AS FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION ON AUGUST 19, 2003
HARTFORD CAPITAL IV
HARTFORD CAPITAL V
THE HARTFORD FINANCIAL SERVICES GROUP, INC. HARTFORD CAPITAL VI
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter) (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
DELAWARE DELAWARE
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or
organization) organization of each registrant)
(Hartford Capital IV)
13-3317783 06-6431736
(I.R.S. Employer Identification Number) (Hartford Capital V)
33-6318394
(Hartford Capital VI)
82-6097264
(I.R.S. Employer Identification Numbers)
C/O THE HARTFORD FINANCIAL SERVICES GROUP, INC.
HARTFORD PLAZA HARTFORD PLAZA
HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT 06115 HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT 06115
(860) 547-5000 (860) 547-5000
(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, (Address, including zip code, and telephone number,
including area code, of registrants' principal executive including area code, of registrants' principal executive
offices) offices)
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PLEASE ADDRESS A COPY OF ALL COMMUNICATIONS TO:
NEAL S. WOLIN ALAN H. PALEY
EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT AND GENERAL COUNSEL DEBEVOISE & PLIMPTON
THE HARTFORD FINANCIAL SERVICES GROUP, INC. 919 THIRD AVENUE
HARTFORD PLAZA NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10022
HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT 06115 (212) 909-6000
(860) 547-5000
(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number,
including area code, of agent for service of each
registrant)
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If the only securities being registered on this Form are being offered pursuant to dividend or interest reinvestment plans, please check the following box. [ ]
If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, other than securities offered only in connection with dividend or interest reinvestment plans, check the following box. [X]
If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. [ ]
If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. [ ]
If delivery of the prospectus is expected to be made pursuant to Rule 434, check the following box. [ ]
CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
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TITLE OF EACH CLASS OF PROPOSED MAXIMUM AMOUNT OF
SECURITIES TO BE REGISTERED AGGREGATE OFFERING PRICE(1) REGISTRATION FEE(2)
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Common Stock of The Hartford Financial Services Group,
Inc., par value $.01 per share(3).......................
Debt Securities of The Hartford Financial Services Group,
Inc.(4).................................................
Preferred Stock of The Hartford Financial Services Group,
Inc., par value $.01 per share(5).......................
Depositary Shares of The Hartford Financial Services
Group, Inc.(6)..........................................
Warrants of The Hartford Financial Services Group,
Inc.(7).................................................
Stock Purchase Contracts of The Hartford Financial
Services Group, Inc.(8).................................
Stock Purchase Units of The Hartford Financial Services
Group, Inc.(9)..........................................
Junior Subordinated Debentures of The Hartford Financial
Services Group, Inc.(10)................................
Preferred Securities of Hartford Capital IV(11)...........
Preferred Securities of Hartford Capital V(11)............
Preferred Securities of Hartford Capital VI(11)...........
Guarantees with respect to Preferred Securities of
Hartford Capital IV, Hartford Capital V and Hartford
Capital VI by The Hartford Financial Services Group,
Inc.(12)................................................
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Total................................................... $3,000,000,000 (13)(14) $242,700
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(continued on next page)
(1) Estimated solely for the purpose of computing the registration fee pursuant to Rule 457(o) under the Securities Act of 1933 and exclusive of accrued interest and dividends, if any.
(2) The registration fee has been calculated in accordance with Rule 457(o) under the Securities Act of 1933. On May 19, 2003, The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc., Hartford Capital IV, Hartford Capital V and Hartford Capital VI (the "Registrants") paid a filing fee of $24,929.86 in connection with $308,156,496 of unsold securities registered under a Registration Statement (Registration No. 333-105392). Pursuant to Rule 457(p) under the Securities Act of 1933, the Registrants are offsetting $5,246.45 of the filing fees paid in connection with the Registrants' Registration Statement (Registration No. 333-105392) against the filing fee of $242,700 currently due in connection with the filing of this Registration Statement. Accordingly, a filing fee of $237,453.55 is paid herewith.
(3) Includes Series A Participating Cumulative Preferred Stock Purchase Rights.
Prior to the occurrence of certain events, such Rights will not be
exercisable or evidenced separately from the Common Stock. Subject to note
(13) below, there is being registered hereunder an indeterminate number of
shares of Common Stock as may be sold from time to time by The Hartford
Financial Services Group, Inc., including sales upon the exercise of
Warrants or delivery upon settlement of Stock Purchase Contracts. Also
includes such indeterminate number of shares of Common Stock as may be
issued upon conversion of or exchange for any securities being registered
hereunder that provide for conversion or exchange into Common Stock.
(4) Subject to note (13) below, there is being registered hereunder an indeterminate principal amount of Debt Securities as may be sold from time to time by The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc., including sales upon the exercise of Warrants or delivery upon settlement of Stock Purchase Contracts. Also includes such indeterminate principal amount of Debt Securities as may be issued upon conversion of or exchange for any securities being registered hereunder that provide for conversion or exchange into Debt Securities.
(5) Subject to note (13) below, there is being registered hereunder an indeterminate number of shares of Preferred Stock as may be sold from time to time by The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc., including sales upon the exercise of Warrants or delivery upon settlement of Stock Purchase Contracts. Also includes such indeterminate number of shares of Preferred Stock as may be issued upon conversion of or exchange for any securities being registered hereunder that provide for conversion or exchange into Preferred Stock.
(6) Subject to note (13) below, there is being registered hereunder an indeterminate number of Depositary Shares to be evidenced by Depositary Receipts issued pursuant to a Deposit Agreement. In the event The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc. elects to offer to the public fractional interests in Debt Securities or shares of the Preferred Stock registered hereunder, Depositary Receipts will be distributed to those persons purchasing such fractional interests and Debt Securities or shares of Preferred Stock, as the case may be, will be issued to the Depositary under the Deposit Agreement. No separate consideration will be received for the Depositary Shares.
(7) Subject to note (13) below, there is being registered hereunder an indeterminate amount and number of Warrants as may be sold from time to time by The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc., representing rights to purchase Debt Securities, Preferred Stock or Common Stock. Warrants may be sold separately or with Debt Securities, Preferred Stock or Common Stock or other securities registered hereunder.
(8) Subject to note (13) below, there is being registered hereunder an indeterminate amount and number of Stock Purchase Contracts as may be sold from time to time by The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc., representing rights to purchase Preferred Stock, Common Stock or other property.
(9) Subject to note (13) below, there is being registered hereunder an indeterminate amount and number of Stock Purchase Units as may be sold from time to time by The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc., representing ownership of Stock Purchase Contracts and Debt Securities, undivided beneficial ownership interests in Debt Securities, Depositary Shares representing fractional interests in Debt Securities or shares of Preferred Stock or debt obligations of third parties, including U.S. Treasury Securities, or Preferred Securities of Hartford Capital IV, Hartford Capital V or Hartford Capital VI.
(10) Subject to note (13) below, there is being registered hereunder an indeterminate principal amount of Junior Subordinated Debentures as may be sold from time to time by The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc.
(11) Subject to note (13) below, there is being registered hereunder an indeterminate number of Preferred Securities as may be sold severally from time to time by Hartford Capital IV, Hartford Capital V and Hartford Capital VI.
(12) This Registration Statement is deemed to include the obligations of The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc. under the Junior Subordinated Debentures, the related Indenture, the Trust Agreements, the Preferred Securities, the Guarantees and the Expense Agreements as described in the Registration Statement.
(13) The Prospectus included herein relates to $3,000,000,000 of securities. Such amount represents the principal amount of any Debt Securities or Junior Subordinated Debentures issued at their principal amount, the issue price rather than the principal amount of any Debt Securities or Junior Subordinated Debentures issued at an original issue discount, the liquidation preference of any Preferred Stock, the amount computed pursuant to Rule 457(c) for any Common Stock, the issue price of any Warrants, the exercise price of any Offered Securities issuable upon the exercise of Warrants and the initial public offering price of any Preferred Securities. Any securities registered hereunder may be sold separately or as units with other securities registered hereunder.
(14) No separate consideration will be received for the Debt Securities, Preferred Stock, Common Stock or the Depositary Shares issuable upon conversion of or in exchange for any securities registered hereunder that provide for conversion or exchange into such securities. No separate consideration will be received for any Junior Subordinated Debentures if issued to evidence a loan by Hartford Capital IV, Hartford Capital V or Hartford Capital VI to The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc., or for any related Guarantee or Expense Agreement.
THE REGISTRANTS HEREBY AMEND THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON SUCH DATE OR DATES AS MAY BE NECESSARY TO DELAY THEIR EFFECTIVE DATE UNTIL THE REGISTRANTS SHALL FILE A FURTHER AMENDMENT WHICH SPECIFICALLY STATES THAT THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT SHALL THEREAFTER BECOME EFFECTIVE IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 8(a) OF THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 OR UNTIL THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT SHALL BECOME EFFECTIVE ON SUCH DATE AS THE COMMISSION, ACTING PURSUANT TO SAID SECTION 8(a), MAY DETERMINE.
THE INFORMATION IN THIS PROSPECTUS IS NOT COMPLETE AND MAY BE CHANGED. WE MAY NOT SELL THESE SECURITIES UNTIL THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION IS EFFECTIVE. THIS PROSPECTUS IS NOT AN OFFER TO SELL THESE SECURITIES AND IT IS NOT SOLICITING AN OFFER TO BUY THESE SECURITIES IN ANY STATE WHERE THE OFFER OR SALE IS NOT PERMITTED.
SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED AUGUST 19, 2003
PROSPECTUS
THE HARTFORD FINANCIAL
SERVICES GROUP, INC.
DEBT SECURITIES
JUNIOR SUBORDINATED DEBENTURES
PREFERRED STOCK
COMMON STOCK
DEPOSITARY SHARES
WARRANTS
STOCK PURCHASE CONTRACTS
STOCK PURCHASE UNITS
HARTFORD CAPITAL IV
HARTFORD CAPITAL V
HARTFORD CAPITAL VI
PREFERRED SECURITIES GUARANTEED
AS DESCRIBED IN THIS PROSPECTUS
AND THE ACCOMPANYING PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
BY THE HARTFORD FINANCIAL SERVICES GROUP, INC.
By this prospectus, we may offer from time to time up to $3,000,000,000 of any combination of the securities described in this prospectus.
We will provide specific terms of the securities in supplements to this prospectus. You should read this prospectus and any supplement carefully before you invest. A supplement may also change or update information contained in this prospectus.
We will not use this prospectus to confirm sales of any of our securities unless it is attached to a prospectus supplement.
Unless we state otherwise in a prospectus supplement, we will not list any of these securities on any securities exchange.
Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this prospectus is truthful or complete. They have not made, nor will they make, any determination as to whether anyone should buy these securities. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
The date of this prospectus is , 2003
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PAGE
----
ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS....................................... i
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS.................................. ii
THE HARTFORD FINANCIAL SERVICES GROUP, INC.................. 1
THE HARTFORD CAPITAL TRUSTS................................. 1
USE OF PROCEEDS............................................. 3
RATIOS OF CONSOLIDATED EARNINGS TO TOTAL FIXED CHARGES AND
CONSOLIDATED EARNINGS TO TOTAL FIXED CHARGES AND
PREFERENCE DIVIDENDS...................................... 3
DESCRIPTION OF THE DEBT SECURITIES.......................... 3
DESCRIPTION OF JUNIOR SUBORDINATED DEBENTURES............... 15
DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK OF THE HARTFORD FINANCIAL
SERVICES GROUP, INC....................................... 27
DESCRIPTION OF DEPOSITARY SHARES............................ 34
DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS..................................... 36
DESCRIPTION OF STOCK PURCHASE CONTRACTS AND STOCK PURCHASE
UNITS..................................................... 38
DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED SECURITIES......................... 38
DESCRIPTION OF GUARANTEE.................................... 49
DESCRIPTION OF CORRESPONDING JUNIOR SUBORDINATED
DEBENTURES................................................ 52
RELATIONSHIP AMONG THE PREFERRED SECURITIES, THE
CORRESPONDING JUNIOR SUBORDINATED DEBENTURES AND THE
GUARANTEES................................................ 54
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION........................................ 55
LEGAL OPINIONS.............................................. 56
EXPERTS..................................................... 56
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION......................... 57
INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE.................................. 57
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ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS
This prospectus is part of a registration statement that we filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission utilizing a "shelf" registration process. Under this shelf process, we may sell the securities described in the prospectus from time to time. This prospectus provides you with a general description of the securities we may offer. We may also add, update or change information contained in this prospectus through one or more supplements to this prospectus. Any statement that we make in this prospectus will be modified or superseded by any inconsistent statement made by us in a prospectus supplement. The rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission allow us to incorporate by reference information into this prospectus. This information incorporated by reference is considered to be a part of this prospectus, and information that we file later with the Securities and Exchange Commission will automatically update and supersede this information. See "Incorporation by Reference." You should read both this prospectus and any prospectus supplement together with additional information described under the heading "Where You Can Find More Information."
No person has been authorized to give any information or to make any representations, other than those contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus and, if given or made, such information or representation must not be relied upon as having been authorized by The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc., or any underwriter, agent, dealer or remarketing firm. Neither the delivery of this prospectus nor any sale made hereunder shall under any circumstances create any implication that there has been no change in the affairs of The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc. since the date hereof or that the information contained or incorporated by reference herein is correct as of any time subsequent to the date of such information. This prospectus does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any securities by anyone in any
jurisdiction in which such offer or solicitation is not authorized or in which the person making such offer or solicitation is not qualified to do so or to any person to whom it is unlawful to make such offer or solicitation.
Unless otherwise indicated, or the context otherwise requires, references in this prospectus to "The Hartford," "we," "us" and "our" or similar terms are to The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc. and its subsidiaries.
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
Certain of the statements contained in this prospectus or incorporated by reference are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and include estimates and assumptions related to economic, competitive and legislative developments. These forward-looking statements are subject to change and uncertainty which are, in many instances, beyond our control and have been made based upon management's expectations and beliefs concerning future developments and their potential effect upon us. There can be no assurance that future developments will be in accordance with management's expectations or that the effect of future developments on us will be those anticipated by management. Actual results could differ materially from those expected by us, depending on the outcome of various factors. These factors include:
- the difficulty in predicting our potential exposure for asbestos and environmental claims and related litigation, in particular, significant uncertainty with regard to the outcome of our current dispute with Mac Arthur Company and its subsidiary, Western MacArthur Company;
- the uncertain nature of damage theories and loss amounts and the development of additional facts related to the September 11 terrorist attack;
- the uncertain effect on us of the Jobs and Growth Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2003, in particular the reduction in tax rates on long-term capital gains and most dividend distributions;
- the response of reinsurance companies under reinsurance contracts, the impact of increasing reinsurance rates, and the availability and adequacy of reinsurance to protect us against losses;
- the inability to effectively mitigate the impact of equity market volatility on our financial position and results of operations arising from obligations under annuity product guarantees;
- the possibility of more unfavorable loss experience than anticipated;
- the possibility of general economic and business conditions that are less favorable than anticipated;
- the incidence and severity of catastrophes, both natural and man-made;
- the effect of changes in interest rates, the stock markets or other financial markets;
- stronger than anticipated competitive activity;
- unfavorable legislative, regulatory or judicial developments;
- our ability to distribute our products through distribution channels, both current and future;
- the uncertain effects of emerging claims and coverage issues;
- the effect of assessments and other surcharges for guaranty funds and second-injury funds and other mandatory pooling arrangements;
- a downgrade in our claims-paying, financial strength or credit ratings;
- the ability of our subsidiaries to pay dividends to us; and
- other factors described in such forward-looking statements.
THE HARTFORD FINANCIAL SERVICES GROUP, INC.
We are a diversified insurance and financial services holding company. We are among the largest providers of investment products, individual life, group life and disability insurance products, and property and casualty insurance products in the United States. Hartford Fire Insurance Company, or Hartford Fire, founded in 1810, is the oldest of our subsidiaries. Our companies write insurance primarily in the United States. At June 30, 2003, our total assets were $207.8 billion and our total stockholders' equity was $11.5 billion.
We were formed in December 1985 as a wholly owned subsidiary of ITT Corporation. On December 19, 1995, all our outstanding shares were distributed to ITT Corporation's stockholders and we became an independent company. On May 2, 1997, we changed our name from ITT Hartford Group, Inc. to our current name, The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc.
As a holding company that is separate and distinct from our insurance subsidiaries, we have no significant business operations of our own. Therefore, we rely on the dividends from our insurance company and other subsidiaries as the principal source of cash flow to meet our obligations. These obligations include payments on our debt securities and the payment of dividends on our capital stock, including preferred stock. The Connecticut insurance holding company laws limit the payment of dividends by Connecticut-domiciled insurers. Under these laws, the insurance subsidiaries may only make their dividend payments out of surplus. In addition, these laws require notice to and approval by the Connecticut Insurance Commissioner for the declaration or payment by those subsidiaries of any dividend if the dividend and other dividends or distributions made within the preceding twelve months exceeds the greater of:
- 10% of the insurer's policyholder surplus as of December 31 of the preceding year, or
- net income, or net gain from operations if the subsidiary is a life insurance company, for the previous calendar year, in each case determined under statutory insurance accounting principles.
In addition, if any dividend of a Connecticut-domiciled insurer exceeds the insurer's earned surplus, calculated in accordance with the applicable insurance holding company laws, it requires the prior approval of the Connecticut Insurance Commissioner.
The insurance holding company laws of the other jurisdictions in which our insurance subsidiaries are incorporated, or deemed commercially domiciled, generally contain similar, and in some instances more restrictive, limitations on the payment of dividends. As of August 1, 2003, our insurance subsidiaries are permitted to pay us up to a maximum of approximately $1.03 billion in dividends for the remainder of 2003 without prior approval.
Our rights to participate in any distribution of the assets of any of our subsidiaries, such as in a liquidation or reorganization, and the ability of holders of the securities to benefit indirectly from a distribution, are subject to the prior claims of creditors of the applicable subsidiary, except to the extent that we may be a creditor of that subsidiary. Claims on these subsidiaries by persons other than us include, as of June 30, 2003, claims by policyholders for benefits payable amounting to $56.2 billion, claims by separate account holders of $122.6 billion, and other liabilities including claims of trade creditors, claims from guaranty associations and claims from holders of debt obligations amounting to $17.5 billion.
Our principal executive offices are located at Hartford Plaza, Hartford, Connecticut 06115, and our telephone number is (860) 547-5000.
THE HARTFORD CAPITAL TRUSTS
We created each trust as a Delaware statutory trust pursuant to a trust agreement. We will enter into an amended and restated trust agreement for each trust, which will state the terms and conditions for the trust to issue and sell its preferred securities and common securities. We will amend and restate each trust agreement in its entirety substantially in the form filed as an exhibit to the registration statement that includes this
prospectus. Each trust agreement will be qualified as an indenture under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, which we refer to in this prospectus as the "Trust Indenture Act."
Each trust exists for the exclusive purposes of:
- issuing and selling to the public preferred securities, representing undivided beneficial interests in the assets of the trust,
- issuing and selling to us common securities, representing undivided beneficial interests in the assets of the trust,
- using the proceeds from the sale of the preferred securities and common securities to acquire a corresponding series of junior subordinated deferrable interest debentures, which we refer to in this prospectus as the "corresponding junior subordinated debentures,"
- distributing the cash payments it receives from the corresponding junior subordinated debentures it owns to you and the other holders of preferred securities and us, as the holder of common securities, and
- engaging in the other activities that are necessary, convenient or incidental to these purposes.
Accordingly, the corresponding junior subordinated debentures will be the sole assets of each trust, and payments under the corresponding junior subordinated debentures and the related expense agreement will be the sole revenue of each trust.
We will own all of the common securities of each trust. The common securities of a trust will rank equally with, and payments will be made pro rata with, the preferred securities of the trust, except that if an event of default under a trust agreement then exists, our rights as holder of the common securities to payment of distributions and payments upon liquidation or redemption will be subordinated to your rights as a holder of the preferred securities of the trust. See "Description of Preferred Securities -- Subordination of Common Securities."
Unless we state otherwise in a prospectus supplement, each trust has a term of approximately 45 years. A trust may also terminate earlier. The trustees of each trust will conduct its business and affairs. As holder of the common securities we will initially appoint the trustees. Initially, the trustees will be:
- Wilmington Trust Company, which will act as property trustee and as Delaware trustee, and
- Two of our employees or officers or those of our affiliates, who will act as administrative trustees.
Wilmington Trust Company, as property trustee, will act as sole indenture trustee under each trust agreement for purposes of compliance with the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act. Wilmington Trust Company will also act as trustee under the guarantee and the junior subordinated indenture pursuant to which we will issue the junior subordinated debentures. See "Description of Junior Subordinated Debentures" and "Description of Guarantee."
The holder of the common securities of a trust, or the holders of a majority in liquidation preference of the preferred securities if an event of default under the trust agreement for the trust has occurred and is continuing, will be entitled to appoint, remove or replace the property trustee and/or the Delaware trustee of the trust. You will not have the right to vote to appoint, remove or replace the administrative trustees. Only we, as the holder of the common securities, will have these voting rights. The duties and obligations of the trustees are governed by the applicable trust agreement. We will pay all fees and expenses related to the trusts and the offering of the preferred securities and will pay, directly or indirectly, all ongoing costs, expenses and liabilities of the trusts, except for payments made on the preferred securities or the common securities, subject to the guarantee.
The principal executive office of each trust is Hartford Plaza, Hartford,
Connecticut 06115, Attention: Corporate Secretary and its telephone number is
(860) 547-5000.
USE OF PROCEEDS
Unless we state otherwise in a prospectus supplement, we intend to use the proceeds from the sale of the securities offered by this prospectus, including the corresponding junior subordinated debentures issued to the trusts in connection with their investment of all the proceeds from the sale of preferred securities, for general corporate purposes, including working capital, capital expenditures, investments in loans to subsidiaries, acquisitions and refinancing of debt, including outstanding commercial paper and other short-term indebtedness. We will include a more detailed description of the use of proceeds of any specific offering of securities in the prospectus supplement relating to the offering.
RATIOS OF CONSOLIDATED EARNINGS TO TOTAL FIXED CHARGES AND CONSOLIDATED EARNINGS TO TOTAL FIXED CHARGES AND PREFERENCE DIVIDENDS
For purposes of computing the ratios of consolidated earnings to total fixed charges and consolidated earnings to total fixed charges and preference dividends, "earnings" consist of income from operations before United States federal income taxes and fixed charges. "Fixed charges" consist of interest expense (including interest credited to contract holders), capitalized interest, amortization of debt expense and an imputed interest component for rental expense.
The following table sets forth our ratios of consolidated earnings to total fixed charges and consolidated earnings to total fixed charges and preference dividends for the years and the periods indicated ($ in millions):
SIX MONTHS ENDED
JUNE 30, YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
---------------- -----------------------------------
2003 2002 2002 2001 2000 1999 1998
------ ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ----
Ratio of Consolidated Earnings to Total
Fixed Charges.......................... NM(1) 1.8 1.8 1.2(2) 2.1 1.9 1.9
Ratio of Consolidated Earnings to Total
Fixed Charges and Preference
Dividends(3)........................... NM(1) 1.8 1.8 1.2(2) 2.1 1.9 1.9
Deficiency of Consolidated Earnings to
Total Fixed Charges and Preference
Dividends.............................. $2,328(4) -- -- -- -- -- --
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(1) NM: not meaningful.
(2) For 2001, the calculation of the ratios of consolidated earnings to total fixed charges and of consolidated earnings to total fixed charges and preference dividends reflect before-tax losses of $678 million relating to the terrorist attack on September 11, 2001.
(3) We had no dividends on preferred stock for the years 1998 to 2002 or for the six months ended June 30, 2003 or 2002.
(4) Represents additional earnings that would be necessary to result in a one to one ratio of consolidated earnings to total fixed charges and preference dividends. This amount reflects a before-tax charge of $2.6 billion related to the Company's 2003 asbestos reserve addition.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DEBT SECURITIES
We may offer unsecured senior debt securities or subordinated debt securities. We refer to the senior debt securities and the subordinated debt securities together in this prospectus as the "debt securities." The senior debt securities will rank equally with all of our other unsecured, unsubordinated obligations. The subordinated debt securities will be subordinate and junior in right of payment to all of our senior debt.
We will issue the senior debt securities in one or more series under an indenture, which we refer to as the "senior indenture," to be entered into between us and JPMorgan Chase Bank, as trustee. We will issue subordinated debt securities in one or more series under an indenture, which we refer to as the "subordinated indenture," between us and the trustee to be named in the prospectus supplement relating to the offering of subordinated debt securities.
The following description of the terms of the indentures is a summary. It summarizes only those portions of the indentures which we believe will be most important to your decision to invest in our debt securities. You should keep in mind, however, that it is the indentures, and not this summary, which define your rights as a debtholder. There may be other provisions in the indentures which are also important to you. You should read the indentures for a full description of the terms of the debt. The senior indenture and the subordinated indenture are filed as exhibits to the registration statement that includes this prospectus. See "Where You Can Find More Information" for information on how to obtain copies of the senior indenture and the subordinated indenture.
THE DEBT SECURITIES ARE UNSECURED OBLIGATIONS
Our debt securities will be unsecured obligations and our senior debt securities will be unsecured and will rank equally with all of our other senior unsecured and unsubordinated obligations. As a non-operating holding company, we have no significant business operations of our own. Therefore, we rely on dividends from our insurance company and other subsidiaries as the principal source of cash flow to meet our obligations for payment of principal and interest on our outstanding debt obligations and corporate expenses. Accordingly, the debt securities will be effectively subordinated to all existing and future liabilities of our subsidiaries, and you should rely only on our assets for payments on the debt securities. The payment of dividends by our insurance subsidiaries is limited under the insurance holding company laws in the jurisdictions where those subsidiaries are domiciled. See "The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc."
Unless we state otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, the indentures do not limit us from incurring or issuing other secured or unsecured debt under either of the indentures or any other indenture that we may have entered into or enter into in the future. See "-- Subordination under the Subordinated Indenture" and the prospectus supplement relating to any offering of subordinated debt securities.
TERMS OF THE DEBT SECURITIES
We may issue the debt securities in one or more series through an indenture that supplements the senior indenture or the subordinated indenture or through a resolution of our board of directors or an authorized committee of our board of directors.
You should refer to the applicable prospectus supplement for the specific terms of the debt securities. These terms may include the following:
- title of the debt securities,
- any limit upon the aggregate principal amount of the series,
- maturity date(s) or the method of determining the maturity date(s),
- interest rate(s) or the method of determining the interest rate(s),
- dates on which interest will be payable and circumstances, if any, in which interest may be deferred,
- dates from which interest will accrue and the method of determining those dates,
- place or places where we may pay principal, premium, if any, and interest and where you may present the debt securities for registration or transfer or exchange,
- place or places where notices and demands relating to the debt securities and the indentures may be made,
- redemption or early payment provisions,
- sinking fund or similar provisions,
- authorized denominations if other than denominations of $1,000,
- currency, currencies, or currency units, if other than in U.S. dollars, in which the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on the debt securities is payable, or in which the debt securities are denominated,
- any additions, modifications or deletions, in the events of default or covenants of The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc. specified in the indenture relating to the debt securities,
- if other than the principal amount of the debt securities, the portion of the principal amount of the debt securities that is payable upon declaration of acceleration of maturity,
- any additions or changes to the indenture relating to a series of debt securities necessary to permit or facilitate issuing the series in bearer form, registrable or not registrable as to principal, and with or without interest coupons,
- any index or indices used to determine the amount of payments of principal of and premium, if any, on the debt securities and the method of determining these amounts,
- whether a temporary global security will be issued and the terms upon which these temporary debt securities may be exchanged for definitive debt securities,
- whether the debt securities will be issued in whole or in part in the form of one or more global securities,
- identity of the depositary for global securities,
- appointment of any paying agent(s),
- the terms and conditions of any obligation or right we would have or any option you would have to convert or exchange the debt securities into other securities or cash or property of The Hartford or any other person and any changes to the indenture to permit or facilitate such conversion or exchange,
- in the case of the subordinated indenture, any provisions regarding subordination, and
- additional terms not inconsistent with the provisions of the indentures.
Debt securities may also be issued under the indentures upon the exercise of warrants or delivery upon settlement of stock purchase contracts. See "Description of Warrants" and "Description of Stock Purchase Contracts."
SPECIAL PAYMENT TERMS OF THE DEBT SECURITIES
We may issue one or more series of debt securities at a substantial discount below their stated principal amount. These may bear no interest or interest at a rate which at the time of issuance is below market rates. We will describe United States federal tax consequences and special considerations relating to any series in the applicable prospectus supplement.
The purchase price of any of the debt securities may be payable in one or more foreign currencies or currency units. The debt securities may be denominated in one or more foreign currencies or currency units, or the principal of, premium, if any, or interest on any debt securities may be payable in one or more foreign currencies or currency units. We will describe the restrictions, elections, United States federal income tax considerations, specific terms and other information relating to the debt securities and any foreign currencies or foreign currency units in the applicable prospectus supplement.
If we use any index to determine the amount of payments of principal of, premium, if any, or interest on any series of debt securities, we will also describe in the applicable prospectus supplement the special United States federal income tax, accounting and other considerations applicable to the debt securities.
DENOMINATIONS, REGISTRATION AND TRANSFER
We expect to issue most debt securities in fully registered form without coupons and in denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiple of $1,000. Except as we may describe in the applicable prospectus supplement, debt securities of any series will be exchangeable for other debt securities of the same issue and series, in any authorized denominations, of a like tenor and aggregate principal amount and bearing the same interest rate.
You may present debt securities for exchange as described above, or for registration of transfer, at the office of the security registrar or at the office of any transfer agent we designate for that purpose. You will not incur a service charge but you must pay any taxes, assessments and other governmental charges as described in the indentures. We will appoint the trustees as security registrar under the indentures. We may at any time rescind the designation of any transfer agent that we initially designate or approve a change in the location
through which the transfer agent acts. We will specify the transfer agent in the applicable prospectus supplement. We may at any time designate additional transfer agents.
GLOBAL DEBT SECURITIES
We may issue all or any part of a series of debt securities in the form of one or more global securities. We will appoint the depositary holding the global debt securities. Unless we otherwise state in the applicable prospectus supplement, the depositary will be The Depository Trust Company, or DTC. We will issue global securities in registered form and in either temporary or definitive form. Unless it is exchanged for individual debt securities, a global security may not be transferred except:
- by the depositary to its nominee,
- by a nominee of the depositary to the depositary or another nominee, or
- by the depositary or any nominee to a successor of the depositary, or a nominee of the successor.
We will describe the specific terms of the depositary arrangement in the applicable prospectus supplement. We expect that the following provisions will generally apply to these depositary arrangements.
BENEFICIAL INTERESTS IN A GLOBAL SECURITY
If we issue a global security, the depositary for the global security or its nominee will credit on its book-entry registration and transfer system the principal amounts of the individual debt securities represented by the global security to the accounts of persons that have accounts with it. We refer to those persons as "participants" in this prospectus. The accounts will be designated by the dealers, underwriters or agents for the debt securities, or by us if the debt securities are offered and sold directly by us. Ownership of beneficial interests in a global security will be limited to participants or persons who may hold interests through participants. Ownership and transfers of beneficial interests in the global security will be shown on, and transactions can be effected only through, records maintained by the applicable depositary or its nominee, for interests of participants, and the records of participants, for interests of persons who hold through participants. The laws of some states require that you take physical delivery of securities in definitive form. These limits and laws may impair your ability to transfer beneficial interests in a global security.
So long as the depositary or its nominee is the registered owner of a global security, the depositary or nominee will be considered the sole owner or holder of the debt securities represented by the global security for all purposes under the indenture. Except as provided below, you:
- will not be entitled to have any of the individual debt securities represented by the global security registered in your name,
- will not receive or be entitled to receive physical delivery of any debt securities in definitive form, and
- will not be considered the owner or holder of the debt securities under the indenture.
PAYMENTS OF PRINCIPAL, PREMIUM AND INTEREST
We will make principal, premium, if any, and interest payments on global securities to the depositary that is the registered holder of the global security or its nominee. The depositary for the global securities will be solely responsible and liable for all payments made on account of your beneficial ownership interests in the global security and for maintaining, supervising and reviewing any records relating to your beneficial ownership interests.
We expect that the depositary or its nominee, upon receipt of any principal, premium, if any, or interest payment immediately will credit participants' accounts with amounts in proportion to their respective beneficial interests in the principal amount of the global security as shown on the records of the depositary or its nominee. We also expect that payments by participants to you, as an owner of a beneficial interest in the global security held through those participants, will be governed by standing instructions and customary
practices, as is now the case with securities held for the accounts of customers in bearer form or registered in "street name." These payments will be the responsibility of those participants.
ISSUANCE OF INDIVIDUAL DEBT SECURITIES
Unless we state otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, if a depositary for a series of debt securities is at any time unwilling, unable or ineligible to continue as depositary, we will appoint a successor depositary or we will issue individual debt securities in exchange for the global security. In addition, we may at any time and in our sole discretion, subject to any limitations described in the prospectus supplement relating to the debt securities, determine not to have any debt securities represented by one or more global securities. If that occurs, we will issue individual debt securities in exchange for the global security.
Further, we may specify that you may, on terms acceptable to us, the trustee and the depositary, receive individual debt securities in exchange for your beneficial interest in a global security, subject to any limitations described in the prospectus supplement relating to the debt securities. In that instance, you will be entitled to physical delivery of individual debt securities equal in principal amount to that beneficial interest and to have the debt securities registered in your name. Unless we otherwise specify, we will issue those individual debt securities in denominations of $1,000 and integral multiples of $1,000.
PAYMENT AND PAYING AGENTS
Unless we state otherwise in an applicable prospectus supplement, we will pay principal of, premium, if any, and interest on your debt securities at the office of the trustee for your debt securities in the City of New York or at the office of any paying agent that we may designate.
Unless we state otherwise in an applicable prospectus supplement, we will pay any interest on debt securities to the registered owner of the debt security at the close of business on the record date for the interest, except in the case of defaulted interest. We may at any time designate additional paying agents or rescind the designation of any paying agent. We must maintain a paying agent in each place of payment for the debt securities.
Any moneys or U.S. government obligations (including the proceeds thereof) deposited with the trustee or any paying agent, or then held by us in trust, for the payment of the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on any debt security that remain unclaimed for two years after the principal, premium or interest has become due and payable will, at our request, be repaid to us. After repayment to us, you are entitled to seek payment only from us as a general unsecured creditor.
REDEMPTION
Unless we state otherwise in an applicable prospectus supplement, debt securities will not be subject to any sinking fund.
Unless we state otherwise in an applicable prospectus supplement, we may, at our option, redeem any series of debt securities after its issuance date in whole or in part at any time and from time to time. We may redeem debt securities in denominations larger than $1,000 but only in integral multiples of $1,000.
REDEMPTION PRICE
Except as we may otherwise specify in the applicable prospectus supplement, the redemption price for any debt security which we redeem will equal 100% of the principal amount plus any accrued and unpaid interest up to, but excluding, the redemption date.
NOTICE OF REDEMPTION
We will mail notice of any redemption of debt securities at least 30 days but not more than 60 days before the redemption date to the registered holders of the debt securities at their addresses as shown on the security
register. Unless we default in payment of the redemption price, on and after the redemption date interest will cease to accrue on the debt securities or the portions called for redemption.
CONSOLIDATION, MERGER AND SALE OF ASSETS
We will not consolidate with or merge into any other person or convey, transfer or lease our assets substantially as an entirety to any person, and no person may consolidate with or merge into us, unless:
- we will be the surviving company in any merger or consolidation,
- if we consolidate with or merge into another person or convey or transfer our assets substantially as an entirety to any person, the successor person is an entity organized and validly existing under the laws of the United States of America or any state thereof or the District of Columbia, and the successor entity expressly assumes our obligations relating to the debt securities,
- immediately after giving effect to the consolidation, merger, conveyance or transfer, there exists no event of default, and no event which, after notice or lapse of time or both, would become an event of default, and
- other conditions described in the relevant indenture are met.
This covenant would not apply to the direct or indirect conveyance, transfer or lease of all or any portion of the stock, assets or liabilities of any of our wholly owned subsidiaries to us or to our other wholly owned subsidiaries. In addition, this covenant would not apply to any recapitalization transaction, a change of control of The Hartford or a highly leveraged transaction unless such transaction or change of control were structured to include a merger or consolidation by us or the conveyance, transfer or lease of our assets substantially as an entirety.
LIMITATIONS UPON LIENS
With certain exceptions set forth below, the indentures provide that neither we nor our restricted subsidiaries may create, incur, assume or permit to exist any lien, except liens created, incurred, assumed or existing prior to the date of the indentures, on, any property or assets (including the capital stock of any restricted subsidiary) now owned or hereafter acquired by it, or sell or transfer or create any lien on any income or revenues or rights in respect thereof.
GENERAL EXCEPTIONS
The restriction on our and our restricted subsidiaries' ability to create, incur, assume or permit to exist liens will not apply to:
- liens on any property or asset hereafter acquired, constructed or improved by us or any of our restricted subsidiaries which are created or assumed to secure or provide for the payment of any part of the purchase price of such property or asset or the cost of such construction or improvement, or any mortgage, pledge or other lien on any lien on any such property or asset existing at the time of acquisition thereof; provided, however, that such lien shall not extend to any other property owned by us or any of our restricted subsidiaries;
- liens existing upon any property or asset of a company which is merged with or into or is consolidated into, or substantially all the assets or shares of capital stock of which are acquired by, us or any of our restricted subsidiaries, at the time of such merger, consolidation or acquisition; provided that such lien does not extend to any other property or asset, other than improvements to the property or asset subject to such lien;
- any pledge or deposit to secure payment of workers' compensation or insurance premiums, or in connection with tenders, bids, contracts (other than contracts for the payment of money) or leases;
- any pledge of, or other lien upon, any assets as security for the payment of any tax, assessment or other similar charge by any governmental authority or public body, or as security required by law or
governmental regulation as a condition to the transaction of any business or the exercise of any privilege or right;
- liens necessary to secure a stay of any legal or equitable process in a proceeding to enforce a liability or obligation contested in good faith by us or any of our restricted subsidiaries or required in connection with the institution by us or any of our restricted subsidiaries of any legal or equitable proceeding to enforce a right or to obtain a remedy claimed in good faith by us or any of our restricted subsidiaries, or required in connection with any order or decree in any such proceeding or in connection with any contest of any tax or other governmental charge; or the making of any deposit with or the giving of any form of security to any governmental agency or any body created or approved by law or governmental regulation in order to entitle us or any of our restricted subsidiaries to maintain self-insurance or to participate in any fund in connection with workers' compensation, unemployment insurance, old age pensions or other social security or to share in any provisions or other benefits provided for companies participating in any such arrangement or for liability on insurance of credits or other risks;
- mechanics', carriers', workmen's, repairmen's, or other like liens, if arising in the ordinary course of business, in respect of obligations which are not overdue or liability for which is being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings;
- liens on property in favor of the United States, or of any agency, department or other instrumentality thereof, to secure partial, progress or advance payments pursuant to the provisions of any contract;
- liens securing indebtedness of any of our restricted subsidiaries to us or to another restricted subsidiary; provided that in the case of any sale or other disposition of such indebtedness by us or such restricted subsidiary, such sale or other disposition shall be deemed to constitute the creation of another lien not permitted by this clause;
- liens affecting our or any of our restricted subsidiaries' property securing indebtedness of the United States or a state thereof (or any instrumentality or agency of either thereof) issued in connection with a pollution control or abatement program required in our opinion to meet environmental criteria with respect to our or any of our restricted subsidiaries' operations and the proceeds of which indebtedness have financed the cost of acquisition of such program or;
- the renewal, extension, replacement or refunding of any mortgage, pledge, lien, deposit, charge or other encumbrance, permitted as specified above; provided that in each case such amount outstanding at that time shall not be increased.
EXCEPTIONS FOR SPECIFIED AMOUNT OF INDEBTEDNESS
We and one or more of our restricted subsidiaries may create, incur, assume or permit to exist any lien which would otherwise be subject to the above restrictions, provided that immediately after the creation or assumption of such lien, the total of the aggregate principal amount of our and our restricted subsidiaries' indebtedness (not including any liens incurred pursuant to the nine exceptions described above under "Limitations upon Liens-General Exceptions") secured by liens shall not exceed an amount equal to 10% of our consolidated net tangible assets.
When we use the term "consolidated net tangible assets," we mean the total of all of our assets, less the sum of the following items as shown on our consolidated balance sheet:
- the book amount of all segregated intangible assets, including such items as good will, trademarks, trademark rights, trade names, trade name rights, copyrights, patents, patent rights and licenses and unamortized debt discount and expense less unamortized debt premium;
- all depreciation, valuation and other reserves;
- current liabilities;
- any minority interest in the shares of stock (other than preferred stock) and surplus of our restricted subsidiaries;
- investments by us or any of our restricted subsidiaries in any of our subsidiaries that is not a restricted subsidiary;
- our and our restricted subsidiaries' total indebtedness incurred in any manner to finance or recover the cost to us or any restricted subsidiary of any physical property, real or personal, which prior to or simultaneously with the creation of such indebtedness shall have been leased by us or a restricted subsidiary to the United States or a department or agency thereof at an aggregate rental, payable during that portion of the initial term of such lease (without giving effect to any options of renewal or extension) which shall be unexpired at the date of the creation of such indebtedness, sufficient (taken together with any amounts required to be paid by the lessee to the lessor upon any termination of such lease) to pay in full at the stated maturity date or dates thereof the principal of and the interest on such indebtedness;
- deferred income and deferred liabilities; and
- other items deductible under generally accepted accounting principles.
When we use the term "preferred stock," we mean any capital stock entitled by its terms to a preference as to dividends or upon a distribution of assets.
When we use the term "restricted subsidiary," we mean any subsidiary which is incorporated under the laws of any state of the United States or of the District of Columbia, and which is a regulated insurance company principally engaged in one or more of the property, casualty and life insurance businesses. However, no subsidiary is a restricted subsidiary:
- if the total assets of that subsidiary are less than 10% of our total assets and the total assets of our consolidated subsidiaries, including that subsidiary, in each case as set forth on the most recent fiscal year-end balance sheets of the subsidiary and us and our consolidated subsidiaries, respectively, and computed in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, or
- if in the judgment of our board of directors, as evidenced by a board resolution, the subsidiary is not material to the financial condition of us and our subsidiaries taken as a whole.
As of the date of this prospectus, the following subsidiaries meet the definition of restricted subsidiaries: Hartford Fire, Hartford Life Insurance Company, Hartford Life and Accident Insurance Company and Hartford Life and Annuity Insurance Company.
MODIFICATION AND WAIVER
MODIFICATION
We and the trustee may modify and amend each indenture with the consent of the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the series of debt securities affected. However, no modification or amendment may, without the consent of the holder of each outstanding debt security affected:
- change the stated maturity of the principal of, or any installment of interest payable on, any outstanding debt security,
- reduce the principal amount of, or the rate of interest on or any premium payable upon the redemption of, or the amount of principal of an original issue discount security that would be due and payable upon a redemption or would be provable in bankruptcy, or adversely affect any right of repayment of the holder of, any outstanding debt security,
- change the place of payment, or the coin or currency in which any outstanding debt security or the interest on any outstanding debt security is payable,
- impair your right to institute suit for the enforcement of any payment on any outstanding debt security after the stated maturity or redemption date,
- reduce the percentage of the holders of outstanding debt securities necessary to modify or amend the applicable indenture, to waive compliance with certain provisions of the applicable indenture or certain defaults and consequences of such defaults or to reduce the quorum or voting requirements set forth in the applicable indenture,
- modify any of these provisions or any of the provisions relating to the waiver of certain past defaults or certain covenants, except to increase the required percentage to effect such action or to provide that certain other provisions may not be modified or waived without the consent of all of the holders of the debt securities affected, or
- modify the provisions with respect to the subordination of outstanding subordinated debt securities in a manner materially adverse to the holders of such outstanding subordinated debt securities.
WAIVER
The holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of a series may, on behalf of the holders of all debt securities of that series, waive compliance by us with certain restrictive covenants of the indenture which relate to that series.
The holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of a series may, on behalf of the holders of that series, generally waive any past default under the indenture relating to that series of debt securities and the consequences of such default. However, a default in the payment of the principal of, or premium, if any, or any interest on, any debt security of that series or relating to a covenant or provision which under the indenture relating to that series of debt security cannot be modified or amended without the consent of the holder of each outstanding debt security of that series affected cannot be so waived.
EVENTS OF DEFAULT
Under the terms of each indenture, each of the following constitutes an event of default for a series of debt securities:
- default for 30 days in the payment of any interest when due,
- default in the payment of principal, or premium, if any, when due,
- default in the performance, or breach, of any covenant or warranty in the indenture for 60 days after written notice,
- certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization,
- any other event of default described in the applicable board resolution or supplemental indenture under which the series of debt securities is issued.
We are required to furnish the trustee annually with a statement as to the fulfillment of our obligations under the indenture. Each indenture provides that the trustee may withhold notice to you of any default, except in respect of the payment of principal or interest on the debt securities, if it considers it in the interests of the holders of the debt securities to do so.
EFFECT OF AN EVENT OF DEFAULT
If an event of default exists (other than an event of default in the case of certain events of bankruptcy), the trustee or the holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount of a series of outstanding debt securities may declare the principal amount, or, if the debt securities are original issue discount securities, the portion of the principal amount as may be specified in the terms of that series, of the debt securities of that series to be due and payable immediately, by a notice in writing to us, and to the trustee if given by holders. Upon that declaration the principal (or specified) amount will become immediately due and payable. However, at any time after a declaration of acceleration has been made, but before a judgment or decree for payment of the money due has been obtained, the holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of a series of outstanding debt securities may, subject to conditions specified in the indenture, rescind and annul that declaration.
If an event of default in the case of certain events of bankruptcy exists, the principal amount of all debt securities outstanding under the indentures shall automatically, and without any declaration or other action on the part of the trustee or any holder of such outstanding debt, become immediately due and payable.
Subject to the provisions of the indentures relating to the duties of the trustee, if an event of default then exists, the trustee will be under no obligation to exercise any of its rights or powers under the indentures (other than the payment of any amounts on the debt securities furnished to it pursuant to the indenture) at your (or any other person's) request, order or direction, unless you have (or such other person has) offered to the trustee reasonable security or indemnity. Subject to the provisions for the security or indemnification of the trustee, the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of a series of outstanding debt securities have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the trustee, or exercising any trust or power conferred on the trustee in connection with the debt securities of that series.
LEGAL PROCEEDINGS AND ENFORCEMENT OF RIGHT TO PAYMENT
You will not have any right to institute any proceeding in connection with the indentures or for any remedy under the indentures, unless you have previously given to the trustee written notice of a continuing event of default with respect to debt securities of that series. In addition, the holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of a series of the outstanding debt securities must have made written request, and offered reasonable security or indemnity, to the trustee to institute that proceeding as trustee, and, within 60 days following the receipt of that notice, the trustee must not have received from the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series a direction inconsistent with that request, and must have failed to institute the proceeding. However, you will have an absolute and unconditional right to receive payment of the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on that debt security on or after the due dates expressed in the debt security (or, in the case of redemption, on or after the redemption date) and to institute a suit for the enforcement of that payment.
SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE
Each indenture provides that when, among other things, all debt securities not previously delivered to the trustee for cancellation:
- have become due and payable,
- will become due and payable at their stated maturity within one year, or
- are to be called for redemption within one year under arrangements satisfactory to the trustee for the giving of notice of redemption by the trustee in our name and at our expense,
and we deposit or cause to be deposited with the trustee, money or United States government obligations or a combination thereof, as trust funds, in an amount (such amount to be certified in the case of United States government obligations) to be sufficient to pay and discharge the entire indebtedness on the debt securities not previously delivered to the trustee for cancellation, for the principal, and premium, if any, and interest to the date of the deposit or to the stated maturity or redemption date, as the case may be, then the indenture will cease to be of further effect, and we will be deemed to have satisfied and discharged the indenture. However,
we will continue to be obligated to pay all other sums due under the indenture and to provide the officers' certificates and opinions of counsel described in the indenture.
DEFEASANCE AND COVENANT DEFEASANCE
Unless we state otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, each indenture provides that we may discharge all of our obligations, other than as to transfers and exchanges and certain other specified obligations, under any series of the debt securities at any time, and that we may also be released from our obligations described above under "Limitation upon Liens" and "Consolidation, Merger and Sale of Assets" and from certain other obligations, including obligations imposed by supplemental indentures with respect to that series, if any, and elect not to comply with those sections and obligations without creating an event of default. Discharge under the first procedure is called "defeasance" and under the second procedure is called "covenant defeasance."
Defeasance or covenant defeasance may be effected only if:
- we irrevocably deposit with the trustee money or United States government obligations or a combination thereof, as trust funds in an amount certified to be sufficient to pay on the respective stated maturities, the principal of and any premium and interest on, all outstanding debt securities of that series,
- we deliver to the trustee an opinion of counsel to the effect that:
- the holders of the debt securities of that series will not recognize gain or loss for United States federal income tax purposes as a result of the deposit, defeasance and discharge or as a result of the deposit and covenant defeasance, and
- the deposit, defeasance and discharge or the deposit and covenant defeasance will not otherwise alter those holders' United States federal income tax treatment of principal and interest payments on the debt securities of that series,
in the case of a defeasance, this opinion must be based on a ruling of the Internal Revenue Service or a change in United States federal income tax law occurring after the date of execution of the applicable indenture, that result would not occur under current tax law,
- no event of default under the indenture has occurred and is continuing,
- such defeasance or covenant defeasance does not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under, any indenture or other agreement or instrument for borrowed money to which we are a party or by which we are bound,
- such defeasance or covenant defeasance does not result in the trust arising from such deposit constituting an investment company within the meaning of the Investment Company Act of 1940 unless such trust shall be registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 or exempt from registration thereunder,
- we deliver to the trustee an officers' certificate and an opinion of counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent with respect to such defeasance or covenant defeasance have been complied with, and
- other conditions specified in the indentures are met.
The subordinated indenture will not be discharged as described above if we have defaulted in the payment of principal of, premium, if any, or interest on any senior debt, as defined below under "Subordination under the Subordinated Indenture," and that default is continuing or another event of default on the senior debt then exists and has resulted in the senior debt becoming or being declared due and payable prior to the date it otherwise would have become due and payable.
CONVERSION OR EXCHANGE
We may convert or exchange the debt securities into common stock or other securities. If so, we will describe the specific terms on which the debt securities may be converted or exchanged in the applicable prospectus supplement. The conversion or exchange may be mandatory, at your option, or at our option. The applicable prospectus supplement will describe the manner in which the shares of common stock or other securities you would receive would be converted or exchanged.
SUBORDINATION UNDER THE SUBORDINATED INDENTURE
In the subordinated indenture, we have agreed, and holders of subordinated debt will be deemed to have agreed, that any subordinated debt securities are subordinate and junior in right of payment to all senior debt to the extent provided in the subordinated indenture.
Upon any payment or distribution of assets to creditors upon any liquidation, dissolution, winding up, reorganization, assignment for the benefit of creditors, marshaling of assets or any bankruptcy, insolvency, debt restructuring or similar proceeding in connection with our insolvency or bankruptcy, the holders of senior debt will first be entitled to receive payment in full of principal of, premium, if any, and interest on the senior debt before the holders of subordinated debt securities will be entitled to receive or retain any payment of the principal of, premium, if any, or interest on the subordinated debt securities.
If the maturity of any subordinated debt securities is accelerated, the holders of all senior debt outstanding at the time of the acceleration will first be entitled to receive payment in full of all amounts due, including any amounts due upon acceleration, before you will be entitled to receive any payment of the principal of, premium, if any, or interest on the subordinated debt securities.
We will not make any payments of principal of, premium, if any, or interest on the subordinated debt securities or for the acquisition of subordinated debt securities (other than any sinking fund payment) if:
- a default in any payment on senior debt then exists,
- an event of default on any senior debt resulting in the acceleration of its maturity then exists, or
- any judicial proceeding is pending in connection with default.
When we use the term "debt" we mean, with respect to any person, whether recourse is to all or a portion of the assets of that person and whether or not contingent:
- every obligation of, or any obligation guaranteed by, that person for money borrowed,
- every obligation of, or any obligation guaranteed by, that person evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes or other similar instruments, including obligations incurred in connection with the acquisition of property, assets or businesses but excluding the obligation to pay the deferred purchase price of any such property, assets or business if payable in full within 90 days from the date such debt was created,
- every capital lease obligation of that person,
- leases of property or assets made as part of any sale and lease-back transaction to which that person is a party, and
- any amendments, renewals, extensions, modifications and refundings of any such debt.
The term "debt" does not include trade accounts payable or accrued liabilities arising in the ordinary course of business.
When we use the term "senior debt" we mean the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on debt, whether incurred on, prior to, or after the date of the subordinated indenture, unless the instrument creating or evidencing that debt or pursuant to which that debt is outstanding states that those obligations are not superior in right of payment to the subordinated debt securities or to other debt which ranks equally with, or junior to, the subordinated debt securities. Interest on this senior debt includes interest accruing on or after the filing of
any petition in bankruptcy or for reorganization relating to The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc., whether or not the claim for post-petition interest is allowed in that proceeding.
However, senior debt will not include:
- any debt of The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc. which when incurred and without regard to any election under Section 1111(b) of the Bankruptcy Code, was without recourse to The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc.,
- any debt of The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc. to any of its subsidiaries,
- debt to any employee of The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc. or any of its subsidiaries,
- any liability for taxes,
- indebtedness or other monetary obligations to trade creditors or assumed by The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc. or any of its subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business in connection with the obtaining of goods, materials or services, and
- the subordinated debt securities.
The subordinated indenture does not limit the amount of additional senior debt that we may incur. We expect from time to time to incur additional senior debt.
The subordinated indenture provides that we may change the subordination provisions relating to any particular issue of subordinated debt securities prior to issuance. We will describe any change in the prospectus supplement relating to the subordinated debt securities.
GOVERNING LAW
The indentures and the debt securities will be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York.
CONCERNING THE TRUSTEES
The trustee under each indenture will have all the duties and responsibilities of an indenture trustee specified in the Trust Indenture Act. Neither trustee is required to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise incur financial liability in performing its duties or exercising its rights and powers if it reasonably believes that it is not reasonably assured of repayment or adequate indemnity.
Each of the trustees acts as depositary for funds of, makes loans to, and performs other services for, us and our subsidiaries in the normal course of business.
DESCRIPTION OF JUNIOR SUBORDINATED DEBENTURES
We will issue the junior subordinated debentures in one or more series under a junior subordinated indenture to be entered into between us and Wilmington Trust Company, as debenture trustee.
The following description of the terms of the junior subordinated debentures is a summary. It summarizes only those terms of the junior subordinated debentures which we believe will be most important to your decision to invest in our junior subordinated debentures. You should keep in mind, however, that it is the junior subordinated indenture, and not this summary, which defines your rights as a holder of our junior subordinated debentures. There may be other provisions in the junior subordinated indenture which are also important to you. You should read the junior subordinated indenture for a full description of the terms of the junior subordinated debentures. The junior subordinated indenture is filed as an exhibit to the registration statement that includes this prospectus. See "Where You Can Find More Information" for information on how to obtain a copy of the junior subordinated indenture.
RANKING OF THE JUNIOR SUBORDINATED DEBENTURES
Each series of junior subordinated debentures will rank equally with all other series of junior subordinated debentures, and will be unsecured and subordinate and junior in right of payment, as described in the junior subordinated indenture, to all of our senior debt as defined in the junior subordinated indenture, which includes all debt issued under our senior indenture or subordinated indenture. See "-- Subordination."
As a non-operating holding company, we have no significant business operations of our own. Therefore, we rely on dividends from our insurance company and other subsidiaries as the principal source of cash flow to meet our obligations for payment of principal and interest on our outstanding debt obligations and corporate expenses. Accordingly, the junior subordinated debentures will be effectively subordinated to all existing and future liabilities of our subsidiaries, and you should rely only on our assets for payments on the junior subordinated debentures. The payment of dividends by our insurance subsidiaries is limited under the insurance holding company laws in the jurisdictions where those subsidiaries are domiciled. See "The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc."
Unless we state otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, the junior subordinated indenture does not limit us from incurring or issuing other secured or unsecured debt under the junior subordinated indenture or any other indenture that we may have entered into or enter into in the future. See "-- Subordination" and the prospectus supplement relating to any offering of securities.
TERMS OF THE JUNIOR SUBORDINATED DEBENTURES
We may issue the junior subordinated debentures in one or more series through an indenture that supplements the junior subordinated indenture or through a resolution of our board of directors or an authorized committee of our board of directors.
You should refer to the applicable prospectus supplement for the specific terms of the junior subordinated debentures. These may include:
- the title and any limit upon the aggregate principal amount,
- the date(s) on which the principal is payable or the method of determining those date(s),
- the interest rate(s) or the method of determining these interest rate(s),
- the date(s) on which interest will be payable or the method of determining these date(s),
- the circumstances in which interest may be deferred, if any,
- the regular record date or the method of determining this date,
- the place or places where we may pay principal, premium, if any, and interest,
- conversion or exchange provisions, if any,
- the redemption or early payment provisions,
- the authorized denominations,
- the currency, currencies or currency units in which we may pay the purchase price for, the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on the junior subordinated debentures,
- additions to or changes in the events of default or any changes in any of our covenants specified in the junior subordinated indenture,
- any index or indices used to determine the amount of payments of principal and premium, if any, or the method of determining these amounts,
- whether a temporary global security will be issued and the terms upon which you may exchange a temporary global security for definitive junior subordinated debt securities,
- whether we will issue the junior subordinated debt securities, in whole or in part, in the form of one or more global securities,
- the terms and conditions of any obligation or right we would have to convert or exchange the junior subordinated debentures into preferred securities or other securities, and
- additional terms not inconsistent with the provisions of the junior subordinated indenture.
SPECIAL PAYMENT TERMS OF THE JUNIOR SUBORDINATED DEBENTURES
We may issue junior subordinated debentures at a substantial discount below their stated principal amount, bearing no interest or interest at a rate which at the time of issuance is below market rates. We will describe United States federal income tax consequences and special considerations relating to any junior subordinated debentures in the applicable prospectus supplement.
The purchase price of any of the junior subordinated debentures may be payable in one or more foreign currencies or currency units. The junior subordinated debentures may be denominated in one or more foreign currencies or currency units, or the principal of, premium, if any, or interest on any junior subordinated debentures may be payable in one or more foreign currencies or currency units. We will describe the restrictions, elections, United States federal income tax considerations, specific terms and other information relating to the junior subordinated debentures and the foreign currency units in the applicable prospectus supplement.
If we use any index to determine the amount of payments of principal of, premium, if any, or interest on any series of junior subordinated debentures, we will also describe special United States federal income tax, accounting and other considerations relating to the junior subordinated debentures in the applicable prospectus supplement.
DENOMINATIONS, REGISTRATION AND TRANSFER
Unless we state otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, we will issue the junior subordinated debentures only in registered form without coupons in denominations of $25 and any integral multiple of $25. Junior subordinated debentures of any series will be exchangeable for other junior subordinated debentures of the same issue and series, of any authorized denomination of a like aggregate principal amount, of the same original issue date and stated maturity and bearing the same interest rate.
You may present junior subordinated debentures for exchange as described above, or for registration of transfer, at the office of the securities registrar or at the office of any transfer agent we designate for that purpose. You will not incur a service charge but you must pay any taxes and other governmental charges as described in the junior subordinated indenture. We will appoint the debenture trustee as securities registrar under the junior subordinated indenture. We may at any time rescind the designation of any transfer agent that we initially designate or approve a change in the location through which the transfer agent acts. We must maintain a transfer agent in each place of payment. We will specify the transfer agent in the applicable prospectus supplement. We may at any time designate additional transfer agents.
If we redeem any junior subordinated debentures, neither we nor the debenture trustee will be required to:
- issue, register the transfer of, or exchange junior subordinated debentures during a period beginning at the opening of business 15 days before the day of selection for redemption of the junior subordinated debentures and ending at the close of business on the day of mailing of the relevant notice of redemption, or
- transfer or exchange any junior subordinated debentures selected for redemption, except for any portion not redeemed of any junior subordinated debenture that is being redeemed in part.
GLOBAL JUNIOR SUBORDINATED DEBENTURES
We may issue a series of junior subordinated debentures in the form of one or more global junior subordinated debentures. We will identify the depositary holding the global junior subordinated debentures in the applicable prospectus supplement. We will issue global junior subordinated debentures only in fully registered form and in either temporary or permanent form. Unless it is exchanged for an individual junior subordinated debenture, a global junior subordinated debenture may not be transferred except:
- by the depositary to its nominee,
- by a nominee of the depositary to the depositary or another nominee, or
- by the depositary or any nominee to a successor depositary, or any nominee of the successor.
We will describe the specific terms of the depositary arrangement in the applicable prospectus supplement. We expect that the following provisions will generally apply to these depositary arrangements.
BENEFICIAL INTERESTS IN A GLOBAL JUNIOR SUBORDINATED DEBENTURE
If we issue a global junior subordinated debenture, the depositary for the global junior subordinated debenture or its nominee will credit on its book-entry registration and transfer system the principal amounts of the individual junior subordinated debentures represented by the global junior subordinated debenture to the accounts of persons that have accounts with it. We refer to those persons as "participants" in this prospectus. The accounts will be designated by the dealers, underwriters or agents for the junior subordinated debentures, or by us if the junior subordinated debentures are offered and sold directly by us. Ownership of beneficial interests in a global junior subordinated debenture will be limited to participants or persons that may hold interests through participants. Ownership and transfers of beneficial interests in the global junior subordinated debenture will be shown on, and effected only through, records maintained by the applicable depositary or its nominee, for interests of participants, and the records of participants, for interests of persons who hold through participants. The laws of some states require that you take physical delivery of securities in definitive form. These limits and laws may impair your ability to transfer beneficial interests in a global junior subordinated debenture.
So long as the depositary or its nominee is the registered owner of the global junior subordinated debenture, the depositary or the nominee will be considered the sole owner or holder of the junior subordinated debentures represented by the global junior subordinated debenture for all purposes under the junior subordinated indenture. Except as provided below, you:
- will not be entitled to have any of the individual junior subordinated debentures represented by the global junior subordinated debenture registered in your name,
- will not receive or be entitled to receive physical delivery of any junior subordinated debentures in definitive form, and
- will not be considered the owner or holder of the junior subordinated debenture under the junior subordinated indenture.
PAYMENTS OF PRINCIPAL, PREMIUM AND INTEREST
We will make principal, premium and interest payments on global junior subordinated debentures to the depositary that is the registered holder of the global junior subordinated debenture or its nominee. The depositary for the junior subordinated debentures will be solely responsible and liable for all payments made on account of your beneficial ownership interests in the global junior subordinated debenture and for maintaining, supervising and reviewing any records relating to your beneficial ownership interests.
We expect that the depositary or its nominee, upon receipt of principal, premium or interest payments, immediately will credit participants' accounts with amounts in proportion to their respective beneficial interests in the principal amount of the global junior subordinated debenture as shown on the records of the depositary or its nominee. We also expect that payments by participants to you, as an owner of a beneficial
interest in the global junior subordinated debenture held through those participants, will be governed by standing instructions and customary practices, as is now the case with securities held for the accounts of customers in bearer form or registered in "street name." These payments will be the responsibility of those participants.
ISSUANCE OF INDIVIDUAL JUNIOR SUBORDINATED DEBENTURES
Unless we state otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, if a depositary for a series of junior subordinated debentures is at any time unwilling, unable or ineligible to continue as depositary, we will issue individual junior subordinated debentures in exchange for the global junior subordinated debenture. In addition, we may at any time and in our sole discretion, subject to any limitations described in the prospectus supplement relating to the junior subordinated debentures, determine not to have any junior subordinated debentures represented by one or more global junior subordinated debentures. If that occurs, we will issue individual junior subordinated debentures in exchange for the global junior subordinated debenture.
Further, we may specify that you may, on terms acceptable to us, the debenture trustee and the depositary for the global junior subordinated debenture, receive individual junior subordinated debentures in exchange for your beneficial interest in a global junior subordinated debenture, subject to any limitations described in the prospectus supplement relating to the junior subordinated debentures. In that instance, you will be entitled to physical delivery of individual junior subordinated debentures equal in principal amount to that beneficial interest and to have the junior subordinated debentures registered in your name. Unless we otherwise specify, those individual junior subordinated debentures will be issued in denominations of $25 and integral multiples of $25.
PAYMENT AND PAYING AGENTS
Unless we state otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, we will pay principal of, premium, if any, and interest on your junior subordinated debentures at the office of the debenture trustee in the City of New York or at the office of any paying agent that we may designate.
Unless we state otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, we will pay any interest on junior subordinated debentures to the registered owner of the junior subordinated debenture at the close of business on the regular record date for the interest, except in the case of defaulted interest. We may at any time designate additional paying agents or rescind the designation of any paying agent. We must maintain a paying agent in each place of payment for the junior subordinated debentures.
Any moneys deposited with the debenture trustee or any paying agent, or then held by us in trust, for the payment of the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on any junior subordinated debenture that remain unclaimed for two years after the principal, premium or interest has become due and payable will, at our request, be repaid to us. After repayment to us, you are entitled to seek payment only from us as a general unsecured creditor.
REDEMPTION
Unless we state otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, junior subordinated debentures will not be subject to any sinking fund.
We may, at our option, redeem any series of junior subordinated debentures after its issuance date in whole or in part at any time and from time to time. We may redeem junior subordinated debentures in denominations larger than $25 but only in integral multiples of $25.
REDEMPTION PRICE
Except as we may otherwise specify in the applicable prospectus supplement, the redemption price for any junior subordinated debenture redeemed will equal any accrued and unpaid interest to the redemption date, plus the greater of:
- the principal amount, and
- an amount equal to:
- for junior subordinated debentures bearing interest at a fixed rate, the discounted remaining fixed amount payments, calculated as described below, or
- for junior subordinated debentures bearing interest determined by reference to a floating rate, the discounted swap equivalent payments, calculated as described below.
The discounted remaining fixed amount payments will equal the sum of the current values of the amounts of interest and principal that would have been payable by us on each interest payment date after the redemption date and at stated maturity of the final payment of principal. This calculation will take into account any required sinking fund payments, but will otherwise assume that we have not redeemed the junior subordinated debenture prior to the stated maturity.
The current value of any amount is the present value of that amount on the redemption date after discounting that amount on a monthly, quarterly or semiannual basis, whichever corresponds to the interest payment date periods of the related series of junior subordinated debentures, from the originally scheduled date for payment. We will use the treasury rate to calculate this present value.
The treasury rate is a per annum rate, expressed as a decimal and, in the case of United States Treasury bills, converted to a per annum yield, determined on the redemption date to be the per annum rate equal to the semiannual bond equivalent yield to maturity, adjusted to reflect monthly or quarterly compounding in the case of junior subordinated debentures having monthly or quarterly interest payment dates for United States Treasury securities maturing at the stated maturity of the final payment of principal of the junior subordinated debentures redeemed. We will determine this rate by reference to the weekly average yield to maturity for United States Treasury securities maturing on that stated maturity if reported in the most recent Statistical Release H.15(519) of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve. If no such securities mature at the stated maturity, we will determine the rate by interpolation between the most recent weekly average yields to maturity for two series of United States Treasury securities, (1) one maturing as close as possible to, but earlier than, the stated maturity and (2) the other maturing as close as possible to, but later than, the stated maturity, in each case as published in the most recent Statistical Release H.15(519) of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve.
The discounted swap equivalent payments will equal the sum of:
- the current value of the amount of principal that would have been payable by us pursuant to the terms of the junior subordinated debenture at the stated maturity of the final payment of the principal of the junior subordinated debentures. This calculation will take into account any required sinking fund payments but will otherwise assume that we had not redeemed the junior subordinated debenture prior to the stated maturity, and
- the sum of the current values of the fixed rate payments that leading interest rate swap dealers would require to be paid by an assumed fixed rate payer having the same credit standing as ours against floating rate payments to be made by these leading dealers equal to the interest payments on the junior subordinated debentures being redeemed, taking into account any required sinking fund payment, but otherwise assuming we had not redeemed the junior subordinated debenture prior to the stated maturity, under a standard interest rate swap agreement having a notional principal amount equal to the principal amount of the junior subordinated debentures, a termination date set at the stated maturity of the junior subordinated debentures and payment dates for both fixed and floating rate payers set at each interest payment date of the junior subordinated debentures. The amount of the fixed
rate payments will be based on quotations received by the trustee, or an agent appointed for that purpose, from four leading interest rate swap dealers or, if quotations from four leading interest rate swap dealers are not obtainable, three leading interest rate swap dealers.
SPECIAL EVENT REDEMPTION
Unless we state otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, if a special event relating to a series of junior subordinated debentures then exists, we may, at our option, redeem the series of junior subordinated debentures in whole, but not in part, on any date within 90 days of the special event occurring. The redemption price will equal the principal amount of the junior subordinated debentures then outstanding plus accrued and unpaid interest to the date fixed for redemption.
A "special event" means a "tax event" or an "investment company event." A "tax event" occurs when a trust receives an opinion of counsel experienced in these matters to the effect that, as a result of any amendment to, or change, including any announced prospective change in, the laws or regulations of the United States or any political subdivision or taxing authority affecting taxation, or as a result of any official administrative pronouncement or judicial decision interpreting or applying those laws or regulations, which amendment or change is effective or pronouncement or decision is announced on or after the date of issuance of the preferred securities of a trust, there is more than an insubstantial risk that:
- the trust is, or will be within 90 days of that date, subject to United States federal income tax with respect to income received or accrued on the corresponding series of junior subordinated debentures;
- interest payable by us on the series of junior subordinated debentures is not, or within 90 days of that date, will not be, deductible, in whole or in part, for United States federal income tax purposes; or
- the trust is, or will be within 90 days of that date, subject to more than a de minimis amount of other taxes, duties or other governmental charges.
An "investment company event" occurs when, in respect of a trust, there is a change in law or regulation, or a change in interpretation or application of law or regulation, by any legislative body, court, governmental agency or regulatory authority such that such trust is or will be considered an "investment company" that is required to be registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, which change becomes effective on or after the date of issuance of the preferred securities of a trust.
NOTICE OF REDEMPTION
We will mail notice of any redemption of your junior subordinated debentures at least 30 days but not more than 60 days before the redemption date to you at your registered address. Unless we default in payment of the redemption price, on and after the redemption date interest will cease to accrue on the junior subordinated debentures or the portions called for redemption.
OPTION TO EXTEND INTEREST PAYMENT DATE
If provided in the applicable prospectus supplement, we will have the right during the term of any series of junior subordinated debentures to extend the interest payment period for a specified number of interest payment periods, subject to the terms, conditions and covenants specified in the prospectus supplement. However, we may not extend these interest payments beyond the maturity of the junior subordinated debentures. We will describe the United States federal income tax consequences and special considerations relating to any junior subordinated debentures in the applicable prospectus supplement.
If we exercise this right, during the extension period we and our subsidiaries may not:
- declare or pay any dividends or distributions on, or redeem, purchase, acquire or make a liquidation payment on, any of our capital stock, or
- make any payment of principal, premium, if any, or interest on or repay, repurchase or redeem any debt securities that rank equally with or junior in interest to the junior subordinated debentures or make any related guarantee payments,
other than:
- dividends or distributions on our common stock,
- redemptions or purchases of any rights pursuant to our rights plan, or any successor to our rights plan, and the declaration of a dividend of these rights in the future, and
- payments under any guarantee.
MODIFICATION OF INDENTURE
We and the debenture trustee may, without the consent of the holders of junior subordinated debentures, amend, waive or supplement the junior subordinated indenture for specified purposes, including, among other things, curing ambiguities, defects or inconsistencies. However, no action may materially adversely affect the interests of holders of any series of junior subordinated debentures or, in the case of corresponding junior subordinated debentures, the holders of the corresponding series of preferred securities so long as they remain outstanding. We may also amend the junior subordinated indenture to maintain the qualification of the junior subordinated indenture under the Trust Indenture Act.
We and the debenture trustee may, with the consent of the holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of the series of junior subordinated debentures affected, modify the junior subordinated indenture in a manner affecting the rights of the holders of junior subordinated debentures. However, no modification may, without the consent of the holder of each outstanding junior subordinated debenture affected:
- change the stated maturity of the junior subordinated debentures,
- reduce the principal amount of the junior subordinated debentures,
- reduce the rate or, except as permitted by the junior subordinated indenture and the terms of the series of junior subordinated debentures, extend the time of payment of interest on the junior subordinated debentures, or
- reduce the percentage of principal amount of the junior subordinated debentures, the holders of which are required to consent to the modification of the junior subordinated indenture.
In the case of corresponding junior subordinated debentures, so long as any of the corresponding series of preferred securities remain outstanding:
- no such modification may be made that adversely affects the holders of the preferred securities,
- no termination of the junior subordinated indenture may occur, and
- no waiver of any debenture event of default or compliance with any covenant under the junior subordinated indenture may be effective,
without the prior consent of the holders of at least a majority of the aggregate liquidation preference of the preferred securities unless the principal of the corresponding junior subordinated debentures and all accrued and unpaid interest on the corresponding junior subordinated debentures have been paid in full and other conditions are satisfied.
In addition, we and the debenture trustee may execute, without your consent, any supplemental indenture for the purpose of creating any new series of junior subordinated debentures.
DEBENTURE EVENTS OF DEFAULT
Under the terms of the junior subordinated indenture, each of the following constitutes a debenture event of default for a series of junior subordinated debentures:
- failure for 30 days to pay any interest on the series of junior subordinated debentures when due, subject to the deferral of any due date in the case of an extension period,
- failure to pay any principal or premium, if any, on the series of junior subordinated debentures when due, including at maturity, upon redemption or by declaration,
- failure to observe or perform in any material respect specified other covenants contained in the junior subordinated indenture for 90 days after written notice from the debenture trustee or the holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the relevant series of outstanding junior subordinated debentures,
- our bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization, or
- any other event of default described in the applicable board resolution or supplemental indenture under which the series of debt securities is issued.
EFFECT OF EVENT OF DEFAULT
The holders of a majority in outstanding principal amount of the series of junior subordinated debentures have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the debenture trustee. The debenture trustee or the holders of not less than 25% in aggregate outstanding principal amount of the series of junior subordinated debentures may declare the principal due and payable immediately upon a debenture event of default. In the case of corresponding junior subordinated debentures, if the debenture trustee or the holders of the corresponding junior subordinated debentures fail to make this declaration, the holders of at least 25% in aggregate liquidation preference of the corresponding series of preferred securities will have that right.
WAIVER OF EVENT OF DEFAULT
The holders of a majority in aggregate outstanding principal amount of the series of junior subordinated debentures may rescind and annul the declaration and its consequences if:
- the event of default is other than our non-payment of the principal of the junior subordinated debentures which has become due solely by such acceleration and all other events of default have been cured or waived, and
- we have paid or deposited with the debenture trustee a sum sufficient to pay:
- all overdue installments of interest (including interest on overdue installments of interest) and principal (and premium, if any) due other than by acceleration, and
- certain amounts owing to the debenture trustee, its agents and counsel.
The holders of a majority in aggregate outstanding principal amount of the junior subordinated debentures affected by the default may, on behalf of the holders of all the junior subordinated debentures, waive any past default and its consequences, except:
- a default in the payment of principal (or premium, if any) or interest, and
- a default relating to a covenant or provision which under the junior subordinated indenture cannot be modified or amended without the consent of the holder of each outstanding junior subordinated debenture.
We are required under the junior subordinated indenture to file annually with the junior subordinated indenture trustee a certificate of compliance.
DIRECT ACTIONS BY PREFERRED SECURITYHOLDERS
If a debenture event of default is attributable to our failure to pay interest or principal on the corresponding junior subordinated debentures on the date the interest or principal is payable, you, as a holder of preferred securities, may institute a legal proceeding directly against us, which we refer to in this prospectus as a "direct action," for enforcement of payment to you of the principal of or interest on the corresponding junior subordinated debentures having a principal amount equal to the aggregate liquidation amount of your related preferred securities.
We may not amend the junior subordinated indenture to remove the right to bring a direct action without the prior written consent of the holders of all of the preferred securities. If the right to bring a direct action is removed, the applicable issue may become subject to the reporting obligations under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. We have the right under the junior subordinated indenture to set-off any payment made to you as a holder of preferred securities by us in connection with a direct action. You will not be able to exercise directly any other remedy available to holders of the corresponding junior subordinated debentures.
You will not be able to exercise directly any remedies other than those described in the preceding paragraph available to holders of the junior subordinated debentures unless there has been an event of default under the trust agreement.
CONSOLIDATION, MERGER, SALE OF ASSETS AND OTHER TRANSACTIONS
We will not consolidate with or merge into any other corporation or convey, transfer or lease our properties and assets substantially as an entirety to any person, and no person will consolidate with or merge into us or convey, transfer or lease its properties and assets substantially as an entirety to us, unless:
- if we consolidate with or merge into another corporation or convey or transfer our properties and assets substantially as an entirety to any person, the successor corporation is organized under the laws of the United States or any state or the District of Columbia, and the successor corporation expressly assumes our obligations relating to the junior subordinated debentures,
- immediately after giving effect to the consolidation, merger, conveyance or transfer, there exists no debenture event of default, and no event which, after notice or lapse of time or both, would become a debenture event of default,
- in the case of corresponding junior subordinated debentures, the transaction is permitted under the related trust agreement or guarantee and does not give rise to any breach or violation of the related trust agreement or guarantee, and
- other conditions described in the junior subordinated indenture are met.
The general provisions of the junior subordinated indenture do not protect you against transactions, such as a highly leveraged transaction, that may adversely affect you.
SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE
The junior subordinated indenture provides that when, among other things, all junior subordinated debentures not previously delivered to the debenture trustee for cancellation:
- have become due and payable, or
- will become due and payable at their stated maturity within one year,
and we deposit or cause to be deposited with the debenture trustee, in trust, an amount in the currency or currencies in which the junior subordinated debentures are payable sufficient to pay and discharge the entire indebtedness on the junior subordinated debentures not previously delivered to the debenture trustee for cancellation, for the principal, premium, if any, and interest on the date of the deposit or to the stated maturity, as the case may be, then the junior subordinated indenture will cease to be of further effect and we will be deemed to have satisfied and discharged the indenture. However, we will continue to be obligated to
pay all other sums due under the junior subordinated indenture and to provide the officers' certificates and opinions of counsel described in the junior subordinated indenture.
CONVERSION OR EXCHANGE
We may convert or exchange the junior subordinated debentures into preferred securities or other securities. If so, we will describe the specific terms on which junior subordinated debentures may be converted or exchanged in the applicable prospectus supplement. The conversion or exchange may be mandatory, at your option or at our option. The applicable prospectus supplement will state the manner in which the preferred securities you would receive would be converted or exchanged.
SUBORDINATION
In the junior subordinated indenture, we have agreed that any junior subordinated debentures will be subordinate and junior in right of payment to all senior debt to the extent provided in the junior subordinated indenture.
In case of the pendency of any receivership, insolvency, liquidation, bankruptcy, reorganization, arrangement, adjustment, composition or other judicial proceeding relative to us, the holders of senior debt will first be entitled to receive payment in full of principal of, premium, if any, and interest on the senior debt before the holders of junior subordinated debentures or, in the case of corresponding junior subordinated debentures, the property trustee on behalf of the holders, will be entitled to receive or retain any payment of the principal, premium, if any, or interest on the junior subordinated debentures.
If the maturity of any junior subordinated debentures is accelerated, the holders of all senior debt outstanding at the time of the acceleration will first be entitled to receive payment in full of all amounts due, including any amounts due upon acceleration, before you will be entitled to receive any payment of the principal of, premium, if any, or interest on the junior subordinated debentures.
We will not make any payments of principal of, premium, if any, or interest on the junior subordinated debentures if:
- a default in any payment on senior debt then exists,
- an event of default on any senior debt resulting in the acceleration of its maturity then exists, or
- any judicial proceeding is pending in connection with a default.
When we use the term "debt," we mean, with respect to any person, whether recourse is to all or a portion of the assets of that person and whether or not contingent:
- every obligation of that person for money borrowed,
- every obligation of that person evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes or other similar instruments, including obligations incurred in connection with the acquisition of property, assets or businesses,
- every reimbursement obligation of that person with respect to letters of credit, bankers' acceptances or similar facilities issued for the account of the person,
- every obligation of that person issued or assumed as the deferred purchase price of property or services, but excluding trade accounts payable or accrued liabilities arising in the ordinary course of business,
- every capital lease obligation of that person, and
- every obligation of the type referred to in the prior five clauses of another person and all dividends of another person the payment of which the person has guaranteed or is responsible or liable for, directly or indirectly, including as obligor.
When we use the term "senior debt" we mean the principal, premium, if any,
and interest on debt, whether incurred on, prior to or after the date of the
junior subordinated indenture, unless the instrument creating or evidencing that
debt or pursuant to which that debt is outstanding states that those obligations
are
not superior in right of payment to the junior subordinated debentures or to other debt which ranks equally with, or junior to, the junior subordinated debentures. Interest on this senior debt includes interest accruing on or after the filing of any petition in bankruptcy or for reorganization relating to The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc., whether or not the claim for post-petition interest is allowed in that proceeding.
However, senior debt will not include:
- any debt of The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc. which when incurred and without regard to any election under Section 1111(b) of the Bankruptcy Code, was without recourse to The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc.,
- any debt of The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc. to any of its subsidiaries,
- debt to any employee of The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc.,
- any liability for taxes,
- indebtedness or monetary obligations to trade creditors or assumed by The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc. or any of its subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business in connection with the obtaining of materials or services, and
- any other junior subordinated debentures issued pursuant to the Junior Subordinated Indenture, dated as of February 28, 1996, and the Junior Subordinated Indenture, dated as of October 30, 1996.
As a non-operating holding company, we have no significant business operations of our own. Therefore, we rely on dividends from our insurance company and other subsidiaries as the principal source of cash flow to meet our obligations for payment of principal and interest on our outstanding debt obligations and corporate expenses. Accordingly, the junior subordinated debentures will be effectively subordinated to all existing and future liabilities of our subsidiaries, and you should rely only on our assets for payments on the junior subordinated debentures. The payment of dividends by our insurance subsidiaries is limited under the insurance holding company laws in the jurisdictions where those subsidiaries are domiciled. See "The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc."
The junior subordinated indenture does not limit the amount of additional senior debt that we may incur. We expect from time to time to incur additional senior debt.
The indenture provides that we may change the subordination provisions relating to any particular issue of junior subordinated debentures prior to issuance. We will describe any change in the prospectus supplement relating to the junior subordinated debentures.
GOVERNING LAW
The junior subordinated indenture and the junior subordinated debentures will be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York.
INFORMATION CONCERNING THE DEBENTURE TRUSTEE
The debenture trustee will have all the duties and responsibilities of an indenture trustee specified in the Trust Indenture Act. Subject to those provisions, the debenture trustee is not required to exercise any of its powers under the junior subordinated indenture at your request, unless you offer reasonable indemnity against the costs, expenses and liabilities which the trustee might incur. The debenture trustee is not required to expend or risk its own funds or incur personal financial liability in performing its duties if the debenture trustee reasonably believes that it is not reasonably assured of repayment or adequate indemnity.
DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK OF
THE HARTFORD FINANCIAL SERVICES GROUP, INC.
AUTHORIZED AND OUTSTANDING CAPITAL STOCK
Our Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, as amended effective May 1, 2002, provides that our authorized capital stock is 800,000,000 shares. These shares consist of:
- 50,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $.01 per share, of which 300,000 shares have been designated as Series A Participating Cumulative Preferred Stock; and
- 750,000,000 shares of common stock, par value $.01 per share.
As of July 31, 2003, we had 282,409,553 outstanding shares of common stock. Holders of common stock have received a right entitling them, when the right becomes exercisable, to purchase shares of Series A Participating Cumulative Preferred Stock. See "-- Rights Agreement." No shares of preferred stock are currently outstanding.
No holders of any class of our capital stock are entitled to preemptive rights except as may be agreed from time to time by us and any such holders.
In general, the classes of authorized capital stock are afforded preferences in relation to dividends and liquidation rights in the order listed above. Our board of directors is empowered, without the approval of our stockholders, to cause our preferred stock to be issued in one or more classes or series, or both, with the numbers of shares of each class or series and the provisions, designations, powers, preferences and relative, participating, optional and other special rights and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof, of each class or series to be determined by it. The specific matters that may be determined by our board of directors include dividend rights, voting rights, redemption rights, liquidation preferences, conversion and exchange rights, retirement and sinking fund provisions, conditions or restrictions on our creation of indebtedness or our issuance of additional shares of stock, and other powers, preferences and relative, participating, optional and other special rights and any qualifications, limitations or restrictions on any wholly unissued series of preferred stock, or of the entire class of preferred stock if none of the shares have been issued, the number of shares constituting that series and the terms and conditions of the issue of the shares.
The following description of our capital stock is a summary. It summarizes only those aspects of our capital stock which we believe will be most important to your decision to invest in our capital stock. You should keep in mind, however, that it is our Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation and our Amended and Restated By-Laws, and the Delaware General Corporation Law, and not this summary, which define your rights as a securityholder. There may be other provisions in these documents which are also important to you. You should read these documents for a full description of the terms of our capital stock. Our Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation and our Amended and Restated By-Laws are incorporated by reference as exhibits to the registration statement that includes this prospectus. See "Where You Can Find More Information" for information on how to obtain copies of these documents.
COMMON STOCK
Subject to any preferential rights of any preferred stock created by our board of directors, as a holder of our common stock you are entitled to dividends as our board of directors may declare from time to time out of funds that we can legally use to pay dividends. The holders of common stock possess exclusive voting rights, except to the extent provided by law and to the extent our board of directors specifies voting power for any preferred stock that is issued.
As a holder of our common stock, you are entitled to one vote for each share of common stock and do not have any right to cumulate votes in the election of directors. In the event of our liquidation, dissolution or winding-up, as a holder of our common stock, you will be entitled to receive on a proportionate basis any assets remaining after provision for payment of creditors and after payment or provision for payment of any
liquidation preferences to holders of preferred stock. Our common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "HIG."
The transfer agent and registrar for our common stock is The Bank of New York.
PREFERRED STOCK
We will describe the particular terms of any series of preferred stock in the prospectus supplement relating to the offering.
We will fix or designate the rights, preferences, privileges and restrictions, including dividend rights, voting rights, terms of redemption, retirement and sinking fund provisions and liquidation preferences, if any, of a series of preferred stock through a certificate of designation adopted by our board of directors. We will describe the terms, if any, on which shares of any series of preferred stock are convertible or exchangeable into common stock in the prospectus supplement relating to the offering. The conversion or exchange may be mandatory, at your option or at our option. The applicable prospectus supplement will state the manner in which the shares of common stock that you will receive as a holder of preferred stock would be converted or exchanged.
On October 10, 1995, our board of directors declared a dividend of rights to holders of record of our common stock outstanding as of the close of business on December 19, 1995, with respect to common stock issued after that date until the distribution date, and, in certain circumstances, with respect to common stock issued after the distribution date. When those rights become exercisable, holders of the rights will be entitled to purchase shares of Series A Participating Cumulative Preferred Stock. See "-- Rights Agreement."
PROVISIONS OF OUR AMENDED AND RESTATED CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION AND AMENDED AND RESTATED BY-LAWS MAY DELAY OR MAKE MORE DIFFICULT UNSOLICITED ACQUISITIONS OR CHANGES OF CONTROL OF THE HARTFORD
Some provisions of our Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation and Amended and Restated By-Laws may delay or make more difficult unsolicited acquisitions or changes of control of The Hartford. We believe that these provisions will enable us to develop our business in a manner that will foster long-term growth without disruption caused by the threat of a takeover not thought by our board of directors to be in our best interest and the best interests of our stockholders.
Those provisions could have the effect of discouraging third parties from making proposals involving an unsolicited acquisition or change of control of The Hartford, although the proposals, if made, might be considered desirable by a majority of our stockholders. Those provisions may also have the effect of making it more difficult for third parties to cause the replacement of our current management without the concurrence of our board of directors.
These provisions include:
- the availability of capital stock for issuance from time to time at the discretion of our board of directors (see "-- Authorized and Outstanding Capital Stock" and "-- Preferred Stock"),
- prohibitions against stockholders calling a special meeting of stockholders or acting by written consent instead of at a meeting,
- requirements for advance notice for raising business or making nominations at stockholders' meetings, and
- the ability of our board of directors to increase the size of the board and to appoint directors to fill newly created directorships.
NO STOCKHOLDER ACTION BY WRITTEN CONSENT; SPECIAL MEETINGS
Our Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation and Amended and Restated By-Laws provide that stockholder action can be taken only at an annual or special meeting and cannot be taken by written
consent. Our Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation and Amended and Restated By-Laws also provide that special meetings of stockholders can be called only by the chairman of our board of directors or by a vote of the majority of the entire board of directors. Furthermore, our Amended and Restated By-Laws provide that only such business as is specified in the notice of any special meeting of stockholders may come before the meeting.
ADVANCE NOTICE FOR RAISING BUSINESS OR MAKING NOMINATIONS AT MEETINGS
Our Amended and Restated By-Laws establish an advance notice procedure for stockholder proposals to be brought before an annual meeting of stockholders and for nominations by stockholders of candidates for election as directors at an annual or special meeting at which directors are to be elected. The only business that may be conducted at an annual meeting of stockholders is the election of members of the board of directors for the succeeding year and business that has been specified in the notice of the meeting given by or at the direction of the board of directors or otherwise brought before the meeting by, or at the direction of, the board of directors, or by a stockholder who has given to our corporate secretary timely written notice, in proper form, of the stockholder's intention to bring that business before the meeting. Only persons who are nominated by, or at the direction of, the board of directors, or who are nominated by a stockholder who has given timely written notice, in proper form, to the secretary prior to a meeting at which directors are to be elected will be eligible for election as directors.
To be timely, notice of business to be brought before an annual meeting or nominations of candidates for election as directors at an annual meeting must be given by a stockholder to our corporate secretary not later than 90 days prior to the anniversary date for the immediately preceding annual meeting, or not more than 10 days after the first public disclosure of the originally scheduled date of the annual meeting, whichever is earlier.
Similarly, notice of nominations to be brought before a special meeting of stockholders for the election of directors must be delivered to the secretary no later than the close of business on the seventh day following the date on which notice of the date of the special meeting of stockholders is given.
The notice of any nomination for election as a director is required to state:
- the name and address of the stockholder who intends to make the nomination and of the person or persons to be nominated,
- a representation that the stockholder is a holder of record of stock entitled to vote at such meeting and intends to appear in person or by proxy at the meeting to nominate the person or persons specified in the notice,
- a description of all arrangements or understandings relating to the nomination between the stockholder and each nominee and any other person or persons, naming those persons,
- all other information regarding each nominee proposed by the stockholder that would have been required to be included in a proxy statement filed under the proxy rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission had each nominee been nominated, or intended to be nominated, by our board of directors,
- the consent of each nominee to serve as a director if so elected, and
- if applicable, a representation that the stockholder intends to solicit proxies in support of each nominee.
NUMBER OF DIRECTORS; FILLING OF VACANCIES
Our Amended and Restated By-Laws provide that newly created directorships resulting from any increase in the authorized number of directors, or any vacancy, may be filled by a vote of a majority of directors then in office, subject to the requirement in the Amended and Restated By-Laws that the majority of directors holding office immediately after the election must be independent directors. Accordingly, our board
of directors may be able to prevent any stockholder from obtaining majority representation on the board of directors by increasing the size of the board and filling the newly created directorships with its own nominees.
RIGHTS AGREEMENT
THE HARTFORD FINANCIAL SERVICES GROUP, INC. RIGHTS
On October 10, 1995, our board of directors declared a dividend of one right for each share of common stock outstanding as of the close of business on December 19, 1995, with respect to common stock issued after that date until the distribution date, and, in certain circumstances, with respect to common stock issued after the distribution date.
On May 21, 1998, our board of directors declared a two-for-one stock split effected in the form of a 100% stock dividend distributed on July 15, 1998 to stockholders of record as of June 24, 1998. Before our board of directors declared the two-for-one stock split, each right entitled the registered holder to purchase from us, when it became exercisable, one one-thousandth (1/1000th) of a share of Series A Participating Cumulative Preferred Stock, at a price of $220, subject to adjustment in specific circumstances. As a result of the stock split, the terms of the rights were adjusted so that the holder of a right may purchase from us, when the right becomes exercisable, one two-thousandth (1/2000th) of a share of Series A Participating Cumulative Preferred Stock, at a price of $110, subject to adjustment in certain circumstances.
Each right is subject to redemption at a price of $.005 per share. The terms of the rights are described in the rights agreement, dated as of November 1, 1995, between us and The Bank of New York, as rights agent. The rights will not be exercisable until the distribution date and will expire on November 1, 2005, unless earlier redeemed by us as described below. Until a right is exercised, the holder of the right will not as a result of holding that right have rights as a stockholder of our company including the right to vote or to receive dividends with respect to the rights or the Series A Participating Cumulative Preferred Stock relating to the right.
The following description of the terms of the rights is a summary. It summarizes only those terms of the rights which we believe will be most important to your decision to invest in our common stock. You should keep in mind, however, that it is the rights agreement, and not this summary, which defines your rights as a holder of the rights. There may be other provisions in the rights agreement which are also important to you. You should read the rights agreement for a full description of the terms of the rights. The rights agreement is filed as an exhibit to the registration statement that includes this prospectus. See "Where You Can Find More Information" for information on how to obtain a copy of the rights agreement.
DISTRIBUTION DATE
Under the rights agreement, the distribution date is the earlier of:
- the time that we learn that a person, together with any affiliates or associates of such person, has acquired, or has obtained the right to acquire, beneficial ownership of more than 15% of the outstanding shares of our common stock (we refer to that person as an "acquiring person"), unless provisions preventing accidental triggering of the distribution of the rights apply, and
- the close of business on the date, if any, that may be designated by our board of directors following the commencement of, or first public disclosure of an intent to commence, a tender or exchange offer by any person which could result in the ownership by such person of more than 15% of the outstanding shares of our common stock.
A person, or any affiliate or associate of the person, however, that inadvertently acquires more than 15% of the outstanding shares of our common stock will not be deemed to be an acquiring person provided that person reduces its percentage of beneficial ownership to less than 15% of the outstanding shares of our common stock by the close of business on the fifth business day after notice from us that that person's ownership interest exceeds 15% of the outstanding shares of our common stock. That person will be deemed to be an acquiring person at the end of that five business day period absent such reduction.
Under the rights agreement, a "person" is an individual, corporation, partnership, joint venture, association, trust, unincorporated organization or entity other than us, our subsidiaries, our or our subsidiaries' employees benefit or compensation plans or any person holding shares of our common stock pursuant to the terms of any such plan.
EVIDENCE OF RIGHTS
Until the distribution date, the rights will be evidenced by the certificates for common stock rather than separate right certificates. Therefore, from the issuance date until the distribution date, you will be able to transfer the rights only with the common stock and each transfer of common stock will also transfer the associated rights. As soon as practicable following the distribution date, we will mail separate certificates evidencing the rights to holders of record of the common stock as of the close of business on the distribution date, and to each initial record holder of common stock originally issued after the distribution date. These separate certificates alone will then evidence the rights.
ADJUSTMENTS
The number of shares of Series A Participating Cumulative Preferred Stock or other securities that we will issue upon exercise of the rights, the purchase price, the redemption price and the number of rights associated with each share of common stock are all subject to adjustment from time to time if there is any change in the common stock or the Series A Participating Cumulative Preferred Stock. An adjustment may be made as a result of stock dividends, stock splits, recapitalizations, mergers, consolidations, combinations or exchanges of securities, split-ups, split-offs, spin-offs, liquidations, other similar changes in capitalization or any distribution or issuance of cash, assets, evidences of indebtedness or subscription rights, options or warrants to holders of our common stock or of Series A Participating Cumulative Preferred Stock.
We may, but we are not required to, issue fractions of rights or distribute right certificates which evidence fractional rights. Instead of issuing fractional rights, we may make a cash payment based on the market price of those rights. In addition, we may, but we are not required to, issue fractions of shares of Series A Participating Cumulative Preferred Stock upon the exercise of the rights or distribute certificates which evidence fractional shares of Series A Participating Cumulative Preferred Stock. Instead of fractional shares of Series A Participating Cumulative Preferred Stock, we may utilize a depositary arrangement as provided by the terms of the Series A Participating Cumulative Preferred Stock and, for fractions other than one two-thousandth (1/2000th) of a share of Series A Participating Cumulative Preferred Stock or integral multiples, may make a cash payment based on the market price of those shares.
TRIGGERING EVENT AND EFFECT OF TRIGGERING EVENT
After the distribution date, the rights will entitle you as a holder of our common stock, provided you are not an acquiring person, to purchase, for the purchase price of the rights, that number of one two-thousandths of a share of Series A Participating Cumulative Preferred Stock equivalent to the number of shares of common stock which at the time of that event would have a market value of twice the purchase price.
If we are acquired in a merger or other business combination by an acquiring person or an affiliate or associate of an acquiring person that is a publicly traded entity, or 50% or more of our assets or assets representing 50% or more of our revenues or cash flow are sold, leased, exchanged or otherwise transferred in one or more transactions to an acquiring person or an affiliate or associate of an acquiring person that is a publicly traded entity, each right will entitle you, subject to the next paragraph, to purchase, for the purchase price of the right, that number of common shares of that publicly traded entity which at the time of the transaction would have a market value of twice the purchase price. If we are acquired in a merger or other business combination by an acquiring person or an affiliate or associate of an acquiring person that is not a publicly traded entity or 50% or more of our assets or assets representing 50% or more of our revenues or cash flow are sold, leased, exchanged or otherwise transferred in one or more transactions to an acquiring person or
an affiliate or associate of an acquiring person that is not a publicly-traded entity, each right will entitle you, subject to the next paragraph, to purchase, for the purchase price of the right, at your option:
- that number of shares of the surviving corporation which at the time of the transaction would have a book value of twice the purchase price,
- that number of shares of that entity which at the time of the transaction would have a book value of twice the purchase price, or
- if that entity has an affiliate which has publicly traded common shares, that number of common shares of that affiliate which at the time of the transaction would have market value of twice the purchase price.
Any rights that are at any time beneficially owned by an acquiring person, or any affiliate or associate of an acquiring person, will be null and void and nontransferable. Any holder of that right, including any purported transferee or subsequent holder, will be unable to exercise or transfer the right.
REDEMPTION
At any time prior to the earlier of:
- the time a person or group becomes an acquiring person, and
- November 1, 2005,
our board of directors may redeem the rights in whole, but not in part, at a price, which we refer to in this prospectus as the "redemption price," in cash or common stock or other securities deemed by our board of directors to be at least equivalent in value to $.005 per right. This amount is subject to adjustment as provided in the rights agreement. Immediately upon the action of our board of directors ordering the redemption of the rights, and without any further action and without any notice, your right to exercise the rights will terminate and your only right as a holder of rights will be to receive the redemption price. Within 10 business days after the action of our board of directors ordering the redemption of the rights, we will give notice of the redemption to the holders of the then outstanding rights by mail. We will state the method by which we will pay the redemption price in the notice of redemption.
In addition, at any time after there is an acquiring person, our board of directors may elect to exchange each right, other than rights that have become null and void and nontransferable as described above, for a consideration per right consisting of one-half of the securities that would be issuable at that time upon exercise of one right.
AMENDMENT
At any time prior to the distribution date, we may, without your approval, supplement or amend any provision of the rights agreement, including, without limitation, the distribution date, the definition of acquiring person, the time during which the rights may be redeemed or the terms of the Series A Participating Cumulative Preferred Stock. However, we will not supplement or amend the rights agreement to reduce the redemption price or provide for an earlier expiration date. After the distribution date and subject to applicable law, we may amend the rights agreement without your approval only:
- to cure any ambiguity or to correct or supplement any provision contained in the rights agreement which may be defective or inconsistent with any other provision of the rights agreement, or
- to make any other provision which we may deem necessary or desirable and which will not adversely affect the interests of the holders of right certificates.
Any supplement or amendment adopted during any period after any person has become an acquiring person but prior to the distribution date will be null and void unless that supplement or amendment could have been adopted under the prior sentence after the distribution date.
EFFECT OF THE RIGHTS AGREEMENT
The rights agreement is designed to protect you as a holder of our common stock in the event of unsolicited offers to acquire us and other coercive takeover tactics which, in the opinion of our board of directors, could impair our ability to represent your interests. The provisions of the rights agreement may render an unsolicited takeover more difficult or less likely to occur or might prevent such a takeover, even though that takeover may offer you the opportunity to sell your shares of our common stock at a price above the prevailing market rate and may be favored by a majority of our stockholders.
RESTRICTIONS ON OWNERSHIP UNDER INSURANCE LAWS
State insurance laws could be a significant deterrent to any person interested in acquiring control of The Hartford. The insurance holding company laws of each of the jurisdictions in which our insurance subsidiaries are incorporated or commercially domiciled, as well as state corporation laws, govern any acquisition of control of The Hartford or of our insurance subsidiaries. In general, these laws provide that no person or entity may directly or indirectly acquire control of an insurance company unless that person or entity has received the prior approval of the insurance regulatory authorities. An acquisition of control would be presumed in the case of any person or entity who purchases 10% or more of our outstanding common stock, or 5% or more, in the case of the Florida insurance holding company laws, unless the applicable insurance regulatory authorities determine otherwise.
DELAWARE GENERAL CORPORATION LAW
The terms of Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporation Law apply to us since we are a Delaware corporation. Under Section 203, with some exceptions, a Delaware corporation may not engage in a broad range of business combinations, such as mergers, consolidations and sales of assets, with an "interested stockholder," for a period of three years from the date that person became an interested stockholder unless:
- the transaction or the business combination that results in a person becoming an interested stockholder is approved by the board of directors of the corporation before the person becomes an interested stockholder,
- upon consummation of the transaction which results in the stockholder becoming an interested stockholder, the interested stockholder owns 85% or more of the voting stock of the corporation outstanding at the time the transaction commenced, excluding, for purposes of determining the voting stock outstanding, shares owned by persons who are directors and also officers and shares owned by certain employee stock plans, or
- on or after the date the person becomes an interested stockholder, the business combination is approved by the corporation's board of directors and by holders of at least two-thirds of the corporation's outstanding voting stock, excluding shares owned by the interested stockholder, at a meeting of stockholders.
Under Section 203, an "interested stockholder" is defined as any person (or the affiliates or associates of such person), other than the corporation and any direct or indirect majority-owned subsidiary, that is:
- the owner of 15% or more of the outstanding voting stock of the corporation, or
- an affiliate or associate of the corporation and was the owner of 15% or more of the outstanding voting stock of the corporation at any time within the three-year period immediately prior to the date on which it is sought to be determined whether the person is an interested stockholder.
Section 203 does not apply to a corporation that so provides in an amendment to its certificate of incorporation or by-laws passed by a majority of its outstanding shares at any time. This stockholder action does not become effective for 12 months following its adoption and would not apply to persons who were already interested stockholders at the time of the amendment. Our Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation does not exclude us from the restrictions imposed under Section 203.
Section 203 makes it more difficult for a person who would be an interested stockholder to effect business combinations with a corporation for a three-year period, although the stockholders may elect to exclude a corporation from the restrictions imposed. The provisions of Section 203 may encourage companies interested in acquiring us to negotiate in advance with our board of directors, because the stockholder approval requirement would be avoided if a majority of the directors then in office approve either the business combination or the transaction which results in the stockholder becoming an interested stockholder. These provisions also may have the effect of preventing changes in our management. It is further possible that these provisions could make it more difficult to accomplish transactions that stockholders may otherwise deem to be in their best interest.
DESCRIPTION OF DEPOSITARY SHARES
GENERAL TERMS
We may elect to offer depositary shares representing receipts for fractional interests in debt securities or preferred stock. In this case, we will issue receipts for depositary shares, each of which will represent a fraction of a debt security or share of a particular series of preferred stock, as the case may be.
We will deposit the debt securities or shares of any series of preferred stock represented by depositary shares under a deposit agreement between us and a depositary which we will name in the applicable prospectus supplement. Subject to the terms of the deposit agreement, as an owner of a depositary share you will be entitled, in proportion to the applicable fraction of a debt security or share of preferred stock represented by the depositary share, to all the rights and preferences of the debt security or preferred stock, as the case may be, represented by the depositary share, including, as the case may be, interest, dividend, voting, conversion, redemption, sinking fund, repayment at maturity, subscription and liquidation rights.
The following description of the terms of the deposit agreement is a summary. It summarizes only those terms of the deposit agreement that we believe will be most important to your decision to invest in our depositary shares. You should keep in mind, however, that it is the deposit agreement, and not this summary, which defines your rights as a holder of depositary shares. There may be other provisions in the deposit agreement that are also important to you. You should read the deposit agreement for a full description of the terms of the depositary shares. The form of the deposit agreement is filed as an exhibit to the registration statement that includes this prospectus. See "Where You Can Find More Information" for information on how to obtain a copy of the deposit agreement.
INTEREST, DIVIDENDS AND OTHER DISTRIBUTIONS
The depositary will distribute all payments of interest, cash dividends or other cash distributions received on the debt securities or preferred stock, as the case may be, to you in proportion to the number of depositary shares that you own.
In the event of a distribution other than in cash, the depositary will distribute property received by it to you in an equitable manner, unless the depositary determines that it is not feasible to make a distribution. In that case the depositary may sell the property and distribute the net proceeds from the sale to you.
REDEMPTION OF DEPOSITARY SHARES
If we redeem a debt security or series of preferred stock represented by depositary shares, the depositary will redeem your depositary shares from the proceeds received by the depositary resulting from the redemption. The redemption price per depositary share will be equal to the applicable fraction of the redemption price per debt security or share of preferred stock, as the case may be, payable in relation to the redeemed series of debt securities or preferred stock. Whenever we redeem debt securities or shares of preferred stock held by the depositary, the depositary will redeem as of the same redemption date the number of depositary shares representing, as the case may be, the debt securities or shares of preferred stock
redeemed. If fewer than all the depositary shares are to be redeemed, the depositary shares to be redeemed will be selected by lot, proportionately or by any other equitable method as the depositary may determine.
EXERCISE OF RIGHTS UNDER THE INDENTURES OR VOTING THE PREFERRED STOCK
Upon receipt of notice of any meeting at which you are entitled to vote, or of any request for instructions or directions from you as holder of debt securities, the depositary will mail to you the information contained in that notice. Each record holder of the depositary shares on the record date will be entitled to instruct the depositary how to give instructions or directions with respect to the debt securities represented by that holder's depositary shares or how to vote the amount of the preferred stock represented by that holder's depositary shares. The record date for the depositary shares will be the same date as the record date for the debt securities or preferred stock, as the case may be. The depositary will endeavor, to the extent practicable, to give instructions or directions with respect to the debt securities or to vote the amount of the preferred stock, as the case may be, represented by the depositary shares in accordance with those instructions. We will agree to take all reasonable action which the depositary may deem necessary to enable the depositary to do so. The depositary will abstain from giving instructions or directions with respect to the debt securities or voting shares of the preferred stock, as the case may be, if it does not receive specific instructions from you.
AMENDMENT AND TERMINATION OF THE DEPOSIT AGREEMENT
We and the depositary may amend the form of depositary receipt evidencing the depositary shares and any provision of the deposit agreement at any time. However, any amendment which materially and adversely alters the rights of the holders of the depositary shares will not be effective unless the amendment has been approved by the holders of at least a majority of the depositary shares then outstanding.
The deposit agreement will terminate if:
- all outstanding depositary shares have been redeemed, or
- there has been a complete repayment or redemption of the debt securities or a final distribution in respect of the preferred stock, including in connection with our liquidation, dissolution or winding up, and the repayment, redemption or distribution proceeds, as the case may be, have been distributed to you.
RESIGNATION AND REMOVAL OF DEPOSITARY
The depositary may resign at any time by delivering to us notice of its election to do so. We also may, at any time, remove the depositary. Any resignation or removal will take effect upon the appointment of a successor depositary and its acceptance of such appointment. We must appoint the successor depositary within 60 days after delivery of the notice of resignation or removal. The successor depositary must be a bank or trust company having its principal office in the United States and having a combined capital and surplus of at least $50,000,000.
CHARGES OF DEPOSITARY
We will pay all transfer and other taxes and governmental charges arising solely from the existence of the depositary arrangements. We will pay charges of the depositary in connection with the initial deposit of the debt securities or preferred stock, as the case may be, and issuance of depositary receipts, all withdrawals of shares of debt securities or preferred stock, as the case may be, by you and any repayment or redemption of the debt securities or preferred stock, as the case may be. You will pay other transfer and other taxes and governmental charges, as well as the other charges that are expressly provided in the deposit agreement to be for your account.
MISCELLANEOUS
The depositary will forward all reports and communications from us which are delivered to the depositary and which we are required or otherwise determine to furnish to holders of debt securities or preferred stock, as the case may be.
Neither we nor the depositary will be liable under the deposit agreement to you other than for the depositary's gross negligence, willful misconduct or bad faith. Neither we nor the depositary will be obligated to prosecute or defend any legal proceedings relating to any depositary shares, debt securities or preferred stock unless satisfactory indemnity is furnished. We and the depositary may rely upon written advice of counsel or accountants, or upon information provided by persons presenting debt securities or shares of preferred stock for deposit, you or other persons believed to be competent and on documents which we and the depositary believe to be genuine.
DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS
We may issue warrants, including warrants to purchase debt securities, preferred stock, common stock or other of our securities. We may issue warrants independently or together with any other securities, and they may be attached to or separate from those securities. We will issue the warrants under warrant agreements between us and a bank or trust company, as warrant agent, that we will describe in the prospectus supplement relating to the warrants that we offer.
The following description of the terms of the warrants is a summary. It summarizes only those terms of the warrants and the warrant agreement which we believe will be most important to your decision to invest in our warrants. You should keep in mind, however, that it is the warrant agreement and the warrant certificate relating to the warrants, and not this summary, which defines your rights as a warrantholder. There may be other provisions in the warrant agreement and the warrant certificate relating to the warrants which are also important to you. You should read these documents for a full description of the terms of the warrants. Forms of these documents are filed as exhibits to the registration statement that includes this prospectus. See "Where You Can Find More Information" for information on how to obtain copies of these documents.
DEBT WARRANTS
We will describe in the applicable prospectus supplement the terms of warrants to purchase debt securities that we may offer, the warrant agreement relating to the debt warrants and the warrant certificates representing the debt warrants. These terms will include the following:
- the title of the debt warrants,
- the debt securities for which the debt warrants are exercisable,
- the aggregate number of the debt warrants,
- the principal amount of debt securities that you may purchase upon exercise of each debt warrant, and the price or prices at which we will issue the debt warrants,
- the procedures and conditions relating to the exercise of the debt warrants,
- the designation and terms of any related debt securities issued with the debt warrants, and the number of debt warrants issued with each debt security,
- the date, if any, from which you may separately transfer the debt warrants and the related securities,
- the date on which your right to exercise the debt warrants commences, and the date on which your right expires,
- the maximum or minimum number of the debt warrants which you may exercise at any time,
- if applicable, a discussion of material United States federal income tax considerations,
- any other terms of the debt warrants and terms, procedures and limitations relating to your exercise of the debt warrants, and
- the terms of the securities you may purchase upon exercise of the debt warrants.
We will also describe in the applicable prospectus supplement any provisions for a change in the exercise price or expiration date of the warrants and the kind, frequency and timing of any notice to be given. You may exchange debt warrant certificates for new debt warrant certificates of different denominations and may exercise debt warrants at the corporate trust office of the warrant agent or any other office that we indicate in the applicable prospectus supplement. Prior to exercise, you will not have any of the rights of holders of the debt securities purchasable upon that exercise and will not be entitled to payments of principal, premium, if any, or interest on the debt securities purchasable upon the exercise.
OTHER WARRANTS
We may issue other warrants. We will describe in the applicable prospectus supplement the following terms of those warrants:
- the title of the warrants,
- the securities, which may include preferred stock or common stock, for which you may exercise the warrants,
- the aggregate number of the warrants,
- the number of securities that you may purchase upon exercise of each warrant, and the price or prices at which we will issue the warrants,
- the procedures and conditions relating to the exercise of the warrants,
- the designation and terms of any related securities issued with the warrants, and the number of warrants issued with each security,
- the date, if any, from which you may separately transfer the warrants and the related securities,
- the date on which your right to exercise the warrants commences, and the date on which your right expires,
- the maximum or minimum number of warrants which you may exercise at any time,
- if applicable, a discussion of material United States federal income tax considerations, and
- any other terms of the warrants, including terms, procedures and limitations relating to your exchange and exercise of the warrants.
We will also describe in the applicable prospectus supplement any provisions for a change in the exercise price or the expiration date of the warrants and the kind, frequency and timing of any notice to be given. You may exchange warrant certificates for new warrant certificates of different denominations and may exercise warrants at the corporate trust office of the warrant agent or any other office that we indicate in the applicable prospectus supplement. Prior to the exercise of your warrants, you will not have any of the rights of holders of the preferred stock, common stock or other securities purchasable upon that exercise and will not be entitled to dividend payments, if any, or voting rights of the preferred stock, common stock or other securities purchasable upon the exercise.
EXERCISE OF WARRANTS
We will describe in the prospectus supplement relating to the warrants the principal amount or the number of our securities that you may purchase for cash upon exercise of a warrant, and the exercise price. You may exercise a warrant as described in the prospectus supplement relating to the warrants at any time up to the close of business on the expiration date stated in the prospectus supplement. Unexercised warrants will become void after the close of business on the expiration date, or any later expiration date that we determine.
We will forward the securities purchasable upon the exercise as soon as practicable after receipt of payment and the properly completed and executed warrant certificate at the corporate trust office of the warrant agent or other office stated in the applicable prospectus supplement. If you exercise less than all of the warrants represented by the warrant certificate, we will issue you a new warrant certificate for the remaining warrants.
DESCRIPTION OF STOCK PURCHASE CONTRACTS AND STOCK PURCHASE UNITS
We may issue stock purchase contracts, including contracts obligating you to purchase from us, and for us to sell to you, a specific number of shares of common stock or preferred stock, or other property, at a future date or dates. The price per share of preferred stock or common stock may be fixed at the time the stock purchase contracts are issued or may be determined by reference to a specific formula described in the stock purchase contracts. We may issue stock purchase contracts separately or as a part of units each consisting of a stock purchase contract and debt securities, undivided beneficial ownership interests in debt securities, trust preferred securities, depositary shares representing fractional interests in debt securities or shares of preferred stock, or debt obligations of third parties, including U.S. Treasury securities, securing your obligations to purchase the preferred stock or the common stock, or other property, under the stock purchase contract. The stock purchase contracts may require us to make periodic payments to you or vice versa and the payments may be unsecured or prefunded on some basis. The stock purchase contracts may require you to secure your obligations in a specified manner. We will describe in the applicable prospectus supplement the terms of any stock purchase contracts or stock purchase units.
DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED SECURITIES
The trustees of each trust will issue preferred securities and common securities of the trust. The preferred securities will represent preferred undivided beneficial interests in the assets of the related trust. As a holder of trust preferred securities, you will generally be entitled to a preference with respect to distributions and amounts payable on redemption or liquidation over the common securities of the trust, as well as other benefits as described in the corresponding trust agreement. Each of the trusts is a legally separate entity and the assets of one trust are not available to satisfy the obligations of any other trust.
The following description of the terms of the form of trust agreement is a summary. It summarizes only those portions of the form of trust agreement which we believe will be most important to your decision to invest in the preferred securities. You should keep in mind, however, that it is the trust agreement, and not this summary, which defines your rights as a holder. There may be other provisions in the trust agreement which are also important to you. You should read the form of trust agreement itself for a full description of the terms of the preferred securities. The form of trust agreement is filed as an exhibit to the registration statement that includes this prospectus. See "Where You Can Find More Information" for information on how to obtain a copy of the trust agreement.
RANKING OF PREFERRED SECURITIES
The preferred securities of a trust will rank equally, and we will make payments proportionately, with the common securities of the trust except as described under "-- Subordination of Common Securities." The preferred securities of each trust represent preferred undivided beneficial interests in the assets of the trust. The property trustee will hold legal title to the corresponding junior subordinated debentures in trust for the benefit of the holders of the related preferred securities and common securities.
Each guarantee agreement that we execute for your benefit, as a holder of preferred securities of a trust, will be a guarantee on a subordinated basis with respect to the related preferred securities. However, our guarantee will not guarantee payment of distributions or amounts payable on redemption or liquidation of the preferred securities when the related trust does not have funds on hand available to make such payments. See "Description of Guarantee."
DISTRIBUTIONS ON THE PREFERRED SECURITIES
The trust will pay the distributions on the preferred securities and common securities at a rate specified in the prospectus supplement.
The amount of distributions the trust must pay for any period will be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months unless we otherwise specify in the applicable prospectus supplement. Distributions that are in arrears may bear interest at the rate per annum specified in the applicable prospectus supplement. The term "distributions" as we use it in this prospectus includes any additional amounts provided in the corresponding trust agreement.
Distributions on the preferred securities will be cumulative, will accrue from the date of original issuance and will be payable on the dates specified in the applicable prospectus supplement. If any date on which distributions are payable on the preferred securities is not a business day, the trust will instead make the payment on the next succeeding day that is a business day, and without any interest or other payment on account of the delay. However, if that business day is in the next succeeding calendar year, the trust will make the payment on the immediately preceding business day. In each case payment will be made with the same force and effect as if made on the date the payment was originally due. When we use the term "business day" in this prospectus, we mean any day other than a Saturday or a Sunday, or a day on which banking institutions in the City of New York are authorized or required by law or executive order to remain closed or a day on which the corporate trust office of the applicable trustee is closed for business.
If provided in the applicable prospectus supplement, we have the right under the junior subordinated indenture, the contract that provides the terms for the corresponding junior subordinated debentures, to extend the interest payment period for a specified number of periods. However, we may not extend these interest payments beyond the maturity of the junior subordinated debentures. As a consequence of any extension, distributions on the corresponding preferred securities would be deferred by the trust during the extension period. These distributions would continue to accumulate additional distributions at the rate per annum set form in the prospectus supplement.
If we exercise this right, during the extension period we and our subsidiaries may not:
- declare or pay any dividends or distributions on, or redeem, purchase, acquire or make a liquidation payment on, any of our capital stock, or
- make any payment of principal, premium, if any, or interest on or repay, repurchase or redeem any debt securities that rank equally with or junior in interest to the corresponding junior subordinated debentures or make any related guarantee payments,
other than:
- dividends or distributions on our common stock,
- redemptions or purchases of any rights pursuant to our rights plan, or any successor to our rights plan, and the declaration of a dividend of these rights in the future, and
- payments under any guarantee.
We anticipate that the revenue of each trust available for distribution to you, as a holder of preferred securities, will be limited to payments under the corresponding junior subordinated debentures in which the trust will invest the proceeds from the issuance and sale of its preferred securities and its common securities. See "Description of Corresponding Junior Subordinated Debentures."
If we do not make interest payments on the corresponding junior subordinated debentures, the property trustee will not have funds available to pay distributions on the corresponding preferred securities. The payment of distributions, if and to the extent the trust has funds legally available for the payment of these distributions is guaranteed by us on a limited basis as set forth under "Description of Guarantee."
The trust will pay distributions on the preferred securities to you provided you are entered in the register of the trust on the relevant record dates. As long as the preferred securities remain in book-entry form, the
record date will be one business day prior to the relevant distribution date. If any preferred securities are not in book-entry form, the record date for the preferred securities will be the date 15 days prior to the relevant distribution date.
REDEMPTION
REDEMPTION ON A REPAYMENT OR REDEMPTION OF THE CORRESPONDING JUNIOR
SUBORDINATED DEBENTURES
Upon the repayment or redemption, in whole or in part, of any corresponding junior subordinated debentures, the property trustee must apply the proceeds from that repayment or redemption to redeem a like amount of the corresponding preferred securities. This redemption must be made upon not less than 30 nor more than 60 days notice to you. The redemption price will be equal to the aggregate liquidation preference of the preferred securities, plus accumulated and unpaid distributions on the preferred securities to the date of redemption and the related amount of any premium paid by us upon the concurrent redemption of the corresponding junior subordinated debentures. See "Description of Corresponding Junior Subordinated Debentures -- Optional Redemption."
If less than all of any series of corresponding junior subordinated debentures are repaid or redeemed, then the proceeds from the repayment or redemption will be allocated to redeem a proportionate amount of each of the preferred securities and the common securities. The amount of premium, if any, paid by us upon the redemption of all or any part of any series of any corresponding junior subordinated debentures repaid or redeemed will be allocated proportionately to the redemption of the preferred securities and the common securities.
We must repay the principal of the corresponding junior subordinated debentures when they are due. In addition, we will have the right to redeem any series of corresponding junior subordinated debentures:
- in whole or in part, subject to the conditions we describe under "Description of Corresponding Junior Subordinated Debentures -- Optional Redemption,"
- at any time, in whole, but not in part, upon the occurrence of a tax event or an investment company event, each as defined below, and subject to the further conditions we describe under "Description of Corresponding Junior Subordinated Debentures -- Optional Redemption," or
- as we may otherwise specify in the applicable prospectus supplement.
REDEMPTION OR DISTRIBUTION UPON THE OCCURRENCE OF A TAX EVENT OR AN INVESTMENT
COMPANY EVENT
If an event occurs that constitutes a tax event or an investment company event we will have the right to:
- redeem the corresponding junior subordinated debentures in whole, but not in part, and cause a mandatory redemption of the preferred securities and common securities in whole, but not in part, within 90 days following the occurrence of the tax event or an investment company event, or
- terminate the related trust and cause the corresponding junior subordinated debentures to be distributed to the holders of the preferred securities and common securities in liquidation of the trust.
If provided in the applicable prospectus supplement, we will have the right to extend or shorten the maturity of any series of corresponding junior subordinated debentures at the time that we exercise our right to elect to terminate the related trust and cause the corresponding junior subordinated debentures to be distributed to the holders of the preferred securities and common securities in liquidation of the trust.
When we use the term "additional sums" in this prospectus we mean the additional amounts that may be necessary in order that the amount of distributions then due and payable by a trust on its outstanding preferred securities and common securities will not be reduced as a result of any additional taxes, duties and other governmental charges to which the trust has become subject as a result of a tax event.
When we use the term "tax event" we mean the receipt by the trust of an opinion of counsel experienced in those matters to the effect that, as a result of any amendment to, or change, including any announced
prospective change, in, the laws of the United States or any political subdivision or taxing authority affecting taxation, or as a result of any official administrative pronouncement or judicial decision interpreting or applying those laws or regulations, which amendment or change is effective or pronouncement or decision is announced on or after the trust issues the preferred securities, there is more than an insubstantial risk that:
- the trust is, or will be within 90 days of the date of the opinion, subject to United States federal income tax with respect to income received or accrued on the corresponding series of corresponding junior subordinated debentures,
- interest payable by us on the series of corresponding junior subordinated debentures is not, or within 90 days of the date of the opinion, will not be, deductible, in whole or in part, for United States federal income tax purposes, or
- the trust is, or will be within 90 days of the date of the opinion, subject to more than a de minimis amount of other taxes, duties or other governmental charges.
When we use the term "investment company event" we mean the occurrence of a change in law or regulation or a change in interpretation or application of law or regulation by any legislative body, court, governmental agency or regulatory authority to the effect that the applicable trust is or will be considered an investment company that is required to be registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, which change becomes effective on or after the date of original issuance of the series of preferred securities issued by the trust.
When we use the term "like amount," we mean:
- with respect to a redemption of any series of preferred securities, preferred securities having a liquidation amount equal to that portion of the principal amount of corresponding junior subordinated debentures to be contemporaneously redeemed, the proceeds of which will be used to pay the redemption price of the preferred securities, and
- with respect to a distribution of corresponding junior subordinated debentures to you, as a holder of preferred securities in connection with a dissolution or liquidation of the related trust, corresponding junior subordinated debentures having a principal amount equal to the liquidation amount of your preferred securities.
When we use the term "liquidation amount," we mean the stated amount of $25 per preferred security and common security.
After the liquidation date fixed for any distribution of corresponding junior subordinated debentures for any series of preferred securities:
- the series of preferred securities will no longer be deemed to be outstanding,
- The Depository Trust Company, which we refer to in this prospectus as "DTC," or its nominee, as the record holder of the series of preferred securities, will receive a registered global certificate or certificates representing the corresponding junior subordinated debentures to be delivered upon that distribution, and
- any certificates representing the series of preferred securities not held by DTC or its nominee will be deemed to represent the corresponding junior subordinated debentures having a principal amount equal to the stated liquidation preference of the series of preferred securities, and bearing accrued and unpaid interest in an amount equal to the accrued and unpaid distributions on the series of preferred securities until you present the certificates to the administrative trustees or their agent for transfer or reissuance.
We can make no assurance as to what the market prices will be for the preferred securities or the corresponding junior subordinated debentures that may be distributed to you in exchange for your preferred securities if a dissolution and liquidation of a trust were to occur. Accordingly, the preferred securities that you purchase, or the corresponding junior subordinated debentures that you receive on dissolution and liquidation of a trust, may trade at a discount to the price that you paid to purchase the preferred securities.
VOLUNTARY DISTRIBUTION OF JUNIOR SUBORDINATED DEBENTURES
If we so provide in the applicable prospectus supplement, we may elect, at any time, to dissolve the trust and cause the corresponding junior subordinated debentures to be distributed to you, as a holder of the preferred securities, and us, as the holder of the common securities, in liquidation of the trust.
REDEMPTION PROCEDURES
The trust will redeem the preferred securities on each redemption date at the redemption price with the applicable proceeds from the contemporaneous redemption of the corresponding junior subordinated debentures. The trust will make redemptions of the preferred securities and pay the redemption price only to the extent that it has funds available for the payment of the redemption price. See also "-- Subordination of Common Securities."
If a trust gives notice to you of redemption of your preferred securities, then by 12:00 noon, New York City time, on the redemption date, to the extent funds are available, the property trustee will irrevocably deposit with DTC funds sufficient to pay the applicable redemption price and will give DTC irrevocable instructions and authority to pay the redemption price to you. See "-- Book-Entry Issuance."
If the preferred securities are no longer in book-entry form, the trust, to the extent funds are available, will irrevocably deposit with the paying agent for the preferred securities funds sufficient to pay the applicable redemption price to you and will give the paying agent irrevocable instructions and authority to pay the redemption price to you upon surrender of your certificates.
The trust will pay any distributions payable on or prior to the redemption date for any preferred securities called for redemption to you on the relevant record dates for the distribution. If the trust has given notice of redemption and has deposited the required funds, then upon the date of the deposit, all your rights will cease, except your right to receive the redemption price, without interest on that redemption price, and your preferred securities will cease to be outstanding. If any date fixed for redemption of preferred securities is not a business day, then the trust will pay the redemption price on the next succeeding day which is a business day, and without any interest or other payment on account of the delay. However, if the business day falls in the next calendar year, the trust will make the payment on the immediately preceding business day. If payment of the redemption price is improperly withheld or refused and not paid either by the trust or by us pursuant to the guarantee as described under "Description of Guarantee," distributions on the preferred securities will continue to accrue at the then applicable rate, from the redemption date originally established by the trust for the preferred securities to the date the redemption price is actually paid. In this case the actual payment date will be the date fixed for redemption for purposes of calculating the redemption price.
Subject to applicable law, including United States federal securities law, we or our subsidiaries may at any time purchase outstanding preferred securities by tender, in the open market or by private agreement.
The trust will make payment of the redemption price on the preferred securities and any distribution of corresponding junior subordinated debentures to the applicable record holders as they appear on the register for the preferred securities on the relevant record date. This date will generally be one business day prior to the relevant redemption date or liquidation date. However, if any preferred securities are not in book-entry form, the relevant record date for the preferred securities will be the date 15 days prior to the redemption date or liquidation date.
If less than all of the preferred securities and common securities issued by a trust are to be redeemed on a redemption date, then the aggregate liquidation amount of the preferred securities and common securities to be redeemed will be allocated proportionately among the preferred securities and the common securities. The property trustee will select the particular preferred securities to be redeemed on a proportionate basis not more than 60 days prior to the redemption date from the outstanding preferred securities not previously called for redemption, by any method that the property trustee deems fair and appropriate. This method may provide for the selection for redemption of portions, equal to $25 or an integral multiple of $25, of the liquidation amount of preferred securities. The property trustee will promptly notify the trust registrar in writing of the preferred
securities selected for redemption and, in the case of any preferred securities selected for partial redemption, the liquidation amount of the preferred securities to be redeemed.
SUBORDINATION OF COMMON SECURITIES
The trust will make payment of distributions, any additional amounts and the redemption price on the preferred securities and common securities proportionately based on the liquidation amount of the preferred securities and common securities. However, if on any distribution date or redemption date a debenture event of default exists, the trust will not make any payment on the common securities unless payment in full in cash of all accumulated and unpaid distributions, any additional amounts and the full amount of the redemption price on all of the outstanding preferred securities of the trust, has been made or provided for. The property trustee will apply all available funds first to the payment in full in cash of all distributions on, or redemption price of, the preferred securities then due and payable. If any event of default resulting from a debenture event of default exists, we as holder of the common securities of the trust will be deemed to have waived any right to act with respect to the event of default under the trust agreement until the effect of all those events of default with respect to the preferred securities have been cured, waived or otherwise eliminated. Until any events of default under the trust agreement with respect to the preferred securities have been so cured, waived or otherwise eliminated, the property trustee will act solely on your behalf, as a holder of the preferred securities, and not on our behalf as holder of the common securities, and only you acting with the other holders will have the right to direct the property trustee to act on your behalf.
LIQUIDATION DISTRIBUTION UPON DISSOLUTION
Each trust will automatically terminate upon expiration of its term or the redemption of all of the preferred securities of the trust. In addition, we will terminate the trust on the first to occur of:
- our bankruptcy, dissolution or liquidation,
- the distribution of a like amount of corresponding junior subordinated debentures to the holders of its preferred securities and common securities,
- the redemption of all of the preferred securities, and
- the entry of an order for the dissolution of the trust by a court of competent jurisdiction.
If an early dissolution occurs as described in the clauses above, the trustees will liquidate the trust as expeditiously as the trustees determine to be possible by distributing, after satisfaction of liabilities to creditors of the trust as provided by applicable law, to the holders of the preferred securities and common securities a like amount of corresponding junior subordinated debentures. If the property trustee determines that this distribution is not practical, you will be entitled to receive out of the assets of the trust available for distribution, after satisfaction of liabilities to creditors of the trust as provided by applicable law, an amount equal to the aggregate of the liquidation amount plus accrued and unpaid distributions to the date of payment. We refer to this liquidation amount in this prospectus as the "liquidation distribution." If the trust can make the liquidation distribution only in part because it has insufficient assets available to pay the full aggregate liquidation distribution, then it will pay the amounts on a proportionate basis. We, as the holder of the common securities, will be entitled to receive distributions upon any liquidation proportionately with you, and the other holders of the preferred securities, except that if an event exists that constitutes a debenture event of default, the preferred securities will have a priority over the common securities. A supplemental indenture may provide that if an early dissolution occurs as described in the third clause above, the corresponding junior subordinated debentures may be subject to optional redemption in whole, but not in part.
EVENTS OF DEFAULT; NOTICE
Under the terms of the form of trust agreement, each of the following constitutes an event of default for a series of preferred securities:
- the occurrence of a debenture event of default under the junior subordinated indenture (see "Description of Junior Subordinated Debentures -- Debenture Events of Default"),
- default by the property trustee in the payment of any distribution when it becomes due and payable, and continuation of that default for a period of 30 days,
- default by the property trustee in the payment of any redemption price of the preferred securities or common securities when it becomes due and payable,
- default in the performance, or breach, in any material respect, of any covenant or warranty of the trustees in the trust agreement, other than a covenant or warranty a default in the performance of which or the breach of which is dealt with in the second and third clauses above, and continuation of the default or breach for a period of 60 days after there has been given to the defaulting trustee or trustees by the holders of at least 10% in aggregate liquidation amount of the outstanding preferred securities, a written notice specifying the default or breach and requiring it to be remedied and stating that the notice is a notice of default under such trust agreement, or
- the bankruptcy or insolvency of the property trustee and our failure to appoint a successor property trustee within 60 days of that event.
Within five business days after the occurrence of any event of default actually known to the property trustee, the property trustee will transmit notice of the event of default to you, the administrative trustees and us, as depositor, unless the event of default has been cured or waived. We, as depositor, and the administrative trustees are required to file annually with the property trustee a certificate as to whether or not we are and they are in compliance with all the conditions and covenants applicable to them and to us under the trust agreement.
If a debenture event of default then exists, the preferred securities will have a preference over the common securities upon termination of the trust. See "-- Liquidation Distribution Upon Dissolution."
The existence of an event of default does not entitle you to accelerate the maturity.
REMOVAL OF TRUSTEES
Unless a debenture event of default then exists, the holder of the common securities may remove any trustee. If a debenture event of default then exists the holders of a majority in liquidation amount of the outstanding preferred securities may remove the property trustee and the Delaware trustee. In no event will you have the right to vote to appoint, remove or replace the administrative trustees. These voting rights are vested exclusively in us as the holder of the common securities. No resignation or removal of a trustee and no appointment of a successor trustee will be effective until the acceptance of appointment by the successor trustee in accordance with the provisions of the trust agreement.
CO-TRUSTEES AND SEPARATE PROPERTY TRUSTEE
Unless an event of default then exists, for the purpose of meeting the legal requirements of the Trust Indenture Act or of any jurisdiction in which any part of the trust property may be located, we, as the holder of the common securities, and the administrative trustees will have power to appoint one or more persons approved by the property trustee either to act as a co-trustee, jointly with the property trustee, of all or any part of the trust property, or, to the extent required by law, to act as separate trustee. These persons will have the powers provided in the instrument of appointment, and we may vest in that person or persons any property, title, right or power deemed necessary or desirable, subject to the provisions of the trust agreement. If a debenture event of default exists, the property trustee alone will have power to make that appointment.
MERGER OR CONSOLIDATION OF TRUSTEES
Any corporation into which the property trustee, the Delaware trustee or any administrative trustee that is not a natural person may be merged or converted or with which it may be consolidated, or any corporation resulting from any merger, conversion or consolidation to which the trustee is a party, or any corporation succeeding to all or substantially all the corporate trust business of the trustee, will be the successor of such trustee under the trust agreements, provided that the corporation is otherwise qualified and eligible.
MERGERS, CONSOLIDATIONS, AMALGAMATIONS OR REPLACEMENTS OF THE TRUSTS
A trust may not merge with or into, consolidate, amalgamate, or be replaced by, or convey, transfer or lease its properties and assets substantially as an entirety to any corporation or other body, except as described below.
A trust may, at our request, with the consent of the administrative trustees and without your consent, merge with or into, consolidate, amalgamate, or be replaced by a trust organized under the laws of any state. However, the following conditions must be satisfied:
- the successor entity must either:
- expressly assume all of the obligations of the trust relating to the preferred securities, or
- substitute for the preferred securities other securities having substantially the same terms and the same ranking as the preferred securities,
- we must expressly appoint a trustee of the successor entity possessing the same powers and duties as the property trustee as the holder of the corresponding junior subordinated debentures,
- the successor securities must be listed, or any successor securities must be listed upon notification of issuance, on any national securities exchange or other organization on which the preferred securities are then listed,
- the merger, consolidation, amalgamation or replacement must not cause the preferred securities, including any successor securities, to be downgraded by any nationally recognized statistical rating organization,
- the merger, consolidation, amalgamation or replacement must not adversely affect the rights, preferences and privileges of holders of the preferred securities, including any successor securities, in any material respect,
- the successor entity must have a purpose identical to that of the trust,
- prior to the merger, consolidation, amalgamation, replacement, conveyance, transfer or lease we must have received an opinion of counsel to the trust to the effect that:
- the merger, consolidation, amalgamation or replacement does not adversely affect the rights, preferences and privileges of holders of the preferred securities, including any successor securities, in any material respect, and
- following the merger, consolidation, amalgamation or replacement neither the trust nor the successor entity will be required to register as an investment company under the Investment Company Act, and
- we or any permitted successor or assignee must own all of the common securities of the successor entity and guarantee the obligations of such successor entity under the successor securities at least to the extent provided by the guarantee.
However, a trust must not, except with the consent of holders of 100% in liquidation amount of the preferred securities, consolidate, amalgamate, merge with or into, or be replaced by or convey, transfer or lease its properties and assets substantially as an entirety to any other entity or permit any other entity to
consolidate, amalgamate, merge with or into, or replace it if it would cause the trust or the successor entity to be classified as other than a grantor trust for United States federal income tax purposes.
VOTING RIGHTS; AMENDMENT OF TRUST AGREEMENT
Except as provided below and under "Description of Guarantee -- Amendments and Assignment" and as otherwise required by law and the applicable trust agreement, you will have no voting rights.
We and the trustees may amend a trust agreement without your consent:
- to cure any ambiguity, correct or supplement any provisions in the trust agreement which may be inconsistent with any other provision, or to make any other provisions with respect to matters or questions arising under the trust agreement, which are not inconsistent with the other provisions of the trust agreement, or
- to modify, eliminate or add to any provisions of the trust agreement to the extent necessary to ensure that the trust will be classified for United States federal income tax purposes as a grantor trust at all times that any preferred securities and common securities are outstanding, or to ensure that the trust will not be required to register as an investment company under the Investment Company Act.
However, in the case of the first clause above, the action may not adversely affect in any material respect the interests of the holders of the preferred securities or our interests, as the holder of the common securities. Any amendments of the trust agreement will become effective when notice is given to you and us.
We and the trustees may also amend a trust agreement with:
- the consent of holders representing not less than a majority, based upon liquidation amounts, of the outstanding preferred securities and common securities, and
- receipt by the trustees of an opinion of counsel to the effect that the amendment or the exercise of any power granted to the trustees under the amendment will not affect the status of the trust as a grantor trust for United States federal income tax purposes or its exemption from the status of an "investment company" under the Investment Company Act.
Without both your and our consent a trust agreement may not be amended to:
- change the amount or timing of any distribution on the preferred securities and common securities or otherwise adversely affect the amount of any distribution of the preferred securities and common securities as of a specified date, or
- restrict your or our right to institute suit for the enforcement of any payment on or after that date.
So long as any corresponding junior subordinated debentures are held by the property trustee, the trustees may not:
- direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the debenture trustee, or for executing any trust or power conferred on the debenture trustee with respect to the corresponding junior subordinated debentures,
- waive any past default that is waiveable under specified sections of the junior subordinated indenture,
- exercise any right to rescind or annul a declaration that the principal of all the junior subordinated debentures is due and payable, or
- consent to any amendment, modification or termination of the junior subordinated indenture or the corresponding junior subordinated debentures, where that consent is required,
without, in each case, obtaining the prior approval of the holders of a majority in aggregate liquidation amount of all outstanding preferred securities. However, where a consent under the junior subordinated indenture would require the consent of each holder of corresponding junior subordinated debentures affected by the
consent, no consent may be given by the property trustee without the prior consent of each holder of the corresponding preferred securities.
The trustees may not revoke any action previously authorized or approved by a vote of the preferred securities except by subsequent vote of the holders of the preferred securities. The property trustee will notify you of any notice of default with respect to the corresponding junior subordinated debentures. In addition to obtaining the approval of the holders of the preferred securities prior to taking any of these actions, the trustees must obtain an opinion of counsel experienced in these matters to the effect that the trust will not be classified as a corporation or partnership for United States federal income tax purposes on account of the action.
Any required approval of holders of preferred securities may be given at a meeting of holders of preferred securities convened for that purpose or through a written consent. The property trustee will cause a notice of any meeting at which you are entitled to vote, or of any matter upon which action by written consent is to be taken, to be given to each holder of record of preferred securities in the manner set forth in the trust agreement.
Your vote or consent is not required for a trust to redeem and cancel the preferred securities under the applicable trust agreement.
Any preferred securities that are owned by us, the trustees or any of our affiliates or any affiliate of the trustees, will, for purposes of a vote or consent, be treated as if they were not outstanding.
GLOBAL PREFERRED SECURITIES
We may issue a series of preferred securities in the form of one or more global preferred securities. We will identify the depositary which will hold the global preferred security in the applicable prospectus supplement. Unless we otherwise indicate in the applicable prospectus supplement, the depositary will be DTC. We will issue global preferred securities only in fully registered form and in either temporary or permanent form. Unless it is exchanged for individual preferred securities, a global preferred security may not be transferred except:
- by the depositary to its nominee,
- by a nominee of the depositary to the depositary or another nominee, or
- by the depositary or any nominee to a successor depositary, or any nominee of the successor.
We will describe the specific terms of the depositary arrangement in the applicable prospectus supplement. We expect that the following provisions will generally apply to these depositary arrangements.
BENEFICIAL INTERESTS IN A GLOBAL PREFERRED SECURITY
If we issue a global preferred security, the depositary for the global preferred security or its nominee will credit on its book-entry registration and transfer system the aggregate liquidation amounts of the individual preferred securities represented by the global preferred securities to the accounts of participants. The accounts will be designated by the dealers, underwriters or agents for the preferred securities, or by us if the preferred securities are offered and sold directly by us. Ownership of beneficial interests in a global preferred security will be limited to participants or persons that may hold interests through participants. Ownership and transfers of beneficial interests in the global preferred security will be shown on, and effected only through, records maintained by the applicable depositary or its nominee, for interests of participants, and the records of participants, for interests of persons who hold through participants. The laws of some states require that you take physical delivery of the securities in definitive form. These limits and laws may impair your ability to transfer beneficial interests in a global preferred security.
So long as the depositary or its nominee is the registered owner of the global preferred security, the depositary or nominee will be considered the sole owner or holder of the preferred securities represented by the global preferred security for all purposes under the trust agreement. Except as provided below, you:
- will not be entitled to have any of the individual preferred securities represented by the global preferred security registered in your name,
- will not receive or be entitled to receive physical delivery of any preferred securities in definitive form, and
- will not be considered the owner or holder of the preferred security under the trust agreement.
PAYMENTS OF DISTRIBUTIONS
We will pay distributions on global preferred securities to the depositary that is the registered holder of the global security, or its nominee. The depositary for the preferred securities will be solely responsible and liable for all payments made on account of your beneficial ownership interests in the global preferred security and for maintaining, supervising and reviewing any records relating to your beneficial ownership interests.
We expect that the depositary or its nominee, upon receipt of any payment of liquidation amount, premium or distributions, immediately will credit participants' accounts with amounts in proportion to their respective beneficial interests in the aggregate liquidation amount of the global preferred security as shown on the records of the depositary or its nominee. We also expect that payments by participants to owners of beneficial interests in the global preferred security held through those participants will be governed by standing instructions and customary practices, as is now the case with securities held for the accounts of customers in bearer form or registered in "street name." These payments will be the responsibility of those participants.
ISSUANCE OF INDIVIDUAL PREFERRED SECURITIES
Unless we state otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, if a depositary for a series of preferred securities is at any time unwilling, unable or ineligible to continue as a depositary and we do not appoint a successor depositary within 90 days, we will issue individual preferred securities in exchange for the global preferred security. In addition, we may at any time and in our sole discretion, subject to any limitations described in the prospectus supplement relating to the preferred securities, determine not to have any preferred securities represented by one or more global preferred securities. If that occurs, we will issue individual preferred securities in exchange for the global preferred security.
Further, we may specify that you may, on terms acceptable to us, the property trustee and the depositary for the global preferred security, receive individual preferred securities in exchange for your beneficial interests in a global preferred security, subject to any limitations described in the prospectus supplement relating to the preferred securities. In that instance, you will be entitled to physical delivery of individual preferred securities equal in liquidation amount to that beneficial interest and to have the preferred securities registered in its name. Unless we otherwise specify, those individual preferred securities will be issued in denominations of $25 and integral multiples of $25.
PAYMENT AND PAYING AGENCY
A trust will make payments on the preferred securities to DTC, which will credit the relevant accounts at DTC on the applicable distribution dates. However, if any preferred securities are not held by DTC, the trust will make the payments by check mailed to the address of the holder entitled to the payment as shown on the register. Unless we state otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, the paying agent will initially be the property trustee, together with any co-paying agent chosen by the property trustee and acceptable to the administrative trustees and us. The paying agent may resign as paying agent upon 30 days' written notice to the administrative trustees, property trustees and us. If the property trustee ceases to be the paying agent, the administrative trustees will appoint a successor to act as paying agent. The successor must be a bank or trust company acceptable to the administrative trustees and us.
REGISTRAR AND TRANSFER AGENT
Unless we state otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, the property trustee will act as registrar and transfer agent for the preferred securities.
A trust will register transfers of preferred securities without charge, but upon your payment of any tax or other governmental charges that may be imposed in connection with any transfer or exchange. A trust will not be required to register the transfer of its preferred securities after the preferred securities have been called for redemption.
INFORMATION CONCERNING THE PROPERTY TRUSTEE
The property trustee, unless an event of default then exists, will be required to perform only those duties that are specifically set forth in the applicable trust agreement. After an event of default, the property trustee must exercise the same degree of care and skill as a prudent person would exercise or use in the conduct of his or her own affairs. However, the property trustee is under no obligation to exercise any of the powers vested in it by the trust agreement at your request unless you offer reasonable indemnity against the costs, expenses and liabilities that it might incur. If no event of default then exists and the property trustee is required to decide between alternative causes of action, construe ambiguous provisions in a trust agreement or is unsure of the application of any provision of a trust agreement, and the matter is not one on which holders are entitled under the trust agreement to vote, then the property trustee will take such action as is directed by us. If it is not so directed, the property trustee will take such action as it deems advisable and in the best interests of the holders of the preferred securities and the holder of the common securities and will have no liability except for its own bad faith, negligence or willful misconduct.
MISCELLANEOUS
The trust agreements authorize and direct the administrative trustees to operate the related trusts in such a way that the trusts will not be deemed to be an investment company required to be registered under the Investment Company Act or taxed as a corporation for United States federal income tax purposes and so that the corresponding junior subordinated debentures will be treated as our indebtedness for United States federal income tax purposes. We and the administrative trustees are authorized to take any action, not inconsistent with applicable law, the certificate of trust of a trust or the trust agreement, that we and the administrative trustees determine in our discretion to be necessary or desirable for these purposes, as long as the action does not materially adversely affect the interests of the holders of the preferred securities.
You have no preemptive or similar rights as a holder of preferred securities. No trust may borrow money or issue debt or mortgage or pledge any of its assets.
DESCRIPTION OF GUARANTEE
At the same time as the issuance by a trust of its preferred securities, we will execute and deliver a guarantee for your benefit, as a holder of the preferred securities. The Wilmington Trust Company will act as indenture trustee under the guarantee for the purposes of compliance with the Trust Indenture Act. The guarantee will be qualified as an indenture under the Trust Indenture Act.
The following description of the terms of the guarantee is a summary. It summarizes only those portions of the guarantee that we believe will be most important to your decision to invest in the preferred securities of a trust. You should keep in mind, however, that it is the guarantee, and not this summary, which defines your rights as a holder of preferred securities. There may be other provisions in the guarantee that are also important to you. You should read the guarantee itself for a full description of its terms. The guarantee is filed as an exhibit to the registration statement that includes this prospectus. See "Where You Can Find More Information" for information on how to obtain a copy of the guarantee. When we refer in this summary to preferred securities, we mean the preferred securities issued by a trust to which the guarantee relates.
GENERAL TERMS OF THE GUARANTEE
We will irrevocably agree to pay in full on a subordinated basis, to the extent described below, the guarantee payments, as defined below, to you, as and when due, regardless of any defense, right of set-off or counterclaim that the trust may have or assert other than the defense of payment.
The following payments, which we refer to in this prospectus as the "guarantee payments," to the extent not paid by or on behalf of the related trust, will be subject to the guarantee:
- any accrued and unpaid distributions required to be paid to you on the related preferred securities, to the extent that the trust has funds available for the payments,
- the redemption price for any preferred securities called for redemption, to the extent that the trust has funds available for the payments, or
- upon a voluntary or involuntary dissolution, winding up or liquidation of the trust, unless the corresponding junior subordinated debentures are distributed to you, the lesser of:
- the liquidation distribution, and
- the amount of assets of the trust remaining available for distribution to you.
Our obligation to make a guarantee payment may be satisfied by us directly paying to you the required amounts or by causing the trust to pay the amounts to you.
The guarantee will be an irrevocable guarantee on a subordinated basis of the related trust obligations under the preferred securities, but will apply only to the extent that the related trust has funds sufficient to make the payments. It is not a guarantee of collection.
If we do not make interest payments on the corresponding junior subordinated debentures held by the trust, we expect that the trust will not pay distributions on the preferred securities and will not have funds legally available for those payments. The guarantee will rank subordinate and junior in right of payment to all senior debt. See "-- Status of the Guarantee."
As a non-operating holding company, we have no significant business operations of our own. Therefore, we rely on dividends from our insurance company and other subsidiaries as the principal source of cash flow to meet our obligations for payment of principal and interest on our outstanding debt obligations and corporate expenses. Accordingly, our obligations under the guarantee will be effectively subordinated to all existing and future liabilities of our subsidiaries, and you should rely only on our assets for payments under the guarantee. The payment of dividends by our insurance subsidiaries is limited under the insurance holding company laws in the jurisdictions where those subsidiaries are domiciled. See "The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc."
Unless we state otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, the guarantee does not limit the amount of secured or unsecured debt that we may incur. We expect from time to time to incur additional senior debt.
We have, through the guarantee, the trust agreement, the junior subordinated debentures, the junior subordinated indenture and the expense agreement, taken together, fully, irrevocably and unconditionally guaranteed all of the obligations of the trust under the preferred securities. No single document standing alone or operating in conjunction with fewer than all of the other documents constitutes the guarantee. It is only the combined operation of these documents that has the effect of providing a full, irrevocable and unconditional guarantee of the obligations of the trust under the preferred securities. See "Relationship Among the Preferred Securities, the Corresponding Junior Subordinated Debentures and the Guarantees."
STATUS OF THE GUARANTEE
The guarantee will constitute an unsecured obligation of The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc. and will rank subordinate and junior in right of payment to all its senior debt.
Unless we state otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, the guarantee of a series of preferred securities will rank equally with the guarantees relating to all other series of preferred securities that we may issue. The guarantee will constitute a guarantee of payment and not of collection, which means that the guaranteed party may institute a legal proceeding directly against us to enforce its rights under the guarantee without first instituting a legal proceeding against any other person or entity. The property trustee of the related trust will hold the guarantee for your benefit. The guarantee will not be discharged except by payment of the guarantee payments in full to the extent not paid by the trust or upon distribution of the corresponding junior subordinated debentures to you.
AMENDMENTS AND ASSIGNMENT
We may not amend the guarantee without the prior approval of the holders of not less than a majority of the aggregate liquidation amount of outstanding preferred securities, except for any changes which do not materially adversely affect the rights of the holders of the preferred securities, in which case no vote will be required. The manner of obtaining any approval will be as set forth under "Description of the Preferred Securities -- Voting Rights; Amendment of Trust Agreement."
All guarantees and agreements contained in the guarantee will bind our successors, assigns, receivers, trustees and representatives and will inure to the benefit of the holders of the related preferred securities then outstanding.
EVENTS OF DEFAULT
An event of default under the guarantee will occur when we fail to perform any of our payment or other obligations under the guarantee. The holders of not less than a majority in aggregate liquidation amount of the related preferred securities have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the guarantee trustee under the guarantee or to direct the exercise of any trust or power conferred upon the guarantee trustee under the guarantee.
You may institute a legal proceeding directly against us to enforce your rights under the guarantee without first instituting a legal proceeding against the trust, the guarantee trustee or any other person or entity.
We, as guarantor, are required to file annually with the guarantee trustee a certificate as to whether or not we are in compliance with all the conditions and covenants applicable to us under the guarantee.
INFORMATION CONCERNING THE GUARANTEE TRUSTEE
The guarantee trustee, unless a default by us in the performance of the guarantee then exists, is required to perform only those duties that are specifically set forth in the guarantee. After a default under the guarantee, the guarantee trustee must exercise the same degree of care and skill as a prudent person would exercise or use in the conduct of his or her own affairs. However, the guarantee trustee is under no obligation to exercise any of the powers vested in it by the guarantee at your request unless you offer reasonable indemnity against the costs, expenses and liabilities that it might incur.
TERMINATION OF THE GUARANTEE
The guarantee will terminate and be of no further force and effect:
- upon full payment of the redemption price of the related preferred securities,
- upon full payment of the amounts payable upon liquidation of the related trust, or
- upon distribution of corresponding junior subordinated debentures to the holders of the preferred securities.
The guarantee will continue to be effective or will be reinstated if at any time you must restore payment of any sums paid under the preferred securities or the guarantee.
GOVERNING LAW
The guarantee will be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York.
THE EXPENSE AGREEMENT
Under an expense agreement entered into by us, we will irrevocably and unconditionally guarantee to each person or entity to whom a trust becomes indebted or liable, the full payment of any costs, expenses or liabilities of the trust, other than obligations of the trust to pay to you the amounts due to you under the terms of the preferred securities.
DESCRIPTION OF CORRESPONDING JUNIOR SUBORDINATED DEBENTURES
The corresponding junior subordinated debentures are to be issued in one or more series of junior subordinated debentures under the junior subordinated indenture with terms corresponding to the terms of the related preferred securities. See "Description of Junior Subordinated Debentures."
The following description of the terms of the corresponding junior subordinated debentures and the junior subordinated indenture is a summary. It summarizes only those portions of the junior subordinated indenture which we believe will be most important to your decision to invest in the preferred securities. You should keep in mind, however, that it is the junior subordinated indenture, and not this summary, which defines your rights. There may be other provisions in the junior subordinated indenture which are also important to you. You should read the junior subordinated indenture itself for a full description of its terms. The junior subordinated indenture is filed as an exhibit to the registration statement that includes this prospectus. See "Where You Can Find More Information" for information on how to obtain a copy of the junior subordinated indenture.
GENERAL TERMS OF THE CORRESPONDING JUNIOR SUBORDINATED DEBENTURES
At the same time a trust issues preferred securities, the trust will invest the proceeds from the sale and the consideration paid by us for the common securities in a series of corresponding junior subordinated debentures issued by us to the trust. Each series of corresponding junior subordinated debentures will be in the principal amount equal to the aggregate stated liquidation amount of the related preferred securities plus our investment in the common securities and, unless we state otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, will rank equally with all other series of corresponding junior subordinated debentures. The corresponding junior subordinated debentures will be unsecured and subordinate and junior in right of payment to the extent and in the manner set forth in the junior subordinated indenture to all our senior debt. See "Description of Junior Subordinated Debentures -- Subordination" and the prospectus supplement relating to any offering of related preferred securities.
OPTIONAL REDEMPTION
Unless we state otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, we may, at our option, redeem the corresponding junior subordinated debentures on any interest payment date, in whole or in part. Unless we state otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, the redemption price for any corresponding junior subordinated debentures will be equal to any accrued and unpaid interest to the date fixed for redemption, plus the greater of:
- the principal amount of the debentures, and
- an amount equal to:
- for junior subordinated debentures bearing interest at a fixed rate, the discounted remaining fixed amount payments. See "Description of Junior Subordinated Debentures -- Redemption."
- for junior subordinated debentures bearing interest determined by reference to a floating rate, the discounted swap equivalent payments. See "Description of Junior Subordinated Debentures -- Redemption."
If a tax event or an investment company event exists, we may, at our option, redeem the corresponding junior subordinated debentures on any interest payment date falling within 90 days of the occurrence of the tax event or investment company event, in whole but not in part, subject to the provisions of the junior subordinated indenture. The redemption price for any corresponding junior subordinated debentures will be equal to 100% of the principal amount of the corresponding junior subordinated debentures then outstanding plus accrued and unpaid interest to the date fixed for redemption. See "Description of Junior Subordinated Debentures -- Redemption."
For so long as the applicable trust is the holder of all the outstanding series of corresponding junior subordinated debentures, the trust will use the proceeds of any redemption to redeem the corresponding preferred securities. We may not redeem a series of corresponding junior subordinated debentures in part unless all accrued and unpaid interest has been paid in full on all outstanding corresponding junior subordinated debentures of the series for all interest periods terminating on or prior to the redemption date.
COVENANTS OF THE HARTFORD FINANCIAL SERVICES GROUP, INC.
We will covenant in the junior subordinated indenture for each series of corresponding junior subordinated debentures that we will pay additional sums to the trust, if:
- the trust that has issued the corresponding series of preferred securities and common securities is the holder of all of the corresponding junior subordinated debentures,
- a tax event exists, and
- we have not redeemed the corresponding junior subordinated debentures or terminated the trust.
We will also covenant, for each series of corresponding junior subordinated debentures, that we and our subsidiaries will not:
- declare or pay any dividends or distributions on, or redeem, purchase, acquire, or make a liquidation payment on any of our capital stock, or
- make any payment of principal of, interest or premium, if any, on or repay or repurchase or redeem any debt securities, including other corresponding junior subordinated debentures, that rank equally with or junior in interest to the corresponding junior subordinated debentures or make any related guarantee payments,
other than:
- dividends or distributions in our common stock,
- redemptions or purchases of any rights pursuant to our rights plan, or any successor to our rights plan, and the declaration of a dividend of these rights in the future, and
- payments under any guarantee of preferred securities,
if at that time:
- there has occurred any event of which we have actual knowledge that with the giving of notice or the lapse of time, or both, would constitute an "event of default" under the junior subordinated indenture for that series of corresponding junior subordinated debentures which we have not taken reasonable steps to cure,
- we are in default on our payment of any obligations under the related guarantee, or
- we have given notice of our selection of an extension period as provided in the junior subordinated indenture for that series of corresponding junior subordinated debentures and have not rescinded that notice, or the extension period, or any extension, is continuing.
We will also covenant, for each series of corresponding junior subordinated debentures:
- to maintain, by ourselves or our permitted successors, directly or indirectly, 100% ownership of the common securities of the trust to which corresponding junior subordinated debentures have been issued,
- not to voluntarily terminate, wind-up or liquidate any trust, except in connection with a distribution of corresponding junior subordinated debentures to you in liquidation of the trust, or in connection with mergers, consolidations or amalgamations permitted by the related trust agreement, and
- to use our reasonable efforts, consistent with the terms and provisions of the related trust agreement, to cause the trust to remain a statutory trust and not to be classified as an association taxable as a corporation for United States federal income tax purposes.
RELATIONSHIP AMONG THE PREFERRED SECURITIES, THE CORRESPONDING
JUNIOR SUBORDINATED DEBENTURES AND THE GUARANTEES
As long as payments of interest and other payments are made when due on each series of corresponding junior subordinated debentures, these payments will be sufficient to cover distributions and other payments due on the related preferred securities, primarily because:
- the aggregate principal amount of each series of corresponding junior subordinated debentures will be equal to the sum of the aggregate stated liquidation amount of the corresponding preferred securities and corresponding common securities,
- the interest rate and interest and other payment dates on each series of corresponding junior subordinated debentures will match the distribution rate and distribution and other payment dates for the corresponding preferred securities,
- we will pay for all and any costs, expenses and liabilities of the trust except the obligations of the trust to holders of its preferred securities under the preferred securities, and
- each trust agreement further provides that the trust will not engage in any activity that is not consistent with the limited purposes of the trust.
We will irrevocably guarantee payments of distributions and other amounts due on the preferred securities, to the extent the trust has funds available for the payment of such distributions, to the extent set forth under "Description of Guarantee."
Taken together, our obligations under each series of junior subordinated debentures, the junior subordinated indenture, the related trust agreement, the related expense agreement and the related guarantee provide a full, irrevocable and unconditional guarantee of payments of distributions and other amounts due on the related series of preferred securities. No single document standing alone or operating in conjunction with fewer than all of the other documents constitutes the guarantee. It is only the combined operation of these documents that has the effect of providing a full, irrevocable and unconditional guarantee of the obligations of the trust under the preferred securities. If and to the extent that we do not make payments on any series of corresponding junior subordinated debentures, the trust will not pay distributions or other amounts due on its preferred securities.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the junior subordinated indenture, we have the right to set-off any payment we are otherwise required to make under the junior subordinated indenture with and to the extent we have made or are making a payment under the related guarantee.
You may institute a legal proceeding directly against us to enforce your rights under the related guarantee without first instituting a legal proceeding against the guarantee trustee, the related trust or any other person or entity.
The preferred securities of each trust evidence your rights to the benefits of the trust. Each trust exists for the sole purpose of issuing its preferred securities and common securities, investing the proceeds from the sale of such securities in corresponding junior subordinated debentures and related purposes.
A principal difference between your rights as a holder of a preferred security and the rights of a holder of a corresponding junior subordinated debenture is that a holder of a corresponding junior subordinated debenture will accrue, and, subject to the permissible extension of the interest period, is entitled to receive, interest on the principal amount of corresponding junior subordinated debentures held, while you are only entitled to receive distributions if and to the extent the trust has funds available for the payment of those distributions.
Upon any voluntary or involuntary termination, winding-up or liquidation of any trust involving the liquidation of the corresponding junior subordinated debentures, you will be entitled to receive, out of assets held by the trust, the liquidation distribution in cash. See "Description of Preferred Securities -- Liquidation Distribution Upon Termination."
Upon any voluntary or involuntary liquidation or bankruptcy of The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc., the property trustee, as holder of the corresponding junior subordinated debentures, would be a subordinated creditor. In this case, the property trustee would be subordinated in right of payment to all senior debt, but entitled to receive payment in full of principal and interest, before any of our stockholders receive payments or distributions. Since we are the guarantor under each guarantee and have agreed to pay for all costs, expenses and liabilities of each trust, your position as a holder of the preferred securities and the position of a holder of the corresponding junior subordinated debentures relative to other creditors and to our stockholders in the event of liquidation or bankruptcy of our company would be substantially the same.
A default or event of default under any senior debt would not constitute a default or event of default under the junior subordinated indenture. However, in the event of payment defaults under, or acceleration of, senior debt, the subordination provisions of the junior subordinated indenture provide that we may not make payments on the corresponding junior subordinated debentures until the senior debt has been paid in full or any payment default under the senior debt has been cured or waived. Our failure to make required payments on any series of corresponding junior subordinated debentures would constitute an event of default under the junior subordinated indenture.
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
We may sell the securities offered by this prospectus through agents, underwriters or dealers, or directly to purchasers.
Agents whom we designate may solicit offers to purchase the securities.
- We will name any agent involved in offering or selling securities, and disclose any commissions that we will pay to the agent, in the applicable prospectus supplement.
- Unless we indicate otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, our agents will act on a best efforts basis for the period of their appointment.
- Our agents may be deemed to be underwriters under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, of any of the securities that they offer or sell.
We may use an underwriter or underwriters in the offer or sale of our securities.
- If we use an underwriter or underwriters, we will execute an underwriting agreement with the underwriter or underwriters at the time that we reach an agreement for the sale of the securities.
- We will include the names of the specific managing underwriter or underwriters, as well as the names of any other underwriters, and the terms of the transactions, including the compensation the underwriters and dealers will receive, in the applicable prospectus supplement.
- The underwriters will use the applicable prospectus supplement to sell the securities.
We may use a dealer to sell the securities.
- If we use a dealer, we, as principal, will sell the securities to the dealer.
- The dealer will then sell the securities to the public at varying prices that the dealer will determine at the time it sells our securities.
- We will include the name of the dealer and the terms of our transactions with the dealer in the applicable prospectus supplement.
We may solicit directly offers to purchase the securities, and we may directly sell the securities to institutional or other investors. We will describe the terms of our direct sales in our prospectus supplement.
We may also offer and sell securities, if so indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, in connection with a remarketing upon their purchase, in accordance with a redemption or repayment pursuant to their terms, or otherwise, by one or more firms referred to as remarketing firms, acting as principals for their own accounts or as our agents. Any remarketing firm will be identified and the terms of its agreement, if any, with us, and its compensation will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement. Remarketing firms may be deemed to be underwriters under the Securities Act in connection with the securities they remarket.
We may indemnify agents, underwriters, dealers and remarketing firms against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act. Our agents, underwriters, dealers and remarketing firms, or their affiliates, may be customers of, engage in transactions with or perform services for us, in the ordinary course of business.
We may authorize our agents and underwriters to solicit offers by certain institutions to purchase the securities at the public offering price under delayed delivery contracts.
- If we use delayed delivery contracts, we will disclose that we are using them in the prospectus supplement and will tell you when we will demand payment and delivery of the securities under the delayed delivery contracts.
- These delayed delivery contracts will be subject only to the conditions that we describe in the prospectus supplement.
- We will describe in the applicable prospectus supplement the commission that underwriters and agents soliciting purchases of the securities under delayed contracts will be entitled to receive.
LEGAL OPINIONS
Unless we state otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement the validity of any securities offered by this prospectus will be passed upon for us by Debevoise & Plimpton, New York, New York, and for the trusts by Richards, Layton & Finger, P.A., special Delaware counsel to the trusts, and for any underwriters or agents by counsel that we will name in the applicable prospectus supplement.
EXPERTS
The consolidated financial statements and the related financial statement schedules incorporated in this prospectus by reference from our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2002 have been audited by Deloitte & Touche LLP, independent auditors, as stated in their report, which is incorporated herein by reference (which report expresses an unqualified opinion and includes an explanatory paragraph relating to the changes in our method of accounting for (a) goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets in 2002, (b) derivative instruments and hedging activities in 2001, and (c) the recognition of interest income and impairment on purchased retained beneficial interests in securitized financial assets in 2001), and have been so incorporated in reliance upon the report of such firm given upon their authority as experts in accounting and auditing.
With respect to the unaudited interim financial information for the periods ended March 31, 2003 and 2002 and June 30, 2003 and 2002 which is incorporated herein by reference, Deloitte & Touche LLP have applied limited procedures in accordance with professional standards for a review of such information. However, as stated in their reports included in our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended March 31, 2003 and June 30, 2003 and incorporated by reference herein, they did not audit and they do not express an opinion on that interim financial information. Accordingly, the degree of reliance on their reports on such information should be restricted in light of the limited nature of the review procedures applied. Deloitte & Touche LLP are not subject to the liability provisions of Section 11 of the Securities Act of 1933 for their reports on the unaudited interim financial information because those reports are not "reports" or a "part" of the registration statement prepared or certified by an accountant within the meaning of Sections 7 and 11 of the Act.
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION
This prospectus is part of a registration statement that we filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The registration statement, including the attached exhibits, contains additional relevant information about us. The rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission allow us to omit some of the information about The Hartford. In addition, we file reports, proxy statements, information statements and other information with the Securities and Exchange Commission. This information may be read and copied at the Public Reference Room of the Securities and Exchange Commission at 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Judiciary Plaza, Washington, D.C. 20549. Information regarding the operation of the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling the Securities and Exchange Commission at 1-800-SEC-0330. The material may also be accessed electronically by means of the Securities and Exchange Commission's home page on the Internet at http://www.sec.gov or through our web site at http://www.thehartford.com.
Our common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange, Inc. You can also inspect reports and other information concerning us at the office of the New York Stock Exchange, Inc., 20 Broad Street, New York, New York 10005.
INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE
The rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission allow us to incorporate by reference information into this prospectus. The information incorporated by reference is considered to be a part of this prospectus, and information that we file later with the Securities and Exchange Commission will automatically update and supercede this information. This prospectus incorporates by reference the documents listed below.
- Our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2002,
- Our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended March 31, 2003 and June 30, 2003,
- description of our common stock and the rights associated with our common stock contained in our registration statement on Form 8-A, dated September 18, 1995 (as amended by the Form 8-A/A filed on November 13, 1995),
- our Current Reports on Form 8-K filed on March 17, 2003, March 25, 2003, May 8, 2003, May 30, 2003 and July 8, 2003, and
- all documents filed by us pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 and 15(d) of the Exchange Act after the date of this prospectus.
We will provide without charge to each person, including any beneficial owner, to whom a copy of this prospectus is delivered, upon written or oral request of such person, a copy of any or all of the documents referred to above which have been or may be incorporated by reference in this prospectus. You should direct requests for those documents to The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc., Hartford Plaza, Hartford, Connecticut 06115, Attention: Brian S. Becker, Senior Vice President and Corporate Secretary (Telephone: 860-547-5000).
PART II
INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS
ITEM 14. OTHER EXPENSES OF ISSUANCE AND DISTRIBUTION
The following table sets forth those expenses to be incurred by The Hartford in connection with the issuance and distribution of the securities being registered. Except for the Securities and Exchange Commission filing fee, all amounts shown are estimates.
Securities and Exchange Commission filing fee............... $242,700
Fees and expenses of Trustee................................ $ 15,000
Printing and engraving expenses............................. $ 15,000
Accountant's fees and expenses.............................. $ 25,000
Legal fees and expenses..................................... $100,000
Miscellaneous expenses...................................... $ 27,300
--------
Total..................................................... $425,000
========
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ITEM 15. INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS
THE HARTFORD FINANCIAL SERVICES GROUP, INC.
Section 145 of the Delaware General Corporation Law, as amended, provides in regards to indemnification of directors and officers as follows:
145. Indemnification of Officers, Directors, Employees and Agents; Insurance.
(a) A corporation may indemnify any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (other than an action by or in the right of the corporation) by reason of the fact that the person is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, against expenses (including attorneys' fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by the person in connection with such action, suit or proceeding if the person acted in good faith and in a manner the person reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe the person's conduct was unlawful. The termination of any action, suit or proceeding by judgment, order, settlement, conviction, or upon a plea of nolo contendere or its equivalent, shall not, of itself, create a presumption that the person did not act in good faith and in a manner which the person reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had reasonable cause to believe that the person's conduct was unlawful.
(b) A corporation may indemnify any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action or suit by or in the right of the corporation to procure a judgment in its favor by reason of the fact that the person is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise against expenses (including attorneys' fees) actually and reasonably incurred by the person in connection with the defense or settlement of such action or suit if the person acted in good faith and in a manner the person reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation and except that no indemnification shall be made in respect of any claim, issue or matter as to which such person shall have been adjudged to be liable to the corporation unless and only to the extent that the Court of Chancery or the court in which such action or suit was brought shall determine upon application that, despite the adjudication of liability but in view of all the circumstances of the case, such person is fairly
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and reasonably entitled to indemnity for such expenses which the Court of Chancery or such other court shall deem proper.
(c) To the extent that a present or former director or officer of a corporation has been successful on the merits or otherwise in defense of any action, suit or proceeding referred to in subsections (a) and (b) of this section, or in defense of any claim, issue or matter therein, such person shall be indemnified against expenses (including attorneys' fees) actually and reasonably incurred by such person in connection therewith.
(d) Any indemnification under subsections (a) and (b) of this section (unless ordered by a court) shall be made by the corporation only as authorized in the specific case upon a determination that indemnification of the present or former director, officer, employee or agent is proper in the circumstances because the person has met the applicable standard of conduct set forth in subsections (a) and (b) of this section. Such determination shall be made, with respect to a person who is a director or officer at the time of such determination, (1) by a majority vote of the directors who are not parties to such action, suit or proceeding, even though less than a quorum, or (2) by a committee of such directors designated by majority vote of such directors, even though less than a quorum, or (3) if there are no such directors, or if such directors so direct, by independent legal counsel in a written opinion, or (4) by the stockholders.
(e) Expenses (including attorneys' fees) incurred by an officer or director in defending any civil, criminal, administrative or investigative action, suit or proceeding may be paid by the corporation in advance of the final disposition of such action, suit or proceeding upon receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of such director or officer to repay such amount if it shall ultimately be determined that such person is not entitled to be indemnified by the corporation as authorized in this section. Such expenses (including attorneys' fees) incurred by former directors and officers or other employees and agents may be so paid upon such terms and conditions, if any, as the corporation deems appropriate.
(f) The indemnification and advancement of expenses provided by, or granted pursuant to, the other subsections of this section shall not be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which those seeking indemnification or advancement of expenses may be entitled under any bylaw, agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors or otherwise, both as to action in such person's official capacity and as to action in another capacity while holding such office.
(g) A corporation shall have power to purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of any person who is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise against any liability asserted against such person and incurred by such person in any such capacity, or arising out of such person's status as such, whether or not the corporation would have the power to indemnify such person against such liability under this section.
(h) For purposes of this section, references to "the corporation" shall include, in addition to the resulting corporation, any constituent corporation (including any constituent of a constituent) absorbed in a consolidation or merger which, if its separate existence had continued, would have had power and authority to indemnify its directors, officers, and employees or agents, so that any person who is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of such constituent corporation, or is or was serving at the request of such constituent corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, shall stand in the same position under this section with respect to the resulting or surviving corporation as such person would have with respect to such constituent corporation if its separate existence had continued.
(i) For purposes of this section, references to "other enterprises" shall include employee benefit plans; references to "fines" shall include any excise taxes assessed on a person with respect to any employee benefit plan; and references to "serving at the request of the corporation" shall include any service as a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation which imposes duties on, or involves services by, such director, officer, employee or agent with respect to an employee benefit plan, its
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participants or beneficiaries; and a person who acted in good faith and in a manner such person reasonably believed to be in the interest of the participants and beneficiaries of an employee benefit plan shall be deemed to have acted in a manner "not opposed to the best interests of the corporation" as referred to in this section.
(j) The indemnification and advancement of expenses provided by, or granted pursuant to, this section shall, unless otherwise provided when authorized or ratified, continue as to a person who has ceased to be a director, officer, employee or agent and shall inure to the benefit of the heirs, executors and administrators of such a person.
Article 4 of The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc.'s Amended and Restated By-Laws provides in regard to indemnification of directors and officers as follows:
4.1(a) Right to Indemnification. The Corporation, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law as then in effect, shall indemnify any person who is or was a Director or officer of the Corporation and who is or was involved in any manner (including, without limitation, as a party or a witness) or is threatened to be made so involved in any threatened, pending or completed investigation, claim, action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (including, without limitation, any action, suit or proceeding by or in the right of the Corporation to procure a judgment in its favor) (a "Proceeding") by reason of the fact that such person is or was a Director, officer, employee or agent of the Corporation or is or was serving at the request of the Corporation as a director, officer, employee, fiduciary or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise (including, without limitation, any employee benefit plan) (a "Covered Entity"), against all expenses (including attorneys' fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by such person in connection with such Proceeding. Any such former or present Director or officer of the Corporation finally determined to be entitled to indemnification as provided in this Article 4 is hereinafter called an "Indemnitee." Until such final determination is made, such former or present Director or officer shall be a "Potential Indemnitee" for purposes of this Article 4. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 4.1(a), the Corporation shall not indemnify an Indemnitee with respect to any Proceeding commenced by such Indemnitee unless the commencement of such Proceeding by such Indemnitee has been approved by a majority vote of the Disinterested Directors (as defined in Section 4.5(d); provided, however, that such approval of a majority of the Disinterested Directors shall not be required with respect to any Proceeding commenced by such Indemnitee after a Change in Control (as defined in Section 4.5(d)) has occurred.
(b) Effect of Amendments. Neither the amendment or repeal of, nor the adoption of a provision inconsistent with, any provision of this Article 4 (including, without limitation, this Section 4.1(b)) shall adversely affect the rights of any Director or officer under this Article 4 (i) with respect to any Proceeding commenced or threatened prior to such amendment, repeal or adoption of an inconsistent provision or (ii) after the occurrence of a Change in Control, with respect to any Proceeding arising out of any action or omission occurring prior to such amendment, repeal or adoption of an inconsistent provision, in either case without the written consent of such Director or officer.
4.2 Insurance, Contracts and Funding. The Corporation may purchase and maintain insurance to protect itself and any Director, officer, employee or agent of the Corporation against any expenses, judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement as specified in Section 4.1(a) or Section 4.6 of this Article 4 or incurred by any Director, officer, employee or agent of the Corporation in connection with any Proceeding referred to in such Sections, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law as then in effect. The Corporation may enter into contracts with any Director, officer, employee or agent of the Corporation or any director, officer, employee, fiduciary or agent of any Covered Entity in furtherance of the provisions of this Article 4 and may create a trust fund or use other means (including, without limitation, a letter of credit) to ensure the payment of such amounts as may be necessary to effect indemnification as provided in this Article 4.
4.3 Indemnification; Not Exclusive Right. The right of indemnification provided in this Article 4 shall not be exclusive of any other rights to which any Indemnitee or Potential Indemnitee may otherwise be entitled, and the provisions of this Article 4 shall inure to the benefit of the heirs and legal representatives of
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any Indemnitee or Potential Indemnitee under this Article 4 and shall be applicable to Proceedings commenced or continuing after the adoption of this Article 4, whether arising from acts or omissions occurring before or after such adoption.
4.4 Advancement of Expenses. Each Potential Indemnitee shall be entitled
to receive advance payment of any expenses actually and reasonably incurred by
such Potential Indemnitee in connection with such Proceeding prior to a
determination of entitlement to indemnification pursuant to Section 4.5(a). Each
Potential Indemnitee shall submit a statement or statements to the Corporation
requesting such advance or advances from time to time, whether prior to or after
final disposition of such Proceeding, reasonably evidencing the expenses
incurred by such Potential Indemnitee and accompanied by an undertaking by or on
behalf of such Potential Indemnitee to repay the amounts advanced if ultimately
it should be determined that such Potential Indemnitee is not entitled to be
indemnified against such expenses pursuant to this Article 4. A determination of
the reasonableness of such expenses shall be made and such reasonable expenses
shall be advanced pursuant to procedures to be established from time to time by
the Board or its designee(s) (the "Advancement Procedures"). The amendment or
repeal of, and the adoption of a provision inconsistent with, any provision of
the Advancement Procedures shall be governed by Section 4.1(b) of this Article
4. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 4.4, the Corporation
shall not advance expenses to a Potential Indemnitee with respect to any
Proceeding commenced by such Potential Indemnitee unless the commencement of
such Proceeding by such Potential Indemnitee has been approved by a majority
vote of the Disinterested Directors; provided, however, that such approval of a
majority of the Disinterested Directors shall not be required with respect to
any Proceeding commenced by such Potential Indemnitee after a Change in Control
has occurred.
4.5 Indemnification Procedures; Presumptions and Effect of Certain Proceedings; Remedies. In furtherance, but not in limitation, of the foregoing provisions of this Article 4, the following procedures, presumptions and remedies shall apply with respect to the right to indemnification under this Article 4:
(a) Procedures for Determination of Entitlement to Indemnification. (i) To obtain indemnification under this Article 4, Potential Indemnitee shall submit to the Secretary of the Corporation a written request, including such documentation and information as is reasonably available to the Potential Indemnitee and reasonably necessary to determine whether and to what extent the Potential Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification (the "Supporting Documentation"). The determination of the Potential Indemnitee's entitlement to indemnification shall be made not later than 60 days after the later of (A) the receipt by the Corporation of the written request for indemnification together with the Supporting Documentation and (B) the receipt by the Corporation of written notice of final disposition of the Proceeding for which indemnification is sought. The Secretary of the Corporation shall, promptly upon receipt of such a request for indemnification, advise the Board in writing that the Indemnitee has requested indemnification.
(ii) The Potential Indemnitee's entitlement to indemnification under this Article 4 shall be determined in one of the following ways: (A) by a majority vote of the Disinterested Directors whether or not they constitute a quorum of the Board; (B) by a committee of the Disinterested Directors designated by a majority vote of the Disinterested Directors, whether or not they constitute a quorum of the Board; (C) by a written opinion of Independent Counsel as defined in Section 4.5(d)) if (x) a Change in Control shall have occurred and the Potential Indemnitee so requests or (y) there are no Disinterested Directors or a majority of such Disinterested Directors so directs; (D) by the stockholders of the Corporation; or (E) as provided in Section 4.5(b) of this Article 4.
(iii) In the event the determination of entitlement to indemnification is to be made by Independent Counsel pursuant to Section 4.5(a)(ii), a majority of the Disinterested Directors (or, if there are no Disinterested Directors, the General Counsel of the Corporation or, if the General Counsel is or was a party to the Proceeding in respect of which indemnification is sought, the highest ranking officer of the Corporation who is not and was not a party to such Proceeding) shall select the Independent Counsel, but only an Independent Counsel to which the Potential Indemnitee does not reasonably object; provided, however, that if a Change in Control shall have occurred, the Potential Indemnitee shall select such
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Independent Counsel, but only an Independent Counsel to which a majority of the Disinterested Directors does not reasonably object.
(b) Presumptions and Effect of Certain Proceedings. Except as otherwise expressly provided in this Article 4, if a Change in Control shall have occurred, the Potential Indemnitee shall be presumed to be entitled to indemnification under this Article 4 (with respect to actions or failures to act occurring prior to such Change in Control) upon submission of a request for indemnification together with the Supporting Documentation in accordance with Section 4.5(a)(i)(A) of this Article 4, and thereafter the Corporation shall have the burden of proof to overcome that presumption in reaching a contrary determination. In any event, if the person or persons empowered under Section 4.5(a) of this Article 4 to determine entitlement to indemnification shall not have been appointed or shall not have made a determination within 60 days after the later of (x) receipt by the Corporation of the written request for indemnification together with the Supporting Documentation and (y) the receipt by the Corporation of written notice of final disposition of the Proceeding for which indemnification is sought, the Potential Indemnitee shall be deemed to be, and shall be, entitled to indemnification. The termination of any Proceeding or of any claim, issue or matter therein, by judgment, order, settlement or conviction, or upon a plea of nolo contendere or its equivalent, shall not, of itself, adversely affect the right of the Potential Indemnitee to indemnification or create a presumption that the Potential Indemnitee did not act in good faith and in a manner which the Indemnitee reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Corporation or, with respect to any criminal Proceeding, that the Potential Indemnitee had reasonable cause to believe that his or her conduct was unlawful.
(c) Remedies. (i) In the event that a determination is made pursuant to Section 4.5(a) of this Article 4 that the Potential Indemnitee is not entitled to indemnification under this Article 4, (A) the Potential Indemnitee shall be entitled to seek an adjudication of his or her entitlement to such indemnification either, at the Potential Indemnitee's sole option, in (x) an appropriate court of the state of Delaware or any other court of competent jurisdiction or (y) an arbitration to be conducted by a single arbitrator pursuant to the rules of the American Arbitration Association; (B) any such judicial proceeding or arbitration shall be de novo and the Indemnitee shall not be prejudiced by reason of such adverse determination; and (C) if a Change in Control shall have occurred, in any such judicial proceeding or arbitration, the Corporation shall have the burden of proving that the Potential Indemnitee is not entitled to indemnification under this Article 4 (with respect to actions or omissions occurring prior to such Change in Control).
(ii) If a determination shall have been made or deemed to have been made, pursuant to Section 4.5(a) or (b) of this Article 4, that the Potential Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification, the Corporation shall be obligated to pay the amounts constituting such indemnification within five days after such determination has been made or deemed to have been made and shall be conclusively bound by such determination unless (A) the Indemnitee misrepresented or failed to disclose a material fact in making the request for indemnification or in the Supporting Documentation or (B) such indemnification is prohibited by law. In the event that payment of indemnification is not made within five days after a determination of entitlement to indemnification has been made or deemed to have been made pursuant to Section 4.5(a) or (b) of this Article 4, the Indemnitee shall be entitled to seek judicial enforcement of the Corporation's obligation to pay to the Indemnitee such indemnification. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Corporation may bring an action, in an appropriate court in the state of Delaware or any other court of competent jurisdiction, contesting the right of the Indemnitee to receive indemnification hereunder due to the occurrence of an event described in Subclause (A) or (B) of this subsection (each, a "Disqualifying Event"); provided, however, that in any such action the Corporation shall have the burden of proving the occurrence of such Disqualifying Event.
(iii) The Corporation shall be precluded from asserting in any judicial proceeding or arbitration commenced pursuant to this Section 4.5(c) that the procedures and presumptions of this Article 4 are not valid, binding and enforceable and shall stipulate in any such court or before any such arbitrator that the Corporation is bound by all the provisions of this Article 4.
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(iv) In the event that the Indemnitee or Potential Indemnitee, pursuant to this Section 4.5(c), seeks a judicial adjudication of or an award in arbitration to enforce his or her rights under, or to recover damages for breach of, this Article 4, such person shall be entitled to recover from the Corporation, and shall be indemnified by the Corporation against, any expenses actually and reasonably incurred by such person in connection with such judicial adjudication or arbitration. If it shall be determined in such judicial adjudication or arbitration that such person is entitled to receive part but not all of the indemnification or advancement of expenses sought, the expenses incurred by such person in connection with such judicial adjudication or arbitration shall be prorated accordingly.
(d) Definitions. For purposes of this Article 4:
(i) "Change in Control" means a change in control of the Corporation of a nature that would be required to be reported in response to Item 6(e) (or any successor provision) of Schedule 14A of Regulation 14A (or any amendment or successor provision thereto) promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Act"), whether or not the Corporation is then subject to such reporting requirement; provided that, without limitation, such a change in control shall be deemed to have occurred if (A) any "person" (as such term is used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Act) is or becomes the "beneficial owner" (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Act), directly or indirectly, of securities of the Corporation representing 20% or more of the voting power of all outstanding shares of stock of the Corporation entitled to vote generally in an election of Directors without the prior approval of at least two-thirds of the members of the Board in office immediately prior to such acquisition; (B) the Corporation is a party to any merger or consolidation in which the Corporation is not the continuing or surviving corporation or pursuant to which shares of the Corporation's common stock would be converted into cash, securities or other property, other than a merger of the Corporation in which the holders of the Corporation's common stock immediately prior to the merger have the same proportionate ownership of common stock of the surviving corporation immediately after the merger; (C) there is a sale, lease, exchange or other transfer (in one transaction or a series of related transactions) of all, or substantially all, the assets of the Corporation, or liquidation or dissolution of the Corporation; (D) the Corporation is a party to a merger, consolidation, sale of assets or other reorganization, or a proxy contest, as a consequence of which members of the Board in office immediately prior to such transaction or event constitute less than a majority of the Board thereafter; or (E) during any period of two consecutive years, individuals who at the beginning of such period constituted the Board (including for this purpose any new Director whose election or nomination for election by the stockholders was approved by a vote of at least two-thirds of the Directors then still in office who were Directors at the beginning of such period) cease for any reason to constitute at least a majority of the Board.
(ii) "Disinterested Director" means a Director who is not or was not a party to the Proceeding in respect of which indemnification is sought by the Indemnitee or Potential Indemnitee.
(iii) "Independent Counsel" means a law firm or a member of a law firm that neither presently is, nor in the past five years has been, retained to represent: (a) the Corporation or the Indemnitee in any matter material to either such party or (b) any other party to the Proceeding giving rise to a claim for indemnification under this Article 4. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the term "Independent Counsel" shall not include any person who, under applicable standards of professional conduct then prevailing under the law of the State of Delaware, would have a conflict of interest in representing either the Corporation or the Indemnitee or Potential Indemnitees in an action to determine the Indemnitee's or Potential Indemnitee's rights under this Article 4.
4.6 Indemnification of Employees and Agents. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Article 4, the Corporation, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law as then in effect, may indemnify any person other than a Director or officer of the Corporation who is or was an employee or agent of the Corporation and who is or was involved in any manner (including, without limitation, as a party or a witness) or is threatened to be made so involved in any threatened, pending or completed Proceeding by reasons of the fact that such person is or was an employee or agent of the Corporation or was or is serving, at the request of the Corporation, as a director, officer, employee, or agent of a Covered Entity against all expenses (including
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attorneys' fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by such person in connection with such Proceeding. The Corporation may also advance expenses incurred by such employee, fiduciary or agent in connection with any such Proceeding, consistent with the provisions of applicable law as then in effect. If made or advanced, such indemnification shall be made and such reasonable expenses shall be advanced pursuant to procedures to be established from time to time by the Board or its designee(s).
4.7 Severability. If any of this Article 4 shall be held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable for any reason whatsoever: (i) the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions of this Article 4 (including, without limitation, all portions of any Section of this Article 4 containing any such provision held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, that are not themselves invalid, illegal or unenforceable) shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby; and (ii) to the fullest extent possible, the provisions of this Article 4 (including, without limitation, all portions of any Section of this Article 4 containing any such provision held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, that are not themselves invalid, illegal or unenforceable) shall be construed so as to give effect to the intent manifested by the provision held invalid, illegal or unenforceable.
Section 102(b)(7) of the Delaware General Corporation Law, as amended, provides in regard to the limitation of liability of directors and officers as follows:
(b) In addition to the matters required to be set forth in the certificate of incorporation by subsection (a) of this section, the certificate of incorporation may also contain any or all of the following matters:
(7) A provision eliminating or limiting the personal liability of a director to the corporation or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director, provided that such provision shall not eliminate or limit the liability of a director: (i) for any breach of the director's duty of loyalty to the corporation or its stockholders, (ii) for acts or omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law, (iii) under section 174 of this Title, or (iv) for any transaction from which the director derived an improper personal benefit. No such provision shall eliminate or limit the liability of a director for any act or omission occurring prior to the date when such provision becomes effective. All references in this paragraph to a director shall also be deemed to refer (x) to a member of the governing body of a corporation which is not authorized to issue capital stock, and (y) to such other person or persons, if any, who, pursuant to a provision of the certificate of incorporation in accordance with sec. 141(a) of this title, exercise or perform any of the powers or duties otherwise conferred or imposed upon the board of directors by this title.
As permitted by Section 102(b)(7) of the Delaware General Corporation Law, Article SIXTH of The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc.'s Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation provides in regard to the limitation of liability of directors and officers as follows:
To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law as then in effect, no director or officer shall be personally liable to the Corporation or any of its stockholders for damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director or officer, except for liability (a) for any breach of the director's duty of loyalty to the Corporation or its stockholders, (b) for acts or omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law, (c) under Section 174 of the Delaware General Corporation Law, (d) for any transaction from which the director derived an improper personal benefit or (e) for any act or omission occurring prior to the effective date of this ARTICLE SIXTH. Any repeal or modification of this ARTICLE SIXTH by the stockholders of the Corporation shall not adversely affect any right or protection of a director or officer of the Corporation existing at the time of such repeal or modification with respect to acts or omissions occurring prior to such repeal or modification.
We have policies in force and effect that insure our directors and officers against losses which they or any of them will become legally obligated to pay by reason of any actual or alleged error or misstatement or misleading statement or act or omission or neglect or breach of duty by such directors and officers in the discharge of their duties, individually or collectively, or as a result of any matter claimed against them solely
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by reason of their being directors or officers. Such coverage is limited by the specific terms and provisions of the insurance policies.
The underwriters or agents on whose behalf the agreements listed as Exhibits 1.01 through 1.06 to this registration statement will be executed will agree in those agreements to indemnify directors and officers of The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc., and persons controlling The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc., within the meaning of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, against certain liabilities that might arise out of or are based upon certain information furnished to us by any such underwriter or agent.
THE TRUSTS
The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc., as depositor under the respective trust agreements, has agreed to indemnify each trust's trustee for, and to hold each such trustee harmless against, any loss, damage, claims, liability, penalty or expense incurred without negligence or bad faith on the part of any such trustee, arising out of or in connection with the acceptance or administration of the respective trust agreements, including the costs and expenses of any trustee of defending itself against any claim or liability in connection with the exercise and performance of any of its powers or duties under the respective trust agreements.
ITEM 16. EXHIBITS
EXHIBIT
NO. DESCRIPTION
------- -----------
1.01 Form of Underwriting Agreement (Equity) (incorporated herein
by reference to Exhibit 1.01 to the Registration Statement
on Form S-3 (Registration No. 333-88762) of the Hartford
Financial Services Group, Inc. ("The Hartford"), Hartford
Capital IV, Hartford Capital V and Hartford Capital VI).
1.02 Form of Underwriting Agreement (Debt) (incorporated herein
by reference to Exhibit 1.02 to the Registration Statement
on Form S-3 (Registration No. 333-12617) of The Hartford,
Hartford Capital II, Hartford Capital III and Hartford
Capital IV).
1.03 Form of Underwriting Agreement (Preferred Securities)
(incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 1.03 to the
Registration Statement on Form S-3 (Registration No.
333-88762) of the Hartford, Hartford Capital IV, Hartford
Capital V and Hartford Capital VI).
1.04 Form of Underwriting Agreement (Stock Purchase Contracts)
(incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 1.04 to the
Registration Statement on Form S-3 (Registration No.
333-12617) of The Hartford, Hartford Capital II, Hartford
Capital III and Hartford Capital IV).
1.05 Form of Underwriting Agreement (Stock Purchase Units).*
1.06 Form of Underwriting Agreement (Warrants).*
4.01 Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of The
Hartford, amended effective May 1, 2002 (incorporated herein
by reference to Exhibit 3.01 to the Hartford's Form 10-Q for
the quarterly period ended March 31, 2002).
4.02 Amended and Restated By-Laws of The Hartford, amended
effective April 17, 2003 (incorporated herein by reference
to Exhibit 3.01 to The Hartford's Form 10-Q for the
quarterly period ended March 31, 2003).
4.03 Form of Senior Indenture to be entered into between The
Hartford and JPMorgan Chase Bank as Trustee.
4.04 Form of Subordinated Indenture.
4.05 Form of Junior Subordinated Indenture to be entered into
between The Hartford and Wilmington Trust Company, as
Trustee.
4.06 Certificate of Trust of Hartford Capital IV (incorporated
herein by reference to Exhibit 4.15 to the Registration
Statement on Form S-3 (Registration No. 33-98014) of ITT
Hartford, Hartford Capital I, Hartford Capital II, Hartford
Capital III and Hartford Capital IV).
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EXHIBIT
NO. DESCRIPTION
------- -----------
4.07 Trust Agreement of Hartford Capital IV (incorporated herein
by reference to Exhibit 4.16 to the Registration Statement
on Form S-3 (Registration No. 33-98014) of ITT Hartford,
Hartford Capital I, Hartford Capital II, Hartford Capital
III and Hartford Capital IV).
4.08 Certificate of Trust of Hartford Capital V (incorporated
herein by reference to Exhibit 4.10 to the Registration
Statement on Form S-3 (Registration No. 333-49666) of The
Hartford, Hartford Capital III, Hartford Capital IV and
Hartford Capital V).
4.09 Trust Agreement of Hartford Capital V (incorporated herein
by reference to Exhibit 4.11 to the Registration Statement
on Form S-3 (Registration No. 333-49666) of The Hartford,
Hartford Capital III, Hartford Capital IV and Hartford
Capital V).
4.10 Certificate of Trust of Hartford Capital VI (incorporated
herein by reference to Exhibit 4.10 to the Registration
Statement on Form S-3 (Registration No. 333-88762) of The
Hartford, Hartford Capital IV, Hartford Capital V and
Hartford Capital VI).
4.11 Trust Agreement of Hartford Capital VI (incorporated herein
by reference to Exhibit 4.11 to the Registration Statement
on Form S-3 (Registration No. 333-88762) of The Hartford,
Hartford Capital IV, Hartford Capital V and Hartford Capital
VI).
4.12 Form of Amended and Restated Trust Agreement for Hartford
Capital IV (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.18
to the Registration Statement on Form S-3 (Registration No.
333-12617) of The Hartford, Hartford Capital II, Hartford
Capital III and Hartford Capital IV).
4.13 Form of Preferred Security Certificate for Hartford Capital
IV (included as Exhibit E of Exhibit 4.12).
4.14 Form of Agreement as to Expenses and Liabilities for
Hartford Capital IV (included as Exhibit D of Exhibit 4.12).
4.15 Form of Guarantee Agreement in respect of Hartford Capital
IV (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.20 to the
Registration Statement on Form S-3 (Registration No.
333-12617) of The Hartford, Hartford Capital II, Hartford
Capital III and Hartford Capital IV).
4.16 Form of Amended and Restated Trust Agreement for Hartford
Capital V (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.18
to the Registration Statement on Form S-3 (Registration No.
333-49666) of The Hartford, Hartford Capital III, Hartford
Capital IV and Hartford Capital V).
4.17 Form of Preferred Security Certificate for Hartford Capital
V (included as Exhibit E of Exhibit 4.16).
4.18 Form of Agreement as to Expenses and Liabilities for
Hartford Capital V (included as Exhibit D of Exhibit 4.16).
4.19 Form of Guarantee Agreement in respect of Hartford Capital V
(incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.20 to the
Registration Statement on Form S-3 (Registration No.
333-49666) of The Hartford, Hartford Capital III, Hartford
Capital IV and Hartford Capital V).
4.20 Form of Amended and Restated Trust Agreement for Hartford
Capital VI (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.20
to the Registration Statement on Form S-3 (Registration No.
333-88762) of The Hartford, Hartford Capital IV, Hartford
Capital V and Hartford Capital VI).
4.21 Form of Preferred Security Certificate for Hartford Capital
VI (included as Exhibit E of Exhibit 4.20).
4.22 Form of Agreement as to Expenses and Liabilities for
Hartford Capital VI (included as Exhibit D of Exhibit 4.20).
4.23 Form of Guarantee Agreement in respect of Hartford Capital
VI (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.23 to the
Registration Statement on Form S-3 (Registration No.
333-88762) of The Hartford, Hartford Capital IV, Hartford
Capital V and Hartford Capital VI).
4.24 Form of Depositary Receipt.*
4.25 Form of Depositary Agreement.*
|
II-9
EXHIBIT
NO. DESCRIPTION
------- -----------
4.26 Rights Agreement, dated as of November 1, 1995, between The
Hartford and The Bank of New York, as Rights Agent.
(incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.26 to the
Registration Statement on Form S-3 (Registration No.
333-103915) of The Hartford, Hartford Capital IV, Hartford
Capital V and Hartford Capital VI).
4.27 Form of Certificate of Voting Powers, Preferences and
Relative, Participating, Optional and Other Special Rights
and Qualifications, Limitations or Restrictions of Series A
Participating Cumulative Preferred Stock of The Hartford
(included as Exhibit A of Exhibit 4.26).
4.28 Form of Right Certificate (included as Exhibit B of Exhibit
4.26).
4.29 Form(s) of Warrant Agreement(s), including form of Warrant.*
4.30 Specimen Common Share Certificate (incorporated herein by
reference to Exhibit 4.1 to The Hartford's Registration
Statement on Form 8-A, dated September 18, 1995, as amended
by the Form 8-A/A, filed on November 13, 1995).
4.31 Form of Purchase Contract Agreement.*
4.32 Form of Pledge Agreement.*
4.33 Form of Global Security (Senior Debt) (included in Exhibit
4.03).
4.34 Form of Global Security (Subordinated Debt) (included in
Exhibit 4.04).
4.35 Form of Global Security (Junior Subordinated Debt) (included
in Exhibit 4.05).
5.01 Opinion of Debevoise & Plimpton.
5.02 Opinion of Richards, Layton & Finger, P.A. special Delaware
counsel, relating to the legality of the Preferred
Securities of Hartford Capital IV.
5.03 Opinion of Richards, Layton & Finger, P.A. special Delaware
counsel, relating to the legality of the Preferred
Securities of Hartford Capital V.
5.04 Opinion of Richards, Layton & Finger, P.A. special Delaware
counsel, relating to the legality of the Preferred
Securities of Hartford Capital VI.
12.01 Statement Re: Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed
Charges and Earnings to Combined Fixed Charges and Preferred
Stock Dividends.
15.01 Letter of Deloitte & Touche LLP (re: unaudited interim
financial information).
23.01 Consent of Deloitte & Touche LLP.
23.02 Consent of Debevoise & Plimpton (included in Exhibit 5.01).
23.03 Consent of Richards, Layton & Finger, P.A. special Delaware
counsel (included in Exhibits 5.02, 5.03 and 5.04).
24.01 Power of Attorney of certain officers and directors of The
Hartford.
25.01 Statement of Eligibility and Qualification under the Trust
Indenture Act of 1939 of Wilmington Trust Company, as
Trustee for the Junior Subordinated Indenture.
25.02 Statement of Eligibility and Qualification under the Trust
Indenture Act of 1939 of Wilmington Trust Company, as
Property Trustee for the Amended and Restated Trust
Agreement of Hartford Capital Trust IV.
25.03 Statement of Eligibility and Qualification under the Trust
Indenture Act of 1939 of Wilmington Trust Company, as
Guarantee Trustee for the Guarantee for Hartford Capital
Trust IV.
25.04 Statement of Eligibility and Qualification under the Trust
Indenture Act of 1939 of Wilmington Trust Company, as
Property Trustee for the Amended and Restated Trust
Agreement of Hartford Capital Trust V.
25.05 Statement of Eligibility and Qualification under the Trust
Indenture Act of 1939 of Wilmington Trust Company, as
Guarantee Trustee for the Guarantee for Hartford Capital
Trust V.
25.06 Statement of Eligibility and Qualification under the Trust
Indenture Act of 1939 of Wilmington Trust Company, as
Property Trustee for the Amended and Restated Trust
Agreement of Hartford Capital Trust VI.
25.07 Statement of Eligibility and Qualification under the Trust
Indenture Act of 1939 of Wilmington Trust Company, as
Guarantee Trustee for the Guarantee for Hartford Capital
Trust VI.
|
II-10
EXHIBIT
NO. DESCRIPTION
------- -----------
25.08 Statement of Eligibility and Qualification under the Trust
Indenture Act of 1939 of JPMorgan Chase Bank, as Trustee for
the Senior Debt Securities.
25.09 Statement of Eligibility and Qualification under the Trust
Indenture Act of 1939 of the Subordinated Trustee, as
Trustee for the Subordinated Debt Securities.*
|
* To be filed by amendment or by a report on Form 8-K pursuant to Item 601 of Regulation S-K.
ITEM 17. UNDERTAKINGS
(a) Rule 415 Offering
Each undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:
(1) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this registration statement:
(i) To include any prospectus required by section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act of 1933;
(ii) To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of the registration statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information in the registration statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than a 20% change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the "Calculation of Registration Fee" table in the effective registration statement;
(iii) To include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the registration statement or any material change to such information in the registration statement;
Provided, however, that paragraphs (a)(1)(i) and (a)(1)(ii) do not apply if the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in periodic reports filed with or furnished to the Commission by the registrant pursuant to section 13 or section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that are incorporated by reference in the registration statement.
(2) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
(3) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering.
(b) Filings Incorporating Subsequent Exchange Act Documents by Reference
Each undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each filing of such registrant's annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan's annual report pursuant to section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) that is incorporated by reference in the registration statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
II-11
(c) Acceleration of Effectiveness
Insofar as indemnifications for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the registrants pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the registrants have been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by a registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person, if any, of such registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, such registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
(d) Rule 430A Offering
Each undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that:
(1) For purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act
of 1933, the information omitted from the form of prospectus filed as part
of this registration statement in reliance upon Rule 430A and contained in
a form of prospectus filed by the registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(1) or
(4) or 497(h) under the Securities Act shall be deemed to be part of this
registration statement as of the time it was declared effective.
(2) For the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each post-effective amendment that contains a form of prospectus shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
(e) Equity Offerings of Non-reporting Registrants
Each undersigned registrant hereby undertakes to provide to the underwriter at the closing specified in the underwriting agreements certificates in such denominations and registered in such names as required by the underwriter to permit prompt delivery to each purchaser.
(f) Qualification of Trust Indentures for Delayed Offerings
Each undersigned registrant hereby undertakes to file an application for
the purpose of determining eligibility of the trustee to act under subsection
(a) of section 310 of the Trust Indenture Act ("Act") in accordance with the
rules and regulations prescribed by the Commission under Section 305(b)(2) of
the Act.
II-12
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc. (i) certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-3 and (ii) has duly caused this Registration Statement on Form S-3 to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in Hartford, Connecticut, on this 18th day of August, 2003.
THE HARTFORD FINANCIAL SERVICES GROUP,
INC.
By: /s/ NEAL S. WOLIN
------------------------------------
Name: Neal S. Wolin
Title: Executive Vice President and
General Counsel
|
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Registration Statement on Form S-3 has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
SIGNATURE TITLE DATE
--------- ----- ----
* Chairman, President, Chief August 18, 2003
------------------------------------------------ Executive Officer and Director
Ramani Ayer (Principal Executive Officer)
* Executive Vice President and August 18, 2003
------------------------------------------------ Director
Thomas M. Marra
* Executive Vice President and August 18, 2003
------------------------------------------------ Director
David K. Zwiener
* Executive Vice President and August 18, 2003
------------------------------------------------ Chief Financial Officer
David M. Johnson (Principal Financial Officer)
* Senior Vice President and August 18, 2003
------------------------------------------------ Controller (Principal Accounting
Robert J. Price Officer)
* Director August 18, 2003
------------------------------------------------
Rand V. Araskog
* Director August 18, 2003
------------------------------------------------
Donald R. Frahm
* Director August 18, 2003
------------------------------------------------
Edward J. Kelly, III
* Director August 18, 2003
------------------------------------------------
Paul G. Kirk, Jr.
* Director August 18, 2003
------------------------------------------------
Gail J. McGovern
|
II-13
SIGNATURE TITLE DATE
--------- ----- ----
* Director August 18, 2003
------------------------------------------------
Robert W. Selander
* Director August 18, 2003
------------------------------------------------
Charles B. Strauss
* Director August 18, 2003
------------------------------------------------
H. Patrick Swygert
* Director August 18, 2003
------------------------------------------------
Gordon I. Ulmer
*By: /s/ NEAL S. WOLIN
------------------------------------------
As Attorney-in-Fact
|
II-14
SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, Hartford Capital IV (i) certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-3 and (ii) has duly caused this Registration Statement on Form S-3 to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in Hartford, Connecticut, on this 18th day of August, 2003.
HARTFORD CAPITAL IV
By: THE HARTFORD FINANCIAL SERVICES
GROUP, INC.,
as Depositor
By: /s/ NEAL S. WOLIN
------------------------------------
Name: Neal S. Wolin
Title: Executive Vice President and
General Counsel
|
II-15
SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, Hartford Capital V (i) certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-3 and (ii) has duly caused this Registration Statement on Form S-3 to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in Hartford, Connecticut, on this 18th day of August, 2003.
HARTFORD CAPITAL V
By: THE HARTFORD FINANCIAL SERVICES
GROUP, INC.,
as Depositor
By: /s/ NEAL S. WOLIN
------------------------------------
Name: Neal S. Wolin
Title: Executive Vice President and
General Counsel
|
II-16
SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, Hartford Capital VI (i) certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-3 and (ii) has duly caused this Registration Statement on Form S-3 to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in Hartford, Connecticut, on this 18th day of August, 2003.
HARTFORD CAPITAL VI
By: THE HARTFORD FINANCIAL SERVICES
GROUP, INC.,
as Depositor
By: /s/ NEAL S. WOLIN
------------------------------------
Name: Neal S. Wolin
Title: Executive Vice President and
General Counsel
|
II-17
EXHIBIT INDEX
EXHIBIT
NO. DESCRIPTION
------- -----------
1.01 Form of Underwriting Agreement (Equity) (incorporated herein
by reference to Exhibit 1.01 to the Registration Statement
on Form S-3 (Registration No. 333-88762) of the Hartford
Financial Services Group, Inc. ("The Hartford"), Hartford
Capital IV, Hartford Capital V and Hartford Capital VI).
1.02 Form of Underwriting Agreement (Debt) (incorporated herein
by reference to Exhibit 1.02 to the Registration Statement
on Form S-3 (Registration No. 333-12617) of The Hartford,
Hartford Capital II, Hartford Capital III and Hartford
Capital IV).
1.03 Form of Underwriting Agreement (Preferred Securities)
(incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 1.03 to the
Registration Statement on Form S-3 (Registration No.
333-88762) of the Hartford, Hartford Capital IV, Hartford
Capital V and Hartford Capital VI).
1.04 Form of Underwriting Agreement (Stock Purchase Contracts)
(incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 1.04 to the
Registration Statement on Form S-3 (Registration No.
333-12617) of The Hartford, Hartford Capital II, Hartford
Capital III and Hartford Capital IV).
1.05 Form of Underwriting Agreement (Stock Purchase Units).*
1.06 Form of Underwriting Agreement (Warrants).*
4.01 Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of The
Hartford, amended effective May 1, 2002 (incorporated herein
by reference to Exhibit 3.01 to the Hartford's Form 10-Q for
the quarterly period ended March 31, 2002).
4.02 Amended and Restated By-Laws of The Hartford, amended
effective April 17, 2003 (incorporated herein by reference
to Exhibit 3.01 to The Hartford's Form 10-Q for The
quarterly period ended March 31, 2003).
4.03 Form of Senior Indenture to be entered into between The
Hartford and JPMorgan Chase Bank as Trustee.
4.04 Form of Subordinated Indenture.
4.05 Form of Junior Subordinated Indenture to be entered into
Between The Hartford and Wilmington Trust Company, as
Trustee.
4.06 Certificate of Trust of Hartford Capital IV (incorporated
herein by reference to Exhibit 4.15 to the Registration
Statement on Form S-3 (Registration No. 33-98014) of ITT
Hartford, Hartford Capital I, Hartford Capital II, Hartford
Capital III and Hartford Capital IV).
4.07 Trust Agreement of Hartford Capital IV (incorporated herein
by reference to Exhibit 4.16 to the Registration Statement
on Form S-3 (Registration No. 33-98014) of ITT Hartford,
Hartford Capital I, Hartford Capital II, Hartford Capital
III and Hartford Capital IV).
4.08 Certificate of Trust of Hartford Capital V (incorporated
herein by reference to Exhibit 4.10 to the Registration
Statement on Form S-3 (Registration No. 333-49666) of The
Hartford, Hartford Capital III, Hartford Capital IV and
Hartford Capital V).
4.09 Trust Agreement of Hartford Capital V (incorporated herein
by reference to Exhibit 4.11 to the Registration Statement
on Form S-3 (Registration No. 333-49666) of The Hartford,
Hartford Capital III, Hartford Capital IV and Hartford
Capital V).
4.10 Certificate of Trust of Hartford Capital VI (incorporated
herein by reference to Exhibit 4.10 to the Registration
Statement on Form S-3 (Registration No. 333-88762) of The
Hartford, Hartford Capital IV, Hartford Capital V and
Hartford Capital VI).
4.11 Trust Agreement of Hartford Capital VI (incorporated herein
by reference to Exhibit 4.11 to the Registration Statement
on Form S-3 (Registration No. 333-88762) of The Hartford,
Hartford Capital IV, Hartford Capital V and Hartford Capital
VI).
4.12 Form of Amended and Restated Trust Agreement for Hartford
Capital IV (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.18
to the Registration Statement on Form S-3 (Registration No.
333-12617) of The Hartford, Hartford Capital II, Hartford
Capital III and Hartford Capital IV).
4.13 Form of Preferred Security Certificate for Hartford Capital
IV (included as Exhibit E of Exhibit 4.12).
4.14 Form of Agreement as to Expenses and Liabilities for
Hartford Capital IV (included as Exhibit D of Exhibit 4.12).
|
EXHIBIT
NO. DESCRIPTION
------- -----------
4.15 Form of Guarantee Agreement in respect of Hartford Capital
IV (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.20 to the
Registration Statement on Form S-3 (Registration No.
333-12617) of The Hartford, Hartford Capital II, Hartford
Capital III and Hartford Capital IV).
4.16 Form of Amended and Restated Trust Agreement for Hartford
Capital V (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.18
to the Registration Statement on Form S-3 (Registration No.
333-49666) of The Hartford, Hartford Capital III, Hartford
Capital IV and Hartford Capital V).
4.17 Form of Preferred Security Certificate for Hartford Capital
V (included as Exhibit E of Exhibit 4.16).
4.18 Form of Agreement as to Expenses and Liabilities for
Hartford Capital V (included as Exhibit D of Exhibit 4.16).
4.19 Form of Guarantee Agreement in respect of Hartford Capital V
(incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.20 to the
Registration Statement on Form S-3 (Registration No.
333-49666) of The Hartford, Hartford Capital III, Hartford
Capital IV and Hartford Capital V).
4.20 Form of Amended and Restated Trust Agreement for Hartford
Capital VI (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.20
to the Registration Statement on Form S-3 (Registration No.
333-88762) of The Hartford, Hartford Capital IV, Hartford
Capital V and Hartford Capital VI).
4.21 Form of Preferred Security Certificate for Hartford Capital
VI (included as Exhibit E of Exhibit 4.20).
4.22 Form of Agreement as to Expenses and Liabilities for
Hartford Capital VI (included as Exhibit D of Exhibit 4.20).
4.23 Form of Guarantee Agreement in respect of Hartford Capital
VI (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.23 to the
Registration Statement on Form S-3 (Registration No.
333-88762) of The Hartford, Hartford Capital IV, Hartford
Capital V and Hartford Capital VI).
4.24 Form of Depositary Receipt.*
4.25 Form of Depositary Agreement.*
4.26 Rights Agreement, dated as of November 1, 1995, between The
Hartford and The Bank of New York, as Rights Agent.
(incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.26 to the
Registration Statement on Form S-3 (Registration No.
333-103915) of The Hartford, Hartford Capital IV, Hartford
Capital V and Hartford Capital VI).
4.27 Form of Certificate of Voting Powers, Preferences and
Relative, Participating, Optional and Other Special Rights
and Qualifications, Limitations or Restrictions of Series A
Participating Cumulative Preferred Stock of The Hartford
(included as Exhibit A of Exhibit 4.26).
4.28 Form of Right Certificate (included as Exhibit B of Exhibit
4.26).
4.29 Form(s) of Warrant Agreement(s), including form of Warrant.*
4.30 Specimen Common Share Certificate (incorporated herein by
reference to Exhibit 4.1 to The Hartford's Registration
Statement on Form 8-A, dated September 18, 1995, as amended
by the Form 8-A/A, filed on November 13, 1995).
4.31 Form of Purchase Contract Agreement.*
4.32 Form of Pledge Agreement.*
4.33 Form of Global Security (Senior Debt) (included in Exhibit
4.03).
4.34 Form of Global Security (Subordinated Debt) (included in
Exhibit 4.04)
4.35 Form of Global Security (Junior Subordinated Debt) (included
in Exhibit 4.05).
5.01 Opinion of Debevoise & Plimpton.
5.02 Opinion of Richards, Layton & Finger, P.A. special Delaware
counsel, relating to the legality of the Preferred
Securities of Hartford Capital IV.
5.03 Opinion of Richards, Layton & Finger, P.A. special Delaware
counsel, relating to the legality of the Preferred
Securities of Hartford Capital V.
5.04 Opinion of Richards, Layton & Finger, P.A. special Delaware
counsel, relating to the legality of the Preferred
Securities of Hartford Capital VI.
12.01 Statement Re: Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed
Charges and Earnings to Combined Fixed Charges and Preferred
Stock Dividends.
15.01 Letter of Deloitte & Touche LLP (re: unaudited interim
financial information).
|
EXHIBIT
NO. DESCRIPTION
------- -----------
23.01 Consent of Deloitte & Touche LLP.
23.02 Consent of Debevoise & Plimpton (included in Exhibit 5.01).
23.03 Consent of Richards, Layton & Finger, P.A. special Delaware
counsel (included in Exhibits 5.02, 5.03 and 5.04).
24.01 Power of Attorney of certain officers and directors of The
Hartford.
25.01 Statement of Eligibility and Qualification under the Trust
Indenture Act of 1939 of Wilmington Trust Company, as
Trustee for the Junior Subordinated Indenture.
25.02 Statement of Eligibility and Qualification under the Trust
Indenture Act of 1939 of Wilmington Trust Company, as
Property Trustee for the Amended and Restated Trust
Agreement of Hartford Capital Trust IV.
25.03 Statement of Eligibility and Qualification under the Trust
Indenture Act of 1939 of Wilmington Trust Company, as
Guarantee Trustee for the Guarantee for Hartford Capital
Trust IV.
25.04 Statement of Eligibility and Qualification under the Trust
Indenture Act of 1939 of Wilmington Trust Company, as
Property Trustee for the Amended and Restated Trust
Agreement of Hartford Capital Trust V.
25.05 Statement of Eligibility and Qualification under the Trust
Indenture Act of 1939 of Wilmington Trust Company, as
Guarantee Trustee for the Guarantee for Hartford Capital
Trust V.
25.06 Statement of Eligibility and Qualification under the Trust
Indenture Act of 1939 of Wilmington Trust Company, as
Property Trustee for the Amended and Restated Trust
Agreement of Hartford Capital Trust VI.
25.07 Statement of Eligibility and Qualification under the Trust
Indenture Act of 1939 of Wilmington Trust Company, as
Guarantee Trustee for the Guarantee for Hartford Capital
Trust VI.
25.08 Statement of Eligibility and Qualification under the Trust
Indenture Act of 1939 of JPMorgan Chase Bank, as Trustee for
the Senior Debt Securities.
25.09 Statement of Eligibility and Qualification under the Trust
Indenture Act of 1939 of the Subordinated Trustee, as
Trustee for the Subordinated Debt Securities.*
|
* To be filed by amendment or by a report on Form 8-K pursuant to Item 601 of Regulation S-K.
EXHIBIT 4.03
The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc.
TO
JPMorgan Chase Bank
Trustee
SENIOR INDENTURE
Dated as of ___________, 2003
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
----
ARTICLE ONE DEFINITIONS AND OTHER PROVISIONS OF GENERAL APPLICATION...................1
SECTION 101. Definitions.................................................................1
Act.................................................................................................2
Affiliate...........................................................................................2
Authenticating Agent................................................................................2
Board of Directors..................................................................................2
Board Resolution....................................................................................2
Business Day........................................................................................2
Commission..........................................................................................2
Company.............................................................................................2
Company Request and Company Order...................................................................2
Consolidated Net Tangible Assets....................................................................3
Corporate Trust Office..............................................................................3
corporation.........................................................................................3
Covenant Defeasance.................................................................................4
Defaulted Interest..................................................................................4
Defeasance..........................................................................................4
Depositary..........................................................................................4
Dollar..............................................................................................4
Event of Default....................................................................................4
Exchange Act........................................................................................4
Expiration Date.....................................................................................4
Foreign Currency....................................................................................4
Global Security.....................................................................................4
Governmental Authority..............................................................................4
Government Obligations..............................................................................4
Holder..............................................................................................5
Indebtedness........................................................................................5
Indenture...........................................................................................5
Interest Payment Date...............................................................................5
Interest Rate.......................................................................................5
Investment Company Act..............................................................................5
Lien................................................................................................5
Maturity............................................................................................5
Notice of Default...................................................................................6
Officers' Certificate...............................................................................6
Opinion of Counsel..................................................................................6
Original Issue Date.................................................................................6
Original Issue Discount Security....................................................................6
|
Outstanding.........................................................................................6
Paying Agent........................................................................................7
Person..............................................................................................7
Place of Payment....................................................................................7
Predecessor Security................................................................................7
Preferred Stock.....................................................................................7
Redemption Date.....................................................................................7
Redemption Price....................................................................................7
Regular Record Date.................................................................................7
Responsible Officer.................................................................................8
Restricted Subsidiary...............................................................................8
Securities or Security..............................................................................8
Securities Act......................................................................................8
Security Register and Security Registrar............................................................8
Special Record Date.................................................................................8
Stated Maturity.....................................................................................8
Subsidiary..........................................................................................8
Trust Indenture Act.................................................................................8
Trustee.............................................................................................9
Vice President......................................................................................9
SECTION 102. Compliance Certificates and Opinions........................................9
SECTION 103. Form of Documents Delivered to Trustee......................................9
SECTION 104. Acts of Holders; Record Dates..............................................10
SECTION 105. Notices, Etc., to Trustee and Company......................................12
SECTION 106. Notice to Holders; Waiver..................................................13
SECTION 107. Conflict with Trust Indenture Act..........................................13
SECTION 108. Effect of Headings and Table of Contents...................................13
SECTION 109. Successors and Assigns.....................................................13
SECTION 110. Separability Clause........................................................13
SECTION 111. Benefits of Indenture......................................................14
SECTION 112. Governing Law..............................................................14
SECTION 113. Legal Holidays.............................................................14
SECTION 114. Computations...............................................................14
ARTICLE TWO SECURITY FORMS...........................................................14
SECTION 201. Forms Generally............................................................14
SECTION 202. Form of Legend for Global Securities.......................................15
SECTION 203. Form of Trustee's Certificate of Authentication............................16
ARTICLE THREE THE SECURITIES...........................................................16
SECTION 301. Title; Terms...............................................................16
SECTION 302. Denominations..............................................................18
SECTION 303. Execution, Authentication, Delivery and Dating.............................18
SECTION 304. Temporary Securities.......................................................20
SECTION 305. Registration, Registration of Transfer and Exchange........................20
SECTION 306. Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost and Stolen Securities...........................22
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SECTION 307. Payment of Interest; Interest Rights Preserved.............................23 SECTION 308. Persons Deemed Owners......................................................24 SECTION 309. Cancellation...............................................................25 SECTION 310. Computation of Interest....................................................25 ARTICLE FOUR SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE...............................................25 SECTION 401. Satisfaction and Discharge of Indenture....................................25 SECTION 402. Application of Trust Money.................................................26 ARTICLE FIVE REMEDIES.................................................................27 SECTION 501. Events of Default..........................................................27 SECTION 502. Acceleration of Maturity; Rescission and Annulment.........................28 SECTION 503. Collection of Indebtedness and Suits for Enforcement by Trustee............29 SECTION 504. Trustee May File Proofs of Claim...........................................30 SECTION 505. Trustee May Enforce Claims Without Possession of Securities................30 SECTION 506. Application of Money Collected.............................................30 SECTION 507. Limitation on Suits........................................................31 SECTION 508. Unconditional Right of Holders to Receive Principal, Premium and Interest..32 SECTION 509. Restoration of Rights and Remedies.........................................32 SECTION 510. Rights and Remedies Cumulative.............................................32 SECTION 511. Delay or Omission Not Waiver...............................................32 SECTION 512. Control by Holders.........................................................32 SECTION 513. Waiver of Past Defaults....................................................33 SECTION 514. Undertaking for Costs......................................................33 SECTION 515. Waiver of Usury, Stay or Extension Laws....................................34 ARTICLE SIX THE TRUSTEE..............................................................34 SECTION 601. Certain Duties and Responsibilities........................................34 SECTION 602. Notice of Defaults.........................................................34 SECTION 603. Certain Rights of Trustee..................................................35 SECTION 604. Not Responsible for Recitals or Issuance of Securities.....................36 SECTION 605. May Hold Securities........................................................36 SECTION 606. Money Held in Trust........................................................37 SECTION 607. Compensation and Reimbursement.............................................37 SECTION 608. Disqualification; Conflicting Interests....................................38 SECTION 609. Corporate Trustee Required; Eligibility....................................38 SECTION 610. Resignation and Removal; Appointment of Successor..........................38 SECTION 611. Acceptance of Appointment by Successor.....................................40 SECTION 612. Merger, Conversion, Consolidation or Succession to Business................41 SECTION 613. Preferential Collection of Claims Against Company..........................41 SECTION 614. Appointment of Authenticating Agent........................................41 |
ARTICLE SEVEN HOLDERS' LISTS AND REPORTS BY TRUSTEE AND COMPANY........................43 SECTION 701. Company to Furnish Trustee Names and Addresses of Holders..................43 SECTION 702. Preservation of Information; Communications to Holders.....................43 SECTION 703. Reports by Trustee.........................................................44 SECTION 704. Reports by Company.........................................................44 ARTICLE EIGHT CONSOLIDATION, MERGER, CONVEYANCE, TRANSFER OR LEASE.....................45 SECTION 801. Company May Consolidate, Etc., Only on Certain Terms.......................45 SECTION 802. Successor Corporation Substituted..........................................46 ARTICLE NINE SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES..................................................46 SECTION 901. Supplemental Indentures Without Consent of Holders.........................46 SECTION 902. Supplemental Indentures With Consent of Holders............................47 SECTION 903. Execution of Supplemental Indentures.......................................48 SECTION 904. Effect of Supplemental Indentures..........................................48 SECTION 905. Conformity with Trust Indenture Act........................................48 SECTION 906. Reference in Securities to Supplemental Indentures.........................49 ARTICLE TEN COVENANTS................................................................49 SECTION 1001. Payment of Principal, Premium and Interest.................................49 SECTION 1002. Maintenance of Office or Agency............................................49 SECTION 1003. Money for Securities Payments to Be Held in Trust..........................50 SECTION 1004. Statement by Officers as to Default........................................51 SECTION 1005. Existence..................................................................51 SECTION 1006. Maintenance of Properties..................................................51 SECTION 1007. Payment of Taxes...........................................................52 SECTION 1008. Limitation on Liens........................................................52 SECTION 1009. Waiver of Certain Covenants................................................54 ARTICLE ELEVEN REDEMPTION OF SECURITIES.................................................54 SECTION 1101. Company's Right of Redemption..............................................54 SECTION 1102. Applicability of Article...................................................54 SECTION 1103. Election to Redeem; Notice to Trustee......................................55 SECTION 1104. Selection by Trustee of Securities to Be Redeemed..........................55 SECTION 1105. Notice of Redemption.......................................................56 SECTION 1106. Deposit of Redemption Price................................................56 SECTION 1107. Securities Payable on Redemption Date......................................57 SECTION 1108. Securities Redeemed in Part................................................57 |
ARTICLE TWELVE DEFEASANCE AND COVENANT DEFEASANCE.......................................57
SECTION 1201. Company's Option to Effect Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance...............57
SECTION 1202. Defeasance and Discharge...................................................57
SECTION 1203. Covenant Defeasance........................................................58
SECTION 1204. Conditions to Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance............................58
SECTION 1205. Deposited Money and Government Obligations to Be Held in Trust;
Miscellaneous Provisions.............................................60
SECTION 1206. Reinstatement..............................................................60
SECTION 1207. Qualifying Trustee.........................................................61
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CERTAIN SECTIONS OF THIS INDENTURE RELATING
TO SECTIONS 310 THROUGH 318,
INCLUSIVE OF THE TRUST INDENTURE ACT OF 1939:
TRUST INDENTURE ACT SECTION INDENTURE SECTION SECTION 310(a)(1)................................................................................609, 610 (a)(2)................................................................................................609 (a)(3).....................................................................................NOT APPLICABLE (a)(4).....................................................................................NOT APPLICABLE (a)(5) ...............................................................................................609 (b)..............................................................................................608, 610 SECTION 311(a)........................................................................................613 (b)...................................................................................................613 SECTION 312(a)...................................................................................701, 702 (b)...................................................................................................702 (c)...................................................................................................702 SECTION 313(a)........................................................................................703 (b)...................................................................................................703 (c)...................................................................................................703 (d)...................................................................................................703 SECTION 314(a)........................................................................................704 (a)(4)..........................................................................................101, 1004 (b)........................................................................................NOT APPLICABLE (c)(1)................................................................................................102 (c)(2)................................................................................................102 (c)(3).....................................................................................NOT APPLICABLE (d)........................................................................................NOT APPLICABLE (e)...................................................................................................102 SECTION 315(a)........................................................................................601 (b)...................................................................................................602 (c)...................................................................................................601 (d)...................................................................................................601 (e)...................................................................................................514 SECTION 316(a)........................................................................................101 (a)(1)(a)........................................................................................502, 512 (a)(1)(b).............................................................................................513 (a)(2).....................................................................................NOT APPLICABLE (b)...................................................................................................508 (c)...................................................................................................104 SECTION 317(a)(1).....................................................................................503 (a)(2)................................................................................................504 (b)..................................................................................................1003 SECTION 318(a)........................................................................................107 |
NOTE: This reconciliation and tie shall not, for any purpose, be deemed to be a part of the Indenture.
SENIOR INDENTURE, dated as of _____________, 2003, between The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc., a corporation duly organized and existing under the laws of the State of Delaware (herein called the "Company"), having its principal office at Hartford Plaza, Hartford, Connecticut 06115, and JPMorgan Chase Bank, a New York banking corporation, as Trustee (herein called the "Trustee").
RECITALS OF THE COMPANY
The Company has duly authorized the execution and delivery of this Indenture to provide for the issuance from time to time of its unsecured senior debt securities in one or more series (the "Securities") of substantially the tenor hereinafter provided, and to provide the terms and conditions upon which the Securities are to be authenticated, issued and delivered; and
all things necessary to make the Securities, when executed by the Company and authenticated and delivered hereunder and duly issued by the Company, the valid obligations of the Company, and to make this Indenture a valid agreement of the Company, in accordance with its terms, have been done.
NOW, THEREFORE, THIS INDENTURE WITNESSETH:
For and in consideration of the premises and the purchase of the Securities by the Holders thereof, it is mutually agreed, for the equal and proportionate benefit of all Holders of the Securities or of a series thereof, as follows:
ARTICLE ONE
DEFINITIONS AND OTHER PROVISIONS
OF GENERAL APPLICATION
SECTION 101. Definitions.
For all purposes of this Indenture, except as otherwise expressly provided or unless the context otherwise requires:
(1) the terms defined in this Article have the meanings assigned to them in this Article and include the plural as well as the singular;
(2) all other terms used herein which are defined in the Trust Indenture Act, either directly or by reference therein, have the meanings assigned to them therein;
(3) all accounting terms not otherwise defined herein have the meanings assigned to them in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and, except as otherwise herein expressly provided, the term "generally accepted accounting principles" with respect to any computation required or permitted hereunder shall mean such accounting principles as are generally accepted at the time of such computation; provided, that when two or more principles are so generally accepted, it shall mean that set of principles consistent with those in use by the Company;
(4) unless the context otherwise requires, any reference to an "Article" or a "Section" refers to an Article or a Section, as the case may be, of this Indenture; and
(5) the words "herein", "hereinafter", "hereof" and "hereunder" and other words of similar import refer to this Indenture as a whole and not to any particular Article, Section or other subdivision.
"Act" when used with respect to any Holder, has the meaning specified in Section 104.
"Affiliate" of any specified Person means any other Person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with such specified Person. For the purposes of this definition, "control" when used with respect to any specified Person means the power to direct the management and policies of such Person, directly or indirectly, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise; and the terms "controlling" and "controlled" have meanings correlative to the foregoing.
"Authenticating Agent" means any Person authorized by the Trustee pursuant to Section 614 to act on behalf of the Trustee to authenticate Securities.
"Board of Directors" means either the board of directors of the Company or any duly authorized committee of that board.
"Board Resolution" means a copy of a resolution certified by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Company to have been duly adopted by the Board of Directors, and to be in full force and effect on the date of such certification, and delivered to the Trustee.
"Business Day" means each Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday which is not a day on which banking institutions in New York, New York, Hartford, Connecticut, the Corporate Trust Office or any Place of Payment are authorized or obligated by law or executive order to close.
"Commission" means the Securities and Exchange Commission, as from time to time constituted, created under the Exchange Act, or, if at any time after the execution of this instrument such Commission is not existing and performing the duties now assigned to it under the Trust Indenture Act, then the body performing such duties at such time.
"Company" means the Person named as the "Company" in the first paragraph of this instrument until a successor Person shall have become such pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Indenture, and thereafter "Company" shall mean such successor Person.
"Company Request" and "Company Order" mean, respectively, a written request or order signed in the name of the Company by (i) its Chairman of the Board of Directors, Chief Executive Officer, President or any Vice President, and (ii) its Treasurer, any Associate Treasurer, any Assistant Treasurer, its Controller, its Secretary or any
Assistant Secretary, and delivered to the Trustee or, with respect to Sections 303, 304, 305 and 603, any other employee of the Company named in an Officers' Certificate delivered to the Trustee.
"Consolidated Net Tangible Assets" shall mean the total of all assets appearing on a consolidated balance sheet of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries, prepared in accordance with GAAP (and as of a date not more than 90 days prior to the date as of which Consolidated Net Tangible Assets are to be determined), less the sum of the following items as shown on said consolidated balance sheet:
(i) the book amount of all segregated intangible assets, including such items as good will, trademarks, trademark rights, trade names, trade name rights, copyrights, patents, patent rights and licenses and unamortized debt discount and expense less unamortized debt premium;
(ii) all depreciation, valuation and other reserves;
(iii) current liabilities;
(iv) any minority interest in the shares of stock (other than Preferred Stock) and surplus of Restricted Subsidiaries of the Company;
(v) the investment of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries in any Subsidiary of the Company that is not a Restricted Subsidiary;
(vi) the total indebtedness of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries incurred in any manner to finance or recover the cost to the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of any physical property, real or personal, which prior to or simultaneously with the creation of such indebtedness shall have been leased by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary to the United States of America or a department or agency thereof at an aggregate rental, payable during that portion of the initial term of such lease (without giving effect to any options of renewal or extension) which shall be unexpired at the date of the creation of such indebtedness, sufficient (taken together with any amounts required to be paid by the lessee to the lessor upon any termination of such lease) to pay in full at the stated maturity date or dates thereof the principal of and the interest on such indebtedness;
(vii) deferred income and deferred liabilities; and
(viii) other items deductible under GAAP.
"Corporate Trust Office" means the office of the Trustee at which at any particular time its corporate trust business shall be principally administered, which office at the date hereof is located at 4 New York Plaza, New York, New York 10004.
"corporation" means a corporation, association, company, joint-stock company or business trust.
"Covenant Defeasance" has the meaning specified in Section 1203.
"Defaulted Interest" has the meaning specified in Section 307.
"Defeasance" has the meaning specified in Section 1202.
"Depositary" means the clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act that is designated by the Company in Section 301 to act as depositary for any series of Securities with respect to such series (or any successor to such clearing agency).
"Dollar" means the currency of the United States of America as at the time of payment is legal tender for the payment of public and private debts.
"Event of Default," unless otherwise specified with respect to
Securities of a series pursuant to Section 301, has the meaning specified in
Section 501.
"Exchange Act" means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and any statute successor thereto, in each case as amended from time to time.
"Expiration Date" has the meaning specified in Section 104.
"Foreign Currency" means any currency issued by the government of one or more countries other than the United States of America or by any recognized confederation or association of such governments.
"Global Security" means a Security that evidences all or part of a series of Securities issued to the Depositary or its nominee for such series, and registered in the name of such Depositary or its nominee and bearing the legend set forth in Section 202.
"Governmental Authority" means any Federal, state, local or foreign court or governmental agency, authority, instrumentality or regulatory body.
"Government Obligations" means, with respect to the Securities of any
series, securities which are (i) direct obligations of the United States of
America or (ii) obligations of a Person controlled or supervised by and acting
as an agency or instrumentality of the United States of America the payment of
which is unconditionally guaranteed by the United States of America and which,
in either case, are full faith and credit obligations of the United States of
America and are not callable or redeemable at the option of the issuer thereof
and shall also include a depository receipt issued by a bank (as defined in
Section 3(a)(2) of the Securities Act) as custodian with respect to any such
Government Obligation held by such custodian for the account of the holder of
such depository receipt; provided that (except as required by law) such
custodian is not authorized to make any deduction from the amount payable to the
holder of such depository receipt from any amount received by the custodian in
respect of the Government Obligation or the specific payment of interest on or
principal of the Government Obligation evidenced by such depository receipt.
"Holder" means a Person in whose name a Security is registered in the Security Register.
"Indebtedness" of any person means the principal of and premium, if any, and interest due on indebtedness of such Person, whether outstanding on the date of this Indenture or thereafter created, incurred or assumed, whether recourse is to all or a portion of the assets of such Person and whether or not contingent which is (a) indebtedness for money borrowed, and (b) any amendments, renewals, extensions, modifications and refundings of any such indebtedness. For the purposes of this definition, "indebtedness for money borrowed" means (i) any obligation of, or any obligation guaranteed by, such Person for the repayment of borrowed money, whether or not evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes or other written instruments, (ii) any obligation of, or any such obligation guaranteed by, such Person evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes or similar written instruments, including obligations assumed or incurred in connection with the acquisition of property, assets or businesses (provided, however, that the deferred purchase price of any property, assets or business shall not be considered Indebtedness if the purchase price thereof is payable in full within 90 days from the date on which such indebtedness was created), and (iii) any obligations of such Person as lessee under leases required to be capitalized on the balance sheet of the lessee under generally accepted accounting principles and leases of property or assets made as part of any sale and lease-back transaction to which such Person is a party. Indebtedness does not include trade accounts payable or accrued liability arising in the ordinary course of business.
"Indenture" means this instrument as originally executed or as it may from time to time be supplemented or amended by one or more indentures supplemental hereto entered into pursuant to the applicable provisions hereof, and shall include the terms of each particular series of Securities established as contemplated by Section 301, including, for all purposes of this instrument and any such supplemental indenture, the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act that are deemed to be a part of and govern this instrument and any such supplemental indenture, respectively.
"Interest Payment Date" means as to each series of Securities the Stated Maturity of an installment of interest on such Securities.
"Interest Rate" means the rate of interest specified or determined as specified in each Security as being the rate of interest payable on such Security.
"Investment Company Act" means the Investment Company Act of 1940 and any statute successor thereto, in each case as amended from time to time.
"Lien" means any mortgage, pledge, lien, security interest or other encumbrance.
"Maturity" when used with respect to any Security, means the date on which the principal of such Security or an installment of principal becomes due and payable as provided in the Securities or herein provided, whether at the Stated Maturity or by declaration of acceleration, call for redemption or otherwise.
"Notice of Default" means a written notice of the kind specified in
Section 501(3).
"Officers' Certificate" means a certificate signed by (i) the Chairman of the Board of Directors, Chief Executive Officer, President or any Vice President, and (ii) the Treasurer, any Associate Treasurer, any Assistant Treasurer, the Controller, the Secretary or any Assistant Secretary, of the Company, and delivered to the Trustee. One of the officers signing an Officers' Certificate given pursuant to Section 1004 shall be the principal executive, financial or accounting officer of the Company.
"Opinion of Counsel" means a written opinion of counsel, who may be counsel for (and an employee of) the Company, and who shall be reasonably acceptable to the Trustee.
"Original Issue Date" means the date of issuance specified as such in each Security.
"Original Issue Discount Security" means any security which provides for an amount less than the principal amount thereof to be due and payable upon a declaration of acceleration of the Maturity thereof pursuant to Section 502.
"Outstanding" when used with respect to Securities, means, as of the date of determination, all Securities theretofore authenticated and delivered under this Indenture, except:
(1) Securities theretofore cancelled by the Trustee or delivered to the Trustee for cancellation;
(2) Securities for whose payment or redemption money in the necessary amount has been theretofore deposited with the Trustee or any Paying Agent (other than the Company) in trust or set aside and segregated in trust by the Company (if the Company shall act as its own Paying Agent) for the Holders of such Securities; provided that, if such Securities are to be redeemed, notice of such redemption has been duly given pursuant to this Indenture or provision therefor satisfactory to the Trustee has been made; and
(3) Securities which have been paid pursuant to Section 306 or in exchange for or in lieu of which other Securities have been authenticated and delivered pursuant to this Indenture, other than any such Securities in respect of which there shall have been presented to the Trustee proof satisfactory to it that such Securities are held by Holders in whose hands such Securities are valid, binding and legal obligations of the Company;
provided, however, that in determining whether the Holders of the requisite principal amount of the Outstanding Securities have given, made or taken any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action hereunder as of any date, (A) the principal amount of an Original Issue Discount Security which shall be deemed to be Outstanding shall be the amount of the principal thereof which would be due and payable as of such date upon acceleration of the Maturity thereof to such date pursuant to
Section 502, (B) if, as of such date, the principal amount payable at the Stated Maturity of a Security is not determinable, the principal amount of such Security which shall be deemed to be Outstanding shall be the amount as specified or determined as contemplated by Section 301, and (C) Securities beneficially owned by the Company or any other obligor upon the Securities or any Affiliate of the Company or of such other obligor shall be disregarded and deemed not to be Outstanding, except that, in determining whether the Trustee shall be protected in relying upon any such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action, only Securities which a Responsible Officer of the Trustee knows to be so owned shall be so disregarded. Securities so owned which have been pledged in good faith may be regarded as Outstanding if the pledgee establishes to the satisfaction of the Trustee the pledgee's right so to act with respect to such Securities and that the pledgee is not the Company or any other obligor upon the Securities or any Affiliate of the Company or of such other obligor.
"Paying Agent" means the Trustee or any other Person authorized by the Company to pay the principal of or any premium or interest on any Securities on behalf of the Company.
"Person" means any individual, corporation, partnership, joint venture, association, limited liability or joint stock company, trust, unincorporated organization or government or any agency or political subdivision thereof.
"Place of Payment" means, with respect to the Securities of any series, the place or places where the principal of and any premium and interest on the Securities of such series are payable as specified as contemplated by Section 301.
"Predecessor Security" of any particular Security means every previous Security evidencing all or a portion of the same debt as that evidenced by such particular Security; and, for the purposes of this definition, any Security authenticated and delivered under Section 306 in exchange for or in lieu of a mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Security shall be deemed to evidence the same debt as the mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Security.
"Preferred Stock" shall mean any capital stock entitled by its terms to a preference (a) as to dividends or (b) upon a distribution of assets.
"Redemption Date" when used with respect to any Security to be redeemed, means the date fixed for such redemption by or pursuant to this Indenture.
"Redemption Price" when used with respect to any Security to be redeemed, means the price at which it is to be redeemed pursuant to this Indenture.
"Regular Record Date" for the interest payable on any Interest Payment
Date on the Securities of a series means, unless otherwise provided pursuant to
Section 301 with respect to Securities of a series, the date which is fifteen
days next preceding such Interest Payment Date (whether or not a Business Day).
"Responsible Officer," when used with respect to the Trustee, means any officer of the Trustee located at the Corporate Trust Office and assigned by the Trustee from time to time to administer its corporate trust matters.
"Restricted Subsidiary" means a Subsidiary which is incorporated in any State of the United States or in the District of Columbia and which is a regulated insurance company principally engaged in one or more of the property, casualty and life insurance businesses, provided that no such Subsidiary shall be a Restricted Subsidiary if (i) the total assets of such Subsidiary are less than 10% of the total assets of the Company and its consolidated Subsidiaries (including such Subsidiary), in each case as set forth on the most recent fiscal year-end balance sheets of such Subsidiary and the Company and its consolidated Subsidiaries, respectively, and computed in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, or (ii) in the judgment of the Board of Directors, as evidenced by a Board Resolution, such Subsidiary is not material to the financial condition of the Company and its consolidated Subsidiaries taken as a whole.
"Securities" or "Security" means any debt securities or debt security, as the case may be, authenticated and delivered under this Indenture.
"Securities Act" means the Securities Act of 1933 and any statute successor thereto, in each case as amended from time to time.
"Security Register" and "Security Registrar" have the respective meanings specified in Section 305.
"Special Record Date" for the payment of any Defaulted Interest means a date fixed by the Trustee pursuant to Section 307.
"Stated Maturity" when used with respect to any Security or any installment of principal thereof or interest thereon, means the date specified in such Security as the fixed date on which the principal of such Security or such installment of principal or interest is due and payable, in the case of such principal or installment of principal, as such date may be extended or shortened as provided pursuant to the terms of such Security.
"Subsidiary" means a corporation, partnership or other entity of which, at the time of determination, more than 50% of the outstanding voting stock or equivalent interest is owned, directly or indirectly, by the Company or by one or more other Subsidiaries, or by the Company and one or more other Subsidiaries. For the purposes of this definition, "voting stock" means stock which ordinarily has voting power for the election of directors, whether at all times or only so long as no senior class of stock has such voting power by reason of any contingency.
"Trust Indenture Act" means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 as in force at the date as of which this instrument was executed; provided, however, that in the event the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 is amended after such date, "Trust Indenture Act" means, to the extent required by any such amendment, the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 as so amended.
"Trustee" means the Person named as the "Trustee" in the first paragraph of this instrument until a successor Trustee shall have become such pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Indenture, and thereafter "Trustee" shall mean or include each Person who is then a Trustee hereunder, and, if at any time there is more than one such Person, "Trustee" as used with respect to the Securities of any series shall mean the Trustee with respect to the Securities of that series.
"Vice President" when used with respect to the Company or the Trustee, means any officer with a title of "Vice President", "Senior Vice President" or "Executive Vice President".
SECTION 102. Compliance Certificates and Opinions.
Upon any application or request by the Company to the Trustee to take any action under any provision of this Indenture, the Company shall furnish to the Trustee such certificates and opinions as may be required under the Trust Indenture Act. Each such certificate or opinion shall be given in the form of an Officers' Certificate, if to be given by an officer of the Company, or an Opinion of Counsel, if to be given by counsel, and shall comply with the requirements of the Trust Indenture Act and any other requirements set forth in this Indenture. In the case of an application or request as to which the furnishing of such documents is specifically required by any provision of this Indenture relating to such particular application or request, no additional certificate or opinion need be furnished.
Every certificate or opinion with respect to compliance with a condition or covenant provided for in this Indenture (other than the certificates provided pursuant to Section 1004) shall include:
(1) a statement that each individual signing such certificate or opinion has read such covenant or condition and the definitions herein relating thereto;
(2) a brief statement as to the nature and scope of the examination or investigation upon which the statements or opinions contained in such certificate or opinion are based;
(3) a statement that, in the opinion of each such individual, he has made such examination or investigation as is necessary to enable him to express an informed opinion as to whether or not such covenant or condition has been complied with; and
(4) a statement as to whether, in the opinion of each such individual, such condition or covenant has been complied with.
SECTION 103. Form of Documents Delivered to Trustee.
In any case where several matters are required to be certified by, or covered by an opinion of, any specified Person, it is not necessary that all such matters be certified by, or covered by the opinion of, only one such Person, or that they be so certified or covered by only one document, but one such Person may certify or give an opinion with respect to
some matters and one or more other such Persons as to other matters, and any such Person may certify or give an opinion as to such matters in one or several documents.
Any certificate or opinion of an officer of the Company may be based, insofar as it relates to legal matters, upon a certificate or opinion of, or representations by, counsel, unless such officer knows, or in the exercise of reasonable care should know, that the certificate or opinion or representations with respect to the matters upon which his certificate or opinion is based are erroneous. Any such certificate or opinion of counsel may be based, insofar as it relates to factual matters, upon a certificate or opinion of, or representations by, an officer or officers, or other management employee of the Company or any Subsidiary stating that the information with respect to such factual matters is in the possession of the Company or such Subsidiary, unless such counsel knows, or in the exercise of reasonable care should know, that the certificate or opinion or representations with respect to such matters are erroneous.
Where any Person is required to make, give or execute two or more applications, requests, consents, certificates, statements, opinions or other instruments under this Indenture, they may, but need not, be consolidated and form one instrument.
SECTION 104. Acts of Holders; Record Dates.
(a) Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action provided or permitted by this Indenture to be given, made or taken by Holders may be embodied in and evidenced by one or more instruments of substantially similar tenor signed by such Holders in person or by an agent duly appointed in writing; and, except as herein otherwise expressly provided, such action shall become effective when such instrument or instruments are delivered to the Trustee and, where it is hereby expressly required, to the Company. Such instrument or instruments (and the action embodied therein and evidenced thereby) are herein sometimes referred to as the "Act" of the Holders signing such instrument or instruments. Proof of execution of any such instrument or of a writing appointing any such agent shall be sufficient for any purpose of this Indenture and (subject to Section 601) conclusive and may be relied upon by the Trustee, the Company, and any agent of the Trustee or the Company, if made in the manner provided in this Section.
(b) The fact and date of the execution by any Person of any such instrument or writing may be proved by the affidavit of a witness of such execution or by a certificate of any notary public or other officer authorized by law to take acknowledgments of deeds, certifying that the individual signing such instrument or writing acknowledged to him the execution thereof. Where such execution is by a Person acting in a capacity other than his individual capacity, such certificate or affidavit shall also constitute sufficient proof of his authority.
(c) The fact and date of the execution by any Person of any such instrument or writing, or the authority of the Person executing the same, may also be proved in any other manner which the Trustee deems sufficient and in accordance with such reasonable rules as the Trustee may determine.
(d) The ownership of Securities shall be proved by the Security Register.
(e) Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action by the Holder of any Security shall bind every future Holder of the same Security and the Holder of every Security issued upon the registration of transfer thereof or in exchange therefor or in lieu thereof in respect of anything done, omitted or suffered to be done by the Trustee or the Company in reliance thereon, whether or not notation of such action is made upon such Security.
(f) The Company may, but shall not be obligated to, set any day as a record date for the purpose of determining the Holders of Outstanding Securities entitled to give, make or take any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action provided or permitted by this Indenture to be given, made or taken by Holders of Securities, provided that the Company may not set a record date for, and the provisions of this paragraph shall not apply with respect to, the giving or making of any notice, declaration, request or direction referred to in the next paragraph. If any record date is set pursuant to this paragraph, the Holders of Outstanding Securities on such record date, and no other Holders, shall be entitled to take the relevant action, whether or not such Holders remain Holders after such record date; provided that no such action shall be effective hereunder unless taken on or prior to the applicable Expiration Date (as defined below) by Holders of the requisite principal amount of Outstanding Securities on such record date. Nothing in this paragraph shall be construed to prevent the Company from setting a new record date for any action for which a record date has previously been set pursuant to this paragraph (whereupon the record date previously set shall automatically and with no action by any Person be cancelled and of no effect), and nothing in this paragraph shall be construed to render ineffective any action taken by Holders of the requisite principal amount of Outstanding Securities on the date such action is taken. Promptly after any record date is set pursuant to this paragraph, the Company, at its own expense, shall cause notice of such record date, the proposed action by Holders and the applicable Expiration Date to be given to the Trustee in writing and to each Holder of Securities in the manner set forth in Section 106.
The Trustee may set any day as a record date for the purpose of determining the Holders of Outstanding Securities entitled to join in the giving or making of (i) any Notice of Default, (ii) any declaration of acceleration referred to in Section 502, (iii) any request to institute proceedings referred to in Section 507(2) or (iv) any direction referred to in Section 512. If any record date is set pursuant to this paragraph, the Holders of Outstanding Securities on such record date, and no other Holders, shall be entitled to join in such notice, declaration, request or direction, whether or not such Holders remain Holders after such record date; provided that no such action shall be effective hereunder unless taken on or prior to the applicable Expiration Date by Holders of the requisite principal amount of Outstanding Securities on such record date. Nothing in this paragraph shall be construed to prevent the Trustee from setting a new record date for any action for which a record date has previously been set pursuant to this paragraph (whereupon the record date previously set shall automatically and with no action by any Person be cancelled and of no effect), and nothing in this paragraph shall be construed to render ineffective any action taken by Holders of the requisite principal amount of
Outstanding Securities on the date such action is taken. Promptly after any record date is set pursuant to this paragraph, the Trustee, at the Company's expense, shall cause notice of such record date, the proposed action by Holders and the applicable Expiration Date to be given to the Company in writing and to each Holder of Securities in the manner set forth in Section 106.
With respect to any record date set pursuant to this Section, the party hereto which sets such record dates may designate any day as the "Expiration Date" and from time to time may change the Expiration Date to any earlier or later day; provided that no such change shall be effective unless notice of the proposed new Expiration Date is given to the other party hereto in writing, and to each Holder of Securities in the manner set forth in Section 106, on or prior to the existing Expiration Date. If an Expiration Date is not designated with respect to any record date set pursuant to this Section, the party hereto which set such record date shall be deemed to have initially designated the 180th day after such record date as the Expiration Date with respect thereto, subject to its right to change the Expiration Date as provided in this paragraph. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no Expiration Date shall be later than the 180th day after the applicable record date.
Without limiting the foregoing, a Holder entitled hereunder to take any action hereunder with regard to any particular Security may do so with regard to all or any part of the principal amount of such Security or by one or more duly appointed agents each of which may do so pursuant to such appointment with regard to all or any part of such principal amount.
SECTION 105. Notices, Etc., to Trustee and Company.
Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or Act of Holders or other document provided or permitted by this Indenture to be made upon, given or furnished to, or filed with:
(1) the Trustee by any Holder or by the Company shall be sufficient for every purpose hereunder if made, given, furnished or filed to or with the Trustee in writing at its Corporate Trust Office, Attention: Institutional Trust Services, or
(2) the Company by the Trustee or by any Holder shall be sufficient for every purpose hereunder (unless otherwise herein expressly provided) if in writing and mailed, first-class, postage prepaid, to the Company addressed to it at the address of its principal office specified in the first paragraph of this instrument or at any other address previously furnished in writing to the Trustee by the Company, Attention: [General Counsel].
Neither the Company nor the Trustee shall be deemed to have received any such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or Act of Holders unless given, furnished or filed as provided in this Section 105.
SECTION 106. Notice to Holders; Waiver.
Where this Indenture provides for notice to Holders of any event, such notice shall be sufficiently given (unless otherwise herein expressly provided) if in writing and mailed, first-class postage prepaid, to each Holder affected by such event, at the address of such Holder as it appears in the Security Register, not later than the latest date (if any), and not earlier than the earliest date (if any), prescribed for the giving of such notice. In any case where notice to Holders is given by mail, neither the failure to mail such notice, nor any defect in any notice so mailed, to any particular Holder shall affect the sufficiency of such notice with respect to other Holders. Where this Indenture provides for notice in any manner, such notice may be waived in writing by the Person entitled to receive such notice, either before or after the event, and such waiver shall be the equivalent of such notice. Waivers of notice by Holders shall be filed with the Trustee, but such filing shall not be a condition precedent to the validity of any action taken in reliance upon such waiver.
In case by reason of the suspension of regular mail service or by reason of any other cause it shall be impracticable to give such notice by mail, then such notification as shall be made with the written approval of the Trustee shall constitute a sufficient notification for every purpose hereunder.
SECTION 107. Conflict with Trust Indenture Act.
If any provision hereof limits, qualifies or conflicts with a provision of the Trust Indenture Act which is required under such Act to be a part of and govern this Indenture, the latter provision shall control. If any provision of this Indenture modifies or excludes any provision of the Trust Indenture Act which may be so modified or excluded, the latter provision shall be deemed to apply to this Indenture as so modified or to be excluded, as the case may be.
SECTION 108. Effect of Headings and Table of Contents.
The Article and Section headings herein and the Table of Contents are for convenience only and shall not affect the construction hereof.
SECTION 109. Successors and Assigns.
All covenants and agreements in this Indenture by the Company shall bind its successors and assigns, whether so expressed or not.
SECTION 110. Separability Clause.
In case any provision in this Indenture or in the Securities shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.
SECTION 111. Benefits of Indenture.
Nothing in this Indenture or in the Securities, express or implied, shall give to any Person, other than the parties hereto, any Paying Agent and their successors and assigns, and the Holders, any benefit or any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under this Indenture.
SECTION 112. Governing Law.
This Indenture and the Securities shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York.
SECTION 113. Legal Holidays.
In any case where any Interest Payment Date, Redemption Date, Maturity or Stated Maturity of any Security shall not be a Business Day, then (notwithstanding any other provision of this Indenture or of the Securities (other than a provision of any Security which specifically states that such provision shall apply in lieu of this Section)) payment of interest or principal (and premium, if any) need not be made on such date, but may be made on the next succeeding Business Day with the same force and effect as if made on the Interest Payment Date or Redemption Date, or at the Maturity or Stated Maturity and no interest shall accrue for the period from and after such Interest Payment Date, Redemption Date, Maturity or Stated Maturity, as the case may be, if such payment is made or duly provided for on the next succeeding Business Day, except that, if such Business Day is in the next succeeding calendar year, such payment shall be made on the immediately preceding Business Day.
SECTION 114. Computations.
Unless otherwise specifically provided, the certificate or opinion of any independent firm of public accountants of recognized standing selected by the Board of Directors shall be conclusive evidence of the correctness of any computation made under the provisions of this Indenture. The Company shall furnish to the Trustee upon its request a copy of any such certificate or opinion.
ARTICLE TWO
SECURITY FORMS
SECTION 201. Forms Generally.
The Securities of each series shall be substantially in the form attached as Exhibit A, or in such other form or forms as shall be established by or pursuant to a Board Resolution or in one or more indentures supplemental hereto, in each case with such appropriate provisions as are required or permitted by this Indenture, and may have such letters, numbers or other marks of identification and such legends or endorsements placed thereon as may be required to comply with applicable tax laws or the rules of any securities exchange or Depositary therefor or as may, consistently herewith, be
determined by the officers executing such Securities, as evidenced by their execution thereof. If the form of Securities of any series is established by action taken pursuant to a Board Resolution, a copy of an appropriate record of such action shall be certified by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Company and delivered to the Trustee at or prior to the delivery of the Company Order contemplated by Section 303 with respect to the authentication and delivery of such Securities.
The Trustee's certificate of authentication shall be substantially in the form set forth in this Article.
The definitive Securities shall be printed, lithographed or engraved on a steel engraved border or on steel engraved borders or produced by any combination of these methods, if required by any securities exchange on which the Securities may be listed, or may be produced in any other manner permitted by the rules of any securities exchange on which the Securities may be listed, all as determined by the officers executing such Securities, as evidenced by their execution of such Securities.
The Securities of each series will initially be issued in the form of one or more Global Securities. Each such Global Security shall represent such of the Outstanding Securities or such series as shall be specified therein and each shall provide that it shall represent the aggregate amount of Outstanding Securities of such series from time to time endorsed thereon and that the aggregate amounts of Outstanding Securities of such series represented thereby may from time to time be reduced or increased, as appropriate. The Global Security or Securities evidencing the Securities of a series (and all Securities issued in exchange therefore) shall bear the legend indicated in Section 202.
SECTION 202. Form of Legend for Global Securities.
Every Global Security authenticated and delivered hereunder shall, in addition to the provisions contained in Exhibit A, bear a legend in substantially the following form:
UNLESS THIS SECURITY IS PRESENTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY, A NEW YORK CORPORATION ("DTC"), TO THE COMPANY OR ITS AGENT FOR REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER, EXCHANGE OR PAYMENT, AND ANY SECURITY ISSUED IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF CEDE & CO. OR IN SUCH OTHER NAME AS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC (AND ANY PAYMENT IS MADE TO CEDE & CO. OR TO SUCH OTHER ENTITY AS IS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC), ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR OTHERWISE BY OR TO ANY PERSON IS WRONGFUL INASMUCH AS THE REGISTERED OWNER HEREOF, CEDE & CO., HAS AN INTEREST HEREIN.
THIS SECURITY IS A GLOBAL SECURITY WITHIN THE MEANING OF THE INDENTURE HEREINAFTER REFERRED TO AND IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF DTC OR A NOMINEE THEREOF. THIS SECURITY MAY NOT BE EXCHANGED IN WHOLE OR IN PART FOR A SECURITY REGISTERED, AND
NO TRANSFER OF THIS SECURITY IN WHOLE OR IN PART MAY BE REGISTERED, IN THE NAME OF ANY PERSON OTHER THAN DTC OR SUCH NOMINEE, EXCEPT IN THE LIMITED CIRCUMSTANCES DESCRIBED IN THE INDENTURE.
SECTION 203. Form of Trustee's Certificate of Authentication.
The Trustee's certificates of authentication shall be in substantially the following form:
Certificate of Authentication
This is one of the Securities referred to in the within-mentioned Indenture.
Dated:
JP Morgan Chase Bank
as Trustee
ARTICLE THREE
THE SECURITIES
SECTION 301. Title; Terms.
The aggregate principal amount of Securities which may be authenticated and delivered under this Indenture is unlimited.
The Securities may be issued in one or more series. There shall be established in or pursuant to a Board Resolution, and set forth in an Officers' Certificate, or established in one or more indentures supplemental hereto, prior to the issuance of Securities of a series:
(a) the title of the securities of such series, which shall distinguish the Securities of the series from all other Securities;
(b) the limit, if any, upon the aggregate principal amount of the Securities of such series which may be authenticated and delivered under this Indenture (except for Securities authenticated and delivered upon registration or transfer of, or in exchange for, or in lieu of, other Securities of the same series pursuant to Section 304, 305, 306, 906 or 1108 and except for any Securities which, pursuant to Section 303, are deemed never to have been authenticated and delivered hereunder); provided, however, that the authorized aggregate principal amount of such series may be increased above such amount by a Board Resolution to such effect;
(c) the Stated Maturity or Maturities on which the principal of the Securities of such series is payable or the method of determination thereof;
(d) the rate or rates, if any, at which the Securities of such series shall bear interest or the method of determining such rate or rates, the Interest Payment Dates on which such interest shall be payable, the right, if any, of the Company to defer or extend an Interest Payment Date, the Regular Record Date (if other than as defined in this Indenture) for the interest payable on any Interest Payment Date and the dates from which interest shall accrue and the method of determining these dates;
(e) the place or places where the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on the Securities of such series shall be payable, the place or places where the Securities of such series may be presented for registration of transfer or exchange, and the place or places where notices and demands to or upon the Company in respect of the Securities of such series may be made;
(f) the period or periods within or the date or dates on which, if any, the price or prices at which and the terms and conditions upon which the Securities of such series may be redeemed or prepaid, in whole or in part, at the option of the Company;
(g) the obligation or the right, if any, of the Company to redeem, repay or purchase the Securities of such series pursuant to any sinking fund, amortization or analogous provisions or at the option of a Holder thereof and the period or periods within which, the price or prices at which, the currency or currencies (including currency unit or units) in which and the other terms and conditions upon which Securities of the series shall be redeemed, repaid or purchased, in whole or in part, pursuant to such obligation;
(h) the denominations in which any Securities of such series shall be issuable, if other than denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiple thereof;
(i) if other than Dollars, the currency or currencies (including currency unit or units) in which the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, on the Securities of the series shall be payable, or in which the Securities of the series shall be denominated;
(j) the additions, modifications or deletions, if any, in the Events of Default or covenants of the Company set forth herein with respect to the Securities of such series;
(k) if other than the principal amount thereof, the portion of the principal amount of Securities of such series that shall be payable upon declaration of acceleration of the Maturity thereof;
(l) the additions or changes, if any, to this Indenture with respect to the Securities of such series as shall be necessary to permit or facilitate the issuance of the Securities of such series in bearer form, registrable or not registrable as to principal, and with or without interest coupons;
(m) any index or indices used to determine the amount of payments of principal of and premium, if any, on the Securities of such series or the manner in which such amounts will be determined;
(n) the issuance of a temporary Global Security representing all of the Securities of such series and the terms upon which such temporary Global Security may be exchanged for definitive Securities of such series;
(o) whether the Securities of the series shall be issued in whole or in part in the form of one or more Global Securities and, in such case, the identity of the Depositary for such Global Securities;
(p) the appointment of any Paying Agent or Agents for the Securities of such series;
(q) the terms and conditions of any right or obligation on the part of the Company, or any option on the part of the Holders, to convert or exchange Securities of such series into cash or any other securities or property of the Company or any other Person, and the additions or changes, if any, to this Indenture with respect to the Securities of such series to permit or facilitate such conversion or exchange; and
(r) any other terms of the Securities of such series (which terms shall not be inconsistent with the provisions of this Indenture).
All Securities of any one series shall be substantially identical except as to denomination and except as may otherwise be provided herein or in or pursuant to such Board Resolution and set forth in such Officers' Certificate or in any such indenture supplemental hereto.
If any of the terms of the series are established by action taken pursuant to a Board Resolution, a copy of an appropriate record of such action shall be certified by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Company and delivered to the Trustee at or prior to the delivery of the Officers' Certificate setting forth the terms of the series.
SECTION 302. Denominations.
The Securities of each series shall be in registered form without coupons and shall be issuable in denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiples thereof, unless otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 301.
SECTION 303. Execution, Authentication, Delivery and Dating.
The Securities shall be executed on behalf of the Company by its Chairman of the Board of Directors, Chief Executive Officer, President or any Vice President, under its corporate seal reproduced or impressed thereon and attested by its Treasurer, any Associate Treasurer, any Assistant Treasurer, its Secretary or any Assistant Secretary. The signature of any of these officers on the Securities may be manual or facsimile.
Securities bearing the manual or facsimile signatures of individuals who were at any time the proper officers of the Company shall bind the Company, notwithstanding that such individuals or any of them have ceased to hold such offices prior to the authentication and delivery of such Securities or did not hold such offices at the date of such Securities.
At any time and from time to time after the execution and delivery of this Indenture, the Company may deliver Securities executed by the Company to the Trustee for authentication, together with a Company Order for the authentication and delivery of such Securities, and the Trustee in accordance with the Company Order shall authenticate and deliver such Securities.
Notwithstanding the provisions of the preceding paragraph, if all Securities of a series are not to be originally issued at one time, it shall not be necessary to deliver the Company Order otherwise required pursuant to such preceding paragraph at or prior to the authentication of each Security of such series if such Company Order is delivered at or prior to the authentication upon original issuance of the first Security of such series to be issued.
Each Security shall be dated the date of its authentication.
No Security shall be entitled to any benefit under this Indenture or be valid or obligatory for any purpose, unless there appears on such Security a certificate of authentication substantially in the form provided for herein executed by the Trustee by the manual signature of one of its authorized officers, and such certificate upon any Security shall be conclusive evidence, and the only evidence, that such Security has been duly authenticated and delivered hereunder. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if any Security shall have been authenticated and delivered hereunder but never issued and sold by the Company, and the Company shall deliver such Security to the Trustee for cancellation as provided in Section 309, for all purposes of this Indenture such Security shall be deemed never to have been authenticated and delivered hereunder and shall never be entitled to the benefits of this Indenture.
Minor typographical and other minor errors in the text of any Security shall not affect the validity and enforceability of such Security if it has been duly authenticated and delivered by the Trustee.
The Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver one or more Global Securities with respect to each series of Securities that (i) shall represent an aggregate amount equal to the aggregate principal amount of the initially issued Securities of such series, (ii) shall be registered in the name of the Depositary or the nominee of the Depositary, (iii) shall be delivered by the Trustee to the Depositary or pursuant to the Depositary's instruction and (iv) shall bear a legend substantially in the form required in Section 202.
The Depositary must, at all times while it serves as such Depositary, be a clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act, and any other applicable statute or regulation.
SECTION 304. Temporary Securities.
Pending the preparation of definitive Securities of any series, the Company may execute, and upon Company Order the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, temporary Securities which are printed, lithographed, typewritten, mimeographed or otherwise produced, in any authorized denomination, substantially of the tenor of the definitive Securities of any series in lieu of which they are issued and with such appropriate insertions, omissions, substitutions and other variations as the officers executing such Securities may determine, as evidenced by their execution of such Securities.
If temporary Securities of any series are issued, the Company will cause definitive Securities of such series to be prepared without unreasonable delay. After the preparation of definitive Securities, the temporary Securities shall be exchangeable for definitive Securities upon surrender of the temporary Securities at the office or agency of the Company in a Place of Payment without charge to the Holder. Upon surrender for cancellation of any one or more temporary Securities, the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver in exchange therefor a like principal amount of definitive Securities of the same series of authorized denominations and having the same Original Issue Date and Stated Maturity and having the same terms as such temporary Securities. Until so exchanged, the temporary Securities shall in all respects be entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture as definitive Securities.
SECTION 305. Registration, Registration of Transfer and Exchange.
The Company shall cause to be kept at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee a register (the register maintained in such office or in any other office or agency of the Company in a Place of Payment being herein sometimes referred to as the "Security Register") in which, subject to such reasonable regulations as it may prescribe, the Company shall provide for the registration of Securities and of transfers and exchanges of Securities. The Trustee is hereby appointed "Security Registrar" for the purpose of registering Securities and transfers of Securities as herein provided.
Upon surrender for registration of transfer of any Security at the office or agency of the Company in a Place of Payment, the Company shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, in the name of the designated transferee or transferees, one or more new Securities of the same series of any authorized denominations and of a like tenor and aggregate principal amount, of the same original Issue Date and Stated Maturity and having the same terms.
Notwithstanding any other provision of this Section, unless and until it is exchanged in whole or in part for the individual Securities represented thereby, a Global Security representing all or a portion of the Securities may not be transferred except as a whole by the Depositary to a nominee of such Depositary, or by a nominee of such Depositary to such Depositary or another nominee of such Depositary, or by such Depositary or any such nominee to a successor Depositary or nominee of such successor Depositary.
At the option of the Holder, Securities may be exchanged for other Securities, of the same series of any authorized denominations, of like tenor and aggregate principal amount, of the same Original Issue Date and Stated Maturity and having the same terms, upon surrender of the Securities to be exchanged at such office or agency. Whenever any Securities are so surrendered for exchange, the Company shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, the Securities which the Holder making the exchange is entitled to receive.
If at any time the Depositary notifies the Company that it is unwilling or unable to continue as Depositary or if at any time the Depositary shall cease to be a clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act as provided in SECTION 303, the Company shall appoint a successor Depositary. If a successor Depositary is not appointed by the Company within 90 days after the Company receives such notice or becomes aware of such ineligibility, the Company will execute, and the Trustee, upon receipt of a Company Order for the authentication and delivery of individual Securities, will authenticate and make available for delivery, individual Securities in an aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of the Global Security or Securities representing the Securities in exchange for such Global Security or Securities.
The Company may at any time and in its sole discretion determine that individual Securities issued in the form of one or more Global Securities shall no longer be represented by such Global Security or Securities. In such event the Company will execute, and the Trustee, upon receipt of a Company Order for the authentication and delivery of individual Securities, will authenticate and make available for delivery, individual Securities in an aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of the Global Security or Securities representing the Securities in exchange for such Global Security or Securities.
The Depositary may surrender a Global Security in exchange in whole or in part for individual Securities on such terms as are acceptable to the Company, the Trustee and such Depositary. Thereupon, the Company shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and make available for delivery, without service charge:
(1) to each Person specified by such Depositary a new individual Security or Securities of any authorized denomination as requested by such Person in aggregate principal amount equal to and in exchange for such Person's beneficial interest in the Global Security; and
(2) to such Depositary a new Global Security in a denomination equal to the difference, if any, between the principal amount of the surrendered Global Security and the aggregate principal amount of individual Securities delivered to Holders thereof.
Upon the exchange of a Global Security for individual Securities in an aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of such Global Security, such Global Security shall be canceled by the Trustee. Individual Securities issued in exchange for a Global Security pursuant to this Section shall be registered in such names and in such authorized denominations as the Depositary for such Global Security, pursuant to
instructions from its direct or indirect participants or otherwise, shall instruct the Trustee. The Trustee shall make available for delivery such individual Securities to the Persons in whose names such Securities are so registered.
All Securities issued upon any registration of transfer or exchange of Securities shall be the valid obligations of the Company, evidencing the same debt, and entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture, as the Securities surrendered upon such registration of transfer or exchange.
Every Security presented or surrendered for registration of transfer or for exchange shall (if so required by the Company or the Security Registrar) be duly endorsed, or be accompanied by a written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the Company and the Security Registrar duly executed, by the Holder thereof or his attorney duly authorized in writing.
No service charge shall be made to a Holder for any registration of transfer or exchange of Securities, but the Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax, assessment or other governmental charge that may be imposed in connection with any registration of transfer or exchange of Securities, other than exchanges pursuant to Section 304, 906 or 1108 not involving any transfer.
Neither the Company nor the Trustee shall be required, pursuant to the provisions of this Section: (i) to issue, register the transfer of or exchange any Security of any series during a period beginning at the opening of business 15 Business Days before the day of the mailing of a notice of redemption of any such Securities selected for redemption of Securities pursuant to Article Eleven and ending at the close of business on the day of such mailing of notice of redemption; or (ii) to register the transfer of or exchange any Security so selected for redemption in whole or in part, except, in the case of any Security to be redeemed in part, any portion thereof that is not redeemed.
SECTION 306. Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost and Stolen Securities.
If any mutilated Security is surrendered to the Trustee together with such security or indemnity as may be required by the Company or the Trustee to save each of them harmless, the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver in exchange therefor a new Security of the same issue and series, of like tenor and principal amount, having the same Original Issue Date and Stated Maturity and bearing the same Interest Rate as such mutilated Security, and bearing a number not contemporaneously outstanding.
If there shall be delivered to the Company and to the Trustee (i) evidence to their satisfaction of the destruction, loss or theft of any Security and (ii) such security or indemnity as may be required by them to save each of them and any agent of either of them harmless, then, in the absence of notice to the Company or the Trustee that such Security has been acquired by a bona fide purchaser, the issuing Company shall execute and upon its request the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, in lieu of any such destroyed, lost or stolen Security, a new Security of the same issue and series of like
tenor and principal amount, having the same Original Issue Date and Stated Maturity and bearing the same Interest Rate as such destroyed, lost or stolen Security, and bearing a number not contemporaneously outstanding.
In case any such mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Security has become or is about to become due and payable, the Company in its discretion may, instead of issuing a new Security, pay such Security.
Upon the issuance of any new Security under this Section, the Company may require the payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge that may be imposed in relation thereto and any other expenses (including the fees and expenses of the Trustee) connected therewith.
Every new Security issued pursuant to this Section in lieu of any destroyed, lost or stolen Security shall constitute an original additional contractual obligation of the Company, whether or not the destroyed, lost or stolen Security shall be at any time enforceable by anyone, and shall be entitled to all the benefits of this Indenture equally and proportionately with any and all other Securities duly issued hereunder.
The provisions of this Section are exclusive and shall preclude (to the extent lawful) all other rights and remedies with respect to the replacement or payment of mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Securities.
SECTION 307. Payment of Interest; Interest Rights Preserved.
Interest on any Security of any series which is payable, and is punctually paid or duly provided for, on any Interest Payment Date shall be paid to the Person in whose name that Security (or one or more Predecessor Securities) is registered at the close of business on the Regular Record Date for such interest in respect of Securities of such series. The initial payment of interest on any Security of any series which is issued between a Regular Record Date and the related Interest Payment Date shall be payable as provided in such Security or in the Board Resolution pursuant to Section 301 with respect to the related series of Securities.
Any interest on any Security which is payable, but is not timely paid or duly provided for, on any Interest Payment Date for Securities of such series (herein called "Defaulted Interest"), shall forthwith cease to be payable to the registered Holder on the relevant Regular Record Date by virtue of having been such Holder, and such Defaulted Interest may be paid by the Company, at its election in each case, as provided in Clause (1) or (2) below:
(1) The Company may elect to make payment of any Defaulted Interest to the Persons in whose names the Securities of such series in respect of which interest is in default (or their respective Predecessor Securities) are registered at the close of business on a Special Record Date for the payment of such Defaulted Interest, which shall be fixed in the following manner. The Company shall notify the Trustee in writing of the amount of Defaulted Interest proposed to be paid on each Security and the date of the proposed payment, and at the same time the Company shall deposit with the Trustee an amount of
money equal to the aggregate amount proposed to be paid in respect of such Defaulted Interest or shall make arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for such deposit prior to the date of the proposed payment, such money when deposited to be held in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled to such Defaulted Interest as in this Clause provided. Thereupon the Trustee shall fix a Special Record Date for the payment of such Defaulted Interest which shall be not more than 15 days and not less than 10 days prior to the date of the proposed payment and not less than 10 days after the receipt by the Trustee of the notice of the proposed payment. The Trustee shall promptly notify the Company of such Special Record Date and, in the name and at the expense of the Company, shall cause notice of the proposed payment of such Defaulted Interest and the Special Record Date therefor to be mailed, first class, postage prepaid, to each Holder of a Security of such series at the address of such Holder as it appears in the Security Register not less than 10 days prior to such Special Record Date. Notice of the proposed payment of such Defaulted Interest and the Special Record Date therefor having been so mailed, such Defaulted Interest shall be paid to the Persons in whose names the Securities of such series (or their respective Predecessor Securities) are registered at the close of business on such Special Record Date and shall no longer be payable pursuant to the following Clause (2).
(2) The Company may make payment of any Defaulted Interest on the Securities of any series in any other lawful manner not inconsistent with the requirements of any securities exchange on which the Securities of the series in respect of which interest is in default may be listed, and upon such notice as may be required by such exchange (or by the Trustee if the Securities are not listed), if, after notice given by the Company to the Trustee of the proposed payment pursuant to this Clause, such manner of payment shall be deemed practicable by the Trustee.
Subject to the foregoing provisions of this Section, each Security delivered under this Indenture upon registration of transfer of or in exchange for or in lieu of any other Security shall carry the rights to interest accrued and unpaid, and to accrue, which were carried by such other Security.
SECTION 308. Persons Deemed Owners.
The Company, the Trustee and any agent of the Company or the Trustee may treat the Person in whose name any Security is registered as the owner of such Security for the purpose of receiving payment of principal of and any premium and (subject to Section 307) any interest on such Security and for all other purposes whatsoever, whether or not such Security be overdue, and neither the Company, the Trustee nor any agent of the Company or the Trustee shall be affected by notice to the contrary.
None of the Company, the Trustee nor any agent of the Company or the Trustee will have any responsibility or liability for any aspect of the records relating to or payments made on account of beneficial ownership interests of a Global Security or maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records relating to such beneficial ownership interests.
SECTION 309. Cancellation.
All Securities surrendered for payment, redemption, registration of transfer or exchange shall, if surrendered to any Person other than the Trustee, be delivered to the Trustee, and any such Securities and Securities surrendered directly to the Trustee for any such purpose shall be promptly cancelled by it. The Company may at any time deliver to the Trustee for cancellation any Securities previously authenticated and delivered hereunder which the Company may have acquired in any manner whatsoever, and may deliver to the Trustee (or to any other Person for delivery to the Trustee) for cancellation any Securities previously authenticated hereunder which the Company has not issued and sold, and all Securities so delivered shall be promptly cancelled by the Trustee. No Securities shall be authenticated in lieu of or in exchange for any Securities cancelled as provided in this Section, except as expressly permitted by this Indenture. All cancelled Securities held by the Trustee shall be disposed of as directed by a Company Order, and the Trustee shall deliver to the Company a certificate evidencing the disposition of the cancelled Securities. Acquisition by the Company of any Security shall not operate as a redemption or satisfaction of the indebtedness represented by such Security unless and until the same is delivered to the Trustee for cancellation.
SECTION 310. Computation of Interest.
Except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 301 for Securities of any series, interest on the Securities of each series shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months.
ARTICLE FOUR
SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE
SECTION 401. Satisfaction and Discharge of Indenture.
This Indenture shall upon Company Request cease to be of further effect (except as to any surviving rights of registration of transfer or exchange of Securities herein expressly provided for) and the Trustee at the expense of the Company, shall execute proper instruments acknowledging satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture, when:
(1) either
(A) all Securities theretofore authenticated and delivered
(other than (i) Securities which have been destroyed, lost or stolen
and which have been replaced or paid as provided in Section 306 and
(ii) Securities for whose payment money has theretofore been deposited
in trust or segregated and held in trust by the Company and thereafter
repaid to the Company or discharged from such trust, as provided in
Section 1003) have been delivered to the Trustee for cancellation; or
(B) all such Securities not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation:
(i) have become due and payable, or
(ii) will become due and payable at their Stated Maturity within one year of the date of deposit, or
(iii) are to be called for redemption within one year under arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for the giving of notice of redemption by the Trustee in the name, and at the expense, of the Company,
and the Company, in the case of (i), (ii) or (iii) above, has deposited or
caused to be deposited with the Trustee as trust funds: (A) money in an amount;
(B) Government Obligations which through the scheduled payment of principal and
interest in respect thereof in accordance with their terms will provide, not
later than one day before the due date of any payment, money in an amount; or
(C) a combination thereof, in each case sufficient, in the opinion of a
nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants expressed in a
written certification thereof delivered to the Trustee of such series (but such
opinion need only be delivered if Government Obligations have been so
deposited), to pay and discharge, and which shall be applied by the Trustee, to
pay and discharge the entire indebtedness on such Securities not theretofore
delivered to the Trustee for cancellation, for principal (and premium, if any)
and interest to the date of such deposit (in the case of Securities which have
become due and payable) or to the Stated Maturity or Redemption Date, as the
case may be;
(2) the Company has paid or caused to be paid all other sums payable hereunder by the Company; and
(3) the Company has delivered to the Trustee an Officers' Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent herein provided for relating to the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture have been complied with.
The Company shall pay and indemnify the Trustee against any tax, fee or other charge imposed on or assessed against the Government Obligations deposited pursuant to Section 401 or the principal and interest received in respect thereof other than any such tax, fee or other charge which by law is for the account of the Holders of Outstanding Securities.
Notwithstanding the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture, the
obligations of the Company to the Trustee under Section 607 and the preceding
paragraph, the obligations of the Company to any Authenticating Agent under
Section 614 and, if money and/or Government Obligations shall have been
deposited with the Trustee pursuant to subclause (B) of Clause (1) of this
Section, the obligations of the Trustee under Section 402 and the last paragraph
of Section 1003 shall survive.
SECTION 402. Application of Trust Money.
Subject to the provisions of the last paragraph of Section 1003, all money and Government Obligations deposited with the Trustee pursuant to Section 401 and all
proceeds of such Government Obligations and the interest thereon, shall be held in trust and applied by it, in accordance with the provisions of the Securities and this Indenture, to the payment, either directly or through any Paying Agent (including the Company acting as its own Paying Agent) as the Trustee may determine, to the Persons entitled thereto, of the principal and any premium and interest for whose payment such money and Government Obligations have been deposited with the Trustee.
ARTICLE FIVE
REMEDIES
SECTION 501. Events of Default.
"Event of Default", wherever used herein with respect to the Securities of any series, means any one of the following events (whatever the reason for such Event of Default and whether it shall be voluntary or involuntary or be effected by operation of law or pursuant to any judgment, decree or order of any court or any order, rule or regulation of any administrative or governmental body):
(1) default in the payment of any interest upon any Security of that series when it becomes due and payable, and such default continues for a period of 30 days; or
(2) default in the payment of the principal of or premium, if any, on any Security of that series at its Maturity; or
(3) default in the performance, or breach, of any covenant or warranty of the Company in this Indenture (other than a covenant or warranty a default in the performance of which or the breach of which is specifically dealt with elsewhere in this Section), and continuance of such default or breach for a period of 60 days after there has been given, by registered or certified mail, to the Company by the Trustee or to the Company and the Trustee by the Holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of that series a written notice specifying such default or breach and requiring it to be remedied and stating that such notice is a "Notice of Default" hereunder; or
(4) the entry of a decree or order by a court having jurisdiction in the premises adjudging the Company a bankrupt or insolvent, or approving as properly filed a petition seeking reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition of or in respect of the Company under any applicable Federal or State bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or other similar law, or appointing a receiver, liquidator, assignee, trustee, sequestrator (or other similar official) of the Company or of any substantial part of its property or ordering the winding up or liquidation of its affairs, and the continuance of any such decree or order unstayed and in effect for a period of 90 consecutive days; or
(5) the institution by the Company of proceedings to be adjudicated a bankrupt or insolvent, or the consent by it to the institution of bankruptcy or insolvency proceedings against it, or the filing by it of a petition or answer of consent seeking reorganization or relief under any applicable Federal or State bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or
other similar law, or the consent by it to the filing of any such petition or to the appointment of a receiver, liquidator assignee, trustee, sequestrator (or other similar official) of the Company or of any substantial part of its property, or the making by it of an assignment for the benefit of creditors, or the admission by it in writing of its inability to pay its debts generally as they become due and its willingness to be adjudicated a bankrupt, or the taking of corporate action by the Company in furtherance of any such action; or
(6) any other Event of Default specified with respect to Securities of that series as contemplated in Section 301.
SECTION 502. Acceleration of Maturity; Rescission and Annulment.
If an Event of Default (other than an Event of Default specified in
Section 501(4) or 501(5)) with respect to Securities of any series at the time
Outstanding occurs and is continuing, then in every such case the Trustee or the
Holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding
Securities of that series may declare the principal amount (or, if the
Securities of that series are Original Issue Discount Securities, such portion
of the principal amount as may be specified in the terms of that series) of all
of the Securities of that series to be due and payable immediately, by a notice
in writing to the Company (and to the Trustee if given by Holders), and upon any
such declaration such principal amount (or specified amount) shall become
immediately due and payable. If an Event of Default specified in Section 501(4)
or 501(5) with respect to Securities of a series at the time Outstanding occurs,
the principal amount of all the Securities of such series (or specified amount)
shall automatically, and without any declaration or other action on the part of
the Trustee or any Holder, become immediately due and payable.
At any time after such a declaration of acceleration with respect to Securities of any series has been made and before a judgment or decree for payment of the money due has been obtained by the Trustee as hereinafter in this Article provided, the Holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of that series, by written notice to the Company and the Trustee, may rescind and annul such declaration and its consequences if:
(1) the Company has paid or deposited with the Trustee a sum sufficient to pay
(A) all overdue interest on all Securities of that series,
(B) the principal of, and premium, if any, on, any Securities of that series which have become due otherwise than by such declaration of acceleration and any interest thereon at the rate or rates borne by such Securities,
(C) to the extent that payment of such interest is lawful, interest upon overdue installments of interest at the rate or rates borne by or prescribed therefor in such Securities, and
(D) all sums paid or advanced by the Trustee hereunder and the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel; and
(2) all Events of Default with respect to Securities of that series, other than the non-payment of the principal (or a specified portion of the principal) of and interest on Securities of that series which has become due solely by such declaration of acceleration, have been cured or waived as provided in Section 513.
No such rescission shall affect any subsequent default or impair any right consequent thereon.
SECTION 503. Collection of Indebtedness and Suits for Enforcement by Trustee.
The Company covenants that if:
(1) default is made in the payment of any interest on any Security when such interest becomes due and payable and such default continues for a period of 30 days, or
(2) default is made in the payment of the principal or premium, if any, on any Security at the Maturity thereof,
the Company will, upon demand of the Trustee, pay to it, for the benefit of the Holders of such Securities, the whole amount then due and payable on such Securities for principal, including any sinking fund payment or analogous obligations (and premium, if any) and interest, including, to the extent that payment of such interest shall be legally enforceable, interest on any overdue principal or premium, if any, and on any overdue interest, at the rate or rates prescribed therefor in such Securities, and, in addition thereto, such further amount as shall be sufficient to cover the costs and expenses of collection, including the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel.
If the Company fails to pay such amounts forthwith upon such demand, the Trustee, in its own name and as trustee of an express trust, may institute a judicial proceeding for the collection of the sums so due and unpaid, may prosecute such proceeding to judgment or final decree and may enforce the same against the Company or any other obligor upon the Securities and collect the moneys adjudged or decreed to be payable in the manner provided by law out of the property of the Company or any other obligor upon the Securities, wherever situated.
If an Event of Default with respect to Securities of any series occurs and is continuing, the Trustee may in its discretion proceed to protect and enforce its rights and the rights of the Holders of Securities of such series by such appropriate judicial proceedings as the Trustee shall deem most effectual to protect and enforce any such rights, whether for the specific enforcement of any covenant or agreement in this Indenture or in aid of the exercise of any power granted herein, or to enforce any other proper remedy.
SECTION 504. Trustee May File Proofs of Claim.
In case of any judicial proceeding relative to the Company (or any other obligor upon the Securities), its property or its creditors:
(a) the Trustee shall be entitled and empowered, by intervention in such proceeding or otherwise,
(i) to take any and all actions authorized under the Trust Indenture Act in order to have claims of the Holders and the Trustee allowed in any such proceeding, and
(ii) in particular, the Trustee shall be authorized to collect and receive any moneys or other property payable or deliverable on any such claims and to distribute the same in accordance with Section 506; and
(b) any custodian, receiver, assignee, trustee, liquidator, sequestrator or other similar official in any such judicial proceeding is hereby authorized by each Holder to make such payments to the Trustee for distribution in accordance with Section 506, and, in the event that the Trustee shall consent to the making of such payments directly to the Holders, to pay to the Trustee any amount due it for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel, and any other amounts due the Trustee under Section 607.
No provision of this Indenture shall be deemed to authorize the Trustee to authorize or consent to or accept or adopt on behalf of any Holder any plan of reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition affecting the Securities or the rights of any Holder thereof or to authorize the Trustee to vote in respect of the claim of any Holder in any such proceeding; provided, however, that the Trustee may, on behalf of the Holders, vote for the election of a trustee in bankruptcy or similar official and be a member of a creditors' or other similar committee.
SECTION 505. Trustee May Enforce Claims Without Possession of Securities.
All rights of action and claims under this Indenture or the Securities may be prosecuted and enforced by the Trustee without the possession of any of the Securities or the production thereof in any proceeding relating thereto, and any such proceeding instituted by the Trustee shall be brought in its own name as trustee of an express trust, and any recovery of judgment shall, after provision for the payment of the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel, be for the ratable benefit of the Holders of the Securities in respect of which such judgment has been recovered.
SECTION 506. Application of Money Collected.
Any money or property collected or to be applied by the Trustee with respect to a series of Securities pursuant to this Article shall be applied in the following order, at the date or dates fixed by the Trustee and, in case of the distribution of such money or
property on account of principal or premium, if any, or interest, upon presentation of the Securities and the notation thereon of the payment if only partially paid and upon surrender thereof if fully paid:
FIRST: To the payment of all amounts due the Trustee and any predecessor Trustee under Section 607;
SECOND: To the payment of the amounts then due and unpaid upon such series of Securities for principal (and premium, if any) and interest in respect of which or for the benefit of which such money has been collected, ratably, without preference or priority of any kind, according to the amounts due and payable on such series of Securities for principal (and premium, if any) and interest, respectively; and
THIRD: To the payment of the remainder, if any, to the Company, its successors or assigns or to whomsoever may be lawfully entitled to receive the same or as a court of competent jurisdiction may direct.
SECTION 507. Limitation on Suits.
No Holder of any Securities of any series shall have any right to institute any proceeding, judicial or otherwise, with respect to this Indenture, or for the appointment of a receiver or trustee, or for any other remedy hereunder, unless:
(1) such Holder has previously given written notice to the Trustee of a continuing Event of Default with respect to the Securities of that series;
(2) the Holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of that series have made written request to the Trustee to institute proceedings in respect of such Event of Default in its own name as Trustee hereunder;
(3) such Holder or Holders have offered to the Trustee reasonable security or indemnity against the costs, expenses and liabilities to be incurred in compliance with such request;
(4) the Trustee for 60 days after its receipt of such notice, request and offer of indemnity has failed to institute any such proceeding; and
(5) no direction inconsistent with such written request has been given to the Trustee during such 60-day period by the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of that series;
it being understood and intended that no one or more of such Holders shall have any right in any manner whatever by virtue of, or by availing of, any provision of this Indenture to affect, disturb or prejudice the rights of any other of such Holders, or to obtain or to seek to obtain priority or preference over any other of such Holders or to enforce any right under this Indenture, except in the manner herein provided and for the equal and ratable benefit of all of such Holders.
SECTION 508. Unconditional Right of Holders to Receive Principal, Premium and Interest.
Notwithstanding any other provision in this Indenture, the Holder of
any Security shall have the right, which is absolute and unconditional, to
receive payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) and (subject to
Section 307) interest on such Security on the respective Stated Maturities
expressed in such Security (or, in the case of redemption, on the Redemption
Date) and to institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment, and such
rights shall not be impaired without the consent of such Holder.
SECTION 509. Restoration of Rights and Remedies.
If the Trustee or any Holder has instituted any proceeding to enforce any right or remedy under this Indenture and such proceeding has been discontinued or abandoned for any reason, or has been determined adversely to the Trustee or to such Holder, then and in every such case, subject to any determination in such proceeding, the Company, the Trustee and the Holders shall be restored severally and respectively to their former positions hereunder and thereafter all rights and remedies of the Trustee and the Holders shall continue as though no such proceeding had been instituted.
SECTION 510. Rights and Remedies Cumulative.
Except as otherwise provided with respect to the replacement or payment
of mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Securities in the last paragraph of
Section 306, no right or remedy herein conferred upon or reserved to the Trustee
or to the Holders is intended to be exclusive of any other right or remedy, and
every right and remedy shall, to the extent permitted by law, be cumulative and
in addition to every other right and remedy given hereunder or now or hereafter
existing at law or in equity or otherwise. The assertion or employment of any
right or remedy hereunder, or otherwise, shall not prevent the concurrent
assertion or employment of any other appropriate right or remedy.
SECTION 511. Delay or Omission Not Waiver.
No delay or omission of the Trustee or of any Holder of any Securities to exercise any right or remedy accruing upon any Event of Default shall impair any such right or remedy or constitute a waiver of any such Event of Default or an acquiescence therein. Every right and remedy given by this Article or by law to the Trustee or to the Holders may be exercised from time to time, and as often as may be deemed expedient, by the Trustee or by the Holders, as the case may be.
SECTION 512. Control by Holders.
The Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of any series shall have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee, or exercising any trust or power conferred on the Trustee, with respect to the Securities of such series, provided that:
(1) such direction shall not be in conflict with any rule of law or with this Indenture, involve the Trustee in personal liability or be unduly prejudicial to the Holders of the Securities not joining in the action; and
(2) the Trustee may take any other action deemed proper by the Trustee which is not inconsistent with such direction.
SECTION 513. Waiver of Past Defaults.
The Holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of any series may, on behalf of the Holders of all the Securities of such series, waive any past default hereunder with respect to such series and its consequences, except a default:
(1) in the payment of the principal of, or premium, if any, or interest on, any Security of such series; or
(2) in respect of a covenant or provision hereof which under Article Nine cannot be modified or amended without the consent of the Holder of each Outstanding Security of such series affected.
Upon any such waiver, such default shall cease to exist, and any Event of Default arising therefrom shall be deemed to have been cured, for every purpose of this Indenture; but no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other default or impair any right consequent thereon.
SECTION 514. Undertaking for Costs.
All parties to this Indenture agree, and each holder of any Security by his acceptance thereof shall be deemed to have agreed, that any court may in its discretion require, in any suit for the enforcement of any right or remedy under this Indenture, or in any suit against the Trustee for any action taken, suffered or omitted by it as Trustee, any party litigant in such suit to file an undertaking to pay the costs of such suit, and that court may in its discretion assess reasonable costs, including reasonable attorneys' fees, against any such party litigant in such suit, having due regard to the merits and good faith of the claims or defenses made by such party litigant, in the manner and to the extent provided in the Trust Indenture Act; provided, that neither this Section nor the Trust Indenture Act shall be deemed to authorize any court to require such an undertaking or to make such an assessment in any suit instituted by the Company or by the Trustee, to any suit instituted by any Holder, or group of Holders, holding in the aggregate more than 10% in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of any series, or any suit instituted by any Holder for the enforcement of the payment of the principal of (or premium, if any) or interest on any Security on or after the respective Stated Maturities expressed in such Security (or in the case of redemption, on the Redemption Date).
SECTION 515. Waiver of Usury, Stay or Extension Laws.
The Company covenants (to the extent that it may lawfully do so) that it will not at any time insist upon, or plead, or in any manner whatsoever claim or take the benefit or advantage of, any usury, stay or extension law wherever enacted, now or at any time hereafter in force, which may affect the covenants or the performance of this Indenture; and the Company (to the extent that it may lawfully do so) hereby expressly waives all benefit or advantage of any such law and covenants that it will not hinder, delay or impede the execution of any power herein granted to the Trustee, but will suffer and permit the execution of every such power as though no such law had been enacted.
ARTICLE SIX
THE TRUSTEE
SECTION 601. Certain Duties and Responsibilities.
The duties, responsibilities, protections, privileges, and immunities of the Trustee shall be as provided by the Trust Indenture Act, particularly Sections 315 and 316 thereof, unless expressly excluded as provided in this Article Six. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no provision of this Indenture shall require the Trustee to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise incur any financial liability in the performance of any of its duties hereunder, or in the exercise of any of its rights or powers, if it shall have reasonable grounds for believing that repayment of such funds or adequate indemnity against such risk or liability is not reasonably assured to it.
Whether or not therein expressly so provided, every provision of this Indenture relating to the conduct or affecting the liability of or affording protection to the Trustee shall be subject to the provisions of this Section.
SECTION 602. Notice of Defaults.
If a default occurs hereunder with respect to the Securities of a series, the Trustee within 90 days of such default shall give the Holders of such Securities notice of such default as and to the extent provided by the Trust Indenture Act; provided, however, that in the case of any default of the character specified in Section 501(3) with respect to such Securities, no such notice to Holders shall be given until at least 30 days after the occurrence thereof; and provided, further, that the Trustee may withhold notice to the Holders, of any default with respect to Securities of a series (except any default of the character specified in Section 501(1) and (2)), if and so long as the board of directors, the executive committee or a trust committee of directors or Responsible Officers of the Trustee in good faith determine that the withholding of the notice is in the interest of the Holders of such Securities. For the purpose of this Section, the term "default" means any event which is, or after notice or lapse of time or both would become, an Event of Default with respect to the Securities of a series.
SECTION 603. Certain Rights of Trustee.
Subject to the provisions of Section 601:
(1) the Trustee may rely and shall be protected in acting or refraining from acting upon any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, direction, consent, order, bond, debenture, note, other evidence of indebtedness or other paper or document believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper party or parties;
(2) any request or direction of the Company mentioned herein shall be sufficiently evidenced by a Company Request or Company Order, and any resolution of the Board of Directors shall be sufficiently evidenced by a Board Resolution;
(3) whenever in the administration of this Indenture the Trustee shall deem it desirable that a matter be proved or established prior to taking, suffering or omitting any action hereunder, the Trustee (unless other evidence be herein specifically prescribed) may, in the absence of bad faith on its part, rely upon an Officers' Certificate and may at its discretion secure such further evidence deemed necessary or advisable, but shall in no case be bound to secure the same;
(4) the Trustee may consult with counsel and the written advice of such counsel or any Opinion of Counsel shall be full and complete authorization and protection in respect of any action taken, suffered or omitted by it hereunder in good faith and in reliance thereon;
(5) the Trustee shall not be bound to make any investigation into the facts or matters stated in any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, direction, consent, order, bond, debenture, note, other evidence of indebtedness or other paper or document, but the Trustee, in its discretion, may make such further inquiry or investigation into such facts or matters as it may see fit, and, if the Trustee shall determine to make such further inquiry or investigation, it shall be entitled to examine the books, records and premises of the Company, personally or by agent or attorney;
(6) the Trustee may execute any of the trusts or powers hereunder or perform any duties hereunder either directly or by or through agents or attorneys and the Trustee shall not be responsible for any misconduct or negligence on the part of any agent or attorney appointed with due care by it hereunder;
(7) the Trustee's immunities and protections from liability and its rights to compensation and indemnification in connection with the performance of its duties under this Indenture shall extend to the Trustee's officers, directors, agents and employees and its services as Paying Agent, Security Registrar or any other role assumed by the Trustee hereunder or to which it has been appointed with respect to the Securities issued hereunder. Such immunities and protections and right to indemnification, together with the Trustee's right to compensation, shall survive the Trustee's resignation or removal and final payment of the Securities;
(8) the Trustee is not required to give any bond or surety with respect to the performance of its duties or the exercise of its powers under this Indenture;
(9) the Trustee shall not be deemed to have knowledge of any "default"
or Event of Default hereunder except (i) during any period it is serving as
Paying Agent for the Securities of a series, any Event of Default pursuant to
Section 501(1) or (2), or (ii) any default or Event of Default of which a
Responsible Officer shall have received written notification from the Company or
the Holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of
the series with respect to which such default or Event of Default has occurred
and is continuing or obtained "actual knowledge." The term "actual knowledge" as
used herein shall mean the actual fact or statement of knowing by a Responsible
Officer without independent investigation with respect thereto. The term
"default" as used in this Section 603 shall mean any event which is, or after
notice or lapse of time or both would become, an Event of Default with respect
to Securities of a series; and
(10) the Trustee shall be under no obligation to exercise any of the rights or powers vested in it by this Indenture (other than the payment of debt service on the Securities from moneys furnished to it pursuant hereto), whether at the request or direction of the Holders or any other Person, pursuant to this Indenture or otherwise, unless it shall have been offered reasonable indemnity or security against the fees, advances, costs, expenses and liabilities which might be incurred by it in connection with the exercise of any such rights or powers.
Notwithstanding anything else herein contained, (i) the Trustee shall not be liable for any error of judgment made in good faith by any officer of the Trustee unless it shall be proved that the Trustee was grossly negligent in ascertaining the pertinent facts and (ii) no provision of this Indenture shall require the Trustee to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise incur any financial liability in the performance of any of its duties hereunder or in the exercise of any of its rights or powers if it believes the repayment of such funds or adequate indemnity against such risk or liability is not reasonably assured to it.
SECTION 604. Not Responsible for Recitals or Issuance of Securities.
The recitals contained herein and in the Securities, except the Trustee's certificates of authentication, shall be taken as the statements of the Company, and neither the Trustee nor any Authenticating Agent assumes any responsibility for their correctness. The Trustee makes no representations as to the validity or sufficiency of this Indenture or of the Securities. Neither the Trustee nor any Authenticating Agent shall be accountable for the use or application by the Company of Securities or the proceeds thereof.
SECTION 605. May Hold Securities.
The Trustee, any Authenticating Agent, any Paying Agent, any Security Registrar or any other agent of the Company, in its individual or any other capacity, may become the owner or pledgee of Securities and, subject to Sections 608 and 613, may otherwise
deal with the Company with the same rights it would have if it were not Trustee, Authenticating Agent, Paying Agent, Security Registrar or such other agent.
SECTION 606. Money Held in Trust.
Money held by the Trustee in trust hereunder need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law. The Trustee shall be under no liability for interest on any money received by it hereunder except as agreed with the Company herein or otherwise.
SECTION 607. Compensation and Reimbursement.
The Company agrees:
(1) to pay to the Trustee from time to time reasonable compensation for all services rendered by it hereunder (which compensation shall not be limited by any provision of law in regard to the compensation of a trustee of an express trust);
(2) except as otherwise expressly provided herein, to reimburse the Trustee upon its request for all reasonable expenses, disbursements and advances incurred or made by the Trustee in accordance with any provision of this Indenture (including the reasonable compensation and the reasonable expenses and disbursements of its agents or attorneys), except any such expense, disbursement or advance as may be attributable to the negligence, willful misconduct or bad faith of it or of its agents or attorneys;
(3) to indemnify, defend and to hold the Trustee harmless against, any loss, liability or expense (including the reasonable compensation and the reasonable expenses and disbursements of its agents or attorneys) incurred without negligence, willful misconduct or bad faith on its part, arising out of or in connection with the acceptance or administration of the trust or trusts hereunder, including the reasonable costs and expenses of defending itself against any claim or liability in connection therewith or with the exercise or performance of any of its powers or duties hereunder;
(4) that the Trustee shall have a lien prior to the Securities upon all property and funds held by it hereunder for any amount owing it or any predecessor Trustee pursuant to this Section 607, except with respect to funds held in trust for the benefit of the Holders of particular Securities; and
(5) without limiting any rights available to the Trustee under applicable law, that when the Trustee incurs expenses or renders services in connection with an Event of Default specified in Section 501(4) or Section 501(5), the expenses (including the reasonable charges and expenses of its counsel) and the compensation for the services are intended to constitute expenses of administration under any applicable federal or state bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar law.
SECTION 608. Disqualification; Conflicting Interests.
If the Trustee has or shall acquire a conflicting interest within the meaning of the Trust Indenture Act, the Trustee shall either eliminate such interest or resign, to the extent and in the manner provided by, and subject to the provisions of, the Trust Indenture Act and this Indenture. To the extent permitted by the Trust Indenture Act, the Trustee shall not be deemed to have a conflicting interest by virtue of being a Trustee under this Indenture with respect to Securities of more than one series or by virtue of being a Trustee under this Indenture and under the Indenture dated as of October 20, 1995 between the Company and JPMorgan Chase Bank (successor to The Chase Manhattan Bank (National Association)), as Trustee.
SECTION 609. Corporate Trustee Required; Eligibility.
There shall at all times be a Trustee hereunder which shall (i) be a corporation organized and doing business under the laws of the United States of America, any State thereof or the District of Columbia, (ii) be authorized under such laws to exercise corporate trust powers, (iii) have a combined capital and surplus of at least $50,000,000, and (iv) be subject to supervision or examination by Federal or State authority. If such corporation files reports of condition at least annually, pursuant to law or to the requirements of said supervising or examining authority, then for the purposes of this Section, the combined capital and surplus of such corporation shall be deemed to be its combined capital and surplus as set forth in its most recent report of condition so filed. If at any time the Trustee shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the provisions of this Section, it shall resign immediately in the manner and with the effect hereinafter specified in this Article Six. Neither the Company nor any Person directly or indirectly controlling, controlled by or under common control with the Company shall serve as Trustee for the Securities of any series issued hereunder.
SECTION 610. Resignation and Removal; Appointment of Successor.
No resignation or removal of the Trustee and no appointment of a successor Trustee pursuant to this Article shall become effective until the acceptance of appointment by the successor Trustee in accordance with the applicable requirements of Section 611.
The Trustee may resign as Trustee at any time with respect to the
Securities of one or more series by giving written notice thereof to the
Company. If the instrument of acceptance by a successor Trustee required by
Section 611 shall not have been delivered to the Trustee within 30 days after
the giving of such notice of resignation, the resigning Trustee may petition any
court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee with
respect to the Securities of such series.
The Trustee may be removed as Trustee hereunder at any time with respect to the Securities of any series by Act of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series, delivered to the Trustee and to the Company.
If at any time:
(1) the Trustee shall fail to comply with Section 608 after written request therefor by the Company or by any Holder who has been a bona fide Holder of a Security for at least six months; or
(2) the Trustee shall cease to be eligible under Section 609 and shall fail to resign after written request therefor by the Company or by any such Holder; or
(3) the Trustee shall become incapable of acting or shall be adjudged a bankrupt or insolvent or a receiver of the Trustee or of its property shall be appointed or any public officer shall take charge or control of the Trustee or of its property or affairs for the purpose of rehabilitation, conservation or liquidation,
then, in any such case, (A) the Company by a Board Resolution may remove the Trustee, or (B) subject to Section 514, any Holder who has been a bona fide Holder of a Security for at least six months may, on behalf of himself and all others similarly situated, petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the removal of the Trustee and the appointment of a successor Trustee or Trustees.
If the Trustee shall resign, be removed or become incapable of acting, or if a vacancy shall occur in the office of Trustee for any cause with respect to the Securities of one or more series, the Company, by a Board Resolution, shall promptly appoint a successor Trustee or Trustees with respect to the Securities of that or those series and shall comply with the applicable requirements of Section 611. If, within one year after such resignation, removal or incapability, or the occurrence of such vacancy, a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series shall be appointed by Act of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series delivered to the Company and the retiring Trustee, the successor Trustee so appointed shall, forthwith upon its acceptance of such appointment in accordance with the applicable requirements of Section 611, become the successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of such series and to that extent supersede the successor Trustee appointed by the Company. If no successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series shall have been so appointed by the Company or the Holders and accepted appointment in the manner required by Section 611, any Holder who has been a bona fide Holder of a Security for at least six months may, subject to Section 514, on behalf of himself and all others similarly situated, petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of such series.
The Company shall give notice of each resignation and each removal of the Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series and each appointment of a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series by mailing written notice of such event by first-class mail, postage prepaid, to the Holders of Securities of such series as their names and addresses appear in the Security Register. Each notice shall include the name of the successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of such series and the address of its Corporate Trust Office.
SECTION 611. Acceptance of Appointment by Successor.
(a) In the case of the appointment hereunder of a successor Trustee with respect to all Securities, every such successor Trustee so appointed shall execute, acknowledge and deliver to the Company and to the retiring Trustee an instrument accepting such appointment, and thereupon the resignation or removal of the retiring Trustee shall become effective and such successor Trustee, without any further act, deed or conveyance, shall become vested with all the rights, powers, trusts and duties of the retiring Trustee; but, on the request of the Company or the successor Trustee, such retiring Trustee shall, upon payment of its charges, execute and deliver an instrument transferring to such successor Trustee all the rights, powers and trusts of the retiring Trustee and shall duly assign, transfer and deliver to such successor Trustee all property and money held by such retiring Trustee hereunder.
(b) In case of the appointment hereunder of a successor Trustee with
respect to the Securities of one or more (but not all) series, the Company, the
retiring Trustee and each successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of
one or more series shall execute and deliver an indenture supplemental hereto
wherein each successor trustee shall accept such appointment and which (1) shall
contain such provisions as shall be necessary or desirable to transfer and
confirm to, and to vest in, each successor Trustee all the rights, powers,
trusts and duties of the retiring Trustee with respect to the Securities of that
or those series to which the appointment of such successor Trustee relates, (2)
if the retiring Trustee is not retiring with respect to all Securities, shall
contain such provisions as shall be deemed necessary or desirable to confirm
that all the rights, powers, trusts and duties of the retiring Trustee with
respect to the Securities of that or those series as to which the retiring
Trustee is not retiring shall continue to be vested in the retiring Trustee, and
(3) shall add to or change any of the provisions of this Indenture as shall be
necessary to provide for or facilitate the administration of the trusts
hereunder by more than one Trustee, it being understood that nothing herein or
in such supplemental indenture shall constitute such Trustees co-trustees of the
same trust and that each such Trustee shall be trustee of a trust or trusts
hereunder separate and apart from any trust or trusts hereunder administered by
any other such Trustee and upon the execution and delivery of such supplemental
indenture the resignation or removal of the retiring Trustee shall become
effective to the extent provided therein and each such successor Trustee,
without any further act, deed or conveyance, shall become vested with all the
rights, powers, trusts, and duties of the retiring Trustee with respect to the
Securities of that or those series to which the appointment of such successor
Trustee relates; but, on request of the Company or any successor Trustee, such
retiring Trustee shall duly assign, transfer and deliver to such successor
Trustee all property and money held by such retiring Trustee hereunder with
respect to the Securities of that or those series to which the appointment of
such successor Trustee relates.
(c) Upon request of any such successor Trustee, the Company shall execute any and all instruments for more fully and certainly vesting in and confirming to such successor Trustee all such rights, powers and trusts referred to in the paragraph (a) or (b) of this Section, as the case may be.
(d) No successor Trustee shall accept its appointment unless at the time of such acceptance such successor Trustee shall be qualified and eligible under this Article.
SECTION 612. Merger, Conversion, Consolidation or Succession to Business.
Any corporation into which the Trustee may be merged or converted or with which it may be consolidated, or any corporation resulting from any merger, conversion or consolidation to which the Trustee shall be a party, or any corporation succeeding to all or substantially all of the corporate trust business of the Trustee, shall be the successor of the Trustee hereunder, provided such corporation shall be otherwise qualified and eligible under this Article, without the execution or filing of any paper or any further act on the part of any of the parties hereto. In case any Securities shall have been authenticated, but not delivered, by the Trustee then in office, any successor by merger, conversion or consolidation to such authenticating Trustee may adopt such authentication and deliver the Securities so authenticated with the same effect as if such successor Trustee had itself authenticated such Securities.
SECTION 613. Preferential Collection of Claims Against Company.
If and when the Trustee shall be or become a creditor of the Company (or any other obligor upon the Securities), the Trustee shall be subject to the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act regarding the collection of claims against the Company (or any such other obligor).
SECTION 614. Appointment of Authenticating Agent.
The Trustee may appoint an Authenticating Agent or Agents with respect to one or more series of Securities which shall be authorized to act on behalf of the Trustee to authenticate Securities of such series issued upon original issue and upon exchange, registration of transfer or partial redemption thereof or pursuant to Section 306, and Securities so authenticated shall be entitled to the benefits of this Indenture and shall be valid and obligatory for all purposes as if authenticated by the Trustee hereunder. Wherever reference is made in this Indenture to the authentication and delivery of Securities by the Trustee or the Trustee's certificate of authentication, such reference shall be deemed to include authentication and delivery on behalf of the Trustee by an Authenticating Agent and a certificate of authentication executed on behalf of the Trustee by an Authenticating Agent. Each Authenticating Agent shall be acceptable to the Company and shall at all times be a corporation organized and doing business under the laws of the United States of America, any State, Territory or the District of Columbia, authorized under such laws to act as Authenticating Agent, having a combined capital and surplus of not less than $50,000,000 and subject to supervision or examination by Federal or State authority. If such Authenticating Agent files reports of condition at least annually, pursuant to law or to the requirements of said supervising or examining authority, then for the purposes of this Section, the combined capital and surplus of such Authenticating Agent shall be deemed to be its combined capital and surplus as set forth in its most recent report of condition so filed.
If at any time an Authenticating Agent shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the provisions of this Section, such Authenticating Agent shall resign immediately in the manner and with the effect specified in this Section.
Any corporation into which an Authenticating Agent may be merged or converted or with which it may be consolidated, or any corporation resulting from any merger, conversion or consolidation to which such Authenticating Agent shall be a party, or any corporation succeeding to all or substantially all of the corporate trust business of an Authenticating Agent, shall be the successor Authenticating Agent hereunder, provided such corporation shall be otherwise eligible under this Section, without the execution or filing of any paper or any further act on the part of the Trustee or the Authenticating Agent.
An Authenticating Agent may resign at any time by giving written notice thereof to the Trustee and to the Company. The Trustee may at any time terminate the agency of an Authenticating Agent by giving written notice thereof to such Authenticating Agent and to the Company. Upon receiving such a notice of resignation or upon such a termination, or in case at any time such Authenticating Agent shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the provisions of this Section, the Trustee may appoint a successor Authenticating Agent which shall be acceptable to the Company and shall give notice of such appointment in the manner provided in Section 106 to all Holders of Securities of the series with respect to which such Authenticating Agent will serve. Any successor Authenticating Agent upon acceptance of its appointment hereunder shall become vested with all the rights, powers and duties of its predecessor hereunder, with like effect as if originally named as an Authenticating Agent.
No successor Authenticating Agent shall be appointed unless eligible under the provisions of this Section.
The Company agrees to pay to each Authenticating Agent from time to time reasonable compensation for its services under this Section.
If an appointment with respect to one or more series is made pursuant to this Section, the Securities of such series may have endorsed thereon, in addition to the Trustee's certificate of authentication, an alternative certificate of authentication in the following form:
This is one of the Securities referred to in the within-mentioned Indenture.
ARTICLE SEVEN
HOLDERS' LISTS AND REPORTS BY TRUSTEE AND COMPANY
SECTION 701. Company to Furnish Trustee Names and Addresses of Holders.
The Company will furnish or cause to be furnished to the Trustee:
(1) semi-annually, not more than 15 days after each Regular Record Date, a list, in such form as the Trustee may reasonably require, of the names and addresses of the Holders as of such Regular Record Date; and
(2) at such other times as the Trustee may request in writing, within 30 days after the receipt by the Company of any such request, a list of similar form and content as of a date not more than 15 days prior to the time such list is furnished; provided, that no such list need be provided in any case to the extent it would include names and addresses received by the Trustee in its capacity as Security Registrar.
SECTION 702. Preservation of Information; Communications to Holders.
The Trustee shall preserve, in as current a form as is reasonably
practicable, the names and addresses of Holders contained in the most recent
list furnished to the Trustee as provided in Section 701 and the names and
addresses of Holders received by the Trustee in its capacity as Security
Registrar. The Trustee may destroy any list furnished to it as provided in
Section 701 upon receipt of a new list so furnished.
The rights of Holders to communicate with other Holders with respect to their rights under this Indenture or under the Securities, and the corresponding rights and privileges of the Trustee, shall be as provided by the Trust Indenture Act.
Every Holder of Securities, by receiving and holding the same, agrees with the Company and the Trustee that neither the Company nor the Trustee nor any agent of either of them shall be held accountable by reason of any disclosure of information as to names and addresses of Holders made pursuant to the Trust Indenture Act.
SECTION 703. Reports by Trustee.
The Trustee shall transmit to Holders such reports concerning the Trustee and its actions under this Indenture as may be required pursuant to the Trust Indenture Act at the times and in the manner provided pursuant thereto. If required by Section 313(a) of the Trust Indenture Act, the Trustee shall, within 60 days after each May 15 following the date of this Indenture, deliver to Holders a brief report, dated as of such May 15, which complies with the provisions of such Section 313(a).
A copy of each such report shall, at the time of such transmission to Holders, be filed by the Trustee with each stock exchange upon which any Securities are listed, with the Commission and with the Company. The Company will notify the Trustee whenever any Securities are listed on any stock exchange.
SECTION 704. Reports by Company.
The Company shall:
(1) file with the Trustee, within 15 days after the Company is required to file the same with the Commission, copies of the annual reports and of the information, documents and other reports (or copies of such portions of any of the foregoing as the Commission may from time to time by rules and regulations prescribe) which the Company may be required to file with the Commission pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act; or, if the Company is not required to file information, documents or reports pursuant to either of said Sections, then it shall file with the Trustee and the Commission, in accordance with rules and regulations prescribed from time to time by the Commission, such of the supplementary and periodic information, documents and reports which may be required pursuant to Section 13 of the Exchange Act in respect of a security listed and registered on a national securities exchange as may be prescribed from time to time in such rules and regulations;
(2) file with the Trustee and the Commission, in accordance with rules and regulations prescribed from time to time by the Commission, such additional information, documents and reports with respect to compliance by the Company with the conditions and covenants of this Indenture as may be required from time to time by such rules and regulations; and
(3) transmit by mail, to all Holders, as their names and addresses appear in the Security Register, within 30 days after the filing thereof with the Trustee, such summaries of any information, documents and reports required to be filed by the Company pursuant to Clauses (1) and (2) of this Section as may be required by rules and regulations prescribed from time to time by the Commission.
ARTICLE EIGHT
CONSOLIDATION, MERGER, CONVEYANCE, TRANSFER OR LEASE
SECTION 801. Company May Consolidate, Etc., Only on Certain Terms.
(a) Subject to Section 801(c), the Company shall not consolidate with or merge with or into any other Person or convey, transfer or lease its assets substantially as an entirety to any Person, and the Company shall not permit any Person to consolidate with or merge with or into the Company, unless:
(1) the Company is the surviving corporation in a merger or consolidation; or
(2) in case the Company shall consolidate with or merge into another Person or convey, transfer or lease its assets substantially as an entirety to any Person, the Person formed by such consolidation or into which the Company is merged or the Person which acquires by conveyance or transfer, or which leases, the assets of the Company substantially as an entirety shall be a corporation, partnership, trust or limited liability company, organized and validly existing under the laws of the United States of America, any State thereof or the District of Columbia and shall expressly assume, by an indenture supplemental hereto, executed and delivered to the Trustee, the due and punctual payment of the principal of and any premium and interest on all the Securities and the performance or observance of every covenant of this Indenture on the part of the Company to be performed or observed; and
(3) immediately after giving effect to such transaction, no Event of Default, and no event which, after notice or lapse of time or both, would become an Event of Default, shall have happened and be continuing; and
(4) the Company has delivered to the Trustee an Officers' Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that such consolidation, merger, conveyance, transfer or lease and, if a supplemental indenture is required in connection with such transaction, such supplemental indenture comply with this Article and that all conditions precedent herein provided for relating to such transaction have been complied with.
(b) Subject to Section 801(c), any indebtedness which becomes an obligation of the Company or any Subsidiary as a result of any such transaction shall be treated as having been incurred by the Company or such Subsidiary at the time of such transaction.
(c) The provisions of Section 801(a) and (b) shall not be applicable to:
(1) the direct or indirect conveyance, transfer or lease of all or any portion of the stock, assets or liabilities of any of the Company's wholly owned Subsidiaries to the Company or to other wholly owned Subsidiaries of the Company; or
(2) any recapitalization transaction, a change of control of the Company or a highly leveraged transaction unless such transaction or change of control is structured to
include a merger or consolidation by the Company or the conveyance, transfer or lease of the Company's assets substantially as an entirety.
SECTION 802. Successor Corporation Substituted.
Upon any consolidation of the Company with, or merger of the Company into, any other Person or any conveyance, transfer or lease of the assets of the Company substantially as an entirety in accordance with Section 801, the successor Person formed by such consolidation or into which the Company is merged or to which such conveyance, transfer or lease is made shall succeed to, and be substituted for, and may exercise every right and power of, the Company under this Indenture with the same effect as if such successor Person had been named as the Company herein, and thereafter, except in the case of any lease, the Company shall be relieved of all obligations and covenants under this Indenture and the Securities and may be dissolved and liquidated.
In case of any such consolidation, merger, conveyance, transfer or lease, such changes in phraseology and form may be made in the Securities thereafter to be issued as may be appropriate.
ARTICLE NINE
SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES
SECTION 901. Supplemental Indentures Without Consent of Holders.
Without the consent of any Holders, the Company, when authorized by a Board Resolution, and the Trustee, at any time and from time to time, may enter into one or more indentures supplemental hereto, in form satisfactory to the Trustee, for any of the following purposes:
(1) to evidence the succession of another Person to the Company and the assumption by any such successor of the covenants of the Company herein and in the Securities; or
(2) to convey, transfer, assign, mortgage or pledge any property to or with the Trustee or to surrender any right or power herein conferred upon the Company; or
(3) to provide for the issuance under this Indenture of Securities in bearer form (including securities registrable as to principal only) and to provide for exchangeability of such Securities for Securities issued hereunder in fully registered form, and to make all appropriate changes for such purpose; or
(4) to establish the form or terms of Securities of any series as permitted by Sections 201 or 301; or
(5) to add to the covenants of the Company for the benefit of the Holders of all Securities or any series of Securities (and if such covenants are to be for the benefit of less than all series of Securities, stating that such covenants are expressly being included
solely for the benefit of such series) or to surrender any right or power herein conferred upon the Company; or
(6) to add any additional Events of Default; or
(7) to secure the Securities; or
(8) to evidence and provide for the acceptance of appointment hereunder by a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of one or more series and to add to or change any provisions of this Indenture as shall be necessary to provide for or facilitate the administration of the trusts hereunder by more than one Trustee pursuant to the requirements of Section 611(b); or
(9) to cure any ambiguity, to correct or supplement any provision herein which may be defective or inconsistent with any other provision herein, or to make any other provisions with respect to matters or questions arising under this Indenture as the Company and the Trustee may deem necessary and desirable, provided that such action pursuant to this Clause (9) shall not adversely affect the interests of the Holders of Securities of any series in any material respect; or
(10) to conform any provision hereof to the requirements of the Trust Indenture Act or otherwise as necessary to comply with applicable law; or
(11) to make any change that does not adversely affect the rights of any Holder in any material respect.
SECTION 902. Supplemental Indentures With Consent of Holders.
With the consent of the Holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of each series affected by such supplemental indenture, by Act of said Holders delivered to the Company and the Trustee, the Company, when authorized by a Board Resolution, and the Trustee may enter into an indenture or indentures supplemental hereto for the purpose of adding any provisions to or changing in any manner or eliminating any of the provisions of this Indenture or of modifying in any manner the rights of the Holders of Securities of such series under this Indenture; provided, however, that no such supplemental indenture shall, without the consent of the Holder of each Outstanding Security affected thereby:
(1) change the Stated Maturity of the principal of, or any installment of interest payable on, any Outstanding Security, or reduce the principal amount of or the rate of interest thereon or any premium payable upon the redemption thereof, or reduce the amount of principal of an Original Issue Discount Security that would be due and payable upon redemption or would be provable in bankruptcy, or adversely affect any right of repayment of the Holder of any Security or change the Place of Payment or the coin or currency in which, any Outstanding Security or the interest thereon is payable, or impair the right to institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment on or after the Stated Maturity thereof (or, in the case of redemption, on or after the Redemption Date); or
(2) reduce the percentage in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of any series, the consent of whose Holders is required for any such supplemental indenture, or the consent of whose Holders is required for any waiver of compliance with certain provisions of this Indenture or certain defaults hereunder and their consequences or reduce the quorum or voting requirements provided for in this Indenture; or
(3) modify any of the provisions of this Section, Section 513 or
Section 1009, except to increase any such percentage or to provide that certain
other provisions of this Indenture cannot be modified or waived without the
consent of the Holder of each Outstanding Security affected thereby; provided,
however, that this clause shall not be deemed to require the consent of any
Holder with respect to changes in the references to "the Trustee" and
concomitant changes in this Section and Section 1009, or the deletion of this
proviso, in accordance with the requirements of Sections 611 and 901(8).
A supplemental indenture which changes or eliminates any covenant or other provision of this Indenture which has expressly been included solely for the benefit of one or more particular series of Securities, or which modifies the rights of the Holders of Securities of such series with respect to such covenant or other provision, shall be deemed not to affect the rights under this Indenture of the Holders of Securities of any other series.
It shall not be necessary for any Act of Holders under this Section to approve the particular form of any proposed supplemental indenture, but it shall be sufficient if such Act shall approve the substance thereof.
SECTION 903. Execution of Supplemental Indentures.
In executing, or accepting the additional trusts created by, any supplemental indenture permitted by this Article or the modifications thereby of the trusts created by this Indenture, the Trustee shall be entitled to receive, and (subject to Section 601) shall be fully protected in relying upon, an Officers' Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel stating that the execution of such supplemental indenture is authorized or permitted by this Indenture, and that all conditions precedent have been complied with. The Trustee may, but shall not be obligated to, enter into any such supplemental indenture which affects the Trustee's own rights, duties, protections, privileges, indemnities, liabilities or immunities under this Indenture or otherwise.
SECTION 904. Effect of Supplemental Indentures.
Upon the execution of any supplemental indenture under this Article, this Indenture shall be modified in accordance therewith, and such supplemental indenture shall form a part of this Indenture for all purposes; and every Holder of Securities theretofore or thereafter authenticated and delivered hereunder shall be bound thereby.
SECTION 905. Conformity with Trust Indenture Act.
Every supplemental indenture executed pursuant to this Article shall conform to the requirements of the Trust Indenture Act as then in effect.
SECTION 906. Reference in Securities to Supplemental Indentures.
Securities authenticated and delivered after the execution of any supplemental indenture pursuant to this Article may, and shall if required by the Trustee, bear a notation in form approved by the Trustee as to any matter provided for in such supplemental indenture. If the Company shall so determine, new Securities of any series so modified as to conform, in the opinion of the Trustee and the Board of Directors, to any such supplemental indenture may be prepared and executed by the Company and authenticated and delivered by the Trustee in exchange for Outstanding Securities of such series.
ARTICLE TEN
COVENANTS
SECTION 1001. Payment of Principal, Premium and Interest.
The Company covenants and agrees for the benefit of each series of Securities that it will duly and punctually pay the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on the Securities of that series in accordance with the terms of such Securities and this Indenture.
Unless otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 301, the Company shall pay interest on overdue amounts at the rate set forth in the first paragraph of the Securities, and it shall pay interest on overdue interest at the same rate (to the extent that the payment of such interest shall be legally enforceable), which interest on overdue interest shall accrue from the date such amounts became overdue.
SECTION 1002. Maintenance of Office or Agency.
The Company will maintain in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York and each other Place of Payment for any series, an office or agency where Securities of that series may be presented or surrendered for payment, and an office or agency where Securities may be surrendered for registration of transfer or exchange and where notices and demands to or upon the Company in respect of the Securities and this Indenture may be served. The Company initially appoints the Trustee, acting through its Corporate Trust Office, as its agent for said purposes. The Company will give prompt written notice to the Trustee of the location, and any change in the location, of any such office or agency. If at any time the Company shall fail to maintain any such required office or agency or shall fail to furnish the Trustee with the address thereof, such presentations, surrenders, notices and demands may be made or served at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee, and the Company hereby appoints the Trustee as its agent to receive all such presentations, surrenders, notices and demands.
The Company may also from time to time designate one or more other offices or agencies where the Securities may be presented or surrendered for any or all such purposes and may from time to time rescind such designations; provided, however, that no such designation or rescission shall in any manner relieve the Company of its
obligation to maintain an office or agency in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York and each other Place of Payment for Securities of any series for such purposes. The Company will give prompt written notice to the Trustee of any such designation or rescission and of any change in the location of any such other office or agency.
SECTION 1003. Money for Securities Payments to Be Held in Trust.
If the Company shall at any time act as its own Paying Agent with respect to any series of Securities, it will, on or before each due date of the principal of or premium, if any, or interest on any of the Securities of such series, segregate and hold in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled thereto a sum sufficient to pay the principal, premium, if any, and any interest so becoming due until such sums shall be paid to such Persons or otherwise disposed of as herein provided and will promptly notify the Trustee of its action or failure so to act.
Whenever the Company shall have one or more Paying Agents, it will, prior to each due date of the principal of or interest on any Securities, deposit with a Paying Agent a sum sufficient to pay the principal (and premium, if any) or interest so becoming due, such sum to be held as provided by the Trust Indenture Act, and (unless such Paying Agent is the Trustee) the Company will promptly notify the Trustee of its action or failure so to act.
The Company will cause each Paying Agent other than the Trustee to execute and deliver to the Trustee an instrument in which such Paying Agent shall agree with the Trustee, subject to the provisions of this Section, that such Paying Agent will (1) comply with the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act applicable to it as a Paying Agent, (2) give the Trustee notice of any default by the Company (or any other obligor upon the Securities) in the making of any payment of principal (and premium, if any) or interest, and (3) at any time during the continuance of any such default, upon the written request of the Trustee, forthwith pay to the Trustee all sums so held in trust by such Paying Agent.
The Company may at any time, for the purpose of obtaining the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture or for any other purpose, pay, or by Company Order direct any Paying Agent to pay, to the Trustee all sums held in trust by the Company or such Paying Agent, such sums to be held by the Trustee upon the same trusts as those upon which such sums were held by the Company or such Paying Agent; and, upon such payment by the Company or any Paying Agent to the Trustee, such Paying Agent shall be released from all further liability with respect to such money.
Any money or U.S. Government Obligation (including the proceeds thereof and the interest thereon) deposited with the Trustee or any Paying Agent, or then held by the Company, in trust for the payment of the principal of, premium, if any, or interest on any Security and remaining unclaimed for two years after such principal, premium, if any, or interest has become due and payable shall be paid to the Company at its option on Company Request (unless otherwise required by mandatory provision of applicable escheat or abandoned or unclaimed property law) or (if then held by the Company) shall
(unless otherwise required by mandatory provision of applicable escheat or abandoned or unclaimed property law) be discharged from such trust; and the Holder of such Security shall thereafter, as an unsecured general creditor, look only to the Company for payment thereof, and all liability of the Trustee or such Paying Agent with respect to such trust money, and all liability of the Company as trustee thereof, shall thereupon cease; provided, however, that the Trustee or such Paying Agent, before being required to make any such repayment, may at the expense of the Company cause to be published once, in a newspaper published in the English language, customarily published on each Business Day and of general circulation in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, notice that such money remains unclaimed and that, after a date specified therein, which shall not be less than 30 days from the date of such publication, any unclaimed balance of such money then remaining will be repaid to the Company.
SECTION 1004. Statement by Officers as to Default.
The Company will deliver to the Trustee, within 120 days after the end of each fiscal year of the Company ending after the date hereof, an Officers' Certificate covering the preceding fiscal year, stating whether or not, to the best knowledge of the signers thereof, the Company is in default in the performance and observance of any of the terms, provisions and conditions of this Indenture (without regard to any period of grace or requirement of notice provided hereunder) and, if the Company shall be in default, specifying all such defaults and the nature and status thereof of which they may have knowledge.
SECTION 1005. Existence.
Subject to Article Eight, the Company will do or cause to be done all things necessary to preserve and keep in full force and effect its legal existence, rights (charter and statutory) and franchises; provided, however, that the Company shall not be required to preserve any such right or franchise if the Board of Directors shall determine that the preservation thereof is no longer desirable in the conduct of the business of the Company and that the loss thereof is not disadvantageous in any material respect to the Holders.
SECTION 1006. Maintenance of Properties.
The Company will cause all material properties of the Company used or
useful in the conduct of its business or the business of any Restricted
Subsidiary to be maintained and kept in good condition, repair and working order
and supplied with all necessary equipment and will cause to be made all
necessary repairs, renewals, replacements, betterments and improvements thereof,
all as in the judgment of the Company may be necessary so that the Company and
each Restricted Subsidiary may properly and advantageously conduct their
respective businesses at all times; provided, however, that nothing in this
Section shall prevent the Company from selling, abandoning or otherwise
disposing of, or discontinuing the operation or maintenance of, any of such
properties if such action is, in the judgment of the Company, desirable in the
conduct of its business or the business of any Restricted Subsidiary.
SECTION 1007. Payment of Taxes.
The Company will pay or discharge or cause to be paid or discharged, before the same shall become delinquent, all taxes, assessments and governmental charges levied or imposed upon the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary or upon the income, profits or property of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary, and lawful claims for labor, materials and supplies, which, if unpaid, might by law become a Lien upon the property of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary; provided, however, that the Company shall not be required to pay or discharge or cause to be paid or discharged any such tax, assessment or governmental charge whose amount, applicability or validity is being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings or where the failure to effect such payment is not adverse in any material respect to the Holders of the Securities.
SECTION 1008. Limitation on Liens.
The Company will not, nor will it permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, create, incur, assume or permit to exist any Lien, except Liens incurred, assumed or existing prior to the date of this Indenture, on any property or assets (including the capital stock of any Restricted Subsidiary) now owned or hereafter acquired by it, or sell or transfer or create any Lien on any income or revenues or rights in respect thereof; provided, however, that this covenant shall not apply to any of the following:
(a) any Lien on any property or asset hereafter acquired, constructed or improved by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary which is created or assumed to secure or provide for the payment of any part of the purchase price of such property or asset or the cost of such construction or improvement, or any Lien on any property or asset existing at the time of acquisition thereof; provided, however, that such Lien shall not extend to any other property owned by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary;
(b) any Lien existing upon any property or asset of a company which is merged with or into or is consolidated into, or substantially all the assets or shares of capital stock of which are acquired by, the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary, at the time of such merger, consolidation or acquisition; provided that such Lien does not extend to any other property or asset, other than improvements to the property or asset subject to such Lien;
(c) any pledge or deposit to secure payment of workers' compensation or insurance premiums, or in connection with tenders, bids, contracts (other than contracts for the payment of money) or leases;
(d) any pledge of, or other Lien upon, any assets as security for the payment of any tax, assessment or other similar charge by any Governmental Authority or public body, or as security required by law or governmental regulation as a condition to the transaction of any business or the exercise of any privilege or right;
(e) any Lien necessary to secure a stay of any legal or equitable process in a proceeding to enforce a liability or obligation contested in good faith by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary or required in connection with the institution by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of any legal or equitable proceeding to enforce a right or to obtain
a remedy claimed in good faith by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary, or required in connection with any order or decree in any such proceeding or in connection with any contest of any tax or other governmental charge; or the making of any deposit with or the giving of any form of security to any governmental agency or any body created or approved by law or governmental regulation in order to entitle the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary to maintain self-insurance or to participate in any fund in connection with workers' compensation, unemployment insurance, old age pensions or other social security or to share in any provisions or other benefits provided for companies participating in any such arrangement or for liability on insurance of credits or other risks;
(f) any mechanics', carriers', workmen's, repairmen's, or other like Liens, if arising in the ordinary course of business, in respect of obligations which are not overdue or liability for which is being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings;
(g) any Lien on property in favor of the United States of America, or of any agency, department or other instrumentality thereof, to secure partial, progress or advance payments pursuant to the provisions of any contract;
(h) any Lien securing indebtedness of a Restricted Subsidiary to the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary; provided that in the case of any sale or other disposition of such indebtedness by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary, such sale or other disposition shall be deemed to constitute the creation of another Lien not permitted by this clause (h);
(i) any Lien affecting property of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary securing indebtedness of the United States of America or a State thereof (or any instrumentality or agency of either thereof) issued in connection with a pollution control or abatement program required in the opinion of the Company to meet environmental criteria with respect to operations of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary and the proceeds of which indebtedness have financed the cost of acquisition of such program;
(j) the renewal, extension, replacement or refunding of any mortgage, pledge, lien, deposit, charge or other encumbrance permitted by the foregoing provisions of this covenant upon the same property theretofore subject thereto, or the renewal, extension, replacement or refunding of the amount secured thereby; provided that in each case such amount outstanding at that time shall not be increased; or
(k) any other Lien; provided that immediately after the creation or assumption of such Lien, the total of the aggregate principal amount of Indebtedness of the Company and all Restricted Subsidiaries (not including Indebtedness permitted under clauses (a) through (j) above) secured by all Liens created or assumed under the provisions of this clause (k), shall not exceed an amount equal to 10% of Consolidated Net Tangible Assets.
SECTION 1009. Waiver of Certain Covenants.
The Company may omit in any particular instance to comply with any term, provision, covenant or condition set forth in any covenant provided pursuant to Section 901(5) for the benefit of the Holders or in any of Sections 1006 to 1008, inclusive, with respect to the Securities of any series if before or after the time for such compliance the Holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series shall, by Act of such Holders, either waive such compliance in such instance or generally waive compliance with such term, provision or condition, but no such waiver shall extend to or affect such term, provision or condition except to the extent so expressly waived, and, until such waiver shall become effective, the obligations of the Company and the duties of the Trustee in respect of any such term, provision or condition shall remain in full force and effect.
ARTICLE ELEVEN
REDEMPTION OF SECURITIES
SECTION 1101. Company's Right of Redemption.
Unless otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 301 with respect
to the Securities of a particular series, and notwithstanding any additional
redemption rights that may be so specified, the Company may, at its option,
redeem the Securities of any series after their date of issuance in whole or in
part at any time and from time to time, subject to the provisions of this
Section 1101 and the other provisions of this Article Eleven. Unless otherwise
specified as contemplated by Section 301 with respect to the Securities of a
particular series, the redemption price for any Security so redeemed shall be
equal to 100% of the principal amount of such Securities then Outstanding plus
accrued and unpaid interest up to, but excluding, the date fixed for redemption;
provided, however, that installments of accrued and unpaid interest whose Stated
Maturity is on or prior to the Redemption Date will be payable to the Holders of
such Securities, or one or more Predecessor Securities, registered as such at
the close of business on the relevant Regular Record Dates according to their
terms and the provisions of Section 307.
SECTION 1102. Applicability of Article.
Redemption of Securities, as permitted or required by any form of Security issued pursuant to this Indenture or the documentation providing therefor, shall be made in accordance with such form of Security or documentation and this Article Eleven; provided, however, that if any provision of any such form of Security or documentation shall conflict with any provision of this Article, the provision of such form of Security or documentation shall govern. Except as otherwise set forth in the form of Security for such series or such documentation, each Security shall be subject to partial redemption only in the amount of $1,000 or integral multiples of $1,000.
SECTION 1103. Election to Redeem; Notice to Trustee.
The election of the Company to redeem any Securities shall be evidenced by or pursuant to a Board Resolution. In case of any redemption at the election of the Company of the Securities of a series, the Company shall, at least 45 days but not more than 60 days prior to the Redemption Date fixed by the Company (unless a shorter notice shall be satisfactory to the Trustee), notify the Trustee of such Redemption Date, of the principal amount of Securities to be redeemed and, if applicable, of the tenor of the Securities to be redeemed. In the case of any redemption of Securities (a) prior to the expiration of any restriction on such redemption provided in the terms of such Securities or (b) pursuant to an election of the Company which is subject to a condition specified in the terms of such Securities, the Company shall furnish the Trustee with an Officers' Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel evidencing compliance with such restriction or condition.
SECTION 1104. Selection by Trustee of Securities to Be Redeemed.
If less than all the Securities are to be redeemed (unless such redemption affects only a single Security), the particular Securities to be redeemed shall be selected not more than 45 days prior to the Redemption Date by the Trustee, from the Outstanding Securities not previously called for redemption, by such method as the Trustee in its sole discretion shall deem fair and appropriate and which may provide for the selection for redemption of a portion of the principal amount of any Security, provided that the unredeemed portion of the principal amount of any Security shall be in an authorized denomination (which shall not be less than the minimum authorized denomination) for such Security. If less than all the Securities and of a specified tenor are to be redeemed (unless such redemption affects only a single Security), the particular Securities to be redeemed shall be selected not more than 45 days prior to the Redemption Date by the Trustee, from the Outstanding Securities and specified tenor not previously called for redemption in accordance with the preceding sentence.
The Trustee shall promptly notify the Company in writing of the Securities selected for redemption as aforesaid and, in the case of any Securities selected for partial redemption as aforesaid, the principal amount thereof to be redeemed.
The provisions of the two preceding paragraphs shall not apply with respect to any redemption affecting only a single Security, whether such Security is to be redeemed in whole or in part. In the case of any such redemption in part, the unredeemed portion of the principal amount of the Security shall be in an authorized denomination (which shall not be less than the minimum authorized denomination) for such Security.
For all purposes of this Indenture, unless the context otherwise requires, all provisions relating to the redemption of Securities shall relate, in the case of any Securities redeemed or to be redeemed only in part, to the portion of the principal amount of such Securities which has been or is to be redeemed. If the Company shall so direct, Securities registered in the name of the Company, any Affiliate or any Subsidiary thereof shall not be included in the Securities selected for redemption.
SECTION 1105. Notice of Redemption.
Notice of redemption shall be given by first-class mail, postage prepaid, mailed not less than 30 nor more than 60 days prior to the Redemption Date, to each Holder of Securities to be redeemed, at its address appearing in the Security Register. Unless the Company defaults in payment of the Redemption Price, on and after the Redemption Date, interest shall cease to accrue on the Securities.
All notices of redemption shall state:
(1) the Redemption Date;
(2) the Redemption Price, or if not then ascertainable, the manner of calculation thereof;
(3) if less than all the Outstanding Securities consisting of more than a single Security are to be redeemed, the identification (and, in the case of partial redemption of any such Securities, the principal amounts) of the particular Securities to be redeemed and, if less than all the Outstanding Securities consisting of a single Security are to be redeemed, the principal amount of the particular Security to be redeemed;
(4) that on the Redemption Date the Redemption Price will become due and payable upon each such Security to be redeemed and, if applicable, that interest thereon will cease to accrue on and after said date; and
(5) the place or places where each such Security is to be surrendered for payment of the Redemption Price.
Notice of redemption of Securities to be redeemed at the election of the Company shall be given by the Company or, at the Company's request, by the Trustee in the name and at the expense of the Company and shall be irrevocable. The notice if mailed in the manner herein provided shall be conclusively presumed to have been duly given, whether or not the Holder receives such notice In any case, a failure to give such notice by mail or any defect in the notice to the Holder of any Security designated for redemption as a whole or in part shall not affect the validity of the proceedings for the redemption of any other Security.
SECTION 1106. Deposit of Redemption Price.
Prior to any Redemption Date, the Company shall deposit with the Trustee or with a Paying Agent (or, if the Company is acting as its own Paying Agent, segregate and hold in trust as provided in Section 1003) an amount of money sufficient to pay the Redemption Price of, and (except if the Redemption Date shall be an Interest Payment Date) accrued interest on, all the Securities which are to be redeemed on that date.
SECTION 1107. Securities Payable on Redemption Date.
Notice of redemption having been given pursuant to Section 1105, the Securities to be so redeemed shall, on the Redemption Date, become due and payable at the Redemption Price therein specified, and from and after such date (unless the Company shall default in the payment of the Redemption Price and accrued interest) such Securities shall cease to bear or accrue any interest. Upon surrender of any such Security for redemption in accordance with said notice, such Security shall be paid by the Company at the Redemption Price, together with any accrued but unpaid interest to, but excluding, the Redemption Date; provided, however, that installments of accrued and unpaid interest whose Stated Maturity is on or prior to the Redemption Date will be payable to the Holders of such Securities, or one or more Predecessor Securities, registered as such at the close of business on the relevant Regular Record Dates according to their terms and the provisions of Section 307.
If any Security called for redemption shall not be so paid upon surrender thereof for redemption, the principal and any premium shall, until paid, bear interest from the Redemption Date at the rate prescribed therefor in the Security.
SECTION 1108. Securities Redeemed in Part.
Any Security which is to be redeemed only in part shall be surrendered at a Place of Payment therefor (with, if the Company or the Trustee so requires, due endorsement by, or a written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the Company and the Trustee duly executed by, the Holder thereof or his attorney duly authorized in writing), and the Company shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver to the Holder of such Security without service charge, a new Security or Securities of like tenor, of any authorized denomination as requested by such Holder, in aggregate principal amount equal to and in exchange for the unredeemed portion of the principal of the Security so surrendered.
ARTICLE TWELVE
DEFEASANCE AND COVENANT DEFEASANCE
SECTION 1201. Company's Option to Effect Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance.
The Company may elect, at its option at any time, to have Section 1202 or Section 1203 applied to any Securities upon compliance with the conditions set forth below in this Article. Any such election shall be evidenced by a Board Resolution.
SECTION 1202. Defeasance and Discharge.
Upon the Company's exercise of its option (if any) to have this Section applied to any Securities, the Company shall be deemed to have been discharged from its obligations with respect to such Securities as provided in this Section on and after the date the conditions set forth in Section 1204 are satisfied (hereinafter called "Defeasance"). For this purpose, such Defeasance means that the Company shall be
deemed to have paid and discharged the entire indebtedness represented by such
Securities and to have satisfied all its other obligations under such Securities
and this Indenture insofar as such Securities are concerned (and the Trustee, at
the expense of the Company and upon Company Request, shall execute proper
instruments acknowledging the same), subject to the following, which shall
survive until otherwise terminated or discharged hereunder: (1) the Company's
obligations with respect to such Securities under Sections 304, 305, 306, 1002
and 1003; (2) the rights, powers, trusts, duties and immunities of the Trustee
hereunder; and (3) this Article. Subject to compliance with this Article, the
Company may exercise its option (if any) to have this Section applied to any
Securities notwithstanding the prior exercise of its option (if any) to have
Section 1203 applied to such Securities.
SECTION 1203. Covenant Defeasance.
Upon the Company's exercise of its option (if any) to have this Section
applied to any Securities (1) the Company shall be released from its obligations
under Sections 801, Section 1006 to 1008, inclusive, and any covenants provided
pursuant to 901(5) for the benefit of the Holders of such Securities; and (2)
the occurrence of any event specified in Sections 501(3) (with respect to any of
Section 801, Sections 1006 to 1008, and any such covenants provided pursuant to
Section 901(5)) shall be deemed not to be or result in an Event of Default, in
each case with respect to such Securities as provided in this Section on and
after the date the conditions set forth in Section 1304 are satisfied
(hereinafter called "Covenant Defeasance"). For this purpose, such Covenant
Defeasance means that, with respect to such Securities, the Company may omit to
comply with and shall have no liability in respect of any term, condition or
limitation set forth in any such specified Section (to the extent so specified
in the case of Section 501(3)), whether directly or indirectly by reason of any
reference elsewhere herein to any such Section or by reason of any reference in
any such Section to any other provision herein or in any other document, but the
remainder of this Indenture and such Securities shall be unaffected thereby.
Notwithstanding any Covenant Defeasance with respect to Section 801, any Person that would otherwise have been required to assume the obligations of the Company pursuant to said Section shall be required, as a condition to any merger, consolidation, conveyance, transfer or lease contemplated thereby, to assume the obligations of the Company to the Trustee under Sections 607 and 1205.
SECTION 1204. Conditions to Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance.
The following shall be the conditions to the application of Section 1202 or Section 1203 to any Securities:
(1) The Company shall irrevocably have deposited or caused to be deposited with the Trustee (or another trustee which satisfies the requirements contemplated by Section 609 and agrees to comply with the provisions of this Article applicable to it) as trust funds in trust for the purpose of making the following payments, specifically pledged as security for, and dedicated solely to, the benefits of the Holders of such Securities, (A)
money in an amount, or (B) Government Obligations which through the scheduled payment of principal and interest in respect thereof in accordance with their terms will provide, not later than one day before the due date of any payment, money in an amount, or (C) a combination thereof, in each case sufficient, in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants expressed in a written certification thereof delivered to the Trustee, to pay and discharge, and which shall be applied by the Trustee (or any such other qualifying trustee) to pay and discharge, the principal of and any premium and interest on such Securities on the respective Stated Maturities or on the Redemption Date, in accordance with the terms of this Indenture and such Securities.
(2) In the event of an election to have Section 1202 apply to any Securities, the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel stating that (A) the Company has received from, or there has been published by, the Internal Revenue Service a ruling or (B) since the date of this instrument, there has been a change in the applicable Federal income tax law, in the case of either (A) or (B) to the effect that, and based thereon such opinion shall confirm that, the Holders of such Securities will not recognize gain or loss for Federal income tax purposes as a result of the deposit, Defeasance and discharge to be effected with respect to such Securities and will be subject to Federal income tax on the same amount, in the same manner and at the same times as would be the case if such deposit, Defeasance and discharge were not to occur.
(3) In the event of an election to have Section 1203 apply to any Securities, the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that the Holders of such Securities will not recognize gain or loss for Federal income tax purposes as a result of the deposit and Covenant Defeasance to be effected with respect to such Securities and will be subject to Federal income tax on the same amount, in the same manner and at the same times as would be the case if such deposit and Covenant Defeasance were not to occur.
(4) No event which is, or after notice or lapse of time or both would become, an Event of Default with respect to such Securities or any other Securities shall have occurred and be continuing at the time of such deposit or, with regard to any such event specified in Sections 501(4) and (5), at any time on or prior to the 90th day after the date of such deposit (it being understood that this condition shall not be deemed satisfied until after such 90th day).
(5) Such Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance shall not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under, any indenture or other agreement or instrument for borrowed money to which the Company is a party or by which it is bound.
(6) Such Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance shall not result in the trust arising from such deposit constituting an investment company within the meaning of the Investment Company Act unless such trust shall be registered under the Investment Company Act or exempt from registration thereunder.
(7) If such Securities are to be redeemed prior to Stated Maturity (other than from mandatory sinking fund payments or analogous payments), notice of such redemption
shall have been duly given pursuant to this Indenture or provision therefor satisfactory to the Trustee shall have been made.
(8) The Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officers' Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent with respect to such Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance have been complied with.
SECTION 1205. Deposited Money and Government Obligations to Be Held in Trust; Miscellaneous Provisions.
Subject to the provisions of the last paragraph of Section 1003, all money and Government Obligations (including the proceeds thereof and the interest thereon) deposited with the Trustee or other qualifying trustee (solely for purposes of this Section and Section 1206, the Trustee and any such other trustee are referred to collectively as the "Trustee") pursuant to Section 1204 in respect of any Securities shall be held in trust and applied by the Trustee, in accordance with the provisions of such Securities and this Indenture, to the payment, either directly or through any such Paying Agent (including the Company acting as its own Paying Agent) as the Trustee may determine, to the Holders of such Securities, of all sums due and to become due thereon in respect of principal and any premium and interest, but money so held in trust need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law.
The Company shall pay and indemnify the Trustee against any tax, fee or other charge imposed on or assessed against the Government Obligations deposited pursuant to Section 1204 or the principal and interest received in respect thereof other than any such tax, fee or other charge which by law is for the account of the Holders of Outstanding Securities.
Anything in this Article to the contrary notwithstanding, the Trustee shall deliver or pay to the Company from time to time upon Company Request any money or Government Obligations held by it as provided in Section 1204 with respect to any Securities which, in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants expressed in a written certification thereof delivered to the Trustee, are in excess of the amount thereof which would then be required to be deposited to effect the Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance, as the case may be, with respect to such Securities.
SECTION 1206. Reinstatement.
If the Trustee or the Paying Agent is unable to apply any money in accordance with this Article with respect to any Securities by reason of any order or judgment of any court or governmental authority enjoining, restraining or otherwise prohibiting such application, then the obligations under this Indenture and such Securities from which the Company has been discharged or released pursuant to Section 1202 or 1203 shall be revived and reinstated as though no deposit had occurred pursuant to this Article with respect to such Securities, until such time as the Trustee or Paying Agent is permitted to apply all money held in trust pursuant to Section 1205 with respect to such Securities in accordance with this Article; provided, however, that if the Company makes any payment
of principal of or any premium or interest on any such Security following such reinstatement of its obligations, the Company shall be subrogated to the rights (if any) of the Holders of such Securities to receive such payment from the money so held in trust.
SECTION 1207. Qualifying Trustee.
Any trustee appointed pursuant to Section 1204 for the purpose of holding trust funds deposited pursuant to that Section shall be appointed under an agreement in form acceptable to the Trustee and shall provide to the Trustee a certificate of such trustee, upon which certificate the Trustee shall be entitled to conclusively rely, that all conditions precedent provided for herein to the related Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance have been complied with. In no event shall the Trustee be liable for any acts or omissions of said trustee.
* * *
This instrument may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which so executed shall be deemed to be an original, but all such counterparts shall together constitute but one and the same instrument.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Indenture to be duly executed, and their respective corporate seals to be hereunto affixed and attested, all as of the day and year first above written.
THE HARTFORD FINANCIAL SERVICES GROUP, INC.
JPMORGAN CHASE BANK,
as Trustee
EXHIBIT A
[SPECIMEN BOND]
(FORM OF FACE OF SECURITY)
[If the Security is an Original Issue Discount Security, insert--For purposes of
Section 1271 of the United States Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, the
issue price of this security is __ % of its principal amount and the Issue Date
is ______________, 20__]
THE HARTFORD FINANCIAL SERVICES GROUP, INC.
[Title of Security]
CUSIP: _______________
No. _______ $ __________
THE HARTFORD FINANCIAL SERVICES GROUP, INC., a corporation organized and existing under the laws of Delaware (hereinafter called the "Company", which term includes any successor corporation under the Indenture hereinafter referred to), for value received, hereby promises to pay to [Insert if Global Security-Cede & Co.], or registered assigns, the principal sum of ___________ Dollars on _____________ [If the Security is to bear interest prior to Maturity, insert -- , and to pay interest thereon from _____________ or from the most recent Interest Payment Date to which interest has been paid or duly provided for, semi-annually on __________ and __________ in each year, commencing __________, at the rate of __ % per annum, on the basis of a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months, until the principal hereof is paid or duly provided for or made available for payment] [(If applicable insert - , and (to the extent that the payment of such interest shall be legally enforceable) at the rate of __% per annum on any overdue principal and premium and on any overdue installment of interest)].
[If the Security is to bear interest prior to Maturity, insert -- The interest so payable, and punctually paid or duly provided for, on any Interest Payment Date will, as provided in the Indenture, be paid to the Person in whose name this Security (or one or more Predecessor Securities) is registered at the close of business on the Regular Record Date for such interest, which shall be the date which is fifteen days (whether or not a Business Day) next preceding such Interest Payment Date. Any such interest not so punctually paid or duly provided for will forthwith cease to be payable to the Holder on such Regular Record Date and may either be paid to the person in whose name this Security (or one or more Predecessor Securities) is registered at the close of business on a Special Record Date for the payment of such Defaulted Interest to be fixed by the Trustee, notice whereof shall be given to Holders of Securities of this series not less than 10 days prior to such Special Record Date, or be paid at any time in any other lawful manner not inconsistent with the requirements of any securities exchange on which the
Securities of this series may be listed, and upon such notice as may be required by such exchange, all as more fully provided in said Indenture].
[If the Security is not to bear interest prior to Maturity, insert - The principal of this Security shall not bear interest except in the case of a default in payment of principal upon acceleration, upon redemption or at Stated Maturity and in such case the overdue principal of this Security shall bear interest at the rate of ___% per annum (to the extent that the payment of such interest shall be legally enforceable), which shall accrue from the date of such default in payment to the date payment of such principal has been made or duly provided for. Interest on any overdue principal shall be payable on demand. Any such interest on any overdue principal that is not so paid on demand shall bear interest at the rate of __% per annum (to the extent that the payment of such interest shall be legally enforceable), which shall accrue from the date of such demand for payment to the date payment of such interest has been made or duly provided for, and such interest shall also be payable on demand.]
Payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) and [if applicable, insert - any interest] on this Security will be made at the office or agency of the Company maintained for that purpose in The City of New York, in such coin or currency of the United States of America as at the time of payment is legal tender for payment of public and private debts [if applicable, insert -; provided, however, that at the option of the Company payment of interest may be made by check mailed to the address of the Person entitled thereto as such address shall appear in the Security Register].
Reference is hereby made to the further provisions of this Security set forth on the reverse hereof, which further provisions shall for all purposes have the same effect as if set forth at this place.
Unless the certificate of authentication hereon has been executed by the Trustee referred to on the reverse hereof by manual signature, this Security shall not be entitled to any benefit under the Indenture or be valid or obligatory for any purpose.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this instrument to be duly executed under its corporate seal.
Dated:
THE HARTFORD FINANCIAL SERVICES
GROUP, INC.
Title:
Title:
Attest:
FORM OF REVERSE OF SECURITY
This Security is one of a duly authorized issue of securities of the Company (herein called the "Securities"), issued and to be issued in one or more series under an Indenture, dated as of ___________, 2003 as supplemented and amended from time to time (herein called the "Indenture"), between the Company and JPMorgan Chase Bank, as Trustee (herein called the "Trustee", which term includes any successor trustee under the Indenture), to which Indenture and all indentures supplemental thereto reference is hereby made for a statement of the respective rights, limitations of rights, duties and immunities thereunder of the Company, the Trustee and the Holders of the Securities and of the terms upon which the Securities are, and are to be, authenticated and delivered. This Security is one of the series designated on the face hereof [if applicable insert --, limited in aggregate principal amount to $___________].
All terms used in this Security that are defined in the Indenture shall have the meaning assigned to them in the Indenture.
[If applicable, insert - The Securities of this series are subject to redemption upon not less than 30 nor more than 60 days' notice by mail, at any time [on or after ____________, 20__], as a whole or in part, at the election of the Company. The Redemption Price for any Security so redeemed shall be equal to 100% of the principal amount of such Securities then Outstanding plus accrued and unpaid interest up to but not including the date fixed for redemption. In the event of redemption of this Security in part only, a new Security or Securities of this series for the unredeemed portion hereof will be issued in the name of the Holder hereof upon the cancellation hereof.]
[Installments of accrued and unpaid interest whose Stated Maturity is on or prior to the Redemption Date will be payable to the Holders of the Securities of this series, or one or more Predecessor Securities, registered as such at the close of business on the relevant Regular Record Dates according to their terms.]
The Indenture contains provisions for satisfaction, discharge and defeasance of the entire indebtedness on this security, upon compliance by the Company with certain conditions set forth therein.
[If the Security is not an Original Issue Discount Security, - If an Event of Default with respect to Securities of this series shall occur and be continuing, the principal of the Securities of this series may be declared due and payable in the manner and with the effect provided in the Indenture.] [If the security is an Original Issue Discount Security, - If an Event of Default with respect to Securities of this series shall occur and be continuing, an amount of principal of the Securities of this series may be declared due and payable in the manner and with the effect provided in the Indenture. Such amount shall be equal to - insert formula for determining the amount.
Upon payment of the amount of principal so declared due and payable [if applicable insert -- and of interest on any overdue principal and overdue interest (in each
case to the extent that the payment of such interest shall be legally enforceable)], all of the Company's obligations in respect of the payment of the principal of and interest, if any, on the Securities of this series shall terminate.]
The Indenture permits, with certain exceptions as therein provided, the amendment thereof and the modification of the rights and obligations of the Company and the rights of the Holders of the Securities of each series to be affected under the Indenture at any time by the Company and the Trustee with the consent of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Securities at the time Outstanding of each series to be affected. The Indenture also contains provisions permitting the Holders of specified percentages in principal amount of the Securities of each series at the time Outstanding, on behalf of the Holders of all Securities of such series, to waive compliance by the Company with certain provisions of the Indenture and certain past defaults under the Indenture and their consequences. Any such consent or waiver by the Holder of this Security shall be conclusive and binding upon such Holder and upon all future Holders of this Security and of any Security issued upon the registration of transfer hereof or in exchange herefor or in lieu hereof, whether or not notation of such consent or waiver is made upon this Security.
No reference herein to the Indenture and no provision of this Security or of the Indenture shall alter or impair the obligation of the Company, which is absolute and unconditional, to pay the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on this Security at the times, place and rate, and in the coin or currency, herein prescribed.
As provided in the Indenture and subject to certain limitations therein set forth, the transfer of this Security is registrable in the Security Register, upon surrender of this Security for registration of transfer at the office or agency of the Company in any place where the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on this Security are payable, duly endorsed by, or accompanied by a written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the Company and the Security Registrar duly executed by, the Holder hereof or his attorney duly authorized in writing, and thereupon one or more new Securities of this series, of authorized denominations and for the same aggregate principal amount, will be issued to the designated transferee or transferees.
The Securities of this series are issuable only in registered form without coupons in denominations of $______ and any integral multiple thereof. As provided in the Indenture and subject to certain limitations therein set forth, Securities of this series are exchangeable for a like aggregate principal amount of Securities of this series of a different authorized denomination, as requested by the Holder surrendering the same.
No service charge shall be made for any such registration of transfer or exchange, but the Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge payable in connection therewith.
The Company, the Trustee and any agent of the Company or the Trustee may treat the Person in whose name this Security is registered as the owner hereof for all purposes,
whether or not this Security be overdue, and neither the Company, the Trustee nor any such agent shall be affected by notice to the contrary.
THIS SECURITY SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE
LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
EXHIBIT 4.04
THE HARTFORD FINANCIAL SERVICES GROUP, INC.
TO
--------------------,
Trustee
SUBORDINATED INDENTURE
Dated as of [______________]
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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ARTICLE ONE
DEFINITIONS AND OTHER PROVISIONS OF GENERAL APPLICATION ......................................... 1
SECTION 101. Definitions .............................................................................. 1
Act ................................................................................................. 2
Affiliate ........................................................................................... 2
Authenticating Agent ................................................................................ 2
Board of Directors .................................................................................. 2
Board Resolution .................................................................................... 2
Business Day ........................................................................................ 2
Commission .......................................................................................... 2
Company ............................................................................................. 3
Company Request and Company Order ................................................................... 3
Consolidated Net Tangible Assets .................................................................... 3
Corporate Trust Office .............................................................................. 4
corporation ......................................................................................... 4
Covenant Defeasance ................................................................................. 4
Defaulted Interest .................................................................................. 4
Defeasance .......................................................................................... 4
Depositary .......................................................................................... 4
Dollar .............................................................................................. 4
Event of Default .................................................................................... 4
Exchange Act ........................................................................................ 4
Expiration Date ..................................................................................... 4
Foreign Currency .................................................................................... 4
Global Security ..................................................................................... 4
Governmental Authority .............................................................................. 4
Government Obligations .............................................................................. 4
Holder .............................................................................................. 5
Indebtedness ........................................................................................ 5
Indenture ........................................................................................... 5
Interest Payment Date ............................................................................... 6
Interest Rate ....................................................................................... 6
Investment Company Act .............................................................................. 6
Junior Subordinated Payment ......................................................................... 6
Lien ................................................................................................ 6
Maturity ............................................................................................ 6
Notice of Default ................................................................................... 6
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Officers' Certificate ............................................................................... 6
Opinion of Counsel .................................................................................. 6
Original Issue Date ................................................................................. 6
Original Issue Discount Security .................................................................... 6
Outstanding ......................................................................................... 6
Paying Agent ........................................................................................ 7
Person .............................................................................................. 7
Place of Payment .................................................................................... 8
Predecessor Security ................................................................................ 8
Preferred Stock ..................................................................................... 8
Redemption Date ..................................................................................... 8
Redemption Price .................................................................................... 8
Regular Record Date ................................................................................. 8
Responsible Officer ................................................................................. 8
Restricted Subsidiary ............................................................................... 8
Securities or Security .............................................................................. 8
Securities Act ...................................................................................... 9
Security Register and Security Registrar ............................................................ 9
Senior Indebtedness ................................................................................. 9
Special Record Date ................................................................................. 9
Stated Maturity ..................................................................................... 9
Subsidiary .......................................................................................... 9
Trust Indenture Act ................................................................................. 9
Trustee ............................................................................................. 10
Vice President ...................................................................................... 10
SECTION 102. Compliance Certificates and Opinions ..................................................... 10
SECTION 103. Form of Documents Delivered to Trustee ................................................... 11
SECTION 104. Acts of Holders; Record Dates ............................................................ 11
SECTION 105. Notices, Etc., to Trustee and Company .................................................... 13
SECTION 106. Notice to Holders; Waiver ................................................................ 14
SECTION 107. Conflict with Trust Indenture Act ........................................................ 14
SECTION 108. Effect of Headings and Table of Contents ................................................. 14
SECTION 109. Successors and Assigns ................................................................... 15
SECTION 110. Separability Clause ...................................................................... 15
SECTION 111. Benefits of Indenture .................................................................... 15
SECTION 112. Governing Law ............................................................................ 15
SECTION 113. Legal Holidays ........................................................................... 15
SECTION 114. Computations ............................................................................. 15
ARTICLE TWO
SECURITY FORMS .................................................................................. 16
SECTION 201. Forms Generally .......................................................................... 16
SECTION 202. Form of Legend for Global Securities ..................................................... 16
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SECTION 203. Form of Trustee's Certificate of Authentication .......................................... 17
ARTICLE THREE
THE SECURITIES .................................................................................. 17
SECTION 301. Title; Terms ............................................................................. 17
SECTION 302. Denominations ............................................................................ 20
SECTION 303. Execution, Authentication, Delivery and Dating ........................................... 20
SECTION 304. Temporary Securities ..................................................................... 21
SECTION 305. Registration, Registration of Transfer and Exchange ...................................... 22
SECTION 306. Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost and Stolen Securities ......................................... 24
SECTION 307. Payment of Interest; Interest Rights Preserved ........................................... 25
SECTION 308. Persons Deemed Owners .................................................................... 26
SECTION 309. Cancellation ............................................................................. 27
SECTION 310. Computation of Interest .................................................................. 27
ARTICLE FOUR
SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE ...................................................................... 27
SECTION 401. Satisfaction and Discharge of Indenture .................................................. 27
SECTION 402. Application of Trust Money ............................................................... 29
ARTICLE FIVE
REMEDIES......................................................................................... 29
SECTION 501. Events of Default ........................................................................ 29
SECTION 502. Acceleration of Maturity; Rescission and Annulment ....................................... 30
SECTION 503. Collection of Indebtedness and Suits for Enforcement by Trustee .......................... 31
SECTION 504. Trustee May File Proofs of Claim ......................................................... 33
SECTION 505. Trustee May Enforce Claims Without Possession of Securities .............................. 33
SECTION 506. Application of Money Collected ........................................................... 33
SECTION 507. Limitation on Suits ...................................................................... 33
SECTION 508. Unconditional Right of Holders to Receive Principal, Premium and Interest ................ 34
SECTION 509. Restoration of Rights and Remedies ....................................................... 34
SECTION 510. Rights and Remedies Cumulative ........................................................... 35
SECTION 511. Delay or Omission Not Waiver ............................................................. 35
SECTION 512. Control by Holders ....................................................................... 35
SECTION 513. Waiver of Past Defaults .................................................................. 35
SECTION 514. Undertaking for Costs .................................................................... 36
SECTION 515. Waiver of Usury, Stay or Extension Laws .................................................. 36
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ARTICLE SIX
THE TRUSTEE ..................................................................................... 37
SECTION 601. Certain Duties and Responsibilities ...................................................... 37
SECTION 602. Notice of Defaults ....................................................................... 37
SECTION 603. Certain Rights of Trustee ................................................................ 37
SECTION 604. Not Responsible for Recitals or Issuance of Securities ................................... 39
SECTION 605. May Hold Securities ...................................................................... 39
SECTION 606. Money Held in Trust ...................................................................... 40
SECTION 607. Compensation and Reimbursement ........................................................... 40
SECTION 608. Disqualification; Conflicting Interests .................................................. 41
SECTION 609. Corporate Trustee Required; Eligibility .................................................. 41
SECTION 610. Resignation and Removal; Appointment of Successor ........................................ 41
SECTION 611. Acceptance of Appointment by Successor ................................................... 43
SECTION 612. Merger, Conversion, Consolidation or Succession to Business .............................. 44
SECTION 613. Preferential Collection of Claims Against Company ........................................ 44
SECTION 614. Appointment of Authenticating Agent ...................................................... 44
ARTICLE SEVEN
HOLDERS' LISTS AND REPORTS BY TRUSTEE AND COMPANY.............................................. 46
SECTION 701. Company to Furnish Trustee Names and Addresses of Holders ................................ 46
SECTION 702. Preservation of Information; Communications to Holders ................................... 46
SECTION 703. Reports by Trustee ....................................................................... 47
SECTION 704. Reports by Company ....................................................................... 47
ARTICLE EIGHT
CONSOLIDATION, MERGER, CONVEYANCE, TRANSFER OR LEASE........................................... 48
SECTION 801. Company May Consolidate, Etc., Only on Certain Terms ..................................... 48
SECTION 802. Successor Corporation Substituted ........................................................ 49
ARTICLE NINE
SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES........................................................................ 49
SECTION 901. Supplemental Indentures Without Consent of Holders ....................................... 49
SECTION 902. Supplemental Indentures With Consent of Holders .......................................... 50
SECTION 903. Execution of Supplemental Indentures ..................................................... 52
SECTION 904. Effect of Supplemental Indentures ........................................................ 52
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SECTION 905. Conformity with Trust Indenture Act ...................................................... 52
SECTION 906. Reference in Securities to Supplemental Indentures ....................................... 52
ARTICLE TEN
COVENANTS ....................................................................................... 52
SECTION 1001. Payment of Principal, Premium and Interest ............................................... 52
SECTION 1002. Maintenance of Office or Agency .......................................................... 53
SECTION 1003. Money for Securities Payments to Be Held in Trust ........................................ 53
SECTION 1004. Statement by Officers as to Default ...................................................... 54
SECTION 1005. Existence ................................................................................ 55
SECTION 1006. Maintenance of Properties ................................................................ 55
SECTION 1007. Payment of Taxes ......................................................................... 55
SECTION 1008. Limitation on Liens ...................................................................... 56
SECTION 1009. Waiver of Certain Covenants .............................................................. 57
ARTICLE ELEVEN
REDEMPTION OF SECURITIES ........................................................................ 58
SECTION 1101. Company's Right of Redemption ............................................................ 58
SECTION 1102. Applicability of Article ................................................................. 58
SECTION 1103. Election to Redeem; Notice to Trustee .................................................... 58
SECTION 1104. Selection by Trustee of Securities to Be Redeemed ........................................ 59
SECTION 1105. Notice of Redemption ..................................................................... 59
SECTION 1106. Deposit of Redemption Price .............................................................. 60
SECTION 1107. Securities Payable on Redemption Date .................................................... 60
SECTION 1108. Securities Redeemed in Part .............................................................. 61
ARTICLE TWELVE
SUBORDINATION OF SECURITIES ..................................................................... 61
SECTION 1201. Securities Subordinate to Senior Indebtedness ............................................ 61
SECTION 1202. Payment Over of Proceeds Upon Dissolution, Etc ........................................... 62
SECTION 1203. Prior Payment to Senior Indebtedness Upon Acceleration of Securities ..................... 63
SECTION 1204. No Payment When Senior Indebtedness in Default ........................................... 63
SECTION 1205. Payment Permitted If No Default .......................................................... 64
SECTION 1206. Subrogation to Rights of Holders of Senior Indebtedness .................................. 64
SECTION 1207. Provisions Solely to Define Relative Rights .............................................. 65
SECTION 1208. Trustee to Effectuate Subordination ...................................................... 65
SECTION 1209. No Waiver of Subordination Provisions .................................................... 66
SECTION 1210. Notice to Trustee ........................................................................ 66
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SECTION 1211. Reliance on Judicial Order or Certificate of Liquidating Agent .......................... 66
SECTION 1212. Trustee Not Fiduciary For Holders of Senior Indebtedness ................................ 67
SECTION 1213. Rights of Trustee as Holder of Senior Indebtedness; Preservation of
Trustee's Rights ................................................................... 67
SECTION 1214. Article Applicable to Paying Agents ..................................................... 67
SECTION 1215. Certain Conversions or Exchanges Deemed Payment ......................................... 67
ARTICLE THIRTEEN
DEFEASANCE AND COVENANT DEFEASANCE .............................................................. 68
SECTION 1301. Company's Option to Effect Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance ............................ 68
SECTION 1302. Defeasance and Discharge ................................................................ 68
SECTION 1303. Covenant Defeasance ..................................................................... 68
SECTION 1304. Conditions to Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance ......................................... 69
SECTION 1305. Deposited Money and Government Obligations to Be Held in Trust;
Miscellaneous Provisions ........................................................... 70
SECTION 1306. Reinstatement ........................................................................... 71
SECTION 1307. Qualifying Trustee ...................................................................... 71
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CERTAIN SECTIONS OF THIS INDENTURE RELATING
TO SECTIONS 310 THROUGH 318,
INCLUSIVE OF THE TRUST INDENTURE ACT OF 1939:
TRUST INDENTURE ACT SECTION INDENTURE SECTION SECTION 310(a)(1) ................. 609, 610 (a)(2) ............................ 609 (a)(3) ............................ NOT APPLICABLE (a)(4) ............................ NOT APPLICABLE (a)(5) ............................ 609 (b) ............................... 608, 610 SECTION 311(a) .................... 613 (b) ............................... 613 SECTION 312(a) .................... 701, 702 (b) ............................... 702 (c) ............................... 702 SECTION 313(a) .................... 703 (b) ............................... 703 (c) ............................... 703 (d) ............................... 703 SECTION 314(a) .................... 704 (a)(4) ............................ 101, 1004 (b) ............................... NOT APPLICABLE (c)(1) ............................ 102 (c)(2) ............................ 102 (c)(3) ............................ NOT APPLICABLE (d) ............................... NOT APPLICABLE (e) ............................... 102 SECTION 315(a) .................... 601 (b) ............................... 602 (c) ............................... 601 (d) ............................... 601 (e) ............................... 514 SECTION 316(a) .................... 101 (a)(1)(a) ......................... 502, 512 (a)(1)(b) ......................... 513 (a)(2) ............................ NOT APPLICABLE (b) ............................... 508 (c) ............................... 104 SECTION 317(a)(1) ................. 503 (a)(2) ............................ 504 (b) ............................... 1003 SECTION 318(a) .................... 107 |
NOTE: This reconciliation and tie shall not, for any purpose, be deemed to be a part of the Indenture.
SUBORDINATED INDENTURE, dated as of _____________, between The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc., a corporation duly organized and existing under the laws of the State of Delaware (herein called the "Company"), having its principal office at Hartford Plaza, Hartford, Connecticut 06115, and ________, a national banking association incorporated and existing under the laws of the United States of America, as Trustee (herein called the "Trustee").
RECITALS OF THE COMPANY
The Company has duly authorized the execution and delivery of this Indenture to provide for the issuance from time to time of its unsecured subordinated debt securities in one or more series (the "Securities") of substantially the tenor hereinafter provided, and to provide the terms and conditions upon which the Securities are to be authenticated, issued and delivered; and
all things necessary to make the Securities, when executed by the Company and authenticated and delivered hereunder and duly issued by the Company, the valid obligations of the Company, and to make this Indenture a valid agreement of the Company, in accordance with its terms, have been done.
NOW, THEREFORE, THIS INDENTURE WITNESSETH:
For and in consideration of the premises and the purchase of the Securities by the Holders thereof, it is mutually agreed, for the equal and proportionate benefit of all Holders of the Securities or of a series thereof, as follows:
ARTICLE ONE
DEFINITIONS AND OTHER PROVISIONS
OF GENERAL APPLICATION
SECTION 101. Definitions.
For all purposes of this Indenture, except as otherwise expressly provided or unless the context otherwise requires:
(1) the terms defined in this Article have the meanings assigned to them in this Article and include the plural as well as the singular;
(2) all other terms used herein which are defined in the Trust Indenture Act, either directly or by reference therein, have the meanings assigned to them therein;
(3) all accounting terms not otherwise defined herein have the meanings assigned to them in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and, except as otherwise herein expressly provided, the term "generally accepted accounting
principles" with respect to any computation required or permitted hereunder shall mean such accounting principles as are generally accepted at the time of such computation; provided, that when two or more principles are so generally accepted, it shall mean that set of principles consistent with those in use by the Company;
(4) unless the context otherwise requires, any reference to an "Article" or a "Section" refers to an Article or a Section, as the case may be, of this Indenture; and
(5) the words "herein", "hereinafter", "hereof" and "hereunder" and other words of similar import refer to this Indenture as a whole and not to any particular Article, Section or other subdivision.
"Act" when used with respect to any Holder, has the meaning specified in Section 104.
"Affiliate" of any specified Person means any other Person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with such specified Person. For the purposes of this definition, "control" when used with respect to any specified Person means the power to direct the management and policies of such Person, directly or indirectly, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise; and the terms "controlling" and "controlled" have meanings correlative to the foregoing.
"Authenticating Agent" means any Person authorized by the Trustee pursuant to Section 614 to act on behalf of the Trustee to authenticate Securities.
"Board of Directors" means either the board of directors of the Company or any duly authorized committee of that board.
"Board Resolution" means a copy of a resolution certified by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Company to have been duly adopted by the Board of Directors, and to be in full force and effect on the date of such certification, and delivered to the Trustee.
"Business Day" means each Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday which is not a day on which banking institutions in New York, New York, Hartford, Connecticut, the Corporate Trust Office or any Place of Payment are authorized or obligated by law or executive order to close.
"Commission" means the Securities and Exchange Commission, as from time to time constituted, created under the Exchange Act, or, if at any time after the execution of this instrument such Commission is not existing and performing the duties now assigned to it under the Trust Indenture Act, then the body performing such duties at such time.
"Company" means the Person named as the "Company" in the first paragraph of this instrument until a successor Person shall have become such pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Indenture, and thereafter "Company" shall mean such successor Person.
"Company Request" and "Company Order" mean, respectively, a written request or order signed in the name of the Company by (i) its Chairman of the Board of Directors, Chief Executive Officer, President or any Vice President, and (ii) its Treasurer, any Associate Treasurer, any Assistant Treasurer, its Controller, its Secretary or any Assistant Secretary, and delivered to the Trustee or, with respect to Sections 303, 304, 305 and 603, any other employee of the Company named in an Officers' Certificate delivered to the Trustee.
"Consolidated Net Tangible Assets" shall mean the total of all assets appearing on a consolidated balance sheet of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries, prepared in accordance with GAAP (and as of a date not more than 90 days prior to the date as of which Consolidated Net Tangible Assets are to be determined), less the sum of the following items as shown on said consolidated balance sheet:
(i) the book amount of all segregated intangible assets, including such items as good will, trademarks, trademark rights, trade names, trade name rights, copyrights, patents, patent rights and licenses and unamortized debt discount and expense less unamortized debt premium;
(ii) all depreciation, valuation and other reserves;
(iii) current liabilities;
(iv) any minority interest in the shares of stock (other than Preferred Stock) and surplus of Restricted Subsidiaries of the Company;
(v) the investment of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries in any Subsidiary of the Company that is not a Restricted Subsidiary;
(vi) the total indebtedness of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries incurred in any manner to finance or recover the cost to the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of any physical property, real or personal, which prior to or simultaneously with the creation of such indebtedness shall have been leased by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary to the United States of America or a department or agency thereof at an aggregate rental, payable during that portion of the initial term of such lease (without giving effect to any options of renewal or extension) which shall be unexpired at the date of the creation of such indebtedness, sufficient (taken together with any amounts required to be paid by the lessee to the lessor upon any termination of such lease) to pay in full at the stated maturity date or dates thereof the principal of and the interest on such indebtedness;
(vii) deferred income and deferred liabilities; and
(viii) other items deductible under GAAP.
"Corporate Trust Office" means the office of the Trustee at which at any particular time its corporate trust business shall be principally administered, which office at the date hereof is located at 4 New York Plaza, New York, New York 10004.
"corporation" means a corporation, association, company, joint-stock company or business trust.
"Covenant Defeasance" has the meaning specified in Section 1303.
"Defaulted Interest" has the meaning specified in Section 307.
"Defeasance" has the meaning specified in Section 1302.
"Depositary" means the clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act that is designated by the Company in Section 301 to act as depositary for any series of Securities with respect to such series (or any successor to such clearing agency).
"Dollar" means the currency of the United States of America as at the time of payment is legal tender for the payment of public and private debts.
"Event of Default," unless otherwise specified with respect to
Securities of a series pursuant to Section 301, has the meaning specified in
Section 501.
"Exchange Act" means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and any statute successor thereto, in each case as amended from time to time.
"Expiration Date" has the meaning specified in Section 104.
"Foreign Currency" means any currency issued by the government of one or more countries other than the United States of America or by any recognized confederation or association of such governments.
"Global Security" means a Security that evidences all or part of a series of Securities issued to the Depositary or its nominee for such series, and registered in the name of such Depositary or its nominee and bearing the legend set forth in Section 202.
"Governmental Authority" means any Federal, state, local or foreign court or governmental agency, authority, instrumentality or regulatory body.
"Government Obligations" means, with respect to the Securities of any series, securities which are (i) direct obligations of the United States of America or (ii) obligations of a Person controlled or supervised by and acting as an agency or
instrumentality of the United States of America the payment of which is unconditionally guaranteed by the United States of America and which, in either case, are full faith and credit obligations of the United States of America and are not callable or redeemable at the option of the issuer thereof and shall also include a depository receipt issued by a bank (as defined in Section 3(a)(2) of the Securities Act) as custodian with respect to any such Government Obligation held by such custodian for the account of the holder of such depository receipt; provided that (except as required by law) such custodian is not authorized to make any deduction from the amount payable to the holder of such depository receipt from any amount received by the custodian in respect of the Government Obligation or the specific payment of interest on or principal of the Government Obligation evidenced by such depository receipt.
"Holder" means a Person in whose name a Security is registered in the Security Register.
"Indebtedness" of any person means the principal of and premium, if any, and interest due on indebtedness of such Person, whether outstanding on the date of this Indenture or thereafter created, incurred or assumed, whether recourse is to all or a portion of the assets of such Person and whether or not contingent which is (a) indebtedness for money borrowed, and (b) any amendments, renewals, extensions, modifications and refundings of any such indebtedness. For the purposes of this definition, "indebtedness for money borrowed" means (i) any obligation of, or any obligation guaranteed by, such Person for the repayment of borrowed money, whether or not evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes or other written instruments, (ii) any obligation of, or any such obligation guaranteed by, such Person evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes or similar written instruments, including obligations assumed or incurred in connection with the acquisition of property, assets or businesses (provided, however, that the deferred purchase price of any property, assets or business shall not be considered Indebtedness if the purchase price thereof is payable in full within 90 days from the date on which such indebtedness was created), and (iii) any obligations of such Person as lessee under leases required to be capitalized on the balance sheet of the lessee under generally accepted accounting principles and leases of property or assets made as part of any sale and lease-back transaction to which such Person is a party. Indebtedness does not include trade accounts payable or accrued liability arising in the ordinary course of business.
"Indenture" means this instrument as originally executed or as it may from time to time be supplemented or amended by one or more indentures supplemental hereto entered into pursuant to the applicable provisions hereof, and shall include the terms of each particular series of Securities established as contemplated by Section 301, including, for all purposes of this instrument and any such supplemental indenture, the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act that are deemed to be a part of and govern this instrument and any such supplemental indenture, respectively.
"Interest Payment Date" means as to each series of Securities the Stated Maturity of an installment of interest on such Securities.
"Interest Rate" means the rate of interest specified or determined as specified in each Security as being the rate of interest payable on such Security.
"Investment Company Act" means the Investment Company Act of 1940 and any statute successor thereto, in each case as amended from time to time.
"Junior Subordinated Payment" has the meaning specified in Section 1202.
"Lien" means any mortgage, pledge, lien, security interest or other encumbrance.
"Maturity" when used with respect to any Security, means the date on which the principal of such Security or an installment of principal becomes due and payable as provided in the Securities or herein provided, whether at the Stated Maturity or by declaration of acceleration, call for redemption or otherwise.
"Notice of Default" means a written notice of the kind specified in
Section 501(3).
"Officers' Certificate" means a certificate signed by (i) the Chairman of the Board of Directors, Chief Executive Officer, President or any Vice President, and (ii) the Treasurer, any Associate Treasurer, any Assistant Treasurer, the Controller, the Secretary or any Assistant Secretary, of the Company, and delivered to the Trustee. One of the officers signing an Officers' Certificate given pursuant to Section 1004 shall be the principal executive, financial or accounting officer of the Company.
"Opinion of Counsel" means a written opinion of counsel, who may be counsel for (and an employee of) the Company, and who shall be reasonably acceptable to the Trustee.
"Original Issue Date" means the date of issuance specified as such in each Security.
"Original Issue Discount Security" means any security which provides for an amount less than the principal amount thereof to be due and payable upon a declaration of acceleration of the Maturity thereof pursuant to Section 502.
"Outstanding" when used with respect to Securities, means, as of the date of determination, all Securities theretofore authenticated and delivered under this Indenture, except:
(1) Securities theretofore cancelled by the Trustee or delivered to the Trustee for cancellation;
(2) Securities for whose payment or redemption money in the necessary amount has been theretofore deposited with the Trustee or any Paying Agent (other than the Company) in trust or set aside and segregated in trust by the Company (if the Company shall act as its own Paying Agent) for the Holders of such Securities; provided that, if such Securities are to be redeemed, notice of such redemption has been duly given pursuant to this Indenture or provision therefor satisfactory to the Trustee has been made; and
(3) Securities which have been paid pursuant to Section 306 or in exchange for or in lieu of which other Securities have been authenticated and delivered pursuant to this Indenture, other than any such Securities in respect of which there shall have been presented to the Trustee proof satisfactory to it that such Securities are held by Holders in whose hands such Securities are valid, binding and legal obligations of the Company;
provided, however, that in determining whether the Holders of the requisite principal amount of the Outstanding Securities have given, made or taken any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action hereunder as of any date, (A) the principal amount of an Original Issue Discount Security which shall be deemed to be Outstanding shall be the amount of the principal thereof which would be due and payable as of such date upon acceleration of the Maturity thereof to such date pursuant to Section 502, (B) if, as of such date, the principal amount payable at the Stated Maturity of a Security is not determinable, the principal amount of such Security which shall be deemed to be Outstanding shall be the amount as specified or determined as contemplated by Section 301, and (C) Securities beneficially owned by the Company or any other obligor upon the Securities or any Affiliate of the Company or of such other obligor shall be disregarded and deemed not to be Outstanding, except that, in determining whether the Trustee shall be protected in relying upon any such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action, only Securities which a Responsible Officer of the Trustee knows to be so owned shall be so disregarded. Securities so owned which have been pledged in good faith may be regarded as Outstanding if the pledgee establishes to the satisfaction of the Trustee the pledgee's right so to act with respect to such Securities and that the pledgee is not the Company or any other obligor upon the Securities or any Affiliate of the Company or of such other obligor.
"Paying Agent" means the Trustee or any other Person authorized by the Company to pay the principal of or any premium or interest on any Securities on behalf of the Company.
"Person" means any individual, corporation, partnership, joint venture, association, limited liability or joint stock company, trust, unincorporated organization or government or any agency or political subdivision thereof.
"Place of Payment" means, with respect to the Securities of any series, the place or places where the principal of and any premium and interest on the Securities of such series are payable as specified as contemplated by Section 301.
"Predecessor Security" of any particular Security means every previous Security evidencing all or a portion of the same debt as that evidenced by such particular Security; and, for the purposes of this definition, any Security authenticated and delivered under Section 306 in exchange for or in lieu of a mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Security shall be deemed to evidence the same debt as the mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Security.
"Preferred Stock" shall mean any capital stock entitled by its terms to a preference (a) as to dividends or (b) upon a distribution of assets.
"Proceeding" has the meaning specified in Section 1202.
"Redemption Date" when used with respect to any Security to be redeemed, means the date fixed for such redemption by or pursuant to this Indenture.
"Redemption Price" when used with respect to any Security to be redeemed, means the price at which it is to be redeemed pursuant to this Indenture.
"Regular Record Date" for the interest payable on any Interest Payment
Date on the Securities of a series means, unless otherwise provided pursuant to
Section 301 with respect to Securities of a series, the date which is fifteen
days next preceding such Interest Payment Date (whether or not a Business Day).
"Responsible Officer," when used with respect to the Trustee, means any officer of the Trustee located at the Corporate Trust Office and assigned by the Trustee from time to time to administer its corporate trust matters.
"Restricted Subsidiary" means a Subsidiary which is incorporated in any State of the United States or in the District of Columbia and which is a regulated insurance company principally engaged in one or more of the property, casualty and life insurance businesses, provided that no such Subsidiary shall be a Restricted Subsidiary if (i) the total assets of such Subsidiary are less than 10% of the total assets of the Company and its consolidated Subsidiaries (including such Subsidiary), in each case as set forth on the most recent fiscal year-end balance sheets of such Subsidiary and the Company and its consolidated Subsidiaries, respectively, and computed in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, or (ii) in the judgment of the Board of Directors, as evidenced by a Board Resolution, such Subsidiary is not material to the financial condition of the Company and its consolidated Subsidiaries taken as a whole.
"Securities" or "Security" means any debt securities or debt security, as the case may be, authenticated and delivered under this Indenture.
"Securities Act" means the Securities Act of 1933 and any statute successor thereto, in each case as amended from time to time.
"Security Register" and "Security Registrar" have the respective meanings specified in Section 305.
"Senior Indebtedness" means the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest, if any (including interest accruing on or after the filing of any petition in bankruptcy or for reorganization relating to the Company whether or not such claim for post-petition interest is allowed in such proceeding), on Indebtedness, whether incurred on or prior to the date of this Indenture or thereafter incurred, unless, in the instrument creating or evidencing the same or pursuant to which the same is outstanding, it is provided that such obligations are not superior in right of payment to the Securities or to other Indebtedness which is pari passu with, or subordinated to, the Securities; provided, however, that Senior Indebtedness shall not be deemed to include (a) any Indebtedness of the Company which when incurred and without respect to any election under Section 1111(b) of the Bankruptcy Reform Act of 1978, was without recourse to the Company, (b) any Indebtedness of the Company to any of its Subsidiaries, (c) Indebtedness to any employee of the Company or any employee of a Subsidiary of the Company, (d) any liability for taxes, (e) Indebtedness or other monetary obligations to trade creditors created or assumed by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business in connection with the obtaining of goods, materials or services and (f) the Securities.
"Special Record Date" for the payment of any Defaulted Interest means a date fixed by the Trustee pursuant to Section 307.
"Stated Maturity" when used with respect to any Security or any installment of principal thereof or interest thereon, means the date specified in such Security as the fixed date on which the principal of such Security or such installment of principal or interest is due and payable, in the case of such principal or installment of principal, as such date may be extended or shortened as provided pursuant to the terms of such Security.
"Subsidiary" means a corporation, partnership or other entity of which, at the time of determination, more than 50% of the outstanding voting stock or equivalent interest is owned, directly or indirectly, by the Company or by one or more other Subsidiaries, or by the Company and one or more other Subsidiaries. For the purposes of this definition, "voting stock" means stock which ordinarily has voting power for the election of directors, whether at all times or only so long as no senior class of stock has such voting power by reason of any contingency.
"Trust Indenture Act" means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 as in force at the date as of which this instrument was executed; provided, however, that in the event the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 is amended after such date, "Trust Indenture Act" means, to
the extent required by any such amendment, the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 as so amended.
"Trustee" means the Person named as the "Trustee" in the first paragraph of this instrument until a successor Trustee shall have become such pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Indenture, and thereafter "Trustee" shall mean or include each Person who is then a Trustee hereunder, and, if at any time there is more than one such Person, "Trustee" as used with respect to the Securities of any series shall mean the Trustee with respect to the Securities of that series.
"Vice President" when used with respect to the Company or the Trustee, means any officer with a title of "Vice President", "Senior Vice President" or "Executive Vice President".
SECTION 102. Compliance Certificates and Opinions.
Upon any application or request by the Company to the Trustee to take any action under any provision of this Indenture, the Company shall furnish to the Trustee such certificates and opinions as may be required under the Trust Indenture Act. Each such certificate or opinion shall be given in the form of an Officers' Certificate, if to be given by an officer of the Company, or an Opinion of Counsel, if to be given by counsel, and shall comply with the requirements of the Trust Indenture Act and any other requirements set forth in this Indenture. In the case of an application or request as to which the furnishing of such documents is specifically required by any provision of this Indenture relating to such particular application or request, no additional certificate or opinion need be furnished.
Every certificate or opinion with respect to compliance with a condition or covenant provided for in this Indenture (other than the certificates provided pursuant to Section 1004) shall include:
(1) a statement that each individual signing such certificate or opinion has read such covenant or condition and the definitions herein relating thereto;
(2) a brief statement as to the nature and scope of the examination or investigation upon which the statements or opinions contained in such certificate or opinion are based;
(3) a statement that, in the opinion of each such individual, he has made such examination or investigation as is necessary to enable him to express an informed opinion as to whether or not such covenant or condition has been complied with; and
(4) a statement as to whether, in the opinion of each such individual, such condition or covenant has been complied with.
SECTION 103. Form of Documents Delivered to Trustee.
In any case where several matters are required to be certified by, or covered by an opinion of, any specified Person, it is not necessary that all such matters be certified by, or covered by the opinion of, only one such Person, or that they be so certified or covered by only one document, but one such Person may certify or give an opinion with respect to some matters and one or more other such Persons as to other matters, and any such Person may certify or give an opinion as to such matters in one or several documents.
Any certificate or opinion of an officer of the Company may be based, insofar as it relates to legal matters, upon a certificate or opinion of, or representations by, counsel, unless such officer knows, or in the exercise of reasonable care should know, that the certificate or opinion or representations with respect to the matters upon which his certificate or opinion is based are erroneous. Any such certificate or opinion of counsel may be based, insofar as it relates to factual matters, upon a certificate or opinion of, or representations by, an officer or officers, or other management employee of the Company or any Subsidiary stating that the information with respect to such factual matters is in the possession of the Company or such Subsidiary, unless such counsel knows, or in the exercise of reasonable care should know, that the certificate or opinion or representations with respect to such matters are erroneous.
Where any Person is required to make, give or execute two or more applications, requests, consents, certificates, statements, opinions or other instruments under this Indenture, they may, but need not, be consolidated and form one instrument.
SECTION 104. Acts of Holders; Record Dates.
(a) Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action provided or permitted by this Indenture to be given, made or taken by Holders may be embodied in and evidenced by one or more instruments of substantially similar tenor signed by such Holders in person or by an agent duly appointed in writing; and, except as herein otherwise expressly provided, such action shall become effective when such instrument or instruments are delivered to the Trustee and, where it is hereby expressly required, to the Company. Such instrument or instruments (and the action embodied therein and evidenced thereby) are herein sometimes referred to as the "Act" of the Holders signing such instrument or instruments. Proof of execution of any such instrument or of a writing appointing any such agent shall be sufficient for any purpose of this Indenture and (subject to Section 601) conclusive and may be relied upon by the Trustee, the Company, and any agent of the Trustee or the Company, if made in the manner provided in this Section.
(b) The fact and date of the execution by any Person of any such instrument or writing may be proved by the affidavit of a witness of such execution or by a certificate of any notary public or other officer authorized by law to take acknowledgments of deeds, certifying that the individual signing such instrument or writing acknowledged to
him the execution thereof. Where such execution is by a Person acting in a capacity other than his individual capacity, such certificate or affidavit shall also constitute sufficient proof of his authority.
(c) The fact and date of the execution by any Person of any such instrument or writing, or the authority of the Person executing the same, may also be proved in any other manner which the Trustee deems sufficient and in accordance with such reasonable rules as the Trustee may determine.
(d) The ownership of Securities shall be proved by the Security Register.
(e) Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action by the Holder of any Security shall bind every future Holder of the same Security and the Holder of every Security issued upon the registration of transfer thereof or in exchange therefor or in lieu thereof in respect of anything done, omitted or suffered to be done by the Trustee or the Company in reliance thereon, whether or not notation of such action is made upon such Security.
(f) The Company may, but shall not be obligated to, set any day as a record date for the purpose of determining the Holders of Outstanding Securities entitled to give, make or take any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action provided or permitted by this Indenture to be given, made or taken by Holders of Securities, provided that the Company may not set a record date for, and the provisions of this paragraph shall not apply with respect to, the giving or making of any notice, declaration, request or direction referred to in the next paragraph. If any record date is set pursuant to this paragraph, the Holders of Outstanding Securities on such record date, and no other Holders, shall be entitled to take the relevant action, whether or not such Holders remain Holders after such record date; provided that no such action shall be effective hereunder unless taken on or prior to the applicable Expiration Date (as defined below) by Holders of the requisite principal amount of Outstanding Securities on such record date. Nothing in this paragraph shall be construed to prevent the Company from setting a new record date for any action for which a record date has previously been set pursuant to this paragraph (whereupon the record date previously set shall automatically and with no action by any Person be cancelled and of no effect), and nothing in this paragraph shall be construed to render ineffective any action taken by Holders of the requisite principal amount of Outstanding Securities on the date such action is taken. Promptly after any record date is set pursuant to this paragraph, the Company, at its own expense, shall cause notice of such record date, the proposed action by Holders and the applicable Expiration Date to be given to the Trustee in writing and to each Holder of Securities in the manner set forth in Section 106.
The Trustee may set any day as a record date for the purpose of determining the Holders of Outstanding Securities entitled to join in the giving or making of (i) any Notice of Default, (ii) any declaration of acceleration referred to in Section 502, (iii) any request to institute proceedings referred to in Section 507(2) or (iv) any direction referred
to in Section 512. If any record date is set pursuant to this paragraph, the
Holders of Outstanding Securities on such record date, and no other Holders,
shall be entitled to join in such notice, declaration, request or direction,
whether or not such Holders remain Holders after such record date; provided that
no such action shall be effective hereunder unless taken on or prior to the
applicable Expiration Date by Holders of the requisite principal amount of
Outstanding Securities on such record date. Nothing in this paragraph shall be
construed to prevent the Trustee from setting a new record date for any action
for which a record date has previously been set pursuant to this paragraph
(whereupon the record date previously set shall automatically and with no action
by any Person be cancelled and of no effect), and nothing in this paragraph
shall be construed to render ineffective any action taken by Holders of the
requisite principal amount of Outstanding Securities on the date such action is
taken. Promptly after any record date is set pursuant to this paragraph, the
Trustee, at the Company's expense, shall cause notice of such record date, the
proposed action by Holders and the applicable Expiration Date to be given to the
Company in writing and to each Holder of Securities in the manner set forth in
Section 106.
With respect to any record date set pursuant to this Section, the party hereto which sets such record dates may designate any day as the "Expiration Date" and from time to time may change the Expiration Date to any earlier or later day; provided that no such change shall be effective unless notice of the proposed new Expiration Date is given to the other party hereto in writing, and to each Holder of Securities in the manner set forth in Section 106, on or prior to the existing Expiration Date. If an Expiration Date is not designated with respect to any record date set pursuant to this Section, the party hereto which set such record date shall be deemed to have initially designated the 180th day after such record date as the Expiration Date with respect thereto, subject to its right to change the Expiration Date as provided in this paragraph. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no Expiration Date shall be later than the 180th day after the applicable record date.
Without limiting the foregoing, a Holder entitled hereunder to take any action hereunder with regard to any particular Security may do so with regard to all or any part of the principal amount of such Security or by one or more duly appointed agents each of which may do so pursuant to such appointment with regard to all or any part of such principal amount.
SECTION 105. Notices, Etc., to Trustee and Company.
Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or Act of Holders or other document provided or permitted by this Indenture to be made upon, given or furnished to, or filed with:
(1) the Trustee by any Holder or by the Company shall be sufficient for every purpose hereunder if made, given, furnished or filed to or with the Trustee in writing at its Corporate Trust Office, Attention: Institutional Trust Services, or
(2) the Company by the Trustee or by any Holder shall be sufficient for every purpose hereunder (unless otherwise herein expressly provided) if in writing and mailed, first-class, postage prepaid, to the Company addressed to it at the address of its principal office specified in the first paragraph of this instrument or at any other address previously furnished in writing to the Trustee by the Company, Attention: [General Counsel].
Neither the Company nor the Trustee shall be deemed to have received any such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or Act of Holders unless given, furnished or filed as provided in this Section 105.
SECTION 106. Notice to Holders; Waiver.
Where this Indenture provides for notice to Holders of any event, such notice shall be sufficiently given (unless otherwise herein expressly provided) if in writing and mailed, first-class postage prepaid, to each Holder affected by such event, at the address of such Holder as it appears in the Security Register, not later than the latest date (if any), and not earlier than the earliest date (if any), prescribed for the giving of such notice. In any case where notice to Holders is given by mail, neither the failure to mail such notice, nor any defect in any notice so mailed, to any particular Holder shall affect the sufficiency of such notice with respect to other Holders. Where this Indenture provides for notice in any manner, such notice may be waived in writing by the Person entitled to receive such notice, either before or after the event, and such waiver shall be the equivalent of such notice. Waivers of notice by Holders shall be filed with the Trustee, but such filing shall not be a condition precedent to the validity of any action taken in reliance upon such waiver.
In case by reason of the suspension of regular mail service or by reason of any other cause it shall be impracticable to give such notice by mail, then such notification as shall be made with the written approval of the Trustee shall constitute a sufficient notification for every purpose hereunder.
SECTION 107. Conflict with Trust Indenture Act.
If any provision hereof limits, qualifies or conflicts with a provision of the Trust Indenture Act which is required under such Act to be a part of and govern this Indenture, the latter provision shall control. If any provision of this Indenture modifies or excludes any provision of the Trust Indenture Act which may be so modified or excluded, the latter provision shall be deemed to apply to this Indenture as so modified or to be excluded, as the case may be.
SECTION 108. Effect of Headings and Table of Contents.
The Article and Section headings herein and the Table of Contents are for convenience only and shall not affect the construction hereof.
SECTION 109. Successors and Assigns.
All covenants and agreements in this Indenture by the Company shall bind its successors and assigns, whether so expressed or not.
SECTION 110. Separability Clause.
In case any provision in this Indenture or in the Securities shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.
SECTION 111. Benefits of Indenture.
Nothing in this Indenture or in the Securities, express or implied, shall give to any Person, other than the parties hereto, any Paying Agent and their successors and assigns, and the Holders, any benefit or any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under this Indenture.
SECTION 112. Governing Law.
This Indenture and the Securities shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York.
SECTION 113. Legal Holidays.
In any case where any Interest Payment Date, Redemption Date, Maturity or Stated Maturity of any Security shall not be a Business Day, then (notwithstanding any other provision of this Indenture or of the Securities (other than a provision of any Security which specifically states that such provision shall apply in lieu of this Section)) payment of interest or principal (and premium, if any) need not be made on such date, but may be made on the next succeeding Business Day with the same force and effect as if made on the Interest Payment Date or Redemption Date, or at the Maturity or Stated Maturity, and no interest shall accrue for the period from and after such Interest Payment Date, Redemption Date, Maturity or Stated Maturity, as the case may be, if such payment is made or duly provided for on the next succeeding Business Day, except that, if such Business Day is in the next succeeding calendar year, such payment shall be made on the immediately preceding Business Day.
SECTION 114. Computations.
Unless otherwise specifically provided, the certificate or opinion of any independent firm of public accountants of recognized standing selected by the Board of Directors shall be conclusive evidence of the correctness of any computation made under the provisions of this Indenture. The Company shall furnish to the Trustee upon its request a copy of any such certificate or opinion.
ARTICLE TWO
SECURITY FORMS
SECTION 201. Forms Generally.
The Securities of each series shall be substantially in the form attached as Exhibit A, or in such other form or forms as shall be established by or pursuant to a Board Resolution or in one or more indentures supplemental hereto, in each case with such appropriate provisions as are required or permitted by this Indenture, and may have such letters, numbers or other marks of identification and such legends or endorsements placed thereon as may be required to comply with applicable tax laws or the rules of any securities exchange or Depositary therefor or as may, consistently herewith, be determined by the officers executing such Securities, as evidenced by their execution thereof. If the form of Securities of any series is established by action taken pursuant to a Board Resolution, a copy of an appropriate record of such action shall be certified by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Company and delivered to the Trustee at or prior to the delivery of the Company Order contemplated by Section 303 with respect to the authentication and delivery of such Securities.
The Trustee's certificate of authentication shall be substantially in the form set forth in this Article.
The definitive Securities shall be printed, lithographed or engraved on a steel engraved border or on steel engraved borders or produced by any combination of these methods, if required by any securities exchange on which the Securities may be listed, or may be produced in any other manner permitted by the rules of any securities exchange on which the Securities may be listed, all as determined by the officers executing such Securities, as evidenced by their execution of such Securities.
The Securities of each series will initially be issued in the form of one or more Global Securities. Each such Global Security shall represent such of the Outstanding Securities of such series as shall be specified therein and each shall provide that it shall represent the aggregate amount of Outstanding Securities of such series from time to time endorsed thereon and that the aggregate amounts of Outstanding Securities of such series represented thereby may from time to time be reduced or increased, as appropriate. The Global Security or Securities evidencing the Securities of a series (and all Securities issued in exchange therefore) shall bear the legend indicated in Section 202.
SECTION 202. Form of Legend for Global Securities.
Every Global Security authenticated and delivered hereunder shall, in addition to the provisions contained in Exhibit A, bear a legend in substantially the following form:
UNLESS THIS SECURITY IS PRESENTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY, A NEW YORK CORPORATION ("DTC"), TO THE COMPANY OR ITS AGENT FOR REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER, EXCHANGE OR PAYMENT, AND ANY SECURITY ISSUED IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF CEDE & CO. OR IN SUCH OTHER NAME AS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC (AND ANY PAYMENT IS MADE TO CEDE & CO. OR TO SUCH OTHER ENTITY AS IS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC), ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR OTHERWISE BY OR TO ANY PERSON IS WRONGFUL INASMUCH AS THE REGISTERED OWNER HEREOF, CEDE & CO., HAS AN INTEREST HEREIN.
THIS SECURITY IS A GLOBAL SECURITY WITHIN THE MEANING OF THE INDENTURE HEREINAFTER REFERRED TO AND IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF DTC OR A NOMINEE THEREOF. THIS SECURITY MAY NOT BE EXCHANGED IN WHOLE OR IN PART FOR A SECURITY REGISTERED, AND NO TRANSFER OF THIS SECURITY IN WHOLE OR IN PART MAY BE REGISTERED, IN THE NAME OF ANY PERSON OTHER THAN DTC OR SUCH NOMINEE, EXCEPT IN THE LIMITED CIRCUMSTANCES DESCRIBED IN THE INDENTURE.
SECTION 203. Form of Trustee's Certificate of Authentication.
The Trustee's certificates of authentication shall be in substantially the following form:
Certificate of Authentication
This is one of the Securities referred to in the within-mentioned Indenture.
ARTICLE THREE
THE SECURITIES
SECTION 301. Title; Terms.
The aggregate principal amount of Securities which may be authenticated and delivered under this Indenture is unlimited.
The Securities may be issued in one or more series. There shall be established in or pursuant to a Board Resolution, and set forth in an Officers' Certificate, or established in one or more indentures supplemental hereto, prior to the issuance of Securities of a series:
(a) the title of the securities of such series, which shall distinguish the Securities of the series from all other Securities;
(b) the limit, if any, upon the aggregate principal amount of the Securities of such series which may be authenticated and delivered under this Indenture (except for Securities authenticated and delivered upon registration or transfer of, or in exchange for, or in lieu of, other Securities of the same series pursuant to Section 304, 305, 306, 906 or 1108 and except for any Securities which, pursuant to Section 303, are deemed never to have been authenticated and delivered hereunder); provided, however, that the authorized aggregate principal amount of such series may be increased above such amount by a Board Resolution to such effect;
(c) the Stated Maturity or Maturities on which the principal of the Securities of such series is payable or the method of determination thereof;
(d) the rate or rates, if any, at which the Securities of such series shall bear interest or the method of determining such rate or rates, the Interest Payment Dates on which such interest shall be payable, the right, if any, of the Company to defer or extend an Interest Payment Date, the Regular Record Date (if other than as defined in this Indenture) for the interest payable on any Interest Payment Date and the dates from which interest shall accrue and the method of determining these dates;
(e) the place or places where the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on the Securities of such series shall be payable, the place or places where the Securities of such series may be presented for registration of transfer or exchange, and the place or places where notices and demands to or upon the Company in respect of the Securities of such series may be made;
(f) the period or periods within or the date or dates on which, if any, the price or prices at which and the terms and conditions upon which the Securities of such series may be redeemed or prepaid, in whole or in part, at the option of the Company;
(g) the obligation or the right, if any, of the Company to redeem, repay or purchase the Securities of such series pursuant to any sinking fund, amortization or analogous provisions or at the option of a Holder thereof and the period or periods within which, the price or prices at which, the currency or currencies (including currency unit or units) in which and the other terms and conditions upon which Securities of the series shall be redeemed, repaid or purchased, in whole or in part, pursuant to such obligation;
(h) the denominations in which any Securities of such series shall be issuable, if other than denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiple thereof;
(i) if other than Dollars, the currency or currencies (including currency unit or units) in which the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, on the Securities of the series shall be payable, or in which the Securities of the series shall be denominated;
(j) the additions, modifications or deletions, if any, in the Events of Default or covenants of the Company set forth herein with respect to the Securities of such series;
(k) if other than the principal amount thereof, the portion of the principal amount of Securities of such series that shall be payable upon declaration of acceleration of the Maturity thereof;
(l) the additions or changes, if any, to this Indenture with respect to the Securities of such series as shall be necessary to permit or facilitate the issuance of the Securities of such series in bearer form, registrable or not registrable as to principal, and with or without interest coupons;
(m) any index or indices used to determine the amount of payments of principal of and premium, if any, on the Securities of such series or the manner in which such amounts will be determined;
(n) the issuance of a temporary Global Security representing all of the Securities of such series and the terms upon which such temporary Global Security may be exchanged for definitive Securities of such series;
(o) whether the Securities of the series shall be issued in whole or in part in the form of one or more Global Securities and, in such case, the identity of the Depositary for such Global Securities;
(p) the appointment of any Paying Agent or Agents for the Securities of such series;
(q) the terms and conditions of any right or obligation on the part of the Company, or any option on the part of the Holders, to convert or exchange Securities of such series into cash or any other securities or property of the Company or any other Person, and the additions or changes, if any, to this Indenture with respect to the Securities of such series to permit or facilitate such conversion or exchange;
(r) the relative degree, if any, to which the Securities of the series shall be senior to or be subordinated to other series of Securities in right of payment, whether such other series of Securities are Outstanding or not;
(s) whether and under what circumstances any or all of the provisions of this Indenture relating to the subordination of the Securities (including the provisions of Article Thirteen), or different subordination provisions, including a different definition of "Senior Indebtedness" will apply or cease to apply to Securities of the series; and
(t) any other terms of the Securities of such series (which terms shall not be inconsistent with the provisions of this Indenture).
All Securities of any one series shall be substantially identical except as to denomination and except as may otherwise be provided herein or in or pursuant to such Board Resolution and set forth in such Officers' Certificate or in any such indenture supplemental hereto.
If any of the terms of the series are established by action taken pursuant to a Board Resolution, a copy of an appropriate record of such action shall be certified by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Company and delivered to the Trustee at or prior to the delivery of the Officers' Certificate setting forth the terms of the series.
SECTION 302. Denominations.
The Securities of each series shall be in registered form without coupons and shall be issuable in denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiples thereof, unless otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 301.
SECTION 303. Execution, Authentication, Delivery and Dating.
The Securities shall be executed on behalf of the Company by its Chairman of the Board of Directors, Chief Executive Officer, President or any Vice President, under its corporate seal reproduced or impressed thereon and attested by its Treasurer, any Associate Treasurer, any Assistant Treasurer, its Secretary or any Assistant Secretary. The signature of any of these officers on the Securities may be manual or facsimile.
Securities bearing the manual or facsimile signatures of individuals who were at any time the proper officers of the Company shall bind the Company, notwithstanding that such individuals or any of them have ceased to hold such offices prior to the authentication and delivery of such Securities or did not hold such offices at the date of such Securities.
At any time and from time to time after the execution and delivery of this Indenture, the Company may deliver Securities executed by the Company to the Trustee for authentication, together with a Company Order for the authentication and delivery of such Securities, and the Trustee in accordance with the Company Order shall authenticate and deliver such Securities.
Notwithstanding the provisions of the preceding paragraph, if all Securities of a series are not to be originally issued at one time, it shall not be necessary to deliver the Company Order otherwise required pursuant to such preceding paragraph at or prior to the authentication of each Security of such series if such Company Order is delivered at or prior to the authentication upon original issuance of the first Security of such series to be issued.
Each Security shall be dated the date of its authentication.
No Security shall be entitled to any benefit under this Indenture or be valid or obligatory for any purpose, unless there appears on such Security a certificate of authentication substantially in the form provided for herein executed by the Trustee by the manual signature of one of its authorized officers, and such certificate upon any Security shall be conclusive evidence, and the only evidence, that such Security has been duly authenticated and delivered hereunder. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if any Security shall have been authenticated and delivered hereunder but never issued and sold by the Company, and the Company shall deliver such Security to the Trustee for cancellation as provided in Section 309, for all purposes of this Indenture such Security shall be deemed never to have been authenticated and delivered hereunder and shall never be entitled to the benefits of this Indenture.
Minor typographical and other minor errors in the text of any Security shall not affect the validity and enforceability of such Security if it has been duly authenticated and delivered by the Trustee.
The Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver one or more Global Securities with respect to each series of Securities that (i) shall represent an aggregate amount equal to the aggregate principal amount of the initially issued Securities of such series, (ii) shall be registered in the name of the Depositary or the nominee of the Depositary, (iii) shall be delivered by the Trustee to the Depositary or pursuant to the Depositary's instruction and (iv) shall bear a legend substantially in the form required in Section 202.
The Depositary must, at all times while it serves as such Depositary, be a clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act, and any other applicable statute or regulation.
SECTION 304. Temporary Securities.
Pending the preparation of definitive Securities of any series, the Company may execute, and upon Company Order the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, temporary Securities which are printed, lithographed, typewritten, mimeographed or otherwise produced, in any authorized denomination, substantially of the tenor of the definitive Securities of any series in lieu of which they are issued and with such appropriate insertions, omissions, substitutions and other variations as the officers executing such Securities may determine, as evidenced by their execution of such Securities.
If temporary Securities of any series are issued, the Company will cause definitive Securities of such series to be prepared without unreasonable delay. After the preparation of definitive Securities, the temporary Securities shall be exchangeable for definitive Securities upon surrender of the temporary Securities at the office or agency of the Company in a Place of Payment without charge to the Holder. Upon surrender for cancellation of any one or more temporary Securities, the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver in exchange therefor a like principal amount of definitive Securities of the same series of authorized denominations and having the same Original Issue Date and Stated Maturity and having the same terms as such temporary Securities. Until so exchanged, the temporary Securities shall in all respects be entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture as definitive Securities.
SECTION 305. Registration, Registration of Transfer and Exchange.
The Company shall cause to be kept at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee a register (the register maintained in such office or in any other office or agency of the Company in a Place of Payment being herein sometimes referred to as the "Security Register") in which, subject to such reasonable regulations as it may prescribe, the Company shall provide for the registration of Securities and of transfers and exchanges of Securities. The Trustee is hereby appointed "Security Registrar" for the purpose of registering Securities and transfers of Securities as herein provided.
Upon surrender for registration of transfer of any Security at the office or agency of the Company in a Place of Payment, the Company shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, in the name of the designated transferee or transferees, one or more new Securities of the same series of any authorized denominations and of a like tenor and aggregate principal amount, of the same original Issue Date and Stated Maturity and having the same terms.
Notwithstanding any other provision of this Section, unless and until it is exchanged in whole or in part for the individual Securities represented thereby, a Global Security representing all or a portion of the Securities may not be transferred except as a whole by the Depositary to a nominee of such Depositary, or by a nominee of such Depositary to such Depositary or another nominee of such Depositary, or by such Depositary or any such nominee to a successor Depositary or nominee of such successor Depositary.
At the option of the Holder, Securities may be exchanged for other Securities, of the same series of any authorized denominations, of like tenor and aggregate principal amount, of the same Original Issue Date and Stated Maturity and having the same terms, upon surrender of the Securities to be exchanged at such office or agency. Whenever any Securities are so surrendered for exchange, the Company shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, the Securities which the Holder making the exchange is entitled to receive.
If at any time the Depositary notifies the Company that it is unwilling or unable to continue as Depositary or if at any time the Depositary shall cease to be a clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act as provided in Section 303, the Company shall appoint a successor Depositary. If a successor Depositary is not appointed by the Company within 90 days after the Company receives such notice or becomes aware of such ineligibility, the Company will execute, and the Trustee, upon receipt of a Company Order for the authentication and delivery of individual Securities, will authenticate and make available for delivery, individual Securities in an aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of the Global Security or Securities representing the Securities in exchange for such Global Security or Securities.
The Company may at any time and in its sole discretion determine that individual Securities issued in the form of one or more Global Securities shall no longer be represented by such Global Security or Securities. In such event the Company will execute, and the Trustee, upon receipt of a Company Order for the authentication and delivery of individual Securities, will authenticate and make available for delivery, individual Securities in an aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of the Global Security or Securities representing the Securities in exchange for such Global Security or Securities.
The Depositary may surrender a Global Security in exchange in whole or in part for individual Securities on such terms as are acceptable to the Company, the Trustee and such Depositary. Thereupon, the Company shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and make available for delivery, without service charge:
(1) to each Person specified by such Depositary a new individual Security or Securities of any authorized denomination as requested by such Person in aggregate principal amount equal to and in exchange for such Person's beneficial interest in the Global Security; and
(2) to such Depositary a new Global Security in a denomination equal to the difference, if any, between the principal amount of the surrendered Global Security and the aggregate principal amount of individual Securities delivered to Holders thereof.
Upon the exchange of a Global Security for individual Securities in an aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of such Global Security, such Global Security shall be canceled by the Trustee. Individual Securities issued in exchange for a Global Security pursuant to this Section shall be registered in such names and in such authorized denominations as the Depositary for such Global Security, pursuant to instructions from its direct or indirect participants or otherwise, shall instruct the Trustee. The Trustee shall make available for delivery such individual Securities to the Persons in whose names such Securities are so registered.
All Securities issued upon any registration of transfer or exchange of Securities shall be the valid obligations of the Company, evidencing the same debt, and entitled to
the same benefits under this Indenture, as the Securities surrendered upon such registration of transfer or exchange.
Every Security presented or surrendered for registration of transfer or for exchange shall (if so required by the Company or the Security Registrar) be duly endorsed, or be accompanied by a written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the Company and the Security Registrar duly executed, by the Holder thereof or his attorney duly authorized in writing.
No service charge shall be made to a Holder for any registration of transfer or exchange of Securities, but the Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax, assessment or other governmental charge that may be imposed in connection with any registration of transfer or exchange of Securities, other than exchanges pursuant to Section 304, 906 or 1108 not involving any transfer.
Neither the Company nor the Trustee shall be required, pursuant to the provisions of this Section: (i) to issue, register the transfer of or exchange any Security of any series during a period beginning at the opening of business 15 Business Days before the day of the mailing of a notice of redemption of any such Securities selected for redemption of Securities pursuant to Article Eleven and ending at the close of business on the day of such mailing of notice of redemption; or (ii) to register the transfer of or exchange any Security so selected for redemption in whole or in part, except, in the case of any Security to be redeemed in part, any portion thereof that is not redeemed.
SECTION 306. Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost and Stolen Securities.
If any mutilated Security is surrendered to the Trustee together with such security or indemnity as may be required by the Company or the Trustee to save each of them harmless, the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver in exchange therefor a new Security of the same issue and series, of like tenor and principal amount, having the same Original Issue Date and Stated Maturity and bearing the same Interest Rate as such mutilated Security, and bearing a number not contemporaneously outstanding.
If there shall be delivered to the Company and to the Trustee (i) evidence to their satisfaction of the destruction, loss or theft of any Security and (ii) such security or indemnity as may be required by them to save each of them and any agent of either of them harmless, then, in the absence of notice to the Company or the Trustee that such Security has been acquired by a bona fide purchaser, the issuing Company shall execute and upon its request the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, in lieu of any such destroyed, lost or stolen Security, a new Security of the same issue and series of like tenor and principal amount, having the same Original Issue Date and Stated Maturity and bearing the same Interest Rate as such destroyed, lost or stolen Security, and bearing a number not contemporaneously outstanding.
In case any such mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Security has become or is about to become due and payable, the Company in its discretion may, instead of issuing a new Security, pay such Security.
Upon the issuance of any new Security under this Section, the Company may require the payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge that may be imposed in relation thereto and any other expenses (including the fees and expenses of the Trustee) connected therewith.
Every new Security issued pursuant to this Section in lieu of any destroyed, lost or stolen Security shall constitute an original additional contractual obligation of the Company, whether or not the destroyed, lost or stolen Security shall be at any time enforceable by anyone, and shall be entitled to all the benefits of this Indenture equally and proportionately with any and all other Securities duly issued hereunder.
The provisions of this Section are exclusive and shall preclude (to the extent lawful) all other rights and remedies with respect to the replacement or payment of mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Securities.
SECTION 307. Payment of Interest; Interest Rights Preserved.
Interest on any Security of any series which is payable, and is punctually paid or duly provided for, on any Interest Payment Date shall be paid to the Person in whose name that Security (or one or more Predecessor Securities) is registered at the close of business on the Regular Record Date for such interest in respect of Securities of such series. The initial payment of interest on any Security of any series which is issued between a Regular Record Date and the related Interest Payment Date shall be payable as provided in such Security or in the Board Resolution pursuant to Section 301 with respect to the related series of Securities.
Any interest on any Security which is payable, but is not timely paid or duly provided for, on any Interest Payment Date for Securities of such series (herein called "Defaulted Interest"), shall forthwith cease to be payable to the registered Holder on the relevant Regular Record Date by virtue of having been such Holder, and such Defaulted Interest may be paid by the Company, at its election in each case, as provided in Clause (1) or (2) below:
(1) The Company may elect to make payment of any Defaulted Interest to the Persons in whose names the Securities of such series in respect of which interest is in default (or their respective Predecessor Securities) are registered at the close of business on a Special Record Date for the payment of such Defaulted Interest, which shall be fixed in the following manner. The Company shall notify the Trustee in writing of the amount of Defaulted Interest proposed to be paid on each Security and the date of the proposed payment, and at the same time the Company shall deposit with the Trustee an amount of money equal to the aggregate amount proposed to be paid in respect of such Defaulted
Interest or shall make arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for such deposit prior to the date of the proposed payment, such money when deposited to be held in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled to such Defaulted Interest as in this Clause provided. Thereupon the Trustee shall fix a Special Record Date for the payment of such Defaulted Interest which shall be not more than 15 days and not less than 10 days prior to the date of the proposed payment and not less than 10 days after the receipt by the Trustee of the notice of the proposed payment. The Trustee shall promptly notify the Company of such Special Record Date and, in the name and at the expense of the Company, shall cause notice of the proposed payment of such Defaulted Interest and the Special Record Date therefor to be mailed, first class, postage prepaid, to each Holder of a Security of such series at the address of such Holder as it appears in the Security Register not less than 10 days prior to such Special Record Date. Notice of the proposed payment of such Defaulted Interest and the Special Record Date therefor having been so mailed, such Defaulted Interest shall be paid to the Persons in whose names the Securities of such series (or their respective Predecessor Securities) are registered at the close of business on such Special Record Date and shall no longer be payable pursuant to the following Clause (2).
(2) The Company may make payment of any Defaulted Interest on the Securities of any series in any other lawful manner not inconsistent with the requirements of any securities exchange on which the Securities of the series in respect of which interest is in default may be listed, and upon such notice as may be required by such exchange (or by the Trustee if the Securities are not listed), if, after notice given by the Company to the Trustee of the proposed payment pursuant to this Clause, such manner of payment shall be deemed practicable by the Trustee.
Subject to the foregoing provisions of this Section, each Security delivered under this Indenture upon registration of transfer of or in exchange for or in lieu of any other Security shall carry the rights to interest accrued and unpaid, and to accrue, which were carried by such other Security.
SECTION 308. Persons Deemed Owners.
The Company, the Trustee and any agent of the Company or the Trustee may treat the Person in whose name any Security is registered as the owner of such Security for the purpose of receiving payment of principal of and any premium and (subject to Section 307) any interest on such Security and for all other purposes whatsoever, whether or not such Security be overdue, and neither the Company, the Trustee nor any agent of the Company or the Trustee shall be affected by notice to the contrary.
None of the Company, the Trustee nor any agent of the Company or the Trustee will have any responsibility or liability for any aspect of the records relating to or payments made on account of beneficial ownership interests of a Global Security or maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records relating to such beneficial ownership interests.
SECTION 309. Cancellation.
All Securities surrendered for payment, redemption, registration of transfer or exchange shall, if surrendered to any Person other than the Trustee, be delivered to the Trustee, and any such Securities and Securities surrendered directly to the Trustee for any such purpose shall be promptly cancelled by it. The Company may at any time deliver to the Trustee for cancellation any Securities previously authenticated and delivered hereunder which the Company may have acquired in any manner whatsoever, and may deliver to the Trustee (or to any other Person for delivery to the Trustee) for cancellation any Securities previously authenticated hereunder which the Company has not issued and sold, and all Securities so delivered shall be promptly cancelled by the Trustee. No Securities shall be authenticated in lieu of or in exchange for any Securities cancelled as provided in this Section, except as expressly permitted by this Indenture. All cancelled Securities held by the Trustee shall be disposed of as directed by a Company Order, and the Trustee shall deliver to the Company a certificate evidencing the disposition of the cancelled Securities. Acquisition by the Company of any Security shall not operate as a redemption or satisfaction of the indebtedness represented by such Security unless and until the same is delivered to the Trustee for cancellation.
SECTION 310. Computation of Interest.
Except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 301 for Securities of any series, interest on the Securities of each series shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months.
ARTICLE FOUR
SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE
SECTION 401. Satisfaction and Discharge of Indenture.
This Indenture shall upon Company Request cease to be of further effect (except as to any surviving rights of registration of transfer or exchange of Securities herein expressly provided for) and the Trustee at the expense of the Company, shall execute proper instruments acknowledging satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture, when:
(1) either
(A) all Securities theretofore authenticated and delivered
(other than (i) Securities which have been destroyed, lost or stolen
and which have been replaced or paid as provided in Section 306 and
(ii) Securities for whose payment money has theretofore been deposited
in trust or segregated and held in trust by the Company and thereafter
repaid to the Company or discharged from such trust, as provided in
Section 1003) have been delivered to the Trustee for cancellation; or
(B) all such Securities not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation:
(i) have become due and payable, or
(ii) will become due and payable at their Stated Maturity within one year of the date of deposit, or
(iii) are to be called for redemption within one year under arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for the giving of notice of redemption by the Trustee in the name, and at the expense, of the Company,
and the Company, in the case of (i), (ii) or (iii) above, has deposited or
caused to be deposited with the Trustee as trust funds: (A) money in an amount;
(B) Government Obligations which through the scheduled payment of principal and
interest in respect thereof in accordance with their terms will provide, not
later than one day before the due date of any payment, money in an amount; or
(C) a combination thereof, in each case sufficient, in the opinion of a
nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants expressed in a
written certification thereof delivered to the Trustee of such series (but such
opinion need only be delivered if Government Obligations have been so
deposited), to pay and discharge, and which shall be applied by the Trustee, to
pay and discharge the entire indebtedness on such Securities not theretofore
delivered to the Trustee for cancellation, for principal (and premium, if any)
and interest to the date of such deposit (in the case of Securities which have
become due and payable) or to the Stated Maturity or Redemption Date, as the
case may be;
(2) the Company has paid or caused to be paid all other sums payable hereunder by the Company; and
(3) the Company has delivered to the Trustee an Officers' Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent herein provided for relating to the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture have been complied with.
The Company shall pay and indemnify the Trustee against any tax, fee or other charge imposed on or assessed against the Government Obligations deposited pursuant to Section 401 or the principal and interest received in respect thereof other than any such tax, fee or other charge which by law is for the account of the Holders of Outstanding Securities.
Notwithstanding the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture, the
obligations of the Company to the Trustee under Section 607 and the preceding
paragraph, the obligations of the Company to any Authenticating Agent under
Section 614 and, if money and/or Government Obligations shall have been
deposited with the Trustee
pursuant to subclause (B) of Clause (1) of this Section, the obligations of the Trustee under Section 402 and the last paragraph of Section 1003 shall survive.
SECTION 402. Application of Trust Money.
Subject to the provisions of the last paragraph of Section 1003, all money and Government Obligations deposited with the Trustee pursuant to Section 401 and all proceeds of such Government Obligations and the interest thereon, shall be held in trust and applied by it, in accordance with the provisions of the Securities and this Indenture, to the payment, either directly or through any Paying Agent (including the Company acting as its own Paying Agent) as the Trustee may determine, to the Persons entitled thereto, of the principal and any premium and interest for whose payment such money and Government Obligations have been deposited with the Trustee.
ARTICLE FIVE
REMEDIES
SECTION 501. Events of Default.
"Event of Default", wherever used herein with respect to the Securities of any series, means any one of the following events (whatever the reason for such Event of Default and whether it shall be voluntary or involuntary or be effected by operation of law or pursuant to any judgment, decree or order of any court or any order, rule or regulation of any administrative or governmental body):
(1) default in the payment of any interest upon any Security of that series when it becomes due and payable, and such default continues for a period of 30 days; or
(2) default in the payment of the principal of or premium, if any, on any Security of that series at its Maturity; or
(3) default in the performance, or breach, of any covenant or warranty of the Company in this Indenture (other than a covenant or warranty a default in the performance of which or the breach of which is specifically dealt with elsewhere in this Section), and continuance of such default or breach for a period of 60 days after there has been given, by registered or certified mail, to the Company by the Trustee or to the Company and the Trustee by the Holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of that series a written notice specifying such default or breach and requiring it to be remedied and stating that such notice is a "Notice of Default" hereunder; or
(4) the entry of a decree or order by a court having jurisdiction in the premises adjudging the Company a bankrupt or insolvent, or approving as properly filed a petition seeking reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition of or in respect of the
Company under any applicable Federal or State bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or other similar law, or appointing a receiver, liquidator, assignee, trustee, sequestrator (or other similar official) of the Company or of any substantial part of its property or ordering the winding up or liquidation of its affairs, and the continuance of any such decree or order unstayed and in effect for a period of 90 consecutive days; or
(5) the institution by the Company of proceedings to be adjudicated a bankrupt or insolvent, or the consent by it to the institution of bankruptcy or insolvency proceedings against it, or the filing by it of a petition or answer of consent seeking reorganization or relief under any applicable Federal or State bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or other similar law, or the consent by it to the filing of any such petition or to the appointment of a receiver, liquidator assignee, trustee, sequestrator (or other similar official) of the Company or of any substantial part of its property, or the making by it of an assignment for the benefit of creditors, or the admission by it in writing of its inability to pay its debts generally as they become due and its willingness to be adjudicated a bankrupt, or the taking of corporate action by the Company in furtherance of any such action; or
(6) any other Event of Default specified with respect to Securities of that series as contemplated in Section 301.
SECTION 502. Acceleration of Maturity; Rescission and Annulment.
If an Event of Default (other than an Event of Default specified in
Section 501(4) or 501(5)) with respect to Securities of any series at the time
Outstanding occurs and is continuing, then in every such case the Trustee or the
Holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding
Securities of that series may declare the principal amount (or, if the
Securities of that series are Original Issue Discount Securities, such portion
of the principal amount as may be specified in the terms of that series) of all
of the Securities of that series to be due and payable immediately, by a notice
in writing to the Company (and to the Trustee if given by Holders), and upon any
such declaration such principal amount (or specified amount) shall become
immediately due and payable, provided that the payment of principal and interest
on such Securities shall remain subordinated to the extent provided in Article
Thirteen. If an Event of Default specified in Section 501(4) or 501(5) with
respect to Securities of a series at the time Outstanding occurs, the principal
amount of all the Securities of such series (or specified amount) shall
automatically, and without any declaration or other action on the part of the
Trustee or any Holder, become immediately due and payable.
At any time after such a declaration of acceleration with respect to Securities of any series has been made and before a judgment or decree for payment of the money due has been obtained by the Trustee as hereinafter in this Article provided, the Holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of that series, by written notice to the Company and the Trustee, may rescind and annul such declaration and its consequences if:
(1) the Company has paid or deposited with the Trustee a sum sufficient to pay
(A) all overdue interest on all Securities of that series,
(B) the principal of, and premium, if any, on, any Securities of that series which have become due otherwise than by such declaration of acceleration and any interest thereon at the rate or rates borne by such Securities,
(C) to the extent that payment of such interest is lawful, interest upon overdue installments of interest at the rate or rates borne by or prescribed therefor in such Securities, and
(D) all sums paid or advanced by the Trustee hereunder and the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel; and
(2) all Events of Default with respect to Securities of that series, other than the non-payment of the principal (or a specified portion of the principal) of and interest on Securities of that series which has become due solely by such declaration of acceleration, have been cured or waived as provided in Section 513.
No such rescission shall affect any subsequent default or impair any right consequent thereon.
SECTION 503. Collection of Indebtedness and Suits for Enforcement by Trustee.
The Company covenants that if:
(1) default is made in the payment of any interest on any Security when such interest becomes due and payable and such default continues for a period of 30 days, or
(2) default is made in the payment of the principal or premium, if any, on any Security at the Maturity thereof,
the Company will, upon demand of the Trustee, pay to it, for the benefit of the Holders of such Securities, the whole amount then due and payable on such Securities for principal, including any sinking fund payment or analogous obligations (and premium, if any) and interest, including, to the extent that payment of such interest shall be legally enforceable, interest on any overdue principal or premium, if any, and on any overdue interest, at the rate or rates prescribed therefor in such Securities, and, in addition thereto, such further amount as shall be sufficient to cover the costs and expenses of collection, including the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel.
If the Company fails to pay such amounts forthwith upon such demand, the Trustee, in its own name and as trustee of an express trust, may institute a judicial proceeding for the collection of the sums so due and unpaid, may prosecute such proceeding to judgment or final decree and may enforce the same against the Company or any other obligor upon the Securities and collect the moneys adjudged or decreed to be payable in the manner provided by law out of the property of the Company or any other obligor upon the Securities, wherever situated.
If an Event of Default with respect to Securities of any series occurs and is continuing, the Trustee may in its discretion proceed to protect and enforce its rights and the rights of the Holders of Securities of such series by such appropriate judicial proceedings as the Trustee shall deem most effectual to protect and enforce any such rights, whether for the specific enforcement of any covenant or agreement in this Indenture or in aid of the exercise of any power granted herein, or to enforce any other proper remedy.
SECTION 504. Trustee May File Proofs of Claim.
In case of any judicial proceeding relative to the Company (or any other obligor upon the Securities), its property or its creditors:
(a) the Trustee shall be entitled and empowered, by intervention in such proceeding or otherwise,
(i) to take any and all actions authorized under the Trust Indenture Act in order to have claims of the Holders and the Trustee allowed in any such proceeding, and
(ii) in particular, the Trustee shall be authorized to collect and receive any moneys or other property payable or deliverable on any such claims and to distribute the same in accordance with Section 506; and
(b) any custodian, receiver, assignee, trustee, liquidator, sequestrator or other similar official in any such judicial proceeding is hereby authorized by each Holder to make such payments to the Trustee for distribution in accordance with Section 506, and, in the event that the Trustee shall consent to the making of such payments directly to the Holders, to pay to the Trustee any amount due it for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel, and any other amounts due the Trustee under Section 607.
No provision of this Indenture shall be deemed to authorize the Trustee to authorize or consent to or accept or adopt on behalf of any Holder any plan of reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition affecting the Securities or the rights of any Holder thereof or to authorize the Trustee to vote in respect of the claim of any Holder in any such proceeding; provided, however, that the Trustee may, on behalf
of the Holders, vote for the election of a trustee in bankruptcy or similar official and be a member of a creditors' or other similar committee.
SECTION 505. Trustee May Enforce Claims Without Possession of Securities.
All rights of action and claims under this Indenture or the Securities may be prosecuted and enforced by the Trustee without the possession of any of the Securities or the production thereof in any proceeding relating thereto, and any such proceeding instituted by the Trustee shall be brought in its own name as trustee of an express trust, and any recovery of judgment shall, after provision for the payment of the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel, be for the ratable benefit of the Holders of the Securities in respect of which such judgment has been recovered.
SECTION 506. Application of Money Collected.
Any money or property collected or to be applied by the Trustee with respect to a series of Securities pursuant to this Article shall be applied in the following order, at the date or dates fixed by the Trustee and, in case of the distribution of such money or property on account of principal or premium, if any, or interest, upon presentation of the Securities and the notation thereon of the payment if only partially paid and upon surrender thereof if fully paid:
FIRST: To the payment of all amounts due the Trustee and any predecessor Trustee under Section 607;
SECOND: To the payment of the amounts then due and unpaid upon such series of Securities for principal (and premium, if any) and interest in respect of which or for the benefit of which such money has been collected, ratably, without preference or priority of any kind, according to the amounts due and payable on such series of Securities for principal (and premium, if any) and interest, respectively; and
THIRD: To the payment of the remainder, if any, to the Company, its successors or assigns or to whomsoever may be lawfully entitled to receive the same or as a court of competent jurisdiction may direct.
SECTION 507. Limitation on Suits.
No Holder of any Securities of any series shall have any right to institute any proceeding, judicial or otherwise, with respect to this Indenture, or for the appointment of a receiver or trustee, or for any other remedy hereunder, unless:
(1) such Holder has previously given written notice to the Trustee of a continuing Event of Default with respect to the Securities of that series;
(2) the Holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of that series have made written request to the Trustee to institute proceedings in respect of such Event of Default in its own name as Trustee hereunder;
(3) such Holder or Holders have offered to the Trustee reasonable security or indemnity against the costs, expenses and liabilities to be incurred in compliance with such request;
(4) the Trustee for 60 days after its receipt of such notice, request and offer of indemnity has failed to institute any such proceeding; and
(5) no direction inconsistent with such written request has been given to the Trustee during such 60-day period by the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of that series;
it being understood and intended that no one or more of such Holders shall have any right in any manner whatever by virtue of, or by availing of, any provision of this Indenture to affect, disturb or prejudice the rights of any other of such Holders, or to obtain or to seek to obtain priority or preference over any other of such Holders or to enforce any right under this Indenture, except in the manner herein provided and for the equal and ratable benefit of all of such Holders.
SECTION 508. Unconditional Right of Holders to Receive Principal, Premium and Interest.
Notwithstanding any other provision in this Indenture, the Holder of
any Security shall have the right, which is absolute and unconditional, to
receive payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) and (subject to
Section 307) interest on such Security on the respective Stated Maturities
expressed in such Security (or, in the case of redemption, on the Redemption
Date) and to institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment, and such
rights shall not be impaired without the consent of such Holder.
SECTION 509. Restoration of Rights and Remedies.
If the Trustee or any Holder has instituted any proceeding to enforce any right or remedy under this Indenture and such proceeding has been discontinued or abandoned for any reason, or has been determined adversely to the Trustee or to such Holder, then and in every such case, subject to any determination in such proceeding, the Company, the Trustee and the Holders shall be restored severally and respectively to their former positions hereunder and thereafter all rights and remedies of the Trustee and the Holders shall continue as though no such proceeding had been instituted.
SECTION 510. Rights and Remedies Cumulative.
Except as otherwise provided with respect to the replacement or payment
of mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Securities in the last paragraph of
Section 306, no right or remedy herein conferred upon or reserved to the Trustee
or to the Holders is intended to be exclusive of any other right or remedy, and
every right and remedy shall, to the extent permitted by law, be cumulative and
in addition to every other right and remedy given hereunder or now or hereafter
existing at law or in equity or otherwise. The assertion or employment of any
right or remedy hereunder, or otherwise, shall not prevent the concurrent
assertion or employment of any other appropriate right or remedy.
SECTION 511. Delay or Omission Not Waiver.
No delay or omission of the Trustee or of any Holder of any Securities to exercise any right or remedy accruing upon any Event of Default shall impair any such right or remedy or constitute a waiver of any such Event of Default or an acquiescence therein. Every right and remedy given by this Article or by law to the Trustee or to the Holders may be exercised from time to time, and as often as may be deemed expedient, by the Trustee or by the Holders, as the case may be.
SECTION 512. Control by Holders.
The Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of any series shall have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee, or exercising any trust or power conferred on the Trustee, with respect to the Securities of such series, provided that:
(1) such direction shall not be in conflict with any rule of law or with this Indenture, involve the Trustee in personal liability or be unduly prejudicial to the Holders of the Securities not joining in the action; and
(2) the Trustee may take any other action deemed proper by the Trustee which is not inconsistent with such direction.
SECTION 513. Waiver of Past Defaults.
The Holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of any series may, on behalf of the Holders of all the Securities of such series, waive any past default hereunder with respect to such series and its consequences, except a default:
(1) in the payment of the principal of, or premium, if any, or interest on, any Security of such series; or
(2) in respect of a covenant or provision hereof which under Article Nine cannot be modified or amended without the consent of the Holder of each Outstanding Security of such series affected.
Upon any such waiver, such default shall cease to exist, and any Event of Default arising therefrom shall be deemed to have been cured, for every purpose of this Indenture; but no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other default or impair any right consequent thereon.
SECTION 514. Undertaking for Costs.
All parties to this Indenture agree, and each holder of any Security by his acceptance thereof shall be deemed to have agreed, that any court may in its discretion require, in any suit for the enforcement of any right or remedy under this Indenture, or in any suit against the Trustee for any action taken, suffered or omitted by it as Trustee, any party litigant in such suit to file an undertaking to pay the costs of such suit, and that court may in its discretion assess reasonable costs, including reasonable attorneys' fees, against any such party litigant in such suit, having due regard to the merits and good faith of the claims or defenses made by such party litigant, in the manner and to the extent provided in the Trust Indenture Act; provided, that neither this Section nor the Trust Indenture Act shall be deemed to authorize any court to require such an undertaking or to make such an assessment in any suit instituted by the Company or by the Trustee, to any suit instituted by any Holder, or group of Holders, holding in the aggregate more than 10% in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of any series, or any suit instituted by any Holder for the enforcement of the payment of the principal of (or premium, if any) or interest on any Security on or after the respective Stated Maturities expressed in such Security (or, in the case of redemption, on the Redemption Date).
SECTION 515. Waiver of Usury, Stay or Extension Laws.
The Company covenants (to the extent that it may lawfully do so) that it will not at any time insist upon, or plead, or in any manner whatsoever claim or take the benefit or advantage of, any usury, stay or extension law wherever enacted, now or at any time hereafter in force, which may affect the covenants or the performance of this Indenture; and the Company (to the extent that it may lawfully do so) hereby expressly waives all benefit or advantage of any such law and covenants that it will not hinder, delay or impede the execution of any power herein granted to the Trustee, but will suffer and permit the execution of every such power as though no such law had been enacted.
ARTICLE SIX
THE TRUSTEE
SECTION 601. Certain Duties and Responsibilities.
The duties, responsibilities, protections, privileges, and immunities of the Trustee shall be as provided by the Trust Indenture Act, particularly Sections 315 and 316 thereof, unless expressly excluded as provided in this Article Six. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no provision of this Indenture shall require the Trustee to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise incur any financial liability in the performance of any of its duties hereunder, or in the exercise of any of its rights or powers, if it shall have reasonable grounds for believing that repayment of such funds or adequate indemnity against such risk or liability is not reasonably assured to it.
Whether or not therein expressly so provided, every provision of this Indenture relating to the conduct or affecting the liability of or affording protection to the Trustee shall be subject to the provisions of this Section.
SECTION 602. Notice of Defaults.
If a default occurs hereunder with respect to the Securities of a series, the Trustee within 90 days of such default shall give the Holders of such Securities notice of such default as and to the extent provided by the Trust Indenture Act; provided, however, that in the case of any default of the character specified in Section 501(3) with respect to such Securities, no such notice to Holders shall be given until at least 30 days after the occurrence thereof; and provided, further, that the Trustee may withhold notice to the Holders, of any default with respect to Securities of a series (except any default of the character specified in Section 501(1) and (2)), if and so long as the board of directors, the executive committee or a trust committee of directors or Responsible Officers of the Trustee in good faith determine that the withholding of the notice is in the interest of the Holders of such Securities. For the purpose of this Section, the term "default" means any event which is, or after notice or lapse of time or both would become, an Event of Default with respect to the Securities of a series.
SECTION 603. Certain Rights of Trustee.
Subject to the provisions of Section 601:
(1) the Trustee may rely and shall be protected in acting or refraining from acting upon any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, direction, consent, order, bond, debenture, note, other evidence of indebtedness or other paper or document believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper party or parties;
(2) any request or direction of the Company mentioned herein shall be sufficiently evidenced by a Company Request or Company Order, and any resolution of the Board of Directors shall be sufficiently evidenced by a Board Resolution;
(3) whenever in the administration of this Indenture the Trustee shall deem it desirable that a matter be proved or established prior to taking, suffering or omitting any action hereunder, the Trustee (unless other evidence be herein specifically prescribed) may, in the absence of bad faith on its part, rely upon an Officers' Certificate and may at its discretion secure such further evidence deemed necessary or advisable, but shall in no case be bound to secure the same;
(4) the Trustee may consult with counsel and the written advice of such counsel or any Opinion of Counsel shall be full and complete authorization and protection in respect of any action taken, suffered or omitted by it hereunder in good faith and in reliance thereon;
(5) the Trustee shall not be bound to make any investigation into the facts or matters stated in any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, direction, consent, order, bond, debenture, note, other evidence of indebtedness or other paper or document, but the Trustee, in its discretion, may make such further inquiry or investigation into such facts or matters as it may see fit, and, if the Trustee shall determine to make such further inquiry or investigation, it shall be entitled to examine the books, records and premises of the Company, personally or by agent or attorney;
(6) the Trustee may execute any of the trusts or powers hereunder or perform any duties hereunder either directly or by or through agents or attorneys and the Trustee shall not be responsible for any misconduct or negligence on the part of any agent or attorney appointed with due care by it hereunder;
(7) the Trustee's immunities and protections from liability and its rights to compensation and indemnification in connection with the performance of its duties under this Indenture shall extend to the Trustee's officers, directors, agents and employees and its services as Paying Agent, Security Registrar or any other role assumed by the Trustee hereunder or to which it has been appointed with respect to the Securities issued hereunder. Such immunities and protections and right to indemnification, together with the Trustee's right to compensation, shall survive the Trustee's resignation or removal and final payment of the Securities;
(8) the Trustee is not required to give any bond or surety with respect to the performance of its duties or the exercise of its powers under this Indenture;
(9) the Trustee shall not be deemed to have knowledge of any "default"
or Event of Default hereunder except (i) during any period it is serving as
Paying Agent for the Securities of a series, any Event of Default pursuant to
Section 501(1) or (2), or
(ii) any default or Event of Default of which a Responsible Officer shall have received written notification from the Company or the Holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of the series with respect to which such default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing or obtained "actual knowledge." The term "actual knowledge" as used herein shall mean the actual fact or statement of knowing by a Responsible Officer without independent investigation with respect thereto. The term "default" as used in this Section 603 shall mean any event which is, or after notice or lapse of time or both would become, an Event of Default with respect to Securities of a series; and
(10) the Trustee shall be under no obligation to exercise any of the rights or powers vested in it by this Indenture (other than the payment of debt service on the Securities from moneys furnished to it pursuant hereto), whether at the request or direction of the Holders or any other Person, pursuant to this Indenture or otherwise, unless it shall have been offered reasonable indemnity or security against the fees, advances, costs, expenses and liabilities which might be incurred by it in connection with the exercise of any such rights or powers.
Notwithstanding anything else herein contained, (i) the Trustee shall not be liable for any error of judgment made in good faith by any officer of the Trustee unless it shall be proved that the Trustee was grossly negligent in ascertaining the pertinent facts and (ii) no provision of this Indenture shall require the Trustee to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise incur any financial liability in the performance of any of its duties hereunder or in the exercise of any of its rights or powers if it believes the repayment of such funds or adequate indemnity against such risk or liability is not reasonably assured to it.
SECTION 604. Not Responsible for Recitals or Issuance of Securities.
The recitals contained herein and in the Securities, except the Trustee's certificates of authentication, shall be taken as the statements of the Company, and neither the Trustee nor any Authenticating Agent assumes any responsibility for their correctness. The Trustee makes no representations as to the validity or sufficiency of this Indenture or of the Securities. Neither the Trustee nor any Authenticating Agent shall be accountable for the use or application by the Company of Securities or the proceeds thereof.
SECTION 605. May Hold Securities.
The Trustee, any Authenticating Agent, any Paying Agent, any Security Registrar or any other agent of the Company, in its individual or any other capacity, may become the owner or pledgee of Securities and, subject to Sections 608 and 613, may otherwise deal with the Company with the same rights it would have if it were not Trustee, Authenticating Agent, Paying Agent, Security Registrar or such other agent.
SECTION 606. Money Held in Trust.
Money held by the Trustee in trust hereunder need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law. The Trustee shall be under no liability for interest on any money received by it hereunder except as agreed with the Company herein or otherwise.
SECTION 607. Compensation and Reimbursement.
The Company agrees:
(1) to pay to the Trustee from time to time reasonable compensation for all services rendered by it hereunder (which compensation shall not be limited by any provision of law in regard to the compensation of a trustee of an express trust);
(2) except as otherwise expressly provided herein, to reimburse the Trustee upon its request for all reasonable expenses, disbursements and advances incurred or made by the Trustee in accordance with any provision of this Indenture (including the reasonable compensation and the reasonable expenses and disbursements of its agents or attorneys), except any such expense, disbursement or advance as may be attributable to the negligence, willful misconduct or bad faith of it or of its agents or attorneys;
(3) to indemnify, defend and to hold the Trustee harmless against, any loss, liability or expense (including the reasonable compensation and the reasonable expenses and disbursements of its agents or attorneys) incurred without negligence, willful misconduct or bad faith on its part, arising out of or in connection with the acceptance or administration of the trust or trusts hereunder, including the reasonable costs and expenses of defending itself against any claim or liability in connection therewith or with the exercise or performance of any of its powers or duties hereunder;
(4) that the Trustee shall have a lien prior to the Securities upon all property and funds held by it hereunder for any amount owing it or any predecessor Trustee pursuant to this Section 607, except with respect to funds held in trust for the benefit of the Holders of particular Securities; and
(5) Without limiting any rights available to the Trustee under applicable law, that when the Trustee incurs expenses or renders services in connection with an Event of Default specified in Section 501(4) or Section 501(5), the expenses (including the reasonable charges and expenses of its counsel) and the compensation for the services are intended to constitute expenses of administration under any applicable federal or state bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar law.
SECTION 608. Disqualification; Conflicting Interests.
If the Trustee has or shall acquire a conflicting interest within the meaning of the Trust Indenture Act, the Trustee shall either eliminate such interest or resign, to the extent and in the manner provided by, and subject to the provisions of, the Trust Indenture Act and this Indenture. To the extent permitted by the Trust Indenture Act, the Trustee shall not be deemed to have a conflicting interest by virtue of being a trustee under this Indenture with respect to Securities of more than one series or by virtue of being a Trustee under this Indenture and under the Indenture dated as of October 20, 1995 between the Company and JPMorgan Chase Bank (successor to The Chase Manhattan Bank (National Association)), as Trustee.
SECTION 609. Corporate Trustee Required; Eligibility.
There shall at all times be a Trustee hereunder which shall (i) be a corporation organized and doing business under the laws of the United States of America, any State thereof or the District of Columbia, (ii) be authorized under such laws to exercise corporate trust powers, (iii) have a combined capital and surplus of at least $50,000,000, and (iv) be subject to supervision or examination by Federal or State authority. If such corporation files reports of condition at least annually, pursuant to law or to the requirements of said supervising or examining authority, then for the purposes of this Section, the combined capital and surplus of such corporation shall be deemed to be its combined capital and surplus as set forth in its most recent report of condition so filed. If at any time the Trustee shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the provisions of this Section, it shall resign immediately in the manner and with the effect hereinafter specified in this Article Six. Neither the Company nor any Person directly or indirectly controlling, controlled by or under common control with the Company shall serve as Trustee for the Securities of any series issued hereunder.
SECTION 610. Resignation and Removal; Appointment of Successor.
No resignation or removal of the Trustee and no appointment of a successor Trustee pursuant to this Article shall become effective until the acceptance of appointment by the successor Trustee in accordance with the applicable requirements of Section 611.
The Trustee may resign as Trustee at any time with respect to the
Securities of one or more series by giving written notice thereof to the
Company. If the instrument of acceptance by a successor Trustee required by
Section 611 shall not have been delivered to the Trustee within 30 days after
the giving of such notice of resignation, the resigning Trustee may petition any
court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee with
respect to the Securities of such series.
The Trustee may be removed as Trustee hereunder at any time with respect to the Securities of any series by Act of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series, delivered to the Trustee and to the Company.
If at any time:
(1) the Trustee shall fail to comply with Section 608 after written request therefor by the Company or by any Holder who has been a bona fide Holder of a Security for at least six months; or
(2) the Trustee shall cease to be eligible under Section 609 and shall fail to resign after written request therefor by the Company or by any such Holder; or
(3) the Trustee shall become incapable of acting or shall be adjudged a bankrupt or insolvent or a receiver of the Trustee or of its property shall be appointed or any public officer shall take charge or control of the Trustee or of its property or affairs for the purpose of rehabilitation, conservation or liquidation,
then, in any such case, (A) the Company by a Board Resolution may remove the Trustee, or (B) subject to Section 514, any Holder who has been a bona fide Holder of a Security for at least six months may, on behalf of himself and all others similarly situated, petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the removal of the Trustee and the appointment of a successor Trustee or Trustees.
If the Trustee shall resign, be removed or become incapable of acting, or if a vacancy shall occur in the office of Trustee for any cause with respect to the Securities of one or more series, the Company, by a Board Resolution, shall promptly appoint a successor Trustee or Trustees with respect to the Securities of that or those series and shall comply with the applicable requirements of Section 611. If, within one year after such resignation, removal or incapability, or the occurrence of such vacancy, a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series shall be appointed by Act of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series delivered to the Company and the retiring Trustee, the successor Trustee so appointed shall, forthwith upon its acceptance of such appointment in accordance with the applicable requirements of Section 611, become the successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of such series and to that extent supersede the successor Trustee appointed by the Company. If no successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series shall have been so appointed by the Company or the Holders and accepted appointment in the manner required by Section 611, any Holder who has been a bona fide Holder of a Security for at least six months may, subject to Section 514, on behalf of himself and all others similarly situated, petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of such series.
The Company shall give notice of each resignation and each removal of the Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series and each appointment of a successor
Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series by mailing written notice of such event by first-class mail, postage prepaid, to the Holders of Securities of such series as their names and addresses appear in the Security Register. Each notice shall include the name of the successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of such series and the address of its Corporate Trust Office.
SECTION 611. Acceptance of Appointment by Successor.
(a) In the case of the appointment hereunder of a successor Trustee with respect to all Securities, every such successor Trustee so appointed shall execute, acknowledge and deliver to the Company and to the retiring Trustee an instrument accepting such appointment, and thereupon the resignation or removal of the retiring Trustee shall become effective and such successor Trustee, without any further act, deed or conveyance, shall become vested with all the rights, powers, trusts and duties of the retiring Trustee; but, on the request of the Company or the successor Trustee, such retiring Trustee shall, upon payment of its charges, execute and deliver an instrument transferring to such successor Trustee all the rights, powers and trusts of the retiring Trustee and shall duly assign, transfer and deliver to such successor Trustee all property and money held by such retiring Trustee hereunder.
(b) In case of the appointment hereunder of a successor Trustee with
respect to the Securities of one or more (but not all) series, the Company, the
retiring Trustee and each successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of
one or more series shall execute and deliver an indenture supplemental hereto
wherein each successor trustee shall accept such appointment and which (1) shall
contain such provisions as shall be necessary or desirable to transfer and
confirm to, and to vest in, each successor Trustee all the rights, powers,
trusts and duties of the retiring Trustee with respect to the Securities of that
or those series to which the appointment of such successor Trustee relates, (2)
if the retiring Trustee is not retiring with respect to all Securities, shall
contain such provisions as shall be deemed necessary or desirable to confirm
that all the rights, powers, trusts and duties of the retiring Trustee with
respect to the Securities of that or those series as to which the retiring
Trustee is not retiring shall continue to be vested in the retiring Trustee, and
(3) shall add to or change any of the provisions of this Indenture as shall be
necessary to provide for or facilitate the administration of the trusts
hereunder by more than one Trustee, it being understood that nothing herein or
in such supplemental indenture shall constitute such Trustees co-trustees of the
same trust and that each such Trustee shall be trustee of a trust or trusts
hereunder separate and apart from any trust or trusts hereunder administered by
any other such Trustee and upon the execution and delivery of such supplemental
indenture the resignation or removal of the retiring Trustee shall become
effective to the extent provided therein and each such successor Trustee,
without any further act, deed or conveyance, shall become vested with all the
rights, powers, trusts, and duties of the retiring Trustee with respect to the
Securities of that or those series to which the appointment of such successor
Trustee relates; but, on request of the Company or any successor Trustee, such
retiring Trustee shall duly assign, transfer and deliver to
such successor Trustee all property and money held by such retiring Trustee hereunder with respect to the Securities of that or those series to which the appointment of such successor Trustee relates.
(c) Upon request of any such successor Trustee, the Company shall execute any and all instruments for more fully and certainly vesting in and confirming to such successor Trustee all such rights, powers and trusts referred to in the paragraph (a) or (b) of this Section, as the case may be.
(d) No successor Trustee shall accept its appointment unless at the time of such acceptance such successor Trustee shall be qualified and eligible under this Article.
SECTION 612. Merger, Conversion, Consolidation or Succession to Business.
Any corporation into which the Trustee may be merged or converted or with which it may be consolidated, or any corporation resulting from any merger, conversion or consolidation to which the Trustee shall be a party, or any corporation succeeding to all or substantially all of the corporate trust business of the Trustee, shall be the successor of the Trustee hereunder, provided such corporation shall be otherwise qualified and eligible under this Article, without the execution or filing of any paper or any further act on the part of any of the parties hereto. In case any Securities shall have been authenticated, but not delivered, by the Trustee then in office, any successor by merger, conversion or consolidation to such authenticating Trustee may adopt such authentication and deliver the Securities so authenticated with the same effect as if such successor Trustee had itself authenticated such Securities.
SECTION 613. Preferential Collection of Claims Against Company.
If and when the Trustee shall be or become a creditor of the Company (or any other obligor upon the Securities), the Trustee shall be subject to the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act regarding the collection of claims against the Company (or any such other obligor).
SECTION 614. Appointment of Authenticating Agent.
The Trustee may appoint an Authenticating Agent or Agents with respect to one or more series of Securities which shall be authorized to act on behalf of the Trustee to authenticate Securities of such series issued upon original issue and upon exchange, registration of transfer or partial redemption thereof or pursuant to Section 306, and Securities so authenticated shall be entitled to the benefits of this Indenture and shall be valid and obligatory for all purposes as if authenticated by the Trustee hereunder. Wherever reference is made in this Indenture to the authentication and delivery of Securities by the Trustee or the Trustee's certificate of authentication, such reference shall be deemed to include authentication and delivery on behalf of the Trustee by an Authenticating Agent and a certificate of authentication executed on behalf of the Trustee
by an Authenticating Agent. Each Authenticating Agent shall be acceptable to the Company and shall at all times be a corporation organized and doing business under the laws of the United States of America, any State, Territory or the District of Columbia, authorized under such laws to act as Authenticating Agent, having a combined capital and surplus of not less than $50,000,000 and subject to supervision or examination by Federal or State authority. If such Authenticating Agent files reports of condition at least annually, pursuant to law or to the requirements of said supervising or examining authority, then for the purposes of this Section, the combined capital and surplus of such Authenticating Agent shall be deemed to be its combined capital and surplus as set forth in its most recent report of condition so filed.
If at any time an Authenticating Agent shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the provisions of this Section, such Authenticating Agent shall resign immediately in the manner and with the effect specified in this Section.
Any corporation into which an Authenticating Agent may be merged or converted or with which it may be consolidated, or any corporation resulting from any merger, conversion or consolidation to which such Authenticating Agent shall be a party, or any corporation succeeding to all or substantially all of the corporate trust business of an Authenticating Agent, shall be the successor Authenticating Agent hereunder, provided such corporation shall be otherwise eligible under this Section, without the execution or filing of any paper or any further act on the part of the Trustee or the Authenticating Agent.
An Authenticating Agent may resign at any time by giving written notice thereof to the Trustee and to the Company. The Trustee may at any time terminate the agency of an Authenticating Agent by giving written notice thereof to such Authenticating Agent and to the Company. Upon receiving such a notice of resignation or upon such a termination, or in case at any time such Authenticating Agent shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the provisions of this Section, the Trustee may appoint a successor Authenticating Agent which shall be acceptable to the Company and shall give notice of such appointment in the manner provided in Section 106 to all Holders of Securities of the series with respect to which such Authenticating Agent will serve. Any successor Authenticating Agent upon acceptance of its appointment hereunder shall become vested with all the rights, powers and duties of its predecessor hereunder, with like effect as if originally named as an Authenticating Agent.
No successor Authenticating Agent shall be appointed unless eligible under the provisions of this Section.
The Company agrees to pay to each Authenticating Agent from time to time reasonable compensation for its services under this Section.
If an appointment with respect to one or more series is made pursuant to this Section, the Securities of such series may have endorsed thereon, in addition to the
Trustee's certificate of authentication, an alternative certificate of authentication in the following form:
This is one of the Securities referred to in the within-mentioned Indenture.
ARTICLE SEVEN
HOLDERS' LISTS AND REPORTS BY TRUSTEE AND COMPANY
SECTION 701. Company to Furnish Trustee Names and Addresses of Holders.
The Company will furnish or cause to be furnished to the Trustee:
(1) semi-annually, not more than 15 days after each Regular Record Date, a list, in such form as the Trustee may reasonably require, of the names and addresses of the Holders as of such Regular Record Date; and
(2) at such other times as the Trustee may request in writing, within 30 days after the receipt by the Company of any such request, a list of similar form and content as of a date not more than 15 days prior to the time such list is furnished; provided, that no such list need be provided in any case to the extent it would include names and addresses received by the Trustee in its capacity as Security Registrar.
SECTION 702. Preservation of Information; Communications to Holders.
The Trustee shall preserve, in as current a form as is reasonably
practicable, the names and addresses of Holders contained in the most recent
list furnished to the Trustee as provided in Section 701 and the names and
addresses of Holders received by the Trustee in its capacity as Security
Registrar. The Trustee may destroy any list furnished to it as provided in
Section 701 upon receipt of a new list so furnished.
The rights of Holders to communicate with other Holders with respect to their rights under this Indenture or under the Securities, and the corresponding rights and privileges of the Trustee, shall be as provided by the Trust Indenture Act.
Every Holder of Securities, by receiving and holding the same, agrees with the Company and the Trustee that neither the Company nor the Trustee nor any agent of either of them shall be held accountable by reason of any disclosure of information as to names and addresses of Holders made pursuant to the Trust Indenture Act.
SECTION 703. Reports by Trustee.
The Trustee shall transmit to Holders such reports concerning the Trustee and its actions under this Indenture as may be required pursuant to the Trust Indenture Act at the times and in the manner provided pursuant thereto. If required by Section 313(a) of the Trust Indenture Act, the Trustee shall, within 60 days after each May 15 following the date of this Indenture, deliver to Holders a brief report, dated as of such May 15, which complies with the provisions of such Section 313(a).
A copy of each such report shall, at the time of such transmission to Holders, be filed by the Trustee with each stock exchange upon which any Securities are listed, with the Commission and with the Company. The Company will notify the Trustee whenever any Securities are listed on any stock exchange.
SECTION 704. Reports by Company.
The Company shall:
(1) file with the Trustee, within 15 days after the Company is required to file the same with the Commission, copies of the annual reports and of the information, documents and other reports (or copies of such portions of any of the foregoing as the Commission may from time to time by rules and regulations prescribe) which the Company may be required to file with the Commission pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act; or, if the Company is not required to file information, documents or reports pursuant to either of said Sections, then it shall file with the Trustee and the Commission, in accordance with rules and regulations prescribed from time to time by the Commission, such of the supplementary and periodic information, documents and reports which may be required pursuant to Section 13 of the Exchange Act in respect of a security listed and registered on a national securities exchange as may be prescribed from time to time in such rules and regulations;
(2) file with the Trustee and the Commission, in accordance with rules and regulations prescribed from time to time by the Commission, such additional information, documents and reports with respect to compliance by the Company with the conditions and covenants of this Indenture as may be required from time to time by such rules and regulations; and
(3) transmit by mail, to all Holders, as their names and addresses appear in the Security Register, within 30 days after the filing thereof with the Trustee, such summaries of any information, documents and reports required to be filed by the
Company pursuant to Clauses (1) and (2) of this Section as may be required by rules and regulations prescribed from time to time by the Commission.
ARTICLE EIGHT
CONSOLIDATION, MERGER, CONVEYANCE, TRANSFER OR LEASE
SECTION 801. Company May Consolidate, Etc., Only on Certain Terms.
(a) Subject to Section 801(c), the Company shall not consolidate with or merge with or into any other Person or convey, transfer or lease its assets substantially as an entirety to any Person, and the Company shall not permit any Person to consolidate with or merge with or into the Company, unless:
(1) the Company is the surviving corporation in a merger or consolidation; or
(2) in case the Company shall consolidate with or merge into another Person or convey, transfer or lease its assets substantially as an entirety to any Person, the Person formed by such consolidation or into which the Company is merged or the Person which acquires by conveyance or transfer, or which leases, the assets of the Company substantially as an entirety shall be a corporation, partnership, trust or limited liability company, organized and validly existing under the laws of the United States of America, any State thereof or the District of Columbia and shall expressly assume, by an indenture supplemental hereto, executed and delivered to the Trustee, the due and punctual payment of the principal of and any premium and interest on all the Securities and the performance or observance of every covenant of this Indenture on the part of the Company to be performed or observed; and
(3) immediately after giving effect to such transaction, no Event of Default, and no event which, after notice or lapse of time or both, would become an Event of Default, shall have happened and be continuing; and
(4) the Company has delivered to the Trustee an Officers' Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that such consolidation, merger, conveyance, transfer or lease and, if a supplemental indenture is required in connection with such transaction, such supplemental indenture comply with this Article and that all conditions precedent herein provided for relating to such transaction have been complied with.
(b) Subject to Section 801(c), any indebtedness which becomes an obligation of the Company or any Subsidiary as a result of any such transaction shall be treated as having been incurred by the Company or such Subsidiary at the time of such transaction.
(c) The provisions of Section 801(a) and (b) shall not be applicable to:
(1) the direct or indirect conveyance, transfer or lease of all or any portion of the stock, assets or liabilities of any of the Company's wholly owned Subsidiaries to the Company or to other wholly owned Subsidiaries of the Company; or
(2) any recapitalization transaction, a change of control of the Company or a highly leveraged transaction unless such transaction or change of control is structured to include a merger or consolidation by the Company or the conveyance, transfer or lease of the Company's assets substantially as an entirety.
SECTION 802. Successor Corporation Substituted.
Upon any consolidation of the Company with, or merger of the Company into, any other Person or any conveyance, transfer or lease of the assets of the Company substantially as an entirety in accordance with Section 801, the successor Person formed by such consolidation or into which the Company is merged or to which such conveyance, transfer or lease is made shall succeed to, and be substituted for, and may exercise every right and power of, the Company under this Indenture with the same effect as if such successor Person had been named as the Company herein, and thereafter, except in the case of any lease, the Company shall be relieved of all obligations and covenants under this Indenture and the Securities and may be dissolved and liquidated.
In case of any such consolidation, merger, conveyance, transfer or lease, such changes in phraseology and form may be made in the Securities thereafter to be issued as may be appropriate.
ARTICLE NINE
SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES
SECTION 901. Supplemental Indentures Without Consent of Holders.
Without the consent of any Holders, the Company, when authorized by a Board Resolution, and the Trustee, at any time and from time to time, may enter into one or more indentures supplemental hereto, in form satisfactory to the Trustee, for any of the following purposes:
(1) to evidence the succession of another Person to the Company and the assumption by any such successor of the covenants of the Company herein and in the Securities; or
(2) to convey, transfer, assign, mortgage or pledge any property to or with the Trustee or to surrender any right or power herein conferred upon the Company; or
(3) to provide for the issuance under this Indenture of Securities in bearer form (including securities registrable as to principal only) and to provide for
exchangeability of such Securities for Securities issued hereunder in fully registered form, and to make all appropriate changes for such purpose; or
(4) to establish the form or terms of Securities of any series as permitted by Sections 201 or 301; or
(5) to add to the covenants of the Company for the benefit of the Holders of all Securities or any series of Securities (and if such covenants are to be for the benefit of less than all series of Securities, stating that such covenants are expressly being included solely for the benefit of such series) or to surrender any right or power herein conferred upon the Company; or
(6) to add any additional Events of Default; or
(7) to secure the Securities; or
(8) to evidence and provide for the acceptance of appointment hereunder by a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of one or more series and to add to or change any provisions of this Indenture as shall be necessary to provide for or facilitate the administration of the trusts hereunder by more than one Trustee pursuant to the requirements of Section 611(b); or
(9) to cure any ambiguity, to correct or supplement any provision herein which may be defective or inconsistent with any other provision herein, or to make any other provisions with respect to matters or questions arising under this Indenture as the Company and the Trustee may deem necessary and desirable, provided that such action pursuant to this Clause (9) shall not adversely affect the interests of the Holders of Securities of any series in any material respect; or
(10) to conform any provision hereof to the requirements of the Trust Indenture Act or otherwise as necessary to comply with applicable law; or
(11) to modify the provisions in Article Thirteen of this Indenture with respect to the subordination of Outstanding Securities of any series in a manner not materially adverse to the Holders thereof; or
(12) to make any change that does not adversely affect the rights of any Holder in any material respect.
SECTION 902. Supplemental Indentures With Consent of Holders.
With the consent of the Holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of each series affected by such supplemental indenture, by Act of said Holders delivered to the Company and the Trustee, the Company, when authorized by a Board Resolution, and the Trustee may enter into an indenture or
indentures supplemental hereto for the purpose of adding any provisions to or changing in any manner or eliminating any of the provisions of this Indenture or of modifying in any manner the rights of the Holders of Securities of such series under this Indenture; provided, however, that no such supplemental indenture shall, without the consent of the Holder of each Outstanding Security affected thereby:
(1) change the Stated Maturity of the principal of, or any installment of interest payable on, any Outstanding Security, or reduce the principal amount of or the rate of interest thereon or any premium payable upon the redemption thereof, or reduce the amount of principal of an Original Issue Discount Security that would be due and payable upon redemption or would be provable in bankruptcy, or adversely affect any right of repayment of the Holder of any Security or change the Place of Payment or the coin or currency in which, any Outstanding Security or the interest thereon is payable, or impair the right to institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment on or after the Stated Maturity thereof (or, in the case of redemption, on or after the Redemption Date);
(2) reduce the percentage in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of any series, the consent of whose Holders is required for any such supplemental indenture, or the consent of whose Holders is required for any waiver of compliance with certain provisions of this Indenture or certain defaults hereunder and their consequences or reduce the quorum or voting requirements provided for in this Indenture;
(3) modify any of the provisions of this Section, Section 513 or
Section 1009, except to increase any such percentage or to provide that certain
other provisions of this Indenture cannot be modified or waived without the
consent of the Holder of each Outstanding Security affected thereby; provided,
however, that this clause shall not be deemed to require the consent of any
Holder with respect to changes in the references to "the Trustee" and
concomitant changes in this Section and Section 1009, or the deletion of this
proviso, in accordance with the requirements of Sections 611 and 901(8); or
(4) modify the provisions of Article Thirteen of this Indenture with respect to the subordination of Outstanding Securities of any series in a manner materially adverse to the Holders thereof.
A supplemental indenture which changes or eliminates any covenant or other provision of this Indenture which has expressly been included solely for the benefit of one or more particular series of Securities, or which modifies the rights of the Holders of Securities of such series with respect to such covenant or other provision, shall be deemed not to affect the rights under this Indenture of the Holders of Securities of any other series.
It shall not be necessary for any Act of Holders under this Section to approve the particular form of any proposed supplemental indenture, but it shall be sufficient if such Act shall approve the substance thereof.
SECTION 903. Execution of Supplemental Indentures.
In executing, or accepting the additional trusts created by, any supplemental indenture permitted by this Article or the modifications thereby of the trusts created by this Indenture, the Trustee shall be entitled to receive, and (subject to Section 601) shall be fully protected in relying upon, an Officers' Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel stating that the execution of such supplemental indenture is authorized or permitted by this Indenture, and that all conditions precedent have been complied with. The Trustee may, but shall not be obligated to, enter into any such supplemental indenture which affects the Trustee's own rights, duties, protections, privileges, indemnities, liabilities or immunities under this Indenture or otherwise.
SECTION 904. Effect of Supplemental Indentures.
Upon the execution of any supplemental indenture under this Article, this Indenture shall be modified in accordance therewith, and such supplemental indenture shall form a part of this Indenture for all purposes; and every Holder of Securities theretofore or thereafter authenticated and delivered hereunder shall be bound thereby.
SECTION 905. Conformity with Trust Indenture Act.
Every supplemental indenture executed pursuant to this Article shall conform to the requirements of the Trust Indenture Act as then in effect.
SECTION 906. Reference in Securities to Supplemental Indentures.
Securities authenticated and delivered after the execution of any supplemental indenture pursuant to this Article may, and shall if required by the Trustee, bear a notation in form approved by the Trustee as to any matter provided for in such supplemental indenture. If the Company shall so determine, new Securities of any series so modified as to conform, in the opinion of the Trustee and the Board of Directors, to any such supplemental indenture may be prepared and executed by the Company and authenticated and delivered by the Trustee in exchange for Outstanding Securities of such series.
ARTICLE TEN
COVENANTS
SECTION 1001. Payment of Principal, Premium and Interest.
The Company covenants and agrees for the benefit of each series of Securities that it will duly and punctually pay the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on the Securities of that series in accordance with the terms of such Securities and this Indenture.
Unless otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 301, the Company shall pay interest on overdue amounts at the rate set forth in the first paragraph of the Securities, and it shall pay interest on overdue interest at the same rate (to the extent that the payment of such interest shall be legally enforceable), which interest on overdue interest shall accrue from the date such amounts became overdue.
SECTION 1002. Maintenance of Office or Agency.
The Company will maintain in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York and each other Place of Payment for any series, an office or agency where Securities of that series may be presented or surrendered for payment, and an office or agency where Securities may be surrendered for registration of transfer or exchange and where notices and demands to or upon the Company in respect of the Securities and this Indenture may be served. The Company initially appoints the Trustee, acting through its Corporate Trust Office, as its agent for said purposes. The Company will give prompt written notice to the Trustee of the location, and any change in the location, of any such office or agency. If at any time the Company shall fail to maintain any such required office or agency or shall fail to furnish the Trustee with the address thereof, such presentations, surrenders, notices and demands may be made or served at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee, and the Company hereby appoints the Trustee as its agent to receive all such presentations, surrenders, notices and demands.
The Company may also from time to time designate one or more other offices or agencies where the Securities may be presented or surrendered for any or all such purposes and may from time to time rescind such designations; provided, however, that no such designation or rescission shall in any manner relieve the Company of its obligation to maintain an office or agency in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York and each other Place of Payment for Securities of any series for such purposes. The Company will give prompt written notice to the Trustee of any such designation or rescission and of any change in the location of any such other office or agency.
SECTION 1003. Money for Securities Payments to Be Held in Trust.
If the Company shall at any time act as its own Paying Agent with respect to any series of Securities, it will, on or before each due date of the principal of or premium, if any, or interest on any of the Securities of such series, segregate and hold in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled thereto a sum sufficient to pay the principal, premium, if any, and any interest so becoming due until such sums shall be paid to such Persons or otherwise disposed of as herein provided and will promptly notify the Trustee of its action or failure so to act.
Whenever the Company shall have one or more Paying Agents, it will, prior to each due date of the principal of or interest on any Securities, deposit with a Paying Agent a sum sufficient to pay the principal (and premium, if any) or interest so becoming due, such sum to be held as provided by the Trust Indenture Act, and (unless such Paying
Agent is the Trustee) the Company will promptly notify the Trustee of its action or failure so to act.
The Company will cause each Paying Agent other than the Trustee to execute and deliver to the Trustee an instrument in which such Paying Agent shall agree with the Trustee, subject to the provisions of this Section, that such Paying Agent will (1) comply with the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act applicable to it as a Paying Agent, (2) give the Trustee notice of any default by the Company (or any other obligor upon the Securities) in the making of any payment of principal (and premium, if any) or interest, and (3) at any time during the continuance of any such default, upon the written request of the Trustee, forthwith pay to the Trustee all sums so held in trust by such Paying Agent.
The Company may at any time, for the purpose of obtaining the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture or for any other purpose, pay, or by Company Order direct any Paying Agent to pay, to the Trustee all sums held in trust by the Company or such Paying Agent, such sums to be held by the Trustee upon the same trusts as those upon which such sums were held by the Company or such Paying Agent; and, upon such payment by the Company or any Paying Agent to the Trustee, such Paying Agent shall be released from all further liability with respect to such money.
Any money or U.S. Government Obligation (including the proceeds thereof and the interest thereon) deposited with the Trustee or any Paying Agent, or then held by the Company, in trust for the payment of the principal of, premium, if any, or interest on any Security and remaining unclaimed for two years after such principal, premium, if any, or interest has become due and payable shall be paid to the Company at its option on Company Request (unless otherwise required by mandatory provision of applicable escheat or abandoned or unclaimed property law) or (if then held by the Company) shall (unless otherwise required by mandatory provision of applicable escheat or abandoned or unclaimed property law) be discharged from such trust; and the Holder of such Security shall thereafter, as an unsecured general creditor, look only to the Company for payment thereof, and all liability of the Trustee or such Paying Agent with respect to such trust money, and all liability of the Company as trustee thereof, shall thereupon cease; provided, however, that the Trustee or such Paying Agent, before being required to make any such repayment, may at the expense of the Company cause to be published once, in a newspaper published in the English language, customarily published on each Business Day and of general circulation in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, notice that such money remains unclaimed and that, after a date specified therein, which shall not be less than 30 days from the date of such publication, any unclaimed balance of such money then remaining will be repaid to the Company.
SECTION 1004. Statement by Officers as to Default.
The Company will deliver to the Trustee, within 120 days after the end of each fiscal year of the Company ending after the date hereof, an Officers' Certificate covering
the preceding fiscal year, stating whether or not, to the best knowledge of the signers thereof, the Company is in default in the performance and observance of any of the terms, provisions and conditions of this Indenture (without regard to any period of grace or requirement of notice provided hereunder) and, if the Company shall be in default, specifying all such defaults and the nature and status thereof of which they may have knowledge.
SECTION 1005. Existence.
Subject to Article Eight, the Company will do or cause to be done all things necessary to preserve and keep in full force and effect its legal existence, rights (charter and statutory) and franchises; provided, however, that the Company shall not be required to preserve any such right or franchise if the Board of Directors shall determine that the preservation thereof is no longer desirable in the conduct of the business of the Company and that the loss thereof is not disadvantageous in any material respect to the Holders.
SECTION 1006. Maintenance of Properties.
The Company will cause all material properties of the Company used or
useful in the conduct of its business or the business of any Restricted
Subsidiary to be maintained and kept in good condition, repair and working order
and supplied with all necessary equipment and will cause to be made all
necessary repairs, renewals, replacements, betterments and improvements thereof,
all as in the judgment of the Company may be necessary so that the Company and
each Restricted Subsidiary may properly and advantageously conduct their
respective businesses at all times; provided, however, that nothing in this
Section shall prevent the Company from selling, abandoning or otherwise
disposing of, or discontinuing the operation or maintenance of, any of such
properties if such action is, in the judgment of the Company, desirable in the
conduct of its business or the business of any Restricted Subsidiary.
SECTION 1007. Payment of Taxes.
The Company will pay or discharge or cause to be paid or discharged, before the same shall become delinquent, all taxes, assessments and governmental charges levied or imposed upon the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary or upon the income, profits or property of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary, and lawful claims for labor, materials and supplies, which, if unpaid, might by law become a Lien upon the property of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary; provided, however, that the Company shall not be required to pay or discharge or cause to be paid or discharged any such tax, assessment or governmental charge whose amount, applicability or validity is being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings or where the failure to effect such payment is not adverse in any material respect to the Holders of the Securities.
SECTION 1008. Limitation on Liens.
The Company will not, nor will it permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, create, incur, assume or permit to exist any Lien, except Liens incurred, assumed or existing prior to the date of this Indenture, on any property or assets (including the capital stock of any Restricted Subsidiary) now owned or hereafter acquired by it, or sell or transfer or create any Lien on any income or revenues or rights in respect thereof; provided, however, that this covenant shall not apply to any of the following:
(a) any Lien on any property or asset hereafter acquired, constructed or improved by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary which is created or assumed to secure or provide for the payment of any part of the purchase price of such property or asset or the cost of such construction or improvement, or any Lien on any property or asset existing at the time of acquisition thereof; provided, however, that such Lien shall not extend to any other property owned by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary;
(b) any Lien existing upon any property or asset of a company which is merged with or into or is consolidated into, or substantially all the assets or shares of capital stock of which are acquired by, the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary, at the time of such merger, consolidation or acquisition; provided that such Lien does not extend to any other property or asset, other than improvements to the property or asset subject to such Lien;
(c) any pledge or deposit to secure payment of workers' compensation or insurance premiums, or in connection with tenders, bids, contracts (other than contracts for the payment of money) or leases;
(d) any pledge of, or other Lien upon, any assets as security for the payment of any tax, assessment or other similar charge by any Governmental Authority or public body, or as security required by law or governmental regulation as a condition to the transaction of any business or the exercise of any privilege or right;
(e) any Lien necessary to secure a stay of any legal or equitable process in a proceeding to enforce a liability or obligation contested in good faith by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary or required in connection with the institution by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of any legal or equitable proceeding to enforce a right or to obtain a remedy claimed in good faith by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary, or required in connection with any order or decree in any such proceeding or in connection with any contest of any tax or other governmental charge; or the making of any deposit with or the giving of any form of security to any governmental agency or any body created or approved by law or governmental regulation in order to entitle the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary to maintain self-insurance or to participate in any fund in connection with workers' compensation, unemployment insurance, old age pensions or other social security or to share in any provisions or other benefits provided for
companies participating in any such arrangement or for liability on insurance of credits or other risks;
(f) any mechanics', carriers', workmen's, repairmen's, or other like Liens, if arising in the ordinary course of business, in respect of obligations which are not overdue or liability for which is being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings;
(g) any Lien on property in favor of the United States of America, or of any agency, department or other instrumentality thereof, to secure partial, progress or advance payments pursuant to the provisions of any contract;
(h) any Lien securing indebtedness of a Restricted Subsidiary to the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary; provided that in the case of any sale or other disposition of such indebtedness by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary, such sale or other disposition shall be deemed to constitute the creation of another Lien not permitted by this clause (h);
(i) any Lien affecting property of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary securing indebtedness of the United States of America or a State thereof (or any instrumentality or agency of either thereof) issued in connection with a pollution control or abatement program required in the opinion of the Company to meet environmental criteria with respect to operations of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary and the proceeds of which indebtedness have financed the cost of acquisition of such program;
(j) the renewal, extension, replacement or refunding of any mortgage, pledge, lien, deposit, charge or other encumbrance permitted by the foregoing provisions of this covenant upon the same property theretofore subject thereto, or the renewal, extension, replacement or refunding of the amount secured thereby; provided that in each case such amount outstanding at that time shall not be increased; or
(k) any other Lien; provided that immediately after the creation or assumption of such Lien, the total of the aggregate principal amount of Indebtedness of the Company and all Restricted Subsidiaries (not including Indebtedness permitted under clauses (a) through (j) above) secured by all Liens created or assumed under the provisions of this clause (k), shall not exceed an amount equal to 10% of Consolidated Net Tangible Assets.
SECTION 1009. Waiver of Certain Covenants.
The Company may omit in any particular instance to comply with any term, provision, covenant or condition set forth in any covenant provided pursuant to Section 901(5) for the benefit of the Holders or in any of Sections 1006 to 1008, inclusive, with respect to the Securities of any series if before or after the time for such compliance the Holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series shall, by Act of such Holders, either waive such compliance in such instance or
generally waive compliance with such term, provision or condition, but no such waiver shall extend to or affect such term, provision or condition except to the extent so expressly waived, and, until such waiver shall become effective, the obligations of the Company and the duties of the Trustee in respect of any such term, provision or condition shall remain in full force and effect.
ARTICLE ELEVEN
REDEMPTION OF SECURITIES
SECTION 1101. Company's Right of Redemption.
Unless otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 301 with respect
to the Securities of a particular series, and notwithstanding any additional
redemption rights that may be so specified, the Company may, at its option,
redeem the Securities of any series after their date of issuance in whole or in
part at any time and from time to time, subject to the provisions of this
Section 1101 and the other provisions of this Article Eleven. Unless otherwise
specified as contemplated by Section 301 with respect to the Securities or a
particular series, the redemption price for any Security so redeemed shall be
equal to 100% of the principal amount of such Securities then Outstanding plus
accrued and unpaid interest up to, but excluding, the date fixed for redemption;
provided, however, that installments of accrued and unpaid interest whose Stated
Maturity is on or prior to the Redemption Date will be payable to the Holders of
such Securities, or one or more Predecessor Securities, registered as such at
the close of business on the relevant Regular Record Dates according to their
terms and the provisions of Section 307.
SECTION 1102. Applicability of Article.
Redemption of Securities, as permitted or required by any form of Security issued pursuant to this Indenture or the documentation providing therefor, shall be made in accordance with such form of Security or documentation and this Article Eleven; provided, however, that if any provision of any such form of Security or documentation shall conflict with any provision of this Article, the provision of such form of Security or documentation shall govern. Except as otherwise set forth in the form of Security for such series or such documentation, each Security shall be subject to partial redemption only in the amount of $1,000 or integral multiples of $1,000.
SECTION 1103. Election to Redeem; Notice to Trustee.
The election of the Company to redeem any Securities shall be evidenced by or pursuant to a Board Resolution. In case of any redemption at the election of the Company of the Securities of a series, the Company shall, at least 45 days but not more than 60 days prior to the Redemption Date fixed by the Company (unless a shorter notice shall be satisfactory to the Trustee), notify the Trustee of such Redemption Date, of the principal amount of Securities to be redeemed and, if applicable, of the tenor of the
Securities to be redeemed. In the case of any redemption of Securities (a) prior to the expiration of any restriction on such redemption provided in the terms of such Securities or (b) pursuant to an election of the Company which is subject to a condition specified in the terms of such Securities, the Company shall furnish the Trustee with an Officers' Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel evidencing compliance with such restriction or condition.
SECTION 1104. Selection by Trustee of Securities to Be Redeemed.
If less than all the Securities are to be redeemed (unless such redemption affects only a single Security), the particular Securities to be redeemed shall be selected not more than 45 days prior to the Redemption Date by the Trustee, from the Outstanding Securities not previously called for redemption, by such method as the Trustee in its sole discretion shall deem fair and appropriate and which may provide for the selection for redemption of a portion of the principal amount of any Security, provided that the unredeemed portion of the principal amount of any Security shall be in an authorized denomination (which shall not be less than the minimum authorized denomination) for such Security. If less than all the Securities and of a specified tenor are to be redeemed (unless such redemption affects only a single Security), the particular Securities to be redeemed shall be selected not more than 45 days prior to the Redemption Date by the Trustee, from the Outstanding Securities and specified tenor not previously called for redemption in accordance with the preceding sentence.
The Trustee shall promptly notify the Company in writing of the Securities selected for redemption as aforesaid and, in the case of any Securities selected for partial redemption as aforesaid, the principal amount thereof to be redeemed.
The provisions of the two preceding paragraphs shall not apply with respect to any redemption affecting only a single Security, whether such Security is to be redeemed in whole or in part. In the case of any such redemption in part, the unredeemed portion of the principal amount of the Security shall be in an authorized denomination (which shall not be less than the minimum authorized denomination) for such Security.
For all purposes of this Indenture, unless the context otherwise requires, all provisions relating to the redemption of Securities shall relate, in the case of any Securities redeemed or to be redeemed only in part, to the portion of the principal amount of such Securities which has been or is to be redeemed. If the Company shall so direct, Securities registered in the name of the Company, any Affiliate or any Subsidiary thereof shall not be included in the Securities selected for redemption.
SECTION 1105. Notice of Redemption.
Notice of redemption shall be given by first-class mail, postage prepaid, mailed not less than 30 nor more than 60 days prior to the Redemption Date, to each Holder of Securities to be redeemed, at its address appearing in the Security Register. Unless the
Company defaults in payment of the Redemption Price, on and after the Redemption Date, interest shall cease to accrue on the Securities.
All notices of redemption shall state:
(1) the Redemption Date;
(2) the Redemption Price, or if not then ascertainable, the manner of calculation thereof;
(3) if less than all the Outstanding Securities consisting of more than a single Security are to be redeemed, the identification (and, in the case of partial redemption of any such Securities, the principal amounts) of the particular Securities to be redeemed and, if less than all the Outstanding Securities consisting of a single Security are to be redeemed, the principal amount of the particular Security to be redeemed;
(4) that on the Redemption Date the Redemption Price will become due and payable upon each such Security to be redeemed and, if applicable, that interest thereon will cease to accrue on and after said date; and
(5) the place or places where each such Security is to be surrendered for payment of the Redemption Price.
Notice of redemption of Securities to be redeemed at the election of the Company shall be given by the Company or, at the Company's request, by the Trustee in the name and at the expense of the Company and shall be irrevocable. The notice if mailed in the manner herein provided shall be conclusively presumed to have been duly given, whether or not the Holder receives such notice In any case, a failure to give such notice by mail or any defect in the notice to the Holder of any Security designated for redemption as a whole or in part shall not affect the validity of the proceedings for the redemption of any other Security.
SECTION 1106. Deposit of Redemption Price.
Prior to any Redemption Date, the Company shall deposit with the Trustee or with a Paying Agent (or, if the Company is acting as its own Paying Agent, segregate and hold in trust as provided in Section 1003) an amount of money sufficient to pay the Redemption Price of, and (except if the Redemption Date shall be an Interest Payment Date) accrued interest on, all the Securities which are to be redeemed on that date.
SECTION 1107. Securities Payable on Redemption Date.
Notice of redemption having been given pursuant to Section 1105, the Securities to be so redeemed shall, on the Redemption Date, become due and payable at the Redemption Price therein specified, and from and after such date (unless the Company
shall default in the payment of the Redemption Price and accrued interest) such
Securities shall cease to bear or accrue any interest. Upon surrender of any
such Security for redemption in accordance with said notice, such Security shall
be paid by the Company at the Redemption Price, together with any accrued but
unpaid interest to, but excluding, the Redemption Date; provided, however, that
installments of accrued and unpaid interest whose Stated Maturity is on or prior
to the Redemption Date will be payable to the Holders of such Securities, or one
or more Predecessor Securities, registered as such at the close of business on
the relevant Regular Record Dates according to their terms and the provisions of
Section 307.
If any Security called for redemption shall not be so paid upon surrender thereof for redemption, the principal and any premium shall, until paid, bear interest from the Redemption Date at the rate prescribed therefor in the Security.
SECTION 1108. Securities Redeemed in Part.
Any Security which is to be redeemed only in part shall be surrendered at a Place of Payment therefor (with, if the Company or the Trustee so requires, due endorsement by, or a written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the Company and the Trustee duly executed by, the Holder thereof or his attorney duly authorized in writing), and the Company shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver to the Holder of such Security without service charge, a new Security or Securities of like tenor, of any authorized denomination as requested by such Holder, in aggregate principal amount equal to and in exchange for the unredeemed portion of the principal of the Security so surrendered.
ARTICLE TWELVE
SUBORDINATION OF SECURITIES
SECTION 1201. Securities Subordinate to Senior Indebtedness.
The Company covenants and agrees, and each Holder of a Security, by its acceptance thereof, likewise covenants and agrees, that, to the extent and in the manner hereinafter set forth in this Article, the payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on each and all of the Securities are hereby expressly made subordinate in right of payment to the prior payment in full of all amounts then due and payable in respect of all Senior Indebtedness. Each Holder, by its acceptance hereof, waives all notice of acceptance of the subordination provisions contained herein by each holder of Senior Indebtedness, whether now outstanding or hereafter incurred and waives reliance by each such holder upon said provisions.
SECTION 1202. Payment Over of Proceeds Upon Dissolution, Etc.
Upon any payment or distribution of assets to creditors upon any liquidation, dissolution, winding up, reorganization, assignment for the benefit of creditors, marshaling of assets or any bankruptcy, insolvency, debt restructuring or similar proceedings in connection with the Company's insolvency or bankruptcy (each such event, if any, herein sometimes referred to as a "Proceeding"), then the holders of Senior Indebtedness shall be entitled to receive payment in full of principal of (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, on such Senior Indebtedness, or provision shall be made for such payment in cash or cash equivalents or otherwise in a manner satisfactory to the holders of Senior Indebtedness, before the Holders of the Securities are entitled to receive or retain any payment or distribution of any kind or character, whether in cash, property or securities (including any payment or distribution which may be payable or deliverable by reason of the payment of any other Indebtedness of the Company (including any series of the Securities) subordinated to the payment of the Securities, such payment or distribution being hereinafter referred to as a "Junior Subordinated Payment"), on account of principal of (or premium, if any) or interest on the Securities or on account of the purchase or other acquisition of Securities by the Company or any Subsidiary and to that end the holders of Senior Indebtedness shall be entitled to receive, for application to the payment thereof, any payment or distribution of any kind or character, whether in cash, property or securities, including any Junior Subordinated Payment, which may be payable or deliverable in respect of the Securities in any such Proceeding.
In the event that, notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section, the Trustee or the Holder of any Security shall have received any payment or distribution of assets of the Company of any kind or character, whether in cash, property or securities, including any Junior Subordinated Payment, before all Senior Indebtedness is paid in full or payment thereof is provided for in cash or cash equivalents or otherwise in a manner satisfactory to the holders of Senior Indebtedness, and if written notice thereof shall, at least three Business Days prior to the time of such payment or distribution, have been received by a Responsible Officer of the Trustee or, as the case may be, such Holder, then and in such event such payment or distribution shall be paid over or delivered forthwith to the trustee in bankruptcy, receiver, liquidating trustee, custodian, assignee, agent or other Person making payment or distribution of assets of the Company for application to the payment of all Senior Indebtedness remaining unpaid, to the extent necessary to pay all Senior Indebtedness in full, after giving effect to any concurrent payment or distribution to or for the holders of Senior Indebtedness.
For purposes of this Article only, the words "any payment or distribution of any kind or character, whether in cash, property or securities" shall not be deemed to include shares of stock of the Company as reorganized or readjusted, or securities of the Company or any other corporation provided for by a plan of reorganization or readjustment which securities are subordinated in right of payment to all then outstanding Senior Indebtedness to substantially the same extent as the Securities are so subordinated
as provided in this Article. The consolidation of the Company with, or the
merger of the Company into, another Person or the liquidation or dissolution of
the Company following the sale of all or substantially all of its properties and
assets as any entirety to another Person or the liquidation or dissolution of
the Company following the sale of all or substantially all of its properties and
assets as an entirety to another Person upon the terms and conditions set forth
in Article Eight shall not be deemed a Proceeding for the purposes of this
Section if the Person formed by such consolidation or into which the Company is
merged or the Person which acquires by sale such properties and assets as an
entirety, as the case may be, shall, as a part of such consolidation, merger, or
sale comply with the conditions set forth in Article Eight.
SECTION 1203. Prior Payment to Senior Indebtedness Upon Acceleration of Securities.
In the event that any Securities are declared due and payable before their Stated Maturity, then and in such event the holders of the Senior Indebtedness outstanding at the time such Securities so become due and payable shall be entitled to receive payment in full of all amounts due on or in respect of such Senior Indebtedness (including any amounts due upon acceleration), or provision shall be made for such payment in cash or cash equivalents or otherwise in a manner satisfactory to the holders of Senior Indebtedness, before the Holders of the Securities are entitled to receive any payment or distribution of any kind or character, whether in cash, properties or securities (including any Junior Subordinated Payment) by the Company on account of the principal of (or premium, if any) or interest on the Securities or on account of the purchase or other acquisition of Securities by the Company or any Subsidiary; provided, however, that nothing in this Section shall prevent the satisfaction of any sinking fund payment in accordance with this Indenture or as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 301 for the Securities of any series by delivering and crediting as contemplated by Section 301 for the Securities of any series Securities which have been acquired (upon redemption or otherwise) prior to such declaration of acceleration.
In the event that, notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company shall make any payment to the Trustee or the Holder of any Security prohibited by the foregoing provisions of this Section, and if written notice of such fact shall, at least three Business Days prior to the time of such payment, have been received by a Responsible Officer of the Trustee or, as the case may be, such Holder, then and in such event such payment shall be paid over and delivered forthwith to the Company.
The provisions of this Section shall not apply to any payment with respect to which Section 1202 would be applicable.
SECTION 1204. No Payment When Senior Indebtedness in Default.
In the event and during the continuation of any default in the payment of principal of (or premium, if any) or interest on any Senior Indebtedness, or in the event that any
event of default with respect to any Senior Indebtedness shall have occurred and
be continuing and shall have resulted in such Senior Indebtedness becoming or
being declared due and payable prior to the date on which it would otherwise
have become due and payable, unless and until such event of default shall have
been cured or waived or shall have ceased to exist and such acceleration shall
have been rescinded or annulled, or in the event any judicial proceeding shall
be pending with respect to any such default in payment or such event of default,
then no payment or distribution of any kind or character, whether in cash,
properties or securities (including any Junior Subordinated Payment) shall be
made by the Company on account of principal of (or premium, if any) or interest,
if any, on the Securities or on account of the purchase or other acquisition of
Securities by the Company or any Subsidiary; provided, however, that nothing in
this Section shall prevent the satisfaction of any sinking fund payment in
accordance with this Indenture or as otherwise specified as contemplated by
Section 301 for the Securities of any series by delivering and crediting
pursuant to Section 1202 or as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section
301 for the Securities of any series Securities which have been acquired (upon
redemption or otherwise) prior to such default in payment or event of default.
In the event that, notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company shall make any payment to the Trustee or the Holder of any Security prohibited by the foregoing provisions of this Section, and if written notice thereof shall, at least three Business Days or prior to the time of such payment, have been received by the Trustee or, as the case may be, such Holder, then and in such event such payment shall be paid over and delivered forthwith to the Company.
The provisions of this Section shall not apply to any payment with respect to which Section 1202 would be applicable.
SECTION 1205. Payment Permitted If No Default.
Nothing contained in this Article or elsewhere in this Indenture or in any of the Securities shall prevent (a) the Company, at any time except during the pendency of any Proceeding referred to in Section 1202 or under the conditions described in Sections 1203 and 1204, from making payments at any time of principal of (and premium, if any) or interest on the Securities, or (b) the application by the Trustee of any money or Government Obligations deposited with it hereunder to the payment of or on account of the principal of (and premium, if any) or interest on the Securities or the retention of such payment by the Holders, if, at least three Business Days prior to the time of such application by the Trustee, a Responsible Officer of the Trustee did not have knowledge that such payment would have been prohibited by the provisions of this Article.
SECTION 1206. Subrogation to Rights of Holders of Senior Indebtedness.
Subject to the payment in full of all Senior Indebtedness, or the provision for such payment in cash or cash equivalents or otherwise in a manner satisfactory to the holders
of Senior Indebtedness, the Holders of the Securities shall be subrogated to the extent of the payments or distributions made to the holders of such Senior Indebtedness pursuant to the provisions of this Article (equally and ratably with the holders of all indebtedness of the Company which by its express terms is subordinated to Senior Indebtedness of the Company to substantially the same extent as the Securities are subordinated to the Senior Indebtedness and is entitled to like rights of subrogation by reason of any payments or distributions made to holders of such Senior Indebtedness) to the rights of the holders of such Senior Indebtedness to receive payments and distributions of cash, property and securities applicable to the Senior Indebtedness until the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on the Securities shall be paid in full. For purposes of such subrogation or assignment, no payments or distributions to the holders of the Senior Indebtedness of any cash, property or securities to which the Holders of the Securities or the Trustee would be entitled except for the provisions of this Article, and no payments over pursuant to the provisions of this Article to the holders of Senior Indebtedness by Holders of the Securities or the Trustee, shall, as among the Company, its creditors other than holders of Senior Indebtedness, and the Holders of the Securities, be deemed to be a payment or distribution by the Company to or on account of the Senior Indebtedness.
SECTION 1207. Provisions Solely to Define Relative Rights.
The provisions of this Article are and are intended solely for the purpose of defining the relative rights of the Holders of the Securities on the one hand and the holders of Senior Indebtedness on the other hand. Nothing contained in this Article or elsewhere in this Indenture or in the Securities is intended to or shall (a) impair, as between the Company and the Holders of the Securities, the obligations of the Company, which are absolute and unconditional, to pay to the Holders of the Securities the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on the Securities as and when the same shall become due and payable in accordance with their terms; or (b) affect the relative rights against the Company of the Holders of the Securities and creditors of the Company other than their rights in relation to the holders of Senior Indebtedness; or (c) prevent the Trustee or the Holder of any Security from exercising all remedies otherwise permitted by applicable law upon default under this Indenture including, without limitation, filing and voting claims in any Proceeding, subject to the rights, if any, under this Article of the holders of Senior Indebtedness to receive cash, property and securities otherwise payable or deliverable to the Trustee or such Holder.
SECTION 1208. Trustee to Effectuate Subordination.
Each Holder of a Security by his or her acceptance thereof authorizes and directs the Trustee on his or her behalf to take such action as may be necessary or appropriate to acknowledge or effectuate the subordination provided in this Article and appoints the Trustee his or her attorney-in-fact for any and all such purposes.
SECTION 1209. No Waiver of Subordination Provisions.
No right of any present or future holder of any Senior Indebtedness to enforce subordination as herein provided shall at any time in any way be prejudiced or impaired by any act or failure to act on the part of the Company or by any act or failure to act, in good faith, by any such holder, or by any noncompliance by the Company with the terms, provisions and covenants of this Indenture, regardless of any knowledge thereof that any such holder may have or be otherwise charged with.
SECTION 1210. Notice to Trustee.
The Company shall give prompt written notice to the Trustee of any fact known to the Company which would prohibit the making of any payment to or by the Trustee in respect of the Securities. Notwithstanding the provisions of this Article or any other provision of this Indenture, the Trustee shall not be charged with knowledge of the existence of any facts which would prohibit the making of any payment to or by the Trustee in respect of the Securities, unless and until a Responsible Officer of the Trustee shall have received written notice thereof from the Company or a holder of Senior Indebtedness or from any trustee, agent or representative therefor (whether or not the facts contained in such notice are true); provided, however, that if the Trustee shall not have received the notice provided for in this Section at least three Business Days prior to the date upon which by the terms hereof any monies may become payable for any purpose (including, without limitation, the payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) or interest on any Security), then, anything herein contained to the contrary notwithstanding, the Trustee shall have full power and authority to receive such monies and to apply the same to the purpose for which they were received and shall not be affected by any notice to the contrary which may be received by it within three Business Days prior to such date.
SECTION 1211. Reliance on Judicial Order or Certificate of Liquidating Agent.
Upon any payment or distribution of assets of the Company referred to in this Article, the Trustee, subject to the provisions of Article Six, and the Holders of the Securities shall be entitled to rely upon any order or decree entered by any court of competent jurisdiction in which such Proceeding is pending, or a certificate of the trustee in bankruptcy, receiver, liquidating trustee, custodian, assignee for the benefit of creditors, agent or other Person making such payment or distribution, delivered to the Trustee or to the Holders of Securities, for the purpose of ascertaining the Persons entitled to participate in such payment or distribution, the holders of the Senior Indebtedness and other indebtedness of the Company, the amount thereof or payable thereon, the amount or amounts paid or distributed thereon and all other facts pertinent thereto or to this Article.
SECTION 1212. Trustee Not Fiduciary For Holders of Senior Indebtedness.
The Trustee, in its capacity as trustee under this Indenture, shall not be deemed to owe any fiduciary duty to the holders of Senior Indebtedness and shall not be liable to any such holders if it shall in good faith mistakenly pay over or distribute to Holders of Securities or to the Company or to any other Person cash, property or securities to which any holders of Senior Indebtedness shall be entitled by virtue of this Article or otherwise.
SECTION 1213. Rights of Trustee as Holder of Senior Indebtedness; Preservation of Trustee's Rights.
The Trustee in its individual capacity shall be entitled to all the rights set forth in this Article with respect to any Senior Indebtedness which may at any time be held by it, to the same extent as any other holder of Senior Indebtedness, and nothing in this Indenture shall deprive the Trustee of any of its rights as such holder.
SECTION 1214. Article Applicable to Paying Agents.
In case at any time any Paying Agent other than the Trustee shall have been appointed by the Company and be then acting hereunder, the term "Trustee" as used in this Article shall in such case (unless the context otherwise requires) be construed as extending to and including such Paying Agent within its meaning as fully for all intents and purposes as if such Paying Agent were named in this Article in addition to or in place of the Trustee.
SECTION 1215. Certain Conversions or Exchanges Deemed Payment.
For the purposes of this Article only, (a) the issuance and delivery of junior securities upon conversion or exchange of Securities shall not be deemed to constitute a payment or distribution on account of the principal of (or premium, if any) or interest on securities or on account of the purchase or other acquisition of Securities, and (b) the payment, issuance or delivery of cash, property or securities (other than junior securities) upon conversion or exchange of a Security shall be deemed to constitute payment on account of the principal of such security. For the purposes of this Section, the term "junior securities" means (i) shares of any stock of any class of the Company and (ii) securities of the Company which are subordinated in right of payment to all Senior Indebtedness which may be outstanding at the time of issuance or delivery of such securities to substantially the same extent as, or to a greater extent than, the Securities are so subordinated as provided in this Article.
ARTICLE THIRTEEN
DEFEASANCE AND COVENANT DEFEASANCE
SECTION 1301. Company's Option to Effect Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance.
The Company may elect, at its option at any time, to have Section 1302 or Section 1303 applied to any Securities upon compliance with the conditions set forth below in this Article. Any such election shall be evidenced by a Board Resolution.
SECTION 1302. Defeasance and Discharge.
Upon the Company's exercise of its option (if any) to have this Section applied to any Securities, the Company shall be deemed to have been discharged from its obligations with respect to such Securities as provided in this Section on and after the date the conditions set forth in Section 1304 are satisfied (hereinafter called "Defeasance"). For this purpose, such Defeasance means that the Company shall be deemed to have paid and discharged the entire indebtedness represented by such Securities and to have satisfied all its other obligations under such Securities and this Indenture insofar as such Securities are concerned (and the Trustee, at the expense of the Company and upon Company Request, shall execute proper instruments acknowledging the same), subject to the following, which shall survive until otherwise terminated or discharged hereunder: (1) the Company's obligations with respect to such Securities under Sections 304, 305, 306, 1002 and 1003; (2) the rights, powers, trusts, duties and immunities of the Trustee hereunder; and (3) this Article. Subject to compliance with this Article, the Company may exercise its option (if any) to have this Section applied to any Securities notwithstanding the prior exercise of its option (if any) to have Section 1303 applied to such Securities.
SECTION 1303. Covenant Defeasance.
Upon the Company's exercise of its option (if any) to have this Section
applied to any Securities (1) the Company shall be released from its obligations
under Sections 801, Section 1006 to 1008, inclusive, and any covenants provided
pursuant to 901(5) for the benefit of the Holders of such Securities; and (2)
the occurrence of any event specified in Sections 501(3) (with respect to any of
Section 801, Sections 1006 to 1008, and any such covenants provided pursuant to
Section 901(5)) shall be deemed not to be or result in an Event of Default, in
each case with respect to such Securities as provided in this Section on and
after the date the conditions set forth in Section 1404 are satisfied
(hereinafter called "Covenant Defeasance"). For this purpose, such Covenant
Defeasance means that, with respect to such Securities, the Company may omit to
comply with and shall have no liability in respect of any term, condition or
limitation set forth in any such specified Section (to the extent so specified
in the case of Section 501(3)), whether directly or indirectly by reason of any
reference elsewhere herein to any such Section or by reason of any reference in
any such Section to any other provision herein or in any other
document, but the remainder of this Indenture and such Securities shall be unaffected thereby.
Notwithstanding any Covenant Defeasance with respect to Section 801, any Person that would otherwise have been required to assume the obligations of the Company pursuant to said Section shall be required, as a condition to any merger, consolidation, conveyance, transfer or lease contemplated thereby, to assume the obligations of the Company to the Trustee under Sections 607 and 1205.
SECTION 1304. Conditions to Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance.
The following shall be the conditions to the application of Section 1302 or Section 1303 to any Securities:
(1) The Company shall irrevocably have deposited or caused to be
deposited with the Trustee (or another trustee which satisfies the requirements
contemplated by Section 609 and agrees to comply with the provisions of this
Article applicable to it) as trust funds in trust for the purpose of making the
following payments, specifically pledged as security for, and dedicated solely
to, the benefits of the Holders of such Securities, (A) money in an amount, or
(B) Government Obligations which through the scheduled payment of principal and
interest in respect thereof in accordance with their terms will provide, not
later than one day before the due date of any payment, money in an amount, or
(C) a combination thereof, in each case sufficient, in the opinion of a
nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants expressed in a
written certification thereof delivered to the Trustee, to pay and discharge,
and which shall be applied by the Trustee (or any such other qualifying trustee)
to pay and discharge, the principal of and any premium and interest on such
Securities on the respective Stated Maturities or on the Redemption Date, in
accordance with the terms of this Indenture and such Securities.
(2) In the event of an election to have Section 1302 apply to any Securities, the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel stating that (A) the Company has received from, or there has been published by, the Internal Revenue Service a ruling or (B) since the date of this instrument, there has been a change in the applicable Federal income tax law, in the case of either (A) or (B) to the effect that, and based thereon such opinion shall confirm that, the Holders of such Securities will not recognize gain or loss for Federal income tax purposes as a result of the deposit, Defeasance and discharge to be effected with respect to such Securities and will be subject to Federal income tax on the same amount, in the same manner and at the same times as would be the case if such deposit, Defeasance and discharge were not to occur.
(3) In the event of an election to have Section 1303 apply to any Securities, the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that the Holders of such Securities will not recognize gain or loss for Federal income tax purposes as a result of the deposit and Covenant Defeasance to be effected with respect to
such Securities and will be subject to Federal income tax on the same amount, in the same manner and at the same times as would be the case if such deposit and Covenant Defeasance were not to occur.
(4) No event which is, or after notice or lapse of time or both would become, an Event of Default with respect to such Securities or any other Securities shall have occurred and be continuing at the time of such deposit or, with regard to any such event specified in Sections 501(4) and (5), at any time on or prior to the 90th day after the date of such deposit (it being understood that this condition shall not be deemed satisfied until after such 90th day).
(5) Such Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance shall not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under, any indenture or other agreement or instrument for borrowed money to which the Company is a party or by which it is bound.
(6) Such Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance shall not result in the trust arising from such deposit constituting an investment company within the meaning of the Investment Company Act unless such trust shall be registered under the Investment Company Act or exempt from registration thereunder.
(7) If such Securities are to be redeemed prior to Stated Maturity (other than from mandatory sinking fund payments or analogous payments), notice of such redemption shall have been duly given pursuant to this Indenture or provision therefor satisfactory to the Trustee shall have been made.
(8) The Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officers' Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent with respect to such Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance have been complied with.
SECTION 1305. Deposited Money and Government Obligations to Be Held in Trust; Miscellaneous Provisions.
Subject to the provisions of the last paragraph of Section 1003, all money and Government Obligations (including the proceeds thereof and the interest thereon) deposited with the Trustee or other qualifying trustee (solely for purposes of this Section and Section 1306, the Trustee and any such other trustee are referred to collectively as the "Trustee") pursuant to Section 1304 in respect of any Securities shall be held in trust and applied by the Trustee, in accordance with the provisions of such Securities and this Indenture, to the payment, either directly or through any such Paying Agent (including the Company acting as its own Paying Agent) as the Trustee may determine, to the Holders of such Securities, of all sums due and to become due thereon in respect of principal and any premium and interest, but money so held in trust need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law.
The Company shall pay and indemnify the Trustee against any tax, fee or other charge imposed on or assessed against the Government Obligations deposited pursuant to Section 1304 or the principal and interest received in respect thereof other than any such tax, fee or other charge which by law is for the account of the Holders of Outstanding Securities.
Anything in this Article to the contrary notwithstanding, the Trustee shall deliver or pay to the Company from time to time upon Company Request any money or Government Obligations held by it as provided in Section 1304 with respect to any Securities which, in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants expressed in a written certification thereof delivered to the Trustee, are in excess of the amount thereof which would then be required to be deposited to effect the Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance, as the case may be, with respect to such Securities.
SECTION 1306. Reinstatement.
If the Trustee or the Paying Agent is unable to apply any money in accordance with this Article with respect to any Securities by reason of any order or judgment of any court or governmental authority enjoining, restraining or otherwise prohibiting such application, then the obligations under this Indenture and such Securities from which the Company has been discharged or released pursuant to Section 1302 or 1303 shall be revived and reinstated as though no deposit had occurred pursuant to this Article with respect to such Securities, until such time as the Trustee or Paying Agent is permitted to apply all money held in trust pursuant to Section 1305 with respect to such Securities in accordance with this Article; provided, however, that if the Company makes any payment of principal of or any premium or interest on any such Security following such reinstatement of its obligations, the Company shall be subrogated to the rights (if any) of the Holders of such Securities to receive such payment from the money so held in trust.
SECTION 1307. Qualifying Trustee.
Any trustee appointed pursuant to Section 1304 for the purpose of holding trust funds deposited pursuant to that Section shall be appointed under an agreement in form acceptable to the Trustee and shall provide to the Trustee a certificate of such trustee, upon which certificate the Trustee shall be entitled to conclusively rely, that all conditions precedent provided for herein to the related Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance have been complied with. In no event shall the Trustee be liable for any acts or omissions of said trustee.
* * *
This instrument may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which so executed shall be deemed to be an original, but all such counterparts shall together constitute but one and the same instrument.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Indenture to be duly executed, and their respective corporate seals to be hereunto affixed and attested, all as of the day and year first above written.
THE HARTFORD FINANCIAL
SERVICES GROUP, INC.
------------------------------- ,
as Trustee
EXHIBIT A
[SPECIMEN BOND]
(FORM OF FACE OF SECURITY)
[If the Security is an Original Issue Discount Security, insert--For purposes of
Section 1271 of the United States Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, the
issue price of this security is __ % of its principal amount and the Issue Date
is ______________, 20__]
THE HARTFORD FINANCIAL SERVICES GROUP, INC.
[Title of Security]
THE HARTFORD FINANCIAL SERVICES GROUP, INC., a corporation organized and existing under the laws of Delaware (hereinafter called the "Company", which term includes any successor corporation under the Indenture hereinafter referred to), for value received, hereby promises to pay to [Insert if Global Security--Cede & Co.], or registered assigns, the principal sum of ___________ Dollars on _____________ [If the Security is to bear interest prior to Maturity, insert -- , and to pay interest thereon from _____________ or from the most recent Interest Payment Date to which interest has been paid or duly provided for, semi-annually on __________ and __________ in each year, commencing __________, at the rate of __ % per annum, on the basis of a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months, until the principal hereof is paid or duly provided for or made available for payment] [(If applicable insert - , and (to the extent that the payment of such interest shall be legally enforceable) at the rate of __% per annum on any overdue principal and premium and on any overdue installment of interest)].
[If the Security is to bear interest prior to Maturity, insert -- The interest so payable, and punctually paid or duly provided for, on any Interest Payment Date will, as provided in the Indenture, be paid to the Person in whose name this Security (or one or more Predecessor Securities) is registered at the close of business on the Regular Record Date for such interest, which shall be the date which is fifteen days (whether or not a Business Day) next preceding such Interest Payment Date. Any such interest not so punctually paid or duly provided for will forthwith cease to be payable to the Holder on such Regular Record Date and may either be paid to the person in whose name this Security (or one or more Predecessor Securities) is registered at the close of business on a Special Record Date for the payment of such Defaulted Interest to be fixed by the Trustee, notice whereof shall be given to Holders of Securities of this series not less than
10 days prior to such Special Record Date, or be paid at any time in any other lawful manner not inconsistent with the requirements of any securities exchange on which the Securities of this series may be listed, and upon such notice as may be required by such exchange, all as more fully provided in said Indenture].
[If the Security is not to bear interest prior to Maturity, insert - The principal of this Security shall not bear interest except in the case of a default in payment of principal upon acceleration, upon redemption or at Stated Maturity and in such case the overdue principal of this Security shall bear interest at the rate of ___% per annum (to the extent that the payment of such interest shall be legally enforceable), which shall accrue from the date of such default in payment to the date payment of such principal has been made or duly provided for. Interest on any overdue principal shall be payable on demand. Any such interest on any overdue principal that is not so paid on demand shall bear interest at the rate of __% per annum (to the extent that the payment of such interest shall be legally enforceable), which shall accrue from the date of such demand for payment to the date payment of such interest has been made or duly provided for, and such interest shall also be payable on demand.]
The indebtedness evidenced by this Security is, to the extent provided in the Indenture, subordinate and subject in right of payments to the prior payment in full of all Senior Indebtedness, and this Security is issued subject to the provisions of the Indenture with respect thereto. Each Holder of this Security by accepting the same, (a) agrees to and shall be bound by such provisions, (b) authorizes and directs the Trustee on its behalf to take such actions as may be necessary or appropriate to effectuate the subordination so provided and (c) appoints the Trustee its attorney-in-fact for any and all such purposes. Each Holder hereof, by its acceptance hereof, waives all notice of the acceptance of the subordination provisions contained herein and in the Indenture by each holder of Senior Indebtedness, whether now outstanding or hereafter incurred, and waives reliance by each such holder upon said provisions.
Payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) and [if applicable, insert - any interest] on this Security will be made at the office or agency of the Company maintained for that purpose in The City of New York, in such coin or currency of the United States of America as at the time of payment is legal tender for payment of public and private debts [if applicable, insert -; provided, however, that at the option of the Company payment of interest may be made by check mailed to the address of the Person entitled thereto as such address shall appear in the Security Register].
Reference is hereby made to the further provisions of this Security set forth on the reverse hereof, which further provisions shall for all purposes have the same effect as if set forth at this place.
Unless the certificate of authentication hereon has been executed by the Trustee referred to on the reverse hereof by manual signature, this Security shall not be entitled to any benefit under the Indenture or be valid or obligatory for any purpose.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this instrument to be duly executed under its corporate seal.
Dated:
THE HARTFORD FINANCIAL SERVICES GROUP, INC.
Title:
Title:
Attest:
FORM OF REVERSE OF SECURITY
This Security is one of a duly authorized issue of securities of the Company designated as its __________ due 20__ (herein called the "Securities"), issued and to be issued in one or more series under a Subordinated Indenture, dated as of _________, ____ as supplemented and amended from time to time by _______________ (herein called the "Indenture"), between the Company and __________________, as Trustee (herein called the "Trustee", which term includes any successor trustee under the Indenture), to which Indenture and all indentures supplemental thereto reference is hereby made for a statement of the respective rights, limitations of rights, duties and immunities thereunder of the Company, the Trustee and the Holders of the Securities and of the terms upon which the Securities are, and are to be, authenticated and delivered. This Security is one of the series designated on the face hereof [if applicable insert --, limited in aggregate principal amount to $___________].
All terms used in this Security that are defined in the Indenture shall have the meaning assigned to them in the Indenture.
[If applicable, insert - The Securities of this series are subject to redemption upon not less than 30 nor more than 60 days' notice by mail at any time [on or after ____________, 20__], as a whole or in part, at the election of the Company. The Redemption Price for any Security so redeemed shall be equal to 100% of the principal amount of such Securities then Outstanding plus accrued and unpaid interest up to but not including the date fixed for redemption. In the event of redemption of this Security in part only, a new Security or Securities of this series for the unredeemed portion hereof will be issued in the name of the Holder hereof upon the cancellation hereof.]
[Installments of accrued and unpaid interest whose Stated Maturity is on or prior to the Redemption Date will be payable to the Holders of the Securities of this series, or one or more Predecessor Securities, registered as such at the close of business on the relevant Regular Record Dates according to their terms.]
The Indenture contains provisions for satisfaction, discharge and defeasance of the entire indebtedness on this security, upon compliance by the Company with certain conditions set forth therein.
[If the Security is not an Original Issue Discount Security, - If an Event of Default with respect to Securities of this series shall occur and be continuing, the principal of the Securities of this series may be declared due and payable in the manner and with the effect provided in the Indenture.] [If the security is an Original Issue Discount Security, - If an Event of Default with respect to Securities of this series shall occur and be continuing, an amount of principal of the Securities of this series may be declared due
and payable in the manner and with the effect provided in the Indenture. Such amount shall be equal to - insert formula for determining the amount.
Upon payment of the amount of principal so declared due and payable [if applicable insert-- and of interest on any overdue principal and overdue interest (in each case to the extent that the payment of such interest shall be legally enforceable)], all of the Company's obligations in respect of the payment of the principal of and interest, if any, on the Securities of this series shall terminate.]
The Indenture permits, with certain exceptions as therein provided, the amendment thereof and the modification of the rights and obligations of the Company and the rights of the Holders of the Securities of each series to be affected under the Indenture at any time by the Company and the Trustee with the consent of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Securities at the time Outstanding of each series to be affected. The Indenture also contains provisions permitting the Holders of specified percentages in principal amount of the Securities of each series at the time Outstanding, on behalf of the Holders of all Securities of such series, to waive compliance by the Company with certain provisions of the Indenture and certain past defaults under the Indenture and their consequences. Any such consent or waiver by the Holder of this Security shall be conclusive and binding upon such Holder and upon all future Holders of this Security and of any Security issued upon the registration of transfer hereof or in exchange herefor or in lieu hereof, whether or not notation of such consent or waiver is made upon this Security.
No reference herein to the Indenture and no provision of this Security or of the Indenture shall alter or impair the obligation of the Company, which is absolute and unconditional, to pay the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on this Security at the times, place and rate, and in the coin or currency, herein prescribed.
As provided in the Indenture and subject to certain limitations therein set forth, the transfer of this Security is registrable in the Security Register, upon surrender of this Security for registration of transfer at the office or agency of the Company in any place where the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on this Security are payable, duly endorsed by, or accompanied by a written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the Company and the Security Registrar duly executed by, the Holder hereof or his attorney duly authorized in writing, and thereupon one or more new Securities of this series, of authorized denominations and for the same aggregate principal amount, will be issued to the designated transferee or transferees.
The Securities of this series are issuable only in registered form without coupons in denominations of $______ and any integral multiple thereof. As provided in the Indenture and subject to certain limitations therein set forth, Securities of this series are exchangeable for a like aggregate principal amount of Securities of this series of a different authorized denomination, as requested by the Holder surrendering the same.
No service charge shall be made for any such registration of transfer or exchange, but the Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge payable in connection therewith.
The Company, the Trustee and any agent of the Company or the Trustee may treat the Person in whose name this Security is registered as the owner hereof for all purposes, whether or not this Security be overdue, and neither the Company, the Trustee nor any such agent shall be affected by notice to the contrary.
THIS SECURITY SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE
LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
EXHIBIT 4.05
JUNIOR SUBORDINATED INDENTURE, dated as of _________, 2003, between THE HARTFORD FINANCIAL SERVICES GROUP, INC., a Delaware corporation (hereinafter called the "Company") having its principal office at Hartford Plaza, Hartford, Connecticut 06115, and Wilmington Trust Company, a Delaware banking corporation duly organized and existing under the laws of the State of Delaware, as Trustee (hereinafter called the "Trustee").
RECITALS OF THE COMPANY
The Company has duly authorized the execution and delivery of this Indenture to provide for the issuance from time to time of its unsecured junior subordinated debt securities in series (hereinafter called the "Securities") of substantially the tenor hereinafter provided, including, without limitation, Securities issued to evidence loans made to the Company of the proceeds from the issuance from time to time by one or more business trusts (each a "Hartford Trust", and collectively, the "Hartford Trusts") of preferred trust interests in such Trusts (the "Preferred Securities") and common interests in such Trusts (the "Common Securities"), and to provide the terms and conditions upon which the Securities are to be authenticated, issued and delivered.
All things necessary to make the Securities, when executed by the Company and authenticated and delivered hereunder and duly issued by the Company, the valid obligations of the Company, and to make this Indenture a valid agreement of the Company, in accordance with their and its terms, have been done.
NOW THEREFORE, THIS INDENTURE WITNESSETH:
For and in consideration of the premises and the purchase of the Securities by the Holders thereof, it is mutually covenanted and agreed, for the equal and proportionate benefit of all Holders of the Securities or of any series thereof, as follows:
ARTICLE ONE
Definitions and other Provisions of General Application
SECTION 101. Definitions.
For all purposes of this Indenture, except as otherwise expressly provided or unless the context otherwise requires:
(1) The terms defined in this Article have the meanings assigned to them in this Article, and include the plural as well as the singular;
(2) All other terms used herein which are defined in the Trust Indenture Act, either directly or by reference therein, have the meanings assigned to them therein;
(3) All accounting terms not otherwise defined herein have the meanings assigned to them in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and the term "generally accepted accounting principles" with respect to any computation required or permitted hereunder shall mean such accounting principles which are generally accepted at the date or time of such computation; provided, that when two or more principles are so generally accepted, it shall mean that set of principles consistent with those in use by the Company; and
(4) The words "herein," "hereof" and "hereunder" and other words of similar import refer to this Indenture as a whole and not to any particular Article, Section or other subdivision.
Certain terms, used principally in Article Six, are defined in that Article.
"Act" when used with respect to any Holder has the meaning specified in
Section 104.
"Additional Interest" means the interest, if any, that shall accrue on any interest on the Securities of any series that is in arrears for more than one interest payment period or not paid during any Extension Period, which in either case shall accrue at the rate per annum specified or determined as specified in such Security.
"Additional Sums" has the meaning specified in Section 1007.
"Additional Taxes" means the sum of additional taxes, duties and other governmental charges to which a Hartford Trust has become subject from time to time as a result of a Tax Event.
"Affiliate" of any specified Person means any other Person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with such specified Person; provided, however, that an Affiliate of the Company shall not be deemed to include any Hartford Trust to which Securities have been issued. For the purposes of this definition, "control" when used with respect to any specified Person means the power to direct the management and policies of such Person, directly or indirectly, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise; and the terms "controlling" and "controlled" have meanings correlative to the foregoing.
"Authenticating Agent" means any Person authorized by the Trustee pursuant to Section 614 to act on behalf of the Trustee to authenticate Securities of one or more series.
"Board of Directors" means either the board of directors of the Company or any committee of that board duly authorized to act hereunder.
"Board Resolution" means a copy of a resolution certified by the Secretary, the Corporate Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Company to have been duly adopted by the Board of Directors, or such committee of the Board of Directors or officers of the Company to which authority to act on behalf of the Board of Directors has been delegated, and to be in full force and effect on the date of such certification, and delivered to the Trustee.
"Business Day" means any day other than (i) a Saturday or Sunday or
(ii) a day on which banking institutions in The City of New York are authorized
or required by law or executive order to remain closed or (iii) a day on which
the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee, or, with respect to the Securities of
a series issued to a Hartford Trust, the principal office of the Property
Trustee under the related Trust Agreement, is closed for business.
"Commission" means the Securities and Exchange Commission, as from time to time constituted, created under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, or if at any time after the execution of this instrument such Commission is not existing and performing the duties now assigned to it under the Trust Indenture Act, then the body performing such duties on such date.
"Common Securities" has the meaning specified in the first recital of this Indenture.
"Company" means the Person named as the "Company" in the first paragraph of this instrument until a successor corporation shall have become such pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Indenture, and thereafter "Company" shall mean such successor corporation.
"Company Request" and "Company Order" mean, respectively, the written request or order signed in the name of the Company by the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, President or a Vice President, and by the Treasurer, an Associate Treasurer, an Assistant Treasurer, the Controller, the Secretary, the Corporate Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Company, and delivered to the Trustee.
"Corporate Trust Office" means the principal office of the Trustee at which at any particular time its corporate trust business shall be administered.
"Corporation" includes corporations, associations, companies and business trusts.
"Current Value" has the meaning specified in Section 1107.
"Debt" means, with respect to any Person, whether recourse is to all or a portion of the assets of such Person and whether or not contingent, (i) every obligation of such Person for money borrowed; (ii) every obligation of such Person evidenced by bonds,
debentures, notes or other similar instruments, including obligations incurred in connection with the acquisition of property, assets or businesses; (iii) every reimbursement obligation of such Person with respect to letters of credit, bankers' acceptances or similar facilities issued for the account of such Person; (iv) every obligation of such Person issued or assumed as the deferred purchase price of property or services (but excluding trade accounts payable or accrued liabilities arising in the ordinary course of business); (v) every capital lease obligation of such Person; and (vi) every obligation of the type referred to in clauses (i) through (v) of another Person and all dividends of another Person the payment of which, in either case, such Person has guaranteed or is responsible or liable, directly or indirectly, as obligor or otherwise.
"Defaulted Interest" has the meaning specified in Section 307.
"Depositary" means, with respect to the Securities of any series
issuable or issued in whole or in part in the form of one or more Global
Securities, the Person designated as Depositary by the Company pursuant to
Section 301 with respect to such series (or any successor thereto).
"Discounted Remaining Fixed Amount Payments" has the meaning specified in Section 1107.
"Discounted Swap Equivalent Payments" has the meaning specified in
Section 1107.
"Dollar" means the currency of the United States of America as at the time of payment is legal tender for the payment of public and private debts.
"Event of Default" unless otherwise specified in the supplemental indenture creating a series of Securities, has the meaning specified in Article Five.
"Extension Period" has the meaning specified in Section 311.
"Foreign Currency" means any currency issued by the government of one or more countries other than the United States of America or by any recognized confederation or association of such governments.
"Global Security" means a Security in the form prescribed in Section 204 evidencing all or part of a series of Securities, issued to the Depositary or its nominee for such series, and registered in the name of such Depositary or its nominee.
"Government Obligations" means, with respect to the Securities of any series, securities which are (i) direct obligations of the United States of America or (ii) obligations of a Person controlled or supervised by and acting as an agency or instrumentality of the United States of America the payment of which is unconditionally
guaranteed by the United States of America and which, in either case, are full faith and credit obligations of the United States of America and are not callable or redeemable at the option of the issuer thereof and shall also include a depository receipt issued by a bank (as defined in Section 3(a)(2) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended) as custodian with respect to any such Government Obligation or a specific payment of interest on or principal of any such Government Obligation held by such custodian for the account of the holder of such depository receipt; provided that (except as required by law) such custodian is not authorized to make any deduction from the amount payable to the holder of such depository receipt from any amount received by the custodian in respect of the Government Obligation or the specific payment of interest on or principal of the Government Obligation evidenced by such depository receipt.
"Hartford Guarantee" means the guarantee by the Company of
distributions on the Preferred Securities of a Hartford Trust to the extent
provided in the Guarantee Agreement, substantially in the form attached hereto
as Annex C, or substantially in such form as may be specified as contemplated by
Section 301 with respect to the Securities of any series, in each case as
amended from time to time.
"Hartford Trust" has the meaning specified in the first recital of this Indenture.
"Holder" means a Person in whose name a Security is registered in the Securities Register.
"Indenture" means this instrument as originally executed or as it may from time to time be supplemented or amended by one or more indentures supplemental hereto entered into pursuant to the applicable provisions hereof and shall include the terms of each particular series of Securities established as contemplated by Section 301.
"Interest Payment Date" means as to each series of Securities the Stated Maturity of an installment of interest on such Securities.
"Interest Rate" means the rate of interest specified or determined as specified in each Security as being the rate of interest payable on such Security.
"Investment Company Event" means, in respect of a Hartford Trust, the occurrence of a change in law or regulation or a change in interpretation or application of law or regulation by any legislative body, court, governmental agency or regulatory authority (a "Change in 1940 Act Law") to the effect that such Hartford Trust is or will be considered an "investment company" that is required to be registered under the 1940 Act, which Change in 1940 Act Law becomes effective on or after the date of original issuance of the Preferred Securities of such Hartford Trust.
"Junior Subordinated Payment" has the meaning specified in Section 1202.
"Lien" means any mortgage, pledge, lien, security interest or other encumbrance.
"Maturity" when used with respect to any Security means the date on which the principal of such Security becomes due and payable as therein or herein provided, whether at the Stated Maturity or by declaration of acceleration, call for redemption or otherwise.
"1940 Act" means the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.
"Notice of Default" has the meaning specified in Section 501(3).
"Officers' Certificate" means a certificate signed by the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, President or a Vice President, and by the Treasurer, an Associate Treasurer, an Assistant Treasurer, the Controller, the Secretary, the Corporate Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Company, and delivered to the Trustee.
"Opinion of Counsel" means a written opinion of counsel, who may be counsel for the Company.
"Original Issue Date" means the date of issuance specified as such in each Security.
"Original Issue Discount Security" means any security which provides for an amount less than the principal amount thereof to be due and payable upon a declaration of acceleration of the Maturity thereof pursuant to Section 502.
"Outstanding" means, as of the date of determination, all Securities theretofore authenticated and delivered under this Indenture, except:
(i) Securities theretofore canceled by the Trustee or delivered to the Trustee for cancellation;
(ii) Securities for whose payment money in the necessary amount has been theretofore deposited with the Trustee or any Paying Agent in trust for the Holders of such Securities; provided that, if such Securities are to be redeemed, notice of such redemption has been duly given pursuant to this Indenture or provision therefore satisfactory to the Trustee has been made; and
(iii) Securities in substitution for or in lieu of which other Securities have been authenticated and delivered or which have been paid pursuant to Section 306, unless proof satisfactory to the Trustee is presented that any such Securities are held by Holders in whose hands such Securities are valid, binding and legal obligations of the Company;
provided, however, that in determining whether the Holders of the requisite
principal amount of Outstanding Securities have given any request, demand,
authorization, direction, notice, consent or waiver hereunder, Securities owned
by the Company or any other obligor upon the Securities or any Affiliate of the
Company or such other obligor shall be disregarded and deemed not to be
outstanding, except that, in determining whether the Trustee shall be protected
in relying upon any such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice,
consent or waiver, only Securities which the Trustee knows to be so owned shall
be so disregarded. Securities so owned which have been pledged in good faith may
be regarded as Outstanding if the pledgee establishes to the satisfaction of the
Trustee the pledgee's right so to act with respect to such Securities and that
the pledgee is not the Company or any other obligor upon the Securities or any
Affiliate of the Company or such other obligor. Upon request of the Trustee, the
Company shall furnish to the Trustee promptly an Officers' Certificate listing
and identifying all Securities, if any, known by the Company to be owned or held
by or for the account of the Company, or any other obligor on the Securities or
any Affiliate of the Company or such obligor, and, subject to the provisions of
Section 601, the Trustee shall be entitled to accept such Officers' Certificate
as conclusive evidence of the facts therein set forth and of the fact that all
Securities not listed therein are Outstanding for the purpose of any such
determination.
"Paying Agent" means the Trustee or any Person authorized by the Company to pay the principal of or interest on any Securities on behalf of the Company.
"Person" means any individual, corporation, partnership, joint venture, association, joint-stock company, trust, unincorporated organization or government or any agency or political subdivision thereof.
"Place of Payment" means, with respect to the Securities of any series, the place or places where the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on the Securities of such series are payable pursuant to Section 301 or 311.
"Predecessor Security" of any particular Security means every previous Security evidencing all or a portion of the same debt as that evidenced by such particular Security; and, for the purposes of this definition, any security authenticated and delivered under Section 306 in lieu of a lost, destroyed or stolen Security shall be deemed to evidence the same debt as the lost, destroyed or stolen Security.
"Preferred Securities" has the meaning specified in the first recital of this Indenture.
"Proceeding" has the meaning specified in Section 1202.
"Property Trustee" means, in respect of any Hartford Trust, the commercial bank or trust company identified as the "Property Trustee" in the related Trust Agreement, solely in its capacity as Property Trustee of such Hartford Trust under such Trust Agreement and not in its individual capacity, or its successor in interest in such capacity, or any successor property trustee appointed as therein provided.
"Regular Record Date" for the interest payable on any Interest Payment Date with respect to the Securities of a series means, unless otherwise provided pursuant to Section 301 with respect to Securities of a series, the date which is fifteen days next preceding such Interest Payment Date (whether or not a Business Day).
"Responsible Officer" when used with respect to the Trustee means any officer of the Trustee assigned by the Trustee from time to time to administer its corporate trust matters.
"Restricted Subsidiary" means a Subsidiary which is incorporated in any state of the United States or in the District of Columbia and which is a regulated insurance company principally engaged in one or more of the property, casualty and life insurance businesses, provided that no such Subsidiary shall be a Restricted Subsidiary if (i) the total assets of such Subsidiary are less than 10% of the total assets of the Company and its consolidated Subsidiaries (including such Subsidiary), in each case as set forth on the most recent fiscal year-end balance sheets of such Subsidiary and the Company and its consolidated Subsidiaries, respectively, and computed in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, or (ii) in the judgment of the Board of Directors, as evidenced by a Board Resolution, such Subsidiary is not material to the financial condition of the Company and its consolidated Subsidiaries taken as a whole.
"Securities" or "Security" means any debt securities or debt security, as the case may be, authenticated and delivered under this Indenture.
"Securities Register" and "Securities Registrar" have the respective meanings specified in Section 305.
"Senior Debt" means the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest, if any (including interest accruing on or after the filing of any petition in bankruptcy or for reorganization relating to the Company whether or not such claim for post-petition interest is allowed in such proceeding), on Debt, whether incurred on or prior to the date of this Indenture or thereafter incurred, unless, in the instrument creating or evidencing the same or pursuant to which the same is outstanding, it is provided that such obligations are not superior in right of payment to the Securities or to other Debt which is pari passu with, or subordinated to, the Securities, provided, however, that Senior Debt shall not be deemed to include (a) the 7.70% Junior Subordinated Deferrable Interest Debentures, Series A, Due February 28, 2015, of the Company, (b) the 7.45% Junior Subordinated
Deferrable Interest debentures, Series C, Due October 26, 2050, (c) any Debt of
the Company which when incurred and without respect to any election under
Section 1111(b) of the Bankruptcy Reform Act of 1978, was without recourse to
the Company, (d) any Debt of the Company to any of its Subsidiaries, (e) Debt to
any employee of the Company, (f) any liability for taxes, (g) Debt or other
monetary obligations to trade creditors created or assumed by the Company or any
of its Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business in connection with the
obtaining of goods, materials or services and (h) the Securities.
"Special Event" means a Tax Event or an Investment Company Event.
"Special Record Date" for the payment of any Defaulted Interest means a date fixed by the Trustee pursuant to Section 307.
"Stated Maturity" when used with respect to any Security or any installment of principal thereof or interest thereon means the date specified in such Security as the date on which the principal of such Security or such installment of interest is due and payable.
"Subsidiary" means any corporation of which at the time of determination the Company and/or one or more Subsidiaries owns or controls directly or indirectly more than 50% of the outstanding shares of voting stock. For purposes of this definition, "voting stock" means stock which has voting power for the election of directors, whether at all times or only so long as no senior class of stock has such voting power by reason of any contingency.
"Tax Event" means the receipt by a Hartford Trust of an Opinion of Counsel experienced in such matters to the effect that, as a result of any amendment to, or change (including any announced prospective change) in, the laws (or any regulations thereunder) of the United States or any political subdivision or taxing authority thereof or therein affecting taxation, or as a result of any official administrative pronouncement or judicial decision interpreting or applying such laws or regulations, which amendment or change is effective or such pronouncement or decision is announced on or after the date of issuance of the Preferred Securities of such Hartford Trust, there is more than an insubstantial risk that (i) the Hartford Trust is, or will be within 90 days of the date thereof, subject to United States Federal income tax with respect to income received or accrued on the corresponding series of Securities, (ii) interest payable by the Company on the corresponding series of Securities is not, or within 90 days of the date thereof, will not be, deductible, in whole or in part, for United States Federal income tax purposes or (iii) the Hartford Trust is, or will be within 90 days of the date thereof, subject to more than a de minimis amount of other taxes, duties or other governmental charges.
"Trust Agreement" means the Trust Agreement substantially in the form attached hereto as Annex A, as amended by the form of Amended and Restated Trust Agreement
substantially in the form attached hereto as Annex B, or substantially in such form as may be specified as contemplated by Section 301 with respect to the Securities of any series, in each case as amended from time to time.
"Trustee" means the Person named as the "Trustee" in the first paragraph of this instrument until a successor Trustee shall have become such pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Indenture, and thereafter "Trustee" shall mean or include each Person who is then a Trustee hereunder and, if at any time there is more than one such Person, "Trustee" as used with respect to the Securities of any series shall mean the Trustee with respect to Securities of that series.
"Trust Indenture Act" means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 (15 U.S.C. Sections 77aaa-77bbb), as amended and as in effect on the date as of this Indenture, except as provided in Section 905.
"Vice President" when used with respect to the Company, means any vice president, whether or not designated by a number or a word or words added before or after the title "vice president."
SECTION 102. Compliance Certificate and Opinions.
Upon any application or request by the Company to the Trustee to take any action under any provision of this Indenture, the Company shall furnish to the Trustee an Officers' Certificate stating that all conditions precedent (including covenants, compliance with which constitutes a condition precedent), if any, provided for in this Indenture relating to the proposed action have been complied with and an Opinion of Counsel stating that in the opinion of such counsel all such conditions precedent (including covenants compliance with which constitute a condition precedent), if any, have been complied with, except that in the case of any such application or request as to which the furnishing of such documents is specifically required by any provision of this Indenture relating to such particular application or request, no additional certificate or opinion need be furnished.
Every certificate or opinion with respect to compliance with a condition or covenant provided for in this Indenture (other than the certificates provided pursuant to Section 1006) shall include:
(1) a statement that each individual signing such certificate or opinion has read such covenant or condition and the definitions herein relating thereto;
(2) a brief statement as to the nature and scope of the examination or investigation upon which the statements or opinions contained in such certificate or opinion are based;
(3) a statement that, in the opinion of each such individual, he has made such examination or investigation as is necessary to enable him to express an informed opinion as to whether or not such covenant or condition has been complied with; and
(4) a statement as to whether, in the opinion of each such individual, such condition or covenant has been complied with.
SECTION 103. Forms of Documents Delivered to Trustee.
In any case where several matters are required to be certified by, or covered by an opinion of, any specified Person, it is not necessary that all such matters be certified by, or covered by the opinion of, only one such Person, or that they be so certified or covered by only one document, but one such Person may certify or give an opinion with respect to some matters and one or more other such Persons as to other matters, and any such Person may certify or give an opinion as to such matters in one or several documents.
Any certificate or opinion of an officer of the Company may be based, insofar as it relates to legal matters, upon a certificate or opinion of, or representations by, counsel, unless such officer knows, or in the exercise of reasonable care should know, that the certificate or opinion or representations with respect to matters upon which his certificate or opinion is based are erroneous. Any such certificate or Opinion of Counsel may be based, insofar as it relates to factual matters, upon a certificate or opinion of, or representations by, an officer or officers of the Company stating that the information with respect to such factual matters is in the possession of the Company, unless such counsel knows, or in the exercise of reasonable care should know, that the certificate or opinion or representations with respect to such matters are erroneous.
Where any Person is required to make, give or execute two or more applications, requests, consents, certificates, statements, opinions or other instruments under this Indenture, they may, but need not, be consolidated and form one instrument.
SECTION 104. Acts of Holders.
(a) Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action provided by this Indenture to be given to or taken by Holders may be embodied in and evidenced by one or more instruments of substantially similar tenor signed by such Holders in person or by an agent duly appointed in writing; and, except as herein otherwise expressly provided, such action shall become effective when such instrument or instruments is or are delivered to the Trustee, and, where it is hereby expressly required, to the Company. Such instrument or instruments (and the action embodied therein and evidenced thereby) are herein sometimes referred to as the "Act" of the Holders signing such instrument or instruments. Proof of execution of any such instrument or of a writing appointing any such agent shall be sufficient for any purpose of
this Indenture and (subject to Section 601) conclusive in favor of the Trustee and the Company and any agent of the Trustee or the Company, if made in the manner provided in this Section.
(b) The fact and date of the execution by any Person of any such instrument or writing may be proved by the affidavit of a witness of such execution or by the certificate of any notary public or other officer authorized by law to take acknowledgments of deeds, certifying that the individual signing such instrument or writing acknowledged to him the execution thereof. Where such execution is by a Person acting in other than his individual capacity, such certificate or affidavit shall also constitute sufficient proof of his authority.
(c) The fact and date of the execution by any Person of any such instrument or writing, or the authority of the Person executing the same, may also be proved in any other manner which the Trustee deems sufficient and in accordance with such reasonable rules as the Trustee may determine.
(d) The ownership of Securities shall be proved by the Securities Register.
(e) Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action by the Holder of any Security shall bind every future Holder of the same Security and the Holder of every Security issued upon the transfer thereof or in exchange therefor or in lieu thereof in respect of anything done or suffered to be done by the Trustee or the Company in reliance thereon, whether or not notation of such action is made upon such Security.
(f) The Company may, but shall not be obligated to, fix a record date for the purpose of determining the Holders entitled to take any action under this Indenture by vote or consent. Except as otherwise provided herein, such record date shall be the later of 30 days prior to the first solicitation of such consent or vote or the date of the most recent list of Securityholders furnished to the Trustee pursuant to Section 701 prior to such solicitation. If a record date is fixed, those persons who were Securityholders at such record date (or their duly designated proxies), and only those persons, shall be entitled to take such action by vote or consent or to revoke any vote or consent previously given, whether or not such persons continue to be Holders after such record date, provided, however, that unless such vote or consent is obtained from the Holders (or their duly designated proxies) of the requisite principal amount of Outstanding Securities prior to the date which is the 120th day after such record date, any such vote or consent previously given shall automatically and without further action by any Holder be canceled and of no further effect.
SECTION 105. Notices, Etc. to Trustee and Company.
Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or Act of Holders or other document provided or permitted by this Indenture to be made upon, given or furnished to, or filed with,
(1) the Trustee by any Holder or by the Company shall be sufficient for every purpose hereunder if made, given, furnished or filed in writing to or with the Trustee at its Corporate Trust office, or
(2) the Company by the Trustee or by any Holder shall be sufficient for every purpose (except as otherwise provided in Section 501 hereof) hereunder if in writing and mailed, first class, postage prepaid, to the Company addressed to it at the address of its principal office specified in the first paragraph of this instrument or at any other address previously furnished in writing to the Trustee by the Company.
SECTION 106. Notice to Holders; Waiver.
Where this Indenture provides for notice to Holders of any event, such notice shall be sufficiently given (unless otherwise herein expressly provided) if in writing and mailed, first class postage prepaid, to each Holder affected by such event, at the address of such Holder as it appears in the Securities Register, not later than the latest date, and not earlier than the earliest date, prescribed for the giving of such notice. In any case where notice to Holders is given by mail, neither the failure to mail such notice, nor any defect in any notice so mailed, to any particular Holder shall affect the sufficiency of such notice with respect to other Holders. Where this Indenture provides for notice in any manner, such notice may be waived in writing by the Person entitled to receive such notice, either before or after the event, and such waiver shall be the equivalent of such notice. Waivers of notice by Holders shall be filed with the Trustee, but such filing shall not be a condition precedent to the validity of any action taken in reliance upon such waiver.
SECTION 107. Conflict With Trust Indenture Act.
If any provision of this Indenture limits, qualifies or conflicts with the duties imposed by any of Sections 310 to 317, inclusive, of the Trust Indenture Act through operation of Section 318(c) thereof, such imposed duties shall control.
SECTION 108. Effect of Headings and Table of Contents.
The Article and Section headings herein and the Table of Contents are for convenience only and shall not affect the construction hereof.
SECTION 109. Successors and Assigns.
All covenants and agreements in this Indenture by the Company shall bind its successors and assigns, whether so expressed or not.
SECTION 110. Separability Clause.
In case any provision in this Indenture or in the Securities shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.
SECTION 111. Benefits of Indenture.
Nothing in this Indenture or in the Securities, express or implied, shall give to any Person, other than the parties hereto, any Paying Agent and their successors and assigns and the Holders of the Securities, any benefit or any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under this Indenture.
SECTION 112. Governing Law.
This Indenture and the Securities shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York.
SECTION 113. Non-Business Days.
In any case where any Interest Payment Date or Stated Maturity of any Security shall not be a Business Day, then (notwithstanding any other provision of this Indenture or the Securities) payment of interest or principal need not be made on such date, but may be made on the next succeeding Business Day and no interest shall accrue for the period from and after such Interest Payment Date or Stated Maturity, as the case may be, until the next succeeding Business Day, in each case with the same force and effect as if made on the Interest Payment Date or at the Stated Maturity, except that, if such Business Day is in the next succeeding calendar year, such payment shall be made on the immediately preceding Business Day.
ARTICLE TWO
Security Forms
SECTION 201. Forms Generally.
The Securities of each series and the Trustee's certificate of authentication shall be in substantially the forms set forth in this Article, or in such other form or forms as shall be established by or pursuant to a Board Resolution or in one or more indentures
supplemental hereto, in each case with such appropriate insertions, omissions, substitutions and other variations as are required or permitted by this Indenture and may have such letters, numbers or other marks of identification and such legends or endorsements placed thereon as may be required to comply with applicable tax laws or the rules of any securities exchange or as may, consistently herewith, be determined by the officers executing such securities, as evidenced by their execution of the Securities. If the form of Securities of any series is established by action taken pursuant to a Board Resolution, a copy of an appropriate record of such action shall be certified by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Company and delivered to the Trustee at or prior to the delivery of the Company Order contemplated by Section 303 with respect to the authentication and delivery of such Securities.
The Trustee's certificates of authentication shall be substantially in the form set forth in this Article.
The definitive Securities shall be printed, lithographed or engraved or produced by any combination of these methods, if required by any securities exchange on which the Securities may be listed, on a steel engraved border or steel engraved borders or may be produced in any other manner permitted by the rules of any securities exchange on which the Securities may be listed, all as determined by the officers executing such Securities, as evidenced by their execution of such securities.
SECTION 202. Form of Face of Security.
[If the Security is a Global Security, insert -- This Security is a Global Security within the meaning of the Indenture hereinafter referred to and is registered in the name of The Depository Trust Company (the "Depository") or a nominee of the Depository. This Security is exchangeable for Securities registered in the name of a person other than the Depository or its nominee only in the limited circumstances described in the Indenture and no transfer of this Security (other than a transfer of this Security as a whole by the Depository to a nominee of the Depository or by a nominee of the Depository to the Depository or another nominee of the Depository) may be registered except in limited circumstances.
Unless this Security is presented by an authorized representative of The Depository Trust Company (55 Water Street, New York) to The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc. or its agent for registration of transfer, exchange or payment, and any Security issued is registered in the name of Cede & Co. or such other name as requested by an authorized representative of The Depository Trust Company and any payment hereon is made to Cede & Co., ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR OTHERWISE BY A PERSON IS WRONGFUL inasmuch as the registered owner hereof, Cede & Co., has an interest herein.]
If the Security is an Original Issue Discount Security, insert -- This Security was issued with original issue discount for United States Federal income tax purposes. For further information, please contact [name, title and address or telephone number of a representative of the Company].
THE HARTFORD FINANCIAL SERVICES GROUP, INC.
(Title of Security)
No._____________ $______________
THE HARTFORD FINANCIAL SERVICES GROUP, INC., a corporation organized
and existing under the laws of Delaware (hereinafter called the "Company", which
term includes any successor corporation under the Indenture hereinafter referred
to), for value received, hereby promises to pay to ________, or registered
assigns, the principal sum of __________ Dollars ________ on ,[; provided that
the Company may (i) change the maturity date upon the occurrence of an exchange
of the Securities for the Trust Securities subject to certain conditions set
forth in Section 314 of the Indenture, which changed maturity date shall in no
case be earlier than , or later than , and (ii) extend the maturity date subject
to certain conditions specified in Section 314 of the Indenture, which extended
maturity date shall in no case be later than ,]. The Company further promises to
pay interest on said principal sum from ______, ___ or from the most recent
interest payment date (each such date, an "Interest Payment Date") on which
interest has been paid or duly provided for, [monthly] [quarterly]
[semi-annually] [if applicable, insert-(subject to deferral as set forth
herein)] in arrears on [insert applicable Interest Payment Dates] of each year,
commencing ______, ___, at the rate of ___% per annum, until the principal
hereof shall have become due and payable, [if applicable, insert- plus
Additional Interest, if any,] until the principal hereof is paid or duly
provided for or made available for payment [if applicable, insert- and on any
overdue principal and (without duplication and to the extent that payment of
such interest is enforceable under applicable law) on any overdue installment of
interest at the rate of ___% per annum, compounded [monthly] [quarterly]
[annually]. The amount of interest payable for any period will be computed on
the basis of twelve 30-day months and a 360-day year. The amount of interest
payable for any partial period shall be computed on the basis of the number of
days elapsed in a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months. In the event that any
date on which interest is payable on this Security is not a Business Day, then a
payment of the interest payable on such date will be made on the next succeeding
day which is a Business Day (and without any interest or other payment in
respect of any such delay), except that, if such Business Day is in the next
succeeding calendar year, such payment shall be made on the immediately
preceding Business Day, in each case with the same force and effect as if made
on the date the payment was originally payable. A "Business Day" shall mean any
day other than a day on which banking institutions in the City of New York are
authorized or required by law or executive order to remain closed or a day on
which the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee [if applicable, insert-,
or the principal office of the Property Trustee under the Trust Agreement hereinafter referred to for Hartford Capital __,] is closed for business. The interest installment so payable, and punctually paid or duly provided for, on any Interest Payment Date will, as provided in the Indenture, be paid to the Person in whose name this Security (or one or more Predecessor Securities, as defined in the Indenture) is registered at the close of business on the Regular Record Date for such interest installment, which shall be the [[insert Regular Record Dates] (whether or not a Business Day)] [close of business on the Business Day] next preceding such Interest Payment Date. Any such interest installment not so punctually paid or duly provided for shall forthwith cease to be payable to the Holder on such Regular Record Date and may either be paid to the Person in whose name this Security (or one or more Predecessor Securities) is registered at the close of business on a Special Record Date for the payment of such Defaulted Interest to be fixed by the Trustee, notice whereof shall be given to Holders of Securities of this series not less than 10 days prior to such Special Record Date, or be paid at any time in any other lawful manner not inconsistent with the requirements of any securities exchange on which the Securities of this series may be listed, and upon such notice as may be required by such exchange, all as more fully provided in said Indenture.
[If applicable, insert- The Company shall have the right at any time
during the term of this Security, from time to time, to extend the interest
payment period of such Security for up to __ consecutive [months] [quarters]
with respect to each deferral period (each an "Extension Period"), during which
periods the Company shall have the right to make partial payments of interest on
any Interest Payment Date, and at the end of which the Company shall pay all
interest then accrued and unpaid (together with Additional Interest thereon to
the extent permitted by applicable law); provided that during any such Extension
Period, the Company will not, and will not permit any Subsidiary of the Company
to (i) declare or pay any dividends or distributions or redeem, purchase,
acquire or make a liquidation payment with respect to, any of the Company's
outstanding capital stock or (ii) make any payment of principal, interest or
premium, if any, on or repay, repurchase or redeem any debt security that ranks
pari passu with or junior in interest to this Security or make any guarantee
payments with respect to the foregoing (other than (a) dividends or
distributions in common stock of the Company, (b) redemptions or purchases of
any rights pursuant to the Company's Rights Plan, or any successor to such
Rights Plan, and the declaration of a dividend of such rights in the future, and
(c) payments under any Hartford Guarantee (as defined in the Indenture)). Prior
to the termination of any such Extension Period, the Company may further extend
the interest payment period, provided that such Extension Period together with
all such previous and further extensions of such Extension Period, shall not
exceed __ consecutive [months] [quarters] or extend beyond the Maturity of this
Security. Upon the termination of any such Extension Period and upon the payment
of all accrued and unpaid interest and any Additional Interest then due, the
Company may select a new Extension Period, subject to the above requirements. No
interest shall be due and payable during an Extension Period except at the end
thereof. The Company shall give the Holder of this Security and the
Trustee notice of its selection of an Extension Period at least one Business Day prior to the Interest Payment Date [if applicable, insert- the earlier of (i) the date the Distributions on the Preferred Securities are payable or (ii) the date the Administrative Trustees are required to give notice to the New York Stock Exchange or other applicable self-regulatory organization or to holders of such Preferred Securities of the record date or the date such Distributions are payable, but in any event not less than one Business Day prior to such record date.
Payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on this Security will be made at the office or agency of the Company maintained for that purpose in the United States, in such coin or currency of the United States of America as at the time of payment is legal tender for payment of public and private debts [if applicable, insert-; provided, however, that at the option of the Company payment of interest may be made (i) by check mailed to the address of the Person entitled thereto as such address shall appear in the Securities Register or (ii) by wire transfer in immediately available funds at such place and to such account as may be designated by the Person entitled thereto as specified in the Securities Register].
The indebtedness evidenced by this Security is, to the extent provided in the Indenture, subordinate and subject in right of payments to the prior payment in full of all Senior Debt, and this Security is issued subject to the provisions of the Indenture with respect thereto. Each Holder of this Security, by accepting the same, (a) agrees to and shall be bound by such provisions, (b) authorizes and directs the Trustee on his behalf to take such actions as may be necessary or appropriate to effectuate the subordination so provided and (c) appoints the Trustee his attorney-in-fact for any and all such purposes. Each Holder hereof, by his acceptance hereof, waives all notice of the acceptance of the subordination provisions contained herein and in the Indenture by each holder of Senior Debt, whether now outstanding or hereafter incurred, and waives reliance by each such holder upon said provisions.
Reference is hereby made to the further provisions of this Security set forth on the reverse hereof, which further provisions shall for all purposes have the same effect as if set forth at this place.
Unless the certificate of authentication hereon has been executed by the Trustee referred to on the reverse hereof by manual signature, this Security shall not be entitled to any benefit under the Indenture or be valid or obligatory for any purpose.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this instrument to be duly executed under its corporate seal.
Dated:
THE HARTFORD FINANCIAL SERVICES GROUP, INC.
By: _______________________________________
[Chairman and Chief Executive Officer,
President or Vice President]
Attest:
SECTION 203. Form of Reverse of Security.
This Security is one of a duly authorized issue of securities of the Company, (herein called the "Securities"), issued and to be issued in one or more series under a Junior Subordinated Indenture, dated as of _________, 2003 (herein called the "Indenture"), between the Company and Wilmington Trust Company, as Trustee (herein called the "Trustee", which term includes any successor trustee under the Indenture), to which Indenture and all indentures supplemental thereto reference is hereby made for a statement of the respective rights, limitations of rights, duties and immunities thereunder of the Trustee, the Company and the Holders of the Securities, and of the terms upon which the Securities are, and are to be, authenticated and delivered. This Security is one of the series designated on the face hereof[, limited in aggregate principal amount to $ ].
All terms used in this Security that are defined in the Indenture [if applicable, insert- or in the Trust Agreement, dated _________, 20[__], as amended (the "Trust Agreement"), among The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc. as Depositor, and the Trustees named therein, for Hartford Capital __,] shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Indenture [if applicable, insert- or the Trust Agreement, as the case may be].
[If applicable, insert- The Company may, at its option, subject to the terms and conditions of Article Eleven of the Indenture, redeem this Security after its date of issuance in whole or in part at any time and from time to time, without premium or penalty, at a redemption price equal to the accrued and unpaid interest [if applicable,
insert-, including Additional Interest, if any,] to the date fixed for redemption, plus the greater of (a) the principal amount thereof and (b) an amount equal to [for Securities bearing interest at a fixed rate: the Discounted Remaining Fixed Amount Payments] [for Securities bearing interest determined by a floating rate: the Discounted Swap Equivalent Payments].
[If applicable, insert- If a Special Event in respect of a Hartford Trust shall occur and be continuing, the Company may, at its option, redeem the corresponding series of Securities on any date falling within 90 days of the occurrence of such Special Event, in whole but not in part, subject to the provisions of Section 1107 and the other provisions of Article Eleven of the Indenture. The redemption price for any Security so redeemed shall be equal to 100% of the principal amount thereof plus accrued and unpaid interest, including Additional Interest, if any, to the date fixed for redemption.]
[Installments of accrued and unpaid interest whose Stated Maturity is on or prior to the Redemption Date will be payable to the Holders of the Securities of this series, or one or more Predecessor Securities, registered as such at the close of business on the relevant Regular Record Dates according to their terms.]
In the event of redemption of this Security in part only, a new Security or Securities of this series for the unredeemed portion hereof will be issued in the name of the Holder hereof upon the cancellation hereof.
[If the Security is not an Original Issue Discount Security, - If an Event of Default with respect to Securities of this series shall occur and be continuing, the principal of the Securities of this series may be declared due and payable in the manner, with the effect and subject to the conditions provided in the Indenture.]
[If the security is an Original Issue Discount Security, - If an Event of Default with respect to Securities of this series shall occur and be continuing, an amount of principal of the Securities of this series may be declared due and payable in the manner, with the effect and subject to the conditions provided in the Indenture. Such amounts shall be equal to - insert formula for determining the amount. Upon payment (i) of the amount of principal so declared due and payable and (ii) of interest on any overdue principal and overdue interest (in each case to the extent that the payment of such interest shall be legally enforceable), all of the Company's obligations in respect of the payment of the principal of and interest, if any, on the Securities of this series shall terminate.]
The Indenture contains provisions for satisfaction, discharge and defeasance at any time of the entire indebtedness of this Security upon compliance by the Company with certain conditions set forth in the Indenture.
The Indenture permits, with certain exceptions as therein provided, the amendment thereof and the modification of the rights and obligations of the Company and the rights of the Holders of the Securities of each series to be affected under the Indenture at any time by the Company and the Trustee with the consent of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Securities of each series at the time Outstanding of each series to be affected. The Indenture also contains provisions permitting Holders of specified percentages in principal amount of the Securities of each series at the time Outstanding, on behalf of the Holders of all Securities of such series, to waive compliance by the Company with certain provisions of the Indenture and certain past defaults under the Indenture and their consequences. Any such consent or waiver by the Holder of this Security shall be conclusive and binding upon such Holder and upon all future Holders of this Security and of any Security issued upon the registration of transfer hereof or in exchange herefor or in lieu hereof, whether or not notation of such consent or waiver is made upon this Security.
No reference herein to the Indenture and no provision of this Security or of the Indenture shall alter or impair the obligation of the Company, which is absolute and unconditional, to pay the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on this Security at the times, place and rate, and in the coin or currency, herein prescribed.
As provided in the Indenture and subject to certain limitations therein set forth, the transfer of this Security is registrable in the Securities Register, upon surrender of this Security for registration of transfer at the office or agency of the Company maintained under Section 1002 of the Indenture duly endorsed by, or accompanied by a written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the Company and the Securities Registrar duly executed by, the Holder hereof or his attorney duly authorized in writing, and thereupon one or more new Securities of this series, of authorized denominations and for the same aggregate principal amount, will be issued to the designated transferee or transferees. No service charge shall be made for any such registration of transfer or exchange, but the Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge payable in connection therewith.
Prior to due presentment of this Security for registration of transfer, the Company, the Trustee and any agent of the Company or the Trustee may treat the Person in whose name this Security is registered as the owner hereof for all purposes, whether or not this Security be overdue, and neither the Company, the Trustee nor any such agent shall be affected by notice to the contrary.
The Securities of this series are issuable only in registered form without coupons in denominations of $____ and any integral multiple thereof. As provided in the Indenture and subject to certain limitations therein set forth, Securities of this series are exchangeable for a like aggregate principal amount of Securities of such series of a different authorized denomination, as requested by the Holder surrendering the same.
[If applicable, insert- The Company and, by its acceptance of this Security or a beneficial interest therein, the Holder of, and any Person that acquires a beneficial interest in, this Security agree that for United States Federal, state and local tax purposes it is intended that this Security constitute indebtedness.]
THE INDENTURE AND THIS SECURITY SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK WITHOUT REGARD TO CONFLICTS OF LAWS PRINCIPLES THEREOF.
SECTION 204. Additional Provisions Required in Global Security.
Any Global Security issued hereunder shall, in addition to the provisions contained in Sections 202 and 203 bear a legend in substantially the following form:
"This Security is a Global Security within the meaning of the Indenture hereinafter referred to and is registered in the name of a Depositary or a nominee of a Depositary. This Security is exchangeable for Securities registered in the name of a person other than the Depositary or its nominee only in the limited circumstances described in the Indenture and may not be transferred except as a whole by the Depositary to a nominee of the Depositary or by a nominee of the Depositary to the Depositary or another nominee of the Depositary."
SECTION 205. Form of Trustee's Certificate of Authentication.
This is one of the Securities referred to in the within mentioned Indenture.
By: _____________________________________
Authorized Officer
ARTICLE THREE
The Securities
SECTION 301. Title and Terms.
The aggregate principal amount of Securities which may be authenticated and delivered under this Indenture is unlimited.
The Securities may be issued in one or more series. There shall be established in or pursuant to a Board Resolution, and set forth in an Officers' Certificate, or established
in one or more indentures supplemental hereto, prior to the issuance of Securities of a series:
(a) the title of the Securities of such series, which shall distinguish the Securities of the series from all other Securities;
(b) the limit, if any, upon the aggregate principal amount of the Securities of such series which may be authenticated and delivered under this Indenture (except for Securities authenticated and delivered upon registration of transfer of, or in exchange for, or in lieu of, other Securities of the same series pursuant to Section 304, 305, 306, 906 or 1106); provided, however, that the authorized aggregate principal amount of such series may be increased above such amount by a Board Resolution to such effect;
(c) the Stated Maturity or Maturities on which the principal of the Securities of such series is payable or the method of determination thereof;
(d) the rate or rates, if any, at which the Securities of such series shall bear interest, if any, the rate or rates and extent to which Additional Interest, if any, shall be payable in respect of any Securities of such series, the Interest Payment Dates on which such interest shall be payable, the right, pursuant to Section 311 or as otherwise set forth therein, of the Company to defer or extend an Interest Payment Date, and the Regular Record Date for the interest payable on any Interest Payment Date or the method by which any of the foregoing shall be determined;
(e) the place or places where the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on the Securities of such series shall be payable, the place or places where the Securities of such series may be presented for registration of transfer or exchange, and the place or places where notices and demands to or upon the Company in respect of the Securities of such series may be made;
(f) the period or periods within or the date or dates on which, if any, the price or prices at which and the terms and conditions upon which the Securities of such series may be redeemed, in whole or in part, at the option of the Company;
(g) the obligation or the right, if any, of the Company to redeem, repay or purchase the Securities of such series pursuant to any sinking fund, amortization or analogous provisions or at the option of a Holder thereof and the period or periods within which, the price or prices at which, the currency or currencies (including currency unit or units) in which and the other terms and conditions upon which Securities of the series shall be redeemed, repaid or purchased, in whole or in part, pursuant to such obligation;
(h) the denominations in which any Securities of such series shall be issuable, if other than denominations of $25 and any integral multiple thereof;
(i) if other than Dollars, the currency or currencies (including currency unit or units) in which the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, on the Securities of the series shall be payable, or in which the Securities of the series shall be denominated;
(j) the additions, modifications or deletions, if any, in the Events of Default or covenants of the Company set forth herein with respect to the Securities of such series;
(k) if other than the principal amount thereof, the portion of the principal amount of Securities of such series that shall be payable upon declaration of acceleration of the Maturity thereof;
(l) the additions or changes, if any, to this Indenture with respect to the Securities of such series as shall be necessary to permit or facilitate the issuance of the Securities of such series in bearer form, registrable or not registrable as to principal, and with or without interest coupons;
(m) any index or indices used to determine the amount of payments of principal of and premium, if any, on the Securities of such series or the manner in which such amounts will be determined;
(n) the issuance of a temporary Global Security representing all of the Securities of such series and exchange of such temporary Global Security for definitive Securities of such series;
(o) whether the Securities of the series shall be issued in whole or in part in the form of one or more Global Securities and, in such case, the Depositary for such Global Securities, which Depositary shall be a clearing agency registered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended;
(p) the appointment of any Paying Agent or Agents for the Securities of such series;
(q) the terms of any right to convert or exchange Securities of such series into any other securities or property of the Company, and the additions or changes, if any, to this Indenture with respect to the Securities of such series to permit or facilitate such conversion or exchange;
(r) the form or forms of the Trust Agreement, Amended and Restated Trust Agreement and Guarantee Agreement, if different from the forms attached hereto as Annexes A, B and C, respectively;
(s) the relative degree, if any, to which the Securities of the series shall be senior to or be subordinated to other series of Securities in right of payment, whether such other series of Securities are Outstanding or not; and
(t) any other terms of the Securities of such series (which terms shall not be inconsistent with the provisions of this Indenture).
All Securities of any one series shall be substantially identical except as to denomination and except as may otherwise be provided herein or in or pursuant to such Board Resolution and set forth in such Officers' Certificate or in any such indenture supplemental hereto.
If any of the terms of the series are established by action taken pursuant to a Board Resolution, a copy of an appropriate record of such action shall be certified by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Company and delivered to the Trustee at or prior to the delivery of the Officers' Certificate setting forth the terms of the series.
SECTION 302. Denominations.
The Securities of each series shall be in registered form without coupons and shall be issuable in denominations of $25 and any integral multiple thereof, unless otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 301.
SECTION 303. Execution, Authentication, Delivery and Dating.
The Securities shall be executed on behalf of the Company by its President or one of its Vice Presidents under its corporate seal reproduced or impressed thereon and attested by its Secretary, the Corporate Secretary or one of its Assistant Secretaries. The signature of any of these officers on the Securities may be manual or facsimile.
Securities bearing the manual or facsimile signatures of individuals who were at any time the proper officers of the Company shall bind the Company, notwithstanding that such individuals or any of them have ceased to hold such offices prior to the authentication and delivery of such Securities or did not hold such offices at the date of such Securities. At any time and from time to time after the execution and delivery of this Indenture, the Company may deliver Securities executed by the Company to the Trustee for authentication. Securities may be authenticated on original issuance from time to time and delivered pursuant to such procedures acceptable to the Trustee ("Procedures") as may be specified from time to time by Company Order. Procedures may authorize authentication and delivery pursuant to oral instructions of the Company or a duly authorized agent, which instructions shall be promptly confirmed in writing.
Prior to the delivery of a Security in any such form to the Trustee for authentication, the Company shall deliver to the Trustee the following:
(a) A Company Order requesting the Trustee's authentication and delivery of all or a portion of the Securities of such series, and if less than all, setting forth procedures for such authentication;
(b) The Board Resolution by or pursuant to which such form of Security has been approved, and the Board Resolution, if any, by or pursuant to which the terms of the Securities of such series have been approved, and, if pursuant to a Board Resolution, an Officers' Certificate describing the action taken;
(c) An Officers' Certificate dated the date such certificate is delivered to the Trustee, stating that all conditions precedent provided for in this Indenture relating to the authentication and delivery of Securities in such form and with such terms have been complied with; and
(d) An Opinion of Counsel stating that (i) the form of such Securities has been duly authorized and approved in conformity with the provisions of this Indenture; (ii) the terms of such Securities have been duly authorized and determined in conformity with the provisions of this Indenture, or, if such terms are to be determined pursuant to Procedures, when so determined such terms shall have been duly authorized and determined in conformity with the provisions of this Indenture; and (iii) Securities in such form when completed by appropriate insertions and executed and delivered by the Company to the Trustee for authentication in accordance with this Indenture, authenticated and delivered by the Trustee in accordance with this Indenture within the authorization as to aggregate principal amount established from time to time by the Board of Directors and sold in the manner specified in such opinion of Counsel, will be the legal, valid and binding obligations of the Company entitled to the benefits of this Indenture, subject to applicable bankruptcy, reorganization, insolvency and similar laws generally affecting creditors' rights, to general equitable principles except as enforcement thereof may be limited by (A) requirements that a claim with respect to any Securities denominated other than in Dollars (or a Foreign Currency or currency unit judgment in respect of such claim) be converted into Dollars at a rate of exchange prevailing on a date determined pursuant to applicable law or (B) governmental authority to limit, delay or prohibit the making of payments in Foreign Currencies or currency units or payments outside the United States and subject to such other qualifications as such counsel shall conclude do not materially affect the rights of Holders of such Securities;
provided, however, that the Trustee shall be entitled to receive the documents referred to in Clauses (b), (c) and (d) above only at or prior to the first request of the Company to the Trustee to authenticate Securities of such series.
Each Security shall be dated the date of its authentication.
No Security shall be entitled to any benefit under this Indenture or be valid or obligatory for any purpose, unless there appears on such Security a certificate of authentication substantially in the form provided for herein executed by the Trustee by the manual signature of one of its authorized officers, and such certificate upon any Security shall be conclusive evidence, and the only evidence, that such Security has been duly authenticated and delivered hereunder.
SECTION 304. Temporary Securities.
Pending the preparation of definitive Securities of any series, the Company may execute, and upon Company Order the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, temporary Securities which are printed, lithographed, typewritten, mimeographed or otherwise produced, in any denomination, substantially of the tenor of the definitive Securities of such series in lieu of which they are issued and with such appropriate insertions, omissions, substitutions and other variations as the officers executing such Securities may determine, as evidenced by their execution of such Securities.
If temporary Securities of any series are issued, the Company will cause definitive Securities of such series to be prepared without unreasonable delay. After the preparation of definitive Securities, the temporary Securities shall be exchangeable for definitive Securities upon surrender of the temporary Securities at the office or agency of the Company designated for that purpose without charge to the Holder. Upon surrender for cancellation of any one or more temporary Securities, the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver in exchange therefor a like principal amount of definitive Securities of the same series of authorized denominations having the same Original Issue Date and Stated Maturity and having the same terms as such temporary Securities. Until so exchanged, the temporary Securities shall in all respects be entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture as definitive Securities.
SECTION 305. Registration, Transfer and Exchange.
The Company shall cause to be kept at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee a register in which, subject to such reasonable regulations as it may prescribe, the Company shall provide for the registration of Securities and of transfers of Securities. Such register is herein sometimes referred to as the "Securities Register." The Trustee is hereby appointed "Securities Registrar" for the purpose of registering Securities and transfers of Securities as herein provided.
Upon surrender for registration of transfer of any Security at the office or agency of the Company designated for that purpose the Company shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, in the name of the designated transferee or transferees, one or more new Securities of the same series of any authorized denominations, of a like
aggregate principal amount, of the same original Issue Date and Stated Maturity and having the same terms.
At the option of the Holder, Securities may be exchanged for other Securities of the same series of any authorized denominations, of a like aggregate principal amount, of the same Original Issue Date and Stated Maturity and having the same terms, upon surrender of the Securities to be exchanged at such office or agency. Whenever any securities are so surrendered for exchange, the Company shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, the Securities which the Holder making the exchange is entitled to receive.
All Securities issued upon any transfer or exchange of Securities shall be the valid obligations of the Company, evidencing the same debt, and entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture, as the Securities surrendered upon such transfer or exchange.
Every Security presented or surrendered for transfer or exchange shall (if so required by the Company or the Securities Registrar) be duly endorsed, or be accompanied by a written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the Company and the Securities Registrar, duly executed by the Holder thereof or his attorney duly authorized in writing.
No service charge shall be made to a Holder for any transfer or
exchange of Securities, but the Company may require payment of a sum sufficient
to cover any tax or other governmental charge that may be imposed in connection
with any transfer or exchange of Securities, other than exchanges pursuant to
Section 304, 906 or 1106.
Notwithstanding any of the foregoing, any Global Security of a series
shall be exchangeable pursuant to this Section 305 for Securities registered in
the names of Persons other than the Depositary for such Security or its nominee
only if (i) such Depositary notifies the Company that it is unwilling or unable
to continue as Depositary for such Global Security or if at any time such
Depositary ceases to be a clearing agency registered under the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, (ii) the Company executes and delivers to the
Trustee a Company Order that such Global Security shall be so exchangeable or
(iii) there shall have occurred and be continuing an Event of Default with
respect to the Securities of such series. Any Global Security that is
exchangeable pursuant to the preceding sentence shall be exchangeable for
Securities registered in such names as such Depositary shall direct.
Notwithstanding any other provision in this Indenture, a Global Security may not be transferred except as a whole by the Depositary with respect to such Global Security to a nominee of such Depositary or by a nominee of such Depositary to such Depositary or another nominee of such Depositary.
Neither the Company nor the Trustee shall be required, pursuant to the
provisions of this Section, (a) to issue, transfer or exchange any Security of
any series during a period beginning at the opening of business 15 days before
the day of selection for redemption of Securities pursuant to Article Eleven and
ending at the close of business on the day of mailing of notice of redemption or
(b) to transfer or exchange any Security so selected for redemption in whole or
in part, except, in the case of any Security to be redeemed in part, any portion
thereof not to be redeemed.
SECTION 306. Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost and Stolen Securities.
If any mutilated Security is surrendered to the Trustee together with such security or indemnity as may be required by the Company or the Trustee to save each of them harmless, the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver in exchange therefor a new Security of the same issue and series of like tenor and principal amount, having the same Original Issue Date and Stated Maturity and bearing the same Interest Rate as such mutilated Security, and bearing a number not contemporaneously outstanding.
If there shall be delivered to the Company and to the Trustee (i) evidence to their satisfaction of the destruction, loss or theft of any Security, and (ii) such security or indemnity as may be required by them to save each of them harmless, then, in the absence of notice to the Company or the Trustee that such Security has been acquired by a bona fide purchaser, the issuing Company shall execute and upon its request the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, in lieu of any such destroyed, lost or stolen Security, a new Security of the same issue and series of like tenor and principal amount, having the same Original Issue Date and Stated Maturity and bearing the same Interest Rate as such destroyed, lost or stolen Security, and bearing a number not contemporaneously outstanding.
In case any such mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Security has become or is about to become due and payable, the Company in its discretion may, instead of issuing a new Security, pay such Security.
Upon the issuance of any new Security under this Section, the Company may require the payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge that may be imposed in relation thereto and any other expenses (including the fees and expenses of the Trustee) connected therewith.
Every new Security issued pursuant to this Section in lieu of any destroyed, lost or stolen Security shall constitute an original additional contractual obligation of the Company, whether or not the destroyed, lost or stolen Security shall be at any time enforceable by anyone, and shall be entitled to all the benefits of this Indenture equally and proportionately with any and all other Securities duly issued hereunder.
The provisions of this Section are exclusive and shall preclude (to the extent lawful) all other rights and remedies with respect to the replacement or payment of mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Securities.
SECTION 307. Payment of Interest; Interest Rights Preserved.
Interest on any Security of any series which is payable, and is
punctually paid or duly provided for, on any Interest Payment Date, shall be
paid to the Person in whose name that Security (or one or more Predecessor
Securities) is registered at the close of business on the Regular Record Date
for such interest in respect of Securities of such series, except that, unless
otherwise provided in the Securities of such series, interest payable on the
Stated Maturity of a Security shall be paid to the Person to whom principal is
paid. The initial payment of interest on any Security of any series which is
issued between a Regular Record Date and the related Interest Payment Date shall
be payable as provided in such Security or in the Board Resolution pursuant to
Section 301 with respect to the related series of Securities.
Any interest on any Security which is payable, but is not timely paid or duly provided for, on any Interest Payment Date for Securities of such series (herein called "Defaulted Interest"), shall forthwith cease to be payable to the registered Holder on the relevant Regular Record Date by virtue of having been such Holder, and such Defaulted Interest may be paid by the Company, at its election in each case, as provided in Clause (1) or (2) below:
(1) The Company may elect to make payment of any Defaulted Interest to the Persons in whose names the Securities of such series in respect of which interest is in default (or their respective Predecessor Securities) are registered at the close of business on a Special Record Date for the payment of such Defaulted Interest, which shall be fixed in the following manner. The Company shall notify the Trustee in writing of the amount of Defaulted Interest proposed to be paid on each Security and the date of the proposed payment, and at the same time the Company shall deposit with the Trustee an amount of money equal to the aggregate amount proposed to be paid in respect of such Defaulted Interest or shall make arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for such deposit prior to the date of the proposed payment, such money when deposited to be held in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled to such Defaulted Interest as in this Clause provided. Thereupon the Trustee shall fix a Special Record Date for the payment of such Defaulted Interest which shall be not more than 15 days and not less than 10 days prior to the date of the proposed payment and not less than 10 days after the receipt by the Trustee of the notice of the proposed payment. The Trustee shall promptly notify the Company of such Special Record Date and, in the name and at the expense of the Company, shall cause notice of the proposed payment of such Defaulted Interest and the Special Record Date therefor to be mailed, first class, postage prepaid, to each Holder of a Security of such series at the address of such Holder as it appears in the Securities Register not less than
10 days prior to such Special Record Date. The Trustee may, in its discretion, in the name and at the expense of the Company, cause a similar notice to be published at least once in a newspaper, customarily published in the English language on each Business Day and of general circulation in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, but such publication shall not be a condition precedent to the establishment of such Special Record Date. Notice of the proposed payment of such Defaulted Interest and the Special Record Date therefor having been mailed as aforesaid, such Defaulted Interest shall be paid to the Persons in whose names the Securities of such series (or their respective Predecessor Securities) are registered on such Special Record Date and shall no longer be payable pursuant to the following Clause (2).
(2) The Company may make payment of any Defaulted Interest in any other lawful manner not inconsistent with the requirements of any securities exchange on which the Securities of the series in respect of which interest is in default may be listed and, upon such notice as may be required by such exchange (or by the Trustee if the Securities are not listed), if, after notice given by the Company to the Trustee of the proposed payment pursuant to this Clause, such payment shall be deemed practicable by the Trustee.
Subject to the foregoing provisions of this Section, each Security delivered under this Indenture upon transfer of or in exchange for or in lieu of any other Security shall carry the rights to interest accrued and unpaid, and to accrue, which were carried by such other Security.
SECTION 308. Persons Deemed Owners.
The Company, the Trustee and any agent of the Company or the Trustee may treat the Person in whose name any Security is registered as the owner of such Security for the purpose of receiving payment of principal of and (subject to Section 307) interest on such Security and for all other purposes whatsoever, whether or not such Security be overdue, and neither the Company, the Trustee nor any agent of the Company or the Trustee shall be affected by notice to the contrary.
SECTION 309. Cancellation.
All Securities surrendered for payment, redemption, transfer or exchange shall, if surrendered to any Person other than the Trustee, be delivered to the Trustee, and any such Securities and Securities surrendered directly to the Trustee for any such purpose shall be promptly canceled by it. The Company may at any time deliver to the Trustee for cancellation any Securities previously authenticated and delivered hereunder which the Company may have acquired in any manner whatsoever, and all Securities so delivered shall be promptly canceled by the Trustee. No Securities shall be authenticated in lieu of or in exchange for any Securities canceled as provided in this Section, except as
expressly permitted by this Indenture. All canceled Securities shall be destroyed by the Trustee and the Trustee shall deliver to the Company a certificate of such destruction.
SECTION 310. Computation of Interest.
Except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 301 for Securities of any series, interest on the Securities of each series shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months and interest on the Securities of each series for any partial period shall be computed on the basis of the number of days elapsed in a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months.
SECTION 311. Deferrals of Interest Payment Dates.
If specified as contemplated by Section 301 with respect to the
Securities of a particular series, the Company shall have the right, at any time
during the term of such series, from time to time to extend the interest payment
period for such Securities for such period or periods as may be specified as
contemplated by Section 301 (each, an "Extension Period") during which periods
the Company shall have the right to make partial payments of interest on any
Interest Payment Date, and at the end of such Extension Period the Company shall
pay all interest then accrued and unpaid thereon (together with Additional
Interest thereon, if any, at the rate specified for the Securities of such
series to the extent permitted by applicable law), provided, however, that
during any such Extension Period, the Company shall not, and shall cause any
Subsidiary not to, (i) declare or pay any dividends or distributions on, or
redeem, purchase, acquire or make a liquidation payment with respect to, any of
the Company's capital stock, or (ii) make any payment of principal, interest or
premium, if any, on or repay, repurchase or redeem any debt securities that rank
pari passu with or junior in interest to the Securities of such series or make
any guarantee payments with respect to the foregoing (other than (a) dividends
or distributions in common stock of the Company, (b) redemptions or purchases of
any rights pursuant to the Company's Rights Plan, or any successor to such
Rights Plan, and the declaration of a dividend of such rights in the future, and
(c) payments under any Hartford Guarantee). Prior to the termination of any such
Extension Period, the Company may further extend the interest payment period,
provided that such Extension Period together with all such previous and further
extensions of such Extension Period shall not exceed the period or periods so
specified or extend beyond the Maturity of such Securities. Upon termination of
any Extension Period and upon the payment of all accrued and unpaid interest and
any Additional Interest then due, the Company may select a new Extension Period,
subject to the above requirements. No interest shall be due and payable during
an Extension Period, except at the end thereof. The Company shall give the
Holders of the Securities of such series and the Trustee notice of its selection
of such Extension Period at least one Business Day prior to the Interest Payment
Date or, with respect to the Securities of a series issued to a Hartford Trust,
prior to the earlier of (i) the date the Distributions on the Preferred
Securities of
such Hartford Trust are payable or (ii) the date the Administrative Trustees of such Hartford Trust are required to give notice to the New York Stock Exchange or other applicable self-regulatory organization or to holders of such Preferred Securities of the record date or the date such Distributions are payable, but in any event not less than one Business Day prior to such record date.
The Trustee shall promptly give notice of the Company's selection of such Extension Period to the Holders of the outstanding Securities of such series.
SECTION 312. Right of Set-Off.
With respect to the Securities of a series issued to a Hartford Trust, notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the Indenture, the Company shall have the right to set-off any payment it is otherwise required to make thereunder in respect of any such Security to the extent the Company has theretofore made, or is concurrently on the date of such payment making, a payment under the Hartford Guarantee relating to such Security or a payment to any Holder of a corresponding series of Preferred Securities in connection with a suit instituted pursuant to Section 508.
SECTION 313. Agreed Tax Treatment.
Each Security issued hereunder shall provide that the Company and, by its acceptance of a Security or a beneficial interest therein, the Holder of, and any Person that acquires a beneficial interest in, such Security agree that for United States Federal, state and local tax purposes it is intended that such Security constitute indebtedness.
SECTION 314. Extension of Stated Maturity; Adjustment of Stated Maturity Upon an Exchange.
If specified as contemplated by Section 202 with respect to the Securities of a particular series, the Company shall have the right to (a) change the Maturity Date of the Securities of such series upon the liquidation of a Hartford Trust and the exchange of such Securities for the Preferred Securities of such Hartford Trust and (b) extend the Stated Maturity for the Securities of such series; provided, that at time any election to extend the Maturity Date is made and at the time of such extension, (i) the Company is not in bankruptcy, otherwise insolvent or in liquidation, (ii) the Company is not in default in the payment of any interest or principal on the Securities of such series and no deferred interest payments thereon have accrued, (iii) the applicable Hartford Trust is not in arrears on payments of Distributions on its Preferred Securities and no deferred Distributions thereon are accumulated, (iv) the Securities are rated not less than BBB- by Standard & Poor's Ratings Services or Baa3 by Moody's Investors Service, Inc. or the equivalent by any other nationally recognized statistical rating organization and (v) the extended Stated Maturity is no later than the 49th anniversary of the initial issuance of
the Preferred Securities of the applicable Hartford Trust; provided, further, that, if the Company exercises its right to liquidate the Hartford Trust and exchange the Securities of such series for the Preferred Securities of such Hartford Trust as specified in clause (a) above, any changed Stated Maturity of the Securities of such series shall be no earlier than the date that is five years after the issuance of the Preferred Securities and no later than the date 30 years (plus an extended term of up to an additional 19 years if the above-referenced conditions are satisfied) after the date of the initial issuance of the Preferred Securities of the applicable Hartford Trust.
SECTION 315. CUSIP Numbers.
The Company in issuing the Securities may use "CUSIP" numbers (if then generally in use), and, if so, the Trustee shall use "CUSIP" numbers in notices of redemption as a convenience to Holders; provided that any such notice may state that no representation is made as to the correctness of such numbers either as printed on the Securities or as contained in any notice of a redemption and that reliance may be placed only on the other identification numbers printed on the Securities, and any such redemption shall not be affected by any defect in or omission of such numbers.
ARTICLE FOUR
Satisfaction and Discharge
SECTION 401. Satisfaction and Discharge of Indenture.
This Indenture shall cease to be of further effect (except as to (i) any surviving rights of transfer, substitution and exchange of Securities, (ii) rights hereunder of Holders to receive payments of principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on the Securities and other rights, duties and obligations of the Holders as beneficiaries hereof with respect to the amounts, if any, so deposited with the Trustee and (iii) the rights and obligations of the Trustee hereunder), and the Trustee, on demand of and at the expense of the Company, shall execute proper instruments acknowledging satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture, when
(1) either
(A) all Securities theretofore authenticated and delivered (other than (i) Securities which have been destroyed, lost or stolen and which have been replaced or paid as provided in Section 306 and (ii) Securities for whose payment money has theretofore been deposited in trust or segregated and held in trust by the Company and thereafter repaid to the Company or discharged from such trust, as provided in Section 1003) have been delivered to the Trustee for cancellation; or
(B) all such Securities not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation
(i) have become due and payable, or
(ii) will become due and payable at their Stated Maturity within one year of the date of deposit, and the Company, in the case of (i) or (ii) above, has deposited or caused to be deposited with the Trustee as trust funds in trust for such purpose an amount in the currency or currencies in which the Securities of such series are payable sufficient to pay and discharge the entire indebtedness on such Securities not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation, for principal (and premium, if any) and interest (including any Additional Interest) to the date of such deposit (in the case of Securities which have become due and payable) or to the Stated Maturity;
(2) the Company has paid or caused to be paid all other sums payable hereunder by the Company; and
(3) the Company has delivered to the Trustee an Officers' Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel each stating that all conditions precedent herein provided for relating to the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture have been complied with.
Notwithstanding the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture, the obligations of the Company to the Trustee under Section 607 and, if money shall have been deposited with the Trustee pursuant to subclause (B) of clause (1) of this Section, the obligations of the Trustee under Section 402 and the last paragraph of Section 1003 shall survive.
SECTION 402. Application of Trust Money.
Subject to the provisions of the last paragraph of Section 1003, all money deposited with the Trustee pursuant to Section 401 or money or Government Obligations deposited with the Trustee pursuant to Section 403, or received by the Trustee in respect of Government Obligations deposited with the Trustee pursuant to Section 403, shall be held in trust and applied by it, in accordance with the provisions of the Securities and this Indenture, to the payment, either directly or through any Paying Agent (including the Company acting as its own Paying Agent) as the Trustee may determine, to the Persons entitled thereto, of the principal (and premium, if any) and interest for whose payment such money or obligations have been deposited with or received by the Trustee; provided, however, such moneys need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law.
SECTION 403. Satisfaction, Discharge and Defeasance of Securities of Any Series.
Unless otherwise provided in the Board Resolution adopted pursuant to
Section 301 establishing the terms of the Securities of any series, the Company
shall be deemed to have paid and discharged the entire indebtedness on all the
Outstanding Securities of any such series and the Trustee, at the expense of the
Company, shall execute proper instruments acknowledging satisfaction and
discharge of such indebtedness, when
(1) with respect to all Outstanding Securities of such series,
(A) the Company has irrevocably deposited or caused to be
irrevocably deposited with the Trustee as trust funds in trust for such
purpose an amount sufficient to pay and discharge the entire
indebtedness on all Outstanding Securities of such series for principal
(and premium, if any) and interest (including any Additional Interest)
to the Stated Maturity or any Redemption Date as contemplated by the
penultimate paragraph of this Section 403, as the case may be; or
(B) the Company has irrevocably deposited or caused to be irrevocably deposited with the Trustee as obligations in trust for such purpose an amount of Government Obligations as will, in the written opinion of independent public accountants delivered to the Trustee, together with predetermined and certain income to accrue thereon, without consideration of any reinvestment thereof, be sufficient to pay and discharge when due the entire indebtedness on all Outstanding Securities of such series for principal (and premium, if any) and interest (including any Additional Interest) to the Stated Maturity or any Redemption Date as contemplated by the penultimate paragraph of this Section 403, as the case may be; and
(2) the Company has paid or caused to be paid all other sums payable with respect to the Outstanding Securities of such series; and
(3) the Company has delivered to the Trustee an Officers' Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent herein provided for relating to the satisfaction and discharge of the entire indebtedness on all Outstanding Securities of any such series have been complied with.
Any deposits with the Trustee referred to in Section 403(i) above shall be irrevocable and shall be made under the terms of an escrow trust agreement in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee. If any Outstanding Securities of such series are to be redeemed prior to their Stated Maturity, whether pursuant to any optional redemption provisions or in accordance with any mandatory sinking fund requirement,
the applicable escrow trust agreement shall provide therefor and the Company shall make such arrangements as are satisfactory to the Trustee for the giving of notice of redemption by the Trustee in the name, and at the expense, of the Company. If the Securities of such series are not to become due and payable at their Stated Maturity or upon call for redemption within one year of the date of deposit, then the Company shall give, not later than the date of such deposit, notice of such deposit to the Holders of Securities of such series.
Upon the satisfaction of the conditions set forth in this Section 403 with respect to all the Outstanding Securities of any series, the terms and conditions of such series, including the terms and conditions with respect thereto set forth in this Indenture, shall no longer be binding upon, or applicable to, the Company; provided, that the Company shall not be discharged from any payment obligations in respect of Securities of such series which are deemed not to be Outstanding under clause (iii) of the definition thereof if such obligations continue to be valid obligations of the Company under applicable law.
ARTICLE FIVE
Remedies
SECTION 501. Events of Default.
"Event of Default", wherever used herein with respect to the Securities of any series, means any one of the following events (whatever the reason for such Event of Default and whether it shall be voluntary or involuntary or be effected by operation of law or pursuant to any judgment, decree or order of any court or any order, rule or regulation of any administrative or governmental body):
(1) default in the payment of any interest upon any Security of that series, including any Additional Interest in respect thereof, when it becomes due and payable, and continuance of such default for a period of 30 days (subject to the deferral of any due date in the case of an Extension Period); or
(2) default in the payment of the principal of (or premium, if any, on) any Security of that series at its Maturity; or
(3) default in the performance, or breach, of any covenant or warranty of the Company in this Indenture (other than a covenant or warranty a default in whose performance or whose breach is elsewhere in this Section specifically dealt with), and continuance of such default or breach for a period of 90 days after there has been given, by registered or certified mail, to the Company by the Trustee or to the Company and the Trustee by the Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities
of that series a written notice specifying such default or breach and requiring it to be remedied; or
(4) the entry of a decree or order by a court having jurisdiction in the premises adjudging the Company a bankrupt or insolvent, or approving as properly filed a petition seeking reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition of or in respect of the Company under any applicable Federal or State bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or other similar law, or appointing a receiver, liquidator, assignee, trustee, sequestrator (or other similar official) of the Company or of any substantial part of its property or ordering the winding up or liquidation of its affairs, and the continuance of any such decree or order unstayed and in effect for a period of 60 consecutive days; or
(5) the institution by the Company of proceedings to be adjudicated a bankrupt or insolvent, or the consent by it to the institution of bankruptcy or insolvency proceedings against it, or the filing by it of a petition or answer or consent seeking reorganization or relief under any applicable Federal or State bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or other similar law, or the consent by it to the filing of any such petition or to the appointment of a receiver, liquidator, assignee, trustee, sequestrator (or other similar official) of the Company or of any substantial part of its property, or the making by it of an assignment for the benefit of creditors, or the admission by it in writing of its inability to pay its debts generally as they become due and its willingness to be adjudicated a bankrupt, or the taking of corporate action by the Company in furtherance of any such action; or
(6) any other Event of Default with respect to Securities of that series.
SECTION 502. Acceleration of Maturity; Rescission and Annulment.
If an Event of Default (other than an Event of Default specified in
Section 501(4) or 501(5)) with respect to Securities of any series at the time
Outstanding occurs and is continuing, then and in every such case the Trustee or
the Holders of not less than 25% in principal amount of the Outstanding
Securities of that series may declare the principal amount (or, if the
Securities of that series are Original Issue Discount Securities, such portion
of the principal amount as may be specified in the terms of that series) of all
the Securities of that series to be due and payable immediately, by a notice in
writing to the Company (and to the Trustee if given by Holders), provided that,
in the case of the Securities of a series issued to a Hartford Trust, if upon an
Event of Default, the Trustee or the Holders of not less than 25% in principal
amount of the Outstanding Securities of that series fail to declare the
principal of all the Securities of that series to be immediately due and
payable, the holders of at least 25% in aggregate liquidation amount of the
corresponding series of Preferred Securities then outstanding shall have such
right by a notice in writing to the Company and the Trustee; and upon any such
declaration such principal amount (or specified amount) of and the accrued
interest (including any
Additional Interest) on all the Securities of such series shall become
immediately due and payable, provided that the payment of principal and interest
(including any Additional Interest) on such Securities shall remain subordinated
to the extent provided in Article Thirteen. If an Event of Default specified in
Section 501(4) or 501(5) with respect to Securities at the time Outstanding
occurs, the principal amount on all the Securities shall automatically, and
without any declaration or other action on the part of the Trustee or any
Holder, become immediately due and payable.
At any time after such a declaration of acceleration with respect to Securities of any series has been made and before a judgment or decree for payment of the money due has been obtained by the Trustee as hereinafter in this Article provided, the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of that series, by written notice to the Company and the Trustee, may rescind and annul such declaration and its consequences if:
(1) the Company has paid or deposited with the Trustee a sum sufficient to pay
(A) all overdue installments of interest (including any Additional Interest) on all Securities of that series,
(B) the principal of (and premium, if any, on) any Securities of that series which have become due otherwise than by such declaration of acceleration and interest thereon at the rate borne by the Securities,
(C) to the extent that payment of such interest is lawful, interest upon overdue installments of interest at the rate borne by the Securities, and
(D) all sums paid or advanced by the Trustee hereunder and the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel; and
(2) all Events of Default with respect to Securities of that series, other than the non-payment of the principal of Securities of that series which has become due solely by such acceleration, have been cured or waived as provided in Section 513.
No such rescission shall affect any subsequent default or impair any right consequent thereon.
Upon receipt by the Trustee of written notice declaring such an acceleration, or rescission and annulment thereof, with respect to Securities of a series all or part of which is represented by a Global Security, a record date shall be established for determining Holders of Outstanding Securities of such series entitled to join in such notice, which record date shall be at the close of business on the day the Trustee receives such notice.
The Holders on such record date, or their duly designated proxies, and only such Persons, shall be entitled to join in such notice, whether or not such Holders remain Holders after such record date; provided, that, unless such declaration of acceleration, or rescission and annulment, as the case may be, shall have become effective by virtue of the requisite percentage having joined in such notice prior to the day which is 90 days after such record date, such notice of declaration of acceleration, or rescission and annulment, as the case may be, shall automatically and without further action by any Holder be canceled and of no further effect. Nothing in this paragraph shall prevent a Holder, or a proxy of a Holder, from giving, after expiration of such 90-day period, a new written notice of declaration of acceleration, or rescission and annulment thereof, as the case may be, that is identical to a written notice which has been canceled pursuant to the proviso to the preceding sentence, in which event a new record date shall be established pursuant to the provisions of this Section 502.
SECTION 503. Collection of Indebtedness and Suits for Enforcement by Trustee.
The Company covenants that if:
(1) default is made in the payment of any installment of interest (including any Additional Interest) on any Security when such interest becomes due and payable and such default continues for a period of 30 days, or
(2) default is made in the payment of the principal of (and premium, if any, on) any Security at the Maturity thereof,
the Company will, upon demand of the Trustee, pay to it, for the benefit of the Holders of such Securities, the whole amount then due and payable on such Securities for principal, including any sinking fund payment or analogous obligations (and premium, if any) and interest (including any Additional Interest), including, to the extent that payment of such interest shall be lawful, interest on any overdue principal (and premium if any) and on any overdue installments of interest (including any Additional Interest) at the rate borne by the Securities; and, in addition thereto, all amounts owing the Trustee under Section 607.
If the Company fails to pay such amounts forthwith upon such demand, the Trustee, in its own name and as trustee of an express trust, may institute a judicial proceeding for the collection of the sums so due and unpaid, and may prosecute such proceeding to judgment or final decree, and may enforce the same against the Company or any other obligor upon the Securities and collect the moneys adjudged or decreed to be payable in the manner provided by law out of the property of the Company or any other obligor upon the Securities, wherever situated.
If an Event of Default with respect to Securities of any series occurs and is continuing, the Trustee may in its discretion proceed to protect and enforce its rights and the rights of the Holders of Securities of such series by such appropriate judicial proceedings as the Trustee shall deem most effectual to protect and enforce any such rights, whether for the specific enforcement of any covenant or agreement in this Indenture or in aid of the exercise of any power granted herein, or to enforce any other proper remedy.
SECTION 504. Trustee May File Proofs of Claim.
In case of the pendency of any receivership, insolvency, liquidation, bankruptcy, reorganization, arrangement, adjustment, composition or other judicial proceeding relative to the Company or any other obligor upon the Securities or the property of the Company or of such other obligor or their creditors,
(a) the Trustee (irrespective of whether the principal of the Securities of any series shall then be due and payable as therein expressed or by declaration or otherwise and irrespective of whether the Trustee shall have made any demand on the Company for the payment of overdue principal (and premium, if any) or interest (including any Additional Interest)) shall be entitled and empowered, by intervention in such proceeding or otherwise,
(i) to file and prove a claim for the whole amount of principal (and premium, if any) and interest (including any Additional Interest) owing and unpaid in respect to the Securities and to file such other papers or documents as may be necessary or advisable and to take any and all actions as are authorized under the Trust Indenture Act in order to have the claims of the Holders and any predecessor to the Trustee under Section 607 and of the Holders allowed in any such judicial proceedings; and
(ii) and in particular, the Trustee shall be authorized to
collect and receive any moneys or other property payable or deliverable
on any such claims and to distribute the same in accordance with
Section 506; and
(b) any custodian, receiver, assignee, trustee, liquidator, sequestrator (or other similar official) in any such judicial proceeding is hereby authorized by each Holder to make such payments to the Trustee for distribution in accordance with Section 506, and in the event that the Trustee shall consent to the making of such payments directly to the Holders, to pay to the Trustee any amount due to it and any predecessor Trustee under Section 607.
Nothing herein contained shall be deemed to authorize the Trustee to authorize or consent to or accept or adopt on behalf of any Holder any plan of reorganization,
arrangement, adjustment or composition affecting the Securities or the rights of any Holder thereof, or to authorize the Trustee to vote in respect of the claim of any Holder in any such proceeding.
SECTION 505. Trustee May Enforce Claim Without Possession of Securities.
All rights of action and claims under this Indenture or the Securities may be prosecuted and enforced by the Trustee without the possession of any of the Securities or the production thereof in any proceeding relating thereto, and any such proceeding instituted by the Trustee shall be brought in its own name as trustee of an express trust, and any recovery of judgment shall, after provision for the payment of all the amounts owing the Trustee and any predecessor Trustee under Section 607, its agents and counsel, be for the ratable benefit of the Holders of the Securities in respect of which such judgment has been recovered.
SECTION 506. Application of Money Collected.
Any money or property collected or to be applied by the Trustee with respect to a series of Securities pursuant to this Article shall be applied in the following order, at the date or dates fixed by the Trustee and, in case of the distribution of such money or property on account of principal (or premium, if any) or interest (including any Additional Interest), upon presentation of the Securities and the notation thereon of the payment if only partially paid and upon surrender thereof if fully paid:
FIRST: To the payment of all amounts due the Trustee and any predecessor Trustee under Section 607;
SECOND: To the payment of the amounts then due and unpaid upon such series of Securities for principal (and premium, if any) and interest (including any Additional Interest), in respect of which or for the benefit of which such money has been collected, ratably, without preference or priority of any kind, according to the amounts due and payable on such series of Securities for principal (and premium, if any) and interest (including any Additional Interest), respectively; and
THIRD: The balance, if any, to the Person or Persons entitled thereto.
SECTION 507. Limitation on Suits.
No Holder of any Securities of any series shall have any right to institute any proceeding, judicial or otherwise, with respect to this Indenture or for the appointment of a receiver, assignee, trustee, liquidator, sequestrator (or other similar official) or for any other remedy hereunder, unless:
(1) such Holder has previously given written notice to the Trustee of a continuing Event of Default with respect to the Securities of that series;
(2) the Holders of not less than 25% in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of that series shall have made written request to the Trustee to institute proceedings in respect of such Event of Default in its own name as Trustee hereunder;
(3) such Holder or Holders have offered to the Trustee reasonable indemnity against the costs, expenses and liabilities to be incurred in compliance with such request;
(4) the Trustee for 60 days after its receipt of such notice, request and offer of indemnity has failed to institute any such proceeding; and
(5) no direction inconsistent with such written request has been given to the Trustee during such 60-day period by the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of that series;
it being understood and intended that no one or more of such Holders shall have any right in any manner whatever by virtue of, or by availing of, any provision of this Indenture to affect, disturb or prejudice the rights of any other Holders of Securities, or to obtain or to seek to obtain priority or preference over any other of such Holders or to enforce any right under this Indenture, except in the manner herein provided and for the equal and ratable benefit of all such Holders.
SECTION 508. Unconditional Right of Holders to Receive Principal, Premium and Interest.
Notwithstanding any other provision in this Indenture, the Holder of
any Security shall have the right which is absolute and unconditional to receive
payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) and (subject to Section 307)
interest (including any Additional Interest) on such Security on the respective
Stated Maturities expressed in such Security and to institute suit for the
enforcement of any such payment, and such right shall not be impaired without
the consent of such Holder. In the case of Securities of a series issued to a
Hartford Trust, any holder of the corresponding series of Preferred Securities
shall have the right upon the occurrence of an Event of Default described in
Section 501(1) or 501(2) hereof, to institute a suit directly against the
Company for enforcement of payment to such Holder of principal of (premium, if
any) and (subject to Section 307) interest (including any Additional Interest)
on the Securities having a principal amount equal to the aggregate liquidation
preference of the Preferred Securities of the corresponding series held by such
Holder.
SECTION 509. Restoration of Rights and Remedies.
If the Trustee or any Holder has instituted any proceeding to enforce any right or remedy under this Indenture and such proceeding has been discontinued or abandoned for any reason, or has been determined adversely to the Trustee or to such Holder, then and in every such case the Company, the Trustee and the Holders shall, subject to any determination in such proceeding, be restored severally and respectively to their former positions hereunder, and thereafter all rights and remedies of the Trustee and the Holders shall continue as though no such proceeding had been instituted.
SECTION 510. Rights and Remedies Cumulative.
Except as otherwise provided in the last paragraph of Section 306, no right or remedy herein conferred upon or reserved to the Trustee or to the Holders is intended to be exclusive of any other right or remedy, and every right and remedy shall, to the extent permitted by law, be cumulative and in addition to every other right and remedy given hereunder or now or hereafter existing at law or in equity or otherwise. The assertion or employment of any right or remedy hereunder, or otherwise, shall not prevent the concurrent assertion or employment of any other appropriate right or remedy.
SECTION 511. Delay or Omission Not Waiver.
Except as otherwise provided in the last paragraph of Section 306, no delay or omission of the Trustee or of any Holder of any Security to exercise any right or remedy accruing upon any Event of Default shall impair any such right or remedy or constitute a waiver of any such Event of Default or an acquiescence therein.
Every right and remedy given by this Article or by law to the Trustee or to the Holders may be exercised from time to time, and as often as may be deemed expedient, by the Trustee or by the Holders, as the case may be.
SECTION 512. Control by Holders.
The Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of any series shall have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee or exercising any trust or power conferred on the Trustee, with respect to the Securities of such series, provided that:
(1) such direction shall not be in conflict with any rule of law or with this Indenture,
(2) the Trustee may take any other action deemed proper by the Trustee which is not inconsistent with such direction, and
(3) subject to the provisions of Section 601, the Trustee shall have the right to decline to follow such direction if the Trustee in good faith shall, by a Responsible Officer or Officers of the Trustee, determine that the proceeding so directed would be unjustly prejudicial to the Holders not joining in any such direction or would involve the Trustee in personal liability.
Upon receipt by the Trustee of any written notice directing the time, method or place of conducting any such proceeding or exercising any such trust or power, with respect to Securities of a series all or part of which is represented by a Global Security, a record date shall be established for determining Holders of Outstanding Securities of such series entitled to join in such notice, which record date shall be at the close of business on the day the Trustee receives such notice. The Holders on such record date, or their duly designated proxies, and only such Persons, shall be entitled to join in such notice, whether or not such Holders remain Holders after such record date; provided, that, unless the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series shall have joined in such notice prior to the day which is 90 days after such record date, such notice shall automatically and without further action by any Holder be canceled and of no further effect. Nothing in this paragraph shall prevent a Holder, or a proxy of a Holder, from giving, after expiration of such 90-day period, a new notice identical to a notice which has been canceled pursuant to the proviso to the preceding sentence, in which event a new record date shall be established pursuant to the provisions of this Section 512.
SECTION 513. Waiver of Past Defaults.
The Holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of any series may on behalf of the Holders of all the Securities of such series waive any past default hereunder with respect to such series and its consequences, except a default:
(1) in the payment of the principal of (or premium, if any) or interest (including any Additional Interest) on any Security of such series, or
(2) in respect of a covenant or provision hereof which under Article Nine cannot be modified or amended without the consent of the Holder of each Outstanding Security of such series affected.
Upon any such waiver, such default shall cease to exist, and any Event of Default arising therefrom shall be deemed to have been cured, for every purpose of this Indenture; but no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other default or impair any right consequent thereon.
SECTION 514. Undertaking for Costs.
All parties to this Indenture agree, and each Holder of any Security by his acceptance thereof shall be deemed to have agreed, that any court may in its discretion require, in any suit for the enforcement of any right or remedy under this Indenture, or in any suit against the Trustee for any action taken or omitted by it as Trustee, the filing by any party litigant in such suit of an undertaking to pay the costs of such suit, and that such court may in its discretion assess reasonable costs, including reasonable attorneys' fees, against any party litigant in such suit, having due regard to the merits and good faith of the claims or defenses made by such party litigant; but the provisions of this Section shall not apply to any suit instituted by the Trustee, to any suit instituted by any Holder, or group of Holders, holding in the aggregate more than 10% in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of any series, or to any suit instituted by any Holder for the enforcement of the payment of the principal of (or premium, if any) or interest (including any Additional Interest) on any Security on or after the respective Stated Maturities expressed in such Security.
SECTION 515. Waiver of Stay or Extension Laws.
The Company covenants (to the extent that it may lawfully do so) that it will not at any time insist upon, or plead, or in any manner whatsoever claim or take the benefit or advantage of, any stay or extension law wherever enacted, now or at any time hereafter in force, which may affect the covenants or the performance of this Indenture; and the Company (to the extent that it may lawfully do so) hereby expressly waives all benefit or advantage of any such law, and covenants that it will not hinder, delay or impede the execution of any power herein granted to the Trustee, but will suffer and permit the execution of every such power as though no such law had been enacted.
ARTICLE SIX
The Trustee
SECTION 601. Certain Duties and Responsibilities.
(a) Except during the continuance of an Event of Default,
(1) the Trustee undertakes to perform such duties and only such duties as are specifically set forth in this Indenture, and no implied covenants or obligations shall be read into this Indenture against the Trustee; and
(2) in the absence of bad faith on its part, the Trustee may conclusively rely, as to the truth of the statements and the correctness of the opinions expressed therein, upon certificates or opinions furnished to the Trustee and conforming to the requirements of this Indenture; but in the case of any such certificates or opinions which by any
provisions hereof are specifically required to be furnished to the Trustee, the Trustee shall be under a duty to examine the same to determine whether or not they conform to the requirements of this Indenture.
(b) In case an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Trustee shall exercise such of the rights and powers vested in it by this Indenture, and use the same degree of care and skill in their exercise, as a prudent person would exercise or use under the circumstances in the conduct of his own affairs.
(c) No provision of this Indenture shall be construed to relieve the Trustee from liability for its own negligent action, its own negligent failure to act, or its own willful misconduct except that
(1) this Subsection shall not be construed to limit the effect of Subsection (a) of this Section;
(2) the Trustee shall not be liable for any error of judgment made in good faith by a Responsible Officer, unless it shall be proved that the Trustee was negligent in ascertaining the pertinent facts; and
(3) the Trustee shall not be liable with respect to any action taken or omitted to be taken by it in good faith in accordance with the direction of Holders pursuant to Section 512 relating to the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee, or exercising any trust or power conferred upon the Trustee, under this Indenture with respect to the Securities of such series.
(d) No provision of this Indenture shall require the Trustee to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise incur any financial liability in the performance of any of its duties hereunder, or in the exercise of any of its rights or powers, if there shall be reasonable grounds for believing that repayment of such funds or adequate indemnity against such risk or liability is not reasonably assured to it.
(e) Whether or not therein expressly so provided, every provision of this Indenture relating to the conduct or affecting the liability of or affording protection to the Trustee shall be subject to the provisions of this Section.
SECTION 602. Notice of Defaults.
Within 90 days after actual knowledge by a Responsible Officer of the Trustee of the occurrence of any default hereunder with respect to the Securities of any series, the Trustee shall transmit by mail to all Holders of Securities of such series, as their names and addresses appear in the Securities Register, notice of such default hereunder known to the Trustee, unless such default shall have been cured or waived; provided, however, that, except in the case of a default in the payment of the principal of (or premium, if any)
or interest (including any Additional Interest) on any Security of such series, the Trustee shall be protected in withholding such notice if and so long as the board of directors, the executive committee or a trust committee of directors and/or Responsible Officers of the Trustee in good faith determines that the withholding of such notice is in the interests of the Holders of Securities of such series; and provided, further, that, in the case of any default of the character specified in Section 501(3), no such notice to Holders of Securities of such series shall be given until at least 30 days after the occurrence thereof. For the purpose of this Section, the term "default" means any event which is, or after notice or lapse of time or both would become, an Event of Default with respect to Securities of such series.
SECTION 603. Certain Rights of Trustee.
Subject to the provisions of Section 601:
(a) the Trustee may rely and shall be protected in acting or refraining from acting upon any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, direction, consent, order, bond, debenture, Security or other paper or document believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper party or parties;
(b) any request or direction of the Company mentioned herein shall be sufficiently evidenced by a Company Request or Company Order and any resolution of the Board of Directors may be sufficiently evidenced by a Board Resolution;
(c) whenever in the administration of this Indenture the Trustee shall deem it desirable that a matter be proved or established prior to taking, suffering or omitting any action hereunder, the Trustee (unless other evidence be herein specifically prescribed) may, in the absence of bad faith on its part, rely upon an Officers' Certificate;
(d) the Trustee may consult with counsel and the advice of such counsel or any Opinion of Counsel shall be full and complete authorization and protection in respect of any action taken, suffered or omitted by it hereunder in good faith and in reliance thereon;
(e) the Trustee shall be under no obligation to exercise any of the rights or powers vested in it by this Indenture at the request or direction of any of the Holders pursuant to this Indenture, unless such Holders shall have offered to the Trustee reasonable security or indemnity against the costs, expenses and liabilities which might be incurred by it in compliance with such request or direction;
(f) the Trustee shall not be bound to make any investigation into the facts or matters stated in any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, direction, consent, order, bond, indenture, Security or other paper or document,
but the Trustee in its discretion may make such inquiry or investigation into such facts or matters as it may see fit, and, if the Trustee shall determine to make such inquiry or investigation, it shall be entitled to examine the books, records and premises of the Company, personally or by agent or attorney; and
(g) the Trustee may execute any of the trusts or powers hereunder or perform any duties hereunder either directly or by or through agents or attorneys and the Trustee shall not be responsible for any misconduct or negligence on the part of any agent or attorney appointed with due care by it hereunder.
SECTION 604. Not Responsible for Recitals or Issuance of Securities.
The recitals contained herein and in the Securities, except the Trustee's certificates of authentication, shall be taken as the statements of the Company, and the Trustee assumes no responsibility for their correctness. The Trustee makes no representations as to the validity or sufficiency of this Indenture or of the Securities. The Trustee shall not be accountable for the use or application by the Company of the Securities or the proceeds thereof.
SECTION 605. May Hold Securities.
The Trustee, any Paying Agent, Securities Registrar or any other agent of the Company, in its individual or any other capacity, may become the owner or pledgee of Securities and, subject to Sections 608 and 613, may otherwise deal with the Company with the same rights it would have if it were not Trustee, Paying Agent, Securities Registrar or such other agent.
SECTION 606. Money Held in Trust.
Money held by the Trustee in trust hereunder need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law. The Trustee shall be under no liability for interest on any money received by it hereunder except as otherwise agreed with the Company.
SECTION 607. Compensation and Reimbursement.
The Company agrees
(1) to pay to the Trustee from time to time reasonable compensation for all services rendered by it hereunder in such amounts as the Company and the Trustee shall agree from time to time (which compensation shall not be limited by any provision of law in regard to the compensation of a trustee of an express trust);
(2) to reimburse the Trustee upon its request for all reasonable expenses, disbursements and advances incurred or made by the Trustee in accordance with any provision of this Indenture (including the reasonable compensation and the expenses and disbursements of its agents and counsel), except any such expense, disbursement or advance as may be attributable to its negligence or bad faith; and
(3) to indemnify the Trustee for, and to hold it harmless against, any loss, liability or expense (including the reasonable compensation and the expenses and disbursements of its agents and counsel) incurred without negligence or bad faith, arising out of or in connection with the acceptance or administration of this trust or the performance of its duties hereunder, including the costs and expenses of defending itself against any claim or liability in connection with the exercise or performance of any of its powers or duties hereunder. This indemnification shall survive the termination of this Agreement.
To secure the Company's payment obligations in this Section, the Company and the Holders agree that the Trustee shall have a lien prior to the Securities on all money or property held or collected by the Trustee. Such lien shall survive the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture.
When the Trustee incurs expenses or renders services after an Event of Default specified in Section 501(4) or (5) occurs, the expenses and the compensation for the services are intended to constitute expenses of administration under any Bankruptcy Reform Act of 1978 or a successor statute.
SECTION 608. Disqualification; Conflicting Interests.
The Trustee for the Securities of any series issued hereunder shall be subject to the provisions of Section 310(b) of the Trust Indenture Act. Nothing herein shall prevent the Trustee from filing with the Commission the application referred to in the second to last paragraph of Section 310(b) of the Trust Indenture Act.
SECTION 609. Corporate Trustee Required; Eligibility.
There shall at all times be a Trustee hereunder which shall be
(a) a corporation organized and doing business under the laws of the United States of America or of any State, Territory or the District of Columbia, authorized under such laws to exercise corporate trust powers and subject to supervision or examination by Federal, State, Territorial or District of Columbia authority, or
(b) a corporation or other Person organized and doing business under the laws of a foreign government that is permitted to act as Trustee pursuant to a rule, regulation or order of the Commission, authorized under such laws to exercise corporate trust
powers, and subject to supervision or examination by authority of such foreign government or a political subdivision thereof substantially equivalent to supervision or examination applicable to United States institutional trustees,
in either case having a combined capital and surplus of at least $50,000,000, subject to supervision or examination by Federal or State authority. If such corporation publishes reports of condition at least annually, pursuant to law or to the requirements of the aforesaid supervising or examining authority, then, for the purpose of this Section, the combined capital and surplus of such corporation shall be deemed to be its combined capital and surplus as set forth in its most recent report of condition so published. If at any time the Trustee shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the provisions of this Section, it shall resign immediately in the manner and with the effect hereinafter specified in this Article. Neither the Company nor any Person directly or indirectly controlling, controlled by or under common control with the Company shall serve as Trustee for the Securities of any series issued hereunder.
SECTION 610. Resignation and Removal; Appointment of Successor.
(a) No resignation or removal of the Trustee and no appointment of a successor Trustee pursuant to this Article shall become effective until the acceptance of appointment by the successor Trustee under Section 611.
(b) The Trustee may resign at any time with respect to the Securities of one or more series by giving written notice thereof to the Company. If an instrument of acceptance by a successor Trustee shall not have been delivered to the Trustee within 30 days after the giving of such notice of resignation, the resigning Trustee may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of such series.
(c) The Trustee may be removed at any time with respect to the Securities of any series by Act of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series, delivered to the Trustee and to the Company.
(d) If at any time:
(1) the Trustee shall fail to comply with Section 608 after written request therefor by the Company or by any Holder who has been a bona fide Holder of a Security for at least six months, or
(2) the Trustee shall cease to be eligible under Section 609 and shall fail to resign after written request therefor by the Company or by any such Holder, or
(3) the Trustee shall become incapable of acting or shall be adjudged a bankrupt or insolvent or a receiver of the Trustee or of its property shall be appointed or
any public officer shall take charge or control of the Trustee or of its property or affairs for the purpose of rehabilitation, conservation or liquidation,
then, in any such case, (i) the Company by Board Resolution may remove the Trustee, or (ii) subject to Section 514, any Holder who has been a bona fide Holder of a Security for at least six months may, on behalf of himself and all others similarly situated, petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the removal of the Trustee and the appointment of a successor Trustee.
(e) If the Trustee shall resign, be removed or become incapable of acting, or if a vacancy shall occur in the office of Trustee for any cause with respect to the Securities of one or more series, the Company, by a Board Resolution, shall promptly appoint a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of that or those series. If, within one year after such resignation, removal or incapability, or the occurrence of such vacancy, a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series shall be appointed by Act of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series delivered to the Company and the retiring Trustee, the successor Trustee so appointed shall, forthwith upon its acceptance of such appointment, become the successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of such series and supersede the successor Trustee appointed by the Company. If no successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series shall have been so appointed by the Company or the Holders and accepted appointment in the manner hereinafter provided, any Holder who has been a bona fide Holder of a Security for at least six months may, subject to Section 514, on behalf of himself and all others similarly situated, petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of such series.
(f) The Company shall give notice of each resignation and each removal of the Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series and each appointment of a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series by mailing written notice of such event by first-class mail, postage prepaid, to the Holders of Securities of such series as their names and addresses appear in the Securities Register. Each notice shall include the name of the successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of such series and the address of its Corporate Trust Office.
SECTION 611. Acceptance of Appointment by Successor.
(a) In case of the appointment hereunder of a successor Trustee with respect to all Securities, every such successor Trustee so appointed shall execute, acknowledge and deliver to the Company and to the retiring Trustee an instrument accepting such appointment, and thereupon the resignation or removal of the retiring Trustee shall become effective and such successor Trustee, without any further act, deed or conveyance, shall become vested with all the rights, powers, trusts and duties of the retiring Trustee; but, on the request of the Company or the successor Trustee, such
retiring Trustee shall, upon payment of its charges, execute and deliver an instrument transferring to such successor Trustee all the rights, powers and trusts of the retiring Trustee and shall duly assign, transfer and deliver to such successor Trustee all property and money held by such retiring Trustee hereunder.
(b) In case of the appointment hereunder of a successor Trustee
with respect to the Securities of one or more (but not all) series, the Company,
the retiring Trustee and each successor Trustee with respect to the Securities
of one or more series shall execute and deliver an indenture supplemental hereto
wherein each successor Trustee shall accept such appointment and which (1) shall
contain such provisions as shall be necessary or desirable to transfer and
confirm to, and to vest in, each successor Trustee all the rights, powers,
trusts and duties of the retiring Trustee with respect to the Securities of that
or those series to which the appointment of such successor Trustee relates, (2)
if the retiring Trustee is not retiring with respect to all Securities, shall
contain such provisions as shall be deemed necessary or desirable to confirm
that all the rights, powers, trusts and duties of the retiring Trustee with
respect to the Securities of that or those series as to which the retiring
Trustee is not retiring shall continue to be vested in the retiring Trustee, and
(3) shall add to or change any of the provisions of this Indenture as shall be
necessary to provide for or facilitate the administration of the trusts
hereunder by more than one Trustee, it being understood that nothing herein or
in such supplemental indenture shall constitute such Trustees co-trustees of the
same trust and that each such Trustee shall be trustee of a trust or trusts
hereunder separate and apart from any trust or trusts hereunder administered by
any other such Trustee and upon the execution and delivery of such supplemental
indenture the resignation or removal of the retiring Trustee shall become
effective to the extent provided therein and each such successor Trustee,
without any further act, deed or conveyance, shall become vested with all the
rights, powers, trusts, and duties of the retiring Trustee with respect to the
Securities of that or those series to which the appointment of such successor
Trustee relates; but, on request of the Company or any successor Trustee, such
retiring Trustee shall duly assign, transfer and deliver to such successor
Trustee all property and money held by such retiring Trustee hereunder with
respect to the Securities of that or those series to which the appointment of
such successor Trustee relates.
(c) Upon request of any such successor Trustee, the Company shall execute any and all instruments for more fully and certainly vesting in and confirming to such successor Trustee all rights, powers and trusts referred to in paragraph (a) or (b) of this Section, as the case may be.
(d) No successor Trustee shall accept its appointment unless at the time of such acceptance such successor Trustee shall be qualified and eligible under this Article.
SECTION 612. Merger, Conversion, Consolidation or Succession to Business.
Any corporation into which the Trustee may be merged or converted or with which it may be consolidated, or any corporation resulting from any merger, conversion or consolidation to which the Trustee shall be a party, or any corporation succeeding to all or substantially all of the corporate trust business of the Trustee, shall be the successor of the Trustee hereunder, provided such corporation shall be otherwise qualified and eligible under this Article, without the execution or filing of any paper or any further act on the part of any of the parties hereto. In case any Securities shall have been authenticated, but not delivered, by the Trustee then in office, any successor by merger, conversion or consolidation to such authenticating Trustee may adopt such authentication and deliver the Securities so authenticated, and in case any Securities shall not have been authenticated, any successor to the Trustee may authenticate such Securities either in the name of any predecessor Trustee or in the name of such successor Trustee, and in all cases the certificate of authentication shall have the full force which it is provided anywhere in the Securities or in this Indenture that the certificate of the Trustee shall have.
SECTION 613. Preferential Collection of Claims Against Company.
If and when the Trustee shall be or become a creditor of the Company (or any other obligor upon the Securities), the Trustee shall be subject to the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act regarding the collection of claims against the Company (or any such other obligor).
SECTION 614. Appointment of Authenticating Agent.
The Trustee may appoint an Authenticating Agent or Agents with respect to one or more series of Securities which shall be authorized to act on behalf of the Trustee to authenticate Securities of such series issued upon original issue and upon exchange, registration of transfer or partial redemption thereof, and Securities so authenticated shall be entitled to the benefits of this Indenture and shall be valid and obligatory for all purposes as if authenticated by the Trustee hereunder. Wherever reference is made in this Indenture to the authentication and delivery of Securities by the Trustee or the Trustee's certificate of authentication, such reference shall be deemed to include authentication and delivery on behalf of the Trustee by an Authenticating Agent. Each Authenticating Agent shall be acceptable to the Company and shall at all times be a corporation organized and doing business under the laws of the United States of America, or of any State, Territory or the District of Columbia, authorized under such laws to act as Authenticating Agent, having a combined capital and surplus of not less than $50,000,000 and subject to supervision or examination by Federal or State authority. If such Authenticating Agent publishes reports of condition at least annually, pursuant to law or to the requirements of said supervising or examining authority, then for the
purposes of this Section the combined capital and surplus of such Authenticating Agent shall be deemed to be its combined capital and surplus as set forth in its most recent report of condition so published. If at any time an Authenticating Agent shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the provisions of this Section, such Authenticating Agent shall resign immediately in the manner and with the effect specified in this Section.
Any corporation into which an Authenticating Agent may be merged or converted or with which it may be consolidated, or any corporation resulting from any merger, conversion or consolidation to which such Authenticating Agent shall be a party, or any corporation succeeding to all or substantially all of the corporate trust business of an Authenticating Agent shall be the successor Authenticating Agent hereunder, provided such corporation shall be otherwise eligible under this Section, without the execution or filing of any paper or any further act on the part of the Trustee or the Authenticating Agent.
An Authenticating Agent may resign at any time by giving written notice thereof to the Trustee and to the Company. The Trustee may at any time terminate the agency of an Authenticating Agent by giving written notice thereof to such Authenticating Agent and to the Company. Upon receiving such a notice of resignation or upon such a termination, or in case at any time such Authenticating Agent shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the provisions of this Section, the Trustee may appoint a successor Authenticating Agent which shall be acceptable to the Company and shall give notice of such appointment in the manner provided in Section 106 to all Holders of Securities of the series with respect to which such Authenticating Agent will serve. Any successor Authenticating Agent upon acceptance of its appointment hereunder shall become vested with all the rights, powers and duties of its predecessor hereunder, with like effect as if originally named as an Authenticating Agent. No successor Authenticating Agent shall be appointed unless eligible under the provision of this Section.
The Trustee agrees to pay to each Authenticating Agent from time to time reasonable compensation for its services under this Section, and the Trustee shall be entitled to be reimbursed for such payments, subject to the provisions of Section 607.
If an appointment with respect to one or more series is made pursuant to this Section, the Securities of such series may have endorsed thereon, in addition to the Trustee's certificate of authentication, an alternative certificate of authentication in the following form:
This is one of the Securities referred to in the within mentioned Indenture.
By: _______________________________________
As Authenticating Agent
By: _______________________________________
Authorized Officer
ARTICLE SEVEN
Holders' Lists and Reports by Trustee and Company
SECTION 701. Company to Furnish Trustee Names and Addresses of Holders.
The Company will furnish or cause to be furnished to the Trustee:
(a) semi-annually, not more than 15 days after February 15 and August 15, a list, in such form as the Trustee may reasonably require, of the names and addresses of the Holders as of such February 1 and August 1, and
(b) at such other times as the Trustee may request in writing, within 30 days after the receipt by the Company of any such request, a list of similar form and content as of a date not more than 15 days prior to the time such list is furnished, excluding from any such list names and addresses received by the Trustee in its capacity as Securities Registrar.
SECTION 702. Preservation of Information, Communications to Holders.
(a) The Trustee shall preserve, in as current a form as is
reasonably practicable, the names and addresses of Holders contained in the most
recent list furnished to the Trustee as provided in Section 701 and the names
and addresses of Holders received by the Trustee in its capacity as Securities
Registrar. The Trustee may destroy any list furnished to it as provided in
Section 701 upon receipt of a new list so furnished.
(b) The rights of Holders to communicate with other Holders with respect to their rights under this Indenture or under the Securities, and the corresponding rights and privileges of the Trustee, shall be as provided in the Trust Indenture Act.
(c) Every Holder of Securities, by receiving and holding the same, agrees with the Company and the Trustee that neither the Company nor the Trustee nor any
agent of either of them shall be held accountable by reason of the disclosure of information as to the names and addresses of the Holders made pursuant to the Trust Indenture Act.
SECTION 703. Reports by Trustee.
(a) The Trustee shall transmit to Holders such reports concerning the Trustee and its actions under this Indenture as may be required pursuant to the Trust Indenture Act, at the times and in the manner provided pursuant thereto.
(b) Reports so required to be transmitted at stated intervals of not more than 12 months shall be transmitted no later than July 15 in each calendar year, commencing with the first July 15 after the first issuance of Securities under this Indenture.
(c) A copy of each such report shall, at the time of such transmission to Holders, be filed by the Trustee with each stock exchange upon which the Securities are listed and also with the Commission. The Company will notify the Trustee whenever the Securities are listed on any stock exchange.
SECTION 704. Reports by Company.
The Company shall
(1) file with the Trustee and with the Commission, and transmit to Holders, such information, documents and other reports, and such summaries thereof, as may be required pursuant to the Trust Indenture Act at the times and in the manner provided in the Trust Indenture Act; provided that any such information, documents or reports required to be filed with the Commission pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 shall be filed with the Trustee within 15 days after the same is required to be filed with the Commission. Notwithstanding that the Company may not be required to remain subject to the reporting requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Company shall file with the Trustee and the Commission, in accordance with rules and regulations prescribed from time to time by the Commission, such of the supplementary and periodic information, documents and reports which may be required pursuant to Section 13 of the Exchange Act in respect of a security listed and registered on a national securities exchange as may be prescribed from time to time in such rules and regulations;
(2) file with the Trustee and the Commission, in accordance with rules and regulations prescribed from time to time by the Commission, such additional information, documents and reports with respect to compliance by the Company with the conditions and covenants of this Indenture as may be required from time to time by such rules and regulations; and
(3) transmit by mail, to all Holders, as their names and addresses appear in the Security Register, within 30 days after the filing thereof with the Trustee, such summaries of any information, documents and reports required to be filed by the Company pursuant to Clauses (1) and (2) of this Section as may be required by rules and regulations prescribed from time to time by the Commission.
ARTICLE EIGHT
Consolidation, Merger, Conveyance, Transfer or Lease
SECTION 801. Company May Consolidate, Etc., Only on Certain Terms.
The Company shall not consolidate with or merge into any other corporation or convey, transfer or lease its properties and assets substantially as an entirety to any Person, and no Person shall consolidate with or merge into the Company or convey, transfer or lease its properties and assets substantially as an entirety to the Company, unless:
(1) in case the Company shall consolidate with or merge into another corporation or convey, transfer or lease its properties and assets substantially as an entirety to any Person, the corporation formed by such consolidation or into which the Company is merged or the Person which acquires by conveyance or transfer, or which leases, the properties and assets of the Company substantially as an entirety shall be a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the United States of America or any State or the District of Columbia, and shall expressly assume, by an indenture supplemental hereto, executed and delivered to the Trustee, in form satisfactory to the Trustee, the due and punctual payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest (including any Additional Interest) on all the Securities and the performance of every covenant of this Indenture on the part of the Company to be performed or observed;
(2) immediately after giving effect to such transaction, no Event of Default, and no event which, after notice or lapse of time, or both, would become an Event of Default, shall have happened and be continuing;
(3) in the case of the Securities of a series issued to a Hartford Trust, such consolidation, merger, conveyance, transfer or lease is permitted under the related Trust Agreement and Hartford Guarantee and does not give rise to any breach or violation of the related Trust Agreement or Hartford Guarantee; and
(4) the Company has delivered to the Trustee an Officers' Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel each stating that such consolidation, merger, conveyance, transfer or lease and any such supplemental indenture complies with this Article and that all
conditions precedent herein provided for relating to such transaction have been complied with; and the Trustee, subject to Section 601, may rely upon such Officers' Certificate and opinion of Counsel as conclusive evidence that such transaction complies with this Section 801.
SECTION 802. Successor Corporation Substituted.
Upon any consolidation or merger by the Company with or into any other corporation, or any conveyance, transfer or lease by the Company of its properties and assets substantially as an entirety to any Person in accordance with Section 801, the successor corporation formed by such consolidation or into which the Company is merged or to which such conveyance, transfer or lease is made shall succeed to, and be substituted for, and may exercise every right and power of, the Company under this Indenture with the same effect as if such successor corporation had been named as the Company herein; and in the event of any such conveyance, transfer or lease the Company shall be discharged from all obligations and covenants under the Indenture and the Securities and may be dissolved and liquidated.
Such successor corporation may cause to be signed, and may issue either in its own name or in the name of the Company, any or all of the Securities issuable hereunder which theretofore shall not have been signed by the Company and delivered to the Trustee; and, upon the order of such successor corporation instead of the Company and subject to all the terms, conditions and limitations in this Indenture prescribed, the Trustee shall authenticate and shall deliver any Securities which previously shall have been signed and delivered by the officers of the Company to the Trustee for authentication pursuant to such provisions and any Securities which such successor corporation thereafter shall cause to be signed and delivered to the Trustee on its behalf for the purpose pursuant to such provisions. All the Securities so issued shall in all respects have the same legal rank and benefit under this Indenture as the Securities theretofore or thereafter issued in accordance with the terms of this Indenture as though all of such Securities had been issued at the date of the execution hereof.
In case of any such consolidation, merger, sale, conveyance or lease, such changes in phraseology and form may be made in the Securities thereafter to be issued as may be appropriate.
ARTICLE NINE
Supplemental Indentures
SECTION 901. Supplemental Indentures Without Consent of Holders.
Without the consent of any Holders, the Company, when authorized by a Board Resolution, and the Trustee, at any time and from time to time, may enter into one or more indentures supplemental hereto, in form satisfactory to the Trustee, for any of the following purposes:
(1) to evidence the succession of another Person to the Company, and the assumption by any such successor of the covenants of the Company herein and in the Securities contained; or
(2) to convey, transfer, assign, mortgage or pledge any property to or with the Trustee or to surrender any right or power herein conferred upon the Company; or
(3) to establish the form or terms of Securities of any series as permitted by Sections 201 or 301; or
(4) to add to the covenants of the Company for the benefit of the Holders of all or any series of Securities (and if such covenants are to be for the benefit of less than all series of Securities, stating that such covenants are expressly being included solely for the benefit of such series) or to surrender any right or power herein conferred upon the Company; or
(5) to add any additional Events of Default; or
(6) to change or eliminate any of the provisions of this Indenture, provided that any such change or elimination shall become effective only when there is no Security Outstanding of any series created prior to the execution of such supplemental indenture which is entitled to the benefit of such provision; or
(7) to cure any ambiguity, to correct or supplement any provision herein which may be inconsistent with any other provision herein, or to make any other provisions with respect to matters or questions arising under this Indenture, provided that such action pursuant to this clause (7) shall not materially adversely affect the interest of the Holders of Securities of any series or, in the case of the Securities of a series issued to a Hartford Trust and for so long as any of the corresponding series of Preferred Securities shall remain outstanding, the holders of such Preferred Securities; or
(8) to evidence and provide for the acceptance of appointment hereunder by a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of one or more series and to add to or
change any of the provisions of this Indenture as shall be necessary to provide for or facilitate the administration of the trusts hereunder by more than one Trustee, pursuant to the requirements of Section 611(b); or
(9) to comply with the requirements of the Commission in order to effect or maintain the qualification of this Indenture under the Trust Indenture Act.
SECTION 902. Supplemental Indentures with Consent of Holders.
With the consent of the Holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of each series affected by such supplemental indenture, by Act of said Holders delivered to the Company and the Trustee, the Company, when authorized by a Board Resolution, and the Trustee may enter into an indenture or indentures supplemental hereto for the purpose of adding any provisions to or changing in any manner or eliminating any of the provisions of this Indenture or of modifying in any manner the rights of the Holders of Securities of such series under this Indenture; provided, however, that no such supplemental indenture shall, without the consent of the Holder of each Outstanding Security affected thereby,
(1) except to the extent permitted by Section 311 or as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 301 with respect to the extension of the interest payment period of the Securities of any series, change the Stated Maturity of the principal of, or any instalment of interest (including any Additional Interest) on, any Security, or reduce the principal amount thereof or the rate of interest thereon or reduce any premium payable upon the redemption thereof, or reduce the amount of principal of an Original Issue Discount Security that would be due and payable upon a declaration of acceleration of the Maturity thereof pursuant to Section 502, or change the place of payment where, or the coin or currency in which, any Security or interest thereon is payable, or impair the right to institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment on or after the Stated Maturity thereof (or, in the case of redemption, on or after the date fixed for redemption thereof), or
(2) reduce the percentage in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of any series, the consent of whose Holders is required for any such supplemental indenture, or the consent of whose Holders is required for any waiver (of compliance with certain provisions of this Indenture or certain defaults hereunder and their consequences) provided for in this Indenture, or
(3) modify any of the provisions of this Section, Section 513 or
Section 1006, except to increase any such percentage or to provide that certain
other provisions of this Indenture cannot be modified or waived without the
consent of the Holder of each Security affected thereby; or
(4) modify the provisions in Article Thirteen of this Indenture with respect to the subordination of Outstanding Securities of any series in a manner adverse to the Holders thereof;
provided that, in the case of the Securities of a series issued to a Hartford Trust, so long as any of the corresponding series of Preferred Securities remains outstanding, no such amendment shall be made that adversely affects the holders of such Preferred Securities, and no termination of this Indenture shall occur, and no waiver of any Event of Default or compliance with any covenant under this Indenture shall be effective, without the prior consent of the holders of at least a majority of the aggregate liquidation preference of such Preferred Securities then outstanding unless and until the principal (and premium, if any) of the Securities of such series and all accrued and unpaid interest (including any Additional Interest) thereon have been paid in full; and provided further that in the case of the Securities of a series issued to a Hartford Trust, so long as any of the corresponding series of Preferred Securities remain outstanding, no amendment shall be made to Section 508 of this Indenture without the prior consent of the holders of each Preferred Security then outstanding unless and until the principal (and premium, if any) of the Securities of such series and all accrued and (subject to Section 307) unpaid interest (including any Additional Interest) thereon have been paid in full.
A supplemental indenture that changes or eliminates any covenant or other provision of this Indenture that has expressly been included solely for the benefit of one or more particular series of Securities, or which modifies the rights of the Holders of Securities of such series with respect to such covenant or other provision, shall be deemed not to affect the rights under this Indenture of the Holders of Securities of any other series.
It shall not be necessary for any Act of Holders under this Section to approve the particular form of any proposed supplemental indenture, but it shall be sufficient if such Act shall approve the substance thereof.
SECTION 903. Execution of Supplemental Indentures.
In executing or accepting the additional trusts created by any supplemental indenture permitted by this Article or the modifications thereby of the trusts created by this Indenture, the Trustee shall be entitled to receive, and (subject to Section 601) shall be fully protected in relying upon, an Officers' Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel stating that the execution of such supplemental indenture is authorized or permitted by this Indenture, and that all conditions precedent have been complied with. The Trustee may, but shall not be obligated to, enter into any such supplemental indenture which affects the Trustee's own rights, duties or immunities under this Indenture or otherwise.
SECTION 904. Effect of Supplemental Indentures.
Upon the execution of any supplemental indenture under this Article, this Indenture shall be modified in accordance therewith, and such supplemental indenture shall form a part of this Indenture for all purposes; and every Holder of Securities theretofore or thereafter authenticated and delivered hereunder shall be bound thereby.
SECTION 905. Conformity with Trust Indenture Act.
Every supplemental indenture executed pursuant to this Article shall conform to the requirements of the Trust Indenture Act as then in effect.
SECTION 906. Reference in Securities to Supplemental Indentures.
Securities authenticated and delivered after the execution of any supplemental indenture pursuant to this Article may, and shall if required by the Trustee, bear a notation in form approved by the Trustee as to any matter provided for in such supplemental indenture. If the Company shall so determine, new Securities of any series so modified as to conform, in the opinion of the Trustee and the Board of Directors, to any such supplemental indenture may be prepared and executed by the Company and authenticated and delivered by the Trustee in exchange for Outstanding Securities of such series.
ARTICLE TEN
Covenants
SECTION 1001. Payment of Principal, Premium and Interest.
The Company covenants and agrees for the benefit of each series of securities that it will duly and punctually pay the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on the Securities of that series in accordance with the terms of such Securities and this Indenture.
SECTION 1002. Maintenance of Office or Agency.
The Company will maintain in each Place of Payment for any series, an office or agency where Securities of that series may be presented or surrendered for payment and an office or agency where Securities may be surrendered for transfer or exchange and where notices and demands to or upon the Company in respect of the Securities and this Indenture may be served. The Company initially appoints the Trustee, acting through its Corporate Trust Office, as its agent for said purposes. The Company will give prompt written notice to the Trustee of any change in the location of any such office or agency. If at any time the Company shall fail to maintain such office or agency or shall fail to
furnish the Trustee with the address thereof, such presentations, surrenders, notices and demands may be made or served at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee, and the Company hereby appoints the Trustee as its agent to receive all such presentations, surrenders, notices and demands.
The Company may also from time to time designate one or more other offices or agencies where the Securities may be presented or surrendered for any or all of such purposes, and may from time to time rescind such designations; provided, however, that no such designation or rescission shall in any manner relieve the Company of its obligation to maintain an office or agency in each Place of Payment for Securities of any series for such purposes. The Company will give prompt written notice to the Trustee of any such designation and any change in the location of any such office or agency.
SECTION 1003. Money for Security Payments to be Held in Trust.
If the Company shall at any time act as its own Paying Agent with respect to any series of Securities, it will, on or before each due date of the principal of (and premium, if any) or interest on any of the Securities of such series, segregate and hold in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled thereto a sum sufficient to pay the principal (and premium, if any) or interest so becoming due until such sums shall be paid to such Persons or otherwise disposed of as herein provided, and will promptly notify the Trustee of its failure so to act.
Whenever the Company shall have one or more Paying Agents, it will, prior to each due date of the principal of or interest on any Securities, deposit with a Paying Agent a sum sufficient to pay the principal (and premium, if any) or interest so becoming due, such sum to be held in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled to such principal and premium (if any) or interest, and (unless such Paying Agent is the Trustee) the Company will promptly notify the Trustee of its failure so to act.
The Company will cause each Paying Agent other than the Trustee to execute and deliver to the Trustee an instrument in which such Paying Agent shall agree with the Trustee, subject to the provisions of this Section, that such Paying Agent will:
(1) hold all sums held by it for the payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) or interest on Securities in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled thereto until such sums shall be paid to such Persons or otherwise disposed of as herein provided;
(2) give the Trustee notice of any default by the Company (or any other obligor upon the Securities) in the making of any payment of principal (and premium, if any) or interest;
(3) at any time during the continuance of any such default, upon the written request of the Trustee, forthwith pay to the Trustee all sums so held in trust by such Paying Agent; and
(4) comply with the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act applicable to it as a Paying Agent.
The Company may at any time, for the purpose of obtaining the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture or for any other purpose, pay, or by Company Order direct any Paying Agent to pay, to the Trustee all sums held in trust by the Company or such Paying Agent, such sums to be held by the Trustee upon the same trusts as those upon which such sums were held by the Company or such Paying Agent; and, upon such payment by the Company or any Paying Agent to the Trustee, such Paying Agent shall be released from all further liability with respect to such money.
Any money deposited with the Trustee or any Paying Agent, or then held by the Company, in trust for the payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) or interest on any Security and remaining unclaimed for two years after such principal (and premium, if any) or interest has become due and payable shall (unless otherwise required by mandatory provision of applicable escheat or abandoned or unclaimed property law) be paid on Company Request to the Company, or (if then held by the Company) shall (unless otherwise required by mandatory provision of applicable escheat or abandoned or unclaimed property law) be discharged from such trust; and the Holder of such Security shall thereafter, as an unsecured general creditor, look only to the Company for payment thereof, and all liability of the Trustee or such Paying Agent with respect to such trust money, and all liability of the Company as trustee thereof, shall thereupon cease; provided, however, that the Trustee or such Paying Agent, before being required to make any such repayment, may at the expense of the Company cause to be published once, in a newspaper published in the English language, customarily published on each Business Day and of general circulation in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, notice that such money remains unclaimed and that, after a date specified therein, which shall not be less than 30 days from the date of such publication, any unclaimed balance of such money then remaining will be repaid the Company.
SECTION 1004. Payment of Taxes and Other Claims.
The Company will pay or discharge or cause to be paid or discharged, before the same shall become delinquent, (1) all taxes, assessments and governmental charges levied or imposed upon the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary or upon the income, profits or property of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary, and (2) all lawful claims for labor, materials and supplies which, if unpaid, might by law become a lien upon the property of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary; provided, however, that the Company shall not be required to pay or discharge or cause to be paid or discharged any
such tax, assessment, charge or claim whose amount, applicability or validity is being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings.
SECTION 1005. Statement as to Compliance.
The Company shall deliver to the Trustee, within 120 days after the end of each calendar year of the Company ending after the date hereof, an Officers' Certificate covering the preceding fiscal year, stating whether or not to the best knowledge of the signers thereof the Company is in default in the performance, observance or fulfillment of or compliance with any of the terms, provisions, covenants and conditions of this Indenture, and if the Company shall be in default, specifying all such defaults and the nature and status thereof of which they may have knowledge. For the purpose of this Section 1005, compliance shall be determined without regard to any grace period or requirement of notice provided pursuant to the terms of this Indenture.
SECTION 1006. Waiver of Certain Covenants.
The Company may omit in any particular instance to comply with any covenant or condition set forth in Section 1004 or as specified as contemplated by Section 301 with respect to the Securities of any series, if before or after the time for such compliance the Holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series shall, by Act of such Holders, either waive such compliance in such instance or generally waive compliance with such covenant or condition, but no such waiver shall extend to or affect such covenant or condition except to the extent so expressly waived, and, until such waiver shall become effective, the obligations of the Company in respect of any such covenant or condition shall remain in full force and effect.
SECTION 1007. Additional Sums.
In the case of the Securities of a series issued to a Hartford Trust,
except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 301, in the event that
(i) a Hartford Trust is the Holder of all of the Outstanding Securities of such
series, (ii) a Tax Event in respect of such Hartford Trust shall have occurred
and be continuing and (iii) the Company shall not have (i) redeemed the
Securities of such series pursuant to Section 1107(b) or (ii) terminated such
Hartford Trust pursuant to section 902(b) of the related Trust Agreement, the
Company shall pay to such Hartford Trust (and its permitted successors or
assigns under the related Trust Agreement) for so long as such Hartford Trust
(or its permitted successor or assignee) is the registered holder of any
Securities of such series, such additional amounts as may be necessary in order
that the amount of distributions (including any Additional Amounts (as defined
in the Trust Agreement)) then due and payable by such Hartford Trust on the
related Preferred Securities and Common Securities that at any time remain
outstanding in accordance with the terms thereof shall not be reduced as a
result of any Additional Taxes (the "Additional Sums"); provided
that, if this Indenture has not been qualified under the Trust Indenture Act, the Company shall be required to pay such Additional Sums until this Indenture is so qualified. Whenever in this Indenture or the Securities there is a reference in any context to the payment of principal of or interest on the Securities, such mention shall be deemed to include mention of the payments of the Additional Sums provided for in this paragraph to the extent that, in such context, Additional Sums are, were or would be payable in respect thereof pursuant to the provisions of this paragraph and express mention of the payment of Additional Sums (if applicable) in any provisions hereof shall not be construed as excluding Additional Sums in those provisions hereof where such express mention is not made, provided, however, that the extension of an interest payment period pursuant to Section 311 of the Securities shall not extend the payment of any Additional Sums that may be due and payable during such interest payment period.
SECTION 1008. Additional Covenants.
The Company covenants and agrees with each Holder of Securities of a series issued to a Hartford Trust that it will not, and it will not permit any Subsidiary of the Company to, (a) declare or pay any dividends or distributions on, or redeem, purchase, acquire or make a liquidation payment with respect to, any shares of the Company's capital stock, or (b) make any payment of principal, interest or premium, if any, on or repay, repurchase or redeem any debt securities that rank pari passu with or junior to the Securities of such series or make any guarantee payments with respect to the foregoing (other than (a) dividends or distributions in common stock of the Company, (b) redemptions or purchases of any rights pursuant to the Company's Rights Plan, or any successor to such Rights Plan, and the declaration of a dividend of such rights in the future, and (c) payments under any Hartford Guarantee) if at such time (i) there shall have occurred any event of which the Company has actual knowledge that (a) with the giving of notice or the lapse of time or both, would constitute an Event of Default hereunder and (b) in respect of which the Company shall not have taken reasonable steps to cure, (ii) the Company shall be in default with respect to its payment of any obligations under the related Hartford Guarantee or (iii) the Company shall have given notice of its selection of an Extension Period as provided herein and shall not have rescinded such notice, or such period, or any extension thereof, shall be continuing.
The Company also covenants with each Holder of Securities of a series
issued to a Hartford Trust (i) to maintain directly or indirectly 100% ownership
of the Common Securities of such Hartford Trust; provided, however, that any
permitted successor of the Company hereunder may succeed to the Company's
ownership of such Common Securities, (ii) not to voluntarily terminate, wind-up
or liquidate such Hartford Trust, except (a) in connection with a distribution
of the Securities of such series to the holders of Preferred Securities in
liquidation of such Hartford Trust or (b) in connection with certain mergers,
consolidations or amalgamations permitted by the related Trust Agreement and
(iii) to use its reasonable efforts, consistent with the terms and provisions
of such Trust Agreement, to cause such Hartford Trust to remain a business trust and not to be classified as an association taxable as a corporation for United States federal income tax purposes.
ARTICLE ELEVEN
Redemption of Securities
SECTION 1101. Applicability of This Article.
Redemption of Securities (whether by operation of a sinking fund or otherwise) as permitted or required by any form of Security issued pursuant to this Indenture shall be made in accordance with such form of Security and this Article; provided, however, that if any provision of any such form of Security shall conflict with any provision of this Article, the provision of such form of Security shall govern. Except as otherwise set forth in the form of Security for such series, each Security shall be subject to partial redemption only in the amount of $25 or, in the case of the Securities of a series issued to a Hartford Trust, $25, or integral multiples thereof.
SECTION 1102. Election to Redeem; Notice to Trustee.
The election of the Company to redeem any Securities shall be evidenced by or pursuant to a Board Resolution. In case of any redemption at the election of the Company of less than all of the Securities of any particular series and having the same terms, the Company shall, not less than 30 nor more than 60 days prior to the date fixed for redemption (unless a shorter notice shall be satisfactory to the Trustee), notify the Trustee of such date and of the principal amount of Securities of that series to be redeemed. In the case of any redemption of Securities prior to the expiration of any restriction on such redemption provided in the terms of such Securities, the Company shall furnish the Trustee with an Officers' Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel evidencing compliance with such restriction.
SECTION 1103. Selection of Securities to be Redeemed.
If less than all the Securities of a particular series and having the same terms are to be redeemed, the Trustee shall select, not more than 60 days prior to the date fixed for redemption, in such manner as in its sole discretion it shall deem appropriate and fair, the Securities or portions thereof of such series to be redeemed. The Trustee shall promptly notify the Company in writing of the Securities selected for partial redemption and the principal amount thereof to be redeemed. For all purposes of this Indenture, unless the context otherwise requires, all provisions relating to the redemption of Securities shall relate, in the case of any Security redeemed or to be redeemed only in part, to the portion of the principal amount of such Security which has been or is to be redeemed. If the
Company shall so direct, Securities registered in the name of the Company, any Affiliate or any Subsidiary thereof shall not be included in the Securities selected for redemption.
SECTION 1104. Notice of Redemption.
Notice of redemption shall be given by first-class mail, postage prepaid, mailed not later than the thirtieth day, and not earlier than the sixtieth day, prior to the date fixed for redemption, to each Holder of Securities to be redeemed, at the address of such Holder as it appears in the Securities Register.
With respect to Securities of each series to be redeemed, each notice of redemption shall state:
(a) the date fixed for redemption for Securities of such series;
(b) the redemption price at which Securities of such series are to be redeemed;
(c) if less than all Outstanding Securities of such particular series and having the same terms are to be redeemed, the identification (and, in the case of partial redemption, the respective principal amounts) of the particular Securities to be redeemed;
(d) that on the date fixed for redemption, the redemption price at which such Securities are to be redeemed will become due and payable upon each such Security or portion thereof, and that interest thereon, if any, shall cease to accrue on and after said date;
(e) the place or places where such Securities are to be surrendered for payment of the redemption price at which such Securities are to be redeemed; and
(f) that the redemption is for a sinking fund, if such is the case.
Notice of redemption of Securities to be redeemed at the election of the Company shall be given by the Company or, at the Company's request, by the Trustee in the name and at the expense of the Company. The notice if mailed in the manner herein provided shall be conclusively presumed to have been duly given, whether or not the Holder receives such notice. In any case, a failure to give such notice by mail or any defect in the notice to the Holder of any Security designated for redemption as a whole or in part shall not affect the validity of the proceedings for the redemption of any other Security.
SECTION 1105. Deposit of Redemption Price.
Prior to the redemption date specified in the notice of redemption given as provided in Section 1104, the Company will deposit with the Trustee or with one or more
paying agents an amount of money sufficient to redeem on the redemption date all the Securities so called for redemption at the applicable redemption price.
SECTION 1106. Payment of Securities Called for Redemption.
If any notice of redemption has been given as provided in Section 1104, the Securities or portion of Securities with respect to which such notice has been given shall become due and payable on the date and at the place or places stated in such notice at the applicable redemption price. On presentation and surrender of such Securities at a place of payment in said notice specified, the said securities or the specified portions thereof shall be paid and redeemed by the Company at the applicable redemption price.
Upon presentation of any Security redeemed in part only, the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver to the Holder thereof, at the expense of the Company, a new Security or Securities of the same series, of authorized denominations, in aggregate principal amount equal to the unredeemed portion of the Security so presented and having the same Original Issue Date, Stated Maturity and terms. If a Global Security is so surrendered, such new Security will also be a new Global Security.
SECTION 1107. Company's Right of Redemption.
(a) Unless otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 301 with
respect to the Securities of a particular series and notwithstanding any
additional redemption rights that may be so specified, the Company may, at its
option, redeem the Securities of any series after their date of issuance in
whole or in part at any time and from time to time, subject to the provisions of
this clause (a) and the other provisions of this Article Eleven. Unless
otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 301 with respect to the
Securities of a particular series, the redemption price for any Security so
redeemed pursuant to this clause (a) shall equal any accrued and unpaid
interest, including any Additional Interest, to the date fixed for redemption,
plus the greater of (a) the principal amount thereof and (b) an amount equal to
(i) in respect of the Securities of any series bearing interest at a fixed rate,
the Discounted Remaining Fixed Amount Payments or (ii) in respect of the
Securities of any series bearing interest determined by reference to a floating
rate, the Discounted Swap Equivalent Payments. The Company shall not redeem the
Securities in part unless all accrued and unpaid interest (including any
Additional Interest) has been paid in full on all Securities Outstanding for all
interest periods terminating on or prior to the date fixed for redemption. For
purposes of this clause (a), the following terms shall have the meanings set
forth below:
"Discounted Remaining Fixed Amount Payments" means, in respect of a Security of any series bearing interest at a fixed rate, an amount equal to the sum of the Current Values of the amounts of interest and principal that would have been payable by the
Company pursuant to the terms of such Security on each Interest Payment Date after the date fixed for redemption pursuant to this Section 1107 and at the Stated Maturity of the final payment of principal thereof (taking into account any required sinking fund payments but otherwise assuming that the Company had not redeemed such Security prior to such Stated Maturity).
"Current Value" means, in respect of any amount, the present value of that amount on the date fixed for redemption pursuant to this Section 1107 after discounting that amount on a basis corresponding to the interest period of the Securities to be redeemed from the originally scheduled date for payment on the basis of the Treasury Rate, all computed in accordance with generally accepted financial practice.
"Treasury Rate" means a per annum rate (expressed as a decimal and, in the case of United States Treasury bills, converted to a per annum yield) determined on the date fixed for redemption pursuant to this Section 1107 to be the per annum rate equal to the semiannual bond equivalent yield to maturity adjusted, in the case of Securities having monthly or quarterly Interest Payment Dates, to reflect monthly or quarterly compounding in accordance with generally accepted financial practice for United States Treasury securities maturing at the Stated Maturity of the final payment of principal of any series of Securities redeemed pursuant to this Section 1107, as determined (i) by reference to the weekly average yield to maturity for United States Treasury securities maturing on such Stated Maturity as reported in the most recent Statistical Release H.15(519) of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve, or (ii) if no such weekly average yield is so reported, by interpolation between the most recent weekly average yields to maturity for two series of United States Treasury securities, (a) one maturing as close as possible to, but earlier than, such Stated Maturity and (b) the other maturing as close as possible to, but later than, such Stated Maturity, in each case as published in the most recent Statistical Release H.15(519) of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve.
"Discounted Swap Equivalent Payments" means, in respect of a Security of any series bearing interest determined by reference to a floating rate, an amount equal to the sum of (i) the Current Value of the amount of principal that would have been payable by the Company pursuant to the terms of such Security at the Stated Maturity of the final payment of the principal thereof (taking into effect any required sinking fund payments but otherwise assuming that the Company had not redeemed such Security prior to such Stated Maturity) and (ii) the sum of the Current Values of the fixed rate payments that Reference Market-Makers would require to be paid by an assumed fixed rate payer having the same credit standing as the Company against floating rate payments to be made by such Reference Market-Makers equal to the interest payments on the Security being redeemed (taking into effect any required sinking fund payments but otherwise assuming the Company had not redeemed such Security prior to such Stated Maturity) under an interest rate swap agreement documented under standard forms of the
International Swap Dealers Association, Inc., and having a notional principal amount equal to the principal amount of such Security, a termination date set at the Stated Maturity of such Security and payment dates for both fixed and floating rate payers set at each Interest Payment Date of such Security. The Trustee (or its agent) will request each Reference Market-Maker to provide its quotation of such fixed rate payments to the extent practicable as of the same time (without regard to different time zones) on a date that is no more than five Business Days prior to the date on which the notice of redemption required by Section 1104 is first mailed to the Holders of the Securities being redeemed. If more than three such quotations are provided, the fixed rate payments will be the arithmetic mean of the dollar equivalent of such quotations without regard to the quotations having the highest and lowest values. If exactly three such quotations are provided, the fixed rate payments will be the quotation remaining after disregarding the quotations having the highest and lowest values.
"Reference Market-Makers" means four leading dealers in the market for interest rate swaps selected by the Trustee (or its agent) in good faith from among dealers of the highest credit standing which satisfy all the criteria that the Trustee (or its agent) applies generally at the time in deciding whether to offer or to make an extension of credit or, if quotations from four such leading dealers are not reasonably obtainable, three such leading dealers.
(b) In the case of the Securities of a series issued to a Hartford Trust, except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 301, if a Special Event in respect of such Hartford Trust shall occur and be continuing, the Company may, at its option, redeem the Securities of such series, in whole but not in part, subject to the provisions of this clause (b) and the other provisions of this Article Eleven. The redemption price for any Security so redeemed pursuant to this clause (b) shall be equal to 100% of the principal amount of such Securities then Outstanding plus accrued and unpaid interest, including any Additional Interest, to the date fixed for redemption.
Notwithstanding any other provision of this Article 11, installments of accrued and unpaid interest whose Stated Maturity is on or prior to the Redemption Date will be payable to the Holders of the series of Securities to be redeemed, or one or more Predecessor Securities, registered as such at the close of business on the relevant Regular Record Dates according to their terms and the provisions of Section 307.
ARTICLE TWELVE
Subordination of Securities
SECTION 1201. Securities Subordinate to Senior Debt.
The Company covenants and agrees, and each Holder of a Security, by its acceptance thereof, likewise covenants and agrees, that, to the extent and in the manner hereinafter set forth in this Article, the payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest (including any Additional Interest) on each and all of the Securities are hereby expressly made subordinate and subject in right of payment to the prior payment in full of all amounts then due and payable in respect of all Senior Debt.
SECTION 1202. Payment Over of Proceeds Upon Dissolution, Etc.
In case of the pendency of any receivership, insolvency, liquidation, bankruptcy, reorganization, arrangement, adjustment, composition or other judicial proceeding relative to the Company (each such event, if any, herein sometimes referred to as a "Proceeding"), then the holders of Senior Debt shall be entitled to receive payment in full of principal of (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, on such Senior Debt, or provision shall be made for such payment in cash or cash equivalents or otherwise in a manner satisfactory to the holders of Senior Debt, before the Holders of the Securities are entitled to receive or retain any payment or distribution of any kind or character, whether in cash, property or securities (including any payment or distribution which may be payable or deliverable by reason of the payment of any other Debt of the Company (including any series of the Securities) subordinated to the payment of the Securities, such payment or distribution being hereinafter referred to as a "Junior Subordinated Payment"), on account of principal of (or premium, if any) or interest (including any Additional Interest) on the Securities or on account of the purchase or other acquisition of Securities by the Company or any Subsidiary and to that end the holders of Senior Debt shall be entitled to receive, for application to the payment thereof, any payment or distribution of any kind of character, whether in cash, property or securities, including any Junior Subordinated Payment, which may be payable or deliverable in respect of the Securities in any such Proceeding.
In the event that, notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section, the Trustee or the Holder of any Security shall have received any payment or distribution of assets of the Company of any kind or character, whether in cash, property or securities, including any Junior Subordinated Payment, before all Senior Debt is paid in full or payment thereof is provided for in cash or cash equivalents or otherwise in a manner satisfactory to the holders of Senior Debt, and if such fact shall, at or prior to the time of such payment or distribution, have been made known to the Trustee or, as the case may be, such Holder, then and in such event such payment or distribution shall be paid over or
delivered forthwith to the trustee in bankruptcy, receiver, liquidating trustee, custodian, assignee, agent or other Person making payment or distribution of assets of the Company for application to the payment of all Senior Debt remaining unpaid, to the extent necessary to pay all Senior Debt in full, after giving effect to any concurrent payment or distribution to or for the holders of Senior Debt.
For purposes of this Article only, the words "any payment or distribution of any kind or character, whether in cash, property or securities" shall not be deemed to include shares of stock of the Company as reorganized or readjusted, or securities of the Company or any other corporation provided for by a plan of reorganization or readjustment which securities are subordinated in right of payment to all then outstanding Senior Debt to substantially the same extent as the Securities are so subordinated as provided in this Article. The consolidation of the Company with, or the merger of the Company into, another Person or the liquidation or dissolution of the Company following the sale of all or substantially all of its properties and assets as an entirety to another Person or the liquidation or dissolution of the Company following the sale of all or substantially all of its properties and assets as an entirety to another Person upon the terms and conditions set forth in Article Eight shall not be deemed a Proceeding for the purposes of this Section if the Person formed by such consolidation or into which the Company is merged or the Person which acquires by sale such properties and assets as an entirety, as the case may be, shall, as a part of such consolidation, merger, or sale comply with the conditions set forth in Article Eight.
SECTION 1203. Prior Payment to Senior Debt Upon Acceleration of Securities.
In the event that any Securities are declared due and payable before their Stated Maturity, then and in such event the holders of the Senior Debt outstanding at the time such Securities so become due and payable shall be entitled to receive payment in full of all amounts due on or in respect of such Senior Debt (including any amounts due upon acceleration), or provision shall be made for such payment in cash or cash equivalents or otherwise in a manner satisfactory to the holders of Senior Debt, before the Holders of the Securities are entitled to receive any payment or distribution of any kind or character, whether in cash, properties or securities (including any Junior Subordinated Payment) by the Company on account of the principal of (or premium, if any) or interest (including any Additional Interest) on the Securities or on account of the purchase or other acquisition of Securities by the Company or any Subsidiary; provided, however, that nothing in this Section shall prevent the satisfaction of any sinking fund payment in accordance with this Indenture or as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 301 for the Securities of any series by delivering and crediting as contemplated by Section 301 for the Securities of any series Securities which have been acquired (upon redemption or otherwise) prior to such declaration of acceleration.
In the event that, notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company shall make any payment to the Trustee or the Holder of any Security prohibited by the foregoing provisions of this Section, and if such fact shall, at or prior to the time of such payment, have been made known to the Trustee or, as the case may be, such Holder, then and in such event such payment shall be paid over and delivered forthwith to the Company.
The provisions of this Section shall not apply to any payment with respect to which Section 1202 would be applicable.
SECTION 1204. No Payment When Senior Debt in Default.
(a) In the event and during the continuation of any default in the
payment of principal of (or premium, if any) or interest on any Senior Debt, or
in the event that any event of default with respect to any Senior Debt shall
have occurred and be continuing and shall have resulted in such Senior Debt
becoming or being declared due and payable prior to the date on which it would
otherwise have become due and payable, unless and until such event of default
shall have been cured or waived or shall have ceased to exist and such
acceleration shall have been rescinded or annulled, or (b) in the event any
judicial proceeding shall be pending with respect to any such default in payment
or such event or default, then no payment or distribution of any kind or
character, whether in cash, properties or securities (including any Junior
Subordinated Payment) shall be made by the Company on account of principal of
(or premium, if any) or interest (including any Additional Interest), if any, on
the Securities or on account of the purchase or other acquisition of Securities
by the Company or any Subsidiary; provided, however, that nothing in this
Section shall prevent the satisfaction of any sinking fund payment in accordance
with this Indenture or as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 301 for
the Securities of any series by delivering and crediting pursuant to Section
1202 or as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 301 for the Securities
of any series of Securities which have been acquired (upon redemption or
otherwise) prior to such default in payment or event of default.
In the event that, notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company shall make any payment to the Trustee or the Holder of any Security prohibited by the foregoing provisions of this Section, and if such fact shall, at or prior to the time of such payment, have been made known to the Trustee or, as the case may be, such Holder, then and in such event such payment shall be paid over and delivered forthwith to the Company.
The provisions of this Section shall not apply to any payment with respect to which Section 1202 would be applicable.
SECTION 1205. Payment Permitted If No Default.
Nothing contained in this Article or elsewhere in this Indenture or in any of the Securities shall prevent (a) the Company, at any time except during the pendency of any Proceeding referred to in Section 1202 or under the conditions described in Sections 1203 and 1204, from making payments at any time of principal of (and premium, if any) or interest on the Securities, or (b) the application by the Trustee of any money or Government Obligations deposited with it hereunder to the payment of or on account of the principal of (and premium, if any) or interest (including any Additional Interest) on the Securities or the retention of such payment by the Holders, if, at the time of such application by the Trustee, it did not have knowledge that such payment would have been prohibited by the provisions of this Article.
SECTION 1206. Subrogation to Rights of Holders of Senior Debt.
Subject to the payment in full of all Senior Debt, or the provision for such payment in cash or cash equivalents or otherwise in a manner satisfactory to the holders of Senior Debt, the Holders of the Securities shall be subrogated to the extent of the payments or distributions made to the holders of such Senior Debt pursuant to the provisions of this Article (equally and ratably with the holders of all indebtedness of the Company which by its express terms is subordinated to Senior Debt of the Company to substantially the same extent as the Securities are subordinated to the Senior Debt and is entitled to like rights of subrogation by reason of any payments or distributions made to holders of such Senior Debt) to the rights of the holders of such Senior Debt to receive payments and distributions of cash, property and securities applicable to the Senior Debt until the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on the Securities shall be paid in full. For purposes of such subrogation or assignment, no payments or distributions to the holders of the Senior Debt of any cash, property or securities to which the Holders of the Securities or the Trustee would be entitled except for the provisions of this Article, and no payments over pursuant to the provisions of this Article to the holders of Senior Debt by Holders of the Securities or the Trustee, shall, as among the Company, its creditors other than holders of Senior Debt, and the Holders of the Securities, be deemed to be a payment or distribution by the Company to or on account of the Senior Debt.
SECTION 1207. Provisions Solely to Define Relative Rights.
The provisions of this Article are and are intended solely for the purpose of defining the relative rights of the Holders of the Securities on the one hand and the holders of Senior Debt on the other hand. Nothing contained in this Article or elsewhere in this Indenture or in the Securities is intended to or shall (a) impair, as between the Company and the Holders of the Securities, the obligations of the Company, which are absolute and unconditional, to pay to the Holders of the Securities the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest (including any Additional Interest) on the Securities as and
when the same shall become due and payable in accordance with their terms; or
(b) affect the relative rights against the Company of the Holders of the
Securities and creditors of the Company other than their rights in relation to
the holders of Senior Debt; or (c) prevent the Trustee or the Holder of any
Security from exercising all remedies otherwise permitted by applicable law upon
default under this Indenture including, without limitation, filing and voting
claims in any Proceeding, subject to the rights, if any, under this Article of
the holders of Senior Debt to receive cash, property and securities otherwise
payable or deliverable to the Trustee or such Holder.
SECTION 1208. Trustee to Effectuate Subordination.
Each Holder of a Security by his or her acceptance thereof authorizes and directs the Trustee on his or her behalf to take such action as may be necessary or appropriate to acknowledge or effectuate the subordination provided in this Article and appoints the Trustee his or her attorney-in-fact for any and all such purposes.
SECTION 1209. No Waiver of Subordination Provisions.
No right of any present or future holder of any Senior Debt to enforce subordination as herein provided shall at any time in any way be prejudiced or impaired by any act or failure to act on the part of the Company or by any act or failure to act, in good faith, by any such holder, or by any noncompliance by the Company with the terms, provisions and covenants of this Indenture, regardless of any knowledge thereof that any such holder may have or be otherwise charged with.
SECTION 1210. Notice to Trustee.
The Company shall give prompt written notice to the Trustee of any fact known to the Company which would prohibit the making of any payment to or by the Trustee in respect of the Securities. Notwithstanding the provisions of this Article or any other provision of this Indenture, the Trustee shall not be charged with knowledge of the existence of any facts which would prohibit the making of any payment to or by the Trustee in respect of the Securities, unless and until the Trustee shall have received written notice thereof from the Company or a holder of Senior Debt or from any trustee, agent or representative therefor (whether or not the facts contained in such notice are true); provided, however, that if the Trustee shall not have received the notice provided for in this Section at least two Business Days prior to the date upon which by the terms hereof any monies may become payable for any purpose (including, without limitation, the payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) or interest (including any Additional Interest) on any Security), then, anything herein contained to the contrary notwithstanding, the Trustee shall have full power and authority to receive such monies and to apply the same to the purpose for which they were received and shall not be
affected by any notice to the contrary which may be received by it within two Business Days prior to such date.
SECTION 1211. Reliance on Judicial Order or Certificate of Liquidating Agent.
Upon any payment or distribution of assets of the Company referred to in this Article, the Trustee, subject to the provisions of Article Six, and the Holders of the Securities shall be entitled to rely upon any order or decree entered by any court of competent jurisdiction in which such Proceeding is pending, or a certificate of the trustee in bankruptcy, receiver, liquidating trustee, custodian, assignee for the benefit of creditors, agent or other Person making such payment or distribution, delivered to the Trustee or to the Holders of Securities, for the purpose of ascertaining the Persons entitled to participate in such payment or distribution, the holders of the Senior Debt and other indebtedness of the Company, the amount thereof or payable thereon, the amount or amounts paid or distributed thereon and all other facts pertinent thereto or to this Article.
SECTION 1212. Trustee Not Fiduciary for Holders of Senior Debt.
The Trustee, in its capacity as trustee under this Indenture, shall not be deemed to owe any fiduciary duty to the holders of Senior Debt and shall not be liable to any such holders if it shall in good faith mistakenly pay over or distribute to Holders of Securities or to the Company or to any other Person cash, property or securities to which any holders of Senior Debt shall be entitled by virtue of this Article or otherwise.
SECTION 1213. Rights of Trustee as Holder of Senior Debt; Preservation of Trustee's Rights.
The Trustee in its individual capacity shall be entitled to all the rights set forth in this Article with respect to any Senior Debt which may at any time be held by it, to the same extent as any other holder of Senior Debt, and nothing in this Indenture shall deprive the Trustee of any of its rights as such holder.
SECTION 1214. Article Applicable to Paying Agents.
In case at any time any Paying Agent other than the Trustee shall have been appointed by the Company and be then acting hereunder, the term "Trustee" as used in this Article shall in such case (unless the context otherwise requires) be construed as extending to and including such Paying Agent within its meaning as fully for all intents and purposes as if such Paying Agent were named in this Article in addition to or in place of the Trustee.
SECTION 1215. Certain Conversions or Exchanges Deemed Payment.
For the purposes of this Article only, (a) the issuance and delivery of junior securities upon conversion or exchange of Securities shall not be deemed to constitute a payment or distribution on account of the principal of (or premium, if any) or interest (including any Additional Interest) on Securities or on account of the purchase or other acquisition of Securities, and (b) the payment, issuance or delivery of cash, property or securities (other than junior securities) upon conversion or exchange of a Security shall be deemed to constitute payment on account of the principal of such security. For the purposes of this Section, the term "junior securities" means (i) shares of any stock of any class of the Company and (ii) securities of the Company which are subordinated in right of payment to all Senior Debt which may be outstanding at the time of issuance or delivery of such securities to substantially the same extent as, or to a greater extent than, the Securities are so subordinated as provided in this Article.
* * * *
This instrument may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which so executed shall be deemed to be an original, but all such counterparts shall together constitute but one and the same instrument.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Indenture to be duly executed, and their respective corporate seals to be hereunto affixed and attested, all as of the day and year first above written.
THE HARTFORD FINANCIAL SERVICES GROUP, INC.
By: _____________________________________
Name:
Title:
Attest:
WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY, as Property Trustee
By: _____________________________________
Name:
Title:
THE HARTFORD FINANCIAL SERVICES GROUP, INC.
to
WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY
Trustee
JUNIOR SUBORDINATED INDENTURE
Dated as of _________, 2003
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
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ARTICLE ONE
Definitions and other Provisions of General Application
SECTION 101. Definitions....................................................................... 1
SECTION 102. Compliance Certificate and Opinions............................................... 10
SECTION 103. Forms of Documents Delivered to Trustee........................................... 11
SECTION 104. Acts of Holders................................................................... 11
SECTION 105. Notices, Etc...................................................................... 13
SECTION 106. Notice to Holders; Waiver......................................................... 13
SECTION 107. Conflict With Trust Indenture Act................................................. 13
SECTION 108. Effect of Headings and Table of Contents.......................................... 13
SECTION 109. Successors and Assigns............................................................ 14
SECTION 110. Separability Clause............................................................... 14
SECTION 111. Benefits of Indenture............................................................. 14
SECTION 112. Governing Law..................................................................... 14
SECTION 113. Non-Business Days................................................................. 14
ARTICLE TWO
Security Forms
SECTION 201. Forms Generally................................................................... 14
SECTION 202. Form of Face of Security.......................................................... 15
SECTION 203. Form of Reverse of Security....................................................... 19
SECTION 204. Additional Provisions Required in Global Security................................. 22
SECTION 205. Form of Trustee's Certificate of Authentication................................... 22
ARTICLE THREE
The Securities
SECTION 301. Title and Terms................................................................... 22
SECTION 302. Denominations..................................................................... 25
SECTION 303. Execution, Authentication, Delivery and Dating.................................... 25
SECTION 304. Temporary Securities.............................................................. 27
SECTION 305. Registration, Transfer and Exchange............................................... 27
SECTION 306. Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost and Stolen Securities.................................. 29
SECTION 307. Payment of Interest; Interest Rights Preserved.................................... 30
SECTION 308. Persons Deemed Owners............................................................. 31
SECTION 309. Cancellation...................................................................... 31
SECTION 310. Computation of Interest........................................................... 32
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SECTION 311. Deferrals of Interest Payment Dates............................................... 32
SECTION 312. Right of Set-Off.................................................................. 33
SECTION 313. Agreed Tax Treatment.............................................................. 33
SECTION 314. Extension of Stated Maturity; Adjustment of Stated Maturity Upon an Exchange...... 33
SECTION 315. CUSIP Numbers..................................................................... 34
ARTICLE FOUR
Satisfaction and Discharge
SECTION 401. Satisfaction and Discharge of Indenture........................................... 34
SECTION 402. Application of Trust Money........................................................ 35
SECTION 403. Satisfaction, Discharge and Defeasance of Securities of Any Series................ 36
ARTICLE FIVE
Remedies
SECTION 501. Events of Default................................................................. 37
SECTION 502. Acceleration of Maturity; Rescission and Annulment................................ 38
SECTION 503. Collection of Indebtedness and Suits for Enforcement by Trustee................... 40
SECTION 504. Trustee May File Proofs of Claim.................................................. 41
SECTION 505. Trustee May Enforce Claim Without Possession of Securities........................ 42
SECTION 506. Application of Money Collected.................................................... 42
SECTION 507. Limitation on Suits............................................................... 42
SECTION 508. Unconditional Right of Holders to Receive Principal, Premium and Interest......... 43
SECTION 509. Restoration of Rights and Remedies................................................ 44
SECTION 510. Rights and Remedies Cumulative.................................................... 44
SECTION 511. Delay or Omission Not Waiver...................................................... 44
SECTION 512. Control by Holders................................................................ 44
SECTION 513. Waiver of Past Defaults........................................................... 45
SECTION 514. Undertaking for Costs............................................................. 46
SECTION 515. Waiver of Stay or Extension Laws.................................................. 46
ARTICLE SIX
The Trustee
SECTION 601. Certain Duties and Responsibilities............................................... 46
SECTION 602. Notice of Defaults................................................................ 47
SECTION 603. Certain Rights of Trustee......................................................... 48
SECTION 604. Not Responsible for Recitals or Issuance of Securities............................ 49
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SECTION 605. May Hold Securities............................................................... 49
SECTION 606. Money Held in Trust............................................................... 49
SECTION 607. Compensation and Reimbursement.................................................... 49
SECTION 608. Disqualification; Conflicting Interests........................................... 50
SECTION 609. Corporate Trustee Required; Eligibility........................................... 50
SECTION 610. Resignation and Removal; Appointment of Successor................................. 51
SECTION 611. Acceptance of Appointment by Successor............................................ 52
SECTION 612. Merger, Conversion, Consolidation or Succession to Business....................... 54
SECTION 613. Preferential Collection of Claims Against Company................................. 54
SECTION 614. Appointment of Authenticating Agent............................................... 54
ARTICLE SEVEN
Holders' Lists and Reports by Trustee and Company
SECTION 701. Company to Furnish Trustee Names and Addresses of Holders......................... 56
SECTION 702. Preservation of Information, Communications to Holders............................ 56
SECTION 703. Reports by Trustee................................................................ 57
SECTION 704. Reports by Company................................................................ 57
ARTICLE EIGHT
Consolidation, Merger, Conveyance, Transfer or Lease
SECTION 801. Company May Consolidate, Etc...................................................... 58
SECTION 802. Successor Corporation Substituted................................................. 59
ARTICLE NINE
Supplemental Indentures
SECTION 901. Supplemental Indentures Without Consent of Holders................................ 60
SECTION 902. Supplemental Indentures with Consent of Holders................................... 61
SECTION 903. Execution of Supplemental Indentures.............................................. 62
SECTION 904. Effect of Supplemental Indentures................................................. 63
SECTION 905. Conformity with Trust Indenture Act............................................... 63
SECTION 906. Reference in Securities to Supplemental Indentures................................ 63
ARTICLE TEN
Covenants
SECTION 1001. Payment of Principal, Premium and Interest........................................ 63
SECTION 1002. Maintenance of Office or Agency................................................... 63
SECTION 1003. Money for Security Payments to be Held in Trust................................... 64
SECTION 1004. Payment of Taxes and Other Claims................................................. 65
SECTION 1005. Statement as to Compliance........................................................ 66
SECTION 1006. Waiver of Certain Covenants....................................................... 66
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SECTION 1007. Additional Sums................................................................... 66
SECTION 1008. Additional Covenants.............................................................. 67
ARTICLE ELEVEN
Redemption of Securities
SECTION 1101. Applicability of This Article..................................................... 68
SECTION 1102. Election to Redeem; Notice to Trustee............................................. 68
SECTION 1103. Selection of Securities to be Redeemed............................................ 68
SECTION 1104. Notice of Redemption.............................................................. 69
SECTION 1105. Deposit of Redemption Price....................................................... 69
SECTION 1106. Payment of Securities Called for Redemption....................................... 70
SECTION 1107. Company's Right of Redemption..................................................... 70
ARTICLE TWELVE
Subordination of Securities
SECTION 1201. Securities Subordinate to Senior Debt............................................. 73
SECTION 1202. Payment Over of Proceeds Upon Dissolution, Etc.................................... 73
SECTION 1203. Prior Payment to Senior Debt Upon Acceleration of Securities...................... 74
SECTION 1204. No Payment When Senior Debt in Default............................................ 75
SECTION 1205. Payment Permitted If No Default................................................... 76
SECTION 1206. Subrogation to Rights of Holders of Senior Debt................................... 76
SECTION 1207. Provisions Solely to Define Relative Rights....................................... 76
SECTION 1208. Trustee to Effectuate Subordination............................................... 77
SECTION 1209. No Waiver of Subordination Provisions............................................. 77
SECTION 1210. Notice to Trustee................................................................. 77
SECTION 1211. Reliance on Judicial Order or Certificate of Liquidating Agent.................... 78
SECTION 1212. Trustee Not Fiduciary for Holders of Senior Debt.................................. 78
SECTION 1213. Rights of Trustee as Holder of Senior Debt; Preservation of Trustee's Rights...... 78
SECTION 1214. Article Applicable to Paying Agents............................................... 78
SECTION 1215. Certain Conversions or Exchanges Deemed Payment................................... 79
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Annex A -- Form of Trust Agreement
Annex B -- Form of Amended and Restated Trust Agreement
Annex C -- Form of Guarantee Agreement
THE HARTFORD FINANCIAL SERVICES GROUP, INC.
Reconciliation and tie between the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 (including cross-references to provisions of Sections 310 to and including 317 which, pursuant to Section 318(c) of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended by the Trust Reform Act of 1990, are a part of and govern the Indenture whether or not physically contained therein) and the Indenture.
Trust Indenture
Act Section Indenture Section
Section 310 (a)(1), (2) and (5)............................................................. 609
(a)(3).......................................................................... Not Applicable
(a)(4).......................................................................... Not Applicable
(b)............................................................................. 608, 610
(c)............................................................................. Not Applicable
Section 311 (a)............................................................................. 613(a)
(b)............................................................................. 613(b)
(b)(2).......................................................................... 703(a)(2)
Section 312 (a)............................................................................. 701, 702(a)
(b)............................................................................. 702(b)
(c)............................................................................. 702(c)
Section 313 (a)............................................................................. 703(a)
(b)............................................................................. 703(b)
(c)............................................................................. 703(a), 703(b)
(d)............................................................................. 703(c)
Section 314 (a)(1), (2) and (3)............................................................. 704
(a)(4).......................................................................... 1006
(b)............................................................................. Not Applicable
(c)(1).......................................................................... 102
(c)(2).......................................................................... 102
(c)(3).......................................................................... Not Applicable
(d)............................................................................. Not Applicable
(e)............................................................................. 102
(f)............................................................................. Not Applicable
Section 315 (a)............................................................................. 601(a)
(b)............................................................................. 602, 703(a)(6)
(c)............................................................................. 601(b)
(d)............................................................................. 601(c)
(d)(1).......................................................................... 601(a)(1)
(d)(2).......................................................................... 601(c)(2)
(d)(3).......................................................................... 601(c)(3)
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(e)............................................................................. 514
Section 316 (a)............................................................................. 101
(a)(1)(A)....................................................................... 512
(a)(1)(B)....................................................................... 513
(a)(2).......................................................................... Not Applicable
(b)............................................................................. 508
(c)............................................................................. 104(f)
Section 317 (a)(1).......................................................................... 503
(a)(2).......................................................................... 504
(b)............................................................................. 1003
Section 318 (a)............................................................................. 107
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Note: This reconciliation and tie shall not, for any purpose, be deemed to be a part of the Indenture.
ANNEX A
TRUST AGREEMENT
This TRUST AGREEMENT, dated as of ______, 20__, between The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc., a Delaware corporation, as "Depositor" and _________________, a _______________ as "Trustee". The Depositor and the Trustee hereby agree as follows:
1. The trust created hereby shall be known as _____________, in which name the Trustee, or the Depositor to the extent provided herein, may conduct the business of the Trust, make and execute contracts, and sue and be sued.
2. The Depositor hereby assigns, transfers, conveys and sets over to the Trustee the sum of $10. The Trustee hereby acknowledges receipt of such amount in trust from the Depositor, which amount shall constitute the initial trust estate. The Trustee hereby declares that it will hold the trust estate in trust for the Depositor. It is the intention of the parties hereto that the Trust created hereby constitute a business trust under Chapter 38 of Title 12 of the Delaware Code, 12 Del. C. Section 3801 et seq. (the "Business Trust Act"), and that this document constitutes the governing instrument of the Trust. The Trustee is hereby authorized and directed to execute and file a certificate of trust with the Delaware Secretary of State in accordance with the provisions of the Business Trust Act.
3. The Depositor and the Trustee will enter into an amended and restated Trust Agreement, satisfactory to each such party and substantially in the form included as an exhibit to the 1933 Act Registration Statement (as defined below), to provide for the contemplated operation of the Trust created hereby and the issuance of the Preferred Securities and Common Securities referred to therein. Prior to the execution and delivery of such amended and restated Trust Agreement, the Trustee shall not have any duty or obligation hereunder or with respect to the trust estate, and the Depositor shall take or cause to be taken any action as may be required to obtain any licenses, consents or approvals required by applicable law or otherwise. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Trustee may take all actions requested by the Depositor which the Depositor deems necessary, convenient or incidental to effect the transactions contemplated herein. Except as otherwise expressly required by Section 2 herein, the Trustee shall not have any duty or obligation under or in connection with this Trust Agreement or any document contemplated hereby, including, without limitation, with respect to the administration of the Trust, and no implied duties or obligations shall be inferred from or read into this Trust Agreement against or with respect to the Trustee. The Trustee has no duty or obligation to supervise or monitor the performance of, or compliance with this Trust Agreement, by the Depositor or any other beneficiaries, any agents or attorneys-in-
fact of the Depositor, or any other trustee of the Trust. The Trustee shall not be liable for the acts or omissions of the Depositor or any other beneficiaries, any agents or attorneys-in-fact of the Depositor, or any other trustee of the Trust nor shall the Trustee be liable for any act or omission by it in good faith in accordance with the directions of the Depositor. The right of the Trustee to perform any discretionary act enumerated herein shall not be construed as a duty.
4. The Depositor is hereby authorized, (i) to file with the
Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission") and execute, in each case
on behalf of the Trust, (a) the Registration Statement on Form S-3 (the "1933
Act Registration Statement"), including any pre-effective or post-effective
amendments to such 1933 Act Registration Statement (including the prospectus and
the exhibits contained therein), relating to the registration under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended, of the Preferred Securities of the Trust and
certain other securities and (b) a Registration Statement on Form 8-A (the "1934
Act Registration Statement") (including all pre-effective and post-effective
amendments thereto) relating to the registration of the Preferred Securities of
the Trust under Section 12(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended; (ii) to file with the New York Stock Exchange (the "Exchange") and
execute on behalf of the Trust a listing application and all other applications,
statements, certificates, agreements and other instruments as shall be necessary
or desirable to cause the Preferred Securities to be listed on the Exchange;
(iii) to file and execute on behalf of the Trust such applications, reports,
surety bonds, irrevocable consents, appointments of attorney for service of
process and other papers and documents as shall be necessary or desirable to
register the Preferred Securities under the securities or "Blue Sky" laws, and
to obtain any permits under the insurance laws of such jurisdictions as the
Depositor, on behalf of the Trust, may deem necessary or desirable and (iv) to
execute on behalf of the Trust one or more Underwriting Agreements with one or
more underwriters relating to the offering of the Preferred Securities. In the
event that any filing referred to in clauses (i), (ii) and (iii) above is
required by the rules and regulations of the Commission, the Exchange or state
securities or blue sky laws, to be executed on behalf of the Trust by a Trustee,
the Depositor and any Trustee appointed pursuant to Section 6 hereof are hereby
authorized to join in any such filing and to execute on behalf of the Trust any
and all of the foregoing. In connection with all of the foregoing, the Depositor
hereby constitutes and appoints _________, _________, ________ and
_____________, and each of them, as its true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and
agents, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for the Depositor or
in the Depositor's name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any
and all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to the 1933 Act
Registration Statement and the 1934 Act Registration Statement and to file the
same, with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith,
with the Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents full power
and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and
necessary to be done in connection therewith, as fully to all intents and
purposes as the Depositor might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and
confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents or any of them, or their
respective substitute or substitutes, shall do or cause to be done by virtue
hereof.
5. The Trustee is authorized to take such action or refrain from taking such action under this Trust Agreement as it may be directed in writing by the Depositor from time to time; provided, however, that the Trustee shall not be required to take or refrain from taking any such action if it shall have determined, or shall have been advised by counsel, that such performance is likely to involve the Trustee in personal liability or is contrary to the terms of this Trust Agreement or of any document contemplated hereby to which the Trust or the Trustee is a party or is otherwise contrary to law. If at any time the Trustee determines that it requires or desires guidance regarding the application of any provision of this Trust Agreement or any other document, or regarding compliance with any direction it received hereunder, then the Trustee may deliver a notice to the Depositor requesting written instructions as to the course of action desired by the Depositor, and such instructions by or on behalf of the Depositor shall constitute full and complete authorization and protection for actions taken and other performance by the Trustee in reliance thereon. Until the Trustee has received such instructions after delivering such notice, it may refrain from taking any action with respect to the matters described in such notice.
6. The Depositor hereby agrees to (i) reimburse the Trustee for all reasonable expenses (including reasonable fees and expenses of counsel and other experts), (ii) indemnify, defend and hold harmless the Trustee and the officers, directors, employees and agents of the Trustee (collectively, including the Trustee in its individual capacity, the "Indemnified Persons") from and against any and all losses, damages, liabilities, claims, actions, suits, costs, expenses, disbursements (including the reasonable fees and expenses of counsel), taxes and penalties of any kind and nature whatsoever (collectively, "Expenses"), to the extent that such Expenses arise out of or are imposed upon or asserted at any time against such Indemnified Persons with respect to the performance of this Trust Agreement, the creation, operation, administration or termination of the Trust, or the transactions contemplated hereby; provided, however, that the Depositor shall not be required to indemnify an Indemnified Person for Expenses to the extent such Expenses result from the willful misconduct, bad faith or gross negligence of such Indemnified Person, and (iii) advance to each such Indemnified Person Expenses (including reasonable fees and expenses of counsel) incurred by such Indemnified Person, in defending any claim, demand, action, suit or proceeding prior to the final disposition of such claim, demand, action, suit or proceeding upon receipt by the Depositor of an undertaking, by or on behalf of such Indemnified Person, to repay such amount if it shall be determined that such Indemnified Person is not entitled to be indemnified therefor under this Section 6. The obligations of the Depositor under this Section 6 shall survive the resignation or removal of any Trustee, shall survive the termination of this Trust Agreement, except by amendment and restatement of this Trust Agreement, and shall survive the transfer by the Depositor of any or all of its interest in the Trust.
7. This Trust Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts.
8. The number of Trustees initially shall be one (1) and thereafter the number of Trustees shall be such number as shall be fixed from time to time by a written instrument signed by the Depositor which may increase or decrease the number of Trustees; provided, however, that to the extent required by the Business Trust Act, one Trustee shall either be a natural person who is a resident of the State of Delaware or, if not a natural person, an entity which has its principal place of business in the State of Delaware and otherwise meets the requirements of applicable Delaware law. Subject to the foregoing, the Depositor is entitled to appoint or remove without cause any Trustee at any time. The Trustee may resign upon thirty days' prior notice to the Depositor.
9. This Trust Agreement shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of Delaware (without regard to conflict of laws of principles).
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Trust Agreement to be duly executed as of the day and year first above written.
THE HARTFORD FINANCIAL
SERVICES GROUP, INC., as Depositor
Title:
[ ],
as Trustee
Title:
ANNEX B
AMENDED AND RESTATED
TRUST AGREEMENT
Among
THE HARTFORD FINANCIAL SERVICES GROUP, INC., as Depositor,
__________, as Property Trustee
and Delaware Trustee,
And
THE ADMINISTRATIVE TRUSTEES NAMED HEREIN
Dated as of -, 20__
Certain Sections of this Trust Agreement relating to
Sections 310 through 318 of the
Trust Indenture Act of 1939:
Trust Indenture Trust Agreement
Act Section Section
(S)310 (a)(1)........................................ 8.7
(a)(2)........................................ 8.7
(a)(3)........................................ 8.9
(a)(4)........................................ 2.7(a)(ii)
(b)........................................... 8.8
(S)311 (a)........................................... 8.13
(b)........................................... 8.13
(S)312 (a)........................................... 5.7
(b)........................................... 5.7
(c)........................................... 5.7
(S)313 (a)........................................... 8.14(a)
(a)(4)........................................ 8.14(b)
(b)........................................... 8.14(b)
(c)........................................... 10.8
(d)........................................... 8.14(c)
(S)314 (a)........................................... 8.15
(b)........................................... Not Applicable
(c)(1)........................................ 8.16
(c)(2)........................................ 8.16
(c)(3)........................................ Not Applicable
(d)........................................... Not Applicable
(e)........................................... 1.1, 8.16
(S)315 (a)........................................... 8.1(a), 8.3(a)
(b)........................................... 8.2, 10.8
(c)........................................... 8.1(a)
(d)........................................... 8.1, 8.3
(e)........................................... Not Applicable
(S)316 (a)........................................... Not Applicable
(a)(1)(A)..................................... Not Applicable
(a)(1)(B)..................................... Not Applicable
(a)(2)........................................ Not Applicable
(b)........................................... Not Applicable
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(c)........................................... 6.7
(S)317 (a)(1)........................................ Not Applicable
(a)(2)........................................ Not Applicable
(b)........................................... 5.9
(S)318 (a)........................................... 10.10
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Table of Contents
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ARTICLE I Defined Terms
Section 1.1 Definitions................................................... 2
ARTICLE II Establishment of the Trust
Section 2.1 Name.......................................................... 11
Section 2.2 Office of the Delaware Trustee; Principal Place of Business... 11
Section 2.3 Initial Contribution of Trust Property; Organizational
Expenses................................................... 12
Section 2.4 Issuance of the Preferred Securities.......................... 12
Section 2.5 Subscription and Purchase of Debentures; Issuance of the
Common Securities.......................................... 12
Section 2.6 Declaration of Trust.......................................... 12
Section 2.7 Authorization to Enter into Certain Transactions.............. 13
Section 2.8 Assets of Trust............................................... 17
Section 2.9 Title to Trust Property....................................... 17
ARTICLE III Payment Account
Section 3.1 Payment Account............................................... 17
ARTICLE IV Distributions; Redemption
Section 4.1 Distributions................................................. 18
Section 4.2 Redemption.................................................... 19
Section 4.3 Subordination of Common Securities............................ 21
Section 4.4 Payment Procedures............................................ 21
Section 4.5 Tax Returns and Reports....................................... 22
Section 4.6 Payment of Taxes, Duties, Etc. of the Trust................... 22
Section 4.7 Payments under Indenture...................................... 22
ARTICLE V Trust Securities Certificates
Section 5.1 Initial Ownership............................................. 22
Section 5.2 The Trust Securities Certificates............................. 23
Section 5.3 Delivery of Trust Securities Certificates..................... 23
Section 5.4 Registration of Transfer and Exchange of Preferred
Securities Certificates.................................... 23
Section 5.5 Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost or Stolen Trust Securities
Certificates............................................... 24
Section 5.6 Persons Deemed Securityholders................................ 25
Section 5.7 Access to List of Securityholders' Names and Addresses........ 25
Section 5.8 Maintenance of Office or Agency............................... 25
Section 5.9 Appointment of Paying Agent................................... 26
Section 5.10 Ownership of Common Securities by Depositor................... 26
Section 5.11 Book-Entry Preferred Securities Certificates; Common
Securities Certificate..................................... 27
Section 5.12 Notices to Clearing Agency.................................... 28
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(continued)
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Section 5.13 Definitive Preferred Securities Certificates.................. 28
Section 5.14 Rights of Securityholders..................................... 28
ARTICLE VI Acts of Securityholders; Meetings; Voting
Section 6.1 Limitations on Voting Rights.................................. 29
Section 6.2 Notice of Meetings............................................ 30
Section 6.3 Meetings of Preferred Securityholders......................... 30
Section 6.4 Voting Rights................................................. 31
Section 6.5 Proxies, etc.................................................. 31
Section 6.6 Securityholder Action by Written Consent...................... 31
Section 6.7 Record Date for Voting and Other Purposes..................... 31
Section 6.8 Acts of Securityholders....................................... 32
Section 6.9 Inspection of Records......................................... 33
ARTICLE VII Representations and Warranties
Section 7.1 Representations and Warranties of the Bank, the Property
Trustee and the Delaware Trustee........................... 33
Section 7.2 Representations and Warranties of Depositor................... 36
ARTICLE VIII The Trustees
Section 8.1 Certain Duties and Responsibilities........................... 36
Section 8.2 Notice of Defaults............................................ 38
Section 8.3 Certain Rights of Property Trustee............................ 38
Section 8.4 Not Responsible for Recitals or Issuance of Securities........ 41
Section 8.5 May Hold Securities........................................... 41
Section 8.6 Compensation; Indemnity; Fees................................. 41
Section 8.7 Corporate Property Trustee Required; Eligibility of
Trustees................................................... 42
Section 8.8 Conflicting Interests......................................... 42
Section 8.9 Co-Trustees and Separate Trustee.............................. 43
Section 8.10 Resignation and Removal; Appointment of Successor............. 44
Section 8.11 Acceptance of Appointment by Successor........................ 46
Section 8.12 Merger, Conversion, Consolidation or Succession to Business... 47
Section 8.13 Preferential Collection of Claims Against Depositor or
Trust...................................................... 47
Section 8.14 Reports by Property Trustee................................... 47
Section 8.15 Reports to the Property Trustee............................... 48
Section 8.16 Evidence of Compliance with Conditions Precedent.............. 48
Section 8.17 Number of Trustees............................................ 48
Section 8.18 Delegation of Power........................................... 49
ARTICLE IX Termination, Liquidation and Merger
Section 9.1 Termination Upon Expiration Date.............................. 49
Section 9.2 Early Termination............................................. 49
Section 9.3 Termination................................................... 50
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(continued)
Page
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Section 9.4 Liquidation................................................... 50
Section 9.5 Mergers, Consolidations, Amalgamations or Replacements
of the Trust............................................... 52
ARTICLE X Miscellaneous Provisions
Section 10.1 Limitation of Rights of Securityholders....................... 53
Section 10.2 Amendment..................................................... 53
Section 10.3 Separability.................................................. 54
Section 10.4 Governing Law................................................. 55
Section 10.5 Payments Due on Non-Business Day.............................. 55
Section 10.6 Successors.................................................... 55
Section 10.7 Headings...................................................... 55
Section 10.8 Reports, Notices and Demands.................................. 55
Section 10.9 Agreement Not to Petition..................................... 56
Section 10.10 Trust Indenture Act; Conflict with Trust Indenture Act........ 56
Section 10.11 Acceptance of Terms of Trust Agreement, Guarantee and
Indenture.................................................. 57
Exhibit A Certificate of Trust
Exhibit B Form of Certificate Depository Agreement
Exhibit C Form of Common Securities Certificate
Exhibit D Form of Expense Agreement
Exhibit E Form of Preferred Securities
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AMENDED AND RESTATED TRUST AGREEMENT, dated as of ___________, 20__, among
(i) The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc., a Delaware corporation
(including any successors or assigns, the "Depositor"), (ii)
_______________________, a _____________ duly organized and existing under the
laws of the State of Delaware, as property trustee and Delaware trustee (in each
such capacity, the "Property Trustee" and "Delaware Trustee," respectively, and,
in its separate corporate capacity and not in its capacity as Property Trustee
or Delaware Trustee, the "Bank"), (iii) -, an individual, and -, an
individual, each of whose address is c/o The Hartford Financial Services Group,
Inc., Hartford Plaza, Hartford, Connecticut 06115 (each an "Administrative
Trustee" and collectively the "Administrative Trustees") (the Property Trustee,
the Delaware Trustee and the Administrative Trustees referred to collectively as
the "Trustees") and (iv) the several Holders, as hereinafter defined.
W I T N E S S E T H:
WHEREAS, the Depositor and the Delaware Trustee have heretofore duly declared and established a business trust pursuant to the Delaware Business Trust Act by the entering into of that certain Trust Agreement, dated as of _________, 20__ (the "Original Trust Agreement"), and by the execution and filing by the Delaware Trustee with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware of the Certificate of Trust, filed on _______, 20__, attached as Exhibit A; and
WHEREAS, the Depositor and the Delaware Trustee desire to amend and restate the Original Trust Agreement in its entirety as set forth herein to provide for, among other things, (i) the issuance of the Common Securities by the Trust to the Depositor, (ii) the issuance and sale of the Preferred Securities by the Trust pursuant to the Underwriting Agreement, (iii) the acquisition by the Trust from the Depositor of all of the right, title and interest in the Debentures and (iv) the appointment of the Administrative Trustees;
NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the agreements and obligations set forth herein and for other good and valuable consideration, the sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, each party, for the benefit of the other party and for the benefit of the Securityholders, hereby amends and restates the Original Trust Agreement in its entirety and agrees as follows:
ARTICLE I
DEFINED TERMS
Section 1.1 Definitions.
For all purposes of this Trust Agreement, except as otherwise expressly provided or unless the context otherwise requires:
(a) the terms defined in this Article have the meanings assigned to them in this Article and include the plural as well as the singular;
(b) all other terms used herein that are defined in the Trust Indenture Act, either directly or by reference therein, have the meanings assigned to them therein;
unless the context otherwise requires, any reference to an "Article" or a "Section" refers to an Article or a Section, as the case may be, of this Trust Agreement; and
(c) the words "herein", "hereof" and "hereunder" and other words of similar import refer to this Trust Agreement as a whole and not to any particular Article, Section or other subdivision.
"Act" has the meaning specified in Section 6.8.
"Additional Amount" means, with respect to Trust Securities of a given Liquidation Amount and/or a given period, the amount of Additional Interest (as defined in the Indenture) paid by the Depositor on a Like Amount of Debentures for such period.
"Administrative Trustee" means each of - and -, solely in his capacity as Administrative Trustee of the Trust formed and continued hereunder and not in his individual capacity, or such Administrative Trustee's successor in interest in such capacity, or any successor trustee appointed as herein provided.
"Affiliate" of any specified Person means any other Person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with such specified Person. For the purposes of this definition, "control" when used with respect to any specified Person means the power to direct the management and policies of such Person, directly or indirectly, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise; and the terms "controlling" and "controlled" have meanings correlative to the foregoing.
"Bank" has the meaning specified in the preamble to this Trust Agreement.
"Bankruptcy Event" means, with respect to any Person:
(a) the entry of a decree or order by a court having jurisdiction in the premises judging such Person a bankrupt or insolvent, or approving as properly filed a petition seeking reorganization, arrangement, adjudication or composition of or in respect of such Person under any applicable Federal or State bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or other similar law, or appointing a receiver, liquidator, assignee, trustee, sequestrator (or other similar official) of such Person or of any substantial part of its property or ordering the winding up or liquidation of its affairs, and the continuance of any such decree or order unstayed and in effect for a period of 60 consecutive days; or
(b) the institution by such Person of proceedings to be adjudicated a bankrupt or insolvent, or the consent by it to the institution of bankruptcy or insolvency proceedings against it, or the filing by it of a petition or answer or consent seeking reorganization or relief under any applicable Federal or State bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or other similar law, or the consent by it to the filing of any such petition or to the appointment of a receiver, liquidator, assignee, trustee, sequestrator (or similar official) of such Person or of any substantial part of its property, or the making by it of an assignment for the benefit of creditors, or the admission by it in writing of its inability to pay its debts generally as they become due and its willingness to be adjudicated a bankrupt, or the taking of corporate action by such Person in furtherance of any such action.
"Bankruptcy Laws" has the meaning specified in Section 10.9.
"Board Resolution" means a copy of a resolution certified by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Depositor to have been duly adopted by the Depositor's Board of Directors, or such committee of the Board of Directors or officers of the Depositor to which authority to act on behalf of the Board of Directors has been delegated, and to be in full force and effect on the date of such certification, and delivered to the Trustee.
"Book Entry Preferred Securities Certificates" means a beneficial
interest in the Preferred Securities Certificates, ownership and transfers of
which shall be made through book entries by a Clearing Agency as described in
Section 5.11.
"Business Day" means a day other than (a) a Saturday or Sunday, (b) a day on which banking institutions in The City of New York are authorized or required by law or executive order to remain closed, or (c) a day on which the Property Trustee's Corporate Trust Office or the Corporate Trust Office of the Debenture Trustee is closed for business.
"Certificate Depository Agreement" means the agreement among the Trust, the Depositor and The Depository Trust Company, as the initial Clearing Agency, dated as of the Closing Date, relating to the Trust Certificates, substantially in the form attached as Exhibit B, as the same may be amended and supplemented from time to time.
"Clearing Agency" means an organization registered as a "clearing agency" pursuant to Section 17A of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. The Depository Trust Company will be the initial Clearing Agency.
"Clearing Agency Participant" means a broker, dealer, bank, other financial institution or other Person for whom from time to time a Clearing Agency effects book-entry transfers and pledges of securities deposited with the Clearing Agency.
"Closing Date" means the First Time of Delivery as defined in the Underwriting Agreement, which date is also the date of execution and delivery of this Trust Agreement.
"Code" means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
"Commission" means the Securities and Exchange Commission, as from time to time constituted, created under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or, if at any time after the execution of this instrument such Commission is not existing and performing the duties now assigned to it under the Trust Indenture Act, then the body performing such duties at such time.
"Common Security" means an undivided beneficial interest in the assets of the Trust, having a Liquidation Amount of $25 and having the rights provided therefor in this Trust Agreement, including the right to receive Distributions and a Liquidation Distribution as provided herein.
"Common Securities Certificate" means a certificate evidencing ownership of Common Securities, substantially in the form attached as Exhibit C.
"Corporate Trust Office" means (i) in the case of the Property Trustee, the principal office of the Property Trustee, which as of the Closing Date is located in __________, Delaware; and (ii) in the case of the Debenture Trustee, the principal office of the Debenture Trustee, which as of the Closing Date is located in __________, Delaware.
"Debenture Event of Default" means an "Event of Default" as defined in the Indenture.
"Debenture Redemption Date" means, with respect to any Debentures to be redeemed under the Indenture, the date fixed for redemption under the Indenture.
"Debentures" means the $- aggregate principal amount of the Depositor's -% Junior Subordinated Deferrable Interest Debentures, Series -, issued pursuant to the Indenture.
"Debenture Trustee" means __________, a ______________________ organized under the laws of the State of Delaware and any successor thereto.
"Definitive Preferred Securities Certificates" means either or both (as the context requires) of (a) Preferred Securities Certificates issued in certificated, fully registered form as provided in Section 5.11(a) and (b) Preferred Securities Certificates issued in certificated, fully registered form as provided in Section 5.13.
"Delaware Business Trust Act" means Chapter 38 of Title 12 of the Delaware Code, 12 Del. C. (S) 3801, et seq., as it may be amended from time to time.
"Delaware Trustee" means the commercial bank or trust company identified as the "Delaware Trustee" in the preamble to this Trust Agreement solely in its capacity as Delaware Trustee of the Trust formed and continued hereunder and not in its individual capacity, or its successor in interest in such capacity, or any successor trustee appointed as herein provided.
"Depositor" has the meaning specified in the preamble to this Trust Agreement.
"Distribution Date" has the meaning specified in Section 4.1(a).
"Distributions" means amounts payable in respect of the Trust Securities as provided in Section 4.1.
"Event of Default" means any one of the following events (whatever the reason for such Event of Default and whether it shall be voluntary or involuntary or be effected by operation of law or pursuant to any judgment, decree or order of any court or any order, rule or regulation of any administrative or governmental body):
(a) the occurrence of a Debenture Event of Default; or
(b) default by the Property Trustee in the payment of any Distribution when it becomes due and payable, and continuation of such default for a period of 30 days; or
(c) default by the Property Trustee in the payment of any Redemption Price of any Trust Security when it becomes due and payable; or
(d) default in the performance, or breach, in any material respect, of any covenant or warranty of the Trustees in this Trust Agreement (other than a covenant or warranty a default in whose performance or breach is dealt with in clause (b) or (c), above) and continuation of such default or breach for a period of 60 days after there has been given, by registered or certified mail, to the defaulting Trustee or Trustees by the Holders of at least 10% in Liquidation Amount of the Outstanding Preferred Securities a written notice specifying such default or breach and requiring it to be remedied and stating that such notice is a "Notice of Default" hereunder; or
(e) the occurrence of a Bankruptcy Event with respect to the Property Trustee and the failure by the Depositor to appoint a successor Property Trustee within 60 days thereof.
"Expense Agreement" means the Agreement as to Expenses and Liabilities between the Depositor and the Trust, substantially in the form attached as Exhibit D, as amended from time to time.
"Expenses" has the meaning specified in Section 8.6(c).
"Expiration Date" has the meaning specified in Section 9.1.
"Grantor Trust Event" has the meaning specified in Section 9.2(b).
"Guarantee" means the Guarantee Agreement executed and delivered by the Depositor and __________, as trustee, contemporaneously with the execution and delivery of this Trust Agreement, for the benefit of the holders of the Preferred Securities, as amended from time to time.
"Indenture" means the Junior Subordinated Indenture, dated as of ___________, 20__, as supplemented by a Supplemental Indenture No. -, dated as of -, -, between the Depositor and the Debenture Trustee, as trustee, as amended or supplemented from time to time.
"Independent Legal Counsel" has the meaning specified in Section 6.8.
"Investment Company Event" means the occurrence of a change in law or regulation or a change in interpretation or application of law or regulation by any legislative body, court, governmental agency or regulatory authority (a "Change in 1940 Act Law") to the effect that the Trust is or will be considered an "investment company" that is required to be registered under the 1940 Act, which Change in 1940 Act Law becomes effective on or after the date of original issuance of the Preferred Securities under this Trust Agreement.
"Lien" means any lien, pledge, charge, encumbrance, mortgage, deed of trust, adverse ownership interest, hypothecation, assignment, security interest or preference, priority or other security agreement or preferential arrangement of any kind or nature whatsoever.
"Like Amount" means (a) with respect to a redemption of Trust Securities, Trust Securities having a Liquidation Amount equal to the principal amount of Debentures to be contemporaneously redeemed in accordance with the Indenture the proceeds of which will be used to pay the Redemption Price of such Trust Securities, and (b) with respect to a distribution of Debentures to Holders of Trust Securities in connection with a dissolution or liquidation of the Trust, Debentures having a principal amount equal to the Liquidation Amount of the Trust Securities of the Holder to whom such Debentures are distributed.
"Liquidation Amount" means the stated amount of $25 per Trust Security.
"Liquidation Date" means each Date on which Debentures are to be distributed to Holders of Trust Securities in connection with a termination and liquidation of the Trust pursuant to Section 9.4(a).
"Liquidation Distribution" has the meaning specified in Section 9.4(d).
"1940 Act" means the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.
"Officers' Certificate" means a certificate signed by the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, President or a Vice President, and by the Treasurer, an Associate Treasurer, an Assistant Treasurer, the Controller, the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary, of the Depositor, and delivered to the appropriate Trustee. One of the officers signing an Officers' Certificate given pursuant to Section 8.6 shall be the principal executive, financial or accounting officer of the Depositor. Any Officers' Certificate delivered with respect to compliance with a condition or covenant provided for in this Trust Agreement shall include:
(a) a statement that each officer signing the Officers' Certificate has read the covenant or condition and the definitions relating thereto;
(b) a brief statement of the nature and scope of the examination or investigation undertaken by each officer in rendering the Officers' Certificate;
(c) a statement that each such officer has made such examination or investigation as, in such officer's opinion, is necessary to enable such officer to express an informed opinion as to whether or not such covenant or condition has been complied with; and
(d) a statement as to whether, in the opinion of each such officer, such condition or covenant has been complied with.
"Opinion of Counsel" means a written opinion of counsel, who may be counsel for the Trust, the Property Trustee or the Depositor, but not an employee of any thereof, and who shall be acceptable to the Property Trustee.
"Original Trust Agreement" has the meaning specified in the recitals to this Trust Agreement.
"Outstanding", when used with respect to Preferred Securities, means, as of the date of determination, all Preferred Securities theretofore executed and delivered under this Trust Agreement, except:
(a) Preferred Securities theretofore cancelled by the Administrative Trustees or delivered to the Administrative Trustees for cancellation;
(b) Preferred Securities for whose payment or redemption money in the necessary amount has been theretofore deposited with the Property Trustee or any Paying Agent for the Holders of such Preferred Securities; provided that, if such Preferred Securities are to be redeemed, notice of such redemption has been duly given pursuant to this Trust Agreement; and
(c) Preferred Securities which have been paid or in exchange for or in lieu of which other Preferred Securities have been executed and delivered pursuant to Section 5.5;
provided, however, that in determining whether the Holders of the requisite Liquidation Amount of the Outstanding Preferred Securities have given any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent or waiver hereunder, Preferred Securities owned by the Depositor, any Trustee or any Affiliate of the Depositor or any Trustee shall be disregarded and deemed not to be Outstanding, except that (a) in determining whether any Trustee shall be protected in relying upon any such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent or waiver, only Preferred Securities that such Trustee knows to be so owned shall be so disregarded and (b) the foregoing shall not apply at any time when all of the outstanding Preferred Securities are owned by the Depositor, one or more of the Trustees and/or any such Affiliate. Preferred Securities so owned which have been pledged in good faith may be regarded as Outstanding if the pledgee establishes to the satisfaction of the Administrative Trustees the pledgee's right so to act with respect to such Preferred Securities and that the pledgee is not the Depositor or any Affiliate of the Depositor.
"Owner" means each Person who is the beneficial owner of a Book Entry Preferred Securities Certificate as reflected in the records of the Clearing Agency or, if a
Clearing Agency Participant is not the Owner, then as reflected in the records of a Person maintaining an account with such Clearing Agency (directly or indirectly, in accordance with the rules of such Clearing Agency).
"Paying Agent" means any paying agent or co-paying agent appointed pursuant to Section 5.9 and shall initially be the Bank.
"Payment Account" means a segregated non-interest-bearing corporate trust account maintained by the Property Trustee with the Bank in its trust department for the benefit of the Securityholders in which all amounts paid in respect of the Debentures will be held and from which the Property Trustee shall make payments to the Securityholders in accordance with Section 4.1.
"Person" means any individual, corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, limited liability company or corporation, unincorporated organization or government or any agency or political subdivision thereof.
"Preferred Security" means an undivided beneficial interest in the assets of the Trust, having a Liquidation Amount of $25 and having the rights provided therefor in this Trust Agreement, including the right to receive Distributions and a Liquidation Distribution as provided herein.
"Preferred Securities Certificate" means a certificate evidencing ownership of Preferred Securities, substantially in the form attached as Exhibit E.
"Property Trustee" means the commercial bank or trust company identified as the "Property Trustee" in the preamble to this Trust Agreement solely in its capacity as Property Trustee of the Trust heretofore formed and continued hereunder and not in its individual capacity, or its successor in interest in such capacity, or any successor property trustee appointed as herein provided.
"Redemption Date" means, with respect to any Trust Security to be redeemed, the date fixed for such redemption by or pursuant to this Trust Agreement; provided that each Debenture Redemption Date and the stated maturity of the Debentures shall be a Redemption Date for a Like Amount of Trust Securities.
"Redemption Price" means, with respect to any Trust Security, the Liquidation Amount of such Trust Security, plus accumulated and unpaid Distributions to the date of redemption, plus the related amount of the premium, if any, paid by the Depositor upon the concurrent redemption of a Like Amount of Debentures, allocated on a pro rata basis (based on Liquidation Amounts) among the Trust Securities.
"Relevant Trustee" shall have the meaning specified in Section 8.10.
"Responsible Officer" means, with respect to the Property Trustee or Delaware Trustee, any officer within the Corporate Trust Office of the Property Trustee or Delaware Trustee with direct responsibility for the administration of this Trust Agreement, including any vice-president, any assistant vice president, any assistant secretary, the treasurer, any assistant treasurer, any trust officer or other officer of the Corporate Trust Office of the Property Trustee or Delaware Trustee customarily performing functions similar to those performed by any of the above designated officers and also means, with respect to a particular corporate trust matter, any other officer to whom such matter is referred because of that officer's knowledge of and familiarity with the particular subject.
"Securities Register" and "Securities Registrar" have the respective meanings specified in Section 5.4.
"Securityholder" or "Holder" means a Person in whose name a Trust Security or Securities is registered in the Securities Register; any such Person shall be deemed to be a beneficial owner within the meaning of the Delaware Business Trust Act.
"Special Event" has the meaning specified in Section 9.2(b).
"Tax Event" means the receipt by the Trust of an Opinion of Counsel experienced in such matters to the effect that, as a result of any amendment to, or change (including any announced prospective change) in, the laws (or any regulations thereunder) of the United States or any political subdivision or taxing authority thereof or therein affecting taxation, or as a result of any official administrative pronouncement or judicial decision interpreting or applying such laws or regulations, which amendment or change is effective or such pronouncement or decision is announced on or after the date of issuance of the Preferred Securities under this Trust Agreement, there is more than an insubstantial risk that (i) the Trust is, or will be within 90 days after the date thereof, subject to United States Federal income tax with respect to income received or accrued on the Debentures, (ii) interest payable by the Depositor on the Debentures is not, or within 90 days after the date thereof, will not be, deductible, in whole or in part, for United States Federal income tax purposes or (iii) the Trust is, or will be within 90 days after the date thereof, subject to more than a de minimis amount of other taxes, duties, assessments or other governmental charges.
"Trust" means the Delaware business trust created and continued hereby and identified on the cover page to this Trust Agreement.
"Trust Agreement" means this Amended and Restated Trust Agreement, as the same may be modified, amended or supplemented in accordance with the applicable provisions hereof, including all exhibits hereto, including, for all purposes of this Trust Agreement and any such modification, amendment or supplement, the
provisions of the Trust Indenture Act that are deemed to be a part of and govern this Trust Agreement and any such modification, amendment or supplement, respectively.
"Trust Indenture Act" means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 as in force at the date as of which this instrument was executed; provided, however, that in the event the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 is amended after such date, "Trust Indenture Act" means, to the extent required by any such amendment, the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 as so amended.
"Trust Property" means (a) the Debentures, (b) any cash on deposit in, or owing to, the Payment Account and (c) all proceeds and rights in respect of the foregoing and any other property and assets for the time being held or deemed to be held by the Property Trustee pursuant to the trusts of this Trust Agreement.
"Trust Security" means any one of the Common Securities or the Preferred Securities.
"Trust Securities Certificate" means any one of the Common Securities Certificates or the Preferred Securities Certificates.
"Underwriting Agreement" means the Underwriting Agreement, dated as of -, -, among the Trust, the Depositor and the Underwriters named therein.
ARTICLE II
ESTABLISHMENT OF THE TRUST
Section 2.1 Name.
The Trust created and continued hereby shall be known as "[______________]," as such name may be modified from time to time by the Administrative Trustees following written notice to the Holders of Trust Securities and the other Trustees, in which name the Trustees may conduct the business of the Trust, make and execute contracts and other instruments on behalf of the Trust and sue and be sued.
Section 2.2 Office of the Delaware Trustee; Principal Place of Business.
The address of the Delaware Trustee in the State of Delaware is c/o
__________________, _______________, ___________, Delaware ________, Attention:
_______________, or such other address in the State of Delaware as the Delaware
Trustee may designate by written notice to the Securityholders and the
Depositor. The principal executive office of the Trust is c/o The Hartford
Financial Services Group, Inc., Hartford Plaza, Hartford, Connecticut 06115.
Section 2.3 Initial Contribution of Trust Property; Organizational Expenses.
The Property Trustee acknowledges receipt in trust from the Depositor in connection with the Original Trust Agreement of the sum of $10, which constituted the initial Trust Property. The Depositor shall pay organizational expenses of the Trust as they arise or shall, upon request of any Trustee, promptly reimburse such Trustee for any such expenses paid by such Trustee. The Depositor shall make no claim upon the Trust Property for the payment of such expenses.
Section 2.4 Issuance of the Preferred Securities.
On -, - the Depositor, on behalf of the Trust and pursuant to the
Original Trust Agreement, executed and delivered the Underwriting Agreement.
Contemporaneously with the execution and delivery of this Trust Agreement, an
Administrative Trustee, on behalf of the Trust, shall execute in accordance with
Section 5.2 and deliver to the Underwriters named therein Preferred Securities
Certificates, registered in the name of the nominee of the initial Clearing
Agency, in an aggregate amount of - Preferred Securities having an aggregate
Liquidation Amount of $-, against receipt of the aggregate purchase price of
such Preferred Securities of $-, which amount the Administrative Trustees shall
promptly deliver to the Property Trustee.
Section 2.5 Subscription and Purchase of Debentures; Issuance of the Common Securities.
Contemporaneously with the execution and delivery of this Trust
Agreement, the Administrative Trustees, on behalf of the Trust, shall subscribe
to and purchase from the Depositor Debentures, registered in the name of the
Trust and having an aggregate principal amount equal to $-, and, in satisfaction
of the purchase price for such Debentures, the Property Trustee, on behalf of
the Trust, shall deliver to the Depositor the sum of $-. Contemporaneously
therewith, an Administrative Trustee, on behalf of the Trust, shall execute in
accordance with Section 5.2 and deliver to the Depositor Common Securities
Certificates, registered in the name of the Depositor, in an aggregate amount of
- Common Securities having an aggregate Liquidation Amount of $- against payment
by the Depositor of the sum of $-.
Section 2.6 Declaration of Trust.
The exclusive purposes and functions of the Trust are (a) to issue and sell Trust Securities and use the proceeds from such sale to acquire the Debentures, and (b) to engage in those activities necessary, convenient or incidental thereto. The Depositor hereby appoints the Trustees as trustees of the Trust, to have all the rights, powers and duties to the extent set forth herein, and the Trustees hereby accept such appointment.
The Property Trustee hereby declares that it will hold the Trust Property in
trust upon and subject to the conditions set forth herein for the benefit of the
Securityholders. The Administrative Trustees shall have all rights, powers and
duties set forth herein and in accordance with applicable law with respect to
accomplishing the purposes of the Trust. The Delaware Trustee shall not be
entitled to exercise any powers, nor shall the Delaware Trustee have any of the
duties and responsibilities, of the Property Trustee or the Administrative
Trustees set forth herein. The Delaware Trustee shall be one of the Trustees of
the Trust for the sole and limited purpose of fulfilling the requirements of
Section 3807 of the Delaware Business Trust Act.
Section 2.7 Authorization to Enter into Certain Transactions.
(a) The Trustees shall conduct the affairs of the Trust in accordance with the terms of this Trust Agreement. Subject to the limitations set forth in paragraph (b) of this Section, and in accordance with the following provisions (i) and (ii), the Administrative Trustees shall have the authority to enter into all transactions and agreements determined by the Trustees to be appropriate in exercising the authority, express or implied, otherwise granted to the Trustees under this Trust Agreement, and to perform all acts in furtherance thereof, including without limitation, the following:
(i) As among the Trustees, each Administrative Trustee shall have the power and authority to act on behalf of the Trust with respect to the following matters:
(A) the issuance and sale of the Trust Securities;
(B) to cause the Trust to enter into, and to execute, deliver and perform on behalf of the Trust, the Expense Agreement and the Certificate Depository Agreement and such other agreements as may be necessary or desirable in connection with the purposes and function of the Trust;
(C) assisting in the registration of the Preferred Securities under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and under state securities or blue sky laws, and the qualification of this Trust Agreement as a trust indenture under the Trust Indenture Act;
(D) assisting in the listing of the Preferred Securities upon such securities exchange or exchanges as shall be determined by the Depositor and the registration of the Preferred Securities under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the
preparation and filing of all periodic and other reports and other documents pursuant to the foregoing;
(E) the sending of notices (other than notices of default) and other information regarding the Trust Securities and the Debentures to the Securityholders in accordance with this Trust Agreement;
(F) the appointment of a Paying Agent, authenticating agent and Securities Registrar in accordance with this Trust Agreement;
(G) registering transfer of the Trust Securities in accordance with this Trust Agreement;
(H) to the extent provided in this Trust Agreement, the winding up of the affairs of and liquidation of the Trust and the preparation, execution and filing of the certificate of cancellation with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware;
(I) unless otherwise determined by the Depositor, the Property Trustee or the Administrative Trustees, or as otherwise required by the Delaware Business Trust Act or the Trust Indenture Act, to execute on behalf of the Trust (either acting alone or together with any or all of the Administrative Trustees) any documents that the Administrative Trustees have the power to execute pursuant to this Trust Agreement; and
(J) the taking of any action incidental to the foregoing as the Trustees may from time to time determine is necessary or advisable to give effect to the terms of this Trust Agreement for the benefit of the Securityholders (without consideration of the effect of any such action on any particular Securityholder).
(ii) As among the Trustees, the Property Trustee shall have the power, duty and authority to act on behalf of the Trust with respect to the following matters:
(A) the establishment of the Payment Account;
(B) the receipt of the Debentures;
(C) the collection of interest, principal and any other payments made in respect of the Debentures in the Payment Account;
(D) the distribution of amounts owed to the Securityholders in respect of the Trust Securities;
(E) the exercise of all of the rights, powers and privileges of a holder of the Debentures;
(F) the sending of notices of default and other information regarding the Trust Securities and the Debentures to the Securityholders in accordance with this Trust Agreement;
(G) the distribution of the Trust Property in accordance with the terms of this Trust Agreement;
(H) to the extent provided in this Trust Agreement, the winding up of the affairs of and liquidation of the Trust and the preparation, execution and filing of the certificate of cancellation with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware;
(I) after an Event of Default the taking of any action incidental to the foregoing as the Property Trustee may from time to time determine is necessary or advisable to give effect to the terms of this Trust Agreement and protect and conserve the Trust Property for the benefit of the Securityholders (without consideration of the effect of any such action on any particular Securityholder);
(J) registering transfers of the Trust Securities in accordance with this Trust Agreement; and
(K) subject to this Section 2.7(a)(ii), the Property Trustee shall have none of the duties, liabilities, powers or the authority of the Administrative Trustees set forth in Section 207(a)(i).
(b) So long as this Trust Agreement remains in effect, the Trust (or the Trustees acting on behalf of the Trust) shall not undertake any business, activities or transaction except as expressly provided herein or contemplated hereby. In particular, the Trustees shall not (i) acquire any investments or engage in any activities not authorized by this Trust Agreement, (ii) sell, assign, transfer, exchange, mortgage, pledge, set-off or otherwise dispose of any of the Trust
Property or interests therein, including to Securityholders, except as expressly provided herein, (iii) take any action that would cause the Trust to fail or cease to qualify as a "grantor trust" for federal income tax purposes, (iv) incur any indebtedness for borrowed money or issue any other debt or (v) take or consent to any action that would result in the placement of a Lien on any of the Trust Property. The Administrative Trustees shall defend all claims and demands of all Persons at any time claiming any Lien on any of the Trust Property adverse to the interest of the Trust or the Securityholders in their capacity as Securityholders.
(c) In connection with the issue and sale of the Preferred Securities, the Depositor shall have the right and responsibility to assist the Trust with respect to, or effect on behalf of the Trust, the following (and any actions taken by the Depositor in furtherance of the following prior to the date of this Trust Agreement are hereby ratified and confirmed in all respects):
(i) to prepare for filing by the Trust with the Commission and to execute on behalf of the Trust a registration statement on Form S-3 or S-4 in relation to the Preferred Securities, including any amendments thereto;
(ii) to determine the States in which to take appropriate action to qualify or register for sale all or part of the Preferred Securities and to do any and all such acts, other than actions which must be taken by or on behalf of the Trust, and advise the Trustees of actions they must take on behalf of the Trust, and prepare for execution and filing any documents to be executed and filed by the Trust or on behalf of the Trust, as the Depositor deems necessary or advisable in order to comply with the applicable laws of any such States;
(iii) to prepare for filing by the Trust and to execute on behalf of the Trust an application to the New York Stock Exchange or any other national stock exchange or the Nasdaq National Market for listing upon notice of issuance of any Preferred Securities;
(iv) to prepare for filing by the Trust with the Commission and to execute on behalf of the Trust a registration statement on Form 8-A relating to the registration of the Preferred Securities under Section 12(b) or 12(g) of the Exchange Act, including any amendments thereto;
(v) to negotiate the terms of, and execute and deliver, the Underwriting Agreement providing for the sale of the Preferred Securities; and
(vi) any other actions necessary or desirable to carry out any of the foregoing activities.
(d) Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Administrative Trustees are authorized and directed to conduct the affairs of the Trust and to operate the Trust so that the Trust will not be deemed to be an "investment company" required to be registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, or taxed as a corporation for United States federal income tax purposes and so that the Debentures will be treated as indebtedness of the Depositor for United States federal income tax purposes. In this connection, the Depositor and the Administrative Trustees are authorized to take any action, not inconsistent with applicable law, the Certificate of Trust or this Trust Agreement, that each of the Depositor and the Administrative Trustees determines in their discretion to be necessary or desirable for such purposes, as long as such action does not adversely affect in any material respect the interests of the holders of the Preferred Securities.
Section 2.8 Assets of Trust.
The assets of the Trust shall consist of the Trust Property.
Section 2.9 Title to Trust Property.
Legal title to all Trust Property shall be vested at all times in the Property Trustee (in its capacity as such) and shall be held and administered by the Property Trustee for the benefit of the Securityholders in accordance with this Trust Agreement.
ARTICLE III
PAYMENT ACCOUNT
Section 3.1 Payment Account.
(a) On or prior to the Closing Date, the Property Trustee shall establish the Payment Account. The Property Trustee and any agent of the Property Trustee shall have exclusive control and sole right of withdrawal with respect to the Payment Account for the purpose of making deposits in and withdrawals from the Payment Account in accordance with this Trust Agreement. All monies and other property deposited or held from time to time in the Payment Account shall be held by the Property Trustee in the Payment Account for the exclusive benefit of the Securityholders and for distribution as herein provided, including (and subject to) any priority of payments provided for herein.
(b) The Property Trustee shall deposit in the Payment Account, promptly upon receipt, all payments of principal or interest on, and any other payments or
proceeds with respect to, the Debentures. Amounts held in the Payment Account shall not be invested by the Property Trustee pending distribution thereof.
ARTICLE IV
DISTRIBUTIONS; REDEMPTION
Section 4.1 Distributions.
(a) Distributions on the Trust Securities shall be cumulative, and will accumulate whether or not there are funds of the Trust available for the payment of Distributions. Distributions shall accrue from -, 20__, and, except in the event that the Depositor exercises its right to extend the interest payment period for the Debentures pursuant to the Indenture, shall be payable quarterly in arrears on -, -, - and - of each year, commencing on -, -. If any date on which Distributions are otherwise payable on the Trust Securities is not a Business Day, then the payment of such Distribution shall be made on the next succeeding day which is a Business Day (and without any interest or other payment in respect of any such delay) except that, if such Business Day is in the next succeeding calendar year, payment of such Distribution shall be made on the immediately preceding Business Day, in each case with the same force and effect as if made on such date (each date on which distributions are payable in accordance with this Section 4.1(a) a "Distribution Date").
(b) The Trust Securities represent undivided beneficial interests in the Trust Property, and, as a practical matter, the Distributions on the Trust Securities shall be payable at a rate of -% per annum of the Liquidation Amount of the Trust Securities. The amount of Distributions payable for any full period shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months. The amount of Distributions payable for any period shall include the Additional Amounts, if any.
(c) Distributions on the Trust Securities shall be made by the Property Trustee from the Payment Account and shall be payable on each Distribution Date only to the extent that the Trust has funds then on hand and available in the Payment Account for the payment of such Distributions.
(d) Distributions on the Trust Securities with respect to a Distribution Date shall be payable to the Holders thereof as they appear on the Securities Register for the Trust Securities on the relevant record date, which shall be one Business Day prior to such Distribution Date; provided, however, that in the event that the Preferred Securities do not remain in book-entry-only form, the relevant record date shall be the date 15 days prior to the relevant Distribution Date.
Section 4.2 Redemption.
(a) On each Debenture Redemption Date and on the stated maturity of the Debentures, the Trust will be required to redeem a Like Amount of Trust Securities at the Redemption Price.
(b) Notice of redemption shall be given by the Property Trustee by first-class mail, postage prepaid, mailed not less than 30 nor more than 60 days prior to the Redemption Date to each Holder of Trust Securities to be redeemed, at such Holder's address appearing in the Security Register. All notices of redemption shall state:
(i) the Redemption Date;
(ii) the Redemption Price;
(iii) the CUSIP number;
(iv) if less than all the Outstanding Trust Securities are to be redeemed, the identification and the total Liquidation Amount of the particular Trust Securities to be redeemed; and
(v) that on the Redemption Date the Redemption Price will become due and payable upon each such Trust Security to be redeemed and that distributions thereon will cease to accrue on and after said date.
(c) The Trust Securities redeemed on each Redemption Date shall be redeemed at the Redemption Price with the proceeds from the contemporaneous redemption of Debentures. Redemptions of the Trust Securities shall be made and the Redemption Price shall be payable on each Redemption Date only to the extent that the Trust has funds then on hand and available in the Payment Account for the payment of such Redemption Price.
(d) If the Property Trustee gives a notice of redemption in respect
of any Preferred Securities, then, by 12:00 noon, New York time, on the
Redemption Date, subject to Section 4.2(c), the Property Trustee will, so
long as the Preferred Securities are in book-entry-only form, irrevocably
deposit with the Clearing Agency for the Preferred Securities funds
sufficient to pay the applicable Redemption Price and will give such
Clearing Agency irrevocable instructions and authority to pay the
Redemption Price to the holders thereof. If the Preferred Securities are
no longer in book-entry-only form, the Property Trustee, subject to
Section 4.2(c), will irrevocably deposit with the Paying Agent funds
sufficient to pay the applicable Redemption Price and will give the Paying
Agent irrevocable instructions and authority to pay the Redemption Price
to the holders thereof upon
surrender of their Preferred Securities Certificates. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Distributions payable on or prior to the Redemption Date for any Trust Securities called for redemption shall be payable to the Holders of such Trust Securities as they appear on the Register for the Trust Securities on the relevant record dates for the related Distribution Dates. If notice of redemption shall have been given and funds deposited as required, then upon the date of such deposit, all rights of Securityholders holding Trust Securities so called for redemption will cease, except the right of such Securityholders to receive the Redemption Price, but without interest, and such Securities will cease to be outstanding. In the event that any date on which any Redemption Price is payable is not a Business Day, then payment of the Redemption Price payable on such date will be made on the next succeeding day which is a Business Day (and without any interest or other payment in respect of any such delay), except that, if such Business Day falls in the next calendar year, such payment will be made on the immediately preceding Business Day, in each case, with the same force and effect as if made on such date. In the event that payment of the Redemption Price in respect of any Trust Securities called for redemption is improperly withheld or refused and not paid either by the Trust or by the Depositor pursuant to the Guarantee, Distributions on such Trust Securities will continue to accrue, at the then applicable rate, from the Redemption Date originally established by the Trust for such Trust Securities to the date such Redemption Price is actually paid, in which case the actual payment date will be the date fixed for redemption for purposes of calculating the Redemption Price.
(e) Payment of the Redemption Price on the Trust Securities shall be made to the recordholders thereof as they appear on the Securities Register for the Trust Securities on the relevant record date, which shall be one Business Day prior to the relevant Redemption Date; provided, however, that in the event that the Preferred Securities do not remain in book-entry-only form, the relevant record date shall be the fifteenth day prior to the Redemption Date.
(f) If less than all the Outstanding Trust Securities are to be redeemed on a Redemption Date, then the aggregate Liquidation Amount of Trust Securities to be redeemed shall be allocated on a pro rata basis (based on Liquidation Amounts) among the Common Securities and the Preferred Securities. The particular Preferred Securities to be redeemed shall be selected on a pro rata basis (based upon Liquidation Amounts) not more than 60 days prior to the Redemption Date by the Property Trustee from the Outstanding Preferred Securities not previously called for redemption, by such method as the Property Trustee shall deem fair and appropriate and which may provide for the selection for redemption of portions (equal to $25 or an integral multiple of $25 in excess thereof) of the Liquidation Amount of Preferred Securities of a denomination larger than $25. The Property Trustee shall promptly notify the Security Registrar in writing of the
Preferred Securities selected for redemption and, in the case of any Preferred Securities selected for partial redemption, the Liquidation Amount thereof to be redeemed. For all purposes of this Trust Agreement, unless the context otherwise requires, all provisions relating to the redemption of Preferred Securities shall relate, in the case of any Preferred Securities redeemed or to be redeemed only in part, to the portion of the Liquidation Amount of Preferred Securities which has been or is to be redeemed.
Section 4.3 Subordination of Common Securities.
(a) Payment of Distributions (including Additional Amounts, if applicable) on, and the Redemption Price of, the Trust Securities, as applicable, shall be made pro rata based on the Liquidation Amount of the Trust Securities; provided, however, that if on any Distribution Date or Redemption Date a Debenture Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, no payment of any Distribution (including Additional Amounts, if applicable) on, or Redemption Price of, any Common Security, and no other payment on account of the redemption, liquidation or other acquisition of Common Securities, shall be made unless payment in full in cash of all accumulated and unpaid Distributions (including Additional Amounts, if applicable) on all Outstanding Preferred Securities for all distribution periods terminating on or prior thereto, or in the case of payment of the Redemption Price the full amount of such Redemption Price on all Outstanding Preferred Securities, shall have been made or provided for, and all funds immediately available to the Property Trustee shall first be applied to the payment in full in cash of all Distributions (including Additional Amounts, if applicable) on, or Redemption Price of, Preferred Securities then due and payable.
(b) In the case of the occurrence of any Debenture Event of Default, the Holder of Common Securities will be deemed to have waived any right to act with respect to any such Event of Default under this Trust Agreement until the effect of all such Events of Default with respect to the Preferred Securities have been cured, waived or otherwise eliminated. Until any such Event of Default under this Trust Agreement with respect to the Preferred Securities have been so cured, waived or otherwise eliminated, the Property Trustee shall act solely on behalf of the Holders of the Preferred Securities and not the Holder of the Common Securities, and only the Holders of the Preferred Securities will have the right to direct the Property Trustee to act on their behalf.
Section 4.4 Payment Procedures.
Payments in respect of the Preferred Securities shall be made by check mailed to the address of the Person entitled thereto as such address shall appear on the Securities Register or, if the Preferred Securities are held by a Clearing Agency, such
Distributions shall be made to the Clearing Agency in immediately available funds, which shall credit the relevant Persons' accounts at such Clearing Agency on the applicable distribution dates. Payments in respect of the Common Securities shall be made in such manner as shall be mutually agreed between the Property Trustee and the Common Securityholder.
Section 4.5 Tax Returns and Reports.
The Administrative Trustees shall prepare (or cause to be prepared), at the Depositor's expense, and file all Federal, state and local tax and information returns and reports required to be filed by or in respect of the Trust. In this regard, the Administrative Trustees shall (a) prepare and file (or cause to be prepared or filed) the appropriate Internal Revenue Service Form required to be filed in respect of the Trust in each taxable year of the Trust and (b) prepare and furnish (or cause to be prepared and furnished) to each Securityholder the appropriate Internal Revenue Service form required to be furnished to such Securityholder or the information required to be provided on such form. The Administrative Trustees shall provide the Depositor and the Property Trustee with a copy of all such returns, reports and schedules promptly after such filing or furnishing. The Trustees shall comply with United States federal withholding and backup withholding tax laws and information reporting requirements with respect to any payments to Securityholders under the Trust Securities.
Section 4.6 Payment of Taxes, Duties, Etc. of the Trust.
Upon receipt under the Debentures of Additional Sums (as defined in the Indenture), the Property Trustee shall upon receipt of written notice from the applicable governmental authority promptly pay any taxes, duties or governmental charges of whatsoever nature (other than withholding taxes) imposed on the Trust by the United States or any other taxing authority.
Section 4.7 Payments under Indenture.
Any amount payable hereunder to any Holder of Preferred Securities
(and any Owner with respect thereto) shall be reduced by the amount of any
corresponding payment such Holder (and Owner) has directly received pursuant to
Section 508 of the Indenture.
ARTICLE V
TRUST SECURITIES CERTIFICATES
Section 5.1 Initial Ownership.
Upon the formation of the Trust and the contribution by the Depositor pursuant to Section 2.3 and until the issuance of the Trust Securities, and at any time
during which no Trust Securities are outstanding, the Depositor shall be the sole beneficial owner of the Trust.
Section 5.2 The Trust Securities Certificates.
The Preferred Securities Certificates shall be issued in minimum denominations of $25 Liquidation Amount and integral multiples of $25 in excess thereof, and the Common Securities Certificates shall be issued in denominations of $25 Liquidation Amount and integral multiples thereof. The Trust Securities Certificates shall be executed on behalf of the Trust by manual signature of at least one Administrative Trustee. Trust Securities Certificates bearing the manual signatures of individuals who were, at the time when such signatures shall have been affixed, authorized to sign on behalf of the Trust, shall be validly issued and entitled to the benefits of this Trust Agreement, notwithstanding that such individuals or any of them shall have ceased to be so authorized prior to the delivery of such Trust Securities Certificates or did not hold such offices at the date of delivery of such Trust Securities Certificates. A transferee of a Trust Securities Certificate shall become a Securityholder, and shall be entitled to the rights and subject to the obligations of a Securityholder hereunder, upon due registration of such Trust Securities Certificate in such transferee's name pursuant to Section 5.4.
Section 5.3 Delivery of Trust Securities Certificates.
On the Closing Date, the Administrative Trustees shall cause Trust Securities Certificates, in an aggregate Liquidation Amount as provided in Sections 2.4 and 2.5, to be executed on behalf of the Trust and delivered to or upon the written order of the Depositor, signed by its chairman of the board, its president, any senior vice president or any vice president, treasurer or assistant treasurer or controller without further corporate action by the Depositor, in authorized denominations.
Section 5.4 Registration of Transfer and Exchange of Preferred Securities Certificates.
The Securities Registrar shall keep or cause to be kept, at the office or agency maintained pursuant to Section 5.8, a Securities Register in which, subject to such reasonable regulations as it may prescribe, the Securities Registrar shall provide for the registration of Preferred Securities Certificates and Common Securities Certificates (subject to Section 5.10 in the case of the Common Securities Certificates) and registration of transfers and exchanges of Preferred Securities Certificates as herein provided. The Property Trustee shall be the initial Securities Registrar. The provisions of Sections 8.1, 8.3 and 8.6 shall apply to the Property Trustee also in its role as Securities Registrar, for so long as the Property Trustee shall act as Securities Registrar and, to the extent applicable, to any other securities registrar appointed hereunder. Any
reference in this Trust Agreement to the Securities Registrar shall include any co-securities registrar unless the context requires otherwise.
Upon surrender for registration of transfer of any Preferred Securities Certificate at the office or agency maintained pursuant to Section 5.8, the Administrative Trustees or any one of them shall execute and deliver, in the name of the designated transferee or transferees, one or more new Preferred Securities Certificates in authorized denominations of a like aggregate Liquidation Amount dated the date of execution by such Administrative Trustee or Trustees. The Securities Registrar shall not be required to register the transfer of any Preferred Securities that have been called for redemption. At the option of a Holder, Preferred Securities Certificates may be exchanged for other Preferred Securities Certificates in authorized denominations of the same class and of a like aggregate Liquidation Amount upon surrender of the Preferred Securities Certificates to be exchanged at the office or agency maintained pursuant to Section 5.8.
Every Preferred Securities Certificate presented or surrendered for registration of transfer or exchange shall be accompanied by a written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the Administrative Trustees and the Securities Registrar duly executed by the Holder or his attorney duly authorized in writing. Each Preferred Securities Certificate surrendered for registration of transfer or exchange shall be cancelled and subsequently disposed of by the Administrative Trustees in accordance with their customary practice.
No service charge shall be made for any registration of transfer or exchange of Preferred Securities Certificates, but the Securities Registrar may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or governmental charge that may be imposed in connection with any transfer or exchange of Preferred Securities Certificates.
Section 5.5 Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost or Stolen Trust Securities Certificates.
If (a) any mutilated Trust Securities Certificate shall be surrendered to the Securities Registrar, or if the Securities Registrar shall receive evidence to its satisfaction of the destruction, loss or theft of any Trust Securities Certificate and (b) there shall be delivered to the Securities Registrar and the Administrative Trustees such security or indemnity as may be required by them to save each of them harmless, then in the absence of notice that such Trust Securities Certificate shall have been acquired by a bona fide purchaser, the Administrative Trustees, or any one of them, on behalf of the Trust shall execute and make available for delivery, in exchange for or in lieu of any such mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Trust Securities Certificate, a new Trust Securities Certificate of like class, tenor and denomination. In connection with the issuance of any new Trust Securities Certificate under this Section, the Administrative Trustees or the Securities Registrar may require the payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other
governmental charge that may be imposed in connection therewith. Any duplicate Trust Securities Certificate issued pursuant to this Section shall constitute conclusive evidence of an undivided beneficial interest in the assets of the Trust, as if originally issued, whether or not the lost, stolen or destroyed Trust Securities Certificate shall be found at any time.
Section 5.6 Persons Deemed Securityholders.
The Administrative Trustees or the Securities Registrar shall treat the Person in whose name any Trust Securities Certificate shall be registered in the Securities Register as the owner of such Trust Securities Certificate for the purpose of receiving distributions and for all other purposes whatsoever, and neither the Trustees nor the Securities Registrar shall be bound by any notice to the contrary.
Section 5.7 Access to List of Securityholders' Names and Addresses.
The Administrative Trustees or the Depositor shall furnish or cause to be furnished (a) to the Property Trustee, semi-annually on or before January 15 and July 15 in each year, a list, in such form as the Property Trustee may reasonably require, of the names and addresses of the Securityholders as of the most recent Record Date and (b) to the Property Trustee, promptly after receipt by any Administrative Trustee or the Depositor of a request therefor from the Property Trustee in order to enable the Property Trustee to discharge its obligations under this Trust Agreement, in each case to the extent such information is in the possession or control of the Administrative Trustees or the Depositor and is not identical to a previously supplied list or has not otherwise been received by the Property Trustee in its capacity as Securities Registrar. The rights of Securityholders to communicate with other Securityholders with respect to their rights under this Trust Agreement or under the Trust Securities, and the corresponding rights of the Trustee shall be as provided in the Trust Indenture Act. Each Holder, by receiving and holding a Trust Securities Certificate, and each Owner shall be deemed to have agreed not to hold the Depositor, the Property Trustee or the Administrative Trustees accountable by reason of the disclosure of its name and address, regardless of the source from which such information was derived.
Section 5.8 Maintenance of Office or Agency.
The Administrative Trustees shall maintain in The City of New York, an office or offices or agency or agencies where Preferred Securities Certificates may be surrendered for registration of transfer or exchange and where notices and demands to or upon the Trustees in respect of the Trust Securities Certificates may be served. The Administrative Trustees initially designate -, as its principal corporate trust office for such purposes. The Property Trustee shall give prompt written notice to the Depositor
and to the Securityholders of any change in the location of the Securities Register or any such office or agency.
Section 5.9 Appointment of Paying Agent.
The Paying Agent shall make distributions to Securityholders from the Payment Account and shall report the amounts of such distributions to the Property Trustee and the Administrative Trustees. Any Paying Agent shall have the revocable power to withdraw funds from the Payment Account for the purpose of making the distributions referred to above. The Administrative Trustees may revoke such power and remove the Paying Agent if such Trustees determine in their sole discretion that the Paying Agent shall have failed to perform its obligations under this Trust Agreement in any material respect. The Paying Agent shall initially be the Property Trustee, and any co-paying agent chosen by the Property Trustee, and acceptable to the Administrative Trustees and the Depositor. Any Person acting as Paying Agent shall be permitted to resign as Paying Agent upon 30 days' written notice to the Administrative Trustees, the Property Trustee and the Depositor. In the event that the Property Trustee shall no longer be the Paying Agent or a successor Paying Agent shall resign or its authority to act be revoked, the Administrative Trustees shall appoint a successor that is acceptable to the Property Trustee and the Depositor to act as Paying Agent (which shall be a bank or trust company). The Administrative Trustees shall cause such successor Paying Agent or any additional Paying Agent appointed by the Administrative Trustees to execute and deliver to the Trustees an instrument in which such successor Paying Agent or additional Paying Agent shall agree with the Trustees that as Paying Agent, such successor Paying Agent or additional Paying Agent will hold all sums, if any, held by it for payment to the Securityholders in trust for the benefit of the Securityholders entitled thereto until such sums shall be paid to such Securityholders. The Paying Agent shall return all unclaimed funds to the Property Trustee and upon removal of a Paying Agent such Paying Agent shall also return all funds in its possession to the Property Trustee. The provisions of Sections 8.1, 8.3 and 8.6 shall apply to the Property Trustee also in its role as Paying Agent, for so long as the Property Trustee shall act as Paying Agent and, to the extent applicable, to any other paying agent appointed hereunder. Any reference in this Trust Agreement to the Paying Agent shall include any co-paying agent unless the context requires otherwise.
Section 5.10 Ownership of Common Securities by Depositor.
On the Closing Date and on each other date provided for in Section 2.5, the Depositor shall acquire and retain beneficial and record ownership of the Common Securities. To the fullest extent permitted by law, any attempted transfer of the Common Securities shall be void. The Administrative Trustees shall cause each Common Securities Certificate issued to the Depositor to contain a legend stating "THIS CERTIFICATE IS NOT TRANSFERABLE".
Section 5.11 Book-Entry Preferred Securities Certificates; Common Securities Certificate.
(a) The Preferred Securities Certificates, upon original issuance,
will be issued in the form of a typewritten Preferred Securities Certificate or
Certificates representing Book-Entry Preferred Securities Certificates, to be
delivered to The Depository Trust Company, the initial Clearing Agency, by, or
on behalf of, the Trust. Such Preferred Securities Certificate or Certificates
shall initially be registered on the Securities Register in the name of Cede &
Co., the nominee of the initial Clearing Agency, and no beneficial owner will
receive a Definitive Preferred Securities Certificate representing such
beneficial owner's interest in such Preferred Securities, except as provided in
Section 5.13. Unless and until Definitive Preferred Securities Certificates have
been issued to beneficial owners pursuant to Section 5.13:
(i) the provisions of this Section 5.11(a) shall be in full force and effect;
(ii) the Securities Registrar and the Trustees shall be entitled to deal with the Clearing Agency for all purposes of this Trust Agreement relating to the Book-Entry Preferred Securities Certificates (including the payment of principal of and interest on the Book-Entry Preferred Securities and the giving of instructions or directions to Owners of Book-Entry Preferred Securities) as the sole Holder of Book-Entry Preferred Securities and shall have no obligations to the Owners thereof;
(iii) to the extent that the provisions of this Section 5.11 conflict with any other provisions of this Trust Agreement, the provisions of this Section 5.11 shall control; and
(iv) the rights of the Owners of the Book-Entry Preferred Securities Certificates shall be exercised only through the Clearing Agency and shall be limited to those established by law and agreements between such Owners and the Clearing Agency and/or the Clearing Agency Participants. Pursuant to the Certificate Depository Agreement, unless and until Definitive Preferred Securities Certificates are issued pursuant to Section 5.13, the initial Clearing Agency will make book-entry transfers among the Clearing Agency Participants and receive and transmit payments on the Preferred Securities to such Clearing Agency Participants.
(b) A single Common Securities Certificate representing the Common Securities shall be issued to the Depositor in the form of a definitive Common Securities Certificate.
Section 5.12 Notices to Clearing Agency.
To the extent that a notice or other communication to the Owners is required under this Trust Agreement, unless and until Definitive Preferred Securities Certificates shall have been issued to Owners pursuant to Section 5.13, the Trustees shall give all such notices and communications specified herein to be given to Owners to the Clearing Agency, and shall have no obligations to the Owners.
Section 5.13 Definitive Preferred Securities Certificates.
If (a) the Depositor advises the Trustees in writing that the Clearing Agency is no longer willing or able to properly discharge its responsibilities with respect to the Preferred Securities Certificates, and the Depositor is unable to locate a qualified successor, (b) the Depositor at its option advises the Trustees in writing that it elects to terminate the book-entry system through the Clearing Agency or (c) after the occurrence of a Debenture Event of Default, Owners of Preferred Securities Certificates representing beneficial interests aggregating at least a majority of the Liquidation Amount advise the Clearing Agency in writing that the continuation of a book-entry system through the Clearing Agency is no longer in the best interest of the Owners of Preferred Securities Certificates, then the Clearing Agency shall notify all Owners of Preferred Securities Certificates and the Trustees of the occurrence of any such event and of the availability of the Definitive Preferred Securities Certificates to Owners of such class or classes, as applicable, requesting the same. Upon surrender to the Administrative Trustees of the typewritten Preferred Securities Certificate or Certificates representing the Book Entry Preferred Securities Certificates by the Clearing Agency, accompanied by registration instructions, the Administrative Trustees, or any one of them, shall execute the Definitive Preferred Securities Certificates in accordance with the instructions of the Clearing Agency. Neither the Securities Registrar nor the Trustees shall be liable for any delay in delivery of such instructions and may conclusively rely on, and shall be protected in relying on, such instructions. Upon the issuance of Definitive Preferred Securities Certificates, the Trustees shall recognize the Holders of the Definitive Preferred Securities Certificates as Securityholders. The Definitive Preferred Securities Certificates shall be printed, lithographed or engraved or may be produced in any other manner as is reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Trustees, as evidenced by the execution thereof by the Administrative Trustees or any one of them.
Section 5.14 Rights of Securityholders.
The legal title to the Trust Property is vested exclusively in the Property Trustee (in its capacity as such) in accordance with Section 2.9, and the Securityholders shall not have any right or title therein other than the undivided beneficial interest in the assets of the Trust conferred by their Trust Securities and they shall have no right to call for any partition or division of property, profits or rights of the Trust except as described below. The Trust Securities shall be personal property giving only the rights specifically set forth therein and in this Trust Agreement. The Trust Securities shall have no preemptive or similar rights and when issued and delivered to Securityholders against payment of the purchase price therefor will be fully paid and nonassessable by the Trust. The Holders of the Trust Securities, in their capacities as such, shall be entitled to the same limitation of personal liability extended to stockholders of private corporations for profit organized under the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware.
ARTICLE VI
ACTS OF SECURITYHOLDERS; MEETINGS; VOTING
Section 6.1 Limitations on Voting Rights.
(a) Except as provided in this Section, in Sections 8.10 and 10.2 and in the Indenture and as otherwise required by law, no Holder of Preferred Securities shall have any right to vote or in any manner otherwise control the administration, operation and management of the Trust or the obligations of the parties hereto, nor shall anything herein set forth, or contained in the terms of the Trust Securities Certificates, be construed so as to constitute the Securityholders from time to time as partners or members of an association.
(b) So long as any Debentures are held by the Property Trustee, the Trustees shall not (i) direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Debenture Trustee, or executing any trust or power conferred on the Debenture Trustee with respect to such Debentures, (ii) waive any past default which is waivable under Section 5.13 of the Indenture, (iii) exercise any right to rescind or annul a declaration that the principal of all the Debentures shall be due and payable or (iv) consent to any amendment, modification or termination of the Indenture or the Debentures, where such consent shall be required, without, in each case, obtaining the prior approval of the Holders of at least a majority in Liquidation Amount of all outstanding Preferred Securities; provided, however, that where a consent under the Indenture would require the consent of each holder of Debentures affected thereby, no such consent shall be given by the Property Trustee without the prior written consent of each holder of Preferred Securities. The Trustees shall not revoke any action previously authorized or approved by a vote of the Preferred Securities, except by a subsequent vote of the Preferred Securities. The Property Trustee shall notify all Holders of the Preferred Securities of any notice of default
received from the Debenture Trustee with respect to the Debentures. In addition to obtaining the foregoing approvals of the Holders of the Preferred Securities, prior to taking any of the foregoing actions, the Trustees shall, at the expense of the Depositor, obtain an Opinion of Counsel experienced in such matters to the effect that the Trust will not be classified as an association taxable as a corporation or partnership for United States federal income tax purposes on account of such action.
(c) If any proposed amendment to the Trust Agreement provides for, or the Trustees otherwise propose to effect, (i) any action that would adversely affect in any material respect the powers, preferences or special rights of the Preferred Securities, whether by way of amendment to the Trust Agreement or otherwise, or (ii) the dissolution, winding-up or termination of the Trust, other than pursuant to the terms of this Trust Agreement, then the Holders of Outstanding Preferred Securities as a class will be entitled to vote on such amendment or proposal and such amendment or proposal shall not be effective except with the approval of the Holders of at least a majority in Liquidation Amount of the Outstanding Preferred Securities.
Section 6.2 Notice of Meetings.
Notice of all meetings of the Preferred Securityholders, stating the time, place and purpose of the meeting, shall be given by the Property Trustee upon receipt of written notice of the calling of such meeting from the Administrative Trustees pursuant to Section 10.8 to each Preferred Securityholder of record, at his registered address, at least 15 days and not more than 90 days before the meeting. At any such meeting, any business properly before the meeting may be so considered whether or not stated in the notice of the meeting. Any adjourned meeting may be held as adjourned without further notice.
Section 6.3 Meetings of Preferred Securityholders.
No annual meeting of Securityholders is required to be held. The Administrative Trustees, however, shall call a meeting of Securityholders to vote on any matter upon the written request of the Preferred Securityholders of record of 25% of the Preferred Securities (based upon their Liquidation Amount) and the Administrative Trustees or the Property Trustee may, at any time in their discretion, call a meeting of Preferred Securityholders to vote on any matters as to which Preferred Securityholders are entitled to vote.
Preferred Securityholders of record of 50% of the Preferred Securities (based upon their Liquidation Amount), present in person or by proxy, shall constitute a quorum at any meeting of Securityholders.
If a quorum is present at a meeting, an affirmative vote by the Preferred Securityholders of record present, in person or by proxy, holding more than a majority of the Preferred Securities (based upon their Liquidation Amount) held by the Preferred Securityholders of record present, either in person or by proxy, at such meeting shall constitute the action of the Securityholders, unless this Trust Agreement requires a greater number of affirmative votes.
Section 6.4 Voting Rights.
Securityholders shall be entitled to one vote for each $25 of Liquidation Amount represented by their Trust Securities in respect of any matter as to which such Securityholders are entitled to vote.
Section 6.5 Proxies, etc.
At any meeting of Securityholders, any Securityholder entitled to vote thereat may vote by proxy, provided that no proxy shall be voted at any meeting unless it shall have been placed on file with the Administrative Trustees, or with such other officer or agent of the Trust as the Administrative Trustees may direct, for verification prior to the time at which such vote shall be taken. Pursuant to a resolution of the Property Trustee, proxies may be solicited in the name of the Property Trustee or one or more officers of the Property Trustee. Only Securityholders of record shall be entitled to vote. When Trust Securities are held jointly by several persons, any one of them may vote at any meeting in person or by proxy in respect of such Trust Securities, but if more than one of them shall be present at such meeting in person or by proxy, and such joint owners or their proxies so present disagree as to any vote to be cast, such vote shall not be received in respect of such Trust Securities. A proxy purporting to be executed by or on behalf of a Securityholder shall be deemed valid unless challenged at or prior to its exercise, and the burden of proving invalidity shall rest on the challenger. No proxy shall be valid more than three years after its date of execution.
Section 6.6 Securityholder Action by Written Consent.
Any action which may be taken by Securityholders at a meeting may be taken without a meeting if Securityholders holding more than a majority of all Outstanding Trust Securities (based upon their Liquidation Amount) entitled to vote in respect of such action (or such larger proportion thereof as shall be required by any express provision of this Trust Agreement) shall consent to the action in writing.
Section 6.7 Record Date for Voting and Other Purposes.
For the purposes of determining the Securityholders who are entitled to notice of and to vote at any meeting or by written consent, or to participate in any distribution on the Trust Securities in respect of which a record date is not otherwise
provided for in this Trust Agreement, or for the purpose of any other action, Administrative Trustees may from time to time fix a date, not more than 90 days prior to the date of any meeting of Securityholders or the payment of distribution or other action, as the case may be, as a record date for the determination of the identity of the Securityholders of record for such purposes.
Section 6.8 Acts of Securityholders.
Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action provided or permitted by this Trust Agreement to be given, made or taken by Securityholders or Owners may be embodied in and evidenced by one or more instruments of substantially similar tenor signed by such Securityholders or Owners in person or by an agent duly appointed in writing; and, except as otherwise expressly provided herein, such action shall become effective when such instrument or instruments are delivered to an Administrative Trustee. Such instrument or instruments (and the action embodied therein and evidenced thereby) are herein sometimes referred to as the "Act" of the Securityholders or Owners signing such instrument or instruments. Proof of execution of any such instrument or of a writing appointing any such agent shall be sufficient for any purpose of this Trust Agreement and (subject to Section 8.1) conclusive in favor of the Trustees, if made in the manner provided in this Section.
The fact and date of the execution by any Person of any such instrument or writing may be proved by the affidavit of a witness of such execution or by a certificate of a notary public or other officer authorized by law to take acknowledgments of deeds, certifying that the individual signing such instrument or writing acknowledged to him the execution thereof. Where such execution is by a signer acting in a capacity other than his individual capacity, such certificate or affidavit shall also constitute sufficient proof of his authority. The fact and date of the execution of any such instrument or writing, or the authority of the Person executing the same, may also be proved in any other manner which any Trustee receiving the same deems sufficient.
The ownership of Preferred Securities shall be proved by the Securities Register.
Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other Act of the Securityholder of any Trust Security shall bind every future Securityholder of the same Trust Security and the Securityholder of every Trust Security issued upon the registration of transfer thereof or in exchange therefor or in lieu thereof in respect of anything done, omitted or suffered to be done by the Trustees or the Trust in reliance thereon, whether or not notation of such action is made upon such Trust Security.
Without limiting the foregoing, a Securityholder entitled hereunder to take any action hereunder with regard to any particular Trust Security may do so with regard
to all or any part of the Liquidation Amount of such Trust Security or by one or more duly appointed agents each of which may do so pursuant to such appointment with regard to all or any part of such liquidation amount.
If any dispute shall arise between the Securityholders and the Administrative Trustees or among such Securityholders or Trustees with respect to the authenticity, validity or binding nature of any request, demand, authorization, direction, consent, waiver or other Act of such Securityholder or Trustee under this Article VI, then the dispute shall be submitted to an independent legal counsel which has not provided significant services to any of the disputing parties in the past two years (the "Independent Legal Counsel"), and reasonably satisfactory to the disputing parties, for determination of such matter. The Independent Legal Counsel's determination shall be conclusive and binding with respect to such matter.
A Securityholder may institute a legal proceeding directly against the Depositor under the Guarantee to enforce its rights under the Guarantee without first instituting a legal proceeding against the Guarantee Trustee (as defined in the Guarantee), the Trust or any person or entity.
Section 6.9 Inspection of Records.
Upon reasonable notice to the Administrative Trustees and the Property Trustee, the records of the Trust shall be open to inspection by Securityholders during normal business hours for any purpose reasonably related to such Securityholder's interest as a Securityholder.
ARTICLE VII
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
Section 7.1 Representations and Warranties of the Bank, the Property Trustee and the Delaware Trustee.
The Bank, the Property Trustee and the Delaware Trustee, each severally on behalf of and as to itself, hereby represents and warrants for the benefit of the Depositor and the Securityholders that:
(a) the Bank is a Delaware State corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware;
(b) the Bank has full corporate power, authority and legal right to execute, deliver and perform its obligations under this Trust Agreement and has taken all necessary action to authorize the execution, delivery and performance by it of this Trust Agreement;
(c) this Trust Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Bank and constitutes the valid and legally binding agreement of the Bank enforceable against it in accordance with its terms, subject to bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent transfer, reorganization, moratorium and similar laws of general applicability relating to or affecting creditors' rights and to general equity principles;
(d) the execution, delivery and performance by the Bank of this Trust Agreement has been duly authorized by all necessary corporate or other action on the part of the Bank and does not require any approval of stockholders of the Bank and such execution, delivery and performance will not (i) violate the Bank's Charter or By-laws, (ii) violate any provision of, or constitute, with or without notice or lapse of time, a default under, or result in the creation or imposition of, any Lien on any properties included in the Trust Property pursuant to the provisions of, any indenture, mortgage, credit agreement, license or other agreement or instrument to which the Bank is a party or by which it is bound (other than as contemplated by the Trust Agreement, the Indenture and the Guarantee), or (iii) violate any law, governmental rule or regulation of the United States or the State of Delaware, as the case may be, governing the banking or trust powers of the Bank or any order, judgment or decree applicable to the Bank;
(e) the execution, delivery and performance by the Property Trustee of this Trust Agreement has been duly authorized by all necessary corporate or other action on the part of the Property Trustee and does not require any approval of stockholders of the Property Trustee and such execution, delivery and performance will not (i) violate the Property Trustee's Charter or By-laws, (ii) violate any provision of, or constitute, with or without notice or lapse of time, a default under, or result in the creation or imposition of, any Lien on any properties included in the Trust Property pursuant to the provisions of, any indenture, mortgage, credit agreement, license or other agreement or instrument to which the Property Trustee is a party or by which it is bound (other than as contemplated by the Trust Agreement, the Indenture and the Guarantee), or (iii) violate any law, governmental rule or regulation of the United States or the State of Delaware, as the case may be, governing the banking or trust powers of the Property Trustee or any order, judgment or decree applicable to the Property Trustee;
(f) the execution, delivery and performance by the Delaware Trustee of this Trust Agreement has been duly authorized by all necessary corporate or other action on the part of the Delaware Trustee and does not require any approval of stockholders of the Delaware Trustee and such execution, delivery and performance will not (i) violate the Delaware Trustee's Charter or By-laws, (ii) violate any provision of, or constitute, with or without notice or lapse of time, a default under, or result in the creation or imposition of, any Lien on any properties
included in the Trust Property pursuant to the provisions of, any indenture, mortgage, credit agreement, license or other agreement or instrument to which the Delaware Trustee is a party or by which it is bound (other than as contemplated by the Trust Agreement, the Indenture and the Guarantee), or (iii) violate any law, governmental rule or regulation of the United States or the State of Delaware, as the case may be, governing the banking or trust powers of the Delaware Trustee or any order, judgment or decree applicable to the Delaware Trustee;
(g) neither the authorization, execution or delivery by the Bank of this Trust Agreement nor the consummation of any of the transactions by the Bank contemplated herein or therein requires the consent or approval of, the giving of notice to, the registration with or the taking of any other action with respect to any governmental authority or agency under any existing federal law governing the banking or trust powers of the Bank under the laws of the United States or the State of Delaware (other than as contemplated by the Trust Agreement, the Indenture and the Guarantee);
(h) neither the authorization, execution or delivery by the Property Trustee of this Trust Agreement nor the consummation of any of the transactions by the Property Trustee contemplated herein or therein requires the consent or approval of, the giving of notice to, the registration with or the taking of any other action with respect to any governmental authority or agency under any existing federal law governing the banking or trust powers of the Property Trustee under the laws of the United States or the State of Delaware (other than as contemplated by the Trust Agreement, the Indenture and the Guarantee);
(i) neither the authorization, execution or delivery by the Delaware Trustee of this Trust Agreement nor the consummation of any of the transactions by the Delaware Trustee contemplated herein or therein requires the consent or approval of, the giving of notice to, the registration with or the taking of any other action with respect to any governmental authority or agency under any existing federal law governing the banking or trust powers of the Delaware Trustee under the laws of the United States or the State of Delaware (other than as contemplated by the Trust Agreement, the Indenture and the Guarantee); and
(j) there are no proceedings pending or, to the best of each of the Bank's, the Property Trustee's and the Delaware Trustee's knowledge, threatened against or affecting the Bank, the Property Trustee or the Delaware Trustee in any court or before any governmental authority, agency or arbitration board or tribunal which, individually or in the aggregate, would materially and adversely affect the Trust or would question the right, power and authority of the Bank to enter into or perform its obligations as one of the Trustees under this Trust Agreement.
Section 7.2 Representations and Warranties of Depositor.
The Depositor hereby represents and warrants for the benefit of the Securityholders that:
(a) the Trust Securities Certificates issued on the Closing Date on behalf of the Trust have been duly authorized and will have been, duly and validly executed, issued and delivered by the Trustees pursuant to the terms and provisions of, and in accordance with the requirements of, this Trust Agreement and the Securityholders will be, as of such date, entitled to the benefits of this Trust Agreement; and
(b) there are no taxes, fees or other governmental charges payable by the Trust (or the Trustees on behalf of the Trust) under the laws of the State of Delaware or any political subdivision thereof in connection with the execution, delivery and performance by the Bank, the Property Trustee or the Delaware Trustee, as the case may be, of this Trust Agreement.
ARTICLE VIII
THE TRUSTEES
Section 8.1 Certain Duties and Responsibilities.
(a) The duties and responsibilities of the Trustees shall be as provided by this Trust Agreement and, in the case of the Property Trustee, by the Trust Indenture Act. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no provision of this Trust Agreement shall require the Trustees to expend or risk their own funds or otherwise incur any financial liability in the performance of any of their duties hereunder, or in the exercise of any of their rights or powers, if they shall have reasonable grounds for believing that repayment of such funds or adequate indemnity against such risk or liability is not reasonably assured to it. Whether or not therein expressly so provided, every provision of this Trust Agreement relating to the conduct or affecting the liability of or affording protection to the Trustees shall be subject to the provisions of this Section. Nothing in this Trust Agreement shall be construed to release the Property Trustee from liability for its own negligent action, its own failure to act, or its own willful misconduct. To the extent that, at law or in equity, an Administrative Trustee has duties (including fiduciary duties) and liabilities relating thereto to the Trust or to the Securityholders, such Administrative Trustee shall not be liable to the Trust or to any Securityholder for such Trustee's good faith reliance on the provisions of this Trust Agreement. The provisions of this Trust Agreement, to the extent that they restrict the duties and liabilities of the Administrative Trustees otherwise existing
at law or in equity, are agreed by the Depositor and the Securityholders to replace such other duties and liabilities of the Administrative Trustees.
(b) All payments made by the Property Trustee or a Paying Agent in respect of the Trust Securities shall be made only from the revenue and proceeds from the Trust Property and only to the extent that there shall be sufficient revenue or proceeds from the Trust Property to enable the Property Trustee or a Paying Agent to make payments in accordance with the terms hereof. Each Securityholder, by its acceptance of a Trust Security, agrees that it will look solely to the revenue and proceeds from the Trust Property to the extent legally available for distribution to it as herein provided and that the Trustees are not personally liable to it for any amount distributable in respect of any Trust Security or for any other liability in respect of any Trust Security. This Section 8.1(b) does not limit the liability of the Trustees expressly set forth elsewhere in this Trust Agreement or, in the case of the Property Trustee, in the Trust Indenture Act.
(c) No provision of this Trust Agreement shall be construed to relieve the Property Trustee from liability for its own negligent action, its own negligent failure to act, or its own willful misconduct, except that:
(i) the Property Trustee shall not be liable for any error of judgment made in good faith by an authorized officer of the Property Trustee, unless it shall be proved that the Property Trustee was negligent in ascertaining the pertinent facts;
(ii) the Property Trustee shall not be liable with respect to any action taken or omitted to be taken by it in good faith in accordance with the direction of the holders of not less than a majority in Liquidation Amount of the Trust Securities relating to the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Property Trustee, or exercising any trust or power conferred upon the Property Trustee under this Trust Agreement;
(iii) the Property Trustee's sole duty with respect to the custody, safe keeping and physical preservation of the Debentures and the Payment Account shall be to deal with such Property in a similar manner as the Property Trustee deals with similar property for its own account, subject to the protections and limitations on liability afforded to the Property Trustee under this Trust Agreement and the Trust Indenture Act;
(iv) the Property Trustee shall not be liable for any interest on any money received by it except as it may otherwise agree with the Depositor. Money held by the Property Trustee need not be segregated
from other funds held by it except in relation to the Payment Account maintained by the Property Trustee pursuant to Section 3.1 and except to the extent otherwise required by law; and
(v) the Property Trustee shall not be responsible for monitoring the compliance by the Administrative Trustees or the Depositor with their respective duties under this Trust Agreement, nor shall the Property Trustee be liable for the default or misconduct of the Administrative Trustees or the Depositor.
Section 8.2 Notice of Defaults.
Within five Business Days after the occurrence of any Event of
Default actually known to a Responsible Officer of the Property Trustee, the
Property Trustee shall transmit, in the manner and to the extent provided in
Section 10.8, notice of such Event of Default to the Securityholders, the
Administrative Trustees and the Depositor, unless such Event of Default shall
have been cured or waived.
Within five Business Days after the receipt of notice of the Depositor's exercise of its right to extend the interest payment period for the Debentures pursuant to the Indenture, the Administrative Trustee shall transmit, in the manner and to the extent provided in Section 10.8, notice of such exercise to the Securityholders and the Property Trustee, unless such exercise shall have been revoked.
Section 8.3 Certain Rights of Property Trustee.
Subject to the provisions of Section 8.1:
(a) the Property Trustee may rely and shall be protected in acting or refraining from acting in good faith upon any resolution, Opinion of Counsel, certificate, written representation of a Holder or transferee, certificate of auditors or any other certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, consent, order, appraisal, bond, debenture, note, other evidence of indebtedness or other paper or document believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper party or parties;
(b) if, (i) in performing its duties under this Trust Agreement the Property Trustee is required to decide between alternative courses of action or (ii) in construing any of the provisions in this Trust Agreement the Property Trustee finds the same ambiguous or inconsistent with any other provisions contained herein or (iii) the Property Trustee is unsure of the application of any provision of this Trust Agreement, then, except as to any matter as to which the Preferred Securityholders are entitled to vote under the terms of this Trust Agreement, the Property Trustee shall deliver a notice to the Depositor requesting written
instructions of the Depositor as to the course of action to be taken. The Property Trustee shall take such action, or refrain from taking such action, as the Property Trustee shall be instructed in writing to take, or to refrain from taking, by the Depositor; provided, however, that if the Property Trustee does not receive such instructions of the Depositor within ten Business Days after it has delivered such notice, or such reasonably shorter period of time set forth in such notice (which to the extent practicable shall not be less than two Business Days), it may, but shall be under no duty to, take or refrain from taking such action not inconsistent with this Trust Agreement as it shall deem advisable and in the best interests of the Securityholders, in which event the Property Trustee shall have no liability except for its own bad faith, negligence or willful misconduct;
(c) any direction or act of the Depositor or the Administrative Trustees contemplated by this Trust Agreement shall be sufficiently evidenced by an Officer's Certificate;
(d) whenever in the administration of this Trust Agreement, the Property Trustee shall deem it desirable that a matter be established before undertaking, suffering or omitting any action hereunder, the Property Trustee (unless other evidence is herein specifically prescribed) may, in the absence of bad faith on its part, request and rely upon an Officer's Certificate which, upon receipt of such request, shall be promptly delivered by the Depositor or the Administrative Trustees;
(e) the Property Trustee shall have no duty to see to any recording, filing or registration of any instrument (including any financing or continuation statement or any filing under tax or securities laws) or any rerecording, refiling or reregistration thereof;
(f) the Property Trustee may consult with counsel and the advice of such counsel shall be full and complete authorization and protection in respect of any action taken, suffered or omitted by it hereunder in good faith and in reliance thereon and in accordance with such advice, such counsel may be counsel to the Depositor or any of its Affiliates, and may include any of its employees. The Property Trustee shall have the right at any time to seek instructions concerning the administration of this Trust Agreement from any court of competent jurisdiction;
(g) the Property Trustee shall be under no obligation to exercise any of the rights or powers vested in it by this Trust Agreement at the request or direction of any of the Securityholders pursuant to this Trust Agreement, unless such Securityholders shall have offered to the Property Trustee reasonable
security or indemnity against the costs, expenses and liabilities which might be incurred by it in compliance with such request or direction;
(h) the Property Trustee shall not be bound to make any investigation into the facts or matters stated in any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, consent, order, approval, bond, debenture, note or other evidence of indebtedness or other paper or document, unless requested in writing to do so by one or more Securityholders, but the Property Trustee may make such further inquiry or investigation into such facts or matters as it may see fit;
(i) the Property Trustee may execute any of the trusts or powers hereunder or perform any duties hereunder either directly or by or through its agents or attorneys, and the Property Trustee shall not be responsible for any misconduct or negligence on the part of or for the supervision of, any such agent or attorney appointed with due care by it hereunder;
(j) whenever in the administration of this Trust Agreement the Property Trustee shall deem it desirable to receive instructions with respect to enforcing any remedy or right or taking any other action hereunder the Property Trustee (i) may request instructions from the Holders of the Trust Securities which instructions may only be given by the Holders of the same proportion in Liquidation Amount of the Trust Securities as would be entitled to direct the Property Trustee under the terms of the Trust Securities in respect of such remedy, right or action, (ii) may refrain from enforcing such remedy or right or taking such other action until such instructions are received, and (iii) shall be fully protected in acting in accordance with such instructions;
(k) except as otherwise expressly provided by this Trust Agreement, the Property Trustee shall not be under any obligation to take any action that is discretionary under the provisions of this Trust Agreement; and
(l) the Property Trustee shall not be charged with knowledge of an Event of Default unless a Responsible Officer of the Property Trustee obtains actual knowledge of such event or the Property Trustee receives written notice of such event from any Securityholder, the Depositor or the Debenture Trustee.
No provision of this Trust Agreement shall be deemed to impose any duty or obligation on the Property Trustee to perform any act or acts or exercise any right, power, duty or obligation conferred or imposed on it, in any jurisdiction in which it shall be illegal, or in which the Property Trustee shall be unqualified or incompetent in accordance with applicable law, to perform any such act or acts, or to exercise any such right, power, duty
or obligation. No permissive power or authority available to the Property Trustee shall be construed to be a duty.
Section 8.4 Not Responsible for Recitals or Issuance of Securities.
The recitals contained herein and in the Trust Securities Certificates shall be taken as the statements of the Trust, and the Trustees do not assume any responsibility for their correctness. The Trustees shall not be accountable for the use or application by the Depositor of the proceeds of the Debentures.
Section 8.5 May Hold Securities.
Except as provided in the definition of the term "Outstanding" in Article I, any Trustee or any other agent of any Trustee or the Trust, in its individual or any other capacity, may become the owner or pledgee of Trust Securities and, subject to Sections 8.8 and 8.13, may otherwise deal with the Trust with the same rights it would have if it were not a Trustee or such other agent.
Section 8.6 Compensation; Indemnity; Fees.
The Depositor agrees:
(a) to pay to the Trustees from time to time reasonable compensation for all services rendered by them hereunder (which compensation shall not be limited by any provision of law in regard to the compensation of a trustee of an express trust);
(b) except as otherwise expressly provided herein, to reimburse the Trustees upon request for all reasonable expenses, disbursements and advances incurred or made by the Trustees in accordance with any provision of this Trust Agreement (including the reasonable compensation and the expenses and disbursements of its agents and counsel), except any such expense, disbursement or advance as may be attributable to its negligence or bad faith;
(c) to indemnify each of the Trustees or any predecessor Trustee for, and to hold the Trustees harmless against, any loss, damage, claims, liability, penalty or expense incurred without negligence or bad faith on its part, arising out of or in connection with the acceptance or administration of this Trust Agreement, including the costs and expenses of defending itself against any claim or liability in connection with the exercise or performance of any of its powers or duties hereunder (collectively, "Expenses"); and
(d) to the fullest extent permitted by law, the Expenses (including reasonable attorneys' fees and expenses) incurred by a Trustee referred to in
paragraph (c) of this Section 8.6 shall be paid by the Depositor in advance upon receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of such Trustee to repay such amount if it shall ultimately be determined that such Trustee is not entitled to be indemnified by the Depositor as authorized in this Section 8.6.
No Trustee may claim any lien or charge on any Trust Property as a result of any amount due pursuant to this Section 8.6.
Section 8.7 Corporate Property Trustee Required; Eligibility of Trustees.
(a) There shall at all times be a Property Trustee hereunder with respect to the Trust Securities. The Property Trustee shall be a Person that is eligible pursuant to the Trust Indenture Act to act as such and has a combined capital and surplus of at least $50,000,000. If any such Person publishes reports of condition at least annually, pursuant to law or to the requirements of its supervising or examining authority, then for the purposes of this Section, the combined capital and surplus of such Person shall be deemed to be its combined capital and surplus as set forth in its most recent report of condition so published. If at any time the Property Trustee with respect to the Trust Securities shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the provisions of this Section, it shall resign immediately in the manner and with the effect hereinafter specified in this Article.
(b) There shall at all times be one or more Administrative Trustees hereunder with respect to the Trust Securities. Each Administrative Trustee shall be either a natural person who is at least 21 years of age or a legal entity that shall act through one or more persons authorized to bind that entity.
(c) There shall at all times be a Delaware Trustee with respect to the Trust Securities. The Delaware Trustee shall either be (i) a natural person who is at least 21 years of age and a resident of the State of Delaware or (ii) a legal entity with its principal place of business in the State of Delaware and that otherwise meets the requirements of applicable Delaware law that shall act through one or more persons authorized to bind such entity.
Section 8.8 Conflicting Interests.
If the Property Trustee has or shall acquire a conflicting interest within the meaning of the Trust Indenture Act, the Property Trustee shall either eliminate such interest or resign, to the extent and in the manner provided by, and subject to the provisions of, the Trust Indenture Act and this Trust Agreement.
Section 8.9 Co-Trustees and Separate Trustee.
Unless an Event of Default shall have occurred and be
continuing, at any time or times, for the purpose of meeting the legal
requirements of the Trust Indenture Act or of any jurisdiction in which any part
of the Trust Property may at the time be located, the Depositor and the
Administrative Trustees, by agreed action of the majority of such Trustees,
shall have power to appoint, and upon the written request of the Administrative
Trustees, the Depositor shall for such purpose join with the Administrative
Trustees in the execution, delivery, and performance of all instruments and
agreements necessary or proper to appoint, one or more Persons approved by the
Property Trustee either to act as co-trustee, jointly with the Property Trustee,
of all or any part of such Trust Property, or to the extent required by law to
act as separate trustee of any such property, in either case with such powers as
may be provided in the instrument of appointment, and to vest in such Person or
Persons in the capacity aforesaid, any property, title, right or power deemed
necessary or desirable, subject to the other provisions of this Section. If the
Depositor does not join in such appointment within 15 days after the receipt by
it of a request so to do, or in case a Debenture Event of Default has occurred
and is continuing, the Property Trustee alone shall have power to make such
appointment. Any co-trustee or separate trustee appointed pursuant to this
Section shall either be (i) a natural person who is at least 21 years of age and
a resident of the United States or (ii) a legal entity with its principal place
of business in the United States that shall act through one or more persons
authorized to bond such entity.
Should any written instrument from the Depositor be required by any co-trustee or separate trustee so appointed for more fully confirming to such co-trustee or separate trustee such property, title, right, or power, any and all such instruments shall, on request, be executed, acknowledged, and delivered by the Depositor.
Every co-trustee or separate trustee shall, to the extent permitted by law, but to such extent only, be appointed subject to the following terms, namely:
(a) The Trust Securities shall be executed and delivered and all rights, powers, duties, and obligations hereunder in respect of the custody of securities, cash and other personal property held by, or required to be deposited or pledged with, the Trustees specified hereunder, shall be exercised, solely by such Trustees and not by such co-trustee or separate trustee.
(b) The rights, powers, duties, and obligations hereby conferred or imposed upon the Property Trustee in respect of any property covered by such appointment shall be conferred or imposed upon and exercised or performed by the Property Trustee or by the Property Trustee and such co-trustee or separate trustee jointly, as shall be provided in the instrument appointing such co-trustee or separate trustee, except to the extent that under any law of any jurisdiction in
which any particular act is to be performed, the Property Trustee shall be incompetent or unqualified to perform such act, in which event such rights, powers, duties, and obligations shall be exercised and performed by such co-trustee or separate trustee.
(c) The Property Trustee at any time, by an instrument in writing executed by it, with the written concurrence of the Depositor, may accept the resignation of or remove any co-trustee or separate trustee appointed under this Section, and, in case an Event of Default under the Indenture has occurred and is continuing, the Property Trustee shall have power to accept the resignation of, or remove, any such co-trustee or separate trustee without the concurrence of the Depositor. Upon the written request of the Property Trustee, the Depositor shall join with the Property Trustee in the execution, delivery, and performance of all instruments and agreements necessary or proper to effectuate such resignation or removal. A successor to any co-trustee or separate trustee so resigned or removed may be appointed in the manner provided in this Section.
(d) No co-trustee or separate trustee hereunder shall be personally liable by reason of any act or omission of the Property Trustee, or any other trustee hereunder.
(e) The Property Trustee shall not be liable by reason of any act of a co-trustee or separate trustee.
(f) Any Act of Holders delivered to the Property Trustee shall be deemed to have been delivered to each such co-trustee and separate trustee.
Section 8.10 Resignation and Removal; Appointment of Successor.
No resignation or removal of any Trustee (the "Relevant Trustee") and no appointment of a successor Trustee pursuant to this Article shall become effective until the acceptance of appointment by the successor Trustee in accordance with the applicable requirements of Section 8.11.
Any Trustee may resign at any time with respect to the Trust Securities by giving written notice thereof to the Securityholders. If the instrument of acceptance by the successor Trustee required by Section 8.11 shall not have been delivered to the Relevant Trustee within 30 days after the giving of such notice of resignation, the Relevant Trustee may petition, at the expense of the Depositor, any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Relevant Trustee with respect to the Trust Securities.
Unless a Debenture Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, any Trustee may be removed at any time by Act of the Common
Securityholder. If a Debenture Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, the Property Trustee or the Delaware Trustee, or both of them, may be removed at such time by Act of the Holders of a majority in Liquidation Amount of the Preferred Securities, delivered to the Relevant Trustee (in its individual capacity and on behalf of the Trust). An Administrative Trustee may be removed by the Common Securityholder at any time.
If any Trustee shall resign, be removed or become incapable of acting as Trustee, or if a vacancy shall occur in the office of any Trustee for any cause, at a time when no Debenture Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, the Common Securityholder, by Act of the Common Securityholder delivered to the retiring Trustee, shall promptly appoint a successor Trustee or Trustees with respect to the Trust Securities and the Trust, and the retiring Trustee shall comply with the applicable requirements of Section 8.11. If the Property Trustee or the Delaware Trustee shall resign, be removed or become incapable of continuing to act as the Property Trustee or the Delaware Trustee, as the case may be, at a time when a Debenture Event of Default is continuing, the Preferred Securityholders, by Act of the Securityholders of a majority in Liquidation Amount of the Preferred Securities then Outstanding delivered to the retiring Relevant Trustee, shall promptly appoint a successor Relevant Trustee or Trustees with respect to the Trust Securities and the Trust, and such successor Trustee shall comply with the applicable requirements of Section 8.11. If an Administrative Trustee shall resign, be removed or become incapable of acting as Administrative Trustee, at a time when a Debenture Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, the Common Securityholder shall appoint a successor or Administrative Trustees. If no successor Relevant Trustee with respect to the Trust Securities shall have been so appointed by the Common Securityholder or the Preferred Securityholders and accepted appointment in the manner required by Section 8.11, any Securityholder who has been a Securityholder of Trust Securities for at least six months may, on behalf of himself and all others similarly situated, petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Relevant Trustee with respect to the Trust Securities.
The Property Trustee shall give notice of each resignation and each removal of a Trustee and each appointment of a successor Trustee to all Securityholders in the manner provided in Section 10.8 and shall give notice to the Depositor, in each case promptly upon receipt by it of notice of such resignation. Each notice shall include the name of the successor Relevant Trustee and the address of its Corporate Trust Office if it is the Property Trustee.
Notwithstanding the foregoing or any other provision of this Trust Agreement, in the event any Administrative Trustee or a Delaware Trustee who is a natural person dies or becomes, in the opinion of the Depositor, incompetent or incapacitated, the vacancy created by such death, incompetence or incapacity may be filled by (a) the unanimous act of remaining Administrative Trustees if there are at least
two of them or (b) otherwise by the Depositor (with the successor in each case being a Person who satisfies the eligibility requirement for Administrative Trustees set forth in Section 8.7).
Section 8.11 Acceptance of Appointment by Successor.
In case of the appointment hereunder of a successor Trustee such successor Trustee so appointed shall execute, acknowledge and deliver to the Trust and to the retiring Trustee an instrument accepting such appointment, and thereupon the resignation or removal of the retiring Trustee shall become effective and such successor Trustee, without any further act, deed or conveyance, shall become vested with all the rights, powers, trusts and duties of the retiring Trustee; but, on the request of the Depositor or the successor Trustee, such retiring Trustee shall, upon payment of its charges, execute and deliver an instrument transferring to such successor Trustee all the rights, powers and trusts of the retiring Trustee and if the Property Trustee is the resigning Trustee shall duly assign, transfer and deliver to the successor Trustee all property and money held by such retiring Property Trustee hereunder.
In case of the appointment hereunder of a successor Relevant Trustee with respect to the Trust Securities and the Trust, the retiring Relevant Trustee and each successor Relevant Trustee with respect to the Trust Securities shall execute and deliver an amendment hereto wherein each successor Relevant Trustee shall accept such appointment and which (a) shall contain such provisions as shall be necessary or desirable to transfer and confirm to, and to vest in, each successor Relevant Trustee all the rights, powers, trusts and duties of the retiring Relevant Trustee with respect to the Trust Securities and the Trust and (b) shall add to or change any of the provisions of this Trust Agreement as shall be necessary to provide for or facilitate the administration of the trusts hereunder by more than one Relevant Trustee, it being understood that nothing herein or in such amendment shall constitute such Relevant Trustees co-trustees of the same trust and that each such Relevant Trustee shall be trustee of a trust or trusts hereunder separate and apart from any trust or trusts hereunder administered by any other such Relevant Trustee and upon the execution and delivery of such amendment the resignation or removal of the retiring Relevant Trustee shall become effective to the extent provided therein and each such successor Relevant Trustee, without any further act, deed or conveyance, shall become vested with all the rights, powers, trusts and duties of the retiring Relevant Trustee with respect to the Trust Securities and the Trust; but, on request of the Trust or any successor Relevant Trustee such retiring Relevant Trustee shall duly assign, transfer and deliver to such successor Relevant Trustee all Trust Property, all proceeds thereof and money held by such retiring Relevant Trustee hereunder with respect to the Trust Securities and the Trust.
Upon request of any such successor Relevant Trustee, the Trust shall execute any and all instruments for more fully and certainly vesting in and confirming to
such successor Relevant Trustee all such rights, powers and trusts referred to in the first or second preceding paragraph, as the case may be.
No successor Relevant Trustee shall accept its appointment unless at the time of such acceptance such successor Relevant Trustee shall be qualified and eligible under this Article.
Section 8.12 Merger, Conversion, Consolidation or Succession to Business.
Any corporation into which the Property Trustee, the Delaware Trustee or any Administrative Trustee may be merged or converted or with which it may be consolidated, or any corporation resulting from any merger, conversion or consolidation to which such Relevant Trustee shall be a party, or any corporation succeeding to all or substantially all the corporate trust business of such Relevant Trustee, shall be the successor of such Relevant Trustee hereunder, provided such corporation shall be otherwise qualified and eligible under this Article, without the execution or filing of any paper or any further act on the part of any of the parties hereto.
Section 8.13 Preferential Collection of Claims Against Depositor or Trust.
If and when the Property Trustee or the Delaware Trustee shall be or become a creditor of the Depositor or the Trust (or any other obligor upon the Debentures or the Trust Securities), the Property Trustee or the Delaware Trustee, as the case may be, shall be subject to and shall take all actions necessary in order to comply with the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act regarding the collection of claims against the Depositor or Trust (or any such other obligor).
Section 8.14 Reports by Property Trustee.
(a) Within 60 days after December 31 of each year commencing with December 31, 20__ the Property Trustee shall transmit to all Securityholders in accordance with Section 10.8, and to the Depositor, a brief report dated as of such December 31 with respect to:
(i) its eligibility under Section 8.7 or, in lieu thereof, if to the best of its knowledge it has continued to be eligible under said Section, a written statement to such effect;
(ii) a statement that the Property Trustee has complied with all of its obligations under this Trust Agreement during the twelve-month period (or, in the case of the initial report, the period since the Closing Date) ending with such December 31 or, if the Property Trustee has not
complied in any material respect with such obligations, a description of such noncompliance; and
(iii) any change in the property and funds in its possession as Property Trustee since the date of its last report and any action taken by the Property Trustee in the performance of its duties hereunder which it has not previously reported and which in its opinion materially affects the Trust Securities.
(b) In addition the Property Trustee shall transmit to Securityholders such reports concerning the Property Trustee and its actions under this Trust Agreement as may be required pursuant to the Trust Indenture Act at the times and in the manner provided pursuant thereto.
(c) A copy of each such report shall, at the time of such transmission to Holders, be filed by the Property Trustee with each stock exchange upon which the Trust Securities are listed, with the Commission and with the Depositor.
Section 8.15 Reports to the Property Trustee.
The Depositor and the Administrative Trustees on behalf of the Trust shall provide to the Property Trustee such documents, reports and information as required by Section 3.14 of the Trust Indenture Act (if any) and the compliance certificate required by Section 3.14(a) of the Trust Indenture Act in the form, in the manner and at the times required by Section 3.14 of the Trust Indenture Act.
Section 8.16 Evidence of Compliance with Conditions Precedent.
Each of the Depositor and the Administrative Trustees on behalf of the
Trust shall provide to the Property Trustee such evidence of compliance with any
conditions precedent, if any, provided for in this Trust Agreement that relate
to any of the matters set forth in Section 3.14(c) of the Trust Indenture Act.
Any certificate or opinion required to be given by an officer pursuant to
Section 3.14(c)(1) of the Trust Indenture Act shall be given in the form of an
Officers' Certificate.
Section 8.17 Number of Trustees.
(a) The number of Trustees shall be four, provided that the Holder of all of the Common Securities by written instrument may increase or decrease the number of Administrative Trustees.
(b) If a Trustee ceases to hold office for any reason and the number of Administrative Trustees is not reduced pursuant to Section 8.17(a), or if the number of Trustees is increased pursuant to Section 8.17(a), a vacancy shall
occur. The vacancy shall be filled with a Trustee appointed in accordance with Section 8.10.
(c) The death, resignation, retirement, removal, bankruptcy, incompetence or incapacity to perform the duties of a Trustee shall not operate to annul the Trust. Whenever a vacancy in the number of Administrative Trustees shall occur, until such vacancy is filled by the appointment of an Administrative Trustee in accordance with Section 8.10, the Administrative Trustees in office, regardless of their number (and notwithstanding any other provision of this Trust Agreement), shall have all the powers granted to the Administrative Trustees and shall discharge all the duties imposed upon the Administrative Trustees by this Trust Agreement.
Section 8.18 Delegation of Power.
(a) Any Administrative Trustee may, by power of attorney consistent with applicable law, delegate to any other natural person over the age of 21 his or her power for the purpose of executing any documents contemplated in Section 2.7(a), including any registration statement or amendment thereto filed with the Commission, or making any other governmental filing; and
(b) The Administrative Trustees shall have power to delegate from time to time to such of their number or to the Depositor the doing of such things and the execution of such instruments either in the name of the Trust or the names of the Administrative Trustees or otherwise as the Administrative Trustees may deem expedient, to the extent such delegation is not prohibited by applicable law or contrary to the provisions of the Trust, as set forth herein.
ARTICLE IX
TERMINATION, LIQUIDATION AND MERGER
Section 9.1 Termination Upon Expiration Date.
Unless earlier terminated, the Trust shall automatically terminate on -, - (the "Expiration Date"), following the distribution of the Trust Property in accordance with Section 9.4.
Section 9.2 Early Termination.
The first to occur of any of the following events is an "Early Termination Event":
(a) the occurrence of a Bankruptcy Event in respect of, or the dissolution or liquidation of, the Depositor;
(b) the occurrence of a Tax Event or an Investment Company Event (each, a "Special Event"), or the Trust is or will not be taxed as a grantor trust but a Tax Event has not occurred (a "Grantor Trust Event"), and written direction is given to the Property Trustee from the Depositor within 45 days of such Special Event or Grantor Trust Event (which direction is optional and wholly within the discretion of the Depositor) to terminate the Trust and distribute Debentures to Securityholders in accordance with Section 9.4;
(c) the redemption of all of the Preferred Securities; and
(d) an order for dissolution of the Trust shall have been entered by a court of competent jurisdiction.
Section 9.3 Termination.
The respective obligations and responsibilities of the Trustees and the Trust created and continued hereby shall terminate upon the latest to occur of the following: (a) the distribution by the Property Trustee to Securityholders upon the liquidation of the Trust pursuant to Section 9.4, or upon the redemption of all of the Trust Securities pursuant to Section 4.2, of all amounts required to be distributed hereunder upon the final payment of the Trust Securities; (b) the payment of any expenses owed by the Trust; and (c) the discharge of all administrative duties of the Administrative Trustees, including the performance of any tax reporting obligations with respect to the Trust or the Securityholders.
Section 9.4 Liquidation.
(a) If an Early Termination Event specified in clause (a), (b)
or (d) of Section 9.2 occurs or upon the Expiration Date, the Trust
shall be liquidated by the Trustees as expeditiously as the Trustees
determine to be possible by distributing, after satisfaction of
liabilities to creditors of the Trust as provided by applicable law, to
each Securityholder a Like Amount of Debentures, subject to Section
9.4(d). Notice of liquidation shall be given by the Property Trustee by
first-class mail, postage prepaid, mailed not later than 30 nor more
than 60 days prior to the Liquidation Date to each Holder of Trust
Securities at such Holder's address appearing in the Securities
Register. All notices of liquidation shall:
(i) state the Liquidation Date;
(ii) state that from and after the Liquidation Date, the Trust Securities will no longer be deemed to be outstanding and any Trust Securities Certificates not surrendered for exchange will be deemed to represent a Like Amount of Debentures; and
(iii) provide such information with respect to the mechanics by which Holders may exchange Trust Securities Certificates for Debentures, or if Section 9.4(d) applies receive a Liquidation Distribution, as the Administrative Trustees or the Property Trustee shall deem appropriate.
(b) Except where Section 9.2(c) or 9.4(d) applies, in order to effect the liquidation of the Trust and distribution of the Debentures to Securityholders, the Property Trustee shall establish a record date for such distribution (which shall be not more than 45 days prior to the Liquidation Date) and, either itself acting as exchange agent or through the appointment of a separate exchange agent, shall establish such procedures as it shall deem appropriate to effect the distribution of Debentures in exchange for the Outstanding Trust Securities Certificates.
(c) Except where Section 9.2(c) or 9.4(d) applies, after the
Liquidation Date, (i) the Trust Securities will no longer be deemed to
be outstanding, (ii) certificates representing a Like Amount of
Debentures will be issued to holders of Trust Securities Certificates,
upon surrender of such certificates to the Administrative Trustees or
their agent for exchange, (iii) the Depositor shall use its reasonable
efforts to have the Debentures listed on the New York Stock Exchange or
on such other exchange as the Preferred Securities are then listed,
(iv) any Trust Securities Certificates not so surrendered for exchange
will be deemed to represent a Like Amount of Debentures, accruing
interest at the rate provided for in the Debentures from the last
Distribution Date on which a Distribution was made on such Trust
Certificates until such certificates are so surrendered (and until such
certificates are so surrendered, no payments or interest or principal
will be made to holders of Trust Securities Certificates with respect
to such Debentures) and (iv) all rights of Securityholders holding
Trust Securities will cease, except the right of such Securityholders
to receive Debentures upon surrender of Trust Securities Certificates.
(d) In the event that, notwithstanding the other provisions of this Section 9.4, whether because of an order for dissolution entered by a court of competent jurisdiction or otherwise, distribution of the Debentures in the manner provided herein is determined by the Property Trustee not to be practical, the Trust Property shall be liquidated, and the Trust shall be dissolved, wound-up or terminated, by the Property Trustee in such manner as the Property Trustee determines. In such event, on the date of the dissolution, winding-up or other termination of the Trust, Securityholders will be entitled to receive out of the assets of the Trust available for distribution to Securityholders, after satisfaction of liabilities to creditors of the Trust as provided by applicable law, an amount equal to the Liquidation Amount per Trust Security plus accrued and unpaid Distributions thereon to the date of payment (such amount being the "Liquidation Distribution"). If, upon any such dissolution, winding up or termination, the
Liquidation Distribution can be paid only in part because the Trust has insufficient assets available to pay in full the aggregate Liquidation Distribution, then, subject to the next succeeding sentence, the amounts payable by the Trust on the Trust Securities shall be paid on a pro rata basis (based upon Liquidation Amounts). The holder of the Common Securities will be entitled to receive Liquidation Distributions upon any such dissolution, winding-up or termination pro rata (determined as aforesaid) with Holders of Preferred Securities, except that, if a Debenture Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Preferred Securities shall have a priority over the Common Securities.
Section 9.5 Mergers, Consolidations, Amalgamations or Replacements of the Trust.
The Trust may not merge with or into, consolidate, amalgamate, or be
replaced by, or convey, transfer or lease its properties and assets
substantially as an entirety to any corporation or other body, except pursuant
to this Section 9.5. At the request of the Depositor, with the consent of the
Administrative Trustees and without the consent of the holders of the Preferred
Securities, the Trust may merge with or into, consolidate, amalgamate, or be
replaced by a trust organized as such under the laws of any State; provided,
that (i) such successor entity either (a) expressly assumes all of the
obligations of the Trust with respect to the Preferred Securities or (b)
substitutes for the Preferred Securities other securities having substantially
the same terms as the Preferred Securities (the "Successor Securities") so long
as the Successor Securities rank the same as the Preferred Securities rank in
priority with respect to distributions and payments upon liquidation, redemption
and otherwise, (ii) the Depositor expressly appoints a trustee of such successor
entity possessing the same powers and duties as the Property Trustee as the
holder of the Debentures, (iii) the Successor Securities are listed, or any
Successor Securities will be listed upon notification of issuance, on any
national securities exchange or other organization on which the Preferred
Securities are then listed, if any, (iv) such merger, consolidation,
amalgamation or replacement does not cause the Preferred Securities (including
any Successor Securities) to be downgraded by any nationally recognized
statistical rating organization, (v) such merger, consolidation, amalgamation or
replacement does not adversely affect the rights, preferences and privileges of
the holders of the Preferred Securities (including any Successor Securities) in
any material respect, (vi) such successor entity has a purpose identical to that
of the Trust, (vii) prior to such merger, consolidation, amalgamation or
replacement, the Depositor has received an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that
(a) such merger, consolidation, amalgamation or replacement does not adversely
affect the rights, preferences and privileges of the holders of the Preferred
Securities (including any Successor Securities) in any material respect, and (b)
following such merger, consolidation, amalgamation or replacement, neither the
Trust nor such successor entity will be required to register as an investment
company under the 1940 Act and (viii) the Depositor owns all of the Common
Securities of such successor entity and guarantees the
obligations of such successor entity under the Successor Securities at least to the extent provided by the Guarantee. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Trust shall not, except with the consent of holders of 100% in Liquidation Amount of the Preferred Securities, consolidate, amalgamate, merge with or into, or be replaced by any other entity or permit any other entity to consolidate, amalgamate, merge with or into, or replace it if such consolidation, amalgamation, merger or replacement would cause the Trust or the successor entity to be classified as other than a grantor trust for federal income tax purposes.
ARTICLE X
MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
Section 10.1 Limitation of Rights of Securityholders.
The death or incapacity of any person having an interest, beneficial or otherwise, in Trust Securities shall not operate to terminate this Trust Agreement, nor entitle the legal representatives or heirs of such person or any Securityholder for such person, to claim an accounting, take any action or bring any proceeding in any court for a partition or winding up of the arrangements contemplated hereby, nor otherwise affect the rights, obligations and liabilities of the parties hereto or any of them.
Section 10.2 Amendment.
(a) This Trust Agreement may be amended from time to time by the Trustees and the Depositor, without the consent of any Securityholders, (i) to cure any ambiguity, correct or supplement any provision herein or therein which may be inconsistent with any other provision herein or therein, or to make any other provisions with respect to matters or questions arising under this Trust Agreement, which shall not be inconsistent with the other provisions of this Trust Agreement, or (ii) to modify, eliminate or add to any provisions of this Trust Agreement to such extent as shall be necessary to ensure that the Trust will be classified for Federal income tax purposes as a grantor trust at all times that any Trust Securities are outstanding or to ensure that the Trust will not be required to register as an "investment company" under the 1940 Act; provided, however, that in the case of clause (i), such action shall not adversely affect in any material respect the interests of any Securityholder, and any amendments of this Trust Agreement shall become effective when notice thereof is given to the Securityholders.
(b) Except as provided in Section 10.2(c) hereof, any provision of this Trust Agreement may be amended by the Trustees and the Depositor with (i) the consent of Trust Securityholders representing not less than a majority (based upon Liquidation Amounts) of the Trust Securities then Outstanding and (ii) receipt by
the Trustees of an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that such amendment or the exercise of any power granted to the Trustees in accordance with such amendment will not affect the Trust's status as a grantor trust for federal income tax purposes or the Trust's exemption from status of an "investment company" under the 1940 Act.
(c) In addition to and notwithstanding any other provision in this Trust Agreement, without the consent of each affected Securityholder (such consent being obtained in accordance with Section 6.3 or 6.6 hereof), this Trust Agreement may not be amended to (i) change the amount or timing of any Distribution on the Trust Securities or otherwise adversely affect the amount of any Distribution required to be made in respect of the Trust Securities as of a specified date or (ii) restrict the right of a Securityholder to institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment on or after such date; notwithstanding any other provision herein without the unanimous consent of the Securityholders (such consent being obtained in accordance with Section 6.3 or 6.6 hereof), this paragraph (c) of this Section 10.2 may not be amended.
(d) Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Trust Agreement, no Trustee shall enter into or consent to any amendment to this Trust Agreement which would cause the Trust to fail or cease to qualify for the exemption from status of an "investment company" under the 1940 Act.
(e) Notwithstanding anything in this Trust Agreement to the contrary, without the consent of the Depositor, this Trust Agreement may not be amended in a manner which imposes any additional obligation on the Depositor.
(f) In the event that any amendment to this Trust Agreement is made, the Administrative Trustees shall promptly provide to the Depositor a copy of such amendment.
(g) Neither the Property Trustee nor the Delaware Trustee shall be required to enter into any amendment to this Trust Agreement which affects its own rights, duties or immunities under this Trust Agreement. The Property Trustee shall be entitled to receive and conclusively rely on an Opinion of Counsel and an Officer's Certificate stating that any amendment to this Trust Agreement is in compliance with this Trust Agreement.
Section 10.3 Separability.
In case any provision in this Trust Agreement or in the Trust Securities Certificates shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and
enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.
Section 10.4 Governing Law.
This Trust Agreement and the rights and obligations of each of the Securityholders, the Trust and the Trustees with respect to this Trust Agreement and the Trust Securities shall be construed in accordance with and governed by the laws of the State of Delaware without regard to principals of conflicts of laws.
Section 10.5 Payments Due on Non-Business Day.
If the date fixed for any payment on any Trust Security shall be a day which is not a Business Day, then such payment need not be made on such date but may be made on the next succeeding day which is a Business Day (except as otherwise provided in Section 4.1(a)), with the same force and effect as though made on the date fixed for such payment, and no interest shall accrue thereon for the period after such date.
Section 10.6 Successors.
This Trust Agreement shall be binding upon and shall inure to the benefit of any successor to the Depositor, the Trust or the Relevant Trustee, including any successor by operation of law. Except in connection with a consolidation, merger or sale involving the Depositor that is permitted under Article Eight of the Indenture and pursuant to which the assignee agrees in writing to perform the Depositor's obligations hereunder, the Depositor shall not assign its obligations hereunder.
Section 10.7 Headings.
The Article and Section headings are for convenience only and shall not affect the construction of this Trust Agreement.
Section 10.8 Reports, Notices and Demands.
Any report, notice, demand or other communication which by any provision of this Trust Agreement is required or permitted to be given or served to or upon any Securityholder or the Depositor may be given or served in writing by deposit thereof, first-class postage prepaid, in the United States mail, hand delivery or facsimile transmission, in each case, addressed, (a) in the case of a Preferred Securityholder, to such Preferred Securityholder as such Securityholder's name and address may appear on the Securities Register; and (b) in the case of the Common Securityholder or the Depositor, to The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc., Hartford Plaza, Hartford, Connecticut 06115, Attention: Treasurer, facsimile no.: (860) 547-5462. Any notice to Preferred Securityholders shall also be given to such owners as have, within two years
preceding the giving of such notice, filed their names and addresses with the Property Trustee for that purpose. Such notice, demand or other communication to or upon a Securityholder shall be deemed to have been sufficiently given or made, for all purposes, upon hand delivery, mailing or transmission.
Any notice, demand or other communication which by any provision of
this Trust Agreement is required or permitted to be given or served to or upon
the Trust, the Property Trustee or the Administrative Trustees shall be given in
writing addressed (until another address is published by the Trust) as follows:
(a) with respect to the Property Trustee to __________, _________, ___________,
Attention: ___________; (b) with respect to the Delaware Trustee, to __________,
_________, ___________, Attention: ___________; and (c) with respect to the
Administrative Trustees, to them at the address above for notices to the
Depositor, marked "Attention: Administrative Trustees of __________." Such
notice, demand or other communication to or upon the Trust or the Property
Trustee shall be deemed to have been sufficiently given or made only upon actual
receipt of the writing by the Trust or the Property Trustee.
Section 10.9 Agreement Not to Petition.
Each of the Trustees and the Depositor agree for the benefit of the Securityholders that, until at least one year and one day after the Trust has been terminated in accordance with Article IX, they shall not file, or join in the filing of, a petition against the Trust under any bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or other similar law (including, without limitation, the United States Bankruptcy Code) (collectively, "Bankruptcy Laws") or otherwise join in the commencement of any proceeding against the Trust under any Bankruptcy Law. In the event the Depositor takes action in violation of this Section 10.9, the Property Trustee agrees, for the benefit of Securityholders, that at the expense of the Depositor, it shall (promptly after receipt of written notice of the taking of such action) file an answer with the bankruptcy court or otherwise properly contest the filing of such petition by the Depositor against the Trust or the commencement of such action and raise the defense that the Depositor has agreed in writing not to take such action and should be stopped and precluded therefrom and such other defenses, if any, as counsel for the Trustee or the Trust may assert. The provisions of this Section 10.9 shall survive the termination of this Trust Agreement.
Section 10.10 Trust Indenture Act; Conflict with Trust Indenture Act.
(a) This Trust Agreement is subject to the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act that are required to be part of this Trust Agreement and shall, to the extent applicable, be governed by such provisions.
(b) The Property Trustee shall be the only Trustee which is a trustee for the purposes of the Trust Indenture Act.
(c) If any provision hereof limits, qualifies or conflicts with another provision hereof which is required to be included in this Trust Agreement by any of the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act, such required provision shall control. If any provision of this Trust Agreement modifies or excludes any provision of the Trust Indenture Act which may be so modified or excluded, the latter provision shall be deemed to apply to this Trust Agreement as so modified or to be excluded, as the case may be.
(d) The application of the Trust Indenture Act to this Trust Agreement shall not affect the nature of the Securities as equity securities representing undivided beneficial interests in the assets of the Trust.
Section 10.11 Acceptance of Terms of Trust Agreement, Guarantee and Indenture.
THE RECEIPT AND ACCEPTANCE OF A TRUST SECURITY OR ANY INTEREST THEREIN BY OR ON BEHALF OF A SECURITYHOLDER OR ANY BENEFICIAL OWNER, WITHOUT ANY SIGNATURE OR FURTHER MANIFESTATION OF ASSENT, SHALL CONSTITUTE THE UNCONDITIONAL ACCEPTANCE BY THE SECURITYHOLDER AND ALL OTHERS HAVING A BENEFICIAL INTEREST IN SUCH TRUST SECURITY OF ALL THE TERMS AND PROVISIONS OF THIS TRUST AGREEMENT AND AGREEMENT TO THE SUBORDINATION PROVISIONS AND OTHER TERMS OF THE GUARANTEE AND THE INDENTURE, AND SHALL CONSTITUTE THE AGREEMENT OF THE TRUST, SUCH SECURITYHOLDER AND SUCH OTHERS THAT THE TERMS AND PROVISIONS OF THIS TRUST AGREEMENT SHALL BE BINDING, OPERATIVE AND EFFECTIVE AS BETWEEN THE TRUST AND SUCH SECURITYHOLDER AND SUCH OTHERS.
THE HARTFORD FINANCIAL SERVICES GROUP, INC.
Title:
____________, as Property Trustee and Delaware Trustee
Title:
Exhibit A
CERTIFICATE OF TRUST
OF
[_______________]
This CERTIFICATE OF TRUST of [______________] (the "Trust"), is being duly executed and filed by the undersigned, as trustee, to form a business trust under the Delaware Business Trust Act (12 Del. Code Section 3801 et seq.) (the "Act").
1. Name. The name of the business trust being formed hereby is "[______________]."
2. Delaware Trustee. The name and business address of the trustee of the Trust with a principal place of business in the State of Delaware is __________, _________, ___________, Attention: ____________;.
3. Effective Date. This Certificate of Trust shall be effective as of its filing.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned trustee of the Trust, has executed this Certificate of Trust in accordance with Section 3811(a) of the Act.
__________________, as Trustee
Title:
Exhibit B
___________ ___, _____
The Depository Trust Company
55 Water Street, 49th Floor
New York, New York 10041-0099.
Attention: ________________________
General Counsel's Office
Re: [ ][Quarterly] Income Preferred Securities
|
Ladies and Gentlemen:
The purpose of this letter is to set forth certain matters relating to
the issuance and deposit with The Depository Trust Company ("DTC") of
[_______________________] [_________]% Cumulative [Quarterly] Income Preferred
Securities, Series A (the "Preferred Securities"), of [_____________], a
Delaware business trust (the "Issuer"), formed pursuant to a Trust Agreement
between The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc. ("Hartford") and __________,
as Trustee. The payment of distributions on the Preferred Securities to the
extent the Issuer has funds available for the payment thereof, and payments due
upon liquidation of Issuer or redemption of the Preferred Securities are
guaranteed by Hartford to the extent set forth in a Guarantee Agreement, dated
__________ __, ____, by Hartford with respect to the Preferred Securities.
Hartford and the Issuer propose to sell the Preferred Securities to certain
Underwriters (the "Underwriters") pursuant to an Underwriting Agreement, dated
__________ __, 20__, by and among the Underwriters, the Issuer and Hartford
dated _________ __, ____ and the Underwriters wish to take delivery of the
Preferred Securities through DTC. __________ is acting as transfer agent and
registrar with respect to the Preferred Securities (the "Transfer Agent and
Registrar").
To induce DTC to accept the Preferred Securities as eligible for deposit at DTC, and to act in accordance with DTC's rules with respect to the Preferred Securities, the Issuer, the Transfer Agent and Registrar and DTC agree among each other as follows:
1. Prior to the closing of the sale of the Preferred Securities to the Underwriters, which is expected to occur on or about _________ __, ____, there shall be deposited with DTC one or more global certificates (individually and collectively, the "Global Certificate") registered in the name of DTC's Preferred Securities nominee, Cede & Co., representing an aggregate of _____________ Preferred Securities and bearing the following legend:
Unless this certificate is presented by an authorized representative of The Depository Trust Company, a New York corporation ("DTC"), to Issuer or its agent for registration of transfer, exchange, or payment, and any
certificate issued is registered in the name of Cede & Co. or in such other name as is requested by an authorized representative of DTC (and any payment is made to Cede & Co. or to such other entity as is requested by an authorized representative of DTC), ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE, OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR OTHERWISE BY OR TO ANY PERSON IS WRONGFUL inasmuch as the registered owner hereof, Cede & Co., has an interest herein.
2. The Amended and Restated Trust Agreement of the Issuer provides for the voting by holders of the Preferred Securities under certain limited circumstances. The Issuer shall establish a record date for such purposes and shall, to the extent possible, give DTC notice of such record date not less than 15 calendar days in advance of such record date.
3. In the event of a stock split, conversion, recapitalization, reorganization or any other similar transaction resulting in the cancellation of all or any part of the Preferred Securities outstanding, the Issuer or the Transfer Agent and Registrar shall send DTC a notice of such event at least 5 business days prior to the effective date of such event.
4. In the event of distribution on, or an offering or issuance of rights with respect to, the Preferred Securities outstanding, the Issuer or the Transfer Agent and Registrar shall send DTC a notice specifying: (a) the amount of and conditions, if any, applicable to the payment of any such distribution or any such offering or issuance of rights; (b) any applicable expiration or deadline date, or any date by which any action on the part of the holders of Preferred Securities is required; and (c) the date any required notice is to be mailed by or on behalf of the Issuer to holders of Preferred Securities or published by or on behalf of the Issuer (whether by mail or publication, the "Publication Date"). Such notice shall be sent to DTC by a secure means (e.g., legible telecopy, registered or certified mail, overnight delivery) in a timely manner designed to assure that such notice is in DTC's possession no later than the close of business on the business day before the Publication Date. The Issuer or the Transfer Agent and Registrar will forward such notice either in a separate secure transmission for each CUSIP number or in a secure transmission of multiple CUSIP numbers (if applicable) that includes a manifest or list of each CUSIP number submitted in that transmission. (The party sending such notice shall have a method to verify subsequently the use of such means and the timeliness of such notice.) The Publication Date shall be not less than 30 calendar days nor more than 60 calendar days prior to the payment of any such distribution or any such offering or issuance of rights with respect to the Preferred Securities. After establishing the amount of payment to be made on the Preferred Securities, the Issuer or the Transfer Agent and Registrar will notify DTC's Dividend Department of such payment 5 business days prior
to payment date. Notices to DTC's Dividend Department by telecopy shall be sent to (212) 855-4555. Such notices by mail or by any other means shall be sent to:
Manager, Announcements
Dividend Department
The Depository Trust Company
55 Water Street, 25th Floor
New York, New York 10041
The Issuer or the Transfer Agent and Registrar shall confirm DTC's receipt of such telecopy by telephoning the Dividend Department at (212) 855-4550.
5. In the event of a redemption by the Issuer of the Preferred
Securities, notice specifying the terms of the redemption and the Publication
Date of such notice shall be sent by the Issuer or the Transfer Agent and
Registrar to DTC not less than 30 calendar days prior to such event by a secure
means in the manner set forth in paragraph 4. Such redemption notice shall be
sent to DTC's Call Notification Department at (212) 855-7232, (212) 855-7233 or
(212) 855-7234 and receipt of such notice shall be confirmed by telephoning
(212) 855-7207. Notice by mail or by any other means shall be sent to:
Call Notification Department The Depository Trust Company 55 Water Street, 50th Floor New York, New York 10041
6. In the event of any invitation to tender the Preferred Securities, notice specifying the terms of the tender and the Publication Date of such notice shall be sent by the Issuer or the Transfer Agent and Registrar to DTC by a secure means and in a timely manner as described in paragraph 4. Notices to DTC pursuant to this paragraph and notices of other corporate actions (including mandatory tenders, exchanges and capital changes), shall be sent, unless notification to another department is expressly provided for herein, by telecopy to DTC's Reorganization Department at (212) 855-5240 or (212) 855-5488 and receipt of such notice shall be confirmed by telephoning (212) 855-5235 or (212) 855-5489, or by mail or any other means to:
Manager, Reorganization Department
Reorganization Window
The Depository Trust Company
55 Water Street, 50th Floor
New York, New York 10041
7. All notices and payment advices sent to DTC shall contain the CUSIP number or numbers of the Preferred Securities and the accompanying designation of the Preferred Securities, which, as of the date of this letter is "[______________] _____% Cumulative [Quarterly] Income Preferred Securities."
8. Distribution payments or other cash payments with respect to the Preferred Securities evidenced by the Global Certificate shall be received by Cede & Co., as nominee of DTC, or its registered assigns in next day funds on each payment date (or in accordance with existing arrangements between the Issuer or the Transfer Agent and Registrar and DTC). Such payments shall be made payable to the order of Cede & Co., and shall be addressed as follows:
NDFS Redemption Department The Depository Trust Company 55 Water Street, 25th Floor New York, New York 10041
9. DTC may by prior written notice direct the Issuer and the Transfer Agent and Registrar to use any other telecopy number or address of DTC as the number or address to which notices or payments may be sent.
10. In the event of a conversion, redemption, or any other similar transaction (e.g., tender made and accepted in response to the Issuer's or the Transfer Agent and Registrar's invitation) necessitating a reduction in the aggregate number of Preferred Securities outstanding evidenced by the Global Certificate, DTC, in its discretion: (a) may request the Issuer or the Transfer Agent and Registrar to issue and countersign a new Global Certificate; or (b) may make an appropriate notation on the Global Certificate indicating the date and amount of such reduction.
11. DTC may discontinue its services as a securities depositary with respect to the Preferred Securities at any time by giving at least 90 days' prior written notice to the Issuer and the Transfer Agent and Registrar (at which time DTC will confirm with the Issuer or the Transfer Agent and Registrar the aggregate number of Preferred Securities deposited with it) and discharging its responsibilities with respect thereto under applicable law. Under such circumstances, the Issuer may determine to make alternative arrangements for book-entry settlement for the Preferred Securities, make available one or more separate global certificates evidencing Preferred Securities to any Participant having Preferred Securities credited to its DTC account, or issue definitive Preferred Securities to the beneficial holders thereof, and in any such case, DTC agrees to cooperate fully with the Issuer and the Transfer Agent and Registrar and to return the Global Certificate, duly endorsed for transfer as directed by the Issuer or the Transfer Agent and Registrar, together with any other documents of transfer reasonably requested by the Issuer or the Transfer Agent and Registrar.
12. In the event that the Issuer determines that beneficial owners of Preferred Securities shall be able to obtain definitive Preferred Securities, the Issuer or the Transfer Agent and Registrar shall notify DTC of the availability of certificates. In such event, the Issuer or the Transfer Agent and Registrar shall issue, transfer and exchange certificates in appropriate amounts, as required by DTC and others, and DTC agrees to cooperate fully with the Issuer and the Transfer Agent and Registrar and to return the Global Certificate, duly endorsed for transfer as directed by the Issuer or the Transfer Agent and Registrar, together with any other documents of transfer reasonably requested by the Issuer or the Transfer Agent and Registrar.
13. This letter may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which when so executed shall be deemed to be an original, but all such counterparts shall together constitute but one and the same instrument.
Nothing herein shall be deemed to require the Transfer Agent and Registrar to advance funds on behalf of [ ].
Very truly yours,
[ ]
(As Issuer)
Title:
(As Transfer Agent and Registrar)
Title:
RECEIVED AND ACCEPTED:
THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY
Exhibit C
THIS CERTIFICATE IS NOT TRANSFERABLE
Certificate Number Number of Common Securities
C-[____]
Certificate Evidencing Common Securities
of
[______________]
[____]% Common Securities
(liquidation amount $25 per Common Security)
[______________], a statutory business trust formed under the laws of the State of Delaware (the "Trust"), hereby certifies that The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc. (the "Holder") is the registered owner of six hundred eighteen thousand and [____] ([____]) common securities of the Trust representing undivided beneficial interests in the assets of the Trust and designated the [____]% Common Securities (liquidation amount $25 per Common Security) (the "Common Securities"). In accordance with Section 5.10 of the Trust Agreement (as defined below) the Common Securities are not transferable and any attempted transfer hereof shall be void. The designations, rights, privileges, restrictions, preferences and other terms and provisions of the Common Securities are set forth in, and this certificate and the Common Securities represented hereby are issued and shall in all respects be subject to the terms and provisions of, the Amended and Restated Trust Agreement of the Trust, dated as of __________, 20__, as the same may be amended from time to time (the "Trust Agreement") including the designation of the terms of the Common Securities as set forth therein. The Trust will furnish a copy of the Trust Agreement to the Holder without charge upon written request to the Trust at its principal place of business or registered office.
Upon receipt of this certificate, the Holder is bound by the Trust Agreement and is entitled to the benefits thereunder.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, one of the Administrative Trustees of the Trust has executed this certificate this ______ day of ________ ____.
[______________]
Administrative Trustee
Exhibit D
AGREEMENT AS TO EXPENSES AND LIABILITIES
AGREEMENT, dated as of ________, 20__, between The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc., a Delaware corporation ("Hartford"), and [______________], a Delaware business trust (the "Trust").
WHEREAS, the Trust intends to issue its Common Securities (the "Common
Securities") to and receive Debentures from Hartford and to issue and sell
[____]% [____] (the "Preferred Securities") with such powers, preferences and
special rights and restrictions as are set forth in the Amended and Restated
Trust Agreement of the Trust dated as of ________, 20__ as the same may be
amended from time to time (the "Trust Agreement");
WHEREAS, Hartford will directly or indirectly own all of the Common Securities of Trust and will issue the Debentures;
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the purchase by each holder of the Preferred Securities, which purchase Hartford hereby agrees shall benefit Hartford and which purchase Hartford acknowledges will be made in reliance upon the execution and delivery of this Agreement, Hartford and Trust hereby agree as follows:
ARTICLE I
Section 1.1 Guarantee by Hartford.
Subject to the terms and conditions hereof, Hartford hereby irrevocably and unconditionally guarantees to each person or entity to whom the Trust is now or hereafter becomes indebted or liable (the "Beneficiaries") the full payment, when and as due, of any and all Obligations (as hereinafter defined) to such Beneficiaries. As used herein, "Obligations" means any costs, expenses or liabilities of the Trust, other than obligations of the Trust to pay to holders of any Preferred Securities or other similar interests in the Trust the amounts due such holders pursuant to the terms of the Preferred Securities or such other similar interests, as the case may be. This Agreement is intended to be for the benefit of, and to be enforceable by, all such Beneficiaries, whether or not such Beneficiaries have received notice hereof.
Section 1.2. Term of Agreement.
This Agreement shall terminate and be of no further force and effect upon the later of (a) the date on which full payment has been made of all amounts payable to all holders of all the Preferred Securities (whether upon redemption, liquidation, exchange or otherwise) and (b) the date on which there are no Beneficiaries remaining; provided, however, that this Agreement shall continue to be effective or shall be reinstated, as the case may be, if at any time any holder of Preferred Securities or any
Beneficiary must restore payment of any sums paid under the Preferred Securities, under any Obligation, under the Guarantee Agreement dated the date hereof by Hartford and __________ as guarantee trustee or under this Agreement for any reason whatsoever. This Agreement is continuing, irrevocable, unconditional and absolute.
Section 1.3. Waiver of Notice.
Hartford hereby waives notice of acceptance of this Trust Agreement and of any Obligation to which it applies or may apply, and Hartford hereby waives presentment, demand for payment, protest, notice of nonpayment, notice of dishonor, notice of redemption and all other notices and demands.
Section 1.4. No Impairment.
The obligations, covenants, agreements and duties of Hartford under this Trust Agreement shall in no way be affected or impaired by reason of the happening from time to time of any of the following:
(a) the extension of time for the payment by the Trust of all or any portion of the Obligations or for the performance of any other obligation under, arising out of, or in connection with, the obligations;
(b) any failure, omission, delay or lack of diligence on the part of the Beneficiaries to enforce, assert or exercise any right, privilege, power or remedy conferred on the Beneficiaries with respect to the Obligations or any action on the part of the Trust granting indulgence or extension of any kind; or
(c) the voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution, sale of any collateral, receivership, insolvency, bankruptcy, assignment for the benefit of creditors, reorganization, arrangement, composition or readjustment of debt, or other similar proceedings affecting the Trust or any of the assets of the Trust.
There shall be no obligation of the Beneficiaries to give notice to, or obtain the consent of, Hartford with respect to the happening of any of the foregoing.
Section 1.5. Enforcement.
A Beneficiary may enforce this Agreement directly against Hartford and Hartford waives any right or remedy to require that any action be brought against the Trust or any other person or entity before proceeding against Hartford.
ARTICLE II
Section 2.1. Binding Effect.
All guarantees and agreements contained in this Trust Agreement shall bind the successors, assigns, receivers, trustees and representatives of Hartford and shall inure to the benefit of the Beneficiaries.
Section 2.2. Amendment.
So long as there remains any Beneficiary or any Preferred Securities of any series are outstanding, this Agreement shall not be modified or amended in any manner adverse to such Beneficiary or to the holders of the Preferred Securities.
Section 2.3. Notices.
Any notice, request or other communication required or permitted to be given hereunder shall be given in writing by delivering the same against receipt therefor by facsimile transmission (confirmed by mail), telex or by registered or certified mail, addressed as follows (and if so given, shall be deemed given when mailed or upon receipt of an answer-back, if sent by telex):
The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc.
Hartford Plaza
Hartford, Connecticut
Facsimile No.: (860)547-5462
Attention: Treasurer
Section 2.4 This Agreement shall be governed by and construed and interpreted in accordance with the laws of the State of New York.
THIS AGREEMENT is executed as of the day and year first above written.
THE HARTFORD FINANCIAL SERVICES GROUP, INC.
Title:
Administrative Trustee
Exhibit E
IF THE PREFERRED SECURITY IS TO BE A GLOBAL CERTIFICATE INSERT - This Preferred Security is a Global Certificate within the meaning of the Trust Agreement hereinafter referred to and is registered in the name of The Depository Trust Company (the "Depository") or a nominee of the Depository. This Preferred Security is exchangeable for Preferred Securities registered in the name of a person other than the Depository or its nominee only in the limited circumstances described in the Trust Agreement and no transfer of this Preferred Security (other than a transfer of this Preferred Security as a whole by the Depository to a nominee of the Depository or by a nominee of the Depository to the Depository or another nominee of the Depository) may be registered except in limited circumstances.
Unless this Preferred Security is presented by an authorized
representative of The Depository Trust Company (55 Water Street, New York) to
[______________] or its agent for registration of transfer, exchange or payment,
and any Preferred Security issued is registered in the name of Cede & Co. or
such other name as requested by an authorized representative of The Depository
Trust Company and any payment hereon is made to Cede & Co., ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE
OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR OTHERWISE BY A PERSON IS WRONGFUL inasmuch as
the registered owner hereof, Cede & Co., has an interest herein.
Certificate Number Number of Preferred Securities
P-
CUSIP NO.
Certificate Evidencing Preferred Securities
of
[______________]
-%,
Series -
(liquidation amount $25 per Preferred Security)
[______________], a statutory business trust formed under the laws of the
State of Delaware (the "Trust"), hereby certifies that - (the "Holder") is the
registered owner of - (-) preferred securities of the Trust representing an
undivided beneficial interest in the assets of the Trust and designated the
[______________] -% -, Series A- (liquidation amount $25 per Preferred Security)
(the "Preferred Securities"). The Preferred Securities are transferable on the
books and records of the Trust, in person or by a duly authorized attorney, upon
surrender of this certificate duly endorsed and in
proper form for transfer as provided in Section 5.4 of the Trust Agreement (as defined below). The designations, rights, privileges, restrictions, preferences and other terms and provisions of the Preferred Securities are set forth in, and this certificate and the Preferred Securities represented hereby are issued and shall in all respects be subject to the terms and provisions of, the Amended and Restated Trust Agreement of the Trust dated as of -, 20__, as the same may be amended from time to time (the "Trust Agreement") including the designation of the terms of Preferred Securities as set forth therein. The Holder is entitled to the benefits of the Guarantee Agreement entered into by The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc., a Delaware corporation, and __________, as guarantee trustee, dated as of -, 20__ (the "Guarantee"), to the extent provided therein. The Trust will furnish a copy of the Trust Agreement and the Guarantee to the Holder without charge upon written request to the Trust at its principal place of business or registered office.
Upon receipt of this certificate, the Holder is bound by the Trust Agreement and is entitled to the benefits thereunder.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, one of the Administrative Trustees of the Trust has executed this certificate this - day of -, -.
[______________]
By:______________________________ Name:
Administrative Trustee
ASSIGNMENT
FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the undersigned assigns and transfers this Preferred Security to:
(Insert assignee's social security or tax identification number)
(Insert address and zip code of assignee)
and irrevocably appoints
agent to transfer this Preferred Security Certificate on the books of the Trust. The agent may substitute another to act for him or her.
Date:_____________
Signature:___________________________
(Sign exactly as your name appears on the other side of this Preferred Security
Certificate)
ANNEX C
GUARANTEE AGREEMENT
Between
The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc.
(as Guarantor)
and
[____________________]
(as Trustee)
dated as of
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
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ARTICLE 1
DEFINITIONS
SECTION 1.1 Definitions............................................................................1
ARTICLE 2
TRUST INDENTURE ACT
SECTION 2.1 Trust Indenture Act; Application.......................................................5
SECTION 2.2 List of Holders........................................................................5
SECTION 2.3 Reports by the Guarantee Trustee.......................................................5
SECTION 2.4 Periodic Reports to Guarantee Trustee..................................................5
SECTION 2.5 Evidence of Compliance with Conditions Precedent.......................................6
SECTION 2.6 Events of Default; Waiver..............................................................6
SECTION 2.7 Event of Default; Notice...............................................................6
SECTION 2.8 Conflicting Interests..................................................................6
ARTICLE 3
POWERS, DUTIES AND RIGHTS OF THE GUARANTEE TRUSTEE
SECTION 3.1 Powers and Duties of the Guarantee Trustee.............................................7
SECTION 3.2 Certain Rights of Guarantee Trustee....................................................8
SECTION 3.3 Indemnity.............................................................................10
ARTICLE 4
GUARANTEE TRUSTEE
SECTION 4.1 Guarantee Trustee; Eligibility........................................................10
SECTION 4.2 Appointment, Removal and Resignation of the Guarantee Trustee.........................11
ARTICLE 5
GUARANTEE
SECTION 5.1 Guarantee.............................................................................12
SECTION 5.2 Waiver of Notice and Demand...........................................................12
SECTION 5.3 Obligations Not Affected..............................................................12
SECTION 5.4 Rights of Holders.....................................................................13
SECTION 5.5 Guarantee of Payment..................................................................13
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Table of Contents
(continued)
Page
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SECTION 5.6 Subrogation...........................................................................14
SECTION 5.7 Independent Obligations...............................................................14
ARTICLE 6
COVENANTS AND SUBORDINATION
SECTION 6.1 Subordination.........................................................................14
SECTION 6.2 Pari Passu Guarantees.................................................................14
ARTICLE 7
TERMINATION
SECTION 7.1 Termination...........................................................................15
ARTICLE 8
MISCELLANEOUS
SECTION 8.1 Successors and Assigns................................................................15
SECTION 8.2 Amendments............................................................................15
SECTION 8.3 Notices...............................................................................16
SECTION 8.4 Benefit...............................................................................17
SECTION 8.5 Interpretation........................................................................17
SECTION 8.6 GOVERNING LAW.........................................................................17
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GUARANTEE AGREEMENT
This GUARANTEE AGREEMENT, dated as of -, 20__, is executed and delivered by The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "Guarantor"), and [____________________], a [________________] organized under the laws of the State of Delaware, as trustee (the "Guarantee Trustee"), for the benefit of the Holders (as defined herein) from time to time of the Preferred Securities (as defined herein) of [____________________], a Delaware statutory business trust (the "Issuer").
WHEREAS, pursuant to an Amended and Restated Trust Agreement (the "Trust Agreement"), dated as of -, 20__, among the Trustees named therein, the Guarantor, as Depositor, and the Holders from time to time of undivided beneficial interests in the assets of the Issuer, the Issuer is issuing - of its -% Preferred Securities, Series A (liquidation preference $25 per preferred security) (the "Preferred Securities") representing preferred undivided beneficial interests in the assets of the Issuer and having the terms set forth in the Trust Agreement;
WHEREAS, the Preferred Securities will be issued by the Issuer and the proceeds thereof, together with the proceeds from the issuance of the Issuer's Common Securities (as defined below), will be used to purchase the Debentures (as defined in the Trust Agreement) of the Guarantor which will be deposited with [____________________], as Property Trustee under the Trust Agreement, as trust assets; and
WHEREAS, as incentive for the Holders to purchase Preferred Securities the Guarantor desires irrevocably and unconditionally to agree, to the extent set forth herein, to pay to the Holders of the Preferred Securities the Guarantee Payments (as defined herein) and to make certain other payments on the terms and conditions set forth herein.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the purchase by each Holder of Preferred Securities, which purchase the Guarantor hereby agrees shall benefit the Guarantor, the Guarantor executes and delivers this Guarantee Agreement for the benefit of the Holders from time to time of the Preferred Securities.
ARTICLE 1
DEFINITIONS
SECTION 1.1 Definitions.
As used in this Guarantee Agreement, the terms set forth below shall, unless the context otherwise requires, have the following meanings. Capitalized or otherwise defined terms used but not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings assigned to such terms in the Trust Agreement as in effect on the date hereof.
"Affiliate" of any specified Person means any other Person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with such specified Person, provided, however, that an Affiliate of the Guarantor shall not be deemed to include the Issuer. For the purposes of this definition, "control" when used with respect to any specified Person means the power to direct the management and policies of such Person, directly or indirectly, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise; and the terms "controlling" and "controlled" have meanings correlative to the foregoing.
"Common Securities" means the securities representing common beneficial interests in the assets of the Issuer.
"Debt" means, with respect to any Person, whether recourse is to all or a portion of the assets of such Person and whether or not contingent, (i) every obligation of such Person for money borrowed; (ii) every obligation of such Person evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes or other similar instruments, including obligations incurred in connection with the acquisition of property, assets or businesses; (iii) every reimbursement obligation of such Person with respect to letters of credit, bankers' acceptances or similar facilities issued for the account of such Person; (iv) every obligation of such Person issued or assumed as the deferred purchase price of property or services (but excluding trade accounts payable or accrued liabilities arising in the ordinary course of business); (v) every capital lease obligation of such Person; and (vi) every obligation of the type referred to in clauses (i) through (v) of another Person and all dividends of another Person the payment of which, in either case, such Person has guaranteed or is responsible or liable, directly or indirectly, as obligor or otherwise.
"Event of Default" means a default by the Guarantor on any of its payment or other obligations under this Guarantee Agreement; provided, however, that, except with respect to a default in payment of any Guarantee Payments, the Guarantor shall have received notice of default and shall not have cured such default within 60 days after receipt of such notice.
"Expenses" has the meaning specified in Section 3.3.
"Guarantee Payments" means the following payments or distributions, without duplication, with respect to the Preferred Securities, to the extent not paid or made by or on behalf of the Issuer: (i) any accrued and unpaid Distributions (as defined in the Trust Agreement) required to be paid on the Preferred Securities, to the extent the Issuer shall have funds on hand available therefor, (ii) the redemption price, including all accrued and unpaid Distributions to the date of redemption (the "Redemption Price"), with respect to the Preferred Securities called for redemption by the Issuer to the extent the Issuer shall have funds on hand available therefor, and (iii) upon a voluntary or involuntary termination, winding-up or liquidation of the Issuer, unless Debentures are distributed to
the Holders, the lesser of (a) the aggregate of the liquidation preference of $25 per Preferred Security plus accrued and unpaid Distributions on the Preferred Securities to the date of payment to the extent the Issuer shall have funds on hand available to make such payment and (b) the amount of assets of the Issuer remaining available for distribution to Holders in liquidation of the Issuer (in either case, the "Liquidation Distribution").
"Guarantee Trustee" means [____________________], until a Successor Guarantee Trustee has been appointed and has accepted such appointment pursuant to the terms of this Guarantee Agreement and thereafter means each such Successor Guarantee Trustee.
"Holder" means any holder, as registered on the books and records of the Issuer, of any Preferred Securities; provided, however, that in determining whether the holders of the requisite percentage of Preferred Securities have given any request, notice, consent or waiver hereunder, "Holder" shall not include the Guarantor, the Guarantee Trustee or any Affiliate of the Guarantor or the Guarantee Trustee.
"Indenture" means the Junior Subordinated Indenture dated as of
______________, 20__, as supplemented and amended between the Guarantor and
[____________________], as trustee.
"List of Holders" has the meaning specified in Section 2.2(a).
"Majority in liquidation preference of the Securities" means, except as provided by the Trust Indenture Act, a vote by the Holder(s), voting separately as a class, of more than 50% of the liquidation preference of all then outstanding Preferred Securities issued by the Issuer.
"Officers' Certificate" means, with respect to any Person, a certificate signed by the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, President or a Vice President, and by the Treasurer, an Associate Treasurer, an Assistant Treasurer, the Controller, the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of such Person, and delivered to the Guarantee Trustee. Any Officers' Certificate delivered with respect to compliance with a condition or covenant provided for in this Guarantee Agreement shall include:
(a) a statement that each officer signing the Officers' Certificate has read the covenant or condition and the definitions relating thereto;
(b) a brief statement of the nature and scope of the examination or investigation undertaken by each officer in rendering the Officers' Certificate;
(c) a statement that each such officer has made such examination or investigation as, in such officer's opinion, is necessary to enable such officer to
express an informed opinion as to whether or not such covenant or condition has been complied with; and
(d) a statement as to whether, in the opinion of each such officer, such condition or covenant has been complied with.
"Person" means a legal person, including any individual, corporation, estate, partnership, joint venture, association, joint stock company, limited liability company, trust, unincorporated association, or government or any agency or political subdivision thereof, or any other entity of whatever nature.
"Responsible Officer" means, with respect to the Guarantee Trustee, any officer within the Corporate Trust Administration department of the Guarantee Trustee with direct responsibility for the administration of this Guarantee Agreement, including any vice-president, any assistant vice president, any assistant secretary, the treasurer, any assistant treasurer, any trust officer or other officer of the Corporate Trust Office of the Guarantee Trustee customarily performing functions similar to those performed by any of the above designated officers and also means, with respect to a particular corporate trust matter, any other officer to whom such matter is referred because of that officer's knowledge of and familiarity with the particular subject.
"Senior Debt" means the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest, if any (including interest accruing on or after the filing of any petition in bankruptcy or for reorganization relating to the Guarantor whether or not such claim for post-petition interest is allowed in such proceeding), on Debt, whether incurred on or prior to the date of this Guarantee or thereafter incurred, unless, in the instrument creating or evidencing the same or pursuant to which the same is outstanding, it is provided that such obligations are not superior in right of payment to the Guarantee or to other Debt which is pari passu with, or subordinated to, the Guarantee; provided, however, that Senior Debt shall not be deemed to include (a) any Debt of the Guarantor which when incurred and without respect to any election under Section 11.11(b) of the Bankruptcy Reform Act of 1978, was without recourse to the Company, (b) any Debt of the Guarantor to any of its Subsidiaries, (c) Debt to any employee of the Guarantor, (d) any liability for taxes, (e) Debt or other monetary obligations to trade creditors created or assumed by the Guarantor or any of its Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business in connection with the obtaining of goods, materials or services and (f) Debt issued under the Indenture and (g) the Guarantee.
"Successor Guarantee Trustee" means a successor Guarantee Trustee possessing the qualifications to act as Guarantee Trustee under Section 4.1.
"Trust Indenture Act" means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended.
ARTICLE 2
TRUST INDENTURE ACT
SECTION 2.1 Trust Indenture Act; Application.
(a) This Guarantee Agreement is subject to the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act that are required to be part of this Guarantee Agreement and shall, to the extent applicable, be governed by such provisions.
(b) If and to the extent that any provision of this Guarantee Agreement limits, qualifies or conflicts with the duties imposed by Sections 3.10 to 3.17, inclusive, of the Trust Indenture Act, such imposed duties shall control.
SECTION 2.2 List of Holders.
(a) The Guarantor shall furnish or cause to be furnished to the Guarantee Trustee (a) semiannually, on or before February 15 and August 15 of each year, a list, in such form as the Guarantee Trustee may reasonably require, of the names and addresses of the Holders ("List of Holders") as of a date not more than 15 days prior to the delivery thereof, and (b) at such other times as the Guarantee Trustee may request in writing, within 30 days after the receipt by the Guarantor of any such request, a List of Holders as of a date not more than 15 days prior to the time such list is furnished, in each case to the extent such information is in the possession or control of the Guarantor and is not identical to a previously supplied list of Holders or has not otherwise been received by the Guarantee Trustee in its capacity as such. The Guarantee Trustee may destroy any List of Holders previously given to it on receipt of a new List of Holders.
(b) The Guarantee Trustee shall comply with its obligations under Section 3.11(a), Section 3.11(b) and Section 3.12(b) of the Trust Indenture Act.
SECTION 2.3 Reports by the Guarantee Trustee.
Within 60 days after - of each year, the Guarantee Trustee shall provide to the Holders such reports as are required by Section 3.13 of the Trust Indenture Act, if any, in the form and in the manner provided by Section 3.13 of the Trust Indenture Act. The Guarantee Trustee shall also comply with the requirements of Section 3.13(d) of the Trust Indenture Act.
SECTION 2.4 Periodic Reports to Guarantee Trustee.
The Guarantor shall provide to the Guarantee Trustee, the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Holders such documents, reports and information, if any, as required by Section 3.14 of the Trust Indenture Act and the compliance certificate
required by Section 3.14 of the Trust Indenture Act in the form, in the manner and at the times required by Section 3.14 of the Trust Indenture Act.
SECTION 2.5 Evidence of Compliance with Conditions Precedent.
The Guarantor shall provide to the Guarantee Trustee such evidence of compliance with such conditions precedent, if any, provided for in this Guarantee Agreement that relate to any of the matters set forth in Section 3.14(c) of the Trust Indenture Act. Any certificate or opinion required to be given by an officer pursuant to Section 3.14(c)(1) may be given in the form of an Officers' Certificate.
SECTION 2.6 Events of Default; Waiver.
The Holders of a Majority in liquidation preference of the Preferred Securities may, by vote, on behalf of the Holders, waive any past Event of Default and its consequences. Upon such waiver, any such Event of Default shall cease to exist, and any Event of Default arising therefrom shall be deemed to have been cured, for every purpose of this Guarantee Agreement, but no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other default or Event of Default or impair any right consequent therefrom.
SECTION 2.7 Event of Default; Notice.
(a) The Guarantee Trustee shall, within 90 days after the occurrence of an Event of Default, transmit by mail, first class postage prepaid, to the Holders, notices of all Events of Default actually known to a Responsible Officer of the Guarantee Trustee, unless such defaults have been cured before the giving of such notice, provided, that, except in the case of a default in the payment of a Guarantee Payment, the Guarantee Trustee shall be protected in withholding such notice if and so long as the Board of Directors, the executive committee or a trust committee of directors and/or Responsible Officers of the Guarantee Trustee in good faith determines that the withholding of such notice is in the interests of the Holders.
(b) The Guarantee Trustee shall not be deemed to have knowledge of any Event of Default unless a Responsible Officer of the Guarantee Trustee shall have received written notice of such Event of Default.
SECTION 2.8 Conflicting Interests.
The Trust Agreement shall be deemed to be specifically described in this Guarantee Agreement for the purposes of clause (i) of the first proviso contained in Section 3.10(b) of the Trust Indenture Act.
ARTICLE 3
POWERS, DUTIES AND RIGHTS OF THE GUARANTEE TRUSTEE
SECTION 3.1 Powers and Duties of the Guarantee Trustee.
(a) This Guarantee Agreement shall be held by the Guarantee Trustee for the benefit of the Holders, and the Guarantee Trustee shall not transfer this Guarantee Agreement to any Person except a Holder exercising his or her rights pursuant to Section 5.04(iv) or to a Successor Guarantee Trustee on acceptance by such Successor Guarantee Trustee of its appointment to act as Successor Guarantee Trustee. The right, title and interest of the Guarantee Trustee shall automatically vest in any Successor Guarantee Trustee, upon acceptance by such Successor Guarantee Trustee of its appointment hereunder, and such vesting and cessation of title shall be effective whether or not conveyancing documents have been executed and delivered pursuant to the appointment of such Successor Guarantee Trustee.
(b) If an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Guarantee Trustee shall, promptly upon receipt of written notice of such Event of Default, enforce this Guarantee Agreement for the benefit of the Holders.
(c) The Guarantee Trustee, before the occurrence of any Event of Default and after the curing of all Events of Default that may have occurred, shall undertake to perform only such duties as are specifically set forth in this Guarantee Agreement, and no implied duties or covenants shall be read into this Guarantee Agreement against the Guarantee Trustee. In case an Event of Default has occurred (that has not been cured or waived pursuant to Section 2.6), the Guarantee Trustee shall exercise such of the rights and powers vested in it by this Guarantee Agreement, and use the same degree of care and skill in its exercise thereof, as a prudent person would exercise or use under the circumstances in the conduct of his or her own affairs.
(d) No provision of this Guarantee Agreement shall be construed to relieve the Guarantee Trustee from liability for its own negligent action, its own negligent failure to act or its own willful misconduct, except that:
(i) prior to the occurrence of any Event of Default and after the curing or waiving of all such Events of Default that may have occurred:
(A) the duties and obligations of the Guarantee Trustee shall be determined solely by the express provisions of this Guarantee Agreement, and the Guarantee Trustee shall not be liable except for the performance of such duties and obligations as are specifically set forth in this Guarantee Agreement; and
(B) in the absence of bad faith on the part of the Guarantee Trustee, the Guarantee Trustee may conclusively rely, as to the truth of the statements and the correctness of the opinions expressed therein, upon any certificates or opinions furnished to the Guarantee Trustee and conforming to the requirements of this Guarantee Agreement; but in the case of any such certificates or opinions that by any provision hereof or of the Trust Indenture Act are specifically required to be furnished to the Guarantee Trustee, the Guarantee Trustee shall be under a duty to examine the same to determine whether or not they conform on their face to the requirements of this Guarantee Agreement;
(ii) the Guarantee Trustee shall not be liable for any error of judgment made in good faith by a Responsible Officer of the Guarantee Trustee, unless it shall be proved that the Guarantee Trustee was negligent in ascertaining the pertinent facts upon which such judgment was made;
(iii) the Guarantee Trustee shall not be liable with respect to any action taken or omitted to be taken by it in good faith in accordance with the direction of the Holders of not less than a Majority in liquidation preference of the Preferred Securities relating to the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Guarantee Trustee, or exercising any trust or power conferred upon the Guarantee Trustee under this Guarantee Agreement; and
(iv) no provision of this Guarantee Agreement shall require the Guarantee Trustee to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise incur personal financial liability in the performance of any of its duties or in the exercise of any of its rights or powers, if the Guarantee Trustee shall have reasonable grounds for believing that the repayment of such funds or liability is not reasonably assured to it under the terms of this Guarantee Agreement or adequate indemnity against such risk or liability is not reasonably assured to it.
SECTION 3.2 Certain Rights of Guarantee Trustee.
(a) Subject to the provisions of Section 3.01:
(i) The Guarantee Trustee may rely and shall be fully protected in acting or refraining from acting upon any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, direction, consent, order, bond, debenture, note, other evidence of indebtedness or other paper or document believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed, sent or presented by the proper party or parties.
(ii) Any direction or act of the Guarantor contemplated by this Guarantee Agreement shall be sufficiently evidenced by an Officers' Certificate unless otherwise prescribed herein.
(iii) Whenever, in the administration of this Guarantee Agreement, the Guarantee Trustee shall deem it desirable that a matter be proved or established before taking, suffering or omitting to take any action hereunder, the Guarantee Trustee (unless other evidence is herein specifically prescribed) may, in the absence of bad faith on its part, request and rely upon an Officers' Certificate which, upon receipt of such request from the Guarantee Trustee, shall be promptly delivered by the Guarantor.
(iv) The Guarantee Trustee may consult with legal counsel, and the written advice or opinion of such legal counsel with respect to legal matters shall be full and complete authorization and protection in respect of any action taken, suffered or omitted to be taken by it hereunder in good faith and in accordance with such advice or opinion. Such legal counsel may be legal counsel to the Guarantor or any of its Affiliates and may be one of its employees. The Guarantee Trustee shall have the right at any time to seek instructions concerning the administration of this Guarantee Agreement from any court of competent jurisdiction.
(v) The Guarantee Trustee shall be under no obligation to exercise any of the rights or powers vested in it by this Guarantee Agreement at the request or direction of any Holder, unless such Holder shall have provided to the Guarantee Trustee such adequate security and indemnity as would satisfy a reasonable person in the position of the Guarantee Trustee, against the costs, expenses (including attorneys' fees and expenses) and liabilities that might be incurred by it in complying with such request or direction, including such reasonable advances as may be requested by the Guarantee Trustee; provided that, nothing contained in this Section 3.2(a)(v) shall be taken to relieve the Guarantee Trustee, upon the occurrence of an Event of Default, of its obligation to exercise the rights and powers vested in it by this Guarantee Agreement.
(vi) The Guarantee Trustee shall not be bound to make any investigation into the facts or matters stated in any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, direction, consent, order, bond, debenture, note, other evidence of indebtedness or other paper or document, but the Guarantee Trustee, in its discretion, may make such further inquiry or investigation into such facts or matters as it may see fit.
(vii) The Guarantee Trustee may execute any of the trusts or powers hereunder or perform any duties hereunder either directly or by or through its agents or attorneys, and the Guarantee Trustee shall not be responsible for any misconduct or negligence on the part of, or for the supervision of, any such agent or attorney appointed with due care by it hereunder.
(viii) Whenever in the administration of this Guarantee Agreement the Guarantee Trustee shall deem it desirable to receive instructions with respect to enforcing any remedy or right or taking any other action hereunder, the Guarantee Trustee (A) may request instructions from the Holders, (B) may refrain from enforcing such remedy or right or taking such other action until such instructions are received, and (C) shall be protected in acting in accordance with such instructions.
(b) No provision of this Guarantee Agreement shall be deemed to impose any duty or obligation on the Guarantee Trustee to perform any act or acts or exercise any right, power, duty or obligation conferred or imposed on it in any jurisdiction in which it shall be illegal, or in which the Guarantee Trustee shall be unqualified or incompetent in accordance with applicable law, to perform any such act or acts or to exercise any such right, power, duty or obligation. No permissive power or authority available to the Guarantee Trustee shall be construed to be a duty to act in accordance with such power and authority.
SECTION 3.3 Indemnity.
The Guarantor agrees to indemnify the Guarantee Trustee for, and to hold
it harmless against, any loss, liability or expense incurred without negligence
or bad faith on the part of the Guarantee Trustee, arising out of or in
connection with the acceptance or administration of this Guarantee Agreement,
including the costs and expenses of defending itself against any claim or
liability in connection with the exercise or performance of any of its powers or
duties hereunder (collectively, "Expenses"). The Guarantee Trustee will not
claim or exact any lien or charge on any Guarantee Payments as a result of any
amount due to it under this Guarantee Agreement. To the fullest extent permitted
by law, the Expenses (including reasonable attorneys' fees and expenses)
incurred by the Guarantee Trustee referred to above shall be paid by the
Guarantor in advance upon receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of the
Guarantee Trustee to repay such amount if it shall ultimately be determined that
the Guarantee Trustee is not entitled to be indemnified by the Guarantor as
authorized in this Section 3.3. The obligations of the Guarantor under this
Section 3.3 shall survive termination of this Guarantee Agreement and the
removal or resignation of any Guarantee Trustee.
ARTICLE 4
GUARANTEE TRUSTEE
SECTION 4.1 Guarantee Trustee; Eligibility.
(a) There shall at all times be a Guarantee Trustee which shall:
(i) not be an Affiliate of the Guarantor; and
(ii) be a Person that is eligible pursuant to the Trust Indenture Act to act as such and has a combined capital and surplus of at least 50 million U.S. dollars ($50,000,000), and shall be a corporation meeting the requirements of Section 3.10(c) of the Trust Indenture Act. If such corporation publishes reports of condition at least annually, pursuant to law or to the requirements of the supervising or examining authority, then, for the purposes of this Section and to the extent permitted by the Trust Indenture Act, the combined capital and surplus of such corporation shall be deemed to be its combined capital and surplus as set forth in its most recent report of condition so published.
(b) If at any time the Guarantee Trustee shall cease to be eligible to so act under Section 4.1(a), the Guarantee Trustee shall immediately resign in the manner and with the effect set out in Section 4.2(c).
(c) If the Guarantee Trustee has or shall acquire any "conflicting interest" within the meaning of Section 3.10(b) of the Trust Indenture Act, the Guarantee Trustee and Guarantor shall in all respects comply with the provisions of Section 3.10(b) of the Trust Indenture Act.
SECTION 4.2 Appointment, Removal and Resignation of the Guarantee Trustee.
(a) Subject to Section 4.2(b), the Guarantee Trustee may be appointed or removed without cause at any time by the Guarantor.
(b) The Guarantee Trustee shall not be removed until a Successor Guarantee Trustee has been appointed and has accepted such appointment by written instrument executed by such Successor Guarantee Trustee and delivered to the Guarantor.
(c) The Guarantee Trustee appointed hereunder shall hold office until a Successor Guarantee Trustee shall have been appointed or until its removal or resignation. The Guarantee Trustee may resign from office (without need for prior or subsequent accounting) by an instrument in writing executed by the Guarantee Trustee and delivered to the Guarantor, which resignation shall not take effect until a Successor Guarantee Trustee has been appointed and has accepted such appointment by instrument in writing executed by such Successor Guarantee Trustee and delivered to the Guarantor and the resigning Guarantee Trustee.
(d) If no Successor Guarantee Trustee shall have been appointed and accepted appointment as provided in this Section 4.2 within 60 days after delivery to the Guarantor of an instrument of resignation, the resigning Guarantee Trustee may petition, at the expense of the Guarantor, any court of competent jurisdiction for appointment of a
Successor Guarantee Trustee. Such court may thereupon, after prescribing such notice, if any, as it may deem proper, appoint a Successor Guarantee Trustee.
ARTICLE 5
GUARANTEE
SECTION 5.1 Guarantee.
The Guarantor irrevocably and unconditionally agrees to pay in full to the Holders the Guarantee Payments (without duplication of amounts theretofore paid by or on behalf of the Issuer), as and when due, regardless of any defense, right of set-off or counterclaim which the Issuer may have or assert. The Guarantor's obligation to make a Guarantee Payment may be satisfied by direct payment of the required amounts by the Guarantor to the Holders or by causing the Issuer to pay such amounts to the Holders.
SECTION 5.2 Waiver of Notice and Demand.
The Guarantor hereby waives notice of acceptance of the Guarantee Agreement and of any liability to which it applies or may apply, presentment, demand for payment, any right to require a proceeding first against the Guarantee Trustee, Issuer or any other Person before proceeding against the Guarantor, protest, notice of nonpayment, notice of dishonor, notice of redemption and all other notices and demands.
SECTION 5.3 Obligations Not Affected.
The obligations, covenants, agreements and duties of the Guarantor under this Guarantee Agreement shall in no way be affected or impaired by reason of the happening from time to time of any of the following:
(a) the release or waiver, by operation of law or otherwise, of the performance or observance by the Issuer of any express or implied agreement, covenant, term or condition relating to the Preferred Securities to be performed or observed by the Issuer;
(b) the extension of time for the payment by the Issuer of all or any portion of the Distributions (other than an extension of time for payment of Distributions that results from the extension of any interest payment period on the Debentures as so provided in the Indenture), Redemption Price, Liquidation Distribution or any other sums payable under the terms of the Preferred Securities or the extension of time for the performance of any other obligation under, arising out of, or in connection with, the Preferred Securities;
(c) any failure, omission, delay or lack of diligence on the part of the Holders to enforce, assert or exercise any right, privilege, power or remedy conferred on the Holders pursuant to the terms of the Preferred Securities, or any action on the part of the Issuer granting indulgence or extension of any kind;
(d) the voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution, sale of any collateral, receivership, insolvency, bankruptcy, assignment for the benefit of creditors, reorganization, arrangement, composition or readjustment of debt of, or other similar proceedings affecting, the Issuer or any of the assets of the Issuer;
(e) any invalidity of, or defect or deficiency in, the Preferred Securities;
(f) the settlement or compromise of any obligation guaranteed hereby or hereby incurred; or
(g) any other circumstance whatsoever that might otherwise constitute a legal or equitable discharge or defense of a guarantor, it being the intent of this Section 5.3 that the obligations of the Guarantor hereunder shall be absolute and unconditional under any and all circumstances.
There shall be no obligation of the Holders to give notice to, or obtain the consent of, the Guarantor with respect to the happening of any of the foregoing.
SECTION 5.4 Rights of Holders.
The Guarantor expressly acknowledges that: (i) this Guarantee Agreement will be deposited with the Guarantee Trustee to be held for the benefit of the Holders; (ii) the Guarantee Trustee has the right to enforce this Guarantee Agreement on behalf of the Holders; (iii) the Holders of a Majority in liquidation preference of the Preferred Securities have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Guarantee Trustee in respect of this Guarantee Agreement or exercising any trust or power conferred upon the Guarantee Trustee under this Guarantee Agreement; and (iv) any Holder may institute a legal proceeding directly against the Guarantor to enforce its rights under this Guarantee Agreement, without first instituting a legal proceeding against the Guarantee Trustee, the Issuer or any other Person.
SECTION 5.5 Guarantee of Payment.
This Guarantee Agreement creates a guarantee of payment and not of collection. This Guarantee Agreement will not be discharged except by payment of the Guarantee Payments in full (without duplication of amounts theretofore paid by the Issuer) or upon distribution of Debentures to Holders as provided in the Trust Agreement.
SECTION 5.6 Subrogation.
The Guarantor shall be subrogated to all (if any) rights of the Holders against the Issuer in respect of any amounts paid to the Holders by the Guarantor under this Guarantee Agreement and shall have the right to waive payment by the Issuer pursuant to Section 5.1; provided, however, that the Guarantor shall not (except to the extent required by mandatory provisions of law) be entitled to enforce or exercise any rights which it may acquire by way of subrogation or any indemnity, reimbursement or other agreement, in all cases as a result of payment under this Guarantee Agreement, if, at the time of any such payment, any amounts are due and unpaid under this Guarantee Agreement. If any amount shall be paid to the Guarantor in violation of the preceding sentence, the Guarantor agrees to hold such amount in trust for the Holders and to pay over such amount to the Holders.
SECTION 5.7 Independent Obligations.
The Guarantor acknowledges that its obligations hereunder are independent of the obligations of the Issuer with respect to the Preferred Securities and that the Guarantor shall be liable as principal and as debtor hereunder to make Guarantee Payments pursuant to the terms of this Guarantee Agreement notwithstanding the occurrence of any event referred to in subsections (a) through (g), inclusive, of Section 5.3 hereof.
ARTICLE 6
COVENANTS AND SUBORDINATION
SECTION 6.1 Subordination.
This Guarantee Agreement will constitute an unsecured obligation of the Guarantor and will rank subordinate and junior in right of payment to all Senior Debt of the Guarantor.
SECTION 6.2 Pari Passu Guarantees.
This Guarantee Agreement shall rank pari passu with any similar Guarantee Agreements issued by the Guarantor on behalf of the holders of Preferred Securities issued by [Hartford Capital I, Hartford Capital II, Hartford Capital III, Hartford Capital IV, Hartford Capital V, Hartford Capital VI and ____________].
ARTICLE 7
TERMINATION
SECTION 7.1 Termination.
This Guarantee Agreement shall terminate and be of no further force and effect upon (i) full payment of the Redemption Price of all Preferred Securities, (ii) the distribution of Debentures to the Holders in exchange for all of the Preferred Securities or (iii) full payment of the amounts payable in accordance with the Trust Agreement upon liquidation of the Issuer. Notwithstanding the foregoing, this Guarantee Agreement will continue to be effective or will be reinstated, as the case may be, if at any time any Holder must restore payment of any sums paid with respect to Preferred Securities or this Guarantee Agreement.
ARTICLE 8
MISCELLANEOUS
SECTION 8.1 Successors and Assigns.
All guarantees and agreements contained in this Guarantee Agreement shall bind the successors, assigns, receivers, trustees and representatives of the Guarantor and shall inure to the benefit of the Holders of the Preferred Securities then outstanding. Except in connection with a consolidation, merger or sale involving the Guarantor that is permitted under Article Eight of the Indenture and pursuant to which the assignee agrees in writing to perform the Guarantor's obligations hereunder, the Guarantor shall not assign its obligations hereunder.
SECTION 8.2 Amendments.
Any amendment to this Guarantee Agreement shall be in writing and executed by the Guarantor and Guarantee Trustee. Except with respect to any changes which do not adversely affect the rights of the Holders in any material respect (in which case no consent of the Holders will be required), this Guarantee Agreement may only be amended with the prior approval of the Holders of not less than a Majority in liquidation preference of all the outstanding Preferred Securities. The provisions of Article VI of the Trust Agreement concerning meetings of the Holders shall apply to the giving of such approval. The Guarantee Trustee shall not be required to enter into any amendment to this Guarantee Agreement which affects its own rights, duties or immunities under this Guarantee Agreement. The Guarantee Trustee shall be entitled to receive and conclusively rely on an Opinion of Counsel and an Officer's Certificate stating that any amendment to this Guarantee Agreement is in compliance with this Guarantee Agreement.
SECTION 8.3 Notices.
Any notice, request or other communication required or permitted to be given hereunder shall be in writing, duly signed by the party giving such notice, and delivered, telecopied or mailed by first class mail as follows:
(a) if given to the Guarantor, to the address set forth below or such other address as the Guarantor may give notice of to the Holders:
The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc.
Hartford Plaza
Hartford, Connecticut 06115
Facsimile No.: (860) 547-5462
Attention: Treasurer
(b) if given to the Issuer, in care of the Guarantee Trustee, at the Issuer's (and the Guarantee Trustee's) address set forth below or such other address as the Guarantee Trustee on behalf of the Issuer may give notice to the Holders:
[____________________]
c/o The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc.
Hartford Plaza
Hartford, Connecticut 06115
Facsimile No: (860) 547-5462
Attention: Treasurer
with a copy to:
[____________________]
[ ]
[ ]
Facsimile No.: [ ]
Attention: [ ]
(c) if given to any Holder, at the address set forth on the books and records of the Issuer.
All notices hereunder shall be deemed to have been given when received in person, telecopied with receipt confirmed, or mailed by first class mail, postage prepaid, except that if a notice or other document is refused delivery or cannot be delivered because of a changed address of which no notice was given, such notice or other document shall be deemed to have been delivered on the date of such refusal or inability to deliver.
SECTION 8.4 Benefit.
This Guarantee Agreement is solely for the benefit of the Holders and is not separately transferable from the Preferred Securities.
SECTION 8.5 Interpretation.
In this Guarantee Agreement, unless the context otherwise requires:
(a) capitalized terms used in this Guarantee Agreement but not defined in the preamble hereto have the respective meanings assigned to them in Section 1.1;
(b) a term defined anywhere in this Guarantee Agreement has the same meaning throughout;
(c) all references to "the Guarantee Agreement" or "this Guarantee Agreement" are to this Guarantee Agreement as modified, supplemented or amended from time to time;
(d) all references in this Guarantee Agreement to Articles and Sections are to Articles and Sections of this Guarantee Agreement unless otherwise specified;
(e) a term defined in the Trust Indenture Act has the same meaning when used in this Guarantee Agreement unless otherwise defined in this Guarantee Agreement or unless the context otherwise requires;
(f) a reference to the singular includes the plural and vice versa; and
(g) the masculine, feminine or neuter genders used herein shall include the masculine, feminine and neuter genders.
SECTION 8.6 GOVERNING LAW.
THIS GUARANTEE AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED AND INTERPRETED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK WITHOUT REGARD TO THE CONFLICT OF LAW PRINCIPLES THEREOF.
This instrument may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which so executed shall be deemed to be an original, but all such counterparts shall together constitute but one and the same instrument.
THIS GUARANTEE AGREEMENT is executed as of the day and year first above written.
THE HARTFORD FINANCIAL
SERVICES GROUP, INC.
By: __________________________________
Name:
Title:
[____________________], as
Guarantee Trustee
By: __________________________________
Name:
Title:
CROSS-REFERENCE TABLE*
Section of Section of Trust Indenture Act Guarantee of 1939, as amended Agreement ------------------- --------- 310(a)........................................................... 4.1(a) 310(b)........................................................... 4.1(c), 208 310(c)........................................................... Inapplicable 311(a)........................................................... 2.2(b) 311(b)........................................................... 2.2(b) 311(c)........................................................... Inapplicable 312(a)........................................................... 2.2(a) 312(b)........................................................... 2.2(b) 313.............................................................. 2.3 314(a)........................................................... 2.4 314(b)........................................................... Inapplicable 314(c)........................................................... 2.5 314(d)........................................................... Inapplicable 314(e)........................................................... 1.1, 2.5, 3.2 314(f)........................................................... 2.1, 3.2 315(a)........................................................... 3.1(d) 315(b)........................................................... 2.7 315(c)........................................................... 3.1 315(d)........................................................... 3.1(d) 316(a)........................................................... 1.1, 2.6, 5.4 316(b)........................................................... 5.3 316(c)........................................................... 8.2 317(a)........................................................... Inapplicable 317(b)........................................................... Inapplicable 318(a)........................................................... 2.1(b) 318(b)........................................................... 2.1 318(c)........................................................... 2.1(a) |
Exhibit 5.01
[Letterhead of Debevoise & Plimpton]
August 18, 2003
The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc.
Hartford Plaza
Hartford, CT 06115
The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc. Registration Statement on Form S-3
Ladies and Gentlemen:
We have acted as special counsel to The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc. (the "Company") in connection with the filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Act"), of a Registration Statement on Form S-3 (the "Registration Statement"), relating to the public offering by the Company of up to $3,000,000,000 in the aggregate of (i) senior debt securities of the Company (the "Senior Debt Securities") to be issued pursuant to an Indenture (the "Senior Indenture"), to be entered into between the Company and JP Morgan Chase Bank, as trustee (the "Senior Trustee"), (ii) subordinated debt securities of the Company (the "Subordinated Debt Securities" and together with the Senior Debt Securities, the "Debt Securities") to be issued pursuant to a Subordinated Indenture (the "Subordinated Indenture" and, together with the Senior Indenture, the "Indentures") to be entered into between the Company and a trustee to be named in the prospectus supplement pertaining to the offering of Subordinated Debt Securities (the "Subordinated Trustee"), (iii) junior subordinated debentures of the Company (the "Junior Subordinated Debt Securities"), to be issued pursuant to a Junior Subordinated Indenture (the "Junior Subordinated Indenture"), to be entered into between the Company and Wilmington Trust Company, as trustee (the "Debenture Trustee"), (iv) shares of preferred stock of the Company, par value $.01 per Share (the "Preferred Stock"), (v) shares of Common Stock of the Company, par value $.01 per share (the "Common Stock"), (vi) depositary shares representing fractional interests in Debt Securities or Preferred Stock (the "Depositary Shares"), (vii) warrants representing rights to purchase Debt Securities, Preferred Stock or Common Stock (the "Warrants") pursuant to one or more warrant agreements ("Warrant Agreements"), (viii) stock purchase contracts representing rights to purchase Preferred Stock, Common Stock or other property (the "Stock Purchase Contracts"), (ix) stock purchase units, representing ownership of Stock Purchase Contracts and Debt Securities (or undivided beneficial interests therein), Depositary Shares, Preferred Securities (as defined below) or debt obligations of third parties, including U.S. Treasury Securities (the "Stock Purchase Units"), and (x) preferred securities (the "Preferred Securities") of Hartford Capital IV, Hartford Capital V and Hartford Capital VI, each a statutory trust formed under the laws of the State of Delaware (each, a "Trust" and collectively, the "Trusts"), guaranteed to the extent the Trust has funds as set forth in the
Registration Statement by the Company (as such may be issued from time to time, a "Guarantee" and, together with the Debt Securities, the Junior Subordinated Debt Securities, the Preferred Stock, the Depositary Shares, the Common Stock, the Warrants, the Stock Purchase Contracts, the Stock Purchase Units and the Preferred Securities, the "Securities"), as well as up to an additional $600,000,000 aggregate amount of such Securities that may be registered in accordance with Rule 462(b) under the Act.
In so acting, we have examined such corporate records, certificates and other documents and such questions of law as we have considered necessary for the purposes of this opinion.
Upon the basis of such examination, we are of the following opinion:
1. When (i) the terms, and the execution and delivery, of the Senior Indenture have been duly authorized and approved by all necessary action of the Board of Directors of the Company or a duly authorized committee thereof (the "Board of Directors"), (ii) the Senior Indenture has been duly executed and delivered by the Company and the Senior Trustee, (iii) (a) the terms of the Senior Debt Securities and their issuance and sale have been duly authorized and approved by all necessary action of the Board of Directors and (b) the terms of the Senior Debt Securities have been duly established in accordance with the Senior Indenture and so as not to violate any applicable law, rule or regulation or result in a default under or breach of any agreement or instrument binding upon the Company and so as to comply with any requirement or restriction imposed by any court or governmental body having jurisdiction over the Company and (iv) the Senior Debt Securities have been duly executed, authenticated, issued and delivered as contemplated by the Registration Statement and any prospectus supplement relating thereto and in accordance with the Senior Indenture and any underwriting agreement, Warrants or Warrant Agreements relating to such issuance, against payment of the consideration fixed therefor by the Board of Directors, the Senior Debt Securities will be validly issued and will constitute valid and binding obligations of the Company enforceable against the Company in accordance with their terms.
2. When (i) the terms, and the execution and delivery, of the Subordinated Indenture have been duly authorized and approved by all necessary action of the Board of Directors, (ii) the Subordinated Indenture has been duly executed and delivered by the Company and the Subordinated Trustee, (iii) (a) the terms of the Subordinated Debt Securities and their issuance and sale have been duly authorized and approved by all necessary action of the Board of Directors and (b) the terms of the Subordinated Debt Securities have been established in accordance with the Subordinated Indenture and so as not to violate any applicable law, rule or regulation or result in a default under or breach of any agreement or instrument binding upon the Company and so as to comply with any requirement or restriction imposed by any court or governmental body having jurisdiction over the Company and (iv) the Subordinated Debt Securities have been duly executed, authenticated, issued and delivered as contemplated by the Registration Statement
and any prospectus supplement relating thereto and in accordance with the Subordinated Indenture and any underwriting agreement, Warrants or Warrant Agreements relating to such issuance, against payment of the consideration fixed therefor by the Board of Directors, the Subordinated Debt Securities will be validly issued and will constitute valid and binding obligations of the Company enforceable against the Company in accordance with their terms.
3. When (i) the terms, and the execution and delivery, of the Junior Subordinated Indenture have been duly authorized and approved by all necessary action of the Board of Directors, (ii) the Junior Subordinated Indenture has been duly executed and delivered by the Company and the Debenture Trustee, (iii) (a) the terms of the Junior Subordinated Debt Securities and their issuance and sale have been duly authorized and approved by all necessary action of the Board of Directors and (b) the terms of the Junior Subordinated Debt Securities have been established in accordance with the Junior Subordinated Indenture and so as not to violate any applicable law, rule or regulation or result in a default under or breach of any agreement or instrument binding upon the Company and so as to comply with any requirement or restriction imposed by any court or governmental body having jurisdiction over the Company and (iv) the Junior Subordinated Debt Securities have been duly executed, authenticated, issued and delivered as contemplated by the Registration Statement and any prospectus supplement relating thereto and in accordance with the Junior Subordinated Indenture and any underwriting agreement relating to such issuance, against payment of the consideration fixed therefor by the Board of Directors, the Junior Subordinated Debt Securities will be validly issued and will constitute valid and binding obligations of the Company enforceable against the Company in accordance with their terms.
4. When (i) the terms of the Preferred Stock and of its issuance and sale
have been duly established in conformity with the Company's Amended and
Restated Certificate of Incorporation, as amended, and authorized and
approved by all necessary action of the Board of Directors, so as not
to violate any applicable law, rule or regulation or result in a
default under or breach of any agreement or instrument binding upon the
Company and so as to comply with any requirement or restriction imposed
by any court or governmental body having jurisdiction over the Company,
(ii) a Certificate of Designation fixing and determining the terms of
the Preferred Stock has been duly filed with the Secretary of State of
the State of Delaware and (iii) certificates for the shares of the
Preferred Stock have been duly executed, authenticated, issued and
delivered as contemplated by the Registration Statement and any
prospectus supplement relating thereto and in accordance with any
underwriting agreement, Warrants or Warrant Agreements or Stock
Purchase Contracts relating to such issuance, against payment of the
consideration fixed therefor by the Board of Directors, the Preferred
Stock will be duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and
nonassessable.
5. When (i) the terms, and the execution and delivery, of the Deposit Agreement or Agreements relating to the Depositary Shares and the terms of the Depositary Shares and of their issuance and sale have been duly authorized and approved by
all necessary action of the Board of Directors, (ii) the Depositary
Agreement or Agreements relating to the Depositary Shares and the
depositary receipts evidencing the Depositary Shares (the "Depositary
Receipts") have been duly executed and delivered by the Company and
such depositary as shall have been duly appointed by the Company (the
"Depositary"), (iii) the terms of the Depositary Shares and the
Depositary Receipts have been established in accordance with the
applicable Deposit Agreement so as not to violate any applicable law,
rule or regulation or result in a default under or breach of any
agreement or instrument binding upon the Company, and so as to comply
with any applicable requirement or restriction imposed by any court or
governmental authority having jurisdiction over the Company, (iv) (a)
(1) the Indenture applicable to the Debt Securities relating to the
Depositary Shares has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by
the Company and the Senior Trustee or the Subordinated Trustee, as the
case may be, as contemplated in paragraph 1 or 2 above, as the case may
be, and (2) the Debt Securities relating to the Depositary Shares have
been duly authorized, executed, authenticated, issued and delivered as
contemplated in paragraph 1 or 2 above, as the case may be, or (b) the
shares of Preferred Stock relating to the Depositary Shares have been
duly authorized and validly issued and are fully paid and
non-assessable as contemplated in paragraph 4 above and, in the case of
either (a) or (b), have been deposited with the Depositary under the
applicable "Deposit Agreement", and (v) the Depositary Receipts have
been duly executed, countersigned, registered and delivered, as
contemplated by the Registration Statement and any prospectus
supplement related thereto, and in accordance with the terms of the
Deposit Agreement and any underwriting agreement relating to such
issuance, against payment of the consideration fixed therefor by the
Board of Directors, the Depositary Receipts will be validly issued and
will entitle the holders thereof to the rights specified therein and in
the Deposit Agreement.
6. When (i) the terms of the issuance and sale of the Common Stock have been duly authorized and approved by all necessary action of the Board of Directors so as not to violate any applicable law, rule or regulation or result in a default under or a breach of any agreement or instrument binding upon the Company and so as to comply with any requirement or restriction imposed by any court or governmental body having jurisdiction over the Company and (ii) certificates for the shares of Common Stock have been duly executed, authenticated, issued and delivered as contemplated by the Registration Statement and any prospectus supplement relating thereto, and in accordance with any underwriting agreement, Warrants or Warrant Agreements or Stock Purchase Contracts relating to such issuance, against payment of the consideration fixed therefor by the Board of Directors, the Common Stock will be duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable.
7. When (i) the terms, and the execution and delivery, of the Warrants and any Warrant Agreement or Agreements relating to the Warrants and the terms of the issuance and sale of the Warrants and related matters have been duly authorized and approved by all necessary action of the Board of Directors, (ii) the Warrant Agreement or Agreements relating to the Warrants have been duly executed and
delivered by the Company and such warrant agent as shall have been duly appointed by the Company, (iii) the terms of the Warrants have been established in accordance with the applicable Warrant Agreement and so as not to violate any applicable law, rule or regulation or result in a default under or a breach of any agreement or instrument binding upon the Company and so as to comply with any requirement or restriction imposed by any court or governmental body having jurisdiction over the Company and (iv) the Warrants or certificates representing the Warrants have been duly executed, authenticated, issued and delivered as contemplated by the Registration Statement and any prospectus supplement relating thereto, and in accordance with the terms of any Warrant Agreement and underwriting agreement relating to such issuance, against payment of the consideration fixed therefor by the Board of Directors, the Warrants will constitute valid and legally binding obligations of the Company enforceable against the Company in accordance with their terms.
8. When (i) the terms, and the execution and delivery, of the Stock Purchase Contracts and the terms of the issuance and sale thereof and related matters have been duly authorized and approved by all necessary action of the Board of Directors, (ii) the terms of the Stock Purchase Contracts have been established so as not to violate any applicable law, rule or regulation or result in a default under or a breach of any agreement or instrument binding upon the Company and so as to comply with any requirement or restriction imposed by any court or governmental body having jurisdiction over the Company and (iii) the Stock Purchase Contracts have been duly executed and delivered by the Company and such contract agent as shall have been duly appointed by the Company and any certificates representing Stock Purchase Contracts have been duly executed, authenticated, if required, issued and delivered, in each case, as contemplated by the Registration Statement and any prospectus supplement relating thereto, and in accordance with any Stock Purchase Contract and underwriting agreement related to such issuance, against payment of the consideration fixed therefor by the Board of Directors, the Stock Purchase Contracts will constitute valid and legally binding obligations of the Company enforceable against the Company in accordance with their terms.
9. When (i) the terms of the Stock Purchase Units and the terms of the issuance and sale thereof and related matters have been duly authorized and approved by all necessary action of the Board of Directors, (ii) the terms of the Stock Purchase Units have been established so as not to violate any applicable law, rule or regulation or result in a default under or a breach of any agreement or instrument binding upon the Company and so as to comply with any requirement or restriction imposed by any court or governmental body having jurisdiction over the Company, (iii) the Stock Purchase Contracts that form a part of the Stock Purchase Units have been duly authorized, executed, authenticated (if required), issued and delivered as contemplated in paragraph 8 above, (iv) (a) (1) the Indenture relating to the Debt Securities (or undivided beneficial interests therein) that form a part of the Stock Purchase Units or that are deposited under the Deposit Agreement referred to below has been duly authorized, executed and
delivered by the Company and the Senior Trustee or the Subordinated
Trustee, as the case may be, as contemplated in paragraph 1 or 2 above,
as the case may be, and (2) the Debt Securities (or undivided
beneficial interests therein) that form a part of the Stock Purchase
Units or that have been deposited under the Deposit Agreement referred
to below have been duly authorized, executed, authenticated, issued and
delivered as contemplated in paragraph 1 or 2 above, as the case may
be, (b) the shares of Preferred Stock that form a part of the Stock
Purchase Units have been duly authorized, executed, authenticated,
issued and delivered as contemplated in paragraph 4 above, (c) (1) the
Depositary Agreement or Agreements relating to the Depositary Shares
that form a part of the Stock Purchase Units, the related Depositary
Shares and the Depositary Receipts evidencing such Depositary Shares
have been duly authorized, executed, authenticated, if required, and
delivered as contemplated by paragraph 5 above and (3) either (A) the
Indentures have been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the
Senior Trustee or the Subordinated Trustee, as the case may be, as
contemplated in paragraph 1 or 2 above, as the case may be, and the
Debt Securities relating to the Depositary Shares that form a part of
the Stock Purchase Units have been duly authorized, executed,
authenticated, issued and delivered as contemplated in paragraph 1 or 2
above, as the case may be, (d) the debt obligations, including U.S.
Treasury Securities, of third parties that form a part of the Stock
Purchase Units have been duly authorized, issued and delivered in
accordance with their terms or (e) the preferred securities of the
Trusts that form part of the Stock Purchase Units have been duly
authorized, issued and delivered in accordance with their terms, and
(v) the certificates representing the Stock Purchase Units have been
duly executed, authenticated, if required, issued and delivered as
contemplated by the Registration Statement and any prospectus
supplement relating thereto, and in accordance with any Stock Purchase
Contract and underwriting agreement relating to such issuance, against
payment of the consideration fixed therefor by the Board of Directors,
the Stock Purchase Units will be duly authorized and validly issued.
10. When (i) a Guarantee has been duly authorized and approved by the Board of Directors and (ii) such Guarantee has been validly executed and delivered by the Company, such Guarantee will constitute a valid and legally binding obligation of the Company enforceable against the Company in accordance with its terms.
11. If the Debt Securities are exchangeable or convertible into Common Stock, when (i) the terms of the issuance of the Common Stock have been duly authorized and approved by all necessary action of the Board of Directors, and (ii) the shares of Common Stock have been issued in exchange for or upon conversion of such Debt Securities as contemplated by the Registration Statement and any prospectus supplement relating thereto, in accordance with the terms of the Debt Securities and the applicable Senior Indenture or Subordinated Indenture, as the case may be, so as not to violate any applicable law, rule or regulation or result in a default under or a violation of any agreement or instrument binding upon the Company, and so as to comply with any applicable requirement or restriction imposed by any court or governmental authority having jurisdiction over the Company, the
shares of Common Stock so issued will be validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable.
The opinions set forth above are subject to the following additional qualifications:
(a) Our opinions in paragraphs 1, 2, 3, 7, 8, 9 and 10 above are subject to the effects of (i) bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent conveyance, fraudulent transfer, reorganization, moratorium or other similar laws relating to or affecting enforcement of creditors' rights or remedies generally, (ii) general principles of equity, whether such principles are considered in a proceeding of law or in equity, and (iii) an implied covenant of good faith, reasonableness and fair dealing, and standards of materiality.
(b) With respect to the opinions set forth in paragraphs 1 through 11, we express no opinion as to (1) any waiver of inconvenient forum set forth in any agreement or (2) any provision relating to judgments in currencies other than United States dollars. We express no opinion concerning whether a United States Federal court would accept jurisdiction in any dispute, action, suit or proceeding arising out of or relating to any agreement or the transactions contemplated thereby.
(c) The opinions expressed in paragraphs 1 through 11 above are limited to the laws of the State of New York and the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, including the applicable provisions of the Delaware Constitution and the reported cases interpreting those laws.
We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the Registration Statement and to the reference to our firm under the heading "Legal Opinions" in the Prospectus forming a part thereof and to the incorporation by reference of this opinion and consent as exhibits to any registration statement filed in accordance with Rule 462(b) under the Act relating to the Securities. In giving such consent, we do not thereby admit that we are in the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Act.
Very truly yours,
/s/ Debevoise & Plimpton |
Exhibit 5.02
[Letterhead of Richards, Layton & Finger, P.A.]
August 18, 2003
Hartford Capital IV
c/o The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc.
Hartford Plaza
Hartford, Connecticut 06115
Re: Hartford Capital IV
Ladies and Gentlemen:
We have acted as special Delaware counsel for The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc., a Delaware corporation formerly named ITT Hartford Group, Inc. (the "Company"), and Hartford Capital IV, a Delaware statutory trust (the "Trust"), in connection with the matters set forth herein. At your request, this opinion is being furnished to you.
For purposes of giving the opinions hereinafter set forth, our examination of documents has been limited to the examination of originals or copies of the following:
(a) The Certificate of Trust of the Trust, dated October 25, 1995 (the "Certificate"), as filed in the office of the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware (the "Secretary of State") on October 25, 1995;
(b) The Trust Agreement of the Trust, dated as of October 25, 1995, between the Company and the trustee of the Trust named therein;
(c) A form of Amended and Restated Trust Agreement of Trust of the Trust (including Exhibits A, C and E thereto) (the "Trust Agreement"), to be entered into among the Company, as depositor, the trustees of the Trust named therein, and the holders, from time to time, of undivided beneficial interests in the assets of the Trust, incorporated by reference as an exhibit to the Registration Statement (as defined below);
(d) The Registration Statement on Form S-3, including a preliminary prospectus (the "Prospectus"), relating to the preferred securities of the Trust representing preferred undivided beneficial interests in the assets of the Trust (each, a "Preferred Security" and collectively, the "Preferred Securities"), as filed by the Company, the Trust and others as
Hartford Capital IV
August 18, 2003
set forth therein with the Securities and Exchange Commission on or about August 15, 2003 (the "Registration Statement"); and
(e) A Certificate of Good Standing for the Trust, dated August 14, 2003, obtained from the Secretary of State.
Capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined are used as defined in the Trust Agreement.
For purposes of this opinion, we have not reviewed any documents other
than the documents listed in paragraphs (a) through (e) above. In particular, we
have not reviewed any document (other than the documents listed in paragraphs
(a) through (e) above) that is referred to in or incorporated by reference into
the documents reviewed by us. We have assumed that there exists no provision in
any document that we have not reviewed that is inconsistent with the opinions
stated herein. We have conducted no independent factual investigation of our own
but rather have relied solely upon the foregoing documents, the statements and
information set forth therein and the additional matters recited or assumed
herein, all of which we have assumed to be true, complete and accurate in all
material respects.
With respect to all documents examined by us, we have assumed (i) the authenticity of all documents submitted to us as authentic originals, (ii) the conformity with the originals of all documents submitted to us as copies or forms, and (iii) the genuineness of all signatures.
For purposes of this opinion, we have assumed (i) that the Trust
Agreement and the Certificate are in full force and effect and have not been
amended, (ii) except to the extent provided in paragraph 1 below, that each of
the parties to the documents examined by us has been duly created, organized or
formed, as the case may be, and is validly existing in good standing under the
laws of the jurisdiction governing its creation, organization or formation,
(iii) the legal capacity of natural persons who are parties to the documents
examined by us, (iv) that each of the parties to the documents examined by us
has the power and authority to execute and deliver, and to perform its
obligations under, such documents, (v) that each of the parties to the documents
examined by us has duly authorized, executed and delivered such documents, (vi)
the receipt by each Person to whom a Preferred Security is to be issued by the
Trust (collectively, the "Preferred Security Holders") of a Preferred Securities
Certificate for such Preferred Security and the payment for the Preferred
Security acquired by it, in accordance with the Trust Agreement and as described
in the Registration Statement, and (vii) that the Preferred Securities are
issued and sold to the Preferred Security Holders in accordance with the Trust
Agreement and as described in the Registration Statement. We have not
participated in the preparation of the Registration Statement and assume no
responsibility for its contents.
This opinion is limited to the laws of the State of Delaware (excluding the securities laws of the State of Delaware), and we have not considered and express no opinion on the laws of any other jurisdiction, including federal laws and rules and regulations relating thereto. Our opinions are rendered only with respect to Delaware laws and rules, regulations and orders thereunder that are currently in effect.
Hartford Capital IV
August 18, 2003
Based upon the foregoing, and upon our examination of such questions of law and statutes of the State of Delaware as we have considered necessary or appropriate, and subject to the assumptions, qualifications, limitations and exceptions set forth herein, we are of the opinion that:
1. The Trust has been duly created and is validly existing in good standing as a statutory trust under the Delaware Statutory Trust Act.
2. The Preferred Securities represent valid and, subject to the qualifications set forth in paragraph 3 below, fully paid and nonassessable undivided beneficial interests in the assets of the Trust.
3. The Preferred Security Holders, as beneficial owners of the Trust, are entitled to the same limitation of personal liability extended to stockholders of private corporations for profit organized under the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware. We note that the Preferred Security Holders may be obligated to make payments as set forth in the Trust Agreement.
We consent to the filing of this opinion with the Securities and Exchange Commission as an exhibit to the Registration Statement and to the incorporation by reference of this opinion and consent as exhibits to any registration statement filed in accordance with Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, relating to the Preferred Securities. In addition, we hereby consent to the use of our name under the heading "Legal Opinions" in the Prospectus. In giving the foregoing consents, we do not thereby admit that we come within the category of Persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission thereunder. Except as stated above, without our prior written consent, this opinion may not be furnished or quoted to, or relied upon by, any other Person for any purpose.
Very truly yours,
/s/ Richards, Layton & Finger, P.A.
BJK/RSM
|
Exhibit 5.03
[Letterhead of Richards, Layton & Finger, P.A.]
August 18, 2003
Hartford Capital V
c/o The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc.
Hartford Plaza
Hartford, Connecticut 06115
Re: Hartford Capital V
Ladies and Gentlemen:
We have acted as special Delaware counsel for The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc., a Delaware corporation formerly named ITT Hartford Group, Inc. (the "Company"), and Hartford Capital V, a Delaware statutory trust (the "Trust"), in connection with the matters set forth herein. At your request, this opinion is being furnished to you.
For purposes of giving the opinions hereinafter set forth, our examination of documents has been limited to the examination of originals or copies of the following:
(a) The Certificate of Trust of the Trust, dated November 9, 2000 (the "Certificate"), as filed in the office of the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware (the "Secretary of State") on November 9, 2000;
(b) The Trust Agreement of the Trust, dated as of November 7, 2000, between the Company and the trustee of the Trust named therein;
(c) A form of Amended and Restated Trust Agreement of Trust of the Trust (including Exhibits A, C and E thereto) (the "Trust Agreement"), to be entered into among the Company, as depositor, the trustees of the Trust named therein, and the holders, from time to time, of undivided beneficial interests in the assets of the Trust, incorporated by reference as an exhibit to the Registration Statement (as defined below);
(d) The Registration Statement on Form S-3, including a preliminary prospectus (the "Prospectus"), relating to the preferred securities of the Trust representing preferred undivided beneficial interests in the assets of the Trust (each, a "Preferred Security" and collectively, the "Preferred Securities"), as filed by the Company, the Trust and others as
Hartford Capital V
August 18, 2003
set forth therein with the Securities and Exchange Commission on or about August 15, 2003 (the "Registration Statement"); and
(e) A Certificate of Good Standing for the Trust, dated August 14, 2003, obtained from the Secretary of State.
Capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined are used as defined in the Trust Agreement.
For purposes of this opinion, we have not reviewed any documents other
than the documents listed in paragraphs (a) through (e) above. In particular, we
have not reviewed any document (other than the documents listed in paragraphs
(a) through (e) above) that is referred to in or incorporated by reference into
the documents reviewed by us. We have assumed that there exists no provision in
any document that we have not reviewed that is inconsistent with the opinions
stated herein. We have conducted no independent factual investigation of our own
but rather have relied solely upon the foregoing documents, the statements and
information set forth therein and the additional matters recited or assumed
herein, all of which we have assumed to be true, complete and accurate in all
material respects.
With respect to all documents examined by us, we have assumed (i) the authenticity of all documents submitted to us as authentic originals, (ii) the conformity with the originals of all documents submitted to us as copies or forms, and (iii) the genuineness of all signatures.
For purposes of this opinion, we have assumed (i) that the Trust
Agreement and the Certificate are in full force and effect and have not been
amended, (ii) except to the extent provided in paragraph 1 below, that each of
the parties to the documents examined by us has been duly created, organized or
formed, as the case may be, and is validly existing in good standing under the
laws of the jurisdiction governing its creation, organization or formation,
(iii) the legal capacity of natural persons who are parties to the documents
examined by us, (iv) that each of the parties to the documents examined by us
has the power and authority to execute and deliver, and to perform its
obligations under, such documents, (v) that each of the parties to the documents
examined by us has duly authorized, executed and delivered such documents, (vi)
the receipt by each Person to whom a Preferred Security is to be issued by the
Trust (collectively, the "Preferred Security Holders") of a Preferred Securities
Certificate for such Preferred Security and the payment for the Preferred
Security acquired by it, in accordance with the Trust Agreement and as described
in the Registration Statement, and (vii) that the Preferred Securities are
issued and sold to the Preferred Security Holders in accordance with the Trust
Agreement and as described in the Registration Statement. We have not
participated in the preparation of the Registration Statement and assume no
responsibility for its contents.
This opinion is limited to the laws of the State of Delaware (excluding the securities laws of the State of Delaware), and we have not considered and express no opinion on the laws of any other jurisdiction, including federal laws and rules and regulations relating thereto. Our opinions are rendered only with respect to Delaware laws and rules, regulations and orders thereunder that are currently in effect.
Hartford Capital V
August 18, 2003
Based upon the foregoing, and upon our examination of such questions of law and statutes of the State of Delaware as we have considered necessary or appropriate, and subject to the assumptions, qualifications, limitations and exceptions set forth herein, we are of the opinion that:
1. The Trust has been duly created and is validly existing in good standing as a statutory trust under the Delaware Statutory Trust Act.
2. The Preferred Securities represent valid and, subject to the qualifications set forth in paragraph 3 below, fully paid and nonassessable undivided beneficial interests in the assets of the Trust.
3. The Preferred Security Holders, as beneficial owners of the Trust, are entitled to the same limitation of personal liability extended to stockholders of private corporations for profit organized under the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware. We note that the Preferred Security Holders may be obligated to make payments as set forth in the Trust Agreement.
We consent to the filing of this opinion with the Securities and Exchange Commission as an exhibit to the Registration Statement and to the incorporation by reference of this opinion and consent as exhibits to any registration statement filed in accordance with Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, relating to the Preferred Securities. In addition, we hereby consent to the use of our name under the heading "Legal Opinions" in the Prospectus. In giving the foregoing consents, we do not thereby admit that we come within the category of Persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission thereunder. Except as stated above, without our prior written consent, this opinion may not be furnished or quoted to, or relied upon by, any other Person for any purpose.
Very truly yours,
/s/ Richards, Layton & Finger, P.A.
BJK/RSM
|
Exhibit 5.04
[Letterhead of Richards, Layton & Finger, P.A.]
August 18, 2003
Hartford Capital VI
c/o The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc.
Hartford Plaza
Hartford, Connecticut 06115
Re: Hartford Capital VI
Ladies and Gentlemen:
We have acted as special Delaware counsel for The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc., a Delaware corporation formerly named ITT Hartford Group, Inc. (the "Company"), and Hartford Capital VI, a Delaware statutory trust (the "Trust"), in connection with the matters set forth herein. At your request, this opinion is being furnished to you.
For purposes of giving the opinions hereinafter set forth, our examination of documents has been limited to the examination of originals or copies of the following:
(a) The Certificate of Trust of the Trust (the "Certificate"), as filed in the office of the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware (the "Secretary of State") on May 15, 2002;
(b) The Trust Agreement of the Trust, dated as of May 15, 2002, between the Company and the trustee of the Trust named therein;
(c) A form of Amended and Restated Trust Agreement of Trust of the Trust (including Exhibits A, C and E thereto) (the "Trust Agreement"), to be entered into among the Company, as depositor, the trustees of the Trust named therein, and the holders, from time to time, of undivided beneficial interests in the assets of the Trust, incorporated by reference as an exhibit to the Registration Statement (as defined below);
(d) The Registration Statement on Form S-3, including a preliminary prospectus (the "Prospectus"), relating to the preferred securities of the Trust representing preferred undivided beneficial interests in the assets of the Trust (each, a "Preferred Security" and collectively, the "Preferred Securities"), as filed by the Company, the Trust and others as
Hartford Capital VI
August 18, 2003
set forth therein with the Securities and Exchange Commission on or about August 15, 2003 (the "Registration Statement"); and
(e) A Certificate of Good Standing for the Trust, dated August 14, 2003, obtained from the Secretary of State.
Capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined are used as defined in the Trust Agreement.
For purposes of this opinion, we have not reviewed any documents other
than the documents listed in paragraphs (a) through (e) above. In particular, we
have not reviewed any document (other than the documents listed in paragraphs
(a) through (e) above) that is referred to in or incorporated by reference into
the documents reviewed by us. We have assumed that there exists no provision in
any document that we have not reviewed that is inconsistent with the opinions
stated herein. We have conducted no independent factual investigation of our own
but rather have relied solely upon the foregoing documents, the statements and
information set forth therein and the additional matters recited or assumed
herein, all of which we have assumed to be true, complete and accurate in all
material respects.
With respect to all documents examined by us, we have assumed (i) the authenticity of all documents submitted to us as authentic originals, (ii) the conformity with the originals of all documents submitted to us as copies or forms, and (iii) the genuineness of all signatures.
For purposes of this opinion, we have assumed (i) that the Trust
Agreement and the Certificate are in full force and effect and have not been
amended, (ii) except to the extent provided in paragraph 1 below, that each of
the parties to the documents examined by us has been duly created, organized or
formed, as the case may be, and is validly existing in good standing under the
laws of the jurisdiction governing its creation, organization or formation,
(iii) the legal capacity of natural persons who are parties to the documents
examined by us, (iv) that each of the parties to the documents examined by us
has the power and authority to execute and deliver, and to perform its
obligations under, such documents, (v) that each of the parties to the documents
examined by us has duly authorized, executed and delivered such documents, (vi)
the receipt by each Person to whom a Preferred Security is to be issued by the
Trust (collectively, the "Preferred Security Holders") of a Preferred Securities
Certificate for such Preferred Security and the payment for the Preferred
Security acquired by it, in accordance with the Trust Agreement and as described
in the Registration Statement, and (vii) that the Preferred Securities are
issued and sold to the Preferred Security Holders in accordance with the Trust
Agreement and as described in the Registration Statement. We have not
participated in the preparation of the Registration Statement and assume no
responsibility for its contents.
This opinion is limited to the laws of the State of Delaware (excluding the securities laws of the State of Delaware), and we have not considered and express no opinion on the laws of any other jurisdiction, including federal laws and rules and regulations relating thereto. Our opinions are rendered only with respect to Delaware laws and rules, regulations and orders thereunder that are currently in effect.
Hartford Capital VI
August 18, 2003
Based upon the foregoing, and upon our examination of such questions of law and statutes of the State of Delaware as we have considered necessary or appropriate, and subject to the assumptions, qualifications, limitations and exceptions set forth herein, we are of the opinion that:
1. The Trust has been duly created and is validly existing in good standing as a statutory trust under the Delaware Statutory Trust Act.
2. The Preferred Securities represent valid and, subject to the qualifications set forth in paragraph 3 below, fully paid and nonassessable undivided beneficial interests in the assets of the Trust.
3. The Preferred Security Holders, as beneficial owners of the Trust, are entitled to the same limitation of personal liability extended to stockholders of private corporations for profit organized under the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware. We note that the Preferred Security Holders may be obligated to make payments as set forth in the Trust Agreement.
We consent to the filing of this opinion with the Securities and Exchange Commission as an exhibit to the Registration Statement and to the incorporation by reference of this opinion and consent as exhibits to any registration statement filed in accordance with Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, relating to the Preferred Securities. In addition, we hereby consent to the use of our name under the heading "Legal Opinions" in the Prospectus. In giving the foregoing consents, we do not thereby admit that we come within the category of Persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission thereunder. Except as stated above, without our prior written consent, this opinion may not be furnished or quoted to, or relied upon by, any other Person for any purpose.
Very truly yours,
/s/ Richards, Layton & Finger, P.A.
BJK/RSM
|
Exhibit 12.01
THE HARTFORD FINANCIAL SERVICES GROUP, INC.
RATIOS OF CONSOLIDATED EARNINGS TO TOTAL FIXED CHARGES AND CONSOLIDATED EARNINGS TO TOTAL FIXED CHARGES AND PREFERENCE DIVIDENDS
Six Months Ended
June 30, Year Ended December 31,
------------------ ---------------------------------------------------
(In millions) 2003 2002 2002 2001 2000 1999 1998
------------- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ----
EARNINGS $(1,596) $ 568 $1,068 $ 341 $1,418 $1,235 $1,475
ADD:
FIXED CHARGES
Interest expense 136 131 265 295 250 219 216
Interest factor attributable to rentals 39 36 73 72 67 61 54
Interest credited to contractholders 557 515 1,048 1,050 964 1,071 1,376
------- ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------
TOTAL FIXED CHARGES 732 682 1,386 1,417 1,281 1,351 1,646
EARNINGS, AS DEFINED $ (864) $1,250 $2,454 $1,758 $2,699 $2,586 $3,121
------- ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------
RATIOS
Consolidated earnings, as defined, to total fixed
charges NM [1] 1.8 1.8 1.2 [2] 2.1 1.9 1.9
Consolidated earnings, as defined, to total
fixed charges and preference dividends [3] NM [1] 1.8 1.8 1.2 [2] 2.1 1.9 1.9
Deficiency of consolidated earnings to total
fixed charges and preference dividends $ 2,328 -- -- -- -- -- --
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[1] NM: Not meaningful
[2] For 2001, the calculation of the ratios of consolidated earnings to total fixed charges and of consolidated earnings to total fixed charges and preference dividends reflect before-tax losses of $678 million relating to the terrorist attack on September 11, 2001.
[3] We had no dividends on preferred stock for the years 1998 to 2002 or for the six months ended June 30, 2003 or 2002.
[4] Represents additional earnings that would be necessary to result in a one to one ratio of consolidated earnings to total fixed charges and preference dividends. This amount includes a before-tax charge of $2.6 billion related to the Company's 2003 asbestos reserve addition.
Exhibit 15.01
August 14, 2003
To the Board of Directors and Stockholders of The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc. Hartford, Connecticut
We have made a review, in accordance with standards established by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, of the unaudited interim financial information of The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc. and subsidiaries (the "Company") for the periods ended March 31, 2003 and 2002, and June 30, 2003 and 2002, as indicated in our reports dated May 12, 2003, and August 1, 2003, respectively; because we did not perform an audit, we expressed no opinion on that information.
We are aware that our reports referred to above, which were included in the Company's Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended March 31, 2003, and June 30, 2003, are being used in this Registration Statement.
We also are aware that the aforementioned reports, pursuant to Rule 436(c) under the Securities Act of 1933, are not considered a part of the Registration Statement prepared or certified by an accountant or a report prepared or certified by an accountant within the meaning of Sections 7 and 11 of that Act.
DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP
Hartford, Connecticut
Exhibit 23.01
INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' CONSENT
We consent to the incorporation by reference in this Registration Statement of The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc. (the "Company") on Form S-3 of our report dated February 19, 2003 (which report expresses an unqualified opinion and includes an explanatory paragraph relating to the Company's changes in its method of accounting for [a] goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets in 2002, [b] derivative instruments and hedging activities in 2001, and [c] the recognition of interest income and impairment on purchased retained beneficial interests in securitized financial assets in 2001), appearing in the Annual Report on Form 10-K of the Company for the year ended December 31, 2002 and to the reference to us under the heading "Experts" in the Prospectus, which is part of this Registration Statement.
DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP
Hartford, Connecticut
August 14, 2003
Exhibit 24.01
POWER OF ATTORNEY
Each person whose signature appears below does hereby: (i) make, constitute and appoint DAVID M. JOHNSON, NEAL S. WOLIN, ROBERT J. PRICE and BRIAN S. BECKER, and each of them, with full power to act as his or her true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, in his or her name, place and stead to execute on his or her behalf, as an officer and/or director of The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc. (the "Company"), one or more Registration Statements of the Company on Form S-3 (the "Registration Statement"), including a preliminary prospectus and exhibits to such registration statement, and any and all amendments or supplements to the Registration Statement (including any and all post-effective amendments), and any and all additional registration statements relating to the same offering of securities as those that are covered by the Registration Statement that are filed pursuant to Rule 462(b), and to file the same with all exhibits thereto and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") pursuant to the Securities Act of 1933 (the "Act"), and any applicable securities exchange or securities self-regulatory body, and any and all other instruments which any of said attorneys-in-fact and agents deems necessary or advisable to enable the Company to comply with the Act, the rules, regulations and requirements of the SEC in respect thereof, and the securities or Blue Sky laws of any State or other governmental subdivision; (ii) give and grant to each of said attorneys-in-fact and agents full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing whatsoever necessary or appropriate to be done in and about the premises as fully to all intents as he or she might or could do in person, with full power of substitution and resubstitution; and (iii) ratify and confirm all that his or her said attorneys-in-fact and agents or substitutes may or shall lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have hereunto subscribed this power of attorney this 15th day of August, 2003.
/s/Rand V. Araskog /s/Ramani Ayer --------------------------------- -------------------------- Rand V. Araskog Ramani Ayer /s/Donald R. Frahm /s/David M. Johnson -------------------------------- -------------------------- Donald R. Frahm David M. Johnson /s/Edward J. Kelly, III /s/Paul G. Kirk, Jr. -------------------------------- -------------------------- Edward J. Kelly, III Paul G. Kirk, Jr. /s/Thomas M. Marra /s/Gail J. McGovern -------------------------------- -------------------------- Thomas M. Marra Gail J. McGovern /s/Robert J. Price /s/Robert W. Selander -------------------------------- -------------------------- Robert J. Price Robert W. Selander /s/Charles B. Strauss /s/H. Patrick Swygert -------------------------------- -------------------------- Charles B. Strauss H. Patrick Swygert /s/Gordon I. Ulmer /s/David K. Zwiener -------------------------------- -------------------------- Gordon I. Ulmer David K. Zwiener |
Exhibit 25.01
Registration No.
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM T-1
STATEMENT OF ELIGIBILITY UNDER THE TRUST INDENTURE ACT OF 1939
OF A CORPORATION DESIGNATED TO ACT AS TRUSTEE
CHECK IF AN APPLICATION TO DETERMINE ELIGIBILITY OF A TRUSTEE PURSUANT TO
SECTION 305(b)(2)
WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY
(Exact name of trustee as specified in its charter)
Delaware 51-0055023
(State of incorporation) (I.R.S. employer identification no.)
Rodney Square North
1100 North Market Street
Wilmington, Delaware 19890
(Address of principal executive offices)
Cynthia L. Corliss
Vice President and Trust Counsel
Wilmington Trust Company
Rodney Square North
Wilmington, Delaware 19890
(302) 651-8516
(Name, address and telephone number of agent for service)
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THE HARTFORD FINANCIAL SERVICES GROUP, INC.
(Exact name of obligor as specified in its charter)
DELAWARE 82-6097264
(State of incorporation) (I.R.S. employer identification no.)
C/O THE HARTFORD FINANCIAL SERVICES GROUP, INC.
HARTFORD PLAZA
HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT 06115
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
|
JUNIOR SUBORDINATED INDENTURE WITH RESPECT TO DEBT SECURITIES
OF THE HARTFORD FINANCIAL SERVICES GROUP, INC.
(Title of the indenture securities)
ITEM 1. GENERAL INFORMATION.
Furnish the following information as to the trustee:
(a) Name and address of each examining or supervising authority to which it is subject.
Federal Deposit Insurance Co. State Bank Commissioner Five Penn Center Dover, Delaware Suite #2901 Philadelphia, PA |
(b) Whether it is authorized to exercise corporate trust powers.
The trustee is authorized to exercise corporate trust powers.
ITEM 2. AFFILIATIONS WITH THE OBLIGOR.
If the obligor is an affiliate of the trustee, describe each affiliation:
Based upon an examination of the books and records of the trustee and upon information furnished by the obligor, the obligor is not an affiliate of the trustee.
ITEM 16. LIST OF EXHIBITS.
List below all exhibits filed as part of this Statement of Eligibility and Qualification.
A. Copy of the Charter of Wilmington Trust Company, which includes the authorization of Wilmington Trust Company to exercise corporate trust powers.
B. Copy of By-Laws of Wilmington Trust Company.
C. Consent of Wilmington Trust Company required by Section 321(b) of Trust Indenture Act.
D. Copy of most recent Report of Condition of Wilmington Trust Company.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, the trustee, Wilmington Trust Company, a corporation organized and existing under the laws of Delaware, has duly caused this Statement of Eligibility to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, all in the City of Wilmington and State of Delaware on the 12th day of August 2003.
WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY
[SEAL]
Attest: /s/ W. Thomas Morris, II By: /s/ Mary C. St.Amand
------------------------------------ -----------------------
Assistant Secretary Name: Mary C. St. Amand
Title: Vice President
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EXHIBIT A
AMENDED CHARTER
WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY
WILMINGTON, DELAWARE
AS EXISTING ON MAY 9, 1987
AMENDED CHARTER
OR
ACT OF INCORPORATION
OF
WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY
WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY, originally incorporated by an Act of the General Assembly of the State of Delaware, entitled "An Act to Incorporate the Delaware Guarantee and Trust Company", approved March 2, A.D. 1901, and the name of which company was changed to "WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY" by an amendment filed in the Office of the Secretary of State on March 18, A.D. 1903, and the Charter or Act of Incorporation of which company has been from time to time amended and changed by merger agreements pursuant to the corporation law for state banks and trust companies of the State of Delaware, does hereby alter and amend its Charter or Act of Incorporation so that the same as so altered and amended shall in its entirety read as follows:
FIRST: - The name of this corporation is WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY.
SECOND: - The location of its principal office in the State of Delaware is at Rodney Square North, in the City of Wilmington, County of New Castle; the name of its resident agent is WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY whose address is Rodney Square North, in said City. In addition to such principal office, the said corporation maintains and operates branch offices in the City of Newark, New Castle County, Delaware, the Town of Newport, New Castle County, Delaware, at Claymont, New Castle County, Delaware, at Greenville, New Castle County Delaware, and at Milford Cross Roads, New Castle County, Delaware, and shall be empowered to open, maintain and operate branch offices at Ninth and Shipley Streets, 418 Delaware Avenue, 2120 Market Street, and 3605 Market Street, all in the City of Wilmington, New Castle County, Delaware, and such other branch offices or places of business as may be authorized from time to time by the agency or agencies of the government of the State of Delaware empowered to confer such authority.
THIRD: - (a) The nature of the business and the objects and purposes proposed to be transacted, promoted or carried on by this Corporation are to do any or all of the things herein mentioned as fully and to the same extent as natural persons might or could do and in any part of the world, viz.:
(1) To sue and be sued, complain and defend in any Court of law or equity and to make and use a common seal, and alter the seal at pleasure, to hold, purchase, convey, mortgage or otherwise deal in real and personal estate and property, and to appoint such officers and agents as the business of the Corporation shall require, to make by-laws not inconsistent with the Constitution or laws of the United States or of this State, to discount bills, notes or other evidences of debt, to receive deposits of money, or securities for money, to buy gold and silver
bullion and foreign coins, to buy and sell bills of exchange, and generally to use, exercise and enjoy all the powers, rights, privileges and franchises incident to a corporation which are proper or necessary for the transaction of the business of the Corporation hereby created.
(2) To insure titles to real and personal property, or any estate or interests therein, and to guarantee the holder of such property, real or personal, against any claim or claims, adverse to his interest therein, and to prepare and give certificates of title for any lands or premises in the State of Delaware, or elsewhere.
(3) To act as factor, agent, broker or attorney in the receipt, collection, custody, investment and management of funds, and the purchase, sale, management and disposal of property of all descriptions, and to prepare and execute all papers which may be necessary or proper in such business.
(4) To prepare and draw agreements, contracts, deeds, leases, conveyances, mortgages, bonds and legal papers of every description, and to carry on the business of conveyancing in all its branches.
(5) To receive upon deposit for safekeeping money, jewelry, plate, deeds, bonds and any and all other personal property of every sort and kind, from executors, administrators, guardians, public officers, courts, receivers, assignees, trustees, and from all fiduciaries, and from all other persons and individuals, and from all corporations whether state, municipal, corporate or private, and to rent boxes, safes, vaults and other receptacles for such property.
(6) To act as agent or otherwise for the purpose of registering, issuing, certificating, countersigning, transferring or underwriting the stock, bonds or other obligations of any corporation, association, state or municipality, and may receive and manage any sinking fund therefor on such terms as may be agreed upon between the two parties, and in like manner may act as Treasurer of any corporation or municipality.
(7) To act as Trustee under any deed of trust, mortgage, bond or other instrument issued by any state, municipality, body politic, corporation, association or person, either alone or in conjunction with any other person or persons, corporation or corporations.
(8) To guarantee the validity, performance or effect of any contract or agreement, and the fidelity of persons holding places of responsibility or trust; to become surety for any person, or persons, for the faithful performance of any trust, office, duty, contract or agreement, either by itself or in conjunction with
any other person, or persons, corporation, or corporations, or in like manner become surety upon any bond, recognizance, obligation, judgment, suit, order, or decree to be entered in any court of record within the State of Delaware or elsewhere, or which may now or hereafter be required by any law, judge, officer or court in the State of Delaware or elsewhere.
(9) To act by any and every method of appointment as trustee, trustee in bankruptcy, receiver, assignee, assignee in bankruptcy, executor, administrator, guardian, bailee, or in any other trust capacity in the receiving, holding, managing, and disposing of any and all estates and property, real, personal or mixed, and to be appointed as such trustee, trustee in bankruptcy, receiver, assignee, assignee in bankruptcy, executor, administrator, guardian or bailee by any persons, corporations, court, officer, or authority, in the State of Delaware or elsewhere; and whenever this Corporation is so appointed by any person, corporation, court, officer or authority such trustee, trustee in bankruptcy, receiver, assignee, assignee in bankruptcy, executor, administrator, guardian, bailee, or in any other trust capacity, it shall not be required to give bond with surety, but its capital stock shall be taken and held as security for the performance of the duties devolving upon it by such appointment.
(10) And for its care, management and trouble, and the exercise of any of its powers hereby given, or for the performance of any of the duties which it may undertake or be called upon to perform, or for the assumption of any responsibility the said Corporation may be entitled to receive a proper compensation.
(11) To purchase, receive, hold and own bonds, mortgages, debentures, shares of capital stock, and other securities, obligations, contracts and evidences of indebtedness, of any private, public or municipal corporation within and without the State of Delaware, or of the Government of the United States, or of any state, territory, colony, or possession thereof, or of any foreign government or country; to receive, collect, receipt for, and dispose of interest, dividends and income upon and from any of the bonds, mortgages, debentures, notes, shares of capital stock, securities, obligations, contracts, evidences of indebtedness and other property held and owned by it, and to exercise in respect of all such bonds, mortgages, debentures, notes, shares of capital stock, securities, obligations, contracts, evidences of indebtedness and other property, any and all the rights, powers and privileges of individual owners thereof, including the right to vote thereon; to invest and deal in and with any of the moneys of the Corporation upon such securities and in such manner as it may think fit and proper, and from time to time to vary or realize such investments; to issue bonds and secure the same by pledges or deeds of trust or mortgages of or upon the whole or any part of the property held or owned by the Corporation, and to sell and pledge such
bonds, as and when the Board of Directors shall determine, and in the promotion of its said corporate business of investment and to the extent authorized by law, to lease, purchase, hold, sell, assign, transfer, pledge, mortgage and convey real and personal property of any name and nature and any estate or interest therein.
(b) In furtherance of, and not in limitation, of the powers conferred by the laws of the State of Delaware, it is hereby expressly provided that the said Corporation shall also have the following powers:
(1) To do any or all of the things herein set forth, to the same extent as natural persons might or could do, and in any part of the world.
(2) To acquire the good will, rights, property and franchises and to undertake the whole or any part of the assets and liabilities of any person, firm, association or corporation, and to pay for the same in cash, stock of this Corporation, bonds or otherwise; to hold or in any manner to dispose of the whole or any part of the property so purchased; to conduct in any lawful manner the whole or any part of any business so acquired, and to exercise all the powers necessary or convenient in and about the conduct and management of such business.
(3) To take, hold, own, deal in, mortgage or otherwise lien, and to lease, sell, exchange, transfer, or in any manner whatever dispose of property, real, personal or mixed, wherever situated.
(4) To enter into, make, perform and carry out contracts of every kind with any person, firm, association or corporation, and, without limit as to amount, to draw, make, accept, endorse, discount, execute and issue promissory notes, drafts, bills of exchange, warrants, bonds, debentures, and other negotiable or transferable instruments.
(5) To have one or more offices, to carry on all or any of its operations and businesses, without restriction to the same extent as natural persons might or could do, to purchase or otherwise acquire, to hold, own, to mortgage, sell, convey or otherwise dispose of, real and personal property, of every class and description, in any State, District, Territory or Colony of the United States, and in any foreign country or place.
(6) It is the intention that the objects, purposes and powers specified and clauses contained in this paragraph shall (except where otherwise expressed in said paragraph) be nowise limited or restricted by reference to or inference from the terms of any other clause of this or any other paragraph in this charter, but that the objects, purposes and powers specified in each of the clauses of this paragraph shall be regarded as independent objects, purposes and powers.
FOURTH: - (a) The total number of shares of all classes of stock which the Corporation shall have authority to issue is forty-one million (41,000,000) shares, consisting of:
(1) One million (1,000,000) shares of Preferred stock, par value $10.00 per share (hereinafter referred to as "Preferred Stock"); and
(2) Forty million (40,000,000) shares of Common Stock, par value $1.00 per share (hereinafter referred to as "Common Stock").
(b) Shares of Preferred Stock may be issued from time to time in one or more series as may from time to time be determined by the Board of Directors each of said series to be distinctly designated. All shares of any one series of Preferred Stock shall be alike in every particular, except that there may be different dates from which dividends, if any, thereon shall be cumulative, if made cumulative. The voting powers and the preferences and relative, participating, optional and other special rights of each such series, and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof, if any, may differ from those of any and all other series at any time outstanding; and, subject to the provisions of subparagraph 1 of Paragraph (c) of this Article FOURTH, the Board of Directors of the Corporation is hereby expressly granted authority to fix by resolution or resolutions adopted prior to the issuance of any shares of a particular series of Preferred Stock, the voting powers and the designations, preferences and relative, optional and other special rights, and the qualifications, limitations and restrictions of such series, including, but without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the following:
(1) The distinctive designation of, and the number of shares of Preferred Stock which shall constitute such series, which number may be increased (except where otherwise provided by the Board of Directors) or decreased (but not below the number of shares thereof then outstanding) from time to time by like action of the Board of Directors;
(2) The rate and times at which, and the terms and conditions on which, dividends, if any, on Preferred Stock of such series shall be paid, the extent of the preference or relation, if any, of such dividends to the dividends payable on any other class or classes, or series of the same or other class of stock and whether such dividends shall be cumulative or non-cumulative;
(3) The right, if any, of the holders of Preferred Stock of such series to convert the same into or exchange the same for, shares of any other class or classes or of any series of the same or any other class or classes of stock of the Corporation and the terms and conditions of such conversion or exchange;
(4) Whether or not Preferred Stock of such series shall be subject to redemption,
and the redemption price or prices and the time or times at which, and the terms and conditions on which, Preferred Stock of such series may be redeemed.
(5) The rights, if any, of the holders of Preferred Stock of such series upon the voluntary or involuntary liquidation, merger, consolidation, distribution or sale of assets, dissolution or winding-up, of the Corporation.
(6) The terms of the sinking fund or redemption or purchase account, if any, to be provided for the Preferred Stock of such series; and
(7) The voting powers, if any, of the holders of such series of Preferred Stock which may, without limiting the generality of the foregoing include the right, voting as a series or by itself or together with other series of Preferred Stock or all series of Preferred Stock as a class, to elect one or more directors of the Corporation if there shall have been a default in the payment of dividends on any one or more series of Preferred Stock or under such circumstances and on such conditions as the Board of Directors may determine.
(c) (1) After the requirements with respect to preferential dividends on the Preferred Stock (fixed in accordance with the provisions of section (b) of this Article FOURTH), if any, shall have been met and after the Corporation shall have complied with all the requirements, if any, with respect to the setting aside of sums as sinking funds or redemption or purchase accounts (fixed in accordance with the provisions of section (b) of this Article FOURTH), and subject further to any conditions which may be fixed in accordance with the provisions of section (b) of this Article FOURTH, then and not otherwise the holders of Common Stock shall be entitled to receive such dividends as may be declared from time to time by the Board of Directors.
(2) After distribution in full of the preferential amount, if any, (fixed in accordance with the provisions of section (b) of this Article FOURTH), to be distributed to the holders of Preferred Stock in the event of voluntary or involuntary liquidation, distribution or sale of assets, dissolution or winding-up, of the Corporation, the holders of the Common Stock shall be entitled to receive all of the remaining assets of the Corporation, tangible and intangible, of whatever kind available for distribution to stockholders ratably in proportion to the number of shares of Common Stock held by them respectively.
(3) Except as may otherwise be required by law or by the provisions of such resolution or resolutions as may be adopted by the Board of Directors pursuant to section (b) of this Article FOURTH, each holder of Common Stock shall have one vote in respect of each share of Common Stock held on all matters voted upon by the stockholders.
(d) No holder of any of the shares of any class or series of stock or of options, warrants or other rights to purchase shares of any class or series of stock or of other securities of the Corporation shall have any preemptive right to purchase or subscribe for any unissued stock of any class or series or any additional shares of any class or series to be issued by reason of any increase of the authorized capital stock of the Corporation of any class or series, or bonds, certificates of indebtedness, debentures or other securities convertible into or exchangeable for stock of the Corporation of any class or series, or carrying any right to purchase stock of any class or series, but any such unissued stock, additional authorized issue of shares of any class or series of stock or securities convertible into or exchangeable for stock, or carrying any right to purchase stock, may be issued and disposed of pursuant to resolution of the Board of Directors to such persons, firms, corporations or associations, whether such holders or others, and upon such terms as may be deemed advisable by the Board of Directors in the exercise of its sole discretion.
(e) The relative powers, preferences and rights of each series of Preferred Stock in relation to the relative powers, preferences and rights of each other series of Preferred Stock shall, in each case, be as fixed from time to time by the Board of Directors in the resolution or resolutions adopted pursuant to authority granted in section (b) of this Article FOURTH and the consent, by class or series vote or otherwise, of the holders of such of the series of Preferred Stock as are from time to time outstanding shall not be required for the issuance by the Board of Directors of any other series of Preferred Stock whether or not the powers, preferences and rights of such other series shall be fixed by the Board of Directors as senior to, or on a parity with, the powers, preferences and rights of such outstanding series, or any of them; provided, however, that the Board of Directors may provide in the resolution or resolutions as to any series of Preferred Stock adopted pursuant to section (b) of this Article FOURTH that the consent of the holders of a majority (or such greater proportion as shall be therein fixed) of the outstanding shares of such series voting thereon shall be required for the issuance of any or all other series of Preferred Stock.
(f) Subject to the provisions of section (e), shares of any series of Preferred Stock may be issued from time to time as the Board of Directors of the Corporation shall determine and on such terms and for such consideration as shall be fixed by the Board of Directors.
(g) Shares of Common Stock may be issued from time to time as the Board of Directors of the Corporation shall determine and on such terms and for such consideration as shall be fixed by the Board of Directors.
(h) The authorized amount of shares of Common Stock and of Preferred Stock may, without a class or series vote, be increased or decreased from time to time by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the stock of the Corporation entitled to
vote thereon.
FIFTH: - (a) The business and affairs of the Corporation shall be conducted and managed by a Board of Directors. The number of directors constituting the entire Board shall be not less than five nor more than twenty-five as fixed from time to time by vote of a majority of the whole Board, provided, however, that the number of directors shall not be reduced so as to shorten the term of any director at the time in office, and provided further, that the number of directors constituting the whole Board shall be twenty-four until otherwise fixed by a majority of the whole Board.
(b) The Board of Directors shall be divided into three classes, as nearly equal in number as the then total number of directors constituting the whole Board permits, with the term of office of one class expiring each year. At the annual meeting of stockholders in 1982, directors of the first class shall be elected to hold office for a term expiring at the next succeeding annual meeting, directors of the second class shall be elected to hold office for a term expiring at the second succeeding annual meeting and directors of the third class shall be elected to hold office for a term expiring at the third succeeding annual meeting. Any vacancies in the Board of Directors for any reason, and any newly created directorships resulting from any increase in the directors, may be filled by the Board of Directors, acting by a majority of the directors then in office, although less than a quorum, and any directors so chosen shall hold office until the next annual election of directors. At such election, the stockholders shall elect a successor to such director to hold office until the next election of the class for which such director shall have been chosen and until his successor shall be elected and qualified. No decrease in the number of directors shall shorten the term of any incumbent director.
(c) Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Charter or Act of Incorporation or the By-Laws of the Corporation (and notwithstanding the fact that some lesser percentage may be specified by law, this Charter or Act of Incorporation or the By-Laws of the Corporation), any director or the entire Board of Directors of the Corporation may be removed at any time without cause, but only by the affirmative vote of the holders of two-thirds or more of the outstanding shares of capital stock of the Corporation entitled to vote generally in the election of directors (considered for this purpose as one class) cast at a meeting of the stockholders called for that purpose.
(d) Nominations for the election of directors may be made by the Board of Directors or by any stockholder entitled to vote for the election of directors. Such nominations shall be made by notice in writing, delivered or mailed by first class United States mail, postage prepaid, to the Secretary of the Corporation not less than 14 days nor more than 50 days prior to any meeting of the stockholders called for the election of directors; provided, however, that if less than 21 days' notice of the meeting is given to stockholders, such written notice shall be delivered or mailed, as prescribed, to the
Secretary of the Corporation not later than the close of the seventh day following the day on which notice of the meeting was mailed to stockholders. Notice of nominations which are proposed by the Board of Directors shall be given by the Chairman on behalf of the Board.
(e) Each notice under subsection (d) shall set forth (i) the name, age, business address and, if known, residence address of each nominee proposed in such notice, (ii) the principal occupation or employment of such nominee and (iii) the number of shares of stock of the Corporation which are beneficially owned by each such nominee.
(f) The Chairman of the meeting may, if the facts warrant, determine and declare to the meeting that a nomination was not made in accordance with the foregoing procedure, and if he should so determine, he shall so declare to the meeting and the defective nomination shall be disregarded.
(g) No action required to be taken or which may be taken at any annual or special meeting of stockholders of the Corporation may be taken without a meeting, and the power of stockholders to consent in writing, without a meeting, to the taking of any action is specifically denied.
SIXTH: - The Directors shall choose such officers, agents and servants as may be provided in the By-Laws as they may from time to time find necessary or proper.
SEVENTH: - The Corporation hereby created is hereby given the same powers, rights and privileges as may be conferred upon corporations organized under the Act entitled "An Act Providing a General Corporation Law", approved March 10, 1899, as from time to time amended.
EIGHTH: - This Act shall be deemed and taken to be a private Act.
NINTH: - This Corporation is to have perpetual existence.
TENTH: - The Board of Directors, by resolution passed by a majority of the whole Board, may designate any of their number to constitute an Executive Committee, which Committee, to the extent provided in said resolution, or in the By-Laws of the Company, shall have and may exercise all of the powers of the Board of Directors in the management of the business and affairs of the Corporation, and shall have power to authorize the seal of the Corporation to be affixed to all papers which may require it.
ELEVENTH: - The private property of the stockholders shall not be liable for the payment of corporate debts to any extent whatever.
TWELFTH: - The Corporation may transact business in any part of the world.
THIRTEENTH: - The Board of Directors of the Corporation is expressly authorized to make, alter or repeal the By-Laws of the Corporation by a vote of the majority of the entire Board. The stockholders may make, alter or repeal any By-Law whether or not adopted by them, provided however, that any such additional By-Laws, alterations or repeal may be adopted only by the affirmative vote of the holders of two-thirds or more of the outstanding shares of capital stock of the Corporation entitled to vote generally in the election of directors (considered for this purpose as one class).
FOURTEENTH: - Meetings of the Directors may be held outside of the State of Delaware at such places as may be from time to time designated by the Board, and the Directors may keep the books of the Company outside of the State of Delaware at such places as may be from time to time designated by them.
FIFTEENTH: - (a) (1) In addition to any affirmative vote required by
law, and except as otherwise expressly provided in sections (b) and
(c) of this Article FIFTEENTH:
(A) any merger or consolidation of the Corporation or any Subsidiary (as hereinafter defined) with or into (i) any Interested Stockholder (as hereinafter defined) or (ii) any other corporation (whether or not itself an Interested Stockholder), which, after such merger or consolidation, would be an Affiliate (as hereinafter defined) of an Interested Stockholder, or
(B) any sale, lease, exchange, mortgage, pledge, transfer or other disposition (in one transaction or a series of related transactions) to or with any Interested Stockholder or any Affiliate of any Interested Stockholder of any assets of the Corporation or any Subsidiary having an aggregate fair market value of $1,000,000 or more, or
(C) the issuance or transfer by the Corporation or any Subsidiary (in one transaction or a series of related transactions) of any securities of the Corporation or any Subsidiary to any Interested Stockholder or any Affiliate of any Interested Stockholder in exchange for cash, securities or other property (or a combination thereof) having an aggregate fair market value of $1,000,000 or more, or
(D) the adoption of any plan or proposal for the liquidation or dissolution of the Corporation, or
(E) any reclassification of securities (including any reverse stock split), or recapitalization of the Corporation, or any merger or consolidation of the Corporation with any of its Subsidiaries or any similar transaction (whether or not with or into or otherwise involving an Interested Stockholder) which has the effect, directly or indirectly, of increasing the proportionate share of the
outstanding shares of any class of equity or convertible securities of the Corporation or any Subsidiary which is directly or indirectly owned by any Interested Stockholder, or any Affiliate of any Interested Stockholder,
shall require the affirmative vote of the holders of at least two-thirds of the outstanding shares of capital stock of the Corporation entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, considered for the purpose of this Article FIFTEENTH as one class ("Voting Shares"). Such affirmative vote shall be required notwithstanding the fact that no vote may be required, or that some lesser percentage may be specified, by law or in any agreement with any national securities exchange or otherwise.
(2) The term "business combination" as used in this Article FIFTEENTH shall mean any transaction which is referred to in any one or more of clauses (A) through (E) of paragraph 1 of the section (a).
(b) The provisions of section (a) of this Article FIFTEENTH shall not be applicable to any particular business combination and such business combination shall require only such affirmative vote as is required by law and any other provisions of the Charter or Act of Incorporation or By-Laws if such business combination has been approved by a majority of the whole Board.
(c) For the purposes of this Article FIFTEENTH:
(1) A "person" shall mean any individual, firm, corporation or other entity.
(2) "Interested Stockholder" shall mean, in respect of any business combination, any person (other than the Corporation or any Subsidiary) who or which as of the record date for the determination of stockholders entitled to notice of and to vote on such business combination, or immediately prior to the consummation of any such transaction:
(A) is the beneficial owner, directly or indirectly, of more than 10% of the Voting Shares, or
(B) is an Affiliate of the Corporation and at any time within two years prior thereto was the beneficial owner, directly or indirectly, of not less than 10% of the then outstanding voting Shares, or
(C) is an assignee of or has otherwise succeeded in any share of capital stock of the Corporation which were at any time within two years prior thereto beneficially owned by any Interested Stockholder, and such assignment or succession shall have occurred in the course of a transaction or series of transactions not involving a public offering within the meaning of the Securities
Act of 1933.
(3) A person shall be the "beneficial owner" of any Voting Shares:
(A) which such person or any of its Affiliates and Associates (as hereafter defined) beneficially own, directly or indirectly, or
(B) which such person or any of its Affiliates or Associates has (i) the right to acquire (whether such right is exercisable immediately or only after the passage of time), pursuant to any agreement, arrangement or understanding or upon the exercise of conversion rights, exchange rights, warrants or options, or otherwise, or (ii) the right to vote pursuant to any agreement, arrangement or understanding, or
(C) which are beneficially owned, directly or indirectly, by any other person with which such first mentioned person or any of its Affiliates or Associates has any agreement, arrangement or understanding for the purpose of acquiring, holding, voting or disposing of any shares of capital stock of the Corporation.
(4) The outstanding Voting Shares shall include shares deemed owned through application of paragraph (3) above but shall not include any other Voting Shares which may be issuable pursuant to any agreement, or upon exercise of conversion rights, warrants or options or otherwise.
(5) "Affiliate" and "Associate" shall have the respective meanings given those terms in Rule 12b-2 of the General Rules and Regulations under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as in effect on December 31, 1981.
(6) "Subsidiary" shall mean any corporation of which a majority of any class of equity security (as defined in Rule 3a11-1 of the General Rules and Regulations under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as in effect on December 31, 1981) is owned, directly or indirectly, by the Corporation; provided, however, that for the purposes of the definition of Investment Stockholder set forth in paragraph (2) of this section (c), the term "Subsidiary" shall mean only a corporation of which a majority of each class of equity security is owned, directly or indirectly, by the Corporation.
(d) majority of the directors shall have the power and duty to
determine for the purposes of this Article FIFTEENTH on the
basis of information known to them, (1) the number of Voting
Shares beneficially owned by any person (2) whether a person
is an Affiliate or Associate of another, (3) whether a person
has an agreement, arrangement or understanding with another as
to the matters referred to in paragraph (3) of section (c), or
(4) whether the assets subject to any business combination or
the consideration received for the issuance or transfer of
securities by the Corporation, or any Subsidiary has an aggregate fair market value of $1,000,000 or more.
(e) Nothing contained in this Article FIFTEENTH shall be construed to relieve any Interested Stockholder from any fiduciary obligation imposed by law.
SIXTEENTH: Notwithstanding any other provision of this Charter or Act of Incorporation or the By-Laws of the Corporation (and in addition to any other vote that may be required by law, this Charter or Act of Incorporation by the By-Laws), the affirmative vote of the holders of at least two-thirds of the outstanding shares of the capital stock of the Corporation entitled to vote generally in the election of directors (considered for this purpose as one class) shall be required to amend, alter or repeal any provision of Articles FIFTH, THIRTEENTH, FIFTEENTH or SIXTEENTH of this Charter or Act of Incorporation.
SEVENTEENTH: (a) a Director of this Corporation shall not be liable to the Corporation or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a Director, except to the extent such exemption from liability or limitation thereof is not permitted under the Delaware General Corporation Laws as the same exists or may hereafter be amended.
(b) Any repeal or modification of the foregoing paragraph shall not adversely affect any right or protection of a Director of the Corporation existing hereunder with respect to any act or omission occurring prior to the time of such repeal or modification."
EXHIBIT B
BY-LAWS
WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY
WILMINGTON, DELAWARE
AS EXISTING ON JANUARY 16, 2003
BY-LAWS OF WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY
ARTICLE I
STOCKHOLDERS' MEETINGS
Section 1. Annual Meeting. The annual meeting of stockholders shall be held on the third Thursday in April each year at the principal office at the Company or at such other date, time or place as may be designated by resolution by the Board of Directors.
Section 2. Special Meetings. Special meetings of stockholders may be called at any time by the Board of Directors, the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer or the President.
Section 3. Notice. Notice of all meetings of the stockholders shall be given by mailing to each stockholder at least ten (10) days before said meeting, at his last known address, a written or printed notice fixing the time and place of such meeting.
Section 4. Quorum. A majority in the amount of the capital stock of the Company issued and outstanding on the record date, as herein determined, shall constitute a quorum at all meetings of stockholders for the transaction of any business, but the holders of a smaller number of shares may adjourn from time to time, without further notice, until a quorum is secured. At each annual or special meeting of stockholders, each stockholder shall be entitled to one vote, either in person or by proxy, for each share of stock registered in the stockholder's name on the books of the Company on the record date for any such meeting as determined herein.
ARTICLE 2
DIRECTORS
Section 1. Management. The affairs and business of the Company shall be managed by or under the direction of the Board of Directors.
Section 2. Number. The authorized number of directors that shall constitute the Board of Directors shall be fixed from time to time by or pursuant to a resolution passed by a majority of the Board of Directors within the parameters set by the Charter of the Company. No more than two directors may also be employees of the Company or any affiliate thereof.
Section 3. Qualification. In addition to any other provisions of these Bylaws, to be qualified for nomination for election or appointment to the Board of Directors, a person must have not attained the age of sixty-nine years at the time of such election or appointment, provided however, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee may waive such qualification as to a particular candidate otherwise qualified to serve as a director upon a good faith determination by such committee that such a waiver is in the best interests of the Company and its stockholders. The
Chairman of the Board and the Chief Executive Officer shall not be qualified to continue to serve as directors upon the termination of their service in those offices for any reason.
Section 4. Meetings. The Board of Directors shall meet at the principal office of the Company or elsewhere in its discretion at such times to be determined by a majority of its members, or at the call of the Chairman of the Board of Directors, the Chief Executive Officer or the President.
Section 5. Special Meetings. Special meetings of the Board of Directors may be called at any time by the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer or the President, and shall be called upon the written request of a majority of the directors.
Section 6. Quorum. A majority of the directors elected and qualified shall be necessary to constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at any meeting of the Board of Directors.
Section 7. Notice. Written notice shall be sent by mail to each director of any special meeting of the Board of Directors, and of any change in the time or place of any regular meeting, stating the time and place of such meeting, which shall be mailed not less than two days before the time of holding such meeting.
Section 8. Vacancies. In the event of the death, resignation, removal, inability to act or disqualification of any director, the Board of Directors, although less than a quorum, shall have the right to elect the successor who shall hold office for the remainder of the full term of the class of directors in which the vacancy occurred, and until such director's successor shall have been duly elected and qualified.
Section 9. Organization Meeting. The Board of Directors at its first meeting after its election by the stockholders shall appoint an Executive Committee, an Audit Committee, a Compensation Committee and a Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, and shall elect from its own members a Chairman of the Board, a Chief Executive Officer and a President, who may be the same person. The Board of Directors shall also elect at such meeting a Secretary and a Chief Financial Officer, who may be the same person, and may appoint at any time such committees as it may deem advisable. The Board of Directors may also elect at such meeting one or more Associate Directors. The Board of Directors, the Executive Committee or another committee designated by the Board of Directors may elect or appoint such other officers as they may deem advisable.
Section 10. Removal. The Board of Directors may at any time remove, with or without cause, any member of any committee appointed by it or any associate director or officer elected by it and may appoint or elect his successor.
Section 11. Responsibility of Officers. The Board of Directors may designate an officer to be in charge of such departments or divisions of the Company as it may deem advisable.
Section 12. Participation in Meetings. The Board of Directors or any committee of the Board of Directors may participate in a meeting of the Board of Directors or such committee, as the case may be, by conference telephone, video facilities or other communications equipment. Any action required or permitted to be taken at any meeting of the Board of Directors or any committee thereof may be taken without a meeting if all of the members of the Board of Directors or the committee, as the case may be, consent thereto in writing, and the writing or writings are filed with the minutes of the Board of Directors or such committee.
ARTICLE 3
COMMITTEES OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Section 1. Executive Committee.
(A) The Executive Committee shall be composed of not more than nine
(9) members, who shall be selected by the Board of Directors from its own
members, and who shall hold office at the pleasure of the Board of Directors.
(B) The Executive Committee shall have and may exercise, to the fullest extent permitted by law, all of the powers of the Board of Directors when it is not in session to transact all business for and on behalf of the Company that may be brought before it.
(C) The Executive Committee shall meet at the principal office of the Company or elsewhere in its discretion at such times to be determined by a majority of its members, or at the call of the Chairman of the Executive Committee, the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer or the President. The majority of its members shall be necessary to constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. Special meetings of the Executive Committee may be held at any time when a quorum is present.
(D) Minutes of each meeting of the Executive Committee shall be kept and submitted to the Board of Directors at its next meeting.
(E) In the event of an emergency of sufficient severity to prevent the conduct and management of the affairs and business of the Company by its directors and officers as contemplated by these Bylaws, any two available members of the Executive Committee as constituted immediately prior to such emergency shall constitute a quorum of that Committee for the full conduct and management of the affairs and business of the Company in accordance with the provisions of Article 3 of these Bylaws. In the event of the unavailability, at such time, of a minimum of two members of the Executive Committee, any three available directors shall constitute the Executive Committee for the full conduct and management of the affairs and business of the Company in accordance with the foregoing provisions of this Section. This Bylaw shall be subject to implementation by resolutions
of the Board of Directors presently existing or hereafter passed from time to
time for that purpose, and any provisions of these Bylaws (other than this
Section) and any resolutions which are contrary to the provisions of this
Section or to the provisions of any such implementing resolutions shall be
suspended during such a disaster period until it shall be determined by any
interim Executive Committee acting under this Section that it shall be to the
advantage of the Company to resume the conduct and management of its affairs and
business under all of the other provisions of these Bylaws.
Section 2. Audit Committee.
(A) The Audit Committee shall be composed of not more than five (5)
members, who shall be selected by the Board of Directors from its own members,
none of whom shall be an officer or employee of the Company, and shall hold
office at the pleasure of the Board.
(B) The Audit Committee shall have general supervision over the Audit Services Division in all matters however subject to the approval of the Board of Directors; it shall consider all matters brought to its attention by the officer in charge of the Audit Services Division, review all reports of examination of the Company made by any governmental agency or such independent auditor employed for that purpose, and make such recommendations to the Board of Directors with respect thereto or with respect to any other matters pertaining to auditing the Company as it shall deem desirable.
(C) The Audit Committee shall meet whenever and wherever its Chairperson, the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, the President or a majority of the Committee's members shall deem it to be proper for the transaction of its business. A majority of the Committee's members shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. The acts of the majority at a meeting at which a quorum is present shall constitute action by the Committee.
Section 3. Compensation Committee.
(A) The Compensation Committee shall be composed of not more than five (5) members, who shall be selected by the Board of Directors from its own members, none of whom shall be an officer or employee of the Company, and shall hold office at the pleasure of the Board of Directors.
(B) The Compensation Committee shall in general advise upon all matters of policy concerning compensation, including salaries and employee benefits.
(C) The Compensation Committee shall meet whenever and wherever its Chairperson, the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, the President or a majority of the Committee's members shall deem it to be proper for the transaction of its business. A majority of the Committee's members shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. The acts of the majority at a meeting at which a quorum is present shall constitute action by the Committee.
SECTION 4. NOMINATING AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE COMMITTEE.
(A) The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee shall be composed of not more than five members, who shall be selected by the Board of Directors from its own members, none of whom shall be an officer or employee of the Company, and shall hold office at the pleasure of the Board of Directors.
(B) The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee shall provide counsel and make recommendations to the Chairman of the Board and the full Board with respect to the performance of the Chairman of the Board and the Chief Executive Officer, candidates for membership on the Board of Directors and its committees, matters of corporate governance, succession planning for the Company's executive management and significant shareholder relations issues.
(C) The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee shall meet whenever and wherever its Chairperson, the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, the President, or a majority of the Committee's members shall deem it to be proper for the transaction of its business. A majority of the Committee's members shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. The acts of the majority at a meeting at which a quorum is present shall constitute action by the Committee.
Section 5. Other Committees. The Company may have such other committees with such powers as the Board may designate from time to time by resolution or by an amendment to these Bylaws.
Section 6. Associate Directors.
(A) Any person who has served as a director may be elected by the Board of Directors as an associate director, to serve at the pleasure of the Board of Directors.
(B) Associate directors shall be entitled to attend all meetings of directors and participate in the discussion of all matters brought to the Board of Directors, but will not have a right to vote.
Section 7. Absence or Disqualification of Any Member of a Committee. In the absence or disqualification of any member of any committee created under Article III of these Bylaws, the member or members thereof present at any meeting and not disqualified from voting, whether or not he or they constitute a quorum, may unanimously appoint another member of the Board of Directors to act at the meeting in the place of any such absent or disqualified member.
ARTICLE 4
OFFICERS
Section 1. Chairman of the Board. The Chairman of the Board shall preside at all meetings of the Board of Directors and shall have such further authority and powers and shall perform such duties the Board of Directors may assign to him from time to time.
Section 2. Chief Executive Officer. The Chief Executive Officer shall have the powers and duties pertaining to the office of Chief Executive Officer conferred or imposed upon him by statute, incident to his office or as the Board of Directors may assign to him from time to time. In the absence of the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer shall have the powers and duties of the Chairman of the Board.
Section 3. President. The President shall have the powers and duties pertaining to the office of the President conferred or imposed upon him by statute, incident to his office or as the Board of Directors may assign to him from time to time. In the absence of the Chairman of the Board and the Chief Executive Officer, the President shall have the powers and duties of the Chairman of the Board.
Section 4. Duties. The Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer or the President, as designated by the Board of Directors, shall carry into effect all legal directions of the Executive Committee and of the Board of Directors and shall at all times exercise general supervision over the interest, affairs and operations of the Company and perform all duties incident to his office.
Section 5. Vice Presidents. There may be one or more Vice Presidents, however denominated by the Board of Directors, who may at any time perform all of the duties of the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer and/or the President and such other powers and duties incident to their respective offices or as the Board of Directors, the Executive Committee, the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer or the President or the officer in charge of the department or division to which they are assigned may assign to them from time to time.
Section 6. Secretary. The Secretary shall attend to the giving of notice of meetings of the stockholders and the Board of Directors, as well as the committees thereof, to the keeping of accurate minutes of all such meetings, recording the same in the minute books of the Company and in general notifying the Board of Directors of material matters affecting the Company on a timely basis. In addition to the other notice requirements of these Bylaws and as may be practicable under the circumstances, all such notices shall be in writing and mailed well in advance of the scheduled date of any such meeting. He shall have custody of the corporate seal, affix the same to any documents requiring such corporate seal, attest the same and perform other duties incident to his office.
Section 7. Chief Financial Officer. The Chief Financial Officer shall have general supervision over all assets and liabilities of the Company. He shall be custodian of and responsible for all monies, funds and valuables of the Company and for the keeping of proper records of the
evidence of property or indebtedness and of all transactions of the Company. He shall have general supervision of the expenditures of the Company and periodically shall report to the Board of Directors the condition of the Company, and perform such other duties incident to his office or as the Board of Directors, the Executive Committee, the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer or the President may assign to him from time to time.
Section 8. Controller. There may be a Controller who shall exercise general supervision over the internal operations of the Company, including accounting, and shall render to the Board of Directors or the Audit Committee at appropriate times a report relating to the general condition and internal operations of the Company and perform other duties incident to his office.
There may be one or more subordinate accounting or controller officers however denominated, who may perform the duties of the Controller and such duties as may be prescribed by the Controller.
Section 9. Audit Officers. The officer designated by the Board of Directors to be in charge of the Audit Services Division of the Company, with such title as the Board of Directors shall prescribe, shall report to and be directly responsible to the Audit Committee and the Board of Directors.
There shall be an Auditor and there may be one or more Audit Officers, however denominated, who may perform all the duties of the Auditor and such duties as may be prescribed by the officer in charge of the Audit Services Division.
Section 10. Other Officers. There may be one or more officers, subordinate in rank to all Vice Presidents with such functional titles as shall be determined from time to time by the Board of Directors, who shall ex officio hold the office of Assistant Secretary of the Company and who may perform such duties as may be prescribed by the officer in charge of the department or division to which they are assigned.
Section 11. Powers and Duties of Other Officers. The powers and duties of all other officers of the Company shall be those usually pertaining to their respective offices, subject to the direction of the Board of Directors, the Executive Committee, the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer or the President and the officer in charge of the department or division to which they are assigned.
Section 12. Number of Offices. Any one or more offices of the Company may be held by the same person, except that (A) no individual may hold more than one of the offices of Chief Financial Officer, Controller or Audit Officer and (B) none of the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer or the President may hold any office mentioned in Section 12(A).
ARTICLE 5
STOCK AND STOCK CERTIFICATES
Section 1. Transfer. Shares of stock shall be transferable on the books of the Company and a transfer book shall be kept in which all transfers of stock shall be recorded.
Section 2. Certificates. Every holder of stock shall be entitled to have a certificate signed by or in the name of the Company by the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer or the President or a Vice President, and by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary, of the Company, certifying the number of shares owned by him in the Company. The corporate seal affixed thereto, and any of or all the signatures on the certificate, may be a facsimile. In case any officer, transfer agent or registrar who has signed or whose facsimile signature has been placed upon a certificate shall have ceased to be such officer, transfer agent or registrar before such certificate is issued, it may be issued by the Company with the same effect as if he were such officer, transfer agent or registrar at the date of issue. Duplicate certificates of stock shall be issued only upon giving such security as may be satisfactory to the Board of Directors or the Executive Committee.
Section 3. Record Date. The Board of Directors is authorized to fix in advance a record date for the determination of the stockholders entitled to notice of, and to vote at, any meeting of stockholders and any adjournment thereof, or entitled to receive payment of any dividend, or to any allotment of rights, or to exercise any rights in respect of any change, conversion or exchange of capital stock, or in connection with obtaining the consent of stockholders for any purpose, which record date shall not be more than 60 nor less than 10 days preceding the date of any meeting of stockholders or the date for the payment of any dividend, or the date for the allotment of rights, or the date when any change or conversion or exchange of capital stock shall go into effect, or a date in connection with obtaining such consent.
ARTICLE 6
SEAL
The corporate seal of the Company shall be in the following form:
Between two concentric circles the words "Wilmington Trust Company" within the inner circle the words "Wilmington, Delaware."
ARTICLE 7
FISCAL YEAR
The fiscal year of the Company shall be the calendar year.
ARTICLE 8
EXECUTION OF INSTRUMENTS OF THE COMPANY
The Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, the President or any Vice President, however denominated by the Board of Directors, shall have full power and authority to enter into, make, sign, execute, acknowledge and/or deliver and the Secretary or any Assistant Secretary shall have full power and authority to attest and affix the corporate seal of the Company to any and all deeds, conveyances, assignments, releases, contracts, agreements, bonds, notes, mortgages and all other instruments incident to the business of this Company or in acting as executor, administrator, guardian, trustee, agent or in any other fiduciary or representative capacity by any and every method of appointment or by whatever person, corporation, court officer or authority in the State of Delaware, or elsewhere, without any specific authority, ratification, approval or confirmation by the Board of Directors or the Executive Committee, and any and all such instruments shall have the same force and validity as though expressly authorized by the Board of Directors and/or the Executive Committee.
ARTICLE 9
COMPENSATION OF DIRECTORS AND MEMBERS OF COMMITTEES
Directors and associate directors of the Company, other than salaried officers of the Company, shall be paid such reasonable honoraria or fees for attending meetings of the Board of Directors as the Board of Directors may from time to time determine. Directors and associate directors who serve as members of committees, other than salaried employees of the Company, shall be paid such reasonable honoraria or fees for services as members of committees as the Board of Directors shall from time to time determine and directors and associate directors may be authorized by the Company to perform such special services as the Board of Directors may from time to time determine in accordance with any guidelines the Board of Directors may adopt for such services, and shall be paid for such special services so performed reasonable compensation as may be determined by the Board of Directors.
ARTICLE 10
INDEMNIFICATION
Section 1. Persons Covered. The Company shall indemnify and hold harmless, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law as it presently exists or may hereafter be amended, any person who was or is made or is threatened to be made a party or is otherwise involved in any action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (a "proceeding") by reason of the fact that he, or a person for whom he is the legal representative, is or was a director of the Company or is or was serving at the request of the Company as a director, officer, employee, fiduciary or agent
of another corporation, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, trust, enterprise or non-profit entity that is not a subsidiary or affiliate of the Company, including service with respect to employee benefit plans, against all liability and loss suffered and expenses reasonably incurred by such person. The Company shall be required to indemnify such a person in connection with a proceeding initiated by such person only if the proceeding was authorized by the Board of Directors.
The Company may indemnify and hold harmless, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law as it presently exists or may hereafter be amended, any person who was or is made or threatened to be made a party or is otherwise involved in any proceeding by reason of the fact that he, or a person for whom he is the legal representative, is or was an officer, employee or agent of the Company or a director, officer, employee or agent of a subsidiary or affiliate of the Company, against all liability and loss suffered and expenses reasonably incurred by such person. The Company may indemnify any such person in connection with a proceeding (or part thereof) initiated by such person only if such proceeding (or part thereof) was authorized by the Board of Directors.
Section 2. Advance of Expenses. The Company shall pay the expenses incurred in defending any proceeding involving a person who is or may be indemnified pursuant to Section 1 in advance of its final disposition, provided, however, that the payment of expenses incurred by such a person in advance of the final disposition of the proceeding shall be made only upon receipt of an undertaking by that person to repay all amounts advanced if it should be ultimately determined that the person is not entitled to be indemnified under this Article 10 or otherwise.
Section 3. Certain Rights. If a claim under this Article 10 for (A) payment of expenses or (B) indemnification by a director or person who is or was serving at the request of the Company as a director, officer, employee, fiduciary or agent of another corporation, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, trust, enterprise or nonprofit entity that is not a subsidiary or affiliate of the Company, including service with respect to employee benefit plans, is not paid in full within sixty days after a written claim therefor has been received by the Company, the claimant may file suit to recover the unpaid amount of such claim and, if successful in whole or in part, shall be entitled to be paid the expense of prosecuting such claim. In any such action, the Company shall have the burden of proving that the claimant was not entitled to the requested indemnification or payment of expenses under applicable law.
Section 4. Non-Exclusive. The rights conferred on any person by this Article 10 shall not be exclusive of any other rights which such person may have or hereafter acquire under any statute, provision of the Charter or Act of Incorporation, these Bylaws, agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors or otherwise.
Section 5. Reduction of Amount. The Company's obligation, if any, to indemnify any person who was or is serving at its request as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, enterprise or nonprofit entity shall be reduced by any amount such
person may collect as indemnification from such other corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, enterprise or nonprofit entity.
Section 6. Effect of Modification. Any amendment, repeal or modification of the foregoing provisions of this Article 10 shall not adversely affect any right or protection hereunder of any person in respect of any act or omission occurring prior to the time of such amendment, repeal or modification.
ARTICLE 11
AMENDMENTS TO THE BYLAWS
These Bylaws may be altered, amended or repealed, in whole or in part, and any new Bylaw or Bylaws adopted at any regular or special meeting of the Board of Directors by a vote of a majority of all the members of the Board of Directors then in office.
ARTICLE 12
MISCELLANEOUS
Whenever used in these Bylaws, the singular shall include the plural, the plural shall include the singular unless the context requires otherwise and the use of either gender shall include both genders.
EXHIBIT C
SECTION 321(b) CONSENT
Pursuant to Section 321(b) of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, Wilmington Trust Company hereby consents that reports of examinations by Federal, State, Territorial or District authorities may be furnished by such authorities to the Securities and Exchange Commission upon requests therefor.
WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY
Dated: August 12, 2003 By: /s/ Mary C. St.Amand
----------------------
Name: Mary C. St.Amand
Title: Vice President
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EXHIBIT D
NOTICE
This form is intended to assist state nonmember banks and savings banks with state publication requirements. It has not been approved by any state banking authorities. Refer to your appropriate state banking authorities for your state publication requirements.
REPORT OF CONDITION
Consolidating domestic subsidiaries of the
WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY of WILMINGTON
---------------------------------------------------------- ------------------
Name of Bank City
in the State of DELAWARE , at the close of business on June 30, 2003.
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ASSETS
Thousands of dollars
Cash and balances due from depository institutions:
Noninterest-bearing balances and currency and coins ......................................... 221,573
Interest-bearing balances ................................................................... 0
Held-to-maturity securities .......................................................................... 3,777
Available-for-sale securities ........................................................................ 1,684,467
Federal funds sold in domestic offices ............................................................... 465,275
Securities purchased under agreements to resell ...................................................... 18,800
Loans and lease financing receivables:
Loans and leases held for sale ................................. 0
Loans and leases, net of unearned income ....................... 5,598,733
LESS: Allowance for loan and lease losses ..................... 77,873
Loans and leases, net of unearned income, allowance, and reserve............................. 5,520,860
Assets held in trading accounts ...................................................................... 0
Premises and fixed assets (including capitalized leases) ............................................. 142,672
Other real estate owned .............................................................................. 2,986
Investments in unconsolidated subsidiaries and associated companies .................................. 2,496
Customers' liability to this bank on acceptances outstanding ......................................... 0
Intangible assets:
a. Goodwill ................................................................................ 157
b. Other intangible assets ................................................................. 11,897
Other assets ......................................................................................... 171,667
Total assets ......................................................................................... 8,246,627
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CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE
LIABILITIES
Deposits:
In domestic offices .......................................................................... 6,415,199
Noninterest-bearing ................ 1,011,850
Interest-bearing ................... 5,403,349
Federal funds purchased in domestic offices .................................................. 286,799
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase ............................................... 207,308
Trading liabilities (from Schedule RC-D) ..................................................... 0
Other borrowed money (includes mortgage indebtedness and obligations under capitalized leases: 597,518
Bank's liability on acceptances executed and outstanding ..................................... 0
Subordinated notes and debentures ............................................................ 0
Other liabilities (from Schedule RC-G) ....................................................... 98,337
Total liabilities ............................................................................ 7,605,161
EQUITY CAPITAL
Perpetual preferred stock and related surplus ................................................ 0
Common Stock ................................................................................. 500
Surplus (exclude all surplus related to preferred stock) ..................................... 112,358
a. Retained earnings ........................................................................ 526,582
b. Accumulated other comprehensive income ................................................... 2,026
Total equity capital ......................................................................... 641,466
Total liabilities, limited-life preferred stock, and equity capital .......................... 8,246,627
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Exhibit 25.02
Registration No.
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM T-1
STATEMENT OF ELIGIBILITY UNDER THE TRUST INDENTURE ACT OF 1939
OF A CORPORATION DESIGNATED TO ACT AS TRUSTEE
CHECK IF AN APPLICATION TO DETERMINE ELIGIBILITY OF A TRUSTEE PURSUANT TO
SECTION 305(b)(2)
WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY
(Exact name of trustee as specified in its charter)
Delaware 51-0055023
(State of incorporation) (I.R.S. employer identification no.)
Rodney Square North
1100 North Market Street
Wilmington, Delaware 19890
(Address of principal executive offices)
Cynthia L. Corliss
Vice President and Trust Counsel
Wilmington Trust Company
Rodney Square North
Wilmington, Delaware 19890
(302) 651-8516
(Name, address and telephone number of agent for service)
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HARTFORD CAPITAL IV
(Exact name of obligor as specified in its charter)
DELAWARE 82-6097264
(State of incorporation) (I.R.S. employer identification no.)
C/O THE HARTFORD FINANCIAL SERVICES GROUP, INC.
HARTFORD PLAZA
HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT 06115
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
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PREFERRED SECURITIES OF HARTFORD CAPITAL IV
(Title of the indenture securities)
ITEM 1. GENERAL INFORMATION.
Furnish the following information as to the trustee:
(a) Name and address of each examining or supervising authority to which it is subject.
Federal Deposit Insurance Co. State Bank Commissioner Five Penn Center Dover, Delaware Suite #2901 Philadelphia, PA |
(b) Whether it is authorized to exercise corporate trust powers.
The trustee is authorized to exercise corporate trust powers.
ITEM 2. AFFILIATIONS WITH THE OBLIGOR.
If the obligor is an affiliate of the trustee, describe each affiliation:
Based upon an examination of the books and records of the trustee and upon information furnished by the obligor, the obligor is not an affiliate of the trustee.
ITEM 16. LIST OF EXHIBITS.
List below all exhibits filed as part of this Statement of Eligibility and Qualification.
A. Copy of the Charter of Wilmington Trust Company, which includes the authorization of Wilmington Trust Company to exercise corporate trust powers.
B. Copy of By-Laws of Wilmington Trust Company.
C. Consent of Wilmington Trust Company required by Section 321(b) of Trust Indenture Act.
D. Copy of most recent Report of Condition of Wilmington Trust Company.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, the trustee, Wilmington Trust Company, a corporation organized and existing under the laws of Delaware, has duly caused this Statement of Eligibility to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, all in the City of Wilmington and State of Delaware on the 11th day of August 2003.
WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY
[SEAL]
Attest: /s/ Michael G. Oller, Jr. By: /s/ Mary C. St.Amand
----------------------------- -----------------------
Assistant Secretary Name: Mary C. St.Amand
Title: Vice President
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EXHIBIT A
AMENDED CHARTER
WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY
WILMINGTON, DELAWARE
AS EXISTING ON MAY 9, 1987
AMENDED CHARTER
OR
ACT OF INCORPORATION
OF
WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY
WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY, originally incorporated by an Act of the General Assembly of the State of Delaware, entitled "An Act to Incorporate the Delaware Guarantee and Trust Company", approved March 2, A.D. 1901, and the name of which company was changed to "WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY" by an amendment filed in the Office of the Secretary of State on March 18, A.D. 1903, and the Charter or Act of Incorporation of which company has been from time to time amended and changed by merger agreements pursuant to the corporation law for state banks and trust companies of the State of Delaware, does hereby alter and amend its Charter or Act of Incorporation so that the same as so altered and amended shall in its entirety read as follows:
FIRST: - The name of this corporation is WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY.
SECOND: - The location of its principal office in the State of Delaware is at Rodney Square North, in the City of Wilmington, County of New Castle; the name of its resident agent is WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY whose address is Rodney Square North, in said City. In addition to such principal office, the said corporation maintains and operates branch offices in the City of Newark, New Castle County, Delaware, the Town of Newport, New Castle County, Delaware, at Claymont, New Castle County, Delaware, at Greenville, New Castle County Delaware, and at Milford Cross Roads, New Castle County, Delaware, and shall be empowered to open, maintain and operate branch offices at Ninth and Shipley Streets, 418 Delaware Avenue, 2120 Market Street, and 3605 Market Street, all in the City of Wilmington, New Castle County, Delaware, and such other branch offices or places of business as may be authorized from time to time by the agency or agencies of the government of the State of Delaware empowered to confer such authority.
THIRD: - (a) The nature of the business and the objects and purposes proposed to be transacted, promoted or carried on by this Corporation are to do any or all of the things herein mentioned as fully and to the same extent as natural persons might or could do and in any part of the world, viz.:
(1) To sue and be sued, complain and defend in any Court of law or equity and to make and use a common seal, and alter the seal at pleasure, to hold, purchase, convey, mortgage or otherwise deal in real and personal estate and property, and to appoint such officers and agents as the business of the Corporation shall require, to make by-laws not inconsistent with the Constitution or laws of the United States or of this State, to discount bills, notes or other evidences of debt, to receive deposits of money, or securities for money, to buy gold and silver
bullion and foreign coins, to buy and sell bills of exchange, and generally to use, exercise and enjoy all the powers, rights, privileges and franchises incident to a corporation which are proper or necessary for the transaction of the business of the Corporation hereby created.
(2) To insure titles to real and personal property, or any estate or interests therein, and to guarantee the holder of such property, real or personal, against any claim or claims, adverse to his interest therein, and to prepare and give certificates of title for any lands or premises in the State of Delaware, or elsewhere.
(3) To act as factor, agent, broker or attorney in the receipt, collection, custody, investment and management of funds, and the purchase, sale, management and disposal of property of all descriptions, and to prepare and execute all papers which may be necessary or proper in such business.
(4) To prepare and draw agreements, contracts, deeds, leases, conveyances, mortgages, bonds and legal papers of every description, and to carry on the business of conveyancing in all its branches.
(5) To receive upon deposit for safekeeping money, jewelry, plate, deeds, bonds and any and all other personal property of every sort and kind, from executors, administrators, guardians, public officers, courts, receivers, assignees, trustees, and from all fiduciaries, and from all other persons and individuals, and from all corporations whether state, municipal, corporate or private, and to rent boxes, safes, vaults and other receptacles for such property.
(6) To act as agent or otherwise for the purpose of registering, issuing, certificating, countersigning, transferring or underwriting the stock, bonds or other obligations of any corporation, association, state or municipality, and may receive and manage any sinking fund therefor on such terms as may be agreed upon between the two parties, and in like manner may act as Treasurer of any corporation or municipality.
(7) To act as Trustee under any deed of trust, mortgage, bond or other instrument issued by any state, municipality, body politic, corporation, association or person, either alone or in conjunction with any other person or persons, corporation or corporations.
(8) To guarantee the validity, performance or effect of any contract or agreement, and the fidelity of persons holding places of responsibility or trust; to become surety for any person, or persons, for the faithful performance of any trust, office, duty, contract or agreement, either by itself or in conjunction with any other person, or persons, corporation, or corporations, or in like manner
become surety upon any bond, recognizance, obligation, judgment, suit, order, or decree to be entered in any court of record within the State of Delaware or elsewhere, or which may now or hereafter be required by any law, judge, officer or court in the State of Delaware or elsewhere.
(9) To act by any and every method of appointment as trustee, trustee in bankruptcy, receiver, assignee, assignee in bankruptcy, executor, administrator, guardian, bailee, or in any other trust capacity in the receiving, holding, managing, and disposing of any and all estates and property, real, personal or mixed, and to be appointed as such trustee, trustee in bankruptcy, receiver, assignee, assignee in bankruptcy, executor, administrator, guardian or bailee by any persons, corporations, court, officer, or authority, in the State of Delaware or elsewhere; and whenever this Corporation is so appointed by any person, corporation, court, officer or authority such trustee, trustee in bankruptcy, receiver, assignee, assignee in bankruptcy, executor, administrator, guardian, bailee, or in any other trust capacity, it shall not be required to give bond with surety, but its capital stock shall be taken and held as security for the performance of the duties devolving upon it by such appointment.
(10) And for its care, management and trouble, and the exercise of any of its powers hereby given, or for the performance of any of the duties which it may undertake or be called upon to perform, or for the assumption of any responsibility the said Corporation may be entitled to receive a proper compensation.
(11) To purchase, receive, hold and own bonds, mortgages, debentures, shares of capital stock, and other securities, obligations, contracts and evidences of indebtedness, of any private, public or municipal corporation within and without the State of Delaware, or of the Government of the United States, or of any state, territory, colony, or possession thereof, or of any foreign government or country; to receive, collect, receipt for, and dispose of interest, dividends and income upon and from any of the bonds, mortgages, debentures, notes, shares of capital stock, securities, obligations, contracts, evidences of indebtedness and other property held and owned by it, and to exercise in respect of all such bonds, mortgages, debentures, notes, shares of capital stock, securities, obligations, contracts, evidences of indebtedness and other property, any and all the rights, powers and privileges of individual owners thereof, including the right to vote thereon; to invest and deal in and with any of the moneys of the Corporation upon such securities and in such manner as it may think fit and proper, and from time to time to vary or realize such investments; to issue bonds and secure the same by pledges or deeds of trust or mortgages of or upon the whole or any part of the property held or owned by the Corporation, and to sell and pledge such bonds, as and when the Board of Directors shall determine, and in the promotion of its said corporate business of investment and to the extent authorized by law,
to lease, purchase, hold, sell, assign, transfer, pledge, mortgage and convey real and personal property of any name and nature and any estate or interest therein.
(b) In furtherance of, and not in limitation, of the powers conferred by the laws of the State of Delaware, it is hereby expressly provided that the said Corporation shall also have the following powers:
(1) To do any or all of the things herein set forth, to the same extent as natural persons might or could do, and in any part of the world.
(2) To acquire the good will, rights, property and franchises and to undertake the whole or any part of the assets and liabilities of any person, firm, association or corporation, and to pay for the same in cash, stock of this Corporation, bonds or otherwise; to hold or in any manner to dispose of the whole or any part of the property so purchased; to conduct in any lawful manner the whole or any part of any business so acquired, and to exercise all the powers necessary or convenient in and about the conduct and management of such business.
(3) To take, hold, own, deal in, mortgage or otherwise lien, and to lease, sell, exchange, transfer, or in any manner whatever dispose of property, real, personal or mixed, wherever situated.
(4) To enter into, make, perform and carry out contracts of every kind with any person, firm, association or corporation, and, without limit as to amount, to draw, make, accept, endorse, discount, execute and issue promissory notes, drafts, bills of exchange, warrants, bonds, debentures, and other negotiable or transferable instruments.
(5) To have one or more offices, to carry on all or any of its operations and businesses, without restriction to the same extent as natural persons might or could do, to purchase or otherwise acquire, to hold, own, to mortgage, sell, convey or otherwise dispose of, real and personal property, of every class and description, in any State, District, Territory or Colony of the United States, and in any foreign country or place.
(6) It is the intention that the objects, purposes and powers specified and clauses contained in this paragraph shall (except where otherwise expressed in said paragraph) be nowise limited or restricted by reference to or inference from the terms of any other clause of this or any other paragraph in this charter, but that the objects, purposes and powers specified in each of the clauses of this paragraph shall be regarded as independent objects, purposes and powers.
FOURTH: - (a) The total number of shares of all classes of stock which the Corporation shall have authority to issue is forty-one million (41,000,000) shares, consisting of:
(1) One million (1,000,000) shares of Preferred stock, par value $10.00 per share (hereinafter referred to as "Preferred Stock"); and
(2) Forty million (40,000,000) shares of Common Stock, par value $1.00 per share (hereinafter referred to as "Common Stock").
(b) Shares of Preferred Stock may be issued from time to time in one or more series as may from time to time be determined by the Board of Directors each of said series to be distinctly designated. All shares of any one series of Preferred Stock shall be alike in every particular, except that there may be different dates from which dividends, if any, thereon shall be cumulative, if made cumulative. The voting powers and the preferences and relative, participating, optional and other special rights of each such series, and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof, if any, may differ from those of any and all other series at any time outstanding; and, subject to the provisions of subparagraph 1 of Paragraph (c) of this Article FOURTH, the Board of Directors of the Corporation is hereby expressly granted authority to fix by resolution or resolutions adopted prior to the issuance of any shares of a particular series of Preferred Stock, the voting powers and the designations, preferences and relative, optional and other special rights, and the qualifications, limitations and restrictions of such series, including, but without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the following:
(1) The distinctive designation of, and the number of shares of Preferred Stock which shall constitute such series, which number may be increased (except where otherwise provided by the Board of Directors) or decreased (but not below the number of shares thereof then outstanding) from time to time by like action of the Board of Directors;
(2) The rate and times at which, and the terms and conditions on which, dividends, if any, on Preferred Stock of such series shall be paid, the extent of the preference or relation, if any, of such dividends to the dividends payable on any other class or classes, or series of the same or other class of stock and whether such dividends shall be cumulative or non-cumulative;
(3) The right, if any, of the holders of Preferred Stock of such series to convert the same into or exchange the same for, shares of any other class or classes or of any series of the same or any other class or classes of stock of the Corporation and the terms and conditions of such conversion or exchange;
(4) Whether or not Preferred Stock of such series shall be subject to redemption, and the redemption price or prices and the time or times at which, and the terms and conditions on which, Preferred Stock of such series may be redeemed.
(5) The rights, if any, of the holders of Preferred Stock of such series upon the
voluntary or involuntary liquidation, merger, consolidation, distribution or sale of assets, dissolution or winding-up, of the Corporation.
(6) The terms of the sinking fund or redemption or purchase account, if any, to be provided for the Preferred Stock of such series; and
(7) The voting powers, if any, of the holders of such series of Preferred Stock which may, without limiting the generality of the foregoing include the right, voting as a series or by itself or together with other series of Preferred Stock or all series of Preferred Stock as a class, to elect one or more directors of the Corporation if there shall have been a default in the payment of dividends on any one or more series of Preferred Stock or under such circumstances and on such conditions as the Board of Directors may determine.
(c) (1) After the requirements with respect to preferential dividends on the Preferred Stock (fixed in accordance with the provisions of section (b) of this Article FOURTH), if any, shall have been met and after the Corporation shall have complied with all the requirements, if any, with respect to the setting aside of sums as sinking funds or redemption or purchase accounts (fixed in accordance with the provisions of section (b) of this Article FOURTH), and subject further to any conditions which may be fixed in accordance with the provisions of section (b) of this Article FOURTH, then and not otherwise the holders of Common Stock shall be entitled to receive such dividends as may be declared from time to time by the Board of Directors.
(2) After distribution in full of the preferential amount, if any, (fixed in accordance with the provisions of section (b) of this Article FOURTH), to be distributed to the holders of Preferred Stock in the event of voluntary or involuntary liquidation, distribution or sale of assets, dissolution or winding-up, of the Corporation, the holders of the Common Stock shall be entitled to receive all of the remaining assets of the Corporation, tangible and intangible, of whatever kind available for distribution to stockholders ratably in proportion to the number of shares of Common Stock held by them respectively.
(3) Except as may otherwise be required by law or by the provisions of such resolution or resolutions as may be adopted by the Board of Directors pursuant to section (b) of this Article FOURTH, each holder of Common Stock shall have one vote in respect of each share of Common Stock held on all matters voted upon by the stockholders.
(d) No holder of any of the shares of any class or series of stock or of options, warrants or other rights to purchase shares of any class or series of stock or of other securities of the Corporation shall have any preemptive right to purchase or subscribe for any unissued stock of any class or series or any additional shares of any class or series to be issued by reason of any increase of the authorized capital stock of the Corporation of
any class or series, or bonds, certificates of indebtedness, debentures or other securities convertible into or exchangeable for stock of the Corporation of any class or series, or carrying any right to purchase stock of any class or series, but any such unissued stock, additional authorized issue of shares of any class or series of stock or securities convertible into or exchangeable for stock, or carrying any right to purchase stock, may be issued and disposed of pursuant to resolution of the Board of Directors to such persons, firms, corporations or associations, whether such holders or others, and upon such terms as may be deemed advisable by the Board of Directors in the exercise of its sole discretion.
(e) The relative powers, preferences and rights of each series of Preferred Stock in relation to the relative powers, preferences and rights of each other series of Preferred Stock shall, in each case, be as fixed from time to time by the Board of Directors in the resolution or resolutions adopted pursuant to authority granted in section (b) of this Article FOURTH and the consent, by class or series vote or otherwise, of the holders of such of the series of Preferred Stock as are from time to time outstanding shall not be required for the issuance by the Board of Directors of any other series of Preferred Stock whether or not the powers, preferences and rights of such other series shall be fixed by the Board of Directors as senior to, or on a parity with, the powers, preferences and rights of such outstanding series, or any of them; provided, however, that the Board of Directors may provide in the resolution or resolutions as to any series of Preferred Stock adopted pursuant to section (b) of this Article FOURTH that the consent of the holders of a majority (or such greater proportion as shall be therein fixed) of the outstanding shares of such series voting thereon shall be required for the issuance of any or all other series of Preferred Stock.
(f) Subject to the provisions of section (e), shares of any series of Preferred Stock may be issued from time to time as the Board of Directors of the Corporation shall determine and on such terms and for such consideration as shall be fixed by the Board of Directors.
(g) Shares of Common Stock may be issued from time to time as the Board of Directors of the Corporation shall determine and on such terms and for such consideration as shall be fixed by the Board of Directors.
(h) The authorized amount of shares of Common Stock and of Preferred Stock may, without a class or series vote, be increased or decreased from time to time by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the stock of the Corporation entitled to vote thereon.
FIFTH: - (a) The business and affairs of the Corporation shall be conducted and managed by a Board of Directors. The number of directors constituting the entire Board shall be not less than five nor more than twenty-five as fixed from time to time by vote of a majority of the whole Board, provided, however, that the number of
directors shall not be reduced so as to shorten the term of any director at the time in office, and provided further, that the number of directors constituting the whole Board shall be twenty-four until otherwise fixed by a majority of the whole Board.
(b) The Board of Directors shall be divided into three classes, as nearly equal in number as the then total number of directors constituting the whole Board permits, with the term of office of one class expiring each year. At the annual meeting of stockholders in 1982, directors of the first class shall be elected to hold office for a term expiring at the next succeeding annual meeting, directors of the second class shall be elected to hold office for a term expiring at the second succeeding annual meeting and directors of the third class shall be elected to hold office for a term expiring at the third succeeding annual meeting. Any vacancies in the Board of Directors for any reason, and any newly created directorships resulting from any increase in the directors, may be filled by the Board of Directors, acting by a majority of the directors then in office, although less than a quorum, and any directors so chosen shall hold office until the next annual election of directors. At such election, the stockholders shall elect a successor to such director to hold office until the next election of the class for which such director shall have been chosen and until his successor shall be elected and qualified. No decrease in the number of directors shall shorten the term of any incumbent director.
(c) Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Charter or Act of Incorporation or the By-Laws of the Corporation (and notwithstanding the fact that some lesser percentage may be specified by law, this Charter or Act of Incorporation or the By-Laws of the Corporation), any director or the entire Board of Directors of the Corporation may be removed at any time without cause, but only by the affirmative vote of the holders of two-thirds or more of the outstanding shares of capital stock of the Corporation entitled to vote generally in the election of directors (considered for this purpose as one class) cast at a meeting of the stockholders called for that purpose.
(d) Nominations for the election of directors may be made by the Board of Directors or by any stockholder entitled to vote for the election of directors. Such nominations shall be made by notice in writing, delivered or mailed by first class United States mail, postage prepaid, to the Secretary of the Corporation not less than 14 days nor more than 50 days prior to any meeting of the stockholders called for the election of directors; provided, however, that if less than 21 days' notice of the meeting is given to stockholders, such written notice shall be delivered or mailed, as prescribed, to the Secretary of the Corporation not later than the close of the seventh day following the day on which notice of the meeting was mailed to stockholders. Notice of nominations which are proposed by the Board of Directors shall be given by the Chairman on behalf of the Board.
(e) Each notice under subsection (d) shall set forth (i) the name, age, business address and, if known, residence address of each nominee proposed in such notice, (ii) the
principal occupation or employment of such nominee and (iii) the number of shares of stock of the Corporation which are beneficially owned by each such nominee.
(f) The Chairman of the meeting may, if the facts warrant, determine and declare to the meeting that a nomination was not made in accordance with the foregoing procedure, and if he should so determine, he shall so declare to the meeting and the defective nomination shall be disregarded.
(g) No action required to be taken or which may be taken at any annual or special meeting of stockholders of the Corporation may be taken without a meeting, and the power of stockholders to consent in writing, without a meeting, to the taking of any action is specifically denied.
SIXTH: - The Directors shall choose such officers, agents and servants as may be provided in the By-Laws as they may from time to time find necessary or proper.
SEVENTH: - The Corporation hereby created is hereby given the same powers, rights and privileges as may be conferred upon corporations organized under the Act entitled "An Act Providing a General Corporation Law", approved March 10, 1899, as from time to time amended.
EIGHTH: - This Act shall be deemed and taken to be a private Act.
NINTH: - This Corporation is to have perpetual existence.
TENTH: - The Board of Directors, by resolution passed by a majority of the whole Board, may designate any of their number to constitute an Executive Committee, which Committee, to the extent provided in said resolution, or in the By-Laws of the Company, shall have and may exercise all of the powers of the Board of Directors in the management of the business and affairs of the Corporation, and shall have power to authorize the seal of the Corporation to be affixed to all papers which may require it.
ELEVENTH: - The private property of the stockholders shall not be liable for the payment of corporate debts to any extent whatever.
TWELFTH: - The Corporation may transact business in any part of the world.
THIRTEENTH: - The Board of Directors of the Corporation is expressly authorized to make, alter or repeal the By-Laws of the Corporation by a vote of the majority of the entire Board. The stockholders may make, alter or repeal any By-Law whether or not adopted by them, provided however, that any such additional By-Laws, alterations or repeal may be adopted only by the affirmative vote of the holders of two-thirds or more of the outstanding shares of capital stock of the Corporation entitled to vote generally in the election of directors (considered for this purpose as one class).
FOURTEENTH: - Meetings of the Directors may be held outside of the State of Delaware at such places as may be from time to time designated by the Board, and the Directors may keep the books of the Company outside of the State of Delaware at such places as may be from time to time designated by them.
FIFTEENTH: - (a) (1) In addition to any affirmative vote required by
law, and except as otherwise expressly provided in sections (b) and
(c) of this Article FIFTEENTH:
(A) any merger or consolidation of the Corporation or any Subsidiary (as hereinafter defined) with or into (i) any Interested Stockholder (as hereinafter defined) or (ii) any other corporation (whether or not itself an Interested Stockholder), which, after such merger or consolidation, would be an Affiliate (as hereinafter defined) of an Interested Stockholder, or
(B) any sale, lease, exchange, mortgage, pledge, transfer or other disposition (in one transaction or a series of related transactions) to or with any Interested Stockholder or any Affiliate of any Interested Stockholder of any assets of the Corporation or any Subsidiary having an aggregate fair market value of $1,000,000 or more, or
(C) the issuance or transfer by the Corporation or any Subsidiary (in one transaction or a series of related transactions) of any securities of the Corporation or any Subsidiary to any Interested Stockholder or any Affiliate of any Interested Stockholder in exchange for cash, securities or other property (or a combination thereof) having an aggregate fair market value of $1,000,000 or more, or
(D) the adoption of any plan or proposal for the liquidation or dissolution of the Corporation, or
(E) any reclassification of securities (including any reverse stock split), or recapitalization of the Corporation, or any merger or consolidation of the Corporation with any of its Subsidiaries or any similar transaction (whether or not with or into or otherwise involving an Interested Stockholder) which has the effect, directly or indirectly, of increasing the proportionate share of the outstanding shares of any class of equity or convertible securities of the Corporation or any Subsidiary which is directly or indirectly owned by any Interested Stockholder, or any Affiliate of any Interested Stockholder,
shall require the affirmative vote of the holders of at least two-thirds of the outstanding shares of capital stock of the Corporation entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, considered for the purpose of this Article FIFTEENTH as one class ("Voting Shares"). Such affirmative vote shall be required notwithstanding the fact that no vote may be required, or that some lesser percentage may be specified, by law or in any agreement with any national securities exchange or
otherwise.
(2) The term "business combination" as used in this Article FIFTEENTH shall mean any transaction which is referred to in any one or more of clauses (A) through (E) of paragraph 1 of the section (a).
(b) The provisions of section (a) of this Article FIFTEENTH shall not be applicable to any particular business combination and such business combination shall require only such affirmative vote as is required by law and any other provisions of the Charter or Act of Incorporation or By-Laws if such business combination has been approved by a majority of the whole Board.
(c) For the purposes of this Article FIFTEENTH:
(1) A "person" shall mean any individual, firm, corporation or other entity.
(2) "Interested Stockholder" shall mean, in respect of any business combination, any person (other than the Corporation or any Subsidiary) who or which as of the record date for the determination of stockholders entitled to notice of and to vote on such business combination, or immediately prior to the consummation of any such transaction:
(A) is the beneficial owner, directly or indirectly, of more than 10% of the Voting Shares, or
(B) is an Affiliate of the Corporation and at any time within two years prior thereto was the beneficial owner, directly or indirectly, of not less than 10% of the then outstanding voting Shares, or
(C) is an assignee of or has otherwise succeeded in any share of capital stock of the Corporation which were at any time within two years prior thereto beneficially owned by any Interested Stockholder, and such assignment or succession shall have occurred in the course of a transaction or series of transactions not involving a public offering within the meaning of the Securities Act of 1933.
(3) A person shall be the "beneficial owner" of any Voting Shares:
(A) which such person or any of its Affiliates and Associates (as hereafter defined) beneficially own, directly or indirectly, or
(B) which such person or any of its Affiliates or Associates has (i) the right to acquire (whether such right is exercisable immediately or only after the passage of time), pursuant to any agreement, arrangement or understanding or upon the
exercise of conversion rights, exchange rights, warrants or options, or otherwise, or (ii) the right to vote pursuant to any agreement, arrangement or understanding, or
(C) which are beneficially owned, directly or indirectly, by any other person with which such first mentioned person or any of its Affiliates or Associates has any agreement, arrangement or understanding for the purpose of acquiring, holding, voting or disposing of any shares of capital stock of the Corporation.
(4) The outstanding Voting Shares shall include shares deemed owned through application of paragraph (3) above but shall not include any other Voting Shares which may be issuable pursuant to any agreement, or upon exercise of conversion rights, warrants or options or otherwise.
(5) "Affiliate" and "Associate" shall have the respective meanings given those terms in Rule 12b-2 of the General Rules and Regulations under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as in effect on December 31, 1981.
(6) "Subsidiary" shall mean any corporation of which a majority of any class of equity security (as defined in Rule 3a11-1 of the General Rules and Regulations under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as in effect on December 31, 1981) is owned, directly or indirectly, by the Corporation; provided, however, that for the purposes of the definition of Investment Stockholder set forth in paragraph (2) of this section (c), the term "Subsidiary" shall mean only a corporation of which a majority of each class of equity security is owned, directly or indirectly, by the Corporation.
(d) majority of the directors shall have the power and duty to
determine for the purposes of this Article FIFTEENTH on the
basis of information known to them, (1) the number of Voting
Shares beneficially owned by any person (2) whether a person
is an Affiliate or Associate of another, (3) whether a person
has an agreement, arrangement or understanding with another as
to the matters referred to in paragraph (3) of section (c), or
(4) whether the assets subject to any business combination or
the consideration received for the issuance or transfer of
securities by the Corporation, or any Subsidiary has an
aggregate fair market value of $1,000,000 or more.
(e) Nothing contained in this Article FIFTEENTH shall be construed to relieve any Interested Stockholder from any fiduciary obligation imposed by law.
SIXTEENTH: Notwithstanding any other provision of this Charter or Act of Incorporation or the By-Laws of the Corporation (and in addition to any other vote that may be required by law, this Charter or Act of Incorporation by the By-Laws), the affirmative vote of the holders of at least two-thirds of the outstanding shares of the capital stock of the Corporation entitled to vote generally in the election of directors
(considered for this purpose as one class) shall be required to amend, alter or repeal any provision of Articles FIFTH, THIRTEENTH, FIFTEENTH or SIXTEENTH of this Charter or Act of Incorporation.
SEVENTEENTH: (a) a Director of this Corporation shall not be liable to the Corporation or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a Director, except to the extent such exemption from liability or limitation thereof is not permitted under the Delaware General Corporation Laws as the same exists or may hereafter be amended.
(b) Any repeal or modification of the foregoing paragraph shall not adversely affect any right or protection of a Director of the Corporation existing hereunder with respect to any act or omission occurring prior to the time of such repeal or modification."
EXHIBIT B
BY-LAWS
WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY
WILMINGTON, DELAWARE
AS EXISTING ON JANUARY 16, 2003
BY-LAWS OF WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY
ARTICLE I
STOCKHOLDERS' MEETINGS
Section 1. Annual Meeting. The annual meeting of stockholders shall be held on the third Thursday in April each year at the principal office at the Company or at such other date, time or place as may be designated by resolution by the Board of Directors.
Section 2. Special Meetings. Special meetings of stockholders may be called at any time by the Board of Directors, the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer or the President.
Section 3. Notice. Notice of all meetings of the stockholders shall be given by mailing to each stockholder at least ten (10) days before said meeting, at his last known address, a written or printed notice fixing the time and place of such meeting.
Section 4. Quorum. A majority in the amount of the capital stock of the Company issued and outstanding on the record date, as herein determined, shall constitute a quorum at all meetings of stockholders for the transaction of any business, but the holders of a smaller number of shares may adjourn from time to time, without further notice, until a quorum is secured. At each annual or special meeting of stockholders, each stockholder shall be entitled to one vote, either in person or by proxy, for each share of stock registered in the stockholder's name on the books of the Company on the record date for any such meeting as determined herein.
ARTICLE 2
DIRECTORS
Section 1. Management. The affairs and business of the Company shall be managed by or under the direction of the Board of Directors.
Section 2. Number. The authorized number of directors that shall constitute the Board of Directors shall be fixed from time to time by or pursuant to a resolution passed by a majority of the Board of Directors within the parameters set by the Charter of the Company. No more than two directors may also be employees of the Company or any affiliate thereof.
Section 3. Qualification. In addition to any other provisions of these Bylaws, to be qualified for nomination for election or appointment to the Board of Directors, a person must have not attained the age of sixty-nine years at the time of such election or appointment, provided however, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee may waive such qualification as to a particular candidate otherwise qualified to serve as a director upon a good faith determination by such committee that such a waiver is in the best interests of the Company and its stockholders. The
Chairman of the Board and the Chief Executive Officer shall not be qualified to continue to serve as directors upon the termination of their service in those offices for any reason.
Section 4. Meetings. The Board of Directors shall meet at the principal office of the Company or elsewhere in its discretion at such times to be determined by a majority of its members, or at the call of the Chairman of the Board of Directors, the Chief Executive Officer or the President.
Section 5. Special Meetings. Special meetings of the Board of Directors may be called at any time by the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer or the President, and shall be called upon the written request of a majority of the directors.
Section 6. Quorum. A majority of the directors elected and qualified shall be necessary to constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at any meeting of the Board of Directors.
Section 7. Notice. Written notice shall be sent by mail to each director of any special meeting of the Board of Directors, and of any change in the time or place of any regular meeting, stating the time and place of such meeting, which shall be mailed not less than two days before the time of holding such meeting.
Section 8. Vacancies. In the event of the death, resignation, removal, inability to act or disqualification of any director, the Board of Directors, although less than a quorum, shall have the right to elect the successor who shall hold office for the remainder of the full term of the class of directors in which the vacancy occurred, and until such director's successor shall have been duly elected and qualified.
Section 9. Organization Meeting. The Board of Directors at its first meeting after its election by the stockholders shall appoint an Executive Committee, an Audit Committee, a Compensation Committee and a Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, and shall elect from its own members a Chairman of the Board, a Chief Executive Officer and a President, who may be the same person. The Board of Directors shall also elect at such meeting a Secretary and a Chief Financial Officer, who may be the same person, and may appoint at any time such committees as it may deem advisable. The Board of Directors may also elect at such meeting one or more Associate Directors. The Board of Directors, the Executive Committee or another committee designated by the Board of Directors may elect or appoint such other officers as they may deem advisable.
Section 10. Removal. The Board of Directors may at any time remove, with or without cause, any member of any committee appointed by it or any associate director or officer elected by it and may appoint or elect his successor.
Section 11. Responsibility of Officers. The Board of Directors may designate an officer to be in charge of such departments or divisions of the Company as it may deem advisable.
Section 12. Participation in Meetings. The Board of Directors or any committee of the Board of Directors may participate in a meeting of the Board of Directors or such committee, as the case may be, by conference telephone, video facilities or other communications equipment. Any action required or permitted to be taken at any meeting of the Board of Directors or any committee thereof may be taken without a meeting if all of the members of the Board of Directors or the committee, as the case may be, consent thereto in writing, and the writing or writings are filed with the minutes of the Board of Directors or such committee.
ARTICLE 3
COMMITTEES OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Section 1. Executive Committee.
(A) The Executive Committee shall be composed of not more than nine
(9) members, who shall be selected by the Board of Directors from its own
members, and who shall hold office at the pleasure of the Board of Directors.
(B) The Executive Committee shall have and may exercise, to the fullest extent permitted by law, all of the powers of the Board of Directors when it is not in session to transact all business for and on behalf of the Company that may be brought before it.
(C) The Executive Committee shall meet at the principal office of the Company or elsewhere in its discretion at such times to be determined by a majority of its members, or at the call of the Chairman of the Executive Committee, the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer or the President. The majority of its members shall be necessary to constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. Special meetings of the Executive Committee may be held at any time when a quorum is present.
(D) Minutes of each meeting of the Executive Committee shall be kept and submitted to the Board of Directors at its next meeting.
(E) In the event of an emergency of sufficient severity to prevent the conduct and management of the affairs and business of the Company by its directors and officers as contemplated by these Bylaws, any two available members of the Executive Committee as constituted immediately prior to such emergency shall constitute a quorum of that Committee for the full conduct and management of the affairs and business of the Company in accordance with the provisions of Article 3 of these Bylaws. In the event of the unavailability, at such time, of a minimum of two members of the Executive Committee, any three available directors shall constitute the Executive Committee for the full conduct and management of the affairs and business of the Company in accordance with the foregoing provisions of this Section. This Bylaw shall be subject to implementation by resolutions of the Board of Directors presently existing or hereafter passed from time to time for that purpose, and any provisions of these Bylaws (other than this Section) and any resolutions which are contrary
to the provisions of this Section or to the provisions of any such implementing resolutions shall be suspended during such a disaster period until it shall be determined by any interim Executive Committee acting under this Section that it shall be to the advantage of the Company to resume the conduct and management of its affairs and business under all of the other provisions of these Bylaws.
Section 2. Audit Committee.
(A) The Audit Committee shall be composed of not more than five (5)
members, who shall be selected by the Board of Directors from its own members,
none of whom shall be an officer or employee of the Company, and shall hold
office at the pleasure of the Board.
(B) The Audit Committee shall have general supervision over the Audit Services Division in all matters however subject to the approval of the Board of Directors; it shall consider all matters brought to its attention by the officer in charge of the Audit Services Division, review all reports of examination of the Company made by any governmental agency or such independent auditor employed for that purpose, and make such recommendations to the Board of Directors with respect thereto or with respect to any other matters pertaining to auditing the Company as it shall deem desirable.
(C) The Audit Committee shall meet whenever and wherever its Chairperson, the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, the President or a majority of the Committee's members shall deem it to be proper for the transaction of its business. A majority of the Committee's members shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. The acts of the majority at a meeting at which a quorum is present shall constitute action by the Committee.
Section 3. Compensation Committee.
(A) The Compensation Committee shall be composed of not more than five (5) members, who shall be selected by the Board of Directors from its own members, none of whom shall be an officer or employee of the Company, and shall hold office at the pleasure of the Board of Directors.
(B) The Compensation Committee shall in general advise upon all matters of policy concerning compensation, including salaries and employee benefits.
(C) The Compensation Committee shall meet whenever and wherever its Chairperson, the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, the President or a majority of the Committee's members shall deem it to be proper for the transaction of its business. A majority of the Committee's members shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. The acts of the majority at a meeting at which a quorum is present shall constitute action by the Committee.
SECTION 4. NOMINATING AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE COMMITTEE.
(A) The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee shall be composed of not more than five members, who shall be selected by the Board of Directors from its own members, none of whom shall be an officer or employee of the Company, and shall hold office at the pleasure of the Board of Directors.
(B) The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee shall provide counsel and make recommendations to the Chairman of the Board and the full Board with respect to the performance of the Chairman of the Board and the Chief Executive Officer, candidates for membership on the Board of Directors and its committees, matters of corporate governance, succession planning for the Company's executive management and significant shareholder relations issues.
(C) The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee shall meet whenever and wherever its Chairperson, the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, the President, or a majority of the Committee's members shall deem it to be proper for the transaction of its business. A majority of the Committee's members shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. The acts of the majority at a meeting at which a quorum is present shall constitute action by the Committee.
Section 5. Other Committees. The Company may have such other committees with such powers as the Board may designate from time to time by resolution or by an amendment to these Bylaws.
Section 6. Associate Directors.
(A) Any person who has served as a director may be elected by the Board of Directors as an associate director, to serve at the pleasure of the Board of Directors.
(B) Associate directors shall be entitled to attend all meetings of directors and participate in the discussion of all matters brought to the Board of Directors, but will not have a right to vote.
Section 7. Absence or Disqualification of Any Member of a Committee. In the absence or disqualification of any member of any committee created under Article III of these Bylaws, the member or members thereof present at any meeting and not disqualified from voting, whether or not he or they constitute a quorum, may unanimously appoint another member of the Board of Directors to act at the meeting in the place of any such absent or disqualified member.
ARTICLE 4
OFFICERS
Section 1. Chairman of the Board. The Chairman of the Board shall preside at all meetings of the Board of Directors and shall have such further authority and powers and shall perform such duties the Board of Directors may assign to him from time to time.
Section 2. Chief Executive Officer. The Chief Executive Officer shall have the powers and duties pertaining to the office of Chief Executive Officer conferred or imposed upon him by statute, incident to his office or as the Board of Directors may assign to him from time to time. In the absence of the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer shall have the powers and duties of the Chairman of the Board.
Section 3. President. The President shall have the powers and duties pertaining to the office of the President conferred or imposed upon him by statute, incident to his office or as the Board of Directors may assign to him from time to time. In the absence of the Chairman of the Board and the Chief Executive Officer, the President shall have the powers and duties of the Chairman of the Board.
Section 4. Duties. The Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer or the President, as designated by the Board of Directors, shall carry into effect all legal directions of the Executive Committee and of the Board of Directors and shall at all times exercise general supervision over the interest, affairs and operations of the Company and perform all duties incident to his office.
Section 5. Vice Presidents. There may be one or more Vice Presidents, however denominated by the Board of Directors, who may at any time perform all of the duties of the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer and/or the President and such other powers and duties incident to their respective offices or as the Board of Directors, the Executive Committee, the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer or the President or the officer in charge of the department or division to which they are assigned may assign to them from time to time.
Section 6. Secretary. The Secretary shall attend to the giving of notice of meetings of the stockholders and the Board of Directors, as well as the committees thereof, to the keeping of accurate minutes of all such meetings, recording the same in the minute books of the Company and in general notifying the Board of Directors of material matters affecting the Company on a timely basis. In addition to the other notice requirements of these Bylaws and as may be practicable under the circumstances, all such notices shall be in writing and mailed well in advance of the scheduled date of any such meeting. He shall have custody of the corporate seal, affix the same to any documents requiring such corporate seal, attest the same and perform other duties incident to his office.
Section 7. Chief Financial Officer. The Chief Financial Officer shall have general supervision over all assets and liabilities of the Company. He shall be custodian of and responsible for all monies, funds and valuables of the Company and for the keeping of proper records of the evidence of property or indebtedness and of all transactions of the Company. He shall have general supervision of the expenditures of the Company and periodically shall report to the Board of Directors the condition of the Company, and perform such other duties incident to his office or as the
Board of Directors, the Executive Committee, the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer or the President may assign to him from time to time.
Section 8. Controller. There may be a Controller who shall exercise general supervision over the internal operations of the Company, including accounting, and shall render to the Board of Directors or the Audit Committee at appropriate times a report relating to the general condition and internal operations of the Company and perform other duties incident to his office.
There may be one or more subordinate accounting or controller officers however denominated, who may perform the duties of the Controller and such duties as may be prescribed by the Controller.
Section 9. Audit Officers. The officer designated by the Board of Directors to be in charge of the Audit Services Division of the Company, with such title as the Board of Directors shall prescribe, shall report to and be directly responsible to the Audit Committee and the Board of Directors.
There shall be an Auditor and there may be one or more Audit Officers, however denominated, who may perform all the duties of the Auditor and such duties as may be prescribed by the officer in charge of the Audit Services Division.
Section 10. Other Officers. There may be one or more officers, subordinate in rank to all Vice Presidents with such functional titles as shall be determined from time to time by the Board of Directors, who shall ex officio hold the office of Assistant Secretary of the Company and who may perform such duties as may be prescribed by the officer in charge of the department or division to which they are assigned.
Section 11. Powers and Duties of Other Officers. The powers and duties of all other officers of the Company shall be those usually pertaining to their respective offices, subject to the direction of the Board of Directors, the Executive Committee, the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer or the President and the officer in charge of the department or division to which they are assigned.
Section 12. Number of Offices. Any one or more offices of the Company may be held by the same person, except that (A) no individual may hold more than one of the offices of Chief Financial Officer, Controller or Audit Officer and (B) none of the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer or the President may hold any office mentioned in Section 12(A).
ARTICLE 5
STOCK AND STOCK CERTIFICATES
Section 1. Transfer. Shares of stock shall be transferable on the books of the Company and a transfer book shall be kept in which all transfers of stock shall be recorded.
Section 2. Certificates. Every holder of stock shall be entitled to have a certificate signed by or in the name of the Company by the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer or the President or a Vice President, and by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary, of the Company, certifying the number of shares owned by him in the Company. The corporate seal affixed thereto, and any of or all the signatures on the certificate, may be a facsimile. In case any officer, transfer agent or registrar who has signed or whose facsimile signature has been placed upon a certificate shall have ceased to be such officer, transfer agent or registrar before such certificate is issued, it may be issued by the Company with the same effect as if he were such officer, transfer agent or registrar at the date of issue. Duplicate certificates of stock shall be issued only upon giving such security as may be satisfactory to the Board of Directors or the Executive Committee.
Section 3. Record Date. The Board of Directors is authorized to fix in advance a record date for the determination of the stockholders entitled to notice of, and to vote at, any meeting of stockholders and any adjournment thereof, or entitled to receive payment of any dividend, or to any allotment of rights, or to exercise any rights in respect of any change, conversion or exchange of capital stock, or in connection with obtaining the consent of stockholders for any purpose, which record date shall not be more than 60 nor less than 10 days preceding the date of any meeting of stockholders or the date for the payment of any dividend, or the date for the allotment of rights, or the date when any change or conversion or exchange of capital stock shall go into effect, or a date in connection with obtaining such consent.
ARTICLE 6
SEAL
The corporate seal of the Company shall be in the following form:
Between two concentric circles the words "Wilmington Trust Company" within the inner circle the words "Wilmington, Delaware."
ARTICLE 7
FISCAL YEAR
The fiscal year of the Company shall be the calendar year.
ARTICLE 8
EXECUTION OF INSTRUMENTS OF THE COMPANY
The Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, the President or any Vice President, however denominated by the Board of Directors, shall have full power and authority to enter into, make, sign, execute, acknowledge and/or deliver and the Secretary or any Assistant Secretary shall have full power and authority to attest and affix the corporate seal of the Company to any and all deeds, conveyances, assignments, releases, contracts, agreements, bonds, notes, mortgages and all other instruments incident to the business of this Company or in acting as executor, administrator, guardian, trustee, agent or in any other fiduciary or representative capacity by any and every method of appointment or by whatever person, corporation, court officer or authority in the State of Delaware, or elsewhere, without any specific authority, ratification, approval or confirmation by the Board of Directors or the Executive Committee, and any and all such instruments shall have the same force and validity as though expressly authorized by the Board of Directors and/or the Executive Committee.
ARTICLE 9
COMPENSATION OF DIRECTORS AND MEMBERS OF COMMITTEES
Directors and associate directors of the Company, other than salaried officers of the Company, shall be paid such reasonable honoraria or fees for attending meetings of the Board of Directors as the Board of Directors may from time to time determine. Directors and associate directors who serve as members of committees, other than salaried employees of the Company, shall be paid such reasonable honoraria or fees for services as members of committees as the Board of Directors shall from time to time determine and directors and associate directors may be authorized by the Company to perform such special services as the Board of Directors may from time to time determine in accordance with any guidelines the Board of Directors may adopt for such services, and shall be paid for such special services so performed reasonable compensation as may be determined by the Board of Directors.
ARTICLE 10
INDEMNIFICATION
Section 1. Persons Covered. The Company shall indemnify and hold harmless, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law as it presently exists or may hereafter be amended, any person who was or is made or is threatened to be made a party or is otherwise involved in any action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (a "proceeding") by reason of the fact that he, or a person for whom he is the legal representative, is or was a director of the Company or is or was serving at the request of the Company as a director, officer, employee, fiduciary or agent of another corporation, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, trust, enterprise or non-profit entity that is not a subsidiary or affiliate of the Company, including service with respect to employee benefit plans, against all liability and loss suffered and expenses reasonably incurred by such person. The Company shall be required to indemnify such a person in connection with a proceeding initiated by such person only if the proceeding was authorized by the Board of Directors.
The Company may indemnify and hold harmless, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law as it presently exists or may hereafter be amended, any person who was or is made or threatened to be made a party or is otherwise involved in any proceeding by reason of the fact that he, or a person for whom he is the legal representative, is or was an officer, employee or agent of the Company or a director, officer, employee or agent of a subsidiary or affiliate of the Company, against all liability and loss suffered and expenses reasonably incurred by such person. The Company may indemnify any such person in connection with a proceeding (or part thereof) initiated by such person only if such proceeding (or part thereof) was authorized by the Board of Directors.
Section 2. Advance of Expenses. The Company shall pay the expenses incurred in defending any proceeding involving a person who is or may be indemnified pursuant to Section 1 in advance of its final disposition, provided, however, that the payment of expenses incurred by such a person in advance of the final disposition of the proceeding shall be made only upon receipt of an undertaking by that person to repay all amounts advanced if it should be ultimately determined that the person is not entitled to be indemnified under this Article 10 or otherwise.
Section 3. Certain Rights. If a claim under this Article 10 for (A) payment of expenses or (B) indemnification by a director or person who is or was serving at the request of the Company as a director, officer, employee, fiduciary or agent of another corporation, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, trust, enterprise or nonprofit entity that is not a subsidiary or affiliate of the Company, including service with respect to employee benefit plans, is not paid in full within sixty days after a written claim therefor has been received by the Company, the claimant may file suit to recover the unpaid amount of such claim and, if successful in whole or in part, shall be entitled to be paid the expense of prosecuting such claim. In any such action, the Company shall have the burden of proving that the claimant was not entitled to the requested indemnification or payment of expenses under applicable law.
Section 4. Non-Exclusive. The rights conferred on any person by this Article 10 shall not be exclusive of any other rights which such person may have or hereafter acquire under any statute, provision of the Charter or Act of Incorporation, these Bylaws, agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors or otherwise.
Section 5. Reduction of Amount. The Company's obligation, if any, to indemnify any person who was or is serving at its request as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, enterprise or nonprofit entity shall be reduced by any amount such person may collect as indemnification from such other corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, enterprise or nonprofit entity.
Section 6. Effect of Modification. Any amendment, repeal or modification of the foregoing provisions of this Article 10 shall not adversely affect any right or protection hereunder of any person in respect of any act or omission occurring prior to the time of such amendment, repeal or modification.
ARTICLE 11
AMENDMENTS TO THE BYLAWS
These Bylaws may be altered, amended or repealed, in whole or in part, and any new Bylaw or Bylaws adopted at any regular or special meeting of the Board of Directors by a vote of a majority of all the members of the Board of Directors then in office.
ARTICLE 12
MISCELLANEOUS
Whenever used in these Bylaws, the singular shall include the plural, the plural shall include the singular unless the context requires otherwise and the use of either gender shall include both genders.
EXHIBIT C
SECTION 321(b) CONSENT
Pursuant to Section 321(b) of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, Wilmington Trust Company hereby consents that reports of examinations by Federal, State, Territorial or District authorities may be furnished by such authorities to the Securities and Exchange Commission upon requests therefor.
WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY
Dated: August 11, 2003 By: /s/ Mary C. St.Amand
----------------------
Name: Mary C. St.Amand
Title: Vice President
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EXHIBIT D
NOTICE
This form is intended to assist state nonmember banks and savings banks with state publication requirements. It has not been approved by any state banking authorities. Refer to your appropriate state banking authorities for your state publication requirements.
REPORT OF CONDITION
Consolidating domestic subsidiaries of the
WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY of WILMINGTON
---------------------------------------------------------- ------------------
Name of Bank City
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in the State of DELAWARE , at the close of business on June 30, 2003.
ASSETS
Thousands of dollars
Cash and balances due from depository institutions:
Noninterest-bearing balances and currency and coins ............ 221,573
Interest-bearing balances ...................................... 0
Held-to-maturity securities ............................................. 3,777
Available-for-sale securities ........................................... 1,684,467
Federal funds sold in domestic offices .................................. 465,275
Securities purchased under agreements to resell ......................... 18,800
Loans and lease financing receivables:
Loans and leases held for sale ................................. 0
Loans and leases, net of unearned income ....................... 5,598,733
LESS: Allowance for loan and lease losses ..................... 77,873
Loans and leases, net of unearned income, allowance, and reserve 5,520,860
Assets held in trading accounts ......................................... 0
Premises and fixed assets (including capitalized leases) ................ 142,672
Other real estate owned ................................................. 2,986
Investments in unconsolidated subsidiaries and associated companies ..... 2,496
Customers' liability to this bank on acceptances outstanding ............ 0
Intangible assets:
a. Goodwill ................................................... 157
b. Other intangible assets .................................... 11,897
Other assets ............................................................ 171,667
Total assets ............................................................ 8,246,627
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CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE
LIABILITIES
Deposits:
In domestic offices .......................................................................... 6,415,199
Noninterest-bearing ................................................................. 1,011,850
Interest-bearing .................................................................... 5,403,349
Federal funds purchased in domestic offices .................................................. 286,799
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase ............................................... 207,308
Trading liabilities (from Schedule RC-D) ..................................................... 0
Other borrowed money (includes mortgage indebtedness and obligations under capitalized leases: 597,518
Bank's liability on acceptances executed and outstanding ..................................... 0
Subordinated notes and debentures ............................................................ 0
Other liabilities (from Schedule RC-G) ....................................................... 98,337
Total liabilities ............................................................................ 7,605,161
EQUITY CAPITAL
Perpetual preferred stock and related surplus ................................................ 0
Common Stock ................................................................................. 500
Surplus (exclude all surplus related to preferred stock) ..................................... 112,358
a. Retained earnings ........................................................................ 526,582
b. Accumulated other comprehensive income ................................................... 2,026
Total equity capital ......................................................................... 641,466
Total liabilities, limited-life preferred stock, and equity capital .......................... 8,246,627
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Exhibit 25.03
Registration No.
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM T-1
STATEMENT OF ELIGIBILITY UNDER THE TRUST INDENTURE ACT OF 1939
OF A CORPORATION DESIGNATED TO ACT AS TRUSTEE
CHECK IF AN APPLICATION TO DETERMINE ELIGIBILITY OF A TRUSTEE PURSUANT TO
SECTION 305(b)(2)
WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY
(Exact name of trustee as specified in its charter)
Delaware 51-0055023
(State of incorporation) (I.R.S. employer identification no.)
Rodney Square North
1100 North Market Street
Wilmington, Delaware 19890
(Address of principal executive offices)
Cynthia L. Corliss
Vice President and Trust Counsel
Wilmington Trust Company
Rodney Square North
Wilmington, Delaware 19890
(302) 651-8516
(Name, address and telephone number of agent for service)
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HARTFORD CAPITAL IV
(Exact name of obligor as specified in its charter)
DELAWARE 82-6097264
(State of incorporation) (I.R.S. employer identification no.)
C/O THE HARTFORD FINANCIAL SERVICES GROUP, INC.
HARTFORD PLAZA
HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT 06115
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
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GUARANTEE WITH RESPECT TO PREFERRED SECURITIES OF HARTFORD CAPITAL IV
(Title of the indenture securities)
ITEM 1. GENERAL INFORMATION.
Furnish the following information as to the trustee:
(a) Name and address of each examining or supervising authority to which it is subject.
Federal Deposit Insurance Co. State Bank Commissioner Five Penn Center Dover, Delaware Suite #2901 Philadelphia, PA |
(b) Whether it is authorized to exercise corporate trust powers.
The trustee is authorized to exercise corporate trust powers.
ITEM 2. AFFILIATIONS WITH THE OBLIGOR.
If the obligor is an affiliate of the trustee, describe each affiliation:
Based upon an examination of the books and records of the trustee and upon information furnished by the obligor, the obligor is not an affiliate of the trustee.
ITEM 16. LIST OF EXHIBITS.
List below all exhibits filed as part of this Statement of Eligibility and Qualification.
A. Copy of the Charter of Wilmington Trust Company, which includes the authorization of Wilmington Trust Company to exercise corporate trust powers.
B. Copy of By-Laws of Wilmington Trust Company.
C. Consent of Wilmington Trust Company required by Section 321(b) of Trust Indenture Act.
D. Copy of most recent Report of Condition of Wilmington Trust Company.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, the trustee, Wilmington Trust Company, a corporation organized and existing under the laws of Delaware, has duly caused this Statement of Eligibility to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, all in the City of Wilmington and State of Delaware on the 11th day of August 2003.
WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY
[SEAL]
Attest: /s/ Michael G. Oller, Jr. By: /s/ Mary C. St.Amand
-------------------------------------- -----------------------
Assistant Secretary Name: Mary C. St.Amand
Title: Vice President
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EXHIBIT A
AMENDED CHARTER
WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY
WILMINGTON, DELAWARE
AS EXISTING ON MAY 9, 1987
AMENDED CHARTER
OR
ACT OF INCORPORATION
OF
WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY
WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY, originally incorporated by an Act of the General Assembly of the State of Delaware, entitled "An Act to Incorporate the Delaware Guarantee and Trust Company", approved March 2, A.D. 1901, and the name of which company was changed to "WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY" by an amendment filed in the Office of the Secretary of State on March 18, A.D. 1903, and the Charter or Act of Incorporation of which company has been from time to time amended and changed by merger agreements pursuant to the corporation law for state banks and trust companies of the State of Delaware, does hereby alter and amend its Charter or Act of Incorporation so that the same as so altered and amended shall in its entirety read as follows:
FIRST: - The name of this corporation is WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY.
SECOND: - The location of its principal office in the State of Delaware is at Rodney Square North, in the City of Wilmington, County of New Castle; the name of its resident agent is WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY whose address is Rodney Square North, in said City. In addition to such principal office, the said corporation maintains and operates branch offices in the City of Newark, New Castle County, Delaware, the Town of Newport, New Castle County, Delaware, at Claymont, New Castle County, Delaware, at Greenville, New Castle County Delaware, and at Milford Cross Roads, New Castle County, Delaware, and shall be empowered to open, maintain and operate branch offices at Ninth and Shipley Streets, 418 Delaware Avenue, 2120 Market Street, and 3605 Market Street, all in the City of Wilmington, New Castle County, Delaware, and such other branch offices or places of business as may be authorized from time to time by the agency or agencies of the government of the State of Delaware empowered to confer such authority.
THIRD: - (a) The nature of the business and the objects and purposes proposed to be transacted, promoted or carried on by this Corporation are to do any or all of the things herein mentioned as fully and to the same extent as natural persons might or could do and in any part of the world, viz.:
(1) To sue and be sued, complain and defend in any Court of law or equity and to make and use a common seal, and alter the seal at pleasure, to hold, purchase, convey, mortgage or otherwise deal in real and personal estate and property, and to appoint such officers and agents as the business of the Corporation shall require, to make by-laws not inconsistent with the Constitution or laws of the United States or of this State, to discount bills, notes or other evidences of debt, to receive deposits of money, or securities for money, to buy gold and silver
bullion and foreign coins, to buy and sell bills of exchange, and generally to use, exercise and enjoy all the powers, rights, privileges and franchises incident to a corporation which are proper or necessary for the transaction of the business of the Corporation hereby created.
(2) To insure titles to real and personal property, or any estate or interests therein, and to guarantee the holder of such property, real or personal, against any claim or claims, adverse to his interest therein, and to prepare and give certificates of title for any lands or premises in the State of Delaware, or elsewhere.
(3) To act as factor, agent, broker or attorney in the receipt, collection, custody, investment and management of funds, and the purchase, sale, management and disposal of property of all descriptions, and to prepare and execute all papers which may be necessary or proper in such business.
(4) To prepare and draw agreements, contracts, deeds, leases, conveyances, mortgages, bonds and legal papers of every description, and to carry on the business of conveyancing in all its branches.
(5) To receive upon deposit for safekeeping money, jewelry, plate, deeds, bonds and any and all other personal property of every sort and kind, from executors, administrators, guardians, public officers, courts, receivers, assignees, trustees, and from all fiduciaries, and from all other persons and individuals, and from all corporations whether state, municipal, corporate or private, and to rent boxes, safes, vaults and other receptacles for such property.
(6) To act as agent or otherwise for the purpose of registering, issuing, certificating, countersigning, transferring or underwriting the stock, bonds or other obligations of any corporation, association, state or municipality, and may receive and manage any sinking fund therefor on such terms as may be agreed upon between the two parties, and in like manner may act as Treasurer of any corporation or municipality.
(7) To act as Trustee under any deed of trust, mortgage, bond or other instrument issued by any state, municipality, body politic, corporation, association or person, either alone or in conjunction with any other person or persons, corporation or corporations.
(8) To guarantee the validity, performance or effect of any contract or agreement, and the fidelity of persons holding places of responsibility or trust; to become surety for any person, or persons, for the faithful performance of any trust, office, duty, contract or agreement, either by itself or in conjunction with any other person, or persons, corporation, or corporations, or in like manner
become surety upon any bond, recognizance, obligation, judgment, suit, order, or decree to be entered in any court of record within the State of Delaware or elsewhere, or which may now or hereafter be required by any law, judge, officer or court in the State of Delaware or elsewhere.
(9) To act by any and every method of appointment as trustee, trustee in bankruptcy, receiver, assignee, assignee in bankruptcy, executor, administrator, guardian, bailee, or in any other trust capacity in the receiving, holding, managing, and disposing of any and all estates and property, real, personal or mixed, and to be appointed as such trustee, trustee in bankruptcy, receiver, assignee, assignee in bankruptcy, executor, administrator, guardian or bailee by any persons, corporations, court, officer, or authority, in the State of Delaware or elsewhere; and whenever this Corporation is so appointed by any person, corporation, court, officer or authority such trustee, trustee in bankruptcy, receiver, assignee, assignee in bankruptcy, executor, administrator, guardian, bailee, or in any other trust capacity, it shall not be required to give bond with surety, but its capital stock shall be taken and held as security for the performance of the duties devolving upon it by such appointment.
(10) And for its care, management and trouble, and the exercise of any of its powers hereby given, or for the performance of any of the duties which it may undertake or be called upon to perform, or for the assumption of any responsibility the said Corporation may be entitled to receive a proper compensation.
(11) To purchase, receive, hold and own bonds, mortgages, debentures, shares of capital stock, and other securities, obligations, contracts and evidences of indebtedness, of any private, public or municipal corporation within and without the State of Delaware, or of the Government of the United States, or of any state, territory, colony, or possession thereof, or of any foreign government or country; to receive, collect, receipt for, and dispose of interest, dividends and income upon and from any of the bonds, mortgages, debentures, notes, shares of capital stock, securities, obligations, contracts, evidences of indebtedness and other property held and owned by it, and to exercise in respect of all such bonds, mortgages, debentures, notes, shares of capital stock, securities, obligations, contracts, evidences of indebtedness and other property, any and all the rights, powers and privileges of individual owners thereof, including the right to vote thereon; to invest and deal in and with any of the moneys of the Corporation upon such securities and in such manner as it may think fit and proper, and from time to time to vary or realize such investments; to issue bonds and secure the same by pledges or deeds of trust or mortgages of or upon the whole or any part of the property held or owned by the Corporation, and to sell and pledge such bonds, as and when the Board of Directors shall determine, and in the promotion of its said corporate business of investment and to the extent authorized by law,
to lease, purchase, hold, sell, assign, transfer, pledge, mortgage and convey real and personal property of any name and nature and any estate or interest therein.
(b) In furtherance of, and not in limitation, of the powers conferred by the laws of the State of Delaware, it is hereby expressly provided that the said Corporation shall also have the following powers:
(1) To do any or all of the things herein set forth, to the same extent as natural persons might or could do, and in any part of the world.
(2) To acquire the good will, rights, property and franchises and to undertake the whole or any part of the assets and liabilities of any person, firm, association or corporation, and to pay for the same in cash, stock of this Corporation, bonds or otherwise; to hold or in any manner to dispose of the whole or any part of the property so purchased; to conduct in any lawful manner the whole or any part of any business so acquired, and to exercise all the powers necessary or convenient in and about the conduct and management of such business.
(3) To take, hold, own, deal in, mortgage or otherwise lien, and to lease, sell, exchange, transfer, or in any manner whatever dispose of property, real, personal or mixed, wherever situated.
(4) To enter into, make, perform and carry out contracts of every kind with any person, firm, association or corporation, and, without limit as to amount, to draw, make, accept, endorse, discount, execute and issue promissory notes, drafts, bills of exchange, warrants, bonds, debentures, and other negotiable or transferable instruments.
(5) To have one or more offices, to carry on all or any of its operations and businesses, without restriction to the same extent as natural persons might or could do, to purchase or otherwise acquire, to hold, own, to mortgage, sell, convey or otherwise dispose of, real and personal property, of every class and description, in any State, District, Territory or Colony of the United States, and in any foreign country or place.
(6) It is the intention that the objects, purposes and powers specified and clauses contained in this paragraph shall (except where otherwise expressed in said paragraph) be nowise limited or restricted by reference to or inference from the terms of any other clause of this or any other paragraph in this charter, but that the objects, purposes and powers specified in each of the clauses of this paragraph shall be regarded as independent objects, purposes and powers.
FOURTH: - (a) The total number of shares of all classes of stock which the Corporation shall have authority to issue is forty-one million (41,000,000) shares, consisting of:
(1) One million (1,000,000) shares of Preferred stock, par value $10.00 per share (hereinafter referred to as "Preferred Stock"); and
(2) Forty million (40,000,000) shares of Common Stock, par value $1.00 per share (hereinafter referred to as "Common Stock").
(b) Shares of Preferred Stock may be issued from time to time in one or more series as may from time to time be determined by the Board of Directors each of said series to be distinctly designated. All shares of any one series of Preferred Stock shall be alike in every particular, except that there may be different dates from which dividends, if any, thereon shall be cumulative, if made cumulative. The voting powers and the preferences and relative, participating, optional and other special rights of each such series, and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof, if any, may differ from those of any and all other series at any time outstanding; and, subject to the provisions of subparagraph 1 of Paragraph (c) of this Article FOURTH, the Board of Directors of the Corporation is hereby expressly granted authority to fix by resolution or resolutions adopted prior to the issuance of any shares of a particular series of Preferred Stock, the voting powers and the designations, preferences and relative, optional and other special rights, and the qualifications, limitations and restrictions of such series, including, but without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the following:
(1) The distinctive designation of, and the number of shares of Preferred Stock which shall constitute such series, which number may be increased (except where otherwise provided by the Board of Directors) or decreased (but not below the number of shares thereof then outstanding) from time to time by like action of the Board of Directors;
(2) The rate and times at which, and the terms and conditions on which, dividends, if any, on Preferred Stock of such series shall be paid, the extent of the preference or relation, if any, of such dividends to the dividends payable on any other class or classes, or series of the same or other class of stock and whether such dividends shall be cumulative or non-cumulative;
(3) The right, if any, of the holders of Preferred Stock of such series to convert the same into or exchange the same for, shares of any other class or classes or of any series of the same or any other class or classes of stock of the Corporation and the terms and conditions of such conversion or exchange;
(4) Whether or not Preferred Stock of such series shall be subject to redemption, and the redemption price or prices and the time or times at which, and the terms and conditions on which, Preferred Stock of such series may be redeemed.
(5) The rights, if any, of the holders of Preferred Stock of such series upon the
voluntary or involuntary liquidation, merger, consolidation, distribution or sale of assets, dissolution or winding-up, of the Corporation.
(6) The terms of the sinking fund or redemption or purchase account, if any, to be provided for the Preferred Stock of such series; and
(7) The voting powers, if any, of the holders of such series of Preferred Stock which may, without limiting the generality of the foregoing include the right, voting as a series or by itself or together with other series of Preferred Stock or all series of Preferred Stock as a class, to elect one or more directors of the Corporation if there shall have been a default in the payment of dividends on any one or more series of Preferred Stock or under such circumstances and on such conditions as the Board of Directors may determine.
(c) (1) After the requirements with respect to preferential dividends on
the Preferred Stock (fixed in accordance with the provisions of section
(b) of this Article FOURTH), if any, shall have been met and after the
Corporation shall have complied with all the requirements, if any, with
respect to the setting aside of sums as sinking funds or redemption or
purchase accounts (fixed in accordance with the provisions of section (b)
of this Article FOURTH), and subject further to any conditions which may
be fixed in accordance with the provisions of section (b) of this Article
FOURTH, then and not otherwise the holders of Common Stock shall be
entitled to receive such dividends as may be declared from time to time by
the Board of Directors.
(2) After distribution in full of the preferential amount, if any, (fixed in accordance with the provisions of section (b) of this Article FOURTH), to be distributed to the holders of Preferred Stock in the event of voluntary or involuntary liquidation, distribution or sale of assets, dissolution or winding-up, of the Corporation, the holders of the Common Stock shall be entitled to receive all of the remaining assets of the Corporation, tangible and intangible, of whatever kind available for distribution to stockholders ratably in proportion to the number of shares of Common Stock held by them respectively.
(3) Except as may otherwise be required by law or by the provisions of such resolution or resolutions as may be adopted by the Board of Directors pursuant to section (b) of this Article FOURTH, each holder of Common Stock shall have one vote in respect of each share of Common Stock held on all matters voted upon by the stockholders.
(d) No holder of any of the shares of any class or series of stock or of options, warrants or other rights to purchase shares of any class or series of stock or of other securities of the Corporation shall have any preemptive right to purchase or subscribe for any unissued stock of any class or series or any additional shares of any class or series to be issued by reason of any increase of the authorized capital stock of the Corporation of
any class or series, or bonds, certificates of indebtedness, debentures or other securities convertible into or exchangeable for stock of the Corporation of any class or series, or carrying any right to purchase stock of any class or series, but any such unissued stock, additional authorized issue of shares of any class or series of stock or securities convertible into or exchangeable for stock, or carrying any right to purchase stock, may be issued and disposed of pursuant to resolution of the Board of Directors to such persons, firms, corporations or associations, whether such holders or others, and upon such terms as may be deemed advisable by the Board of Directors in the exercise of its sole discretion.
(e) The relative powers, preferences and rights of each series of Preferred Stock in relation to the relative powers, preferences and rights of each other series of Preferred Stock shall, in each case, be as fixed from time to time by the Board of Directors in the resolution or resolutions adopted pursuant to authority granted in section (b) of this Article FOURTH and the consent, by class or series vote or otherwise, of the holders of such of the series of Preferred Stock as are from time to time outstanding shall not be required for the issuance by the Board of Directors of any other series of Preferred Stock whether or not the powers, preferences and rights of such other series shall be fixed by the Board of Directors as senior to, or on a parity with, the powers, preferences and rights of such outstanding series, or any of them; provided, however, that the Board of Directors may provide in the resolution or resolutions as to any series of Preferred Stock adopted pursuant to section (b) of this Article FOURTH that the consent of the holders of a majority (or such greater proportion as shall be therein fixed) of the outstanding shares of such series voting thereon shall be required for the issuance of any or all other series of Preferred Stock.
(f) Subject to the provisions of section (e), shares of any series of Preferred Stock may be issued from time to time as the Board of Directors of the Corporation shall determine and on such terms and for such consideration as shall be fixed by the Board of Directors.
(g) Shares of Common Stock may be issued from time to time as the Board of Directors of the Corporation shall determine and on such terms and for such consideration as shall be fixed by the Board of Directors.
(h) The authorized amount of shares of Common Stock and of Preferred Stock may, without a class or series vote, be increased or decreased from time to time by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the stock of the Corporation entitled to vote thereon.
FIFTH: - (a) The business and affairs of the Corporation shall be conducted and managed by a Board of Directors. The number of directors constituting the entire Board shall be not less than five nor more than twenty-five as fixed from time to time by vote of a majority of the whole Board, provided, however, that the number of
directors shall not be reduced so as to shorten the term of any director at the time in office, and provided further, that the number of directors constituting the whole Board shall be twenty-four until otherwise fixed by a majority of the whole Board.
(b) The Board of Directors shall be divided into three classes, as nearly equal in number as the then total number of directors constituting the whole Board permits, with the term of office of one class expiring each year. At the annual meeting of stockholders in 1982, directors of the first class shall be elected to hold office for a term expiring at the next succeeding annual meeting, directors of the second class shall be elected to hold office for a term expiring at the second succeeding annual meeting and directors of the third class shall be elected to hold office for a term expiring at the third succeeding annual meeting. Any vacancies in the Board of Directors for any reason, and any newly created directorships resulting from any increase in the directors, may be filled by the Board of Directors, acting by a majority of the directors then in office, although less than a quorum, and any directors so chosen shall hold office until the next annual election of directors. At such election, the stockholders shall elect a successor to such director to hold office until the next election of the class for which such director shall have been chosen and until his successor shall be elected and qualified. No decrease in the number of directors shall shorten the term of any incumbent director.
(c) Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Charter or Act of Incorporation or the By-Laws of the Corporation (and notwithstanding the fact that some lesser percentage may be specified by law, this Charter or Act of Incorporation or the By-Laws of the Corporation), any director or the entire Board of Directors of the Corporation may be removed at any time without cause, but only by the affirmative vote of the holders of two-thirds or more of the outstanding shares of capital stock of the Corporation entitled to vote generally in the election of directors (considered for this purpose as one class) cast at a meeting of the stockholders called for that purpose.
(d) Nominations for the election of directors may be made by the Board of Directors or by any stockholder entitled to vote for the election of directors. Such nominations shall be made by notice in writing, delivered or mailed by first class United States mail, postage prepaid, to the Secretary of the Corporation not less than 14 days nor more than 50 days prior to any meeting of the stockholders called for the election of directors; provided, however, that if less than 21 days' notice of the meeting is given to stockholders, such written notice shall be delivered or mailed, as prescribed, to the Secretary of the Corporation not later than the close of the seventh day following the day on which notice of the meeting was mailed to stockholders. Notice of nominations which are proposed by the Board of Directors shall be given by the Chairman on behalf of the Board.
(e) Each notice under subsection (d) shall set forth (i) the name, age, business address and, if known, residence address of each nominee proposed in such notice, (ii) the
principal occupation or employment of such nominee and (iii) the number of shares of stock of the Corporation which are beneficially owned by each such nominee.
(f) The Chairman of the meeting may, if the facts warrant, determine and declare to the meeting that a nomination was not made in accordance with the foregoing procedure, and if he should so determine, he shall so declare to the meeting and the defective nomination shall be disregarded.
(g) No action required to be taken or which may be taken at any annual or special meeting of stockholders of the Corporation may be taken without a meeting, and the power of stockholders to consent in writing, without a meeting, to the taking of any action is specifically denied.
SIXTH: - The Directors shall choose such officers, agents and servants as may be provided in the By-Laws as they may from time to time find necessary or proper.
SEVENTH: - The Corporation hereby created is hereby given the same powers, rights and privileges as may be conferred upon corporations organized under the Act entitled "An Act Providing a General Corporation Law", approved March 10, 1899, as from time to time amended.
EIGHTH: - This Act shall be deemed and taken to be a private Act.
NINTH: - This Corporation is to have perpetual existence.
TENTH: - The Board of Directors, by resolution passed by a majority of the whole Board, may designate any of their number to constitute an Executive Committee, which Committee, to the extent provided in said resolution, or in the By-Laws of the Company, shall have and may exercise all of the powers of the Board of Directors in the management of the business and affairs of the Corporation, and shall have power to authorize the seal of the Corporation to be affixed to all papers which may require it.
ELEVENTH: - The private property of the stockholders shall not be liable for the payment of corporate debts to any extent whatever.
TWELFTH: - The Corporation may transact business in any part of the world.
THIRTEENTH: - The Board of Directors of the Corporation is expressly authorized to make, alter or repeal the By-Laws of the Corporation by a vote of the majority of the entire Board. The stockholders may make, alter or repeal any By-Law whether or not adopted by them, provided however, that any such additional By-Laws, alterations or repeal may be adopted only by the affirmative vote of the holders of two-thirds or more of the outstanding shares of capital stock of the Corporation entitled to vote generally in the election of directors (considered for this purpose as one class).
FOURTEENTH: - Meetings of the Directors may be held outside of the State of Delaware at such places as may be from time to time designated by the Board, and the Directors may keep the books of the Company outside of the State of Delaware at such places as may be from time to time designated by them.
FIFTEENTH: - (a) (1) In addition to any affirmative vote required by law, and except as otherwise expressly provided in sections (b) and (c) of this Article FIFTEENTH:
(A) any merger or consolidation of the Corporation or any Subsidiary (as hereinafter defined) with or into (i) any Interested Stockholder (as hereinafter defined) or (ii) any other corporation (whether or not itself an Interested Stockholder), which, after such merger or consolidation, would be an Affiliate (as hereinafter defined) of an Interested Stockholder, or
(B) any sale, lease, exchange, mortgage, pledge, transfer or other disposition (in one transaction or a series of related transactions) to or with any Interested Stockholder or any Affiliate of any Interested Stockholder of any assets of the Corporation or any Subsidiary having an aggregate fair market value of $1,000,000 or more, or
(C) the issuance or transfer by the Corporation or any Subsidiary (in one transaction or a series of related transactions) of any securities of the Corporation or any Subsidiary to any Interested Stockholder or any Affiliate of any Interested Stockholder in exchange for cash, securities or other property (or a combination thereof) having an aggregate fair market value of $1,000,000 or more, or
(D) the adoption of any plan or proposal for the liquidation or dissolution of the Corporation, or
(E) any reclassification of securities (including any reverse stock split), or recapitalization of the Corporation, or any merger or consolidation of the Corporation with any of its Subsidiaries or any similar transaction (whether or not with or into or otherwise involving an Interested Stockholder) which has the effect, directly or indirectly, of increasing the proportionate share of the outstanding shares of any class of equity or convertible securities of the Corporation or any Subsidiary which is directly or indirectly owned by any Interested Stockholder, or any Affiliate of any Interested Stockholder,
shall require the affirmative vote of the holders of at least two-thirds of the outstanding shares of capital stock of the Corporation entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, considered for the purpose of this Article FIFTEENTH as one class ("Voting Shares"). Such affirmative vote shall be required notwithstanding the fact that no vote may be required, or that some lesser percentage may be specified, by law or in any agreement with any national securities exchange or otherwise.
(2) The term "business combination" as used in this Article FIFTEENTH shall mean any transaction which is referred to in any one or more of clauses (A) through (E) of paragraph 1 of the section (a).
(b) The provisions of section (a) of this Article FIFTEENTH shall not be applicable to any particular business combination and such business combination shall require only such affirmative vote as is required by law and any other provisions of the Charter or Act of Incorporation or By-Laws if such business combination has been approved by a majority of the whole Board.
(c) For the purposes of this Article FIFTEENTH:
(1) A "person" shall mean any individual, firm, corporation or other entity.
(2) "Interested Stockholder" shall mean, in respect of any business combination, any person (other than the Corporation or any Subsidiary) who or which as of the record date for the determination of stockholders entitled to notice of and to vote on such business combination, or immediately prior to the consummation of any such transaction:
(A) is the beneficial owner, directly or indirectly, of more than 10% of the Voting Shares, or
(B) is an Affiliate of the Corporation and at any time within two years prior thereto was the beneficial owner, directly or indirectly, of not less than 10% of the then outstanding voting Shares, or
(C) is an assignee of or has otherwise succeeded in any share of capital stock of the Corporation which were at any time within two years prior thereto beneficially owned by any Interested Stockholder, and such assignment or succession shall have occurred in the course of a transaction or series of transactions not involving a public offering within the meaning of the Securities Act of 1933.
(3) A person shall be the "beneficial owner" of any Voting Shares:
(A) which such person or any of its Affiliates and Associates (as hereafter defined) beneficially own, directly or indirectly, or
(B) which such person or any of its Affiliates or Associates has (i)
the right to acquire (whether such right is exercisable immediately
or only after the passage of time), pursuant to any agreement,
arrangement or understanding or upon the
exercise of conversion rights, exchange rights, warrants or options, or otherwise, or (ii) the right to vote pursuant to any agreement, arrangement or understanding, or
(C) which are beneficially owned, directly or indirectly, by any other person with which such first mentioned person or any of its Affiliates or Associates has any agreement, arrangement or understanding for the purpose of acquiring, holding, voting or disposing of any shares of capital stock of the Corporation.
(4) The outstanding Voting Shares shall include shares deemed owned through application of paragraph (3) above but shall not include any other Voting Shares which may be issuable pursuant to any agreement, or upon exercise of conversion rights, warrants or options or otherwise.
(5) "Affiliate" and "Associate" shall have the respective meanings given those terms in Rule 12b-2 of the General Rules and Regulations under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as in effect on December 31, 1981.
(6) "Subsidiary" shall mean any corporation of which a majority of any class of equity security (as defined in Rule 3a11-1 of the General Rules and Regulations under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as in effect on December 31, 1981) is owned, directly or indirectly, by the Corporation; provided, however, that for the purposes of the definition of Investment Stockholder set forth in paragraph (2) of this section (c), the term "Subsidiary" shall mean only a corporation of which a majority of each class of equity security is owned, directly or indirectly, by the Corporation.
(d) majority of the directors shall have the power and duty to determine for the purposes of this Article FIFTEENTH on the basis of information known to them, (1) the number of Voting Shares beneficially owned by any person (2) whether a person is an Affiliate or Associate of another, (3) whether a person has an agreement, arrangement or understanding with another as to the matters referred to in paragraph (3) of section (c), or (4) whether the assets subject to any business combination or the consideration received for the issuance or transfer of securities by the Corporation, or any Subsidiary has an aggregate fair market value of $1,000,000 or more.
(e) Nothing contained in this Article FIFTEENTH shall be construed to relieve any Interested Stockholder from any fiduciary obligation imposed by law.
SIXTEENTH: Notwithstanding any other provision of this Charter or Act of Incorporation or the By-Laws of the Corporation (and in addition to any other vote that may be required by law, this Charter or Act of Incorporation by the By-Laws), the affirmative vote of the holders of at least two-thirds of the outstanding shares of the capital stock of the Corporation entitled to vote generally in the election of directors
(considered for this purpose as one class) shall be required to amend, alter or repeal any provision of Articles FIFTH, THIRTEENTH, FIFTEENTH or SIXTEENTH of this Charter or Act of Incorporation.
SEVENTEENTH: (a) a Director of this Corporation shall not be liable to the Corporation or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a Director, except to the extent such exemption from liability or limitation thereof is not permitted under the Delaware General Corporation Laws as the same exists or may hereafter be amended.
(b) Any repeal or modification of the foregoing paragraph shall not adversely affect any right or protection of a Director of the Corporation existing hereunder with respect to any act or omission occurring prior to the time of such repeal or modification."
EXHIBIT B
BY-LAWS
WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY
WILMINGTON, DELAWARE
AS EXISTING ON JANUARY 16, 2003
BY-LAWS OF WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY
ARTICLE I
STOCKHOLDERS' MEETINGS
Section 1. Annual Meeting. The annual meeting of stockholders shall be held on the third Thursday in April each year at the principal office at the Company or at such other date, time or place as may be designated by resolution by the Board of Directors.
Section 2. Special Meetings. Special meetings of stockholders may be called at any time by the Board of Directors, the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer or the President.
Section 3. Notice. Notice of all meetings of the stockholders shall be given by mailing to each stockholder at least ten (10) days before said meeting, at his last known address, a written or printed notice fixing the time and place of such meeting.
Section 4. Quorum. A majority in the amount of the capital stock of the Company issued and outstanding on the record date, as herein determined, shall constitute a quorum at all meetings of stockholders for the transaction of any business, but the holders of a smaller number of shares may adjourn from time to time, without further notice, until a quorum is secured. At each annual or special meeting of stockholders, each stockholder shall be entitled to one vote, either in person or by proxy, for each share of stock registered in the stockholder's name on the books of the Company on the record date for any such meeting as determined herein.
ARTICLE 2
DIRECTORS
Section 1. Management. The affairs and business of the Company shall be managed by or under the direction of the Board of Directors.
Section 2. Number. The authorized number of directors that shall constitute the Board of Directors shall be fixed from time to time by or pursuant to a resolution passed by a majority of the Board of Directors within the parameters set by the Charter of the Company. No more than two directors may also be employees of the Company or any affiliate thereof.
Section 3. Qualification. In addition to any other provisions of these Bylaws, to be qualified for nomination for election or appointment to the Board of Directors, a person must have not attained the age of sixty-nine years at the time of such election or appointment, provided however, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee may waive such qualification as to a particular candidate otherwise qualified to serve as a director upon a good faith determination by such committee that such a waiver is in the best interests of the Company and its stockholders. The
Chairman of the Board and the Chief Executive Officer shall not be qualified to continue to serve as directors upon the termination of their service in those offices for any reason.
Section 4. Meetings. The Board of Directors shall meet at the principal office of the Company or elsewhere in its discretion at such times to be determined by a majority of its members, or at the call of the Chairman of the Board of Directors, the Chief Executive Officer or the President.
Section 5. Special Meetings. Special meetings of the Board of Directors may be called at any time by the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer or the President, and shall be called upon the written request of a majority of the directors.
Section 6. Quorum. A majority of the directors elected and qualified shall be necessary to constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at any meeting of the Board of Directors.
Section 7. Notice. Written notice shall be sent by mail to each director of any special meeting of the Board of Directors, and of any change in the time or place of any regular meeting, stating the time and place of such meeting, which shall be mailed not less than two days before the time of holding such meeting.
Section 8. Vacancies. In the event of the death, resignation, removal, inability to act or disqualification of any director, the Board of Directors, although less than a quorum, shall have the right to elect the successor who shall hold office for the remainder of the full term of the class of directors in which the vacancy occurred, and until such director's successor shall have been duly elected and qualified.
Section 9. Organization Meeting. The Board of Directors at its first meeting after its election by the stockholders shall appoint an Executive Committee, an Audit Committee, a Compensation Committee and a Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, and shall elect from its own members a Chairman of the Board, a Chief Executive Officer and a President, who may be the same person. The Board of Directors shall also elect at such meeting a Secretary and a Chief Financial Officer, who may be the same person, and may appoint at any time such committees as it may deem advisable. The Board of Directors may also elect at such meeting one or more Associate Directors. The Board of Directors, the Executive Committee or another committee designated by the Board of Directors may elect or appoint such other officers as they may deem advisable.
Section 10. Removal. The Board of Directors may at any time remove, with or without cause, any member of any committee appointed by it or any associate director or officer elected by it and may appoint or elect his successor.
Section 11. Responsibility of Officers. The Board of Directors may designate an officer to be in charge of such departments or divisions of the Company as it may deem advisable.
Section 12. Participation in Meetings. The Board of Directors or any committee of the Board of Directors may participate in a meeting of the Board of Directors or such committee, as the case may be, by conference telephone, video facilities or other communications equipment. Any action required or permitted to be taken at any meeting of the Board of Directors or any committee thereof may be taken without a meeting if all of the members of the Board of Directors or the committee, as the case may be, consent thereto in writing, and the writing or writings are filed with the minutes of the Board of Directors or such committee.
ARTICLE 3
COMMITTEES OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Section 1. Executive Committee.
(A) The Executive Committee shall be composed of not more than nine (9) members, who shall be selected by the Board of Directors from its own members, and who shall hold office at the pleasure of the Board of Directors.
(B) The Executive Committee shall have and may exercise, to the fullest extent permitted by law, all of the powers of the Board of Directors when it is not in session to transact all business for and on behalf of the Company that may be brought before it.
(C) The Executive Committee shall meet at the principal office of the Company or elsewhere in its discretion at such times to be determined by a majority of its members, or at the call of the Chairman of the Executive Committee, the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer or the President. The majority of its members shall be necessary to constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. Special meetings of the Executive Committee may be held at any time when a quorum is present.
(D) Minutes of each meeting of the Executive Committee shall be kept and submitted to the Board of Directors at its next meeting.
(E) In the event of an emergency of sufficient severity to prevent the conduct and management of the affairs and business of the Company by its directors and officers as contemplated by these Bylaws, any two available members of the Executive Committee as constituted immediately prior to such emergency shall constitute a quorum of that Committee for the full conduct and management of the affairs and business of the Company in accordance with the provisions of Article 3 of these Bylaws. In the event of the unavailability, at such time, of a minimum of two members of the Executive Committee, any three available directors shall constitute the Executive Committee for the full conduct and management of the affairs and business of the Company in accordance with the foregoing provisions of this Section. This Bylaw shall be subject to implementation by resolutions of the Board of Directors presently existing or hereafter passed from time to time for that purpose, and any provisions of these Bylaws (other than this Section) and any resolutions which are contrary
to the provisions of this Section or to the provisions of any such implementing resolutions shall be suspended during such a disaster period until it shall be determined by any interim Executive Committee acting under this Section that it shall be to the advantage of the Company to resume the conduct and management of its affairs and business under all of the other provisions of these Bylaws.
Section 2. Audit Committee.
(A) The Audit Committee shall be composed of not more than five
(5) members, who shall be selected by the Board of Directors from its own
members, none of whom shall be an officer or employee of the Company, and shall
hold office at the pleasure of the Board.
(B) The Audit Committee shall have general supervision over the Audit Services Division in all matters however subject to the approval of the Board of Directors; it shall consider all matters brought to its attention by the officer in charge of the Audit Services Division, review all reports of examination of the Company made by any governmental agency or such independent auditor employed for that purpose, and make such recommendations to the Board of Directors with respect thereto or with respect to any other matters pertaining to auditing the Company as it shall deem desirable.
(C) The Audit Committee shall meet whenever and wherever its Chairperson, the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, the President or a majority of the Committee's members shall deem it to be proper for the transaction of its business. A majority of the Committee's members shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. The acts of the majority at a meeting at which a quorum is present shall constitute action by the Committee.
Section 3. Compensation Committee.
(A) The Compensation Committee shall be composed of not more than five (5) members, who shall be selected by the Board of Directors from its own members, none of whom shall be an officer or employee of the Company, and shall hold office at the pleasure of the Board of Directors.
(B) The Compensation Committee shall in general advise upon all matters of policy concerning compensation, including salaries and employee benefits.
(C) The Compensation Committee shall meet whenever and wherever its Chairperson, the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, the President or a majority of the Committee's members shall deem it to be proper for the transaction of its business. A majority of the Committee's members shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. The acts of the majority at a meeting at which a quorum is present shall constitute action by the Committee.
SECTION 4. NOMINATING AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE COMMITTEE.
(A) The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee shall be composed of not more than five members, who shall be selected by the Board of Directors from its own members, none of whom shall be an officer or employee of the Company, and shall hold office at the pleasure of the Board of Directors.
(B) The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee shall provide counsel and make recommendations to the Chairman of the Board and the full Board with respect to the performance of the Chairman of the Board and the Chief Executive Officer, candidates for membership on the Board of Directors and its committees, matters of corporate governance, succession planning for the Company's executive management and significant shareholder relations issues.
(C) The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee shall meet whenever and wherever its Chairperson, the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, the President, or a majority of the Committee's members shall deem it to be proper for the transaction of its business. A majority of the Committee's members shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. The acts of the majority at a meeting at which a quorum is present shall constitute action by the Committee.
Section 5. Other Committees. The Company may have such other committees with such powers as the Board may designate from time to time by resolution or by an amendment to these Bylaws.
Section 6. Associate Directors.
(A) Any person who has served as a director may be elected by the Board of Directors as an associate director, to serve at the pleasure of the Board of Directors.
(B) Associate directors shall be entitled to attend all meetings of directors and participate in the discussion of all matters brought to the Board of Directors, but will not have a right to vote.
Section 7. Absence or Disqualification of Any Member of a Committee. In the absence or disqualification of any member of any committee created under Article III of these Bylaws, the member or members thereof present at any meeting and not disqualified from voting, whether or not he or they constitute a quorum, may unanimously appoint another member of the Board of Directors to act at the meeting in the place of any such absent or disqualified member.
ARTICLE 4
OFFICERS
Section 1. Chairman of the Board. The Chairman of the Board shall preside at all meetings of the Board of Directors and shall have such further authority and powers and shall perform such duties the Board of Directors may assign to him from time to time.
Section 2. Chief Executive Officer. The Chief Executive Officer shall have the powers and duties pertaining to the office of Chief Executive Officer conferred or imposed upon him by statute, incident to his office or as the Board of Directors may assign to him from time to time. In the absence of the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer shall have the powers and duties of the Chairman of the Board.
Section 3. President. The President shall have the powers and duties pertaining to the office of the President conferred or imposed upon him by statute, incident to his office or as the Board of Directors may assign to him from time to time. In the absence of the Chairman of the Board and the Chief Executive Officer, the President shall have the powers and duties of the Chairman of the Board.
Section 4. Duties. The Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer or the President, as designated by the Board of Directors, shall carry into effect all legal directions of the Executive Committee and of the Board of Directors and shall at all times exercise general supervision over the interest, affairs and operations of the Company and perform all duties incident to his office.
Section 5. Vice Presidents. There may be one or more Vice Presidents, however denominated by the Board of Directors, who may at any time perform all of the duties of the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer and/or the President and such other powers and duties incident to their respective offices or as the Board of Directors, the Executive Committee, the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer or the President or the officer in charge of the department or division to which they are assigned may assign to them from time to time.
Section 6. Secretary. The Secretary shall attend to the giving of notice of meetings of the stockholders and the Board of Directors, as well as the committees thereof, to the keeping of accurate minutes of all such meetings, recording the same in the minute books of the Company and in general notifying the Board of Directors of material matters affecting the Company on a timely basis. In addition to the other notice requirements of these Bylaws and as may be practicable under the circumstances, all such notices shall be in writing and mailed well in advance of the scheduled date of any such meeting. He shall have custody of the corporate seal, affix the same to any documents requiring such corporate seal, attest the same and perform other duties incident to his office.
Section 7. Chief Financial Officer. The Chief Financial Officer shall have general supervision over all assets and liabilities of the Company. He shall be custodian of and responsible for all monies, funds and valuables of the Company and for the keeping of proper records of the evidence of property or indebtedness and of all transactions of the Company. He shall have general supervision of the expenditures of the Company and periodically shall report to the Board of Directors the condition of the Company, and perform such other duties incident to his office or as the
Board of Directors, the Executive Committee, the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer or the President may assign to him from time to time.
Section 8. Controller. There may be a Controller who shall exercise general supervision over the internal operations of the Company, including accounting, and shall render to the Board of Directors or the Audit Committee at appropriate times a report relating to the general condition and internal operations of the Company and perform other duties incident to his office.
There may be one or more subordinate accounting or controller officers however denominated, who may perform the duties of the Controller and such duties as may be prescribed by the Controller.
Section 9. Audit Officers. The officer designated by the Board of Directors to be in charge of the Audit Services Division of the Company, with such title as the Board of Directors shall prescribe, shall report to and be directly responsible to the Audit Committee and the Board of Directors.
There shall be an Auditor and there may be one or more Audit Officers, however denominated, who may perform all the duties of the Auditor and such duties as may be prescribed by the officer in charge of the Audit Services Division.
Section 10. Other Officers. There may be one or more officers, subordinate in rank to all Vice Presidents with such functional titles as shall be determined from time to time by the Board of Directors, who shall ex officio hold the office of Assistant Secretary of the Company and who may perform such duties as may be prescribed by the officer in charge of the department or division to which they are assigned.
Section 11. Powers and Duties of Other Officers. The powers and duties of all other officers of the Company shall be those usually pertaining to their respective offices, subject to the direction of the Board of Directors, the Executive Committee, the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer or the President and the officer in charge of the department or division to which they are assigned.
Section 12. Number of Offices. Any one or more offices of the Company may be held by the same person, except that (A) no individual may hold more than one of the offices of Chief Financial Officer, Controller or Audit Officer and (B) none of the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer or the President may hold any office mentioned in Section 12(A).
ARTICLE 5
STOCK AND STOCK CERTIFICATES
Section 1. Transfer. Shares of stock shall be transferable on the books of the Company and a transfer book shall be kept in which all transfers of stock shall be recorded.
Section 2. Certificates. Every holder of stock shall be entitled to have a certificate signed by or in the name of the Company by the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer or the President or a Vice President, and by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary, of the Company, certifying the number of shares owned by him in the Company. The corporate seal affixed thereto, and any of or all the signatures on the certificate, may be a facsimile. In case any officer, transfer agent or registrar who has signed or whose facsimile signature has been placed upon a certificate shall have ceased to be such officer, transfer agent or registrar before such certificate is issued, it may be issued by the Company with the same effect as if he were such officer, transfer agent or registrar at the date of issue. Duplicate certificates of stock shall be issued only upon giving such security as may be satisfactory to the Board of Directors or the Executive Committee.
Section 3. Record Date. The Board of Directors is authorized to fix in advance a record date for the determination of the stockholders entitled to notice of, and to vote at, any meeting of stockholders and any adjournment thereof, or entitled to receive payment of any dividend, or to any allotment of rights, or to exercise any rights in respect of any change, conversion or exchange of capital stock, or in connection with obtaining the consent of stockholders for any purpose, which record date shall not be more than 60 nor less than 10 days preceding the date of any meeting of stockholders or the date for the payment of any dividend, or the date for the allotment of rights, or the date when any change or conversion or exchange of capital stock shall go into effect, or a date in connection with obtaining such consent.
ARTICLE 6
SEAL
The corporate seal of the Company shall be in the following form:
Between two concentric circles the words "Wilmington Trust Company" within the inner circle the words "Wilmington, Delaware."
ARTICLE 7
FISCAL YEAR
The fiscal year of the Company shall be the calendar year.
ARTICLE 8
EXECUTION OF INSTRUMENTS OF THE COMPANY
The Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, the President or any Vice President, however denominated by the Board of Directors, shall have full power and authority to enter into, make, sign, execute, acknowledge and/or deliver and the Secretary or any Assistant Secretary shall have full power and authority to attest and affix the corporate seal of the Company to any and all deeds, conveyances, assignments, releases, contracts, agreements, bonds, notes, mortgages and all other instruments incident to the business of this Company or in acting as executor, administrator, guardian, trustee, agent or in any other fiduciary or representative capacity by any and every method of appointment or by whatever person, corporation, court officer or authority in the State of Delaware, or elsewhere, without any specific authority, ratification, approval or confirmation by the Board of Directors or the Executive Committee, and any and all such instruments shall have the same force and validity as though expressly authorized by the Board of Directors and/or the Executive Committee.
ARTICLE 9
COMPENSATION OF DIRECTORS AND MEMBERS OF COMMITTEES
Directors and associate directors of the Company, other than salaried officers of the Company, shall be paid such reasonable honoraria or fees for attending meetings of the Board of Directors as the Board of Directors may from time to time determine. Directors and associate directors who serve as members of committees, other than salaried employees of the Company, shall be paid such reasonable honoraria or fees for services as members of committees as the Board of Directors shall from time to time determine and directors and associate directors may be authorized by the Company to perform such special services as the Board of Directors may from time to time determine in accordance with any guidelines the Board of Directors may adopt for such services, and shall be paid for such special services so performed reasonable compensation as may be determined by the Board of Directors.
ARTICLE 10
INDEMNIFICATION
Section 1. Persons Covered. The Company shall indemnify and hold harmless, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law as it presently exists or may hereafter be amended, any person who was or is made or is threatened to be made a party or is otherwise involved in any action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (a "proceeding") by reason of the fact that he, or a person for whom he is the legal representative, is or was a director of the Company or is or was serving at the request of the Company as a director, officer, employee, fiduciary or agent of another corporation, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, trust, enterprise or non-profit entity that is not a subsidiary or affiliate of the Company, including service with respect to employee benefit plans, against all liability and loss suffered and expenses reasonably incurred by such person. The Company shall be required to indemnify such a person in connection with a proceeding initiated by such person only if the proceeding was authorized by the Board of Directors.
The Company may indemnify and hold harmless, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law as it presently exists or may hereafter be amended, any person who was or is made or threatened to be made a party or is otherwise involved in any proceeding by reason of the fact that he, or a person for whom he is the legal representative, is or was an officer, employee or agent of the Company or a director, officer, employee or agent of a subsidiary or affiliate of the Company, against all liability and loss suffered and expenses reasonably incurred by such person. The Company may indemnify any such person in connection with a proceeding (or part thereof) initiated by such person only if such proceeding (or part thereof) was authorized by the Board of Directors.
Section 2. Advance of Expenses. The Company shall pay the expenses incurred in defending any proceeding involving a person who is or may be indemnified pursuant to Section 1 in advance of its final disposition, provided, however, that the payment of expenses incurred by such a person in advance of the final disposition of the proceeding shall be made only upon receipt of an undertaking by that person to repay all amounts advanced if it should be ultimately determined that the person is not entitled to be indemnified under this Article 10 or otherwise.
Section 3. Certain Rights. If a claim under this Article 10 for (A) payment of expenses or (B) indemnification by a director or person who is or was serving at the request of the Company as a director, officer, employee, fiduciary or agent of another corporation, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, trust, enterprise or nonprofit entity that is not a subsidiary or affiliate of the Company, including service with respect to employee benefit plans, is not paid in full within sixty days after a written claim therefor has been received by the Company, the claimant may file suit to recover the unpaid amount of such claim and, if successful in whole or in part, shall be entitled to be paid the expense of prosecuting such claim. In any such action, the Company shall have the burden of proving that the claimant was not entitled to the requested indemnification or payment of expenses under applicable law.
Section 4. Non-Exclusive. The rights conferred on any person by this Article 10 shall not be exclusive of any other rights which such person may have or hereafter acquire under any statute, provision of the Charter or Act of Incorporation, these Bylaws, agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors or otherwise.
Section 5. Reduction of Amount. The Company's obligation, if any, to indemnify any person who was or is serving at its request as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, enterprise or nonprofit entity shall be reduced by any amount such person may collect as indemnification from such other corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, enterprise or nonprofit entity.
Section 6. Effect of Modification. Any amendment, repeal or modification of the foregoing provisions of this Article 10 shall not adversely affect any right or protection hereunder of any person in respect of any act or omission occurring prior to the time of such amendment, repeal or modification.
ARTICLE 11
AMENDMENTS TO THE BYLAWS
These Bylaws may be altered, amended or repealed, in whole or in part, and any new Bylaw or Bylaws adopted at any regular or special meeting of the Board of Directors by a vote of a majority of all the members of the Board of Directors then in office.
ARTICLE 12
MISCELLANEOUS
Whenever used in these Bylaws, the singular shall include the plural, the plural shall include the singular unless the context requires otherwise and the use of either gender shall include both genders.
EXHIBIT C
SECTION 321(b) CONSENT
Pursuant to Section 321(b) of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, Wilmington Trust Company hereby consents that reports of examinations by Federal, State, Territorial or District authorities may be furnished by such authorities to the Securities and Exchange Commission upon requests therefor.
WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY
Dated: August 11, 2003 By: /s/ Mary C. St.Amand
----------------------
Name: Mary C. St.Amand
Title: Vice President
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EXHIBIT D
NOTICE
This form is intended to assist state nonmember banks and savings banks with state publication requirements. It has not been approved by any state banking authorities. Refer to your appropriate state banking authorities for your state publication requirements.
R E P O R T O F C O N D I T I O N
Consolidating domestic subsidiaries of the
WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY of WILMINGTON
---------------------------------------------------------- ------------------
Name of Bank City
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in the State of DELAWARE, at the close of business on June 30, 2003.
ASSETS
Thousands of dollars
Cash and balances due from depository institutions:
Noninterest-bearing balances and currency and coins ............ 221,573
Interest-bearing balances ...................................... 0
Held-to-maturity securities ............................................. 3,777
Available-for-sale securities ........................................... 1,684,467
Federal funds sold in domestic offices .................................. 465,275
Securities purchased under agreements to resell ......................... 18,800
Loans and lease financing receivables:
Loans and leases held for sale ............. 0
Loans and leases, net of unearned income ... 5,598,733
LESS: Allowance for loan and lease losses . 77,873
Loans and leases, net of unearned income, allowance, and reserve 5,520,860
Assets held in trading accounts ......................................... 0
Premises and fixed assets (including capitalized leases) ................ 142,672
Other real estate owned ................................................. 2,986
Investments in unconsolidated subsidiaries and associated companies ..... 2,496
Customers' liability to this bank on acceptances outstanding ............ 0
Intangible assets:
a. Goodwill ................................................... 157
b. Other intangible assets .................................... 11,897
Other assets ............................................................ 171,667
Total assets ............................................................ 8,246,627
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CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE
LIABILITIES
Deposits:
In domestic offices .......................................................................... 6,415,199
Noninterest-bearing ............. 1,011,850
Interest-bearing ................ 5,403,349
Federal funds purchased in domestic offices .................................................. 286,799
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase ............................................... 207,308
Trading liabilities (from Schedule RC-D) ..................................................... 0
Other borrowed money (includes mortgage indebtedness and obligations under capitalized leases: 597,518
Bank's liability on acceptances executed and outstanding ..................................... 0
Subordinated notes and debentures ............................................................ 0
Other liabilities (from Schedule RC-G) ....................................................... 98,337
Total liabilities ............................................................................ 7,605,161
EQUITY CAPITAL
Perpetual preferred stock and related surplus ................................................ 0
Common Stock ................................................................................. 500
Surplus (exclude all surplus related to preferred stock) ..................................... 112,358
a. Retained earnings ........................................................................ 526,582
b. Accumulated other comprehensive income ................................................... 2,026
Total equity capital ......................................................................... 641,466
Total liabilities, limited-life preferred stock, and equity capital .......................... 8,246,627
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Exhibit 25.04
Registration No.
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM T-1
STATEMENT OF ELIGIBILITY UNDER THE TRUST INDENTURE ACT OF 1939
OF A CORPORATION DESIGNATED TO ACT AS TRUSTEE
CHECK IF AN APPLICATION TO DETERMINE ELIGIBILITY OF A TRUSTEE PURSUANT TO
SECTION 305(B)(2)
WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY
(Exact name of trustee as specified in its charter)
Delaware 51-0055023
(State of incorporation) (I.R.S. employer identification no.)
Rodney Square North
1100 North Market Street
Wilmington, Delaware 19890
(Address of principal executive offices)
Cynthia L. Corliss
Vice President and Trust Counsel
Wilmington Trust Company
Rodney Square North
Wilmington, Delaware 19890
(302) 651-8516
(Name, address and telephone number of agent for service)
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HARTFORD CAPITAL V
(Exact name of obligor as specified in its charter)
DELAWARE 82-6097264
(State of incorporation) (I.R.S. employer identification no.)
C/O THE HARTFORD FINANCIAL SERVICES GROUP, INC.
HARTFORD PLAZA
HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT 06115
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
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PREFERRED SECURITIES OF HARTFORD CAPITAL V
(Title of the indenture securities)
ITEM 1. GENERAL INFORMATION.
Furnish the following information as to the trustee:
(a) Name and address of each examining or supervising authority to which it is subject.
Federal Deposit Insurance Co. State Bank Commissioner Five Penn Center Dover, Delaware Suite #2901 Philadelphia, PA |
(b) Whether it is authorized to exercise corporate trust powers.
The trustee is authorized to exercise corporate trust powers.
ITEM 2. AFFILIATIONS WITH THE OBLIGOR.
If the obligor is an affiliate of the trustee, describe each affiliation:
Based upon an examination of the books and records of the trustee and upon information furnished by the obligor, the obligor is not an affiliate of the trustee.
ITEM 16. LIST OF EXHIBITS.
List below all exhibits filed as part of this Statement of Eligibility and Qualification.
A. Copy of the Charter of Wilmington Trust Company, which includes the authorization of Wilmington Trust Company to exercise corporate trust powers.
B. Copy of By-Laws of Wilmington Trust Company.
C. Consent of Wilmington Trust Company required by Section 321(b) of Trust Indenture Act.
D. Copy of most recent Report of Condition of Wilmington Trust Company.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, the trustee, Wilmington Trust Company, a corporation organized and existing under the laws of Delaware, has duly caused this Statement of Eligibility to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, all in the City of Wilmington and State of Delaware on the 11th day of August 2003.
WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY
[SEAL]
Attest: /s/ Michael G. Oller, Jr. By: /s/ Mary C. St.Amand
--------------------------------- -----------------------
Assistant Secretary Name: Mary C. St.Amand
Title: Vice President
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EXHIBIT A
AMENDED CHARTER
WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY
WILMINGTON, DELAWARE
AS EXISTING ON MAY 9, 1987
AMENDED CHARTER
OR
ACT OF INCORPORATION
OF
WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY
WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY, originally incorporated by an Act of the General Assembly of the State of Delaware, entitled "An Act to Incorporate the Delaware Guarantee and Trust Company", approved March 2, A.D. 1901, and the name of which company was changed to "WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY" by an amendment filed in the Office of the Secretary of State on March 18, A.D. 1903, and the Charter or Act of Incorporation of which company has been from time to time amended and changed by merger agreements pursuant to the corporation law for state banks and trust companies of the State of Delaware, does hereby alter and amend its Charter or Act of Incorporation so that the same as so altered and amended shall in its entirety read as follows:
FIRST: - The name of this corporation is WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY.
SECOND: - The location of its principal office in the State of Delaware is at Rodney Square North, in the City of Wilmington, County of New Castle; the name of its resident agent is WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY whose address is Rodney Square North, in said City. In addition to such principal office, the said corporation maintains and operates branch offices in the City of Newark, New Castle County, Delaware, the Town of Newport, New Castle County, Delaware, at Claymont, New Castle County, Delaware, at Greenville, New Castle County Delaware, and at Milford Cross Roads, New Castle County, Delaware, and shall be empowered to open, maintain and operate branch offices at Ninth and Shipley Streets, 418 Delaware Avenue, 2120 Market Street, and 3605 Market Street, all in the City of Wilmington, New Castle County, Delaware, and such other branch offices or places of business as may be authorized from time to time by the agency or agencies of the government of the State of Delaware empowered to confer such authority.
THIRD: - (a) The nature of the business and the objects and purposes proposed to be transacted, promoted or carried on by this Corporation are to do any or all of the things herein mentioned as fully and to the same extent as natural persons might or could do and in any part of the world, viz.:
(1) To sue and be sued, complain and defend in any Court of law or equity and to make and use a common seal, and alter the seal at pleasure, to hold, purchase, convey, mortgage or otherwise deal in real and personal estate and property, and to appoint such officers and agents as the business of the Corporation shall require, to make by-laws not inconsistent with the Constitution or laws of the United States or of this State, to discount bills, notes or other evidences of debt, to receive deposits of money, or securities for money, to buy gold and silver
bullion and foreign coins, to buy and sell bills of exchange, and generally to use, exercise and enjoy all the powers, rights, privileges and franchises incident to a corporation which are proper or necessary for the transaction of the business of the Corporation hereby created.
(2) To insure titles to real and personal property, or any estate or interests therein, and to guarantee the holder of such property, real or personal, against any claim or claims, adverse to his interest therein, and to prepare and give certificates of title for any lands or premises in the State of Delaware, or elsewhere.
(3) To act as factor, agent, broker or attorney in the receipt, collection, custody, investment and management of funds, and the purchase, sale, management and disposal of property of all descriptions, and to prepare and execute all papers which may be necessary or proper in such business.
(4) To prepare and draw agreements, contracts, deeds, leases, conveyances, mortgages, bonds and legal papers of every description, and to carry on the business of conveyancing in all its branches.
(5) To receive upon deposit for safekeeping money, jewelry, plate, deeds, bonds and any and all other personal property of every sort and kind, from executors, administrators, guardians, public officers, courts, receivers, assignees, trustees, and from all fiduciaries, and from all other persons and individuals, and from all corporations whether state, municipal, corporate or private, and to rent boxes, safes, vaults and other receptacles for such property.
(6) To act as agent or otherwise for the purpose of registering, issuing, certificating, countersigning, transferring or underwriting the stock, bonds or other obligations of any corporation, association, state or municipality, and may receive and manage any sinking fund therefor on such terms as may be agreed upon between the two parties, and in like manner may act as Treasurer of any corporation or municipality.
(7) To act as Trustee under any deed of trust, mortgage, bond or other instrument issued by any state, municipality, body politic, corporation, association or person, either alone or in conjunction with any other person or persons, corporation or corporations.
(8) To guarantee the validity, performance or effect of any contract or agreement, and the fidelity of persons holding places of responsibility or trust; to become surety for any person, or persons, for the faithful performance of any trust, office, duty, contract or agreement, either by itself or in conjunction with any other person, or persons, corporation, or corporations, or in like manner
become surety upon any bond, recognizance, obligation, judgment, suit, order, or decree to be entered in any court of record within the State of Delaware or elsewhere, or which may now or hereafter be required by any law, judge, officer or court in the State of Delaware or elsewhere.
(9) To act by any and every method of appointment as trustee, trustee in bankruptcy, receiver, assignee, assignee in bankruptcy, executor, administrator, guardian, bailee, or in any other trust capacity in the receiving, holding, managing, and disposing of any and all estates and property, real, personal or mixed, and to be appointed as such trustee, trustee in bankruptcy, receiver, assignee, assignee in bankruptcy, executor, administrator, guardian or bailee by any persons, corporations, court, officer, or authority, in the State of Delaware or elsewhere; and whenever this Corporation is so appointed by any person, corporation, court, officer or authority such trustee, trustee in bankruptcy, receiver, assignee, assignee in bankruptcy, executor, administrator, guardian, bailee, or in any other trust capacity, it shall not be required to give bond with surety, but its capital stock shall be taken and held as security for the performance of the duties devolving upon it by such appointment.
(10) And for its care, management and trouble, and the exercise of any of its powers hereby given, or for the performance of any of the duties which it may undertake or be called upon to perform, or for the assumption of any responsibility the said Corporation may be entitled to receive a proper compensation.
(11) To purchase, receive, hold and own bonds, mortgages, debentures, shares of capital stock, and other securities, obligations, contracts and evidences of indebtedness, of any private, public or municipal corporation within and without the State of Delaware, or of the Government of the United States, or of any state, territory, colony, or possession thereof, or of any foreign government or country; to receive, collect, receipt for, and dispose of interest, dividends and income upon and from any of the bonds, mortgages, debentures, notes, shares of capital stock, securities, obligations, contracts, evidences of indebtedness and other property held and owned by it, and to exercise in respect of all such bonds, mortgages, debentures, notes, shares of capital stock, securities, obligations, contracts, evidences of indebtedness and other property, any and all the rights, powers and privileges of individual owners thereof, including the right to vote thereon; to invest and deal in and with any of the moneys of the Corporation upon such securities and in such manner as it may think fit and proper, and from time to time to vary or realize such investments; to issue bonds and secure the same by pledges or deeds of trust or mortgages of or upon the whole or any part of the property held or owned by the Corporation, and to sell and pledge such bonds, as and when the Board of Directors shall determine, and in the promotion of its said corporate business of investment and to the extent authorized by law,
to lease, purchase, hold, sell, assign, transfer, pledge, mortgage and convey real and personal property of any name and nature and any estate or interest therein.
(b) In furtherance of, and not in limitation, of the powers conferred by the laws of the State of Delaware, it is hereby expressly provided that the said Corporation shall also have the following powers:
(1) To do any or all of the things herein set forth, to the same extent as natural persons might or could do, and in any part of the world.
(2) To acquire the good will, rights, property and franchises and to undertake the whole or any part of the assets and liabilities of any person, firm, association or corporation, and to pay for the same in cash, stock of this Corporation, bonds or otherwise; to hold or in any manner to dispose of the whole or any part of the property so purchased; to conduct in any lawful manner the whole or any part of any business so acquired, and to exercise all the powers necessary or convenient in and about the conduct and management of such business.
(3) To take, hold, own, deal in, mortgage or otherwise lien, and to lease, sell, exchange, transfer, or in any manner whatever dispose of property, real, personal or mixed, wherever situated.
(4) To enter into, make, perform and carry out contracts of every kind with any person, firm, association or corporation, and, without limit as to amount, to draw, make, accept, endorse, discount, execute and issue promissory notes, drafts, bills of exchange, warrants, bonds, debentures, and other negotiable or transferable instruments.
(5) To have one or more offices, to carry on all or any of its operations and businesses, without restriction to the same extent as natural persons might or could do, to purchase or otherwise acquire, to hold, own, to mortgage, sell, convey or otherwise dispose of, real and personal property, of every class and description, in any State, District, Territory or Colony of the United States, and in any foreign country or place.
(6) It is the intention that the objects, purposes and powers specified and clauses contained in this paragraph shall (except where otherwise expressed in said paragraph) be nowise limited or restricted by reference to or inference from the terms of any other clause of this or any other paragraph in this charter, but that the objects, purposes and powers specified in each of the clauses of this paragraph shall be regarded as independent objects, purposes and powers.
FOURTH: - (a) The total number of shares of all classes of stock which the Corporation shall have authority to issue is forty-one million (41,000,000) shares, consisting of:
(1) One million (1,000,000) shares of Preferred stock, par value $10.00 per share (hereinafter referred to as "Preferred Stock"); and
(2) Forty million (40,000,000) shares of Common Stock, par value $1.00 per share (hereinafter referred to as "Common Stock").
(b) Shares of Preferred Stock may be issued from time to time in one or more series as may from time to time be determined by the Board of Directors each of said series to be distinctly designated. All shares of any one series of Preferred Stock shall be alike in every particular, except that there may be different dates from which dividends, if any, thereon shall be cumulative, if made cumulative. The voting powers and the preferences and relative, participating, optional and other special rights of each such series, and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof, if any, may differ from those of any and all other series at any time outstanding; and, subject to the provisions of subparagraph 1 of Paragraph (c) of this Article FOURTH, the Board of Directors of the Corporation is hereby expressly granted authority to fix by resolution or resolutions adopted prior to the issuance of any shares of a particular series of Preferred Stock, the voting powers and the designations, preferences and relative, optional and other special rights, and the qualifications, limitations and restrictions of such series, including, but without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the following:
(1) The distinctive designation of, and the number of shares of Preferred Stock which shall constitute such series, which number may be increased (except where otherwise provided by the Board of Directors) or decreased (but not below the number of shares thereof then outstanding) from time to time by like action of the Board of Directors;
(2) The rate and times at which, and the terms and conditions on which, dividends, if any, on Preferred Stock of such series shall be paid, the extent of the preference or relation, if any, of such dividends to the dividends payable on any other class or classes, or series of the same or other class of stock and whether such dividends shall be cumulative or non-cumulative;
(3) The right, if any, of the holders of Preferred Stock of such series to convert the same into or exchange the same for, shares of any other class or classes or of any series of the same or any other class or classes of stock of the Corporation and the terms and conditions of such conversion or exchange;
(4) Whether or not Preferred Stock of such series shall be subject to redemption, and the redemption price or prices and the time or times at which, and the terms and conditions on which, Preferred Stock of such series may be redeemed.
(5) The rights, if any, of the holders of Preferred Stock of such series upon the
voluntary or involuntary liquidation, merger, consolidation, distribution or sale of assets, dissolution or winding-up, of the Corporation.
(6) The terms of the sinking fund or redemption or purchase account, if any, to be provided for the Preferred Stock of such series; and
(7) The voting powers, if any, of the holders of such series of Preferred Stock which may, without limiting the generality of the foregoing include the right, voting as a series or by itself or together with other series of Preferred Stock or all series of Preferred Stock as a class, to elect one or more directors of the Corporation if there shall have been a default in the payment of dividends on any one or more series of Preferred Stock or under such circumstances and on such conditions as the Board of Directors may determine.
(c) (1) After the requirements with respect to preferential dividends on
the Preferred Stock (fixed in accordance with the provisions of section
(b) of this Article FOURTH), if any, shall have been met and after the
Corporation shall have complied with all the requirements, if any, with
respect to the setting aside of sums as sinking funds or redemption or
purchase accounts (fixed in accordance with the provisions of section (b)
of this Article FOURTH), and subject further to any conditions which may
be fixed in accordance with the provisions of section (b) of this Article
FOURTH, then and not otherwise the holders of Common Stock shall be
entitled to receive such dividends as may be declared from time to time by
the Board of Directors.
(2) After distribution in full of the preferential amount, if any, (fixed in accordance with the provisions of section (b) of this Article FOURTH), to be distributed to the holders of Preferred Stock in the event of voluntary or involuntary liquidation, distribution or sale of assets, dissolution or winding-up, of the Corporation, the holders of the Common Stock shall be entitled to receive all of the remaining assets of the Corporation, tangible and intangible, of whatever kind available for distribution to stockholders ratably in proportion to the number of shares of Common Stock held by them respectively.
(3) Except as may otherwise be required by law or by the provisions of such resolution or resolutions as may be adopted by the Board of Directors pursuant to section (b) of this Article FOURTH, each holder of Common Stock shall have one vote in respect of each share of Common Stock held on all matters voted upon by the stockholders.
(d) No holder of any of the shares of any class or series of stock or of options, warrants or other rights to purchase shares of any class or series of stock or of other securities of the Corporation shall have any preemptive right to purchase or subscribe for any unissued stock of any class or series or any additional shares of any class or series to be issued by reason of any increase of the authorized capital stock of the Corporation of
any class or series, or bonds, certificates of indebtedness, debentures or other securities convertible into or exchangeable for stock of the Corporation of any class or series, or carrying any right to purchase stock of any class or series, but any such unissued stock, additional authorized issue of shares of any class or series of stock or securities convertible into or exchangeable for stock, or carrying any right to purchase stock, may be issued and disposed of pursuant to resolution of the Board of Directors to such persons, firms, corporations or associations, whether such holders or others, and upon such terms as may be deemed advisable by the Board of Directors in the exercise of its sole discretion.
(e) The relative powers, preferences and rights of each series of Preferred Stock in relation to the relative powers, preferences and rights of each other series of Preferred Stock shall, in each case, be as fixed from time to time by the Board of Directors in the resolution or resolutions adopted pursuant to authority granted in section (b) of this Article FOURTH and the consent, by class or series vote or otherwise, of the holders of such of the series of Preferred Stock as are from time to time outstanding shall not be required for the issuance by the Board of Directors of any other series of Preferred Stock whether or not the powers, preferences and rights of such other series shall be fixed by the Board of Directors as senior to, or on a parity with, the powers, preferences and rights of such outstanding series, or any of them; provided, however, that the Board of Directors may provide in the resolution or resolutions as to any series of Preferred Stock adopted pursuant to section (b) of this Article FOURTH that the consent of the holders of a majority (or such greater proportion as shall be therein fixed) of the outstanding shares of such series voting thereon shall be required for the issuance of any or all other series of Preferred Stock.
(f) Subject to the provisions of section (e), shares of any series of Preferred Stock may be issued from time to time as the Board of Directors of the Corporation shall determine and on such terms and for such consideration as shall be fixed by the Board of Directors.
(g) Shares of Common Stock may be issued from time to time as the Board of Directors of the Corporation shall determine and on such terms and for such consideration as shall be fixed by the Board of Directors.
(h) The authorized amount of shares of Common Stock and of Preferred Stock may, without a class or series vote, be increased or decreased from time to time by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the stock of the Corporation entitled to vote thereon.
FIFTH: - (a) The business and affairs of the Corporation shall be conducted and managed by a Board of Directors. The number of directors constituting the entire Board shall be not less than five nor more than twenty-five as fixed from time to time by vote of a majority of the whole Board, provided, however, that the number of
directors shall not be reduced so as to shorten the term of any director at the time in office, and provided further, that the number of directors constituting the whole Board shall be twenty-four until otherwise fixed by a majority of the whole Board.
(b) The Board of Directors shall be divided into three classes, as nearly equal in number as the then total number of directors constituting the whole Board permits, with the term of office of one class expiring each year. At the annual meeting of stockholders in 1982, directors of the first class shall be elected to hold office for a term expiring at the next succeeding annual meeting, directors of the second class shall be elected to hold office for a term expiring at the second succeeding annual meeting and directors of the third class shall be elected to hold office for a term expiring at the third succeeding annual meeting. Any vacancies in the Board of Directors for any reason, and any newly created directorships resulting from any increase in the directors, may be filled by the Board of Directors, acting by a majority of the directors then in office, although less than a quorum, and any directors so chosen shall hold office until the next annual election of directors. At such election, the stockholders shall elect a successor to such director to hold office until the next election of the class for which such director shall have been chosen and until his successor shall be elected and qualified. No decrease in the number of directors shall shorten the term of any incumbent director.
(c) Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Charter or Act of Incorporation or the By-Laws of the Corporation (and notwithstanding the fact that some lesser percentage may be specified by law, this Charter or Act of Incorporation or the By-Laws of the Corporation), any director or the entire Board of Directors of the Corporation may be removed at any time without cause, but only by the affirmative vote of the holders of two-thirds or more of the outstanding shares of capital stock of the Corporation entitled to vote generally in the election of directors (considered for this purpose as one class) cast at a meeting of the stockholders called for that purpose.
(d) Nominations for the election of directors may be made by the Board of Directors or by any stockholder entitled to vote for the election of directors. Such nominations shall be made by notice in writing, delivered or mailed by first class United States mail, postage prepaid, to the Secretary of the Corporation not less than 14 days nor more than 50 days prior to any meeting of the stockholders called for the election of directors; provided, however, that if less than 21 days' notice of the meeting is given to stockholders, such written notice shall be delivered or mailed, as prescribed, to the Secretary of the Corporation not later than the close of the seventh day following the day on which notice of the meeting was mailed to stockholders. Notice of nominations which are proposed by the Board of Directors shall be given by the Chairman on behalf of the Board.
(e) Each notice under subsection (d) shall set forth (i) the name, age, business address and, if known, residence address of each nominee proposed in such notice, (ii) the
principal occupation or employment of such nominee and (iii) the number of shares of stock of the Corporation which are beneficially owned by each such nominee.
(f) The Chairman of the meeting may, if the facts warrant, determine and declare to the meeting that a nomination was not made in accordance with the foregoing procedure, and if he should so determine, he shall so declare to the meeting and the defective nomination shall be disregarded.
(g) No action required to be taken or which may be taken at any annual or special meeting of stockholders of the Corporation may be taken without a meeting, and the power of stockholders to consent in writing, without a meeting, to the taking of any action is specifically denied.
SIXTH: - The Directors shall choose such officers, agents and servants as may be provided in the By-Laws as they may from time to time find necessary or proper.
SEVENTH: - The Corporation hereby created is hereby given the same powers, rights and privileges as may be conferred upon corporations organized under the Act entitled "An Act Providing a General Corporation Law", approved March 10, 1899, as from time to time amended.
EIGHTH: - This Act shall be deemed and taken to be a private Act.
NINTH: - This Corporation is to have perpetual existence.
TENTH: - The Board of Directors, by resolution passed by a majority of the whole Board, may designate any of their number to constitute an Executive Committee, which Committee, to the extent provided in said resolution, or in the By-Laws of the Company, shall have and may exercise all of the powers of the Board of Directors in the management of the business and affairs of the Corporation, and shall have power to authorize the seal of the Corporation to be affixed to all papers which may require it.
ELEVENTH: - The private property of the stockholders shall not be liable for the payment of corporate debts to any extent whatever.
TWELFTH: - The Corporation may transact business in any part of the world.
THIRTEENTH: - The Board of Directors of the Corporation is expressly authorized to make, alter or repeal the By-Laws of the Corporation by a vote of the majority of the entire Board. The stockholders may make, alter or repeal any By-Law whether or not adopted by them, provided however, that any such additional By-Laws, alterations or repeal may be adopted only by the affirmative vote of the holders of two-thirds or more of the outstanding shares of capital stock of the Corporation entitled to vote generally in the election of directors (considered for this purpose as one class).
FOURTEENTH: - Meetings of the Directors may be held outside of the State of Delaware at such places as may be from time to time designated by the Board, and the Directors may keep the books of the Company outside of the State of Delaware at such places as may be from time to time designated by them.
FIFTEENTH: - (a) (1) In addition to any affirmative vote required by law, and except as otherwise expressly provided in sections (b) and (c) of this Article FIFTEENTH:
(A) any merger or consolidation of the Corporation or any Subsidiary (as hereinafter defined) with or into (i) any Interested Stockholder (as hereinafter defined) or (ii) any other corporation (whether or not itself an Interested Stockholder), which, after such merger or consolidation, would be an Affiliate (as hereinafter defined) of an Interested Stockholder, or
(B) any sale, lease, exchange, mortgage, pledge, transfer or other disposition (in one transaction or a series of related transactions) to or with any Interested Stockholder or any Affiliate of any Interested Stockholder of any assets of the Corporation or any Subsidiary having an aggregate fair market value of $1,000,000 or more, or
(C) the issuance or transfer by the Corporation or any Subsidiary (in one transaction or a series of related transactions) of any securities of the Corporation or any Subsidiary to any Interested Stockholder or any Affiliate of any Interested Stockholder in exchange for cash, securities or other property (or a combination thereof) having an aggregate fair market value of $1,000,000 or more, or
(D) the adoption of any plan or proposal for the liquidation or dissolution of the Corporation, or
(E) any reclassification of securities (including any reverse stock split), or recapitalization of the Corporation, or any merger or consolidation of the Corporation with any of its Subsidiaries or any similar transaction (whether or not with or into or otherwise involving an Interested Stockholder) which has the effect, directly or indirectly, of increasing the proportionate share of the outstanding shares of any class of equity or convertible securities of the Corporation or any Subsidiary which is directly or indirectly owned by any Interested Stockholder, or any Affiliate of any Interested Stockholder,
shall require the affirmative vote of the holders of at least two-thirds of the outstanding shares of capital stock of the Corporation entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, considered for the purpose of this Article FIFTEENTH as one class ("Voting Shares"). Such affirmative vote shall be required notwithstanding the fact that no vote may be required, or that some lesser percentage may be specified, by law or in any agreement with any national securities exchange or
otherwise.
(2) The term "business combination" as used in this Article FIFTEENTH shall mean any transaction which is referred to in any one or more of clauses (A) through (E) of paragraph 1 of the section (a).
(b) The provisions of section (a) of this Article FIFTEENTH shall not be applicable to any particular business combination and such business combination shall require only such affirmative vote as is required by law and any other provisions of the Charter or Act of Incorporation or By-Laws if such business combination has been approved by a majority of the whole Board.
(c) For the purposes of this Article FIFTEENTH:
(1) A "person" shall mean any individual, firm, corporation or other entity.
(2) "Interested Stockholder" shall mean, in respect of any business combination, any person (other than the Corporation or any Subsidiary) who or which as of the record date for the determination of stockholders entitled to notice of and to vote on such business combination, or immediately prior to the consummation of any such transaction:
(A) is the beneficial owner, directly or indirectly, of more than 10% of the Voting Shares, or
(B) is an Affiliate of the Corporation and at any time within two years prior thereto was the beneficial owner, directly or indirectly, of not less than 10% of the then outstanding voting Shares, or
(C) is an assignee of or has otherwise succeeded in any share of capital stock of the Corporation which were at any time within two years prior thereto beneficially owned by any Interested Stockholder, and such assignment or succession shall have occurred in the course of a transaction or series of transactions not involving a public offering within the meaning of the Securities Act of 1933.
(3) A person shall be the "beneficial owner" of any Voting Shares:
(A) which such person or any of its Affiliates and Associates (as hereafter defined) beneficially own, directly or indirectly, or
(B) which such person or any of its Affiliates or Associates has (i)
the right to acquire (whether such right is exercisable immediately
or only after the passage of time), pursuant to any agreement,
arrangement or understanding or upon the
exercise of conversion rights, exchange rights, warrants or options, or otherwise, or (ii) the right to vote pursuant to any agreement, arrangement or understanding, or
(C) which are beneficially owned, directly or indirectly, by any other person with which such first mentioned person or any of its Affiliates or Associates has any agreement, arrangement or understanding for the purpose of acquiring, holding, voting or disposing of any shares of capital stock of the Corporation.
(4) The outstanding Voting Shares shall include shares deemed owned through application of paragraph (3) above but shall not include any other Voting Shares which may be issuable pursuant to any agreement, or upon exercise of conversion rights, warrants or options or otherwise.
(5) "Affiliate" and "Associate" shall have the respective meanings given those terms in Rule 12b-2 of the General Rules and Regulations under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as in effect on December 31, 1981.
(6) "Subsidiary" shall mean any corporation of which a majority of any class of equity security (as defined in Rule 3a11-1 of the General Rules and Regulations under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as in effect on December 31, 1981) is owned, directly or indirectly, by the Corporation; provided, however, that for the purposes of the definition of Investment Stockholder set forth in paragraph (2) of this section (c), the term "Subsidiary" shall mean only a corporation of which a majority of each class of equity security is owned, directly or indirectly, by the Corporation.
(d) majority of the directors shall have the power and duty to determine for the purposes of this Article FIFTEENTH on the basis of information known to them, (1) the number of Voting Shares beneficially owned by any person (2) whether a person is an Affiliate or Associate of another, (3) whether a person has an agreement, arrangement or understanding with another as to the matters referred to in paragraph (3) of section (c), or (4) whether the assets subject to any business combination or the consideration received for the issuance or transfer of securities by the Corporation, or any Subsidiary has an aggregate fair market value of $1,000,000 or more.
(e) Nothing contained in this Article FIFTEENTH shall be construed to relieve any Interested Stockholder from any fiduciary obligation imposed by law.
SIXTEENTH: Notwithstanding any other provision of this Charter or Act of Incorporation or the By-Laws of the Corporation (and in addition to any other vote that may be required by law, this Charter or Act of Incorporation by the By-Laws), the affirmative vote of the holders of at least two-thirds of the outstanding shares of the capital stock of the Corporation entitled to vote generally in the election of directors
(considered for this purpose as one class) shall be required to amend, alter or repeal any provision of Articles FIFTH, THIRTEENTH, FIFTEENTH or SIXTEENTH of this Charter or Act of Incorporation.
SEVENTEENTH: (a) a Director of this Corporation shall not be liable to the Corporation or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a Director, except to the extent such exemption from liability or limitation thereof is not permitted under the Delaware General Corporation Laws as the same exists or may hereafter be amended.
(b) Any repeal or modification of the foregoing paragraph shall not adversely affect any right or protection of a Director of the Corporation existing hereunder with respect to any act or omission occurring prior to the time of such repeal or modification."
EXHIBIT B
BY-LAWS
WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY
WILMINGTON, DELAWARE
AS EXISTING ON JANUARY 16, 2003
BY-LAWS OF WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY
ARTICLE I
STOCKHOLDERS' MEETINGS
Section 1. Annual Meeting. The annual meeting of stockholders shall be held on the third Thursday in April each year at the principal office at the Company or at such other date, time or place as may be designated by resolution by the Board of Directors.
Section 2. Special Meetings. Special meetings of stockholders may be called at any time by the Board of Directors, the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer or the President.
Section 3. Notice. Notice of all meetings of the stockholders shall be given by mailing to each stockholder at least ten (10) days before said meeting, at his last known address, a written or printed notice fixing the time and place of such meeting.
Section 4. Quorum. A majority in the amount of the capital stock of the Company issued and outstanding on the record date, as herein determined, shall constitute a quorum at all meetings of stockholders for the transaction of any business, but the holders of a smaller number of shares may adjourn from time to time, without further notice, until a quorum is secured. At each annual or special meeting of stockholders, each stockholder shall be entitled to one vote, either in person or by proxy, for each share of stock registered in the stockholder's name on the books of the Company on the record date for any such meeting as determined herein.
ARTICLE 2
DIRECTORS
Section 1. Management. The affairs and business of the Company shall be managed by or under the direction of the Board of Directors.
Section 2. Number. The authorized number of directors that shall constitute the Board of Directors shall be fixed from time to time by or pursuant to a resolution passed by a majority of the Board of Directors within the parameters set by the Charter of the Company. No more than two directors may also be employees of the Company or any affiliate thereof.
Section 3. Qualification. In addition to any other provisions of these Bylaws, to be qualified for nomination for election or appointment to the Board of Directors, a person must have not attained the age of sixty-nine years at the time of such election or appointment, provided however, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee may waive such qualification as to a particular candidate otherwise qualified to serve as a director upon a good faith determination by such committee that such a waiver is in the best interests of the Company and its stockholders. The
Chairman of the Board and the Chief Executive Officer shall not be qualified to continue to serve as directors upon the termination of their service in those offices for any reason.
Section 4. Meetings. The Board of Directors shall meet at the principal office of the Company or elsewhere in its discretion at such times to be determined by a majority of its members, or at the call of the Chairman of the Board of Directors, the Chief Executive Officer or the President.
Section 5. Special Meetings. Special meetings of the Board of Directors may be called at any time by the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer or the President, and shall be called upon the written request of a majority of the directors.
Section 6. Quorum. A majority of the directors elected and qualified shall be necessary to constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at any meeting of the Board of Directors.
Section 7. Notice. Written notice shall be sent by mail to each director of any special meeting of the Board of Directors, and of any change in the time or place of any regular meeting, stating the time and place of such meeting, which shall be mailed not less than two days before the time of holding such meeting.
Section 8. Vacancies. In the event of the death, resignation, removal, inability to act or disqualification of any director, the Board of Directors, although less than a quorum, shall have the right to elect the successor who shall hold office for the remainder of the full term of the class of directors in which the vacancy occurred, and until such director's successor shall have been duly elected and qualified.
Section 9. Organization Meeting. The Board of Directors at its first meeting after its election by the stockholders shall appoint an Executive Committee, an Audit Committee, a Compensation Committee and a Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, and shall elect from its own members a Chairman of the Board, a Chief Executive Officer and a President, who may be the same person. The Board of Directors shall also elect at such meeting a Secretary and a Chief Financial Officer, who may be the same person, and may appoint at any time such committees as it may deem advisable. The Board of Directors may also elect at such meeting one or more Associate Directors. The Board of Directors, the Executive Committee or another committee designated by the Board of Directors may elect or appoint such other officers as they may deem advisable.
Section 10. Removal. The Board of Directors may at any time remove, with or without cause, any member of any committee appointed by it or any associate director or officer elected by it and may appoint or elect his successor.
Section 11. Responsibility of Officers. The Board of Directors may designate an officer to be in charge of such departments or divisions of the Company as it may deem advisable.
Section 12. Participation in Meetings. The Board of Directors or any committee of the Board of Directors may participate in a meeting of the Board of Directors or such committee, as the case may be, by conference telephone, video facilities or other communications equipment. Any action required or permitted to be taken at any meeting of the Board of Directors or any committee thereof may be taken without a meeting if all of the members of the Board of Directors or the committee, as the case may be, consent thereto in writing, and the writing or writings are filed with the minutes of the Board of Directors or such committee.
ARTICLE 3
COMMITTEES OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Section 1. Executive Committee.
(A) The Executive Committee shall be composed of not more than nine
(9) members, who shall be selected by the Board of Directors from its own
members, and who shall hold office at the pleasure of the Board of Directors.
(B) The Executive Committee shall have and may exercise, to the fullest extent permitted by law, all of the powers of the Board of Directors when it is not in session to transact all business for and on behalf of the Company that may be brought before it.
(C) The Executive Committee shall meet at the principal office of the Company or elsewhere in its discretion at such times to be determined by a majority of its members, or at the call of the Chairman of the Executive Committee, the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer or the President. The majority of its members shall be necessary to constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. Special meetings of the Executive Committee may be held at any time when a quorum is present.
(D) Minutes of each meeting of the Executive Committee shall be kept and submitted to the Board of Directors at its next meeting.
(E) In the event of an emergency of sufficient severity to prevent the conduct and management of the affairs and business of the Company by its directors and officers as contemplated by these Bylaws, any two available members of the Executive Committee as constituted immediately prior to such emergency shall constitute a quorum of that Committee for the full conduct and management of the affairs and business of the Company in accordance with the provisions of Article 3 of these Bylaws. In the event of the unavailability, at such time, of a minimum of two members of the Executive Committee, any three available directors shall constitute the Executive Committee for the full conduct and management of the affairs and business of the Company in accordance with the foregoing provisions of this Section. This Bylaw shall be subject to implementation by resolutions of the Board of Directors presently existing or hereafter passed from time to time for that purpose, and any provisions of these Bylaws (other than this Section) and any resolutions which are contrary
to the provisions of this Section or to the provisions of any such implementing resolutions shall be suspended during such a disaster period until it shall be determined by any interim Executive Committee acting under this Section that it shall be to the advantage of the Company to resume the conduct and management of its affairs and business under all of the other provisions of these Bylaws.
Section 2. Audit Committee.
(A) The Audit Committee shall be composed of not more than five (5)
members, who shall be selected by the Board of Directors from its own members,
none of whom shall be an officer or employee of the Company, and shall hold
office at the pleasure of the Board.
(B) The Audit Committee shall have general supervision over the Audit Services Division in all matters however subject to the approval of the Board of Directors; it shall consider all matters brought to its attention by the officer in charge of the Audit Services Division, review all reports of examination of the Company made by any governmental agency or such independent auditor employed for that purpose, and make such recommendations to the Board of Directors with respect thereto or with respect to any other matters pertaining to auditing the Company as it shall deem desirable.
(C) The Audit Committee shall meet whenever and wherever its Chairperson, the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, the President or a majority of the Committee's members shall deem it to be proper for the transaction of its business. A majority of the Committee's members shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. The acts of the majority at a meeting at which a quorum is present shall constitute action by the Committee.
Section 3. Compensation Committee.
(A) The Compensation Committee shall be composed of not more than five (5) members, who shall be selected by the Board of Directors from its own members, none of whom shall be an officer or employee of the Company, and shall hold office at the pleasure of the Board of Directors.
(B) The Compensation Committee shall in general advise upon all matters of policy concerning compensation, including salaries and employee benefits.
(C) The Compensation Committee shall meet whenever and wherever its Chairperson, the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, the President or a majority of the Committee's members shall deem it to be proper for the transaction of its business. A majority of the Committee's members shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. The acts of the majority at a meeting at which a quorum is present shall constitute action by the Committee.
SECTION 4. NOMINATING AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE COMMITTEE.
(A) The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee shall be composed of not more than five members, who shall be selected by the Board of Directors from its own members, none of whom shall be an officer or employee of the Company, and shall hold office at the pleasure of the Board of Directors.
(B) The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee shall provide counsel and make recommendations to the Chairman of the Board and the full Board with respect to the performance of the Chairman of the Board and the Chief Executive Officer, candidates for membership on the Board of Directors and its committees, matters of corporate governance, succession planning for the Company's executive management and significant shareholder relations issues.
(C) The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee shall meet whenever and wherever its Chairperson, the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, the President, or a majority of the Committee's members shall deem it to be proper for the transaction of its business. A majority of the Committee's members shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. The acts of the majority at a meeting at which a quorum is present shall constitute action by the Committee.
Section 5. Other Committees. The Company may have such other committees with such powers as the Board may designate from time to time by resolution or by an amendment to these Bylaws.
Section 6. Associate Directors.
(A) Any person who has served as a director may be elected by the Board of Directors as an associate director, to serve at the pleasure of the Board of Directors.
(B) Associate directors shall be entitled to attend all meetings of directors and participate in the discussion of all matters brought to the Board of Directors, but will not have a right to vote.
Section 7. Absence or Disqualification of Any Member of a Committee. In the absence or disqualification of any member of any committee created under Article III of these Bylaws, the member or members thereof present at any meeting and not disqualified from voting, whether or not he or they constitute a quorum, may unanimously appoint another member of the Board of Directors to act at the meeting in the place of any such absent or disqualified member.
ARTICLE 4
OFFICERS
Section 1. Chairman of the Board. The Chairman of the Board shall preside at all meetings of the Board of Directors and shall have such further authority and powers and shall perform such duties the Board of Directors may assign to him from time to time.
Section 2. Chief Executive Officer. The Chief Executive Officer shall have the powers and duties pertaining to the office of Chief Executive Officer conferred or imposed upon him by statute, incident to his office or as the Board of Directors may assign to him from time to time. In the absence of the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer shall have the powers and duties of the Chairman of the Board.
Section 3. President. The President shall have the powers and duties pertaining to the office of the President conferred or imposed upon him by statute, incident to his office or as the Board of Directors may assign to him from time to time. In the absence of the Chairman of the Board and the Chief Executive Officer, the President shall have the powers and duties of the Chairman of the Board.
Section 4. Duties. The Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer or the President, as designated by the Board of Directors, shall carry into effect all legal directions of the Executive Committee and of the Board of Directors and shall at all times exercise general supervision over the interest, affairs and operations of the Company and perform all duties incident to his office.
Section 5. Vice Presidents. There may be one or more Vice Presidents, however denominated by the Board of Directors, who may at any time perform all of the duties of the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer and/or the President and such other powers and duties incident to their respective offices or as the Board of Directors, the Executive Committee, the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer or the President or the officer in charge of the department or division to which they are assigned may assign to them from time to time.
Section 6. Secretary. The Secretary shall attend to the giving of notice of meetings of the stockholders and the Board of Directors, as well as the committees thereof, to the keeping of accurate minutes of all such meetings, recording the same in the minute books of the Company and in general notifying the Board of Directors of material matters affecting the Company on a timely basis. In addition to the other notice requirements of these Bylaws and as may be practicable under the circumstances, all such notices shall be in writing and mailed well in advance of the scheduled date of any such meeting. He shall have custody of the corporate seal, affix the same to any documents requiring such corporate seal, attest the same and perform other duties incident to his office.
Section 7. Chief Financial Officer. The Chief Financial Officer shall have general supervision over all assets and liabilities of the Company. He shall be custodian of and responsible for all monies, funds and valuables of the Company and for the keeping of proper records of the evidence of property or indebtedness and of all transactions of the Company. He shall have general supervision of the expenditures of the Company and periodically shall report to the Board of Directors the condition of the Company, and perform such other duties incident to his office or as the
Board of Directors, the Executive Committee, the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer or the President may assign to him from time to time.
Section 8. Controller. There may be a Controller who shall exercise general supervision over the internal operations of the Company, including accounting, and shall render to the Board of Directors or the Audit Committee at appropriate times a report relating to the general condition and internal operations of the Company and perform other duties incident to his office.
There may be one or more subordinate accounting or controller officers however denominated, who may perform the duties of the Controller and such duties as may be prescribed by the Controller.
Section 9. Audit Officers. The officer designated by the Board of Directors to be in charge of the Audit Services Division of the Company, with such title as the Board of Directors shall prescribe, shall report to and be directly responsible to the Audit Committee and the Board of Directors.
There shall be an Auditor and there may be one or more Audit Officers, however denominated, who may perform all the duties of the Auditor and such duties as may be prescribed by the officer in charge of the Audit Services Division.
Section 10. Other Officers. There may be one or more officers, subordinate in rank to all Vice Presidents with such functional titles as shall be determined from time to time by the Board of Directors, who shall ex officio hold the office of Assistant Secretary of the Company and who may perform such duties as may be prescribed by the officer in charge of the department or division to which they are assigned.
Section 11. Powers and Duties of Other Officers. The powers and duties of all other officers of the Company shall be those usually pertaining to their respective offices, subject to the direction of the Board of Directors, the Executive Committee, the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer or the President and the officer in charge of the department or division to which they are assigned.
Section 12. Number of Offices. Any one or more offices of the Company may be held by the same person, except that (A) no individual may hold more than one of the offices of Chief Financial Officer, Controller or Audit Officer and (B) none of the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer or the President may hold any office mentioned in Section 12(A).
ARTICLE 5
STOCK AND STOCK CERTIFICATES
Section 1. Transfer. Shares of stock shall be transferable on the books of the Company and a transfer book shall be kept in which all transfers of stock shall be recorded.
Section 2. Certificates. Every holder of stock shall be entitled to have a certificate signed by or in the name of the Company by the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer or the President or a Vice President, and by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary, of the Company, certifying the number of shares owned by him in the Company. The corporate seal affixed thereto, and any of or all the signatures on the certificate, may be a facsimile. In case any officer, transfer agent or registrar who has signed or whose facsimile signature has been placed upon a certificate shall have ceased to be such officer, transfer agent or registrar before such certificate is issued, it may be issued by the Company with the same effect as if he were such officer, transfer agent or registrar at the date of issue. Duplicate certificates of stock shall be issued only upon giving such security as may be satisfactory to the Board of Directors or the Executive Committee.
Section 3. Record Date. The Board of Directors is authorized to fix in advance a record date for the determination of the stockholders entitled to notice of, and to vote at, any meeting of stockholders and any adjournment thereof, or entitled to receive payment of any dividend, or to any allotment of rights, or to exercise any rights in respect of any change, conversion or exchange of capital stock, or in connection with obtaining the consent of stockholders for any purpose, which record date shall not be more than 60 nor less than 10 days preceding the date of any meeting of stockholders or the date for the payment of any dividend, or the date for the allotment of rights, or the date when any change or conversion or exchange of capital stock shall go into effect, or a date in connection with obtaining such consent.
ARTICLE 6
SEAL
The corporate seal of the Company shall be in the following form:
Between two concentric circles the words "Wilmington Trust Company" within the inner circle the words "Wilmington, Delaware."
ARTICLE 7
FISCAL YEAR
The fiscal year of the Company shall be the calendar year.
ARTICLE 8
EXECUTION OF INSTRUMENTS OF THE COMPANY
The Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, the President or any Vice President, however denominated by the Board of Directors, shall have full power and authority to enter into, make, sign, execute, acknowledge and/or deliver and the Secretary or any Assistant Secretary shall have full power and authority to attest and affix the corporate seal of the Company to any and all deeds, conveyances, assignments, releases, contracts, agreements, bonds, notes, mortgages and all other instruments incident to the business of this Company or in acting as executor, administrator, guardian, trustee, agent or in any other fiduciary or representative capacity by any and every method of appointment or by whatever person, corporation, court officer or authority in the State of Delaware, or elsewhere, without any specific authority, ratification, approval or confirmation by the Board of Directors or the Executive Committee, and any and all such instruments shall have the same force and validity as though expressly authorized by the Board of Directors and/or the Executive Committee.
ARTICLE 9
COMPENSATION OF DIRECTORS AND MEMBERS OF COMMITTEES
Directors and associate directors of the Company, other than salaried officers of the Company, shall be paid such reasonable honoraria or fees for attending meetings of the Board of Directors as the Board of Directors may from time to time determine. Directors and associate directors who serve as members of committees, other than salaried employees of the Company, shall be paid such reasonable honoraria or fees for services as members of committees as the Board of Directors shall from time to time determine and directors and associate directors may be authorized by the Company to perform such special services as the Board of Directors may from time to time determine in accordance with any guidelines the Board of Directors may adopt for such services, and shall be paid for such special services so performed reasonable compensation as may be determined by the Board of Directors.
ARTICLE 10
INDEMNIFICATION
Section 1. Persons Covered. The Company shall indemnify and hold harmless, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law as it presently exists or may hereafter be amended, any person who was or is made or is threatened to be made a party or is otherwise involved in any action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (a "proceeding") by reason of the fact that he, or a person for whom he is the legal representative, is or was a director of the Company or is or was serving at the request of the Company as a director, officer, employee, fiduciary or agent of another corporation, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, trust, enterprise or non-profit entity that is not a subsidiary or affiliate of the Company, including service with respect to employee benefit plans, against all liability and loss suffered and expenses reasonably incurred by such person. The Company shall be required to indemnify such a person in connection with a proceeding initiated by such person only if the proceeding was authorized by the Board of Directors.
The Company may indemnify and hold harmless, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law as it presently exists or may hereafter be amended, any person who was or is made or threatened to be made a party or is otherwise involved in any proceeding by reason of the fact that he, or a person for whom he is the legal representative, is or was an officer, employee or agent of the Company or a director, officer, employee or agent of a subsidiary or affiliate of the Company, against all liability and loss suffered and expenses reasonably incurred by such person. The Company may indemnify any such person in connection with a proceeding (or part thereof) initiated by such person only if such proceeding (or part thereof) was authorized by the Board of Directors.
Section 2. Advance of Expenses. The Company shall pay the expenses incurred in defending any proceeding involving a person who is or may be indemnified pursuant to Section 1 in advance of its final disposition, provided, however, that the payment of expenses incurred by such a person in advance of the final disposition of the proceeding shall be made only upon receipt of an undertaking by that person to repay all amounts advanced if it should be ultimately determined that the person is not entitled to be indemnified under this Article 10 or otherwise.
Section 3. Certain Rights. If a claim under this Article 10 for (A) payment of expenses or (B) indemnification by a director or person who is or was serving at the request of the Company as a director, officer, employee, fiduciary or agent of another corporation, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, trust, enterprise or nonprofit entity that is not a subsidiary or affiliate of the Company, including service with respect to employee benefit plans, is not paid in full within sixty days after a written claim therefor has been received by the Company, the claimant may file suit to recover the unpaid amount of such claim and, if successful in whole or in part, shall be entitled to be paid the expense of prosecuting such claim. In any such action, the Company shall have the burden of proving that the claimant was not entitled to the requested indemnification or payment of expenses under applicable law.
Section 4. Non-Exclusive. The rights conferred on any person by this Article 10 shall not be exclusive of any other rights which such person may have or hereafter acquire under any statute, provision of the Charter or Act of Incorporation, these Bylaws, agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors or otherwise.
Section 5. Reduction of Amount. The Company's obligation, if any, to indemnify any person who was or is serving at its request as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, enterprise or nonprofit entity shall be reduced by any amount such person may collect as indemnification from such other corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, enterprise or nonprofit entity.
Section 6. Effect of Modification. Any amendment, repeal or modification of the foregoing provisions of this Article 10 shall not adversely affect any right or protection hereunder of any person in respect of any act or omission occurring prior to the time of such amendment, repeal or modification.
ARTICLE 11
AMENDMENTS TO THE BYLAWS
These Bylaws may be altered, amended or repealed, in whole or in part, and any new Bylaw or Bylaws adopted at any regular or special meeting of the Board of Directors by a vote of a majority of all the members of the Board of Directors then in office.
ARTICLE 12
MISCELLANEOUS
Whenever used in these Bylaws, the singular shall include the plural, the plural shall include the singular unless the context requires otherwise and the use of either gender shall include both genders.
EXHIBIT C
SECTION 321(b) CONSENT
Pursuant to Section 321(b) of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, Wilmington Trust Company hereby consents that reports of examinations by Federal, State, Territorial or District authorities may be furnished by such authorities to the Securities and Exchange Commission upon requests therefor.
WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY
Dated: August 11, 2003 By: /s/ Mary C. St.Amand
-----------------------
Name: Mary C. St.Amand
Title: Vice President
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EXHIBIT D
NOTICE
This form is intended to assist state nonmember banks and savings banks with state publication requirements. It has not been approved by any state banking authorities. Refer to your appropriate state banking authorities for your state publication requirements.
R E P O R T O F C O N D I T I O N
Consolidating domestic subsidiaries of the
WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY of WILMINGTON
---------------------------------------------------------- ------------------
Name of Bank City
in the State of DELAWARE , at the close of business on June 30, 2003.
------------
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ASSETS
Thousands of dollars
Cash and balances due from depository institutions:
Noninterest-bearing balances and currency and coins................................................221,573
Interest-bearing balances ...............................................................................0
Held-to-maturity securities ..................................................................................3,777
Available-for-sale securities.............................................................................1,684,467
Federal funds sold in domestic offices......................................................................465,275
Securities purchased under agreements to resell..............................................................18,800
Loans and lease financing receivables:
Loans and leases held for sale ....................................... 0
Loans and leases, net of unearned income..............................5,598,733
LESS: Allowance for loan and lease losses ........................... 77,873
Loans and leases, net of unearned income, allowance, and reserve.................................5,520,860
Assets held in trading accounts...................................................................................0
Premises and fixed assets (including capitalized leases)....................................................142,672
Other real estate owned ......................................................................................2,986
Investments in unconsolidated subsidiaries and associated companies...........................................2,496
Customers' liability to this bank on acceptances outstanding......................................................0
Intangible assets:
a. Goodwill ..........................................................................................157
b. Other intangible assets ........................................................................11,897
Other assets ...............................................................................................171,667
Total assets..............................................................................................8,246,627
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CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE
LIABILITIES
Deposits:
In domestic offices.......................................................................................6,415,199
Noninterest-bearing..........................................1,011,850
Interest-bearing.............................................5,403,349
Federal funds purchased in domestic offices............................................................... 286,799
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase............................................................. 207,308
Trading liabilities (from Schedule RC-D)..........................................................................0
Other borrowed money (includes mortgage indebtedness and obligations under capitalized leases:..............597,518
Bank's liability on acceptances executed and outstanding..........................................................0
Subordinated notes and debentures.................................................................................0
Other liabilities (from Schedule RC-G).......................................................................98,337
Total liabilities.........................................................................................7,605,161
EQUITY CAPITAL
Perpetual preferred stock and related surplus.....................................................................0
Common Stock....................................................................................................500
Surplus (exclude all surplus related to preferred stock)....................................................112,358
a. Retained earnings.......................................................................................526,582
b. Accumulated other comprehensive income................................................................. 2,026
Total equity capital........................................................................................641,466
Total liabilities, limited-life preferred stock, and equity capital.......................................8,246,627
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Exhibit 25.05
Registration No.
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM T-1
STATEMENT OF ELIGIBILITY UNDER THE TRUST INDENTURE ACT OF 1939
OF A CORPORATION DESIGNATED TO ACT AS TRUSTEE
CHECK IF AN APPLICATION TO DETERMINE ELIGIBILITY OF A TRUSTEE PURSUANT TO
SECTION 305(b)(2)
WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY
(Exact name of trustee as specified in its charter)
Delaware 51-0055023
(State of incorporation) (I.R.S. employer identification no.)
Rodney Square North
1100 North Market Street
Wilmington, Delaware 19890
(Address of principal executive offices)
Cynthia L. Corliss
Vice President and Trust Counsel
Wilmington Trust Company
Rodney Square North
Wilmington, Delaware 19890
(302) 651-8516
(Name, address and telephone number of agent for service)
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HARTFORD CAPITAL V
(Exact name of obligor as specified in its charter)
DELAWARE 82-6097264
(State of incorporation) (I.R.S. employer identification no.)
C/O THE HARTFORD FINANCIAL SERVICES GROUP, INC.
HARTFORD PLAZA
HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT 06115
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
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GUARANTEE WITH RESPECT TO PREFERRED SECURITIES OF HARTFORD CAPITAL V
(Title of the indenture securities)
ITEM 1. GENERAL INFORMATION.
Furnish the following information as to the trustee:
(a) Name and address of each examining or supervising authority to which it is subject.
Federal Deposit Insurance Co. State Bank Commissioner Five Penn Center Dover, Delaware Suite #2901 Philadelphia, PA |
(b) Whether it is authorized to exercise corporate trust powers.
The trustee is authorized to exercise corporate trust powers.
ITEM 2. AFFILIATIONS WITH THE OBLIGOR.
If the obligor is an affiliate of the trustee, describe each affiliation:
Based upon an examination of the books and records of the trustee and upon information furnished by the obligor, the obligor is not an affiliate of the trustee.
ITEM 16. LIST OF EXHIBITS.
List below all exhibits filed as part of this Statement of Eligibility and Qualification.
A. Copy of the Charter of Wilmington Trust Company, which includes
the authorization of Wilmington Trust Company to exercise
corporate trust powers.
B. Copy of By-Laws of Wilmington Trust Company.
C. Consent of Wilmington Trust Company required by Section 321(b)
of Trust Indenture Act.
D. Copy of most recent Report of Condition of Wilmington Trust
Company.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, the trustee, Wilmington Trust Company, a corporation organized and existing under the laws of Delaware, has duly caused this Statement of Eligibility to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, all in the City of Wilmington and State of Delaware on the 11th day of August 2003.
WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY
[SEAL]
Attest: /s/ Michael G. Oller, Jr. By: /s/ Mary C. St.Amand
-------------------------------- ---------------------------
Assistant Secretary Name: Mary C. St.Amand
Title: Vice President
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EXHIBIT A
AMENDED CHARTER
WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY
WILMINGTON, DELAWARE
AS EXISTING ON MAY 9, 1987
AMENDED CHARTER
OR
ACT OF INCORPORATION
OF
WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY
WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY, originally incorporated by an Act of the General Assembly of the State of Delaware, entitled "An Act to Incorporate the Delaware Guarantee and Trust Company", approved March 2, A.D. 1901, and the name of which company was changed to "WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY" by an amendment filed in the Office of the Secretary of State on March 18, A.D. 1903, and the Charter or Act of Incorporation of which company has been from time to time amended and changed by merger agreements pursuant to the corporation law for state banks and trust companies of the State of Delaware, does hereby alter and amend its Charter or Act of Incorporation so that the same as so altered and amended shall in its entirety read as follows:
FIRST: - The name of this corporation is WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY.
SECOND: - The location of its principal office in the State of Delaware is at Rodney Square North, in the City of Wilmington, County of New Castle; the name of its resident agent is WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY whose address is Rodney Square North, in said City. In addition to such principal office, the said corporation maintains and operates branch offices in the City of Newark, New Castle County, Delaware, the Town of Newport, New Castle County, Delaware, at Claymont, New Castle County, Delaware, at Greenville, New Castle County Delaware, and at Milford Cross Roads, New Castle County, Delaware, and shall be empowered to open, maintain and operate branch offices at Ninth and Shipley Streets, 418 Delaware Avenue, 2120 Market Street, and 3605 Market Street, all in the City of Wilmington, New Castle County, Delaware, and such other branch offices or places of business as may be authorized from time to time by the agency or agencies of the government of the State of Delaware empowered to confer such authority.
THIRD: - (a) The nature of the business and the objects and purposes proposed to be transacted, promoted or carried on by this Corporation are to do any or all of the things herein mentioned as fully and to the same extent as natural persons might or could do and in any part of the world, viz.:
(1) To sue and be sued, complain and defend in any Court of law or equity and to make and use a common seal, and alter the seal at pleasure, to hold, purchase, convey, mortgage or otherwise deal in real and personal estate and property, and to appoint such officers and agents as the business of the Corporation shall require, to make by-laws not inconsistent with the Constitution or laws of the United States or of this State, to discount bills, notes or other evidences of debt, to receive deposits of money, or securities for money, to buy gold and silver
bullion and foreign coins, to buy and sell bills of exchange, and generally to use, exercise and enjoy all the powers, rights, privileges and franchises incident to a corporation which are proper or necessary for the transaction of the business of the Corporation hereby created.
(2) To insure titles to real and personal property, or any estate or interests therein, and to guarantee the holder of such property, real or personal, against any claim or claims, adverse to his interest therein, and to prepare and give certificates of title for any lands or premises in the State of Delaware, or elsewhere.
(3) To act as factor, agent, broker or attorney in the receipt, collection, custody, investment and management of funds, and the purchase, sale, management and disposal of property of all descriptions, and to prepare and execute all papers which may be necessary or proper in such business.
(4) To prepare and draw agreements, contracts, deeds, leases, conveyances, mortgages, bonds and legal papers of every description, and to carry on the business of conveyancing in all its branches.
(5) To receive upon deposit for safekeeping money, jewelry, plate, deeds, bonds and any and all other personal property of every sort and kind, from executors, administrators, guardians, public officers, courts, receivers, assignees, trustees, and from all fiduciaries, and from all other persons and individuals, and from all corporations whether state, municipal, corporate or private, and to rent boxes, safes, vaults and other receptacles for such property.
(6) To act as agent or otherwise for the purpose of registering, issuing, certificating, countersigning, transferring or underwriting the stock, bonds or other obligations of any corporation, association, state or municipality, and may receive and manage any sinking fund therefor on such terms as may be agreed upon between the two parties, and in like manner may act as Treasurer of any corporation or municipality.
(7) To act as Trustee under any deed of trust, mortgage, bond or other instrument issued by any state, municipality, body politic, corporation, association or person, either alone or in conjunction with any other person or persons, corporation or corporations.
(8) To guarantee the validity, performance or effect of any contract or agreement, and the fidelity of persons holding places of responsibility or trust; to become surety for any person, or persons, for the faithful performance of any trust, office, duty, contract or agreement, either by itself or in conjunction with any other person, or persons, corporation, or corporations, or in like manner
become surety upon any bond, recognizance, obligation, judgment, suit, order, or decree to be entered in any court of record within the State of Delaware or elsewhere, or which may now or hereafter be required by any law, judge, officer or court in the State of Delaware or elsewhere.
(9) To act by any and every method of appointment as trustee, trustee in bankruptcy, receiver, assignee, assignee in bankruptcy, executor, administrator, guardian, bailee, or in any other trust capacity in the receiving, holding, managing, and disposing of any and all estates and property, real, personal or mixed, and to be appointed as such trustee, trustee in bankruptcy, receiver, assignee, assignee in bankruptcy, executor, administrator, guardian or bailee by any persons, corporations, court, officer, or authority, in the State of Delaware or elsewhere; and whenever this Corporation is so appointed by any person, corporation, court, officer or authority such trustee, trustee in bankruptcy, receiver, assignee, assignee in bankruptcy, executor, administrator, guardian, bailee, or in any other trust capacity, it shall not be required to give bond with surety, but its capital stock shall be taken and held as security for the performance of the duties devolving upon it by such appointment.
(10) And for its care, management and trouble, and the exercise of any of its powers hereby given, or for the performance of any of the duties which it may undertake or be called upon to perform, or for the assumption of any responsibility the said Corporation may be entitled to receive a proper compensation.
(11) To purchase, receive, hold and own bonds, mortgages, debentures, shares of capital stock, and other securities, obligations, contracts and evidences of indebtedness, of any private, public or municipal corporation within and without the State of Delaware, or of the Government of the United States, or of any state, territory, colony, or possession thereof, or of any foreign government or country; to receive, collect, receipt for, and dispose of interest, dividends and income upon and from any of the bonds, mortgages, debentures, notes, shares of capital stock, securities, obligations, contracts, evidences of indebtedness and other property held and owned by it, and to exercise in respect of all such bonds, mortgages, debentures, notes, shares of capital stock, securities, obligations, contracts, evidences of indebtedness and other property, any and all the rights, powers and privileges of individual owners thereof, including the right to vote thereon; to invest and deal in and with any of the moneys of the Corporation upon such securities and in such manner as it may think fit and proper, and from time to time to vary or realize such investments; to issue bonds and secure the same by pledges or deeds of trust or mortgages of or upon the whole or any part of the property held or owned by the Corporation, and to sell and pledge such bonds, as and when the Board of Directors shall determine, and in the promotion of its said corporate business of investment and to the extent authorized by law,
to lease, purchase, hold, sell, assign, transfer, pledge, mortgage and convey real and personal property of any name and nature and any estate or interest therein.
(b) In furtherance of, and not in limitation, of the powers conferred by the laws of the State of Delaware, it is hereby expressly provided that the said Corporation shall also have the following powers:
(1) To do any or all of the things herein set forth, to the same extent as natural persons might or could do, and in any part of the world.
(2) To acquire the good will, rights, property and franchises and to undertake the whole or any part of the assets and liabilities of any person, firm, association or corporation, and to pay for the same in cash, stock of this Corporation, bonds or otherwise; to hold or in any manner to dispose of the whole or any part of the property so purchased; to conduct in any lawful manner the whole or any part of any business so acquired, and to exercise all the powers necessary or convenient in and about the conduct and management of such business.
(3) To take, hold, own, deal in, mortgage or otherwise lien, and to lease, sell, exchange, transfer, or in any manner whatever dispose of property, real, personal or mixed, wherever situated.
(4) To enter into, make, perform and carry out contracts of every kind with any person, firm, association or corporation, and, without limit as to amount, to draw, make, accept, endorse, discount, execute and issue promissory notes, drafts, bills of exchange, warrants, bonds, debentures, and other negotiable or transferable instruments.
(5) To have one or more offices, to carry on all or any of its operations and businesses, without restriction to the same extent as natural persons might or could do, to purchase or otherwise acquire, to hold, own, to mortgage, sell, convey or otherwise dispose of, real and personal property, of every class and description, in any State, District, Territory or Colony of the United States, and in any foreign country or place.
(6) It is the intention that the objects, purposes and powers specified and clauses contained in this paragraph shall (except where otherwise expressed in said paragraph) be nowise limited or restricted by reference to or inference from the terms of any other clause of this or any other paragraph in this charter, but that the objects, purposes and powers specified in each of the clauses of this paragraph shall be regarded as independent objects, purposes and powers.
FOURTH: - (a) The total number of shares of all classes of stock which the Corporation shall have authority to issue is forty-one million (41,000,000) shares, consisting of:
(1) One million (1,000,000) shares of Preferred stock, par value $10.00 per share (hereinafter referred to as "Preferred Stock"); and
(2) Forty million (40,000,000) shares of Common Stock, par value $1.00 per share (hereinafter referred to as "Common Stock").
(b) Shares of Preferred Stock may be issued from time to time in one or more series as may from time to time be determined by the Board of Directors each of said series to be distinctly designated. All shares of any one series of Preferred Stock shall be alike in every particular, except that there may be different dates from which dividends, if any, thereon shall be cumulative, if made cumulative. The voting powers and the preferences and relative, participating, optional and other special rights of each such series, and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof, if any, may differ from those of any and all other series at any time outstanding; and, subject to the provisions of subparagraph 1 of Paragraph (c) of this Article FOURTH, the Board of Directors of the Corporation is hereby expressly granted authority to fix by resolution or resolutions adopted prior to the issuance of any shares of a particular series of Preferred Stock, the voting powers and the designations, preferences and relative, optional and other special rights, and the qualifications, limitations and restrictions of such series, including, but without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the following:
(1) The distinctive designation of, and the number of shares of Preferred Stock which shall constitute such series, which number may be increased (except where otherwise provided by the Board of Directors) or decreased (but not below the number of shares thereof then outstanding) from time to time by like action of the Board of Directors;
(2) The rate and times at which, and the terms and conditions on which, dividends, if any, on Preferred Stock of such series shall be paid, the extent of the preference or relation, if any, of such dividends to the dividends payable on any other class or classes, or series of the same or other class of stock and whether such dividends shall be cumulative or non-cumulative;
(3) The right, if any, of the holders of Preferred Stock of such series to convert the same into or exchange the same for, shares of any other class or classes or of any series of the same or any other class or classes of stock of the Corporation and the terms and conditions of such conversion or exchange;
(4) Whether or not Preferred Stock of such series shall be subject to redemption, and the redemption price or prices and the time or times at which, and the terms and conditions on which, Preferred Stock of such series may be redeemed.
(5) The rights, if any, of the holders of Preferred Stock of such series upon the
voluntary or involuntary liquidation, merger, consolidation, distribution or sale of assets, dissolution or winding-up, of the Corporation.
(6) The terms of the sinking fund or redemption or purchase account, if any, to be provided for the Preferred Stock of such series; and
(7) The voting powers, if any, of the holders of such series of Preferred Stock which may, without limiting the generality of the foregoing include the right, voting as a series or by itself or together with other series of Preferred Stock or all series of Preferred Stock as a class, to elect one or more directors of the Corporation if there shall have been a default in the payment of dividends on any one or more series of Preferred Stock or under such circumstances and on such conditions as the Board of Directors may determine.
(c) (1) After the requirements with respect to preferential dividends on
the Preferred Stock (fixed in accordance with the provisions of section
(b) of this Article FOURTH), if any, shall have been met and after the
Corporation shall have complied with all the requirements, if any, with
respect to the setting aside of sums as sinking funds or redemption or
purchase accounts (fixed in accordance with the provisions of section
(b) of this Article FOURTH), and subject further to any conditions which
may be fixed in accordance with the provisions of section (b) of this
Article FOURTH, then and not otherwise the holders of Common Stock shall
be entitled to receive such dividends as may be declared from time to
time by the Board of Directors.
(2) After distribution in full of the preferential amount, if any, (fixed in accordance with the provisions of section (b) of this Article FOURTH), to be distributed to the holders of Preferred Stock in the event of voluntary or involuntary liquidation, distribution or sale of assets, dissolution or winding-up, of the Corporation, the holders of the Common Stock shall be entitled to receive all of the remaining assets of the Corporation, tangible and intangible, of whatever kind available for distribution to stockholders ratably in proportion to the number of shares of Common Stock held by them respectively.
(3) Except as may otherwise be required by law or by the provisions of such resolution or resolutions as may be adopted by the Board of Directors pursuant to section (b) of this Article FOURTH, each holder of Common Stock shall have one vote in respect of each share of Common Stock held on all matters voted upon by the stockholders.
(d) No holder of any of the shares of any class or series of stock or of options, warrants or other rights to purchase shares of any class or series of stock or of other securities of the Corporation shall have any preemptive right to purchase or subscribe for any unissued stock of any class or series or any additional shares of any class or series to be issued by reason of any increase of the authorized capital stock of the Corporation of
any class or series, or bonds, certificates of indebtedness, debentures or other securities convertible into or exchangeable for stock of the Corporation of any class or series, or carrying any right to purchase stock of any class or series, but any such unissued stock, additional authorized issue of shares of any class or series of stock or securities convertible into or exchangeable for stock, or carrying any right to purchase stock, may be issued and disposed of pursuant to resolution of the Board of Directors to such persons, firms, corporations or associations, whether such holders or others, and upon such terms as may be deemed advisable by the Board of Directors in the exercise of its sole discretion.
(e) The relative powers, preferences and rights of each series of Preferred Stock in relation to the relative powers, preferences and rights of each other series of Preferred Stock shall, in each case, be as fixed from time to time by the Board of Directors in the resolution or resolutions adopted pursuant to authority granted in section (b) of this Article FOURTH and the consent, by class or series vote or otherwise, of the holders of such of the series of Preferred Stock as are from time to time outstanding shall not be required for the issuance by the Board of Directors of any other series of Preferred Stock whether or not the powers, preferences and rights of such other series shall be fixed by the Board of Directors as senior to, or on a parity with, the powers, preferences and rights of such outstanding series, or any of them; provided, however, that the Board of Directors may provide in the resolution or resolutions as to any series of Preferred Stock adopted pursuant to section (b) of this Article FOURTH that the consent of the holders of a majority (or such greater proportion as shall be therein fixed) of the outstanding shares of such series voting thereon shall be required for the issuance of any or all other series of Preferred Stock.
(f) Subject to the provisions of section (e), shares of any series of Preferred Stock may be issued from time to time as the Board of Directors of the Corporation shall determine and on such terms and for such consideration as shall be fixed by the Board of Directors.
(g) Shares of Common Stock may be issued from time to time as the Board of Directors of the Corporation shall determine and on such terms and for such consideration as shall be fixed by the Board of Directors.
(h) The authorized amount of shares of Common Stock and of Preferred Stock may, without a class or series vote, be increased or decreased from time to time by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the stock of the Corporation entitled to vote thereon.
FIFTH: - (a) The business and affairs of the Corporation shall be conducted and managed by a Board of Directors. The number of directors constituting the entire Board shall be not less than five nor more than twenty-five as fixed from time to time by vote of a majority of the whole Board, provided, however, that the number of
directors shall not be reduced so as to shorten the term of any director at the time in office, and provided further, that the number of directors constituting the whole Board shall be twenty-four until otherwise fixed by a majority of the whole Board.
(b) The Board of Directors shall be divided into three classes, as nearly equal in number as the then total number of directors constituting the whole Board permits, with the term of office of one class expiring each year. At the annual meeting of stockholders in 1982, directors of the first class shall be elected to hold office for a term expiring at the next succeeding annual meeting, directors of the second class shall be elected to hold office for a term expiring at the second succeeding annual meeting and directors of the third class shall be elected to hold office for a term expiring at the third succeeding annual meeting. Any vacancies in the Board of Directors for any reason, and any newly created directorships resulting from any increase in the directors, may be filled by the Board of Directors, acting by a majority of the directors then in office, although less than a quorum, and any directors so chosen shall hold office until the next annual election of directors. At such election, the stockholders shall elect a successor to such director to hold office until the next election of the class for which such director shall have been chosen and until his successor shall be elected and qualified. No decrease in the number of directors shall shorten the term of any incumbent director.
(c) Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Charter or Act of Incorporation or the By-Laws of the Corporation (and notwithstanding the fact that some lesser percentage may be specified by law, this Charter or Act of Incorporation or the By-Laws of the Corporation), any director or the entire Board of Directors of the Corporation may be removed at any time without cause, but only by the affirmative vote of the holders of two-thirds or more of the outstanding shares of capital stock of the Corporation entitled to vote generally in the election of directors (considered for this purpose as one class) cast at a meeting of the stockholders called for that purpose.
(d) Nominations for the election of directors may be made by the Board of Directors or by any stockholder entitled to vote for the election of directors. Such nominations shall be made by notice in writing, delivered or mailed by first class United States mail, postage prepaid, to the Secretary of the Corporation not less than 14 days nor more than 50 days prior to any meeting of the stockholders called for the election of directors; provided, however, that if less than 21 days' notice of the meeting is given to stockholders, such written notice shall be delivered or mailed, as prescribed, to the Secretary of the Corporation not later than the close of the seventh day following the day on which notice of the meeting was mailed to stockholders. Notice of nominations which are proposed by the Board of Directors shall be given by the Chairman on behalf of the Board.
(e) Each notice under subsection (d) shall set forth (i) the name, age, business address and, if known, residence address of each nominee proposed in such notice, (ii) the
principal occupation or employment of such nominee and (iii) the number of shares of stock of the Corporation which are beneficially owned by each such nominee.
(f) The Chairman of the meeting may, if the facts warrant, determine and declare to the meeting that a nomination was not made in accordance with the foregoing procedure, and if he should so determine, he shall so declare to the meeting and the defective nomination shall be disregarded.
(g) No action required to be taken or which may be taken at any annual or special meeting of stockholders of the Corporation may be taken without a meeting, and the power of stockholders to consent in writing, without a meeting, to the taking of any action is specifically denied.
SIXTH: - The Directors shall choose such officers, agents and servants as may be provided in the By-Laws as they may from time to time find necessary or proper.
SEVENTH: - The Corporation hereby created is hereby given the same powers, rights and privileges as may be conferred upon corporations organized under the Act entitled "An Act Providing a General Corporation Law", approved March 10, 1899, as from time to time amended.
EIGHTH: - This Act shall be deemed and taken to be a private Act.
NINTH: - This Corporation is to have perpetual existence.
TENTH: - The Board of Directors, by resolution passed by a majority of the whole Board, may designate any of their number to constitute an Executive Committee, which Committee, to the extent provided in said resolution, or in the By-Laws of the Company, shall have and may exercise all of the powers of the Board of Directors in the management of the business and affairs of the Corporation, and shall have power to authorize the seal of the Corporation to be affixed to all papers which may require it.
ELEVENTH: - The private property of the stockholders shall not be liable for the payment of corporate debts to any extent whatever.
TWELFTH: - The Corporation may transact business in any part of the world.
THIRTEENTH: - The Board of Directors of the Corporation is expressly authorized to make, alter or repeal the By-Laws of the Corporation by a vote of the majority of the entire Board. The stockholders may make, alter or repeal any By-Law whether or not adopted by them, provided however, that any such additional By-Laws, alterations or repeal may be adopted only by the affirmative vote of the holders of two-thirds or more of the outstanding shares of capital stock of the Corporation entitled to vote generally in the election of directors (considered for this purpose as one class).
FOURTEENTH: - Meetings of the Directors may be held outside of the State of Delaware at such places as may be from time to time designated by the Board, and the Directors may keep the books of the Company outside of the State of Delaware at such places as may be from time to time designated by them.
FIFTEENTH: - (a) (1) In addition to any affirmative vote required by
law, and except as otherwise expressly provided in sections (b) and
(c) of this Article FIFTEENTH:
(A) any merger or consolidation of the Corporation or any Subsidiary (as hereinafter defined) with or into (i) any Interested Stockholder (as hereinafter defined) or (ii) any other corporation (whether or not itself an Interested Stockholder), which, after such merger or consolidation, would be an Affiliate (as hereinafter defined) of an Interested Stockholder, or
(B) any sale, lease, exchange, mortgage, pledge, transfer or other disposition (in one transaction or a series of related transactions) to or with any Interested Stockholder or any Affiliate of any Interested Stockholder of any assets of the Corporation or any Subsidiary having an aggregate fair market value of $1,000,000 or more, or
(C) the issuance or transfer by the Corporation or any Subsidiary (in one transaction or a series of related transactions) of any securities of the Corporation or any Subsidiary to any Interested Stockholder or any Affiliate of any Interested Stockholder in exchange for cash, securities or other property (or a combination thereof) having an aggregate fair market value of $1,000,000 or more, or
(D) the adoption of any plan or proposal for the liquidation or dissolution of the Corporation, or
(E) any reclassification of securities (including any reverse stock split), or recapitalization of the Corporation, or any merger or consolidation of the Corporation with any of its Subsidiaries or any similar transaction (whether or not with or into or otherwise involving an Interested Stockholder) which has the effect, directly or indirectly, of increasing the proportionate share of the outstanding shares of any class of equity or convertible securities of the Corporation or any Subsidiary which is directly or indirectly owned by any Interested Stockholder, or any Affiliate of any Interested Stockholder,
shall require the affirmative vote of the holders of at least two-thirds of the outstanding shares of capital stock of the Corporation entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, considered for the purpose of this Article FIFTEENTH as one class ("Voting Shares"). Such affirmative vote shall be required notwithstanding the fact that no vote may be required, or that some lesser percentage may be specified, by law or in any agreement with any national securities exchange or
otherwise.
(2) The term "business combination" as used in this Article FIFTEENTH shall mean any transaction which is referred to in any one or more of clauses (A) through (E) of paragraph 1 of the section (a).
(b) The provisions of section (a) of this Article FIFTEENTH shall not be applicable to any particular business combination and such business combination shall require only such affirmative vote as is required by law and any other provisions of the Charter or Act of Incorporation or By-Laws if such business combination has been approved by a majority of the whole Board.
(c) For the purposes of this Article FIFTEENTH:
(1) A "person" shall mean any individual, firm, corporation or other entity.
(2) "Interested Stockholder" shall mean, in respect of any business combination, any person (other than the Corporation or any Subsidiary) who or which as of the record date for the determination of stockholders entitled to notice of and to vote on such business combination, or immediately prior to the consummation of any such transaction:
(A) is the beneficial owner, directly or indirectly, of more than 10% of the Voting Shares, or
(B) is an Affiliate of the Corporation and at any time within two years prior thereto was the beneficial owner, directly or indirectly, of not less than 10% of the then outstanding voting Shares, or
(C) is an assignee of or has otherwise succeeded in any share of capital stock of the Corporation which were at any time within two years prior thereto beneficially owned by any Interested Stockholder, and such assignment or succession shall have occurred in the course of a transaction or series of transactions not involving a public offering within the meaning of the Securities Act of 1933.
(3) A person shall be the "beneficial owner" of any Voting Shares:
(A) which such person or any of its Affiliates and Associates (as hereafter defined) beneficially own, directly or indirectly, or
(B) which such person or any of its Affiliates or Associates has
(i) the right to acquire (whether such right is exercisable
immediately or only after the passage of time), pursuant to any
agreement, arrangement or understanding or upon the
exercise of conversion rights, exchange rights, warrants or options, or otherwise, or (ii) the right to vote pursuant to any agreement, arrangement or understanding, or
(C) which are beneficially owned, directly or indirectly, by any other person with which such first mentioned person or any of its Affiliates or Associates has any agreement, arrangement or understanding for the purpose of acquiring, holding, voting or disposing of any shares of capital stock of the Corporation.
(4) The outstanding Voting Shares shall include shares deemed owned through application of paragraph (3) above but shall not include any other Voting Shares which may be issuable pursuant to any agreement, or upon exercise of conversion rights, warrants or options or otherwise.
(5) "Affiliate" and "Associate" shall have the respective meanings given those terms in Rule 12b-2 of the General Rules and Regulations under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as in effect on December 31, 1981.
(6) "Subsidiary" shall mean any corporation of which a majority of any
class of equity security (as defined in Rule 3a11-1 of the General Rules
and Regulations under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as in effect
on December 31, 1981) is owned, directly or indirectly, by the
Corporation; provided, however, that for the purposes of the definition
of Investment Stockholder set forth in paragraph (2) of this section
(c), the term "Subsidiary" shall mean only a corporation of which a
majority of each class of equity security is owned, directly or
indirectly, by the Corporation.
(d) majority of the directors shall have the power and duty to determine for the purposes of this Article FIFTEENTH on the basis of information known to them, (1) the number of Voting Shares beneficially owned by any person (2) whether a person is an Affiliate or Associate of another, (3) whether a person has an agreement, arrangement or understanding with another as to the matters referred to in paragraph (3) of section (c), or (4) whether the assets subject to any business combination or the consideration received for the issuance or transfer of securities by the Corporation, or any Subsidiary has an aggregate fair market value of $1,000,000 or more.
(e) Nothing contained in this Article FIFTEENTH shall be construed to relieve any Interested Stockholder from any fiduciary obligation imposed by law.
SIXTEENTH: Notwithstanding any other provision of this Charter or Act of Incorporation or the By-Laws of the Corporation (and in addition to any other vote that may be required by law, this Charter or Act of Incorporation by the By-Laws), the affirmative vote of the holders of at least two-thirds of the outstanding shares of the capital stock of the Corporation entitled to vote generally in the election of directors
(considered for this purpose as one class) shall be required to amend, alter or repeal any provision of Articles FIFTH, THIRTEENTH, FIFTEENTH or SIXTEENTH of this Charter or Act of Incorporation.
SEVENTEENTH: (a) a Director of this Corporation shall not be liable to the Corporation or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a Director, except to the extent such exemption from liability or limitation thereof is not permitted under the Delaware General Corporation Laws as the same exists or may hereafter be amended.
(b) Any repeal or modification of the foregoing paragraph shall not adversely affect any right or protection of a Director of the Corporation existing hereunder with respect to any act or omission occurring prior to the time of such repeal or modification."
EXHIBIT B
BY-LAWS
WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY
WILMINGTON, DELAWARE
AS EXISTING ON JANUARY 16, 2003
BY-LAWS OF WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY
ARTICLE I
STOCKHOLDERS' MEETINGS
Section 1. Annual Meeting. The annual meeting of stockholders shall be held on the third Thursday in April each year at the principal office at the Company or at such other date, time or place as may be designated by resolution by the Board of Directors.
Section 2. Special Meetings. Special meetings of stockholders may be called at any time by the Board of Directors, the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer or the President.
Section 3. Notice. Notice of all meetings of the stockholders shall be given by mailing to each stockholder at least ten (10) days before said meeting, at his last known address, a written or printed notice fixing the time and place of such meeting.
Section 4. Quorum. A majority in the amount of the capital stock of the Company issued and outstanding on the record date, as herein determined, shall constitute a quorum at all meetings of stockholders for the transaction of any business, but the holders of a smaller number of shares may adjourn from time to time, without further notice, until a quorum is secured. At each annual or special meeting of stockholders, each stockholder shall be entitled to one vote, either in person or by proxy, for each share of stock registered in the stockholder's name on the books of the Company on the record date for any such meeting as determined herein.
ARTICLE 2
DIRECTORS
Section 1. Management. The affairs and business of the Company shall be managed by or under the direction of the Board of Directors.
Section 2. Number. The authorized number of directors that shall constitute the Board of Directors shall be fixed from time to time by or pursuant to a resolution passed by a majority of the Board of Directors within the parameters set by the Charter of the Company. No more than two directors may also be employees of the Company or any affiliate thereof.
Section 3. Qualification. In addition to any other provisions of these Bylaws, to be qualified for nomination for election or appointment to the Board of Directors, a person must have not attained the age of sixty-nine years at the time of such election or appointment, provided however, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee may waive such qualification as to a particular candidate otherwise qualified to serve as a director upon a good faith determination by such committee that such a waiver is in the best interests of the Company and its stockholders. The
Chairman of the Board and the Chief Executive Officer shall not be qualified to continue to serve as directors upon the termination of their service in those offices for any reason.
Section 4. Meetings. The Board of Directors shall meet at the principal office of the Company or elsewhere in its discretion at such times to be determined by a majority of its members, or at the call of the Chairman of the Board of Directors, the Chief Executive Officer or the President.
Section 5. Special Meetings. Special meetings of the Board of Directors may be called at any time by the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer or the President, and shall be called upon the written request of a majority of the directors.
Section 6. Quorum. A majority of the directors elected and qualified shall be necessary to constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at any meeting of the Board of Directors.
Section 7. Notice. Written notice shall be sent by mail to each director of any special meeting of the Board of Directors, and of any change in the time or place of any regular meeting, stating the time and place of such meeting, which shall be mailed not less than two days before the time of holding such meeting.
Section 8. Vacancies. In the event of the death, resignation, removal, inability to act or disqualification of any director, the Board of Directors, although less than a quorum, shall have the right to elect the successor who shall hold office for the remainder of the full term of the class of directors in which the vacancy occurred, and until such director's successor shall have been duly elected and qualified.
Section 9. Organization Meeting. The Board of Directors at its first meeting after its election by the stockholders shall appoint an Executive Committee, an Audit Committee, a Compensation Committee and a Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, and shall elect from its own members a Chairman of the Board, a Chief Executive Officer and a President, who may be the same person. The Board of Directors shall also elect at such meeting a Secretary and a Chief Financial Officer, who may be the same person, and may appoint at any time such committees as it may deem advisable. The Board of Directors may also elect at such meeting one or more Associate Directors. The Board of Directors, the Executive Committee or another committee designated by the Board of Directors may elect or appoint such other officers as they may deem advisable.
Section 10. Removal. The Board of Directors may at any time remove, with or without cause, any member of any committee appointed by it or any associate director or officer elected by it and may appoint or elect his successor.
Section 11. Responsibility of Officers. The Board of Directors may designate an officer to be in charge of such departments or divisions of the Company as it may deem advisable.
Section 12. Participation in Meetings. The Board of Directors or any committee of the Board of Directors may participate in a meeting of the Board of Directors or such committee, as the case may be, by conference telephone, video facilities or other communications equipment. Any action required or permitted to be taken at any meeting of the Board of Directors or any committee thereof may be taken without a meeting if all of the members of the Board of Directors or the committee, as the case may be, consent thereto in writing, and the writing or writings are filed with the minutes of the Board of Directors or such committee.
ARTICLE 3
COMMITTEES OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Section 1. Executive Committee.
(A) The Executive Committee shall be composed of not more than nine
(9) members, who shall be selected by the Board of Directors from its own
members, and who shall hold office at the pleasure of the Board of Directors.
(B) The Executive Committee shall have and may exercise, to the fullest extent permitted by law, all of the powers of the Board of Directors when it is not in session to transact all business for and on behalf of the Company that may be brought before it.
(C) The Executive Committee shall meet at the principal office of the Company or elsewhere in its discretion at such times to be determined by a majority of its members, or at the call of the Chairman of the Executive Committee, the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer or the President. The majority of its members shall be necessary to constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. Special meetings of the Executive Committee may be held at any time when a quorum is present.
(D) Minutes of each meeting of the Executive Committee shall be kept and submitted to the Board of Directors at its next meeting.
(E) In the event of an emergency of sufficient severity to prevent the conduct and management of the affairs and business of the Company by its directors and officers as contemplated by these Bylaws, any two available members of the Executive Committee as constituted immediately prior to such emergency shall constitute a quorum of that Committee for the full conduct and management of the affairs and business of the Company in accordance with the provisions of Article 3 of these Bylaws. In the event of the unavailability, at such time, of a minimum of two members of the Executive Committee, any three available directors shall constitute the Executive Committee for the full conduct and management of the affairs and business of the Company in accordance with the foregoing provisions of this Section. This Bylaw shall be subject to implementation by resolutions of the Board of Directors presently existing or hereafter passed from time to time for that purpose, and any provisions of these Bylaws (other than this Section) and any resolutions which are contrary
to the provisions of this Section or to the provisions of any such implementing resolutions shall be suspended during such a disaster period until it shall be determined by any interim Executive Committee acting under this Section that it shall be to the advantage of the Company to resume the conduct and management of its affairs and business under all of the other provisions of these Bylaws.
Section 2. Audit Committee.
(A) The Audit Committee shall be composed of not more than five (5)
members, who shall be selected by the Board of Directors from its own members,
none of whom shall be an officer or employee of the Company, and shall hold
office at the pleasure of the Board.
(B) The Audit Committee shall have general supervision over the Audit Services Division in all matters however subject to the approval of the Board of Directors; it shall consider all matters brought to its attention by the officer in charge of the Audit Services Division, review all reports of examination of the Company made by any governmental agency or such independent auditor employed for that purpose, and make such recommendations to the Board of Directors with respect thereto or with respect to any other matters pertaining to auditing the Company as it shall deem desirable.
(C) The Audit Committee shall meet whenever and wherever its Chairperson, the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, the President or a majority of the Committee's members shall deem it to be proper for the transaction of its business. A majority of the Committee's members shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. The acts of the majority at a meeting at which a quorum is present shall constitute action by the Committee.
Section 3. Compensation Committee.
(A) The Compensation Committee shall be composed of not more than five (5) members, who shall be selected by the Board of Directors from its own members, none of whom shall be an officer or employee of the Company, and shall hold office at the pleasure of the Board of Directors.
(B) The Compensation Committee shall in general advise upon all matters of policy concerning compensation, including salaries and employee benefits.
(C) The Compensation Committee shall meet whenever and wherever its Chairperson, the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, the President or a majority of the Committee's members shall deem it to be proper for the transaction of its business. A majority of the Committee's members shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. The acts of the majority at a meeting at which a quorum is present shall constitute action by the Committee.
SECTION 4. NOMINATING AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE COMMITTEE.
(A) The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee shall be composed of not more than five members, who shall be selected by the Board of Directors from its own members, none of whom shall be an officer or employee of the Company, and shall hold office at the pleasure of the Board of Directors.
(B) The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee shall provide counsel and make recommendations to the Chairman of the Board and the full Board with respect to the performance of the Chairman of the Board and the Chief Executive Officer, candidates for membership on the Board of Directors and its committees, matters of corporate governance, succession planning for the Company's executive management and significant shareholder relations issues.
(C) The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee shall meet whenever and wherever its Chairperson, the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, the President, or a majority of the Committee's members shall deem it to be proper for the transaction of its business. A majority of the Committee's members shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. The acts of the majority at a meeting at which a quorum is present shall constitute action by the Committee.
Section 5. Other Committees. The Company may have such other committees with such powers as the Board may designate from time to time by resolution or by an amendment to these Bylaws.
Section 6. Associate Directors.
(A) Any person who has served as a director may be elected by the Board of Directors as an associate director, to serve at the pleasure of the Board of Directors.
(B) Associate directors shall be entitled to attend all meetings of directors and participate in the discussion of all matters brought to the Board of Directors, but will not have a right to vote.
Section 7. Absence or Disqualification of Any Member of a Committee. In the absence or disqualification of any member of any committee created under Article III of these Bylaws, the member or members thereof present at any meeting and not disqualified from voting, whether or not he or they constitute a quorum, may unanimously appoint another member of the Board of Directors to act at the meeting in the place of any such absent or disqualified member.
ARTICLE 4
OFFICERS
Section 1. Chairman of the Board. The Chairman of the Board shall preside at all meetings of the Board of Directors and shall have such further authority and powers and shall perform such duties the Board of Directors may assign to him from time to time.
Section 2. Chief Executive Officer. The Chief Executive Officer shall have the powers and duties pertaining to the office of Chief Executive Officer conferred or imposed upon him by statute, incident to his office or as the Board of Directors may assign to him from time to time. In the absence of the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer shall have the powers and duties of the Chairman of the Board.
Section 3. President. The President shall have the powers and duties pertaining to the office of the President conferred or imposed upon him by statute, incident to his office or as the Board of Directors may assign to him from time to time. In the absence of the Chairman of the Board and the Chief Executive Officer, the President shall have the powers and duties of the Chairman of the Board.
Section 4. Duties. The Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer or the President, as designated by the Board of Directors, shall carry into effect all legal directions of the Executive Committee and of the Board of Directors and shall at all times exercise general supervision over the interest, affairs and operations of the Company and perform all duties incident to his office.
Section 5. Vice Presidents. There may be one or more Vice Presidents, however denominated by the Board of Directors, who may at any time perform all of the duties of the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer and/or the President and such other powers and duties incident to their respective offices or as the Board of Directors, the Executive Committee, the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer or the President or the officer in charge of the department or division to which they are assigned may assign to them from time to time.
Section 6. Secretary. The Secretary shall attend to the giving of notice of meetings of the stockholders and the Board of Directors, as well as the committees thereof, to the keeping of accurate minutes of all such meetings, recording the same in the minute books of the Company and in general notifying the Board of Directors of material matters affecting the Company on a timely basis. In addition to the other notice requirements of these Bylaws and as may be practicable under the circumstances, all such notices shall be in writing and mailed well in advance of the scheduled date of any such meeting. He shall have custody of the corporate seal, affix the same to any documents requiring such corporate seal, attest the same and perform other duties incident to his office.
Section 7. Chief Financial Officer. The Chief Financial Officer shall have general supervision over all assets and liabilities of the Company. He shall be custodian of and responsible for all monies, funds and valuables of the Company and for the keeping of proper records of the evidence of property or indebtedness and of all transactions of the Company. He shall have general supervision of the expenditures of the Company and periodically shall report to the Board of Directors the condition of the Company, and perform such other duties incident to his office or as the
Board of Directors, the Executive Committee, the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer or the President may assign to him from time to time.
Section 8. Controller. There may be a Controller who shall exercise general supervision over the internal operations of the Company, including accounting, and shall render to the Board of Directors or the Audit Committee at appropriate times a report relating to the general condition and internal operations of the Company and perform other duties incident to his office.
There may be one or more subordinate accounting or controller officers however denominated, who may perform the duties of the Controller and such duties as may be prescribed by the Controller.
Section 9. Audit Officers. The officer designated by the Board of Directors to be in charge of the Audit Services Division of the Company, with such title as the Board of Directors shall prescribe, shall report to and be directly responsible to the Audit Committee and the Board of Directors.
There shall be an Auditor and there may be one or more Audit Officers, however denominated, who may perform all the duties of the Auditor and such duties as may be prescribed by the officer in charge of the Audit Services Division.
Section 10. Other Officers. There may be one or more officers, subordinate in rank to all Vice Presidents with such functional titles as shall be determined from time to time by the Board of Directors, who shall ex officio hold the office of Assistant Secretary of the Company and who may perform such duties as may be prescribed by the officer in charge of the department or division to which they are assigned.
Section 11. Powers and Duties of Other Officers. The powers and duties of all other officers of the Company shall be those usually pertaining to their respective offices, subject to the direction of the Board of Directors, the Executive Committee, the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer or the President and the officer in charge of the department or division to which they are assigned.
Section 12. Number of Offices. Any one or more offices of the Company may be held by the same person, except that (A) no individual may hold more than one of the offices of Chief Financial Officer, Controller or Audit Officer and (B) none of the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer or the President may hold any office mentioned in Section 12(A).
ARTICLE 5
STOCK AND STOCK CERTIFICATES
Section 1. Transfer. Shares of stock shall be transferable on the books of the Company and a transfer book shall be kept in which all transfers of stock shall be recorded.
Section 2. Certificates. Every holder of stock shall be entitled to have a certificate signed by or in the name of the Company by the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer or the President or a Vice President, and by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary, of the Company, certifying the number of shares owned by him in the Company. The corporate seal affixed thereto, and any of or all the signatures on the certificate, may be a facsimile. In case any officer, transfer agent or registrar who has signed or whose facsimile signature has been placed upon a certificate shall have ceased to be such officer, transfer agent or registrar before such certificate is issued, it may be issued by the Company with the same effect as if he were such officer, transfer agent or registrar at the date of issue. Duplicate certificates of stock shall be issued only upon giving such security as may be satisfactory to the Board of Directors or the Executive Committee.
Section 3. Record Date. The Board of Directors is authorized to fix in advance a record date for the determination of the stockholders entitled to notice of, and to vote at, any meeting of stockholders and any adjournment thereof, or entitled to receive payment of any dividend, or to any allotment of rights, or to exercise any rights in respect of any change, conversion or exchange of capital stock, or in connection with obtaining the consent of stockholders for any purpose, which record date shall not be more than 60 nor less than 10 days preceding the date of any meeting of stockholders or the date for the payment of any dividend, or the date for the allotment of rights, or the date when any change or conversion or exchange of capital stock shall go into effect, or a date in connection with obtaining such consent.
ARTICLE 6
SEAL
The corporate seal of the Company shall be in the following form:
Between two concentric circles the words "Wilmington Trust Company" within the inner circle the words "Wilmington, Delaware."
ARTICLE 7
FISCAL YEAR
The fiscal year of the Company shall be the calendar year.
ARTICLE 8
EXECUTION OF INSTRUMENTS OF THE COMPANY
The Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, the President or any Vice President, however denominated by the Board of Directors, shall have full power and authority to enter into, make, sign, execute, acknowledge and/or deliver and the Secretary or any Assistant Secretary shall have full power and authority to attest and affix the corporate seal of the Company to any and all deeds, conveyances, assignments, releases, contracts, agreements, bonds, notes, mortgages and all other instruments incident to the business of this Company or in acting as executor, administrator, guardian, trustee, agent or in any other fiduciary or representative capacity by any and every method of appointment or by whatever person, corporation, court officer or authority in the State of Delaware, or elsewhere, without any specific authority, ratification, approval or confirmation by the Board of Directors or the Executive Committee, and any and all such instruments shall have the same force and validity as though expressly authorized by the Board of Directors and/or the Executive Committee.
ARTICLE 9
COMPENSATION OF DIRECTORS AND MEMBERS OF COMMITTEES
Directors and associate directors of the Company, other than salaried officers of the Company, shall be paid such reasonable honoraria or fees for attending meetings of the Board of Directors as the Board of Directors may from time to time determine. Directors and associate directors who serve as members of committees, other than salaried employees of the Company, shall be paid such reasonable honoraria or fees for services as members of committees as the Board of Directors shall from time to time determine and directors and associate directors may be authorized by the Company to perform such special services as the Board of Directors may from time to time determine in accordance with any guidelines the Board of Directors may adopt for such services, and shall be paid for such special services so performed reasonable compensation as may be determined by the Board of Directors.
ARTICLE 10
INDEMNIFICATION
Section 1. Persons Covered. The Company shall indemnify and hold harmless, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law as it presently exists or may hereafter be amended, any person who was or is made or is threatened to be made a party or is otherwise involved in any action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (a "proceeding") by reason of the fact that he, or a person for whom he is the legal representative, is or was a director of the Company or is or was serving at the request of the Company as a director, officer, employee, fiduciary or agent of another corporation, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, trust, enterprise or non-profit entity that is not a subsidiary or affiliate of the Company, including service with respect to employee benefit plans, against all liability and loss suffered and expenses reasonably incurred by such person. The Company shall be required to indemnify such a person in connection with a proceeding initiated by such person only if the proceeding was authorized by the Board of Directors.
The Company may indemnify and hold harmless, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law as it presently exists or may hereafter be amended, any person who was or is made or threatened to be made a party or is otherwise involved in any proceeding by reason of the fact that he, or a person for whom he is the legal representative, is or was an officer, employee or agent of the Company or a director, officer, employee or agent of a subsidiary or affiliate of the Company, against all liability and loss suffered and expenses reasonably incurred by such person. The Company may indemnify any such person in connection with a proceeding (or part thereof) initiated by such person only if such proceeding (or part thereof) was authorized by the Board of Directors.
Section 2. Advance of Expenses. The Company shall pay the expenses incurred in defending any proceeding involving a person who is or may be indemnified pursuant to Section 1 in advance of its final disposition, provided, however, that the payment of expenses incurred by such a person in advance of the final disposition of the proceeding shall be made only upon receipt of an undertaking by that person to repay all amounts advanced if it should be ultimately determined that the person is not entitled to be indemnified under this Article 10 or otherwise.
Section 3. Certain Rights. If a claim under this Article 10 for (A) payment of expenses or (B) indemnification by a director or person who is or was serving at the request of the Company as a director, officer, employee, fiduciary or agent of another corporation, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, trust, enterprise or nonprofit entity that is not a subsidiary or affiliate of the Company, including service with respect to employee benefit plans, is not paid in full within sixty days after a written claim therefor has been received by the Company, the claimant may file suit to recover the unpaid amount of such claim and, if successful in whole or in part, shall be entitled to be paid the expense of prosecuting such claim. In any such action, the Company shall have the burden of proving that the claimant was not entitled to the requested indemnification or payment of expenses under applicable law.
Section 4. Non-Exclusive. The rights conferred on any person by this Article 10 shall not be exclusive of any other rights which such person may have or hereafter acquire under any statute, provision of the Charter or Act of Incorporation, these Bylaws, agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors or otherwise.
Section 5. Reduction of Amount. The Company's obligation, if any, to indemnify any person who was or is serving at its request as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, enterprise or nonprofit entity shall be reduced by any amount such person may collect as indemnification from such other corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, enterprise or nonprofit entity.
Section 6. Effect of Modification. Any amendment, repeal or modification of the foregoing provisions of this Article 10 shall not adversely affect any right or protection hereunder of any person in respect of any act or omission occurring prior to the time of such amendment, repeal or modification.
ARTICLE 11
AMENDMENTS TO THE BYLAWS
These Bylaws may be altered, amended or repealed, in whole or in part, and any new Bylaw or Bylaws adopted at any regular or special meeting of the Board of Directors by a vote of a majority of all the members of the Board of Directors then in office.
ARTICLE 12
MISCELLANEOUS
Whenever used in these Bylaws, the singular shall include the plural, the plural shall include the singular unless the context requires otherwise and the use of either gender shall include both genders.
EXHIBIT C
SECTION 321(b) CONSENT
Pursuant to Section 321(b) of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, Wilmington Trust Company hereby consents that reports of examinations by Federal, State, Territorial or District authorities may be furnished by such authorities to the Securities and Exchange Commission upon requests therefor.
WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY
Dated: August 11, 2003 By: /s/ Mary C. St.Amand
--------------------------
Name: Mary C. St.Amand
Title: Vice President
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EXHIBIT D
NOTICE
This form is intended to assist state nonmember banks and savings banks with state publication requirements. It has not been approved by any state banking authorities. Refer to your appropriate state banking authorities for your state publication requirements.
R E P O R T O F C O N D I T I O N
Consolidating domestic subsidiaries of the
WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY of WILMINGTON
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Name of Bank City
in the State of DELAWARE , at the close of business on June 30, 2003.
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ASSETS
Thousands of dollars
Cash and balances due from depository institutions:
Noninterest-bearing balances and currency and coins.................................... 221,573
Interest-bearing balances.............................................................. 0
Held-to-maturity securities.................................................................. 3,777
Available-for-sale securities................................................................ 1,684,467
Federal funds sold in domestic offices....................................................... 465,275
Securities purchased under agreements to resell.............................................. 18,800
Loans and lease financing receivables:
Loans and leases held for sale............................0
Loans and leases, net of unearned income..........5,598,733
LESS: Allowance for loan and lease losses...........77,873
Loans and leases, net of unearned income, allowance, and reserve....................... 5,520,860
Assets held in trading accounts.............................................................. 0
Premises and fixed assets (including capitalized leases)..................................... 142,672
Other real estate owned...................................................................... 2,986
Investments in unconsolidated subsidiaries and associated companies.......................... 2,496
Customers' liability to this bank on acceptances outstanding................................. 0
Intangible assets:
a. Goodwill........................................................................... 157
b. Other intangible assets............................................................ 11,897
Other assets................................................................................. 171,667
Total assets................................................................................. 8,246,627
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CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE
LIABILITIES
Deposits:
In domestic offices............................................................................. 6,415,199
Noninterest-bearing...............................1,011,850
Interest-bearing..................................5,403,349
Federal funds purchased in domestic offices..................................................... 286,799
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase.................................................. 207,308
Trading liabilities (from Schedule RC-D)........................................................ 0
Other borrowed money (includes mortgage indebtedness and obligations
under capitalized leases:.................................................................... 597,518
Bank's liability on acceptances executed and outstanding........................................ 0
Subordinated notes and debentures............................................................... 0
Other liabilities (from Schedule RC-G).......................................................... 98,337
Total liabilities............................................................................... 7,605,161
EQUITY CAPITAL
Perpetual preferred stock and related surplus................................................... 0
Common Stock.................................................................................... 500
Surplus (exclude all surplus related to preferred stock)........................................ 112,358
a. Retained earnings........................................................................... 526,582
b. Accumulated other comprehensive income...................................................... 2,026
Total equity capital............................................................................ 641,466
Total liabilities, limited-life preferred stock, and equity capital............................. 8,246,627
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Exhibit 25.06
Registration No.
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM T-1
STATEMENT OF ELIGIBILITY UNDER THE TRUST INDENTURE ACT OF 1939
OF A CORPORATION DESIGNATED TO ACT AS TRUSTEE
CHECK IF AN APPLICATION TO DETERMINE ELIGIBILITY OF A TRUSTEE PURSUANT TO
SECTION 305(b)(2)
WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY
(Exact name of trustee as specified in its charter)
Delaware 51-0055023
(State of incorporation) (I.R.S. employer
identification no.)
Rodney Square North
1100 North Market Street
Wilmington, Delaware 19890
(Address of principal executive offices)
Cynthia L. Corliss
Vice President and Trust Counsel
Wilmington Trust Company
Rodney Square North
Wilmington, Delaware 19890
(302) 651-8516
(Name, address and telephone number of agent for service)
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HARTFORD CAPITAL VI
(Exact name of obligor as specified in its charter)
DELAWARE 82-6097264
(State of incorporation) (I.R.S. employer identification no.)
C/O THE HARTFORD FINANCIAL SERVICES GROUP, INC.
HARTFORD PLAZA
HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT 06115
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
|
PREFERRED SECURITIES OF HARTFORD CAPITAL VI
(Title of the indenture securities)
ITEM 1. GENERAL INFORMATION.
Furnish the following information as to the trustee:
(a) Name and address of each examining or supervising authority to which it is subject.
Federal Deposit Insurance Co. State Bank Commissioner Five Penn Center Dover, Delaware Suite #2901 Philadelphia, PA |
(b) Whether it is authorized to exercise corporate trust powers.
The trustee is authorized to exercise corporate trust powers.
ITEM 2. AFFILIATIONS WITH THE OBLIGOR.
If the obligor is an affiliate of the trustee, describe each affiliation:
Based upon an examination of the books and records of the trustee and upon information furnished by the obligor, the obligor is not an affiliate of the trustee.
ITEM 16. LIST OF EXHIBITS.
List below all exhibits filed as part of this Statement of Eligibility and Qualification.
A. Copy of the Charter of Wilmington Trust Company, which includes the authorization of Wilmington Trust Company to exercise corporate trust powers.
B. Copy of By-Laws of Wilmington Trust Company.
C. Consent of Wilmington Trust Company required by Section 321(b) of Trust Indenture Act.
D. Copy of most recent Report of Condition of Wilmington Trust Company.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, the trustee, Wilmington Trust Company, a corporation organized and existing under the laws of Delaware, has duly caused this Statement of Eligibility to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, all in the City of Wilmington and State of Delaware on the 11th day of August 2003.
WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY
[SEAL]
Attest: /s/ Michael G. Oller, Jr. By: /s/ Mary C. St.Amand
-------------------------------------- -------------------------
Assistant Secretary Name: Mary C. St.Amand
Title: Vice President
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EXHIBIT A
AMENDED CHARTER
WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY
WILMINGTON, DELAWARE
AS EXISTING ON MAY 9, 1987
AMENDED CHARTER
OR
ACT OF INCORPORATION
OF
WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY
WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY, originally incorporated by an Act of the General Assembly of the State of Delaware, entitled "An Act to Incorporate the Delaware Guarantee and Trust Company", approved March 2, A.D. 1901, and the name of which company was changed to "WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY" by an amendment filed in the Office of the Secretary of State on March 18, A.D. 1903, and the Charter or Act of Incorporation of which company has been from time to time amended and changed by merger agreements pursuant to the corporation law for state banks and trust companies of the State of Delaware, does hereby alter and amend its Charter or Act of Incorporation so that the same as so altered and amended shall in its entirety read as follows:
FIRST: - The name of this corporation is WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY.
SECOND: - The location of its principal office in the State of Delaware is at Rodney Square North, in the City of Wilmington, County of New Castle; the name of its resident agent is WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY whose address is Rodney Square North, in said City. In addition to such principal office, the said corporation maintains and operates branch offices in the City of Newark, New Castle County, Delaware, the Town of Newport, New Castle County, Delaware, at Claymont, New Castle County, Delaware, at Greenville, New Castle County Delaware, and at Milford Cross Roads, New Castle County, Delaware, and shall be empowered to open, maintain and operate branch offices at Ninth and Shipley Streets, 418 Delaware Avenue, 2120 Market Street, and 3605 Market Street, all in the City of Wilmington, New Castle County, Delaware, and such other branch offices or places of business as may be authorized from time to time by the agency or agencies of the government of the State of Delaware empowered to confer such authority.
THIRD: - (a) The nature of the business and the objects and purposes proposed to be transacted, promoted or carried on by this Corporation are to do any or all of the things herein mentioned as fully and to the same extent as natural persons might or could do and in any part of the world, viz.:
(1) To sue and be sued, complain and defend in any Court of law or equity and to make and use a common seal, and alter the seal at pleasure, to hold, purchase, convey, mortgage or otherwise deal in real and personal estate and property, and to appoint such officers and agents as the business of the Corporation shall require, to make by-laws not inconsistent with the Constitution or laws of the United States or of this State, to discount bills, notes or other evidences of debt, to receive deposits of money, or securities for money, to buy gold and silver
bullion and foreign coins, to buy and sell bills of exchange, and generally to use, exercise and enjoy all the powers, rights, privileges and franchises incident to a corporation which are proper or necessary for the transaction of the business of the Corporation hereby created.
(2) To insure titles to real and personal property, or any estate or interests therein, and to guarantee the holder of such property, real or personal, against any claim or claims, adverse to his interest therein, and to prepare and give certificates of title for any lands or premises in the State of Delaware, or elsewhere.
(3) To act as factor, agent, broker or attorney in the receipt, collection, custody, investment and management of funds, and the purchase, sale, management and disposal of property of all descriptions, and to prepare and execute all papers which may be necessary or proper in such business.
(4) To prepare and draw agreements, contracts, deeds, leases, conveyances, mortgages, bonds and legal papers of every description, and to carry on the business of conveyancing in all its branches.
(5) To receive upon deposit for safekeeping money, jewelry, plate, deeds, bonds and any and all other personal property of every sort and kind, from executors, administrators, guardians, public officers, courts, receivers, assignees, trustees, and from all fiduciaries, and from all other persons and individuals, and from all corporations whether state, municipal, corporate or private, and to rent boxes, safes, vaults and other receptacles for such property.
(6) To act as agent or otherwise for the purpose of registering, issuing, certificating, countersigning, transferring or underwriting the stock, bonds or other obligations of any corporation, association, state or municipality, and may receive and manage any sinking fund therefor on such terms as may be agreed upon between the two parties, and in like manner may act as Treasurer of any corporation or municipality.
(7) To act as Trustee under any deed of trust, mortgage, bond or other instrument issued by any state, municipality, body politic, corporation, association or person, either alone or in conjunction with any other person or persons, corporation or corporations.
(8) To guarantee the validity, performance or effect of any contract or agreement, and the fidelity of persons holding places of responsibility or trust; to become surety for any person, or persons, for the faithful performance of any trust, office, duty, contract or agreement, either by itself or in conjunction with any other person, or persons, corporation, or corporations, or in like manner
become surety upon any bond, recognizance, obligation, judgment, suit, order, or decree to be entered in any court of record within the State of Delaware or elsewhere, or which may now or hereafter be required by any law, judge, officer or court in the State of Delaware or elsewhere.
(9) To act by any and every method of appointment as trustee, trustee in bankruptcy, receiver, assignee, assignee in bankruptcy, executor, administrator, guardian, bailee, or in any other trust capacity in the receiving, holding, managing, and disposing of any and all estates and property, real, personal or mixed, and to be appointed as such trustee, trustee in bankruptcy, receiver, assignee, assignee in bankruptcy, executor, administrator, guardian or bailee by any persons, corporations, court, officer, or authority, in the State of Delaware or elsewhere; and whenever this Corporation is so appointed by any person, corporation, court, officer or authority such trustee, trustee in bankruptcy, receiver, assignee, assignee in bankruptcy, executor, administrator, guardian, bailee, or in any other trust capacity, it shall not be required to give bond with surety, but its capital stock shall be taken and held as security for the performance of the duties devolving upon it by such appointment.
(10) And for its care, management and trouble, and the exercise of any of its powers hereby given, or for the performance of any of the duties which it may undertake or be called upon to perform, or for the assumption of any responsibility the said Corporation may be entitled to receive a proper compensation.
(11) To purchase, receive, hold and own bonds, mortgages, debentures, shares of capital stock, and other securities, obligations, contracts and evidences of indebtedness, of any private, public or municipal corporation within and without the State of Delaware, or of the Government of the United States, or of any state, territory, colony, or possession thereof, or of any foreign government or country; to receive, collect, receipt for, and dispose of interest, dividends and income upon and from any of the bonds, mortgages, debentures, notes, shares of capital stock, securities, obligations, contracts, evidences of indebtedness and other property held and owned by it, and to exercise in respect of all such bonds, mortgages, debentures, notes, shares of capital stock, securities, obligations, contracts, evidences of indebtedness and other property, any and all the rights, powers and privileges of individual owners thereof, including the right to vote thereon; to invest and deal in and with any of the moneys of the Corporation upon such securities and in such manner as it may think fit and proper, and from time to time to vary or realize such investments; to issue bonds and secure the same by pledges or deeds of trust or mortgages of or upon the whole or any part of the property held or owned by the Corporation, and to sell and pledge such bonds, as and when the Board of Directors shall determine, and in the promotion of its said corporate business of investment and to the extent authorized by law,
to lease, purchase, hold, sell, assign, transfer, pledge, mortgage and convey real and personal property of any name and nature and any estate or interest therein.
(b) In furtherance of, and not in limitation, of the powers conferred by the laws of the State of Delaware, it is hereby expressly provided that the said Corporation shall also have the following powers:
(1) To do any or all of the things herein set forth, to the same extent as natural persons might or could do, and in any part of the world.
(2) To acquire the good will, rights, property and franchises and to undertake the whole or any part of the assets and liabilities of any person, firm, association or corporation, and to pay for the same in cash, stock of this Corporation, bonds or otherwise; to hold or in any manner to dispose of the whole or any part of the property so purchased; to conduct in any lawful manner the whole or any part of any business so acquired, and to exercise all the powers necessary or convenient in and about the conduct and management of such business.
(3) To take, hold, own, deal in, mortgage or otherwise lien, and to lease, sell, exchange, transfer, or in any manner whatever dispose of property, real, personal or mixed, wherever situated.
(4) To enter into, make, perform and carry out contracts of every kind with any person, firm, association or corporation, and, without limit as to amount, to draw, make, accept, endorse, discount, execute and issue promissory notes, drafts, bills of exchange, warrants, bonds, debentures, and other negotiable or transferable instruments.
(5) To have one or more offices, to carry on all or any of its operations and businesses, without restriction to the same extent as natural persons might or could do, to purchase or otherwise acquire, to hold, own, to mortgage, sell, convey or otherwise dispose of, real and personal property, of every class and description, in any State, District, Territory or Colony of the United States, and in any foreign country or place.
(6) It is the intention that the objects, purposes and powers specified and clauses contained in this paragraph shall (except where otherwise expressed in said paragraph) be nowise limited or restricted by reference to or inference from the terms of any other clause of this or any other paragraph in this charter, but that the objects, purposes and powers specified in each of the clauses of this paragraph shall be regarded as independent objects, purposes and powers.
FOURTH: - (a) The total number of shares of all classes of stock which the Corporation shall have authority to issue is forty-one million (41,000,000) shares, consisting of:
(1) One million (1,000,000) shares of Preferred stock, par value $10.00 per share (hereinafter referred to as "Preferred Stock"); and
(2) Forty million (40,000,000) shares of Common Stock, par value $1.00 per share (hereinafter referred to as "Common Stock").
(b) Shares of Preferred Stock may be issued from time to time in one or more series as may from time to time be determined by the Board of Directors each of said series to be distinctly designated. All shares of any one series of Preferred Stock shall be alike in every particular, except that there may be different dates from which dividends, if any, thereon shall be cumulative, if made cumulative. The voting powers and the preferences and relative, participating, optional and other special rights of each such series, and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof, if any, may differ from those of any and all other series at any time outstanding; and, subject to the provisions of subparagraph 1 of Paragraph (c) of this Article FOURTH, the Board of Directors of the Corporation is hereby expressly granted authority to fix by resolution or resolutions adopted prior to the issuance of any shares of a particular series of Preferred Stock, the voting powers and the designations, preferences and relative, optional and other special rights, and the qualifications, limitations and restrictions of such series, including, but without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the following:
(1) The distinctive designation of, and the number of shares of Preferred Stock which shall constitute such series, which number may be increased (except where otherwise provided by the Board of Directors) or decreased (but not below the number of shares thereof then outstanding) from time to time by like action of the Board of Directors;
(2) The rate and times at which, and the terms and conditions on which, dividends, if any, on Preferred Stock of such series shall be paid, the extent of the preference or relation, if any, of such dividends to the dividends payable on any other class or classes, or series of the same or other class of stock and whether such dividends shall be cumulative or non-cumulative;
(3) The right, if any, of the holders of Preferred Stock of such series to convert the same into or exchange the same for, shares of any other class or classes or of any series of the same or any other class or classes of stock of the Corporation and the terms and conditions of such conversion or exchange;
(4) Whether or not Preferred Stock of such series shall be subject to redemption, and the redemption price or prices and the time or times at which, and the terms and conditions on which, Preferred Stock of such series may be redeemed.
(5) The rights, if any, of the holders of Preferred Stock of such series upon the
voluntary or involuntary liquidation, merger, consolidation, distribution or sale of assets, dissolution or winding-up, of the Corporation.
(6) The terms of the sinking fund or redemption or purchase account, if any, to be provided for the Preferred Stock of such series; and
(7) The voting powers, if any, of the holders of such series of Preferred Stock which may, without limiting the generality of the foregoing include the right, voting as a series or by itself or together with other series of Preferred Stock or all series of Preferred Stock as a class, to elect one or more directors of the Corporation if there shall have been a default in the payment of dividends on any one or more series of Preferred Stock or under such circumstances and on such conditions as the Board of Directors may determine.
(c) (1) After the requirements with respect to preferential dividends on
the Preferred Stock (fixed in accordance with the provisions of section
(b) of this Article FOURTH), if any, shall have been met and after the
Corporation shall have complied with all the requirements, if any, with
respect to the setting aside of sums as sinking funds or redemption or
purchase accounts (fixed in accordance with the provisions of section (b)
of this Article FOURTH), and subject further to any conditions which may
be fixed in accordance with the provisions of section (b) of this Article
FOURTH, then and not otherwise the holders of Common Stock shall be
entitled to receive such dividends as may be declared from time to time by
the Board of Directors.
(2) After distribution in full of the preferential amount, if any, (fixed in accordance with the provisions of section (b) of this Article FOURTH), to be distributed to the holders of Preferred Stock in the event of voluntary or involuntary liquidation, distribution or sale of assets, dissolution or winding-up, of the Corporation, the holders of the Common Stock shall be entitled to receive all of the remaining assets of the Corporation, tangible and intangible, of whatever kind available for distribution to stockholders ratably in proportion to the number of shares of Common Stock held by them respectively.
(3) Except as may otherwise be required by law or by the provisions of such resolution or resolutions as may be adopted by the Board of Directors pursuant to section (b) of this Article FOURTH, each holder of Common Stock shall have one vote in respect of each share of Common Stock held on all matters voted upon by the stockholders.
(d) No holder of any of the shares of any class or series of stock or of options, warrants or other rights to purchase shares of any class or series of stock or of other securities of the Corporation shall have any preemptive right to purchase or subscribe for any unissued stock of any class or series or any additional shares of any class or series to be issued by reason of any increase of the authorized capital stock of the Corporation of
any class or series, or bonds, certificates of indebtedness, debentures or other securities convertible into or exchangeable for stock of the Corporation of any class or series, or carrying any right to purchase stock of any class or series, but any such unissued stock, additional authorized issue of shares of any class or series of stock or securities convertible into or exchangeable for stock, or carrying any right to purchase stock, may be issued and disposed of pursuant to resolution of the Board of Directors to such persons, firms, corporations or associations, whether such holders or others, and upon such terms as may be deemed advisable by the Board of Directors in the exercise of its sole discretion.
(e) The relative powers, preferences and rights of each series of Preferred Stock in relation to the relative powers, preferences and rights of each other series of Preferred Stock shall, in each case, be as fixed from time to time by the Board of Directors in the resolution or resolutions adopted pursuant to authority granted in section (b) of this Article FOURTH and the consent, by class or series vote or otherwise, of the holders of such of the series of Preferred Stock as are from time to time outstanding shall not be required for the issuance by the Board of Directors of any other series of Preferred Stock whether or not the powers, preferences and rights of such other series shall be fixed by the Board of Directors as senior to, or on a parity with, the powers, preferences and rights of such outstanding series, or any of them; provided, however, that the Board of Directors may provide in the resolution or resolutions as to any series of Preferred Stock adopted pursuant to section (b) of this Article FOURTH that the consent of the holders of a majority (or such greater proportion as shall be therein fixed) of the outstanding shares of such series voting thereon shall be required for the issuance of any or all other series of Preferred Stock.
(f) Subject to the provisions of section (e), shares of any series of Preferred Stock may be issued from time to time as the Board of Directors of the Corporation shall determine and on such terms and for such consideration as shall be fixed by the Board of Directors.
(g) Shares of Common Stock may be issued from time to time as the Board of Directors of the Corporation shall determine and on such terms and for such consideration as shall be fixed by the Board of Directors.
(h) The authorized amount of shares of Common Stock and of Preferred Stock may, without a class or series vote, be increased or decreased from time to time by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the stock of the Corporation entitled to vote thereon.
FIFTH: - (a) The business and affairs of the Corporation shall be conducted and managed by a Board of Directors. The number of directors constituting the entire Board shall be not less than five nor more than twenty-five as fixed from time to time by vote of a majority of the whole Board, provided, however, that the number of
directors shall not be reduced so as to shorten the term of any director at the time in office, and provided further, that the number of directors constituting the whole Board shall be twenty-four until otherwise fixed by a majority of the whole Board.
(b) The Board of Directors shall be divided into three classes, as nearly equal in number as the then total number of directors constituting the whole Board permits, with the term of office of one class expiring each year. At the annual meeting of stockholders in 1982, directors of the first class shall be elected to hold office for a term expiring at the next succeeding annual meeting, directors of the second class shall be elected to hold office for a term expiring at the second succeeding annual meeting and directors of the third class shall be elected to hold office for a term expiring at the third succeeding annual meeting. Any vacancies in the Board of Directors for any reason, and any newly created directorships resulting from any increase in the directors, may be filled by the Board of Directors, acting by a majority of the directors then in office, although less than a quorum, and any directors so chosen shall hold office until the next annual election of directors. At such election, the stockholders shall elect a successor to such director to hold office until the next election of the class for which such director shall have been chosen and until his successor shall be elected and qualified. No decrease in the number of directors shall shorten the term of any incumbent director.
(c) Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Charter or Act of Incorporation or the By-Laws of the Corporation (and notwithstanding the fact that some lesser percentage may be specified by law, this Charter or Act of Incorporation or the By-Laws of the Corporation), any director or the entire Board of Directors of the Corporation may be removed at any time without cause, but only by the affirmative vote of the holders of two-thirds or more of the outstanding shares of capital stock of the Corporation entitled to vote generally in the election of directors (considered for this purpose as one class) cast at a meeting of the stockholders called for that purpose.
(d) Nominations for the election of directors may be made by the Board of Directors or by any stockholder entitled to vote for the election of directors. Such nominations shall be made by notice in writing, delivered or mailed by first class United States mail, postage prepaid, to the Secretary of the Corporation not less than 14 days nor more than 50 days prior to any meeting of the stockholders called for the election of directors; provided, however, that if less than 21 days' notice of the meeting is given to stockholders, such written notice shall be delivered or mailed, as prescribed, to the Secretary of the Corporation not later than the close of the seventh day following the day on which notice of the meeting was mailed to stockholders. Notice of nominations which are proposed by the Board of Directors shall be given by the Chairman on behalf of the Board.
(e) Each notice under subsection (d) shall set forth (i) the name, age, business address and, if known, residence address of each nominee proposed in such notice, (ii)
the principal occupation or employment of such nominee and (iii) the number of shares of stock of the Corporation which are beneficially owned by each such nominee.
(f) The Chairman of the meeting may, if the facts warrant, determine and declare to the meeting that a nomination was not made in accordance with the foregoing procedure, and if he should so determine, he shall so declare to the meeting and the defective nomination shall be disregarded.
(g) No action required to be taken or which may be taken at any annual or special meeting of stockholders of the Corporation may be taken without a meeting, and the power of stockholders to consent in writing, without a meeting, to the taking of any action is specifically denied.
SIXTH: - The Directors shall choose such officers, agents and servants as may be provided in the By-Laws as they may from time to time find necessary or proper.
SEVENTH: - The Corporation hereby created is hereby given the same powers, rights and privileges as may be conferred upon corporations organized under the Act entitled "An Act Providing a General Corporation Law", approved March 10, 1899, as from time to time amended.
EIGHTH: - This Act shall be deemed and taken to be a private Act.
NINTH: - This Corporation is to have perpetual existence.
TENTH: - The Board of Directors, by resolution passed by a majority of the whole Board, may designate any of their number to constitute an Executive Committee, which Committee, to the extent provided in said resolution, or in the By-Laws of the Company, shall have and may exercise all of the powers of the Board of Directors in the management of the business and affairs of the Corporation, and shall have power to authorize the seal of the Corporation to be affixed to all papers which may require it.
ELEVENTH: - The private property of the stockholders shall not be liable for the payment of corporate debts to any extent whatever.
TWELFTH: - The Corporation may transact business in any part of the world.
THIRTEENTH: - The Board of Directors of the Corporation is expressly authorized to make, alter or repeal the By-Laws of the Corporation by a vote of the majority of the entire Board. The stockholders may make, alter or repeal any By-Law whether or not adopted by them, provided however, that any such additional By-Laws, alterations or repeal may be adopted only by the affirmative vote of the holders of two-thirds or more of the outstanding shares of capital stock of the Corporation entitled to vote generally in the election of directors (considered for this purpose as one class).
FOURTEENTH: - Meetings of the Directors may be held outside of the State of Delaware at such places as may be from time to time designated by the Board, and the Directors may keep the books of the Company outside of the State of Delaware at such places as may be from time to time designated by them.
FIFTEENTH: - (a) (1) In addition to any affirmative vote required by law, and except as otherwise expressly provided in sections (b) and (c) of this Article FIFTEENTH:
(A) any merger or consolidation of the Corporation or any Subsidiary (as hereinafter defined) with or into (i) any Interested Stockholder (as hereinafter defined) or (ii) any other corporation (whether or not itself an Interested Stockholder), which, after such merger or consolidation, would be an Affiliate (as hereinafter defined) of an Interested Stockholder, or
(B) any sale, lease, exchange, mortgage, pledge, transfer or other disposition (in one transaction or a series of related transactions) to or with any Interested Stockholder or any Affiliate of any Interested Stockholder of any assets of the Corporation or any Subsidiary having an aggregate fair market value of $1,000,000 or more, or
(C) the issuance or transfer by the Corporation or any Subsidiary (in one transaction or a series of related transactions) of any securities of the Corporation or any Subsidiary to any Interested Stockholder or any Affiliate of any Interested Stockholder in exchange for cash, securities or other property (or a combination thereof) having an aggregate fair market value of $1,000,000 or more, or
(D) the adoption of any plan or proposal for the liquidation or dissolution of the Corporation, or
(E) any reclassification of securities (including any reverse stock split), or recapitalization of the Corporation, or any merger or consolidation of the Corporation with any of its Subsidiaries or any similar transaction (whether or not with or into or otherwise involving an Interested Stockholder) which has the effect, directly or indirectly, of increasing the proportionate share of the outstanding shares of any class of equity or convertible securities of the Corporation or any Subsidiary which is directly or indirectly owned by any Interested Stockholder, or any Affiliate of any Interested Stockholder,
shall require the affirmative vote of the holders of at least two-thirds of the outstanding shares of capital stock of the Corporation entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, considered for the purpose of this Article FIFTEENTH as one class ("Voting Shares"). Such affirmative vote shall be required notwithstanding the fact that no vote may be required, or that some lesser percentage may be specified, by law or in any agreement with any national securities exchange or otherwise.
(2) The term "business combination" as used in this Article FIFTEENTH shall mean any transaction which is referred to in any one or more of clauses (A) through (E) of paragraph 1 of the section (a).
(b) The provisions of section (a) of this Article FIFTEENTH shall not be applicable to any particular business combination and such business combination shall require only such affirmative vote as is required by law and any other provisions of the Charter or Act of Incorporation or By-Laws if such business combination has been approved by a majority of the whole Board.
(c) For the purposes of this Article FIFTEENTH:
(1) A "person" shall mean any individual, firm, corporation or other entity.
(2) "Interested Stockholder" shall mean, in respect of any business combination, any person (other than the Corporation or any Subsidiary) who or which as of the record date for the determination of stockholders entitled to notice of and to vote on such business combination, or immediately prior to the consummation of any such transaction:
(A) is the beneficial owner, directly or indirectly, of more than 10% of the Voting Shares, or
(B) is an Affiliate of the Corporation and at any time within two years prior thereto was the beneficial owner, directly or indirectly, of not less than 10% of the then outstanding voting Shares, or
(C) is an assignee of or has otherwise succeeded in any share of capital stock of the Corporation which were at any time within two years prior thereto beneficially owned by any Interested Stockholder, and such assignment or succession shall have occurred in the course of a transaction or series of transactions not involving a public offering within the meaning of the Securities Act of 1933.
(3) A person shall be the "beneficial owner" of any Voting Shares:
(A) which such person or any of its Affiliates and Associates (as hereafter defined) beneficially own, directly or indirectly, or
(B) which such person or any of its Affiliates or Associates has (i)
the right to acquire (whether such right is exercisable immediately
or only after the passage of time), pursuant to any agreement,
arrangement or understanding or upon the
exercise of conversion rights, exchange rights, warrants or options, or otherwise, or (ii) the right to vote pursuant to any agreement, arrangement or understanding, or
(C) which are beneficially owned, directly or indirectly, by any other person with which such first mentioned person or any of its Affiliates or Associates has any agreement, arrangement or understanding for the purpose of acquiring, holding, voting or disposing of any shares of capital stock of the Corporation.
(4) The outstanding Voting Shares shall include shares deemed owned through application of paragraph (3) above but shall not include any other Voting Shares which may be issuable pursuant to any agreement, or upon exercise of conversion rights, warrants or options or otherwise.
(5) "Affiliate" and "Associate" shall have the respective meanings given those terms in Rule 12b-2 of the General Rules and Regulations under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as in effect on December 31, 1981.
(6) "Subsidiary" shall mean any corporation of which a majority of any class of equity security (as defined in Rule 3a11-1 of the General Rules and Regulations under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as in effect on December 31, 1981) is owned, directly or indirectly, by the Corporation; provided, however, that for the purposes of the definition of Investment Stockholder set forth in paragraph (2) of this section (c), the term "Subsidiary" shall mean only a corporation of which a majority of each class of equity security is owned, directly or indirectly, by the Corporation.
(d) majority of the directors shall have the power and duty to determine for the purposes of this Article FIFTEENTH on the basis of information known to them, (1) the number of Voting Shares beneficially owned by any person (2) whether a person is an Affiliate or Associate of another, (3) whether a person has an agreement, arrangement or understanding with another as to the matters referred to in paragraph (3) of section (c), or (4) whether the assets subject to any business combination or the consideration received for the issuance or transfer of securities by the Corporation, or any Subsidiary has an aggregate fair market value of $1,000,000 or more.
(e) Nothing contained in this Article FIFTEENTH shall be construed to relieve any Interested Stockholder from any fiduciary obligation imposed by law.
SIXTEENTH: Notwithstanding any other provision of this Charter or Act of Incorporation or the By-Laws of the Corporation (and in addition to any other vote that may be required by law, this Charter or Act of Incorporation by the By-Laws), the affirmative vote of the holders of at least two-thirds of the outstanding shares of the capital stock of the Corporation entitled to vote generally in the election of directors
(considered for this purpose as one class) shall be required to amend, alter or repeal any provision of Articles FIFTH, THIRTEENTH, FIFTEENTH or SIXTEENTH of this Charter or Act of Incorporation.
SEVENTEENTH: (a) a Director of this Corporation shall not be liable to the Corporation or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a Director, except to the extent such exemption from liability or limitation thereof is not permitted under the Delaware General Corporation Laws as the same exists or may hereafter be amended.
(b) Any repeal or modification of the foregoing paragraph shall not adversely affect any right or protection of a Director of the Corporation existing hereunder with respect to any act or omission occurring prior to the time of such repeal or modification."
EXHIBIT B
BY-LAWS
WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY
WILMINGTON, DELAWARE
AS EXISTING ON JANUARY 16, 2003
BY-LAWS OF WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY
ARTICLE I
STOCKHOLDERS' MEETINGS
Section 1. Annual Meeting. The annual meeting of stockholders shall be held on the third Thursday in April each year at the principal office at the Company or at such other date, time or place as may be designated by resolution by the Board of Directors.
Section 2. Special Meetings. Special meetings of stockholders may be called at any time by the Board of Directors, the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer or the President.
Section 3. Notice. Notice of all meetings of the stockholders shall be given by mailing to each stockholder at least ten (10) days before said meeting, at his last known address, a written or printed notice fixing the time and place of such meeting.
Section 4. Quorum. A majority in the amount of the capital stock of the Company issued and outstanding on the record date, as herein determined, shall constitute a quorum at all meetings of stockholders for the transaction of any business, but the holders of a smaller number of shares may adjourn from time to time, without further notice, until a quorum is secured. At each annual or special meeting of stockholders, each stockholder shall be entitled to one vote, either in person or by proxy, for each share of stock registered in the stockholder's name on the books of the Company on the record date for any such meeting as determined herein.
ARTICLE 2
DIRECTORS
Section 1. Management. The affairs and business of the Company shall be managed by or under the direction of the Board of Directors.
Section 2. Number. The authorized number of directors that shall constitute the Board of Directors shall be fixed from time to time by or pursuant to a resolution passed by a majority of the Board of Directors within the parameters set by the Charter of the Company. No more than two directors may also be employees of the Company or any affiliate thereof.
Section 3. Qualification. In addition to any other provisions of these Bylaws, to be qualified for nomination for election or appointment to the Board of Directors, a person must have not attained the age of sixty-nine years at the time of such election or appointment, provided however, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee may waive such qualification as to a particular candidate otherwise qualified to serve as a director upon a good faith determination by such committee that such a waiver is in the best interests of the Company and its stockholders. The
Chairman of the Board and the Chief Executive Officer shall not be qualified to continue to serve as directors upon the termination of their service in those offices for any reason.
Section 4. Meetings. The Board of Directors shall meet at the principal office of the Company or elsewhere in its discretion at such times to be determined by a majority of its members, or at the call of the Chairman of the Board of Directors, the Chief Executive Officer or the President.
Section 5. Special Meetings. Special meetings of the Board of Directors may be called at any time by the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer or the President, and shall be called upon the written request of a majority of the directors.
Section 6. Quorum. A majority of the directors elected and qualified shall be necessary to constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at any meeting of the Board of Directors.
Section 7. Notice. Written notice shall be sent by mail to each director of any special meeting of the Board of Directors, and of any change in the time or place of any regular meeting, stating the time and place of such meeting, which shall be mailed not less than two days before the time of holding such meeting.
Section 8. Vacancies. In the event of the death, resignation, removal, inability to act or disqualification of any director, the Board of Directors, although less than a quorum, shall have the right to elect the successor who shall hold office for the remainder of the full term of the class of directors in which the vacancy occurred, and until such director's successor shall have been duly elected and qualified.
Section 9. Organization Meeting. The Board of Directors at its first meeting after its election by the stockholders shall appoint an Executive Committee, an Audit Committee, a Compensation Committee and a Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, and shall elect from its own members a Chairman of the Board, a Chief Executive Officer and a President, who may be the same person. The Board of Directors shall also elect at such meeting a Secretary and a Chief Financial Officer, who may be the same person, and may appoint at any time such committees as it may deem advisable. The Board of Directors may also elect at such meeting one or more Associate Directors. The Board of Directors, the Executive Committee or another committee designated by the Board of Directors may elect or appoint such other officers as they may deem advisable.
Section 10. Removal. The Board of Directors may at any time remove, with or without cause, any member of any committee appointed by it or any associate director or officer elected by it and may appoint or elect his successor.
Section 11. Responsibility of Officers. The Board of Directors may designate an officer to be in charge of such departments or divisions of the Company as it may deem advisable.
Section 12. Participation in Meetings. The Board of Directors or any committee of the Board of Directors may participate in a meeting of the Board of Directors or such committee, as the case may be, by conference telephone, video facilities or other communications equipment. Any action required or permitted to be taken at any meeting of the Board of Directors or any committee thereof may be taken without a meeting if all of the members of the Board of Directors or the committee, as the case may be, consent thereto in writing, and the writing or writings are filed with the minutes of the Board of Directors or such committee.
ARTICLE 3
COMMITTEES OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Section 1. Executive Committee.
(A) The Executive Committee shall be composed of not more than nine
(9) members, who shall be selected by the Board of Directors from its own
members, and who shall hold office at the pleasure of the Board of Directors.
(B) The Executive Committee shall have and may exercise, to the fullest extent permitted by law, all of the powers of the Board of Directors when it is not in session to transact all business for and on behalf of the Company that may be brought before it.
(C) The Executive Committee shall meet at the principal office of the Company or elsewhere in its discretion at such times to be determined by a majority of its members, or at the call of the Chairman of the Executive Committee, the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer or the President. The majority of its members shall be necessary to constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. Special meetings of the Executive Committee may be held at any time when a quorum is present.
(D) Minutes of each meeting of the Executive Committee shall be kept and submitted to the Board of Directors at its next meeting.
(E) In the event of an emergency of sufficient severity to prevent the conduct and management of the affairs and business of the Company by its directors and officers as contemplated by these Bylaws, any two available members of the Executive Committee as constituted immediately prior to such emergency shall constitute a quorum of that Committee for the full conduct and management of the affairs and business of the Company in accordance with the provisions of Article 3 of these Bylaws. In the event of the unavailability, at such time, of a minimum of two members of the Executive Committee, any three available directors shall constitute the Executive Committee for the full conduct and management of the affairs and business of the Company in accordance with the foregoing provisions of this Section. This Bylaw shall be subject to implementation by resolutions of the Board of Directors presently existing or hereafter passed from time to time for that purpose, and any provisions of these Bylaws (other than this Section) and any resolutions which are contrary
to the provisions of this Section or to the provisions of any such implementing resolutions shall be suspended during such a disaster period until it shall be determined by any interim Executive Committee acting under this Section that it shall be to the advantage of the Company to resume the conduct and management of its affairs and business under all of the other provisions of these Bylaws.
Section 2. Audit Committee.
(A) The Audit Committee shall be composed of not more than five (5)
members, who shall be selected by the Board of Directors from its own members,
none of whom shall be an officer or employee of the Company, and shall hold
office at the pleasure of the Board.
(B) The Audit Committee shall have general supervision over the Audit Services Division in all matters however subject to the approval of the Board of Directors; it shall consider all matters brought to its attention by the officer in charge of the Audit Services Division, review all reports of examination of the Company made by any governmental agency or such independent auditor employed for that purpose, and make such recommendations to the Board of Directors with respect thereto or with respect to any other matters pertaining to auditing the Company as it shall deem desirable.
(C) The Audit Committee shall meet whenever and wherever its Chairperson, the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, the President or a majority of the Committee's members shall deem it to be proper for the transaction of its business. A majority of the Committee's members shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. The acts of the majority at a meeting at which a quorum is present shall constitute action by the Committee.
Section 3. Compensation Committee.
(A) The Compensation Committee shall be composed of not more than five (5) members, who shall be selected by the Board of Directors from its own members, none of whom shall be an officer or employee of the Company, and shall hold office at the pleasure of the Board of Directors.
(B) The Compensation Committee shall in general advise upon all matters of policy concerning compensation, including salaries and employee benefits.
(C) The Compensation Committee shall meet whenever and wherever its Chairperson, the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, the President or a majority of the Committee's members shall deem it to be proper for the transaction of its business. A majority of the Committee's members shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. The acts of the majority at a meeting at which a quorum is present shall constitute action by the Committee.
Section 4. Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee.
(A) The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee shall be composed of not more than five members, who shall be selected by the Board of Directors from its own members, none of whom shall be an officer or employee of the Company, and shall hold office at the pleasure of the Board of Directors.
(B) The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee shall provide counsel and make recommendations to the Chairman of the Board and the full Board with respect to the performance of the Chairman of the Board and the Chief Executive Officer, candidates for membership on the Board of Directors and its committees, matters of corporate governance, succession planning for the Company's executive management and significant shareholder relations issues.
(C) The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee shall meet whenever and wherever its Chairperson, the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, the President, or a majority of the Committee's members shall deem it to be proper for the transaction of its business. A majority of the Committee's members shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. The acts of the majority at a meeting at which a quorum is present shall constitute action by the Committee.
Section 5. Other Committees. The Company may have such other committees with such powers as the Board may designate from time to time by resolution or by an amendment to these Bylaws.
Section 6. Associate Directors.
(A) Any person who has served as a director may be elected by the Board of Directors as an associate director, to serve at the pleasure of the Board of Directors.
(B) Associate directors shall be entitled to attend all meetings of directors and participate in the discussion of all matters brought to the Board of Directors, but will not have a right to vote.
Section 7. Absence or Disqualification of Any Member of a Committee. In the absence or disqualification of any member of any committee created under Article III of these Bylaws, the member or members thereof present at any meeting and not disqualified from voting, whether or not he or they constitute a quorum, may unanimously appoint another member of the Board of Directors to act at the meeting in the place of any such absent or disqualified member.
ARTICLE 4
OFFICERS
Section 1. Chairman of the Board. The Chairman of the Board shall preside at all meetings of the Board of Directors and shall have such further authority and powers and shall perform such duties the Board of Directors may assign to him from time to time.
Section 2. Chief Executive Officer. The Chief Executive Officer shall have the powers and duties pertaining to the office of Chief Executive Officer conferred or imposed upon him by statute, incident to his office or as the Board of Directors may assign to him from time to time. In the absence of the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer shall have the powers and duties of the Chairman of the Board.
Section 3. President. The President shall have the powers and duties pertaining to the office of the President conferred or imposed upon him by statute, incident to his office or as the Board of Directors may assign to him from time to time. In the absence of the Chairman of the Board and the Chief Executive Officer, the President shall have the powers and duties of the Chairman of the Board.
Section 4. Duties. The Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer or the President, as designated by the Board of Directors, shall carry into effect all legal directions of the Executive Committee and of the Board of Directors and shall at all times exercise general supervision over the interest, affairs and operations of the Company and perform all duties incident to his office.
Section 5. Vice Presidents. There may be one or more Vice Presidents, however denominated by the Board of Directors, who may at any time perform all of the duties of the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer and/or the President and such other powers and duties incident to their respective offices or as the Board of Directors, the Executive Committee, the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer or the President or the officer in charge of the department or division to which they are assigned may assign to them from time to time.
Section 6. Secretary. The Secretary shall attend to the giving of notice of meetings of the stockholders and the Board of Directors, as well as the committees thereof, to the keeping of accurate minutes of all such meetings, recording the same in the minute books of the Company and in general notifying the Board of Directors of material matters affecting the Company on a timely basis. In addition to the other notice requirements of these Bylaws and as may be practicable under the circumstances, all such notices shall be in writing and mailed well in advance of the scheduled date of any such meeting. He shall have custody of the corporate seal, affix the same to any documents requiring such corporate seal, attest the same and perform other duties incident to his office.
Section 7. Chief Financial Officer. The Chief Financial Officer shall have general supervision over all assets and liabilities of the Company. He shall be custodian of and responsible for all monies, funds and valuables of the Company and for the keeping of proper records of the evidence of property or indebtedness and of all transactions of the Company. He shall have general supervision of the expenditures of the Company and periodically shall report to the Board of Directors the condition of the Company, and perform such other duties incident to his office or as the
Board of Directors, the Executive Committee, the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer or the President may assign to him from time to time.
Section 8. Controller. There may be a Controller who shall exercise general supervision over the internal operations of the Company, including accounting, and shall render to the Board of Directors or the Audit Committee at appropriate times a report relating to the general condition and internal operations of the Company and perform other duties incident to his office.
There may be one or more subordinate accounting or controller officers however denominated, who may perform the duties of the Controller and such duties as may be prescribed by the Controller.
Section 9. Audit Officers. The officer designated by the Board of Directors to be in charge of the Audit Services Division of the Company, with such title as the Board of Directors shall prescribe, shall report to and be directly responsible to the Audit Committee and the Board of Directors.
There shall be an Auditor and there may be one or more Audit Officers, however denominated, who may perform all the duties of the Auditor and such duties as may be prescribed by the officer in charge of the Audit Services Division.
Section 10. Other Officers. There may be one or more officers, subordinate in rank to all Vice Presidents with such functional titles as shall be determined from time to time by the Board of Directors, who shall ex officio hold the office of Assistant Secretary of the Company and who may perform such duties as may be prescribed by the officer in charge of the department or division to which they are assigned.
Section 11. Powers and Duties of Other Officers. The powers and duties of all other officers of the Company shall be those usually pertaining to their respective offices, subject to the direction of the Board of Directors, the Executive Committee, the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer or the President and the officer in charge of the department or division to which they are assigned.
Section 12. Number of Offices. Any one or more offices of the Company may be held by the same person, except that (A) no individual may hold more than one of the offices of Chief Financial Officer, Controller or Audit Officer and (B) none of the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer or the President may hold any office mentioned in Section 12(A).
ARTICLE 5
STOCK AND STOCK CERTIFICATES
Section 1. Transfer. Shares of stock shall be transferable on the books of the Company and a transfer book shall be kept in which all transfers of stock shall be recorded.
Section 2. Certificates. Every holder of stock shall be entitled to have a certificate signed by or in the name of the Company by the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer or the President or a Vice President, and by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary, of the Company, certifying the number of shares owned by him in the Company. The corporate seal affixed thereto, and any of or all the signatures on the certificate, may be a facsimile. In case any officer, transfer agent or registrar who has signed or whose facsimile signature has been placed upon a certificate shall have ceased to be such officer, transfer agent or registrar before such certificate is issued, it may be issued by the Company with the same effect as if he were such officer, transfer agent or registrar at the date of issue. Duplicate certificates of stock shall be issued only upon giving such security as may be satisfactory to the Board of Directors or the Executive Committee.
Section 3. Record Date. The Board of Directors is authorized to fix in advance a record date for the determination of the stockholders entitled to notice of, and to vote at, any meeting of stockholders and any adjournment thereof, or entitled to receive payment of any dividend, or to any allotment of rights, or to exercise any rights in respect of any change, conversion or exchange of capital stock, or in connection with obtaining the consent of stockholders for any purpose, which record date shall not be more than 60 nor less than 10 days preceding the date of any meeting of stockholders or the date for the payment of any dividend, or the date for the allotment of rights, or the date when any change or conversion or exchange of capital stock shall go into effect, or a date in connection with obtaining such consent.
ARTICLE 6
SEAL
The corporate seal of the Company shall be in the following form:
Between two concentric circles the words "Wilmington Trust Company" within the inner circle the words "Wilmington, Delaware."
ARTICLE 7
FISCAL YEAR
The fiscal year of the Company shall be the calendar year.
ARTICLE 8
EXECUTION OF INSTRUMENTS OF THE COMPANY
The Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, the President or any Vice President, however denominated by the Board of Directors, shall have full power and authority to enter into, make, sign, execute, acknowledge and/or deliver and the Secretary or any Assistant Secretary shall have full power and authority to attest and affix the corporate seal of the Company to any and all deeds, conveyances, assignments, releases, contracts, agreements, bonds, notes, mortgages and all other instruments incident to the business of this Company or in acting as executor, administrator, guardian, trustee, agent or in any other fiduciary or representative capacity by any and every method of appointment or by whatever person, corporation, court officer or authority in the State of Delaware, or elsewhere, without any specific authority, ratification, approval or confirmation by the Board of Directors or the Executive Committee, and any and all such instruments shall have the same force and validity as though expressly authorized by the Board of Directors and/or the Executive Committee.
ARTICLE 9
COMPENSATION OF DIRECTORS AND MEMBERS OF COMMITTEES
Directors and associate directors of the Company, other than salaried officers of the Company, shall be paid such reasonable honoraria or fees for attending meetings of the Board of Directors as the Board of Directors may from time to time determine. Directors and associate directors who serve as members of committees, other than salaried employees of the Company, shall be paid such reasonable honoraria or fees for services as members of committees as the Board of Directors shall from time to time determine and directors and associate directors may be authorized by the Company to perform such special services as the Board of Directors may from time to time determine in accordance with any guidelines the Board of Directors may adopt for such services, and shall be paid for such special services so performed reasonable compensation as may be determined by the Board of Directors.
ARTICLE 10
INDEMNIFICATION
Section 1. Persons Covered. The Company shall indemnify and hold harmless, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law as it presently exists or may hereafter be amended, any person who was or is made or is threatened to be made a party or is otherwise involved in any action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (a "proceeding") by reason of the fact that he, or a person for whom he is the legal representative, is or was a director of the Company or is or was serving at the request of the Company as a director, officer, employee, fiduciary or agent of another corporation, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, trust, enterprise or non-profit entity that is not a subsidiary or affiliate of the Company, including service with respect to employee benefit plans, against all liability and loss suffered and expenses reasonably incurred by such person. The Company shall be required to indemnify such a person in connection with a proceeding initiated by such person only if the proceeding was authorized by the Board of Directors.
The Company may indemnify and hold harmless, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law as it presently exists or may hereafter be amended, any person who was or is made or threatened to be made a party or is otherwise involved in any proceeding by reason of the fact that he, or a person for whom he is the legal representative, is or was an officer, employee or agent of the Company or a director, officer, employee or agent of a subsidiary or affiliate of the Company, against all liability and loss suffered and expenses reasonably incurred by such person. The Company may indemnify any such person in connection with a proceeding (or part thereof) initiated by such person only if such proceeding (or part thereof) was authorized by the Board of Directors.
Section 2. Advance of Expenses. The Company shall pay the expenses incurred in defending any proceeding involving a person who is or may be indemnified pursuant to Section 1 in advance of its final disposition, provided, however, that the payment of expenses incurred by such a person in advance of the final disposition of the proceeding shall be made only upon receipt of an undertaking by that person to repay all amounts advanced if it should be ultimately determined that the person is not entitled to be indemnified under this Article 10 or otherwise.
Section 3. Certain Rights. If a claim under this Article 10 for (A) payment of expenses or (B) indemnification by a director or person who is or was serving at the request of the Company as a director, officer, employee, fiduciary or agent of another corporation, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, trust, enterprise or nonprofit entity that is not a subsidiary or affiliate of the Company, including service with respect to employee benefit plans, is not paid in full within sixty days after a written claim therefor has been received by the Company, the claimant may file suit to recover the unpaid amount of such claim and, if successful in whole or in part, shall be entitled to be paid the expense of prosecuting such claim. In any such action, the Company shall have the burden of proving that the claimant was not entitled to the requested indemnification or payment of expenses under applicable law.
Section 4. Non-Exclusive. The rights conferred on any person by this Article 10 shall not be exclusive of any other rights which such person may have or hereafter acquire under any statute, provision of the Charter or Act of Incorporation, these Bylaws, agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors or otherwise.
Section 5. Reduction of Amount. The Company's obligation, if any, to indemnify any person who was or is serving at its request as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, enterprise or nonprofit entity shall be reduced by any amount such person may collect as indemnification from such other corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, enterprise or nonprofit entity.
Section 6. Effect of Modification. Any amendment, repeal or modification of the foregoing provisions of this Article 10 shall not adversely affect any right or protection hereunder of any person in respect of any act or omission occurring prior to the time of such amendment, repeal or modification.
ARTICLE 11
AMENDMENTS TO THE BYLAWS
These Bylaws may be altered, amended or repealed, in whole or in part, and any new Bylaw or Bylaws adopted at any regular or special meeting of the Board of Directors by a vote of a majority of all the members of the Board of Directors then in office.
ARTICLE 12
MISCELLANEOUS
Whenever used in these Bylaws, the singular shall include the plural, the plural shall include the singular unless the context requires otherwise and the use of either gender shall include both genders.
EXHIBIT C
SECTION 321(b) CONSENT
Pursuant to Section 321(b) of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, Wilmington Trust Company hereby consents that reports of examinations by Federal, State, Territorial or District authorities may be furnished by such authorities to the Securities and Exchange Commission upon requests therefor.
WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY
Dated: August 11, 2003 By: /s/ Mary C. St.Amand
----------------------
Name: Mary C. St.Amand
Title: Vice President
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EXHIBIT D
NOTICE
This form is intended to assist state nonmember banks and savings banks with state publication requirements. It has not been approved by any state banking authorities. Refer to your appropriate state banking authorities for your state publication requirements.
R E P O R T O F C O N D I T I O N
Consolidating domestic subsidiaries of the
WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY of WILMINGTON
---------------------------------------------------------- ------------------
Name of Bank City
in the State of DELAWARE , at the close of business on June 30, 2003.
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ASSETS
Thousands of dollars
Cash and balances due from depository institutions:
Noninterest-bearing balances and currency and coins ............ 221,573
Interest-bearing balances ...................................... 0
Held-to-maturity securities ............................................. 3,777
Available-for-sale securities ........................................... 1,684,467
Federal funds sold in domestic offices .................................. 465,275
Securities purchased under agreements to resell ......................... 18,800
Loans and lease financing receivables:
Loans and leases held for sale ................ 0
Loans and leases, net of unearned income ......5,598,733
LESS: Allowance for loan and lease losses .... 77,873
Loans and leases, net of unearned income, allowance, and reserve 5,520,860
Assets held in trading accounts ......................................... 0
Premises and fixed assets (including capitalized leases) ................ 142,672
Other real estate owned ................................................. 2,986
Investments in unconsolidated subsidiaries and associated companies ..... 2,496
Customers' liability to this bank on acceptances outstanding ............ 0
Intangible assets:
a. Goodwill ................................................... 157
b. Other intangible assets .................................... 11,897
Other assets ............................................................ 171,667
Total assets ............................................................ 8,246,627
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CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE
LIABILITIES
Deposits:
In domestic offices .......................................................................... 6,415,199
Noninterest-bearing ............ 1,011,850
Interest-bearing ............... 5,403,349
Federal funds purchased in domestic offices .................................................. 286,799
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase ............................................... 207,308
Trading liabilities (from Schedule RC-D) ..................................................... 0
Other borrowed money (includes mortgage indebtedness and obligations under capitalized leases: 597,518
Bank's liability on acceptances executed and outstanding ..................................... 0
Subordinated notes and debentures ............................................................ 0
Other liabilities (from Schedule RC-G) ....................................................... 98,337
Total liabilities ............................................................................ 7,605,161
EQUITY CAPITAL
Perpetual preferred stock and related surplus ................................................ 0
Common Stock ................................................................................. 500
Surplus (exclude all surplus related to preferred stock) ..................................... 112,358
a. Retained earnings ........................................................................ 526,582
b. Accumulated other comprehensive income ................................................... 2,026
Total equity capital ......................................................................... 641,466
Total liabilities, limited-life preferred stock, and equity capital .......................... 8,246,627
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Exhibit 25.07
Registration No.
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM T-1
STATEMENT OF ELIGIBILITY UNDER THE TRUST INDENTURE ACT OF 1939
OF A CORPORATION DESIGNATED TO ACT AS TRUSTEE
CHECK IF AN APPLICATION TO DETERMINE ELIGIBILITY OF A TRUSTEE PURSUANT TO
SECTION 305(b)(2)
WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY
(Exact name of trustee as specified in its charter)
Delaware 51-0055023
(State of incorporation) (I.R.S. employer identification no.)
Rodney Square North
1100 North Market Street
Wilmington, Delaware 19890
(Address of principal executive offices)
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Cynthia L. Corliss Vice President and Trust Counsel Wilmington Trust Company Rodney Square North Wilmington, Delaware 19890 (302) 651-8516
(Name, address and telephone number of agent for service)
HARTFORD CAPITAL VI
(Exact name of obligor as specified in its charter)
DELAWARE 82-6097264
(State of incorporation) (I.R.S. employer identification no.)
C/O THE HARTFORD FINANCIAL SERVICES GROUP, INC.
HARTFORD PLAZA
HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT 06115
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
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GUARANTEE WITH RESPECT TO PREFERRED SECURITIES OF HARTFORD CAPITAL VI
(Title of the indenture securities)
ITEM 1. GENERAL INFORMATION.
Furnish the following information as to the trustee:
(a) Name and address of each examining or supervising authority to which it is subject.
Federal Deposit Insurance Co. State Bank Commissioner Five Penn Center Dover, Delaware Suite #2901 Philadelphia, PA |
(b) Whether it is authorized to exercise corporate trust powers.
The trustee is authorized to exercise corporate trust powers.
ITEM 2. AFFILIATIONS WITH THE OBLIGOR.
If the obligor is an affiliate of the trustee, describe each affiliation:
Based upon an examination of the books and records of the trustee and upon information furnished by the obligor, the obligor is not an affiliate of the trustee.
ITEM 16. LIST OF EXHIBITS.
List below all exhibits filed as part of this Statement of Eligibility and Qualification.
A. Copy of the Charter of Wilmington Trust Company, which includes the authorization of Wilmington Trust Company to exercise corporate trust powers.
B. Copy of By-Laws of Wilmington Trust Company.
C. Consent of Wilmington Trust Company required by Section 321(b) of Trust Indenture Act.
D. Copy of most recent Report of Condition of Wilmington Trust Company.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, the trustee, Wilmington Trust Company, a corporation organized and existing under the laws of Delaware, has duly caused this Statement of Eligibility to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, all in the City of Wilmington and State of Delaware on the 11th day of August 2003.
WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY
[SEAL]
Attest: /s/ Michael G. Oller, Jr. By: /s/ Mary C. St.Amand
------------------------- ----------------------
Assistant Secretary Name: Mary C. St.Amand
Title: Vice President
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EXHIBIT A
AMENDED CHARTER
WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY
WILMINGTON, DELAWARE
AS EXISTING ON MAY 9, 1987
AMENDED CHARTER
OR
ACT OF INCORPORATION
OF
WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY
WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY, originally incorporated by an Act of the General Assembly of the State of Delaware, entitled "An Act to Incorporate the Delaware Guarantee and Trust Company", approved March 2, A.D. 1901, and the name of which company was changed to "WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY" by an amendment filed in the Office of the Secretary of State on March 18, A.D. 1903, and the Charter or Act of Incorporation of which company has been from time to time amended and changed by merger agreements pursuant to the corporation law for state banks and trust companies of the State of Delaware, does hereby alter and amend its Charter or Act of Incorporation so that the same as so altered and amended shall in its entirety read as follows:
FIRST: - The name of this corporation is WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY.
SECOND: - The location of its principal office in the State of Delaware is at Rodney Square North, in the City of Wilmington, County of New Castle; the name of its resident agent is WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY whose address is Rodney Square North, in said City. In addition to such principal office, the said corporation maintains and operates branch offices in the City of Newark, New Castle County, Delaware, the Town of Newport, New Castle County, Delaware, at Claymont, New Castle County, Delaware, at Greenville, New Castle County Delaware, and at Milford Cross Roads, New Castle County, Delaware, and shall be empowered to open, maintain and operate branch offices at Ninth and Shipley Streets, 418 Delaware Avenue, 2120 Market Street, and 3605 Market Street, all in the City of Wilmington, New Castle County, Delaware, and such other branch offices or places of business as may be authorized from time to time by the agency or agencies of the government of the State of Delaware empowered to confer such authority.
THIRD: - (a) The nature of the business and the objects and purposes proposed to be transacted, promoted or carried on by this Corporation are to do any or all of the things herein mentioned as fully and to the same extent as natural persons might or could do and in any part of the world, viz.:
(1) To sue and be sued, complain and defend in any Court of law or equity and to make and use a common seal, and alter the seal at pleasure, to hold, purchase, convey, mortgage or otherwise deal in real and personal estate and property, and to appoint such officers and agents as the business of the Corporation shall require, to make by-laws not inconsistent with the Constitution or laws of the United States or of this State, to discount bills, notes or other evidences of debt, to receive deposits of money, or securities for money, to buy gold and silver
bullion and foreign coins, to buy and sell bills of exchange, and generally to use, exercise and enjoy all the powers, rights, privileges and franchises incident to a corporation which are proper or necessary for the transaction of the business of the Corporation hereby created.
(2) To insure titles to real and personal property, or any estate or interests therein, and to guarantee the holder of such property, real or personal, against any claim or claims, adverse to his interest therein, and to prepare and give certificates of title for any lands or premises in the State of Delaware, or elsewhere.
(3) To act as factor, agent, broker or attorney in the receipt, collection, custody, investment and management of funds, and the purchase, sale, management and disposal of property of all descriptions, and to prepare and execute all papers which may be necessary or proper in such business.
(4) To prepare and draw agreements, contracts, deeds, leases, conveyances, mortgages, bonds and legal papers of every description, and to carry on the business of conveyancing in all its branches.
(5) To receive upon deposit for safekeeping money, jewelry, plate, deeds, bonds and any and all other personal property of every sort and kind, from executors, administrators, guardians, public officers, courts, receivers, assignees, trustees, and from all fiduciaries, and from all other persons and individuals, and from all corporations whether state, municipal, corporate or private, and to rent boxes, safes, vaults and other receptacles for such property.
(6) To act as agent or otherwise for the purpose of registering, issuing, certificating, countersigning, transferring or underwriting the stock, bonds or other obligations of any corporation, association, state or municipality, and may receive and manage any sinking fund therefor on such terms as may be agreed upon between the two parties, and in like manner may act as Treasurer of any corporation or municipality.
(7) To act as Trustee under any deed of trust, mortgage, bond or other instrument issued by any state, municipality, body politic, corporation, association or person, either alone or in conjunction with any other person or persons, corporation or corporations.
(8) To guarantee the validity, performance or effect of any contract or agreement, and the fidelity of persons holding places of responsibility or trust; to become surety for any person, or persons, for the faithful performance of any trust, office, duty, contract or agreement, either by itself or in conjunction with any other person, or persons, corporation, or corporations, or in like manner
become surety upon any bond, recognizance, obligation, judgment, suit, order, or decree to be entered in any court of record within the State of Delaware or elsewhere, or which may now or hereafter be required by any law, judge, officer or court in the State of Delaware or elsewhere.
(9) To act by any and every method of appointment as trustee, trustee in bankruptcy, receiver, assignee, assignee in bankruptcy, executor, administrator, guardian, bailee, or in any other trust capacity in the receiving, holding, managing, and disposing of any and all estates and property, real, personal or mixed, and to be appointed as such trustee, trustee in bankruptcy, receiver, assignee, assignee in bankruptcy, executor, administrator, guardian or bailee by any persons, corporations, court, officer, or authority, in the State of Delaware or elsewhere; and whenever this Corporation is so appointed by any person, corporation, court, officer or authority such trustee, trustee in bankruptcy, receiver, assignee, assignee in bankruptcy, executor, administrator, guardian, bailee, or in any other trust capacity, it shall not be required to give bond with surety, but its capital stock shall be taken and held as security for the performance of the duties devolving upon it by such appointment.
(10) And for its care, management and trouble, and the exercise of any of its powers hereby given, or for the performance of any of the duties which it may undertake or be called upon to perform, or for the assumption of any responsibility the said Corporation may be entitled to receive a proper compensation.
(11) To purchase, receive, hold and own bonds, mortgages, debentures, shares of capital stock, and other securities, obligations, contracts and evidences of indebtedness, of any private, public or municipal corporation within and without the State of Delaware, or of the Government of the United States, or of any state, territory, colony, or possession thereof, or of any foreign government or country; to receive, collect, receipt for, and dispose of interest, dividends and income upon and from any of the bonds, mortgages, debentures, notes, shares of capital stock, securities, obligations, contracts, evidences of indebtedness and other property held and owned by it, and to exercise in respect of all such bonds, mortgages, debentures, notes, shares of capital stock, securities, obligations, contracts, evidences of indebtedness and other property, any and all the rights, powers and privileges of individual owners thereof, including the right to vote thereon; to invest and deal in and with any of the moneys of the Corporation upon such securities and in such manner as it may think fit and proper, and from time to time to vary or realize such investments; to issue bonds and secure the same by pledges or deeds of trust or mortgages of or upon the whole or any part of the property held or owned by the Corporation, and to sell and pledge such bonds, as and when the Board of Directors shall determine, and in the promotion of its said corporate business of investment and to the extent authorized by law,
to lease, purchase, hold, sell, assign, transfer, pledge, mortgage and convey real and personal property of any name and nature and any estate or interest therein.
(b) In furtherance of, and not in limitation, of the powers conferred by the laws of the State of Delaware, it is hereby expressly provided that the said Corporation shall also have the following powers:
(1) To do any or all of the things herein set forth, to the same extent as natural persons might or could do, and in any part of the world.
(2) To acquire the good will, rights, property and franchises and to undertake the whole or any part of the assets and liabilities of any person, firm, association or corporation, and to pay for the same in cash, stock of this Corporation, bonds or otherwise; to hold or in any manner to dispose of the whole or any part of the property so purchased; to conduct in any lawful manner the whole or any part of any business so acquired, and to exercise all the powers necessary or convenient in and about the conduct and management of such business.
(3) To take, hold, own, deal in, mortgage or otherwise lien, and to lease, sell, exchange, transfer, or in any manner whatever dispose of property, real, personal or mixed, wherever situated.
(4) To enter into, make, perform and carry out contracts of every kind with any person, firm, association or corporation, and, without limit as to amount, to draw, make, accept, endorse, discount, execute and issue promissory notes, drafts, bills of exchange, warrants, bonds, debentures, and other negotiable or transferable instruments.
(5) To have one or more offices, to carry on all or any of its operations and businesses, without restriction to the same extent as natural persons might or could do, to purchase or otherwise acquire, to hold, own, to mortgage, sell, convey or otherwise dispose of, real and personal property, of every class and description, in any State, District, Territory or Colony of the United States, and in any foreign country or place.
(6) It is the intention that the objects, purposes and powers specified and clauses contained in this paragraph shall (except where otherwise expressed in said paragraph) be nowise limited or restricted by reference to or inference from the terms of any other clause of this or any other paragraph in this charter, but that the objects, purposes and powers specified in each of the clauses of this paragraph shall be regarded as independent objects, purposes and powers.
FOURTH: - (a) The total number of shares of all classes of stock which the Corporation shall have authority to issue is forty-one million (41,000,000) shares, consisting of:
(1) One million (1,000,000) shares of Preferred stock, par value $10.00 per share (hereinafter referred to as "Preferred Stock"); and
(2) Forty million (40,000,000) shares of Common Stock, par value $1.00 per share (hereinafter referred to as "Common Stock").
(b) Shares of Preferred Stock may be issued from time to time in one or more series as may from time to time be determined by the Board of Directors each of said series to be distinctly designated. All shares of any one series of Preferred Stock shall be alike in every particular, except that there may be different dates from which dividends, if any, thereon shall be cumulative, if made cumulative. The voting powers and the preferences and relative, participating, optional and other special rights of each such series, and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof, if any, may differ from those of any and all other series at any time outstanding; and, subject to the provisions of subparagraph 1 of Paragraph (c) of this Article FOURTH, the Board of Directors of the Corporation is hereby expressly granted authority to fix by resolution or resolutions adopted prior to the issuance of any shares of a particular series of Preferred Stock, the voting powers and the designations, preferences and relative, optional and other special rights, and the qualifications, limitations and restrictions of such series, including, but without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the following:
(1) The distinctive designation of, and the number of shares of Preferred Stock which shall constitute such series, which number may be increased (except where otherwise provided by the Board of Directors) or decreased (but not below the number of shares thereof then outstanding) from time to time by like action of the Board of Directors;
(2) The rate and times at which, and the terms and conditions on which, dividends, if any, on Preferred Stock of such series shall be paid, the extent of the preference or relation, if any, of such dividends to the dividends payable on any other class or classes, or series of the same or other class of stock and whether such dividends shall be cumulative or non-cumulative;
(3) The right, if any, of the holders of Preferred Stock of such series to convert the same into or exchange the same for, shares of any other class or classes or of any series of the same or any other class or classes of stock of the Corporation and the terms and conditions of such conversion or exchange;
(4) Whether or not Preferred Stock of such series shall be subject to redemption, and the redemption price or prices and the time or times at which, and the terms and conditions on which, Preferred Stock of such series may be redeemed.
(5) The rights, if any, of the holders of Preferred Stock of such series upon the
voluntary or involuntary liquidation, merger, consolidation, distribution or sale of assets, dissolution or winding-up, of the Corporation.
(6) The terms of the sinking fund or redemption or purchase account, if any, to be provided for the Preferred Stock of such series; and
(7) The voting powers, if any, of the holders of such series of Preferred Stock which may, without limiting the generality of the foregoing include the right, voting as a series or by itself or together with other series of Preferred Stock or all series of Preferred Stock as a class, to elect one or more directors of the Corporation if there shall have been a default in the payment of dividends on any one or more series of Preferred Stock or under such circumstances and on such conditions as the Board of Directors may determine.
(c) (1) After the requirements with respect to preferential dividends on
the Preferred Stock (fixed in accordance with the provisions of section
(b) of this Article FOURTH), if any, shall have been met and after the
Corporation shall have complied with all the requirements, if any, with
respect to the setting aside of sums as sinking funds or redemption or
purchase accounts (fixed in accordance with the provisions of section (b)
of this Article FOURTH), and subject further to any conditions which may
be fixed in accordance with the provisions of section (b) of this Article
FOURTH, then and not otherwise the holders of Common Stock shall be
entitled to receive such dividends as may be declared from time to time by
the Board of Directors.
(2) After distribution in full of the preferential amount, if any, (fixed in accordance with the provisions of section (b) of this Article FOURTH), to be distributed to the holders of Preferred Stock in the event of voluntary or involuntary liquidation, distribution or sale of assets, dissolution or winding-up, of the Corporation, the holders of the Common Stock shall be entitled to receive all of the remaining assets of the Corporation, tangible and intangible, of whatever kind available for distribution to stockholders ratably in proportion to the number of shares of Common Stock held by them respectively.
(3) Except as may otherwise be required by law or by the provisions of such resolution or resolutions as may be adopted by the Board of Directors pursuant to section (b) of this Article FOURTH, each holder of Common Stock shall have one vote in respect of each share of Common Stock held on all matters voted upon by the stockholders.
(d) No holder of any of the shares of any class or series of stock or of options, warrants or other rights to purchase shares of any class or series of stock or of other securities of the Corporation shall have any preemptive right to purchase or subscribe for any unissued stock of any class or series or any additional shares of any class or series to be issued by reason of any increase of the authorized capital stock of the Corporation of
any class or series, or bonds, certificates of indebtedness, debentures or other securities convertible into or exchangeable for stock of the Corporation of any class or series, or carrying any right to purchase stock of any class or series, but any such unissued stock, additional authorized issue of shares of any class or series of stock or securities convertible into or exchangeable for stock, or carrying any right to purchase stock, may be issued and disposed of pursuant to resolution of the Board of Directors to such persons, firms, corporations or associations, whether such holders or others, and upon such terms as may be deemed advisable by the Board of Directors in the exercise of its sole discretion.
(e) The relative powers, preferences and rights of each series of Preferred Stock in relation to the relative powers, preferences and rights of each other series of Preferred Stock shall, in each case, be as fixed from time to time by the Board of Directors in the resolution or resolutions adopted pursuant to authority granted in section (b) of this Article FOURTH and the consent, by class or series vote or otherwise, of the holders of such of the series of Preferred Stock as are from time to time outstanding shall not be required for the issuance by the Board of Directors of any other series of Preferred Stock whether or not the powers, preferences and rights of such other series shall be fixed by the Board of Directors as senior to, or on a parity with, the powers, preferences and rights of such outstanding series, or any of them; provided, however, that the Board of Directors may provide in the resolution or resolutions as to any series of Preferred Stock adopted pursuant to section (b) of this Article FOURTH that the consent of the holders of a majority (or such greater proportion as shall be therein fixed) of the outstanding shares of such series voting thereon shall be required for the issuance of any or all other series of Preferred Stock.
(f) Subject to the provisions of section (e), shares of any series of Preferred Stock may be issued from time to time as the Board of Directors of the Corporation shall determine and on such terms and for such consideration as shall be fixed by the Board of Directors.
(g) Shares of Common Stock may be issued from time to time as the Board of Directors of the Corporation shall determine and on such terms and for such consideration as shall be fixed by the Board of Directors.
(h) The authorized amount of shares of Common Stock and of Preferred Stock may, without a class or series vote, be increased or decreased from time to time by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the stock of the Corporation entitled to vote thereon.
FIFTH: - (a) The business and affairs of the Corporation shall be conducted and managed by a Board of Directors. The number of directors constituting the entire Board shall be not less than five nor more than twenty-five as fixed from time to time by vote of a majority of the whole Board, provided, however, that the number of
directors shall not be reduced so as to shorten the term of any director at the time in office, and provided further, that the number of directors constituting the whole Board shall be twenty-four until otherwise fixed by a majority of the whole Board.
(b) The Board of Directors shall be divided into three classes, as nearly equal in number as the then total number of directors constituting the whole Board permits, with the term of office of one class expiring each year. At the annual meeting of stockholders in 1982, directors of the first class shall be elected to hold office for a term expiring at the next succeeding annual meeting, directors of the second class shall be elected to hold office for a term expiring at the second succeeding annual meeting and directors of the third class shall be elected to hold office for a term expiring at the third succeeding annual meeting. Any vacancies in the Board of Directors for any reason, and any newly created directorships resulting from any increase in the directors, may be filled by the Board of Directors, acting by a majority of the directors then in office, although less than a quorum, and any directors so chosen shall hold office until the next annual election of directors. At such election, the stockholders shall elect a successor to such director to hold office until the next election of the class for which such director shall have been chosen and until his successor shall be elected and qualified. No decrease in the number of directors shall shorten the term of any incumbent director.
(c) Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Charter or Act of Incorporation or the By-Laws of the Corporation (and notwithstanding the fact that some lesser percentage may be specified by law, this Charter or Act of Incorporation or the By-Laws of the Corporation), any director or the entire Board of Directors of the Corporation may be removed at any time without cause, but only by the affirmative vote of the holders of two-thirds or more of the outstanding shares of capital stock of the Corporation entitled to vote generally in the election of directors (considered for this purpose as one class) cast at a meeting of the stockholders called for that purpose.
(d) Nominations for the election of directors may be made by the Board of Directors or by any stockholder entitled to vote for the election of directors. Such nominations shall be made by notice in writing, delivered or mailed by first class United States mail, postage prepaid, to the Secretary of the Corporation not less than 14 days nor more than 50 days prior to any meeting of the stockholders called for the election of directors; provided, however, that if less than 21 days' notice of the meeting is given to stockholders, such written notice shall be delivered or mailed, as prescribed, to the Secretary of the Corporation not later than the close of the seventh day following the day on which notice of the meeting was mailed to stockholders. Notice of nominations which are proposed by the Board of Directors shall be given by the Chairman on behalf of the Board.
(e) Each notice under subsection (d) shall set forth (i) the name, age, business address and, if known, residence address of each nominee proposed in such notice, (ii) the
principal occupation or employment of such nominee and (iii) the number of shares of stock of the Corporation which are beneficially owned by each such nominee.
(f) The Chairman of the meeting may, if the facts warrant, determine and declare to the meeting that a nomination was not made in accordance with the foregoing procedure, and if he should so determine, he shall so declare to the meeting and the defective nomination shall be disregarded.
(g) No action required to be taken or which may be taken at any annual or special meeting of stockholders of the Corporation may be taken without a meeting, and the power of stockholders to consent in writing, without a meeting, to the taking of any action is specifically denied.
SIXTH: - The Directors shall choose such officers, agents and servants as may be provided in the By-Laws as they may from time to time find necessary or proper.
SEVENTH: - The Corporation hereby created is hereby given the same powers, rights and privileges as may be conferred upon corporations organized under the Act entitled "An Act Providing a General Corporation Law", approved March 10, 1899, as from time to time amended.
EIGHTH: - This Act shall be deemed and taken to be a private Act.
NINTH: - This Corporation is to have perpetual existence.
TENTH: - The Board of Directors, by resolution passed by a majority of the whole Board, may designate any of their number to constitute an Executive Committee, which Committee, to the extent provided in said resolution, or in the By-Laws of the Company, shall have and may exercise all of the powers of the Board of Directors in the management of the business and affairs of the Corporation, and shall have power to authorize the seal of the Corporation to be affixed to all papers which may require it.
ELEVENTH: - The private property of the stockholders shall not be liable for the payment of corporate debts to any extent whatever.
TWELFTH: - The Corporation may transact business in any part of the world.
THIRTEENTH: - The Board of Directors of the Corporation is expressly authorized to make, alter or repeal the By-Laws of the Corporation by a vote of the majority of the entire Board. The stockholders may make, alter or repeal any By-Law whether or not adopted by them, provided however, that any such additional By-Laws, alterations or repeal may be adopted only by the affirmative vote of the holders of two-thirds or more of the outstanding shares of capital stock of the Corporation entitled to vote generally in the election of directors (considered for this purpose as one class).
FOURTEENTH: - Meetings of the Directors may be held outside of the State of Delaware at such places as may be from time to time designated by the Board, and the Directors may keep the books of the Company outside of the State of Delaware at such places as may be from time to time designated by them.
FIFTEENTH: - (a) (1) In addition to any affirmative vote required by law, and except as otherwise expressly provided in sections (b) and (c) of this Article FIFTEENTH:
(A) any merger or consolidation of the Corporation or any Subsidiary (as hereinafter defined) with or into (i) any Interested Stockholder (as hereinafter defined) or (ii) any other corporation (whether or not itself an Interested Stockholder), which, after such merger or consolidation, would be an Affiliate (as hereinafter defined) of an Interested Stockholder, or
(B) any sale, lease, exchange, mortgage, pledge, transfer or other disposition (in one transaction or a series of related transactions) to or with any Interested Stockholder or any Affiliate of any Interested Stockholder of any assets of the Corporation or any Subsidiary having an aggregate fair market value of $1,000,000 or more, or
(C) the issuance or transfer by the Corporation or any Subsidiary (in one transaction or a series of related transactions) of any securities of the Corporation or any Subsidiary to any Interested Stockholder or any Affiliate of any Interested Stockholder in exchange for cash, securities or other property (or a combination thereof) having an aggregate fair market value of $1,000,000 or more, or
(D) the adoption of any plan or proposal for the liquidation or dissolution of the Corporation, or
(E) any reclassification of securities (including any reverse stock split), or recapitalization of the Corporation, or any merger or consolidation of the Corporation with any of its Subsidiaries or any similar transaction (whether or not with or into or otherwise involving an Interested Stockholder) which has the effect, directly or indirectly, of increasing the proportionate share of the outstanding shares of any class of equity or convertible securities of the Corporation or any Subsidiary which is directly or indirectly owned by any Interested Stockholder, or any Affiliate of any Interested Stockholder,
shall require the affirmative vote of the holders of at least two-thirds of the outstanding shares of capital stock of the Corporation entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, considered for the purpose of this Article FIFTEENTH as one class ("Voting Shares"). Such affirmative vote shall be required notwithstanding the fact that no vote may be required, or that some lesser percentage may be specified, by law or in any agreement with any national securities exchange or
otherwise.
(2) The term "business combination" as used in this Article FIFTEENTH shall mean any transaction which is referred to in any one or more of clauses (A) through (E) of paragraph 1 of the section (a).
(b) The provisions of section (a) of this Article FIFTEENTH shall not be applicable to any particular business combination and such business combination shall require only such affirmative vote as is required by law and any other provisions of the Charter or Act of Incorporation or By-Laws if such business combination has been approved by a majority of the whole Board.
(c) For the purposes of this Article FIFTEENTH:
(1) A "person" shall mean any individual, firm, corporation or other entity.
(2) "Interested Stockholder" shall mean, in respect of any business combination, any person (other than the Corporation or any Subsidiary) who or which as of the record date for the determination of stockholders entitled to notice of and to vote on such business combination, or immediately prior to the consummation of any such transaction:
(A) is the beneficial owner, directly or indirectly, of more than 10% of the Voting Shares, or
(B) is an Affiliate of the Corporation and at any time within two years prior thereto was the beneficial owner, directly or indirectly, of not less than 10% of the then outstanding voting Shares, or
(C) is an assignee of or has otherwise succeeded in any share of capital stock of the Corporation which were at any time within two years prior thereto beneficially owned by any Interested Stockholder, and such assignment or succession shall have occurred in the course of a transaction or series of transactions not involving a public offering within the meaning of the Securities Act of 1933.
(3) A person shall be the "beneficial owner" of any Voting Shares:
(A) which such person or any of its Affiliates and Associates (as hereafter defined) beneficially own, directly or indirectly, or
(B) which such person or any of its Affiliates or Associates has (i)
the right to acquire (whether such right is exercisable immediately
or only after the passage of time), pursuant to any agreement,
arrangement or understanding or upon the
exercise of conversion rights, exchange rights, warrants or options, or otherwise, or (ii) the right to vote pursuant to any agreement, arrangement or understanding, or
(C) which are beneficially owned, directly or indirectly, by any other person with which such first mentioned person or any of its Affiliates or Associates has any agreement, arrangement or understanding for the purpose of acquiring, holding, voting or disposing of any shares of capital stock of the Corporation.
(4) The outstanding Voting Shares shall include shares deemed owned through application of paragraph (3) above but shall not include any other Voting Shares which may be issuable pursuant to any agreement, or upon exercise of conversion rights, warrants or options or otherwise.
(5) "Affiliate" and "Associate" shall have the respective meanings given those terms in Rule 12b-2 of the General Rules and Regulations under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as in effect on December 31, 1981.
(6) "Subsidiary" shall mean any corporation of which a majority of any class of equity security (as defined in Rule 3a11-1 of the General Rules and Regulations under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as in effect on December 31, 1981) is owned, directly or indirectly, by the Corporation; provided, however, that for the purposes of the definition of Investment Stockholder set forth in paragraph (2) of this section (c), the term "Subsidiary" shall mean only a corporation of which a majority of each class of equity security is owned, directly or indirectly, by the Corporation.
(d) majority of the directors shall have the power and duty to determine for the purposes of this Article FIFTEENTH on the basis of information known to them, (1) the number of Voting Shares beneficially owned by any person (2) whether a person is an Affiliate or Associate of another, (3) whether a person has an agreement, arrangement or understanding with another as to the matters referred to in paragraph (3) of section (c), or (4) whether the assets subject to any business combination or the consideration received for the issuance or transfer of securities by the Corporation, or any Subsidiary has an aggregate fair market value of $1,000,000 or more.
(e) Nothing contained in this Article FIFTEENTH shall be construed to relieve any Interested Stockholder from any fiduciary obligation imposed by law.
SIXTEENTH: Notwithstanding any other provision of this Charter or Act of Incorporation or the By-Laws of the Corporation (and in addition to any other vote that may be required by law, this Charter or Act of Incorporation by the By-Laws), the affirmative vote of the holders of at least two-thirds of the outstanding shares of the capital stock of the Corporation entitled to vote generally in the election of directors
(considered for this purpose as one class) shall be required to amend, alter or repeal any provision of Articles FIFTH, THIRTEENTH, FIFTEENTH or SIXTEENTH of this Charter or Act of Incorporation.
SEVENTEENTH: (a) a Director of this Corporation shall not be liable to the Corporation or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a Director, except to the extent such exemption from liability or limitation thereof is not permitted under the Delaware General Corporation Laws as the same exists or may hereafter be amended.
(b) Any repeal or modification of the foregoing paragraph shall not adversely affect any right or protection of a Director of the Corporation existing hereunder with respect to any act or omission occurring prior to the time of such repeal or modification."
EXHIBIT B
BY-LAWS
WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY
WILMINGTON, DELAWARE
AS EXISTING ON JANUARY 16, 2003
BY-LAWS OF WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY
ARTICLE I
STOCKHOLDERS' MEETINGS
Section 1. Annual Meeting. The annual meeting of stockholders shall be held on the third Thursday in April each year at the principal office at the Company or at such other date, time or place as may be designated by resolution by the Board of Directors.
Section 2. Special Meetings. Special meetings of stockholders may be called at any time by the Board of Directors, the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer or the President.
Section 3. Notice. Notice of all meetings of the stockholders shall be given by mailing to each stockholder at least ten (10) days before said meeting, at his last known address, a written or printed notice fixing the time and place of such meeting.
Section 4. Quorum. A majority in the amount of the capital stock of the Company issued and outstanding on the record date, as herein determined, shall constitute a quorum at all meetings of stockholders for the transaction of any business, but the holders of a smaller number of shares may adjourn from time to time, without further notice, until a quorum is secured. At each annual or special meeting of stockholders, each stockholder shall be entitled to one vote, either in person or by proxy, for each share of stock registered in the stockholder's name on the books of the Company on the record date for any such meeting as determined herein.
ARTICLE 2
DIRECTORS
Section 1. Management. The affairs and business of the Company shall be managed by or under the direction of the Board of Directors.
Section 2. Number. The authorized number of directors that shall constitute the Board of Directors shall be fixed from time to time by or pursuant to a resolution passed by a majority of the Board of Directors within the parameters set by the Charter of the Company. No more than two directors may also be employees of the Company or any affiliate thereof.
Section 3. Qualification. In addition to any other provisions of these Bylaws, to be qualified for nomination for election or appointment to the Board of Directors, a person must have not attained the age of sixty-nine years at the time of such election or appointment, provided however, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee may waive such qualification as to a particular candidate otherwise qualified to serve as a director upon a good faith determination by such committee that such a waiver is in the best interests of the Company and its stockholders. The
Chairman of the Board and the Chief Executive Officer shall not be qualified to continue to serve as directors upon the termination of their service in those offices for any reason.
Section 4. Meetings. The Board of Directors shall meet at the principal office of the Company or elsewhere in its discretion at such times to be determined by a majority of its members, or at the call of the Chairman of the Board of Directors, the Chief Executive Officer or the President.
Section 5. Special Meetings. Special meetings of the Board of Directors may be called at any time by the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer or the President, and shall be called upon the written request of a majority of the directors.
Section 6. Quorum. A majority of the directors elected and qualified shall be necessary to constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at any meeting of the Board of Directors.
Section 7. Notice. Written notice shall be sent by mail to each director of any special meeting of the Board of Directors, and of any change in the time or place of any regular meeting, stating the time and place of such meeting, which shall be mailed not less than two days before the time of holding such meeting.
Section 8. Vacancies. In the event of the death, resignation, removal, inability to act or disqualification of any director, the Board of Directors, although less than a quorum, shall have the right to elect the successor who shall hold office for the remainder of the full term of the class of directors in which the vacancy occurred, and until such director's successor shall have been duly elected and qualified.
Section 9. Organization Meeting. The Board of Directors at its first meeting after its election by the stockholders shall appoint an Executive Committee, an Audit Committee, a Compensation Committee and a Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, and shall elect from its own members a Chairman of the Board, a Chief Executive Officer and a President, who may be the same person. The Board of Directors shall also elect at such meeting a Secretary and a Chief Financial Officer, who may be the same person, and may appoint at any time such committees as it may deem advisable. The Board of Directors may also elect at such meeting one or more Associate Directors. The Board of Directors, the Executive Committee or another committee designated by the Board of Directors may elect or appoint such other officers as they may deem advisable.
Section 10. Removal. The Board of Directors may at any time remove, with or without cause, any member of any committee appointed by it or any associate director or officer elected by it and may appoint or elect his successor.
Section 11. Responsibility of Officers. The Board of Directors may designate an officer to be in charge of such departments or divisions of the Company as it may deem advisable.
Section 12. Participation in Meetings. The Board of Directors or any committee of the Board of Directors may participate in a meeting of the Board of Directors or such committee, as the case may be, by conference telephone, video facilities or other communications equipment. Any action required or permitted to be taken at any meeting of the Board of Directors or any committee thereof may be taken without a meeting if all of the members of the Board of Directors or the committee, as the case may be, consent thereto in writing, and the writing or writings are filed with the minutes of the Board of Directors or such committee.
ARTICLE 3
COMMITTEES OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Section 1. Executive Committee.
(A) The Executive Committee shall be composed of not more than nine
(9) members, who shall be selected by the Board of Directors from its own
members, and who shall hold office at the pleasure of the Board of Directors.
(B) The Executive Committee shall have and may exercise, to the fullest extent permitted by law, all of the powers of the Board of Directors when it is not in session to transact all business for and on behalf of the Company that may be brought before it.
(C) The Executive Committee shall meet at the principal office of the Company or elsewhere in its discretion at such times to be determined by a majority of its members, or at the call of the Chairman of the Executive Committee, the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer or the President. The majority of its members shall be necessary to constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. Special meetings of the Executive Committee may be held at any time when a quorum is present.
(D) Minutes of each meeting of the Executive Committee shall be kept and submitted to the Board of Directors at its next meeting.
(E) In the event of an emergency of sufficient severity to prevent the conduct and management of the affairs and business of the Company by its directors and officers as contemplated by these Bylaws, any two available members of the Executive Committee as constituted immediately prior to such emergency shall constitute a quorum of that Committee for the full conduct and management of the affairs and business of the Company in accordance with the provisions of Article 3 of these Bylaws. In the event of the unavailability, at such time, of a minimum of two members of the Executive Committee, any three available directors shall constitute the Executive Committee for the full conduct and management of the affairs and business of the Company in accordance with the foregoing provisions of this Section. This Bylaw shall be subject to implementation by resolutions of the Board of Directors presently existing or hereafter passed from time to time for that purpose, and any provisions of these Bylaws (other than this Section) and any resolutions which are contrary
to the provisions of this Section or to the provisions of any such implementing resolutions shall be suspended during such a disaster period until it shall be determined by any interim Executive Committee acting under this Section that it shall be to the advantage of the Company to resume the conduct and management of its affairs and business under all of the other provisions of these Bylaws.
Section 2. Audit Committee.
(A) The Audit Committee shall be composed of not more than five (5)
members, who shall be selected by the Board of Directors from its own members,
none of whom shall be an officer or employee of the Company, and shall hold
office at the pleasure of the Board.
(B) The Audit Committee shall have general supervision over the Audit Services Division in all matters however subject to the approval of the Board of Directors; it shall consider all matters brought to its attention by the officer in charge of the Audit Services Division, review all reports of examination of the Company made by any governmental agency or such independent auditor employed for that purpose, and make such recommendations to the Board of Directors with respect thereto or with respect to any other matters pertaining to auditing the Company as it shall deem desirable.
(C) The Audit Committee shall meet whenever and wherever its Chairperson, the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, the President or a majority of the Committee's members shall deem it to be proper for the transaction of its business. A majority of the Committee's members shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. The acts of the majority at a meeting at which a quorum is present shall constitute action by the Committee.
Section 3. Compensation Committee.
(A) The Compensation Committee shall be composed of not more than five (5) members, who shall be selected by the Board of Directors from its own members, none of whom shall be an officer or employee of the Company, and shall hold office at the pleasure of the Board of Directors.
(B) The Compensation Committee shall in general advise upon all matters of policy concerning compensation, including salaries and employee benefits.
(C) The Compensation Committee shall meet whenever and wherever its Chairperson, the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, the President or a majority of the Committee's members shall deem it to be proper for the transaction of its business. A majority of the Committee's members shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. The acts of the majority at a meeting at which a quorum is present shall constitute action by the Committee.
SECTION 4. NOMINATING AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE COMMITTEE.
(A) The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee shall be composed of not more than five members, who shall be selected by the Board of Directors from its own members, none of whom shall be an officer or employee of the Company, and shall hold office at the pleasure of the Board of Directors.
(B) The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee shall provide counsel and make recommendations to the Chairman of the Board and the full Board with respect to the performance of the Chairman of the Board and the Chief Executive Officer, candidates for membership on the Board of Directors and its committees, matters of corporate governance, succession planning for the Company's executive management and significant shareholder relations issues.
(C) The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee shall meet whenever and wherever its Chairperson, the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, the President, or a majority of the Committee's members shall deem it to be proper for the transaction of its business. A majority of the Committee's members shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. The acts of the majority at a meeting at which a quorum is present shall constitute action by the Committee.
Section 5. Other Committees. The Company may have such other committees with such powers as the Board may designate from time to time by resolution or by an amendment to these Bylaws.
Section 6. Associate Directors.
(A) Any person who has served as a director may be elected by the Board of Directors as an associate director, to serve at the pleasure of the Board of Directors.
(B) Associate directors shall be entitled to attend all meetings of directors and participate in the discussion of all matters brought to the Board of Directors, but will not have a right to vote.
Section 7. Absence or Disqualification of Any Member of a Committee. In the absence or disqualification of any member of any committee created under Article III of these Bylaws, the member or members thereof present at any meeting and not disqualified from voting, whether or not he or they constitute a quorum, may unanimously appoint another member of the Board of Directors to act at the meeting in the place of any such absent or disqualified member.
ARTICLE 4
OFFICERS
Section 1. Chairman of the Board. The Chairman of the Board shall preside at all meetings of the Board of Directors and shall have such further authority and powers and shall perform such duties the Board of Directors may assign to him from time to time.
Section 2. Chief Executive Officer. The Chief Executive Officer shall have the powers and duties pertaining to the office of Chief Executive Officer conferred or imposed upon him by statute, incident to his office or as the Board of Directors may assign to him from time to time. In the absence of the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer shall have the powers and duties of the Chairman of the Board.
Section 3. President. The President shall have the powers and duties pertaining to the office of the President conferred or imposed upon him by statute, incident to his office or as the Board of Directors may assign to him from time to time. In the absence of the Chairman of the Board and the Chief Executive Officer, the President shall have the powers and duties of the Chairman of the Board.
Section 4. Duties. The Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer or the President, as designated by the Board of Directors, shall carry into effect all legal directions of the Executive Committee and of the Board of Directors and shall at all times exercise general supervision over the interest, affairs and operations of the Company and perform all duties incident to his office.
Section 5. Vice Presidents. There may be one or more Vice Presidents, however denominated by the Board of Directors, who may at any time perform all of the duties of the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer and/or the President and such other powers and duties incident to their respective offices or as the Board of Directors, the Executive Committee, the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer or the President or the officer in charge of the department or division to which they are assigned may assign to them from time to time.
Section 6. Secretary. The Secretary shall attend to the giving of notice of meetings of the stockholders and the Board of Directors, as well as the committees thereof, to the keeping of accurate minutes of all such meetings, recording the same in the minute books of the Company and in general notifying the Board of Directors of material matters affecting the Company on a timely basis. In addition to the other notice requirements of these Bylaws and as may be practicable under the circumstances, all such notices shall be in writing and mailed well in advance of the scheduled date of any such meeting. He shall have custody of the corporate seal, affix the same to any documents requiring such corporate seal, attest the same and perform other duties incident to his office.
Section 7. Chief Financial Officer. The Chief Financial Officer shall have general supervision over all assets and liabilities of the Company. He shall be custodian of and responsible for all monies, funds and valuables of the Company and for the keeping of proper records of the evidence of property or indebtedness and of all transactions of the Company. He shall have general supervision of the expenditures of the Company and periodically shall report to the Board of Directors the condition of the Company, and perform such other duties incident to his office or as the
Board of Directors, the Executive Committee, the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer or the President may assign to him from time to time.
Section 8. Controller. There may be a Controller who shall exercise general supervision over the internal operations of the Company, including accounting, and shall render to the Board of Directors or the Audit Committee at appropriate times a report relating to the general condition and internal operations of the Company and perform other duties incident to his office.
There may be one or more subordinate accounting or controller officers however denominated, who may perform the duties of the Controller and such duties as may be prescribed by the Controller.
Section 9. Audit Officers. The officer designated by the Board of Directors to be in charge of the Audit Services Division of the Company, with such title as the Board of Directors shall prescribe, shall report to and be directly responsible to the Audit Committee and the Board of Directors.
There shall be an Auditor and there may be one or more Audit Officers, however denominated, who may perform all the duties of the Auditor and such duties as may be prescribed by the officer in charge of the Audit Services Division.
Section 10. Other Officers. There may be one or more officers, subordinate in rank to all Vice Presidents with such functional titles as shall be determined from time to time by the Board of Directors, who shall ex officio hold the office of Assistant Secretary of the Company and who may perform such duties as may be prescribed by the officer in charge of the department or division to which they are assigned.
Section 11. Powers and Duties of Other Officers. The powers and duties of all other officers of the Company shall be those usually pertaining to their respective offices, subject to the direction of the Board of Directors, the Executive Committee, the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer or the President and the officer in charge of the department or division to which they are assigned.
Section 12. Number of Offices. Any one or more offices of the Company may be held by the same person, except that (A) no individual may hold more than one of the offices of Chief Financial Officer, Controller or Audit Officer and (B) none of the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer or the President may hold any office mentioned in Section 12(A).
ARTICLE 5
STOCK AND STOCK CERTIFICATES
Section 1. Transfer. Shares of stock shall be transferable on the books of the Company and a transfer book shall be kept in which all transfers of stock shall be recorded.
Section 2. Certificates. Every holder of stock shall be entitled to have a certificate signed by or in the name of the Company by the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer or the President or a Vice President, and by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary, of the Company, certifying the number of shares owned by him in the Company. The corporate seal affixed thereto, and any of or all the signatures on the certificate, may be a facsimile. In case any officer, transfer agent or registrar who has signed or whose facsimile signature has been placed upon a certificate shall have ceased to be such officer, transfer agent or registrar before such certificate is issued, it may be issued by the Company with the same effect as if he were such officer, transfer agent or registrar at the date of issue. Duplicate certificates of stock shall be issued only upon giving such security as may be satisfactory to the Board of Directors or the Executive Committee.
Section 3. Record Date. The Board of Directors is authorized to fix in advance a record date for the determination of the stockholders entitled to notice of, and to vote at, any meeting of stockholders and any adjournment thereof, or entitled to receive payment of any dividend, or to any allotment of rights, or to exercise any rights in respect of any change, conversion or exchange of capital stock, or in connection with obtaining the consent of stockholders for any purpose, which record date shall not be more than 60 nor less than 10 days preceding the date of any meeting of stockholders or the date for the payment of any dividend, or the date for the allotment of rights, or the date when any change or conversion or exchange of capital stock shall go into effect, or a date in connection with obtaining such consent.
ARTICLE 6
SEAL
The corporate seal of the Company shall be in the following form:
Between two concentric circles the words "Wilmington Trust Company" within the inner circle the words "Wilmington, Delaware."
ARTICLE 7
FISCAL YEAR
The fiscal year of the Company shall be the calendar year.
ARTICLE 8
EXECUTION OF INSTRUMENTS OF THE COMPANY
The Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, the President or any Vice President, however denominated by the Board of Directors, shall have full power and authority to enter into, make, sign, execute, acknowledge and/or deliver and the Secretary or any Assistant Secretary shall have full power and authority to attest and affix the corporate seal of the Company to any and all deeds, conveyances, assignments, releases, contracts, agreements, bonds, notes, mortgages and all other instruments incident to the business of this Company or in acting as executor, administrator, guardian, trustee, agent or in any other fiduciary or representative capacity by any and every method of appointment or by whatever person, corporation, court officer or authority in the State of Delaware, or elsewhere, without any specific authority, ratification, approval or confirmation by the Board of Directors or the Executive Committee, and any and all such instruments shall have the same force and validity as though expressly authorized by the Board of Directors and/or the Executive Committee.
ARTICLE 9
COMPENSATION OF DIRECTORS AND MEMBERS OF COMMITTEES
Directors and associate directors of the Company, other than salaried officers of the Company, shall be paid such reasonable honoraria or fees for attending meetings of the Board of Directors as the Board of Directors may from time to time determine. Directors and associate directors who serve as members of committees, other than salaried employees of the Company, shall be paid such reasonable honoraria or fees for services as members of committees as the Board of Directors shall from time to time determine and directors and associate directors may be authorized by the Company to perform such special services as the Board of Directors may from time to time determine in accordance with any guidelines the Board of Directors may adopt for such services, and shall be paid for such special services so performed reasonable compensation as may be determined by the Board of Directors.
ARTICLE 10
INDEMNIFICATION
Section 1. Persons Covered. The Company shall indemnify and hold harmless, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law as it presently exists or may hereafter be amended, any person who was or is made or is threatened to be made a party or is otherwise involved in any action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (a "proceeding") by reason of the fact that he, or a person for whom he is the legal representative, is or was a director of the Company or is or was serving at the request of the Company as a director, officer, employee, fiduciary or agent of another corporation, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, trust, enterprise or non-profit entity that is not a subsidiary or affiliate of the Company, including service with respect to employee benefit plans, against all liability and loss suffered and expenses reasonably incurred by such person. The Company shall be required to indemnify such a person in connection with a proceeding initiated by such person only if the proceeding was authorized by the Board of Directors.
The Company may indemnify and hold harmless, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law as it presently exists or may hereafter be amended, any person who was or is made or threatened to be made a party or is otherwise involved in any proceeding by reason of the fact that he, or a person for whom he is the legal representative, is or was an officer, employee or agent of the Company or a director, officer, employee or agent of a subsidiary or affiliate of the Company, against all liability and loss suffered and expenses reasonably incurred by such person. The Company may indemnify any such person in connection with a proceeding (or part thereof) initiated by such person only if such proceeding (or part thereof) was authorized by the Board of Directors.
Section 2. Advance of Expenses. The Company shall pay the expenses incurred in defending any proceeding involving a person who is or may be indemnified pursuant to Section 1 in advance of its final disposition, provided, however, that the payment of expenses incurred by such a person in advance of the final disposition of the proceeding shall be made only upon receipt of an undertaking by that person to repay all amounts advanced if it should be ultimately determined that the person is not entitled to be indemnified under this Article 10 or otherwise.
Section 3. Certain Rights. If a claim under this Article 10 for (A) payment of expenses or (B) indemnification by a director or person who is or was serving at the request of the Company as a director, officer, employee, fiduciary or agent of another corporation, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, trust, enterprise or nonprofit entity that is not a subsidiary or affiliate of the Company, including service with respect to employee benefit plans, is not paid in full within sixty days after a written claim therefor has been received by the Company, the claimant may file suit to recover the unpaid amount of such claim and, if successful in whole or in part, shall be entitled to be paid the expense of prosecuting such claim. In any such action, the Company shall have the burden of proving that the claimant was not entitled to the requested indemnification or payment of expenses under applicable law.
Section 4. Non-Exclusive. The rights conferred on any person by this Article 10 shall not be exclusive of any other rights which such person may have or hereafter acquire under any statute, provision of the Charter or Act of Incorporation, these Bylaws, agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors or otherwise.
Section 5. Reduction of Amount. The Company's obligation, if any, to indemnify any person who was or is serving at its request as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, enterprise or nonprofit entity shall be reduced by any amount such person may collect as indemnification from such other corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, enterprise or nonprofit entity.
Section 6. Effect of Modification. Any amendment, repeal or modification of the foregoing provisions of this Article 10 shall not adversely affect any right or protection hereunder of any person in respect of any act or omission occurring prior to the time of such amendment, repeal or modification.
ARTICLE 11
AMENDMENTS TO THE BYLAWS
These Bylaws may be altered, amended or repealed, in whole or in part, and any new Bylaw or Bylaws adopted at any regular or special meeting of the Board of Directors by a vote of a majority of all the members of the Board of Directors then in office.
ARTICLE 12
MISCELLANEOUS
Whenever used in these Bylaws, the singular shall include the plural, the plural shall include the singular unless the context requires otherwise and the use of either gender shall include both genders.
EXHIBIT C
SECTION 321(b) CONSENT
Pursuant to Section 321(b) of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, Wilmington Trust Company hereby consents that reports of examinations by Federal, State, Territorial or District authorities may be furnished by such authorities to the Securities and Exchange Commission upon requests therefor.
WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY
Dated: August 11, 2003 By: /s/ Mary C. St.Amand
-------------------------------
Name: Mary C. St.Amand
Title: Vice President
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EXHIBIT D
NOTICE
This form is intended to assist state nonmember banks and savings banks with state publication requirements. It has not been approved by any state banking authorities. Refer to your appropriate state banking authorities for your state publication requirements.
REPORT OF CONDITION
Consolidating domestic subsidiaries of the
WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY of WILMINGTON
------------------------------------ ----------------
Name of Bank City
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in the State of DELAWARE, at the close of business on June 30, 2003.
ASSETS
Thousands of dollars
Cash and balances due from depository institutions:
Noninterest-bearing balances and currency and coins ............... 221,573
Interest-bearing balances ......................................... 0
Held-to-maturity securities ........................................... 3,777
Available-for-sale securities ......................................... 1,684,467
Federal funds sold in domestic offices ................................ 465,275
Securities purchased under agreements to resell ....................... 18,800
Loans and lease financing receivables:
Loans and leases held for sale ...................... 0
Loans and leases, net of unearned income ............ 5,598,733
LESS: Allowance for loan and lease losses .......... 77,873
Loans and leases, net of unearned income, allowance,
and reserve ................................................... 5,520,860
Assets held in trading accounts ....................................... 0
Premises and fixed assets (including capitalized leases) .............. 142,672
Other real estate owned ............................................... 2,986
Investments in unconsolidated subsidiaries and associated companies ... 2,496
Customers' liability to this bank on acceptances outstanding .......... 0
Intangible assets:
a. Goodwill ....................................................... 157
b. Other intangible assets ........................................ 11,897
Other assets .......................................................... 171,667
Total assets .......................................................... 8,246,627
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CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE
LIABILITIES
Deposits:
In domestic offices ................................................... 6,415,199
Noninterest-bearing .......................... 1,011,850
Interest-bearing ............................. 5,403,349
Federal funds purchased in domestic offices ........................... 286,799
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase ........................ 207,308
Trading liabilities (from Schedule RC-D) .............................. 0
Other borrowed money (includes mortgage indebtedness and
obligations under capitalized leases: ............................... 597,518
Bank's liability on acceptances executed and outstanding .............. 0
Subordinated notes and debentures ..................................... 0
Other liabilities (from Schedule RC-G) ................................ 98,337
Total liabilities ..................................................... 7,605,161
EQUITY CAPITAL
Perpetual preferred stock and related surplus ......................... 0
Common Stock .......................................................... 500
Surplus (exclude all surplus related to preferred stock) .............. 112,358
a. Retained earnings .............................................. 526,582
b. Accumulated other comprehensive income ......................... 2,026
Total equity capital .................................................. 641,466
Total liabilities, limited-life preferred stock, and equity capital ... 8,246,627
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Exhibit 25.08
FORM T-1
JPMORGAN CHASE BANK
(Exact name of trustee as specified in its charter)
NEW YORK 13-4994650
(State of incorporation (I.R.S. employer
if not a national bank) identification No.)
270 PARK AVENUE
NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10017
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
William H. McDavid
General Counsel
270 Park Avenue
New York, New York 10017
Tel: (212) 270-2611
(Name, address and telephone number of agent for service)
--------------------------------------------
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THE HARTFORD FINANCIAL SERVICES GROUP, INC.
(Exact name of obligor as specified in its charter)
DELAWARE 13-3317783
(State or other jurisdiction of (I.R.S. employer
incorporation or organization) identification No.)
HARTFORD PLAZA
HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT 06115
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
----------------------------------------
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DEBT SECURITIES OF THE HARTFORD FINANCIAL SERVICES GROUP, INC.
(Title of the indenture securities)
GENERAL
Item 1. General Information.
Furnish the following information as to the trustee:
(a) Name and address of each examining or supervising authority to which it is subject.
New York State Banking Department, State House, Albany, New York 12110.
Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, Washington, D.C., 20551
Federal Reserve Bank of New York, District No. 2, 33 Liberty Street, New York, N.Y.
Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, Washington, D.C., 20429.
(b) Whether it is authorized to exercise corporate trust powers.
Yes.
Item 2. Affiliations with the Obligor and Guarantors.
If the obligor or any Guarantor is an affiliate of the trustee, describe each such affiliation.
None.
Item 16. List of Exhibits
List below all exhibits filed as a part of this Statement of Eligibility.
1. A copy of the Restated Organization Certificate of the Trustee dated March 25, 1997 and the Certificate of Amendment dated October 22, 2001 (see Exhibit 1 to Form T-1 filed in connection with Registration Statement No. 333-76894, which is incorporated by reference).
2. A copy of the Certificate of Authority of the Trustee to Commence Business (see Exhibit 2 to Form T-1 filed in connection with Registration Statement No. 33-50010, which is incorporated by reference). On November 11, 2001 in connection with the merger of The Chase Manhattan Bank and Morgan Guaranty Trust Company of New York, the surviving corporation was renamed JPMorgan Chase Bank.
3. None, authorization to exercise corporate trust powers being contained in the documents identified above as Exhibits 1 and 2.
4. A copy of the existing By-Laws of the Trustee (see Exhibit 4 to Form T-1 filed in connection with Registration Statement No. 333-76894, which is incorporated by reference.).
5. Not applicable.
6. The consent of the Trustee required by Section 321(b) of the Act (see Exhibit 6 to Form T-1 filed in connection with Registration Statement No. 33-50010, which is incorporated by reference). On November 11, 2001, in connection with the merger of The Chase Manhattan Bank and Morgan Guaranty Trust Company of New York, the surviving corporation was renamed JPMorgan Chase Bank.
7. A copy of the latest report of condition of the Trustee, published pursuant to law or the requirements of its supervising or examining authority.
8. Not applicable.
9. Not applicable.
SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 the Trustee, JPMorgan Chase Bank, a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the State of New York, has duly caused this statement of eligibility to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, all in the City of New York and State of New York, on the 8TH DAY OF AUGUST, 2003.
JPMORGAN CHASE BANK
Item 16. List of Exhibits
List below all exhibits filed as a part of this Statement of Eligibility.
1. A copy of the Restated Organization Certificate of the Trustee dated March 25, 1997 and the Certificate of Amendment dated October 22, 2001 (see Exhibit 1 to Form T-1 filed in connection with Registration Statement No. 333-76894, which is incorporated by reference).
2. A copy of the Certificate of Authority of the Trustee to Commence Business (see Exhibit 2 to Form T-1 filed in connection with Registration Statement No. 33-50010, which is incorporated by reference). On November 11, 2001 in connection with the merger of The Chase Manhattan Bank and Morgan Guaranty Trust Company of New York, the surviving corporation was renamed JPMorgan Chase Bank.
3. None, authorization to exercise corporate trust powers being contained in the documents identified above as Exhibits 1 and 2.
4. A copy of the existing By-Laws of the Trustee (see Exhibit 4 to Form T-1 filed in connection with Registration Statement No. 333-76894, which is incorporated by reference.).
5. Not applicable.
6. The consent of the Trustee required by Section 321(b) of the Act (see Exhibit 6 to Form T-1 filed in connection with Registration Statement No. 33-50010, which is incorporated by reference). On November 11, 2001, in connection with the merger of The Chase Manhattan Bank and Morgan Guaranty Trust Company of New York, the surviving corporation was renamed JPMorgan Chase Bank.
7. A copy of the latest report of condition of the Trustee, published pursuant to law or the requirements of its supervising or examining authority.
8. Not applicable.
9. Not applicable.
SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 the Trustee, JPMorgan Chase Bank, a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the State of New York, has duly caused this statement of eligibility to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, all in the City of New York and State of New York, on the 8TH DAY OF AUGUST, 2003.
JPMORGAN CHASE BANK
By /s/ Joanne Adamis
---------------------------------
Joanne Adamis
Vice President
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Exhibit 7 to Form T-1
Bank Call Notice
RESERVE DISTRICT NO. 2
CONSOLIDATED REPORT OF CONDITION OF
JPMorgan Chase Bank
of 270 Park Avenue, New York, New York 10017
and Foreign and Domestic Subsidiaries,
a member of the Federal Reserve System,
at the close of business March 31, 2003, in accordance with a call made by the Federal Reserve Bank of this District pursuant to the provisions of the Federal Reserve Act.
DOLLAR AMOUNTS
ASSETS IN MILLIONS
Cash and balances due from depository institutions:
Noninterest-bearing balances and
currency and coin ..............................................................$ 21,415
Interest-bearing balances ...................................................... 6,882
Securities:
Held to maturity securities ......................................................... 334
Available for sale securities ....................................................... 80,076
Federal funds sold and securities purchased under
agreements to resell............................................................
Federal funds sold in domestic offices ......................................... 14,044
Securities purchased under agreements to resell ................................ 73,060
Loans and lease financing receivables:
Loans and leases held for sale ................................................. 25,832
Loans and leases, net of unearned income ..... $161,345
Less: Allowance for loan and lease losses..... 3,823
Loans and leases, net of unearned income and
allowance ...................................................................... 157,522
Trading Assets ...................................................................... 189,427
Premises and fixed assets (including capitalized leases) ............................ 6,186
Other real estate owned ............................................................. 131
Investments in unconsolidated subsidiaries and
associated companies ........................................................... 691
Customers' liability to this bank on acceptances
outstanding .................................................................... 225
Intangible assets
Goodwill .................................................................... 2,180
Other Intangible assets ..................................................... 3,314
Other assets ........................................................................ 40,377
TOTAL ASSETS ........................................................................$ 621,696
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LIABILITIES
Deposits
In domestic offices .............................................................................. $174,351
Noninterest-bearing ..................... $ 70,991
Interest-bearing ........................ 103,360
In foreign offices, Edge and Agreement
subsidiaries and IBF's ........................................................................... 125,789
Noninterest-bearing ...................... $ 7,531
Interest-bearing ........................ 118,258
Federal funds purchased and securities sold under agreements to repurchase:
Federal funds purchased in domestic offices ...................................................... 5,929
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase ................................................... 113,903
Trading liabilities ................................................................................... 116,329
Other borrowed money (includes mortgage indebtedness
and obligations under capitalized leases) ........................................................ 10,758
Bank's liability on acceptances executed and outstanding .............................................. 225
Subordinated notes and debentures ..................................................................... 8,306
Other liabilities ..................................................................................... 29,735
TOTAL LIABILITIES ..................................................................................... 585,325
Minority Interest in consolidated subsidiaries ........................................................ 97
EQUITY CAPITAL
Perpetual preferred stock and related surplus ......................................................... 0
Common stock .......................................................................................... 1,785
Surplus (exclude all surplus related to preferred stock) ............................................. 16,304
Retained earnings ..................................................................................... 17,228
Accumulated other comprehensive income ................................................................ 957
Other equity capital components ....................................................................... 0
TOTAL EQUITY CAPITAL .................................................................................. 36,274
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TOTAL LIABILITIES, MINORITY INTEREST, AND EQUITY CAPITAL .............................................. $621,696
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I, Joseph L. Sclafani, E.V.P. & Controller of the above-named bank, do hereby declare that this Report of Condition has been prepared in conformance with the instructions issued by the appropriate Federal regulatory authority and is true to the best of my knowledge and belief.
JOSEPH L. SCLAFANI
We, the undersigned directors, attest to the correctness of this Report of Condition and declare that it has been examined by us, and to the best of our knowledge and belief has been prepared in conformance with the instructions issued by the appropriate Federal regulatory authority and is true and correct.
WILLIAM B. HARRISON, JR. ) HELENE L. KAPLAN ) DIRECTORS WILLIAM H. GRAY, III ) |