Document:

Exhibit 10.3

 

 

SECURITIES PURCHASE AGREEMENT

 

This SECURITIES
PURCHASE AGREEMENT (the “Agreement”), dated as of February 9, 2021, by and between GROM SOCIAL ENTERPRISES,
INC., a Florida corporation, with headquarters located at 2060 NW Boca Raton Blvd. #6, Boca Raton, Florida 33431 (the “Company”),
and AUCTUS FUND, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, with its address at 545 Boylston Street, 2nd Floor,
Boston, MA 02116 (the “Buyer”).

 

WHEREAS:

 

A.                
The Company and the Buyer are executing and delivering this Agreement in reliance upon the exemption from securities registration
afforded by Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “1933 Act”) and Rule 506(b) promulgated
by the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) under the 1933 Act;

 

B.               
Buyer desires to purchase from the Company, and the Company desires to issue and sell to the Buyer, upon the terms and conditions
set forth in this Agreement, a promissory note of the Company, in the aggregate principal amount of $500,000.00 (as the principal
amount thereof may be increased pursuant to the terms thereof, and together with any note(s) issued in replacement thereof or as
a dividend thereon or otherwise with respect thereto in accordance with the terms thereof, in the form attached hereto as Exhibit
A, the “Note”), convertible into shares of common stock, $0.001 par value per share, of the Company (the “Common
Stock”), upon the terms and subject to the limitations and conditions set forth in such Note;

 

C.               
The Buyer wishes to purchase, upon the terms and conditions stated in this Agreement, such principal amount of the Note
as is set forth immediately below its name on the signature pages hereto;

 

D.                
The Company wishes to issue a common stock purchase warrant to purchase 6,250,000 shares of Common Stock (the “Warrant”)
to the Buyer as additional consideration for the purchase of the Note, which shall be earned in full as of the Closing Date, as
further provided herein.

 

NOW THEREFORE,
in consideration of the foregoing and of the agreements and covenants herein contained, and for other good and valuable consideration,
the receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, the Company and the Buyer hereby agree as follows:

 

		1.	Purchase and Sale of Note.

 

a.                
Purchase of Note. On the Closing Date (as defined below), the Company shall issue and sell to the Buyer, and the
Buyer agrees to purchase from the Company, the Note, as further provided herein.

 

b.                 Form of Payment. On the Closing
Date: (i) the Buyer shall pay the purchase price of $500,000.00 (the “Purchase Price”) for the Note, to be issued
and sold to it at the Closing (as defined below), by wire transfer of immediately available funds to the Company, in accordance
with the Company’s written wiring instructions, against delivery of the Note, and (ii) the Company shall deliver such duly
executed Note and Warrant on behalf of the Company, to the Buyer, against delivery of such Purchase Price. On the Closing Date,
the Buyer shall withhold a non-accountable sum of $7,000.00 from the Purchase Price to cover the Buyer’s legal fees in connection
with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. On the Closing Date, the Company shall pay $25,000.00 to Auctus Fund Management,
LLC (“Auctus Management”) to cover the Holder's due diligence, monitoring, and other transaction costs incurred for
services rendered in connection herewith (the “Transaction Expense Amount”). The Transaction Expense Amount shall
be offset against the proceeds of the Note and shall be paid to Auctus Management on the Closing Date.

 

c.               
Closing Date. Subject to the satisfaction (or written waiver) of the conditions thereto set forth in Section 6 and
Section 7 below, the date and time of the issuance and sale of the Note pursuant to this Agreement (the “Closing Date”)
shall be on the date that the Purchase Price for the Note is paid by Buyer pursuant to terms of this Agreement.

 

d.                 
Closing. The closing of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement (the “Closing”) shall occur on
the Closing Date at such location as may be agreed to by the parties (including via exchange of electronic signatures).

 

 

 

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1A.               Warrant. On
or before the Closing Date, the Company shall issue the Warrant to the Buyer pursuant to the terms of contained therein.

 

2.                  
Buyer’s Representations and Warranties. The Buyer represents and warrants to the Company as of the Closing
Date that:

 

a.               
Investment Purpose. As of the Closing Date, the Buyer is purchasing the Note, the Warrant, and the shares of Common
Stock issuable upon conversion of or otherwise pursuant to the Note and such additional shares of Common Stock, if any, as are
issuable pursuant to this Agreement and/or upon exercise of the Warrant, such shares of Common Stock being collectively referred
to herein as the “Conversion Shares” and, collectively with the Note and Warrant, the “Securities”) for
its own account and not with a present view towards the public sale or distribution thereof, except pursuant to sales registered
or exempted from registration under the 1933 Act; provided, however, that by making the representations herein, the
Buyer does not agree to hold any of the Securities for any minimum or other specific term and reserves the right to dispose of
the Securities at any time in accordance with or pursuant to a registration statement or an exemption under the 1933 Act.

 

b.                
Accredited Investor Status. The Buyer is an “accredited investor” as that term is defined in Rule 501(a)
of Regulation D (an “Accredited Investor”).

 

c.               
Reliance on Exemptions. The Buyer understands that the Securities are being offered and sold to it in reliance upon
specific exemptions from the registration requirements of United States federal and state securities laws and that the Company
is relying upon the truth and accuracy of, and the Buyer’s compliance with, the representations, warranties, agreements,
acknowledgments and understandings of the Buyer set forth herein in order to determine the availability of such exemptions and
the eligibility of the Buyer to acquire the Securities.

 

d.                 
Information. The Buyer and its advisors, if any, have been, and for so long as the Note remains outstanding will
continue to be, furnished with all materials relating to the business, finances and operations of the Company and materials relating
to the offer and sale of the Securities which have been requested by the Buyer or its advisors. The Buyer and its advisors, if
any, have been, and for so long as the Note remains outstanding will continue to be, afforded the opportunity to ask questions
of the Company regarding its business and affairs. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company has not disclosed to the Buyer any
material nonpublic information regarding the Company or otherwise and will not disclose such information unless such information
is disclosed to the public prior to or promptly following such disclosure to the Buyer. Neither such inquiries nor any other due
diligence investigation conducted by Buyer or any of its advisors or representatives shall modify, amend or affect Buyer’s
right to rely on the Company’s representations and warranties contained in Section 3 below.

 

e.                  
Governmental Review. The Buyer understands that no United States federal or state agency or any other government
or governmental agency has passed upon or made any recommendation or endorsement of the Securities.

 

f.                  Transfer
or Re-sale. The Buyer understands that (i) the sale or resale of the Securities has not been and is not being registered
under the 1933 Act or any applicable state securities laws, and the Securities may not be transferred unless (a) the
Securities are sold pursuant to an effective registration statement under the 1933 Act, (b) the Buyer shall have delivered to
the Company, at the cost of the Company, an opinion of counsel (which may be the Legal Counsel Opinion (as defined below))
that shall be in form, substance and scope customary for opinions of counsel in comparable transactions to the effect that
the Securities to be sold or transferred may be sold or transferred pursuant to an exemption from such registration, which
opinion shall be accepted by the Company, (c) the Securities are sold or transferred to an “affiliate” (as
defined in Rule 144 promulgated under the 1933 Act (or a successor rule) (“Rule 144”)) of the Buyer who agrees to
sell or otherwise transfer the Securities only in accordance with this Section 2(f) and who is an Accredited Investor, (d)
the Securities are sold pursuant to Rule 144 or other applicable exemption, or (e) the Securities are sold pursuant to
Regulation S under the 1933 Act (or a successor rule) (“Regulation S”), and the Buyer shall have delivered to the
Company, at the cost of the Company, an opinion of counsel that shall be in form, substance and scope customary for opinions
of counsel in corporate transactions, which opinion shall be accepted by the Company; (ii) any sale of such Securities made
in reliance on Rule 144 may be made only in accordance with the terms of said Rule and further, if said Rule is not
applicable, any re-sale of such Securities under circumstances in which the seller (or the person through whom the sale is
made) may be deemed to be an underwriter (as that term is defined in the 1933 Act) may require compliance with some other
exemption under the 1933 Act or the rules and regulations of the SEC thereunder; and (iii) neither the Company nor any other
person is under any obligation to register such Securities under the 1933 Act or any state securities laws or to comply with
the terms and conditions of any exemption thereunder (in each case). Notwithstanding the foregoing or anything else contained
herein to the contrary, the Securities may be pledged in connection with a bona fide margin account or other lending
arrangement secured by the Securities, and such pledge of Securities shall not be deemed to be a transfer, sale or assignment
of the Securities hereunder, and the Buyer in effecting such pledge of Securities shall be not required to provide the
Company with any notice thereof or otherwise make any delivery to the Company pursuant to this Agreement or otherwise.

 

 

 

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g.                  
Legends. The Buyer understands that until such time as the Note, Warrant, and, upon conversion of the Note and/or
exercise of the Warrant in accordance with its respective terms, the Conversion Shares, have been registered under the 1933 Act
or may be sold pursuant to Rule 144, Rule 144A under the 1933 Act, Regulation S, or other applicable exemption without any restriction
as to the number of securities as of a particular date that can then be immediately sold, the Securities may bear a restrictive
legend in substantially the following form (and a stop-transfer order may be placed against transfer of such Securities):

 

“NEITHER THE ISSUANCE AND SALE
OF THE SECURITIES REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE NOR THE SECURITIES INTO WHICH THESE SECURITIES ARE [CONVERTIBLE/EXERCISABLE]
HAVE BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED, OR APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS. THE SECURITIES MAY NOT
BE OFFERED FOR SALE, SOLD, TRANSFERRED OR ASSIGNED (I) IN THE ABSENCE OF (A) AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT FOR THE SECURITIES
UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED, OR (B) AN OPINION OF COUNSEL (WHICH COUNSEL SHALL BE SELECTED BY THE HOLDER), IN
A GENERALLY ACCEPTABLE FORM, THAT REGISTRATION IS NOT REQUIRED UNDER SAID ACT OR (II) UNLESS SOLD PURSUANT TO RULE 144, RULE 144A,
REGULATION S, OR OTHER APPLICABLE EXEMPTION UNDER SAID ACT. NOTWITHSTANDING THE FOREGOING, THE SECURITIES MAY BE PLEDGED IN CONNECTION
WITH A BONA FIDE MARGIN ACCOUNT OR OTHER LOAN OR FINANCING ARRANGEMENT SECURED BY THE SECURITIES.”

 

The legend set forth
above shall be removed and the Company shall issue a certificate or book entry statement for the applicable shares of Common Stock
without such legend to the holder of any Security upon which it is stamped or (as requested by such holder) issue the applicable
shares of Common Stock to such holder by electronic delivery by crediting the account of such holder’s broker with The Depository
Trust Company (“DTC”), if, unless otherwise required by applicable state securities laws, (a) such Security
is registered for sale under an effective registration statement filed under the 1933 Act or otherwise may be sold pursuant to
Rule 144, Rule 144A, Regulation S, or other applicable exemption without any restriction as to the number of securities as of a
particular date that can then be immediately sold, or (b) the Company or the Buyer provides the Legal Counsel Opinion (as contemplated
by and in accordance with Section 4(m) hereof) to the effect that a public sale or transfer of such Security may be made without
registration under the 1933 Act, which opinion shall be accepted by the Company so that the sale or transfer is effected. The Company
shall be responsible for the fees of its transfer agent and all DTC fees associated with any such issuance. The Buyer agrees to
sell all Securities, including those represented by a certificate(s) from which the legend has been removed, in compliance with
applicable prospectus delivery requirements, if any. In the event that the Company does not accept the opinion of counsel provided
by the Buyer with respect to the transfer of Securities pursuant to an exemption from registration, such as Rule 144, Rule 144A,
Regulation S, or other applicable exemption at the Deadline (as defined in the Note), it will be considered an Event of Default
pursuant to Section 3.2 of the Note.

 

h.                Authorization;
Enforcement. This Agreement has been duly and validly authorized by the Buyer and has been duly executed and delivered on
behalf of the Buyer, and this Agreement constitutes a valid and binding agreement of the Buyer enforceable in accordance with
its terms, except as enforcement may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other similar laws
affecting creditors’ rights generally and except as may be limited by the exercise of judicial discretion in applying
principles of equity.

 

3.                   
Representations and Warranties of the Company. The Company represents and warrants to the Buyer as of the Closing
Date that:

 

a.              
Organization and Qualification. The Company and each of its Subsidiaries (as defined below), if any, is a corporation
duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction in which it is incorporated, with full
power and authority (corporate and other) to own, lease, use and operate its properties and to carry on its business as and where
now owned, leased, used, operated and conducted. Schedule 3(a), if attached hereto, sets forth a list of all of the Subsidiaries
of the Company and the jurisdiction in which each is incorporated. The Company and each of its Subsidiaries is duly qualified as
a foreign corporation to do business and is in good standing in every jurisdiction in which its ownership or use of property or
the nature of the business conducted by it makes such qualification necessary except where the failure to be so qualified or in
good standing would not have a Material Adverse Effect. “Material Adverse Effect” means any material adverse effect
on the business, operations, assets, financial condition or prospects of the Company or its Subsidiaries, if any, taken as a whole,
or on the transactions contemplated hereby or by the agreements or instruments to be entered into in connection herewith. “Subsidiaries”
means any corporation or other organization, whether incorporated or unincorporated, in which the Company owns, directly or indirectly,
any equity or other ownership interest.

 

 

 

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b.               
Authorization; Enforcement. (i) The Company has all requisite corporate power and authority to enter into and perform
this Agreement, the Note, and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby and to issue the Securities, in accordance
with the terms hereof and thereof, (ii) the execution and delivery of this Agreement, the Warrant, the Note, and the Conversion
Shares by the Company and the consummation by it of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby (including without limitation,
the issuance of the Note, Warrant, as well as the issuance and reservation for issuance of the Conversion Shares issuable upon
conversion of the Note and/or exercise of the Warrant) have been duly authorized by the Company’s Board of Directors and
no further consent or authorization of the Company, its Board of Directors, its shareholders, or its debt holders is required,
(iii) this Agreement and the Note (together with any other instruments executed in connection herewith or therewith) have been
duly executed and delivered by the Company by its authorized representative, and such authorized representative is the true and
official representative with authority to sign this Agreement, the Note and the other instruments documents executed in connection
herewith or therewith and bind the Company accordingly, and (iv) this Agreement constitutes, and upon execution and delivery by
the Company of the Note, each of such instruments will constitute, a legal, valid and binding obligation of the Company, enforceable
against the Company in accordance with their terms.

 

c.                Capitalization;
Governing Documents. As of February 9, 2021, the authorized capital stock of the Company consists of: 500,000,000
authorized shares of Common Stock, of which 189,784,001 shares were issued and outstanding, and 18,000,000 authorized shares
of preferred stock (consisting of 10,000,000 shares of Series A preferred stock and 8,000,000 shares of Series B preferred
stock), of which 5,625,884 (consisting of 0 shares of Series A preferred stock and 5,625,884 shares of Series B preferred
stock) were issued and outstanding. All of such outstanding shares of capital stock of the Company and the Conversion Shares,
are, or upon issuance will be, duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable. No shares of capital stock of
the Company are subject to preemptive rights or any other similar rights of the shareholders of the Company or any liens or
encumbrances imposed through the actions or failure to act of the Company. As of the effective date of this Agreement, other
than as publicly announced prior to such date and reflected in the SEC filings of the Company (i) there are no outstanding
options, warrants, scrip, rights to subscribe for, puts, calls, rights of first refusal, agreements, understandings, claims
or other commitments or rights of any character whatsoever relating to, or securities or rights convertible into or
exchangeable for any shares of capital stock of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, or arrangements by which the Company
or any of its Subsidiaries is or may become bound to issue additional shares of capital stock of the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries, (ii) there are no agreements or arrangements under which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is obligated to
register the sale of any of its or their securities under the 1933 Act and (iii) there are no anti-dilution or price
adjustment provisions contained in any security issued by the Company (or in any agreement providing rights to security
holders) that will be triggered by the issuance of any of the Securities. The Company has furnished to the Buyer true and
correct copies of the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation as in effect on the date hereof (“Certificate of
Incorporation”), the Company’s By-laws, as in effect on the date hereof (the “By-laws”), and the
terms of all securities convertible into or exercisable for Common Stock of the Company and the material rights of the
holders thereof in respect thereto.

 

d.                 
Issuance of Conversion Shares. The Conversion Shares are duly authorized and reserved for issuance and, upon conversion
of the Note in accordance with its terms, will be validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable, and free from all taxes, liens,
claims and encumbrances with respect to the issue thereof and shall not be subject to preemptive rights or other similar rights
of shareholders of the Company and will not impose personal liability upon the holder thereof.

 

e.              
Issuance of Warrant. The issuance of the Warrant is duly authorized and will be validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable,
and free from all taxes, liens, claims and encumbrances with respect to the issue thereof and shall not be subject to preemptive
rights or other similar rights of shareholders of the Company and will not impose personal liability upon the holder thereof.

 

f.                 
Acknowledgment of Dilution. The Company understands and acknowledges the potentially dilutive effect of the Conversion
Shares to the Common Stock upon the conversion of the Note. The Company further acknowledges that its obligation to issue, upon
conversion of the Note, the Conversion Shares, in accordance with this Agreement, and the Note are absolute and unconditional regardless
of the dilutive effect that such issuance may have on the ownership interests of other shareholders of the Company.

 

 

 

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g.                Ranking;
No Conflicts. The Note shall have priority in payment and performance over all future unsecured indebtedness of the
Company. The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and the Note by the Company and the consummation by the
Company of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby (including, without limitation, the issuance and reservation for
issuance of the Conversion Shares) will not (i) conflict with or result in a violation of any provision of the Certificate of
Incorporation or By-laws, or (ii) violate or 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 could become a default) under, or give to others any rights
of termination, amendment, acceleration or cancellation of, any agreement, note, evidence of indebtedness, indenture, patent,
patent license or instrument to which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is a party, or (iii) result in a violation of
any law, rule, regulation, order, judgment or decree (including federal and state securities laws and regulations and
regulations of any self-regulatory organizations to which the Company or its securities is subject) applicable to the Company
or any of its Subsidiaries or by which any property or asset of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is bound or affected
(except for such conflicts, defaults, terminations, amendments, accelerations, cancellations and violations as would not,
individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect), or (iv) trigger any anti-dilution and/or ratchet provision
contained in any other contract in which the Company is a party thereto or any security issued by the Company. Neither the
Company nor any of its Subsidiaries is in violation of its Certificate of Incorporation, By-laws or other organizational
documents and neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries is in default (and no event has occurred which with notice or
lapse of time or both could put the Company or any of its Subsidiaries in default) under, and neither the Company nor any of
its Subsidiaries has taken any action or failed to take any action that would give to others any rights of termination,
amendment, acceleration or cancellation of, any agreement, indenture or instrument to which the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries is a party or by which any property or assets of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is bound or affected,
except for possible defaults as would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect. The businesses
of the Company and its Subsidiaries, if any, are not being conducted, and shall not be conducted so long as the Buyer owns
any of the Securities, in violation of any law, ordinance or regulation of any governmental entity. Except as specifically
contemplated by this Agreement and as required under the 1933 Act and any applicable state securities laws, the Company is
not required to obtain any consent, authorization or order of, or make any filing or registration with, any court,
governmental agency, regulatory agency, self-regulatory organization or stock market or any third party in order for it to
execute, deliver or perform any of its obligations under this Agreement and the Note in accordance with the terms hereof or
thereof or to issue and sell the Note in accordance with the terms hereof and, upon conversion of the Note and/or exercise of
the Warrant, issue Conversion Shares. All consents, authorizations, orders, filings and registrations which the Company is
required to obtain pursuant to the preceding sentence have been obtained or effected on or prior to the date hereof. The
Company is not in violation of the listing requirements of the Principal Market (as defined herein) and does not reasonably
anticipate that the Common Stock will be delisted by the Principal Market in the foreseeable future. The Company and its
Subsidiaries are unaware of any facts or circumstances which might give rise to any of the foregoing. The Principal Market
shall mean any tier of the OTC Markets, any tier of the NASDAQ Stock Market (including NASDAQ Capital Market), or the NYSE
American, or any successor to such markets.

 

h.                
SEC Documents; Financial Statements. The Company has filed all reports, schedules, forms, statements and other documents
required to be filed by it with the SEC pursuant to the reporting requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended
(the “1934 Act”) (all of the foregoing filed prior to the date hereof and all exhibits included therein and financial
statements and schedules thereto and documents (other than exhibits to such documents) incorporated by reference therein, being
hereinafter referred to herein as the “SEC Documents”). As of their respective dates, the SEC Documents complied in
all material respects with the requirements of the 1934 Act and the rules and regulations of the SEC promulgated thereunder applicable
to the SEC Documents, and none of the SEC Documents, at the time they were filed with the SEC, contained any untrue statement of
a material fact or omitted 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. None of the statements made in any such SEC
Documents is, or has been, required to be amended or updated under applicable law (except for such statements as have been amended
or updated in subsequent filings prior the date hereof). As of their respective dates, the financial statements of the Company
included in the SEC Documents complied as to form in all material respects with applicable accounting requirements and the published
rules and regulations of the SEC with respect thereto. Such financial statements have been prepared in accordance with United States
generally accepted accounting principles, consistently applied, during the periods involved and fairly present in all material
respects the consolidated financial position of the Company and its consolidated Subsidiaries as of the dates thereof and the consolidated
results of their operations and cash flows for the periods then ended (subject, in the case of unaudited statements, to normal
year-end audit adjustments). Except as set forth in the financial statements of the Company included in the SEC Documents, the
Company has no liabilities, contingent or otherwise, other than (i) liabilities incurred in the ordinary course of business subsequent
to September 30, 2020, and (ii) obligations under contracts and commitments incurred in the ordinary course of business and not
required under generally accepted accounting principles to be reflected in such financial statements, which, individually or in
the aggregate, are not material to the financial condition or operating results of the Company. The Company is subject to the reporting
requirements of the 1934 Act. The Company has never been a “shell company” as described in Rule 144(i)(1)(i).

 

 

 

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i.               
Absence of Certain Changes. Since September 30, 2020, there has been no material adverse change and no material adverse
development in the assets, liabilities, business, properties, operations, financial condition, results of operations, prospects
or 1934 Act reporting status of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries.

 

j.                    
Absence of Litigation. There is no action, suit, claim, proceeding, inquiry or investigation before or by any court,
public board, government agency, self-regulatory organization or body pending or, to the knowledge of the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries, threatened against or affecting the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, or their officers or directors in their capacity
as such, that could have a Material Adverse Effect. The SEC Documents contain a complete list and summary description of any pending
or, to the knowledge of the Company, threatened proceeding against or affecting the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, without
regard to whether it would have a Material Adverse Effect. The Company and its Subsidiaries are unaware of any facts or circumstances
which might give rise to any of the foregoing.

 

k.                  
Intellectual Property. The Company and each of its Subsidiaries owns or possesses the requisite licenses or rights
to use all patents, patent applications, patent rights, inventions, know-how, trade secrets, trademarks, trademark applications,
service marks, service names, trade names and copyrights (“Intellectual Property”) necessary to enable it to conduct
its business as now operated (and, as presently contemplated to be operated in the future); there is no claim or action by any
person pertaining to, or proceeding pending, or to the Company’s knowledge threatened, which challenges the right of the
Company or of a Subsidiary with respect to any Intellectual Property necessary to enable it to conduct its business as now operated
(and, as presently contemplated to be operated in the future); to the best of the Company’s knowledge, the Company’s
or its Subsidiaries’ current and intended products, services and processes do not infringe on any Intellectual Property
or other rights held by any person; and the Company is unaware of any facts or circumstances which might give rise to any of the
foregoing.

 

The Company and each of its Subsidiaries have taken reasonable security measures to protect the secrecy, confidentiality
and value of their Intellectual Property.

 

l.                 
No Materially Adverse Contracts, Etc. Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries is subject to any charter,
corporate or other legal restriction, or any judgment, decree, order, rule or regulation which in the judgment of the Company’s
officers has or is expected in the future to have a Material Adverse Effect. Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries is
a party to any contract or agreement which in the judgment of the Company’s officers has or is expected to have a Material
Adverse Effect.

 

m.                 
Tax Status. The Company and each of its Subsidiaries has made or filed all federal, state and foreign income and
all other tax returns, reports and declarations required by any jurisdiction to which it is subject (unless and only to the extent
that the Company and each of its Subsidiaries has set aside on its books provisions reasonably adequate for the payment of all
unpaid and unreported taxes) and has paid all taxes and other governmental assessments and charges that are material in amount,
shown or determined to be due on such returns, reports and declarations, except those being contested in good faith and has set
aside on its books provisions reasonably adequate for the payment of all taxes for periods subsequent to the periods to which such
returns, reports or declarations apply. There are no unpaid taxes in any material amount claimed to be due by the taxing authority
of any jurisdiction, and the officers of the Company know of no basis for any such claim. The Company has not executed a waiver
with respect to the statute of limitations relating to the assessment or collection of any foreign, federal, state or local tax.
None of the Company’s tax returns is presently being audited by any taxing authority.

 

n.               
Transactions with Affiliates. Except for arm’s length transactions pursuant to which the Company or any of
its Subsidiaries makes payments in the ordinary course of business upon terms no less favorable than the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries could obtain from third parties and other than the grant of stock options described in the SEC Documents, none of
the officers, directors, or employees of the Company is presently a party to any transaction with the Company or any of its Subsidiaries
(other than for services as employees, officers and directors), including any contract, agreement or other arrangement providing
for the furnishing of services to or by, providing for rental of real or personal property to or from, or otherwise requiring payments
to or from any officer, director or such employee or, to the knowledge of the Company, any corporation, partnership, trust or other
entity in which any officer, director, or any such employee has a substantial interest or is an officer, director, trustee or partner.

 

 

 

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o.                 
Disclosure. All information relating to or concerning the Company or any of its Subsidiaries set forth in this Agreement
and provided to the Buyer pursuant to Section 2(d) hereof and otherwise in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby
is true and correct in all material respects and the Company has not omitted to state any material fact necessary in order to make
the statements made herein or therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. No event or circumstance
has occurred or exists with respect to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or its or their business, properties, prospects,
operations or financial conditions, which, under applicable law, rule or regulation, requires public disclosure or announcement
by the Company but which has not been so publicly announced or disclosed (assuming for this purpose that the Company’s reports
filed under the 1934 Act are being incorporated into an effective registration statement filed by the Company under the 1933 Act).

 

p.                    
Acknowledgment Regarding Buyer’s Purchase of Securities. The Company acknowledges and agrees that the Buyer
is acting solely in the capacity of arm’s length purchaser with respect to this Agreement and the transactions contemplated
hereby. The Company further acknowledges that the Buyer is not acting as a financial advisor or fiduciary of the Company (or in
any similar capacity) with respect to this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby and any statement made by the Buyer
or any of its respective representatives or agents in connection with this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby is
not advice or a recommendation and is merely incidental to the Buyer’s purchase of the Securities. The Company further represents
to the Buyer that the Company’s decision to enter into this Agreement has been based solely on the independent evaluation
of the Company and its representatives.

 

q.                   No
Integrated Offering. Neither the Company, nor any of its affiliates, nor any person acting on its or their behalf, has
directly or indirectly made any offers or sales in any security or solicited any offers to buy any security under
circumstances that would require registration under the 1933 Act of the issuance of the Securities to the Buyer. The issuance
of the Securities to the Buyer will not be integrated with any other issuance of the Company’s securities (past,
current or future) for purposes of any shareholder approval provisions applicable to the Company or its securities.

 

r.                   
No Brokers; No Solicitation. Except with respect to Benchmark Investments, Inc., a registered broker-dealer (CRD#:
103792/SEC#: 8-52280) (d/b/a Kingswood Capital Markets) (the “Placement Agent”), the Company has taken no action which
would give rise to any claim by any person for brokerage commissions, transaction fees or similar payments relating to this Agreement
or the transactions contemplated hereby. The Company acknowledges and agrees that neither the Buyer nor its employee(s), member(s),
beneficial owner(s), or partner(s) solicited the Company to enter into this Agreement and consummate the transactions described
in this Agreement.

 

s.                 
Permits; Compliance. The Company and each of its Subsidiaries is in possession of all franchises, grants, authorizations,
licenses, permits, easements, variances, exemptions, consents, certificates, approvals and orders necessary to own, lease and operate
its properties and to carry on its business as it is now being conducted (collectively, the “Company Permits”), and
there is no action pending or, to the knowledge of the Company, threatened regarding suspension or cancellation of any of the Company
Permits. Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries is in conflict with, or in default or violation of, any of the Company
Permits, except for any such conflicts, defaults or violations which, individually or in the aggregate, would not reasonably be
expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. Since September 30, 2020, neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has received
any notification with respect to possible conflicts, defaults or violations of applicable laws, except for notices relating to
possible conflicts, defaults or violations, which conflicts, defaults or violations would not have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

		t.	Environmental Matters.

 

(i)              
There are, to the Company’s knowledge, with respect to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or any predecessor of
the Company, no past or present violations of Environmental Laws (as defined below), releases of any material into the environment,
actions, activities, circumstances, conditions, events, incidents, or contractual obligations which may give rise to any common
law environmental liability or any liability under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act of
1980 or similar federal, state, local or foreign laws and neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has received any notice
with respect to any of the foregoing, nor is any action pending or, to the Company’s knowledge, threatened in connection
with any of the foregoing. The term ”Environmental Laws” means all federal, state, local or foreign laws relating to
pollution or protection of human health or the environment (including, without limitation, ambient air, surface water, groundwater,
land surface or subsurface strata), including, without limitation, laws relating to emissions, discharges, releases or threatened
releases of chemicals, pollutants contaminants, or toxic or hazardous substances or wastes (collectively, “Hazardous Materials”)
into the environment, or otherwise relating to the manufacture, processing, distribution, use, treatment, storage, disposal, transport
or handling of Hazardous Materials, as well as all authorizations, codes, decrees, demands or demand letters, injunctions, judgments,
licenses, notices or notice letters, orders, permits, plans or regulations issued, entered, promulgated or approved thereunder.

 

 

 

    	 	7	 

     

    

 

(ii)               
Other than those that are or were stored, used or disposed of in compliance with applicable law, no Hazardous Materials
are contained on or about any real property currently owned, leased or used by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, and no Hazardous
Materials were released on or about any real property previously owned, leased or used by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries
during the period the property was owned, leased or used by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, except in the normal course
of the Company’s or any of its Subsidiaries’ business.

 

(iii)                
There are no underground storage tanks on or under any real property owned, leased or used by the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries that are not in compliance with applicable law.

 

u.               Title
to Property. The Company and its Subsidiaries have good and marketable title in fee simple to all real property and good
and marketable title to all personal property owned by them which is material to the business of the Company and its
Subsidiaries, in each case free and clear of all liens, encumbrances and defects except such as are described in Schedule
3(u), if attached hereto, or such as would not have a Material Adverse Effect. Any real property and facilities held under
lease by the Company and its Subsidiaries are held by them under valid, subsisting and enforceable leases with such
exceptions as would not have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

v.                
Insurance. The Company and each of its Subsidiaries are insured by insurers of recognized financial responsibility
against such losses and risks and in such amounts as management of the Company believes to be prudent and customary in the businesses
in which the Company and its Subsidiaries are engaged. Neither the Company nor any such Subsidiary has any reason to believe that
it will not be able to renew its existing insurance coverage as and when such coverage expires or to obtain similar coverage from
similar insurers as may be necessary to continue its business at a cost that would not have a Material Adverse Effect. Upon written
request the Company will provide to the Buyer true and correct copies of all policies relating to directors’ and officers’
liability coverage, errors and omissions coverage, and commercial general liability coverage.

 

w.               
Internal Accounting Controls. The Company and each of its Subsidiaries maintain a system of internal accounting controls
sufficient, in the judgment of the Company’s board of directors, to provide reasonable assurance that (i) transactions are
executed in accordance with management’s general or specific authorizations, (ii) transactions are recorded as necessary
to permit preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles and to maintain asset
accountability, (iii) access to assets is permitted only in accordance with management’s general or specific authorization
and (iv) the recorded accountability for assets is compared with the existing assets at reasonable intervals and appropriate action
is taken with respect to any differences.

 

x.               
Foreign Corrupt Practices. Neither the Company, nor any of its Subsidiaries, nor any director, officer, agent, employee
or other person acting on behalf of the Company or any Subsidiary has, in the course of his actions for, or on behalf of, the Company,
used any corporate funds for any unlawful contribution, gift, entertainment or other unlawful expenses relating to political activity;
made any direct or indirect unlawful payment to any foreign or domestic government official or employee from corporate funds; violated
or is in violation of any provision of the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, as amended, or made any bribe, rebate, payoff,
influence payment, kickback or other unlawful payment to any foreign or domestic government official or employee.

 

y.               
Solvency. The Company (after giving effect to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement) is solvent (i.e.,
its assets have a fair market value in excess of the amount required to pay its probable liabilities on its existing debts as they
become absolute and matured) and currently the Company has no information that would lead it to reasonably conclude that the Company
would not, after giving effect to the transaction contemplated by this Agreement, have the ability to, nor does it intend to take
any action that would impair its ability to, pay its debts from time to time incurred in connection therewith as such debts mature.
The Company’s financial statements for its most recent fiscal year end and interim financial statements have been prepared
assuming the Company will continue as a going concern, which contemplates the realization of assets and the satisfaction of liabilities
in the normal course of business.

 

 

 

    	 	8	 

     

    

 

z.               
No Investment Company. The Company is not, and upon the issuance and sale of the Securities as contemplated by this
Agreement will not be an “investment company” required to be registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (an
“Investment Company”). The Company is not controlled by an Investment Company.

 

aa. No Off Balance
Sheet Arrangements. There is no transaction, arrangement, or other relationship between the Company or any of its Subsidiaries
and an unconsolidated or other off balance sheet entity that is required to be disclosed by the Company in its 1934 Act filings
and is not so disclosed or that otherwise could be reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

bb. No
Disqualification Events. None of the Company, any of its predecessors, any affiliated issuer, any director, executive
officer, other officer of the Company participating in the offering hereunder, any beneficial owner of 20% or more of the
Company’s outstanding voting equity securities, calculated on the basis of voting power, nor any promoter (as that term
is defined in Rule 405 under the 1933 Act) connected with the Company in any capacity at the time of sale (each, an
“Issuer Covered Person”) is subject to any of the “Bad Actor” disqualifications described in Rule
506(d)(1)(i) to (viii) under the 1933 Act (a “Disqualification Event”), except for a Disqualification Event
covered by Rule 506(d)(2) or (d)(3). The Company has exercised reasonable care to determine whether any Issuer Covered Person
is subject to a Disqualification Event.

 

cc. Manipulation
of Price. The Company has not, and to its knowledge no one acting on its behalf has: (i) taken, directly or indirectly, any
action designed to cause or to result, or that could reasonably be expected to cause or result, in the stabilization or manipulation
of the price of any security of the Company to facilitate the sale or resale of any of the Securities, (ii) sold, bid for, purchased,
or paid any compensation for soliciting purchases of, any of the Securities, or (iii) paid or agreed to pay to any person any compensation
for soliciting another to purchase any other securities of the Company.

 

dd. Bank Holding
Company Act. Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries is subject to the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, as amended
(the “BHCA”) and to regulation by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (the “Federal Reserve”).
Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries or affiliates owns or controls, directly or indirectly, five percent (5%) or more
of the outstanding shares of any class of voting securities or twenty-five percent (25%) or more of the total equity of a bank
or any entity that is subject to the BHCA and to regulation by the Federal Reserve. Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries
or affiliates exercises a controlling influence over the management or policies of a bank or any entity that is subject to the
BHCA and to regulation by the Federal Reserve.

 

ee. Illegal or Unauthorized
Payments; Political Contributions. Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries nor, to the Company’s knowledge, any
of the officers, directors, employees, agents or other representatives of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or any other business
entity or enterprise with which the Company or any Subsidiary is or has been affiliated or associated, has, directly or indirectly,
made or authorized any payment, contribution or gift of money, property, or services, whether or not in contravention of applicable
law, (i) as a kickback or bribe to any person or (ii) to any political organization, or the holder of or any aspirant to any elective
or appointive public office except for personal political contributions not involving the direct or indirect use of funds of the
Company or any of its Subsidiaries.

 

ff. Breach of Representations
and Warranties by the Company. The Company agrees that if the Company breaches any of the representations or warranties set
forth in this Section 3 and in addition to any other remedies available to the Buyer pursuant to this Agreement, it will be considered
an Event of Default under Section 3.4 of the Note.

 

		4.	ADDITIONAL COVENANTS, AGREEMENTS AND ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS.

 

a.                
Best Efforts. The parties shall use their best efforts to satisfy timely each of the conditions described in Section
6 and 7 of this Agreement.

 

 

 

    	 	9	 

     

    

 

b.              
Form D; Blue Sky Laws. The Company agrees to file a Form D with respect to the Securities if required under Regulation
D and to provide a copy thereof to the Buyer promptly after such filing. The Company shall, on or before the Closing Date, take
such action as the Company shall reasonably determine is necessary to qualify the Securities for sale to the Buyer at the applicable
closing pursuant to this Agreement under applicable securities or “blue sky” laws of the states of the United States
(or to obtain an exemption from such qualification), and shall provide evidence of any such action so taken to the Buyer on or
prior to the Closing Date.

 

c.               
Use of Proceeds. The Company shall use the proceeds for business development, and not for the repayment of any indebtedness
owed to officers, directors or employees of the Company or their affiliates or in violation or contravention of any applicable
law, rule or regulation.

 

		d.	[Intentionally Omitted].

 

e.                Usury.
To the extent it may lawfully do so, the Company hereby agrees not to insist upon or plead or in any manner whatsoever claim,
and will resist any and all efforts to be compelled to take the benefit or advantage of, usury laws wherever enacted, now or
at any time hereafter in force, in connection with any action or proceeding that may be brought by the Buyer in order to
enforce any right or remedy under this Agreement, the Note and any document, agreement or instrument contemplated thereby.
Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary contained in this Agreement, the Note and any document, agreement or instrument
contemplated thereby, it is expressly agreed and provided that the total liability of the Company under this Agreement, the
Note or any document, agreement or instrument contemplated thereby for payments which under applicable law are in the nature
of interest shall not exceed the maximum lawful rate authorized under applicable law (the “Maximum Rate”), and,
without limiting the foregoing, in no event shall any rate of interest or default interest, or both of them, when aggregated
with any other sums which under applicable law in the nature of interest that the Company may be obligated to pay under this
Agreement, the Note and any document, agreement or instrument contemplated thereby exceed such Maximum Rate. It is agreed
that if the maximum contract rate of interest allowed by law applicable to this Agreement, the Note and any document,
agreement or instrument contemplated thereby is increased or decreased by statute or any official governmental action
subsequent to the date hereof, the new maximum contract rate of interest allowed by law will be the Maximum Rate applicable
to this Agreement, the Note and any document, agreement or instrument contemplated thereby from the effective date thereof
forward, unless such application is precluded by applicable law. If under any circumstances whatsoever, interest in excess of
the Maximum Rate is paid by the Company to the Buyer with respect to indebtedness evidenced by this Agreement, the Note and
any document, agreement or instrument contemplated thereby, such excess shall be applied by the Buyer to the unpaid principal
balance of any such indebtedness or be refunded to the Company, the manner of handling such excess to be at the Buyer’s
election.

 

f.              
Restriction on Activities. Commencing as of the date first above written, and until the earlier of payment of the
Note in full or full conversion of the Note, the Company shall not, directly or indirectly, without the Buyer’s prior written
consent, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld: (a) change the nature of its business; (b) sell, divest, acquire, change
the structure of any material assets other than in the ordinary course of business; or (c) consummate any Variable Rate Transaction
(as defined herein).

 

g.               
Listing. The Company will, so long as the Buyer owns any of the Securities, maintain the listing and trading of its
Common Stock on the Principal Market or any equivalent replacement exchange or electronic quotation system (including but not limited
to the Pink Sheets electronic quotation system) and will comply in all respects with the Company’s reporting, filing and
other obligations under the bylaws or rules of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”) and such exchanges,
as applicable. The Company shall promptly provide to the Buyer copies of any notices it receives from the Principal Market and
any other exchanges or electronic quotation systems on which the Common Stock is then traded regarding the continued eligibility
of the Common Stock for listing on such exchanges and quotation systems.

 

h.                 
Corporate Existence. The Company will, so long as the Buyer beneficially owns any of the Securities, maintain its
corporate existence and shall not sell all or substantially all of the Company’s assets, except in the event of a merger
or consolidation or sale of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets, where the surviving or successor entity in
such transaction (i) assumes the Company’s obligations hereunder and under the agreements and instruments entered into in
connection herewith and (ii) is a publicly traded corporation whose Common Stock is listed for trading or quotation on the Principal
Market, any tier of the NASDAQ Stock Market, the New York Stock Exchange or the NYSE MKT.

 

 

    	 	10	 

     

    

 

i.                 
No Integration. The Company shall not make any offers or sales of any security (other than the Securities) under
circumstances that would require registration of the Securities being offered or sold hereunder under the 1933 Act or cause the
offering of the Securities to be integrated with any other offering of securities by the Company for the purpose of any stockholder
approval provision applicable to the Company or its securities.

 

j.                  
Breach of Covenants. The Company acknowledges and agrees that if the Company breaches any of the covenants set forth
in this Section 4, in addition to any other remedies available to the Buyer pursuant to this Agreement, it will be considered an
Event of Default under Section 3.3 of the Note.

 

k.                   Compliance
with 1934 Act; Public Information Failures. For so long as the Buyer beneficially owns the Note, Warrant, or any
Conversion Shares, the Company shall comply with the reporting requirements of the 1934 Act; and the Company shall continue
to be subject to the reporting requirements of the 1934 Act. During the period that the Buyer beneficially owns the Note, if
the Company shall (i) fail for any reason to satisfy the requirements of Rule 144(c)(1), including, without limitation, the
failure to satisfy the current public information requirements under Rule 144(c) or (ii) if the Company has ever been an
issuer described in Rule 144(i)(1)(i) or becomes such an issuer in the future, and the Company shall fail to satisfy any
condition set forth in Rule 144(i)(2) (each, a “Public Information Failure”) then, as partial relief for the
damages to the Buyer by reason of any such delay in or reduction of its ability to sell the Securities (which remedy shall
not be exclusive of any other remedies available pursuant to this Agreement, the Note, or at law or in equity), the Company
shall pay to the Buyer an amount in cash equal to three percent (3%) of the Purchase Price on each of the day of a Public
Information Failure and on every thirtieth day (pro rated for periods totaling less than thirty days) thereafter until the
date such Public Information Failure is cured. The payments to which a holder shall be entitled pursuant to this Section 4(k)
are referred to herein as “Public Information Failure Payments.” Public Information Failure Payments shall be
paid on the earlier of (i) the last day of the calendar month during which such Public Information Failure Payments are
incurred and (iii) the third business day after the event or failure giving rise to the Public Information Failure Payments
is cured. In the event the Company fails to make Public Information Failure Payments in a timely manner, such Public
Information Failure Payments shall bear interest at the rate of 5% per month (prorated for partial months) until paid in
full.

 

l.                 
Exchange Right. In addition to all other rights in this Agreement, the Company shall provide written notice to the
Buyer at least five (5) business days prior to the Company’s consummation of an offering of Common Stock (or units consisting
of Common Stock and warrants to purchase Common Stock) that will result in the immediate listing for trading of the Common Stock
on the NYSE American, the Nasdaq Capital Market, the Nasdaq Global Market, the Nasdaq Global Select Market, or the New York Stock
Exchange (or any successors to any of the foregoing) (an “Uplist Offering”), and the Buyer shall have the right in
its sole discretion to exchange all or a portion of the then remaining outstanding balance of the Note for the Common Stock (or
units consisting of Common Stock and warrants to purchase Common Stock) being offered in the Uplist Offering pursuant to the transaction
terms of the Uplist Offering.

 

m.                 
Disclosure of Transactions and Other Material Information. By 9:00 a.m., New York time, following the date this Agreement
has been fully executed, the Company shall file a Current Report on Form 8-K (if required) describing the terms of the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement in the form required by the 1934 Act and attaching this Agreement, the form of Note (the “8-K
Filing”). From and after the filing of the 8-K Filing with the SEC, the Buyer shall not be in possession of any material,
nonpublic information received from the Company, any of its Subsidiaries or any of their respective officers, directors, employees
or agents that is not disclosed in the 8-K Filing. In addition, effective upon the filing of the 8-K Filing, the Company acknowledges
and agrees that any and all confidentiality or similar obligations under any agreement, whether written or oral, between the Company,
any of its Subsidiaries or any of their respective officers, directors, affiliates, employees or agents, on the one hand, and the
Buyer or any of its affiliates, on the other hand, shall terminate.

 

n.                  
Legal Counsel Opinions. Upon the request of the Buyer from to time to time, the Company shall be responsible (at
its cost) for promptly supplying to the Company’s transfer agent and the Buyer a customary legal opinion letter of its counsel
(the “Legal Counsel Opinion”) to the effect that the resale of the Conversion Shares by the Buyer or its affiliates,
successors and assigns is exempt from the registration requirements of the 1933 Act pursuant to Rule 144 (provided the requirements
of Rule 144 are satisfied and provided the Conversion Shares are not then registered under the 1933 Act for resale pursuant to
an effective registration statement) or other applicable exemption (provided the requirements of such other applicable exemption
are satisfied). Should the Company’s legal counsel fail for any reason to issue the Legal Counsel Opinion, the Buyer may
(at the Company’s cost) secure another legal counsel to issue the Legal Counsel Opinion, and the Company will instruct its
transfer agent to accept such opinion. The Company hereby agrees that it may never take the position that it is a “shell
company” in connection with its obligations under this Agreement or otherwise.

 

 

    	 	11	 

     

    

 

o.                    
Piggyback Registration Rights. The Company hereby grants to the Buyer the registration rights set forth on Exhibit
B hereto.

 

p.                  
Most Favored Nation. While the Note or any principal amount, interest or fees or expenses due thereunder remain outstanding
and unpaid, the Company shall not enter into any public or private offering of its securities (including securities convertible
into shares of Common Stock) with any individual or entity (an “Other Investor”) that has the effect of establishing
rights or otherwise benefiting such Other Investor in a manner more favorable in any material respect to such Other Investor than
the rights and benefits established in favor of the Buyer by this Agreement or the Note unless, in any such case, the Buyer has
been provided with such rights and benefits pursuant to a definitive written agreement or agreements between the Company and the
Buyer.

 

q.                  
Subsequent Variable Rate Transactions. From the date hereof until such time as the Note is fully converted or fully
repaid, the Company shall be prohibited from effecting or entering into an agreement involving a Variable Rate Transaction. “Variable
Rate Transaction” means a transaction in which the Company (i) issues or sells any debt or equity securities that are convertible
into, exchangeable or exercisable for, or include the right to receive, additional shares of Common Stock either (A) at a conversion
price, exercise price or exchange rate or other price that is based upon, and/or varies with, the trading prices of or quotations
for the shares of Common Stock at any time after the initial issuance of such debt or equity securities or (B) with a conversion,
exercise or exchange price that is subject to being reset at some future date after the initial issuance of such debt or equity
security or upon the occurrence of specified or contingent events directly or indirectly related to the business of the Company
or the market for the Common Stock or (ii) enters into any agreement, including, but not limited to, an equity line of credit,
whereby the Company may issue securities at a future determined price. The Buyer shall be entitled to obtain injunctive relief
against the Company to preclude any such issuance, which remedy shall be in addition to any right to collect damages.

 

		r.	[Intentionally Omitted].

 

s.                    
Non-Public Information. The Company covenants and agrees that neither it, nor any other person acting on its behalf
will provide the Buyer or its agents or counsel with any information that constitutes, or the Company reasonably believes constitutes,
material non-public information, unless prior thereto the Buyer shall have consented to the receipt of such information and agreed
with the Company to keep such information confidential. The Company understands and confirms that the Buyer shall be relying on
the foregoing covenant in effecting transactions in securities of the Company. To the extent that the Company delivers any material,
non-public information to the Buyer without such Buyer’s consent, the Company hereby covenants and agrees that such Buyer
shall not have any duty of confidentiality to the Company, any of its Subsidiaries, or any of their respective officers, directors,
agents, employees or affiliates, not to trade on the basis of, such material, non- public information, provided that the Buyer
shall remain subject to applicable law. To the extent that any notice provided, information provided, or any other communications
made by the Company, to the Buyer, constitutes or contains material non-public information regarding the Company or any Subsidiaries,
the Company shall simultaneously file such notice or other material information with the SEC pursuant to a Current Report on Form
8-K. In addition to any other remedies provided by this Agreement or the related transaction documents, if the Company provides
any material non-public information to the Buyer without their prior written consent, and it fails to immediately (no later than
that business day) file a Form 8-K disclosing this material non-public information, it shall pay the Buyer as partial liquidated
damages and not as a penalty a sum equal to $3,000 per day beginning with the day the information is disclosed to the Buyer and
ending and including the day the Form 8-K disclosing this information is filed.

 

t.                    
D&O Insurance. Within 60 calendar days of the Closing, the Company shall purchase director and officer insurance
on behalf of the Company's (including its subsidiary) officers and directors for a period of 18 months after the Closing with respect
to any losses, claims, damages, liabilities, costs and expense in connection with any actual or threatened claim or proceeding
that is based on, or arises out of their status as a director or officer of the Company. The insurance policy shall provide for
two years of tail coverage.

 

 

 

    	 	12	 

     

    

 

5.                  
Transfer Agent Instructions. The Company shall issue irrevocable instructions to the Company’s transfer agent
to issue certificates, registered in the name of the Buyer or its nominee, upon conversion of the Note and/or exercise of the Warrant,
the Conversion Shares, in such amounts as specified from time to time by the Buyer to the Company in accordance with the terms
thereof (the “Irrevocable Transfer Agent Instructions”). In the event that the Company proposes to replace its transfer
agent, the Company shall provide, prior to the effective date of such replacement, a fully executed Irrevocable Transfer Agent
Instructions in a form as initially delivered pursuant to this Agreement (including but not limited to the provision to irrevocably
reserved shares of Common Stock in the Reserved Amount (as defined in the Note)) signed by the successor transfer agent to the
Company and the Company. Prior to registration of the Conversion Shares under the 1933 Act or the date on which the Conversion
Shares may be sold pursuant to Rule 144, Rule 144A, Regulation S, or other applicable exemption without any restriction as to the
number of Securities as of a particular date that can then be immediately sold, all such certificates shall bear the restrictive
legend specified in Section 2(g) of this Agreement. The Company warrants that: (i) no instruction other than the Irrevocable Transfer
Agent Instructions referred to in this Section 5 will be given by the Company to its transfer agent and that the Securities shall
otherwise be freely transferable on the books and records of the Company as and to the extent provided in this Agreement and the
Note; (ii) it will not direct its transfer agent not to transfer or delay, impair, and/or hinder its transfer agent in transferring
(or issuing)(electronically or in certificated form) any certificate for Securities to be issued to the Buyer upon conversion of
or otherwise pursuant to the Note as and when required by the Note and this Agreement; (iii) it will not fail to remove (or directs
its transfer agent not to remove or impairs, delays, and/or hinders its transfer agent from removing) any restrictive legend (or
to withdraw any stop transfer instructions in respect thereof) on any certificate for any Securities issued to the Buyer upon conversion
of or otherwise pursuant to the Note as and when required by the Note and this Agreement and (iv) it will provide any required
corporate resolutions and issuance approvals to its transfer agent within 6 hours of each conversion of the Note. Nothing in this
Section shall affect in any way the Buyer’s obligations and agreement set forth in Section 2(g) hereof to comply with all
applicable prospectus delivery requirements, if any, upon re-sale of the Securities. If the Buyer provides the Company, at the
cost of the Company, with (i) an opinion of counsel in form, substance and scope customary for opinions in comparable transactions,
to the effect that a public sale or transfer of such Securities may be made without registration under the 1933 Act and such sale
or transfer is effected or (ii) the Buyer provides reasonable assurances that the Securities can be sold pursuant to 144, Rule
144A, Regulation S, or other applicable exemption, the Company shall permit the transfer, and, in the case of the Securities, promptly
instruct its transfer agent to issue one or more certificates, free from restrictive legend, in such name and in such denominations
as specified by the Buyer. The Company acknowledges that a breach by it of its obligations hereunder will cause irreparable harm
to the Buyer, by vitiating the intent and purpose of the transactions contemplated hereby. Accordingly, the Company acknowledges
that the remedy at law for a breach of its obligations under this Section 5 may be inadequate and agrees, in the event of a breach
or threatened breach by the Company of the provisions of this Section, that the Buyer shall be entitled, in addition to all other
available remedies, to an injunction restraining any breach and requiring immediate transfer, without the necessity of showing
economic loss and without any bond or other security being required.

 

6.               
Conditions to the Company’s Obligation to Sell. The obligation of the Company hereunder to issue and sell the
Note to the Buyer at the Closing is subject to the satisfaction, at or before the Closing Date, of each of the following conditions
thereto, provided that these conditions are for the Company’s sole benefit and may be waived by the Company at any time in
its sole discretion:

 

		a.	The Buyer shall have executed this Agreement and delivered the same to the Company.

 

		b.	The Buyer shall have delivered the Purchase Price in accordance with Section 1(b)

above.

 

c.              
The representations and warranties of the Buyer shall be true and correct in all material respects as of the date when made
and as of the Closing Date, as though made at that time (except for representations and warranties that speak as of a specific
date), and the Buyer shall have performed, satisfied and complied in all material respects with the covenants, agreements and conditions
required by this Agreement to be performed, satisfied or complied with by the Buyer at or prior to the Closing Date.

 

d.                
No litigation, statute, rule, regulation, executive order, decree, ruling or injunction shall have been enacted, entered,
promulgated or endorsed by or in any court or governmental authority of competent jurisdiction or any self-regulatory organization
having authority over the matters contemplated hereby which prohibits the consummation of any of the transactions contemplated
by this Agreement.

 

 

 

    	 	13	 

     

    

 

7.               
Conditions to The Buyer’s Obligation to Purchase. The obligation of the Buyer hereunder to purchase the Note,
on the Closing Date, is subject to the satisfaction, at or before the Closing Date, of each of the following conditions, provided
that these conditions are for the Buyer’s sole benefit and may be waived by the Buyer at any time in its sole discretion:

 

		a.	The Company shall have executed this Agreement and delivered the same to the Buyer.

 

b.                
The Company shall have delivered to the Buyer the duly executed Note in such denominations as the Buyer shall request and
in accordance with Section 1(b) above.

 

c.                The Company shall have delivered to the Buyer the Warrant.

 

d.               
The Irrevocable Transfer Agent Instructions, in form and substance satisfactory to the Buyer, shall have been delivered
to and acknowledged in writing by the Company’s Transfer Agent.

 

e.                  
The representations and warranties of the Company shall be true and correct in all material respects as of the date when
made and as of Closing Date, as though made at such time (except for representations and warranties that speak as of a specific
date) and the Company shall have performed, satisfied and complied in all material respects with the covenants, agreements and
conditions required by this Agreement to be performed, satisfied or complied with by the Company at or prior to the Closing Date.

 

f.                 
No litigation, statute, rule, regulation, executive order, decree, ruling or injunction shall have been enacted, entered,
promulgated or endorsed by or in any court or governmental authority of competent jurisdiction or any self-regulatory organization
having authority over the matters contemplated hereby which prohibits the consummation of any of the transactions contemplated
by this Agreement.

 

g.                  
No event shall have occurred which could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect on the Company including
but not limited to a change in the 1934 Act reporting status of the Company or the failure of the Company to be timely in its 1934
Act reporting obligations.

 

h.                  
Trading in the Common Stock on the Principal Market shall not have been suspended by the SEC, FINRA or the Principal Market.

 

i.                   
The Company shall have delivered to the Buyer (i) a certificate evidencing the formation and good standing of the Company
and each of its Subsidiaries in such entity’s jurisdiction of formation issued by the Secretary of State (or comparable office)
of such jurisdiction, as of a date within ten (10) days of the Closing Date and (ii) resolutions adopted by the Company’s
Board of Directors at a duly called meeting or by unanimous written consent authorizing this Agreement and all other documents,
instruments and transactions contemplated hereby.

 

		8.	Governing Law; Miscellaneous.

 

a.                
Governing Law; Venue. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State
of Nevada without regard to principles of conflicts of laws. Any action brought by either party against the other concerning the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement, the Note, or any other agreement, certificate, instrument or document contemplated
hereby shall be brought only in the state courts located in Commonwealth of Massachusetts or in the federal courts located in Commonwealth
of Massachusetts. The parties to this Agreement hereby irrevocably waive any objection to jurisdiction and venue of any action
instituted hereunder and shall not assert any defense based on lack of jurisdiction or venue or based upon forum non conveniens.
EACH PARTY HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE, AND AGREES NOT TO REQUEST, A JURY TRIAL FOR THE ADJUDICATION OF
ANY DISPUTE HEREUNDER OR IN CONNECTION WITH OR ARISING OUT OF THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY. The prevailing
party shall be entitled to recover from the other party its reasonable attorney’s fees and costs. Each party hereby irrevocably
waives personal service of process and consents to process being served in any suit, action or proceeding in connection with this
Agreement, the Note, or any other agreement, certificate, instrument or document contemplated hereby or thereby by mailing a copy
thereof via registered or certified mail or overnight delivery (with evidence of delivery) to such party at the address in effect
for notices to it under this Agreement and agrees that such service shall constitute good and sufficient service of process and
notice thereof. Nothing contained herein shall be deemed to limit in any way any right to serve process in any other manner permitted
by law.

 

 

 

    	 	14	 

     

    

 

b.                Counterparts.
This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original but all of which shall
constitute one and the same agreement and shall become effective when counterparts have been signed by each party and
delivered to the other party. A facsimile or .pdf signature shall be considered due execution and shall be binding upon the
signatory thereto with the same force and effect as if the signature were an original, not a facsimile or .pdf signature.
Delivery of a counterpart signature hereto by facsimile or email/.pdf transmission shall be deemed validly delivery
thereof.

 

c.               
Construction; Headings. This Agreement shall be deemed to be jointly drafted by the Company and the Buyer and shall
not be construed against any person as the drafter hereof. The headings of this Agreement are for convenience of reference only
and shall not form part of, or affect the interpretation of, this Agreement.

 

d.               
Severability. In the event that any provision of this Agreement, the Note, or any other agreement or instrument delivered
in connection herewith is invalid or unenforceable under any applicable statute or rule of law, then such provision shall be deemed
inoperative to the extent that it may conflict therewith and shall be deemed modified to conform with such statute or rule of law.
Any such provision which may prove invalid or unenforceable under any law shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any
other provision of this Agreement, the Note, or any other agreement, certificate, instrument or document contemplated hereby or
thereby.

 

e.                 
Entire Agreement; Amendments. This Agreement, the Note, and the instruments referenced herein contain the entire
understanding of the parties with respect to the matters covered herein and therein and, except as specifically set forth herein
or therein, neither the Company nor the Buyer makes any representation, warranty, covenant or undertaking with respect to such
matters. No provision of this Agreement or any agreement or instrument contemplated hereby may be waived or amended other than
by an instrument in writing signed by the Buyer.

 

f.                    
Notices. All notices, demands, requests, consents, approvals, and other communications required or permitted hereunder
shall be in writing and, unless otherwise specified herein, shall be (i) personally served, (ii) deposited in the mail, registered
or certified, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, (iii) delivered by reputable air courier service with charges prepaid,
or (iv) transmitted by hand delivery, telegram, e-mail or facsimile, addressed as set forth below or to such other address as
such party shall have specified most recently by written notice. Any notice or other communication required or permitted to be
given hereunder shall be deemed effective (a) upon hand delivery or delivery by e-mail or facsimile, with accurate confirmation
generated by the transmitting facsimile machine, at the address or number designated below (if delivered on a business day during
normal business hours where such notice is to be received), or the first business day following such delivery (if delivered other
than on a business day during normal business hours where such notice is to be received) or (b) on the second business day following
the date of mailing by express courier service, fully prepaid, addressed to such address, or upon actual receipt of such mailing,
whichever shall first occur. The addresses for such communications shall be:

 

If to the Company, to:

 

GROM SOCIAL ENTERPRISES, INC.

2060 NW Boca Raton Blvd. #6

Boca Raton, Florida 33431

Attention: Darren Marks

e-mail: mel@gromsocial.com

 

If to the Buyer:

 

AUCTUS FUND, LLC

545 Boylston Street, 2nd Floor

Boston, MA 02116

 

 

 

    	 	15	 

     

    

 

g.               Successors
and Assigns. This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties and their successors and
assigns. Neither the Company nor the Buyer shall assign this Agreement or any rights or obligations hereunder without the
prior written consent of the other. Notwithstanding the foregoing, subject to Section 2(f), the Buyer may assign its rights
hereunder to any person that purchases Securities in a private transaction from the Buyer or to any of its
“affiliates,” as that term is defined under the 1934 Act, without the consent of the Company.

 

h.               
Third Party Beneficiaries. This Agreement is intended for the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective
permitted successors and assigns, and is not for the benefit of, nor may any provision hereof be enforced by, any other person.

 

i.               
Survival. The representations and warranties of the Company and the agreements and covenants set forth in this Agreement
shall survive the closing hereunder notwithstanding any due diligence investigation conducted by or on behalf of the Buyer. The
Company agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Buyer and all their officers, directors, employees and agents for loss or damage
arising as a result of or related to any breach or alleged breach by the Company of any of its representations, warranties and
covenants set forth in this Agreement or any of its covenants and obligations under this Agreement, including advancement of expenses
as they are incurred.

 

j.               
Publicity. The Company, and the Buyer shall have the right to review a reasonable period of time before issuance
of any press releases, SEC, Principal Market or FINRA filings, or any other public statements with respect to the transactions
contemplated hereby; provided, however, that the Company shall be entitled, without the prior approval of the Buyer,
to make any press release or SEC, Principal Market (or other applicable trading market) or FINRA filings with respect to such transactions
as is required by applicable law and regulations (although the Buyer shall be consulted by the Company in connection with any such
press release prior to its release and shall be provided with a copy thereof and be given an opportunity to comment thereon).

 

k.                
Further Assurances. Each party shall do and perform, or cause to be done and performed, all such further acts and
things, and shall execute and deliver all such other agreements, certificates, instruments and documents, as the other party may
reasonably request in order to carry out the intent and accomplish the purposes of this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions
contemplated hereby.

 

l.              
No Strict Construction. The language used in this Agreement will be deemed to be the language chosen by the parties
to express their mutual intent, and no rules of strict construction will be applied against any party.

 

m.                
Indemnification. In consideration of the Buyer’s execution and delivery of this Agreement and acquiring the
Securities hereunder, and in addition to all of the Company’s other obligations under this Agreement or the Note, the Company
shall defend, protect, indemnify and hold harmless the Buyer and its stockholders, partners, members, officers, directors, employees
and direct or indirect investors and any of the foregoing persons’ agents or other representatives (including, without limitation,
those retained in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement) (collectively, the “Indemnitees”)
from and against any and all actions, causes of action, suits, claims, losses, costs, penalties, fees, liabilities and damages,
and expenses in connection therewith (irrespective of whether any such Indemnitee is a party to the action for which indemnification
hereunder is sought), and including reasonable attorneys’ fees and disbursements (the “Indemnified Liabilities”),
incurred by any Indemnitee as a result of, or arising out of, or relating to (a) any misrepresentation or breach of any representation
or warranty made by the Company in this Agreement, the Note or any other agreement, certificate, instrument or document contemplated
hereby or thereby, (b) any breach of any covenant, agreement or obligation of the Company contained in this Agreement, the Note
or any other agreement, certificate, instrument or document contemplated hereby or thereby or (c) any cause of action, suit or
claim brought or made against such Indemnitee by a third party (including for these purposes a derivative action brought on behalf
of the Company) and arising out of or resulting from (i) the execution, delivery, performance or enforcement of this Agreement,
the Note or any other agreement, certificate, instrument or document contemplated hereby or thereby, (ii) any transaction financed
or to be financed in whole or in part, directly or indirectly, with the proceeds of the issuance of the Securities, or (iii) the
status of the Buyer or holder of the Securities as an investor in the Company pursuant to the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement. To the extent that the foregoing undertaking by the Company may be unenforceable for any reason, the Company shall make
the maximum contribution to the payment and satisfaction of each of the Indemnified Liabilities that is permissible under applicable
law.

 

 

 

    	 	16	 

     

    

 

n.               
Remedies. The Company acknowledges that a breach by it of its obligations hereunder will cause irreparable harm to
the Buyer by vitiating the intent and purpose of the transaction contemplated hereby. Accordingly, the Company acknowledges that
the remedy at law for a breach of its obligations under this Agreement or the Note will be inadequate and agrees, in the event
of a breach or threatened breach by the Company of the provisions of this Agreement or the Note, that the Buyer shall be entitled,
in addition to all other available remedies at law or in equity, and in addition to the penalties assessable herein, to an injunction
or injunctions restraining, preventing or curing any breach of this Agreement or the Note and to enforce specifically the terms
and provisions hereof, without the necessity of showing economic loss and without any bond or other security being required.

 

o.              
Payment Set Aside. To the extent that the Company makes a payment or payments to the Buyer hereunder or pursuant
to the Note, or the Buyer enforces or exercises its rights hereunder or thereunder, and such payment or payments or the proceeds
of such enforcement or exercise or any part thereof are subsequently invalidated, declared to be fraudulent or preferential, set
aside, recovered from, disgorged by or are required to be refunded, repaid or otherwise restored to the Company, a trustee, receiver
or any other person or entity under any law (including, without limitation, any bankruptcy law, foreign, state or federal law,
common law or equitable cause of action), then to the extent of any such restoration the obligation or part thereof originally
intended to be satisfied shall be revived and continued in full force and effect as if such payment had not been made or such enforcement
or setoff had not occurred.

 

p.               
Failure or Indulgence Not Waiver. No failure or delay on the part of the Buyer in the exercise of any power, right
or privilege hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall any single or partial exercise of any such power, right or
privilege preclude other or further exercise thereof or of any other right, power or privileges. All rights and remedies of the
Buyer existing hereunder are cumulative to, and not exclusive of, any rights or remedies otherwise available.

 

 

[Signature Page Follows]

 

 

 

    	 	17	 

     

    

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned Buyer
and the Company have caused this Agreement to be duly executed as of the date first above written.

 

GROM SOCIAL ENTERPRISES, INC.

 

 

 

	By: /s/Darren Marks
	Name: DARREN MARKS
	Title: CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

 

 

AUCTUS FUND, LLC

 

 

 

	By: /s/ Lou Posner
	Name: LOU POSNER
	Title: MANAGING DIRECTOR

 

 

SUBSCRIPTION AMOUNT:

 

	Principal Amount of Note: $500,000.00
	Actual Amount of Purchase Price of Note: $500,000.00

 

 

 

 

 

 

    	 	18	 

     

    

EXHIBIT A

 

FORM
OF NOTE

 

[attached hereto]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

    	 	19	 

     

    

EXHIBIT B

 

REGISTRATION
RIGHTS

 

All of the Conversion
Shares (which, for the avoidance of doubt, includes all shares into which the Warrant is exercisable into) will be deemed “Registrable
Securities” subject to the provisions of this Exhibit B. All capitalized terms used but not defined in this Exhibit B shall
have the meanings ascribed to such terms in the Securities Purchase Agreement to which this Exhibit is attached.

 

		1.	Piggy-Back Registration.

 

1.1            Piggy-Back Rights. If at any time on or after the date of the Closing the Company proposes to file any Registration
Statement under the 1933 Act (a “Registration Statement”) with respect to any offering of equity securities, or securities
or other obligations exercisable or exchangeable for, or convertible into, equity securities, by the Company for its own account
or for shareholders of the Company for their account (or by the Company and by shareholders of the Company), other than a Registration
Statement (i) filed in connection with any employee stock option or other benefit plan on Form S-8, (ii) for a dividend reinvestment
plan or (iii) in connection with a merger or acquisition, then the Company shall (x) give written notice of such proposed filing
to the holders of Registrable Securities appearing on the books and records of the Company as such a holder as soon as practicable
but in no event less than ten (10) days before the anticipated filing date of the Registration Statement, which notice shall describe
the amount and type of securities to be included in such Registration Statement, the intended method(s) of distribution, and the
name of the proposed managing underwriter or underwriters, if any, of the offering, and (y) offer to the holders of Registrable
Securities in such notice the opportunity to register the sale of such number of Registrable Securities as such holders may request
in writing within three (3) days following receipt of such notice (a “Piggy-Back Registration”). The Company shall
cause such Registrable Securities to be included in such registration and shall cause the managing underwriter or underwriters
of a proposed underwritten offering to permit the Registrable Securities requested to be included in a Piggy-Back Registration
on the same terms and conditions as any similar securities of the Company and to permit the sale or other disposition of such Registrable
Securities in accordance with the intended method(s) of distribution thereof. All holders of Registrable Securities proposing to
distribute their securities through a Piggy-Back Registration that involves an underwriter or underwriters shall enter into an
underwriting agreement in customary form with the underwriter or underwriters selected for such Piggy-Back Registration.

 

1.2             Withdrawal.
Any holder of Registrable Securities may elect to withdraw such holder’s request for inclusion of Registrable Securities
in any Piggy-Back Registration by giving written notice to the Company of such request to withdraw prior to the effectiveness
of the Registration Statement. The Company (whether on its own determination or as the result of a withdrawal by persons making
a demand pursuant to written contractual obligations) may withdraw a Registration Statement at any time prior to the effectiveness
of such Registration Statement. Notwithstanding any such withdrawal, the Company shall pay all expenses incurred by the holders
of Registrable Securities in connection with such Piggy-Back Registration as provided in Section 1.5 below.

 

1.3             The Company shall notify the holders of Registrable Securities at any time when a prospectus relating to such holder’s
Registrable Securities is required to be delivered under the 1933 Act, upon discovery that, or upon the happening of any event
as a result of which, the prospectus included in such Registration Statement, as then in effect, includes an untrue statement of
a material fact or omits to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not
misleading in light of the circumstances then existing. At the request of such holder, the Company shall also prepare, file and
furnish to such holder a reasonable number of copies of a supplement to or an amendment of such prospectus as may be necessary
so that, as thereafter delivered to the purchasers of the Registrable Securities, such prospectus shall not include an 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
misleading in light of the circumstances then existing. The holders of Registrable Securities shall not to offer or sell any Registrable
Securities covered by the Registration Statement after receipt of such notification until the receipt of such supplement or amendment.

 

1.4             The
Company may request a holder of Registrable Securities to furnish the Company such information with respect to such holder and
such holder’s proposed distribution of the Registrable Securities pursuant to the Registration Statement as the Company
may from time to time reasonably request in writing or as shall be required by law or by the SEC in connection therewith, and
such holders shall furnish the Company with such information.

 

 

 

    	 	20	 

     

    

 

1.5              All fees and expenses incident to the performance of or compliance with this Exhibit B by the Company shall be borne by
the Company whether or not any Registrable Securities are sold pursuant to a Registration Statement. The fees and expenses referred
to in the foregoing sentence shall include, without limitation, (i) all registration and filing fees (including, without limitation,
fees and expenses of the Company’s counsel and independent registered public accountants) (A) with respect to filings made
with the SEC, (B) with respect to filings required to be made with any trading market on which the Common Stock is then listed
for trading, (C) in compliance with applicable state securities or Blue Sky laws reasonably agreed to by the Company in writing
(including, without limitation, fees and disbursements of counsel for the Company in connection with Blue Sky qualifications or
exemptions of the Registrable Securities) and (D) with respect to any filing that may be required to be made by any broker through
which a holder of Registrable Securities intends to make sales of Registrable Securities with the FINRA, (ii) printing expenses,
(iii) messenger, telephone and delivery expenses, (iv) fees and disbursements of counsel for the Company, (v) 1933 Act liability
insurance, if the Company so desires such insurance, (vi) fees and expenses of all other persons or entities retained by the Company
in connection with the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Exhibit B and (vii) reasonable fees and disbursements
of a single special counsel for the holders of Registrable Securities (selected by holders of the majority of the Registrable
Securities requesting such registration). In addition, the Company shall be responsible for all of its internal expenses incurred
in connection with the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement (including, without limitation, all salaries
and expenses of its officers and employees performing legal or accounting duties), the expense of any annual audit and the fees
and expenses incurred in connection with the listing of the Registrable Securities on any securities exchange as required hereunder.
In no event shall the Company be responsible for any broker or similar commissions of any holder of Registrable Securities.

 

1.6             The
Company and its successors and assigns shall indemnify and hold harmless the Buyer, each holder of Registrable Securities, the
officers, directors, members, partners, agents and employees (and any other individuals or entities with a functionally equivalent
role of a person holding such titles, notwithstanding a lack of such title or any other title) of each of them, each individual
or entity who controls the Buyer or any such holder of Registrable Securities (within the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act
or Section 20 of the 1934 Act) and the officers, directors, members, stockholders, partners, agents and employees (and any other
individuals or entities with a functionally equivalent role of a person holding such titles, notwithstanding a lack of such title
or any other title) of each such controlling individual or entity (each, an “Indemnified Party”), to the fullest extent
permitted by applicable law, from and against any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities, costs (including, without limitation,
reasonable attorneys’ fees) and expenses (collectively, “Losses”), as incurred, arising out of or relating
to (1) any untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in a Registration Statement, any related prospectus
or any form of prospectus or in any amendment or supplement thereto or in any preliminary prospectus, or arising out of or relating
to any omission or alleged omission of a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein
(in the case of any such prospectus or supplement thereto, in light of the circumstances under which they were made) not misleading
or (2) any violation or alleged violation by the Company of the 1933 Act, the 1934 Act or any state securities law, or any rule
or regulation thereunder, in connection with the performance of its obligations under this Exhibit B, except to the extent, but
only to the extent, that (i) such untrue statements or omissions are based upon information regarding the Buyer or such holder
of Registrable Securities furnished to the Company by such party for use therein. The Company shall notify the Buyer and each
holder of Registrable Securities promptly of the institution, threat or assertion of any proceeding arising from or in connection
with the transactions contemplated by this Exhibit B of which the Company is aware.

 

1.7             If
the indemnification under Section 1.6 is unavailable to an Indemnified Party or insufficient to hold an Indemnified Party
harmless for any Losses, then the Company shall contribute to the amount paid or payable by such Indemnified Party, in such
proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative fault of the Company and Indemnified Party in connection with the
actions, statements or omissions that resulted in such Losses as well as any other relevant equitable considerations. The
relative fault of the Company and Indemnified Party shall be determined by reference to, among other things, whether any
action in question, including any untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or omission or alleged omission of a
material fact, has been taken or made by, or relates to information supplied by, the Company or the Indemnified Party, and
the parties’ relative intent, knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent such action,
statement or omission. The amount paid or payable by a party as a result of any Losses shall be deemed to include any
reasonable attorneys’ or other fees or expenses incurred by such party in connection with any proceeding to the extent
such party would have been indemnified for such fees or expenses if the indemnification provided for in Section 1.6 was
available to such party in accordance with its terms. It is agreed that it would not be just and equitable if contribution
pursuant to this Section 1.7 were determined by pro rata allocation or by any other method of allocation that does not take
into account the equitable considerations referred to in the immediately preceding sentence. Notwithstanding the provisions
of this Section 1.7, neither the Buyer nor any holder of Registrable Securities shall be required to contribute, in the
aggregate, any amount in excess of the amount by which the net proceeds actually received by such party from the sale of all
of their Registrable Securities pursuant to such Registration Statement or related prospectus exceeds the amount of any
damages that such party has otherwise been required to pay by reason of such untrue or alleged untrue statement or omission
or alleged omission.

 

 

[End of Exhibit B]

 

 

    	 	21sf-ex47_424.htm

Exhibit 4.7

 

DESCRIPTION OF THE REGISTRANT’S SECURITIES
REGISTERED PURSUANT TO SECTION 12 OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

As of December 31, 2020, Stifel Financial Corp. (the “Company,” “we,” “us” or “our”) had four classes of securities registered under Section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”): (1) our common stock, par value $0.15 per share (“Common Stock”); (2) Depositary Shares, each representing 1/1000th interest in a share of 6.25% Non-Cumulative Preferred Stock, Series A (“Series A Preferred Stock”); (3) Depositary Shares, each representing 1/1000th interest in a share of 6.25% Non-Cumulative Preferred Stock, Series B (“Series B Preferred Stock”); (4) Depositary Shares, each representing 1/1000th interest in a share of 6.125% Non-Cumulative Preferred Stock, Series C (“Series C Preferred Stock”); and (5) 5.20% Senior Notes due 2047 (the “2047 Notes”).

The following description is a summary and does not purport to be complete. It is subject to and qualified in its entirety by reference to (i) our Restated Certificate of Incorporation, as amended by the Certificate of Amendment to Restated Certificate of Incorporation, the Second Amendment to the Restated Certificate of Incorporation, the Certificate of Designations of 6.25% Non-Cumulative Preferred Stock, Series A; the Certificate of Designations of 6.25% non-Cumulative Preferred Stock, Series B and the Certificate of Designations of 6.125% non-Cumulative Preferred Stock, Series C (as so amended, the “Certificate of Incorporation”); (ii) our Amended and Restated By-laws (the “By-laws”); (iii) the Deposit Agreement dated July 15, 2016, among the Company, Computershare Trust Company, N.A. and Computershare Inc. (collectively “Computershare” or the “depositary”) with respect to the Series A Preferred Stock (the “Series A Deposit Agreement”); (iv) the Deposit Agreement dated February 28, 2019, among the Company and Computershare, with respect to the Series B Preferred Stock (the “Series B Deposit Agreement”); and (v) the Deposit Agreement dated May 19, 2020, among the Company and Computershare, with respect to the Series C Preferred Stock (the “Series C Deposit Agreement” and, together with the Series A Deposit Agreement and the Series B Deposit Agreement, the “Deposit Agreements”), each of which are incorporated by reference as an exhibit to the Annual Report on Form 10-K of which this Exhibit 4.7 is a part. We encourage you to read our Certificate of Incorporation, our By-laws, the Deposit Agreements and the applicable provisions of the Delaware General Corporation Law (“DGCL”) for additional information.

Authorized and Outstanding Capital Stock

Our authorized capital stock consists of 194,000,000 shares of common stock, $0.15 par value per share, and 3,000,000 shares of preferred stock, $1.00 par value per share, of which 6,000 shares have been designated as Series A Preferred Stock, 6,900 shares have been designated as Series B Preferred Stock and 9,000 shares have been designated as Series C Preferred Stock. As of December 31, 2020, there were 111,661,621 shares of our common stock issued and outstanding, 6,000 shares of our Series A Preferred Stock outstanding, 6,400 shares of our Series B Preferred Stock outstanding and 9,000 shares of our Series C Preferred Stock outstanding.

Common Stock

Voting Rights. Each share of common stock is entitled to one vote per share, and, in general, a majority of shares present and entitled to vote with respect to a matter is sufficient to authorize action upon routine matters. In uncontested elections, a nominee for director will be elected to the board of directors if the number of votes cast “for” the nominee’s election exceeds the number of votes cast “withhold” against that nominee’s election. The voting standard for directors in a contested election is a plurality of the votes cast at the meeting. Stockholders do not have the right to cumulate their votes in the election of directors. For that reason, holders of a majority of the shares of common stock entitled to vote in any election of directors may elect all of the directors standing for election. In general, however, amendments to the certificate of incorporation, a merger or dissolution, or the sale of all or substantially all of our assets must be approved by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the voting power of the outstanding voting shares and the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of each class entitled to vote on the matter as a class.

1

 

Dividend Rights. Holders of our common stock will be entitled to receive the dividends or distributions that our board of directors may declare out of funds legally available for these payments. The payment of distributions by us is subject to the restrictions of Delaware law applicable to the declaration of distributions by a corporation. Under Delaware law, a corporation may not pay a dividend out of net profits if the capital stock of the corporation is less than the stated amount of capital represented by the issued and outstanding stock of all classes having a preference upon the distribution of the corporation’s assets. In addition, the payment of distributions to stockholders is subject to any prior rights of outstanding preferred stock.

As a bank holding company, the ability of Stifel Bank & Trust and Stifel Bank to declare and pay dividends is subject to the oversight of the Federal Reserve Board. The ability of Stifel Bank & Trust and Stifel Bank, as well as us, to pay dividends in the future is currently, and could be further, influenced by bank regulatory requirements and capital guidelines. For example, under the Dodd-Frank Act and long-standing Federal Reserve policy, including guidance provided by the Federal Reserve, bank holding companies, such as us, are required to act as a source of financial strength to their subsidiary banks.

Liquidation Rights. In the event of liquidation, holders of common stock will receive proportionately any assets legally available for distribution to our stockholders with respect to shares held by them, subject to any prior rights of any of our preferred stock then outstanding.

No Preemptive or Conversion Rights. Our common stock does not entitle its holders to any preemptive rights, redemption privileges, sinking fund privileges or conversion rights.

Listing.  Our common stock currently trades on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) and the Chicago Stock Exchange under the symbol “SF.”

Preferred Stock

The Company’s board of directors is authorized to issue up to 3,000,000 shares of preferred stock in one or more series, to fix the number of shares in each series, and to determine the designations and preferences, limitations and relative rights of each series, including dividend rates, terms of redemption, liquidation preferences, sinking fund requirements, conversion rights, voting rights, and whether the preferred stock can be issued as a share dividend with respect to another class or series of shares, all without any vote or other action on the part of stockholders. This power is limited by applicable laws or regulations and may be delegated to a committee of our board of directors. The preferred stock is not secured, is not guaranteed by us or any of our affiliates and is not subject to any other arrangement that legally or economically enhances the ranking of the preferred stock.

Series A Preferred

As of December 31, 2020, we have authorized for issuance 6,000 shares of Series A Preferred Stock, with a liquidation preference of $25,000 per share. As of December 31, 2020, we have outstanding 6,000 shares of Series A Preferred Stock with a cumulative liquidation preference of $150.0 million.

The depositary is the sole holder of the Series A Preferred Stock, as described below under “—Description of Depositary Shares,” and all references herein to the holders of the Series A Preferred Stock mean the depositary. However, the holders of depositary shares will be entitled, through the depositary, to exercise the rights and preferences of the holders of the Series A Preferred Stock, as described below under “—Description of Depositary Shares.”

Shares of the Series A Preferred Stock rank senior to our common stock, equally with shares of our Series B Preferred Stock and Series C Preferred Stock, and at least equally with each other series of our preferred stock we may issue (except for any senior series that may be issued with the requisite consent of the holders of the Series A Preferred Stock), with respect to the payment of dividends and distributions of assets upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up.

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Voting Rights. Except as provided below, the holders of the Series A Preferred Stock have no voting rights.

So long as any shares of Series A Preferred Stock remain outstanding, the vote or consent of the holders of at least 66-2/3% of the shares of Series A Preferred Stock and all other series of voting preferred stock entitled to vote thereon (which shall include the Series B Preferred Stock and the Series C Preferred Stock), voting together as a single class, shall be necessary to (1) amend or alter the provisions of our Certificate of Incorporation or the certificate of designations of the Series A Preferred Stock so as to authorize or create, or increase the authorized amount of, any class or series of stock ranking senior to the Series A Preferred Stock with respect to payment of dividends and/or the distribution of assets upon liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of the Company; (2) amend, alter or repeal the provisions of our Certificate of Incorporation or the certificate of designations of the Series A Preferred Stock so as to materially and adversely affect the special rights, preferences, privileges and voting powers of the Series A Preferred Stock, taken as a whole; or (3) consummate a binding share exchange or reclassification involving the Series A Preferred Stock or a merger or consolidation of the Company with another corporation or other entity, unless in each case (i) the shares of Series A Preferred Stock remain outstanding or, in the case of any such merger or consolidation with respect to which we are not the surviving or resulting entity, are converted into or exchanged for preferred securities of the surviving or resulting entity or its ultimate parent, and (ii) such shares remaining outstanding or such preferred securities, as the case may be, have such rights, preferences, privileges and voting powers, taken as a whole, as are not materially less favorable to the holders thereof than the rights, preferences, privileges and voting powers of the Series A Preferred Stock, taken as a whole; provided, however, that any creation and issuance, or an increase in the authorized or issued amount, of other series of preferred stock ranking equally with and/or junior to the Series A Preferred Stock with respect to the payment of dividends (whether such dividends are cumulative or non-cumulative) and/or the distribution of assets upon liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of the Company will not be deemed to adversely affect the rights, preferences, privileges or voting powers of the Series A Preferred Stock.

Dividend Rights. Holders of Series A Preferred Stock are entitled to receive when, as and if declared by our board of directors or a duly authorized committee of the board of directors, out of assets legally available for the payment of dividends under Delaware law, non-cumulative cash dividends. These dividends accrue, with respect to each dividend period, on the liquidation preference amount of $25,000 per share from the date of issuance at a rate per annum equal to 6.25%.  In addition, under the Federal Reserve Board’s risk-based capital rules related to additional tier 1 capital instruments, dividends on the Series A Preferred Stock may only be paid out of our net income, retained earnings, or surplus related to other additional tier 1 capital instruments.

Whenever dividends on any shares of the Series A Preferred Stock or any other class or series of preferred stock that ranks on parity with the Series A Preferred Stock (which shall include the Series B Preferred Stock and the Series C Preferred Stock) as to payment of dividends and in the distribution of assets of any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation shall have not been declared and paid for an amount equal to six or more quarterly dividend payments or their equivalent, whether or not for consecutive dividend periods, the number of directors on our board of directors shall automatically increase by two and the holders of shares of Series A Preferred Stock, together with the holders of all other affected classes and series of voting preferred stock (which shall include the Series B Preferred Stock and the Series C Preferred Stock), voting as a single class, shall be entitled to elect the two additional directors. These voting rights will continue until full dividends have been paid regularly on the shares of the Series A Preferred Stock and any other class or series of parity stock as to payment of dividends for at least four quarterly dividend periods or their equivalent.

Liquidation Rights.  Upon any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of the Company, holders of Series A Preferred Stock are entitled to receive out of assets of the Company available for distribution to stockholders, after satisfaction of liabilities to creditors, if any, before any distribution of assets is made to holders of common stock or of any of our other shares of stock ranking junior as to such a distribution to the shares of Series A Preferred Stock, and subject to the rights of the holders of any class or series of parity stock upon liquidation (including the Series B Preferred Stock and the Series C Preferred Stock), a liquidating distribution in the amount of $25,000 per share (equivalent to $25 per depositary share) plus declared and unpaid dividends, without accumulation of any undeclared dividends. Holders of Series A Preferred Stock will not be entitled to any other amounts from us after they have received their full liquidation preference.

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In any such distribution, if the assets of the Company are not sufficient to pay the liquidation preferences in full to all holders of Series A Preferred Stock and all holders of any other shares of our stock ranking equally as to such distribution with the Series A Preferred Stock (including the Series B Preferred Stock and the Series C Preferred Stock), the amounts paid to the holders of Series A Preferred Stock and to the holders of all such other stock will be paid pro rata in accordance with the respective aggregate liquidation preferences of those holders. In any such distribution, the “liquidation preference” of any holder of preferred stock means the amount payable to such holder in such distribution, including any declared but unpaid dividends (and any unpaid, accrued cumulative dividends in the case of any holder of stock on which dividends accrue on a cumulative basis). If the liquidation preference has been paid in full to all holders of Series A Preferred Stock and any other shares of our stock ranking equally as to the liquidation distribution, the holders of our other stock shall be entitled to receive all remaining assets of the Company according to their respective rights and preferences. 

For purposes of this section, our consolidation or merger with one or more other entities, including a merger or consolidation in which the holders of Series A Preferred Stock receive cash, securities or property for the shares, or the sale, lease or exchange of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company for cash, securities or other property, shall not be deemed to be a voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up.

Because we are a holding company, our rights and the rights of our creditors and stockholders, including the holders of the Series A Preferred Stock, to participate in the assets of any subsidiary upon that subsidiary’s liquidation or recapitalization may be subject to the prior claims of that subsidiary’s creditors, except to the extent that we are a creditor with recognized claims against the subsidiary. In addition, holders of the Series A Preferred Stock may be fully subordinated to interests held by the U.S. Government in the event of a receivership, insolvency, liquidation or similar proceeding, including a proceeding under the “orderly liquidation authority” provisions of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010.

Redemption Rights. The Series A Preferred Stock is not redeemable prior to July 15, 2021 (except for redemption in whole, but not in part, upon the occurrence of certain regulatory capital treatment events). On and after that date, the Series A Preferred Stock will be redeemable at our option (subject to prior approval of the Federal Reserve), in whole or in part, at a redemption price equal to $25,000 per share, plus any declared and unpaid dividends, without accumulation of any undeclared dividends.

We will not exercise our option to redeem any shares of preferred stock without obtaining the approval of the Federal Reserve Board (or any successor appropriate federal banking agency) as required by applicable law. Unless the Federal Reserve Board (or any successor appropriate federal banking agency) authorizes us to do otherwise in writing, we will redeem the Series A Preferred Stock only if it is replaced with other tier 1 capital that is not a restricted core capital element (for example, common stock or another series of noncumulative perpetual preferred stock).

No Preemptive or Conversion Rights. The shares of Series A Preferred Stock are not convertible into, or exchangeable for, shares of any other class or series of our stock or other securities. The Series A Preferred Stock has no stated maturity and is not subject to any sinking fund or other obligation of ours to redeem or repurchase the Series A Preferred Stock.

Series B Preferred

As of December 31, 2020, we have authorized for issuance 6,900 shares of Series B Preferred Stock, with a liquidation preference of $25,000 per share. As of December 31, 2020, we have outstanding 6,400 shares of Series B Preferred Stock with a cumulative liquidation preference of $160.0 million.

The depositary is the sole holder of the Series B Preferred Stock, as described below under the section entitled “—Description of Depositary Shares,” and all references herein to the holders of the Series B Preferred Stock mean the depositary. However, the holders of depositary shares will be entitled, through the depositary, to exercise the rights and preferences of the holders of the Series B Preferred Stock, as described below under “—Description of Depositary Shares.”

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Shares of the Series B Preferred Stock rank senior to our common stock, equally with shares of our Series A Preferred Stock and the Series C Preferred Stock, and at least equally with each other series of our preferred stock we may issue (except for any senior series that may be issued with the requisite consent of the holders of the Series B Preferred Stock), with respect to the payment of dividends and distributions of assets upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up.

Voting Rights. Except as provided below, the holders of the Series B Preferred Stock have no voting rights.

So long as any shares of Series B Preferred Stock remain outstanding, the vote or consent of the holders of at least 66-2/3% of the shares of Series B Preferred Stock and all other series of voting preferred stock entitled to vote thereon (which shall include the Series A Preferred Stock and the Series C Preferred Stock), voting together as a single class, shall be necessary to (1) amend or alter the provisions of our restated certificate of incorporation or the certificate of designations of the Series B Preferred Stock so as to authorize or create, or increase the authorized amount of, any class or series of stock ranking senior to the Series B Preferred Stock with respect to payment of dividends and/or the distribution of assets upon liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of the Company; (2) amend, alter or repeal the provisions of our restated certificate of incorporation or the certificate of designations of the Series B Preferred Stock so as to materially and adversely affect the special rights, preferences, privileges and voting powers of the Series B Preferred Stock, taken as a whole; or (3) consummate a binding share exchange or reclassification involving the Series B Preferred Stock or a merger or consolidation of the Company with another corporation or other entity, unless in each case (i) the shares of Series B Preferred Stock remain outstanding or, in the case of any such merger or consolidation with respect to which we are not the surviving or resulting entity, are converted into or exchanged for preferred securities of the surviving or resulting entity or its ultimate parent, and (ii) such shares remaining outstanding or such preferred securities, as the case may be, have such rights, preferences, privileges and voting powers, taken as a whole, as are not materially less favorable to the holders thereof than the rights, preferences, privileges and voting powers of the Series B Preferred Stock, taken as a whole; provided, however, that any creation and issuance, or an increase in the authorized or issued amount, of other series of preferred stock ranking equally with and/or junior to the Series B Preferred Stock with respect to the payment of dividends (whether such dividends are cumulative or non-cumulative) and/or the distribution of assets upon liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of the Company will not be deemed to adversely affect the rights, preferences, privileges or voting powers of the Series B Preferred Stock.

Dividend Rights. Holders of Series B Preferred Stock are entitled to receive when, as and if declared by our board of directors or a duly authorized committee of the board of directors, out of assets legally available for the payment of dividends under Delaware law, non-cumulative cash dividends. These dividends accrue, with respect to each dividend period, on the liquidation preference amount of $25,000 per share from the date of issuance at a rate per annum equal to 6.25%.  In addition, under the Federal Reserve Board’s risk-based capital rules related to additional tier 1 capital instruments, dividends on the Preferred Stock may only be paid out of our net income, retained earnings, or surplus related to other additional tier 1 capital instruments.

Whenever dividends on any shares of the Series B Preferred Stock or any other class or series of preferred stock that ranks on parity with the Series B Preferred Stock (which shall include the Series A Preferred Stock and the Series C Preferred Stock) as to payment of dividends and in the distribution of assets of any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation shall have not been declared and paid for an amount equal to six or more quarterly dividend payments or their equivalent, whether or not for consecutive dividend periods, the number of directors on our board of directors shall automatically increase by two and the holders of shares of Series B Preferred Stock, together with the holders of all other affected classes and series of voting preferred stock (which shall include the Series A Preferred Stock and the Series C Preferred Stock), voting as a single class, shall be entitled to elect the two additional directors. These voting rights will continue until full dividends have been paid regularly on the shares of the Series B Preferred Stock and any other class or series of parity stock as to payment of dividends for at least four quarterly dividend periods or their equivalent.

Liquidation Rights.  Upon any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of the Company, holders of Series B Preferred Stock are entitled to receive out of assets of the Company available for distribution to stockholders, after satisfaction of liabilities to creditors, if any, before any distribution of assets is made to holders of common stock or of any of our other shares of stock ranking junior as to such a distribution to the 

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shares of Series B Preferred Stock, and subject to the rights of the holders of any class or series of parity stock upon liquidation (including the Series A Preferred Stock and the Series C Preferred Stock), a liquidating distribution in the amount of $25,000 per share (equivalent to $25 per depositary share) plus declared and unpaid dividends, without accumulation of any undeclared dividends. Holders of Series B Preferred Stock will not be entitled to any other amounts from us after they have received their full liquidation preference.

In any such distribution, if the assets of the Company are not sufficient to pay the liquidation preferences in full to all holders of Series B Preferred Stock and all holders of any other shares of our stock ranking equally as to such distribution with the Series B Preferred Stock (including the Series A Preferred Stock and the Series C Preferred Stock), the amounts paid to the holders of Series B Preferred Stock and to the holders of all such other stock will be paid pro rata in accordance with the respective aggregate liquidation preferences of those holders. In any such distribution, the “liquidation preference” of any holder of preferred stock means the amount payable to such holder in such distribution, including any declared but unpaid dividends (and any unpaid, accrued cumulative dividends in the case of any holder of stock on which dividends accrue on a cumulative basis). If the liquidation preference has been paid in full to all holders of Series B Preferred Stock and any other shares of our stock ranking equally as to the liquidation distribution, the holders of our other stock shall be entitled to receive all remaining assets of the Company according to their respective rights and preferences.

For purposes of this section, our consolidation or merger with one or more other entities, including a merger or consolidation in which the holders of Series B Preferred Stock receive cash, securities or property for the shares, or the sale, lease or exchange of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company for cash, securities or other property, shall not be deemed to be a voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up.

Because we are a holding company, our rights and the rights of our creditors and stockholders, including the holders of the Series B Preferred Stock, to participate in the assets of any subsidiary upon that subsidiary’s liquidation or recapitalization may be subject to the prior claims of that subsidiary’s creditors, except to the extent that we are a creditor with recognized claims against the subsidiary. In addition, holders of the Series B Preferred Stock may be fully subordinated to interests held by the U.S. Government in the event of a receivership, insolvency, liquidation or similar proceeding, including a proceeding under the “orderly liquidation authority” provisions of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010.

Redemption Rights. The Series B Preferred Stock is not redeemable prior to March 15, 2024 (except for redemption in whole, but not in part, upon the occurrence of certain regulatory capital treatment events). On and after that date, the Series B Preferred Stock will be redeemable at our option (subject to prior approval of the Federal Reserve), in whole or in part, at a redemption price equal to $25,000 per share, plus any declared and unpaid dividends, without accumulation of any undeclared dividends.

We will not exercise our option to redeem any shares of preferred stock without obtaining the approval of the Federal Reserve Board (or any successor appropriate federal banking agency) as required by applicable law. Unless the Federal Reserve Board (or any successor appropriate federal banking agency) authorizes us to do otherwise in writing, we will redeem the Series B Preferred Stock only if it is replaced with other tier 1 capital that is not a restricted core capital element (for example, common stock or another series of noncumulative perpetual preferred stock).

No Preemptive or Conversion Rights. The shares of Series B Preferred Stock are not convertible into, or exchangeable for, shares of any other class or series of our stock or other securities. The Series B Preferred Stock has no stated maturity and is not subject to any sinking fund or other obligation of ours to redeem or repurchase the Series B Preferred Stock.

Series C Preferred

As of December 31, 2020, we have authorized for issuance 9,000 shares of Series C Preferred Stock, with a liquidation preference of $25,000 per share. As of December 31, 2020, we have outstanding 9,000 shares of Series C Preferred Stock with a cumulative liquidation preference of $225.0 million.

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The depositary is the sole holder of the Series C Preferred Stock, as described below under the section entitled “—Description of Depositary Shares,” and all references herein to the holders of the Series C Preferred Stock mean the depositary. However, the holders of depositary shares will be entitled, through the depositary, to exercise the rights and preferences of the holders of the Series C Preferred Stock, as described below under “—Description of Depositary Shares.”

Shares of the Series C Preferred Stock rank senior to our common stock, equally with shares of our Series A Preferred Stock and the Series B Preferred Stock, and at least equally with each other series of our preferred stock we may issue (except for any senior series that may be issued with the requisite consent of the holders of the Series C Preferred Stock), with respect to the payment of dividends and distributions of assets upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up.

Voting Rights. Except as provided below, the holders of the Series C Preferred Stock have no voting rights.

So long as any shares of Series C Preferred Stock remain outstanding, the vote or consent of the holders of at least 66-2/3% of the shares of Series C Preferred Stock and all other series of voting preferred stock entitled to vote thereon (which shall include the Series A Preferred Stock and the Series B Preferred Stock), voting together as a single class, shall be necessary to (1) amend or alter the provisions of our restated certificate of incorporation or the certificate of designations of the Series C Preferred Stock so as to authorize or create, or increase the authorized amount of, any class or series of stock ranking senior to the Series C Preferred Stock with respect to payment of dividends and/or the distribution of assets upon liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of the Company; (2) amend, alter or repeal the provisions of our restated certificate of incorporation or the certificate of designations of the Series C Preferred Stock so as to materially and adversely affect the special rights, preferences, privileges and voting powers of the Series C Preferred Stock, taken as a whole; or (3) consummate a binding share exchange or reclassification involving the Series C Preferred Stock or a merger or consolidation of the Company with another corporation or other entity, unless in each case (i) the shares of Series C Preferred Stock remain outstanding or, in the case of any such merger or consolidation with respect to which we are not the surviving or resulting entity, are converted into or exchanged for preferred securities of the surviving or resulting entity or its ultimate parent, and (ii) such shares remaining outstanding or such preferred securities, as the case may be, have such rights, preferences, privileges and voting powers, taken as a whole, as are not materially less favorable to the holders thereof than the rights, preferences, privileges and voting powers of the Series C Preferred Stock, taken as a whole; provided, however, that any creation and issuance, or an increase in the authorized or issued amount, of other series of preferred stock ranking equally with and/or junior to the Series C Preferred Stock with respect to the payment of dividends (whether such dividends are cumulative or non-cumulative) and/or the distribution of assets upon liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of the Company will not be deemed to adversely affect the rights, preferences, privileges or voting powers of the Series C Preferred Stock.

Dividend Rights. Holders of Series C Preferred Stock are entitled to receive when, as and if declared by our board of directors or a duly authorized committee of the board of directors, out of assets legally available for the payment of dividends under Delaware law, non-cumulative cash dividends. These dividends accrue, with respect to each dividend period, on the liquidation preference amount of $25,000 per share from the date of issuance at a rate per annum equal to 6.125%.  In addition, under the Federal Reserve Board’s risk-based capital rules related to additional tier 1 capital instruments, dividends on the Preferred Stock may only be paid out of our net income, retained earnings, or surplus related to other additional tier 1 capital instruments.

Whenever dividends on any shares of the Series C Preferred Stock or any other class or series of preferred stock that ranks on parity with the Series C Preferred Stock (which shall include the Series A Preferred Stock and the Series B Preferred Stock) as to payment of dividends and in the distribution of assets of any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation shall have not been declared and paid for an amount equal to six or more quarterly dividend payments or their equivalent, whether or not for consecutive dividend periods, the number of directors on our board of directors shall automatically increase by two and the holders of shares of Series C Preferred Stock, together with the holders of all other affected classes and series of voting preferred stock (which shall include the Series A Preferred Stock and the Series B Preferred Stock), voting as a single class, shall be entitled to elect the two additional directors. These voting rights will continue until full dividends have been paid 

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regularly on the shares of the Series C Preferred Stock and any other class or series of parity stock as to payment of dividends for at least four quarterly dividend periods or their equivalent.

Liquidation Rights.  Upon any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of the Company, holders of Series C Preferred Stock are entitled to receive out of assets of the Company available for distribution to stockholders, after satisfaction of liabilities to creditors, if any, before any distribution of assets is made to holders of common stock or of any of our other shares of stock ranking junior as to such a distribution to the shares of Series C Preferred Stock, and subject to the rights of the holders of any class or series of parity stock upon liquidation (including the Series A Preferred Stock and the Series B Preferred Stock), a liquidating distribution in the amount of $25,000 per share (equivalent to $25 per depositary share) plus declared and unpaid dividends, without accumulation of any undeclared dividends. Holders of Series C Preferred Stock will not be entitled to any other amounts from us after they have received their full liquidation preference.

In any such distribution, if the assets of the Company are not sufficient to pay the liquidation preferences in full to all holders of Series C Preferred Stock and all holders of any other shares of our stock ranking equally as to such distribution with the Series C Preferred Stock (including the Series A Preferred Stock and the Series B Preferred Stock), the amounts paid to the holders of Series C Preferred Stock and to the holders of all such other stock will be paid pro rata in accordance with the respective aggregate liquidation preferences of those holders. In any such distribution, the “liquidation preference” of any holder of preferred stock means the amount payable to such holder in such distribution, including any declared but unpaid dividends (and any unpaid, accrued cumulative dividends in the case of any holder of stock on which dividends accrue on a cumulative basis). If the liquidation preference has been paid in full to all holders of Series C Preferred Stock and any other shares of our stock ranking equally as to the liquidation distribution, the holders of our other stock shall be entitled to receive all remaining assets of the Company according to their respective rights and preferences.

For purposes of this section, our consolidation or merger with one or more other entities, including a merger or consolidation in which the holders of Series C Preferred Stock receive cash, securities or property for the shares, or the sale, lease or exchange of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company for cash, securities or other property, shall not be deemed to be a voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up.

Because we are a holding company, our rights and the rights of our creditors and stockholders, including the holders of the Series C Preferred Stock, to participate in the assets of any subsidiary upon that subsidiary’s liquidation or recapitalization may be subject to the prior claims of that subsidiary’s creditors, except to the extent that we are a creditor with recognized claims against the subsidiary. In addition, holders of the Series C Preferred Stock may be fully subordinated to interests held by the U.S. Government in the event of a receivership, insolvency, liquidation or similar proceeding, including a proceeding under the “orderly liquidation authority” provisions of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010.

Redemption Rights. The Series C Preferred Stock is not redeemable prior to June 15, 2025 (except for redemption in whole, but not in part, upon the occurrence of certain regulatory capital treatment events). On and after that date, the Series C Preferred Stock will be redeemable at our option (subject to prior approval of the Federal Reserve), in whole or in part, at a redemption price equal to $25,000 per share, plus any declared and unpaid dividends, without accumulation of any undeclared dividends.

We will not exercise our option to redeem any shares of preferred stock without obtaining the approval of the Federal Reserve Board (or any successor appropriate federal banking agency) as required by applicable law. Unless the Federal Reserve Board (or any successor appropriate federal banking agency) authorizes us to do otherwise in writing, we will redeem the Series C Preferred Stock only if it is replaced with other tier 1 capital that is not a restricted core capital element (for example, common stock or another series of noncumulative perpetual preferred stock).

No Preemptive or Conversion Rights. The shares of Series C Preferred Stock are not convertible into, or exchangeable for, shares of any other class or series of our stock or other securities. The Series C Preferred Stock has no stated maturity and is not subject to any sinking fund or other obligation of ours to redeem or repurchase the Series C Preferred Stock.

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Description of Depositary Shares

In this “Description of Depositary Shares,” references to “holders” of depositary shares mean those who own depositary shares registered in their own names, on the books that we or the depositary maintain for this purpose, and not indirect holders who own beneficial interests in depositary shares registered in street name or issued in book-entry form through The Depository Trust Company (“DTC”).

This section summarizes specific terms and provisions of the depositary shares relating to the Company’s outstanding series of preferred stock, its Series A Preferred Stock, Series B Preferred Stock and Series C Preferred Stock. As described above, all of the Company’s outstanding series of preferred stock were offered as fractional interests in such shares of preferred stock in the form of depositary shares. Each depositary share represents a 1/1000th ownership interest in a share of Series A Preferred Stock, Series B Preferred Stock or Series C Preferred Stock, as applicable, and is evidenced by a depositary receipt. The shares of Series A Preferred Stock represented by depositary shares have been deposited under the Series A Deposit Agreement among the Company and Computershare, as the depositary, the shares of Series B Preferred Stock represented by depositary shares have been deposited under the Series B Deposit Agreement among the Company and Computershare, as the depositary, and the shares of Series C Preferred Stock represented by depositary shares have been deposited under the Series C Deposit Agreement among the Company and Computershare, as the depositary. Subject to the terms of the Deposit Agreements, each holder of a depositary share is entitled, through the depositary, in proportion to the applicable fraction of a share of preferred stock represented by such depositary share, to all the rights and preferences of the preferred stock represented thereby (including dividend, voting, redemption and liquidation rights).

We may amend the form of depositary receipt evidencing the depositary shares and any provision of the Deposit Agreements at any time and from time to time by agreement with Computershare. However, any amendment that imposes additional charges or materially and adversely alters any substantial existing right of the holders of depositary shares will not be effective unless the holders of at least two-thirds of the affected depositary shares then outstanding approve the amendment. We will make no amendment that impairs the right of any holder of depositary shares to receive shares of the Series A Preferred Stock, Series B Preferred Stock or Series C Preferred Stock, as applicable, except in order to comply with mandatory provisions of applicable law. Holders who retain or acquire their depositary receipts after an amendment becomes effective will be deemed to have agreed to the amendment and will be bound by the amended deposit agreement.

Either Deposit Agreement may be terminated if:

	
 
	
•
	
all outstanding depositary shares have been redeemed;

	
 
	
•
	
a final distribution in respect of the Series A Preferred Stock, Series B Preferred Stock or Series C Preferred Stock, as applicable, has been made to the holders of depositary shares in connection with any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company;

	
 
	
•
	
consent of the holders of at least two-thirds of the depositary shares outstanding is obtained; or

	
 
	
•
	
there is a material breach of the Deposit Agreement by either party which is not cured by the breaching party within a period not to exceed thirty (30) days after written notice.

We may terminate either of the Deposit Agreements at any time, and the depositary will give notice of that termination to the holders of all outstanding depositary receipts not less than 30 days before the termination date. In that event, the depositary will deliver or make available for delivery to holders of depositary shares, upon surrender of the depositary receipts evidencing the depositary shares, the number of whole or fractional shares of the Series A Preferred Stock, Series B Preferred Stock or Series C Preferred Stock, as applicable, as are represented by those depositary shares.

Dividends and Other Distributions. Each dividend on a depositary share will be in an amount equal to 1/1000th of the dividend declared per share of the Series A Preferred Stock, Series B Preferred Stock or Series C Preferred Stock, as applicable.

The depositary will distribute any cash dividends or other cash distributions received in respect of the deposited Series A Preferred Stock, Series B Preferred Stock or Series C Preferred Stock, as applicable, to the record 

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holders of depositary shares relating to the underlying Series A Preferred Stock, Series B Preferred Stock or Series C Preferred Stock, as applicable, in proportion to the number of depositary shares held by the holders. The depositary will distribute any property received by it other than cash to the record holders of depositary shares entitled to those distributions, unless it determines that the distribution cannot be made proportionally among those holders or that it is not feasible to make a distribution. In that event, the depositary may, with our approval, sell the property and distribute the net proceeds from the sale to the holders of the depositary shares in proportion to the number of depositary shares they hold.

If the calculation of a dividend or other cash distribution results in an amount that is a fraction of a cent and that fraction is equal to or greater than $0.005, the depositary will round that amount up to the next highest whole cent and will request that we pay the resulting additional amount to the depositary for the relevant dividend or other cash distribution. If the fractional amount is less than $0.005, the depositary will disregard that fractional amount.

Record dates for the payment of dividends and other matters relating to the depositary shares will be the same as the corresponding record dates for the Series A Preferred Stock, Series B Preferred Stock or Series C Preferred Stock, as applicable.

The amounts distributed to holders of depositary shares will be reduced by any amounts required to be withheld by the depositary or by us on account of taxes or other governmental charges. The depositary may refuse to make any payment or distribution, or any transfer, exchange or withdrawal of any depositary shares until such taxes or other governmental charges are paid. 

Redemption of Depositary Shares. If we redeem the Series A Preferred Stock, Series B Preferred Stock or Series C Preferred Stock, as applicable, represented by the depositary shares, the depositary shares will be redeemed from the proceeds received by the depositary resulting from the redemption of the Series A Preferred Stock, Series B Preferred Stock or Series C Preferred Stock, as applicable, held by the depositary. The redemption price per depositary share will be equal to 1/1000th of the redemption price per share payable with respect to the Series A Preferred Stock, Series B Preferred Stock or Series C Preferred Stock, as applicable (or $25 per depositary share). Whenever we redeem shares of Series A Preferred Stock, Series B Preferred Stock or Series C Preferred Stock, as applicable, held by the depositary, the depositary will redeem, as of the same redemption date, the number of depositary shares representing shares of Series A Preferred Stock, Series B Preferred Stock or Series C Preferred Stock, as applicable, so redeemed.

In case of any redemption of less than all of the outstanding depositary shares, the depositary shares to be redeemed will be selected by the depositary pro rata or by lot. In any such case, we will redeem depositary shares only in increments of 1,000 shares and any multiple thereof. The depositary will provide notice of redemption to record holders of the depositary shares not less than 25 and not more than 60 days prior to the date fixed for redemption of the Series A Preferred Stock, Series B Preferred Stock or Series C Preferred Stock, as applicable, and the related depositary shares.

Voting the Preferred Stock. Because each depositary share represents a 1/1000th interest in a share of the Series A Preferred Stock, Series B Preferred Stock or Series C Preferred Stock, holders of depositary receipts will be entitled to 1/1000th of a vote per depositary share under those limited circumstances in which holders of the Series A Preferred Stock, Series B Preferred Stock or Series C Preferred Stock, as applicable, are entitled to a vote.

When the depositary receives notice of any meeting at which the holders of Series A Preferred Stock, Series B Preferred Stock or Series C Preferred Stock, as applicable, are entitled to vote, the depositary will mail the information contained in the notice to the record holders of the depositary shares relating to the Series A Preferred Stock, Series B Preferred Stock or Series C Preferred Stock, as applicable. Each record holder of the depositary shares on the record date, which will be the same date as the record date for the Series A Preferred Stock, Series B Preferred Stock or Series C Preferred Stock, as applicable, may instruct the depositary to vote the amount of Series A Preferred Stock, Series B Preferred Stock or Series C Preferred Stock, as applicable, represented by the holder’s depositary shares. To the extent possible, the depositary will vote the amount of Series A Preferred Stock, Series B Preferred Stock or Series C Preferred Stock, as applicable, represented by depositary shares in accordance with the instructions it receives. We will agree to take all reasonable actions that the depositary determines are necessary to 

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enable the depositary to vote as instructed. If the depositary does not receive specific instructions from the holders of any depositary shares representing the Series A Preferred Stock, Series B Preferred Stock or Series C Preferred Stock, as applicable, it will vote all depositary shares held by it proportionately with instructions received.

Listing.  The depositary shares representing interests in our Series A Preferred Stock are listed on the NYSE under the symbol “SF PRA.”  The depositary shares representing interests in our Series B Preferred Stock are listed on the NYSE under the symbol “SF PRB.” The depositary shares representing interests in our Series C Preferred Stock are listed on the NYSE under the symbol “SF PRC.”   There is no separate public trading market for the shares of Series A Preferred Stock, Series B Preferred Stock or Series C Preferred Stock except as represented by the depositary shares.

2047 Notes

On October 4, 2017, the Company issued $200.0 million aggregate principal amount of 2047 Notes in a registered public offering. On October 27, 2017, the Company issued an additional $25.0 million aggregate principal amount of 2047 Notes pursuant to the underwriters’ over-allotment option.  As of December 31, 2020, there was $225.0 million aggregate principal amount of 2047 Notes outstanding.

The 2047 Notes were issued pursuant to a fifth supplemental indenture, dated as of October 4, 2017 (the “Fifth Supplemental Indenture”), to the indenture, dated as of January 23, 2012 (the “Base Indenture” and, together with the Fifth Supplemental Indenture, the “Indenture”) between the Company and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee (the “Trustee”).

Interest and Maturity.  The 2047 Notes bear interest at the rate of 5.20% per annum. Interest on the 2047 Notes is payable quarterly in arrears on January 15, April 15, July 15 and October 15, commencing on January 15, 2018. The 2047 Notes will mature on October 15, 2047.

Priority.  The 2047 Notes are our general unsecured senior obligations, rank equally in right of payment with all of our existing and future senior unsecured indebtedness and are senior to any other indebtedness expressly made subordinate to the 2047 Notes. The 2047 Notes are effectively junior in right of payment to all of our existing and future secured obligations to the extent of the value of the assets securing such indebtedness. The 2047 Notes are structurally subordinated to all existing and future indebtedness and liabilities of our subsidiaries.

Redemption.  The Company may, at its option, at any time and from time to time, redeem the 2047 Notes in whole or in part on not less than 30 nor more than 60 days’ prior notice mailed to the holders of the 2047 Notes. The 2047 Notes will be redeemable at a redemption price equal to $25 per 2047 Note to be redeemed, plus accrued and unpaid interest to the date of redemption. On and after any redemption date, interest will cease to accrue on the 2047 Notes called for redemption. Prior to any redemption date, the Company is required to deposit with a paying agent money sufficient to pay the redemption price of and accrued interest on the 2047 Notes to be redeemed on such date. If the Company is redeeming less than all the 2047 Notes, the Trustee under the Indenture must select the 2047 Notes to be redeemed on a pro rata basis or by such method as the Trustee deems fair and appropriate in accordance with the procedures of The Depository Trust Company.

Covenants.  Under the Indenture, we are also required to:

	
 
	
•
	
pay the principal, interest and any premium on the 2047 Notes when due and deposit sufficient funds with any paying agent on or before the due date for any principal, interest or any premium;

	
 
	
•
	
provide the Trustee with a copy of the reports we must file with the SEC pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act no later than the time those reports must be filed with the SEC (after giving effect to any grace period provided by Rule 12b-25 under the Exchange Act); provided, that the filing of these reports with the SEC through its EDGAR database within the time periods for filing the same under the Exchange Act (taking into account any applicable 

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grace periods provided thereunder) will satisfy our obligation to furnish those reports to the Trustee; and

	
 
	
•
	
maintain our corporate existence and the corporate, partnership, limited liability company or other existence of each of our significant subsidiaries, subject to certain exceptions.

Merger, Consolidation and Sale of Assets.  The Indenture generally permits us to consolidate or merge with another entity. The Indenture also permits us to sell all or substantially all of our property and assets. If this happens, the remaining or acquiring entity must assume all of our responsibilities and liabilities under the Indenture including the payment of all amounts due on the 2047 Notes and performance of the covenants in the Indenture. However, we will only consolidate or merge with or into any other entity or sell all or substantially all of our assets according to the terms and conditions of the Indenture. The remaining or acquiring entity will be substituted for us in the Indenture with the same effect as if it had been an original party to the Indenture. Thereafter, the successor entity may exercise our rights and powers under any Indenture, in our name or in its own name. Any act or proceeding required or permitted to be done by our board of directors or any of our officers may be done by the board or officers of the successor entity. When the successor assumes all of our obligations under the Indenture, our obligations under the Indenture will terminate.

Events of Default, Notice and Waiver.  The following are events of default under the Indenture for the 2047 Notes:

	
 
	
•
	
failure by us to pay the principal of, or premium, if any, on any note when due, whether at maturity, upon redemption or otherwise;

	
 
	
•
	
failure by us to pay an installment of interest on any note when due, if the failure continues for 30 days after the date when due;

	
 
	
•
	
failure by us to comply with our obligations under“—Merger, Consolidation and Sale of Assets” above;

	
 
	
•
	
failure by us to comply with any other term, covenant or agreement contained in the 2047 Notes or the Indenture, if the failure is not cured within 90 days after notice to us by the Trustee or to the Trustee and us by holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the 2047 Notes then outstanding, in accordance with the Indenture;

	
 
	
•
	
a default by us or any of our subsidiaries in the payment when due, after the expiration of any applicable grace period, of principal of, or premium, if any, or interest on, indebtedness for money borrowed in the aggregate principal amount then outstanding of $25 million or more, or acceleration of our or our subsidiaries’ indebtedness for money borrowed in such aggregate principal amount or more so that it becomes due and payable before the date on which it would otherwise have become due and payable, if such default is not cured or waived, or such acceleration is not rescinded, within 30 days after notice to us by the Trustee or to us and the Trustee by holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the 2047 Notes then outstanding, in accordance with the Indenture;

	
 
	
•
	
failure by us or any of our subsidiaries, within 30 days, to pay, bond or otherwise discharge any final, non-appealable judgments or orders for the payment of money the total uninsured amount of which for us or any of our subsidiaries exceeds $25 million, which are not stayed on appeal;

	
 
	
•
	
certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization with respect to us or any of our subsidiaries that is a “significant subsidiary” (as defined in Regulation S-X under the Exchange Act) or any group of our subsidiaries that in the aggregate would constitute a “significant subsidiary.”

If an event of default, other than an event of default referred to in the last bullet point above with respect to us (but including an event of default referred to in that bullet point solely with respect to a significant subsidiary, or group of subsidiaries that in the aggregate would constitute a significant subsidiary, of ours), has occurred and is continuing, either the Trustee, by notice to us, or the holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the 2047 Notes then outstanding, by notice to us and the Trustee, may declare the principal of, and any accrued and unpaid interest on, all notes to be immediately due and payable. In the case of an event of default referred to in the last bullet point above with respect to us (and not solely with respect to a significant subsidiary, or group of 

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subsidiaries that in the aggregate would constitute a significant subsidiary, of ours), the principal of, and accrued and unpaid interest on, all notes will automatically become immediately due and payable.

Notwithstanding the paragraph above, for the first 365 days immediately following an event of default relating to (i) our failure to file with the Trustee pursuant to Section 314(a)(1) of the Trust Indenture Act any documents or reports that we are required to file with the SEC pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act or (ii) our failure to comply with our reporting obligations to the Trustee set forth under the second sub-bullet under the heading “—Covenants” above, the sole remedy for any such event of default shall be the accrual of additional interest on the 2047 Notes at a rate per year equal to (i) 0.25% of the outstanding principal amount of the 2047 Notes for the first 180 days following the occurrence of such event of default and (ii) 0.50% of the outstanding principal amount of the 2047 Notes for the next 180 days after the first 180 days following the occurrence of such event of default, in each case, payable quarterly at the same time and in the same manner as regular interest on the 2047 Notes. This additional interest will accrue on all outstanding notes from, and including the date on which such event of default first occurs to, and including, the 365th day thereafter (or such earlier date on which such event of default shall have been cured or waived). In addition to the accrual of such additional interest, on and after the 360th day immediately following an event of default relating to such reporting obligations, either the Trustee or the holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount of the 2047 Notes then outstanding may declare the principal amount of the 2047 Notes and any accrued and unpaid interest through the date of such declaration, to be immediately due and payable.

If any portion of the amount payable on the 2047 Notes upon acceleration is considered by a court to be unearned interest (through the allocation of a portion of the value of the 2047 Notes to the embedded warrant or otherwise), the court could disallow recovery of any such portion.

After any acceleration of the 2047 Notes, the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the 2047 Notes by written notice to the Trustee, may rescind or annul such acceleration in certain circumstances, if:

	
 
	
•
	
the rescission would not conflict with any order or decree;

	
 
	
•
	
all events of default, other than the non-payment of accelerated principal or interest, have been cured or waived; and

	
 
	
•
	
certain amounts due to the Trustee are paid.

Except as provided in the Indenture, the holders of a majority of the aggregate principal amount of outstanding notes may, by notice to the Trustee, waive any past default or event of default and its consequences, other than a default or event of default:

	
 
	
•
	
in the payment of principal of, or interest or premium, if any, on, any note; or

	
 
	
•
	
in respect of any provision under the Indenture that cannot be modified or amended without the consent of the holders of each outstanding note affected.

We will promptly notify the Trustee upon our becoming aware of the occurrence of any default or event of default. In addition, the Indenture requires us to furnish to the Trustee, on an annual basis, an officer’s certificate stating whether we have actual knowledge of any default or event of default by us in performing any of our obligations under such Indenture or the 2047 Notes and describing any such default or event of default. If a default or event of default has occurred and the Trustee has received notice of the default or event of default in accordance with the Indenture, the Trustee must mail to each registered holder of notes a notice of the default or event of default within 30 days after receipt of the notice. However, the Trustee need not mail the notice if the default or event of default:

	
 
	
•
	
has been cured or waived; or

	
 
	
•
	
is not in the payment or delivery of any amounts due(including principal or interest) with respect to any note and the Trustee in good faith determines that withholding the notice is in the best interests of the holders.

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Limitation on Suits.  The Indenture limits the right of holders of the 2047 Notes to institute legal proceedings. No holder will have the right to bring a claim under the Indenture unless:

	
 
	
•
	
the holder has previously given written notice to the Trustee that an event of default with respect to the 2047 Notes is continuing;

	
 
	
•
	
the holders of not less than 25% of the aggregate principal amount of the 2047 Notes shall have made a written request to the Trustee to pursue the claim and furnished the Trustee, if requested, security or an indemnity reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee against any loss, liability or expense;

	
 
	
•
	
the Trustee does not comply within 60 days of receipt of the request and the offer of security or indemnity; and

	
 
	
•
	
during such 60-day period, no direction inconsistent with a request has been given to the Trustee by the holders of a majority of the aggregate principal amount of the 2047 Notes.

Subject to the Indenture, applicable law and the Trustee’s rights to indemnification, the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding notes will have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee or exercising any trust or power conferred on the Trustee.

Legal Defeasance and Covenant Defeasance.  We may at any time elect to have all of our obligations discharged with respect to the outstanding notes (“legal defeasance”) except for the rights of holders of outstanding debt securities to receive payments in respect of the principal of, or interest or premium, if any, on, such debt securities when such payments are due from the trust referred to below, and except for certain other obligations of the Company and certain other rights of the Trustee under the Indenture.

In addition, we may at any time elect to have our obligations released with respect to certain covenants and thereafter any omission to comply with those covenants will not constitute a default or event of default with respect to the debt securities (“covenant defeasance”). In the event covenant defeasance occurs, certain events will no longer constitute an event of default with respect to the debt securities.

In order to exercise either legal defeasance or covenant defeasance, we must irrevocably deposit with the Trustee for the benefit of the holders of the 2047 Notes funds in amounts as will be sufficient to pay the principal of and premium, if any, and interest on the outstanding debt securities of such series on the stated date for payment thereof or on the applicable redemption date, as the case may be. In addition, we must deliver to the Trustee certain opinions of counsel and officer’s certificate in connection with such defeasance, and we may not exercise such defeasance if certain defaults or events of default with respect to debt securities of such series have occurred and are continuing on the date of such deposit or if such defeasance would result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under, any material agreement or instrument to which we or any of our subsidiaries is a party or by which we or any of our subsidiaries are bound.

Modifications and Amendments.  We may amend or supplement the Indenture or the 2017 Notes with the consent of the Trustee and holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding 2047 Notes (including, without limitation, consents obtained in connection with a purchase of, or tender offer or exchange offer for, 2047 Notes). In addition, subject to certain exceptions, the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding 2047 Notes may waive by consent (including, without limitation, consents obtained in connection with a purchase of, or tender offer or exchange offer for, notes) our compliance with any provision of the Indenture or notes. However, without the consent of the holders of each outstanding 2047 Note affected, no amendment, supplement or waiver may:

	
 
	
•
	
reduce the percentage of principal amount of outstanding 2047 Notes whose holders must consent to an amendment, supplemental indenture or waiver;

	
 
	
•
	
reduce the rate of interest on any 2047 Note;

	
 
	
•
	
reduce the principal amount of or the premium, if any, on any note or change the stated maturity of any 2047 Note;

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•
	
change the place, manner, timing or currency of payment of principal of, or premium, if any, or interest on, any 2047 Note;

	
 
	
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make any change in the ranking provisions of the Indenture that adversely affects the rights of any holders of the 2047 Notes;

	
 
	
•
	
waive a default or event of default in the payment of the principal of or premium, if any, or interest on the 2047 Notes (except a rescission of acceleration of the 2047 Notes by the holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the outstanding 2047 Notes and a waiver of the payment default that resulted from such acceleration);

	
 
	
•
	
make any change in the provisions of the Indenture relating to waivers of past defaults or the rights of holders of 2047 Notes to receive payments of principal of or premium, if any, or interest on the 2047 Notes;

	
 
	
•
	
waive a redemption payment with respect to any 2047 Note or changes any of the provisions with respect to the redemption of any 2047 Note;

	
 
	
•
	
make any change in any amendment and waiver provision; or

	
 
	
•
	
make any change to the timing of payment of principal or interest on any 2047 Notes.

We may, with the Trustee’s consent, amend or supplement the Indenture or the 2047 Notes without notice to or the consent of any holder of the 2047 Notes to:

	
 
	
•
	
cure any ambiguity, defect, mistake or inconsistency;

	
 
	
•
	
comply with the terms set forth under “—Merger, Consolidation and Sale of Assets,” above;

	
 
	
•
	
provide for uncertificated 2047 Notes in addition to or in place of certificated 2047 Notes;

	
 
	
•
	
evidence the assumption of our obligations under the Indenture and the 2047 Notes, by a successor thereto in the case of a consolidation or merger or a sale of all or substantially all of our properties or assets;

	
 
	
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comply with the provisions of any clearing agency, clearing corporation or clearing system, or the requirements of the Trustee or the registrar, relating to transfers and exchanges of the 2047 Notes pursuant to the Indenture;

	
 
	
•
	
make any change that would provide any additional rights or benefits to the holders of the 2047 Notes, that would surrender any right, power or option conferred on us by the Indenture or that does not adversely affect in any material respect the legal rights of any holder of the 2047 Notes;

	
 
	
•
	
comply with requirements of the SEC in order to effect or maintain the qualification of the Indenture under the Trust Indenture Act;

	
 
	
•
	
secure or provide guarantees of our obligations under the 2047 Notes and the Indenture; or

	
 
	
•
	
evidence and provide for the acceptance of appointment hereunder by a successor Trustee with respect to the 2047 Notes and to add to or change any of the provisions of the Indenture as shall be necessary to provide for or facilitate the administration of the trusts thereunder by more than one Trustee.

We and the Trustee may also enter into a supplemental indenture without the consent of holders of the 2047 Notes in order to conform the Indenture or the 2047 Notes to the “Description of Notes” contained in the prospectus supplement for the 2047 Notes.

Trustee.  The Trustee for the 2047 Notes is U.S. Bank National Association. We have appointed the Trustee as the paying agent, and registrar with regard to the 2047 Notes. The Indenture permits the Trustee to deal with us and any of our affiliates with the same rights the Trustee would have if it were not Trustee. However, under the Trust Indenture Act, if the Trustee acquires any conflicting interest and there exists a default with respect to the 2047 Notes, the Trustee must eliminate the conflict or resign. The Trustee and its affiliates have in the past provided or may from time to time in the future provide banking and other services to us in the ordinary course of their business.

The holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the 2047 Notes then outstanding have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee, subject to certain exceptions. If an event of default occurs and is continuing, the Trustee must exercise its rights and 

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powers under the Indenture using the same degree of care and skill as a prudent person would exercise or use under the circumstances in the conduct of his or her own affairs. The Indenture does not obligate the Trustee to exercise any of its rights or powers at the request or demand of the holders, unless the holders have offered to the Trustee security or indemnity that is reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee against the costs, expenses and liabilities that the Trustee may incur to comply with the request or demand.

Anti-Takeover Provisions

Interested Stockholder Transactions. We are subject to Section 203 of the DGCL, which prohibits a Delaware corporation from engaging in any “business combination” with any “interested stockholder” for a period of three years after the date that such stockholder became an interested stockholder, with the following exceptions:

	
 
	
•
	
before such date, the board of directors of the corporation approved either the business combination or the transaction that resulted in the stockholder becoming an interested stockholder;

	
 
	
•
	
upon consummation of the transaction that resulted in the stockholder becoming an interested stockholder, the interested stockholder owned at least 85% of the voting stock of the corporation outstanding at the time the transaction began, excluding for purposes of determining the number of shares outstanding those shares owned by persons who are directors and also officers and by employee stock plans in which employee participants do not have the right to determine confidentially whether shares held subject to the plan will be tendered in a tender or exchange offer; or

	
 
	
•
	
on or after such date, the business combination is approved by the board of directors and authorized at an annual or special meeting of the stockholders, and not by written consent, by the affirmative vote of at least 66-2/3% of the outstanding voting stock that is not owned by the interested stockholder.

Section 203 defines “business combination” to include the following:

	
 
	
•
	
any merger or consolidation involving the corporation and the interested stockholder;

	
 
	
•
	
any sale, transfer, pledge or other disposition involving the interested stockholder of assets with a value of 10% or more of either the total assets or all outstanding stock of the corporation;

	
 
	
•
	
subject to certain exceptions, any transaction that results in the issuance or transfer by the corporation of any stock of the corporation to the interested stockholder;

	
 
	
•
	
any transaction involving the corporation that has the effect of increasing the proportionate share of the stock or any class or series of the corporation beneficially owned by the interested stockholder; or

	
 
	
•
	
the receipt by the interested stockholder of the benefit of any loans, advances, guarantees, pledges or other financial benefits by or through the corporation.

In general, Section 203 defines “interested stockholder” as an entity or person beneficially owning 15% or more of the outstanding voting stock of the corporation or any entity or person affiliated with or controlling or controlled by such entity or person.

In addition, some provisions of our Certificate of Incorporation and By-laws may be deemed to have an anti-takeover effect and may delay or prevent a tender offer or takeover attempt that a stockholder might consider in its best interest, including those attempts that might result in a premium over the market price for the shares held by stockholders.

Restrictions on Ownership. The Bank Holding Company Act requires any “bank holding company” (as defined in the Bank Holding Company Act) to obtain the approval of the Federal Reserve Board prior to acquiring more than five percent (5%) of our outstanding common stock. Any person, other than a bank holding company, is required to obtain prior approval of the Federal Reserve Board to acquire ten percent (10%) or more of our outstanding common stock under the Change in Bank Control Act. Any holder of twenty-five percent (25%) or more 

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of our outstanding common stock, other than an individual, is subject to regulation as a bank holding company, under the Bank Holding Company Act.

Cumulative Voting. Our stockholders do not have the right to cumulative voting in the election of directors.

Director Removal. Our By-laws provide that directors may be removed by our stockholders only for cause.

Special Meetings of Stockholders. Our Certificate of Incorporation and By-laws provide that special meetings of our stockholders may be called only by the board of directors, the chairman of the board, the vice chairman of the board or the president.

Advance Notice Requirements for Stockholder Proposals and Directors Nominations. Our By-laws provide that stockholders seeking to bring business before an annual meeting of stockholders, or to nominate candidates for election as directors at an annual meeting of stockholders, must provide timely notice in writing. For a director nomination to be timely, a stockholder must provide written notice to our Corporate Secretary at least 90 days, but not more than 120 days, prior to the anniversary of our preceding year’s annual meeting, along with the specific information required by our By-Laws, including, but not limited to, the name and address of the nominee; the number of shares of our common stock beneficially owned by the stockholder (including associated persons) nominating such nominee; and a consent by the nominee to serve as a director, if elected, that would be required for a nominee under Securities and Exchange Commission rules.  Other stockholder proposals must be received by our Corporate Secretary in writing not less than 90 days or more than 120 days prior to the anniversary date of the immediately preceding annual meeting, and must also be in proper written form and meet the detailed disclosure requirements set forth in our By-Laws.

Limitation of Liability and Indemnification

Subject to restrictions contained in the DGCL, a corporation may indemnify any person, who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding by reason of the fact that he is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, against expenses (including attorney’s fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred in connection therewith if such person acted in good faith and in a manner such person reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation, and, in connection with any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe that such person’s conduct was unlawful. A present or former director or officer who is successful on the merits or otherwise in any suit or matter covered by the indemnification statute shall be indemnified, and indemnification is otherwise authorized upon a determination that the person to be indemnified has met the applicable standard of conduct required. Such a determination shall be made (1) by a majority vote of the board of directors who were not parties to such action, suit or proceeding, even though less than a quorum, or (2) by a committee of such directors designated by majority vote of such directors, even though less than a quorum, or (3) if there are no such directors, or if such directors so direct, by special independent counsel in a written opinion, or (4) by the stockholders. Expenses incurred in defense may be paid in advance upon receipt by the corporation of a written undertaking by or on behalf of the recipient to repay such amount if it is ultimately determined that the recipient is not entitled to indemnification under the statute. The indemnification provided by statute is not exclusive of any other rights to which those seeking indemnification may be entitled under any by-law, agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors or otherwise, and shall inure to the benefit of the heirs, executors and administrators of such person. Insurance may be purchased on behalf of any person entitled to indemnification by the corporation against any liability asserted against him or her and incurred in an official capacity regardless of whether the person could be indemnified under the statute. References to the corporation include all constituent corporations absorbed in a consolidation or merger as well as the resulting corporation, and anyone seeking indemnification by virtue of acting in some capacity with a constituent corporation would stand in the same position as if such person had served the resulting or surviving corporation in the same capacity.

17

 

The Company’s Certificate of Incorporation, as amended, provides generally that a director shall not be personally liable to the corporation or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director, except for liability (i) for any breach of the director’s duty of loyalty to the corporation or its stockholders, (ii) for acts or omissions not in good faith which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law, (iii) under Section 174 of the DGCL, or (iv) for any transaction from which the director derived an improper personal benefit.

Section 6.4 of the Company’s By-Laws provides for indemnification by the Company of each person who is or was a director, officer or employee of the Company (or is or was serving as a director, officer or employee of any other enterprise at the request of the Company) to the full extent authorized by law. Certain of the directors also have indemnification agreements with the Company which provide for indemnification to the full extent permitted by the DGCL or by any amendment thereof or any other statutory provisions authorizing or permitting indemnification.

In addition, the DGCL authorizes the Company to purchase insurance for its directors and officers insuring them against certain risks as to which the Company may be unable lawfully to indemnify them. The Company has purchased insurance coverage for its directors and officers as well as insurance coverage to reimburse itself for potential costs of corporate indemnification of its directors and officers.

 

 

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