UNITED STATES |
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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION |
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Washington, D.C. 20549 |
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SCHEDULE 14A |
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(RULE 14a-101) |
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Proxy Statement
Pursuant to Section 14(a) of |
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Filed by the Registrant ý |
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Filed by a Party other than the Registrant o |
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Check the appropriate box: |
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Preliminary Proxy Statement |
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Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2)) |
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Definitive Proxy Statement |
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Definitive Additional Materials |
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Soliciting Material Pursuant to §240.14a-12 |
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ARCHIPELAGO HOLDINGS, INC. |
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(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter) |
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(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant) |
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Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box): |
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No fee required. |
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Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and 0-11. |
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Fee paid previously with preliminary materials. |
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Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee was paid previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement number, or the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing. |
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Subject to Completion, dated August 22, 2005
[], 2005
Enclosed please find a proxy statement which relates to the solicitation of proxies by the Board of Directors of Archipelago Holdings, Inc. in connection with certain proposed new rules of the Pacific Exchange, Inc. This solicitation is being made to all OTP Holders and OTP Firms of the Pacific Exchange and to all of their associated persons (as defined in the proxy statement) that satisfy the criteria set forth in this proxy statement.
In connection with our previously-announced agreement to acquire PCX Holdings, Inc. and its subsidiaries, including the Pacific Exchange and PCX Equities, Inc., the Pacific Exchange has proposed certain new rules. The proposed rules, if approved by the Securities and Exchange Commission, would impose limitations on the ownership and voting of Archipelago stock by OTP Holders and OTP Firms of the Pacific Exchange, as well as their related persons. In that regard, we also agreed to propose certain related amendments to our certificate of incorporation in the future, as described in the proxy statement.
We are not asking for your approval, as stockholders of Archipelago or as OTP Holders or OTP Firms, of our acquisition of PCX Holdings, because it does not need to be approved by Archipelago stockholders. The reason for this document is as follows. The proposed PCX rules would require each OTP Holder and OTP Firm which is not also an ETP Holder of the Pacific Exchange, as well as each of their associated persons, to enter into an ownership and voting agreement and proxy with Archipelago and the Pacific Exchange under the circumstances described in the proxy statement. The purpose of the proxy statement is to ask you to execute this agreement, and to have certain of your associated persons sign it as well.
As described in the proxy statement, in the ownership and voting agreement you would agree, among other things:
not to own Archipelago shares representing more than 20% of the outstanding Archipelago votes;
not to vote Archipelago shares representing more than 20% of the outstanding Archipelago votes;
not to agree with any person to vote Archipelago shares in a manner which would allow you to vote more than 20% of the outstanding Archipelago votes;
to vote or authorize Archipelago to vote your Archipelago shares which are in excess of the 20% voting limitation; and
to vote or authorize Archipelago to vote your Archipelago shares in favor of the amendments to the certificate of incorporation of Archipelago described in the proxy statement.
Your associated persons would also agree, on their own behalf, to the latter two obligations. If you and your associated persons are required to enter into the ownership and voting agreement but fail to do so by the deadlines described in the proxy statement you will be subject to a suspension of all of your trading rights and privileges on PCX. Therefore, your attention and cooperation is very important.
Thank you for your continued support.
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Sincerely, |
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Gerald D. Putnam |
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Co-Founder, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer |
Subject to Completion, dated August 22, 2005
ARCHIPELAGO HOLDINGS, INC.
100 SOUTH WACKER DRIVE, SUITE 1800
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS 60606
PRELIMINARY PROXY STATEMENT
This proxy statement is furnished to you in connection with a solicitation of proxies by the Board of Directors (Board or Board of Directors) of Archipelago Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation (Archipelago, the Company, we or our) in connection with certain proposed new rules of the Pacific Exchange, Inc. (PCX), a national securities exchange.
On January 3, 2005, we entered into an agreement and plan of merger (the agreement was amended on July 22, 2005) to acquire PCX Holdings, Inc. (PCX Holdings), a Delaware corporation, and all of its subsidiaries, including PCX and PCX Equities, Inc. (PCX Equities). In connection with this, PCX has proposed certain new rules, which are attached to and described further in this proxy statement. If approved by the Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC), the proposed PCX rules would impose certain limitations with respect to the ownership and voting of Archipelago stock by OTP Holders of PCX, OTP Firms of PCX and their related persons (as such term is defined in the proposed PCX rules). In addition, we have undertaken to the SEC that our Board of Directors will propose certain amendments to our certificate of incorporation which are set forth in the proposed PCX rules and described in this proxy statement.
The purpose of this proxy statement is not to solicit your approval, as stockholders of Archipelago (to the extent that you are) or as OTP Holders or OTP Firms of PCX, of our acquisition of PCX Holdings, because it does not need to be approved by Archipelago stockholders. The proposed PCX rules would require each OTP Holder and OTP Firm of PCX which is not also an ETP Holder of PCX, as well as each associated person (as defined below) of such OTP Holder or OTP Firm, to enter into an ownership and voting agreement and proxy with PCX and Archipelago. Consequently, the purpose of this proxy statement is to ask you to execute the ownership and voting agreement. The form of the attached to, and described in, this proxy statement is based on the proposed PCX rules. Depending on the outcome of the SEC approval process of the proposed PCX Rules, the Agreement may change before it is mailed to you for execution. The final ownership and voting agreement that you will be required to execute which will be mailed to you along with a definitive copy of this proxy statement.
This proxy statement is being sent to all OTP Holders and OTP Firms which are not also ETP Holders as of the date of this document. The proposed PCX rules also apply to, and the ownership and voting agreement must be executed by, your associated persons under circumstances described below. As defined in Section 3(a)(18)of the Exchange Act, your associated persons are:
your partners, officers, directors, or branch managers (or any person occupying a similar status or performing similar functions);
any person directly or indirectly controlling, controlled by or under common control with you; and
your employees, except that this term does not include any person associated with you whose functions are solely clerical or ministerial.
By entering into the ownership and voting agreement, you would agree not to:
either alone or with your related persons, own shares of Archipelago stock representing more than 20% of the then outstanding votes entitled to be cast on any matter;
either alone or with your related persons, vote shares of Archipelago stock to the extent such shares represent more than 20% of the then outstanding votes entitled to be case on any matter; or
enter into any agreement, plan or arrangement not to vote shares of Archipelago stock, the effect of which would enable you, either alone or with your related persons, to vote shares of Archipelago stock that would represent more than 20% of the then outstanding votes entitled to be cast on any matter.
In addition, you, and your associated persons, would agree that:
Archipelago shall have the right to vote and shall vote shares of Archipelago stock owned by you, or such associated person, in excess of the 20% voting limitations in a manner described further in this proxy statement; and
you, or such associated person, will vote, or will authorize Archipelago to vote all of your, or such associated persons, shares of Archipelago stock in favor of the amendments to the certificate of incorporation of Archipelago described further in this proxy statement.
You will be required to enter into the ownership and voting agreement by [], 2005 (which is thirty days after the closing of the PCX Holdings acquisition on [], 2005), if you are:
an owner of shares of Archipelago common stock and intend to hold such stock through [], 2005; and/or
party to any agreement relating to the voting or ownership of any shares of Archipelago stock (or become a party to such an agreement by [], 2005).
Even if you do not satisfy either of the above criteria, you may still be required to enter into the ownership and voting agreement in the future within five days after the occurrence of certain events described further in this proxy statement.
Your associated persons would be required to sign the ownership and voting agreement if they independently satisfy either of the criteria described above. They may also be required to sign it in the future within five days after the occurrence of certain events described further in this proxy statement. If you have any associated persons that satisfy either of the above criteria, please let us know immediately so that we may provide them with a copy of this proxy statement and the ownership and voting agreement.
You must read this proxy statement, as well as the attached form of ownership and voting agreement and proposed PCX rules carefully, to determine if you and/or any of your associated persons must sign the agreement. If you are required to enter into the ownership and voting agreement, but fail to do so by [], 2005 or the five-day period as mentioned above, you will be subject to a suspension of all of your trading rights and privileges on PCX. The failure of any of your associated persons to execute and deliver an ownership and voting agreement if they are required to do so within either of those times frames will also subject you to such suspension. Consequently, your attention to the matters described in this proxy statement is VERY IMPORTANT.
If you have any questions or need any assistance, please contact us at the following address or telephone number:
Archipelago
Holdings, Inc.
Attention: Investor Relations
100 South Wacker Drive, Suite 1800
Chicago, Illinois 60606
Telephone: 1-888-514-7284
We expect to release definitive copies of this proxy statement to OTP Holders and OTP Firms of PCX who are not also ETP Holders of PCX on or about the date of closing of our acquisition of PCX Holdings.
This proxy statement is dated [], 2005, and is first being mailed to OTP Holders and OTP Firms of PCX who are not also ETP Holders of PCX on or about [], 2005.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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(i)
No person is authorized to give any information nor to make any representation with respect to the matters that this proxy statement describes other than those contained in, or incorporated by reference into, this proxy statement and, if given or made, such information or representation must not be relied upon as having been authorized by Archipelago. This proxy statement does not constitute a solicitation of a proxy in any jurisdiction where, or to any person whom, it is unlawful to make such a solicitation. The delivery of this proxy statement shall not, under any circumstances, create an implication that there has been no change in the affairs of Archipelago since the date of this proxy statement or that the information contained in, or incorporated by reference into, this proxy statement is correct as of any time subsequent other than the date of this proxy statement.
(ii)
This summary highlights selected information in this proxy statement and may not contain all of the information that is important to you. You should read this entire proxy statement, including the documents attached to or incorporated by reference into this proxy statement. For a list of documents incorporated by reference into this document, see Where You Can Find More Information.
Acquisition of PCX Holdings (see page 4)
On January 3, 2005, Archipelago entered into an agreement and plan of merger (which was amended on July 22, 2005) to acquire PCX Holdings and all of its wholly-owned subsidiaries, including PCX and PCX Equities. The acquisition is subject to the approval by PCX Holdings stockholders and the SEC, as well as other customary closing conditions. We expect to complete the proposed acquisition as quickly as possible after the closing conditions are satisfied. PCX Holdings has scheduled to hold a special meeting of its stockholders to vote on the merger on September 13, 2005.
The acquisition is not subject to approval by Archipelago stockholders. This proxy statement is not seeking your approval, as an Archipelago stockholder (to the extent that you are) or as an OTP Holder or OTP Firm of PCX, of our acquisition of PCX Holdings.
Proposed PCX Rules and Related Undertakings by Archipelago (see page 4)
In connection with the proposed acquisition, PCX has proposed certain new rules that are designed to prevent OTP Holders, OTP Firms and their related persons (as such term is defined in the proposed PCX rules) from unduly interfering with the regulatory oversight responsibilities of the SEC and PCX with respect to the options business of PCX. The proposed rules, which are attached as Annex B to the proxy statement, if approved by the SEC, will prohibit any OTP Holder or OTP Firms, either alone or with their related persons, from:
owning shares of Archipelago stock representing more than 20% of the then outstanding votes entitled to be cast on any matter;
voting shares of Archipelago stock to the extent such shares represent in the aggregate more than 20% of the then outstanding votes entitled to be cast on any matter; and
entering into any agreement, plan or arrangement not to vote shares of Archipelago stock, the effect of which would enable any such OTP Holder or OTP Firm, either alone or with its related persons, to vote shares of Archipelago stock that would represent in the aggregate more than 20% of the then outstanding votes entitled to be cast on any matter.
The proposed PCX rules provide for these ownership and voting restrictions for as long as Archipelago controls, directly or indirectly, PCX.
In connection with the proposed new PCX rules, Archipelago has also undertaken to the SEC that prior to the earlier of the 2006 annual meeting of Archipelago stockholders and the first meeting of Archipelago stockholders after the completion of the acquisition of PCX Holdings (other than any meeting held to consider our proposed business combination with the New York Stock Exchange, Inc.), Archipelagos Board of Directors will propose amendments to Archipelagos certificate of incorporation that incorporate the ownership and voting limitations and the related implementation provisions set forth in the proposed PCX rules (or amendments that are substantially similar in substance).
The rules attached as Annex B to, and described in, this proxy statement are the proposed rules of PCX. Depending on the outcome of the SEC approval process, the proposed PCX rules may change before they become final. The final rules approved by the SEC will be set forth in the definitive copy of this proxy statement.
Purpose of this Solicitation (see page 13)
The proposed PCX rules would require OTP Holders and OTP Firms which are not ETP Holders, and certain associated persons (as defined in this proxy statement) of such OTP Holders and OTP Firms, to enter into an ownership and voting agreement and proxy, with Archipelago and PCX.
The purpose of this proxy statement is to ask OTP Holders and OTP Firms of PCX which are not also ETP Holders of PCX, as well as their associated persons, to execute the ownership and voting agreement required pursuant to the proposed PCX rules. The form of this agreement is attached to this proxy statement as Annex A. The form of the ownership and voting agreement attached to, and
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described in, this proxy statement is based on the proposed PCX rules. Depending on the outcome of the SEC approval process of the proposed PCX rules, the agreement may change before it is mailed to you for execution. The final ownership and voting agreement that you will be required to execute will be mailed to you along with a definitive copy of this proxy statement.
Ownership and Voting Agreement (see page 6)
By entering into the ownership and voting agreement, an OTP Holder or an OTP Firm would agree to, among other things, the ownership and voting limitations also set forth in the proposed PCX rules, as discussed above under Summary Proposed PCX Rules and Related Undertakings by Archipelago.
In addition, an OTP Holder, OTP Firm or an associate person of such OTP Holder or OTP Firm would agree to:
vote, or authorize Archipelago to vote on their behalf, shares of Archipelago stock in excess of the 20% voting limitation in a manner described in this proxy statement and the proposed PCX rules; and
vote or authorize Archipelago to vote in favor of certain amendments to the certificate of incorporation of Archipelago, which amendments would incorporate the ownership and voting limitations set forth in the ownership and voting agreement and the proposed PCX rules. The ownership and voting agreement will be terminated upon the approval of these amendments by stockholders of Archipelago.
Time Periods for Entering into the Ownership and Voting Agreement (see page 6)
OTP Holders and OTP Firms
This proxy statement is being sent to all OTP Holders and OTP Firms of PCX which are not also ETP Holders of PCX, in each case as of the date of this document. You will be required to enter into the ownership and voting agreement by [], 2005 (which date is thirty days after the closing of the PCX Holdings acquisition), if you:
currently own shares of Archipelago common stock and intend to hold such stock through [], 2005 (which is the date of the closing of the proposed acquisition of PCX Holdings); and/or
are party to any agreement relating to the voting or ownership of any shares of Archipelago stock, or become a party to such an agreement by [], 2005.
Even if you do not satisfy either of the above criteria, you may still be required to enter into the ownership and voting agreement in the future within five days after the occurrence of certain events described further in this proxy statement.
Associated Persons of OTP Holders or OTP Firms
The proposed PCX rules also apply to, and the ownership and voting agreement must be executed by, certain of your associated persons. As defined in Section 3(a)(18) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, your associated persons are:
your partners, officers, directors, or branch managers (or any person occupying a similar status or performing similar functions);
any person directly or indirectly controlling, controlled by or under common control with you; and
your employees, except that this term does not include any person associated with you whose functions are solely clerical or ministerial.
Your associated persons will be required to enter into the ownership and voting agreement by [], 2005 (which date is thirty days after the closing of the PCX Holdings acquisition), if such associated person:
currently owns shares of Archipelago common stock and intends to hold such stock through [], 2005; and/or
is party to any agreement relating to the voting or ownership of any shares of Archipelago stock, or becomes a party to such an agreement by [], 2005.
Even if your associated persons do not satisfy either of the above criteria, they may still be required to enter into the ownership and voting agreement in the future within five days after the occurrence of certain events described further in this proxy statement.
If you have any associated persons that satisfy either of the above criteria, please let us know immediately so that we may provide them with a copy of this proxy statement and the ownership and voting agreement.
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Consequences of Failing to Enter into the Ownership and Voting Agreement (see page 7)
If you are required to enter into the ownership and voting agreement, but fail to do so by [], 2005 or the five-day period as mentioned above, you will be subject to a suspension of all of your trading rights and privileges on PCX. The failure of any of your associated persons to execute and deliver an ownership and voting agreement if they are required to do so within the time frames discussed above ¾ will also subject you to such suspension.
* * *
If you have any questions about the matters described in this proxy statement or need any assistance with such matters, please contact us at the following address or telephone number:
Archipelago Holdings, Inc.
Attention: Investor Relations
100 South Wacker Drive, Suite 1800
Chicago, Illinois 60606
Telephone: 1-888-514-7284.
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On January 3, 2005, Archipelago entered into an agreement and plan of merger to acquire PCX Holdings, a Delaware corporation and the parent company of PCX and PCX Equities. The acquisition will be accomplished by merging a wholly-owned subsidiary of Archipelago with and into PCX Holdings. On July 22, 2005, the parties amended and restated the agreement and plan of merger.
As a result of the merger, PCX Holdings, as the surviving corporation in the merger, will become a direct, wholly-owned subsidiary of Archipelago. Except as approved by the SEC, the merger will not affect the internal corporate structure of PCX Holdings or the regulatory relationship of PCX and PCX Equities to Archipelago Exchange, L.L.C. (ArcaEx), the exclusive equities trading facility of PCX and PCX Equities. PCX will remain a wholly-owned subsidiary of PCX Holdings and it will continue operating the options business and performing the self-regulatory organization functions for both the options business and the equities business. ArcaEx will remain the exclusive equities trading facility of PCX and PCX Equities, and the Amended and Restated Facility Services Agreement among Archipelago, PCX and PCX Equities, dated as of March 22, 2002, which currently governs the regulatory relationship of PCX and PCX Equities to ArcaEx, will remain in full force and effect in its current form.
For a more complete understanding of Archipelagos proposed acquisition of PCX Holdings, you should read the description of the transaction incorporated by reference into this document. For a list of the documents incorporated by reference into this document, see Where You Can Find More Information.
The acquisition is not subject to approval by Archipelago stockholders. This proxy statement is not seeking your approval, as an Archipelago stockholder (to the extent that you are), or as an OTP Holder or OTP Firm, of our acquisition of PCX Holdings.
Archipelagos common stock is registered under Section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the Exchange Act) and listed on PCX for trading on ArcaEx. The certificate of incorporation of Archipelago, which was approved by the SEC on August 9, 2004 prior to the initial public offering of Archipelago common stock, currently contains provisions that are intended to ensure that the ownership of Archipelago by the general public, among which are brokers and dealers who hold the equities trading permit of PCX (such brokers and dealers are referred to as ETP Holders), will not unduly interfere with or restrict the ability of the SEC or PCX to effectively carry out their regulatory oversight responsibilities with respect to ArcaEx under the Exchange Act, and generally to enable ArcaEx to operate in a manner that complies with federal securities laws. Some of these provisions impose ownership and voting limitations on Archipelagos stockholders and their related persons, including persons who are ETP Holders and the brokers and dealers that these ETP Holders are related with.
Once Archipelago completes its proposed acquisition of PCX Holdings, the ownership by Archipelago of the options business of PCX will raise similar conflict of interest concerns with respect to stockholders of Archipelago who enjoy options trading privileges on PCX, including OTP Holders and OTP Firms. The term OTP Holder refers to any natural person who has been issued an options trading permit by PCX for effecting approved securities transactions on the trading facilities of PCX, or has been authorized by an OTP Firm to conduct business on the trading facilities of PCX and to represent that OTP Firm in all matters relating to PCX. The term OTP Firm refers to any business entity (including corporations, partnerships and limited liability companies) which holds an options trading permit issued by PCX.
In order to ensure that upon consummation of the proposed acquisition of PCX Holdings by Archipelago, the ownership and voting of Archipelago common stock by OTP Holders and OTP Firms will not unduly interfere with or restrict the regulatory oversight responsibilities of the SEC or PCX with respect to the options business and the general compliance of the operations of the options business with federal securities laws,
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PCX has proposed certain new rules described in further detail below that if approved by the SEC, will impose on any OTP Holder or OTP Firm that is not an ETP Holder, as well as their related persons, voting and ownership limitations that are substantially analogous to those imposed on ETP Holders by the certificate of incorporation of Archipelago. The proposed PCX rules also require OTP Holders and OTP Firms which are not also ETP Holders to enter into an ownership and voting agreement if they own shares of Archipelago stock and/or are party to any agreement relating to the voting or ownership of any shares of Archipelago stock, as described further in this proxy statement. The requirement to enter into the ownership and voting agreement also applies to associated persons (as defined in Section 3(a)(18) of the Exchange Act) of such OTP Holders and OTP Firms, so long as such associated persons own shares of Archipelago stock and/or are party to any agreement relating to the voting or ownership of any shares of Archipelago stock.
In addition, in connection with the proposed PCX rules, Archipelago has undertaken to the SEC that prior to the earlier of the 2006 annual meeting of our stockholders and the first stockholders meeting after the completion of the acquisition of PCX Holdings (other than any meeting or meetings held to consider our proposed business combination with the New York Stock Exchange, Inc.), our Board of Directors will propose amendments to our certificate of incorporation that incorporate the ownership and voting limitations and the related implementation provisions set forth in the proposed PCX rules (or amendments that are substantially similar in substance), in each case as described below and in the proposed PCX rules. We will refer to such amendments to our certificate of incorporation as conforming amendments in this proxy statement. Once these amendments have been approved by stockholders of Archipelago, the ownership and voting agreement will, in accordance with its terms, terminate.
Pursuant to the applicable rules under the Exchange Act, PCX has filed the proposed rules with the SEC and the SEC published the notice of proposed rule change in the Federal Register on August 18, 2005 to solicit public comment on the proposed PCX rules. The proposed PCX rules will become effective upon approval by the SEC. A copy of the proposed rules, with related exhibits, is attached as Annex B to this proxy statement. You may also find the proposed rules, as well as any amendments that PCX may file with respect to them, on the SECs website at http://www.sec.gov. We urge you to read the full text of the proposed rules. Depending on the outcome of the SEC approval process, the proposed PCX rules may change before they become final. The final rules approved by the SEC will be set forth in the definitive copy of this proxy statement.
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THE OWNERSHIP AND VOTING AGREEMENT AND PROPOSED PCX RULES
The following summary is qualified in its entirety by reference to the complete text of the ownership and voting agreement and proxy, the form of which is attached as Annex A to this document. A copy of the proposed PCX rules is also attached as Annex B to this proxy statement. We urge you to read the full text of each of the ownership and voting agreement and the proposed PCX rules.
PCX has proposed to require OTP Holders and OTP Firms of PCX which are not also ETP Holders of PCX, as well as persons who are deemed associated persons of these OTP Holders or OTP Firms under Section 3(a)(18) of the Exchange Act, to enter into an ownership and voting agreement and proxy, the form of which is attached to this proxy statement as Annex A (the Ownership and Voting Agreement), with PCX and Archipelago, under the circumstances set forth in the proposed PCX rules and the Ownership and Voting Agreement, and discussed in this proxy statement.
The term associated person, as defined in Section 3(a)(18) of the Exchange Act, means, with respect to any OTP Holder or OTP Firm:
any partner, officer, director, or branch manager of such OTP Holder or OTP Firm (or any person occupying a similar status or performing similar functions);
any person directly or indirectly controlling, controlled by or under common control with such OTP Holder or OTP Firm; or
any employee of such OTP Holder or OTP Firm, except that this term does not include any person associated with an OTP Holder or OTP Firm whose functions are solely clerical or ministerial.
We refer to these associated persons of OTP Holders and OTP Firms as OTP Associates in this proxy statement.
The form of the Ownership and Voting Agreement attached to this proxy statement is based on the proposed PCX rules. Depending on the outcome of the SEC approval process of the proposed PCX rules, the Ownership and Voting Agreement may change before it is mailed to you for execution. The final Ownership and Voting Agreement that you will be required to execute will be mailed to you along with a definitive copy of this proxy statement.
Under the proposed PCX rules, OTP Holders, OTP Firms and OTP Associates who are required to enter into the Ownership and Voting Agreement have to do so within certain specified time periods in accordance with the proposed PCX rules. Specifically:
in the case of an OTP Holder, OTP Firm or OTP Associate which is not an ETP Holder and which (a) owns beneficially any shares of Archipelago stock and/or (b) has entered into any agreement, plan or other arrangement relating to the voting or ownership of any shares of Archipelago stock, at the time of the closing of the proposed acquisition of PCX Holdings, such person will have to enter into the Ownership and Voting Agreement no later than [], 2005 (which date is thirty days after the closing of the PCX Holdings acquisition).
in the case of any OTP Holder, OTP Firm or OTP Associate which is not required to enter into an Ownership and Voting Agreement pursuant to the above paragraph, the Ownership and Voting Agreement has to be entered into no later than the fifth calendar day following the date on which:
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such OTP Holder, OTP Firm or OTP Associate ceases being an ETP Holder and, at that time or, (x) owns or acquires beneficial ownership of any shares of Archipelago stock and/or (y) is a party to or enters into any agreement, plan or other arrangement relating to the voting or ownership of any shares of Archipelago stock, or
such OTP Holder, OTP Firm or OTP Associate which is not an ETP Holder (x) acquires beneficial ownership of any shares of Archipelago stock and/or (y) enters into any agreement, plan or other arrangement relating to the voting or ownership of any shares of Archipelago stock.
We expect to complete the proposed acquisition of PCX Holdings as quickly as possible after the closing conditions are satisfied, which conditions include the approval of the merger by stockholders of PCX Holdings and the receipt of the required regulatory approvals, including the approval by the SEC of the proposed PCX rules described in this proxy statement. PCX Holdings has scheduled to hold a special meeting of its stockholders to vote on the merger on September 13, 2005.
If you are an OTP Holder or OTP Firm and you and/or your OTP Associates are required to enter into the Ownership and Voting Agreement pursuant to the proposed PCX rules but you and/or your OTP Associates fail to enter into such agreement within the time period specified above all of your trading rights and privileges with respect to securities transactions on the trading facilities of PCX will be suspended. See The Ownership and Voting Agreement and Proposed PCX Rules Implementation of the Ownership and Voting Limitations Disciplinary Action by PCX.
As set forth in the proposed PCX rules, the Ownership and Voting Agreement would incorporate the proposed PCX rules to provide that for as long as Archipelago controls, directly or indirectly, PCX, no OTP Holder or OTP Firm, either alone or with its related persons, shall:
at any time own beneficially shares of Archipelago stock representing in the aggregate more than 20% of the then outstanding votes entitled to be cast on any matter (which we refer to in this proxy statement as the Ownership Limitation);
have the right to vote, vote or cause the voting of shares of Archipelago common stock to the extent such shares represent in the aggregate more than 20% of the then outstanding votes entitled to be cast on any matter (which we refer to in this proxy statement as the Voting Limitation); or
enter into any agreement, plan or arrangement not to vote shares of Archipelago common stock, the effect of which would enable any such OTP holder or OTP firm, either alone or with its related persons, to vote or cause the voting of shares that would represent in the aggregate more than 20% of the then outstanding votes entitled to be cast on any matter (which we refer to in this proxy statement as the Nonvoting Agreement Prohibition).
As used in the Ownership and Voting Agreement, the term related persons means, with respect to any OTP Holder or OTP Firm:
any broker or dealer with which that OTP Holder or OTP Firm is associated;
any natural person who is an associated person of that OTP Firm;
any other person(s) whose beneficial ownership of shares of Archipelago stock with the power to vote on any matter would be aggregated with that OTP Holder or OTP Firm under SEC regulations;
7
any other person(s) with which that OTP Holder or OTP Firm has any agreement, arrangement or understanding (whether or not in writing) to act together for the purpose of acquiring, voting, holding or disposing of shares of Archipelago stock; and
with respect to any person described above that is a natural person, any relative or spouse of that person, or any relative of such spouse, who has the same home as that person or who is a director or officer of Archipelago or any of its parents or subsidiaries.
For purposes of the Ownership Limitation, no OTP Holder or OTP Firm will be deemed to have any agreement, arrangement or understanding to act together with respect to voting shares of stock of Archipelago solely because that OTP Holder, OTP Firm or any of their related persons, has or shares the power to vote or direct the voting of such shares of stock pursuant to a revocable proxy given in response to a public proxy or consent solicitation conducted pursuant to the proxy rules in federal securities laws, except if such power (or the arrangements relating to such power) is then reportable under Item 6 of Schedule 13D as a contract, arrangement, understanding or relationship with respect to Archipelago stock under the Exchange Act (or any similar provision of a comparable or successor report).
The Voting Limitation and Nonvoting Agreement Prohibition will not apply to:
any solicitation of any revocable proxy from any stockholder of Archipelago by or on behalf of Archipelago or by an officer or director of Archipelago acting on behalf of Archipelago; or
any solicitation of any revocable proxy from any stockholder of Archipelago by any other stockholder that is conducted pursuant to the proxy rules in federal securities laws.
In order to ensure compliance with the Ownership Limitation, Voting Limitation and Nonvoting Agreement Prohibition, as well as the requirement to enter into the Ownership and Voting Agreement pursuant to the proposed PCX rules, the Ownership and Voting Agreement incorporates a series of implementation provisions from the proposed PCX rules. By entering into the Ownership and Voting Agreement, an OTP Holder, OTP Firm or OTP Associate would agree to be subject to the following implementation measures.
In the event that any OTP Holder or OTP Firm, either alone or with its related persons (including any related persons who are OTP Associates of such OTP Holder or OTP Firm), at any time owns beneficially shares of Archipelago stock in excess of the Ownership Limitation, Archipelago will promptly call from such OTP Holder or OTP Firm, or an OTP Associate of such OTP Holder or OTP Firm, at a price per share equal to the par value thereof, shares of Archipelago stock owned by such OTP Holder, OTP Firm or OTP Associate that are necessary to decrease the beneficial ownership of such OTP Holder or OTP Firm, either alone or with its related persons, to 20% of the then outstanding votes entitled to be cast on any matter after giving effect to the redemption of the shares of Archipelago stock.
Solely for purposes of illustration, if there are 1,000,000 votes entitled to be cast in total by stockholders of Archipelago and if an OTP Holder acquires beneficial ownership of shares of Archipelago stock representing in the aggregate 300,000 votes, or 30% of the outstanding votes entitled to be cast on any matter, then Archipelago will have to call such number of shares from this OTP Holder so that the number of votes that this OTP Holder beneficially owns after giving effect to the reduction in this his stake and the consequent reduction in the total number of votes entitled to be cast, is not more than 20% of the new total number of votes entitled to be cast. Thus, using the number provided in this example, Archipelago would have to call shares of Archipelago stock representing in the aggregate 125,000 votes, leaving the OTP Holder with shares of Archipelago stock representing in the aggregate 175,000 votes, or 20% of the new 875,000 votes entitled to be cast in total.
8
Furthermore, assuming there is a second OTP Holder who beneficially owns shares of Archipelago stock representing 190,000 votes, the calling of the shares of the first OTP Holder described above would result in an increase in the second OTP Holders ownership from 19% to 21.7% of the outstanding votes. In this scenario, Archipelago would have to call shares of Archipelago stock representing 20,000 votes from the second OTP Holder and additional shares representing 5,000 votes from the first OTP Holder (for a total of 130,000 shares called from the first OTP Holder) such that upon completion of these calls, each of these two OTP Holders owns shares of Archipelago stock representing 170,000 votes, or 20% of the new 850,000 votes entitled to be cast in total. The changes in the number of shares before and after the calls are illustrated below:
|
|
Number of Votes |
|
% of Total Votes |
|
Before the calls |
|
|
|
|
|
Total |
|
1,000,000 |
|
100 |
% |
First OTP Holder |
|
300,000 |
|
30 |
% |
Second OTP Holder |
|
190,000 |
|
19 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Shares called |
|
|
|
|
|
First OTP Holder |
|
130,000 |
|
|
|
Second OTP Holder |
|
20,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
After the calls |
|
|
|
|
|
Total |
|
850,000 |
|
100 |
% |
First OTP Holder |
|
170,000 |
|
20 |
% |
Second OTP Holder |
|
170,000 |
|
20 |
% |
If any OTP Holder or OTP Firm, either alone or with its related persons (including any related persons who are OTP Associates of such OTP Holder or OTP Firm), acquires the right to vote more than 20% of the then outstanding votes entitled to be cast by stockholders of Archipelago on any matter in violation of the Ownership and Voting Agreement, Archipelago will have the right to vote and will vote such shares of Archipelago stock owned by such OTP Holder, OTP Firm, or an OTP Associate of such OTP Holder or OTP Firm, in excess of the 20% voting limitation in proportion with the results of voting (excluding the excess shares) for the relevant matter at a meeting of Archipelago stockholders.
Solely for purposes of illustration, we will again assume that there are 1,000,000 votes entitled to be cast in total and an OTP Holder has acquired the right to vote shares of Archipelago stock representing 300,000 votes, exceeding the Voting Limitation by 100,000 shares. We will further assume that with respect to a particular proposal submitted for stockholder vote, without taking into account the 100,000 excess shares that this OTP Holder has acquired the right to vote, 600,000 votes were cast by stockholders of Archipelago and of these 600,000 votes, 60% voted in favor of the proposal and 40% voted against the proposal. Archipelago would then vote 60% of the 100,000 excess shares in favor of the proposal and 40% of the 100,000 excess shares against the proposal. The voting of the excess shares by Archipelago would not change the outcome of the vote with respect to this particular proposal: if this proposal requires the approval of a majority of the vote cast by Archipelago stockholders, it would be approved by 60% of the vote cast whether or not we take into account the voting of the excess shares by Archipelago.
In the event of any violation by an OTP Holder or OTP Firm of the Ownership Limitation, Voting Limitation or Nonvoting Agreement Prohibition (including the failure of any OTP Holder, OTP Firm or OTP Associate to enter into the Ownership and Voting Agreement by [], 2005 if they currently own shares of Archipelago stock or are party to or enter into any agreement, plan or other arrangement relating to the voting or ownership of any shares of Archipelago stock, or within five days after the occurrence of certain events as set forth in the proposed PCX rules, or any breach of the Ownership and Voting Agreement by an OTP Holder, OTP Firm or OTP Associate which is a party thereto), PCX will suspend all trading rights and privileges of such OTP Holder or
9
OTP Firm in accordance with the proposed PCX rules, subject to the procedures set forth in the proposed PCX rules. Specifically, in the event of any failure to comply described above, PCX shall:
provide notice to the applicable OTP Holder or OTP Firm within five business days of learning of the failure to comply;
allow the applicable OTP Holder, OTP Firm or an OTP Associate of such OTP Holder or OTP Firm 15 calendar days to cure any such failure to comply;
in the event that the applicable OTP Holder, OTP Firm or OTP Associate does not cure such failure to comply within such 15 calendar day cure period, schedule a hearing to occur within 30 calendar days following the expiration of such 15 calendar day cure period; and
render its decision as to the suspension of all trading rights and privileges of the applicable OTP Holder or OTP Firm no later than ten calendar days following the date of such hearing.
For the avoidance of doubt, the Ownership and Voting Agreement provides that, in the event that any OTP Holder or OTP Firm, either alone or with its related persons (including any related persons who are OTP Associates of such OTP Holder or OTP Firm) has cast votes, in person or by proxy or through any voting agreement or other arrangement, in excess of the Voting Limitation, Archipelago may bring suit against the OTP Entity or OTP Associate, as the case may be, seeking enforcement of the Voting Limitation in accordance with the terms of the Ownership and Voting Agreement.
As set forth in the proposed PCX rules, the Ownership and Voting Agreement provides that each OTP Holder, OTP Firm and OTP Associate who is party to the agreement shall vote, or authorize Archipelago to vote on their behalf, shares of Archipelago stock owned by such OTP Holder, OTP Firm or OTP Associate, as appropriate, in favor of amendments to the certificate of incorporation of Archipelago that incorporate the Ownership Limitation, Voting Limitation and Nonvoting Agreement Prohibition, as well as the related implementation provisions set forth in the proposed PCX rules (or amendments that are substantially similar in substance). These conforming amendments will be presented for your approval at an Archipelago stockholders meeting in the future, as further described in this proxy statement.
The Ownership and Voting Agreement further provides that each OTP Holder, OTP Firm or OTP Associate who is party to the agreement would specifically and irrevocably authorize each of Gerald D. Putnam, Nelson Chai, Kevin J.P. OHara and any other person designated by the Board of Directors of Archipelago, or any of their respective substitutes, as proxies, each with the power to vote all shares of Archipelago stock owned by such OTP Holder, OTP Firm or OTP Associate, as the case may be, under each of the circumstances described above under The Ownership and Voting Agreement and Proposed PCX Rules Implementation of the Ownership and Voting Limitations Voting of Excess Shares by Archipelago and The Ownership and Voting Agreement and Proposed PCX Rules Amendments to the Certificate of Incorporation of Archipelago.
The Ownership and Voting Agreement would not affect the right to dispose shares of Archipelago stock. Any OTP Holder, OTP Firm or OTP Associate who is party to the Ownership and Voting Agreement may dispose shares of Archipelago stock owned by it at any time in accordance with the provisions of the certificate of incorporation and bylaws of Archipelago and applicable laws.
10
Any shares of Archipelago stock acquired by an OTP Holder, OTP Firm or OTP Associate after the execution of the Ownership and Voting Agreement would be subject to the provisions of the Ownership and Voting Agreement as if they were owned by such OTP Holder, OTP Firm or OTP Associate, as the case may be, at the time of the execution of the Ownership and Voting Agreement.
The Ownership and Voting Agreement also requires each OTP Holder or OTP Firm that is party to the agreement to cause any of its OTP Associates (other than OTP Associates who are already parties to the Ownership and Voting Agreement) to enter into the Ownership and Voting Agreement within five calendar days after such OTP Associate:
acquires beneficial ownership of Archipelago stock; or
enters into any agreement, plan or other arrangement relating to the voting or ownership of any shares of Archipelago stock.
The failure of any OTP Associates to execute and deliver the Ownership and Voting Agreement, if they are required to do so pursuant to the proposed PCX rules, will result in the suspension of all trading rights and privileges on PCX of the OTP Holder or OTP Firm with which such OTP Associates are associated.
The Ownership and Voting Agreement contains representations and warranties by each OTP Holder, OTP Firm or OTP Associate who is party to the agreement with respect to the following matters:
status as an OTP Holder or OTP Firm, if applicable;
identity of persons who are deemed OTP Associates of such OTP Holder or OTP Firm;
ownership of shares of Archipelago stock;
power and authority to vote shares of Archipelago stock;
power and authority to execute and deliver the Ownership and Voting Agreement;
absence of conflicting instruments; and
absence of litigation.
With respect to any OTP Holder, OTP Firm or any OTP Associate of such OTP Holder or OTP Firm which is party to the Ownership and Voting Agreement, the Ownership and Voting Agreement may be terminated upon the occurrence of any of the following events:
such OTP Holder, OTP Firm, or, in the case of an OTP Associate, the OTP Holder or OTP Firm with which it is associated, ceases being an OTP Holder or OTP Firm, as appropriate;
such OTP Holder or OTP Firm, or, in the case of an OTP Associate, the OTP Holder or OTP Firm with which it is associated, becomes an ETP holder;
11
after having been filed with and approved by the SEC, the conforming amendments to the Archipelago certificate of incorporation become effective pursuant to the terms of the Archipelago certificate of incorporation (including the approval of such amendments by stockholders of Archipelago);
the Ownership and Voting Agreement is terminated pursuant to the specific approval by the SEC.
In addition to the foregoing, the Ownership and Voting Agreement will also terminate with respect to any OTP Associate that is party to the agreement if such OTP Associate ceases being an associated person, as defined in Section 3(a)(18)of the Exchange Act, of the OTP Holder or OTP Firm that it was previously associated with.
Pursuant to the Ownership and Voting Agreement, each OTP Holder, OTP Firm and OTP Associate who is party to the agreement will be responsible for all costs and expenses (including attorneys fees) incurred by such party in connection with the agreement. In addition, each OTP Holder, OTP Firm and OTP Associate who is party to the Ownership and Voting Agreement will indemnify and hold harmless each of Archipelago, PCX and their affiliates against any costs or expenses, judgments, fines, losses, claims, damages or liabilities arising out of or pertaining to the violation of the Ownership and Voting Agreement by such OTP Holder, OTP Firm or OTP Associate, as the case may be, including the failure of such OTP Holder or OTP Firm to cause certain additional OTP Associates to enter into the Ownership and Voting Agreement pursuant to the terms of the agreement. See The Ownership and Voting Agreement and Proposed PCX Rules Additional OTP Associates.
The Ownership and Voting Agreement will be governed by Delaware law. In addition, any legal action or proceeding with respect to the agreement or for recognition and enforcement of any judgment in respect to the agreement would be brought and determined in the state and federal courts of the State of Delaware. The Ownership and Voting Agreement requires each party to the agreement to submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the state and federal courts of the State of Delaware with respect to any of the foregoing actions or proceedings.
12
The purpose of this proxy statement is to ask certain OTP Holders and OTP Firms of PCX which are not also ETP Holders of PCX, as well as certain of their OTP Associates, to execute the Ownership and Voting Agreement and to appoint the proxies as set forth in the Ownership and Voting Agreement. See The Ownership and Voting Agreement and Proposed PCX Rules Appointment of Proxies.
We are asking you to specifically and irrevocably authorize each of Gerald D. Putnam, Nelson Chai, Kevin J.P. OHara and any other person designated by the Board of Directors of Archipelago, or any of their respective substitutes, as proxies, each with the power to vote all shares of Archipelago stock owned by such OTP Holder, OTP Firm or OTP Associate, as the case may be, under each of the circumstances described above under The Ownership and Voting Agreement and Proposed PCX Rules Implementation of the Ownership and Voting Limitations Voting of Excess Shares by Archipelago and The Ownership and Voting Agreement and Proposed PCX Rules Amendments to the Certificate of Incorporation of Archipelago, specifically, to:
vote any shares of Archipelago stock owned by you in excess of 20% voting limitations set forth in the proposed PCX rules in proportion with the results of voting (excluding such excess shares of Archipelago stock) for any matter at any meeting of the stockholders of Archipelago; and
vote, or authorize Archipelago to vote on their behalf, shares of Archipelago stock owned by such you in favor of amendments to the certificate of incorporation of Archipelago that incorporate the Ownership Limitation, Voting Limitation and Nonvoting Agreement Prohibition, as well as the related implementation provisions set forth in the proposed PCX rules (or amendments that are substantially similar in substance).
As discussed in this proxy statement, the conforming amendments will be presented for your approval at an Archipelago stockholders meeting in the future, as further described in this proxy statement.
The form of the ownership and voting agreement attached to this proxy statement is based on the proposed PCX rules. Depending on the outcome of the SEC approval process of the proposed PCX rules, the ownership and voting agreement may change before it is mailed to you for execution. The final ownership and voting agreement that you will be required to execute will be mailed to you along with a definitive copy of this proxy statement. The final rules approved by the SEC will also be set forth in the definitive copy of this proxy statement.
Once you have received the final Ownership and Voting Agreement, please:
sign the Ownership and Voting Agreement;
fill out the forms that are attached as exhibits to the Ownership and Voting Agreement; and
return the documents to [].
The exhibits will require each OTP Holder, OTP Firm and OTP Associate who is required to execute the Ownership and Voting Agreement to disclose, among other things, its name, address, the number of shares of Archipelago common stock that it owns, as well as any agreements, plans or arrangements that it has entered into with respect to the voting of shares of Archipelago stock.
13
If you need any assistance with such matters, please contact Archipelago Holdings, Inc. at the following address or telephone number:
Archipelago Holdings, Inc.
Attention: Investor Relations
100 South Wacker Drive, Suite 1800
Chicago, Illinois 60606
Telephone: 1-888-514-7284.
Any proxy you grant to Archipelago by executing the accompanying Ownership and Voting Agreement will be irrevocable, except that it will be revoked upon the termination of the Ownership and Voting Agreement pursuant to its terms. See The Ownership and Voting Agreement and Proposed PCX Rules Termination.
Directors, officers and employees of Archipelago and its subsidiaries, including PCX, may solicit proxies on behalf of the Archipelago Board of Directors via regular or electronic mail, telephone, fax, and personal contact.
Archipelago will pay the cost of soliciting proxies. Directors, officers and employees of Archipelago and its subsidiaries, including PCX, will receive no additional compensation for soliciting proxies. Archipelago will reimburse PCX for the reasonable mailing and other expenses they incur in forwarding proxy materials to any OTP Holder, OTP Firm or OTP Associates.
The directors and executive officers of Archipelago do not have any substantial interest, direct or indirect, by security holdings or otherwise, in the proposed PCX rules described in this proxy statement or the grant of the proxies in connection with the Ownership and Voting Agreement.
As of the date of this proxy statement, there are [] OTP Holders and [] OTP Firms. [] of the OTP Firms are also ETP Holders. We do not have any information on the number of OTP Associates as of the date of this proxy statement.
OTP Holders, OTP Firms and OTP Associates are not entitled to any appraisal rights under the Delaware General Corporation Law in connection with the solicitation of proxies described in this proxy statement.
We have undertaken to the SEC that prior to the earlier of the 2006 annual meeting of our stockholders and the first stockholders meeting after the completion of the acquisition of PCX Holdings (other than any meeting or meetings held to consider our proposed business combination with the New York Stock Exchange, Inc. (NYSE)), our Board of Directors will propose amendments to our certificate of incorporation that incorporate the Ownership Limitation, the Voting Limitation and the Nonvoting Agreement Prohibition, as well as the related implementation provisions set forth in the proposed PCX rules (or amendments that are substantially similar in substance).
14
Prior to the relevant stockholders meeting, our Board of Directors will set a record date in accordance with the applicable provisions of the Delaware General Corporation Law and our By-laws, and any stockholder of record of our common stock at the close of business on the record date will be entitled to vote on the amendments to our certificate of incorporation at such stockholders meeting. At such meeting, each stockholder will be entitled to one vote for each share of Archipelago common stock owned by such stockholder, subject to the voting limitations in our certificate of incorporation and the proposed PCX rules, if they are approved by the SEC. As of August 12, 2005, 47,255,793 shares of Archipelago common stock were issued and outstanding and Archipelago had no other class of equity securities issued and outstanding. The number of shares of Archipelago common stock issued and outstanding on the record date for the relevant stockholders meeting may be more or less than such number of shares. On April 20, 2005, Archipelago entered into an agreement and plan of merger with NYSE, pursuant to which Archipelago and NYSE agreed to combine their businesses and become wholly-owned subsidiaries of NYSE Group, Inc., a for-profit Delaware corporation. If the proposed business combination with NYSE closes, all of the outstanding capital stock of Archipelago will be owned by NYSE Group, Inc.
Stockholders who wish to present proposals for inclusion in the proxy statement for our 2006 annual meeting of stockholders must submit their proposals following the procedures in Rule 14a-8 under the Exchange Act. To be eligible for inclusion in such proxy statement, a stockholder proposal must be delivered to Kevin J.P. OHara, Chief Administrative Officer, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary of the Company, at the principal executive offices of the Company, Archipelago Holdings, Inc., Attention: Secretary, 100 South Wacker Drive, Suite 1800, Chicago, Illinois, 60606, on or before November 30, 2005.
In accordance with our By-laws, in order for any stockholders proposal to be properly brought before the 2006 annual meeting of stockholders, a stockholders notice of the proposal must be delivered to Kevin J.P. OHara, Chief Administrative Officer, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary at the principal executive offices of the Company, Archipelago Holdings, Inc., Attention: Secretary, 100 South Wacker Drive, Suite 1800, Chicago, Illinois 60606, not less than 90 nor more than 120 days prior to the first anniversary of the date of our 2005 annual meeting of stockholders, which was held on May 10, 2005. As a result, any notice given by or on behalf of a stockholder pursuant to these provisions of our By-laws (and not pursuant to Rule 14a-8 under the Exchange Act) must be received no earlier than January 10, 2006 and no later than February 9, 2006.
15
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT
The following table sets forth information, as of the date of this proxy statement, regarding the beneficial ownership of our common stock by:
each person that is a beneficial owner of more than 5% of our outstanding common stock;
each of our named executive officers;
each of our directors and director nominees; and
all directors and named executive officers as a group.
Beneficial ownership is determined under the rules of the SEC and generally includes voting or investment power over securities. Except in cases where community property laws apply or as indicated in the footnotes to this table, we believe that each stockholder identified in the table possesses sole voting and investment power over all shares of common stock shown as beneficially owned by the stockholder. Percentage of beneficial ownership is based on approximately 47,255,793 shares of common stock outstanding as of August 12, 2005. Shares of common stock subject to options that are currently exercisable or that are exercisable within 60 days of the date of this proxy statement, are considered outstanding and beneficially owned by the person holding the options for purposes of computing the percentage ownership of that person but are not treated as outstanding for the purpose of computing the percentage ownership of any other person. Unless indicated otherwise in the footnotes, the address of each individual listed in the table is c/o Archipelago Holdings, Inc., 100 South Wacker Drive, Suite 1800, Chicago, Illinois, 60606.
|
|
Number of shares of |
|
Percent Ownership |
|
Stockholders Owning Approximately 5% Or More: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Investment
entities affiliated with General Atlantic LLC |
|
10,380,505 |
(1) |
22.0 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
The Goldman
Sachs Group, Inc. |
|
7,305,722 |
(2) |
15.5 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Directors: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Richard C. Breeden |
|
25,000 |
|
|
* |
James J. McNulty |
|
5,000 |
|
|
* |
Gerald D. Putnam |
|
1,339,571 |
(3) |
2.8 |
% |
Stuart M. Robbins |
|
7,500 |
|
|
* |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Non-Director Executives: |
|
|
|
|
|
Michael Cormack |
|
165, 556 |
(4) |
|
* |
Nelson Chai |
|
153,611 |
(5) |
|
* |
Kevin J.P. OHara |
|
153,611 |
(6) |
|
* |
Steven Rubinow |
|
103,611 |
(7) |
|
* |
|
|
|
|
|
|
All directors, nominees, named executive officers and other executive officers as a group (14 persons in total) |
|
2,004, 502 |
|
4.2 |
% |
* Less than 1%
16
(1) Includes (a) 7,193,963 shares of Common Stock held by General Atlantic Partners 77, L.P. (GAP 77); (b) 2,437,604 shares of Common Stock held by GAP-W Holdings, L.P. (GAP-W); (c) 605,064 shares of Common Stock held by GAP Coinvestment Partners II, L.P. (GAPCO II); (d) 129,835 shares of Common Stock held by GapStar, LLC (GapStar); and (e) 14,039 shares of Common Stock held by GAPCO GmbH & Co. KG (GAPCO KG). General Atlantic LLC (GA LLC) is the general partner of GAP 77, the general partner of GAP-W and the sole member of GapStar. The general partners of GAPCO II are Managing Directors of GA LLC. GAPCO Management GmbH (GAPCO Management) is the general partner of GAPCO KG. The managing members of GA LLC make voting and investment decisions with respect to GAPCO Management and GAPCO KG. GA LLC, GAP 77, GAP-W, GapStar, GAPCO II, GAPCO KG and GAPCO Management (collectively, the GA Group) are a group within the meaning of Rule 13d-5 of the Exchange Act. William E. Ford, a director of the Company, is President and a Managing Director of GA LLC and a general partner of GAPCO II. In addition, the other Managing Directors of GA LLC are Steven A. Denning, Peter L. Bloom, Mark F. Dzialga, Klaus Esser, Vince Feng, William O. Grabe, Abhay Havaldar, David C. Hodgson, Braden R. Kelly, Rene M. Kern, Marc F. McMorris, Matthew Nimetz, Franchon M. Smithson, Philip P. Trahanas, Tom C. Tinsley and Florian P. Wendelstadt. Other than their interest in GA LLC and the GA Group, these individuals are not affiliated with Archipelago or its management.
(2) Based solely on information on Schedule 13-G dated February 14, 2005 by The Goldman Sachs Group Inc and its affiliated entities and includes (a) 5,877,797 shares of Common Stock held by Goldman Sachs Execution and Clearing, L.P. (formerly Spear, Leeds & Kellogg, L.P.); (b) 1,264,877 shares of Common Stock held by GS Archipelago Investment, L.L.C.; and (c) 163,048 shares of Common Stock held by SLK-Hull Derivatives L.L.C.
(3) Includes 1,204,848 shares of Common Stock held by GSP, L.L.C. Mr. Putnam owns a controlling interest in GSP, L.L.C. as well as options to purchase 134,723 shares of Common Stock exercisable within 60 days. Does not include 240,585 shares of Common Stock held by Terra Nova Trading, L.L.C., in which Mr. Putnam and his wife indirectly own an interest of approximately 40%.
(4) Represents options to purchase 153,611 shares of Common Stock directly exercisable by Mr. Cormack within 60 days. Also includes options to purchase 11,945 shares of Common Stock exercisable by Mr. Cormacks spouse within 60 days; however, Mr. Cormack disclaims beneficial ownership as to such options and the underlying securities.
(5) Represents options to purchase 153,611 shares of Common Stock directly exercisable by Mr. Chai within 60 days.
(6) Represents options to purchase 153,611 shares of Common Stock directly exercisable by Mr. OHara within 60 days.
(7) Represents options to purchase 103,611 shares of Common Stock directly exercisable by Mr. Rubinow within 60 days.
17
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION
Archipelago files annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. You may read and copy any reports, statements or other information they file at the SECs public reference rooms in Washington, D.C., New York, New York and Chicago, Illinois. Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information on the public reference rooms. Archipelago filings with the SEC are also available to the public at the SECs website at http://www.sec.gov.
The SEC allows us to incorporate by reference into this document, documents filed with the SEC by Archipelago. This means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to those documents. The information incorporated by reference is considered to be a part of this document, except for any information superseded by information contained directly in this document. We incorporate by reference the documents listed below:
Archipelago Filings |
|
Filing Date |
|
|
|
|
|
Current Report on Form 8-K |
|
January 4, 2005 |
|
Current Report on Form 8-K |
|
July 22, 2005 |
|
You may also obtain copies of any document incorporated by reference in this document, free of charge, by directing a request to Archipelago Holdings, Inc., Attention: Investor Relations, 100 South Wacker Drive, Suite 1800, Chicago, Illinois 60606, or by calling (888) 514-7284.
You may also find the proposed rules, as well as any amendments that PCX may file with respect to them, on the SECs website at http://www.sec.gov.
18
FORM OF OWNERSHIP AND VOTING AGREEMENT AND PROXY
This OWNERSHIP AND VOTING AGREEMENT AND PROXY (this Agreement), dated as of , 200 , is by and among Archipelago Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation (Archipelago), Pacific Exchange, Inc., a Delaware corporation and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Archipelago (PCX), the person set forth under the caption OTP Entity on Exhibit A hereto (the OTP Entity), and the person or persons set forth under the caption OTP Associates on Exhibit A hereto (each, an OTP Associate).
WHEREAS, the OTP Entity is an OTP Holder or OTP Firm of PCX, as appropriate (as such term is defined in the rules of PCX) which does not hold an Equities Trading Permit (as such term is defined in the rules of PCX) of PCX;
WHEREAS, the OTP Entity (a) owns beneficially shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share, of Archipelago (the Common Stock) or (b) has entered into an agreement, plan or other arrangement relating to the voting or ownership of any shares of Common Stock;
WHEREAS, each OTP Associate is an associated person (as defined in Section 3(a)(18) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the Exchange Act)) of the OTP Entity which (a) owns beneficially shares of Common Stock or (b) has entered into any agreement, plan or other arrangement relating to the voting or ownership of any shares of Common Stock; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to Rule 3.4(c) of PCX, as a condition to the OTP Entitys continued enjoyment of all trading rights and privileges on PCX and PCX Entities, Inc., the OTP Entity and each OTP Associate is required to enter into this Agreement with Archipelago and PCX to make certain representations, warranties, covenants and agreements set forth herein related to the ownership and voting of shares of Common Stock by the OTP Entity and the OTP Associates, respectively.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and the respective representations, warranties, covenants and agreements set forth herein, and intending to be legally bound hereby, each of the parties hereto agree as follows:
Section 1. Representations and Warranties of the OTP Entity. The OTP Entity hereby represents and warrants to each of Archipelago and PCX as follows:
(a) Status.
(i) The OTP Entity is an OTP Holder or OTP Firm of PCX, as appropriate, and does not hold an Equities Trading Permit of PCX.
(ii) Other than the OTP Associates, there are no other associated persons (as defined in Section 3(a)(18) of the Exchange Act) of the OTP Entity which (a) own beneficially shares of Common Stock or (b) have entered into any agreement, plan or other arrangement relating to the voting or ownership of any shares of Common Stock.
(b) Shares.
(i) As of the date hereof, the OTP Entity beneficially owns (as such term is defined in the certificate of incorporation of Archipelago (the Archipelago Certificate of Incorporation), the number of shares of Common Stock set forth on Exhibit B-1 hereto, if any (such shares, including any Additional Shares (as hereinafter defined), the Shares of such OTP Entity).
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(ii) Except as set forth on Exhibit B-1, as of the date hereof, the OTP Entity does not own or hold any right to acquire any additional shares of any class of capital stock of Archipelago or other securities of Archipelago or any interest therein.
(iii) As of the date hereof and for so long as this Agreement shall remain in effect, the OTP Entity has, and at all times shall have, sufficient legal power, authority, right and title to own, dispose of (including by operation of a call), vote, grant proxies with respect to, and perform all other actions contemplated by this Agreement with respect to, the Shares (including, for the avoidance of doubt, any Additional Shares) of the OTP Entity.
(c) Voting. Other than as set forth in Exhibit C-1 hereto, the OTP Entity has not entered, and for so long as this Agreement remains in effect, shall not enter, into any voting agreement, arrangement or understanding (other than this Agreement) with any person or entity with respect to any of the OTP Entitys Shares, granted any person or entity any proxy (revocable or irrevocable) or power of attorney with respect to any of the OTP Entitys Shares, deposited any of the OTP Entitys Shares in a voting trust or entered into any agreement, plan or other arrangement with any person or entity limiting or affecting his legal power, authority or right to vote the Shares on any matter, in each case inconsistent with the OTP Entitys obligations under this Agreement.
(d) Authority. The OTP Entity has all requisite legal power, authority and right to execute and deliver, and to perform its obligations under, this Agreement and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby. Unless the OTP Entity is a natural person, the OTP Entity is duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of its jurisdiction of incorporation or organization (as applicable). This Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the OTP Entity and constitutes a valid and binding obligation of the OTP Entity enforceable against the OTP Entity in accordance with its terms.
(e) Conflicting Instruments. The execution and delivery of this Agreement and the performance by the OTP Entity of the OTP Entitys agreements and obligations hereunder will not result in any breach or violation of or be in conflict with or constitute a default under any term of any agreement, judgment, injunction, order, decree, law, regulation or arrangement to which the OTP Entity is a party or by which the OTP Entity (or any of the OTP Entitys assets or properties) is bound, except for any such breach, violation, conflict or default which, individually or in the aggregate, would not reasonably be expected to impair or adversely affect the OTP Entitys ability to perform the OTP Entitys obligations under this Agreement or render inaccurate in any material respect any of the representations made herein by the OTP Entity; and no authorization, consent or approval of any Governmental Entity (as defined below), any Self Regulatory Organization (as defined below), OPRA (as defined below) or any other person is necessary for the execution of this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby by the OTP Entity. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, none of (i) the execution and delivery of this Agreement by the OTP Entity, (ii) the consummation by the OTP Entity of the transactions contemplated hereby and (iii) compliance by the OTP Entity with any of the provisions hereof shall (x) conflict with or result in any breach of the organizational documents of the OTP Entity (if any), (y) result in, or give rise to, a violation or breach of or a default under (with or without notice or lapse of time, or both) any of the terms of any material contract, trust agreement, loan or credit agreement, note, bond, mortgage, indenture, lease, permit, understanding, agreement or other instrument or obligation to which the OTP Entity is a party or by which any OTP Entity or any of the OTP Entitys Shares or assets may be bound, or (z) violate any applicable order, writ, injunction, decree, judgment, statute, rule or regulation, except for any of the foregoing which, individually or in the aggregate, would not impair or adversely affect in any way the OTP Entitys ability to perform its obligations under this Agreement or render inaccurate in any material respect any of the representations made herein by the OTP Entity. The term: (A) Governmental Entity means any governmental or regulatory authority, agency, commission, body or other governmental or regulatory entity, domestic or foreign, including, without limitation, the Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC); (B) Self-Regulatory Organization means the NASD, the New York Stock Exchange, Inc. or any other U.S. or foreign securities exchange, commission, board, agency or body that is not a Governmental Entity but is charged with the supervision or regulation of brokers, dealers, securities underwriting or trading, stock exchanges, commodities exchanges, ECNs, insurance companies or agents, investment companies or investment advisers; and (C) OPRA means the Options Price Reporting Authority.
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(f) Litigation. As of the date hereof, there is no action, proceeding or investigation pending or, to the OTP Entitys knowledge, threatened, against the OTP Entity that would call into question the validity of this Agreement, the OTP Entitys performance of any of its obligations under this Agreement or any action taken or to be taken by the OTP Entity in connection with this Agreement.
Section 2. Representations and Warranties of OTP Associates. Each OTP Associate hereby represents and warrants, as to itself, to each of Archipelago and PCX as follows:
(a) Shares.
(i) As of the date hereof, the OTP Associate beneficially owns (as such term is defined in the Archipelago Certificate of Incorporation), the number of shares of Common Stock set forth on Exhibit B-2 hereto, if any (such shares, including any Additional Shares (as hereinafter defined), the Shares of such OTP Associate).
(ii) Except as set forth on Exhibit B-2, as of the date hereof, the OTP Associate does not own or hold any right to acquire any additional shares of any class of capital stock of Archipelago or other securities of Archipelago or any interest therein.
(iii) As of the date hereof and for so long as this Agreement shall remain in effect, the OTP Associate has, and at all times shall have, sufficient legal power, authority, right and title to own, dispose of (including by operation of a call), vote, grant proxies with respect to, and perform all other actions contemplated by this Agreement with respect to, the Shares (including, for the avoidance of doubt, any Additional Shares) of such OTP Associate.
(b) Voting. Other than as set forth in Exhibit C-2 hereto, the OTP Associate has not entered, and for so long as this Agreement remains in effect, shall not enter, into any voting agreement, arrangement or understanding (other than this Agreement) with any person or entity with respect to any of the OTP Associates Shares, granted any person or entity any proxy (revocable or irrevocable) or power of attorney with respect to any of the OTP Associates Shares, deposited any of the OTP Associates Shares in a voting trust or entered into any agreement, plan or other arrangement with any person or entity limiting or affecting his legal power, authority or right to vote the Shares on any matter, in each case inconsistent with the OTP Associates obligations under this Agreement.
(c) Authority. The OTP Associate has all requisite legal power, authority and right to execute and deliver, and to perform its obligations under, this Agreement and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby. Unless the OTP Associate is a natural person, the OTP Associate is duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of its jurisdiction of incorporation or organization (as applicable). This Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the OTP Associate and constitutes a valid and binding obligation of the OTP Associate enforceable against the OTP Associate in accordance with its terms. The OTP Associate is not a trust requiring consent of any beneficiary for the execution and delivery of this Agreement or the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby.
(d) Conflicting Instruments. The execution and delivery of this Agreement and the performance by the OTP Associate of the OTP Associates agreements and obligations hereunder will not result in any breach or violation of or be in conflict with or constitute a default under any term of any agreement, judgment, injunction, order, decree, law, regulation or arrangement to which the OTP Associate is a party or by which the OTP Associate (or any of the OTP Associates assets or properties) is bound, except for any such breach, violation, conflict or default which, individually or in the aggregate, would not reasonably be expected to impair or adversely affect the OTP Associates ability to perform the OTP Associates obligations under this Agreement or render inaccurate in any material respect any of the representations made herein by the OTP Associate; and no authorization, consent or approval of any Governmental Entity, any Self Regulatory Organization, OPRA or any
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other person is necessary for the execution of this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby by the OTP Associate. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, none of (i) the execution and delivery of this Agreement by the OTP Associate, (ii) the consummation by the OTP Associate of the transactions contemplated hereby and (iii) compliance by the OTP Associate with any of the provisions hereof shall (x) conflict with or result in any breach of the organizational documents of the OTP Associate (if any), (y) result in, or give rise to, a violation or breach of or a default under (with or without notice or lapse of time, or both) any of the terms of any material contract, trust agreement, loan or credit agreement, note, bond, mortgage, indenture, lease, permit, understanding, agreement or other instrument or obligation to which the OTP Associate is a party or by which any OTP Associate or any of the OTP Associates Shares or assets may be bound, or (z) violate any applicable order, writ, injunction, decree, judgment, statute, rule or regulation, except for any of the foregoing which, individually or in the aggregate, would not impair or adversely affect in any way the OTP Associates ability to perform its obligations under this Agreement or render inaccurate in any material respect any of the representations made herein by the OTP Associate.
(e) Litigation. As of the date hereof, there is no action, proceeding or investigation pending or, to the OTP Associates knowledge, threatened, against the OTP Associate that would call into question the validity of this Agreement, the OTP Associates performance of any of its obligations under this Agreement or any action taken or to be taken by the OTP Associate in connection with this Agreement.
Section 3. Covenants OTP Entity and OTP Associates. Each of the OTP Entity and each OTP Associate hereby agrees as follows:
(a) Ownership Limitation. Until the termination of this Agreement in accordance with the provisions of Section 13 of this Agreement, the OTP Entity shall not, either alone or with its Related Persons (as defined in Rule 1.1(gg) of PCX), at any time own beneficially shares of Common Stock representing in the aggregate more than 20% of the then outstanding votes entitled to be cast on any matter under the Archipelago Certificate of Incorporation at any meeting of the stockholders of Archipelago (or any action by prior written consent) after the date hereof (the Ownership Limitation). For purposes of the Ownership Limitation, the OTP Entity shall not be deemed to have any agreement, plan, arrangement or understanding to act together with respect to voting shares of Common Stock solely because the OTP Entity, or any of such OTP Entitys Related Persons has, or shares, the power to vote or direct the voting of such shares of Common Stock pursuant to a revocable proxy given in response to a public proxy or consent solicitation conducted pursuant to, and in accordance with, Regulation 14A promulgated pursuant to the Exchange Act, except if such power (or the arrangements relating thereto) is then reportable under Item 6 of Schedule 13D under the Exchange Act (or any similar provision of a comparable or successor report).
(b) Voting Limitation and Non-Voting Agreement Prohibition. Until the termination of this Agreement in accordance with the provisions of Section 13 of the Agreement, at any meeting of the stockholders of Archipelago (or any action by prior written consent) after the date hereof at which the OTP Entity is entitled to vote under the Archipelago Certificate of Incorporation: (i) the OTP Entity shall not, either alone or together with its Related Persons, as of any record date for the determination of stockholders of Archipelago entitled to vote on such matter, have the right to vote, vote or cause the voting of shares of Common Stock, in person or by proxy or through any voting agreement, plan or other arrangement, representing in the aggregate more than 20% of the then outstanding votes entitled to be cast on such matter (the Voting Limitation), and (ii) the OTP Entity shall not, either alone or together with its Related Persons, enter into any agreement, plan or other arrangement relating to shares of Common Stock, with any other Person, either alone or with its Related Persons, under circumstances which would result in shares of Common Stock that would be subject to such agreement, plan or other arrangement not being voted on any matter, or the withholding of any proxy relating thereto, where the effect of such agreement, plan or other arrangement would be to enable any Person (as defined in Rule 1.1(v)), either alone or with its Related Persons, to vote, possess the right to vote or cause the voting of shares of Common Stock which would, as a result thereof, represent in the aggregate more than 20% of the then outstanding votes entitled to be cast on such matter (the Nonvoting Agreement Prohibition). Neither the Voting Limitation nor the Nonvoting Agreement Prohibition shall apply to (x) any solicitation of any revocable proxy from any stockholder of Archipelago by or on behalf of
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Archipelago or by an officer or director of Archipelago acting on behalf of Archipelago or (y) any solicitation of any revocable proxy from any stockholder of Archipelago by any other stockholder that is conducted pursuant to, and in accordance with, Regulation 14A promulgated pursuant to the Exchange Act.
(c) Implementation.
(i) Calling of Shares of Common Stock.
(x) In the event that the OTP Entity, either alone or with its Related Persons (including, without limitation, any Related Person that is an OTP Associate or any other associated person (as defined in Section 3(a)(18) of the Exchange Act) of the OTP Entity), at any time owns beneficially shares of Common Stock in excess of the Ownership Limitation, the OTP Entity and each OTP Associate agrees as to itself that Archipelago shall promptly call from such OTP Entity or OTP Associate, as the case may be, for a price per share of Common Stock equal to the par value thereof, the number of shares of Common Stock owned by the OTP Entity or OTP Associate, as the case may be, necessary to decrease the beneficial ownership of the OTP Entity, either alone or with its Related Persons, to 20% of the then outstanding votes entitled to be cast on any matter after giving effect to the redemption of the shares of Common Stock from such OTP Entity or OTP Associate, as the case may be.
(y) In the event Archipelago shall call shares of Common Stock pursuant to the above paragraph, notice of such call shall be given promptly by first class mail, postage prepaid, to the holder of the shares of Common Stock to be so called, at such holders address as the same appears on the stock register of Archipelago. Each such notice shall state: (1) the call date; (2) the number of shares to be called; (3) the aggregate call price; and (4) the place or places where shares are to be surrendered for payment of the call price. Failure to give notice as aforesaid, or any defect therein, shall not affect the validity of the call of the shares. From and after the call date (unless default shall be made by Archipelago in providing funds for the payment of the call price), shares which have been called as aforesaid shall be cancelled, shall no longer be deemed to be outstanding, and all rights of the holder of such shares as a stockholder of Archipelago (except the right to receive from Archipelago the call price against delivery to Archipelago of evidence of ownership of such shares) shall cease. Upon surrender in accordance with said notice of evidence of ownership of the shares of Archipelago stock so called (properly assigned for transfer, if the board of directors of Archipelago shall so require and the notice shall so state), such shares shall be called by Archipelago at par value.
(ii) Voting of Excess Shares by Archipelago. If the OTP Entity, either alone or with its Related Persons (including, without limitation, any Related Person that is an OTP Associate or any other associated person (as defined in Section 3(a)(18) of the Exchange Act) of the OTP Entity), acquires the right to vote more than 20% of the then outstanding votes entitled to be cast by stockholders of Archipelago on any matter in violation of this Agreement, Archipelago shall have the right to vote and shall vote such shares of Common Stock owned by the OTP Entity or any OTP Associate, as the case may be, in excess of the 20% voting limitation in proportion with the results of voting (excluding such excess shares of Common Stock) for such matter at any meeting of the stockholders of Archipelago (or any action by written consent) after the date hereof.
(iii) Disciplinary Action. The OTP Entity shall be subject to the disciplinary action prescribed by Rule 13.2(a)(2)(E) of PCX in the event of any violation of Rule 3.4 of PCX, including, without limitation, the failure of the OTP Entity or the OTP Associates or any other associated person (as defined in Section 3(a)(18) of the Exchange Act) of the OTP Entity to enter into this Agreement as required by Rule 3.4(c) of PCX within the applicable time periods specified therein or any breach of this Agreement by the OTP Entity or an OTP Associate or any other associated person (as defined in Section 3(a)(18) of the Exchange Act) of the OTP Entity, as the case may be.
(iv) Judicial Action. For the avoidance of doubt, in the event that the OTP Entity, either alone or with its Related Persons (including, without limitation, any Related Person that is an OTP Associate
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or any other associated person (as defined in Section 3(a)(18) of the Exchange Act) of the OTP Entity) has cast votes, in person or by proxy or through any voting agreement or other arrangement, in excess of the Voting Limitation, Archipelago may bring suit against the OTP Entity or OTP Associate, as the case may be, seeking enforcement of the Voting Limitation in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.
(d) Amendments to Archipelago Certificate of Incorporation. Each of the OTP Entity and each OTP Associate agrees to vote, or to authorize Archipelago to vote on its behalf, all shares of Common Stock beneficially owned by such OTP Entity and each OTP Associate at the time of the relevant meeting of stockholders of Archipelago (or any action by written consent) in favor of amendments to the Archipelago Certificate of Incorporation that would amend the Archipelago Certificate of Incorporation to incorporate the Ownership Limitation, the Voting Limitation and the Nonvoting Agreement Prohibition described in Rule 3.4(a) and (b) of PCX, and the implementation provisions that are substantially similar to those set forth in Rule 3.4(d) of PCX or, in each case, substantially similar amendments (the Conforming Charter Amendments), which will be proposed by the board of directors of Archipelago to the stockholders of Archipelago for their approval after the date hereof.
(e) Appointment of a Proxy.
(i) To further the purposes and effect of Sections 3(c)(ii) and 3(d) of this Agreement, each of the OTP Entity and each OTP Associate hereby specifically and irrevocably authorizes each of Gerald D. Putnam, Nelson Chai, Kevin J.P. OHara and any other person or persons designated by the board of directors of Archipelago, or any of their respective substitutes, as proxies, each with the power of substitution, to represent and vote all shares of the Common Stock owned by such OTP Entity or OTP Associate, as the case may be, with all the powers which the OTP Entity or OTP Associate would possess, in each case in the manner and under the circumstances set forth in Sections 3(c)(ii) and 3(d) of this Agreement.
(ii) For the avoidance of doubt and without limitation to anything else set forth in this Agreement: (v) each of the OTP Entity and each OTP Associate has full power and authority to grant, and has duly authorized, this proxy; (w) this proxy is valid and binding upon each of the OTP Entity and each OTP Associate; (x) each of the OTP Entity and each OTP Associate agrees that the proxy granted hereby shall be enforceable in accordance with its terms and the terms of this Agreement, shall be irrevocable commencing on the date hereof and shall not be terminable by operation of law, dissolution, bankruptcy or insolvency of the OTP Entity or such OTP Associate, as the case may be, or for any other reason, until the termination of this Agreement pursuant to its terms; (y) each of the OTP Entity and each OTP Associate further agrees that this proxy is expressly stated and deemed to be coupled with an interest sufficient to support this irrevocable proxy; and (z) to the extent (if any) any provision of this proxy is deemed invalid or unenforceable by its scope but may be made valid or enforceable by limitations hereon, each of the OTP Entity and each OTP Associate intends that this proxy shall be valid and enforceable to the fullest extent permitted by law.
(f) Further Assurances. Each of the OTP Entity and each OTP Associate hereby agrees not to commit or agree to take any of the foregoing actions or take any action (other than any actions that are expressly permitted by this Agreement) that would have the effect of preventing, impeding, interfering with or adversely affecting the OTP Entitys or OTP Associates ability to perform its obligations under this Agreement.
(g) Disposition of Shares. For the avoidance of doubt, notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, the OTP Entity and each OTP Associate may dispose of its respective Shares at any time in accordance with the provisions of the certificate of incorporation and bylaws of Archipelago and applicable law.
Section 4. Additional Associated Persons. The OTP Entity hereby agrees that it will cause each associated person (as defined in Section 3(a)(18) of the Exchange Act) of the OTP Entity, other than the OTP Associates which are parties hereto, to become a party to this Agreement within five calendar days of such person (a) acquiring beneficial ownership of shares of Common Stock or (b) entering into any agreement, plan or other arrangement relating to the voting or ownership of any shares of Common Stock.
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Section 5. Additional Shares.
(a) If, after the date hereof, the OTP Entity or any OTP Associate acquires beneficial ownership of any additional shares of capital stock of Archipelago (or any shares of capital stock in the event that the OTP Entity or such OTP Associate does not own any Shares as of the date hereof) (any such shares, Additional Shares), including upon exercise of any option, warrant or other right to acquire shares of capital stock of Archipelago or through any stock dividend or stock split, the provisions of this Agreement applicable to the Shares (including, without limitation, the respective representations, warranties and covenants contained in this Agreement) shall thereafter be applicable to such Additional Shares as if such Additional Shares had been Shares of the OTP Holder or such OTP Associate, as the case may be, as of such date. The provisions of the immediately preceding sentence shall be effective with respect to Additional Shares, without action by any person or entity, immediately upon the acquisition by the OTP Entity or such OTP Associate of beneficial ownership of such Additional Shares.
(b) The OTP Entity or the relevant OTP Associate shall promptly notify Archipelago in the event of its acquisition of any Additional Shares, in accordance with Section 14 of this Agreement.
Section 6. Disclosure. Each of the OTP Entity and OTP Associates hereby authorizes Archipelago and PCX to disclose in any document furnished to the staff of, or publicly filed with, the Securities and Exchange Commission its identity and ownership of shares of Common Stock and the nature of its commitments, arrangements and understandings pursuant to this Agreement.
Section 7. Severability. The provisions of this Agreement shall be deemed severable and the invalidity or unenforceability of any provision shall not affect the validity or enforceability or the other provisions hereof. If any provision of this Agreement, or the application thereof to any person or any circumstance, is invalid or unenforceable, (a) a suitable and equitable provision shall be substituted therefor in order to carry out, so far as may be valid and enforceable, the intent and purpose of such invalid or unenforceable provision and (b) the remainder of this Agreement and the application of such provision to other persons or circumstances shall not be affected by such invalidity or unenforceability, nor shall such invalidity or unenforceability affect the validity or enforceability of such provision, or the application thereof, in any other jurisdiction.
Section 8. Executed in Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in separate counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original and all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument.
Section 9. Specific Performance. Each of the OTP Entity and each OTP Associate acknowledges and agrees that its covenants, obligations and agreements contained in this Agreement relate to special, unique and extraordinary matters, and that Archipelago and PCX would be irreparably damaged as a result of any violation of such covenants, obligations and agreements contained in this Agreement. Therefore, the OTP Entity and each OTP Associate agrees that: (a) each of Archipelago and PCX shall be entitled to an injunction, restraining order or such other equitable relief (without the requirement to post bond) as a court of competent jurisdiction may deem necessary or appropriate to restrain the OTP Entity or OTP Associate, as appropriate, from committing any violation of such covenants, obligations or agreements; and (b) the OTP Entity or such OTP Associate, as the case may be, shall not contest the entry of such injunction, restraining order or other equitable relief on the basis that there is a remedy available in law or that equitable relief is not otherwise warranted or permitted.
Section 10. Governing Law; Submission to Jurisdiction.
(a) This Agreement shall be deemed to be made in, and in all respects shall be interpreted, construed and governed by, and enforced in accordance with, the domestic laws of the State of Delaware without giving effect to any choice of law or conflict of law provision or rule (whether of the State of Delaware or any other jurisdiction) that would cause the application of the laws of any jurisdiction other than the State of Delaware.
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(b) Each of the parties hereto irrevocably agrees that any legal action or proceeding with respect to this Agreement or for recognition and enforcement of any judgment in respect hereof brought by any other party hereto or its successors or assigns shall be brought and determined in the state and federal courts of the State of Delaware, and each of the parties hereto hereby irrevocably submits with regard to any such action or proceeding for itself and in respect to its property, generally and unconditionally, to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of the State of Delaware and the Federal courts of the United States of America located in the State of Delaware.
(c) Each of the parties hereto hereby irrevocably waives, and agrees not to assert, by way of motion, as a defense, counterclaim or otherwise, in any action or proceeding with respect to this agreement, any claim (i) that it is not personally subject to the jurisdiction of the aforesaid courts for any reason, (ii) that it or its property is exempt or immune from jurisdiction of any such court or from any legal process commenced in such court (whether through service of judgment, execution of judgment, or otherwise), or (iii) to the fullest extent permitted by the applicable law, that (x) the suit, action or proceeding in such court is brought in an inconvenient forum, (y) the venue of such suit, action or proceeding is improper or (z) this agreement, or the subject matter hereof, may not be enforced in or by the aforesaid courts.
EACH PARTY ACKNOWLEDGES AND AGREES THAT ANY CONTROVERSY WHICH MAY ARISE UNDER THIS AGREEMENT IS LIKELY TO INVOLVE COMPLICATED AND DIFFICULT ISSUES, AND THEREFORE EACH SUCH PARTY HEREBY IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY WAIVES ANY RIGHT SUCH PARTY MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN RESPECT OF ANY LITIGATION DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT, OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED BY THIS AGREEMENT. EACH PARTY CERTIFIES AND ACKNOWLEDGES THAT (i) NO REPRESENTATIVE, AGENT OR ATTORNEY OF ANY OTHER PARTY HAS REPRESENTED, EXPRESSLY OR OTHERWISE, THAT SUCH OTHER PARTY WOULD NOT, IN THE EVENT OF LITIGATION, SEEK TO ENFORCE THE FOREGOING WAIVER, (ii) EACH PARTY UNDERSTANDS AND HAS CONSIDERED THE IMPLICATIONS OF THIS WAIVER, (iii) EACH PARTY MAKES THIS WAIVER VOLUNTARILY, AND (iv) EACH PARTY HAS BEEN INDUCED TO ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE MUTUAL WAIVERS AND CERTIFICATIONS IN THIS SECTION 10.
Section 11. Amendments; Waivers, etc. This Agreement may not be modified, amended, altered or supplemented, except upon the execution and delivery of a written agreement executed by all parties hereto. No provision of this Agreement may be waived, discharged or terminated other than by an instrument in writing signed by the party against whom the enforcement of such waiver, discharge or termination is sought.
Section 12. Successors and Assigns; No Third-Party Beneficiaries. This Agreement shall not be assignable or otherwise transferable by the OTP Entity or any OTP Associate without the prior consent of Archipelago and PCX, and any attempt to so assign or otherwise transfer this Agreement by the OTP Entity or any OTP Associate, as the case may be, without such consent shall be void and of no effect. This Agreement shall be binding upon the respective heirs, legal representatives and permitted transferees of the parties hereto. Nothing in this Agreement shall be construed as giving any person, other than the parties hereto and their heirs, legal representatives and permitted transferees, any right, remedy or claim under or in respect of this Agreement or any provision hereof. No failure or delay by any party in exercising any right, power or privilege under this Agreement shall operate as a waiver thereof nor shall any single or partial exercise thereof preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, power or privilege. The rights and remedies provided herein shall be cumulative and not exclusive of any rights or remedies provided by law.
Section 13. Notices. Any notice, request, instruction or other document to be given hereunder by any party to the others shall be in writing and delivered personally or sent by registered or certified mail, postage prepaid, or by facsimile:
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(a) If to Archipelago or PCX, to:
Archipelago Holdings, Inc.
100 S. Wacker Drive, Suite 1800
Chicago, IL 60606
Tel: (312) 960-1696
Fax: (312) 442-7111
Attn: Chief Administrative Officer, General Counsel
and Corporate Secretary
(b) If to the OTP Entity, at the address or facsimile number set forth under the OTP Entitys name on Exhibit A hereto, and if to an OTP Associate, at the address or facsimile number set forth under such OTP Associates name on Exhibit A hereto; and, in each case of paragraphs (a), (b) and (c), to such other persons or addresses as may be designated in writing by the party to receive such notice as provided above.
Section 14. Termination.
(a) Sections 2 through 7 of this Agreement shall terminate at such time as the earlier of the following shall occur: (i) the OTP Entity ceases being an OTP Holder or OTP Firm, as appropriate, of PCX; (ii) the OTP Entity becomes an ETP Holder; (iii) the Conforming Charter Amendments shall become effective pursuant to the terms of the Archipelago Certificate of Incorporation and shall be filed with and approved by the SEC; or (iv) the SEC shall approve the termination of this Agreement.
(b) With respect to any OTP Associate, in addition to the provision of paragraph (a) above, Sections 2 through 6 of the Agreement shall terminate for such OTP Associate at such time as such OTP Associate ceases being an associated person (as defined in Section 3(a)(18) of the Exchange Act) of the OTP Entity.
(c) Sections 6 through 16, inclusive, of this Agreement shall survive the termination of this Agreement.
(d) No party hereto shall be relieved from any liability for intentional breach of this Agreement by reason of any such termination.
Section 15. Expenses and Indemnification.
(a) Except as set forth in clause (b) below, all costs and expenses (including, without limitation, attorneys fees (if any)) incurred in connection with this Agreement shall be paid by the party incurring such expense.
(b) The OTP Entity agrees that it will indemnify and hold harmless each of Archipelago, PCX and their affiliates against any costs or expenses (including, without limitation, reasonable attorneys fees and disbursements and fees and disbursements of other third parties), judgments, fines, losses, claims, damages or liabilities (together, Losses) arising out of or pertaining to the violation of this Agreement by the OTP Entity, (including, without limitation, the OTP Entitys failure to comply with Section 4 of this Agreement) or any OTP Associate, including, without limitation, all Losses related to the enforcement of the terms of this Agreement by Archipelago, PCX or any of their affiliates.
Section 16. Integration. This Agreement (together with the rules of PCX, the Archipelago Certificate of Incorporation and bylaws of Archipelago, to the extent referenced herein), including all exhibits hereto, constitutes the full and entire understanding and agreement of the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and thereof and supersedes any and all prior understandings or agreements relating to the subject matter hereof and thereof.
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Section 17. Interpretation. References in this Agreement (except as specifically otherwise defined) to affiliates shall mean, as to any person, any other person which, directly or indirectly, controls, or is controlled by, or is under common control with, such person. As used in this definition, control (including, with its correlative meanings, controlled by and under common control with) shall mean the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of management or policies of a person, whether through the ownership of securities or partnership of other ownership interests, by contract or otherwise. References in this Agreement to person shall mean an individual, a corporation, a partnership, an association, a trust or any other entity, group (as such term is used in Section 13 of the Exchange Act) or organization, including a governmental body or authority. Whenever the words include, includes or including are used in this Agreement, they shall be deemed to be followed by the words without limitation.
[SIGNATURE PAGE FOLLOWS]
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement as of the date first above written.
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[Signature Page to the Ownership and Voting Agreement and Proxy]
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Exhibit A
OTP Entity
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A-1
Exhibit B-1
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B-1-1
Exhibit B-2
Ownership of Shares by OTP Associates
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B-2-1
Exhibit C-1
Voting Agreements of the OTP Entity
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Exhibit C-2
Voting Agreements of OTP Associates
C-2-1
ANNEX B
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
(Release No. 34-52249; File No. SR-PCX-2005-90)
August 12, 2005
Self-Regulatory Organizations; Pacific Exchange, Inc.; Notice of Filing of Proposed Rule Change and Amendment No. 1 Thereto Relating to the Certificate of Incorporation of PCX Holdings, Inc., PCX Rules and Bylaws of Archipelago Holdings, Inc.
Pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (Act)(1) and Rule 19b-4 thereunder,(2) notice is hereby given that on August 1, 2005, the Pacific Exchange, Inc. (PCX or the Exchange) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (Commission or SEC) the proposed rule change as described in Items I, II and III below, which Items have been prepared by the Exchange.(3) On August 10, 2005, the Exchange filed Amendment No. 1 (Amendment No. 1) to the proposed rule change.(4) The Commission is publishing this notice to solicit comments on the proposed rule change, as amended, from interested persons.
I. Self-Regulatory Organizations Statement of the Terms of Substance of the Proposed Rule Change
PCX submitted to the Commission (i) a proposed amendment to the certificate of incorporation of PCX Holdings, Inc. (PCXH), the parent company of the Exchange and its other operating subsidiaries, (ii) proposed new PCX Rules 1.1(cc) through (gg), Rule 3.4 and
(1) 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).
(2) 17 CFR 240.19b-4.
(3) At the request of PCX, the Commission made clarifications to the description in Item II, as noted herein. Telephone conversations between Kathryn Beck, Deputy General Counsel, PCX and Jennifer Dodd, Special Counsel, Commission, Division of Market Regulation on August 4, 2005 (August 4, 2005 Telephone Conversation) and August 12, 2005 (August 12, 2005 Telephone Conversation).
(4) In Amendment No. 1, the Exchange made certain corrections to the descriptions in Items I, II and III and the proposed rule text.
Rule 13.2(a)(2)(E),(5) which are intended to govern the ownership and voting of the stock of Archipelago Holdings, Inc. (Archipelago), a Delaware corporation that operates the equities trading facility of PCX and PCX Equities, Inc. (PCXE), by OTP Holders and OTP Firms(6), and (iii) a proposed amendment to the bylaws of Archipelago ((i), (ii) and (iii) together, the Proposed Rule Changes). The text of the Proposed Rule Changes is available on PCXs Web site, http://www.pacificex.com/, at PCXs Office of the Secretary, at the Commissions Public Reference Room, and on the Commissions Web site, http://www.sec.gov/rules/sro.shtml.
II. Self-Regulatory Organizations Statement of the Purpose of, and Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule Change
In its filing with the Commission, the self-regulatory organization included statements concerning the purpose of and basis for the proposed rule change and discussed any comments it received on the proposed rule change. The text of these statements may be examined at the places specified in Item IV below. The self-regulatory organization has prepared summaries, set forth in sections A, B and C below, of the most significant aspects of such statements.
A. Self-Regulatory Organizations Statement of the Purpose of, and Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule Change
1. Purpose
The Exchange is submitting to the Commission the Proposed Rule Changes in connection with Archipelagos proposed acquisition of PCXH. On January 3, 2005, PCXH, Archipelago
(5) See Amendment No. 1.
(6) PCX rules define an OTP Holder to mean any natural person, in good standing, who has been issued an Options Trading Permit (OTP) by the Exchange for effecting approved securities transactions on the Exchanges trading facilities, or has been named as a Nominee. PCX Rule 1.1(q). The term Nominee means an individual who is authorized by an OTP Firm (a sole proprietorship, partnership, corporation, limited liability company or other organization in good standing who holds an OTP or upon whom an individual OTP Holder has conferred trading privileges on the Exchanges trading facilities) to conduct business on the Exchanges trading facilities and to represent such OTP Firm in all matters relating to the Exchange. PCX Rule 1.1(n).
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and New Apple Acquisitions Corporation (the Merger Sub), a newly formed wholly-owned subsidiary of Archipelago, entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the Original Merger Agreement), pursuant to which Archipelago has agreed to acquire PCXH and all of its wholly owned subsidiaries, including PCX and PCXE, by way of a merger under Delaware law (the Merger) of the Merger Sub with and into PCXH, with PCXH as the surviving corporation. On July 22, 2005, PCXH, Archipelago and Merger Sub amended and restated the Original Merger Agreement to, among other things, provide that the consideration payable to PCXH stockholders would be made wholly in cash, and that, as contemplated by the Original Merger Agreement, the measurement dates for purposes of valuing the Archipelago stock held by PCXH would now be the ten consecutive trading days ending on the last trading day prior to the closing date of the Merger (as so amended, the Amended Merger Agreement).
Pursuant to the Amended Merger Agreement, subject to appraisal rights under Delaware law and other than with respect to treasury stock of PCXH and PCXH common stock beneficially owned by Archipelago for Archipelagos own account, each share of PCXH common stock issued and outstanding immediately prior to the effective time of the Merger (the Effective Time) will be converted into, and become exchangeable for, an amount in cash equal to the quotient of the aggregate merger consideration divided by the sum of the number of outstanding shares of PCXH common stock and the number of shares to be issued upon the exercise of all options at the consummation of the merger. The aggregate merger consideration equals the sum of the value of the shares of Archipelago common stock owned by PCX and its subsidiaries and $17 million, subject to market fluctuations in the Archipelago stock price and certain other adjustments pursuant to the Amended Merger Agreement. The value of Archipelago common stock shall be determined using the average of the per share closing prices
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for Archipelago common stock for the ten consecutive trading days ending on the last trading day prior to the closing date of the Merger. At the Effective Time, all PCXH common stock will be cancelled or retired and cease to exist.
As a result of the Merger, PCXH, as the surviving corporation in the Merger, will become a direct, wholly-owned subsidiary of Archipelago (the post-Merger PCXH will hereinafter be referred to as the New PCXH). The certificate of incorporation of PCXH as in effect immediately prior to the Effective Time will, subject to approval of the Commission, be amended pursuant to the Amended Merger Agreement and as so amended, will be the certificate of incorporation of the New PCXH. The bylaws of PCXH as in effect immediately prior to the Effective Time will be the bylaws of the New PCXH, until thereafter amended as provided therein or by applicable law. The directors of the Merger Sub at the Effective Time will become directors of the New PCXH and the officers of PCXH at the Effective Time will continue to be officers of the New PCXH.
Except as described in the preceding paragraph or otherwise approved by the Commission, the Merger will not affect the internal corporate structure of PCXH or the regulatory relationship of PCX and PCXE to Archipelago Exchange, L.L.C. (ArcaEx), the exclusive equities trading facility of PCX and PCXE. PCX will remain a wholly-owned subsidiary of the New PCXH, will continue operating the options business of the Exchange and will retain the self-regulatory organization function for the options business as well as for PCXs equities business subsidiary, PCXE. After the Merger, except as otherwise approved by the Commission, the board of directors of PCX will continue to comply with the compositional requirements set forth in the certificate of incorporation and bylaws of PCX. Except as otherwise approved by the Commission, PCXEs operations, governance structure, or rules will
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not be affected by the Merger. After the Merger, except as otherwise approved by the Commission, the board of directors of PCXE will continue to comply with the compositional requirements set forth in the certificate of incorporation and bylaws of PCXE. ArcaEx will remain the exclusive equities trading facility of PCX and PCXE and the Amended and Restated Facility Services Agreement among Archipelago, PCX and PCXE, dated as of March 22, 2002, which currently governs the regulatory relationship of PCX and PCXE to ArcaEx (the Facility Services Agreement), will remain in full force and effect in its current form.
a. Certificate of Incorporation of PCXH
(i) Proposed Amendments
In order to safeguard the independence of the self-regulatory functions of PCX and protect the Commissions oversight responsibilities, the certificate of incorporation of PCXH, which was approved by the Commission on May 17, 2004 in connection with the demutualization of the Exchange,(7) imposes limitations on direct and indirect changes in control of PCXH through various ownership and voting restrictions placed on PCXHs capital stock. Specifically, the certificate of incorporation of PCXH provides that no person,(8) either alone or together with its related persons,(9) may own, directly or indirectly, shares constituting more than
(7) Securities Exchange Act Release No. 49718 (May 17, 2005), 69 FR 29611 (May 24, 2005) (order approving proposed rule change and notice of filing and order granting accelerated approval of Amendment No. 1 thereto relating to the demutualization of PCX).
(8) Person is defined to mean an individual, partnership (general or limited), joint stock company, corporation, limited liability company, trust or unincorporated organization, or any governmental entity or agency or political subdivision thereof. Restated Certificate of Incorporation of PCXH, Article Nine, Section 1(b)(iv).
(9) The term related person, as defined in the Restated Certificate of Incorporation of PCXH, means (i) with respect to any person, all affiliates and associates of such person (as such terms are defined in Rule 12b-2 under the Act); (ii) with respect to any person constituting a trading permit holder of PCX or an equities trading permit holder of PCXE, any broker dealer with which such holder is associated; and (iii) any two or more persons that have any agreement, arrangement or understanding (whether or not in writing) to act together for the purpose of acquiring, voting, holding or disposing of shares of the capital stock of PCXH. Restated Certificate of Incorporation of PCXH, Article Nine, Section 1(b)(iv).
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40% of the outstanding shares of any class of PCXH capital stock,(10) and that no person, either alone or together with its related persons who is a trading permit holder of PCX or an equities trading permit holder of PCXE, may own, directly or indirectly, shares constituting more than 20% of any class of PCXH capital stock.(11) Furthermore, the certificate of incorporation of PCXH provides that, for so long as PCXH controls, directly or indirectly, PCX, no person, either alone or with its related persons, may directly or indirectly vote or cause the voting of shares of PCXH capital stock or give any proxy or consent with respect to shares representing more than 20% of the voting power of the issued and outstanding PCXH capital stock, and it also places limitations on the right of any person, either alone or with its related persons, to enter into any agreement with respect to the withholding of any vote or proxy.(12) In order to permit Archipelago to own 100% of the capital stock of the New PCXH upon consummation of the Merger, PCX proposes to amend the certificate of incorporation of PCXH to create an exception, with certain
(10) Restated Certificate of Incorporation of PCXH, Article Nine, Section 1(b)(i). However, such restriction may be waived by the Board of Directors of PCXH pursuant to an amendment to the Bylaws of PCXH adopted by the Board of Directors, if, in connection with the adoption of such amendment, the Board of Directors adopts a resolution stating that it is the determination of such Board that such amendment will not impair the ability of PCX to carry out its functions and responsibilities as an exchange under the Act and is otherwise in the best interests of PCXH and its stockholders and PCX, and will not impair the ability of the Commission to enforce said Act, and such amendment shall not be effective until approved by said Commission; provided that the Board of Directors of PCXH shall have determined that such Person and its Related Persons are not subject to any applicable statutory disqualification (within the meaning of Section 3(a)(39) of the Act). Restated Certificate of Incorporation of PCXH, Article Nine, Sections 1(b)(i)(B) and 1(b)(i)(C).
(11) Id., Article Nine, Section 1(b)(ii).
(12) Id., Article Nine, Section 1(c).
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limitations, for Archipelago and certain related persons of Archipelago from the voting and ownership restrictions described above.
Specifically, PCX proposes to add a new paragraph at the end of Article Nine of the certificate of incorporation of PCXH, providing that for so long as Archipelago directly owns all of the outstanding capital stock of PCXH, the provisions of Article Nine, including the ownership and voting limitations with respect to shares of PCXH capital stock, shall not be applicable to the voting and ownership of shares of PCXH capital stock by (i) except for prohibited persons (as defined below), Archipelago, (ii) except for prohibited persons, any person which is a related person (as such term is defined in the certificate of incorporation of PCXH) of Archipelago, either alone or together with its related persons, and (iii) except for prohibited persons, any other person to which Archipelago is a related person, either alone or together with its related persons.(13)
Prohibited persons is defined to mean any person which is, or which has a related person which is (A) an OTP Holder or an OTP Firm (as such terms are defined in the rules of PCX, as such rules may be in effect from time to time) or (B) an ETP Holder,(14) except for (1) any broker or dealer approved by the Commission after June 20, 2005 to be a facility (as defined in Section 3(a)(2) of the Act) of PCX; (2) any person which has been approved by the Commission prior to it becoming subject to the provisions of Article Nine of the certificate of incorporation of PCXH with respect to the voting and ownership of shares of PCXH capital stock by such person; and (3) any person which is a related person of Archipelago solely by
(13) Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of PCXH, Article Nine, Section 4.
(14) PCXE rules define an ETP Holder to mean any sole proprietorship, partnership, corporation, limited liability company or other organization in good standing that has been issued an Equity Trading Permit, a permit issued by the PCXE for effecting approved securities transactions on the trading facilities of PCXE. PCXE Rule 1.1(n).
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reason of beneficially owning, either alone or together with its related persons, less than 20% of the outstanding shares of Archipelago capital stock (any person covered by (1) through (3) is referred to as a permitted person in the proposed amendment).(15) The proposed Section 4 to Article Nine of the certificate of incorporation of PCXH further provides that any other prohibited person not covered by the definition of a permitted person who would be subject to and exceed the voting and ownership limitations imposed by Article Nine as of the date of the closing of the Merger shall be permitted to exceed the voting and ownership limitations imposed by Article Nine only to the extent and for the time period approved by the Commission.(16)
PCX believes that by creating a limited exemption from the voting and ownership restrictions in the certificate of incorporation of PCXH, the proposed amendment will permit the consummation of the Merger and the continued ownership of PCXH by Archipelago after the Merger while preserving the general applicability of such restrictions as they currently exist, so that these restrictions may continue safeguarding the independence of PCXs self-regulatory function and the Commissions oversight responsibilities. In addition, PCX believes that by eliminating prohibited persons from the exemption, other than those approved by the Commission, it will prevent OTP Holders, OTP Firms and ETP Holders (as such terms are defined in the rules of PCX, as such rules may be amended from time to time) from acquiring, directly or indirectly, a substantial number of outstanding shares of PCXH and exercising undue influence over the operation of PCX, including its self-regulatory functions, without proper oversight by the Commission.
(15) Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation and PCXH, Article Nine, Section 4.
(16) Id.
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(ii) Archipelago Securities, L.L.C.
In connection with the proposed amendment to the certificate of incorporation of PCXH described above, the Exchange requests that the Commission approve Archipelago Securities, L.L.C. (Archipelago Securities) to be a facility (as defined in Section 3(a)(2) of the Act) of PCX.
Archipelago Securities, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Archipelago, is a registered broker-dealer, a member of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. (NASD) and an ETP Holder. Archipelago Securities provides an optional routing service for ArcaEx, and, as necessary, routes orders to other securities exchanges, facilities of securities exchanges, automated trading systems, electronic communications networks or other brokers or dealers (collectively, Market Centers) from ArcaEx (such function of Archipelago Securities is referred to as the Outbound Router). In its capacity as an Outbound Router, Archipelago Securities has operated as a facility (as defined in Section 3(a)(2) of the Act) of PCX. It was approved by the Commission as a facility (as defined in Section 3(a)(2) of the Act) of PCXE on October 25, 2001 in connection with the Commissions approval of the rules of PCX establishing ArcaEx as a facility of PCXE.(17)
Archipelago intends to continue to own and operate Archipelago Securities following the closing of the Merger. The proposed operation of Archipelago Securities as an Outbound Router after the closing of the Merger will not change from the way it is administered and operated
(17) See Self Regulatory Organizations; Order Approving Proposed Rule Change by the Pacific Exchange, Inc., as Amended, and Notice of Filing and Order Granting Accelerated Approval of Amendment Nos. 4 and 5 Concerning the Establishment of Archipelago Exchange as the Equities Trading Facility of PCX Equities, Inc., Exchange Act Release No. 44983 (October 25, 2001), 66 FR 55225 (November 1, 2001) (SR-PCX-00-25) (the Original Outbound Router Release). The name of the order routing broker-dealer was originally Wave Securities, L.L.C. as approved by the Commission in the Original Outbound Router Release.
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today.(18) As an Outbound Router, Archipelago Securities will continue to receive instructions from ArcaEx, route orders to other Market Centers in accordance with those instructions and be responsible for reporting resulting executions back to ArcaEx.(19) In addition, all orders routed through Archipelago Securities would remain subject to the terms and conditions of PCXE rules.(20)
PCX and PCXE currently regulate the Outbound Router function of Archipelago Securities as a facility (as defined in Section 3(a)(2) of the Act) subject to Section 6 of the Act. As such, the Outbound Router function of Archipelago Securities is subject to the Commissions continuing oversight. In particular, and without limitation, under the Act, PCX is responsible for filing with the Commission rule changes and fees relating to the Archipelago Securities Outbound Router function, and Archipelago Securities is subject to exchange non-discrimination requirements.(21)
Pursuant to Rule 17d-1 under the Act, where a member of the Securities Investor Protection Corporation is a member of more than one self-regulatory organization (SRO), the Commission shall designate to one of such organizations the responsibility for examining such member for compliance with the applicable financial responsibility rules.(22) The SRO so
(18) See, e.g., Original Outbound Router Release, at 55233-55235 (describing the operation of the order routing broker-dealer approved by the Commission).
(19) See Original Outbound Router Release, at 55234.
(20) See Archipelago Securities Routing Agreement, http://www.tradearca.com/exchange/pdfs/ETPApplication.pdf (last visited July 21, 2005).
(21) See, e.g., Section 6(b)(5) of the Act, 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(5).
(22) 17 CFR 240.17d-1. Pursuant to Rule 17d-1 under the Act, in making such designation the Commission shall take into consideration the regulatory capabilities and procedures of the SROs, availability of staff, convenience of location, unnecessary regulatory duplication, and such other factors as the Commission may consider germane to the protection of investors, the cooperation and coordination among self-regulatory organizations, and the development of a national market system for the clearance and settlement of securities transactions.
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designated by the Commission is referred to as a Designated Examining Authority. Archipelago Securities is a member of two SROs, PCX and the NASD. The NASD is an SRO not affiliated with Archipelago or any of its affiliates (including, without limitation, PCX and PCXE) and it has been designated by the Commission as the Designated Examining Authority for Archipelago Securities pursuant to Rule 17d-1 of the Act with the responsibility for examining Archipelago Securities for compliance with the applicable financial responsibility rules. Furthermore, under an agreement between NASD and PCX originally entered into on May 27, 1977 pursuant to Rule 17d-2(23) under the Act (the agreement was amended on February 1, 1980, and as so amended, the NASD PCX Agreement), there is currently a plan in place allocating to the NASD the responsibility to receive regulatory reports from Archipelago Securities, to examine Archipelago Securities for compliance and to enforce compliance by Archipelago Securities with the Act, the rules and regulations thereunder and the rules of the NASD, and to carry out other specified regulatory functions with respect to Archipelago Securities.
ETP Holders use of Archipelago Securities to route orders to another Market Center is currently optional, and will remain optional after the closing of the Merger. Those ETP Holders who choose to use the Outbound Routing service of Archipelago Securities must sign an Archipelago Securities Routing Agreement. Importantly, among other things, the Archipelago
(23) Rule 17d-2 provides that any two or more SROs may file with the Commission a plan for allocating among such SROs the responsibility to receive regulatory reports from persons who are members or participants of more than one of such SROs to examine such persons for compliance, or to enforce compliance by such persons, with specified provisions of the Act, the rules and regulations thereunder, and the rules of such SROs, or to carry out other specified regulatory functions with respect to such persons. 17 CFR 240.17d-2.
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Securities Routing Agreement provides that all orders routed through Archipelago Securities are subject to the terms and conditions of PCXE rules.(24)
PCX and Archipelago recognize that after the closing of the Merger such continued ownership and operation by Archipelago of Archipelago Securities by virtue of Archipelago Securities being an ETP Holder and a related person of Archipelago(25) would be in violation of the current and proposed limitations(26) to be set forth in the certificate of incorporation of PCXH described above, unless Archipelago Securities is approved by the Commission after June 20, 2005 to be a facility of PCXE(27) in accordance with the terms of the proposed amendment to the certificate of incorporation of PCXH described above.
PCX and Archipelago further recognize that the ownership of both PCX and Archipelago Securities by Archipelago may pose a conflict of interest between the regulatory responsibilities of PCX and PCXE and the broker or dealer activities of Archipelago Securities. This is because the financial interests of Archipelago may conflict with the responsibilities of PCX and PCXE as an SRO regarding Archipelago Securities.
PCX and Archipelago believe, however, that such conflict may be mitigated with the following proposed undertakings of Archipelago, PCX and Archipelago Securities.(28)
(24) See Archipelago Securities Routing Agreement, http://www.tradearca.com/exchange/pdfs/ETPApplication.pdf (last visited July 21, 2005).
(25) At the request of the Exchange the Commission deleted the phrase as an Outbound Router. See August 4, 2005 Telephone Conversation.
(26) The Exchange clarified that the ownership and operation by Archipelago of Archipelago Securities would violate the current, as well as the proposed, limitations in the certificate of incorporation of PCXH, unless approved by the Commission after June 20, 2005 to be a facility of PCXE. See August 12, 2005 Telephone Conversation.
(27) See Amendment No. 1.
(28) The Exchange clarified that the undertakings of PCX should also be included. See August 12, 2005 Telephone Conversation.
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(x) Proposed Undertakings
Each of Archipelago, PCX and Archipelago Securities undertakes as follows:
(1) PCX will regulate the Outbound Router function of Archipelago Securities as a facility (as defined in Section 3(a)(2) of the Act), subject to Section 6 of the Act. In particular, and without limitation, under the Act, PCX will be responsible for filing with the Commission rule changes and fees relating to the Archipelago Securities Outbound Router function and Archipelago Securities will be subject to exchange non-discrimination requirements.
(2) Currently, NASD, an SRO unaffiliated with Archipelago or any of tis affiliates (including, without limitation, PCX or PCXE), carries out oversight and enforcement responsibilities as the Designated Examining Authority designated by the Commission pursuant to Rule 17d-1 of the Act with the responsibility for examining Archipelago Securities for compliance with the applicable financial responsibility rules.(29)
(3) The NASD PCX Agreement will stay in full force and effect and PCX will continue to abide by the terms of such agreement.(30) Furthermore, PCX undertakes to amend the agreement to expand the scope of NASDs regulatory functions so as to encompass all of the regulatory oversight and enforcement responsibilities with respect to Archipelago Securities pursuant to applicable laws, except for real-time market surveillance.
(4) An ETP Holders or OTP Holders use of Archipelago Securities to route orders to another Market Center will continue to be optional. Any ETP Holder or OTP Holder that does
(29) See Amendment No. 1.
(30) Id.
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not want to use Archipelago Securities may use other routers to route orders(31) to other Market Centers.(32)
(5) Archipelago Securities will not engage in any business other than its Outbound Router function (including, in that function, the self-clearing functions that it currently performs for trades with respect to orders routed to other Market Centers and the clearing functions that it may perform for trades with respect to orders for securities not trades on any securities exchange)(33) and any other activities it may engage in as approved by the Commission.
The above undertakings of Archipelago, PCX and Archipelago Securities would become effective at the effective time of the Merger.
(y) Request for Approval
In sum, PCX and Archipelago believe that the proposed undertakings of Archipelago, PCX and Archipelago Securities set forth above would address the potential conflict of interest with the regulatory responsibilities of PCX and PCXE and the continued ownership and operation of Archipelago Securities by Archipelago after the closing of the Merger.(34) Consequently, subject to the proposed undertakings of Archipelago, PCX and Archipelago Securities set forth above, PCX and Archipelago request that the Commission approve Archipelago Securities to be a facility (as defined in Section 3(a)(2) of the Act)(35) of PCX.
(31) Id.
(32) An ETP Holder may chose to route an order to ArcaEx that, if not executable on ArcaEx, will be cancelled and returned to the ETP Holder, at which time the ETP Holder could chose to route the order to another market. See August 4, 2005 Telephone Conversation.
(33) See Amendment No. 1.
(34) Id.
(35) 15 U.S.C. 78c(a)(2).
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b. Proposed PCX Rules
Archipelago is a public company whose common stock is listed on PCX for trading on ArcaEx. The certificate of incorporation of Archipelago, which was approved by the Commission on August 9, 2004 prior to the initial public offering of Archipelago common stock,(36) currently contains certain provisions intended to ensure that the ownership of Archipelago by the public will not unduly interfere with or restrict the ability of the Commission or PCX to effectively carry out their regulatory oversight responsibilities under the Act, with respect to ArcaEx, and generally to enable ArcaEx to operate in a manner that complies with the federal securities laws, including furthering the objectives of Section 6(b)(5) of the Act.(37) Some of these provisions impose ownership and voting limitations on Archipelagos stockholders and their related persons,(38) including persons who are ETP Holders and the broker-dealers with
(36) Securities Exchange Act Release No. 50170 (August 9, 2004), 69 FR 50419 (August 16, 2004) (SR-PCX-2004-56) (order granting approval of proposed rule change and notice of filing and order granting accelerated approval to Amendment No. 1 to the proposed rule change by the Pacific Exchange, Inc. relating to the Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws of Archipelago).
(37) Id.
(38) The term related persons, as defined in the Certificate of Incorporation of Archipelago, means with respect to any person: (a) any other person(s) whose beneficial ownership of shares of stock of Archipelago with the power to vote on any matter would be aggregated with such first persons beneficial ownership of such stock or deemed to be beneficially owned by such first person pursuant to Rules 13d-3 and 13d-5 under the Act; (b) in the case of a person that is a natural person, for so long as ArcaEx remains a facility of PCX and PCXE and the Facility Services Agreement is in full force and effect, any broker or dealer that is an ETP Holder with which such natural person is associated; (c) in the case of a person that is an ETP Holder, for so long as ArcaEx remains a facility of PCX and PCXE and the Facility Services Agreement is in full force and effect, any broker or dealer with which such ETP Holder is associated; (d) any other person(s) with which such person has any agreement, arrangement or understanding (whether or not in writing) to act together for the purpose of acquiring, voting, holding or disposing of shares of the stock of Archipelago; and (e) in the case of a person that is a natural person, any relative or spouse of such person, or any relative of such spouse, who has the same home as such person or who is a director or officer of Archipelago or any of its parents or subsidiaries. Certificate of Incorporation of Archipelago, Article FOURTH, paragraph H(3).
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whom such ETP Holders are associated.(39) In order to ensure that upon consummation of the Merger, the public company nature of Archipelago will not unduly interfere with or restrict the regulatory oversight responsibilities of the Commission or PCX with respect to the options business and the general compliance of the operations of the options business with federal securities laws, PCX proposes to impose on any OTP Holder or OTP Firm, that is not an ETP Holder, voting and ownership limitations that are analogous to those imposed on ETP Holders by the certificate of incorporation of Archipelago. In addition, PCX proposes to require such OTP Holder and OTP Firm, as well as associated persons (as such term is defined in Section 3(a)(18) of the Act)(40) of such OTP Holder or OTP Firm, to enter into an agreement with PCX and Archipelago within certain specific time periods set forth in the proposed PCX rules, pursuant to which such OTP Holder, OTP Firm and any person who is deemed an associated person (as such term is defined in Section 3(a)(18) of the Act) of such OTP Holder or OTP Firm (such persons are referred to in this filing as OTP Associates) would agree to comply with the ownership and voting limitations imposed by the proposed PCX rules, to authorize Archipelago to vote their shares of Archipelago stock in favor of amendments to the certificate of incorporation of Archipelago that incorporate such ownership and voting limitations, and to be subject to the disciplinary action in the proposed PCX rules if they violate any of the ownership or voting limitations or fail to enter into such ownership and voting agreement (such agreement, the Ownership and Voting Agreement). Under the proposed PCX rules, failure to comply with
(39) Certificate of Incorporation of Archipelago, Article FOURTH, paragraphs (C) and (D).
(40) Pursuant to Section 3(a)(18) of the Act, the term associated person of a broker or dealer means any partner, officer, director, or branch manager of such broker or dealer (or any person occupying a similar status or performing similar functions), any person directly or indirectly controlling, controlled by or under common control with such broker or dealer, or any employee of such broker or dealer, except that such term does not include any person associated with a broker or dealer whose functions are solely clerical or ministerial. 15 U.S.C. 78c(a)(18).
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the ownership and voting limitations or failure to enter into the Ownership and Voting Agreement will subject the responsible OTP Holder or OTP Firm to the possible suspension of all trading rights and privileges. The proposed PCX Rules 1.1(cc) through (gg), Rule 3.4 and Rule 13.2(a)(2)(E) are summarized below.
(i) Ownership and Voting Limitations
The proposed PCX rules provide that for as long as Archipelago shall control, directly or indirectly, PCX, no OTP Holder or OTP Firm, either alone or with its related persons, shall own beneficially shares of Archipelago stock representing in the aggregate more than 20% of the then outstanding votes entitled to be cast on any matter (the Ownership Limitation).(41) Related persons is defined to mean, with respect to any OTP Holder or OTP Firm: (a) any broker or dealer with which such OTP Holder or OTP Firm is associated; (b) any natural person who is an associated person of such OTP Firm; (c) any other person(s)(42) whose beneficial ownership of shares of stock of Archipelago with the power to vote on any matter would be aggregated with the OTP Holders or OTP Firms beneficial ownership of such stock or deemed to be beneficially owned by such OTP Holder or OTP Firm pursuant to Rules 13d-3 and 13d-5 under the Act;(43) (d) any other person(s) with which such OTP Holder or OTP Firm has any agreement, arrangement or understanding (whether or not in writing) to act together for the purpose of acquiring, voting, holding or disposing of shares of the stock of Archipelago; and (e) with
(41) Proposed PCX Rule 3.4(a).
(42) PCX Rule 1.1(v) defines Person to mean a natural person, corporation, partnership, limited liability company, association, joint stock company, trustee of a trust fund, or any organized group of persons whether incorporated or not. PCX Rule 1.1(v).
(43) PCX believes that this definition, by incorporating a beneficial ownership concept, will help PCX to monitor ownership of the common stock of Archipelago by monitoring filings on Schedules 13D and 13G by stockholders of Archipelago. PCX further believes that the definition of beneficial ownership used will cover persons which control, are controlled by or are under common control with an OTP Holder or an OTP firm.
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respect to any OTP Holder and any person described in (a) to (d) above who is a natural person, any relative or spouse of such person, or any relative of such spouse, who has the same home as such person or who is a director or officer of Archipelago or any of its parents or subsidiaries.(44) PCX and Archipelago believe that stockholders of Archipelago, including OTP Holders, OTP Firms and their related persons who own Archipelago stock, will be able to effectively monitor their shareholdings in Archipelago using systems they already have in place.
For purposes of the Ownership Limitation, no OTP Holder or OTP Firm shall be deemed to have any agreement, arrangement or understanding to act together with respect to voting shares of stock of Archipelago solely because such OTP Holder, OTP Firm or any of their related persons, has or shares the power to vote or direct the voting of such shares of stock pursuant to a revocable proxy given in response to a public proxy or consent solicitation conducted pursuant to, and in accordance with, Regulation 14A promulgated pursuant to the Act, except if such power (or the arrangements relating thereto) is then reportable under Item 6 of Schedule 13D under the Act (or any similar provision of a comparable or successor report).(45)
In addition to the Ownership Limitation, the proposed PCX rules provide that for as long as Archipelago shall control, directly or indirectly, PCX, no OTP Holder or OTP Firm, either
(44) Proposed PCX Rule 1.1(gg). The proposed Rule 1.1(gg) further provides that related persons includes, with respect to any OTP Holder or OTP Firm: (1) any other person beneficially owning pursuant to Rules 13d-3 and 13d-5 under the Act shares of Archipelago stock with the power to vote on any matter that also are deemed to be beneficially owned by such OTP Holder or OTP Firm pursuant to Rules 13d-3 and 13d-5 under the Act; (2) any other person that would be deemed to own beneficially pursuant to Rules 13d-3 and 13d-5 under the Act shares of Archipelago stock with the power to vote on any matter that are beneficially owned directly or indirectly by such OTP Holder or OTP Firm pursuant to Rules 13d-3 and 13d-5 under the Act; and (3) any additional person through which such other person would be deemed to directly or indirectly own beneficially pursuant to Rules 13d-3 and 13d-5 under the Act shares of Archipelago stock with the power to vote on any matter.
(45) Proposed PCX Rule 3.4(a).
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alone or together with its related persons, shall (1) have the right to vote, vote or cause the voting of shares of stock of Archipelago to the extent such shares represent in the aggregate more than 20% of the then outstanding votes entitled to be cast on any matter (the Voting Limitation) or (2) enter into any agreement, plan or arrangement not to vote shares, the effect of which agreement, plan or arrangement would be to enable any person, either alone or with its related persons, to vote or cause the voting of shares that would represent in the aggregate more than 20% of the then outstanding votes entitled to be cast on any matter (the Nonvoting Agreement Prohibition).(46)
The Voting Limitation and Nonvoting Agreement Prohibition shall not apply to (1) any solicitation of any revocable proxy from any stockholder of Archipelago by or on behalf of Archipelago or by an officer or director of Archipelago acting on behalf of Archipelago or (2) any solicitation of any revocable proxy from any stockholder of Archipelago by any other stockholder that is conducted pursuant to, and in accordance with, Regulation 14A promulgated pursuant to the Act.(47)
(ii) Ownership and Voting Agreement
The proposed PCX Rule 3.4 also requires certain OTP Holders and OTP Firms that are not ETP Holders, and certain OTP Associates,(48) to enter into an Ownership and Voting Agreement with PCX and Archipelago, which Ownership and Voting Agreement shall provide that for as long as Archipelago shall control, directly or indirectly, PCX: (i) no OTP Holder or
(46) Proposed PCX Rule 3.4(b).
(47) Id.
(48) PCX clarified that only certain OTP Holders, OTP Firms and OTP Associates would be required to enter into the Ownership and Voting Agreement. See August 4, 2005 Telephone Conversation and text accompanying note 51, infra, for a discussion of which OTP Holders, OTP Firms, and OTP Associates would be required to enter into an Ownership and Voting Agreement.
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OTP Firm, either alone or with its related persons, shall, at any time, own beneficially shares of Archipelago stock in excess of the Ownership Limitation; (ii) no OTP Holder or OTP Firm, either alone or together with its related persons, shall have the right to vote, vote or cause the voting of shares of Archipelago stock, in person or by proxy or through any voting agreement or other arrangement, in excess of the Voting Limitation; and (iii) no OTP Holder or OTP Firm, either alone or together with its related persons, shall enter into any agreement, plan or other arrangement relating to shares of Archipelago stock entitled to vote on any matter with any other person, either alone or with its related persons, in contravention of the Nonvoting Agreement Prohibition.(49) In addition, the Ownership and Voting Agreement provides that each OTP Holder, OTP Firm and OTP Associate who is party to such agreement shall agree to be subject to the implementation provisions imposed by the proposed PCX Rule 3.4(d), which are also going to be set forth in the Ownership and Voting Agreement;(50) these provisions are described in more detail below.
Finally, the Ownership and Voting Agreement provides that each OTP Holder, OTP Firm and OTP Associate who is party to such agreement shall vote, or authorize Archipelago to vote on their behalf, shares of Archipelago stock owned by such OTP Holder, OTP Firm or OTP Associate, as appropriate, in favor of amendments to the certificate of incorporation of Archipelago that incorporate ownership and voting limitations that are substantially similar to the Ownership Limitation, Voting Limitation and Nonvoting Agreement Prohibition set forth in the proposed Rules 3.4(a) and 3.4(b), as well as implementation provisions imposed by the proposed
(49) Proposed PCX Rule 3.4(c).
(50) Id.
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PCX Rule 3.4(d).(51) The Ownership and Voting Agreement shall be governed by Delaware law.(52)
Under the proposed PCX rules, the OTP Holders, OTP Firms and OTP Associates who are required to enter into the Ownership and Voting Agreement have to do so within certain specified time periods set forth in the proposed rules. Specifically, in the case of an OTP Holder, OTP Firm or OTP Associate which is not an ETP Holder and which (x) owns beneficially any shares of Archipelago stock or (y) has entered into any agreement, plan or other arrangement relating to the voting or ownership of any shares of Archipelago stock, at the time of the closing of the Merger, such person will be required to enter into the Ownership and Voting Agreement no later than 30 calendar days following the date of closing of the Merger; in the case of any OTP Holder, OTP Firm or OTP Associate which is not required to enter into an Ownership and Voting Agreement pursuant to the above clause, the Ownership and Voting Agreement has to be entered into no later than the fifth calendar day following the date on which: (x) such OTP Holder, OTP Firm or OTP Associate ceases being an ETP Holder and (A) owns or acquires beneficial ownership of any shares of Archipelago stock or (B) is a party to or enters into any agreement, plan or other arrangement relating to the voting or ownership of any shares of Archipelago stock; or (y) such OTP Holder, OTP Firm or OTP Associate which is not an ETP Holder (A) acquires beneficial ownership of any shares of Archipelago stock or (B) enters into any agreement, plan or other arrangement relating to the voting or ownership of any shares of Archipelago stock.(53)
(51) Proposed PCX Rule 3.4(c)(3).
(52) Proposed PCX Rule 3.4(c)(5).
(53) Proposed PCX Rule 3.4(c).
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The ownership and voting limitations contained in the proposed PCX Rule 3.4 and the Ownership and Voting Agreement required by the proposed PCX Rule 3.4 are designed to impose on OTP Holders, OTP Firms and their related persons restrictions that are similar to those that are currently contained in the certificate of incorporation of Archipelago with respect to ETP Holders and their related persons. The corresponding provisions in the certificate of incorporation of Archipelago are designed to prevent any ETP Holder or any ETP Holders acting together, from exercising undue control over the operation of Archipelago and, therefore, ArcaEx. PCX believes that by extending the same restrictions to OTP Holders and OTP Firms as well as their related persons, the proposed rule would accomplish the same objectives with respect to the options business of PCX. Specifically, PCX believes that the proposed rules would deter any OTP Holder or OTP Firm, either alone or together with its related persons, from accumulating a substantial number of outstanding votes entitled to be cast on any matter without Commission review. PCX believes that the imposition of such 20% ownership and voting limitations would help ensure that Archipelago, and therefore PCX, would not be subject to undue influence from an OTP Holder or OTP Firm, or a group of OTP Holders or OTP Firms that control a substantial number of outstanding votes entitled to be cast on any matter that may be adverse to PCXs or the Commissions regulatory oversight responsibilities. The proposed voting limitations, along with the related ownership limitation, would serve to protect the integrity of PCXs and the Commissions regulatory oversight responsibilities and would allow PCX to review the acquisition of substantial voting power of Archipelago, and therefore PCX and PCXE, by any OTP Holder, OTP Firm and their related persons.
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(iii) Certain Matters Related to the Implementation of the Ownership and Voting Limitations
The proposed PCX Rule 3.4(d) provides that in the event that any OTP Holder or OTP Firm, either alone or with its related persons (including any related persons who are OTP Associates of such OTP Holder or OTP Firm), at any time owns beneficially shares of Archipelago stock in excess of the Ownership Limitation, Archipelago shall promptly call from such OTP Holder or OTP Firm, or an OTP Associate of such OTP Holder or OTP Firm, at a price per share equal to the par value thereof, shares of Archipelago stock owned by such OTP Holder, OTP Firm or OTP Associate that are necessary to decrease the beneficial ownership of such OTP Holder or OTP Firm, either alone or with its related persons, to 20% of the then outstanding votes entitled to be cast on any matter after giving effect to the redemption of the shares of Archipelago stock.(54)
(54) Proposed PCX Rule 3.4(d)(1). For purposes of illustration, if there are 1,000,000 votes entitled to be cast in total and an OTP Holder acquires beneficial ownership of shares of Archipelago stock representing in the aggregate 300,000 votes, then Archipelago has to call such number of shares from such OTP Holder so that the number of votes that the OTP Holder beneficially owns after giving effect to the reduction in such OTP Holders stake and the consequent reduction in the total number of votes entitled to be cast, is not more than 20% of the new total number of votes entitled to be cast. Thus, using the number provided in this example, Archipelago would have to call shares of Archipelago stock representing in the aggregate 125,000 votes, leaving the OTP Holder with shares of Archipelago stock representing in the aggregate 175,000 votes, or 20% of the new 875,000 votes entitled to be cast in total.
In addition, assuming there is a second OTP Holder who beneficially owns shares of Archipelago stock representing 190,000 votes, the calling of the shares of the first OTP Holder described above would result in an increase of the second OTP Holders ownership from 19% to 21.7%. In this scenario, Archipelago would have to call shares of Archipelago stock representing 20,000 votes from the second OTP Holder and additional shares representing 5,000 votes from the first OTP Holder (for a total of 130,000 shares called from the first OTP Holder) such that upon completion of these calls, each of these two OTP Holders owns shares of Archipelago stock representing 170,000 votes, or 20% of the new 850,000 votes entitled to be cast in total.
The proposed PCX Rule 3.4(d)(1) further provides that in the event Archipelago shall call shares of Archipelago stock pursuant to the proposed PCX Rule 3.4(d)(1), notice of such call shall be given promptly by first-class mail, postage prepaid to the holders of the shares of Archipelago stock to be so called (such holders shall include holders whose ownership of Archipelago stock exceeded the 20% ownership limitation solely as a result of the reduction in the total number of outstanding votes due to calls of shares of Archipelago stock from other stockholders), at such holders addresses as the same appears on the stock register of Archipelago. Each such notice shall state: (a) the call date; (b) the number of shares to be called; (c) the aggregate call price; and (d) the place or places where shares are to be surrendered for payment of the call price. Failure to give notice as aforesaid, or any defect therein, shall not affect the validity of the call of the shares. From and after the call date (unless default shall be made by Archipelago in providing funds for the payment of the call price), shares which have been called as aforesaid shall be cancelled, shall no longer be deemed to be outstanding, and all rights of the holder of such shares as a stockholder of Archipelago (except the right to receive from Archipelago the call price against delivery to Archipelago of evidence of ownership of such shares) shall cease. Upon surrender in accordance with said notice of evidence of ownership of the shares of Archipelago stock so called (properly assigned for transfer, if the board of directors of Archipelago shall so require and the notice shall so state), such shares shall be called by Archipelago at par value.
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In addition, if any OTP Holder or OTP Firm, either alone or with its related persons (including any related persons who are OTP Associates of such OTP Holder or OTP Firm), acquires the right to vote more than 20% of the then outstanding votes entitled to be cast by stockholders of Archipelago on any matter, Archipelago shall have the right to vote and shall vote such shares of Archipelago stock owned by such OTP Holder, OTP Firm, or an OTP Associate of such OTP Holder or OTP Firm, in excess of the 20% voting limitation in proportion with the results of voting (excluding such excess shares) for such matter at a meeting of Archipelago stockholders.(55)
Furthermore, the proposed PCX rules provide that in the event of any violation by any OTP Holder or OTP Firm of the Ownership Limitation, Voting Limitation or Nonvoting Agreement Prohibition (including, without limitation, any failure of an OTP Holder, OTP Firm
(55) Proposed PCX Rule 3.4(d)(2). For example, if, with respect to a particular proposal submitted to stockholder vote, 60% of the vote cast by Archipelago stockholders (excluding the excess shares) was in favor of the proposal and 40% of the vote cast by Archipelago stockholders (excluding the excess shares) was against the proposal, Archipelago would vote 60% of the excess shares in favor of the proposal and 40% of the excess shares against the proposal. See Amendment No. 1.
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or OTP Associate to enter into the Ownership and Voting Agreement as required by the proposed Rule 3.4(c) within the applicable time periods specified therein or any breach of the Ownership and Voting Agreement by an OTP Holder, OTP Firm or OTP Associate which is a party thereto), the Exchange shall suspend all trading rights and privileges of such OTP Holder or OTP Firm in accordance with proposed PCX Rule 13.2(a)(2)(E), subject to the procedures provided therein.(56)
The proposed PCX Rule 13.2(a)(2)(E) provides that in the event of any such failure to comply with Rule 3.4, the Exchange shall: (1) provide notice to the applicable OTP Holder or OTP Firm within five business days of learning of the failure to comply; (2) allow the applicable OTP Holder, OTP Firm or OTP Associate of such OTP Holder or OTP Firm fifteen calendar days to cure any such failure to comply; (3) in the event that the applicable OTP Holder, OTP Firm or OTP Associate of such OTP Holder or OTP Firm does not cure such failure to comply within such fifteen calendar day cure period, schedule a hearing to occur within thirty calendar days following the expiration of such fifteen calendar day cure period; and (4) render its decision as to the suspension of all trading rights and privileges of the applicable OTP Holder or OTP Firm no later than ten calendar days following the date of such hearing.(57)
Finally, the proposed PCX rules provide that in the event any OTP Holder or OTP Firm, either alone or with its related persons (including any related person that is an OTP Associate of such OTP Holder or OTP Firm), has cast votes, in person or by proxy or through any voting agreement or other arrangement, in excess of the Voting Limitation, Archipelago may bring suit
(56) Proposed PCX Rule 3.4(d)(3)
(57) Proposed PCX Rule 13.2(a)(2)(E).
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in a court of competent jurisdiction against such OTP Holder, OTP Firm or OTP Associates seeking enforcement of the Voting Limitation.(58)
c. Bylaws of Archipelago
(i) Duration of Certain Bylaw Provisions
With respect to the ownership and voting limitations in the certificate of incorporation of Archipelago that apply specifically to ETP Holders and their related persons (as opposed to stockholders of Archipelago in general) and certain other provisions of the certificate of incorporation of Archipelago (such provisions, collectively, the ArcaEx Limitations),(59) the certificate of incorporation of Archipelago provides that such provisions shall remain applicable for so long as ArcaEx remains a facility (as defined in Section 3(a)(2) of the Act)(60) of PCX and PCXE and the Facility Services Agreement remains in full force and effect.(61) As described previously in Item II.A.1, following completion of the Merger, ArcaEx will remain the exclusive equities trading facility of PCX and PCXE, and the Facility Services Agreement will remain in full force and effect in its current form. In order to ensure the continued force and effect of the
(58) Proposed PCX Rule 3.4(d)(4).
(59) Certificate of Incorporation of Archipelago, paragraphs (C)(3)(y), (D)(2), (D)(2)(a) and (H)(3) of Article FOURTH, the third paragraph of Article EIGHTH, the penultimate paragraph of Article TENTH, Article THIRTEENTH, Article FOURTEENTH, Article FIFTEENTH, Article SIXTEENTH, Article SEVENTEENTH and Article NINETEENTH.
(60) Section 3(a)(2) defines the term facility, when used with respect to an exchange, to include its premises, tangible or intangible property whether on the premises or not, any right to the use of such premises or property or any service thereof for the purpose of effecting or reporting a transaction on an exchange (including, among other things, any system of communication to or from the exchange, by ticker or otherwise, maintained by or with the consent of the exchange), and any right of the exchange to the use of any property or service. 15 U.S.C. 78c(a)(2).
(61) The Exchange clarified that the provisions discussed in this section, the ArcaEx Limitations, include both the ownership and voting limitations and other provisions. See August 12, 2005 Telephone Conversation.
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ArcaEx Limitations in the event of any change in the relationship of PCX and PCXE to ArcaEx or the effectiveness of the Facility Services Agreement, PCX proposes to amend the bylaws of Archipelago to provide that Archipelago will not take any action, and will not permit any of its subsidiaries, which will include PCXH, PCX, PCXE and ArcaEx, to take any action, that will cause (i) ArcaEx to cease to be a facility of PCX and PCXE, or (ii) the Facility Services Agreement to cease to be in full force and effect, unless each of the provisions in the certificate of incorporation of Archipelago relating to the ArcaEx Limitations is amended pursuant to the terms thereof, the bylaws and applicable law, to provide that such provisions shall remain in full force and effect whether or not ArcaEx remains a facility of PCX and PCXE or the Facility Services Agreement is in full force and effect.(62) The foregoing bylaw provisions may not be amended, modified or repealed unless such amendment, modification or repeal is (i) filed with and approved by the Commission(63) or (ii) approved by Archipelago stockholders voting not less than 80% of the then outstanding votes entitled to be cast in favor of any such amendment, modification or repeal.(64) PCX believes that, because Archipelago will own 100% of the ownership interest in PCX, these proposed Archipelago bylaw provisions, in conjunction with
(62) Amended Bylaws of Archipelago, Section 6.8(c).
(63) The current Bylaws of Archipelago provide that before any amendment to the bylaws shall be effective, such amendment shall be submitted to the Board of Directors of PCX and if such Board shall determine that the same is required, under Section 19 of the Act and the rules promulgated thereunder, to be filed with, or filed with and approved by, the Commission before such amendment may be effective under Section 19 of the Act and the rules promulgated thereunder, then such amendment shall not be effective until filed with, or filed with and approved by, the Commission, as the case may be. Amended Bylaws of Archipelago, Section 6.8(b).
(64) Amended Bylaws of Archipelago Section 6.8(g). Under Section 216 of the Delaware General Corporation Law, a bylaw amendment by shareholders generally requires the affirmative vote of a majority of the shares present in person or represented by proxy at a stockholders meeting and entitled to vote on such bylaw amendment, unless specified otherwise in the corporations certificate of incorporation or bylaws. Del. Code Ann. tit. 8 sec. 216(2) (1998).
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voting and ownership limitations currently in place, and the ownership and voting limitations that will be imposed by the Proposed Rule Changes on OTP Holders, OTP Firms and their related persons, will ensure that, regardless of whether ArcaEx remains a facility of PCX and PCXE or whether the Facility Services Agreement remains in full force and effect, the regulatory oversight responsibilities of PCX and PCXE will not be subject to any undue influences from a PCX member or a group of PCX members that control a substantial number of outstanding votes.
(ii) No Waiver by the Board of Directors of Archipelago
The certificate of incorporation of Archipelago currently contains provisions that allow the board of directors of Archipelago to, subject to certain conditions,(65) waive the voting and ownership limitations with respect to a specific Archipelago stockholder and its related persons, provided that neither the stockholder subject to such waiver nor any of its related persons is an ETP Holder.(66) These provisions reflect the heightened scrutiny with respect to ETP Holders and their related persons relative to other Archipelago stockholders due to the fact that ETP Holders are members of the Exchange and present more of a concern for undue influence than other
(65) Before adopting any waiver with respect to (i) the exercise of any voting rights in excess of the voting limitation set forth in the certificate of incorporation of Archipelago, (ii) the entering into of any agreement, plan or other arrangement in violation of the non-voting agreement prohibition set forth in the certificate of incorporation of Archipelago, or (iii) the ownership of Archipelago stock in excess of the concentration limitation set forth in the certificate of incorporation of Archipelago, the board of directors of Archipelago has to determine that: (x) the undertaking of any of the actions described in (i), (ii) or (iii) above by any person, either alone or with its related persons, will not impair any of Archipelagos, PCX or PCXEs ability to discharge its responsibilities under the Act and the rules and regulations thereunder and is otherwise in the best interests of Archipelago and its stockholders; (y) the undertaking of any of the actions described in (i), (ii) or (iii) above by any person, either alone or with its related persons, will not impair the Commissions ability to enforce the Act; and (z) neither such person nor any of its related persons is subject to any statutory disqualification (as defined in Section 3(a)(39) of the Act). Certificate of Incorporation of Archipelago, Article FOURTH, paragraphs C(3) and D(1)(b).
(66) Certificate of Incorporation of Archipelago, Article FOURTH, paragraph C(3).
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stockholders of Archipelago. In connection with the Merger and the expansion of the voting and ownership limitations to OTP Holders, OTP Firms and their related persons through the new proposed PCX rules described in Item 3.1(b), PCX proposes to amend the bylaws of Archipelago to provide that the board of directors of Archipelago will not adopt any resolution waiving the Voting Limitation, the Nonvoting Agreement Prohibition and the Concentration Limitation (as such term is defined in the certificate of incorporation of Archipelago)(67) with respect to any OTP Holder, OTP Firm or any of their related persons.(68) The foregoing bylaw provisions may not be amended, modified or repealed unless such amendment, modification or repeal is filed and approved by the Commission or approved by Archipelago stockholders voting not less than 80% of the then outstanding votes entitled to be cast in favor of any such amendment, modification, or repeal.(69) These proposed bylaw provisions, in conjunction with the ownership and voting limitations that would be imposed by the Proposed Rule Changes on OTP Holders, OTP Firms and their related persons, are designed to apply a comparable level of scrutiny that has been in place for ETP Holders and their related persons to OTP Holders, OTP Firms and their related persons after completion of the Merger. By proscribing any discretion by the board of directors of Archipelago with respect to granting waivers of the ownership and voting limitations to the OTP Holders and OTP Firms(70) and their related persons, the proposed bylaw provisions further
(67) The Concentration Limitation, as defined in the certificate of incorporation of Archipelago, provides that no person, either alone or with its related persons, shall be permitted at any time to own beneficially shares of Archipelago stock representing in the aggregate more than 40% of the then outstanding votes entitled to be cast on any matter. Certificate of Incorporation of Archipelago, Article FOURTH, Paragraph D(1).
(68) Amended Bylaws of Archipelago, Section 6.8(d.). See Amendment No. 1.
(69) Amended Bylaws of Archipelago, Section 6.8(g).
(70) See Amendment No. 1.
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ensure that these limitations will be strictly enforced to fulfill their intended purpose of protecting the integrity of the regulatory oversight of PCX and the Commission.
(iii) Extension of Certain Provisions Related to ArcaEx
Among other things, the certificate of incorporation of Archipelago provides for the inspection and copying by PCX and PCXE of Archipelagos books and records, requires that Archipelago take reasonable steps necessary to cause its agents to cooperate with PCX and PCXE in connection with certain of such agents activities and requires that Archipelago cause its officers, directors and employees to consent to the applicability to them of certain provisions of Archipelagos certificate of incorporation in connection with certain of such persons activities.(71) These provisions, however, apply only to the extent that such books and records or activities, as the case may be, relate to ArcaEx. As described previously in Item II.A.1, following completion of the Merger, PCX and PCXE will become wholly-owned subsidiaries of Archipelago. In order to ensure that these provisions apply also to the operations of PCX and PCXE, PCX proposes to amend the bylaws of Archipelago to provide that, in addition to the current requirements of the certificate of incorporation of Archipelago, (i) Archipelagos books and records shall be subject at all times to inspection and copying by PCX and PCXE to the extent such books and records are related to the operation and administration of PCX or PCXE, (ii) Archipelago shall take reasonable steps necessary to cause its agents to cooperate with PCX and PCXE pursuant to their regulatory authority with respect to such agents activities related to PCX or PCXE, (iii) Archipelago shall take reasonable steps necessary to cause its officers, directors and employees prior to accepting a position as an officer, director or employee, as
(71) Certificate of Incorporation of Archipelago, Article THIRTEENTH, Article FOURTEENTH, Article SEVENTEENTH and Article EIGHTEENTH.
The Exchange clarified that Article THIRTEENTH of the Certificate of Archipelago should be included in the preceding list. See August 12, 2005 Telephone Conversation.
30
applicable, of the Corporation to consent in writing to the applicability to them of certain specified provisions of the certificate of incorporation of Archipelago with respect to their activities related to PCX or PCXE, and (iv) Archipelago, its directors and officers, and those of its employees whose principal place of business and residence is outside the United States shall be deemed to irrevocably submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the United States federal courts, the Commission and PCX for the purposes of any suit, action or proceeding pursuant to the United States federal securities laws, and the rules and regulations thereunder, arising out of, or relating to, the activities of PCX or PCXE, and Archipelago and each such director, officer or employee, in the case of any such director, officer or employee by virtue of his acceptance of any such position, shall be deemed to waive, and agree not to assert by way of motion, as a defense or otherwise in any suit, action or proceeding, any claims that it or they are not personally subject to the jurisdiction of the Commission, that the suit, action or proceeding is an inconvenient forum or that the venue of the suit, action or proceeding is improper, or that the subject matter thereof may not be enforced in or by such courts or agency.(72) The foregoing proposed bylaw provisions may not be amended, modified or repealed unless such amendment, modification or repeal is (i) filed with and approved by the Commission or (ii) approved by Archipelago stockholders voting not less than 80% of the then outstanding votes entitled to be cast in favor of any such amendment, modification or repeal.(73) PCX believes that, because Archipelago will own 100% of the ownership interest in PCX (and, through PCX, in PCXE as well), these proposed Archipelago bylaw provisions will ensure that the regulatory oversight responsibilities of PCX and PCXE will also extend to such books and records, agents, officers,
(72) Amended Bylaws of Archipelago, Section 6.8(e).
(73) Amended Bylaws of Archipelago, Section 6.8(g).
31
directors and employees of Archipelago as may relate to, or be involved in, the operations of PCX and PCXE (as well as ArcaEx).
(iv) Calling of Shares by Archipelago
The certificate of incorporation of Archipelago also contains provisions that govern the process that Archipelago will follow in order to call shares from certain of its stockholders in the event of breaches of certain ownership limitations.(74) The proposed Archipelago bylaw amendment clarifies that, in order to effect the purposes of these provisions of Archipelagos certificate of incorporation, Archipelago recognizes that the call must be undertaken and completed promptly. To that end, under the proposed bylaw amendment, the Board of Directors of Archipelago will cause Archipelago to call promptly shares of stock of Archipelago and also to give notice of such call promptly.(75) The foregoing proposed bylaw provisions may not be amended, modified or repealed unless such amendment, modification or repeal is (i) filed with and approved by the Commission or (ii) approved by Archipelago stockholders voting not less than 80% of the then outstanding votes entitled to be cast in favor of any such amendment, modification or repeal.(76)
d. Undertakings by Archipelago.
In connection with the submission of the Proposed Rule Changes, Archipelago undertakes that, prior to the earlier of (1) the 2006 annual general meeting of Archipelago stockholders and (2) the first meeting of Archipelago stockholders to occur after the closing of the Merger (other than any meeting or meetings of Archipelago stockholders convened for the purpose of considering and approving the merger of Archipelago and New York Stock
(74) Certificate of Incorporation of Archipelago, Article FOURTH, paragraph F.
(75) Amended Bylaws of Archipelago, Section 6.8(f).
(76) Amended Bylaws of Archipelago, Section 6.8(g).
32
Exchange, Inc.), the board of directors of Archipelago shall: (a) propose amendments to the certificate of incorporation of Archipelago to (x) extend the application of voting and ownership limitations imposed on ETP Holders currently contained in the certificate of incorporation of Archipelago to OTP Holders and OTP Firms, (y) delete the phrase [f]or so long as ArcaEx remains a Facility of PCX and PCX Equities and the FSA remains in full force and effect from each paragraph that contains such language, which paragraphs shall include paragraphs (C)(3)(y), (D)(2), (D)(2)(a) and (H)(3) of Article FOURTH, the third paragraph of Article EIGHTH, the penultimate paragraph of Article TENTH, Article THIRTEENTH, Article FOURTEENTH, Article FIFTEENTH, Article SIXTEENTH, Article SEVENTEENTH and Article NINETEENTH, and (z) incorporate into Articles THIRTEENTH, FOURTEENTH, SEVENTEENTH AND EIGHTEENTH, as appropriate, the requirements set forth in Section 6.8(e) of the proposed Archipelago bylaw amendment; (b) declare the advisability of such amendments; and (c) direct such amendments be submitted for stockholder approval at the earlier of (1) the 2006 annual meeting of Archipelago stockholders and (2) the first meeting of Archipelago stockholders to occur after the closing of the Merger (other than any meeting or meetings of Archipelago stockholders convened for the purpose of considering and approving the merger of Archipelago and New York Stock Exchange, Inc.). The Ownership and Voting Agreement will provide that any OTP Holder, OTP Firm or OTP Associate that is subject to the Ownership and Voting Agreement shall vote, or authorize Archipelago to vote on its behalf, shares of Archipelago stock owned by such OTP Holder, OTP Firm or OTP Associate in favor of the amendments to the certificate of incorporation of Archipelago described in (x) above.(77)
(77) Proposed PCX Rule 3.4(c)(3). PCX clarified that the Ownership and Voting Agreement also would apply to OTP Associates, and that such agreement would only require a vote in favor of the amendments described in (x) above. See August 4, 2005 Telephone Conversation.
33
In addition, Archipelago undertakes to take reasonable steps necessary to cause Archipelagos directors and officers and those Archipelago employees whose principal place of business and residence is outside the United States prior to accepting a position as an officer, director or employee, as applicable, of Archipelago to consent in writing to the applicability to them of the proposed Section 6.8(e)(iv) of the proposed Archipelago bylaw amendment. Furthermore, Archipelago undertakes that it will take reasonable steps necessary to cause Archipelagos current directors and officers and those current Archipelago employees whose principal place of business and residence is outside the United States to consent in writing prior to the consummation of the Merger to the applicability to them of Section 6.8(e)(iv) of the proposed Archipelago bylaw amendment.
e. Certain Additional Matters(78)
(i) The Exchange is also requesting the Commissions approval for the following temporary exceptions for the following persons, each of whom would be subject to and exceed the voting and ownership limitations imposed by Article Nine of the certificate of incorporation of PCXH (as proposed to be amended as described in this filing) as of the date of the closing of the Merger, so that such persons be permitted to exceed such limitations imposed by Article Nine to the following extent and for the following time periods:
(x) Archipelago may, until December 31, 2005, continue to own all of its ownership interest in Wave Securities, L.L.C., a broker-dealer and wholly-owned subsidiary of Archipelago, following the closing of its acquisition of PCXH notwithstanding the terms of the certificate of incorporation of PCXH, as proposed to be amended as described in this filing.
(78) See Amendment No. 1.
34
(y) Gerald D. Putnam, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Archipelago, may, until December 31, 2005, continue to own in excess of 5% of Terra Nova Trading, L.L.C. and continue to serve as a director of TAL Financial Services, LLC following the closing of the Archipelagos acquisition of PCXH notwithstanding the terms of the certificate of incorporation of PCXH, as proposed to be amended as described in this filing.
(ii) In order to abide by the terms of the certificate of incorporation of PCXH, as proposed to be amended as described in this filing, each of Kevin J.P. OHara, Chief Administrative Officer and General Counsel of Archipelago, and Paul Adcock, Managing Director, Trading, of Archipelago, shall resign from the board of directors of White Cap Trading LLC prior to the effective time of the Merger.
2. Basis
The Exchange believes that this filing is consistent with Section 6(b)(79) of the Act, in general, and furthers the objectives of Section 6(b)(1),(80) in particular, in that it enables the Exchange to be so organized so as to have the capacity to be able to carry out the purposes of the Act and to comply, and (subject to any rule or order of the Commission pursuant to Section 17(d) or 19(g)(2) of the Act) to enforce compliance by its exchange members and persons associated with its exchange members, with the provisions of the Act, the rules and regulations thereunder, and the rules of the Exchange. The Exchange also believes that this filing furthers the objectives of Section 6(b)(5),(81) in particular, because the rules summarized herein would create a governance and regulatory structure with respect to the operation of the options business of PCX that is designed to help prevent fraudulent and manipulative acts and practices; to promote just
(79) 15 U.S.C. 78f(b).
(80) 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(1).
(81) 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(5).
35
and equitable principals of trade; to foster cooperation and coordination with persons engaged in regulating, clearing, settling, processing information with respect to, and facilitating transactions in securities; and to remove impediments to and perfect the mechanism of a free and open market and a national market system, and, in general, to protect investors and the public interest.
B. Self-Regulatory Organizations Statement on Burden on Competition
The Exchange does not believe that the proposed rule change will impose any burden on competition that is not necessary or appropriate in furtherance of the purposes of the Act.
C. Self-Regulatory Organizations Statement on Comments on the Proposed Rule Change Received from Members, Participants, or Others
Written comments on the proposed rule change were neither solicited nor received.
III. Date of Effectiveness of the Proposed Rule Change and Timing for Commission Action
Within 35 days of the date of publication of this notice in the Federal Register or within such longer period (1) as the Commission may designate up to 90 days of such date if it finds such longer period to be appropriate and publishes its reasons for so finding or (2) as to which the Exchange consents, the Commission will:
(A) by order approve such proposed rule change, or
(B) institute proceedings to determine whether the proposed rule change should be disapproved.
The board of directors of PCXH and the board of directors of PCX approved the proposed amendment to the certificate of incorporation of PCXH at their respective meetings on June 1, 2005. The board of directors of PCX approved this filing, including the Proposed Rule Changes contained therein, at its meeting on August 2, 2005. The board of directors of Archipelago approved the proposed amendment to the bylaws of Archipelago at its meeting on July 18, 2005. In addition, PCXH will be submitting the Amended Merger Agreement to its
36
stockholders for approval. This vote is expected to occur at a special meeting of PCXH stockholders in September 2005. To the extent necessary, the Exchange hereby consents to an extension of the time period specified in Section 19(b)(2) of the Act until at least 35 days after the Exchange has filed an appropriate amendment to this filing setting forth the completion of all such necessary corporate actions.(82)
IV. Solicitation of Comments
Interested persons are invited to submit written data, views, and arguments concerning the foregoing, including whether the proposed rule change, as amended, is consistent with the Act. Comments may be submitted by any of the following methods:
Electronic comments:
Use the Commissions Internet comment form (http://www.sec.gov/rules/sro.shtml); or
Send an e-mail to rule-comments@sec.gov. Please include File Number SR-PCX-2005-90 on the subject line.
Paper comments:
Send paper comments in triplicate to Jonathan G. Katz, Secretary, Securities and Exchange Commission, Station Place, 100 F Street, NE, Washington, DC 20549-9303.
All submissions should refer to File Number SR-PCX-2005-90. This file number should be included on the subject line if e-mail is used. To help the Commission process and review your comments more efficiently, please use only one method. The Commission will post all comments on the Commissions Internet Web site (http://www.sec.gov/rules/sro.shtml). Copies of the submission, all subsequent amendments, all written statements with respect to the proposed rule change that are filed with the Commission, and all written communications
(82) See Amendment No. 1.
37
relating to the proposed rule change between the Commission and any person, other than those that may be withheld from the public in accordance with the provisions of 5 U.S.C. 552, will be available for inspection and copying in the Commissions Public Reference Room. Copies of such filing also will be available for inspection and copying at the principal office of PCX. All comments received will be posted without change; the Commission does not edit personal identifying information from submissions. You should submit only information that you wish to make available publicly. All submissions should refer to File Number SR-PCX-2005-90 and should be submitted on or before [insert date 21 days from publication in the Federal Register].
For the Commission, by the Division of Market Regulation, pursuant to delegated authority.(83)
|
Margaret H. McFarland |
|
Deputy Secretary |
(83) 17 CFR 200.30-3(a)(12).
38
SR-PCX-2005-90
Exhibit A
Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of PCX Holdings, Inc.
Page 1 of 18
Text of the Proposed Rule Change
Underlining indicates additions; [brackets] indicate deletions
AMENDED AND RESTATED CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION
OF
PCX HOLDINGS, INC.
PCX Holdings, Inc., a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the State of Delaware, hereby certifies as follows:
FIRST: The name of the corporation is PCX Holdings, Inc.
SECOND: The original Certificate of Incorporation of the corporation was filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware on September 15, 2003.
THIRD: The corporation has not yet received any payment for any of its stock.
FOURTH: Pursuant to Sections 241 and 245 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, this Restated Certificate of Incorporation restates, integrates and further amends the provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation of the corporation.
FIFTH: The Certificate of Incorporation of the corporation is hereby amended and restated to read in full as follows:
Article One
The name of the Corporation is: PCX HOLDINGS, INC.
1
SR-PCX-2005-90
Exhibit A
Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of PCX Holdings, Inc.
Page 2 of 18
Article Two
The address of the Corporations registered office in the State of Delaware is 1209 Orange Street in the City of Wilmington, County of New Castle. The name of the Corporations registered agent at such address is The Corporation Trust Company.
Article Three
The nature of the business or purposes to be conducted or promoted are to engage in any lawful act or activity for which corporations may be organized under the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware.
Article Four
The total number of shares of all classes of stock that the Corporation shall have authority to issue is one million (1,000,000) shares of common stock, having a par value of one cent ($.01) per share, and twenty-five thousand (25,000) shares of preferred stock having a par value of one cent ($.01) per share. Authority is hereby expressly granted to the Board of Directors to fix by resolution or resolutions any of the designations and the powers, preferences and rights, and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions that are permitted by the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware in respect of any class or classes of preferred stock or any series of any class of preferred stock of the Corporation.
Article Five
The Corporation shall be a for-profit stock corporation that shall have authority to issue capital stock. The stock shall be non-assessable. The Corporation shall have perpetual existence.
2
SR-PCX-2005-90
Exhibit A
Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of PCX Holdings, Inc.
Page 3 of 18
Article Six
1. Board of Directors.
(a) Number of Directors. The number of directors of the Corporation shall consist of not less than seven (7) or more than twelve (12), the exact number to be fixed exclusively by the Board of Directors from time to time pursuant to a resolution adopted by the affirmative vote of a majority of the entire Board of Directors, subject to the bylaws of the Corporation.
(b) Terms. The Board of Directors shall be divided into three classes (Class 1, Class 2 and Class 3), as nearly equal in number as the then total number of directors constituting the whole Board permits. The directors shall serve staggered three-year terms with the term of office of one class expiring each year. In order to commence such staggered three-year terms, directors in Class 1 shall be initially appointed to hold office until the first annual meeting of stockholders; directors in Class 2 shall be initially appointed to hold office until the second annual meeting of stockholders; and directors in Class 3 shall be initially appointed to hold office until the third annual meeting of stockholders. Thereafter, the term of office for each class of directors elected at each annual meeting shall be three years from the date of their election. All directors shall continue in office after the expiration of their terms until their successors are elected or appointed and qualified, except in the event of early resignation, removal or disqualification.
(c) Election and Qualification of Directors. At each annual meeting of stockholders at which a quorum is present, the persons receiving a plurality of the votes cast shall be directors. No director need be a stockholder.
3
SR-PCX-2005-90
Exhibit A
Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of PCX Holdings, Inc.
Page 4 of 18
(d) Removal of Directors. No director or class of directors may be removed from office by a vote of the stockholders at any time except for cause. For purposes of this section, cause shall mean only (i) a breach of a directors duty of loyalty to the Corporation or its stockholders, (ii) acts or omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law, (iii) actions resulting in liability under Section 174 of the Delaware General Corporation Law, or (iv) transactions from which a director derived an improper personal benefit. Any director may be removed for cause by the holders of a majority of the shares of capital stock then entitled to be voted at an election of directors.
(e) Initial Board of Directors of the Corporation. The initial members of the Board of Directors of the Corporation shall consist of individuals nominated by the Nominating Committee of Pacific Exchange, Inc. in consultation with the Chief Executive Officer and approved by the Board of Governors of Pacific Exchange, Inc.
2. Vacancies. Any vacancy on the Board of Directors resulting from death, retirement, resignation, disqualification or removal from office or other cause, as well as any vacancy resulting from an increase in the number of directors which occurs between annual meetings of the stockholders at which directors are elected, shall be filled only by a majority vote of the remaining directors then in office, though less than a quorum, except that those vacancies resulting from removal from office by a vote of the stockholders for cause may be filled by a vote of the stockholders at the same meeting at which such removal occurs. The directors chosen to fill vacancies shall hold office for a term expiring at the end of the next annual meeting of stockholders at which time a director shall be chosen by vote of the stockholders to fill any
4
SR-PCX-2005-90
Exhibit A
Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of PCX Holdings, Inc.
Page 5 of 18
portion of the term that remains. No decrease in the number of directors constituting the Board of Directors shall shorten the term of any incumbent director.
Article Seven
Action by the stockholders of the Corporation may only be taken at an annual or special stockholders meeting as described in the bylaws of the Corporation. Unless otherwise restricted by the Certificate of Incorporation, bylaws or the rules of the Corporation, any action required or permitted to be taken at any meeting of the Board of Directors or any committee thereof may be taken without a meeting if all of the members of the Board or committee, as the case may be, consent thereto in writing or by electronic transmission, and the writing or writings or electronic transmission or transmissions are filed with the minutes of the proceedings of the Board or committee. Stockholder action may not be taken by consent in lieu of a meeting.
Article Eight
1. Management. Except as set forth in Section 2 of this Article Eight, the Corporation shall be managed by or under the direction of the Board of Directors which shall exercise all powers conferred under the laws of Delaware.
2. Adoption of Bylaws.
(a) In furtherance and not in limitation of the powers conferred by statute, the power to adopt, amend or repeal the bylaws of the Corporation may be exercised by the Board of Directors; except that the Board of Directors may not amend or repeal a provision of the bylaws adopted by the stockholders and declared as part of such adoption to be amendable or repealable only by the stockholders. Any adoption, amendment or repeal of the bylaws by the Board of Directors shall require the approval of a majority of the Board of Directors.
5
SR-PCX-2005-90
Exhibit A
Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of PCX Holdings, Inc.
Page 6 of 18
(b) The stockholders shall also have the power to adopt, amend or repeal the bylaws, provided that in addition to any vote of the holders of any class or series of stock required by law or this Certificate of Incorporation, if the proposal to adopt, amend or repeal the bylaws has not been approved by the Board of Directors, the affirmative vote of at least two-thirds (2/3) of the outstanding shares of capital stock of the Corporation entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, voting together as a single class, but not less than a majority of such outstanding shares, shall be required for the stockholders to adopt, amend or repeal any provision of the bylaws of the Corporation.
Article Nine
1. Limitations on Transfer.
(a) During the first thirty (30) days following the date stock is first issued by the Corporation to members of Pacific Exchange, Inc., no stockholder (each, an Initial Stockholder) shall be permitted to sell, transfer, assign or pledge any shares of stock in the Corporation owned by such stockholder to any other party or parties unless the Board of Directors of the Corporation waives such restriction on sale, transfer, assignment or pledge.
(b) For so long as this Corporation shall control, directly or indirectly, Pacific Exchange, Inc.:
(i) no Person (as defined below) either alone or together with its Related Persons (as defined below), may own, directly or indirectly, of record or beneficially shares of the capital stock (whether common or preferred stock) of this Corporation constituting more than forty percent (40%) of the outstanding shares of any class of capital stock of this Corporation; provided, however, that,
6
SR-PCX-2005-90
Exhibit A
Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of PCX Holdings, Inc.
Page 7 of 18
(A) subject to clause (C), below, such restriction shall not apply in the case of any class of preferred stock which shall not have the right by its terms to vote in the election of members of the Board of Directors of the Corporation or on other matters which may require the approval of the holders of voting shares of the Corporation (other than matters affecting the rights, preferences or privileges of said class of preferred stock);
(B) subject to clause (C), below, such restriction may be waived by the Board of Directors of this Corporation pursuant to an amendment to the Bylaws adopted by the Board of Directors, if, in connection with the adoption of such amendment, the Board of Directors adopts a resolution stating that it is the determination of such Board that such amendment will not impair the ability of Pacific Exchange, Inc., to carry out its functions and responsibilities as an exchange under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules thereunder, and is otherwise in the best interests of the Corporation and its stockholders and Pacific Exchange, Inc., and will not impair the ability of the United States Securities and Exchange Commission to enforce said Act, and such amendment shall not be effective until approved by said Commission;
(C) notwithstanding clauses (A) and (B), above, in any case where a Person either alone or together with its Related Persons would own more than the above percentage limitation upon consummation of any proposed sale, assignment or transfer of the Corporations capital stock, the Board of Directors of the Corporation shall have determined that such Person and its Related Persons are
7
SR-PCX-2005-90
Exhibit A
Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of PCX Holdings, Inc.
Page 8 of 18
not subject to any applicable statutory disqualification (within the meaning of Section 3(a)(39) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended);
(D) any Person (and its Related Persons owning any capital stock of the Corporation) which proposes to own, directly or indirectly, of record or beneficially shares of the capital stock (whether common or preferred stock) of this Corporation constituting more than forty percent (40%) of the outstanding shares of any class of capital stock of this Corporation, shall have delivered to the Board of Directors of the Corporation a notice in writing, not less than forty-five (45) days (or any shorter period to which said Board shall expressly consent) before the proposed exercise of said voting rights or the granting of said proxies or consents, of its intention to do so.; and
(ii) no Person, either alone or together with its Related Persons, who is a trading permit holder of Pacific Exchange, Inc., or an equities trading permit holder of PCX Equities, Inc., may own, directly or indirectly, of record or beneficially shares constituting more than twenty percent (20%) of any class of capital stock of this Corporation.
(iii) any Person, either alone or together with its Related Persons, that at any time owns (whether by acquisition or by a change in the number of shares outstanding) of record or beneficially, whether directly or indirectly, five percent (5%) or more of the then outstanding shares of capital stock of this Corporation, that has the right by its terms to vote in the election of members of the Board of Directors of the Corporation, shall, immediately upon so owning five percent (5%) or more of the then outstanding shares of
8
SR-PCX-2005-90
Exhibit A
Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of PCX Holdings, Inc.
Page 9 of 18
such stock, give the Board of Directors written notice of such ownership of five percent (5%) or more of the then outstanding shares of such stock, which notice shall state: (1) such Persons full legal name; (2) such Persons title or status and the date on which such title or status was acquired; (3) such Persons approximate ownership interest in the Corporation; and (4) whether such Person has the power, directly or indirectly, to direct the management or policies of the Corporation, whether through ownership of securities, by contract or otherwise.
(iv) each Person required to provide written notice pursuant to subparagraph (b)(iii) of this Paragraph 1(b) shall update such notice promptly after any change therein; provided that no such updated notice shall be required to be provided to the Board of Directors in the event of an increase or decrease of less than one percent (1%) (of the then outstanding shares of any class of capital stock) in the ownership percentage so reported (such increase or decrease to be measured cumulatively from the amount shown on the last such report) unless any increase or decrease of less than one percent (1%) results in such Person so owning more than twenty percent (20%) or more than forty percent (40%) of the shares of any class of capital stock then outstanding (at a time when such Person so owned less than such percentages) or such Person so owning less than twenty percent (20%) or less than forty percent (40%) of the shares of any class of capital stock then outstanding (at a time when such Person so owned more than such percentages).
As used in this Article Nine: the term Person shall mean an individual, partnership (general or limited), joint stock company, corporation, limited liability company, trust or
9
SR-PCX-2005-90
Exhibit A
Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of PCX Holdings, Inc.
Page 10 of 18
unincorporated organization, or any governmental entity or agency or political subdivision thereof; the term Related Persons shall mean (i) with respect to any Person, all affiliates and associates of such Person (as such terms are defined in Rule 12b-2 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended); (ii) with respect to any Person constituting a trading permit holder of Pacific Exchange, Inc. or an equities trading permit holder of PCX Equities, Inc., any broker or dealer with which such holder is associated; and (iii) any two or more Persons that have any agreement, arrangement or understanding (whether or not in writing) to act together for the purpose of acquiring, voting, holding or disposing of shares of the capital stock of this Corporation; and the term beneficially owned shall have the meaning set forth in Rule 13d-3 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
(c) For so long as this Corporation shall control, directly or indirectly, Pacific Exchange, Inc., no Person, either alone or together with its Related Persons, at any time, may, directly, indirectly or pursuant to any voting trust, agreement, plan or other arrangement, vote or cause the voting of shares of the capital stock (whether such shares be common stock or preferred stock) of the Corporation or give any consent or proxy with respect to shares representing more than twenty percent (20%) of the voting power of the then issued and outstanding capital stock of the Corporation, nor may any Person, either alone or together with its Related Persons, enter into any agreement, plan or other arrangement with any other Person, either alone or together with its Related Persons, under circumstances which would result in the shares of capital stock of the Corporation which shall be subject to such agreement, plan or other arrangement not being voted on any matter or matters or the withholding of any proxy relating thereto, where the effect of such agreement, plan or other arrangement would be to enable any
10
SR-PCX-2005-90
Exhibit A
Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of PCX Holdings, Inc.
Page 11 of 18
Person, either alone or together with its Related Persons, to vote, possess the right to vote or cause the voting of shares of the capital stock of the Corporation which would, as a result thereof, represent more than twenty percent (20%) of said voting power, except as otherwise permitted by the Board of Directors of the Corporation pursuant to an amendment to the Bylaws adopted by the Board of Directors, if, in connection with the adoption of such amendment, the Board of Directors shall adopt a resolution stating that it is the determination of such Board that such Person and its Related Persons are not subject to any applicable statutory disqualification (within the meaning of Section 3(a)(39) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) and that such amendment will not impair the ability of Pacific Exchange, Inc., to carry out its functions and responsibilities as an exchange under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules thereunder, and is otherwise in the best interests of the Corporation and its stockholders and Pacific Exchange, Inc., and will not impair the ability of the United States Securities and Exchange Commission to enforce said Act, and such amendment shall not be effective until approved by said Commission. In making the determinations referred to in the immediately preceding sentence, the Board of Directors may impose on the Person in question and its Related Persons such conditions and restrictions as it may in its sole discretion deem necessary, appropriate or desirable in furtherance of the objectives of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules thereunder, and the governance of Pacific Exchange, Inc. Any Person (and its Related Persons owning any capital stock of the Corporation) which proposes to exercise voting rights, or grant any proxies or consents with respect to any shares exceeding such twenty percent (20%) limitation shall have delivered to the Board of Directors of the Corporation a notice in writing, not less than forty-five (45) days (or any shorter period to
11
SR-PCX-2005-90
Exhibit A
Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of PCX Holdings, Inc.
Page 12 of 18
which said Board shall expressly consent) before the proposed exercise of said voting rights or the granting of said proxies or consents, of its intention to do so.
2. Effect of Purported Transfers in Violation of this Article. If any stockholder purports to vote, or sell, transfer, assign or pledge any shares of the Corporation to any Person other than the Corporation in a transaction that would violate the provisions of this Article Nine, then the Corporation shall record on the books of the Corporation the transfer of only that number of shares that would not violate the provisions of this Article Nine, and shall for all purposes treat the remaining shares as owned by the purported transferor for all purposes, including without limitation, voting, payment of dividends and distributions with respect to shares whether upon liquidation or otherwise. If any stockholder purports to vote, grant any proxy or enter into any other agreement for the voting of shares that would violate the provisions of this Article Nine, then the Corporation shall not honor such vote, proxy or agreement to the extent that such provisions would be violated, and any shares subject thereto shall not be entitled to be voted to the extent of such violation.
3. Right to Redeem Shares Purportedly Transferred in Violation of this Article. If any stockholder purports to vote, or sell, transfer, assign or pledge any shares of the Corporation to any Person, in a transaction that would violate the provisions of this Article Nine, then the Corporation shall have the right, exercisable upon written notice to the holder or holders of record with respect to such shares, to redeem such shares for a price per share equal to the par value thereof, which right shall be exercisable by the Corporation upon the approval of the Board of Directors of the Corporation. Upon any such determination to redeem any such shares, written notice shall be given by the Secretary of the Corporation to the holder or holders of
12
SR-PCX-2005-90
Exhibit A
Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of PCX Holdings, Inc.
Page 13 of 18
record with respect to such shares at the address thereof appearing on the books of the Corporation which notice shall specify a date for redemption of the shares which shall be not less than ten (10) days nor more than thirty (30) days from the date of such notice. Any shares which have been so called for redemption shall not be deemed outstanding shares for the purpose of voting or determining the total number of shares entitled to vote on any matter on and after the date on which written notice of redemption has been sent to the holder or holders thereof and a sum sufficient to redeem such shares has been irrevocably deposited or set aside to pay the redemption price to the holder or holders of the shares upon surrender of certificates therefor.
4. Voting and Ownership of Shares by Archipelago Holdings, Inc. and its Related Persons. For as long as Archipelago Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation (Archipelago), directly owns all of the outstanding capital stock of the Corporation, the provisions of this Article Nine shall not be applicable to the voting and ownership of shares of the capital stock of the Corporation by (i) Archipelago, (ii) any Person which is a Related Person of Archipelago, either alone or together with its Related Persons, and (iii) any other Person to which Archipelago is a Related Person, either alone or together with its Related Persons, except for, in each case of clauses (i), (ii) and (iii) above, Prohibited Persons (as such term is defined below). As used in this Section 4 of this Article Nine, the term Prohibited Person means any Person which is, or which has a Related Person which is, (A) an OTP Holder (as such term is defined in the rules of the Pacific Exchange, Inc., as such rules may be in effect from time to time) or an OTP Firm (as such term is defined in the rules of the Pacific Exchange, Inc., as such rules may be in effect from time to time) or (B) an ETP Holder (as such term is defined in the rules of PCX Equities, Inc., as such rules may be in effect from time to time), except for, in each case of clauses (A) and
13
SR-PCX-2005-90
Exhibit A
Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of PCX Holdings, Inc.
Page 14 of 18
(B) above, Permitted Persons (as defined below). As used in this Section 4 of this Article Nine, the term Permitted Person means: (1) any broker or dealer approved by the United States Securities and Exchange Commission after June 20, 2005 to be a facility (as defined in Section 3(a)(2) of the Exchange Act) of Pacific Exchange, Inc.; (2) any Person approved by the United States Securities and Exchange Commission prior to it becoming subject to the provisions of this Article Nine with respect to voting and ownership of shares by such Person; and (3) any Person which is a Related Person of Archipelago solely by reason of beneficially owning, either alone or together with its Related Persons, less than 20% of the outstanding shares of capital stock of Archipelago. Any other Prohibited Person not covered by the definition of a Permitted Person who would be subject to and exceed the voting and ownership limitations imposed by this Article Nine as of the date of the closing of the transactions contemplated by the agreement and plan of merger, dated as of January 3, 2005, among the Corporation, Archipelago and New Apple Acquisitions Corporation, a Delaware corporation and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Archipelago (as such agreement and plan of merger may be amended or modified from time to time), shall be permitted to exceed such limitations imposed by this Article Nine only to the extent and for the time period approved by the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.
Article Ten
Whenever a compromise or arrangement is proposed between this Corporation and its creditors or any class of them and/or between this Corporation and its stockholders or any class of them, any court of equitable jurisdiction within the State of Delaware may, on the application in a summary way of this Corporation or of any creditor or stockholder thereof or on the
14
SR-PCX-2005-90
Exhibit A
Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of PCX Holdings, Inc.
Page 15 of 18
application of any receiver or receivers appointed for this Corporation under § 291 of Title 8 of the Delaware Code or on the application of trustees in dissolution or of any receiver or receivers appointed for this Corporation under § 279 of Title 8 of the Delaware Code order a meeting of the creditors or class of creditors, and/or of the stockholders or class of stockholders of this Corporation, as the case may be, to be summoned in such manner as the said court directs. If a majority in number representing three fourths in value of the creditors or class of creditors, and/or of the stockholders or class of stockholders of this Corporation, as the case may be, agree to any compromise or arrangement and to any reorganization of this Corporation as consequence of such compromise or arrangement, the said compromise or arrangement and the said reorganization shall, if sanctioned by the court to which the said application has been made, be binding on all the creditors or class of creditors, and/or on all the stockholders or class of stockholders, of this Corporation, as the case may be, and also on this Corporation.
Article Eleven
The personal liability of the directors of the Corporation is hereby eliminated to the fullest extent permitted by the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, as the same exists or may hereafter be amended. No amendment or repeal of this paragraph shall apply to or have any effect on the liability or alleged liability of any director of the Corporation for or with respect to any act or omission on the part of such director occurring prior to such amendment or repeal.
The private property, whether real or personal, of directors and officers of the Corporation shall not be subject to the payment of corporate debts to any extent whatsoever.
15
SR-PCX-2005-90
Exhibit A
Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of PCX Holdings, Inc.
Page 16 of 18
To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, the Corporation is authorized to provide indemnification of (and advancement of expenses to) directors, officers, employees or agents of the Corporation (and any other persons to which Delaware law permits the Corporation to provide indemnification and advancement) through bylaw provisions, agreements with such directors, officers, employees, agents or other persons, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors or otherwise, in excess of the indemnification and advancement otherwise permitted by Section 145 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, subject only to limits created by applicable Delaware law (statutory or non-statutory), with respect to actions for breach of duty to the Corporation, its stockholders, and others.
Article Twelve
The stockholders shall be entitled to receive, when and if declared by the Board, out of the assets of the Corporation which are by law available therefor, dividends payable in cash, stock or otherwise.
Article Thirteen
Preemptive rights shall not exist with respect to shares of stock or securities convertible into shares of stock of this Corporation.
Article Fourteen
The Corporation reserves the right to amend or repeal any provision contained in this Certificate of Incorporation in any manner now or hereafter permitted by law, and all rights conferred upon stockholders herein are granted subject to this reservation. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Certificate of Incorporation, (a) the affirmative vote of at least 75% of the outstanding shares of capital stock of the Corporation entitled to vote generally in the election of
16
SR-PCX-2005-90
Exhibit A
Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of PCX Holdings, Inc.
Page 17 of 18
directors, voting together as a single class, but not less than a majority of such outstanding shares, shall be required to amend in any respect or repeal any provision of this Certificate of Incorporation, and (b) for so long as this Corporation shall control, directly or indirectly, Pacific Exchange, Inc., before any amendment to or repeal of any provision of the Certificate of Incorporation of this Corporation shall be effective, the same shall be submitted to the Board of Directors of Pacific Exchange, Inc. and if said Board shall determine that the same must be filed with or filed with and approved by the United States Securities and Exchange Commission before the same may be effective, under Section 19 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules promulgated thereunder by said Commission or otherwise, then the same shall not be effective until filed with or filed with and approved by said Commission, as the case may be.
* * *
SIXTH: This Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation was duly adopted by the Board of Directors of the corporation in accordance with Sections 241 and 245 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware.
17
SR-PCX-2005-90
Exhibit A
Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of PCX Holdings, Inc.
Page 18 of 18
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, PCX Holdings, Inc. has caused this certificate to be signed by its Chairman and Chief Executive Officer and Secretary this day of [January], 200[4]5.
|
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, |
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[Philip D. DeFeo,]Chairman
and Chief |
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, |
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[Kathryn L. Beck,]Secretary |
18
SR-PCX-2005-90
Exhibit B
Proposed PCX Rules
Page 1 of 10
Text of the Proposed Rule Change
Underlining indicates additions; [brackets] indicate deletions
PROPOSED PCX RULES
RULE OF THE PACFIC EXCHANGE, INC.
Rule 1.1 Definitions.
Rules 1.1(a) (bb) No change.
(cc) Archipelago shall mean Archipelago Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation and the parent company of ArcaEx.
(dd) ArcaEx shall mean Archipelago Exchange, L.L.C., the exclusive equities trading facility of the Exchange.
(ee) Exchange Act shall mean the Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
(ff) PCX Holdings shall mean PCX Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation and the parent company of the Corporation.
(gg) Related persons shall mean with respect to any OTP Holder or OTP Firm (v) any broker or dealer with which such OTP Holder or OTP Firm is associated; (w) any natural person who is an associated person of such OTP Firm; (x) any other Person(s) whose beneficial ownership of shares of stock of Archipelago with the power to vote on any matter would be aggregated with the OTP Holders or OTP Firms beneficial ownership of such stock or deemed to be beneficially owned by such OTP Holder or OTP Firm pursuant to Rules 13d-3 and 13d-5 under the Act; (y) any other Person(s) with which such OTP Holder or OTP Firm has any
1
SR-PCX-2005-90
Exhibit B
Proposed PCX Rules
Page 2 of 10
agreement, arrangement or understanding (whether or not in writing) to act together for the purpose of acquiring, voting, holding or disposing of shares of the stock of Archipelago; and (z) with respect to any OTP Holder and any Person described in (v) to (y) above who is a natural person, any relative or spouse of such Person, or any relative of such spouse, who has the same home as such Person or who is a director or officer of Archipelago or any of its parents or subsidiaries. For the avoidance of doubt, Related Person as defined above in clause (v) of this paragraph (gg) shall include, with respect to any OTP Holder or OTP Firm: any other Person beneficially owning pursuant to Rules 13d-3 and 13d-5 under the Exchange Act shares of Archipelago stock with the power to vote on any matter that also are deemed to be beneficially owned by such OTP Holder or OTP Firm pursuant to Rules 13d-3 and 13d-5 under the Exchange Act; any other Person that would be deemed to own beneficially pursuant to Rules 13d-3 and 13d-5 under the Exchange Act shares of Archipelago stock with the power to vote on any matter that are beneficially owned directly or indirectly by such OTP Holder or OTP Firm pursuant to Rules 13d-3 and 13d-5 under the Exchange Act; and any additional Person through which such other Person would be deemed to directly or indirectly own beneficially pursuant to Rules 13d-3 and 13d-5 under the Exchange Act shares of Archipelago stock with the power to vote on any matter.
* * * * *
[Rules 3.4 3.5 Reserved]
[Reserved.]
2
SR-PCX-2005-90
Exhibit B
Proposed PCX Rules
Page 3 of 10
Rule 3.4 Ownership and Voting
(a) Ownership Limitation. For as long as Archipelago shall control, directly or indirectly, PCX, no OTP Holder or OTP Firm, either alone or with its Related Persons, shall, at any time, own beneficially shares of Archipelago stock representing in the aggregate more than 20% of the then outstanding votes entitled to be cast on any matter (the Ownership Limitation). For purposes of the Ownership Limitation, no OTP Holder or OTP Firm, shall be deemed to have any agreement, arrangement or understanding to act together with respect to voting shares of Archipelago stock solely because such OTP Holder or OTP Firm, or any of such OTP Holders or OTP Firms Related Persons, has or shares the power to vote or direct the voting of such shares of stock pursuant to a revocable proxy given in response to a public proxy or consent solicitation conducted pursuant to, and in accordance with, Regulation 14A promulgated pursuant to the Exchange Act, except if such power (or the arrangements relating thereto) is then reportable under Item 6 of Schedule 13D under the Exchange Act (or any similar provision of a comparable or successor report).
(b) Voting Limitation and Nonvoting Agreement Prohibition. For as long as Archipelago shall control, directly or indirectly, PCX, (1) no OTP Holder or OTP Firm, either alone or together with its Related Persons, shall have the right to vote, vote or cause the voting of shares of Archipelago stock, in person or by proxy or through any voting agreement or other arrangement, representing in the aggregate more than 20% of the then outstanding votes entitled to be cast on such matter (the Voting Limitation), and (2) no OTP Holder or OTP Firm, either alone or together with its Related Persons, shall enter into any agreement, plan or other arrangement relating to shares of stock of Archipelago entitled to vote on any matter with any
3
SR-PCX-2005-90
Exhibit B
Proposed PCX Rules
Page 4 of 10
other Person, either alone or with its Related Persons, under circumstances which would result in shares of Archipelago stock that would be subject to such agreement, plan or other arrangement not being voted on any matter, or the withholding of any proxy relating thereto, where the effect of such agreement, plan or other arrangement would be to enable any Person, either alone or with its Related Persons, to vote, possess the right to vote or cause the voting of shares of Archipelago stock which would, as a result thereof, represent in the aggregate more than 20% of the then outstanding votes entitled to be cast on such matter (the Nonvoting Agreement Prohibition). Neither the Voting Limitation nor the Nonvoting Agreement Prohibition shall apply to (x) any solicitation of any revocable proxy from any stockholder of Archipelago by or on behalf of Archipelago or by an officer or director of Archipelago acting on behalf of Archipelago or (y) any solicitation of any revocable proxy from any stockholder of Archipelago by any other stockholder that is conducted pursuant to, and in accordance with, Regulation 14A promulgated pursuant to the Act.
(c) Ownership and Voting Agreements. Each OTP Holder and OTP Firm who is not an ETP Holder, and each associated person (as defined, for purposes of this Rule 3.4, in Section 3(a)(18) of the Exchange Act) of such OTP Holder or OTP Firm, shall enter into an ownership and voting agreement (Ownership and Voting Agreement) with PCX and Archipelago regarding the ownership and voting of shares of capital stock of Archipelago in accordance with the terms of this Rule 3.4. Each OTP Holder and OTP Firm and each associated person of such OTP Firm shall enter into an Ownership and Voting Agreement (x) in the case of an OTP Holder, OTP Firm or an associated person of an OTP Holder or OTP Firm which is not an ETP Holder and which (A) owns beneficially any shares of Archipelago stock, or (B) has
4
SR-PCX-2005-90
Exhibit B
Proposed PCX Rules
Page 5 of 10
entered into any agreement, plan or other arrangement relating to the voting or ownership of any shares of Archipelago stock, at the time of the closing of the transactions contemplated by the agreement and plan of merger, dated as of January 3, 2005, among Archipelago, PCX Holdings and New Apple Acquisition Corporation, a Delaware corporation and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Archipelago (as such agreement and plan of merger may be amended or modified from time to time), no later than 30 calendar days following the date of such closing and (y) in the case of any OTP Holder, OTP Firm or an associated person of such OTP Holder or OTP Firm which is not required to enter into an Ownership and Voting Agreement pursuant to clause (x), no later than the 5th calendar day following the date on which (A) such OTP Holder, OTP Firm or an associated person of such OTP Holder or OTP Firm ceases being an ETP Holder and (i) owns or acquires beneficial ownership of any shares of Archipelago stock or (ii) is a party to or enters into any agreement, plan or other arrangement relating to the voting or ownership of any shares of Archipelago stock, or (B) such OTP Holder, OTP Firm or an associated person of such OTP Holder or OTP Firm which is not an ETP Holder (i) acquires beneficial ownership of any shares of Archipelago stock or (ii) enters into any agreement, plan or other arrangement relating to the voting or ownership of any shares of Archipelago stock. Each Ownership and Voting Agreement shall provide the following:
(1) For as long as Archipelago shall control, directly or indirectly, PCX, no OTP Holder or OTP Firm, either alone or with its Related Persons, shall, at any time, own beneficially shares of Archipelago stock in excess of the Ownership Limitation.
(2) For as long as Archipelago shall control, directly or indirectly, PCX, (x) no OTP Holder or OTP Firm, either alone or together with its Related Persons, shall have the right to vote, vote
5
SR-PCX-2005-90
Exhibit B
Proposed PCX Rules
Page 6 of 10
or cause the voting of shares of Archipelago stock, in person or by proxy or through any voting agreement or other arrangement, in excess of the Voting Limitation, and (y) no OTP Holder or OTP Firm, either alone or together with its Related Persons, shall enter into any agreement, plan or other arrangement relating to shares of stock of Archipelago entitled to vote on any matter with any other Person, either alone or with its Related Persons, in contravention of the Nonvoting Agreement Prohibition.
(3) Such OTP Holder or OTP Firm or any associated person of such OTP Holder or OTP Firm agrees to vote, or to authorize Archipelago to vote on its behalf, shares of Archipelago stock owned by such OTP Holder, OTP Firm or an associated person of such OTP Holder or OTP Firm, as appropriate, in favor of amendments to the certificate of incorporation of Archipelago that incorporate ownership and voting limitations that are substantially similar to the Ownership Limitation, Voting Limitation and Nonvoting Agreement Prohibition set forth in Rule 3.4(a) and (b) and the implementation provisions that are substantially similar to the provisions set forth in Rule 3.4(d).
(4) Such OTP Holder or OTP Firm, or any associated person of such OTP Holder or OTP Firm, agrees to be subject to the implementation provisions set forth in Rule 3.4(d), as applicable, which provisions shall also be set forth in the Ownership and Voting Agreement.
(5) The Ownership and Voting Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of Delaware.
(d) Implementation of the Ownership and Voting Limitations
(1) Calling of Shares of Archipelago Common Stock.
6
SR-PCX-2005-90
Exhibit B
Proposed PCX Rules
Page 7 of 10
(x) In the event that any such OTP Holder or OTP Firm, either alone or with its Related Persons, including, without limitation, any Related Person that is an associated person of such OTP Holder or OTP Firm, at any time owns beneficially shares of Archipelago stock in excess of the Ownership Limitation, Archipelago shall promptly call from such OTP Holder or OTP Firm, or an associated person of such OTP Holder or OTP Firm, for a price per share equal to the par value thereof, the number of shares of Archipelago stock owned by such OTP Holder or OTP Firm, or an associated person of such OTP Holder or OTP Firm, necessary to decrease the beneficial ownership of such OTP Holder or OTP Firm, either alone or with its Related Persons, to 20% of the then outstanding votes entitled to be cast on any matter after giving effect to the redemption of the shares of Archipelago stock.
(y) In the event Archipelago shall call shares of Archipelago stock, notice of such call shall be given promptly by first class mail, postage prepaid, to the holder of the shares of Archipelago stock to be so called, at such holders address as the same appears on the stock register of Archipelago. Each such notice shall state: (a) the call date; (b) the number of shares to be called; (c) the aggregate call price; and (d) the place or places where shares are to be surrendered for payment of the call price. Failure to give notice as aforesaid, or any defect therein, shall not affect the validity of the call of the shares. From and after the call date (unless default shall be made by Archipelago in providing funds for the payment of the call price), shares which have been called as aforesaid shall be cancelled, shall no longer be deemed to be outstanding, and all rights of the holder of such shares as a stockholder of Archipelago (except the right to receive from Archipelago the call price against delivery to Archipelago of evidence of ownership of such shares) shall cease. Upon surrender in accordance with said notice of evidence of ownership of
7
SR-PCX-2005-90
Exhibit B
Proposed PCX Rules
Page 8 of 10
the shares of Archipelago stock so called (properly assigned for transfer, if the board of directors of Archipelago shall so require and the notice shall so state), such shares shall be called by Archipelago at par value.
(2) Voting of Excess Shares by Archipelago. If any OTP Holder or OTP Firm, either alone or with its Related Persons, including, without limitation, any Related Person that is an associated person of such OTP Holder or OTP Firm, acquires the right to vote more than 20% of the then outstanding votes entitled to be cast by stockholders of Archipelago on any matter, Archipelago shall have the right to vote and shall vote the shares of Archipelago stock owned by such OTP Holder, OTP Firm or an associated person of such OTP Holder or OTP Firm, as appropriate, in excess of the 20% voting limitation in proportion with the results of voting (excluding such excess shares) for such matter at a meeting of Archipelago stockholders.
(3) Disciplinary Action. An OTP Holder or OTP Firm shall be subject to the disciplinary action prescribed by Rule 13.2(a)(2)(E) in the event of any violation of this Rule 3.4, including, without limitation, the failure of an OTP Holder or an OTP Firm or any associated person of such OTP Holder or OTP Firm to enter into the Ownership and Voting Agreement as required by Rule 3.4(c) within the applicable time periods specified therein or any breach of the Ownership and Voting Agreement by an OTP Holder, OTP Firm or an associated person of such OTP Holder or OTP Firm, as applicable.
(4) Judicial Action. In the event any such OTP Holder or OTP Firm, either alone or with its Related Persons, including, without limitation, any Related Person that is an associated person of such OTP Holder or OTP Firm, has cast votes, in person or by proxy or through any voting agreement or other arrangement, in excess of the Voting Limitation, Archipelago may bring suit
8
SR-PCX-2005-90
Exhibit B
Proposed PCX Rules
Page 9 of 10
in a court of competent jurisdiction against such OTP Holder or OTP Firm or any associated person of such OTP Holder or OTP Firm, seeking enforcement of the Voting Limitation.
Rule 3.5 Reserved
Reserved.
* * * * *
Rule 13.2 Procedures for Suspension
Rule 13.2(a) 13.2(a)(2)(D) No change.
(E) suspend all trading rights and privileges of an OTP Holder or OTP Firm for failure to comply with Rule 3.4, which failure to comply shall include the failure of such OTP Holder, OTP Firm or an associated person of such OTP Holder or OTP Firm to enter into the Ownership and Voting Agreement required by Rule 3.4(c) within the applicable time period specified therein, any breach of the Ownership and Voting Agreement or any violation of Rule 3.4; provided that, in the event of circumstances contemplated by this Rule 13.2(a)(2)(E), the Exchange shall: (1) provide notice to the applicable OTP Holder or OTP Firm within five business days of learning of the events contemplated by this Rule 13.2(a)(2)(E); (2) allow the applicable OTP Holder, OTP Firm or an associated person of such OTP Holder or OTP Firm fifteen calendar days to cure any such failure to comply contemplated by this Rule 13.2(a)(2)(E); (3) in the event that the applicable OTP Holder, OTP Firm or an associated person of such OTP Holder or OTP Firm does not cure such failure to comply within such fifteen calendar day cure period, schedule a hearing to occur within thirty calendar days following the expiration of such fifteen calendar day cure period; and (4) render its decision as to the suspension of all trading
9
SR-PCX-2005-90
Exhibit B
Proposed PCX Rules
Page 10 of 10
privileges of the applicable OTP Holder or OTP Firm no later than ten calendar days following the date of such hearing.
Rule 13.2(b) 13.2(c) No change.
* * * * *
10
SR-PCX-2005-90
Exhibit C
Amended and Restated Bylaws of Archipelago Holdings, Inc
Page 1 of 29
Text of the Proposed Rule Change
Underlining indicates additions; [brackets] indicate deletions
AMENDED AND RESTATED BYLAWS
OF
ARCHIPELAGO HOLDINGS, INC.
ARTICLE I
Stockholders
Section 1.1 Annual Meetings. An annual meeting of stockholders shall be held for the election of directors at such date, time and place either within or without the State of Delaware as may be designated by the Board of Directors from time to time. Any other business properly brought before the meeting may be transacted at the annual meeting.
Section 1.2 Special Meetings. Special meetings of stockholders may be called at any time by, and only by, the Board of Directors, the Chief Executive Officer or the Chairman of the Board of Directors, to be held at such date, time and place either within or without the State of Delaware as may be stated in the notice of the meeting.
Section 1.3 Notice of Meetings. Whenever stockholders are required or permitted to take any action at a meeting, a written notice of the meeting shall be given which shall state the place, date and hour of the meeting, and, in the case of a special meeting, the purpose or purposes for which the meeting is called. Unless otherwise required by law, the written notice of any meeting shall be given not less than ten nor more than sixty days before the date of the meeting to each stockholder entitled to vote at such meeting. If mailed, such notice shall be
1
SR-PCX-2005-90
Exhibit C
Amended and Restated Bylaws of Archipelago Holdings, Inc
Page 2 of 29
deemed to be given when deposited in the United States mail, postage prepaid, directed to the stockholder at such stockholders address as it appears on the records of the Corporation.
Section 1.4 Adjournments. Any meeting of stockholders, annual or special, may be adjourned from time to time, to reconvene at the same or some other place, and notice need not be given of any such adjourned meeting if the time and place thereof are announced at the meeting at which the adjournment is taken. At the adjourned meeting the Corporation may transact any business which might have been transacted at the original meeting. If the adjournment is for more than thirty days, or if after the adjournment a new record date is fixed for the adjourned meeting, a notice of the adjourned meeting shall be given to each stockholder of record entitled to vote at the meeting.
Section 1.5 Organization. Meetings of stockholders shall be presided over by a Chairman of the Board, if any, or in the absence of a Chairman of the Board by a Vice Chairman of the Board, if any, or in the absence of a Vice Chairman of the Board by a Chief Executive Officer, or in the absence of a Chief Executive Officer by a Senior Executive Officer, or in the absence of a Senior Executive Officer by a Vice President, or in the absence of the foregoing persons by a chairman designated by the Board of Directors, or in the absence of such designation by a chairman chosen at the meeting. Each of the following is a Senior Executive Officer: Chief Financial Officer, Chief Administrative Officer, Chief Operating Officer, Chief Technology Officer and President. A Corporate Secretary, or in the absence of a Corporate Secretary an Assistant Corporate Secretary, shall act as secretary of the meeting, but in the absence of a Corporate Secretary and any Assistant Corporate Secretary the chairman of the meeting may appoint any person to act as secretary of the meeting.
2
SR-PCX-2005-90
Exhibit C
Amended and Restated Bylaws of Archipelago Holdings, Inc
Page 3 of 29
The order of business at each such meeting shall be as determined by the chairman of the meeting. The chairman of the meeting shall have the right and authority to adjourn a meeting of stockholders without a vote of stockholders and to prescribe such rules, regulations and procedures and to do all such acts and things as are necessary or desirable for the proper conduct of the meeting and are not inconsistent with any rules or regulations adopted by the Board of Directors pursuant to the provisions of the certificate of incorporation, including the establishment of procedures for the maintenance of order and safety, limitations on the time allotted to questions or comments on the affairs of the Corporation, restrictions on entry to such meeting after the time prescribed for the commencement thereof and the opening and closing of the voting polls for each item upon which a vote is to be taken.
Section 1.6 Inspectors. Prior to any meeting of stockholders, the Board of Directors, a Chairman of the Board, a Vice Chairman of the Board, a Chief Executive Officer, a Senior Executive Officer, a Vice President or any other officer designated by the Board shall appoint one or more inspectors to act at such meeting and make a written report thereof and may designate one or more persons as alternate inspectors to replace any inspector who fails to act. If no inspector or alternate is able to act at the meeting of stockholders, the person presiding at the meeting shall appoint one or more inspectors to act at the meeting. Each inspector, before entering upon the discharge of his or her duties, shall take and sign an oath faithfully to execute the duties of inspector with strict impartiality and according to the best of his or her ability. The inspectors shall ascertain the number of shares outstanding and the voting power of each, determine the shares represented at the meeting and the validity of proxies and ballots, count all votes and ballots, determine and retain for a reasonable period a record of the disposition of any
3
SR-PCX-2005-90
Exhibit C
Amended and Restated Bylaws of Archipelago Holdings, Inc
Page 4 of 29
challenges made to any determination by the inspectors and certify their determination of the number of shares represented at the meeting and their count of all votes and ballots. The inspectors may appoint or retain other persons to assist them in the performance of their duties. The date and time of the opening and closing of the polls for each matter upon which the stockholders will vote at a meeting shall be announced at the meeting. No ballot, proxy or vote, nor any revocation thereof or change thereto, shall be accepted by the inspectors after the closing of the polls. In determining the validity and counting of proxies and ballots, the inspectors shall be limited to an examination of the proxies, any envelopes submitted therewith, any information provided by a stockholder who submits a proxy by telegram, cablegram or other electronic transmission from which it can be determined that the proxy was authorized by the stockholder, ballots and the regular books and records of the Corporation, and they may also consider other reliable information for the limited purpose of reconciling proxies and ballots submitted by or on behalf of banks, brokers, their nominees or similar persons which represent more votes than the holder of a proxy is authorized by the record owner to cast or more votes than the stockholder holds of record. If the inspectors consider other reliable information for such purpose, they shall, at the time they make their certification, specify the precise information considered by them, including the person or persons from whom they obtained the information, when the information was obtained, the means by which the information was obtained and the basis for the inspectors belief that such information is accurate and reliable.
Section 1.7 Voting; Proxies. Unless otherwise provided in the certificate of incorporation, each stockholder entitled to vote at any meeting of stockholders shall be entitled to one vote for each share of stock held by such stockholder which has voting power upon the
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matter in question. Each stockholder entitled to vote at a meeting of stockholders may authorize another person or persons to act for such stockholder by proxy, but no such proxy shall be voted or acted upon after three years from its date, unless the proxy provides for a longer period. A duly executed proxy shall be irrevocable if it states that it is irrevocable and if, and only as long as, it is coupled with an interest sufficient in law to support an irrevocable power, regardless of whether the interest with which it is coupled is an interest in the stock itself or an interest in the Corporation generally. A stockholder may revoke any proxy which is not irrevocable by attending the meeting and voting in person or by filing an instrument in writing revoking the proxy or another duly executed proxy bearing a later date with a Corporate Secretary. Voting at meetings of stockholders need not be by written ballot unless so directed by the chairman of the meeting or the Board of Directors. Directors shall be elected by a plurality of the votes of the shares present in person or represented by proxy at the meeting and entitled to vote on the election of directors. In all other matters, unless otherwise required by law, the certificate of incorporation or these bylaws, a majority of the votes cast for or against the matter at the meeting by stockholders entitled to vote on the subject matter shall be the act of the stockholders. Where a separate vote by class or classes is required, the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority (or, in the case of an election of directors, a plurality) of the votes cast for or against the matter at the meeting by stockholders in that class or classes entitled to vote on the subject matter shall be the act of such class or classes, except as otherwise required by law, the certificate of incorporation or these bylaws.
Section 1.8 Fixing Date for Determination of Stockholders of Record. In order that the Corporation may determine the stockholders entitled to notice of or to vote at any meeting of
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stockholders or any adjournment thereof, the Board of Directors may fix a record date, which record date shall not precede the date upon which the resolution fixing the record date is adopted by the Board of Directors, and which record date shall not be more than sixty nor less than ten days before the date of such meeting. If no record date is fixed by the Board of Directors, the record date for determining stockholders entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting of stockholders shall be at the close of business on the day next preceding the day on which notice is given, or, if notice is waived, at the close of business on the day next preceding the day on which the meeting is held. A determination of stockholders of record entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting of stockholders shall apply to any adjournment of the meeting; provided, however, that the Board of Directors may fix a new record date for the adjourned meeting.
In order that the Corporation may determine the stockholders entitled to receive payment of any dividend or other distribution or allotment of any rights or the stockholders entitled to exercise any rights in respect of any change, conversion or exchange of stock, or for the purpose of any other lawful action, the Board of Directors may fix a record date, which record date shall not precede the date upon which the resolution fixing the record date is adopted, and which record date shall be not more than sixty days prior to the action for which a record date is being established. If no record date is fixed, the record date for determining stockholders for any such purpose shall be at the close of business on the day on which the Board of Directors adopts the resolution relating thereto.
Section 1.9 List of Stockholders Entitled to Vote. A Corporate Secretary shall prepare and make, at least ten days before every meeting of stockholders, a complete list of the stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting, arranged in alphabetical order, and showing the
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Exhibit C
Amended and Restated Bylaws of Archipelago Holdings, Inc
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address of each stockholder and the number of shares registered in the name of each stockholder. Such list shall be open to the examination of any stockholder, for any purpose germane to the meeting, during ordinary business hours, for a period of at least ten days prior to the meeting, either at a place within the municipality where the meeting is to be held, which place shall be specified in the notice of the meeting, or, if not so specified, at the place where the meeting is to be held. The list shall also be produced and kept at the time and place of the meeting during the whole time thereof and may be inspected by any stockholder who is present.
Section 1.10 Advance Notice of Stockholder Nominees for Director and Other Stockholder Proposals. (a) The matters to be considered and brought before any annual or special meeting of stockholders of the Corporation shall be limited to only such matters, including the nomination and election of directors, as shall be brought properly before such meeting in compliance with the procedures set forth in this Section 1.10.
(b) For any matter to be properly brought before any annual meeting of stockholders, the matter must be (i) specified in the notice of annual meeting given by or at the direction of the Board of Directors, (ii) otherwise brought before the annual meeting by or at the direction of the Board of Directors or (iii) brought before the annual meeting in the manner specified in this Section 1.10(b) (x) by a stockholder that holds of record stock of the Corporation entitled to vote at the annual meeting on such matter (including any election of a director) or (y) by a person (a Nominee Holder) that holds such stock through a nominee or street name holder of record of such stock and can demonstrate to the Corporation such indirect ownership of, and such Nominee Holders entitlement to vote, such stock on such matter. In addition to any other requirements under applicable law, the certificate of incorporation and these bylaws, persons
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Amended and Restated Bylaws of Archipelago Holdings, Inc
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nominated by stockholders for election as directors of the Corporation and any other proposals by stockholders shall be properly brought before an annual meeting of stockholders only if notice of any such matter to be presented by a stockholder at such meeting (a Stockholder Notice) shall be delivered to a Corporate Secretary at the principal executive office of the Corporation not less than ninety nor more than one hundred and twenty days prior to the first anniversary date of the annual meeting for the preceding year (or, in the case of the annual meeting of stockholders to be held in 2005, not less than ninety nor more than one hundred and twenty days prior to May 2, 2005); provided, however, that if and only if the annual meeting is not scheduled to be held within a period that commences thirty days before and ends thirty days after such anniversary date (or May 2, 2005, in the case of the annual meeting of stockholders to be held in 2005) (an annual meeting date outside such period being referred to herein as an Other Meeting Date), such Stockholder Notice shall be given in the manner provided herein by the later of (i) the close of business on the date ninety days prior to such Other Meeting Date or (ii) the close of business on the tenth day following the date on which such Other Meeting Date is first publicly announced or disclosed. Any stockholder desiring to nominate any person or persons (as the case may be) for election as a director or directors of the Corporation at an annual meeting of stockholders shall deliver, as part of such Stockholder Notice, a statement in writing setting forth the name of the person or persons to be nominated, the number and class of all shares of each class of stock of the Corporation owned of record and beneficially by each such person, as reported to such stockholder by such person, the information regarding each such person required by paragraphs (a), (e) and (f) of Item 401 of Regulation S-K adopted by the Securities and Exchange Commission, each such persons signed consent to serve as a director of
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Amended and Restated Bylaws of Archipelago Holdings, Inc
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the Corporation if elected, such stockholders name and address, the number and class of all shares of each class of stock of the Corporation owned of record and beneficially by such stockholder and, in the case of a Nominee Holder, evidence establishing such Nominee Holders indirect ownership of stock and entitlement to vote such stock for the election of directors at the annual meeting. Any stockholder who gives a Stockholder Notice of any matter (other than a nomination for director) proposed to be brought before an annual meeting of stockholders shall deliver, as part of such Stockholder Notice, the text of the proposal to be presented and a brief written statement of the reasons why such stockholder favors the proposal and setting forth such stockholders name and address, the number and class of all shares of each class of stock of the Corporation owned of record and beneficially by such stockholder, any material interest of such stockholder in the matter proposed (other than as a stockholder), if applicable, and, in the case of a Nominee Holder, evidence establishing such Nominee Holders indirect ownership of stock and entitlement to vote such stock on the matter proposed at the annual meeting. As used in these bylaws, shares beneficially owned shall mean all shares which such person is deemed to beneficially own pursuant to Rules 13d-3 and 13d-5 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the Exchange Act). If a stockholder is entitled to vote only for a specific class or category of directors at a meeting (annual or special), such stockholders right to nominate one or more individuals for election as a director at the meeting shall be limited to such class or category of directors.
Notwithstanding any provision of this Section 1.10 to the contrary, in the event that the number of directors to be elected to the Board of Directors of the Corporation at the next annual meeting of stockholders is increased by virtue of an increase in the size of the Board of Directors
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Exhibit C
Amended and Restated Bylaws of Archipelago Holdings, Inc
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and either all of the nominees for director at the next annual meeting of stockholders or the size of the increased Board of Directors is not publicly announced or disclosed by the Corporation at least one hundred days prior to the first anniversary of the preceding years annual meeting (or, in the case of the annual meeting of stockholders to be held in 2005, at least one hundred days prior to May 2, 2005), a Stockholder Notice shall also be considered timely hereunder, but only with respect to nominees to stand for election at the next annual meeting as the result of any new positions created by such increase, if it shall be delivered to a Corporate Secretary at the principal executive office of the Corporation not later than the close of business on the tenth day following the first day on which all such nominees or the size of the increased Board of Directors shall have been publicly announced or disclosed.
(c) Except as provided in the immediately following sentence, no matter shall be properly brought before a special meeting of stockholders unless such matter shall have been brought before the meeting pursuant to the Corporations notice of such meeting. In the event the Corporation calls a special meeting of stockholders for the purpose of electing one or more directors to the Board of Directors, any stockholder entitled to vote for the election of such director(s) at such meeting may nominate a person or persons (as the case may be) for election to such position(s) as are specified in the Corporations notice of such meeting, but only if the Stockholder Notice required by Section 1.10(b) hereof shall be delivered to a Corporate Secretary at the principal executive office of the Corporation not later than the close of business on the tenth day following the first day on which the date of the special meeting and either the names of all nominees proposed by the Board of Directors to be elected at such meeting or the number of directors to be elected shall have been publicly announced or disclosed.
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(d) For purposes of this Section 1.10, a matter shall be deemed to have been publicly announced or disclosed if such matter is disclosed in a press release reported by the Dow Jones News Service, the Associated Press or a comparable national news service or in a document publicly filed by the Corporation with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
(e) In no event shall the adjournment of an annual meeting or a special meeting, or any announcement thereof, commence a new period for the giving of notice as provided in this Section 1.10. This Section 1.10 shall not apply to (i) any stockholder proposal made pursuant to Rule 14a-8 under the Exchange Act or (ii) any nomination of a director in an election in which only the holders of one or more series of Preferred Stock of the Corporation issued pursuant to Article FOURTH of the certificate of incorporation are entitled to vote (unless otherwise provided in the terms of such stock).
(f) The chairman of any meeting of stockholders, in addition to making any other determinations that may be appropriate to the conduct of the meeting, shall have the power and duty to determine whether notice of nominees and other matters proposed to be brought before a meeting has been duly given in the manner provided in this Section 1.10 and, if not so given, shall direct and declare at the meeting that such nominees and other matters shall not be considered.
ARTICLE II
Board of Directors
Section 2.1 Powers; Number; Qualifications. The business and affairs of the Corporation shall be managed by or under the direction of the Board of Directors, except as may be otherwise required by law or provided in the certificate of incorporation. The number of
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Exhibit C
Amended and Restated Bylaws of Archipelago Holdings, Inc
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directors of the Corporation shall be fixed only by resolution of the Board of Directors from time to time. If the holders of any class or classes of stock or series thereof are entitled by the certificate of incorporation to elect one or more directors, the preceding sentence shall not apply to such directors and the number of such directors shall be as provided in the terms of such stock. Directors need not be stockholders.
Section 2.2 Election; Term of Office; Resignation; Removal; Vacancies. Each director shall hold office until his or her successor is elected and qualified or until his or her earlier resignation or removal. Any director may resign at any time upon written notice to the Board of Directors or to a Chairman of the Board, a Vice Chairman of the Board, a Chief Executive Officer, a President, a Senior Executive Officer or a Corporate Secretary. Such resignation shall take effect at the time specified therein, and unless otherwise specified therein no acceptance of such resignation shall be necessary to make it effective. Any director or the entire Board of Directors may be removed, with or without cause, by the holders of a majority of the voting power of the shares then entitled to vote at an election of directors. Vacancies and newly created directorships resulting from any increase in the authorized number of directors (other than any directors elected in the manner described in the next sentence) or from any other cause shall be filled by, and only by, a majority of the directors then in office, although less than a quorum, or by the sole remaining director. Whenever the holders of any class or classes of stock or series thereof are entitled by the certificate of incorporation to elect one or more directors, vacancies and newly created directorships of such class or classes or series may be filled by, and only by, a majority of the directors elected by such class or classes or series then in office, or by the sole remaining director so elected. Any director elected or appointed to fill a
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Amended and Restated Bylaws of Archipelago Holdings, Inc
Page 13 of 29
vacancy or a newly created directorship shall hold office until the next annual meeting of the stockholders, and until his or her successor is elected and qualified or until his or her earlier resignation or removal.
Section 2.3 Regular Meetings. Regular meetings of the Board of Directors may be held at such places within or without the State of Delaware and at such times as the Board may from time to time determine, and if so determined notice thereof need not be given.
Section 2.4 Special Meetings. Special meetings of the Board of Directors may be held at any time or place within or without the State of Delaware whenever called by the Board, by a Chairman of the Board, if any, by a Vice Chairman of the Board, if any, by a Chairman of the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee, if any, by a Chief Executive Officer, if any, by a Senior Executive Officer, if any, or by any two directors. Reasonable notice thereof shall be given by the person or persons calling the meeting.
Section 2.5 Participation in Meetings by Conference Telephone Permitted. Unless otherwise restricted by the certificate of incorporation or these bylaws, members of the Board of Directors, or any committee designated by the Board, may participate in a meeting of the Board or of such committee, as the case may be, by means of conference telephone or similar communications equipment by means of which all persons participating in the meeting can hear each other, and participation in a meeting pursuant to this bylaw shall constitute presence in person at such meeting.
Section 2.6 Quorum; Vote Required for Action. At each meeting of the Board of Directors, one-half of the number of directors equal to (i) the total number of directors fixed by resolution of the board of directors (including any vacancies) plus (ii) the number of directors
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Amended and Restated Bylaws of Archipelago Holdings, Inc
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elected by a holder or holders of Preferred Stock voting separately as a class, as described in the fourth paragraph of Article EIGHTH of the certificate of incorporation (including any vacancies), shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. The vote of a majority of the directors present at a meeting at which a quorum is present shall be the act of the Board unless the certificate of incorporation or these bylaws shall require a vote of a greater number. In case at any meeting of the Board a quorum shall not be present, the members or a majority of the members of the Board present may adjourn the meeting from time to time until a quorum shall be present.
Section 2.7 Organization. Meetings of the Board of Directors shall be presided over by a Chairman of the Board, if any, or in the absence of a Chairman of the Board by a Vice Chairman of the Board, if any, or in the absence of a Vice Chairman of the Board, by a Chief Executive Officer, or in the absence of a Chief Executive Officer, by a Senior Executive Officer, or in the absence of a Senior Executive Officer, by a chairman chosen at the meeting. A Corporate Secretary, or in the absence of a Corporate Secretary an Assistant Corporate Secretary, shall act as secretary of the meeting, but in the absence of a Corporate Secretary and any Assistant Corporate Secretary the chairman of the meeting may appoint any person to act as secretary of the meeting.
Section 2.8 Action by Directors Without a Meeting. Unless otherwise restricted by the certificate of incorporation or these bylaws, any action required or permitted to be taken at any meeting of the Board of Directors, or of any committee thereof, may be taken without a meeting if all members of the Board or of such committee, as the case may be, then in office consent thereto in writing or by electronic transmission, and the writing or writings or electronic
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Amended and Restated Bylaws of Archipelago Holdings, Inc
Page 15 of 29
transmission or transmissions are filed with the minutes of proceedings of the Board or committee.
Section 2.9 Compensation of Directors. Unless otherwise restricted by the certificate of incorporation or these bylaws, the Board of Directors shall have the authority to fix the compensation of directors.
ARTICLE III
Committees
Section 3.1 Committees. The Board of Directors may designate one or more committees, each committee to consist of one or more of the directors of the Corporation. The Board may designate one or more directors as alternate members of any committee, who may replace any absent or disqualified member at any meeting of the committee. In the absence or disqualification of a member of a committee, the member or members thereof present at any meeting and not disqualified from voting, whether or not such member or members constitute a quorum, may unanimously appoint another member of the Board to act at the meeting in the place of any such absent or disqualified member. Any such committee, to the extent provided in the resolution of the Board of Directors or in these bylaws, shall have and may exercise all the powers and authority of the Board of Directors in the management of the business and affairs of the Corporation, and may authorize the seal of the Corporation to be affixed to all papers which may require it; but no such committee shall have the power or authority in reference to the following matters: (i) approving or adopting, or recommending to the stockholders, any action or matter expressly required by law to be submitted to stockholders for approval, or (ii) adopting, amending or repealing these bylaws.
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Section 3.2 Committee Rules. Unless the Board of Directors otherwise provides, each committee designated by the Board may adopt, amend and repeal rules for the conduct of its business. In the absence of a provision by the Board or a provision in the rules of such committee to the contrary, a majority of the entire authorized number of members of such committee shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business, the vote of a majority of the members present at a meeting at the time of such vote if a quorum is then present shall be the act of such committee, and in other respects each committee shall conduct its business in the same manner as the Board conducts its business pursuant to Article II of these bylaws.
ARTICLE IV
Officers; Employees
Section 4.1 Officers; Election or Appointment. The Board of Directors shall take such action as may be necessary from time to time to ensure that the Corporation has such officers as are necessary, under Section 5.1 of these bylaws and the Delaware General Corporation Law as currently in effect or as the same may hereafter be amended, to enable it to sign stock certificates. In addition, the Board of Directors at any time and from time to time may elect (i) one or more Chairmen of the Board and/or one or more Vice Chairmen of the Board from among its members, (ii) one or more Chief Executive Officers, one or more Presidents, one or more Chief Financial Officers, one or more Chief Operating Officers, one or more Chief Administrative Officers and/or one or more Chief Technology Officers, (iii) one or more Vice Presidents, one or more Controllers, one or more Corporate Secretaries and/or (iv) one or more other officers, in the case of each of (i), (ii), (iii) and (iv) if and to the extent the Board deems desirable. The Board of Directors may give any officer such further designations or alternate
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Exhibit C
Amended and Restated Bylaws of Archipelago Holdings, Inc
Page 17 of 29
titles as it considers desirable. In addition, the Board of Directors at any time and from time to time may authorize any officer of the Corporation to appoint one or more officers of the kind described in clauses (iii) and (iv) above. Any number of offices may be held by the same person and directors may hold any office unless the certificate of incorporation or these bylaws otherwise provide.
Section 4.2 Term of Office; Resignation; Removal; Vacancies. Unless otherwise provided in the resolution of the Board of Directors electing or authorizing the appointment of any officer, each officer shall hold office until his or her successor is elected or appointed and qualified or until his or her earlier resignation or removal. Any officer may resign at any time upon written notice to the Board or to such person or persons as the Board may designate. Such resignation shall take effect at the time specified therein, and unless otherwise specified therein no acceptance of such resignation shall be necessary to make it effective. The Board may remove any officer with or without cause at any time. Any officer authorized by the Board to appoint a person to hold an office of the Corporation may also remove such person from such office with or without cause at any time, unless otherwise provided in the resolution of the Board providing such authorization. Any such removal shall be without prejudice to the contractual rights of such officer, if any, with the Corporation, but the election or appointment of an officer shall not of itself create contractual rights. Any vacancy occurring in any office of the Corporation by death, resignation, removal or otherwise may be filled by the Board at any regular or special meeting or by an officer authorized by the Board to appoint a person to hold such office.
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Section 4.3 Powers and Duties. The officers of the Corporation shall have such powers and duties in the management of the Corporation as shall be stated in these bylaws or in a resolution of the Board of Directors which is not inconsistent with these bylaws and, to the extent not so stated, as generally pertain to their respective offices, subject to the control of the Board. A Corporate Secretary or such other officer appointed to do so by the Board shall have the duty to record the proceedings of the meetings of the stockholders, the Board of Directors and any committees in a book to be kept for that purpose. The Board may require any officer, agent or employee to give security for the faithful performance of his or her duties.
ARTICLE V
Stock
Section 5.1 Certificates; Uncertificated Shares. The shares of stock in the Corporation shall be represented by certificates, provided that the Board of Directors of the Corporation may provide by resolution or resolutions that some or all of any or all classes or series of its stock shall be uncertificated shares. Any such resolution shall not apply to any such shares represented by a certificate theretofore issued until such certificate is surrendered to the Corporation. Notwithstanding the adoption of such a resolution or resolutions by the Board of Directors of the Corporation, every holder of stock represented by certificates, and upon request every holder of uncertificated shares, shall be entitled to have a certificate signed by or in the name of the Corporation by a Chairman or Vice Chairman of the Board or a President or Vice President, and by a Controller, Assistant Controller, Corporate Secretary or Assistant Corporate Secretary, representing the number of shares of stock in the Corporation owned by such holder. If such certificate is manually signed by one officer or manually countersigned by a transfer agent or by
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Exhibit C
Amended and Restated Bylaws of Archipelago Holdings, Inc
Page 19 of 29
a registrar, any other signature on the certificate may be a facsimile. In case any officer, transfer agent or registrar who has signed or whose facsimile signature has been placed upon a certificate shall have ceased to be such officer, transfer agent or registrar before such certificate is issued, it may be issued by the Corporation with the same effect as if such person were such officer, transfer agent or registrar at the date of issue. Certificates representing shares of stock of the Corporation may bear such legends regarding restrictions on transfer or other matters as any officer or officers of the Corporation may determine to be appropriate and lawful.
If the Corporation is authorized to issue more than one class of stock or more than one series of any class, the powers, designations, preferences and relative, participating, optional or other special rights of each class of stock or series thereof and the qualifications or restrictions of such preferences and/or rights shall be set forth in full or summarized on the face or back of the certificate which the Corporation shall issue to represent such class or series of stock, provided that, except as otherwise required by law, in lieu of the foregoing requirements, there may be set forth on the face or back of the certificate which the Corporation shall issue to represent such class or series of stock a statement that the Corporation will furnish without charge to each stockholder who so requests the powers, designations, preferences and relative, participating, optional or other special rights of such class or series of stock and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions of such preferences and/or rights. Within a reasonable time after the issuance or transfer of uncertificated shares of any class or series of stock, the Corporation shall send to the registered owner thereof a written notice containing the information required by law to be set forth or stated on certificates representing shares of such class or series or a statement that the Corporation will furnish without charge to each stockholder who so requests the powers,
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Amended and Restated Bylaws of Archipelago Holdings, Inc
Page 20 of 29
designations, preferences and relative, participating, optional or other special rights of such class or series and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions of such preferences and/or rights.
Except as otherwise expressly provided by law, the rights and obligations of the holders of uncertificated shares and the rights and obligations of the holders of certificates representing stock of the same class and series shall be identical.
Section 5.2 Lost, Stolen or Destroyed Stock Certificates; Issuance of New Certificates. The Corporation may issue a new certificate of stock or uncertificated shares in the place of any certificate theretofore issued by it, alleged to have been lost, stolen or destroyed, and the Corporation may require the owner of the lost, stolen or destroyed certificate, or such owners legal representative, to give the Corporation a bond sufficient to indemnify it against any claim that may be made against it on account of the alleged loss, theft or destruction of any such certificate or the issuance of such new certificate or uncertificated shares.
ARTICLE VI
Miscellaneous
Section 6.1 Fiscal Year. The fiscal year of the Corporation shall be determined by the Board of Directors.
Section 6.2 Seal. The Corporation may have a corporate seal which shall have the name of the Corporation inscribed thereon and shall be in such form as may be approved from time to time by the Board of Directors. The corporate seal may be used by causing it or a facsimile thereof to be impressed or affixed or in any other manner reproduced.
Section 6.3 Waiver of Notice of Meetings of Stockholders, Directors and Committees. Whenever notice is required to be given by law or under any provision of the certificate of
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Amended and Restated Bylaws of Archipelago Holdings, Inc
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incorporation or these bylaws, a written waiver thereof, signed by the person entitled to notice, or a waiver by electronic transmission by the person entitled to notice, whether before or after the time stated therein, shall be deemed equivalent to notice. Attendance of a person at a meeting shall constitute a waiver of notice of such meeting, except when the person attends a meeting for the express purpose of objecting, at the beginning of the meeting, to the transaction of any business because the meeting is not lawfully called or convened. Neither the business to be transacted at, nor the purpose of, any regular or special meeting of the stockholders, directors or members of a committee of directors need be specified in any written waiver of notice or any waiver by electronic transmission unless so required by the certificate of incorporation or these bylaws.
Section 6.4 Indemnification. The Corporation shall indemnify to the full extent permitted by law any person made or threatened to be made a party to any action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative, by reason of the fact that such person or such persons testator or intestate is or was a director or officer of the Corporation, is or was a director, officer, trustee, member, stockholder, partner, incorporator or liquidator of a Subsidiary of the Corporation, or serves or served at the request of the Corporation as a director, officer, trustee, member, stockholder, partner, incorporator or liquidator of or in any other capacity for any other enterprise. Expenses, including attorneys fees, incurred by any such person in defending any such action, suit or proceeding shall be paid or reimbursed by the Corporation promptly upon demand by such person and, if any such demand is made in advance of the final disposition of any such action, suit or proceeding, promptly upon receipt by the Corporation of an undertaking of such person to repay such
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Amended and Restated Bylaws of Archipelago Holdings, Inc
Page 22 of 29
expenses if it shall ultimately be determined that such person is not entitled to be indemnified by the Corporation. The rights provided to any person by this bylaw shall be enforceable against the Corporation by such person, who shall be presumed to have relied upon it in serving or continuing to serve as a director, officer or in such other capacity as provided above. In addition, the rights provided to any person by this bylaw shall survive the termination of such person as any such director, officer, trustee, member, stockholder, partner, incorporator or liquidator and, insofar as such person served at the request of the Corporation as a director, officer, trustee, member, stockholder, partner, incorporator or liquidator of or in any other capacity for any other enterprise, shall survive the termination of such request as to service prior to termination of such request. No amendment of this bylaw shall impair the rights of any person arising at any time with respect to events occurring prior to such amendment.
For purposes of this bylaw, the term Corporation shall include any predecessor of the Corporation and any constituent corporation (including any constituent of a constituent) absorbed by the Corporation in a consolidation or merger, except that GAP Archa Holdings, Inc. shall not be included in the definition of Corporation; the term Subsidiary shall mean any corporation, partnership, limited liability company or other entity in which the Corporation owns, directly or indirectly, a majority of the economic or voting ownership interest; the term other enterprise shall include any corporation, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, trust, association or other unincorporated organization or other entity and any employee benefit plan; the term officer, when used with respect to the Corporation, shall refer to any officer elected by or appointed pursuant to authority granted by the Board of Directors of the Corporation pursuant to clauses (i), (ii), (iii) and (iv) of Section 4.1 of these bylaws, when used
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Exhibit C
Amended and Restated Bylaws of Archipelago Holdings, Inc
Page 23 of 29
with respect to a Subsidiary or other enterprise that is a corporation, shall refer to any person elected or appointed pursuant to the bylaws of such Subsidiary or other enterprise or chosen in such manner as is prescribed by the bylaws of such Subsidiary or other enterprise or determined by the Board of Directors of such Subsidiary or other enterprise, and when used with respect to a Subsidiary or other enterprise that is not a corporation or is organized in a foreign jurisdiction, the term officer shall include in addition to any officer of such entity, any person serving in a similar capacity or as the manager of such entity; service at the request of the Corporation shall include service as a director or officer of the Corporation which imposes duties on, or involves services by, such director or officer with respect to an employee benefit plan, its participants or beneficiaries; any excise taxes assessed on a person with respect to an employee benefit plan shall be deemed to be indemnifiable expenses; and action by a person with respect to an employee benefit plan which such person reasonably believes to be in the interest of the participants and beneficiaries of such plan shall be deemed to be action not opposed to the best interests of the Corporation.
To the extent authorized from time to time by the Board of Directors, the Corporation may provide to (i) any one or more employees and agents of the Corporation, (ii) any one or more officers, employees and agents of any Subsidiary and (iii) any one or more directors, officers, employees and agents of any other enterprise, rights of indemnification and to receive payment or reimbursement of expenses, including attorneys fees, on such terms and conditions as the Board of Directors shall determine that are similar to the rights conferred in this Section 6.4 on directors and officers of the Corporation or any Subsidiary or other enterprise.
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Exhibit C
Amended and Restated Bylaws of Archipelago Holdings, Inc
Page 24 of 29
Any such rights shall have the same force and effect as they would have if they were conferred in this Section 6.4.
Nothing in this Section 6.4 shall limit the power of the Corporation or the Board of Directors to provide rights of indemnification and to make payment and reimbursement of expenses, including attorneys fees, to directors, officers, employees, agents and other persons otherwise than pursuant to this Section 6.4.
Section 6.5 Interested Directors; Quorum. No contract or transaction between the Corporation and one or more of its directors or officers, or between the Corporation and any other corporation, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, trust, association or other unincorporated organization or other entity in which one or more of its directors or officers serve as directors, officers, trustees or in a similar capacity or have a financial interest, shall be void or voidable solely for this reason, or solely because the director or officer is present at or participates in the meeting of the Board of Directors or committee thereof which authorizes the contract or transaction, or solely because his or her or their votes are counted for such purpose, if: (i) the material facts as to his or her relationship or interest and as to the contract or transaction are disclosed or are known to the Board or the committee, and the Board or committee in good faith authorizes the contract or transaction by the affirmative votes of a majority of the disinterested directors, even though the disinterested directors be less than a quorum; (ii) the material facts as to his or her relationship or interest and as to the contract or transaction are disclosed or are known to the stockholders entitled to vote thereon, and the contract or transaction is specifically approved in good faith by a vote of the stockholders; or (iii) the contract or transaction is fair as to the Corporation as of the time it is authorized,
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SR-PCX-2005-90
Exhibit C
Amended and Restated Bylaws of Archipelago Holdings, Inc
Page 25 of 29
approved or ratified, by the Board, a committee thereof or the stockholders. Common or interested directors may be counted in determining the presence of a quorum at a meeting of the Board of Directors or of a committee which authorizes the contract or transaction.
Section 6.6 Form of Records. Unless otherwise required by applicable law, any records maintained by the Corporation in the regular course of its business, including its stock ledger, books of account and minute books, may be kept on, or be in the form of, punch cards, magnetic tape, photographs, microphotographs or any other information storage device, provided that the records so kept can be converted into clearly legible form within a reasonable time. The Corporation shall so convert any records so kept upon the request of any person entitled to inspect the same.
Section 6.7 Laws and Regulations; Close of Business. (a) For purposes of these bylaws, any reference to a statute, rule or regulation of any governmental body means such statute, rule or regulation (including any successor thereto) as the same may be amended from time to time.
(b) Any reference in these bylaws to the close of business on any day shall be deemed to mean 5:00 P.M. New York time on such day, whether or not such day is a business day.
Section 6.8 Amendment of Bylaws; Status of the FSA; OTP Holders. (a) These bylaws may be amended, modified or repealed, and new bylaws may be adopted at any time, by the Board of Directors. Stockholders of the Corporation may adopt additional bylaws and amend, modify or repeal any bylaw whether or not adopted by them.
(b) Notwithstanding paragraph (a) of this Section 6.8, [for so long as ArcaEx remains a Facility of PCX and PCX Equities and the FSA remains in full force and effect,] before any
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SR-PCX-2005-90
Exhibit C
Amended and Restated Bylaws of Archipelago Holdings, Inc
Page 26 of 29
amendment to these bylaws shall be effective, such amendment shall be submitted to the Board of Directors of the Pacific Exchange, Inc. (PCX) and if such Board shall determine that the same is required, under Section 19 of the Exchange Act and the rules promulgated thereunder, to be filed with, or filed with and approved by, the Securities and Exchange Commission before such amendment may be effective under Section 19 of the Exchange Act and the rules promulgated thereunder, then such amendment shall not be effective until filed with, or filed with and approved by, the Securities and Exchange Commission, as the case may be.
(c) The Corporation shall not take any action, and shall not permit any of its Subsidiaries to take any action, that (i) causes Archipelago Exchange, L.L.C. (ArcaEx) to cease to be a Facility (as defined in the certificate of incorporation) of PCX and PCX Equities, Inc. (PCX Equities) or (ii) causes the Amended and Restated Facility Services Agreement, dated as of March 22, 2002, among Archipelago Holdings, L.L.C., PCX and PCX Equities, as it may be amended from time to time (FSA) to cease to be in full force and effect, unless each of paragraphs (C)(3)(y), (D)(2), (D)(2)(a) and (H)(3) of Article FOURTH, the third paragraph of Article EIGHTH, the penultimate paragraph of Article TENTH, Article THIRTEENTH, Article FOURTEENTH, Article FIFTEENTH, Article SIXTEENTH, Article SEVENTEENTH and Article NINETEENTH of the certificate of incorporation is amended pursuant to the terms thereof, these bylaws and applicable law, to provide that the provisions of the certificate of incorporation set forth in this paragraph shall remain in full force and effect whether or not ArcaEx remains a Facility of PCX and PCX Equities or the FSA is in full force and effect. For the avoidance of doubt, the term Subsidiary shall include, without limitation, PCX Holdings, Inc., PCX, PCX Equities and ArcaEx.
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Exhibit C
Amended and Restated Bylaws of Archipelago Holdings, Inc
Page 27 of 29
(d) The Board of Directors of the Corporation shall not (i) adopt any resolution pursuant to paragraph (C)(2)(y) of Article FOURTH of the certificate of incorporation to approve the exercise of voting rights in excess of the Voting Limitation (as defined in the certificate of incorporation) with respect to any Person (as defined in the certificate of incorporation) that is, or a Person that has a Related Person (as defined below) that is, an OTP Holder or OTP Firm (as defined in PCX rules, as such rules may be in effect from time to time) of PCX (any such Person that is a Related Person of an OTP Holder shall hereinafter also be deemed to be an OTP Holder for purposes of these bylaws and any such Person that is a Related Person of an OTP Firm shall hereinafter also be deemed to be an OTP Firm for purposes of these bylaws, as context may require); (ii) adopt any resolution pursuant to paragraph (C)(2)(y) of Article FOURTH of the certificate of incorporation to approve any waiver of the Nonvoting Agreement Prohibition (as defined in the certificate of incorporation) with respect to any agreement, plan or other arrangement to which an OTP Holder or OTP Firm is a party that relates to shares of stock of the Corporation entitled to vote on any matter; and (iii) adopt any resolution pursuant to paragraph (D)(1)(a) of Article FOURTH of the certificate of incorporation that would expressly permit any OTP Holder or OTP Firm, either alone or with its related Persons, at any time, to own beneficially shares of stock of the Corporation representing in the aggregate more than 40% of the then outstanding votes entitled to be cast on any matter. For purposes of this Section 6.8(d), the term Related Person shall have the meaning set forth in the certificate of incorporation, and shall also include (A) in the case of a Person that is a natural person, any broker or dealer that is an OTP Holder or OTP Firm with
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Exhibit C
Amended and Restated Bylaws of Archipelago Holdings, Inc
Page 28 of 29
which such natural person is associated and (B) in the case of a Person that is an OTP Holder or OTP Firm, any broker or dealer with which such OTP Holder or OTP Firm is associated.
(e) (i) In addition to the requirements of Article FOURTEENTH of the certificate of incorporation, the Corporations books and records shall be subject at all times to inspection and copying by PCX and PCX Equities to the extent such books and records are related to the operation and administration of PCX or PCX Equities; (ii) in addition to the requirements of Article SEVENTEENTH of the certificate of incorporation, the Corporation shall take reasonable steps necessary to cause its agents to cooperate with PCX and PCX Equities pursuant to their regulatory authority with respect to such agents activities related to PCX or PCX Equities; (iii) in addition to the requirements of Article EIGHTEENTH of the certificate of incorporation, the Corporation shall take reasonable steps necessary to cause its officers, directors and employees prior to accepting a position as an officer, director or employee, as applicable, of the Corporation to consent in writing to the applicability to them of Article TENTH, Article THIRTEENTH and Article FIFTEENTH of the certificate of incorporation, as applicable, with respect to their activities related to PCX or PCX Equities; and (iv) in addition to the requirements of Article THIRTEENTH of the certificate of incorporation, the Corporation, its directors and officers, and those of its employees whose principal place of business and residence is outside the United States shall be deemed to irrevocably submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the United States federal courts, the Securities and Exchange Commission, and PCX for the purposes of any suit, action or proceeding pursuant to the United States federal securities laws, and the rules and regulations thereunder, arising out of, or relating to, the activities of PCX or PCX Equities, and the Corporation and each such director, officer or
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SR-PCX-2005-90
Exhibit C
Amended and Restated Bylaws of Archipelago Holdings, Inc
Page 29 of 29
employee, in the case of any such director, officer or employee by virtue of his acceptance of any such position, shall be deemed to waive, and agree not to assert by way of motion, as a defense or otherwise in any suit, action or proceeding, any claims that it or they are not personally subject to the jurisdiction of the Securities and Exchange Commission, that the suit, action or proceeding is an inconvenient forum or that the venue of the suit, action or proceeding is improper, or that the subject matter thereof may not be enforced in or by such courts or agency.
(f) To further the purposes of paragraph (F) of Article FOURTH of the certificate of incorporation, the Board of Directors of the Corporation shall cause the Corporation to call promptly shares of stock of the Corporation pursuant to paragraph (D) or (E) of Article FOURTH of the certificate of incorporation, and notice of such call shall be given promptly.
(g) Sections 6.8(c), (d), (e) and (f) and this Section 6.8(g) of these bylaws may not be amended, modified or repealed unless such amendment, modification or repeal is (i) filed with and approved by the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Section 19 of the Exchange Act or (ii) approved by stockholders voting not less than 80% of the then outstanding votes entitled to be cast in favor of any such amendment, modification, or repeal.
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