Article I DEFINITIONS

1

Section 1.1

Definitions

1

Article II THE MERGER

10

Section 2.1

The Merger

10

Section 2.2

Closing

10

Section 2.3

Effective Time; Effect

10

Section 2.4

Certificate of Incorporation and By-Laws

11

Section 2.5

Board of Directors

11

Section 2.6

Officers

11

Article III EFFECT OF THE MERGER ON CAPITAL STOCK; EXCHANGE OF CERTIFICATES

11

Section 3.1

Effect on Securities

11

Section 3.2

Exchange of Certificates

12

Section 3.3

Stock Options

14

Section 3.4

Restricted Stock Awards

15

Section 3.5

Lost Certificates

15

Section 3.6

Dissenting Shares

15

Section 3.7

Transfers; No Further Ownership Rights

16

Section 3.8

Withholding Rights

16

Article IV REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE COMPANY

16

Section 4.1

Organization and Qualification; Subsidiaries

16

Section 4.2

Certificate of Incorporation and By-Laws

17

Section 4.3

Capitalization

17

Section 4.4

Authority Relative to Agreement

18

Section 4.5

No Conflict; Required Filings and Consents

19

Section 4.6

Permits and Licenses; Compliance with Laws

20

Section 4.7

Company SEC Documents

21

Section 4.8

Controls and Procedures

21

Section 4.9

Absence of Certain Changes or Events

22

Section 4.10

No Undisclosed Liabilities

22

Section 4.11

Absence of Litigation

23

Section 4.12

Employee Benefit Plans

23

Section 4.13

Labor Matters

25

Section 4.14

Intellectual Property

25

Section 4.15

Taxes

27

Section 4.16

Title to Properties; Assets

28

Section 4.17

Material Contracts

29

Section 4.18

Opinions of Financial Advisors

31

Section 4.19

Anti-takeover Statutes

31

Section 4.20

Vote Required

31

Section 4.21

Brokers

32

Section 4.22

Rights Plan

32

Section 4.23

Interested Party Transactions

32

Section 4.24

Insurance

32

Section 4.25

Customers, Producers and Suppliers

32

Section 4.26

SEC Order

33

Section 4.27

Customer Disclosure Documents

33

Section 4.28

Company Employees Serving as Director of a Fund

33

Section 4.29

Environmental Laws and Regulations

33

Section 4.30

Regulatory Reports, Registrations and Agreements

34

Section 4.31

Books and Records

37

Section 4.32

Investment Advisor and Investment Companies

37

Section 4.33

Business Divisions

37

Section 4.34

No Other Representations or Warranties

38

Article V REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF BUYER AND ACQUISITION SUB

38

Section 5.1

Organization and Qualification

39

Section 5.2

Authority Relative to Agreement

39

Section 5.3

No Conflict; Required Filings and Consents

39

Section 5.4

Absence of Litigation

40

Section 5.5

Available Funds

40

Section 5.6

No Vote Required

41

Section 5.7

Proxy Statement

41

Section 5.8

Brokers

41

Section 5.9

Disclaimer of Other Representations and Warranties

41

Article VI COVENANTS AND AGREEMENTS

42

Section 6.1

Conduct of Business by the Company Pending the Merger

42

Section 6.2

Proxy Statement

45

Section 6.3

Stockholders' Meetings

46

Section 6.4

Appropriate Action; Consents; Filings

46

Section 6.5

Access to Information; Confidentiality

48

Section 6.6

No Solicitation of Competing Proposal

50

Section 6.7

Directors' and Officers' Indemnification and Insurance

53

Section 6.8

Notification of Certain Matters

55

Section 6.9

Public Announcements

55

Section 6.10

Employee Matters

55

Section 6.11

Financing

57

Section 6.12

Settlements

58

Section 6.13

Rule 16b-3 Exemption

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