Attached files
Exhibit 3.4
CERTIFICATE OF DESIGNATION
of
SPECIAL SERIES A SHARES
of
CENTERLINE HOLDING COMPANY
of
SPECIAL SERIES A SHARES
of
CENTERLINE HOLDING COMPANY
CENTERLINE HOLDING COMPANY (the Company), a Delaware statutory trust created and existing
under the Delaware Statutory Trust Act, and acting pursuant to the authority expressly vested in
the board of trustees of the Company (the Board) by that certain Second Amended and
Restated Trust Agreement, dated as of November 17, 2003, as amended by Amendment No. 1 thereto,
dated as of September 20, 2005, as further amended by Amendment No. 2 thereto, dated as of November
30, 2005, as further amended by Amendment No. 3 thereto, dated as of June 13, 2006, and as further
amended by Amendment No. 4 thereto, dated as of April 2, 2007 (the Trust Agreement), DOES
HEREBY CERTIFY:
RECITALS
WHEREAS, the Board duly approved and adopted resolutions on March 5, 2010,
(i) creating a series of shares of beneficial interest in the Company
designated as Special Series A Shares with (a) the designations, powers,
preferences, (b) the relative, participating, optional or other special rights and
(c) the qualifications, limitations or restrictions, each as set forth in this
Certificate of Designation (this Certificate of Designation) (in addition to those
set forth in the Trust Agreement);
(ii) approving the 11.0% COD Amendment (as defined below) and the amendment and
restatement pursuant thereto of the Amended and Restated Certificate of Designation
(the 11.0% COD) of the 11.0% Cumulative Convertible Preferred Shares,
Series A-1 of the Company (the 11.0% Preferred Shares) in the form of this
Certificate of Designation to effect the terms hereof;
(iii) approving the 4.40% COD Amendment (as defined below) and the amendment
and restatement pursuant thereto of the Certificate of Designation (the 4.40%
COD) of the 4.40% Cumulative Perpetual Convertible Community Reinvestment Act
Preferred Shares, Series A-1 of the Company (the 4.40% Preferred Shares)
in the form of this Certificate of Designation to effect the terms hereof; and
(iv) directing that this Certificate of Designation be attached as an appendix
to the Trust Agreement;
WHEREAS, the effective date of this Certificate of Designation is March 5, 2010 (the
Effective Date).
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WHEREAS, in accordance with Section 5.c. of the 11.0% COD, the holders of a majority of the
outstanding 11.0% Preferred Shares consented to the amendment and restatement of the 11.0% COD in
the form of this Certificate of Designation pursuant to the Amendment to the 11.0% COD, effective
as of the Effective Date (the 11.0% COD Amendment);
WHEREAS, in accordance with Section 6.c. of the 4.40% COD, holders of at least two-thirds of
the outstanding 4.40% Preferred Shares consented to the amendment and restatement of the 4.40% COD
in the form of this Certificate of Designation pursuant to the Amendment to the 4.40% COD,
effective as of the Effective Date (the 4.40% COD Amendment), duly approved by the
holders of the 4.40% Preferred Shares and elected to be adopted by the Company in accordance with
the terms of the Exchange and Consent Agreements (as defined therein);
NOW, THEREFORE, (i) the terms of the Special Series A Shares of the Company are as set forth
below, and (ii) the 11.0% COD and the 4.40% COD are each hereby amended and restated in their
entirety effective as of the Effective Date as follows:
SPECIAL SERIES A SHARES
1. | CAPITALIZED TERMS. Capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined shall
have the meanings given to such terms in the Trust Agreement. |
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2. | DESIGNATION AND AMOUNT. The designation of this series of Shares shall be Special
Series A Shares (the Special Shares), and, subject to the Trust Agreement, the
number of Shares constituting such series shall be as determined from time to time by the
Board. |
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3. | DISTRIBUTIONS AND EARNINGS. |
a. | Distributions. The Company shall pay distributions on each Special Share which
are the same as the distributions paid on each of the Companys Common Shares multiplied by
the Conversion Ratio. The distributions shall be declared and paid whenever distributions
on the Common Shares are declared and paid. The record date for payment of distributions
on the Special Shares shall be the same date as for the Common Shares. |
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b. | Non-Cash Distributions. In the event the Company (i) pays to all holders of
Common Shares distributions payable in Common Shares or securities convertible into Common
Shares, (ii) issues to all holders of Common Shares certain rights, options or warrants
entitling them to subscribe for or purchase Common Shares at a price per share less than
the fair market value per Common Share, or (iii) distributes to all holders of Common
Shares evidences of indebtedness or assets of the Company, the holders of Special Shares
shall receive for each Special Share (on an as-converted basis in accordance with
Section 6(a) below) held the same payment, issuance or distribution payable with
respect to each Common Share. For example, in the case of clause (i), if holders of Common
Shares are entitled to receive two Common Shares, holders of Special Shares will receive
two Common Shares multiplied by the Conversion Ratio for each Special Share they hold. In
connection with the foregoing payments, issuance or distributions, the Board, in its sole
discretion, shall take whatever actions it considers to be advisable in order that holders
of |
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Common Shares and Special Shares (on an as-converted basis in accordance with Section
6(a) below) are treated the same for federal income tax purposes. |
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c. | Earnings. For federal income tax purposes, the Board shall allocate to each
Special Share the same earnings as it allocates to each Common Share multiplied by the
Conversion Ratio. |
4. | LIQUIDATION, DISSOLUTION OR WINDING UP. The Special Shares shall rank on parity (pro
rata based on the number of Special Shares (which shall be calculated on an as-converted basis
in accordance with Section 6(a) below)) with the Common Shares and all other equity
securities of the Company outstanding which rank in parity with the Common Shares with respect
to rights upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company. |
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5. | VOTING RIGHTS. |
a. | General. The holders of Special Shares shall vote together with the holders of
Common Shares (and together with the holders of any other securities issued by the Company
that are entitled to vote together with the Common Shares, if any, with respect to the
matter to be voted upon) as a single class for all matters that holders of Common Shares
are entitled to vote upon, with each Special Share entitled to such number of votes as are
equal to the number of whole Common Shares into which such Special Shares would be
convertible pursuant to Section 6(a) below regardless of whether the Special Shares
are then so converted. |
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b. | Required Consent. The Company shall not, without the affirmative vote or
consent of the holders of a majority of the outstanding Special Shares, amend, alter or
repeal the terms of the Special Shares that would adversely affect the powers, preferences,
privileges or rights of the Special Shares. |
6. | CONVERSION. |
a. | Automatic Conversion; Conversion Formula. Each Special Share shall
automatically be converted into Common Shares (the Conversion) immediately upon
adoption of the Trust Amendment (as defined below) by the Board and the requisite holders
of Shares entitled to vote or consent with respect to such matter (the Conversion
Date). Each Special Share shall be automatically converted on the Conversion Date
into fifteen (15) Common Shares as adjusted from time to time pursuant to Section
6(c) hereof (the Conversion Ratio). As used in this Certificate of
Designation, Trust Amendment means an amendment to the Trust Agreement pursuant
to which the number of Shares authorized for issuance has been increased from 160,000,000
Shares to at least the minimum number of Common Shares necessary to effectuate the
Conversion with respect to all outstanding Special Shares. |
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b. | Effect of Conversion. Immediately upon the Conversion, in accordance with this
Certificate of Designation (i) the Common Shares issued by the Company to the holders of
the Special Shares pursuant to the Conversion and this Certificate of Designation shall |
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be deemed duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable undivided beneficial
interests in the assets of the Company and (ii) the Special Shares shall be deemed
automatically cancelled, shall cease to be issued and outstanding and shall not be
re-issuable by the Company , and (iii) all of the Special Share Certificates (as defined
below) that, immediately prior to the Conversion Date, collectively represented the Special
Shares shall, from and after the Conversion Date, automatically and without the necessity of
presenting the same for exchange, collectively represent Common Shares, provided, however,
that a person or entity holding of record a Special Share Certificate or Special Share
Certificates that represented the Special Shares shall receive, upon surrender of such
Special Share Certificate or Special Share Certificates to Centerline, a new certificate
evidencing and representing the Common Shares owned by such person or entity. |
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c. | Adjustment to Conversion Ratio. |
i. | If, at any time or from time to time, prior to the Conversion of all
Special Shares, (i) the number of issued and outstanding Common Shares is increased
by a share split, share dividend, reclassification of shares, subdivision of shares
or other similar event, (ii) the number of issued and outstanding Common Shares is
decreased by a combination or reclassification of Common Shares or other similar
event, (iii) the Company shall issue or distribute to all holders of its Common
Shares (x) rights or warrants to acquire Common Shares (or securities convertible
into or exchangeable for Common Shares) at a ratio less than the then-current
Conversion Ratio (other than with respect to any rights or shares that may be
issued in connection with the Companys NOL Preservation Plan), (y) evidences of
its indebtedness, securities or assets and property (excluding regular quarterly
dividends), or (iv) any other similar event that has the effect of diluting the
Special Shares initial conversion right pursuant to the initial Conversion Ratio,
the Board, in its reasonable judgment, shall proportionately increase or decrease,
as applicable, the Conversion Ratio to prevent dilution of the Special Shares
conversion right; provided, however, that no such adjustment shall
be made to the extent the holders of Special Shares receive distributions pursuant
to Section 3(a)or 3(b) in respect of any of the foregoing events. Any such
adjustment shall become effective retroactively immediately after the record date
for the determination of shareholders affected by the events requiring the
adjustment. |
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ii. | If, at any time or from time to time, prior to the Conversion of all
Special Shares, the Company shall be a party to any transaction (including, without
limitation, a merger, consolidation, tender offer for all or substantially all of
the Companys Common Shares or sale of all or substantially all of the Companys
assets), as a result of which Common Shares shall be converted into the right to
receive securities or other assets or property (including cash or any combination
thereof), each Special Share shall thereafter be convertible into the kind and
amount of shares and other securities and assets or property (including cash or any
combination thereof) receivable upon the consummation of such transaction by a
holder of that number of Common Shares or fraction thereof into which one |
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Special Share would be convertible immediately prior to such transaction if the
Conversion occurred immediately prior to such transaction (provided that if the kind
and amount of stock or beneficial interest, securities and other property so
receivable is not the same for each non-electing share, the kind and amount so
receivable by each non-electing share shall be deemed to be the kind and amount
received per share by a plurality of non-election shares). The Company may not
become a party to any such transaction unless the terms of the definitive
documentation relating thereto shall contain provisions giving effect to the
foregoing and are binding on all transaction parties. |
d. | Exchange of Special Share Certificate(s) for Common Share Certificate(s). |
i. | Following the Conversion, each holder of Special Shares shall complete
and sign the share exchange form attached hereto as Exhibit A
(Exchange Form) and return it, along with the certificate evidencing such
holders Special Shares (each, a Special Share Certificate), to the
Company by hand delivery or mail to the address to be provided by the Company. The
holder acknowledges that the method of delivery of the Special Share Certificate is
at its election and risk. |
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ii. | Upon receipt of the Exchange Form and a Special Share Certificate from
a holder by the Company, the Company shall be obligated to, and shall as soon as
reasonably practicable, issue and deliver to such holder a certificate evidencing
the Common Shares issuable to such holder in accordance with Section 6(a)
above (each, a Common Share Certificate) which Common Share Certificate
shall contain any securities law legends as may be deemed required by the Company. |
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iii. | The Exchange Form must be signed by the registered holder of a Special
Share Certificate and the signature must correspond with the name as written on the
face of the certificate without alteration or enlargement or any change whatsoever.
If any of the Special Shares are owned of record by two or more joint owners, all
such owners must sign the Exchange Form. |
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iv. | If the Exchange Form, any certificates or separate written instruments
of transfer or exchange are signed by attorneys-in-fact, trustees, executors,
administrators, guardians, officers of corporations or others acting in a fiduciary
or representative capacity, such persons shall so indicate when signing, and,
unless waived by the Company, proper evidence satisfactory to the Company of its
authority so to act must be submitted. |
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v. | If any or all of a holders Special Share Certificates have been lost,
stolen or destroyed, such holder may still receive its Common Share Certificate by
completing the lost certificate affidavit attached hereto as Exhibit B (the
Lost Certificate Affidavit) and returning it, along with the Exchange
Form, to the Company by (i) hand delivery or mail to address to be provided by the
Company or (ii) pdf attachment to an email addressed to the email address to be
provided by |
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the Company. It will be necessary for any such holder to complete as many separate
copies of the Lost Certificate Affidavit as there are lost certificates. |
e. | Fractional Shares. If the Conversion Ratio results in a holder of Special
Shares being entitled to receive a fractional Common Share with respect to the aggregate
Special Shares being converted pursuant to the Conversion, in lieu of the issuance of such
fractional Common Share, the Company shall pay to the holder of such Special Shares cash in
an amount equal to the closing price of a Common Share on the Conversion Date multiplied by
the fraction representing the fractional share. |
7. | TRANSFER RESTRICTIONS. The Special Shares will be subject to restrictions on
transfer as set forth in the Trust Agreement (including this Certificate of Designation) and
each Special Share Certificate must contain a legend substantially to the following effect: |
THE SPECIAL SERIES A SHARES REPRESENTED HEREBY HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES
ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE SECURITIES ACT), OR ANY STATE SECURITIES LAWS OR ANY
OTHER APPLICABLE SECURITIES LAWS. NEITHER SUCH SPECIAL SERIES A SHARES NOR ANY INTEREST OR
PARTICIPATION THEREIN MAY BE OFFERED, RESOLD OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED IN THE ABSENCE OF SUCH
REGISTRATION OR UNLESS SUCH TRANSACTION IS EXEMPT FROM, OR NOT SUBJECT TO, SUCH
REGISTRATION. |
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TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, ANY TRANSFER IN VIOLATION OF THE FOREGOING WILL BE
OF NO FORCE AND EFFECT, WILL BE VOID AB INITIO, AND WILL NOT OPERATE TO TRANSFER ANY RIGHTS
TO THE TRANSFEREE, NOTWITHSTANDING ANY INSTRUCTION TO THE CONTRARY TO THE COMPANY, THE
TRANSFER AGENT OR ANY INTERMEDIARY. |
8. | MISCELLANEOUS. |
a. | Governing Law. This Certificate of Designation shall be interpreted in
accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware (without regard to conflict of laws
principles), all rights and remedies being governed by such laws. |
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b. | Section References. Unless otherwise stated herein, references to sections
shall be deemed to be references to sections of this Certificate of Designation. |
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c. | Severability of Provisions. Each provision of this Certificate of Designation
shall be considered severable and if for any reason any provision or provisions herein are
determined to be invalid, unenforceable or illegal under any existing or future law, such
invalidity, unenforceability or illegality shall not impair the operation of or affect
those portions of this Certificate of Designation which are valid, enforceable and legal. |
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d. | Certificates. |
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i. | Each Special Share Certificate shall include a statement that requires
the Company to furnish to any holder of Special Shares upon written request and
without charge, a full statement of (i) any restrictions, limitations, preferences
or redemption provisions concerning the Special Shares and (ii) the designations
and any preferences, conversion and other rights, voting powers, restrictions,
limitations to distributions, and other qualifications and terms and conditions of
redemption of such Special Shares and the authority of the Board to set the
relative rights and preferences of subsequent series of Special Shares. |
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ii. | Notwithstanding any provision of the Trust Agreement or the Fifth
Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Company (as amended, the Company
Bylaws) to the contrary, a Special Share Certificate shall be validly issued
upon the manual signature of (a) the Chief Execute Officer of the Company (the
CEO) or (b) any one or more of the Managing Trustees. Such a Special
Share Certificate need not be countersigned and registered by the Companys
transfer agent and/or registrar. The CEO or the Managing Trustees, acting
individually or collectively, shall execute and deliver each Special Share
Certificate substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit C,
together with such modifications thereto as such CEO, Managing Trustee or Managing
Trustees shall approve (notwithstanding any other provisions of the Trust Agreement
or Company Bylaws but subject to the requirements set forth in this Certificate of
Designation), such approval to be conclusively, but not exclusively, evidenced by
the execution and delivery thereof by such CEO, Managing Trustee or Managing
Trustees. To the extent that this Section 8(d) is inconsistent with the
Company Bylaws, in accordance with Article XIV of the Company Bylaws, the Company
Bylaws (including Article VII thereof) shall be deemed amended for the limited
purposes set forth in this Section 8(d). |
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iii. | On the Effective Date, (1) all of the 11.0% Preferred Shares and the
4.40% Preferred Shares issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective
Date, shall be governed by this Certificate of Designation; (2) each holder of the
11.0% Preferred Shares shall automatically be deemed to own a number of Special
Shares equal to the product (rounded up to the closest whole number, if a
fractional share results) of the total original issuance price for the 11.0%
Preferred Shares held by such holder, divided by $354,164,807.96, multiplied by
14,590,237.40; and (3) each holder of the 4.40% Preferred Shares shall
automatically be deemed to own a number of Special Shares equal to the product
(rounded up to the closest whole number, if a fractional share results) of the
total original issuance price for the 4.40% Preferred Shares held by such holder,
divided by $354,164,807.96, multiplied by 14,590,237.40. |
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iv. | On the Effective Date, each certificate that, immediately prior to the
Effective Date, represented 11.0% Preferred Shares or 4.40% Preferred Shares shall,
from and after the Effective Date, automatically and without the necessity of
presenting the same for exchange, be deemed surrendered and cancelled. As soon as |
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practicable after the Effective Date, the Company shall deliver to each holder of
11.0% Preferred Shares and 4.40% Preferred Shares a Special Share Certificate
evidencing the Special Shares owned by such holder. |
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