Leading Independent Proxy Advisory Firm ISS Recommends That Two Harbors Stockholders Vote Against CrossCountry Mortgage Merger
Concludes TWO Board Has Not Capitalized on Competing UWMC
Agrees with
Also Recommends AGAINST Golden Parachute Proposal and Proposal to Allow Adjournment of Meeting
UWMC appreciates ISS’s independent evaluation and the recommendation to vote AGAINST the CCM merger. The report underscores significant concerns surrounding the TWO Board’s process and the CCM transaction and that the transaction may deprive stockholders from achieving maximum value if not voted down by TWO stockholders at the upcoming
Importantly, ISS noted the following in its report:
- “Ultimately, a review of the process does not provide shareholders with reason to be fully comfortable with the [TWO] board's approach. As a case in point, the board has entered into two agreements with CCM over the past six weeks that were subsequently displaced by better offers. The board has now entered into a third agreement, which matched the competing offer made by UWMC.”
- “The [TWO] board has not capitalized on the competing bids from UWMC by engaging with the parties in a way that provides shareholders with assurance the best terms have been extracted. Thus, it appears that shareholders would be better off rejecting the proposed transaction at this time, as a signal to the board to engage more productively with the parties. A vote against the proposed transaction is therefore warranted.”
- “It is difficult to identify convincing evidence that [the CCM transaction] is now full value, or that the board even attempted to extract the best terms possible.”
- All of this is to say that the board's approach does not appear to be one that will facilitate full price discovery, and that shareholders would likely benefit from an approach that includes UWMC in a more direct manner.
- “Not only has UWMC presented a competing offer with a higher headline value, but its presence has been the catalyst for two improvements to the offer terms”
ISS also recommended that stockholders vote AGAINST the Non-Binding Compensation Advisory Proposal, stating that “[s]upport for the golden parachute proposal is not warranted, given concerns around equity vesting acceleration.” Finally, ISS recommended AGAINST the Adjournment Proposal at the special meeting.
UWMC’s offer brings higher value to the table, and UWMC remains confident that rejecting the CCM merger is the best path to preserving value and optionality for TWO stockholders. TWO stockholders deserve value maximization, and the best way to achieve that is to vote AGAINST the CCM
UWMC encourages all TWO stockholders to review its preliminary proxy statement and updated materials carefully (and, when it becomes available, the definitive proxy statement) on file with the
We urge all stockholders touse Two Harbors’ proxy card until UWMC’s proxy card becomes available as soon as this week to VOTE AGAINST Two Harbors’ CCM Merger Proposal, AGAINST the Non-Binding Compensation Advisory Proposal and AGAINST the Adjournment Proposal to preserve the opportunity to achieve greater value by engaging with UWMC’s superior proposal.
You do not have to wait for UWMC’s proxy card.
You can vote AGAINST the Proposed CCM Merger today by using Two Harbors’ proxycard.
Only your last submitted and received vote will count at the meeting.
YOUR VOTE IS IMPORTANT, NO MATTER HOW MANY SHARES YOU OWN!
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This communication includes forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are generally identified using words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “may,” “plan,” “potential,” “predict” and similar words indicating that these reflect our views with respect to future events. Forward-looking statements in this communication include statements regarding our expectations and beliefs related to (i) the timing of the completion of any proposed transaction; (ii) the ability of the parties to complete any proposed transaction; and (iii) the benefits of a proposed transaction. These statements are based on management’s current expectations, but are subject to risks and uncertainties, many of which are outside of our control, and could cause future events or results to materially differ from those stated or implied in the forward-looking statements, including: (i) that the parties will not agree to pursue a business combination transaction or that the terms of any such transaction will be materially different from those described herein; (ii) the ability of the parties to satisfy the conditions to any proposed transaction, including obtaining stockholder approval and regulatory approval, on a timely basis or at all; (iii) the ability to obtain synergies and benefits of any proposed transaction; (iv) UWM’s ability to successfully implement strategic decisions and product launches; (iv) UWM’s dependence on macroeconomic and
No Offer or Solicitation
This communication is for informational purposes only and is not intended to, and shall not, constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities or a solicitation of any vote or approval, nor shall there be any sale of securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such jurisdiction. No offering of securities shall be made except by means of a prospectus meeting the requirements of Section 10 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
Additional Information
This communication relates to a proposal that UWMC has made to the Two Harbors Board for a business combination transaction with Two Harbors. In furtherance of this proposal and subject to future developments, UWMC filed a preliminary proxy statement on Schedule 14A on
INVESTORS AND SECURITYHOLDERS OF UWMC AND TWO HARBORS ARE URGED TO READ THE PROXY STATEMENT, ANY ADDITIONAL MATERIALS UWMC MAY FILE WITH RESPECT TO THE BUSINESS COMBINATION TRANSACTION, INCLUDING ANY REGISTRATION STATEMENT, TENDER OR EXCHANGE OFFER DOCUMENT, PROSPECTUS, AND ANY OTHER RELEVANT DOCUMENTS IF AND WHEN FILED WITH THE
Participants in the Solicitation
UWMC and its respective directors and executive officers and other members of management and employees may be deemed to be participants in any solicitation of proxies from Two Harbors stockholders in respect of a solicitation and proposed transaction under the rules of the
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260512702090/en/
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