SC 13D

 

 

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

SCHEDULE 13D

Under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934*

 

 

PMC COMMERCIAL TRUST

(Name of Issuer)

Common Shares of Beneficial Interest, par value $0.01 per share

(Title of Class of Securities)

693434102

(CUSIP Number)

Eric P. Rubenfeld

c/o CIM Group LLC

6922 Hollywood Blvd.

Ninth Floor

Los Angeles, CA 90028

Telephone: (323) 860 - 4900

(Name, Address and Telephone Number of Person Authorized to Receive Notices and Communications)

March 11, 2014

(Date of Event Which Requires Filing of This Statement)

 

 

If the filing person has previously filed a statement on Schedule 13G to report the acquisition that is the subject of this Schedule 13D, and is filing this schedule because of §§240.13d-1(e), 240.13d-1(f) or 240.13d-1(g), check the following box.  ¨

 

 

NOTE: Schedules filed in paper format shall include a signed original and five copies of the schedule, including all exhibits. See Rule 13d-7 for other parties to whom copies are to be sent.

 

 

 

* The remainder of this cover page shall be filled out for a reporting person’s initial filing on this form with respect to the subject class of securities, and for any subsequent amendment containing information which would alter disclosures provided in a prior cover page.

The information required on the remainder of this cover page shall not be deemed to be “filed” for the purpose of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (“Act”) or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section of the Act but shall be subject to all other provisions of the Act (however, see the Notes).

 

 

 


CUSIP No. 693434102

 

 

  1.   

Names of Reporting Persons

 

Urban Partners II, LLC

  2.  

Check the Appropriate Box if a Member of a Group (see instructions)

(a)  x        (b)  ¨

 

  3.  

SEC Use Only

 

  4.  

Source of Funds (see instructions)

 

OO

  5.  

Check if Disclosure of Legal Proceedings is Required Pursuant to Items 2(d) or 2(e)  ¨

 

  6.  

Citizenship or Place of Organization

 

Delaware

Number of

Shares

Beneficially

Owned by

Each

Reporting

Person

With:

 

     7.    

Sole Voting Power

 

477,200,000

     8.   

Shared Voting Power

 

0

     9.   

Sole Dispositive Power

 

477,200,000

  

10.

  

Shared Dispositive Power

 

0

11.

 

Aggregate Amount Beneficially Owned by Each Reporting Person

 

477,200,000

12.

 

Check if the Aggregate Amount in Row (11) Excludes Certain Shares (see instructions)  ¨

 

13.

 

Percent of Class Represented by Amount in Row (11)

 

97.8%

14.

 

Type of Reporting Person (see instructions)

 

OO

 

 

Page 2 of 12


CUSIP No. 693434102

 

 

  1.   

Names of Reporting Persons

 

Richard Ressler

  2.  

Check the Appropriate Box if a Member of a Group (see instructions)

(a)  x        (b)  ¨

 

  3.  

SEC Use Only

 

  4.  

Source of Funds (see instructions)

 

OO

  5.  

Check if Disclosure of Legal Proceedings is Required Pursuant to Items 2(d) or 2(e)  ¨

 

  6.  

Citizenship or Place of Organization

 

United States

Number of

Shares

Beneficially

Owned by

Each

Reporting

Person

With:

 

     7.    

Sole Voting Power

 

0

     8.   

Shared Voting Power

 

477,200,0001

     9.   

Sole Dispositive Power

 

0

  

10.

  

Shared Dispositive Power

 

477,200,0001

11.

 

Aggregate Amount Beneficially Owned by Each Reporting Person

 

477,200,0001

12.

 

Check if the Aggregate Amount in Row (11) Excludes Certain Shares (see instructions)  ¨

 

13.

 

Percent of Class Represented by Amount in Row (11)

 

97.8%

14.

 

Type of Reporting Person (see instructions)

 

IN

 

 

1 The Reporting Person disclaims beneficial ownership of the reported Common Shares except to the extent of his pecuniary interest therein, and the inclusion of such shares in this Schedule 13D shall not be deemed an admission of beneficial ownership of all of the reported shares for any purpose.

 

Page 3 of 12


CUSIP No. 693434102

 

 

  1.   

Names of Reporting Persons

 

Avraham Shemesh

  2.  

Check the Appropriate Box if a Member of a Group (see instructions)

(a)  x        (b)  ¨

 

  3.  

SEC Use Only

 

  4.  

Source of Funds (see instructions)

 

OO

  5.  

Check if Disclosure of Legal Proceedings is Required Pursuant to Items 2(d) or 2(e)  ¨

 

  6.  

Citizenship or Place of Organization

 

United States

Number of

Shares

Beneficially

Owned by

Each

Reporting

Person

With:

 

     7.    

Sole Voting Power

 

0

     8.   

Shared Voting Power

 

477,200,0002

     9.   

Sole Dispositive Power

 

0

  

10.

  

Shared Dispositive Power

 

477,200,0002

11.

 

Aggregate Amount Beneficially Owned by Each Reporting Person

 

477,200,0002

12.

 

Check if the Aggregate Amount in Row (11) Excludes Certain Shares (see instructions)  ¨

 

13.

 

Percent of Class Represented by Amount in Row (11)

 

97.8%

14.

 

Type of Reporting Person (see instructions)

 

IN

 

 

2 The Reporting Person disclaims beneficial ownership of the reported Common Shares except to the extent of his pecuniary interest therein, and the inclusion of such shares in this Schedule 13D shall not be deemed an admission of beneficial ownership of all of the reported shares for any purpose.

 

Page 4 of 12


CUSIP No. 693434102

 

 

  1.   

Names of Reporting Persons

 

Shaul Kuba

  2.  

Check the Appropriate Box if a Member of a Group (see instructions)

(a)  x        (b)  ¨

 

  3.  

SEC Use Only

 

  4.  

Source of Funds (see instructions)

 

OO

  5.  

Check if Disclosure of Legal Proceedings is Required Pursuant to Items 2(d) or 2(e)  ¨

 

  6.  

Citizenship or Place of Organization

 

United States

Number of

Shares

Beneficially

Owned by

Each

Reporting

Person

With:

 

     7.    

Sole Voting Power

 

0

     8.   

Shared Voting Power

 

477,200,0003

     9.   

Sole Dispositive Power

 

0

  

10.

  

Shared Dispositive Power

 

477,200,0003

11.

 

Aggregate Amount Beneficially Owned by Each Reporting Person

 

477,200,0003

12.

 

Check if the Aggregate Amount in Row (11) Excludes Certain Shares (see instructions)  ¨

 

13.

 

Percent of Class Represented by Amount in Row (11)

 

97.8%

14.

 

Type of Reporting Person (see instructions)

 

IN

 

 

3 The Reporting Person disclaims beneficial ownership of the reported Common Shares except to the extent of his pecuniary interest therein, and the inclusion of such shares in this Schedule 13D shall not be deemed an admission of beneficial ownership of all of the reported shares for any purpose.

 

Page 5 of 12


CUSIP No. 693434102

 

 

  1.   

Names of Reporting Persons

 

CIM Service Provider, LLC

  2.  

Check the Appropriate Box if a Member of a Group (see instructions)

(a)  x        (b)  ¨

 

  3.  

SEC Use Only

 

  4.  

Source of Funds (see instructions)

 

AF

  5.  

Check if Disclosure of Legal Proceedings is Required Pursuant to Items 2(d) or 2(e)  ¨

 

  6.  

Citizenship or Place of Organization

 

Delaware

Number of

Shares

Beneficially

Owned by

Each

Reporting

Person

With:

 

     7.    

Sole Voting Power

 

0

     8.   

Shared Voting Power

 

0

     9.   

Sole Dispositive Power

 

0

  

10.

  

Shared Dispositive Power

 

0

11.

 

Aggregate Amount Beneficially Owned by Each Reporting Person

 

477,200,0004

12.

 

Check if the Aggregate Amount in Row (11) Excludes Certain Shares (see instructions)  ¨

 

13.

 

Percent of Class Represented by Amount in Row (11)

 

97.8%

14.

 

Type of Reporting Person (see instructions)

 

OO

 

 

4 The Reporting Person may be deemed to beneficially own the 477,200,000 Common Shares held by Urban Partners II, LLC by virtue of being a member of a group with Urban Partners II, LLC and Messrs. Ressler, Shemesh and Kuba.

 

Page 6 of 12


Item 1. Security and Issuer

This Schedule 13D relates to the common shares of beneficial interest, par value $0.01 per share (the “Common Shares”), of PMC Commercial Trust, a Texas real estate investment trust (the “Issuer). The address of the principal executive office of the Issuer is 17950 Preston Road, Suite 600, Dallas, Texas 75252.

 

Item 2. Identity and Background

This Schedule 13D is being filed pursuant to Rule 13d-1 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), on behalf of Urban Partners II, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Urban II”), Richard Ressler, Avraham Shemesh, Shaul Kuba and CIM Service Provider, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“CIM Manager” and, collectively, the “Reporting Persons”). The address of the principal office of each Reporting Person is 6922 Hollywood Blvd., Ninth Floor, Los Angeles, California 90028. Urban II is principally engaged in the business of investing primarily in substantially stabilized real estate and real estate-related assets. CIM Manager provides management and administration services to the Issuer.

Richard Ressler, Avraham Shemesh and Shaul Kuba, each U.S. citizens, are the control persons of CIM Holdings, Inc., a California corporation (“CIM Holdings”), which is the sole managing member of CIM Group, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“CIM Group”), which is the sole manager of CIM Urban Partners GP, LLC, a California limited liability company (“CIM Urban GP”), which is the sole managing member of Urban II. CIM Group is also the sole equity member of CIM Manager.

Richard Ressler is the founder and President of Orchard Capital Corporation (“Orchard Capital”), a firm that provides consulting and advisory services to companies (including CIM Group) in which Orchard Capital or its affiliates invest. He has been President of Orchard Capital since 1994. Through his affiliation with Orchard Capital, Mr. Ressler serves in various senior capacities with, among others, CIM Group and Orchard First Source Asset Management (together with its affiliates, “OFSAM”), an investment adviser focusing on middle market debt investments. Both OFSAM and its wholly-owned subsidiary, OFS Capital Management, LLC, are registered with the SEC as registered investment advisers. Mr. Ressler serves as a board member for various public and private companies in which Orchard Capital or its affiliates invest, including j2 Global, Inc. (NASDAQ: “JCOM”) for which he has been Chairman of the Board of Directors and a director of j2 Global since 1997, and also served as j2 Global’s Chief Executive Officer from 1997 to 2000 (in each of these capacities pursuant to a consulting agreement between j2 Global and Orchard Capital). Mr. Ressler is also a trust manager and chairman of the board of the Issuer. Mr. Ressler has in-depth knowledge of the business and operations of CIM Urban Partners, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership (“CIM Urban”), and has extensive experience with, and knowledge of, business management and finance as a result of his experience with CIM Group, including as Co-Founder thereof. The address of the principal office of Orchard Capital is 6922 Hollywood Blvd., Ninth Floor, Los Angeles, California 90028.

Avraham Shemesh, Co-Founder and a Principal of CIM Group, has been an active real estate investor for over 23 years. Since founding CIM Group in 1994, Mr. Shemesh has been instrumental in building the firm’s real estate and infrastructure platforms. Principal and head of the firm’s Investments Group, he is actively involved in the investment process and provides guidance on diverse investment ideas across CIM Group’s platforms. He serves on the firm’s Investment and Asset Management Committees. Additionally, Mr. Shemesh is responsible for the day-to-day operations of CIM Group, including strategic initiatives, property management and leasing and investor relations. Mr. Shemesh is also a trust manager of the Issuer. Mr. Shemesh has in-depth knowledge of CIM Urban’s business and operations and has significant experience with the real estate investment process and strategic planning as a result of his experience with CIM Group, including as Co-Founder thereof.

Shaul Kuba, Co-Founder and a Principal of CIM Group, has been an active real estate investor for over 23 years. Since co-founding the firm in 1994, Mr. Kuba has been an integral part of building CIM Group’s investment platforms. As a Principal and head of the firm’s development group, he is actively involved in the development, redevelopment and repositioning of CIM Group’s real estate investments including notable projects such as 432 Park Avenue. Additionally, Mr. Kuba is instrumental in sourcing new investment transactions and establishing and maintaining relationships with national and regional retailers, hospitality brands and restaurateurs. He serves on the firm’s Investment and Asset Management Committees and provides guidance on the diverse investment ideas across CIM Group’s platforms. Mr. Kuba is also a trust manager of the Issuer. Mr. Kuba has in-depth knowledge of CIM Urban’s business and operations and has significant experience with the real estate development process and sourcing new investment transactions as a result of his experience with CIM Group, including as Co-Founder thereof.

 

Page 7 of 12


CIM Group is an integrated, full-service investment manager with in-house research, acquisition, investment, development, finance, leasing and management capabilities. The address of the principal office of CIM Group is 6922 Hollywood Blvd., Ninth Floor, Los Angeles, California 90028.

During the last five years, none of the Reporting Persons has been convicted in a criminal proceeding (excluding traffic violations or similar misdemeanors) or has been a party to a civil proceeding of a judicial or administrative body of competent jurisdiction and as a result of such proceeding was or is subject to a judgment, decree or final order enjoining future violations of, or prohibiting or mandating activities subject to, federal or state securities laws or finding any violation with respect to such laws.

 

Item 3. Source and Amount of Funds or Other Consideration

See Item 4 for a description of the source and amount of consideration for the Common Shares that are the subject hereof. The information set forth or incorporated in Item 4 with respect to such matters is incorporated by reference in this Item 3.

 

Item 4. Purpose of Transaction

The Issuer, CIM Urban REIT, LLC (“CIM REIT”), an affiliate of CIM Group, and their respective merger subsidiaries entered into an agreement and plan of merger dated as of July 8, 2013, as modified by a consent and waiver dated as of November 20, 2013 (collectively, the “Merger Agreement”), pursuant to which a merger subsidiary of CIM REIT will merge with and into a merger subsidiary of the Issuer, at which time (a) the Issuer will become the parent company of CIM Urban and its subsidiaries; and (b) the Issuer will issue to Urban II, the members of which will be CIM REIT and CIM Urban GP, 22,000,003 Common Shares and 65,028,571 Class A convertible cumulative preferred shares of the Issuer (the “Preferred Shares”), as further described in the Merger Agreement (such transactions, the “Merger”). Each Preferred Share is convertible into seven Common Shares. Assuming conversion of the Preferred Shares, Urban II will own approximately 97.8% of the Common Shares issued and outstanding. The Merger was consummated on March 11, 2014.

CIM REIT entered into the Merger to provide CIM Urban with a flexible capital structure with which to efficiently pursue its business strategy of owning and growing its portfolio of substantially stabilized assets in submarkets in which CIM Group’s opportunistic funds have targeted investment.

The Issuer will hold a meeting of shareholders as soon as practicable to approve (i) an increase in the number of authorized shares of the Issuer to one billion (thereby satisfying the condition provided for in the Merger Agreement for the automatic conversion of the Preferred Shares issued in connection with the Merger into an aggregate of 455,199,997 Common Shares), (ii) the reincorporation of the Issuer from Texas to Maryland (the “Reincorporation”) so that the Issuer’s corporate governance and the rights of shareholders will be governed by Maryland law and a proposed new Maryland charter and proposed new Maryland bylaws instead of Texas law and the Declaration of Trust of the Issuer and existing bylaws of the Issuer, (iii) amendments to the charter as part of the Reincorporation, and (iv) an amendment to the Issuer’s 2005 Equity Incentive Plan to (a) increase the aggregate number of Common Shares that may be issued under such plan by 1,000,000 Common Shares to 1,500,000 Common Shares, and (b) increase the limitation on the number of restricted shares that may be granted to all independent trust managers in the aggregate to no more than 500,000 restricted shares during any fiscal year. The Reincorporation would be effected by a merger of the Issuer with and into a newly formed, wholly-owned Maryland corporate subsidiary. Urban II has agreed to vote its Common Shares and Preferred Shares in favor of the proposal described in (i). The Maryland charter and Maryland bylaws and being governed by Maryland law would bring the Issuer’s corporate governance more in line with that of other public REITs, as over 70% of other public REITs are currently organized under Maryland law.

CIM Manager entered into a Rule 10b5-1 purchase plan (the “trading plan”) on January 29, 2014 which provides for the purchase of up to 2.75 million Common Shares at prices up to $5.00 per share. Under the terms of the trading plan, share purchases shall be conducted in compliance with Rule 10b-18 under the Exchange Act, including in respect of “block purchases” as contemplated by such Rule. The trading plan provides for the purchase of shares commencing on the first trading day following consummation of the Merger. The trading plan will, in general, expire on the date that 2.75 million Common Shares have been purchased or August 10, 2014, whichever is earlier.

Pursuant to the Settlement Agreement dated as of January 28, 2014 among plaintiff REIT Redux, L.P. (“REIT Redux”), the Issuer, the Issuer’s merger subsidiary, CIM REIT and the other defendant officers and trust managers of the Issuer (the “Settlement Agreement”), concerning the individual claims of REIT Redux, CIM Manager will, subject to the conditions specified in the Settlement Agreement, purchase up to 500,000 Common Shares currently owned by REIT Redux and its other “reporting persons” at a price of $5.00 per share, if requested by REIT Redux to do so at any time from July 10, 2014 until August 10, 2014.

 

Page 8 of 12


As permitted by law, the Reporting Persons may purchase additional Common Shares or related securities or may dispose of all or a portion of the Common Shares or related securities that they now beneficially own or may hereafter acquire in open market or privately negotiated transactions or otherwise, including to and/or from CIM Group and its affiliates.

Messrs. Ressler, Shemesh and Kuba are members of the board of trust managers of the Issuer and, as such, may have involvement in any plans or proposals relating to future financings of the Issuer, which may include issuances of additional securities by the Issuer, exchange offers for the Issuer’s existing outstanding securities or sales or transfer of the Issuer’s assets as well as candidates that may be appointed as members of the Issuer’s board of trust managers. Any issuance of securities by the Issuer or an exchange offer of the Issuer’s existing securities may have a material change on the capitalization of the Issuer.

Except as set forth in this Schedule 13D, the Reporting Persons do not have any current plans or proposals which relate to or would result in any of the transactions described in subparagraphs (a) through (j) of Item 4 of Schedule 13D.

The foregoing descriptions of the Merger Agreement, Reincorporation documents, trading plan and the Settlement Agreement do not purport to be complete and are qualified in their entirety by reference to such agreements. A copy of the Merger Agreement, listed as Exhibit 2.1 hereto, is incorporated by reference to Annex A to the Issuer’s prospectus supplement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on December 30, 2013. A copy of the proposed Maryland charter as part of the Reincorporation is attached hereto as Exhibit 3.1 and is incorporated by reference herein. A copy of the proposed Maryland bylaws as part of the Reincorporation is attached hereto as Exhibit 3.2 and is incorporated by reference herein. A copy of the trading plan, listed as Exhibit 10.1 hereto, is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 of the Issuer’s Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on January 30, 2014. A copy of the Settlement Agreement, listed as Exhibit 10.2 hereto, is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 of the Issuer’s Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on January 30, 2014.

 

Item 5. Interest in Securities of the Issuer

(a) Urban II directly owns 22,000,003 Common Shares and 65,028,571 Preferred Shares which are convertible into 455,199,997 Common Shares for an aggregate of 477,200,000 Common Shares, which represent approximately 97.8% of the outstanding Common Shares (assuming an increase in the authorized number of Common Shares to one billion as described above).

Messrs. Ressler, Shemesh and Kuba may be deemed to beneficially own the 477,200,000 Common Shares, or approximately 97.8% of the outstanding Common Shares, held by Urban II by virtue of being the control persons of CIM Holdings, which is the sole managing member of CIM Group, which is the sole manager of CIM Urban GP, which is the sole managing member of Urban II. Each of Messrs. Ressler, Shemesh and Kuba disclaims beneficial ownership of the reported Common Shares except to the extent of his pecuniary interest therein, and the inclusion of such shares in this Schedule 13D shall not be deemed an admission of beneficial ownership of all of the reported shares for any purpose.

CIM Manager may be deemed to beneficially own the 477,200,000 Common Shares, or approximately 97.8% of the outstanding Common Shares, held by Urban II by virtue of being a member of a group with Urban II and Messrs. Ressler, Shemesh and Kuba.

The percentage of Common Shares outstanding reported as beneficially owned by each person herein on the date hereof is based 10,596,220 Common Shares outstanding on December 30, 2013 as reported in the Issuer’s prospectus supplement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on December 30, 2013.

(b) Urban II has the sole power to vote and dispose of 22,000,003 Common Shares and 65,028,571 Preferred Shares (which Preferred Shares are convertible into seven Common Shares and entitled to seven votes per share). Messrs. Ressler, Shemesh and Kuba have shared power to vote and dispose of 22,000,003 Common Shares and 65,028,571 Preferred Shares. CIM Manager has no power to vote or dispose of such shares.

(c) Except as set forth herein, the Reporting Persons have not effected any transactions in the Common Shares in the past sixty (60) days.

(d) The Reporting Persons know of no other person who has the right to receive or the power to direct the receipt of dividends from, or the proceeds from the sale of, the Common Shares.

 

Page 9 of 12


Item 6. Contracts, Arrangements, Understandings or Relationships with Respect to Securities of the Issuer

See Item 4 for a description of the trading plan. The information set forth or incorporated in Item 4 with respect to the trading plan is incorporated by reference in this Item 6.

See Item 4 for a description of certain terms of the Settlement Agreement. The information set forth or incorporated in Item 4 with respect to the Settlement Agreement is incorporated by reference in this Item 6.

In connection with the Merger, Urban II and the Issuer entered into a Registration Rights and Lockup Agreement pursuant to which Urban II is entitled to registration rights, subject to certain limitations, with respect to the Common Shares it received in the Merger and the Common Shares issuable upon conversion of the Preferred Shares it received in the Merger. Securities that may be registered pursuant to such agreement are referred to as Registrable Securities. The holders of at least a majority of the Registrable Securities are entitled to request that the Issuer file a registration statement under the Securities Act covering the registration of at least 5% of the Registrable Securities then outstanding, or a lesser percent if the anticipated aggregate offering price, net of underwriting discounts and commissions, would exceed $5 million. After the Issuer has effected eight registrations and such registration statements have been declared or ordered effective and remained in effect for a period of at least 180 days, the Issuer is not obligated to take any action to effect any other registration. The Issuer is also not obligated to take any action to effect a registration if the Issuer has effected a registration within the preceding three months that has been declared or ordered effective. In addition, holders of the Registrable Securities will have certain piggyback and certain rights to demand registration using Form S-3. The Issuer will bear the expenses incurred in connection with the filing of any such registration statements.

In accordance with lockup provisions included in such agreement, Urban II will not be permitted to engage in public sales of the Common Shares it received in the Merger (and the Common Shares issuable upon conversion of the Preferred Shares it received in the Merger) until after the 12-month anniversary of the consummation of the Merger, provided that these restrictions shall not apply with respect to 40 million Common Shares six months following the Merger with the prior approval of a majority of the independent trust managers of the Issuer. The foregoing lockup restrictions do not apply to private sales or transfers of such shares; provided, that such transferred shares will be subject to the same public sale lockup restrictions.

The foregoing description of the Registration Rights and Lockup Agreement does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to such agreement. A copy of the form of Registration Rights and Lockup Agreement, listed as Exhibit 10.3 hereto, is incorporated by reference to Annex C to the Issuer’s prospectus supplement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on December 30, 2013.

Except as set forth herein, the Reporting Persons are not a party to any other contract, arrangement, understanding or relationship, legal or otherwise, with respect to any securities of the Issuer.

 

Item 7. Material to be Filed as Exhibits

 

  2.1    Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of July 8, 2013, by and among CIM Urban REIT, LLC, CIM Merger Sub, LLC, PMC Commercial Trust and Southfork Merger Sub, LLC; and the Consent to Assignment and Limited Waiver to Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of November 20, 2013, by and among PMC Commercial Trust, CIM Urban REIT, LLC, Southfork Merger Sub, LLC, and CIM Merger Sub, LLC, the terms of which were acknowledged and agreed to by a new subsidiary formed by CIM Urban REIT, LLC, Urban Partners II, LLC (incorporated by reference to Annex A to the prospectus supplement filed by PMC Commercial Trust with the Securities and Exchange Commission on December 30, 2013).
  3.1    Proposed Articles of Incorporation of PMC Commercial Trust (Maryland).
  3.2    Proposed Bylaws of PMC Commercial Trust (Maryland).
10.1    Rule 10b5-1 Purchase Plan dated January 29, 2014 by and among PMC Commercial Trust, CIM Service Provider, LLC and Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner and Smith Incorporated (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed by PMC Commercial Trust with the Securities and Exchange Commission on January 30, 2014).
10.2    Settlement Agreement dated as of January 28, 2014 by and among PMC Commercial Trust, CIM Urban REIT, LLC, Southfork Merger Sub, LLC, REIT Redux LP, Jan Salit, Barry Berlin, Dr. Martha Rosemore Morrow, Nat Cohen and Barry Imber (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed by PMC Commercial Trust with the Securities and Exchange Commission on January 30, 2014).
10.3    Form of Registration Rights and Lockup Agreement by and among Urban Partners II, LLC and PMC Commercial Trust (incorporated by reference to Annex C to the prospectus supplement filed by PMC Commercial Trust with the Securities and Exchange Commission on December 30, 2013).

 

Page 10 of 12


99.1    Joint Filing Agreement dated March 11, 2014, by and between Urban Partners II, LLC, CIM Urban Partners GP, LLC, Richard Ressler, Avraham Shemesh and Shaul Kuba.

 

Page 11 of 12


SIGNATURE

After reasonable inquiry and to the best of my knowledge and belief, I certify that the information set forth in this statement is true, complete and correct.

Date: March 11, 2014

 

URBAN PARTNERS II, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company
By:   CIM Urban Partners GP, LLC, a California limited liability company, its general partner
  By:  

/s/ David Thompson

  Name:   David Thompson
  Title:   Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

/s/ Richard Ressler

Richard Ressler

/s/ Avraham Shemesh

Avraham Shemesh

/s/ Shaul Kuba

Shaul Kuba

CIM SERVICE PROVIDER, LLC, a Delaware limited

liability company

By:  

/s/ David Thompson

Name:  

David Thompson

Title:   Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

 

Page 12 of 12

EX-3.1

Exhibit 3.1

ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION

of

PMC COMMERCIAL TRUST, INC.

THIS IS TO CERTIFY THAT:

ARTICLE I

INCORPORATOR

The undersigned,                         , whose address is                         , being at least 18 years of age, acting as incorporator, does hereby form a corporation under the general laws of the State of Maryland.

ARTICLE II

NAME

The name of the corporation (hereinafter, the “Corporation”) is PMC Commercial Trust, Inc.

ARTICLE III

PURPOSE

The purposes for which the Corporation is formed are to engage in any lawful act or activity (including, without limitation or obligation, engaging in business as a real estate investment trust under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, or any successor statute (the “Code”)) for which corporations may be organized under the general laws of the State of Maryland as now or hereafter in force. For purposes of the charter of the Corporation (the “Charter”), “REIT” means a real estate investment trust under Sections 856 through 860 of the Code.

ARTICLE IV

PRINCIPAL OFFICE IN STATE AND RESIDENT AGENT

The address of the principal office of the Corporation in the State of Maryland is c/o CSC-Lawyers Incorporating Service Company, 7 St. Paul Street, Suite 1660, Baltimore, Maryland 21202. The name and address of the resident agent of the Corporation in the State of Maryland are CSC-Lawyers Incorporating Service Company, 7 St. Paul Street, Suite 1660, Baltimore, Maryland 21202. The resident agent is a Maryland corporation.


ARTICLE V

PROVISIONS FOR DEFINING, LIMITING

AND REGULATING CERTAIN POWERS OF THE

CORPORATION AND OF THE STOCKHOLDERS AND DIRECTORS

Section 5.1 Number of Directors. The business and affairs of the Corporation shall be managed under the direction of the Board of Directors. The number of directors of the Corporation shall initially be seven, which number may be increased or decreased only by the Board of Directors pursuant to the Bylaws of the Corporation (the “Bylaws”), but shall never be less than the minimum number required by the Maryland General Corporation Law (the “MGCL”). The names of the directors who shall serve until the next annual meeting of stockholders and their successors are duly elected and qualify are:

 

  

Richard S. Ressler

 

Avraham Shemesh

 

Shaul Kuba

 

Kelly Eppich

 

Douglas Bech

 

Robert Cresci

 

Frank Golay

  

Section 5.2 Vacancies. Subject to the rights of holders of any class or series of stock to elect one or more directors voting separately as a class, the Board of Directors may fill any vacancy, whether resulting from an increase in the number of directors or otherwise, on the Board of Directors by the affirmative vote of a majority of the remaining directors in office, even if the remaining directors do not constitute a quorum, and any director so elected by the Board of Directors to fill a vacancy shall serve for the remainder of the full term of the directorship in which such vacancy occurred and such director’s successor is duly elected and qualifies. The Corporation elects, at such time as it becomes eligible under Section 3-802 of the MGCL, to make the election provided for under Section 3-804(c) of the MGCL that, except as may be provided by the Board of Directors in setting the terms of any class or series of stock hereafter classified or reclassified, any and all vacancies on the Board of Directors may be filled only by the affirmative vote of a majority of the remaining directors in office, even if the remaining directors do not constitute a quorum, and any director elected to fill a vacancy shall serve for the remainder of the full term of the directorship in which such vacancy occurred and such director’s successor is duly elected and qualifies. No decrease in the number of directors constituting the Board of Directors shall affect the tenure of office of any director.

 

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Section 5.3 Removal of Directors. Subject to the rights of holders of any class or series of stock to elect or remove one or more director, any director, or the entire Board of Directors, may be removed from office at any time with or without cause by the stockholders by the affirmative vote of at least two-thirds of all the votes entitled to be cast generally in the election of directors.

Section 5.4 Extraordinary Actions. Except as specifically provided in Section 5.3 (relating to removal of directors) and in Article VIII (relating to certain amendments of the Charter, including amendments to Article VII (relating to restrictions on transfer and ownership of shares) and Section 5.7 (relating to indemnification) hereof), notwithstanding any provision of law requiring any action to be taken, approved or authorized by the affirmative vote of stockholders entitled to cast a greater number of votes, any such action shall be effective and valid if declared advisable by the Board of Directors and taken, approved or authorized by the affirmative vote of stockholders entitled to cast a majority of all the votes entitled to be cast on the matter.

Section 5.5 Authorization by Board of Stock Issuance. The Board of Directors may authorize the issuance from time to time of shares of stock of the Corporation of any class or series, whether now or hereafter authorized, or securities or rights convertible into shares of its stock of any class or series, whether now or hereafter authorized, for such consideration as the Board of Directors may deem advisable (or without consideration in the case of a stock split or stock dividend), subject to such restrictions or limitations, if any, as may be set forth in the Charter or the Bylaws.

Section 5.6 Preemptive Rights and Appraisal Rights. Except as may be provided by the Board of Directors in setting the terms of any class or series of stock hereafter classified or reclassified pursuant to Section 6.4 or as may otherwise be provided by a contract approved by the Board of Directors, no holder of shares of stock of the Corporation shall, as such holder, have any preemptive right to purchase or subscribe for any additional shares of stock of the Corporation or any other security or right of the Corporation that it may issue or sell. Holders of shares of stock shall not be entitled to exercise any rights of an objecting stockholder provided for under Title 3, Subtitle 2 of the MGCL or any successor statute unless the Board of Directors, upon the affirmative vote of a majority of the Board of Directors and upon such terms and conditions as specified by the Board of Directors, shall determine that such rights apply, with respect to all or any shares of all or any classes or series of stock, to one or more transactions occurring after the date of such determination in connection with which holders of such shares would otherwise be entitled to exercise such rights.

 

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Section 5.7 Indemnification. To the maximum extent permitted by Maryland law in effect from time to time, the Corporation shall indemnify and, without requiring a preliminary determination of the ultimate entitlement to indemnification, shall pay or reimburse reasonable expenses in advance of final disposition of a proceeding to (a) any individual who is a present or former director or officer of the Corporation and who is made or threatened to be made a party to, or witness in, the proceeding by reason of his or her service in that capacity or (b) any individual who, while a director or officer of the Corporation and at the request of the Corporation, serves or has served as a director, officer, trustee, member, manager or partner of another corporation, real estate investment trust, limited liability company, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise and who is made or threatened to be made a party to, or witness in, the proceeding by reason of his or her service in that capacity. The rights to indemnification and advance of expenses provided by the Charter and Bylaws shall vest immediately upon election of a director or officer. The Corporation may indemnify any other persons permitted but not required to be indemnified by Maryland law, as applicable from time to time, if and to the extent indemnification is authorized and determined to be appropriate, in each case in accordance with applicable law, by the Board of Directors. The indemnification and payment or reimbursement of expenses provided in this Charter shall not be deemed exclusive of or limit in any way other rights to which any person seeking indemnification or payment or reimbursement of expenses may be or may become entitled under any bylaw, resolution, insurance, agreement or otherwise.

No amendment of the Charter or repeal of any of its provisions shall limit or eliminate any of the benefits provided to directors and officers under this Section 5.7 in respect of any act or omission that occurred prior to such amendment or repeal.

Section 5.8 Determinations by Board. The determination as to any of the following matters, made by or pursuant to the direction of the Board of Directors, shall be final and conclusive and shall be binding upon the Corporation and every holder of shares of its stock: the amount of the net income of the Corporation for any period and the amount of assets at any time legally available for the payment of dividends, acquisition of its stock or the payment of other distributions on its stock; the amount of paid-in surplus, net assets, other surplus, cash flow, funds from operations, adjusted funds from operations, net profit, net assets in excess of capital, undivided profits or excess of profits over losses on sales of assets; the amount, purpose, time of creation, increase or decrease, alteration or cancellation of any reserves or charges and the propriety thereof (whether or not any obligation or liability for which such reserves or charges shall have been created shall have been paid or discharged); any interpretation or resolution of any ambiguity with respect to any provision of the Charter (including any of the terms, preferences, conversion or other rights, voting powers or rights, restrictions, limitations as to dividends or distributions, qualifications or terms or conditions of redemption of any shares of any class or series of stock of the Corporation) or of the Bylaws; the number of shares of stock of any class or series of the Corporation; the fair value, or any sale, bid or asked price to be applied in determining the fair value, of any asset owned or held by the Corporation or of any shares of stock of the Corporation; any matter relating to the acquisition, holding and disposition of any assets by the Corporation; any interpretation of the terms and conditions of one or more agreements with any person, corporation, association, company, trust, partnership (limited or general) or other organization; or any other matter relating to the business and affairs of the Corporation or required or permitted by applicable law, the Charter or Bylaws or otherwise to be determined by the Board of Directors.

Section 5.9 REIT Qualification. If the Corporation elects to qualify for federal income tax treatment as a REIT, the Board of Directors shall take such actions as it determines necessary or appropriate to preserve the status of the Corporation as a REIT; however, if the Board of Directors determines that it is no longer in the best interests of the Corporation to continue to be qualified as a REIT, the Board of Directors may revoke or otherwise terminate the Corporation’s REIT election pursuant to Section 856(g) of the Code. The Board of Directors also may determine that compliance with any restriction or limitation on stock ownership and transfers set forth in Article VII is no longer required for REIT qualification.

 

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Section 5.10 Management Agreements. The Board of Directors may engage a Manager or Managers to advise the Board of Directors and be responsible for directing the day-to-day affairs of the Corporation pursuant to a written agreement (a “Management Agreement”). The approval of any Management Agreement and the renewal or termination thereof shall require the affirmative vote of a majority of the Board of Directors.

ARTICLE VI

STOCK

Section 6.1 Authorized Shares. The Corporation has authority to issue One Billion (1,000,000,000) shares of stock, $0.001 par value per share, consisting of Nine Hundred Million (900,000,000) shares of Common Stock, $0.001 par value per share (the “Common Stock”), and One Hundred Million (100,000,000) shares of Preferred Stock, $0.001 par value per share (the “Preferred Stock”). The aggregate par value of all authorized shares of stock having par value is One Million Dollars ($1,000,000.00). If shares of one class of stock are classified or reclassified into shares of another class of stock pursuant to this Article VI, the number of authorized shares of the former class shall be automatically decreased and the number of shares of the latter class shall be automatically increased, in each case by the number of shares so classified or reclassified, so that the aggregate number of shares of stock of all classes that the Corporation has authority to issue shall not be more than the total number of shares of stock set forth in the first sentence of this paragraph. The Board of Directors, with the approval of a majority of the entire Board of Directors, and without any action by the stockholders of the Corporation, may amend the Charter from time to time to increase or decrease the aggregate number of shares of stock of the Corporation or the number of shares of stock of any class or series that the Corporation has authority to issue.

Section 6.2 Common Stock. Subject to the provisions of Article VII and except as may otherwise be specified in the Charter, each share of Common Stock shall entitle the holder thereof to one vote The Board of Directors may reclassify any unissued shares of Common Stock from time to time into one or more classes or series of stock.

Section 6.3 Preferred Stock. The Board of Directors may classify any unissued shares of Preferred Stock and reclassify any previously classified but unissued shares of Preferred Stock of any class or series thereof from time to time, into one or more classes or series of stock.

 

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Section 6.4 Classified or Reclassified Shares. Prior to issuance of classified or reclassified shares of stock of any class or series, the Board of Directors by resolution shall: (a) designate that class or series to distinguish it from all other classes and series of stock of the Corporation; (b) specify the number of shares to be included in the class or series; (c) set or change, subject to the provisions of Article VII and subject to the express terms of any class or series of stock of the Corporation outstanding at the time, the preferences, conversion or other rights, voting powers (including the ability to grant exclusive voting rights on a Charter amendment that would alter the contract rights, as expressly set forth in the Charter, only of the specified class or series of stock), restrictions, including without limitation, restrictions as to transferability, limitations as to dividends or other distributions, qualifications and terms and conditions of redemption for each class or series; and (d) cause the Corporation to file articles supplementary with the State Department of Assessments and Taxation of Maryland. Any of the terms of any class or series of stock set or changed pursuant to clause (c) of this Section 6.4 may be made dependent upon facts or events ascertainable outside the Charter (including determinations by the Board of Directors or other facts or events within the control of the Corporation) and may vary among holders thereof, provided that the manner in which such facts, events or variations shall operate upon the terms of such class or series of stock is clearly and expressly set forth in the articles supplementary or other charter document.

Section 6.5 Charter and Bylaws. The rights of all stockholders and the terms of all stock are subject to the provisions of the Charter and the Bylaws. The Board of Directors shall have the exclusive power to adopt, amend, alter or repeal any provision of the Bylaws and to make new Bylaws. The stockholders of the Corporation shall not have the power to make, adopt, amend, alter or repeal any provision of the Bylaws.

Section 6.6 Written Consent of Stockholders. Any action required or permitted to be taken at any meeting of the holders of Common Stock entitled to vote generally in the election of directors may be taken without a meeting by consent, in writing or by electronic transmission, in any manner and by any vote permitted by the MGCL and set forth in the Bylaws.

ARTICLE VII

RESTRICTION ON TRANSFER AND OWNERSHIP OF SHARES

Section 7.1 Definitions. For the purpose of these Articles of Incorporation, the following terms shall have the following meanings:

Aggregate Stock Ownership Limit. The term “Aggregate Stock Ownership Limit” shall mean nine and eight-tenths percent (9.8%) in value or in the number of shares, whichever is more restrictive, of the aggregate of the outstanding shares of Capital Stock, excluding any outstanding shares of Capital Stock not treated as outstanding for federal income tax purposes. The value and number of the outstanding shares of Capital Stock shall be determined by the Board of Directors, which determination shall be conclusive for all purposes hereof.

Beneficial Ownership. The term “Beneficial Ownership” shall mean ownership of Capital Stock by a Person, whether the interest in the shares of Capital Stock is held directly or indirectly (including by a nominee), and shall include interests that would be treated as owned through the application of Section 544 of the Code, as modified by Section 856(h)(1)(B) and Section 856(h)(3) of the Code. The terms “Beneficial Owner,” “Beneficially Owns” and “Beneficially Owned” shall have the correlative meanings.

Business Day. The term “Business Day” shall mean any day, other than a Saturday or Sunday, that is neither a legal holiday nor a day on which banking institutions in New York City are authorized or required by law, regulation or executive order to close.

 

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Capital Stock. The term “Capital Stock” shall mean all classes or series of stock of the Corporation, including, without limitation, Common Stock and Preferred Stock.

Charitable Beneficiary. The term “Charitable Beneficiary” shall mean one or more beneficiaries of the Charitable Trust as determined pursuant to Section 7.3.6, provided that each such organization must be described in Section 501(c)(3) of the Code and contributions to each such organization must be eligible for deduction under one of Sections 170(b)(1)(A), 2055 and 2522 of the Code.

Charitable Trust. The term “Charitable Trust” shall mean any Charitable Trust provided for in Section 7.3.1.

Common Stock Ownership Limit. The term “Common Stock Ownership Limit” shall mean nine and eight-tenths percent (9.8%) in value or in number of shares, whichever is more restrictive, of the aggregate of the outstanding shares of Common Stock of the Corporation excluding any outstanding shares of Common Stock not treated as outstanding for federal income tax purposes. The number and value of the outstanding shares of Common Stock of the Corporation shall be determined by the Board of Directors, which determination shall be conclusive for all purposes hereof.

Constructive Ownership. The term “Constructive Ownership” shall mean ownership of Capital Stock by a Person, whether the interest in the shares of Capital Stock is held directly or indirectly (including by a nominee), and shall include interests that would be treated as owned through the application of Section 318(a) of the Code, as modified by Section 856(d)(5) of the Code. The terms “Constructive Owner,” “Constructively Owns” and “Constructively Owned” shall have the correlative meanings.

Excepted Holder. The term “Excepted Holder” shall mean a stockholder of the Corporation for whom an Excepted Holder Limit is created by the Charter or by the Board of Directors pursuant to Section 7.2.6.

Excepted Holder Limit. The term “Excepted Holder Limit” shall mean, provided that the affected Excepted Holder agrees to comply with the requirements established by the Charter or the Board of Directors pursuant to Section 7.2.6 and subject to adjustment pursuant to Section 7.2.7, the percentage limit established for an Excepted Holder by the Charter or the Board of Directors pursuant to Section 7.2.6.

Initial Date. The term “Initial Date” shall mean the effective date of the merger of PMC Commercial Trust, a Texas real estate investment trust company with and into the Corporation or such other date as determined by the Board of Directors in its sole discretion.

Manager. The term “Manager” means a Person engaged by the Corporation pursuant to a Management Agreement (as that term is defined in Section 5.10) to advise the Board of Directors and be responsible for directing day-to-day business affairs of the Corporation, including any Person to which the Person so engaged subcontracts substantially all such functions.

 

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Market Price. The term “Market Price” on any date shall mean, with respect to any class or series of outstanding shares of Capital Stock, the Closing Price for such Capital Stock on such date. The “Closing Price” on any date shall mean the last reported sale price for such Capital Stock, regular way, or, in case no such sale takes place on such day, the average of the closing bid and asked prices, regular way, for such Capital Stock, in either case as reported in the principal consolidated transaction reporting system with respect to securities listed or admitted to trading on the principal national securities exchange on which such Capital Stock is listed or admitted to trading or, if such Capital Stock is not listed or admitted to trading on any national securities exchange, the last quoted price, or, if not so quoted, the average of the high bid and low asked prices in the over-the-counter market, as reported by the principal automated quotation system that may then be in use or, if such Capital Stock is not quoted by any such organization, the average of the closing bid and asked prices as furnished by a professional market maker making a market in such Capital Stock selected by the Board of Directors or, in the event that no trading price is available for such Capital Stock, the fair market value of the Capital Stock, as determined by the Board of Directors.

Person. The term “Person” shall mean an individual, corporation, partnership, limited liability company, estate, trust (including a trust qualified under Sections 401(a) or 501(c)(17) of the Code), a portion of a trust permanently set aside for or to be used exclusively for the purposes described in Section 642(c) of the Code, association, private foundation within the meaning of Section 509(a) of the Code, joint stock company or other entity and also includes a “group” as that term is used for purposes of Section 13(d)(3) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and a group to which an Excepted Holder Limit applies.

Prohibited Owner. The term “Prohibited Owner” shall mean, with respect to any purported Transfer, any Person who, but for the provisions of Section 7.2.1, would Beneficially Own or Constructively Own shares of Capital Stock in violation of the provisions of Section 7.2.1(a). If appropriate in the context, “Prohibited Owner” shall also mean any Person who would have been the record owner of the shares of Capital Stock that the Prohibited Owner would have so owned.

Restriction Termination Date. The term “Restriction Termination Date” shall mean the first day after the Initial Date on which the Board of Directors determines pursuant to Section 5.9 of the Charter that it is no longer in the best interests of the Corporation to attempt to, or continue to, qualify as a REIT or that compliance with the restrictions and limitations on Beneficial Ownership, Constructive Ownership and Transfers of shares of Capital Stock set forth herein is no longer required in order for the Corporation to qualify as a REIT.

Transfer. The term “Transfer” shall mean any issuance, sale, transfer, gift, assignment, devise or other disposition, as well as any other event that causes any Person to acquire Beneficial Ownership or Constructive Ownership, or any agreement to take any such actions or cause any such events, of Capital Stock or the right to vote or receive dividends on Capital Stock, including (a) the granting or exercise of any option (or any disposition of any option), (b) any disposition of any securities or rights convertible into or exchangeable for Capital Stock or any interest in Capital Stock or any exercise of any such conversion or exchange right and (c) Transfers of interests in other entities that result in changes in Beneficial Ownership or Constructive Ownership of Capital Stock; in each case, whether voluntary or involuntary, whether owned of record, Constructively Owned or Beneficially Owned and whether by operation of law or otherwise. The terms “Transferring” and “Transferred” shall have the correlative meanings.

 

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Trustee. The term “Trustee” shall mean the Person unaffiliated with the Corporation and a Prohibited Owner, that is appointed by the Corporation to serve as trustee of the Charitable Trust.

Section 7.2 Capital Stock.

Section 7.2.1 Ownership Limitations. During the period commencing on the Initial Date and prior to the Restriction Termination Date but subject to Section 7.4:

(a) Basic Restrictions.

(i) (1) No Person, other than an Excepted Holder, shall Beneficially Own or Constructively Own shares of Capital Stock in excess of the Aggregate Stock Ownership Limit, (2) no Person, other than an Excepted Holder, shall Beneficially Own or Constructively Own shares of Common Stock in excess of the Common Stock Ownership Limit and (3) no Excepted Holder shall Beneficially Own or Constructively Own shares of Capital Stock in excess of the Excepted Holder Limit for such Excepted Holder.

(ii) Except as provided in Section 7.2.6 hereof, no Person shall Beneficially Own or Constructively Own shares of Capital Stock to the extent that such Beneficial Ownership or Constructive Ownership of Capital Stock would result in the Corporation being “closely held” within the meaning of Section 856(h) of the Code (without regard to whether the ownership interest is held during the last half of a taxable year).

(iii) No person shall Transfer shares of Capital Stock to the extent that such Transfer would result in the Capital Stock being beneficially owned by fewer than one hundred (100) Persons (determined under the principles of Section 856(a)(5) of the Code).

(iv) Except as provided in Section 7.2.6 hereof, no Person shall Beneficially Own or Constructively Own shares of Capital Stock to the extent that such Beneficial Ownership or Constructive Ownership would cause the Corporation to Constructively Own ten percent (10%) or more of the ownership interests in a tenant of the Corporation’s real property within the meaning of Section 856(d)(2)(B) of the Code.

(v) No Person shall Beneficially Own or Constructively Own shares of Capital Stock to the extent that such Beneficial Ownership or Constructive Ownership would otherwise cause the Corporation to fail to qualify as a REIT.

(b) Transfer in Trust. If any Transfer of shares of Capital Stock (or any other event) occurs which, if effective, would result in any Person Beneficially Owning or Constructively Owning shares of Capital Stock in violation of Section 7.2.1(a)(i), (ii), (iii), (iv) or (v),

 

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(i) then that number of shares of the Capital Stock the Beneficial Ownership or Constructive Ownership of which otherwise would cause such Person to violate Section 7.2.1(a)(i), (ii), (iii), (iv) or (v) (rounded up to the nearest whole share) shall be automatically transferred to a Charitable Trust for the benefit of a Charitable Beneficiary, as described in Section 7.3, effective as of the close of business on the Business Day prior to the date of such Transfer, and such Person shall acquire no rights in such shares of Capital Stock; or

(ii) if the transfer to the Charitable Trust described in clause (i) of this sentence would not be effective for any reason to prevent the violation of Section 7.2.1(a)(i), (ii), (iii), (iv) or (v), then the Transfer of that number of shares of Capital Stock that otherwise would cause any Person to violate Section 7.2.1(a)(i), (ii), (iii), (iv) or (v) shall be void ab initio, and the intended transferee shall acquire no rights in such shares of Capital Stock.

Section 7.2.2 Remedies for Breach. If the Board of Directors or any duly authorized committee thereof or other designees if permitted by the MGCL shall at any time determine in good faith that a Transfer or other event has taken place that results in a violation of Section 7.2.1 or that a Person intends to acquire or has attempted to acquire Beneficial Ownership or Constructive Ownership of any shares of Capital Stock in violation of Section 7.2.1 (whether or not such violation is intended), the Board of Directors or a committee thereof or other designees if permitted by the MGCL shall take such action as it deems advisable to refuse to give effect to or to prevent such Transfer or other event, including, without limitation, causing the Corporation to redeem shares of Capital Stock, refusing to give effect to such Transfer on the books of the Corporation or instituting proceedings to enjoin such Transfer or other event; provided, however, that any Transfers or attempted Transfers or other events in violation of Section 7.2.1 shall automatically result in the transfer to the Charitable Trust described above, or, where applicable, such Transfer (or other event) shall be void ab initio as provided above irrespective of any action (or non-action) by the Board of Directors or a committee thereof.

Section 7.2.3 Notice of Restricted Transfer. Any Person who acquires or attempts or intends to acquire Beneficial Ownership or Constructive Ownership of shares of Capital Stock that will or may violate Section 7.2.1(a) or any Person who would have Beneficially Owned or Constructively Owned shares of Capital Stock that resulted in a transfer to the Charitable Trust pursuant to the provisions of Section 7.2.1(b) shall immediately give written notice to the Corporation of such event, or in the case of such a proposed or attempted transaction, give at least fifteen (15) days prior written notice, and shall provide to the Corporation such other information as the Corporation may request in order to determine the effect, if any, of such Transfer on the Corporation’s status as a REIT.

 

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Section 7.2.4 Owners Required To Provide Information. From the Initial Date and until the Restriction Termination Date:

(a) Every owner of five percent or more (5%) (or such lower percentage as required by the Code or the Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder) in value of the outstanding shares of Capital Stock, within thirty (30) days after the end of each taxable year, shall give written notice to the Corporation stating the name and address of such owner, the number of shares of each class or series of Capital Stock Beneficially Owned and a description of the manner in which such shares are held. Each such owner shall provide promptly to the Corporation such additional information as the Corporation may request in order to determine the effect, if any, of such Beneficial Ownership on the Corporation’s status as a REIT and to ensure compliance with the Aggregate Stock Ownership Limit and the Common Stock Ownership Limit; and

(b) Each Person who is a Beneficial Owner or Constructive Owner of Capital Stock and each Person (including the stockholder of record) who is holding Capital Stock for a Beneficial Owner or Constructive Owner shall provide promptly to the Corporation such information as the Corporation may request in order to determine the Corporation’s status as a REIT and to comply with requirements of any taxing authority or governmental authority or to determine such compliance and to ensure compliance with the Aggregate Stock Ownership Limit and the Common Stock Ownership Limit.

Section 7.2.5 Remedies Not Limited. Subject to Section 5.9 of the Charter, nothing contained in this Section 7.2 shall limit the authority of the Board of Directors to take such other action as it deems necessary or advisable to protect the Corporation in preserving the Corporation’s status as a REIT.

Section 7.2.6 Exceptions.

(a) The Board of Directors, in its sole discretion, may exempt (prospectively or retroactively) a Person from the Aggregate Stock Ownership Limit, the Common Stock Ownership Limit or the restrictions under 7.2.1(a)(iv), as the case may be, and may establish or increase an Excepted Holder Limit for such Person if the Board of Directors obtains such representations, covenants and undertakings as the Board of Directors may deem appropriate in order to conclude that granting the exemption and/or establishing or increasing the Excepted Holder Limit, as the case may be, will not cause the Corporation to lose its status as a REIT.

(b) Prior to granting any exception pursuant to Section 7.2.6(a), the Board of Directors may require a ruling from the Internal Revenue Service, or an opinion of counsel, in either case in form and substance satisfactory to the Board of Directors in its sole discretion, as it may deem necessary or advisable in order to determine or ensure the Corporation’s status as a REIT. Notwithstanding the receipt of any ruling or opinion, the Board of Directors may impose such conditions or restrictions as it deems appropriate in connection with granting such exception.

(c) Subject to Section 7.2.1(a)(ii), (iv) and (v), an underwriter, placement agent or initial purchaser that participates in a public offering, a private placement or private resale of Capital Stock (or securities convertible into or exchangeable for Capital Stock) may Beneficially Own or Constructively Own shares of Capital Stock (or securities convertible into or exchangeable for Capital Stock) in excess of the Aggregate Stock Ownership Limit, the Common Stock Ownership Limit, or both such limits, but only to the extent necessary to facilitate such public offering, private placement or resale of such Capital Stock, and provided that the restrictions contained in Section 7.2.1(a) will not be violated following the distribution by such underwriter, placement agent or initial purchaser of such shares of Capital Stock.

 

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Section 7.2.7 Change in Aggregate Stock Ownership and Common Stock Ownership Limits. The Board of Directors may from time to time increase or decrease the Common Stock Ownership Limit and the Aggregate Stock Ownership Limit; provided, however, that a decreased Common Stock Ownership Limit and/or Aggregate Stock Ownership Limit will not be effective for any Person whose Beneficial Ownership or Constructive Ownership of Capital Stock is in excess of such decreased Common Stock Ownership Limit and/or Aggregate Stock Ownership Limit until such time as such Person’s Beneficial Ownership or Constructive Ownership of Capital Stock equals or falls below the decreased Common Stock Ownership Limit and/or Aggregate Stock Ownership Limit, but until such time as such Person’s Beneficial Ownership or Constructive Ownership of Capital Stock falls below such decreased Common Stock Ownership Limit and/or Aggregate Stock Ownership Limit any further acquisition or increase in Beneficial Ownership or Constructive Ownership of Capital Stock will be in violation of the Common Stock Ownership Limit and/or Aggregate Stock Ownership Limit and, provided further, that the new Common Stock Ownership Limit and/or Aggregate Stock Ownership Limit would not allow five or fewer Persons (taking into account all Excepted Holders) to Beneficially Own more than 49.9% in value of the outstanding Capital Stock.

Section 7.2.8 Legend. Each certificate for shares of Capital Stock shall bear a legend summarizing the provisions of this Article VII. Instead of such legend, the certificate may state that the Corporation will furnish a full statement about certain restrictions on transferability to a stockholder on request and without charge.

Section 7.3 Transfer of Capital Stock in Trust.

Section 7.3.1 Ownership in Trust. Upon any purported Transfer or other event described in Section 7.2.1(b) that would result in a transfer of shares of Capital Stock to a Charitable Trust, such shares of Capital Stock shall be deemed to have been transferred to the Trustee as trustee for the exclusive benefit of one or more Charitable Beneficiaries. Such transfer to the Trustee shall be deemed to be effective as of the close of business on the Business Day prior to the purported Transfer or other event that results in the transfer to the Charitable Trust pursuant to Section 7.2.1(b). The Trustee shall be appointed by the Corporation and shall be a Person unaffiliated with the Corporation and any Prohibited Owner. Each Charitable Beneficiary shall be designated by the Corporation as provided in Section 7.3.6.

Section 7.3.2 Status of Shares Held by the Trustee. Shares of Capital Stock held by the Trustee shall continue to be issued and outstanding shares of Capital Stock of the Corporation. The Prohibited Owner shall have no rights in the Capital Stock held by the Trustee. The Prohibited Owner shall not benefit economically from ownership of any shares held in trust by the Trustee, shall have no rights to dividends or other distributions and shall not possess any rights to vote or other rights attributable to the shares held in the Charitable Trust.

 

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Section 7.3.3 Dividend and Voting Rights. The Trustee shall have all voting rights and rights to dividends or other distributions with respect to shares of Capital Stock held in the Charitable Trust, which rights shall be exercised for the exclusive benefit of the Charitable Beneficiary. Any dividend or other distribution paid to a Prohibited Owner prior to the discovery by the Corporation that the shares of Capital Stock have been transferred to the Trustee shall be paid with respect to such shares of Capital Stock by the Prohibited Owner to the Trustee upon demand and any dividend or other distribution authorized but unpaid shall be paid when due to the Trustee. Any dividends or other distributions so paid over to the Trustee shall be held in trust for the Charitable Beneficiary. The Prohibited Owner shall have no voting rights with respect to shares held in the Charitable Trust and, subject to Maryland law, effective as of the date that the shares of Capital Stock have been transferred to the Trustee, the Trustee shall have the authority (at the Trustee’s sole discretion) (i) to rescind as void any vote cast by a Prohibited Owner prior to the discovery by the Corporation that the shares of Capital Stock have been transferred to the Trustee and (ii) to recast such vote in accordance with the desires of the Trustee acting for the benefit of the Charitable Beneficiary; provided, however, that if the Corporation has already taken irreversible corporate action, then the Trustee shall not have the authority to rescind and recast such vote. Notwithstanding the provisions of this Article VII, until the Corporation has received notification that shares of Capital Stock have been transferred into a Charitable Trust, the Corporation shall be entitled to rely on its share transfer and other stockholder records for purposes of preparing lists of stockholders entitled to vote at meetings, determining the validity and authority of proxies and otherwise conducting votes of stockholders.

Section 7.3.4 Sale of Shares by Trustee. Within twenty (20) days of receiving notice from the Corporation that shares of Capital Stock have been transferred to the Charitable Trust, the Trustee of the Charitable Trust shall sell the shares held in the Charitable Trust to a person, designated by the Trustee, whose ownership of the shares will not violate the ownership limitations set forth in Section 7.2.1(a). Upon such sale, the interest of the Charitable Beneficiary in the shares sold shall terminate and the Trustee shall distribute the net proceeds of the sale to the Prohibited Owner and to the Charitable Beneficiary as provided in this Section 7.3.4. The Prohibited Owner shall receive the lesser of (1) the price paid by the Prohibited Owner for the shares or, if the Prohibited Owner did not give value for the shares in connection with the event causing the shares to be held in the Charitable Trust (e.g., in the case of a gift, devise or other such transaction), the Market Price of the shares on the day of the event causing the shares to be held in the Charitable Trust and (2) the price per share received by the Trustee (net of any commissions and other expenses of sale) from the sale or other disposition of the shares held in the Charitable Trust. The Trustee may reduce the amount payable to the Prohibited Owner by the amount of dividends and distributions paid to the Prohibited Owner and owed by the Prohibited Owner to the Trustee pursuant to Section 7.3.3 of this Article VII. Any net sales proceeds in excess of the amount payable to the Prohibited Owner shall be immediately paid to the Charitable Beneficiary. If, prior to the discovery by the Corporation that shares of Capital Stock have been transferred to the Trustee, such shares are sold by a Prohibited Owner, then (i) such shares shall be deemed to have been sold on behalf of the Charitable Trust and (ii) to the extent that the Prohibited Owner received an amount for such shares that exceeds the amount that such Prohibited Owner was entitled to receive pursuant to this Section 7.3.4, such excess shall be paid to the Trustee upon demand.

 

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Section 7.3.5 Purchase Right in Stock Transferred to the Trustee. Shares of Capital Stock transferred to the Trustee shall be deemed to have been offered for sale to the Corporation, or its designee, at a price per share equal to the lesser of (i) the price per share in the transaction that resulted in such transfer to the Charitable Trust (or, in the case of a devise or gift, the Market Price at the time of such devise or gift) and (ii) the Market Price on the date the Corporation, or its designee, accepts such offer. The Corporation may reduce the amount payable to the Prohibited Owner by the amount of dividends and distributions paid to the Prohibited Owner and owed by the Prohibited Owner to the Trustee pursuant to Section 7.3.3 of this Article VII. The Corporation may pay the amount of such reduction to the Trustee for the benefit of the Charitable Beneficiary. The Corporation shall have the right to accept such offer until the Trustee has sold the shares held in the Charitable Trust pursuant to Section 7.3.4. Upon such a sale to the Corporation, the interest of the Charitable Beneficiary in the shares sold shall terminate and the Trustee shall distribute the net proceeds of the sale to the Prohibited Owner and any dividends or other distributions held by the Trustee shall be paid to the Charitable Beneficiary.

Section 7.3.6 Designation of Charitable Beneficiaries. By written notice to the Trustee, the Corporation shall designate one or more nonprofit organizations to be the Charitable Beneficiary of the interest in the Charitable Trust such that (i) the shares of Capital Stock held in the Charitable Trust would not violate the restrictions set forth in Section 7.2.1(a) in the hands of such Charitable Beneficiary and (ii) each such organization must be described in Section 501(c)(3) of the Code and contributions to each such organization must be eligible for deduction under one of Sections 170(b)(1)(A), 2055 and 2522 of the Code.

Section 7.4 Stock Market Transactions. Nothing in this Article VII shall preclude the settlement of any transaction entered into through the facilities of any national securities exchange or automated inter-dealer quotation system. The fact that the settlement of any transaction occurs shall not negate the effect of any other provision of this Article VII and any transferee in such a transaction shall be subject to all of the provisions and limitations set forth in this Article VII.

Section 7.5 Enforcement. The Corporation is authorized specifically to seek equitable relief, including injunctive relief, to enforce the provisions of this Article VII.

Section 7.6 Non-Waiver. No delay or failure on the part of the Corporation or the Board of Directors in exercising any right hereunder shall operate as a waiver of any right of the Corporation or the Board of Directors, as the case may be, except to the extent specifically waived in writing.

Section 7.7 Interpretation. In the case of an ambiguity in the application of any of the provisions of this Article VII, including any definition contained in Section 7.1 of this Article VII, the Board of Directors shall have the power to determine the application of the provisions of this Article VII and any applicable provisions of the Code with respect to any situation based on the facts known to it.

 

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ARTICLE VIII

AMENDMENTS

The Corporation reserves the right from time to time to make any amendment to its Charter, now or hereafter authorized by law, including any amendment (by merger, consolidation or otherwise) altering the terms or contract rights as expressly set forth in the Charter of any shares of outstanding stock. All rights and powers conferred by the Charter on stockholders, directors and officers are granted subject to this reservation. Except for amendments to Section 5.3, Section 5.7, Article VII or the next sentence of the Charter and except for those amendments permitted to be made without stockholder approval under Maryland law or by specific provision in the Charter, any amendment to the Charter shall be valid only if declared advisable by the Board of Directors and approved by the stockholders by the affirmative vote of at least a majority of all the votes entitled to be cast on the matter. However, any amendment to Section 5.3, Section 5.7, Article VII or to this sentence of the Charter shall be valid only if declared advisable by the Board of Directors and approved by the stockholders by the affirmative vote of at least two-thirds of all the votes entitled to be cast on the matter.

ARTICLE IX

LIMITATION OF LIABILITY

To the maximum extent that Maryland law in effect from time to time permits limitation of the liability of directors and officers of a corporation, no present or former director or officer of the Corporation shall be liable to the Corporation or its stockholders for money damages. Neither the amendment nor repeal of this Article IX, nor the adoption or amendment of any other provision of the Charter or Bylaws inconsistent with this Article IX, shall apply to or affect in any respect the applicability of the preceding sentence with respect to any act or failure to act that occurred prior to such amendment, repeal or adoption.

[Signature Page Follows]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have signed these Articles of Incorporation and acknowledge the same to be my act on this          day of                     , 2014.

 

EX-3.2

Exhibit 3.2

BYLAWS

of

PMC COMMERCIAL TRUST, INC.

ARTICLE I

OFFICES

Section 1. PRINCIPAL OFFICE. The principal office of PMC Commercial Trust, Inc. (the “Corporation”) in the State of Maryland shall be located at such place as the Board of Directors may designate.

Section 2. ADDITIONAL OFFICES. The Corporation may have additional offices, including a principal executive office, at such places as the Board of Directors may from time to time determine or the business of the Corporation may require.

ARTICLE II

MEETINGS OF STOCKHOLDERS

Section 1. PLACE. All meetings of stockholders shall be held at the principal executive office of the Corporation or at such other place as shall be set in accordance with these Bylaws and stated in the notice of the meeting.

Section 2. ANNUAL MEETING. An annual meeting of stockholders for the election of Directors and the transaction of any business within the powers of the Corporation shall be held on the date and at the time and place set by the Board of Directors.

Section 3. SPECIAL MEETINGS.

(a) General. Each of the chairman of the Board of Directors, president, chief executive officer and Board of Directors may call a special meeting of the stockholders. Subject to subsection (b) of this Section 3, a special meeting of the stockholders shall also be called by the secretary of the Corporation to act on any matter that may properly be considered at a meeting of stockholders upon the written request of stockholders entitled to cast not less than a majority of all the votes entitled to be cast on such matter at such meeting. Except as provided in subsection (b)(4) of this Section 3, a special meeting of stockholders shall be held on the date and at the time and place set by the chairman of the Board of Directors, chief executive officer, president or Board of Directors, whoever has called the meeting.


(b) Stockholder Requested Special Meetings.

(1) Any stockholder of record seeking to have stockholders request a special meeting shall, by sending written notice to the secretary (the “Record Date Request Notice”) by registered mail, return receipt requested, request the Board of Directors to fix a record date to determine the stockholders entitled to request a special meeting (the “Request Record Date”). The Record Date Request Notice shall set forth the purpose of the meeting and the matters proposed to be acted on at it, shall be signed by one or more stockholders of record as of the date of signature (or their agents duly authorized in a writing accompanying the Record Date Request Notice), shall bear the date of signature of each such stockholder (or such agent) and shall set forth all information relating to each such stockholder and each matter proposed to be acted on at the meeting that would be required to be disclosed in connection with the solicitation of proxies for the election of directors in an election contest (even if an election contest is not involved), or would otherwise be required in connection with such a solicitation, in each case pursuant to Regulation 14A (or any successor provision) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder (the “Exchange Act”). Upon receiving the Record Date Request Notice, the Board of Directors may fix a Request Record Date. The Request Record Date shall not precede and shall not be more than ten days after the close of business on the date on which the resolution fixing the Request Record Date is adopted by the Board of Directors. If the Board of Directors, within ten days after the date on which a valid Record Date Request Notice is received, fails to adopt a resolution fixing the Request Record Date, the Request Record Date shall be the close of business on the tenth day after the first date on which a Record Date Request Notice is received by the secretary.

(2) In order for any stockholder to request a special meeting to act on any matter that may properly be considered at a meeting of stockholders, one or more written requests for a special meeting (collectively, the “Special Meeting Request”) signed by stockholders of record (or their agents duly authorized in a writing accompanying the request) as of the Request Record Date entitled to cast not less than a majority (the “Special Meeting Percentage”) of all of the votes entitled to be cast on such matter at such meeting shall be delivered to the secretary. In addition, the Special Meeting Request shall (a) set forth the purpose of the meeting and the matters proposed to be acted on at it (which shall be limited to those lawful matters set forth in the Record Date Request Notice received by the secretary), (b) bear the date of signature of each such stockholder (or such agent) signing the Special Meeting Request, (c) set forth (i) the name and address, as they appear in the Corporation’s books, of each stockholder signing such request (or on whose behalf the Special Meeting Request is signed), (ii) the class, series and number of all shares of stock of the Corporation which are owned (beneficially or of record) by each such stockholder and (iii) the name and address of the nominee holder for, and number of, shares owned by such stockholder beneficially but not of record by such stockholder, (d) be sent to the secretary by registered mail, return receipt requested, and (e) be received by the secretary within sixty (60) days after the Request Record Date. Any requesting stockholder (or agent duly authorized in a writing accompanying the revocation of the Special Meeting Request) may revoke his, her or its request for a special meeting at any time by written revocation delivered to the secretary.

 

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(3) The secretary shall inform the requesting stockholders of the reasonably estimated cost of preparing and mailing or delivering the notice of the meeting (including the Corporation’s proxy materials). The secretary shall not be required to call a special meeting upon stockholder request and such meeting shall not be held unless, in addition to the documents required by paragraph (2) of this Section 3(b), the secretary receives payment of such reasonably estimated cost prior to the preparation and mailing or delivery of such notice of the meeting.

(4) In the case of any special meeting called by the secretary upon the request of stockholders (a “Stockholder Requested Meeting”), such meeting shall be held at such place, date and time as may be designated by the Board of Directors; provided, however, that the date of any Stockholder Requested Meeting shall be not more than ninety (90) days after the record date for such meeting (the “Meeting Record Date”); and provided further that if the Board of Directors fails to designate, within ten (10) days after the date that a valid Special Meeting Request is actually received by the secretary (the “Delivery Date”), a date and time for a Stockholder Requested Meeting, then such meeting shall be held at 2:00 p.m., local time, on the ninetieth (90th) day after the Meeting Record Date or, if such ninetieth (90th) day is not a Business Day (as defined below), on the first preceding Business Day; and provided further that in the event that the Board of Directors fails to designate a place for a Stockholder Requested Meeting within ten (10) days after the Delivery Date, then such meeting shall be held at the principal executive office of the Corporation. In fixing a date for a Stockholder-Requested Meeting, the Board of Directors may consider such factors as it deems relevant, including, without limitation, the nature of the matters to be considered, the facts and circumstances surrounding any request for the meeting and any plan of the Board of Directors to call an annual meeting or a special meeting. In the case of any Stockholder Requested Meeting, if the Board of Directors fails to fix a Meeting Record Date that is a date within thirty (30) days after the Delivery Date, then the close of business on the thirtieth (30th) day after the Delivery Date shall be the Meeting Record Date. The Board of Directors may revoke the notice for any Stockholder Requested Meeting in the event that the requesting stockholders fail to comply with the provisions of paragraph (3) of this Section 3(b).

(5) If written revocations of the Special Meeting Request have been delivered to the secretary and the result is that stockholders of record (or their agents duly authorized in writing), as of the Request Record Date, entitled to cast less than the Special Meeting Percentage have delivered, and not revoked, requests for a special meeting on the matter to the secretary: (i) if the notice of meeting has not already been delivered, the secretary shall refrain from delivering the notice of the meeting and send to all requesting stockholders who have not revoked such requests written notice of any revocation of a request for a special meeting on the matter, or (ii) if the notice of meeting has been delivered and if the secretary first sends to all requesting stockholders who have not revoked requests for a special meeting on the matter written notice of any revocation of a request for the special meeting and written notice of the Corporation’s intention to revoke the notice of the meeting or for the chairman of the meeting to adjourn the meeting without action on the matter, (A) the secretary may revoke the notice of the meeting at any time before ten (10) days before the commencement of the meeting or (B) the chairman of the meeting may call the meeting to order and adjourn the meeting without acting on the matter. Any request for a special meeting received after a revocation by the secretary of a notice of a meeting shall be considered a request for a new special meeting.

 

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(6) The chairman of the Board of Directors, chief executive officer, president or Board of Directors may appoint regionally or nationally recognized independent inspectors of elections to act as the agent of the Corporation for the purpose of promptly performing a ministerial review of the validity of any purported Special Meeting Request received by the secretary. For the purpose of permitting the inspectors to perform such review, no such purported Special Meeting Request shall be deemed to have been received by the secretary until the earlier of (i) ten (10) Business Days after actual receipt by the secretary of such purported request and (ii) such date as the independent inspectors certify to the Corporation that the valid requests received by the secretary represent, as of the Request Record Date, stockholders of record entitled to cast not less than the Special Meeting Percentage. Nothing contained in this paragraph (6) shall in any way be construed to suggest or imply that the Corporation or any stockholder shall not be entitled to contest the validity of any request, whether during or after such ten (10) Business Day period, or to take any other action (including, without limitation, the commencement, prosecution or defense of any litigation with respect thereto, and the seeking of injunctive relief in such litigation).

(7) For purposes of these Bylaws, “Business Day” shall mean any day other than a Saturday, a Sunday or a day on which banking institutions in New York City are authorized or obligated by law, regulation or executive order to close.

Section 4. NOTICE. Not less than ten (10) nor more than ninety (90) days before each meeting of stockholders, the secretary shall give to each stockholder entitled to vote at such meeting and to each stockholder not entitled to vote who is entitled to notice of the meeting notice in writing or by electronic transmission stating the time and place of the meeting and, in the case of a special meeting or as otherwise may be required by any statute, the purpose for which the meeting is called, by mail, by presenting it to such stockholder personally, by leaving it at the stockholder’s residence or usual place of business, by electronic transmission or by any other means permitted by Maryland law. If mailed, such notice shall be deemed to be given when deposited in the United States mail addressed to the stockholder at the stockholder’s address as it appears on the records of the Corporation, with postage thereon prepaid. If transmitted electronically, such notice shall be deemed to be given when transmitted to the stockholder by an electronic transmission to any address or number of the stockholder at which the stockholder receives electronic transmissions. The Corporation may give a single notice to all stockholders who share an address, which single notice shall be effective as to any stockholder at such address, unless such stockholder objects to receiving such single notice or revokes a prior consent to receiving such single notice. Failure to give notice of any meeting to one or more stockholders, or any irregularity in such notice, shall not affect the validity of any meeting fixed in accordance with this Article II or the validity of any proceedings at any such meeting.

Subject to Section 11(a) of this Article II, any business of the Corporation may be transacted at an annual meeting of stockholders without being specifically designated in the notice, except such business as is required by any statute to be stated in such notice. No business shall be transacted at a special meeting of stockholders except as specifically designated in the notice. The Corporation may postpone or cancel a meeting of stockholders by making a public announcement (as defined in Section 11(c)(3) of this Article II) of such postponement or cancellation prior to the meeting. Notice of the date, time and place to which the meeting is postponed shall be given not less than ten days prior to such date and otherwise in the manner set forth in this section.

 

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Section 5. ORGANIZATION AND CONDUCT. Every meeting of stockholders shall be conducted by an individual appointed by the Board of Directors to be chairman of the meeting or, in the absence of such appointment or appointed individual, by the chairman of the Board of Directors or, in the case of a vacancy in the office or absence of the chairman of the Board of Directors, by one of the following officers present at the meeting in the following order: the vice chairman of the Board of Directors, if there is one, the chief executive officer, the president, the vice presidents in their order of rank and seniority, the secretary or, in the absence of such officers, a chairman chosen by the stockholders by the vote of a majority of the votes cast by stockholders present in person or by proxy. The secretary, or, in the secretary’s absence, an assistant secretary, or, in the absence of both the secretary and assistant secretaries, an individual appointed by the Board of Directors or, in the absence of such appointment, an individual appointed by the chairman of the meeting shall act as secretary. In the event that the secretary presides at a meeting of stockholders, an assistant secretary, or, in the absence of all assistant secretaries, an individual appointed by the Board of Directors or the chairman of the meeting, shall record the minutes of the meeting. The order of business and all other matters of procedure at any meeting of stockholders shall be determined by the chairman of the meeting. The chairman of the meeting may prescribe such rules, regulations and procedures and take such action as, in the discretion of the chairman and without any action by the stockholders, are appropriate for the proper conduct of the meeting, including, without limitation, (a) restricting admission to the time set for the commencement of the meeting; (b) limiting attendance at the meeting to stockholders of record of the Corporation, their duly authorized proxies and such other individuals as the chairman of the meeting may determine; (c) limiting participation at the meeting on any matter to stockholders of record of the Corporation entitled to vote on such matter, their duly authorized proxies and other such individuals as the chairman of the meeting may determine; (d) limiting the time allotted to questions or comments; (e) determining when and for how long the polls should be opened and when the polls should be closed; (f) maintaining order and security at the meeting; (g) removing any stockholder or any other individual who refuses to comply with meeting procedures, rules or guidelines as set forth by the chairman of the meeting; (h) concluding a meeting or recessing or adjourning the meeting, whether or not a quorum is present, to a later date and time and at a place announced at the meeting; and (i) complying with any state and local laws and regulations concerning safety and security. Unless otherwise determined by the chairman of the meeting, meetings of stockholders shall not be required to be held in accordance with the rules of parliamentary procedure.

Section 6. QUORUM. At any meeting of stockholders, the presence in person or by proxy of stockholders entitled to cast a majority of all the votes entitled to be cast at such meeting on any matter shall constitute a quorum; but this section shall not affect any requirement under any statute or the charter of the Corporation (the “Charter”) for the vote necessary for the approval of any matter. If such quorum is not established at any meeting of the stockholders, the chairman of the meeting may adjourn the meeting sine die or from time to time to a date not more than one hundred twenty (120) days after the original record date without notice other than announcement at the meeting. At such adjourned meeting at which a quorum shall be present, any business may be transacted which might have been transacted at the meeting as originally notified.

The stockholders present either in person or by proxy, at a meeting which has been duly called and at which a quorum has been established, may continue to transact business until adjournment, notwithstanding the withdrawal from the meeting of enough stockholders to leave fewer than would be required to establish a quorum.

 

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Section 7. VOTING. A plurality of all the votes cast at a meeting of stockholders duly called and at which a quorum is present shall be sufficient to elect a Director. Each share entitles the holder thereof to vote for as many individuals as there are Directors to be elected and for whose election the holder is entitled to vote. A majority of the votes cast at a meeting of stockholders duly called and at which a quorum is present shall be sufficient to approve any other matter which may properly come before the meeting, unless more than a majority of the votes cast is required by statute or by the Charter. Unless otherwise provided by statute or by the Charter, each outstanding share of stock, regardless of class, entitles the holder thereof to cast one vote on each matter submitted to a vote at a meeting of stockholders.

Section 8. PROXIES. A holder of record of shares of stock of the Corporation may cast votes in person or by proxy executed by the stockholder or by the stockholder’s duly authorized agent in any manner permitted by law. Such proxy or evidence of authorization of such proxy shall be filed with the secretary of the Corporation before or at the meeting. No proxy shall be valid more than eleven months after its date unless otherwise provided in the proxy.

Section 9. VOTING OF SHARES BY CERTAIN HOLDERS. Stock of the Corporation registered in the name of a corporation, limited liability company, partnership, joint venture, trust or other entity, if entitled to be voted, may be voted by the president or a vice president, managing member, manager, general partner or trustee thereof, as the case may be, or a proxy appointed by any of the foregoing individuals, unless some other person who has been appointed to vote such stock pursuant to a bylaw or a resolution of the governing body of such corporation or other entity or agreement of the partners of a partnership presents a certified copy of such bylaw, resolution or agreement, in which case such person may vote such stock. Any trustee or fiduciary, in such capacity, may vote stock registered in such trustee’s or fiduciary’s name, either in person or by proxy.

Shares of stock of the Corporation directly or indirectly owned by it shall not be voted at any meeting and shall not be counted in determining the total number of outstanding shares entitled to be voted at any given time, unless they are held by it in a fiduciary capacity, in which case they may be voted and shall be counted in determining the total number of outstanding shares at any given time.

The Board of Directors may adopt by resolution a procedure by which a stockholder may certify in writing to the Corporation that any shares of stock registered in the name of the stockholder are held for the account of a specified person other than the stockholder. The resolution shall set forth the class of stockholders who may make the certification, the purpose for which the certification may be made, the form of certification and the information to be contained in it; if the certification is with respect to a record date, the time after the record date within which the certification must be received by the Corporation; and any other provisions with respect to the procedure which the Board of Directors considers necessary or desirable. On receipt by the Corporation of such certification, the person specified in the certification shall be regarded as, for the purposes set forth in the certification, the holder of record of the specified stock in place of the stockholder who makes the certification.

 

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Section 10. INSPECTORS. The Board of Directors or the chairman of the meeting may appoint, before or at the meeting, one or more inspectors for the meeting and any successor to the inspector. Except as otherwise provided by the chairman of the meeting, the inspectors, if any, shall (i) determine the number of shares of stock represented at the meeting, in person or by proxy, and the validity and effect of proxies, (ii) receive and tabulate all votes, ballots or consents, (iii) report such tabulation to the chairman of the meeting, (iv) hear and determine all challenges and questions arising in connection with the right to vote, and (v) do such acts as are proper to fairly conduct the election or vote. Each such report shall be in writing and signed by the inspector or by a majority of them if there is more than one inspector acting at such meeting. If there is more than one inspector, the report of a majority shall be the report of the inspectors. The report of the inspector or inspectors on the number of shares represented at the meeting and the results of the voting shall be prima facie evidence thereof.

Section 11. ADVANCE NOTICE OF STOCKHOLDER NOMINEES FOR DIRECTOR AND OTHER PROPOSALS BY STOCKHOLDERS.

(a) Annual Meetings of Stockholders. (1) Nominations of individuals for election to the Board of Directors and the proposal of other business to be considered by the stockholders may be made at an annual meeting of stockholders (i) pursuant to the Corporation’s notice of meeting, (ii) by or at the direction of the Board of Directors or (iii) by any stockholder of the Corporation who was a stockholder of record both at the time of giving of notice by the stockholder as provided for in this Section 11(a) and at the time of the annual meeting, who is entitled to vote at the meeting in the election of each individual so nominated or on any such other business and who has complied with this Section 11(a).

(2) For any nomination or other business to be properly brought before an annual meeting by a stockholder pursuant to clause (iii) of paragraph (a)(1) of this Section 11, the stockholder must have given timely notice thereof in writing to the secretary of the Corporation and any such other business must otherwise be a proper matter for action by the stockholders. To be timely, a stockholder’s notice shall set forth all information required under this Section 11 and shall be delivered to the secretary at the principal executive office of the Corporation not earlier than the one hundred fiftieth (150th) day nor later than 5:00 p.m., Eastern Time, on the one hundred twentieth (120th) day prior to the first anniversary of the date of the proxy statement (as defined in Section 11(c)(3) of this Article II) for the preceding year’s annual meeting; provided, however, that in connection with the Corporation’s first annual meeting or in the event that the date of the annual meeting is advanced or delayed by more than thirty (30) days from the first anniversary of the date of the preceding year’s annual meeting, in order for notice by the stockholder to be timely, such notice must be so delivered not earlier than the one hundred fiftieth (150th) day prior to the date of such annual meeting and not later than 5:00 p.m., Eastern Time, on the later of the one hundred twentieth (120th) day prior to the date of such annual meeting, as originally convened, or the tenth day following the day on which public announcement of the date of such meeting is first made. The public announcement of a postponement or adjournment of an annual meeting shall not commence a new time period for the giving of a stockholder’s notice as described above.

 

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(3) Such stockholder’s notice shall set forth:

(i) as to each individual whom the stockholder proposes to nominate for election or reelection as a Director (each, a “Proposed Nominee”), all information relating to the Proposed Nominee that would be required to be disclosed in connection with the solicitation of proxies for the election of the Proposed Nominee as a Director in an election contest (even if an election contest is not involved), or would otherwise be required in connection with such solicitation, in each case pursuant to Regulation 14A (or any successor provision) under the Exchange Act;

(ii) as to any other business that the stockholder proposes to bring before the meeting, a description of such business, the stockholder’s reasons for proposing such business at the meeting and any material interest in such business of such stockholder or any Stockholder Associated Person (as defined below), individually or in the aggregate, including any anticipated benefit to the stockholder or the Stockholder Associated Person therefrom;

(iii) as to the stockholder giving the notice, any Proposed Nominee and any Stockholder Associated Person,

(A) the class, series and number of all shares of stock or other securities of the Corporation (collectively, the “Company Securities”), if any, which are owned (beneficially or of record) by such stockholder, Proposed Nominee or Stockholder Associated Person, the date on which each such Company Security was acquired and the investment intent of such acquisition, and any short interest (including any opportunity to profit or share in any benefit from any decrease in the price of such stock or other security) in any Company Securities of any such person,

(B) the nominee holder for, and number of, any Company Securities owned beneficially but not of record by such stockholder, Proposed Nominee or Stockholder Associated Person,

(C) whether and the extent to which such stockholder, Proposed Nominee or Stockholder Associated Person, directly or indirectly (through brokers, nominees or otherwise), is subject to or during the last six months has engaged in any hedging, derivative or other transaction or series of transactions or entered into any other agreement, arrangement or understanding (including any short interest, any borrowing or lending of securities or any proxy or voting agreement), the effect or intent of which is to (I) manage risk or benefit of changes in the price of Company Securities for such stockholder, Proposed Nominee or Stockholder Associated Person or (II) increase or decrease the voting power of such stockholder, Proposed Nominee or Stockholder Associated Person in the Corporation disproportionately to such person’s economic interest in the Company Securities and

(D) any substantial interest, direct or indirect (including, without limitation, any existing or prospective commercial, business or contractual relationship with the Corporation), by security holdings or otherwise, of such stockholder, Proposed Nominee or Stockholder Associated Person, in the Corporation, other than an interest arising from the ownership of Company Securities where such stockholder, Proposed Nominee or Stockholder Associated Person receives no extra or special benefit not shared on a pro rata basis by all other holders of the same class or series;

 

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(iv) as to the stockholder giving the notice, any Stockholder Associated Person with an interest or ownership referred to in clauses (ii) or (iii) of this paragraph (3) of this Section 11(a) and any Proposed Nominee,

(A) the name and address of such stockholder, as they appear on the Corporation’s stock ledger, and the current name and business address, if different, of each such Stockholder Associated Person and any Proposed Nominee and

(B) the investment strategy or objective, if any, of such stockholder and each such Stockholder Associated Person who is not an individual and a copy of the prospectus, offering memorandum or similar document, if any, provided to investors or potential investors in such stockholder and each such Stockholder Associated Person;

(v) the name and address of any person who contacted or was contacted by the stockholder giving the notice or any Stockholder Associated Person about the Proposed Nominee or other business proposal prior to the date of such stockholder’s notice; and

(vi) to the extent known by the stockholder giving the notice, the name and address of any other stockholder supporting the nominee for election or reelection as a Director or the proposal of other business on the date of such stockholder’s notice.

(4) Such stockholder’s notice shall, with respect to any Proposed Nominee, be accompanied by a certificate executed by the Proposed Nominee (i) certifying that such Proposed Nominee (a) is not, and will not become, a party to any agreement, arrangement or understanding with any person or entity other than the Corporation in connection with service or action as a Director that has not been disclosed to the Corporation and (b) will serve as a Director of the Corporation if elected; and (ii) attaching a completed Proposed Nominee questionnaire (which questionnaire shall be provided by the Corporation, upon request, to the stockholder providing the notice and shall include all information relating to the Proposed Nominee that would be required to be disclosed in connection with the solicitation of proxies for the election of the Proposed Nominee as a Director in an election contest (even if an election contest is not involved), or would otherwise be required in connection with such solicitation, in each case pursuant to Regulation 14A (or any successor provision) under the Exchange Act and the rules thereunder, or would be required pursuant to the rules of any national securities exchange on which any securities of the Corporation are listed or over-the-counter market on which any securities of the Corporation are traded).

(5) Notwithstanding anything in this subsection (a) of this Section 11 to the contrary, in the event that the number of Directors to be elected to the Board of Directors is increased, and there is no public announcement of such action at least one hundred thirty (130) days prior to the first anniversary of the date of the proxy statement (as defined in Section 11(c)(3) of this Article II) for the preceding year’s annual meeting, a stockholder’s notice required by this Section 11(a) shall also be considered timely, but only with respect to nominees for any new positions created by such increase, if it shall be delivered to the secretary at the principal executive office of the Corporation not later than 5:00 p.m., Eastern Time, on the tenth day following the day on which such public announcement is first made by the Corporation.

 

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(6) For purposes of this Section 11, “Stockholder Associated Person” of any stockholder shall mean (i) any person acting in concert with such stockholder, (ii) any beneficial owner of shares of stock of the Corporation owned of record or beneficially by such stockholder (other than a stockholder that is a depositary) and (iii) any person that directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, controls, or is controlled by, or is under common control with, such stockholder or such Stockholder Associated Person.

(b) Special Meetings of Stockholders. Only such business shall be conducted at a special meeting of stockholders as shall have been brought before the meeting pursuant to the Corporation’s notice of meeting. Nominations of individuals for election to the Board of Directors may be made at a special meeting of stockholders at which Directors are to be elected only (i) by or at the direction of the Board of Directors or (ii) provided that the special meeting has been called in accordance with Section 3(a) of this Article II for the purpose of electing Directors, by any stockholder of the Corporation who is a stockholder of record both at the time of giving of notice provided for in this Section 11 and at the time of the special meeting, who is entitled to vote at the meeting in the election of each individual so nominated and who has complied with the notice procedures set forth in this Section 11. In the event the Corporation calls a special meeting of stockholders for the purpose of electing one or more individuals to the Board of Directors, any stockholder may nominate an individual or individuals (as the case may be) for election as a Director as specified in the Corporation’s notice of meeting, if the stockholder’s notice, containing the information required by paragraphs (a)(3) and (4) of this Section 11, is delivered to the secretary at the principal executive office of the Corporation not earlier than the one hundred twentieth (120th) day prior to such special meeting and not later than 5:00 p.m., Eastern Time, on the later of the ninetieth (90th) day prior to such special meeting or the tenth day following the day on which public announcement is first made of the date of the special meeting and of the nominees proposed by the Board of Directors to be elected at such meeting. The public announcement of a postponement or adjournment of a special meeting shall not commence a new time period for the giving of a stockholder’s notice as described above.

(c) General. (1) If information submitted pursuant to this Section 11 by any stockholder proposing a nominee for election as a Director or any proposal for other business at a meeting of stockholders shall be inaccurate in any material respect, such information may be deemed not to have been provided in accordance with this Section 11. Any such stockholder shall notify the Corporation of any inaccuracy or change (within two (2) Business Days of becoming aware of such inaccuracy or change) in any such information. Upon written request by the secretary or the Board of Directors, any such stockholder shall provide, within five (5) Business Days of delivery of such request (or such other period as may be specified in such request), (A) written verification, satisfactory, in the discretion of the Board of Directors or any authorized officer of the Corporation, to demonstrate the accuracy of any information submitted by the stockholder pursuant to this Section 11, and (B) a written update of any information (including, if requested by the Corporation, written confirmation by such stockholder that it continues to intend to bring such nomination or other business proposal before the meeting) submitted by the stockholder pursuant to this Section 11 as of an earlier date. If a stockholder fails to provide such written verification or written update within such period, the information as to which written verification or a written update was requested may be deemed not to have been provided in accordance with this Section 11.

 

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(2) Only such individuals who are nominated in accordance with this Section 11 shall be eligible for election by stockholders as Directors, and only such business shall be conducted at a meeting of stockholders as shall have been brought before the meeting in accordance with this Section 11. The chairman of the meeting shall have the power to determine whether a nomination or any other business proposed to be brought before the meeting was made or proposed, as the case may be, in accordance with this Section 11.

(3) For purposes of this Section 11, “the date of the proxy statement” shall have the same meaning as “the date of the company’s proxy statement released to shareholders” as used in Rule 14a-8(e) promulgated under the Exchange Act, as interpreted by the Securities and Exchange Commission from time to time. “Public announcement” shall mean disclosure (A) in a press release reported by the Dow Jones News Service, Associated Press, Business Wire, PR Newswire or other widely circulated news or wire service or (B) in a document publicly filed by the Corporation with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to the Exchange Act.

(4) Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 11, a stockholder shall also comply with all applicable requirements of state law and of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations thereunder with respect to the matters set forth in this Section 11. Nothing in this Section 11 shall be deemed to affect any right of a stockholder to request inclusion of a proposal in, or the right of the Corporation to omit a proposal from, any proxy statement filed by the Corporation with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Rule 14a-8 (or any successor provision) under the Exchange Act. Nothing in this Section 11 shall require disclosure of revocable proxies received by the stockholder or Stockholder Associated Person pursuant to a solicitation of proxies after the filing of an effective Schedule 14A by such stockholder or Stockholder Associated Person under Section 14(a) of the Exchange Act.

Section 12. VOTING BY BALLOT. Voting on any question or in any election may be viva voce unless the presiding officer shall order that voting be by ballot or otherwise.

Section 13. TELEPHONE MEETINGS. The Board of Directors or chairman of the meeting may permit one or more stockholders to participate in a meeting by means of a conference telephone or other communications equipment if all persons participating in the meeting can hear each other at the same time. Participation in a meeting by these means constitutes presence in person at the meeting.

Section 14. CONTROL SHARE ACQUISITION ACT. Notwithstanding any other provision of the Charter or these Bylaws, Title 3, Subtitle 7 of the Maryland General Corporation Law, or any successor statute (the “MGCL”), shall not apply to any acquisition by any person of shares of stock of the Corporation. This section may be repealed, in whole or in part, at any time, whether before or after an acquisition of control shares and, upon such repeal, may, to the extent provided by any successor bylaw, apply to any prior or subsequent control share acquisition.

 

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Section 15. STOCKHOLDERS’ CONSENT IN LIEU OF MEETING. Any action required or permitted to be taken at any meeting of stockholders may be taken without a meeting (a) if a unanimous consent setting forth the action is given in writing or by electronic transmission by each stockholder entitled to vote on the matter and filed with the minutes of proceedings of the stockholders or (b) if the action is advised, and submitted to the stockholders for approval, by the Board of Directors and a consent in writing or by electronic transmission of stockholders entitled to cast not less than the minimum number of votes that would be necessary to authorize or take the action at a meeting of stockholders is delivered to the Corporation in accordance with the MGCL. The Corporation shall give notice of any action taken by less than unanimous consent to each stockholder not later than ten days after the effective time of such action.

ARTICLE III

DIRECTORS

Section 1. GENERAL POWERS. The business and affairs of the Corporation shall be managed under the direction of its Board of Directors.

Section 2. NUMBER, TENURE AND QUALIFICATIONS. At any regular meeting or at any special meeting called for that purpose, a majority of the entire Board of Directors may establish, increase or decrease the number of Directors; provided that the number thereof shall never be less than the minimum number required by the MGCL, nor more than twenty-five (25); and further provided that the tenure of office of a Director shall not be affected by any decrease in the number of Directors. A Director shall be an individual at least 21 years of age who is not under legal disability.

Section 3. ANNUAL AND REGULAR MEETINGS. An annual meeting of the Board of Directors shall be held immediately after and at the same place as the annual meeting of stockholders, no notice other than this Bylaw being necessary. In the event such meeting is not so held, the meeting may be held at such time and place as shall be specified in a notice given as hereinafter provided for special meetings of the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors may provide, by resolution, the time and place for the holding of regular meetings of the Board of Directors without other notice than such resolution.

Section 4. SPECIAL MEETINGS. Special meetings of the Board of Directors may be called by or at the request of the chairman of the Board of Directors, the chief executive officer, the president or a majority of the Directors then in office. The person or persons authorized to call special meetings of the Board of Directors may fix any place as the place for holding any special meeting of the Board of Directors called by them. The Board of Directors may provide, by resolution, the time and place for the holding of special meetings of the Board of Directors without other notice than such resolution.

 

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Section 5. NOTICE. Notice of any special meeting of the Board of Directors shall be delivered personally or by telephone, electronic mail, facsimile transmission, United States mail or courier to each Director at his or her business or residence address. Notice by personal delivery, telephone, electronic mail or facsimile transmission shall be given at least twenty four (24) hours prior to the meeting. Notice by United States mail shall be given at least three (3) days prior to the meeting. Notice by courier shall be given at least two (2) days prior to the meeting. Telephone notice shall be deemed to be given when the Director or his or her agent is personally given such notice in a telephone call to which the Director or his or her agent is a party. Electronic mail notice shall be deemed to be given upon transmission of the message to the electronic mail address given to the Corporation by the Director. Facsimile transmission notice shall be deemed to be given upon completion of the transmission of the message to the number given to the Corporation by the Director and receipt of a completed answer-back indicating receipt. Notice by United States mail shall be deemed to be given when deposited in the United States mail properly addressed, with postage thereon prepaid. Notice by courier shall be deemed to be given when deposited with or delivered to a courier properly addressed. Neither the business to be transacted at, nor the purpose of, any annual, regular or special meeting of the Board of Directors need be stated in the notice, unless specifically required by statute or these Bylaws.

Section 6. QUORUM. A majority of the Directors shall constitute a quorum for transaction of business at any meeting of the Board of Directors, provided that, if less than a majority of such Directors are present at such meeting, a majority of the Directors present may adjourn the meeting from time to time without further notice, and provided further that if, pursuant to applicable law, the Charter or these Bylaws, the vote of a majority or other percentage of a particular group of Directors is required for action, a quorum must also include a majority or such other percentage of such group.

The Directors present at a meeting which has been duly called and at which a quorum has been established may continue to transact business until adjournment, notwithstanding the withdrawal from the meeting of enough Directors to leave fewer than required to establish a quorum.

Section 7. VOTING. The action of a majority of the Directors present at a meeting at which a quorum is present shall be the action of the Board of Directors, unless the concurrence of a greater proportion is required for such action by applicable law, the Charter or these Bylaws. If enough Directors have withdrawn from a meeting to leave fewer than required to establish a quorum, but the meeting is not adjourned, the action of the majority of that number of Directors necessary to constitute a quorum at such meeting shall be the action of the Board of Directors, unless the concurrence of a greater proportion is required for such action by applicable law, the Charter or these Bylaws.

Section 8. ORGANIZATION. At each meeting of the Board of Directors, the chairman of the Board of Directors or, in the absence of the chairman, the vice chairman of the Board of Directors, if any, shall act as chairman of the meeting. In the absence of both the chairman and vice chairman of the Board of Directors, the chief executive officer or in the absence of the chief executive officer, the president or in the absence of the president, a Director chosen by a majority of the Directors present, shall act as chairman of the meeting. The secretary or, in his or her absence, an assistant secretary of the Corporation, or in the absence of the secretary and all assistant secretaries, an individual appointed by the chairman of the meeting, shall act as secretary of the meeting.

 

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Section 9. TELEPHONE MEETINGS. Directors may participate in a meeting by means of a conference telephone or other communications equipment if all persons participating in the meeting can hear each other at the same time. Participation in a meeting by these means shall constitute presence in person at the meeting.

Section 10. CONSENT BY 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 a consent in writing or by electronic transmission to such action is given by each Director and is filed with the minutes of proceedings of the Board of Directors.

Section 11. RATIFICATION. The Board of Directors or the stockholders may ratify and make binding on the Corporation any action or inaction by the Corporation or its officers to the extent that the Board of Directors or the stockholders could have originally authorized the matter. Moreover, any action or inaction questioned in any stockholders’ derivative proceeding or any other proceeding on the ground of lack of authority, defective or irregular execution, adverse interest of a Director, officer or stockholder, 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 stockholders, 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 Corporation and its stockholders and shall constitute a bar to any claim or execution of any judgment in respect of such questioned action or inaction.

Section 12. VACANCIES. If for any reason any or all the Directors cease to be Directors, such event shall not terminate the Corporation or affect these Bylaws or the powers of the remaining Directors hereunder. Except as may be provided by the Board of Directors in setting the terms of any class or series of preferred stock, any vacancy on the Board of Directors may be filled only by a majority of the remaining Directors, even if the remaining Directors do not constitute a quorum. Any Director elected to fill a vacancy shall serve for the remainder of the full term of the class in which the vacancy occurred and until a successor is elected and qualifies.

Section 13. COMPENSATION. Directors shall not receive any stated salary for their services as Directors, but, by resolution of the Directors, Directors may receive compensation per year and/or per meeting and/or per visit to real property or other facilities owned, leased or to be acquired by the Corporation and for any service or activity they performed or engaged in as Directors. Directors may be reimbursed for expenses of attendance, if any, at each annual, regular or special meeting of the Board of Directors or of any committee thereof and for their expenses, if any, in connection with each property visit and any other service or activity they performed or engaged in as Directors; but nothing herein contained shall be construed to preclude any Directors from serving the Corporation in any other capacity and receiving compensation therefor.

 

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Section 14. RESIGNATION OF DIRECTORS. Any Director of the Corporation may resign at any time by delivering his or her resignation to the Board of Directors, the chairman of the board or the secretary. Any resignation shall take effect immediately upon its receipt or at such later time specified in the resignation. The acceptance of a resignation shall not be necessary to make it effective unless otherwise stated in the resignation.

Section 15. RELIANCE. Each Director and officer of the Corporation shall, in the performance of his or her duties with respect to the Corporation, be entitled to rely on any information, opinion, report or statement, including any financial statement or other financial data, prepared or presented by an officer or employee of the Corporation whom the Director or officer reasonably believes to be reliable and competent in the matters presented, by a lawyer, certified public accountant or other person, as to a matter which the Director or officer reasonably believes to be within the person’s professional or expert competence, or, with respect to a Director, by a committee of the Board of Directors on which the Director does not serve, as to a matter within its designated authority, if the Director reasonably believes the committee to merit confidence.

Section 16. CERTAIN RIGHTS OF DIRECTORS, OFFICERS, EMPLOYEES AND AGENTS. The Directors shall have no responsibility to devote their full time to the affairs of the Corporation. Any Director, officer, employee or agent of the Corporation, in his or her personal capacity or in a capacity as an affiliate, employee, or agent of any other person, or otherwise, may have business interests and engage in business activities similar to or in addition to or in competition with those of or relating to the Corporation, except as set forth in a written agreement between the Corporation and such Director, officer, employee or agent of the Corporation; provided that such Director, officer, employee or agent complies with the applicable terms of the then existing conflicts of interest policy of the Corporation.

Section 17. EMERGENCY PROVISIONS. Notwithstanding any other provision in the Charter or these Bylaws, this Section 16 shall apply during the existence of any catastrophe, or other similar emergency condition, as a result of which a quorum of the Board of Directors under Article III of these Bylaws cannot readily be obtained (an “Emergency”). During any Emergency, unless otherwise provided by the Board of Directors, (i) a meeting of the Board of Directors or a committee thereof may be called by any Director or officer by any means feasible under the circumstances; (ii) notice of any meeting of the Board of Directors during such an Emergency may be given less than 24 hours prior to the meeting to as many Directors and by such means as may be feasible at the time, including publication, television or radio; and (iii) the number of Directors necessary to constitute a quorum shall be one-third of the entire Board of Directors.

ARTICLE IV

COMMITTEES

Section 1. NUMBER, TENURE AND QUALIFICATIONS. The Board of Directors may appoint from among its members an Executive Committee, an Audit Committee and other committees, composed of one or more Directors, to serve at the pleasure of the Board of Directors.

 

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Section 2. POWERS. The Board of Directors may delegate to committees appointed under Section 1 of this Article IV any of the powers of the Board of Directors, except as prohibited by law.

Section 3. MEETINGS. Notice of committee meetings shall be given in the same manner as notice for special meetings of the Board of Directors. The presence of a majority of the members of the committee shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at any meeting of the committee. The act of a majority of the committee members present at a meeting shall be the act of such committee. The Board of Directors may designate a chairman of any committee, and such chairman or, in the absence of a chairman, any two members of any committee (if there are at least two members of the committee) may fix the time and place of its meeting unless the Board shall otherwise provide. In the absence of any member of any such committee, the members thereof present at any meeting, whether or not they constitute a quorum, may appoint another Director to act in the place of such absent member.

Section 4. TELEPHONE MEETINGS. Members of a committee of the Board of Directors may participate in a meeting by means of a conference telephone or other communications equipment if all persons participating in the meeting can hear each other at the same time. Participation in a meeting by these means shall constitute presence in person at the meeting.

Section 5. CONSENT BY COMMITTEES WITHOUT A MEETING. Any action required or permitted to be taken at any meeting of a committee of the Board of Directors may be taken without a meeting, if a consent in writing or by electronic transmission to such action is given by each member of the committee and is filed with the minutes of proceedings of such committee.

Section 6. VACANCIES. Subject to the provisions hereof, the Board of Directors shall have the power at any time to change the membership of any committee, to fill any vacancy, to designate an alternate member to replace any absent or disqualified member or to dissolve any such committee.

ARTICLE V

OFFICERS

Section 1. GENERAL PROVISIONS. The officers of the Corporation shall include a president, a secretary and a treasurer and may include a chairman of the Board of Directors, a vice chairman of the Board of Directors, a chief executive officer, one or more vice presidents, a chief investment officer, a chief operating officer, a chief financial officer, a chief legal officer, a chief accounting officer, one or more assistant secretaries and one or more assistant treasurers. In addition, the Board of Directors may from time to time elect such other officers with such powers and duties as it shall deem necessary or desirable. The officers of the Corporation shall be elected annually by the Board of Directors, except that the chief executive officer or president may from time to time appoint one or more vice presidents, assistant secretaries, assistant treasurers or other officers. Each officer shall hold office until his or her successor is elected and qualifies or until his or her death, or his or her resignation or removal in the manner hereinafter provided. Any two or more offices except president and vice president may be held by the same person. Election of an officer or agent shall not of itself create contract rights between the Corporation and such officer or agent.

 

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Section 2. REMOVAL AND RESIGNATION. Any officer or agent of the Corporation may be removed, with or without cause, by the Board of Directors if in its judgment the best interests of the Corporation would be served thereby, but such removal shall be without prejudice to the contract rights, if any, of the person so removed. Any officer of the Corporation may resign at any time by delivering his or her resignation to the Board of Directors, the chairman of the Board of Directors, the chief executive officer, the president or the secretary. Any resignation shall take effect immediately upon its receipt or at such later time specified in the resignation. The acceptance of a resignation shall not be necessary to make it effective unless otherwise stated in the resignation. Such resignation shall be without prejudice to the contract rights, if any, of the Corporation.

Section 3. VACANCIES. A vacancy in any office may be filled by the Board of Directors for the balance of the term.

Section 4. CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER. The Board of Directors may designate a chief executive officer. The chief executive officer shall have general responsibility for implementation of the policies of the Corporation, as determined by the Board of Directors, and for the management of the business and affairs of the Corporation. He or she may execute any deed, mortgage, bond, contract or other instrument, except in cases where the execution thereof shall be expressly delegated by the Board of Directors or by these Bylaws to some other officer or agent of the Corporation or shall be required by law to be otherwise executed; and in general shall perform all duties incident to the office of chief executive officer and such other duties as may be prescribed by the Board of Directors from time to time.

Section 5. CHIEF INVESTMENT OFFICER. The Board of Directors may designate a chief investment officer. The chief investment officer shall have the responsibilities and duties as determined by the Board of Directors or the chief executive officer.

Section 6. CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER. The Board of Directors may designate a chief operating officer. The chief operating officer shall have the responsibilities and duties as determined by the Board of Directors or the chief executive officer.

Section 7. CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER. The Board of Directors may designate a chief financial officer. The chief financial officer shall have the responsibilities and duties as determined by the Board of Directors or the chief executive officer.

Section 8. CHIEF LEGAL OFFICER. The Board of Directors may designate a chief legal officer. The chief legal officer shall have the responsibilities and duties as determined by the Board of Directors or the chief executive officer.

 

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Section 9. CHIEF ACCOUNTING OFFICER. The Board of Directors may designate a chief accounting officer. The chief accounting officer shall have the responsibilities and duties as determined by the Board of Directors or the chief executive officer.

Section 10. CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD. The Board of Directors may designate from among its members a chairman of the Board of Directors, who shall not, solely by reason of these Bylaws, be an officer of the Corporation. The Board of Directors may designate the chairman of the Board of Directors as an executive or non-executive chairman. The chairman of the Board of Directors shall preside over the meetings of the Board of Directors and of the stockholders at which he or she shall be present. The chairman of the Board of Directors shall perform such other duties as may be assigned to him or her by these Bylaws the Board of Directors.

Section 11. PRESIDENT. In the absence of a chief executive officer, the president shall in general supervise and control all of the business and affairs of the Corporation. In the absence of a designation of a chief operating officer by the Board of Directors, the president shall be the chief operating officer. He or she may execute any deed, mortgage, bond, contract or other instrument, except in cases where the execution thereof shall be expressly delegated by the Board of Directors or by these Bylaws to some other officer or agent of the Corporation or shall be required by law to be otherwise executed; and in general shall perform all duties incident to the office of president and such other duties as may be prescribed by the Board of Directors from time to time.

Section 12. VICE PRESIDENTS. In the absence of the president or in the event of a vacancy in such office, the vice president (or in the event there be more than one vice president, the vice presidents in the order designated at the time of their election or, in the absence of any designation, then in the order of their election) shall perform the duties of the president and when so acting shall have all the powers of and be subject to all the restrictions upon the president; and shall perform such other duties as from time to time may be assigned to such vice president by the chief executive officer, president or Board of Directors. The Board of Directors may designate one or more vice presidents as executive vice president, senior vice president or vice president for particular areas of responsibility.

Section 13. SECRETARY. The secretary shall (a) keep the minutes of the proceedings of the stockholders, the Board of Directors and committees of the Board of Directors in one or more books provided for that purpose; (b) see that all notices are duly given in accordance with the provisions of these Bylaws or as required by law; (c) be custodian of the corporate records and of the seal of the Corporation; (d) keep a register of the post office address of each stockholder which shall be furnished to the secretary by such stockholder; (e) have general charge of the stock transfer books of the Corporation; and (f) in general perform such other duties as from time to time may be assigned to him or her by the chief executive officer, president or Board of Directors.

Section 14. TREASURER. The treasurer shall have the custody of the funds and securities of the Corporation, shall keep full and accurate accounts of receipts and disbursements in books belonging to the Corporation, shall deposit all moneys and other valuable effects in the name and to the credit of the Corporation in such depositories as may be designated by the Board of Directors and in general perform such other duties as from time to time may be assigned to him or her by the chief executive officer, the president or the Board of Directors. In the absence of a designation of a chief financial officer by the Board of Directors, the treasurer shall be the chief financial officer of the Corporation.

 

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The treasurer shall disburse the funds of the Corporation as may be ordered by the Board of Directors, taking proper vouchers for such disbursements, and shall render to the president and Board of Directors, at the regular meetings of the Board of Directors or whenever it may so require, an account of all his or her transactions as treasurer and of the financial condition of the Corporation.

Section 15. ASSISTANT SECRETARIES AND ASSISTANT TREASURERS. The assistant secretaries and assistant treasurers, in general, shall perform such duties as shall be assigned to them by the secretary or treasurer, respectively, or by the chief executive officer, president or Board of Directors.

Section 16. COMPENSATION. The compensation of the officers shall be fixed from time to time by or under the authority of the Board of Directors and no officer shall be prevented from receiving such compensation by reason of the fact that he or she is also a Director.

ARTICLE VI

CONTRACTS, CHECKS AND DEPOSITS

Section 1. CONTRACTS. The Board of Directors may authorize any officer or agent to enter into any contract or to execute and deliver any instrument in the name of and on behalf of the Corporation and such authority may be general or confined to specific instances. Any agreement, deed, mortgage, lease or other document shall be valid and binding upon the Corporation when duly authorized or ratified by action of the Board of Directors and executed by an authorized person.

Section 2. CHECKS AND DRAFTS. All checks, drafts or other orders for the payment of money, notes or other evidences of indebtedness issued in the name of the Corporation shall be signed by such officer or agent of the Corporation in such manner as shall from time to time be determined by the Board of Directors.

Section 3. DEPOSITS. All funds of the Corporation not otherwise employed shall be deposited or invested from time to time to the credit of the Corporation as the Board of Directors, the chief executive officer, president chief financial officer, treasurer or any other officer designated by the Board of Directors may determine.

 

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ARTICLE VII

STOCK

Section 1. CERTIFICATES. Except as may be otherwise provided by the Board of Directors, stockholders of the Corporation are not entitled to certificates representing the shares of stock held by them. In the event that the Corporation issues shares of stock represented by certificates, such certificates shall be in such form as prescribed by the Board of Directors or a duly authorized officer, shall contain the statements and information required by the MGCL and shall be signed by the officers of the Corporation in any manner permitted by the MGCL. In the event that the Corporation issues shares of stock without certificates, to the extent then required by the MGCL, the Corporation shall provide to the record holders of such shares a written statement of the information required by the MGCL to be included on stock certificates. There shall be no differences in the rights and obligations of stockholders based on whether or not their shares are represented by certificates.

Section 2. TRANSFERS. All transfers of shares of stock shall be made on the books of the Corporation, by the holder of the shares, in person or by his or her attorney, in such manner as the Board of Directors or any officer of the Corporation may prescribe and, if such shares are certificated, upon surrender of certificates duly endorsed. The issuance of a new certificate upon the transfer of certificated shares is subject to the determination of the Board of Directors that such shares shall no longer be represented by certificates. Upon the transfer of any uncertificated shares, the Corporation shall provide to the record holders of such shares, to the extent then required by the MGCL, a written statement of the information required by the MGCL to be included on stock certificates.

The Corporation shall be entitled to treat the holder of record of any share of stock as the holder in fact thereof and, accordingly, shall not be bound to recognize any equitable or other claim to or interest in such share or on the part of any other person, whether or not it shall have express or other notice thereof, except as otherwise expressly provided by the laws of the State of Maryland.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, transfers of shares of any class or series of stock will be subject in all respects to the Charter and all of the terms and conditions contained therein.

Section 3. REPLACEMENT CERTIFICATE. Any officer of the Corporation may direct a new certificate or certificates to be issued in place of any certificate or certificates theretofore issued by the Corporation alleged to have been lost, destroyed, stolen or mutilated, upon the making of an affidavit of that fact by the person claiming the certificate to be lost, destroyed, stolen or mutilated; provided, however, if such shares have ceased to be certificated, no new certificate shall be issued unless requested in writing by such stockholder and the Board of Directors has determined that such certificates may be issued. Unless otherwise determined by an officer of the Corporation, the owner of such lost, destroyed, stolen or mutilated certificate or certificates, or his or her legal representative, shall be required, as a condition precedent to the issuance of a new certificate or certificates, to give the Corporation a bond in such sums as it may direct as indemnity against any claim that may be made against the Corporation.

Section 4. FIXING OF RECORD DATE. The Board of Directors may set, in advance, a record date for the purpose of determining stockholders entitled to notice of or to vote at any meeting of stockholders or determining stockholders entitled to receive payment of any dividend or the allotment of any other rights, or in order to make a determination of stockholders for any other proper purpose. Such date, in any case, shall not be prior to the close of business on the day the record date is fixed and shall be not more than ninety (90) days and, in the case of a meeting of stockholders, not less than ten (10) days, before the date on which the meeting or particular action requiring such determination of stockholders of record is to be held or taken.

 

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When a record date for the determination of stockholders entitled to notice of and to vote at any meeting of stockholders has been set as provided in this section, such record date shall continue to apply to the meeting if adjourned or postponed, except if the meeting is adjourned or postponed to a date more than 120 days after the record date originally fixed for the meeting, in which case a new record date for such meeting may be determined as set forth herein.

Section 5. STOCK LEDGER. The Corporation shall maintain at its principal office or at the office of its counsel, accountants or transfer agent, an original or duplicate stock ledger containing the name and address of each stockholder and the number of shares of each class held by such stockholder.

Section 6. FRACTIONAL STOCK; ISSUANCE OF UNITS. The Board of Directors may authorize the Corporation to issue fractional stock or authorize the issuance of scrip, all on such terms and under such conditions as it may determine. Notwithstanding any other provision of the Charter or these Bylaws, the Board of Directors may issue units consisting of different securities of the Corporation. Any security issued in a unit shall have the same characteristics as any identical securities issued by the Corporation, except that the Board of Directors may provide that for a specified period securities of the Corporation issued in such unit may be transferred on the books of the Corporation only in such unit.

ARTICLE VIII

ACCOUNTING YEAR

The Board of Directors shall have the power, from time to time, to fix the fiscal year of the Corporation by a duly adopted resolution.

ARTICLE IX

DISTRIBUTIONS

Section 1. AUTHORIZATION. Dividends and other distributions upon the stock of the Corporation may be authorized by the Board of Directors, subject to the provisions of law and the Charter. Dividends and other distributions may be paid in cash, property or stock of the Corporation, subject to the provisions of law and the Charter.

Section 2. CONTINGENCIES. Before payment of any dividends or other distributions, there may be set aside out of any assets of the Corporation available for dividends or other distributions such sum or sums as the Board of Directors may from time to time, in its absolute discretion, think proper as a reserve fund for contingencies, for equalizing dividends, for repairing or maintaining any property of the Corporation or for such other purpose as the Board of Directors shall determine, and the Board of Directors may modify or abolish any such reserve.

 

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ARTICLE X

INVESTMENT POLICY

Subject to the provisions of the Charter, the Board of Directors may from time to time adopt, amend, revise or terminate any policy or policies with respect to investments by the Corporation, as it shall deem appropriate in its sole discretion.

ARTICLE XI

SEAL

Section 1. SEAL. The Board of Directors may authorize the adoption of a seal by the Corporation. The seal shall contain the name of the Corporation and the year of its incorporation and the words “Incorporated Maryland.” The Board of Directors may authorize one or more duplicate seals and provide for the custody thereof.

Section 2. AFFIXING SEAL. Whenever the Corporation is permitted or required to affix its seal to a document, it shall be sufficient to meet the requirements of any law, rule or regulation relating to a seal to place the word “(SEAL)” adjacent to the signature of the person authorized to execute the document on behalf of the Corporation.

ARTICLE XII

INDEMNIFICATION AND ADVANCE OF EXPENSES

To the maximum extent permitted by Maryland law in effect from time to time, the Corporation shall indemnify and, without requiring a preliminary determination of the ultimate entitlement to indemnification, shall pay or reimburse reasonable expenses in advance of final disposition of a proceeding to (a) any individual who is a present or former Director or officer of the Corporation and who is made or threatened to be made a party to, or witness in, the proceeding by reason of his or her service in that capacity or (b) any individual who, while a Director or officer of the Corporation and at the request of the Corporation, serves or has served as a director, officer, trustee, member, manager or partner of another corporation, real estate investment trust, limited liability company, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise and who is made or threatened to be made a party to, or witness in, the proceeding by reason of his or her service in that capacity. The rights to indemnification and advance of expenses provided by the Charter and these Bylaws shall vest immediately upon election of a Director or officer. The Corporation may, with the approval of its Board of Directors, provide such indemnification and advance for expenses to an individual who served a predecessor of the Corporation in any of the capacities described in (a) or (b) above and to any employee or agent of the Corporation or a predecessor of the Corporation. The indemnification and payment or reimbursement of expenses provided in these Bylaws shall not be deemed exclusive of or limit in any way other rights to which any person seeking indemnification or payment or reimbursement of expenses may be or may become entitled under any bylaw, resolution, insurance, agreement or otherwise.

 

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Neither the amendment nor repeal of this Article, nor the adoption or amendment of any other provision of the Charter or these Bylaws inconsistent with this Article, shall apply to or affect in any respect the applicability of the preceding paragraph with respect to any act or failure to act which occurred prior to such amendment, repeal or adoption.

ARTICLE XIII

WAIVER OF NOTICE

Whenever any notice of a meeting is required to be given pursuant to the Charter or these Bylaws or pursuant to applicable law, a waiver thereof in writing or by electronic transmission, given by the person or persons entitled to such notice, whether before or after the time stated therein, shall be deemed equivalent to the giving of such notice. Neither the business to be transacted at nor the purpose of any meeting need be set forth in the waiver of notice of such meeting, unless specifically required by statute. The attendance of any person at any meeting shall constitute a waiver of notice of such meeting, except where such person attends a meeting for the express purpose of objecting to the transaction of any business on the ground that the meeting has not been lawfully called or convened

ARTICLE XIV

AMENDMENT OF BYLAWS

The Board of Directors shall have the exclusive power to adopt, alter or repeal any provision of these Bylaws and to make new Bylaws.

 

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EX-99.1

Exhibit 99.1

Joint Filing Agreement

In accordance with Rule 13d-1(k)(1) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, the persons named below agree to the joint filing on behalf of each of them of a statement on Schedule 13D (including amendments thereto) with respect to the common shares of beneficial interest, par value $0.01 per share, of PMC Commercial Trust, a Texas real estate investment trust, and further agree that this Joint Filing Agreement be included as an Exhibit to such joint filings. In evidence thereof, the undersigned, being duly authorized, have executed this Joint Filing Agreement this 11th day of March, 2014.

 

URBAN PARTNERS II, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company
By:   CIM Urban Partners GP, LLC, a California limited liability company, its general partner
  By:   /s/ David Thompson
  Name:  

 

David Thompson

  Title:   Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

/s/ Richard Ressler

Richard Ressler

/s/ Avraham Shemesh

Avraham Shemesh

/s/ Shaul Kuba

Shaul Kuba

CIM SERVICE PROVIDER, LLC, a Delaware limited

liability company

By:  

/s/ David Thompson

Name:  

David Thompson

Title:   Vice President and Chief Financial Officer