Indemnification Agreement
On April 8, 2026, in connection with the execution of the Merger Agreement, the Board approved a new standard form of indemnification agreement (the “Indemnification Agreement”), and the Company entered into such with each of its trustees and executive officers. The Indemnification Agreement provides, among other things, that the Company will indemnify the trustees and executive officers, under the circumstances and to the extent provided for therein, for certain expenses, including attorneys’ fees, judgments, fines and settlement amounts incurred by a trustee or executive officer in any action or proceeding arising out of his or her service as a trustee or officer of the Company or any other company or enterprise to which he or she provides services at the Company’s request.
The foregoing description of the terms and conditions of the Indemnification Agreement is only a summary and is qualified in its entirety by the full text of the Indemnification Agreement, the form of which is filed as Exhibit 10.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and is incorporated herein by reference.
Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This Current Report on Form 8-K contains forward-looking statements, which include all statements that do not relate solely to historical or current facts, such as statements regarding our expectations, intentions or strategies regarding the future. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by the following words: “aim,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “can,” “continue,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “forecast,” “goal,” “guidance,” “intend,” “may,” “plan,” “possible,” “potential,” “predict,” “project,” “ongoing,” “outlook,” “should,” “seek,” “target,” “will,” “would,” or the negative of these terms or other similar expressions, although not all forward-looking statements contain these words. These forward-looking statements are based on management’s beliefs, as well as assumptions, including those regarding the transactions, made by, and information currently available to, Whitestone. Because such statements are based on expectations as to future financial and operating results and are not statements of fact, actual results may differ materially from those projected and are subject to a number of known and unknown risks and uncertainties, including: (i) the risk that the proposed transaction may not be completed in a timely manner or at all, which may adversely affect Whitestone’s business and the price of Whitestone’s common shares; (ii) the failure to satisfy any of the conditions to the consummation of the proposed transaction, including the approval of the Company Merger by Whitestone’s shareholders; (iii) the occurrence of any event, change or other circumstance or condition that could give rise to the termination of the Merger Agreement, including in circumstances requiring Whitestone to pay a termination fee; (iv) the effect of the announcement or pendency of the proposed transaction on Whitestone’s business relationships, including relationships with tenants and suppliers, operating results and business generally; (v) risks that the proposed transaction disrupts Whitestone’s current plans and operations; (vi) Whitestone’s ability to retain and hire key personnel in light of the proposed transaction or otherwise; (vii) risks related to diverting management’s attention from Whitestone’s ongoing business operations; (viii) unexpected costs, charges or expenses resulting from the proposed transaction; (ix) potential litigation or other proceedings relating to the transaction that could be instituted against the Parent Parties, Whitestone, the Operating Partnership or their, or their affiliates, respective directors, managers or officers, including the costs of such proceedings and the effects of any outcomes related thereto; (x) continued availability of capital and financing and rating agency actions; (xi) certain restrictions during the pendency of the transaction that may impact Whitestone’s ability to pursue certain business opportunities or strategic transactions; (xii) unpredictability and severity of catastrophic events, including but not limited to acts of terrorism, war, hostilities, epidemics or pandemics, as well as management’s response to any of the aforementioned factors, and their potential to disrupt or delay the closing of the transactions; (xiii) the possible failure of Whitestone to maintain its qualification as a REIT and the risk of changes in laws affecting REITs, (xiv) other risks described in Whitestone’s filings with the SEC, such risks and uncertainties described under the headings “Forward-Looking Statements,” “Risk Factors” and other sections of Whitestone’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on March 6, 2026 and subsequent filings; and (xv) those risks and uncertainties that will be described in the proxy statement that will be filed with the SEC (if and when it becomes available) from the sources indicated below. While the list of risks and uncertainties presented here is, and the discussion of risks and uncertainties to be presented in the proxy statement will be, considered representative, no such list or discussion should be considered a complete statement of all potential risks and uncertainties. Unlisted factors may present significant additional obstacles to the realization of forward-looking statements. Consequences of material differences in results as compared with those anticipated in the forward-looking statements could include, among other things, business disruption, operational problems, financial loss, and legal liability to third parties and similar risks, any of which could have a material adverse effect on the completion of the transaction and/or Whitestone’s consolidated financial condition, results of operations, credit rating or liquidity. There can be no assurance that the transaction will be consummated. The forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made. Whitestone undertakes no obligation to update or review any forward-looking statements, except as required by law, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
Important Information and Where to Find it
This communication does not constitute a solicitation of any vote or approval in connection with the proposed acquisition of Whitestone. In connection with the transaction, Whitestone intends to file a preliminary proxy statement on Schedule 14A with the SEC. Whitestone also may file other documents with the SEC regarding the transaction. This communication is not a substitute for the proxy statement or any other document which the Company may file with the SEC. INVESTORS AND SHAREHOLDERS OF WHITESTONE ARE URGED TO READ THE PROXY STATEMENT AND ANY OTHER RELEVANT DOCUMENTS THAT ARE FILED OR WILL BE FILED WITH THE SEC, AS WELL AS ANY AMENDMENTS OR SUPPLEMENTS TO THESE DOCUMENTS, CAREFULLY AND IN THEIR ENTIRETY WHEN THEY BECOME AVAILABLE BECAUSE THEY CONTAIN OR WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT THE TRANSACTION. The proposals for consideration by Whitestone’s shareholders regarding the transaction will be made solely through the proxy statement. The definitive proxy statement (if and when it becomes available) will be mailed to shareholders of Whitestone. Investors and shareholders may also obtain free copies of the proxy statement and other documents that are filed or will be filed by Whitestone with the SEC (in each case if and when they become available) from the SEC’s website (www.sec.gov), or from Whitestone’s investor relations website.
