(a) Adverse Actions. Take any action or fail to take any action that is intended or is reasonably likely to result in (i) any of its representations and warranties set forth in this Agreement being or
becoming untrue in any material respect at any time at or prior to the Effective Time, (ii) any of the conditions to the Merger set forth in Article VI not being satisfied, (iii) a material violation of any provision of this Agreement
except, (iv) preventing the Merger from qualifying as a “reorganization” within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Code or (v) preventing or adversely affecting or delaying the ability of the parties to obtain the Regulatory Approvals or
other approvals of any Governmental Authority required for the transaction contemplated hereby, in each case, as may be required by applicable law or regulation or by a Bank Regulator.
(b) Capital Stock. Grant, issue, deliver or sell any additional shares of capital stock or Rights; provided, however, that NBT may (i) grant equity awards pursuant to its employee benefit plans as required by any NBT employee benefit plan or in the ordinary
course consistent with past practice, (ii) issue capital stock upon the vesting or exercise of any equity awards granted pursuant to a NBT employee benefits plan outstanding as of the date hereof in accordance with the terms and conditions
thereof as in effect on the date hereof, including in connection with “net settling” any outstanding awards, and (iii) issue NBT capital stock in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby.
(c) Dividends; Etc. Other than in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice or in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby, make, declare, pay or set aside for payment any
stock dividend on or in respect of, or declare or make any distribution on any shares of NBT Stock; or directly or indirectly adjust, split, combine, redeem, reclassify, purchase or otherwise acquire any shares of its capital stock. NBT
shall not change its record date for payment of its quarterly dividend from the record date established in the prior year’s quarter in a manner that is inconsistent with past practice.
(d) Amending Governing Documents. Amend the Restated Certificate of Incorporation, as amended, and Amended and Restated Bylaws of NBT in a manner that would materially and adversely affect the holders of
Evans Stock, as prospective holders of NBT Stock, relative to other holders of NBT Stock.
(e) Commitments. Enter into any contract with respect to, or otherwise agree or commit to do, any of the foregoing.
Section 5.03 Reasonable Best Efforts. Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, each of the parties to the Agreement agrees to use its reasonable best efforts in good faith to take, or cause to be taken, all
actions, and to do, or cause to be done, all things necessary, proper or advisable under applicable laws, so as to permit consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby as promptly as practicable, and otherwise to enable consummation of
the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, including the satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Article VI hereof, and shall cooperate fully with the other parties hereto to that end.
Section 5.04 Shareholder Approval. Evans agrees to take, in accordance with applicable law and the Certificate of Incorporation, as amended, and the Amended and Restated Bylaws of Evans, all action necessary to convene a
special meeting of its shareholders to consider and vote upon the approval of this Agreement and any other matters required to be approved by Evans’s shareholders in order to permit consummation of the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement (including any adjournment or postponement, the “Evans Meeting”) and, subject to Section
5.05 and Section 5.11, shall take all lawful action to solicit such approval by such shareholders. Evans agrees to use its best efforts to convene
the Evans Meeting within fifty (50) days after the initial mailing of the Proxy Statement/Prospectus to shareholders of Evans. Except with the prior approval of NBT, no other matters shall be submitted for the approval of Evans shareholders
at the Evans Meeting. The Evans Board shall at all times prior to and during the Evans Meeting recommend adoption of this Agreement by the shareholders of Evans (the “Evans
Recommendation”) and shall not withhold, withdraw, amend or modify such recommendation in any manner adverse to NBT or take any other action or make any other public statement inconsistent with such recommendation, except as
and to the extent expressly permitted by Section 5.11.
Section 5.05 Merger Registration Statement; Proxy Statement/Prospectus. For the purposes of (x) registering NBT Stock to be offered to holders of Evans Stock in connection with the Merger with the SEC under the
Securities Act and applicable state securities laws and (y) holding the Evans Meeting, NBT shall draft and prepare, and Evans shall cooperate in the preparation of, a registration statement on Form S-4 for the registration of the shares to be
issued by NBT in the Merger (the “Merger Registration Statement”), including the Proxy Statement/Prospectus. NBT shall provide Evans and its counsel with
appropriate opportunity to review and comment on the Merger Registration Statement and Proxy Statement/Prospectus prior to the time they are initially filed with the SEC or any amendments that are filed with the SEC. NBT shall use its
reasonable best efforts to file the Merger Registration Statement with the SEC within forty-five (45) days after the date hereof. Each of NBT and Evans shall use its reasonable best efforts to have the Merger Registration Statement declared
effective under the Securities Act as promptly as practicable after such filing and shall thereafter promptly mail the Proxy Statement/Prospectus to Evans’s shareholders. NBT shall also use its reasonable best efforts to obtain all necessary
state securities law or “Blue Sky” permits and approvals required to carry out the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, and Evans shall furnish to NBT all information concerning Evans and the holders of Evans Stock as may be
reasonably requested in connection with such action.
Section 5.06 Cooperation and Information Sharing. Evans shall provide NBT with any information concerning Evans that NBT may reasonably request in connection with the drafting and preparation of the Merger Registration
Statement and Proxy Statement/Prospectus, and each party shall notify the other promptly of the receipt of any comments of the SEC with respect to the Merger Registration Statement or Proxy Statement/Prospectus and of any requests by the SEC
for any amendment or supplement thereto or for additional information. NBT shall promptly provide to Evans copies of all correspondence between it or any of its representatives and the SEC. NBT shall provide Evans and its counsel with
appropriate opportunity to review and comment on all amendments and supplements to the Merger Registration Statement and Proxy Statement/Prospectus and all responses to requests for additional information and replies to comments prior to
their being filed with, or sent to, the SEC. Each of NBT and Evans agrees to use all reasonable efforts, after consultation with the other party hereto, to respond promptly to all such comments of and requests by the SEC, and to cause the
Proxy Statement/Prospectus and all required amendments and supplements thereto, to be mailed to the holders of Evans Stock entitled to vote at the Evans Meeting at
the earliest practicable time.
Section 5.07 Supplements or Amendment. Evans and NBT shall promptly notify the other party if at any time it becomes aware that the Proxy Statement/Prospectus or the Merger Registration Statement contains any untrue
statement of a material fact or omits to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements contained therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. In such event,
Evans shall cooperate with NBT in the preparation of a supplement or amendment to such Proxy Statement/Prospectus which corrects such misstatement or omission, and NBT shall file an amended Merger Registration Statement with the SEC, and
Evans shall mail an amended Proxy Statement/Prospectus to its shareholders.
Section 5.08 Regulatory Approvals. Each of Evans and NBT will cooperate with the other and use all reasonable efforts to promptly prepare all necessary documentation, to affect all necessary filings and to obtain all
necessary permits, consents, approvals, waivers and authorizations of all third parties and Governmental Authorities necessary to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and NBT shall use its reasonable best efforts to make
any initial application filings with Governmental Authorities within forty-five (45) days from the date hereof. Evans and NBT will furnish each other and each other’s counsel with all information concerning their respective entities, their
subsidiaries, directors, officers and shareholders and such other matters as may be necessary or advisable in connection with the filing of the Proxy Statement/Prospectus and any application, petition or any other statement or application
made by or on behalf of NBT or Evans to any Governmental Authority in connection with the Merger and the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement. Each party hereto shall have the right to review and approve in advance all
characterizations of the information relating to such party and any of its Subsidiaries that appear in any filing made in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement with any Governmental Authority. In addition, NBT and
Evans shall each furnish to the other for review a copy of each such filing made in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement with any Governmental Authority prior to its filing.
Section 5.09 Press Releases. Evans and NBT shall consult with each other before issuing any press release with respect to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby and shall not issue any such press release
or make any such public statements (including written employee and customer communications required to be filed under the Securities Act or the Exchange Act) without the prior consent of the other party, which shall not be unreasonably
withheld; provided, however, that a party may, without the prior consent of the other party (but after such consultation, to the extent practicable in
the circumstances), issue such press release or make such public statements as may upon the advice of outside counsel be required by law. Evans and NBT shall cooperate to develop all public announcement materials and written employee and
customer communications required to be filed under the Securities Act or the Exchange Act and make appropriate management available at presentations related to this Agreement as reasonably requested by the other party.
Section 5.10 Access; Information.
(a) Evans agrees that upon reasonable notice and
subject to applicable laws, it shall afford NBT and its designated authorized officers, employees, counsel, accountants and other authorized representatives such reasonable access during normal business hours throughout the period prior to
the Effective Time to the books, records (including, without limitation, Tax Returns and work papers of independent auditors), minute books of Evans’s board of directors and any committees thereof (other than minutes that discuss any of the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement or any confidential supervisory information), properties and personnel of Evans and to such other information relating to Evans as NBT may reasonably request and, during such period, it shall
furnish promptly to NBT all information concerning the business, properties and personnel of Evans as NBT may reasonably request. NBT may hire, at its expense, a mutually-agreeable third party consultant to perform cybersecurity system
testing and monitoring (based on a mutually-agreeable project scope and terms) in order to confirm that the Evans’ technology systems are free of security breaches and, if necessary, provide remediation and notices related thereto. NBT and
Evans shall each receive the results of the testing and reasonably coordinate their efforts on any potential remediation and notices. NBT shall use commercially reasonable efforts to minimize any interference with Evans’s regular business
operations during any such access to Evans’s employees, property, books and records.
(b) In furtherance of the foregoing, Evans shall, on
a monthly basis, provide to NBT a report setting forth (i) Evans Bank’s commercial construction loan and residential construction loan activity, including information regarding loan applications, loan approvals and loan performance, as well
as any additional information as NBT may reasonably request regarding such loans, and (ii) a list of all commercial real estate loans and commercial business loans approved during the period covered by the report, as well as any additional
information as NBT may reasonably request regarding such loans.
(c) Evans shall keep NBT reasonably apprised of the
status of any legal proceeding involving Evans or any of its Subsidiaries and shall notify NBT of any change in status of such legal proceeding (including, without limitation, any filings, hearings or settlement negotiations) within five
Business Days of such change. NBT shall keep Evans reasonably apprised of the status of any material legal proceeding involving NBT or any of its Subsidiaries and shall notify Evans of any change in status of such legal proceeding
(including, without limitation, any hearings or settlement negotiations) within five Business Days of such change.
(d) All information furnished to NBT by Evans
pursuant to Section 5.10(a) shall be subject to, and NBT shall hold all such information in confidence in accordance with, the provisions of the letter agreement,
dated as of June 23, 2024, by and between Evans and NBT (the “Confidentiality Agreement”).
(e) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary
contained in this Section 5.10, in no event shall NBT have access to any information that, based on advice of Evans’s counsel, would: (a) reasonably be expected
to waive any material legal privilege; (b) result in the disclosure of any trade secrets of third parties; or (c) violate any obligation of Evans with respect to confidentiality so long as, with respect to confidentiality, to the extent
specifically requested by NBT, Evans has made commercially reasonable efforts to obtain a waiver regarding the possible disclosure from the third party to whom it owes an obligation of confidentiality. All requests made pursuant to this Section 5.10 will be directed to an executive officer of Evans or such Person or Persons as may be designated by Evans. No investigation by NBT of the business and
affairs of Evans shall affect or be deemed to modify or waive any representation, warranty, covenant or agreement in this Agreement, or the conditions to the obligations of NBT to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
Section 5.11 No Solicitation by Evans.
(a) Evans shall not, and shall cause its officers,
directors, employees, investment bankers, financial advisors, attorneys, accountants, consultants, affiliates and other agents of Evans (collectively, the “Evans
Representatives”) not to, directly or indirectly, (i) initiate, solicit, induce or knowingly encourage, or take any action to facilitate the making of, any inquiry, offer or proposal which constitutes, or could reasonably be
expected to lead to, an Acquisition Proposal; (ii) participate in any discussions or negotiations regarding any Acquisition Proposal or furnish, or otherwise afford access, to any Person (other than NBT) any confidential or non-public
information or data with respect to Evans or otherwise relating to an Acquisition Proposal; or (iii) without the prior written consent of NBT, release any Person from, waive any provisions of, or fail to enforce any confidentiality
agreement or standstill agreement to which Evans is a party. Evans shall, and shall cause each of the Evans Representatives to immediately cease and cause to be terminated any and all existing discussions, negotiations, and communications
with any Persons with respect to any existing or potential Acquisition Proposal.
(b) Notwithstanding Section 5.11(a), prior to the Evans Meeting, Evans may take any of the actions described in clause (ii) of Section 5.11(a)
if, but only if, (i) Evans has received a bona fide unsolicited written Acquisition Proposal that did not result from a breach of this Section 5.11; (ii) the
Evans Board determines in good faith, (A) after consultation with its outside legal counsel and, with respect to financial matters, its independent financial advisor, that such Acquisition Proposal constitutes or is reasonably likely to
lead to a Superior Proposal and (B) after consultation with its outside legal counsel, and with respect to financial matters, its financial advisors, determines in good faith that it is required to take such actions to comply with its
fiduciary duties under applicable law; (iii) Evans has provided NBT with at least 48 hours’ prior notice of such determination; and (iv) prior to furnishing or affording access to any information or data with respect to Evans or otherwise
relating to an Acquisition Proposal, Evans receives from such Person a confidentiality agreement with terms not materially less favorable to Evans than those contained in the Confidentiality Agreement. In addition, if Evans receives an
Acquisition Proposal that constitutes or is reasonably expected to result in a Superior Proposal and Evans has not breached any of the covenants set forth in this Section
5.11, then Evans, or any Evans Representative may, with the prior approval of the Evans Board at a duly called meeting, contact the Person who has submitted (and not withdrawn) such Acquisition Proposal, or any of such
Person’s representatives, solely (x) to clarify the terms and conditions of such Acquisition Proposal and (y) if such Acquisition Proposal initially is made orally, to direct such Person to submit the Acquisition Proposal to Evans
confidentially in writing. Evans shall promptly provide to NBT any non-public information regarding Evans provided to any other Person which was not previously provided to NBT, such additional information to be provided no later than the
date of provision of such information to such other party.
(c) Evans shall promptly (and in any event orally
within one Business Day and in writing within two Business Days) notify NBT if any inquiries, proposals or offers are received by, any information is requested from, or any negotiations or discussions are sought to be initiated or continued
with, Evans or the Evans Representatives, in each case in connection with any Acquisition Proposal, and such notice shall indicate the name of the Person initiating such discussions or negotiations or making such inquiry, proposal, offer or
information request and the material terms and conditions of any proposals or offers (and, in the case of written materials relating to such inquiry, proposal, offer, information request, negotiations or discussion, providing copies of such
materials (including e-mails or other electronic communications)). Evans agrees that it shall keep NBT informed, on a reasonably current basis (and in any event within 24 hours), of the status and terms of any material developments with
respect to such inquiry, proposal, offer, information request, negotiations or discussions (including, in each case, any amendments or modifications thereto). Evans shall provide NBT with at least 48 hours’ prior notice of any meeting of
the Evans Board at which the Evans Board is reasonably expected to consider any Acquisition Proposal.
(d) Subject to Section 5.11(e), neither the Evans Board nor any committee thereof shall (i) withdraw, qualify, amend, modify or withhold, or propose to withdraw, qualify, amend, modify or withhold, in a
manner adverse to NBT in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement (including the Merger), the Evans Recommendation, fail to reaffirm the Evans Recommendation within five Business Days following a request by NBT, or
make any statement, announcement or release, in connection with the Evans Meeting or otherwise, inconsistent with the Evans Recommendation (it being understood that taking a neutral position or no position with respect to an Acquisition
Proposal shall be considered an adverse modification of the Evans Recommendation); (ii) approve or recommend, or propose to approve or recommend, any Acquisition Proposal; or (iii) enter into (or cause Evans to enter into) any letter of
intent, agreement in principle, acquisition agreement or other agreement (A) related to any Acquisition Transaction (other than a confidentiality agreement entered into in accordance with the provisions of Section 5.11(b)) or (B) requiring Evans to abandon, terminate or fail to consummate the Merger or any other transaction contemplated by this Agreement.
(e) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set
forth in this Agreement, prior to the Evans Meeting, the Evans Board may withdraw, qualify, amend or modify the Evans Recommendation in connection therewith (a “Evans
Subsequent Determination”) and/or terminate this Agreement pursuant to Section 7.01(g)(ii) after the fourth Business Day following NBT’s receipt of
a written notice (the “Notice of Superior Proposal”) from Evans advising NBT that the Evans Board intends to determine that a bona fide unsolicited written
Acquisition Proposal that it received (that did not result from a breach of this Section 5.11) constitutes a Superior Proposal if, but only if, (i) the Evans
Board has reasonably determined in good faith, after consultation with outside legal counsel, that it is required to take such actions to comply with its fiduciary duties under applicable law, (ii) during the three Business Day period after
receipt of the Notice of Superior Proposal by NBT (the “Notice Period”), Evans and the Evans Board shall have cooperated and negotiated in good faith with NBT to
make such adjustments, modifications or amendments to the terms and conditions of this Agreement as would enable Evans to proceed with the Evans Recommendation without an Evans Subsequent Determination; provided, however, that NBT shall not have any obligation to propose any adjustments, modifications or amendments to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, and (iii) at the
end of the Notice Period, after taking into account any such adjusted, modified or amended terms as may have been proposed by NBT since its receipt of such Notice of Superior Proposal, the Evans Board in good faith makes the determination
(A) in clause (i) of this Section 5.11(e) and (B) that such Acquisition Proposal constitutes a Superior Proposal. In the event of any material revisions to the
Superior Proposal, Evans shall be required to deliver a new Notice of Superior Proposal to NBT and again comply with the requirements of this Section 5.11(e),
except that the Notice Period shall be reduced to two Business Days. In addition to the foregoing, the Evans Board shall not submit to the vote of its stockholders any Acquisition Proposal other than the Merger at the Evans Meeting.
(f) Nothing contained in this Section 5.11 shall prohibit Evans or the Evans Board from complying with Evans’s obligations required under Rules 14d-9 and 14e-2(a) promulgated under the Exchange
Act or from making any legally required disclosure to Evans’s shareholders; provided, however, that any such disclosure relating to an Acquisition
Proposal shall be deemed a change in the Evans Recommendation unless it is limited to a stop, look and listen communication or the Evans Board reaffirms the Evans Recommendation in such disclosure.
Section 5.12 Certain Policies. Prior to the Effective Date, Evans shall, consistent with GAAP and applicable banking laws and regulations, modify or change its loan, OREO, accrual, reserve, tax, litigation and real
estate valuation policies and practices (including loan classifications and levels of reserves) so as to be applied on a basis that is consistent with that of NBT; provided, however, that Evans shall not be obligated to take any action pursuant to this Section 5.12 unless and until all Regulatory Approvals
have been obtained and NBT acknowledges in writing, and Evans is satisfied, that all conditions to Evans’s obligation to consummate the Merger have been satisfied and that NBT shall consummate the Merger in accordance with the terms of this
Agreement, and further provided that in any event, no accrual or reserve made by Evans pursuant to this Section 5.12 or the consequences resulting therefrom shall
constitute or be deemed to be a breach, violation of or failure to satisfy any representation, warranty, covenant, agreement, condition or other provision of this Agreement or otherwise be considered in determining whether any such breach,
violation or failure to satisfy shall have occurred. The recording of any such adjustments shall not be deemed to imply any misstatement of previously furnished financial statements or information and shall not be construed as concurrence of
Evans or its management with any such adjustments, nor any admission that the previously furnished financial statements or information did not fully comply in all respects with GAAP or regulatory requirements.
Section 5.13 Indemnification.
(a) From and after the Effective Time, NBT (the “Indemnifying Party”) shall indemnify and hold harmless each present and former director and officer of Evans or Evans Bank, as applicable, determined as of the
Effective Time (the “Indemnified Parties”) against any costs or expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees), judgments, amounts paid in settlement, fines,
penalties, losses, claims, damages or liabilities incurred in connection with any claim, action, suit, proceeding or investigation, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative, and whether formal or informal (each, a “Proceeding”) arising out of matters existing or occurring at or prior to the Effective Time, whether asserted or claimed prior to, at or after the Effective Time,
arising in whole or in part out of or pertaining to the fact that he or she was a director or officer of Evans or Evans Bank or is or was serving at the request of Evans or Evans Bank as a director, officer, employee or other agent of any
other organization or in any capacity with respect to any employee benefit plan of Evans or Evans Bank, including without limitation matters related to the negotiation, execution and performance of this Agreement or any of the transactions
contemplated hereby, to the fullest extent which such Indemnified Parties would be entitled under the NYBCL or the Certificate of Incorporation, as amended, and the Amended and Restated Bylaws of Evans or Evans Bank as in effect on the date
hereof (subject to change as required by law), including with respect to the advancement of expenses. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Section 5.13,
the Indemnifying Party shall advance all reasonable costs, expenses and fees (including reasonable attorneys’ fees) incurred by or on behalf of an Indemnified Party in connection with any Proceeding within thirty (30) days after the receipt
by the Indemnifying Party of a statement or statements from the Indemnified Party requesting such advance or advances from time to time, whether prior to or after final disposition of such Proceeding. Such statement or statements shall be
made in good faith and shall reasonably evidence the costs, expenses and fees incurred by the Indemnified Party (which shall include invoices in connection with such costs, fees and expenses but, in the case of invoices in connection with
legal services, any references to legal work performed or to expenditure made that would cause the Indemnified Party to waive any privilege or protection accorded by applicable law shall not be included with the invoice), and shall include
or be preceded or accompanied by a written undertaking by or on behalf of the Indemnified Party to repay any costs, expenses or fees advanced if it shall ultimately be determined that the Indemnified Party is not entitled to be indemnified
against such costs, expenses or fees. Any advances and undertakings to repay pursuant to this Section 5.13 shall be unsecured and interest free and made without
regard to the Indemnified Party’s ability to repay such advances or ultimate entitlement to indemnification.
(b) Any Indemnified Party wishing to claim
indemnification under this Section 5.13, upon learning of any such Proceeding, shall promptly notify the Indemnifying Party, but the failure to so notify shall
not relieve the Indemnifying Party of any liability it may have to such Indemnified Party except to the extent that such failure does actually prejudice the Indemnifying Party. In the event of any such Proceeding (whether arising before or
after the Effective Time), (i) the Indemnifying Party shall have the right to assume the defense thereof with counsel which is reasonably satisfactory to the Indemnified Party and the Indemnifying Party shall not be liable to such
Indemnified Parties for any legal expenses of other counsel or any other expenses subsequently incurred by such Indemnified Parties in connection with the defense thereof, except that if the Indemnifying Party elects not to assume such
defense or counsel for the Indemnified Parties advises that there are issues which raise actual or potential conflicts of interest between the Indemnifying Party and the Indemnified Parties, the Indemnified Parties may retain counsel which
is reasonably satisfactory to the Indemnifying Party, and the Indemnifying Party shall pay, promptly as statements therefor are received, the reasonable fees and expenses of such counsel for the Indemnified Parties (which may not exceed one
firm in any jurisdiction unless counsel for the Indemnified Parties advises that there are issues that raise conflicts of interest between the Indemnified Parties), (ii) the Indemnified Parties will reasonably cooperate in the defense of
any such matter, (iii) the Indemnifying Party shall not be liable for any settlement effected without its prior written consent and (iv) the Indemnifying Party shall have no obligation hereunder in the event that indemnification of an
Indemnified Party in the manner contemplated hereby is prohibited by applicable laws and regulations or by a final non-appealable adjudication of an applicable federal or state banking agency or a court of competent jurisdiction.
(c) Prior to the Effective Time, NBT shall purchase
an extended reporting period endorsement under Evans’s existing directors’ and officers’ liability insurance coverage for Evans’s directors and officers in a form acceptable to Evans which shall provide such directors and officers with
coverage for six years following the Effective Time for claims made against such directors and officers arising from any act, error or omission by such directors and officers existing or occurring at or prior to the Effective Time of not
less than the existing coverage under, and have other terms at least as favorable to, the directors and officers than the directors’ and officers’ liability insurance coverage presently maintained by Evans (provided that NBT may substitute
therefor policies which are not materially less advantageous than such policy or single premium tail coverage with policy limits equal to Evans’s existing coverage limits), so long as the aggregate cost is not more than 250% of the annual
premium currently paid by Evans for such insurance (the “Premium Limit”). In the event that the Premium Limit is insufficient for such coverage, NBT shall use its
reasonable best efforts to purchase such lesser coverage as may be obtained with such amount.
(d) The rights of indemnification and advancement as
provided by this Section 5.13 shall not be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which the Indemnified Party may at any time be entitled under the Certificate
of Incorporation, as amended, and the Amended and Restated Bylaws of Evans or as provided in applicable law as in effect on the date hereof (subject to change as required by law), any agreement, a vote of stockholders, a resolution of
directors of Evans, or otherwise. In the event that an Indemnified Party, pursuant to this Section 5.13, seeks an adjudication of such person’s rights under, or
to recover damages for breach of, this Section 5.13, or to recover under any directors’ and officers’ liability insurance coverage maintained by Evans or NBT, the
Indemnifying Party shall pay on such Indemnified Party’s behalf, any and all reasonable costs, expenses and fees (including reasonable attorneys’ fees ) incurred by such Indemnified Party in such judicial adjudication, to the fullest extent
permitted by law, only to the extent that the Indemnified Party prevails in such judicial adjudication.
(e) If NBT or any of its successors or assigns shall
consolidate with or merge into any other entity and shall not be the continuing or surviving entity of such consolidation or merger, or shall transfer all or substantially all of its assets to any other entity, then and in each case, proper
provision shall be made so that the successors and assigns of NBT shall assume the obligations set forth in this Section 5.13.
Section 5.14 Employees; Benefit Plans.
(a) Following the Closing Date and except to the
extent an alternative treatment is set forth in this Section 5.14, NBT may choose
to maintain any or all of the Evans Benefit Plans in its sole discretion, and Evans and Evans Bank shall cooperate with NBT in order to effect any plan terminations to be made as of the Effective Time as set forth in this Section 5.14
and in accordance with the terms of the applicable Evans Benefit Plans and applicable law. For the period commencing at the Effective Time and ending twelve (12) months after the Effective Time (or until the applicable Continuing
Employee’s earlier termination of employment), NBT shall provide, or cause to be provided, to each employee of Evans Bank who continues with the Surviving Bank as of the Closing Date (a “Continuing Employee”) (i) a base salary or a
base rate of pay at least equal to the base salary or base rate of pay provided to similarly situated employees of NBT or any Subsidiary of NBT (or until the applicable Continuing Employee’s earlier termination of employment), and (ii)
other benefits (other than severance or termination pay in order to avoid a duplication of benefits, if applicable) at least substantially comparable in the aggregate to the benefits provided to similarly situated employees of NBT or any
Subsidiary of NBT. For any Evans Benefit Plan terminated for which there is a comparable NBT Benefit Plan of general applicability, NBT shall take all commercially reasonable action so that Continuing Employees shall be entitled to
participate in such NBT Benefit Plan to the same extent as similarly-situated employees NBT (it being understood that inclusion of the employees of Evans and Evans Bank in the NBT Benefit Plans may occur at different times with respect to
different plans). NBT shall cause each NBT Benefit Plan in which Continuing Employees are eligible to participate to take into account for purposes of eligibility and vesting under the NBT Benefit Plans (but not for purposes of benefit
accrual) the service of such employees with Evans or Evans Bank to the same extent as such service was credited for such purpose by Evans or Evans Bank; provided, however, that such service shall not be recognized to the extent that such recognition would result in a duplication of benefits or retroactive application. Nothing herein
shall limit the ability of NBT to amend or terminate any of the Evans Benefit Plans or NBT Benefit Plans in accordance with their terms at any time. Following the Closing Date, NBT shall honor, in accordance with Evans’s policies
and procedures in effect as of the date hereof, any employee expense reimbursement obligations of Evans for out-of-pocket expenses incurred during the calendar year in which the Closing occurs by any Continuing Employee and all accrued but
unused vacation credited to any Continuing Employee under Evans Benefit Plans.
(b) Without limiting the generality of Section 5.14(a), prior to the Closing Date, (i) Evans or Evans Bank, as applicable, shall take all actions necessary to terminate the Evans Bancorp, Inc. Executive
Severance Plan and Evans Bank Change in Control Severance Plan (together, the “Evans Bank Severance Plan”), and to adopt written resolutions, the form and
substance of which shall be reasonably satisfactory to NBT, to terminate such Evans Bank Severance Plan, and (ii) if requested by NBT in writing not less than forty-five (45) days prior to the Closing Date, Evans or Evans Bank, as
applicable, shall take all actions necessary to cease contributions to and terminate each Evans Benefit Plan that is intended to qualify under Code Section 401(k) (each, a “Evans
401(k) Plan”), and to adopt written resolutions, the form and substance of which shall be reasonably satisfactory to NBT, to terminate such Evans 401(k) Plan; provided, however, that such termination may be made
contingent upon the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. In such event, NBT shall take any and all actions as may be required to
permit Continuing Employees to participate in a NBT Benefit Plan that is intended to qualify under Code Section 401(k) (an “NBT 401(k) Plan”)
immediately following the Closing Date and to permit Continuing Employees to roll over their account balances in the Evans 401(k) Plan, including any participant loans under the Evans 401(k) Plan, into the NBT 401(k) Plan. If requested by
NBT in writing at any time following the date of this Agreement, Evans or Evans Bank, as applicable, shall initiate the process to terminate its tax-qualified defined benefit pension plan, with such termination effective as soon as
practicable after the Effective Time, and Evans shall keep NBT informed regarding the progress and status of the termination process.
(c) If employees of Evans or Evans Bank become
eligible to participate in a medical, dental, vision, prescription drug, disability plan or life insurance plan of NBT upon termination of such plan of Evans or Evans Bank, NBT shall use all commercially reasonable efforts to cause each
such plan to (i) waive any preexisting condition limitations to the extent such conditions are covered under the applicable NBT Benefit Plan, (ii) provide credit under such plans for any deductible, co-payment and out-of-pocket expenses
incurred by the employees and their beneficiaries during the portion of the calendar year prior to such participation and (iii) waive any waiting period limitation, actively-at-work requirement or evidence of insurability requirement which
would otherwise be applicable to such employee on or after the Effective Time, in each case to the extent such employee had satisfied any similar limitation or requirement under an analogous Evans Benefit Plan prior to the Effective Time;
provided, however, NBT shall not cause any coverage of a Continuing Employee or such Continuing Employee’s dependents to terminate under any Evans Benefit Plan which is a health or welfare plan prior to the time such Continuing Employees or
such Continuing Employee’s dependents, as applicable, have been offered participation in the health and welfare plans common to all employees of NBT and their dependents, except in the case of a termination of employment or other service.
(d) From and after the Effective Time, NBT agrees to
honor all obligations under the employment agreements, change in control agreements, supplemental executive retirement plans, and similar arrangements as set forth on Evans
Disclosure Schedule 5.14(d). NBT shall assume and honor all Evans Benefit Plans listed on Evans Disclosure Schedule 5.14(d) in accordance with
their terms. Evans Disclosure Schedule 5.14(d) sets forth the names of all participants, the value of each participant’s account balance and the amount of each
lump sum or installment payment under the applicable non-qualified deferred compensation plan.
(e) NBT agrees to pay to each employee of Evans or
Evans Bank that is not covered by a written employment or severance agreement and is terminated by NBT or any of its Subsidiaries, without cause, within six (6) months following the Effective Time, a severance payment equal to two (2) weeks
of his or her then current base salary multiplied by the number of total completed years of service with Evans or Evans Bank; provided, however, that for vice presidents and above, severance payment shall equal twenty-six (26) weeks of his or her base salary and for all other employees,
the minimum severance payment shall equal not less than twelve (12) weeks of his or her base salary and the maximum severance payment shall not exceed twenty-six (26) weeks of his or her base salary; and provided further, that such employee enters into a release of claims in a form reasonably satisfactory to NBT and that such employee does not voluntarily leave employment with
Evans or Evans Bank prior to the Effective Time.
(f) To the extent necessary, NBT and Evans may
provide a retention pool as mutually agreed by NBT and Evans to enable NBT and Evans to provide retention incentives to certain employees of Evans or Evans Bank who are not covered by a written employment agreement, the recipients and
amounts to be mutually determined by NBT and Evans. Such retention incentives will be in addition to, and not in lieu of, any severance payment, including the amount that may be paid pursuant to Section 5.14(e). Such designated employees will enter into retention agreements to be provided by Evans and reasonably acceptable to NBT.
(g) Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, NBT shall honor and agree to not terminate the Evans Benefit Plans set forth on Evans Disclosure Schedule 5.14(g) and the parties agree that the
benefits under such Evans Benefit Plans shall be paid out in accordance with the terms and conditions of such Evans Benefit Plans; provided, however, that Evans or Evans Bank, as applicable, shall take all actions necessary to cease all participant contributions to all such plans following the Closing Date,subject to compliance
with Section 409A of the Code, the terms and conditions of such plans and applicable law.
(h) Nothing contained in this Agreement, expressed
or implied, shall (i) give any person, other than the parties hereto, any rights or remedies of any nature whatsoever, including any right to continued employment or service, under or by reason of this Section 5.14, (ii) cause any third party beneficiary rights in any current or former employee, director, other individual service provider of Evans or any of its Subsidiaries to enforce the
provisions of this Section 5.14 or any other matter related thereto, or (iii) be construed as an amendment to any Evans Benefit Plan, NBT Benefit Plan, or other
employee benefit plan of NBT, NBT Bank, Evans or any of their respective Affiliates, or be construed to prohibit the amendment or termination of any such plan.
(i) If requested by NBT, Evans shall take all such
actions as NBT may request in order to fully and timely comply with any and all requirements of the WARN Act, including providing notices to employees of Evans or any Subsidiary of Evans.
Section 5.15 Notification of Certain Changes. Each of NBT and Evans shall promptly advise the other party of any change or event having, or which could be reasonably expected to have, a Material Adverse Effect on it or
which it believes would, or which could reasonably be expected to, cause or constitute a material breach of any of its representations, warranties or covenants contained herein. From time to time prior to the Effective Time, but no more
frequently than monthly (and no later than the date prior to the Closing Date), each party will supplement or amend its Disclosure Schedules delivered in connection with the execution of this Agreement to reflect any matter which, if
existing, occurring or known at the date of this Agreement, would have been required to be set forth or described in such Disclosure Schedules or which is necessary to correct any information in such Disclosure Schedules which has been
rendered inaccurate thereby. No supplement or amendment to such Disclosure Schedules shall have any effect for the purpose of determining the accuracy of the representations and warranties of the parties contained in Article III and Article
IV in order to determine the fulfillment of the conditions set forth in Section 6.02(a) or Section
6.03(a) hereof, as the case may be, or the compliance by Evans or NBT, as the case may be, with the respective covenants and agreements of such parties contained herein.
Section 5.16 Current Information. During the period from the date of this Agreement to the Effective Time, Evans will cause one or more of its designated representatives to confer on a regular and frequent basis with
representatives of NBT and to report the general status of the ongoing operations of Evans. Without limiting the foregoing, Evans agrees to provide NBT a copy of each report filed by Evans with a Governmental Authority within one (1)
Business Day following the filing thereof.
Section 5.17 Board Packages. Evans shall distribute a copy of each Evans Board package, including the agenda and any draft minutes, to NBT at the same time and in the same manner in which it distributes a copy of such
packages to the Evans Board; provided, however, that Evans shall not be required to copy NBT on any documents that disclose confidential discussions of
this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby or any third party proposal to acquire control of Evans or any other matter that the Evans Board has been advised of by counsel that such distribution to NBT may violate a confidentiality
obligation, any material legal privilege or fiduciary duty or any law or regulation.
Section 5.18 Transition; Informational Systems Conversion. From and after the date hereof, NBT and Evans shall each use their reasonable best efforts to facilitate the integration of Evans with the business of NBT
following consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, and shall meet on a regular basis to discuss and plan for the conversion of Evans’s data processing and related electronic informational systems (the “Informational Systems Conversion”) to those used by NBT and its Subsidiaries, which planning shall include, but not be limited to: (a) discussion of Evans’s third-party
service provider arrangements; (b) non-renewal of personal property leases and software licenses used by Evans in connection with its systems operations; (c) retention of outside consultants and additional employees to assist with the
conversion; (d) outsourcing, as appropriate, of proprietary or self-provided system services; and (e) any other actions necessary and appropriate to facilitate the conversion, as soon as practicable following the Effective Time. If this
Agreement is terminated by NBT and/or Evans in accordance with Section 7.01(a), Section 7.01(c),
or Section 7.01(f), or by Evans only in accordance with Section 7.01(d) or Section 7.01(e), NBT shall pay to Evans all reasonable fees, expenses or charges related to reversing the Informational Systems Conversion within ten (10) Business Days
of Evans providing NBT written evidence of such fees, expenses or charges.
Section 5.19 Assumption of Debt. NBT agrees to execute and deliver, or cause to be executed and delivered, by or on behalf of the Surviving Corporation, at or prior to the Effective Time, one or more supplemental
indentures, guarantees, and other instruments required for the due assumption of the Evans’s outstanding debt, guarantees, securities, and other agreements to the extent required by the terms of such debt, guarantees, securities, and other
agreements.
Section 5.20 Section 16 Matters. Prior to the Effective Time, each of the Evans Board and the NBT Board, or a committee of non-employee
directors thereof (as such term is defined for purposes of Rule 16b-3(d) under the Exchange Act), shall take all such reasonable action as may be required to cause to be exempt from liability pursuant to Rule 16b-3 under the Exchange Act,
to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, any acquisitions or dispositions of shares of Evans Stock and NBT Stock (including derivative securities with respect to such shares) that are treated as acquisitions or dispositions under
such rule and result from the transactions contemplated by this Agreement by officers and directors of Evans subject to the reporting requirements of Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act or by each individual who is reasonably expected to
become subject to the reporting requirements of Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act with respect to NBT immediately after the Effective Time.
Section 5.21 NBT Bank Advisory Boards. Promptly following the Effective Time, NBT Bank shall invite the directors of Evans who are
members of the Evans Board immediately prior to the Effective Time, other than the New Board Member, to join a Western New York and Finger Lakes Region Advisory Board of NBT Bank; provided that any director of Evans invited to join the Western New York and Finger Lakes
Region Advisory Board must meet the applicable qualifications of such advisory board in order to join.
Section 5.22 Community Matters. NBT agrees to support Evans’s and Evans Bank’s current and pending community matters support commitments and
after the Effective Time shall provide annual community support in Evans’s and Evans Bank’s current market areas in an amount equal to or greater than the level of support provided by Evans and/or Evans Bank as of the date hereof, as set
forth on Evans Disclosure Schedule 5.22.
Section 5.23 Tax Representation Letters. NBT and Evans each agree to (i) use their reasonable best efforts to obtain or cause to be provided, as appropriate, the opinions of counsel referred to in Section 6.01(e) and (ii) deliver to Hogan Lovells US LLP and Luse Gorman PC, or other counsel described in Section
6.01(e), a tax representation letter, dated as of the date of the Effective Time (and, if required, as of the effective date of the Form S-4) and signed by an officer of NBT and Evans, respectively, containing customary
representations of NBT and Evans as shall be reasonably necessary or appropriate to enable Hogan Lovells US LLP and Luse Gorman PC, or such other counsel described in Section
6.01(e), to render the opinion described in Section 6.01(e) on the date of the Effective Time (and, if required, on the effective date of the Form
S-4).
ARTICLE VI
CONDITIONS TO CONSUMMATION OF THE MERGER
Section 6.01 Conditions to Obligations of the Parties to Effect the Merger. The respective obligations of Evans and NBT to consummate the Merger are subject to the fulfillment or, to the extent permitted by applicable
law, written waiver by the parties hereto prior to the Closing Date of each of the following conditions:
(a) Regulatory Approvals. All Regulatory Approvals shall have been obtained and shall remain in full force and effect, any requirements contained in the Regulatory Approvals to be completed on or before the
Closing Date shall have been completed, and all statutory waiting periods in respect thereof shall have expired or been terminated. No Regulatory Approvals referred to in this Section
6.01(a) shall contain any condition, restriction or requirement which the NBT Board, on the one hand, or the Evans Board, on the other hand, reasonably determines in good faith would, individually or in the aggregate,
materially reduce the benefits of the Merger to such a degree that NBT, on the one hand, or Evans, on the other hand, would not have entered into this Agreement had such condition, restriction or requirement been known at the date hereof.
(b) Merger Registration Statement Effective. The Merger Registration Statement shall have been declared effective by the SEC and no stop order with respect thereto shall be in effect.
(c) NASDAQ Listing. The shares of NBT Stock issuable pursuant to this Agreement shall have been approved for listing on NASDAQ, subject to official notice of issuance.
(d) No Injunctions or Restraints; Illegality. No judgment, order, injunction or decree issued by any court or agency of competent jurisdiction or other legal restraint or prohibition preventing the
consummation of any of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement shall be in effect. No statute, rule, regulation, order, injunction or decree shall have been enacted, entered, promulgated or enforced by any Governmental Authority
that prohibits or makes illegal the consummation of any of such transactions.
(e) Tax Opinions. NBT shall have received a letter setting forth the written opinion of Hogan Lovells US LLP (or such other counsel reasonably acceptable to Evans) in and form and substance reasonably
satisfactory to NBT, dated as of the Closing Date, and Evans shall have received a letter setting forth the written opinion of Luse Gorman, PC (or such other counsel reasonably acceptable to NBT) in form and substance reasonably
satisfactory to Evans, dated as of the Closing Date, in each case substantially to the effect that, on the basis of the facts, representations and assumptions set forth in such letter, the Merger will constitute a tax free reorganization
described in Section 368(a) of the Code.
(f) Shareholder Approval. This Agreement shall have been duly approved by the requisite vote of the holders of outstanding shares of Evans Stock.
Section 6.02 Conditions to Obligations of NBT. The obligations of NBT to consummate the Merger also are subject to the fulfillment or written waiver by NBT prior to the Closing Date of each of the following conditions:
(a) Representations and Warranties. The representations and warranties of Evans and Evans Bank set forth in this Agreement shall be true and correct in all material respects as of the date of this Agreement
and (except to the extent such representations and warranties speak as of an earlier date) as of the Closing Date as though made on and as of the Closing Date; provided, however, that for purposes of this paragraph, such representations and warranties shall be deemed to be true and correct in all material respects unless the failure or failures of such representations and
warranties to be so true and correct, either individually or in the aggregate, will have or are reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect on Evans or the Surviving Corporation. NBT shall have received a certificate, dated the
Closing Date, signed on behalf of Evans by the Chief Executive Officer of Evans to such effect.
(b) Performance of Obligations of Evans. Evans and Evans Bank shall have performed in all material respects all obligations required to be performed by it under this Agreement at or prior to the Closing
Date, and NBT shall have received a certificate, dated the Closing Date, signed on behalf of Evans by the Chief Executive Officer of Evans to such effect.
(c) Voting Agreements. The Voting Agreements shall have been executed and delivered by each director and certain executive officers set forth on the Evans Disclosure Schedule 6.02(c) concurrently with Evans’s execution and delivery of this Agreement and shall remain in effect and not have been revoked as of the Effective Time.
(d) Other Actions. Evans shall have furnished NBT with such certificates of its officers or others and such other documents to evidence fulfillment of the conditions set forth in Section 6.01 and Section 6.02 as NBT may reasonably request.
Section 6.03 Conditions to Obligations of Evans. The obligations of Evans to consummate the Merger also are subject to the fulfillment or written waiver by Evans prior to the Closing Date of each of the following
conditions:
(a) Representations and Warranties. The representations and warranties of NBT set forth in this Agreement shall be true and correct in all material respects as of the date of this Agreement and (except to
the extent such representations and warranties speak as of an earlier date) as of the Closing Date as though made on and as of the Closing Date; provided,
however, that for purposes of this paragraph, such representations and warranties shall be deemed to be true and correct in all material respects unless the failure or failures of such representations and warranties to be so true
and correct, either individually or in the aggregate, will have or are reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect on NBT. Evans shall have received a certificate, dated the Closing Date, signed on behalf of NBT by the Chief
Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer of NBT to such effect.
(b) Performance of Obligations of NBT. NBT and NBT Bank shall have performed in all material respects all obligations required to be performed by it under this Agreement at or prior to the Closing Date, and
Evans shall have received a certificate, dated the Closing Date, signed on behalf of NBT by the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer of NBT to such effect.
(c) Other Actions. NBT shall have furnished Evans with such certificates of its respective officers or others and such other documents to evidence fulfillment of the conditions set forth in Section 6.01 and Section 6.03 as Evans may reasonably request.
Section 6.04 Frustration of Closing Conditions. Neither NBT nor Evans may rely on the failure of any condition set forth in Section 6.01, Section 6.02 or Section 6.03, as the case may be, to be satisfied if such failure was
caused by such party’s failure to use reasonable best efforts to consummate any of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, as required by and subject to this Article VI.
ARTICLE VII
TERMINATION
Section 7.01 Termination. This Agreement may be terminated, and the transactions contemplated by this Agreement may be abandoned:
(a) Mutual Consent. At any time prior to the Effective Time, by the mutual consent of NBT and Evans.
(b) No Regulatory Approval. By NBT or Evans, in the event the approval of any Governmental Authority required for consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement shall have been denied by
final, nonappealable action by such Governmental Authority or an application therefor shall have been permanently withdrawn at the request of a Governmental Authority.
(c) Shareholder Approval. By either NBT or Evans (provided that if Evans is the terminating party it shall not be in material breach of any of its obligations under Section 5.04), if the approval of the shareholders required to satisfy the condition set forth in Section 6.01(f)
for the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement shall not have been obtained by reason of the failure to obtain the required vote at a duly held meeting of such Evans shareholders, or at any adjournment or
postponement of the Evans Meeting.
(d) Breach of Representations and Warranties. By either NBT or Evans (provided that the terminating party is not then in material breach of any representation, warranty, covenant or other agreement contained
herein) if there shall have been a material breach of any of the representations or warranties set forth in this Agreement by the other party, which breach is not cured within thirty (30) days following written notice to the party
committing such breach, or which breach, by its nature, cannot be cured prior to the Closing; provided, however, that neither party shall have the
right to terminate this Agreement pursuant to this Section 7.01(d) unless the breach of representation or warranty, together with all other such breaches, would
entitle the party receiving such representation or warranty not to consummate the Merger under Section 6.02(a) (in the case of a breach of a representation or
warranty by Evans or Evans Bank) or Section 6.03(a) (in the case of a breach of a representation or warranty by NBT).
(e) Breach of Covenants. By either NBT or Evans (provided that the terminating party is not then in material breach of any representation, warranty, covenant or other agreement contained herein) if there
shall have been a material breach of any of the covenants or agreements set forth in this Agreement on the part of the other party, which breach shall not have been cured within thirty (30) days following receipt by the breaching party of
written notice of such breach from the other party hereto, or which breach, by its nature, cannot be cured prior to the Closing, provided, however,
that neither party shall have the right to terminate this Agreement pursuant to this Section 7.01(e) unless the breach of covenant or agreement, together with all
other such breaches, would entitle the party receiving the benefit of such covenant or agreement not to consummate the Merger under Section 6.02(b) (in the case
of a breach of a covenant or agreement by Evans or Evans Bank) or Section 6.03(b) (in the case of a breach of a representation or warranty by NBT).
(f) Delay. By either NBT or Evans if the Merger shall not have been consummated on or before September 15, 2025, unless the failure of the Closing to occur by such date shall be due to a material breach of
this Agreement by the party seeking to terminate this Agreement.
(g) Failure to Recommend; Third-Party Acquisition Transaction; Etc.
(i) By NBT, if (i) Evans shall
have breached its obligations under Section 5.11, (ii) the Evans Board shall have failed to make its recommendation referred to in Section 5.04, withdrawn such recommendation or modified or changed such recommendation in a manner adverse in any respect to the interests of NBT, (iii) the Evans Board shall have
recommended, proposed, or publicly announced its intention to recommend or propose, to engage in an Acquisition Transaction with any Person other than NBT or a Subsidiary of NBT or (iv) Evans shall have materially breached its obligations
under Section 5.04 by failing to call, give notice of, convene and hold the Evans Meeting in accordance with Section 5.04.
(ii) By Evans, subject to Evans’s
compliance with Section 7.02(a) if Evans has received an Acquisition Proposal, and in accordance with Section 5.11 of this Agreement, the Evans Board has made a determination that such Acquisition Proposal is a Superior Proposal and has determined to accept such Superior Proposal.
Section 7.02 Termination Fee. In recognition of the efforts, expenses and other opportunities foregone by NBT while structuring and pursuing the Merger, the parties hereto agree that Evans shall pay to NBT a termination
fee of $8,400,000 within three (3) Business Days after written demand for payment is made by NBT, following the occurrence of any of the events set forth below:
(a) NBT or Evans terminates this Agreement pursuant
to Section 7.01(g); or
(b) Evans or Evans Bank enters into a definitive
agreement relating to an Acquisition Proposal or the consummation of an Acquisition Proposal involving Evans or Evans Bank within twelve (12) months following the termination of this Agreement by NBT pursuant to Section 7.01(d) or Section 7.01(e) because of a Willful Breach by Evans or Evans Bank after an Acquisition
Proposal has been publicly announced or otherwise made known to Evans.
(c) The amount payable by Evans pursuant to this Section 7.02 constitutes liquidated damages and not a penalty and shall be the sole monetary remedy of NBT in the event of a termination due to breach of this
Agreement in the circumstances specified in this Section 7.02.
Section 7.03 Effect of Termination and Abandonment. In the event of termination of this Agreement and the abandonment of the Merger pursuant to this Article VII, no party to this Agreement shall have any liability or
further obligation to any other party hereunder except (i) as set forth in Section 7.01 and Section
8.01 and (ii) other than a termination that results in a payment in accordance with Section 7.02, that termination will not relieve a breaching party
from liability for money damages for any Willful Breach of any covenant, agreement, representation or warranty of this Agreement giving rise to such termination. Nothing in Section
7.02 or this Section 7.03 shall be deemed to preclude either party from seeking specific performance in equity to enforce the terms of this
Agreement.
ARTICLE VIII
MISCELLANEOUS
Section 8.01 Survival. No representations, warranties, agreements and covenants contained in this Agreement shall survive the Effective Time (other than agreements or covenants contained herein that by their express
terms are to be performed after the Effective Time) or the termination of this Agreement if this Agreement is terminated prior to the Effective Time (other than Section
5.10(b), Section 7.02 and this Article VIII, which shall survive any such termination). Notwithstanding anything in the foregoing to the contrary,
no representations, warranties, agreements and covenants contained in this Agreement shall be deemed to be terminated or extinguished so as to deprive a party hereto or any of its affiliates of any defense at law or in equity which otherwise
would be available against the claims of any Person, including without limitation any shareholder or former shareholder.
Section 8.02 Waiver; Amendment. Prior to the Effective Time, any provision of this Agreement may be (a) waived by the party benefited by the provision to the extent permitted by applicable law or (b) amended or modified
at any time, in either case by an agreement in writing among the parties hereto executed in the same manner as this Agreement, except that after the Evans Meeting no amendment shall be made which by law requires further approval by the
shareholders of Evans, without obtaining such approval.
Section 8.03 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to constitute an original.
Section 8.04 Governing Law and Venue. This Agreement shall be governed by, and interpreted in accordance with, the laws of the State of Delaware, without regard for conflict of law provisions. In addition, each of the
parties hereto (a) consents to submit itself to the personal jurisdiction of the Delaware Court of Chancery, New Castle County, or if that court does not have jurisdiction, a federal court sitting in the State of Delaware in any action or
proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or any of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, (b) agrees that it will not attempt to deny or defeat such personal jurisdiction by motion or other request for leave from any
such court and (c) agrees that it will not bring any action relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement in any court other the Delaware Court of Chancery, New Castle County, or if that court does not have
jurisdiction, a federal court sitting in the State of Delaware.
Section 8.05 Expenses. Each party hereto will bear all expenses incurred by it in connection with this Agreement and the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, including fees and expenses of its own financial
consultants, accountants and legal counsel, except that printing expenses and SEC filing and registration fees shall be shared equally between NBT and Evans; provided,
however, that nothing contained herein shall limit either party’s rights to recover any liabilities or damages arising out of the other party’s Willful Breach of any provision of this Agreement.
Section 8.06 Notices. All notices, requests and other communications hereunder to a party shall be in writing and shall be deemed given if personally delivered, mailed by registered or certified mail (return receipt
requested) or sent by reputable courier service to such party at its address set forth below or such other address as such party may specify by notice to the parties hereto (with a copy provided to the email addresses specified below).
If to NBT:
NBT Bancorp Inc.
52 South Broad Street
Norwich, NY 13815
Attention: Scott A. Kingsley
Email: SKingsley@nbtbank.com
With a copy to:
Hogan Lovells US LLP
555 Thirteenth Street, N.W.
Washington, DC 20004
Attention: Richard A. Schaberg
Email: richard.schaberg@hoganlovells.com
and
NBT Bancorp Inc.
52 South Broad Street
Norwich, NY 13815
Attention: M. Randolph Sparks
Email: rsparks@nbtbci.com
If to Evans:
Evans Bancorp, Inc.
6460 Main Street
Williamsville, NY 14221
Attention: David J. Nasca
Email: dnasca@evansbank.com
With a copy to:
Luse Gorman, PC
5335 Wisconsin Avenue, N.W., Suite 780
Washington, D.C. 20015
Attention: John J. Gorman
Email: jgorman@luselaw.com
Section 8.07 Entire Understanding; No Third-Party Beneficiaries. This Agreement (including the Disclosure Schedules), the Plan of Bank Merger, the Voting Agreements and the Confidentiality Agreement represent the entire
understanding of the parties hereto and thereto with reference to the transactions, and this Agreement, the Plan of Bank Merger, the Voting Agreements and the Confidentiality Agreement supersede any and all other oral or written agreements
heretofore made. Except for the Indemnified Parties’ right to enforce NBT’s obligation under Section 5.13, which are expressly intended to be for the irrevocable
benefit of, and shall be enforceable by, each Indemnified Party and his or her heirs and representatives, nothing in this Agreement, expressed or implied, is intended to confer upon any Person, other than the parties hereto or their
respective successors, any rights, remedies, obligations or liabilities under or by reason of this Agreement.
Section 8.08 Severability. In the event that any one or more provisions of this Agreement shall for any reason be held invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect, by any court of competent jurisdiction, such
invalidity, illegality or unenforceability shall not affect any other provisions of this Agreement and the parties shall use their reasonable efforts to substitute a valid, legal and enforceable provision which, insofar as practical,
implements the purposes and intents of this Agreement.
Section 8.09 Enforcement of the Agreement. The parties hereto agree that irreparable damage would occur in the event that any of the provisions of this Agreement were not performed in accordance with their specific terms
or were otherwise breached. It is accordingly agreed that the parties shall be entitled to seek an injunction or injunctions to prevent breaches of this Agreement and to enforce specifically the terms and provisions hereof in any court of
the United States or any state having jurisdiction, this being in addition to any other remedy to which they are entitled at law or in equity. Each of the parties hereby further waives (a) any defense in any action for specific performance
that a remedy at law would be adequate, and (b) any requirement under any law to post security or a bond as a prerequisite to obtaining equitable relief.
Section 8.10 Interpretation.
(a) Interpretation. When a reference is made in this Agreement to sections, exhibits or schedules, such reference shall be to a section of, or exhibit or schedule to, this Agreement unless otherwise
indicated. The table of contents and headings contained in this Agreement are for reference purposes only and are not part of this Agreement. Whenever the words “include,” “includes” or “including” are used in this Agreement, they shall
be deemed to be followed by the words “without limitation.”
(b) Confidential Supervisory Information. No representation, warranty, covenant or other agreement or provision contained in this Agreement shall be deemed to contemplate or require the disclosure of
“confidential supervisory information,” “nonpublic OCC information,” or other similar types of protected information, as such terms are defined in the regulations of any applicable “Bank Regulator” or Governmental Authority.
(c) The term “made available” means any document or
other information that was (a) provided by one party or its representatives to the other party and its representatives by 5:00 p.m., Eastern time, on the day immediately prior to the date of this Agreement, (b) included in the virtual data
room of a party by 5:00 p.m., Eastern time, on the day immediately prior to the date of this Agreement, or (c) filed or furnished by a party with the SEC and publicly available on EDGAR at least one (1) day prior to the date of this
Agreement.
Section 8.11 Assignment. No party may assign either this Agreement or any of its rights, interests or obligations hereunder without the prior written approval of the other party. Subject to the preceding sentence, this
Agreement shall be binding upon and shall inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and permitted assigns.
Section 8.12 Waiver of Jury Trial. EACH PARTY HERETO HEREBY WAIVES TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY ACTION, PROCEEDING OR COUNTERCLAIM BROUGHT BY ANY OF THEM AGAINST THE OTHER ARISING OUT OF OR IN ANY WAY CONNECTED WITH THIS
AGREEMENT, OR ANY OTHER AGREEMENTS EXECUTED IN CONNECTION HEREWITH, OR THE ADMINISTRATION THEREOF OR ANY OF THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREIN OR THEREIN. NO PARTY TO THIS AGREEMENT SHALL SEEK A JURY TRIAL IN ANY LAWSUIT, PROCEEDING,
COUNTERCLAIM, OR ANY OTHER ACTION OR PROCEDURE BASED UPON, OR ARISING OUT OF, THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY RELATED INSTRUMENTS OR THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE PARTIES. NO PARTY WILL SEEK TO CONSOLIDATE ANY SUCH ACTION, IN WHICH A JURY TRIAL HAS BEEN
WAIVED, WITH ANY OTHER ACTION IN WHICH A JURY TRIAL CANNOT BE OR HAS NOT BEEN WAIVED. THE PROVISIONS OF THIS SECTION HAVE BEEN FULLY DISCUSSED BY THE PARTIES HERETO, AND THESE PROVISIONS SHALL BE SUBJECT TO NO EXCEPTIONS. NO PARTY HAS IN ANY
WAY AGREED WITH OR REPRESENTED TO ANY OTHER PARTY THAT THE PROVISIONS OF THIS SECTION WILL NOT BE FULLY ENFORCED IN ALL INSTANCES.
Section 8.13 Electronic Transmission. This Agreement and any signed agreement or instrument entered into in connection with this Agreement, and any amendments or waivers hereto or thereto, to the extent signed and
delivered by means of a facsimile machine or by e-mail delivery of a “.pdf” format data file, shall be treated in all manner and respects as an original agreement or instrument and shall be considered to have the same binding legal effect as
if it were the original signed version thereof delivered in person. No party hereto or to any such agreement or instrument shall raise the use of a facsimile machine or e-mail delivery of a “.pdf” format data file to deliver a signature to
this Agreement or any amendment hereto or the fact that any signature or agreement or instrument was transmitted or communicated through the use of a facsimile machine or e-mail delivery of a “.pdf” format data file as a defense to the
formation of a contract and each party hereto forever waives any such defense.
ARTICLE IX
ADDITIONAL DEFINITIONS
Section 9.01 Additional Definitions. In addition to any other definitions contained in this Agreement, the following words, terms and phrases shall have the following meanings when used in this Agreement:
“Acquisition Proposal” means any proposal or offer with respect to
any of the following (other than the transactions contemplated hereunder) involving Evans or Evans Bank: (a) any merger, consolidation, share exchange, business combination or other similar transactions; (b) any sale, lease, exchange,
mortgage, pledge, transfer or other disposition of assets and/or liabilities that constitute a substantial portion of the net revenues, net income or assets of Evans or Evans Bank in a single transaction or series of transactions; (c) any
tender offer or exchange offer for 25% or more of the outstanding shares of its capital stock or the filing of a registration statement under the Securities Act in connection therewith; or (d) any public announcement by any Person (which
shall include any regulatory application or notice, whether in draft or final form) of a proposal, plan or intention to do any of the foregoing or any agreement to engage in any of the foregoing.
“Acquisition Transaction” means any of the following (other than the
transactions contemplated hereunder): (a) a merger, consolidation, share exchange, business combination or any similar transaction, involving the relevant companies; (b) a sale, lease, exchange, mortgage, pledge, transfer or other disposition
of assets and/or liabilities that constitute a substantial portion of the net revenues, net income or assets of the relevant companies in a single transaction or series of transactions; (c) a tender offer or exchange offer for 25% or more of
the outstanding shares of the capital stock of the relevant companies or the filing of a registration statement under the Securities Act in connection therewith; or (d) an agreement or commitment by the relevant companies to take any action
referenced above.
“Affiliate” means, with respect to any Person, any person that
directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with, such Person and, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, includes any executive officer, director, manager or
Person who beneficially owns more than ten percent of the equity or voting securities of such Person.
“Bank Regulator” shall mean any Federal or state banking regulator,
including but not limited to the OCC and the FRB, which regulates NBT, NBT Bank, Evans or Evans Bank, or any of their respective subsidiaries, as the case may be.
“Business Day” means Monday through Friday of each week, except a
legal holiday recognized as such by the U.S. government or any day on which banking institutions in the State of New York are authorized or obligated to close.
“Derivative Transaction” means any swap transaction, option,
warrant, forward purchase or forward sale transaction, futures transaction, cap transaction, floor transaction or collar transaction relating to one or more currencies, commodities, bonds, equity securities, loans, interest rates, catastrophe
events, weather-related events, credit‑related events or conditions or any indexes, or any other similar transaction (including any option with respect to any of these transactions) or combination of any of these transactions, including
collateralized mortgage obligations or other similar instruments or any debt or equity instruments evidencing or embedding any such types of transactions, and any related credit support, collateral or other similar arrangements related to
such transactions.
“Environmental Law” means any federal, state or local law,
regulation, order, decree, permit, authorization, opinion or agency requirement relating to: (a) the protection or restoration of the environment, health, safety, or natural resources, (b) the handling, use, presence, disposal, release or
threatened release of any Hazardous Substance or (c) wetlands, indoor air, pollution, contamination or any injury or threat of injury to persons or property in connection with any Hazardous Substance, in each case as amended and as now in
effect.
“ERISA” means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974,
as amended.
“Evans Bank Board” means the Board of Directors of Evans Bank.
“Evans Board” means the Board of Directors of Evans.
“Evans Disclosure Schedule” means the disclosure schedule delivered
by Evans to NBT on or prior to the date hereof setting forth, among other things, items the disclosure of which is necessary or appropriate either in response to an express provision of this Agreement or as an exception to one or more of its
representations and warranties in Article III or its covenants in Article V (provided that (i) any information set forth in any one section of the Evans
Disclosure Schedule shall be deemed to apply to each other applicable Section or subsection of such Evans Disclosure Schedule if its relevance to the information called for in such Section or subsection is reasonably apparent on its face and
(ii) the mere inclusion of an item in the Evans Disclosure Schedule shall not be deemed an admission by Evans that such item represents a material exception or fact, event or circumstance or that such item would reasonably be expected to
result in a Material Adverse Effect on Evans).
“Evans Equity Plan” means, individually and collectively, the Evans
Bancorp, Inc. 2019 Long-Term Equity Incentive Plan and any other equity incentive plans or arrangements pursuant to which Evans has or may have any obligation.
“Evans Financial Statements” means (i) the audited balance sheets
(including related notes and schedules, if any) of Evans as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, and the related statements of income, stockholders’ equity and cash flows (including related notes and schedules, if any) of Evans for each of the
fiscal years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, in each case accompanied by the audit report of Crowe LLP, the independent registered public accounting firm of Evans, and (ii) the unaudited interim financial statements of Evans as of the end
of and for the period ending each calendar quarter following December 31, 2023, as filed by Evans in the Evans SEC Documents.
“Evans Intellectual Property” means the Intellectual Property used
in or held for use in the conduct of the business of Evans or any of its Subsidiaries.
“Evans Loan Property” means any property in which Evans holds a
security interest, and, where required by the context (as a result of foreclosure), said term includes any property owned or operated by Evans.
“Evans RSUs” means Evans Performance-Based RSUs and Evans Time-Based
RSUs.
“Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended, and the rules and regulations thereunder.
“Exchange Agent” means such exchange agent as may be designated by
NBT and reasonably acceptable to Evans to act as agent for purposes of conducting the exchange procedures described in Article II.
“FDIC” means the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation.
“FHLBNY” means the Federal Home Loan Bank of New York, or any
successor thereto.
“FRB” means the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System.
“GAAP” means accounting principles generally accepted in the United
States of America.
“Governmental Authority” means any federal, state or local court,
administrative agency or commission or other governmental authority or instrumentality.
“Hazardous Substance” means any and all substances (whether solid,
liquid or gas) defined, currently or hereafter listed, or otherwise classified as pollutants, hazardous wastes, hazardous substances, hazardous materials, extremely hazardous wastes, or words of similar meaning or regulatory effect under any
present Environmental Laws, including but not limited to petroleum and petroleum products, asbestos and asbestos-containing materials, polychlorinated biphenyls, lead, radon, radioactive materials, flammables and explosives, mold, mycotoxins,
microbial matter and airborne pathogens (naturally occurring or otherwise), but excluding substances of kinds and in amounts ordinarily and customarily used or stored in similar properties for the purposes of cleaning or other maintenance or
operations.
“Intellectual Property” means (a) trademarks, service marks, trade
names, Internet domain names, designs, logos, slogans, and general intangibles of like nature, together with all goodwill associated therewith, registrations and applications related to the foregoing; (b) patents and industrial designs
(including any continuations, divisionals, continuations-in-part, renewals, reissues, and applications for any of the foregoing); (c) copyrights (including any registrations and applications for any of the foregoing); (d) Software; and (e)
technology, trade secrets and other confidential information, know-how, proprietary processes, formulae, algorithms, models, and methodologies.
“IRS” means the Internal Revenue Service.
“Knowledge” as used with respect to a Person (including references
to such Person being aware of a particular matter) means the actual knowledge after reasonable inquiry of the President and Chief Executive Officer, the Chief Financial Officer, the Chief Lending Officer, or the Chief Risk Officer, in the
case of Evans, and the President and Chief Executive Officer, the Chief Financial Officer, the General Counsel or the Chief Risk Officer, in the case of NBT.
“Lien” means, with respect to any asset, (a) any mortgage, deed of
trust, lien, pledge, hypothecation, encumbrance, charge or security interest in, on or of such asset, (b) the interest of a vendor or a lessor under any conditional sale agreement, capital lease or title retention agreement relating to such
asset and (c) in the case of securities, any purchase option, call or preemptive right, right of first refusal or similar right of a third party with respect to such securities.
“Material Adverse Effect” means, with respect to NBT or Evans,
respectively, any effect that (i) is material and adverse to the financial condition, results of operations or business of NBT and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole, or Evans and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole, respectively, or (ii)
materially impairs the ability of either NBT or NBT Bank, on the one hand, or Evans or Evans Bank, on the other hand, to perform its obligations under this Agreement or otherwise materially threaten or materially impede the consummation of
the transactions contemplated by this Agreement; provided that “Material Adverse Effect” shall not be deemed to include the impact of (A) changes,
after the date hereof, in GAAP or applicable regulatory accounting requirements, (B) changes, after the date hereof, in laws, rules or regulations of general applicability to financial institutions and/or their holding companies, or
interpretations thereof by courts or any Bank Regulator or Governmental Authorities, (C) changes, after the date hereof, in global, national or regional political conditions (including the outbreak of war or acts of terrorism) or in economic
or market (including equity, credit and debt markets, as well as changes in interest rates) conditions affecting the financial services industry generally and not specifically relating to such party or its Subsidiaries (including any such
changes arising out of the Pandemic or any Pandemic Measures), (D) changes, after the date hereof, resulting from hurricanes, earthquakes, tornados, floods or
other natural disasters or from any outbreak of any disease or other public health event (including the Pandemic), (E) public disclosure of the execution of this Agreement, public disclosure or consummation of the transactions
contemplated hereby (including any effect on a party’s relationships with its customers or employees) or actions expressly required by this Agreement or actions or omissions that are taken with the prior written consent of the other party in
contemplation of the transactions contemplated hereby, (F) a decline in the trading price of a party’s common stock or the failure, in and of itself, to meet earnings projections or internal financial forecasts (it being understood that the
underlying cause of such decline or failure may be taken into account in determining whether a Material Adverse Effect has occurred), (G) actions and omissions of either party taken with the prior written consent, or at the request, of the
other, or (H) the expenses incurred by either party in investigating, negotiating, documenting, effecting and consummating the transactions contemplated by this Agreement; except, with respect to subclauses (A), (B), or (C), to the extent
that the effects of such change are materially disproportionately adverse to the business, properties, assets, liabilities, results of operations or financial condition of such party and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, as compared to
other companies in the financial services industry.
“NASDAQ” means The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC.
“NBT Bank Board” means the Board of Directors of NBT Bank.
“NBT Board” means the Board of Directors of NBT.
“NBT Disclosure Schedule” means the disclosure schedule delivered by
NBT to Evans on or prior to the date hereof setting forth, among other things, items the disclosure of which is necessary or appropriate either in response to an express provision of this Agreement or as an exception to one or more of its
representations and warranties in Article IV or its covenants in Article V (provided that (i) any information set forth in any one section of the NBT
Disclosure Schedule shall be deemed to apply to each other applicable Section or subsection of such NBT Disclosure Schedule if its relevance to the information called for in such Section or subsection is reasonably apparent on its face and
(ii) the mere inclusion of an item in the NBT Disclosure Schedule shall not be deemed an admission by NBT that such item represents a material exception or fact, event or circumstance or that such item would reasonably be expected to result
in a Material Adverse Effect on NBT).
“NBT Stock” means the common stock, par value $0.01 per share, of
NBT.
“NYSE” means the New York Stock Exchange.
“OCC” means the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency.
“Pandemic” means any outbreaks, epidemics or pandemics relating to
SARS-CoV-2 or Covid-19, or any variants, evolutions or mutations thereof, or any other viruses (including influenza), and the governmental and other responses thereto.
“Pandemic Measures” means any quarantine, “shelter in place,” “stay
at home,” workforce reduction, social distancing, shutdown, closure, sequester or other laws, directives, policies, guidelines or recommendations promulgated by any Governmental Authority, including the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention and the World Health Organization, in each case, in connection with or in response to a Pandemic.
“Per Share Consideration” means the product of (a) the Exchange
Ratio and (b) the NBT Measurement Price.
“Person” means any individual, bank, corporation, partnership,
association, joint-stock company, business trust, limited liability company, unincorporated organization or other organization or firm of any kind or nature.
“Proxy Statement/Prospectus” means the proxy statement and
prospectus, satisfying all applicable requirements of applicable state securities and banking laws, and of the Securities Act, and the rules and regulations thereunder, together with any amendments and supplements thereto, as prepared by NBT
and Evans and as delivered to holders of Evans Stock in connection with the solicitation of their approval of this Agreement.
“Rights” means, with respect to any Person, warrants, options,
rights, convertible securities and other arrangements or commitments which obligate the Person to issue or dispose of any of its capital stock or other ownership interests or any stock appreciation, phantom stock or similar rights with
respect to such capital stock or other ownership interests.
“Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and
the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.
“Software” means computer programs, whether in source code or object
code form (including any and all software implementation of algorithms, models and methodologies), databases and compilations (including any and all data and collections of data), and all documentation (including user manuals and training
materials) related to the foregoing.
“Subsidiary” means, with respect to any party, any corporation or
other entity of which a majority of the capital stock or other ownership interest having ordinary voting power to elect a majority of the board of directors or other persons performing similar functions are at the time directly or indirectly
owned by such party.
“Superior Proposal” means any bona fide written proposal made by a
third party to acquire, directly or indirectly, including pursuant to a tender offer, exchange offer, merger, consolidation, business combination, recapitalization, liquidation, dissolution or similar transaction, for consideration consisting
of cash and/or securities, more than 25% of the combined voting power of the shares of Evans Stock then outstanding or all or substantially all of the assets of Evans and otherwise (a) on terms which the Evans Board determines in good faith,
after consultation with its financial advisor, to be more favorable from a financial point of view to Evans’s shareholders than the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, and (b) that constitutes a transaction that, in the Evans Board’s
good faith judgment, is reasonably likely to be consummated on the terms set forth, taking into account all legal, financial, regulatory and other aspects of such proposal.
“Tax” and “Taxes” mean all federal, state, local or foreign income, gross income, gains, gross receipts, sales, use, ad valorem, goods and services, capital, production, transfer, franchise, windfall profits, license,
withholding, payroll, employment, disability, employer health, excise, estimated, severance, stamp, occupation, property, environmental, custom duties, unemployment or other taxes of any kind whatsoever, together with any interest, additions
or penalties thereto and any interest in respect of such interest and penalties.
“Tax Returns” means any return, declaration or other report
(including elections, declarations, schedules, estimates and information returns) with respect to any Taxes.
“WARN Act” means the federal Worker Adjustment and Retraining
Notification Act of 1988, as amended, any state law analogs or statutes of similar effect, including any statutes that require advance notice of plant closings, mass layoffs or similar group personnel or employment actions.
“Willful Breach” means a deliberate act or a deliberate failure to
act, taken or not taken if the Person reasonably should have known or had actual Knowledge that such act or failure to act would result in or constitute a material breach of this Agreement, regardless of whether breaching was the object of
the act or failure to act.
(Remainder of page intentionally left blank.)
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this
Agreement to be executed in counterparts by their duly authorized officers, all as of the day and year first above written.
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NBT BANCORP INC.
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By:
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/s/ Scott A. Kingsley
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Name:
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Scott A. Kingsley
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Title:
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President and Chief Executive Officer
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NBT BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
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By:
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/s/ Scott A. Kingsley
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Name:
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Scott A. Kingsley
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Title:
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Chief Executive Officer
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EVANS BANCORP, INC.
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By:
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/s/ David J. Nasca
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Name:
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David J. Nasca
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Title:
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President and Chief Executive Officer
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EVANS BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
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By:
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/s/ David J. Nasca
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Name:
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David J. Nasca
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Title:
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President and Chief Executive Officer
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[Signature Page to Agreement and Plan of Merger]
Exhibit A
Form of Voting Agreement
VOTING AGREEMENT
This VOTING AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) is dated as of September 9, 2024, by and between [_________] (the “Shareholder”) and NBT Bancorp
Inc., a Delaware corporation (“NBT”). All terms used herein and not defined herein shall have the meanings assigned thereto in the Merger Agreement (as defined
below).
WHEREAS, concurrently with the execution of this
Agreement, NBT, NBT Bank, National Association, a federally-chartered national banking association and wholly-owned subsidiary of NBT (“NBT Bank”), Evans Bancorp,
Inc., a New York corporation (“Evans”), and Evans Bank, National Association, a federally-chartered national banking association and wholly-owned subsidiary of Evans
(“Evans Bank”), are entering into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (as such agreement may be subsequently amended or modified, the “Merger Agreement”), pursuant to which Evans will merge with and into NBT, with NBT surviving, and immediately thereafter, Evans Bank will merge with and into NBT Bank, with NBT Bank surviving,
and in connection therewith, shares of Evans Stock shall, at the Effective Time, be converted into the right to receive the Merger Consideration;
WHEREAS, Shareholder beneficially owns and has the
power to vote or direct the voting of the number of shares of Evans Stock identified on Exhibit A hereto (such shares, together with all shares of Evans Stock with
respect to which Shareholder subsequently acquires beneficial ownership, and has the power to vote or direct the voting of such shares, during the term of this Agreement, including the right to acquire beneficial ownership (as defined in Rule
13d-3 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) through the exercise of any stock options, warrants or similar instruments, being referred to as the “Shares”);
and
WHEREAS, it is a condition to the willingness of NBT to
enter into the Merger Agreement that Shareholder execute and deliver this Agreement.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the promises,
representations, warranties and agreements contained herein, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and adequacy of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto agree as follows:
Section 1. Agreement to Vote Shares. Shareholder agrees that,
while this Agreement is in effect, at any meeting of shareholders of Evans, however called, or at any adjournment thereof, or in any other circumstances in which Shareholder is entitled to vote, consent or give any other approval, except as
otherwise agreed to in writing in advance by NBT, Shareholder shall:
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(a) |
appear at each such meeting or otherwise cause the Shares to be counted as present thereat for purposes of calculating a quorum; and
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(b) |
vote (or cause to be voted), in person or by proxy, all the Shares (i) in favor of adoption and approval of the Merger Agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby;
(ii) against any action or agreement that would be reasonably likely to result in a breach of any covenant, representation or warranty or any other obligation or agreement of Evans contained in the Merger Agreement or of Shareholder
contained in this Agreement; and (iii) against any Acquisition Proposal or any other action, agreement or transaction that is intended, or could reasonably be expected, to materially impede, interfere or be inconsistent with, delay,
postpone, discourage or materially and adversely affect consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement or of this Agreement.
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Section 2. No Transfers. While this Agreement is in effect,
Shareholder agrees not to, directly or indirectly, sell, transfer, pledge, assign or otherwise dispose of, or enter into any contract, option, commitment or other arrangement or understanding with respect to the sale, transfer, pledge,
assignment or other disposition of, any of the Shares, except the following transfers shall be permitted: (a) transfers by will or operation of law, in which case this Agreement shall bind the transferee, (b) transfers pursuant to any pledge
agreement, subject to the pledgee agreeing in writing to be bound by the terms of this Agreement, (c) transfers in connection with estate and tax planning purposes, including transfers to relatives, trusts and charitable organizations,
subject to the transferee agreeing in writing to be bound by the terms of this Agreement, (d) surrendering Shares to Evans in connection with the vesting, settlement or exercise of Evans equity awards to satisfy any withholding for the
payment of taxes incurred in connection with such vesting, settlement or exercise, or, in respect of Evans equity awards, the exercise price thereon, and (e) such transfers as NBT may otherwise permit in its sole discretion. Any transfer or
other disposition in violation of the terms of this Section 2 shall be null and void.
Section 3. Representations and Warranties of Shareholder.
Shareholder represents and warrants to and agrees with NBT as follows:
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(a) |
Shareholder has all requisite capacity and authority to enter into and perform his, her or its obligations under this Agreement.
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(b) |
This Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by Shareholder, and assuming the due authorization, execution and delivery by NBT, constitutes the valid and legally
binding obligation of Shareholder enforceable against Shareholder in accordance with its terms, subject to bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent transfer, reorganization, moratorium and similar laws of general applicability relating to
or affecting creditors’ rights and to general equity principles.
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(c) |
The execution and delivery of this Agreement by Shareholder does not, and the performance by Shareholder of his, her or its obligations hereunder and the consummation by
Shareholder of the transactions contemplated hereby will not, violate or conflict with, or constitute a default under, any agreement, instrument, contract or other obligation or any order, arbitration award, judgment or decree to
which Shareholder is a party or by which Shareholder is bound, or any statute, rule or regulation to which Shareholder is subject or, in the event that Shareholder is a corporation, partnership, trust or other entity, any charter,
bylaw or other organizational document of Shareholder.
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(d) |
Except as set forth on Schedule 1, Shareholder is the record and beneficial owner of and has the power to vote or direct the voting of such Shares, or is the trustee that is
the record holder of and has the power to vote or direct the voting of such Shares, and whose beneficiaries are the beneficial owners of, and has good title to all of the Shares set forth on Exhibit A hereto, and the Shares are so owned free and clear of any liens, security interests, charges or other encumbrances. Shareholder does not own, of record or beneficially, any shares of
capital stock of Evans that the Shareholder has the power to vote or direct the voting of other than the Shares (other than shares of capital stock subject to stock options or warrants over which Shareholder will have no voting rights
until the exercise of such stock options or warrants). Shareholder has the right to vote or direct the voting of the Shares and none of the Shares are subject to any voting trust or other agreement, arrangement or restriction with
respect to the voting of the Shares, except as contemplated by this Agreement.
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Section 4. Irrevocable Proxy. Subject to the last sentence of this
Section 4, by execution of this Agreement, Shareholder does hereby appoint NBT with full power of substitution and resubstitution, as Shareholder’s true and lawful attorney and irrevocable proxy, to the full extent of Shareholder’s rights
with respect to the Shares, to vote, if Shareholder is unable to perform his, her or its obligations under this Agreement, each of such Shares that Shareholder shall be entitled to so vote with respect to the matters set forth in Section 1
hereof at any meeting of the shareholders of Evans, and at any adjournment or postponement thereof, and in connection with any action of the shareholders of Evans taken by written consent. The Shareholder intends this proxy to be irrevocable
and coupled with an interest hereafter until the termination of this Agreement pursuant to the terms of Section 8 hereof and hereby revokes any proxy previously granted by Shareholder with respect to the Shares. Notwithstanding anything
contained herein to the contrary, this irrevocable proxy shall automatically terminate upon the termination of this Agreement.
Section 5. No Solicitation. Subject to Section 10, from and after
the date hereof until the termination of this Agreement pursuant to Section 7 hereof, Shareholder, in his, her or its capacity as a shareholder of Evans, shall not, nor shall such Shareholder authorize any partner, officer, director, advisor
or representative of such Shareholder, or any of his, her or its affiliates to (and, to the extent applicable to Shareholder, such Shareholder shall use reasonable best efforts to prohibit any of his, her or its representatives or affiliates
to), (a) initiate, solicit, induce or knowingly encourage, or take any action to facilitate the making of, any inquiry, offer or proposal which constitutes, or could reasonably be expected to lead to, an Acquisition Proposal, (b) participate
in any discussions or negotiations regarding any Acquisition Proposal, or furnish, or otherwise afford access, to any person (other than NBT) any confidential or non-public information or data with respect to Evans or otherwise relating to an
Acquisition Proposal, (c) enter into any agreement, agreement in principle or letter of intent with respect to an Acquisition Proposal (other than the Merger Agreement), or (d) initiate a shareholders’ vote or action by consent of Evans’s
shareholders with respect to an Acquisition Proposal.
Section 6. Specific Performance and Remedies. Shareholder
acknowledges that it will be impossible to measure in money the damage to NBT if Shareholder fails to comply with the obligations imposed by this Agreement and that, in the event of any such failure, NBT will not have an adequate remedy at
law or in equity. Accordingly, Shareholder agrees that injunctive relief or other equitable remedy, in addition to remedies at law or in damages, is the appropriate remedy for any such failure and will not oppose the granting of such relief
on the basis that NBT has an adequate remedy at law. Shareholder agrees that Shareholder will not seek, and agrees to waive any requirement for, the securing or posting of a bond in connection with NBT’s seeking or obtaining such equitable
relief.
Section 7. Term of Agreement; Termination. The term of this
Agreement shall commence on the date hereof. This Agreement may be terminated at any time prior to consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement by the written consent of the parties hereto, and shall be automatically
terminated upon the earlier to occur of (a) the final adjournment of the Evans Meeting or (b) the termination of the Merger Agreement in accordance with its terms. Upon any such termination, no party shall have any further obligations or
liabilities hereunder; provided, however, such termination shall not relieve any party
from liability for any willful breach of this Agreement prior to such termination.
Section 8. Entire Agreement; Amendments. This Agreement supersedes
all prior agreements, written or oral, among the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof and contains the entire agreement among the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof. This Agreement may not be amended,
supplemented or modified, and no provisions hereof may be modified or waived, except by an instrument in writing signed by each party hereto. No waiver of any provisions hereof by either party shall be deemed a waiver of any other provisions
hereof by any such party, nor shall any such waiver be deemed a continuing waiver of any provision hereof by such party.
Section 9. Severability. In the event that any one or more
provisions of this Agreement shall for any reason be held invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect, by any court of competent jurisdiction, such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability shall not affect any other provisions of this
Agreement and the parties shall use their reasonable efforts to substitute a valid, legal and enforceable provision which, insofar as practical, implements the purposes and intents of this Agreement.
Section 10. Capacity as Shareholder. The covenants contained
herein shall apply to Shareholder solely in his or her capacity as a shareholder of Evans, and no covenant contained herein shall apply to Shareholder in his or her capacity as a director, officer or employee of Evans or in any other
capacity. Nothing contained in this Agreement shall be deemed to apply to, or limit in any manner, the obligations of Shareholder to comply with his or her fiduciary duties as a director or officer, as applicable, of Evans.
Section 11. Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by,
and interpreted in accordance with, the laws of State of Delaware, without regard for conflict of law provisions.
Section 12. Notice. All notices and other communications hereunder
shall be in writing and shall be deemed given if delivered personally or sent by overnight courier (providing proof of delivery) to NBT in accordance with Section 8.06 of the Merger Agreement and to the Shareholder at his, her or its address
set forth on Exhibit A attached hereto (or at such other address for a party as shall be specified by like notice).
(Remainder of page intentionally left blank.)
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed and
delivered this Agreement as of the date first written above.
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Name:
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Scott A. Kingsley
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Title:
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President and Chief Executive Officer
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SHAREHOLDER
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Name:
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EXHIBIT A
NAME AND ADDRESS
OF SHAREHOLDER
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SHARES OF EVANS COMMON STOCK
BENEFICIALLY OWNED
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