1 | |  | ADVANCE PREPARATION |
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2 | | | Prepare and distribute “publicity” memorandum for distribution to officers and directors of CO regarding informational restrictions in connection with offering |
| CC | | | |
3 | | CO, CC | | | |
4 | | | Meeting between CO and IA concerning need for change in accounting procedures (e.g., instituting necessary procedures and controls to produce reports required under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)), when CO is a public company |
| CO, IA | | | |
5 | |  | Meeting between CO and CC working groups regarding drafting responsibilities, pre-IPO planning issues and “corporate cleanup.” The following matters should be discussed: |
| CO, CC | | | |
6 | | | (a) Amendments to Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws |
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7 | | | (b) Creation of, or revisions to, employment agreements |
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8 | | | (c) Amendments to stock option plan and creation of any other desired equity compensation plan |
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9 | | | (d) Revision of existing employee benefit plans to comply with securities law requirements |
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10 | | | (e) Confirmation that all existing employee benefit plans comply with requirements of ERISA and other applicable laws |
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11 | | | (f) Determination of post-offering status of stockholders’ and voting trust agreements and other restrictions on voting and transfer of stock |
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12 | | | (g) Examination of covenants in leases and other contracts that restrict, or limit use of proceeds of, a public offering, or that restrict dividend payments |
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13 | | | (h) Discussion of takeover protections |
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14 | | | (i) Collection of exhibits to Registration Statement and conversion to electronic form |
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15 | | | (j) Determine material agreements for which confidential treatment will be requested |
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16 | | | Commence drafting necessary “corporate cleanup” documents (e.g., charter and bylaw amendments, employment agreements, amendments to stock option plan) and documents necessary to effect any recapitalization, determine director independence; reset committees of the Board; designate Section 16 officers and Board resolutions necessary to authorize the public offering. |
| CC, reviewed by UC | | | |
17 | | | | | |
18 | |  | ORGANIZATIONAL MEETING |
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19 | |  | Organizational meeting, at which the following matters should occur or be discussed: |
| CO, CC, LU, UC, IA | | | |
20 | | | (a) Distribute working group list (including direct lines, cell and home phone numbers and physical delivery and email addresses) |
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21 | | | (b) Draft and distribute a time and responsibility schedule, including specific assignments of responsibilities |
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22 | |  | (c) Terms of offering |
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23 | | | (1) primary and secondary shares |
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24 | | | (2) over-allotment option (“Green Shoe”) |
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25 | | | | | |
26 | | | (e) Selection of financial printer |
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27 | | | (f) Selection of banknote company |
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28 | | | (g) Selection of transfer agent |
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29 | | | (h) Appropriateness of certain “corporate cleanup” matters (e.g., employment agreements, takeover protections) in light of marketing considerations |
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30 | | | (i) Listing on NYSE or on the Nasdaq National Market and apply for trading symbol |
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31 | | | (j) Discussion of required financial statements and of any special accounting problems |
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32 | | | (k) Discussion of any anticipated disclosure problems |
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33 | | | (l) Discussion of anticipated NASD or Blue Sky problems |
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34 | | | (m) Arrangements with stockholders who have registration rights |
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35 | | | (n) Desirability of pre-filing conference with the SEC, Blue Sky authorities and/or the NASD |
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36 | | | (o) Recapitalization of CO (e.g., reverse stock split) that may be required prior to offering |
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37 | | | (p) Discussion of lock-up agreements and any desired stockholder concessions |
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38 | | | (q) Discussion of press release under Rule 135 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended |
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39 | | | (r) Determine possible reservation of securities for employees and business associates of the CO (i.e., Directed Share Program) |
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40 | | | | | |
41 | |  | WEEK ONE |
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42 | | | Distribute first draft of Registration Statement |
| CO, CC | | | |
43 | |  | Examine CO’s charter, bylaws, minute books, stockholder agreements, etc., to determine, among other things, the following: |
| CC | | | |
44 | | | | | |
45 | | | (b) Good standing (consider sending for long-form certificate from Secretary of State with certified copies of all charter documents) |
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46 | | | (c) Due qualification to do business in the jurisdictions required (consider obtaining certificate from CO's Secretary showing each jurisdiction in which CO has property or operations) |
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47 | | | (d) Existence of preemptive rights and whether they have been honored, restrictions on issuance or transfer of stock, declaration and payment of dividends or issuance of debt and prior compliance therewith, and any other material limitations on CO’s operations |
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48 | |  | (e) Compliance with corporate requirements of the state of incorporation relating to CO’s outstanding securities |
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49 | | | (1) Corporate authority to issue stock and proper corporate action |
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50 | | | (2) Minimum capitalization |
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51 | | | (3) “Fully paid and nonassessable” (consider obtaining certificate of CO’s Treasurer or auditors regarding full payment) |
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52 | | | (4) Adequate consideration |
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53 | | | (5) Form of stock certificate |
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54 | | | Transmit due diligence document request list to CO |
| UC | | | |
55 | | | Continue business due diligence and commence legal due diligence review of material contracts, litigation, claims and contingent liabilities, past corporate action (minute books, stock records, charter, bylaws, etc.), financial statements, documentation with regard to outstanding securities, etc. |
| LU, UC | | | |
56 | | | Send bid letters to appropriate financial printers |
| CO, CC | | | |
57 | | | Send Officers’, Directors’ and 5% Stockholders’ Questionnaires to officers, directors and 5% or more stockholders of CO |
| CO or CC | | | |
58 | | | Commence preparation of Underwriting Agreement, Agreement Among Underwriters, Underwriters’ Questionnaire, Underwriters’ Power of Attorney and Preliminary Blue Sky Survey |
| UC | | | |
59 | | | If secondary offering is involved, prepare Selling Stockholders’ Questionnaire and other Selling Stockholder documents, including a Custody Agreement and a Power of Attorney |
| CC (or Selling Stockholders’ Counsel, if different), reviewed by UC | | | |
60 | | | Commence preparation of necessary financial statements |
| IA | | | |
61 | | | Draft powers of attorney for Registration Statement and amendments thereto, if needed (these will typically be contained in signature page of Registration Statement) |
| CO, CC | | | |
62 | | | Select banknote company to print stock certificates |
| CO, CC | | | |
63 | | | Advise banknote company of schedule and arrange for printing of stock certificates |
| CO | | | |
64 | | | Select Transfer Agent and Registrar |
| CO | | | |
65 | | | Determine availability and reserve desired trading symbol |
| CO, CC | | | |
66 | | | | | |
67 | |  | WEEK TWO |
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68 | | | Registration Statement drafting session |
| CO, CC, LU, UC, IA | | | |
69 | | | Distribute underwriting documents |
| LU, UC | | | |
70 | | | Commence negotiations with lessors concerning necessary consents and revisions of covenants that would restrict offering, use of proceeds thereof or dividends |
| CO, CC | | | |
71 | | | Contact Nasdaq or NYSE regarding preclearance; file NYSE or Nasdaq application |
| CC | | | |
72 | | CO, CC | | | |
73 | | | Revise and distribute Registration Statement |
| CO, CC | | | |
74 | | | Distribute drafts of financial statements |
| CO, IA | | | |
75 | | | | | |
76 | |  | WEEK THREE |
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77 | | | Second meeting to discuss Registration Statement and Underwriting Agreement |
| CO, CC, LU, UC, IA | | | |
78 | | | Discuss comfort letter content and procedures |
| UC, LU, IA | | | |
79 | | | Obtain completed Questionnaires and Powers of Attorney, if any, from officers, directors and 5% or more stockholders of CO |
| CO or CC | | | |
80 | | | Revise and distribute Registration Statement |
| CO, CC | | | |
81 | | | Assemble exhibits and deliver electronic versions to printer; prepare final forms of confidential treatment requests |
| CO, CC | | | |
82 | | | Draft of Registration Statement to printer |
| CC | | | |
83 | | | Draft of Underwriting Agreement to printer |
| UC | | | |
84 | | | Finalize and circulate “corporate cleanup” and recapitalization documents |
| CO, CC | | | |
85 | | | | | |
86 | |  | WEEK FOUR |
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87 | | | Meetings at printer to discuss and finalize Registration Statement |
| CO, CC, LU, UC, IA | | | |
88 | | | Circulate draft of comfort letter |
| IA | | | |
89 | | | Prepare Form 8-A for Exchange Act registration |
| CO, CC | | | |
90 | | | Arrange to have execution copy of the signature pages printed and signed by necessary officers and directors (these pages may, if acceptable to the persons signing, include designations of certain individuals to sign amendments to the Registration Statement as attorneys-in-fact on their behalf) |
| CO, CC | | | |
91 | | | Arrange to have execution pages for accountant’s opinions and consents delivered, executed and returned in time for filing |
| CC, IA | | | |
92 | | | Arrange for consents of persons about to become directors, if required (see Rule 438 under the Securities Act) |
| CC | | | |
93 | | | Finalize and execute Powers of Attorney and Custody Agreements and arrange for placement of Selling Stockholders’ stock certificates with Custodian prior to filing with SEC, if possible (custodian is often the Transfer Agent and Registrar), if applicable |
| CO, CC | | | |
94 | | | Confirm approval for NYSE or Nasdaq |
| CO, CC | | | |
95 | | | Circulate revised proofs of Registration Statement and Underwriting Agreement |
| CC, UC | | | |
96 | |  | Meeting of Board of Directors of CO to approve offering and “corporate cleanup” matters, including adoption of resolutions relating to: |
| CO, CC | | | |
97 | | | (a) Authorizing issuance, sale and delivery of stock |
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98 | | | (b) Participation by Selling Stockholder(s), if applicable |
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99 | | | (c) Appointing a pricing committee of the Board of Directors to establish the price of stock to the Underwriters and the initial public offering price |
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100 | | | (d) Approving Registration Statement and prospectus and authorizing execution and filing of Registration Statement and all amendments thereto |
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101 | | | (e) Authorizing listing of stock |
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102 | | | (f) Appointment of transfer agent and registrar |
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103 | | | (g) Approving all necessary “corporate cleanup” matters |
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104 | | | (h) Approving recapitalization, if necessary |
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105 | | | (i) Calling a special meeting of stockholders, if necessary |
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106 | | | (j) Approving form of stock certificate |
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107 | | | | | |
108 | | | (l) Designating Section 16 Officers |
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109 | | | (m) Setting slate of officers |
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110 | | | (n) Confirming membership of board committees |
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111 | | | Special meeting (or written consent in lieu of meeting) of stockholders of CO, at which resolutions are adopted approving any recapitalization, approval of any new compensation plans or amending current plans and all “corporate cleanup” matters that require stockholder approval |
| CO, CC | | | |
112 | | | File charter amendments necessary to effect reverse stock split, if applicable |
| CO, CC | | | |
113 | | | Finalize financial statements |
| CO, IA | | | |
114 | | | Finalize form of Underwriting Agreement |
| CO, CC, LU, UC | | | |
115 | | | Notify NYSE or Nasdaq at least two business days prior to expected filing date for approval |
| CC | | | |
116 | | | Give instructions to printer with respect to the mailing of preliminary materials |
| LU | | | |
117 | | | Determine quantities of preliminary offering materials required and give printer instructions re same |
| CO, LU, UC | | | |
118 | | | Finalize compilation and preparation of exhibits to Registration Statement; finalize all confidential treatment requests |
| CO, CC | | | |
119 | | | Prepare transmittal letter to SEC (for filing requirements, see Rule 402 under the Securities Act) |
| CC | | | |
120 | | | Obtain approval letter from NYSE or Nasdaq |
| CO, CC | | | |
121 | | | Prepare transmittal letter to NASD |
| UC | | | |
122 | | LU, IA, UC | | | |
123 | | | Arrange for wire transfer of SEC filing fee |
| CO | | | |
124 | | | Prepare wire for NASD and NYSE/Nasdaq filing fees |
| CO, CC | | | |
125 | | | | | |
126 | |  | WEEK FIVE |
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127 | | | File Registration Statement with SEC via EDGAR |
| CC | | | |
128 | | | File Registration Statement and related materials with NASD and NYSE/Nasdaq |
| UC | | | |
129 | | | File Form ID with SEC to reserve electronic filing codes for CO |
| CO or CC | | | |
130 | | | Notify parties that filing is accomplished and specify the SEC Registration Number |
| CC or UC | | | |
131 | | | If appropriate, issue brief press release re filing of Registration Statement (See Rule 134) |
| CO, LU | | | |
132 | | | Have signed copies of Registration Statement distributed to CO, CC, IA, LU and UC |
| CO or CC | | | |
133 | | | Prepare application for CUSIP number, apply for CUSIP number for stock; send copy of Registration Statement to CUSIP Service Bureau |
| CO, CC | | | |
134 | | | Commence getting SEC EDGAR codes for directors, executive officers and 10% or greater holders (together the “Section 16 Reporting Persons”) either by means of SEC Form ID or get numbers for those reporting persons who have already been assigned such codes. Begin preparation of initial report of beneficial ownership of equity securities (Form 3) required under Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act for officers, directors and 10% or more stockholders of CO (required to be filed by the effective date of Exchange Act registration) |
| CO, CC | | | |
135 | | | Review proof of form of stock certificate |
| CO, CC | | | |
136 | | | | | |
137 | |  | WEEK SEVEN |
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138 | | | Request estimated date on which SEC comments will be furnished |
| CC | | | |
139 | | | File documents and otherwise finalize arrangements with Transfer Agent and Registrar necessary for its initial appointment |
| CO, CC | | | |
140 | | | Obtain CUSIP number for stock |
| CO, CC | | | |
141 | | | Approve final proof of form of stock certificate |
| CO, CC | | | |
142 | | | Begin preparation of closing documents |
| CC | | | |
143 | | | Resolve outstanding issues with NASD and Blue Sky administrators |
| UC | | | |
144 | | | Resolve issues with NYSE/Nasdaq |
| CO, CC | | | |
145 | | | | | |
146 | |  | WEEK TEN |
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147 | | | Receive comments from SEC |
| CC | | | |
148 | | | Review SEC comments and draft changes to Registration Statement in response thereto; clear responses to comment letter and schedule for filing of amendment to, and effectiveness of, Registration Statement (and Form 8-A, if applicable) with SEC |
| CO, CC, LU, UC, IA | | | |
149 | | | Send letters of invitation, preliminary prospectuses, Underwriters’ Questionnaires, Powers of Attorney to prospective underwriters |
| LU | | | |
150 | | | | | |
151 | |  | WEEK THIRTEEN |
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152 | | | Print preliminary prospectuses in quantity |
| CO | | | |
153 | | | | | |
154 | |  | WEEK FOURTEEN |
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155 | | | Commence information meetings (“Road Show”) |
| CO, LU | | | |
156 | | | If the amended preliminary prospectus incorporates substantial changes from prior distributed preliminary prospectus, consider recirculating preliminary prospectus |
| CC, UC | | | |
157 | | | Obtain NASD clearance of underwriting arrangements |
| LU, UC | | | |
158 | | | Prepare requests for acceleration of effective date of Registration Statement (see Rule 461) (and Form 8-A, if applicable) and pricing prospectus transmittal letter (see Rule 430A) |
| CO, CC, LU, UC | | | |
159 | | | Distribute initial draft of closing memorandum |
| UC | | | |
160 | | | Notify NYSE/Nasdaq of expected effective date of Registration Statement no less than 72 hours prior to anticipated effectiveness |
| CO, CC | | | |
161 | | | Send acceleration request of CO to SEC at least two business days in advance of desired effective date, together with letter of Managing Underwriter(s) joining in such request and providing information concerning distribution of preliminary prospectuses (see Rule 15c2-8 under the Exchange Act and Release No. 33-4968) |
| CC, UC | | | |
162 | | | File letter with SEC requesting acceleration of effective date of Form 8-A, if applicable |
| CC | | | |
163 | | | File letter from LU joining in request for effectiveness of registration statement. |
| UC | | | |
164 | | | Deadline for receiving completed Underwriters’ Questionnaire and Underwriters’ Powers of Attorney from syndicate members |
| LU | | | |
165 | | | | | |
166 | |  | WEEK SIXTEEN |
| | | | |
167 | | CO, LU | | | |
168 | | | Ensure that CO has obtained the necessary authorizations and approvals of the offering from regulatory agencies, if any |
| CO, CC | | | |
169 | | | File Form 8-A (to be declared effective concurrently with the Registration Statement) |
| CC | Pricing Day | | |
170 | | | Registration Statement and Form 8-A declared effective by SEC (5:00 p.m., Eastern time) |
| CC | | | |
171 | | | Underwriter notified of effectiveness |
| CC | | | |
172 | | | File Form S-8 relating to the CO’s option plans and any employee stock purchase plan |
| CC | | | |
173 | | | NYSE/Nasdaq notified of effectiveness of Registration Statement and Form 8-A, if applicable |
| CC | | | |
174 | | | Syndicate notified of effectiveness |
| LU | | | |
175 | | | Meeting of pricing committee of the Board of Directors to establish the price of stock to the Underwriters and the initial public offering price thereof and to approve final form of Underwriting Agreement |
| CO, CC | | | |
176 | | | Prepare “tombstone” advertisement |
| LU, UC | | | |
177 | | | Give printer labels and mailing instructions for final prospectus |
| LU | | | |
178 | | | Complete Blue Sky registration |
| UC | | | |
179 | | | Deliver comfort letter (5:00 p.m., Eastern time) |
| IA | | | |
180 | | | Sign Agreement Among Underwriters (5:15 p.m., Eastern time) |
| LU | | | |
181 | | | Sign Underwriting Agreement (5:30 p.m., Eastern time) |
| CO, LU | | | |
182 | | | File initial reports of beneficial ownership (Form 3) on behalf of officers, directors and 10% or more stockholders of CO as of the date of effectiveness (may be pre-filed) |
| CC | | | |
183 | | | Prepare final prospectus containing pricing information (Rules 424(b) and 430A) |
| CC, UC | | | |
184 | | | Issue press release re effectiveness of Registration Statement and price of stock |
| CO, LU | Offering Day (day after pricing) | | |
185 | | | Deliver copy of final prospectus to NASD |
| UC | | | |
186 | | | Deliver copy of final prospectus to Nasdaq |
| CC | | | |
187 | | LU | | | |
188 | | | Begin market-making activities |
| LU | | | |
189 | | | Sign Selected Dealers’ Agreements |
| LU | | | |
190 | | | Distribute revised draft of closing memorandum |
| UC | | | |
191 | | | Commence final preparation of legal opinions, certificates and other closing documents |
| UC, CC, TA | | | |
192 | | | Contact banknote company to arrange for printing in quantity of stock certificates |
| CO | | | |
193 | | | Print final prospectus in quantity |
| CO | | | |
194 | | | Furnish CO and Transfer Agent and Registrar with names and denominations in which stock certificates are to be registered |
| LU | | | |
195 | | | “Tombstone” advertisement appears |
| LU | Day after Offering Day | | |
196 | | | Notify syndicate of closing date and give instructions re payment |
| LU | | | |
197 | | | CC opinion and instructions for certificates to Transfer Agent and Registrar |
| CO, CC | | | |
198 | | | Preliminary closing (2:00 p.m., Eastern time) |
| CO, CC, UC | 1 day prior to Closing | | |
199 | | UC | | | |
200 | | | Stock certificates packaged for closing |
| LU, TA | | | |
201 | | | Closing (9:00 a.m., Eastern time) |
| CO, CC, LU, UC, TA | Closing Day | | |
202 | | | Monitor undertakings in Registration Statement for compliance |
| CC | Post-Closing, as appropriate | | |
203 | | CC | | | |
204 | | | File report on Form 10-Q with SEC |
| CO, CC, IA | Within 45 days from the end of the first fiscal quarter ending after effective date of Registration Statement | | |
205 | | | File report on Form 10-K with SEC re offering expenses and use of proceeds |
| CO, CC, IA | Within 90 days from the end of the fiscal year ending after the effective date of the Registration Statement | | |
206 | | | Provide Underwriters with copies of filings as agreed upon in Underwriting Agreement |
| CO, CC | | | |