ownership (as defined herein) or the right to acquire Beneficial Ownership, of twenty percent (20%) or more of the voting power of the Company.

7. Liquidation Rights. (a) Upon the dissolution, liquidation, or winding up of the Company, the holders of the shares of 2003 ESOP Preferred Stock shall be entitled to receive and to be paid out of the assets of the Company available for distribution to its stockholders, before any payment or distribution shall be made on the Common Stock or any other class of stock ranking junior to 2003 ESOP Preferred Stock upon liquidation, the amount of $1,000.00 per share, plus a sum equal to all dividends (whether or not earned or declared) on such shares accrued and unpaid thereon to the date of final distribution.

(b) Neither the sale of all or substantially all the property and assets of the Company, nor the merger or consolidation of the Company into or with any other corporation, nor the merger or consolidation of any other corporation into or with the Company shall be deemed to be a dissolution, liquidation, or winding up, voluntary or involuntary, for the purposes of this Section 7.

 

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(c) After the payment to the holders of the shares of 2003 ESOP Preferred Stock of the full preferential amounts provided for in this Section 7, the holders of 2003 ESOP Preferred Stock, as such, shall have no right or claim to any of the remaining assets of the Company.

(d) In the event the assets of the Company available for distribution to the holders of shares of 2003 ESOP Preferred Stock upon any dissolution, liquidation, or winding up of the Company, whether voluntary or involuntary, shall be insufficient to pay in full all amounts to which such holders are entitled pursuant to paragraph (a) of this Section 7, no such distribution shall be made on account of any shares of any other series of Preferred Stock or other capital stock of the Company ranking on a parity with the shares of 2003 ESOP Preferred Stock upon such dissolution, liquidation, or winding up unless proportionate distributive amounts shall be paid on account of the shares of 2003 ESOP Preferred Stock, ratably, in proportion to the full distributable amounts for which holders of all such parity shares are respectively entitled upon such dissolution, liquidation, or winding up.

(e) Subject to the rights of the holders of the shares of any series or class or classes of stock ranking on a parity with or prior to the shares of 2003 ESOP Preferred Stock upon liquidation, dissolution, or winding up, upon any liquidation, dissolution, or winding up of the Company, after payment shall have been made in full to the holders of the shares of 2003 ESOP Preferred Stock as provided in this Section 7, but not prior thereto, any other series or class or classes of stock ranking junior to the shares of 2003 ESOP Preferred Stock upon liquidation shall, subject to the respective terms and provisions (if any) applying thereto, be entitled to receive any and all assets remaining to be paid or distributed, and the holders of the shares of 2003 ESOP Preferred Stock shall not be entitled to share therein.

8. Ranking. For the purposes of these resolutions, any stock of any series or class or classes of the Company shall be deemed to rank:

(a) prior to the shares of 2003 ESOP Preferred Stock, either as to dividends or upon liquidation, if the holders of such series or class or classes shall be entitled to the receipt of dividends or of amounts distributable upon dissolution, liquidation, or winding up of the Company, as the case may be, in preference or priority to the holders of shares of 2003 ESOP Preferred Stock;

(b) on a parity with shares of 2003 ESOP Preferred Stock, either as to dividends or upon liquidation, whether or not the dividend rates, dividend payment dates, or redemption or liquidation prices per share, or sinking fund provisions, if any, be different from those of 2003 ESOP Preferred Stock, if the holders of such stock shall be entitled to the receipt of dividends or of amounts distributable upon dissolution, liquidation, or winding up of the Company, as the case may be, in proportion to their respective dividend rates or liquidation prices, without preference or priority, one over the other, as between the holders of such stock and the holders of shares of 2003 ESOP Preferred Stock; and

(c) junior to shares of 2003 ESOP Preferred Stock, either as to dividends or upon liquidation, if such class shall be Common Stock or if the holders of shares of 2003 ESOP Preferred Stock shall be entitled to receipt of dividends or of amounts distributable upon dissolution, liquidation, or winding up of the Company, as the case may be, in preference or priority to the holders of shares of such series or class or classes.

9. Priority of 2003 ESOP Preferred Stock. The shares of 2003 ESOP Preferred Stock will rank on a parity, both as to payment of dividends and the distribution of assets upon liquidation, with the Company’s 1995 ESOP Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock, its 1996 ESOP Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock, its 1997 ESOP Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock, its 1998 ESOP Cumulative

 

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Convertible Preferred Stock, its 1999 ESOP Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock, its 2000 ESOP Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock, its 2001 ESOP Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock, its 2002 ESOP Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock, and its Adjustable Cumulative Preferred Stock, Series B.

 

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EXHIBIT H

CERTIFICATE OF DESIGNATIONS

Pursuant to Section 151 of the

General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware

 

 

2004 ESOP CUMULATIVE CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED STOCK

(Without Par Value)

 

 

WELLS FARGO & COMPANY, a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the State of Delaware (the “Company”), HEREBY CERTIFIES that, pursuant to authority conferred upon the Board of Directors of the Company (the “Board”) by the provisions of the Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company, as amended, which authorizes the issuance of not more than 20,000,000 shares of Preferred Stock, without par value (the “Preferred Stock”), and pursuant to authority conferred upon the ESOP Preferred Stock Committee I of the Board (the “ESOP Committee”) in accordance with Section 141(c) of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the “General Corporation Law”) and by the resolutions of the Board set forth herein, the following resolutions were duly adopted by the Board at a meeting of the Board duly held on January 25, 2000, and by the ESOP Committee pursuant to the written consent of the ESOP Committee duly adopted on March 9, 2004, in accordance with Section 141(f) of the General Corporation Law:

1. On January 25, 2000, the Board adopted the following resolutions (the “ESOP Board Resolutions”) appointing the ESOP Committee and delegating to the ESOP Committee the full powers of the Board, subject to the ESOP Board Resolutions, in all matters relating to issuance of one or more series of Preferred Stock (“ESOP Preferred Stock”) to the trustee on behalf of the Company’s 401(k) Plan hereinafter referred to:

RESOLVED that a committee of one member of the Board of the Company is hereby appointed by the Board as the ESOP Preferred Stock Committee I (the “First Committee”), which shall have and may exercise the full powers of the Board, subject to these resolutions, to issue from time to time one or more series of ESOP Preferred Stock, including any shares of Company common stock ($1-2/3 par value) issuable upon conversion of ESOP Preferred Stock, and in connection therewith, to fix the designations, voting powers, preferences, and all other rights, qualifications and restrictions of such ESOP Preferred Stock, to sell such ESOP Preferred Stock to the Plan on such terms and conditions and for such purchase price as the First Committee in its discretion shall approve, and to take any and all actions as the First Committee shall deem necessary or appropriate.

RESOLVED that Richard M. Kovacevich is designated to serve as the sole member of the First Committee until his successor is duly elected and qualified.

* * * *

RESOLVED that any series of ESOP Preferred Stock authorized for issuance by the First Committee . . . shall have the voting rights set forth in Appendix A to these resolutions.

 

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APPENDIX A - VOTING RIGHTS

No series of the Preferred Stock, except as hereinafter set forth in this resolution or as otherwise from time to time required by law, shall have voting rights. Whenever, at any time or times, dividends payable on any shares of a designated series of the Preferred Stock (such shares of such designated series of Preferred Stock being hereinafter referred to as the “Shares of such series”) shall be in arrears for such number of dividend periods which shall in the aggregate contain not less than 540 days, the holders of the outstanding Shares of such series shall have the exclusive right, voting together as a class with holders of shares of any one or more other series of Preferred Stock ranking on a parity with the Shares of such series, either as to dividends or on the distribution of assets upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up, and upon which like voting rights have been conferred and are exercisable, to elect two directors of the Company at the Company’s next annual meeting of stockholders and at each subsequent annual meeting of stockholders. At elections for such directors, each holder of the Shares of such series shall be entitled to one vote for each share held (the holders of shares of any other series of Preferred Stock ranking on such a parity being entitled to such number of votes, if any, for each share of Preferred Stock held as may be granted to them). Upon the vesting of such right of such holders, the maximum authorized number of members of the Board shall automatically be increased by two and the two vacancies so created shall be filled by vote of the holders of such outstanding Shares of such series (together with the holders of shares of any one or more other series of Preferred Stock ranking on such a parity and upon which like voting rights have been conferred and are exercisable) as herein set forth. The right of such holders of such Shares of such series (voting together as a class with the holders of shares of any one or more other series of Preferred Stock ranking on such a parity and upon which like voting rights have been conferred and are exercisable) to elect members of the Board as aforesaid shall continue until such time as all dividends accumulated on such Shares of such series shall have been paid in full, at which time such right with respect to such Shares of such series shall terminate, 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.

Upon any termination of the right of the holders of all shares of Preferred Stock entitled to vote for directors as herein provided, the term of office of all directors then in office elected by such holders voting as a class shall terminate immediately. If the office of any director elected by such holders voting as a class becomes vacant by reason of death, resignation, retirement, disqualification, removal from office or otherwise, the remaining director elected by such holders may choose a successor to fill such vacancy, which such successor shall hold office for the unexpired term in respect of which such vacancy occurred. Whenever the term of office of the directors elected by such holders voting as a class shall end and the special voting powers vested in such holders as provided in this resolution shall have expired, the number of directors shall be such number as may be provided for in the By-Laws of the Company irrespective of any increase made pursuant to the provisions of this resolution.

So long as any Shares of such series remain outstanding, the consent of the holders of the outstanding Shares of such series and outstanding shares of all other series of Preferred Stock ranking on a parity with such Shares of such series either as to dividends or the distribution of assets upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up and upon which like voting rights have been conferred and are exercisable, by a vote of at least two-thirds of all such outstanding Shares of such series and such other series of Preferred Stock voting together as a class, given in person or by proxy, either in writing or at any special or annual meeting called for the purpose, shall be necessary to permit, effect or validate any one or more of the following:

(a) the authorization, creation or issuance, or any increase in the authorized or issued amount, of any class or series of stock ranking prior to the Shares of such series with respect to payment of dividends or the distribution of assets on liquidation, dissolution or winding up, or

 

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(b) the amendment, alteration or repeal, whether by merger, consolidation or otherwise, of any of the provisions of the Restated Certificate of Incorporation or of the resolutions set forth in a Certificate of Designation for the Shares of such series designating the Shares of such series and the preferences and relative, participating, optional and other special rights and qualifications, limitations and restrictions thereof which would materially and adversely affect any right, preference, privilege or voting power of the Shares of such series or of the holders thereof; provided, however, that any increase in the amount of authorized Preferred Stock or the creation and issuance of other series of Preferred Stock, or any increase in the amount of authorized shares of any series of Preferred Stock, in each case ranking on a parity with or junior to the Shares of such series with respect to the payment of dividends and the distribution of assets upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up, shall not be deemed to materially and adversely affect such rights, preferences, privileges or voting powers.

The foregoing voting provisions shall not apply if, at or prior to the time when the act with respect to which such vote would otherwise be required shall be effected, all outstanding Shares of such series shall have been redeemed or sufficient funds shall have been deposited in trust to effect such redemption.

2. On March 9, 2004, pursuant to authority conferred upon it by the Board in the ESOP Board Resolutions, the ESOP Committee adopted the following resolutions by written consent in accordance with Section 141(f) of the General Corporation Law:

RESOLVED that the issuance of a series of Preferred Stock, without par value, of the Company is hereby authorized and the designation, voting powers, preferences, and relative, participating, optional, and other special rights, and qualifications, limitations and restrictions thereof, in addition to those set forth in the Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company, as amended, are hereby fixed as follows:

2004 ESOP CUMULATIVE CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED STOCK

1. Designation and Number of Shares; Restricted Issue.

(a) The designation of the series of Preferred Stock, without par value, provided for herein shall be “2004 ESOP Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock” (hereinafter referred to as the “2004 ESOP Preferred Stock”) and the number of authorized shares constituting the 2004 ESOP Preferred Stock is 321,000, based on an offering price for the 2004 ESOP Preferred Stock of $1,071.40 per share. Each share of 2004 ESOP Preferred Stock shall have a stated value of $1,000.00 per share. The number of authorized shares of 2004 ESOP Preferred Stock may be reduced by further resolution duly adopted by the Board or the Securities Committee and by the filing of a certificate pursuant to the provisions of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware stating that such reduction has been so authorized, provided, however, that the authorized number of shares of 2004 ESOP Preferred Stock shall not be decreased below the then outstanding number of such shares, and provided further that the number of authorized shares of 2004 ESOP Preferred Stock shall not be increased. All shares of the 2004 ESOP Preferred Stock purchased, redeemed, or converted by the Company shall be retired and canceled and shall be restored to the status of authorized but unissued shares of Preferred Stock, without designation as to series, and may thereafter be issued, but not as shares of 2004 ESOP Preferred Stock.

 

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(b) Shares of 2004 ESOP Preferred Stock shall be issued only to a trustee (the “Trustee”) acting on behalf of the Wells Fargo & Company 401(k) Plan, or any successor to such plan (the “Plan”). All references to the holder of shares of 2004 ESOP Preferred Stock shall mean the Trustee or any company with which or into which the Trustee may merge or any successor trustee under the trust agreement with respect to the Plan. In the event of any transfer of record ownership of shares of 2004 ESOP Preferred Stock to any person other than any successor trustee under the Plan, the shares of 2004 ESOP Preferred Stock so transferred, upon such transfer and without any further action by the Company or the holder thereof, shall be automatically converted into shares of the common stock, par value $1-2/3 per share, of the Company (the “Common Stock”) on the terms otherwise provided for the conversion of the shares of 2004 ESOP Preferred Stock into shares of Common Stock pursuant to paragraph (a) of Section 4 hereof, and no such transferee shall have any of the voting powers, preferences, and relative, participating, optional or special rights ascribed to shares of 2004 ESOP Preferred Stock hereunder but, rather, only the powers and rights pertaining to the Common Stock into which such shares of 2004 ESOP Preferred Stock shall be so converted. In the event of such a conversion, the transferee of the shares of 2004 ESOP Preferred Stock shall be treated for all purposes as the record holder of the shares of Common Stock into which such shares of 2004 ESOP Preferred Stock have been automatically converted as of the date of such transfer. Shares of 2004 ESOP Preferred Stock may be certificated or uncertificated, at the Company’s option. Certificates representing shares of 2004 ESOP Preferred Stock shall bear a legend to reflect the foregoing provisions. In the case of uncertificated 2004 ESOP Preferred Stock, the transfer agent for the 2004 ESOP Preferred Stock shall note the foregoing provisions on each 2004 ESOP Preferred Stock book entry account. The Company may require that, as a condition to transferring record ownership of any uncertificated 2004 ESOP Preferred Stock, the proposed transferee acknowledge in writing that the shares of 2004 ESOP Preferred Stock are subject to the foregoing provisions. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this paragraph (b) of Section 1, shares of 2004 ESOP Preferred Stock (i)(A) shall be converted into shares of Common Stock as provided in paragraph (a) of Section 4 hereof, and (B) may be converted into shares of Common Stock as provided by paragraph (b) of Section 4 hereof and the shares of Common Stock issued upon such conversion may be transferred by the holder thereof as permitted by law and (ii) shall be redeemable by the Company upon the terms and conditions provided in Sections 5 and 6(c) hereof.

2. Voting Rights. No shares of 2004 ESOP Preferred Stock shall have voting rights except such voting rights as may from time to time be required by law and as set forth in this Section 2, as follows:

(a) Whenever, at any time or times, dividends payable on shares of 2004 ESOP Preferred Stock shall be in arrears for such number of dividend periods which shall in the aggregate contain not less than 540 days, the holders of the outstanding shares of 2004 ESOP Preferred Stock shall have the exclusive right, voting together as a class with holders of shares of any one or more other series of Preferred Stock ranking on a parity with the shares of 2004 ESOP Preferred Stock, either as to dividends or on the distribution of assets upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up, and upon which like voting rights have been conferred and are exercisable, to elect two directors of the Company at the Company’s next annual meeting of stockholders and at each subsequent annual meeting of stockholders. At elections for such directors, each holder of the shares of 2004 ESOP Preferred Stock shall be entitled to one vote for each share held (the holders of shares of any other series of Preferred Stock ranking on such a parity being entitled to such number of votes, if any, for each share of Preferred Stock held as may be granted to them). Upon the vesting of such right of such holders, the maximum authorized number of members of the Board shall automatically be increased by two and the two vacancies so created shall be filled by vote of the holders of such outstanding shares of 2004 ESOP Preferred Stock (together with the holders of shares of any one or more other series of Preferred Stock ranking on such a parity and upon which like voting rights have been conferred and are exercisable) as herein set forth. The right of such holders of such shares of 2004 ESOP Preferred Stock (voting together as a class with the holders of

 

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shares of any one or more other series of Preferred Stock ranking on such a parity and upon which like voting rights have been conferred and are exercisable) to elect members of the Board as aforesaid shall continue until such time as all dividends accumulated on such shares of 2004 ESOP Preferred Stock shall have been paid in full, at which time such right with respect to such shares of 2004 ESOP Preferred Stock shall terminate, 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.

(b) Upon any termination of the right of the holders of all shares of Preferred Stock entitled to vote for directors as herein provided, the term of office of all directors then in office elected by such holders voting as a class shall terminate immediately. If the office of any director elected by such holders voting as a class becomes vacant by reason of death, resignation, retirement, disqualification, removal from office or otherwise, the remaining director elected by such holders may choose a successor to fill such vacancy, which such successor shall hold office for the unexpired term in respect of which such vacancy occurred. Whenever the term of office of the directors elected by such holders voting as a class shall end and the special voting powers vested in such holders as provided in this resolution shall have expired, the number of directors shall be such number as may be provided for in the By-Laws of the Company irrespective of any increase made pursuant to the provisions of this resolution.

(c) So long as any shares of 2004 ESOP Preferred Stock remain outstanding, the consent of the holders of the outstanding shares of 2004 ESOP Preferred Stock and outstanding shares of all other series of Preferred Stock ranking on a parity with such shares of 2004 ESOP Preferred Stock either as to dividends or the distribution of assets upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up and upon which like voting rights have been conferred and are exercisable, by a vote of at least two-thirds of all such outstanding shares of 2004 ESOP Preferred Stock and such other series of Preferred Stock voting together as a class, given in person or by proxy, either in writing or at any special or annual meeting called for the purpose, shall be necessary to permit, effect or validate any one or more of the following:

(i) the authorization, creation or issuance, or any increase in the authorized or issued amount, of any class or series of stock ranking prior to shares of 2004 ESOP Preferred Stock with respect to payment of dividends or the distribution of assets on liquidation, dissolution or winding up, or

(ii) the amendment, alteration or repeal, whether by merger, consolidation or otherwise, of any of the provisions of the Restated Certificate of Incorporation or of the resolutions set forth in a Certificate of Designations designating shares of 2004 ESOP Preferred Stock and the preferences and relative, participating, optional and other special rights and qualifications, limitations and restrictions thereof which would materially and adversely affect any right, preference, privilege or voting power of the shares of 2004 ESOP Preferred Stock or of the holders thereof; provided, however, that any increase in the amount of authorized Preferred Stock, or the creation and issuance of other series of Preferred Stock, or any increase in the amount of authorized shares of any series of Preferred Stock, in each case ranking on a parity with or junior to the shares of 2004 ESOP Preferred Stock with respect to the payment of dividends and the distribution of assets upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up, shall not be deemed to materially and adversely affect such rights, preferences, privileges or voting powers.

(d) The foregoing voting provisions shall not apply if, at or prior to the time when the act with respect to which such vote would otherwise be required shall be effected, all outstanding shares of 2004 ESOP Preferred Stock shall have been redeemed or sufficient funds shall have been deposited in trust to effect such redemption.

 

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3. Dividends. (a)(i) Holders of shares of 2004 ESOP Preferred Stock will be entitled to receive, when and as declared by the Board or a duly authorized committee thereof, out of assets of the Company legally available for payment, an annual cash dividend of $85.00 (the “Base Dividend”) per share, which Base Dividend shall be subject to adjustment from time to time as provided in this Section 3.

(ii) The Base Dividend shall be adjusted, effective on December 1, 2005 and on each December 1 thereafter until December 1, 2013, as follows:

(1) If the Current Market Price (as hereinafter defined) of one share of Common Stock on November 30 (or the next preceding Trading Day (as hereinafter defined) if November 30 is not a Trading Day) of any year listed in the Dividend Adjustment Table below is equal to or greater than the First Target Price but less than the Second Target Price shown opposite that year in such table, then holders of shares of the 2004 ESOP Preferred Stock will be entitled to receive a cash dividend for the immediately following twelve month period equal to $90.00 per share (the “First Adjusted Dividend”).

(2) If the Current Market Price of one share of Common Stock on November 30 (or the next preceding Trading Day if November 30 is not a Trading Day) of any year listed in the Dividend Adjustment Table below is equal to or greater than the Second Target Price shown opposite that year in such table, then holders of shares of 2004 ESOP Preferred Stock will be entitled to receive a cash dividend for the immediately following twelve month period equal to $95.00 per share (the “Second Adjusted Dividend”).

(3) If the Current Market Price of one share of Common Stock on November 30 (or next preceding Trading Day if November 30 is not a Trading Day) of any year listed in the Dividend Adjustment Table below is less than the First Target Price shown opposite that year in such table, then the holders of shares of 2004 ESOP Preferred Stock will be entitled to receive a cash dividend for the immediately following twelve month period equal to the Base Dividend.

Dividend Adjustment Table

 

Closing Price on 11/30

   First Target Price      Second Target Price  

2005

     65.823         73.447   

2006

     71.286         84.685   

2007

     77.203         97.642   

2008

     83.610         112.581   

2009

     90.550         129.806   

2010

     98.066         149.666   

2011

     106.205         172.565   

2012

     115.020         198.967   

2013

     124.567         229.409   

(4) As an example of the adjustments described in subparagraphs (1) through (3) above, if on November 30, 2007, the Current Market Price of one share of Common Stock is $85.00, then the cash dividend payable for the immediately following twelve month period per share of 2004 ESOP Preferred Stock would equal $90.00, with the first quarterly payment of such $90.00 dividend to be made on March 1, 2008. If on November 30, 2008, the Current Market Price of one share of Common Stock is $115.00, then the cash dividend payable for the immediately following twelve month period per share of 2004 ESOP Preferred Stock

 

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would equal $95.00, with the first quarterly payment of such $95.00 dividend to be made on March 1, 2009. If on November 30, 2009, the Current Market Price of one share of Common Stock is $85.00, then the cash dividend payable for the immediately following twelve month period per share of 2004 ESOP Preferred Stock would equal $85.00, with the first quarterly payment of such $85.00 dividend to be made on March 1, 2010.

(5) For purposes of this Section 3, the terms “First Adjusted Dividend” and “Second Adjusted Dividend” are sometimes referred to as an “Adjusted Dividend;” the term “Current Market Price” shall have the meaning given to it in Section 4(c)(iv); and the term “Trading Day” shall have the meaning given to it in Section 4(c)(vi).

(iii) If one share of Common Stock in any year listed in the Dividend Adjustment Table shall be changed into a different number of shares or a different class of shares by reason of any reclassification, recapitalization, split-up, combination, exchange of shares or readjustment, or if a stock dividend thereon shall be declared with a record date within such period, then the First Target Price and the Second Target Price listed in such table for that year and each subsequent year will be appropriately and proportionately adjusted.

(iv) Dividends payable on shares of the 2004 ESOP Preferred Stock (whether such dividends are equal to the Base Dividend or to an Adjusted Dividend) shall be payable quarterly on March 1, June 1, September 1, and December 1 of each year, commencing June 1, 2004. Dividends on shares of the 2004 ESOP Preferred Stock will be cumulative from the date of initial issuance of such shares of 2004 ESOP Preferred Stock. Dividends will be payable, in arrears, to holders of record as they appear on the stock books of the Company on such record dates, not more than 30 days nor less than 15 days preceding the payment dates thereof, as shall be fixed by the Board or a duly authorized committee thereof. The amount of dividends payable per share for each dividend period shall be computed by dividing by four the Base Dividend or the Adjusted Dividend, whichever is then applicable. The amount of dividends payable for the initial dividend period or any period shorter than a full dividend period shall be calculated on the basis of actual days elapsed in a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months.

(b)(i) No full dividends shall be declared or paid or set apart for payment on any stock of the Company ranking, as to dividends, on a parity with or junior to the 2004 ESOP Preferred Stock for any period unless full cumulative dividends have been or contemporaneously are declared and paid or declared and a sum sufficient for the payment thereof has been set apart for such payment on shares of 2004 ESOP Preferred Stock for all dividend payment periods terminating on or prior to the date of payment of such full cumulative dividends. When dividends are not paid in full, as aforesaid, upon the shares of 2004 ESOP Preferred Stock and any other series of Preferred Stock ranking on a parity as to dividends with 2004 ESOP Preferred Stock, all dividends declared upon shares of 2004 ESOP Preferred Stock and any other series of Preferred Stock ranking on a parity as to dividends with 2004 ESOP Preferred Stock shall be declared pro rata so that the amount of dividends declared per share on 2004 ESOP Preferred Stock and such other series of Preferred Stock shall in all cases bear to each other the same ratio that accrued dividends per share on the shares of 2004 ESOP Preferred Stock and such other series of Preferred Stock bear to each other. Holders of shares of 2004 ESOP Preferred Stock shall not be entitled to any dividend, whether payable in cash, property, or stock, in excess of full cumulative dividends, as herein provided, on 2004 ESOP Preferred Stock. No interest, or sum of money in lieu of interest, shall be payable in respect of any dividend payment or payments on 2004 ESOP Preferred Stock which may be in arrears.

(ii) So long as any shares of 2004 ESOP Preferred Stock are outstanding, no dividend (other than dividends or distributions paid in shares of, or options, warrants, or rights to

 

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subscribe for or purchase shares of, Common Stock or any other stock ranking junior to 2004 ESOP Preferred Stock as to dividends or upon liquidation and other than as provided in paragraph (b)(i) of this Section 3) shall be declared or paid or set aside for payment or other distribution declared or made upon Common Stock or any other capital stock of the Company ranking junior to or on a parity with 2004 ESOP Preferred Stock as to dividends or upon liquidation, nor shall any Common Stock or any other capital stock of the Company ranking junior to or on a parity with 2004 ESOP Preferred Stock as to dividends or upon liquidation be redeemed, purchased, or otherwise acquired for any consideration (or any moneys be paid to or made available for a sinking fund for the redemption of any shares of any such stock) by the Company (except by conversion into or exchange for stock of the Company ranking junior to 2004 ESOP Preferred Stock as to dividends or upon liquidation), unless, in each case, the full cumulative dividends on all outstanding shares of 2004 ESOP Preferred Stock shall have been paid or declared and set aside for payment of the then current dividend payment period and all past dividend payment periods.

4. Conversion. Shares of 2004 ESOP Preferred Stock are convertible from time to time hereafter pursuant to the provisions of paragraphs (a) or (b) of this Section 4 into that number of shares of Common Stock determined by dividing the stated value of each share of 2004 ESOP Preferred Stock by the then applicable Conversion Price, (as determined in accordance with the provisions of paragraph (c)(iii) of this Section 4), as follows:

(a) Each share of 2004 ESOP Preferred Stock released from the unallocated reserve of the Plan in accordance with the terms thereof shall be automatically converted, without any further action by the Company or the holder thereof, as of the date such release occurs (the “Release Date”), into fully paid and nonassessable shares of Common Stock at the then applicable Conversion Price for the 2004 ESOP Preferred Stock provided for in paragraph (c) of this Section 4.

(b) Subject to and upon compliance with the provisions of this Section 4, a holder of 2004 ESOP Preferred Stock shall be entitled at any time, prior to the close of business on the date fixed for redemption of such shares pursuant to Sections 5 or 6 hereof, to cause any or all of the shares of 2004 ESOP Preferred Stock held by such holder to be converted into fully paid and nonassessable shares of Common Stock at the then applicable Conversion Price for 2004 ESOP Preferred Stock provided for in paragraph (c) of this Section 4.

(c) For purposes of these resolutions, the following terms shall have the meanings set forth below:

(i) The “Average Current Market Price” per share of Common Stock on any date shall be deemed to be the average of the Current Market Price for one share of Common Stock for the twenty (20) consecutive Trading Days ending on the Trading Day occurring prior to the date the “Purchase Offer” is made (as that term is defined in Section 6(d) hereof).

(ii) A “Business Day” means each day that is not a Saturday, Sunday, or a day on which state or federally chartered banking institutions in the State of New York are not required to be open.

(iii) (A) For purposes of a mandatory conversion of shares of 2004 ESOP Preferred Stock into shares of Common Stock pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (a) of this Section 4, the “Conversion Price” for such shares of 2004 ESOP Preferred Stock shall be the Current Market Price of one share of Common Stock on the relevant Release Date.

 

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(B) For purposes of an optional conversion of shares of 2004 ESOP Preferred Stock into shares of Common Stock pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (b) of this Section 4, the “Conversion Price” for such shares of 2004 ESOP Preferred Stock shall be the Current Market Price of one share of Common Stock on the date the Conversion Notice (as that term is defined in paragraph (d) of this Section 4) is received by the Company, by the transfer agent for the 2004 ESOP Preferred Stock or by any agent for conversion of the 2004 ESOP Preferred Stock designated as such pursuant to paragraph (d) of this Section 4.

(C) For purposes of a conversion of shares of 2004 ESOP Preferred Stock into shares of Common Stock in connection with a “Purchase Offer” (as defined in Section 6(d) hereof), the “Conversion Price” for such shares of 2004 ESOP Preferred Stock shall be the Average Current Market Price of one share of Common Stock.

Each share of 2004 ESOP Preferred Stock shall be valued at its stated value of $1,000.00 for purposes of computing, based on the applicable Conversion Price, the number of shares of Common Stock into which the shares of 2004 ESOP Preferred Stock will be converted.

(iv) The “Current Market Price” of publicly traded shares of Common Stock or any other class of capital stock or other security of the Company or any other issuer for any day shall mean the reported last sale price, regular way, or, in case no sale takes place on such day, the average of the reported closing bid and asked prices, regular way, in either case as reported on the New York Stock Exchange only or, if the Common Stock is not listed or admitted to trading on the New York Stock Exchange, on the principal national securities exchange on which the Common Stock is listed or admitted to trading or, if not listed or admitted to trading on any national securities exchange, on the National Market System of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. Automated Quotations System (“NASDAQ”) or, if the Common Stock is not quoted on such National Market System, the average of the closing bid and asked prices on such day in the over-the-counter market as reported by NASDAQ or, if bid and asked prices for the Common Stock on each such day shall not have been reported through NASDAQ, the average of the bid and asked prices for such day as furnished by any New York Stock Exchange member firm regularly making a market in the Common Stock selected for such purpose by the Board or a committee thereof or, if no such quotations are available, the fair market value of the Common Stock as determined by a New York Stock Exchange member firm regularly making a market in the Common Stock selected for such purpose by the Board or a committee thereof.

(v) “Common Stock” shall mean the Common Stock of the Company as the same exists at the date of this Certificate of Designations or as such stock may be constituted from time to time.

(vi) “Trading Day” with respect to Common Stock means (x) if the Common Stock is listed or admitted for trading on the New York Stock Exchange or another national securities exchange, a day on which the New York Stock Exchange or such other national securities exchange is open for business or (y) if the Common Stock is quoted on the National Market System of NASDAQ, a day on which trades may be made on such National Market System or (z) otherwise, any Business Day.

(d) In connection with any conversion of 2004 ESOP Preferred Stock pursuant to this Section 4, a written notice of conversion (the “Conversion Notice”) shall be delivered to the Company at its principal executive office or the offices of the transfer agent for the 2004 ESOP Preferred Stock or such office or offices in the continental United States of an agent for conversion as may from time to time be designated by notice to the holders of the 2004 ESOP Preferred Stock by the Company or the transfer agent for the 2004 ESOP Preferred Stock, which notice shall be accompanied by (a) in the case

 

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of certificated 2004 ESOP Preferred Stock, the certificate or certificates representing the shares of 2004 ESOP Preferred Stock being converted pursuant to this Section 4, duly assigned or endorsed for transfer to the Company (or accompanied by duly executed stock powers relating thereto) and (b) in the case of uncertificated 2004 ESOP Preferred Stock, duly executed assignment and transfer documents for the shares of 2004 ESOP Preferred Stock being converted pursuant to this Section 4. Each Conversion Notice shall specify (i)(y) in the case of a mandatory conversion pursuant to paragraph (a) of this Section 4, the number of shares of 2004 ESOP Preferred Stock released from the unallocated reserve of the Plan on the Release Date or (z) in the case of an optional conversion pursuant to paragraph (b) of this Section 4, the number of shares of 2004 ESOP Preferred Stock being converted, and (ii) in connection with any conversion hereunder, (x) the name or names in which such holder wishes the certificate or certificates for Common Stock and, in the case of certificated 2004 ESOP Preferred Stock, for any shares of 2004 ESOP Preferred Stock not to be so converted to be issued, (y) the address to which such holder wishes delivery to be made of such new certificates to be issued upon such conversion, and (z) such other information as the Company or its agents may reasonably request.

(e) Upon delivery to the Company or the transfer agent for the 2004 ESOP Preferred Stock of the Conversion Notice and all other documentation and certificates required to effect the conversion, as provided in paragraph (d) of this Section 4, the Company shall issue and send by hand delivery, by courier or by first-class mail (postage prepaid) to the holder thereof or to such holder’s designee, at the address designated by such holder, a certificate or certificates for the number of shares of Common Stock to which such holder shall be entitled upon conversion. If there shall have been surrendered a certificate or certificates representing shares of 2004 ESOP Preferred Stock only part of which are to be converted, the Company shall issue and deliver to such holder or such holder’s designee, in the manner set forth in the preceding sentence, a new certificate or certificates representing the number of shares of 2004 ESOP Preferred Stock which shall not have been converted.

(f) The issuance by the Company of shares of Common Stock upon a conversion of shares of 2004 ESOP Preferred Stock into shares of Common Stock made pursuant to this Section 4 shall be effective (i) in the case of a mandatory conversion of shares of 2004 ESOP Preferred Stock pursuant to paragraph (a) of this Section 4, as of the Release Date; and (ii) in the case of an optional conversion of such shares pursuant to paragraph (b) of this Section 4, as of the earlier of (A) the delivery to such holder or such holder’s designee of the certificates representing the shares of Common Stock issued upon conversion thereof or (B) the commencement of business on the second Business Day after the delivery to the Company or the transfer agent for the 2004 ESOP Preferred Stock of the Conversion Notice and all other documentation and certificates required to effect the conversion, as provided in paragraph (d) of this Section 4. On and after the effective date of conversion, the person or persons entitled to receive the Common Stock issuable upon such conversion shall be treated for all purposes as the record holder or holders of such shares of Common Stock, but no allowance or adjustment shall be made in respect of dividends payable to holders of Common Stock in respect of any period prior to such effective date. The Company shall not be obligated to pay any dividends which shall have accrued or have been declared and shall be payable to holders of shares of 2004 ESOP Preferred Stock if the date on which such dividends are paid is on or after the effective date of conversion of such shares.

(g) The Company shall not be obligated to deliver to holders of 2004 ESOP Preferred Stock any fractional share or shares of Common Stock issuable upon any conversion of such shares of 2004 ESOP Preferred Stock, but in lieu thereof may make a cash payment in respect thereof in any manner permitted by law.

(h) The Company shall at all times reserve and keep available out of its authorized and unissued Common Stock, solely for issuance upon the conversion of shares of 2004 ESOP Preferred

 

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Stock as herein provided, free from any preemptive rights, such number of shares of Common Stock as shall from time to time be issuable upon the conversion of all the shares of 2004 ESOP Preferred Stock then outstanding.

(i) The Company will use its best efforts to cause the listing of the shares of Common Stock required to be delivered upon conversion of the 2004 ESOP Preferred Stock prior to distribution to Plan participants on the national securities exchange, if any, upon which the outstanding Common Stock is listed at the time of such delivery.

(j) The Company will pay any and all documentary stamp or similar issue or transfer taxes payable in respect of the issue or delivery of shares of Common Stock on conversions of the 2004 ESOP Preferred Stock pursuant hereto; provided, however, that the Company shall not be required to pay any tax which may be payable in respect of any transfer involved in the issue or delivery of shares of Common Stock in a name other than that of the holder of the 2004 ESOP Preferred Stock to be converted and no such issue or delivery shall be made unless and until the person requesting such issue or delivery has paid to the Company the amount of any such tax or has established, to the satisfaction of the Company, that such tax has been paid.

5. Redemption At the Option of the Company. (a) The 2004 ESOP Preferred Stock shall be redeemable, in whole or in part, at the option of the Company at any time, at a redemption price per share of 2004 ESOP Preferred Stock equal to the higher of (x) $1,000.00 per share, plus an amount equal to all accrued and unpaid dividends thereon to the date fixed for redemption, and (y) the Fair Market Value (as that term is defined in paragraph (d) of this Section 5) per share of 2004 ESOP Preferred Stock on the date fixed for redemption. Payment of the redemption price shall be made by the Company in cash or shares of Common Stock, or a combination thereof, as permitted by paragraph (c) of this Section 5. From and after the date fixed for redemption, dividends on shares of 2004 ESOP Preferred Stock called for redemption will cease to accrue and all rights in respect of such shares of the Company shall cease, except the right to receive the redemption price. Upon payment of the redemption price, such shares shall be deemed to have been transferred to the Company, to be retired as provided in paragraph (a) of Section 1. If the full cumulative dividends have not been paid, or contemporaneously declared and set aside for payment, on all outstanding shares of 2004 ESOP Preferred Stock, the Company may not redeem fewer than all the outstanding shares of 2004 ESOP Preferred Stock pursuant to this Section 5.

(b) Unless otherwise required by law, notice of any redemption pursuant to this Section 5 will be sent to the holders of 2004 ESOP Preferred Stock at the address shown on the books of the Company or any transfer agent for the 2004 ESOP Preferred Stock by hand delivery, by courier, by standard form of telecommunication or by first-class mail (postage prepaid) delivered, sent or mailed, as the case may be, not less than twenty (20) days nor more than sixty (60) days prior to the redemption date. Each such notice shall state: (i) the redemption date; (ii) the total number of shares of the 2004 ESOP Preferred Stock to be redeemed and, if fewer than all the shares held by such holder are to be redeemed, the number of such shares to be redeemed from such holder; (iii) the redemption price; (iv) whether the redemption price shall be paid in cash or in shares of Common Stock, or in a combination of such Common Stock and cash; (v) in the case of certificated 2004 ESOP Preferred Stock the place or places where certificates for such shares are to be surrendered for payment of the redemption price; (vi) that dividends on the shares to be redeemed will cease to accrue on such redemption date; and (vii) the conversion rights of the shares to be redeemed, the period within which conversion rights may be exercised and the manner in which the number of shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion of a share of 2004 ESOP Preferred Stock will be determined. The Company shall redeem shares so called for redemption and not previously converted at the date fixed for redemption and at the

 

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redemption price set forth in this Section 5, provided that, in the case of certificated 2004 ESOP Preferred Stock, the Company shall not be obligated to pay the redemption price until the certificates for the shares to be redeemed are surrendered (properly endorsed or assigned for transfer, if the Board of Directors of the Company shall so require and the notice shall so state).

(c) The Company, at its option, may make payment of the redemption price required upon redemption of shares of 2004 ESOP Preferred Stock in cash or in shares of Common Stock, or in a combination of such Common Stock and cash, any such shares of Common Stock to be valued for such purposes at their Fair Market Value (as defined in paragraph (d)(ii) of this Section 5) or their Current Market Price, in either case as of the date fixed for redemption of the 2004 ESOP Preferred Stock, whichever value will result in the issuance of the greater number of shares of Common Stock to the holder of the 2004 ESOP Preferred Stock then being redeemed.

(d) For purposes of these resolutions, the following terms shall have the meanings set forth below:

(i) “Adjustment Period” shall mean the period of five (5) consecutive Trading Days preceding the date as of which the Fair Market Value of a security is to be determined.

(ii) “Fair Market Value” shall mean, as to shares of Common Stock or any other class of capital stock or securities of the Company or any other issue which are publicly traded, the average of the Current Market Prices of such shares or securities for each day of the Adjustment Period. The “Fair Market Value” of any security which is not publicly traded (other than the 2004 ESOP Preferred Stock) or of any other property shall mean the fair value thereof on the date as of which the Fair Market Value of the security is to be determined, as determined by an independent investment banking or appraisal firm experienced in the valuation of such securities or property selected in good faith by the Board or a committee thereof. The “Fair Market Value” of the 2004 ESOP Preferred Stock for purposes of paragraph (a) of Section 5, and for purposes of paragraph (c) of Section 6 shall mean the fair market value thereof determined by an independent appraiser, appointed by the Trustee of the Plan in accordance with the provisions of the Plan, as of the date fixed for redemption of the 2004 ESOP Preferred Stock (in the case of a redemption pursuant to Section 5) or as of the date specified in paragraph (c) of Section 6 (in the case of a redemption under that section). For purposes of determining the Fair Market Value of the 2004 ESOP Preferred Stock, the independent appraiser shall assume (i) that all dividends on the 2004 ESOP Preferred Stock would have been paid when due, and (ii) that the mandatory conversion of shares of 2004 ESOP Preferred Stock held by the Plan into shares of Common Stock pursuant to Section 4(a) hereof would have occurred when and as payments of principal (together with accrued interest thereon) would have been made by the Trustee of the Plan in accordance with the terms of that certain 2004 ESOP Convertible Preferred Stock Note Agreement dated on or about March 12, 2004 between the Company and the Plan (including any amendments or modifications thereto).

6. Consolidation, Merger, Etc. (a) If the Company consummates any consolidation or merger or similar business combination, pursuant to which the outstanding shares of Common Stock are by operation of law exchanged solely for or changed, reclassified or converted solely into stock of any successor or resulting corporation (including the Company) that constitutes “qualifying employer securities” with respect to a holder of 2004 ESOP Preferred Stock within the meaning of Section 409(1) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and Section 407(d)(5) of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, or any successor provisions of law, and, if applicable, for a cash payment in lieu of fractional shares, if any, the shares of 2004 ESOP Preferred Stock of such holder shall, in connection with such consolidation, merger or similar business combination, be assumed by and

 

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shall become Preferred Stock of such successor or resulting corporation, having in respect of such corporation, insofar as possible, the same powers, preferences and relative, participating, optional or other special rights (including the redemption rights provided by Sections 5 and 6 hereof), and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereon, that the 2004 ESOP Preferred Stock had immediately prior to such transaction, subject to the following:

(1) After such transaction each share of the 2004 ESOP Preferred Stock shall be convertible, otherwise on the terms and conditions provided by Section 4 hereof, into the number and kind of qualifying employer securities so receivable by a holder of the number of shares of Common Stock into which such shares of 2004 ESOP Preferred Stock could have been converted immediately prior to such transaction.

(2) The Company shall not consummate any such merger, consolidation or similar transaction unless all then outstanding shares of 2004 ESOP Preferred Stock shall be assumed and authorized by the successor or resulting corporation as aforesaid.

(b) If the Company consummates any consolidation or merger or similar business combination, pursuant to which the outstanding shares of Common Stock are by operation of law exchanged for or changed, reclassified or converted into other stock or securities or cash or any other property, or any combination thereof, other than any such consideration which is constituted solely of qualifying employer securities (as referred to in paragraph (a) of this Section 6) and cash payments, if applicable, in lieu of fractional shares, outstanding shares of 2004 ESOP Preferred Stock shall, without any action on the part of the Company or any holder thereof (but subject to paragraph (c) of this Section 6), be automatically converted by virtue of such merger, consolidation or similar transaction immediately prior to such consummation into the number of shares of Common Stock into which such shares of 2004 ESOP Preferred Stock could have been converted at such time so that each share of 2004 ESOP Preferred Stock shall, by virtue of such transaction and on the same terms as apply to the holders of Common Stock, be converted into or exchanged for the aggregate amount of stock, securities, cash or other property (payable in like kind) receivable by a holder of the number of shares of Common Stock into which such shares of 2004 ESOP Preferred Stock could have been converted immediately prior to such transaction. However, if by virtue of the structure of such transaction, a holder of Common Stock is required to make an election with respect to the nature and kind of consideration to be received in such transaction, which election cannot practicably be made by the holders of the 2004 ESOP Preferred Stock, then the shares of 2004 ESOP Preferred Stock shall, by virtue of such transaction and on the same terms as apply to the holders of Common Stock, be converted into or exchanged for the aggregate amount of stock, securities, cash or other property (payable in kind) receivable by a holder of the number of shares of Common Stock into which such shares of 2004 ESOP Preferred Stock could have been converted immediately prior to such transaction if such holder of Common Stock failed to exercise any rights of election as to the kind or amount of stock, securities, cash or other property receivable upon such transaction. If the kind or amount of stock, securities, cash or other property receivable upon such transaction is not the same for each non-electing share, then the kind and amount of stock, securities, cash or other property receivable upon such transaction for each non-electing share shall be the kind and amount so receivable per share by a plurality of the non-electing shares.

(c) In the event the Company shall enter into any agreement providing for any consolidation or merger or similar business combination described in paragraph (b) of this Section 6 (a “Business Combination”), then the Company shall as soon as practicable thereafter (and in any event at least fifteen (15) Business Days before consummation of such transaction) give notice of such agreement and the material terms thereof to each holder of 2004 ESOP Preferred Stock and each such holder shall have the right to elect, by written notice to the Company, to receive, upon consummation of such

 

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transaction (if and when such transaction is consummated), from the Company or the successor of the Company, in redemption and retirement of such 2004 ESOP Preferred Stock, a cash payment per share of 2004 ESOP Preferred Stock equal to the higher of (x) $1,000.00, plus accrued and unpaid dividends thereon to the date of consummation of such transaction or (y) the Fair Market Value per share of 2004 ESOP Preferred Stock, as of the last Business Day (as defined in paragraph (c) of Section 4 hereof) immediately preceding the date the Business Combination is consummated. No such notice of redemption shall be effective unless given to the Company prior to the close of business on the last Business Day prior to consummation of such transaction, unless the Company or the successor of the Company shall waive such prior notice, but any notice of redemption so given prior to such time may be withdrawn by notice of withdrawal given to the Company prior to the close of business on the last Business Day prior to consummation of such transaction.

(d) In the event that a Purchase Offer (as defined below) shall have been made and shall be continuing, each holder of 2004 ESOP Preferred Stock shall have the right to convert shares of 2004 ESOP Preferred Stock into shares of Common Stock at the Conversion Price specified in Section 4(c)(iii)(C) hereof until the date the Purchase Offer is terminated, including without limitation because the original Purchase Offer is withdrawn or because the Purchase Offer has expired and is not renewed, upon notice of such conversion given to the Company not later than the close of business on the date the Purchase Offer terminates (the “Purchase Offer Conversion Period”), unless the Company or any successor of the Company shall waive such prior notice, but any notice of conversion so given may be withdrawn by notice of withdrawal given to the Company prior to the end of the Purchase Offer Conversion Period.

For purposes of this paragraph (d), the following terms shall have the meanings set forth below:

(i) “Beneficial Ownership” shall have the meaning ascribed to it in Rule 13d-3 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”) and “person” shall have the meanings specified in Sections 3(a)(9) and 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act.

(ii) A “Purchase Offer” shall have been made when any person (other than the Company or any affiliate of the Company) shall have “commenced” (as such term is defined in Rule 14d-2 under the Exchange Act) a tender offer or exchange offer to purchase shares of Common Stock, such that, upon consummation of such offer, such person would have Beneficial Ownership (as defined herein) or the right to acquire Beneficial Ownership, of twenty percent (20%) or more of the voting power of the Company.

7. Liquidation Rights. (a) Upon the dissolution, liquidation, or winding up of the Company, the holders of the shares of 2004 ESOP Preferred Stock shall be entitled to receive and to be paid out of the assets of the Company available for distribution to its stockholders, before any payment or distribution shall be made on the Common Stock or any other class of stock ranking junior to 2004 ESOP Preferred Stock upon liquidation, the amount of $1,000.00 per share, plus a sum equal to all dividends (whether or not earned or declared) on such shares accrued and unpaid thereon to the date of final distribution.

(b) Neither the sale of all or substantially all the property and assets of the Company, nor the merger or consolidation of the Company into or with any other corporation, nor the merger or consolidation of any other corporation into or with the Company shall be deemed to be a dissolution, liquidation, or winding up, voluntary or involuntary, for the purposes of this Section 7.

 

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(c) After the payment to the holders of the shares of 2004 ESOP Preferred Stock of the full preferential amounts provided for in this Section 7, the holders of 2004 ESOP Preferred Stock, as such, shall have no right or claim to any of the remaining assets of the Company.

(d) In the event the assets of the Company available for distribution to the holders of shares of 2004 ESOP Preferred Stock upon any dissolution, liquidation, or winding up of the Company, whether voluntary or involuntary, shall be insufficient to pay in full all amounts to which such holders are entitled pursuant to paragraph (a) of this Section 7, no such distribution shall be made on account of any shares of any other series of Preferred Stock or other capital stock of the Company ranking on a parity with the shares of 2004 ESOP Preferred Stock upon such dissolution, liquidation, or winding up unless proportionate distributive amounts shall be paid on account of the shares of 2004 ESOP Preferred Stock, ratably, in proportion to the full distributable amounts for which holders of all such parity shares are respectively entitled upon such dissolution, liquidation, or winding up.

(e) Subject to the rights of the holders of the shares of any series or class or classes of stock ranking on a parity with or prior to the shares of 2004 ESOP Preferred Stock upon liquidation, dissolution, or winding up, upon any liquidation, dissolution, or winding up of the Company, after payment shall have been made in full to the holders of the shares of 2004 ESOP Preferred Stock as provided in this Section 7, but not prior thereto, any other series or class or classes of stock ranking junior to the shares of 2004 ESOP Preferred Stock upon liquidation shall, subject to the respective terms and provisions (if any) applying thereto, be entitled to receive any and all assets remaining to be paid or distributed, and the holders of the shares of 2004 ESOP Preferred Stock shall not be entitled to share therein.

8. Ranking. For the purposes of these resolutions, any stock of any series or class or classes of the Company shall be deemed to rank:

(a) prior to the shares of 2004 ESOP Preferred Stock, either as to dividends or upon liquidation, if the holders of such series or class or classes shall be entitled to the receipt of dividends or of amounts distributable upon dissolution, liquidation, or winding up of the Company, as the case may be, in preference or priority to the holders of shares of 2004 ESOP Preferred Stock;

(b) on a parity with shares of 2004 ESOP Preferred Stock, either as to dividends or upon liquidation, whether or not the dividend rates, dividend payment dates, or redemption or liquidation prices per share, or sinking fund provisions, if any, be different from those of 2004 ESOP Preferred Stock, if the holders of such stock shall be entitled to the receipt of dividends or of amounts distributable upon dissolution, liquidation, or winding up of the Company, as the case may be, in proportion to their respective dividend rates or liquidation prices, without preference or priority, one over the other, as between the holders of such stock and the holders of shares of 2004 ESOP Preferred Stock; and

(c) junior to shares of 2004 ESOP Preferred Stock, either as to dividends or upon liquidation, if such class shall be Common Stock or if the holders of shares of 2004 ESOP Preferred Stock shall be entitled to receipt of dividends or of amounts distributable upon dissolution, liquidation, or winding up of the Company, as the case may be, in preference or priority to the holders of shares of such series or class or classes.

9. Priority of 2004 ESOP Preferred Stock. The shares of 2004 ESOP Preferred Stock will rank on a parity, both as to payment of dividends and the distribution of assets upon liquidation, with the Company’s 1995 ESOP Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock, its 1996 ESOP Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock, its 1997 ESOP Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock, its 1998 ESOP Cumulative

 

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Convertible Preferred Stock, its 1999 ESOP Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock, its 2000 ESOP Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock, its 2001 ESOP Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock, its 2002 ESOP Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock, and its 2003 ESOP Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock.

 

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EXHIBIT I

CERTIFICATE OF DESIGNATIONS

Pursuant to Section 151 of the

General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware

 

 

2005 ESOP CUMULATIVE CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED STOCK

(Without Par Value)

 

 

WELLS FARGO & COMPANY, a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the State of Delaware (the “Company”), HEREBY CERTIFIES that, pursuant to authority conferred upon the Board of Directors of the Company (the “Board”) by the provisions of the Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company, as amended, which authorizes the issuance of not more than 20,000,000 shares of Preferred Stock, without par value (the “Preferred Stock”), and pursuant to authority conferred upon the ESOP Preferred Stock Committee I of the Board (the “ESOP Committee”) in accordance with Section 141(c) of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the “General Corporation Law”) and by the resolutions of the Board set forth herein, the following resolutions were duly adopted by the Board at a meeting of the Board duly held on January 25, 2000, and by the ESOP Committee pursuant to the written consent of the ESOP Committee duly adopted on March 11, 2005, in accordance with Section 141(f) of the General Corporation Law:

1. On January 25, 2000, the Board adopted the following resolutions (the “ESOP Board Resolutions”) appointing the ESOP Committee and delegating to the ESOP Committee the full powers of the Board, subject to the ESOP Board Resolutions, in all matters relating to issuance of one or more series of Preferred Stock (“ESOP Preferred Stock”) to the trustee on behalf of the Company’s 401(k) Plan hereinafter referred to:

RESOLVED that a committee of one member of the Board of the Company is hereby appointed by the Board as the ESOP Preferred Stock Committee I (the “First Committee”), which shall have and may exercise the full powers of the Board, subject to these resolutions, to issue from time to time one or more series of ESOP Preferred Stock, including any shares of Company common stock ($1-2/3 par value) issuable upon conversion of ESOP Preferred Stock, and in connection therewith, to fix the designations, voting powers, preferences, and all other rights, qualifications and restrictions of such ESOP Preferred Stock, to sell such ESOP Preferred Stock to the Plan on such terms and conditions and for such purchase price as the First Committee in its discretion shall approve, and to take any and all actions as the First Committee shall deem necessary or appropriate.

RESOLVED that Richard M. Kovacevich is designated to serve as the sole member of the First Committee until his successor is duly elected and qualified.

* * * *

RESOLVED that any series of ESOP Preferred Stock authorized for issuance by the First Committee . . . shall have the voting rights set forth in Appendix A to these resolutions.

 

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APPENDIX A - VOTING RIGHTS

No series of the Preferred Stock, except as hereinafter set forth in this resolution or as otherwise from time to time required by law, shall have voting rights. Whenever, at any time or times, dividends payable on any shares of a designated series of the Preferred Stock (such shares of such designated series of Preferred Stock being hereinafter referred to as the “Shares of such series”) shall be in arrears for such number of dividend periods which shall in the aggregate contain not less than 540 days, the holders of the outstanding Shares of such series shall have the exclusive right, voting together as a class with holders of shares of any one or more other series of Preferred Stock ranking on a parity with the Shares of such series, either as to dividends or on the distribution of assets upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up, and upon which like voting rights have been conferred and are exercisable, to elect two directors of the Company at the Company’s next annual meeting of stockholders and at each subsequent annual meeting of stockholders. At elections for such directors, each holder of the Shares of such series shall be entitled to one vote for each share held (the holders of shares of any other series of Preferred Stock ranking on such a parity being entitled to such number of votes, if any, for each share of Preferred Stock held as may be granted to them). Upon the vesting of such right of such holders, the maximum authorized number of members of the Board shall automatically be increased by two and the two vacancies so created shall be filled by vote of the holders of such outstanding Shares of such series (together with the holders of shares of any one or more other series of Preferred Stock ranking on such a parity and upon which like voting rights have been conferred and are exercisable) as herein set forth. The right of such holders of such Shares of such series (voting together as a class with the holders of shares of any one or more other series of Preferred Stock ranking on such a parity and upon which like voting rights have been conferred and are exercisable) to elect members of the Board as aforesaid shall continue until such time as all dividends accumulated on such Shares of such series shall have been paid in full, at which time such right with respect to such Shares of such series shall terminate, 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.

Upon any termination of the right of the holders of all shares of Preferred Stock entitled to vote for directors as herein provided, the term of office of all directors then in office elected by such holders voting as a class shall terminate immediately. If the office of any director elected by such holders voting as a class becomes vacant by reason of death, resignation, retirement, disqualification, removal from office or otherwise, the remaining director elected by such holders may choose a successor to fill such vacancy, which such successor shall hold office for the unexpired term in respect of which such vacancy occurred. Whenever the term of office of the directors elected by such holders voting as a class shall end and the special voting powers vested in such holders as provided in this resolution shall have expired, the number of directors shall be such number as may be provided for in the By-Laws of the Company irrespective of any increase made pursuant to the provisions of this resolution.

So long as any Shares of such series remain outstanding, the consent of the holders of the outstanding Shares of such series and outstanding shares of all other series of Preferred Stock ranking on a parity with such Shares of such series either as to dividends or the distribution of assets upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up and upon which like voting rights have been conferred and are exercisable, by a vote of at least two-thirds of all such outstanding Shares of such series and such other series of Preferred Stock voting together as a class, given in person or by proxy, either in writing or at any special or annual meeting called for the purpose, shall be necessary to permit, effect or validate any one or more of the following:

(a) the authorization, creation or issuance, or any increase in the authorized or issued amount, of any class or series of stock ranking prior to the Shares of such series with respect to payment of dividends or the distribution of assets on liquidation, dissolution or winding up, or

 

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(b) the amendment, alteration or repeal, whether by merger, consolidation or otherwise, of any of the provisions of the Restated Certificate of Incorporation or of the resolutions set forth in a Certificate of Designation for the Shares of such series designating the Shares of such series and the preferences and relative, participating, optional and other special rights and qualifications, limitations and restrictions thereof which would materially and adversely affect any right, preference, privilege or voting power of the Shares of such series or of the holders thereof; provided, however, that any increase in the amount of authorized Preferred Stock or the creation and issuance of other series of Preferred Stock, or any increase in the amount of authorized shares of any series of Preferred Stock, in each case ranking on a parity with or junior to the Shares of such series with respect to the payment of dividends and the distribution of assets upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up, shall not be deemed to materially and adversely affect such rights, preferences, privileges or voting powers.

The foregoing voting provisions shall not apply if, at or prior to the time when the act with respect to which such vote would otherwise be required shall be effected, all outstanding Shares of such series shall have been redeemed or sufficient funds shall have been deposited in trust to effect such redemption.

2. On March 11, 2005, pursuant to authority conferred upon it by the Board in the ESOP Board Resolutions, the ESOP Committee adopted the following resolutions by written consent in accordance with Section 141(f) of the General Corporation Law:

RESOLVED that the issuance of a series of Preferred Stock, without par value, of the Company is hereby authorized and the designation, voting powers, preferences, and relative, participating, optional, and other special rights, and qualifications, limitations and restrictions thereof, in addition to those set forth in the Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company, as amended, are hereby fixed as follows:

2005 ESOP CUMULATIVE CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED STOCK

1. Designation and Number of Shares; Restricted Issue.

(a) The designation of the series of Preferred Stock, without par value, provided for herein shall be “2005 ESOP Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock” (hereinafter referred to as the “2005 ESOP Preferred Stock”) and the number of authorized shares constituting the 2005 ESOP Preferred Stock is 363,000, based on an offering price for the 2005 ESOP Preferred Stock of $1,067.10 per share. Each share of 2005 ESOP Preferred Stock shall have a stated value of $1,000.00 per share. The number of authorized shares of 2005 ESOP Preferred Stock may be reduced by further resolution duly adopted by the Board or the Securities Committee and by the filing of a certificate pursuant to the provisions of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware stating that such reduction has been so authorized, provided, however, that the authorized number of shares of 2005 ESOP Preferred Stock shall not be decreased below the then outstanding number of such shares, and provided further that the number of authorized shares of 2005 ESOP Preferred Stock shall not be increased. All shares of the 2005 ESOP Preferred Stock purchased, redeemed, or converted by the Company shall be retired and canceled and shall be restored to the status of authorized but unissued shares of Preferred Stock, without designation as to series, and may thereafter be issued, but not as shares of 2005 ESOP Preferred Stock.

 

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(b) Shares of 2005 ESOP Preferred Stock shall be issued only to a trustee (the “Trustee”) acting on behalf of the Wells Fargo & Company 401(k) Plan, or any successor to such plan (the “Plan”). All references to the holder of shares of 2005 ESOP Preferred Stock shall mean the Trustee or any company with which or into which the Trustee may merge or any successor trustee under the trust agreement with respect to the Plan. In the event of any transfer of record ownership of shares of 2005 ESOP Preferred Stock to any person other than any successor trustee under the Plan, the shares of 2005 ESOP Preferred Stock so transferred, upon such transfer and without any further action by the Company or the holder thereof, shall be automatically converted into shares of the common stock, par value $1-2/3 per share, of the Company (the “Common Stock”) on the terms otherwise provided for the conversion of the shares of 2005 ESOP Preferred Stock into shares of Common Stock pursuant to paragraph (a) of Section 4 hereof, and no such transferee shall have any of the voting powers, preferences, and relative, participating, optional or special rights ascribed to shares of 2005 ESOP Preferred Stock hereunder but, rather, only the powers and rights pertaining to the Common Stock into which such shares of 2005 ESOP Preferred Stock shall be so converted. In the event of such a conversion, the transferee of the shares of 2005 ESOP Preferred Stock shall be treated for all purposes as the record holder of the shares of Common Stock into which such shares of 2005 ESOP Preferred Stock have been automatically converted as of the date of such transfer. Shares of 2005 ESOP Preferred Stock may be certificated or uncertificated, at the Company’s option. Certificates representing shares of 2005 ESOP Preferred Stock shall bear a legend to reflect the foregoing provisions. In the case of uncertificated 2005 ESOP Preferred Stock, the transfer agent for the 2005 ESOP Preferred Stock shall note the foregoing provisions on each 2005 ESOP Preferred Stock book entry account. The Company may require that, as a condition to transferring record ownership of any uncertificated 2005 ESOP Preferred Stock, the proposed transferee acknowledge in writing that the shares of 2005 ESOP Preferred Stock are subject to the foregoing provisions. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this paragraph (b) of Section 1, shares of 2005 ESOP Preferred Stock (i)(A) shall be converted into shares of Common Stock as provided in paragraph (a) of Section 4 hereof, and (B) may be converted into shares of Common Stock as provided by paragraph (b) of Section 4 hereof and the shares of Common Stock issued upon such conversion may be transferred by the holder thereof as permitted by law and (ii) shall be redeemable by the Company upon the terms and conditions provided in Sections 5 and 6(c) hereof.

2. Voting Rights. No shares of 2005 ESOP Preferred Stock shall have voting rights except such voting rights as may from time to time be required by law and as set forth in this Section 2, as follows:

(a) Whenever, at any time or times, dividends payable on shares of 2005 ESOP Preferred Stock shall be in arrears for such number of dividend periods which shall in the aggregate contain not less than 540 days, the holders of the outstanding shares of 2005 ESOP Preferred Stock shall have the exclusive right, voting together as a class with holders of shares of any one or more other series of Preferred Stock ranking on a parity with the shares of 2005 ESOP Preferred Stock, either as to dividends or on the distribution of assets upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up, and upon which like voting rights have been conferred and are exercisable, to elect two directors of the Company at the Company’s next annual meeting of stockholders and at each subsequent annual meeting of stockholders. At elections for such directors, each holder of the shares of 2005 ESOP Preferred Stock shall be entitled to one vote for each share held (the holders of shares of any other series of Preferred Stock ranking on such a parity being entitled to such number of votes, if any, for each share of Preferred Stock held as may be granted to them). Upon the vesting of such right of such holders, the maximum authorized number of members of the Board shall automatically be increased by two and the two vacancies so created shall be filled by vote of the holders of such outstanding shares of 2005 ESOP Preferred Stock (together with the holders of shares of any one or more other series of Preferred Stock ranking on such a parity and upon which like voting rights have been conferred and are exercisable) as herein set forth. The right of such holders of such shares of 2005 ESOP Preferred Stock (voting together as a class with the holders of

 

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shares of any one or more other series of Preferred Stock ranking on such a parity and upon which like voting rights have been conferred and are exercisable) to elect members of the Board as aforesaid shall continue until such time as all dividends accumulated on such shares of 2005 ESOP Preferred Stock shall have been paid in full, at which time such right with respect to such shares of 2005 ESOP Preferred Stock shall terminate, 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.

(b) Upon any termination of the right of the holders of all shares of Preferred Stock entitled to vote for directors as herein provided, the term of office of all directors then in office elected by such holders voting as a class shall terminate immediately. If the office of any director elected by such holders voting as a class becomes vacant by reason of death, resignation, retirement, disqualification, removal from office or otherwise, the remaining director elected by such holders may choose a successor to fill such vacancy, which such successor shall hold office for the unexpired term in respect of which such vacancy occurred. Whenever the term of office of the directors elected by such holders voting as a class shall end and the special voting powers vested in such holders as provided in this resolution shall have expired, the number of directors shall be such number as may be provided for in the By-Laws of the Company irrespective of any increase made pursuant to the provisions of this resolution.

(c) So long as any shares of 2005 ESOP Preferred Stock remain outstanding, the consent of the holders of the outstanding shares of 2005 ESOP Preferred Stock and outstanding shares of all other series of Preferred Stock ranking on a parity with such shares of 2005 ESOP Preferred Stock either as to dividends or the distribution of assets upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up and upon which like voting rights have been conferred and are exercisable, by a vote of at least two-thirds of all such outstanding shares of 2005 ESOP Preferred Stock and such other series of Preferred Stock voting together as a class, given in person or by proxy, either in writing or at any special or annual meeting called for the purpose, shall be necessary to permit, effect or validate any one or more of the following:

(i) the authorization, creation or issuance, or any increase in the authorized or issued amount, of any class or series of stock ranking prior to shares of 2005 ESOP Preferred Stock with respect to payment of dividends or the distribution of assets on liquidation, dissolution or winding up, or

(ii) the amendment, alteration or repeal, whether by merger, consolidation or otherwise, of any of the provisions of the Restated Certificate of Incorporation or of the resolutions set forth in a Certificate of Designations designating shares of 2005 ESOP Preferred Stock and the preferences and relative, participating, optional and other special rights and qualifications, limitations and restrictions thereof which would materially and adversely affect any right, preference, privilege or voting power of the shares of 2005 ESOP Preferred Stock or of the holders thereof; provided, however, that any increase in the amount of authorized Preferred Stock, or the creation and issuance of other series of Preferred Stock, or any increase in the amount of authorized shares of any series of Preferred Stock, in each case ranking on a parity with or junior to the shares of 2005 ESOP Preferred Stock with respect to the payment of dividends and the distribution of assets upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up, shall not be deemed to materially and adversely affect such rights, preferences, privileges or voting powers.

(d) The foregoing voting provisions shall not apply if, at or prior to the time when the act with respect to which such vote would otherwise be required shall be effected, all outstanding shares of 2005 ESOP Preferred Stock shall have been redeemed or sufficient funds shall have been deposited in trust to effect such redemption.

 

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3. Dividends. (a)(i) Holders of shares of 2005 ESOP Preferred Stock will be entitled to receive, when and as declared by the Board or a duly authorized committee thereof, out of assets of the Company legally available for payment, an annual cash dividend of $97.50 (the “Base Dividend”) per share, which Base Dividend shall be subject to adjustment from time to time as provided in this Section 3.

(ii) The Base Dividend shall be adjusted, effective on December 1, 2006 and on each December 1 thereafter until December 1, 2014, as follows:

(1) If the Current Market Price (as hereinafter defined) of one share of Common Stock on November 30 (or the next preceding Trading Day (as hereinafter defined) if November 30 is not a Trading Day) of any year listed in the Dividend Adjustment Table below is equal to or greater than the First Target Price but less than the Second Target Price shown opposite that year in such table, then holders of shares of the 2005 ESOP Preferred Stock will be entitled to receive a cash dividend for the immediately following twelve month period equal to $102.50 per share (the “First Adjusted Dividend”).

(2) If the Current Market Price of one share of Common Stock on November 30 (or the next preceding Trading Day if November 30 is not a Trading Day) of any year listed in the Dividend Adjustment Table below is equal to or greater than the Second Target Price shown opposite that year in such table, then holders of shares of 2005 ESOP Preferred Stock will be entitled to receive a cash dividend for the immediately following twelve month period equal to $107.50 per share (the “Second Adjusted Dividend”).

(3) If the Current Market Price of one share of Common Stock on November 30 (or next preceding Trading Day if November 30 is not a Trading Day) of any year listed in the Dividend Adjustment Table below is less than the First Target Price shown opposite that year in such table, then the holders of shares of 2005 ESOP Preferred Stock will be entitled to receive a cash dividend for the immediately following twelve month period equal to the Base Dividend.

Dividend Adjustment Table

 

Closing Price on 11/30

   First Target Price      Second Target Price  

2006

   $ 66.659       $ 74.447   

2007

     71.591         85.167   

2008

     76.889         97.431   

2009

     82.579         111.461   

2010

     88.690         127.511   

2011

     95.253         145.873   

2012

     102.302         166.879   

2013

     109.872         190.909   

2014

     118.002         218.400   

(4) As an example of the adjustments described in subparagraphs (1) through (3) above, if on November 30, 2008, the Current Market Price of one share of Common Stock is $85.00, then the cash dividend payable for the immediately following twelve month period per share of 2005 ESOP Preferred Stock would equal $102.50, with the first quarterly payment of such $102.50 dividend to be made on March 1, 2009. If on November 30, 2009, the Current Market Price of one share of Common Stock is $115.00, then the cash dividend payable for the immediately following twelve month period per share of 2005 ESOP Preferred Stock

 

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would equal $107.50, with the first quarterly payment of such $107.50 dividend to be made on March 1, 2010. If on November 30, 2010, the Current Market Price of one share of Common Stock is $85.00, then the cash dividend payable for the immediately following twelve month period per share of 2005 ESOP Preferred Stock would equal $97.50, with the first quarterly payment of such $97.50 dividend to be made on March 1, 2011.

(5) For purposes of this Section 3, the terms “First Adjusted Dividend” and “Second Adjusted Dividend” are sometimes referred to as an “Adjusted Dividend;” the term “Current Market Price” shall have the meaning given to it in Section 4(c)(iv); and the term “Trading Day” shall have the meaning given to it in Section 4(c)(vi).

(iii) If one share of Common Stock in any year listed in the Dividend Adjustment Table shall be changed into a different number of shares or a different class of shares by reason of any reclassification, recapitalization, split-up, combination, exchange of shares or readjustment, or if a stock dividend thereon shall be declared with a record date within such period, then the First Target Price and the Second Target Price listed in such table for that year and each subsequent year will be appropriately and proportionately adjusted.

(iv) Dividends payable on shares of the 2005 ESOP Preferred Stock (whether such dividends are equal to the Base Dividend or to an Adjusted Dividend) shall be payable quarterly on March 1, June 1, September 1, and December 1 of each year, commencing June 1, 2005. Dividends on shares of the 2005 ESOP Preferred Stock will be cumulative from the date of initial issuance of such shares of 2005 ESOP Preferred Stock. Dividends will be payable, in arrears, to holders of record as they appear on the stock books of the Company on such record dates, not more than 30 days nor less than 15 days preceding the payment dates thereof, as shall be fixed by the Board or a duly authorized committee thereof. The amount of dividends payable per share for each dividend period shall be computed by dividing by four the Base Dividend or the Adjusted Dividend, whichever is then applicable. The amount of dividends payable for the initial dividend period or any period shorter than a full dividend period shall be calculated on the basis of actual days elapsed in a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months.

(b)(i) No full dividends shall be declared or paid or set apart for payment on any stock of the Company ranking, as to dividends, on a parity with or junior to the 2005 ESOP Preferred Stock for any period unless full cumulative dividends have been or contemporaneously are declared and paid or declared and a sum sufficient for the payment thereof has been set apart for such payment on shares of 2005 ESOP Preferred Stock for all dividend payment periods terminating on or prior to the date of payment of such full cumulative dividends. When dividends are not paid in full, as aforesaid, upon the shares of 2005 ESOP Preferred Stock and any other series of Preferred Stock ranking on a parity as to dividends with 2005 ESOP Preferred Stock, all dividends declared upon shares of 2005 ESOP Preferred Stock and any other series of Preferred Stock ranking on a parity as to dividends with 2005 ESOP Preferred Stock shall be declared pro rata so that the amount of dividends declared per share on 2005 ESOP Preferred Stock and such other series of Preferred Stock shall in all cases bear to each other the same ratio that accrued dividends per share on the shares of 2005 ESOP Preferred Stock and such other series of Preferred Stock bear to each other. Holders of shares of 2005 ESOP Preferred Stock shall not be entitled to any dividend, whether payable in cash, property, or stock, in excess of full cumulative dividends, as herein provided, on 2005 ESOP Preferred Stock. No interest, or sum of money in lieu of interest, shall be payable in respect of any dividend payment or payments on 2005 ESOP Preferred Stock which may be in arrears.

(ii) So long as any shares of 2005 ESOP Preferred Stock are outstanding, no dividend (other than dividends or distributions paid in shares of, or options, warrants, or rights to

 

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subscribe for or purchase shares of, Common Stock or any other stock ranking junior to 2005 ESOP Preferred Stock as to dividends or upon liquidation and other than as provided in paragraph (b)(i) of this Section 3) shall be declared or paid or set aside for payment or other distribution declared or made upon Common Stock or any other capital stock of the Company ranking junior to or on a parity with 2005 ESOP Preferred Stock as to dividends or upon liquidation, nor shall any Common Stock or any other capital stock of the Company ranking junior to or on a parity with 2005 ESOP Preferred Stock as to dividends or upon liquidation be redeemed, purchased, or otherwise acquired for any consideration (or any moneys be paid to or made available for a sinking fund for the redemption of any shares of any such stock) by the Company (except by conversion into or exchange for stock of the Company ranking junior to 2005 ESOP Preferred Stock as to dividends or upon liquidation), unless, in each case, the full cumulative dividends on all outstanding shares of 2005 ESOP Preferred Stock shall have been paid or declared and set aside for payment of the then current dividend payment period and all past dividend payment periods.

4. Conversion. Shares of 2005 ESOP Preferred Stock are convertible from time to time hereafter pursuant to the provisions of paragraphs (a) or (b) of this Section 4 into that number of shares of Common Stock determined by dividing the stated value of each share of 2005 ESOP Preferred Stock by the then applicable Conversion Price, (as determined in accordance with the provisions of paragraph (c)(iii) of this Section 4), as follows:

(a) Each share of 2005 ESOP Preferred Stock released from the unallocated reserve of the Plan in accordance with the terms thereof shall be automatically converted, without any further action by the Company or the holder thereof, as of the date such release occurs (the “Release Date”), into fully paid and nonassessable shares of Common Stock at the then applicable Conversion Price for the 2005 ESOP Preferred Stock provided for in paragraph (c) of this Section 4.

(b) Subject to and upon compliance with the provisions of this Section 4, a holder of 2005 ESOP Preferred Stock shall be entitled at any time, prior to the close of business on the date fixed for redemption of such shares pursuant to Sections 5 or 6 hereof, to cause any or all of the shares of 2005 ESOP Preferred Stock held by such holder to be converted into fully paid and nonassessable shares of Common Stock at the then applicable Conversion Price for 2005 ESOP Preferred Stock provided for in paragraph (c) of this Section 4.

(c) For purposes of these resolutions, the following terms shall have the meanings set forth below:

(i) The “Average Current Market Price” per share of Common Stock on any date shall be deemed to be the average of the Current Market Price for one share of Common Stock for the twenty (20) consecutive Trading Days ending on the Trading Day occurring prior to the date the “Purchase Offer” is made (as that term is defined in Section 6(d) hereof).

(ii) A “Business Day” means each day that is not a Saturday, Sunday, or a day on which state or federally chartered banking institutions in the State of New York are not required to be open.

(iii) (A) For purposes of a mandatory conversion of shares of 2005 ESOP Preferred Stock into shares of Common Stock pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (a) of this Section 4, the “Conversion Price” for such shares of 2005 ESOP Preferred Stock shall be the Current Market Price of one share of Common Stock on the relevant Release Date.

 

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(B) For purposes of an optional conversion of shares of 2005 ESOP Preferred Stock into shares of Common Stock pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (b) of this Section 4, the “Conversion Price” for such shares of 2005 ESOP Preferred Stock shall be the Current Market Price of one share of Common Stock on the date the Conversion Notice (as that term is defined in paragraph (d) of this Section 4) is received by the Company, by the transfer agent for the 2005 ESOP Preferred Stock or by any agent for conversion of the 2005 ESOP Preferred Stock designated as such pursuant to paragraph (d) of this Section 4.

(C) For purposes of a conversion of shares of 2005 ESOP Preferred Stock into shares of Common Stock in connection with a “Purchase Offer” (as defined in Section 6(d) hereof), the “Conversion Price” for such shares of 2005 ESOP Preferred Stock shall be the Average Current Market Price of one share of Common Stock.

Each share of 2005 ESOP Preferred Stock shall be valued at its stated value of $1,000.00 for purposes of computing, based on the applicable Conversion Price, the number of shares of Common Stock into which the shares of 2005 ESOP Preferred Stock will be converted.

(iv) The “Current Market Price” of publicly traded shares of Common Stock or any other class of capital stock or other security of the Company or any other issuer for any day shall mean the reported last sale price, regular way, or, in case no sale takes place on such day, the average of the reported closing bid and asked prices, regular way, in either case as reported on the New York Stock Exchange only or, if the Common Stock is not listed or admitted to trading on the New York Stock Exchange, on the principal national securities exchange on which the Common Stock is listed or admitted to trading or, if not listed or admitted to trading on any national securities exchange, on the National Market System of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. Automated Quotations System (“NASDAQ”) or, if the Common Stock is not quoted on such National Market System, the average of the closing bid and asked prices on such day in the over-the-counter market as reported by NASDAQ or, if bid and asked prices for the Common Stock on each such day shall not have been reported through NASDAQ, the average of the bid and asked prices for such day as furnished by any New York Stock Exchange member firm regularly making a market in the Common Stock selected for such purpose by the Board or a committee thereof or, if no such quotations are available, the fair market value of the Common Stock as determined by a New York Stock Exchange member firm regularly making a market in the Common Stock selected for such purpose by the Board or a committee thereof.

(v) “Common Stock” shall mean the Common Stock of the Company as the same exists at the date of this Certificate of Designations or as such stock may be constituted from time to time.

(vi) “Trading Day” with respect to Common Stock means (x) if the Common Stock is listed or admitted for trading on the New York Stock Exchange or another national securities exchange, a day on which the New York Stock Exchange or such other national securities exchange is open for business or (y) if the Common Stock is quoted on the National Market System of NASDAQ, a day on which trades may be made on such National Market System or (z) otherwise, any Business Day.

(d) In connection with any conversion of 2005 ESOP Preferred Stock pursuant to this Section 4, a written notice of conversion (the “Conversion Notice”) shall be delivered to the Company at its principal executive office or the offices of the transfer agent for the 2005 ESOP Preferred Stock or such office or offices in the continental United States of an agent for conversion as may from time to time be designated by notice to the holders of the 2005 ESOP Preferred Stock by the Company or the transfer agent for the 2005 ESOP Preferred Stock, which notice shall be accompanied by (a) in the case

 

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of certificated 2005 ESOP Preferred Stock, the certificate or certificates representing the shares of 2005 ESOP Preferred Stock being converted pursuant to this Section 4, duly assigned or endorsed for transfer to the Company (or accompanied by duly executed stock powers relating thereto) and (b) in the case of uncertificated 2005 ESOP Preferred Stock, duly executed assignment and transfer documents for the shares of 2005 ESOP Preferred Stock being converted pursuant to this Section 4. Each Conversion Notice shall specify (i)(y) in the case of a mandatory conversion pursuant to paragraph (a) of this Section 4, the number of shares of 2005 ESOP Preferred Stock released from the unallocated reserve of the Plan on the Release Date or (z) in the case of an optional conversion pursuant to paragraph (b) of this Section 4, the number of shares of 2005 ESOP Preferred Stock being converted, and (ii) in connection with any conversion hereunder, (x) the name or names in which such holder wishes the certificate or certificates for Common Stock and, in the case of certificated 2005 ESOP Preferred Stock, for any shares of 2005 ESOP Preferred Stock not to be so converted to be issued, (y) the address to which such holder wishes delivery to be made of such new certificates to be issued upon such conversion, and (z) such other information as the Company or its agents may reasonably request.

(e) Upon delivery to the Company or the transfer agent for the 2005 ESOP Preferred Stock of the Conversion Notice and all other documentation and certificates required to effect the conversion, as provided in paragraph (d) of this Section 4, the Company shall issue and send by hand delivery, by courier or by first-class mail (postage prepaid) to the holder thereof or to such holder’s designee, at the address designated by such holder, a certificate or certificates for the number of shares of Common Stock to which such holder shall be entitled upon conversion. If there shall have been surrendered a certificate or certificates representing shares of 2005 ESOP Preferred Stock only part of which are to be converted, the Company shall issue and deliver to such holder or such holder’s designee, in the manner set forth in the preceding sentence, a new certificate or certificates representing the number of shares of 2005 ESOP Preferred Stock which shall not have been converted.

(f) The issuance by the Company of shares of Common Stock upon a conversion of shares of 2005 ESOP Preferred Stock into shares of Common Stock made pursuant to this Section 4 shall be effective (i) in the case of a mandatory conversion of shares of 2005 ESOP Preferred Stock pursuant to paragraph (a) of this Section 4, as of the Release Date; and (ii) in the case of an optional conversion of such shares pursuant to paragraph (b) of this Section 4, as of the earlier of (A) the delivery to such holder or such holder’s designee of the certificates representing the shares of Common Stock issued upon conversion thereof or (B) the commencement of business on the second Business Day after the delivery to the Company or the transfer agent for the 2005 ESOP Preferred Stock of the Conversion Notice and all other documentation and certificates required to effect the conversion, as provided in paragraph (d) of this Section 4. On and after the effective date of conversion, the person or persons entitled to receive the Common Stock issuable upon such conversion shall be treated for all purposes as the record holder or holders of such shares of Common Stock, but no allowance or adjustment shall be made in respect of dividends payable to holders of Common Stock in respect of any period prior to such effective date. The Company shall not be obligated to pay any dividends which shall have accrued or have been declared and shall be payable to holders of shares of 2005 ESOP Preferred Stock if the date on which such dividends are paid is on or after the effective date of conversion of such shares.

(g) The Company shall not be obligated to deliver to holders of 2005 ESOP Preferred Stock any fractional share or shares of Common Stock issuable upon any conversion of such shares of 2005 ESOP Preferred Stock, but in lieu thereof may make a cash payment in respect thereof in any manner permitted by law.

(h) The Company shall at all times reserve and keep available out of its authorized and unissued Common Stock, solely for issuance upon the conversion of shares of 2005 ESOP Preferred Stock as herein provided, free from any preemptive rights, such number of shares of Common Stock as shall from time to time be issuable upon the conversion of all the shares of 2005 ESOP Preferred Stock then outstanding.

 

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(i) The Company will use its best efforts to cause the listing of the shares of Common Stock required to be delivered upon conversion of the 2005 ESOP Preferred Stock prior to distribution to Plan participants on the national securities exchange, if any, upon which the outstanding Common Stock is listed at the time of such delivery.

(j) The Company will pay any and all documentary stamp or similar issue or transfer taxes payable in respect of the issue or delivery of shares of Common Stock on conversions of the 2005 ESOP Preferred Stock pursuant hereto; provided, however, that the Company shall not be required to pay any tax which may be payable in respect of any transfer involved in the issue or delivery of shares of Common Stock in a name other than that of the holder of the 2005 ESOP Preferred Stock to be converted and no such issue or delivery shall be made unless and until the person requesting such issue or delivery has paid to the Company the amount of any such tax or has established, to the satisfaction of the Company, that such tax has been paid.

5. Redemption At the Option of the Company. (a) The 2005 ESOP Preferred Stock shall be redeemable, in whole or in part, at the option of the Company at any time, at a redemption price per share of 2005 ESOP Preferred Stock equal to the higher of (x) $1,000.00 per share, plus an amount equal to all accrued and unpaid dividends thereon to the date fixed for redemption, and (y) the Fair Market Value (as that term is defined in paragraph (d) of this Section 5) per share of 2005 ESOP Preferred Stock on the date fixed for redemption. Payment of the redemption price shall be made by the Company in cash or shares of Common Stock, or a combination thereof, as permitted by paragraph (c) of this Section 5. From and after the date fixed for redemption, dividends on shares of 2005 ESOP Preferred Stock called for redemption will cease to accrue and all rights in respect of such shares of the Company shall cease, except the right to receive the redemption price. Upon payment of the redemption price, such shares shall be deemed to have been transferred to the Company, to be retired as provided in paragraph (a) of Section 1. If the full cumulative dividends have not been paid, or contemporaneously declared and set aside for payment, on all outstanding shares of 2005 ESOP Preferred Stock, the Company may not redeem fewer than all the outstanding shares of 2005 ESOP Preferred Stock pursuant to this Section 5.

(b) Unless otherwise required by law, notice of any redemption pursuant to this Section 5 will be sent to the holders of 2005 ESOP Preferred Stock at the address shown on the books of the Company or any transfer agent for the 2005 ESOP Preferred Stock by hand delivery, by courier, by standard form of telecommunication or by first-class mail (postage prepaid) delivered, sent or mailed, as the case may be, not less than twenty (20) days nor more than sixty (60) days prior to the redemption date. Each such notice shall state: (i) the redemption date; (ii) the total number of shares of the 2005 ESOP Preferred Stock to be redeemed and, if fewer than all the shares held by such holder are to be redeemed, the number of such shares to be redeemed from such holder; (iii) the redemption price; (iv) whether the redemption price shall be paid in cash or in shares of Common Stock, or in a combination of such Common Stock and cash; (v) in the case of certificated 2005 ESOP Preferred Stock the place or places where certificates for such shares are to be surrendered for payment of the redemption price; (vi) that dividends on the shares to be redeemed will cease to accrue on such redemption date; and (vii) the conversion rights of the shares to be redeemed, the period within which conversion rights may be exercised and the manner in which the number of shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion of a share of 2005 ESOP Preferred Stock will be determined. The Company shall redeem shares so called for redemption and not previously converted at the date fixed for redemption and at the

 

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redemption price set forth in this Section 5, provided that, in the case of certificated 2005 ESOP Preferred Stock, the Company shall not be obligated to pay the redemption price until the certificates for the shares to be redeemed are surrendered (properly endorsed or assigned for transfer, if the Board of Directors of the Company shall so require and the notice shall so state).

(c) The Company, at its option, may make payment of the redemption price required upon redemption of shares of 2005 ESOP Preferred Stock in cash or in shares of Common Stock, or in a combination of such Common Stock and cash, any such shares of Common Stock to be valued for such purposes at their Fair Market Value (as defined in paragraph (d)(ii) of this Section 5) or their Current Market Price, in either case as of the date fixed for redemption of the 2005 ESOP Preferred Stock, whichever value will result in the issuance of the greater number of shares of Common Stock to the holder of the 2005 ESOP Preferred Stock then being redeemed.

(d) For purposes of these resolutions, the following terms shall have the meanings set forth below:

(i) “Adjustment Period” shall mean the period of five (5) consecutive Trading Days preceding the date as of which the Fair Market Value of a security is to be determined.

(ii) “Fair Market Value” shall mean, as to shares of Common Stock or any other class of capital stock or securities of the Company or any other issue which are publicly traded, the average of the Current Market Prices of such shares or securities for each day of the Adjustment Period. The “Fair Market Value” of any security which is not publicly traded (other than the 2005 ESOP Preferred Stock) or of any other property shall mean the fair value thereof on the date as of which the Fair Market Value of the security is to be determined, as determined by an independent investment banking or appraisal firm experienced in the valuation of such securities or property selected in good faith by the Board or a committee thereof. The “Fair Market Value” of the 2005 ESOP Preferred Stock for purposes of paragraph (a) of Section 5, and for purposes of paragraph (c) of Section 6 shall mean the fair market value thereof determined by an independent appraiser, appointed by the Trustee of the Plan in accordance with the provisions of the Plan, as of the date fixed for redemption of the 2005 ESOP Preferred Stock (in the case of a redemption pursuant to Section 5) or as of the date specified in paragraph (c) of Section 6 (in the case of a redemption under that section). For purposes of determining the Fair Market Value of the 2005 ESOP Preferred Stock, the independent appraiser shall assume (i) that all dividends on the 2005 ESOP Preferred Stock would have been paid when due, and (ii) that the mandatory conversion of shares of 2005 ESOP Preferred Stock held by the Plan into shares of Common Stock pursuant to Section 4(a) hereof would have occurred when and as payments of principal (together with accrued interest thereon) would have been made by the Trustee of the Plan in accordance with the terms of that certain 2005 ESOP Convertible Preferred Stock Note Agreement dated on or about March 17, 2005 between the Company and the Plan (including any amendments or modifications thereto).

6. Consolidation, Merger, Etc. (a) If the Company consummates any consolidation or merger or similar business combination, pursuant to which the outstanding shares of Common Stock are by operation of law exchanged solely for or changed, reclassified or converted solely into stock of any successor or resulting corporation (including the Company) that constitutes “qualifying employer securities” with respect to a holder of 2005 ESOP Preferred Stock within the meaning of Section 409(1) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and Section 407(d)(5) of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, or any successor provisions of law, and, if applicable, for a cash payment in lieu of fractional shares, if any, the shares of 2005 ESOP Preferred Stock of such holder shall, in connection with such consolidation, merger or similar business combination, be assumed by and

 

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shall become Preferred Stock of such successor or resulting corporation, having in respect of such corporation, insofar as possible, the same powers, preferences and relative, participating, optional or other special rights (including the redemption rights provided by Sections 5 and 6 hereof), and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereon, that the 2005 ESOP Preferred Stock had immediately prior to such transaction, subject to the following:

(1) After such transaction each share of the 2005 ESOP Preferred Stock shall be convertible, otherwise on the terms and conditions provided by Section 4 hereof, into the number and kind of qualifying employer securities so receivable by a holder of the number of shares of Common Stock into which such shares of 2005 ESOP Preferred Stock could have been converted immediately prior to such transaction.

(2) The Company shall not consummate any such merger, consolidation or similar transaction unless all then outstanding shares of 2005 ESOP Preferred Stock shall be assumed and authorized by the successor or resulting corporation as aforesaid.

(b) If the Company consummates any consolidation or merger or similar business combination, pursuant to which the outstanding shares of Common Stock are by operation of law exchanged for or changed, reclassified or converted into other stock or securities or cash or any other property, or any combination thereof, other than any such consideration which is constituted solely of qualifying employer securities (as referred to in paragraph (a) of this Section 6) and cash payments, if applicable, in lieu of fractional shares, outstanding shares of 2005 ESOP Preferred Stock shall, without any action on the part of the Company or any holder thereof (but subject to paragraph (c) of this Section 6), be automatically converted by virtue of such merger, consolidation or similar transaction immediately prior to such consummation into the number of shares of Common Stock into which such shares of 2005 ESOP Preferred Stock could have been converted at such time so that each share of 2005 ESOP Preferred Stock shall, by virtue of such transaction and on the same terms as apply to the holders of Common Stock, be converted into or exchanged for the aggregate amount of stock, securities, cash or other property (payable in like kind) receivable by a holder of the number of shares of Common Stock into which such shares of 2005 ESOP Preferred Stock could have been converted immediately prior to such transaction. However, if by virtue of the structure of such transaction, a holder of Common Stock is required to make an election with respect to the nature and kind of consideration to be received in such transaction, which election cannot practicably be made by the holders of the 2005 ESOP Preferred Stock, then the shares of 2005 ESOP Preferred Stock shall, by virtue of such transaction and on the same terms as apply to the holders of Common Stock, be converted into or exchanged for the aggregate amount of stock, securities, cash or other property (payable in kind) receivable by a holder of the number of shares of Common Stock into which such shares of 2005 ESOP Preferred Stock could have been converted immediately prior to such transaction if such holder of Common Stock failed to exercise any rights of election as to the kind or amount of stock, securities, cash or other property receivable upon such transaction. If the kind or amount of stock, securities, cash or other property receivable upon such transaction is not the same for each non-electing share, then the kind and amount of stock, securities, cash or other property receivable upon such transaction for each non-electing share shall be the kind and amount so receivable per share by a plurality of the non-electing shares.

(c) In the event the Company shall enter into any agreement providing for any consolidation or merger or similar business combination described in paragraph (b) of this Section 6 (a “Business Combination”), then the Company shall as soon as practicable thereafter (and in any event at least fifteen (15) Business Days before consummation of such transaction) give notice of such agreement and the material terms thereof to each holder of 2005 ESOP Preferred Stock and each such holder shall have the right to elect, by written notice to the Company, to receive, upon consummation of such

 

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transaction (if and when such transaction is consummated), from the Company or the successor of the Company, in redemption and retirement of such 2005 ESOP Preferred Stock, a cash payment per share of 2005 ESOP Preferred Stock equal to the higher of (x) $1,000.00, plus accrued and unpaid dividends thereon to the date of consummation of such transaction or (y) the Fair Market Value per share of 2005 ESOP Preferred Stock, as of the last Business Day (as defined in paragraph (c) of Section 4 hereof) immediately preceding the date the Business Combination is consummated. No such notice of redemption shall be effective unless given to the Company prior to the close of business on the last Business Day prior to consummation of such transaction, unless the Company or the successor of the Company shall waive such prior notice, but any notice of redemption so given prior to such time may be withdrawn by notice of withdrawal given to the Company prior to the close of business on the last Business Day prior to consummation of such transaction.

(d) In the event that a Purchase Offer (as defined below) shall have been made and shall be continuing, each holder of 2005 ESOP Preferred Stock shall have the right to convert shares of 2005 ESOP Preferred Stock into shares of Common Stock at the Conversion Price specified in Section 4(c)(iii)(C) hereof until the date the Purchase Offer is terminated, including without limitation because the original Purchase Offer is withdrawn or because the Purchase Offer has expired and is not renewed, upon notice of such conversion given to the Company not later than the close of business on the date the Purchase Offer terminates (the “Purchase Offer Conversion Period”), unless the Company or any successor of the Company shall waive such prior notice, but any notice of conversion so given may be withdrawn by notice of withdrawal given to the Company prior to the end of the Purchase Offer Conversion Period.

For purposes of this paragraph (d), the following terms shall have the meanings set forth below:

(i) “Beneficial Ownership” shall have the meaning ascribed to it in Rule 13d-3 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”) and “person” shall have the meanings specified in Sections 3(a)(9) and 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act.

(ii) A “Purchase Offer” shall have been made when any person (other than the Company or any affiliate of the Company) shall have “commenced” (as such term is defined in Rule 14d-2 under the Exchange Act) a tender offer or exchange offer to purchase shares of Common Stock, such that, upon consummation of such offer, such person would have Beneficial Ownership (as defined herein) or the right to acquire Beneficial Ownership, of twenty percent (20%) or more of the voting power of the Company.

7. Liquidation Rights. (a) Upon the dissolution, liquidation, or winding up of the Company, the holders of the shares of 2005 ESOP Preferred Stock shall be entitled to receive and to be paid out of the assets of the Company available for distribution to its stockholders, before any payment or distribution shall be made on the Common Stock or any other class of stock ranking junior to 2005 ESOP Preferred Stock upon liquidation, the amount of $1,000.00 per share, plus a sum equal to all dividends (whether or not earned or declared) on such shares accrued and unpaid thereon to the date of final distribution.

(b) Neither the sale of all or substantially all the property and assets of the Company, nor the merger or consolidation of the Company into or with any other corporation, nor the merger or consolidation of any other corporation into or with the Company shall be deemed to be a dissolution, liquidation, or winding up, voluntary or involuntary, for the purposes of this Section 7.

 

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(c) After the payment to the holders of the shares of 2005 ESOP Preferred Stock of the full preferential amounts provided for in this Section 7, the holders of 2005 ESOP Preferred Stock, as such, shall have no right or claim to any of the remaining assets of the Company.

(d) In the event the assets of the Company available for distribution to the holders of shares of 2005 ESOP Preferred Stock upon any dissolution, liquidation, or winding up of the Company, whether voluntary or involuntary, shall be insufficient to pay in full all amounts to which such holders are entitled pursuant to paragraph (a) of this Section 7, no such distribution shall be made on account of any shares of any other series of Preferred Stock or other capital stock of the Company ranking on a parity with the shares of 2005 ESOP Preferred Stock upon such dissolution, liquidation, or winding up unless proportionate distributive amounts shall be paid on account of the shares of 2005 ESOP Preferred Stock, ratably, in proportion to the full distributable amounts for which holders of all such parity shares are respectively entitled upon such dissolution, liquidation, or winding up.

(e) Subject to the rights of the holders of the shares of any series or class or classes of stock ranking on a parity with or prior to the shares of 2005 ESOP Preferred Stock upon liquidation, dissolution, or winding up, upon any liquidation, dissolution, or winding up of the Company, after payment shall have been made in full to the holders of the shares of 2005 ESOP Preferred Stock as provided in this Section 7, but not prior thereto, any other series or class or classes of stock ranking junior to the shares of 2005 ESOP Preferred Stock upon liquidation shall, subject to the respective terms and provisions (if any) applying thereto, be entitled to receive any and all assets remaining to be paid or distributed, and the holders of the shares of 2005 ESOP Preferred Stock shall not be entitled to share therein.

8. Ranking. For the purposes of these resolutions, any stock of any series or class or classes of the Company shall be deemed to rank:

(a) prior to the shares of 2005 ESOP Preferred Stock, either as to dividends or upon liquidation, if the holders of such series or class or classes shall be entitled to the receipt of dividends or of amounts distributable upon dissolution, liquidation, or winding up of the Company, as the case may be, in preference or priority to the holders of shares of 2005 ESOP Preferred Stock;

(b) on a parity with shares of 2005 ESOP Preferred Stock, either as to dividends or upon liquidation, whether or not the dividend rates, dividend payment dates, or redemption or liquidation prices per share, or sinking fund provisions, if any, be different from those of 2005 ESOP Preferred Stock, if the holders of such stock shall be entitled to the receipt of dividends or of amounts distributable upon dissolution, liquidation, or winding up of the Company, as the case may be, in proportion to their respective dividend rates or liquidation prices, without preference or priority, one over the other, as between the holders of such stock and the holders of shares of 2005 ESOP Preferred Stock; and

(c) junior to shares of 2005 ESOP Preferred Stock, either as to dividends or upon liquidation, if such class shall be Common Stock or if the holders of shares of 2005 ESOP Preferred Stock shall be entitled to receipt of dividends or of amounts distributable upon dissolution, liquidation, or winding up of the Company, as the case may be, in preference or priority to the holders of shares of such series or class or classes.

9. Priority of 2005 ESOP Preferred Stock. The shares of 2005 ESOP Preferred Stock will rank on a parity, both as to payment of dividends and the distribution of assets upon liquidation, with the Company’s 1996 ESOP Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock, its 1997 ESOP Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock, its 1998 ESOP Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock, its 1999 ESOP Cumulative

 

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Convertible Preferred Stock, its 2000 ESOP Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock, its 2001 ESOP Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock, its 2002 ESOP Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock, its 2003 ESOP Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock, and its 2004 ESOP Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock.

 

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EXHIBIT J

CERTIFICATE OF DESIGNATIONS

Pursuant to Section 151 of the

General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware

 

 

2006 ESOP CUMULATIVE CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED STOCK

(Without Par Value)

 

 

WELLS FARGO & COMPANY, a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the State of Delaware (the “Company”), HEREBY CERTIFIES that, pursuant to authority conferred upon the Board of Directors of the Company (the “Board”) by the provisions of the Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company, as amended, which authorizes the issuance of not more than 20,000,000 shares of Preferred Stock, without par value (the “Preferred Stock”), and pursuant to authority conferred upon the ESOP Preferred Stock Committee I of the Board (the “ESOP Committee”) in accordance with Section 141(c) of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the “General Corporation Law”) and by the resolutions of the Board set forth herein, the following resolutions were duly adopted by the Board at a meeting of the Board duly held on January 25, 2000, and by the ESOP Committee pursuant to the written consent of the ESOP Committee duly adopted on March 17, 2006, in accordance with Section 141(f) of the General Corporation Law:

1. On January 25, 2000, the Board adopted the following resolutions (the “ESOP Board Resolutions”) appointing the ESOP Committee and delegating to the ESOP Committee the full powers of the Board, subject to the ESOP Board Resolutions, in all matters relating to issuance of one or more series of Preferred Stock (“ESOP Preferred Stock”) to the trustee on behalf of the Company’s 401(k) Plan hereinafter referred to:

RESOLVED that a committee of one member of the Board of the Company is hereby appointed by the Board as the ESOP Preferred Stock Committee I (the “First Committee”), which shall have and may exercise the full powers of the Board, subject to these resolutions, to issue from time to time one or more series of ESOP Preferred Stock, including any shares of Company common stock ($1-2/3 par value) issuable upon conversion of ESOP Preferred Stock, and in connection therewith, to fix the designations, voting powers, preferences, and all other rights, qualifications and restrictions of such ESOP Preferred Stock, to sell such ESOP Preferred Stock to the Plan on such terms and conditions and for such purchase price as the First Committee in its discretion shall approve, and to take any and all actions as the First Committee shall deem necessary or appropriate.

RESOLVED that Richard M. Kovacevich is designated to serve as the sole member of the First Committee until his successor is duly elected and qualified.

* * * *

RESOLVED that any series of ESOP Preferred Stock authorized for issuance by the First Committee . . . shall have the voting rights set forth in Appendix A to these resolutions.

 

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APPENDIX A - VOTING RIGHTS

No series of the Preferred Stock, except as hereinafter set forth in this resolution or as otherwise from time to time required by law, shall have voting rights. Whenever, at any time or times, dividends payable on any shares of a designated series of the Preferred Stock (such shares of such designated series of Preferred Stock being hereinafter referred to as the “Shares of such series”) shall be in arrears for such number of dividend periods which shall in the aggregate contain not less than 540 days, the holders of the outstanding Shares of such series shall have the exclusive right, voting together as a class with holders of shares of any one or more other series of Preferred Stock ranking on a parity with the Shares of such series, either as to dividends or on the distribution of assets upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up, and upon which like voting rights have been conferred and are exercisable, to elect two directors of the Company at the Company’s next annual meeting of stockholders and at each subsequent annual meeting of stockholders. At elections for such directors, each holder of the Shares of such series shall be entitled to one vote for each share held (the holders of shares of any other series of Preferred Stock ranking on such a parity being entitled to such number of votes, if any, for each share of Preferred Stock held as may be granted to them). Upon the vesting of such right of such holders, the maximum authorized number of members of the Board shall automatically be increased by two and the two vacancies so created shall be filled by vote of the holders of such outstanding Shares of such series (together with the holders of shares of any one or more other series of Preferred Stock ranking on such a parity and upon which like voting rights have been conferred and are exercisable) as herein set forth. The right of such holders of such Shares of such series (voting together as a class with the holders of shares of any one or more other series of Preferred Stock ranking on such a parity and upon which like voting rights have been conferred and are exercisable) to elect members of the Board as aforesaid shall continue until such time as all dividends accumulated on such Shares of such series shall have been paid in full, at which time such right with respect to such Shares of such series shall terminate, 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.

Upon any termination of the right of the holders of all shares of Preferred Stock entitled to vote for directors as herein provided, the term of office of all directors then in office elected by such holders voting as a class shall terminate immediately. If the office of any director elected by such holders voting as a class becomes vacant by reason of death, resignation, retirement, disqualification, removal from office or otherwise, the remaining director elected by such holders may choose a successor to fill such vacancy, which such successor shall hold office for the unexpired term in respect of which such vacancy occurred. Whenever the term of office of the directors elected by such holders voting as a class shall end and the special voting powers vested in such holders as provided in this resolution shall have expired, the number of directors shall be such number as may be provided for in the By-Laws of the Company irrespective of any increase made pursuant to the provisions of this resolution.

So long as any Shares of such series remain outstanding, the consent of the holders of the outstanding Shares of such series and outstanding shares of all other series of Preferred Stock ranking on a parity with such Shares of such series either as to dividends or the distribution of assets upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up and upon which like voting rights have been conferred and are exercisable, by a vote of at least two-thirds of all such outstanding Shares of such series and such other series of Preferred Stock voting together as a class, given in person or by proxy, either in writing or at any special or annual meeting called for the purpose, shall be necessary to permit, effect or validate any one or more of the following:

(a) the authorization, creation or issuance, or any increase in the authorized or issued amount, of any class or series of stock ranking prior to the Shares of such series with respect to payment of dividends or the distribution of assets on liquidation, dissolution or winding up, or

 

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(b) the amendment, alteration or repeal, whether by merger, consolidation or otherwise, of any of the provisions of the Restated Certificate of Incorporation or of the resolutions set forth in a Certificate of Designation for the Shares of such series designating the Shares of such series and the preferences and relative, participating, optional and other special rights and qualifications, limitations and restrictions thereof which would materially and adversely affect any right, preference, privilege or voting power of the Shares of such series or of the holders thereof; provided, however, that any increase in the amount of authorized Preferred Stock or the creation and issuance of other series of Preferred Stock, or any increase in the amount of authorized shares of any series of Preferred Stock, in each case ranking on a parity with or junior to the Shares of such series with respect to the payment of dividends and the distribution of assets upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up, shall not be deemed to materially and adversely affect such rights, preferences, privileges or voting powers.

The foregoing voting provisions shall not apply if, at or prior to the time when the act with respect to which such vote would otherwise be required shall be effected, all outstanding Shares of such series shall have been redeemed or sufficient funds shall have been deposited in trust to effect such redemption.

2. On March 17, 2006, pursuant to authority conferred upon it by the Board in the ESOP Board Resolutions, the ESOP Committee adopted the following resolutions by written consent in accordance with Section 141(f) of the General Corporation Law:

RESOLVED that the issuance of a series of Preferred Stock, without par value, of the Company is hereby authorized and the designation, voting powers, preferences, and relative, participating, optional, and other special rights, and qualifications, limitations and restrictions thereof, in addition to those set forth in the Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company, as amended, are hereby fixed as follows:

2006 ESOP CUMULATIVE CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED STOCK

1. Designation and Number of Shares; Restricted Issue.

(a) The designation of the series of Preferred Stock, without par value, provided for herein shall be “2006 ESOP Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock” (hereinafter referred to as the “2006 ESOP Preferred Stock”) and the number of authorized shares constituting the 2006 ESOP Preferred Stock is 414,000, based on an offering price for the 2006 ESOP Preferred Stock of $1,070.40 per share. Each share of 2006 ESOP Preferred Stock shall have a stated value of $1,000.00 per share. The number of authorized shares of 2006 ESOP Preferred Stock may be reduced by further resolution duly adopted by the Board or the Securities Committee and by the filing of a certificate pursuant to the provisions of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware stating that such reduction has been so authorized, provided, however, that the authorized number of shares of 2006 ESOP Preferred Stock shall not be decreased below the then outstanding number of such shares, and provided further that the number of authorized shares of 2006 ESOP Preferred Stock shall not be increased. All shares of the 2006 ESOP Preferred Stock purchased, redeemed, or converted by the Company shall be retired and canceled and shall be restored to the status of authorized but unissued shares of Preferred Stock, without designation as to series, and may thereafter be issued, but not as shares of 2006 ESOP Preferred Stock.

 

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(b) Shares of 2006 ESOP Preferred Stock shall be issued only to a trustee (the “Trustee”) acting on behalf of the Wells Fargo & Company 401(k) Plan, or any successor to such plan (the “Plan”). All references to the holder of shares of 2006 ESOP Preferred Stock shall mean the Trustee or any company with which or into which the Trustee may merge or any successor trustee under the trust agreement with respect to the Plan. In the event of any transfer of record ownership of shares of 2006 ESOP Preferred Stock to any person other than any successor trustee under the Plan, the shares of 2006 ESOP Preferred Stock so transferred, upon such transfer and without any further action by the Company or the holder thereof, shall be automatically converted into shares of the common stock, par value $1-2/3 per share, of the Company (the “Common Stock”) on the terms otherwise provided for the conversion of the shares of 2006 ESOP Preferred Stock into shares of Common Stock pursuant to paragraph (a) of Section 4 hereof, and no such transferee shall have any of the voting powers, preferences, and relative, participating, optional or special rights ascribed to shares of 2006 ESOP Preferred Stock hereunder but, rather, only the powers and rights pertaining to the Common Stock into which such shares of 2006 ESOP Preferred Stock shall be so converted. In the event of such a conversion, the transferee of the shares of 2006 ESOP Preferred Stock shall be treated for all purposes as the record holder of the shares of Common Stock into which such shares of 2006 ESOP Preferred Stock have been automatically converted as of the date of such transfer. Shares of 2006 ESOP Preferred Stock may be certificated or uncertificated, at the Company’s option. Certificates representing shares of 2006 ESOP Preferred Stock shall bear a legend to reflect the foregoing provisions. In the case of uncertificated 2006 ESOP Preferred Stock, the transfer agent for the 2006 ESOP Preferred Stock shall note the foregoing provisions on each 2006 ESOP Preferred Stock book entry account. The Company may require that, as a condition to transferring record ownership of any uncertificated 2006 ESOP Preferred Stock, the proposed transferee acknowledge in writing that the shares of 2006 ESOP Preferred Stock are subject to the foregoing provisions. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this paragraph (b) of Section 1, shares of 2006 ESOP Preferred Stock (i)(A) shall be converted into shares of Common Stock as provided in paragraph (a) of Section 4 hereof, and (B) may be converted into shares of Common Stock as provided by paragraph (b) of Section 4 hereof and the shares of Common Stock issued upon such conversion may be transferred by the holder thereof as permitted by law and (ii) shall be redeemable by the Company upon the terms and conditions provided in Sections 5 and 6(c) hereof.

2. Voting Rights. No shares of 2006 ESOP Preferred Stock shall have voting rights except such voting rights as may from time to time be required by law and as set forth in this Section 2, as follows:

(a) Whenever, at any time or times, dividends payable on shares of 2006 ESOP Preferred Stock shall be in arrears for such number of dividend periods which shall in the aggregate contain not less than 540 days, the holders of the outstanding shares of 2006 ESOP Preferred Stock shall have the exclusive right, voting together as a class with holders of shares of any one or more other series of Preferred Stock ranking on a parity with the shares of 2006 ESOP Preferred Stock, either as to dividends or on the distribution of assets upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up, and upon which like voting rights have been conferred and are exercisable, to elect two directors of the Company at the Company’s next annual meeting of stockholders and at each subsequent annual meeting of stockholders. At elections for such directors, each holder of the shares of 2006 ESOP Preferred Stock shall be entitled to one vote for each share held (the holders of shares of any other series of Preferred Stock ranking on such a parity being entitled to such number of votes, if any, for each share of Preferred Stock held as may be granted to them). Upon the vesting of such right of such holders, the maximum authorized number of members of the Board shall automatically be increased by two and the two vacancies so created shall be filled by vote of the holders of such outstanding shares of 2006 ESOP Preferred Stock (together with the holders of shares of any one or more other series of Preferred Stock ranking on such a parity and upon which like voting rights have been conferred and are exercisable) as herein set forth. The right of such holders of such shares of 2006 ESOP Preferred Stock (voting together as a class with the holders of

 

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shares of any one or more other series of Preferred Stock ranking on such a parity and upon which like voting rights have been conferred and are exercisable) to elect members of the Board as aforesaid shall continue until such time as all dividends accumulated on such shares of 2006 ESOP Preferred Stock shall have been paid in full, at which time such right with respect to such shares of 2006 ESOP Preferred Stock shall terminate, 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.

(b) Upon any termination of the right of the holders of all shares of Preferred Stock entitled to vote for directors as herein provided, the term of office of all directors then in office elected by such holders voting as a class shall terminate immediately. If the office of any director elected by such holders voting as a class becomes vacant by reason of death, resignation, retirement, disqualification, removal from office or otherwise, the remaining director elected by such holders may choose a successor to fill such vacancy, which such successor shall hold office for the unexpired term in respect of which such vacancy occurred. Whenever the term of office of the directors elected by such holders voting as a class shall end and the special voting powers vested in such holders as provided in this resolution shall have expired, the number of directors shall be such number as may be provided for in the By-Laws of the Company irrespective of any increase made pursuant to the provisions of this resolution.

(c) So long as any shares of 2006 ESOP Preferred Stock remain outstanding, the consent of the holders of the outstanding shares of 2006 ESOP Preferred Stock and outstanding shares of all other series of Preferred Stock ranking on a parity with such shares of 2006 ESOP Preferred Stock either as to dividends or the distribution of assets upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up and upon which like voting rights have been conferred and are exercisable, by a vote of at least two-thirds of all such outstanding shares of 2006 ESOP Preferred Stock and such other series of Preferred Stock voting together as a class, given in person or by proxy, either in writing or at any special or annual meeting called for the purpose, shall be necessary to permit, effect or validate any one or more of the following:

(i) the authorization, creation or issuance, or any increase in the authorized or issued amount, of any class or series of stock ranking prior to shares of 2006 ESOP Preferred Stock with respect to payment of dividends or the distribution of assets on liquidation, dissolution or winding up, or

(ii) the amendment, alteration or repeal, whether by merger, consolidation or otherwise, of any of the provisions of the Restated Certificate of Incorporation or of the resolutions set forth in a Certificate of Designations designating shares of 2006 ESOP Preferred Stock and the preferences and relative, participating, optional and other special rights and qualifications, limitations and restrictions thereof which would materially and adversely affect any right, preference, privilege or voting power of the shares of 2006 ESOP Preferred Stock or of the holders thereof; provided, however, that any increase in the amount of authorized Preferred Stock, or the creation and issuance of other series of Preferred Stock, or any increase in the amount of authorized shares of any series of Preferred Stock, in each case ranking on a parity with or junior to the shares of 2006 ESOP Preferred Stock with respect to the payment of dividends and the distribution of assets upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up, shall not be deemed to materially and adversely affect such rights, preferences, privileges or voting powers.

(d) The foregoing voting provisions shall not apply if, at or prior to the time when the act with respect to which such vote would otherwise be required shall be effected, all outstanding shares of 2006 ESOP Preferred Stock shall have been redeemed or sufficient funds shall have been deposited in trust to effect such redemption.

 

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3. Dividends. (a)(i) Holders of shares of 2006 ESOP Preferred Stock will be entitled to receive, when and as declared by the Board or a duly authorized committee thereof, out of assets of the Company legally available for payment, an annual cash dividend of $107.50 (the “Base Dividend”) per share, which Base Dividend shall be subject to adjustment from time to time as provided in this Section 3.

(ii) The Base Dividend shall be adjusted, effective on December 1, 2007 and on each December 1 thereafter until December 1, 2015, as follows:

(1) If the Current Market Price (as hereinafter defined) of one share of Common Stock on November 30 (or the next preceding Trading Day (as hereinafter defined) if November 30 is not a Trading Day) of any year listed in the Dividend Adjustment Table below is equal to or greater than the First Target Price but less than the Second Target Price shown opposite that year in such table, then holders of shares of the 2006 ESOP Preferred Stock will be entitled to receive a cash dividend for the immediately following twelve month period equal to $112.50 per share (the “First Adjusted Dividend”).

(2) If the Current Market Price of one share of Common Stock on November 30 (or the next preceding Trading Day if November 30 is not a Trading Day) of any year listed in the Dividend Adjustment Table below is equal to or greater than the Second Target Price shown opposite that year in such table, then holders of shares of 2006 ESOP Preferred Stock will be entitled to receive a cash dividend for the immediately following twelve month period equal to $117.50 per share (the “Second Adjusted Dividend”).

(3) If the Current Market Price of one share of Common Stock on November 30 (or next preceding Trading Day if November 30 is not a Trading Day) of any year listed in the Dividend Adjustment Table below is less than the First Target Price shown opposite that year in such table, then the holders of shares of 2006 ESOP Preferred Stock will be entitled to receive a cash dividend for the immediately following twelve month period equal to the Base Dividend.

Dividend Adjustment Table

 

Closing Price on 11/30

   First Target Price      Second Target Price  

2007

   $ 72.625       $ 81.118   

2008

     77.926         92.718   

2009

     83.615         105.976   

2010

     89.719         121.131   

2011

     96.268         138.453   

2012

     103.296         158.251   

2013

     110.837         180.881   

2014

     118.928         206.747   

2015

     127.609         236.312   

(4) As an example of the adjustments described in subparagraphs (1) through (3) above, if on November 30, 2009, the Current Market Price of one share of Common Stock is $85.00, then the cash dividend payable for the immediately following twelve month period per share of 2006 ESOP Preferred Stock would equal $112.50, with the first quarterly payment of such $112.50 dividend to be made on March 1, 2010. If on November 30, 2010, the Current Market Price of one share of Common Stock is $125.00, then the cash dividend payable for the immediately following twelve month period per share of 2006 ESOP Preferred Stock

 

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would equal $117.50, with the first quarterly payment of such $117.50 dividend to be made on March 1, 2011. If on November 30, 2011, the Current Market Price of one share of Common Stock is $85.00, then the cash dividend payable for the immediately following twelve month period per share of 2006 ESOP Preferred Stock would equal $107.50, with the first quarterly payment of such $107.50 dividend to be made on March 1, 2012.

(5) For purposes of this Section 3, the terms “First Adjusted Dividend” and “Second Adjusted Dividend” are sometimes referred to as an “Adjusted Dividend;” the term “Current Market Price” shall have the meaning given to it in Section 4(c)(iv); and the term “Trading Day” shall have the meaning given to it in Section 4(c)(vi).

(iii) If one share of Common Stock in any year listed in the Dividend Adjustment Table shall be changed into a different number of shares or a different class of shares by reason of any reclassification, recapitalization, split-up, combination, exchange of shares or readjustment, or if a stock dividend thereon shall be declared with a record date within such period, then the First Target Price and the Second Target Price listed in such table for that year and each subsequent year will be appropriately and proportionately adjusted.

(iv) Dividends payable on shares of the 2006 ESOP Preferred Stock (whether such dividends are equal to the Base Dividend or to an Adjusted Dividend) shall be payable quarterly on March 1, June 1, September 1, and December 1 of each year, commencing June 1, 2006. Dividends on shares of the 2006 ESOP Preferred Stock will be cumulative from the date of initial issuance of such shares of 2006 ESOP Preferred Stock. Dividends will be payable, in arrears, to holders of record as they appear on the stock books of the Company on such record dates, not more than 30 days nor less than 15 days preceding the payment dates thereof, as shall be fixed by the Board or a duly authorized committee thereof. The amount of dividends payable per share for each dividend period shall be computed by dividing by four the Base Dividend or the Adjusted Dividend, whichever is then applicable. The amount of dividends payable for the initial dividend period or any period shorter than a full dividend period shall be calculated on the basis of actual days elapsed in a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months.

(b)(i) No full dividends shall be declared or paid or set apart for payment on any stock of the Company ranking, as to dividends, on a parity with or junior to the 2006 ESOP Preferred Stock for any period unless full cumulative dividends have been or contemporaneously are declared and paid or declared and a sum sufficient for the payment thereof has been set apart for such payment on shares of 2006 ESOP Preferred Stock for all dividend payment periods terminating on or prior to the date of payment of such full cumulative dividends. When dividends are not paid in full, as aforesaid, upon the shares of 2006 ESOP Preferred Stock and any other series of Preferred Stock ranking on a parity as to dividends with 2006 ESOP Preferred Stock, all dividends declared upon shares of 2006 ESOP Preferred Stock and any other series of Preferred Stock ranking on a parity as to dividends with 2006 ESOP Preferred Stock shall be declared pro rata so that the amount of dividends declared per share on 2006 ESOP Preferred Stock and such other series of Preferred Stock shall in all cases bear to each other the same ratio that accrued dividends per share on the shares of 2006 ESOP Preferred Stock and such other series of Preferred Stock bear to each other. Holders of shares of 2006 ESOP Preferred Stock shall not be entitled to any dividend, whether payable in cash, property, or stock, in excess of full cumulative dividends, as herein provided, on 2006 ESOP Preferred Stock. No interest, or sum of money in lieu of interest, shall be payable in respect of any dividend payment or payments on 2006 ESOP Preferred Stock which may be in arrears.

(ii) So long as any shares of 2006 ESOP Preferred Stock are outstanding, no dividend (other than dividends or distributions paid in shares of, or options, warrants, or rights to

 

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subscribe for or purchase shares of, Common Stock or any other stock ranking junior to 2006 ESOP Preferred Stock as to dividends or upon liquidation and other than as provided in paragraph (b)(i) of this Section 3) shall be declared or paid or set aside for payment or other distribution declared or made upon Common Stock or any other capital stock of the Company ranking junior to or on a parity with 2006 ESOP Preferred Stock as to dividends or upon liquidation, nor shall any Common Stock or any other capital stock of the Company ranking junior to or on a parity with 2006 ESOP Preferred Stock as to dividends or upon liquidation be redeemed, purchased, or otherwise acquired for any consideration (or any moneys be paid to or made available for a sinking fund for the redemption of any shares of any such stock) by the Company (except by conversion into or exchange for stock of the Company ranking junior to 2006 ESOP Preferred Stock as to dividends or upon liquidation), unless, in each case, the full cumulative dividends on all outstanding shares of 2006 ESOP Preferred Stock shall have been paid or declared and set aside for payment of the then current dividend payment period and all past dividend payment periods.

4. Conversion. Shares of 2006 ESOP Preferred Stock are convertible from time to time hereafter pursuant to the provisions of paragraphs (a) or (b) of this Section 4 into that number of shares of Common Stock determined by dividing the stated value of each share of 2006 ESOP Preferred Stock by the then applicable Conversion Price, (as determined in accordance with the provisions of paragraph (c)(iii) of this Section 4), as follows:

(a) Each share of 2006 ESOP Preferred Stock released from the unallocated reserve of the Plan in accordance with the terms thereof shall be automatically converted, without any further action by the Company or the holder thereof, as of the date such release occurs (the “Release Date”), into fully paid and nonassessable shares of Common Stock at the then applicable Conversion Price for the 2006 ESOP Preferred Stock provided for in paragraph (c) of this Section 4.

(b) Subject to and upon compliance with the provisions of this Section 4, a holder of 2006 ESOP Preferred Stock shall be entitled at any time, prior to the close of business on the date fixed for redemption of such shares pursuant to Sections 5 or 6 hereof, to cause any or all of the shares of 2006 ESOP Preferred Stock held by such holder to be converted into fully paid and nonassessable shares of Common Stock at the then applicable Conversion Price for 2006 ESOP Preferred Stock provided for in paragraph (c) of this Section 4.

(c) For purposes of these resolutions, the following terms shall have the meanings set forth below:

(i) The “Average Current Market Price” per share of Common Stock on any date shall be deemed to be the average of the Current Market Price for one share of Common Stock for the twenty (20) consecutive Trading Days ending on the Trading Day occurring prior to the date the “Purchase Offer” is made (as that term is defined in Section 6(d) hereof).

(ii) A “Business Day” means each day that is not a Saturday, Sunday, or a day on which state or federally chartered banking institutions in the State of New York are not required to be open.

(iii) (A) For purposes of a mandatory conversion of shares of 2006 ESOP Preferred Stock into shares of Common Stock pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (a) of this Section 4, the “Conversion Price” for such shares of 2006 ESOP Preferred Stock shall be the Current Market Price of one share of Common Stock on the relevant Release Date.

 

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(B) For purposes of an optional conversion of shares of 2006 ESOP Preferred Stock into shares of Common Stock pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (b) of this Section 4, the “Conversion Price” for such shares of 2006 ESOP Preferred Stock shall be the Current Market Price of one share of Common Stock on the date the Conversion Notice (as that term is defined in paragraph (d) of this Section 4) is received by the Company, by the transfer agent for the 2006 ESOP Preferred Stock or by any agent for conversion of the 2006 ESOP Preferred Stock designated as such pursuant to paragraph (d) of this Section 4.

(C) For purposes of a conversion of shares of 2006 ESOP Preferred Stock into shares of Common Stock in connection with a “Purchase Offer” (as defined in Section 6(d) hereof), the “Conversion Price” for such shares of 2006 ESOP Preferred Stock shall be the Average Current Market Price of one share of Common Stock.

Each share of 2006 ESOP Preferred Stock shall be valued at its stated value of $1,000.00 for purposes of computing, based on the applicable Conversion Price, the number of shares of Common Stock into which the shares of 2006 ESOP Preferred Stock will be converted.

(iv) The “Current Market Price” of publicly traded shares of Common Stock or any other class of capital stock or other security of the Company or any other issuer for any day shall mean the reported last sale price, regular way, or, in case no sale takes place on such day, the average of the reported closing bid and asked prices, regular way, in either case as reported on the New York Stock Exchange only or, if the Common Stock is not listed or admitted to trading on the New York Stock Exchange, on the principal national securities exchange on which the Common Stock is listed or admitted to trading or, if not listed or admitted to trading on any national securities exchange, on the National Market System of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. Automated Quotations System (“NASDAQ”) or, if the Common Stock is not quoted on such National Market System, the average of the closing bid and asked prices on such day in the over-the-counter market as reported by NASDAQ or, if bid and asked prices for the Common Stock on each such day shall not have been reported through NASDAQ, the average of the bid and asked prices for such day as furnished by any New York Stock Exchange member firm regularly making a market in the Common Stock selected for such purpose by the Board or a committee thereof or, if no such quotations are available, the fair market value of the Common Stock as determined by a New York Stock Exchange member firm regularly making a market in the Common Stock selected for such purpose by the Board or a committee thereof.

(v) “Common Stock” shall mean the Common Stock of the Company as the same exists at the date of this Certificate of Designations or as such stock may be constituted from time to time.

(vi) “Trading Day” with respect to Common Stock means (x) if the Common Stock is listed or admitted for trading on the New York Stock Exchange or another national securities exchange, a day on which the New York Stock Exchange or such other national securities exchange is open for business or (y) if the Common Stock is quoted on the National Market System of NASDAQ, a day on which trades may be made on such National Market System or (z) otherwise, any Business Day.

(d) In connection with any conversion of 2006 ESOP Preferred Stock pursuant to this Section 4, a written notice of conversion (the “Conversion Notice”) shall be delivered to the Company at its principal executive office or the offices of the transfer agent for the 2006 ESOP Preferred Stock or such office or offices in the continental United States of an agent for conversion as may from time to time be designated by notice to the holders of the 2006 ESOP Preferred Stock by the Company or the transfer agent for the 2006 ESOP Preferred Stock, which notice shall be accompanied by (a) in the case

 

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of certificated 2006 ESOP Preferred Stock, the certificate or certificates representing the shares of 2006 ESOP Preferred Stock being converted pursuant to this Section 4, duly assigned or endorsed for transfer to the Company (or accompanied by duly executed stock powers relating thereto) and (b) in the case of uncertificated 2006 ESOP Preferred Stock, duly executed assignment and transfer documents for the shares of 2006 ESOP Preferred Stock being converted pursuant to this Section 4. Each Conversion Notice shall specify (i)(y) in the case of a mandatory conversion pursuant to paragraph (a) of this Section 4, the number of shares of 2006 ESOP Preferred Stock released from the unallocated reserve of the Plan on the Release Date or (z) in the case of an optional conversion pursuant to paragraph (b) of this Section 4, the number of shares of 2006 ESOP Preferred Stock being converted, and (ii) in connection with any conversion hereunder, (x) the name or names in which such holder wishes the certificate or certificates for Common Stock and, in the case of certificated 2006 ESOP Preferred Stock, for any shares of 2006 ESOP Preferred Stock not to be so converted to be issued, (y) the address to which such holder wishes delivery to be made of such new certificates to be issued upon such conversion, and (z) such other information as the Company or its agents may reasonably request.

(e) Upon delivery to the Company or the transfer agent for the 2006 ESOP Preferred Stock of the Conversion Notice and all other documentation and certificates required to effect the conversion, as provided in paragraph (d) of this Section 4, the Company shall issue and send by hand delivery, by courier or by first-class mail (postage prepaid) to the holder thereof or to such holder’s designee, at the address designated by such holder, a certificate or certificates for the number of shares of Common Stock to which such holder shall be entitled upon conversion. If there shall have been surrendered a certificate or certificates representing shares of 2006 ESOP Preferred Stock only part of which are to be converted, the Company shall issue and deliver to such holder or such holder’s designee, in the manner set forth in the preceding sentence, a new certificate or certificates representing the number of shares of 2006 ESOP Preferred Stock which shall not have been converted.

(f) The issuance by the Company of shares of Common Stock upon a conversion of shares of 2006 ESOP Preferred Stock into shares of Common Stock made pursuant to this Section 4 shall be effective (i) in the case of a mandatory conversion of shares of 2006 ESOP Preferred Stock pursuant to paragraph (a) of this Section 4, as of the Release Date; and (ii) in the case of an optional conversion of such shares pursuant to paragraph (b) of this Section 4, as of the earlier of (A) the delivery to such holder or such holder’s designee of the certificates representing the shares of Common Stock issued upon conversion thereof or (B) the commencement of business on the second Business Day after the delivery to the Company or the transfer agent for the 2006 ESOP Preferred Stock of the Conversion Notice and all other documentation and certificates required to effect the conversion, as provided in paragraph (d) of this Section 4. On and after the effective date of conversion, the person or persons entitled to receive the Common Stock issuable upon such conversion shall be treated for all purposes as the record holder or holders of such shares of Common Stock, but no allowance or adjustment shall be made in respect of dividends payable to holders of Common Stock in respect of any period prior to such effective date. The Company shall not be obligated to pay any dividends which shall have accrued or have been declared and shall be payable to holders of shares of 2006 ESOP Preferred Stock if the date on which such dividends are paid is on or after the effective date of conversion of such shares.

(g) The Company shall not be obligated to deliver to holders of 2006 ESOP Preferred Stock any fractional share or shares of Common Stock issuable upon any conversion of such shares of 2006 ESOP Preferred Stock, but in lieu thereof may make a cash payment in respect thereof in any manner permitted by law.

(h) The Company shall at all times reserve and keep available out of its authorized and unissued Common Stock, solely for issuance upon the conversion of shares of 2006 ESOP Preferred

 

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Stock as herein provided, free from any preemptive rights, such number of shares of Common Stock as shall from time to time be issuable upon the conversion of all the shares of 2006 ESOP Preferred Stock then outstanding.

(i) The Company will use its best efforts to cause the listing of the shares of Common Stock required to be delivered upon conversion of the 2006 ESOP Preferred Stock prior to distribution to Plan participants on the national securities exchange, if any, upon which the outstanding Common Stock is listed at the time of such delivery.

(j) The Company will pay any and all documentary stamp or similar issue or transfer taxes payable in respect of the issue or delivery of shares of Common Stock on conversions of the 2006 ESOP Preferred Stock pursuant hereto; provided, however, that the Company shall not be required to pay any tax which may be payable in respect of any transfer involved in the issue or delivery of shares of Common Stock in a name other than that of the holder of the 2006 ESOP Preferred Stock to be converted and no such issue or delivery shall be made unless and until the person requesting such issue or delivery has paid to the Company the amount of any such tax or has established, to the satisfaction of the Company, that such tax has been paid.

5. Redemption At the Option of the Company. (a) The 2006 ESOP Preferred Stock shall be redeemable, in whole or in part, at the option of the Company at any time, at a redemption price per share of 2006 ESOP Preferred Stock equal to the higher of (x) $1,000.00 per share, plus an amount equal to all accrued and unpaid dividends thereon to the date fixed for redemption, and (y) the Fair Market Value (as that term is defined in paragraph (d) of this Section 5) per share of 2006 ESOP Preferred Stock on the date fixed for redemption. Payment of the redemption price shall be made by the Company in cash or shares of Common Stock, or a combination thereof, as permitted by paragraph (c) of this Section 5. From and after the date fixed for redemption, dividends on shares of 2006 ESOP Preferred Stock called for redemption will cease to accrue and all rights in respect of such shares of the Company shall cease, except the right to receive the redemption price. Upon payment of the redemption price, such shares shall be deemed to have been transferred to the Company, to be retired as provided in paragraph (a) of Section 1. If the full cumulative dividends have not been paid, or contemporaneously declared and set aside for payment, on all outstanding shares of 2006 ESOP Preferred Stock, the Company may not redeem fewer than all the outstanding shares of 2006 ESOP Preferred Stock pursuant to this Section 5.

(b) Unless otherwise required by law, notice of any redemption pursuant to this Section 5 will be sent to the holders of 2006 ESOP Preferred Stock at the address shown on the books of the Company or any transfer agent for the 2006 ESOP Preferred Stock by hand delivery, by courier, by standard form of telecommunication or by first-class mail (postage prepaid) delivered, sent or mailed, as the case may be, not less than twenty (20) days nor more than sixty (60) days prior to the redemption date. Each such notice shall state: (i) the redemption date; (ii) the total number of shares of the 2006 ESOP Preferred Stock to be redeemed and, if fewer than all the shares held by such holder are to be redeemed, the number of such shares to be redeemed from such holder; (iii) the redemption price; (iv) whether the redemption price shall be paid in cash or in shares of Common Stock, or in a combination of such Common Stock and cash; (v) in the case of certificated 2006 ESOP Preferred Stock the place or places where certificates for such shares are to be surrendered for payment of the redemption price; (vi) that dividends on the shares to be redeemed will cease to accrue on such redemption date; and (vii) the conversion rights of the shares to be redeemed, the period within which conversion rights may be exercised and the manner in which the number of shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion of a share of 2006 ESOP Preferred Stock will be determined. The Company shall redeem shares so called for redemption and not previously converted at the date fixed for redemption and at the

 

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redemption price set forth in this Section 5, provided that, in the case of certificated 2006 ESOP Preferred Stock, the Company shall not be obligated to pay the redemption price until the certificates for the shares to be redeemed are surrendered (properly endorsed or assigned for transfer, if the Board of Directors of the Company shall so require and the notice shall so state).

(c) The Company, at its option, may make payment of the redemption price required upon redemption of shares of 2006 ESOP Preferred Stock in cash or in shares of Common Stock, or in a combination of such Common Stock and cash, any such shares of Common Stock to be valued for such purposes at their Fair Market Value (as defined in paragraph (d)(ii) of this Section 5) or their Current Market Price, in either case as of the date fixed for redemption of the 2006 ESOP Preferred Stock, whichever value will result in the issuance of the greater number of shares of Common Stock to the holder of the 2006 ESOP Preferred Stock then being redeemed.

(d) For purposes of these resolutions, the following terms shall have the meanings set forth below:

(i) “Adjustment Period” shall mean the period of five (5) consecutive Trading Days preceding the date as of which the Fair Market Value of a security is to be determined.

(ii) “Fair Market Value” shall mean, as to shares of Common Stock or any other class of capital stock or securities of the Company or any other issue which are publicly traded, the average of the Current Market Prices of such shares or securities for each day of the Adjustment Period. The “Fair Market Value” of any security which is not publicly traded (other than the 2006 ESOP Preferred Stock) or of any other property shall mean the fair value thereof on the date as of which the Fair Market Value of the security is to be determined, as determined by an independent investment banking or appraisal firm experienced in the valuation of such securities or property selected in good faith by the Board or a committee thereof. The “Fair Market Value” of the 2006 ESOP Preferred Stock for purposes of paragraph (a) of Section 5, and for purposes of paragraph (c) of Section 6 shall mean the fair market value thereof determined by an independent appraiser, appointed by the Trustee of the Plan in accordance with the provisions of the Plan, as of the date fixed for redemption of the 2006 ESOP Preferred Stock (in the case of a redemption pursuant to Section 5) or as of the date specified in paragraph (c) of Section 6 (in the case of a redemption under that section). For purposes of determining the Fair Market Value of the 2006 ESOP Preferred Stock, the independent appraiser shall assume (i) that all dividends on the 2006 ESOP Preferred Stock would have been paid when due, and (ii) that the mandatory conversion of shares of 2006 ESOP Preferred Stock held by the Plan into shares of Common Stock pursuant to Section 4(a) hereof would have occurred when and as payments of principal (together with accrued interest thereon) would have been made by the Trustee of the Plan in accordance with the terms of that certain 2006 ESOP Convertible Preferred Stock Note Agreement dated on or about March 21, 2006 between the Company and the Plan (including any amendments or modifications thereto).

6. Consolidation, Merger, Etc. (a) If the Company consummates any consolidation or merger or similar business combination, pursuant to which the outstanding shares of Common Stock are by operation of law exchanged solely for or changed, reclassified or converted solely into stock of any successor or resulting corporation (including the Company) that constitutes “qualifying employer securities” with respect to a holder of 2006 ESOP Preferred Stock within the meaning of Section 409(1) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and Section 407(d)(5) of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, or any successor provisions of law, and, if applicable, for a cash payment in lieu of fractional shares, if any, the shares of 2006 ESOP Preferred Stock of such holder shall, in connection with such consolidation, merger or similar business combination, be assumed by and

 

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shall become Preferred Stock of such successor or resulting corporation, having in respect of such corporation, insofar as possible, the same powers, preferences and relative, participating, optional or other special rights (including the redemption rights provided by Sections 5 and 6 hereof), and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereon, that the 2006 ESOP Preferred Stock had immediately prior to such transaction, subject to the following:

(1) After such transaction each share of the 2006 ESOP Preferred Stock shall be convertible, otherwise on the terms and conditions provided by Section 4 hereof, into the number and kind of qualifying employer securities so receivable by a holder of the number of shares of Common Stock into which such shares of 2006 ESOP Preferred Stock could have been converted immediately prior to such transaction.

(2) The Company shall not consummate any such merger, consolidation or similar transaction unless all then outstanding shares of 2006 ESOP Preferred Stock shall be assumed and authorized by the successor or resulting corporation as aforesaid.

(b) If the Company consummates any consolidation or merger or similar business combination, pursuant to which the outstanding shares of Common Stock are by operation of law exchanged for or changed, reclassified or converted into other stock or securities or cash or any other property, or any combination thereof, other than any such consideration which is constituted solely of qualifying employer securities (as referred to in paragraph (a) of this Section 6) and cash payments, if applicable, in lieu of fractional shares, outstanding shares of 2006 ESOP Preferred Stock shall, without any action on the part of the Company or any holder thereof (but subject to paragraph (c) of this Section 6), be automatically converted by virtue of such merger, consolidation or similar transaction immediately prior to such consummation into the number of shares of Common Stock into which such shares of 2006 ESOP Preferred Stock could have been converted at such time so that each share of 2006 ESOP Preferred Stock shall, by virtue of such transaction and on the same terms as apply to the holders of Common Stock, be converted into or exchanged for the aggregate amount of stock, securities, cash or other property (payable in like kind) receivable by a holder of the number of shares of Common Stock into which such shares of 2006 ESOP Preferred Stock could have been converted immediately prior to such transaction. However, if by virtue of the structure of such transaction, a holder of Common Stock is required to make an election with respect to the nature and kind of consideration to be received in such transaction, which election cannot practicably be made by the holders of the 2006 ESOP Preferred Stock, then the shares of 2006 ESOP Preferred Stock shall, by virtue of such transaction and on the same terms as apply to the holders of Common Stock, be converted into or exchanged for the aggregate amount of stock, securities, cash or other property (payable in kind) receivable by a holder of the number of shares of Common Stock into which such shares of 2006 ESOP Preferred Stock could have been converted immediately prior to such transaction if such holder of Common Stock failed to exercise any rights of election as to the kind or amount of stock, securities, cash or other property receivable upon such transaction. If the kind or amount of stock, securities, cash or other property receivable upon such transaction is not the same for each non-electing share, then the kind and amount of stock, securities, cash or other property receivable upon such transaction for each non-electing share shall be the kind and amount so receivable per share by a plurality of the non-electing shares.

(c) In the event the Company shall enter into any agreement providing for any consolidation or merger or similar business combination described in paragraph (b) of this Section 6 (a “Business Combination”), then the Company shall as soon as practicable thereafter (and in any event at least fifteen (15) Business Days before consummation of such transaction) give notice of such agreement and the material terms thereof to each holder of 2006 ESOP Preferred Stock and each such holder shall have the right to elect, by written notice to the Company, to receive, upon consummation of such

 

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transaction (if and when such transaction is consummated), from the Company or the successor of the Company, in redemption and retirement of such 2006 ESOP Preferred Stock, a cash payment per share of 2006 ESOP Preferred Stock equal to the higher of (x) $1,000.00, plus accrued and unpaid dividends thereon to the date of consummation of such transaction or (y) the Fair Market Value per share of 2006 ESOP Preferred Stock, as of the last Business Day (as defined in paragraph (c) of Section 4 hereof) immediately preceding the date the Business Combination is consummated. No such notice of redemption shall be effective unless given to the Company prior to the close of business on the last Business Day prior to consummation of such transaction, unless the Company or the successor of the Company shall waive such prior notice, but any notice of redemption so given prior to such time may be withdrawn by notice of withdrawal given to the Company prior to the close of business on the last Business Day prior to consummation of such transaction.

(d) In the event that a Purchase Offer (as defined below) shall have been made and shall be continuing, each holder of 2006 ESOP Preferred Stock shall have the right to convert shares of 2006 ESOP Preferred Stock into shares of Common Stock at the Conversion Price specified in Section 4(c)(iii)(C) hereof until the date the Purchase Offer is terminated, including without limitation because the original Purchase Offer is withdrawn or because the Purchase Offer has expired and is not renewed, upon notice of such conversion given to the Company not later than the close of business on the date the Purchase Offer terminates (the “Purchase Offer Conversion Period”), unless the Company or any successor of the Company shall waive such prior notice, but any notice of conversion so given may be withdrawn by notice of withdrawal given to the Company prior to the end of the Purchase Offer Conversion Period.

For purposes of this paragraph (d), the following terms shall have the meanings set forth below:

(i) “Beneficial Ownership” shall have the meaning ascribed to it in Rule 13d-3 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”) and “person” shall have the meanings specified in Sections 3(a)(9) and 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act.

(ii) A “Purchase Offer” shall have been made when any person (other than the Company or any affiliate of the Company) shall have “commenced” (as such term is defined in Rule 14d-2 under the Exchange Act) a tender offer or exchange offer to purchase shares of Common Stock, such that, upon consummation of such offer, such person would have Beneficial Ownership (as defined herein) or the right to acquire Beneficial Ownership, of twenty percent (20%) or more of the voting power of the Company.

7. Liquidation Rights. (a) Upon the dissolution, liquidation, or winding up of the Company, the holders of the shares of 2006 ESOP Preferred Stock shall be entitled to receive and to be paid out of the assets of the Company available for distribution to its stockholders, before any payment or distribution shall be made on the Common Stock or any other class of stock ranking junior to 2006 ESOP Preferred Stock upon liquidation, the amount of $1,000.00 per share, plus a sum equal to all dividends (whether or not earned or declared) on such shares accrued and unpaid thereon to the date of final distribution.

(b) Neither the sale of all or substantially all the property and assets of the Company, nor the merger or consolidation of the Company into or with any other corporation, nor the merger or consolidation of any other corporation into or with the Company shall be deemed to be a dissolution, liquidation, or winding up, voluntary or involuntary, for the purposes of this Section 7.

 

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(c) After the payment to the holders of the shares of 2006 ESOP Preferred Stock of the full preferential amounts provided for in this Section 7, the holders of 2006 ESOP Preferred Stock, as such, shall have no right or claim to any of the remaining assets of the Company.

(d) In the event the assets of the Company available for distribution to the holders of shares of 2006 ESOP Preferred Stock upon any dissolution, liquidation, or winding up of the Company, whether voluntary or involuntary, shall be insufficient to pay in full all amounts to which such holders are entitled pursuant to paragraph (a) of this Section 7, no such distribution shall be made on account of any shares of any other series of Preferred Stock or other capital stock of the Company ranking on a parity with the shares of 2006 ESOP Preferred Stock upon such dissolution, liquidation, or winding up unless proportionate distributive amounts shall be paid on account of the shares of 2006 ESOP Preferred Stock, ratably, in proportion to the full distributable amounts for which holders of all such parity shares are respectively entitled upon such dissolution, liquidation, or winding up.

(e) Subject to the rights of the holders of the shares of any series or class or classes of stock ranking on a parity with or prior to the shares of 2006 ESOP Preferred Stock upon liquidation, dissolution, or winding up, upon any liquidation, dissolution, or winding up of the Company, after payment shall have been made in full to the holders of the shares of 2006 ESOP Preferred Stock as provided in this Section 7, but not prior thereto, any other series or class or classes of stock ranking junior to the shares of 2006 ESOP Preferred Stock upon liquidation shall, subject to the respective terms and provisions (if any) applying thereto, be entitled to receive any and all assets remaining to be paid or distributed, and the holders of the shares of 2006 ESOP Preferred Stock shall not be entitled to share therein.

8. Ranking. For the purposes of these resolutions, any stock of any series or class or classes of the Company shall be deemed to rank:

(a) prior to the shares of 2006 ESOP Preferred Stock, either as to dividends or upon liquidation, if the holders of such series or class or classes shall be entitled to the receipt of dividends or of amounts distributable upon dissolution, liquidation, or winding up of the Company, as the case may be, in preference or priority to the holders of shares of 2006 ESOP Preferred Stock;

(b) on a parity with shares of 2006 ESOP Preferred Stock, either as to dividends or upon liquidation, whether or not the dividend rates, dividend payment dates, or redemption or liquidation prices per share, or sinking fund provisions, if any, be different from those of 2006 ESOP Preferred Stock, if the holders of such stock shall be entitled to the receipt of dividends or of amounts distributable upon dissolution, liquidation, or winding up of the Company, as the case may be, in proportion to their respective dividend rates or liquidation prices, without preference or priority, one over the other, as between the holders of such stock and the holders of shares of 2006 ESOP Preferred Stock; and

(c) junior to shares of 2006 ESOP Preferred Stock, either as to dividends or upon liquidation, if such class shall be Common Stock or if the holders of shares of 2006 ESOP Preferred Stock shall be entitled to receipt of dividends or of amounts distributable upon dissolution, liquidation, or winding up of the Company, as the case may be, in preference or priority to the holders of shares of such series or class or classes.

9. Priority of 2006 ESOP Preferred Stock. The shares of 2006 ESOP Preferred Stock will rank on a parity, both as to payment of dividends and the distribution of assets upon liquidation, with the Company’s 1997 ESOP Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock, its 1998 ESOP Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock, its 1999 ESOP Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock, its 2000 ESOP Cumulative

 

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Convertible Preferred Stock, its 2001 ESOP Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock, its 2002 ESOP Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock, its 2003 ESOP Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock, its 2004 ESOP Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock, and its 2005 ESOP Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock.

 

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WELLS FARGO & COMPANY

 

 

CERTIFICATE OF DESIGNATIONS

Pursuant to Section 151 of the

General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware

 

 

2007 ESOP CUMULATIVE CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED STOCK

(Without Par Value)

 

 

WELLS FARGO & COMPANY, a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the State of Delaware (the “Company”), HEREBY CERTIFIES that, pursuant to authority conferred upon the Board of Directors of the Company (the “Board”) by the provisions of the Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company, as amended, which authorizes the issuance of not more than 20,000,000 shares of Preferred Stock, without par value (the “Preferred Stock”), and pursuant to authority conferred upon the ESOP Preferred Stock Committee I of the Board (the “ESOP Committee”) in accordance with Section 141(c) of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the “General Corporation Law”) and by the resolutions of the Board set forth herein, the following resolutions were duly adopted by the Board at a meeting of the Board duly held on January 25, 2000, and by the ESOP Committee pursuant to the written consent of the ESOP Committee duly adopted on March 13, 2007, in accordance with Section 141(f) of the General Corporation Law:

1. On January 25, 2000, the Board adopted the following resolutions (the “ESOP Board Resolutions”) appointing the ESOP Committee and delegating to the ESOP Committee the full powers of the Board, subject to the ESOP Board Resolutions, in all matters relating to issuance of one or more series of Preferred Stock (“ESOP Preferred Stock”) to the trustee on behalf of the Company’s 401(k) Plan hereinafter referred to:

RESOLVED that a committee of one member of the Board of the Company is hereby appointed by the Board as the ESOP Preferred Stock Committee I (the “First Committee”), which shall have and may exercise the full powers of the Board, subject to these resolutions, to issue from time to time one or more series of ESOP Preferred Stock, including any shares of Company common stock ($1 2/3 par value) issuable upon conversion of ESOP Preferred Stock, and in connection therewith, to fix the designations, voting powers, preferences, and all other rights, qualifications and restrictions of such ESOP Preferred Stock, to sell such ESOP Preferred Stock to the Plan on such terms and conditions and for such purchase price as the First Committee in its discretion shall approve, and to take any and all actions as the First Committee shall deem necessary or appropriate.

RESOLVED that Richard M. Kovacevich is designated to serve as the sole member of the First Committee until his successor is duly elected and qualified.

* * * *

RESOLVED that any series of ESOP Preferred Stock authorized for issuance by the First Committee . . . shall have the voting rights set forth in Appendix A to these resolutions.

 

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APPENDIX A - VOTING RIGHTS

No series of the Preferred Stock, except as hereinafter set forth in this resolution or as otherwise from time to time required by law, shall have voting rights. Whenever, at any time or times, dividends payable on any shares of a designated series of the Preferred Stock (such shares of such designated series of Preferred Stock being hereinafter referred to as the “Shares of such series”) shall be in arrears for such number of dividend periods which shall in the aggregate contain not less than 540 days, the holders of the outstanding Shares of such series shall have the exclusive right, voting together as a class with holders of shares of any one or more other series of Preferred Stock ranking on a parity with the Shares of such series, either as to dividends or on the distribution of assets upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up, and upon which like voting rights have been conferred and are exercisable, to elect two directors of the Company at the Company’s next annual meeting of stockholders and at each subsequent annual meeting of stockholders. At elections for such directors, each holder of the Shares of such series shall be entitled to one vote for each share held (the holders of shares of any other series of Preferred Stock ranking on such a parity being entitled to such number of votes, if any, for each share of Preferred Stock held as may be granted to them). Upon the vesting of such right of such holders, the maximum authorized number of members of the Board shall automatically be increased by two and the two vacancies so created shall be filled by vote of the holders of such outstanding Shares of such series (together with the holders of shares of any one or more other series of Preferred Stock ranking on such a parity and upon which like voting rights have been conferred and are exercisable) as herein set forth. The right of such holders of such Shares of such series (voting together as a class with the holders of shares of any one or more other series of Preferred Stock ranking on such a parity and upon which like voting rights have been conferred and are exercisable) to elect members of the Board as aforesaid shall continue until such time as all dividends accumulated on such Shares of such series shall have been paid in full, at which time such right with respect to such Shares of such series shall terminate, 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.

Upon any termination of the right of the holders of all shares of Preferred Stock entitled to vote for directors as herein provided, the term of office of all directors then in office elected by such holders voting as a class shall terminate immediately. If the office of any director elected by such holders voting as a class becomes vacant by reason of death, resignation, retirement, disqualification, removal from office or otherwise, the remaining director elected by such holders may choose a successor to fill such vacancy, which such successor shall hold office for the unexpired term in respect of which such vacancy occurred. Whenever the term of office of the directors elected by such holders voting as a class shall end and the special voting powers vested in such holders as provided in this resolution shall have expired, the number of directors shall be such number as may be provided for in the By-Laws of the Company irrespective of any increase made pursuant to the provisions of this resolution.

So long as any Shares of such series remain outstanding, the consent of the holders of the outstanding Shares of such series and outstanding shares of all other series of Preferred Stock ranking on a parity with such Shares of such series either as to dividends or the distribution of assets upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up and upon which like voting rights have been conferred and are exercisable, by a vote of at least two-thirds of all such outstanding Shares of such series and such other series of Preferred Stock voting together as a class, given in person or by proxy, either in writing or at any special or annual meeting called for the purpose, shall be necessary to permit, effect or validate any one or more of the following:

(a) the authorization, creation or issuance, or any increase in the authorized or issued amount, of any class or series of stock ranking prior to the Shares of such series with respect to payment of dividends or the distribution of assets on liquidation, dissolution or winding up, or

 

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(b) the amendment, alteration or repeal, whether by merger, consolidation or otherwise, of any of the provisions of the Restated Certificate of Incorporation or of the resolutions set forth in a Certificate of Designation for the Shares of such series designating the Shares of such series and the preferences and relative, participating, optional and other special rights and qualifications, limitations and restrictions thereof which would materially and adversely affect any right, preference, privilege or voting power of the Shares of such series or of the holders thereof; provided, however, that any increase in the amount of authorized Preferred Stock or the creation and issuance of other series of Preferred Stock, or any increase in the amount of authorized shares of any series of Preferred Stock, in each case ranking on a parity with or junior to the Shares of such series with respect to the payment of dividends and the distribution of assets upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up, shall not be deemed to materially and adversely affect such rights, preferences, privileges or voting powers.

The foregoing voting provisions shall not apply if, at or prior to the time when the act with respect to which such vote would otherwise be required shall be effected, all outstanding Shares of such series shall have been redeemed or sufficient funds shall have been deposited in trust to effect such redemption.

2. On March 13, 2007, pursuant to authority conferred upon it by the Board in the ESOP Board Resolutions, the ESOP Committee adopted the following resolutions by written consent in accordance with Section 141(f) of the General Corporation Law:

RESOLVED that the issuance of a series of Preferred Stock, without par value, of the Company is hereby authorized and the designation, voting powers, preferences, and relative, participating, optional, and other special rights, and qualifications, limitations and restrictions thereof, in addition to those set forth in the Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company, as amended, are hereby fixed as follows:

2007 ESOP CUMULATIVE CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED STOCK

1. Designation and Number of Shares; Restricted Issue.

(a) The designation of the series of Preferred Stock, without par value, provided for herein shall be “2007 ESOP Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock” (hereinafter referred to as the “2007 ESOP Preferred Stock”) and the number of authorized shares constituting the 2007 ESOP Preferred Stock is 484,000, based on an offering price for the 2007 ESOP Preferred Stock of $1,070.00 per share. Each share of 2007 ESOP Preferred Stock shall have a stated value of $1,000.00 per share. The number of authorized shares of 2007 ESOP Preferred Stock may be reduced by further resolution duly adopted by the Board or the Securities Committee and by the filing of a certificate pursuant to the provisions of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware stating that such reduction has been so authorized, provided, however, that the authorized number of shares of 2007 ESOP Preferred Stock shall not be decreased below the then outstanding number of such shares, and provided further that the number of authorized shares of 2007 ESOP Preferred Stock shall not be increased. All shares of the 2007 ESOP Preferred Stock purchased, redeemed, or converted by the Company shall be retired and canceled and shall be restored to the status of authorized but unissued shares of Preferred Stock, without designation as to series, and may thereafter be issued, but not as shares of 2007 ESOP Preferred Stock.

 

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(b) Shares of 2007 ESOP Preferred Stock shall be issued only to a trustee (the “Trustee”) acting on behalf of the Wells Fargo & Company 401(k) Plan, or any successor to such plan (the “Plan”). All references to the holder of shares of 2007 ESOP Preferred Stock shall mean the Trustee or any company with which or into which the Trustee may merge or any successor trustee under the trust agreement with respect to the Plan. In the event of any transfer of record ownership of shares of 2007 ESOP Preferred Stock to any person other than any successor trustee under the Plan, the shares of 2007 ESOP Preferred Stock so transferred, upon such transfer and without any further action by the Company or the holder thereof, shall be automatically converted into shares of the common stock, par value $1-2/3 per share, of the Company (the “Common Stock”) on the terms otherwise provided for the conversion of the shares of 2007 ESOP Preferred Stock into shares of Common Stock pursuant to paragraph (a) of Section 4 hereof, and no such transferee shall have any of the voting powers, preferences, and relative, participating, optional or special rights ascribed to shares of 2007 ESOP Preferred Stock hereunder but, rather, only the powers and rights pertaining to the Common Stock into which such shares of 2007 ESOP Preferred Stock shall be so converted. In the event of such a conversion, the transferee of the shares of 2007 ESOP Preferred Stock shall be treated for all purposes as the record holder of the shares of Common Stock into which such shares of 2007 ESOP Preferred Stock have been automatically converted as of the date of such transfer. Shares of 2007 ESOP Preferred Stock may be certificated or uncertificated, at the Company’s option. Certificates representing shares of 2007 ESOP Preferred Stock shall bear a legend to reflect the foregoing provisions. In the case of uncertificated 2007 ESOP Preferred Stock, the transfer agent for the 2007 ESOP Preferred Stock shall note the foregoing provisions on each 2007 ESOP Preferred Stock book entry account. The Company may require that, as a condition to transferring record ownership of any uncertificated 2007 ESOP Preferred Stock, the proposed transferee acknowledge in writing that the shares of 2007 ESOP Preferred Stock are subject to the foregoing provisions. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this paragraph (b) of Section 1, shares of 2007 ESOP Preferred Stock (i)(A) shall be converted into shares of Common Stock as provided in paragraph (a) of Section 4 hereof, and (B) may be converted into shares of Common Stock as provided by paragraph (b) of Section 4 hereof and the shares of Common Stock issued upon such conversion may be transferred by the holder thereof as permitted by law and (ii) shall be redeemable by the Company upon the terms and conditions provided in Sections 5 and 6(c) hereof.

2. Voting Rights. No shares of 2007 ESOP Preferred Stock shall have voting rights except such voting rights as may from time to time be required by law and as set forth in this Section 2, as follows:

(a) Whenever, at any time or times, dividends payable on shares of 2007 ESOP Preferred Stock shall be in arrears for such number of dividend periods which shall in the aggregate contain not less than 540 days, the holders of the outstanding shares of 2007 ESOP Preferred Stock shall have the exclusive right, voting together as a class with holders of shares of any one or more other series of Preferred Stock ranking on a parity with the shares of 2007 ESOP Preferred Stock, either as to dividends or on the distribution of assets upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up, and upon which like voting rights have been conferred and are exercisable, to elect two directors of the Company at the Company’s next annual meeting of stockholders and at each subsequent annual meeting of stockholders. At elections for such directors, each holder of the shares of 2007 ESOP Preferred Stock shall be entitled to one vote for each share held (the holders of shares of any other series of Preferred Stock ranking on such a parity being entitled to such number of votes, if any, for each share of Preferred Stock held as may be granted to them). Upon the vesting of such right of such holders, the maximum authorized number of members of the Board shall automatically be increased by two and the two vacancies so created shall be filled by vote of the holders of such outstanding shares of 2007 ESOP Preferred Stock (together with the holders of shares of any one or more other series of Preferred Stock ranking on such a parity and upon which like voting rights have been conferred and are exercisable) as herein set forth. The right of such holders of such shares of 2007 ESOP Preferred Stock (voting together as a class with the holders of

 

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shares of any one or more other series of Preferred Stock ranking on such a parity and upon which like voting rights have been conferred and are exercisable) to elect members of the Board as aforesaid shall continue until such time as all dividends accumulated on such shares of 2007 ESOP Preferred Stock shall have been paid in full, at which time such right with respect to such shares of 2007 ESOP Preferred Stock shall terminate, 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.

(b) Upon any termination of the right of the holders of all shares of Preferred Stock entitled to vote for directors as herein provided, the term of office of all directors then in office elected by such holders voting as a class shall terminate immediately. If the office of any director elected by such holders voting as a class becomes vacant by reason of death, resignation, retirement, disqualification, removal from office or otherwise, the remaining director elected by such holders may choose a successor to fill such vacancy, which such successor shall hold office for the unexpired term in respect of which such vacancy occurred. Whenever the term of office of the directors elected by such holders voting as a class shall end and the special voting powers vested in such holders as provided in this resolution shall have expired, the number of directors shall be such number as may be provided for in the By-Laws of the Company irrespective of any increase made pursuant to the provisions of this resolution.

(c) So long as any shares of 2007 ESOP Preferred Stock remain outstanding, the consent of the holders of the outstanding shares of 2007 ESOP Preferred Stock and outstanding shares of all other series of Preferred Stock ranking on a parity with such shares of 2007 ESOP Preferred Stock either as to dividends or the distribution of assets upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up and upon which like voting rights have been conferred and are exercisable, by a vote of at least two-thirds of all such outstanding shares of 2007 ESOP Preferred Stock and such other series of Preferred Stock voting together as a class, given in person or by proxy, either in writing or at any special or annual meeting called for the purpose, shall be necessary to permit, effect or validate any one or more of the following:

(i) the authorization, creation or issuance, or any increase in the authorized or issued amount, of any class or series of stock ranking prior to shares of 2007 ESOP Preferred Stock with respect to payment of dividends or the distribution of assets on liquidation, dissolution or winding up, or

(ii) the amendment, alteration or repeal, whether by merger, consolidation or otherwise, of any of the provisions of the Restated Certificate of Incorporation or of the resolutions set forth in a Certificate of Designations designating shares of 2007 ESOP Preferred Stock and the preferences and relative, participating, optional and other special rights and qualifications, limitations and restrictions thereof which would materially and adversely affect any right, preference, privilege or voting power of the shares of 2007 ESOP Preferred Stock or of the holders thereof; provided, however, that any increase in the amount of authorized Preferred Stock, or the creation and issuance of other series of Preferred Stock, or any increase in the amount of authorized shares of any series of Preferred Stock, in each case ranking on a parity with or junior to the shares of 2007 ESOP Preferred Stock with respect to the payment of dividends and the distribution of assets upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up, shall not be deemed to materially and adversely affect such rights, preferences, privileges or voting powers.

(d) The foregoing voting provisions shall not apply if, at or prior to the time when the act with respect to which such vote would otherwise be required shall be effected, all outstanding shares of 2007 ESOP Preferred Stock shall have been redeemed or sufficient funds shall have been deposited in trust to effect such redemption.

 

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3. Dividends. (a)(i) Holders of shares of 2007 ESOP Preferred Stock will be entitled to receive, when and as declared by the Board or a duly authorized committee thereof, out of assets of the Company legally available for payment, an annual cash dividend of $107.50 (the “Base Dividend”) per share, which Base Dividend shall be subject to adjustment from time to time as provided in this Section 3.

(ii) The Base Dividend shall be adjusted, effective on December 1, 2008 and on each December 1 thereafter until December 1, 2016, as follows:

(1) If the Current Market Price (as hereinafter defined) of one share of Common Stock on November 30 (or the next preceding Trading Day (as hereinafter defined) if November 30 is not a Trading Day) of any year listed in the Dividend Adjustment Table below is equal to or greater than the First Target Price but less than the Second Target Price shown opposite that year in such table, then holders of shares of the 2007 ESOP Preferred Stock will be entitled to receive a cash dividend for the immediately following twelve month period equal to $112.50 per share (the “First Adjusted Dividend”).

(2) If the Current Market Price of one share of Common Stock on November 30 (or the next preceding Trading Day if November 30 is not a Trading Day) of any year listed in the Dividend Adjustment Table below is equal to or greater than the Second Target Price shown opposite that year in such table, then holders of shares of 2007 ESOP Preferred Stock will be entitled to receive a cash dividend for the immediately following twelve month period equal to $117.50 per share (the “Second Adjusted Dividend”).

(3) If the Current Market Price of one share of Common Stock on November 30 (or next preceding Trading Day if November 30 is not a Trading Day) of any year listed in the Dividend Adjustment Table below is less than the First Target Price shown opposite that year in such table, then the holders of shares of 2007 ESOP Preferred Stock will be entitled to receive a cash dividend for the immediately following twelve month period equal to the Base Dividend.

Dividend Adjustment Table

 

Closing Price on 11/30

   First Target Price      Second Target Price  

2008

   $ 38.649       $ 43.120   

2009

     41.316         49.071   

2010

     44.167         55.843   

2011

     47.215         63.549   

2012

     50.472         72.319   

2013

     53.955         82.299   

2014

     57.678         93.656   

2015

     61.658         106.580   

2016

     65.912         121.288   

(4) As an example of the adjustments described in subparagraphs (1) through (3) above, if on November 30, 2010, the Current Market Price of one share of Common Stock is $50, then the cash dividend payable for the immediately following twelve month period per share of 2007 ESOP Preferred Stock would equal $112.50, with the first quarterly payment of such $112.50 dividend to be made on March 1, 2011. If on November 30, 2011, the Current Market Price of one share of Common Stock is $65, then the cash dividend payable for the

 

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immediately following twelve month period per share of 2007 ESOP Preferred Stock would equal $117.50, with the first quarterly payment of such $117.50 dividend to be made on March 1, 2012. If on November 30, 2012, the Current Market Price of one share of Common Stock is $45, then the cash dividend payable for the immediately following twelve month period per share of 2007 ESOP Preferred Stock would equal $107.50, with the first quarterly payment of such $107.50 dividend to be made on March 1, 2013.

(5) For purposes of this Section 3, the terms “First Adjusted Dividend” and “Second Adjusted Dividend” are sometimes referred to as an “Adjusted Dividend;” the term “Current Market Price” shall have the meaning given to it in Section 4(c)(iv); and the term “Trading Day” shall have the meaning given to it in Section 4(c)(vi).

(iii) If one share of Common Stock in any year listed in the Dividend Adjustment Table shall be changed into a different number of shares or a different class of shares by reason of any reclassification, recapitalization, split-up, combination, exchange of shares or readjustment, or if a stock dividend thereon shall be declared with a record date within such period, then the First Target Price and the Second Target Price listed in such table for that year and each subsequent year will be appropriately and proportionately adjusted.

(iv) Dividends payable on shares of the 2007 ESOP Preferred Stock (whether such dividends are equal to the Base Dividend or to an Adjusted Dividend) shall be payable quarterly on March 1, June 1, September 1, and December 1 of each year, commencing June 1, 2007. Dividends on shares of the 2007 ESOP Preferred Stock will be cumulative from the date of initial issuance of such shares of 2007 ESOP Preferred Stock. Dividends will be payable, in arrears, to holders of record as they appear on the stock books of the Company on such record dates, not more than 30 days nor less than 15 days preceding the payment dates thereof, as shall be fixed by the Board or a duly authorized committee thereof. The amount of dividends payable per share for each dividend period shall be computed by dividing by four the Base Dividend or the Adjusted Dividend, whichever is then applicable. The amount of dividends payable for the initial dividend period or any period shorter than a full dividend period shall be calculated on the basis of actual days elapsed in a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months.

(b)(i) No full dividends shall be declared or paid or set apart for payment on any stock of the Company ranking, as to dividends, on a parity with or junior to the 2007 ESOP Preferred Stock for any period unless full cumulative dividends have been or contemporaneously are declared and paid or declared and a sum sufficient for the payment thereof has been set apart for such payment on shares of 2007 ESOP Preferred Stock for all dividend payment periods terminating on or prior to the date of payment of such full cumulative dividends. When dividends are not paid in full, as aforesaid, upon the shares of 2007 ESOP Preferred Stock and any other series of Preferred Stock ranking on a parity as to dividends with 2007 ESOP Preferred Stock, all dividends declared upon shares of 2007 ESOP Preferred Stock and any other series of Preferred Stock ranking on a parity as to dividends with 2007 ESOP Preferred Stock shall be declared pro rata so that the amount of dividends declared per share on 2007 ESOP Preferred Stock and such other series of Preferred Stock shall in all cases bear to each other the same ratio that accrued dividends per share on the shares of 2007 ESOP Preferred Stock and such other series of Preferred Stock bear to each other. Holders of shares of 2007 ESOP Preferred Stock shall not be entitled to any dividend, whether payable in cash, property, or stock, in excess of full cumulative dividends, as herein provided, on 2007 ESOP Preferred Stock. No interest, or sum of money in lieu of interest, shall be payable in respect of any dividend payment or payments on 2007 ESOP Preferred Stock which may be in arrears.

 

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(ii) So long as any shares of 2007 ESOP Preferred Stock are outstanding, no dividend (other than dividends or distributions paid in shares of, or options, warrants, or rights to subscribe for or purchase shares of, Common Stock or any other stock ranking junior to 2007 ESOP Preferred Stock as to dividends or upon liquidation and other than as provided in paragraph (b)(i) of this Section 3) shall be declared or paid or set aside for payment or other distribution declared or made upon Common Stock or any other capital stock of the Company ranking junior to or on a parity with 2007 ESOP Preferred Stock as to dividends or upon liquidation, nor shall any Common Stock or any other capital stock of the Company ranking junior to or on a parity with 2007 ESOP Preferred Stock as to dividends or upon liquidation be redeemed, purchased, or otherwise acquired for any consideration (or any moneys be paid to or made available for a sinking fund for the redemption of any shares of any such stock) by the Company (except by conversion into or exchange for stock of the Company ranking junior to 2007 ESOP Preferred Stock as to dividends or upon liquidation), unless, in each case, the full cumulative dividends on all outstanding shares of 2007 ESOP Preferred Stock shall have been paid or declared and set aside for payment of the then current dividend payment period and all past dividend payment periods.

4. Conversion. Shares of 2007 ESOP Preferred Stock are convertible from time to time hereafter pursuant to the provisions of paragraphs (a) or (b) of this Section 4 into that number of shares of Common Stock determined by dividing the stated value of each share of 2007 ESOP Preferred Stock by the then applicable Conversion Price, (as determined in accordance with the provisions of paragraph (c)(iii) of this Section 4), as follows:

(a) Each share of 2007 ESOP Preferred Stock released from the unallocated reserve of the Plan in accordance with the terms thereof shall be automatically converted, without any further action by the Company or the holder thereof, as of the date such release occurs (the “Release Date”), into fully paid and nonassessable shares of Common Stock at the then applicable Conversion Price for the 2007 ESOP Preferred Stock provided for in paragraph (c) of this Section 4.

(b) Subject to and upon compliance with the provisions of this Section 4, a holder of 2007 ESOP Preferred Stock shall be entitled at any time, prior to the close of business on the date fixed for redemption of such shares pursuant to Sections 5 or 6 hereof, to cause any or all of the shares of 2007 ESOP Preferred Stock held by such holder to be converted into fully paid and nonassessable shares of Common Stock at the then applicable Conversion Price for 2007 ESOP Preferred Stock provided for in paragraph (c) of this Section 4.

(c) For purposes of these resolutions, the following terms shall have the meanings set forth below:

(i) The “Average Current Market Price” per share of Common Stock on any date shall be deemed to be the average of the Current Market Price for one share of Common Stock for the twenty (20) consecutive Trading Days ending on the Trading Day occurring prior to the date the “Purchase Offer” is made (as that term is defined in Section 6(d) hereof).

(ii) A “Business Day” means each day that is not a Saturday, Sunday, or a day on which state or federally chartered banking institutions in the State of New York are not required to be open.

(iii) (A) For purposes of a mandatory conversion of shares of 2007 ESOP Preferred Stock into shares of Common Stock pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (a) of this Section 4, the “Conversion Price” for such shares of 2007 ESOP Preferred Stock shall be the Current Market Price of one share of Common Stock on the relevant Release Date.

 

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(B) For purposes of an optional conversion of shares of 2007 ESOP Preferred Stock into shares of Common Stock pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (b) of this Section 4, the “Conversion Price” for such shares of 2007 ESOP Preferred Stock shall be the Current Market Price of one share of Common Stock on the date the Conversion Notice (as that term is defined in paragraph (d) of this Section 4) is received by the Company, by the transfer agent for the 2007 ESOP Preferred Stock or by any agent for conversion of the 2007 ESOP Preferred Stock designated as such pursuant to paragraph (d) of this Section 4.

(C) For purposes of a conversion of shares of 2007 ESOP Preferred Stock into shares of Common Stock in connection with a “Purchase Offer” (as defined in Section 6(d) hereof), the “Conversion Price” for such shares of 2007 ESOP Preferred Stock shall be the Average Current Market Price of one share of Common Stock.

Each share of 2007 ESOP Preferred Stock shall be valued at its stated value of $1,000.00 for purposes of computing, based on the applicable Conversion Price, the number of shares of Common Stock into which the shares of 2007 ESOP Preferred Stock will be converted.

(iv) The “Current Market Price” of publicly traded shares of Common Stock or any other class of capital stock or other security of the Company or any other issuer for any day shall mean the reported last sale price, regular way, or, in case no sale takes place on such day, the average of the reported closing bid and asked prices, regular way, in either case as reported on the New York Stock Exchange only or, if the Common Stock is not listed or admitted to trading on the New York Stock Exchange, on the principal national securities exchange on which the Common Stock is listed or admitted to trading or, if not listed or admitted to trading on any national securities exchange, on the National Market System of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. Automated Quotations System (“NASDAQ”) or, if the Common Stock is not quoted on such National Market System, the average of the closing bid and asked prices on such day in the over-the-counter market as reported by NASDAQ or, if bid and asked prices for the Common Stock on each such day shall not have been reported through NASDAQ, the average of the bid and asked prices for such day as furnished by any New York Stock Exchange member firm regularly making a market in the Common Stock selected for such purpose by the Board or a committee thereof or, if no such quotations are available, the fair market value of the Common Stock as determined by a New York Stock Exchange member firm regularly making a market in the Common Stock selected for such purpose by the Board or a committee thereof.

(v) “Common Stock” shall mean the Common Stock of the Company as the same exists at the date of this Certificate of Designations or as such stock may be constituted from time to time.

(vi) “Trading Day” with respect to Common Stock means (x) if the Common Stock is listed or admitted for trading on the New York Stock Exchange or another national securities exchange, a day on which the New York Stock Exchange or such other national securities exchange is open for business or (y) if the Common Stock is quoted on the National Market System of NASDAQ, a day on which trades may be made on such National Market System or (z) otherwise, any Business Day.

(d) In connection with any conversion of 2007 ESOP Preferred Stock pursuant to this Section 4, a written notice of conversion (the “Conversion Notice”) shall be delivered to the Company at its principal executive office or the offices of the transfer agent for the 2007 ESOP Preferred Stock or

 

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such office or offices in the continental United States of an agent for conversion as may from time to time be designated by notice to the holders of the 2007 ESOP Preferred Stock by the Company or the transfer agent for the 2007 ESOP Preferred Stock, which notice shall be accompanied by (a) in the case of certificated 2007 ESOP Preferred Stock, the certificate or certificates representing the shares of 2007 ESOP Preferred Stock being converted pursuant to this Section 4, duly assigned or endorsed for transfer to the Company (or accompanied by duly executed stock powers relating thereto) and (b) in the case of uncertificated 2007 ESOP Preferred Stock, duly executed assignment and transfer documents for the shares of 2007 ESOP Preferred Stock being converted pursuant to this Section 4. Each Conversion Notice shall specify (i)(y) in the case of a mandatory conversion pursuant to paragraph (a) of this Section 4, the number of shares of 2007 ESOP Preferred Stock released from the unallocated reserve of the Plan on the Release Date or (z) in the case of an optional conversion pursuant to paragraph (b) of this Section 4, the number of shares of 2007 ESOP Preferred Stock being converted, and (ii) in connection with any conversion hereunder, (x) the name or names in which such holder wishes the certificate or certificates for Common Stock and, in the case of certificated 2007 ESOP Preferred Stock, for any shares of 2007 ESOP Preferred Stock not to be so converted to be issued, (y) the address to which such holder wishes delivery to be made of such new certificates to be issued upon such conversion, and (z) such other information as the Company or its agents may reasonably request.

(e) Upon delivery to the Company or the transfer agent for the 2007 ESOP Preferred Stock of the Conversion Notice and all other documentation and certificates required to effect the conversion, as provided in paragraph (d) of this Section 4, the Company shall issue and send by hand delivery, by courier or by first-class mail (postage prepaid) to the holder thereof or to such holder’s designee, at the address designated by such holder, a certificate or certificates for the number of shares of Common Stock to which such holder shall be entitled upon conversion. If there shall have been surrendered a certificate or certificates representing shares of 2007 ESOP Preferred Stock only part of which are to be converted, the Company shall issue and deliver to such holder or such holder’s designee, in the manner set forth in the preceding sentence, a new certificate or certificates representing the number of shares of 2007 ESOP Preferred Stock which shall not have been converted.

(f) The issuance by the Company of shares of Common Stock upon a conversion of shares of 2007 ESOP Preferred Stock into shares of Common Stock made pursuant to this Section 4 shall be effective (i) in the case of a mandatory conversion of shares of 2007 ESOP Preferred Stock pursuant to paragraph (a) of this Section 4, as of the Release Date; and (ii) in the case of an optional conversion of such shares pursuant to paragraph (b) of this Section 4, as of the earlier of (A) the delivery to such holder or such holder’s designee of the certificates representing the shares of Common Stock issued upon conversion thereof or (B) the commencement of business on the second Business Day after the delivery to the Company or the transfer agent for the 2007 ESOP Preferred Stock of the Conversion Notice and all other documentation and certificates required to effect the conversion, as provided in paragraph (d) of this Section 4. On and after the effective date of conversion, the person or persons entitled to receive the Common Stock issuable upon such conversion shall be treated for all purposes as the record holder or holders of such shares of Common Stock, but no allowance or adjustment shall be made in respect of dividends payable to holders of Common Stock in respect of any period prior to such effective date. The Company shall not be obligated to pay any dividends which shall have accrued or have been declared and shall be payable to holders of shares of 2007 ESOP Preferred Stock if the date on which such dividends are paid is on or after the effective date of conversion of such shares.

(g) The Company shall not be obligated to deliver to holders of 2007 ESOP Preferred Stock any fractional share or shares of Common Stock issuable upon any conversion of such shares of 2007 ESOP Preferred Stock, but in lieu thereof may make a cash payment in respect thereof in any manner permitted by law.

 

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(h) The Company shall at all times reserve and keep available out of its authorized and unissued Common Stock, solely for issuance upon the conversion of shares of 2007 ESOP Preferred Stock as herein provided, free from any preemptive rights, such number of shares of Common Stock as shall from time to time be issuable upon the conversion of all the shares of 2007 ESOP Preferred Stock then outstanding.

(i) The Company will use its best efforts to cause the listing of the shares of Common Stock required to be delivered upon conversion of the 2007 ESOP Preferred Stock prior to distribution to Plan participants on the national securities exchange, if any, upon which the outstanding Common Stock is listed at the time of such delivery.

(j) The Company will pay any and all documentary stamp or similar issue or transfer taxes payable in respect of the issue or delivery of shares of Common Stock on conversions of the 2007 ESOP Preferred Stock pursuant hereto; provided, however, that the Company shall not be required to pay any tax which may be payable in respect of any transfer involved in the issue or delivery of shares of Common Stock in a name other than that of the holder of the 2007 ESOP Preferred Stock to be converted and no such issue or delivery shall be made unless and until the person requesting such issue or delivery has paid to the Company the amount of any such tax or has established, to the satisfaction of the Company, that such tax has been paid.

5. Redemption At the Option of the Company. (a) The 2007 ESOP Preferred Stock shall be redeemable, in whole or in part, at the option of the Company at any time, at a redemption price per share of 2007 ESOP Preferred Stock equal to the higher of (x) $1,000.00 per share, plus an amount equal to all accrued and unpaid dividends thereon to the date fixed for redemption, and (y) the Fair Market Value (as that term is defined in paragraph (d) of this Section 5) per share of 2007 ESOP Preferred Stock on the date fixed for redemption. Payment of the redemption price shall be made by the Company in cash or shares of Common Stock, or a combination thereof, as permitted by paragraph (c) of this Section 5. From and after the date fixed for redemption, dividends on shares of 2007 ESOP Preferred Stock called for redemption will cease to accrue and all rights in respect of such shares of the Company shall cease, except the right to receive the redemption price. Upon payment of the redemption price, such shares shall be deemed to have been transferred to the Company, to be retired as provided in paragraph (a) of Section 1. If the full cumulative dividends have not been paid, or contemporaneously declared and set aside for payment, on all outstanding shares of 2007 ESOP Preferred Stock, the Company may not redeem fewer than all the outstanding shares of 2007 ESOP Preferred Stock pursuant to this Section 5.

(b) Unless otherwise required by law, notice of any redemption pursuant to this Section 5 will be sent to the holders of 2007 ESOP Preferred Stock at the address shown on the books of the Company or any transfer agent for the 2007 ESOP Preferred Stock by hand delivery, by courier, by standard form of telecommunication or by first-class mail (postage prepaid) delivered, sent or mailed, as the case may be, not less than twenty (20) days nor more than sixty (60) days prior to the redemption date. Each such notice shall state: (i) the redemption date; (ii) the total number of shares of the 2007 ESOP Preferred Stock to be redeemed and, if fewer than all the shares held by such holder are to be redeemed, the number of such shares to be redeemed from such holder; (iii) the redemption price; (iv) whether the redemption price shall be paid in cash or in shares of Common Stock, or in a combination of such Common Stock and cash; (v) in the case of certificated 2007 ESOP Preferred Stock the place or places where certificates for such shares are to be surrendered for payment of the redemption price; (vi) that dividends on the shares to be redeemed will cease to accrue on such redemption date; and (vii) the conversion rights of the shares to be redeemed, the period within which conversion rights may be exercised and the manner in which the number of shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion of a

 

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share of 2007 ESOP Preferred Stock will be determined. The Company shall redeem shares so called for redemption and not previously converted at the date fixed for redemption and at the redemption price set forth in this Section 5, provided that, in the case of certificated 2007 ESOP Preferred Stock, the Company shall not be obligated to pay the redemption price until the certificates for the shares to be redeemed are surrendered (properly endorsed or assigned for transfer, if the Board of Directors of the Company shall so require and the notice shall so state).

(c) The Company, at its option, may make payment of the redemption price required upon redemption of shares of 2007 ESOP Preferred Stock in cash or in shares of Common Stock, or in a combination of such Common Stock and cash, any such shares of Common Stock to be valued for such purposes at their Fair Market Value (as defined in paragraph (d)(ii) of this Section 5) or their Current Market Price, in either case as of the date fixed for redemption of the 2007 ESOP Preferred Stock, whichever value will result in the issuance of the greater number of shares of Common Stock to the holder of the 2007 ESOP Preferred Stock then being redeemed.

(d) For purposes of these resolutions, the following terms shall have the meanings set forth below:

(i) “Adjustment Period” shall mean the period of five (5) consecutive Trading Days preceding the date as of which the Fair Market Value of a security is to be determined.

(ii) “Fair Market Value” shall mean, as to shares of Common Stock or any other class of capital stock or securities of the Company or any other issue which are publicly traded, the average of the Current Market Prices of such shares or securities for each day of the Adjustment Period. The “Fair Market Value” of any security which is not publicly traded (other than the 2007 ESOP Preferred Stock) or of any other property shall mean the fair value thereof on the date as of which the Fair Market Value of the security is to be determined, as determined by an independent investment banking or appraisal firm experienced in the valuation of such securities or property selected in good faith by the Board or a committee thereof. The “Fair Market Value” of the 2007 ESOP Preferred Stock for purposes of paragraph (a) of Section 5, and for purposes of paragraph (c) of Section 6 shall mean the fair market value thereof determined by an independent appraiser, appointed by the Trustee of the Plan in accordance with the provisions of the Plan, as of the date fixed for redemption of the 2007 ESOP Preferred Stock (in the case of a redemption pursuant to Section 5) or as of the date specified in paragraph (c) of Section 6 (in the case of a redemption under that section). For purposes of determining the Fair Market Value of the 2007 ESOP Preferred Stock, the independent appraiser shall assume (i) that all dividends on the 2007 ESOP Preferred Stock would have been paid when due, and (ii) that the mandatory conversion of shares of 2007 ESOP Preferred Stock held by the Plan into shares of Common Stock pursuant to Section 4(a) hereof would have occurred when and as payments of principal (together with accrued interest thereon) would have been made by the Trustee of the Plan in accordance with the terms of that certain 2007 ESOP Convertible Preferred Stock Note Agreement dated on or about March 20, 2007 between the Company and the Plan (including any amendments or modifications thereto).

6. Consolidation, Merger, etc. (a) If the Company consummates any consolidation or merger or similar business combination, pursuant to which the outstanding shares of Common Stock are by operation of law exchanged solely for or changed, reclassified or converted solely into stock of any successor or resulting corporation (including the Company) that constitutes “qualifying employer securities” with respect to a holder of 2007 ESOP Preferred Stock within the meaning of Section 409(1) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and Section 407(d)(5) of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, or any successor provisions of law, and, if applicable, for a cash payment in lieu of fractional shares, if any, the shares of 2007 ESOP Preferred Stock of such holder

 

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shall, in connection with such consolidation, merger or similar business combination, be assumed by and shall become Preferred Stock of such successor or resulting corporation, having in respect of such corporation, insofar as possible, the same powers, preferences and relative, participating, optional or other special rights (including the redemption rights provided by Sections 5 and 6 hereof), and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereon, that the 2007 ESOP Preferred Stock had immediately prior to such transaction, subject to the following:

(1) After such transaction each share of the 2007 ESOP Preferred Stock shall be convertible, otherwise on the terms and conditions provided by Section 4 hereof, into the number and kind of qualifying employer securities so receivable by a holder of the number of shares of Common Stock into which such shares of 2007 ESOP Preferred Stock could have been converted immediately prior to such transaction.

(2) The Company shall not consummate any such merger, consolidation or similar transaction unless all then outstanding shares of 2007 ESOP Preferred Stock shall be assumed and authorized by the successor or resulting corporation as aforesaid.

(b) If the Company consummates any consolidation or merger or similar business combination, pursuant to which the outstanding shares of Common Stock are by operation of law exchanged for or changed, reclassified or converted into other stock or securities or cash or any other property, or any combination thereof, other than any such consideration which is constituted solely of qualifying employer securities (as referred to in paragraph (a) of this Section 6) and cash payments, if applicable, in lieu of fractional shares, outstanding shares of 2007 ESOP Preferred Stock shall, without any action on the part of the Company or any holder thereof (but subject to paragraph (c) of this Section 6), be automatically converted by virtue of such merger, consolidation or similar transaction immediately prior to such consummation into the number of shares of Common Stock into which such shares of 2007 ESOP Preferred Stock could have been converted at such time so that each share of 2007 ESOP Preferred Stock shall, by virtue of such transaction and on the same terms as apply to the holders of Common Stock, be converted into or exchanged for the aggregate amount of stock, securities, cash or other property (payable in like kind) receivable by a holder of the number of shares of Common Stock into which such shares of 2007 ESOP Preferred Stock could have been converted immediately prior to such transaction. However, if by virtue of the structure of such transaction, a holder of Common Stock is required to make an election with respect to the nature and kind of consideration to be received in such transaction, which election cannot practicably be made by the holders of the 2007 ESOP Preferred Stock, then the shares of 2007 ESOP Preferred Stock shall, by virtue of such transaction and on the same terms as apply to the holders of Common Stock, be converted into or exchanged for the aggregate amount of stock, securities, cash or other property (payable in kind) receivable by a holder of the number of shares of Common Stock into which such shares of 2007 ESOP Preferred Stock could have been converted immediately prior to such transaction if such holder of Common Stock failed to exercise any rights of election as to the kind or amount of stock, securities, cash or other property receivable upon such transaction. If the kind or amount of stock, securities, cash or other property receivable upon such transaction is not the same for each non-electing share, then the kind and amount of stock, securities, cash or other property receivable upon such transaction for each non-electing share shall be the kind and amount so receivable per share by a plurality of the non-electing shares.

(c) In the event the Company shall enter into any agreement providing for any consolidation or merger or similar business combination described in paragraph (b) of this Section 6 (a “Business Combination”), then the Company shall as soon as practicable thereafter (and in any event at least fifteen (15) Business Days before consummation of such transaction) give notice of such agreement and the material terms thereof to each holder of 2007 ESOP Preferred Stock and each such holder shall

 

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have the right to elect, by written notice to the Company, to receive, upon consummation of such transaction (if and when such transaction is consummated), from the Company or the successor of the Company, in redemption and retirement of such 2007 ESOP Preferred Stock, a cash payment per share of 2007 ESOP Preferred Stock equal to the higher of (x) $1,000.00, plus accrued and unpaid dividends thereon to the date of consummation of such transaction or (y) the Fair Market Value per share of 2007 ESOP Preferred Stock, as of the last Business Day (as defined in paragraph (c) of Section 4 hereof) immediately preceding the date the Business Combination is consummated. No such notice of redemption shall be effective unless given to the Company prior to the close of business on the last Business Day prior to consummation of such transaction, unless the Company or the successor of the Company shall waive such prior notice, but any notice of redemption so given prior to such time may be withdrawn by notice of withdrawal given to the Company prior to the close of business on the last Business Day prior to consummation of such transaction.

(d) In the event that a Purchase Offer (as defined below) shall have been made and shall be continuing, each holder of 2007 ESOP Preferred Stock shall have the right to convert shares of 2007 ESOP Preferred Stock into shares of Common Stock at the Conversion Price specified in Section 4(c)(iii)(C) hereof until the date the Purchase Offer is terminated, including without limitation because the original Purchase Offer is withdrawn or because the Purchase Offer has expired and is not renewed, upon notice of such conversion given to the Company not later than the close of business on the date the Purchase Offer terminates (the “Purchase Offer Conversion Period”), unless the Company or any successor of the Company shall waive such prior notice, but any notice of conversion so given may be withdrawn by notice of withdrawal given to the Company prior to the end of the Purchase Offer Conversion Period.

For purposes of this paragraph (d), the following terms shall have the meanings set forth below:

(i) “Beneficial Ownership” shall have the meaning ascribed to it in Rule 13d-3 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”) and “person” shall have the meanings specified in Sections 3(a)(9) and 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act.

(ii) A “Purchase Offer” shall have been made when any person (other than the Company or any affiliate of the Company) shall have “commenced” (as such term is defined in Rule 14d-2 under the Exchange Act) a tender offer or exchange offer to purchase shares of Common Stock, such that, upon consummation of such offer, such person would have Beneficial Ownership (as defined herein) or the right to acquire Beneficial Ownership, of twenty percent (20%) or more of the voting power of the Company.

7. Liquidation Rights. (a) Upon the dissolution, liquidation, or winding up of the Company, the holders of the shares of 2007 ESOP Preferred Stock shall be entitled to receive and to be paid out of the assets of the Company available for distribution to its stockholders, before any payment or distribution shall be made on the Common Stock or any other class of stock ranking junior to 2007 ESOP Preferred Stock upon liquidation, the amount of $1,000.00 per share, plus a sum equal to all dividends (whether or not earned or declared) on such shares accrued and unpaid thereon to the date of final distribution.

(b) Neither the sale of all or substantially all the property and assets of the Company, nor the merger or consolidation of the Company into or with any other corporation, nor the merger or consolidation of any other corporation into or with the Company shall be deemed to be a dissolution, liquidation, or winding up, voluntary or involuntary, for the purposes of this Section 7.

 

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(c) After the payment to the holders of the shares of 2007 ESOP Preferred Stock of the full preferential amounts provided for in this Section 7, the holders of 2007 ESOP Preferred Stock, as such, shall have no right or claim to any of the remaining assets of the Company.

(d) In the event the assets of the Company available for distribution to the holders of shares of 2007 ESOP Preferred Stock upon any dissolution, liquidation, or winding up of the Company, whether voluntary or involuntary, shall be insufficient to pay in full all amounts to which such holders are entitled pursuant to paragraph (a) of this Section 7, no such distribution shall be made on account of any shares of any other series of Preferred Stock or other capital stock of the Company ranking on a parity with the shares of 2007 ESOP Preferred Stock upon such dissolution, liquidation, or winding up unless proportionate distributive amounts shall be paid on account of the shares of 2007 ESOP Preferred Stock, ratably, in proportion to the full distributable amounts for which holders of all such parity shares are respectively entitled upon such dissolution, liquidation, or winding up.

(e) Subject to the rights of the holders of the shares of any series or class or classes of stock ranking on a parity with or prior to the shares of 2007 ESOP Preferred Stock upon liquidation, dissolution, or winding up, upon any liquidation, dissolution, or winding up of the Company, after payment shall have been made in full to the holders of the shares of 2007 ESOP Preferred Stock as provided in this Section 7, but not prior thereto, any other series or class or classes of stock ranking junior to the shares of 2007 ESOP Preferred Stock upon liquidation shall, subject to the respective terms and provisions (if any) applying thereto, be entitled to receive any and all assets remaining to be paid or distributed, and the holders of the shares of 2007 ESOP Preferred Stock shall not be entitled to share therein.

8. Ranking. For the purposes of these resolutions, any stock of any series or class or classes of the Company shall be deemed to rank:

(a) prior to the shares of 2007 ESOP Preferred Stock, either as to dividends or upon liquidation, if the holders of such series or class or classes shall be entitled to the receipt of dividends or of amounts distributable upon dissolution, liquidation, or winding up of the Company, as the case may be, in preference or priority to the holders of shares of 2007 ESOP Preferred Stock;

(b) on a parity with shares of 2007 ESOP Preferred Stock, either as to dividends or upon liquidation, whether or not the dividend rates, dividend payment dates, or redemption or liquidation prices per share, or sinking fund provisions, if any, be different from those of 2007 ESOP Preferred Stock, if the holders of such stock shall be entitled to the receipt of dividends or of amounts distributable upon dissolution, liquidation, or winding up of the Company, as the case may be, in proportion to their respective dividend rates or liquidation prices, without preference or priority, one over the other, as between the holders of such stock and the holders of shares of 2007 ESOP Preferred Stock; and

(c) junior to shares of 2007 ESOP Preferred Stock, either as to dividends or upon liquidation, if such class shall be Common Stock or if the holders of shares of 2007 ESOP Preferred Stock shall be entitled to receipt of dividends or of amounts distributable upon dissolution, liquidation, or winding up of the Company, as the case may be, in preference or priority to the holders of shares of such series or class or classes.

9. Priority of 2007 ESOP Preferred Stock. The shares of 2007 ESOP Preferred Stock will rank on a parity, both as to payment of dividends and the distribution of assets upon liquidation, with the Company’s 1998 ESOP Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock, its 1999 ESOP Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock, its 2000 ESOP Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock, its 2001 ESOP Cumulative

 

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Convertible Preferred Stock, its 2002 ESOP Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock, its 2003 ESOP Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock, its 2004 ESOP Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock, its 2005 ESOP Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock and its 2006 ESOP Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this Certificate of Designations to be signed by Richard M. Kovacevich, its Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, and attested by Rachelle M. Graham, its Assistant Secretary, whereby such Chairman and Chief Executive Officer affirms, under penalties of perjury, that this Certificate of Designations is the act and deed of the Company and that the facts stated herein are true, this 13th day of March, 2007.

 

WELLS FARGO & COMPANY
By  

/s/ Richard M. Kovacevich

  Richard M. Kovacevich
  Chairman and
  Chief Executive Officer

 

Attest:

/s/ Rachelle M. Graham

Rachelle M. Graham
Assistant Secretary

[As filed with the Delaware Secretary of State on March 15, 2007.]

 

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WELLS FARGO & COMPANY

 

 

CERTIFICATE OF DESIGNATIONS

Pursuant to Section 151 of the

General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware

 

 

2008 ESOP CUMULATIVE CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED STOCK

(Without Par Value)

 

 

WELLS FARGO & COMPANY, a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the State of Delaware (the “Company”), HEREBY CERTIFIES that, pursuant to authority conferred upon the Board of Directors of the Company (the “Board”) by the provisions of the Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company, as amended, which authorizes the issuance of not more than 20,000,000 shares of Preferred Stock, without par value (the “Preferred Stock”), and pursuant to authority conferred upon the ESOP Preferred Stock Committee II of the Board (the “ESOP Committee”) in accordance with Section 141(c) of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the “General Corporation Law”) and by the resolutions of the Board set forth herein, the following resolutions were duly adopted by the Board at meetings of the Board duly held on January 25, 2000 and February 27, 2007, and by the ESOP Committee pursuant to the written consent of the ESOP Committee duly adopted on March 11, 2008, in accordance with Section 141(f) of the General Corporation Law:

1. On January 25, 2000, the Board adopted the following resolutions (the “ESOP Board Resolutions”) appointing the ESOP Committee and delegating to the ESOP Committee the full powers of the Board, subject to the ESOP Board Resolutions, in all matters relating to issuance of one or more series of Preferred Stock (“ESOP Preferred Stock”) to the trustee on behalf of the Company’s 401(k) Plan hereinafter referred to:

RESOLVED that a committee of one member of the Board of the Company is hereby appointed by the Board as the ESOP Preferred Stock Committee II (the “Second Committee”), which shall have and may exercise the full powers of the Board, subject to these resolutions, to issue from time to time one or more series of ESOP Preferred Stock, including any shares of Company common stock ($1 2/3 par value) issuable upon conversion of ESOP Preferred Stock, and in connection therewith, to fix the designations, voting powers, preferences, and all other rights, qualifications and restrictions of such ESOP Preferred Stock, to sell such ESOP Preferred Stock to the Plan on such terms and conditions and for such purchase price as the Second Committee in its discretion shall approve, and to take any and all actions as the Second Committee shall deem necessary or appropriate.

*  *  *  *

RESOLVED that any series of ESOP Preferred Stock authorized for issuance by the . . . Second Committee shall have the voting rights set forth in Appendix A to these resolutions.

APPENDIX A - VOTING RIGHTS

No series of the Preferred Stock, except as hereinafter set forth in this resolution or as otherwise from time to time required by law, shall have voting rights. Whenever, at any time or times, dividends

 

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payable on any shares of a designated series of the Preferred Stock (such shares of such designated series of Preferred Stock being hereinafter referred to as the “Shares of such series”) shall be in arrears for such number of dividend periods which shall in the aggregate contain not less than 540 days, the holders of the outstanding Shares of such series shall have the exclusive right, voting together as a class with holders of shares of any one or more other series of Preferred Stock ranking on a parity with the Shares of such series, either as to dividends or on the distribution of assets upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up, and upon which like voting rights have been conferred and are exercisable, to elect two directors of the Company at the Company’s next annual meeting of stockholders and at each subsequent annual meeting of stockholders. At elections for such directors, each holder of the Shares of such series shall be entitled to one vote for each share held (the holders of shares of any other series of Preferred Stock ranking on such a parity being entitled to such number of votes, if any, for each share of Preferred Stock held as may be granted to them). Upon the vesting of such right of such holders, the maximum authorized number of members of the Board shall automatically be increased by two and the two vacancies so created shall be filled by vote of the holders of such outstanding Shares of such series (together with the holders of shares of any one or more other series of Preferred Stock ranking on such a parity and upon which like voting rights have been conferred and are exercisable) as herein set forth. The right of such holders of such Shares of such series (voting together as a class with the holders of shares of any one or more other series of Preferred Stock ranking on such a parity and upon which like voting rights have been conferred and are exercisable) to elect members of the Board as aforesaid shall continue until such time as all dividends accumulated on such Shares of such series shall have been paid in full, at which time such right with respect to such Shares of such series shall terminate, 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.

Upon any termination of the right of the holders of all shares of Preferred Stock entitled to vote for directors as herein provided, the term of office of all directors then in office elected by such holders voting as a class shall terminate immediately. If the office of any director elected by such holders voting as a class becomes vacant by reason of death, resignation, retirement, disqualification, removal from office or otherwise, the remaining director elected by such holders may choose a successor to fill such vacancy, which such successor shall hold office for the unexpired term in respect of which such vacancy occurred. Whenever the term of office of the directors elected by such holders voting as a class shall end and the special voting powers vested in such holders as provided in this resolution shall have expired, the number of directors shall be such number as may be provided for in the By-Laws of the Company irrespective of any increase made pursuant to the provisions of this resolution.

So long as any Shares of such series remain outstanding, the consent of the holders of the outstanding Shares of such series and outstanding shares of all other series of Preferred Stock ranking on a parity with such Shares of such series either as to dividends or the distribution of assets upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up and upon which like voting rights have been conferred and are exercisable, by a vote of at least two-thirds of all such outstanding Shares of such series and such other series of Preferred Stock voting together as a class, given in person or by proxy, either in writing or at any special or annual meeting called for the purpose, shall be necessary to permit, effect or validate any one or more of the following:

(a) the authorization, creation or issuance, or any increase in the authorized or issued amount, of any class or series of stock ranking prior to the Shares of such series with respect to payment of dividends or the distribution of assets on liquidation, dissolution or winding up, or

(b) the amendment, alteration or repeal, whether by merger, consolidation or otherwise, of any of the provisions of the Restated Certificate of Incorporation or of the

 

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resolutions set forth in a Certificate of Designation for the Shares of such series designating the Shares of such series and the preferences and relative, participating, optional and other special rights and qualifications, limitations and restrictions thereof which would materially and adversely affect any right, preference, privilege or voting power of the Shares of such series or of the holders thereof; provided, however, that any increase in the amount of authorized Preferred Stock or the creation and issuance of other series of Preferred Stock, or any increase in the amount of authorized shares of any series of Preferred Stock, in each case ranking on a parity with or junior to the Shares of such series with respect to the payment of dividends and the distribution of assets upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up, shall not be deemed to materially and adversely affect such rights, preferences, privileges or voting powers.

The foregoing voting provisions shall not apply if, at or prior to the time when the act with respect to which such vote would otherwise be required shall be effected, all outstanding Shares of such series shall have been redeemed or sufficient funds shall have been deposited in trust to effect such redemption.

2. Pursuant to resolutions adopted on February 27, 2007, the Board designated John G. Stumpf as the sole member of the ESOP Committee, effective April 25, 2007.

3. On March 11, 2008, pursuant to authority conferred upon it by the Board in the ESOP Board Resolutions, the ESOP Committee adopted the following resolutions by written consent in accordance with Section 141(f) of the General Corporation Law:

RESOLVED that the issuance of a series of Preferred Stock, without par value, of the Company is hereby authorized and the designation, voting powers, preferences, and relative, participating, optional, and other special rights, and qualifications, limitations and restrictions thereof, in addition to those set forth in the Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company, as amended, are hereby fixed as follows:

2008 ESOP CUMULATIVE CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED STOCK

1. Designation and Number of Shares; Restricted Issue.

(a) The designation of the series of Preferred Stock, without par value, provided for herein shall be “2008 ESOP Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock” (hereinafter referred to as the “2008 ESOP Preferred Stock”) and the number of authorized shares constituting the 2008 ESOP Preferred Stock is 520,500, based on an offering price for the 2008 ESOP Preferred Stock of $1,058.00 per share. Each share of 2008 ESOP Preferred Stock shall have a stated value of $1,000.00 per share. The number of authorized shares of 2008 ESOP Preferred Stock may be reduced by further resolution duly adopted by the Board or the Securities Committee and by the filing of a certificate pursuant to the provisions of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware stating that such reduction has been so authorized, provided, however, that the authorized number of shares of 2008 ESOP Preferred Stock shall not be decreased below the then outstanding number of such shares, and provided further that the number of authorized shares of 2008 ESOP Preferred Stock shall not be increased. All shares of the 2008 ESOP Preferred Stock purchased, redeemed, or converted by the Company shall be retired and canceled and shall be restored to the status of authorized but unissued shares of Preferred Stock, without designation as to series, and may thereafter be issued, but not as shares of 2008 ESOP Preferred Stock.

(b) Shares of 2008 ESOP Preferred Stock shall be issued only to a trustee (the “Trustee”) acting on behalf of the Wells Fargo & Company 401(k) Plan, or any successor to such plan

 

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(the “Plan”). All references to the holder of shares of 2008 ESOP Preferred Stock shall mean the Trustee or any company with which or into which the Trustee may merge or any successor trustee under the trust agreement with respect to the Plan. In the event of any transfer of record ownership of shares of 2008 ESOP Preferred Stock to any person other than any successor trustee under the Plan, the shares of 2008 ESOP Preferred Stock so transferred, upon such transfer and without any further action by the Company or the holder thereof, shall be automatically converted into shares of the common stock, par value $1-2/3 per share, of the Company (the “Common Stock”) on the terms otherwise provided for the conversion of the shares of 2008 ESOP Preferred Stock into shares of Common Stock pursuant to paragraph (a) of Section 4 hereof, and no such transferee shall have any of the voting powers, preferences, and relative, participating, optional or special rights ascribed to shares of 2008 ESOP Preferred Stock hereunder but, rather, only the powers and rights pertaining to the Common Stock into which such shares of 2008 ESOP Preferred Stock shall be so converted. In the event of such a conversion, the transferee of the shares of 2008 ESOP Preferred Stock shall be treated for all purposes as the record holder of the shares of Common Stock into which such shares of 2008 ESOP Preferred Stock have been automatically converted as of the date of such transfer. Shares of 2008 ESOP Preferred Stock may be certificated or uncertificated, at the Company’s option. Certificates representing shares of 2008 ESOP Preferred Stock shall bear a legend to reflect the foregoing provisions. In the case of uncertificated 2008 ESOP Preferred Stock, the transfer agent for the 2008 ESOP Preferred Stock shall note the foregoing provisions on each 2008 ESOP Preferred Stock book entry account. The Company may require that, as a condition to transferring record ownership of any uncertificated 2008 ESOP Preferred Stock, the proposed transferee acknowledge in writing that the shares of 2008 ESOP Preferred Stock are subject to the foregoing provisions. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this paragraph (b) of Section 1, shares of 2008 ESOP Preferred Stock (i)(A) shall be converted into shares of Common Stock as provided in paragraph (a) of Section 4 hereof, and (B) may be converted into shares of Common Stock as provided by paragraph (b) of Section 4 hereof and the shares of Common Stock issued upon such conversion may be transferred by the holder thereof as permitted by law and (ii) shall be redeemable by the Company upon the terms and conditions provided in Sections 5 and 6(c) hereof.

2. Voting Rights. No shares of 2008 ESOP Preferred Stock shall have voting rights except such voting rights as may from time to time be required by law and as set forth in this Section 2, as follows:

(a) Whenever, at any time or times, dividends payable on shares of 2008 ESOP Preferred Stock shall be in arrears for such number of dividend periods which shall in the aggregate contain not less than 540 days, the holders of the outstanding shares of 2008 ESOP Preferred Stock shall have the exclusive right, voting together as a class with holders of shares of any one or more other series of Preferred Stock ranking on a parity with the shares of 2008 ESOP Preferred Stock, either as to dividends or on the distribution of assets upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up, and upon which like voting rights have been conferred and are exercisable, to elect two directors of the Company at the Company’s next annual meeting of stockholders and at each subsequent annual meeting of stockholders. At elections for such directors, each holder of the shares of 2008 ESOP Preferred Stock shall be entitled to one vote for each share held (the holders of shares of any other series of Preferred Stock ranking on such a parity being entitled to such number of votes, if any, for each share of Preferred Stock held as may be granted to them). Upon the vesting of such right of such holders, the maximum authorized number of members of the Board shall automatically be increased by two and the two vacancies so created shall be filled by vote of the holders of such outstanding shares of 2008 ESOP Preferred Stock (together with the holders of shares of any one or more other series of Preferred Stock ranking on such a parity and upon which like voting rights have been conferred and are exercisable) as herein set forth. The right of such holders of such shares of 2008 ESOP Preferred Stock (voting together as a class with the holders of shares of any one or more other series of Preferred Stock ranking on such a parity and upon which like voting rights have been conferred and are exercisable) to elect members of the Board as aforesaid shall

 

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continue until such time as all dividends accumulated on such shares of 2008 ESOP Preferred Stock shall have been paid in full, at which time such right with respect to such shares of 2008 ESOP Preferred Stock shall terminate, 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.

(b) Upon any termination of the right of the holders of all shares of Preferred Stock entitled to vote for directors as herein provided, the term of office of all directors then in office elected by such holders voting as a class shall terminate immediately. If the office of any director elected by such holders voting as a class becomes vacant by reason of death, resignation, retirement, disqualification, removal from office or otherwise, the remaining director elected by such holders may choose a successor to fill such vacancy, which such successor shall hold office for the unexpired term in respect of which such vacancy occurred. Whenever the term of office of the directors elected by such holders voting as a class shall end and the special voting powers vested in such holders as provided in this resolution shall have expired, the number of directors shall be such number as may be provided for in the By-Laws of the Company irrespective of any increase made pursuant to the provisions of this resolution.

(c) So long as any shares of 2008 ESOP Preferred Stock remain outstanding, the consent of the holders of the outstanding shares of 2008 ESOP Preferred Stock and outstanding shares of all other series of Preferred Stock ranking on a parity with such shares of 2008 ESOP Preferred Stock either as to dividends or the distribution of assets upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up and upon which like voting rights have been conferred and are exercisable, by a vote of at least two-thirds of all such outstanding shares of 2008 ESOP Preferred Stock and such other series of Preferred Stock voting together as a class, given in person or by proxy, either in writing or at any special or annual meeting called for the purpose, shall be necessary to permit, effect or validate any one or more of the following:

(i) the authorization, creation or issuance, or any increase in the authorized or issued amount, of any class or series of stock ranking prior to shares of 2008 ESOP Preferred Stock with respect to payment of dividends or the distribution of assets on liquidation, dissolution or winding up, or

(ii) the amendment, alteration or repeal, whether by merger, consolidation or otherwise, of any of the provisions of the Restated Certificate of Incorporation or of the resolutions set forth in a Certificate of Designations designating shares of 2008 ESOP Preferred Stock and the preferences and relative, participating, optional and other special rights and qualifications, limitations and restrictions thereof which would materially and adversely affect any right, preference, privilege or voting power of the shares of 2008 ESOP Preferred Stock or of the holders thereof; provided, however, that any increase in the amount of authorized Preferred Stock, or the creation and issuance of other series of Preferred Stock, or any increase in the amount of authorized shares of any series of Preferred Stock, in each case ranking on a parity with or junior to the shares of 2008 ESOP Preferred Stock with respect to the payment of dividends and the distribution of assets upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up, shall not be deemed to materially and adversely affect such rights, preferences, privileges or voting powers.

(d) The foregoing voting provisions shall not apply if, at or prior to the time when the act with respect to which such vote would otherwise be required shall be effected, all outstanding shares of 2008 ESOP Preferred Stock shall have been redeemed or sufficient funds shall have been deposited in trust to effect such redemption.

3. Dividends. (a)(i) Holders of shares of 2008 ESOP Preferred Stock will be entitled to receive, when and as declared by the Board or a duly authorized committee thereof, out of assets of the Company legally available for payment, an annual cash dividend of $105.00 (the “Base Dividend”) per share, which Base Dividend shall be subject to adjustment from time to time as provided in this Section 3.

 

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(ii) The Base Dividend shall be adjusted, effective on December 1, 2009 and on each December 1 thereafter until December 1, 2017, as follows:

(1) If the Current Market Price (as hereinafter defined) of one share of Common Stock on November 30 (or the next preceding Trading Day (as hereinafter defined) if November 30 is not a Trading Day) of any year listed in the Dividend Adjustment Table below is equal to or greater than the First Target Price but less than the Second Target Price shown opposite that year in such table, then holders of shares of the 2008 ESOP Preferred Stock will be entitled to receive a cash dividend for the immediately following twelve month period equal to $110.00 per share (the “First Adjusted Dividend”).

(2) If the Current Market Price of one share of Common Stock on November 30 (or the next preceding Trading Day if November 30 is not a Trading Day) of any year listed in the Dividend Adjustment Table below is equal to or greater than the Second Target Price shown opposite that year in such table, then holders of shares of 2008 ESOP Preferred Stock will be entitled to receive a cash dividend for the immediately following twelve month period equal to $115.00 per share (the “Second Adjusted Dividend”).

(3) If the Current Market Price of one share of Common Stock on November 30 (or next preceding Trading Day if November 30 is not a Trading Day) of any year listed in the Dividend Adjustment Table below is less than the First Target Price shown opposite that year in such table, then the holders of shares of 2008 ESOP Preferred Stock will be entitled to receive a cash dividend for the immediately following twelve month period equal to the Base Dividend.

Dividend Adjustment Table

 

Closing Price on 11/30

   First Target Price      Second Target Price  

2009

     33.444         37.899   

2010

     36.120         43.963   

2011

     39.009         50.997   

2012

     42.130         59.157   

2013

     45.500         68.622   

2014

     49.140         79.601   

2015

     53.072         92.338   

2016

     57.317         107.112   

2017

     61.903         124.249   

(4) As an example of the adjustments described in subparagraphs (1) through (3) above, if on November 30, 2011, the Current Market Price of one share of Common Stock is $50.00, then the cash dividend payable for the immediately following twelve month period per share of 2008 ESOP Preferred Stock would equal $110.00, with the first quarterly payment of such $110.00 dividend to be made on March 1, 2012. If on November 30, 2012, the Current Market Price of one share of Common Stock is $60.00, then the cash dividend payable for the immediately following twelve month period per share of 2008 ESOP Preferred Stock would equal $115.00, with the first quarterly payment of such $115.00 dividend to be made on March 1, 2013. If on November 30, 2013, the Current Market Price of one share of Common

 

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Stock is $40.00, then the cash dividend payable for the immediately following twelve month period per share of 2008 ESOP Preferred Stock would equal $105.00, with the first quarterly payment of such $105.00 dividend to be made on March 1, 2014.

(5) For purposes of this Section 3, the terms “First Adjusted Dividend” and “Second Adjusted Dividend” are sometimes referred to as an “Adjusted Dividend;” the term “Current Market Price” shall have the meaning given to it in Section 4(c)(iv); and the term “Trading Day” shall have the meaning given to it in Section 4(c)(vi).

(iii) If one share of Common Stock in any year listed in the Dividend Adjustment Table shall be changed into a different number of shares or a different class of shares by reason of any reclassification, recapitalization, split-up, combination, exchange of shares or readjustment, or if a stock dividend thereon shall be declared with a record date within such period, then the First Target Price and the Second Target Price listed in such table for that year and each subsequent year will be appropriately and proportionately adjusted.

(iv) Dividends payable on shares of the 2008 ESOP Preferred Stock (whether such dividends are equal to the Base Dividend or to an Adjusted Dividend) shall be payable quarterly on March 1, June 1, September 1, and December 1 of each year, commencing June 1, 2008. Dividends on shares of the 2008 ESOP Preferred Stock will be cumulative from the date of initial issuance of such shares of 2008 ESOP Preferred Stock. Dividends will be payable, in arrears, to holders of record as they appear on the stock books of the Company on such record dates, not more than 30 days nor less than 15 days preceding the payment dates thereof, as shall be fixed by the Board or a duly authorized committee thereof. The amount of dividends payable per share for each dividend period shall be computed by dividing by four the Base Dividend or the Adjusted Dividend, whichever is then applicable. The amount of dividends payable for the initial dividend period or any period shorter than a full dividend period shall be calculated on the basis of actual days elapsed in a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months.

(b)(i) No full dividends shall be declared or paid or set apart for payment on any stock of the Company ranking, as to dividends, on a parity with or junior to the 2008 ESOP Preferred Stock for any period unless full cumulative dividends have been or contemporaneously are declared and paid or declared and a sum sufficient for the payment thereof has been set apart for such payment on shares of 2008 ESOP Preferred Stock for all dividend payment periods terminating on or prior to the date of payment of such full cumulative dividends. When dividends are not paid in full, as aforesaid, upon the shares of 2008 ESOP Preferred Stock and any other series of Preferred Stock ranking on a parity as to dividends with 2008 ESOP Preferred Stock, all dividends declared upon shares of 2008 ESOP Preferred Stock and any other series of Preferred Stock ranking on a parity as to dividends with 2008 ESOP Preferred Stock shall be declared pro rata so that the amount of dividends declared per share on 2008 ESOP Preferred Stock and such other series of Preferred Stock shall in all cases bear to each other the same ratio that accrued dividends per share on the shares of 2008 ESOP Preferred Stock and such other series of Preferred Stock bear to each other. Holders of shares of 2008 ESOP Preferred Stock shall not be entitled to any dividend, whether payable in cash, property, or stock, in excess of full cumulative dividends, as herein provided, on 2008 ESOP Preferred Stock. No interest, or sum of money in lieu of interest, shall be payable in respect of any dividend payment or payments on 2008 ESOP Preferred Stock which may be in arrears.

(ii) So long as any shares of 2008 ESOP Preferred Stock are outstanding, no dividend (other than dividends or distributions paid in shares of, or options, warrants, or rights to subscribe for or purchase shares of, Common Stock or any other stock ranking junior to 2008 ESOP Preferred Stock as to dividends or upon liquidation and other than as provided in paragraph (b)(i) of this

 

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Section 3) shall be declared or paid or set aside for payment or other distribution declared or made upon Common Stock or any other capital stock of the Company ranking junior to or on a parity with 2008 ESOP Preferred Stock as to dividends or upon liquidation, nor shall any Common Stock or any other capital stock of the Company ranking junior to or on a parity with 2008 ESOP Preferred Stock as to dividends or upon liquidation be redeemed, purchased, or otherwise acquired for any consideration (or any moneys be paid to or made available for a sinking fund for the redemption of any shares of any such stock) by the Company (except by conversion into or exchange for stock of the Company ranking junior to 2008 ESOP Preferred Stock as to dividends or upon liquidation), unless, in each case, the full cumulative dividends on all outstanding shares of 2008 ESOP Preferred Stock shall have been paid or declared and set aside for payment of the then current dividend payment period and all past dividend payment periods.

4. Conversion. Shares of 2008 ESOP Preferred Stock are convertible from time to time hereafter pursuant to the provisions of paragraphs (a) or (b) of this Section 4 into that number of shares of Common Stock determined by dividing the stated value of each share of 2008 ESOP Preferred Stock by the then applicable Conversion Price, (as determined in accordance with the provisions of paragraph (c)(iii) of this Section 4), as follows:

(a) Each share of 2008 ESOP Preferred Stock released from the unallocated reserve of the Plan in accordance with the terms thereof shall be automatically converted, without any further action by the Company or the holder thereof, as of the date such release occurs (the “Release Date”), into fully paid and nonassessable shares of Common Stock at the then applicable Conversion Price for the 2008 ESOP Preferred Stock provided for in paragraph (c) of this Section 4.

(b) Subject to and upon compliance with the provisions of this Section 4, a holder of 2008 ESOP Preferred Stock shall be entitled at any time, prior to the close of business on the date fixed for redemption of such shares pursuant to Sections 5 or 6 hereof, to cause any or all of the shares of 2008 ESOP Preferred Stock held by such holder to be converted into fully paid and nonassessable shares of Common Stock at the then applicable Conversion Price for 2008 ESOP Preferred Stock provided for in paragraph (c) of this Section 4.

(c) For purposes of these resolutions, the following terms shall have the meanings set forth below:

(i) The “Average Current Market Price” per share of Common Stock on any date shall be deemed to be the average of the Current Market Price for one share of Common Stock for the twenty (20) consecutive Trading Days ending on the Trading Day occurring prior to the date the “Purchase Offer” is made (as that term is defined in Section 6(d) hereof).

(ii) A “Business Day” means each day that is not a Saturday, Sunday, or a day on which state or federally chartered banking institutions in the State of New York are not required to be open.

(iii) (A) For purposes of a mandatory conversion of shares of 2008 ESOP Preferred Stock into shares of Common Stock pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (a) of this Section 4, the “Conversion Price” for such shares of 2008 ESOP Preferred Stock shall be the Current Market Price of one share of Common Stock on the relevant Release Date.

(B) For purposes of an optional conversion of shares of 2008 ESOP Preferred Stock into shares of Common Stock pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (b) of this Section 4,

 

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the “Conversion Price” for such shares of 2008 ESOP Preferred Stock shall be the Current Market Price of one share of Common Stock on the date the Conversion Notice (as that term is defined in paragraph (d) of this Section 4) is received by the Company, by the transfer agent for the 2008 ESOP Preferred Stock or by any agent for conversion of the 2008 ESOP Preferred Stock designated as such pursuant to paragraph (d) of this Section 4.

(C) For purposes of a conversion of shares of 2008 ESOP Preferred Stock into shares of Common Stock in connection with a “Purchase Offer” (as defined in Section 6(d) hereof), the “Conversion Price” for such shares of 2008 ESOP Preferred Stock shall be the Average Current Market Price of one share of Common Stock.

Each share of 2008 ESOP Preferred Stock shall be valued at its stated value of $1,000.00 for purposes of computing, based on the applicable Conversion Price, the number of shares of Common Stock into which the shares of 2008 ESOP Preferred Stock will be converted.

(iv) The “Current Market Price” of publicly traded shares of Common Stock or any other class of capital stock or other security of the Company or any other issuer for any day shall mean the reported last sale price, regular way, or, in case no sale takes place on such day, the average of the reported closing bid and asked prices, regular way, in either case as reported on the New York Stock Exchange only or, if the Common Stock is not listed or admitted to trading on the New York Stock Exchange, on the principal national securities exchange on which the Common Stock is listed or admitted to trading or, if not listed or admitted to trading on any national securities exchange, on the National Market System of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. Automated Quotations System (“NASDAQ”) or, if the Common Stock is not quoted on such National Market System, the average of the closing bid and asked prices on such day in the over-the-counter market as reported by NASDAQ or, if bid and asked prices for the Common Stock on each such day shall not have been reported through NASDAQ, the average of the bid and asked prices for such day as furnished by any New York Stock Exchange member firm regularly making a market in the Common Stock selected for such purpose by the Board or a committee thereof or, if no such quotations are available, the fair market value of the Common Stock as determined by a New York Stock Exchange member firm regularly making a market in the Common Stock selected for such purpose by the Board or a committee thereof.

(v) “Common Stock” shall mean the Common Stock of the Company as the same exists at the date of this Certificate of Designations or as such stock may be constituted from time to time.

(vi) “Trading Day” with respect to Common Stock means (x) if the Common Stock is listed or admitted for trading on the New York Stock Exchange or another national securities exchange, a day on which the New York Stock Exchange or such other national securities exchange is open for business or (y) if the Common Stock is quoted on the National Market System of NASDAQ, a day on which trades may be made on such National Market System or (z) otherwise, any Business Day.

(d) In connection with any conversion of 2008 ESOP Preferred Stock pursuant to this Section 4, a written notice of conversion (the “Conversion Notice”) shall be delivered to the Company at its principal executive office or the offices of the transfer agent for the 2008 ESOP Preferred Stock or such office or offices in the continental United States of an agent for conversion as may from time to time be designated by notice to the holders of the 2008 ESOP Preferred Stock by the Company or the transfer agent for the 2008 ESOP Preferred Stock, which notice shall be accompanied by (a) in the case of certificated 2008 ESOP Preferred Stock, the certificate or certificates representing the shares of 2008 ESOP Preferred Stock being converted pursuant to this Section 4, duly assigned or endorsed for transfer

 

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to the Company (or accompanied by duly executed stock powers relating thereto) and (b) in the case of uncertificated 2008 ESOP Preferred Stock, duly executed assignment and transfer documents for the shares of 2008 ESOP Preferred Stock being converted pursuant to this Section 4. Each Conversion Notice shall specify (i)(y) in the case of a mandatory conversion pursuant to paragraph (a) of this Section 4, the number of shares of 2008 ESOP Preferred Stock released from the unallocated reserve of the Plan on the Release Date or (z) in the case of an optional conversion pursuant to paragraph (b) of this Section 4, the number of shares of 2008 ESOP Preferred Stock being converted, and (ii) in connection with any conversion hereunder, (x) the name or names in which such holder wishes the certificate or certificates for Common Stock and, in the case of certificated 2008 ESOP Preferred Stock, for any shares of 2008 ESOP Preferred Stock not to be so converted to be issued, (y) the address to which such holder wishes delivery to be made of such new certificates to be issued upon such conversion, and (z) such other information as the Company or its agents may reasonably request.

(e) Upon delivery to the Company or the transfer agent for the 2008 ESOP Preferred Stock of the Conversion Notice and all other documentation and certificates required to effect the conversion, as provided in paragraph (d) of this Section 4, the Company shall issue and send by hand delivery, by courier or by first-class mail (postage prepaid) to the holder thereof or to such holder’s designee, at the address designated by such holder, a certificate or certificates for the number of shares of Common Stock to which such holder shall be entitled upon conversion. If there shall have been surrendered a certificate or certificates representing shares of 2008 ESOP Preferred Stock only part of which are to be converted, the Company shall issue and deliver to such holder or such holder’s designee, in the manner set forth in the preceding sentence, a new certificate or certificates representing the number of shares of 2008 ESOP Preferred Stock which shall not have been converted.

(f) The issuance by the Company of shares of Common Stock upon a conversion of shares of 2008 ESOP Preferred Stock into shares of Common Stock made pursuant to this Section 4 shall be effective (i) in the case of a mandatory conversion of shares of 2008 ESOP Preferred Stock pursuant to paragraph (a) of this Section 4, as of the Release Date; and (ii) in the case of an optional conversion of such shares pursuant to paragraph (b) of this Section 4, as of the earlier of (A) the delivery to such holder or such holder’s designee of the certificates representing the shares of Common Stock issued upon conversion thereof or (B) the commencement of business on the second Business Day after the delivery to the Company or the transfer agent for the 2008 ESOP Preferred Stock of the Conversion Notice and all other documentation and certificates required to effect the conversion, as provided in paragraph (d) of this Section 4. On and after the effective date of conversion, the person or persons entitled to receive the Common Stock issuable upon such conversion shall be treated for all purposes as the record holder or holders of such shares of Common Stock, but no allowance or adjustment shall be made in respect of dividends payable to holders of Common Stock in respect of any period prior to such effective date. The Company shall not be obligated to pay any dividends which shall have accrued or have been declared and shall be payable to holders of shares of 2008 ESOP Preferred Stock if the date on which such dividends are paid is on or after the effective date of conversion of such shares.

(g) The Company shall not be obligated to deliver to holders of 2008 ESOP Preferred Stock any fractional share or shares of Common Stock issuable upon any conversion of such shares of 2008 ESOP Preferred Stock, but in lieu thereof may make a cash payment in respect thereof in any manner permitted by law.

(h) The Company shall at all times reserve and keep available out of its authorized and unissued Common Stock, solely for issuance upon the conversion of shares of 2008 ESOP Preferred Stock as herein provided, free from any preemptive rights, such number of shares of Common Stock as shall from time to time be issuable upon the conversion of all the shares of 2008 ESOP Preferred Stock then outstanding.

 

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(i) The Company will use its best efforts to cause the listing of the shares of Common Stock required to be delivered upon conversion of the 2008 ESOP Preferred Stock prior to distribution to Plan participants on the national securities exchange, if any, upon which the outstanding Common Stock is listed at the time of such delivery.

(j) The Company will pay any and all documentary stamp or similar issue or transfer taxes payable in respect of the issue or delivery of shares of Common Stock on conversions of the 2008 ESOP Preferred Stock pursuant hereto; provided, however, that the Company shall not be required to pay any tax which may be payable in respect of any transfer involved in the issue or delivery of shares of Common Stock in a name other than that of the holder of the 2008 ESOP Preferred Stock to be converted and no such issue or delivery shall be made unless and until the person requesting such issue or delivery has paid to the Company the amount of any such tax or has established, to the satisfaction of the Company, that such tax has been paid.

5. Redemption At the Option of the Company. (a) The 2008 ESOP Preferred Stock shall be redeemable, in whole or in part, at the option of the Company at any time, at a redemption price per share of 2008 ESOP Preferred Stock equal to the higher of (x) $1,000.00 per share, plus an amount equal to all accrued and unpaid dividends thereon to the date fixed for redemption, and (y) the Fair Market Value (as that term is defined in paragraph (d) of this Section 5) per share of 2008 ESOP Preferred Stock on the date fixed for redemption. Payment of the redemption price shall be made by the Company in cash or shares of Common Stock, or a combination thereof, as permitted by paragraph (c) of this Section 5. From and after the date fixed for redemption, dividends on shares of 2008 ESOP Preferred Stock called for redemption will cease to accrue and all rights in respect of such shares of the Company shall cease, except the right to receive the redemption price. Upon payment of the redemption price, such shares shall be deemed to have been transferred to the Company, to be retired as provided in paragraph (a) of Section 1. If the full cumulative dividends have not been paid, or contemporaneously declared and set aside for payment, on all outstanding shares of 2008 ESOP Preferred Stock, the Company may not redeem fewer than all the outstanding shares of 2008 ESOP Preferred Stock pursuant to this Section 5.

(b) Unless otherwise required by law, notice of any redemption pursuant to this Section 5 will be sent to the holders of 2008 ESOP Preferred Stock at the address shown on the books of the Company or any transfer agent for the 2008 ESOP Preferred Stock by hand delivery, by courier, by standard form of telecommunication or by first-class mail (postage prepaid) delivered, sent or mailed, as the case may be, not less than twenty (20) days nor more than sixty (60) days prior to the redemption date. Each such notice shall state: (i) the redemption date; (ii) the total number of shares of the 2008 ESOP Preferred Stock to be redeemed and, if fewer than all the shares held by such holder are to be redeemed, the number of such shares to be redeemed from such holder; (iii) the redemption price; (iv) whether the redemption price shall be paid in cash or in shares of Common Stock, or in a combination of such Common Stock and cash; (v) in the case of certificated 2008 ESOP Preferred Stock the place or places where certificates for such shares are to be surrendered for payment of the redemption price; (vi) that dividends on the shares to be redeemed will cease to accrue on such redemption date; and (vii) the conversion rights of the shares to be redeemed, the period within which conversion rights may be exercised and the manner in which the number of shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion of a share of 2008 ESOP Preferred Stock will be determined. The Company shall redeem shares so called for redemption and not previously converted at the date fixed for redemption and at the redemption price set forth in this Section 5, provided that, in the case of certificated 2008 ESOP Preferred Stock, the

 

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Company shall not be obligated to pay the redemption price until the certificates for the shares to be redeemed are surrendered (properly endorsed or assigned for transfer, if the Board of Directors of the Company shall so require and the notice shall so state).

(c) The Company, at its option, may make payment of the redemption price required upon redemption of shares of 2008 ESOP Preferred Stock in cash or in shares of Common Stock, or in a combination of such Common Stock and cash, any such shares of Common Stock to be valued for such purposes at their Fair Market Value (as defined in paragraph (d)(ii) of this Section 5) or their Current Market Price, in either case as of the date fixed for redemption of the 2008 ESOP Preferred Stock, whichever value will result in the issuance of the greater number of shares of Common Stock to the holder of the 2008 ESOP Preferred Stock then being redeemed.

(d) For purposes of these resolutions, the following terms shall have the meanings set forth below:

(i) “Adjustment Period” shall mean the period of five (5) consecutive Trading Days preceding the date as of which the Fair Market Value of a security is to be determined.

(ii) “Fair Market Value” shall mean, as to shares of Common Stock or any other class of capital stock or securities of the Company or any other issue which are publicly traded, the average of the Current Market Prices of such shares or securities for each day of the Adjustment Period. The “Fair Market Value” of any security which is not publicly traded (other than the 2008 ESOP Preferred Stock) or of any other property shall mean the fair value thereof on the date as of which the Fair Market Value of the security is to be determined, as determined by an independent investment banking or appraisal firm experienced in the valuation of such securities or property selected in good faith by the Board or a committee thereof. The “Fair Market Value” of the 2008 ESOP Preferred Stock for purposes of paragraph (a) of Section 5, and for purposes of paragraph (c) of Section 6 shall mean the fair market value thereof determined by an independent appraiser, appointed by the Trustee of the Plan in accordance with the provisions of the Plan, as of the date fixed for redemption of the 2008 ESOP Preferred Stock (in the case of a redemption pursuant to Section 5) or as of the date specified in paragraph (c) of Section 6 (in the case of a redemption under that section). For purposes of determining the Fair Market Value of the 2008 ESOP Preferred Stock, the independent appraiser shall assume (i) that all dividends on the 2008 ESOP Preferred Stock would have been paid when due, and (ii) that the mandatory conversion of shares of 2008 ESOP Preferred Stock held by the Plan into shares of Common Stock pursuant to Section 4(a) hereof would have occurred when and as payments of principal (together with accrued interest thereon) would have been made by the Trustee of the Plan in accordance with the terms of that certain 2008 ESOP Convertible Preferred Stock Note Agreement dated on or about March 13, 2008 between the Company and the Plan (including any amendments or modifications thereto).

6. Consolidation, Merger, etc. (a) If the Company consummates any consolidation or merger or similar business combination, pursuant to which the outstanding shares of Common Stock are by operation of law exchanged solely for or changed, reclassified or converted solely into stock of any successor or resulting corporation (including the Company) that constitutes “qualifying employer securities” with respect to a holder of 2008 ESOP Preferred Stock within the meaning of Section 409(1) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and Section 407(d)(5) of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, or any successor provisions of law, and, if applicable, for a cash payment in lieu of fractional shares, if any, the shares of 2008 ESOP Preferred Stock of such holder shall, in connection with such consolidation, merger or similar business combination, be assumed by and shall become Preferred Stock of such successor or resulting corporation, having in respect of such corporation, insofar as possible, the same powers, preferences and relative, participating, optional or

 

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other special rights (including the redemption rights provided by Sections 5 and 6 hereof), and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereon, that the 2008 ESOP Preferred Stock had immediately prior to such transaction, subject to the following:

(1) After such transaction each share of the 2008 ESOP Preferred Stock shall be convertible, otherwise on the terms and conditions provided by Section 4 hereof, into the number and kind of qualifying employer securities so receivable by a holder of the number of shares of Common Stock into which such shares of 2008 ESOP Preferred Stock could have been converted immediately prior to such transaction.

(2) The Company shall not consummate any such merger, consolidation or similar transaction unless all then outstanding shares of 2008 ESOP Preferred Stock shall be assumed and authorized by the successor or resulting corporation as aforesaid.

(b) If the Company consummates any consolidation or merger or similar business combination, pursuant to which the outstanding shares of Common Stock are by operation of law exchanged for or changed, reclassified or converted into other stock or securities or cash or any other property, or any combination thereof, other than any such consideration which is constituted solely of qualifying employer securities (as referred to in paragraph (a) of this Section 6) and cash payments, if applicable, in lieu of fractional shares, outstanding shares of 2008 ESOP Preferred Stock shall, without any action on the part of the Company or any holder thereof (but subject to paragraph (c) of this Section 6), be automatically converted by virtue of such merger, consolidation or similar transaction immediately prior to such consummation into the number of shares of Common Stock into which such shares of 2008 ESOP Preferred Stock could have been converted at such time so that each share of 2008 ESOP Preferred Stock shall, by virtue of such transaction and on the same terms as apply to the holders of Common Stock, be converted into or exchanged for the aggregate amount of stock, securities, cash or other property (payable in like kind) receivable by a holder of the number of shares of Common Stock into which such shares of 2008 ESOP Preferred Stock could have been converted immediately prior to such transaction. However, if by virtue of the structure of such transaction, a holder of Common Stock is required to make an election with respect to the nature and kind of consideration to be received in such transaction, which election cannot practicably be made by the holders of the 2008 ESOP Preferred Stock, then the shares of 2008 ESOP Preferred Stock shall, by virtue of such transaction and on the same terms as apply to the holders of Common Stock, be converted into or exchanged for the aggregate amount of stock, securities, cash or other property (payable in kind) receivable by a holder of the number of shares of Common Stock into which such shares of 2008 ESOP Preferred Stock could have been converted immediately prior to such transaction if such holder of Common Stock failed to exercise any rights of election as to the kind or amount of stock, securities, cash or other property receivable upon such transaction. If the kind or amount of stock, securities, cash or other property receivable upon such transaction is not the same for each non-electing share, then the kind and amount of stock, securities, cash or other property receivable upon such transaction for each non-electing share shall be the kind and amount so receivable per share by a plurality of the non-electing shares.

(c) In the event the Company shall enter into any agreement providing for any consolidation or merger or similar business combination described in paragraph (b) of this Section 6 (a “Business Combination”), then the Company shall as soon as practicable thereafter (and in any event at least fifteen (15) Business Days before consummation of such transaction) give notice of such agreement and the material terms thereof to each holder of 2008 ESOP Preferred Stock and each such holder shall have the right to elect, by written notice to the Company, to receive, upon consummation of such transaction (if and when such transaction is consummated), from the Company or the successor of the Company, in redemption and retirement of such 2008 ESOP Preferred Stock, a cash payment per share of

 

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2008 ESOP Preferred Stock equal to the higher of (x) $1,000.00, plus accrued and unpaid dividends thereon to the date of consummation of such transaction or (y) the Fair Market Value per share of 2008 ESOP Preferred Stock, as of the last Business Day (as defined in paragraph (c) of Section 4 hereof) immediately preceding the date the Business Combination is consummated. No such notice of redemption shall be effective unless given to the Company prior to the close of business on the last Business Day prior to consummation of such transaction, unless the Company or the successor of the Company shall waive such prior notice, but any notice of redemption so given prior to such time may be withdrawn by notice of withdrawal given to the Company prior to the close of business on the last Business Day prior to consummation of such transaction.

(d) In the event that a Purchase Offer (as defined below) shall have been made and shall be continuing, each holder of 2008 ESOP Preferred Stock shall have the right to convert shares of 2008 ESOP Preferred Stock into shares of Common Stock at the Conversion Price specified in Section 4(c)(iii)(C) hereof until the date the Purchase Offer is terminated, including without limitation because the original Purchase Offer is withdrawn or because the Purchase Offer has expired and is not renewed, upon notice of such conversion given to the Company not later than the close of business on the date the Purchase Offer terminates (the “Purchase Offer Conversion Period”), unless the Company or any successor of the Company shall waive such prior notice, but any notice of conversion so given may be withdrawn by notice of withdrawal given to the Company prior to the end of the Purchase Offer Conversion Period.

For purposes of this paragraph (d), the following terms shall have the meanings set forth below:

(i) “Beneficial Ownership” shall have the meaning ascribed to it in Rule 13d-3 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”) and “person” shall have the meanings specified in Sections 3(a)(9) and 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act.

(ii) A “Purchase Offer” shall have been made when any person (other than the Company or any affiliate of the Company) shall have “commenced” (as such term is defined in Rule 14d-2 under the Exchange Act) a tender offer or exchange offer to purchase shares of Common Stock, such that, upon consummation of such offer, such person would have Beneficial Ownership (as defined herein) or the right to acquire Beneficial Ownership, of twenty percent (20%) or more of the voting power of the Company.

7. Liquidation Rights. (a) Upon the dissolution, liquidation, or winding up of the Company, the holders of the shares of 2008 ESOP Preferred Stock shall be entitled to receive and to be paid out of the assets of the Company available for distribution to its stockholders, before any payment or distribution shall be made on the Common Stock or any other class of stock ranking junior to 2008 ESOP Preferred Stock upon liquidation, the amount of $1,000.00 per share, plus a sum equal to all dividends (whether or not earned or declared) on such shares accrued and unpaid thereon to the date of final distribution.

(b) Neither the sale of all or substantially all the property and assets of the Company, nor the merger or consolidation of the Company into or with any other corporation, nor the merger or consolidation of any other corporation into or with the Company shall be deemed to be a dissolution, liquidation, or winding up, voluntary or involuntary, for the purposes of this Section 7.

(c) After the payment to the holders of the shares of 2008 ESOP Preferred Stock of the full preferential amounts provided for in this Section 7, the holders of 2008 ESOP Preferred Stock, as such, shall have no right or claim to any of the remaining assets of the Company.

 

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(d) In the event the assets of the Company available for distribution to the holders of shares of 2008 ESOP Preferred Stock upon any dissolution, liquidation, or winding up of the Company, whether voluntary or involuntary, shall be insufficient to pay in full all amounts to which such holders are entitled pursuant to paragraph (a) of this Section 7, no such distribution shall be made on account of any shares of any other series of Preferred Stock or other capital stock of the Company ranking on a parity with the shares of 2008 ESOP Preferred Stock upon such dissolution, liquidation, or winding up unless proportionate distributive amounts shall be paid on account of the shares of 2008 ESOP Preferred Stock, ratably, in proportion to the full distributable amounts for which holders of all such parity shares are respectively entitled upon such dissolution, liquidation, or winding up.

(e) Subject to the rights of the holders of the shares of any series or class or classes of stock ranking on a parity with or prior to the shares of 2008 ESOP Preferred Stock upon liquidation, dissolution, or winding up, upon any liquidation, dissolution, or winding up of the Company, after payment shall have been made in full to the holders of the shares of 2008 ESOP Preferred Stock as provided in this Section 7, but not prior thereto, any other series or class or classes of stock ranking junior to the shares of 2008 ESOP Preferred Stock upon liquidation shall, subject to the respective terms and provisions (if any) applying thereto, be entitled to receive any and all assets remaining to be paid or distributed, and the holders of the shares of 2008 ESOP Preferred Stock shall not be entitled to share therein.

8. Ranking. For the purposes of these resolutions, any stock of any series or class or classes of the Company shall be deemed to rank:

(a) prior to the shares of 2008 ESOP Preferred Stock, either as to dividends or upon liquidation, if the holders of such series or class or classes shall be entitled to the receipt of dividends or of amounts distributable upon dissolution, liquidation, or winding up of the Company, as the case may be, in preference or priority to the holders of shares of 2008 ESOP Preferred Stock;

(b) on a parity with shares of 2008 ESOP Preferred Stock, either as to dividends or upon liquidation, whether or not the dividend rates, dividend payment dates, or redemption or liquidation prices per share, or sinking fund provisions, if any, be different from those of 2008 ESOP Preferred Stock, if the holders of such stock shall be entitled to the receipt of dividends or of amounts distributable upon dissolution, liquidation, or winding up of the Company, as the case may be, in proportion to their respective dividend rates or liquidation prices, without preference or priority, one over the other, as between the holders of such stock and the holders of shares of 2008 ESOP Preferred Stock; and

(c) junior to shares of 2008 ESOP Preferred Stock, either as to dividends or upon liquidation, if such class shall be Common Stock or if the holders of shares of 2008 ESOP Preferred Stock shall be entitled to receipt of dividends or of amounts distributable upon dissolution, liquidation, or winding up of the Company, as the case may be, in preference or priority to the holders of shares of such series or class or classes.

9. Priority of 2008 ESOP Preferred Stock. The shares of 2008 ESOP Preferred Stock will rank on a parity, both as to payment of dividends and the distribution of assets upon liquidation, with the Company’s 1999 ESOP Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock, its 2000 ESOP Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock, its 2001 ESOP Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock, its 2002 ESOP Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock, its 2003 ESOP Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock, its 2004 ESOP Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock, its 2005 ESOP Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock, its 2006 ESOP Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock and its 2007 ESOP Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock.

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this Certificate of Designations to be signed by John G. Stumpf, its President and Chief Executive Officer, and attested by Jeannine E. Zahn, its Assistant Secretary, whereby such President and Chief Executive Officer affirms, under penalties of perjury, that this Certificate of Designations is the act and deed of the Company and that the facts stated herein are true, this 12th day of March, 2008.

 

WELLS FARGO & COMPANY
By  

/s/ John G. Stumpf

  John G. Stumpf
  President and
  Chief Executive Officer

Attest:

 

/s/ Jeannine E. Zahn

Jeannine E. Zahn
Assistant Secretary

[As filed with the Delaware Secretary of State on March 12, 2008.]

 

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WELLS FARGO & COMPANY

 

 

CERTIFICATE OF DESIGNATIONS

Pursuant to Section 151(g) of the

General Corporation Law

of the State of Delaware

 

 

DIVIDEND EQUALIZATION PREFERRED SHARES

(Without Par Value)

 

 

WELLS FARGO & COMPANY, a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the State of Delaware (the “Corporation”), HEREBY CERTIFIES that, pursuant to authority conferred upon the Board of Directors of the Corporation (the “Board of Directors”) by the provisions of the Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation, as amended, which authorizes the issuance of not more than 20,000,000 shares of Preferred Stock, without par value, and pursuant to authority conferred upon the Securities Committee of the Board of Directors (the “Committee”) in accordance with Section 141(c) of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the “General Corporation Law”), the following resolutions were duly adopted by the Committee pursuant to the written consent of the Committee duly adopted on November 20, 2008, in accordance with Section 141(f) of the General Corporation Law:

RESOLVED, that pursuant to the authority vested in the Committee and in accordance with the resolutions of the Board of Directors dated October 2, 2008, the provisions of the Restated Certificate of Incorporation, the By-laws of the Corporation and applicable law, a series of Preferred Stock, no par value, 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, designations, preferences and relative, participating, optional or other rights, and the qualifications, limitations and restrictions thereof, of the shares of such series, are as follows:

1. Designation.

(a) The shares of such series of Preferred Stock shall be designated Dividend Equalization Preferred Shares (“DEPs”), and the number of shares constituting such series shall be 97,000.

(b) DEPs redeemed, purchased or otherwise acquired by the Corporation or any of its subsidiaries (other than in a bona fide fiduciary capacity) shall be cancelled and may not be reissued. DEPs may be issued in fractional shares which are whole number multiples of one one-millionth of a share, which fractional shares shall entitle the holder, in proportion to such holder’s fractional share, to all rights of a holder of a whole share of DEPs.

(c) DEPs shall, with respect to distributions upon the liquidation, winding-up and dissolution of the Corporation, rank (x) senior to the Common Stock for the Liquidation Preference stated and defined in Section 3(a) below and (y) junior to each class or series of preferred stock issued in exchange for preferred stock of Wachovia Corporation established by the board of directors of Wachovia Corporation after September 1, 2001 and each class or series of preferred stock established by the Board of Directors after the date hereof.

 

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2. Dividends. DEPs shall not entitle the holders thereof to any dividends, whether payable in cash, property, stock or otherwise.

3. Liquidation.

(a) In the event of any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the affairs of the Corporation, whether voluntary or involuntary, the holders of full and fractional DEPs shall be entitled, before any distribution or payment is made on any date to the holders of the Common Stock or any other stock of the Corporation ranking junior to the DEPs upon liquidation, to be paid in full an amount per whole share of DEPs equal to $10.00 (the “Liquidation Preference”), together with accrued dividends to such distribution or payment date, whether or not earned or declared. If such payment shall have been made in full to all holders of DEPs, the holders of DEPs as such shall have no right or claim to any of the remaining assets of the Corporation.

(b) In the event the assets of the Corporation available for distribution to the holders of DEPs upon any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation, whether voluntary or involuntary, shall be insufficient to pay in full all amounts to which such holders are entitled pursuant to Section 3(a), no such distribution shall be made on account of any shares of any other class or series of Preferred Stock ranking on a parity with the DEPs upon such liquidation, dissolution or winding up unless proportionate distributive amounts shall be paid on account of the DEPs, ratably in proportion to the full distributable amounts for which holders of all such parity shares are respectively entitled upon such liquidation, dissolution or winding up.

(c) Upon the liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation, the holders of DEPs then outstanding shall be entitled to be paid out of assets of the Corporation available for distribution to its shareholders all amounts to which such holders are entitled pursuant to the first paragraph of this Section 3 before any payment shall be made to the holders of Common Stock or any other stock of the Corporation ranking junior upon liquidation to the DEPs.

(d) For the purposes of this Section 3, the consolidation or merger of, or binding statutory share exchange by, the Corporation with any other corporation shall not be deemed to constitute a liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation.

4. Redemption, Conversion, Exchange.

(a) The DEPs shall not be convertible or exchangeable. Other than as described in the next sentence, the DEPs shall not be redeemable. The DEPs shall be redeemable by the Corporation, at the Corporation’s option and in its sole discretion, for an amount in cash equal to the Liquidation Preference per share of DEPs, after December 31, 2021.

(b) In case of redemption of less than all of the DEPs at the time outstanding, the shares to be redeemed shall be selected pro rata or by lot as determined by the Corporation in its sole discretion, provided that the Corporation may redeem all shares held by holders of fewer than 0.100 DEPs (or by holders that would hold fewer than 0.100 DEPs following such redemption) prior to its redemption of other DEPs.

 

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(c) Notice of any redemption shall be sent by or on behalf of the Corporation no less than 30 nor more than 60 days prior to the date specified for redemption in such notice (the “Redemption Date”), by first class mail, postage prepaid, to all holders of record of the DEPs at their last addresses as they appear on the books of the Corporation; provided, however, that no failure to give such notice or any defect therein or in the mailing thereof shall affect the validity of the proceedings for the redemption of any DEPs except as to the holder to whom the Corporation has failed to give notice or except as to the holder to whom notice was defective. In addition to any information required by applicable law or regulation or the rules of any exchange upon which the DEPs may be listed or admitted to trading, such notice shall state (1) that such redemption is being made pursuant to the redemption provisions of this Section 5, (2) the Redemption Date, (3) the redemption price, (4) the total number of DEPs to be redeemed and, if less than all shares held by such holder are to be redeemed, the number of such shares to be redeemed, and (5) the place or places where certificates for such shares are to be surrendered for payment of the redemption price, including any procedures applicable to redemption to be accomplished through book-entry transfers. Upon the mailing of any such notice of redemption, the Corporation shall become obligated to redeem, on the Redemption Date, all shares called for redemption.

5. Voting Rights. Except as otherwise required by applicable law or regulation or the rules of a securities exchange upon which the DEPs may be listed or quoted, holders of the DEPs shall have no voting rights.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, WELLS FARGO & COMPANY has caused this Certificate of Designations to be signed by Barbara S. Brett, its Senior Vice President and Assistant Treasurer, and Laurel A. Holschuh, its Secretary, this 30th day of December, 2008.

 

WELLS FARGO & COMPANY
By:  

/s/ Barbara S. Brett

 

Barbara S. Brett, Senior Vice President

and Assistant Treasurer

 

/s/ Laurel A. Holschuh

Laurel A. Holschuh, Secretary

[As filed with the Delaware Secretary of State on December 30, 2008.]

 

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WELLS FARGO & COMPANY

 

 

CERTIFICATE OF DESIGNATIONS

Pursuant to Section 151(g) of the

General Corporation Law

of the State of Delaware

 

 

CLASS A PREFERRED STOCK, SERIES G

(Without Par Value)

 

 

WELLS FARGO & COMPANY, a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the State of Delaware (the “Corporation”), HEREBY CERTIFIES that, pursuant to authority conferred upon the Board of Directors of the Corporation (the “Board of Directors”) by the provisions of the Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation, as amended, which authorizes the issuance of not more than 20,000,000 shares of Preferred Stock, without par value, and pursuant to authority conferred upon the Securities Committee of the Board of Directors (the “Committee”) in accordance with Section 141(c) of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the “General Corporation Law”), the following resolutions were duly adopted by the Committee pursuant to the written consent of the Committee duly adopted on November 20, 2008, in accordance with Section 141(f) of the General Corporation Law:

RESOLVED, that pursuant to the authority vested in the Committee and in accordance with the resolutions of the Board of Directors dated October 2, 2008, the provisions of the Restated Certificate of Incorporation, the By-laws of the Corporation and applicable law, a series of Preferred Stock, no par value, 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, designations, preferences and relative, participating, optional or other rights, and the qualifications, limitations and restrictions thereof, of the shares of such series, are as follows:

1. Designation. The shares of such series of Preferred Stock shall be designated Class A Preferred Stock, Series G, with no par value and with a liquidation preference of $15,000.00 per share (hereinafter referred to as the “Series G Preferred Stock”), and the number of shares constituting such series shall be 50,000, which number may be increased or decreased (but not below the number of shares then outstanding) from time to time by the Board of Directors of the Corporation. The Series G Preferred Stock shall rank prior to the common stock of the Corporation, $1-2/3 par value per share (the “Common Stock”), and on a parity with each series of the Corporation’s Parity Stock with respect to the payment of dividends and the distribution of assets in the event of any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the affairs of the Corporation as expressly provided for herein.

2. Defined Terms. As used in this Certificate of Designations, the following terms have the meanings specified below:

“Affiliate” of any specified Person shall mean (i) any other Person which, directly or indirectly, is in Control of, is controlled by or is under common Control with such specified Person, or (ii) any other Person who is a director or executive officer (A) of such specified Person, (B) of any subsidiary of such specified Person, or (C) of any Person described in clause (i) above.

 

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“Business Day” means any day other than a Saturday, a Sunday or a day on which banks located in the City of New York, New York or Charlotte, North Carolina generally are authorized or required by law or regulation to close.

“Common Stock” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 1.

“Conditional Exchange” shall mean the exchange of one Depositary Share for each share of WPFC Series A Preferred Securities following the occurrence of a Supervisory Event.

“Control” means the power, direct or indirect, to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of any Person whether by contract or otherwise; and the terms “controlling” and “controlled” have meanings correlative to the foregoing.

“Corporation” means Wells Fargo & Company, a Delaware corporation, together with its successors and assigns.

“Depositary Company” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 5(c).

“Depositary Share” means a depositary share representing a one-six hundredth interest in one share of Series G Preferred Stock.

“Dividend Payment” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3(a).

“Dividend Payment Date” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3(a).

“Dividend Period” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3(a).

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

“Federal Reserve Board” means the United States Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System.

“Initial Dividend Period” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3(a).

“Junior Stock” means the Common Stock and all other classes and series of securities of the Corporation that rank below the Series G Preferred Stock as to dividend rights and rights upon liquidation, winding up, or dissolution.

“OCC” means the United States Office of the Comptroller of the Currency.

“Parity Stock” means any outstanding class or series of Preferred Stock of the Corporation ranking, in accordance to its terms, as to dividends and upon voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of affairs of the Corporation on parity with the Series G Preferred Stock.

“Person” means an individual, corporation, partnership, estate, trust (or portion thereof), association, private foundation, joint stock company or other entity or any government or agency or political subdivision thereof and also includes a group as that term is used for purposes of Section 13(d)(3) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

 

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“Preferred Stock” means the Corporation’s preferred stock, no par value, of which 20,000,000 shares are authorized as of the date hereof.

“Redemption Date” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 5(c).

“Redemption Price” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 5(b).

“Regulatory Capital Event” means a determination by the Corporation, based on the receipt by the Corporation of an opinion or letter of counsel, rendered by a law firm experienced in such matters, in form and substance satisfactory to the Corporation, which states that there is a significant risk that the Series G Preferred Stock will no longer constitute Tier 1 capital of the Corporation for purposes of the capital adequacy regulations or guidelines or policies of the Federal Reserve Board, or its successor, as the Corporation’s primary Federal banking regulator, as a result of (i) any amendment to, clarification of, or change in applicable laws or related regulations, guidelines, policies or official interpretations thereof, or (ii) any official administrative pronouncement or judicial decision interpreting or applying such laws or related regulations, guidelines, policies or official interpretations thereof.

“Series G Preferred Stock” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 1.

“Supervisory Event” means the occurrence of one of the following: (i) Wachovia Bank becomes “undercapitalized” under the OCC’s prompt corrective action regulations, (ii) Wachovia Bank is placed into conservatorship or receivership, or (iii) the OCC, in its sole discretion, anticipates Wachovia Bank becoming “undercapitalized” in the near term or takes supervisory action that limits the payment of dividends by WPFC and in connection therewith the OCC directs an exchange of the WPFC Series A Preferred Securities for the Series G Preferred Stock.

“Wachovia Bank” means Wachovia Bank, National Association, a national banking association, or its successors and assigns.

“WPFC” means Wachovia Preferred Funding Corp., a Delaware corporation.

“WPFC Series A Preferred Securities” means the 7.25% Non-cumulative Series A Preferred Securities, par value $0.01, liquidation preference $25.00 per share, of WPFC.

3. Dividends. (a) The dividend rate for the Series G Preferred Stock shall be 7.25% per share per annum of the initial liquidation preference of $15,000.00 per share, accruing from the effective date of the Conditional Exchange to and including the last day of March, the last day of June, the last day of September or the last day of December, whichever occurs first, after issuance of the Series G Preferred Stock following the Conditional Exchange (such period being the “Initial Dividend Period”) and then for each quarterly period thereafter, commencing on April 1, July 1, October 1 or January 1, as the case may be, of each year and ending on and including the day next preceding the first day of the next such quarterly period (each such period, including the Initial Dividend Period, being a “Dividend Period”), payable to holders of record of the Series G Preferred Stock on the respective record dates fixed for such purpose by the Board of Directors in advance of payment of such dividend, which shall be the 15th calendar day of the last calendar month of the applicable Dividend Period (each such date, a “Dividend

 

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Record Date”). If such Dividend Record Date is not a Business Day, then the Dividend Record Date for the applicable Dividend Period shall be the first Business Day immediately following the 15th calendar day of the last calendar month of the applicable Dividend Period, except if such Business Day falls in the calendar month following the last calendar month of the applicable Dividend Period, the Dividend Record Date shall be the last Business Date immediately preceding the 15th calendar day of the last calendar month of the applicable Dividend Period. Until no longer outstanding, the holders of the Series G Preferred Stock shall be entitled to receive such cash dividends, and the Corporation shall be bound to pay the same, but only as, if and when declared by the Board of Directors, out of funds legally available for the payment thereof (each such payment, a “Dividend Payment”), on March 31, June 30, September 30 and December 31 of each year (each a “Dividend Payment Date”) for the respective Dividend Period ending on such date; provided, however, that the Dividend Payment for the Initial Dividend Period shall include any unpaid dividends accrued from the payment date of the last dividend paid prior to such date on the WPFC Series A Preferred Securities. If a Dividend Payment Date is not a Business Day, the Dividend Payment due on such Dividend Payment Date shall be paid on the first Business Day immediately following such Dividend Payment Date, except if such Business Day falls in a different calendar year than such Dividend Payment Date, such Dividend Payment shall be paid on the last Business Date immediately preceding such Dividend Payment Date. The amount of dividends payable for the Initial Dividend Period or any period shorter than a full Dividend Period shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day year having 30-day months and the actual number of days elapsed in the period.

(b) Dividends shall be non-cumulative. If the Board of Directors fails to or chooses not to declare a dividend on the Series G Preferred Stock for a Dividend Period, then holders of the Series G Preferred Stock shall have no right to receive a dividend for that Dividend Period, and the Corporation shall have no obligation to pay a dividend for that Dividend Period, whether or not dividends are declared and paid for any future Dividend Period, with respect to either the Series G Preferred Stock, other series of preferred stock of the Corporation, or the Common Stock.

(c) Holders of Series G Preferred Stock shall not be entitled to any dividends, whether payable in cash, property or stock, in excess of full dividends for each Dividend Period, as herein provided, on the Series G Preferred Stock. No interest, or sum of money in lieu of interest, shall be payable in respect of any Dividend Payment or Dividend Payments or failure to make any Dividend Payment or Dividend Payments.

(d) Unless full dividend payments on the Series G Preferred Stock have been declared and paid or declared and a sum sufficient for such payment has been set apart for payment for the immediately preceding Dividend Period, no dividends shall be declared or paid or set aside for payment and no other distribution shall be declared or made or set aside for payment upon any shares of Junior Stock, nor shall shares of Junior Stock be redeemed, purchased, or otherwise acquired for any consideration, nor shall any monies be paid to or made available for a sinking fund for the redemption of any such securities by the Corporation, except by conversion into or exchange for other Junior Stock.

4. Liquidation Preference. (a) The amount payable on the Series G Preferred Stock in the event of any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution, or winding-up of affairs of the Corporation shall be $15,000.00 per share, plus authorized, declared but unpaid dividends up to the date of such liquidation, dissolution, or winding-up of affairs of the Corporation, and no more before any distribution shall be made to the holders of any shares of Junior Stock. The holders of Series G Preferred Stock shall not be entitled to any further payments in the event of any such voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution, or winding-up of affairs of the Corporation other than what is expressly provided for in this Section 4(a).

 

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(b) If the amounts available for distribution in respect of the Series G Preferred Stock and any Parity Stock are not sufficient to satisfy the full liquidation rights of all of the outstanding Series G Preferred Stock and any Parity Stock, then the holders of the Series G Preferred Stock and any Parity Stock shall share ratably in any such distribution of assets in proportion to the full respective liquidation preference to which they are entitled.

(c) The sale, conveyance, exchange or transfer (for cash, shares of stock, securities or other consideration) of all or substantially all of the property and assets of the Corporation shall not be deemed a dissolution, liquidation or winding up of the Corporation, nor shall the merger, consolidation or any other business combination transaction of the Corporation into or with any other corporation or Person or the merger, consolidation or any other business combination transaction of any other corporation or Person into or with the Corporation be deemed to be a dissolution, liquidation or winding up of the Corporation.

5. Redemption. (a) The Series G Preferred Stock shall not be redeemable by the Corporation prior to December 31, 2022, except upon the occurrence of a Regulatory Capital Event.

(b) Prior to December 31, 2022, upon the occurrence of a Regulatory Capital Event and with the prior approval of the OCC, the Corporation, at the option of the Board of Directors, may redeem the outstanding Series G Preferred Stock, in whole, but not in part, at a price equal to $15,000.00 per share of Series G Preferred Stock, plus authorized, declared but unpaid dividends to the Redemption Date, without interest, on shares redeemed (collectively, the “Redemption Price”) from funds legally available for such purpose. On or after December 31, 2022, the Corporation may redeem the Series G Preferred Stock for cash, with the prior approval of the OCC, in whole or in part, at any time and from time to time for the Redemption Price from funds legally available for such purpose. In the event the Corporation redeems fewer than all the outstanding Series A Preferred Securities, the shares to be redeemed shall be determined by lot, pro rata, or by such other method as the Board of Directors in its sole discretion determines.

(c) Not more than 60 days and not less than 30 days prior to the date established for such redemption by the Board of Directors (the “Redemption Date”), notice of the proposed redemption shall be mailed to the holders of record of the Series G Preferred Stock to be redeemed, such notice to be addressed to each such stockholder at his last known address shown on the records of the Corporation, and the time of mailing such notice shall be deemed to be the time of the giving thereof. On or after the Redemption Date, the Series G Preferred Stock called for redemption shall automatically, and without further action on the part of the holder thereof, be deemed to have been redeemed and the former holder thereof shall thereupon only be entitled to receive payment of the Redemption Price. If such notice of redemption shall have been given as aforesaid, and if on or before the Redemption Date the funds necessary for the redemption shall have been set aside so as to be available therefore, then the dividends thereon shall cease to accrue after the Redemption Date and all rights with respect to the Series G Preferred Stock so called for redemption shall forthwith after such Redemption Date cease, except the right of the holders to receive the Redemption Price, without interest. If such notice of redemption of all or any part of the Series G Preferred Stock shall have been mailed as aforesaid and the Corporation shall thereafter deposit money for the payment of the Redemption Price pursuant thereto with any bank or trust company (the “Depositary Company”), including any Affiliate of the Corporation, selected by the Board of Directors for that purpose, to be applied to such

 

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redemption, then from and after the making of such deposit, such Series G Preferred Stock shall not be deemed to be outstanding for any purpose, and the rights of the holders thereof shall be limited to the rights to receive payment of the Redemption Price, without interest but including any declared, authorized, but unpaid, dividends to the Redemption Date, from the Depositary Company, if applicable, upon endorsement, if required, and surrender of the certificates therefore. The Corporation shall be entitled to receive, from time to time, from the Depositary Company, the interest, if any, allowed on such moneys deposited with it, and the holders of any Series G Preferred Stock so redeemed shall have no claim to any such interest. Any moneys so deposited and remaining unclaimed at the end of three years from the Redemption Date shall, if thereafter requested by resolution of the Board of Directors, be repaid to the Corporation, and in the event of such repayment to the Corporation, such holders of record of the Series G Preferred Stock so redeemed which shall not have made claim against such moneys prior to such repayment to the Corporation shall be deemed to be unsecured creditors of the Corporation for an amount equivalent to the amount deposited as stated above for the redemption of the Series G Preferred Stock and so repaid to the Corporation, but shall in no event be entitled to any interest.

(d) Subject to the provisions herein, the Board of Directors shall have authority to prescribe from time to time the manner in which the Series G Preferred Stock shall be redeemed.

(e) Nothing contained herein shall limit any legal right of the Corporation to purchase any shares of the Series G Preferred Stock.

6. Conversion. The holders of the Series G Preferred Stock shall not have any rights to convert such Series G Preferred Stock into shares of any other class of capital stock of the Corporation.

7. Rank. Notwithstanding anything set forth in the Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation or this Certificate of Designations to the contrary, the Board of Directors, without the vote of the holders of the Series G Preferred Stock, may authorize and issue additional shares of Junior Stock, Parity Stock or any class or series of stock ranking senior to Series G Preferred Stock as to dividends and upon voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of affairs of the Corporation.

8. Repurchase. Subject to the limitations imposed herein, the Corporation may purchase and sell Series G Preferred Stock from time to time to such extent, in such manner, and upon such terms as the Board of Directors may determine; provided, however, that the Corporation shall not use any of its funds for any such purchase when there are reasonable grounds to believe that the Corporation is, or by such purchase would be, rendered insolvent.

9. Voting Rights. The holders of Series G Preferred Stock will have no voting rights except as expressly provided by applicable law.

10. Unissued or Reacquired Shares. Shares of Series G Preferred Stock not issued or which have been issued and converted, redeemed or otherwise purchased or acquired by the Corporation shall be restored to the status of authorized but unissued shares of Preferred Stock without designation as to series.

11. No Sinking Fund. Shares of Series G Preferred Stock are not subject to the operation of a sinking fund.

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, WELLS FARGO & COMPANY has caused this Certificate of Designations to be signed by Barbara S. Brett, its Senior Vice President and Assistant Treasurer, and Laurel A. Holschuh, its Secretary, this 30th day of December, 2008.

 

WELLS FARGO & COMPANY
By:  

/s/ Barbara S. Brett

  Barbara S. Brett, Senior Vice President
  and Assistant Treasurer

 

/s/ Laurel A. Holschuh

Laurel A. Holschuh, Secretary

[As filed with the Delaware Secretary of State on December 30, 2008.]

 

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WELLS FARGO & COMPANY

 

 

CERTIFICATE OF DESIGNATIONS

Pursuant to Section 151(g) of the

General Corporation Law

of the State of Delaware

 

 

CLASS A PREFERRED STOCK, SERIES H

(Without Par Value)

 

 

WELLS FARGO & COMPANY, a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the State of Delaware (the “Corporation”), HEREBY CERTIFIES that, pursuant to authority conferred upon the Board of Directors of the Corporation (the “Board of Directors”) by the provisions of the Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation, as amended, which authorizes the issuance of not more than 20,000,000 shares of Preferred Stock, without par value, and pursuant to authority conferred upon the Securities Committee of the Board of Directors (the “Committee”) in accordance with Section 141(c) of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the “General Corporation Law”), the following resolutions were duly adopted by the Committee pursuant to the written consent of the Committee duly adopted on November 20, 2008, in accordance with Section 141(f) of the General Corporation Law:

RESOLVED, that pursuant to the authority vested in the Committee and in accordance with the resolutions of the Board of Directors dated October 2, 2008, the provisions of the Restated Certificate of Incorporation, the By-laws of the Corporation and applicable law, a series of Preferred Stock, no par value, 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, designations, preferences and relative, participating, optional or other rights, and the qualifications, limitations and restrictions thereof, of the shares of such series, are as follows:

1. Designation. The shares of such series of Preferred Stock shall be designated Class A Preferred Stock, Series H, with no par value and with a liquidation preference of $20,000.00 per share (hereinafter referred to as the “Series H Preferred Stock”), and the number of shares constituting such series shall be 50,000, which number may be increased or decreased (but not below the number of shares then outstanding) from time to time by the Board of Directors of the Corporation. The Series H Preferred Stock shall rank prior to the common stock of the Corporation, $1-2/3 par value per share (the “Common Stock”), and on a parity with each series of the Corporation’s Parity Stock with respect to the payment of dividends and the distribution of assets in the event of any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the affairs of the Corporation as expressly provided for herein.

2. Defined Terms. As used in this Certificate of Designations, the following terms have the meanings specified below:

“Affiliate” of any specified Person shall mean (i) any other Person which, directly or indirectly, is in Control of, is controlled by or is under common Control with such specified Person, or (ii) any other Person who is a director or executive officer (A) of such specified Person, (B) of any subsidiary of such specified Person, or (C) of any Person described in clause (i) above.

 

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“Applicable Rate” means, with respect to distributions on each Dividend Period, (i) a rate per annum equal to Three-Month LIBOR plus 1.83%, or (ii) upon the occurrence of an initial Fixed Rate Event and thereafter, a fixed rate equal to the Assigned Fixed Rate.

“Assigned Fixed Rate” means the fixed rate equal to the Applicable Rate on the date of the occurrence of the initial Fixed Rate Event.

“Business Day” means any day other than a Saturday, a Sunday or a day on which banks located in the City of New York, New York or Charlotte, North Carolina generally are authorized or required by law or regulation to close.

“Common Stock” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 1.

“Conditional Exchange” shall mean the exchange of one Depositary Share for each share of WPFC Series B Preferred Securities following the occurrence of a Supervisory Event.

“Control” means the power, direct or indirect, to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of any Person whether by contract or otherwise; and the terms “controlling” and “controlled” have meanings correlative to the foregoing.

“Corporation” means Wells Fargo & Company, a Delaware corporation, together with its successors and assigns.

“Depositary Company” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 5(c).

“Depositary Share” means a depositary share representing a one-eight hundredth interest in one share of Series H Preferred Stock.

“Dividend Payment” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3(a).

“Dividend Payment Date” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3(a).

“Dividend Period” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3(a).

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

“Federal Reserve Board” means the United States Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System.

“Fixed Rate Event” means any Transfer with respect to all or a portion of the WPFC Series B Preferred Securities, subsequent to the initial issuance of the WPFC Series B Preferred Securities, through an initial public offering, private placement or otherwise, to any Person who is not an Affiliate of the Corporation.

“Initial Dividend Period” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3(a).

“Junior Stock” means the Common Stock and all other classes and series of securities of the Corporation that rank below the Series H Preferred Stock as to dividend rights and rights upon liquidation, winding up, or dissolution.

 

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“LIBOR Business Day” means any day on which commercial banks and foreign exchange markets settle payments and are open for general business (including dealings in foreign exchange and foreign currency deposits) in London and New York.

“LIBOR Determination Date” means, as to each Dividend Period, commencing with the Initial Dividend Period, the date that is two LIBOR Business Days prior to the first day of such Dividend Period.

“OCC” means the United States Office of the Comptroller of the Currency.

“Parity Stock” means any outstanding class or series of Preferred Stock of the Corporation ranking, in accordance to its terms, as to dividends and upon voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of affairs of the Corporation on parity with the Series H Preferred Stock.

“Person” means an individual, corporation, partnership, estate, trust (or portion thereof), association, private foundation, joint stock company or other entity or any government or agency or political subdivision thereof and also includes a group as that term is used for purposes of Section 13(d)(3) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

“Preferred Stock” means the Corporation’s preferred stock, no par value, of which 20,000,000 shares are authorized as of the date hereof.

“Redemption Date” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 5(c).

“Redemption Price” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 5(a).

“Regulatory Capital Event” means a determination by the Corporation, based on the receipt by the Corporation of an opinion or letter of counsel, rendered by a law firm experienced in such matters, in form and substance satisfactory to the Corporation, which states that there is a significant risk that the Series H Preferred Stock will no longer constitute Tier 1 capital of the Corporation for purposes of the capital adequacy regulations or guidelines or policies of the Federal Reserve Board, or its successor, as the Corporation’s primary Federal banking regulator, as a result of (i) any amendment to, clarification of, or change in applicable laws or related regulations, guidelines, policies or official interpretations thereof, or (ii) any official administrative pronouncement or judicial decision interpreting or applying such laws or related regulations, guidelines, policies or official interpretations thereof.

“Series H Preferred Stock” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 1.

“Supervisory Event” means the occurrence of one of the following: (i) Wachovia Bank becomes “undercapitalized” under the OCC’s prompt corrective action regulations, (ii) Wachovia Bank is placed into conservatorship or receivership, or (iii) the OCC, in its sole discretion, anticipates Wachovia Bank becoming “undercapitalized” in the near term or takes supervisory action that limits the payment of dividends by WPFC and in connection therewith the OCC directs an exchange of the WPFC Series B Preferred Securities for the Series H Preferred Stock.

“Three-Month LIBOR” means, with respect to any LIBOR Determination Date, a rate determined on the basis of the offered rates for three-month U.S. dollar deposits of not less than a principal amount equal to that which is representative for a single transaction in such market at such time, commencing on the second LIBOR Business Day immediately following such LIBOR Determination Date, which appears on US LIBOR Telerate Page 3750 as of approximately 11:00 a.m., London time, on such LIBOR Determination Date.

 

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If on any LIBOR Determination Date no rate appears on US LIBOR Telerate Page 3750 as of approximately 11:00 a.m., London time, the Corporation shall on such LIBOR Determination Date require four major reference banks in the London interbank market selected by the Corporation to provide the Corporation with a quotation of the rate at which three-month deposits in U.S. dollars, commencing on the second LIBOR Business Day immediately following such LIBOR Determination Date, are offered by them to prime banks in the London interbank market as of approximately 11:00 a.m., London time, on such LIBOR Determination Date and in a principal amount equal to that which is representative for a single transaction in such market at such time. If at least two such quotations are provided, Three-Month LIBOR for such LIBOR Determination Date will be the arithmetic mean of such quotations as calculated by the Corporation. If fewer than two quotations are provided, Three-Month LIBOR for such LIBOR Determination Date will be the arithmetic mean of the rates quoted as of approximately 11:00 a.m., London time, on such LIBOR Determination Date by three major banks in the London inter-bank market selected by the Corporation for loans in U.S. dollars to leading European banks, having a three-month maturity commencing on the second LIBOR Business Day immediately following such LIBOR Determination Date and in a principal amount equal to that which is representative for a single transaction in such market at such time; provided, however, that, if the banks selected as aforesaid by the Corporation are not quoting as mentioned in this sentence, Three-Month LIBOR for such LIBOR Determination Date will be the Three-Month LIBOR determined with respect to the immediately preceding Dividend Period.

“Transfer” means any sale, transfer, gift, assignment, devise or other disposition of the WPFC Series B Preferred Securities, including, but not limited to, (i) the granting of any option or entering into any agreement for the sale, transfer or other disposition of such securities, or (ii) the sale, transfer, assignment or other disposition of any securities or rights convertible into or exchangeable for WPFC Series B Preferred Securities, whether voluntary or involuntary, whether of record or beneficially and whether by operation of law or otherwise.

“Wachovia Bank” means Wachovia Bank, National Association, a national banking association, or its successors and assigns.

“WPFC” means Wachovia Preferred Funding Corp., a Delaware corporation.

“WPFC Series B Preferred Securities” means the Floating Rate Non-cumulative Series B Preferred Securities, par value $0.01, liquidation preference $25.00 per share, of WPFC.

3. Dividends. (a) The dividend rate for the Series H Preferred Stock shall be the Applicable Rate per share per annum of the initial liquidation preference of $20,000.00 per share, accruing from the effective date of the Conditional Exchange to and including the last day of March, the last day of June, the last day of September or the last day of December, whichever occurs first, after issuance of the Series H Preferred Stock following the Conditional Exchange (such period being the “Initial Dividend Period”) and then for each quarterly period thereafter, commencing on April 1, July 1, October 1 or January 1, as the case may be, of each year and ending on and including the day next preceding the first day of the next such quarterly period (each such period, including the Initial Dividend Period, being a “Dividend Period”), payable to holders of record of the Series H Preferred Stock on the respective record dates fixed for such purpose by the Board of Directors in advance of payment of such dividend, which shall be the 15th calendar day of the last calendar month of the applicable Dividend Period (each such date, a “Dividend Record Date”). If such Dividend Record Date is not a Business Day, then the Dividend

 

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Record Date for the applicable Dividend Period shall be the first Business Day immediately following the 15th calendar day of the last calendar month of the applicable Dividend Period, except if such Business Day falls in the calendar month following the last calendar month of the applicable Dividend Period, the Dividend Record Date shall be the last Business Date immediately preceding the 15th calendar day of the last calendar month of the applicable Dividend Period. Until no longer outstanding, the holders of the Series H Preferred Stock shall be entitled to receive such cash dividends, and the Corporation shall be bound to pay the same, but only as, if and when declared by the Board of Directors, out of funds legally available for the payment thereof (each such payment, a “Dividend Payment”), on March 31, June 30, September 30 and December 31 of each year (each a “Dividend Payment Date”) for the respective Dividend Period ending on such date; provided, however, that the Dividend Payment for the Initial Dividend Period shall include any unpaid dividends accrued from the payment date of the last dividend paid prior to such date on the WPFC Series B Preferred Securities. If a Dividend Payment Date is not a Business Day, the Dividend Payment due on such Dividend Payment Date shall be paid on the first Business Day immediately following such Dividend Payment Date, except if such Business Day falls in a different calendar year than such Dividend Payment Date, such Dividend Payment shall be paid on the last Business Date immediately preceding such Dividend Payment Date. The amount of dividends payable for the Initial Dividend Period or any period shorter than a full Dividend Period shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day year having 30-day months and the actual number of days elapsed in the period.

(b) Dividends shall be non-cumulative. If the Board of Directors fails to or chooses not to declare a dividend on the Series H Preferred Stock for a Dividend Period, then holders of the Series H Preferred Stock shall have no right to receive a dividend for that Dividend Period, and the Corporation shall have no obligation to pay a dividend for that Dividend Period, whether or not dividends are declared and paid for any future Dividend Period, with respect to either the Series H Preferred Stock, other series of preferred stock of the Corporation, or the Common Stock.

(c) Holders of Series H Preferred Stock shall not be entitled to any dividends, whether payable in cash, property or stock, in excess of full dividends for each Dividend Period, as herein provided, on the Series H Preferred Stock. No interest, or sum of money in lieu of interest, shall be payable in respect of any Dividend Payment or Dividend Payments or failure to make any Dividend Payment or Dividend Payments.

(d) Unless full dividend payments on the Series H Preferred Stock have been declared and paid or declared and a sum sufficient for such payment has been set apart for payment for the immediately preceding Dividend Period, no dividends shall be declared or paid or set aside for payment and no other distribution shall be declared or made or set aside for payment upon any shares of Junior Stock, nor shall shares of Junior Stock be redeemed, purchased, or otherwise acquired for any consideration, nor shall any monies be paid to or made available for a sinking fund for the redemption of any such securities by the Corporation, except by conversion into or exchange for other Junior Stock.

4. Liquidation Preference. (a) The amount payable on the Series H Preferred Stock in the event of any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution, or winding-up of affairs of the Corporation shall be $20,000.00 per share, plus authorized, declared but unpaid dividends up to the date of such liquidation, dissolution, or winding-up of affairs of the Corporation, and no more before any distribution shall be made to the holders of any shares of Junior Stock. The holders of Series H Preferred Stock shall not be entitled to any further payments in the event of any such voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution, or winding-up of affairs of the Corporation other than what is expressly provided for in this Section 4(a).

 

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(b) If the amounts available for distribution in respect of the Series H Preferred Stock and any Parity Stock are not sufficient to satisfy the full liquidation rights of all of the outstanding Series H Preferred Stock and any Parity Stock, then the holders of the Series H Preferred Stock and any Parity Stock shall share ratably in any such distribution of assets in proportion to the full respective liquidation preference to which they are entitled.

(c) The sale, conveyance, exchange or transfer (for cash, shares of stock, securities or other consideration) of all or substantially all of the property and assets of the Corporation shall not be deemed a dissolution, liquidation or winding up of the Corporation, nor shall the merger, consolidation or any other business combination transaction of the Corporation into or with any other corporation or Person or the merger, consolidation or any other business combination transaction of any other corporation or Person into or with the Corporation be deemed to be a dissolution, liquidation or winding up of the Corporation.

5. Redemption. (a) The Series H Preferred Stock shall not be redeemable by the Corporation prior to the fifth anniversary of the initial issuance of the WPFC Series B Preferred Securities, except upon the occurrence of a Regulatory Capital Event. On or after the fifth anniversary of the initial issuance of the WPFC Series B Preferred Securities, the Corporation may, with the prior approval of the OCC, redeem the Series H Preferred Stock for cash, in whole or in part, at a price equal to $20,000.00 per share of Series H Preferred Stock, plus authorized, declared, but unpaid dividends to the Redemption Date, without interest, on shares redeemed (collectively, the “Redemption Price”) from funds legally available for such purpose.

(b) On or after the fifth anniversary of the initial issuance of the WPFC Series B Preferred Securities, the Corporation, at the option of the Board of Directors, may at any time redeem fewer than all the outstanding Series H Preferred Stock. In that event, the shares to be redeemed shall be determined by lot, pro rata, or by such other method as the Board of Directors in its sole discretion determines to be equitable.

(c) Prior to the fifth anniversary of the initial issuance of the WPFC Series B Preferred Securities, but only upon or after the occurrence of a Regulatory Capital Event, the Corporation, at the option of the Board of Directors, may redeem the outstanding Series H Preferred Stock, in whole, but not in part, for the Redemption Price from funds legally available for such purpose.

(d) Not more than 60 days and not less than 30 days prior to the date established for such redemption by the Board of Directors (the “Redemption Date”), notice of the proposed redemption shall be mailed to the holders of record of the Series H Preferred Stock to be redeemed, such notice to be addressed to each such stockholder at his last known address shown on the records of the Corporation, and the time of mailing such notice shall be deemed to be the time of the giving thereof. On or after the Redemption Date, the Series H Preferred Stock called for redemption shall automatically, and without further action on the part of the holder thereof, be deemed to have been redeemed and the former holder thereof shall thereupon only be entitled to receive payment of the Redemption Price. If such notice of redemption shall have been given as aforesaid, and if on or before the Redemption Date the funds necessary for the redemption shall have been set aside so as to be available therefore, then the dividends thereon shall cease to accrue after the Redemption Date and all rights with respect to the Series H Preferred Stock so called for redemption shall forthwith after such Redemption Date cease, except the right of the holders to receive the Redemption Price, without interest. If such notice of redemption of all or any part of the Series H Preferred Stock shall have been mailed as aforesaid and the Corporation shall thereafter deposit money for the payment of the Redemption Price pursuant thereto with any bank or trust company (the “Depositary Company”),

 

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including any Affiliate of the Corporation, selected by the Board of Directors for that purpose, to be applied to such redemption, then from and after the making of such deposit, such Series H Preferred Stock shall not be deemed to be outstanding for any purpose, and the rights of the holders thereof shall be limited to the rights to receive payment of the Redemption Price, without interest but including any declared, authorized, but unpaid, dividends to the Redemption Date, from the Depositary Company, if applicable, upon endorsement, if required, and surrender of the certificates therefore. The Corporation shall be entitled to receive, from time to time, from the Depositary Company, the interest, if any, allowed on such moneys deposited with it, and the holders of any Series H Preferred Stock so redeemed shall have no claim to any such interest. Any moneys so deposited and remaining unclaimed at the end of three years from the Redemption Date shall, if thereafter requested by resolution of the Board of Directors, be repaid to the Corporation, and in the event of such repayment to the Corporation, such holders of record of the Series H Preferred Stock so redeemed which shall not have made claim against such moneys prior to such repayment to the Corporation shall be deemed to be unsecured creditors of the Corporation for an amount equivalent to the amount deposited as stated above for the redemption of the Series H Preferred Stock and so repaid to the Corporation, but shall in no event be entitled to any interest.

(e) Subject to the provisions herein, the Board of Directors shall have authority to prescribe from time to time the manner in which the Series H Preferred Stock shall be redeemed.

(f) Nothing contained herein shall limit any legal right of the Corporation to purchase any shares of the Series H Preferred Stock.

6. Conversion. The holders of the Series H Preferred Stock shall not have any rights to convert such Series H Preferred Stock into shares of any other class of capital stock of the Corporation.

7. Rank. Notwithstanding anything set forth in the Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation or this Certificate of Designations to the contrary, the Board of Directors, without the vote of the holders of the Series H Preferred Stock, may authorize and issue additional shares of Junior Stock, Parity Stock or any class or series of stock ranking senior to Series H Preferred Stock as to dividends and upon voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of affairs of the Corporation.

8. Repurchase. Subject to the limitations imposed herein, the Corporation may purchase and sell Series H Preferred Stock from time to time to such extent, in such manner, and upon such terms as the Board of Directors may determine; provided, however, that the Corporation shall not use any of its funds for any such purchase when there are reasonable grounds to believe that the Corporation is, or by such purchase would be, rendered insolvent.

9. Voting Rights. The holders of Series H Preferred Stock will have no voting rights except as expressly provided by applicable law.

10. Unissued or Reacquired Shares. Shares of Series H Preferred Stock not issued or which have been issued and converted, redeemed or otherwise purchased or acquired by the Corporation shall be restored to the status of authorized but unissued shares of Preferred Stock without designation as to series.

11. No Sinking Fund. Shares of Series H Preferred Stock are not subject to the operation of a sinking fund.

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, WELLS FARGO & COMPANY has caused this Certificate of Designations to be signed by Barbara S. Brett, its Senior Vice President and Assistant Treasurer, and Laurel A. Holschuh, its Secretary, this 30th day of December, 2008.

 

WELLS FARGO & COMPANY
 
By:  

/s/ Barbara S. Brett

  Barbara S. Brett, Senior Vice President
  and Assistant Treasurer

 

/s/ Laurel A. Holschuh

Laurel A. Holschuh, Secretary

[As filed with the Delaware Secretary of State on December 30, 2008.]

 

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WELLS FARGO & COMPANY

 

 

CERTIFICATE OF DESIGNATIONS

Pursuant to Section 151(g) of the

General Corporation Law

of the State of Delaware

 

 

CLASS A PREFERRED STOCK, SERIES I

(Without Par Value)

 

 

WELLS FARGO & COMPANY, a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the State of Delaware (the “Corporation”), HEREBY CERTIFIES that, pursuant to authority conferred upon the Board of Directors of the Corporation (the “Board of Directors”) by the provisions of the Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation, as amended, which authorizes the issuance of not more than 20,000,000 shares of Preferred Stock, without par value, and pursuant to authority conferred upon the Securities Committee of the Board of Directors (the “Committee”) in accordance with Section 141(c) of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the “General Corporation Law”), the following resolutions were duly adopted by the Committee pursuant to the written consent of the Committee duly adopted on November 20, 2008, in accordance with Section 141(f) of the General Corporation Law:

RESOLVED, that pursuant to the authority vested in the Committee and in accordance with the resolutions of the Board of Directors dated October 2, 2008, the provisions of the Restated Certificate of Incorporation, the By-laws of the Corporation and applicable law, a series of Preferred Stock, no par value, 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, designations, preferences and relative, participating, optional or other rights, and the qualifications, limitations and restrictions thereof, of the shares of such series, are as follows:

Section 1. Designation. The shares of such series of Preferred Stock shall be designated Class A Preferred Stock, Series I, with no par value and a liquidation preference of $100,000 per share (hereinafter referred to as the “Series I Preferred Stock”). Each share of Series I Preferred Stock shall be identical in all respects to every other share of Series I Preferred Stock. Series I Preferred Stock will rank equally with Parity Stock, if any, and will rank senior to Junior Stock with respect to the payment of dividends and the distribution of assets in the event of any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the affairs of the Corporation.

Section 2. Number of Shares. The number of shares of Series I Preferred Stock shall be 25,010. Such number may from time to time be increased (but not in excess of the total number of authorized shares of preferred stock) or decreased (but not below the number of shares of Series I Preferred Stock then outstanding) by the board of directors. Shares of Series I Preferred Stock that are redeemed, purchased or otherwise acquired by the Corporation shall be cancelled and shall revert to authorized but unissued shares of preferred stock undesignated as to series. The Corporation shall have the authority to issue fractional shares of Series I Preferred Stock.

 

 

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Section 3. Definitions. As used herein with respect to Series I Preferred Stock:

“Business Day” means each Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday or Friday on which banking institutions in Charlotte, North Carolina or New York, New York are not authorized or obligated by law, regulation or executive order to close.

“Depositary Company” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 6(d).

“Dividend Payment Date” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 4(a).

“Dividend Period” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 4(a).

“DTC” means The Depositary Trust Company, together with its successors and assigns.

“Junior Stock” means the Corporation’s common stock and any other class or series of stock of the Corporation hereafter authorized over which Series I Preferred Stock has preference or priority in the payment of dividends or in the distribution of assets on any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation.

“London Banking Day” means any day on which commercial banks are open for general business (including dealings in deposits in U.S. dollars) in London.

“Parity Stock” means any other class or series of stock of the Corporation that ranks on a par with Series I Preferred Stock in the payment of dividends or in the distribution of assets on any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation.

“Series I Preferred Stock” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 1.

“Telerate Page 3750” means the display page so designated on the Moneyline/Telerate Service (or such other page as may replace that page on that service, or such other service as may be nominated as the information vendor, for the purpose of displaying rates or prices comparable to London Interbank Offered Rate for U.S. dollar deposits).

“Three-Month LIBOR” means, with respect to any Dividend Period, the rate (expressed as a percentage per annum ) for deposits in U.S. dollars for a three-month period commencing on the first day of that Dividend Period that appears on Telerate Page 3750 as of 11:00 a.m. (London time) on the second London Banking Day preceding the first day of that Dividend Period. If such rate does not appear on Telerate Page 3750, Three-Month LIBOR will be determined on the basis of the rates at which deposits in U.S. dollars for a three-month period commencing on the first day of that Dividend Period and in a principal amount of not less than $1,000,000 are offered to prime banks in the London interbank market by four major banks in the London interbank market selected by the Corporation, at approximately 11:00 a.m., London time on the second London Banking Day preceding the first day of that Dividend Period. Wachovia Bank, National Association, as calculation agent for the Preferred Stock, will request the principal London office of each of such banks to provide a quotation of its rate. If at least two such quotations are provided, Three-Month LIBOR with respect to that Dividend Period will be the arithmetic mean (rounded upward if necessary to the nearest .00001 of 1%) of such quotations. If fewer than two quotations are provided, Three-Month LIBOR with respect to that Dividend Period will be the arithmetic mean (rounded upward if necessary to the nearest .00001 of 1%) of the rates quoted by three major banks in New York City selected by the calculation agent, at approximately 11:00 a.m., New York City time, on the first day of that Dividend Period for loans in U.S. dollars to leading European banks for a three-month period commencing on the first day of that Dividend Period and in a principal amount of not less than $1,000,000. However, if the banks selected by the calculation agent to provide quotations are not

 

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quoting as described above, Three-Month LIBOR for that Dividend Period will be the same as Three-Month LIBOR as determined for the previous Dividend Period, or in the case of the first Dividend Period, the most recent rate that could have been determined in accordance with the first sentence of this paragraph had Series I Preferred Stock been outstanding. The calculation agent’s establishment of Three-Month LIBOR and calculation of the amount of dividends for each Dividend Period will be on file at the principal offices of the Corporation, will be made available to any holder of Series I Preferred Stock upon request and will be final and binding in the absence of manifest error.

Section 4. Dividends.

(a) Rate. Holders of Series I Preferred Stock shall be entitled to receive, when, as and if declared by the board of directors, but only out of funds legally available therefor, non-cumulative cash dividends on the liquidation preference of $100,000 per share of Series I Preferred Stock, and no more, payable: (1) if the Series I Preferred Stock is issued prior to March 15, 2011, semi-annually in arrears on each March 15 and September 15 through March 15, 2011 and (2) from and including the later of March 15, 2011 and the date of issuance, quarterly in arrears on each March 15, June 15, September 15 and December 15. If any date prior to March 15, 2011 specified pursuant to the preceding sentence is not a Business Day, then dividends will be payable on the first Business Day following such date, without accrual to the actual payment date; if any date on or after March 15, 2011 specified pursuant the preceding sentence is not a Business Day, then dividends will be payable on the first Business Day following such date and dividends shall accrue to the actual payment date. The term “Dividend Payment Date” means each of the following dates occurring after the date of issuance of the Series I Preferred Stock: (i) each March 15 and September 15 through September 15, 2010 and (ii) each March 15, June 15, September 15 and December 15, or if any such day in the case of this clause (ii) is not a Business Day, the next Business Day. The term “Dividend Period” means each period from and including a Dividend Payment Date (or the date of issuance of the Series I Preferred Stock for the first Dividend Payment Date) to but excluding the next Dividend Payment Date. For any Dividend Period ending prior to the Dividend Payment Date in March 2011 dividends will accrue at a rate per annum equal to 5.80%, and for any Dividend Period ending after the Dividend Payment Date in March 2011, dividends will accrue at a rate per annum equal to the greater of (x) Three-Month LIBOR for the related Dividend Period plus 0.93% and (y) 5.56975%. The amount of dividends payable for any Dividend Period (1) ending prior to the Dividend Payment Date in March 2011 shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months and (2) beginning on or after the Dividend Payment Date in March 2011 shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day year and the actual number of days elapsed.

(b) Non-Cumulative Dividends. Dividends on shares of Series I Preferred Stock shall be non-cumulative. To the extent that any dividends payable on the shares of Series I Preferred Stock on any Dividend Payment Date are not declared and paid, in full or otherwise, on such Dividend Payment Date, then such unpaid dividends shall not cumulate and shall cease to accrue and be payable and the Corporation shall have no obligation to pay, and the holders of Series I Preferred Stock shall have no right to receive, dividends accrued for the Dividend Period ending immediately prior to such Dividend Payment Date after such Dividend Payment Date or to pay interest with respect to such dividends, whether or not dividends are declared for any subsequent Dividend Period with respect to Series I Preferred Stock, Parity Stock, Junior Stock or any other class or series of authorized preferred stock of the Corporation. Holders of Series I Preferred Stock shall not be entitled to any dividends, whether payable in cash, property or stock, in excess of full dividends for each Dividend Period on the Series I Preferred Stock. No interest, or sum of money in lieu of interest, shall be payable in respect of any Dividend Payment or Dividend Payments or failure to make any Dividend Payment or Dividend Payments.

 

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(c) Priority of Dividends. So long as any share of Series I Preferred Stock remains outstanding, (i) no dividend shall be declared or paid or set aside for payment and no distribution shall be declared or made or set aside for payment on any Junior Stock, other than a dividend payable solely in Junior Stock, (ii) no shares of Junior Stock shall be purchased, redeemed or otherwise acquired for consideration by the Corporation, directly or indirectly (other than as a result of a reclassification of Junior Stock for or into Junior Stock, or the exchange or conversion of one share of Junior Stock for or into another share of Junior Stock, and other than through the use of the proceeds of a substantially contemporaneous sale of other shares of Junior Stock), nor shall any monies be paid to or made available for a sinking fund for the redemption of any such securities by the Corporation, and (iii) no shares of Parity Stock shall be purchased, redeemed or otherwise acquired for consideration by the Corporation otherwise than pursuant to pro rata offers to purchase all, or a pro rata portion, of the Series I Preferred Stock and such Parity Stock except by conversion into or exchange for Junior Stock, unless full dividends on all outstanding shares of Series I Preferred Stock for the then-current Dividend Period have been paid in full or declared and set aside for payment. The foregoing shall not restrict the ability of the Corporation, or any affiliate of the Corporation, to engage in any market-making transactions in the Junior Stock or Parity Stock in the ordinary course of business. When dividends are not paid in full upon the shares of Series I Preferred Stock and any Parity Stock, all dividends declared upon shares of Series I Preferred Stock and any Parity Stock shall be declared on a proportional basis so that the amount of dividends declared per share will bear to each other the same ratio that accrued dividends for the then-current Dividend Period per share on Series I Preferred Stock, and accrued dividends, including any accumulations on Parity Stock, bear to each other. No interest will be payable in respect of any dividend payment on such offered stock that may be in arrears. If 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 the Series I Preferred Stock prior to such date. Subject to the foregoing, and not otherwise, such dividends (payable in cash, stock or otherwise) as may be determined by the board of directors may be declared and paid on any Junior Stock from time to time out of any funds legally available therefor, and the shares of Series I Preferred Stock shall not be entitled to participate in any such dividend.

Section 5. Liquidation Rights.

(a) Liquidation. In the event of any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the affairs of the Corporation, holders of Series I Preferred Stock shall be entitled, before any distribution or payment out of the assets of the Corporation may be made to or set aside for the holders of any Junior Stock and subject to the rights of the holders of any class or series of securities ranking senior to or on parity with Series I Preferred Stock upon liquidation and the rights of the Corporation’s depositors and other creditors, to receive in full a liquidation preference in an amount equal to $100,000 per share, plus an amount equal to all accrued and unpaid dividends for the then-current Dividend Period to the date of liquidation. The holder of Series I Preferred Stock shall not be entitled to any further payments in the event of any such voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the affairs of the Corporation other than what is expressly provided for in this Section 5.

(b) Partial Payment. If the assets of the Corporation are not sufficient to pay in full the liquidation preference to all holders of Series I Preferred Stock and the liquidation

 

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preferences of any Parity Stock to all holders of such Parity Stock, the amounts paid to the holders of Series I Preferred Stock and to the holders of all Parity Stock shall be pro rata in accordance with the respective aggregate liquidation preferences of Series I Preferred Stock and all such Parity Stock.

(c) Residual Distributions. If the liquidation preference has been paid in full to all holders of Series I Preferred Stock and all holders of any Parity Stock, the holders of Junior Stock shall be entitled to receive all remaining assets of the Corporation according to their respective rights and preferences.

(d) Merger, Consolidation and Sale of Assets Not Liquidation. For purposes of this Section 5, the sale, conveyance, exchange or transfer (for cash, shares of stock, securities or other consideration) of all or substantially all of the property and assets of the Corporation shall not be deemed a voluntary or involuntary dissolution, liquidation or winding up of the affairs of the Corporation, nor shall the merger, consolidation or any other business combination transaction of the Corporation into or with any other corporation or person or the merger, consolidation or any other business combination transaction of any other corporation or person into or with the Corporation be deemed to be a voluntary or involuntary dissolution, liquidation or winding up of the affairs of the Corporation.

Section 6. Redemption.

(a) Optional Redemption. So long as full dividends for all outstanding shares of Series I Preferred Stock for the then-current Dividend Period have been paid or declared and a sum sufficient for the payment thereof set aside, the Corporation, at the option of the board of directors, may redeem in whole or in part the shares of Series I Preferred Stock at the time outstanding, at any time on or after the later of March 15, 2011 and the date of original issuance of the Series I Preferred Stock, upon notice given as provided in Subsection (b) below, at the redemption price in effect at the redemption date as provided in this Section 6. The redemption price for shares of Series I Preferred Stock shall be $100,000 per share plus dividends that have been declared but not paid plus accrued and unpaid dividends for the then-current Dividend Period to the redemption date.

(b) Notice of Redemption. Notice of every redemption of shares of Series I Preferred Stock shall be mailed 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. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Series I Preferred Stock is held in book-entry form through DTC, the Corporation may give such notice in any manner permitted by DTC. 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 Series I Preferred Stock designated for redemption shall not affect the validity of the proceedings for the redemption of any other shares of Series I Preferred Stock. Each notice shall state (i) the redemption date; (ii) the number of shares of Series I Preferred Stock to be redeemed; (iii) the redemption price; (iv) the place or places where the Series I Preferred Stock are to be redeemed; and (v) that dividends on the shares to be redeemed will cease to accrue on the redemption date.

 

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(c) Partial Redemption. In case of any redemption of only part of the shares of Series I Preferred Stock at the time outstanding, the shares of Series I Preferred Stock to be redeemed shall be selected either pro rata from the holders of record of Series I Preferred Stock in proportion to the number of Series I Preferred Stock held by such holders or by lot or in such other manner as the board of directors may determine to be fair and equitable. Subject to the provisions hereof, the board of directors shall have full power and authority to prescribe the terms and conditions upon which shares of Series I Preferred Stock shall be redeemed from time to time.

(d) 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 set aside by the Corporation, separate and apart from its other funds, in trust for the pro rata benefit of the holders of the shares called for redemption, so as to be and continue to be available therefor, or deposited by the Corporation with a bank or trust company selected by the board of directors (the “Depositary Company”) in trust for the pro rata benefit of the holders of the shares called for redemption, then, notwithstanding that any certificate for any share so called for redemption has not been surrendered for cancellation, on and after the redemption date all shares so called for redemption shall cease to be outstanding, all dividends with respect to such shares shall cease to accrue after such redemption date, 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 redemption from such bank or trust company at any time after the redemption date the funds so deposited, without interest. The Corporation shall be entitled to receive, from time to time, from the Depositary Company any interest accrued on such funds, and the holders of any shares called for redemption shall have no claim to any such interest. Any funds so deposited and unclaimed at the end of three years from the redemption date shall, to the extent permitted by law, be released or repaid to the Corporation, and in the event of such repayment to the Corporation, the holders of record of the shares so called for redemption shall be deemed to be unsecured creditors of the Corporation for an amount equivalent to the amount deposited as stated above for the redemption of such shares and so repaid to the Corporation, but shall in no event be entitled to any interest.

Section 7. Voting Rights. The holders of Series I Preferred Stock will have no voting rights and will not be entitled to elect any directors, except as expressly provided by law.

Section 8. Conversion. The holders of Series I Preferred Stock shall not have any rights to convert such Series I Preferred Stock into shares of any other class of capital stock of the Corporation.

Section 9. Rank. Notwithstanding anything set forth in the Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation or this Certificate of Designations to the contrary, the board of directors, without the vote of the holders of the Series I Preferred Stock, may authorize and issue additional shares of Junior Stock, Parity Stock or any class of securities ranking senior to the Series I Preferred Stock as to dividends and upon any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the affairs of the Corporation.

Section 10. Repurchase. Subject to the limitations imposed herein, the Corporation may purchase and sell Series I Preferred Stock from time to time to such extent, in such manner, and upon such terms as the board of directors may determine; provided, however, that the Corporation shall not use any of its funds for any such purchase when there are reasonable grounds to believe that the Corporation is, or by such purchase would be, rendered insolvent.

 

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Section 11. Unissued or Reacquired Shares. Shares of Series I Preferred Stock not issued or which have been issued and converted, redeemed or otherwise purchased or acquired by the Corporation shall be restored to the status of authorized but unissued shares of Preferred Stock without designation as to series.

Section 12. No Sinking Fund. Shares of Series I Preferred Stock are not subject to the operation of a sinking fund.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, WELLS FARGO & COMPANY has caused this Certificate of Designations to be signed by Barbara S. Brett, its Senior Vice President and Assistant Treasurer, and Laurel A. Holschuh, its Secretary, this 30th day of December, 2008.

 

WELLS FARGO & COMPANY
By:  

/s/ Barbara S. Brett

  Barbara S. Brett, Senior Vice President
  and Assistant Treasurer

 

/s/ Laurel A. Holschuh

Laurel A. Holschuh, Secretary

[As filed with the Delaware Secretary of State on December 30, 2008.]

 

-7-


WELLS FARGO & COMPANY

 

 

CERTIFICATE OF DESIGNATIONS

Pursuant to Section 151(g) of the

General Corporation Law

of the State of Delaware

 

 

8.00% NON-CUMULATIVE PERPETUAL CLASS A PREFERRED STOCK, SERIES J

(Without Par Value)

 

 

WELLS FARGO & COMPANY, a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the State of Delaware (the “Corporation”), HEREBY CERTIFIES that, pursuant to authority conferred upon the Board of Directors of the Corporation (the “Board of Directors”) by the provisions of the Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation, as amended, which authorizes the issuance of not more than 20,000,000 shares of Preferred Stock, without par value, and pursuant to authority conferred upon the Securities Committee of the Board of Directors (the “Committee”) in accordance with Section 141(c) of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the “General Corporation Law”), the following resolutions were duly adopted by the Committee pursuant to the written consent of the Committee duly adopted on November 20, 2008, in accordance with Section 141(f) of the General Corporation Law:

RESOLVED, that pursuant to the authority vested in the Committee and in accordance with the resolutions of the Board of Directors dated October 2, 2008, the provisions of the Restated Certificate of Incorporation, the By-laws of the Corporation and applicable law, a series of Preferred Stock, no par value, 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, designations, preferences and relative, participating, optional or other rights, and the qualifications, limitations and restrictions thereof, of the shares of such series, are as follows:

Section 1. Designation. The shares of such series of Preferred Stock shall be designated 8.00% Non-Cumulative Perpetual Class A Preferred Stock, Series J, with no par value and a liquidation preference of $1,000 per share (hereinafter referred to as the “Series J Preferred Stock”). Each share of Series J Preferred Stock shall be identical in all respects to every other share of Series J Preferred Stock. Series J Preferred Stock will rank equally with Parity Stock, if any, and will rank senior to Junior Stock with respect to the payment of dividends and the distribution of assets in the event of any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the affairs of the Corporation.

Section 2. Number of Shares. The number of shares of Series J Preferred Stock shall be 2,300,000. Such number may from time to time be increased (but not in excess of the total number of authorized shares of Preferred Stock) or decreased (but not below the number of shares of Series J Preferred Stock then outstanding) by the board of directors. Shares of Series J Preferred Stock that are redeemed, purchased or otherwise acquired by the Corporation shall be cancelled and shall revert to authorized but unissued shares of Preferred Stock undesignated as to series. The Corporation shall have the authority to issue fractional shares of Series J Preferred Stock.

 

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Section 3. Definitions. As used herein with respect to Series J Preferred Stock:

Business Day” means each Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday or Friday on which banking institutions in Charlotte, North Carolina or New York, New York are not authorized or obligated by law, regulation or executive order to close.

Depositary Company” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 6(d).

Dividend Payment Date” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 4(a).

Dividend Period” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 4(a).

DTC” means The Depositary Trust Company, together with its successors and assigns.

Junior Stock” means the Corporation’s common stock and any other class or series of stock of the Corporation hereafter authorized over which Series J Preferred Stock has preference or priority in the payment of dividends or in the distribution of assets in the event of any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the affairs of the Corporation.

Parity Stock” means any other class or series of stock of the Corporation that ranks on a par with Series J Preferred Stock in the payment of dividends (whether such dividends are cumulative or non-cumulative) or in the distribution of assets in the event of any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the affairs of the Corporation.

Series J Preferred Stock” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 1.

Voting Parity Stock” means any Parity Stock having similar voting rights as the Series J Preferred Stock.

Section 4. Dividends.

(a) Rate. Holders of Series J Preferred Stock shall be entitled to receive, when, as and if declared by the board of directors, but only out of funds legally available therefor, non-cumulative cash dividends on the liquidation preference of $1,000 per share of Series J Preferred Stock, and no more, payable quarterly in arrears on each March 15, June 15, September 15 and December 15. If any date specified pursuant the preceding sentence is not a Business Day, then dividends will be payable on the first Business Day following such date and dividends shall accrue to the actual payment date. The term “Dividend Payment Date” means March 15, June 15, September 15 and December 15, or if any such day in the case of this clause is not a Business Day, the next Business Day. The term “Dividend Period” means each period from and including a Dividend Payment Date (or the date of issuance of the Series J Preferred Stock for the first Dividend Payment Date) to but excluding the next Dividend Payment Date; provided that the first Dividend Period shall be deemed to have commenced on December 15, 2008. Dividends will accrue at a rate per annum equal to 8.00%. The amount of dividends payable for any Dividend Period shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months.

(b) Non-Cumulative Dividends. Dividends on shares of Series J Preferred Stock shall be non-cumulative. To the extent that any dividends payable on the shares of Series J Preferred Stock on any Dividend Payment Date are not declared and paid, in full or otherwise, on such Dividend Payment Date, then such unpaid dividends shall not cumulate and shall cease to accrue and be payable and the Corporation shall have no obligation to pay, and the holders of Series J Preferred Stock shall

 

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have no right to receive, dividends accrued for the Dividend Period ending immediately prior to such Dividend Payment Date after such Dividend Payment Date, whether or not dividends are declared for any subsequent Dividend Period with respect to Series J Preferred Stock, Parity Stock, Junior Stock or any other class or series of authorized preferred stock of the Corporation. Holders of Series J Preferred Stock shall not be entitled to any dividends, whether payable in cash, property or stock, in excess of full dividends for each Dividend Period on the Series J Preferred Stock. No interest, or sum of money in lieu of interest, shall be payable in respect of any Dividend Payment or Dividend Payments or failure to make any Dividend Payment or Dividend Payments.

(c) Priority of Dividends. So long as any share of Series J Preferred Stock remains outstanding, unless full dividends on all outstanding shares of Series J Preferred Stock for the then-current Dividend Period have been paid in full or declared and set aside for payment, (i) no dividend shall be declared or paid or set aside for payment and no distribution shall be declared or made or set aside for payment on any Junior Stock, other than a dividend payable solely in Junior Stock, (ii) no shares of Junior Stock shall be purchased, redeemed or otherwise acquired for consideration by the Corporation, directly or indirectly (other than as a result of a reclassification of Junior Stock for or into Junior Stock, or the exchange or conversion of one share of Junior Stock for or into another share of Junior Stock, and other than through the use of the proceeds of a substantially contemporaneous sale of other shares of Junior Stock), nor shall any monies be paid to or made available for a sinking fund for the redemption of any such securities by the Corporation, and (iii) no shares of Parity Stock shall be purchased, redeemed or otherwise acquired for consideration by the Corporation, directly or indirectly (other than as a result of a reclassification of Parity Stock for or into Parity Stock or Junior Stock, or the exchange or conversion of one share of Parity Stock for or into another share of Parity Stock or for or into Junior Stock, and other than through the use of the proceeds of a substantially contemporaneous sale of other shares of Parity Stock or Junior Stock), nor shall any monies be paid to or made available for a sinking fund for the redemption of any such securities by the Corporation, otherwise than pursuant to pro rata offers to purchase all, or a pro rata portion, of the Series J Preferred Stock and such Parity Stock. The foregoing shall not restrict the ability of the Corporation, or any affiliate of the Corporation, to engage in any market-making transactions in the Junior Stock or Parity Stock in the ordinary course of business. When dividends are not paid in full upon the shares of Series J Preferred Stock and any Parity Stock, all dividends declared upon shares of Series J Preferred Stock and any Parity Stock shall be declared on a proportional basis so that the amount of dividends declared per share will bear to each other the same ratio that accrued dividends for the then-current Dividend Period per share on Series J Preferred Stock, and accrued dividends, including any accumulations, on Parity Stock, bear to each other. No interest will be payable in respect of any dividend payment on such Parity Stock that may be in arrears. If 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 the Series J Preferred Stock prior to such date. Subject to the foregoing, and not otherwise, such dividends (payable in cash, stock or otherwise) as may be determined by the board of directors may be declared and paid on any Junior Stock from time to time out of any funds legally available therefor, and the shares of Series J Preferred Stock shall not be entitled to participate in any such dividend.

Section 5. Liquidation Rights.

(a) Liquidation. In the event of any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the affairs of the Corporation, holders of Series J Preferred Stock shall be entitled, before any distribution or payment out of the assets of the Corporation may be made to or set aside for the holders of any Junior Stock and subject to the rights of the holders of any class or series of securities ranking senior to or on parity with Series J Preferred Stock upon liquidation and the rights of the Corporation’s depositors and other creditors, to receive in full a liquidation preference in an amount

 

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equal to $1,000 per share, plus an amount equal to all declared and unpaid dividends for the then-current Dividend Period to the date of liquidation. The holder of Series J Preferred Stock shall not be entitled to any further payments in the event of any such voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the affairs of the Corporation other than what is expressly provided for in this Section 5.

(b) Partial Payment. If the assets of the Corporation are not sufficient to pay in full the liquidation preference to all holders of Series J Preferred Stock and the liquidation preferences of any Parity Stock to all holders of such Parity Stock, the amounts paid to the holders of Series J Preferred Stock and to the holders of all Parity Stock shall be pro rata in accordance with the respective aggregate liquidation preferences of Series J Preferred Stock and all such Parity Stock.

(c) Residual Distributions. If the liquidation preference has been paid in full to all holders of Series J Preferred Stock and all holders of any Parity Stock, the holders of Junior Stock shall be entitled to receive all remaining assets of the Corporation according to their respective rights and preferences.

(d) Merger, Consolidation and Sale of Assets Not Liquidation. For purposes of this Section 5, the sale, conveyance, exchange or transfer (for cash, shares of stock, securities or other consideration) of all or substantially all of the property and assets of the Corporation shall not be deemed a voluntary or involuntary dissolution, liquidation or winding up of the affairs of the Corporation, nor shall the merger, consolidation or any other business combination transaction of the Corporation into or with any other corporation or person or the merger, consolidation or any other business combination transaction of any other corporation or person into or with the Corporation be deemed to be a voluntary or involuntary dissolution, liquidation or winding up of the affairs of the Corporation.

Section 6. Redemption.

(a) Optional Redemption. So long as full dividends for all outstanding shares of Series J Preferred Stock for the then-current Dividend Period have been paid or declared and a sum sufficient for the payment thereof set aside, and subject to applicable regulatory approvals, the Corporation, at the option of the board of directors, may redeem in whole or in part the shares of Series J Preferred Stock at the time outstanding, on any Dividend Payment Date on or after December 15, 2017 upon notice given as provided in Subsection (b) below, at the redemption price in effect at the redemption date as provided in this Section 6. The redemption price for shares of Series J Preferred Stock shall be $1,000 per share plus declared and unpaid dividends for the then-current Dividend Period, without interest.

(b) Notice of Redemption. Notice of every redemption of shares of Series J Preferred Stock shall be mailed 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. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Series J Preferred Stock is held in book-entry form through DTC, the Corporation may give such notice in any manner permitted by DTC. 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 Series J Preferred Stock designated for redemption shall not affect the validity of the proceedings for the redemption of any other shares of Series J Preferred Stock. Each notice shall state (i) the redemption date; (ii) the number of shares of Series J Preferred Stock to be redeemed; (iii) the redemption price; and (iv) the place or places where the Series J Preferred Stock are to be redeemed.

 

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(c) Partial Redemption. In case of any redemption of only part of the shares of Series J Preferred Stock at the time outstanding, the shares of Series J Preferred Stock to be redeemed shall be selected either pro rata from the holders of record of Series J Preferred Stock in proportion to the number of Series J Preferred Stock held by such holders or by lot or in such other manner as the board of directors may determine to be fair and equitable. Subject to the provisions hereof, the board of directors shall have full power and authority to prescribe the terms and conditions upon which shares of Series J Preferred Stock shall be redeemed from time to time.

(d) 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 set aside by the Corporation, separate and apart from its other funds, in trust for the pro rata benefit of the holders of the shares called for redemption, so as to be and continue to be available therefor, or deposited by the Corporation with a bank or trust company selected by the board of directors (the “Depositary Company”) in trust for the pro rata benefit of the holders of the shares called for redemption, then, notwithstanding that any certificate for any share so called for redemption has not been surrendered for cancellation, on and after the redemption date all shares so called for redemption shall cease to be outstanding, all dividends with respect to such shares shall cease to accrue after such redemption date, 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 redemption from such bank or trust company at any time after the redemption date the funds so deposited, without interest. The Corporation shall be entitled to receive, from time to time, from the Depositary Company any interest accrued on such funds, and the holders of any shares called for redemption shall have no claim to any such interest. Any funds so deposited and unclaimed at the end of three years from the redemption date shall, to the extent permitted by law, be released or repaid to the Corporation, and in the event of such repayment to the Corporation, the holders of record of the shares so called for redemption shall be deemed to be unsecured creditors of the Corporation for an amount equivalent to the amount deposited as stated above for the redemption of such shares and so repaid to the Corporation, but shall in no event be entitled to any interest.

Section 7. Voting Rights. The holders of Series J Preferred Stock shall not have any voting rights except as set forth below or as otherwise from time to time required by applicable law.

(a) Right To Elect Two Directors Upon Nonpayment Events. If and whenever the dividends on the Series J Preferred Stock or any class or series of Voting Parity Stock have not been declared and paid in an aggregate amount equal to full dividends for at least six Dividend Periods or their equivalent (whether or not consecutive) (a “Nonpayment Event”), the number of directors then constituting the board of directors shall automatically be increased by two and the holders of Series J Preferred Stock, voting together as a single and separate class with the holders of any outstanding shares of Voting Parity Stock, shall be entitled to elect the two additional directors (the “Preferred Stock Directors”) by a plurality of the votes cast, provided that it shall be a qualification for election for any such Preferred Stock Director that the election of such director shall not cause the Corporation to violate the corporate governance requirement of the New York Stock Exchange (or any other 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, and provided further that the board of directors shall at no time include more than two Preferred Stock Directors (including, for purposes of this limitation, all directors that the holders of any series of Voting Parity Stock are entitled to elect pursuant to like voting rights).

In the event that the holders of Series J Preferred Stock and such other holders of Voting Parity Stock shall be entitled to vote for the election of the Preferred Stock Directors following a Nonpayment

 

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Event, such directors shall be initially elected following such Nonpayment Event at the Corporation’s next annual meeting of shareholders, and, except as provided below, at each subsequent annual meeting of shareholders of the Corporation.

When dividends have been paid in full on the Series J Preferred Stock and any and all Voting Parity Stock for at least four consecutive Dividend Periods or their equivalent after a Nonpayment Event, then the right of the holders of Series J Preferred Stock to elect the Preferred Stock Directors shall cease (but subject always to revesting of such voting rights in the case of any future Nonpayment Event), and, if and when all rights of holders of Series J Preferred Stock and Voting Parity Stock to elect the Preferred Stock Directors shall have ceased, the terms of office of all the Preferred Stock Directors shall forthwith terminate and the number of directors constituting the board of directors shall automatically be reduced accordingly.

Any Preferred Stock Director may be removed at any time without cause by the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of Series J Preferred Stock and Voting Parity Stock, when they have the voting rights described above (voting together as a single and separate class). In case any vacancy shall occur among the Preferred Stock Directors, a successor shall be elected by a plurality of the votes cast by the holders of Series J Preferred Stock and Voting Parity Stock having the voting rights described above, voting together as a single and separate class. The Preferred Stock Directors shall each be entitled to one vote per director on any matter that shall come before the board of directors for a vote.

(b) Other Voting Rights. So long as any shares of Series J Preferred Stock are outstanding, in addition to any other vote or consent of shareholders required by law or by the certificate of incorporation, the vote or consent of the holders of at least 66 2/3% of the shares of Series J Preferred Stock at the time outstanding and entitled to vote thereon, voting separately as a single class with all other series of preferred stock ranking equally with the Series J Preferred Stock and entitled to vote thereon, 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 any of the following actions, whether or not such approval is required by Delaware law:

(i) Issuance of Senior Stock. The issuance of any class or series of preferred stock of the Corporation ranking senior to the Series J Preferred Stock with respect to either the payment of dividends or the distribution of assets in the event of any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the affairs of the Corporation;

(ii) Amendment Affecting Series J Preferred Stock. Any amendment, alteration or repeal of any provision of the certificate of incorporation or bylaws so as to adversely affect the rights, preferences, privileges or voting powers of the Series J Preferred Stock;

(iii) Authorization of Senior Stock. Any amendment or alteration of any provision of the certificate of incorporation or bylaws to authorize, create or increase the authorized amount of, any shares of, or any securities convertible into shares of, any class or series of capital stock of the Corporation ranking senior to the Series J Preferred Stock with respect to either the payment of dividends or the distribution of assets in the event of any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the affairs of the Corporation; or

(iv) Share Exchanges, Reclassifications, Mergers and Consolidations. Any consummation of a binding share exchange or reclassification involving the Series J 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 Series J Preferred Stock remain outstanding or, in the case of

 

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any such merger or consolidation with respect to which the Corporation is not the surviving or resulting corporation, are converted into or exchanged for preference securities of the surviving or resulting corporation or a corporation controlling such corporation, and (y) such Series J Preferred Stock shares remaining outstanding or such preference securities, as the case may be, have such rights, preferences, privileges and voting powers, taken as a whole, as are not materially less favorable to the holders thereof than the rights, preferences, privileges and voting powers of the Series J Preferred Stock, taken as a whole;

provided, however, that any amendment of the certificate of incorporation to authorize or create or to increase the authorized amount of any Junior Stock or any class or series or any securities convertible into shares of any class or series of Parity Stock or Junior Stock will not be deemed to adversely affect the rights, preferences, privileges or voting powers of the Series J Preferred Stock, and the Series J Preferred Stock shall have no right to vote thereon.

If any amendment, alteration, repeal, share exchange, reclassification, merger or consolidation specified in this Section 7(b) would adversely affect one or more but not all series of voting preferred stock (including the Series J Preferred Stock), then only those series affected by and entitled to vote on the matter shall vote on the matter together as a single class (in lieu of all other series of preferred stock).

(c) Changes for Clarification. Without the consent of the holders of Series J Preferred Stock, so long as such action does not adversely affect the rights, preferences, privileges and voting powers, and limitations and restrictions thereof, of the Series J Preferred Stock, the Corporation may amend, alter, supplement or repeal any terms of the Series J Preferred Stock:

(i) to cure any ambiguity, or to cure, correct or supplement any provision contained in this Certificate of Designations that may be defective or inconsistent; or

(ii) to make any provision with respect to matters or questions arising with respect to the Series J Preferred Stock that is not inconsistent with the provisions of this Certificate of Designations.

(d) Changes after Provision for