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UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C.  20549

 

FORM 8-K

 

CURRENT REPORT Pursuant

to Section 13 or 15(d) of the

Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported) July 30, 2021

 

Farmers & Merchants Bancorp, Inc.

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)

 

 

Ohio	001-38084	34-1469491
(State or Other Jurisdiction	(Commission	(IRS Employer
of Incorporation)	File Number)	Identification No.)

 

307 North Defiance Street, Archbold, Ohio	43502
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)	(Zip Code)

Registrant's Telephone Number, including Area Code (419) 446-2501

N/A

(Former Name or Former Address, if Changed Since Last Report)

 

 

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Title of each class	Trading Symbol(s)	Name of Each Exchange
Common Stock, No Par Value	FMAO	NASDAQ Capital Market

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):

☐	Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

☐	Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

☐	Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

☐	Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17-CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter)

Emerging growth company  ☐

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.  ☐

 

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Item 1.01.

Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement.

On July 30, 2021, Farmers & Merchants Bancorp, Inc. (the “Company”) entered into a Subordinated Note Purchase Agreement (the “Purchase Agreement”) with certain institutional investors (the “Purchasers”) pursuant to which the Company sold and issued $35.0 million in aggregate principal amount of its 3.25% fixed-to-floating rate subordinated notes due 2031 (the “Notes”). The Notes were issued by the Company to the Purchasers at a price equal to 100% of their face amount. The Notes have a stated maturity of July 30, 2031, are redeemable, in whole or in part, on or after the fifth anniversary of the issue date, and at any time upon the occurrence of certain events. The Notes will bear interest at a fixed rate of 3.25% per year, from and including July 30, 2021 to, but excluding, July 30, 2026. From and including July 30, 2026 to, but excluding the maturity date or early redemption date, the interest rate will reset quarterly at a variable rate equal to the then current Three-Month Term SOFR plus 263 basis points.

The Purchase Agreement contains certain customary representations, warranties and covenants made by the Company, on the one hand, and the Purchasers, severally and not jointly, on the other hand. The Notes were offered and sold by the Company in reliance on exemptions from the registration requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”) pursuant to Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act and Rule 506 of Regulation D thereunder. Each Purchaser qualified as an “accredited investor” within the meaning of Rule 501(a) of Regulation D. The Company intends to use the net proceeds from the offering for general corporate purposes, including to support growth initiatives at the Company’s wholly-owned commercial bank subsidiary, The Farmers & Merchants State Bank. The Notes are expected to qualify for treatment as Tier 2 capital for regulatory capital purposes.

The form of Purchase Agreement is attached as Exhibit 10.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K, and the descriptions herein of the Purchase Agreement are summaries and are qualified in their entirety by reference to the full text of the form of the Purchase Agreement.

The Notes are not subject to any sinking fund and are not convertible into or exchangeable for any other securities or assets of the Company or any of its subsidiaries. The Notes are not subject to redemption at the option of the holder. Subject to limited exceptions, the Company cannot redeem the Notes for the first five years of the term. On or after July 30, 2026, the Company may redeem the Notes, in whole or in part, at its option, on any interest payment date. Any redemption by the Company would be at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the Notes being redeemed, together with any accrued and unpaid interest on the Notes being redeemed to but excluding the date of redemption. All redemptions are subject to the receipt of any and all required federal and state regulatory approvals, including, but not limited to, the consent of the Federal Reserve.

Principal and interest on the Notes are subject to acceleration only in limited circumstances. The Notes are unsecured, subordinated obligations of the Company and rank junior in right of payment to the Company’s current and future senior indebtedness.

The form of the Note is attached as Exhibit 4.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and is incorporated herein by reference. The descriptions of the Notes herein are summaries and are qualified in their entirety by reference to the full text of the form of Note.

 

Item 2.03.

Creation of a Direct Financial Obligation or an Obligation under an Off-Balance Sheet Arrangement of a Registrant.

The information set forth under Item 1.01 above is incorporated by reference into this Item 2.03.

 

Item 7.01.

Regulation FD Disclosure.

Attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1 and incorporated by reference into this Item 7.01 is the press release issued by the Company on July 30, 2021 announcing the completion of the Note offering and certain other matters.

The information contained in this Item 7.01 and Exhibit 99.1 incorporated by reference herein shall not be deemed to be “filed” for the purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), or otherwise subject to the liabilities of such section, nor will such information be deemed incorporated by reference in any filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Exchange Act, except as may be expressly set forth by specific reference in such filing.

 

Item 9.01.

Financial Statements and Exhibits.

 

(d)

Exhibits

 

 

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Exhibit Number	Exhibit
4.1	Form of 3.25% Fixed to Floating Rate Subordinated Note due July 30, 2031 (included as Exhibit A to the Purchase Agreement filed as Exhibit 10.1 hereto).
10.1	Form of Subordinated Note Purchase Agreement, dated July 30, 2021, by and among Farmers & Merchants Bancorp, Inc. and the Purchasers (as defined therein).
99.1	Company Press Release dated August 2, 2021.

 

104	The Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document)

 

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Signatures

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto authorized.

 

	FARMERS & MERCHANTS BANCORP, INC.
		(Registrant)
Dated: August 2, 2021		/s/ Lars B. Eller
		Lars B. Eller
		President and Chief Executive Officer
		/s/ Barbara J. Britenriker
		Barbara J. Britenriker
		Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

 

Exhibit 10.1

SUBORDINATED NOTE PURCHASE AGREEMENT

This SUBORDINATED NOTE PURCHASE AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) is dated as of July 30, 2021, and is made by and among Farmers & Merchants Bancorp, Inc., an Ohio corporation (“Company”), and the several purchasers of the Subordinated Notes identified on the signature pages hereto (each a “Purchaser” and collectively, the “Purchasers”).

RECITALS

WHEREAS, Company has requested that the Purchasers purchase from Company up to $35 million in aggregate principal amount of Subordinated Notes (as defined herein), which aggregate amount is intended to qualify as Tier 2 Capital (as defined herein).

WHEREAS, Company has engaged Boenning & Scattergood, Inc. as its placement agent (“Placement Agent”) for the offering of the Subordinated Notes.

WHEREAS, each of the Purchasers is an accredited investor as such term is contemplated by Rule 501 of Regulation D (“Regulation D”) issued under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”).

WHEREAS, the offer and sale of the Subordinated Notes by Company is being made pursuant to Rule 506(b) of Regulation D.

WHEREAS, each Purchaser is willing to purchase from Company a Subordinated Note in the principal amount set forth on each Purchaser’s signature page (the “Subordinated Note Amount”) in accordance with the terms, subject to the conditions and in reliance on, the recitals, representations, warranties, covenants and agreements set forth herein and in the Subordinated Notes.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants, conditions and agreements herein contained and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, the parties agree as follows:

AGREEMENT

1.DEFINITIONS.

1.1Defined Terms.  The following capitalized terms generally used in this Agreement and in the Subordinated Notes have the meanings defined or referenced below.  Certain other capitalized terms used only in specific sections of this Agreement may be defined in such sections.

“Affiliate(s)” means, with respect to any Person, such Person’s immediate family members, partners, members or parent and subsidiary corporations, and any other Person directly or indirectly controlling, controlled by, or under common control with said Person and their respective Affiliates.

“Agreement” has the meaning set forth in the preamble hereto.

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“Bank” means The Farmers & Merchants State Bank, an Ohio state bank and wholly owned subsidiary of Company.

“Business Day” means any day other than a Saturday, Sunday or any other day on which banking institutions in the State of Ohio are permitted or required by any applicable law or executive or other governmental order to close.

“Closing” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.5.

“Closing Date” means July 30, 2021.

“Company” has the meaning set forth in the preamble hereto and shall include any successors to Company.

“Company’s Reports” means (i) audited consolidated financial statements of Company as of and for the year ended December 31, 2020; (ii) the unaudited financial statements of Company as of and for the three months ended March 31, 2021; and (iii) Company’s report as of and for the twelve months ended December 31, 2020 as filed with the Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council.

“Data” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.9.

“Data Breach” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.10.

“Data Security Obligations” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.9.

“Disbursement” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.1.

“Equity Interest” means any and all shares, interests, participations or other equivalents (however designated) of capital stock of a corporation, any and all equivalent ownership interests in a Person which is not a corporation, and any and all warrants, options or other rights to purchase any of the foregoing.

“Event of Default” has the meaning set forth in the Subordinated Notes.

“Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

“FDIC” means the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation.

“GAAP” means generally accepted accounting principles in effect from time to time in the United States of America.

“Governmental Agency(ies)” means, individually or collectively, any federal, state, county or local governmental department, commission, board, regulatory authority or agency (including, without limitation, each applicable Regulatory Agency) with jurisdiction over Company or any Subsidiary of Company.

“Governmental Licenses” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.3.

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“Hazardous Materials” means flammable explosives, asbestos, urea formaldehyde insulation, polychlorinated biphenyls, radioactive materials, hazardous wastes, toxic or contaminated substances or similar materials, including, without limitation, any substances which are “hazardous substances,” “hazardous wastes,” “hazardous materials” or “toxic substances” under the Hazardous Materials Laws and/or other applicable environmental laws, ordinances or regulations.

“Hazardous Materials Laws” mean any laws, regulations, permits, licenses or requirements pertaining to the protection, preservation, conservation or regulation of the environment which relates to real property, including:  the Clean Air Act, as amended, 42 U.S.C. Section 7401 et seq.; the Federal Water Pollution Control Act, as amended, 33 U.S.C. Section 1251 et seq.; the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act of 1976, as amended, 42 U.S.C. Section 6901 et seq.; the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980, as amended (including the Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act of 1986), 42 U.S.C. Section 9601 et seq.; the Toxic Substances Control Act, as amended, 15 U.S.C. Section 2601 et seq.; the Occupational Safety and Health Act, as amended, 29 U.S.C. Section 651; the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act of 1986, 42 U.S.C. Section 11001 et seq.; the Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977, as amended, 30 U.S.C. Section 801 et seq.; the Safe Drinking Water Act, 42 U.S.C. Section 300f et seq.; and all comparable state and local laws, laws of other jurisdictions or orders and regulations.

“Indebtedness” means and includes:  (i) all items arising from the borrowing of money that, according to GAAP as in effect from time to time, would be included in determining total liabilities as shown on the consolidated balance sheet of Company or any Subsidiary of Company; and (ii) all obligations secured by any lien in property owned by Company or any Subsidiary of Company whether or not such obligations shall have been assumed; provided, however, Indebtedness shall not include deposits or other Indebtedness created, incurred or maintained in the ordinary course of Company’s or Bank’s business (including, without limitation, federal funds purchased, advances from any Federal Home Loan Bank, secured deposits of municipalities, letters of credit issued by Company or Bank and repurchase arrangements) and consistent with customary banking practices and applicable laws and regulations.

“Leases” means all leases, licenses or other documents providing for the use or occupancy of any portion of any Property, including all amendments, extensions, renewals, supplements, modifications, sublets and assignments thereof and all separate letters or separate agreements relating thereto.

“Material Adverse Effect” means, with respect to any Person, any change or effect that (i) is or would be reasonably likely to be material and adverse to the financial condition, results of operations or business of such Person, or (ii) would materially impair the ability of any Person to perform its respective obligations under any of the Transaction Documents, or otherwise materially impede the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby; provided, however, that “Material Adverse Effect” shall not be deemed to include the impact of (1) changes in banking and similar laws, rules or regulations of general applicability or interpretations thereof by Governmental Agencies that do not disproportionately affect the operations or business of Company or the Bank in comparison to other banking institutions with similar operations, (2) changes in GAAP or regulatory accounting requirements applicable to financial institutions and

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their holding companies generally, (3) changes after the date of this Agreement in general economic or capital market conditions affecting financial institutions or their market prices generally and not specifically related to Company or Purchasers, (4) direct effects of compliance with this Agreement on the operating performance of Company or Purchasers, including expenses incurred by Company or Purchasers in consummating the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, (5) the effects of any action or omission taken by Company with the prior written consent of Purchasers, and vice versa, or as otherwise contemplated by this Agreement and the Subordinated Notes, (6) the effect of any order of a Governmental Agency applicable to banks or businesses in the State of Ohio, or (7) the effect of the Pandemic or the Pandemic Measures affecting financial institutions generally.

“Maturity Date” means July 30, 2031.

“Pandemic” means any outbreaks, epidemics or pandemics relating to SARS-CoV-2 or COVID-19, or any evolutions or mutations thereof, and the governmental and other responses thereto.

“Pandemic Measures” means any quarantine, “shelter in place,” “stay at home,” workforce reduction, social distancing, shut down, closure, sequester or other directives, guidelines or recommendations promulgated by any Governmental Agencies or authorities, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the World Health Organization, in each case, in connection with or in response to the Pandemic.

“Person” means an individual, a corporation (whether or not for profit), a partnership, a limited liability company, a joint venture, an association, a trust, an unincorporated organization, a government or any department or agency thereof (including a Governmental Agency) or any other entity or organization.

“Placement Agent” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

“Property” means any real property owned or leased by Company or any Subsidiary of Company.

“Purchaser” or “Purchasers” has the meaning set forth in the preamble hereto.

“Regulation D” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

“Regulatory Agencies” means any federal or state agency charged with the supervision or regulation of depository institutions or holding companies of depository institutions, or engaged in the insurance of depository institution deposits, or any court, administrative agency or commission or other authority, body or agency having supervisory or regulatory authority with respect to Company, Bank or any of their Subsidiaries.

“Securities Act” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

“Subordinated Note” means the Subordinated Note (or collectively, the “Subordinated Notes”) in the form attached as Exhibit A hereto, as amended, restated, supplemented or modified

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from time to time, and each Subordinated Note delivered in substitution or exchange for such Subordinated Note.

“Subordinated Note Amount” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

“Subsidiary” means with respect to any Person, any corporation or entity in which a majority of the outstanding Equity Interest is directly or indirectly owned by such Person.  For the avoidance of doubt, the Bank constitutes a subsidiary of Company.

“Tier 2 Capital” has the meaning given to the term “Tier 2 capital” in 12 C.F.R. Part 217 and 12 C.F.R. Part 250, as amended, modified and supplemented and in effect from time to time or any replacement thereof.

“Transaction Documents” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.2.1.1.

1.2Interpretations.  The foregoing definitions are equally applicable to both the singular and plural forms of the terms defined.  The words “hereof,” “herein” and “hereunder” and words of like import when used in this Agreement shall refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular provision of this Agreement.  The word “including” when used in this Agreement without the phrase “without limitation,” shall mean “including, without limitation.” All references to time of day herein are references to Eastern Time unless otherwise specifically provided.  All references to this Agreement and Subordinated Notes shall be deemed to be to such documents as amended, modified or restated from time to time.  With respect to any reference in this Agreement to any defined term, (i) if such defined term refers to a Person, then it shall also mean all heirs, legal representatives and permitted successors and assigns of such Person, and (ii) if such defined term refers to a document, instrument or agreement, then it shall also include any amendment, replacement, extension or other modification thereof.

1.3Exhibits Incorporated.  All Exhibits attached are hereby incorporated into this Agreement.

2.SUBORDINATED DEBT.

2.1Certain Terms.  Subject to the terms and conditions herein contained, Company proposes to issue and sell to Purchasers, severally and not jointly, Subordinated Notes in an amount equal to the aggregate of the Subordinated Note Amounts.  Purchasers, severally and not jointly, each agree to purchase the Subordinated Notes from Company on the Closing Date in accordance with the terms of, and subject to the conditions and provisions set forth in, this Agreement and the Subordinated Notes.  The Subordinated Note Amounts shall be disbursed in accordance with Section 3.1.  The Subordinated Notes shall bear interest per annum as set forth in the Subordinated Notes.  The unpaid principal balance of the Subordinated Notes plus all accrued but unpaid interest thereon shall be due and payable on the Maturity Date, or such earlier date on which such amount shall become due and payable on account of (i) acceleration by Purchasers in accordance with the terms of the Subordinated Notes and this Agreement or (ii) Company’s delivery of a notice of redemption or repayment in accordance with the terms of the Subordinated Notes.

2.2Subordination.  The Subordinated Notes shall be subordinated in accordance with the subordination provisions set forth therein.

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2.3Maturity Date.  On the Maturity Date, all sums due and owing under this Agreement and the Subordinated Notes shall be repaid to Purchasers in full.  Company acknowledges and agrees that Purchasers have not made any commitments, either express or implied, to extend the terms of the Subordinated Notes past their Maturity Date, and shall not extend such terms beyond the Maturity Date unless Company and Purchasers hereafter specifically otherwise agree in writing.

2.4Unsecured Obligations.  The obligations of Company to Purchasers under the Subordinated Notes shall be unsecured.

2.5The Closing.  The execution and delivery of the Transaction Documents (the “Closing”) shall occur remotely via the electronic or other exchange of documents and signature pages at 10:00 a.m. (local time) on the Closing Date, or at such other place or time or on such other date as the parties hereto may agree.

2.6Payments.  Company agrees that matters concerning payments and application of payments shall be as set forth in this Agreement and in the Subordinated Notes.

2.7Right of Offset.  Each Purchaser hereby expressly waives any right of offset it may have against Company.

2.8Use of Proceeds.  Proceeds will be used for general corporate purposes.

3.DISBURSEMENT.

3.1Disbursement.  On the Closing Date, assuming all of the terms and conditions set forth in Section 3.2 have been satisfied by Company and Company has executed and delivered to each of the Purchasers this Agreement and such Purchaser’s Subordinated Notes and any other related documents in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Purchasers, each Purchaser shall disburse in immediately available funds the Subordinated Note Amount set forth on such Purchaser’s signature page to Company in exchange for a Subordinated Note with a principal amount equal to such Subordinated Note Amount (the “Disbursement”).  Company will deliver to the respective Purchaser one or more certificates representing the Subordinated Notes in definitive form (or provide evidence of the same with the original to be delivered by Company by overnight delivery on the next calendar day in accordance with the delivery instructions of Purchaser), registered in such names and denominations as such Purchasers may request.

3.2Conditions Precedent to Disbursement.  

3.2.1Conditions to the Purchasers’ Obligation. The obligation of each Purchaser to consummate the purchase of the Subordinated Notes to be purchased by them at Closing and to effect the Disbursement is subject to delivery by or at the direction of Company to such Purchaser of each of the following (or written waiver by such Purchaser prior to the Closing of such delivery):

3.2.1.1Transaction Documents.  This Agreement and the Subordinated Note (collectively, the “Transaction Documents”), each duly authorized and executed by Company.

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3.2.1.2Authority Documents.

3.2.1.3Other Requirements.  Such other additional information regarding Company, Bank and any other Subsidiary of Company and their respective assets, liabilities (including any liabilities arising from, or relating to, legal proceedings) and contracts as a Purchaser may reasonably require.

3.2.2Conditions to Company’s Obligation. The obligation of Company to consummate the sale of the Subordinated Notes at Closing is subject to each of the following conditions (or written waiver by Company prior to the Closing of such delivery):

3.2.2.1Since the date of this Agreement, there shall not have been any action taken, or any law, rule or regulation enacted, entered, enforced or deemed applicable to Company or its Subsidiaries or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement by any Governmental Agency which imposes any restriction or condition that Company determines, in its reasonable good faith judgment, is materially and unreasonably burdensome on Company’s business or would materially reduce the economic benefits of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement to Company to such a degree that Company would not have entered into this Agreement had such condition or restriction been known to it on the date hereof.

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3.2.2.2With respect to a given Purchaser, the obligation of Company to consummate the sale of the Subordinated Notes and to effect the Closing is subject to delivery by or at the direction of such Purchaser to Company (or written waiver by Company prior to the Closing of such delivery) of this Agreement, duly authorized and executed by such Purchaser.

4.REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF COMPANY.

Company hereby represents and warrants to each Purchaser as follows:

4.1Organization and Authority.

4.1.1Organization Matters of Company and Its Subsidiaries.

4.1.1.1Company is validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of Ohio and has all requisite corporate power and authority to conduct its business and activities as presently conducted, to own its Property, and to perform its obligations under the Transaction Documents.  Company is duly qualified as a foreign corporation to transact business and is in good standing in each other jurisdiction in which such qualification is required, whether by reason of the ownership or leasing of Property or the conduct of business, except where the failure so to qualify or to be in good standing would not result in a Material Adverse Effect.  

4.1.1.2Each Subsidiary of Company either has been duly organized and is validly existing as a corporation or limited liability company, or has been duly chartered and is validly existing as a banking corporation, in each case in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its incorporation, has corporate power and authority to own, lease and operate its properties and to conduct its business and is duly qualified as a foreign corporation to transact business and is in good standing in each jurisdiction in which such qualification is required, whether by reason of the ownership or leasing of property or the conduct of business, except where the failure so to qualify or to be in good standing would not result in a Material Adverse Effect.  All of the issued and outstanding shares of capital stock or other Equity Interest in each Subsidiary of Company have been duly authorized and validly issued, are fully paid and non-assessable and are owned by Company, directly or through Subsidiaries of Company, free and clear of any security interest, mortgage, pledge, lien, encumbrance or claim; none of the outstanding shares of capital stock of, or other Equity Interest in, any Subsidiary of Company were issued in violation of the preemptive or similar rights of any security holder of such Subsidiary of Company or any other entity.

4.1.1.3The Bank is an Ohio state bank.  The deposit accounts of Bank are insured by the FDIC up to applicable limits.  Bank has not received any notice or other information indicating that Bank is not an “insured depository institution” as defined in 12 U.S.C. Section 1813, nor has any event occurred which could reasonably be expected to adversely affect the status of Bank as an FDIC-insured institution.  

4.1.2Capital Stock.  All of the outstanding capital stock of Company has been duly authorized and validly issued and is fully paid and non-assessable and are not subject to any preemptive or similar rights.  

4.2No Impediment to Transactions.

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4.2.1Transaction is Legal and Authorized.  The issuance of the Subordinated Notes, the borrowing of the aggregate of the Subordinated Note Amounts, the execution of the Transaction Documents and compliance by Company with all of the provisions of the Transaction Documents are within the corporate and other powers of Company.  

4.2.2Agreement.  This Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered, and, assuming due authorization, execution and delivery by the other parties hereto, constitutes the legal, valid and binding obligations of Company, enforceable in accordance with its terms, except as enforcement thereof may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other similar laws relating to or affecting creditors’ rights generally or by general equitable principles.

4.2.3Subordinated Notes.  The Subordinated Notes have been duly authorized by Company and when executed by Company and issued, delivered to and paid for by Purchasers in accordance with the terms of the Agreement, will have been duly executed, authenticated, issued and delivered, and will constitute legal, valid and binding obligations of Company and be enforceable in accordance with their terms, except as enforcement thereof may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other similar laws relating to or affecting creditors’ rights generally or by general equitable principles.

4.2.4No Defaults or Restrictions.  Neither the execution and delivery of the Transaction Documents nor compliance with their respective terms and conditions will (whether with or without the giving of notice or lapse of time or both) (i) violate, conflict with or result in a breach of, or constitute a default under:  (1) the Articles of Incorporation or Code of Regulations of Company or Bank; (2) any of the terms, obligations, covenants, conditions or provisions of any corporate restriction or of any contract, agreement, indenture, mortgage, deed of trust, pledge, bank loan or credit agreement, or any other agreement or instrument to which Company or any Subsidiary of Company, as applicable, is now a party or by which it or any of its properties may be bound or affected; (3) any judgment, order, writ, injunction, decree or demand of any court, arbitrator, grand jury, or Governmental Agency regarding Company or any Subsidiary of Company; or (4) any statute, rule or regulation applicable to Company or any Subsidiary of Company, except, in the case of items (2), (3) or (4), for such violations and conflicts that would not reasonably be expected to have, singularly or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect on Company or any Subsidiary of Company, or (ii) result in the creation or imposition of any lien, charge or encumbrance of any nature whatsoever upon any property or asset of Company or any Subsidiary of Company.  Neither Company nor any Subsidiary of Company is in default in the performance, observance or fulfillment of any of the terms, obligations, covenants, conditions or provisions contained in any indenture or other agreement creating, evidencing or securing Indebtedness of any kind or pursuant to which any such Indebtedness is issued, or any other agreement or instrument to which Company or any Subsidiary of Company, as applicable, is a party or by which Company or any Subsidiary of Company, as applicable, or any of its properties may be bound or affected, except, in each case, such defaults that would not reasonably be expected to have, singularly or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect on Company or any Subsidiary of Company.

4.2.5Governmental Consent.  No governmental orders, permissions, consents, approvals or authorizations are required to be obtained by Company that have not been

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obtained, and no registrations or declarations are required to be filed by Company that have not been filed in connection with, or, in contemplation of, the execution and delivery of, and performance under, the Transaction Documents, except for applicable requirements, if any, of the Securities Act, the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, state securities laws and any applicable federal or state banking laws and regulations.

4.3Possession of Licenses and Permits.  Company and each of its Subsidiaries possess such permits, licenses, approvals, consents and other authorizations (collectively, “Governmental Licenses”) issued by the appropriate Governmental Agencies necessary to conduct the business now operated by it except where the failure to possess such Governmental Licenses would not, singularly or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect on Company or such applicable Subsidiary; Company and each Subsidiary of Company is in compliance with the terms and conditions of all such Governmental Licenses, except where the failure so to comply would not, singularly or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect on Company or such applicable Subsidiary of Company; all of the Governmental Licenses are valid and in full force and effect, except where the invalidity of such Governmental Licenses or the failure of such Governmental Licenses to be in full force and effect would not, either singularly or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect on Company or such applicable Subsidiary of Company; and neither Company nor any Subsidiary of Company has received any notice of proceedings relating to the revocation or modification of any such Governmental Licenses.

4.4Financial Condition.

4.4.1Company Financial Statements.  The financial statements of Company included in Company’s Reports (including the related notes, where applicable), which have been made available to Purchasers (i) have been prepared from, and are in accordance with, the books and records of Company; (ii) fairly present in all material respects the results of operations, cash flows, changes in shareholders’ equity and financial position of Company and its consolidated Subsidiaries, for the respective fiscal periods or as of the respective dates therein set forth (subject in the case of unaudited statements to recurring year-end audit adjustments normal in nature and amount), as applicable; (iii) conform as to form, as of their respective dates of filing in all material respects with applicable accounting and banking requirements, with respect thereto; and (iv) have been prepared in accordance with GAAP consistently applied during the periods involved, except, in each case, as indicated in such statements or in the notes thereto.  The books and records of Company have been, and are being, maintained in all material respects in accordance with GAAP and any other applicable legal and accounting requirements.

4.4.2Absence of Default.  Since the date of Company’s latest audited financial statements, no event has occurred which itself does, or with the lapse of time or the giving of notice or both would, give any creditor of Company or Bank the right to accelerate the maturity of any material Indebtedness of Company or Bank.  Company and Bank are not in default under any other Lease, agreement or instrument, or any law, rule, regulation, order, writ, injunction, decree, determination or award, where such default could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect on Company or any Subsidiary of Company.

4.4.3Solvency.  After giving effect to the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, Company has capital sufficient to carry on its business and

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transactions and is solvent and able to pay its debts as they mature.  No transfer of property is being made and no Indebtedness is being incurred in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement with the intent to hinder, delay or defraud either present or future creditors of Company or any Subsidiary of Company.

4.4.4Ownership of Property.  Company and each of its Subsidiaries has good and marketable title to, or valid rights to lease or otherwise use, all items of real and personal property that are material to the respective businesses of Company and each of its Subsidiaries, in each case subject to no encumbrances, liens, mortgages, security interests or pledges, except those that (i) do not materially interfere with the use made and proposed to be made of such property by Company and each of its Subsidiaries or (ii) would not reasonably be expected, individually or in the aggregate, to have a Material Adverse Effect.

4.5No Material Adverse Change.  Since the date of the latest audited financial statements included in Company’s Reports, there has been no development or event which has had or could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect on Company or any of its Subsidiaries.

4.6Legal Matters.

4.6.1Compliance with Law.  Company and each of its Subsidiaries (i) has complied with and (ii) to Company’s knowledge, is not under investigation with respect to, and has not been threatened to be charged with or given any notice of any material violation of, any applicable statutes, rules, regulations, orders and restrictions of any domestic or foreign government, or any instrumentality or agency thereof, having jurisdiction over the conduct of its business or the ownership of its properties, except where any such failure to comply or violation would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect on Company or any of its Subsidiaries.  Company and each of its Subsidiaries (1) is, and at all times prior to the date hereof has been, compliant with all applicable statutes, rules, regulations, orders and restrictions of any domestic or foreign government, or any Governmental Agency, and their own privacy policies and written commitments to their respective customers, consumers and employees, concerning data protection and the privacy and security of personal data and the nonpublic personal information of their respective customers, consumers and employees, except in each case where the failure to comply would not result, individually or in the aggregate, in a Material Adverse Effect, and (2) at no time during the two years prior to the date hereof has received any notice asserting any violations of any of the foregoing.

4.6.2Regulatory Enforcement Actions.  Company and its Subsidiaries are in compliance in all material respects with all laws administered by and regulations of any Regulatory Agency applicable to it or to them, the failure to comply with which would have a Material Adverse Effect.  None of Company, its Subsidiaries, nor any of their officers or directors is now operating under any restrictions, agreements, memoranda, commitment letter, supervisory letter or similar regulatory correspondence, or other commitments (other than restrictions of general application) imposed by any Regulatory Agency, nor are, to Company’s knowledge, (a) any such restrictions threatened, (b) any agreements, memoranda or commitments being sought by any Regulatory Agency, or (c) any legal or regulatory violations previously identified by, or penalties or other remedial action previously imposed by, any Regulatory Agency unresolved.

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4.6.3Pending Litigation.  There are no actions, suits, proceedings or written agreements pending or, to Company’s knowledge, threatened or proposed, against Company or any of its Subsidiaries at law or in equity or before or by any Governmental Agency, that, either separately or in the aggregate, would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect on Company or any of its Subsidiaries or affect issuance or payment of the Subordinated Notes; and neither Company nor any of its Subsidiaries is a party to or named as subject to the provisions of any order, writ, injunction, or decree of, or any written agreement with, any court, commission, board or agency, domestic or foreign, that either separately or in the aggregate, would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect on Company or any of its Subsidiaries.

4.6.4Environmental.  No Property is or, to Company’s knowledge, has been a site for the use, generation, manufacture, storage, treatment, release, threatened release, discharge, disposal, transportation or presence of any Hazardous Materials and neither Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has engaged in such activities.  There are no claims or actions pending or, to Company’s knowledge, threatened against Company or any of its Subsidiaries by any Governmental Agency or by any other Person relating to any Hazardous Materials or pursuant to any Hazardous Materials Law.

4.6.5Brokerage Commissions.  Except for commissions paid to the Placement Agent, neither Company nor any Subsidiary of Company is obligated to pay any brokerage commission or finder’s fee to any Person in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

4.6.6Investment Company Act.  Neither Company nor any of its Subsidiaries is an “investment company” or a company “controlled” by an “investment company,” within the meaning of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.

4.7No Misstatement.  No information, exhibit, report, schedule, certificate or document, when viewed together as a whole, and none of the representations, warranties, covenants and agreements made in this Agreement or in any certificate or other document furnished by or on behalf of Company to Purchasers in connection with the negotiation, execution or performance of this Agreement contains any untrue statement of a material fact, or omits to state a material fact necessary to make the statements contained therein not misleading in light of the circumstances when made or furnished to Purchasers and as of the Closing Date.

4.8Disclosure and Internal Accounting Controls.

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4.9Data Security. (i) Except as would not, individually or in the aggregate, have or may reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, Company and each of its Subsidiaries have complied and are presently in compliance with all internal and external privacy policies, contractual obligations, industry standards, applicable laws, statutes, judgments, orders, rules and regulations of any court or arbitrator or other Governmental or Regulatory Agency and any other legal obligations, in each case, relating to the collection, use, transfer, import, export, storage, protection, disposal and disclosure by Company or any of its Subsidiaries of personal, personally identifiable, household, sensitive, confidential or regulated data (“Data Security Obligations,” and such data, “Data”); (ii) Company and its Subsidiaries have not received any notification of or complaint regarding and are unaware of any other facts that, individually or in the aggregate, would reasonably indicate non-compliance with any Data Security Obligation; and (iii) there is no action, suit or proceeding by or before any court or Governmental Agency pending or, to the knowledge of Company and its Subsidiaries, threatened against Company or any of its Subsidiaries alleging non-compliance with any Data Security Obligation.

4.10Cybersecurity. Company and each of its Subsidiaries have taken all reasonable technical and organizational measures necessary to protect the information technology systems and Data used in connection with the operation of Company’s and its Subsidiaries’ businesses. Without limiting the foregoing, Company and each of its Subsidiaries have used reasonable efforts to establish and maintain, and have established, maintained, implemented and complied with, reasonable information technology, information security, cyber security and data protection controls, policies and procedures, including oversight, access controls, encryption, technological and physical safeguards and business continuity/disaster recovery and security plans that are designed to protect against and prevent breach, destruction, loss, unauthorized distribution, use,

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access, disablement, misappropriation or modification, or other compromise or misuse of or relating to any information technology system or Data used in connection with the operation of Company’s and its Subsidiaries’ businesses that would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect (“Data Breach”). To the knowledge of Company and its Subsidiaries, there has been no such Data Breach and Company and its Subsidiaries have not been notified of and have no knowledge of any event or condition that would reasonably be expected to result in, any such Data Breach.

4.11Representations and Warranties Generally.  The representations and warranties of Company set forth in this Agreement are true and correct as of the date hereof and will be true and correct as of the Closing Date and as otherwise specifically provided herein.

5.GENERAL COVENANTS, CONDITIONS AND AGREEMENTS.

Company hereby further covenants and agrees with each Purchaser as follows:

5.1Compliance with Transaction Documents.  Company shall comply with, observe and timely perform each and every one of the covenants, agreements and obligations under the Transaction Documents.

5.2Affiliate Transactions.  Company shall not itself, nor shall it cause, permit or allow any of its Subsidiaries to enter into any material transaction, including, the purchase, sale or exchange of property or the rendering of any service, with any Affiliate of Company except in the ordinary course of business and pursuant to the reasonable requirements of Company’s or such Affiliate’s business and upon terms consistent with applicable laws and regulations and reasonably found by the appropriate board(s) of directors to be fair and reasonable and no less favorable to Company or such Affiliate than would be obtained in a comparable arm’s length transaction with a Person not an Affiliate.

5.3Compliance with Laws.

5.3.1Generally.  Company shall comply and cause Bank and each of its other Subsidiaries to comply in all material respects with all applicable statutes, rules, regulations, orders and restrictions in respect of the conduct of its business and the ownership of its properties, except, in each case, where such noncompliance would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect on Company.

5.3.2Regulated Activities.  Company shall not itself, nor shall it cause, permit or allow any of its Subsidiaries to, (i) engage in any business or activity not permitted by all applicable laws and regulations, except where such business or activity would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect on Company or such Subsidiary or (ii) make any loan or advance secured by the capital stock of another bank or depository institution, or acquire the capital stock, assets or obligations of or any interest in another bank or depository institution, in each case other than in accordance with applicable laws and regulations and safe and sound banking practices.

5.3.3Taxes.  Company shall and shall cause Bank and any other of its Subsidiaries to pay when due and discharge all taxes, assessments and other governmental charges

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imposed upon Company, Bank or any of its other Subsidiaries or upon the income, profits, or Property of Company or any of its Subsidiaries and all claims for labor, material or supplies which, if unpaid, might by law become a lien or charge upon the property of Company, Bank or any of its other Subsidiaries.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, neither Company nor any of its Subsidiaries shall be required to pay any such tax, assessment, charge or claim, so long as the validity thereof shall be contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings, and appropriate reserves therefor shall be maintained on the books of Company and such Subsidiary.

5.3.4Corporate Existence.  Company shall do or cause to be done all things reasonably necessary to preserve its corporate existence and that of Bank and its other Subsidiaries and its and their rights and franchises, except that Company will not be required to preserve the existence (corporate or other) of any Subsidiary or any such right, license or franchise of Company or any Subsidiary if the Company’s Board of Directors determines that the preservation thereof is no longer desirable in the conduct of the business of Company and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole, and that the loss thereof will not be disadvantageous in any material respect to the holders of the Subordinated Notes.

5.3.5Dividends, Payments, and Guarantees During Event of Default.  Upon the occurrence of an Event of Default (as defined under the Subordinated Notes) until such Event of Default is cured, except as required by any federal or state Governmental Agency, Company shall not (i) declare or pay any dividends or distributions on, or redeem, purchase, acquire or make a liquidation payment with respect to, any of its capital stock; (ii) make any payment of principal of, or interest or premium, if any, on, or repay, repurchase or redeem any of Company’s Indebtedness that ranks equal with or junior to the Subordinated Notes; or (iii) make any payments under any guarantee that ranks equal with or junior to the Subordinated Notes, in each case other than (1) any dividends or distributions in shares of, or options, warrants or rights to subscribe for or purchase shares of, any class of Company’s common stock; (2) any declaration of a non-cash dividend in connection with the implementation of a shareholders’ rights plan, or the issuance of stock under any such plan in the future, or the redemption or repurchase of any such rights pursuant thereto; (3) as a result of a reclassification of Company’s capital stock or the exchange or conversion of one class or series of Company’s capital stock for another class or series of Company’s capital stock; (4) the purchase of fractional interests in shares of Company’s capital stock pursuant to the conversion or exchange provisions of such capital stock or the security being converted or exchanged; or (5) purchases of any class of Company’s common stock related to the issuance of common stock or rights under any benefit plans for Company’s directors, officers or employees or any of Company’s dividend reinvestment plans.

5.3.6Tier 2 Capital.  If all or any portion of the Subordinated Notes ceases to be deemed to be Tier 2 Capital, other than due to the limitation imposed on the capital treatment of subordinated debt during the five (5) years immediately preceding the Maturity Date of the Subordinated Notes, Company will immediately notify the Noteholder (as defined in the Subordinated Note), and thereafter Company and the Noteholder will work together in good faith to execute and deliver all agreements as reasonably necessary and acceptable in order to restructure the applicable portions of the obligations evidenced by the Subordinated Notes to qualify as Tier 2 Capital; provided, however, that nothing in this Agreement shall limit Company’s right to redeem the Subordinated Notes upon the occurrence of a Tier 2 Capital Event, as described in the Subordinated Notes.

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5.4Absence of Control.  It is the intent of the parties to this Agreement that in no event shall Purchasers, by reason of any of the Transaction Documents, be deemed to control, directly or indirectly, Company, and Purchasers shall not exercise, or be deemed to exercise, directly or indirectly, a controlling influence over the management or policies of Company.

5.5Rule 144A Information.  While any Subordinated Notes remain “restricted securities” within the meaning of the Securities Act, Company will make available to any seller of such Subordinated Notes, upon request, the information specified in Rule 144A(d)(4) under the Securities Act, unless Company is then subject to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

6.REPRESENTATIONS, WARRANTIES AND COVENANTS OF PURCHASERS.

Each Purchaser hereby represents and warrants to Company, and covenants with Company, severally and not jointly, as follows:

6.1Legal Power and Authority.  It has all necessary power and authority to execute, deliver and perform its obligations under this Agreement and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby.  If Purchaser is an entity, it is an entity duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of its jurisdiction of organization.

6.2Authorization and Execution.  The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement has been duly authorized by all necessary action on the part of such Purchaser, and this Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered, and, assuming due authorization, execution and delivery by the other parties hereto, is a legal, valid and binding obligation of such Purchaser, enforceable against such Purchaser in accordance with its terms, except as enforcement thereof may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other similar laws relating to or affecting creditors’ rights generally or by general equitable principles.

6.3No Conflicts.  Neither the execution, delivery or performance of the Transaction Documents nor the consummation of any of the transactions contemplated thereby will conflict with, violate, constitute a breach of or a default (whether with or without the giving of notice or lapse of time or both) under (i) its organizational documents, if applicable, (ii) any agreement to which it is party, (iii) any law applicable to it or (iv) any order, writ, judgment, injunction, decree, determination or award binding upon or affecting it.

6.4Purchase for Investment.  It is purchasing the Subordinated Note for its own account and not with a view to distribution and with no present intention of reselling, distributing or otherwise disposing of the Subordinated Note.  It has no present or contemplated agreement, undertaking, arrangement, obligation, Indebtedness or commitment providing for, or which is likely to compel, a disposition of the Subordinated Notes in any manner.

6.5Accredited Investor.  It is and will be on the Closing Date an “accredited investor” as such term is defined in Rule 501(a) of Regulation D.

6.6Financial and Business Sophistication.  It has such knowledge and experience in financial and business matters that it is capable of evaluating the merits and risks of the prospective investment in the Subordinated Notes.  It has relied solely upon its own knowledge of, and/or the

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advice of its own legal, financial or other advisors with regard to, the legal, financial, tax and other considerations involved in deciding to invest in the Subordinated Notes.

6.7Ability to Bear Economic Risk of Investment.  It recognizes that an investment in the Subordinated Notes involves substantial risk.  It has the ability to bear the economic risk of the prospective investment in the Subordinated Notes, including the ability to hold the Subordinated Notes indefinitely, and further including the ability to bear a complete loss of all of its investment in Company.  Additionally, it acknowledges that, prior to the execution of this Agreement, Company has made available certain “Risk Factors” related to an investment in the Subordinated Notes and it has reviewed and understands the risks described in such Risk Factors.

6.8Information.  It acknowledges that:  (i) it is not being provided with the disclosures that would be required if the offer and sale of the Subordinated Notes were registered under the Securities Act, nor is it being provided with any offering circular or prospectus prepared in connection with the offer and sale of the Subordinated Notes; (ii) it has conducted its own examination of Company and the terms of the Subordinated Notes to the extent it deems necessary to make its decision to invest in the Subordinated Notes; and (iii) it has availed itself of publicly available financial and other information concerning Company to the extent it deems necessary to make its decision to purchase the Subordinated Notes.  It has reviewed the information set forth in Company’s Reports and the exhibits and schedules hereto and contained in the data room established by Company.

6.9Access to Information.  It acknowledges that it and its advisors have been furnished with all materials relating to the business, finances and operations of Company that have been requested by it or its advisors and have been given the opportunity to ask questions of, and to receive answers from, persons acting on behalf of Company concerning terms and conditions of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement in order to make an informed and voluntary decision to enter into this Agreement.

6.10Investment Decision.  It has made its own investment decision based upon its own judgment, due diligence and advice from such advisors as it has deemed necessary and not upon any view expressed by any other Person, including Company or the Placement Agent.  Neither such inquiries nor any other due diligence investigations conducted by it or its advisors or representatives, if any, shall modify, amend or affect its right to rely on Company’s representations and warranties contained herein.  It is not relying upon, and has not relied upon, any advice, statement, representation or warranty made by any Person by or on behalf of Company, including, without limitation, the Placement Agent, except for the express statements, representations and warranties of Company made or contained in this Agreement.  Furthermore, it acknowledges that (i) the Placement Agent has not performed any due diligence review on behalf of it and (ii) nothing in this Agreement or any other materials presented by or on behalf of Company to it in connection with the purchase of the Subordinated Notes constitutes legal, tax or investment advice.

6.11Private Placement; No Registration; Restricted Legends.  It understands and acknowledges that the Subordinated Notes are being sold by Company without registration under the Securities Act in reliance on the exemption from federal and state registration set forth in, respectively, Rule 506(b) of Regulation D under Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act and Section 18 of the Securities Act, or any state securities laws, and accordingly, may be resold, pledged or

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otherwise transferred only if exemptions from the Securities Act and applicable state securities laws are available to it.  It is not subscribing for the Subordinated Notes as a result of or subsequent to any advertisement, article, notice or other communication published in any newspaper, magazine or similar media or broadcast over television or radio, or presented at any seminar or meeting.  It further acknowledges and agrees that all certificates or other instruments representing the Subordinated Notes will bear the restrictive legend set forth in the form of Subordinated Note.  It further acknowledges its primary responsibilities under the Securities Act and, accordingly, will not sell or otherwise transfer the Subordinated Notes or any interest therein without complying with the requirements of the Securities Act and the rules and regulations issued thereunder and the requirements set forth in this Agreement.  Neither Company nor the Placement Agent has made or is making any representation, warranty or covenant, express or implied, as to the availability of any exemption from registration under the Securities Act or any applicable state securities laws for the resale, pledge or other transfer of the Subordinated Notes.

6.12Placement Agent.  It will purchase the Subordinated Note(s) directly from Company and not from the Placement Agent and understands that neither the Placement Agent nor any other broker or dealer has any obligation to make a market in the Subordinated Notes.

6.13Tier 2 Capital.  If all or any portion of the Subordinated Notes ceases to be deemed to be Tier 2 Capital, other than due to the limitation imposed on the capital treatment of subordinated debt during the five (5) years immediately preceding the Maturity Date of the Subordinated Notes, Company will promptly notify the Purchasers, and thereafter Company and the Purchasers will work together in good faith to execute and deliver all agreements as reasonably necessary and acceptable in order to restructure the applicable portions of the obligations evidenced by the Subordinated Notes to qualify as Tier 2 Capital; provided, however, that nothing in this Agreement shall limit Company’s right to redeem the Subordinated Notes upon the occurrence of a Tier 2 Capital Event, as described in the Subordinated Notes.

6.14Accuracy of Representations.  It understands that the Placement Agent and Company will rely upon the truth and accuracy of the foregoing representations, acknowledgements and agreements in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, and agrees that if any of the representations or acknowledgements made by it are no longer accurate as of the Closing Date, or if any of the agreements made by it are breached on or prior to the Closing Date, it shall promptly notify the Placement Agent and Company.

6.15Representations and Warranties Generally.  The representations and warranties of Purchaser set forth in this Agreement are true and correct as of the date hereof and will be true and correct as of the Closing Date and as otherwise specifically provided herein.  Any certificate signed by a duly authorized representative of Purchaser and delivered to Company or to counsel for Company shall be deemed to be a representation and warranty by Purchaser to Company as to the matters set forth therein.

7.MISCELLANEOUS.

7.1Prohibition on Assignment by Company.  Except as described in Section 8(b) of the Subordinated Notes (Merger or Sale of Assets), Company may not assign, transfer or delegate any of its rights or obligations under this Agreement or the Subordinated Notes without the prior

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written consent of holders of more than 50% in aggregate principal amount (excluding any Subordinated Notes held by Company or any of its Affiliates) of the Subordinated Notes at the time outstanding.  

7.2Time of the Essence.  Time is of the essence of this Agreement.

7.3Waiver or Amendment.  No waiver or amendment of any term, provision, condition, covenant or agreement herein or in the Subordinated Notes shall be effective except with the consent of the holders of more than 50% in aggregate principal amount (excluding any Subordinated Notes held by Company or any of its Affiliates) of the Subordinated Notes at the time outstanding; provided, however, that without the consent of each holder of an affected Subordinated Note, no such amendment or waiver may:  (i) reduce the principal amount of the Subordinated Note; (ii) reduce the rate of or change the time for payment of interest on any Subordinated Note; (iii) extend the maturity of any Subordinated Note, (iv) change the currency in which payment of the obligations of Company under this Agreement and the Subordinated Notes are to be made; (v) lower the percentage of aggregate principal amount of outstanding Subordinated Notes required to approve any amendment of this Agreement or the Subordinated Notes, (vi) make any changes to Section 6 of the Subordinated Notes (Failure to Make Payments)  that adversely affects the rights of any holder of a Subordinated Note; or (vii) disproportionately affect any of the holders of the then outstanding Subordinated Notes.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, Company may amend or supplement the Subordinated Notes without the consent of the holders of the Subordinated Notes to cure any immaterial ambiguity, defect or inconsistency or to provide for uncertificated Subordinated Notes in addition to or in place of certificated Subordinated Notes, or to make any change that does not adversely affect the rights of any holder of any of the Subordinated Notes.  No failure to exercise or delay in exercising, by a Purchaser, any holder of the Subordinated Notes, or Company, of any right, power or privilege hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall any single or partial exercise of any right, power or privilege preclude any other or further exercise thereof, or the exercise of any other right or remedy provided by law.  The rights and remedies provided in this Agreement are cumulative and not exclusive of any right or remedy provided by law or equity.  No notice or demand on Company in any case shall, in itself, entitle Company to any other or further notice or demand in similar or other circumstances or constitute a waiver of the rights of Purchasers to any other or further action in any circumstances without notice or demand.  No consent or waiver, expressed or implied, by Purchasers to or of any breach or default by Company in the performance of its obligations hereunder shall be deemed or construed to be a consent or waiver to or of any other breach or default in the performance of the same or any other obligations of Company hereunder.  Failure on the part of Purchasers to complain of any acts or failure to act or to declare an Event of Default, irrespective of how long such failure continues, shall not constitute a waiver by Purchasers of their rights hereunder or impair any rights, powers or remedies on account of any breach or default by Company.

7.4Severability.  Any provision of this Agreement which is unenforceable or invalid or contrary to law, or the inclusion of which would adversely affect the validity, legality or enforcement of this Agreement, shall be of no effect and, in such case, all the remaining terms and provisions of this Agreement shall subsist and be fully effective according to the tenor of this Agreement the same as though any such invalid portion had never been included herein.  Notwithstanding any of the foregoing to the contrary, if any provisions of this Agreement or the

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application thereof are held invalid or unenforceable only as to particular Persons or situations, the remainder of this Agreement, and the application of such provision to Persons or situations other than those to which it shall have been held invalid or unenforceable, shall not be affected thereby, but shall continue to be valid and enforceable to the fullest extent permitted by law.

7.5Notices.  Any notice which any party hereto may be required or may desire to give hereunder shall be deemed to have been given if in writing and if delivered personally, or if mailed, postage prepaid, by United States registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, or if delivered by a responsible overnight commercial courier promising next business day delivery, addressed:

 

or to such other address or addresses as the party to be given notice may have furnished in writing to the party seeking or desiring to give notice, as a place for the giving of notice; provided that no change in address shall be effective until five (5) Business Days after being given to the other party in the manner provided for above.  Any notice given in accordance with the foregoing shall be deemed given when delivered personally or, if mailed, three (3) Business Days after it shall have been deposited in the United States mails as aforesaid or, if sent by overnight courier, the Business Day following the date of delivery to such courier (provided next business day delivery was requested).

7.6Successors and Assigns.  This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of the parties and their respective heirs, legal representatives, successors and assigns; except that, unless a Purchaser consents in writing, no assignment made by Company in violation of this Agreement shall be effective or confer any rights on any purported assignee of Company.  The term “successors and assigns” will not include a purchaser of any of the Subordinated Notes from any Purchaser merely because of such purchase.

7.7No Joint Venture.  Nothing contained herein or in any document executed pursuant hereto and no action or inaction whatsoever on the part of a Purchaser, shall be deemed to make a Purchaser a partner or joint venture with Company.

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7.8Documentation.  All documents and other matters required by any of the provisions of this Agreement to be submitted or furnished to a Purchaser shall be in form and substance satisfactory to such Purchaser.

7.9Entire Agreement.  This Agreement and the Subordinated Notes along with the Exhibits hereto and thereto constitute the entire agreement between the parties hereto and supersede any prior or contemporaneous agreements of the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof. This Agreement and the Subordinated Notes may not be modified or amended in any manner other than by supplemental written agreement executed by the parties hereto.  No party, in entering into this Agreement, has relied upon any representation, warranty, covenant, condition or other term that is not set forth in this Agreement or in the Subordinated Notes.

7.10Choice of Law.  This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Ohio without giving effect to its laws or principles of conflict of laws.  Nothing herein shall be deemed to limit any rights, powers or privileges which a Purchaser may have pursuant to any law of the United States of America or any rule, regulation or order of any department or agency thereof and nothing herein shall be deemed to make unlawful any transaction or conduct by a Purchaser which is lawful pursuant to, or which is permitted by, any of the foregoing.

7.11No Third Party Beneficiary.  This Agreement is made for the sole benefit of Company and the Purchasers, and no other Person shall be deemed to have any privity of contract hereunder nor any right to rely hereon to any extent or for any purpose whatsoever, nor shall any other Person have any right of action of any kind hereunder or be deemed to be a third party beneficiary hereunder; provided, that the Placement Agent may rely on the representations and warranties contained herein to the same extent as if it was a party to this Agreement.

7.12Legal Tender of United States.  All payments hereunder shall be made in coin or currency which at the time of payment is legal tender in the United States of America for public and private debts.

7.13Interpretation; Counterparts.  Captions contained in this Agreement in no way define, limit or extend the scope or intent of their respective provisions.  Unless context requires otherwise, words denoting the singular have a comparable meaning when used in the plural, and vice-versa, and words denoting any gender include all genders. This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts and by different parties hereto in separate counterparts, each of which when so executed and delivered shall be deemed to be an original and all of which taken together shall constitute but one and the same instrument.  Counterparts may be delivered via electronic mail (including pdf or any electronic signature complying with the U.S. federal ESIGN Act of 2000, e.g., www.docusign.com) or other transmission method, and a signature so delivered shall create a valid and binding obligation of the party executing (or on whose behalf such signature is executed) with the same force and effect as if such counterpart were an original thereof.

7.14Knowledge; Discretion.  All references herein to Purchaser’s or Company’s knowledge shall be deemed to mean the knowledge of such party based on the actual knowledge of such party’s Chief Executive Officer, President and Chief Financial Officer or such other persons holding equivalent offices.  Unless specified to the contrary herein, all references herein

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to an exercise of discretion or judgment by a Purchaser, to the making of a determination or designation by a Purchaser, to the application of a Purchaser’s discretion or opinion, to the granting or withholding of a Purchaser’s consent or approval, to the consideration of whether a matter or thing is satisfactory or acceptable to a Purchaser, or otherwise involving the decision making of a Purchaser, shall be deemed to mean that such Purchaser shall decide using the reasonable discretion or judgment of a prudent lender, and such exercise of discretion or consent will not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed.

7.15Waiver Of Right To Jury Trial.  TO THE EXTENT PERMITTED UNDER APPLICABLE LAW, THE PARTIES HEREBY KNOWINGLY, VOLUNTARILY AND INTENTIONALLY WAIVE ANY RIGHT THAT THEY MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LITIGATION ARISING IN ANY WAY IN CONNECTION WITH ANY OF THE TRANSACTION DOCUMENTS, OR ANY OTHER STATEMENTS OR ACTIONS OF COMPANY OR PURCHASERS.  THE PARTIES ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THEY HAVE BEEN REPRESENTED IN THE SIGNING OF THIS AGREEMENT AND IN THE MAKING OF THIS WAIVER BY INDEPENDENT LEGAL COUNSEL SELECTED OF THEIR OWN FREE WILL.  THE PARTIES FURTHER ACKNOWLEDGE THAT (I) THEY HAVE READ AND UNDERSTAND THE MEANING AND RAMIFICATIONS OF THIS WAIVER, (II) THIS WAIVER HAS BEEN REVIEWED BY THE PARTIES AND THEIR COUNSEL AND IS A MATERIAL INDUCEMENT FOR ENTRY INTO THIS AGREEMENT AND (III) THIS WAIVER SHALL BE EFFECTIVE AS TO EACH OF SUCH TRANSACTION DOCUMENTS AS IF FULLY INCORPORATED THEREIN.

7.16Expenses.  Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, each of the parties will bear and pay all other costs and expenses incurred by it or on its behalf in connection with the transactions contemplated pursuant to this Agreement.

7.17Survival.  Each of the representations and warranties set forth in this Agreement shall survive the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby for a period of one year after the date hereof.  Except as otherwise provided herein, all covenants and agreements contained herein shall survive until, by their respective terms, they are no longer operative.

 

[Signature Pages Follow]

 

 

21726134

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Company has caused this Subordinated Note Purchase Agreement to be executed by its duly authorized representative as of the date first above written.

 

 

Company Signature Page to Subordinated Note Purchase Agreement

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each Purchaser has caused this Subordinated Note Purchase Agreement to be executed by its duly authorized representative as of the date first above written.

 

 

Purchaser Signature Page to Subordinated Note Purchase Agreement

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EXHIBIT A

FORM OF SUBORDINATED NOTE

FARMERS & MERCHANTS BANCORP, INC.

3.25% FIXED TO FLOATING Subordinated Note due July 30, 2031

THE INDEBTEDNESS EVIDENCED BY THIS SUBORDINATED NOTE IS SUBORDINATED AND JUNIOR IN RIGHT OF PAYMENT TO SENIOR INDEBTEDNESS (AS DEFINED IN SECTION 3 OF THIS SUBORDINATED NOTE) OF FARMERS & MERCHANTS BANCORP, INC. (THE “COMPANY”) AND DEPOSITORS OF THE FARMERS & MERCHANTS STATE BANK, INCLUDING OBLIGATIONS OF THE COMPANY TO ITS GENERAL AND SECURED CREDITORS AND IS UNSECURED.  IT IS INELIGIBLE AS COLLATERAL FOR ANY EXTENSION OF CREDIT BY THE COMPANY OR ANY OF ITS SUBSIDIARIES.  

IN THE EVENT OF LIQUIDATION ALL HOLDERS OF SENIOR INDEBTEDNESS OF THE COMPANY SHALL BE ENTITLED TO BE PAID IN FULL WITH SUCH INTEREST AS MAY BE PROVIDED BY LAW BEFORE ANY PAYMENT SHALL BE MADE ON ACCOUNT OF PRINCIPAL OF OR INTEREST ON THIS SUBORDINATED NOTE.  AFTER PAYMENT IN FULL OF ALL SUMS OWING TO SUCH HOLDERS OF SENIOR INDEBTEDNESS, THE HOLDER OF THIS SUBORDINATED NOTE, TOGETHER WITH THE HOLDERS OF ANY OBLIGATIONS OF THE COMPANY RANKING ON A PARITY WITH THE SUBORDINATED NOTES, SHALL BE ENTITLED TO BE PAID FROM THE REMAINING ASSETS OF THE COMPANY THE UNPAID PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF THIS SUBORDINATED NOTE PLUS ACCRUED AND UNPAID INTEREST THEREON BEFORE ANY PAYMENT OR OTHER DISTRIBUTION, WHETHER IN CASH, PROPERTY OR OTHERWISE, SHALL BE MADE ON ACCOUNT OF ANY SHARES OF CAPITAL STOCK OF THE COMPANY.

THE INDEBTEDNESS EVIDENCED BY THIS SUBORDINATED NOTE IS NOT A DEPOSIT AND IS NOT INSURED BY THE FEDERAL DEPOSIT INSURANCE CORPORATION (THE “FDIC”) OR ANY OTHER GOVERNMENT AGENCY OR FUND.

THIS SUBORDINATED NOTE WILL BE ISSUED AND MAY BE TRANSFERRED ONLY IN MINIMUM DENOMINATIONS OF $1,000 AND MULTIPLES OF $1,000 IN EXCESS THEREOF.  ANY ATTEMPTED TRANSFER OF THIS SUBORDINATED NOTE IN A DENOMINATION OF LESS THAN $1,000 SHALL BE DEEMED TO BE VOID AND OF NO LEGAL EFFECT WHATSOEVER.  ANY SUCH PURPORTED TRANSFEREE SHALL BE DEEMED NOT TO BE THE HOLDER OF THIS SUBORDINATED NOTE FOR ANY PURPOSE, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, THE RECEIPT OF PAYMENTS ON THIS SUBORDINATED NOTE, AND SUCH PURPORTED TRANSFEREE SHALL BE DEEMED TO HAVE NO INTEREST WHATSOEVER IN THIS SUBORDINATED NOTE.  

THIS SUBORDINATED NOTE MAY BE SOLD ONLY IN COMPLIANCE WITH APPLICABLE FEDERAL AND STATE SECURITIES LAWS.  THIS SUBORDINATED NOTE HAS NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED

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(THE “SECURITIES ACT”), OR ANY APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS OR ANY OTHER APPLICABLE SECURITIES LAWS.  NEITHER THIS SUBORDINATED NOTE NOR ANY INTEREST OR PARTICIPATION HEREIN MAY BE REOFFERED, SOLD, ASSIGNED, TRANSFERRED, PLEDGED, ENCUMBERED OR OTHERWISE DISPOSED OF IN THE ABSENCE OF SUCH REGISTRATION OR UNLESS SUCH TRANSACTION IS EXEMPT FROM, OR NOT SUBJECT TO, THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT AND STATE SECURITIES LAWS.

CERTAIN ERISA CONSIDERATIONS:

THE HOLDER OF THIS SUBORDINATED NOTE, OR ANY INTEREST HEREIN, BY ITS ACCEPTANCE HEREOF OR THEREOF AGREES, REPRESENTS AND WARRANTS THAT IT IS NOT AN EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLAN, INDIVIDUAL RETIREMENT ACCOUNT OR OTHER PLAN OR ARRANGEMENT SUBJECT TO TITLE I OF THE EMPLOYEE RETIREMENT INCOME SECURITY ACT OF 1974, AS AMENDED (“ERISA”), OR SECTION 4975 OF THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE OF 1986, AS AMENDED (THE “CODE”) (EACH A “PLAN”), OR AN ENTITY WHOSE UNDERLYING ASSETS INCLUDE “PLAN ASSETS” BY REASON OF ANY PLAN’S INVESTMENT IN THE ENTITY, AND NO PERSON INVESTING “PLAN ASSETS” OF ANY PLAN MAY ACQUIRE OR HOLD THIS SUBORDINATED NOTE OR ANY INTEREST HEREIN, UNLESS SUCH PURCHASER OR HOLDER IS ELIGIBLE FOR THE EXEMPTIVE RELIEF AVAILABLE UNDER U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR PROHIBITED TRANSACTION CLASS EXEMPTION 96-23, 95-60, 91-38, 90-1 OR 84-14 OR ANOTHER APPLICABLE EXEMPTION OR ITS PURCHASE AND HOLDING OF THIS SUBORDINATED NOTE, OR ANY INTEREST HEREIN, ARE NOT PROHIBITED BY SECTION 406 OF ERISA OR SECTION 4975 OF THE CODE WITH RESPECT TO SUCH PURCHASE AND HOLDING. ANY PURCHASER OR HOLDER OF THIS SUBORDINATED NOTE OR ANY INTEREST HEREIN WILL BE DEEMED TO HAVE REPRESENTED BY ITS PURCHASE AND HOLDING THEREOF THAT EITHER: (i) IT IS NOT AN EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLAN OR OTHER PLAN TO WHICH TITLE I OF ERISA OR SECTION 4975 OF THE CODE IS APPLICABLE, A TRUSTEE OR OTHER PERSON ACTING ON BEHALF OF ANY SUCH EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLAN OR PLANS, OR ANY OTHER PERSON OR ENTITY USING THE “PLAN ASSETS” OF ANY SUCH EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLAN OR PLANS TO FINANCE SUCH PURCHASE OR (ii) SUCH PURCHASE OR HOLDING WILL NOT RESULT IN A PROHIBITED TRANSACTION UNDER SECTION 406 OF ERISA OR SECTION 4975 OF THE CODE FOR WHICH FULL EXEMPTIVE RELIEF IS NOT AVAILABLE UNDER APPLICABLE STATUTORY OR ADMINISTRATIVE EXEMPTION.

ANY FIDUCIARY OF ANY PLAN WHO IS CONSIDERING THE ACQUISITION OF THIS SUBORDINATED NOTE OR ANY INTEREST HEREIN SHOULD CONSULT WITH HIS OR HER LEGAL COUNSEL PRIOR TO ACQUIRING THIS SUBORDINATED NOTE OR ANY INTEREST HEREIN.

 

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No. 2031-[●]CUSIP [●]

FARMERS & MERCHANTS BANCORP, INC.

3.25% FIXED TO FLOATING Subordinated Note due July 30, 2031

1.Subordinated Notes.  This Subordinated Note is one of an issue of notes of Farmers & Merchants Bancorp, Inc., an Ohio corporation (the “Company”) designated as the 3.25% Fixed to Floating Rate Subordinated Notes due July 30, 2031 (the “Subordinated Notes”).

2.Payment.  The Company, for value received, promises to pay to [●], or its registered assigns, the principal sum of [●] Dollars (U.S.) ($[●]), plus accrued but unpaid interest on July 30, 2031 (“Stated Maturity”) and to pay interest thereon (i) from and including the original issue date of the Subordinated Notes to but excluding the five-year anniversary of the date of this Subordinated Note or the earlier redemption date contemplated by Section 4 of this Subordinated Note (the “Fixed Rate Period”), at the rate of 3.25% per annum, computed on the basis of a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months and payable semi-annually in arrears on each of the six-month and 12-month anniversaries of the Issue Date (as defined below) (each, a “Fixed Interest Payment Date”), beginning on the first Fixed Interest Payment Date following the Issue Date, and (ii) from and including the five-year anniversary of the date of this Subordinated Note to but excluding the Stated Maturity or the earlier redemption date contemplated by Section 4 of this Subordinated Note (the “Floating Rate Period”), at the rate per annum equal to the Benchmark (defined in Section 2(a) below), reset quarterly, plus 263 basis points, or such other rate as determined pursuant to this Section 2, computed on the basis of a 360-day year and the actual number of days elapsed and payable quarterly in arrears on each of the three-month, six-month, nine-month and 12-month anniversaries of the Issue Date (each, a “Floating Interest Payment Date”).  An “Interest Payment Date” is either a Fixed Interest Payment Date or a Floating Interest Payment Date, as applicable. Any payment of principal of or interest on this Subordinated Note that would otherwise become due and payable on a day which is not a Business Day shall become due and payable on the next succeeding Business Day, with the same force and effect as if made on the date for payment of such principal or interest, and no interest will accrue in respect of such payment for the period after such day.  

(a)Definitions.

(i)“Administrator” means the Federal Reserve Bank (“FRB”), the Federal Reserve Bank of New York (“FRBNY”), or a committee officially endorsed or convened by the FRB or FRBNY as the administrator of SOFR, or any successor thereto.

(ii)“Benchmark” means, initially, Three-Month Term SOFR; provided that if the Company determines on or prior to the Reference Time that a Benchmark Transition Event and its related Benchmark Replacement Date have occurred with respect to Three-Month Term SOFR or the then-current Benchmark, then “Benchmark” means the applicable Benchmark Replacement. “Benchmark Replacement” means the Interpolated Benchmark with respect to the then-current Benchmark, plus the Benchmark Replacement Adjustment for such Benchmark; provided that if (A) the Company cannot determine the Interpolated Benchmark as of the Benchmark Replacement Date or (B) the then-current Benchmark is Three-Month Term SOFR

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and a Benchmark Transition Event and its related Benchmark Replacement Date have occurred with respect to Three-Month Term SOFR (in which event no Interpolated Benchmark with respect to Three-Month Term SOFR shall be determined), then “Benchmark Replacement” means the first of the following alternatives that can be determined by the Company as of the Benchmark Replacement Date: (1) Compounded SOFR; (2) the sum of: (a) the alternate rate that has been selected or recommended by the Administrator as the replacement for the then-current Benchmark for the applicable Corresponding Tenor and (b) the Benchmark Replacement Adjustment; (3) the sum of:  (a) the ISDA Fallback Rate, and (b) the Benchmark Replacement Adjustment; or (4) the sum of:  (a) the alternate rate that has been selected by the Company as the replacement for the then-current Benchmark for the applicable Corresponding Tenor, giving due consideration to any industry-accepted rate as a replacement for the then-current Benchmark for U.S. Dollar-denominated floating rate securities at such time, and (b) the Benchmark Replacement Adjustment.

(iii) “Benchmark Replacement Adjustment” means the first of the following alternatives that can be determined by the Company as of the Benchmark Replacement Date: (A) the spread adjustment, or method for calculating or determining such spread adjustment (which may be a positive or negative value or zero), that has been selected or recommended by the Administrator for the applicable Unadjusted Benchmark Replacement; (B) if the applicable Unadjusted Benchmark Replacement is equivalent to the ISDA Fallback Rate, then the ISDA Fallback Adjustment; and (C) the spread adjustment (which may be a positive or negative value or zero) that has been selected by the Company giving due consideration to any industry-accepted spread adjustment or method for calculating or determining such spread adjustment, for the replacement of the then-current Benchmark with the applicable Unadjusted Benchmark Replacement for U.S. Dollar-denominated floating rate securities at such time.

(iv)“Benchmark Replacement Date” means the earliest to occur of the following events with respect to the then-current Benchmark: (A) in the case of Section 2(a)(v)(A), the relevant Reference Time in respect of any determination; (B) in the case of Section 2(a)(v)(B) or (C), the later of (1) the date of the public statement or publication of information referenced therein and (2) the date on which the administrator of the Benchmark permanently or indefinitely ceases to provide the Benchmark; or (C) in the case of Section 2(a)(v)(D), the date of the public statement or publication of information referenced therein.

For the avoidance of doubt, for purposes of the definitions of Benchmark Replacement Date and Benchmark Transition Event, references to the Benchmark also include any reference rate underlying the Benchmark (for example, if the Benchmark becomes Compounded SOFR, references to the Benchmark would include SOFR). For the avoidance of doubt, if the event giving rise to the Benchmark Replacement Date occurs on the same day as, but earlier than, the Reference Time in respect of any determination, the Benchmark Replacement Date will be deemed to have occurred prior to the Reference Time for such determination.

(v) “Benchmark Transition Event” means the occurrence of one or more of the following events with respect to the then-current Benchmark: (A) if the Benchmark is Three-Month Term SOFR, (1) the Administrator has not selected or recommended a forward-looking term rate for a tenor of three months based on SOFR, (2) the development of a forward-looking term rate for a tenor of three months based on SOFR that has been recommended or selected by the Administrator is not complete or (3) the Company determines that the use of a forward-looking

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rate for a tenor of three months based on SOFR is not administratively feasible; (B) a public statement or publication of information by or on behalf of the administrator of the Benchmark announcing that such administrator has ceased or will cease to provide the Benchmark, permanently or indefinitely, provided that, at the time of such statement or publication, there is no successor administrator that will continue to provide the Benchmark; (C) a public statement or publication of information by the regulatory supervisor for the administrator of the Benchmark, the central bank for the currency of the Benchmark, an insolvency official with jurisdiction over the administrator for the Benchmark, a resolution authority with jurisdiction over the administrator for the Benchmark or a court or an entity with similar insolvency or resolution authority over the administrator for the Benchmark, which states that the administrator of the Benchmark has ceased or will cease to provide the Benchmark permanently or indefinitely, provided that, at the time of such statement or publication, there is no successor administrator that will continue to provide the Benchmark; or (D) a public statement or publication of information by the regulatory supervisor for the administrator of the Benchmark announcing that the Benchmark is no longer representative.

(vi) “Business Day” means any day that is not a Saturday or Sunday and that is not a day on which banks in the State of Ohio are generally authorized or required by law or executive or other governmental order to be closed.

(vii)“Compounded SOFR” means the compounded average of SOFRs for the applicable Corresponding Tenor, with the rate, or methodology for this rate, and conventions for this rate being established by the Company in accordance with: (A) the rate, or methodology for this rate, and conventions for this rate selected or recommended by the Administrator for determining Compounded SOFR; provided that: (B) if, and to the extent that, the Company determines that Compounded SOFR cannot be determined in accordance with clause (A) above, then the rate, or methodology for this rate, and conventions for this rate that have been selected by the Company giving due consideration to any industry-accepted market practice for U.S. Dollar-denominated floating rate securities at such time. For the avoidance of doubt, the calculation of Compounded SOFR shall exclude the Benchmark Replacement Adjustment (if applicable) and the spread of 263 basis points per annum.

(viii)“Corresponding Tenor” with respect to a Benchmark Replacement means a tenor (including overnight) having approximately the same length (disregarding business day adjustment) as the applicable tenor for the then-current Benchmark.

(ix)“Interpolated Benchmark” with respect to the Benchmark means the rate determined for the Corresponding Tenor by interpolating on a linear basis between: (A) the Benchmark for the longest period (for which the Benchmark is available) that is shorter than the Corresponding Tenor, and (B) the Benchmark for the shortest period (for which the Benchmark is available) that is longer than the Corresponding Tenor.

(x)“ISDA Fallback Rate” means the rate that would apply for derivatives transactions referencing the 2006 ISDA Definitions published by the International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc. (“ISDA”) or any successor thereto, as amended or supplemented from time to time, or any successor definitional booklet for interest rate derivatives published from time to time (“ISDA Definitions”), to be effective upon the occurrence of an index cessation date with respect to the Benchmark for the applicable tenor excluding the applicable ISDA Fallback

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Adjustment. “ISDA Fallback Adjustment” means the spread adjustment (which may be a positive or negative value or zero) that would apply for derivatives transactions referencing the ISDA Definitions to be determined upon the occurrence of an index cessation event with respect to the Benchmark for the applicable tenor.

(xi)“Reference Time” with respect to any determination of the Benchmark means (A) if the Benchmark is Three-Month Term SOFR, the time determined by the Company after giving effect to the Three-Month Term SOFR Conventions, and (B) if the Benchmark is not Three-Month Term SOFR, the time determined by the Company after giving effect to any technical, administrative or operational changes (including changes to the definition of  “interest period,” timing and frequency of determining rates with respect to each interest period and making payments of interest, rounding of amounts or tenors, and other administrative matters) that the Company decides may be appropriate to reflect the adoption of such Benchmark Replacement in a manner substantially consistent with market practice (or, if the Company decides that adoption of any portion of such market practice is not administratively feasible or if the Company determines that no market practice for use of the Benchmark Replacement exists, in such other manner as the Company determines is reasonably necessary) (the “Benchmark Replacement Conforming Changes”).

(xii) “SOFR” means the secured overnight financing rate published by the Administrator on the FRBNY’s website. “Term SOFR” means the forward-looking term rate based on SOFR that has been selected or recommended by the Administrator. “Three-Month Term SOFR” means the rate for Term SOFR for a tenor of three months that is published by the Administrator at the Reference Time for any interest period, as determined by the Company after giving effect to the Three-Month Term SOFR Conventions.  All percentages used in or resulting from any calculation of Three-Month Term SOFR shall be rounded, if necessary, to the nearest one-hundred-thousandth of a percentage point, with 0.000005% rounded up to 0.00001%.

(xiii)“Three-Month Term SOFR Conventions” means any determination, decision or election with respect to any technical, administrative or operational matter (including with respect to the manner and timing of the publication of Three-Month Term SOFR, or changes to the definition of “interest period,” timing and frequency of determining Three-Month Term SOFR with respect to each interest period and making payments of interest, rounding of amounts or tenors, and other administrative matters) that the Company decides may be appropriate to reflect the use of Three-Month Term SOFR as the Benchmark in a manner substantially consistent with market practice (or, if the Company decides that adoption of any portion of such market practice is not administratively feasible or if the Company determines that no market practice for the use of Three-Month Term SOFR exists, in such other manner as the Company determines is reasonably necessary).

(xiv)“Unadjusted Benchmark Replacement” means the Benchmark Replacement excluding the Benchmark Replacement Adjustment.

(b)Effect of Benchmark Transition Event.

(i)If the Company determines that a Benchmark Transition Event and its related Benchmark Replacement Date have occurred on or prior to the Reference Time in respect

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of any determination of the Benchmark on any date, then the Benchmark Replacement will replace the then-current Benchmark for all purposes relating to the Subordinated Notes during the Floating Rate Period in respect of such determination on such date and all determinations on all subsequent dates.  In connection with the implementation of a Benchmark Replacement, the Company will have the right to make Benchmark Replacement Conforming Changes from time to time.

(ii)Notwithstanding anything set forth in Section 2(b)(i) above, if the Company determines on or prior to the relevant Reference Time that a Benchmark Transition Event and its related Benchmark Replacement Date have occurred with respect to Three-Month Term SOFR, then the provisions set forth in this Section 2(b)(ii) will thereafter apply to all determinations of the interest rate on the Notes during the Floating Rate Period. After a Benchmark Transition Event and its related Benchmark Replacement Date have occurred, the interest rate on the Notes for each interest period during the Floating Rate Period will be an annual rate equal to the Benchmark Replacement plus 263 basis points.

(iii)The Company is expressly authorized to make certain determinations, decisions and elections under the terms of the Subordinated Notes, including with respect to the use of Three-Month Term SOFR as the Benchmark and under this Section 2(b)(iii).  Any determination, decision or election that may be made by the Company under the terms of the Subordinated Notes, including any determination with respect to a tenor, rate or adjustment or of the occurrence or non-occurrence of an event, circumstance or date and any decision to take or refrain from taking any action or selection (A) will be conclusive and binding on the Noteholders absent manifest error, (B) will be made in the Company’s sole discretion, and (C) notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, shall become effective without consent from the Noteholders or any other party.  

(iv)If the then-current Benchmark is Three-Month Term SOFR, the Company will have the right to establish the Three-Month Term SOFR Conventions, and if any of the foregoing provisions concerning the calculation of the interest rate and the payment of interest during the Floating Rate Period are inconsistent with any of the Three-Month Term SOFR Conventions determined by the Company, then the relevant Three-Month Term SOFR Conventions will apply.

3.Subordination.  The indebtedness of the Company evidenced by this Subordinated Note, including the principal and interest on this Subordinated Note, shall be subordinate and junior in right of payment to the prior payment in full of all existing claims of creditors of the Company and depositors of The Farmers & Merchants State Bank (the “Bank”), whether now outstanding or subsequently created, assumed, guaranteed or incurred (collectively, “Senior Indebtedness”), which shall consist of principal of (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, on: (a) all indebtedness and obligations of, or guaranteed or assumed by, the Company for money borrowed, whether or not evidenced by bonds, debentures, securities, notes or other similar instruments, and including, but not limited to, deposits of the Bank, and all obligations to the Company’s general and secured creditors; (b) any deferred obligations of the Company for the payment of the purchase price of property or assets acquired other than in the ordinary course of business; (c) all obligations, contingent or otherwise, of the Company in respect of any letters of credit, bankers’ acceptances, security purchase facilities and similar direct credit substitutes; (d) any capital lease obligations of the Company; (e) all obligations of the Company in respect of

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interest rate swap, cap or other agreements, interest rate future or option contracts, currency swap agreements, currency future or option contracts, commodity contracts and other similar arrangements or derivative products; (f) any obligation of the Company to its general creditors, as defined for purposes of the capital adequacy regulations of the Federal Reserve applicable to the Company, as the same may be amended or modified from time to time; (g) all obligations that are similar to those in clauses (a) through (f) of other persons for the payment of which the Company is responsible or liable as obligor, guarantor or otherwise arising from an off-balance sheet guarantee; (h) all obligations of the types referred to in clauses (a) through (g) of other persons secured by a lien on any property or asset of the Company, and (i) in the case of (a) through (h) above, all amendments, renewals, extensions, modifications and refundings of such indebtedness and obligations; except “Senior Indebtedness” does not include (x) the Subordinated Notes, (y) any obligation ranking on parity with, or subordinated to, the Subordinated Notes, or (z) any indebtedness between the Company and any of its subsidiaries or Affiliates.  This Subordinated Note is not secured by any assets of the Company.  The term “Affiliate(s)” means, with respect to any Person, such Person’s immediate family members, partners, members or parent and subsidiary corporations, and any other Person directly or indirectly controlling, controlled by, or under common control with said Person and their respective Affiliates.

In the event of liquidation of the Company, holders of Senior Indebtedness of the Company shall be entitled to be paid in full with such interest as may be provided by law before any payment shall be made on account of principal of or interest on this Subordinated Note.  Additionally, in the event of any insolvency, dissolution, assignment for the benefit of creditors or any liquidation or winding up of or relating to the Company, whether voluntary or involuntary, holders of Senior Indebtedness shall be entitled to be paid in full before any payment shall be made on account of the principal of or interest on the Subordinated Notes, including this Subordinated Note.  In the event of any such proceeding, after payment in full of all sums owing with respect to the Senior Indebtedness, the registered holders of the Subordinated Notes from time to time (each a “Noteholder” and, collectively, the “Noteholders”), together with the holders of any obligations of the Company ranking on a parity with the Subordinated Notes, shall be entitled to be paid from the remaining assets of the Company the unpaid principal thereof, and the unpaid interest thereon before any payment or other distribution, whether in cash, property or otherwise, shall be made on account of any capital stock.

If there shall have occurred and be continuing (A) a default in any payment with respect to any Senior Indebtedness or (B) an event of default with respect to any Senior Indebtedness as a result of which the maturity thereof is accelerated, unless and until such payment default or event of default shall have been cured or waived or shall have ceased to exist, no payments shall be made by the Company with respect to the Subordinated Notes.  The provisions of this paragraph shall not apply to any payment with respect to which the immediately preceding paragraph of this Section 3 would be applicable.

Nothing herein shall act to prohibit, limit or impede the Company from issuing additional debt of the Company having the same rank as the Subordinated Notes or which may be junior or senior in rank to the Subordinated Notes.

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4.Redemption.

(a)Redemption Prior to Fifth Anniversary.  This Subordinated Note shall not be redeemable by the Company in whole or in part prior to the fifth anniversary of the date upon which this Subordinated Note was originally issued (the “Issue Date”), except in the event of a: (i) Tier 2 Capital Event (as defined below); (ii) Tax Event (as defined below); or (iii) Investment Company Event (as defined below).  Upon the occurrence of a Tier 2 Capital Event, a Tax Event or an Investment Company Event, the Company may redeem this Subordinated Note in whole or in part at any time, upon giving not less than 10 days’ notice to Noteholder at an amount equal to 100% of the outstanding principal amount being redeemed plus accrued but unpaid interest, to but excluding the redemption date.  “Tier 2 Capital Event” means the receipt by the Company of an opinion of counsel to the Company to the effect that there is a material risk that this Subordinated Note no longer qualifies as “Tier 2” Capital (as defined by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (the “Federal Reserve”)) (or its then equivalent) as a result of a change in interpretation or application of law or regulation by any judicial, legislative or regulatory authority that becomes effective after the Issue Date.  “Tax Event” means the receipt by the Company of an opinion of counsel to the Company that as a result of any amendment to, or change (including any final and adopted (or enacted) prospective change) in, the laws (or any regulations thereunder) of the United States or any political subdivision or taxing authority thereof or therein, or as a result of any official administrative pronouncement or judicial decision interpreting or applying such laws or regulations, there exists a material risk that interest payable by the Company on the Subordinated Notes is not, or within 120 days after the receipt of such opinion will not be, deductible by the Company, in whole or in part, for United States federal income tax purposes. “Investment Company Event” means the receipt by the Company of an opinion of counsel to the Company to the effect that there is a material risk that the Company is or, within 120 days after the receipt of such opinion will be, required to register as an investment company pursuant to the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.

(b)Redemption on or after Fifth Anniversary.  On or after the fifth anniversary of the Issue Date, this Subordinated Note shall be redeemable at the option of and by the Company, in whole or in part, at any time and from time to time upon any Interest Payment Date, at an amount equal to 100% of the outstanding principal amount being redeemed plus accrued but unpaid interest, to but excluding the redemption date, but in all cases in a principal amount with integral multiples of $1,000.  

(c)Partial Redemption.  If less than the then outstanding principal amount of this Subordinated Note is redeemed, (i) a new Subordinated Note shall be issued representing the unredeemed portion without charge to the holder thereof and (ii) such redemption shall be effected on a pro rata basis as to the Noteholders.  For purposes of clarity, upon a partial redemption, a like percentage of the principal amount of every Subordinated Note held by every Noteholder shall be redeemed.

(d)No Redemption at Option of Noteholder.  This Subordinated Note is not subject to redemption at the option of the Noteholder.  

(e)Effectiveness of Redemption.  If notice of redemption has been duly given and notwithstanding that this Subordinated Note has been called for redemption but has not yet been

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surrendered for cancellation, on and after the date fixed for redemption, interest shall cease to accrue on the portion of this Subordinated Note called for redemption, this Subordinated Note shall no longer be deemed outstanding with respect to the portion called for redemption and all rights with respect to the portion of this Subordinated Note called for redemption shall forthwith on such date fixed for redemption cease and terminate unless the Company shall default in the payment of the redemption price, except only the right of Noteholder to receive the amount payable on such redemption, without interest.

(f)Regulatory Approvals. Any such redemption shall be subject to receipt of any and all required federal and state regulatory approvals, including, but not limited to, the consent of the Federal Reserve.  In the case of any redemption of this Subordinated Note pursuant to paragraph (b) of this Section 4, the Company will give the holder hereof notice of redemption, which notice shall indicate the aggregate principal amount of Subordinated Notes to be redeemed, not less than 30 nor more than 60 calendar days prior to the redemption date.

(g)Purchase and Resale of the Subordinated Notes. Subject to any required federal and state regulatory approvals and the provisions of this Subordinated Note, the Company shall have the right to purchase any of the Subordinated Notes at any time in the open market, private transactions or otherwise.  If the Company purchases any Subordinated Notes, it may, in its discretion, hold, resell or cancel any of the purchased Subordinated Notes.

5.Events of Default; Acceleration; Compliance Certificate. Each of the following events shall constitute an “Event of Default:”

(a)the entry of a decree or order for relief in respect of the Company by a court having jurisdiction in an involuntary case or proceeding under any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, or reorganization law, now or hereafter in effect of the United States or any political subdivision thereof, and such decree or order will have continued unstayed and in effect for a period of 60 consecutive days;

(b)the commencement by the Company of a voluntary case under any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization law, now or hereafter in effect of the United States or any political subdivision thereof, or the consent by the Company to the entry of a decree or order for relief in an involuntary case or proceeding under any such law;

(c)the failure of the Company to pay any installment of interest on any of the Subordinated Notes as and when the same will become due and payable, and the continuation of such failure for a period of 30 days;

(d)the failure of the Company to pay all or any part of the principal of any of the Subordinated Notes as and when the same will become due and payable;

(e)the failure of the Company to perform any other covenant or agreement on the part of the Company contained in the Subordinated Notes, and the continuation of such failure for a period of 60 days after the date on which notice specifying such failure, stating that such notice is a “Notice of Default” hereunder and demanding that the Company remedy the same, will have been given, in the manner set forth in Section 20, to the Company by the Noteholders of at least 50% in aggregate principal amount of the Subordinated Notes at the time outstanding; or the default by the

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Company under any bond, debenture, note or other evidence of indebtedness for money borrowed by the Company having an aggregate principal amount outstanding of at least $5,000,000, whether such indebtedness now exists or is created or incurred in the future, which default (i) constitutes a failure to pay any portion of the principal of such indebtedness when due and payable after the expiration of any applicable grace period or (ii) results in such indebtedness becoming due or being declared due and payable prior to the date on which it otherwise would have become due and payable, in the case of clause (i), without such indebtedness having been discharged or, in the case of clause (ii), without such indebtedness having been discharged or such acceleration having been rescinded or annulled.

If an Event of Default described in subsections (a) or (b) above occurs, then the principal amount of all of the outstanding Subordinated Notes, and accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on all outstanding Subordinated Notes will become and be immediately due and payable without any declaration or other act on the part of any Noteholder, and the Company waives demand, presentment for payment, notice of nonpayment, notice of protest, and all other notices. Notwithstanding the foregoing, because the Company will treat the Subordinated Notes as Tier 2 Capital, upon the occurrence of an Event of Default other than an Event of Default described in subsections (a) or (b) above, no Noteholder may accelerate the Stated Maturity of the Subordinated Notes and make the principal of, and any accrued and unpaid interest on, the Subordinated Notes, immediately due and payable. The Company, within 45 calendar days after the receipt of written notice from any Noteholder of the occurrence of an Event of Default with respect to this Subordinated Note, shall mail to all Noteholders, at their addresses shown on the Security Register (as defined in Section 13 below), such written notice of Event of Default, unless such Event of Default shall have been cured or waived before the giving of such notice as certified by the Company in writing.

6.Failure to Make Payments.  In the event of an Event of Default under subsections 5(c) or 5(d), the Company will, upon demand of Noteholder, pay to Noteholder the amount then due and payable on this Subordinated Note for principal and interest (without acceleration of the Note in any manner), with interest on the overdue principal and interest at the rate borne by this Subordinated Note, to the extent permitted by applicable law.  If the Company fails to pay such amount upon such demand, Noteholder may, among other things, institute a judicial proceeding for the collection of the sums so due and unpaid, may prosecute such proceeding to judgment or final decree and may enforce the same against the Company and collect the amounts adjudged or decreed to be payable in the manner provided by law out of the property of the Company.

Upon the occurrence of a failure by the Company to make any required payment of principal or interest on this Subordinated Note, or an Event of Default, until such Event of Default is cured by the Company or waived by Noteholders in accordance with Section 16 hereof, the Company shall not: (a) declare or pay any dividends or distributions on, or redeem, purchase, acquire, or make a liquidation payment with respect to, any of the Company’s capital stock; (b) make any payment of principal of or interest or premium, if any, on, or repay, repurchase or redeem any indebtedness of the Company that ranks equal with or junior to the Subordinated Notes; or (c) make any payments under any guarantee that ranks equal with or junior to the Subordinated Notes, other than (i) any dividends or distributions in shares of, or options, warrants or rights to subscribe for or purchase shares of, any class of the Company’s common stock; (ii) any declaration of a non-cash dividend in connection with the implementation of a shareholders’ rights plan, or the issuance

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of stock under any such plan in the future, or the redemption or repurchase of any such rights pursuant thereto; (iii) as a result of a reclassification of the Company’s capital stock or the exchange or conversion of one class or series of the Company’s capital stock for another class or series of the Company’s capital stock; (iv) the purchase of fractional interests in shares of the Company’s capital stock pursuant to the conversion or exchange provisions of such capital stock or the security being converted or exchanged; or (v) purchases of any class of the Company’s common stock related to the issuance of common stock or rights under any benefit plans for the Company’s directors, officers or employees or any of the Company’s dividend reinvestment plans.

7.Affirmative Covenants of the Company.

(a)Notice of Certain Events.  To the extent permitted by applicable statute, rule or regulation, the Company shall provide written notice to Noteholder as soon as practicable, but in no event later than fifteen Business Days following the Company becoming aware of the occurrence of such event if the Company, or any officer of the Company, becomes subject to any formal, written regulatory enforcement action (as defined by the applicable federal or state agency charged with the supervision or regulation of depository institutions or holding companies of depository institutions, or engaged in the insurance of depository institution deposits, or any court, administrative agency or commission or other authority, body or agency having supervisory or regulatory authority with respect to the Company, the Bank or any of their subsidiaries).

(b)Payment of Principal and Interest. The Company covenants and agrees for the benefit of Noteholder that it will duly and punctually pay the principal of, and interest on, this Subordinated Note, in accordance with the terms hereof.  

(c)Maintenance of Office. The Company will maintain an office or agency in the city of Archbold, Ohio where Subordinated Notes may be surrendered for registration of transfer or for exchange and where notices and demands to or upon the Company in respect of the Subordinated Notes may be served.

The Company may also from time to time designate one or more other offices or agencies where the Subordinated Notes may be presented or surrendered for any or all such purposes and may from time to time rescind such designations; provided, however, that no such designation or rescission will in any manner relieve the Company of its obligation to maintain an office or agency in the city of Archbold, Ohio.  The Company will give prompt written notice to the Noteholders of any such designation or rescission and of any change in the location of any such other office or agency.

(d)Corporate Existence. The Company will do or cause to be done all things necessary to preserve and keep in full force and effect: (i) the corporate existence of the Company; (ii) the existence (corporate or other) of each of its subsidiaries; and (iii) the rights (charter and statutory), licenses and franchises of the Company and each of its subsidiaries; provided, however, that the Company will not be required to preserve the existence (corporate or other) of any of its subsidiaries or any such right, license or franchise of the Company or any of its subsidiaries if the Board of Directors of the Company determines that the preservation thereof is no longer desirable in the conduct of the business of the Company and its subsidiaries taken as a whole and that the loss thereof will not be disadvantageous in any material respect to the Noteholders.

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(e)Maintenance of Properties. The Company will, and will cause each of its subsidiaries to, cause all its properties used or useful in the conduct of its business to be maintained and kept in good condition, repair and working order and supplied with all necessary equipment and will cause to be made all necessary repairs, renewals, replacements, betterments and improvements thereof, all as in the judgment of the Company may be necessary so that the business carried on in connection therewith may be properly conducted at all times; provided, however, that nothing in this Section will prevent the Company or any of its subsidiaries from discontinuing the operation and maintenance of any of their respective properties if such discontinuance is, in the judgment of the Board of Directors of the Company or of any of its subsidiaries, as the case may be, desirable in the conduct of its business.

(f)Waiver of Certain Covenants.  The Company may omit in any particular instance to comply with any term, provision or condition set forth in Section 7(a), Section 7(b), or Section 7(c) above, with respect to this Subordinated Note if before the time for such compliance the Noteholders of at least a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Subordinated Notes, by act of such Noteholders, either will waive such compliance in such instance or generally will have waived compliance with such term, provision or condition, but no such waiver will extend to or affect such term, provision or condition except to the extent so expressly waived, and, until such waiver will become effective, the obligations of the Company in respect of any such term, provision or condition will remain in full force and effect.

(g)Company Statement as to Compliance.  The Company will deliver to the Noteholders, within 120 days after the end of each fiscal year, an officer’s certificate covering the preceding calendar year, stating whether or not, to the best of his or her knowledge, the Company is in default in the performance and observance of any of the terms, provisions and conditions of this Subordinated Note (without regard to notice requirements or periods of grace) and if the Company will be in default, specifying all such defaults and the nature and status thereof of which he or she may have knowledge.

(h)Tier 2 Capital.  If all or any portion of the Subordinated Notes ceases to be deemed to be Tier 2 Capital, other than due to the limitation imposed on the capital treatment of subordinated debt during the five years immediately preceding the Stated Maturity of the Subordinated Notes, the Company will immediately notify the Noteholders and thereafter the Company and the Noteholders will work together in good faith to execute and deliver all agreements as reasonably necessary and acceptable in order to restructure the applicable portions of the obligations evidenced by the Subordinated Notes to qualify as Tier 2 Capital; provided, however, that nothing contained in this Section 7(h) shall limit the Company’s right to redeem the Subordinated Notes upon the occurrence of a Tier 2 Capital Event pursuant to Section 4(a) or Section 4(b).

(i)Compliance with Laws.  The Company shall comply, and cause each of its subsidiaries to comply, with the requirements of all laws, regulations, orders and decrees applicable to it or its properties, except for such noncompliance that would not reasonably be expected to result in a material adverse effect (i) in the condition (financial or otherwise), or in the earnings of the Company or the respective subsidiary, whether or not arising in the ordinary course of business, or (ii) on the ability of the Company or the respective subsidiary, to perform its obligations under this Subordinated Note.

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(j)Taxes and Assessments.  The Company shall pay when due and discharge all material taxes, assessments, and other governmental charges or levies imposed upon it or upon its income or upon any of its properties; provided, however, that no such taxes, assessments or other governmental charges need be paid if they are being contested in good faith by the Company.

8.Negative Covenants of the Company.

(a)Limitation on Dividends.  The Company shall not declare or pay any dividend or make any distribution on capital stock or other equity securities of any kind of the Company if the Bank is not “well capitalized” for regulatory capital purposes immediately prior to the declaration of such dividend or distribution, except for dividends payable solely in shares of common stock of the Company.

(b)Merger or Sale of Assets.  The Company shall not merge into another entity or convey, transfer or lease substantially all of its properties and assets to any person, unless:

(i)the continuing entity into which the Company is merged or the person which acquires by conveyance or transfer or which leases substantially all of the properties and assets of the Company shall be a corporation, association or other legal entity organized and existing under the laws of the United States of America, any State thereof or the District of Columbia and either expressly or as a matter of law assumes the due and punctual payment of the principal of and any premium and interest on the Subordinated Notes according to their terms, and the due and punctual performance of all covenants and conditions hereof on the part of the Company to be performed or observed; and

(ii)immediately after giving effect to such transaction, no Event of Default, and no event which, after notice or lapse of time or both, would become an Event of Default, shall have happened and be continuing.

9.Denominations.  The Subordinated Notes are issuable only in registered form without interest coupons in minimum denominations of $1,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof.

10.Charges and Transfer Taxes.  No service charge will be made for any registration of transfer or exchange of this Subordinated Note, or any redemption or repayment of this Subordinated Note, or any conversion or exchange of this Subordinated Note for other types of securities or property, but the Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to pay all taxes, assessments or other governmental charges that may be imposed in connection with the transfer or exchange of this Subordinated Note from Noteholder requesting such transfer or exchange.

11.Payment Procedures.  Payment of the principal and interest payable on the Stated Maturity will be made by check or by wire transfer in immediately available funds to a bank account in the United States designated by Noteholder if such Noteholder shall have previously provided wire instructions to the Company, upon presentation and surrender of this Subordinated Note at the Payment Office (as defined in Section 20 below) or at such other place or places as the Company shall designate by notice to the Noteholders as the Payment Office, provided that this Subordinated Note is presented to the Company in time for the Company to make such payments in such funds in accordance with its normal procedures.  Payments of interest (other than interest

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payable on the Stated Maturity) shall be made by wire transfer in immediately available funds or check mailed to the registered Noteholder of this Subordinated Note, as such person’s address appears on the Security Register (as defined below).  Interest payable on any Interest Payment Date shall be payable to the Noteholder in whose name this Subordinated Note is registered at the close of business on the fifteenth calendar day prior to the applicable Interest Payment Date, without regard to whether such date is a Business Day (such date being referred to herein as the “Regular Record Date”), except that interest not paid on the Interest Payment Date, if any, will be paid to the Noteholder in whose name this Subordinated Note is registered at the close of business on a special record date fixed by the Company (a “Special Record Date”), notice of which shall be given to Noteholder not less than 10 calendar days prior to such Special Record Date (the Regular Record Date and Special Record Date are referred to herein collectively as the “Record Dates”).  To the extent permitted by applicable law, interest shall accrue, at the rate at which interest accrues on the principal of this Subordinated Note, on any amount of principal or interest on this Subordinated Note not paid when due.  All payments on this Subordinated Note shall be applied first against interest due hereunder; and then against principal due hereunder. Noteholder acknowledges and agrees that the payment of all or any portion of the outstanding principal amount of this Subordinated Note and all interest hereon shall be pari passu in right of payment and in all other respects to the other Subordinated Notes.  In the event that Noteholder of this Subordinated Note receives payments in excess of its pro rata share of the Company’s payments to the Noteholders of all of the Subordinated Notes, then the Noteholder of this Subordinated Note shall hold in trust all such excess payments for the benefit of the Noteholders of the other Subordinated Notes and shall pay such amounts held in trust to such other Noteholders upon demand by such Noteholders.

12.Form of Payment.  Payments of principal and interest on this Subordinated Note shall be made in such coin or currency of the United States of America as at the time of payment shall be legal tender for the payment of public and private debts.

13.Registration of Transfer, Security Register.  Except as otherwise provided herein, this Subordinated Note is transferable in whole or in part, and may be exchanged for a like aggregate principal amount of Subordinated Notes of other authorized denominations, by Noteholder in person, or by his or her attorney duly authorized in writing, at the Payment Office.  The Company shall maintain a register providing for the registration of the Subordinated Notes and any exchange or transfer thereof (the “Security Register”). Upon surrender or presentation of this Subordinated Note for exchange or registration of transfer, the Company shall execute and deliver in exchange therefor a Subordinated Note or Subordinated Notes of like aggregate principal amount, each in a minimum denomination of $1,000 or any amount in excess thereof which is an integral multiple of $1,000 (and, in the absence of an opinion of counsel satisfactory to the Company to the contrary, bearing the restrictive legend(s) set forth hereinabove) and that is or are registered in such name or names requested by Noteholder.  Any Subordinated Note presented or surrendered for registration of transfer or for exchange shall be duly endorsed and accompanied by a written instrument of transfer in such form as is attached hereto and incorporated herein, duly executed by Noteholder or its attorney duly authorized in writing, with such tax identification number or other information for each person in whose name a Subordinated Note is to be issued, and accompanied by evidence of compliance with any restrictive legend(s) appearing on such Subordinated Note or Subordinated Notes as the Company may reasonably request to comply with applicable law.  No exchange or registration of transfer of this Subordinated Note shall be made

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on or after (i) the fifteenth day immediately preceding the Stated Maturity or (ii) the due delivery of notice of redemption.

14.Priority.  The Subordinated Notes rank pari passu among themselves and pari passu, in the event of any insolvency proceeding, dissolution, assignment for the benefit of creditors, reorganization, restructuring of debt, marshaling of assets and liabilities or similar proceeding or any liquidation or winding up of the Company, with all other present or future unsecured subordinated debt obligations of the Company, except any unsecured subordinated debt that, pursuant to its express terms, is senior or subordinate in right of payment to the Subordinated Notes.

15.Ownership.  Prior to due presentment of this Subordinated Note for registration of transfer, the Company may treat the Noteholder in whose name this Subordinated Note is registered in the Security Register as the absolute owner of this Subordinated Note for receiving payments of principal and interest on this Subordinated Note and for all other purposes whatsoever, whether or not this Subordinated Note be overdue, and the Company shall not be affected by any notice to the contrary.

16.Waiver and Consent.  

(a)Any consent or waiver given by the Noteholder of this Subordinated Note shall be conclusive and binding upon such Noteholder and upon all future Noteholders of this Subordinated Note and of any Subordinated Note issued upon the registration of transfer hereof or in exchange therefor or in lieu hereof, whether or not notation of such consent or waiver is made upon this Subordinated Note.  No delay or omission of Noteholder to exercise any right or remedy accruing upon any Event of Default shall impair such right or remedy or constitute a waiver of any such Event of Default or an acquiescence therein. Any insured depository institution which shall be a Noteholder or which otherwise shall have any beneficial ownership interest in this Subordinated Note shall, by its acceptance of such Subordinated Note (or beneficial interest therein), be deemed to have waived any right of offset with respect to the indebtedness evidenced thereby.

(b)No waiver or amendment of any term, provision, condition, covenant or agreement in the Subordinated Notes shall be effective except with the consent of the holders of more than 50% in aggregate principal amount (excluding any Subordinated Notes held by Company or any of its Affiliates) of the Subordinated Notes at the time outstanding; provided, however, that without the consent of each Noteholder of an affected Subordinated Note, no such amendment or waiver may:  (i) reduce the principal amount of any Subordinated Note; (ii) reduce the rate of or change the time for payment of interest on any Subordinated Note; (iii) extend the maturity of any Subordinated Note, (iv) change the currency in which payment of the obligations of Company under the Subordinated Notes are to be made; (v) lower the percentage of aggregate principal amount of outstanding Subordinated Notes required to approve any amendment of the Subordinated Notes, (vi) make any changes to Section 6 that adversely affects the rights of any Noteholder; or (vii) disproportionately affect any of the Noteholders of the then outstanding Subordinated Notes.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, Company may amend or supplement the Subordinated Notes without the consent of the Noteholders to cure any immaterial ambiguity, defect or inconsistency or to provide for uncertificated Subordinated Notes in addition to or in place of certificated Subordinated Notes, or to make any change that does not adversely affect the

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rights of any Noteholder.  No failure to exercise or delay in exercising, by any Noteholder, of any right, power or privilege hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall any single or partial exercise of any right, power or privilege preclude any other or further exercise thereof, or the exercise of any other right or remedy provided by law.  The rights and remedies provided in this Subordinated Note are cumulative and not exclusive of any right or remedy provided by law or equity.  No notice or demand on Company in any case shall, in itself, entitle Company to any other or further notice or demand in similar or other circumstances or constitute a waiver of the rights of Noteholders to any other or further action in any circumstances without notice or demand.  No consent or waiver, expressed or implied, by Noteholders to or of any breach or default by Company in the performance of its obligations hereunder shall be deemed or construed to be a consent or waiver to or of any other breach or default in the performance of the same or any other obligations of Company hereunder.  Failure on the part of the Noteholders to complain of any acts or failure to act or to declare an Event of Default, irrespective of how long such failure continues, shall not constitute a waiver by the Noteholders of their rights hereunder or impair any rights, powers or remedies on account of any breach or default by Company.

17.Absolute and Unconditional Obligation of the Company.  No provisions of this Subordinated Note shall alter or impair the obligation of the Company, which is absolute and unconditional, to pay the principal and interest on this Subordinated Note at the times, places and rate, and in the coin or currency, herein prescribed.

18.No Sinking Fund; Convertibility.  This Subordinated Note is not entitled to the benefit of any sinking fund.  This Subordinated Note is not convertible into or exchangeable for any of the equity securities, other securities or assets of the Company or any of its subsidiaries.

19.No Recourse Against Others.  No recourse under or upon any obligation, covenant or agreement contained in this Subordinated Note, or for any claim based thereon or otherwise in respect thereof, will be had against any past, present or future shareholder, employee, officer, or director, as such, of the Company or of any predecessor or successor, either directly or through the Company or any predecessor or successor, under any rule of law, statute or constitutional provision or by the enforcement of any assessment or by any legal or equitable proceeding or otherwise, all such liability being expressly waived and released by the acceptance of this Subordinated Note by Noteholder and as part of the consideration for the issuance of this Subordinated Note.  However, nothing in this Section 19 shall operate to release, discharge or waive the obligations of all directors of the Company to perform their respective fiduciary obligations in accordance with applicable law.

20.Notices.  All notices to the Company under this Subordinated Note shall be in writing and addressed to the Company at 307 North Defiance Street, Archbold, Ohio 43502, Attention: President and Chief Executive Officer, or to such other address as the Company may notify to the Holder (the “Payment Office”).  All notices to the Noteholders shall be in writing and sent by first-class mail to each Noteholder at his or its address as set forth in the Security Register.

21.Further Issues.  The Company may, without the consent of the Noteholders of the Subordinated Notes, create and issue additional notes having the same terms and conditions of the Subordinated Notes (except for the Issue Date and issue price) so that such further notes shall be consolidated and form a single series with the Subordinated Notes.  

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22.Governing Law; Interpretation.  THIS SUBORDINATED NOTE WILL BE DEEMED TO BE A CONTRACT MADE UNDER THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF OHIO AND WILL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF OHIO WITHOUT REGARD TO CONFLICT OF LAW PRINCIPLES THEREOF.  THIS SUBORDINATED NOTE IS INTENDED TO MEET THE CRITERIA FOR QUALIFICATION OF THE OUTSTANDING PRINCIPAL AS TIER 2 CAPITAL UNDER THE REGULATORY GUIDELINES OF THE FEDERAL RESERVE, AND THE TERMS HEREOF SHALL BE INTERPRETED IN A MANNER TO SATISFY SUCH INTENT.

21928174

[Signature Page Follows]

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has caused this Subordinated Note to be duly executed and attested.

 

 

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ASSIGNMENT FORM

 

To assign this Subordinated Note, fill in the form below: (I) or (we) assign and transfer this Subordinated Note to:

 

(Print or type assignee’s name, address and zip code)

 

 

(Insert assignee’s social security or tax I.D. No.)

 

and irrevocably appoint _______________________ agent to transfer this Subordinated Note on the books of the Company. The agent may substitute another to act for him.

 

Date:Your signature:

(Sign exactly as your name appears on the face of this Subordinated Note)

 

Tax Identification No:

 

Signature Guarantee:

(Signatures must be guaranteed by an eligible guarantor institution (banks, stockbrokers, savings and loan associations and credit unions with membership in an approved signature guarantee medallion program), pursuant to Rule 17Ad-15 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)).

 

The undersigned certifies that it [is / is not] an Affiliate of the Company and that, to its knowledge, the proposed transferee [is / is not] an Affiliate of the Company.

 

In connection with any transfer or exchange of this Subordinated Note occurring prior to the date that is one year after the later of the date of original issuance of this Subordinated Note and the last date, if any, on which this Subordinated Note was owned by the Company or any Affiliate of the Company, the undersigned confirms that this Subordinated Note is being:

 

CHECK ONE BOX BELOW

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Unless one of the boxes is checked, the Company will refuse to register this Subordinated Note in the name of any person other than the registered holder thereof; provided, however, that if box (5), (6) or (7) is checked, the Company may require, prior to registering any such transfer of this Subordinated Note, in its sole discretion, such legal opinions, certifications and other information as the Company may reasonably request to confirm that such transfer is being made pursuant to an exemption from, or in a transaction not subject to, the registration requirements of the Securities Act such as the exemption provided by Rule 144 under such Act.

Signature:

 

Signature Guarantee:

(Signatures must be guaranteed by an eligible guarantor institution (banks, stockbrokers, savings and loan associations and credit unions with membership in an approved signature guarantee medallion program), pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 17Ad-l5).

 

TO BE COMPLETED BY PURCHASER IF BOX (1) OR (3) ABOVE IS CHECKED.

 

The undersigned represents and warrants that it is purchasing this Subordinated Note for its own account or an account with respect to which it exercises sole investment discretion and that it and any such account is a “qualified institutional buyer” within the meaning of Rule 144A under the Securities Act, and is aware that the sale to it is being made in reliance on Rule 144A and acknowledges that it has received such information regarding the Company as the undersigned has requested pursuant to Rule 144A or has determined not to request such information and that it is aware that the transferor is relying upon the undersigned’s foregoing representations in order to claim the exemption from registration provided by Rule 144A.

 

Date:Signature:

 

 

 

 

 

 

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EXHIBIT B

OPINION OF COUNSEL

1.Company has been incorporated, is validly existing and is in good standing under the laws of the State of Ohio.  

2.The Note Purchase Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by Company.

3.The Subordinated Notes have been duly authorized by Company and, when duly executed, authenticated, issued and delivered to and paid for by Purchasers in accordance with the terms of the Note Purchase Agreement, will constitute a valid and legally binding obligations of Company, enforceable against Company in accordance with their terms, except as the enforceability thereof may be limited by (a) bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent or voluntary conveyance, moratorium, liquidation, reorganization or similar federal or state laws affecting the enforcement of creditors’ rights in general and (b) general principles of equity, whether applied by a court of law or equity, including the execution of discretionary powers by a court and the possible unavailability of specific performance, appointment of a receiver or injunctive relief.

4.Assuming the accuracy of the representations and warranties of each of the Purchasers set forth in the Note Purchase Agreement, the Subordinated Notes to be issued and sold by Company to Purchasers pursuant to the Note Purchase Agreement will be issued in a transaction exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (“Securities Act”). We express no opinion as to any subsequent resale or other transfer of the Subordinated Notes.

 

B-1

Exhibit 99.1

 

 

Farmers & Merchants Bancorp, Inc. Announces Completion

of Subordinated Note Offering

 

ARCHBOLD, OHIO, August 2, 2021 – Farmers & Merchants Bancorp, Inc. (the “Company” or “FMAO”), the parent holding company of The Farmers & Merchants State Bank (the “Bank”), today announced the completion of a private placement of $35 million aggregate principal amount of its 3.25% fixed-to-floating rate subordinated notes due July 30, 2031 (the “Notes”) to various accredited investors (the “Offering”).  The price for the Notes was 100% of the principal amount of the Notes.  The Notes are intended to qualify as Tier 2 capital for regulatory purposes.  The Company intends to use the net proceeds from the Offering for general corporate purposes, including financing acquisitions and organic growth.

 

Interest on the Notes will accrue at a rate equal to (i) 3.25% per annum from the original issue date to, but excluding, the five-year anniversary, payable semi-annually in arrears, and (ii) a floating rate per annum equal to a benchmark rate, which is expected to be the Three-Month Term SOFR (as defined in the Notes), plus a spread of 263 basis points from and including the five-year anniversary until maturity, payable quarterly in arrears.  Beginning on or after the fifth anniversary of the issue date through maturity, the Notes may be redeemed, at the Company’s option, on any scheduled interest payment date.  Any redemption will be at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of Notes being redeemed, plus accrued and unpaid interest.

 

“I am pleased to announce the successful completion of our subordinated note offering,” said Lars B. Eller, President and Chief Executive Officer.  “This additional capital will allow us to continue to execute on our long-term strategic growth plan, including pursuing strategic acquisitions to expand into new markets and financing organic growth.  This non-dilutive capital strengthens our already strong capital position.”      

 

Boenning & Scattergood, Inc. served as financial advisor to the Company and acted as the sole placement agent for the Offering, and was represented by Warner Norcross + Judd LLP as legal counsel.  Shumaker, Loop & Kendrick, LLP served as the Company’s legal counsel in the Offering.

 

About Farmers & Merchants State Bank:  

The Farmers & Merchants State Bank is a local independent community bank that has been serving Northwest Ohio and Northeast Indiana since 1897. The Farmers & Merchants State Bank provides commercial banking, retail banking and other financial services. Our locations are in Fulton, Defiance, Hancock, Henry, Lucas, Williams, and Wood counties in Northwest Ohio. In Northeast Indiana, we have offices located in Adams, Allen, DeKalb, Jay, and Steuben counties.

 

Safe harbor statement

Farmers & Merchants Bancorp, Inc. (“F&M”) wishes to take advantage of the Safe Harbor provisions included in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Statements by F&M, including management’s expectations and comments, may not be based on historical facts and are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21B of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.  Actual results could vary materially depending on risks and uncertainties inherent in general and local banking

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conditions, competitive factors specific to markets in which F&M and its subsidiaries operate, future interest rate levels, legislative and regulatory decisions, capital market conditions, or the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, and its impacts on our credit quality and business operations, as well as its impact on general economic and financial market conditions. F&M assumes no responsibility to update this information.  For more details, please refer to F&M’s SEC filing, including its most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and quarterly reports on Form 10-Q. Such filings can be viewed at the SEC’s website, www.sec.gov or through F&M’s website www.fm.bank.