Item 3: Capital increase Proposal by the Board of Directors: Mandatory convertible note Creation of conditional capital Approval of Article 4a para. 3 of the Articles of Association
UBS plans to issue a mandatory convertible note worth CHF 13 billion to two long-term
investors, who are obliged to subscribe to CHF 11 billion and CHF 2 billion respectively. The
proceeds from the issue will be assigned to UBS's Tier 1 capital. The Chairman explained in
detail the options considered for strengthening UBS's capital base and the considerations
involved in the Board of Directors' proposal.
So that sufficient equity can be delivered to the two investors at the time the note is converted
into shares, the Board of Directors proposed the creation of conditional capital totaling no more
than CHF 27,775,000.
As an alternative to the creation of conditional capital, Profond proposed that UBS carry out an
ordinary capital increase that would give existing shareholders subscription rights (a rights issue),
which would provide proceeds of some CHF 13 billion.
The Board of Directors recommended that Profond’s proposal be rejected and opened the
discussion on item 3 by giving the floor to the representatives from the pension fund Profond.
Herbert Brändli complained that the capital increase was being made without giving
subscription rights to all shareholders. He did not accept the argument put forward by the Board
of Directors that the timeframe, the scope of the capital increase and the firm commitment of
the two investors were the key factors in deciding upon its chosen course.
In the lengthy discussion that followed, it was repeatedly highlighted that Société Générale was
able to carry out a capital increase with subscription rights for all shareholders within a shorter
timeframe. The Board of Directors stated that this was because Société Générale is supervised by
the French stock market regulator, which imposes other, less strict conditions than those which
apply to UBS. Another issue that was discussed again was the identity of the second long-term
investor. Finally, a number of participants in the discussion noted that at the current share price,
the terms of the MCN were beneficial for existing shareholders. As points were increasingly
being repeated, a shareholder proposed that the discussion be terminated. On a show of hands
this proposal was overwhelmingly accepted.
The General Meeting then voted on the Board of Directors’ proposal to issue the mandatory
convertible note and the creation of conditional capital and approved this proposal, with the
voting being as follows:
|
Votes cast | 687'277'681 |
Quorum 2/3 majority of votes | 458'185'121 |
Votes in favor
|
599'188'040
|
Votes against (incl. abstentions) | 87'021'231 |
Following this resolution Article 4a para. 3 (new) of the Articles of Association is as follows:
Mandatory Convertible Note
The share capital will be increased by a maximum of CHF 27,775,000 through the issuance of a
maximum of 277,750,000 fully paid registered shares with a par value of CHF 0.10 each upon
voluntary and mandatory of the 9% mandatory convertible notes due 2010 (“MCN”) to be
issued by the Corporation or one of its subsidiaries to one or several long-term financial
investors. The conditions of the conversion rights under the MCN shall be determined by the
Board of Directors.
The advance subscription right and the pre-emptive right of the shareholders shall be excluded
in connection with the issuance of the MCN and upon voluntary or mandatory conversion of the
MCN in favor of the MCN holders. The issue price of the registered shares to be issued upon
voluntary or mandatory conversion of the MCN will be determined by reference to the
respective market price of the registered shares at the time of (i) the public announcement of
the MCN, (ii) the shareholders’ approval of this Article 4a para. 3, and (iii) the conversion of the
MCN. The voluntary or mandatory conversion of the MCN is to occur within a period of two
years after the issuance of the MCN.
The acquisition of shares upon voluntary or mandatory conversion of the MCN as well as any
subsequent transfer of the shares are subject to the registration requirements set out in Article 5
of these Articles of Association.
The notary, Dr Matthias Staehelin, Münchenstein, will certify this resolution to amend the
Articles of Association.
As the General Meeting approved the Board of Directors' proposal, the alternative proposal by
Profond was not voted upon given the two proposals are mutually exclusive.