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Exhibit 3.1

THIRD AMENDED AND RESTATED

CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION

OF

CADENCE BANCORPORATION

Cadence Bancorporation (the “Corporation”), a corporation organized and existing under the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the “DGCL”), does hereby certify as follows:

(1)    The name of the Corporation is Cadence Bancorporation. The original Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation was filed with the office of the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware on July 2, 2014. An amended and restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation was filed with the office of the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware on July 1, 2015 and April 10, 2017.

(2)    This Third Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation was duly adopted by the Board of Directors of the Corporation (the “Board of Directors”) and duly approved by the requisite stockholders of the Corporation.

(3)     Pursuant to Sections 242 and 245 of the DGCL, this Third Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation restates, integrates and further amends the Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation (as so amended, this “Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation”) to read in its entirety as follows:

ARTICLE I

The name of the corporation is Cadence Bancorporation (the “Corporation”).

ARTICLE II

The address of the Corporation’s registered office in the State of Delaware is c/o The Corporation Trust Company, 1209 Orange Street in the City of Wilmington, County of New Castle, State of Delaware 19801. The name of the Corporation’s registered agent at such address is The Corporation Trust Company.

ARTICLE III

The purpose of the Corporation is to engage in any lawful act or activity for which a corporation may be organized under the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the “DGCL”).

ARTICLE IV

A.    Authorized Capital Stock. The Corporation shall be authorized to issue 650,000,000 shares of capital stock, of which (i) 300,000,000 shares shall be shares of Class A

 

     


Common Stock, $0.01 par value (the “Class A Common Stock”), (ii) 300,000,000 shares shall be shares of Class B Non-Voting Common Stock, $0.01 par value (the “Class B Non-Voting Common Stock” and, together with the Class A Common Stock, the “Common Stock”), and (iii) 50,000,000 shares shall be shares of Preferred Stock, $0.01 par value (the “Preferred Stock”).

B.    Common Stock.

(1)    Except as expressly provided herein, the rights, preferences and privileges of the Class A Common Stock and Class B Non-Voting Common Stock shall be in all respects and for all purposes and in all circumstances absolutely and completely identical.

(2)    The holders of the Class A Common Stock and Class B Non-Voting Common Stock shall be entitled to receive an equal amount of dividends per share if, as and when declared from time to time by the Board of Directors of the Corporation (the “Board of Directors”). In no event shall any stock dividends or stock splits or combinations of stock be declared or made on Class A Common Stock or Class B Non-Voting Common Stock unless the shares of Class A Common Stock and Class B Non-Voting Common Stock at the time outstanding are treated equally and identically, provided that, subject to Section B of Article V, in the event of a dividend of Common Stock, shares of Class B Non-Voting Common Stock shall only be entitled to receive shares of Class B Non-Voting Common Stock and shares of Class A Common Stock shall only be entitled to receive shares of Class A Common Stock.

(3)    In the event of the voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution, distribution of assets or winding-up of the Corporation, holders of Class A Common Stock and Class B Non-Voting Common Stock shall be entitled to receive an equal amount per share of all the assets of the Corporation of whatever kind available for distribution to holders of Common Stock, after the rights of the holders of the Preferred Stock have been satisfied.

(4)    Except as otherwise required by law, herein or as otherwise provided in any certificate of designation for any series of Preferred Stock, the holders of Class A Common Stock shall exclusively possess all voting power and each share of Class A Common Stock shall be entitled to one vote, and the holders of the Class B Non-Voting Common Stock shall have no voting power, and shall not have the right to participate in any meeting of stockholders or to have notice thereof, except as required by applicable law and except that any action that would significantly and adversely affect the rights of the Class B Non-Voting Common Stock with respect to the modification of the terms of the securities or dissolution, shall require the approval of the Class B Non-Voting Common Stock voting separately as a class.

C.    Preferred Stock. The Board of Directors is hereby expressly authorized to provide for the issuance of all or any shares of the Preferred Stock in one or more classes or series, and to fix for each such class or series the number of shares thereof, such voting powers, full or limited, or no voting powers, and such designations, preferences and relative, participating, optional or other special rights and such qualifications, limitations or restrictions

 

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thereof, as shall be stated and expressed in the resolution or resolutions adopted by the Board of Directors providing for the issuance of such class or series, including, without limitation, the authority to provide that any such class or series may be (i) subject to redemption at such time or times and at such price or prices; (ii) entitled to receive dividends (which may be cumulative or non-cumulative) at such rates, on such conditions, and at such times, and payable in preference to, or in such relation to, the dividends payable on any other class or classes or any other series; (iii) entitled to such rights upon the dissolution of, or upon any distribution of the assets of, the Corporation; or (iv) convertible into, or exchangeable for, shares of any other class or classes of stock, or of any other series of the same or any other class or classes of stock, of the Corporation at such price or prices or at such rates of exchange and with such adjustments; all as may be stated in such resolution or resolutions.

ARTICLE V

A.    Conversion of Class B Non-Voting Common Stock Upon Transfer. Each share of Class B Non-Voting Common Stock will be convertible into a share of Class A Common Stock at the option of the holder, provided, however, that each share of Class B Non-Voting Common Stock will not be convertible in the hands of the initial holder and will only become convertible at the time it is transferred to a third-party unaffiliated with the initial holder, subject to the transfer restrictions described in this paragraph A. Shares of Class B Non-Voting Common Stock may only be transferred through one or more of the following alternatives: (i) to an affiliate of a holder or to the Corporation, (ii) in a widely dispersed public offering, (iii) in a private sale in which no purchaser (or group of associated purchasers) would acquire Class A Common Stock and/or Class B Non-Voting Common Stock in an amount that, after the conversion of such Class B Non-Voting Common Stock into Class A Common Stock, is (or represents) 2% or more of a class of the Corporation’s voting securities or (iv) to a purchaser that would control a majority of the Corporation’s voting securities notwithstanding such transfer. Such conversion shall be effected in accordance with the following procedures:

(1)    The conversion right provided in this paragraph A shall be exercised by the delivery of a written notice (the “Conversion Notice”) of the election by the holder (the “Converting Holder”) of shares of Class B Non-Voting Common Stock to be converted to the office of the transfer agent of the Corporation (the “Transfer Agent”) during normal business hours and (if so required by the Corporation or the Transfer Agent) an instrument of transfer, in form satisfactory to the Corporation and to the Transfer Agent, duly executed by such Converting Holder or his duly authorized attorney, and funds in the amount of any applicable transfer tax (unless provision satisfactory to the Corporation is otherwise made therefor), if required pursuant to subparagraph (3). In the case of shares of Class B Non-Voting Common Stock that are intended to be sold by a holder thereof either (x) in an offering under an effective registration statement filed by the Corporation with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission or (y) in a transaction that complies with Rule 144 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), and after which such shares shall no longer be restricted securities under the Exchange Act, the participation in such offering or transaction by the transferee of such shares shall serve as such transferee’s Conversion Notice to the Corporation and the transferee shall receive shares of Class A Common Stock in such transfer.

 

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(2)    As promptly as practicable after the delivery of a Conversion Notice and the payment in cash of any amount required by the provisions of subparagraphs (1) and (3), the Corporation will deliver or cause to be delivered at the office of the Transfer Agent to or upon the written order of the Converting Holder (or, in the case of an underwritten offering, the underwriter or the managing underwriter), a confirmation of book-entry transfer of shares representing the number of fully paid and non-assessable shares of Class A Common Stock issuable upon such conversion, issued in such name or names as the Converting Holder may direct. Such conversion shall be deemed to have been made immediately prior to the close of business on the date of the delivery of the Conversion Notice, and all rights of the Converting Holder shall cease with respect to such shares of Class B Non-Voting Common Stock at such time and the person or persons in whose name or names the shares of Class A Common Stock issued upon conversion are to be issued shall be treated for all purposes as having become the record holder or holders of such shares of Class A Common Stock at such time; provided, however, that any delivery of a Conversion Notice and payment on any date when the stock transfer books of the Corporation shall be closed shall constitute the person or persons in whose name or names the shares of Class A Common Stock are to be issued as the record holder or holders thereof for all purposes immediately prior to the close of business on the next succeeding day on which such stock transfer books are open.

(3)    The issuance of shares of Class A Common Stock upon conversion of shares of Class B Non-Voting Common Stock shall be made without charge for any stamp or other similar tax in respect of such issuance. However, if any such shares to be issued upon conversion are to be issued in a name other than that of the holder of the share or shares of Class B Non-Voting Common Stock converted, the person or persons requesting the issuance thereof shall pay to the Corporation the amount of any tax which may be payable in respect of any transfer involved in such issuance, or shall establish to the satisfaction of the Corporation that such tax has been paid.

(4)    When shares of Class B Non-Voting Common Stock have been converted into Class A Common Stock pursuant to this Article V.A, they shall automatically be cancelled and become authorized but unissued shares of Class B Non-Voting Common Stock.

B.    Transactions Executed on an Exchange. Nothing in this Article V shall preclude the settlement of any transaction entered into through the facilities of any nationally recognized stock exchange (including any such exchange capable of listing securities not registered under the U.S. federal securities laws). Any transferee in such transaction shall be subject to all of the provisions and limitations set forth in this Article V.

ARTICLE VI

Subject to the rights of the holders of any series of Preferred Stock with respect to such series of Preferred Stock, any action required or permitted to be taken by the stockholders of the Corporation must be effected at a duly called annual or special meeting of stockholders of the Corporation and may not be effected by any consent in writing by such stockholders.

 

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ARTICLE VII

The following provisions are inserted for the management of the business and the conduct of the affairs of the Corporation, and for further definition, limitation and regulation of the powers of the Corporation and of its directors and stockholders:

A.    The business and affairs of the Corporation shall be managed by or under the direction of the Board of Directors.

B.    The Board of Directors shall consist of that number of members as shall be fixed from time to time by resolution adopted by the affirmative vote of a majority of the total number of directors which the Corporation would have if there were no vacancies (the “Whole Board”).

C.    The Board of Directors shall be divided into three classes, designated Class I, Class II and Class III, until the Corporation’s annual meeting of stockholders to be held in 2023. Class I directors shall be elected at the annual meeting of stockholders to be held in 2021 for a one-year term, and they and any successors shall stand for re-election at the annual meeting of stockholders to be held in 2022; Class II directors shall serve out their current three-year terms, and they and any successors shall stand for re-election to a one-year term at the annual meeting of stockholders in 2022; Class III directors shall serve out their current three-year terms, and they and any successors shall stand for re-election to a one-year term at the annual meeting of stockholders in 2023. At each annual meeting of stockholders commencing with the annual meeting of stockholders to be held in 2023, each director shall be elected for a one-year term, and, from that point forward, each director shall have a one-year term and shall hold office until his or her term expires at the next annual meeting of stockholders and until his or her successor shall have been duly elected and qualified, subject to his or her earlier death, resignation or removal. So long as the Board of Directors is classified, if the number of directors is changed, any increase or decrease shall be apportioned among the classes in such a manner as the Board of Directors shall determine so as to maintain the number of directors in each class as nearly equal as possible.

D.    Subject to applicable law and the rights of the holders of any series of Preferred Stock with respect to such series of Preferred Stock, and unless the Board of Directors otherwise determines, vacancies resulting from death, resignation, retirement, disqualification, removal from office or other cause, and newly created directorships resulting from any increase in the authorized number of directors, may be filled only by the affirmative vote of a majority of the remaining directors, though less than a quorum of the Board of Directors, and a director so chosen shall hold office for a term expiring at the annual meeting of stockholders at which his or her term of office expires and until such director’s successor shall have been duly elected and qualified. No decrease in the number of authorized directors constituting the Whole Board shall shorten the term of any incumbent director.

E.    Subject to the rights of the holders of any series of Preferred Stock with respect to such series of Preferred Stock, (i) any director who, prior to the 2020 annual meeting of stockholders, was elected to a three-year term (a “Classified Term”) that continues beyond the date of the 2020 annual meeting of stockholders (a “Classified Director”) may be removed from office during such Classified Term only for cause, and only by the affirmative vote of the holders

 

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of a majority of the shares then entitled to vote at an election of directors, and (ii) any director who is not a Classified Director may be removed from office by the stockholders of the Corporation with or without cause by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the shares then entitled to vote at an election of directors.

F.    In addition to the powers and authority hereinbefore or by statute expressly conferred upon them, the directors are hereby empowered to exercise all such powers and do all such acts and things as may be exercised or done by the Corporation, subject, nevertheless, to the provisions of the DGCL, this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, and any by-laws adopted by the stockholders; provided, however, that no by-laws hereafter adopted by the stockholders shall invalidate any prior act of the directors that would have been valid if such by-laws had not been adopted.

ARTICLE VIII

No director shall be personally liable to the Corporation or any of its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director, except to the extent such exemption from liability or limitation thereof is not permitted under the DGCL as the same exists or may hereafter be amended. If the DGCL is amended hereafter to authorize the further elimination or limitation of the liability of directors, then the liability of a director of the Corporation shall be eliminated or limited to the fullest extent authorized by the DGCL, as so amended. Any repeal or modification of this Article VIII shall not adversely affect any right or protection of a director of the Corporation existing at the time of such repeal or modification with respect to acts or omissions occurring prior to such repeal or modification.

ARTICLE IX

A.    Each person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party or is otherwise involved in any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (hereinafter a “proceeding”), by reason of the fact that he or she or a person of whom he or she is the legal representative is or was, at any time during which this Article IX is in effect (whether or not such person continues to serve in such capacity at the time any indemnification or advancement of expenses pursuant hereto is sought or at the time any proceeding relating thereto exists or is brought), a director or officer of the Corporation or is or was at any such time serving at the request of the Corporation as a director, officer, trustee, employee or agent of another corporation or of a partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, including service with respect to employee benefit plans maintained or sponsored by the Corporation (hereinafter, an “indemnitee”), whether the basis of such proceeding is alleged action in an official capacity as a director, officer, trustee, employee or agent or in any other capacity while serving as a director, officer, trustee, employee or agent, shall be (and shall be deemed to have a contractual right to be) indemnified and held harmless by the Corporation (and any successor of the Corporation by merger or otherwise) to the fullest extent authorized by the DGCL as the same exists or may hereafter be amended or modified from time to time (but, in the case of any such amendment or modification, only to the extent that such amendment or modification permits the Corporation to provide greater indemnification rights than said law permitted the Corporation to provide prior to such amendment or modification), against all expense, liability and loss (including attorneys’ fees, judgments, fines, ERISA excise taxes or penalties and amounts paid or to be paid in settlement) incurred or

 

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suffered by such person in connection with such proceeding if the person acted in good faith and in a manner reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Corporation, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe his or her conduct was unlawful. The termination of any proceeding by judgment, order, settlement, conviction or upon a plea of nolo contendere or its equivalent, shall not, of itself, create a presumption that the person did not act in good faith and in a manner which the person reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Corporation, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had reasonable cause to believe that the person’s conduct was unlawful. Such indemnification shall continue as to a person who has ceased to be a director, officer, trustee, employee or agent and shall inure to the benefit of his or her heirs, executors and administrators; provided, that except as provided in paragraph (D) of this Article IX, the Corporation shall indemnify any such person seeking indemnification in connection with a proceeding (or part thereof) initiated by such person only if such proceeding (or part thereof) was authorized by the Board of Directors.

B.    To obtain indemnification under this Article IX, a claimant shall submit to the Corporation a written request, including therein or therewith such documentation and information as is reasonably available to the claimant and is reasonably necessary to determine whether and to what extent the claimant is entitled to indemnification. Upon written request by a claimant for indemnification, a determination, if required by applicable law, with respect to the claimant’s entitlement thereto shall be made as follows: (i) by a majority vote of the Disinterested Directors (as hereinafter defined) even though less than a quorum, or (ii) by a committee consisting of Disinterested Directors designated by majority vote of such Disinterested Directors even though less than a quorum, or (iii) if there are no Disinterested Directors or, if such Disinterested Directors so direct, by Independent Counsel (as hereinafter defined) selected by the Board of Directors, in a written opinion to the Board of Directors, a copy of which shall be delivered to the claimant, or (iv) by a majority vote of the stockholders of the Corporation. In the event that there shall have occurred within two years prior to the date of the commencement of the proceeding for which indemnification is claimed a “Change in Control” (as defined in the Cadence Bancorporation 2015 Omnibus Incentive Plan as in effect as of the date hereof), in which case the Independent Counsel shall be selected by the claimant unless the claimant shall request that such selection be made by the Disinterested Directors. If it is so determined that the claimant is entitled to indemnification, payment to the claimant shall be made within ten (10) days after such determination.

C.    To the fullest extent authorized by the DGCL as the same exists or may hereafter be amended or modified from time to time (but, in the case of any such amendment or modification, only to the extent that such amendment or modification permits the Corporation to provide greater rights to advancement of expenses than said law permitted the Corporation to provide prior to such amendment or modification), each indemnitee shall have (and shall be deemed to have a contractual right to have) the right, without the need for any action by the Board of Directors, to be paid by the Corporation (and any successor of the Corporation by merger or otherwise) the expenses incurred in connection with any proceeding in advance of its final disposition, such advances to be paid by the Corporation within twenty (20) days after the receipt by the Corporation of a statement or statements from the claimant requesting such advance or advances from time to time; provided, however, that if the DGCL requires, the payment of such expenses incurred by a director or officer in his or her capacity as a director or

 

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officer (and not in any other capacity in which service was or is rendered by such person while a director or officer, including, without limitation, service to an employee benefit plan) shall be made only upon delivery to the Corporation of an undertaking (hereinafter, the “undertaking”) by or on behalf of such director or officer, to repay all amounts so advanced if it shall ultimately be determined by final judicial decision from which there is no further right of appeal (a “final disposition”) that such director or officer is not entitled to be indemnified for such expenses under this Article IX or otherwise.

D.    If (1) a claim for indemnification under paragraph (A) of this Article IX is not paid in full by the Corporation within thirty (30) days after a written claim pursuant to paragraph (B) of this Article IX has been received by the Corporation or (2) a request for advancement of expenses under this Article IX is not paid in full by the Corporation within twenty (20) days after a statement pursuant to paragraph (C) of this Article IX and the required undertaking, if any, have been received by the Corporation, the claimant may at any time thereafter bring suit against the Corporation to recover the unpaid amount of the claim for indemnification or request for advancement of expenses and, if successful in whole or in part, the claimant shall be entitled to be paid also the expense of prosecuting such claim. It shall be a defense to any such action that, under the DGCL, the claimant has not met the standard of conduct which makes it permissible for the Corporation to indemnify the claimant for the amount claimed or that the claimant is not entitled to the requested advancement of expenses, but (except where the required undertaking, if any, has not been tendered to the Corporation), the burden of proving such defense shall be on the Corporation. Neither the failure of the Corporation (including its Disinterested Directors, Independent Counsel or stockholders) to have made a determination prior to the commencement of such action that indemnification of the claimant is proper in the circumstances because he or she has met the applicable standard of conduct set forth in the DGCL, nor an actual determination by the Corporation (including its Board of Directors, Independent Counsel or stockholders) that the claimant has not met such applicable standard of conduct, shall be a defense to the action or create a presumption that the claimant has not met the applicable standard of conduct.

E.    If a determination shall have been made pursuant to paragraph (B) of this Article IX that the claimant is entitled to indemnification, the Corporation shall be bound by such determination in any judicial proceeding commenced pursuant to paragraph (D) of this Article IX.

F.    The Corporation shall be precluded from asserting in any judicial proceeding commenced pursuant to paragraph (D) of this Article IX that the procedures and presumptions of this Article IX are not valid, binding and enforceable and shall stipulate in such proceeding that the Corporation is bound by all the provisions of this Article IX.

G.    All of the rights conferred in this Article IX, as to indemnification, advancement of expenses and otherwise, shall be contract rights between the Corporation and each indemnitee to whom such rights are extended that vest at the commencement of such indemnitee’s service to or at the request of the Corporation and (x) any amendment or modification of this Article IX that in any way diminishes or adversely affects any such rights shall be prospective only and shall not in any way diminish or adversely affect any such rights with respect to such person, and (y) all of such rights shall continue as to any such indemnitee

 

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who has ceased to be a director or officer of the Corporation or ceased to serve at the Corporation’s request as a director, officer, trustee, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, as described herein, and shall inure to the benefit of such indemnitee’s heirs, executors and administrators.

H.    All of the rights conferred in this Article IX, as to indemnification, advancement of expenses and otherwise, (i) shall not be exclusive of any other rights to which any person seeking indemnification or advancement of expenses may be entitled or hereafter acquire under any statute, provision of this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, the By-laws of the Corporation, agreement, vote of stockholders or Disinterested Directors or otherwise, both as to action in such person’s official capacity and as to action in another capacity while holding such office, and (ii) cannot be terminated or impaired by the Corporation, the Board of Directors or the stockholders of the Corporation with respect to a person’s service prior to the date of such termination.

I.    The Corporation may maintain insurance, at its expense, to protect itself and any current or former director, officer, employee or agent of the Corporation or another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise against any expense, liability or loss, whether or not the Corporation would have the power to indemnify such person against such expense, liability or loss under the DGCL. To the extent that the Corporation maintains any policy or policies providing such insurance, each such current or former director or officer, and each such agent or employee to which rights to indemnification have been granted as provided in paragraph (J) of this Article IX, shall be covered by such policy or policies in accordance with its or their terms to the maximum extent of the coverage thereunder for any such current or former director, officer, employee or agent.

J.    The Corporation may, to the extent authorized from time to time by the Board of Directors or the Chief Executive Officer, grant rights to indemnification, and rights to advancement of expenses incurred in connection with any proceeding in advance of its final disposition, to any current or former employee or agent of the Corporation to the fullest extent of the provisions of this Article IX with respect to the indemnification and advancement of expenses of current or former directors and officers of the Corporation.

K.    If any provision or provisions of this Article IX shall be held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable for any reason whatsoever: (1) the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions of this Article IX (including, without limitation, each portion of any paragraph of this Article IX containing any such provision held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, that is not itself held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable) shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby; and (2) to the fullest extent possible, the provisions of this Article IX (including, without limitation, each such portion of any paragraph of this Article IX containing any such provision held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable) shall be construed so as to give effect to the intent manifested by the provision held invalid, illegal or unenforceable.

 

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L.    For purposes of this Article IX:

(1)    “Disinterested Director” means a director of the Corporation who is not and was not a party to the matter in respect of which indemnification is sought by the claimant.

(2)    “Independent Counsel” means a law firm, a member of a law firm, or an independent practitioner, that is experienced in matters of corporation law and shall include any person who, under the applicable standards of professional conduct then prevailing, would not have a conflict of interest in representing either the Corporation or the claimant in an action to determine the claimant’s rights under this Article IX.

M.    Any notice, request or other communication required or permitted to be given to the Corporation under this Article IX shall be in writing and either delivered in person or sent by telecopy, telex, telegram, overnight mail or courier service, or certified or registered mail, postage prepaid, return receipt requested, to the Secretary of the Corporation and shall be effective only upon receipt by the Secretary.

N.    The Corporation hereby acknowledges that a director (a “Director Indemnitee”) may have certain rights to indemnification, advancement of expenses and/or insurance provided by a third party as to which the Director Indemnitee serves as a director, officer or employee other than the Corporation (collectively, the “Secondary Indemnitors”). The Corporation hereby agrees (i) that it is the indemnitor of first resort (i.e., its obligations to such Director Indemnitee are primary and any obligation of the Secondary Indemnitors to advance expenses or to provide indemnification for the same expenses or liabilities incurred by such Director Indemnitee is secondary), and (ii) that it shall be required to advance the full amount of expenses incurred by such Director Indemnitee and shall be liable for the full amount of all expenses, judgments, penalties, fines and amounts paid in settlement to the extent legally permitted and as required by the terms of this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation or the By-laws of the Corporation (or any other agreement between the Corporation and such Director Indemnitee), without regard to any rights such Director Indemnitee may have against the Secondary Indemnitors. The Corporation further agrees that no advancement or payment by the Secondary Indemnitors on behalf of such Director Indemnitee with respect to any claim for which such Director Indemnitee has sought indemnification from the Corporation shall affect the foregoing and the Secondary Indemnitors shall be subrogated to the extent of such advancement or payment to all of the rights of recovery of such Director Indemnitee against the Corporation.

ARTICLE X

In furtherance and not in limitation of the powers conferred upon it by the laws of the State of Delaware, the Board of Directors shall have the power to adopt, amend, alter or repeal the By-laws of the Corporation. The affirmative vote of at least a majority of the Whole Board shall be required to adopt, amend, alter or repeal the By-laws of the Corporation. The By-laws of the Corporation also may be adopted, amended, altered or repealed by the affirmative vote of the holders of at least a majority of the shares entitled to vote at an election of directors.

 

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ARTICLE XI

Unless the Corporation consents in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, the sole and exclusive forum for (a) any derivative action or proceeding brought on behalf of the Corporation, (b) any action asserting a claim for or based on a breach of a fiduciary duty owed by any current or former director or officer or other employee of the Corporation to the Corporation or to the Corporation’s stockholders, including a claim alleging the aiding and abetting of such a breach of fiduciary duty, (c) any action asserting a claim against the Corporation or any current or former director or officer or other employee of the Corporation arising pursuant to any provision of the DGCL or this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, (d) any action asserting a claim related to or involving the Corporation that is governed by the internal affairs doctrine or (e) any action asserting an “internal corporate claim” as that term is defined in Section 115 of the DGCL, shall be a state court located within the State of Delaware (or, if no state court located within the State of Delaware has jurisdiction, the federal court for the District of Delaware).

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Corporation has caused this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation to be executed on its behalf this 7th day of May, 2020.

 

CADENCE BANCORPORATION
By:  

/s/ Jerry W. Powell

Name:   Jerry W. Powell
Title:   Executive Vice President—General Counsel and Corporate Secretary