0001144204-14-035424.txt : 20140623 0001144204-14-035424.hdr.sgml : 20140623 20140603164138 ACCESSION NUMBER: 0001144204-14-035424 CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE: S-1/A PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT: 8 FILED AS OF DATE: 20140603 DATE AS OF CHANGE: 20140603 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: WL Ross Holding Corp. CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001604416 STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION: BLANK CHECKS [6770] IRS NUMBER: 465188282 STATE OF INCORPORATION: DE FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: S-1/A SEC ACT: 1933 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 333-195854 FILM NUMBER: 14888047 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 1166 AVENUE OF THE AMERICAS, 25TH FLOOR CITY: NEW YORK STATE: NY ZIP: 10036 BUSINESS PHONE: (212) 826-2011 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 1166 AVENUE OF THE AMERICAS, 25TH FLOOR CITY: NEW YORK STATE: NY ZIP: 10036 S-1/A 1 v380499_s1a.htm S-1/A

As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 3, 2014

Registration No. 333-195854

 

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549



 

Amendment No. 3 to
Form S-1
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933



 

WL Ross Holding Corp.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

   
Delaware   6770   46-5188282
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
  (Primary Standard Industrial
Classification Code Number)
  (I.R.S. Employer
Identification Number)

1166 Avenue of the Americas
New York, New York 10036
Telephone: (212) 826-1100

(Address, including zip code, and telephone number,
including area code, of registrant’s principal executive offices)



 

Wilbur L. Ross, Jr.
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
WL Ross Holding Corp.
1166 Avenue of the Americas
New York, New York 10036
Telephone: (212) 826-1100
Facsimile: (212) 317-4892

(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number,
including area code, of agent for service)



 

Copies to:

 
Gregg A. Noel, Esq.
Thomas J. Ivey, Esq.
Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP
525 University Avenue
Suite 1400
Palo Alto, CA 94301
(650) 470-4500
  Jennifer A. Bensch, Esq.
Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP
767 Fifth Avenue
New York, NY 10153
(212) 310-8000


 

Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public: As soon as practicable after the effective date of this registration statement.

If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933 check the following box. o

If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. o

If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. o

If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(d) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. o

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 the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

 
Large accelerated filer o   Accelerated filer o
Non-accelerated filer x
(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
  Smaller reporting company o

The Registrant hereby amends this Registration Statement on such date or dates as may be necessary to delay its effective date until the registrant shall file a further amendment which specifically states that this Registration Statement shall thereafter become effective in accordance with Section 8(a) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or until the Registration Statement shall become effective on such date as the Securities and Exchange Commission, acting pursuant to said Section 8(a), may determine.

 


 
 

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EXPLANATORY NOTE

WL Ross Holding Corp. is filing this Amendment No. 3 to the Registration Statement on Form S-1 (No. 333-195854) solely for the purpose of filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission certain exhibits to the Registration Statement. No other changes have been made to the Registration Statement.


 
 

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PART II
 
INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS

Item 13. Other Expenses of Issuance and Distribution.

The estimated expenses payable by us in connection with the offering described in this registration statement (other than the underwriting discount and commissions) will be as follows:

 
Legal fees and expenses   $ 425,000  
Accounting fees and expenses     67,000  
SEC Expenses     59,248  
FINRA Expenses     86,750  
Travel and road show     20,000  
Directors and officers insurance     100,000  
NASDAQ listing and filing fees     75,000  
Miscellaneous expenses     67,002  
Total offering expenses   $ 900,000  

Item 14. Indemnification of Directors and Officers.

Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation will provide that all of our directors, officers, employees and agents shall be entitled to be indemnified by us to the fullest extent permitted by Section 145 of the Delaware General Corporation Law (“DGCL”). Section 145 of the Delaware General Corporation Law concerning indemnification of officers, directors, employees and agents is set forth below.

Section 145. Indemnification of officers, directors, employees and agents; insurance.

(a) A corporation shall have power to indemnify any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (other than an action by or in the right of the corporation) by reason of the fact that the person is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, against expenses (including attorneys’ fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by the person in connection with such action, suit or proceeding if the person acted in good faith and in a manner the person reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe the person’s conduct was unlawful. The termination of any action, suit or 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 the person reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had reasonable cause to believe that the person’s conduct was unlawful.

(b) A corporation shall have power to indemnify any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action or suit by or in the right of the corporation to procure a judgment in its favor by reason of the fact that the person is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise against expenses (including attorneys’ fees) actually and reasonably incurred by the person in connection with the defense or settlement of such action or suit if the person acted in good faith and in a manner the person reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation and except that no indemnification shall be made in respect of any claim, issue or matter as to which such person

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shall have been adjudged to be liable to the corporation unless and only to the extent that the Court of Chancery or the court in which such action or suit was brought 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 the Court of Chancery or such other court shall deem proper.

(c) To the extent that a present or former director or officer of a corporation has been successful on the merits or otherwise in defense of any action, suit or proceeding referred to in subsections (a) and (b) of this section, or in defense of any claim, issue or matter therein, such person shall be indemnified against expenses (including attorneys’ fees) actually and reasonably incurred by such person in connection therewith.

(d) Any indemnification under subsections (a) and (b) of this section (unless ordered by a court) shall be made by the corporation 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 the person has met the applicable standard of conduct set forth in subsections (a) and (b) of this section. 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 are not parties to such action, suit or 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.

(e) Expenses (including attorneys’ fees) incurred by an officer or director in defending any civil, criminal, administrative or investigative action, suit or proceeding may be paid by the corporation in advance of the final disposition of such action, suit or proceeding upon receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of such director or officer to repay such amount if it shall ultimately be determined that such person is not entitled to be indemnified by the corporation as authorized in this section. Such expenses (including attorneys’ fees) incurred by former officers and directors or other employees and agents may be so paid upon such terms and conditions, if any, as the corporation deems appropriate.

(f) The indemnification and advancement of expenses provided by, or granted pursuant to, the other subsections of this section shall not be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which those seeking indemnification or advancement of expenses may be entitled under any bylaw, agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors or otherwise, both as to action in such person’s official capacity and as to action in another capacity while holding such office. A right to indemnification or to advancement of expenses arising under a provision of the certificate of incorporation or a bylaw shall not be eliminated or impaired by an amendment to such provision after the occurrence of the act or omission that is the subject of the civil, criminal, administrative or investigative action, suit or proceeding for which indemnification or advancement of expenses is sought, unless the provision in effect at the time of such act or omission explicitly authorizes such elimination or impairment after such action or omission has occurred.

(g) A corporation 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 corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise against any liability asserted against such person and incurred by such person in any such capacity, or arising out of such person’s status as such, whether or not the corporation would have the power to indemnify such person against such liability under this section.

(h) For purposes of this section, references to “the corporation” shall include, in addition to the resulting corporation, any constituent corporation (including any constituent of a constituent) absorbed in a consolidation or merger which, if its separate existence had continued, would have had power and authority to indemnify its directors, officers, and

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employees or agents, so that any person who is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of such constituent corporation, or is or was serving at the request of such constituent corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, shall stand in the same position under this section with respect to the resulting or surviving corporation as such person would have with respect to such constituent corporation if its separate existence had continued.

(i) For purposes of this section, references to “other enterprises” shall include employee benefit plans; references to “fines” shall include any excise taxes assessed on a person with respect to any employee benefit plan; and references to “serving at the request of the corporation” shall include any service as a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation 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; and a person who acted in good faith and in a manner such person reasonably believed to be in the interest of the participants and beneficiaries of an employee benefit plan shall be deemed to have acted in a manner “not opposed to the best interests of the corporation” as referred to in this section.

(j) The indemnification and advancement of expenses provided by, or granted pursuant to, this section 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 the heirs, executors and administrators of such a person.

(k) The Court of Chancery is hereby vested with exclusive jurisdiction to hear and determine all actions for advancement of expenses or indemnification brought under this section or under any by law, agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors, or otherwise. The Court of Chancery may summarily determine a corporation’s obligation to advance expenses (including attorneys’ fees).

Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to our directors, officers, and controlling persons pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, we have been advised that, in the opinion of the SEC, such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person in a successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, we will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to the court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.

In accordance with Section 102(b)(7) of the DGCL, our amended and restated certificate of incorporation, will provide that no director shall be personally liable to us or any of our stockholders for monetary damages resulting from breaches of their fiduciary duty as directors, except to the extent such limitation on or exemption from liability is not permitted under the DGCL. The effect of this provision of our amended and restated certificate of incorporation is to eliminate our rights and those of our stockholders (through stockholders’ derivative suits on our behalf) to recover monetary damages against a director for breach of the fiduciary duty of care as a director, including breaches resulting from negligent or grossly negligent behavior, except, as restricted by Section 102(b)(7) of the DGCL. However, this provision does not limit or eliminate our rights or the rights of any stockholder to seek non-monetary relief, such as an injunction or rescission, in the event of a breach of a director’s duty of care.

If the DGCL is amended to authorize corporate action further eliminating or limiting the liability of directors, then, in accordance with our amended and restated certificate of incorporation, the liability of our directors to us or our stockholders will be eliminated or limited to the fullest extent authorized by the DGCL, as so amended. Any repeal or amendment of provisions of our amended and restated certificate of incorporation limiting or eliminating the

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liability of directors, whether by our stockholders or by changes in law, or the adoption of any other provisions inconsistent therewith, will (unless otherwise required by law) be prospective only, except to the extent such amendment or change in law permits us to further limit or eliminate the liability of directors on a retroactive basis.

Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation will also provide that we will, to the fullest extent authorized or permitted by applicable law, indemnify our current and former officers and directors, as well as those persons who, while directors or officers of our corporation, are or were serving as directors, officers, employees or agents of another entity, trust or other enterprise, including service with respect to an employee benefit plan, in connection with any threatened, pending or completed proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative, against all expense, liability and loss (including, without limitation, attorney’s fees, judgments, fines, ERISA excise taxes and penalties and amounts paid in settlement) reasonably incurred or suffered by any such person in connection with any such proceeding. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a person eligible for indemnification pursuant to our amended and restated certificate of incorporation will be indemnified by us in connection with a proceeding initiated by such person only if such proceeding was authorized by our board of directors, except for proceedings to enforce rights to indemnification.

The right to indemnification conferred by our amended and restated certificate of incorporation is a contract right that includes the right to be paid by us the expenses incurred in defending or otherwise participating in any proceeding referenced above in advance of its final disposition, provided, however, that if the DGCL requires, an advancement of expenses incurred by our officer or director (solely in the capacity as an officer or director of our corporation) will be made only upon delivery to us of an undertaking, by or on behalf of such officer or director, to repay all amounts so advanced if it is ultimately determined that such person is not entitled to be indemnified for such expenses under our amended and restated certificate of incorporation or otherwise.

The rights to indemnification and advancement of expenses will not be deemed exclusive of any other rights which any person covered by our amended and restated certificate of incorporation may have or hereafter acquire under law, our amended and restated certificate of incorporation, our bylaws, an agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors, or otherwise.

Any repeal or amendment of provisions of our amended and restated certificate of incorporation affecting indemnification rights, whether by our stockholders or by changes in law, or the adoption of any other provisions inconsistent therewith, will (unless otherwise required by law) be prospective only, except to the extent such amendment or change in law permits us to provide broader indemnification rights on a retroactive basis, and will not in any way diminish or adversely affect any right or protection existing at the time of such repeal or amendment or adoption of such inconsistent provision with respect to any act or omission occurring prior to such repeal or amendment or adoption of such inconsistent provision. Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation will also permit us, to the extent and in the manner authorized or permitted by law, to indemnify and to advance expenses to persons other that those specifically covered by our amended and restated certificate of incorporation.

Our bylaws, which we intend to adopt immediately prior to the closing of this offering, include the provisions relating to advancement of expenses and indemnification rights consistent with those set forth in our amended and restated certificate of incorporation. In addition, our bylaws provide for a right of indemnity to bring a suit in the event a claim for indemnification or advancement of expenses is not paid in full by us within a specified period of time. Our bylaws also permit us to purchase and maintain insurance, at our expense, to protect us and/or any director, officer, employee or agent of our corporation or another entity, trust or other enterprise against any expense, liability or loss, whether or not we would have the power to indemnify such person against such expense, liability or loss under the DGCL.

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Any repeal or amendment of provisions of our bylaws affecting indemnification rights, whether by our board of directors, stockholders or by changes in applicable law, or the adoption of any other provisions inconsistent therewith, will (unless otherwise required by law) be prospective only, except to the extent such amendment or change in law permits us to provide broader indemnification rights on a retroactive basis, and will not in any way diminish or adversely affect any right or protection existing thereunder with respect to any act or omission occurring prior to such repeal or amendment or adoption of such inconsistent provision.

We will enter into indemnification agreements with each of our officers and directors a form of which is to be filed as Exhibit 10.7 to this Registration Statement. These agreements will require us to indemnify these individuals to the fullest extent permitted under Delaware law against liabilities that may arise by reason of their service to us, and to advance expenses incurred as a result of any proceeding against them as to which they could be indemnified.

Pursuant to the Underwriting Agreement to be filed as Exhibit 1.1 to this Registration Statement, we have agreed to indemnify the underwriters and the underwriters have agreed to indemnify us against certain civil liabilities that may be incurred in connection with this offering, including certain liabilities under the Securities Act.

Item 15. Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities.

In March 2014, WL Ross Sponsor LLC, our sponsor, purchased an aggregate of 14,375,000 founder shares, for an aggregate offering price of $25,000 at an average purchase price of approximately $0.002 per share. As a result, our sponsor will forfeit 2,875,000 founder shares immediately prior to the pricing of our offering so that our sponsor’s remaining founder shares would represent 20.0% of the outstanding shares of common stock upon completion of this offering. Such securities were issued in connection with our organization pursuant to the exemption from registration contained in Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act. Our sponsor is an accredited investor for purposes of Rule 501 of Regulation D.

In addition, our sponsor has committed, pursuant to a written agreement, to purchase from us an aggregate of 20,000,000 private placement warrants (or 22,400,000 warrants if the over-allotment option is exercised in full) at $0.50 per warrant (for an aggregate purchase price of $10,000,000, or $11,200,000 if the over-allotment option is exercised in full). This purchase will take place on a private placement basis simultaneously with the completion of our initial public offering. This issuance will be made pursuant to the exemption from registration contained in Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act.

We have granted our sponsor the option to purchase, simultaneously with the consummation of an initial business combination, up to an additional 10,000,000 shares of common stock at a price of $10.00 per share. The proceeds of the sale of such shares will not be deposited into the trust account, the shares will not be eligible for redemption from the trust account nor will they be eligible to vote upon the initial business combination. Our sponsor may assign this option to one or more of its affiliated investment funds to satisfy their co-investment rights in our initial business combination.

No underwriting discounts or commissions were paid with respect to such sales.

Item 16. Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules.

(a) Exhibits.  The list of exhibits following the signature page of this registration statement is incorporated herein by reference.

(b) Financial Statements.  See page F-1 for an index to the financial statements and schedules included in the registration statement.

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Item 17. Undertakings.

(a) The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes to provide to the underwriter at the closing specified in the underwriting agreements, certificates in such denominations and registered in such names as required by the underwriter to permit prompt delivery to each purchaser.

(b) Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.

(c) The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that:

(1) For purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, the information omitted from the form of prospectus filed as part of this registration statement in reliance upon Rule 430A and contained in a form of prospectus filed by the registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(1) or (4) or 497(h) under the Securities Act shall be deemed to be part of this registration statement as of the time it was declared effective.

(2) For the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each post-effective amendment that contains a form of prospectus shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

(3) For the purpose of determining liability under the Securities Act of 1933 to any purchaser, if the registrant is subject to Rule 430C, each prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) as part of a registration statement relating to an offering, other than registration statements relying on Rule 430B or other than prospectuses filed in reliance on Rule 430A, shall be deemed to be part of and included in the registration statement as of the date it is first used after effectiveness. Provided, however, that no statement made in a registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement or made in a document incorporated or deemed incorporated by reference into the registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement will, as to a purchaser with a time of contract of sale prior to such first use, supersede or modify any statement that was made in the registration statement or prospectus that was part of the registration statement or made in any such document immediately prior to such date of first use.

(4) For the purpose of determining liability of a registrant under the Securities Act of 1933 to any purchaser in the initial distribution of the securities, the undersigned registrant undertakes that in a primary offering of securities of an undersigned registrant pursuant to this registration statement, regardless of the underwriting method used to sell the securities to the purchaser, if the securities are offered or sold to such purchaser by means of any of the following communications, the undersigned registrant will be a seller to the purchaser and will be considered to offer or sell such securities to such purchaser:

(i) Any preliminary prospectus or prospectus of the undersigned registrant relating to the offering required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424;

(ii) Any free writing prospectus relating to the offering prepared by or on behalf of the undersigned registrant or used or referred to by an undersigned registrant;

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(iii) The portion of any other free writing prospectus relating to the offering containing material information about the undersigned registrant or its securities provided by or on behalf of the undersigned registrant; and

(iv) Any other communication that is an offer in the offering made by the undersigned registrant to the purchaser.

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the registrant has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of New York, State of New York, on the 3rd day of June, 2014.

 
  WL ROSS HOLDING CORP.
    

By:

/s/ Wilbur L. Ross, Jr.

Name: Wilbur L. Ross, Jr.
Title: Chief Executive Officer

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this Registration Statement has been signed below by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

   
Name   Position   Date
/s/ Wilbur L. Ross, Jr.

Wilbur L. Ross, Jr.
  Chairman of the Board of Directors and Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer)   June 3, 2014
*

Michael J. Gibbons
  Chief Financial Officer and Secretary (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)   June 3, 2014
*

Stephen J. Toy
  Director and President   June 3, 2014

* Executed by Wilbur L. Ross, Jr., as attorney-in-fact.


 
 

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EXHIBIT INDEX

 
Exhibit No.   Description
1.1   Form of Underwriting Agreement.**
3.1   Certificate of Incorporation.**
3.2   Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation.*
3.3   Bylaws.**
4.1   Specimen Unit Certificate.**
4.2   Specimen Common Stock Certificate.**
4.3   Specimen Warrant Certificate.**
4.4   Form of Warrant Agreement between Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company and the Registrant.**
5.1   Opinion of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP.*
10.1   Promissory Note, dated March 24, 2014 issued to WL Ross Sponsor LLC.**
10.2   Promissory Note, dated May 12, 2014 issued to WL Ross Sponsor LLC.**
10.3   Promissory Note, dated May 22, 2014 issued to WL Ross Sponsor LLC.**
10.4   Letter Agreement among the Registrant and our officers, directors and WL Ross Sponsor LLC dated May 29, 2014.**
10.5   Form of Investment Management Trust Agreement between Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company and the Registrant.**
10.6   Form of Registration Rights Agreement between the Registrant and certain security holders.**
10.7   Amended and Restated Securities Subscription Agreement, dated April 4, 2014, between the Registrant and WL Ross Sponsor LLC.**
10.8   Sponsor Warrants Purchase Agreement effective as of March 31, 2014, between the Registrant and WL Ross Sponsor LLC.**
10.9   Form of Amended and Restated Sponsor Warrants Purchase Agreement effective as of [•  ], 2014, between the Registrant and WL Ross Sponsor LLC.**
10.10   Form of Indemnity Agreement.**
10.11   Form of Administrative Services Agreement, dated as of [•  ], 2014, by and between the Registrant and WL Ross Sponsor LLC.**
10.12   Form of Contribution Agreement, dated as of [•  ], 2014, by and between the Registrant and WL Ross Sponsor LLC.**
14   Code of Ethics.*
23.1   Consent of KPMG LLP**
23.2   Consent of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP (included on Exhibit 5.1).*
24   Power of Attorney (included on signature page of this Registration Statement).**
99.1   Audit Committee Charter.*
99.2   Compensation Committee Charter.*

* Filed herewith.
** Previously Filed.


EX-3.2 2 v380499_ex3-2.htm EXHIBIT 3.2

 

Exhibit 3.2

 

AMENDED AND RESTATED

CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION

OF

WL ROSS HOLDING CORP.

 

June 2, 2014

 

WL Ross Holding Corp., a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the State of Delaware (the “Corporation”), DOES HEREBY CERTIFY AS FOLLOWS:

 

1. The name of the Corporation is “WL Ross Holding Corp.”. The original certificate of incorporation was filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware on March 24, 2014 (the “Original Certificate”).

 

2. This Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation (the “Amended and Restated Certificate”) was duly adopted by the Board of Directors of the Corporation (the “Board”) and the stockholders of the Corporation in accordance with Sections 228, 242 and 245 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware.

 

3. This Amended and Restated Certificate restates, integrates and amends the provisions of the Original Certificate. Certain capitalized terms used in this Amended and Restated Certificate are defined where appropriate herein.

 

4. The text of the Original Certificate is hereby restated and amended in its entirety to read as follows:

 

ARTICLE I

NAME

 

The name of the corporation is WL Ross Holding Corp. (the “Corporation”).

 

ARTICLE II

PURPOSE

 

The purpose of the Corporation is to engage in any lawful act or activity for which corporations may be organized under the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the “DGCL”). In addition to the powers and privileges conferred upon the Corporation by law and those incidental thereto, the Corporation shall possess and may exercise all the powers and privileges that are necessary or convenient to the conduct, promotion or attainment of the business or purposes of the Corporation including, but not limited to, effecting a merger, capital stock exchange, asset acquisition, stock purchase, reorganization or similar business combination, involving the Corporation and one or more businesses (a “Business Combination”).

 

ARTICLE III

REGISTERED AGENT

 

The address of the registered office of the Corporation in the State of Delaware is 1209 Orange Street, Wilmington, New Castle County, Delaware 19801. The name of the Corporation’s registered agent at such address is The Corporation Trust Company.

 

ARTICLE IV

CAPITALIZATION

 

Section 4.1 Authorized Capital Stock. The total number of shares of all classes of capital stock which the Corporation is authorized to issue is 201,000,000 shares, consisting of 200,000,000 shares of common stock, par value $0.0001 per share (the “Common Stock”), and 1,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $0.0001 per share (the “Preferred Stock”).

 

 
 

 

Section 4.2 Preferred Stock. Subject to Article IX of this Amended and Restated Certificate, the Preferred Stock may be issued from time to time in one or more series. The Board is hereby expressly authorized to provide for the issuance of shares of the Preferred Stock in one or more series and to establish from time to time the number of shares to be included in each such series and to fix the voting rights, if any, designations, powers, preferences and relative, participating, optional and other special rights, if any, of each such series and any qualifications, limitations and restrictions thereof, as shall be stated in the resolution or resolutions adopted by the Board providing for the issuance of such series and included in a certificate of designation (a “Preferred Stock Designation”) filed pursuant to the DGCL, and the Board is hereby expressly vested with the authority to the full extent provided by law, now or hereafter, to adopt any such resolution or resolutions.

 

Section 4.3 Common Stock.

 

(a) Subject to the provisions in Article IX hereof, the holders of shares of Common Stock shall be entitled to one vote for each such share on each matter properly submitted to the stockholders on which the holders of the Common Stock are entitled to vote. Except as otherwise required by law or this Amended and Restated Certificate (including any Preferred Stock Designation), at any annual or special meeting of the stockholders of the Corporation, the holders of the Common Stock shall have the exclusive right to vote for the election of directors and on all other matters properly submitted to a vote of the stockholders. Notwithstanding the foregoing, except as otherwise required by law or this Amended and Restated Certificate (including a Preferred Stock Designation), the holders of the Common Stock shall not be entitled to vote on any amendment to this Amended and Restated Certificate (including any amendment to any Preferred Stock Designation) that relates solely to the terms of one or more outstanding series of the Preferred Stock if the holders of such affected series are entitled, either separately or together with the holders of one or more other such series, to vote thereon pursuant to this Amended and Restated Certificate (including any Preferred Stock Designation).

 

(b) Subject to the rights, if any, of the holders of any outstanding series of the Preferred Stock and the provisions of Article IX hereof, the holders of the Common Stock shall be entitled to receive such dividends and other distributions (payable in cash, property or capital stock of the Corporation) when, as and if declared thereon by the Board from time to time out of any assets or funds of the Corporation legally available therefor, and shall share equally on a per share basis in such dividends and distributions.

 

(c) Subject to the rights, if any, of the holders of any outstanding series of the Preferred Stock and the provisions of Article IX hereof, in the event of any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of the Corporation, after payment or provision for payment of the debts and other liabilities of the Corporation, the holders of the Common Stock shall be entitled to receive all the remaining assets of the Corporation available for distribution to its stockholders, ratably in proportion to the number of shares of the Common Stock held by them.

 

Section 4.4 Rights and Options. The Corporation has the authority to create and issue rights, warrants and options entitling the holders thereof to purchase shares of any class or series of the Corporation’s capital stock or other securities of the Corporation, and such rights, warrants and options shall be evidenced by instrument(s) approved by the Board. The Board is empowered to set the exercise price, duration, times for exercise and other terms and conditions of such rights, warrants or options; providedhowever, that the consideration to be received for any shares of capital stock subject thereto may not be less than the par value thereof.

 

ARTICLE V

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

 

Section 5.1 Board Powers. The business and affairs of the Corporation shall be managed by, or under the direction of, the Board. In addition to the powers and authority expressly conferred upon the Board by statute, this Amended and Restated Certificate or the Bylaws (“Bylaws”) of the Corporation, the Board is hereby empowered to exercise all such powers and do all such acts and things as may be exercised or done by the Corporation, subject, nevertheless, to the provisions of the DGCL and this Amended and Restated Certificate.

 

Section 5.2 Number, Election and Term

 

(a) The number of directors of the Corporation, other than those who may be elected by the holders of one or more series of the Preferred Stock voting separately by class or series, shall be fixed from time to time exclusively by the Board pursuant to a resolution adopted by a majority of the Board.

 

 
 

 

(b) Subject to Section 5.5 hereof, the Board shall be divided into two classes, as nearly equal in number as possible and designated Class I and Class II. The Board is authorized to assign members of the Board already in office to Class I or Class II. The term of the initial Class I Directors shall expire at the first annual meeting of the stockholders of the Corporation following the effectiveness of this Amended and Restated Certificate; the term of the initial Class II Directors shall expire at the second annual meeting of the stockholders of the Corporation following the effectiveness of this Amended and Restated Certificate. At each succeeding annual meeting of the stockholders of the Corporation, beginning with the first annual meeting of the stockholders of the Corporation following the effectiveness of this Amended and Restated Certificate, successors to the class of directors whose term expires at that annual meeting shall be elected for a two-year term. Subject to Section 5.5 hereof, if the number of directors is changed, any increase or decrease shall be apportioned by the Board among the classes so as to maintain the number of directors in each class as nearly equal as possible, but in no case shall a decrease in the number of directors shorten the term of any incumbent director.

 

(c) Subject to Section 5.5 hereof, a director shall hold office until the annual meeting for the year in which his or her term expires and until his or her successor has been elected and qualified, subject, however, to such director’s earlier death, resignation, retirement, disqualification or removal.

 

(d) Unless and except to the extent that the Bylaws shall so require, the election of directors need not be by written ballot.

 

Section 5.3 Newly Created Directorships and Vacancies. Subject to Section 5.5 hereof, newly created directorships resulting from an increase in the number of directors and any vacancies on the Board resulting from death, resignation, retirement, disqualification, removal or other cause may be filled solely by a majority vote of the remaining directors then in office, even if less than a quorum, or by a sole remaining director (and not by stockholders), and any director so chosen shall hold office for the remainder of the full term of the class of directors to which the new directorship was added or in which the vacancy occurred and until his or her successor has been elected and qualified, subject, however, to such director’s earlier death, resignation, retirement, disqualification or removal.

 

Section 5.4 Removal. Subject to Section 5.5 hereof, any or all of the directors may be removed from office at any time, but only for cause and only by the affirmative vote of holders of a majority of the voting power of all then outstanding shares of capital stock of the Corporation entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, voting together as a single class.

 

Section 5.5 Preferred Stock – Directors. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Article V, and except as otherwise required by law, whenever the holders of one or more series of the Preferred Stock shall have the right, voting separately by class or series, to elect one or more directors, the term of office, the filling of vacancies, the removal from office and other features of such directorships shall be governed by the terms of such series of the Preferred Stock as set forth in this Amended and Restated Certificate (including any Preferred Stock Designation) and such directors shall not be included in any of the classes created pursuant to this Article V unless expressly provided by such terms.

 

ARTICLE VI

BYLAWS

 

In furtherance and not in limitation of the powers conferred upon it by law, the Board shall have the power to adopt, amend, alter or repeal the Bylaws. The affirmative vote of a majority of the Board shall be required to adopt, amend, alter or repeal the Bylaws. The Bylaws also may be adopted, amended, altered or repealed by the stockholders; providedhowever, that in addition to any vote of the holders of any class or series of capital stock of the Corporation required by law or by this Amended and Restated Certificate (including any Preferred Stock Designation), the affirmative vote of the holders of at least a majority of the voting power of all then outstanding shares of capital stock of the Corporation entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, voting together as a single class, shall be required for the stockholders to adopt, amend, alter or repeal the Bylaws; and provided furtherhowever, that no Bylaws hereafter adopted by the stockholders shall invalidate any prior act of the Board that would have been valid if such Bylaws had not been adopted.

 

 
 

 

ARTICLE VII

MEETINGS OF STOCKHOLDERS; ACTION BY WRITTEN CONSENT

 

Section 7.1 Meetings. Subject to the rights of the holders of any outstanding series of the Preferred Stock, and to the requirements of applicable law, special meetings of stockholders of the Corporation may be called only by the Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation, or the Board pursuant to a resolution adopted by a majority of the Board, and the ability of the stockholders to call a special meeting is hereby specifically denied.

 

Section 7.2 Advance Notice. Advance notice of stockholder nominations for the election of directors and of business to be brought by stockholders before any meeting of the stockholders of the Corporation shall be given in the manner provided in the Bylaws.

 

Section 7.3 Action by Written Consent. Subsequent to the consummation of the Corporation’s initial public offering of securities (the “Offering”), any action required or permitted to be taken by the stockholders of the Corporation must be effected by a duly called annual or special meeting of such holders and may not be effected by written consent of the stockholders.

 

ARTICLE VIII

LIMITED LIABILITY; INDEMNIFICATION

 

Section 8.1 Limitation of Director Liability. A director of the Corporation shall not be liable to the Corporation or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director, except to the extent such exemption from liability or limitation thereof is not permitted under the DGCL as the same exists or may hereafter be amended. Any amendment, modification or repeal of the foregoing sentence shall not adversely affect any right or protection of a director of the Corporation hereunder in respect of any act or omission occurring prior to the time of such amendment, modification or repeal.

 

Section 8.2 Indemnification and Advancement of Expenses.

 

(a) To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, as the same exists or may hereafter be amended, the Corporation shall indemnify and hold harmless each person who is or was made a party or is threatened to be made a party to or is otherwise involved in any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (a “proceeding”) by reason of the fact that he or she is or was a director or officer of the Corporation or, while a director or officer of the Corporation, 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, other enterprise or nonprofit entity, including service with respect to an employee benefit plan (an “indemnitee”), whether the basis of such proceeding is alleged action 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, against all liability and loss suffered and expenses (including, without limitation, attorneys’ fees, judgments, fines, ERISA excise taxes and penalties and amounts paid in settlement) reasonably incurred by such indemnitee in connection with such proceeding. The Corporation shall to the fullest extent not prohibited by applicable law pay the expenses (including attorneys’ fees) incurred by an indemnitee in defending or otherwise participating in any proceeding in advance of its final disposition; provided, however, that, to the extent required by applicable law, such payment of expenses in advance of the final disposition of the proceeding shall be made only upon receipt of an undertaking, by or on behalf of the indemnitee, to repay all amounts so advanced if it shall ultimately be determined that the indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified under this Section 8.2 or otherwise. The rights to indemnification and advancement of expenses conferred by this Section 8.2 shall be contract rights and such rights shall continue as to an indemnitee 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. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 8.2(a), except for proceedings to enforce rights to indemnification and advancement of expenses, the Corporation shall indemnify and advance expenses to an indemnitee in connection with a proceeding (or part thereof) initiated by such indemnitee only if such proceeding (or part thereof) was authorized by the Board.

 

(b) The rights to indemnification and advancement of expenses conferred on any indemnitee by this Section 8.2 shall not be exclusive of any other rights that any indemnitee may have or hereafter acquire under law, this Amended and Restated Certificate, the Bylaws, an agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors, or otherwise.

 

 
 

 

(c) Any repeal or amendment of this Section 8.2 by the stockholders of the Corporation or by changes in law, or the adoption of any other provision of this Amended and Restated Certificate inconsistent with this Section 8.2, shall, unless otherwise required by law, be prospective only (except to the extent such amendment or change in law permits the Corporation to provide broader indemnification rights on a retroactive basis than permitted prior thereto), and shall not in any way diminish or adversely affect any right or protection existing at the time of such repeal or amendment or adoption of such inconsistent provision in respect of any proceeding (regardless of when such proceeding is first threatened, commenced or completed) arising out of, or related to, any act or omission occurring prior to such repeal or amendment or adoption of such inconsistent provision.

 

(d) This Section 8.2 shall not limit the right of the Corporation, to the extent and in the manner authorized or permitted by law, to indemnify and to advance expenses to persons other than indemnitees.

 

ARTICLE IX

BUSINESS COMBINATION REQUIREMENTS; EXISTENCE

 

Section 9.1 General.

 

(a) The provisions of this Article IX shall apply during the period commencing upon the effectiveness of this Amended and Restated Certificate and terminating upon the consummation of the Corporation’s initial Business Combination and no amendment to this Article IX shall be effective prior to the consummation of the initial Business Combination unless approved by the affirmative vote of the holders of at least sixty-five percent (65%) of all then outstanding shares of the Common Stock.

 

(b) Immediately after the Offering, a certain amount of the net offering proceeds received by the Corporation in the Offering (including the proceeds of any exercise of the underwriters’ over-allotment option) and certain other amounts specified in the Corporation’s registration statement on Form S-1, as initially filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 9, 2014, as amended (the “Registration Statement”), shall be deposited in a trust account (the “Trust Account”), established for the benefit of the Public Stockholders (as defined below) pursuant to a trust agreement described in the Registration Statement. Except for the withdrawal of interest to pay taxes, none of the funds held in the Trust Account (including the interest earned on the funds held in the Trust Account) will be released from the Trust Account until the earlier of (i) the completion of the initial Business Combination and (ii) the redemption or repurchase of 100% of the Offering Shares (as defined below) if the Corporation is unable to complete its initial Business Combination within 24 months from the closing of the Offering. Holders of shares of the Corporation’s Common Stock included as part of the units sold in the Offering (the “Offering Shares”) (whether such Offering Shares were purchased in the Offering or in the secondary market following the Offering and whether or not such holders are affiliates of WL Ross Sponsor LLC, (the “Sponsor”) or officers or directors of the Corporation) are referred to herein as “Public Stockholders.”

 

 

Section 9.2 Redemption and Repurchase Rights.

 

(a) Prior to the consummation of the initial Business Combination, the Corporation shall provide all holders of Offering Shares with the opportunity to have their Offering Shares redeemed or repurchased upon the consummation of the initial Business Combination pursuant to, and subject to the limitations of, Sections 9.2(b) and 9.2(c) (such rights of such holders to have their Offering Shares redeemed or repurchased pursuant to such Sections, the “Redemption Rights”) hereof for cash equal to the applicable redemption or repurchase price per share determined in accordance with Section 9.2(b) hereof (the “Redemption Price”); providedhowever, that the Corporation shall not redeem or repurchase Offering Shares to the extent that such redemption or repurchase would result in the Corporation having net tangible assets (as determined in accordance with Rule 3a51-1(g)(1) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)) of less than $5,000,001 (such limitation hereinafter called the “Redemption Limitation”). Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Amended and Restated Certificate, there shall be no Redemption Rights or liquidating distributions with respect to any warrant issued pursuant to the Offering.

 

 
 

 

(b)

(i) Repurchase Rights. Unless the Corporation offers to redeem the Offering Shares as described in Section 9.2(b)(ii), it shall offer to repurchase the Offering Shares pursuant to a tender offer in accordance with Rule 13e-4 and Regulation 14E of the Exchange Act (such rules and regulations hereinafter called the “Tender Offer Rules”) which it shall commence prior to the consummation of the initial Business Combination and shall file tender offer documents with the Securities and Exchange Commission that contain substantially the same financial and other information about the initial Business Combination and the Redemption Rights as is required under Regulation 14A of the Exchange Act (such rules and regulations hereinafter called the “Proxy Solicitation Rules”), even if such information is not required under the Tender Offer Rules. If the Corporation offers to repurchase the Offering Shares (and has not otherwise withdrawn the tender offer), the Redemption Price per share of the Common Stock payable to holders of the Offering Shares tendering their Offering Shares pursuant to such tender offer shall be equal to, subject to the Redemption Limitation, the quotient obtained by dividing: (i) the aggregate amount on deposit in the Trust Account as of two business days prior to the date of the commencement of the tender offer, including interest (which interest shall be net of  taxes payable), by (ii) the total number of then outstanding Offering Shares.

 

(ii) Redemption Rights. If a stockholder vote is required by law to approve the proposed initial Business Combination or the Corporation decides to hold a stockholder vote on the proposed initial Business Combination for business or other legal reasons, the Corporation shall offer to redeem the Offering Shares at a Redemption Price per share of the Common Stock payable to holders of the Offering Shares exercising their Redemption Rights (irrespective of whether they voted in favor or against the Business Combination)  equal to, subject to the Redemption Limitation, the quotient obtained by dividing (a) the aggregate amount on deposit in the Trust Account as of two business days prior to the consummation of the initial Business Combination, including interest (which interest shall be net of  taxes payable), by (b) the total number of then outstanding Offering Shares.

 

(c) If the Corporation offers to redeem the Offering Shares in conjunction with a stockholder vote on an initial Business Combination pursuant to a proxy solicitation, a Public Stockholder, together with any affiliate of such stockholder or any other person with whom such stockholder is acting in concert or as a “group” (as defined under Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act), shall be restricted from seeking Redemption Rights with respect to more than 15% of the Offering Shares.

 

(d) In the event that the Corporation has not consummated a Business Combination within 24 months from the closing of the Offering, the Corporation shall (i) cease all operations except for the purpose of winding up, (ii) as promptly as reasonably possible but not more than ten business days thereafter subject to lawfully available funds therefor, redeem 100% of the Offering Shares in consideration of a per-share price, payable in cash, equal to the quotient obtained by dividing (A) the aggregate amount then on deposit in the Trust Account, including interest (which interest shall be net of  taxes payable and less up to $50,000 of such net interest to pay dissolution expenses), by (B) the total number of then outstanding Offering Shares, which redemption will completely extinguish rights of the Public Stockholders (including the right to receive further liquidation distributions, if any), subject to applicable law, and (iii) as promptly as reasonably possible following such redemption, subject to the approval of the remaining stockholders and the Board in accordance with applicable law, dissolve and liquidate, subject in each case to the Corporation’s obligations under the DGCL to provide for claims of creditors and other requirements of applicable law. 

 

(e) If the Corporation offers to redeem the Offering Shares in conjunction with a stockholder vote on an initial Business Combination, the Corporation shall consummate the proposed Business Combination only if (i) such initial Business Combination is approved by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the shares of the Common Stock that are voted at a stockholder meeting held to consider such initial Business Combination and (ii) the Redemption Limitation is not exceeded.

 

Section 9.3 Distributions from the Trust Account.

 

(a) A Public Stockholder shall be entitled to receive funds from the Trust Account only as provided in Sections 9.2(a)9.2(b)9.2(d) or 9.7 hereof. In no other circumstances shall a Public Stockholder have any right or interest of any kind in or to distributions from the Trust Account, and no stockholder other than a Public Stockholder shall have any interest in or to the Trust Account.

 

(b) Each Public Stockholder that does not exercise its Redemption Rights shall retain its interest in the Corporation and shall be deemed to have given its consent to the release of the remaining funds in the Trust Account to the Corporation, and following payment to any Public Stockholders exercising their Redemption Rights, the remaining funds in the Trust Account shall be released to the Corporation.

 

 
 

 

(c) The exercise by a Public Stockholder of the Redemption Rights shall be conditioned on such Public Stockholder following the specific procedures for redemptions set forth by the Corporation in any applicable tender offer or proxy materials sent to the Corporation’s Public Stockholders relating to the proposed initial Business Combination. Payment of the amounts necessary to satisfy the Redemption Rights properly exercised shall be made as promptly as practical after the consummation of the initial Business Combination.

 

Section 9.4 Share Issuances. Prior to the consummation of the Corporation’s initial Business Combination, the Corporation shall not issue any additional shares of capital stock of the Corporation that would entitle the holders thereof to receive funds from the Trust Account or vote on any Business Combination.

 

Section 9.5 Transactions with Affiliates. In the event the Corporation enters into an initial Business Combination with a target business that is affiliated with the Sponsor, or the directors or officers of the Corporation, the Corporation, or a committee of the independent directors of the Corporation, shall obtain an opinion from an independent investment banking firm that is a member of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority that such Business Combination is fair to the Corporation from a financial point of view.

 

Section 9.6 No Transactions with Other Blank Check Companies. The Corporation shall not enter into a Business Combination with another blank check company or a similar company with nominal operations.

 

Section 9.7 Additional Redemption Rights. If, in accordance with Section 9.1(a), any amendment is made to Section 9.2(d) that would affect the substance or timing of the Corporation’s obligation to redeem 100% of the Offering Shares if the Corporation has not consummated a Business Combination within 24 months from the date of the Closing, the Public Stockholders shall be provided with the opportunity to redeem their Offering Shares upon the approval of any such amendment, at a per-share price, payable in cash, equal to the aggregate amount then on deposit in the Trust Account, including interest (which interest shall be net of  taxes payable), divided by the number of then outstanding Offering Shares. The Corporation’s ability to provide such opportunity is subject to the Redemption Limitation. 

 

Section 9.8 Minimum Value of Target. The Corporation’s Business Combination must occur with one or more target businesses that together have a fair market value of at least 80% of the assets held in the Trust Account (excluding the deferred underwriting commissions and taxes payable on the income earned on the Trust Account) at the time of the agreement to enter into the Business Combination.

 

ARTICLE X

CORPORATE OPPORTUNITY

 

The doctrine of corporate opportunity, or any other analogous doctrine, shall not apply with respect to the Corporation or any of its officers or directors in circumstances where the application of any such doctrine to a corporate opportunity would conflict with any fiduciary duties or contractual obligations they may have as of the date of this Amended and Restated Certificate or in the future. In addition to the foregoing, the doctrine of corporate opportunity shall not apply to any other corporate opportunity with respect to any of the directors or officers of the Corporation unless such corporate opportunity is offered to such person solely in his or her capacity as a director or officer of the Corporation and such opportunity is one the Corporation is legally and contractually permitted to undertake and would otherwise be reasonable for the Corporation to pursue. 

 

 
 

 

ARTICLE XI

AMENDMENT OF AMENDED AND RESTATED

CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION

 

The Corporation reserves the right to amend, alter, change or repeal any provision contained in this Amended and Restated Certificate (including any Preferred Stock Designation), in the manner now or hereafter prescribed by this Amended and Restated Certificate and the DGCL; and, except as set forth in Article VIII, all rights, preferences and privileges herein conferred upon stockholders, directors or any other persons by and pursuant to this Amended and Restated Certificate in its present form or as hereafter amended are granted subject to the right reserved in this Article XIprovidedhowever, that Article IX of this Amended and Restated Certificate may be amended only as provided therein.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, WL Ross Holding Corp. has caused this Amended and Restated Certificate to be duly executed in its name and on its behalf by an authorized officer as of the date first set forth above.

 

  WL ROSS HOLDING CORP.
     
  By: /s/ Wilbur L. Ross, Jr.
    Name: Wilbur L. Ross, Jr.
    Title:    Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

 

 

 

EX-5.1 3 v380499_ex5-1.htm EXHIBIT 5.1

 

Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom llp

525 University Avenue

Palo Alto, California 94301

________

 

WL Ross Holding Corp.
1166 Avenue of the Americas

New York, New York 10036 

TEL: (650) 470-4500

FAX: (650) 470-4570
www.skadden.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

June 2, 2014

 

 

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WILMINGTON

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VIENNA

  

  Re: WL Ross Holding Corp.
    Registration Statement on Form S-1

 

Ladies and Gentlemen:

 

We have acted as special counsel to WL Ross Holding Corp., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), in connection with its filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) of a registration statement on Form S-1, as amended (File Number 333-195854) (the “Registration Statement”) for the purpose of registering with the Commission under the Securities Act of 1933 (the “Securities Act”) the sale by the Company of (a) 40,000,000 units (the “Firm Units”) of the Company, whereby each such unit (“Unit”) consists of one share of common stock of the Company, par value $0.0001 per share (“Common Stock”), and one warrant of the Company (“Warrant”) to purchase one-half of a share of Common Stock, (b) up to an additional 6,000,000 Units that the underwriters will have a right to purchase from the Company to cover over-allotments (the “Option Units”), issuable to the public and (c) all shares of Common Stock and all Warrants issued as part of the Units.

 

This opinion is being furnished to you in accordance with the requirements of Item 601(b)(5) of Regulation S-K under the Securities Act.

 

In rendering the opinions set forth herein, we have examined and relied on originals or copies of (a) certain resolutions of the Board of Directors of the Company, (b) the Certificate of Incorporation of the Company, as amended and restated by the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware on June 2, 2014, and (c) the following each in the form filed with the Commission as of the date hereof: (i) the Registration Statement; (ii) the Underwriting Agreement (the “Underwriting Agreement”) proposed to be entered into by and between the Company and the underwriters; (iii) the Warrants; (iv) the Units; (v) the Warrant Agreement proposed to be entered into by and between the Company and Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, as warrant agent (the “Warrant Agreement”); and (iv) the Bylaws of the Company. We have also examined originals or copies, certified or otherwise identified to our satisfaction, of such documents, certificates and records as we have deemed necessary or appropriate as a basis for the opinions stated below.

   

 
 

 

WL Ross Holding Corp.

June 2, 2014

Page 2

 

Agreement (the “Underwriting Agreement”) proposed to be entered into by and between the Company and the underwriters; (iii) the Warrants; (iv) the Units; (v) the Warrant Agreement proposed to be entered into by and between the Company and Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, as warrant agent (the “Warrant Agreement”); and (iv) the Bylaws of the Company. We have also examined originals or copies, certified or otherwise identified to our satisfaction, of such documents, certificates and records as we have deemed necessary or appropriate as a basis for the opinions stated below.

 

In our examination, we have assumed the genuineness of all signatures, the legal capacity and competency of all natural persons, the authenticity of all documents submitted to us as originals, the conformity to original documents of all documents submitted to us as facsimile, electronic, certified or photostatic copies, and the authenticity of the originals of such copies. In making our examination of executed documents, we have assumed that the parties thereto, other than the Company, had the power, corporate or other, to enter into and perform all obligations thereunder and have also assumed the due authorization by all requisite action, corporate or other, and the execution and delivery by such parties of such documents and the validity and binding effect thereof on such parties and that each of the documents identified in clauses (c)(i) through (c)(ii) of the preceding paragraph will be entered into or filed or adopted as appropriate. As to any facts relevant to the opinion stated herein that we did not independently establish or verify, we have relied upon statements and representations of officers and other representatives of the Company and of public officials.

 

Our opinions set forth herein are limited to the laws of the State of New York and the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware that, in our experience, are normally applicable to transactions of the type contemplated by the Registration Statement and, to the extent that judicial or regulatory orders or decrees or consents, approvals, licenses, authorizations, validations, filings, recordings or registrations with governmental authorities are relevant, to those required under such laws (all of the foregoing being referred to as “Opined on Law”). We do not express any opinion with respect to the law of any jurisdiction other than Opined on Law or as to the effect of any such non-Opined on Law on the opinions herein.

 

The opinions set forth below are subject to the following further qualifications, assumptions and limitations:

 

(a) validity or enforcement of any agreements or instruments that may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally and by general principles of equity (regardless of whether enforceability is considered in a proceeding in equity or at law); and

 

(b) to the extent any opinion relates to the enforceability of the choice of New York law and choice of New York forum provisions, our opinion is rendered in reliance upon N.Y. Gen. Oblig. Law §§ 5-1401, 5-1402 (McKinney 2003) and N.Y. C.P.L.R. 327(b) (McKinney 2003) and is subject to the qualification that such enforceability may be limited by public policy considerations.

 

 
 

 

WL Ross Holding Corp.

June 2, 2014

Page 3

 

Based upon and subject to the foregoing, we are of the opinion that:

 

1. Each Unit has been duly authorized by the Company and, when such Units are delivered to and paid for by the underwriters in accordance with the terms of the Underwriting Agreement, will be a valid and binding agreement of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with its terms.

 

2. The Common Stock included in the Units will be duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable when delivered to and paid for by the underwriters in accordance with the terms of the Underwriting Agreement.

 

3. Each Warrant included in the Units, when such Units are delivered to and paid for by the underwriters in accordance with the terms of the Underwriting Agreement, will be a valid and binding agreement of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with its terms.

 

We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion with the Commission as an exhibit to the Registration Statement. We also hereby consent to the reference to our firm under the heading “Legal Matters” in the prospectus forming a part of the Registration Statement. In giving this consent, we do not thereby admit that we are included in the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Securities Act or the rules and regulations of the Commission promulgated thereunder. This opinion is expressed as of the date hereof unless otherwise expressly stated, and we disclaim any undertaking to advise you of any subsequent changes in the facts stated or assumed herein or of any subsequent changes in applicable law.

 

  Very truly yours,
   
  /s/ Skadden, Arps, Slate Meagher & Flom LLP

 

 

EX-14 4 v380499_ex14.htm EXHIBIT 14

 

Exhibit 14

 

CODE OF ETHICS

OF

WL ROSS HOLDING CORP.

 

1.             Introduction

 

                The Board of Directors (the “Board”) of WL Ross Holding Corp. (the “Company”) has adopted this code of ethics (this “Code”), as amended from time to time by the Board and which is applicable to all of the Company’s directors, officers and employees (to the extent that employees are hired in the future) to:

 

  promote honest and ethical conduct, including the ethical handling of actual or apparent conflicts of interest between personal and professional relationships;

 

  promote the full, fair, accurate, timely and understandable disclosure in reports and documents that the Company files with, or submits to, the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), as well as in other public communications made by or on behalf of the Company;

 

  promote compliance with applicable governmental laws, rules and regulations;

 

  deter wrongdoing; and

  

  require prompt internal reporting of breaches of, and accountability for adherence to, this Code.

    

This Code may be amended and modified by the Board.  In this Code, references to the “Company” means WL Ross Holding Corp. and, in appropriate context, the Company’s subsidiaries, if any.

 

2.             Honest, Ethical and Fair Conduct

 

Each person owes a duty to the Company to act with integrity. Integrity requires, among other things, being honest, fair and candid. Deceit, dishonesty and subordination of principle are inconsistent with integrity. Service to the Company should never be subordinated to personal gain and advantage.

 

        Each person must:

 

  Act with integrity, including being honest and candid while still maintaining the confidentiality of the Company’s information where required or when in the Company’s interests;

  

  Observe all applicable governmental laws, rules and regulations;

  

  Comply with the requirements of applicable accounting and auditing standards, as well as Company policies, in order to maintain a high standard of accuracy and completeness in the Company’s financial records and other business-related information and data;

 

  Adhere to a high standard of business ethics and not seek competitive advantage through unlawful or unethical business practices;

  

  Deal fairly with the Company’s customers, suppliers, competitors and employees;

  

  Refrain from taking advantage of anyone through manipulation, concealment, abuse of privileged information, misrepresentation of material facts or any other unfair-dealing practice;

  

  Protect the assets of the Company and ensure their proper use;

  

 
 

 

  Until the earliest of (i) the Company’s initial business combination (as such is defined in the Company’s initial registration statement filed with the SEC), (ii) liquidation, or (iii) such time as such person ceases to be an officer or director of the Company, to first present to the Company for its consideration, prior to presentation to any other entity, any business opportunity suitable for the Company, subject to any pre-existing fiduciary or contractual obligations such officer may have; and

    

  Avoid conflicts of interest, wherever possible, except as may be allowed under guidelines or resolutions approved by the Board (or the appropriate committee of the Board) or as disclosed in the Company’s public filings with the SEC. Anything that would be a conflict for a person subject to this Code also will be a conflict for a member of his or her immediate family or any other close relative. Examples of conflict of interest situations include, but are not limited to, the following:

 

  any significant ownership interest in any supplier or customer;

  

  any consulting or employment relationship with any supplier or customer;

  

  the receipt of any money, non-nominal gifts or excessive entertainment from any entity with which the Company has current or prospective business dealings;

  

  selling anything to the Company or buying anything from the Company, except on the same terms and conditions as comparable officers or directors are permitted to so purchase or sell;

  

  any other financial transaction, arrangement or relationship (including any indebtedness or guarantee of indebtedness) involving the Company; and

 

  any other circumstance, event, relationship or situation in which the personal interest of a person subject to this Code interferes — or even appears to interfere — with the interests of the Company as a whole.

 

3.             Disclosure

 

The Company strives to ensure that the contents of and the disclosures in the reports and documents that the Company files with the SEC and other public communications shall be full, fair, accurate, timely and understandable in accordance with applicable disclosure standards, including standards of materiality, where appropriate. Each person must:

 

  not knowingly misrepresent, or cause others to misrepresent, facts about the Company to others, whether within or outside the Company, including to the Company’s independent registered public accountants, governmental regulators, self-regulating organizations and other governmental officials, as appropriate; and

  

  in relation to his or her area of responsibility, properly review and critically analyze proposed disclosure for accuracy and completeness.

    

In addition to the foregoing, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer of the Company and each subsidiary of the Company (or persons performing similar functions), and each other person that typically is involved in the financial reporting of the Company must familiarize himself or herself with the disclosure requirements applicable to the Company as well as the business and financial operations of the Company.

 

Each person must promptly bring to the attention of the Chairman of the Board any information he or she may have concerning (a) significant deficiencies in the design or operation of internal and/or disclosure controls that could adversely affect the Company’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial data or (b) any fraud that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the Company’s financial reporting, disclosures or internal controls.

 

 
 

 

4.             Compliance

 

                 It is the Company’s obligation and policy to comply with all applicable governmental laws, rules and regulations. All directors, officers and employees of the Company are expected to understand, respect and comply with all of the laws, regulations, policies and procedures that apply to them in their positions with the Company. Employees are responsible for talking to their supervisors to determine which laws, regulations and Company policies apply to their position and what training is necessary to understand and comply with them.

 

Directors, officers and employees are directed to specific policies and procedures available to persons they supervise.

 

5.             Reporting and Accountability

     

The Board is responsible for applying this Code to specific situations in which questions are presented to it and has the authority to interpret this Code in any particular situation. Any person who becomes aware of any existing or potential breach of this Code is required to notify the Chairman of the Board promptly. Failure to do so is, in and of itself, a breach of this Code.

 

        Specifically, each person must:

 

  Notify the Chairman of the Board promptly of any existing or potential violation of this Code.

 

  Not retaliate against any other person for reports of potential violations that are made in good faith.

 

The Company will follow the following procedures in investigating and enforcing this Code and in reporting on the Code:

 

  The Board will take all appropriate action to investigate any breaches reported to it.

 

  Upon determination by the Board that a breach has occurred, the Board (by majority decision) will take or authorize such disciplinary or preventive action as it deems appropriate, after consultation with the Company’s General Counsel, up to and including dismissal or, in the event of criminal or other serious violations of law, notification of the SEC or other appropriate law enforcement authorities.

 

No person following the above procedure shall, as a result of following such procedure, be subject by the Company or any officer or employee thereof to discharge, demotion suspension, threat, harassment or, in any manner, discrimination against such person in terms and conditions of employment.

 

6.             Waivers and Amendments

     

Any waiver (defined below) or an implicit waiver (defined below) from a provision of this Code for the principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer or controller, and persons performing similar functions or any amendment (as defined below) to this Code is required to be disclosed in a current report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC. In lieu of filing a current report on Form 8-K to report any such waivers or amendments, the Company may provide such information on a website, in the event that it establishes one in the future, and if it keeps such information on the website for at least 12 months and discloses the website address as well as any intention to provide such disclosures in this manner in its most recently filed Annual Report on Form 10-K.

 

                A “waiver” means the approval by the Company’s Board of a material departure from a provision of the Code. An “implicit waiver” means the Company’s failure to take action within a reasonable period of time regarding a material departure from a provision of the Code that has been made known to an executive officer of the Company. An “amendment” means any amendment to this Code other than minor technical, administrative or other non-substantive amendments hereto.

     

 

All persons should note that it is not the Company’s intention to grant or to permit waivers from the requirements of this Code. The Company expects full compliance with this Code.

 1

 

 
 

 

8.             Insider Information and Securities Trading

 

The Company’s directors, officers or employees who have access to material, non-public information are not permitted to use that information for share trading purposes or for any purpose unrelated to the Company's business. It is also against the law to trade or to "tip" others who might make an investment decision based on inside company information. For example, using non-public information to buy or sell the Company shares, options in the Company share or the share of any Company supplier, customer or competitor is prohibited. The consequences of insider trading violations can be severe. These rules also apply to the use of material, nonpublic information about other companies (including, for example, our customers, competitors and potential business partners). In addition to directors, officers or employees, these rules apply to such person’s spouse, children, parents and siblings, as well as any other family members living in such person’s home.

 

9.             Financial Statements and Other Records

 

All of the Company’s books, records, accounts and financial statements must be maintained in reasonable detail, must appropriately reflect the Company’s transactions and must both conform to applicable legal requirements and to the Company’s system of internal controls. Unrecorded or “off the books” funds or assets should not be maintained unless permitted by applicable law or regulation.

 

Records should always be retained or destroyed according to the Company’s record retention policies. In accordance with those policies, in the event of litigation or governmental investigation, please consult the board of directors or the Company’s counsel.

 

10.           Improper Influence on Conduct of Audits

 

No director or officer, or any other person acting under the direction thereof, shall directly or indirectly take any action to coerce, manipulate, mislead or fraudulently influence any public or certified public accountant engaged in the performance of an audit or review of the financial statements of the Company or take any action that such person knows or should know that if successful could result in rendering the Company's financial statements materially misleading. Any person who believes such improper influence is being exerted should report such action to such person’s supervisor, or if that is impractical under the circumstances, to any of our directors.

 

Types of conduct that could constitute improper influence include, but are not limited to, directly or indirectly:

 

  ·

Offering or paying bribes or other financial incentives, including future employment or contracts for non-audit services;

 

  ·

Providing an auditor with an inaccurate or misleading legal analysis;

 

  ·

Threatening to cancel or canceling existing non-audit or audit engagements if the auditor objects to the Company’s accounting;

 

  ·

Seeking to have a partner removed from the audit engagement because the partner objects to the Company’s accounting;

 

  ·

Blackmailing; and

 

  · Making physical threats.

 

 
 

 

11.           Anti-Corruption Laws

 

The Company complies with the anti-corruption laws of the countries in which it does business, including the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA). Directors, officers and employees will not directly or indirectly give anything of value to government officials, including employees of state-owned enterprises or foreign political candidates. These requirements apply both to Company employees and agents, such as third party sales representatives, no matter where they are doing business. If you are authorized to engage agents, you are responsible for ensuring they are reputable and for obtaining a written agreement to uphold the Company’s standards in this area.

 

12.           Violations

 

 Violation of this Code is grounds for disciplinary action up to and including termination of employment. Such action is in addition to any civil or criminal liability which might be imposed by any court or regulatory agency.

 

13.           Other Policies and Procedures

 

                Any other policy or procedure set out by the Company in writing or made generally known to employees, officers or directors of the Company prior to the date hereof or hereafter are separate requirements and remain in full force and effect.

 

14.           Inquiries

 

All inquiries and questions in relation to this Code or its applicability to particular people or situations should be addressed to the Company’s Secretary, or such other compliance officer as shall be designated from time to time by the Company.

 

PROVISIONS FOR

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER AND SENIOR FINANCIAL OFFICERS

 

The CEO and all senior financial officers, including the CFO and principal accounting officer, are bound by the provisions set forth therein relating to ethical conduct, conflicts of interest, and compliance with law.  In addition to the Code, the CEO and senior financial officers are subject to the following additional specific policies:

 

1.           Act with honesty and integrity, avoiding actual or apparent conflicts between personal, private interests and the interests of the Company, including receiving improper personal benefits as a result of his or her position.

 

2.           Disclose to the CEO and the Board of Directors of the Company any material transaction or relationship that reasonably could be expected to give rise to a conflict of interest.

 

3.           Perform responsibilities with a view to causing periodic reports and documents filed with or submitted to the Securities & Exchange Commission and all other public communications made by the Company to contain information that is accurate, complete, fair, objective, relevant, timely and understandable, including full review of all annual and quarterly reports.

 

4.           Comply with laws, rules and regulations of federal, state and local governments applicable to the Company and with the rules and regulations of private and public regulatory agencies having jurisdiction over the Company.

 

5.           Act in good faith, responsibly, with due care, competence and diligence, without misrepresenting or omitting material facts or allowing independent judgment to be compromised or subordinated.

 

6.           Respect the confidentiality of information acquired in the course of performance of his or her responsibilities except when authorized or otherwise legally obligated to disclose any such information; not use confidential information acquired in the course of performing his or her responsibilities for personal advantage.

 

 
 

 

7.           Share knowledge and maintain skills important and relevant to the needs of the Company, its stockholders and other constituencies and the general public.

 

8.           Proactively promote ethical behavior among subordinates and peers in his or her work environment and community.

 

9.           Use and control all corporate assets and resources employed by or entrusted to him or her in a responsible manner.

 

10.         Not use corporate information, corporate assets, corporate opportunities or his or her position with the Company for personal gain; not compete directly or indirectly with the Company.

 

11.         Comply in all respects with the Company’s Code.

 

12.         Advance the Company’s legitimate interests when the opportunity arises.

 

The Board of Directors will investigate any reported violations and will oversee an appropriate response, including corrective action and preventative measures.  Any officer who violates this Code will face appropriate, case specific disciplinary action, which may include demotion or discharge.

 

Any request for a waiver of any provision of this Code must be in writing and addressed to the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Company.  Any waiver of this Code will be disclosed promptly on Form 8-K or any other means approved by the SEC.

 

It is the policy of the Company that each officer covered by this Code shall acknowledge and certify to the foregoing annually and file a copy of such certification with the Chairman of the Board of Directors.

 

OFFICER’S CERTIFICATION

 

I have read and understand the foregoing Code.  I hereby certify that I am in compliance with the foregoing Code and I will comply with the Code in the future.  I understand that any violation of the Code will subject me to appropriate disciplinary action, which may include demotion or discharge.

 

 

Dated:   [·]

 

Name:    [·]

 

Title:      [·]

 

 

EX-99.1 5 v380499_ex99-1.htm EXHIBIT 99.1

 

Exhibit 99.1

 

CHARTER OF THE AUDIT COMMITTEE

OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF

WL ROSS HOLDING CORP.

ADOPTED AS OF MAY 30, 2014

 


 

  I. PURPOSE OF THE COMMITTEE

 

The purpose of the Audit Committee (the "Committee") of the Board of Directors (the "Board") of WL Ross Holding Corp. (the "Corporation") is to oversee the accounting and financial reporting processes of the Corporation and its subsidiaries and the audits of the financial statements of the Corporation.

 

  II. COMPOSITION OF THE COMMITTEE

 

The Committee shall consist of three or more independent directors, as determined from time to time by the Board; provided, that, until the 90th day following the Corporation's initial public offering, two members of the Committee may not be "independent directors," and until the one year anniversary of the Corporation's initial public offering, one member of the Committee may not be an "independent director." Each member of the Committee shall be qualified to serve on the Committee pursuant to the requirements of The Nasdaq Stock Market, Inc. ("Nasdaq"), and any additional requirements that the Board deems appropriate.

 

The chairperson of the Committee shall be designated by the Board, provided that if the Board does not so designate a chairperson, the members of the Committee, by a majority vote, may designate a chairperson.

 

Any vacancy on the Committee shall be filled by majority vote of the Board. No member of the Committee shall be removed except by majority vote of the Board.

 

Each member of the Committee must be able to read and understand fundamental financial statements, including the Corporation's balance sheet, income statement and cash flow statement. In addition, at least one member of the Committee must be designated by the Board to be the "audit committee financial expert," as defined by the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") pursuant to the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (the "Act").

 

  III. MEETINGS OF THE COMMITTEE

 

The Committee shall meet as often as it determines necessary to carry out its duties and responsibilities, but no less frequently than once every fiscal quarter. The Committee, in its discretion, may ask members of management or others to attend its meetings (or portions thereof) and to provide pertinent information as necessary. A majority of the members of the Committee present in person or by means of a conference telephone or other communications equipment by means of which all persons participating in the meeting can hear each other shall constitute a quorum.

 

The Committee shall maintain minutes of its meetings and records relating to those meetings.

 

  IV. DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE COMMITTEE

 

In carrying out its duties and responsibilities, the Committee's policies and procedures should remain flexible, so that it may be in a position to best address, react or respond to changing circumstances or conditions. The following duties and responsibilities are within the authority of the Committee and the Committee shall, consistent with and subject to applicable law and rules and regulations promulgated by the SEC, Nasdaq, or any other applicable regulatory authority:

 

 
 

 

Selection, Evaluation, and Oversight of the Auditors

 

(a)                Be directly responsible for the appointment, compensation, retention and oversight of the work of any registered public accounting firm engaged for the purpose of preparing or issuing an audit report or performing other audit, review or attest services for the Corporation, and each such registered public accounting firm must report directly to the Committee (the registered public accounting firm engaged for the purpose of preparing or issuing an audit report for inclusion in the Corporation's Annual Report on Form 10-K is referred to herein as the "independent auditors");

 

(b)               Review and, in its sole discretion, approve in advance the Corporation's independent auditors' annual engagement letter, including the proposed fees contained therein, as well as all audit and, as provided in the Act and the SEC rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, all permitted non-audit engagements and relationships between the Corporation and such independent auditors (which approval should be made after receiving input from the Corporation's management, if desired).Approval of audit and permitted non-audit services will be made by the Committee or by one or more members of the Committee as shall be designated by the Committee/the chairperson of the Committee and the persons granting such approval shall report such approval to the Committee at the next scheduled meeting;

 

(c)                Review the performance of the Corporation's independent auditors, including the lead partner of the independent auditors, and, in its sole discretion (subject, if applicable, to shareholder ratification), make decisions regarding the replacement or termination of the independent auditors when circumstances warrant;

 

(d)                Evaluate the independence of the Corporation's independent auditors by, among other things:

 

  (i) obtaining and reviewing from the Corporation's independent auditors a formal written statement delineating all relationships between the independent auditors and the Corporation, consistent with Independence Standards Board Standard 1;

 

  (ii) actively engaging in a dialogue with the Corporation's independent auditors with respect to any disclosed relationships or services that may impact the objectivity and independence of the auditors;

 

  (iii) setting clear hiring policies for employees or former employees of the Corporation’s independent auditors;

 

  (iv) taking, or recommending that the Board take, appropriate action to oversee the independence of the Corporation's independent auditors;

 

  (v) monitoring compliance by the Corporation's independent auditors with the audit partner rotation requirements contained in the Act and the rules and regulations promulgated by the SEC thereunder;

 

  (vi) monitoring compliance by the Corporation of the employee conflict of interest requirements contained in the Act and the rules and regulations promulgated by the SEC thereunder; and

 

  (vii) engaging in a dialogue with the independent auditors to confirm that audit partner compensation is consistent with applicable SEC rules;

 

Oversight of Annual Audit and Quarterly Reviews

 

(e)                Review and discuss with the independent auditors their annual audit plan, including the timing and scope of audit activities, and monitor such plan's progress and results during the year;

 

(f)                Review with management and the Corporation's independent auditors the following information which is required to be reported by the independent auditor:

 

  (i) all critical accounting policies and practices to be used;

 

 
 

 

  (ii) all alternative treatments of financial information that have been discussed by the independent auditors and management, ramifications of the use of such alternative disclosures and treatments, and the treatment preferred by the independent auditors;

 

  (iii) all other material written communications between the independent auditors and management, such as any management letter and any schedule of unadjusted differences; and

 

  (iv) any material financial arrangements of the Corporation which do not appear on the financial statements of the Corporation;

 

(g)               Resolve all disagreements between the Corporation's independent auditors and management regarding financial reporting;

 

Oversight of Financial Reporting Process and Internal Controls

 

(h)               Review:

 

  (i) the adequacy and effectiveness of the Corporation's accounting and internal control policies and procedures on a regular basis, including the responsibilities, budget, compensation and staffing of the Corporation's internal audit function, through inquiry and discussions with the Corporation's independent auditors and management; and

 

  (ii) the Committee's level of involvement and interaction with the Corporation's internal audit function, including the Committee's line of authority and role in appointing and compensating employees in the internal audit function;

 

(i)                 Review with the chief executive officer, chief financial officer and independent auditors, periodically, the following:

 

  (i) all significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the Corporation's ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information;and

 

  (ii) any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the Corporation's internal control over financial reporting;

 

(j)                 Discuss guidelines and policies governing the process by which senior management of the Corporation assess and manage the Corporation's exposure to risk, as well as the Corporation's major financial risk exposures and the steps management has taken to monitor and control such exposures;

 

(k)                Review with management the progress and results of all internal audit projects, and, when deemed necessary or appropriate by the Committee, assign additional internal audit projects to appropriate personnel;

 

(l)                 Receive periodic reports from the Corporation's independent auditors, management and director of the Corporation's internal auditing department to assess the impact on the Corporation of significant accounting or financial reporting developments that may have a bearing on the Corporation;

 

(m)               Review and discuss with the independent auditors the results of the year-end audit of the Corporation, including any comments or recommendations of the Corporation's independent auditors and, based on such review and discussions and on such other considerations as it determines appropriate, recommend to the Board whether the Corporation's financial statements should be included in the Annual Report on Form 10-K;

 

 
 

 

(n)               Establish and maintain free and open means of communication between and among the Committee, the Corporation's independent auditors and management, including providing such parties with appropriate opportunities to meet separately and privately with the Committee on a periodic basis;

 

(o)               Review the type and presentation of information to be included in the Corporation's earnings press releases (especially the use of "pro forma" or "adjusted" information not prepared in compliance with generally accepted accounting principles), as well as financial information and earnings guidance provided by the Corporation to analysts and rating agencies (which review may be done generally (i.e., discussion of the types of information to be disclosed and type of presentations to be made), and the Committee need not discuss in advance each earnings release or each instance in which the Corporation may provide earnings guidance);

 

Miscellaneous

 

(p)               Establish and implement policies and procedures for the Committee's review and approval or disapproval of proposed transactions or courses of dealings with respect to which executive officers or directors or members of their immediate families have an interest (including all transactions required to be disclosed by Item 404(a) of Regulation S-K);

 

(q)               Meet periodically with the general counsel, and outside counsel when appropriate, to review legal and regulatory matters, including (i) any matters that may have a material impact on the financial statements of the Corporation and (ii) any matters involving potential or ongoing material violations of law or breaches of fiduciary duty by the Corporation or any of its directors, officers, employees, or agents or breaches of fiduciary duty to the Corporation;

 

(r)                Prepare the report required by the rules of the SEC to be included in the Corporation's annual proxy statement;

 

(s)                Review the Corporation's policies relating to the ethical handling of conflicts of interest and review past or proposed transactions between the Corporation and members of management as well as policies and procedures with respect to officers' expense accounts and perquisites, including the use of corporate assets. The Committee shall consider the results of any review of these policies and procedures by the Corporation's independent auditors;

 

(t)                Review and approve in advance any services provided by the Corporation's independent auditors to the Corporation's executive officers or members of their immediate family;

 

(u)               Review the Corporation's program to monitor compliance with the Corporation's Code of Conduct, and meet periodically with the Corporation's Compliance Committee to discuss compliance with the Code of Conduct;

 

(v)               Establish procedures for (i) the receipt, retention and treatment of complaints received by the Corporation regarding accounting, internal accounting controls or auditing matters, and (ii) the confidential, anonymous submission by employees of the Corporation of concerns regarding questionable accounting or auditing matters;

 

(w)              Establish procedures for the receipt, retention and treatment of reports of evidence of a material violation made by attorneys appearing and practicing before the SEC in the representation of the Corporation or any of its subsidiaries, or reports made by the Corporation's chief executive officer or general counsel in relation thereto;

 

(x)               Approve reimbursement of expenses incurred by management in connection with certain activities on our behalf, such as identifying potential target businesses;

 

(y)               Secure independent expert advice to the extent the Committee determines it to be appropriate, including retaining, with or without Board approval, independent counsel, accountants, consultants or others, to assist the Committee in fulfilling its duties and responsibilities, the cost of such independent expert advisors to be borne by the Corporation;

 

(z)               Review and assess the adequacy of this Charter on an annual basis; and

 

 
 

 

(aa)            Perform such additional activities, and consider such other matters, within the scope of its responsibilities, as the Committee or the Board deems necessary or appropriate.

 

  V. INVESTIGATIONS AND STUDIES; OUTSIDE ADVISERS

 

The Committee may conduct or authorize investigations into or studies of matters within the Committee's scope of responsibilities, and may retain, at the Corporation's expense, such independent counsel or other consultants or advisers as it deems necessary.

 

* * *

While the Committee has the duties and responsibilities set forth in this charter, the Committee is not responsible for preparing or certifying the financial statements, for planning or conducting the audit, or for determining whether the Corporation's financial statements are complete and accurate and are in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.

 

In fulfilling their responsibilities hereunder, it is recognized that members of the Committee are not full-time employees of the Corporation, it is not the duty or responsibility of the Committee or its members to conduct "field work" or other types of auditing or accounting reviews or procedures or to set auditor independence standards, and each member of the Committee shall be entitled to rely on (i) the integrity of those persons and organizations within and outside the Corporation from which it receives information and (ii) the accuracy of the financial and other information provided to the Committee absent actual knowledge to the contrary.

 

Nothing contained in this Charter is intended to create, or should be construed as creating, any responsibility or liability of the members of the Committee, except to the extent otherwise provided under applicable federal or state law.

 

* * * 

 

 

 

EX-99.2 6 v380499_ex99-2.htm EXHIBIT 99.2

 

Exhibit 99.2

 

 

CHARTER OF THE COMPENSATION COMMITTEE

OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF WL ROSS HOLDING CORP.

ADOPTED AS OF MAY 30, 2014

 


 

  I. PURPOSE OF THE COMMITTEE

 

The purposes of the Compensation Committee (the "Committee") of the Board of Directors (the "Board") of WL Ross Holding Corp. (the "Corporation") shall be to oversee the Corporation's compensation and employee benefit plans and practices, including its executive compensation plans, and its incentive-compensation and equity-based plans; to review and discuss with management the Corporation's compensation discussion and analysis ("CD&A") to be included in the Corporation's annual proxy statement or annual report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"); to prepare the Compensation Committee Report as required by the rules of the SEC; and to perform such further functions as may be consistent with this Charter or assigned by applicable law, the Corporation's charter or bylaws or the Board.

 

  II. COMPOSITION OF THE COMMITTEE

 

The Committee shall consist of three or more directors as determined from time to time by the Board. Each member of the Committee shall be qualified to serve on the Committee pursuant to the requirements of the NASDAQ Stock Market (the "NASDAQ"), and any additional requirements that the Board deems appropriate. Members of the Committee shall also qualify as "non-employee directors" within the meaning of Rule 16b-3 promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and "outside directors" within the meaning of Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

 

The chairperson of the Committee shall be designated by the Board, provided that if the Board does not so designate a chairperson, the members of the Committee, by a majority vote, may designate a chairperson.

 

Any vacancy on the Committee shall be filled by majority vote of the Board. No member of the Committee shall be removed except by majority vote of the Board.

 

  III. MEETINGS AND PROCEDURES OF THE COMMITTEE

 

The Committee shall meet as often as it determines necessary to carry out its duties and responsibilities, but no less than twice annually. The Committee, in its discretion, may ask members of management or others to attend its meetings (or portions thereof) and to provide pertinent information as necessary, provided, that the Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation may not be present during any portion of a Committee meeting in which deliberation or any vote regarding his or her compensation occurs.

 

A majority of the members of the Committee present in person or by means of a conference telephone or other communications equipment by means of which all persons participating in the meeting can hear each other shall constitute a quorum.

 

The Committee shall maintain minutes of its meetings and records relating to those meetings and shall report regularly to the Board on its activities, as appropriate.

 

 
 

 

  IV. DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE COMMITTEE

 

A. Executive Compensation

 

The Committee shall have the following duties and responsibilities with respect to the Corporation's executive compensation plans:

 

(a) To review at least annually the goals and objectives of the Corporation's executive compensation plans, and amend, or recommend that the Board amend, these goals and objectives if the Committee deems it appropriate.

 

(b) To review at least annually the Corporation's executive compensation plans in light of the Corporation's goals and objectives with respect to such plans, and, if the Committee deems it appropriate, adopt, or recommend to the Board the adoption of, new, or the amendment of existing, executive compensation plans.

 

(c) To evaluate annually the performance of the Chief Executive Officer in light of the goals and objectives of the Corporation's executive compensation plans, and, either as a Committee or together with the other independent directors (as directed by the Board), determine and approve the Chief Executive Officer's compensation level based on this evaluation. In determining the long-term incentive component of the Chief Executive Officer's compensation, the Committee shall consider factors as it determines relevant, which may include, for example, the Corporation's performance and relative stockholder return, the value of similar awards to chief executive officers of comparable companies, and the awards given to the Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation in past years. The Committee may discuss the Chief Executive Officer's compensation with the Board if it chooses to do so.

 

(d) To evaluate annually the performance of the other executive officers of the Corporation in light of the goals and objectives of the Corporation's executive compensation plans, and either as a Committee or together with the other independent directors (as directed by the Board), determine and approve the compensation of such other executive officers. To the extent that long-term incentive compensation is a component of such executive officer's compensation, the Committee shall consider all relevant factors in determining the appropriate level of such compensation, including the factors applicable with respect to the Chief Executive Officer.

 

(e) To evaluate annually the appropriate level of compensation for Board and Committee service by non-employee directors.

 

(f) To review and approve any severance or termination arrangements to be made with any executive officer of the Corporation.

 

(g) To perform such duties and responsibilities as may be assigned to the Board or the Committee under the terms of any executive compensation plan.

 

(h) To review perquisites or other personal benefits to the Corporation's executive officers and directors and recommend any changes to the Board.

 

(i) To consider the results of the most recent shareholder advisory vote on executive compensation as required by Section 14A of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act") and, to the extent the Committee determines it appropriate to do so, take such results into consideration in connection with the review and approval of executive officer compensation.

 

(j) To review and discuss with management the Corporation's CD&A, and based on that review and discussion, to recommend to the Board that the CD&A be included in the Corporation's annual proxy statement or annual report on Form 10-K.

 

(k) To review compensation arrangements for the Corporation's employees to evaluate whether incentive and other forms of pay encourage unnecessary or excessive risk taking, and review and discuss, at least annually, the relationship between risk management policies and practices, corporate strategy and the Company's compensation arrangements.

 

(l) To the extent it deems necessary, review and approve the terms of any compensation "clawback" or similar policy or agreement between the Corporation and the Corporation's executive officers or other employees subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act.

 

 
 

 

(m) To prepare the Compensation Committee Report in accordance with the rules and regulations of the SEC for inclusion in the Corporation's annual proxy statement or annual report on Form 10-K.

 

(n) To perform such other functions as assigned by law, the Corporation's charter or bylaws or the Board.

 

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the foregoing, the Committee shall have sole discretion and authority with respect to any action regarding compensation payable to the Chief Executive Officer or other executive officers of the Corporation that the Committee intends to constitute "qualified performance-based compensation" for purposes of section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended and the Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder.

 

B. General Compensation and Employee Benefit Plans

 

The Committee shall have the following duties and responsibilities with respect to the Corporation's general compensation and employee benefit plans, including incentive-compensation and equity-based plans:

 

(a) To review at least annually the goals and objectives of the Corporation's general compensation plans and other employee benefit plans, including incentive-compensation and equity-based plans, and amend, or recommend that the Board amend, these goals and objectives if the Committee deems it appropriate.

 

(b) To review at least annually the Corporation's general compensation plans and other employee benefit plans, including incentive-compensation and equity-based plans, in light of the goals and objectives of these plans, and recommend that the Board amend these plans if the Committee deems it appropriate.

 

(c) To review all equity-compensation plans to be submitted for stockholder approval under the NASDAQ listing standards, and to review and, in the Committee's sole discretion, approve all equity-compensation plans that are exempt from such stockholder approval requirement.

 

(d) To perform such duties and responsibilities as may be assigned to the Board or the Committee under the terms of any compensation or other employee benefit plan, including any incentive-compensation or equity-based plan.

 

  V. ROLE OF CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

 

The Chief Executive Officer may make, and the Committee may consider, recommendations to the Committee regarding the Corporation's compensation and employee benefit plans and practices, including its executive compensation plans, its incentive-compensation and equity-based plans with respect to executive officers other than the Chief Executive Officer and the Corporation's director compensation arrangements.

 

  VI. DELEGATION OF AUTHORITY

 

The Committee may form subcommittees for any purpose that the Committee deems appropriate and may delegate to such subcommittees such power and authority as the Committee deems appropriate; provided, however, that no subcommittee shall consist of fewer than two members; and provided further that the Committee shall not delegate to a subcommittee any power or authority required by any law, regulation or listing standard to be exercised by the Committee as a whole.

 

  VII. EVALUATION OF THE COMMITTEE

 

The Committee shall, no less frequently than annually, evaluate its performance. In conducting this review, the Committee shall evaluate whether this Charter appropriately addresses the matters that are or should be within its scope and shall recommend such changes as it deems necessary or appropriate. The Committee shall address all matters that the Committee considers relevant to its performance, including at least the following: the adequacy, appropriateness and quality of the information and recommendations presented by the Committee to the Board, the manner in which they were discussed or debated, and whether the number and length of meetings of the Committee were adequate for the Committee to complete its work in a thorough and thoughtful manner.

 

 
 

 

The Committee shall deliver to the Board a report, which may be oral, setting forth the results of its evaluation, including any recommended amendments to this Charter and any recommended changes to the Corporation's or the Board's policies or procedures.

 

  VIII. INVESTIGATIONS AND STUDIES; OUTSIDE ADVISERS

 

The Committee may conduct or authorize investigations into or studies of matters within the Committee's scope of responsibilities, and may, in its sole discretion, retain or obtain the advice of a compensation consultant, legal counsel or other adviser. The Committee shall be directly responsible for the appointment, compensation and oversight of the work of any compensation consultant, legal counsel or other adviser retained by the Committee, the expense of which shall be borne by the Corporation. The Committee may select a compensation consultant, legal counsel or other adviser to the Committee only after taking into consideration the following:

 

  (a) The provision of other services to the Corporation by the person that employs the compensation consultant, legal counsel or other adviser;

 

  (b) The amount of fees received from the Corporation by the person that employs the compensation consultant, legal counsel or other adviser, as a percentage of the total revenue of the person that employs the compensation consultant, legal counsel or other adviser;

 

  (c) The policies and procedures of the person that employs the compensation consultant, legal counsel or other adviser that are designed to prevent conflicts of interest:

 

  (d) Any business or personal relationship of the compensation consultant, legal counsel or other adviser with a member of the Committee;

 

  (e) Any stock of the Corporation owned by the compensation consultant, legal counsel or other adviser; and

 

  (f) Any business or personal relationship of the compensation consultant, legal counsel, other adviser or the person employing the adviser with an executive officer of the Corporation.

 

The Committee shall conduct the independence assessment with respect to any compensation consultant, legal counsel or other adviser that provides advice to the Committee, other than: (i) in-house legal counsel; and (ii) any compensation consultant, legal counsel or other adviser whose role is limited to the following activities for which no disclosure would be required under Item 407(e)(3)(iii) of Regulation S-K: consulting on any broad-based plan that does not discriminate in scope, terms, or operation, in favor of executive officers or directors of the Corporation, and that is available generally to all salaried employees; or providing information that either is not customized for the Corporation or that is customized based on parameters that are not developed by the compensation consultant, and about which the compensation consultant does not provide advice.

 

Nothing herein requires a compensation consultant, legal counsel or other compensation adviser to be independent, only that the Committee consider the enumerated independence factors before selecting or receiving advice from a compensation consultant, legal counsel or other compensation adviser. The Committee may select or receive advice from any compensation consultant, legal counsel or other compensation adviser it prefers, including ones that are not independent, after considering the six independence factors outlined above.

 

Nothing herein shall be construed: (1) to require the Committee to implement or act consistently with the advice or recommendations of the compensation consultant, legal counsel or other adviser to the Committee; or (2) to affect the ability or obligation of the Committee to exercise its own judgment in fulfillment of its duties.

 

* * *

 

While the members of the Committee have the duties and responsibilities set forth in this Charter, nothing contained in this Charter is intended to create, or should be construed as creating, any responsibility or liability of members of the Committee, except to the extent otherwise provided under applicable federal or state law.

 

 

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