PART 3
Key changes to corporate governance rules,
securities laws and company law applicable to the Company following
the Listing and Delisting
The Listing and Delisting will
result in changes to certain aspects of the corporate governance
rules, securities laws and company law applicable to the Company.
The table below sets outs a summary of key material changes
expected to arise as a result of the Listing and Delisting, with
the current position set out in column 1 and the position following
the Listing and Delisting set out in column 2. This summary is not
intended to be a comprehensive statement of all implications of the
Listing and Delisting on the legal and regulatory regime applicable
to the Company and is intended as a general guide. If Shareholders
are in any doubt as to the legal and regulatory implications of the
Listing and Delisting on the Company, they are encouraged to speak
to their legal and/or financial advisors.
As a public limited company
incorporated in Ireland, the Company is currently generally subject
to the provisions of the Irish Companies Act 2014 (as amended) (the
"Companies Act") as well as
related provisions of Irish corporate law and the Company's
Constitution. In addition, because the Ordinary Shares are listed
and admitted to trading on the main market of the regulated market
of the CSE and the international commercial companies secondary
listing category of the Official List of the LSE and on the main
market for listed securities operated by the LSE, the Company is
subject to the provisions of the listing rules of the CSE (the
"CSE Listing Rules") as
well as the FCA listing rules applicable to companies with an
international commercial companies secondary listing (the
"UK Listing Rules"). In
addition, the Company is currently subject to EU legislation
applicable to companies with a listing of equity securities on an
EU regulated market, including the EU Market Abuse Regulation
(Regulation (EU) No. 596/2014) ("EU MAR") and EU Transparency Directive
(2004/109/EC) ("EU
Transparency") as well as equivalent provisions of UK law,
including EU MAR as it forms part of retained EU law in the UK from
time to time, including, where relevant, pursuant to the UK's
European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018 ("UK MAR") and the FCA Disclosure and
Transparency Rules (the "DTRs").
Following the Listing and Delisting,
the Company will remain subject to the provisions of the Companies
Act as well as the CSE Listing Rules, EU MAR and EU Transparency,
the guidance of the European Banking Authority as well as
applicable provisions of the Corporate Governance Code of the CSE
and the Central Bank of Cyprus Governance Directive but will cease
to be subject to the UK Listing Rules as well as applicable
provisions of UK MAR and the DTRs. In addition, as a result of the
Listing, the Company will become subject to provisions of the
Athens Exchange Rulebook, as amended from time to time (the
"ATHEX Rulebook") which
apply to foreign issuers.
Notwithstanding the Company's
international commercial companies secondary listing on the LSE,
the Company currently "complies
or explains" with the UK Corporate Governance Code (as
amended) (the "UK Corporate
Governance Code") on a voluntary basis. Following the
Listing and Delisting, the Board expects to continue to voluntarily
"comply or explain" with
the UK Corporate Governance Code on a transitional
basis.
Issue
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Current Position (under the Companies Act, the
Company's Constitution and applicable UK, Cyprus and EU
law)
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Position Following the Listing and Delisting (under
the Companies Act, the Company's Constitution and applicable Greek,
Cyprus and EU law)
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Corporate Governance
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The Company is subject to corporate
governance requirements under the Companies Act and the Company's
Constitution, including requirements related to companies with
shares admitted to trading on an EU regulated market.
In addition, the Company is subject
to the rules and guidance of the European Banking Authority as well
as applicable provisions of the Corporate Governance Code of the
CSE and the Central Bank of Cyprus Governance Directive.
The Company has an international
commercial companies secondary listing on the LSE and therefore is
not required to "comply or
explain" with the UK Corporate Governance Code, however, the
Company currently "complies or
explains" with the UK Corporate Governance Code on a
voluntary basis.
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· Existing corporate governance requirements under the Companies
Act and the Company's Constitution will continue to apply after the
Listing and Delisting.
· In
addition, the Company will remain subject to the rules and guidance
of the European Banking Authority as well as applicable provisions
of the Corporate Governance Code of the CSE and the Central Bank of
Cyprus Governance Directive.
· Following the Delisting, the Company will continue to
voluntarily "comply or
explain" with the UK Corporate Governance Code on a
transitional basis.
· As an
Irish-incorporated company, the Company will not be required to
comply with the corporate governance legal framework applicable to
Greek-incorporated companies, however, the Company will be required
to continue to comply with the corporate governance framework
applicable to it under the Companies Act in Ireland.
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Annual Re-election of Directors
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Under the Companies Act and the
Company's Constitution, all directors hold their office until the
following annual general meeting ("AGM"), following which all directors
are subject to mandatory retirement and may offer themselves for
re-election.
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· Existing requirements under the Companies Act and the
Company's Constitution will continue to apply after the Listing and
Delisting.
· Greek
corporate law requirements applicable to the appointment of
directors will not apply to the Company. The Company will be
required to disclose the appointment of new directors (or any other
change in the composition of the Board) in accordance with the
ATHEX Rulebook.
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Allotment of New Shares
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Under the Companies Act and the
Company's Constitution, the allotment of new shares by the
Directors requires approval of Shareholders voting by an ordinary
resolution (i.e. a simple majority of the votes cast at a general
meeting of Shareholders). The Company
currently seeks an annual allotment authority at its AGM each
year.
At the AGM held on 17 May 2024 (the
"2024 AGM"), Shareholders
authorised the Board to allot (i) up to 147,245,978 new Ordinary
Shares (representing approximately 33.33% of the Company's issued
share capital as at the date of the notice of the 2024 AGM) and
(ii) up to a further 147,245,978 new Ordinary Shares (representing
approximately 33.33% of the Company's issued share capital as at
the date of the notice of the 2024 AGM), provided any shares
allotted pursuant to sub-paragraph (ii) are offered by way of a
rights issue or other pre-emptive issue. The authorisation granted
by Shareholders will expire at the earlier of the Company's next
AGM or 15 August 2025 (if earlier). The Company expects to seek to
renew such authority at subsequent AGMs.
In addition, at the 2024 AGM,
Shareholders also provided the Board with authority to issue
Additional Tier 1 Contingent Equity Conversion Notes ("AT1 ECNs") and to allot Ordinary Shares
issued upon conversion or exchange of AT1 ECNs within certain
limits specified in the relevant resolution.
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· Existing requirements under the Companies Act and the
Company's Constitution will continue to apply after the Listing and
Delisting. In addition, the existing Shareholder authorities
provided at the 2024 AGM will continue to apply in accordance with
their terms.
· There
are no specific requirements for the allotment of new Ordinary
Shares by the Company under the ATHEX Rulebook, save for disclosure
obligations. If the Company does issue new Ordinary Shares, it will
be required to follow certain procedures to list those Ordinary
Shares on ATHEX (as well as on the CSE).
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Pre-Emption Rights
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Under the Companies Act and the
Company's Constitution, if the Company issues equity securities for
cash to new Shareholders, it is required first to offer those
securities on the same or more favourable terms to existing
Shareholders on a pro rata basis, commonly referred to as the
statutory pre-emption right. Shareholders may opt out of these
statutory pre-emption rights by special resolution (i.e. 75% of
votes cast at a general meeting of Shareholders), for a maximum of
five years before requiring renewal. Statutory pre-emption rights
do not apply (i) where equity securities are allotted for non-cash
consideration (such as in a share-for-share acquisition), (ii) to
the allotment of non-equity securities (that is, securities that
have the right to participate only up to a specified amount in any
income or capital distribution) or (iii) where equity securities
are allotted pursuant to an employees' share scheme or similar
equity plan. The Company currently seeks
the approval for the disapplication of statutory pre-emption rights
at its AGM each year.
At the 2024 AGM, Shareholders opted
out of statutory pre-emption rights in respect of any allotment of
new equity securities for cash for (i) up to 22,309,997 new
Ordinary Shares (representing approximately 5% of the Company's
issued share capital as at the date of the notice of the 2024 AGM)
and (ii) up to an additional 22,309,997 new Ordinary Shares
(representing approximately 5% of the Company's issued share
capital as at the date of the notice of the 2024 AGM), provided the
proceeds of any such allotment as is referenced in sub-paragraph
(ii) are to be used only for the purposes of financing (or
refinancing) a transaction which the directors determine to be an
acquisition or other capital investment of a kind contemplated by
the Statement of Principles on Disapplying Pre-emption Rights. This
authorisation will expire at the close of our 2025 AGM or the close
of business on 15 August 2025 (if earlier). The Company expects to
seek to renew this authority at subsequent AGMs.
In addition, at the 2024 AGM,
Shareholders also provided the Board with authority to issue AT1
ECNs and to allot Ordinary Shares issued upon conversion or
exchange of AT1 ECNs without first offering them to existing
Shareholders within certain limits specified in the relevant
resolution.
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· Existing requirements under the Companies Act and the
Company's Constitution will continue to apply after the Listing and
Delisting. In addition, the existing Shareholder authorities
provided at the 2024 AGM will continue to apply in accordance with
their terms.
· There
is no equivalent Greek law or ATHEX Rulebook requirements
applicable to the Company.
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Significant
Transactions
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Under the Companies Act, Shareholder
approval in connection with a transaction involving the Company
would be required under the following circumstances:
• in
connection with a scheme of arrangement of the Company, both (i) a
court order from the Irish High Court; and (ii) the approval of 75%
in value, of each class of Shareholders present and voting in
person or by proxy at a meeting called to approve such a scheme
would be required;
• in
connection with an acquisition of the Company by way of a merger
with a European Economic Area company under European Union Company
Law Directive 2017/1132 (as amended) and the European Union
(Cross-Border Conversions, Mergers and Divisions) Regulations 2023
of Ireland (as amended) both (i) a court order from the Irish High
Court and (ii) a special resolution of shareholders would be
required; and
• in
connection with a merger with another Irish incorporated company
under Chapter 16 of Part 17 of the Companies Act or a division of
the Company pursuant to Chapter 17 of Part 17 of the Companies Act,
both (i) a court order from the Irish High Court and (ii) a special
resolution of Shareholders would be required (in either
case).
As a result of its international
commercial companies secondary listing on the LSE, the Company is
also required to comply with UK Listing Rule 14.4 relating to
reverse takeovers, which requires prior Shareholder approval by way
of ordinary resolution for any transaction which constitutes a
reverse takeover within the meaning of the UK Listing
Rules.
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· Existing requirements under the Companies Act for Shareholder
approval in connection with a transaction involving the Company
will continue to apply after the Listing and Delisting.
· Following the Delisting, the Company will no longer be
required to comply with the UK Listing Rules and the approval of
Shareholders will no longer be required for a reverse takeover
(unless otherwise required under the Companies Act).
· The
following significant events are required to be disclosed to ATHEX:
(a) the acquisition of an unlisted company which is carried out
without a share capital increase, provided the consideration for
the acquisition exceeds 30% of the Company's (or its Group's)
issued share capital; (b) a spin-off or transfer of a division of
the Company, where the division represents at least 30% of the
Company's (or its Group's) turnover in the last financial year; and
(c) a change in the activity of the Company and/or its expansion to
other activities which, in the opinion of the Company's management,
will significantly impact its (or its Group's) financial situation,
including but not limited to a change in turnover, profitability,
employed personnel or shareholders' equity of the
Company.
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Related Party Transactions
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Under the Companies Act, certain
restrictions are applicable to the Company in respect of related
party transactions, including restrictions on non-cash transactions
and credit transactions with directors. In addition, Shareholder
approval is required for certain transactions entered into between
the Company and related parties as provided for under the Companies
Act.
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· Existing requirements under the Companies Act will continue to
apply following the Listing and Delisting.
· Under
the ATHEX Rulebook and implementing decisions of ATHEX, the Company
will be required to publish an announcement to ATHEX in cases of
transactions between the Company and related parties, that fall
outside the Company's ordinary course of business.
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Share Buy-Backs
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Under the Companies Act and the
Company's Constitution, the Company is required to seek Shareholder
approval by way of special resolution for the authority to acquire
its own Ordinary Shares by way of share repurchase. Under its
Constitution, the Company may also acquire its Ordinary Shares by
way of redemption without the requirement for specific Shareholder
approval. The Company is also subject to
certain requirements under EU MAR and UK MAR in relation to the
implementation of share buyback programmes.
At the 2024 AGM, Shareholders
granted the authority to the Company, or
any of its subsidiaries, the authority to repurchase up to
approximately 10% of the Ordinary Shares until the earlier of the
2025 AGM or 15 August 2025.
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· Existing requirements under the Companies Act, the Company's
Constitution and EU MAR will continue to apply following the
Listing and Delisting. UK MAR will no longer apply.
· Under
the ATHEX Rulebook and the implementing decisions of ATHEX, the
Company will be required to make an announcement on ATHEX, where a
decision has been made that the Company will acquire its own
Ordinary Shares. The announcement must include: (i) the applicable
time limits; (ii) the date of transaction; (iii) the number of
shares; (iv) the transaction price; and (v) the total number and
percentage of own shares repurchased.
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Right to Place Items on the Agenda of
General Meeting/Proxy Statement
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Under the Companies Act, members of
the Company holding at least 3% of the Company's issued share
capital, representing at least 3% of the voting rights of all the
members who have a right to vote, have the right to put an item on
the agenda, or table a draft resolution, at an AGM. This right
is subject to certain requirements under
the Companies Act and the Company's Constitution.
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· Existing requirements under the Companies Act and the
Company's Constitution will continue to apply after the Listing and
Delisting.
· Relevant Greek law provisions will not apply to the Company
while there are no applicable ATHEX Rulebook
requirements.
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Auditor Rotation
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Under the Companies Act and the
Company's Constitution, the Company is required to (i) set a
maximum engagement period of 10 years for its statutory auditor,
and (ii) have the key audit partner responsible for carrying out
the statutory audit cease participation in the statutory audit not
later than 5 years from the date of their first appointment to carry out such
audit.
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· Existing requirements under the Companies Act and the
Company's Constitution will continue to apply after the Listing and
Delisting.
· Relevant Greek law provisions will not apply to the Company
while there are no applicable ATHEX Rulebook
requirements.
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Statutory Squeeze-out in
Takeovers
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The Company is currently subject to
the EU Takeover Bids Directive (Directive 2004/25/EC) (the
"EU Takeover Directive"),
and any takeover bid for the Company will be subject to the shared
jurisdiction of the Irish Takeover Panel and CySEC.
The Irish European Communities
(Takeover Bids (Directive 2004/25/EC)) Regulations 2006 (the
"2006 Takeover
Regulations") currently apply to the Company and contain a
mandatory 90% squeeze-out threshold in any takeover bid for the
Company (meaning that once a bidder has obtained acceptance from
90% or more of Shareholders, the remaining Shareholders may be
subject to a mandatory acquisition of their Ordinary Shares on the
same terms).
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· Following the Listing and Delisting, the Company will remain
subject to the EU Takeover Directive and any takeover bid for the
Company will remain subject to the shared jurisdiction of the Irish
Takeover Panel and CySEC.
· In
addition, the 2006 Takeover Regulations will continue to apply to
the Company and as a result, the mandatory
squeeze-out threshold in a takeover bid for the Company will remain
90%.
· There
are no additional Greek law or ATHEX Rulebook requirements. The
provisions of Greek law 3461/2006, which transposed the EU Takeover
Directive would only apply if the Company were delisted from
CSE.
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Financial Statements and Filing
Requirements
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The Company is currently required to
prepare audited consolidated financial statements in accordance
with International Financial Reporting Standards ("IFRS"), as adopted by the EU pursuant
to the EU Transparency Directive, as implemented in Ireland under
Irish Transparency Regulations. Ireland is
currently the Company's home member state for the purpose of the EU
Transparency Directive. Certain requirements also apply to the
Company in relation to the preparation of financial statements
under the Companies Act.
The Company is also subject to
certain financial disclosure requirements under the UK Listing
Rules and DTRs, which are broadly equivalent to those already
applicable under the EU Transparency Directive, as implemented in
Ireland.
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· Following the Listing and Delisting, Ireland will remain the
Company's home member state for the purpose of the EU Transparency
Directive and the Company will continue to be required to prepare
audited consolidated financial statements in accordance with IFRS
as adopted by the EU. In addition, the provisions of the Companies
Act applicable to the preparation, audit and filing of the
Company's financial statements will continue to apply.
· Under
ATHEX decision no. 25, as in force until the entry into force of a
relevant decision of the Hellenic Capital Market Commission
regulating the same matter and by no later than 31 December 2024,
the Company will need to disclose in its annual/semi-annual (as the
case may be) financial report certain information on the use of
funds raised from a share capital increase in cash or the issuance
of a bond loan.
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Vote on Remuneration and Remuneration
Policy
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Under the Companies Act, the Company
is required to (i) put its director remuneration policy to an
advisory shareholder vote at least every four years; and (ii) have
an annual advisory shareholder "say
on pay" vote
on its remuneration report.
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· Existing requirements under the Companies Act will continue to
apply after the Listing and Delisting.
· Relevant Greek law will not apply to the Company while there
are no applicable ATHEX Rulebook requirements.
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Market Abuse Regulation
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EU MAR and UK MAR currently apply to
the Company, including in respect of the announcement of inside
information and the disclosure of transactions by persons
discharging managerial responsibilities (including the Company's
directors) or with persons closely associated with persons
discharging managerial responsibilities.
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· Following the Listing and Delisting, EU MAR will continue to
apply. UK MAR will no longer apply but the Company will continue to
be regulated by CySEC in respect of the application of MAR in
Cyprus.
· Following the Listing, the Company will become subject to the
oversight of the HCMC in relation to the enforcement of EU MAR in
Greece.
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Cancellation of Listing
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Under the UK Listing Rules, the
Company, with an international commercial companies secondary
listing on the LSE, is not required to obtain approval of
Shareholders for the cancellation of its listing. The Company is
required to provide notice to the FCA of its intention to delist
from the LSE giving at least 20 business days' notice pursuant to
UK Listing Rule 21.2.17.
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· Following the Listing and Delisting, the Company will no
longer be required to comply with the UK Listing Rules.
· Under
Greek law, and more specifically, in accordance with the provisions
of Greek Law 3371/2005 a voluntary delisting of the Company from
ATHEX will require approval from (i) Shareholders representing at
least 95% of the Company's total voting rights and (ii) the
HCMC.
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Sponsor for Certain Transactions
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Not applicable under the UK Listing
Rules for companies with an international commercial companies
secondary listing.
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· A
listing sponsor is not required for the Listing from the
perspective of HCMC or ATHEX.
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Disclosure Rules and Transparency Rules
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The Company is subject to the Irish
Transparency Regulations.
The Company complies with the DTRs,
as they are applicable to companies with an international
commercial companies secondary listing on the LSE, in relation to
(i) the disclosure and control of inside information by issuers
(DTR 2); (ii) transactions by persons discharging managerial
responsibilities and their connected persons (DTR 3); (iii)
periodic and financial reporting (DTR 4); (iv) vote holder and
issuer notification rules (DTR 5); (v) continuing obligations and
access to information (DTR 6); and (vi) corporate governance (DTR
7).
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· The
Company will continue to comply with the Irish Transparency
Regulations and applicable provisions of the EU Transparency
Directive as implemented in Ireland.
· Following the Listing and Delisting, the Company will no
longer be required to comply with DTRs.
· Ireland shall remain the Company's home Member State,
therefore Greek Law 3556/2007 which transposed the EU Transparency
Directive into Greek law, will not apply to the Company after
Listing.
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Notification of Major Shareholdings
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Under the Companies Act and the
Irish Transparency Regulations, a notification obligation arises
whenever a person knowingly acquires or disposes of shares in the
Company and, following such acquisition or disposal, their
shareholding exceeds or falls below the 3% and each 1% thereafter
up to 100%.
A separate notification obligation
arises under the DTRs, in the case of the Company, whenever a
person knowingly acquires or disposes of shares in the Company and,
following such acquisition or disposal, their shareholding exceeds
or falls below 5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, 30%, 50% or 75%.
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· The
existing requirements under the Companies Act and the Irish
Transparency Regulations will continue to apply after the Listing
and Delisting.
· Following the Listing and Delisting, the Company will no
longer be required to comply with the DTRs.
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PART 4
Settlement and dealings in Ordinary Shares
following the Listing and Delisting
1.
Introduction
Implementation of the Listing and
Delisting will result in a number of changes to the way in which
Ordinary Shares are traded and settled.
2.
Current position in relation
to the trading and settlement of Ordinary Shares
As at the date of this Document,
Shareholders are entitled to hold interests in Ordinary Shares
either (a) directly on the register of members of the Company (the
"Register of Members") or
(b) indirectly through either (i) the securities settlement system
operated by Euroclear Bank SA/NV ("Euroclear Bank" and the "Euroclear System") and, at their
option, through CREST Depository Interests ("CDIs") issued in CREST, or (ii)
depositary interests that represent Ordinary Shares which are
issued and administered by Link Market Services Trustees Limited
(the "Depositary") (the
"DIs").
Shareholders holding their interests
in Ordinary Shares indirectly through the Euroclear System in the
form of CDIs can currently trade their Ordinary Shares on the LSE.
Where Shareholders hold interests in Ordinary Shares through the
Euroclear System and/or through CDIs, legal title to the underlying
Ordinary Shares is held by Euroclear Nominees Limited
("Euroclear Nominees") as
nominee for Euroclear Bank, operating as an issuer central
securities depository ("CSD"). Trades in the Ordinary Shares on
the LSE are currently settled in CREST without any change occurring
to legal title to the Ordinary Shares as recorded on the Register
of Members.
Shareholders holding their interests in
Ordinary Shares indirectly through DIs ("DI Holders") can currently trade their
Ordinary Shares on the CSE. Trades in Ordinary Shares on the CSE
are settled on a dematerialised basis through the securities
settlement system operated by the Cyprus Central Securities
Depository and the Central Registry of the CSE (the "CDCR").
Shareholders holding their Ordinary
Shares directly on the Register of Members need to take steps to
hold their shares indirectly through the Euroclear System in the
form of CDIs issued in CREST or as DIs issued by the Depositary (as
applicable) in order to trade those shares on the LSE or CSE
respectively.
3.
Trading and settlement of
Ordinary Shares following the Listing and
Delisting
Following the Listing and Delisting,
Euroclear Bank will remain the issuer central securities depository
or "issuer CSD" for the
Company and Shareholders will remain entitled to hold their
Ordinary Shares either (a) directly on the Register of Members, or
(b) indirectly either (i) through the Euroclear System or (ii) in
the form of DIs issued by the Depositary.
Shareholders may continue trading
any of their Ordinary Shares that are held through DIs on the CSE
in the same way as before the Listing and Delisting and without the
need to take any further action.
Shareholders wishing to trade any of
their Ordinary Shares (other than shares already held through DIs)
on the CSE, following the Listing and Delisting, will need to take
steps to hold their Ordinary Shares as DIs which are eligible for
settlement in the CDCR. Further information on trading and
settlement of Ordinary Shares on the CSE following the Listing and
Delisting is set out in Section 4
- Trading and settlement of Ordinary Shares on the CSE following
the Listing and Delisting of this Part 4 below.
Similarly, in order for Shareholders
to trade their Ordinary Shares on ATHEX following the Listing, they
will need to take steps to hold their Ordinary Shares via the
securities depositary for ATHEX operated by the Hellenic Central
Securities Depositary (the "ATHEXCSD"), which will participate as
an investor CSD within the Euroclear System through a CSD links
service offered by SIX SIS. Further information on trading and
settlement of Ordinary Shares on ATHEX following the Listing and
Delisting is set out in Section 5
- Trading and settlement of Ordinary Shares on ATHEX following the
Listing and Delisting of this Part 4 below.
Following the Listing and Delisting,
Shareholders will also be able to continue to hold their Ordinary
Shares indirectly through the Euroclear System though CDIs issued
in CREST in the same manner as they currently do. However,
following the Delisting, it will no longer be possible for
Shareholders to trade their Ordinary Shares on the LSE.
Shareholders holding their Ordinary Shares as CDIs who wish to
trade their Ordinary Shares on the CSE or ATHEX following the
Listing and Delisting will need to take steps to hold their
Ordinary Shares as DIs issued by the Depositary or via the ATHEXCSD
(as applicable). Further information on holding Ordinary Shares
indirectly through the Euroclear System as CDIs issued in CREST
following the Listing and Delisting is set out in Section 6 - Holding Ordinary Shares as CDIs
following the Listing and Delisting of this Part 4 below.
The information contained in this
Part 4 is based on the
Company's current understanding and expectations. If there are any
material changes to the procedures outlined, additional information
will be made available on the Company's website, or if considered
appropriate, by regulatory information service
announcement.
4.
Trading and settlement of
Ordinary Shares on the CSE following the Listing and
Delisting
Implementation of the Listing and
Delisting is not expected to impact the current procedures for the
trading and settlement of Ordinary Shares on the CSE.
Trades in Ordinary Shares on the CSE
must be settled through the dematerialised securities system on the
CSE (the "Cyprus DSS") on a
dematerialised basis. As Ordinary Shares cannot be held on a
dematerialised basis in the Cyprus DSS, the Company has established
a depositary arrangement which enables Shareholders who wish to
trade Ordinary Shares on the CSE to receive DIs representing
Ordinary Shares. Each DI represents an entitlement to one Ordinary
Share. Under the Depositary Agreement, the Depositary is appointed
to provide depositary and certain other services, upon the terms of
the deed poll dated 15 November 2016 (as amended), issued and
executed by the Company in favour of the DI Holders and granting
certain rights to the DI Holders (the "Deed Poll"), in connection with the DIs
representing the Ordinary Shares. These services include the issue
of DIs to holders of investor share code and securities accounts
with the CSE ("CSE ISCS
Accounts"), on an uncertificated basis into the Cyprus DSS
and to effect transactions relating to the DIs and the Ordinary
Shares to which they relate on behalf of holders of CSE ISCS
Accounts directly and/or through the Depositary.
Under these arrangements, Ordinary
Shares represented by DIs are issued to the Depositary, rather than
to Shareholders directly and legal title to such Ordinary Shares is
held by the Depositary on behalf of the Shareholder. In turn, the
Depositary holds its interest in the Ordinary Shares on trust for
DI Holders on the terms of the Deed Poll. Each DI Holder has an
interest in the relevant Ordinary Shares but are not registered
holders of such Ordinary Shares, and as such are able to enforce
and exercise the rights relating to the Ordinary Shares only in
accordance with the existing arrangements in place relating to the
DIs.
Shareholders may continue trading
any of their Ordinary Shares that are held through DIs on the CSE
in the same way as before the Listing and Delisting and without the
need to take any further action.
Shareholders wishing to trade any of
their Ordinary Shares (other than shares held through DIs) on the
CSE will continue to need to take steps to hold their Ordinary
Shares as DIs which are eligible for settlement in the Cyprus DSS.
Shareholders who wish to hold their interests in Ordinary Shares
via DIs to be traded on the CSE are strongly encouraged to
establish CSE ISCS Accounts within the Cyprus DSS and appoint one
or more authorised operators on the CSE ("CSE Operators") to operate and maintain
those accounts on their behalf. Shareholders who wish to hold their
Ordinary Shares as DIs should complete a Depositary Interest
request form and send such form to their CSE Operator or the
Depositary. This form can be obtained from the Depositary by
emailing EBProcessing@linkgroup.co.uk.
DI Holders who wish to trade their
Ordinary Shares on ATHEX following the Listing and Delisting will
need to take the steps outlined in Section 5 - Trading and settlement of
Ordinary Shares on ATHEX following the Listing and
Delisting of this Part 4 below, in order to hold their
Ordinary Shares via the dematerialised securities system operated
by the ATHEXCSD (the "ATHEXCSD
DSS").
DI Holders should be aware that the
process of converting Ordinary Shares held though DIs into Ordinary
Shares held through the ATHEXCSD DSS in book-entry form may take
some time. As a result, DI Holders who wish to trade their Ordinary
Shares on ATHEX following the Listing and Delisting are strongly
encouraged to establish a relationship with one or more ATHEX
members or custodian banks as authorised operators ("ATHEXCSD Participants") to operate and
maintain a shares and securities account within the ATHEXCSD DSS
(an "ATHEXCSD DSS Account")
on their behalf in good time prior to the Listing and Delisting
becoming effective and in any event prior to attempting to trade
their Ordinary Shares on ATHEX.
5.
Trading and settlement of
Ordinary Shares on ATHEX following the Listing and
Delisting
Trades in Ordinary Shares on ATHEX
must be settled through the ATHEXCSD through book-entries in a
securities account operated within the ATHEXCSD DSS. On and from
the Effective Date of the Listing, in order to facilitate trading
and settlement of Ordinary Shares on ATHEX, the ATHEXCSD will
participate as an investor CSD in the Euroclear System via a CSD
links service provided by SIX SIS. As a result, trades of Ordinary
Shares on ATHEX will be settled exclusively within the ATHEXCSD,
without any change in the book-entries recorded in the Euroclear
System or any change to the Register of Members.
Shareholders who wish to trade their
Ordinary Shares on ATHEX following the Listing will need to take
steps to hold their Ordinary Shares via the ATHEXCSD. This will
require Shareholders to establish an ATHEXCSD DSS Account and
appoint one or more ATHEXCSD Participants to operate and maintain
their ATHEXCSD DSS Account on their behalf.
Shareholders who wish to open an ATHEXCSD DSS
Account should appoint one or more ATHEXCSD Participants to open
and maintain ATHEXCSD DSS Accounts on their behalf. All Ordinary
Shares through the ATHEXCSD DSS in book-entry form are recorded in
the ATHEXCSD DSS and all relevant transfers settled through the
ATHEXCSD DSS are monitored through the relevant ATHEXCSD DSS
Accounts. ATHEXCSD, as the administrator of the ATHEXCSD DSS, will
(directly or indirectly) maintain a position of Ordinary Shares in
a securities account with SIX SIS which corresponds to the
aggregate number of Ordinary Shares held through the ATHEXCSD DSS
in book-entry form.
To enable Shareholders to trade
their Ordinary Shares as soon as possible following the Listing,
Shareholders are strongly encouraged to establish a relationship
with an eligible ATHEXCSD Participant to operate and maintain an
ATHEXCSD DSS Account on their behalf in good time prior to the
Listing becoming effective. Shareholders will be entitled to direct
the transfer of their Ordinary Shares into the ATHEXCSD to be held
on their behalf through ATHEXCSD Participants from the business day
after the ATHEX Listing Committee approves the Listing (i.e. 18
September 2024). Shareholders are encouraged to contact their
investment manager, custodian, financial adviser or other financial
intermediary as soon as possible in order to determine what steps
they will need to complete in order to establish an ATHEXCSD DSS
Account operated on their behalf by ATHEXCSD
Participants.
Shareholders holding their Ordinary Shares via the ATHEXCSD will be
entitled to direct the exercise of the rights attaching to their
Ordinary Shares in accordance with the ATHEXCSD Central Securities Depository
Rulebook of the Hellenic Central Securities Depository, as
amended from time to time (the "ATHEXCSD Rulebook"), a copy of which is
available at https://www.athexgroup.gr. Shareholders are strongly
encouraged to familiarise themselves with the terms and conditions
of the ATHEXCSD Rulebook and the applicable requirements and
deadlines for taking actions in respect of corporate
actions.
Shareholders holding their Ordinary
Shares via the ATHEXCSD who wish to trade their Ordinary Shares on
the CSE following the Listing and Delisting will need to take the
steps outlined in Section
4 - Trading and settlement
of Ordinary Shares on the CSE following the Listing and
Delisting of this Part
4 above, in order to hold their Ordinary Shares as DIs which
are eligible for settlement in the Cyprus DSS.
Shareholders holding their Ordinary
Shares via the ATHEXCSD in book-entry form should be aware that the
process of converting such Ordinary Shares into Ordinary Shares
held though DIs may take some time. As a result, Shareholders
holding their Ordinary Shares via the ATHEXCSD who wish to trade
their Ordinary Shares on the CSE following the Listing and
Delisting are strongly encouraged to establish a relationship with
an eligible CSE Operator to operate and maintain a CSE ISCS Account
on their behalf in good time prior to the Listing and Delisting
becoming effective and in any event prior to attempting to trade
their Ordinary Shares on the CSE.
6.
Holding Ordinary Shares as
CDIs following the Listing and Delisting
Following the Delisting,
Shareholders will continue to be entitled to hold their Ordinary
Shares indirectly through the Euroclear System in the form of CDIs
issued in CREST. It is expected that, subject to continued
compliance with the CREST International Manual (and, in particular,
the CREST Deed Poll set out in the CREST International Manual) and
the CREST Terms and Conditions issued by EUI, such Shareholders
will continue to be entitled to direct the exercise of rights
relating to their Ordinary Shares in substantially the same manner
as is currently the case. However, following the Delisting,
Shareholders holding their Ordinary Shares via CDIs ("CDI Holders") will no longer be
entitled to trade their Ordinary Shares on the LSE.
CDI Holders who wish to trade their
Ordinary Shares on the CSE following the Listing and Delisting will
need to take the steps outlined in Section 4 - Trading and settlement of
Ordinary Shares on the CSE following the Listing and
Delisting of this Part 4 above, in order to hold their
Ordinary Shares as DIs which are eligible for settlement in the
Cyprus DSS.
Similarly, CDI Holders who wish to
trade their Ordinary Shares on ATHEX following the Listing and
Delisting will need to take the steps outlined in Section 5 - Trading and settlement of
Ordinary Shares on ATHEX following the Listing and
Delisting of this Part 4 above, in order to hold their
Ordinary Shares via the ATHEXCSD DSS.
CDI Holders should be aware that the
process of converting their Ordinary Shares held though CDIs into
Ordinary Shares held though DIs or through the ATHEXCSD DSS in
book-entry form may take some time. As a result, CDI Holders who
wish to trade their Ordinary Shares on the CSE or ATHEX following
the Listing and Delisting are strongly encouraged to establish a
relationship with an eligible CSE Operator or ATHEXCSD Participant
(as applicable) to operate and maintain a CSE ISCS Account or an
ATHEXCSD DSS Account (as applicable) on their behalf in good time
prior to the Listing and Delisting becoming effective and in any
event prior to attempting to trade their Ordinary Shares on the CSE
or ATHEX.
7.
Holding Ordinary Shares
directly on the Register of Members following the Listing and
Delisting
Following the Listing and Delisting,
Shareholders will continue to be entitled to hold their Ordinary
Shares directly on the Register of Members. Subject to and
conditional upon the passing of Resolution 2 by the requisite
majority of Shareholders at the EGM, all Ordinary Shares held
directly on the Register of Members will be held in dematerialised
form with effect from the Listing.
Holders of Ordinary Shares directly
on the Register of Members who wish to trade their Ordinary Shares
on the CSE following the Listing and Delisting will need to take
the steps outlined in Section
4 - Trading and settlement
of Ordinary Shares on the CSE following the Listing and
Delisting of this Part
4 above, in order to hold their Ordinary Shares as DIs which
are eligible for settlement in the Cyprus DSS.
Similarly, holders of Ordinary
Shares directly on the Register of Members who wish to trade their
Ordinary Shares on ATHEX following the Listing and Delisting will
need to take the steps outlined in Section 5 - Trading and settlement of Ordinary Shares on
ATHEX following the Listing and Delisting of this Part 4
above, in order to hold their Ordinary Shares via the ATHEXCSD
DSS.
Registered holders of Ordinary
Shares should be aware that the process of converting their
Ordinary Shares to DIs or Ordinary Shares held through the ATHEXCSD
DSS in book-entry form may take some time. As a result, holders of
Ordinary Shares directly on the Register of Members
who wish to trade their Ordinary Shares on the CSE
or ATHEX following the Listing and Delisting are strongly
encouraged to establish a relationship with an eligible CSE
Operator or ATHEXCSD Participant (as applicable) to operate and
maintain a CSE ISCS Account or an ATHEXCSD DSS Account (as
applicable) on their behalf in good time prior to the Listing and
Delisting becoming effective and in any event prior to attempting
to trade their Ordinary Shares on the CSE or ATHEX.
PART 5
Summary of the tax consequences
under Irish, Cyprus, Greek, UK and US laws
The statements in this Part 5 do not constitute tax advice
and are intended only as a general guide to certain Irish, Cyprus,
Greek, UK and US tax implications arising from the implementation
of the delisting from LSE and subsequent listing on ATHEX, at the
level of Shareholders and should not be considered as a detailed
analysis of all potential tax consequences in connection with the
Listing and Delisting and/or its implementation. The statements
included herein are based on the current applicable laws in the
relevant jurisdictions involved and what is understood to be the
current tax practice of the tax authorities in such jurisdictions
as at the Latest Practicable Date, both of which may potentially be
amended, possibly with retroactive effect.
The Shareholders who are in any doubt with
regard to their tax position and/or who may be subject to tax in
their jurisdiction are strongly recommended to consult their own
professional advisers.
1.
Ireland Taxation
The following is a general summary
of the material Irish tax considerations applicable to Shareholders
who are the ultimate owners of the Ordinary Shares and who are not
associated with the Company (otherwise than by virtue of the
holding of the Ordinary Shares and hold less than 50% of the
Ordinary Shares). References to "Shareholders" in this summary
should be read accordingly. This summary does not apply to
Shareholders who are resident in Ireland for tax purposes or who
carry on a trade in Ireland through a permanent establishment to
which their Ordinary Shares are attributable.
This summary is based on existing
Irish tax laws and our understanding of the practices of the Irish
Revenue Commissioners ("Irish
Revenue") as of the Latest Practicable Date and may be
subject to change.
The following summary does not constitute tax
advice and is intended only as a general guide. The following
summary is not exhaustive and Shareholders should consult their own
tax advisers about the Irish tax consequences (and the tax
consequences under the laws of other relevant jurisdictions), which
may arise as a result of the Listing and Delisting and the
acquisition, ownership and disposition of the Ordinary Shares in
the future. Furthermore, the following summary applies only to
Shareholders who beneficially hold their Ordinary Shares as an
investment and does not apply to all categories of Shareholders,
such as dealers in securities, trustees, insurance companies,
collective investment schemes, pension funds or Shareholders who
have, or who are deemed to have, acquired their Ordinary Shares by
virtue of an office or employment and such persons may be subject
to special rules.
1.1 Capital
Gains Tax ("CGT")
Shareholders should not be liable to
Irish CGT as a result of the Listing and Delisting, on the basis
that the Listing and Delisting should not be treated as giving rise
to a disposal of the Ordinary Shares for CGT purposes.
1.2 Dividends
Withholding tax ("DWT")
Irish DWT should not arise as a
result of the Listing and Delisting.
Following the Listing and Delisting,
the Company will remain resident for tax purposes in Cyprus and as
such, no Irish DWT should apply to dividends paid by the
Company.
1.3 Irish
Encashment Tax
Irish encashment
tax will be required to be withheld at the standard rate of income
tax (currently 25%) from any dividends paid by the Company, where
such dividends are entrusted to a bank or encashment agent in
Ireland (i.e. a paying agent) for payment to any Irish tax resident
Shareholder and paid over to Irish Revenue. The obligation to
withhold encashment tax is on the banker, broker or paying agent
("Chargeable Person").
An exemption from the obligation to deduct encashment tax applies
for non-Irish tax resident Shareholders who have completed and
furnished a declaration (Form1FD) to the Chargeable
Person.
1.4 Irish
stamp duty
(a)
General
The rate of stamp duty payable (where
applicable) on transfers of shares of Irish incorporated companies
is 1% of the price paid or the market value of the shares acquired,
whichever is greater. Where Irish stamp duty arises, it is
generally a liability of the transferee.
No stamp duty should be payable on the
delisting of the Ordinary Shares from the LSE and/or listing of the
Ordinary Shares on ATHEX pursuant to the Listing and
Delisting.
(b)
Transfers of Ordinary Shares held directly on the
Register of Members
Transfers of Ordinary Shares held directly on
the Register of Members will (unless exempted) be subject to Irish
stamp duty at the rate of 1% on the consideration paid or market
value of the Ordinary Shares being transferred, whichever is
greater. Where Irish stamp duty arises, it is generally a liability
of the transferee.
The transferee must file a stamp duty return
with Irish Revenue in order to pay stamp duty. Any applicable stamp
duty is paid as part of the process of filing the
return.
(c)
Transfers of Ordinary Shares through the
CREST
Electronic transfers of Ordinary Shares through
the CREST will, unless exempted, be subject to Irish stamp duty at
the rate of 1% on the consideration paid or market value of the
Ordinary Shares being transferred, whichever is greater. Where
Irish stamp duty arises, it is generally a liability of the
transferee.
Any applicable stamp duty is collected and paid
through the CREST.
(d)
Trading Ordinary Shares on ATHEX or on
CSE
There is currently no integrated mechanism for
the collection and administration of stamp duty on electronic
transfers of Ordinary Shares on the CSE, which are settled through
the securities settlement system operated by the Central Securities
Depository and the Central Registry of the CSE (the "CDCR") or electronic transfers of
Ordinary Shares on ATHEX which are settled through the securities
depositary for ATHEX operated by the Hellenic Central Securities
Depositary S.A. (the "ATHEXCSD"). The current practice of
Irish Revenue has not been to collect or pursue stamp duty on
electronic transfers where such a mechanism is not in
place. As a result, whilst there is an argument that stamp
duty applies to electronic transfers of Ordinary Shares, where such
transfer results in a change of beneficial ownership or is effected
in contemplation of a sale, based on the above practice of Irish
Revenue, it is likely that no stamp duty will be collected on such
transfers conducted on the CSE or ATHEX. Whilst Irish Revenue's
standing practice is open to change, we are not currently aware of
any plans to change the current practice or to develop and
implement an integrated collection mechanism in respect of
electronic transfers of Ordinary Shares on the CSE or
ATHEX.
(e)
Transfers of Ordinary Shares from ATHEX to CSE
following the Listing
The transfer of the Ordinary Shares (from the
relevant EB Participant's account) to the Depositary and the
issuance of DIs into the Cyprus DSS (to the relevant securities
account within the CSE designated by the former holder of Ordinary
Shares) should not attract Irish stamp duty, provided that (i)
there is no change in the beneficial ownership of such Ordinary
Shares as a result of the transfer; and (ii) the transfer to the
Depositary is not effected in contemplation of a sale of such
Ordinary Shares by a beneficial owner to a third party.
There is currently no integrated mechanism for
the collection and administration of stamp duty on electronic
transfers of Ordinary Shares on the CSE which are settled through
the securities settlement system operated by the CDCR or electronic
transfers of Ordinary Shares on ATHEX which are settled through the
ATHEXCSD. The current practice of Irish Revenue has not been to
collect or pursue stamp duty on electronic transfers where such a
mechanism is not in place. As a result, whilst there is an argument
that stamp duty applies to electronic transfers of Ordinary Shares
where such transfer results in a change of beneficial ownership or
is effected in contemplation of a sale, based on the above practice
of Irish Revenue, it is likely that no stamp duty will be collected
on such transfers where they are conducted on the CSE or ATHEX.
Whilst Irish Revenue's standing practice is open to change, we are
not currently aware of any plans to change the current practice or
to develop and implement an integrated collection mechanism in
respect of electronic transfers of Ordinary Shares on the CSE or
ATHEX.
Due to the potential Irish stamp charge on
certain transfers of Ordinary Shares held outside of the Cyprus
DSS, Shareholders may wish to consult their own tax advisor in
respect of the election to be made by them in the Depositary
Interest request form.
(f) Transfers of Ordinary Shares from CSE to ATHEX following the
Listing
The cancellation and removal of the DIs from
the Cyprus DSS and the transfer of the underlying Ordinary Shares
to the Euroclear Bank account designated by the former DI Holder to
be held via the ATHEXCSD, should not attract stamp duty, provided
that (i) there is no change in the beneficial ownership of such
Ordinary Shares as a result of the transfer; and (ii) the transfer
into the relevant EB Participant account is not effected in
contemplation of a sale of such Ordinary Shares by a beneficial
owner to a third party.
Electronic transfers of Ordinary Shares within
the Euroclear System may, unless exempted, be subject to Irish
stamp duty at the rate of 1% on the consideration paid or market
value of the Ordinary Shares being transferred, whichever is
greater. Such transfers should however not attract Irish stamp duty
if (i) there is no change in the beneficial ownership of such
Ordinary Shares as a result of the transfer; and (ii) the transfer
between Euroclear Bank accounts is not effected in contemplation of
a sale of such Ordinary Shares by a beneficial owner to a third
party. Where Irish stamp duty arises, it is generally a liability
of the transferee.
Due to the potential Irish stamp charge on
transfers of Ordinary Shares held outside of the ATHEXCSD,
Shareholders may wish to consult their own tax advisor in respect
of any tax election to be made by them when transferring their
shares.
2.
Cyprus
Taxation
The following is a general summary of the
material Cyprus tax considerations applicable to Shareholders. This
summary is based on existing Cyprus tax laws and our understanding
of the practices of the Cyprus Tax Department as of the Latest
Practicable Date and may be subject to change.
2.1 Capital Gains Tax
("CGT")
Shareholders should not be liable to capital
gains tax in Cyprus as a result of the Listing and Delisting on the
basis that, the Listing and Delisting should not be treated as
giving rise to a disposal of the Ordinary Shares for CGT
purposes.
2.2 Withholding Tax
("WHT")
No WHT should arise as a result of the Listing
and Delisting.
Cyprus does not levy any WHT on dividend
payments made to non-Cyprus tax resident companies (other than the
below companies) or to individuals who are not considered to be
domiciled in Cyprus. In addition, no WHT is imposed on dividend
payments made between Cyprus tax resident companies, as per the
Special Contribution to the Defence Fund of the Republic Law of
117(I)/2002, as amended (the "SDC
Law").
WHT at the rate of 17% is applied on the amount
of dividends paid by a Cyprus tax resident company to a company
which is a tax resident in a jurisdiction included in the EU list
of non-cooperative jurisdictions for tax purposes (the
"EU List"), or to a company
incorporated or registered in a jurisdiction included in the EU
List and not considered to be tax resident in another jurisdiction
which is not included in the EU List. The above does not apply to
dividends paid in relation to securities listed on a recognised
stock exchange, and both CSE and ATHEX are considered to be
recognised stock exchanges. WHT at the rate of 17% is applied on
the amount of dividends paid by a Cyprus tax resident company to
Cyprus tax resident and domiciled individual Shareholders. The
above mentioned WHT is the special contribution for defence tax
("SDC").
In addition, the dividends to be paid to an
individual who is tax resident in Cyprus, irrespective whether
domiciled or non-domiciled in Cyprus is subject to 2.65%
withholding pursuant to the provisions of the General Healthcare
System Law ("GHS
Law").
The above comments in relation to the
withholding of SDC and General Healthcare System contributions
("GHS") on dividend
payments will not be applicable, since the Company obtained a
confirmation from the Cyprus Tax Department through an advance tax
ruling that:
1.
any dividend payments made in
relation to the Ordinary Shares which are listed on ATHEX,
including companies that are tax residents in a jurisdiction
included in the EU List or which are incorporated or registered in
a jurisdiction included in the EU List and are not resident in
another jurisdiction that is not included in the EU List, shall be
exempt from any withholding tax (SDC) obligations at the level of
the Company;
2.
any dividend payments made in
relation to the Ordinary Shares which are listed on CSE shall be
exempt from any withholding tax (SDC) obligations at the level of
the Company, if such dividend payments are made to Shareholders who
are companies which are tax residents in a jurisdiction included in
the EU list or which are incorporated or registered in a
jurisdiction included in the EU List and are not resident in
another jurisdiction that is not included in the EU
List;
3.
there is no obligation for the
Company to withhold GHS upon distribution of dividends to the
Shareholders who are Cyprus tax resident individuals and own the
Ordinary Shares listed and traded on ATHEX; and
4.
in case the Shareholders are
Cyprus tax resident individuals and own the Ordinary Shares listed
and traded on ATHEX, it should be the sole responsibility and
obligation of such individuals to pay SDC and GHS on the dividend
income via self-assessment.
2.3 Taxation of Dividends
(a)
Non-Cyprus Tax Residents
Persons (both natural and legal, other than the
companies which are tax residents in a jurisdiction included in the
EU List, or to a company incorporated or registered in a
jurisdiction included in the EU List and not considered to be tax
resident in another jurisdiction which is not included in the EU
List) who are not tax resident for tax purposes in Cyprus pursuant
to the provisions of the Cyprus law applicable to income tax should
not be liable to any charge for SDC.
In addition, individuals who are not tax
resident for tax purposes in Cyprus pursuant to the provisions of
the GHS Law should not be liable for GHS.
(b)
Cyprus tax resident individuals
A Cyprus tax resident Shareholder will not be
subject to Cyprus personal income tax on dividends received from
the Company. However, if such dividend payments are made to a
Cyprus tax resident and domiciled Shareholder, they will be subject
to SDC (please refer to WHT in paragraph 2.2 above).
The term "domiciled in Cyprus" is defined in the
SDC Law as an individual who has a Cyprus domicile of origin in
accordance with the Wills and Succession Law, Cap 195 (the "Wills
and Succession Law") (i.e. the domicile of the father at the time
of birth) but it does not include:
(i) an
individual who has obtained and maintained a domicile of choice
outside Cyprus in accordance with the Wills and Succession Law,
provided that such an individual has not been a tax resident of
Cyprus for a period of 20 consecutive years preceding the tax year;
or
(ii) an individual
who has not been a tax resident of Cyprus for a period of 20
consecutive years prior to the introduction of the SDC
Law.
Notwithstanding the above, an individual who
has been a tax resident of Cyprus for at least 17 years out of the
last 20 years prior to the relevant tax year, will be considered to
be "domiciled in Cyprus"
and as such be subject to SDC regardless of their domicile of
origin.
Finally, the dividends received by an
individual who is tax resident in Cyprus, irrespective of whether
they are domiciled or non-domiciled is subject to 2.65% withholding
pursuant to the provisions of the GHS Law.
(c)
Cyprus tax resident companies
A Cyprus tax resident Shareholder will not be
subject to Cyprus corporate income tax on dividends received from
the Company. Such dividend payments will not be subject to SDC
(please refer to WHT in paragraph 2.2 above).
2.4 Stamp Duty ("SD")
No SD implications should arise as a result of
the Listing and Delisting, since the Ordinary Shares are in a
non-Cyprus company (i.e. Irish shares).
3.
Greece
Taxation
The following is a general summary of the
material Greek tax considerations applicable to Shareholders. This
summary is based on existing Greek tax regime as of the Latest
Practicable Date and may be subject to change.
3.1 Capital Gains Tax
("CGT")
Shareholders should not be liable to capital
gains tax as a result of the Listing and Delisting on the basis
that the Listing and Delisting should not be treated as giving rise
to a disposal of the Ordinary Shares for CGT purposes and as such
no capital gain is expected to arise at the level of
Shareholders.
Subsequent to
the listing on ATHEX
(a) Greek tax
resident individuals
As a general remark, whether a Greek tax
resident private individual Shareholder disposes of participations
in a Greek or foreign company, any capital gain arising from the
transfer is, in principle, subject to CGT at a 15% rate. If the
disposed shares belong to a listed entity, CGT would be imposed
only insofar as the said Greek private individual holds shares
which correspond to at least 0.5% of the listed company's share
capital.
Capital gain is defined as the difference
between the shares' acquisition and sale price. Any expenses
closely connected with the acquisition or sale of the shares (e.g.
fees paid to ATHEX, shares' sale tax, etc.) are taken into account
in order to determine the capital gain. In case of the Ordinary
Shares and for the determination of capital gain, the acquisition
and the sale price are determined by the corresponding documents
issued by the competent body (e.g. the brokerage company
etc.).
A Greek tax resident individual must declare
said capital gain income in their annual tax return, irrespective
of whether their income is subject to tax or not.
(b) Greek tax
resident legal persons and legal entities
In the event that a Greek tax resident legal
person or legal entity shareholder disposes of shares, the relevant
capital gain will be classified as "business profit", taxable in principle at the
standard 22% corporate income tax ("CIT") rate, alongside all other income
streams. The same treatment would apply to foreign tax resident
legal persons or entities with a Greek permanent establishment to
which the relevant shares and corresponding profit are
attributed.
Capital gain is defined as the difference
between the shares' acquisition and sale price. Any expenses
closely connected with the acquisition or sale of the shares (e.g.
fees paid to ATHEX, shares' sale tax etc.) are taken into account
in order to determine the capital gain. In the case of the Ordinary
Shares and for the determination of capital gain, the acquisition
and the sale price are determined by the corresponding documents
issued by the competent body (e.g. the brokerage company
etc.).
Pursuant to art. 48A of Greek Income Tax Code
("GITC"), CGT relief can be
applied on the condition that the following prerequisites are met
(participation exemption regime):
(i)
the legal entity whose shares are disposed of
(i.e. the Company) is included in Directive
2011/96/EU, is an EU tax resident and is subject to tax as
described in Directive 2011/96/EU as is the case at
hand;
(ii) the receiving
entity has at least a 10% participation right in the payer entity;
and
(iii) the shares should be
held for at least 24 months.
Lastly, it is noted that specific categories of
taxpayers may be subject to taxation under specific rules,
depending on the exact status and characteristics at hand (e.g.
UCITS etc).
3.2 Sales Tax
According to article 9 para. 2 of L. 2579/1998,
a tax ("Sales Tax") at a
rate of 1‰ (0.1%) is imposed on the sales of shares listed on a
regulated market or a multilateral trading facility operating in
Greece pursuant to L. 4514/2018, such as ATHEX. The Sales Tax is
imposed irrespective of whether the relevant transactions are
carried out inside or outside the aforementioned trading venues.
Sales Tax is not imposed in cases where an exemption is provided by
specific legislative provisions. In addition, Sales Tax is
calculated on the sale value of the shares and is borne by the
seller. If no price is recorded, the tax shall be calculated on the
closing price of the security on the day of the
transaction.
Sales Tax on transactions that are settled
within the ATHEXCSD are calculated by the ATHEXCSD and are notified
to its participants on a daily basis. The participant is liable to
pay the Sales Tax through the ATHEXCSD, based on the procedure
prescribed in article 9 para. 2 of L. 2579/1998.
Further to the above and for completeness
purposes, pursuant to article 9 para. 2 of L. 2579/1998, Sales Tax
is also imposed on the sale of shares listed on a regulated market
or a multilateral trading facility operating abroad, or on other
internationally recognised stock exchange institutions, regardless
of whether the relevant transactions are settled within or outside
the aforementioned trading venues, if the sellers are Greek tax
residents or non-Greek companies having a permanent establishment
in Greece. In such a case, Sales Tax is paid by the seller itself
to the competent tax office in Greece.
Exceptionally, Sales Tax is not imposed when
the sales are carried out on a foreign stock exchange with which
ATHEX has established a common electronic trading system and
provided that such sales are subject to a similar tax in the
foreign country.
3.3 Withholding Tax
("WHT")
No WHT should arise as a result of the Listing
and Delisting.
3.4 Taxation of dividends
Generally, Greek tax residents are taxed in
Greece on their worldwide income, either domestic or foreign
sourced (art. 3 par. 1 of GITC). In this context, Shareholders who
are Greek tax residents will be taxed for the dividends distributed
by the Company as foreign sourced income, as follows:
(a)
Greek tax resident individuals
In case the income beneficiary is a Greek tax
resident individual, the income (i.e. dividends) must be included
in their annual income tax return and shall be taxed as capital
income at a tax rate of 5%.
(b)
Greek tax resident legal persons and legal
entities
In case the income beneficiary is a Greek tax
resident legal person or legal entity, the income (i.e. dividends)
will be classified as "business
profit" (art.47 par.2 of GITC) and taxed along with any
other relevant business profit incurred within the tax year at the
standard 22% CIT rate.
Dividends distributed to a Greek tax resident
legal person or legal entity may be exempt from CIT on the basis of
the Parent Subsidiary Directive (the "PSD"), as transposed into art. 48 of
the GITC, as long as:
(i)
the type of the distributing company is included in the Annex
I Part A of the PSD, is a tax resident of an EU country and is not
considered as a third country (non-EU) resident, while it is
subject to one of the taxes provided for by the PSD (i.e. income
tax);
(ii)
the Greek tax resident legal person or legal entity has at
least a 10% participation right in the payer entity; and
(iii) for at
least 24 months (if the holding period is not met, an exemption may
still be granted provided that a bank letter guarantee equal to the
amount of tax to be exempt has been provided to the Greek tax
authorities).
If the above conditions are met, the dividend
amounts received shall be recorded in a special reserve account of
the Greek legal person or legal entity, irrespectively of whether
or not the latter has tax profits at year end. The amount of this
reserve will principally be subject to a 5% WHT upon its
distribution or capitalization, unless other exemptions
apply.
In case that the participation exemption regime
applies, expenses related to the participation (such as notary
public fees, loan interest expenses etc.) may not, under certain
conditions, be tax deductible.
3.5 Stamp Duty ("SD")
No SD implications should arise as a result of
the Listing and Delisting.
4.
United Kingdom
Taxation
The following is a general summary of the
material UK tax considerations applicable to Shareholders. This
summary is based on existing UK tax law and practice published by
His Majesty's Revenue and Customs ("HMRC") as of the Latest Practicable
Date and may be subject to change.
4.1 Capital Gains Tax
("CGT")
No CGT on the delisting of the Ordinary Shares
from the LSE or the listing of the Ordinary Shares on ATHEX should
arise on the basis that there is no change in the beneficial
ownership of the Ordinary Shares, and since under law of the CDI
issuing jurisdiction, the holder is treated as the beneficial owner
of the underlying Ordinary Shares.
This is on the basis that where the owner of
the CDIs converts these into the underlying Ordinary Shares there
is no change in ownership of those Ordinary Shares and so no
disposal of the Ordinary Shares. However, there would be a disposal
of the CDI instrument itself, but since no consideration is
received by the Shareholders for the disposal of the CDI no
chargeable gain should arise.
4.2 Withholding Tax
("WHT")
No WHT should arise as a result of the Listing
and Delisting.
4.3 Taxation of dividends
The Listing and Delisting is not expected to
have any impact on the taxation of dividends by UK
Shareholders.
(a)
UK tax resident individuals
UK resident individual Shareholders are
entitled to a tax-free £5,000 dividend allowance. Dividend income
in excess of the dividend allowance should be taxed at 7.5% for a
UK tax resident individual who is subject to income tax at the
basic rate, 32.5% for a UK tax resident individual who is subject
to income tax at the higher rate and 38.1% for a UK tax resident
individual who is subject to income tax at the additional rate. Any
dividend income within the £5,000 allowance should still count as
taxable income for determining the basic, higher and additional
rate thresholds.
(b)
UK tax resident companies
Dividends received by corporate Shareholders
resident for tax purposes in the UK, will be subject to CIT on
dividends paid by the Company, unless the distribution is exempt.
Each corporate Shareholder's position will depend on its own
individual circumstances although it would normally be expected
that the dividends paid by the Company would fall within an exempt
class. Shareholders are advised to seek specific advice on this
when completing their UK corporation tax returns.
4.4 Stamp Duty ("SD") and Stamp Duty Reserve
Tax ("SDRT")
No SD or SDRT implications should arise as a
result of the Listing and Delisting, since the Company is
incorporated in Ireland, its Register of Members is not kept in the
UK and its Ordinary Shares are not paired with UK ordinary
shares.
No UK stamp duty implications should arise as a
result of the proposed transfer of the Ordinary Shares from CREST
to Euroclear Bank for the purposes of being listed on
ATHEX.
5.
US
Taxation
5.1 US Federal Income Taxation ("US
FIT")
The Listing and Delisting is not expected to
give rise to any adverse US FIT tax implications to US
Shareholders. This is because the Listing and Delisting is not
expected to be treated as a realization event for US FIT purposes,
a prerequisite to US federal income taxation.
If the US Shareholders take additional steps to
exchange their CDIs into another type of share or security and
depending on the specific mechanism chosen for such steps, the
exchange should be revisited to assess whether; (i) it is a
realization event that could give rise to US federal income
taxation; and (ii) if a realization event, whether the exchange
potentially could qualify as tax-free. An analysis of any such
future exchange is beyond the scope of this Document. We recommend
that each US Shareholder obtains US FIT advice prior to undertaking
any such future exchange.
Realization
event as a requirement for US FIT
The realization requirement is a fundamental
principle in US tax law that determines when a taxpayer must
recognise income or loss for tax purposes. Under this requirement,
income is generally recognised only when a taxpayer engages in a
transaction that results in a change in the form or substance of an
investment, such as the sale or exchange of an asset, which allows
the taxpayer to measure and liquidate the gain or loss from that
transaction. That is, the property must be converted into cash, or
exchanged for other property that differs materially in kind or in
extent. The realization event is the trigger that causes the
taxpayer to include the gain or loss in taxable income.
The Listing and Delisting should not constitute
a realization event for US FIT purposes because (i) US Shareholders
who held CDIs immediately before the Listing and Delisting will
continue to hold the same CDIs immediately after the Listing and
Delisting; and (ii) before and after the Listing and Delisting,
each CDI continues to reflect a beneficial ownership interest in
the same underlying Ordinary Shares. The Ordinary Shares themselves
are not being sold or exchanged rather, the platform on which the
Ordinary Shares are traded is being changed.
Furthermore, the Shareholders are not receiving
any cash or other property that could be measured for gain or loss.
The legal and economic rights associated with the Ordinary Shares
remain the same, and the Shareholders' relationship with their
property (i.e. the Ordinary Shares) does not fundamentally change
as a result of the Listing and Delisting. Therefore, under the
principles discussed, the Listing and Delisting should not trigger
a realization event that would lead to the recognition of income
for US FIT purposes.
5.2 Taxation of dividend income paid out of
US earnings and profits
For US Tax purposes, a distribution of property
by a corporation is treated as:
(a)
firstly, as a dividend to the extent of the distributing
company's current and accumulated earnings and profits
("E&P");
(b)
secondly, as a non-taxable return of the shareholder's US tax
basis (but not below zero); and
(c)
lastly, as capital gain to the extent that the distribution
exceeds both E&P and US tax basis. Current year E&P is
determined as of the end of the taxable year regardless of the
timing of the distribution itself and without any reduction for any
distributions made in the current year. Further, dividends are
considered made first from current year E&P.
Neither the US Internal Revenue Code nor the
regulations define the term "earnings and profits", and general
corporate law does not incorporate a similar or analogous concept
from which a definition could be drawn. In addition, legislative
history provides little or no guidance. Thus, the computation of a
corporation's E&P often presents considerable difficulty,
especially for a corporation that has undergone multiple
reorganisations or other transactions requiring adjustments to
E&P. Judicial authorities, however, have broadly defined the
term "earnings and
profits" as an economic concept used by the tax law to
"approximate a corporation's
power to make distributions that are more than just a return of
investment".
The US generally taxes its citizens, residents
and domestic corporations on all their income regardless of where
it is earned, i.e. on a worldwide basis. As such, dividends
received by US individuals and US corporations are generally
subject to US tax. Note that a foreign tax credit ("FTC") may be available to offset such
US tax, subject to certain limitations.
Note that the Company has been assumed to not
be a Passive Foreign Investment Company ("PFIC") for US tax purposes, any
distribution should not be subject to US tax under the PFIC excess
distribution regime.
5.3 US individual
shareholders
Dividends received by US individual
Shareholders from the Company should be subject to US tax and may
qualify for a preferential US statutory rate if the dividends meet
the definition of qualified dividend income ("QDI"). A dividend should be treated as
QDI if it is received by a US individual Shareholder from a
qualified foreign corporation ("QFC"). A QFC is generally defined as
any non-US corporation that is eligible for the benefits of a
comprehensive income tax treaty with the US, that the US tax
authorities determine is satisfactory for the purposes of this
provision and that includes an exchange of information program. The
Internal Revenue Service has published a notice that includes a
list of approved treaties that includes the US Double Tax Treaty
with the Republic of Cyprus (the "Treaty"). The notice contains an
additional requirement that effectively requires the payor
corporation (i.e. the Company) to qualify for benefits of the
applicable US double tax treaty (i.e. the Treaty), even if such
payor corporation does not derive US source income. Accordingly, in
order to determine whether the Company qualifies as a QFC (thereby
according to the US individual Shareholders a preferential rate on
dividends received from the Company), it must be determined whether
the Company would qualify for benefits under the Treaty.
In order to determine whether the Company would
qualify for benefits under the Treaty, the Company must:
(a)
meet the definition of a Cyprus resident as defined in the
Treaty; and
(b)
satisfy one of the tests included in the limitation on
benefits ("LOB") article of
the Treaty. An LOB article is included in most modern US double tax
treaties and is aimed to prevent so-called "treaty shopping" by limiting the
availability of treaty benefits to residents with sufficient
presence in the residence country, based on their legal nature,
ownership and/or activities.
A resident of Cyprus includes a Cyprus
corporation, which is an entity treated as a body corporate for tax
purposes under the laws of Cyprus, which is resident in Cyprus for
the purposes of Cyprus tax. The Company is an entity treated as a
body corporate for tax purposes under the laws of Cyprus and is
resident in Cyprus for the purposes of Cyprus tax, therefore the
Company should qualify as a resident of Cyprus for purposes of the
Treaty, notwithstanding the fact that it is legally incorporated in
Ireland.
The next step is to determine if the Company
would meet the requirements of the LOB article of the Treaty.
Unlike most LOB articles in US double tax treaties, the Treaty
contains a single ownership/base erosion test and a principal
purpose test. The ownership/base erosion test includes both an
ownership prong and a base erosion prong.
Under this test, a Cyprus company may qualify
if:
(a) the
Cyprus company is greater than 75% owned, directly or indirectly,
by one or more individual residents of Cyprus; and
(b) the
gross income of the Cyprus company is not used in substantial part,
directly or indirectly, to make deductible payments to persons who
are not US or Cyprus residents.
Note that the ownership prong of the test is
presumed satisfied if the company is substantially traded on a
'recognized stock
exchange'. An exchange will be a 'recognized exchange' only if so,
designated by agreement of the competent authorities. Note that the
Treaty was concluded in 1984 (before the creation of the CSE in
1996) and as such, the Technical Explanation to the Treaty
acknowledges that the CSE did not exist at that time. The Technical
Explanation states that if and when a stock exchange is established
in Cyprus, the competent authorities will, at that time, consider
whether the listing and trading frequency requirements of the
exchange are sufficient for it to be a 'recognized exchange' for purposes of
the Treaty. To date, no such competent authority agreement has been
arranged. As such, it is unclear whether the continued listing of
the Ordinary Shares on the CSE is sufficient for the Company to
satisfy the ownership prong of the test, given we have assumed its
current shareholding structure does not satisfy the 75% ownership
requirement.
Under the principal purpose test, a company
that fails the ownership based test may still qualify for benefits
under the LOB article if it is determined that the establishment,
acquisition and maintenance of the company and the conduct of its
operations did not have a principal purpose of obtaining benefits
under the Treaty. This principal purpose test is a facts and
circumstances analysis and recognises that there are bona fide
business reasons for a Cyprus entity to be owned by non-US and
non-Cyprus residents. The Technical Explanation to the Treaty
contains a few examples of cases that are not inconsistent with the
objectives of the Treaty, including if a Cyprus company owned by
residents of third countries conducts business operations in Cyprus
and holds investments in the US, or engages in business activities
in the US, which are related or incidental to those business
activities. The Technical Explanation contains a couple of other
examples and further acknowledges that the test could be satisfied
in other ways. Accordingly, if the Company was successful in
demonstrating that it does not maintain a Cyprus tax residence with
the principal purpose of obtaining Treaty benefits, the Company
could be entitled to benefits under the Treaty.
If the Company was eligible for Treaty benefits
and thus met the definition of a QFC, US individual Shareholders
could be eligible for the preferential rate on QDI received from
the Company. Such QDI would be subject to the graduated CGT rates
with a maximum rate of 20% (depending on the applicable rate to
each individual shareholder). Note that an additional 3.8% net
investment income tax may also apply to certain individual
Shareholders. In addition, US state and local taxes may also be
imposed and vary by state.
A direct FTC may be available to the extent
Cyprus levies withholding tax on such dividends, subject to certain
limitations.
5.4 US corporate
Shareholders
Dividends received by US corporate Shareholders
should generally be subject to US tax at ordinary graduated income
rates, with a maximum US tax rate of 21%. Note that US state and
local income taxes may also apply to such dividend
income.
A direct FTC may be available to the extent
Cyprus levies WHT on such dividends, subject to certain
limitations. Further, in the case of a greater than 10% (by vote)
US corporate Shareholder, an indirect FTC may be available for
underlying taxes paid by the Company, subject to certain
limitations.
PART 6
Explanation of the proposed
amendments to the Existing Articles
Article
|
Explanation of
the amendments
|
Article
1(b)
Interpretation
|
Certain definitions have been included in
Article 1(b) to reflect new terms introduced by the other
amendments described below, including new definitions of
"Athens Stock Exchange"
and "Effective
Time".
In addition, an amendment to the definition of
"Stock Exchanges" has been
proposed in order to capture any stock exchanges on which the
Ordinary Shares are listed from time to time.
|
Article 12(a)
and 12(b)
Issue of certificates
|
The proposed new Article 12(b) provides that,
with effect from the time and date immediately prior to the
approval of Listing by the ATHEX Listing Committee and subject to
applicable law and regulations: (i) Ordinary Shares will become
held in "dematerialised
form" and any existing share certificates will automatically
be cancelled; and (ii) Shareholders recorded on the Register of
Members will not be entitled to receive a share certificate.
Ancillary changes have been made to Article 12(a) to reflect these
new provisions.
This provision is being proposed in order to
facilitate the admission of the Ordinary Shares to trading on
ATHEX, which requires the entire issued share capital of the
Company to be held in dematerialised form or otherwise
immobilised.
|
Article
14(A)(a)(v)
Uncertificated Shares and Migration to a
Central Securities Depository
|
An amendment is proposed to correct a
typographical error in the definition of "Circular" as included in this
Article.
|
Article
118(e)
Scrip dividends
|
An amendment is proposed to Article 118(e) to
include references to the Daily Closing Prices List of ATHEX for
the purpose of determining the "average quotation" of an Ordinary
Share in connection with any scrip dividend.
|
PART 7
Definitions
The following definitions apply in this
Document unless the context otherwise clearly
requires:
"2006 Takeover Regulations"
|
the EU Takeovers Bids Directive
(2004/25/EC) as transposed into Irish law by the European
Communities (Takeover Bids (Directive 2004/25/EC)) Regulations,
2006 (S.I. No. 255 of 2006);
|
"2024 AGM"
|
the annual general meeting of the
Company held at 11:00 a.m. (Cyprus time) / 9:00 a.m. (Irish time)
on 17 May 2024;
|
"Amended Articles"
|
the amended Articles of Association
proposed for approval by Shareholders at the EGM pursuant to
Resolution 2;
|
"Articles of Association"
|
the articles of association of the
Company from time to time;
|
"AT1 ECNs"
|
Additional Tier 1 Contingent Equity
Conversion Notes;
|
"ATHEX" or
"Athens Stock
Exchange"
|
(i) the Main Market of the Regulated
Securities Market of the Athens Stock Exchange; or (ii) the Athens
Stock Exchange, as the context requires;
|
"ATHEX Listing Committee"
|
the Listings and Market Operation
Committee of ATHEX;
|
"ATHEX Rulebook"
|
the rule book (regulation) of ATHEX,
as amended from time to time;
|
"ATHEXCSD"
|
Hellenic Central Securities
Depository S.A., authorised by the HCMC to act as a central
securities depository for ATHEX in accordance with Regulation (EU)
No. 909/2024;
|
"ATHEXCSD DSS"
|
the electronic dematerialized
securities system which is administered by the ATHEXCSD in its
capacity as provider of depository services;
|
"ATHEXCSD Participants"
|
certain ATHEX members or custodian
banks which are authorised to operate and maintain a shares and
securities account within the ATHEXCSD DSS;
|
"ATHEXCSD
Rulebook"
|
the ATHEXCSD Central Securities
Depository Rulebook of the Hellenic Central Securities Depository,
as amended from time to time;
|
"Board"
|
the board of directors of Bank of
Cyprus Holdings Public Limited Company at the time of this
Document;
|
"Broadridge"
|
Broadridge Proxy Voting Service, a
third-party service provider engaged by EUI in connection with the
voting service provided in respect of CDIs;
|
"business day"
|
a day, other than a Saturday, Sunday
or public holiday in Ireland, the United Kingdom, Cyprus or
Greece;
|
"CDCR"
|
the Central Securities Depository
and Central Registry of the CSE;
|
"CDI(s)"
|
CREST Depository
Interest(s);
|
"CDI Holder"
|
persons holding CDIs;
|
"certificated form"
|
a share being the subject of a
certificate as referred to in Section 99(1) of the Companies
Act;
|
"Certificated Shareholders"
|
Shareholders who hold their Ordinary
Shares in certificated form;
|
"CGT"
|
capital gains tax;
|
"Chargeable Person"
|
the banker, broker, or paying agent
who has the obligation to withhold encashment tax;
|
"CIT"
|
corporate income tax;
|
"Companies Act"
|
the Companies Act 2014 of Ireland,
and every statutory modification and re-enactment of such
legislation for the time being in force;
|
"Company"
|
Bank of Cyprus Holdings Public
Limited Company;
|
"Constitution"
|
the constitution of the Company as
in effect from time to time, consisting of the Memorandum of
Association and the Articles of Association;
|
"CREST"
|
the system for the paperless
settlement of trades in securities and the holding of
uncertificated securities in accordance with the CREST Regulations
operated by Euroclear UK & International Limited;
|
"CREST Deed Poll"
|
the global deed poll made on 25 June
2001 by the CREST Depository, (as amended) a copy of which is set
out in Chapter 8 of the CREST International Manual;
|
"CREST Glossary of Terms"
|
the document issued by EUI entitled
'CREST Glossary' dated
December 2020 and which forms part of the CREST Manual, as may be
amended, varied, replaced or superseded from time to
time;
|
"CREST International Manual"
|
the document issued by EUI entitled
'CREST International Manual' dated December 2020 in respect of the
international links settlement service offered by EUI and which
forms part of the CREST Manual, as may be amended, varied, replaced
or superseded from time to time;
|
"CREST Manual"
|
the documents issued by EUI
governing the operation of CREST, as may be amended, varied,
replaced or superseded from time to time, consisting of the CREST
Reference Manual, CREST International Manual, CREST Central
Counterparty Service Manual, CREST Rules, CREST CCSS Operations
Manual, CREST Application Procedure and CREST Glossary of Terms
(all as defined in the CREST Glossary of Terms);
|
"CREST Regulations"
|
the Uncertificated Securities
Regulations 2001 of the United Kingdom, as amended;
|
"CREST Terms and Conditions"
|
the document issued by EUI entitled
'CREST Terms and
Conditions' dated August 2020, as may be amended, varied,
replaced or superseded from time to time;
|
"CSD"
|
a central securities
depository;
|
"CSDR"
|
the EU Central Securities
Depositories Regulation (Regulation (EU) No. 909/2014);
|
"CSE"
|
the Cyprus Stock
Exchange;
|
"CSE ISCS Accounts"
|
the investor share code and
securities accounts within the CSE;
|
"CSE Listing Rules"
|
the Cyprus Stock Exchange listing
rules;
|
"CSE Operators"
|
persons authorised to operate CSE
ISCS Accounts on behalf of Shareholders;
|
"Cyprus DSS"
|
the dematerialised securities system
of the CSE;
|
"CySEC"
|
the Cyprus Securities and Exchange
Commission;
|
"Deed Poll"
|
the deed poll dated 15 November
2016, as amended in March 2021;
|
"Delisting"
|
the delisting of the Ordinary Shares
from the international commercial companies secondary listing
category of the Official List of the LSE and cancellation of the
admission of the Ordinary Shares to trading on the LSE;
|
"Depositary"
|
Link Market Services Trustees
Limited;
|
"Depositary Agreement"
|
an agreement entered into between
the Company and the Depositary
dated 11 January 2017 (as amended on 12 March
2021), pursuant to which the Company appointed the
Depositary to constitute
and issue from time to time, upon the terms of the Deed Poll, DIs
representing Ordinary Shares;
|
"DI(s)"
|
the uncertificated depositary
interests representing Ordinary Shares transferable by the CDCR of
the CSE;
|
"DI
Form of Proxy"
|
the form of proxy for DI Holders in
respect of voting at the EGM;
|
"DI
Holder"
|
a holder of DIs;
|
"DTRs"
|
the Disclosure Guidance and
Transparency Rules of the FCA;
|
"DWT"
|
dividend withholding tax;
|
"EB
Participants"
|
a participant in the Euroclear
System that has entered into an agreement to participate in the
Euroclear System subject to the EB Terms and Conditions;
|
"EB
Terms and Conditions"
|
the document issued by Euroclear
Bank entitled 'Terms and
Conditions governing use of Euroclear' dated April 2019, as
may be amended, varied, replaced or superseded from time to
time;
|
"Effective Date"
|
23 September 2024;
|
"EUI"
|
Euroclear UK & International
Limited, the operator of CREST;
|
"Euroclear Bank" or
"EB"
|
Euroclear Bank SA/NV, an
international CSD based in Belgium;
|
"Euroclear Bank Service Description"
|
"Euroclear Bank as issuer CSD for Irish
corporate securities" (as amended or replaced from time to
time) and available on the Euroclear Bank website
(www.euroclear.com);
|
"Euroclear Nominees"
|
Euroclear Nominees Limited, a wholly
owned subsidiary of Euroclear Bank, established under the laws of
England and Wales with registration number
02369969;
|
"Euroclear System"
|
the securities settlement system
operated by Euroclear Bank and governed by Belgian law (or any
successor or assignee of it in such capacity from time to time) or
any replacement for such system from time to time;
|
"EU
List"
|
the EU list of non-cooperative
jurisdictions for tax purposes;
|
"EU
MAR"
|
the EU Market Abuse Regulation
(Regulation (EU) No. 596/2014);
|
"EU
Transparency"
|
the EU Transparency Directive
(2004/109/EC);
|
"Existing Articles"
|
the existing Articles of
Association;
|
"Extraordinary General Meeting" or
"EGM"
|
the extraordinary general meeting of
the Company convened to be held at 11:00 a.m. (Cyprus time) / 9:00
a.m. (Irish time) on 13 September at 51 Stassinos Street, Ayia Paraskevi, 2002
Strovolos, Nicosia, Cyprus or any adjournment
thereof;
|
"FCA"
|
the Financial Conduct Authority of
the United Kingdom;
|
"Form of Proxy"
|
the form of proxy in respect of
voting at the EGM;
|
"FSMA"
|
the Financial Services and Market
Authority;
|
"FTC"
|
has the meaning given to it in
Section 5 of Part 5 of this Document;
|
"GHS"
|
has the meaning given to it in
Section 2 of Part 5 of this Document;
|
"GITC"
|
has the meaning given to it in
Section 3 of Part 5 of this Document;
|
"Group"
|
Bank of Cyprus Holdings Public
Limited Company, its subsidiary Bank of Cyprus Public Company
Limited and its subsidiaries;
|
"HCMC"
|
the Hellenic Capital Market
Commission (Επιτροπή
Κεφαλαιαγοράς), regulator for ATHEX;
|
"HMRC"
|
has the meaning given to it in
Section 4 of Part 5 of this Document;
|
"IFRS"
|
International Financial Reporting
Standards, as adopted by the EU;
|
"Irish Revenue"
|
the Revenue Commissioners of
Ireland, the Irish Government agency responsible for customs,
excise, taxation and related matters;
|
"Irish Transparency Regulations"
|
the Transparency (Directive
2004/109/EC) Regulations 2007 of Ireland, as amended;
|
"IVC"
|
Investor Code;
|
"Latest Practicable Date"
|
12 August 2024;
|
"Listing"
|
the admission of Ordinary Shares to
listing for trading on ATHEX;
|
"LSE"
|
the London Stock Exchange Group
plc;
|
"Memorandum of Association"
|
the memorandum of association of the
Company, from time to time;
|
"Notice of EGM" or
"Notice"
|
the notice of Extraordinary General
Meeting which is contained in Part 8 of this Document;
|
"Ordinary Shares"
|
the ordinary shares with a nominal
value of €0.10 each in the capital of the Company;
|
"PFIC"
|
has the meaning given to it in
Section 5 of Part 5 of this Document;
|
"QDI"
|
has the meaning given to it in
Section 5 of Part 5 of this Document;
|
"QFC"
|
has the meaning given to it in
Section 5 of Part 5 of this Document;
|
"Record Date"
|
the record date for determining the
right to vote at the EGM, being 9 September 2024;
|
"Register of Members"
|
the register of members of the
Company which is maintained pursuant to Section 169 of the
Companies Act;
|
"Registrar"
|
Link Registrars Limited;
|
"Resolution 1"
|
the ordinary resolution, proposed
for consideration at the EGM, to approve the proposed admission to
listing for trading of the Ordinary Shares on ATHEX, as set out in
the Notice of EGM;
|
"Resolution 2"
|
the special resolution, proposed for
consideration at the EGM, to approve the adoption of the Amended
Articles, as set out in the Notice of EGM;
|
"Resolutions"
|
Resolution 1 and Resolution
2;
|
"Sales Tax"
|
has the meaning given to it in
Section 3 of Part 5 of this Document;
|
"SDC"
|
has the meaning given to it in
Section 2 of Part 5 of this Document;
|
"SDC Law"
|
the Special Contribution to the
Defence Fund of the Republic Law of 117(1)/2002, as
amended;
|
"Shareholders"
|
the CDI Holders together with the
Certificated Shareholders and the DI Holders;
|
"Treaty"
|
has the meaning given to it in
Section 5 of Part 5 of this Document;
|
"UK
Corporate Governance Code"
|
the UK Corporate Governance Code (as
amended) published by the Financial Reporting Council;
|
"UK
Listing Rules"
|
the UK listing rules made under Part
VI of FSMA (as set out in the FCA handbook), as amended;
|
"UK
MAR"
|
Regulation (EU) No. 596/2014 of the
European Parliament and of the Council of 16 April 2014 on market
abuse (market abuse regulation) (MAR), as retained in the UK by the
European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018 and amended by the Market
Abuse (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019/31;
|
"US
FIT"
|
has the meaning given to it in
Section 5 of Part 5 of this Document; and
|
"WHT"
|
withholding tax.
|
PART 8
Notice of the Extraordinary General
Meeting
Notice is hereby given that the Extraordinary
General Meeting ("EGM") of
Bank of Cyprus Holdings Public Limited Company (the "Company") will be held at the Company's
Headquarters (51 Stassinos
Street, Ayia Paraskevi, 2002 Strovolos, Nicosia, Cyprus) on
13 September 2024
at 11:00 a.m. (Cyprus
time). Shareholders in
Ireland may participate in the EGM by audio link at the registered
office of the Company, Ten Earlsfort Terrace, Dublin 2, D02 T380,
Ireland at the same time as the EGM, (i.e.
commencing at 9:00 a.m. Irish time on 13
September 2024).
The EGM will consider and, if thought fit,
approve the following resolutions:
As an Ordinary Resolution:
"That the
admission to listing for trading of all of the ordinary shares of
the Company in issue from time to time, each with a nominal value
of €0.10, on the Main Market of the Regulated Securities Market of
the Athens Stock Exchange, in accordance with Greek law no.
3371/2005 (the "Listing")
be and is hereby approved, such that the Directors be and are
hereby authorised to cause the Listing to be effected and to do
and/or procure to be done all such acts or things as they may
consider necessary or desirable in connection with the
Listing" (Resolution
1).
As a Special Resolution:
"That the
articles of association produced to the meeting (and for the
purpose of identification signed by the Chairman of the meeting) be
adopted as the articles of association of the Company in
substitution for and to the exclusion of the existing articles of
association of the Company with effect from the conclusion of the
meeting" (Resolution 2).
The effectiveness of the Listing is subject to,
and conditional upon approval from the Listings and Market
Operation Committee of Athens Stock Exchange and the approval of
Resolution 1 by the requisite majority of Shareholders as an
ordinary resolution at the EGM. While the effectiveness of the
Listing is not subject to, or conditional upon approval of
Resolution 2, in the event that Resolution 2 is not approved by the
requisite majority of Shareholders at the EGM, the Company may be
restricted from implementing the Listing and Delisting in line with
the expected timetable of principal events set out on page
7.
If Resolution 1 is approved, it is intended
that, the Ordinary Shares with an international commercial
companies secondary listing on the Official List of the London
Stock Exchange Group plc (the "LSE") will be delisted and the
admission of Ordinary Shares to trading on the LSE will be
cancelled.
By order of the Board of Directors
Katia
Santis
Secretary
19 August 2024
NOTES TO THE NOTICE OF THE
EXTRAORDINARY GENERAL MEETING:
1.
We expect the EGM to proceed as planned on 13 September 2024
at 11:00 a.m. (Cyprus time) / 9:00 a.m. (Irish time) at the
Company's Headquarters, 51
Stassinos Street, Ayia Paraskevi, 2002 Strovolos, Nicosia,
Cyprus.
2.
Should there be any relevant updates regarding the EGM,
including any changes to the arrangements for the EGM outlined in
the Notice of EGM, they will be announced via a regulatory
information service and made available on the Company's website,
(www.bankofcyprus.com/group/).
3.
In the event that it is not possible to hold the EGM as
planned, the EGM may be held with the minimum necessary quorum in
attendance in accordance with the Articles of Association or
adjourned or postponed to a different time and/or venue, in which
case notification of such adjournment or postponement will be given
in accordance with the Articles of Association.
4.
We strongly encourage Shareholders to submit a proxy voting
instruction in advance of the EGM to ensure they can vote and be
represented at the EGM. The deposit of an instrument of proxy will
not preclude a member from attending and voting in person at the
EGM or at any adjournment thereof. This can be done in advance of
the EGM by availing of one of the following ways: 1) you can either
appoint a proxy as set out in these notes on pages 50 - 54, or 2)
during the EGM by using the electronic voting facility set out on
pages 55 - 56. Please note the deadlines for receipt of the proxy
appointment for it to be valid and the relevant procedure for the
electronic voting facility. By submitting a proxy form or by using
the electronic voting facility you will be able to ensure that your
vote on the proposed Resolutions are cast at the EGM in accordance
with your wishes, without attending in person.
5.
If you wish to listen live to the EGM proceedings, you can do
so by availing of the electronic meeting facility by accessing the
EGM website, https://web.lumiagm.com. This
will allow you to audio cast the EGM and Shareholders can submit
questions and votes through the website. Further instructions on
how to attend the meeting remotely are set out on pages 55 - 56 of
these notes and on the Company's website
www.bankofcyprus.com/group/ (select Investor Relations /
Extraordinary General Meeting 2024).
6.
Before the EGM, a Shareholder may also submit a question in
writing, to be received at least four business days before the
meeting (i.e. by 9 September 2024) by post to the Company
Secretary, Bank of Cyprus Holdings Public Limited Company,
51 Stassinos Street, Ayia
Paraskevi, 2002 Strovolos, Nicosia, Cyprus or by email to
Company.Secretary@bankofcyprus.com. All correspondence should
include sufficient information to identify a Shareholder. Responses
to the most common questions will be posted on our website on
www.bankofcyprus.com/group/ (select Investor Relations/
Extraordinary General Meeting 2024) and we also anticipate
responding in writing directly to any individual Shareholder who
raises a question.
ENTITLEMENT TO
PARTICIPATE IN THE EXTRAORDINARY GENERAL MEETING - THE RIGHTS OF
CERTIFICATED SHAREHOLDERS AND DI HOLDERS
7.
This section describes the procedure for participation at the
EGM by Certificated Shareholders and DI Holders. The procedures for
CDI Holders through CREST and/or EB Participants are set out in the
notes below.
8.
The record date for determining the right to vote at the EGM
is 9:00 p.m. (Cyprus time) / 7:00 p.m. (Irish time) on 9
September 2024 (or in the case of an adjournment, at 9:00 p.m.
(Cyprus time) / 7:00 p.m. (Irish time) on the day before a date
that falls 72 hours before the holding of the adjourned meeting)
(the "Record Date").
Transactions which take place thereafter will not be considered in
determining the right to vote at the EGM. Each Certificated
Shareholder recorded in the Register of Members and each DI Holder
recorded as such in the Company's records on the Record Date, is
entitled to participate in the EGM. Certificated Shareholders and
DI Holders are each entitled to exercise one vote for each Ordinary
Share or depositary interest representing one Ordinary Share held
by them.
9.
Link Market Services Trustees (Nominees) Limited as the
holder of the Ordinary Shares pursuant to which the DIs have been
issued, will deliver to the Company a form of proxy appointing: (i)
each of the DI Holders; and/or (ii) such other person(s) as any of
the DI Holders have informed the Company that they wish to nominate
as their proxy (provided such appointment has been made in the
prescribed form) as at the Record Date, to attend, speak, ask
questions and vote for the Depositary on behalf of the Shareholder
at the EGM of the Company and at any adjournment of the
meeting.
10. A
Certificated Shareholder or a DI Holder entitled to attend, speak,
ask questions and vote at the EGM is entitled to appoint a proxy as
follows:
10.1
Each Certificated Shareholder who wishes to appoint a proxy
to attend, speak, ask questions and vote on his behalf should
complete and deliver the accompanying proxy entitled "Form of
Proxy"; and
10.2
Each DI Holder who wishes to appoint a proxy to attend,
speak, ask questions and vote on his behalf should complete and
deliver the accompanying proxy entitled "DI Form of
Proxy".
10.3
Certificated Shareholders and DI Holders may appoint the
Chairman of the EGM or any person as their proxy or proxy nominee.
Such proxy or proxy nominee does not need to be a Shareholder. A
proxy holder holding proxies from several Certificated Shareholders
and/or DI Holders may cast votes differently for each Certificated
Shareholder and/or DI Holder. Certificated Shareholders and DI
Holders who appoint or nominate the Chairman or any other person as
a proxy to vote on their behalf but wish to specify how their votes
should be cast, should indicate accordingly in the relevant boxes
on the Form of Proxy or DI Form of Proxy as applicable. Where the
Certificated Shareholder or DI Holder does not specify how the
proxy must vote on any particular matter, the appointed proxy
(including the Chairman, if appointed) has discretion as to
whether, and if so, how he votes. Certificated Shareholders and DI
Holders may nominate more than one proxy to attend and vote at the
meeting provided that, where a Certificated Shareholder or DI
Holder appoints more than one proxy in relation to a general
meeting, each proxy must be appointed to exercise the rights
attached to different Ordinary Shares held by that Certificated
Shareholder or different Ordinary Shares represented by DIs held by
that DI Holder.
11. The Form
of Proxy and DI Form of Proxy, which accompany this Notice of EGM,
have been posted on the Company's website www.bankofcyprus.com/group/
(select Investor Relations / Extraordinary General Meeting 2024)
and are available in hard copy at the Company's Headquarters,
51 Stassinos Street, Ayia
Paraskevi, 2002 Strovolos, Nicosia, Cyprus.
12. To
be valid, Forms of Proxy must be completed, signed and returned,
together with any power of attorney or other authority under which
it is executed, or a notarially certified copy thereof, to the
Company's Registrar, Link
Registrars Limited at P.O. Box 7117, Dublin 2, Ireland (if
delivered by post) or at Link
Registrars Limited, Suite 149, The Capel Building, Mary's Abbey,
Dublin 7, D07 DP79, Ireland (if delivered by hand during
normal business hours) so as to be received by no later than 11:00
a.m. (Cyprus time) / 9:00 a.m. (Irish time) on 11 September
2024. If you are appointing someone other than the Chairman
as your proxy, then you must fill in the details of your
representative at the meeting in the box in the top left corner of
the Form of Proxy, although please note the restrictions that may
apply to such person's attendance in person as outlined in these
notes and the person may not be able to attend the meeting. If you
appoint the Chairman or another person as a proxy to vote on your
behalf, please make sure to indicate how you wish your votes to be
cast by ticking the relevant boxes on the Form of Proxy.
Alternatively, a member may appoint a proxy electronically by
logging on to the website of the Company's Registrar, Link
Registrars Limited at https://www.signalshares.com and entering
the Company name, Bank of Cyprus Holdings Public Limited Company.
You will need to register for the Share Portal by clicking on
"registration section" (if
you have not registered previously) and follow the instructions
thereon. Certificated Shareholders will be asked to enter their
Investor Code (IVC) as printed on their share certificate and agree
to certain conditions. Additionally, Link Registrars has launched a
shareholder app: LinkVote+. It's free to download and use and gives
Certificated Shareholders the ability to access their shareholding
record at any time and allows users to submit a proxy appointment
quickly and easily online rather than through the post. The app is
available to download on both the Apple App Store and Google Play,
or by scanning the relevant QR code below.
13. To be
valid, DI Forms of Proxy must be completed, signed and returned,
together with any power of attorney or other authority under which
it is executed, or a notarially certified copy thereof, to Investor
Relations & ESG Department, 51 Stassinos Street, Ayia Paraskevi 2002
Strovolos, Nicosia, Cyprus, P.O. Box 21472, 1599 Nicosia,
Cyprus, e-mail: shares@bankofcyprus.com, fax: +357 22 120245, so as
to reach such address no later than 11:00 a.m. (Cyprus time) / 9:00
a.m. (Irish time) on 11 September 2024.
14. DI
Holders may confirm that the applicable DI Form of Proxy has been
successfully received by the Company by calling the Investor
Relations & ESG Department at +357 22 126055.
15.
Certificated Shareholders, DI Holders and/or their proxies,
who wish to attend the EGM must provide their identity card or
other proof of identification, although please note the
restrictions that may apply to such person's attendance in person
as outlined in these notes and the person may not be able to attend
the meeting.
16.
Alternatively, any body corporate which is a Certificated
Shareholder or a DI Holder may by resolution of its directors or
other governing body authorise such person as it thinks fit, to act
as its representative at any meeting of the Company or any class of
members of the Company, and the person so authorised shall be
entitled to exercise the same powers on behalf of the body
corporate, which they represent as that body corporate could
exercise if it were an individual Certificated Shareholder or DI
Holder of the Company.
17. In the
case of joint Certificated Shareholders or joint DI Holders, the
vote of the senior who tenders a vote, whether in person or by
proxy, will be accepted to the exclusion of the votes of the other
Certificated Shareholders or DI Holders and, for this purpose,
seniority will be determined by the order in which the names stand
on the register of Certificated Shareholders (for Certificated
Shareholders) or the register of DI Holders maintained by the
Depositary (for DI Holders).
18.
Completion of a Form of Proxy or a DI Form of Proxy (or
submission of Shareholder proxy instructions electronically) will
not prevent a Shareholder from attending the EGM and voting in
person should they wish to do so or casting their vote by
electronic means.
ENTITLEMENT TO
PARTICIPATE IN THE EXTRAORDINARY GENERAL MEETING - THE RIGHTS OF EB
PARTICIPANTS AND CDI HOLDERS
19. CDI
Holders may exercise their right to vote by (i) sending
electronic voting instructions to Euroclear Bank via Broadridge; or
(ii) appointing a proxy via the Broadridge Global Proxy Voting
service to attend and vote at the meeting.
20. EB
Participants may exercise their right to vote by (i) sending
electronic voting instructions to Euroclear Bank via SWIFT or to
EasyWay Corporate Actions; or (ii) sending a proxy voting
instruction to Euroclear Bank to appoint a third party (other than
Euroclear Nominees or the Chairman of the meeting) to attend and
vote at the meeting.
21. Persons
who hold their interests in the Ordinary Shares as Belgian law
rights through the Euroclear System or as CDIs should consult with
their stockbroker or other intermediary at the earliest
opportunity, for further information on the processes and timelines
for submitting proxies and voting instructions for the EGM through
the respective systems.
22. For
voting services offered by custodians holding Irish corporate
securities directly with Euroclear Bank, please contact your
custodian.
23. EUI, the
operator of CREST, has arranged for voting instructions relating to
the CDIs held in CREST to be received via a third-party service
provider, Broadridge.
24. If you
are a CDI Holder, you will be required to make use of the EUI proxy
voting service facilitated by Broadridge's Global Proxy Voting
service in order to receive meeting announcements and send back
voting instructions as required. To facilitate client set up, if
you hold CDIs and wish to participate in the proxy voting service,
you will need to complete a Meetings and Voting Client Set-up Form
(CRT408). Completed application forms should be returned to EUI by
an authorised signatory with another relevant authorised signatory
copied in for verification purposes using the following email
address: eui.srd2@euroclear.com.
25. Fully
completed and returned applications forms will be shared with
Broadridge by EUI. This will enable Broadridge to contact you and
share further detailed information on the service offering and
initiate the process for granting your access to the Broadridge
platform.
26. Once CDI
Holders have access to the Broadridge platform, they can complete
and submit proxy appointments (including voting instructions)
electronically. Broadridge will process and deliver proxy voting
instructions received from CDI Holders by the Broadridge voting
deadline date to Euroclear Bank, by their cut-off and to agreed
market requirements. Broadridge's deadline will be earlier than
Euroclear Bank's voting instruction deadline. Alternatively, a CDI
Holder can send a third-party proxy voting instruction through
Broadridge in order to appoint a third party (who may be a
corporate representative or the CDI Holders themselves) to attend
and vote at the meeting for the number of Ordinary Shares specified
in the proxy instruction (subject to the Broadridge voting
deadline). There is no facility to
offer a letter of representation/appoint a corporate representative
other than through the submission of third-party proxy appointment
instructions through Broadridge.
27. Broadridge's voting deadline will be
earlier than Euroclear Bank's voting instruction deadline as set
out below and is expected to be at least two (2) business days
prior to the Euroclear Bank proxy appointment deadline (i.e.
Broadridge's voting deadline is expected to be 9 September 2024).
Voting instructions cannot be changed or cancelled after
Broadridge's voting deadline.
28. CDI Holders are strongly encouraged to
familiarise themselves with the arrangements with Broadridge,
including the voting deadlines and procedures and to take, as soon
as possible, any further actions required by Broadridge before they
can avail of this voting service.
29. Should
you have any queries in relation to completing and submitting proxy
appointments (including voting instructions) electronically via
Broadridge, please contact your dedicated client service
representative at Broadridge.
30. Investors
who hold their interests in the Ordinary Shares through a
participant account in the Euroclear System can submit proxy
appointments (including voting instructions) electronically in the
manner described in the document issued by Euroclear Bank and
entitled "Euroclear Bank as issuer CSD for Irish corporate
securities" (as amended or replaced from time to time) and
available on the Euroclear Bank website (www.euroclear.com). EB Participants
can either send:
(a)
electronic voting instructions to instruct Euroclear Nominees
to either itself or by appointing the Chairman as proxy on the
instruction of Euroclear Nominees to:
(i)
vote in favour of all or a specific resolution(s);
(ii)
vote against all or a specific resolution(s);
(iii) abstain
from voting with respect to all or a specific resolution(s);
or
(iv) give a
discretionary vote to the Chairman for all or a specific
resolution(s); or
(b) A
proxy voting instruction to appoint a third party (other than
Euroclear Nominees or the Chairman of the meeting) (who may be a
corporate representative or the EB Participants themselves) to
attend the meeting and vote for the number of Ordinary Shares
specified in the proxy voting instruction by providing Euroclear
Bank with the proxy details as requested in its notification (e.g.
proxy first name, proxy last name, proxy address). There is no
facility to offer a letter of representation/appoint a corporate
representative other than through the submission of third-party
proxy appointment instructions.
31. Euroclear Bank's voting instruction
deadline is expected to be at 10:00 a.m. (Cyprus time) / 8:00 a.m.
(Irish time) on 11 September 2024. Voting instructions cannot be
changed or cancelled after Euroclear Bank's voting
deadline.
32. To be
effective, all proxy voting instructions (whether submitted
directly or through the Euroclear System or CREST) together with
any power of attorney or other authority under which it is
executed, or a notarially certified copy thereof, must be received
by the Company's Registrar, Link
Registrars Limited at P.O. Box 7117, Dublin 2, Ireland (if
delivered by post) or at Link
Registrars Limited, Suite 149, The Capel Building, Mary's Abbey,
Dublin 7, D07 DP79, Ireland (if delivered by hand) not less
than 48 hours before the time appointed for the holding of the
meeting or any adjournment thereof.
33. However, persons holding through the
Euroclear System or CREST will also need to comply with any
additional voting deadlines imposed by the respective service
offerings. All relevant persons are recommended to consult with
their stockbroker or other intermediary at the earliest
opportunity.
34. The
information set out in this Document in relation to voting
procedures for EB Participants or CDI Holders is for guidance only,
and further information on the processes and timelines for
submitting proxies and voting instructions for the EGM should be
sought through the respective systems. For voting services offered
by custodians holding Irish corporate securities directly with
Euroclear Bank, please contact your custodian.
VOTING
PROCEDURES AT THE EXTRAORINARY GENERAL MEETING
35. The
proposed Resolutions at the EGM will be decided by way of a
poll.
36. An
ordinary resolution is a resolution passed at a general meeting by
a simple majority (50%+1) of the votes cast by the members of the
Company entitled to vote and who vote at the meeting either in
person or by proxy.
37. A special
resolution by a company is a resolution passed at a general meeting
by a majority of not less than 75% of the votes cast by the members
of the Company as, being entitled so to do, vote in person or by
proxy, at the meeting for which relevant notice of at least twenty
one days has been given pursuant to Section 181 of the Companies
Act specifying the intention to propose the resolution as a special
resolution.
38. The "Vote
Withheld" option provided on Forms of Proxy and DI Forms of Proxy
is provided to enable you to abstain on any particular resolution.
However, it should be noted that a "Vote Withheld" is not a vote in
law and will not be counted in the calculation of the proportion of
the votes 'For' and 'Against' a resolution.
MINORITY
RIGHTS AT THE EXTRAORDINARY GENERAL MEETING
39. The
Company, pursuant to Section 1087G of the Companies Act, specifies
that only those Shareholders registered in the Register of Members
of the Company on 9 September 2024 at 9:00 p.m. (Cyprus time) /
7:00 p.m. (Irish time) (or in the case of an adjournment at 9:00
p.m. (Cyprus time) / 7:00 p.m. (Irish time) on the day before a
date that falls 72 hours before the date of the adjourned meeting)
shall be entitled to attend and vote at the meeting in respect of
the number of Ordinary Shares registered in their names at the
time. Changes to entries in the register after that time will be
disregarded in determining the right of any person to attend and/or
vote at the meeting.
40. If you or
a group of Shareholders hold Ordinary Shares representing at least
3% of the issued share capital of the Company you or the group of
Shareholders acting together will be permitted to table a draft
resolution for inclusion in the agenda of the EGM subject to any
contrary provision in company law. The text of the draft resolution
and evidence of your shareholding must be received by post by the
Company's Secretary at Bank of Cyprus Public Limited Company,
51 Stassinos Street, Ayia
Paraskevi, 2002 Strovolos, Nicosia, Cyprus or by fax at +357
22 120245 or by email to Company.Secretary@bankofcyprus.com by no
later than 42 days before the EGM. A resolution cannot be included
in the EGM agenda unless it is received at either of these
addresses by this deadline.
41. Pursuant
to Section 1107 of the Companies Act, a member has the right to ask
questions related to items on the EGM agenda and to have such
questions answered by the Company subject to any reasonable
measures the Company may take to ensure the identification of the
member. An answer is not required where (a) to give an answer would
interfere unduly with the preparation for the meeting or the
confidentiality and business interests of the Company, or (b) the
answer has already been given on the Company's website in the form
of a "Q&A", or (c) it appears to the Chairman that it is
undesirable in the interests of good order of the meeting that the
question be answered.
42. Before
the EGM, Shareholders may submit questions in writing by sending a
letter, together with evidence of their shareholding, so as to be
received at least four business days before the meeting (i.e. by 9
September 2024) to the Company's Secretary at Bank of Cyprus
Holdings Public Limited Company, 51 Stassinos Street, Ayia Paraskevi, 2002
Strovolos, Nicosia, Cyprus or by fax at +357 22 120245 or by
email to Company.Secretary@bankofcyprus.com.
43. A copy of
this Notice of EGM and copies of documentation relating to the EGM,
including Forms of Proxy, are available on the Company's website
www.bankofcypus.com/group.
ELECTRONIC
VOTING AND PRIVACY NOTICE
44.
Electronic voting will be used at this year's EGM for the
taking of votes of Shareholders on a poll at the
meeting.
45. CDI Holders or EB Participants wishing
to access the Lumi platform must arrange to have themselves
appointed as their own proxy as explained above and then must
contact the Company's Registrar on +353 1 553 0050 during business
hours at least 48 hours before the EGM in order to obtain the
necessary access to the Lumi platform.
46. In order
to operate the electronic voting system certain Certificated
Shareholders' and DI Holders' and, where applicable, CDI Holders
and EB Participants' personal data, as defined in the General Data
Protection Regulation ("GDPR") will be processed by the Company
pursuant to its legitimate interests for the purpose of operating
an efficient and reliable voting system.
47. The
Company will also process Shareholders' name, address, contact
information, number and type of shares and other shareholding
related data to populate the corporate register as required by
applicable law.
48. This
personal data may be shared with the Company's legal advisors, tax
advisors and regulatory bodies which supervise the Company.
Personal data will be retained in an identifiable format for no
longer than is necessary for the purposes for which this personal
data is processed. Where personal data is transferred outside of
the European Economic Area the Company shall ensure appropriate
safeguards are in place.
49.
Shareholders located in the European Union have a right of
access, amendment, restriction, objection, deletion and portability
in relation to their personal data and the right to complain to the
data protection authority in their jurisdiction. These rights are
not absolute; for example, where personal data are retained to
comply with applicable law the right of objection, deletion and
portability are not available.
50. The
Company is the controller of Shareholders' personal data. For
further information in respect of how Shareholders' personal data
are used or to exercise rights in relation to this personal data
please contact the Data Protection Officer at 97 Kyrenias Ave. 2113
Platy Aglantzias or P.O. Box 21472, 1599 Nicosia, Cyprus, email:
dpo@bankofcyprus.com.
51. In order
to facilitate remote access, the Company will be giving
Shareholders the opportunity to audio cast the EGM and submit votes
and questions electronically by accessing the EGM website,
https://web.lumiagm.com.
52. On
accessing the EGM website, you will be asked to enter a Meeting ID
which is 158-129-330. You will then be prompted to enter your
Identification Number (as presented in the records of the Company
as of 9 September 2024) and use Password: EGM2024.
Access to the meeting via the website will be available from 10.50
a.m. (Cyprus time) / 8:50 a.m. (Irish time) on 13 September
2024; however, please note that your ability to vote will not
be enabled until the Chairman formally opens the meeting at 11:00
a.m. (Cyprus time) / 9:00 a.m. (Irish time).
53. After the
Resolutions have been proposed, voting options will appear on the
screen. Select the option that corresponds with the way in which
you wish to vote, "For", "Against" or "Withheld". Once you have
selected your choice, you will see a message on your screen
confirming that your vote has been received. If you make a mistake
or wish to change your voting instruction, simply press or click
the correct choice until the voting is closed. If you wish to
cancel your "live" vote, please press "Cancel", before the voting
is closed.
54. Please
note that an active internet connection is required in order to
successfully cast your vote when the Chairman commences polling on
the Resolutions. It is your responsibility to ensure connectivity
for the duration of the meeting.
55. The
process of asking questions, voting and accessing the EGM
presentation will be further explained within the application
located on the information page and detailed instructions can be
found on the Company's website www.bankofcyprus.com/group/ (select
Investor Relations / Extraordinary General Meeting
2024).
56.
Shareholders should note that electronic entry to the EGM
will open at 10:50 a.m. (Cyprus time) / 8:50 a.m. (Irish time) on
13 September 2024.
OTHER
INFORMATION
57. As at the
Latest Practicable Date, the outstanding issued share capital of
the Company is €44,423,206.50 divided into 444,232,065 Ordinary
Shares of nominal value €0.10 each. There are no outstanding share
options issued by the Company. As at the Latest Practicable Date,
the Company holds 53,645 treasury shares, equivalent to 0.01% of
the Ordinary Shares in issue. The holders of treasury shares do not
hold voting rights.
58. This
Notice of EGM, the total number of Ordinary Shares and voting
rights at the date of the giving of the notice, the documents to be
submitted to the meeting, copies of the draft Resolutions and
copies of the forms to be used to vote by proxy are available on
the Company's website at www.bankofcyprus.com/group/ (Select
Investor Relations / Extraordinary General Meeting
2024).
59. In case
of discrepancies between the English and the Greek text of the
Notice of EGM, the English text shall prevail.
60. The date
of publication of the Notice of EGM, and all notices thereafter, on
the Company's website www.bankofcyprus.com/group/, will be deemed
to be the publication date for the purposes of the UK Corporate
Governance Code.
61. The ISIN
for the Ordinary Shares is IE00BD5B1Y92.
62. The
unique identifier code of the EGM for the purposes of Commission
Implementing Regulation (EU) 018/1212 of 3 September 2018 will
shortly be available on the Company's website
www.bankofcyprus.com/group/ (select Investor Relations /
Extraordinary General Meeting 2024).
SHAREHOLDER FORM OF PROXY
("FORM OF PROXY")
I/We
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
being a member / members of Bank of
Cyprus Holdings Public Limited Company (the "Company"), hereby appoint:
1. The Chairman of
the EGM
2.
______________________________________________________________________
with ID number ___________________________
or failing him/her,
________________________________________________________________________________________________
with ID number ____________________________
as my/our proxy to attend, speak and
vote on my/our behalf at the EGM of the Company, to be held on 13
September 2024, at 11:00 a.m. (Cyprus time) / 9:00 a.m. (Irish
time) at the Company's Headquarters (51 Stassinos Street, Ayia
Paraskevi, 2002 Strovolos, Nicosia, Cyprus) (which shall also be
available by audio link to the registered office of the Company at
the address, Ten Earlsfort Terrace, Dublin 2, D02 T380, Ireland)
and at any adjournment thereof.
This proxy may be exercised in
respect of all / _______________ (delete/complete as appropriate)
ordinary shares registered in my/our name(s).
Please tick here to
indicate that this proxy appointment is one of multiple
appointments being made.
I/We direct my/our proxy to vote on
the resolutions proposed at the meeting as indicated on this form.
Where no instruction appears below as to how the proxy should vote,
the proxy may vote as he or she thinks fit (acting in his/her
absolute discretion) in relation to any business of the
meeting:
Resolutions
|
For
|
Against
|
Vote
Withheld
|
1
|
To consider, and if thought fit,
approve the admission to listing and trading of all the ordinary
shares of the Company in issue from time to time, each with a
nominal value of €0.10, on the Main Market of the Regulated
Securities Market of the Athens Stock Exchange, in accordance with
Greek law no. 3371/2005
|
|
|
|
2
|
To consider, and if thought fit,
approve the amended Articles of Association of the Company, in
substitution for and to the exclusion of the existing Articles of
Association of the Company
|
|
|
|
Date
Signature
____________--
Contact
details:
Telephone
Fax
Notes to the Shareholder Form of Proxy:
1.
We expect the EGM to proceed as planned on 13
September 2024 at 11:00 a.m. (Cyprus time) / 9:00 a.m. (Irish Time)
at the Company's Headquarters, 51
Stassinos Street, Ayia Paraskevi, 2002 Strovolos, Nicosia,
Cyprus.
2.
Should there be any relevant updates regarding the
EGM, including any changes to the arrangements for the EGM outlined
in the Notice of the EGM, they will be announced via a regulatory
information service and made available on the Company's website
www.bankofcyprus.com/group (Investor Relations /
Extraordinary General Meeting 2024).
3.
In the event that it is not possible to convene
and hold the EGM as planned, the EGM may be held with the minimum
necessary quorum in attendance in accordance with the Company's
Articles of Association, or adjourned or postponed to a different
time and/or venue, in which case notification of such adjournment
or postponement will be given in accordance with the Company's
Articles of Association.
4.
We strongly encourage shareholders to submit a
proxy form or use the electronic voting facility to ensure they can
vote at the EGM without attending in person. This can be done in
advance of the EGM by availing of one of the following ways, you
can either appoint a proxy as set out in these notes or during the
EGM by using the electronic voting facility set out on pages 55-56
of the EGM Notice. Please note the deadlines for receipt of the
proxy appointment for it to be valid and the relevant procedures
for the electronic voting facility. By submitting the Form of Proxy
or by using the electronic voting facility you will be able to
ensure that your vote on the proposed resolutions is cast at the
EGM in accordance with your wishes, without attending in
person.
5.
Every Shareholder has the right to appoint the
Chairman of the EGM or some other person(s) of their choice, who
need not be a shareholder, as his proxy to exercise all or any of
his rights, to attend, speak, ask questions and vote on their
behalf at the meeting. If you wish to appoint a person other than
the Chairman, please insert the name of your chosen proxy in the
space provided. A Shareholder may appoint more than one proxy to
attend and vote at the meeting in respect of shares provided that,
where a Shareholder appoints more than one proxy in relation to a
general meeting, each proxy must be appointed to exercise the
rights attached to different shares held by that Shareholder. A
Shareholder acting as an intermediary on behalf of one or more
clients may grant a proxy to each of its clients or their nominees
provided each proxy is appointed to exercise rights attached to
different Shares held by the Shareholder. If the proxy is being
appointed in relation to less than your full voting entitlement,
please indicate in the space provided the number of shares in
relation to which they are authorised to act as your proxy. If left
blank, your proxy will be deemed to be authorised in respect of
your full voting entitlement (or if this proxy form has been issued
in respect of a designated account for a Shareholder, the full
voting entitlement for that designated account). Where a poll is
taken at the EGM, a Shareholder present in person or proxy, holding
more than one share, is not required to cast all their votes in the
same way. Where you do not specify how the proxy must vote on any
particular matter, the appointed proxy (including the Chairman, if
appointed) has discretion as to whether, and if so, how he
votes.
6.
To appoint more than one proxy, please print an
additional copy of this form. Please indicate in the space provided
the number of Shares in relation to which they are authorised to
act as your proxy. Please also indicate by ticking the space
provided if the proxy instruction is one of multiple instructions
being given.
7.
For shareholders whose names appear on the
register of members of the Company (i.e. those who hold their
Ordinary Shares in certificated form) ("Certificated
Shareholders"), the Form of Proxy must
be completed and returned to the Company's Registrars, Link
Registrars Limited at P.O. Box 7117, Dublin
2, Ireland (if delivered by post) or to
Link Registrars Limited, Suite 149, The
Capel Building, Mary's Abbey, Dublin 7, D07 DP79, Ireland
(if delivered by hand during normal business
hours) so as to be received by no later than 11:00 a.m. (Cyprus
time) / 9:00 a.m. (Irish time) on 11 September 2024
(or, in the case of an adjournment of the EGM, no
later than 48 hours before the time fixed for holding the adjourned
meeting). Alternatively, you may appoint a
proxy electronically by visiting the website of the Company's
Registrars at www.signalshares.com and entering the Company name,
Bank of Cyprus Holdings PLC. You will need to register for the
Share Portal by clicking on "registration section" (if you have not
registered previously) and following the instructions. You will
need your Investor Code ("IVC") which can be found on your share
certificate. Additionally, Link Registrars
has launched a shareholder app: LinkVote+. It's free to download
and use and gives shareholders the ability to access their
shareholding record at any time and allows users to submit a proxy
appointment quickly and easily online rather than through the
post. The app is available to download on both Google Play
and the Apple App Store, or by scanning the relevant QR code
below.
8.
Euroclear UK & International Limited
("EUI"), the operator of
CREST, has arranged for voting instructions relating to the CREST
Depositary Interests ("CDIs") held in CREST to be
received via a third-party service provider, Broadridge Financial
Solutions Limited ("Broadridge").
If you are a holder of CDIs (a "CDI
Holder"), you will be required to
make use of the EUI proxy voting service facilitated by Broadridge
Global Proxy Voting service in order to receive meeting
announcements and send back voting instructions, as required. To
facilitate client set up, if you hold CDIs and wish to participate
in the proxy voting service, you will need to complete a Meetings
and Voting Client Set-up Form (CRT408). Completed application forms
should be returned to EUI by an authorised signatory with another
relevant authorised signatory copied in for verification purposes
using the following email address:
eui.srd2@euroclear.com.
Fully completed and returned application forms will be shared with
Broadridge by EUI. This will enable Broadridge to contact you and
share
further detailed information on the service offering and initiate
the process for granting your access to the Broadridge
platform.
Once CDI Holders have access to the Broadridge platform, they can
complete and submit proxy appointments (including voting
instructions) electronically. Broadridge will process and deliver
proxy voting instructions received from CDI Holders by the
Broadridge voting deadline date to Euroclear Bank, by their cut-off
and to agreed market requirements. Alternatively, a CDI Holder can
send a third-party proxy voting instruction through the Broadridge
platform in order to appoint a third party (who may be a corporate
representative or the CDI Holders themselves) to attend and vote at
the meeting for the number of Ordinary Shares specified in the
proxy instruction (subject to the Broadridge voting
deadline). There is no facility to offer a letter of
representation/appoint a corporate representative other than
through the submission of third-party proxy appointment
instructions through Broadridge.
Broadridge's voting deadline will be earlier than Euroclear Bank's
voting instruction deadline as set out below and is expected to be
at least two (2) business days prior to the Euroclear Bank proxy
appointment deadline (i.e. 9 September 2024). Such voting
instructions cannot be changed or cancelled after Broadridge's
voting deadline.
CDI Holders are
strongly encouraged to familiarise themselves with the arrangements
with Broadridge, including the voting
deadlines and procedures and to take, as soon as possible, any
further actions required by Broadridge before they can avail of
this voting service.
9.
Investors who hold their interests in the Ordinary
Shares of the Company through a participant account in the EB
System ("EB Participants")
can submit proxy appointments (including voting instructions)
electronically in the manner described in the document issued by
Euroclear Bank and entitled "Euroclear Bank as issuer CSD
for Irish corporate securities" (as
amended or replaced from time to time) and available on the
Euroclear Bank website (www.euroclear.com) (the "Euroclear Bank Service
Description").
EB Participants can either send:
(b) electronic voting
instructions to instruct Euroclear Nominees Limited (i.e. the
nominee of Euroclear Bank) ("Euroclear Nominees") to either itself
or by appointing the Chairman as proxy on the instruction of
Euroclear Nominees to:
(i)
vote in favour of all or a specific
resolution(s);
(ii) vote against for all or a specific resolution(s);
(iii)
abstain for all or a specific resolution(s);
or
(iv) give discretionary vote to the Chairman for all or a specific
resolution(s); or
(c) a proxy voting instruction to appoint a third party (other
than Euroclear Nominees or the Chairman of the EGM) (who may be a
corporate representative or the EB Participants themselves) to
attend the meeting and vote for the number of Ordinary Shares
specified in the proxy voting instruction by providing Euroclear
Bank with the proxy details as requested in its notification (e.g.
proxy first name, proxy last name, proxy address). There is no facility to offer a letter of
representation/appoint a corporate representative other than
through the submission of third-party proxy appointment
instructions.
Euroclear Bank's voting instruction deadline is expected to be
at 10:00 a.m. (Cyprus time) / 8:00 a.m. (Irish time) on 11
September 2024. Voting instructions cannot be changed or cancelled
after Euroclear Bank's voting deadline.
10. To be effective, all proxy
voting instructions (whether submitted directly or through the
Euroclear System or CREST) together with any power of
attorney or other authority under which it is executed, or a
notarially certified copy thereof, must be received by the
Company's Registrar, Link
Registrars Limited at P.O. Box 7117, Dublin 2,
Ireland (if delivered by post) or at Link Registrars Limited, Suite 149, The Capel Building, Mary's Abbey, Dublin 7, D07
DP79, Ireland not less than 48 hours before
the time appointed for the holding of the meeting or any
adjournment thereof. However, persons holding through the Euroclear
System or CREST will also need to comply with any additional voting
deadlines imposed by the respective service offerings. All relevant
persons are recommended to consult with their stockbroker or other
intermediary at the earliest opportunity.
11. Where the appointing Shareholder is a body corporate this form
must be signed under its common seal or under the hand of a duly
authorised officer thereof.
12. In
the case of joint Shareholders the Form of Proxy can only be signed
by the person whose name appears first in the Register of
Members.
13. The
'Vote Withheld' option is provided to enable you to abstain on any
particular resolution. However, it should be noted that a 'Vote
Withheld' is not a vote in law and will not be counted in the
calculation of the proportion of the votes 'For' and 'Against' a
resolution.
14.
The Company, pursuant to Section 1087G of the Companies Act 2014,
specifies that only those shareholders registered in the Register
of Members of the Company on 9 September 2024 at 9:00 p.m. (Cyprus
time) / 7:00 p.m. (Irish time) (the "Record Date") (or in the case of an
adjournment at 9:00 p.m. (Cyprus time) / 7:00 p.m. (Irish time) on
the day before a date that falls 72 hours before the date of the
adjourned meeting) shall be entitled to attend and vote at the
meeting in respect of the number of shares registered in their
names at the time. Changes to entries in the register after that
time will be disregarded in determining the right of any person to
attend and/or vote at the meeting.
15. Any
alterations made to this form should be initialled.
16. The
appointment of a proxy will not preclude a Shareholder from
attending the meeting or at any adjournment thereof and voting in
person should he/she wish to do so. CDI Holders or EB
Participants wishing to access the Lumi platform must arrange to
have themselves appointed as their own proxy as explained in the
EGM Notice and then must contact the Company's Registrars on +353 1
553 0050 during business hours at least 48 hours before the EGM in
order to obtain the necessary access to the Lumi
platform.
17. Capitalised terms in this Shareholder
Form of Proxy shall have the same meaning given to them in the
Notice of the EGM unless otherwise indicated herein.
18. Detailed instructions on proxy voting and how to access the
EGM remotely are set out in the Notice convening the EGM in the
Notes section at pages 49-57. You can access the Notice of the EGM
and the other documents being placed on display in connection with
the EGM by visiting the Company's website:
www.bankofcyprus.com/group (Investor Relations /
Extraordinary General Meeting 2024) which will also include any
updates or announcements regarding the EGM in the event that
circumstances change.
DEPOSITARY INTEREST HOLDER
PROXY NOMINATION FORM ("DI FORM OF PROXY")
I/We
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
with ID/Passport/Company
Registration number/ Investor Share Code
____________________________________________________________
being a holder of depositary
interests representing ordinary shares in Bank of Cyprus Holdings
Public Limited Company (the "Company"), appointed as a proxy of Link
Market Services Trustees (Nominees) Limited ("Link Nominees") of The Registry, 34
Beckenham Road, Beckenham, Kent, BR3 4TU, United Kingdom in respect
of the number of ordinary shares represented by the depositary
interests held by me/us, hereby direct, nominate and
request:
1. The Chairman of
the EGM
2.
______________________________________________________________________
with ID number ___________________________
or failing him/her,
________________________________________________________________________________________________
with ID number ____________________________
to be appointed as a proxy of Link
Nominees in respect of the number of ordinary shares represented by
the depositary interest held by me/us and consequently as my/our
proxy to attend, speak and vote in respect of the number of
ordinary shares represented by the depositary interest held by
me/us at the EGM of the Company, to be held on 13 September 2024,
at 11:00 a.m. (Cyprus time) / 9:00 a.m. (Irish time) at the
Company's Headquarters (51
Stassinos Street, Ayia Paraskevi, 2002 Strovolos, Nicosia,
Cyprus) (which shall also be available by audio link to the
registered office of the Company at the address, Ten Earlsfort
Terrace, Dublin 2, D02 T380, Ireland) and at any adjournment
thereof.
This nomination may be exercised in
respect of all / _______________ (delete/complete as appropriate)
ordinary shares in respect of which I am being appointed as proxy
(reflecting my holding of depositary interests representing
ordinary shares in the Company registered in my/our
name(s)).
Please tick here to indicate
that this nomination is one of multiple nominations being
made.
I/We direct my/our proxy to vote on
the resolutions proposed at the meeting as indicated on this form.
Where no instruction appears below as to how the proxy should vote,
the proxy may vote as he or she thinks fit (acting in his/her
absolute discretion) in relation to any business of the meeting.
I/We direct that any proxy issued by Link Nominees in respect of
the ordinary shares in respect of which my/our nominee
representative(s) is being appointed be subject to such
direction:
Resolutions
|
For
|
Against
|
Vote
Withheld
|
1
|
To consider, and if thought fit,
approve the admission to listing and trading of all the ordinary
shares of the Company in issue from time to time, each with a
nominal value of €0.10, on the Main Market of the Regulated
Securities Market of the Athens Stock Exchange, in accordance with
Greek law no. 3371/2005
|
|
|
|
2
|
To consider, and if thought fit,
approve the amended Articles of Association of the Company, in
substitution for and to the exclusion of the existing Articles of
Association of the Company
|
|
|
|
Date
Signature
Contact
details:
Telephone
Fax
Notes to the DI Form of Proxy:
1.
We expect the EGM to proceed as planned on 13
September 2024 at 11:00 a.m. (Cyprus time) / 9:00 a.m. (Irish Time)
at the Company's Headquarters, 51
Stassinos Street, Ayia Paraskevi, 2002 Strovolos, Nicosia,
Cyprus.
2. Should there be any relevant updates regarding the EGM,
including any changes to the arrangements for the EGM outlined in
the Notice of the EGM, they will be announced via a regulatory
information service and made available on the Company's website
www.bankofcyprus.com/group (Investor Relations / Extraordinary
General Meeting 2024).
3. In the event that it is not possible to convene and hold the
EGM as planned, the EGM may be held with the minimum necessary
quorum in attendance in accordance with the Company's Articles of
Association or adjourned or postponed to a different time and/or
venue, in which case notification of such adjournment or
postponement will be given in accordance with the Company's
Articles of Association.
4. We strongly encourage DI Holders to submit a proxy form or use
the electronic voting facility to ensure they can vote at the EGM
without attending in person. This can be done in advance of the EGM
by availing of one of the following ways, you can either appoint a
proxy as set out in these notes or during the EGM by using the
electronic voting facility set out on pages 55-56 of the EGM
Notice. Please note the deadlines for receipt of the proxy
appointment for it to be valid and the relevant procedures for the
electronic voting facility. By submitting the DI Form of Proxy or
by using the electronic voting facility you will be able to ensure
that your vote on the proposed resolutions is cast at the EGM in
accordance with your wishes, without attending in
person.
5. Every DI Holder has the right to appoint the Chairman of the
EGM or some other person(s) of their choice, who need not be a
shareholder or DI Holder, as his nominated proxy, who shall in turn
be appointed as proxy, to exercise all or any of his rights, to
attend, speak, ask questions and vote in respect of the number of
ordinary shares represented by depositary interests held by a DI
Holder. If you wish to nominate a person other than the Chairman,
please insert the name of your chosen nominated proxy in the space
provided. A DI Holder may nominate more than one proxy to attend
and vote at the meeting in respect of depositary interests provided
that, where a DI Holder appoints more than one proxy in relation to
a general meeting, each proxy must be appointed to exercise the
rights attached to different ordinary shares represented by
depositary interests held by that DI Holder. A DI Holder acting as
an intermediary on behalf of one or more clients may nominate as a
proxy each of its clients or their nominees provided each proxy
nominee is nominated to exercise rights attached to different
depositary interests held by the DI Holder. If the proxy nominee is
being nominated in relation to less than your full voting
entitlement please indicate in the space provided the number of
depositary interests in relation to which they are nominated as
your proxy nominee. If left blank, your proxy nominee will be
deemed to be nominated in respect of your full voting entitlement
(or if this proxy nomination form has been issued in respect of a
designated account for a DI Holder, the full voting entitlement for
that designated account). Where a poll is taken at the EGM, a DI
Holder present in person or represented by a proxy nominee, holding
more than one depositary interest representing one share, is not
required to cast all their votes in the same way. Where you do not
specify how the proxy must vote on any particular matter, the
appointed proxy (including the Chairman, if appointed) has
discretion as to whether, and if so, how he votes.
6. To appoint more than one proxy, please print an additional
copy of this form. Please indicate in the space provided the number
of depositary interests in relation to which they are authorised to
act as your proxy. Please also indicate by ticking the space
provided if the proxy instruction is one of multiple instructions
being given.
7. All forms must be completed
and signed and returned together with any power of attorney or
other authority under which it is executed, or a notarially
certified copy thereof, to Investor Relations & ESG Department,
51 Stassinos Street, Ayia
Paraskevi, 2002 Strovolos, Nicosia, Cyprus, P.O. Box 21472, 1599
Nicosia, Cyprus, e-mail: shares@bankofcyprus.com, fax: +357
22 120245, so as to reach such address no later than 11:00 a.m.
(Cyprus time) / 9:00 a.m. (Irish time) on 11 September 2024.
DI Holders may confirm that the applicable DI Form of Proxy has
been successfully received by the Company by calling Investor
Relations & ESG Department at +357 22 126055.
8. Where the appointing DI Holder is a body corporate this form
must be signed under its common seal or under the hand of a duly
authorised officer thereof.
9. In the case of joint DI Holders the Form of Proxy can only be
signed by the person whose name appears first in the Register of
Members.
10. The
'Vote Withheld' option is provided to enable you to abstain on any
particular resolution. However, it should be noted that a 'Vote
Withheld' is not a vote in law and will not be counted in the
calculation of the proportion of the votes 'For' and 'Against' a
resolution.
11. The
Company, pursuant to Section 1087G of the Companies Act 2014,
specifies that only those shareholders registered in the Register
of Members of the Company on 9 September 2024 at 9:00
p.m. (Cyprus time) / 7:00 p.m. (Irish time) (the "Record Date") (or in the case of an
adjournment at 9:00 p.m. (Cyprus time) / 7:00 p.m. (Irish time) on
the day before a date that falls 72 hours before the date of the
adjourned meeting) shall be entitled to attend and vote at the
meeting in respect of the number of shares registered in their
names at the time. Changes to entries in the register after that
time will be disregarded in determining the right of any person to
attend and/or vote at the meeting.
12. Any
alterations made to this form should be initialled.
13. The
nomination of a proxy nominee will not preclude a DI Holder holding
Depositary Interests at the voting record time from attending the
meeting and voting in person should he/she wish to do so pursuant
to their appointment as proxy by Link Nominees.
14. Capitalised terms in this Depositary Interest Form of Proxy
shall have the same meaning given to them in the Notice of the EGM
unless otherwise indicated herein.
15. Detailed
instructions on proxy voting and how to access the EGM remotely are
set out in the Notice convening the EGM in the Notes section at
pages 49-57. You can access the Notice of the EGM and the other
documents being placed on display in connection with the EGM by
visiting the Company's website: www.bankofcyprus.com/group
(Investor Relations / Extraordinary General
Meeting 2024) which will also include any updates or announcements
regarding the EGM in the event that circumstances
change.