Vontier Corp S-3ASR, filed Feb 16, 2024
Vontier Corp (VNT)
Table of Contents
As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 16, 2024
Registration No. 333-
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM S-3
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
VONTIER CORPORATION
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)
| Delaware | 84-2783455 | |
| (State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation or Organization) |
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) |
5438 Wade Park Boulevard, Suite 600
Raleigh, NC 27607
Telephone: (984) 275-6000
(Address, Including Zip Code, and Telephone Number, Including Area Code, of Registrant’s Principal Executive Offices)
Courtney S. Kamlet
Vice President, Group General Counsel and Corporate Secretary
Vontier Corporation
5438 Wade Park Boulevard, Suite 600
Raleigh, NC 27607
(984) 275-6000
(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)
Copies to:
David M. Lynn
Goodwin Procter LLP
1900 N Street, NW
Washington, D.C. 20036
Telephone: (202) 346-4000
Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public: From time to time after the effective date of this registration statement.
If the only securities being registered on this form are being offered pursuant to dividend or interest reinvestment plans, please check the following box. ☐
If any of the securities being registered on this form are to be offered on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, other than securities offered only in connection with dividend or interest reinvestment plans, check the following box. ☒
If this form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. ☐
If this form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. ☐
If this form is a registration statement pursuant to General Instruction I.D. or a post-effective amendment thereto that shall become effective upon filing with the Commission pursuant to Rule 462(e) under the Securities Act, check the following box. ☒
If this form is a post-effective amendment to a registration statement filed pursuant to General Instruction I.D. filed to register additional securities or additional classes of securities pursuant to Rule 413(b) under the Securities Act, check the following box. ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
| Large accelerated filer | ☒ | Accelerated filer | ☐ | |||
| Non-accelerated filer | ☐ | Smaller reporting company | ☐ | |||
| Emerging growth company | ☐ | |||||
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 7(a)(2)(B) of Securities Act. ☐
Table of Contents
PROSPECTUS
COMMON STOCK
PREFERRED STOCK
DEPOSITARY SHARES
DEBT SECURITIES
WARRANTS
STOCK PURCHASE CONTRACTS
STOCK PURCHASE UNITS
We may offer and sell from time to time:
| • | common stock; |
| • | preferred stock; |
| • | depositary shares representing preferred stock; |
| • | debt securities; |
| • | warrants; |
| • | stock purchase contracts; and |
| • | stock purchase units. |
We may offer and sell these securities to or through one or more underwriters, dealers and agents, or directly to purchasers, on a continuous or delayed basis. The securities may be offered separately or together, in separate series, in amounts, at prices and on terms to be set forth in one or more supplements to this prospectus. This prospectus describes some of the general terms that may apply to these securities and the general manner in which they may be offered. The specific terms of any securities to be offered, and the specific manner in which they may be offered, will be described in a supplement to this prospectus. You should read this prospectus and each applicable prospectus supplement carefully before you invest. This prospectus may not be used to sell securities unless accompanied by a prospectus supplement.
Our common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “VNT”. On February 15, 2024, the last reported sale price of our common stock on the New York Stock Exchange was $38.63 per share. We have not yet determined whether any of the other securities that may be offered by this prospectus and any applicable prospectus supplement will be listed on any exchange, inter-dealer quotation system or over-the-counter market. Our principal executive offices are located at 5438 Wade Park Boulevard, Suite 600, Raleigh, North Carolina 27607, and our telephone number is (984) 275-6000.
Investing in our securities involves risks. You should carefully read and consider the risk factors included in our periodic reports and other information that we file with the Securities and Exchange Commission and that are incorporated by reference into this prospectus or any prospectus supplement before you invest in our securities. See “Risk Factors” on page 3 of this prospectus and any risk factors contained in any applicable prospectus supplement.
Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or passed upon the adequacy or accuracy of this prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
The date of this prospectus is February 16, 2024
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Unless otherwise indicated or the context otherwise requires, all references in this prospectus to “Vontier,” “the Company,” “we,” “our,” “us” and other similar pronouns refer to Vontier Corporation, a Delaware corporation, and its consolidated subsidiaries.
This prospectus is part of a “shelf” registration statement that we filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). By using a shelf registration statement, we may sell, from time to time, in one or more offerings, any combination of the securities described in this prospectus.
This prospectus provides you with a general description of the securities we may offer. Each time we sell securities, we will provide a prospectus supplement that will contain specific information about the terms and manner of that offering. The accompanying prospectus supplement or information incorporated by reference into this prospectus after the date of this prospectus may also add, update or change information contained in this prospectus. Any such information in a prospectus supplement that is inconsistent with this prospectus will supersede the information in this prospectus. You should read both this prospectus and the accompanying prospectus supplement together with the additional information described below under the heading “Where You Can Find More Information.”
You should rely only on the information we have provided or incorporated by reference into this prospectus, any applicable prospectus supplement and any related free writing prospectus. We have not authorized anyone to provide you with different information. No dealer, salesperson or other person is authorized to give any information or to represent anything not contained in this prospectus, any applicable prospectus supplement or any related free writing prospectus.
Neither the delivery of this prospectus nor any sale made under it implies that the information in this prospectus is correct as of any date after the date of this prospectus. You should assume that the information in this prospectus, any applicable prospectus supplement or any related free writing prospectus is accurate only as of the date thereof and that any information incorporated by reference in this prospectus, any applicable prospectus supplement or any related free writing prospectus is accurate only as of the date of the document incorporated by reference, regardless of the time of delivery of this prospectus, any applicable prospectus supplement or any related free writing prospectus, or any sale of a security.
This prospectus contains summaries of certain provisions contained in some of the documents described herein, but reference is made to the actual documents for complete information. All of the summaries are qualified in their entirety by the actual documents. Copies of some of the documents referred to herein have been filed, will be filed or will be incorporated by reference as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part, and you may obtain copies of those documents as described below under the heading “Incorporation by Reference.”
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION
We file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements, and other information with the SEC. Our SEC filings are available to the public without charge at the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. We also make our SEC filings available to the public without charge on or through our website at www.vontier.com. Information contained on or accessible through our website is not incorporated by reference in and does not form a part of this prospectus. We have filed with the SEC a registration statement on Form S-3 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”) with respect to the securities covered by this prospectus. This prospectus, which is a part of the registration statement, does not contain all of the information set forth in the
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registration statement or the exhibits and schedules filed therewith. For further information with respect to us and the securities covered by this prospectus, please see the registration statement and the exhibits filed with the registration statement. A copy of the registration statement and the exhibits filed with the registration statement may be obtained from the SEC as indicated above, or from us as indicated under “Incorporation by Reference.”
The SEC allows us to “incorporate by reference” into this prospectus the information that we file with the SEC. This permits us to disclose important information to you by referring to these filed documents. Any information referred to in this way is considered part of this prospectus, and any information filed with the SEC by us after the date of this prospectus will automatically be deemed to update and supersede this information. We incorporate by reference the following documents that have been filed with the SEC (other than, in each case, documents or information deemed furnished and not filed in accordance with SEC rules, including pursuant to Item 2.02 or Item 7.01 or any related exhibit furnished under Item 9.01(d) of Form 8-K, and no such information shall be deemed specifically incorporated by reference hereby):
| • | Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023, filed with the SEC on February 15, 2024 (“Annual Report”); |
| • | The information specifically incorporated by reference into our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022 from our Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A filed with the SEC on April 7, 2023; |
| • | The description of our common stock filed as Exhibit 4.1 to our Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed with the SEC on February 25, 2021, and any amendment or reports filed for the purpose of updating such description. |
We also incorporate by reference any future filings (other than information in such documents that is not deemed to be filed) made with the SEC pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”) until we file a post-effective amendment which indicates the termination of the offering of the securities made by this prospectus.
You may obtain copies of these filings by accessing the SEC’s website or our website as described above under “Where You Can Find More Information.” In addition, we will provide without charge upon written or oral request a copy of any or all of the documents that are incorporated by reference into this prospectus, other than exhibits which are specifically incorporated by reference into such documents. Requests should be directed to our Corporate Secretary at Vontier Corporation, 5438 Wade Park Boulevard, Suite 600, Raleigh, North Carolina 27607. Our telephone number is (984) 275-6000.
SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference herein contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act and Section 21E of the Exchange Act. Some of these statements can be identified by use of forward-looking words such as “believes,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “may,” “will,” “should,” “seeks,” “approximately,” “intends,” “plans” or “estimates,” or the negative of these words, or other comparable terminology. The discussion of financial trends, strategy, plans or intentions may also include forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected, anticipated, or implied. Although it is not possible to predict or identify all such risks and uncertainties, they may include, but are not limited to, the factors discussed under “Risk Factors” in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, in our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, in any prospectus supplement related hereto, and in other information contained in our publicly available SEC filings and press releases.
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You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any such forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date such statements were first made. Except to the extent required by federal securities laws, we undertake no obligation to publicly release the result of any revisions to these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.
Investing in our securities involves risks. Before making a decision to invest in our securities, in addition to the other information contained in this prospectus, any accompanying prospectus supplement or any related free writing prospectus, or incorporated by reference herein or therein, you should carefully consider the risks discussed under “Risk Factors” in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, in our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, in any prospectus supplement related hereto, and in other information contained in our publicly available SEC filings and press releases. See “Where You Can Find Additional Information.”
General
Vontier Corporation (“Vontier,” the “Company,” “we,” or “our”) is a global industrial technology company uniting productivity, automation and multi-energy technologies to meet the needs of a rapidly evolving, more connected mobility ecosystem. Leveraging leading market positions, decades of domain expertise and unparalleled portfolio breadth, Vontier enables the way the world moves, delivering smart, safe and sustainable solutions to our customers and the planet.
Vontier Corporation is a Delaware corporation that was incorporated in 2019 in connection with the separation of Vontier from Fortive Corporation (“Fortive”) on October 9, 2020, as an independent, publicly-traded company, listed on the New York Stock Exchange (the “Separation”).
The Company serves a diverse set of end markets across the mobility ecosystem, supplying a wide range of solutions spanning advanced environmental sensing and monitoring equipment, fueling equipment, field payment hardware, point-of-sale, workflow and monitoring software, vehicle tracking and fleet management, software platform for EV charging, alternative fuel dispensing solutions and vehicle service technicians’ equipment. Vontier markets its products and services to retail and commercial fueling operators, convenience store operators, car wash operators, commercial vehicle repair businesses, fleet owners/operators and electric vehicle charging network operators on a global basis.
Our research and development, manufacturing, sales, distribution, service and administration operations are located in approximately 25 countries primarily across North America, Asia Pacific, Europe and Latin America.
We are guided by our shared purpose to mobilize the future to create a better world and are united by a culture of continuous improvement and bias for actions that embody the Vontier Business System (“VBS”). Through rigorous application of our proprietary VBS set of growth, lean, and leadership tools and processes, we continuously improve business performance in the critical areas of innovation, product development and commercialization, global supply chain, sales and marketing and leadership development. Our commitment to VBS and goal of creating long-term shareholder value has enabled us to drive customer satisfaction and profitability, significant improvements in innovation, growth and disciplined acquisitions to execute our strategy and expand our portfolio into new and attractive markets. Through our VBS-led execution of our Connected Mobility strategy, we are accelerating the transformation to a connected, smart mobility ecosystem by creating enhanced and interconnected platforms throughout our segments.
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Segments
In the first quarter of 2023, we realigned our internal organization to align with our strategy, resulting in changes to our operating segments. We now operate through three reportable segments comprised of three operating segments. Our three operating segments, and businesses within, are as follows:
| • | Mobility Technologies: Invenco by GVR, DRB, Teletrac Navman, ANGI and EVolve. |
| • | Repair Solutions: Matco Tools. |
| • | Environmental & Fueling Solutions: Gilbarco Veeder-Root. |
Mobility Technologies
Mobility Technologies provides digitally enabled equipment and operating software solutions to drive automation, productivity and compliance across the mobility ecosystem. Offerings include convenience retail operating platform, point-of-sale and payment solutions, remote diagnostics and site-management tools, IoT-based fleet telematics and workflow automation solutions, data analytics, operating software platform for electric vehicle charging networks and integrated solutions for alternative fuel dispensing. Mobility Technologies serves major markets with tailored solutions for customers based on their unique needs.
Invenco by GVR serves convenience retail stores and energy retailing providers globally. We provide a network of connected solutions including devices, software, APIs and services to improve productivity, automation, compliance and safety to help our customers deliver better consumer experiences, increase revenue yield and generate higher margins. Our end-to-end solutions ensure uninterrupted operations for our customers’ site covering forecourts, stores and other on-site services including quick service restaurants, car washes and EV charging. We have a large installed customer base with point-of-sale and self-checkout technology, payment processing and workflow software, payment terminals, site automation services, media capabilities, loyalty, remote site management, and fuel logistics offerings. Our universally compatible, modular, composable cloud-connected solutions are designed to integrate seamlessly with one-another as well as third-party offerings, enabling our customers to extend and rapidly deploy new features across their network. We believe we are uniquely positioned to deliver end-to-end technology solutions at-scale to customers, enabling them to manage changing consumer preferences, labor shortages, increasing site complexity and technology investments, and the rising cost of compliance.
DRB provides integrated technology solutions to the car wash industry. We provide an end-to-end technology platform combining embedded point-of-sale, workflow and monitoring software, customer support, digital marketing and payment facilitation services. Our car wash solutions are marketed under a variety of brands, including Patheon, SiteWatch, Suds, TunnelWatch, NoPileups, FastPass, Washify, InvoMax, Auto Data and Sage Microsystems. We serve individual customer sites and have long-standing relationships with the majority of the top 20 car wash platforms in North America. We believe that DRB’s market leading integrated technology, superior reliability, high customer retention and unique business model position us well to capitalize on numerous paths for accelerated growth, including customer consolidation, continued shift from full service to express car washes, increasing adoption of workflow technology-as-a-service, shorter upgrade cycles, labor challenges and water efficiency programs and usage restrictions.
Teletrac Navman offers telematics hardware and software solutions to commercial and government fleet operators. We provide vehicle tracking devices, telematics hardware and software solutions, and end-to-end sustainable fleet management solutions. Our global customer base leverages our suite of solutions for data-driven insights into fleet operations, vehicle and equipment maintenance and asset utilization to improve fleet safety and productivity, optimize business performance and deliver on sustainability or decarbonization commitments. We believe that our differentiated technology and software solutions are positioned to benefit from increasing regulations worldwide governing driver safety, hours of service, recording and monitoring requirements and the adoption of alternative fuels.
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ANGI provides equipment, software and services to commercial and government fleet operators as well as retail gaseous fuel station developers and operators. Our full-site integrated solutions span compressed natural gas (“CNG”), renewable natural gas (“RNG”), hydrogen (H2) and biogas compression and dispensing. We offer scalable, modular systems, including dispensing, compression, storage, service, and automation solutions to support global fleet decarbonization. We believe our industry leading alternative energy fueling offerings strategically position us to capitalize on key market trends, including infrastructure buildout and decarbonization at scale.
EVolve, made up of our Driivz and Sparkion businesses, serves charge point operators and fleet operators, globally. Our interoperable electric vehicle charging and energy management platform solutions enable customers to facilitate EV charging economically at scale, secure energy resiliency and deliver on sustainability or decarbonization commitments. We believe our market leading technologies position us to capitalize on key market trends, including the investment in and adoption of electrified fleets, alternative fueling, and infrastructure buildout.
Customers in this segment choose suppliers based on several factors, including product features, performance and functionality, the supplier’s geographic coverage and the other factors described under “Competition” in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and subsequent filings made with the SEC and incorporated by reference in this prospectus and any prospectus supplement. Sales are generally made to independent distributors or through our direct sales personnel.
Repair Solutions
Repair Solutions comprises the Matco Tools business, a leading manufacturer and distributor of aftermarket vehicle repair tools, toolboxes, automotive diagnostic equipment and software through a robust network of mobile franchisees. Under the Matco Tools brand, we manufacture and distribute vehicle repair tools, toolboxes and automotive diagnostic equipment and software through our network of franchised mobile distributors, who purchase vehicle repair tools, equipment and services from us and resell primarily to professional mechanics directly.
To complement our offering of vehicle repair tools, we have developed a software as a service (“SaaS”) suite of diagnostic tools and software to enhance repair shop workflow and strengthen relationships with our customers. We also generate sales from initial and recurring franchise fees as well as various financing programs that include installment sales to franchisees. We believe that Matco Tools’ integrated workflow and diagnostic solutions are well positioned to capitalize on the increasing complexity of vehicles as advanced driver-assistance systems and other vehicle automation systems become prevalent.
Customers in this segment choose suppliers based on several factors, including relevant innovative features, convenience and the other factors described under “Competition” in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and subsequent filings made with the SEC and incorporated by reference in this prospectus and any prospectus supplement.
Environmental & Fueling Solutions
Environmental & Fueling Solutions is a leading manufacturer and provider of solutions to improve safety, environmental compliance and fueling efficiency globally. Through brands including Gilbarco, Veeder-Root, and Fafnir, we serve independent and company owned retail and commercial fueling operators with industry-leading environmental monitoring and leak detection systems, forecourt controllers, vapor recovery equipment and fuel dispenser systems for petroleum. Our large installed base of products provides a recurring revenue stream for aftermarket parts and service offerings. We believe our substantial scale and sophisticated technology offerings strategically position us to capitalize on key market trends, including fueling site consolidation and complexity, increasing regulatory requirements and global regulations, and aging infrastructure.
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Customers in this segment choose suppliers based on several factors, including product features, performance and functionality, the supplier’s geographic coverage and the other factors described under “Competition” in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and subsequent filings made with the SEC and incorporated by reference in this prospectus and any prospectus supplement. Sales are generally made to independent distributors or through our direct sales personnel.
Unless otherwise set forth in a prospectus supplement with respect to the proceeds from the sale of the particular securities to which such prospectus supplement relates, we intend to use the net proceeds from the sale of the offered securities for general corporate purposes, including repayment or redemption of outstanding debt or preferred stock, the possible acquisition of businesses or assets thereof, and working capital needs.
General
The following descriptions of our capital stock and of certain provisions of Delaware law do not purport to be complete and are subject to and qualified in their entirety by reference to our amended and restated certificate of incorporation, our amended and restated bylaws and the Delaware General Corporation Law (“DGCL”). Copies of our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and our amended and restated bylaws have been filed with the SEC and are filed as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part.
As of the date hereof, our authorized capital stock consists of 2,000,000,000 shares, of which 1,985,000,000 shares are common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, and 15,000,000 shares are preferred stock, with no par value. We may amend from time to time our amended and restated certificate of incorporation to increase the number of authorized shares of common stock and/or preferred stock. Any such amendment would require the approval of the holders of a majority of our shares entitled to vote.
As of February 12, 2024, there were 153,898,575 shares of common stock issued and outstanding, and no shares of preferred stock issued and outstanding. All of our outstanding shares of common stock are fully paid and non-assessable.
Our common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “VNT”.
Common Stock
Holders of our common stock are entitled to the rights set forth below.
Voting Rights
Each holder of our common stock is entitled to one vote for each share on all matters to be voted upon by stockholders. At each meeting of the stockholders, a majority in voting power of our shares issued and outstanding and entitled to vote at the meeting, present in person or represented by proxy, will constitute a quorum.
Directors will be elected by a majority of the votes cast at a meeting of stockholders, except that a plurality standard will apply in contested elections. Our stockholders do not have cumulative voting rights. Except as otherwise provided in our amended and restated certificate of incorporation or as required by law, any question brought before any meeting of stockholders, other than the election of directors, will be decided by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the total number of votes of our shares represented at the meeting and entitled to vote on such question, voting as a single class.
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Dividends
Subject to any preferential rights of any outstanding preferred stock, holders of our common stock will be entitled to receive ratably the dividends, if any, as may be declared from time to time by the board of directors (the “Board”) out of funds legally available for that purpose. If there is a liquidation, dissolution or winding up of us, holders of our common stock would be entitled to ratable distribution of its assets remaining after the payment in full of liabilities and any preferential rights of any then-outstanding preferred stock.
No Preemptive or Similar Rights
Holders of our common stock have no preemptive or conversion rights or other subscription rights, and there are no redemption or sinking fund provisions applicable to the common stock. At the time of the distribution, all outstanding shares of our common stock were fully paid and non-assessable.
Preferred Stock
Under the terms of our amended and restated certificate of incorporation, the Board is authorized, subject to limitations prescribed by the DGCL and by our amended and restated certificate of incorporation, to issue up to 15,000,000 shares of preferred stock in one or more series without further action by the holders of our common stock. The Board has the discretion, subject to limitations prescribed by the DGCL and by our amended and restated certificate of incorporation, to determine the rights, preferences, privileges and restrictions, including voting rights, dividend rights, conversion rights, redemption privileges and liquidation preferences, of each series of preferred stock. The rights, preferences and privileges of the holders of our common stock are subject to, and may be adversely affected by, the rights of the holders of shares of any series of preferred stock that we may designate and issue in the future.
Anti-Takeover Effects of Various Provisions of Delaware Law and Our Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws
Provisions of the DGCL and our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and bylaws could make it more difficult to acquire us by means of a tender offer, a proxy contest or otherwise, or to remove incumbent officers and directors. These provisions, summarized below, are expected to discourage certain types of coercive takeover practices and takeover bids that the Board may consider inadequate and to encourage persons seeking to acquire control of us to first negotiate with the Board. We believe that the benefits of increased protection of its ability to negotiate with the proponent of an unfriendly or unsolicited proposal to acquire or restructure it outweigh the disadvantages of discouraging takeover or acquisition proposals because, among other things, negotiation of these proposals could result in an improvement of their terms.
Delaware Anti-Takeover Statute. We are subject to Section 203 of the DGCL, an anti-takeover statute. In general, Section 203 of the DGCL prohibits a publicly held Delaware corporation from engaging in a “business combination” with an “interested stockholder” for a period of three years following the time the person became an interested stockholder, unless (i) prior to such time, the Board of Directors of such corporation approved either the business combination or the transaction that resulted in the stockholder becoming an interested stockholder; (ii) upon consummation of the transaction that resulted in the stockholder becoming an interested stockholder, the interested stockholder owned at least 85% of the voting stock of such corporation at the time the transaction commenced (excluding for purposes of determining the voting stock outstanding (but not the outstanding voting stock owned by the interested stockholder) the voting stock owned by directors who are also officers or held in employee benefit plans in which the employees do not have a confidential right to tender or vote stock held by the plan); or (iii) on or subsequent to such time the business combination is approved by the Board of Directors of such corporation and authorized at a meeting of stockholders by the affirmative vote of at least two-thirds of the outstanding voting stock of such corporation not owned by the interested stockholder. Generally, a “business combination” includes a merger, asset or stock sale, or other transaction resulting in a financial benefit to the interested stockholder. Generally, an “interested stockholder” is a person who, together
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with affiliates and associates, owns (or within three years prior to the determination of interested stockholder status did own) 15% or more of a corporation’s voting stock. The existence of this provision would be expected to have an anti-takeover effect with respect to transactions not approved in advance by the Board, including discouraging attempts that might result in a premium over the market price for the shares of our common stock held by our stockholders.
A Delaware corporation may “opt out” of Section 203 with an express provision in its original certificate of incorporation or an express provision in its certificate of incorporation or bylaws resulting from amendments approved by holders of at least a majority of the corporation’s outstanding voting shares. We will not elect to “opt out” of Section 203.
Classified Board. Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation provides that, until our 2025 annual meeting of stockholders, our Board is divided into three classes. At our 2022 annual meeting of stockholders, our stockholders approved a proposal from our Board to amend our certificate of incorporation to declassify our Board and to provide, starting with our 2023 annual meeting of stockholders, for the election of directors to one-year terms. Beginning with our 2025 annual meeting of stockholders, the entire Board will be elected annually. Accordingly, until our 2025 annual meeting of stockholders these provisions could discourage a third party from initiating a proxy contest, making a tender offer or otherwise attempting to gain control of us.
Removal of Directors. Our amended and restated bylaws provide that our stockholders may remove our directors only for cause, by an affirmative vote of holders of at least the majority of our voting stock then outstanding.
Amendments to Certificate of Incorporation. Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation provides that the affirmative vote of the holders of at least a majority of the total voting power of our outstanding shares entitled to vote thereon, voting as a single class, is required to amend certain provisions relating to the number, term, classification, removal and filling of vacancies with respect to the Board, the advance notice to be given for nominations for elections of directors, the calling of special meetings of stockholders, cumulative voting, stockholder action by written consent, certain relationships and transactions with Fortive, the ability to amend the bylaws, the elimination of liability of directors to the extent permitted by Delaware law, director and officer indemnification and any provision relating to the amendment of any of these provisions.
Amendments to Bylaws. Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and amended and restated bylaws provide that our amended and restated bylaws may only be amended by the Board or by the affirmative vote of the holders of at least a majority of the total voting power of our outstanding shares entitled to vote thereon, voting as a single class.
Size of Board and Vacancies. Our amended and restated bylaws provide that the Board will consist of not less than three nor greater than 15 directors, the exact number of which will be fixed exclusively by the Board. Any vacancies created in the Board resulting from any increase in the authorized number of directors or the death, resignation, retirement, disqualification, removal from office or other cause will be filled by a majority of the directors then in office, even if less than a quorum is present, or by a sole remaining director. Any director appointed to fill a vacancy on the Board will hold office until the earlier of the expiration of the term of office of the director whom he or she has replaced, a successor is duly elected and qualified or the earlier of such director’s death, resignation or removal.
Special Stockholder Meetings. Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and amended and restated bylaws provide that special meetings of stockholders may be called only by the secretary upon a written request delivered to the secretary by (a) the Board pursuant to a resolution adopted by a majority of the entire Board, (b) the chairman of the Board or (c) the chief executive officer of the Corporation. Stockholders may not call special stockholder meetings.
Stockholder Action by Written Consent. Our amended and restated bylaws expressly eliminates the right of our stockholders to act by written consent. Stockholder action must take place at the annual or a special meeting of our stockholders.
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Requirements for Advance Notification of Stockholder Nominations and Proposals. Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation mandates that stockholder nominations for the election of directors will be given in accordance with the bylaws. The amended and restated bylaws establish advance notice procedures with respect to stockholder proposals and nomination of candidates for election as directors as well as minimum qualification requirements for stockholders making the proposals or nominations. Additionally, the bylaws require that candidates for election as director disclose their qualifications and make certain representations.
No Cumulative Voting. The DGCL provides that stockholders are denied the right to cumulate votes in the election of directors unless the company’s certificate of incorporation provides otherwise. Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation does not provide for cumulative voting.
Undesignated Preferred Stock. The authority that the Board possesses to issue preferred stock could potentially be used to discourage attempts by third parties to obtain control of us through a merger, tender offer, proxy contest or otherwise by making such attempts more difficult or more costly. The Board may be able to issue preferred stock with voting rights or conversion rights that, if exercised, could adversely affect the voting power of the holders of common stock.
Exclusive Forum Provision of our Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation
Our Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation provide that, unless we consent in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, the sole and exclusive forum for specified legal actions is the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware or another state or federal court located within the State of Delaware if the Court of Chancery lacks subject matter jurisdiction over any such action or proceeding. Unless we consent in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, the federal district courts of the United States of America shall be the sole and exclusive forum for the resolution of any complaint asserting a cause of action arising under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. Current and former stockholders are deemed to have notice of and consented to the forum selection provision in our Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation.
Authorized but Unissued Shares
Our authorized but unissued shares of common stock and preferred stock will be available for future issuance without stockholders approval. We may use additional shares for a variety of purposes, including future public offerings to raise additional capital, to fund acquisitions and as employee compensation. As noted above, the existence of authorized but unissued shares of common stock and preferred stock could also render more difficult or discourage an attempt to obtain control of us by means of a proxy contest, tender offer, merger or otherwise.
Limitations on Liability, Indemnification of Officers and Directors and Insurance
The DGCL authorizes corporations to limit or eliminate the personal liability of directors to corporations and their stockholders for monetary damages for breaches of directors’ fiduciary duties as directors, and our amended and restated certificate of incorporation includes such an exculpation provision. Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and bylaws include provisions that indemnify, to the fullest extent allowable under the DGCL, the personal liability of directors or officers for monetary damages for actions taken as our director or officer, or for serving at our request as a director or officer or another position at another corporation or enterprise, as the case may be. Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and bylaws provide that we must indemnify and advance reasonable expenses to our directors and, subject to certain exceptions, officers, subject to our receipt of an undertaking from the indemnified party as may be required under the DGCL. Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation expressly authorizes us to carry directors’ and officers’ insurance to protect us, our directors, officers and certain employees for some liabilities.
The limitation of liability and indemnification provisions that are in our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and bylaws may discourage stockholders from bringing a lawsuit against directors for breach of
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their fiduciary duty. These provisions may also have the effect of reducing the likelihood of derivative litigation against our directors and officers, even though such an action, if successful, might otherwise benefit us and our stockholders. However, these provisions do not limit or eliminate our rights, or those of any stockholder, to seek non-monetary relief such as injunction or rescission in the event of a breach of a director’s duty of care. The provisions do not alter the liability of directors under the federal securities laws. In addition, your investment may be adversely affected to the extent that, in a class action or direct suit, we pay the costs of settlement and damage awards against directors and officers pursuant to these indemnification provisions. There is currently no pending material litigation or proceeding against us or any of our directors, officers or employees for which indemnification is sought.
Transfer Agent and Registrar
Computershare Trust Company, N.A. acts as transfer agent and registrar of our common stock.
Listing
Our common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “VNT”.
DESCRIPTION OF DEPOSITARY SHARES
We may offer depositary receipts representing fractional shares of our preferred stock, rather than full shares of preferred stock. The shares of preferred stock represented by depositary shares will be deposited under a depositary agreement between us and a bank or trust company that meets certain requirements and is selected by us (the “Deposit Agreement”). Each owner of a depositary share will be entitled to all the rights and preferences of the preferred stock represented by the depositary share.
The following description of the depositary shares does not purport to be complete and is subject to and qualified in its entirety by the applicable Deposit Agreement, which will be described in an accompanying prospectus supplement if we offer depositary shares. The description in an accompanying prospectus supplement of any depositary shares we offer will not necessarily be complete and will be qualified in its entirety by reference to the applicable Deposit Agreement, which will be filed with the SEC if we offer depositary shares. For more information on how you can obtain copies of any Deposit Agreement if we offer depositary shares, see “Where You Can Find More Information.” We urge you to read the applicable Deposit Agreement and any accompanying prospectus supplement in their entirety.
General
If we elect to offer fractional interests in shares of preferred stock, we will provide for the issuance by a depositary to the public of receipts for depositary shares. Each depositary share will represent fractional interests of preferred stock. We will deposit the shares of preferred stock underlying the depositary shares under a Deposit Agreement between us and a bank or trust company selected by us. The bank or trust company must have its principal office in the United States and a combined capital and surplus of at least $50 million. The depositary receipts will evidence the depositary shares issued under the applicable Deposit Agreement.
The applicable Deposit Agreement will contain terms applicable to the holders of depositary shares in addition to the terms stated in the depositary receipts. Each owner of depositary shares will be entitled to all the rights and preferences of the preferred stock underlying the depositary shares in proportion to the applicable fractional interest in the underlying shares of preferred stock. The depositary will issue the depositary receipts to individuals purchasing the fractional interests in shares of the related preferred stock according to the terms of the offering described in any applicable prospectus supplement.
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Dividends and Other Distributions
The depositary will distribute all cash dividends or other cash distributions received for the preferred stock to the entitled record holders of depositary shares in proportion to the number of depositary shares that the holder owns on the relevant record date. The depositary will distribute only an amount that can be distributed without attributing to any holder of depositary shares a fraction of one cent. The depositary will add the undistributed balance to and treat it as part of the next sum received by the depositary for distribution to holders of depositary shares.
If there is a non-cash distribution, the depositary will distribute property received by it to the entitled record holders of depositary shares, in proportion, insofar as possible, to the number of depositary shares owned by the holders, unless the depositary determines, after consultation with us, that it is not feasible to make such distribution. If this occurs, the depositary may, with our approval, sell such property and distribute the net proceeds from the sale to the holders. The applicable Deposit Agreement also will contain provisions relating to how any subscription or similar rights that we may offer to holders of the preferred stock will be available to the holders of the depositary shares.
Conversion, Exchange and Redemption
If any series of preferred stock underlying the depositary shares may be converted or exchanged, each record holder of depositary receipts will have the right or obligation to convert or exchange the depositary shares represented by the depositary receipts.
Whenever we redeem shares of preferred stock held by the depositary, the depositary will redeem, at the same time, the number of depositary shares representing the preferred stock. The depositary will redeem the depositary shares from the proceeds it receives from the corresponding redemption, in whole or in part, of the applicable series of preferred stock. The depositary will mail notice of redemption to the record holders of the depositary shares that are to be redeemed between 30 and 60 days before the date fixed for redemption. The redemption price per depositary share will be equal to the applicable fraction of the redemption price per share on the applicable series of preferred stock. If less than all the depositary shares are to be redeemed, the depositary will select which shares to be redeemed by lot, proportionate allocation or any other method.
After the date fixed for redemption, the depositary shares called for redemption will no longer be outstanding. When the depositary shares are no longer outstanding, all rights of the holders will end, except the right to receive money, securities or other property payable upon redemption.
Voting
When the depositary receives notice of a meeting at which the holders of the preferred stock are entitled to vote, the depositary will mail the particulars of the meeting to the record holders of the depositary shares. Each record holder of depositary shares on the record date may instruct the depositary on how to vote the shares of preferred stock underlying the holder’s depositary shares. The depositary will try, if practical, to vote the number of shares of preferred stock underlying the depositary shares according to the instructions. The depositary will abstain from voting shares of the preferred stock to the extent it does not receive specific instructions from the holders of depositary shares representing such preferred stock. We will agree to take all reasonable action requested by the depositary to enable it to vote as instructed.
Record Date
Whenever (1) any cash dividend or other cash distribution shall become payable, any distribution other than cash shall be made, or any rights, preferences or privileges shall be offered with respect to the preferred stock, or (2) the depositary shall receive notice of any meeting at which holders of preferred stock are entitled to vote or of
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which holders of preferred stock are entitled to notice, or of the mandatory conversion of or any election on our part to call for the redemption of any preferred stock, the depositary shall in each such instance fix a record date (which shall be the same as the record date for the preferred stock) for the determination of the holders of depositary receipts (x) who shall be entitled to receive such dividend, distribution, rights, preferences or privileges or the net proceeds of the sale thereof or (y) who shall be entitled to give instructions for the exercise of voting rights at any such meeting or to receive notice of such meeting or of such redemption or conversion, subject to the provisions of the Deposit Agreement.
Amendments
We and the depositary may agree to amend a Deposit Agreement and the depositary receipt evidencing the depositary shares. Any amendment that (a) imposes or increases certain fees, taxes or other charges payable by the holders of the depositary shares as described in the Deposit Agreement or (b) otherwise prejudices any substantial existing right of holders of depositary shares, will not take effect until 30 days after the depositary has mailed notice of the amendment to the record holders of depositary shares. Any holder of depositary shares that continues to hold its shares at the end of the 30-day period will be deemed to have agreed to the amendment.
Termination
We may direct the depositary to terminate the applicable Deposit Agreement by mailing a notice of termination to holders of depositary shares at least 30 days prior to termination. In addition, a Deposit Agreement will automatically terminate if:
| • | the depositary has redeemed all related outstanding depositary shares, or |
| • | we have liquidated, terminated or wound up our business and the depositary has distributed the preferred stock of the relevant series to the holders of the related depositary shares. |
The depositary may likewise terminate the applicable Deposit Agreement if at any time 60 days shall have expired after the depositary shall have delivered to us a written notice of its election to resign and a successor depositary shall not have been appointed and accepted its appointment. If any depositary receipts remain outstanding after the date of termination, the depositary thereafter will discontinue the transfer of depositary receipts, will suspend the distribution of dividends to the holders thereof, and will not give any further notices (other than notice of such termination) or perform any further acts under the applicable Deposit Agreement except as provided below and except that the depositary will continue (1) to collect dividends on the preferred stock and any other distributions with respect thereto and (2) to deliver the preferred stock together with such dividends and distributions and the net proceeds of any sales of rights, preferences, privileges or other property, without liability for interest thereon, in exchange for depositary receipts surrendered. At any time after the expiration of two years from the date of termination, the depositary may sell the preferred stock then held by it at public or private sales, at such place or places and upon such terms as it deems proper and may thereafter hold the net proceeds of any such sale, together with any money and other property then held by it, without liability for interest thereon, for the pro rata benefit of the holders of depositary receipts which have not been surrendered.
Payment of Fees and Expenses
We will pay all fees, charges and expenses of the depositary, including the initial deposit of the preferred stock and any redemption of the preferred stock. Holders of depositary shares will pay transfer and other taxes and governmental charges and any other charges as are stated in the applicable Deposit Agreement for their accounts.
Resignation and Removal of Depositary
At any time, the depositary may resign by delivering notice to us, and we may remove the depositary. Resignations or removals will take effect upon the appointment of a successor depositary and its acceptance of
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the appointment. The successor depositary must be appointed within 60 days after delivery of the notice of resignation or removal and must be a bank or trust company having its principal office in the United States and having a combined capital and surplus of at least $50 million.
Reports
The depositary will forward to the holders of depositary shares all reports and communications from us that are delivered to the depositary and that we are required by law, the rules of an applicable securities exchange or our amended and restated certificate of incorporation to furnish to the holders of the preferred stock. Neither we nor the depositary will be liable if the depositary is prevented or delayed by law or any circumstances beyond its control in performing its obligations under the applicable Deposit Agreement. The applicable Deposit Agreement will limit our obligations and the depositary’s obligations to performance in good faith of the duties stated in the applicable Deposit Agreement. Neither we nor the depositary will be obligated to prosecute or defend any legal proceeding connected with any depositary shares or preferred stock unless the holders of depositary shares requesting us to do so furnish us with satisfactory indemnity. In performing our obligations, we and the depositary may rely upon the written advice of our counsel or accountants, on any information that competent people provide to us and on documents that we believe are genuine.
DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES
All references in this section to “Vontier,” “the Company,” “we,” “our,” “us,” and other similar pronouns refer only to Vontier Corporation and not to its subsidiaries. The following descriptions of the debt securities do not purport to be complete and are subject to and qualified in their entirety by reference to the form of indenture, which has been filed with the SEC as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part. Any future supplemental indenture or similar document also will be so filed. You should read the indenture and any supplemental indenture or similar document because they, and not this description, define your rights as holder of our debt securities. All capitalized terms have the meanings specified in the indenture.
We may issue, from time to time, debt securities, in one or more series, that will consist of either our senior debt (“Senior Debt Securities”), our senior subordinated debt (“Senior Subordinated Debt Securities”), our subordinated debt (“Subordinated Debt Securities”) or our junior subordinated debt (“Junior Subordinated Debt Securities” and, together with the Senior Subordinated Debt Securities and the Subordinated Debt Securities, the “Subordinated Securities”). The debt securities we offer will be issued under an indenture to be entered into between us and Wilmington Trust, National Association, acting as trustee. Debt securities, whether senior, senior subordinated, subordinated or junior subordinated, may be issued as convertible debt securities or exchangeable debt securities.
General Terms of the Form of Indenture
The indenture does not limit the amount of debt securities that we may issue. It provides that we may issue debt securities up to the principal amount that we may authorize and may be in any currency or currency unit designated by us. Except for the limitations on consolidation, merger and sale of all or substantially all of our assets contained in the indenture, the terms of the indenture do not contain any covenants or other provisions designed to afford holders of any debt securities protection with respect to our operations, financial condition or transactions involving us.
We may issue the debt securities issued under the indenture as “discount securities,” which means they may be sold at a discount below their stated principal amount. These debt securities, as well as other debt securities that are not issued at a discount, may, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, be treated as if they were issued with “original issue discount,” or “OID,” because of interest payment and other characteristics. Special U.S. federal income tax considerations applicable to debt securities issued with original issue discount will be described in more detail in any applicable prospectus supplement.
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The applicable prospectus supplement for a series of debt securities that we issue will describe, among other things, the following terms of the offered debt securities:
| • | the title or designation; |
| • | the aggregate principal amount; |
| • | whether issued in fully registered form without coupons or in a form registered as to principal only with coupons or in bearer form with coupons; |
| • | whether issued in the form of one or more global securities and whether all or a portion of the principal amount of the debt securities is represented thereby; |
| • | the price or prices at which the debt securities will be issued; |
| • | the date or dates on which principal and premium, if any, is payable; |
| • | the place or places where and the manner in which principal, premium or interest will be payable and the place or places where the debt securities may be presented for transfer and, if applicable, conversion or exchange; |
| • | interest rates, and the dates from which interest, if any, will accrue, and the dates when interest is payable; |
| • | the right, if any, to extend the interest payment periods and the duration of the extensions; |
| • | our rights or obligations to redeem or purchase the debt securities, including sinking fund or partial redemption payments; |
| • | conversion or exchange provisions, if any, including conversion or exchange prices or rates and adjustments thereto; |
| • | the currency or currencies of payment of principal and premium, if any, or interest; |
| • | the terms applicable to any debt securities issued at a discount from their stated principal amount; |
| • | the terms, if any, pursuant to which any debt securities will be subordinate to any of our other debt; |
| • | if the amount of payments of principal or interest is to be determined by reference to an index or formula, or based on a coin or currency other than that in which the debt securities are stated to be payable, the manner in which these amounts are determined and the calculation agent, if any, with respect thereto; |
| • | if other than the entire principal amount of the debt securities when issued, the portion of the principal amount payable upon acceleration of maturity as a result of a default on our obligations; |
| • | any provisions for the remarketing of the debt securities; |
| • | the trustee, if different from the existing trustee under the indenture; |
| • | any events of default, if different from the existing events of default under the indenture described in this prospectus; |
| • | if applicable, covenants affording holders of debt protection with respect to our operations, financial condition or transactions involving us; and |
| • | any other specific terms of any debt securities. |
The applicable prospectus supplement will set forth certain U.S. federal income tax considerations for holders of any debt securities and the securities exchange or quotation system on which any debt securities are listed or quoted, if any.
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Debt securities issued by us will be structurally subordinated to all indebtedness and other liabilities of our subsidiaries, except to the extent any such subsidiary guarantees or is otherwise obligated to make payment on such debt securities.
Unless otherwise provided in the applicable prospectus supplement, all securities of any one series need not be issued at the same time and may be issued from time to time without consent of any holder.
Senior Debt Securities
Payment of the principal of, and premium, if any, and interest on, Senior Debt Securities will rank on a parity with all of our other unsecured and unsubordinated debt.
Senior Subordinated Debt Securities
Payment of the principal of, premium on, if any, and interest on, Senior Subordinated Debt Securities will be junior in right of payment to the prior payment in full of all of our unsecured and unsubordinated debt. We will set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement relating to any Senior Subordinated Debt Securities the subordination terms of such securities as well as the aggregate amount of outstanding indebtedness, as of the most recent practicable date, that by its terms would be senior to the Senior Subordinated Debt Securities. We will also set forth in such prospectus supplement limitations, if any, on issuance of additional senior indebtedness.
Subordinated Debt Securities
Payment of the principal of, premium on, if any, and interest on, Subordinated Debt Securities will be subordinated and junior in right of payment to the prior payment in full of all of our unsecured and unsubordinated and Senior Subordinated Debt Securities. We will set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement relating to any Subordinated Debt Securities the subordination terms of such securities as well as the aggregate amount of outstanding indebtedness, as of the most recent practicable date, that by its terms would be senior to the Subordinated Debt Securities. We will also set forth in such prospectus supplement limitations, if any, on issuance of additional senior indebtedness.
Junior Subordinated Debt Securities
Payment of the principal of, premium on, if any, and interest on, Junior Subordinated Debt Securities will be subordinated and junior in right of payment to the prior payment in full of all of our unsecured and unsubordinated, senior subordinated and subordinated debt. We will set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement relating to any Junior Subordinated Debt Securities the subordination terms of such securities as well as the aggregate amount of outstanding indebtedness, as of the most recent practicable date, that by its terms would be senior to the Junior Subordinated Debt Securities. We will also set forth in such prospectus supplement limitations, if any, on issuance of additional senior indebtedness.
Conversion or Exchange Rights
Debt securities may be convertible into or exchangeable for other securities or property of Vontier. The terms and conditions of conversion or exchange will be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement. The terms will include, among others, the following:
| • | the conversion or exchange price; |
| • | the conversion or exchange period; |
| • | provisions regarding the ability of us or the holder to convert or exchange the debt securities; |
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| • | events requiring adjustment to the conversion or exchange price; and |
| • | provisions affecting conversion or exchange in the event of our redemption of the debt securities. |
Consolidation, Merger and Sale of Assets
We may not consolidate with or merge with or into, or convey, transfer or lease all or substantially all of our properties and assets to any person (a “successor person”) unless:
| • | we are the surviving corporation or the successor person (if other than Vontier) is a corporation organized and validly existing under the laws of any U.S. domestic jurisdiction, any current or former member state of the European Union, Canada or any province of Canada, the United Kingdom, Switzerland, the Republic of Singapore, Bermuda or the Cayman Islands and expressly assumes our obligations on the debt securities and under the indenture; |
| • | immediately after giving effect to the transaction, no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing; and |
| • | we have delivered to the trustee prior to the consummation of the proposed transaction an officer’s certificate to the foregoing effect and an opinion of counsel stating that the proposed transaction and the supplemental indenture comply with the indenture. |
Notwithstanding the above, any subsidiary of Vontier may consolidate with, merge into or transfer all or part of its properties to Vontier.
Events of Default
Unless otherwise indicated, the term “Event of Default,” when used in the indenture with respect to the debt securities of any series, means any of the following:
| • | failure to pay interest for 30 days after the date payment on any debt security of such series is due and payable; provided that an extension of an interest payment period by Vontier in accordance with the terms of the debt securities shall not constitute a failure to pay interest; |
| • | failure to pay principal or premium, if any, on any debt security of such series when due, either at maturity, upon any redemption, by declaration or otherwise; |
| • | failure to perform any other covenant in the indenture or the debt securities of such series (“other covenants”) for 90 days after notice that performance was required; |
| • | events in bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization of Vontier; or |
| • | any other Event of Default provided in the applicable resolution of our board of directors or the officers’ certificate or supplemental indenture under which we issue such series of debt securities. |
An Event of Default for a particular series of debt securities does not necessarily constitute an Event of Default for any other series of debt securities issued under the indenture. If an Event of Default relating to the payment of interest, principal or any sinking fund installment involving any series of debt securities has occurred and is continuing, the trustee or the holders of not less than 30% in aggregate principal amount of the debt securities of each affected series may declare the entire principal of all the debt securities of that series to be due and payable immediately.
If an Event of Default relating to the performance of other covenants occurs and is continuing for a period of 90 days after notice of such, or if any other Event of Default occurs and is continuing involving all of the series of Senior Debt Securities, then the trustee or the holders of not less than 30% in aggregate principal amount of all of the series of Senior Debt Securities may declare the entire principal amount of all of the series of Senior Debt Securities due and payable immediately.
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Similarly, if an Event of Default relating to the performance of other covenants occurs and is continuing for a period of 90 days after notice of such, or if any other Event of Default occurs and is continuing involving all of the series of Subordinated Securities, then the trustee or the holders of not less than 30% in aggregate principal amount of all of the series of Subordinated Securities may declare the entire principal amount of all of the series of Subordinated Securities due and payable immediately.
If, however, the Event of Default relating to the performance of other covenants or any other Event of Default that has occurred and is continuing is for less than all of the series of Senior Debt Securities or Subordinated Securities, as the case may be, then the trustee or the holders of not less than 30% in aggregate principal amount of each affected series of the Senior Debt Securities or the Subordinated Securities, as the case may be, may declare the entire principal amount of all debt securities of such affected series due and payable immediately. The holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the debt securities of a series may, after satisfying conditions, rescind and annul any of the above-described declarations and consequences involving the series.
If an Event of Default relating to events in bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization of Vontier occurs and is continuing, then the principal amount of all of the debt securities outstanding, and any accrued interest, will automatically become due and payable immediately, without any declaration or other act by the trustee or any holder.
The indenture imposes limitations on suits brought by holders of debt securities against us. Except as provided below, no holder of debt securities of any series may institute any action against us under the indenture unless:
| • | the holder has previously given to the trustee written notice of default and continuance of that default; |
| • | the holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of the affected series have requested that the trustee institute the action; |
| • | the requesting holders have offered the trustee security or indemnity reasonably satisfactory to it for expenses and liabilities that may be incurred by bringing the action; |
| • | the trustee has not instituted the action within 60 days of the request; and |
| • | the trustee has not received inconsistent direction by the holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of the affected series. |
Notwithstanding the foregoing, each holder of debt securities of any series has the right, which is absolute and unconditional, to receive payment of the principal of, and premium and interest, if any, on, such debt securities when due and to institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment, and such rights may not be impaired without the consent of that holder of debt securities.
We will be required to file annually with the Trustee a certificate, signed by an officer of Vontier, stating whether or not the officer knows of any default by us in the performance, observance or fulfillment of any condition or covenant of the indenture.
Registered Global Securities
We may issue the debt securities of a series in whole or in part in the form of one or more fully registered global securities that we will deposit with a depositary or with a nominee for a depositary identified in the applicable prospectus supplement and registered in the name of such depositary or nominee. In such case, we will issue one or more registered global securities denominated in an amount equal to the aggregate principal amount of all of the debt securities of the series to be issued and represented by such registered global security or securities.
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Unless and until it is exchanged in whole or in part for debt securities in definitive registered form, a registered global security may not be transferred except as a whole:
| • | by the depositary for such registered global security to its nominee; |
| • | by a nominee of the depositary to the depositary or another nominee of the depositary; or |
| • | by the depositary or its nominee to a successor of the depositary or a nominee of the successor. |
The prospectus supplement relating to a series of debt securities will describe the specific terms of the depositary arrangement with respect to any portion of such series represented by a registered global security. We anticipate that the following provisions will apply to all depositary arrangements for debt securities:
| • | ownership of beneficial interests in a registered global security will be limited to persons that have accounts with the depositary for the registered global security, those persons being referred to as “participants,” or persons that may hold interests through participants; |
| • | upon the issuance of a registered global security, the depositary for the registered global security will credit, on its book-entry registration and transfer system, the participants’ accounts with the respective principal amounts of the debt securities represented by the registered global security beneficially owned by the participants; |
| • | any dealers, underwriters, or agents participating in the distribution of the debt securities will designate the accounts to be credited; and |
| • | ownership of any beneficial interest in the registered global security will be shown on, and the transfer of any ownership interest will be effected only through, records maintained by the depositary for the registered global security (with respect to interests of participants) and on the records of participants (with respect to interests of persons holding through participants). |
The laws of some states may require that certain purchasers of securities take physical delivery of the securities in definitive form. These laws may limit the ability of those persons to own, transfer or pledge beneficial interests in registered global securities.
So long as the depositary for a registered global security, or its nominee, is the registered owner of the registered global security, the depositary or the nominee, as the case may be, will be considered the sole owner or holder of the debt securities represented by the registered global security for all purposes under the indenture. Except as set forth below, owners of beneficial interests in a registered global security:
| • | will not be entitled to have the debt securities represented by a registered global security registered in their names; |
| • | will not receive or be entitled to receive physical delivery of the debt securities in the definitive form; and |
| • | will not be considered the owners or holders of the debt securities under the indenture. |
Accordingly, each person owning a beneficial interest in a registered global security must rely on the procedures of the depositary for the registered global security and, if the person is not a participant, on the procedures of a participant through which the person owns its interest, to exercise any rights of a holder under the indenture.
We understand that under existing industry practices, if we request any action of holders or if an owner of a beneficial interest in a registered global security desires to give or take any action that a holder is entitled to give or take under the indenture, the depositary for the registered global security would authorize the participants holding the relevant beneficial interests to give or take the action, and those participants would authorize beneficial owners owning through those participants to give or take the action or would otherwise act upon the instructions of beneficial owners holding through them.
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We will make payments of principal and premium, if any, and interest, if any, on debt securities represented by a registered global security registered in the name of a depositary or its nominee to the depositary or its nominee, as the case may be, as the registered owners of the registered global security. None of Vontier, the trustee or any other agent of Vontier or of the trustee will be responsible or liable for any aspect of the records relating to, or payments made on account of, beneficial ownership interests in the registered global security or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records relating to the beneficial ownership interests.
We expect that the depositary for any debt securities represented by a registered global security, upon receipt of any payments of principal and premium, if any, and interest, if any, in respect of the registered global security, will immediately credit participants’ accounts with payments in amounts proportionate to their respective beneficial interests in the registered global security as shown on the records of the depositary. We also expect that standing customer instructions and customary practices will govern payments by participants to owners of beneficial interests in the registered global security held through the participants, as is now the case with the securities held for the accounts of customers in bearer form or registered in “street name.”
If the depositary for any debt securities represented by a registered global security is at any time unwilling or unable to continue as depositary or ceases to be a clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act, we will appoint an eligible successor depositary. If we fail to appoint an eligible successor depositary within 90 days, we will issue the debt securities in definitive form in exchange for the registered global security. In addition, we may at any time and in our sole discretion decide not to have any of the debt securities of a series represented by one or more registered global securities. In such event, we will issue debt securities of that series in a definitive form in exchange for all of the registered global securities representing the debt securities. The trustee will register any debt securities issued in definitive form in exchange for a registered global security in such name or names as the depositary, based upon instructions from its participants, shall instruct the trustee.
Defeasance of Debt Securities and Certain Covenants in Certain Circumstances
Legal Defeasance. The indenture provides that, unless otherwise provided by the terms of the applicable series of debt securities, we may be discharged from any and all obligations in respect of the debt securities of any series (subject to certain exceptions). We will be so discharged upon the irrevocable deposit with the trustee, in trust, of money and/or U.S. government obligations or, in the case of debt securities denominated in a single currency other than U.S. Dollars, government obligations of the government that issued or caused to be issued such currency, that, through the payment of interest and principal in accordance with their terms, will provide money or U.S. government obligations in an amount sufficient in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants to pay and discharge, and which shall be applied by the trustee (or any such other qualifying trustee) to pay and discharge each installment of principal, premium and interest on and any mandatory sinking fund payments in respect of the debt securities of that series on the stated maturity of those payments in accordance with the terms of the indenture and those debt securities.
This discharge may occur only if, among other things, we have delivered to the trustee an opinion of counsel stating that we have received from, or there has been published by, the United States Internal Revenue Service a ruling or, since the date of execution of the indenture, there has been a change in the applicable United States federal income tax law, in either case to the effect that, and based thereon such opinion shall confirm that, the holders of the debt securities of that series will not recognize income, gain or loss for United States federal income tax purposes as a result of the deposit, defeasance and discharge and will be subject to United States federal income tax on the same amounts and in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if the deposit, defeasance and discharge had not occurred.
Defeasance of Certain Covenants. The indenture provides that, unless otherwise provided by the terms of the applicable series of debt securities, upon compliance with certain conditions:
| • | we may omit to comply with the covenant described under the headings “SEC Reports,” “Compliance Certificate,” “Stay, Extension and Usury Laws” and “When Company May Merge, Etc.” and certain |
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other covenants set forth in the indenture, as well as any additional covenants which may be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement; and
| • | any omission to comply with those covenants will not constitute a Default or an Event of Default with respect to the debt securities of that series (“covenant defeasance”). |
The conditions include:
| • | depositing with the trustee money and/or U.S. government obligations or, in the case of debt securities denominated in a single currency other than U.S. Dollars, government obligations of the government that issued or caused to be issued such currency, that, through the payment of interest and principal in accordance with their terms, will provide money in an amount sufficient in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants or investment bank to pay and discharge each installment of principal of, any premium and interest on, and any mandatory sinking fund payments in respect of, the debt securities of that series on the stated maturity of those payments in accordance with the terms of the indenture and those debt securities; and |
| • | delivering to the trustee an opinion of counsel to the effect that the holders of the debt securities of that series will not recognize income, gain or loss for United States federal income tax purposes as a result of the deposit and related covenant defeasance and will be subject to United States federal income tax on the same amounts and in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if the deposit and related covenant defeasance had not occurred. |
Modification of the Form of Indenture
The indenture provides that we and the trustee may enter into supplemental indentures without the consent of the holders of debt securities to:
| • | to cure any ambiguity, to correct any mistake, to correct or supplement any provision in the indenture that may be defective or inconsistent with any other provision in the indenture, or to make other provisions in regard to matters or questions arising under the indenture; |
| • | to evidence that another person has become our successor and that the successor assumes our covenants, agreements, and obligations in the indenture and in the debt securities in accordance with the indenture; |
| • | to conform any provision in the indenture to the “Description of Notes” in the prospectus supplement to the extent that such provision in that “Description of Notes” was intended to be a verbatim recitation of a provision of the indenture and the debt securities, which intent may be evidenced by an officer’s certificate to that effect; |
| • | to secure the debt securities; |
| • | to surrender any of our rights or powers under the indenture or add to our covenants further covenants for the protection of holders of debt securities; |
| • | to add events of default for the benefit of the holders of debt securities of any series of debt securities; |
| • | to make any change that does not adversely affect the rights of any holder of debt securities; |
| • | to provide for uncertificated debt securities in addition to or in place of certificated debt securities (provided, that the uncertificated debt securities are issued in registered form for purposes of Section 163(f) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended); |
| • | to effect the appointment of a successor trustee with respect to the debt securities of any series and to add to or change any of the provisions of the indenture to provide for or facilitate administration by more than one trustee; or |
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| • | to comply with requirements of the SEC in order to effect or maintain the qualification of the indenture under the Trust Indenture Act. |
The indenture also provides that we and the trustee may, with the consent of the holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of debt securities of all series of Senior Debt Securities or Subordinated Securities, as the case may be, then outstanding and affected thereby (voting as one class), add any provisions to, or change in any manner, eliminate or modify in any way the provisions of, the indenture or modify in any manner the rights of the holders of the debt securities. We and the trustee may not, however, without the consent of the holder of each outstanding debt security affected thereby:
| • | reduce the amount of debt securities whose holders must consent to an amendment, supplement or waiver; |
| • | reduce the rate of, or extend the time for, payment of interest (including default interest) on any debt security; |
| • | reduce the principal of, or premium on, or change the fixed maturity of, any debt security; |
| • | amend the contractual right to institute suit for the enforcement of any payment of the principal of, and premium and interest (including Additional Amounts) on, the debt securities on or after the due dates expressed or provided for in the debt security; |
| • | waive a default in the payment of the principal of, or premium or interest on, any debt security (except a rescission of acceleration of the debt securities of any series by the holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding debt securities of that series and a waiver of the payment default that resulted from such acceleration); |
| • | make the principal of, or premium or interest on, any debt security payable in currency other than that stated in the debt security; |
| • | make any change to the provisions relating to waivers or amendments; or |
| • | waive a redemption payment with respect to any debt security. |
Concerning the Trustee
The indenture provides that there may be more than one trustee under the indenture, each with respect to one or more series of debt securities. If there are different trustees for different series of debt securities, each trustee will be a trustee of a trust under the indenture separate and apart from the trust administered by any other trustee under the indenture. Except as otherwise indicated in this prospectus or any prospectus supplement, any action permitted to be taken by a trustee may be taken by such trustee only with respect to the one or more series of debt securities for which it is the trustee under the indenture. Any trustee under the indenture may resign or be removed with respect to one or more series of debt securities. All payments of principal of, premium on, if any, and interest on, and all registration, transfer, exchange, authentication and delivery (including authentication and delivery on original issuance of the debt securities) of, the debt securities of a series will be effected by the trustee with respect to that series at an office designated by the trustee.
The indenture contains limitations on the right of the trustee, should it become a creditor of Vontier, to obtain payment of claims in some cases or to realize on certain property received in respect of any such claim as security or otherwise. The trustee may engage in other transactions. If it acquires any conflicting interest relating to any duties with respect to the debt securities, however, it must eliminate the conflict or resign as trustee.
The holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of any series of debt securities then outstanding will have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for exercising any remedy available to the trustee with respect to such series of debt securities, provided that the direction would not conflict with any rule of law or with the indenture, would not be unduly prejudicial to the rights of another holder of the debt securities, and would not involve any trustee in personal liability. The indenture provides that in case
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an Event of Default shall occur and be known to any trustee and not be cured, the trustee must use the same degree of care as a prudent person would use in the conduct of his or her own affairs in the exercise of the trustee’s power. Subject to these provisions, the trustee will be under no obligation to exercise any of its rights or powers under the indenture at the request of any of the holders of the debt securities, unless they shall have offered to the trustee security and indemnity satisfactory to the trustee.
No Individual Liability of Incorporators, Stockholders, Officers or Directors
The indenture provides that no incorporator and no past, present or future stockholder, officer or director of Vontier or any successor corporation in their capacity as such shall have any individual liability for any of our obligations, covenants or agreements under the debt securities or the indenture.
Governing Law
The indenture and the debt securities will be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York, including, without limitation, Sections 5-1401 and 5-1402 of the New York General Obligations Law and New York Civil Practice Law and Rules 327(b).
General
We may issue debt warrants for the purchase of debt securities or stock warrants for the purchase of preferred stock or common stock.
The warrants will be issued under warrant agreements to be entered into between us and a bank or trust company, as warrant agent, all to be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement relating to any or all warrants in respect of which this prospectus is being delivered. Copies of the form of agreement for each warrant, including the forms of certificates representing the warrants reflecting the provisions to be included in such agreements that will be entered into with respect to the particular offerings of each type of warrant are filed as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part.
The following description of the warrants does not purport to be complete and is subject to and qualified in its entirety by the applicable warrant agreement, which will be described in an accompanying prospectus supplement if we offer warrants. The description in an accompanying prospectus supplement of any warrants we offer will not necessarily be complete and will be qualified in its entirety by reference to the applicable warrant agreement, which will be filed with the SEC if we offer warrants. For more information on how you can obtain copies of any warrant agreement if we offer warrants, see “Where You Can Find More Information.” We urge you to read the applicable warrant agreement and any accompanying prospectus supplement in their entirety.
Debt Warrants
General. Reference is made to the applicable prospectus supplement for the terms of debt warrants in respect of which this prospectus is being delivered, the debt securities warrant agreement relating to such debt warrants and the debt warrant certificates representing such debt warrants, including the following:
| • | the designation, aggregate principal amount and terms of the debt securities purchasable upon exercise of such debt warrants and the procedures and conditions relating to the exercise of such debt warrants; |
| • | the designation and terms of any related debt securities with which such debt warrants are issued and the number of such debt warrants issued with each such debt security; |
| • | the date, if any, on and after which such debt warrants and any related offered securities will be separately transferable; |
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| • | the principal amount of debt securities purchasable upon exercise of each debt warrant and the price at which such principal amount of debt securities may be purchased upon such exercise; |
| • | the date on which the right to exercise such debt warrants shall commence and the date on which such right shall expire; |
| • | a discussion of the material U.S. federal income tax considerations applicable to the ownership or exercise of debt warrants; |
| • | whether the debt warrants represented by the debt warrant certificates will be issued in registered or bearer form, and, if registered, where they may be transferred and registered; |
| • | call provisions of such debt warrants, if any; and |
| • | any other terms of the debt warrants. |
The debt warrant certificates will be exchangeable for new debt warrant certificates of different denominations and debt warrants may be exercised at the corporate trust office of the warrant agent or any other office indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement. Prior to the exercise of their debt warrants, holders of debt warrants will not have any of the rights of holders of the debt securities purchasable upon such exercise and will not be entitled to any payments of principal and premium, if any, and interest, if any, on the debt securities purchasable upon such exercise.
Exercise of Debt Warrants. Each debt warrant will entitle the holder to purchase for cash such principal amount of debt securities at such exercise price as shall in each case be set forth in, or be determinable as set forth in, the applicable prospectus supplement relating to the debt warrants offered thereby. Unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, debt warrants may be exercised at any time up to 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the expiration date set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement. After 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the expiration date, unexercised debt warrants will become void.
Debt warrants may be exercised as set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement relating to the debt warrants. Upon receipt of payment and the debt warrant certificate properly completed and duly executed at the corporate trust office of the warrant agent or any other office indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, we will, as soon as practicable, forward the debt securities purchasable upon such exercise. If less than all of the debt warrants represented by such debt warrant certificate are exercised, a new debt warrant certificate will be issued for the remaining amount of debt warrants.
Stock Warrants
General. Reference is made to the applicable prospectus supplement for the terms of stock warrants in respect of which this prospectus is being delivered, the stock warrant agreement relating to such stock warrants and the stock warrant certificates representing such stock warrants, including the following:
| • | the type and number of shares of preferred stock or common stock purchasable upon exercise of such stock warrants and the procedures and conditions relating to the exercise of such stock warrants; |
| • | the date, if any, on and after which such stock warrants and related offered securities will be separately tradeable; |
| • | the offering price of such stock warrants, if any; |
| • | the initial price at which such shares may be purchased upon exercise of stock warrants and any provision with respect to the adjustment thereof; |
| • | the date on which the right to exercise such stock warrants shall commence and the date on which such right shall expire; |
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| • | a discussion of the material U.S. federal income tax considerations applicable to the ownership or exercise of stock warrants; |
| • | call provisions of such stock warrants, if any; |
| • | any other terms of the stock warrants; |
| • | anti-dilution provisions of the stock warrants, if any; and |
| • | information relating to any preferred stock purchasable upon exercise of such stock warrants. |
The stock warrant certificates will be exchangeable for new stock warrant certificates of different denominations and stock warrants may be exercised at the corporate trust office of the warrant agent or any other office indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement. Prior to the exercise of their stock warrants, holders of stock warrants will not have any of the rights of holders of shares of capital stock purchasable upon such exercise, and will not be entitled to any dividend payments on such capital stock purchasable upon such exercise.
Exercise of Stock Warrants. Each stock warrant will entitle the holder to purchase for cash such number of shares of preferred stock or common stock, as the case may be, at such exercise price as shall in each case be set forth in, or be determinable as set forth in, the applicable prospectus supplement relating to the stock warrants offered thereby. Unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, stock warrants may be exercised at any time up to 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the expiration date set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement. After 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the expiration date, unexercised stock warrants will become void.
Stock warrants may be exercised as set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement relating thereto. Upon receipt of payment and the stock warrant certificates properly completed and duly executed at the corporate trust office of the warrant agent or any other office indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, we will, as soon as practicable, forward a certificate representing the number of shares of capital stock purchasable upon such exercise. If less than all of the stock warrants represented by such stock warrant certificate are exercised, a new stock warrant certificate will be issued for the remaining amount of stock warrants.
DESCRIPTION OF STOCK PURCHASE CONTRACTS AND STOCK PURCHASE UNITS
We may issue stock purchase contracts, representing contracts obligating holders to purchase from us, and requiring us to sell to the holders, a specified number of shares of common stock at a future date or dates. The price per share of common stock may be fixed at the time the stock purchase contracts are issued or may be determined by reference to a specific formula set forth in the stock purchase contracts. The stock purchase contracts may be issued separately or as a part of units, or stock purchase units, consisting of a stock purchase contract and either (x) senior debt securities, senior subordinated debt securities, subordinated debt securities or junior subordinated debt securities, or (y) debt obligations of third parties, including U.S. Treasury securities, in each case, securing the holder’s obligations to purchase the common stock under the stock purchase contracts. The stock purchase contracts may require us to make periodic payments to the holders of the stock purchase contracts or vice versa, and such payments may be unsecured or prefunded on some basis. The stock purchase contracts may require holders to secure their obligations thereunder in a specified manner and in certain circumstances we may deliver newly issued prepaid stock purchase contracts, or prepaid securities, upon release to a holder of any collateral securing such holder’s obligations under the original stock purchase contract.
The description in an accompanying prospectus supplement of any share purchase contracts or share purchase units we offer will not necessarily be complete and will be qualified in its entirety by reference to the applicable contract or contracts, collateral arrangements and depositary arrangements, if applicable, which will be filed with the SEC if we offer share purchase contracts or share purchase units. For more information on how you can obtain copies of any contract if we offer share purchase contracts or share purchase units, see “Where You Can
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Find More Information.” We urge you to read the applicable contract and any accompanying prospectus supplement in their entirety.
Vontier may sell common stock, preferred stock, depositary shares, debt securities, warrants, stock purchase contracts or stock purchase units in one or more of the following ways from time to time:
| • | to or through underwriters or dealers; |
| • | directly to one or more purchasers; |
| • | through agents; |
| • | through a combination of any of these methods of sale; or |
| • | any other method permitted pursuant to applicable law. |
Vontier may also sell its securities, including shares of its common stock, in one or more of the following transactions: (i) block transactions (which may involve crosses) in which a broker-dealer may sell all or a portion of such shares as agent, but may position and resell all or a portion of the block as principal to facilitate the transaction; (ii) purchases by any such broker-dealer as principal, and resale by such broker-dealer for its own account pursuant to an accompanying prospectus supplement; (iii) a special offering, an exchange distribution or a secondary distribution in accordance with applicable New York Stock Exchange or other stock exchange, quotation system or over-the-counter market rules; (iv) ordinary brokerage transactions and transactions in which any such broker-dealer solicits purchasers; (v) sales “at the market” to or through a market maker or into an existing trading market, on an exchange or otherwise, for such shares; and (vi) sales in other ways not involving market makers or established trading markets.
For each offering of securities, the applicable prospectus supplement or other offering materials relating to the offering will set forth the terms of such offering, including:
| • | the name or names of any underwriters, dealers or agents; |
| • | the purchase price of the offered securities and the net proceeds to Vontier from the sale; |
| • | any underwriting discounts and commissions or agency fees and other items constituting underwriters’ or agents’ compensation; |
| • | any initial public offering price and any discounts or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid to dealers; and |
| • | any securities exchanges on which such offered securities may be listed. |
Any initial public offering prices, discounts or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid to dealers may be changed from time to time.
If underwriters are used in the sale, the underwriters will acquire the offered securities for their own account and may resell them from time to time in one or more transactions, including negotiated transactions, at a fixed public offering price or at varying prices determined at the time of sale. The offered securities may be offered either to the public through underwriting syndicates represented by one or more managing underwriters or by one or more underwriters without a syndicate. Unless otherwise set forth in a prospectus supplement, the obligations of the underwriters to purchase any series of securities will be subject to certain conditions precedent, and the underwriters will be obligated to purchase all of such series of securities, if any are purchased.
In connection with underwritten offerings of the offered securities and in accordance with applicable law and industry practice, underwriters may over-allot or effect transactions that stabilize, maintain or otherwise affect
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the market price of the offered securities at levels above those that might otherwise prevail in the open market, including by entering stabilizing bids, effecting syndicate covering transactions or imposing penalty bids, each of which is described below:
| • | a stabilizing bid means the placing of any bid, or the effecting of any purchase, for the purpose of pegging, fixing or maintaining the price of a security; |
| • | a syndicate covering transaction means the placing of any bid on behalf of the underwriting syndicate or the effecting of any purchase to reduce a short position created in connection with the offering; and |
| • | a penalty bid means an arrangement that permits the managing underwriter to reclaim a selling concession from a syndicate member in connection with the offering when offered securities originally sold by the syndicate member are purchased in syndicate covering transactions. |
These transactions may be effected on the New York Stock Exchange, in the over-the-counter market, or otherwise. Underwriters are not required to engage in any of these activities, or to continue such activities if commenced.
If a dealer is used in the sale, Vontier will sell such offered securities to the dealer, as principal. The dealer may then resell the offered securities to the public at varying prices to be determined by that dealer at the time for resale. The names of the dealers and the terms of the transaction will be set forth in the prospectus supplement relating to that transaction.
Offered securities may be sold directly by Vontier to one or more institutional purchasers, or through agents designated by Vontier from time to time, at a fixed price or prices, which may be changed, or at varying prices determined at the time of sale. Any agent involved in the offer or sale of the offered securities in respect of which this prospectus is delivered will be named, and any commissions payable by Vontier to such agent will be set forth, in the prospectus supplement relating to that offering. Unless otherwise indicated in such prospectus supplement, any such agent will be acting on a best efforts basis for the period of its appointment.
Underwriters, dealers and agents may be entitled under agreements entered into with us to indemnification by us against certain civil liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, or to contribution with respect to payments that the underwriters, dealers or agents may be required to make in respect thereof. Underwriters, dealers and agents may be customers of, engage in transactions with, or perform services for us and our affiliates in the ordinary course of business.
Other than our common stock, which is listed on the New York Stock Exchange, each of the securities issued hereunder will be a new issue of securities, will have no prior trading market, and may or may not be listed on a national securities exchange. Any common stock sold pursuant to a prospectus supplement will be listed on the New York Stock Exchange, subject to official notice of issuance. Any underwriters to whom Vontier sells securities for public offering and sale may make a market in the securities, but such underwriters will not be obligated to do so and may discontinue any market making at any time without notice. We cannot assure you that there will be a market for the offered securities.
Unless otherwise stated in an accompanying prospectus supplement, Goodwin Procter LLP, Washington, District of Columbia, will provide us with an opinion as to the legality of the securities offered under this prospectus. Counsel representing any underwriters, dealers or agents will be named in the applicable prospectus supplement.
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Ernst & Young LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, has audited our consolidated financial statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023, and the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2023, as set forth in their reports, which are incorporated by reference in this prospectus and elsewhere in the registration statement. Our financial statements are incorporated by reference in reliance on Ernst & Young LLP’s report, given on their authority as experts in accounting and auditing.
Common Stock
Preferred Stock
Depositary Shares
Debt Securities
Warrants
Stock Purchase Contracts
Stock Purchase Units
PROSPECTUS
The date of this prospectus is February 16, 2024
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PART II
INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS
Item 14. Other Expenses of Issuance and Distribution
The following is a statement of the estimated expenses (other than underwriting discounts and commissions) to be borne by Vontier Corporation in connection with the issuance and distribution of the securities registered under this registration statement. Except for the SEC registration fee, all amounts are estimates.
| SEC registration fee |
$ | * | ||
| Legal fees and expenses (other than Blue Sky) |
+ | |||
| Blue Sky fees and expenses (including counsel fees) |
+ | |||
| Listing fee |
+ | |||
| Accounting fees and expenses |
+ | |||
| Printing fees |
+ | |||
| Trustee and registrar’s fees and expenses |
+ | |||
| Rating Agency fees |
+ | |||
| Miscellaneous |
+ | |||
|
|
|
|||
| Total |
$ | + | ||
|
|
|
| * | In accordance with Rules 456(b) and 457(r) of the Securities Act, we are deferring payment of the registration fee for the securities offered. |
| + | The amount of securities and number of offerings are indeterminable and the expenses cannot be estimated at this time. An estimate of the aggregate expenses in connection with the sale and distribution of securities being offered will be included in any applicable prospectus supplement. |
Item 15. Indemnification of Directors and Officers
Section 102(b)(7) of the Delaware General Corporation Law permits a corporation to provide in its certificate of incorporation that a director of the corporation shall not be personally liable to the corporation or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director, except for liability (i) for any breach of the director’s duty of loyalty to the corporation or its stockholders, (ii) for acts or omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law, (iii) for unlawful payment of dividends or unlawful stock purchases or redemptions, or (iv) for any transaction from which the director derived an improper personal benefit. Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation contains such a provision.
Section 145 of the Delaware General Corporation Law provides that a corporation may indemnify directors and officers as well as other employees and individuals against expenses (including attorneys’ fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement in connection with specified actions, suits or proceedings, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (other than an action by or in the right of the corporation—a “derivative action”), if they acted in good faith and in a manner they 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 their conduct was unlawful. A similar standard is applicable in the case of derivative actions, except that indemnification only extends to expenses (including attorneys’ fees) incurred in connection with defense or settlement of such action, and the statute requires court approval before there can be any indemnification where the person seeking indemnification has been found liable to the corporation. Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation contains such a provision.
We have in effect a directors and officers liability insurance policy indemnifying our directors and officers for certain liabilities incurred by them, including liabilities under the Securities Act, and the Exchange Act. We pay the entire premium of this policy.
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We have entered into indemnification agreements with each of our directors and officers that provide the maximum indemnity allowed to directors and officers by Section 145 of the Delaware General Corporation Law and which allow for certain additional procedural protections.
These indemnification provisions and the indemnification agreements may be sufficiently broad to permit indemnification of our officers and directors for liabilities (including reimbursement of expenses incurred) arising under the Securities Act.
Item 16. Exhibits
See the Exhibit Index attached to this Registration Statement and incorporated by reference.
In reviewing any agreements included as exhibits to this registration statement, please remember they are included to provide you with information regarding their terms and are not intended to provide any other factual or disclosure information about Vontier or the other parties to the agreements. The agreements may contain representations and warranties by each of the parties to the applicable agreement. These representations and warranties have been made solely for the benefit of the other parties to the applicable agreement and:
| • | should not in all instances be treated as categorical statements of fact, but rather as a way of allocating the risk to one of the parties if those statements prove to be inaccurate; |
| • | may have been qualified by disclosures that were made to the other party in connection with the negotiation of the applicable agreement, which disclosures would not necessarily be reflected in the agreement; |
| • | may apply standards of materiality in a way that is different from what may be viewed as material to you or other investors; and |
| • | were made only as of the date of the applicable agreement or such other date or dates as may be specified in the agreement and are subject to more recent developments. |
Accordingly, these representations and warranties may not describe the actual state of affairs as of the date they were made or at any other time. Additional information about Vontier may be found elsewhere in the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part and Vontier’s other public filings, which are available without charge through the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.
Item 17. Undertakings
(a) The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:
(1) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this registration statement:
(i) To include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act;
(ii) To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of the registration statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in the registration statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the SEC pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than a 20% change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the “Calculation of Registration Fee” table in the effective registration statement;
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(iii) To include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the registration statement or any material change to such information in the registration statement;
provided, however, that paragraphs (a)(1)(i), (a)(1)(ii) and (a)(1)(iii) shall not apply if the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in reports filed with or furnished to the SEC by the registrant pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act that are incorporated by reference in the registration statement, or is contained in a form of prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) that is part of the registration statement.
(2) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
(3) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering.
(4) That, for the purpose of determining liability under the Securities Act to any purchaser:
(i) Each prospectus filed by the registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(3) shall be deemed to be part of the registration statement as of the date the filed prospectus was deemed part of and included in the registration statement; and
(ii) Each prospectus required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424(b)(2), (b)(5), or (b)(7) as part of a registration statement in reliance on Rule 430B relating to an offering made pursuant to Rule 415(a)(1)(i), (vii), or (x) for the purpose of providing the information required by Section 10(a) of the Securities Act shall be deemed to be part of and included in the registration statement as of the earlier of the date such form of prospectus is first used after effectiveness or the date of the first contract of sale of securities in the offering described in the prospectus. As provided in Rule 430B, for liability purposes of the issuer and any person that is at that date an underwriter, such date shall be deemed to be a new effective date of the registration statement relating to the securities in the registration statement to which that prospectus relates, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof. Provided, however, that no statement made in a registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement or made in a document incorporated or deemed incorporated by reference into the registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement will, as to a purchaser with a time of contract of sale prior to such effective date, supersede or modify any statement that was made in the registration statement or prospectus that was part of the registration statement or made in any such document immediately prior to such effective date.
(5) That, for the purpose of determining liability of the registrant under the Securities Act to any purchaser in the initial distribution of the securities, the undersigned registrant undertakes that in a primary offering of securities of the undersigned registrant pursuant to this registration statement, regardless of the underwriting method used to sell the securities to the purchaser, if the securities are offered or sold to such purchaser by means of any of the following communications, the undersigned registrant will be a seller to the purchaser and will be considered to offer or sell such securities to such purchaser:
(i) Any preliminary prospectus or prospectus of the undersigned registrant relating to the offering required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424;
(ii) Any free writing prospectus relating to the offering prepared by or on behalf of the undersigned registrant or used or referred to by the undersigned registrant;
(iii) The portion of any other free writing prospectus relating to the offering containing material information about the undersigned registrant or its securities provided by or on behalf of the undersigned registrant; and
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(iv) Any other communication that is an offer in the offering made by the undersigned registrant to the purchaser.
(b) The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each filing of the registrant’s annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan’s annual report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act) that is incorporated by reference in the registration statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
(c) Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the SEC such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
(d) To file an application for the purpose of determining the eligibility of the trustee to act under subsection (a) of Section 310 of the Trust Indenture Act in accordance with the rules and regulations prescribed by the SEC under Section 305(b)(2) of the Trust Indenture Act.
(e) To supplement the prospectus, after the expiration of the subscription period, to set forth the results of the subscription offer, the transactions by the underwriters during the subscription period, the amount of unsubscribed securities to be purchased by the underwriters, and the terms of any subsequent reoffering thereof. If any public offering by the underwriters is to be made on terms differing from those set forth on the cover page of the prospectus, a post-effective amendment will be filed to set forth the terms of such offering.
EXHIBIT INDEX
| Exhibit | Description | |
| 1.1* | Form of Underwriting Agreement (Debt) | |
| 1.2* | Form of Underwriting Agreement (Equity) | |
| 1.3* | Form of Underwriting Agreement (Stock Purchase Contracts) | |
| 1.4* | Form of Underwriting Agreement (Stock Purchase Units) | |
| 3.1 | Certificate of Amendment to the Certificate of Incorporation of Vontier Corporation (Exhibit 3.1 to Vontier Corporation’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the SEC on September 30, 2020, is incorporated herein by reference). | |
| 3.2 | Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Vontier Corporation (Exhibit 3.1 to Vontier Corporation’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the SEC on October 13, 2020, is incorporated by reference herein). | |
| 3.3 | Certificate of Amendment, dated May 25, 2022 to the Amended and Restated Certification of Incorporation of Vontier Corporation (Exhibit 3.1 to Vontier Corporation’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the SEC on May 27, 2022, is incorporated by reference herein). | |
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| * | To be filed as an amendment or as an exhibit to a document filed under the Exchange Act and incorporated by reference into this registration statement. |
| ** | Filed herewith. |
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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act, Vontier Corporation certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this Registration Statement on Form S-3 to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Raleigh, State of North Carolina, on the 16th day of February, 2024.
| VONTIER CORPORATION | ||
| By: | /s/ Mark D. Morelli | |
| Mark D. Morelli | ||
| President and Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer) | ||
KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below hereby constitutes and appoints Mark D. Morelli and Courtney S. Kamlet, each of them, his or her true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him or her and in his or her name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments to this Registration Statement, and any additional related registration statement filed pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, (including post-effective amendments to the registration statement and any such related registration statements), and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and any other documents in connection therewith, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he or she might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents, or their substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act, this Registration Statement has been signed below by the following persons in the capacities and on the 16th day of February, 2024.
| Signature |
Title |
Date | ||
| /s/ Mark D. Morelli Mark D. Morelli |
President and Chief Executive Officer, Director (Principal Executive Officer) |
February 16, 2024 | ||
| /s/ Anshooman Aga Anshooman Aga |
Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer) |
February 16, 2024 | ||
| /s/ Paul V. Shimp Paul V. Shimp |
Chief Accounting Officer (Principal Accounting Officer) |
February 16, 2024 | ||
| /s/ Karen C. Francis Karen C. Francis |
Chair, Director |
February 16, 2024 | ||
| /s/ Gloria R. Boyland Gloria R. Boyland |
Director |
February 16, 2024 | ||
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| Signature |
Title |
Date | ||
| /s/ Robert L. Eatroff Robert L. Eatroff |
Director |
February 16, 2024 | ||
| /s/ David M. Foulkes David M. Foulkes |
Director |
February 16, 2024 | ||
| /s/ Martin Gafinowitz Martin Gafinowitz |
Director |
February 16, 2024 | ||
| /s/ Christopher J. Klein Christopher J. Klein |
Director |
February 16, 2024 | ||
| /s/ Andrew D. Miller Andrew D. Miller |
Director |
February 16, 2024 | ||
| /s/ Maryrose Sylvester Maryrose Sylvester |
Director |
February 16, 2024 | ||
34
Exhibit 5.1
|
Goodwin Procter LLP 1900 N Street, NW Washington, DC 20036
goodwinlaw.com +1 202 346 4000
February 16, 2024 |
Vontier Corporation
5438 Wade Park Boulevard, Suite 600
Raleigh, North Carolina 27607
| Re: | Securities Being Registered under Registration Statement on Form S-3 |
We have acted as counsel to you in connection with your filing of a Registration Statement on Form S-3 (as amended or supplemented, the “Registration Statement”) pursuant to the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), relating to the registration by Vontier Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), of any combination of (i) the Company’s common stock, par value $0.0001 per share (“Common Stock”), (ii) the Company’s preferred stock, no par value per share (“Preferred Stock”), which may be issued as such or in the form of depositary shares (the “Depositary Shares”) evidenced by depositary receipts issued against deposit of shares of Preferred Stock pursuant to a deposit agreement to be entered into between the Company and a bank or trust company selected by the Company (the “Depositary”); (iii) the Company’s debt securities (“Debt Securities”), (iv) warrants to purchase Common Stock, Preferred Stock, Debt Securities or Stock Purchase Units (as defined below ) (“Warrants”), (v) units comprised of Stock Purchase Contracts (as defined below) and either Debt Securities or certain debt obligations of third parties (the “Stock Purchase Units”), and (vi) purchase contracts of the Company, obligating the holders thereof to purchase from or sell to the Company, or the Company to sell to or purchase from such holders, Common Stock at a future date or dates (“Stock Purchase Contracts”). The Common Stock, Preferred Stock, Depositary Shares, Debt Securities, Warrants, Stock Purchase Units and Stock Purchase Contracts are sometimes referred to collectively herein as the “Securities.” Securities may be issued in an unspecified number (with respect to Common Stock, Preferred Stock, Depositary Shares, Warrants, Stock Purchase Units and Stock Purchase Contracts) or in an unspecified principal amount (with respect to Debt Securities). The Registration Statement provides that the Securities may be offered separately or together, in separate series, in amounts, at prices and on terms to be set forth in one or more prospectus supplements (each a “Prospectus Supplement”) to the prospectus contained in the Registration Statement.
We have reviewed such documents and made such examination of law as we have deemed appropriate to give the opinions set forth below. We have relied, without independent verification, on certificates of public officials and, as to matters of fact material to the opinions set forth below, and on certificates of officers of the Company.
The opinions set forth below are limited to the Delaware General Corporation Law and the law of New York.
Vontier Corporation
February 16, 2024
Page 2
For purposes of the opinions set forth below, without limiting any other exceptions or qualifications set forth herein, we have assumed that (i) each of the Debt Securities, Warrants, Stock Purchase Units and Stock Purchase Contract Agreements, and the indentures, warrant agreements, unit agreements and other agreements governing Securities offered pursuant to the Registration Statement will be governed by the internal law of New York and (ii) after the issuance of any Securities offered pursuant to the Registration Statement, the total number of issued shares of Common Stock or Preferred Stock, as applicable, together with the total number of shares of such stock issuable upon the exercise, exchange, conversion or settlement, as the case may be, of any exercisable, exchangeable or convertible security (including without limitation any Stock Purchase Unit or Stock Purchase Contract), as the case may be, then outstanding, will not exceed the total number of authorized shares of Common Stock or Preferred Stock, as applicable, then available for issuance under the Company’s certificate of incorporation as then in effect (the “Charter”).
For purposes of the opinions set forth below, we refer to the following as the “Future Approval and Issuance” of Securities:
| • | with respect to any of the Securities, (a) the approval by the Company of the amount, terms and issuance of such Securities (the “Approval”) and (b) the issuance of such Securities in accordance with the Approval upon the receipt by the Company of the consideration (which, in the case of shares of Common Stock or Preferred Stock, is not less than the par value of such shares) to be paid in accordance with the Approval; |
| • | with respect to Preferred Stock, (a) the establishment of the terms of such Preferred Stock by the Company in conformity with the Charter and applicable law and (b) the execution, acknowledgement and filing with the Delaware Secretary of State, and the effectiveness of, a certificate of designations to the Charter setting forth the terms of such Preferred Stock in accordance with the Charter and applicable law; |
| • | with respect to Depositary Shares, (a) the approval, execution and delivery by the Company and the Depositary of the deposit agreement under which such Depositary Shares are to be issued, (b) the establishment of the terms of such Depositary Shares by the Company in conformity with the deposit agreement and applicable law, (c) the delivery to the Depositary of the shares of Preferred Stock represented by the Depositary Shares in accordance with the Charter and applicable law, (d) the issuance of the Depositary Shares in accordance with the Approval therefor upon the receipt by the Company of the consideration to be paid therefore in accordance with the authorization and (e) the execution, countersignature and issuance of depositary receipts evidencing the Depositary Shares in accordance with the deposit agreement and applicable law. |
Vontier Corporation
February 16, 2024
Page 3
| • | with respect to Debt Securities, (a) the approval, execution and delivery of the indenture or a supplemental indenture relating to such Securities by the Company and the trustee and/or (b) the establishment of the terms of such Securities by the Company in conformity with the indenture or supplemental indenture and applicable law, and (c) the execution, authentication and issuance of such Securities in accordance with the indenture or supplemental indenture and applicable law; and |
| • | with respect to Warrants, Stock Purchase Units or Stock Purchase Contracts, (a) the approval, execution and delivery by the Company and any other parties thereto of any agreement under which such Securities are to be issued, and (b) the establishment of the terms of such Securities and the issuance of such Securities in conformity with those terms, the terms of any applicable agreement and applicable law. |
Based upon the foregoing, and subject to the additional qualifications set forth below, we are of the opinion that:
1. Upon the Future Approval and Issuance of shares of Common Stock, such shares of Common Stock will be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable.
2. Upon the Future Approval and Issuance of shares of Preferred Stock, such shares of Preferred Stock will be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable.
3. Upon the Future Approval and Issuance of Depositary Shares, such Depositary Shares will be validly issued and will entitle the holders thereof to the rights specified in such Depositary Shares and the deposit agreement.
4. Upon the Future Approval and Issuance of Debt Securities, such Debt Securities will be valid and binding obligations of the Company.
5. Upon the Future Approval and Issuance of Warrants, such Warrants will be valid and binding obligations of the Company.
6. Upon the Future Approval and Issuance of Stock Purchase Units, such Stock Purchase Units will be valid and binding obligations of the Company.
7. Upon the Future Approval and Issuance of Stock Purchase Contracts, such Stock Purchase Contracts will be valid and binding obligations of the Company.
The opinions expressed above are subject to bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent transfer, reorganization, moratorium and other similar laws of general application affecting the rights and remedies of creditors and to general principles of equity.
This opinion letter and the opinions it contains shall be interpreted in accordance with the Core Opinion Principles as published in 74 Business Lawyer 815 (Summer 2019).
Vontier Corporation
February 16, 2024
Page 4
We hereby consent to the inclusion of this opinion as Exhibit 5.1 to the Registration Statement and to the references to our firm under the caption “Legal Matters” in the Registration Statement. In giving our consent, we do not admit that we are in the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Securities Act or the rules and regulations thereunder.
| Very truly yours, |
| /S/ Goodwin Procter LLP |
| GOODWIN PROCTER LLP |
Exhibit 23.1
Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
We consent to the reference to our firm under the caption “Experts” in the Registration Statement (Form S-3) and related Prospectus of Vontier Corporation for the registration of common stock, preferred stock, depositary shares representing preferred stock, debt securities, warrants, stock purchase contracts and stock purchase units and to the incorporation by reference therein of our reports dated February 15, 2024, with respect to the consolidated financial statements of Vontier Corporation, and the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting of Vontier Corporation, included in its Annual Report (Form 10-K) for the year ended December 31, 2023, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
| /s/ Ernst & Young LLP |
| Raleigh, North Carolina February 16, 2024 |
Exhibit 25.1
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM T-1
| ☐ | Check if an Application to Determine Eligibility of a Trustee Pursuant to Section 305(b)(2) |
WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
(Exact name of trustee as specified in its charter)
16-1486454
(I.R.S. employer identification no.)
1100 North Market Street
Wilmington, DE 19890-0001
(Address of principal executive offices)
Kyle Barry
Senior Vice President
Wilmington Trust Company
285 Delaware Ave.
Buffalo, NY 14202
(716) 839-6909
(Name, address and telephone number of agent for service)
Vontier Corporation
(Exact name of obligor as specified in its charter)
| Delaware | 84-2783455 | |
| (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) |
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) |
5438 Wade Park Boulevard, Suite 600
Raleigh NC, 27607
(Address of principal executive offices, including zip code)
Debt Securities
(Title of the indenture securities)
| ITEM 1. | GENERAL INFORMATION. |
Furnish the following information as to the trustee:
| (a) | Name and address of each examining or supervising authority to which it is subject. |
Comptroller of Currency, Washington, D.C.
Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, Washington, D.C.
| (b) | Whether it is authorized to exercise corporate trust powers. |
The trustee is authorized to exercise corporate trust powers.
| ITEM 2. | AFFILIATIONS WITH THE OBLIGOR. |
If the obligor is an affiliate of the trustee, describe each affiliation:
Based upon an examination of the books and records of the trustee and information available to the trustee, the obligor is not an affiliate of the trustee.
ITEM 3 – 15. Not applicable.
| ITEM 16. | LIST OF EXHIBITS. |
Listed below are all exhibits filed as part of this Statement of Eligibility and Qualification.
| 1. | A copy of the Charter for Wilmington Trust, National Association. |
| 2. | The authority of Wilmington Trust, National Association to commence business was granted under the Charter for Wilmington Trust, National Association, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 1 above. |
| 3. | The authorization to exercise corporate trust powers was granted under the Charter for Wilmington Trust, National Association, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 1 above. |
| 4. | A copy of the existing By-Laws of Trustee, as now in effect, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4of this Form T-1. |
| 5. | Not applicable. |
| 6. | The consent of Wilmington Trust, National Association as required by Section 321(b) of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, attached hereto as Exhibit 6 of this Form T-1. |
| 7. | Current Report of the Condition of Wilmington Trust, National Association, published pursuant to law or the requirements of its supervising or examining authority, attached hereto as Exhibit 7 of this Form T-1. |
| 8. | Not applicable. |
| 9. | Not applicable. |
SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, the trustee, Wilmington Trust, National Association, a national banking association organized and existing under the laws of the United States of America, has duly caused this Statement of Eligibility to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, all in the City of Wethersfield and State of Connecticut on the 16th day of February, 2024.
| WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION | ||
| By: | /s/ Nedine P. Sutton | |
| Name: Nedine P. Sutton | ||
| Title: Vice President | ||
EXHIBIT 1
CHARTER OF WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
ARTICLES OF ASSOCIATION
OF
WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
For the purpose of organizing an association to perform any lawful activities of national banks, the undersigned do enter into the following articles of association:
FIRST. The title of this association shall be Wilmington Trust, National Association.
SECOND. The main office of the association shall be in the City of Wilmington, County of New Castle, State of Delaware. The general business of the association shall be conducted at its main office and its branches.
THIRD. The board of directors of this association shall consist of not less than five nor more than twenty-five persons, unless the OCC has exempted the bank from the 25-member limit. The exact number is to be fixed and determined from time to time by resolution of a majority of the full board of directors or by resolution of a majority of the shareholders at any annual or special meeting thereof. Each director shall own common or preferred stock of the association or of a holding company owning the association, with an aggregate par, fair market or equity value $1,000. Determination of these values may be based as of either (i) the date of purchase or (ii) the date the person became a director, whichever value is greater. Any combination of common or preferred stock of the association or holding company may be used.
Any vacancy in the board of directors may be filled by action of a majority of the remaining directors between meetings of shareholders. The board of directors may not increase the number of directors between meetings of shareholders to a number which:
| 1) | exceeds by more than two the number of directors last elected by shareholders where the number was 15 or less; or |
| 2) | exceeds by more than four the number of directors last elected by shareholders where the number was 16 or more, but in no event shall the number of directors exceed 25, unless the OCC has exempted the bank from the 25-member limit. |
Directors shall be elected for terms of one year and until their successors are elected and qualified. Terms of directors, including directors selected to fill vacancies, shall expire at the next regular meeting of shareholders at which directors are elected, unless the directors resign or are removed from office. Despite the expiration of a director’s term, the director shall continue to serve until his or her successor is elected and qualifies or until there is a decrease in the number of directors and his or her position is eliminated.
Honorary or advisory members of the board of directors, without voting power or power of final decision in matters concerning the business of the association, may be appointed by resolution of a majority of the full board of directors, or by resolution of shareholders at any annual or special meeting. Honorary or advisory directors shall not be counted to determine the number of directors of the association or the presence of a quorum in connection with any board action, and shall not be required to own qualifying shares.
FOURTH. There shall be an annual meeting of the shareholders to elect directors and transact whatever other business may be brought before the meeting. It shall be held at the main office or any other convenient place the board of directors may designate, on the day of each year specified therefor in the bylaws, or, if that day falls on a legal holiday in the state in which the association is located, on the next following banking day. If no election is held on the day fixed, or in the event of a legal holiday on the following banking day, an election may be held on any subsequent day within 60 days of the day fixed, to be
designated by the board of directors, or, if the directors fail to fix the day, by shareholders representing two-thirds of the shares issued and outstanding. In all cases at least 10 days advance notice of the time, place and purpose of a shareholders’ meeting shall be given to the shareholders by first class mail, unless the OCC determines that an emergency circumstance exists. The sole shareholder of the bank is permitted to waive notice of the shareholders’ meeting.
In all elections of directors, the number of votes each common shareholder may cast will be determined by multiplying the number of shares such shareholder owns by the number of directors to be elected. Those votes may be cumulated and cast for a single candidate or may be distributed among two or more candidates in the manner selected by the shareholder. If, after the first ballot, subsequent ballots are necessary to elect directors, a shareholder may not vote shares that he or she has already fully cumulated and voted in favor of a successful candidate. On all other questions, each common shareholder shall be entitled to one vote for each share of stock held by him or her.
Nominations for election to the board of directors may be made by the board of directors or by any stockholder of any outstanding class of capital stock of the association entitled to vote for election of directors. Nominations other than those made by or on behalf of the existing management shall be made in writing and be delivered or mailed to the president of the association not less than 14 days nor more than 50 days prior to any meeting of shareholders called for the election of directors; provided, however, that if less than 21 days notice of the meeting is given to shareholders, such nominations shall be mailed or delivered to the president of the association not later than the close of business on the seventh day following the day on which the notice of meeting was mailed. Such notification shall contain the following information to the extent known to the notifying shareholder:
| 1) | The name and address of each proposed nominee. |
| 2) | The principal occupation of each proposed nominee. |
| 3) | The total number of shares of capital stock of the association that will be voted for each proposed nominee. |
| 4) | The name and residence address of the notifying shareholder. |
| 5) | The number of shares of capital stock of the association owned by the notifying shareholder. |
Nominations not made in accordance herewith may, in his/her discretion, be disregarded by the chairperson of the meeting, and the vote tellers may disregard all votes cast for each such nominee. No bylaw may unreasonably restrict the nomination of directors by shareholders.
A director may resign at any time by delivering written notice to the board of directors, its chairperson, or to the association, which resignation shall be effective when the notice is delivered unless the notice specifies a later effective date.
A director may be removed by shareholders at a meeting called to remove the director, when notice of the meeting stating that the purpose or one of the purposes is to remove the director is provided, if there is a failure to fulfill one of the affirmative requirements for qualification, or for cause; provided, however, that a director may not be removed if the number of votes sufficient to elect the director under cumulative voting is voted against the director’s removal.
FIFTH. The authorized amount of capital stock of this association shall be ten thousand shares of common stock of the par value of one hundred dollars ($100) each; but said capital stock may be increased or decreased from time to time, according to the provisions of the laws of the United States.
No holder of shares of the capital stock of any class of the association shall have any preemptive or preferential right of subscription to any shares of any class of stock of the association, whether now or hereafter authorized, or to any obligations convertible into stock of the association, issued, or sold, nor any right of subscription to any thereof other than such, if any, as the board of directors, in its discretion, may from time to time determine and at such price as the board of directors may from time to time fix. Preemptive rights also must be approved by a vote of holders of two-thirds of the bank’s outstanding voting shares. Unless otherwise specified in these articles of association or required by law, (1) all matters requiring shareholder action, including amendments to the articles of association, must be approved by shareholders owning a majority voting interest in the outstanding voting stock, and (2) each shareholder shall be entitled to one vote per share.
Unless otherwise specified in these articles of association or required by law, all shares of voting stock shall be voted together as a class, on any matters requiring shareholder approval. If a proposed amendment would affect two or more classes or series in the same or a substantially similar way, all the classes or series so affected must vote together as a single voting group on the proposed amendment.
Shares of one class or series may be issued as a dividend for shares of the same class or series on a pro rata basis and without consideration. Shares of one class or series may be issued as share dividends for a different class or series of stock if approved by a majority of the votes entitled to be cast by the class or series to be issued, unless there are no outstanding shares of the class or series to be issued. Unless otherwise provided by the board of directors, the record date for determining shareholders entitled to a share dividend shall be the date authorized by the board of directors for the share dividend.
Unless otherwise provided in the bylaws, the record date for determining shareholders entitled to notice of and to vote at any meeting is the close of business on the day before the first notice is mailed or otherwise sent to the shareholders, provided that in no event may a record date be more than 70 days before the meeting.
If a shareholder is entitled to fractional shares pursuant to a stock dividend, consolidation or merger, reverse stock split or otherwise, the association may: (a) issue fractional shares; (b) in lieu of the issuance of fractional shares, issue script or warrants entitling the holder to receive a full share upon surrendering enough script or warrants to equal a full share; (c) if there is an established and active market in the association’s stock, make reasonable arrangements to provide the shareholder with an opportunity to realize a fair price through sale of the fraction, or purchase of the additional fraction required for a full share; (d) remit the cash equivalent of the fraction to the shareholder; or (e) sell full shares representing all the fractions at public auction or to the highest bidder after having solicited and received sealed bids from at least three licensed stock brokers; and distribute the proceeds pro rata to shareholders who otherwise would be entitled to the fractional shares. The holder of a fractional share is entitled to exercise the rights for shareholder, including the right to vote, to receive dividends, and to participate in the assets of the association upon liquidation, in proportion to the fractional interest. The holder of script or warrants is not entitled to any of these rights unless the script or warrants explicitly provide for such rights. The script or warrants may be subject to such additional conditions as: (1) that the script or warrants will become void if not exchanged for full shares before a specified date; and (2) that the shares for which the script or warrants are exchangeable may be sold at the option of the association and the proceeds paid to scriptholders.
The association, at any time and from time to time, may authorize and issue debt obligations, whether or not subordinated, without the approval of the shareholders. Obligations classified as debt, whether or not subordinated, which may be issued by the association without the approval of shareholders, do not carry voting rights on any issue, including an increase or decrease in the aggregate number of the securities, or the exchange or reclassification of all or part of securities into securities of another class or series.
SIXTH. The board of directors shall appoint one of its members president of this association, and one of its members chairperson of the board and shall have the power to appoint one or more vice presidents, a secretary who shall keep minutes of the directors’ and shareholders’ meetings and be responsible for authenticating the records of the association, and such other officers and employees as may be required to transact the business of this association.
A duly appointed officer may appoint one or more officers or assistant officers if authorized by the board of directors in accordance with the bylaws.
The board of directors shall have the power to:
| 1) | Define the duties of the officers, employees, and agents of the association. |
| 2) | Delegate the performance of its duties, but not the responsibility for its duties, to the officers, employees, and agents of the association. |
| 3) | Fix the compensation and enter into employment contracts with its officers and employees upon reasonable terms and conditions consistent with applicable law. |
| 4) | Dismiss officers and employees. |
| 5) | Require bonds from officers and employees and to fix the penalty thereof. |
| 6) | Ratify written policies authorized by the association’s management or committees of the board. |
| 7) | Regulate the manner in which any increase or decrease of the capital of the association shall be made, provided that nothing herein shall restrict the power of shareholders to increase or decrease the capital of the association in accordance with law, and nothing shall raise or lower from two-thirds the percentage required for shareholder approval to increase or reduce the capital. |
| 8) | Manage and administer the business and affairs of the association. |
| 9) | Adopt initial bylaws, not inconsistent with law or the articles of association, for managing the business and regulating the affairs of the association. |
| 10) | Amend or repeal bylaws, except to the extent that the articles of association reserve this power in whole or in part to shareholders. |
| 11) | Make contracts. |
| 12) | Generally perform all acts that are legal for a board of directors to perform. |
SEVENTH. The board of directors shall have the power to change the location of the main office to any other place within the limits of Wilmington, Delaware, without the approval of the shareholders, or with a vote of shareholders owning two-thirds of the stock of such association for a relocation outside such limits and upon receipt of a certificate of approval from the Comptroller of the Currency, to any other location within or outside the limits of Wilmington Delaware, but not more than 30 miles beyond such limits. The board of directors shall have the power to establish or change the location of any branch or branches of the association to any other location permitted under applicable law, without approval of shareholders, subject to approval by the Comptroller of the Currency.
EIGHTH. The corporate existence of this association shall continue until termination according to the laws of the United States.
NINTH. The board of directors of this association, or any one or more shareholders owning, in the aggregate, not less than 50 percent of the stock of this association, may call a special meeting of shareholders at any time. Unless otherwise provided by the bylaws or the laws of the United States, a notice of the time, place, and purpose of every annual and special meeting of the shareholders shall be given at least 10 days prior to the meeting by first-class mail, unless the OCC determines that an emergency circumstance exists. If the association is a wholly-owned subsidiary, the sole shareholder may waive notice of the shareholders’ meeting. Unless otherwise provided by the bylaws or these articles, any action requiring approval of shareholders must be effected at a duly called annual or special meeting.
TENTH. For purposes of this Article Tenth, the term “institution-affiliated party” shall mean any institution-affiliated party of the association as such term is defined in 12 U.S.C. 1813(u).
Any institution-affiliated party (or his or her heirs, executors or administrators) may be indemnified or reimbursed by the association for reasonable expenses actually incurred in connection with any threatened, pending or completed actions or proceedings and appeals therein, whether civil, criminal, governmental, administrative or investigative, in accordance with and to the fullest extent permitted by law, as such law now or hereafter exists; provided, however, that when an administrative proceeding or action instituted by a federal banking agency results in a final order or settlement pursuant to which such person: (i) is assessed a civil money penalty, (ii) is removed from office or prohibited from participating in the conduct of the affairs of the association, or (iii) is required to cease and desist from or to take any affirmative action described in 12 U.S.C. 1818(b) with respect to the association, then the association shall require the repayment of all legal fees and expenses advanced pursuant to the next succeeding paragraph and may not indemnify such institution-affiliated parties (or their heirs, executors or administrators) for expenses, including expenses for legal fees, penalties or other payments incurred. The association shall provide indemnification in connection with an action or proceeding (or part thereof) initiated by an institution-affiliated party (or by his or her heirs, executors or administrators) only if such action or proceeding (or part thereof) was authorized by the board of directors.
Expenses incurred by an institution-affiliated party (or by his or her heirs, executors or administrators) in connection with any action or proceeding under 12 U.S.C. 164 or 1818 may be paid by the association in advance of the final disposition of such action or proceeding upon (a) a determination by the board of directors acting by a quorum consisting of directors who are not parties to such action or proceeding that the institution-affiliated party (or his or her heirs, executors or administrators) has a reasonable basis for prevailing on the merits, (b) a determination that the indemnified individual (or his or her heirs, executors or administrators) will have the financial capacity to reimburse the bank in the event he or she does not prevail, (c) a determination that the payment of expenses and fees by the association will not adversely affect the safety and soundness of the association, and (d) receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of such institution-affiliated party (or by his or her heirs, executors or administrators) to repay such advancement in the event of a final order or settlement pursuant to which such person: (i) is assessed a civil money penalty, (ii) is removed from office or prohibited from participating in the conduct of the affairs of the association, or (iii) is required to cease and desist from or to take any affirmative action described in 12 U.S.C. 1818(b) with respect to the association. In all other instances, expenses incurred by an institution-affiliated party (or by his or her heirs, executors or administrators) in connection with any action or proceeding as to which indemnification may be given under these articles of association may be paid by the association in advance of the final disposition of such action or proceeding upon (a) receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of such institution-affiliated party (or by or on behalf of his or her heirs, executors or administrators) to repay such advancement in the event that such institution-affiliated party (or his or her heirs, executors or administrators) is ultimately found not to be entitled to indemnification as authorized by these articles of association and (b) approval by the board of directors acting by a quorum
consisting of directors who are not parties to such action or proceeding or, if such a quorum is not obtainable, then approval by stockholders. To the extent permitted by law, the board of directors or, if applicable, the stockholders, shall not be required to find that the institution-affiliated party has met the applicable standard of conduct provided by law for indemnification in connection with such action or proceeding.
In the event that a majority of the members of the board of directors are named as respondents in an administrative proceeding or civil action and request indemnification, the remaining members of the board may authorize independent legal counsel to review the indemnification request and provide the remaining members of the board with a written opinion of counsel as to whether the conditions delineated in the first four paragraphs of this Article Tenth have been met. If independent legal counsel opines that said conditions have been met, the remaining members of the board of directors may rely on such opinion in authorizing the requested indemnification.
In the event that all of the members of the board of directors are named as respondents in an administrative proceeding or civil action and request indemnification, the board shall authorize independent legal counsel to review the indemnification request and provide the board with a written opinion of counsel as to whether the conditions delineated in the first four paragraphs of this Article Tenth have been met. If legal counsel opines that said conditions have been met, the board of directors may rely on such opinion in authorizing the requested indemnification.
To the extent permitted under applicable law, the rights of indemnification and to the advancement of expenses provided in these articles of association (a) shall be available with respect to events occurring prior to the adoption of these articles of association, (b) shall continue to exist after any restrictive amendment of these articles of association with respect to events occurring prior to such amendment, (c) may be interpreted on the basis of applicable law in effect at the time of the occurrence of the event or events giving rise to the action or proceeding, or on the basis of applicable law in effect at the time such rights are claimed, and (d) are in the nature of contract rights which may be enforced in any court of competent jurisdiction as if the association and the institution-affiliated party (or his or her heirs, executors or administrators) for whom such rights are sought were parties to a separate written agreement.
The rights of indemnification and to the advancement of expenses provided in these articles of association shall not, to the extent permitted under applicable law, be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which any such institution affiliated party (or his or her heirs, executors or administrators) may now or hereafter be otherwise entitled whether contained in these articles of association, the bylaws, a resolution of stockholders, a resolution of the board of directors, or an agreement providing such indemnification, the creation of such other rights being hereby expressly authorized. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the rights of indemnification and to the advancement of expenses provided in these articles of association shall not be deemed exclusive of any rights, pursuant to statute or otherwise, of any such institution-affiliated party (or of his or her heirs, executors or administrators) in any such action or proceeding to have assessed or allowed in his or her favor, against the association or otherwise, his or her costs and expenses incurred therein or in connection therewith or any part thereof.
If this Article Tenth or any part hereof shall be held unenforceable in any respect by a court of competent jurisdiction, it shall be deemed modified to the minimum extent necessary to make it enforceable, and the remainder of this Article Tenth shall remain fully enforceable.
The association may, upon affirmative vote of a majority of its board of directors, purchase insurance to indemnify its institution-affiliated parties to the extent that such indemnification is allowed in these articles of association; provided, however, that no such insurance shall include coverage to pay or reimburse any institution-affiliated party for the cost of any judgment or civil money penalty assessed against such person in an administrative proceeding or civil action commenced by any federal banking agency. Such insurance may, but need not, be for the benefit of all institution-affiliated parties.
ELEVENTH. These articles of association may be amended at any regular or special meeting of the shareholders by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the stock of this association, unless the vote of the holders of a greater amount of stock is required by law, and in that case by the vote of the holders of such greater amount. The association’s board of directors may propose one or more amendments to the articles of association for submission to the shareholders.
EXHIBIT 4
BY-LAWS OF WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
AMENDED AND RESTATED BYLAWS
(Effective as of September 12, 2023)
AMENDED AND RESTATED BYLAWS OF
WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
ARTICLE I
Meetings of Shareholders
Section 1. Annual Meeting. The annual meeting of shareholders shall be held on such date and at such time as may be designated by the chair of the Board of Directors, the chief executive officer, the president, the chief operating officer, the secretary, or the Board of Directors for the purpose of the election of directors and for the transaction of such other business as may properly come before the meeting, except such date shall not be a legal holiday in Delaware. Notice of the meeting shall be mailed by first class mail, postage prepaid, at least 10 days and no more than 60 days prior to the date thereof, addressed to each shareholder at his or her address appearing on the books of the association. If, for any cause, an election of directors is not made on that date, an election may be held on any subsequent day within 60 days of the date fixed, to be designated by the Board of Directors, or, if the directors fail to fix the date, by shareholders representing two-thirds of the shares. In these circumstances, at least 10 days’ notice must be given by first class mail to shareholders.
Section 2. Special Meetings. The chair of the Board of Directors, the president, the chief executive officer, the secretary, or the Board of Directors may call a special meeting of the shareholders. A special meeting shall be called to act on any matter that may properly be considered at a meeting of shareholders upon the written request of shareholders entitled to cast not less than a majority of all the votes entitled to be cast on such matter at the meeting. Every such special meeting, unless otherwise provided by law, shall be called by mailing, postage prepaid, not less than 10 days nor more than 60 days prior to the date fixed for the meeting, to each shareholder at the address appearing on the books of the association a notice stating the purpose of the meeting.
The Board of Directors may fix a record date for determining shareholders entitled to notice and to vote at any meeting, in reasonable proximity to the date of giving notice to the shareholders of such meeting. The record date for determining shareholders entitled to demand a special meeting is the date the first shareholder signs a demand for the meeting describing the purpose or purposes for which it is to be held.
Section 3. Adjournment. If an annual or special shareholders’ meeting is adjourned to a different date, time, or place, notice need not be given of the new date, time or place, if the new date, time or place is announced at the meeting before adjournment, unless any additional items of business are to be considered, or the association becomes aware of an intervening event materially affecting any matter to be voted on more than 10 days prior to the date to which the meeting is adjourned. If a new record date for the adjourned meeting is fixed, however, notice of the adjourned meeting must be given to persons who are shareholders as of the new record date. If, however, the meeting to elect the directors is adjourned before the election takes place, at least ten days’ notice of the new election must be given to the shareholders by first-class mail.
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Section 4. Nominations of Directors. Nominations for election to the Board of Directors may be made by the Board of Directors or by any shareholder of any outstanding class of capital stock of the association entitled to vote for the election of directors. Nominations, other than those made by or on behalf of the existing management of the association, shall be made in writing and shall be delivered or mailed to the president of the association, not less than 14 days nor more than 50 days prior to any meeting of shareholders called for the election of directors; provided, however, that if less than 21 days’ notice of the meeting is given to shareholders, such nomination shall be mailed or delivered to the president of the association not later than the close of business on the seventh day following the day on which the notice of meeting was mailed. Such notification shall contain the following information to the extent known to the notifying shareholder:
| (1) | The name and address of each proposed nominee; |
| (2) | The principal occupation of each proposed nominee; |
| (3) | The total number of shares of capital stock of the association that will be voted for each proposed nominee; |
| (4) | The name and residence of the notifying shareholder; and |
| (5) | The number of shares of capital stock of the association owned by the notifying shareholder |
Nominations not made in accordance herewith may, in his/her discretion, be disregarded by the chair of the meeting, and upon his/her instructions, all votes cast for each such nominee may be disregarded.
Section 5. Proxies. Shareholders may vote at any meeting of the shareholders by proxies duly authorized in writing, but no officer or employee of this association shall act as proxy. A director or an attorney of the association may act as proxy for shareholders voting if they are not also employed as an officer of the association. Proxies shall be valid only for one meeting, to be specified therein, and any adjournments of such meeting. Proxies shall be dated and filed with the records of the meeting. Proxies with facsimile signatures may be used and unexecuted proxies may be counted upon receipt of a written confirmation from the shareholder. Proxies meeting the above requirements submitted at any time during a meeting shall be accepted.
Section 6. Quorum. A majority of the outstanding capital stock, represented in person or by proxy, shall constitute a quorum at any meeting of shareholders, unless otherwise provided by law, but less than a quorum may adjourn any meeting, from time to time, and the meeting may be held, as adjourned, without further notice. A majority of the votes cast shall decide every question or matter submitted to the shareholders at any meeting, unless otherwise provided by law or by the articles of association. If a meeting for the election of directors is not held on the fixed date, at least 10 days’ notice must be given by first-class mail to the shareholders.
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ARTICLE II
Directors
Section 1. Board of Directors. The Board of Directors shall have the power to manage and administer the business and affairs of the association. Except as expressly limited by law, all corporate powers of the association shall be vested in and may be exercised by the Board of Directors.
Section 2. Number. The Board of Directors shall consist of not less than five nor more than twenty-five members, unless the OCC has exempted the association from the 25-member limit. The exact number within such minimum and maximum limits is to be fixed and determined from time to time by resolution of a majority of the full Board of Directors or by resolution of a majority of the shareholders at any meeting thereof. The Board of Directors may not increase the number of directors between meetings of shareholders to a number which: (a) exceeds by more than 2 the number of directors last elected by shareholders where the number was 15 or less; or (b) exceeds by more than 4 the number of directors last elected by shareholders where the number was 16 or more, but in no event shall the number of directors exceed 25, unless the OCC has exempted the association from the 25-member limit.
Section 3. Qualifications. Each director must be a citizen of the United States and must own in his or her own right either shares of the capital stock of the association or a company that controls the association that has not less than an aggregate par value of $1,000, an aggregate shareholders’ equity of $1,000, or an aggregate fair market value of $1,000. The value of the common or preferred stock held by a director is valued as of the date purchased or the date on which the individual became a director, whichever is greater.
Section 4. Organization Meeting. After each annual meeting of shareholders at which directors shall have been elected, the Board of Directors shall meet as soon as practicable for the purpose of organization and the transaction of other business. Such first regular meeting shall be held at any place as may be designated by the chair, the president or the Board of Directors for such first regular meeting or, in default of such designation, where the immediately preceding meeting of shareholders was held.
Section 5. Regular Meetings. Regular meetings of the Board of Directors shall be held on such dates and at such places as may be designated from time to time by the chair. No notice of regular meetings shall be necessary.
Section 6. Special Meetings. Special meetings of the Board of Directors may be called at any time by the chair, the chief executive officer, the president or by a majority of the then- acting directors by vote at a meeting or in writing, or by a majority of the members of the executive committee, if one is constituted, by vote at a meeting or in writing. A special meeting of the Board of Directors shall be held on such date and at any place as may be designated from time to time by the Board of Directors. In the absence of such designation, such meeting shall be held at such place as may be designated in the call. Each member of the Board of Directors shall be given notice stating the date, time and place, by letter, electronic delivery or in person, of each special meeting not less than one day before the meeting. Such notice need not specify the purpose for which the meeting is called, unless required by the Articles of Association or the bylaws.
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Section 7. Quorum. A majority of the entire Board then in office shall constitute a quorum at any meeting, except when otherwise provided by law or these Bylaws, but a lesser number may adjourn any meeting, from time to time, and the meeting may be held, as adjourned, without further notice. If the number of directors present at the meeting is reduced below the number that would constitute a quorum, no business may be transacted, except selecting directors to fill vacancies in conformance with Article II, Section 11. If a quorum is present, the board of directors may take action through the vote of a majority of the directors who are in attendance. No director may vote by proxy.
Section 8. Attendance by Electronic, Telephonic or Similar Means. Any one or more members of the Board of Directors or any committee thereof may participate in a regular or special meeting of such board or committee by, or conduct the meeting through the use of, conference telephone or other communications equipment by which all directors or committee members participating may simultaneously hear each other during the meeting. Participation in a meeting by these means constitutes presence in person at a meeting.
Section 9. Procedures. The order of business and all other matters of procedure at every meeting of the Board of Directors may be determined by the person presiding at the meeting.
Section 10. Removal of Directors. Any director may be removed for cause at any meeting of shareholders, notice of which shall have referred to the proposed action, by vote of the shareholders. Any director may be removed without cause at any meeting of shareholders, notice of which shall have referred to the proposed action, by the vote of the holders of a majority of the shares of the association entitled to vote. Any director may be removed for cause at any meeting of the directors, notice of which shall have referred to the proposed action, by vote of a majority of the entire Board of Directors.
Section 11. Vacancies. When any vacancy occurs among the directors, a majority of the remaining members of the Board of Directors may appoint a director to fill such vacancy until the next election at any regular meeting of the Board of Directors, or at a special meeting called for that purpose at which a quorum is present, or if the directors remaining in office constitute fewer than a quorum of the Board of Directors, by the affirmative vote of a majority of all the directors remaining in office, or by shareholders at a special meeting called for that purpose in conformance with Section 2 of Article I. A vacancy that will occur at a specific later date (by reason of a resignation effective at a later date) may be filled before the vacancy occurs but the new director may not take office until the vacancy occurs.
Section 12. Consent of Directors without a Meeting. Any action required or permitted to be taken at any meeting of the Board of Directors may be taken without a meeting if the action is taken by all members of the Board. The action may be evidenced by one or more written consents signed by each director before or after such action, describing the action taken, and included in the minutes or filed with the corporate records. A director’s consent to action taken without a meeting may be in electronic form and delivered by electronic means.
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Section 13. Ratification. The board of directors may ratify and make binding on the association any action or inaction by the association or its officers to the extent that the Board of Directors or the shareholders could have originally authorized the matter and as permitted by law. Moreover, any action or inaction questioned in any shareholders’ derivative proceeding or any other proceeding on the ground of lack of authority, defective or irregular execution, adverse interest of a director, officer or shareholder, non-disclosure, miscomputation, the application of improper principles or practices of accounting or otherwise, may be ratified, before or after judgment, by the Board of Directors or by the shareholders, and if so ratified, shall have the same force and effect as if the questioned action or inaction had been originally duly authorized, and such ratification shall be binding upon the shareholders and shall constitute a bar to any claim or execution of any judgment in respect of such questioned action or inaction.
ARTICLE III
Committees
Section 1. Executive Committee. The Board of Directors may appoint an Executive Committee, which shall have and may exercise, during the intervals between meetings of the Board of Directors, all the powers of the Board of Directors in the management of the business, properties and affairs of the association except as prohibited by law, the Articles of Association or these Bylaws. All acts done and powers conferred by the Executive Committee shall be deemed to be and may be certified as being, done or conferred under authority of the Board of Directors.
Section 2. Trust Audit Committee. Unless delegated pursuant to Section 5 of this Article III, there shall be a Trust Audit Committee composed of not less than 2 directors, appointed by the Board of Directors, which shall, at least once during each calendar year make suitable audits of the association’s fiduciary activities or cause suitable audits to be made by auditors responsible only to the Board, and at such time shall ascertain whether fiduciary powers have been administered according to law, Part 9 of the Regulations of the Comptroller of the Currency, and sound fiduciary principles. Such committee: (1) must not include any officers of the association or an affiliate who participate significantly in the administration of the association’s fiduciary activities; and (2) must consist of a majority of members who are not also members of any committee to which the Board of Directors has delegated power to manage and control the fiduciary activities of the bank.
Section 3. Examining Committee. Unless delegated pursuant to Section 5 of this Article III, there shall be an examining committee composed of not less than 2 directors, exclusive of any active officers, appointed by the board of directors annually or more often. The duty of that committee shall be to examine at least once during each calendar year and within 15 months of the last examination the affairs of the association or cause suitable examinations to be made by auditors responsible only to the board of directors and to report the result of such examination in writing to the board of directors at the next regular meeting thereafter. Such report shall state whether the association is in a sound condition, and whether adequate internal controls and procedures are being maintained and shall recommend to the board of directors such changes in the manner of conducting the affairs of the association as shall be deemed advisable.
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Section 4. Other Committees. The Board of Directors may from time to time by resolution adopted by affirmative vote of a majority of the Board of Directors, appoint other committees of the Board of Directors which shall have such powers and duties as the Board of Directors may properly determine. No such other committee of the Board of Directors shall be composed of fewer than three (3) directors. The Board of Directors may also appoint one or more directors as alternative members of a committee. All acts done and powers conferred by the Board of Directors on committees of the Board of Directors shall be deemed to be and may be certified as being, done or conferred under that authority of the Board of Directors.
Section 5. Delegation of Responsibility and Authority. The responsibility, authority and constitution of any committee under this Article III may, if authorized by law, be given over to a duly constituted committee of the association’s parent corporation by resolution adopted by the Board of Directors.
ARTICLE IV
Officers and Employees
Section 1 Officers. The Board of Directors shall annually, at the Annual Reorganization Meeting of the Board of Directors following the annual meeting of shareholders, appoint or elect a chair of the Board, a chief executive officer, a president, one or more vice presidents however denominated, a corporate secretary, a treasurer, a chief auditor, and such other officers as it may determine. At the Annual Reorganization Meeting, the Board of Directors shall also elect or reelect all of the officers of the association to hold office until the next Annual Reorganization Meeting. In the interim between Annual Reorganization Meetings, the officers of the association may be elected as follows and shall hold office until the next Annual Reorganization Meeting unless otherwise determined by the Board of Directors or such authorized officer(s): The head of the Human Resources Department of M&T Bank or his or her designee or designees, may appoint officers up to and including the rank of senior executive vice president, including (without limitation as to title or number) one or more executive vice presidents, senior vice presidents, vice presidents, assistant vice presidents, assistant secretaries, assistant treasurers and assistant auditors, and any other officer positions as they deem necessary and appropriate, except the chair of the board, chief executive officer, president, any “Executive Officer” of the association for the purposes of Regulation O (codified at 12 C.F.R. §215.2(e)(1)), and any “Senior Executive Officer” within the meaning of 12 C.F.R. §5.51(c)(4) may only be appointed by the Board of Directors.
Section 2. Chair of the Board. The Board of Directors shall appoint one of its members to be the chair of the Board to serve at its pleasure. Such person shall preside at all meetings of the Board of Directors. The chair of the Board shall supervise the carrying out of the policies adopted or approved by the Board of Directors; shall have general executive powers, as well as the specific powers conferred by these Bylaws; and shall also have and may exercise such further powers and duties as from time to time may be conferred upon or assigned by the Board of Directors.
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Section 3. President. The Board of Directors shall appoint one of its members to be the president of the association. The president shall be a member of the Board of Directors. In the absence of the chair, the president shall preside at any meeting of the Board of Directors. The president shall have general executive powers and shall have and may exercise any and all other powers and duties pertaining by law, regulation, or practice to the office of president, or imposed by these Bylaws. The president shall also have and may exercise such further powers and duties as from time to time may be conferred or assigned by the Board of Directors.
Section 4. Vice President. The Board of Directors may appoint one or more vice presidents. Each vice president shall have such powers and duties as may be assigned by the Board of Directors. One vice president shall be designated by the Board of Directors, in the absence of the president, to perform all the duties of the president.
Section 5. Secretary. The Board of Directors shall appoint a secretary or other designated officer who shall be secretary of the Board of Directors and of the association and who shall keep accurate minutes of all meetings. The secretary shall attend to the giving of all notices required by these Bylaws; shall be custodian of the corporate seal, records, documents and papers of the association; shall provide for the keeping of proper records of all transactions of the association; shall have and may exercise any and all other powers and duties pertaining by law, regulation or practice, or imposed by these bylaws; and shall also perform such other duties as may be assigned from time to time, by the Board of Directors.
Section 6. Other Officers. The Board of Directors may appoint one or more assistant vice presidents, one or more trust officers, one or more officers, one or more assistant secretaries, one or more assistant treasurers, one or more managers and assistant managers of branches and such other officers and attorneys in fact as from time to time may appear to the Board of Directors to be required or desirable to transact the business of the association. Such officers shall respectively exercise such powers and perform such duties as pertain to their several offices, or as may be conferred upon or assigned to them by the Board of Directors, the chair of the Board, or the president. The Board of Directors may authorize an officer to appoint one or more officers or assistant officers.
Section 7. Resignation. An officer may resign at any time by delivering notice to the association. A resignation is effective when the notice is given unless the notice specifies a later effective date.
ARTICLE V
Stock and Stock Certificates
Section 1. Transfers. Shares of stock shall be transferable on the books of the association, and a transfer book shall be kept in which all transfers of stock shall be recorded. Every person becoming a shareholder by such transfer shall in proportion to such shareholder’s shares, succeed to all rights of the prior holder of such shares. The Board of Directors may impose conditions upon the transfer of the stock reasonably calculated to simplify the work of the association with respect to stock transfers, voting at shareholder meetings and related matters and to protect it against fraudulent transfers.
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Section 2. Stock Certificates. Certificates of stock shall bear the signature of the president (which may be engraved, printed or impressed) and shall be signed manually, by facsimile process, or electronic means by the secretary, assistant secretary, treasurer, assistant treasurer, or any other officer appointed by the Board of Directors for that purpose, to be known as an authorized officer, and the seal of the association shall be engraved thereon. Each certificate shall recite on its face that the stock represented thereby is transferable only upon the books of the association properly endorsed and otherwise comply with the requirements of 12 U.S.C. 52 and 12 C.F.R. §7.2016(b).
Section 3. Lost, Stolen or Destroyed Certificates. In case any certificate representing shares shall be lost, stolen or destroyed, the Board of Directors, in its discretion, or any officer or officers thereunder duly authorized by the Board of Directors, may authorize the issue of a substitute certificate or substitute shares in uncertificated form in the place of the certificate so lost, stolen or destroyed.
Section 4. Fixing of Record Date. The Board of Directors may set, in advance, a record date for the purpose of determining shareholders entitled to notice of or to vote at any meeting of shareholders or determining shareholders entitled to receive payment of any dividend or the allotment of any other rights, in order to make a determination of shareholders for any other proper purpose. Such date, in any case, shall be the close of business on the day before the first notice is mailed or otherwise sent to the shareholders, provided that in no event may a record date be more than 10 days before the meeting.
ARTICLE VII
Corporate Seal
Section 1. Seal. The seal of the association shall be in such form as may be determined from time to time by the Board of Directors. The president, the treasurer, the secretary or any assistant treasurer or assistant secretary, or other officer thereunto designated by the Board of Directors shall have authority to affix the corporate seal to any document requiring such seal and to attest the same. The seal on any corporate obligation for the payment of money may be facsimile.
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ARTICLE VIII
Miscellaneous Provisions
Section 1. Fiscal Year. The fiscal year of the association shall be the calendar year.
Section 2. Execution of Instruments. All agreements, indentures, mortgages, deeds, conveyances, transfers, certificates, declarations, receipts, discharges, releases, satisfactions, settlements, petitions, schedules, accounts, affidavits, bonds, undertakings, proxies and other instruments or documents may be signed, executed, acknowledged, verified, delivered or accepted on behalf of the association by any officer elected or appointed pursuant to Article IV of these Bylaws. Any such instruments may also be executed, acknowledged, verified, delivered or accepted on behalf of the association in such other manner and by such other officers as the Board of Directors may from time to time direct. The provisions of this Section 2 are supplementary to any other provision of these Bylaws.
Section 3. Records. The Articles of Association, the Bylaws and the proceedings of all meetings of the shareholders, the Board of Directors, and standing committees of the Board of Directors shall be recorded in appropriate minute books provided for that purpose. The minutes of each meeting shall be signed by the secretary, treasurer or other officer appointed to act as secretary of the meeting.
Section 4. Corporate Governance Procedures. To the extent not inconsistent with federal banking statutes and regulations, or safe and sound banking practices, the association may follow the Delaware General Corporation Law, Del. Code Ann. tit. 8 (1991, as amended 1994, and as amended thereafter) with respect to matters of corporate governance procedures.
Section 5. Indemnification. For purposes of this Section 5 of Article VIII, the term “institution-affiliated party” shall mean any institution-affiliated party of the association as such term is defined in 12 U.S.C. 1813(u).
Any institution-affiliated party (or his or her heirs, executors or administrators) may be indemnified or reimbursed by the association for reasonable expenses actually incurred in connection with any threatened, pending or completed actions or proceedings and appeals therein, whether civil, criminal, governmental, administrative or investigative, in accordance with and to the fullest extent permitted by law, as such law now or hereafter exists; provided, however, that when an administrative proceeding or action instituted by a federal banking agency results in a final order or settlement pursuant to which such person: (i) is assessed a civil money penalty, (ii) is removed from office or prohibited from participating in the conduct of the affairs of the association, or (iii) is required to cease and desist from or to take any affirmative action described in 12 U.S.C. 1818(b) with respect to the association, then the association shall require the repayment of all legal fees and expenses advanced pursuant to the next succeeding paragraph and may not indemnify such institution-affiliated parties (or their heirs, executors or administrators) for expenses, including expenses for legal fees, penalties or other payments incurred. The association shall provide indemnification in connection with an action or proceeding (or part thereof) initiated by an institution-affiliated party (or by his or her heirs, executors or administrators) only if such action or proceeding (or part thereof) was authorized by the Board of Directors.
Expenses incurred by an institution-affiliated party (or by his or her heirs, executors or administrators) in connection with any action or proceeding under 12 U.S.C. 164 or 1818 may be paid by the association in advance of the final disposition of such action or proceeding upon (a) a determination by the Board of Directors acting by a quorum consisting of directors who are not parties to such action or proceeding that the institution-affiliated party (or his or her heirs, executors or administrators) has a reasonable basis for prevailing on the merits, (b) a determination that the indemnified individual (or his or her heirs, executors or administrators)
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will have the financial capacity to reimburse the association in the event he or she does not prevail, (c) a determination that the payment of expenses and fees by the association will not adversely affect the safety and soundness of the association, and (d) receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of such institution-affiliated party (or by his or her heirs, executors or administrators) to repay such advancement in the event of a final order or settlement pursuant to which such person: (i) is assessed a civil money penalty, (ii) is removed from office or prohibited from participating in the conduct of the affairs of the association, or (iii) is required to cease and desist from or to take any affirmative action described in 12 U.S.C. 1818(b) with respect to the association. In all other instances, expenses incurred by an institution-affiliated party (or by his or her heirs, executors or administrators) in connection with any action or proceeding as to which indemnification may be given under the Articles of Association may be paid by the association in advance of the final disposition of such action or proceeding upon (a) receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of such institution-affiliated party (or by or on behalf of his or her heirs, executors or administrators) to repay such advancement in the event that such institution-affiliated party (or his or her heirs, executors or administrators) is ultimately found not to be entitled to indemnification as authorized by these Bylaws and (b) approval by the Board of Directors acting by a quorum consisting of directors who are not parties to such action or proceeding or, if such a quorum is not obtainable, then approval by shareholders. To the extent permitted by law, the Board of Directors or, if applicable, the shareholders, shall not be required to find that the institution-affiliated party has met the applicable standard of conduct provided by law for indemnification in connection with such action or proceeding.
In the event that a majority of the members of the Board of Directors are named as respondents in an administrative proceeding or civil action and request indemnification, the remaining members of the Board may authorize independent legal counsel to review the indemnification request and provide the remaining members of the Board with a written opinion of counsel as to whether the conditions delineated in the first four paragraphs of this Section 5 of Article VIII have been met. If independent legal counsel opines that said conditions have been met, the remaining members of the Board of Directors may rely on such opinion in authorizing the requested indemnification.
In the event that all of the members of the Board of Directors are named as respondents in an administrative proceeding or civil action and request indemnification, the Board shall authorize independent legal counsel to review the indemnification request and provide the Board with a written opinion of counsel as to whether the conditions delineated in the first four paragraphs of this Section 5 of Article VIII have been met. If legal counsel opines that said conditions have been met, the Board of Directors may rely on such opinion in authorizing the requested indemnification.
To the extent permitted under applicable law, the rights of indemnification and to the advancement of expenses provided in the Articles of Association (a) shall be available with respect to events occurring prior to the adoption of these Bylaws, (b) shall continue to exist after any restrictive amendment of these Bylaws with respect to events occurring prior to such amendment, (c) may be interpreted on the basis of applicable law in effect at the time of the occurrence of the event or events giving rise to the action or proceeding, or on the basis of applicable law in effect at the time such rights are claimed, and (d) are in the nature of contract rights which may be enforced in any court of competent jurisdiction as if the association and the institution-affiliated party (or his or her heirs, executors or administrators) for whom such rights are sought were parties to a separate written agreement.
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The rights of indemnification and to the advancement of expenses provided in these Bylaws shall not, to the extent permitted under applicable law, be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which any such institution-affiliated party (or his or her heirs, executors or administrators) may now or hereafter be otherwise entitled whether contained in the association’s Articles of Association, these Bylaws, a resolution of shareholders, a resolution of the Board of Directors, or an agreement providing such indemnification, the creation of such other rights being hereby expressly authorized. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the rights of indemnification and to the advancement of expenses provided in these Bylaws shall not be deemed exclusive of any rights, pursuant to statute or otherwise, of any such institution-affiliated party (or of his or her heirs, executors or administrators) in any such action or proceeding to have assessed or allowed in his or her favor, against the association or otherwise, his or her costs and expenses incurred therein or in connection therewith or any part thereof.
If this Section 5 of Article VIII or any part hereof shall be held unenforceable in any respect by a court of competent jurisdiction, it shall be deemed modified to the minimum extent necessary to make it enforceable, and the remainder of this Section 5 of Article VIII shall remain fully enforceable.
The association may, upon affirmative vote of a majority of its Board of Directors, purchase insurance to indemnify its institution-affiliated parties to the extent that such indemnification is allowed in these Bylaws; provided, however, that no such insurance shall include coverage for a final order assessing civil money penalties against such persons by a bank regulatory agency. Such insurance may, but need not, be for the benefit of all institution- affiliated parties.
ARTICLE IX
Inspection and Amendments
Section 1. Inspection. A copy of the bylaws of the association, with all amendments, shall at all times be kept in a convenient place at the main office of the association, and shall be open for inspection to all shareholders during banking hours.
Section 2. Amendments. The Board of Directors shall have the power, at any regular or special meeting thereof, to amend, alter or repeal the bylaws of the association, or to make and adopt new bylaws. These Bylaws may be amended, altered or repealed and new bylaws may be adopted by the shareholders of the association to the extent and as permitted in the Articles of Association or applicable law.
EXHIBIT 6
Section 321(b) Consent
Pursuant to Section 321(b) of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, Wilmington Trust, National Association hereby consents that reports of examinations by Federal, State, Territorial or District authorities may be furnished by such authorities to the Securities and Exchange Commission upon requests therefor.
| WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION | ||||||
| Dated: February 16, 2024 | By: | /s/ Nedine P. Sutton | ||||
| Name: Nedine P. Sutton | ||||||
| Title: Vice President | ||||||
EXHIBIT 7
REPORT OF CONDITION
WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
As of the close of business on December 31, 2023
| ASSETS | Thousands of Dollars | |||
| Cash and balances due from depository institutions: |
537,816 | |||
| Securities: |
5,633 | |||
| Federal funds sold and securities purchased under agreement to resell: |
0 | |||
| Loans and leases held for sale: |
0 | |||
| Loans and leases net of unearned income, allowance: |
44,955 | |||
| Premises and fixed asset |
31,969 | |||
| Other real estate owned: |
210 | |||
| Investments in unconsolidated subsidiaries and associated companies: |
0 | |||
| Direct and indirect investments in real estate ventures: |
0 | |||
| Intangible assets: |
0 | |||
| Other assets: |
62,185 | |||
| Total Assets: |
682,768 | |||
| LIABILITIES | Thousands of Dollars | |||
| Deposits |
6,021 | |||
| Federal funds purchased and securities sold under agreements to repurchase |
0 | |||
| Other borrowed money: |
0 | |||
| Other Liabilities: |
94,313 | |||
| Total Liabilities |
100,334 | |||
| EQUITY CAPITAL | Thousands of Dollars | |||
| Common Stock |
1,000 | |||
| Surplus |
345,403 | |||
| Retained Earnings |
236,374 | |||
| Accumulated other comprehensive income |
(343 | ) | ||
| Total Equity Capital |
582,434 | |||
| Total Liabilities and Equity Capital |
682,768 | |||