Unless the context otherwise requires, all terms used in this regulation have the same meanings as in the Act or elsewhere in the general rules and regulations thereunder. In addition, the following definitions apply unless the context otherwise requires:
(a) Associate. The term “associate,” used to indicate a relationship with any person, means:
(1) Any corporation or organization (other than the registrant or a majority owned subsidiary of the registrant) of which such person is an officer or partner or is, directly or indirectly, the beneficial owner of 10 percent or more of any class of equity securities;
(2) Any trust or other estate in which such person has a substantial beneficial interest or as to which such person serves as trustee or in a similar fiduciary capacity; and
(3) Any relative or spouse of such person, or any relative of such spouse, who has the same home as such person or who is a director or officer of the registrant or any of its parents or subsidiaries.
(b) Employee benefit plan. For purposes of §§ 240.14a-13, 240.14b-1 and 240.14b-2, the term “employee benefit plan” means any purchase, savings, option, bonus, appreciation, profit sharing, thrift, incentive, pension or similar plan primarily for employees, directors, trustees or officers.
(c) Entity that exercises fiduciary powers. The term “entity that exercises fiduciary powers” means any entity that holds securities in nominee name or otherwise on behalf of a beneficial owner but does not include a clearing agency registered pursuant to section 17A of the Act or a broker or a dealer.
(d) Exempt employee benefit plan securities. For purposes of §§ 240.14a-13, 240.14b-1 and 240.14b-2, the term “exempt employee benefit plan securities” means:
(1) Securities of the registrant held by an employee benefit plan, as defined in paragraph (b) of this section, where such plan is established by the registrant; or
(2) If notice regarding the current solicitation has been given pursuant to § 240.14a-13(a)(1)(ii)(C) or if notice regarding the current request for a list of names, addresses and securities positions of beneficial owners has been given pursuant to § 240.14a-13(b)(3), securities of the registrant held by an employee benefit plan, as defined in paragraph (b) of this section, where such plan is established by an affiliate of the registrant.
(e) Last fiscal year. The term “last fiscal year” of the registrant means the last fiscal year of the registrant ending prior to the date of the meeting for which proxies are to be solicited or if the solicitation involves written authorizations or consents in lieu of a meeting, the earliest date they may be used to effect corporate action.
(f) Proxy. The term “proxy” includes every proxy, consent or authorization within the meaning of section 14(a) of the Act. The consent or authorization may take the form of failure to object or to dissent.
(g) Proxy statement. The term “proxy statement” means the statement required by § 240.14a-3(a) whether or not contained in a single document.
(h) Record date. The term “record date” means the date as of which the record holders of securities entitled to vote at a meeting or by written consent or authorization shall be determined.
(i) Record holder. For purposes of §§ 240.14a-13, 240.14b-1 and 240.14b-2, the term “record holder” means any broker, dealer, voting trustee, bank, association or other entity that exercises fiduciary powers which holds securities of record in nominee name or otherwise or as a participant in a clearing agency registered pursuant to section 17A of the Act.
(j) Registrant. The term “registrant” means the issuer of the securities in respect of which proxies are to be solicited.
(k) Respondent bank. For purposes of §§ 240.14a-13, 240.14b-1 and 240.14b-2, the term “respondent bank” means any bank, association or other entity that exercises fiduciary powers which holds securities on behalf of beneficial owners and deposits such securities for safekeeping with another bank, association or other entity that exercises fiduciary powers.
(l) Solicitation.
(1) The terms “solicit” and “solicitation” include:
(i) Any request for a proxy whether or not accompanied by or included in a form of proxy:
(ii) Any request to execute or not to execute, or to revoke, a proxy; or
(iii) The furnishing of a form of proxy or other communication to security holders under circumstances reasonably calculated to result in the procurement, withholding or revocation of a proxy, including:
(A) Any proxy voting advice that makes a recommendation to a security holder as to its vote, consent, or authorization on a specific matter for which security holder approval is solicited, and that is furnished by a person that markets its expertise as a provider of such proxy voting advice, separately from other forms of investment advice, and sells such proxy voting advice for a fee.
(B) [Reserved]
(2) The terms do not apply, however, to:
(i) The furnishing of a form of proxy to a security holder upon the unsolicited request of such security holder;
(ii) The performance by the registrant of acts required by § 240.14a-7;
(iii) The performance by any person of ministerial acts on behalf of a person soliciting a proxy;
(iv) A communication by a security holder who does not otherwise engage in a proxy solicitation (other than a solicitation exempt under § 240.14a-2) stating how the security holder intends to vote and the reasons therefor, provided that the communication:
(A) Is made by means of speeches in public forums, press releases, published or broadcast opinions, statements, or advertisements appearing in a broadcast media, or newspaper, magazine or other bona fide publication disseminated on a regular basis,
(B) Is directed to persons to whom the security holder owes a fiduciary duty in connection with the voting of securities of a registrant held by the security holder, or
(C) Is made in response to unsolicited requests for additional information with respect to a prior communication by the security holder made pursuant to this paragraph (l)(2)(iv); or
(v) The furnishing of any proxy voting advice by a person who furnishes such advice only in response to an unprompted request.
[51 FR 44275, Dec. 9, 1986, as amended at 52 FR 23648, June 24, 1987; 53 FR 16405, May 9, 1988; 57 FR 48290, Oct. 22, 1992; 85 FR 55154, Sept. 3, 2020]