-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE----- Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov Originator-Key-Asymmetric: MFgwCgYEVQgBAQICAf8DSgAwRwJAW2sNKK9AVtBzYZmr6aGjlWyK3XmZv3dTINen TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA, CRVe8TShh62tl2b8iFvs/Fx8hRO/YQaVJy/9NDfso3SttxVXNgw1kkSBwWpKXBPf fEkA8VH0vwogwPgU+959zA== 0000912057-00-025372.txt : 20000518 0000912057-00-025372.hdr.sgml : 20000518 ACCESSION NUMBER: 0000912057-00-025372 CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE: SC 13D/A PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT: 3 FILED AS OF DATE: 20000517 SUBJECT COMPANY: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: FIRST SECURITY CORP /UT/ CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0000312367 STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION: STATE COMMERCIAL BANKS [6022] IRS NUMBER: 876118148 STATE OF INCORPORATION: DE FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: SC 13D/A SEC ACT: SEC FILE NUMBER: 005-13782 FILM NUMBER: 638901 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 79 S. MAIN ST STREET 2: PO BOX 30006 CITY: SALT LAKE CITY STATE: UT ZIP: 84130-0006 BUSINESS PHONE: 8012465507 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 15 E. 100 S. STREET 2: STE 200 CITY: SALT LAKE CITY STATE: UT ZIP: 84111 FILED BY: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: WELLS FARGO & CO/MN CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0000072971 STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION: NATIONAL COMMERCIAL BANKS [6021] IRS NUMBER: 410449260 STATE OF INCORPORATION: DE FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: SC 13D/A BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 420 MONTGOMERY STREET STREET 2: SIXTH & MARQUETTE CITY: SAN FRANCISCO STATE: CA ZIP: 94163 BUSINESS PHONE: 6126671234 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: NORWEST CENTER STREET 2: SIXTH & MARQUETTE CITY: MINNEAPOLIS STATE: MN ZIP: 55479 FORMER COMPANY: FORMER CONFORMED NAME: NORWEST CORP DATE OF NAME CHANGE: 19920703 FORMER COMPANY: FORMER CONFORMED NAME: NORTHWEST BANCORPORATION DATE OF NAME CHANGE: 19830516 SC 13D/A 1 SC 13D/A SCHEDULE 13D (RULE 13D-101) Information to be Included in Statements Filed Pursuant to Rule 13d-1(a) and Amendments Thereto Filed Pursuant to Rule 13-2(a) SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549 Under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (Amendment No. 1)* FIRST SECURITY CORPORATION (Name of Issuer) COMMON STOCK, PAR VALUE $1.25 (Title of Class of Securities) 336294 10 3 (CUSIP Number) STANLEY S. STROUP EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT AND GENERAL COUNSEL WELLS FARGO & COMPANY 420 MONTGOMERY STREET SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94163 (415) 396-6019 (Name, Address and Telephone Number of Person Authorized to Receive Notices and Communications) APRIL 9, 2000 (Date of Event which Requires Filing of this Statement) If the filing person has previously filed a statement on Schedule 13G to report the acquisition that is the subject of this Schedule 13D, and is filing this schedule because of Rule 13d-1(e), 13d-1(f) or 13d-1(g), check the following box [ ]. NOTE: Schedules files in paper format shall include a signed original and five copies of the schedule, including all exhibits. See Rule 13d-7 for other parties to whom copies are to be sent. *The remainder of this cover page shall be filled out for a reporting person's initial filing on this form with respect to the subject class of securities, and for any subsequent amendment containing information which would alter disclosures provided in a prior cover page. The information required on the remainder of this cover page shall not be deemed to be "filed" for the purpose of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 ("Act") or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section of the Act but shall be subject to all other provisions of the Act (however, see the Notes). EXPLANATORY NOTE This Amendment No. 1 amends and restates the Schedule 13D filed on April 19, 2000 by Wells Fargo & Company ("Wells Fargo"), which incorrectly reported information under Row (13) of the cover page. The correct Row (13) percentage as of April 19, 2000 was 17.5%. CUSIP NO. 336294 10 3 13D PAGE 2 OF 11 1. NAMES OF REPORTING PERSONS/I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NOS. OF ABOVE PERSONS (ENTITIES ONLY) Wells Fargo & Company/41-0449260 2. CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP (a) [ ] (SEE INSTRUCTIONS) (b) [ ] 3. SEC USE ONLY 4. SOURCE OF FUNDS (SEE INSTRUCTIONS) WC 5. CHECK IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO ITEM 2(d) OR 2(e) [ ] 6. CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION Delaware NUMBER OF 7. SOLE VOTING POWER SHARES 41,927,396* BENEFICIALLY 8. SHARED VOTING POWER OWNED BY none EACH 9. SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER REPORTING 41,921,910* PERSON WITH 10. SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER 300 11. AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON *41,927,396 12. CHECK IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES [ ] (SEE INSTRUCTIONS) 13. PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11) 17.5% 14. TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON (SEE INSTRUCTIONS) CO * Up to 41,551,200 shares of common stock, par value $1.25 of First Security Corporation ("First Security Common Stock"), a Delaware corporation ("First Security"), covered by this statement are obtainable by Wells Fargo & Company, a Delaware corporation ("Wells Fargo"), upon exercise of the Option as defined and described in Item 4 below, if the Option were exercisable on the date hereof. Wells Fargo expressly disclaims beneficial ownership of any such shares. Prior to the existence of the Option, Wells Fargo was not entitled to any rights of a stockholder of First Security with respect to such shares. The Option may be exercised only upon the CUSIP NO. 336294 10 3 13D PAGE 3 OF 11 happening of certain events described in Item 4 below, none of which has occurred as of the date hereof, and none of which is in the control of Wells Fargo. Dispositive and voting powers are summarized in Items 4 and 5 below. ITEM 1. SECURITY AND ISSUER. (a) This Schedule 13D relates to the common stock of First Security Corporation, par value $1.25. (b) The principal executive offices of the Issuer are located at 79 S. Main Street, Salt Lake City, Utah 84111. ITEM 2. IDENTITY AND BACKGROUND. (a) The reporting person is Wells Fargo & Company ("Wells Fargo"). (b) The reporting person is incorporated in Delaware. (c) The reporting person's principal business is that of a holding company for subsidiaries engaged in financial services. (d) The address of the reporting person's principal business and principal office is 420 Montgomery Street, San Francisco, California 94163. (e) The reporting person has not been convicted in a criminal proceeding during the last five years. (f) The reporting person, during the last five years, was not a party to any civil proceeding of a judicial or administrative body of competent jurisdiction which resulted in or is subject to a judgment, decree or final order enjoining future violations of, or prohibiting or mandating activities subject to, federal or state securities laws or finding any violation with respect to such laws. ITEM 3 SOURCE AND AMOUNT OF FUNDS OR OTHER CONSIDERATION It is presently anticipated that, should any purchase of First Security common stock be made by Wells Fargo pursuant to the Option Agreement described below in response to Item 4, or otherwise, the source of any funds used in any such purchase would be the available cash, cash equivalents, available for sale securities and bank financing of Wells Fargo. ITEM 4 PURPOSE OF THE TRANSACTION The following description of the terms of the Agreement and Plan of Reorganization, dated as of April 9, 2000, between First Security and Wells Fargo (the "Merger Agreement"), and the Stock Option Agreement, dated as of April 9, 2000, between First Security and Wells Fargo (the "Option Agreement, and the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement and the Option Agreement, is qualified in its entirety by reference to the Merger Agreement and the Option Agreement, each of which is incorporated herein by reference. Copies of the Merger Agreement CUSIP NO. 336294 10 3 13D PAGE 4 OF 11 and the Option Agreement have been filed as exhibits to this statement. Capitalized terms used and not otherwise defined herein have the meanings given to them in the Merger Agreement or Option Agreement, as applicable. THE MERGER AGREEMENT Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Wells Fargo will merge with and into First Security (the "Merger"), with First Security as the surviving corporation. As a result of the Merger, First Security will become a wholly-owned subsidiary of Wells Fargo. The Merger Agreement provides that each share of First Security Common Stock outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time of the Merger (as defined in the Merger Agreement) will be converted into the right to receive 0.355 of a share of Wells Fargo common stock, par value $1-2/3 per share ("Wells Fargo Common Stock"). The Merger is subject to the approval of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve Board (the "Federal Reserve Board"), the approval of the stockholders of First Security, and the satisfaction of various other terms and conditions set forth in the Merger Agreement. It is anticipated that the Merger will be completed in the third quarter of 2000. THE OPTION AGREEMENT AND THE OPTION As an inducement and a condition to Wells Fargo's entering into the Merger Agreement, First Security entered into the Option Agreement pursuant to which First Security granted Wells Fargo an option (the "Option") entitling Wells Fargo to purchase up to 41,551,200 (or such lesser amount as shall constitute 19.9% of the outstanding shares of First Security Common Stock on the date of exercise) fully paid and nonassessable shares of First Security Common Stock at a price per share equal to the average of the last sale prices per share of First Security Common Stock on the NASDAQ National Market on April 7, 2000 and April 10, 2000 (the "Option Price"), subject to adjustment in certain circumstances. In the event of any change in the First Security Common Stock by reason of stock dividends, stock splits, split-ups, recapitalizations, stock combinations, exchanges of shares, or the like, the type and number of shares or securities subject to the Option, and the Option Price therefor, shall be adjusted appropriately, and proper provision shall be made in the agreements governing such transaction so that Wells Fargo shall receive, upon exercise of the Option, the number and class of shares or other securities or property that Wells Fargo would have received in respect of the First Security Common Stock if the Option had been exercised immediately prior to such event, or the record date therefor, as applicable. If any additional shares of the First Security Common Stock are issued after the date of the Option Agreement (other than pursuant to an event described in the preceding sentence), the number of shares of First Security Common Stock subject to the Option shall be adjusted so that, after such issuance, it, together with any shares of First Security Common Stock previously issued pursuant the Option Agreement, equals 19.9% of the number of shares of the First Security Common Stock then issued and outstanding, without giving effect to any shares subject to or issued pursuant to the Option. CUSIP NO. 336294 10 3 13D PAGE 5 OF 11 Subject to applicable law, regulatory restrictions and other certain conditions, Wells Fargo may exercise the Option, in whole or in part, after the occurrence of both an Initial Triggering event (as defined below) and a Subsequent Triggering Event (as defined below) and prior to an Exercise Termination Event (as defined below), provided that: (i) Wells Fargo shall have sent the written notice of such exercise (as described under the notice provisions below) within six months following such Subsequent Triggering Event (or such later period as provided in the Option Agreement), and (ii) Wells Fargo shall not be in material breach of any of its covenants or agreements contained in the Merger Agreement such that First Security shall be entitled to terminate the Merger Agreement pursuant to Section 9(a)(ii) thereof. At no point may the Option be exercised, as a whole or in part, to the extent that such exercise (or the acquisition of Option Shares thereunder) would, if it occurred on the date hereof, be inconsistent with any provision of the Merger Agreement. As defined in the Option Agreement, "Initial Triggering Event," means the occurrence of any of the following events or transactions: 1. First Security or any of its Significant Subsidiaries (as defined in Rule 1-02 of Regulation S-X) (the "First Security Subsidiaries"), without having received Wells Fargo's prior written consent, (i) shall have entered into an agreement to engage in an Acquisition Transaction (as defined below) with any person (the term "person," as used in the Option Agreement, has the meaning assigned thereto in Sections 3(a)(9) and 13(d)(3) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations thereunder), other than Wells Fargo or any subsidiary of Wells Fargo, or (ii) the Board of Directors of First Security shall have recommended that the stockholders of First Security approve or accept any Acquisition Transaction other than as contemplated by the Merger Agreement. For purposes of the Option Agreement, "Acquisition Transaction," as defined in the Option Agreement, means (x) a merger or consolidation, or any similar transaction, involving First Security or any First Security Subsidiary (other than such transactions involving solely First Security and/or one or more wholly-owned Subsidiaries of First Security, provided that any such transaction is not entered into in violation of the terms of the Merger Agreement), (y) a purchase, lease or other acquisition of all or a substantial part of the assets or deposits of First Security or any First Security Subsidiary, or (z) a purchase or other acquisition (including by way of merger, consolidation, share exchange or otherwise) of securities representing 10% or more of the voting power of First Security or any First Security Subsidiary; 2. Any person (other than Wells Fargo or any subsidiary of Wells Fargo) shall have acquired beneficial ownership, or the right to acquire beneficial ownership, of 10% or more of the outstanding shares of First Security Common Stock (the term "beneficial ownership" as used in the Option Agreement has the meaning assigned thereto in Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act, and the rules and regulations thereunder); 3. The stockholders of First Security shall have voted and failed to approve the Merger Agreement and the Merger at a meeting of such stockholders held for the purpose of voting on the Merger Agreement, or any adjournment or postponement thereof, or such meeting shall not have been held in violation of the Merger Agreement or shall have been canceled prior to termination of the Merger Agreement, if prior to such meeting CUSIP NO. 336294 10 3 13D PAGE 6 OF 11 (or if such meeting shall not have been held or shall have been canceled, prior to such termination), it shall have been publicly announced that any person (other than Wells Fargo or any subsidiary of Wells Fargo) shall have made, or disclosed an intention to make, a proposal to engage in an Acquisition Transaction. 4. First Security's board of directors shall have withdrawn or modified (or publicly announced its intention to withdraw, modify or qualify) in any manner adverse in any respect to Wells Fargo its recommendation that the stockholders of First Security approve the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement, or First Security or any First Security Subsidiary shall have authorized, recommended, proposed (or publicly announced its intention to authorize, recommend or propose) an agreement to engage in an Acquisition Transaction with any person other than Wells Fargo or a Wells Fargo Subsidiary. 5. Any person other than Wells Fargo or any Wells Fargo Subsidiary shall have filed with the SEC a registration statement or tender offer materials with respect to a potential exchange or tender offer that would constitute an Acquisition Transaction or filed a preliminary proxy statement with the Securities and Exchange Commission with respect to a potential vote by its shareholders to approve the issuance of shares to be offered in such an exchange offer); 6. First Security shall have willfully breached any covenant or obligation contained in the Merger Agreement in anticipation of an Acquisition Transaction, and following such breach Wells Fargo would be entitled to terminate the Merger Agreement (whether immediately or after the giving of notice or passage of time or both); or 7. Any person (other than Wells Fargo or any subsidiary of Wells Fargo), without Wells Fargo's prior written consent, shall have filed an application or notice with the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System or other federal or state bank regulatory or antitrust authority, which application or notice has been accepted for processing, for approval to engage in an Acquisition Transaction. As defined in the Option Agreement, "Subsequent Triggering Event," means the occurrence of any of the following events or transactions: 1. The acquisition by any person other than Wells Fargo or any of its subsidiaries of beneficial ownership of 25% or more of the then outstanding shares of First Security Common Stock; or 2. The occurrence of an Initial Triggering Event (as defined above) described in paragraph (1) under the definition of "Initial Triggering Event" above, except that the percentage referred to in clause (z) of such paragraph (1) shall be 25%. As defined in the Option Agreement, "Exercise Termination Event" means any one of the following events: 1. The Effective Time of the Merger; CUSIP NO. 336294 10 3 13D PAGE 7 OF 11 2. The termination of the Merger Agreement in accordance with the terms thereof prior to the occurrence of an Initial Triggering Event except a termination by Wells Fargo pursuant to Section 9(a)(ii) of the Merger Agreement (a "Listed Termination"); or 3. The passage of 18 months (or such longer period if extended under Section 10 of the Option Agreement) after termination of the Merger Agreement if such termination follows the occurrence of an Initial Triggering Event or is a Listed Termination. As provided in the Option Agreement, in the event that Wells Fargo is entitled to and wishes to exercise the Option, it must send to First Security a written notice (the date of which is referred to in the Option Agreement as the "Notice Date") specifying (1) the total number of shares of First Security Common Stock which Wells Fargo intends to purchase pursuant to such exercise and (2) a place and date for the closing that shall not be less than three business days nor more than 60 business days from the Notice Date; provided, however, that if prior notification to or approval of the Federal Reserve Board or any other regulatory authority or antitrust agency is required in connection with such purchase, Wells Fargo will promptly file and expeditiously process the required notice or application for approval. Under the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956 (the "BHC Act"), Wells Fargo may not directly or indirectly acquire more than 5% of the outstanding shares of any class of voting securities of First Security without application to and prior approval from the Federal Reserve Board. The Option may be assigned by Wells Fargo in certain circumstances, subject to the terms and conditions described in the Option Agreement. In addition, any shares of First Security Common Stock purchased upon the exercise of the Option may be resold by Wells Fargo pursuant to registration rights under the Option Agreement. A "Repurchase Event" shall be deemed to occur if: (i) a person (other than Wells Fargo or any Wells Fargo subsidiary) acquires beneficial ownership of 50% or more of the then outstanding First Security Common Stock; or (ii) any Acquisition Transaction (as defined above) is consummated except that the percentage reference in clause (z) shall be 25%. Upon occurrence of a Repurchase Event, (i) at the request of Wells Fargo, delivered prior to an Exercise Termination Event (or such later period as provided in the Option Agreement), First Security has agreed to repurchase the Option from Wells Fargo at a price (the "Option Repurchase Price") equal to (x) the amount by which (A) the market/offer price (as defined below) exceeds (B) the Option Price, multiplied by the number of shares for which the Option may then be exercised and (ii) at the request of the owner of any shares that have been issued upon exercise of the Option (the "Option Shares"), First Security has agreed to repurchase such number of the Option Shares from the owner thereof as the owner shall designate at a price (the "Option Share Repurchase Price") equal to (x) the market/offer price multiplied by the number of Option Shares so designated. The term "market/offer price" shall mean the highest of (i) the price per share of First Security Common Stock at which a tender offer or exchange offer therefor has been made, (ii) the price per share of First Security Common Stock to be paid by any third party pursuant to an agreement with First Security, (iii) the highest closing price for shares of First Security Common Stock within the six-month period immediately preceding the CUSIP NO. 336294 10 3 13D PAGE 8 OF 11 date the Holder or owner gave notice of the required repurchase, or (iv) in the event of a sale of all or any substantial part of First Security's assets or deposits, the sum of the price paid in such sale for such assets and the current market value of the remaining assets of First Security as determined by a nationally-recognized independent investment banking firm mutually selected by Wells Fargo or the owner of the Options Shares, as the case may be, and reasonably acceptable to First Security, divided by the number of shares of First Security Common Stock outstanding at the time of such sale. Wells Fargo may, at any time following a Repurchase Event and prior to the occurrence of an Exercise Termination Event (or such later period as provided in the Option Agreement), relinquish the Option (together with any Option Shares issued to and then owned by Wells Fargo) to First Security in exchange for a cash fee equal to $100 million (i) plus, if applicable, Wells Fargo's purchase price with respect to any Option Shares and (ii) minus, if applicable, the excess of (A) the net price, if any, received by Wells Fargo or a Wells Fargo Subsidiary pursuant to the sale of Option Shares (or any other securities into which such Option Shares were converted or exchanged) to any unaffiliated party, over (B) Wells Fargo's purchase price of such Option Shares. If, prior to an Exercise Termination Event, First Security enters into certain agreements relating to the consolidation or merger of First Security or the sale of substantially all of its assets or deposits, First Security is required to make proper provision so that the Option will, upon consummation of such transaction, be converted into, or exchanged for, an option (the "Substitute Option"), at Wells Fargo's election, in the Acquiring Corporation (as defined in the Option Agreement) or in any person that controls the Acquiring Corporation. The Substitute Option generally will have the same terms and conditions as the Option; provided, however, that to the extent terms and conditions of the Substitute Option cannot legally be identical to those of the Option, they will be as similar as possible, and in no event will be less advantageous to Wells Fargo. The Substitute Option shall be exercisable for such number of shares of the common stock of the Acquiring Corporation or any person that controls the Acquiring Corporation (the "Substitute Common Stock") as is equal to the market/offer price (defined in the paragraph describing "Repurchase Events" above) multiplied by the number of shares of First Security Common Stock for which the Option was exercisable immediately prior to the event described in the preceding paragraph, divided by the average closing price of one share of Substitute Common stock for the year immediately prior to the event described in the preceding paragraph, but in no event higher than the closing price of one share of the Substitute Common Stock on the day immediately prior to the event in the preceding paragraph. The exercise price of the Substitute Option per share of Substitute Common Stock shall be equal to the Option Price multiplied by a fraction, the numerator of which shall be the number of shares of First Security Common Stock for which the Option was exercisable immediately prior to the event described in the preceding paragraph and the denominator of which shall be the number of shares of Substitute Common Stock for which the Substitute Option is exercisable. In no event, however, shall the Substitute Option be exercisable for more than 19.9% of the shares of Substitute Common Stock outstanding prior to exercise of the Substitute Option. At the request of the holder of the Substitute Option, the issuer of the Substitute Option shall repurchase the Substitute Option at a price (the "Substitute Option Repurchase Price") CUSIP NO. 336294 10 3 13D PAGE 9 OF 11 equal to the amount by which (i) the Highest Closing Price (as hereinafter defined) exceeds (ii) the exercise price of the Substitute Option, multiplied by the number of shares of Substitute Common Stock for which the Substitute Option may then be exercised, and at the request of the owner of shares of Substitute Common Stock (the "Substitute Shares"), the Substitute Option Issuer shall repurchase the Substitute Shares at a price equal to the Highest Closing Price multiplied by the number of Substitute Shares so designated. The term "Highest Closing Price" shall mean the highest closing price for shares of Substitute Common Stock within the six-month period immediately preceding the date the holder of the Substitute Option gives notice of the required repurchase of the Substitute Option or owner of the Substitute Shares gives notice of the required repurchase of the Substitute Shares, as applicable. In certain circumstances related to the exercise of the Option, the time periods specified in the Option Agreement will be extended (1) to the extent necessary to obtain all regulatory approvals (so long as Holder, the Substitute Option Holder, or Substitute Share Owner is using commercially reasonable efforts to obtain such approval) and for the expiration of all statutory waiting periods; (2) to the extent necessary to avoid liability under Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act by reason of such exercise; and (3) while there exists an injunction, order or judgment prohibiting or delaying the exercise of such right. PURCHASES OF FIRST SECURITY COMMON STOCK Subject to market conditions and regulatory restrictions, Wells Fargo may purchase shares of First Security Common Stock in the open market or in privately negotiated transactions prior to completion of the Merger, among other reasons, to facilitate completion of the Merger and the transactions contemplated thereby. DELISTING OF FIRST SECURITY COMMON STOCK If the merger is completed, Wells Fargo will be the sole stockholder of First Security. Wells Fargo intends to file, upon completion of the Merger, a Form 15 to terminate the registration of First Security Common Stock pursuant to Section 12(g)(4) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. If the Merger is completed, First Security Common Stock will no longer be traded on the Nasdaq National Market System. ITEM 5 INTERESTS IN SECURITIES OF THE ISSUER (a) As a result of the Option Agreement and the receipt of the Option thereunder, pursuant to Rule 13d-3(d)(i) under the Exchange Act, Wells Fargo may be deemed to own beneficially 41,551,220 shares of First Security Common Stock (or such lesser amount as shall constitute 19.9% of the outstanding shares of First Security Common Stock on the date of exercise), constituting approximately 19.9% of the shares of First Security Common Stock issued and outstanding as of April 9, 2000. Wells Fargo expressly disclaims any beneficial ownership of the 41,551,220 shares of First Security Common Stock that are obtainable by Wells Fargo upon exercise of the Option because the Option is exercisable only in the circumstances set forth in the Option Agreement, which is described in Item 4 hereof, none of which has occurred as of the date hereof and only then with regulatory approval (if, as a consequence, Wells Fargo would own more than 5% of the outstanding shares of First Security Common Stock). CUSIP NO. 336294 10 3 13D PAGE 10 OF 11 (b) If Wells Fargo were to exercise the Option, it would have sole power to vote and, subject to the terms of the Option Agreement, sole power to direct the disposition of, the shares of First Security Common Stock covered thereby. (c) Not applicable. (d) Not applicable. (e) Not applicable. ITEM 6 CONTRACTS, ARRANGEMENTS, UNDERSTANDINGS OR RELATIONSHIPS WITH RESPECT TO SECURITIES OF THE ISSUER Except for the Option Agreement and the Merger Agreement described in Item 4 above, there are no contracts, arrangements, understandings or relationships (legal or otherwise) between the reporting person and any person with respect to any securities of the Issuer. ITEM 7 MATERIAL TO BE FILED AS EXHIBITS The following documents are filed as exhibits to this Schedule 13D: 1. Agreement and Plan of Reorganization, dated as of April 9, 2000, by and between Wells Fargo & Company and First Security Corporation. 2. Stock Option Agreement, dated as of April 9, 2000, by and between Wells Fargo & Company and First Security Corporation. SIGNATURES After reasonable inquiry and to the best knowledge and belief of the undersigned, the undersigned certifies that the information set forth in this statement is true, complete and correct. Dated: May 15, 2000 Wells Fargo & Company By: /s/ Stanley S. Stroup Name: Stanley S. Stroup Title: Executive Vice President CUSIP NO. 336294 10 3 13D PAGE 11 OF 11 EXHIBIT INDEX 99.1 Agreement and Plan of Reorganization, dated as of April 9, 2000, between Wells Fargo & Company and First Security Corporation. 99.2 Stock Option Agreement, dated as of April 9, 2000, between Wells Fargo & Company and First Security Corporation. EX-99.1 2 EXHIBIT 99.1 AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF REORGANIZATION AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF REORGANIZATION (the "Agreement") entered into as of the 9th day of April, 2000, by and between FIRST SECURITY CORPORATION ("Company"), a Delaware corporation, and WELLS FARGO & COMPANY ("Wells Fargo"), a Delaware corporation. WHEREAS, the parties hereto desire to effect a reorganization whereby a wholly-owned subsidiary of Wells Fargo will merge with and into Company (the "Merger") pursuant to an agreement and plan of merger (the "Merger Agreement") in substantially the form attached hereto as Exhibit A, which provides, among other things, for the conversion of the shares of Common Stock of Company of the par value of $1.25 per share ("Company Common Stock") outstanding immediately prior to the time the Merger becomes effective in accordance with the provisions of the Merger Agreement into the right to receive shares of voting Common Stock of Wells Fargo of the par value of $1-2/3 per share ("Wells Fargo Common Stock"), NOW, THEREFORE, to effect such reorganization and in consideration of the premises and the mutual covenants and agreements contained herein, the parties hereto do hereby represent, warrant, covenant and agree as follows: 1. BASIC PLAN OF REORGANIZATION (a) MERGER. Subject to the terms and conditions contained herein, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Wells Fargo (the "Merger Co.") will be merged by statutory merger with and into Company pursuant to the Merger Agreement, with Company as the surviving corporation, in which merger each share of Company Common Stock outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time of the Merger (as defined in paragraph 1 (d) below) will be converted into the right to receive, and exchanged for certificates representing 0.355 shares of Wells Fargo Common Stock (the "Exchange Ratio"). (b) CONVERSION OF COMPANY OPTIONS. At the Effective Time of the Merger, each option granted by Company to purchase shares of Company Common Stock under Company's Comprehensive Management Incentive Plan, as amended, and the 1995 Non-Employee Director Stock Option Plan (the "Company Stock Option Plans") which is outstanding and unexercised immediately prior thereto (the "Company Stock Options") shall be converted automatically into an option to purchase shares of Wells Fargo Common Stock in an amount and at an exercise price determined as provided below (and otherwise subject to the terms of the Company Stock Option Plan). (i) The number of shares of Wells Fargo Common Stock to be subject to the new option shall be the product of the number of shares of Company Common Stock subject to the original option and the Exchange Ratio, provided that any fractional shares of Wells Fargo Common Stock resulting from such multiplication shall be rounded down to the nearest share; and (ii) The exercise price per share of Wells Fargo Common Stock under the new option shall be equal to the exercise price per share of Company Common Stock under the original option divided by the Exchange Ratio, provided that such exercise price shall be rounded to the nearest cent. The adjustment provided herein with respect to any options that are "incentive stock options" (as defined in Section 422 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code")) shall be and is intended to be effected in a manner which is consistent with Section 424(a) of the Code. (c) WELLS FARGO COMMON STOCK ADJUSTMENTS. If, between the date hereof and the Effective Time of the Merger as defined below, shares of Wells Fargo Common Stock shall be changed into a different number of shares or a different class of shares by reason of any reclassification, recapitalization, split-up, combination, exchange of shares or readjustment, or if a stock dividend thereon shall be declared with a record date within such period (a "Common Stock Adjustment"), then the number of shares of Wells Fargo Common Stock issuable pursuant to subparagraph (a), above, will be appropriately and proportionately adjusted so that the number of such shares of Wells Fargo Common Stock issuable in the Merger will equal the number of shares of Wells Fargo Common Stock which holders of shares of Company Common Stock would have received pursuant to such Common Stock Adjustment had the record date therefor been immediately following the Effective Time of the Merger. (d) FRACTIONAL SHARES. No fractional shares of Wells Fargo Common Stock and no certificates or scrip certificates therefor shall be issued to represent any such fractional interest, and any holder thereof shall be paid an amount of cash equal to the product obtained by multiplying the fractional share interest to which such holder is entitled by the average of the closing prices of a share of Wells Fargo Common Stock on the New York Stock Exchange as reported by Bloomberg for each of the five (5) consecutive trading days ending on the day immediately preceding the meeting of stockholders required by paragraph 4(c) of this Agreement. (e) MECHANICS OF CLOSING MERGER. Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, the Merger Agreement shall be executed and it or Articles of Merger or a Certificate of Merger shall be filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware within ten (10) business days following the satisfaction or waiver of all conditions precedent set forth in Sections 6 and 7 of this Agreement or on such other date as may be agreed to by the parties (the "Closing Date"), provided that the Closing Date shall not 2 occur on the last business day of a calendar month. Each of the parties agrees to use its best efforts to cause the Merger to be completed as soon as practicable after the receipt of final regulatory approval of the Merger and the expiration of all required waiting periods. The time that the filing referred to in the first sentence of this paragraph is made is herein referred to as the "Time of Filing." The day on which such filing is made and accepted is herein referred to as the "Effective Date of the Merger." The "Effective Time of the Merger" shall be 11:59 p.m. Salt Lake City, Utah, time on the Effective Date of the Merger. At the Effective Time of the Merger on the Effective Date of the Merger, the separate existence of Merger Co. shall cease and Merger Co. will be merged with and into Company pursuant to the Merger Agreement. The closing of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the Merger Agreement (the "Closing") shall take place on the Closing Date at the offices of Wells Fargo, Norwest Center, Sixth and Marquette, Minneapolis, Minnesota. (f) RESERVATION OF RIGHT TO REVISE STRUCTURE. At Wells Fargo's election, the Merger may alternatively be structured so that (1) Company is merged with and into any other direct or indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Wells Fargo, (2) any direct or indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of Wells Fargo is merged with and into Company, or (3) Company is merged with and into Wells Fargo; provided, however, that no such change shall (A) alter or change the amount or kind of consideration to be issued to Company's stockholders in the Merger or under such alternative structure (the "Merger Consideration"), (B) adversely affect the tax treatment of Company's stockholders as a result of receiving the Merger Consideration or prevent the parties from obtaining the opinion referred to in Paragraph 6(h), or (C) materially impede or delay consummation of the Merger. In the event of such election, the parties agree to execute an appropriate amendment to this Agreement in order to reflect such election. 2. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF COMPANY. Company represents and warrants to Wells Fargo as follows: (a) ORGANIZATION AND AUTHORITY. Company is a corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware, is duly qualified to do business and is in good standing in all jurisdictions where its ownership or leasing of property or the conduct of its business requires it to be so qualified and failure to be so qualified would have a material adverse effect on Company and the Company Subsidiaries (as defined in paragraph 2(b)) taken as a whole and has corporate power and authority to own its properties and assets and to carry on its business as it is now being conducted. Company is registered as a financial holding company with the Federal Reserve Board under the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, as amended (the "BHC Act"). Company has furnished Wells Fargo true and correct copies of its certificate of incorporation and by-laws, as amended. (b) COMPANY'S SUBSIDIARIES. Schedule 2(b) sets forth a complete and correct list of all of Company's subsidiaries as of the date hereof (individually a "Company 3 Subsidiary" and collectively the "Company Subsidiaries"), all shares of the outstanding capital stock of each of which, except as set forth on Schedule 2(b), are owned directly or indirectly by Company. No equity security of any Company Subsidiary is or may be required to be issued by reason of any option, warrant, scrip, preemptive right, right to subscribe to, call or commitment of any character whatsoever relating to, or security or right convertible into, shares of any capital stock of such subsidiary, and there are no contracts, commitments, understandings or arrangements by which any Company Subsidiary is bound to issue additional shares of its capital stock, or any option, warrant or right to purchase or acquire any additional shares of its capital stock. Subject to 12 U.S.C. Section 55 (1982), all of such shares so owned by Company are fully paid and nonassessable and are owned by it free and clear of any lien, claim, charge, option, encumbrance or agreement with respect thereto. Each Company Subsidiary is a corporation or national banking association duly organized, validly existing, duly qualified to do business and in good standing under the laws of its jurisdiction of incorporation, and has corporate power and authority to own or lease its properties and assets and to carry on its business as it is now being conducted. Except as set forth on Schedule 2(b), Company does not own beneficially, directly or indirectly, more than 5% of any class of equity securities or similar interests of any corporation, bank, business trust, association or similar organization, and is not, directly or indirectly, a partner in any partnership or party to any joint venture. (c) CAPITALIZATION. The authorized capital stock of Company consists of (i) 18,052 shares of Series A Preferred Stock, no par value ("Company Preferred Stock"), of which, at the close of business on December 31, 1999, 8,596 shares were outstanding, and (ii) 600,000,000 shares of Company Common Stock, of which, as of the close of business on December 31, 1999, 195,971,330.59 shares were outstanding and 1,675,000 shares were held in the treasury. As of the date hereof, there are outstanding options (each, a "Company Stock Option") to purchase an aggregate of 10,132,937.92 shares of Company Common Stock under the Company Stock Option Plans. The maximum number of shares of Company Common Stock (assuming for this purpose that phantom shares and other share-equivalents constitute Company Common Stock) that would be outstanding as of the Effective Date of the Merger if all options, warrants, conversion rights and other rights with respect thereto, except the option to purchase Company Common Stock granted pursuant to the Stock Option Agreement dated the date hereof between Company and Wells Fargo (the "Stock Option Agreement"), were exercised is 210,00,000. All of the outstanding shares of capital stock of Company have been duly and validly authorized and issued and are fully paid and nonassessable. Except as set forth in Schedule 2(c) and except for the option granted pursuant to the Stock Option Agreement, there are no outstanding subscriptions, contracts, conversion privileges, options, warrants, calls, preemptive rights or other rights obligating Company or any Company Subsidiary to issue, sell or otherwise dispose of, or to purchase, redeem or otherwise acquire, any shares of capital stock of Company or any Company Subsidiary. Since December 31, 1999 no shares of Company capital stock have been purchased, redeemed or otherwise acquired, directly or indirectly, by Company or any Company Subsidiary and, except as set forth in Schedule 2(c) and except as permitted by this 4 Agreement, no dividends or other distributions have been declared, set aside, made or paid to the stockholders of Company. (d) AUTHORIZATION. Company has the corporate power and authority to enter into this Agreement and the Merger Agreement and, subject to any required approvals of its stockholders, to carry out its obligations hereunder and thereunder. The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and the Merger Agreement by Company and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby have been duly authorized by the Board of Directors of Company. Subject to such approvals of stockholders and of government agencies and other governing boards having regulatory authority over Company as may be required by statute or regulation, this Agreement and the Merger Agreement are valid and binding obligations of Company enforceable against Company in accordance with their respective terms. Except as set forth on Schedule 2(d), neither the execution, delivery and performance by Company of this Agreement or the Merger Agreement, nor the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, nor compliance by Company with any of the provisions hereof or thereof, will (i) violate, conflict with, or result in a breach of any provision of, or constitute a default (or an event which, with notice or lapse of time or both, would constitute a default) under, or result in the termination of, or accelerate the performance required by, or result in a right of termination or acceleration of, or result in the creation of, any lien, security interest, charge or encumbrance upon any of the properties or assets of Company or any Company Subsidiary under any of the terms, conditions or provisions of (x) its certificate of incorporation or by-laws or (y) any material note, bond, mortgage, indenture, deed of trust, license, lease, agreement or other instrument or obligation to which Company or any Company Subsidiary is a party or by which it may be bound, or to which Company or any Company Subsidiary or any of the properties or assets of Company or any Company Subsidiary may be subject, or (ii) subject to compliance with the statutes and regulations referred to in the next paragraph, violate any statute, rule or regulation or, to the best knowledge of Company, violate any judgment, ruling, order, writ, injunction or decree applicable to Company or any Company Subsidiary or any of their respective properties or assets. Other than in connection or in compliance with the provisions of the Securities Act of 1933 and the rules and regulations thereunder (the "Securities Act"), the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the rules and regulations thereunder (the "Exchange Act"), the securities or blue sky laws of the various states or filings, consents, reviews, authorizations, approvals or exemptions required under the BHC Act or the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976 ("HSR Act"), and filings required to effect the Merger under Delaware law, no notice to, filing with, exemption or review by, or authorization, consent or approval of, any public body or authority is necessary for the consummation by Company of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the Merger Agreement. 5 (e) COMPANY FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. The consolidated balance sheets of Company and Company's Subsidiaries as of December 31, 1999 and 1998 and related consolidated statements of income, stockholders' equity and cash flows for the three years ended December 31, 1999, together with the notes thereto, certified by Deloitte & Touche LLP and included in Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1999 (the "Company 10-K") as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") (collectively, the "Company Financial Statements"), have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles applied on a consistent basis and present fairly the consolidated financial position of Company and Company's Subsidiaries at the dates and the consolidated results of operations and cash flows of Company and Company's Subsidiaries for the periods stated therein. (f) REPORTS. Since December 31, 1995, Company and each Company Subsidiary has filed all reports, registrations and statements, together with any required amendments thereto, that it was required to file with (i) the SEC, including, but not limited to, Forms 10-K, Forms 10-Q and proxy statements, (ii) the Federal Reserve Board, (iii) the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (the "FDIC"), (iv) the United States Comptroller of the Currency (the "Comptroller") and (v) any applicable state securities or banking authorities. All such reports and statements filed with any such regulatory body or authority are collectively referred to herein as the "Company Reports." As of their respective dates, the Company Reports complied in all material respects with all the rules and regulations promulgated by the SEC, the Federal Reserve Board, the FDIC, the Comptroller and applicable state securities or banking authorities, as the case may be, and did not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. Copies of all the Company Reports have been made available to Wells Fargo by Company. (g) PROPERTIES AND LEASES. Except as may be reflected in the Company Financial Statements and except for any lien for current taxes not yet delinquent, Company and each Company Subsidiary have good title free and clear of any material liens, claims, charges, options, encumbrances or similar restrictions to all the real and personal property reflected in Company's consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 1999 included in Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the period then ended, and all real and personal property acquired since such date, except such real and personal property as has been disposed of in the ordinary course of business. All leases of real property and all other leases material to Company or any Company Subsidiary pursuant to which Company or such Company Subsidiary, as lessee, leases real or personal property are valid and effective in accordance with their respective terms, and there is not, under any such lease, any material existing default by Company or such Company Subsidiary or any event which, with notice or lapse of time or both, would constitute such a material default. Substantially all of Company's and each Company Subsidiary's buildings and equipment in regular use have been well maintained and are in good and serviceable condition, reasonable wear and tear excepted. 6 (h) TAXES. Each of Company and the Company Subsidiaries has filed all material federal, state, county, local and foreign tax returns, including information returns, required to be filed by it, and paid all taxes owed by it, including those with respect to income, withholding, social security, unemployment, workers compensation, franchise, ad valorem, premium, excise and sales taxes, and no taxes shown on such returns to be owed by it or assessments received by it are delinquent. The federal income tax returns of Company and the Company Subsidiaries for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1995, and for all fiscal years prior thereto, are for the purposes of routine audit by the Internal Revenue Service closed because of the statute of limitations, and no claims for additional taxes for such fiscal years are pending. Except only as set forth on Schedule 2(h), (i) neither Company nor any Company Subsidiary is a party to any pending action or proceeding, nor to Company's knowledge is any such action or proceeding threatened by any governmental authority, for the assessment or collection of taxes, interest, penalties, assessments or deficiencies that could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect and (ii) no issue has been raised by any federal, state, local or foreign taxing authority in connection with an audit or examination of the tax returns, business or properties of Company or any Company Subsidiary which has not been settled, resolved and fully satisfied, or adequately reserved for. Each of Company and the Company Subsidiaries has paid all taxes owed or which it is required to withhold from amounts owing to employees, creditors or other third parties. (i) NO MATERIAL ADVERSE EFFECT. Since December 31, 1999, no change shall have occurred and no circumstances shall exist which has had or might reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect on Company. "Material Adverse Effect" means, with respect to Wells Fargo or Company, any effect that (i) is material and adverse to the financial condition, results of operations, or business of Wells Fargo and the Wells Fargo Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, or Company and the Company Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, respectively, excluding the impact of (A) changes in banking and other laws of general applicability or interpretations thereof by Governmental Authorities, (B) changes in generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP") or regulatory accounting requirements applicable to banks and their holding companies generally, (C) changes in general economic conditions affecting banks and their holding companies generally, provided that, with respect to each of clause (A), (B) or (C), to the extent that a change does not materially affect it in a way that materially differs from the way it affects other banking organizations, (D) actions or omissions of a party to this Agreement, taken with the prior written consent of the other party to this Agreement, in contemplation of the transactions contemplated hereby, and (E) any modifications or changes to valuation policies and practices in connection with the Merger or restructuring charges, in each case taken with the prior approval of Wells Fargo or Company, as the case may be, in connection with the Merger, in each case in accordance with GAAP; or (ii) would materially impair the ability of Wells Fargo or Company to perform its obligations under this Agreement or to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby. "Governmental Authority" means any court, administrative agency or commission or other federal, state or local governmental authority or instrumentality. 7 (j) COMMITMENTS AND CONTRACTS. Except as set forth on Schedule 2(j), neither Company nor any Company Subsidiary is a party or subject to any of the following (whether written or oral, express or implied): (i) any employment contract or understanding (including any understandings or obligations with respect to severance or termination pay, liabilities or fringe benefits) with any present or former officer, director, employee or consultant (other than those that are terminable at will by Company or such Company Subsidiary); (ii) any plan, contract or understanding providing for any bonus, pension, option, deferred compensation, retirement payment, profit sharing or similar arrangement with respect to any present or former officer, director, employee or consultant; (iii) any labor contract or agreement with any labor union; (iv) any contract containing covenants that limit the ability of Company or any Company Subsidiary to compete in any line of business or with any person or which involve any restriction of the geographical area in which, or method by which or with whom, Company or any Company Subsidiary may carry on its business (other than as may be required by law or applicable regulatory authorities); (v) any other contract or agreement which is a "material contract" within the meaning of Item 601(b)(10) of Regulation S-K; (vi) any real property lease and any other lease with annual rental payments aggregating $20,000,000 or more; (vii) any agreement or commitment with respect to the Community Reinvestment Act with any state or federal bank regulatory authority or any other party; or (viii) any current or past agreement, contract or understanding with any current or former director, officer, employee, consultant, financial adviser, broker, dealer, or agent providing for any rights of indemnification in favor of such person or entity. Except for contracts identified on Schedule 2(j), copies of which have been made available to Wells Fargo, there is no contract described in subparagraph (iv) of this paragraph 2(j) which would have or could reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on a business activity of Wells Fargo. 8 (k) LITIGATION AND OTHER PROCEEDINGS. Company has furnished Wells Fargo copies of (i) all attorney responses to the request of the independent auditors for Company with respect to loss contingencies as of December 31, 1999 in connection with the Company Financial Statements, and (ii) a written list of legal and regulatory proceedings filed against Company or any Company Subsidiary since said date. There is no pending or, to the best knowledge of Company, threatened, claim, action, suit, investigation or proceeding, against Company or any Company Subsidiary, nor is Company or any Company Subsidiary subject to any order, judgment or decree, except for matters which, in the aggregate, will not have, or cannot reasonably be expected to have, a material adverse effect on the business, financial condition or results of operations of Company and the Company Subsidiaries taken as a whole. (l) INSURANCE. Company and each Company Subsidiary is presently insured, and during each of the past five calendar years (or during such lesser period of time as Company has owned such Company Subsidiary) has been insured, for reasonable amounts with financially sound and reputable insurance companies against such risks as companies engaged in a similar business would, in accordance with good business practice, customarily be insured and has maintained all insurance required by applicable law and regulation. (m) COMPLIANCE WITH LAWS. Company and each Company Subsidiary has all permits, licenses, authorizations, orders and approvals of, and has made all filings, applications and registrations with, federal, state, local or foreign governmental or regulatory bodies that are required in order to permit it to own or lease its properties and assets and to carry on its business as presently conducted and that are material to the business of Company or such Company Subsidiary; all such permits, licenses, certificates of authority, orders and approvals are in full force and effect and, to the best knowledge of Company, no suspension or cancellation of any of them is threatened; and all such filings, applications and registrations are current. The conduct by Company and each Company Subsidiary of its business and the condition and use of its properties does not violate or infringe, in any respect material to any such business, any applicable domestic (federal, state or local) or foreign law, statute, ordinance, license or regulation. Neither Company nor any Company Subsidiary is in default under any order, license, regulation or demand of any federal, state, municipal or other governmental agency or with respect to any order, writ, injunction or decree of any court. Except for statutory or regulatory restrictions of general application and except as set forth on Schedule 2(m), no federal, state, municipal or other governmental authority has placed any restriction on the business or properties of Company or any Company Subsidiary which reasonably could be expected to have a material adverse effect on the business or properties of Company and the Company Subsidiaries taken as a whole. (n) LABOR. No work stoppage involving Company or any Company Subsidiary is pending or, to the best knowledge of Company, threatened. Neither Company nor any Company Subsidiary is involved in, or threatened with or affected by, any labor dispute, arbitration, lawsuit or administrative proceeding that could materially and adversely 9 affect the business of Company or such Company Subsidiary. Employees of Company and the Company Subsidiaries are not represented by any labor union nor are any collective bargaining agreements otherwise in effect with respect to such employees. (o) MATERIAL INTERESTS OF CERTAIN PERSONS. Except as set forth on Schedule 2(o), to the best knowledge of Company, no officer or director of Company or any Company Subsidiary, or any "associate" (as such term is defined in Rule l4a-1 under the Exchange Act) of any such officer or director, has any interest in any material contract or property (real or personal), tangible or intangible, used in or pertaining to the business of Company or any Company Subsidiary. Schedule 2(o) sets forth a correct and complete list of any loan from Company or any Company Subsidiary to any present officer, director, employee or any associate or related interest of any such person which was required under Regulation O of the Federal Reserve Board to be approved by or reported to Company's or such Company Subsidiary's Board of Directors. (p) COMPANY BENEFIT PLANS. (i) Schedule 2(p)(i) sets forth each employee benefit plan with respect to which Company or any Company Subsidiary contributes, sponsors or otherwise has any obligation to contribute on behalf of any current or former officer, director or employee (the "Plans"). For purposes of this Section 2(p) and Schedule 2(p)(i), "ERISA" means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, and the term "Plan" or "Plans" means all employee benefit plans as defined in Section 3(3) of ERISA, and all other benefit arrangements including, without limitation, any plan, program, agreement, policy or commitment providing for insurance coverage of employees, workers' compensation, disability benefits, supplemental unemployment benefits, vacation benefits, retirement benefits, severance or termination of employment benefits, life, health, death, disability or accidental benefits. (ii) Except as disclosed on Schedule 2(p)(ii), no Plan is a "multiemployer plan" within the meaning of Section 3(37) of ERISA. (iii) Except as disclosed on Schedule 2(p)(iii), no Plan promises or provides health or life benefits to retirees or former employees except as required by federal continuation of coverage laws or similar state laws. (iv) Except as disclosed on Schedule 2(p)(iv), (a) each Plan is and has been in all material respects operated and administered in accordance with its provisions and applicable law including, if applicable, ERISA and the Code; (b) all reports and filings with governmental agencies (including but not limited to the Department of Labor, Internal Revenue Service, Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation and the SEC) required in connection with each Plan have been timely 10 made; (c) all disclosures and notices required by law or Plan provisions to be given to participants and beneficiaries in connection with each Plan have been properly and timely made; (d) there are no actions, suits or claims pending, other than routine uncontested claims for benefits with respect to each Plan; and (e) each Plan intended to be qualified under Section 401(a) of the Code has received a favorable determination letter from the Internal Revenue Service stating that the Plan (including all amendments) is tax qualified under Section 401(a) of the Code and Company knows of no reason that any such Plan is not qualified within the meaning of Section 401(a) of the Code and knows of no reason that each related Plan trust is not exempt from taxation under Section 501(a) of the Code. (v) Except as disclosed on Schedule 2(p)(v), (a) all contributions, premium payments and other payments required to be made in connection with the Plans as of the date of this Agreement have been made; (b) a proper accrual has been made on the books of Company for all contributions, premium payments and other payments due in the current fiscal year but not made as of the date of this Agreement; (c) no contribution, premium payment or other payment has been made in support of any Plan that is in excess of the allowable deduction for federal income tax purposes for the year with respect to which the contribution was made (whether under Sections 404, 419, 419A of the Code or otherwise); and (d) with respect to each Plan that is subject to Section 301 of ERISA or Section 412 of the Code, Company is not liable for any accumulated funding deficiency as that term is defined in Section 412 of the Code and the present value of the accrued benefit obligations determined as of the date of the most recent actuarial valuation do not exceed the fair market value of the assets of the Plan as of the date of the most recent actuarial valuation. (vi) Except as disclosed in Schedule 2(p)(vi) and to best knowledge of Company, no Plan or any trust created thereunder, nor any trustee, fiduciary or administrator thereof, has engaged in a "prohibited transaction," as such term is defined in Section 4975 of the Code or Section 406 of ERISA or violated any of the fiduciary standards under Part 4 of Title 1 of ERISA which could subject such Plan or trust, or any trustee, fiduciary or administrator thereof, or any party dealing with any such Plan or trust, to a tax penalty or prohibited transactions imposed by Section 4975 of the Code or would result in material liability to Company and the Company Subsidiaries as a whole. (vii) No Plan subject to Title IV of ERISA or any trust created thereunder has been terminated, nor have there been any "reportable events" as that term is defined in Section 4043 of ERISA for which the 30-day notice requirement has not been waived, with respect to any Plan, other than those events which may result from the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the Merger Agreement. 11 (viii) Except as disclosed in Schedule 2(p)(viii), neither the execution and delivery of this Agreement and the Merger Agreement nor the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby will (a) result in any material payment (including, without limitation, severance, unemployment compensation, golden parachute or otherwise) becoming due to any director or employee or former employee of Company under any Plan or otherwise, (b) materially increase any benefits otherwise payable under any Plan, or (c) result in the acceleration of the time of payment or vesting of any such benefits to any material extent. (ix) Except as disclosed in Schedule 2(p)(ix), Company has not made any payments or transfers of property, is not obligated to make any payments or transfers of property, nor is it a party to any agreement that under certain circumstances could obligate it to make any payments or transfers of property that will not be deductible under section 280G of the Code. (q) PROXY STATEMENT, ETC. None of the information regarding Company and the Company Subsidiaries supplied or to be supplied by Company for inclusion in (i) a Registration Statement on Form S-4 and the prospectus included therein to be filed with the SEC by Wells Fargo for the purpose of registering the shares of Wells Fargo Common Stock to be exchanged for shares of Company Common Stock pursuant to the provisions of the Merger Agreement (the "Registration Statement"), (ii) the proxy statement included in the Registration Statement to be mailed to Company's stockholders in connection with the meeting to be called to consider the Merger (the "Proxy Statement") and (iii) any other documents to be filed with the SEC or any regulatory authority in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby or by the Merger Agreement will, at the respective times such Registration Statement, Proxy Statement and other documents are filed with the SEC or any regulatory authority and, in the case of the Registration Statement, when it becomes effective and, with respect to the Proxy Statement, when mailed, and, in the case of the Proxy Statement or any amendment thereof or supplement thereto, at the time of the meeting of stockholders referred to in paragraph 4(c), and at the Effective Time of the Merger, contain any untrue statement of a material fact, or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements contained therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. All documents which Company and the Company Subsidiaries are responsible for filing with the SEC and any other regulatory authority in connection with the Merger will comply as to form in all material respects with the provisions of applicable law. (r) REGISTRATION OBLIGATIONS. Except as set forth on Schedule 2(r), neither Company nor any Company Subsidiary is under any obligation, contingent or otherwise, by reason of any agreement to register any of its securities under the Securities Act. (s) BROKERS AND FINDERS. Except for J. P. Morgan Securities Inc., neither Company nor any Company Subsidiary nor any of their respective officers, directors or employees has employed any broker or finder or incurred any liability for any financial 12 advisory fees, brokerage fees, commissions or finder's fees, and no broker or finder has acted directly or indirectly for Company or any Company Subsidiary, in connection with this Agreement and the Merger Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby. (t) FIDUCIARY ACTIVITIES. Company and each Company Subsidiary has properly administered in all respects material and which could reasonably be expected to be material, to the financial condition of Company and the Company Subsidiaries taken as a whole all accounts for which it acts as a fiduciary, including but not limited to accounts for which it serves as a trustee, agent, custodian, personal representative, guardian, conservator or investment advisor, in accordance with the terms of the governing documents and applicable state and federal law and regulation and common law. Neither Company, any Company Subsidiary, nor any director, officer or employee of Company or any Company Subsidiary has committed any breach of trust with respect to any such fiduciary account which is material to, or could reasonably be expected to be material to, the financial condition of Company and the Company Subsidiaries taken as a whole, and the accountings for each such fiduciary account are true and correct in all material respects and accurately reflect the assets of such fiduciary account. (u) NO DEFAULTS. Neither Company nor any Company Subsidiary is in default, nor has any event occurred that, with the passage of time or the giving of notice, or both, would constitute a default, under any material agreement, indenture, loan agreement or other instrument to which it is a party or by which it or any of its assets is bound or to which any of its assets is subject, the result of which has had or could reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect upon Company and the Company Subsidiaries, taken as a whole. To the best of Company's knowledge, all parties with whom Company or any Company Subsidiary has material leases, agreements or contracts or who owe to Company or any Company Subsidiary material obligations other than those arising in the ordinary course of the banking business of the Company Subsidiaries are in compliance therewith in all material respects. (v) ENVIRONMENTAL LIABILITY. There is no legal, administrative, or other proceeding, claim, or action of any nature seeking to impose, or that could result in the imposition of, on Company or any Company Subsidiary, any liability relating to the release of hazardous substances as defined under any local, state or federal environmental statute, regulation or ordinance including, without limitation, the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act of 1980, as amended ("CERCLA"), pending or to the best of Company's knowledge, threatened against Company or any Company Subsidiary the result of which has had or could reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect upon Company and Company's Subsidiaries taken as a whole; to the best of Company's knowledge, there is no reasonable basis for any such proceeding, claim or action; and to the best of Company's knowledge neither Company nor any Company Subsidiary is subject to any agreement, order, judgment, or decree by or with any court, governmental authority or third party imposing any such environmental liability. Company has provided Wells Fargo with copies of all 13 environmental assessments, reports, studies and other related information in its possession with respect to each bank facility and each non-residential OREO property. (w) ANTI-TAKEOVER PROVISIONS NOT APPLICABLE. The provisions of Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporation Law as they relate to Company do not and will not apply to this Agreement, the Merger Agreement, and the Stock Option Agreement or to any of the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby. (x) ZIONS BANCORPORATION MERGER AGREEMENT. The Agreement and Plan of Merger dated as of June 6, 1999 by and between Company and Zions Bancorporation has been terminated by Company in accordance with its terms. (y) RIGHTS PLAN. Company has taken all actions necessary to provide that Wells Fargo is not, and will not become, an Acquiring Person, as defined in the Shareholder Rights Agreement, dated August 28, 1989 and amended as of September 26, 1989, May 18, 1993 and October 27, 1998, between Company and First Chicago Trust Company of New York (the "Rights Plan"), as a result of the execution of this Agreement or consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. Company has provided copies of such actions to Wells Fargo. 3. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF WELLS FARGO. Wells Fargo represents and warrants to Company as follows: (a) ORGANIZATION AND AUTHORITY. Wells Fargo is a corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware, is duly qualified to do business and is in good standing in all jurisdictions where its ownership or leasing of property or the conduct of its business requires it to be so qualified and failure to be so qualified would have a material adverse effect on Wells Fargo and its subsidiaries taken as a whole and has corporate power and authority to own its properties and assets and to carry on its business as it is now being conducted. Wells Fargo is registered as a financial holding company with the Federal Reserve Board under the BHC Act. (b) WELLS FARGO SUBSIDIARIES. Schedule 3(b) sets forth a complete and correct list as of December 31, 1999, of Wells Fargo's Significant Subsidiaries (as defined in Regulation S-X promulgated by the SEC), but excluding Norwest Venture Partners VI, LP (individually a "Wells Fargo Subsidiary" and collectively the "Wells Fargo Subsidiaries"), all shares of the outstanding capital stock of each of which, except as set forth in Schedule 3(b), are on the date of this Agreement owned directly or indirectly by Wells Fargo. No equity security of any Wells Fargo Subsidiary is or may be required to be issued to any person or entity other than Wells Fargo by reason of any option, warrant, scrip, preemptive right, right to subscribe to, call or commitment of any character whatsoever relating to, or security or right convertible into, shares of any capital stock of such subsidiary, and there are no contracts, commitments, understandings or 14 arrangements by which any Wells Fargo Subsidiary is bound to issue additional shares of its capital stock, or options, warrants or rights to purchase or acquire any additional shares of its capital stock. Subject to 12 U.S.C. Section 55 (1982), all of such shares so owned by Wells Fargo are fully paid and nonassessable and are owned by it free and clear of any lien, claim, charge, option, encumbrance or agreement with respect thereto. Each Wells Fargo Subsidiary is a corporation or national banking association duly organized, validly existing, duly qualified to do business and in good standing under the laws of its jurisdiction of incorporation, and has corporate power and authority to own or lease its properties and assets and to carry on its business as it is now being conducted. (c) WELLS FARGO CAPITALIZATION. As of December 31, 1999, the authorized capital stock of Wells Fargo consists of (i) 20,000,000 shares of Preferred Stock, without par value, of which as of the close of business on December 31, 1999, 3,732 shares of ESOP Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock, at $1,000 stated value, 11,990 shares of 1995 ESOP Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock, at $1,000 stated value, 12,011 shares of 1996 ESOP Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock, at $1,000 stated value, 10,839 shares of 1997 ESOP Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock, at $1,000 stated value, 8,386 shares of 1998 ESOP Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock, $1,000 stated value, 22,263 shares of 1999 ESOP Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock, $1,000 stated value, 1,500,000 shares of Adjustable-Rate Cumulative Preferred Stock, Series B, $50 stated value, and 4,000,000 shares of 6.59% Adjustable Rate Noncumulative Preferred Stock, Series H, $50 stated value, were outstanding; (ii) 4,000,000 shares of Preference Stock, without par value, of which as of the close of business on December 31, 1999, no shares were outstanding; and (iii) 4,000,000,000 shares of Common Stock, $1-2/3 par value, of which as of the close of business on December 31, 1999, 1,626,849,541 shares were outstanding and 39,245,724 shares were held in the treasury. All of the outstanding shares of capital stock of Wells Fargo have been duly and validly authorized and issued and are fully paid and nonassessable. (d) AUTHORIZATION. Wells Fargo has the corporate power and authority to enter into this Agreement and to carry out its obligations hereunder. The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement by Wells Fargo and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby have been duly authorized by the Board of Directors of Wells Fargo. No approval or consent by the stockholders of Wells Fargo is necessary for the execution and delivery of this Agreement and the Merger Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby. Subject to such approvals of government agencies and other governing boards having regulatory authority over Wells Fargo as may be required by statute or regulation, this Agreement is a valid and binding obligation of Wells Fargo enforceable against Wells Fargo in accordance with its terms. Neither the execution, delivery and performance by Wells Fargo of this Agreement or the Merger Agreement, nor the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, nor compliance by Wells Fargo with any of the provisions hereof or thereof, will (i) violate, conflict with, or result in a breach of any 15 provision of, or constitute a default (or an event which, with notice or lapse of time or both, would constitute a default) under, or result in the termination of, or accelerate the performance required by, or result in a right of termination or acceleration of, or result in the creation of any lien, security interest, charge or encumbrance upon any of the properties or assets of Wells Fargo or any Wells Fargo Subsidiary under any of the terms, conditions or provisions of, (x) its certificate of incorporation or by-laws or (y) any material note, bond, mortgage, indenture, deed of trust, license, lease, agreement or other instrument or obligation to which Wells Fargo or any Wells Fargo Subsidiary is a party or by which it may be bound, or to which Wells Fargo or any Wells Fargo Subsidiary or any of the properties or assets of Wells Fargo or any Wells Fargo Subsidiary may be subject, or (ii) subject to compliance with the statutes and regulations referred to in the next paragraph, violate any statute, rule or regulation or, to the best knowledge of Wells Fargo, violate any judgment, ruling, order, writ, injunction or decree applicable to Wells Fargo or any Wells Fargo Subsidiary or any of their respective properties or assets. Other than in connection with or in compliance with the provisions of the Securities Act, the Exchange Act, the securities or blue sky laws of the various states or filings, consents, reviews, authorizations, approvals or exemptions required under the BHC Act or the HSR Act, and filings required to effect the Merger under Delaware law, no notice to, filing with, exemption or review by, or authorization, consent or approval of, any public body or authority is necessary for the consummation by Wells Fargo of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the Merger Agreement. (e) WELLS FARGO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. The consolidated balance sheets of Wells Fargo and Wells Fargo's subsidiaries as of December 31, 1999 and 1998 and related consolidated statements of income, changes in stockholders' equity and comprehensive income, and cash flows for the three years ended December 31, 1999, together with the notes thereto, audited by KPMG LLP and included in Wells Fargo's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1999 (the "Wells Fargo 10-K") as filed with the SEC (collectively, the "Wells Fargo Financial Statements"), have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles applied on a consistent basis and present fairly the consolidated financial position of Wells Fargo and its subsidiaries at the dates and the consolidated results of operations, changes in financial position and cash flows of Wells Fargo and its subsidiaries for the periods stated therein. (f) REPORTS. Since December 31, 1995, Wells Fargo and each Wells Fargo Subsidiary has filed all reports, registrations and statements, together with any required amendments thereto, that it was required to file with (i) the SEC, including, but not limited to, Forms 10-K, Forms 10-Q and proxy statements, (ii) the Federal Reserve Board, (iii) the FDIC, (iv) the Comptroller and (v) any applicable state securities or banking authorities. All such reports and statements filed with any such regulatory body or authority are collectively referred to herein as the "Wells Fargo Reports." As of their respective dates, the Wells Fargo Reports complied in all material respects with all the rules and regulations promulgated by the SEC, the Federal Reserve Board, the FDIC, the Comptroller and any applicable state securities or banking authorities, as the case may be, 16 and did not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. (g) PROPERTIES AND LEASES. Except as may be reflected in the Wells Fargo Financial Statements and except for any lien for current taxes not yet delinquent, Wells Fargo and each Wells Fargo Subsidiary has good title free and clear of any material liens, claims, charges, options, encumbrances or similar restrictions to all the real and personal property reflected in Wells Fargo's consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 1999 included in Wells Fargo's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the period then ended, and all real and personal property acquired since such date, except such real and personal property that has been disposed of in the ordinary course of business. All leases of real property and all other leases material to Wells Fargo or any Wells Fargo Subsidiary pursuant to which Wells Fargo or such Wells Fargo Subsidiary, as lessee, leases real or personal property, are valid and effective in accordance with their respective terms, and there is not, under any such lease, any material existing default by Wells Fargo or such Wells Fargo Subsidiary or any event which, with notice or lapse of time or both, would constitute such a material default. Substantially all Wells Fargo's and each Wells Fargo Subsidiary's buildings and equipment in regular use have been well maintained and are in good and serviceable condition, reasonable wear and tear excepted. (h) TAXES. Each of Wells Fargo and the Wells Fargo Subsidiaries has filed all material federal, state, county, local and foreign tax returns, including information returns, required to be filed by it, and paid or made adequate provision for the payment of all taxes owed by it, including those with respect to income, withholding, social security, unemployment, workers compensation, franchise, ad valorem, premium, excise and sales taxes, and no taxes shown on such returns to be owed by it or assessments received by it are delinquent. The federal income tax returns of Wells Fargo and the Wells Fargo Subsidiaries for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1982, and for all fiscal years prior thereto, are for the purposes of routine audit by the Internal Revenue Service closed because of the statute of limitations, and no claims for additional taxes for such fiscal years are pending. Except only as set forth on Schedule 3(h), (i) neither Wells Fargo nor any Wells Fargo Subsidiary is a party to any pending action or proceeding, nor to Wells Fargo's knowledge is any such action or proceeding threatened by any governmental authority, for the assessment or collection of taxes, interest, penalties, assessments or deficiencies that could reasonably be expected to have any material adverse effect on Wells Fargo and its subsidiaries taken as a whole, and (ii) no issue has been raised by any federal, state, local or foreign taxing authority in connection with an audit or examination of the tax returns, business or properties of Wells Fargo or any Wells Fargo Subsidiary that has not been settled, resolved and fully satisfied, or adequately reserved for. Each of Wells Fargo and the Wells Fargo Subsidiaries has paid all taxes owed or which it is required to withhold from amounts owing to employees, creditors or other third parties. 17 (i) NO MATERIAL ADVERSE EFFECT. Since December 31, 1999, no change shall have occurred and no circumstances shall exist which has had or might reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect on Wells Fargo. (j) COMMITMENTS AND CONTRACTS. Except as set forth on Schedule 3(j), as of December 31, 1999 neither Wells Fargo nor any Wells Fargo Subsidiary is a party or subject to any of the following (whether written or oral, express or implied): (i) any labor contract or agreement with any labor union; (ii) any contract not made in the ordinary course of business containing covenants which materially limit the ability of Wells Fargo or any Wells Fargo Subsidiary to compete in any line of business or with any person or which involve any material restriction of the geographical area in which, or method by which, Wells Fargo or any Wells Fargo Subsidiary may carry on its business (other than as may be required by law or applicable regulatory authorities); (iii) any other contract or agreement which is a "material contract" within the meaning of Item 601(b)(10) of Regulation S-K. (k) LITIGATION AND OTHER PROCEEDINGS. There is no pending or, to the best knowledge of Wells Fargo, threatened, claim, action, suit, investigation or proceeding, against Wells Fargo or any Wells Fargo Subsidiary nor is Wells Fargo or any Wells Fargo Subsidiary subject to any order, judgment or decree, except for matters which, in the aggregate, will not have, or cannot reasonably be expected to have, a material adverse effect on the business, financial condition or results of operations of Wells Fargo and its subsidiaries taken as a whole. (l) INSURANCE. Wells Fargo and each Wells Fargo Subsidiary is presently insured or self insured, and during each of the past five calendar years (or during such lesser period of time as Wells Fargo has owned such Wells Fargo Subsidiary) has been insured or self-insured, for reasonable amounts with financially sound and reputable insurance companies against such risks as companies engaged in a similar business would, in accordance with good business practice, customarily be insured and has maintained all insurance required by applicable law and regulation. (m) COMPLIANCE WITH LAWS. Wells Fargo and each Wells Fargo Subsidiary has all permits, licenses, authorizations, orders and approvals of, and has made all filings, applications and registrations with, federal, state, local or foreign governmental or regulatory bodies that are required in order to permit it to own or lease its properties or assets and to carry on its business as presently conducted and that are material to the business of Wells Fargo or such Wells Fargo Subsidiary; all such permits, licenses, certificates of authority, orders and approvals are in full force and effect, and to the best knowledge of Wells Fargo, no suspension or cancellation of any of them is threatened; and all such filings, applications and registrations are current. The conduct by Wells 18 Fargo and each Wells Fargo Subsidiary of its business and the condition and use of its properties does not violate or infringe, in any respect material to any such business, any applicable domestic (federal, state or local) or foreign law, statute, ordinance, license or regulation. Neither Wells Fargo nor any Wells Fargo Subsidiary is in default under any order, license, regulation or demand of any federal, state, municipal or other governmental agency or with respect to any order, writ, injunction or decree of any court. Except for statutory or regulatory restrictions of general application, no federal, state, municipal or other governmental authority has placed any restrictions on the business or properties of Wells Fargo or any Wells Fargo Subsidiary which reasonably could be expected to have a material adverse effect on the business or properties of Wells Fargo and its subsidiaries taken as a whole. (n) LABOR. No work stoppage involving Wells Fargo or any Wells Fargo Subsidiary is pending or, to the best knowledge of Wells Fargo, threatened. Neither Wells Fargo nor any Wells Fargo Subsidiary is involved in, or threatened with or affected by, any labor dispute, arbitration, lawsuit or administrative proceeding that could materially and adversely affect the business of Wells Fargo or such Wells Fargo Subsidiary. Except as set forth on Schedule 3(j), employees of Wells Fargo and the Wells Fargo Subsidiaries are not represented by any labor union nor are any collective bargaining agreements otherwise in effect with respect to such employees. (o) WELLS FARGO BENEFIT PLANS. (i) For purposes of this Section 3(o), the term "Wells Fargo Plan" or "Wells Fargo Plans" means all employee benefit plans as defined in Section 3(3) of ERISA, to which Wells Fargo contributes, sponsors, or otherwise has any obligations. (ii) No Wells Fargo Plan is a "multiemployer plan" within the meaning of Section 3(37) of ERISA. (iii) Each Wells Fargo Plan is and has been in all material respects operated and administered in accordance with its provisions and applicable law, including, if applicable, ERISA and the Code. (iv) Except as set forth on Schedule 3(p)(iv), each Wells Fargo Plan intended to be qualified under Section 401(a) of the Code has received a favorable determination letter from the Internal Revenue Service stating that the Wells Fargo Plan (including all amendments) is tax qualified under Section 401(a) of the Code and Wells Fargo knows of no reason that any such Wells Fargo Plan is not qualified within the meaning of Section 401(a) of the Code and knows of no reason that each related Wells Fargo Plan trust is not exempt from taxation under Section 501(a) of the Code. 19 (v) All contributions, premium payments, and other payments required to be made in connection with the Wells Fargo Plans as of the date of this Agreement have been made. (vi) With respect to each Wells Fargo Plan that is subject to Section 301 of ERISA or Section 412 of the Code, neither Wells Fargo nor any Wells Fargo Subsidiary is liable for any accumulated funding deficiency as that term is defined in Section 412 of the Code. (vii) The present value of all benefits vested and all benefits accrued under each Wells Fargo Plan that is subject to Title IV of ERISA does not, in each case, exceed the value of the assets of the Wells Fargo Plans allocable to such vested or accrued benefits as of the end of the most recent Plan Year. (p) REGISTRATION STATEMENT, ETC. None of the information regarding Wells Fargo and its subsidiaries supplied or to be supplied by Wells Fargo for inclusion in (i) the Registration Statement, (ii) the Proxy Statement, or (iii) any other documents to be filed with the SEC or any regulatory authority in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby or by the Merger Agreement will, at the respective times such Registration Statement, Proxy Statement and other documents are filed with the SEC or any regulatory authority and, in the case of the Registration Statement, when it becomes effective and, with respect to the Proxy Statement, when mailed, and, in the case of the Proxy Statement or any amendment thereof or supplement thereto, at the time of the meeting of stockholders referred to in paragraph 4(c), and at the Effective Time of the Merger contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements contained therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. All documents which Wells Fargo and the Wells Fargo Subsidiaries are responsible for filing with the SEC and any other regulatory authority in connection with the Merger will comply as to form in all material respects with the provisions of applicable law. (q) BROKERS AND FINDERS. Except for Credit Suisse First Boston, neither Wells Fargo nor any Wells Fargo Subsidiary nor any of their respective officers, directors or employees has employed any broker or finder or incurred any liability for any financial advisory fees, brokerage fees, commissions or finder's fees, and no broker or finder has acted directly or indirectly for Wells Fargo or any Wells Fargo Subsidiary in connection with this Agreement and the Merger Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby. (r) NO DEFAULTS. Neither Wells Fargo nor any Wells Fargo Subsidiary is in default, nor has any event occurred that, with the passage of time or the giving of notice, or both, would constitute a default under any material agreement, indenture, loan agreement or other instrument to which it is a party or by which it or any of its assets is bound or to which any of its assets is subject, the result of which has had or could reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect upon Wells Fargo and its 20 subsidiaries taken as a whole. To the best of Wells Fargo's knowledge, all parties with whom Wells Fargo or any Wells Fargo Subsidiary has material leases, agreements or contracts or who owe to Wells Fargo or any Wells Fargo Subsidiary material obligations, other than those arising in the ordinary course of the banking business of the Wells Fargo Subsidiaries are in compliance therewith in all material respects. (s) ENVIRONMENTAL LIABILITY. There is no legal, administrative, or other proceeding, claim, or action of any nature seeking to impose, or that could result in the imposition, on Wells Fargo or any Wells Fargo Subsidiary of any liability relating to the release of hazardous substances as defined under any local, state or federal environmental statute, regulation or ordinance including, without limitation, CERCLA, pending or to the best of Wells Fargo's knowledge, threatened against Wells Fargo or any Wells Fargo Subsidiary, the result of which has had or could reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect upon Wells Fargo and its subsidiaries taken as a whole; to the best of Wells Fargo's knowledge, there is no reasonable basis for any such proceeding, claim or action; and to the best of Wells Fargo's knowledge, neither Wells Fargo nor any Wells Fargo Subsidiary is subject to any agreement, order, judgment, or decree by or with any court, governmental authority or third party imposing any such environmental liability. (t) MERGER CO. As of the Closing Date, Merger Co. will be a corporation duly organized, validly existing, duly qualified to do business and in good standing under the laws of its jurisdiction of incorporation, and will have corporate power and authority to own or lease its properties and assets and to carry on its business. As of the Closing Date, the execution, delivery and performance by Merger Co. of the Merger Agreement will have been duly authorized by Merger Co.'s Board of Directors and stockholders, and the Merger Agreement will be a valid and binding obligation of Merger Co., enforceable against Merger Co. in accordance with its terms. 4. COVENANTS OF COMPANY. Company covenants and agrees with Wells Fargo as follows: (a) AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS. Except as otherwise permitted or required by this Agreement, from the date hereof until the Effective Time of the Merger, Company, and each Company Subsidiary will: maintain its corporate existence in good standing; maintain the general character of its business and conduct its business in its ordinary and usual manner; extend credit in accordance with existing lending policies, except that it shall not, without the prior written consent of Wells Fargo (which consent requirement shall be deemed to be waived as to any loan approval request to which Wells Fargo has made no response by the end of the third business day following the day of receipt of the request by a representative designated by Wells Fargo in writing), (A) make any loan or extension of credit aggregating an amount equal to or in excess of $1,000,000 to a person or entity that is not a borrower as of the date hereof, or (B) make any new loan or modify, restructure or renew any existing loan (except pursuant to commitments made prior to the date of this Agreement) to any borrower who has aggregate extensions of 21 credit in excess of $1,000,000 if the amount of the resulting loan, when aggregated with all other loans or extensions of credit to such person, would be in excess of $2,500,000; maintain proper business and accounting records in accordance with generally accepted principles; maintain its properties in good repair and condition, ordinary wear and tear excepted; maintain in all material respects presently existing insurance coverage; use its best efforts to preserve its business organization intact, to keep the services of its present principal employees and to preserve its good will and the good will of its suppliers, customers and others having business relationships with it; use its best efforts to obtain any approvals or consents required to maintain existing leases and other contracts in effect following the Merger; comply in all material respects with all laws, regulations, ordinances, codes, orders, licenses and permits applicable to the properties and operations of Company and each Company Subsidiary the non-compliance with which reasonably could be expected to have a material adverse effect on Company and the Company Subsidiaries taken as a whole; and permit Wells Fargo and its representatives (including KPMG LLP) to examine its and its subsidiaries books, records and properties and to interview officers, employees and agents at all reasonable times when it is open for business. No such examination by Wells Fargo or its representatives either before or after the date of this Agreement shall in any way affect, diminish or terminate any of the representations, warranties or covenants of Company herein expressed. (b) NEGATIVE COVENANTS. Except as otherwise contemplated or required by this Agreement, from the date hereof until the Effective Time of the Merger, Company and each Company Subsidiary will not (without the prior written consent of Wells Fargo): amend or otherwise change its articles of incorporation or association or by-laws; issue or sell or authorize for issuance or sale, or grant any options or make other agreements with respect to the issuance or sale or conversion of, any shares of its capital stock, phantom shares or other share-equivalents, or any other of its securities, except that Company may issue shares of Company Common Stock upon the exercise of the option granted under the Stock Option Agreement or upon the exercise of outstanding stock options described in Schedule 4(b); authorize or incur any long-term debt (other than deposit liabilities); mortgage, pledge or subject to lien or other encumbrance any of its properties, except in the ordinary course of business; enter into any material agreement, contract or commitment in excess of $50,000 except banking transactions in the ordinary course of business and in accordance with policies and procedures in effect on the date hereof; make any investments except investments made by bank subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business of Treasury securities only for terms of up to two years and in amounts of $100,000,000 or less; amend or terminate any Plan except as required by law or by paragraph 4(j) hereof; make any contributions to any Plan except as required by the terms of such Plan in effect as of the date hereof; declare, set aside, make or pay any dividend or other distribution with respect to its capital stock except (A) Company may declare and pay dividends on Company Preferred Stock and on Company Common Stock, in accordance with applicable law and regulation and consistent with past practice, out of the net earnings of Company between the date hereof and the Effective Date of the Merger, determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, in an amount not to exceed an annualized rate of $0.56 PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that the 22 stockholders of Company shall be entitled to a dividend on Company Common Stock or Wells Fargo Common Stock, but not both, in the calendar quarter in which the Closing shall occur, and (B) any dividend declared by a Company Subsidiary's Board of Directors in accordance with applicable law and regulation; redeem, purchase or otherwise acquire, directly or indirectly, any of the capital stock of Company; increase the compensation of any officers, directors or executive employees, except pursuant to existing compensation plans and practices; sell or otherwise dispose of any shares of the capital stock of any Company Subsidiary; or sell or otherwise dispose of any of its assets or properties other than in the ordinary course of business. (c) STOCKHOLDER MEETING. The Board of Directors of Company will duly call, and will cause to be held not later than twenty-five (25) business days following the effective date of the Registration Statement, a meeting of its stockholders and will direct that this Agreement and the Merger Agreement be submitted to a vote at such meeting. The Board of Directors of Company will (i) cause proper notice of such meeting to be given to its stockholders in compliance with the Delaware General Corporation Law and other applicable law and regulation, (ii) recommend by the affirmative vote of the Board of Directors a vote in favor of approval of this Agreement and the Merger Agreement, and (iii) use its best efforts to solicit from its stockholders proxies in favor thereof. (d) INFORMATION FURNISHED BY COMPANY. Company will furnish or cause to be furnished to Wells Fargo all the information concerning Company and the Company Subsidiaries required for inclusion in the Registration Statement, or any statement or application made by Wells Fargo to any governmental body in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. Any financial statement for any fiscal year provided under this paragraph must include the audit opinion and the consent of Deloitte & Touche LLP to use such opinion in such Registration Statement. (e) APPROVALS. Company will take all necessary corporate and other action and use its best efforts to obtain all approvals of regulatory authorities, consents and other approvals required of Company to carry out the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and will cooperate with Wells Fargo to obtain all such approvals and consents required of Wells Fargo. (f) DELIVERY OF CLOSING DOCUMENTS. Company will use its best efforts to deliver to the Closing all opinions, certificates and other documents required to be delivered by it at the Closing. (g) CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION. Company will hold in confidence all documents and information concerning Wells Fargo and its subsidiaries furnished to Company and its representatives in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and will not release or disclose such information to any other person, except as required by law and except to Company's outside professional advisers in connection with this Agreement, with the same undertaking from such professional advisers. If the transactions contemplated by this Agreement shall not be consummated, such confidence 23 shall be maintained and such information shall not be used in competition with Wells Fargo (except to the extent that such information was previously known to Company, in the public domain, or later acquired by Company from other sources not known to Company to be subject to a confidentiality obligation to Wells Fargo) and, upon request, all such documents and any copies thereof and all documents prepared by Company that include such confidential information shall be destroyed, excluding documents such as minutes of meetings and regulatory filings that Company is required to retain. (h) COMPETING TRANSACTIONS. Neither Company, nor any Company Subsidiary, nor any director, officer, representative or agent thereof, will, directly or indirectly, solicit, authorize the solicitation of or enter into any discussions with any corporation, partnership, person or other entity or group (other than Wells Fargo) concerning any offer or possible offer (i) to purchase any shares of common stock, any option or warrant to purchase any shares of common stock, any securities convertible into any shares of such common stock, or any other equity security of Company or any Company Subsidiary, (ii) to make a tender or exchange offer for any shares of such common stock or other equity security, (iii) to purchase, lease or otherwise acquire the assets of Company or any Company Subsidiary except in the ordinary course of business, or (iv) to merge, consolidate or otherwise combine with Company or any Company Subsidiary. If any corporation, partnership, person or other entity or group makes an offer or inquiry to Company or any Company Subsidiary concerning any of the foregoing, Company or such Company Subsidiary will promptly disclose such offer or inquiry to Wells Fargo. (i) PUBLIC DISCLOSURE. Company shall consult with Wells Fargo as to the form and substance of any proposed press release or other proposed public disclosure of matters related to this Agreement or any of the transactions contemplated hereby. (j) BENEFIT PLANS. Company and each Company Subsidiary will take all action necessary or required (i) to terminate or amend, if requested by Wells Fargo, all qualified retirement and welfare benefit plans and all non-qualified benefit plans and compensation arrangements as of the Effective Date of the Merger, and (ii) to submit an application to the Internal Revenue Service for a favorable determination letter for each of the Plans that is subject to the qualification requirements of Section 401(a) of the Code prior to the Effective Date of the Merger. (k) POOLING OF INTERESTS. Neither Company nor any Company Subsidiary shall take any action which with respect to Company would disqualify the Merger as a "pooling of interests" for accounting purposes. (l) AFFILIATE LETTERS. Company shall use its best efforts to obtain and deliver at least 32 days prior to the Effective Date of the Merger signed representations substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit B to Wells Fargo by each executive officer, director or stockholder of Company who may reasonably be deemed an "affiliate" of Company within the meaning of such term as used in Rule 145 under the Securities Act. 24 (m) COMFORT CERTIFICATE. Company shall furnish Wells Fargo with a certificate from the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer of Company a letter, dated as of the effective date of the Registration Statement and updated through the Closing Date, in form and substance satisfactory to Wells Fargo, to the effect that: (i) the interim quarterly consolidated financial statements of Company included or incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement are prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles applied on a basis consistent with the audited consolidated financial statements of Company; (ii) the amounts reported in the interim quarterly consolidated financial statements of Company agree with the general ledger of Company; (iii) the annual and quarterly consolidated financial statements of Company and the Company Subsidiaries included in, or incorporated by reference in, the Registration Statement comply as to form in all material respects with the applicable accounting requirements of the Securities Act and the published rules and regulations thereunder; (iv) from the date of the most recent unaudited consolidated financial statements of Company and the Company Subsidiaries as may be included in the Registration Statement to a date 5 days prior to the effective date of the Registration Statement and to a date 5 days prior to the Closing, there are no increases in long-term debt, changes in the capital stock or decreases in stockholders' equity of Company and the Company Subsidiaries, except in each case for changes, increases or decreases which the Registration Statement discloses have occurred or may occur or which are described in such letters. For the same period, there have been no decreases in consolidated net interest income, consolidated net interest income after provision for credit losses, consolidated income before income taxes, consolidated net income and net income per share amounts of Company and the Company Subsidiaries, or in income before equity in undistributed income of subsidiaries, in each case as compared with the comparable period of the preceding year, except in each case for changes, increases or decreases which the Registration Statement discloses have occurred or may occur or which are described in such letters; (v) they have reviewed certain amounts, percentages, numbers of shares and financial information which are derived from the general accounting records of Company and the Company Subsidiaries, which appear in the Registration Statement under the certain captions to be specified by Wells Fargo, and have compared certain of such amounts, percentages, numbers and financial information with the accounting records of Company and the Company Subsidiaries and have found them to be in agreement with financial records and 25 analyses prepared by Company included in the annual and quarterly consolidated financial statements, except as disclosed in such letters. (n) REDEMPTION OF PREFERRED STOCK. Immediately prior to the Effective Time of the Merger, Company shall redeem outstanding shares of Company Preferred Stock, in accordance with the terms of Company's amended certificate of incorporation, using Company's own funds. (o) REDEMPTION OF RIGHTS. Immediately prior to the Effective Date of the Merger, Company shall take such actions as may be necessary to redeem all rights outstanding under the Rights Plan, in accordance with the terms of the Rights Plan, at a cost of no more than $0.01 per right. 5. COVENANTS OF WELLS FARGO. Wells Fargo covenants and agrees with Company as follows: (a) AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS. From the date hereof until the Effective Time of the Merger, Wells Fargo will maintain its corporate existence in good standing; conduct, and cause the Wells Fargo Subsidiaries to conduct, their respective businesses in compliance with all material obligations and duties imposed on them by all laws, governmental regulations, rules and ordinances, and judicial orders, judgments and decrees applicable to Wells Fargo or the Wells Fargo Subsidiaries, their businesses or their properties; maintain all books and records of it and the Wells Fargo Subsidiaries, including all financial statements, in accordance with the accounting principles and practices consistent with those used for the Wells Fargo Financial Statements, except for changes in such principles and practices required under generally accepted accounting principles. (b) INFORMATION PROVIDED BY WELLS FARGO. Wells Fargo will furnish to Company all the information concerning Wells Fargo required for inclusion in a proxy statement or statements to be sent to the stockholders of Company, or in any statement or application made by Company to any governmental body in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. (c) REGISTRATION STATEMENT. As promptly as practicable after the execution of this Agreement, Wells Fargo will file with the SEC the Registration Statement and any other applicable documents, relating to the shares of Wells Fargo Common Stock to be delivered to the stockholders of Company pursuant to the Merger Agreement, and will use its best efforts to cause the Registration Statement to become effective. At the time the Registration Statement becomes effective, the Registration Statement will comply in all material respects with the provisions of the Securities Act and the published rules and regulations thereunder, and will not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not false or misleading, and at the time of mailing thereof to the Company stockholders, at the time of the Company stockholders' meeting referred to in paragraph 4(c) hereof and at the Effective Time of the Merger the prospectus included as 26 part of the Registration Statement, as amended or supplemented by any amendment or supplement filed by Wells Fargo (hereinafter the "Prospectus"), will not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact necessary to make the statements therein not false or misleading; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that none of the provisions of this subparagraph shall apply to statements in or omissions from the Registration Statement or the Prospectus made in reliance upon and in conformity with information furnished by Company or any Company Subsidiary for use in the Registration Statement or the Prospectus. (d) STOCK EXCHANGE LISTINGS. Wells Fargo will file all documents required to be filed to list the Wells Fargo Common Stock to be issued pursuant to the Merger Agreement on the New York Stock Exchange and the Chicago Stock Exchange and use its best efforts to effect said listings. (e) WELLS FARGO SHARES. The shares of Wells Fargo Common Stock to be issued by Wells Fargo to the stockholders of Company pursuant to this Agreement and the Merger Agreement will, upon such issuance and delivery to said stockholders pursuant to the Merger Agreement, be duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable. The shares of Wells Fargo Common Stock to be delivered to the stockholders of Company pursuant to the Merger Agreement are and will be free of any preemptive rights of the stockholders of Wells Fargo. (f) BLUE SKY APPROVALS. Wells Fargo will file all documents required to obtain, prior to the Effective Time of the Merger, all necessary Blue Sky permits and approvals, if any, required to carry out the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, will pay all expenses incident thereto and will use its best efforts to obtain such permits and approvals. (g) APPROVALS. Wells Fargo will take all necessary corporate and other action and file all documents required to obtain and will use its best efforts to obtain all approvals of regulatory authorities, consents and approvals required of it to carry out the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and will cooperate with Company to obtain all such approvals and consents required by Company. (h) CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION. Wells Fargo will hold in confidence all documents and information concerning Company and Company's Subsidiaries furnished to it and its representatives in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and will not release or disclose such information to any other person, except as required by law and except to its outside professional advisers in connection with this Agreement, with the same undertaking from such professional advisers. If the transactions contemplated by this Agreement shall not be consummated, such confidence shall be maintained and such information shall not be used in competition with Company (except to the extent that such information was previously known to Wells Fargo, in the public domain, or later acquired by Wells Fargo from other sources not known to Wells Fargo to be subject to a confidentiality obligation to Company) and, upon request, all such 27 documents and any copies thereof and all documents prepared by Wells Fargo that include such confidential information shall be destroyed, excluding documents such as minutes of meetings and regulatory filings that Wells Fargo is required to retain. (i) MERGER FILINGS. Wells Fargo will file any documents or agreements required to be filed in connection with the Merger under the Delaware General Corporation Law. (j) DELIVERY OF CLOSING DOCUMENTS. Wells Fargo will use its best efforts to deliver to the Closing all opinions, certificates and other documents required to be delivered by it at the Closing. (k) PUBLIC DISCLOSURE. Wells Fargo shall consult with Company as to the form and substance of any proposed press release or other proposed public disclosure of matters related to this Agreement or any of the transactions contemplated hereby. (l) NOTICE OF REGULATORY APPROVALS. Wells Fargo shall give Company notice of receipt of the regulatory approvals referred to in paragraph 7(e). (m) POOLING OF INTERESTS. Neither Wells Fargo nor any Wells Fargo Subsidiary shall take any action which with respect to Wells Fargo would disqualify the Merger as a "pooling of interests" for accounting purposes. Wells Fargo shall use its best efforts to obtain and deliver to Company, prior to the Effective Date of the Merger, signed representations from the directors and executive officers of Wells Fargo to the effect that, except for DE MINIMUS dispositions which will not disqualify the Merger as a pooling of interests, they will not dispose of shares of Wells Fargo or Company during the period commencing 30 days prior to the Effective Date and ending upon publication by Wells Fargo of financial results including at least 30 days of combined operations of Company and Wells Fargo. (n) INDEMNIFICATION. (i) Following the Effective Date of the Merger, Wells Fargo shall indemnify, defend and hold harmless the present and former directors and officers of Company and the Company Subsidiaries (each, an "Indemnified Party") against all costs or expenses (including reasonable attorneys' fees), judgments, fines, losses, claims, damages or liabilities (collectively, "Costs") as incurred, in connection with any claim, action, suit, proceeding or investigation, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative, arising out of actions or omissions occurring at or prior to the Effective Time of the Merger (including, without limitation, the transactions contemplated by this Agreement) to the fullest extent that Company and the Company Subsidiaries are permitted to indemnify (and advance expenses to) their respective directors and officers under the laws of their respective jurisdictions of incorporation, their respective charters and their respective bylaws; 28 (ii) any Indemnified Party wishing to claim indemnification under paragraph 5(n)(i), upon learning of any claim, action, suit, proceeding or investigation described above, shall promptly notify Wells Fargo thereof; provided that the failure to so notify shall not affect the obligations of Wells Fargo under paragraph 5(n)(i) unless and to the extent that Wells Fargo is actually and materially prejudiced as result of such failure. In the event of any such claim, action, suit, proceeding or investigation (whether arising before or after the Effective Time of the Merger), (A) Wells Fargo shall have the right to assume the defense thereof and Wells Fargo shall not be liable to any Indemnified Party for any legal expenses of other counsel or any other expenses subsequently incurred by such Indemnified Party in connection with the defense thereof, except that if Wells Fargo elects not to assume such defense or counsel for the Indemnified Party advises that there are issues which raise conflicts of interest between Wells Fargo and the Indemnified Party, the Indemnified Party may retain counsel satisfactory to them, and Wells Fargo shall pay the reasonable fees and expenses of such counsel for the Indemnified Party promptly as statements therefor are received; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that Wells Fargo shall be obligated pursuant to this subparagraph (ii) to pay for only one firm of counsel for all Indemnified Parties in any jurisdiction unless the use of one counsel for such Indemnified Parties would present such counsel with a conflict of interest and (B) such Indemnified Party shall cooperate in the defense of any such matter; (iii) for a period of six years after the Effective Time of the Merger, Wells Fargo shall use its reasonable best efforts to provide directors' and officers' liability insurance that serves to reimburse the present and former officers and directors of Company and the Company Subsidiaries (determined as of the Effective Time of the Merger) with respect to claims against such directors and officers arising from facts or events occurring at or prior to the Effective Time of the Merger (including, without limitation, the transactions contemplated by this Agreement) which insurance shall contain at least the same coverage and amounts, and contain terms and conditions no less advantageous, as that coverage currently provided by Company; (iv) if Wells Fargo or any of its successors or assigns shall consolidate with or merge into any other entity and shall not be the continuing or surviving entity of such consolidation or merger or shall transfer all or substantially all of its properties and assets to any other entity, then and in each such case, Wells Fargo shall cause proper provision to be made so that the successors and assigns of Wells Fargo shall assume the obligations set forth in this paragraph 5(n); and (v) the provisions of this paragraph 5(n) are intended to be for the benefit of, and shall be enforceable by, each Indemnified Party and his or her heirs and representatives. 29 6. CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO OBLIGATION OF COMPANY. The obligation of Company to effect the Merger shall be subject to the satisfaction at or before the Time of Filing of the following further conditions, which may be waived in writing by Company: (a) REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES. Except as they may be affected by transactions contemplated hereby and except to the extent such representations and warranties are by their express provisions made as of a specified date and except for activities or transactions after the date of this Agreement made in the ordinary course of business and not expressly prohibited by this Agreement, the representations and warranties contained in paragraph 3 hereof shall be true and correct in all respects material to Wells Fargo and its subsidiaries taken as a whole as if made at the Time of Filing; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that for purposes of this paragraph, such representations and warranties (other than the representations and warranties contained in paragraph 3(c), which shall be true and correct in all material respects) shall be deemed to be true and correct unless the failure or failures of such representations and warranties to be so true and correct, either individually or in the aggregate, and without giving effect to any qualification as to materiality set forth in such representations and warranties, will have a Material Adverse Effect on Company. (b) PERFORMANCE OF WELLS FARGO OBLIGATIONS. Wells Fargo shall have, or shall have caused to be, performed and observed in all material respects all covenants, agreements and conditions hereof to be performed or observed by it and Merger Co. at or before the Time of Filing. (c) WELLS FARGO COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE. Company shall have received a favorable certificate, dated as of the Effective Date of the Merger, signed by the Chairman, the President or any Executive Vice President or Senior Vice President and by the Secretary or Assistant Secretary of Wells Fargo, as to the matters set forth in subparagraphs (a) and (b) of this paragraph 6. (d) STOCKHOLDER APPROVALS. This Agreement and the Merger Agreement shall have been approved by the affirmative vote of the holders of the percentage of the outstanding shares of Company required for approval of a plan of merger in accordance with the provisions of Company's Certificate of Incorporation and the Delaware General Corporation Law. (e) GOVERNMENTAL APPROVALS. Wells Fargo shall have received approval by the Federal Reserve Board and by such other governmental agencies as may be required by law of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the Merger Agreement and all waiting and appeal periods prescribed by applicable law or regulation shall have expired. (f) NO RESTRAINING ORDER, ETC. No court or governmental authority of competent jurisdiction shall have issued an order restraining, enjoining or otherwise prohibiting the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. 30 (g) SHARES AUTHORIZED FOR LISTING. The shares of Wells Fargo Common Stock to be delivered to the stockholders of Company pursuant to this Agreement and the Merger Agreement shall have been authorized for listing on the New York Stock Exchange and the Chicago Stock Exchange. (h) TAX OPINION. Company shall have received an opinion, dated the Closing Date, of Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz, substantially to the effect that, for federal income tax purposes: (i) the Merger will constitute a reorganization within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Code; (ii) no gain or loss will be recognized by the holders of Company Common Stock upon receipt of Wells Fargo Common Stock, except with respect to cash received in lieu of fractional shares; (iii) the basis of the Wells Fargo Common Stock received by the stockholders of Company (including fractional shares deemed received and redeemed) will be the same as the basis of Company Common Stock exchanged therefor; and (iv) the holding period of the shares of Wells Fargo Common Stock received by the stockholders of Company (including fractional shares deemed received and redeemed) will include the holding period of the Company Common Stock exchanged therefor, provided such shares of Company Common Stock were held as a capital asset as of the Effective Time of the Merger. (i) REGISTRATION STATEMENT EFFECTIVE; NO STOP ORDER, ETC.; BLUE SKY AUTHORIZATIONS RECEIVED. The Registration Statement (as amended or supplemented) shall have become effective under the Securities Act and shall not be subject to any stop order, and no action, suit, proceeding or investigation by the SEC to suspend the effectiveness of the Registration Statement shall have been initiated and be continuing, or have been threatened and be unresolved. Wells Fargo shall have received all state securities law or blue sky authorizations necessary to carry out the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. (j) NO MATERIAL ADVERSE CHANGE. Since December 31, 1999, no change shall have occurred and no circumstances shall exist which has had or might reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect on Wells Fargo. 7. CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO OBLIGATION OF WELLS FARGO. The obligation of Wells Fargo to effect the Merger shall be subject to the satisfaction at or before the Time of Filing of the following conditions, which may be waived in writing by Wells Fargo: (a) REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES. Except as they may be affected by transactions contemplated hereby and except to the extent such representations and warranties are by their express provisions made as of a specified date and except for activities or transactions or events occurring after the date of this Agreement made in the ordinary course of business and not expressly prohibited by this Agreement, the representations and warranties contained in paragraph 2 hereof shall be true and correct in all respects material to Company and the Company Subsidiaries taken as a whole as if made at the Time of Filing; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that for purposes of this paragraph, such 31 representations and warranties (other than the representations and warranties contained in paragraph 2(c), which shall be true and correct in all material respects) shall be deemed to be true and correct unless the failure or failures of such representations and warranties to be so true and correct, either individually or in the aggregate, and without giving effect to any qualification as to materiality set forth in such representations and warranties, will have a Material Adverse Effect on Wells Fargo. (b) PERFORMANCE OF COMPANY OBLIGATIONS. Company shall have, or shall have caused to be, performed and observed in all material respects all covenants, agreements and conditions hereof to be performed or observed by it at or before the Time of Filing. (c) STOCKHOLDER APPROVALS. This Agreement and the Merger Agreement shall have been approved by the affirmative vote of the holders of the percentage of the outstanding shares of Company required for approval of a plan of merger in accordance with the provisions of Company's Certificate of Incorporation and the Delaware General Corporation Law. (d) COMPANY'S COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE. Wells Fargo shall have received a favorable certificate dated as of the Effective Date of the Merger signed by the Chairman or President and by the Secretary or Assistant Secretary of Company, as to the matters set forth in subparagraphs (a) through (c) of this paragraph 7. (e) GOVERNMENTAL APPROVALS. Wells Fargo shall have received approval by all governmental agencies as may be required by law of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the Merger Agreement and all waiting and appeal periods prescribed by applicable law or regulation shall have expired. No approvals, licenses or consents granted by any regulatory authority shall contain any condition or requirement relating to Company or any Company Subsidiary that, in the good faith judgment of Wells Fargo, is unreasonably burdensome to Wells Fargo. For purposes of this paragraph 7(e), a divestiture required as a condition to any regulatory approval shall not be deemed to be unreasonably burdensome if such divestiture is consistent with Department of Justice and Federal Reserve Board guidelines, policies, and practices regarding the merger of bank holding companies that have been used in transactions that have recently been reviewed prior to the date of this Agreement. (f) CONSENTS, AUTHORIZATIONS, ETC. OBTAINED. Company and each Company Subsidiary shall have obtained any and all material consents or waivers from other parties to loan agreements, leases or other contracts material to Company's or such Company Subsidiary's business required for the consummation of the Merger, and Company and each Company Subsidiary shall have obtained any and all material permits, authorizations, consents, waivers and approvals required for the lawful consummation by it of the Merger. 32 (g) NO RESTRAINING ORDER, ETC. No court or governmental authority of competent jurisdiction shall have issued an order restraining, enjoining or otherwise prohibiting the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. (h) POOLING OF INTERESTS OPINIONS. The Merger shall qualify as a "pooling of interests" for accounting purposes and Wells Fargo shall have received from KPMG and Deloitte & Touche LLP opinions to that effect. (i) NUMBER OF OUTSTANDING SHARES. At any time since the date hereof the total number of shares of Company Common Stock outstanding and subject to issuance upon exercise (assuming for this purpose that phantom shares and other share-equivalents constitute Company Common Stock) of all warrants, options, conversion rights, phantom shares or other share-equivalents, other than any option held by Wells Fargo, shall not have exceeded 210,00,000. (j) REGISTRATION STATEMENT EFFECTIVE; NO STOP ORDER, ETC.; BLUE SKY AUTHORIZATIONS RECEIVED. The Registration Statement (as amended or supplemented) shall have become effective under the Securities Act and shall not be subject to any stop order, and no action, suit, proceeding or investigation by the SEC to suspend the effectiveness of the Registration Statement shall have been initiated and be continuing, or have been threatened or be unresolved. Wells Fargo shall have received all state securities law or blue sky authorizations necessary to carry out the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. (k) [Intentionally left blank] (l) [Intentionally left blank] (m) [Intentionally left blank] (n) NO MATERIAL ADVERSE CHANGE. Since December 31, 1999 except as set forth in the Company 10-K, no change shall have occurred and no circumstances shall exist which has had or might reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect on Company. (p) RESIGNATIONS. Company shall have delivered the resignations of each member of its Board of Directors as of the Effective Time, and such resignations shall not have been withdrawn. (q) REDEMPTION OF PREFERRED STOCK. Company shall have taken all actions necessary to redeem the Company Preferred Stock, effective prior to the Effective Time of the Merger. (o) COMPANY RIGHTS PLAN. At the Effective Date of the Merger, there shall be no rights issuable or outstanding under the Rights Plan and all rights previously outstanding 33 shall have been redeemed in accordance with the terms of the Rights Plan. No Person shall have become an Acquiring Person and the Separation Time shall not have occurred (as each of such terms is defined in the Rights Plan). 8. EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS. Each person who is an employee of Company or any Company Subsidiary as of the Effective Date of the Merger ("Company Employees") shall be eligible for participation in the employee welfare and retirement plans of Wells Fargo, as in effect from time to time, as follows: (a) EMPLOYEE WELFARE BENEFIT PLANS. Each Company Employee shall be eligible for participation in the employee welfare benefit plans of Wells Fargo listed below subject to any eligibility requirements applicable to such plans after taking into account paragraph 8(d) hereof, and shall enter each plan not later than the first day of the calendar quarter which begins at least 32 days after the Effective Date of the Merger (the "Benefits Conversion Date"), unless such date would occur on or after October 1, 2000, in which case the Benefits Conversion date would be January 1, 2001: Medical Plan Dental Plan Vision Plan Short Term Disability Plan Long Term Disability Plan Long Term Care Plan Flexible Benefits Plan Basic Group Life Insurance Plan Group Universal Life Insurance Plan Dependent Group Life Insurance Plan Business Travel Accident Insurance Plan Accidental Death and Dismemberment Plan Salary Continuation Pay Plan Paid Time Off Program (b) EMPLOYEE RETIREMENT BENEFIT PLANS. As of the Benefits Conversion Date, each Company Employee shall be eligible to participate in the Wells Fargo 401(k) Plan (the "401(k) Plan") and the Wells Fargo Cash Balance Plan (the "Cash Balance Plan"), subject to any eligibility requirements applicable to such plans after taking into account paragraph 8(d) hereof. As of the Benefits Conversion Date, each Company Employee shall be eligible for access to Wells Fargo's retiree medical benefit program, subject to any eligibility requirements applicable to such benefit after taking into account paragraph 8(d) hereof. (c) CONTINUITY OF COVERAGE. It is intended that the transition from Company's Plans to the Wells Fargo Plans will be facilitated without gaps in coverage to the participants or interruption in participation and without duplication of costs to Wells 34 Fargo. Prior to the Benefits Conversion Date, the Company Plans as in effect of the date of this Agreement shall remain in effect with respect to the Company Employees. (d) SERVICE CREDIT; PRE-EXISTING CONDITIONS. From and after the Effective Date of the Merger, Wells Fargo shall, or shall cause the surviving corporation to, recognize the prior service with Company or the Company Subsidiaries (and any of their predecessor entities, to the extent such service was recognized by the Company or the Company Subsidiaries under any comparable Company Plan) of each Company Employee in connection with the Wells Fargo Plans in which such Company Employee is eligible to participate following the Benefits Conversion Date, including without limitation the 401(k) Plan and the Cash Balance Plan, for purposes of eligibility, vesting and levels of benefits, provided, that such crediting of service shall in no event result in the duplication of benefits with respect to the same period of service. From and after the Benefits Conversion Date, Wells Fargo shall, or shall cause the surviving corporation to, (i) cause any pre-existing conditions or limitations and eligibility waiting periods under any group health plans of Wells Fargo to be waived with respect to the Company Employees and their eligible dependents (to the extent permitted to do so by the applicable insurance carrier) and (ii) give each Company Employee credit for the plan year in which the Benefits Conversion Date occurs towards applicable deductibles and annual out-of-pocket limits for expenses incurred prior to the Benefits Conversion Date. (e) COMPANY SEVERANCE PLAN. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, during the 18-month period following the Effective Date of the Merger, Wells Fargo shall, or shall cause the surviving corporation to, honor and continue the Company Severance Pay Plan (as amended and restated April 3, 2000, and further amended April 9, 2000) as in effect immediately prior to the Effective Date of the Merger; provided, however, that no Company Employee who is a participant in any Company severance or salary continuation plan or who has an employment agreement with the Company or any Company Subsidiary in each case that would provide such Company Employee with severance or salary continuation benefits after the Effective Date of the Merger shall be eligible to participate in the Wells Fargo Salary Continuation Plan, until such time as such Company Employee is no longer eligible or entitled to receive severance or salary continuation benefits under such Company plan or agreement. 9. TERMINATION OF AGREEMENT. (a) TERMINATION. This Agreement may be terminated, and the Merger may be abandoned: (i) Mutual Consent. At any time prior to the Effective Time of the Merger, by mutual consent of Company and Wells Fargo, if the board of directors of each so determines by vote of a majority of the members of its entire board. (ii) Breach. At any time prior to the Effective Time of the Merger, by Company or Wells Fargo, if its board of directors of so determines by vote of a 35 majority of the members of its entire board, in the event of either: (A) a breach by the other party of any representation or warranty contained therein, which breach cannot be or has not been cured within 30 calendar days after the giving of written notice to the breaching party of such breach, or (B) a breach by the other party of any of the covenants or agreements contained herein, which breach cannot be or has not been cured within 30 calendar days after the giving of written notice to the breaching party of such breach; provided that such breach under clause (A) or (B) would entitle the non-breaching party not to consummate the Merger under paragraphs 6 or 7 hereof. (iii) Delay. At any time prior to the Effective Time of the Merger, by Company or Wells Fargo, if its board of directors so determines by vote of a majority of the members of its entire board, in the event that the Merger is not consummated by December 31, 2000, except to the extent that the failure of the Merger then to be consummated arises out of or results from the knowing action or inaction of the party seeking to terminate pursuant to this paragraph 9(a)(iii), which action or inaction is in violation of its obligations under this Agreement. (iv) No Approval. By Company or Wells Fargo, if its board of directors of so determines by vote of a majority of the members of its entire board, in the event that the approval of any Governmental Authority required for consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement shall have been denied by final nonappealable action of such Governmental Authority. (b) EFFECT OF TERMINATION AND ABANDONMENT. In the event of termination of this Agreement and the abandonment of the Merger pursuant to this paragraph 9, no party to this Agreement shall have any liability or further obligation to the other party hereto except as set forth below and except that termination will not relieve a breaching party from liability for any breach of this Agreement giving rise to such termination and except that paragraphs 4(g), 5(h) and 10 shall survive any termination of this Agreement. 10. EXPENSES. All expenses in connection with this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby, including without limitation legal and accounting fees, incurred by Company and Company Subsidiaries shall be borne by Company, and all such expenses incurred by Wells Fargo shall be borne by Wells Fargo. 11. SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS. This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns, but shall not be assignable by either party hereto without the prior written consent of the other party hereto. 12. THIRD PARTY BENEFICIARIES. Except as otherwise provided in paragraph 5(n) hereof with respect to indemnification of directors and officers, each party hereto intends that this Agreement shall not benefit or create any right or cause of action in or on behalf of any person other than the parties hereto. 36 13. NOTICES. Any notice or other communication provided for herein or given hereunder to a party hereto shall be in writing and shall be (i) delivered in person, or (ii) shall be mailed by first class registered or certified mail, postage prepaid, or (iii) shall be sent by facsimile, or (iv) shall be sent by reputable overnight courier service addressed as follows: If to Wells Fargo: Wells Fargo & Company Sixth and Marquette Minneapolis, Minnesota 55479 Attention: Corporate Secretary Facsimile: (612) 667-6082 If to Company: First Security Corporation 79 South Main Street, Second Floor Salt Lake City, Utah 84111 Attention: Spencer F. Eccles, Chairman & CEO Facsimile: (801) 359-6928 with a copy to: Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz 51 West 52nd Street New York, NY 10019 Attention: Edward D. Herlihy Facsimile: (212) 403-2000 or to such other address with respect to a party as such party shall notify the other in writing as above provided. Notice shall be effective upon receipt. 14. COMPLETE AGREEMENT. This Agreement, including the Exhibits and Schedules hereto, and the Merger Agreement contain the complete agreement between the parties hereto with respect to the Merger and other transactions contemplated hereby and supersede all prior agreements and understandings between the parties hereto with respect thereto. 15. CAPTIONS. The captions contained in this Agreement and the Exhibits and Schedules hereto are for convenience of reference only and do not form a part of this Agreement or the Exhibits or Schedules. 37 16. WAIVER AND OTHER ACTION. Either party hereto may, by a signed writing, give any consent, take any action pursuant to paragraph 9 hereof or otherwise, or waive any inaccuracies in the representations and warranties by the other party and compliance by the other party with any of the covenants and conditions herein. 17. AMENDMENT. At any time before the Time of Filing, the parties hereto, by action taken by their respective Boards of Directors or pursuant to authority delegated by their respective Boards of Directors, may amend this Agreement; provided, however, that no amendment after approval by the stockholders of Company shall be made which changes in a manner adverse to such stockholders the consideration to be provided to said stockholders pursuant to this Agreement and the Merger Agreement. 18. GOVERNING LAW. This Agreement shall be construed and enforced in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware without regard to the conflict of laws provisions thereof. 19. NON-SURVIVAL OF REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES. No representation or warranty contained in the Agreement or the Merger Agreement shall survive the Merger or, except as set forth in paragraph 9(b), the termination of this Agreement. Paragraph 10 shall survive the Merger. 20. COUNTERPARTS. This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original but all of which shall constitute but one instrument. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement as of the day and year first above written. WELLS FARGO & COMPANY FIRST SECURITY CORPORATION By: By: ------------------------------ ----------------------------------- Name: Name: ------------------------- ------------------------------ Title: Title: ------------------------ ----------------------------- 38 EXHIBIT A AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER BETWEEN FIRST SECURITY CORPORATION a Delaware corporation (the surviving corporation) AND [MERGER CO.] a Delaware corporation (the merged corporation) This Agreement and Plan of Merger dated as of __________, 2000, between FIRST SECURITY CORPORATION, a Delaware corporation (hereinafter sometimes called "Company" and sometimes called the "surviving corporation") and [MERGER CO.], a Delaware corporation ("Merger Co.")(said corporations being hereinafter sometimes referred to as the "constituent corporations"), WHEREAS, Merger Co., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Wells Fargo & Company, was incorporated by a Certificate of Incorporation filed in the office of the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware on _______, 20__, and said corporation is now a corporation subject to and governed by the provisions of the Delaware General Corporation Law. Merger Co. has authorized capital stock of ________ shares of common stock having a par value of $_____ per share ("Merger Co. Common Stock"), of which _________ shares were outstanding as of the date hereof; and WHEREAS, Company was incorporated by a Certificate of Incorporation filed in the office of the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware on ________, 19__ and said corporation is now a corporation subject to and governed by the provisions of the Delaware General Corporation Law. Company has authorized capital stock of ________ shares of Common Stock, par value $_____ per share ("Company Common Stock") of which _______ shares were outstanding and no shares were held in the treasury as of ___________ , 19__; and WHEREAS, Wells Fargo & Company and Company are parties to an Agreement and Plan of Reorganization dated as of __________ , 2000 (the "Reorganization Agreement"), setting forth certain representations, warranties and covenants in connection with the merger provided for herein; and WHEREAS, the directors, or a majority of them, of each of the constituent corporations respectively deem it advisable for the welfare and advantage of said corporations and for the best interests of the respective stockholders of said corporations that said corporations merge and that Merger Co. be merged with and into Company, with Company continuing as the surviving corporation, on the terms and conditions hereinafter set forth in accordance with the provisions of the Delaware General Corporation Law, which statute permits such merger; and WHEREAS, it is the intent of the parties to effect a merger which qualifies as a reorganization under Sections 368(a)(1)(A) and 368(a)(2)(E) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended; NOW, THEREFORE, the parties hereto, subject to the approval of the stockholders of Merger Co., in consideration of the premises and of the mutual covenants and agreements contained herein and of the benefits to accrue to the parties hereto, have agreed and do hereby agree that Merger Co. shall be merged with and into Company pursuant to the laws of the State of Delaware, and do hereby agree upon, prescribe and set forth the terms and conditions of the merger of Merger Co. with and into Company, the mode of carrying said merger into effect, the manner and basis of exchanging the shares of Company Common Stock for shares of common stock of Wells Fargo of the par value of $1-2/3 per share ("Wells Fargo Common Stock"), and such other provisions with respect to said merger as are deemed necessary or desirable, as follows: FIRST: At the time of merger Merger Co. shall be merged with and into Company, one of the constituent corporations, which shall be the surviving corporation, and the separate existence of Merger Co. shall cease and the name of the surviving corporation shall be ________________. SECOND: The Certificate of Incorporation of Company at the time of merger shall be amended as set forth below and, as so amended, shall be the Articles of Incorporation of the surviving corporation until further amended according to law: [AMEND TO CHANGE NAME, NUMBER OF DIRECTORS, ETC.] THIRD: The By-Laws of Company at the time of merger shall be and remain the By-Laws of the surviving corporation until amended according to the provisions of the Articles of Incorporation of the surviving corporation or of said By-Laws. FOURTH: The directors of Merger Co. at the time of merger shall be and remain the directors of the surviving corporation and shall hold office from the time of merger until their respective successors are elected and qualify. FIFTH: The officers of Merger Co. at the time of merger shall be and remain the officers of the surviving corporation and shall hold office from the time of merger until their respective successors are elected or appointed and qualify. SIXTH: The manner and basis of converting the shares of Company Common Stock into cash or shares of Wells Fargo Common Stock shall be as follows: 2 1. Each of the shares of Company Common Stock outstanding immediately prior to the time of merger shall at the time of merger, by virtue of the merger and without any action on the part of the holder or holders thereof, be converted into the right to receive ________ shares of Wells Fargo Common Stock. 2. As soon as practicable after the merger becomes effective, each holder of a certificate which, prior to the effective time of the merger, represented shares of Company Common Stock outstanding immediately prior to the time of merger shall be entitled, upon surrender of such certificate for cancellation to the surviving corporation or to Norwest Bank Minnesota, National Association, as the designated agent of the surviving corporation (the "Agent"), to receive a new certificate representing the number of whole shares of Wells Fargo Common Stock to which such holder shall be entitled on the basis set forth in paragraph 1 above. Until so surrendered each certificate which, immediately prior to the time of merger, represented shares of Company Common Stock shall not be transferable on the books of the surviving corporation but shall be deemed to evidence only the right to receive (except for the payment of dividends as provided below) the number of whole shares of Wells Fargo Common Stock issuable on the basis above set forth; provided, however, until the holder of such certificate for Company Common Stock shall have surrendered the same as above set forth, no dividend payable to holders of record of Wells Fargo Common Stock as of any date subsequent to the effective date of merger shall be paid to such holder with respect to the shares of Wells Fargo Common Stock, if any, issuable in connection with the merger, but, upon surrender and exchange thereof as herein provided, there shall be paid by the surviving corporation or the Agent to the record holder of such certificate representing Wells Fargo Common Stock issued in exchange therefor an amount with respect to such shares of Wells Fargo Common Stock equal to all dividends that shall have been paid or become payable to holders of record of Wells Fargo Common Stock between the effective date of merger and the date of such exchange. 3. If between the date of the Reorganization Agreement and the time of merger, shares of Wells Fargo Common Stock shall be changed into a different number of shares or a different class of shares by reason of any reclassification, recapitalization, split-up, combination, exchange of shares or readjustment, or if a stock dividend thereon shall be declared with a record date within such period, then the number of shares of Wells Fargo Common Stock, if any, into which a share of Company Common Stock shall be converted on the basis above set forth, will be appropriately and proportionately adjusted so that the number of such shares of Wells Fargo Common Stock into which a share of Company Common Stock shall be converted will equal the number of shares of Wells Fargo Common Stock which the holders of shares of Company Common Stock 3 would have received pursuant to such reclassification, recapitalization, split-up, combination, exchange of shares or readjustment, or stock dividend had the record date therefor been immediately following the time of merger. 4. No fractional shares of Wells Fargo Common Stock and no certificates or scrip certificates therefor shall be issued to represent any such fractional interest, and any holder of a fractional interest shall be paid an amount of cash equal to the product obtained by multiplying the fractional share interest to which such holder is entitled by the average of the closing prices of a share of Wells Fargo Common Stock on the New York Stock Exchange as reported by Bloomberg for each of the five (5) trading days immediately preceding the meeting of stockholders held to vote on the merger. 5. Each share of Merger Co. Common Stock issued and outstanding at the time of merger shall be converted into and exchanged for shares of the surviving corporation after the time of merger. SEVENTH: The merger provided for by this Agreement shall be effective as follows: 1. The effective date of merger shall be the date on which Articles of Merger (as described in subparagraph 1(b) of this Article Seventh) shall be delivered to and filed by the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware; provided, however, that all of the following actions shall have been taken in the following order: a. This Agreement shall be approved and adopted on behalf of Merger Co. and Company in accordance with the Delaware General Corporation Law; and b. A certificate of merger (which may have this Agreement attached thereto) with respect to the merger, setting forth the information required by the Delaware General Corporation Law, shall be executed by the President or a Vice President of Merger Co. and by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of Merger Co., and by the President or a Vice President of Company and by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of Company, and shall be filed in the office of the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware in accordance with the Delaware General Corporation Law. 2. The merger shall become effective as of 11:59 p.m. (the "time of merger") on the effective date of merger. 4 EIGHTH: At the time of merger: 1. The separate existence of Merger Co. shall cease, and the corporate existence and identity of Company shall continue as the surviving corporation. 2. The merger shall have the other effects prescribed by Section 259 of the Delaware General Corporation Law. NINTH: The following provisions shall apply with respect to the merger provided for by this Agreement: 1. The registered office of the surviving corporation in the State of Delaware shall be _______________, and the name of the registered agent of Company at such address is _________________. 2. If at any time the surviving corporation shall consider or be advised that any further assignment or assurance in law or other action is necessary or desirable to vest, perfect or confirm in the surviving corporation the title to any property or rights of Merger Co. acquired or to be acquired as a result of the merger provided for herein, the proper officers and directors of Company and Merger Co. may execute and deliver such deeds, assignments and assurances in law and take such other action as may be necessary or proper to vest, perfect or confirm title to such property or right in the surviving corporation and otherwise carry out the purposes of this Agreement. 3. For the convenience of the parties and to facilitate the filing of this Agreement, any number of counterparts hereof may be executed and each such counterpart shall be deemed to be an original instrument. 4. This Agreement and the legal relations among the parties hereto shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware. 5. This Agreement cannot be altered or amended except pursuant to an instrument in writing signed by both of the parties hereto. 6. At any time prior to the filing of Articles of Merger with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware, subject to the provisions of the Reorganization Agreement this Agreement may be terminated upon approval by the Boards of Directors of either of the constituent corporations notwithstanding the approval of the stockholders of either constituent corporation. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have cause this Agreement and Plan of Merger to be signed in their respective corporate names by the undersigned officers and their respective corporate seals to be affixed hereto, pursuant to authority 5 duly given by their respective Boards of Directors, all as of the day and year first above written. FIRST SECURITY CORPORATION By: ---------------------------------- Its: --------------------------------- 6 [MERGER CO.] By: -------------------------------- Its: ------------------------------- 7 EXHIBIT B Wells Fargo & Company Norwest Center Sixth and Marquette Minneapolis, MN 55479 Attention: Corporate Secretary Gentlemen: I have been advised that I might be considered to be an "affiliate," as that term is defined for purposes of paragraphs (c) and (d) of Rule 145 ("Rule 145") promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission") under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act") of FIRST SECURITY CORPORATION, a Delaware corporation ("Company"). Pursuant to an Agreement and Plan of Reorganization, dated as of April 9, 2000, (the "Reorganization Agreement"), between Company and Wells Fargo & Company, a Delaware corporation ("Wells Fargo") it is contemplated that a wholly-owned subsidiary of Wells Fargo will merge with and into Company (the "Merger") and as a result, I will receive in exchange for each share of Common Stock, par value $1.25 per share, of Company ("Company Common Stock") owned by me immediately prior to the Effective Time of the Merger (as defined in the Reorganization Agreement), a number of shares of Common Stock, par value $1 2/3 per share, of Wells Fargo ("Wells Fargo Common Stock"), as more specifically set forth in the Reorganization Agreement. I hereby agree as follows: I will not offer to sell, transfer or otherwise dispose of any of the shares of Company Common Stock or Wells Fargo Common Stock held by me during the 30 days prior to the Effective Time of the Merger. I will not offer to sell, transfer or otherwise dispose of any of the shares of Wells Fargo Common Stock issued to me pursuant to the Merger (the "Stock") except (a) in compliance with the applicable provisions of Rule 145, (b) in a transaction that is otherwise exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act, or (c) in an offering registered under the Securities Act. I will not sell, transfer or otherwise dispose of any Wells Fargo Common Stock or in any way reduce my risk relative to any shares of any Wells Fargo Common Stock issued to me pursuant to the Merger until such time as financial results covering at least 30 days of post-Merger combined operations of Company and Wells Fargo have been published. I consent to the endorsement of the Stock issued to me pursuant to the Merger with a restrictive legend which will read substantially as follows: "The shares represented by this certificate were issued in a transaction to which Rule 145 promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Act"), applies, and may be sold or otherwise transferred only in compliance with the limitations of such Rule 145, or upon receipt by Wells Fargo & Company of an opinion of counsel reasonably satisfactory to it that some other exemption from registration under the Act is available, or pursuant to a registration statement under the Act." Wells Fargo's transfer agent shall be given an appropriate stop transfer order and shall not be required to register any attempted transfer of the shares of the Stock, unless the transfer has been effected in compliance with the terms of this letter agreement. It is understood and agreed that this letter agreement shall terminate and be of no further force and effect and the restrictive legend set forth above shall be removed by delivery of substitute certificates without such legend, and the related stop transfer restrictions shall be lifted forthwith, if (a) (i) any such shares of Stock shall have been registered under the Securities Act for sale, transfer or other disposition by me or on my behalf and are sold, transferred or otherwise disposed of, or (ii) any such shares of Stock are sold in accordance with the provisions of paragraphs (c), (e), (f) and (g) of Rule 144 promulgated under the Securities Act, or (iii) I am not at the time of such disposition an affiliate of Wells Fargo and have been the beneficial owner of the Stock for at least one year (or such other period as may be prescribed thereunder) and Wells Fargo has filed with the Commission all of the reports it is required to file under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, during the preceding twelve months, or (iv) I am not and have not been for at least three months an affiliate of Wells Fargo and have been the beneficial owner of the Stock for at least two years (or such other period as may be prescribed by the Securities Act, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder), or (v) Wells Fargo shall have received an opinion of counsel acceptable to Wells Fargo to the effect that the stock transfer restrictions and the legend are not required, and (b) financial results covering at least 30 days of post-Merger combined operations have been published. I have carefully read this letter agreement and the Reorganization Agreement and have discussed their requirements and other applicable limitations upon my ability to offer to sell, transfer or otherwise dispose of shares of Company Common Stock, Wells Fargo Common Stock or the Stock, to the extent I felt necessary, with my counsel or counsel for Company. Sincerely, ------------------------- EX-99.2 3 EXHIBIT 99.2 STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT, dated as of April 9, 2000, between Wells Fargo & Company, a Delaware corporation ("GRANTEE"), and First Security Corporation, a Delaware corporation ("ISSUER") (this "Agreement" or "Stock Option Agreement"). RECITALS A. MERGER AGREEMENT. Grantee and Issuer have entered into an Agreement and Plan of Reorganization, dated as of April 9, 2000 (the "MERGER AGREEMENT"), which agreement has been executed by the parties hereto immediately prior to this Stock Option Agreement; and B. OPTION. As a condition to Grantee's entering into the Merger Agreement and in consideration therefor and in consideration for the option granted to Issuer by Grantee pursuant to an option agreement dated as of the date hereof, Issuer has agreed to grant Grantee the Option (as hereinafter defined). NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and the mutual covenants and agreements set forth herein and in the Merger Agreement, the parties hereto agree as follows: 1. (a) Issuer hereby grants to Grantee an unconditional, irrevocable option (the "OPTION") to purchase, subject to the terms hereof, up to an aggregate of 41,551,200 fully paid and nonassessable shares of the common stock, par value $1.25 per share, of Issuer ("COMMON STOCK") at a price per share equal to the average of the last reported sale prices per share of Common Stock as reported on the NASDAQ National Market (as reported in THE WALL STREET JOURNAL or, if not reported therein, in another authoritative source) on April 7, 2000 and April 10, 2000; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that in no event shall the number of shares for which this Option is exercisable exceed 19.9% of the issued and outstanding shares of Common Stock. The number of shares of Common Stock that may be received upon the exercise of the Option and the Option Price are subject to adjustment as herein set forth. (b) In the event that any additional shares of Common Stock are issued or otherwise become outstanding after the date of this Agreement (other than pursuant to this Agreement and other than pursuant to an event described in the second sentence of Section 5 hereof), the number of shares of Common Stock subject to the Option shall be increased so that, after such issuance, such number together with any shares of Common Stock previously issued pursuant hereto, equals 19.9% of the number of shares of Common Stock then issued and outstanding without giving effect to any shares subject or issued pursuant to the Option. Nothing contained in this Section l(b) or elsewhere in this Agreement shall be deemed to authorize Issuer to issue shares in breach of any provision of the Merger Agreement. 2. (a) The Holder (as hereinafter defined) may exercise the Option, in whole or part, if, but only if, both an Initial Triggering Event (as hereinafter defined) and a Subsequent Triggering Event (as hereinafter defined) shall have occurred prior to the occurrence of an Exercise Termination Event (as hereinafter defined), PROVIDED that the Holder shall have sent the written notice of such exercise (as provided in subsection (e) of this Section 2) within six (6) months following such Subsequent Triggering Event (or such later period as provided in Section 10). Each of the following shall be an Exercise Termination Event: (i) the Effective Time of the Merger; (ii) termination of the Merger Agreement in accordance with the provisions thereof if such termination occurs prior to the occurrence of an Initial Triggering Event except a termination by Grantee pursuant to Section 9(a)(ii) of the Merger Agreement (a "LISTED TERMINATION"); or (iii) the passage of eighteen (18) months (or such longer period as provided in Section 10) after termination of the Merger Agreement if such termination follows the occurrence of an Initial Triggering Event or is a Listed Termination. The term "HOLDER" shall mean the holder or holders of the Option. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, the Option may not be exercised at any time when Grantee shall be in material breach of any of its covenants or agreements contained in the Merger Agreement such that Issuer shall be entitled to terminate the Merger Agreement pursuant to Section 9(a)(ii) thereof. Anything to the contrary notwithstanding, at no point may the Option be exercised, as a whole or in part, to the extent that such exercise (or the acquisition of Option Shares thereunder) would, if it occurred on the date hereof, be inconsistent with any provision of the Merger Agreement. (b) The term "INITIAL TRIGGERING EVENT" shall mean any of the following events or transactions occurring on or after the date hereof: (i) Issuer or any of its Significant Subsidiaries (as defined in Rule 1-02 of Regulation S-X promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC")) (the "ISSUER SUBSIDIARIES"), without having received Grantee's prior written consent, shall have entered into an agreement to engage in an Acquisition Transaction (as hereinafter defined) with any person (the term "PERSON" for purposes of this Agreement having the meaning assigned thereto in Sections 3(a)(9) and 13(d)(3) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "1934 ACT"), and the rules and regulations thereunder) other than Grantee or any of its Subsidiaries (each a "GRANTEE SUBSIDIARY") or the Board of Directors of Issuer (the "ISSUER BOARD") shall have recommended that the stockholders of Issuer approve or accept any Acquisition Transaction other than as contemplated by the Merger Agreement. For purposes of this Agreement, (a) "ACQUISITION TRANSACTION" shall mean (x) a merger or consolidation, or any similar transaction, involving Issuer or any Issuer Subsidiary (other than mergers, consolidations or similar transactions involving solely Issuer and/or one or more wholly-owned Subsidiaries of the Issuer, PROVIDED, any such transaction is not entered into in violation of the terms of the Merger Agreement), (y) a purchase, lease or other acquisition of all or any substantial part of the assets or deposits of Issuer or any Issuer Subsidiary, or (z) a purchase or other acquisition (including by way of merger, consolidation, share exchange or otherwise) of securities representing 10% or more of the voting power of Issuer or any Issuer Subsidiary and (b) " SUBSIDIARY" shall have the meaning set forth in Rule 12b-2 under the 1934 Act; (ii) Any person other than the Grantee or any Grantee Subsidiary shall have acquired beneficial ownership or the right to acquire beneficial ownership of 10% or more of the outstanding shares of Common Stock (the term "BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP" for purposes of this Agreement having the meaning assigned thereto in Section 13(d) of the 1934 Act, and the rules and regulations thereunder); 2 (iii) The stockholders of Issuer shall have voted and failed to approve the Merger Agreement and the Merger at a meeting which has been held for that purpose or any adjournment or postponement thereof, or such meeting shall not have been held in violation of the Merger Agreement or shall have been canceled prior to termination of the Merger Agreement if, prior to such meeting (or if such meeting shall not have been held or shall have been canceled, prior to such termination), it shall have been publicly announced that any person (other than Grantee or any of its Subsidiaries) shall have made, or disclosed an intention to make, a proposal to engage in an Acquisition Transaction; (iv) The Issuer Board shall have withdrawn, modified or qualified (or publicly announced its intention to withdraw, modify or qualify) in any manner adverse in any respect to Grantee its recommendation that the shareholders of Issuer approve the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement, or Issuer or any Issuer Subsidiary shall have authorized, recommended, proposed (or publicly announced its intention to authorize, recommend or propose) an agreement to engage in an Acquisition Transaction with any person other than Grantee or a Grantee Subsidiary; (v) Any person other than Grantee or any Grantee Subsidiary shall have filed with the SEC a registration statement or tender offer materials with respect to a potential exchange or tender offer that would constitute an Acquisition Transaction (or filed a preliminary proxy statement with the SEC with respect to a potential vote by its shareholders to approve the issuance of shares to be offered in such an exchange offer); (vi) Issuer shall have willfully breached any covenant or obligation contained in the Merger Agreement in anticipation of an Acquisition Transaction, and following such breach Grantee would be entitled to terminate the Merger Agreement (whether immediately or after the giving of notice or passage of time or both); or (vii) Any person other than Grantee or any Grantee Subsidiary, without Grantee's prior written consent, shall have filed an application or notice with the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (the "FEDERAL RESERVE BOARD") or other federal or state bank regulatory or antitrust authority, which application or notice has been accepted for processing, for approval to engage in an Acquisition Transaction. (c) The term "SUBSEQUENT TRIGGERING EVENT" shall mean any of the following events or transactions occurring after the date hereof: (i) The acquisition by any person (other than Grantee or any Grantee Subsidiary) of beneficial ownership of 25% or more of the then outstanding Common Stock; or (ii) The occurrence of the Initial Triggering Event described in clause (i) of subsection (b) of this Section 2, except that the percentage referred to in clause (z) of the second sentence thereof shall be 25%. (d) Issuer shall notify Grantee promptly in writing of the occurrence of any Initial Triggering Event or Subsequent Triggering Event (together, a "TRIGGERING EVENT"), it being 3 understood that the giving of such notice by Issuer shall not be a condition to the right of the Holder to exercise the Option. (e) In the event the Holder is entitled to and wishes to exercise the Option (or any portion thereof), it shall send to Issuer a written notice (the date of which being herein referred to as the "NOTICE DATE") specifying (i) the total number of shares it will purchase pursuant to such exercise and (ii) a place and date not earlier than three business days nor later than 60 business days from the Notice Date for the closing of such purchase (the "CLOSING DATE"); PROVIDED, that if prior notification to or approval of the Federal Reserve Board or any other regulatory or antitrust agency is required in connection with such purchase, the Holder shall promptly file the required notice or application for approval, shall promptly notify Issuer of such filing and shall expeditiously process the same and the period of time that otherwise would run pursuant to this sentence shall run instead from the date on which any required notification periods have expired or been terminated or such approvals have been obtained and any requisite waiting period or periods shall have passed. Any exercise of the Option shall be deemed to occur on the Notice Date relating thereto. (f) At the closing referred to in subsection (e) of this Section 2, the Holder shall (i) pay to Issuer the aggregate purchase price for the shares of Common Stock purchased pursuant to the exercise of the Option in immediately available funds by wire transfer to a bank account designated by Issuer and (ii) present and surrender this Agreement to Issuer at its principal executive offices, PROVIDED that the failure or refusal of the Issuer to designate such a bank account or accept surrender of this Agreement shall not preclude the Holder from exercising the Option. (g) At such closing, simultaneously with the delivery of immediately available funds as provided in subsection (f) of this Section 2, Issuer shall deliver to the Holder a certificate or certificates representing the number of shares of Common Stock purchased by the Holder and, if the Option should be exercised in part only, a new Option evidencing the rights of the Holder thereof to purchase the balance of the shares purchasable hereunder. (h) Certificates for Common Stock delivered at a closing hereunder may be endorsed with a restrictive legend that shall read substantially as follows: "The transfer of the shares represented by this certificate is subject to certain provisions of an agreement between the registered holder hereof and Issuer and to resale restrictions arising under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. A copy of such agreement is on file at the principal office of Issuer and will be provided to the holder hereof without charge upon receipt by Issuer of a written request therefor." It is understood and agreed that: (i) the reference to the resale restrictions of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "1933 ACT") in the above legend shall be removed by delivery of substitute certificate(s) without such reference if the Holder shall have delivered to Issuer a copy of a letter from the staff of the SEC, or an opinion of counsel, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Issuer, to the effect that such legend is not required for purposes of the 1933 Act; (ii) the reference to the provisions of this Agreement in the above legend shall be removed by delivery of substitute certificate(s) without such reference if the shares have been sold or trans- 4 ferred in compliance with the provisions of this Agreement and under circumstances that do not require the retention of such reference in the opinion of counsel to the Holder, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Issuer; and (iii) the legend shall be removed in its entirety if the conditions in the preceding clauses (i) and (ii) are both satisfied. In addition, such certificates shall bear any other legend as may be required by law. (i) Upon the giving by the Holder to Issuer of the written notice of exercise of the Option provided for under subsection (e) of this Section 2 and the tender of the applicable purchase price in immediately available funds, the Holder shall be deemed to be the holder of record of the shares of Common Stock issuable upon such exercise, notwithstanding that the stock transfer books of Issuer shall then be closed or that certificates representing such shares of Common Stock shall not then be actually delivered to the Holder. Issuer shall pay all expenses, and any and all United States federal, state and local taxes and other charges that may be payable in connection with the preparation, issue and delivery of stock certificates under this Section 2 in the name of the Holder or its assignee, transferee or designee. 3. Issuer agrees: (i) that it shall at all times maintain, free from preemptive rights, sufficient authorized but unissued or treasury shares of Common Stock so that the Option may be exercised without additional authorization of Common Stock after giving effect to all other options, warrants, convertible securities and other rights to purchase Common Stock; (ii) that it will not, by charter amendment or through reorganization, consolidation, merger, dissolution or sale of assets, or by any other voluntary act, avoid or seek to avoid the observance or performance of any of the covenants, stipulations or conditions to be observed or performed hereunder by Issuer; (iii) promptly to take all action as may from time to time be required (including (x) complying with all applicable premerger notification, reporting and waiting period requirements specified in 15 U.S.C. Section 18a and regulations promulgated thereunder and (y) in the event, under the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, as amended (the "BHCA"), or the Change in Bank Control Act of 1978, as amended, or any state or other federal banking law, prior approval of or notice to the Federal Reserve Board or to any state or other federal regulatory authority is necessary before the Option may be exercised, cooperating fully with the Holder in preparing such applications or notices and providing such information to the Federal Reserve Board or such state or other federal regulatory authority as they may require) in order to permit the Holder to exercise the Option and Issuer duly and effectively to issue shares of Common Stock pursuant hereto; and (iv) promptly to take all action provided herein to protect the rights of the Holder against dilution. 4. This Agreement (and the Option granted hereby) are exchangeable, without expense, at the option of the Holder, upon presentation and surrender of this Agreement at the principal office of Issuer, for other Agreements providing for Options of different denominations entitling the holder thereof to purchase, on the same terms and subject to the same conditions as are set forth herein, in the aggregate the same number of shares of Common Stock purchasable hereunder. The terms "AGREEMENT" and "OPTION" as used herein include any Agreements and related Options for which this Agreement (and the Option granted hereby) may be exchanged. Upon receipt by Issuer of evidence reasonably satisfactory to it of the loss, theft, destruction or mutilation of this Agreement, and (in the case of loss, theft or destruction) of reasonably satisfactory indemnification, and upon surrender and cancellation of this Agreement, if mutilated, Issuer will execute and deliver a new Agreement of like tenor and date. Any such new 5 Agreement executed and delivered shall constitute an additional contractual obligation on the part of Issuer, whether or not the Agreement so lost, stolen, destroyed or mutilated shall at any time be enforceable by anyone. 5. In addition to the adjustment in the number of shares of Common Stock that are purchasable upon exercise of the Option pursuant to Section 1 of this Agreement, the number of shares of Common Stock purchasable upon the exercise of the Option and the Option Price shall be subject to adjustment from time to time as provided in this Section 5. In the event of any change in Common Stock by reason of a stock dividend, stock split, split-up, recapitalization, stock combination, exchange of shares or similar transaction, the type and number of shares or securities subject to the Option, and the Option Price therefor, shall be adjusted appropriately, and proper provision shall be made in the agreements governing such transaction so that Grantee shall receive, upon exercise of the Option, the number and class of shares or other securities or property that Grantee would have received in respect of Common Stock if the Option had been exercised immediately prior to such event, or the record date therefor, as applicable. If any additional shares of Common Stock are issued after the date of this Agreement (other than pursuant to an event described in the second sentence of this Section 5), the number of shares of Common Stock subject to the Option shall be adjusted so that, after such issuance, it, together with any shares of Common Stock previously issued pursuant hereto, equals 19.9% of the number of shares of Common Stock then issued and outstanding, without giving effect to any shares subject to or issued pursuant to the Option. 6. Upon the occurrence of a Subsequent Triggering Event that occurs prior to an Exercise Termination Event, Issuer shall, at the request of Grantee delivered within twelve (12) months (or such later period as provided in Section 10) of such Subsequent Triggering Event (whether on its own behalf or on behalf of any subsequent holder of this Option (or part thereof) or any of the shares of Common Stock issued pursuant hereto), promptly prepare, file and keep current a registration statement under the 1933 Act covering any shares issued and issuable pursuant to this Option and shall use its reasonable best efforts to cause such registration statement to become effective and remain current in order to permit the sale or other disposition of any shares of Common Stock issued upon total or partial exercise of this Option ("OPTION SHARES") in accordance with any plan of disposition requested by Grantee. Issuer will use its reasonable best efforts to cause such registration statement promptly to become effective and then to remain effective for such period not in excess of 180 days from the day such registration statement first becomes effective or such shorter time as may be reasonably necessary to effect such sales or other dispositions. Grantee shall have the right to demand two such registrations. The Issuer shall bear the costs of such registrations (including, but not limited to, Issuer's attorneys' fees, printing costs and filing fees, except for underwriting discounts or commissions, brokers' fees and the fees and disbursements of Grantee's counsel related thereto). The foregoing notwithstanding, if, at the time of any request by Grantee for registration of Option Shares as provided above, Issuer is in registration with respect to an underwritten public offering by Issuer of shares of Common Stock, and if in the good faith judgment of the managing underwriter or managing underwriters, or, if none, the sole underwriter or underwriters, of such offering the offer and sale of the Option Shares would interfere with the successful marketing of the shares of Common Stock offered by Issuer, the number of Option Shares otherwise to be covered in the registration statement contemplated hereby may be reduced; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that after any such required reduction the number of Option Shares to be included in such offering for the account of the 6 Holder shall constitute at least 33% of the total number of shares to be sold by the Holder and Issuer in the aggregate; and PROVIDED FURTHER, HOWEVER, that if such reduction occurs, then Issuer shall file a registration statement for the balance as promptly as practicable thereafter as to which no reduction pursuant to this Section 6 shall be permitted or occur and the Holder shall thereafter be entitled to one additional registration and the twelve (12) month period referred to in the first sentence of this section shall be increased to twenty-four (24) months. Each such Holder shall provide all information reasonably requested by Issuer for inclusion in any registration statement to be filed hereunder. If requested by any such Holder in connection with such registration, Issuer shall become a party to any underwriting agreement relating to the sale of such shares, but only to the extent of obligating itself in respect of representations, warranties, indemnities and other agreements customarily included in such underwriting agreements for Issuer. Upon receiving any request under this Section 6 from any Holder, Issuer agrees to send a copy thereof to any other person known to Issuer to be entitled to registration rights under this Section 6, in each case by promptly mailing the same, postage prepaid, to the address of record of the persons entitled to receive such copies. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, in no event shall the number of registrations that Issuer is obligated to effect be increased by reason of the fact that there shall be more than one Holder as a result of any assignment or division of this Agreement. 7. (a) At any time after the occurrence of a Repurchase Event (as defined below) (i) at the request of the Holder, delivered prior to an Exercise Termination Event (or such later period as provided in Section 10), Issuer (or any successor thereto) shall repurchase the Option from the Holder at a price (the "OPTION REPURCHASE PRICE") equal to the amount by which (A) the market/offer price (as defined below) exceeds (B) the Option Price, multiplied by the number of shares for which this Option may then be exercised and (ii) at the request of the owner of Option Shares from time to time (the "OWNER"), delivered prior to an Exercise Termination Event (or such later period as provided in Section 10), Issuer (or any successor thereto) shall repurchase such number of the Option Shares from the Owner as the Owner shall designate at a price (the "OPTION SHARE REPURCHASE PRICE") equal to the market/offer price multiplied by the number of Option Shares so designated. The term "MARKET/OFFER PRICE" shall mean the highest of (i) the price per share of Common Stock at which a tender or exchange offer therefor has been made, (ii) the price per share of Common Stock to be paid by any third party pursuant to an agreement with Issuer, (iii) the highest closing price for shares of Common Stock within the six-month period immediately preceding the date the Holder gives notice of the required repurchase of this Option or the Owner gives notice of the required repurchase of Option Shares, as the case may be, or (iv) in the event of a sale of all or any substantial part of Issuer's assets or deposits, the sum of the net price paid in such sale for such assets or deposits and the current market value of the remaining net assets of Issuer as determined by a nationally recognized investment banking firm selected by the Holder or the Owner, as the case may be, and reasonably acceptable to Issuer, divided by the number of shares of Common Stock of Issuer outstanding at the time of such sale. In determining the market/offer price, the value of consideration other than cash shall be determined by a nationally recognized investment banking firm selected by the Holder or Owner, as the case may be, and reasonably acceptable to Issuer. (b) The Holder and the Owner, as the case may be, may exercise its right to require Issuer to repurchase the Option and any Option Shares pursuant to this Section 7 by surrendering for such purpose to Issuer, at its principal office, a copy of this Agreement or 7 certificates for Option Shares, as applicable, accompanied by a written notice or notices stating that the Holder or the Owner, as the case may be, elects to require Issuer to repurchase this Option and/or the Option Shares in accordance with the provisions of this Section 7. The Holder shall also represent and warrant that it has sole record and beneficial ownership of such Option Shares and that such Option Shares are then free and clear of all liens. As promptly as practicable, and in any event within five (5) business days after the surrender of the Option and/or certificates representing Option Shares and the receipt of such notice or notices relating thereto, Issuer shall deliver or cause to be delivered to the Holder the Option Repurchase Price and/or to the Owner the Option Share Repurchase Price therefor or the portion thereof that Issuer is not then prohibited under applicable law and regulation from so delivering. (c) To the extent that Issuer is prohibited under applicable law or regulation, or as a consequence of administrative policy, from repurchasing the Option and/or the Option Shares in full, Issuer shall immediately so notify the Holder and/or the Owner and thereafter deliver or cause to be delivered, from time to time, to the Holder and/or the Owner, as appropriate, the portion of the Option Repurchase Price and the Option Share Repurchase Price, respectively, that it is no longer prohibited from delivering, within five (5) business days after the date on which Issuer is no longer so prohibited; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that if Issuer at any time after delivery of a notice of repurchase pursuant to paragraph (b) of this Section 7 is prohibited under applicable law or regulation, or as a consequence of administrative policy, from delivering to the Holder and/or the Owner, as appropriate, the Option Repurchase Price and the Option Share Repurchase Price, respectively, in full (and Issuer hereby undertakes to use its reasonable best efforts to obtain all required regulatory and legal approvals and to file any required notices as promptly as practicable in order to accomplish such repurchase), the Holder or Owner may revoke its notice of repurchase of the Option and/or the Option Shares whether in whole or to the extent of the prohibition, whereupon, in the latter case, Issuer shall promptly (i) deliver to the Holder and/or the Owner, as appropriate, that portion of the Option Repurchase Price and/or the Option Share Repurchase Price that Issuer is not prohibited from delivering; and (ii) deliver, as appropriate, either (A) to the Holder, a new Agreement evidencing the right of the Holder to purchase that number of shares of Common Stock obtained by multiplying the number of shares of Common Stock for which the surrendered Agreement was exercisable at the time of delivery of the notice of repurchase by a fraction, the numerator of which is the Option Repurchase Price less the portion thereof theretofore delivered to the Holder and the denominator of which is the Option Repurchase Price, and/or (B) to the Owner, a certificate for the Option Shares it is then so prohibited from repurchasing. If an Exercise Termination Event shall have occurred prior to the date of the notice by Issuer described in the first sentence of this subsection (c), or shall be scheduled to occur at any time before the expiration of a period ending on the thirtieth day after such date, the Holder shall nonetheless have the right to exercise the Option until the expiration of such 30-day period. (d) For purposes of this Agreement, a "REPURCHASE EVENT" shall be deemed to have occurred upon the occurrence of any of the following events or transactions after the date hereof: (i) the acquisition by any person (other than Grantee or any Grantee Subsidiary) of beneficial ownership of 50% or more of the then outstanding Common Stock; or 8 (ii) the consummation of any Acquisition Transaction described in Section 2(b)(i) hereof, except that the percentage referred to in clause (z) shall be 25%. 8. (a) In the event that prior to an Exercise Termination Event, Issuer shall enter into an agreement (i) to consolidate with or merge into any person, other than Grantee or a Grantee Subsidiary, or engage in a plan of exchange with any person, other than Grantee or a Grantee Subsidiary and Issuer shall not be the continuing or surviving corporation of such consolidation or merger or the acquirer in such plan of exchange, (ii) to permit any person, other than Grantee or a Grantee Subsidiary, to merge into Issuer or be acquired by Issuer in a plan of exchange and Issuer shall be the continuing or surviving or acquiring corporation, but, in connection with such merger or plan of exchange, the then outstanding shares of Common Stock shall be changed into or exchanged for stock or other securities of any other person or cash or any other property or the then outstanding shares of Common Stock shall after such merger or plan of exchange represent less than 50% of the outstanding shares and share equivalents of the merged or acquiring company, or (iii) to sell or otherwise transfer all or a substantial part of its or any Issuer Subsidiary's assets or deposits to any person, other than Grantee or a Grantee Subsidiary, then, and in each such case, the agreement governing such transaction shall make proper provision so that the Option shall, upon the consummation of any such transaction and upon the terms and conditions set forth herein, be converted into, or exchanged for, an option (the "SUBSTITUTE OPTION"), at the election of the Holder, of either (x) the Acquiring Corporation (as hereinafter defined) or (y) any person that controls the Acquiring Corporation. (b) The following terms have the meanings indicated: (i) "ACQUIRING CORPORATION" shall mean (i) the continuing or surviving person of a consolidation or merger with Issuer (if other than Issuer), (ii) the acquiring person in a plan of exchange in which Issuer is acquired, (iii) the Issuer in a merger or plan of exchange in which Issuer is the continuing or surviving or acquiring person and (iv) the transferee of all or a substantial part of Issuer's assets or deposits (or the assets or deposits of any Issuer Subsidiary). (ii) "SUBSTITUTE COMMON STOCK" shall mean the common stock issued by the issuer of the Substitute Option upon exercise of the Substitute Option. (iii) "ASSIGNED VALUE" shall mean the market/offer price, as defined in Section 7. (iv) "AVERAGE PRICE" shall mean the average closing price of a share of the Substitute Common Stock for one (1) year immediately preceding the consolidation, merger or sale in question, but in no event higher than the closing price of the shares of Substitute Common Stock on the day preceding such consolidation, merger or sale; PROVIDED that if Issuer is the issuer of the Substitute Option, the Average Price shall be computed with respect to a share of common stock issued by the person merging into Issuer or by any company which controls or is controlled by such person, as the Holder may elect. 9 (c) The Substitute Option shall have the same terms as the Option, PROVIDED that if the terms of the Substitute Option cannot, for legal reasons, be the same as the Option, such terms shall be as similar as possible and in no event less advantageous to the Holder. The issuer of the Substitute Option shall also enter into an agreement with the then Holder or Holders of the Substitute Option in substantially the same form as this Agreement (after giving effect for such purpose to the provisions of Section 9), which agreement shall be applicable to the Substitute Option. (d) The Substitute Option shall be exercisable for such number of shares of Substitute Common Stock as is equal to the Assigned Value multiplied by the number of shares of Common Stock for which the Option was exercisable immediately prior to the event described in the first sentence of Section 8(a), divided by the Average Price. The exercise price of the Substitute Option per share of Substitute Common Stock shall then be equal to the Option Price multiplied by a fraction, the numerator of which shall be the number of shares of Common Stock for which the Option was exercisable immediately prior to the event described in the first sentence of Section 8(a) and the denominator of which shall be the number of shares of Substitute Common Stock for which the Substitute Option is exercisable. (e) In no event, pursuant to any of the foregoing paragraphs, shall the Substitute Option be exercisable for more than 19.9% of the shares of Substitute Common Stock outstanding prior to exercise of the Substitute Option. In the event that the Substitute Option would be exercisable for more than 19.9% of the shares of Substitute Common Stock outstanding prior to exercise but for this clause (e), the issuer of the Substitute Option (the "SUBSTITUTE OPTION ISSUER") shall make a cash payment to Holder equal to the excess of (i) the value of the Substitute Option without giving effect to the limitation in this clause (e) over (ii) the value of the Substitute Option after giving effect to the limitation in this clause (e). This difference in value shall be determined by a nationally recognized investment banking firm selected by the Holder. (f) Issuer shall not enter into any transaction described in subsection (a) of this Section 8 unless the Acquiring Corporation and any person that controls the Acquiring Corporation assume in writing all the obligations of Issuer hereunder. 9. (a) At the request of the holder of the Substitute Option (the "SUBSTITUTE OPTION HOLDER"), the issuer of the Substitute Option (the "SUBSTITUTE OPTION ISSUER") shall repurchase the Substitute Option from the Substitute Option Holder at a price (the "SUBSTITUTE OPTION REPURCHASE PRICE") equal to the amount by which (i) the Highest Closing Price (as hereinafter defined) exceeds (ii) the exercise price of the Substitute Option, multiplied by the number of shares of Substitute Common Stock for which the Substitute Option may then be exercised, and at the request of the owner (the "SUBSTITUTE SHARE OWNER") of shares of Substitute Common Stock (the "SUBSTITUTE SHARES"), the Substitute Option Issuer shall repurchase the Substitute Shares at a price (the "SUBSTITUTE SHARE REPURCHASE PRICE") equal to the Highest Closing Price multiplied by the number of Substitute Shares so designated. The term "HIGHEST CLOSING PRICE" shall mean the highest closing price for shares of Substitute Common Stock within the six-month period immediately preceding the date the Substitute Option Holder gives notice of the required repurchase of the Substitute Option or the Substitute Share Owner gives notice of the required repurchase of the Substitute Shares, as applicable. 10 (b) The Substitute Option Holder and the Substitute Share Owner, as the case may be, may exercise its respective rights to require the Substitute Option Issuer to repurchase the Substitute Option and the Substitute Shares pursuant to this Section 9 by surrendering for such purpose to the Substitute Option Issuer, at its principal office, the agreement for such Substitute Option (or, in the absence of such an agreement, a copy of this Agreement) and/or certificates for Substitute Shares accompanied by a written notice or notices stating that the Substitute Option Holder or the Substitute Share Owner, as the case may be, elects to require the Substitute Option Issuer to repurchase the Substitute Option and/or the Substitute Shares in accordance with the provisions of this Section 9. As promptly as practicable and in any event within five (5) business days after the surrender of the Substitute Option and/or certificates representing Substitute Shares and the receipt of such notice or notices relating thereto, the Substitute Option Issuer shall deliver or cause to be delivered to the Substitute Option Holder the Substitute Option Repurchase Price and/or to the Substitute Share Owner the Substitute Share Repurchase Price therefor or the portion thereof which the Substitute Option Issuer is not then prohibited under applicable law and regulation from so delivering. (c) To the extent that the Substitute Option Issuer is prohibited under applicable law or regulation, or as a consequence of administrative policy, from repurchasing the Substitute Option and/or the Substitute Shares in part or in full, the Substitute Option Issuer shall immediately so notify the Substitute Option Holder and/or the Substitute Share Owner and thereafter deliver or cause to be delivered, from time to time, to the Substitute Option Holder and/or the Substitute Share Owner, as appropriate, the portion of the Substitute Option Repurchase Price and/or the Substitute Share Repurchase Price, respectively, which it is no longer prohibited from delivering, within five (5) business days after the date on which the Substitute Option Issuer is no longer so prohibited; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that if the Substitute Option Issuer is at any time after delivery of a notice of repurchase pursuant to subsection (b) of this Section 9 prohibited under applicable law or regulation, or as a consequence of administrative policy, from delivering to the Substitute Option Holder and/or the Substitute Share Owner, as appropriate, the Substitute Option Repurchase Price and the Substitute Share Repurchase Price, respectively, in full (and the Substitute Option Issuer shall use its reasonable best efforts to receive all required regulatory and legal approvals as promptly as practicable in order to accomplish such repurchase), the Substitute Option Holder and/or Substitute Share Owner may revoke its notice of repurchase of the Substitute Option or the Substitute Shares either in whole or to the extent of prohibition, whereupon, in the latter case, the Substitute Option Issuer shall promptly (i) deliver to the Substitute Option Holder or Substitute Share Owner, as appropriate, that portion of the Substitute Option Repurchase Price or the Substitute Share Repurchase Price that the Substitute Option Issuer is not prohibited from delivering; and (ii) deliver, as appropriate, either (A) to the Substitute Option Holder, a new Substitute Option evidencing the right of the Substitute Option Holder to purchase that number of shares of the Substitute Common Stock obtained by multiplying the number of shares of the Substitute Common Stock for which the surrendered Substitute Option was exercisable at the time of delivery of the notice of repurchase by a fraction, the numerator of which is the Substitute Option Repurchase Price less the portion thereof theretofore delivered to the Substitute Option Holder and the denominator of which is the Substitute Option Repurchase Price, and/or (B) to the Substitute Share Owner, a certificate for the Substitute Option Shares it is then so prohibited from repurchasing. If an Exercise Termination Event shall have occurred prior to the date of the notice by the Substitute Option Issuer described in the first sentence of this subsection (c), or shall be scheduled to occur at any time before the expiration of a period ending on 11 the thirtieth day after such date, the Substitute Option Holder shall nevertheless have the right to exercise the Substitute Option until the expiration of such 30-day period. 10. The periods for exercise of certain rights under Sections 2, 6, 7, 9 and 14 shall be extended: (i) to the extent necessary to obtain all regulatory approvals for the exercise of such rights (for so long as the Holder, Owner, Substitute Option Holder or Substitute Share Owner, as the case may be, is using commercially reasonable efforts to obtain such regulatory approvals), and for the expiration of all statutory waiting periods; (ii) to the extent necessary to avoid liability under Section 16(b) of the 1934 Act by reason of such exercise; and (iii) when there exists an injunction, order or judgment that prohibits or delays exercise of such right. 11. (a) Issuer hereby represents and warrants to Grantee as follows: (i) Issuer has the requisite corporate power and authority to execute and deliver this Agreement and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby. The execution and delivery of this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby have been duly and validly authorized by the Issuer Board prior to the date hereof and no other corporate proceedings on the part of Issuer are necessary to authorize this Agreement or to consummate the transactions so contemplated. This Agreement has been duly and validly executed and delivered by Issuer. (ii) Issuer has taken all necessary corporate action to authorize and reserve and to permit it to issue, and at all times from the date hereof through the termination of this Agreement in accordance with its terms will have reserved for issuance upon the exercise of the Option, that number of shares of Common Stock equal to the maximum number of shares of Common Stock at any time and from time to time issuable hereunder, and all such shares, upon issuance pursuant thereto, will be duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid, nonassessable, and will be delivered free and clear of all claims, liens, encumbrance and security interests and not subject to any preemptive rights. (b) Grantee hereby represents and warrants to Issuer as follows: Grantee has the requisite corporate power and authority to execute and deliver this Agreement and to perform its obligations hereunder. The execution and delivery of this Agreement by the Grantee and the performance of its obligations hereunder by the Grantee have been duly and validly authorized by the Board of Directors of Grantee and no other corporate proceedings on the part of the Grantee are necessary to authorize this Agreement or for Grantee to perform its obligations hereunder. This Agreement has been duly and validly executed and delivered by Grantee. (c) This Option is not being, and any Option Shares or other securities acquired by Grantee upon exercise of the Option will not be, acquired with a view to the public distribution thereof and will not be transferred or otherwise disposed or except in a transaction registered or exempt from registration under the 1933 Act. 12. Neither of the parties hereto may assign any of its rights or obligations under this Agreement or the Option created hereunder to any other person, without the express written consent of the other party, except that in the event an Initial Triggering Event shall have occurred 12 prior to an Exercise Termination Event, Grantee, subject to the express provisions hereof, may assign in whole or in part its rights and obligations hereunder; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that until the date fifteen (15) days following the date on which the Federal Reserve Board has approved an application by Grantee to acquire the shares of Common Stock subject to the Option, Grantee may not assign its rights under the Option except in (i) a widely dispersed public distribution, (ii) a private placement in which no one party acquires the right to purchase in excess of 2% of the voting shares of Issuer, (iii) an assignment to a single party (E.G., a broker or investment banker) for the purpose of conducting a widely dispersed public distribution on Grantee's behalf or (iv) any other manner approved by the Federal Reserve Board. 13. Each of Grantee and Issuer will use its reasonable best efforts to make all filings with, and to obtain consents of, all third parties and governmental authorities necessary to the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, including, without limitation, applying to the Federal Reserve Board under the BHCA for approval to acquire the shares issuable hereunder, but Grantee shall not be obligated to apply to state banking authorities for approval to acquire the shares of Common Stock issuable hereunder until such time, if ever, as it deems appropriate to do so. 14. (a) Grantee may, at any time following a Repurchase Event and prior to the occurrence of an Exercise Termination Event (or such later period as provided in Section 10), relinquish the Option (together with any Option Shares issued to and then owned by Grantee) to Issuer in exchange for a cash fee equal to the Surrender Price. The "SURRENDER PRICE" shall be equal to $100 million (i) plus, if applicable, Grantee's purchase price with respect to any Option Shares and (ii) minus, if applicable, the excess of (A) the net price, if any, received by Grantee or a Grantee Subsidiary pursuant to the sale of Option Shares (or any other securities into which such Option Shares were converted or exchanged) to any unaffiliated party, over (B) Grantee's purchase price of such Option Shares. (b) Grantee may exercise its right to relinquish the Option and any Option Shares pursuant to this Section 14 by surrendering to Issuer, at its principal office, a copy of this Agreement together with certificates for Option Shares, if any, accompanied by a written notice stating (i) that Grantee elects to relinquish the Option and Option Shares, if any, in accordance with the provisions of this Section 14 and (ii) the Surrender Price. The Surrender Price shall be payable in immediately available funds on or before the second business day following receipt of such notice by Issuer. (c) To the extent that Issuer is prohibited under applicable law or regulation, or as a consequence of administrative policy, from paying the Surrender Price to Grantee in full, Issuer shall immediately so notify Grantee and thereafter deliver or cause to be delivered, from time to time, to Grantee, the portion of the Surrender Price that it is no longer prohibited from paying, within five (5) business days after the date on which Issuer is no longer so prohibited; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that if Issuer at any time after delivery of a notice of surrender pursuant to paragraph (b) of this Section 14 is prohibited under applicable law or regulation, or as a consequence of administrative policy, from paying to Grantee the Surrender Price in full, (i) Issuer shall (A) use its reasonable best efforts to obtain all required regulatory and legal approvals and to file any required notices as promptly as practicable in order to make such payments, (B) within five (5) days of the submission or receipt of any documents relating to any such regula- 13 tory and legal approvals, provide Grantee with copies of the same and (c) keep Grantee advised of both the status of any such request for regulatory and legal approvals, as well as any discussions with any relevant regulatory or other third party reasonably related to the same and (ii) Grantee may revoke such notice of surrender by delivery of a notice of revocation to Issuer and, upon delivery of such notice of revocation, the Exercise Termination Date shall be extended to a date six (6) months from the date on which the Exercise Termination Date would have occurred if not for the provisions of this Section 14(c) (during which period Grantee may exercise any of its rights hereunder, including any and all rights pursuant to this Section 14). 15. The parties hereto acknowledge that damages would be an inadequate remedy for a breach of this Agreement by either party hereto and that the obligations of the parties hereto shall be enforceable by either party hereto through injunctive or other equitable relief. In connection therewith, both parties waive the posting of any bond or similar requirement. 16. If any term, provision, covenant or restriction contained in this Agreement is held by a court or a federal or state regulatory agency of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, void or unenforceable, the remainder of the terms, provisions and covenants and restrictions contained in this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect, and shall in no way be affected, impaired or invalidated. If for any reason such court or regulatory agency determines that the Holder is not permitted to acquire, or Issuer is not permitted to repurchase pursuant to Section 7, the full number of shares of Common Stock provided in Section l(a) hereof (as adjusted pursuant to Section l(b) or Section 5 hereof), it is the express intention of Issuer to allow the Holder to acquire or to require Issuer to repurchase such lesser number of shares as may be permissible, without any amendment or modification hereof. 17. All notices, requests, claims, demands and other communications hereunder shall be deemed to have been duly given when delivered in person, by fax, telecopy, or by registered or certified mail (postage prepaid, return receipt requested) at the respective addresses of the parties set forth in the Merger Agreement. 18. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware, without regard to the conflict of law principles thereof (except to the extent that mandatory provisions of federal law are applicable). 19. This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original, but all of which shall constitute one and the same agreement. 20. Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, each of the parties hereto shall bear and pay all costs and expenses incurred by it or on its behalf in connection with the transactions contemplated hereunder, including fees and expenses of its own financial consultants, investment bankers, accountants and counsel. 21. Except as otherwise expressly provided herein or in the Merger Agreement, this Agreement contains the entire agreement between the parties with respect to the transactions contemplated hereunder and supersedes all prior arrangements or understandings with respect thereof, written or oral. The terms and conditions of this Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the parties hereto and their respective successors and permitted assignees. 14 Nothing in this Agreement, expressed or implied, is intended to confer upon any party, other than the parties hereto, and their respective successors except as assignees, any rights, remedies, obligations or liabilities under or by reason of this Agreement, except as expressly provided herein. 22. Capitalized terms used in this Agreement and not defined herein shall have the meanings assigned thereto in the Merger Agreement. 15 -----END PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----