Norwood Financial (NWFL) 10-K2020 FY Annual report

NORWOOD FINANCIAL CORP

DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK



Norwood Financial Corp (“Norwood”) is authorized to issue 20,000,000 shares of common stock, par value $0.10 per share, and 5,000,000 shares of preferred stock no par value. Each share of Norwood common stock has the same relative rights as, and is identical in all respects with, each other share of common stock.



The common stock of Norwood represents nonwithdrawable capital, is not an account of an insurable type, and is not insured by the FDIC or any other government agency.



Common Stock



Dividends. Norwood may pay dividends out of statutory surplus or from net earnings if, as and when declared by its board of directors. The payment of dividends by Norwood is subject to limitations that are imposed by law and applicable regulation. The holders of common stock of Norwood will be entitled to receive and share equally in dividends as may be declared by the board of directors of Norwood out of funds legally available therefor. If Norwood issues shares of preferred stock, the holders thereof may have a priority over the holders of the common stock with respect to dividends.



Voting Rights. The holders of common stock of Norwood have exclusive voting rights in Norwood. They elect Norwood’s board of directors and act on other matters as are required to be presented to them under Pennsylvania law, or as are otherwise presented to them by the board of directors. Generally, each holder of common stock is entitled to one vote per share and will not have any right to cumulate votes in the election of directors. If Norwood issues shares of preferred stock, holders of the preferred stock may also possess voting rights. Certain matters require an 80% shareholder vote.



Liquidation. In the event of liquidation, dissolution or winding up of Norwood, the holders of its common stock would be entitled to receive, after payment or provision for payment of all its debts and liabilities, all of the assets of Norwood available for distribution. If preferred stock is issued, the holders thereof may have a priority over the holders of the common stock in the event of liquidation or dissolution.



Preemptive Rights. Holders of the common stock of Norwood will not be entitled to preemptive rights with respect to any shares that may be issued. The common stock is not subject to redemption.



Preferred Stock



None of the shares of Norwood’s authorized preferred stock are outstanding. Preferred stock may be issued with preferences and designations as the board of directors may from time to time determine. Norwood’s board of directors may, without shareholder approval, issue shares of preferred stock with voting, dividend, liquidation and conversion rights that could dilute the voting strength of the holders of the common stock and may assist management in impeding an unfriendly takeover or attempted change in control.

CERTAIN ANTI-TAKEOVER PROVISIONS OF NORWOOD’S

ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION AND BYLAWS



The following discussion is a general summary of the material provisions of Norwood’s articles of incorporation and bylaws and certain other provisions under the Pennsylvania Business Corporation Law and regulatory provisions that may be deemed to have an “anti-takeover” effect. The following description of certain of these provisions is necessarily general and, with respect to provisions contained in Norwood’s articles of incorporation and bylaws, reference should be made in each case to the document in question.



Norwood’s articles of incorporation and bylaws contain a number of provisions relating to corporate governance and rights of shareholders that might discourage future takeover attempts. As a result, shareholders who might desire to participate in such transactions may not have an opportunity to do so. In addition, these provisions will also render the removal of the board of directors or management of Norwood more difficult.



The following description is a summary of the provisions of the articles of incorporation and bylaws.



Directors. The board of directors is divided into three classes. The members of each class will be elected for a term of three years and only one class of directors will be elected annually. Thus, it would take at least two annual elections to replace a majority of Norwood’s board of directors. Further, the bylaws impose notice and information requirements in connection with the nomination by shareholders of candidates for election to the board of directors or the proposal by shareholders of business to be acted upon at an annual meeting of shareholders.



Prohibition of Cumulative Voting. The articles of incorporation prohibit cumulative voting for the election of directors.



Restrictions on Removing Directors from Office. The articles of incorporation provide that directors may only be removed for cause. “Cause” is defined in the articles of incorporation as being declared of unsound mind by an order of a court, convicted of a felony or of an offense punishable by imprisonment for a term of more than one year, or being deemed liable by a court for gross negligence or misconduct in the director’s duties to Norwood. At least 30 days’ prior notice to the director must be given.



Authorized but Unissued Shares. Norwood has authorized but unissued shares of common and preferred stock. The articles of incorporation authorize 5,000,000 shares of serial preferred stock. Norwood is authorized to issue preferred stock from time to time in one or more series subject to applicable provisions of law, and the board of directors is authorized to fix the designations, and relative preferences, limitations, voting rights, if any, including, without limitation, offering rights of such shares (which could be multiple or as a separate class). In the event of a proposed merger, tender offer or other attempt to gain control of Norwood that the board of directors does not approve, it might be possible for the board of directors to authorize the issuance of a series of preferred stock with rights and preferences that would impede the completion of the transaction. An effect of the possible issuance of preferred stock, therefore, may be to deter a future attempt to gain control of Norwood. Norwood’s board of directors has no present plan or understanding to issue any preferred stock.



Amendments to Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws. Amendments to the articles of incorporation must be approved by Norwood’s board of directors and also by a majority of the outstanding shares of Norwood’s voting stock; provided, however, that approval by at least 80% of the outstanding voting stock is generally required to amend the following provisions:



Anti-takeover Provisions Under the Pennsylvania Business Corporation Law



Under the Pennsylvania Business Corporation Law, certain anti-takeover provisions apply to Pennsylvania registered corporations (e.g., publicly traded companies) including those relating to (1) control share acquisitions, (2) disgorgement of profits by certain controlling persons, (3) business combination transactions with interested shareholders, and (4) the rights of shareholders to demand fair value for their stock following a control transaction. Pennsylvania law allows corporations to opt-out of these anti-takeover sections. Norwood is a registered corporation and has opted out only of the control share acquisition provisions. A general summary of the applicable anti-takeover provisions is set forth below.



Disgorgement of Profits by Certain Controlling Persons. Pennsylvania law regarding disgorgement of profits by certain controlling persons applies in the event that (1) any person or group publicly discloses that the person or group may acquire control of the corporation, or (2) a person or group acquires (or publicly discloses an intent to acquire) 20% or more of the voting power of the corporation and, in either case, sells shares within 18 months thereafter. Any profits from sales of equity securities of the corporation received by the person or group during such 18-month period will belong to the corporation if the securities that were sold were acquired during the 18-month period or within 24 months prior thereto.



Business Combination Transactions with Interested Shareholders. Pennsylvania law regarding business combination transactions with interested shareholders provides that a person who acquires the direct or indirect beneficial ownership of shares entitled to cast at least 20% of the votes entitled to be cast for the election of directors or who is an affiliate or associate of such corporation and was the beneficial owner, directly or indirectly, of shares entitling that person to cast at least 20% of the votes at any time within the five year period immediately prior to the date in question becomes an “interested shareholder.” A corporation subject to this provision may not effect mergers or certain other business combinations with the interested shareholder for a period of five years, unless:



After the five-year restricted period, an interested shareholder of the corporation may engage in a business combination with the corporation if (1) the business combination is approved by the affirmative vote of a majority of the shares other than those beneficially owned by the interested shareholder and its affiliates, or (2) the merger is approved at a shareholders meeting and certain fair price requirements are met.

Change in Control Regulations



The Change In Bank Control Act provides that no person, acting directly or indirectly or through or in concert with one or more other persons, may acquire control of a bank holding company unless the FRB has been given 60 days prior written notice. For this purpose, the term “control” means the acquisition of the ownership, control or holding of the power to vote 25% or more of any class of a bank holding company’s voting stock, and the term “person” includes an individual, corporation, partnership, and various other entities. In addition, an acquiring person is presumed to acquire control if the person acquires the ownership, control or holding of the power to vote of 10% or more of any class of the holding company’s voting stock if (a) the bank holding company’s shares are registered pursuant to Section 12 of the Exchange Act or (b) no other person will own, control or hold the power to vote a greater percentage of that class of voting securities. Accordingly, the prior approval of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (“FRB”) would be required before any person could acquire 10% or more of the common stock of Norwood.



The Bank Holding Company Act provides that no company may acquire control of a bank directly or indirectly without the prior approval of the FRB. Any company that acquires control of a bank becomes a “bank holding company” subject to registration, examination and regulation by the FRB. Pursuant to federal regulations, the term “company” is defined to include banks, corporations, partnerships, associations, and certain trusts and other entities, and “control” of a bank is deemed to exist if a company has voting control, directly or indirectly of at least 25% of any class of a bank’s voting stock, and may be found to exist if a company controls in any manner the election of a majority of the directors of the bank or has the power to exercise a controlling influence over the management or policies of the bank. In addition, a bank holding company must obtain FRB approval prior to acquiring voting control of more than 5% of any class of voting stock of a bank or another bank holding company.



An acquisition of control of a bank that requires the prior approval of the FRB under the Bank Holding Company Act is not subject to the notice requirements of the Change In Bank Control Act. Accordingly, the prior approval of the FRB under the Bank Holding Company Act would be required (a) before any bank holding company could acquire 5% or more of the common stock of Norwood and (b) before any other company could acquire 25% or more of the common stock of Norwood.