not have an opportunity to do so. In addition, these provisions may also render the removal of the Board of Directors or management of Standard more difficult.
Directors. The Board of Directors is divided into three classes. The members of each class are elected for a term of three years and only one class of directors is elected annually. Thus, it would take at least two annual elections to replace a majority of Standard’s directors. The bylaws establish qualifications for Board members, including a residency requirement, an age restriction, restrictions on affiliations with competitors of the Bank and restrictions based upon prior legal or regulatory violations. Further, the bylaws impose notice and information requirements in connection with the nomination by stockholders of candidates for election to the Board of Directors or the proposal by stockholders of business to be acted upon at an annual meeting of stockholders. Such notice and information requirements are applicable to all stockholder business proposals and nominations, and are in addition to any requirements under the federal securities laws.
Evaluation of Offers. The articles of incorporation of Standard provide that its Board of Directors, when evaluating a transaction that would or may involve a change in control of Standard (whether by purchases of its securities, merger, consolidation, share exchange, dissolution, liquidation, sale of all or substantially all of its assets, proxy solicitation or otherwise), may, in connection with the exercise of its business judgment in determining what is in the best interests of Standard and its stockholders and in making any recommendation to the stockholders, give due consideration to all relevant factors, including, but not limited to:
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the economic effect, both immediate and long-term, upon Standard’s stockholders, including stockholders, if any, who do not participate in the transaction;
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the social and economic effect on the present and future employees, creditors and customers of, and others dealing with, Standard and its subsidiaries and on the communities in which Standard and its subsidiaries operate or are located;
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whether the proposal is acceptable based on the historical, current or projected future operating results or financial condition of Standard;
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whether a more favorable price could be obtained for Standard’s stock or other securities in the future;
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the reputation and business practices of the other entity to be involved in the transaction and its management and affiliates as they would affect the employees of Standard and its subsidiaries;
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the future value of the stock or any other securities of Standard or the other entity to be involved in the proposed transaction;
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any antitrust or other legal and regulatory issues that are raised by the proposal;
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the business and historical, current or expected future financial condition or operating results of the other entity to be involved in the transaction, including, but not limited to, debt service and other existing financial obligations, financial obligations to be incurred in connection with the proposed transaction, and other likely financial obligations of the other entity to be involved in the proposed transaction; and
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the ability of Standard to fulfill its objectives as a financial institution holding company and on the ability of its subsidiary financial institution(s) to fulfill the objectives of a federally insured financial institution under applicable statutes and regulations.
If the Board of Directors determines that any proposed transaction should be rejected, it may take any lawful action to defeat such transaction.
Restrictions on Call of Special Meetings. The bylaws provide that special meetings of stockholders can be called by the President, by a majority of the whole Board of Directors or upon the written request of stockholders entitled to cast at least a majority of all votes entitled to vote at the meeting.
Prohibition of Cumulative Voting. The articles of incorporation prohibit cumulative voting for the election of directors.