ALABAMA POWER COMPANY
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
INFORMATION REQUIRED IN INFORMATION STATEMENT
SCHEDULE 14C INFORMATION
Information Statement Pursuant To Section 14(c)
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Check the appropriate box:
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Preliminary information statement |
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Confidential, for use of the Commission only (as permitted by Rule 14c-5(d)(2)) |
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Definitive information statement |
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ALABAMA POWER COMPANY
(Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)
Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):
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Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14c-5(g) and 0-11. |
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Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (set forth the amount on which the filing fee is calculated and state how it was determined): |
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Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction: |
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Fee paid previously with preliminary materials. |
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Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee was paid previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement number, or the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing. |
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Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.: |
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NOTICE OF 2006
ANNUAL MEETING
& INFORMATION STATEMENT
www.alabamapower.com
ALABAMA POWER COMPANY
Birmingham, Alabama
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
To be held on April 28, 2006
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the annual meeting of the
shareholders of Alabama Power Company will be held at Alabama
Power Companys corporate headquarters, 600 North
18th Street, Birmingham, Alabama 35291 on April 28,
2006 at 8:00 a.m., central time, to elect 13 members of the
board of directors, to amend Alabama Power Companys
Articles of Incorporation to increase the number of authorized
shares of common stock with a par value of $40 a share which
Alabama Power Company may issue from 15,000,000 shares to
25,000,000 shares and to create a new class of securities
authorized to be issued by Alabama Power Company to be called
preference stock and to transact any other business that may
properly come before said meeting or any adjournment or
postponement thereof.
Only shareholders of record at the close of business on
March 15, 2006 will be entitled to notice of and to vote at
said meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof.
The Information Statement and the Annual Report are included in
this mailing.
WE ARE NOT ASKING YOU FOR A PROXY AND YOU ARE REQUESTED NOT
TO SEND US A PROXY.
BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
William E. Zales, Jr.
Vice President and Corporate Secretary
Birmingham, Alabama
March 24, 2006
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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General Information
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1 |
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Shareholder Proposals
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Nominees for Election as Directors
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Corporate Governance
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Communications to the Board
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Board Attendance at Annual Shareholders Meeting
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Audit Committee Report
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Compensation and Management Succession Committee Report
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Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation
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Certain Relationships and Related Transactions
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Executive Compensation Information
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Stock Ownership Table
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Articles of Incorporation
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Appendix A Southern Company Audit Committee Charter
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A-1 |
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Appendix B Nominating Committee Charter
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B-1 |
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Appendix C Amendment to Articles of Incorporation
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C-1 |
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INFORMATION STATEMENT
GENERAL INFORMATION
This Information Statement is furnished by Alabama Power Company
(the Company) in connection with the 2006 Annual
Meeting of Shareholders and any adjournment or postponement
thereof. The meeting will be held on April 28, 2006 at
8:00 a.m., central time, at the Companys corporate
headquarters, 600 North 18th Street, Birmingham, Alabama
35291. This Information Statement is initially being provided to
shareholders on or about March 24, 2006.
At the meeting, the shareholders will vote to elect 13 members
to the board of directors and to amend the Companys
Articles of Incorporation to increase the number of authorized
shares of common stock with a par value of $40 a share which the
Company may issue from 15,000,000 shares to
25,000,000 shares and to create a new class of securities
authorized to be issued by the Company to be called preference
stock and will transact any other business that may properly
come before the meeting. We are not aware of any other matters
to be presented at the meeting; however, the holder of the
Companys common stock will be entitled to vote on any
other matters properly presented.
All shareholders of record on the record date of March 15,
2006 are entitled to notice of and to vote at the meeting. On
that date, there were 9,250,000 common shares outstanding and
entitled to vote, all of which are held by The Southern Company
(Southern Company). There were also
475,115 shares of preferred stock and
12,001,250 shares of Class A preferred stock
outstanding on that date.
With respect to the election of directors, all of the
outstanding shares of preferred stock and Class A preferred
stock are entitled to vote as a single class with the
Companys common stock. Each common share counts as one
vote. Each share of the 4.20% Series, the 4.52% Series, the
4.60% Series, the 4.64% Series, the 4.72% Series and the 4.92%
Series of outstanding preferred stock, with par value of
$100 per share, counts as two-fifths vote, each share of
the 5.20% Series, the 5.30% Series and the 5.83% Series of
outstanding Class A preferred stock, with stated capital of
$25 per share, counts as one-tenth vote and each share of
the Flexible Money Market Class A preferred stock, with
stated capital of $100,000 per share, counts as 400 votes.
The Companys Articles of Incorporation provide for
cumulative voting rights.
With respect to the proposed amendment to the Companys
Articles of Incorporation to increase the authorized number of
shares of common stock and to create the preference stock, all
of the outstanding shares of preferred stock and Class A
preferred stock are entitled to vote as a single class with the
Companys common stock. Votes will be tabulated based on
the value of each share as described in Articles of
Incorporation Vote Required herein.
WE ARE NOT ASKING YOU FOR A PROXY AND YOU ARE REQUESTED NOT
TO SEND US A PROXY.
SHAREHOLDER PROPOSALS
Shareholders may present proper proposals for inclusion in the
Companys information statement and for consideration at
the next annual meeting of its shareholders by submitting their
proposals to the Company in a timely manner. In order to be so
considered for inclusion for the 2007 Annual Meeting,
shareholder proposals must be received by the Company no later
than January 24, 2007.
1
NOMINEES FOR ELECTION AS DIRECTORS
ITEM NO. 1. ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
A board of 13 directors is to be elected at the annual
meeting, each director to hold office until the next annual
meeting of shareholders and until the election and qualification
of a successor board. If any named nominee becomes unavailable
for election, the board may substitute another nominee.
On the following pages there is information concerning the
nominees for director stating, among other things, their names,
ages, positions and offices held, and brief descriptions of
their business experience. The ages of the directors set forth
below are as of December 31, 2005.
Charles D. McCrary Director since 2001
Mr. McCrary, 54, has served as President and Chief
Executive Officer of the Company since October 2001 and
Executive Vice President of Southern Company since February
2002. He previously served as President and Chief Operating
Officer of the Company from April 2001 to October 2001 and Vice
President of Southern Company from February 1998 to April 2001.
He is a Director of AmSouth Bancorporation, Birmingham, Alabama,
and Protective Life Corporation, Birmingham, Alabama.
Whit Armstrong Director since 1982
Mr. Armstrong, 58, is President, Chairman and Chief
Executive Officer of The Citizens Bank, Enterprise, Alabama, and
President, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Enterprise
Capital Corporation, Inc. He is a Director of Enstar Group,
Inc., Montgomery, Alabama.
David J. Cooper, Sr. Director since 1998
Mr. Cooper, 60, is President of Cooper/ T. Smith
Corporation (a maritime company with a core business of
stevedoring and tugboats), Mobile, Alabama. He is a Director of
Cooper/ T. Smith Corporation and subsidiaries, American Equity
Underwriters, Inc., Mobile, Alabama, and AmSouth Bancorporation,
Birmingham, Alabama.
John D. Johns Director since 2004
Mr. Johns, 53, has served as Chairman, President and Chief
Executive Officer of Protective Life Corporation (a holding
company whose subsidiaries provide insurance and other financial
services), Birmingham, Alabama, since January 2003. He
previously served as President and Chief Executive Officer of
Protective Life Corporation from January 2002 to January 2003
and President and Chief Operating Officer of Protective Life
Corporation from August 1996 until December 2001. He is a
Director of Alabama National BanCorporation, Birmingham,
Alabama, Genuine Parts Company, Atlanta, Georgia, and John H.
Harland Company, Decatur, Georgia.
Patricia M. King Director since 1997
Ms. King, 60, is President and Chief Executive Officer of
Sunny King Automotive Group (automobile dealerships), Anniston,
Alabama.
James K. Lowder Director since 1997
Mr. Lowder, 56, is Chairman of The Colonial Company (real
estate development and sales), Montgomery, Alabama. He is a
Director of Colonial Properties Trust, Birmingham, Alabama.
Malcolm Portera Director since 2003
Dr. Portera, 59, has served as Chancellor of The University
of Alabama System, Tuscaloosa, Alabama, since January 2002. He
previously served as President of Mississippi State University
from January 1998 to December 2001. He is a Director of
Protective Life Corporation, Birmingham, Alabama, and Regions
Financial Corporation, Birmingham, Alabama.
Robert D. Powers Director since 1992
Mr. Powers, 55, is President of The Eufaula Agency, Inc.
(insurance and real estate), Eufaula, Alabama.
David M. Ratcliffe Director since 2004
Mr. Ratcliffe, 57, has served as Chairman of the Board,
President and Chief Executive Officer of Southern Company since
July 2004. He previously served as President of Southern Company
from April 2004 until July 2004; Executive Vice President of
Southern Company from May 1999 until April 2004; Chairman and
Chief Executive Officer of Georgia Power Company from January
2004 to April 2004 and President and Chief Executive Officer of
Georgia Power Company from May 1999 to January 2004. He is a
Director of CSX Corporation, Jacksonville, Florida, Federal
Reserve Bank of Atlanta, and Southern Company system companies,
Georgia Power Company and Southern Power Company.
2
C. Dowd Ritter Director since 1997
Mr. Ritter, 58, is Chairman, President and Chief Executive
Officer of AmSouth Bancorporation and AmSouth Bank, Birmingham,
Alabama. He is a Director of Protective Life Corporation,
Birmingham, Alabama.
James H. Sanford Director since 1983
Mr. Sanford, 61, is Chairman of HOME Place Farms, Inc.
(agriculture, computer services and land development),
Prattville, Alabama. He also serves as President of Autauga
Quality Cotton Association, Prattville, Alabama, and Chairman of
Sylvest Farms, Inc., Montgomery, Alabama. He is a Director of
Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta, Birmingham Branch.
John C. Webb IV Director since 1977
Mr. Webb, 63, is President of Webb Lumber Company, Inc.
(wholesale lumber and wood products sales), Demopolis, Alabama.
James W. Wright Director since 2000
Mr. Wright, 62, is Chairman, President and Chief Executive
Officer of First Tuskegee Bank, Tuskegee, Alabama. He is also
Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Birthright
Incorporated (bank holding company), Tuskegee, Alabama.
Each nominee has served in his or her present position for at
least the past five years, unless otherwise noted.
Vote Required
The majority of the votes cast by the shares outstanding and
entitled to vote at a meeting at which a quorum is present is
required for the election of directors. The shareholders
entitled to vote in the election of directors have the right to
cumulate their votes. Such right permits the shareholders to
multiply the number of votes they are entitled to cast by the
number of directors for whom they are entitled to vote and cast
the product for a single nominee or distribute the product among
two or more nominees. A shareholder will not be entitled to vote
cumulatively at the Companys 2006 Annual Meeting unless
such shareholder gives the Company notice of his interest to
cumulate his vote not less than 48 hours before the time
set for the meeting. If one shareholder gives such notice, all
shareholders will be entitled to cumulate their votes without
giving further notice.
Southern Company, as the owner of all of the Companys
outstanding common stock, will vote for all of the nominees
above.
3
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
How is the Company organized?
The Company is managed by a core group of officers and governed
by a board of directors which has been set at a total not to
exceed 25 members. The current nominees for election as
directors consist of 13 members 11
non-employees, the chief executive officer of the Company and
the chief executive officer of Southern Company.
What are directors paid for their services?
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Standard Arrangements. The following compensation was paid to
the Companys directors during 2005 for service as a member
of the board of directors and any board committee(s), except
that employee directors received no fees or compensation for
service as a member of the board of directors or any board
committee. At the election of the director, all or a portion of
the cash retainer and meeting fees may be payable in Southern
Company common stock. Also, at the election of the director, all
or a portion of directors compensation, including the
stock retainer, may be deferred under the Companys
deferred compensation plan for its directors until membership on
the board is terminated. If a director elects to defer the stock
retainer, it is payable in Southern Company common stock
following termination from the board. |
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Annual Cash Retainer Fee
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$25,000 for directors serving as chair of a board committee and
$22,000 for other directors |
Annual Stock Retainer Fee
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520 shares of Southern Company common stock |
Meeting Fees
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$1,800 for each board meeting attended and $1,200 for each
committee meeting attended |
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Other Arrangements. No director received other compensation for
services as a director during the year ending December 31,
2005 in addition to or in lieu of that specified by the standard
arrangements specified above. |
Governance Policies and Processes
Southern Company owns all of the Companys outstanding
common stock, which represents a substantial majority of the
overall voting power of the Companys equity securities,
and the Company has listed only debt and preferred stock on the
New York Stock Exchange (the NYSE). Accordingly,
under the rules of the NYSE, the Company is exempt from most of
the NYSEs listing standards relating to corporate
governance. The Company has voluntarily complied with certain of
the NYSEs listing standards relating to corporate
governance where such compliance is deemed to be in the best
interests of the Companys shareholders. In addition, under
the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the
SEC), the Company is exempt from the audit committee
requirements of Section 301 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of
2002 and, therefore, is not required to have an audit committee
or an audit committee report on whether it has an audit
committee financial expert.
EXECUTIVE SESSIONS
It is the policy of the directors to hold an executive session
of the non-management directors without management participation
at each scheduled board of directors meeting. The chairman of
the Controls and Compliance Committee presides over such
executive sessions. Information on how to communicate with the
chairman of the Controls and Compliance Committee or the
non-management directors is provided under Communications
to the Board below.
COMMITTEES OF THE BOARD
Controls and Compliance Committee:
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Members are Mr. Webb, Chairman; Mr. R. Kent Henslee
and Mr. Lowder |
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Met four times in 2005 |
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Oversees the Companys internal control and compliance
matters |
The Companys Controls and Compliance Committee meets
periodically with management, internal auditors and the
independent registered public accounting firm to discuss
auditing, internal controls and compliance matters.
The Southern Company Audit Committee provides broad oversight of
the Companys financial reporting, audit processes,
internal controls and legal, regulatory and ethical compliance.
The Southern Company Audit
4
Committee appoints the Companys independent registered
public accounting firm, approves their services and fees and
establishes and reviews the scope and timing of their audits.
The Southern Company Audit Committee also reviews and discusses
the Companys financial statements with management and the
independent registered public accounting firm. Such discussions
include critical accounting policies and practices, material
alternative financial treatments within generally accepted
accounting principles, proposed adjustments, control
recommendations, significant management judgments and accounting
estimates, new accounting policies, changes in accounting
principles, any disagreements with management and other material
written communications between the independent registered public
accounting firm and management. The Southern Company Audit
Committee also recommends the filing of the Companys
financial statements with the SEC.
The charter of the Southern Company Audit Committee is available
on Southern Companys website
(www.southerncompany.com) and is attached to this
Information Statement as Appendix A.
Compensation Committee:
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Members are Mr. Wallace D. Malone, Jr., Chairman;
Mr. Armstrong and Dr. Portera |
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Met three times in 2005 |
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Oversees the administration of the Companys compensation
arrangements |
The Companys Compensation Committee reviews and provides
input to Southern Companys Compensation and Management
Succession Committee on the performance and compensation of the
Companys chief executive officer and makes recommendations
regarding the fees paid to members of the Companys board
of directors.
Southern Companys Compensation and Management Succession
Committee approves the corporate performance goals used to
determine incentive compensation and establishes the mechanism
for setting compensation levels for the Companys executive
officers. It also administers executive compensation plans and
reviews management succession plans.
Nominating Committee:
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Members are Mr. Ritter, Chairman; Mr. Cooper;
Mr. Johns; Mr. Ratcliffe and Mr. Sanford |
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Met one time in 2005 |
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Considers and recommends nominees for election as directors |
The Nominating Committee, with input from the Companys
chief executive officer, identifies director nominees. The
Nominating Committee evaluates candidates based on the
requirements set forth in the Companys by-laws and
regulatory requirements applicable to the Company. The Company
is exempt from the NYSEs listing standards relating to
director independence. Consequently, the board of directors has
not determined whether the members of the Nominating Committee
are independent under such standards.
Southern Company owns all of the Companys common stock,
and, as a result, Southern Companys affirmative vote is
sufficient to elect director nominees. Consequently, the
Nominating Committee does not accept proposals from preferred
shareholders regarding potential candidates for director
nominees. Southern Companys chief executive officer is a
member of the Nominating Committee and may propose on behalf of
Southern Company potential candidates for director nominees at
any meeting of the Nominating Committee.
The Nominating Committee operates under a written charter. The
Nominating Committee charter is attached to this Information
Statement as Appendix B.
Executive Committee:
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Members are Mr. McCrary, Chairman; Mr. Carl E.
Jones, Jr.; Mr. Wallace D. Malone, Jr. and
Mr. Ritter |
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Met three times in 2005 |
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Acts in place of full board on matters that require board action
between scheduled meetings of the board to the extent permitted
by law and within certain limits set by the board |
Nuclear Committee:
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Members are Mr. Powers, Chairman; Ms. King and
Mr. Wright |
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Met four times in 2005 |
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Reviews nuclear activities |
The board of directors met four times in 2005. Average director
attendance at all board and committee meetings was
98 percent. No nominee attended less than 75 percent
of applicable meetings.
5
COMMUNICATIONS TO THE BOARD
Shareholders and other parties interested in communicating
directly with the Companys board of directors, the
chairman of the Controls and Compliance Committee or the
non-management directors may contact them by writing
c/o Corporate Secretary, Alabama Power Company,
600 North 18th Street, Birmingham, Alabama 35291 or by
sending an email to apcocorpsec@southernco.com. The Corporate
Secretary will receive the correspondence and forward it to the
individual director or directors to whom the correspondence is
directed or the chairman of the Controls and Compliance
Committee. The Corporate Secretary will not forward any
correspondence that is unduly hostile, threatening, illegal, not
reasonably related to the Company or its business or similarly
inappropriate.
BOARD ATTENDANCE AT ANNUAL SHAREHOLDERS MEETING
The Company does not have a policy relating to attendance at the
Companys annual meeting of shareholders by directors. The
Company does not solicit proxies for the election of directors
because the affirmative vote of Southern Company is sufficient
to elect the nominees and, therefore, holders of the
Companys preferred stock rarely attend the annual meeting.
Consequently, a policy encouraging directors to attend the
annual meeting of shareholders is not necessary. One of the
Companys 16 directors attended the Companys
2005 Annual Meeting of shareholders.
6
AUDIT COMMITTEE REPORT
The Southern Company Audit Committee (the Audit
Committee) oversees the Companys financial reporting
process on behalf of the board of directors of Southern Company.
The Companys management has the primary responsibility for
the financial statements and the reporting process including the
systems of internal controls. In fulfilling its oversight
responsibilities, the Audit Committee reviewed the audited
financial statements of the Company in the Annual Report with
management. The Audit Committee also reviews the Companys
quarterly and annual reports on
Forms 10-Q
and 10-K prior to
filing with the SEC. The Audit Committees review process
includes discussions of the quality, not just the acceptability,
of the accounting principles, the reasonableness of significant
judgments and estimates and the clarity of disclosures in the
financial statements.
The independent registered public accounting firm is responsible
for expressing an opinion on the conformity of those audited
financial statements with accounting principles generally
accepted in the United States. The Audit Committee reviewed with
the independent registered public accounting firm their
judgments as to the quality, not just the acceptability, of the
Companys accounting principles and such other matters as
are required to be discussed with the Audit Committee under
generally accepted auditing standards, rules and regulations of
the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board
(PCAOB) and SEC and the NYSE corporate governance
rules. In addition, the Audit Committee has discussed with the
independent registered public accounting firm their independence
from management and the Company including the matters in the
written disclosures made under Rule 3600T of the PCAOB,
which, on an interim basis, has adopted Independence Standards
Board Standard No. 1, Independence Discussions with
Audit Committees. The Audit Committee has also considered
whether the independent registered public accounting firms
provision of non-audit services to the Company is compatible
with maintaining their independence.
The Audit Committee discussed the overall scopes and plans with
the Companys internal auditors and independent registered
public accounting firm for their respective audits. The Audit
Committee meets with the internal auditors and independent
registered public accounting firm, with and without management
present, to discuss the results of their audits, their
evaluations of the Companys internal controls and the
overall quality of the Companys financial reporting. The
Audit Committee also meets privately with Southern
Companys compliance officer. The Audit Committee held 11
meetings during 2005.
In reliance on the reviews and discussions referred to above,
the Audit Committee recommended to the board of directors of
Southern Company (and the board approved) that the audited
financial statements be included in the Companys Annual
Report on
Form 10-K for the
year ended December 31, 2005 and filed with the SEC. The
Audit Committee also reappointed Deloitte & Touche LLP
as the Companys independent registered public accounting
firm for 2006. At the 2006 Annual Meeting of Southern
Companys shareholders, its shareholders will be asked to
ratify the Audit Committees selection of the independent
registered public accounting firm.
Members of the Committee:
J. Neal Purcell, Chair
Juanita Powell Baranco
Francis S. Blake
Zack T. Pate
7
Principal Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
Fees
The following represents the fees billed to the Company for the
two most recent fiscal years by Deloitte & Touche LLP
(Deloitte & Touche) the
Companys principal independent registered public
accounting firm for 2004 and 2005.
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2005 | |
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Audit Fees(1)
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$ |
2,546 |
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$ |
2,619 |
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Audit-Related Fees
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0 |
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0 |
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Tax Fees
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16 |
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0 |
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All Other Fees
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0 |
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Total
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$ |
2,562 |
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$ |
2,619 |
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(1) |
Includes services performed in connection with financing
transactions. |
The Audit Committee (on behalf of Southern Company and all of
its subsidiaries, including the Company) has adopted a Policy on
Engagement of the Independent Auditor for Audit and Non-Audit
Services that includes requirements for the Audit Committee to
pre-approve services provided by Deloitte & Touche.
This policy was initially adopted in July 2002 and since that
time, all services included in the chart above have been
pre-approved by the Audit Committee.
Under the policy, the independent registered public accounting
firm delivers an annual arrangements letter which provides a
description of services anticipated to be rendered to the
Company by the independent registered public accounting firm for
the Audit Committee to approve. The Audit Committees
approval of the independent registered public accounting
firms annual arrangements letter constitutes pre-approval
of all services covered in the letter. In addition, under the
policy, the Audit Committee has pre-approved the engagement of
the independent registered public accounting firm to provide
services related to the issuance of comfort letters and consents
required for securities sales by the Company and services
related to consultation on routine accounting and tax matters.
The Audit Committee has delegated pre-approval authority to the
Chair of the Audit Committee with respect to permissible
services up to a limit of $50,000 per engagement. The Chair
of the Audit Committee is required to report any pre-approval
decisions at the next scheduled Audit Committee meeting.
Under the policy, prohibited non-audit services are services
prohibited by the SEC to be performed by the Companys
independent registered public accounting firm. These services
include bookkeeping or other services related to the preparation
of accounting records of the Company, financial information
systems design and implementation, appraisal or valuation
services, fairness opinions or
contribution-in-kind
reports, actuarial services, internal audit outsourcing
services, management functions or human resources,
broker-dealer, investment advisor or investment banking
services, legal services and expert services unrelated to the
audit and any other service that the PCAOB determines is
impermissible. In addition, officers of the Company may not
engage the independent registered public accounting firm to
perform any personal services, such as personal financial
planning or personal income tax services.
Principal Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
Representation
No representative of Deloitte & Touche is expected to
be present at the meeting unless no later than three business
days prior to the day of the meeting the Companys
Corporate Secretary has received written notice from a
shareholder addressed to the Corporate Secretary at Alabama
Power Company, 600 North 18th Street, Birmingham, Alabama
35291, that such shareholder will attend the meeting and wishes
to ask questions of a representative of Deloitte &
Touche.
8
COMPENSATION AND MANAGEMENT SUCCESSION COMMITTEE REPORT
Southern Companys Compensation and Management Succession
Committee (the Committee) is responsible for the
oversight and administration of the Companys executive
compensation program. The Committee is composed entirely of
independent, non-employee directors and operates pursuant to a
written charter.
TOTAL EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
Executive Compensation Philosophy
The executive compensation program is based on a philosophy that
total executive compensation must be competitive and must be
tied to the Companys and Southern Companys short-
and long-term performance. With the objective of maximizing
Southern Company shareholder value over time, our program aligns
the interests of our executives and the Companys and
Southern Companys shareholders.
Determination of Total Executive Compensation
The Committee retains an independent executive compensation
consultant who provides information on total executive
compensation paid at other large companies in the electric and
gas utility industries. Most of these companies are included in
the 12 companies that comprise the S&P Electric Utility
Index. Based on the market data, total executive compensation
targets are set at an appropriate size-adjusted level. This
means that for target level performance, the program is designed
to pay executives an amount that is at or about the median of
the market. Total executive compensation is paid through an
appropriate mix of both fixed and performance-based
(incentive) compensation. Because the program focuses on
incentive compensation, actual total compensation paid can be
above or below the targets based on actual corporate performance.
Components of Total Executive Compensation
The primary components of the executive compensation program are:
|
|
|
Base pay (salary); |
|
Short-term incentives (annual performance-based
compensation); and |
|
Long-term incentives (stock options and performance-based
dividend equivalents). |
The Company also provides certain perquisites that the Committee
reviews periodically to determine if they are reasonable and
appropriate. The primary perquisites provided by the Company are
financial planning services, club memberships (for business use)
and home security.
BASE PAY
A range for base pay is determined for each executive officer,
including Mr. McCrary, by comparing the base pay at the
appropriate peer group of companies described previously. Base
pay is generally set at a level that is at or below the
size-adjusted median paid at those companies because of the
emphasis on incentive compensation in the executive compensation
program. The 2005 base pay level for the named executive
officers, including Mr. McCrary, was at or near the median.
ANNUAL PERFORMANCE-BASED COMPENSATION
Annual performance-based compensation is paid through the
Southern Company Omnibus Incentive Compensation Plan. All
executive officers participated in this plan in 2005.
Performance Goals
Annual performance-based compensation is based on the attainment
of corporate performance goals and attainment of the
Companys operational goals. All performance goals were set
in the first quarter of the year.
For 2005, the corporate performance goals included specific
targets for:
|
|
|
Southern Company earnings earnings per share
(EPS) and |
|
The Companys return on equity (ROE). |
The Committee believes that accomplishing the corporate goals is
essential for the Companys and Southern Companys
continued success and sustained financial performance. A target
performance level is set for each corporate performance goal.
Performance above or below the targets results in
proportionately higher or lower
9
performance-based compensation. The amount is then adjusted, up
or down, based on the degree of achievement of the
Companys operational goals related to such measures as
capital expenditures, cash flow, safety, customer satisfaction,
system reliability, plant availability and diversity.
A target percentage of base pay is established for each
executive officer based on his position level, for target-level
performance. Annual performance-based compensation may range
from 0 percent of the target to 220 percent based on
actual performance, with an additional 10 percent of base salary
possible for exceptional individual performance.
No performance-based compensation is paid if performance is
below a threshold level or if a minimum earnings level is not
reached. Also, no performance-based compensation is paid if
Southern Companys current earnings are not sufficient to
fund the Southern Company common stock dividend at the same
level as the prior year. The Committee also capped the maximum
amount for the annual performance-based compensation for
Mr. McCrary at 0.6 percent of Southern Companys
net income.
Annual Performance-Based Compensation Payments
Performance met or exceeded the target levels in all areas in
2005, resulting in performance-based compensation that exceeded
the target levels.
Mr. McCrarys annual performance-based compensation
under the Southern Company Omnibus Incentive Compensation Plan
for target-level performance was 75 percent of his base
pay. The target percentage of base pay for the other executive
officers ranged from 50 to 55 percent. The amount paid to
each individual for 2005 performance was based 50 percent
on the degree of achievement of Southern Companys EPS goal
and 50 percent on the degree of achievement of the
Companys ROE goal. Performance for both goals exceeded the
target, resulting in payouts to all named executive officers
that were 184 percent of their respective target amounts.
LONG-TERM INCENTIVES
The Committee bases a significant portion of the total
compensation program on long-term incentives, including Southern
Company stock options and performance dividend equivalents.
Stock Options
Executives are granted options with
10-year terms to
purchase Southern Companys common stock at the market
price on the date of the grant under the terms of the Southern
Company Omnibus Incentive Compensation Plan. The estimated
annualized value represented nearly 25 percent of
Mr. McCrarys total target compensation and 14 to
23 percent for the other executive officers. The size of
prior grants was not considered in determining the size of the
grants made in 2005. The options fully vest upon retirement and
expire at the earlier of five years from the date of retirement
or the end of the
10-year term.
Performance Dividends
The executive officers, including Mr. McCrary, also are
paid performance-based dividend equivalents on most stock
options held at the end of the year. Dividend equivalents can
range from 5 percent of the Southern Company common stock
dividend paid during the year if Southern Company total
shareholder return over a four-year period, compared to a group
of other utility companies, is above the 10th percentile to
100 percent of the dividend paid if it reaches the
90th percentile. For eligible stock options held on
December 31, 2005, all participants, including the named
executive officers received a payout of $0.83 per option
for above-target performance under the Southern Company Omnibus
Incentive Compensation Plan.
10
OTHER COMPENSATION
The Company participates in the Southern Company Deferred
Compensation Plan for eligible employees, including the
executive officers. Participation is voluntary and permits
deferral of up to 50 percent of salary and up to
100 percent of performance-based compensation. Except for
certain prescribed hardship conditions, all amounts are deferred
until termination of employment. A participant has two
investment options under this plan a prime-rate
investment option and an option that tracks the performance of
Southern Company common stock, neither of which produce
above-market earnings. This is an unfunded plan and all amounts
deferred are payable out of the general assets of the Company.
The Committee has reviewed the terms of this plan. The Committee
does not consider earnings on deferred compensation in
establishing total compensation targets.
The Company also participates in additional non-qualified
deferred compensation plans and arrangements that provide
post-retirement compensation. In addition, the Committee reviews
other benefit programs that are generally available to all
employees of the Company.
POLICY ON INCOME TAX DEDUCTIBILITY OF EXECUTIVE
COMPENSATION
Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as
amended (the Code), limits the deductibility of
certain executives compensation that exceeds
$1 million per year unless the compensation is paid under a
performance-based plan as defined in the Code and that has been
approved by shareholders. Southern Company has obtained
shareholder approval of the Omnibus Incentive Compensation Plan.
However, because the policy is to maximize long-term shareholder
value, tax deductibility is only one factor considered in
setting compensation.
SUMMARY
The Committee believes that the policies and programs described
in this report link pay and performance and serve the best
interest of the Companys and Southern Companys
shareholders. The Committee frequently reviews the various pay
plans and policies and modifies them as it deems necessary to
continue to attract, retain and motivate talented executives.
Members of the Committee:
Gerald J. St. Pé, Chair
Thomas F. Chapman
Donald M. James
William G. Smith, Jr.
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE INTERLOCKS AND INSIDER
PARTICIPATION
Southern Companys Compensation and Management Succession
Committee is made up of non-employee directors who have never
served as executive officers of Southern Company or the Company.
During 2005, none of Southern Companys or the
Companys executive officers served on the board of
directors of any entities whose officers serve on Southern
Companys board of directors.
CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS
Mr. Whit Armstrong is President, Chairman and Chief
Executive Officer of The Citizens Bank, Enterprise, Alabama;
Mr. Carl E. Jones, Jr. is Chairman of Regions
Financial Corporation, Birmingham, Alabama; Mr. Wallace D.
Malone, Jr. served as Vice Chairman of Wachovia
Corporation, Charlotte, North Carolina; Mr. C. Dowd Ritter
is Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of AmSouth
Bancorporation and AmSouth Bank, Birmingham, Alabama, and
Mr. James W. Wright is Chairman, President and Chief
Executive Officer of First Tuskegee Bank, Tuskegee, Alabama.
During 2005, these banks furnished a number of regular banking
services in the ordinary course of business to the Company. The
Company intends to maintain normal banking relations with all
the aforesaid banks in the future.
11
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION INFORMATION
Employment Contracts and Termination of Employment and Change
in Control Arrangements
The Company has adopted Southern Companys Change in
Control Program, which is applicable to certain of its officers,
and as part of the program has entered into individual change in
control agreements with Messrs. McCrary and C. Alan Martin.
If an executive is involuntarily terminated, other than for
cause, within two years following a change in control of
Southern Company or the Company, the agreements provide for:
|
|
|
|
|
lump sum payment of two or three times annual compensation, |
|
|
up to five years coverage under group health and life
insurance plans, |
|
|
immediate vesting of all stock options, stock appreciation
rights and restricted stock previously granted, |
|
|
payment of any accrued long-term and short-term bonuses
(performance-based compensation) and dividend
equivalents and |
|
|
payment of any excise tax liability incurred as a result of
payments made under any individual agreements. |
A Southern Company change in control is defined under the
agreements as:
|
|
|
|
|
acquisition of at least 20 percent of Southern
Companys stock, |
|
|
a change in the majority of the members of Southern
Companys board of directors in connection with an actual
or threatened change in control, |
|
|
a merger or other business combination that results in Southern
Companys shareholders immediately before the merger owning
less than 65 percent of the voting power after the
merger or |
|
|
a sale of substantially all the assets of Southern Company. |
A change in control of the Company is defined under the
agreements as:
|
|
|
|
|
acquisition of at least 50 percent of the Companys
stock, |
|
|
a merger or other business combination unless Southern Company
controls the surviving entity or |
|
|
a sale of substantially all of the assets of the Company. |
Southern Company also has amended its short- and long-term
incentive plan to provide for pro-rata payments at not less than
target-level performance if a change in control occurs and the
plan is not continued or replaced with a comparable plan or
plans.
12
Summary Compensation Table
The following table sets forth information concerning the Chief
Executive Officer and the other four most highly compensated
executive officers of the Company serving at the end of 2005.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Long-Term Compensation | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
Annual Compensation | |
|
Number of | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
Securities | |
|
Long-Term | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other Annual | |
|
Underlying | |
|
Incentive | |
|
All Other | |
Name and Principal |
|
|
|
Compensation | |
|
Stock Options | |
|
Payouts | |
|
Compensation | |
Position |
|
Year | |
|
Salary ($) | |
|
Bonus ($) | |
|
($)(1) | |
|
(Shares) | |
|
($)(2) | |
|
($)(3) | |
| |
Charles D. McCrary
|
|
|
2005 |
|
|
|
580,495 |
|
|
|
808,636 |
|
|
|
86,706 |
|
|
|
86,454 |
|
|
|
256,887 |
|
|
|
131,643 |
|
President, Chief Executive |
|
|
2004 |
|
|
|
551,989 |
|
|
|
648,749 |
|
|
|
8,205 |
|
|
|
71,424 |
|
|
|
384,772 |
|
|
|
29,685 |
|
Officer and Director |
|
|
2003 |
|
|
|
521,649 |
|
|
|
694,948 |
|
|
|
9,111 |
|
|
|
72,054 |
|
|
|
483,081 |
|
|
|
26,180 |
|
|
C. Alan Martin
|
|
|
2005 |
|
|
|
367,818 |
|
|
|
374,370 |
|
|
|
3,607 |
|
|
|
39,418 |
|
|
|
100,110 |
|
|
|
19,839 |
|
Executive Vice President |
|
|
2004 |
|
|
|
357,144 |
|
|
|
306,181 |
|
|
|
6,008 |
|
|
|
39,838 |
|
|
|
195,234 |
|
|
|
18,918 |
|
|
|
|
2003 |
|
|
|
346,112 |
|
|
|
337,538 |
|
|
|
9,987 |
|
|
|
41,359 |
|
|
|
261,977 |
|
|
|
21,857 |
|
|
Art P. Beattie(4)
|
|
|
2005 |
|
|
|
231,941 |
|
|
|
216,584 |
|
|
|
12,253 |
|
|
|
21,558 |
|
|
|
56,876 |
|
|
|
36,159 |
|
Executive Vice President, |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chief Financial Officer |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
and Treasurer |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Steve R. Spencer
|
|
|
2005 |
|
|
|
338,729 |
|
|
|
313,128 |
|
|
|
38,657 |
|
|
|
30,687 |
|
|
|
50,852 |
|
|
|
91,797 |
|
Executive |
|
|
2004 |
|
|
|
330,196 |
|
|
|
257,343 |
|
|
|
35,930 |
|
|
|
31,165 |
|
|
|
86,749 |
|
|
|
90,677 |
|
Vice President |
|
|
2003 |
|
|
|
290,026 |
|
|
|
283,698 |
|
|
|
7,502 |
|
|
|
29,414 |
|
|
|
164,081 |
|
|
|
16,536 |
|
|
Jerry L. Stewart
|
|
|
2005 |
|
|
|
304,530 |
|
|
|
333,663 |
|
|
|
416 |
|
|
|
32,814 |
|
|
|
119,647 |
|
|
|
16,689 |
|
Senior Vice President |
|
|
2004 |
|
|
|
286,863 |
|
|
|
311,581 |
|
|
|
9,925 |
|
|
|
32,224 |
|
|
|
163,090 |
|
|
|
35,635 |
|
|
|
|
2003 |
|
|
|
265,028 |
|
|
|
297,171 |
|
|
|
17,963 |
|
|
|
30,381 |
|
|
|
178,471 |
|
|
|
49,116 |
|
|
|
|
(1) |
This column reports tax reimbursements on certain perquisites
and personal benefits as well as on additional incentive
compensation, if applicable. Additional incentive compensation
is reported in the All Other Compensation column. |
|
(2) |
Payout of performance dividend equivalents on stock options
granted after 1996 that were held by the named executive officer
at the end of the performance periods under the Southern Company
Omnibus Incentive Compensation Plan for the four-year
performance periods ended December 31, 2003, 2004 and 2005,
respectively. Effective January 1, 2005, dividend
equivalents can range from approximately five percent of the
Southern Company common stock dividend paid during the last year
of the performance period if Southern Company total shareholder
return over the four-year period, compared to a group of other
large utility companies, is above the 10th percentile to
100 percent of the dividend paid if it reaches the 90th
percentile. For eligible stock options held on December 31,
2003, 2004 and 2005, all named executive officers earned a
payout of $1.385, $1.22 and $0.83 per option, respectively. |
|
(3) |
Company contributions in 2005 to the Southern Company Employee
Savings Plan (ESP), Employee Stock Ownership Plan
(ESOP) and non-pension related accruals under the Southern
Company Supplemental Benefit Plan (SBP) are provided in the
following table: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Name |
|
ESP | |
|
ESOP | |
|
SBP | |
| |
Charles D. McCrary
|
|
$ |
7,878 |
|
|
$ |
773 |
|
|
$ |
22,992 |
|
|
C. Alan Martin
|
|
|
8,839 |
|
|
|
773 |
|
|
|
10,227 |
|
|
Art P. Beattie
|
|
|
8,368 |
|
|
|
773 |
|
|
|
2,018 |
|
|
Steve R. Spencer
|
|
|
7,972 |
|
|
|
773 |
|
|
|
8,052 |
|
|
Jerry L. Stewart
|
|
|
9,450 |
|
|
|
773 |
|
|
|
6,466 |
|
|
|
|
|
In 2005, Messrs. McCrary, Beattie and Spencer received
additional compensation of $100,000, $25,000 and $75,000,
respectively. |
|
|
In 2004, Messrs. Spencer and Stewart received additional
incentive compensation of $75,000 and $20,000, respectively. |
|
|
In 2003, Messrs. Martin, Spencer and Stewart received
additional incentive compensation of $4,000, $4,000 and $35,000,
respectively. |
(4) Mr. Beattie was named an executive officer
effective February 1, 2005.
13
Stock Option Grants in 2005
The following table sets forth all stock option grants to the
named executive officers of the Company during the year ending
December 31, 2005.
|
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Number of | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Securities | |
|
Percent of Total | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Underlying | |
|
Options Granted | |
|
Exercise or | |
|
|
|
Grant Date | |
|
|
Options | |
|
to Employees in | |
|
Base Price | |
|
Expiration | |
|
Present | |
Name |
|
Granted(1) | |
|
Fiscal Year(2) | |
|
($/Sh)(1) | |
|
Date(1) | |
|
Value($)(3) | |
| |
Charles D. McCrary
|
|
|
86,454 |
|
|
|
7.3 |
|
|
|
32.70 |
|
|
|
2/18/2015 |
|
|
|
337,171 |
|
|
C. Alan Martin
|
|
|
39,418 |
|
|
|
3.3 |
|
|
|
32.70 |
|
|
|
2/18/2015 |
|
|
|
153,730 |
|
|
Art P. Beattie
|
|
|
21,558 |
|
|
|
1.8 |
|
|
|
32.70 |
|
|
|
2/18/2015 |
|
|
|
84,076 |
|
|
Steve R. Spencer
|
|
|
30,687 |
|
|
|
2.6 |
|
|
|
32.70 |
|
|
|
2/18/2015 |
|
|
|
119,679 |
|
|
Jerry L. Stewart
|
|
|
32,814 |
|
|
|
2.8 |
|
|
|
32.70 |
|
|
|
2/18/2015 |
|
|
|
127,975 |
|
|
|
|
(1) |
Under the terms of the Southern Company Omnibus Incentive
Compensation Plan, stock option grants to the named executive
officers were made on February 18, 2005 and vest annually
at a rate of one-third on the anniversary date of the grant.
Grants fully vest upon termination as a result of death, total
disability, or retirement and expire five years after
retirement, three years after death or total disability, or
their normal expiration date if earlier. The exercise price is
the average of the high and low price of Southern Company common
stock on the date granted. Options may be transferred to a
revocable trust and for Mr. McCrary, options may also be
transferred to certain family members, family trusts and family
limited partnerships. |
|
(2) |
A total of 1,179,681 stock options were granted in 2005 to
employees of the Company. |
|
(3) |
Value was calculated using the Black-Scholes option valuation
model. The actual value, if any, ultimately realized depends on
the market value of Southern Companys common stock at a
future date. Significant assumptions are shown below: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
Risk-free | |
|
Dividend | |
|
Expected | |
Volatility | |
|
Rate of Return | |
|
Yield | |
|
Term | |
|
|
17.9% |
|
|
|
3.87% |
|
|
|
4.38% |
|
|
|
5 years |
|
|
Aggregated Stock Option Exercises in 2005 and Year-End Option
Values
The following table sets forth information concerning options
exercised during the year ending December 31, 2005 by the
named executive officers and the value of unexercised options
held by them as of December 31, 2005.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Number of Securities | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Underlying Unexercised | |
|
Value of Unexercised | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Options at Fiscal | |
|
In-the-Money Options | |
|
|
Shares | |
|
Value | |
|
Year-End(#) | |
|
at Year-End($)(2) | |
|
|
Acquired on | |
|
Realized | |
|
| |
|
| |
Name |
|
Exercise(#) | |
|
($)(1) | |
|
Exercisable | |
|
Unexercisable | |
|
Exercisable | |
|
Unexercisable | |
|
Charles D. McCrary
|
|
|
92,338 |
|
|
|
1,125,892 |
|
|
|
151,415 |
|
|
|
158,088 |
|
|
|
1,172,253 |
|
|
|
555,157 |
|
|
C. Alan Martin
|
|
|
78,831 |
|
|
|
713,096 |
|
|
|
40,853 |
|
|
|
79,762 |
|
|
|
247,539 |
|
|
|
296,089 |
|
|
Art P. Beattie
|
|
|
7,731 |
|
|
|
111,510 |
|
|
|
35,735 |
|
|
|
32,790 |
|
|
|
327,325 |
|
|
|
101,801 |
|
|
Steve R. Spencer
|
|
|
40,525 |
|
|
|
288,079 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
61,268 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
224,932 |
|
|
Jerry L. Stewart
|
|
|
22,341 |
|
|
|
328,025 |
|
|
|
79,730 |
|
|
|
64,423 |
|
|
|
702,201 |
|
|
|
234,487 |
|
|
|
|
(1) |
The Value Realized is ordinary income, before taxes,
and represents the amount equal to the excess of the fair market
value of the shares at the time of exercise above the exercise
price. |
|
(2) |
This column represents the excess of the fair market value of
Southern Company common stock of $34.53 per share, as of
December 31, 2005, above the exercise price of the options.
The Exercisable column reports the value of options
that are vested and therefore could be exercised. The
Unexercisable column reports the value of options
that are not vested and therefore could not be exercised as of
December 31, 2005. |
14
Defined Benefit or Actuarial Plan Disclosure
The following table sets forth the estimated annual pension
benefits payable at normal retirement age under Southern
Companys qualified Pension Plan, as well as non-qualified
supplemental benefits, based on the stated compensation and
years of service with the Southern Company system for the named
executive officers at the Company. Compensation for pension
purposes is limited to the average of the highest three of the
final 10 years compensation. Compensation is base
salary plus the excess of annual incentive compensation over
15 percent of base salary. The compensation components are
reported under columns titled Salary and
Bonus in the Summary Compensation Table detailed
earlier in this Information Statement.
The amounts shown in the table were calculated according to the
final average pay formula and are based on a single life annuity
without reduction for joint and survivor annuities or
computation of the Social Security offset which would apply in
most cases.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Years of Accredited Service | |
|
|
| |
Remuneration | |
|
15 | |
|
20 | |
|
25 | |
|
30 | |
|
35 | |
|
40 | |
| |
$ |
100,000 |
|
|
$ |
25,500 |
|
|
$ |
34,000 |
|
|
$ |
42,500 |
|
|
$ |
51,000 |
|
|
$ |
59,500 |
|
|
$ |
68,000 |
|
|
300,000 |
|
|
|
76,500 |
|
|
|
102,000 |
|
|
|
127,500 |
|
|
|
153,000 |
|
|
|
178,500 |
|
|
|
204,000 |
|
|
500,000 |
|
|
|
127,500 |
|
|
|
170,000 |
|
|
|
212,500 |
|
|
|
255,000 |
|
|
|
297,500 |
|
|
|
340,000 |
|
|
700,000 |
|
|
|
178,500 |
|
|
|
238,000 |
|
|
|
297,500 |
|
|
|
357,000 |
|
|
|
416,500 |
|
|
|
476,000 |
|
|
900,000 |
|
|
|
229,500 |
|
|
|
306,000 |
|
|
|
382,500 |
|
|
|
459,000 |
|
|
|
535,500 |
|
|
|
612,000 |
|
|
1,100,000 |
|
|
|
280,500 |
|
|
|
374,000 |
|
|
|
467,500 |
|
|
|
561,000 |
|
|
|
654,500 |
|
|
|
748,000 |
|
|
1,300,000 |
|
|
|
331,500 |
|
|
|
442,000 |
|
|
|
552,500 |
|
|
|
663,000 |
|
|
|
773,500 |
|
|
|
884,000 |
|
|
1,500,000 |
|
|
|
382,500 |
|
|
|
510,000 |
|
|
|
637,500 |
|
|
|
765,000 |
|
|
|
892,500 |
|
|
|
1,020,000 |
|
As of December 31, 2005, the applicable compensation levels
and accredited service for determination of pension benefits
would have been:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accredited | |
Name |
|
Compensation | |
|
Years of Service | |
| |
Charles D. McCrary
|
|
$ |
1,190,756 |
|
|
|
31 |
|
|
C. Alan Martin
|
|
|
645,938 |
|
|
|
33 |
|
|
Art P. Beattie
|
|
|
324,322 |
|
|
|
29 |
|
|
Steve R. Spencer
|
|
|
566,582 |
|
|
|
26 |
|
|
Jerry L. Stewart
|
|
|
560,632 |
|
|
|
32 |
|
|
15
STOCK OWNERSHIP TABLE
Southern Company is the beneficial owner of 100 percent of
the outstanding common stock of the Company. The following table
shows the number of shares of Southern Company common stock
owned by directors, nominees and executive officers as of
December 31, 2005. It is based on information furnished by
the directors, nominees and executive officers. The shares owned
by all directors, nominees and executive officers as a group
constitute less than one percent of the total number of shares
of Southern Company common stock outstanding on
December 31, 2005.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Shares Beneficially | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Owned Include: | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Shares Individuals | |
|
|
|
|
Shares | |
|
Have Rights to | |
Name of Directors, Nominees |
|
|
|
Beneficially | |
|
Acquire Within 60 | |
and Executive Officers |
|
Title of Security | |
|
Owned(1) | |
|
Days(2) | |
| |
Whit Armstrong
|
|
|
Southern Company Common Stock |
|
|
|
16,951 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
David J. Cooper, Sr.
|
|
|
Southern Company Common Stock |
|
|
|
9,402 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
R. Kent Henslee
|
|
|
Southern Company Common Stock |
|
|
|
13,949 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
John D. Johns
|
|
|
Southern Company Common Stock |
|
|
|
2,818 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Carl E. Jones, Jr.
|
|
|
Southern Company Common Stock |
|
|
|
17,432 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Patricia M. King
|
|
|
Southern Company Common Stock |
|
|
|
3,704 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
James K. Lowder
|
|
|
Southern Company Common Stock |
|
|
|
13,107 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Wallace D. Malone, Jr.
|
|
|
Southern Company Common Stock |
|
|
|
3,295 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Charles D. McCrary
|
|
|
Southern Company Common Stock |
|
|
|
232,408 |
|
|
|
228,059 |
|
|
Malcolm Portera
|
|
|
Southern Company Common Stock |
|
|
|
4,338 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Robert D. Powers
|
|
|
Southern Company Common Stock |
|
|
|
4,265 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
David M. Ratcliffe
|
|
|
Southern Company Common Stock |
|
|
|
611,615 |
|
|
|
596,499 |
|
|
C. Dowd Ritter
|
|
|
Southern Company Common Stock |
|
|
|
3,704 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
James H. Sanford
|
|
|
Southern Company Common Stock |
|
|
|
7,541 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
John C. Webb, IV
|
|
|
Southern Company Common Stock |
|
|
|
13,063 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
James W. Wright
|
|
|
Southern Company Common Stock |
|
|
|
5,286 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Art P. Beattie
|
|
|
Southern Company Common Stock |
|
|
|
54,518 |
|
|
|
50,456 |
|
|
C. Alan Martin
|
|
|
Southern Company Common Stock |
|
|
|
86,096 |
|
|
|
81,058 |
|
|
Steve R. Spencer
|
|
|
Southern Company Common Stock |
|
|
|
33,016 |
|
|
|
30,422 |
|
|
Jerry L. Stewart
|
|
|
Southern Company Common Stock |
|
|
|
118,839 |
|
|
|
111,536 |
|
|
Directors, Nominees and Executive Officers as a group (20 people)
|
|
|
Southern Company Common Stock |
|
|
|
1,255,347 |
|
|
|
1,098,030 |
|
|
|
|
(1) |
Beneficial ownership means the sole or shared power
to vote, or to direct the voting of, a security, and/or
investment power with respect to a security or any combination
thereof. |
|
(2) |
Indicates shares of Southern Companys common stock that
certain executive officers have the right to acquire within
60 days. Shares indicated are included in the Shares
Beneficially Owned Column. |
Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting
Compliance.
No reporting person of the Company failed to file, on a timely
basis, the reports required by Section 16(a).
16
ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION
ITEM NO. 2 PROPOSED AMENDMENT
The board has approved, and recommends to the shareholders that
they adopt, an amendment to the Companys Articles of
Incorporation that would increase the Companys authorized
common stock from 15,000,000 shares to
25,000,000 shares and create a new class of securities
authorized to be issued by the Company to be called preference
stock. If the amendment is adopted, Article IX of the
Companys Articles of Incorporation will be amended and
restated to read as set forth in Appendix C hereto.
Of the 15,000,000 currently authorized shares of common stock,
9,250,000 shares are outstanding. The additional shares of
common stock for which authorization is sought would be a part
of the existing class of common stock, and, if and when issued,
would have the same rights and privileges as the shares of
common stock presently outstanding or authorized to be issued.
The shares of preference stock for which authorization is sought
will be a new class of capital stock of the Company and will
rank junior to the rights and preferences of the Companys
preferred stock and Class A preferred stock and senior to
the rights and preferences of the Companys common stock.
The proposal authorizes the Company to issue not in excess of
40,000,000 shares of preference stock. The shares of the
preference stock may be divided into and issued in series. The
board will establish the specific terms, rights, preferences,
limitations and restrictions of each series of preference stock
in an amendment to the Companys Articles of Incorporation
with respect to such series.
The Company expects to issue the common stock to Southern
Company for cash in an offering exempt from registration under
the Securities Act of 1933, as amended
(1933 Act). The Company expects to issue the
preference stock for cash in public offerings registered under
the 1933 Act.
Purpose and Effect of Amendment
The board believes that an increase in the number of shares of
authorized common stock as contemplated by the proposal would
benefit the Company and its shareholders by giving the Company
needed flexibility in its corporate planning and its ability to
raise additional capital and respond to developments in the
Companys business. The board has no present intention to
authorize the issuance of any shares of common stock to any
person other than Southern Company.
The board believes that the creation and authorization of
preference stock as contemplated by the proposal would also
benefit the Company and its shareholders by giving the Company
needed flexibility in its ability to raise capital and respond
to changes in the capital markets. Dividends on the
Companys preferred stock and Class A preferred stock
are cumulative. The terms of the preference stock permit the
issuance of preference stock with non-cumulative dividends.
The additional shares of common stock and the shares of
preference stock will be issuable without further authorization
by vote or consent of the shareholders of the Company and on
such terms and for such consideration as may be determined by
the board, subject to applicable law, and in such amounts as
authorized by the Alabama Public Service Commission.
Vote Required
The proposed increase in the authorized number of shares of
common stock requires the affirmative vote of the larger amount
in total value of the common stock and all classes of preferred
stock and Class A preferred stock voting as a single class.
The proposed creation and authorization of the preference stock
requires the affirmative vote of two-thirds of the total value
of the common stock and all classes of preferred stock and
Class A preferred stock voting as a single class.
For voting purposes, the total value of the preferred stock
shall be equal to the par value of all shares of preferred stock
outstanding, the total value of the Class A preferred stock
shall be equal to the stated value of all shares of Class A
preferred stock outstanding and the total value of the common
stock shall be equal to the par value of all shares of common
stock outstanding plus Paid-in capital. The total value of the
outstanding preferred stock is $47,511,500, the total value of
the outstanding Class A preferred stock is $425,000,000 and
the total value of the outstanding common stock using Paid-in
capital as of December 31, 2005 is $2,365,056,000. Southern
Company, as owner of all of the Companys common stock,
will vote for the proposed amendment.
17
APPENDIX A
Southern Company
Audit Committee Charter
This Charter identifies the composition, purpose, authority,
meeting requirements and responsibilities of the Southern
Company (the Company) Audit Committee (the Committee) as
approved by the Southern Company Board of Directors (the Board).
I. Composition
|
|
|
The Committee will be comprised of at least three independent
members of the Board, each of whom will be financially literate.
A deliberate effort will be made to include at least one
Director who is a financial expert. The selection of Committee
members will be in accordance with requirements for independence
and financial literacy and expertise, as interpreted by the
Board in its best business judgment, giving full consideration
to the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission
(SEC) and the New York Stock Exchange. |
II. Purpose
|
|
|
To assist the Board of Directors in fulfilling its oversight
responsibilities for the following: |
|
|
|
|
|
A. Integrity
of the financial reporting process; |
|
|
|
B. The
system of internal control; |
|
|
C. |
The independence and performance of the internal and independent
audit process; |
|
|
D. |
The Companys process for monitoring adherence with the
spirit and intent of its Code of Ethics and compliance with laws
and regulations; and |
|
|
E. |
Assistance to Executive Management and the Chief Executive
Officer in setting an appropriate Tone at the Top
that encourages the highest levels of ethical behavior and
integrity in all matters. |
III. Authority
|
|
|
The Audit Committee has authority to conduct or authorize
investigations into any matters within its scope of
responsibility. It is empowered to: |
|
|
|
|
A. |
Appoint, compensate, and oversee the work of the independent
auditors. |
|
|
B. |
Resolve any disagreements between management and the independent
auditors regarding financial reporting. |
|
|
C. |
Pre-approve all auditing and non-audit services provided by the
independent auditors. |
|
|
D. |
Retain independent counsel, accountants, or others to advise the
committee or assist in the conduct of an investigation. |
|
|
E. |
Seek any information it requires from employees all
of whom are directed to cooperate with the Committees
requests or external parties. |
|
|
F. |
Meet with Company officers, independent auditors, internal
auditors, inside counsel or outside counsel, as necessary. |
In the execution of its duties, the Committee will report to the
Board of Directors.
IV. Meeting Requirements
|
|
|
The Committee shall meet a minimum of four times each year, or
more often if warranted, to receive reports and to discuss the
quarterly and annual financial statements, including disclosures
and other related information. The Committee shall meet
separately, at least annually, with Company management, the
Director of Internal Auditing, the Compliance Officer, and the
independent auditors to discuss matters that the Committee or
any of these persons believe should be discussed privately.
Meetings of the Committee may utilize conference call, Internet
or other similar electronic communication technology. |
A-1
V. Responsibilities
|
|
|
|
A. |
Financial Reporting and Independent Audit Process
The oversight responsibility of the Committee in the area of
financial reporting (including disclosure controls and
procedures and internal control over financial reporting) is to
provide reasonable assurance that the Companys financial
disclosures and accounting practices accurately portray the
financial condition, results of operations, cash flows, plans
and long-term commitments of the Company on a consolidated
basis, as well as on a separate company basis for each
consolidated subsidiary that has publicly traded securities. To
accomplish this, the Committee will: |
|
|
|
|
1. |
Provide oversight of the independent audit process, including
direct responsibility for: |
|
|
|
|
a. |
Annual appointment of the independent auditors. |
|
|
b. |
Compensation of the independent auditors. |
|
|
c. |
Review and confirmation of the independence of the external
auditors by obtaining statements from the auditors on
relationships between the auditors and the Company, including
non-audit services, and discussing the relationships with the
auditors. Ensure that non-audit services provided by the
independent auditors comply with and are disclosed to investors
in periodic reports required by the Securities Exchange Act of
1934 and the Sarbanes Oxley Act of 2002. |
|
|
d. |
Review of the independent auditors quarterly and annual
work plans, and results of audit engagements. |
|
|
e. |
Review of the experience and qualifications of the senior
members of the independent audit team annually and ensure that
all partner rotation requirements are executed. |
|
|
f. |
Evaluation of the independent auditors performance. |
|
|
g. |
Oversight of the coordination of the independent auditors
activities with the Internal Auditing and Accounting functions. |
|
|
|
|
2. |
Review and discuss with management the quarterly and annual
consolidated earnings announcements and earnings guidance
provided to analysts and rating agencies. |
|
|
3. |
Review and discuss with management and the independent auditors
the quarterly and annual financial reports and recommend those
reports for filing with the SEC. The financial reports include
the Southern Company consolidated financial reports as well as
the separate financial reports for all consolidated subsidiaries
with publicly traded securities. |
|
|
|
|
a. |
The review and discussion will be based on timely reports from
the independent auditors, including: |
|
|
|
|
i. |
All critical accounting policies and practices to be used. |
|
|
ii. |
All alternative treatments of financial information within
generally accepted accounting principles that have been
discussed with management; ramifications of the use of such
alternative disclosures and treatments, and the treatment
preferred by the independent auditors. |
|
|
iii. |
Other material written communications between the independent
auditors and management, such as any management letter or
schedule of unadjusted differences. |
|
|
|
|
b. |
In addition, the following items will also be reviewed and
discussed: |
|
|
|
|
i. |
Significant judgments and estimates made by management. |
|
|
ii. |
Significant reporting or operational issues identified during
the reporting period, including how they were resolved. |
|
|
iii. |
Issues on which management sought second accounting opinions. |
|
|
iv. |
Significant regulatory changes and accounting and reporting
developments proposed by Financial Accounting Standards Board,
SEC, Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB) or
other regulatory agencies. |
|
|
v. |
Any audit problems or difficulties and managements
response. |
|
|
|
|
4. |
Review the letter of management representations given to the
independent auditors in connection with the audit of the annual
financial statements. |
A-2
|
|
|
|
B. |
Internal Control The responsibility of the Committee
in the area of internal control, in addition to the actions
described in Section (V).(A.)., is to: |
|
|
|
|
1. |
Provide oversight of the internal audit function including: |
|
|
|
|
a. |
Review of audit plans, budgets and staffing levels. |
|
|
b. |
Review of audit results. |
|
|
c. |
Review of managements appointment, appraisal of, and/or
removal of the Companys Director of Internal Auditing. At
least every two years, regardless of the performance of the
incumbent, the President and Chief Executive Officer will review
with the Committee the merits of reassigning the Director of
Internal Auditing. |
|
|
|
|
2. |
Assess managements response to any financial reporting or
compliance deficiencies. |
|
|
3. |
Provide oversight of the Companys Legal and Regulatory
Compliance and Ethics Programs, including: |
|
|
|
|
a. |
Creation and maintenance of procedures for: |
|
|
|
|
i. |
Receipt, retention and treatment of complaints received by
management regarding accounting, internal accounting controls or
audit matters. |
|
|
|
|
ii. |
Confidential, anonymous submission by employees of concerns
regarding questionable accounting or auditing matters. |
|
|
|
|
b. |
Review of plans and activities of the Companys Corporate
Compliance Officer. |
|
|
c. |
Review of results of auditing or other monitoring programs
designed to prevent or detect violations of laws or regulations. |
|
|
d. |
Review of corporate policies relating to compliance with laws
and regulations, ethics, conflict of interest and the
investigation of misconduct or fraud. |
|
|
e. |
Review of reported cases of employee fraud, conflict of
interest, unethical or illegal conduct. |
|
|
|
|
4. |
Review the quality assurance practices of the internal auditing
function and the independent auditors. |
|
|
5. |
Review and discuss significant risks facing the Company and the
guidelines and policies to govern the process by which risk
assessment and risk management is undertaken. |
|
|
|
|
C. |
Conduct an annual self-assessment of the Committees
performance. |
|
|
|
|
1. |
Set clear employment policies for Southern Companys hiring
of employees or former employees of the independent auditors. |
|
|
2. |
Report Committee activities and findings to the Board on a
regular basis. |
|
|
3. |
Report Committee activities in the Companys annual proxy
statement to shareholders. |
|
|
4. |
Review this charter at least annually and recommend appropriate
changes. |
|
|
|
ADOPTED ON OCTOBER 17, 2005 |
|
|
BY THE SOUTHERN COMPANY |
|
|
BOARD OF DIRECTORS |
A-3
APPENDIX B
Alabama Power Company
Nominating Committee Charter
Function
The Nominating Committee identifies and recommends to the Board
of Directors the nominees for election to the Board.
Membership
The Committee shall be composed of no less than three directors.
The Chairman shall be selected from among the Committee members.
The Committee and its Chairman shall be appointed annually by
the Board of Directors.
Meetings
The Nominating Committee has no scheduled meeting times. Special
meetings will be called as needed by the Chairman of
the Committee on one days notice to all members of the
Committee. A quorum for the transaction of any business by the
Committee shall be a majority of the members of the Committee.
The act of a majority of the directors serving at any meeting of
the Committee at which a quorum is present shall be the act of
the Committee.
Approved: April 25, 2003
B-1
APPENDIX C
Proposed Amendment and Restatement of Article IX of
Alabama Power Companys Articles of Incorporation
Article IX
Capital Stock
The corporation is authorized to issue four classes of shares of
capital stock to be designated, respectively, common
stock, preferred stock, Class A
preferred stock and preference stock. The
total number of shares of stock which the corporation shall have
authority to issue shall be 96,350,000 shares, of which
25,000,000 shares shall be common stock with a par value of
$40 per share, 3,850,000 shares shall be preferred
stock with a par value of $100 per share,
27,500,000 shares shall be Class A preferred stock
with a par value of $1 per share and 40,000,000 shares
shall be preference stock with a par value of $1 per share.
The designations, preferences, voting powers or restrictions or
qualifications thereof, the rights of redemption, retirement and
conversion of the shares of capital stock of the corporation,
and the general provisions with respect thereto, shall be as
hereinafter set forth; provided, however, that the preferred
stock, Class A preferred stock and preference stock may be
divided into and issued from time to time in one or more series,
each such series of preferred stock or Class A preferred
stock being hereinafter for convenience referred to as a
class of preferred stock or Class A preferred
stock, as the case may be, all such series of preferred stock or
Class A preferred stock being hereinafter for convenience
collectively referred to as classes of preferred
stock or Class A preferred stock, as the case may be, and
each such series of preference stock shall be referred to as a
series, of preference stock. The board of directors
shall have, and is hereby granted the power and authority to
divide the unissued shares of preferred stock, Class A
preferred stock and preference stock into series (including the
power and authority to reclassify, in the manner provided by
law, all or any number of the unissued shares of preferred stock
authorized at the time of the adoption of the joint agreement
between Alabama Power Company and Birmingham Electric Company
prescribing the terms and conditions of the merger of Birmingham
Electric Company into and with Alabama Power Company), to fix
and determine the following relative rights and preferences of
any such series of preferred stock and Class A preferred
stock, and the number of shares constituting any such series and
the designation thereof, or any of them: (1) the dividend
rate, (2) the dividend payment dates, (3) the
redemption price thereof, (4) the amount payable in event
of liquidation, voluntary and involuntary and (5) the
sinking fund provisions, if any, for the redemption or purchase
of shares; to fix and determine the following relative rights
and preferences of any such series of preference stock, and the
number of shares constituting any such series and the
designation thereof, or any of them: (1) the dividend rate,
(2) the dividend payment dates, (3) the dividend
rights, including the cumulative or non-cumulative nature
thereof, (4) the terms and conditions for redemption of
shares and the redemption price thereof, (5) the amount
payable in event of liquidation, voluntary and involuntary,
(6) the sinking fund provisions, if any, for the redemption
or purchase of shares and (7) special voting rights, if
any; and to increase or decrease the number of shares of any
such series subsequent to the issue of shares of that series,
but not below the number of shares of such series then
outstanding. In case the number of shares of any series shall be
so decreased, the shares constituting such decrease shall assume
the status of authorized but unissued shares of preferred stock,
Class A preferred stock or preference stock, as the case
may be. The board of directors may issue and sell such shares of
preferred stock, Class A preferred stock or preference
stock in series and any other authorized shares provided for in
this Article IX. Upon the issuance of shares of
Class A preferred stock and preference stock, there shall
be transferred to stated capital represented by each such share
of Class A preferred stock or preference stock, as the case
may be, an amount equal to the excess of the consideration
received over the par value thereof (up to an amount which, when
added to such par value, shall not exceed such shares
preferential claim in the event of involuntary liquidation) and
the stated capital represented by each share so determined shall
be equal to such shares preferential claim in the event of
involuntary liquidation.
C-1
A. Preferred Stock
1. Classes of Preferred Stock
* * * *
2. General Provisions
The following provisions shall apply to all classes of preferred
stock and Class A preferred stock which may now or
hereafter be authorized or created irrespective of class:
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a. The holders of the preferred stock and Class A
preferred stock of each class shall be entitled to receive
dividends, payable when and as declared by the board of
directors, on such dates and at such rates as shall be
determined for the respective classes, from the first day of the
current dividend period within which such stock shall have been
originally issued or from such other date within such dividend
period as the board of directors may have determined for such
class, before any dividends shall be declared or paid upon or
set apart for the common stock or any other kind of stock of the
corporation not having preference over the preferred stock and
Class A preferred stock as to the payment of dividends.
Such dividends shall be cumulative so that if for any dividend
period or periods dividends shall not have been paid or declared
and set apart for payment upon all outstanding preferred stock
and Class A preferred stock at the rates and from the dates
determined for the respective classes, the deficiency shall be
fully paid, or declared and set apart for payment, before any
dividends shall be declared or paid upon the common stock or any
other kind of stock of the corporation not having preference
over the preferred stock and Class A preferred stock as to
the payment of dividends. Dividends shall not be declared and
set apart for payment, or paid, on the preferred stock or
Class A preferred stock of any one class, for any dividend
period, unless dividends have been or are contemporaneously
declared and set apart for payment, or paid, on the preferred
stock and Class A preferred stock of all classes for all
dividend periods terminating on the same or on an earlier date. |
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b. When full cumulative dividends as aforesaid upon the
preferred stock and Class A preferred stock of all classes
then outstanding for all past dividend periods and for the
current dividend periods shall have been paid or declared and
set apart for payment, the board of directors may declare
dividends on the common stock or on any other kind of stock over
which the preferred stock and Class A preferred stock have
preference as to the payment of dividends, and no holders of any
class of the preferred stock or Class A preferred stock as
such shall be entitled to share therein. No dividends (other
than dividends paid in stock over which the preferred stock and
Class A preferred stock have preference as to the payment
of dividends and as to assets or dividends paid in cash or
property, if presently thereafter there shall be paid to the
corporation in cash or property an amount equal to such
dividends, for shares of, or as a capital contribution with
respect to, such stock over which the preferred stock and
Class A preferred stock have such preference) shall be paid
or any other distribution of assets made, by purchase of shares
or otherwise, on common stock or on any other kind of stock over
which the preferred stock and Class A preferred stock have
preference as to the payment of dividends or as to assets except
out of accumulated surplus available for distribution to stock
over which the preferred stock and Class A preferred stock
have preference as to the payment of dividends and as to assets,
earned subsequent to January 31, 1942. |
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c. Upon any dissolution, liquidation or winding up of the
corporation, whether voluntary or involuntary, the holders of
preferred stock and Class A preferred stock of each class,
without any preference of the shares of any class of preferred
stock or Class A preferred stock over the shares of any
other class of preferred stock or Class A preferred stock,
shall be entitled to receive out of the assets of the
corporation, whether capital, surplus or other, before any
distribution of the assets to be distributed shall be made to
the holders of common stock or of any other kind of stock not
having preference as to assets over the preferred stock or
Class A preferred stock, the amount specified to be payable
on the shares of such class in the event of voluntary or
involuntary liquidation, as the case may be. In case the assets
shall not be sufficient to pay in full the amounts determined to
be payable on all the shares of preferred stock and Class A
preferred stock in the event of voluntary or involuntary
liquidation, as the case may be, then the assets available for
such payment shall be distributed to the extent available as
follows: first, to the payment, pro rata, of the amount payable
in the event of involuntary liquidation on each share of
preferred stock and Class A preferred stock outstanding
irrespective of class; second, to the payment of the accrued
dividends on such shares, such payment to be made pro rata in
accordance with the amount of accrued dividends on each such
share; and, third, to the payment of any amounts in excess of
the amount payable in the event of involuntary liquidation on
each such share plus accrued dividends which may be payable on
the shares of any class in the event of voluntary or involuntary
liquidation, as the case may be, such payment also to be |
C-2
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made pro rata in accordance with the amounts, if any, so payable
on each such share. After payment to the holders of the
preferred stock and the Class A preferred stock of the full
preferential amounts hereinbefore provided for, the holders of
the preferred stock and the Class A preferred stock as such
shall have no right or claim to any of the remaining assets of
the corporation, either upon any distribution of such assets or
upon dissolution, liquidation or winding up, and the remaining
assets to be distributed, if any, upon a distribution of such
assets or upon dissolution, liquidation or winding up, may be
distributed among the holders of the common stock or of any
other kind of stock over which the preferred stock and the
Class A preferred stock have preference as to assets.
Without limiting the right of the corporation to distribute its
assets or to dissolve, liquidate or wind up in connection with
any sale, merger, or consolidation, the sale of all the property
of the corporation to, or the merger or consolidation of the
corporation into or with, any other corporation shall not be
deemed to be a distribution of assets or a dissolution,
liquidation or winding up for the purpose of this paragraph. |
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d. At the option of the board of directors of the
corporation, the corporation may redeem any class of preferred
stock or Class A preferred stock which is redeemable, and
each such class may be redeemed, as a whole or in part, at any
time at the redemption price specified for such class. Not less
than thirty nor more than sixty days prior to the date fixed for
redemption a notice of the time and place thereof shall be given
to the holders of record of the preferred stock or Class A
preferred stock so to be redeemed, by mail or publication, in
such manner as may be prescribed by the by-laws of the
corporation or by resolution of the board of directors, but such
resolution shall in no way conflict with the by-laws. In every
case of redemption of less than all the outstanding shares of
any one class of preferred stock or Class A preferred
stock, the shares of such class to be redeemed shall be chosen
by lot in such manner as may be prescribed by resolution of the
board of directors. At any time after notice of redemption has
been given in the manner prescribed by the by-laws of the
corporation or by resolution of the board of directors to the
holders of stock so to be redeemed, the corporation may deposit,
or may cause its nominee to deposit, the aggregate redemption
price with some bank or trust company in the Borough of
Manhattan, The City of New York, or in the city of Birmingham,
Alabama, named in such notice, payable on the date fixed for
redemption as aforesaid and in the amounts aforesaid to the
respective orders of the holders of the shares so to be
redeemed, on endorsement to the corporation or its nominee, or
otherwise, as may be required, and upon surrender of the
certificates for such shares. Upon the deposit of such money as
aforesaid, or, if no such deposit is made, upon such redemption
date (unless the corporation defaults in making payment of the
redemption price as set forth in such notice), such holders
shall cease to be shareholders with respect to such shares, and
from and after the making of such deposit, or, if no such
deposit is made, after the redemption date (the corporation not
having defaulted in making payment of the redemption price as
set forth in such notice), such holders shall have no interest
in or claim against the corporation, or its nominee, with
respect to such shares, but shall be entitled only to receive
such moneys on the date fixed for redemption as aforesaid from
such bank or trust company, or, if no such deposit is made, from
the corporation, without interest thereon, upon endorsement, if
required, and surrender of the certificates as aforesaid. |
If such deposit shall be made by a nominee of the corporation as
aforesaid, the prior holders of the shares for the redemption of
which such deposit shall have been made shall, upon such
deposit, cease to have any right or interest in such shares
except as set forth in the foregoing paragraph, and such nominee
shall, upon such deposit, become the owner of the shares with
respect to which such deposit was made and certificates may be
issued to such nominees in evidence of such ownership.
In case the holder of any such preferred stock or Class A
preferred stock shall not, within six years after such deposit,
claim the amount deposited as above stated for the redemption
thereof, the depositary shall upon demand pay over to the
corporation such amounts so deposited and the depositary shall
thereupon be relieved from all responsibility to the holder
thereof. No interest on such deposit shall be payable to any
such holder.
Nothing herein contained shall limit any legal right of the
corporation to purchase or otherwise acquire any shares of the
preferred stock or Class A preferred stock; provided,
however, that the corporation shall not redeem, purchase or
otherwise acquire any shares of the preferred stock or
Class A preferred stock, if, at the time of such
redemption, purchase or other acquisition, dividends payable on
the preferred stock or Class A preferred stock of any class
shall be in default in whole or in part, unless, prior to or
concurrently with such redemption, purchase or other
acquisition, all such defaults shall be cured or unless such
action has been ordered, approved or permitted under the Public
Utility Holding Company Act of 1935 by the Securities and
Exchange Commission or any successor commission or regulatory
authority of the United States of America.
C-3
The corporation may from time to time reissue any shares of the
preferred stock or Class A preferred stock which have been
redeemed, purchased or otherwise acquired by it and resell the
same for such consideration as may be fixed by the board of
directors.
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e. Notwithstanding any of the provisions of Article XI
hereof, so long as any shares of the preferred stock or
Class A preferred stock are outstanding, the corporation
shall not, without the affirmative vote in favor thereof of the
holders of at least two-thirds of the total voting power of the
shares of preferred stock and Class A preferred stock at
the time outstanding, |
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(1) authorize or create any kind of stock preferred as to
dividends or assets over the preferred stock or Class A
preferred stock or issue (such issuance to be within twelve
months after such vote) any shares of any kind of stock
preferred as to dividends or assets over the preferred stock or
Class A preferred stock or any security convertible into
such kind of stock or change any of the rights and preferences
of the then outstanding preferred stock or Class A
preferred stock in any manner so as to affect adversely the
holders thereof; provided, however, that if any such change
would adversely affect the holders of only one, but not the
other, such kind of stock, only the vote of the holders of at
least two-thirds of the total voting power of the outstanding
shares of the kind so affected shall be required. Nothing in
this paragraph contained shall authorize any such authorization,
creation or change by the vote of the holders of a less number
of shares of preferred stock or Class A preferred stock, or
of any other class of stock, or of all classes of stock, than is
required for such authorization, creation or change by the laws
of the State of Alabama at the time applicable thereto; |
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(2) issue, sell or otherwise dispose of any shares of
preferred stock if the total number of shares thereof thereafter
issued and outstanding would exceed 300,000, or issue, sell or
otherwise dispose of any shares of Class A preferred stock,
or issue, sell or otherwise dispose of any kind of stock over
which the preferred stock and Class A preferred stock do
not have preference as to the payment of dividends and as to
assets, or issue, sell or otherwise dispose of any shares of
preferred stock or Class A preferred stock or of any kind
of stock over which the preferred stock and Class A
preferred stock do not have preference as to the payment of
dividends and as to assets, which have been redeemed, purchased
or otherwise acquired by the corporation, unless, in any such
case, (a) the net income of the corporation available for
the payment of dividends for a period of twelve consecutive
calendar months within the fifteen calendar months immediately
preceding the issuance, sale or disposition of such stock
(including, in any case in which such stock is to be issued,
sold or otherwise disposed of in connection with the acquisition
of new property, the net income of the property to be so
acquired, computed on the same basis as the net income of the
corporation available for the payment of dividends) is at least
equal to two times the annual dividend requirements on all
outstanding shares of preferred stock and Class A preferred
stock and of all kinds of stock over which the preferred stock
and Class A preferred stock do not have preference as to
the payment of dividends and as to assets, including the shares
proposed to be issued, and (b) the gross income of the
corporation available for the payment of interest for a period
of twelve consecutive calendar months within the fifteen
calendar months immediately preceding the issuance, sale or
disposition of such stock (including, in any case in which such
stock is to be issued, sold or otherwise disposed of in
connection with the acquisition of new property, the gross
income of the property to be so acquired, computed on the same
basis as the gross income of the corporation available for the
payment of interest) is at least equal to one and one-half times
the aggregate of the annual interest requirements (adjusted by
provision for amortization of debt discount and expense or of
premium on debt, as the case may be) on all outstanding
indebtedness of the corporation and the annual dividend
requirements (adjusted by provision for amortization of
preferred stock premium and expense) on all outstanding shares
of preferred stock and Class A preferred stock and of all
kinds of stock over which the preferred stock and Class A
preferred stock do not have preference as to the payment of
dividends and as to assets, including the shares proposed to be
issued; or |
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(3) issue, sell or otherwise dispose of any shares of
preferred stock if the total number of shares thereof thereafter
issued and outstanding would exceed 300,000, or issue, sell or
otherwise dispose of any shares of Class A preferred stock,
or issue, sell or otherwise dispose of any kind of stock over
which the preferred stock and Class A preferred stock do
not have preference as to the payment of dividends and as to
assets, or issue, sell or otherwise dispose of any shares of
preferred stock or Class A preferred stock, or of any kind
of stock over which the preferred stock and Class A
preferred stock do not have preference as to the payment of
dividends and as to assets, which have been redeemed, purchased
or otherwise acquired by the corporation, unless, in any such
case, the aggregate |
C-4
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of the par value of, or stated capital represented by, the
outstanding shares of common stock and of the surplus of the
corporation (paid in, earned and other, if any) shall be not
less than the aggregate amount payable in the event of
involuntary liquidation upon all outstanding shares of preferred
stock and Class A preferred stock and all kinds of stock
over which the preferred stock and Class A preferred stock
do not have preference as to the payment of dividends and as to
assets, including the shares proposed to be issued, provided
that no portion of the surplus of the corporation utilized to
satisfy the foregoing requirement shall be available for
dividends or other distributions of assets, by purchase of
shares or otherwise, on common stock or on any other kind of
stock over which the preferred stock and Class A preferred
stock have preference as to the payment of dividends and as to
assets, until such additional shares are retired or until and to
the extent that the par value of, or stated capital represented
by, the outstanding shares of common stock shall have been
increased. |
3. Definition of Terms
a. The term accrued dividends shall be deemed
to mean in respect of any share of the preferred stock or
Class A preferred stock of any class, as of any given date,
the amount, if any, by which the product of the rate of dividend
per annum, determined upon the shares of such class, multiplied
by the number of years and any fractional part of a year which
shall have elapsed from the date after which dividends on such
stock became cumulative to such given date, exceeds the total
dividends actually paid on such stock and the dividends declared
and set apart for payment. Accumulations of dividends shall not
bear interest.
b. The term outstanding, whenever used herein
with respect to shares of preferred stock or Class A
preferred stock or of any other kind of stock which are by their
terms redeemable, or with respect to bonds or other evidences of
indebtedness, shall not include any such shares or bonds or
evidences of indebtedness which have been called for redemption
in accordance with the provisions applicable thereto, notice of
such call for redemption having been given or appropriately
provided for as required by such provisions, and for the
redemption of which a sum of money sufficient to pay the amount
payable on such redemption shall have been deposited by the
corporation with a bank or trust company, irrevocably in trust
for such purpose, or any bonds or other evidences of
indebtedness for the payment of which at maturity provision has
been made in a similar manner.
c. The term net income of the corporation available
for the payment of dividends shall mean the balance
remaining after deducting from the total gross revenues of the
corporation from all sources the following: (1) all
operating expenses and taxes, including charges to income for
general taxes and for federal and state taxes measured by
income, for retirement or depreciation reserve and for
amortization or other disposition of amounts, if any, classified
as amounts in excess of original cost of utility plant, and
(2) all interest charges and other income deductions,
including charges to income for the amortization of debt
discount, premium and expense and of preferred stock and
Class A preferred stock premium and expense, and the total
amount, if any, by which the charges to income or earned surplus
during such period as provision for depreciation shall have been
less than an amount equal to the product of the applicable
percentage (as defined below) and the mathematical average of
the amounts of depreciable property (as defined in
Section 3 of the Supplemental Indenture dated as of
May 1, 1957) at the opening of business on the first day
and at the close of business on the last day of such period.
The term applicable percentage shall mean 3.0% or
such other percentage as shall be authorized or approved, upon
application by the corporation, by the Securities and Exchange
Commission, or by any successor commission thereto, under the
Public Utility Holding Company Act of 1935.
d. The term gross income of the corporation available
for the payment of interest shall mean the balance
remaining after deducting from the total gross revenues of the
corporation from all sources all operating expenses and taxes,
including charges to income for general taxes and for federal
and state taxes measured by income, for retirement or
depreciation reserve and for amortization or other disposition
of amounts, if any, classified as amounts in excess of original
cost of utility plant, and the total amount, if any, by which
the charges to income or earned surplus during such period as
provision for depreciation shall have been less than an amount
equal to the product of the applicable percentage (as defined
below) and the mathematical average of the amounts of
depreciable property (as defined in Section 3 of the
Supplemental Indenture dated as of May 1, 1957) at the
opening of business on the first day and at the close of
business on the last day of such period. The term
applicable percentage shall mean 3.0% or such other
percentage as shall be authorized or approved, upon application
by the corporation, by the Securities and Exchange Commission,
or by any successor commission thereto, under the Public Utility
Holding Company Act of 1935.
C-5
B. Preference Stock
1. General Provisions
The following provisions shall apply to all series of preference
stock which may now or hereafter be authorized or created
irrespective of series:
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a. The preference stock is subject to the prior rights and
preferences of the preferred stock and Class A preferred
stock. |
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b. So long as any shares of preference stock are
outstanding, no dividends shall be declared or paid upon or set
apart for the common stock or any other kind of stock not having
preference over the preference stock as to the payment of
dividends and as to assets, nor any sums applied to the
purchase, redemption or retirement of any class of such stock,
unless (i) full dividends on all shares of cumulative
preference stock, of all series outstanding, for all past
dividend periods shall have been paid or declared and a sum
sufficient for the payment thereof set apart and the full
dividend for the then-current dividend period shall have been or
concurrently shall be declared, and (ii) full dividends for
the then-current dividend period on all shares of non-cumulative
preference stock, of all series outstanding, have been, or
contemporaneously are, paid, or declared and a sum sufficient
for the payment thereof set aside. Unpaid accrued dividends on
the preference stock shall not bear interest. |
When specified dividends are not paid in full on all series of
preference stock, the shares of each series of preference stock
shall share ratably in any partial payment of dividends in
accordance with the sums which would be payable on said shares
if all dividends were paid in full; provided, however, that
non-cumulative preference stock shall not share in accumulations
of accrued and unpaid dividends for prior dividend periods
unless previously declared.
After such dividends as aforesaid upon the preference stock of
all series then outstanding shall have been paid or declared and
set apart for payment, the board of directors may declare
dividends on the common stock or any other class of stock over
which the preference stock has preference as to the payment of
dividends, and no holders of any series of the preference stock
as such shall be entitled to share therein.
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c. Upon any dissolution, liquidation or winding up of the
corporation, whether voluntary or involuntary, before any
distribution shall be made to the holders of the common stock or
any other class of stock over which the preference stock has
preference as to the payment of dividends or assets, but subject
to the prior rights and preferences of the holders of preferred
stock and the Class A preferred stock, the holders of
preference stock of each series, without any preference of the
shares of any series of preference stock over the shares of any
other series of preference stock, shall be entitled to receive
out of the assets of the corporation, whether capital, surplus
or other, the amount specified to be payable on the shares of
such series in the event of voluntary or involuntary
liquidation, as the case may be. |
In case the assets shall not be sufficient to pay in full the
amounts determined to be payable on all the shares of preference
stock in the event of voluntary or involuntary liquidation, as
the case may be, then the assets available for such payment
shall be distributed to the extent available as follows: first,
to the payment, pro rata, of the amount payable in the event of
involuntary liquidation on each share of preference stock
outstanding irrespective of series; second, to the payment of
the accrued dividends, if any, on such shares, such payment to
be made pro rata in accordance with the amount of accrued
dividends on each such share; and, third, to the payment of any
amounts in excess of the amount payable in the event of
involuntary liquidation on each share plus accrued dividends
which may be payable on the shares of any series in the event of
voluntary or involuntary liquidation, as the case may be, such
payment also to be made pro rata in accordance with the amounts,
if any, so payable on each such share. After payment to the
holders of the preference stock of the full preferential amounts
hereinbefore provided for, the holders of the preference stock
as such shall have no right or claim to any of the remaining
assets of the corporation, either upon any distribution of such
assets or upon dissolution, liquidation or winding up, and the
remaining assets to be distributed, if any, upon a distribution
of such assets or upon dissolution, liquidation or winding up,
may be distributed among the holders of the common stock or of
any other class of stock over which the preference stock has
preference as to assets. Without limiting the right of the
corporation to distribute its assets or to dissolve, liquidate
or wind up in connection with any sale, merger or consolidation,
the sale of all the property of the corporation to, or the
merger or consolidation of the corporation into or with, any
other corporation shall not be deemed to be a distribution of
assets or a dissolution, liquidation or winding up for the
purposes of this paragraph.
C-6
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d. So long as any shares of the preference stock are
outstanding, the corporation shall not, without the affirmative
vote in favor thereof of the holders of at least a majority of
the total voting power of the shares of preference stock at the
time outstanding voting together as a single class, increase the
authorized shares of preferred stock or Class A preferred
stock or authorize or create any other class of stock preferred
as to dividends or assets over the preference stock or change
any of the rights and preferences of the then outstanding
preference stock in any manner so as to affect adversely the
holders thereof; provided, however, that if any such change
would affect adversely the holders of only one or more series of
the preference stock, but not other series of the preference
stock, only the vote of the holders of at least a majority of
the total voting power of the outstanding shares of the series
so affected voting together as a single class shall be required;
and provided further that nothing in this paragraph contained
shall authorize any such authorization, creation or change by
the vote of the holders of a less number of shares of preference
stock, or of any other class of stock, or of all classes of
stock, than is required for such authorization, creation or
change by the laws of the State of Alabama at the time
applicable thereto. |
2. Definition of Terms
a. The term accrued dividends shall be deemed
to mean (1) in respect of any share of cumulative
preference stock of any series, as of any given date, the
amount, if any, by which the product of the rate of dividend per
annum, determined upon the shares of such series, multiplied by
the number of years and any fractional part of a year which
shall have elapsed from the date after which dividends on such
stock became cumulative to such given date, exceeds the total
dividends actually paid on such stock and the dividends declared
and set apart for payment and (2) in respect of any share
of non-cumulative preference stock of any series, as of any
given date, the amount, if any, by which the product of the rate
of dividend per annum, determined upon the shares of such
series, multiplied by the number of days which shall have
elapsed for the then current dividend period, exceeds the total
dividends actually paid on such stock and the dividends declared
and set apart for payment for such current dividend period.
b. The term outstanding, whenever used herein
with respect to shares of preference stock or of any other kind
of stock which are by their terms redeemable, or with respect to
bonds or other evidences of indebtedness, shall not include any
such shares or bonds or evidences of indebtedness which have
been called for redemption in accordance with the provisions
applicable thereto, notice of such call for redemption having
been given or appropriately provided for as required by such
provisions, and for the redemption of which a sum of money
sufficient to pay the amount payable on such redemption shall
have been deposited by the corporation with a bank or trust
company, irrevocably in trust for such purpose, or any bonds or
other evidences of indebtedness for the payment of which at
maturity provision has been made in a similar manner.
C. Common Stock
There shall be a class of stock of the corporation designated as
common stock and each share of common stock shall be equal to
every other share of such stock in every respect.
D. Voting Powers
1. At all elections of directors of the corporation, the
holders of preferred stock and Class A preferred stock
shall have full voting rights with the holders of common stock,
all voting together as a single class; each holder of preferred
stock and Class A preferred stock with a stated value of
$100 being entitled to two-fifths vote for each share thereof
standing in his name, each holder of Class A preferred
stock with a stated value of $25 per share being entitled
to one-tenth vote for each share thereof standing in his name,
each holder of Class A preferred stock with a stated value
of $100,000 being entitled to 400 votes for each share thereof
standing in his name and each holder of common stock being
entitled to one vote for each share thereof standing in his
name. In addition, with the approval of the board of directors
and the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of
common stock, the joint agreement may be amended to provide that
the holders of outstanding shares of any series of preference
stock may be entitled to full voting rights in the election of
directors, to vote together with the holders of common stock,
preferred stock and Class A preferred stock, with each
holder of preference stock being entitled to one-tenth of a vote
for each share thereof standing in his name.
On all other matters, except on matters in respect of which the
laws of the State of Alabama shall provide that all shareholders
shall have the right to vote irrespective of whether such right
shall have been relinquished by
C-7
any of such shareholders and except as otherwise herein
provided, the holders of common stock shall have the exclusive
right to vote.
At all elections of directors of the corporation, each holder of
common stock, preferred stock and Class A preferred stock
entitled to vote for directors shall have the right to cumulate
his votes and to give to one candidate for whom he may vote as
many votes as the number of directors to be elected by the
holders of the class of stock held by such shareholder
multiplied by the number of his votes equals, or to distribute
them on the same principle among as many such candidates as he
sees fit. If this joint agreement has been amended to provide
that the holders of the preference stock shall have the right to
vote generally in the election of directors, the holders of the
preference stock shall not have the right to cumulate their
votes.
2. Notwithstanding the foregoing, whenever and as often as
four quarterly dividends payable on the preferred stock or
Class A preferred stock of any class shall be in default,
in whole or in part, the holders of the preferred stock and
Class A preferred stock of all classes shall have the
exclusive right, voting separately and as a single class, to
vote for and to elect the smallest number of directors that
shall constitute a majority of the then authorized number of
directors of the corporation. In the event of defaults entitling
the preferred stock and Class A preferred stock to vote as
aforesaid, the holders of common stock shall have the exclusive
right, subject to the rights of the holders of the preference
stock, voting separately and as a class, to vote for and to
elect the greatest number of directors that shall constitute a
minority of the then authorized number of directors of the
corporation. In each such instance in which the holders of the
preferred stock and the Class A preferred stock are
entitled to vote separately and as a single class or to vote
together with the holders of the preference stock and common
stock, other than for the election of directors, the relative
voting power of the various classes of stock shall be computed
as hereinafter provided. These additional voting rights of the
holders of the preferred stock and Class A preferred stock
shall cease, however, when all defaults in the payment of
dividends on their stock shall have been cured, and such
dividends shall be declared and paid out of any funds legally
available therefor as soon as, in the judgment of the board of
directors, is reasonably practicable.
Whenever the right shall have accrued to the holders of the
preferred stock and Class A preferred stock to elect
directors, voting separately as a class, the terms of office, as
directors, of all persons who may be directors of the
corporation at the time shall terminate upon the election of a
majority of the board of directors by the holders of the
preferred stock and Class A preferred stock. If the holders
of the common stock shall not then have elected the remaining
directors of the corporation, the directors of the corporation,
in office just prior to the election of a majority of the board
of directors by the holders of the preferred stock and
Class A preferred stock shall elect the remaining directors
of the corporation. Thereafter so long as the majority of the
board of directors is being elected by the holders of the
preferred stock and Class A preferred stock, the remaining
directors, whether elected by directors as aforesaid or by the
holders of the common stock, shall continue in office until
their successors are elected by the holders of the common stock.
Any vacancy in the board of directors occurring during any
period that the preferred stock and Class A preferred stock
shall have representatives on the board by exercise of the
special right herein provided to elect a majority of the board,
shall be filled by a majority vote of the remaining directors
representing the class of stock theretofore represented by the
director causing the vacancy or by the remaining director
representing such class if there be but one. Upon the
termination of such exclusive right of the holders of the
preferred stock and Class A preferred stock to elect a
majority of the directors of the corporation, the terms of
office of all the directors of the corporation elected by vote
of the holders of the preferred stock and Class A preferred
stock shall terminate and their successors may be elected by the
vote of a majority of the remaining directors or at a meeting of
the shareholders of the corporation then entitled to vote.
Whenever the right shall have accrued to the holders of the
preferred stock and Class A preferred stock to elect
directors, voting separately as a class, it shall be the duty of
the chairman of the board, the president, a vice-president or
the secretary of the corporation forthwith to call and cause
notice to be given to the shareholders entitled to vote at a
meeting to be held at such time as the officers of the
corporation may fix, not less than forty-five nor more than
sixty days after the accrual of such right, for the purpose of
electing directors. The notice so given shall be mailed to each
holder of record of the preferred stock and Class A
preferred stock at his last known address appearing on the books
of the corporation and shall set forth, among other things,
(i) that by reason of the fact that four quarterly
dividends payable on the preferred stock or Class A
preferred stock of any class are in default, the holders of the
preferred stock and Class A preferred stock, voting
separately as a class, have the right to elect the smallest
number of directors necessary to constitute a majority of the
full board of directors of the corporation, (ii) that any
holder of the preferred stock or Class A preferred stock
has the right, at any reasonable time, to inspect, and make
copies of, the list or lists of holders of the preferred stock
and Class A preferred stock maintained at the principal
office of the corporation or at the office of any transfer agent
of the preferred stock or Class A preferred stock, and
(iii) either the entirety of this paragraph or the
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substance thereof with respect to the number of shares of the
preferred stock and Class A preferred stock required to be
represented at any meeting, or adjournment thereof, called for
the election of directors of the corporation. At the first
meeting of shareholders held for the purpose of electing
directors during such time as the holders of the preferred stock
and Class A preferred stock shall have the special right,
voting separately as a class, to elect directors, the presence
in person or by proxy of the holders of a majority of the
outstanding common stock shall be required to constitute a
quorum of such class for the election of directors, and the
presence in person or by proxy of the holders of a majority of
the total voting power of the outstanding shares of preferred
stock and Class A preferred stock shall be required to
constitute a quorum of such class for the election of directors;
provided, however, that in the absence of a quorum of the
holders of the preferred stock and Class A preferred stock,
no election of directors shall be held, but a majority of the
total voting power of the holders of the preferred stock and
Class A preferred stock who are present in person or by
proxy shall have power to adjourn the election of the directors
to a date not less than fifteen nor more than fifty days from
the giving of the notice of such adjourned meeting hereinafter
provided for; and provided, further, that at such adjourned
meeting, the presence in person or by proxy of the holders of
35% of the total voting power of the outstanding preferred stock
and Class A preferred stock shall be required to constitute
a quorum of such class for the election of directors. In the
event such first meeting of shareholders shall be so adjourned,
it shall be the duty of the chairman of the board, the
president, a vice-president or the secretary of the corporation,
within ten days from the date on which such first meeting shall
have been adjourned to cause notice of such adjourned meeting to
be given to the shareholders entitled to vote thereat, such
adjourned meeting to be held not less than fifteen days nor more
than fifty days from the giving of such second notice. Such
second notice shall be given in the form and manner hereinabove
provided for with respect to the notice required to be given of
such first meeting of shareholders, and shall further set forth
that a quorum was not present at such first meeting and that the
holders of 35% of the total voting power of the outstanding
preferred stock and Class A preferred stock shall be
required to constitute a quorum of such class for the election
of directors at such adjourned meeting. If the requisite forum
of holders of the preferred stock and Class A preferred
stock shall not be present at said adjourned meeting, then the
directors of the corporation then in office shall remain in
office until the next annual meeting of the corporation, or
special meeting in lieu thereof, and until their successors
shall have been elected and shall qualify. Neither such first
meeting nor such adjourned meeting shall be held on a date
within sixty days of the date of the next annual meeting of the
corporation or special meeting in lieu thereof. At each annual
meeting of the corporation, or special meeting in lieu thereof,
held during such time as the holders of the preferred stock and
Class A preferred stock, voting separately as a class,
shall have the right to elect a majority of the board of
directors, the foregoing provisions of this paragraph shall
govern such annual meeting, or special meeting in lieu thereof,
as if said annual meeting or special meeting were the first
meeting of shareholders held for the purpose of electing
directors after the right of the holders of the preferred stock
and Class A preferred stock, voting separately as a class
to elect a majority of the board of directors, should have
accrued, with the exception that if, at any adjourned annual
meeting, or special meeting in lieu thereof, 35% of the total
voting power of the outstanding preferred stock and Class A
preferred stock is not present in person or by proxy, subject to
the rights of the holders of the preference stock, all the
directors shall be elected by a vote of the holders of a
majority of the common stock of the corporation present or
represented at the meeting.
3. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event that
(1) with respect to any series of non-cumulative preference
stock, any six quarterly dividends (whether or not consecutive
and whether or not earned and declared) or (2) with respect
to any series of cumulative preference stock, any six
consecutive quarterly dividends, have not been paid in full on
such series of preference stock, in whole or in part, the
holders of the preference stock, together with all other series
of preference stock upon which like voting rights are then
exercisable, shall have the exclusive right, voting separately
and as a single class, to vote for and to elect two additional
directors of the corporation and the authorized number of
directors of the corporation shall be increased accordingly to
effect such election. These additional voting rights of the
holders of the preference stock will continue until such time as
(1) with respect to any series of non-cumulative preference
stock, full dividends on such series of preference stock have
been paid or declared and set apart regularly for at least one
year (four consecutive full quarterly dividend periods), or
(2) with respect to any series of cumulative preference
stock, the dividends in arrears and the current dividend on such
series of preference stock shall have been paid or declared and
set aside for payment, at which time in either case, such right
will terminate, subject to revesting in the event of a
subsequent failure to pay dividends of the character described
above. Upon termination of the right of the holders of shares of
the preference stock to vote as a single class for the election
of directors, the term of office of all directors then in office
elected by such holders voting as a single class will terminate
immediately.
Whenever the right shall have accrued to the holders of the
preference stock to elect directors, voting separately as a
class, it shall be the duty of the chairman of the board, the
president, a vice-president or the secretary of the corporation
forthwith to call and cause notice to be given to the
shareholders entitled to vote at a meeting to
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be held at such time as the officers of the corporation may fix,
not less than forty-five nor more than sixty days after the
accrual of such right, for the purpose of electing directors.
The notice so given shall be mailed to each holder of record of
the preference stock at his last known address appearing on the
books of the corporation and shall set forth, among other
things, (i) that by reason of the fact that six quarterly
dividends payable on such series of preference stock have not
been paid, the holders of the preference stock, voting together
as a single class with the holders of one or more other series
of preference stock upon which like voting rights are then
exercisable, have the right to elect two additional directors of
the corporation, (ii) that any holder of the preference
stock has the right, at any reasonable time, to inspect, and
make copies of, the list or lists of holders of the preference
stock maintained at the principal office of the corporation or
at the office of any transfer agent of the preference stock, and
(iii) either the entirety of this paragraph or the
substance thereof with respect to the number of shares of the
preference stock required to be represented at any meeting, or
adjournment thereof, called for the election of directors of the
corporation.
At the first meeting of shareholders held for the purpose of
electing directors during such time as the holders of the
preference stock shall have the special right, voting separately
as a class, to elect two directors, the presence in person or by
proxy of the holders of a majority of the total voting power of
the outstanding shares of preference stock shall be required to
constitute a quorum of such class for the election of the two
additional directors; provided, however, that in the absence of
a quorum of the holders of the preference stock, no election of
the two additional directors shall be held, but a majority of
the total voting power of the holders of the preference stock
who are present in person or by proxy shall have the power to
adjourn the election of the two additional directors to a date
not less than fifteen nor more than fifty days from the giving
of the notice of such adjourned meeting hereinafter provided
for; and provided, further, that at such adjourned meeting, the
presence in person or by proxy of the holders of 35% of the
total voting power of the outstanding preference stock shall be
required to constitute a quorum of such class for the election
of the two additional directors. In the event such first meeting
of shareholders shall be so adjourned, it shall be the duty of
the chairman of the board, the president, a vice-president or
the secretary of the corporation, within ten days from the date
on which such first meeting shall have been adjourned to cause
notice of such adjourned meeting to be given to the shareholders
entitled to vote thereat, such adjourned meeting to be held not
less than fifteen days nor more than fifty days from the giving
of such second notice. Such second notice shall be given in the
form and manner hereinabove provided for with respect to the
notice required to be given of such first meeting of
shareholders, and shall further set forth that a quorum was not
present at such first meeting and that the holders of 35% of the
total voting power of the outstanding preference stock shall be
required to constitute a quorum of such class for the election
of the two additional directors at such adjourned meeting. If
the requisite forum of holders of the preference stock shall not
be present at said adjourned meeting, then the two directors of
the corporation to be elected by the holders of the preference
stock pursuant to the terms hereof shall be elected at the next
annual meeting of the corporation, or special meeting in lieu
thereof, as hereinafter provided. Neither such first meeting nor
such adjourned meeting shall be held on a date within sixty days
of the date of the next annual meeting of the corporation or
special meeting in lieu thereof. At each annual meeting of the
corporation, or special meeting in lieu thereof, held during
such time as the holders of the preference stock, voting
separately as a single class, shall have the right to elect two
additional members of the board of directors, the foregoing
provisions of this paragraph shall govern such annual meeting,
or special meeting in lieu thereof, as if said annual meeting or
special meeting were the first meeting of shareholders held for
the purpose of electing directors after the right of the holders
of the preference stock, voting separately as a class to elect
two additional directors, should have accrued, with the
exception that if, at any adjourned meeting, or special meeting
in lieu thereof, 35% of the total voting power of the
outstanding preference stock is not present in person or by
proxy, the two directors of the corporation previously elected
by the holders of the preference stock pursuant to the terms
hereof, if any, shall remain in office until the next annual
meeting of the corporation, or special meeting in lieu thereof,
and until their successors shall have been elected and shall
qualify.
4. For the purposes of the foregoing provisions, other than
when the holders of the preferred stock, the Class A
preferred stock, the common stock and if this joint agreement
has been amended to provide that the holders of the preference
stock shall have the right to vote generally in the election of
directors, the preference stock vote together as a single class
for the election of directors, the preferred stock and
Class A preferred stock of all classes shall be deemed to
be a single class and the preference stock of all series shall
be deemed to be a single class, and the relative voting power of
each class of preferred stock and Class A preferred stock,
each series of preference stock and the common stock shall be
determined as follows:
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a. the relative voting power of each share of preferred
stock and Class A preferred stock for purposes of all votes
and consents hereunder shall be in the same proportion to all
the outstanding shares of |
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preferred stock and Class A preferred stock as the ratio of
(i) the stated capital of such share to (ii) the
aggregate stated capital of all then outstanding shares of
preferred stock and Class A preferred stock. |
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b. the relative voting power of each share of preference
stock for purposes of all votes and consents hereunder shall be
in the same proportion to all the outstanding shares of
preference stock as the ratio of (i) the stated capital of
such share to (ii) the aggregate stated capital of all then
outstanding shares of preference stock. |
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c. for purposes of computation |
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(1) in voting by holders of preferred stock and
Class A preferred stock as a single class, each share of
preferred stock or Class A preferred stock having the
lowest stated capital then outstanding shall have one vote and
each share of preferred stock and Class A preferred stock
having a stated capital other than the lowest stated capital
then outstanding shall have that number of votes which is
proportionate to such one vote as determined pursuant to
subparagraph (a) above, |
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(2) in voting by holders of preference stock as a single
class, each share of preference stock having the lowest stated
capital then outstanding shall have one vote and each share of
preference stock having a stated capital other than the lowest
stated capital then outstanding shall have that number of votes
which is proportionate to such one vote as determined pursuant
to subparagraph (b) above, and |
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(3) in voting by holders of preferred stock, Class A
preferred stock and preference stock together with the holders
of the common stock, each share of common stock shall have one
vote, each share of preferred stock shall have one vote, each
share of Class A preferred stock shall have that number of
votes which is proportionate to such one vote as determined
pursuant to subparagraph (a) above and each share of
preference stock shall have that number of votes which is
proportionate to such one vote as determined pursuant to
subparagraph (b) above. |
D. Miscellaneous Provisions
1. The holders of the preferred stock, Class A
preferred stock and preference stock shall have no pre-emptive
rights to subscribe to any additional shares of the capital
stock of the corporation of any kind, or any rights to exchange
shares issued for shares to be issued; but, before issuing or
disposing of any shares of common stock or any bonds, debentures
or other obligations, or rights or options, which are
convertible into or exchangeable for or which entitle the holder
or owner to subscribe for or purchase any shares of common
stock, the board of directors shall offer to the holders of the
common stock at the time outstanding, and the holders thereof
shall be entitled to purchase or subscribe for the shares of
common stock or the bonds, debentures or other obligations, or
rights or options, which are convertible into or exchangeable
for such stock or which entitle the holder or owner thereof to
subscribe for or purchase such stock, upon terms not less
favorable to the purchaser (without deduction of such
compensation, allowance or discount for the sale, underwriting
or purchase thereof as may be fixed by the board of directors)
than those on which the board of directors issues and disposes
of such stock, bonds, debentures, obligations or rights to other
than such holders of common stock.
2. The corporation may issue and dispose of any of its
authorized shares of stock for such consideration as may be
fixed from time to time by the board of directors subject to the
laws of the state of Alabama then applicable.
3. The corporation may from time to time, out of its net
profits or surplus earnings, purchase any of its stock
outstanding at such price as may be fixed by its board of
directors and accepted by the holders of the stock purchased,
but such price shall not exceed the redemption price, if any, of
the stock purchased.
4. The corporation shall be entitled to treat the person in
whose name any share, right or option is registered as the owner
thereof, for all purposes, and shall not be bound to recognize
any equitable or other claim to or interest in such share, right
or option on the part of any other person, whether or not the
corporation shall have notice thereof, save as may be expressly
provided by the laws of the state of Alabama.
5. A director shall be fully protected in relying in good
faith upon the books of account of the corporation or statements
prepared by any of its officials as to the value and amount of
the assets, liabilities and net profits of the corporation, or
any other facts pertinent to the existence and amount of surplus
or other funds from which dividends might properly be declared
and paid.
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