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EXHIBIT (a)(1)(B)
LETTER OF
TRANSMITTAL
To Tender Shares of Common
Stock
of
Bankrate, Inc., a Florida corporation
at
$28.50 NET PER SHARE
Pursuant to the Offer to
Purchase dated July 28, 2009
by
BEN Merger Sub, Inc., a Florida
corporation
a wholly owned subsidiary
of
BEN Holdings, Inc., a Delaware
corporation
THE OFFER AND WITHDRAWAL RIGHTS
WILL EXPIRE AT 12:00 MIDNIGHT, NEW YORK CITY TIME, ON AUGUST 24,
2009, UNLESS THE OFFER IS EXTENDED.
The Depositary for the Offer
is:
Computershare
Trust Company, N.A.
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If delivering by registered or certified mail:
Computershare Trust Company, N.A. c/o Voluntary Corporate Actions P.O. Box 43011 Providence, RI 02940-3011
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If delivering by overnight courier:
Computershare Trust Company, N.A c/o Voluntary Corporate Actions Suite V 250 Royall Street Canton, MA 02021
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DESCRIPTION OF COMPANY SHARES
TENDERED
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Name(s) and Address(es) of Registered Holder(s)
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(Please Fill in, if Blank, Exactly as Name(s) Appear(s) on
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Company Shares Tendered
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Share Certificate(s))
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(Attach Additional Signed List, if Necessary)
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Total Number of Company Shares
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Total Number of
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Share Certificate
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Represented by
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Company Shares
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Number(s)(1)
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Share Certificate(s)(1)
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Tendered(2)
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Total Company Shares
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(1) Need not be completed by shareholders tendering by
book-entry transfer.
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(2) Unless otherwise indicated, it will be assumed that all
Company Shares described above are being tendered. See
Instruction 4.
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Delivery of this Letter of Transmittal to an address other
than as set forth above will not constitute a valid delivery to
the Depositary. You must sign this Letter of Transmittal in the
appropriate space provided therefor below, with signature
guarantee if required, and complete the substitute
W-9 set
forth below, if required. The instructions set forth in this
Letter of Transmittal should be read carefully before this
Letter of Transmittal is completed.
The Offer (as defined below) is not being made to (nor will
tender of Company Shares (as defined below) be accepted from or
on behalf of) shareholders in any jurisdiction where it would be
illegal to do so.
This Letter of Transmittal is to be used by shareholders of
Bankrate, Inc., if certificates for Company Shares (“Share
Certificates”) are to be forwarded herewith or if delivery
of Company Shares is to be made by book-entry transfer to an
account maintained by the Depositary at DTC (pursuant to the
procedures set forth in Section II. 3 of the Offer to
Purchase).
Shareholders whose Share Certificates are not immediately
available, or who cannot complete the procedure for book-entry
transfer on a timely basis, or who cannot deliver all other
required documents to the Depositary prior to the Expiration
Date (as defined in the Section of the offer to Purchase
entitled the Summary Term Sheet. 1 of the Offer to Purchase),
must tender their Company Shares according to the guaranteed
delivery procedure set forth in Section II. 3 of the Offer
to Purchase in order to participate in the Offer. See
Instruction 2. Delivery of documents to DTC does not
constitute delivery to the Depositary.
Additional
Information if Company Shares Have Been Lost, Are Being
Delivered By Book-Entry
Transfer, or Are Being Delivered Pursuant to a Previous Notice
of Guaranteed Delivery
If any Share Certificate(s) you are tendering with this Letter
of Transmittal has been lost, stolen, destroyed or mutilated,
you should contact Computershare Trust Company, N.A., as
Transfer Agent (the “Transfer Agent”), at 1
(800) 546-5141,
regarding the requirements for replacement. You may be required
to post a bond to secure against the risk that the Share
Certificate(s) may be subsequently recirculated. You are
urged to contact the Transfer Agent immediately in order to
receive further instructions, for a determination of whether you
will need to post a bond and to permit timely processing of this
documentation. See Instruction 11.
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Check here if tendered Company Shares are being delivered by
book-entry transfer made to an account maintained by the
Depositary with DTC and complete the following (only financial
institutions that are participants in the system of DTC may
deliver Company Shares by book-entry transfer):
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Name of Tendering Institution
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DTC Account
Number
Transaction
Code Number
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Check here if tendered Company Shares are being delivered
pursuant to a Notice of Guaranteed Delivery previously sent to
the Depositary and complete the following:
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Name(s) of Tendering Shareholder(s)
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Date of Execution of Notice of Guaranteed Delivery
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Name of Eligible Institution that Guaranteed
Delivery
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If Delivery is by Book-Entry Transfer, Provide the
Following:-
Account
Number -
Transaction
Code Number
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2
NOTE:
SIGNATURES MUST BE PROVIDED BELOW.
PLEASE
READ ACCOMPANYING INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY.
Ladies and Gentlemen:
The undersigned hereby tenders to BEN Merger Sub, Inc., a
Florida corporation (the “Purchaser”) and a wholly
owned subsidiary of BEN Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation
(“Parent”), the above described shares of common
stock, par value $0.01 per share (“Company Shares”) of
Bankrate, Inc., a Florida corporation (the “Seller”),
pursuant to the Purchaser’s offer to purchase (the
“Offer”) all outstanding Company Shares, at a purchase
price of $28.50 per share, net to the tendering shareholder in
cash, without interest and less any required withholding taxes
(the “Offer Price”), upon the terms and subject to the
conditions set forth in the Offer to Purchase dated
July 28, 2009 (the “Offer to Purchase”), and in
this Letter of Transmittal.
Upon the terms and subject to the conditions of the Offer (and
if the Offer is extended or amended, the terms of any such
extension or amendment), and effective upon acceptance for
payment of Company Shares tendered herewith in accordance with
the terms of the Offer, the undersigned hereby sells, assigns
and transfers to or upon the order of the Purchaser all right,
title and interest in and to all Company Shares that are being
tendered hereby (and any and all dividends, distributions,
rights, other Company Shares or other securities issued or
issuable in respect thereof on or after the date hereof
(collectively, “Distributions”)) and irrevocably
constitutes and appoints Computershare Trust Company, N.A.
(the “Depositary”) the true and lawful agent and
attorney-in-fact of the undersigned with respect to such Company
Shares (and any and all Distributions), with full power of
substitution (such power of attorney being deemed to be an
irrevocable power coupled with an interest), to (i) deliver
Share Certificates for such Company Shares (and any and all
Distributions) or transfer ownership of such Company Shares (and
any and all Distributions) on the account books maintained by
the DTC, together, in any such case, with all accompanying
evidences of transfer and authenticity, to or upon the order of
the Purchaser, (ii) present such Company Shares (and any
and all Distributions) for transfer on the books of the Seller
and (iii) receive all benefits and otherwise exercise all
rights of beneficial ownership of such Company Shares (and any
and all Distributions), all in accordance with the terms of the
Offer.
By executing this Letter of Transmittal, the undersigned hereby
irrevocably appoints Christian Stahl and Mitch Truwit, and each
of them, and any other designees of the Purchaser, the
attorneys-in-fact and proxies of the undersigned, each with full
power of substitution, (i) to vote at any annual or special
meeting of the Seller’s shareholders or any adjournment or
postponement thereof or otherwise in such manner as each such
attorney-in-fact and proxy or its, his or her substitute shall
in its, his or her sole discretion deem proper with respect to,
(ii) to execute any written consent concerning any matter
as each such attorney-in-fact and proxy or its, his or her
substitute shall in its, his or her sole discretion deem proper
with respect to and (iii) to otherwise act as each such
attorney-in-fact and proxy or its, his or her substitute shall
in its, his or her sole discretion deem proper with respect to,
all Company Shares (and any and all Distributions) tendered
hereby and accepted for payment by the Purchaser. This
appointment will be effective if and when, and only to the
extent that, the Purchaser accepts such Company Shares for
payment pursuant to the Offer. This power of attorney and proxy
are irrevocable and are granted in consideration of the
acceptance for payment of such Company Shares in accordance with
the terms of the Offer. Such acceptance for payment shall,
without further action, revoke any prior powers of attorney and
proxies granted by the undersigned at any time with respect to
such Company Shares (and any and all Distributions), and no
subsequent powers of attorney, proxies, consents or revocations
may be given by the undersigned with respect thereto (and, if
given, will not be deemed effective). The Purchaser reserves the
right to require that, in order for Company Shares to be deemed
validly tendered, immediately upon the Purchaser’s
acceptance for payment of such Company Shares, the Purchaser
must be able to exercise full voting, consent and other rights
with respect to such Company Shares (and any and all
Distributions), including voting at any meeting of the
Seller’s shareholders.
The undersigned hereby represents and warrants that the
undersigned has full power and authority to tender, sell, assign
and transfer any and all Company Shares tendered hereby (and any
and all Distributions) and that, when the same are accepted for
payment by the Purchaser, the Purchaser will acquire good,
marketable and unencumbered title to such Company Shares (and
any and all Distributions), free and clear of all liens,
restrictions, charges and encumbrances and the same will not be
subject to any adverse claims. The undersigned will, upon
request, execute and deliver any additional documents deemed by
the Depositary or the Purchaser to be necessary or desirable to
complete the sale, assignment and transfer of any and all
Company Shares tendered hereby (and any and all Distributions).
In addition, the undersigned shall remit and transfer promptly
to the Depositary for the account of the Purchaser all
Distributions in respect of any and all Company Shares tendered
hereby, accompanied by appropriate documentation of transfer,
and, pending such remittance and transfer or appropriate
assurance thereof, the Purchaser shall be entitled to all rights
and privileges as owner of each such Distribution and may deduct
from the
3
purchase price of Company Shares tendered hereby the amount or
value of such Distribution as determined by the Purchaser in its
sole discretion.
All authority herein conferred or agreed to be conferred shall
survive the death or incapacity of the undersigned, and any
obligation of the undersigned hereunder shall be binding upon
the heirs, executors, administrators, personal representatives,
trustees in bankruptcy, successors and assigns of the
undersigned. Except as stated in the Offer to Purchase, this
tender is irrevocable.
The undersigned hereby acknowledges that delivery of any Share
Certificate shall be effected, and risk of loss and title to
such Share Certificate shall pass, only upon the proper delivery
of such Share Certificate to the Depositary.
The undersigned understands that the valid tender of Company
Shares pursuant to any of the procedures described in the Offer
to Purchase and in the Instructions hereto will constitute a
binding agreement between the undersigned and the Purchaser upon
the terms of and subject to the conditions of the Offer (and if
the Offer is extended or amended, the terms of or the conditions
of any such extension or amendment).
Unless otherwise indicated under “Special Payment
Instructions,” please issue the check for the purchase
price of all of Company Shares purchased and, if appropriate,
return any Share Certificates not tendered or accepted for
payment in the name(s) of the registered holder(s) appearing
above under “Description of Company
Shares Tendered.” Similarly, unless otherwise
indicated under “Special Delivery Instructions,”
please mail the check for the purchase price of all Company
Shares purchased and, if appropriate, return any Share
Certificates not tendered or not accepted for payment (and any
accompanying documents, as appropriate) to the address(es) of
the registered holder(s) appearing above under “Description
of Company Shares Tendered.” In the event that the
boxes entitled “Special Payment Instructions” and
“Special Delivery Instructions” are both completed,
please issue the check for the purchase price of all Company
Shares purchased and, if appropriate, return any Share
Certificates not tendered or not accepted for payment (and any
accompanying documents, as appropriate) in the name(s) of, and
deliver such check and, if appropriate, return any such Share
Certificates (and any accompanying documents, as appropriate)
to, the person(s) so indicated. Unless otherwise indicated
herein in the box entitled “Special Payment
Instructions,” please credit any Company Shares tendered
herewith by book-entry transfer that are not accepted for
payment by crediting the account at DTC. The undersigned
recognizes that the Purchaser has no obligation, pursuant to the
“Special Payment Instructions,” to transfer any
Company Shares from the name of the registered holder thereof if
the Purchaser does not accept for payment any of such Company
Shares so tendered.
4
SPECIAL PAYMENT INSTRUCTIONS
(See Instructions 1, 5, 6 and 7)
To be completed ONLY if the check for the purchase price of
Company Shares accepted for payment and/or Share Certificates
not tendered or not accepted are to be issued in the name of
someone other than the undersigned.
Issue check and/or Share Certificates to:
(Please Print)
(Include
Zip Code)
(Taxpayer
Identification or
Social Security No.)
(Also Complete Substitute
W-9 Below)
SPECIAL DELIVERY INSTRUCTIONS
(See Instructions 1, 5, 6 and 7)
To be completed ONLY if the check for the purchase price of
Company Shares accepted for payment and/or Share Certificates
not tendered or not accepted are to be mailed to someone other
than the under signed or to the undersigned at an address other
than that shown above.
Mail check and/or Share Certificates to:
(Please Print)
(Include Zip Code)
(Taxpayer
Identification or
Social Security No.)
(Also Complete Substitute
W-9 Below)
5
IMPORTANT
SHAREHOLDER:
SIGN HERE
(Please complete and return the attached Substitute
Form W-9
below)
Signature(s) of Holder(s) of Company Shares
Dated:
,
2009
(Please Print)
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| Capacity (full title)
(See Instruction 5) |
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(Include Zip Code)
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| Area Code and
Telephone No. |
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Tax Identification or Social Security No. (See
Substitute
Form W-9
Enclosed
herewith)
Must be signed by registered holder(s) exactly as name(s)
appear(s) on Share Certificate(s) or on a security position
listing or by person(s) authorized to become registered
holder(s) by Share Certificates and documents transmitted
herewith. If signature is by a trustee, executor, administrator,
guardian, attorney-in-fact, agent, officer of a corporation or
other person acting in a fiduciary or representative capacity,
please set forth full title and see Instruction 5.
Guarantee
of Signature(s)
(If Required — See Instructions 1 and 5)
(Include Zip Code)
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| Area Code and Telephone No. |
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Dated:
,
2009
6
INSTRUCTIONS
FORMING PART OF THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THE
OFFER
1. Guarantee of Signatures. No signature
guarantee is required on this Letter of Transmittal (a) if
this Letter of Transmittal is signed by the registered holder(s)
(which term, for purposes of this Section, includes any
participant in DTC’s systems whose name(s) appear(s) on a
security position listing as the owner(s) of Company Shares) of
Company Shares tendered herewith, unless such registered
holder(s) has completed either the box entitled “Special
Payment Instructions” or the box entitled “Special
Delivery Instructions” on the Letter of Transmittal or
(b) if such Company Shares are tendered for the account of
a financial institution (including most commercial banks,
savings and loan associations and brokerage houses) that is a
participant in the Securities Transfer Agents Medallion Program
or by any other “eligible guarantor institution,” as
such term is defined in
Rule 17Ad-15
under the Exchange Act (each, an “Eligible
Institution”). In all other cases, all signatures on this
Letter of Transmittal must be guaranteed by an Eligible
Institution. See Instruction 5.
2. Requirements of Tender. This Letter of
Transmittal is to be completed if Share Certificates are to be
forwarded herewith or, unless an Agent’s Message is
utilized, if tenders are to be made pursuant to the procedure
for tender by book-entry transfer set forth in Section II.
3 of the Offer to Purchase. Share Certificates evidencing
tendered Company Shares, or timely confirmation of a book-entry
transfer of Company Shares (a “Book-Entry
Confirmation”) into the Depositary’s account at the
DTC, as well as this Letter of Transmittal (or a manually signed
facsimile hereof), properly completed and duly executed, with
any required signature guarantees, or an Agent’s Message in
connection with a book-entry transfer, and any other documents
required by this Letter of Transmittal, must be received by the
Depositary at one of its addresses set forth herein prior to the
Expiration Date. Shareholders whose Share Certificates are not
immediately available, or who cannot complete the procedure for
delivery by book-entry transfer on a timely basis or who cannot
deliver all other required documents to the Depositary prior to
the Expiration Date, may tender their Company Shares by properly
completing and duly executing a Notice of Guaranteed Delivery
pursuant to the guaranteed delivery procedure set forth in
Section II. 3 of the Offer to Purchase. Pursuant to such
procedure: (i) such tender must be made by or through an
Eligible Institution; (ii) a properly completed and duly
executed Notice of Guaranteed Delivery, substantially in the
form made available by the Purchaser, must be received by the
Depositary prior to the Expiration Date and (iii) Share
Certificates (or a Book-Entry Confirmation) evidencing all
tendered Company Shares, in proper form for transfer, in each
case together with this Letter of Transmittal (or a manually
signed facsimile hereof), properly completed and duly executed,
with any required signature guarantees (or, in the case of a
book-entry delivery, an Agent’s Message) and any other
documents required by this Letter of Transmittal, must be
received by the Depositary within three NASDAQ Global Select
Market trading days after the date of execution of such Notice
of Guaranteed Delivery. If Share Certificates are forwarded
separately to the Depositary, a properly completed and duly
executed Letter of Transmittal must accompany each such delivery.
The method of delivery of this Letter of Transmittal, Share
Certificates and all other required documents, including
delivery through DTC, is at the option and the risk of the
tendering shareholder and the delivery will be deemed made (and
the risk of loss and title to Share Certificates will pass) only
when actually received by the Depositary (including, in the case
of Book-Entry Transfer, by Book-Entry Confirmation). If delivery
is by mail, registered mail with return receipt requested,
properly insured, is recommended. In all cases, sufficient time
should be allowed to ensure timely delivery.
The Purchaser will not accept any alternative, conditional or
contingent tenders, and no fractional Company Shares will be
purchased. By executing this Letter of Transmittal (or facsimile
thereof), the tendering shareholder waives any right to receive
any notice of the acceptance for payment of Company Shares.
3. Inadequate Space. If the space
provided herein is inadequate, Share Certificate numbers
and/or the
number of Company Shares should be listed on a signed separate
schedule attached hereto.
4. Partial Tenders. If fewer than all
Company Shares represented by any Share Certificate delivered to
the Depositary are to be tendered, fill in the number of Company
Shares which are to be tendered in the box entitled “Total
Number of Company Shares Tendered.” In such case, a new
certificate for the remainder of Company Shares represented by
the old certificate will be sent to the person(s) signing this
Letter of Transmittal, unless otherwise provided in the
appropriate box on this Letter of Transmittal, as promptly as
practicable following the expiration or termination of the
Offer. All Company Shares represented by Share Certificates
delivered to the Depositary will be deemed to have been tendered
unless otherwise indicated.
7
5. Signatures on Letter of Transmittal; Stock Powers and
Endorsements.
(a) Exact Signatures. If this Letter of
Transmittal is signed by the registered holder(s) of Company
Shares tendered hereby, the signature(s) must correspond with
the name(s) as written on the face of such Share Certificates
for such Company Shares without alteration, enlargement or any
change whatsoever.
(b) Holders. If any Company Shares
tendered hereby are held of record by two or more persons, all
such persons must sign this Letter of Transmittal.
(c) Different Names on Share
Certificates. If any Company Shares tendered
hereby are registered in different names on different Share
Certificates, it will be necessary to complete, sign and submit
as many separate Letters of Transmittal as there are different
registrations of Share Certificates.
(d) Endorsements. If this Letter of
Transmittal is signed by the registered holder(s) of Company
Shares tendered hereby, no endorsements of Share Certificates
for such Company Shares or separate stock powers are required
unless payment of the purchase price is to be made, or Company
Shares not tendered or not purchased are to be returned, in the
name of any person other than the registered holder(s).
Signatures on any such Share Certificates or stock powers must
be guaranteed by an Eligible Institution.
If this Letter of Transmittal is signed by a person other than
the registered holder(s) of Company Shares tendered hereby, such
Share Certificates for such Company Shares must be endorsed or
accompanied by appropriate stock powers, in either case, signed
exactly as the name(s) of the registered holder(s) appear(s) on
such Share Certificates for such Company Shares. Signature(s) on
any such Share Certificates or stock powers must be guaranteed
by an Eligible Institution. See Instruction 1.
If this Letter of Transmittal or any Share Certificate or stock
power is signed by a trustee, executor, administrator, guardian,
attorney-in-fact, officer of a corporation or other person
acting in a fiduciary or representative capacity, such person
should so indicate when signing, and proper evidence
satisfactory to the Depositary of the authority of such person
so to act must be submitted.
6. Stock Transfer Taxes. Except as
otherwise provided in this Instruction 6, the Purchaser or
any successor entity thereto will pay all stock transfer taxes
with respect to the transfer and sale of any Company Shares to
it or its order pursuant to the Offer. If, however, payment of
the purchase price is to be made to, or if Share Certificate(s)
for Company Shares not tendered or not accepted for payment are
to be registered in the name of, any person(s) other than the
registered holder(s), or if tendered Share Certificate(s) are
registered in the name of any person(s) other than the person(s)
signing this Letter of Transmittal, the amount of any stock
transfer taxes or other taxes required by reason of the payment
to a person other than the registered holder of such Share
Certificate (in each case whether imposed on the registered
holder(s) or such other person(s)) payable on account of the
transfer to such other person(s) will be deducted from the
purchase price of such Company Shares purchased unless evidence
satisfactory to the Purchaser of the payment of such taxes, or
exemption therefrom, is submitted.
Except as provided in this Instruction 6, it will not be
necessary for transfer tax stamps to be affixed to Share
Certificate(s) evidencing the Company Shares tendered hereby.
7. Special Payment and Delivery
Instructions. If a check is to be issued in the
name of, and, if appropriate, Share Certificates for Company
Shares not tendered or not accepted for payment are to be issued
or returned to, any person(s) other than the signer of this
Letter of Transmittal or if a check and, if appropriate, such
Share Certificates are to be returned to any person(s) other
than the person(s) signing this Letter of Transmittal or to an
address other than that shown in this Letter of Transmittal, the
appropriate boxes on this Letter of Transmittal must be
completed.
8. Substitute
Form W-9. To
avoid backup withholding, a tendering shareholder is required to
provide the Depositary with a correct Taxpayer Identification
Number (“TIN”) on Substitute
Form W-9,
which is provided under “Important Tax Information”
below, and to certify, under penalties of perjury, that such
number is correct and that such shareholder is not subject to
backup withholding of federal income tax, and that such
shareholder is a U.S. person (as defined for
U.S. federal income tax purposes). If a tendering
shareholder has been notified by the Internal Revenue Service
(“IRS”) that such shareholder is subject to backup
withholding, such shareholder must cross out item (2) of
the Certification box of the Substitute
Form W-9,
unless such shareholder has since been notified by the IRS that
such shareholder is no longer subject to backup withholding.
Failure to provide the information on the Substitute
Form W-9
may subject the tendering shareholder to federal income tax
withholding on the payment of the purchase price of all Company
Shares purchased from such shareholder. If the tendering
shareholder has not been issued a TIN and has applied for one or
intends to apply for one in the near future, such
8
shareholder should check the box in Part 3 of the
Substitute
Form W-9,
and sign and date the Substitute
Form W-9.
If the box in Part 3 is checked and the Depositary is not
provided with a TIN by the time of payment, the Depositary will
withhold a portion of all payments of the purchase price to such
shareholder until a TIN is provided to the Depositary.
Certain shareholders (including, among others, all corporations
and certain foreign individuals and entities) may not be subject
to backup withholding. Foreign shareholders should submit an
appropriate and properly completed IRS
Form W-8,
a copy of which may be obtained from the Depositary, in order to
avoid backup withholding. Such shareholders should consult a tax
advisor to determine which
Form W-8
is appropriate. See the enclosed “Guidelines for
Certification of Taxpayer Identification Number on Substitute
Form W-9”
for more instructions.
9. Irregularities. All questions as to
purchase price, the form of documents and the validity,
eligibility (including time of receipt) and acceptance for
payment of any tender of Company Shares will be determined by
the Purchaser in its sole discretion, which determinations shall
be final and binding on all parties. The Purchaser reserves the
absolute right to reject any or all tenders of Company Shares it
determines not to be in proper form or the acceptance of which
or payment for which may, in the opinion of the Purchaser, be
unlawful. The Purchaser also reserves the absolute right to
waive any of the conditions of the Offer (other than the Minimum
Condition (as defined in the Offer to Purchase)) which may only
be waived with the consent of the Seller and any defect or
irregularity in the tender of any particular Company Shares, and
the Purchaser’s interpretation of the terms of the Offer
(including these instructions) will be final and binding on all
parties. No tender of Company Shares will be deemed to be
properly made until all defects and irregularities have been
cured or waived. Unless waived, any defects or irregularities in
connection with tenders must be cured within such time as the
Purchaser shall determine. None of the Purchaser, the
Depositary, the Information Agent (as the foregoing are defined
in the Offer to Purchase) or any other person is or will be
obligated to give notice of any defects or irregularities in
tenders and none of them will incur any liability for failure to
give any such notice.
10. Requests for Additional
Copies. Questions and requests for assistance or
additional copies of the Offer to Purchase and this Letter of
Transmittal should be directed to the Information Agent at its
respective address and telephone numbers set forth below.
11. Lost, Destroyed or Stolen
Certificates. If any Share Certificate
representing Company Shares has been lost, destroyed or stolen,
the shareholder should promptly notify the Transfer Agent at
1 (800) 546-5141. The shareholder will then be
instructed as to the steps that must be taken in order to
replace such Share Certificate(s). This Letter of Transmittal
and related documents cannot be processed until the procedures
for replacing lost or destroyed Share Certificates have been
followed.
This Letter of Transmittal, properly completed and duly
executed, together with Share Certificates representing Company
Shares being tendered (or confirmation of book-entry transfer)
and all other required documents, must be received before 12:00
midnight, New York City time, on the Expiration Date, or the
tendering shareholder must comply with the procedures for
guaranteed delivery.
IMPORTANT
TAX INFORMATION
Under federal income tax law, a shareholder who is a
U.S. person (as defined for U.S. federal income tax
purposes) surrendering Company Shares must, unless an exemption
applies, provide the Depositary (as payer) with the
shareholder’s correct TIN on IRS
Form W-9
or on the Substitute
Form W-9
included in this Letter of Transmittal. If the shareholder is an
individual, the shareholder’s TIN is such
shareholder’s Social Security number. If the correct TIN is
not provided, the shareholder may be subject to a $50.00 penalty
imposed by the IRS and payments of cash to the shareholder (or
other payee) pursuant to the Offer may be subject to backup
withholding of a portion of all payments of the purchase price.
Certain shareholders (including, among others, corporations and
certain foreign individuals and entities) may not be subject to
backup withholding and reporting requirements. In order for an
exempt foreign shareholder to avoid backup withholding, such
person should complete, sign and submit an appropriate
Form W-8
signed under penalties of perjury, attesting to his or her
exempt status. A
Form W-8
can be obtained from the Depositary. Such shareholders should
consult a tax advisor to determine which
Form W-8
is appropriate. Exempt shareholders, other than foreign
shareholders, should furnish their TIN, check the box in
Part 4 of the Substitute
Form W-9
and sign, date and return the Substitute
Form W-9
to the Depositary in order to avoid erroneous backup
withholding. See the enclosed “Guidelines for Certification
of Taxpayer Identification Number on Substitute
Form W-9”
for additional instructions.
9
If backup withholding applies, the Depositary is required to
withhold and pay over to the IRS a portion of any payment made
to a shareholder. Backup withholding is not an additional tax.
Rather, the federal income tax liability of persons subject to
backup withholding will be reduced by the amount of tax
withheld. If backup withholding results in an overpayment of
taxes, a refund may be obtained from the IRS.
Purpose
of Substitute
Form W-9
To prevent backup withholding on payments that are made to a
shareholder with respect to Company Shares purchased pursuant to
the Offer, the shareholder is required to notify the Depositary
of the shareholder’s correct TIN by completing the
Substitute
Form W-9
included in this Letter of Transmittal certifying that
(1) the TIN provided on the Substitute
Form W-9
is correct (or that such shareholder is awaiting a TIN),
(2) the shareholder is not subject to backup withholding
because (i) the shareholder is exempt from backup
withholding, (ii) the shareholder has not been notified by
the IRS that the shareholder is subject to backup withholding as
a result of a failure to report all interest and dividends or
(iii) the IRS has notified the shareholder that the
shareholder is no longer subject to backup withholding and
(3) the shareholder is a U.S. person (as defined for
U.S. federal income tax purposes).
What
Number to Give the Depositary
The tendering shareholder is required to give the Depositary the
TIN, generally the Social Security number or employer
identification number, of the record holder of all Company
Shares tendered hereby. If such Company Shares are in more than
one name or are not in the name of the actual owner, consult the
enclosed “Guidelines for Certification of Taxpayer
Identification Number on Substitute
Form W-9”
for additional guidance on which number to report. If the
tendering shareholder has not been issued a TIN and has applied
for a number or intends to apply for a number in the near
future, such shareholder should check the box in Part 3 of
the Substitute
Form W-9,
sign and date the Substitute
Form W-9
and sign and date the Certificate of Awaiting Taxpayer
Identification Number, which appears in a separate box below the
Substitute
Form W-9.
If the box in Part 3 of the Substitute
Form W-9
is checked and the Depositary is not provided with a TIN by the
time of payment, the Depositary will withhold a portion of all
payments of the purchase price, which will be refunded if a TIN
is provided to the Depositary within sixty (60) days of the
Depositary’s receipt of the Certificate of Awaiting
Taxpayer Identification Number. If the Depositary is provided
with an incorrect TIN in connection with such payments, the
shareholder may be subject to a $50.00 penalty imposed by the
IRS.
10
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PAYER’S NAME: Computershare Trust Company, N.A.
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SUBSTITUTE
FORM W-9
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Part 1 — PLEASE PROVIDE YOUR TIN IN THE BOX AT
RIGHT AND CERTIFY BY SIGNING AND DATING BELOW.
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Social Security Number OR
Employer Identification Number
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Department of the Treasury Internal Revenue Service
Payer’s Request for Taxpayer Identification Number (“TIN”)
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CHECK APPROPRIATE BOX:
o Individual/Sole Proprietor
o Corporation
o Partnership
o Other
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Please fill in your name and address below.
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Part 2 — Certification —
Under penalties of perjury, I certify that:
(1) The number shown on this form is my correct Taxpayer
Identification Number (or I am waiting for a number to be issued
to me);
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Part 3 — Awaiting TIN o
Part 4 — Exempt o
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Name
Address (Number and Street)
City, State and Zip Code
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(2) I am not subject to backup withholding because: (a) I
am exempt from backup withholding, or (b) I have not been
notified by the Internal Revenue Service (the “IRS”)
that I am subject to backup withholding as a result of a failure
to report all interest or dividends or (c) the IRS has notified
me that I am no longer subject to backup withholding; and
resident alien).
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(3) I am a U.S. Person (including a U.S. resident alien).
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Certification Instructions — You must cross out
Item (2) above if you have been notified by the IRS that you are
currently subject to backup withholding because you have failed
to report interest or dividends on your tax return. However, if
after being notified by the IRS that you were subject to backup
withholding you received another notification from the IRS that
you are no longer subject to backup withholding, do not cross
out such Item (2). If you are exempt from backup withholding,
check the box in Part 4 above.
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Signature
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Date
,
200
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FAILURE TO COMPLETE AND RETURN THIS FORM MAY RESULT IN
BACKUP WITHHOLDING OF A PORTION OF ANY PAYMENTS MADE TO YOU
PURSUANT TO THE OFFER. PLEASE REVIEW THE ENCLOSED GUIDELINES FOR
CERTIFICATION OF TAXPAYER IDENTIFICATION NUMBER ON SUBSTITUTE
FORM W-9
FOR ADDITIONAL DETAILS. YOU MUST COMPLETE THE FOLLOWING
CERTIFICATE IF YOU CHECKED THE BOX IN PART 3 OF SUBSTITUTE
FORM W-9.
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CERTIFICATE OF AWAITING TAXPAYER IDENTIFICATION NUMBER
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I certify under penalties of perjury that a taxpayer
identification number has not been issued to me, and either
(1) I have mailed or delivered an application to receive a
taxpayer identification number to the appropriate IRS Center or
Social Security Administration Office, or (2) I intend to
mail or deliver an application in the near future. I understand
that if I do not provide a taxpayer identification number by the
time of payment, a portion of allreportable payments made to
me will be withheld, but that such amounts will be refunded to
me if I then provide a Taxpayer Identification Number within
sixty (60) days.
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Signature
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Date
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GUIDELINES
FOR CERTIFICATION OF TAXPAYER IDENTIFICATION
NUMBER ON SUBSTITUTE
FORM W-9
GUIDELINES FOR DETERMINING THE PROPER IDENTIFICATION NUMBER TO
GIVE THE PAYER. Social Security numbers have nine digits
separated by two hyphens: i.e.,
000-00-0000.
Employer identification numbers have nine digits separated by
only one hyphen: i.e.,
00-0000000.
The table below will help determine the number to give the payer.
WHAT NAME
AND NUMBER TO GIVE THE PAYER
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For this type of account:
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Give name and SSN of:
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1.
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Individual
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The individual
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2.
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Two or more individuals (joint account)
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The actual owner of the account or, if combined funds, the first
individual on the account(1)
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3.
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Custodian account of a minor (Uniform Gift to Minors Act)
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The minor(2)
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4.
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a. The usual revocable savings trust (grantor is also
trustee)
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The grantor — trustee(1) The actual owner(1)
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b. So-called trust account that is not a legal or valid
trust under state law
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For this type of account:
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Give name and EIN of:
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5.
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Sole proprietorship or single-owner LLC
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The owner(3)
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6.
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A valid trust, estate, or pension trust
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Legal entity(4)
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7.
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Corporation or LLC electing corporate status on Form 8832
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The corporation
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8.
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Association, club, religious, charitable, educational, or other
tax-exempt organization
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The organization
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9.
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Partnership or multi-member LLC that has not elected corporate
status
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The partnership
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10.
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A broker or registered nominee
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The broker or nominee
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11.
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Account with the Department of Agriculture in the name of a
public entity (such as a state or local government, school
district, or prison) that receives agricultural program payments
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The public entity
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(1) |
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List first and circle the name of the person whose number you
furnish. If only one person on a joint account has an SSN, that
person’s number must be furnished. |
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Circle the minor’s name and furnish the minor’s SSN. |
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You must show your individual name and you may also enter your
business or “DBA” name on the second name line. You
may use either your SSN or EIN (if you have one). If you are a
sole proprietor, IRS encourages you to use your SSN. |
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List first and circle the name of the legal trust, estate, or
pension trust. (Do not furnish the TIN of the personal
representative or trustee unless the legal entity itself is not
designated in the account title.) |
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If no name is circled when more than one name is listed, the
number will be considered to be that of the first name listed.
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12
GUIDELINES
FOR CERTIFICATION OF TAXPAYER IDENTIFICATION
NUMBER ON SUBSTITUTE
FORM W-9
PAGE 2
OBTAINING
A NUMBER
If you don’t have a taxpayer identification number or you
don’t know your number, obtain
Form SS-5,
Application for a Social Security Number Card, or
Form SS-4,
Application for Employer Identification Number, at the local
office of the Social Security Administration or the IRS and
apply for a number.
PAYEES
EXEMPT FROM BACKUP WITHHOLDING
Payees specifically exempted from backup withholding on ALL
payments include the following:
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An organization exempt from tax under section 501(a), or an
individual retirement plan or a custodial account under
Section 403(b)(7).
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The United States or any agency or instrumentality thereof.
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A State, the District of Columbia, a possession of the United
States, or any subdivision or instrumentality thereof.
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A foreign government, a political subdivision of a foreign
government, or any agency or instrumentality thereof.
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An international organization, or any agency, or instrumentality
thereof.
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Payees that may be exempt from backup withholding include the
following:
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A corporation.
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A financial institution.
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A registered dealer in securities or commodities registered in
the U.S. or a possession of the U.S.
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A real estate investment trust.
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A common trust fund operated by a bank under section 584(a).
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An exempt charitable remainder trust, or a non-exempt trust
described in section 4947(a)(1).
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An entity registered at all times under the Investment Company
Act of 1940.
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A foreign central bank of issue.
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A futures commission merchant registered with the Commodity
Futures Trading Commission.
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A middleman known in the investment community as a nominee or
listed in the most recent publication of the American Society of
Corporate Secretaries, Inc. Nominee List.
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Payments of dividends and patronage dividends not generally
subject to backup withholding include the following:
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Payments to nonresident aliens subject to withholding under
section 1441.
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Payments to partnerships not engaged in a trade or business in
the U.S. and which have at least one nonresident partner.
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Payments of patronage dividends where the amount received is not
paid in money.
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Payments made by certain foreign organizations.
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Payments of interest not generally subject to backup withholding
include the following:
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Payments of interest on obligations issued by individuals. Note:
You may be subject to backup withholding if this interest is
$600 or more and is paid in the course of the payer’s trade
or business and you have not provided your correct taxpayer
identification number to the payer.
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Payments of tax-exempt interest (including exempt-interest
dividends under section 852).
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Payments described in section 6049(b)(5) to non-resident
aliens.
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Payments on tax-free covenant bonds under section 1451.
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Payments made by certain foreign organizations.
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Mortgage interest paid to an individual.
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Exempt payees described above should file
Form W-9
to avoid possible erroneous backup withholding. FILE THIS
FORM WITH THE PAYER, FURNISH YOUR TAXPAYER IDENTIFICATION
NUMBER, WRITE “EXEMPT” ON THE FACE OF THE FORM, AND
RETURN IT TO THE PAYER. IF THE PAYMENTS ARE INTEREST, DIVIDENDS,
OR PATRONAGE DIVIDENDS, ALSO SIGN AND DATE THE FORM.
Certain payments, other than interest, dividends, and patronage
dividends, that are not subject to information reporting, are
also not subject to backup withholding. For details, see the
regulations under sections 6041, 6041A(a), 6045, and 6050A.
PRIVACY ACT NOTICE — Section 6109 requires most
recipients of dividend, interest, or other payments to give
taxpayer identification numbers to payers who must report the
payments to the IRS. The IRS uses the numbers for identification
purposes. Payers must be given the numbers whether or not
recipients are required to file tax returns. Payers must
generally withhold a portion of taxable interest, dividend, and
certain other payments to a payee who does not furnish a
taxpayer identification number to a payer. Certain penalties may
also apply.
PENALTIES
(1) PENALTY FOR FAILURE TO FURNISH TAXPAYER IDENTIFICATION
NUMBER — If you fail to furnish your taxpayer
identification number to a payer, you are subject to a penalty
of $50.00 for each such failure unless your failure is due to
reasonable cause and not to willful neglect.
(2) CIVIL PENALTY FOR FALSE INFORMATION WITH RESPECT TO
WITHHOLDING — If you make a false statement with no
reasonable basis which results in no imposition of backup
withholding, you are subject to a penalty of $500.00.
(3) CRIMINAL PENALTY FOR FALSIFYING INFORMATION —
Falsifying certifications or affirmations may subject you to
criminal penalties including fines
and/or
imprisonment.
Unless otherwise indicated, all references to
“section” are to the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as
amended.
FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION CONTACT YOUR TAX CONSULTANT OR THE
IRS.
14
The
Depositary for the Offer is:
Computershare Trust Company, N.A.
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If delivering by registered or certified mail:
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If delivering by overnight courier:
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Computershare Trust Company, N.A.
c/o Voluntary
Corporate Actions
P.O. Box 43011
Providence, RI
02940-3011
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Computershare Trust Company, N.A
c/o Voluntary
Corporate Actions
Suite V
250 Royall Street
Canton, MA 02021
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Questions or requests for assistance may be directed to the
Information Agent at the telephone numbers and address set forth
below. Questions or requests for assistance or additional copies
of the Offer to Purchase, this Letter of Transmittal and the
Notice of Guaranteed Delivery may be directed to the Information
Agent at the address and telephone numbers set forth below.
Shareholders may also contact their broker, dealer, commercial
bank or trust company for assistance concerning the Offer.
The
Information Agent for the Offer is:
Innisfree M&A Incorporated
501 Madison Avenue, 20th Floor
New York, New York 10022
Shareholders May Call Toll-Free:
(888) 750-5834
Banks and Brokers May Call Collect:
(212) 750-5833