EX-4 2 dex4.htm A COPY OF THE EXISTING BY-LAWS A copy of the existing By-Laws

Exhibit 4

 

As amended and restated July 21, 2005

 

BYLAWS

 

OF

 

LASALLE BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION

 

(a National Banking Association which association

is herein referred to as the “bank” or the “association”)

 

ARTICLE I

 

MEETINGS OF THE SHAREHOLDERS

 

SECTION 1.1. ANNUAL MEETING. The regular annual meeting of the shareholders to elect directors and transact whatever other business may properly come before the meeting, shall be held at the main office of the association, 135 South LaSalle Street, Chicago, Illinois, at 8:30 A.M. on the third Wednesday of May of each year, or at such other place, within or without the state in which the bank’s main office is located, or time as the board of directors may designate. Notice of the meeting shall be mailed, postage prepaid, or sent by confirmed facsimile, at least 10 days and no more than 60 days prior to the date thereof, addressed to each shareholder at the address, or facsimile number (as the case may be), appearing on the books of the association. If, for any cause, an election of directors is not made on that date, an election shall be held on some subsequent day, as soon thereafter as practicable but within 60 days of the date fixed, to be designated by the board of directors, or, if the directors fail to fix the date, by shareholders representing two-thirds of the shares.

 

SECTION 1.2. SPECIAL MEETINGS. Except as otherwise specifically provided by statute, special meetings of the shareholders may be called for any purpose at any time by the board of directors or by shareholders owning, in the aggregate, not less than fifty percent of the stock of the association. Every such special meeting, unless otherwise provided by law, shall be called by mailing, postage prepaid, or sent by confirmed facsimile, not less than 10 days prior nor more than 60 days prior to the date fixed for the meeting, to each shareholder at the address, or facsimile number (as the case may be), appearing on the books of the association, a notice stating the purpose of the meeting.

 

The board of directors may fix a record date for determining shareholders entitled to notice and to vote at any meeting, in reasonable proximity to the date of giving notice to the shareholders of such meeting. The record date for determining shareholders entitled to demand a special meeting is the date the first shareholder signs a demand for the meeting describing the purpose or purposes for which it is to be held.

 

A special meeting may be called by shareholders or the board of directors to amend the Articles of Association or Bylaws, whether or not such Bylaws may be amended by the board in the absence of shareholder approval.

 

If an annual or special shareholders’ meeting is adjourned to a different date, time or place, notice need not be given of the new date, time or place, if the new date, time or place is announced at the meeting before adjournment, unless any additional items of business are to be considered, or the


As amended and restated July 14, 2004

 

association becomes aware of an intervening event materially affecting any matter to be voted on more than 10 days prior to the date to which the meeting is adjourned. If a new record date for the adjourned meeting is fixed, however, notice of the adjourned meeting must be given to persons who are shareholders as of the new record date.

 

SECTION 1.3 NOMINATIONS OF DIRECTORS. Nominations for election to the board of directors may be made by the board of directors or by any stockholder of any outstanding class of capital stock of the association entitled to vote for the election of directors. Nominations, other than those made by or on behalf of the existing management of the association, shall be made in writing and shall be delivered or mailed to the president of the association not less than 14 days nor more than 50 days prior to any meeting of shareholders called for the election of directors; provided, however, that if less than 21 days’ notice of the meeting is given to shareholders, such nomination shall be mailed or delivered to the president of the association no later than the close of business on the seventh day following the day on which the notice of meeting was mailed. Such notification shall contain the following information to the extent known to the notifying shareholder:

 

  (1) The name and address of each proposed nominee.

 

  (2) The principal occupation of each proposed nominee.

 

  (3) The total number of shares of capital stock of the association that will be voted for each proposed nominee.

 

  (4) The name and residence address of the notifying shareholder.

 

  (5) The number of share of capital stock of the association owned by the notifying shareholder.

 

Nominations not made in accordance herewith may, in his/her discretion, be disregarded by the chairperson of the meeting, and upon his/her instructions, the vote tellers may disregard all votes cast for each such nominee.

 

SECTION 1.4. JUDGES OF ELECTION. Every election of directors shall be managed by three judges who shall be appointed by the board of directors. The judges of election shall hold and conduct the election at which they are appointed to serve. After the election, they shall file with the Secretary a certificate signed by them, certifying the result thereof and the names of the directors elected. The judges of election, at the request of the chairperson of the meeting, shall act as tellers of any other vote by ballot taken at such meeting, and shall certify the result thereof.

 

SECTION 1.5. PROXIES. Shareholders may vote at any meeting of the shareholders by proxies duly authorized in writing, but no officer or employee of this association shall act as proxy. Proxies shall be valid only for one meeting, to be specified therein, and any adjournments of such meeting. Proxies shall be dated and filed with the records of the meeting. Proxies with facsimile signatures may be used, and unexecuted proxies may be counted upon receipt of a written confirmation from the shareholder. Proxies meeting the above requirements submitted at any time during a meeting shall be accepted.

 

SECTION 1.6. QUORUM. A majority of the outstanding capital stock, represented in person or by proxy, shall constitute a quorum at any meeting of shareholders, unless otherwise provided by law, or by the shareholders or directors pursuant to section 10.2; but less than a

 

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As amended and restated July 14, 2004

 

quorum may adjourn any meeting, from time to time, and the meeting may be held, as adjourned, without further notice. A majority of the votes cast shall decide every question or matter submitted to the shareholders at any meeting, unless otherwise provided by law or by the articles of association, or by the shareholders or directors pursuant to section 9.2.

 

SECTION 1.7. WRITTEN CONSENT OF SHAREHOLDERS IN LIEU OF MEETING. To the extent permitted by law, any action that may be taken at any meeting of shareholders may be taken without a meeting, without prior notice, if a consent in writing, setting forth the action so taken, shall be signed by all the holders of outstanding shares entitled to vote thereon.

 

ARTICLE II

 

DIRECTORS

 

SECTION 2.1. BOARD OF DIRECTORS. The board of directors (board) shall have the power to manage and administer the business and affairs of the association. Except as expressly limited by law, all corporate powers of the association shall be vested in and may be exercised by the board.

 

SECTION 2.2. NUMBER. The board shall consist of not less than five nor more than twenty-five persons, the exact number within such minimum and maximum limits to be fixed and determined from time to time by resolution of a majority of the full board or by resolution of the shareholders at any meeting thereof, or if such a resolution shall not be in effect, such number shall be five; provided however, that a majority of the full board may not increase the number of directors by more than two if the number of directors last elected by the shareholders was fifteen or less and by not more than four where the number of directors last elected by shareholders was sixteen or more, provided that in no event shall the number of directors exceed twenty five.

 

SECTION 2.3. ORGANIZATION MEETING. The Secretary, upon receiving the certificate of the judges of the result of any election, shall notify the directors-elect of their election, and of the time at which they are required to meet at the main office of the association, or at such other place as the board may designate, to organize the new board and elect and appoint officers of the association for the succeeding year. Such meeting shall be held on the day of the election or as soon thereafter as practicable, and, in any event, within 30 days thereof. If, at the time fixed for such meeting, there shall not be a quorum the directors present may adjourn the meeting, from time to time, until a quorum is obtained.

 

SECTION 2.4. REGULAR MEETINGS. The regular meetings of the board shall be held, without notice, on the such dates and at such times as shall be established annually by the board at. Meetings shall be held at the main office or at such other place, within or without the state in which the bank’s main office is located, as the board may designate. When any regular meeting of the board falls upon a holiday, the meeting shall be held on the next banking business day unless the board shall designate another day.

 

SECTION 2.5. SPECIAL MEETINGS. Special meetings of the board may be called by the chairman of the board, the president of the association, or at the request of three or more directors. Each member of the board shall be given notice stating the time and place by telegram, first class mail, facsimile or telephonic communications, or in person, of each special meeting.

 

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As amended and restated July 14, 2004

 

SECTION 2.6. QUORUM. A majority of the director positions shall constitute a quorum at any meeting, except when otherwise provided by law, or the Bylaws, but a lesser number may adjourn any meeting, from time to time, and the meeting may reconvene (as adjourned) without further notice. If the number of directors is reduced below the number that would constitute a quorum, no business may be transacted, except selecting directors to fill vacancies in conformance with section 2.7.

 

SECTION 2.7. VACANCIES. When any vacancy occurs among the directors, a majority of the remaining members of the board, according to the laws of the United States, may appoint a director to fill such vacancy at any regular meeting of the board or at a special meeting called for that purpose at which a quorum is present, or if the directors remaining in office constitute fewer than a quorum of the board, by the affirmative vote of a majority of all the directors remaining in office, or by shareholders at a special meeting called for that purpose, in conformance with section 1.2 of this article. At any such shareholder meeting, each shareholder entitled to vote shall have the right to multiply the number of votes he or she is entitled to cast by the number of vacancies being filled and cast the product for a single candidate or distribute the product among two or more candidates.

 

A vacancy that will occur at a specific later date (by reason of a resignation effective at a later date) may be filled before the vacancy occurs, but the new director may not take office until the vacancy occurs.

 

SECTION 2.8. RETIREMENT POLICY. A Retirement policy adopted by the board shall be applicable to directors who are not active officers of the association.

 

SECTION 2.9. WRITTEN CONSENT OF DIRECTORS IN LIEU OF MEETING. To the extent permitted by law, any action that may be taken at any meeting of the board or any committee thereof may be taken without a meeting, without prior notice, if a consent in writing, setting forth the action so taken, shall be signed by all the members of the board or of such committee, as the case may be.

 

SECTION 2.10. DIRECTOR QUALIFYING SHARES. Each director shall own a qualifying equity interest in the association, as required by applicable law. In the event that directors own common stock of the association, directors assign and are deemed to have assigned the right to receive distributions (including in-kind or non-cash distributions, and/or the cash equivalent thereof) on such common stock; provided, however, that directors shall have the right to receive quarterly cash distributions, if any, on the common stock of the association and such other cash distributions as authorized by the board or an authorized committee thereof.

 

ARTICLE III

 

COMMITTEES OF THE BOARD

 

SECTION 3.1. APPOINTMENT AND POWERS. The board of directors may, by resolution passed by a majority of the number of directors, designate one or more committees, by formal charter or otherwise. Each committee shall consist of one or more of the directors of the association, and shall have and may exercise such powers and authority of the board in the management of the business and affairs of the association as shall be described in the resolution or charter designating such committee. Any committee so designated may not:

 

  (1) Authorize distributions of assets or dividends.

 

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As amended and restated July 14, 2004

 

  (2) Approve action required to be approved by shareholders.

 

  (3) Fill vacancies on the board of directors or any of its committees.

 

  (4) Amend the Articles of Association.

 

  (5) Adopt, amend, or repeal the Bylaws.

 

  (6) Authorize or approve the issuance or sale, or contract for sale, of shares, or determine the designation and relative rights, preferences, and limitations of a class or series of shares.

 

SECTION 3.2. HOLDING COMPANY COMMITTEES. Notwithstanding section 3.1 of the bylaws, for so long as (a) the association is majority owned and controlled by LaSalle Bank Corporation, and (b) the directors of LaSalle Bank Corporation are also directors of the association, then the board of directors is authorized to delegate, by resolution passed by a majority of the number of directors, to duly empowered and authorized board committees of LaSalle Bank Corporation, such powers and authorities as are described in the LaSalle Bank Corporation resolutions or charters establishing such committees; provided, however, that nothing in this section 3.2 shall be deemed to relieve the association’s board of directors from its responsibility to manage, supervise and administer the business and affairs of the association

 

SECTION 3.3. AUDIT COMMITTEE. There shall be an audit committee of the board composed of not less than three directors, exclusive of any active officers of the association, appointed by the board annually or more often. The duty of the audit committee shall be, at least once during each calendar year and within 15 months of the last examination, to examine or cause suitable examinations to be made by auditors responsible only to the board, of the affairs of the association. The results of such examination shall be reported in writing to the board at the next regular meeting thereafter. Such report shall state whether the association is in a sound condition, and whether adequate internal controls and procedures are being maintained and shall recommend to the board such changes in the manner of conducting the affairs of the association as shall be deemed advisable. The audit committee function may be delegated to a committee of LaSalle Bank Corporation pursuant to section 3.2.

 

SECTION 3.4. TRUST COMMITTEES. There shall be such trust committee(s) as may be described in Article V of these bylaws or as otherwise appointed by the board in accordance with these bylaws and applicable law.

 

ARTICLE IV

 

OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES

 

SECTION 4.1. CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD. The board shall appoint one of its members to be the chairman of the board to serve at its pleasure. The chairman of the board shall preside at all meetings of the board. The chairman of the board shall supervise the carrying out of the policies adopted or approved by the board, and shall have general executive powers, as well as the specific powers conferred by these bylaws. The chairman of the board shall also have and may exercise such further powers and duties as from time to time may be conferred, or assigned by the board. The chairman of the board shall be ex-officio a member of all committees, except any audit committees.

 

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SECTION 4.2. VICE CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD. The board may appoint one or more of its members to be vice chairman of the board. The vice-chairmen shall perform such duties as may from time to time be assigned by the board.

 

SECTION 4.3. PRESIDENT. The board shall appoint one of its members to be the president of the association. The president shall be the chief executive officer of the association and, in the absence of the chairman, shall preside at any meeting of the board. The president shall have general executive powers, and shall have and may exercise any and all other powers and duties pertaining by law, regulation, or practice, to the office of president, or imposed by these bylaws. The president shall have general supervision of the business, affairs and personnel of the association and in the absence of the chairman, shall exercise the powers and perform the duties of the chairman of the board. The president shall be ex officio a member of all committees, except the audit committee and the trust audit committee. The president shall also have and may exercise such further powers and duties as from time to time may be conferred, or assigned by the board.

 

SECTION 4.4. CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER. The board may appoint a chief operating officer. The chief operating officer shall perform such duties as may from time to time be assigned by the board, the chairman of the board or president.

 

SECTION 4.5. SENIOR OFFICERS. The board may appoint one or more executive vice presidents, group senior vice presidents, and such other senior officers as from time to time may appear to the board to be required or desirable to transact the business of the association. Each senior officer shall have such powers and duties as may be assigned to such person by the board, the chairman of the board, or the president.

 

SECTION 4.6. OTHER OFFICERS. The board, the chairman of the board, or the president may appoint one or more senior vice presidents, group vice presidents, first vice presidents, vice presidents, assistant vice presidents, trust officers, assistant trust officers, assistant secretaries, branch managers and assistant branch managers, and such other officers and attorneys in fact as from time to time may appear to the board, the chairman of the board, or the president, as the case may be, to be required or desirable to transact the business of the association. Such officers, respectively, shall exercise such powers and perform such duties as pertain to their several offices or as may be conferred upon, or assigned to them by the board, the chairman of the board, or the president.

 

SECTION 4.7. SECRETARY. The board shall appoint a secretary who shall be secretary of the board and of the association, and shall keep accurate minutes of all meetings. The secretary shall attend to the giving of all notices required by these Bylaws; shall be custodian of the corporate seal, records, documents, and papers of the association; shall provide for the keeping of proper records of all transactions of the association; shall have and may exercise any and all other powers and duties pertaining by law, regulation, or practice, to the office of secretary, or imposed by these Bylaws; and shall also perform such other duties as may be assigned to such person from time to time, by the board, the chairman of the board, or the president.

 

SECTION 4.8. CLERKS, EMPLOYEES AND AGENTS. The chairman of the board, the president, or any other active officer of the association authorized by the chairman of the board, or the president, may appoint and dismiss any non-officer employee as they may deem necessary or advisable for the prompt and orderly transaction of business of the association, define their duties, fix the salaries or compensation to be paid them and the conditions of their employment.

 

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As amended and restated July 14, 2004

 

SECTION 4.9. SURETY BONDS. All the active officers and employees of this association may be covered by one of the blanket form bonds customarily written by the surety companies, drawn for such an amount, and executed by such surety company, as the board may from time to time require, and duly approve; or at the discretion of the board, all such active officers and employees shall, respectively, give such bond, with such security, and in such denominations as the board may from time to time require and direct. All bonds approved by the board shall assure the faithful and honest discharge of the respective duties of such active officer or employee and shall provide that such active officer or employee shall faithfully apply and account for all moneys, funds, valuables and property of every kind and description that may from time to time come into such person’s hands or be entrusted to such person’s care, and pay over and deliver the same to the order of the board or to such other person or persons as may be authorized to demand and receive the same.

 

SECTION 4.10. TERM OF OFFICE. All officers shall hold their respective offices at the pleasure of the board, for the current year for which the board was elected and until their successors are appointed, unless they shall resign, become disqualified, or be removed; and any vacancy shall, if required by these bylaws, be filled promptly according to the provisions of these bylaws.

 

SECTION 4.11. RESIGNATION. An officer may resign at any time by delivering notice to the association. A resignation is effective when the notice is given unless the notice specifies a later effective date.

 

ARTICLE V

 

FIDUCIARY SERVICES

 

SECTION 5.1. TRUST OFFICER. There shall be a trust officer of this association whose duties shall be to manage, supervise and direct all the fiduciary activities of the association. Such person shall do or cause to be done all things necessary or proper in carrying on the fiduciary business of the association according to provisions of law and applicable regulations; and shall act pursuant to opinion of counsel where such opinion is deemed necessary. Opinions of counsel shall be retained on file in connection with all-important matters pertaining to fiduciary activities. The trust officer shall be responsible for all assets and documents held by the association in connection with fiduciary matters.

 

SECTION 5.2. TRUST AUDIT COMMITTEE. The board shall appoint a committee of not less than two directors, including members ex-officio provided for in the other sections of these bylaws, exclusive of any active officers of the association, which shall at least once during each calendar year and within 15 months of the last such audit make suitable audits of the association’s fiduciary activities or cause suitable audits to be made by auditors responsible only to the board, and at such time shall ascertain whether fiduciary powers have been administered in accordance with law, Part 9 of the Regulations of the Comptroller of the Currency, and sound fiduciary principles. Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section, the board at any time may assign to the audit committee, in addition to the duties of the audit committee set forth in Section 3.3 of these bylaws, all of the duties of the trust audit committee and during such time as the audit committee is performing the duties of both committees, the trust audit committee shall cease to function as a

 

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As amended and restated July 14, 2004

 

committee of the board. The board at any time may reassign the duties provided for in this Section to the trust audit committee. The trust audit committee function may be delegated to a committee or committees of LaSalle Bank Corporation pursuant to section 3.2.

 

SECTION 5.3. FIDUCIARY FILES. There shall be maintained in the association files all fiduciary records necessary to assure that its fiduciary responsibilities have been properly undertaken and discharged.

 

SECTION 5.4. TRUST INVESTMENTS. Funds held in a fiduciary capacity shall be invested according to the instrument establishing the fiduciary relationship and local law. Where such instrument does not specify the character and class of investments to be made and does not vest in the association a discretion in the matter, funds held pursuant to such instrument shall be invested in investments in which corporate fiduciaries may invest under local law.

 

ARTICLE VI

 

STOCK AND STOCK CERTIFICATES

 

SECTION 6.1. TRANSFERS. Shares of stock shall be transferable on the books of the association, and a transfer book shall be kept in which all transfers of stock shall be recorded. Every person becoming a shareholder by such transfer shall, in proportion to his or her shares, succeed to all rights of the prior holder of such shares, except in the case of director qualifying shares as described in section 2.10. The board of directors may impose conditions upon the transfer of the stock reasonably calculated to simplify the work of the association for stock transfers, voting at shareholder meetings, and related matters, and to protect it against fraudulent transfers.

 

SECTION 6.2. STOCK CERTIFICATES. Certificates of stock shall bear the signature of the president (which may be engraved, printed or impressed), and shall be signed manually or by facsimile process by the secretary or an assistant secretary, or any other officer appointed by the board for that purpose, to be known as an authorized officer, and the seal of the association shall be engraved thereon. Each certificate shall recite on its face that the stock represented thereby is transferable only upon the books of the association properly endorsed. The board of directors may adopt or use procedures for replacing lost, stolen, or destroyed stock certificates as permitted by law.

 

The association may establish a procedure through which the beneficial owner of shares that are registered in the name of a nominee may be recognized by the association as the shareholder. The procedure may set forth:

 

  (1) The types of nominees to which it applies.

 

  (2) The rights or privileges that the association recognizes in a beneficial owner.

 

  (3) How the nominee may request the association to recognize the beneficial owner as the shareholder.

 

  (4) The information that must be provided when the procedure is selected.

 

  (5) The period over which the association will continue to recognize the beneficial owner as the shareholder.

 

  (6) Other aspects of the rights and duties created.

 

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As amended and restated July 14, 2004

 

ARTICLE VII

 

CORPORATE SEAL

 

The president, the cashier, the secretary or any assistant cashier or assistant secretary, trust officer or other officer thereunto designated by the board, shall have authority to affix the corporate seal to any document requiring such seal, and to attest the same. Such seal shall be substantially in the form set forth herein.

 

( Impression )

(        of        )

(      Seal      )

 

ARTICLE VIII

 

INDEMNIFICATION

 

SECTION 8.1. DEFINITIONS. For purposes of this Article, the following definitions will apply:

 

(1) Expenses include, without limitation, attorney fees and any expenses of establishing a right to indemnification under this Article.

 

(2) Losses means the total amount, which the person becomes legally obligated to pay in connection with any proceeding, including judgments, fines, amounts paid in settlement, and expenses.

 

(3) Person means any director, officer, employee or agent of the bank.

 

(4) Proceeding means any threatened, pending, or completed action or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative, or investigative, and whether internal or external to the bank.

 

SECTION 8.2. THIRD PARTY ACTIONS. The bank shall, to the fullest extent allowed by applicable law, indemnify any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any proceeding (other than an action by or in the right of the bank) by reason of the fact that he or she is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the bank, or is or was serving at the request of the bank as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, against losses actually and reasonably incurred by him or her in connection with such proceeding if he or she acted in good faith and in a manner he or she reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the bank, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding had no reasonable cause to believe his or her conduct was unlawful. The termination of any proceeding by judgment, order, settlement, conviction, or upon a plea of nolo contendere or its equivalent, shall not, of itself, create a presumption that the person did not act in good faith and in a manner which he or she reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the bank, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had reasonable cause to believe that his or her conduct was unlawful.

 

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SECTION 8.3. ACTIONS BY OR IN THE RIGHT OF THE BANK. The bank shall, to the fullest extent allowed by applicable law, indemnify any person who was or is a party or otherwise becomes involved in any proceeding by or in the right of the bank to procure a judgment in its favor by reason of the fact that he or she is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the bank, or is or was serving at the request of the bank as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise against expenses actually and reasonably incurred by him or her in connection with the defense or settlement of such action or suit if he or she acted in good faith and in a manner he or she reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the bank and except that no indemnification shall be made in respect of any claim, issue or matter as to which such person shall have been adjudged to be liable to the bank unless and only to the extent that the court in which such proceeding was brought or any other court of competent jurisdiction shall determine upon application that, despite the adjudication of liability but in view of all the circumstances of the case, such person is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnity for such expenses which such court shall deem proper.

 

SECTION 8.4. SUCCESSFUL DEFENSE. To the extent that a present or former director, officer, employee or agent of the bank substantially prevails on the merits or otherwise in defense of any proceeding referred to in Sections 8.2 or 8.3, or in defense of any claim, issue or matter therein, he or she shall be indemnified against expenses actually and reasonably incurred by him in connection therewith.

 

SECTION 8.5 DETERMINATION OF CONDUCT. Any indemnification under Sections 8.2 and 8.3 (unless ordered by a court) shall be made by the bank only as authorized in the specific case upon a determination that indemnification of the present or former director, officer, employee or agent is proper in the circumstances because he or she has met the applicable standard of conduct set forth in Sections 8.2 and 8.3. Such determination shall be made, with respect to a person who is a director or officer at the time of such determination, (1) by a majority vote of the directors who were not parties to such proceeding, even though less than a quorum, or (2) by a committee of such directors designated by majority vote of such directors, even though less than a quorum, or (3) if there are no such directors, or if such directors so direct, by independent legal counsel in a written opinion, or (4) by the stockholders.

 

SECTION 8.6. INDEMNIFICATION OF CORPORATE ATTORNEY. The association shall, to the fullest extent allowed by applicable law, indemnify any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any proceeding (other than an action by or in the right of the association) by reason of the fact that he or she is or was (i)(a) a director, officer, employee of the association or any affiliate of the association, (b) an attorney licensed in any state, and (c) renders legal advice or services to, or issues formal or informal legal opinions for the benefit of or on behalf of, the association (a “Corporate Attorney”), or (ii) is or was a Corporate Attorney serving at the request of the association as a director, officer, employee, agent or legal counsel of another association, corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, against losses actually and reasonably incurred by him or her in connection with such proceeding if he or she acted in good faith and in a manner he or she reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the association and in a manner consistent with canons of ethics to which such Corporate Attorney is subject and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding had no reasonable cause to believe his or her conduct was unlawful. The termination of any proceeding by judgment, order, settlement, conviction, or upon a plea of nolo contendere or its equivalent, shall not, of itself, create a presumption that the person did not act in good faith and in a manner which

 

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he or she reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the association, and with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had reasonable cause to believe that his or her conduct was unlawful.

 

SECTION 8.7. ADVANCE PAYMENT. Expenses incurred by a present or former director, officer, employee or agent in defending a proceeding shall be paid by the bank in advance of the final disposition of such proceeding upon receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of such person to repay such amount if it shall ultimately be determined that he or she is not entitled to be indemnified by the bank as authorized in this Article. Such expenses incurred may be so paid, consistent with this Section 8.6, upon such further terms and conditions, if any, as the association deems appropriate.

 

SECTION 8.8. ARTICLE NOT EXCLUSIVE. The indemnification and advancement of expenses provided by, or granted pursuant to, this Article shall not be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which a person seeking indemnification or advancement of expenses may be entitled under any statue, by-law, agreement, vote of shareholders or disinterested directors or otherwise, both as to action in his or her official capacity and as to action in another capacity while holding office.

 

SECTION 8.9. INSURANCE. The bank shall have power to purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of any person who is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the bank, or is or was serving at the request of the bank as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, against any liability asserted against him or her and incurred by him or her in any such capacity, or arising out of his or her status as such, whether or not the bank would have the power to indemnify him or her against such liability under the provisions of this Article. To the extent such insurance is commercially available, the bank shall maintain insurance designed to cover expenses associated with administrative or civil enforcement actions which may be commenced by any federal or state banking or administrative agency. This provision does not, however, authorize the bank to purchase insurance covering civil money penalties or judgments assessed against any person pursuant to final order by or settlement with an appropriate bank regulatory agency.

 

SECTION 8.10. MERGED AND REORGANIZED ASSOCIATIONS. For purposes of this Article, references to “the bank” or the “association” shall include, in addition to the surviving association or corporation, any merging or consolidating association or corporation (including any association or corporation having merged or consolidated with a merging or consolidating association or corporation) absorbed in a merger or consolidation which, if its separate existence had continued, would have had the power and authority to indemnify its directors, officers, employees and agents, so that any person who was a director, officer, employee or agent of such merging or consolidating association or corporation, or is or was serving at the request of such merging or consolidating association or corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another association, corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, shall stand in the same position under the provisions of this Article with respect to the surviving association or corporation as such person would have with respect to such merging association or corporation if its separate existence had continued.

 

SECTION 8.11. EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS. For purposes of this Article, references to “other enterprises” shall include employee benefit plans; references to “fines” shall include any excise taxes, assessed on a person with respect to an employee benefit plan; and references to “serving at the request of the bank [or association]” shall include any service as a director, officer, employee or agent of the association which imposes duties on, or involves services by, such director, officer, employee, or agent with respect to an employee benefit plan, its participants, or beneficiaries.

 

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As amended and restated July 14, 2004

 

SECTION 8.12. HEIRS, EXECUTORS AND ADMINISTRATORS. The indemnification and advancement of expenses provided by, or granted pursuant to, this Article shall, unless otherwise provided when authorized or ratified, continue as to a person who has ceased to be a director, officer, employee or agent and shall inure to the benefit of heirs, executors and administrators of such a person.

 

SECTION 8.13. CHOICE OF LAW AND SEVERABILITY. The provisions of this Article are intended to provide indemnification and advancement of expenses for directors, officers employees and agents to the fullest extent that would be permitted by the Delaware General Corporation Law, Del. Code Ann. Tit. 8 (as may be amended from time to time) if the bank were a Delaware corporation, and shall be interpreted accordingly. The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision of this Article VIII shall not affect the validity or enforceability of the remaining provisions.

 

ARTICLE IX

 

MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

 

SECTION 9.1. FISCAL YEAR. The fiscal year of the association shall be the calendar year.

 

SECTION 9.2. EXECUTION OF INSTRUMENTS. Without limitation, all agreements, contracts, bills of sale, assignments, powers of attorney, or of substitution, indentures, mortgages, deeds, conveyances, transfers, certificates, declarations, receipts, discharges, releases, satisfactions, settlements, petitions, schedules, accounts, affidavits, bonds, debentures, notes, undertakings, proxies and other instruments or documents (including documents in connection with the purchase, sale, mortgage, exchange, lease, assignment, transfer, management or handling in any way of any property, real or personal, of any description, held or controlled by the bank, either in its own right or in any fiduciary capacity) may be signed, executed, acknowledged, verified, delivered or accepted on behalf of the association by the chairman, the vice chairmen, the president, any executive vice president, group senior vice president, senior vice president, group vice president, first vice president, vice president or assistant vice president. Any such instruments may also be executed, acknowledged, verified, delivered or accepted on behalf of the association in such other manner and by such other officers, employees or agents as the board, the chairman, the vice chairman, the president, or the chief credit officer may from time to time direct. The provisions of this article are supplementary to any other provision of these bylaws.

 

SECTION 9.3. RECORDS. The articles of association, the bylaws and the proceedings of all meetings of the shareholders, the board, and standing committees of the board, shall be recorded in appropriate minute books provided for that purpose. The minutes of each meeting shall be signed by the secretary, or other officer appointed to act as secretary of the meeting.

 

SECTION 9.4 CORPORATE GOVERNANCE PROCEDURES. To the extent not inconsistent with applicable federal banking statutes, the corporate governance procedures of the Delaware General Corporation Law, Del. Code Ann. Tit. 8 (as may be amended from time to time) will be followed.

 

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As amended and restated July 14, 2004

 

ARTICLE X

 

BYLAWS

 

SECTION 10.1. INSPECTION. A copy of the bylaws, with all amendments, shall at all times be kept in a convenient place at the main office of the association, and shall be open for inspection to all shareholders during banking hours.

 

SECTION 10.2. AMENDMENTS. Except as provided by law, the bylaws may be amended, altered or repealed, at any regular or special meeting of the board, by a vote of a majority of the total number of the directors, or by consent pursuant to section 2.9.

 

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