Document:

exh1031allennoreenexecut

DocuSign Envelope ID: 3854C7B3-6850-4F33-9B6F-DD587D5DFC8C                                          EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT                   THIS EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (this "Agreement") is made and entered into as of            December 6, 2019 (the "Effective Date"), by and between Bandwidth Inc. ("Bandwidth"), a            Delaware corporation with its principal place of business at 900 Main Campus Drive, Suite 100,            Raleigh, North Carolina 27606, and Noreen Allen ("Executive").                                                 BACKGROUND                    A.    Executive is Bandwidth's Chief Marketing Officer.                   B.    Bandwidth and Executive now desire to enter into this Agreement in order to formalize the           terms and conditions of employment pursuant to this Agreement.                    C.    All initially capitalized terms are either defined herein (but not necessarily where first used)           or are defined in Exhibit A attached hereto and incorporated herein by this reference.                                                 AGREEMENT                   In consideration of the foregoing, the agreements made herein, and for other good and valuable            consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, the parties agree as follows:                   1 Employment Period.  Bandwidth agrees to employ Executive and Executive agrees to            serve Bandwidth for the period beginning on the Effective Date and ending at 11:59 p.m., Raleigh, North            Carolina, local time, until December 31, 2019 (as may be extended, the "Employment Period").  The            Employment Period will automatically extend for consecutive additional one (1) year periods unless either            party provides the other with written notice to the contrary no less than sixty (60) days prior to the expiration            of the then current Employment Period.  If notice of non-extension is provided by Bandwidth, this            Agreement and Executive’s employment shall terminate at the end of the then current Employment Period,            and such termination of employment shall be treated as a termination by Bandwidth other than for Cause.            This Agreement may be terminated before the expiration of the Employment Period only pursuant to            Section 4.   Bandwidth and Executive each acknowledges and agrees that this Agreement does not interrupt            the continuity of Executive's employment.                    2     Nature of Duties.                    2.1   Executive will serve as Bandwidth's Chief Marketing Officer.   As such, Executive will act            in conformity with the management policies, guidelines and directions issued by Bandwidth's Chief            Executive Officer (the "Chief Executive Officer"), and will have general charge and supervision of those            functions and such other responsibilities as the Chief Executive Officer determines and assigns; provided            they are not inconsistent with the functions and duties typically performed by, and the responsibility of,            Chief Marketing Officer of like corporations.   Executive will report to the Chief Executive Officer.                      2.2   Executive will work exclusively for Bandwidth on a full-time basis, with her primary office            at Bandwidth’s headquarters.   During normal business hours Executive will devote substantially all of her                                                   Page 1 of 15            US2008 5641838 4 

 

DocuSign Envelope ID: 3854C7B3-6850-4F33-9B6F-DD587D5DFC8C             business time and attention to Bandwidth's business. The foregoing does not prohibit Executive from            engaging in civic, professional and business activities that do not interfere with her duties to Bandwidth,            and that otherwise do not violate this Agreement.                    2.3   Executive will perform her duties and responsibilities hereunder diligently, faithfully and            loyally.                    3     Compensation and Benefits.                    3.1   Base Salary and Expenses.                    3.1.1 During the Employment Period, Bandwidth will pay to Executive a salary at the initial rate            of $278,100.00 per annum (the "Base Salary").  The Base Salary will be earned and paid in equal            installments, semi-monthly, or at such other interval as the Bandwidth’s Board of Directors (the “Board”)            or Compensation Committee of the Board (the “Compensation Committee”) directs, but no less often than            once each month.  At the beginning of each year during the Employment Period, the Chief Executive            Officer will in good faith review the Base Salary and recommend to the Board and/or Compensation            Committee any changes for determination by the Board and/or the Compensation Committee.   Bandwidth            shall be entitled to withhold, or cause to be withheld, any amount of federal, state, city or other withholding            taxes or other amounts either required by law or authorized by Executive with respect to payments made to            Executive in connection with her employment hereunder.                    3.1.2  Bandwidth will reimburse Executive for all reasonable out-of-pocket business expenses            incurred by Executive on Bandwidth's behalf during the Employment Period, so long as such expenses are            reimbursable under Bandwidth’s policies in effect from time to time.  At Executive's request, expenses            will be advanced before an expenditure is incurred, or they will be paid by Bandwidth directly to third            parties from which goods or services are being obtained.                    3.2 Bonus Compensation.                   3.2.1 In addition to the Base Salary, Bandwidth will pay to Executive bonus compensation each            year during the Employment Period of up to 50% of the Base Salary (or more if Bandwidth exceeds its            corporate objectives established from time to time pursuant to Section 3.2.2 below and the pro-rata            calculations provided in Section 3.2.2 below yield more than fifty percent (50%) of the Base Salary) (the            "Bonus Compensation").  The Bonus Compensation will be adjusted based on Executive’s individual            achievement of personal objectives established from time to time pursuant to Section 3.2.2 below; for            example, if Bandwidth achieves one hundred percent (100%) of each of the corporate objectives established            from time to time pursuant to Section 3.2.2 below and Executive achieves one hundred one percent (101%)            of Executive’s personal objectives, the Bonus Compensation calculated pursuant to the first sentence of this            Section 3.2.1 would be multiplied by 1.01.  The individual performance objectives and the relative            weighting of the respective corporate objectives established from time to time pursuant to Section 3.2.2            below will be reviewed by the Chief Executive Officer, who will make recommendations to the Board            and/or the Compensation Committee for determination by the Board and/or the Compensation Committee            at the beginning of each calendar year.                                                     Page 2 of 15            US2008 5641838 4 

 

DocuSign Envelope ID: 3854C7B3-6850-4F33-9B6F-DD587D5DFC8C                                                                                                                     3.2.2  The Bonus Compensation will be earned, if at all, upon satisfaction of criteria, reviewed            by the Chief Executive Officer, who will make recommendations to the Board and/or the Compensation            Committee for determination by the Board and/or the Compensation Committee, based on Executive’s            individual performance objectives and Bandwidth’s corporate objectives.   The Bonus Compensation based            on Executive’s individual performance objectives will be earned pro-rata upon Executive attaining each            objective, as reasonably reviewed by the Chief Executive Officer, who will make recommendations to the            Board and/or the Compensation Committee for determination by the Board and/or the Compensation            Committee. The Bonus Compensation based on Bandwidth’s corporate objectives will be earned upon            Bandwidth meeting its corporate objectives established from time to time pursuant to this Section 3.2.2            provided for in its annual Budget pro-rata based upon the relative weighting of the respective corporate            objectives established from time to time pursuant to this Section 3.2.2, each as reasonably reviewed by the            Chief Executive Officer, who will make recommendations to the Board and/or the Compensation            Committee for determination by the Board and/or the Compensation Committee not later than March 15th             for each calendar year.   The Chief Executive Officer may review and recommend for determination by the            Board and/or the Compensation Committee other corporate objectives and corresponding Budget targets            on an annual basis.                               3.2.3  Bonus Compensation will be paid no later than March 15th of the year succeeding the            calendar year with respect to which the Bonus Compensation, if any, is calculated.                                3.2.4  In addition to the Bonus Compensation, the Chief Executive Officer will from time to time            review Executive’s efforts on behalf of Bandwidth and may make recommendations to the Board and/or            the Compensation Committee for determination by the Board and/or the Compensation Committee a special            bonus for extraordinary service. Special bonuses, if any, will not count as any other compensation payable            under this Agreement.                               3.3   Stock Options and Restricted Stock.                               3.3.1  All of Executive's then outstanding unvested Bandwidth stock options and Bandwidth            restricted stock will immediately vest, and the options will be exercisable for the remainder of their full            original term at grant without regard to any provision in the plan under which such securities were granted            that may otherwise reduce the term, upon the earlier of:                               3.3.1.1      Executive's death prior to termination or expiration of this Agreement; or                               3.3.1.2      Change in Control.                                3.3.2  This Section 3.3 is intended to be an award agreement itself, and is intended to supplement            the terms and conditions of any and all other award agreements between Bandwidth and Executive relating            to any options or restricted stock granted to Executive by Bandwidth, and the terms of this Section 3.3 will            govern the terms of such other award agreements in the event of any conflicts, regardless of whether such            other agreements are heretofore or have previously been entered into by the parties.                                      3.4   Severance.   If Bandwidth terminates Executive other than for Cause, or Executive resigns            for Good Reason, then Bandwidth will pay to Executive an amount ("Severance") equal to (i) one hundred                                                                          Page 3 of 15            US2008 5641838 4               

 

DocuSign Envelope ID: 3854C7B3-6850-4F33-9B6F-DD587D5DFC8C                                                                                                               percent (100%) the then-current Base Salary, plus (ii) one hundred percent (100%) of the Bonus            Compensation, determined as if Executive and Bandwidth will have achieved one hundred percent (100%)            of the objectives or targets described in Section 3.2.1 above.  Such amount, less any applicable taxes and            other similar amounts, will be paid in equal installments over a twelve (12) month period following the            termination in accordance with Bandwidth’s standard payroll practices and procedures. The receipt of any            severance benefits provided for pursuant to this Agreement or otherwise will be dependent upon            Executive’s delivery to Bandwidth of an effective general release of claims in a form reasonably satisfactory            to Bandwidth not later than thirty (30) days after the date of Executive’s termination of employment (or            such longer period as may be required by applicable law), and shall be paid or commence no later than            thirty (30) days thereafter, with the first payment to include any amounts that would have been payable on            payroll dates occurring after Executive’s termination of employment and prior to such first payment.                                      3.5   Vacation.   During the Employment Period, Executive will be entitled to take vacation time            in accordance with Bandwidth's policies, but no less than 20 days of paid vacation per year.  Bandwidth            and Executive will reasonably agree on when vacation time can be taken, and how many weeks can be            taken consecutively. In the event that all or any part of the vacation is not taken for any reason during any            year, there will be no compensation paid in lieu thereof, and accrued and unused vacation time will not be            carried over and added to the vacation time for the succeeding year in accordance with such policy, unless            otherwise approved by the Chief Executive Officer.                              3.6    Health, Disability, Retirement, Death and Insurance Benefits.                                 3.6.1  Bandwidth will provide Executive with the same health, disability, retirement, death and            other fringe benefits as are generally provided to the executive employees of Bandwidth in accordance with            such terms, conditions and eligibility requirements as may from time to time be established or modified by            Bandwidth; provided, that Bandwidth will pay the entire premium for Executive’s then-current coverage            under Bandwidth's group health insurance plan unless Bandwidth reasonably determines that paying the            entire premium would be discriminatory and could subject Executive to adverse income tax consequences.            Bandwidth shall, to the extent allowable by law, regulation, contract and policy, continue to pay Executive's            basic medical insurance premiums for twelve (12) months following a termination of Executive by            Bandwidth other than for Cause, whether or not this coverage is required to be available under COBRA.                                      3.6.2  Upon a termination of Executive by Bandwidth other than for Cause, Bandwidth will also            pay Executive a lump sum amount equal to twelve (12) months of premiums for the term life insurance            coverage Bandwidth had in effect for Executive as of the date of her termination of employment.  Such            amount will be payable, less applicable withholdings, with the first payment of Severance.   Executive will            have all rights to convert or purchase such life insurance policies as provided under the terms of the plan            and policies.                                3.7   Indemnification.  During the Employment Period and after Executive’s termination of            employment, Bandwidth shall indemnify Executive and hold Executive harmless from and against any            claim, loss or cause of action arising from or out of Executive’s performance as an officer, director or            employee of Bandwidth or any of its subsidiaries or other affiliates or in any other capacity, including any            fiduciary capacity, in which Executive serves at Bandwidth’s request, in each case to the maximum extent            permitted by law and under Bandwidth’s Certificate of Incorporation and By-Laws.   This indemnification                                                                          Page 4 of 15            US2008 5641838 4               

 

DocuSign Envelope ID: 3854C7B3-6850-4F33-9B6F-DD587D5DFC8C                                                                                                               right is in addition to any similar rights under any statute, Bandwidth’s Certificate of Incorporation, By-           Laws and under any other applicable agreements that now exist or may exist from time to time. During the            Employment Period and for at least 3 years following Executive’s termination of employment, Executive            shall be covered by any policy of directors and officers’ liability insurance maintained by Bandwidth for            the benefit of its officers and directors.                               4 Termination.                               4.1   Executive's employment with Bandwidth will terminate automatically upon Executive's            death.                                4.2   Bandwidth may terminate Executive’s employment at any time.                                 4.3   If at any time during the Employment Period Bandwidth (i) assigns Executive to serve in            a capacity other than as Bandwidth's Chief Marketing Officer or assigns Executive to perform tasks            inconsistent with such position, in each case, which results in a material diminution in Executive’s            authority, duties or responsibilities, or (ii) Bandwidth materially breaches any provision of this Agreement,            then Executive may resign her employment by providing notice to Bandwidth within thirty (30) days of            such event of the reasons for her resignation under this provision.  Bandwidth shall have thirty (30) days            following receipt of such notice to remedy and cure the alleged diminution or breach.   If Bandwidth does            not cure such breach, Executive shall resign her employment and such resignation will be deemed to be a            termination by Bandwidth other than for Cause and/or a resignation by Executive for "Good Reason."             Executive can resign at any time other than for Good Reason.                               4.4   Bandwidth will have the right to terminate Executive at any time, immediately, for Cause.             "Cause" will mean: (i) Executive is convicted of any felony (or Executive pleads guilty or nolo contendere            thereto); (ii) Executive fails or refuses to perform, in any material respect, the written policies or directives            of the Chief Executive Officer, unless such failure is corrected within thirty (30) days following her receipt            of written notice of such failure from Bandwidth that specifically identifies the manner in which the Chief            Executive Officer believes Executive has substantially failed to materially perform her duties; (iii)            Executive materially breaches this Agreement or any other agreement between Bandwidth and Executive,            including, without limitation, any applicable nondisclosure agreement, unless such failure is corrected            within thirty (30) days following her receipt of written notice of such failure from Bandwidth that            specifically identifies the manner in which the Chief Executive Officer believes Executive has breached the            agreement; or (iv) the gross or willful misconduct by Executive with regard to Bandwidth or any employee            of Bandwidth that is materially injurious to Bandwidth or such employee.                                                                                        Page 5 of 15            US2008 5641838 4               

 

DocuSign Envelope ID: 3854C7B3-6850-4F33-9B6F-DD587D5DFC8C                                                                                                                     5      Effects of Termination.                              5.1    Upon Executive’s termination of employment for any reason (including death), she will be            entitled to receive (in addition to any compensation and benefits she is entitled to receive under Section 3            above, if applicable): (i) any earned but unpaid Base Salary, (ii) any earned but unpaid Bonus            Compensation, (iii) unreimbursed business expenses in accordance with Bandwidth’s policies for which            expenses Executive has provided appropriate documentation, (iv) a lump sum cash amount equal to the            value of her unused vacation days in accordance with the standard written policy of Bandwidth, and (v) any            vested amounts or benefits to which Executive is then entitled under the terms of the benefit plans then            sponsored by Bandwidth in accordance with their terms. All of Bandwidth's other obligations under this            Agreement will end immediately upon Executive’s termination of employment.                                5.2   Any controversy or claim arising out of or relating to the benefits and entitlements of            Executive following a Change of Control will be resolved by binding arbitration in Raleigh, North Carolina            with the American Arbitration Association, pursuant to their commercial arbitration rules then in effect.             The determination of the arbitrator will be conclusive and binding on Bandwidth and Executive, and            judgment may be entered on the arbitrator's award in any court of competent jurisdiction.   The prevailing            party may recover its attorneys’ fees and expenses incurred in such dispute, including the cost of the            Arbitration if the prevailing party initiated the action.                                6 Stockholder Vote.  Anything in this Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding, in the            event that any amounts payable to Executive hereunder, alone or together with other payments that            Executive has a right to receive from Bandwidth, would constitute an "excess parachute payment" (as            defined in Section 280G of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code")), then Bandwidth            will reduce the amounts payable to the minimum extent necessary to avoid the payment of any excess            parachute payments and to avoid Executive being subject to the excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the            Code. In the event that any payment or benefit intended to be provided hereunder is required to be reduced            pursuant to this Section, then the reduction shall occur in the following order: (a) reduction of cash payments            described in Section 3 (with such reduction being applied to the payments in the reverse order in which            they would otherwise be made, that is, later payments shall be reduced before earlier payments);            (b) cancellation of acceleration of vesting on any equity awards for which the exercise price exceeds the            then fair market value of the underlying equity; and (c) cancellation of acceleration of vesting of equity            awards not covered under (b) above. In the event that acceleration of vesting of equity awards is to be            cancelled, such acceleration of vesting shall be cancelled in the reverse order of the date of grant of such            equity awards, that is, later equity awards shall be canceled before earlier equity awards. Without limiting            the foregoing, if Bandwidth is not then a public company, it will use its best efforts to secure the approval            of its stockholders to exempt the excess parachute payments from the loss of corporate tax deductions            imposed under Section 280G and the excise tax imposed under Section 4999. If Bandwidth becomes            publicly traded, it will comply with Section 951 of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer            Protection Act that requires public companies subject to the federal proxy rules to provide their shareholders            with an advisory vote on: executive compensation; the desired frequency of say-on-pay votes; and on            golden parachute arrangements, and will seek shareholder votes under Internal Revenue Code Section            162(m), and any other law, regulation or rule that requires a shareholder vote on this Agreement, or that            permits a vote to preserve tax benefits or avoid tax penalties.                                                                                              Page 6 of 15            US2008 5641838 4               

 

DocuSign Envelope ID: 3854C7B3-6850-4F33-9B6F-DD587D5DFC8C                                                                                                                     7      Covenant Not To Compete.                               7.1   Inducement.  This covenant between Executive and Bandwidth is being executed and            delivered by Executive in consideration of Executive's employment with Bandwidth and each party's rights            and obligations agreed to hereunder (including, without limitation, the Base Salary, Bonus Compensation,            and other benefits and payments set forth herein).   Executive acknowledges that Bandwidth's business and            Executive's responsibilities are international in scope.  Executive further acknowledges that the covenant            not to compete with Bandwidth contained in this Section 7 was and has been a condition of her employment            since Executive was originally employed by Bandwidth.                              7.2 Restricted Activities ─ Duration.  Except as otherwise consented to or approved by the            Chief Executive Officer in writing, Executive agrees that during the term of this Agreement and for twelve            (12) months after Executive's employment with Bandwidth ends;, regardless of the time, manner or reasons            for termination, and regardless of whether terminated by Executive or Bandwidth, but only so long as            Bandwidth does not breach its obligations in this Agreement, Executive will not, directly or indirectly,            acting alone or as a member of a partnership or as an owner, director, officer, employee, manager,            representative or consultant of any corporation or other business entity:                                     7.2.1  engage in any business in competition with the business that is conducted by                   Bandwidth in the United States, Canada or any European, Asian, Pacific or other foreign country                   in which Bandwidth then or thereafter transacts business or is making a bona fide attempt to do so;                                     7.2.2  induce, request or attempt to influence any customers or suppliers of Bandwidth to                   curtail or cancel their business or prospective business with Bandwidth or in any way interfere with                   Bandwidth's business relationships; or                                     7.2.3  induce, solicit, assist or facilitate the inducement or solicitation by a third person                   of any employee, officer, agent or representative of Bandwidth, to terminate their respective                   relationship with Bandwidth or in any way interfere with Bandwidth's employee, officer, agent or                   representative relationships.                               7.3   Tolling; Relief of Obligations.   In the event that Executive breaches any provision of this            Section 7, that violation will toll the running of the restricted period set forth in Section 7.2 from the date            of commencement of such violation until such violation ceases.                               7.4   "Blue Penciling" or Modification.  If the length of time, geographic area or scope of            restricted business activity set forth in Section 7.2 is deemed unreasonably restrictive or unreasonable in            any other respect in any court proceeding, Executive and Bandwidth agree and consent to such court's            modifying or reducing such restriction(s) to the extent deemed reasonable under the circumstances then            presented.                                      7.5   Definitions.  As used in this Section 7, the following terms will have the following            definitions:                                            (i)    The terms “compete” or “in competition,” as used herein, will be deemed to                                                                          Page 7 of 15            US2008 5641838 4               

 

DocuSign Envelope ID: 3854C7B3-6850-4F33-9B6F-DD587D5DFC8C                                                                                                               include, without limitation, becoming or being an employee, owner, partner, consultant, agent, stockholder,            director, or officer of any person, partnership, firm, corporation or other entity (other than Bandwidth)            which engages in (i) the business of developing, providing, offering and selling (A) retail VoIP services,            including, without limitation, IP based unified communications services and trunking services; wholesale            VoIP services; (B) wholesale origination, termination or SMS services; (C) emergency solutions for            telecommunications carriers, including, without limitation, end-to-end call control and support, real-time            address validation, automated provisioning and/or geospatial routing; (D) communication platform as a            service (or CPaaS) solutions, including, without limitation, application program interfaces deploying, causing            the use of, or using origination, termination, or SMS services; and/or (E) product(s) or service(s) to which            any of clauses (A) through (D) apply and/or any product(s) or service(s) that perform substantially similar            functions to which any of clauses (A) through (D) apply, or (ii) any other business conducted by Bandwidth            immediately prior to such termination (or in which Bandwidth shall at such time be actively preparing to            engage).  Notwithstanding the foregoing, ownership of five (5%) percent or less of any class of securities            of an entity will not constitute competition with Bandwidth.                                     (ii)   The phrases “engage in a business” or “engage in a line of business” and similar            phrases will be deemed to include marketing or otherwise selling products or researching, writing,            developing, designing, distributing, testing or manufacturing products or services or otherwise preparing to            market or sell products or services.                                      8     Nondisclosure of Confidential Information.                               8.1   Executive acknowledges that the discharge of her duties under this Agreement will            necessarily involve her access to Confidential Information. Executive acknowledges that the unauthorized            use by him or disclosure by him of such Confidential Information to third parties might cause irreparable            damage to Bandwidth and Bandwidth's business. Accordingly, Executive agrees that at all times after the            date hereof she will not copy, publish, disclose, divulge to or discuss with any third party nor use for her            own benefit or that of others, without the prior express written consent of the Chief Executive Officer,            except in the normal conduct of her duties under this Agreement, any Confidential Information, it being            understood and acknowledged by Executive that all Confidential Information created, compiled or obtained            by Executive or Bandwidth, or furnished to Executive by any person while Executive is associated with            Bandwidth remains its exclusive property.                               8.2   Promptly upon termination of her employment, irrespective of the time or manner thereof            or reason therefor, and whether such termination is by Bandwidth or Executive, Executive agrees to return            and surrender to Bandwidth all tangible Confidential Information in any manner in her control or            possession, as well as all other Bandwidth property.                                      8.3   Pursuant to the Defend Trade Secrets Act of 2016, Executive understands that:                                       An individual may not be held criminally or civilly liable under any federal or state trade secret law            for the disclosure of a trade secret that: (a) is made (i) in confidence to a federal, state, or local government            official, either directly or indirectly, or to an attorney; and (ii) solely for the purpose of reporting or            investigating a suspected violation of law; or (b) is made in a complaint or other document that is filed            under seal in a lawsuit or other proceeding.                                                                          Page 8 of 15            US2008 5641838 4               

 

DocuSign Envelope ID: 3854C7B3-6850-4F33-9B6F-DD587D5DFC8C                                                                                                                                        Further, an individual who files a lawsuit for retaliation by an employer for reporting a suspected            violation of law may disclose the employer's trade secrets to the attorney and use the trade secret            information in the court proceeding if the individual: (a) files any document containing the trade secret            under seal; and (b) does not disclose the trade secret, except pursuant to court order.                                    9 Remedies Inadequate.                               9.1   Executive acknowledges that the services to be rendered by him to Bandwidth as            contemplated by this Agreement are special, unique and of extraordinary character. Executive expressly            agrees and understand that the remedy at law for any breach by him of Section 7 or 8 of this Agreement            will be inadequate and that the damages flowing from such breach are not readily susceptible to being            measured in monetary terms.  Accordingly, upon adequate proof of Executive's violation of any legally            enforceable provision of Section 7 or 8, Bandwidth will be entitled to immediate injunctive relief, including,            without limitation, a temporary order restraining any threatened or further breach.  In the event any            equitable proceedings are brought to enforce the provisions of any of Section 7, 8 or 9, Executive agrees            that she will not raise in such proceedings any defense that there is an adequate remedy at law, and            Executive hereby waives any such defense.  Nothing in this Agreement will be deemed to limit            Bandwidth's remedies at law or in equity for any breach by Executive of any of the provisions of Section 7            or 8 which may be pursued or availed of by Bandwidth. Without limiting the generality of the immediately            preceding sentence, any covenant on Executive's part contained in Section 7 or 8, which may not be            specifically enforceable will nevertheless, if breached, give rise to a cause of action for monetary damages.                               9.2   Executive has carefully considered, and has had adequate time and opportunity to consult            with her own counsel or other advisors regarding the nature and extent of the restrictions upon him and the            rights and remedies conferred upon Bandwidth under Sections 7, 8 and 9, and hereby acknowledges and            agrees that such restrictions are reasonable in time, territory and scope, are designed to eliminate            competition which otherwise would be unfair to Bandwidth, do not stifle the inherent skill and experience            of Executive, would not operate as a bar to Executive's sole means of support, are fully required to protect            the legitimate interests of Bandwidth and do not confer a benefit upon Bandwidth disproportionate to the            detriment to Executive.                               9.3   The covenants and agreements made by Executive in Sections 7, 8 and 9 will survive full            payment by Bandwidth to Executive of the amounts to which Executive is entitled under this Agreement,            the expiration of the Employment Period and this Agreement.                               10 Rights.  Executive acknowledges and agrees that any procedure, design feature,            schematic, invention, improvement, development, discovery, know how, concept, idea or the like (whether            or not patentable, registrable under copyright or trademark laws, or otherwise protectable under similar            laws) that Executive may conceive of, suggest, make, invent, develop or implement, during the course of            her service pursuant to this Agreement (whether individually or jointly with any other person or persons),            relating in any way to the business of Bandwidth or to the general industry of which Bandwidth is a part,            as will all physical embodiments and manifestations thereof, and all patent rights, copyrights, trademarks            (or applications therefor) and similar protections therein (all of the foregoing referred to as "Work            Product"), will be the sole, exclusive and absolute property of Bandwidth.  All Work Product will be                                                                          Page 9 of 15            US2008 5641838 4               

 

DocuSign Envelope ID: 3854C7B3-6850-4F33-9B6F-DD587D5DFC8C                                                                                                               deemed to be works for hire and, in addition to the Work Product being works for hire, Executive hereby            assigns to Bandwidth all right, title and interest in, to and under such Work Product, including without            limitation, the right to obtain such patents, copyright registrations, trademark registrations or similar            protections as Bandwidth may desire to obtain.   Executive will immediately disclose all Work Product to            Bandwidth and agrees, at any time, upon Bandwidth's request and without additional compensation, to            execute any documents and otherwise to cooperate with Bandwidth respecting the perfection of its right,            title and interest in, to and under such Work Product, and in any litigation or controversy in connection            therewith, all expenses incident thereto to be borne by Bandwidth.                               11    Assignment of Payment Rights.  In no event will Bandwidth be obligated to make any            payment under this Agreement to any assignee or creditor of Executive, other than to the estate of Executive            after her death.  Prior to the time of payment under this Agreement, neither Executive nor her legal            representative will have any right by way of anticipation or otherwise to dispose of any interest under this            Agreement.                               12    Bandwidth's Obligations Unfunded.  Except as to any benefits that may be required to            be funded under any benefit plan of Bandwidth pursuant to law, as provided for in this Agreement or            pursuant to other agreements and which are not for the sole benefit of Executive, the obligations of            Bandwidth under this Agreement are not funded and Bandwidth will not be required to set aside or deposit            in escrow any monies in advance of the due date for payment thereof to Executive.                               13 Notices.   Any notice to be given hereunder by Bandwidth to Executive will be deemed to            be given if delivered to Executive in person, if emailed to Executive at her business email address or if            mailed or overnighted to Executive at her address last known on the records of Bandwidth, and any notice            to be given by Executive to Bandwidth will be directed either to Bandwidth's Chief Executive, Secretary or            General Counsel, and in any case it will be deemed to be given if delivered in person, if emailed to the            address at her business email address or if mailed or overnighted to the person at her address last known on            the records of Bandwidth, unless any party will have duly notified the other parties in writing of a change            of address.   All notices are deemed given when delivered to such address, or if otherwise actually received            by the addressee.                               14 Section 409A.                                      14.1   In order to ensure compliance with Code Section 409A and the regulations and guidance            promulgated thereunder (collectively “Section 409A”), the provisions of this Section 14 shall govern in all            cases over any contrary or conflicting provision in this Agreement (other than a comparable Section 409A            provision that is expressly intended to govern over this provision by its terms).   The intent of the parties is            that payments and benefits under this Agreement comply with, or be exempt from, Section 409A and,            accordingly, to the maximum extent permitted, this Agreement shall be interpreted and administered to be            in compliance therewith. Executive acknowledges and agrees that Bandwidth has made no representation            to Executive as to the tax treatment of the compensation and benefits provided pursuant to this Agreement            and that Executive is solely responsible for all taxes due with respect to such compensation and benefits.                                      14.2  To the extent necessary to comply with Section 409A, references in this Agreement to            “termination of employment” or “terminates employment” (and similar references) shall have the same                                                                         Page 10 of 15            US2008 5641838 4               

 

DocuSign Envelope ID: 3854C7B3-6850-4F33-9B6F-DD587D5DFC8C                                                                                                               meaning as “separation from service” under Code Section 409A(a)(2)(A)(i), and no payment subject to            Section 409A that is payable upon a termination of employment shall be paid unless and until (and not later            than applicable in compliance with Section 409A) when Executive incurs a “separation from service” under            Code Section 409A(a)(2)(A)(i) (a “Separation from Service”).  In addition, if Executive is a “specified            employee” within the meaning of Section 409A at the time of her Separation from Service, any nonqualified            deferred compensation subject to Section 409A that would otherwise have been payable on account of, and            within the first six months following, Executive’s Separation from Service, and not by reason of another            event under Section 409A, will become payable on the first business day after six months following the            date of Executive’s Separation from Service or, if earlier, the date of Executive’s death.                                      14.3  Consistent with the requirements of Section 409A, to the extent that any reimbursement or            in-kind benefit provided is taxable and subject to Section 409A, unless stated otherwise –            (i) reimbursements and in-kind benefits will be provided only during the period during which Executive is            employed or receiving Severance; (ii) the expenses eligible for reimbursement or the in-kind benefits            provided in any given calendar year will not affect the expenses eligible for reimbursement or the in-kind            benefits provided in any other calendar year; (iii) the reimbursement of an eligible expense must be made            no later than the last day of calendar year following the calendar year in which the expense was incurred;            and (iv) the right to reimbursements or in-kind benefits cannot be liquidated or exchanged for any other            benefit.                                      14.4  For purposes of Section 409A, Executive’s right to receive any installment payments            pursuant to this Agreement shall be treated as a right to receive a series of separate and distinct payments.             If a Separation from Service occurs prior to the date of an Unapproved Change in Control, each payment            of Severance and each other payment hereunder that is made within 2-1/2 months following the end of the            year that contains the date of Executive’s Separation from Service is intended to be exempt from Section            409A as a short-term deferral within the meaning of the final regulations under Section 409A, each such            payment that is made later than 2-1/2 months following the end of the year that contains the date of            Executive’s Separation from Service is intended to be exempt under the two-times exception of Treasury            Reg. § 1.409A-1(b)(9)(iii), up to the limitation on the availability of that exception specified in the            regulation, and each payment that is made after the two-times exception ceases to be available shall be            subject to delay (if necessary) in accordance with Section 14.2 above.  Continued medical coverage is            intended to be exempt from Section 409A under the exemption for health benefits in Treas. Reg. § 1.409A-           1(b)(9)(v)(B).                                 14.5  In no event may Executive, directly or indirectly, designate the calendar year of any            payment to be made under this Agreement that is considered nonqualified deferred compensation subject            to Section 409A.  In no event shall the timing of Executive’s execution of the general release of claims,            directly or indirectly, result in Executive designating the calendar year of payment of any nonqualified            deferred compensation subject to Section 409A, and if such a payment that is subject to execution of the            general release of claims could be made in more than one taxable year, payment shall be made in the later            taxable year.                                      15 Amendments.  This Agreement will not be modified or discharged, in whole or in part,            except by an agreement in writing signed by all parties.                                                                                     Page 11 of 15            US2008 5641838 4               

 

DocuSign Envelope ID: 3854C7B3-6850-4F33-9B6F-DD587D5DFC8C                                                                                                                     16 Entire Agreement.  Except as expressly provided for herein, this Agreement constitutes            the entire agreement between the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof.  The parties are not            relying on any other representation, express or implied, oral or written.  This Agreement supersedes any            prior employment agreement, written or oral, between Executive and Bandwidth; provided, however that            other non-competition, non-solicitation, confidentiality agreements, and other restrictive covenant            agreements between Executive and Bandwidth remain in effect and this Agreement and such other            agreements may be enforced by Bandwidth independently or simultaneously.                               17 Captions; Terms.  The captions contained in this Agreement are for convenience of            reference only and do not affect the meaning of any terms or provisions hereof.   References to "termination            of employment," "termination of Executive," "termination of this Agreement," "termination of the            Employment Period," and any other terms of similar meaning will all be deemed equivalent. Masculine,            feminine and neuter pronouns are interchangeable as context requires.                                      18 Binding Effect.  The parties may not assign this Agreement and may not assign or            delegate any right or duty hereunder and any attempt to do so is void. Subject to the foregoing, the rights            and obligations of Bandwidth hereunder will inure to the benefit of, and will be binding upon, Bandwidth            and its successors and assigns, and the rights and obligations of Executive hereunder will inure to the benefit            of, and will be binding upon, Executive and her heirs, personal representatives and estate.                                19 Severable Provisions.   The provisions of this Agreement are severable, and if any one or            more provisions may be determined to be illegal or otherwise unenforceable, in whole or in part, the            remaining provisions and any partially enforceable provision will be binding and enforceable to the extent            enforceable in any jurisdiction.                               20    Governing Law and Venue.  This Agreement will be interpreted, construed, and            enforced in all respects in accordance with the laws of the State of North Carolina, without regard to conflict            of laws.  Other than disputes that by the terms of this Agreement are to be resolved through binding            arbitration, any and all actions brought arising out of, or based in whole or in part upon this Agreement or            the employment relationship between Executive and Bandwidth, will be brought in either a federal or state            court sitting in Raleigh, North Carolina, and the parties consent to jurisdiction and venue thereof.                                                                                       Page 12 of 15            US2008 5641838 4               

 

DocuSign Envelope ID: 3854C7B3-6850-4F33-9B6F-DD587D5DFC8C                                                                                                                     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have executed this Agreement on the day and year first            above written, effective the Effective Date.                                                                      Bandwidth:                                                                      BANDWIDTH INC.                                                                                                                                By _______________________                                                                                                                    Its  _______________________CEO                                                                                   Executive:                                                                                  __________________________                                                           Noreen Allen                                                                                        Page 13 of 15            US2008 5641838 4               

 

DocuSign Envelope ID: 3854C7B3-6850-4F33-9B6F-DD587D5DFC8C                                                                                                                                                     EXHIBIT A                                         EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT                                                DEFINITIONS                               "Approved Change in Control" of Bandwidth means a Change in Control of Bandwidth of a nature            that would be required to be reported in response to Item 5.01 of the Current Report on Form 8-K, as if in            effect on the Effective Date, pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as            amended (the "Exchange Act") if the transaction causing such a change will have been approved by the            affirmative vote of at least a majority of the Continuing Directors.                                       "Change in Control" means, and will be deemed to have occurred at such time as: (i) any "person"            (as such term is used in Section 13(d) and 14(d) of the Exchange Act) becomes the "beneficial owner" (as            defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, of fifty percent (50%) or more prior            to Bandwidth's first underwritten public offering and twenty-five percent (25%) or more after, but not as a            result of, Bandwidth's first underwritten public offering, or more of the combined voting power of            Bandwidth's Voting Securities; (ii) sale of all or substantially all of the assets of Bandwidth, or any merger,            consolidation, or reorganization to which Bandwidth is a party and as the result of which Bandwidth's            stockholders prior to the transaction do not own at least fifty percent (50%) of the voting power of the            surviving entity in the election of directors; or (iii) individuals who constitute the Continuing Directors            cease for any reason to constitute at least a majority of Bandwidth's Board of Directors.   Notwithstanding            the foregoing, no event unilaterally caused by Executive by virtue of her stock ownership will be a Change            in Control.   Further notwithstanding the foregoing, a Change in Control shall not be deemed to occur unless            the transaction also constitutes a change in the ownership or effective control of Bandwidth or a change in            the ownership of a substantial portion of the assets of Bandwidth, each as defined in Code Section            409A(a)(2)(A)(v) and the regulations promulgated thereunder; however, a Change in Control shall be            deemed to occur if the transaction constitutes a change in the ownership or effective control of Bandwidth            or a change in the ownership of a substantial portion of the assets of Bandwidth, each as defined in Code            Section 409A(a)(2)(A)(v) and the regulations promulgated thereunder, regardless of whether it satisfies the            foregoing.                               "Budget" will mean for each year, Bandwidth's management financial targets approved by the            Board of Directors for the year in question.                               "Confidential Information" means all information or trade secrets of any type or description            belonging to Bandwidth that are proprietary and confidential to Bandwidth and are not publicly disclosed            or are only disclosed with restrictions.  Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, Confidential            Information includes strategic plans for carrying on business, other business plans, cost data, internal            financial information, customer lists, employee lists, vendor lists, business partner or alliance lists,            drawings, designs, schematics, flow charts, specifications, inventions, calculations, discoveries and any            letters, papers, documents or instruments disclosing or reflecting any of the foregoing, and all information            revealed to, acquired or created by Executive during Executive's employment by Bandwidth relating to any            of the foregoing.                               "Continuing Directors" will mean and include the persons constituting Bandwidth's Board of            Directors as of the Effective Date, and any person who becomes a director of Bandwidth subsequent to the                                                                         Page 14 of 15            US2008 5641838 4               

 

DocuSign Envelope ID: 3854C7B3-6850-4F33-9B6F-DD587D5DFC8C                                                                                                               date hereof whose election, or nomination for election by Bandwidth's stockholders, was approved by an            affirmative vote of at least a majority of the then Continuing Directors (either by a specific vote or if            Bandwidth is then subject to the proxy rules of the Exchange Act then by approval of the proxy statement            of Bandwidth in which such person is named as a nominee for director or of the inclusion of such person            in such Proxy Statement as such a nominee, in any case without objection by any member of such approving            majority of the then Continuing Directors to the nomination of such person or the naming of such person            as a director nominee).                                      “Good Reason” means that if, at any time during the Employment Period without Executive’s            consent, Bandwidth (i) assigns Executive to serve in a capacity other than as the Company’s Chief            Marketing Officer or assigns Executive to perform tasks inconsistent with such position, in each case, which            results in a material overall diminution in Executive’s authority, duties or responsibilities, or (ii) Bandwidth            materially breaches any provision of this Agreement, then Executive may resign her employment by            providing notice to Bandwidth within thirty (30) days of such event of the reasons for her resignation under            this provision.   Bandwidth shall have thirty (30) days following receipt of such notice to remedy and cure            the alleged diminution or breach.  If Bandwidth does not cure such breach, Executive shall resign her            employment within thirty (30) days of Bandwidth’s cure period, and such resignation will be deemed to be            a resignation by Executive for Good Reason.                                      "Operating Earnings" will mean earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization and            excluding (i) capital expenditures, (ii) extraordinary gains and losses, and (iii) any bonus(es) paid or payable            pursuant to Section 3.5 and/or Section 3.6 of the agreement to which this Exhibit A is attached, unless            Bandwidth has accrued for the payment of such bonus(es) in connection with Bandwidth’s calculation of            Operating Earnings target for the purposes of Section 3.2.                                        "Unapproved Change in Control" of Bandwidth will mean any Change in Control of Bandwidth            that is not an Approved Change in Control.                               "Voting Securities" means Bandwidth's outstanding securities ordinarily having the right to vote at            elections of directors.                                                                                                                                                   Page 15 of 15            US2008 5641838 4cmo-ex46_156.htm

Exhibit 4.6

DESCRIPTION OF THE REGISTRANT’S SECURITIES

REGISTERED PURSUANT TO SECTION 12 OF THE

SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

As of December 31, 2019, Capstead Mortgage Corporation had two 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 $0.01 per share; and (2) our 7.50% Series E Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock, par value $0.10 per share (the “Series E Preferred Stock”). 

Description of Capital Stock

The following description of the terms of our capital stock is only a summary.  This summary is not complete and is qualified by the provisions of our charter and bylaws, which have been filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) and incorporated by reference herein, and the Maryland General Corporation Law (the “MGCL”).

Authorized Stock

Our charter provides that we may issue up to 250 million shares of voting common stock, par value $0.01 per share, and 100 million shares of preferred stock, par value $0.10 per share, of which 16,329,039 shares have been classified as Series E Preferred Stock. As of December 31, 2019, 94,606,455 shares of our common stock, and 10,329,039 shares of Series E Preferred Stock were issued and outstanding.

Power to Issue Additional Shares of Our Common Stock and Preferred Stock

We believe that the power of our board of directors, without stockholder approval, to issue additional authorized but unissued shares of our common stock or preferred stock and to classify or reclassify unissued shares of our common stock or preferred stock and thereafter to cause us to issue such classified or reclassified shares of stock provides us with flexibility in structuring possible future financings and acquisitions and in meeting other needs which might arise. The additional classes or series, as well as the common stock, will be available for issuance without further action by our stockholders, unless stockholder approval is required by applicable law or the rules of any stock exchange or automated quotation system on which our securities may be listed or traded. Although our board of directors does not intend to do so, it could authorize us to issue an additional class or series of stock that could, depending upon the terms of the particular class or series, delay, defer or prevent a transaction or a change of control of our company that might involve a premium price for our stockholders or otherwise be in their best interest.

Power to Redeem Shares and Restrict Transfers to Protect REIT Status

Our charter provides that if our board of directors determines in good faith that the direct or indirect ownership of our stock has or may become concentrated to an extent which would cause us to fail to qualify or be qualified as a real estate investment trust (“REIT”) under Sections 856(a)(5) or (6) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), or similar provisions of successor statutes, we may redeem or repurchase any number of shares of common stock and/or preferred stock sufficient to maintain or bring such ownership into conformity with the Code and may refuse to transfer or issue shares of common stock and/or preferred stock to any person whose acquisition would result in our being unable to conform with the requirements of the Code. In general, Code Sections 856(a)(5) and (6) provide that, as a REIT, we must have at least 100 beneficial owners for 335 days of each taxable year and that we cannot qualify as a REIT if, at any time during the last half of our taxable year, more than 50% in value of our outstanding 

1

 

stock is owned, directly or indirectly, by or for not more than five individuals. In addition, our charter provides that we may redeem or refuse to transfer any shares of our capital stock to the extent necessary to prevent the imposition of a penalty tax as a result of ownership of those shares by certain disqualified organizations, including governmental bodies and tax-exempt entities that are not subject to tax on unrelated business taxable income. The redemption or purchase price for those shares shall be equal to the fair market value of those shares as reflected in the closing sales price for those shares if then listed on a national securities exchange, or the average of the closing sales prices for those shares if then listed on more than one national securities exchange, or if those shares are not then listed on a national securities exchange, the latest bid quotation for the shares if then traded over-the-counter on the last business day for which closing prices are available immediately preceding the day on which notices of such acquisitions are sent or, if no such closing sales prices or quotations are available, then the net asset value of those shares as determined by our board of directors in accordance with the provisions of applicable law.

Material Provisions of Maryland Law and of Our Charter and Bylaws

The following is a summary of certain provisions of Maryland law and of our charter and bylaws. 

The Board of Directors

Our bylaws provide that the number of directors of our company may be established by our board of directors but may not be fewer than the minimum number permitted under the MGCL nor more than 25. Any vacancy will be filled, at any regular meeting or at any special meeting called for that purpose, by a majority of the remaining directors.

Pursuant to our charter, each member of our board of directors will serve one year terms and until their successors are elected and qualified. Holders of shares of our common stock will have no right to cumulative voting in the election of directors.

Consequently, at each annual meeting of stockholders at which our board of directors is elected, the holders of a plurality of the shares of our common stock will be able to elect all of the members of our board of directors.

Business Combinations

Maryland law prohibits “business combinations” between a corporation and an interested stockholder or an affiliate of an interested stockholder for five years after the most recent date on which the interested stockholder becomes an interested stockholder. These business combinations include a merger, consolidation, statutory share exchange, or, in circumstances specified in the statute, certain transfers of assets, certain stock issuances and transfers, liquidation plans and reclassifications, and the receipt from the corporation of certain financial benefits, in each case involving interested stockholders or their affiliates. Maryland law defines an interested stockholder as:

	
 
	
•
	
any person who beneficially owns 10% or more of the voting power of our voting stock; or

	
 
	
•
	
an affiliate or associate of the corporation who, at any time within the two-year period prior to the date in question, was the beneficial owner of 10% or more of the voting power of the then-outstanding voting stock of the corporation.

A person is not an interested stockholder if the board of directors approves in advance the transaction by which the person otherwise would have become an interested stockholder. However, in approving the transaction, the board of directors may provide that its approval is subject to compliance, at or after the time of approval, with any terms and conditions determined by the board of directors.

2

 

After the five year prohibition, any business combination between a corporation and an interested stockholder generally must be recommended by the board of directors and approved by the affirmative vote of at least:

	
 
	
•
	
80% of the votes entitled to be cast by holders of the then outstanding shares of common stock, voting together as a single group; and

	
 
	
•
	
two-thirds of the votes entitled to be cast by holders of the common stock other than shares held by the interested stockholder with whom or with whose affiliate the business combination is to be effected or shares held by an affiliate or associate of the interested stockholder.

These super-majority vote requirements do not apply if certain fair price requirements set forth in the MGCL are satisfied.

The statute permits various exemptions from its provisions, including business combinations that are approved by the board of directors before the time that the interested stockholder becomes an interested stockholder. Under the statute, a board of directors may adopt a resolution opting generally or partially out of this statute. Our Board of Directors has not taken any action to opt out of this statute.

Control Share Acquisitions

The MGCL provides that “control shares” of a Maryland corporation acquired in a “control share acquisition” have no voting rights except to the extent approved at a special meeting by the affirmative vote of two-thirds of the votes entitled to be cast on the matter, excluding shares of stock in a corporation in respect of which any of the following persons is entitled to exercise or direct the exercise of the voting power of shares of stock of the corporation in the election of directors: (i) a person who makes or proposes to make a control share acquisition, (ii) an officer of the corporation or (iii) an employee of the corporation who is also a director of the corporation. “Control shares” are voting shares of stock which, if aggregated with all other such shares of stock previously acquired by the acquiror or in respect of which the acquiror is able to exercise or direct the exercise of voting power (except solely by virtue of a revocable proxy), would entitle the acquiror to exercise voting power in electing directors within one of the following ranges of voting power: (i) one-tenth or more but less than one-third, (ii) one-third or more but less than a majority, or (iii) a majority or more of all voting power. Control shares do not include shares the acquiring person is then entitled to vote as a result of having previously obtained stockholder approval. A “control share acquisition” means the acquisition of control shares, subject to certain exceptions.

A person who has made or proposes to make a control share acquisition, upon satisfaction of certain conditions (including an undertaking to pay expenses), may compel our board of directors to call a special meeting of stockholders to be held within 50 days of demand to consider the voting rights of the shares. If no request for a meeting is made, the corporation may itself present the question at any stockholders meeting.

If voting rights are not approved at the meeting or if the acquiring person does not deliver an acquiring person statement as required by the statute, then, subject to certain conditions and limitations, the corporation may redeem any or all of the control shares (except those for which voting rights have previously been approved) for fair value determined, without regard to the absence of voting rights for the control shares, as of the date of the last control share acquisition by the acquiror or of any meeting of stockholders at which the voting rights of such shares are considered and not approved. If voting rights for control shares are approved at a stockholders meeting and the acquiror becomes entitled to vote a majority of the shares entitled to vote, all other stockholders may exercise appraisal rights. The fair value of the 

3

 

shares as determined for purposes of such appraisal rights may not be less than the highest price per share paid by the acquiror in the control share acquisition.

The control share acquisition statute does not apply (i) to shares acquired in a merger, consolidation or share exchange if the corporation is a party to the transaction or (ii) to acquisitions approved or exempted by the charter or bylaws of the corporation. Under this statute, our charter or by-laws may provide for a general or partial opt-out from this statute, but our charter and by-laws do not so provide.

MGCL Title 3, Subtitle 8

Subtitle 8 of Title 3 of the MGCL permits a Maryland corporation with a class of equity securities registered under the Exchange Act and at least three independent directors to elect to be subject, notwithstanding any contrary provision in the charter or bylaws, to any or all of the following five provisions:

	
 
	
•
	
a classified board;

	
 
	
•
	
a two-thirds stockholder vote requirement for removal of a director;

	
 
	
•
	
a requirement that the number of directors be fixed only by vote of the directors;

	
 
	
•
	
a requirement that a vacancy on the board of directors be filled only by the remaining directors and for the remainder of the full term of the class of directors in which the vacancy occurred; and

	
 
	
•
	
a requirement that the holders of at least a majority of all votes entitled to be cast request a special meeting of stockholders.

Through an unrelated provision of Maryland law, our by-laws impose a majority requirement for the calling of a special meeting of stockholders. Under Subtitle 8, the charter may contain a provision or the board of directors may adopt a provision that prohibits the corporation from electing to be subject to any or all of these provisions. We are not subject to any prohibition with respect to Subtitle 8.

Amendment to Our Charter

Our charter may be amended only if declared advisable by the board of directors and approved by the affirmative vote of the holders of at least a majority of all of the votes entitled to be cast on the matter.

Dissolution of Our Company

The dissolution of our company must be declared advisable by the board of directors and approved by the affirmative vote of the holders of not less than a majority of all of the votes entitled to be cast on the matter.

Advance Notice of Director Nominations and New Business

Our bylaws provide that:

	
 
	
•
	
with respect to an annual meeting of stockholders, the only business to be considered and the only proposals to be acted upon will be those properly brought before the annual meeting:

	
 
	
o
	
pursuant to our notice of the meeting;

	
 
	
o
	
by, or at the direction of, a majority of our board of directors; or

	
 
	
o
	
by a stockholder who is entitled to vote at the meeting and has complied with the advance notice procedures set forth in our bylaws;

	
 
	
•
	
with respect to special meetings of stockholders, only the business specified in our company’s notice of meeting may be brought before the meeting of stockholders unless 

4

 

	
 
		
otherwise provided by law; and nominations of persons for election to our board of directors at any annual or special meeting of stockholders may be made only:

	
 
	
o
	
by, or at the direction of, our board of directors; or

	
 
	
o
	
by a stockholder who is entitled to vote at the meeting and has complied with the advance notice provisions set forth in our bylaws.

Anti-Takeover Effect of Certain Provisions of Maryland Law and of Our Charter and Bylaws

The provisions of Maryland law that apply to us, the ability of our board to make certain elections under Maryland law, and the advance notice provisions of our bylaws could delay, defer or prevent a transaction or a change of control of our company that might involve a premium price for holders of our common stock or otherwise be in their best interest.

Indemnification and Limitation of Directors’ and Officers’ Liability

Our charter provide for indemnification of our officers and directors against liabilities, and to pay or reimburse reasonable expenses in advance of the final disposition of a proceeding, to the fullest extent permitted by the MGCL, as amended from time to time.

The MGCL permits a corporation to indemnify a director or officer who has been successful, on the merits or otherwise, in the defense of any proceeding to which he or she is made a party by reason of his or her service in that capacity. The MGCL permits a corporation to indemnify its present and former directors and officers, among others, against judgments, penalties, fines, settlements and reasonable expenses actually incurred by them in connection with any proceeding to which they may be made a party by reason of their service in those or other capacities unless it is established that:

	
 
	
•
	
an act or omission of the director or officer was material to the matter giving rise to the proceeding and:

	
 
	
o
	
was committed in bad faith; or

	
 
	
o
	
was the result of active and deliberate dishonesty;

	
 
	
•
	
the director or officer actually received an improper personal benefit in money, property or services; or

	
 
	
•
	
in the case of any criminal proceeding, the director or officer had reasonable cause to believe that the act or omission was unlawful.

However, under the MGCL, a Maryland corporation may not indemnify for an adverse judgment in a suit by or in the right of the corporation (other than for expenses incurred in a successful defense of such an action) or for a judgment of liability on the basis that personal benefit was improperly received. 

In addition, the MGCL permits a corporation to advance reasonable expenses to a director or officer upon the corporation’s receipt of:

	
 
	
•
	
a written affirmation by the director or officer of his good faith belief that he has met the standard of conduct necessary for indemnification by the corporation; and

	
 
	
•
	
a written undertaking by the director or on the director’s behalf to repay the amount paid or reimbursed by the corporation if it is ultimately determined that the director did not meet the standard of conduct.

Our bylaws obligate us, to the fullest extent permitted by Maryland law in effect from time to time, to indemnify and, without requiring a preliminary determination of the ultimate entitlement to indemnification, pay or reimburse reasonable expenses in advance of final disposition of a proceeding to:

5

 

	
 
	
•
	
any present or former director or officer who is made a party to the proceeding by reason of his or her service in that capacity; or

	
 
	
•
	
any individual who, while a director or officer of our company and at our request, serves or has served another corporation, real estate investment trust, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or any other enterprise as a director, officer, partner or trustee and who is made a party to the proceeding by reason of his or her service in that capacity.

Our bylaws also obligate us to indemnify and advance expenses to any person who served a predecessor of ours in any of the capacities described in second and third bullet points above and to any employee or agent of our company or a predecessor of our company.

Insofar as the foregoing provisions permit indemnification of directors, officers or persons controlling us for liability arising under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), we have been informed that in the opinion of the SEC, this indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is therefore unenforceable.

6

 

Description of Common Stock

The following description of the terms of our common stock is only a summary.  This summary is not complete and is qualified by the provisions of our charter and bylaws, which have been filed with the SEC and incorporated by reference herein, and the MGCL.  

General

All shares of our common stock issued are duly authorized, fully paid and nonassessable. Subject to the preferential rights of any other class or series of stock and to the provisions of the charter regarding the restrictions on transfer of stock, holders of shares of our common stock are entitled to receive dividends on such stock when, as and if authorized by our board of directors out of funds legally available therefor and declared by us and to share ratably in the assets of our company legally available for distribution to our stockholders in the event of our liquidation, dissolution or winding up after payment of or adequate provision for all known debts and liabilities of our company, including the preferential rights on dissolution of any class or classes of preferred stock.

Subject to the provisions of our charter regarding the restrictions on transfer of stock, each outstanding share of our common stock entitles the holder to one vote on all matters submitted to a vote of stockholders, including the election of directors and, except as provided with respect to any other class or series of stock, the holders of such shares will possess the exclusive voting power. There is no cumulative voting in the election of our board of directors, which means that the holders of a plurality of the outstanding shares of our common stock can elect all of the directors then standing for election and the holders of the remaining shares will not be able to elect any directors.

Holders of shares of our common stock have no preference, conversion, exchange, sinking fund, redemption or appraisal rights and have no preemptive rights to subscribe for any securities of our company. Subject to the provisions of the charter regarding the restrictions on transfer of stock, shares of our common stock will have equal dividend, liquidation and other rights.

Under the MGCL, a Maryland corporation generally cannot dissolve, amend its charter, merge, consolidate, transfer all or substantially all of its assets, engage in a statutory share exchange or engage in similar transactions outside the ordinary course of business unless declared advisable by the board of directors and approved by the affirmative vote of stockholders holding at least two-thirds of the shares entitled to vote on the matter unless a lesser percentage (but not less than a majority of all of the votes entitled to be cast on the matter) is set forth in the corporation’s charter. Our charter generally reduces the stockholder vote required for these matters to a majority of the total number of shares of all classes outstanding and entitled to vote thereon. Additionally, Maryland law permits a corporation to transfer all or substantially all of its assets without the approval of the stockholders of the corporation to one or more persons if all of the equity interests of the person or persons are owned, directly or indirectly, by the corporation. Because operating assets may be held by a corporation’s subsidiaries, as in our situation, this may mean that a subsidiary of a corporation can transfer all of its assets without a vote of the corporation’s stockholders.

Our charter authorizes our board of directors to reclassify any unissued shares of our common stock into other classes or series of classes of stock and to establish the number of shares in each class or series and to set the preferences, conversion and other rights, voting powers, restrictions, limitations as to dividends or other distributions, qualifications or terms or conditions of redemption for each such class or series.

7

 

Listing

Our common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “CMO”.

Transfer Agent and Registrar

The transfer agent and registrar for our common stock is EQ Shareowner Services.

 

8

 

Description of Preferred Stock

General

Our charter authorizes our board of directors to classify any unissued shares of preferred stock and to reclassify any previously classified but unissued shares of any series. Prior to issuance of shares of each series, our board of directors is required by the MGCL and our charter to set the terms, preferences, conversion or other rights, voting powers, restrictions, limitations as to dividends or other distributions, qualifications and terms or conditions of redemption for each such series. Thus, our board of directors could authorize the issuance of shares of preferred stock with terms and conditions that could have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a transaction or a change of control of our company that might involve a premium price for holders of our common stock or otherwise be in their best interest. 

The power of our Board to set the terms of any future series of preferred stock may include the following, to the extent set forth in the Articles Supplementary creating such series and the prospectus supplement relating to the series:

	
 
	
•
	
the title and stated value of that preferred stock;

	
 
	
•
	
the number of shares of that preferred stock offered, the liquidation preference per share and the offering price of that preferred stock;

	
 
	
•
	
the dividend rate(s), period(s) and payment date(s) or method(s) of calculation thereof applicable to that preferred stock;

	
 
	
•
	
whether dividends will be cumulative or non-cumulative and, if cumulative, the date from which dividends on that preferred stock will accumulate;

	
 
	
•
	
the voting rights applicable to that preferred stock;

	
 
	
•
	
the procedures for any auction and remarketing, if any, for that preferred stock;

	
 
	
•
	
the provisions for a sinking fund, if any, for that preferred stock;

	
 
	
•
	
the provisions for redemption including any restriction thereon, if applicable, of that preferred stock;

	
 
	
•
	
any listing of that preferred stock on any securities exchange;

	
 
	
•
	
the terms and conditions, if applicable, upon which that preferred stock will be convertible into shares of our common stock, including the conversion price (or manner of calculation of the conversion price) and conversion period;

	
 
	
•
	
a discussion of federal income tax considerations applicable to that preferred stock;

	
 
	
•
	
any limitations on issuance of any series of preferred stock ranking senior to or on a parity with that series of preferred stock as to dividend rights and rights upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up of our affairs;

	
 
	
•
	
in addition to those limitations described above under “Description of Capital Stock — Restrictions on Ownership and Transfer,” any other limitations on actual and constructive ownership and restrictions on transfer, in each case as may be appropriate to preserve our status as a REIT; and

	
 
	
•
	
any other specific terms, preferences, rights, limitations or restrictions of that preferred stock.

Rank Within Our Capital Structure

Unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, the preferred stock will, with respect to dividend rights and rights upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up of our affairs rank:

9

 

	
 
	
•
	
senior to all classes or series of common stock and to all equity securities ranking junior to the preferred stock with respect to dividend rights or rights upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up of our affairs;

	
 
	
•
	
on a parity with all equity securities issued by us the terms of which specifically provide that those equity securities rank on a parity with the preferred stock with respect to dividend rights or rights upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up of our affairs; and

	
 
	
•
	
junior to all equity securities issued by us the terms of which specifically provide that those equity securities rank senior to the preferred stock with respect to dividend rights or rights upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up of our affairs.

The term “equity securities” does not include convertible debt securities.

Dividends

Subject to the preferential rights of any other class or series of stock and to the provisions of the charter regarding the restrictions on transfer of stock, holders of shares of our preferred stock will be entitled to receive dividends on such stock when, as and if authorized by our board of directors out of funds legally available therefor and declared by us, at rates and on dates as will be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement.

Dividends on any series or class of our preferred stock may be cumulative or noncumulative, as provided in the applicable prospectus supplement. Dividends, if cumulative, will be cumulative from and after the date set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement. If our board of directors fails to authorize a dividend payable on a dividend payment date on any series or class of preferred stock for which dividends are noncumulative, then the holders of that series or class of preferred stock will have no right to receive a dividend in respect of the dividend period ending on that dividend payment date, and we will have no obligation to pay the dividend accrued for that period, whether or not dividends on such series or class are declared or paid for any future period.

If any shares of preferred stock of any series or class are outstanding, no dividends may be authorized or paid or set apart for payment on the preferred stock of any other series or class ranking, as to dividends, on a parity with or junior to the preferred stock of that series or class for any period unless:

	
 
	
•
	
the series or class of preferred stock has a cumulative dividend, and full cumulative dividends have been or contemporaneously are authorized and paid or authorized and a sum sufficient for the payment of those dividends is set apart for payment on the preferred stock of that series or class for all past dividend periods and the then current dividend period; or

	
 
	
•
	
the series or class of preferred stock does not have a cumulative dividend, and full dividends for the then current dividend period have been or contemporaneously are authorized and paid or authorized and a sum sufficient for the payment of those dividends is set apart for the payment on the preferred stock of that series or class.

When dividends are not paid in full (or a sum sufficient for the full payment is not set apart) upon the shares of preferred stock of any series or class and the shares of any other series or class of preferred stock ranking on a parity as to dividends with the preferred stock of that series or class, then all dividends authorized on shares of preferred stock of that series or class and any other series or class of preferred stock ranking on a parity as to dividends with that preferred stock shall be authorized pro rata so that the amount of dividends authorized per share on the preferred stock of that series or class and other series or class of preferred stock will in all cases bear to each other the same ratio that accrued dividends per share on the shares of preferred stock of that series or class (which will not include any accumulation in respect of unpaid 

10

 

dividends for prior dividend periods if the preferred stock does not have a cumulative dividend) and that other series or class of preferred stock bear to each other. No interest, or sum of money in lieu of interest, will be payable in respect of any dividend payment or payments on preferred stock of that series or class that may be in arrears.

Redemption

We may have the right or may be required to redeem one or more series of preferred stock, in whole or in part, in each case upon the terms, if any, and at the time and at the redemption prices set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement.

If a series of preferred stock is subject to mandatory redemption, we will specify in the applicable prospectus supplement the number of shares we are required to redeem, when those redemptions start, the redemption price, and any other terms and conditions affecting the redemption. The redemption price will include all accrued and unpaid dividends, except in the case of noncumulative preferred stock. The redemption price may be payable in cash or other property, as specified in the applicable prospectus supplement. If the redemption price for preferred stock of any series or class is payable only from the net proceeds of the issuance of our stock, the terms of that preferred stock may provide that, if no such stock shall have been issued or to the extent the net proceeds from any issuance are insufficient to pay in full the aggregate redemption price then due, that preferred stock shall automatically and mandatorily be converted into shares of our applicable stock pursuant to conversion provisions specified in the applicable prospectus supplement.

Liquidation Preference

Upon any voluntary or involuntary liquidation or dissolution of us or winding up of our affairs, then, before any distribution or payment will be made to the holders of common stock or any other series or class of stock ranking junior to any series or class of the preferred stock in the distribution of assets upon any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of our affairs, the holders of that series or class of preferred stock will be entitled to receive out of our assets legally available for distribution to shareholders liquidating distributions in the amount of the liquidation preference per share (set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement), plus an amount equal to all dividends accrued and unpaid on the preferred stock (which will not include any accumulation in respect of unpaid dividends for prior dividend periods if the preferred stock does not have a cumulative dividend). After payment of the full amount of the liquidating distributions to which they are entitled, the holders of preferred stock will have no right or claim to any of our remaining assets.

If, upon any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up, the legally available assets are insufficient to pay the amount of the liquidating distributions on all outstanding shares of any series or class of preferred stock and the corresponding amounts payable on all shares of other classes or series of our stock of ranking on a parity with that series or class of preferred stock in the distribution of assets upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up, then the holders of that series or class of preferred stock and all other classes or series of capital stock will share ratably in any distribution of assets in proportion to the full liquidating distributions to which they would otherwise be respectively entitled.

If liquidating distributions have been made in full to all holders of any series or class of preferred stock, our remaining assets will be distributed among the holders of any other classes or series of stock ranking junior to that series or class of preferred stock upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up, according to their respective rights and preferences and in each case according to their respective number of shares. For these purposes, the consolidation or merger of us with or into any other entity, or the sale, 

11

 

lease, transfer or conveyance of all or substantially all of our property or business, will not be deemed to constitute a liquidation, dissolution or winding up of our affairs.

Voting Rights

Holders of preferred stock will not have any voting rights, except as provided for in the Articles Supplementary establishing a series or class of preferred stock and as described in the applicable prospectus supplement.

Conversion Rights

The terms and conditions, if any, upon which shares of any series or class of preferred stock are convertible into shares of common stock will be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement. The terms will include:

	
 
	
•
	
the number of shares of common stock into which the preferred stock is convertible;

	
 
	
•
	
the conversion price (or manner of calculation of the conversion price);

	
 
	
•
	
the conversion period;

	
 
	
•
	
provisions as to whether conversion will be at the option of the holders of the preferred stock or us,

	
 
	
•
	
the events requiring an adjustment of the conversion price; and

	
 
	
•
	
provisions affecting conversion in the event of the redemption of the preferred stock.

Description of Series E Preferred Stock

Our board of directors has classified 16,329,039 shares of our Preferred Stock as Series E Preferred Stock, of which 10,329,039 were outstanding as of December 31, 2019. The Series E Preferred Stock generally provides for the following rights, preferences and obligations.

Maturity

The Series E Preferred Stock has no stated maturity and is not subject to any sinking fund or mandatory redemption. Shares of the Series E Preferred Stock will remain outstanding indefinitely unless we decide to redeem or otherwise repurchase them or they become convertible and are converted as described below under “—Change of Control Conversion Right.” We are not required to set apart for payment the funds to redeem the Series E Preferred Stock.

Ranking

The Series E Preferred Stock ranks, with respect to rights to the payment of dividends and the distribution of assets upon our liquidation, dissolution or winding up:

	
 
	
(1)
	
senior to all classes or series of our common stock and to all other equity securities issued by us other than equity securities referred to in clauses (2) and (3) below;

	
 
	
(2)
	
on a parity with all equity securities issued by us with terms specifically providing that those equity securities rank on a parity with the Series E Preferred Stock, with respect to rights to the payment of dividends and the distribution of assets upon our liquidation, dissolution or winding up;

	
 
	
(3)
	
junior to all equity securities issued by us with terms specifically providing that those equity securities rank senior to the Series E Preferred Stock with respect to rights to the payment of dividends and the distribution of assets upon our liquidation, dissolution or winding up (please see the section entitled “—Limited Voting Rights” below); and

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(4)
	
effectively junior to all of our existing and future indebtedness (including indebtedness convertible to our common stock or preferred stock, if any) and to the indebtedness of our existing subsidiaries and any future subsidiaries.

Dividends

Holders of shares of the Series E Preferred Stock are entitled to receive, when, as and if authorized by our board of directors and declared by us, out of funds legally available for the payment of dividends, cumulative cash dividends at the rate of 7.50% of the $25.00 per share liquidation preference per annum (equivalent to $1.875 per annum per share). Dividends on the Series E Preferred Stock shall accumulate daily and be cumulative from, and including, the date of original issue and shall be payable quarterly in arrears on the 15th day of each January, April, July and October (each, a “dividend payment date”) with respect to the immediately preceding dividend period; provided that if any dividend payment date is not a business day, as defined in the Articles Supplementary, then the dividend which would otherwise have been payable on that dividend payment date may be paid on the next succeeding business day and no interest, additional dividends or other sums will accumulate on the amount so payable for the period from and after that dividend payment date to that next succeeding business day. Any dividend payable on the Series E Preferred Stock, including dividends payable for any partial dividend period, will be computed on the basis of a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months. Dividends will be payable to holders of record as they appear in our stock records for the Series E Preferred Stock at the close of business on the applicable record date, which shall be the last day of the calendar quarter, whether or not a business day, immediately preceding the applicable dividend payment date (each, a “dividend record date”).

No dividends on shares of Series E Preferred Stock shall be authorized by our board of directors or paid or set apart for payment by us at any time when the terms and provisions of any agreement of ours, including any agreement relating to our indebtedness, prohibit the authorization, payment or setting apart for payment thereof or provide that the authorization, payment or setting apart for payment thereof would constitute a breach of the agreement or a default under the agreement, or if the authorization, payment or setting apart for payment shall be restricted or prohibited by law.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, dividends on the Series E Preferred Stock will accumulate whether or not we have earnings, whether or not there are funds legally available for the payment of those dividends and whether or not those dividends are declared. No interest, or sum in lieu of interest, will be payable in respect of any dividend payment or payments on the Series E Preferred Stock which may be in arrears, and holders of the Series E Preferred Stock will not be entitled to any dividends in excess of full cumulative dividends described above. Any dividend payment made on the Series E Preferred Stock shall first be credited against the earliest accumulated but unpaid dividend due with respect to those shares.

Unless full cumulative dividends on the Series E Preferred Stock have been or contemporaneously are declared and paid or declared and a sum sufficient for the payment thereof is set apart for payment for all past dividend periods, no dividends (other than in shares of common stock or in shares of any series of preferred stock that we may issue ranking junior to the Series E Preferred Stock as to dividends and upon liquidation) shall be declared or paid or set apart for payment upon shares of our common stock or preferred stock that we may issue ranking junior to or on a parity with the Series E Preferred Stock as to dividends or upon liquidation. Nor shall any other distribution be declared or made upon shares of our common stock or preferred stock that we may issue ranking junior to or on a parity with the Series E Preferred Stock as to dividends or upon liquidation. In addition, any shares of our common stock or preferred stock that we may issue ranking junior to or on a parity with the Series E Preferred Stock as to dividends or upon liquidation shall not be redeemed, purchased or otherwise acquired for any consideration (or any moneys be paid to or 

13

 

made available for a sinking fund for the redemption of any such shares) by us (except by conversion into or exchange for our other capital stock that we may issue ranking junior to the Series E Preferred Stock as to dividends and upon liquidation and except for transfers made pursuant to the provisions of our charter relating to restrictions on transfer and ownership of our capital stock). The foregoing shall not, however, prevent the purchase or acquisition by us of shares of any class or series of stock pursuant to the provision of Article VIII of our charter relating to restrictions on transfer and ownership or pursuant to a purchase or exchange offer made on the same terms to holders of all outstanding shares of Series E Preferred Stock and any preferred stock that we may issue ranking on parity with the Series E Preferred Stock as to dividends or upon liquidation.

When dividends are not paid in full (or a sum sufficient for such full payment is not so set apart) upon the Series E Preferred Stock and the shares of any other series of preferred stock that we may issue ranking on a parity as to dividends with the Series E Preferred Stock, all dividends declared upon the Series E Preferred Stock and such other series of preferred stock shall be declared pro rata so that the amount of dividends declared per share of Series E Preferred Stock and such other series of preferred stock shall in all cases bear to each other the same ratio that accumulated dividends per share on the Series E Preferred Stock and such other series of preferred stock (which shall not include any accrual in respect of unpaid dividends for prior dividend periods if such preferred stock does not have a cumulative dividend) bear to each other. No interest, or sum of money in lieu of interest, shall be payable in respect of any dividend payment or payments on the Series E Preferred Stock which may be in arrears.

Liquidation Preference

In the event of our voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up, the holders of shares of Series E Preferred Stock will be entitled to be paid out of the assets we have legally available for distribution to our stockholders, subject to the preferential rights of the holders of any class or series of our stock we may issue ranking senior to the Series E Preferred Stock with respect to the distribution of assets upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up, a liquidation preference of $25.00 per share, plus an amount equal to any accumulated and unpaid dividends to, but not including, the date of payment, before any distribution of assets is made to holders of our common stock or any other class or series of our stock we may issue that ranks junior to the Series E Preferred Stock as to liquidation rights.

In the event that, upon any such voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up, our available assets are insufficient to pay the amount of the liquidating distributions on all outstanding shares of Series E Preferred Stock and the corresponding amounts payable on all shares of other classes or series of our capital stock that we may issue ranking on a parity with the Series E Preferred Stock in the distribution of assets, then the holders of the Series E Preferred Stock and all other such classes or series of capital stock shall share ratably in any such distribution of assets in proportion to the full liquidating distributions to which they would otherwise be respectively entitled.

Holders of Series E Preferred Stock will be entitled to written notice of any such liquidation no fewer than 30 days and no more than 60 days prior to the payment date. After payment of the full amount of the liquidating distributions to which they are entitled, the holders of Series E Preferred Stock will have no right or claim to any of our remaining assets. The consolidation or merger of us with or into any other corporation, trust or entity or of any other entity with or into us, or the sale, lease, transfer or conveyance of all or substantially all of our property or business, shall not be deemed to constitute a liquidation, dissolution or winding up of us (although such events may give rise to the special optional redemption and contingent conversion rights described below).

Redemption

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The Series E Preferred Stock is not redeemable by us prior to May 13, 2018, except as described below under “—Special Optional Redemption Upon Change of Control” and except that, as provided in our charter, we may purchase or redeem shares of the Series E Preferred Stock prior to that date in order to preserve our qualification as a REIT. Please see the section entitled “Description of Our Capital Stock—Restrictions on Ownership and Transfer” in this exhibit.

Optional Redemption. On and after May 13, 2018, we may, at our option, upon not less than 30 nor more than 60 days’ written notice, redeem the Series E Preferred Stock, in whole or in part, at any time or from time to time, for cash at a redemption price of $25.00 per share, plus any accumulated and unpaid dividends thereon to, but not including, the date fixed for redemption.

Special Optional Redemption Upon Change of Control. Upon the occurrence of a Change of Control, we may, at our option, upon not less than 30 nor more than 60 days’ written notice, redeem the Series E Preferred Stock, in whole or in part, within 120 days after the first date on which such Change of Control occurred, for cash at a redemption price of $25.00 per share, plus any accumulated and unpaid dividends thereon to, but not including, the date fixed for redemption. If, prior to the Change of Control Conversion Date, we have provided notice of our election to redeem some or all of the shares of Series E Preferred Stock (whether pursuant to our optional redemption right described above under “—Optional Redemption” or this special optional redemption right), the holders of Series E Preferred Stock will not have the Change of Control Conversion Right (as defined below) described below under “—Change of Control Conversion Right” with respect to the shares called for redemption.

A “Change of Control” is deemed to occur when, after the original issuance of the Series E Preferred Stock, the following have occurred and are continuing:

	
 
	
•
	
the acquisition by any person, including any syndicate or group deemed to be a “person” under Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act, of beneficial ownership, directly or indirectly, through a purchase, merger or other acquisition transaction or series of purchases, mergers or other acquisition transactions of our stock entitling that person to exercise more than 50% of the total voting power of all our stock entitled to vote generally in the election of our directors (except that such person will be deemed to have beneficial ownership of all securities that such person has the right to acquire, whether such right is currently exercisable or is exercisable only upon the occurrence of a subsequent condition); and

	
 
	
•
	
following the closing of any transaction referred to in the bullet point above, neither we nor the acquiring or surviving entity has a class of common securities (or American Depositary Receipts representing such securities) listed on the NYSE, the NYSE American or the Nasdaq, or listed or quoted on an exchange or quotation system that is a successor to the NYSE, the NYSE American or Nasdaq.

Redemption Procedures. In the event we elect to redeem Series E Preferred Stock, the notice of redemption will be mailed to each holder of record of Series E Preferred Stock called for redemption at such holder’s address as it appears on our stock transfer records and will state the following:

	
 
	
•
	
the redemption date;

	
 
	
•
	
the number of shares of Series E Preferred Stock to be redeemed;

	
 
	
•
	
the redemption price;

	
 
	
•
	
the place or places where certificates (if any) for the Series E Preferred Stock are to be surrendered for payment of the redemption price;

	
 
	
•
	
that dividends on the shares to be redeemed will cease to accumulate on the redemption date;

15

 

	
 
	
•
	
whether such redemption is being made pursuant to the provisions described above under “—Optional Redemption” or “—Special Optional Redemption Upon Change of Control”;

	
 
	
•
	
if applicable, that such redemption is being made in connection with a Change of Control and, in that case, a brief description of the transaction or transactions constituting such Change of Control; and

	
 
	
•
	
if such redemption is being made in connection with a Change of Control, that the holders of the shares of Series E Preferred Stock being so called for redemption will not be able to tender such shares of Series E Preferred Stock for conversion in connection with the Change of Control and that each share of Series E Preferred Stock tendered for conversion that is called, prior to the Change of Control Conversion Date (as defined below), for redemption will be redeemed on the related date of redemption instead of converted on the Change of Control Conversion Date.

If less than all of the Series E Preferred Stock held by any holder is to be redeemed, the notice mailed to such holder shall also specify the number of shares of Series E Preferred Stock held by such holder to be redeemed. No failure to give such notice or any defect thereto or in the mailing thereof shall affect the validity of the proceedings for the redemption of any shares of Series E Preferred Stock, except as to the holder to whom notice was defective or not given.

Holders of shares of Series E Preferred Stock to be redeemed shall surrender the Series E Preferred Stock at the place designated in the notice of redemption and shall be entitled to the redemption price and any accumulated and unpaid dividends payable upon the redemption following the surrender. If notice of redemption of any shares of Series E Preferred Stock has been given and if we have irrevocably set apart for payment the funds necessary for redemption in trust for the benefit of the holders of the shares of Series E Preferred Stock so called for redemption, then from and after the redemption date (unless default shall be made by us in providing for the payment of the redemption price plus accumulated and unpaid dividends, if any), dividends will cease to accumulate on those shares of Series E Preferred Stock, those shares of Series E Preferred Stock shall no longer be deemed outstanding and all rights of the holders of those shares will terminate, except the right to receive the redemption price plus accumulated and unpaid dividends, if any, payable upon redemption. If any redemption date is not a business day, then the redemption price and accumulated and unpaid dividends, if any, payable upon redemption may be paid on the next business day and no interest, additional dividends or other sums will accumulate on the amount payable for the period from and after that redemption date to that next business day. If less than all of the outstanding Series E Preferred Stock is to be redeemed, the Series E Preferred Stock to be redeemed shall be selected pro rata (as nearly as may be practicable without creating fractional shares) or by any other equitable method we determine but that will not result in the automatic transfer of any shares of Series E Preferred Stock to a trust as described below under “—Restrictions on Transfer and Ownership.”

Immediately prior to any redemption of Series E Preferred Stock, we shall pay, in cash, any accumulated and unpaid dividends to, but not including, the redemption date, unless a redemption date falls after a dividend record date and prior to the corresponding dividend payment date, in which case each holder of Series E Preferred Stock at the close of business on such dividend record date shall be entitled to the dividend payable on such shares on the corresponding dividend payment date notwithstanding the redemption of such shares before such dividend payment date. Except as provided above, we will make no payment or allowance for unpaid dividends, whether or not in arrears, on shares of the Series E Preferred Stock to be redeemed.

Unless full cumulative dividends on all shares of Series E Preferred Stock shall have been or contemporaneously are declared and paid or declared and a sum sufficient for the payment thereof has been 

16

 

or contemporaneously is set apart for payment for all past dividend periods, no shares of Series E Preferred Stock shall be redeemed unless all outstanding shares of Series E Preferred Stock are simultaneously redeemed, and we shall not purchase or otherwise acquire directly or indirectly any shares of Series E Preferred Stock (except by exchanging it for our capital stock ranking junior to the Series E Preferred Stock as to dividends and upon liquidation); provided, however, that the foregoing shall not prevent the purchase or acquisition by us of shares of Series E Preferred Stock to preserve our REIT status or pursuant to a purchase or exchange offer made on the same terms to holders of all outstanding shares of Series E Preferred Stock.

Subject to applicable law, we may purchase shares of Series E Preferred Stock in the open market, by tender or by private agreement. Any shares of Series E Preferred Stock that we acquire may be retired and re-classified as authorized but unissued shares of preferred stock, without designation as to class or series, and may thereafter be reissued as any class or series of preferred stock.

Change of Control Conversion Right

Upon the occurrence of a Change of Control, each holder of Series E Preferred Stock will have the right (unless, prior to the Change of Control Conversion Date, we have provided notice of our election to redeem some or all of the shares of Series E Preferred Stock held by such holder as described above under “—Redemption—Optional Redemption” or “—Redemption—Special Optional Redemption Upon Change of Control,” in which case such holder will have the right only with respect to shares of Series E Preferred Stock that are not called for redemption) to convert some or all of the shares of the Series E Preferred Stock held by such holder (the “Change of Control Conversion Right”) on the Change of Control Conversion Date into a number of shares of our common stock per share of Series E Preferred Stock (the “Common Stock Conversion Consideration”) equal to the lesser of:

	
 
	
•
	
the quotient obtained by dividing (i) the sum of the $25.00 liquidation preference per share of Series E Preferred Stock plus the amount of any accumulated and unpaid dividends thereon to, but not including, the Change of Control Conversion Date (unless the Change of Control Conversion Date is after a dividend record date and prior to the corresponding dividend payment date for the Series E Preferred Stock, in which case no additional amount for such accumulated and unpaid dividends will be included in this sum) by (ii) the Common Stock Price, as defined below (such quotient, the “Conversion Rate”); and

	
 
	
•
	
3.81388 (the “Share Cap”), subject to certain adjustments as described below.

Anything in the Articles Supplementary to the contrary notwithstanding and except as otherwise required by law, the persons who are the holders of record of shares of Series E Preferred Stock at the close of business on a dividend record date will be entitled to receive the dividend payable on the corresponding dividend payment date notwithstanding the conversion of those shares after such dividend record date and on or prior to such dividend payment date and, in such case, the full amount of such dividend shall be paid on such dividend payment date to the persons who were the holders of record at the close of business on such dividend record date. Except as provided above, we will make no allowance for unpaid dividends that are not in arrears on the shares of Series E Preferred Stock to be converted.

The Share Cap is subject to pro rata adjustments for any share splits (including those effected pursuant to a distribution of our common stock to existing holders of our common stock), subdivisions or combinations (in each case, a “Share Split”) with respect to our common stock as follows: the adjusted Share Cap as the result of a Share Split will be the number of shares of our common stock that is equivalent to the product obtained by multiplying (i) the Share Cap in effect immediately prior to such Share Split by 

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(ii) a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of shares of our common stock outstanding immediately after giving effect to such Share Split and the denominator of which is the number of shares of our common stock outstanding immediately prior to such Share Split.

For the avoidance of doubt, subject to the immediately succeeding sentence, the aggregate number of shares of our common stock (or equivalent Alternative Conversion Consideration (as defined below), as applicable) issuable or deliverable, as applicable, in connection with the exercise of the Change of Control Conversion Right will not exceed the product of the Share Cap times the aggregate number of shares of the Series E Preferred Stock issued and outstanding at the Change of Control Conversion Date (or equivalent Alternative Conversion Consideration, as applicable) (the “Exchange Cap”). The Exchange Cap is subject to pro rata adjustments for any Share Splits on the same basis as the corresponding adjustment to the Share Cap.

In the case of a Change of Control pursuant to which our common stock is or will be converted into cash, securities or other property or assets (including any combination thereof) (the “Alternative Form Consideration”), a holder of Series E Preferred Stock will receive upon conversion of such shares of the Series E Preferred Stock, the kind and amount of Alternative Form Consideration which such holder would have owned or been entitled to receive upon the Change of Control had such holder held a number of shares of our common stock equal to the Common Stock Conversion Consideration immediately prior to the effective time of the Change of Control (the “Alternative Conversion Consideration”); the Common Stock Conversion Consideration or the Alternative Conversion Consideration, whichever shall be applicable to a Change of Control, is referred to as the “Conversion Consideration”).

If the holders of our common stock have the opportunity to elect the form of consideration to be received in the Change of Control, the consideration in respect of such Change of Control will be deemed to be the kind and amount of consideration actually received by holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of our common stock that made or voted for such an election (if electing between two types of consideration) or holders of a plurality of the outstanding shares of our common stock that made or voted for such an election (if electing between more than two types of consideration), as the case may be, and will be subject to any limitations to which all holders of our common stock are subject, including, without limitation, pro rata reductions applicable to any portion of the consideration payable in such Change of Control.

We will not issue fractional shares of our common stock upon the conversion of the Series E Preferred Stock in connection with a Change of Control. Instead, we will make a cash payment equal to the value of such fractional shares based upon the Common Stock Price used in determining the Common Stock Conversion Consideration for such Change of Control.

Within 15 days following the occurrence of a Change of Control, provided that we have not then exercised our right to redeem all shares of Series E Preferred Stock pursuant to the redemption provisions described above, we will provide to holders of Series E Preferred Stock a notice of occurrence of the Change of Control that describes the resulting Change of Control Conversion Right. This notice will state the following:

	
 
	
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the events constituting the Change of Control;

	
 
	
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the date of the Change of Control;

	
 
	
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the last date on which the holders of Series E Preferred Stock may exercise their Change of Control Conversion Right;

	
 
	
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the method and period for calculating the Common Stock Price;

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the Change of Control Conversion Date;

	
 
	
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that if, prior to the Change of Control Conversion Date, we have provided notice of our election to redeem all or any shares of Series E Preferred Stock, holders will not be able to convert the shares of Series E Preferred Stock called for redemption and such shares will be redeemed on the related redemption date, even if such shares have already been tendered for conversion pursuant to the Change of Control Conversion Right;

	
 
	
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if applicable, the type and amount of Alternative Conversion Consideration entitled to be received per share of Series E Preferred Stock;

	
 
	
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the name and address of the paying agent, transfer agent and conversion agent for the Series E Preferred Stock;

	
 
	
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the procedures that the holders of Series E Preferred Stock must follow to exercise the Change of Control Conversion Right (including procedures for surrendering shares for conversion through the facilities of a Depositary (as defined below)), including the form of conversion notice to be delivered by such holders as described below; and

	
 
	
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the last date on which holders of Series E Preferred Stock may withdraw shares surrendered for conversion and the procedures that such holders must follow to effect such a withdrawal.

Under such circumstances, we also will issue a press release containing such notice for publication on Dow Jones & Company, Inc., Business Wire, PR Newswire or Bloomberg Business News (or, if these organizations are not in existence at the time of issuance of the press release, such other news or press organization as is reasonably calculated to broadly disseminate the relevant information to the public), and post a notice on our website, in any event prior to the opening of business on the first business day following any date on which we provide the notice described above to the holders of Series E Preferred Stock.

To exercise the Change of Control Conversion Right, the holders of Series E Preferred Stock will be required to deliver, on or before the close of business on the Change of Control Conversion Date, the certificates (if any) representing the shares of Series E Preferred Stock to be converted, duly endorsed for transfer (or, in the case of any shares of Series E Preferred Stock held in book-entry form through a Depositary, to deliver, on or before the close of business on the Change of Control Conversion Date, the shares of Series E Preferred Stock to be converted through the facilities of such Depositary), together with a written conversion notice in the form provided by us, duly completed, to our transfer agent. The conversion notice must state:

	
 
	
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the relevant Change of Control Conversion Date;

	
 
	
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the number of shares of Series E Preferred Stock to be converted; and

	
 
	
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that the shares of the Series E Preferred Stock are to be converted pursuant to the applicable provisions of the Series E Preferred Stock.

The “Change of Control Conversion Date” is the date the Series E Preferred Stock is to be converted, which will be a business day selected by us that is no fewer than 20 days nor more than 35 days after the date on which we provide the notice described above to the holders of Series E Preferred Stock.

The “Common Stock Price” is (i) if the consideration to be received in the Change of Control by the holders of our common stock is solely cash, the amount of cash consideration per share of our common stock or (ii) if the consideration to be received in the Change of Control by holders of our common stock is other than solely cash (x) the average of the closing sale prices per share of our common stock (or, if no closing sale price is reported, the average of the closing bid and ask prices per share or, if more than one in either case, the average of the average closing bid and the average closing ask prices per share) for the ten consecutive trading days immediately preceding, but not including, the date on which such Change of 

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Control occurred as reported on the principal U.S. securities exchange on which our common stock is then traded, or (y) the average of the last quoted bid prices for our common stock in the over-the-counter market as reported by Pink OTC Markets Inc. or similar organization for the ten consecutive trading days immediately preceding, but not including, the date on which such Change of Control occurred, if our common stock is not then listed for trading on a U.S. securities exchange.

Holders of Series E Preferred Stock may withdraw any notice of exercise of a Change of Control Conversion Right (in whole or in part) by a written notice of withdrawal delivered to our transfer agent prior to the close of business on the business day prior to the Change of Control Conversion Date. The notice of withdrawal delivered by any holder must state:

	
 
	
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the number of withdrawn shares of Series E Preferred Stock;

	
 
	
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if certificated Series E Preferred Stock has been surrendered for conversion, the certificate numbers of the withdrawn shares of Series E Preferred Stock; and

	
 
	
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the number of shares of Series E Preferred Stock, if any, which remain subject to the holder’s conversion notice.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, if any shares of Series E Preferred Stock are held in book-entry form through The Depository Trust Company (“DTC”) or a similar depositary (each, a “Depositary”), the conversion notice and/or the notice of withdrawal, as applicable, must comply with applicable procedures, if any, of the applicable Depositary.

Series E Preferred Stock as to which the Change of Control Conversion Right has been properly exercised and for which the conversion notice has not been properly withdrawn will be converted into the applicable Conversion Consideration in accordance with the Change of Control Conversion Right on the Change of Control Conversion Date, unless prior to the Change of Control Conversion Date we have provided notice of our election to redeem some or all of the shares of Series E Preferred Stock, as described above under “—Redemption—Optional Redemption” or “—Redemption—Special Optional Redemption Upon Change of Control,” in which case only the shares of Series E Preferred Stock properly surrendered for conversion and not properly withdrawn that are not called for redemption will be converted as aforesaid. If we elect to redeem shares of Series E Preferred Stock that would otherwise be converted into the applicable Conversion Consideration on a Change of Control Conversion Date, such shares of Series E Preferred Stock will not be so converted and the holders of such shares will be entitled to receive on the applicable redemption date the redemption price described above under “—Redemption—Optional Redemption” or “—Redemption—Special Optional Redemption Upon Change of Control,” as applicable.

We will deliver all securities, cash and any other property owing upon conversion no later than the third business day following the Change of Control Conversion Date. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the persons entitled to receive any shares of our common stock or other securities delivered on conversion will be deemed to have become the holders of record thereof as of the Change of Control Conversion Date.

In connection with the exercise of any Change of Control Conversion Right, we will comply with all federal and state securities laws and stock exchange rules in connection with any conversion of shares of the Series E Preferred Stock into shares of our common stock or other property. Notwithstanding any other provision of the Series E Preferred Stock, no holder of Series E Preferred Stock will be entitled to convert such shares of the Series E Preferred Stock into shares of our common stock to the extent that receipt of such shares of common stock would cause such holder (or any other person) to exceed the applicable share ownership limitations contained in our charter. Please see the section entitled “—Restrictions on Ownership and Transfer.”

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The Change of Control conversion feature may make it more difficult for a third party to acquire us or discourage a party from acquiring us.

Except as provided above in connection with a Change of Control, the Series E Preferred Stock is not convertible into or exchangeable for any other securities or property.

Limited Voting Rights

Holders of the Series E Preferred Stock do not have any voting rights, except as set forth below.

Whenever dividends on any shares of Series E Preferred Stock are in arrears for six or more quarterly dividend periods, whether or not consecutive, the number of directors constituting our board of directors will be automatically increased by two (if not already increased by two by reason of the election of directors by the holders of any other class or series of our preferred stock we have issued or may issue upon which like voting rights have been conferred and are exercisable and with which the Series E Preferred Stock is entitled to vote as a class with respect to the election of those two directors), and the holders of Series E Preferred Stock, voting as a single class with all other classes or series of preferred stock we have issued or may issue upon which like voting rights have been conferred and are exercisable and which are entitled to vote as a class with the Series E Preferred Stock in the election of those two directors will be entitled to vote for the election of those two additional directors at a special meeting called by us at the request of the holders of record of at least 25% of the outstanding shares of Series E Preferred Stock or by the holders of any other class or series of preferred stock upon which like voting rights have been conferred and are exercisable and which are entitled to vote as a class with the Series E Preferred Stock in the election of those two directors (unless the request is received less than 90 days before the date fixed for the next annual or special meeting of stockholders, in which case, such vote will be held at the earlier of the next annual or special meeting of stockholders), and at each subsequent annual meeting until all dividends accumulated on the Series E Preferred Stock for all past dividend periods and the then current dividend period shall have been fully paid or declared and a sum sufficient for the payment thereof set apart for payment. In that case, the right of holders of the Series E Preferred Stock to elect any directors will cease and, unless there are other classes or series of our preferred stock upon which like voting rights have been conferred and are exercisable, the term of office of any directors elected by holders of the Series E Preferred Stock shall immediately terminate and the number of directors constituting the board of directors shall be reduced accordingly. For the avoidance of doubt, in no event shall the total number of directors elected by holders of the Series E Preferred Stock (voting together as a separate class with all other classes or series of preferred stock we may issue upon which like voting rights have been conferred and are exercisable and which are entitled to vote as a class with the Series E Preferred Stock in the election of such directors) pursuant to these voting rights exceed two.

If a special meeting is not called by us within 30 days after request from the holders of Series E Preferred Stock as described above, then the holders of record of at least 25% of the outstanding Series E Preferred Stock may designate a holder to call the meeting at our expense.

On each matter on which holders of Series E Preferred Stock are entitled to vote, each share of Series E Preferred Stock will be entitled to one vote, except that when shares of any other class or series of our preferred stock have the right to vote with the Series E Preferred Stock as a single class on any matter, the Series E Preferred Stock and the shares of each such other class or series will have one vote for each $25.00 of liquidation preference (excluding accumulated dividends).

So long as any shares of Series E Preferred Stock remain outstanding, we will not, without the affirmative vote or consent of the holders of at least two-thirds of the shares of the Series E Preferred Stock 

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outstanding at the time, voting together as a single class with all series of Preferred Stock ranking on a parity with the Series E Preferred Stock that we may issue and upon which like voting rights have been conferred and are exercisable, given in person or by proxy, either in writing or at a meeting, (a) authorize or create, or increase the authorized or issued amount of, any class or series of capital stock ranking senior to the Series E Preferred Stock with respect to payment of dividends or the distribution of assets upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up or reclassify any of our authorized capital stock into such shares, or create, authorize or issue any obligation or security convertible into or evidencing the right to purchase any such shares; or (b) amend, alter or repeal the provisions of our charter, whether by merger, consolidation or otherwise, so as to materially and adversely affect any right, preference, privilege or voting power of the Series E Preferred Stock (each, an “Event”); provided, however, with respect to the occurrence of any Event set forth in (b) above, so long as the Series E Preferred Stock remains outstanding with the terms thereof materially unchanged, taking into account that, upon an occurrence of an Event, we may not be the surviving entity, the occurrence of any such Event shall not be deemed to materially and adversely affect such rights, preferences, privileges or voting power of holders of the Series E Preferred Stock and, provided further, that any increase in the amount of the authorized common stock or preferred stock, including the Series E Preferred Stock, or the creation or issuance of any additional Series E Preferred Stock or other series of preferred stock that we may issue, or any increase in the amount of authorized shares of such series, in each case ranking on a parity with or junior to the Series E Preferred Stock that we may issue with respect to payment of dividends or the distribution of assets upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up, shall not be deemed to materially and adversely affect such rights, preferences, privileges or voting powers. Notwithstanding the foregoing, holders of any parity preferred stock shall not be entitled to vote together as a class with the holders of Series E Preferred Stock on any amendment, alteration or repeal of our charter unless such action affects the holders of the Series E Preferred Stock and such parity preferred stock equally.

The foregoing voting provisions will not apply if, at or prior to the time when the act with respect to which such vote would otherwise be required shall be effected, all outstanding shares of Series E Preferred Stock shall have been redeemed or called for redemption upon proper notice and sufficient funds shall have been deposited in trust to effect such redemption.

Except as expressly stated in the articles supplementary, the Series E Preferred Stock does not have any relative, participating, optional or other special voting rights or powers and the consent of the holders thereof shall not be required for the taking of any corporate action.

Information Rights

During any period in which we are not subject to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act and any shares of Series E Preferred Stock are outstanding, we will use our best efforts to (i) transmit by mail (or other permissible means under the Exchange Act) to all holders of Series E Preferred Stock, as their names and addresses appear on our record books and without cost to such holders, copies of the annual reports on Form 10-K and quarterly reports on Form 10-Q that we would have been required to file with the SEC pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act if we were subject thereto (other than any exhibits that would have been required) and (ii) promptly, upon request, supply copies of such reports to any holders or prospective holder of Series E Preferred Stock. We will use our best effort to mail (or otherwise provide) the information to the holders of the Series E Preferred Stock within 15 days after the respective dates by which a periodic report on Form 10-K or Form 10-Q, as the case may be, in respect of such information would have been required to be filed with the SEC, if we were subject to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, in each case, based on the dates on which we would be required to file such periodic reports if we were a “non-accelerated filer” within the meaning of the Exchange Act.

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Preemptive Rights

No holders of the Series E Preferred Stock, as holders of Series E Preferred Stock, have any preemptive rights to purchase or subscribe for our common stock or any of our other securities.

Book-Entry Procedures

DTC acts as securities depositary for the Series E Preferred Stock. We issued one or more fully registered global securities certificates in the name of DTC’s nominee, Cede & Co. These certificates represent the total aggregate number of shares of Series E Preferred Stock. We deposited these certificates with DTC or a custodian appointed by DTC. We will not issue certificates to holders of the Series E Preferred Stock for shares of Series E Preferred Stock, unless DTC’s services are discontinued as described below.

Title to book-entry interests in the Series E Preferred Stock will pass by book-entry registration of the transfer within the records of DTC in accordance with its procedures. Book-entry interests in the securities may be transferred within DTC in accordance with procedures established for these purposes by DTC. Each person owning a beneficial interest in shares of the Series E Preferred Stock must rely on the procedures of DTC and the participant through which such person owns its interest to exercise its rights as a holder of the Series E Preferred Stock.

DTC has advised us that it is a limited-purpose trust company organized under the New York Banking Law, a member of the Federal Reserve System, a “clearing corporation” within the meaning of the New York Uniform Commercial Code and a “clearing agency” registered under the provisions of Section 17A of the Exchange Act. DTC holds securities that its participants (“Direct Participants”) deposit with DTC. DTC also facilitates the settlement among Direct Participants of securities transactions, such as transfers and pledges, in deposited securities through electronic computerized book-entry changes in Direct Participants’ accounts, thereby eliminating the need for physical movement of securities certificates. Direct Participants include securities brokers and dealers, banks, trust companies, clearing corporations, and certain other organizations. Access to the DTC system is also available to others such as securities brokers and dealers, including the underwriters, banks and trust companies that clear through or maintain a custodial relationship with a Direct Participant, either directly or indirectly (“Indirect Participants”). The rules applicable to DTC and its Direct and Indirect Participants are on file with the SEC.

When shares of Series E Preferred Stock are purchased within the DTC system, the purchase must be by or through a Direct Participant. The Direct Participant will receive a credit for the Series E Preferred Stock on DTC’s records. Holders of Series E Preferred Stock will be considered to be the “beneficial owner” of the Series E Preferred Stock. Such beneficial ownership interest will be recorded on the Direct and Indirect Participants’ records, but DTC will have no knowledge of individual ownership. DTC’s records reflect only the identity of the Direct Participants to whose accounts shares of Series E Preferred Stock are credited.

Holders of Series E Preferred Stock will not receive written confirmation from DTC of the purchase of Series E Preferred Stock. The Direct or Indirect Participants through whom the Series E Preferred Stock were purchased should send such holders written confirmations providing details of the transactions, as well as periodic statements of the holdings. The Direct and Indirect Participants are responsible for keeping an accurate account of the holdings of their customers.

Transfers of ownership interests held through Direct and Indirect Participants will be accomplished by entries on the books of Direct and Indirect Participants acting on behalf of the beneficial owners.

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Conveyance of notices and other communications by DTC to Direct Participants, by Direct Participants to Indirect Participants, and by Direct Participants and Indirect Participants to beneficial owners will be governed by arrangements among them, subject to any statutory or regulatory requirements as may be in effect from time to time.

We understand that, under DTC’s existing practices, in the event that we request any action of the holders, or an owner of a beneficial interest in a global security, such as a holder of the Series E Preferred Stock, desires to take any action which a holder is entitled to take under our charter (including the Articles Supplementary), DTC would authorize the Direct Participants holding the relevant shares to take such action, and those Direct Participants and any Indirect Participants would authorize beneficial owners owning through those Direct and Indirect Participants to take such action or would otherwise act upon the instructions of beneficial owners owning through them.

Any redemption notices with respect to the Series E Preferred Stock will be sent to Cede & Co. If less than all of the outstanding shares of Series E Preferred Stock are being redeemed, DTC will reduce each Direct Participant’s holdings of shares of Series E Preferred Stock in accordance with its procedures.

In those instances where a vote is required, neither DTC nor Cede & Co. itself will consent or vote with respect to the shares of Series E Preferred Stock. Under its usual procedures, DTC would mail an omnibus proxy to us as soon as possible after the record date. The omnibus proxy assigns Cede & Co.’s consenting or voting rights to those Direct Participants whose accounts the shares of Series E Preferred Stock are credited to on the record date, which are identified in a listing attached to the omnibus proxy.

Dividends on the Series E Preferred Stock will be made directly to DTC’s nominee (or its successor, if applicable). DTC’s practice is to credit participants’ accounts on the relevant payment date in accordance with their respective holdings shown on DTC’s records unless DTC has reason to believe that it will not receive payment on that payment date.

Payments by Direct and Indirect Participants to beneficial owners will be governed by standing instructions and customary practices, as is the case with securities held for the accounts of customers in bearer form or registered in “street name.” These payments will be the responsibility of the participant and not of DTC, us or any agent of ours.

DTC may discontinue providing its services as securities depositary with respect to the Series E Preferred Stock at any time by giving reasonable notice to us. Additionally, we may decide to discontinue the book-entry only system of transfers with respect to the Series E Preferred Stock. In that event, we will print and deliver certificates in fully registered form for the Series E Preferred Stock. If DTC notifies us that it is unwilling to continue as securities depositary, or it is unable to continue or ceases to be a clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act and a successor depositary is not appointed by us within 90 days after receiving such notice or becoming aware that DTC is no longer so registered, we will issue the Series E Preferred Stock in definitive form, at our expense, upon registration of transfer of, or in exchange for, such global security.

According to DTC, the foregoing information with respect to DTC has been provided to the financial community for informational purposes only and is not intended to serve as a representation, warranty or contract modification of any kind.

Global Clearance and Settlement Procedures

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Secondary market trading among DTC’s Participants will occur in the ordinary way in accordance with DTC’s rules and will be settled in immediately available funds using DTC’s Same-Day Funds Settlement System.

Listing

Our Series E Preferred Stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “CMOPRE”.

Transfer Agent and Registrar

The transfer agent and registrar for our Series E Preferred Stock is EQ Shareowner Services.

 

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