ex_170839.htm


 


Exhibit 4.2


 


Description of Registrant’s Securities


 


Unless otherwise indicated or the context otherwise requires, references in this Exhibit 4.2 to “we, “us” and “our” refer collectively to Bancorp 34, Inc. and Bank 34 or to any of those entities, depending on the context. In addition, we may refer to Bancorp 34, Inc. as “Bancorp 34”.


 


 


General


 


Bancorp 34 is authorized to issue 100,000,000 shares of common stock, par value of $0.01 per share, and 50,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $0.01 per share. Each share of common stock has the same relative rights as, and is identical in all respects to, each other share of common stock. All of our shares of common stock are duly authorized, fully paid and nonassessable.


 


Common Stock


 


Dividends. Bancorp 34 may pay dividends on its common stock if, after giving effect to such dividends, it would be able to pay its debts in the usual course of business and its total assets would exceed the sum of its total liabilities plus the amount needed to satisfy the preferential rights upon dissolution of stockholders whose preferential rights on dissolution are superior to those receiving the dividends. However, even if Bancorp 34’s assets are less than the amount necessary to satisfy the requirement set forth above, Bancorp 34 may pay dividends from: its net earnings for the fiscal year in which the distribution is made; its net earnings for the preceding fiscal year; or the sum of its net earnings for the preceding eight fiscal quarters. The payment of dividends by Bancorp 34 is also subject to limitations that are imposed by applicable regulation, including restrictions on payments of dividends that would reduce Bancorp 34’s assets below the then-adjusted balance of its liquidation account. The holders of common stock of Bancorp 34 are entitled to receive and share equally in dividends as may be declared by our board of directors out of funds legally available therefor. If Bancorp 34 issues shares of preferred stock, the holders thereof may have a priority over the holders of the common stock with respect to dividends.


 


Voting Rights. The holders of common stock of Bancorp 34 have exclusive voting rights in Bancorp 34. They elect Bancorp 34’s board of directors and act on other matters as are required to be presented to them under Maryland law or as are otherwise presented to them by the board of directors. Generally, each holder of common stock is entitled to one vote per share and does not have any right to cumulate votes in the election of directors. Any person who beneficially owns more than 10% of the then-outstanding shares of Bancorp 34’s common stock, however, is not be entitled or permitted to vote any shares of common stock held in excess of the 10% limit. If Bancorp 34 issues shares of preferred stock, holders of the preferred stock may also possess voting rights. Certain matters require the approval of 80% of our outstanding common stock.


 


Liquidation. In the event of any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of Bank 34, Bancorp 34, as the holder of 100% of Bank 34’s capital stock, would be entitled to receive all assets of Bank 34 available for distribution, after payment or provision for payment of all debts and liabilities of Bank 34, including all deposit accounts and accrued interest thereon, and after distribution of the balance in the liquidation account to Eligible Account Holders and Supplemental Eligible Account Holders. In the event of liquidation, dissolution or winding up of Bancorp 34, the holders of its common stock would be entitled to receive, after payment or provision for payment of all its debts and liabilities (including payments with respect to its liquidation account), all of the assets of Bancorp 34 available for distribution. If preferred stock is issued, the holders thereof may have a priority over the holders of the common stock in the event of liquidation or dissolution.


 


Preemptive Rights. Holders of the common stock of Bancorp 34 are not be entitled to preemptive rights with respect to any shares that may be issued. The common stock is not subject to redemption.


 



 




 




 


Preferred Stock


 


None of the shares of Bancorp 34’s authorized preferred stock are outstanding. Preferred stock may be issued with preferences and designations as our board of directors may from time to time determine. Our board of directors may, without stockholder approval, issue shares of preferred stock with voting, dividend, liquidation and conversion rights that could dilute the voting strength of the holders of the common stock and may assist management in impeding an unfriendly takeover or attempted change in control.


 


 


Maryland Law and Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws of Bancorp 34


 


Maryland law, as well as Bancorp 34’s articles of incorporation and bylaws, contain a number of provisions relating to corporate governance and rights of stockholders that may discourage future takeover attempts. As a result, stockholders who might desire to participate in such transactions may not have an opportunity to do so. In addition, these provisions render the removal of the board of directors or management of Bancorp 34 more difficult.


 


Directors. The board of directors is divided into three classes. The members of each class are elected for a term of three years and only one class of directors is elected annually. Thus, it would take at least two annual elections to replace a majority of the board of directors. The bylaws establish qualifications for board members, including restrictions on affiliations with competitors of Bank 34 and restrictions based upon prior legal or regulatory violations. Further, the bylaws impose notice and information requirements in connection with the nomination by stockholders of candidates for election to the board of directors or the proposal by stockholders of business to be acted upon at an annual meeting of stockholders. Such notice and information requirements are applicable to all stockholder business proposals and nominations, and are in addition to any requirements under the federal securities laws.


 


Restrictions on Calling Special Meetings. The articles of incorporation and bylaws provide that special meetings of stockholders can be called by the president, the chairman, by a majority of the whole board of directors or upon the written request of stockholders entitled to cast at least a majority of all votes entitled to vote at the meeting.


 


Prohibition of Cumulative Voting. The articles of incorporation prohibit cumulative voting for the election of directors.


 


Limitation of Voting Rights. The articles of incorporation provide that in no event will any person who beneficially owns more than 10% of the then-outstanding shares of common stock, be entitled or permitted to vote any of the shares of common stock held in excess of the 10% limit. This provision has been included in the articles of incorporation in reliance on Section 2-507(a) of the Maryland General Corporation Law, which entitles stockholders to one vote for each share of stock unless the articles of incorporation provide for a greater or lesser number of votes per share or limit or deny voting rights.


 


Restrictions on Removing Directors from Office. The articles of incorporation provide that directors may be removed only for cause, and only by the affirmative vote of the holders of at least two-thirds of the voting power of all of Bancorp 34’s then-outstanding common stock entitled to vote (after giving effect to the limitation on voting rights discussed above in “—Limitation of Voting Rights”).


 


Authorized but Unissued Shares. Bancorp 34 has authorized but unissued shares of common and preferred stock. The articles of incorporation authorize 50,000,000 shares of serial preferred stock. Bancorp 34 is authorized to issue preferred stock from time to time in one or more series subject to applicable provisions of law, and the board of directors is authorized to fix the preferences, conversion and other rights, voting powers, restrictions, limitations as to dividends, qualifications and terms and conditions of redemption of the shares of each such series. In the event of a proposed merger, tender offer or other attempt to gain control of Bancorp 34 that the board of directors does not approve, it may be possible for the board of directors to authorize the issuance of a series of preferred stock with rights and preferences that would impede the completion of the transaction. An effect of the possible issuance of preferred stock therefore may be to deter a future attempt to gain control of Bancorp 34.


 



 




 




 


Amendments to Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws.  Amendments to the articles of incorporation must be approved by the board of directors and by the affirmative vote of at least two-thirds of the outstanding shares of common stock, or by the affirmative vote of a majority of the outstanding shares of common stock if at least two-thirds of the members of the whole board of directors approves such amendment; provided, however, that approval by at least 80% of the outstanding voting stock is generally required to amend certain provisions.


 


The articles of incorporation also provide that the bylaws may be amended by the affirmative vote of a majority of Bancorp 34’s directors or by the affirmative vote of at least 80% of the total votes eligible to be cast by stockholders at a duly constituted meeting of stockholders. Any amendment of this super-majority requirement for amendment of the bylaws would also require the approval of 80% of the total votes eligible to be cast.


 


The provisions requiring the affirmative vote of 80% of the total votes eligible to be cast for certain stockholder actions have been included in the articles of incorporation of Bancorp 34 in reliance on Section 2-104(b)(4) of the Maryland General Corporation Law. Section 2-104(b)(4) permits the articles of incorporation to require a greater proportion of votes than the proportion that would otherwise be required for stockholder action under the Maryland General Corporation Law.


 


Business Combinations with Interested Stockholders.  Maryland law restricts mergers, consolidations, sales of assets and other business combinations between Bancorp 34 and an “interested stockholder.”


 


Evaluation of Offers. The articles of incorporation of Bancorp 34 provide that its board of directors, when evaluating a transaction that would or may involve a change in control of Bancorp 34 (whether by purchases of its securities, merger, consolidation, share exchange, dissolution, liquidation, sale of all or substantially all of its assets, proxy solicitation or otherwise), may, in connection with the exercise of its business judgment in determining what is in the best interests of Bancorp 34 and its stockholders and in making any recommendation to the stockholders, give due consideration to all relevant factors, including, but not limited to, certain enumerated factors.


 


Purpose and Anti-Takeover Effects of Bancorp 34’s Articles of Incorporation  and Bylaws. Our board of directors believes that the provisions described above are prudent and reduce our vulnerability to takeover attempts and certain other transactions that have not been negotiated with and approved by our board of directors. These provisions also assist us in the orderly deployment of the offering proceeds into productive assets during the initial period after the conversion of AF Mutual Holding Company to stock form. We believe these provisions are in the best interests of Bancorp 34 and its stockholders. Our board of directors believes that it is in the best position to determine the true value of Bancorp 34 and to negotiate more effectively for what may be in the best interests of all our stockholders. Accordingly, our board of directors believes that it is in the best interests of Bancorp 34 and all of our stockholders to encourage potential acquirers to negotiate directly with the board of directors and that these provisions encourage such negotiations and discourage hostile takeover attempts. It is also the view of our board of directors that these provisions should not discourage persons from proposing a merger or other transaction at a price reflective of the true value of Bancorp 34 and that is in the best interests of all our stockholders.


 


Takeover attempts that have not been negotiated with and approved by our board of directors present the risk of a takeover on terms that may be less favorable than might otherwise be available. A transaction that is negotiated and approved by our board of directors, on the other hand, can be carefully planned and undertaken at an opportune time in order to obtain maximum value for our stockholders, with due consideration given to matters such as the management and business of the acquiring corporation.


 


Although a tender offer or other takeover attempt may be made at a price substantially above the current market price, such offers are sometimes made for less than all of the outstanding shares of a target company. As a result, stockholders may be presented with the alternative of partially liquidating their investment at a time that may be disadvantageous, or retaining their investment in an enterprise that is under different management and whose objectives may not be similar to those of the remaining stockholders.


 


Despite our belief as to the benefits to stockholders of these provisions of Bancorp 34’s articles of incorporation and bylaws, these provisions also may have the effect of discouraging a future takeover attempt that would not be approved by our board of directors, but pursuant to which stockholders may receive a substantial premium for their shares over then current market prices. As a result, stockholders who might desire to participate in such a transaction may not have any opportunity to do so. Such provisions also make it more difficult to remove our board of directors and management. Our board of directors, however, has concluded that the potential benefits outweigh the possible disadvantages.   


 



 




 




 


Charter of Bank 34


 


Bank 34’s charter provides that for a period of five years from the closing of the conversion of AF Mutual Holding Company and the related stock offering, no person other than Bancorp 34 may offer directly or indirectly to acquire the beneficial ownership of more than 10% of any class of equity security of Bank 34. This provision does not apply to any tax-qualified employee benefit plan of Bank 34 or Bancorp 34 or to underwriters in connection with a public offering. In addition, during this five-year period, all shares owned over the 10% limit may not be voted on any matter submitted to stockholders for a vote.


 


Federal Conversion Regulations


 


Federal Reserve Board regulations prohibit any person from making an offer, announcing an intent to make an offer or participating in any other arrangement to purchase stock or acquire stock or subscription rights in a converting institution or its holding company from another person prior to completion of its conversion. Further, without the prior written approval of the Federal Reserve Board, no person may make an offer or announcement of an offer to purchase shares or actually acquire shares of a converted institution or its holding company for a period of three years from the date of the completion of the conversion if, upon the completion of such offer, announcement or acquisition, the person would become the beneficial owner of more than 10% of the outstanding stock of the institution or its holding company. The Federal Reserve Board has defined “person” to include any individual, group acting in concert, corporation, partnership, association, joint stock company, trust, unincorporated organization or similar company, a syndicate or any other group formed for the purpose of acquiring, holding or disposing of securities of an insured institution. However, offers made exclusively to a bank or its holding company, or to an underwriter or member of a selling group acting on the converting institution’s or its holding company’s behalf for resale to the general public, are excepted. The regulation also provides civil penalties for willful violation or assistance in any such violation of the regulation by any person connected with the management of the converting institution or its holding company or who controls more than 10% of the outstanding shares or voting rights of a converted institution or its holding company.


 


Change in Control Law and Regulations


 


Under the Change in Bank Control Act, no person may acquire control of an insured savings association or its parent holding company unless the Federal Reserve Board has been given 60 days’ prior written notice and has not issued a notice disapproving the proposed acquisition. The Federal Reserve Board takes into consideration certain factors, including the financial and managerial resources of the acquirer and the competitive effects of the acquisition. In addition, federal regulations provide that no company may acquire control of a savings association without the prior approval of the Federal Reserve Board. Any company that acquires such control becomes a “savings and loan holding company” subject to registration, examination and regulation by the Federal Reserve Board.


 


Control, as defined under federal law, means ownership, control of or holding irrevocable proxies representing more than 25% of any class of voting stock, control in any manner of the election of a majority of the company’s directors, or a determination by the Federal Reserve Board that the acquirer has the power to direct, or directly or indirectly exercise a controlling influence over, the management or policies of the institution. Acquisition of more than 10% of any class of a savings and loan holding company’s voting stock constitutes a rebuttable determination of control under the regulations under certain circumstances including where, as is the case with Bancorp 34, the issuer has registered securities under Section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Federal Reserve Board regulations provide that parties seeking to rebut control will be provided an opportunity to do so in writing.


 


Benefit Plans


 


In addition to the provisions of Bancorp 34’s articles of incorporation and bylaws described above, benefit plans of Bancorp 34 and Bank 34 that may authorize the issuance of equity to its board of directors, officers and employees adopted in connection with or following the offering contain or may contain provisions which also may discourage hostile takeover attempts which the board of directors of Bank 34 might conclude are not in the best interests of Bancorp 34 and Bank 34 or Bancorp 34’s stockholders.