UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 8-K

 

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

 

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): January 23, 2017 (January 17, 2017)

 

NEW YORK MORTGAGE TRUST, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Maryland

 

001-32216

 

47-0934168

(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation)

 

(Commission File Number)

 

(IRS Employer Identification No.)

 

275 Madison Avenue, Suite 3200

New York, New York 10016

(Address and zip code of

principal executive offices)

 

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (212) 792-0107

 

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

 

o        Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

 

o        Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

 

o        Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

 

o        Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

 

 

 



 

Item 1.01.              Entry Into a Material Definitive Agreement.

 

On January 23, 2017, New York Mortgage Trust, Inc., a Maryland corporation (the “Company”), completed the issuance and sale to Nomura Securities International, Inc. (the “Underwriter”) of $138.0 million aggregate principal amount of its 6.25% Senior Convertible Notes due 2022 (the “Notes”), including $18.0 million aggregate principal amount of the Notes (the “Over-Allotment Option Notes”) issued upon exercise of the Underwriter’s Over-Allotment Option (defined below), in a public offering pursuant to the Company’s registration statement on Form S-3ASR (File No. 333-213316) (the “Registration Statement”) and a related prospectus, as supplemented by a preliminary prospectus supplement, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on January 17, 2017 and a final prospectus supplement filed with the SEC on January 19, 2017 pursuant to Rule 424(b) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”).

 

The Notes were sold pursuant to an underwriting agreement (the “Underwriting Agreement”), dated as of January 17, 2017, by and between the Company and the Underwriter, whereby the Company agreed to sell to the Underwriter and the Underwriter agreed to purchase from the Company, subject to and upon the terms and conditions set forth in the Underwriting Agreement, the Notes. Pursuant to Underwriting Agreement, the Company granted the Underwriter the right to purchase, exercisable within a 13-day period, up to an additional $18.0 million aggregate principal amount of the Notes solely to cover over-allotments, if any (the “Over-Allotment Option”). The Underwriter exercised its option to purchase the Over-Allotment Option Notes in full on January 20, 2017. The Company made certain customary representations, warranties and covenants concerning the Company and the Registration Statement in the Underwriting Agreement and also agreed to indemnify the Underwriter against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act.

 

The Notes were issued at 96% of the principal amount, bear interest at a rate equal to 6.25% per year, payable semiannually in arrears on January 15 and July 15 of each year, commencing July 15, 2017 and are expected to mature on January 15, 2022 (the “Maturity Date”), unless earlier converted or repurchased.  The Company will not have the right to redeem the Notes prior to maturity and no sinking fund is provided for the Notes.

 

Holders of the Notes will be permitted to convert their Notes into shares of the Company’s common stock at any time prior to the close of business on the business day immediately preceding the Maturity Date. The conversion rate initially equals 142.7144 shares of the Company’s common stock per $1,000 principal amount of Notes, which is equivalent to a conversion price of approximately $7.01 per share of the Company’s common stock, based on a $1,000 principal amount of the Notes. The conversion rate will be subject to adjustment upon the occurrence of certain specified events. In addition, following certain corporate events that occur prior to the Maturity Date, which are referred to as a “make-whole fundamental change,” the Company may be required to increase the conversion rate for a holder who elects to convert its Notes in connection with such a corporate event determined by reference to a table included in the Supplemental Indenture (defined below), based on the effective date of, and the price paid (or deemed paid) per share of the Company’s common stock in, such corporate event. Finally, if the Company undergoes a “fundamental change” (as defined in the Supplemental Indenture), holders of the Notes may require the Company to repurchase for cash all or any portion of their Notes at a repurchase price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the Notes to be repurchased,  plus  accrued and unpaid interest to, but excluding, the fundamental change repurchase date.

 

The Notes were issued under the indenture, dated January 23, 2017 (the “Base Indenture”), as supplemented by the first supplemental indenture, dated January 23, 2017 (the “Supplemental Indenture” and together with the Base Indenture, the “Indenture”), among the Company and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee. The Notes are senior unsecured obligations of the Company that rank senior in right of payment to the Company’s subordinated debentures and any of its other indebtedness that is expressly subordinated in right of payment to the Notes; equal in right of payment to any of the Company’s liabilities that are not so subordinated; effectively junior in right of payment to any of the Company’s secured indebtedness to the extent of the value of the assets securing such indebtedness; and structurally junior to all indebtedness and other liabilities of the Company’s subsidiaries.

 

The Indenture contains customary events of default. If there is an event of default under the Notes, the principal amount of the Notes, plus accrued and unpaid interest (including additional interest, if any), may be declared immediately due and payable, subject to certain conditions set forth in the Indenture. These amounts

 

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automatically become due and payable in the case of certain types of bankruptcy or insolvency events of default involving the Company.

 

The net proceeds to the Company from the sale of the Notes, after deducting the underwriter’s discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses, are expected to be approximately $127.3 million. The Company intends to use the net proceeds of the offering to acquire its targeted assets and for general working capital purposes, which may include the repayment of indebtedness.

 

Copies of the Underwriting Agreement, the Base Indenture, the Supplemental Indenture and the form of the Notes are attached hereto as Exhibit 1.1, Exhibit 4.1, Exhibit 4.2 and Exhibit 4.3, respectively, and are incorporated herein by reference.  The foregoing summaries do not purport to be complete and are qualified in their entirety by reference to the Underwriting Agreement, the Base Indenture, the Supplemental Indenture and the form of the Notes. In connection with the registration of the Notes under the Securities Act, the legal opinions of Venable LLP and Vinson & Elkins L.L.P. relating to the legality of the Notes are attached as Exhibit 5.1 and Exhibit 5.2, respectively, and the legal opinion of Vinson & Elkins L.L.P. with respect to tax matters is attached as Exhibit 8.1, to this Current Report on Form 8-K.

 

Item 2.03.                                         Creation of a Direct Financial Obligation or an Obligation under an Off-Balance Sheet Arrangement of a Registrant.

 

The information set forth in Item 1.01 is incorporated herein by reference into this Item 2.03.

 

Item 9.01.              Financial Statements and Exhibits.

 

(d)       Exhibits .The following exhibits are being filed herewith:

 

1.1

 

Underwriting Agreement, dated as of January 17, 2017, by and between the Company and Nomura Securities International, Inc.

 

 

 

4.1

 

Indenture, dated January 23, 2017, between the Company and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee.

 

 

 

4.2

 

First Supplemental Indenture, dated January 23, 2017, between the Company and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee.

 

 

 

4.3

 

Form of 6.25% Senior Convertible Notes Due 2022 of the Company (attached as Exhibit A to the First Supplemental Indenture filed as Exhibit 4.2 hereto)

 

 

 

5.1

 

Opinion of Venable LLP regarding the legality of the Notes.

 

 

 

5.2

 

Opinion of Vinson & Elkins L.L.P. regarding the legality of the Notes.

 

 

 

8.1

 

Opinion of Vinson & Elkins L.L.P. regarding tax matters.

 

 

 

23.1

 

Consent of Venable LLP (included in Exhibit 5.1 hereto).

 

 

 

23.2

 

Consent of Vinson & Elkins L.L.P. (included in Exhibits 5.2 and 8.1 hereto).

 

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SIGNATURE

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

 

 

NEW YORK MORTGAGE TRUST, INC.

 

(Registrant)

 

 

 

 

Date: January 23, 2017

By:

/s/ Steven R. Mumma

 

 

Name: Steven R. Mumma

 

 

Title: Chief Executive Officer

 

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EXHIBIT INDEX

 

Exhibit

 

Description

1.1

 

Underwriting Agreement, dated as of January 17, 2017, by and between the Company and Nomura Securities International, Inc.

 

 

 

4.1

 

Indenture, dated January 23, 2017, between the Company and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee.

 

 

 

4.2

 

First Supplemental Indenture, dated January 23, 2017, between the Company and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee.

 

 

 

4.3

 

Form of 6.25% Senior Convertible Notes Due 2022 of the Company (attached as Exhibit A to the First Supplemental Indenture filed as Exhibit 4.2 hereto)

 

 

 

5.1

 

Opinion of Venable LLP regarding the legality of the Notes.

 

 

 

5.2

 

Opinion of Vinson & Elkins L.L.P. regarding the legality of the Notes.

 

 

 

8.1

 

Opinion of Vinson & Elkins L.L.P. regarding tax matters.

 

 

 

23.1

 

Consent of Venable LLP (included in Exhibit 5.1 hereto).

 

 

 

23.2

 

Consent of Vinson & Elkins L.L.P. (included in Exhibits 5.2 and 8.1 hereto).

 

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Exhibit 1.1

 

EXECUTION VERSION

 

NEW YORK MORTGAGE TRUST, INC.
$120,000,000 6.25% Senior Convertible Notes due 2022
UNDERWRITING AGREEMENT

 

January 17, 2017

 

Nomura Securities International, Inc.

Worldwide Plaza

309 West 49th Street

New York, New York 10019-7316

 

As Representative of the
Several Underwriters named
in Schedule I attached hereto

 

Ladies and Gentlemen:

 

New York Mortgage Trust, Inc., a Maryland corporation (the “ Company ”), proposes to issue and sell, subject to the conditions hereinafter stated, to the several Underwriters named in Schedule I attached hereto (the “ Underwriters ”) $120,000,000 aggregate principal amount of its 6.25% Senior Convertible Notes due 2022 (the “ Firm Securities ”). To the extent there are no additional Underwriters listed on Schedule I other than you, the term Representative as used herein shall mean you, as Underwriter, and the terms Representative and Underwriters shall mean either the singular or plural as the context requires. At the option of the Underwriters, the Company also proposes to issue and sell to the Underwriters up to an additional $18,000,000 aggregate principal amount of its 6.25% Senior Convertible Notes due 2022 (the “ Optional Securities ” and together with the Firm Securities, the “ Securities ”) to cover over-allotments, if any.  The Securities will be convertible into shares of common stock of the Company (the “ Underlying Securities ”), par value $0.01 per share (the “ Common Stock ”).  The Securities will be issued pursuant to an Indenture, to be dated as of January 23, 2017 (the “ Base Indenture ”), between the Company and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee (the “ Trustee ”), as supplemented by a supplemental indenture (the “ Supplemental Indenture ” and, together with the Base Indenture, the “ Indenture ”), to be dated as of January 23, 2017 between the Company and the Trustee. The offering and sale of the Securities contemplated herein is hereinafter referred to as the “ Offering .”

 

Nomura Securities International, Inc. shall act as the representative (the “ Representative ”) of the several Underwriters.

 

This is to confirm the agreement concerning the purchase of the Securities from the Company by the Underwriters.

 

1.                                       Representations and Warranties of the Company.  The Company represents and warrants to, and agrees with, each Underwriter that:

 

(a)                                  The Company has prepared and filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “ Commission ”) a registration statement on Form S-3ASR (File No. 333-213316) (the “ Shelf Registration Statement ”) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended

 



 

(the “ Securities Act ” or “ Act ”), and the rules and regulations (the “ Rules and Regulations ”) of the Commission promulgated thereunder, and such amendments to such registration statement as may have been required to the date of this Agreement. The Shelf Registration Statement became automatically effective upon filing with the Commission on August 25, 2016. The Shelf Registration Statement at any given time, including amendments thereto to such time, the exhibits and any schedules thereto at such time, the documents incorporated by reference therein pursuant to Item 12 of Form S-3 under the Securities Act at such time and the documents and information otherwise deemed to be a part thereof or included therein by Rule 430B under the Securities Act (the “ Rule 430B Information ”) or otherwise pursuant to the Rules and Regulations at such time are collectively herein called the “ Registration Statement .”

 

The Shelf Registration Statement includes a base prospectus dated August 25, 2016 (the “ Base Prospectus ”). Each preliminary prospectus supplement to the Base Prospectus (including the Base Prospectus as so supplemented) that describes the Securities and the Offering thereof, that omitted the Rule 430B Information and that was used prior to the filing of the final prospectus supplement referred to in the following sentence is herein called a “ Preliminary Prospectus .” Promptly after execution and delivery of this Agreement, the Company will prepare and file with the Commission a final prospectus supplement to the Base Prospectus relating to the Securities and the Offering thereof in accordance with the provisions of Rule 430B and Rule 424(b) of the Rules and Regulations. Such final supplemental form of prospectus (including the Base Prospectus as so supplemented), in the form filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b), is herein called the “ Prospectus .” Any reference herein to the Base Prospectus, any Preliminary Prospectus or the Prospectus shall be deemed to include the documents incorporated by reference therein pursuant to Item 12 of Form S-3 under the Securities Act as of the date of such prospectus.

 

For purposes of this Agreement, all references to the Registration Statement, the Base Prospectus, any Preliminary Prospectus, the Prospectus or any amendment or supplement to any of the foregoing shall be deemed to include the copy filed with the Commission pursuant to its Electronic Data Gathering, Analysis and Retrieval System (“ EDGAR ”). All references in this Agreement to financial statements and schedules and other information that is “described,” “contained,” “included” or “stated” in the Registration Statement, the Base Prospectus, any Preliminary Prospectus or the Prospectus (or other references of like import) shall be deemed to mean and include all such financial statements and schedules and other information that is incorporated by reference in or otherwise deemed by the Rules and Regulations to be a part of or included in the Registration Statement, the Base Prospectus, any Preliminary Prospectus or the Prospectus, as the case may be; and all references in this Agreement to amendments or supplements to the Registration Statement, the Base Prospectus, any Preliminary Prospectus or the Prospectus shall be deemed to mean and include the subsequent filing of any document under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “ Exchange Act ”), prior to, in the case of the Preliminary Prospectus, the Time of Sale (defined below) and, in the case of the Prospectus, prior to the termination of this offering, and any document that is deemed to be incorporated therein by reference or otherwise deemed by the Rules and Regulations to be a part thereof.

 

(b)                                  The Company has complied to the Commission’s satisfaction with all requests of the Commission for additional or supplemental information. No stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement is in effect, and no proceedings for

 

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such purpose have been instituted or are pending or, to the knowledge of the Company, are contemplated or threatened by the Commission. As used herein, the phrase “to the knowledge of the Company” and similar phrases means such knowledge after due inquiry by the Company.

 

(c)                                   The Time of Sale Disclosure Package (as defined below) at the Time of Sale (as defined below) complied in all material respects with the requirements of the Securities Act and the Rules and Regulations and did not contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. The preceding sentence does not apply to statements in or omissions from the Time of Sale Disclosure Package based upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the Company by any Underwriter through the Representative specifically for use therein; it being understood and agreed that the only such information furnished by the Representative consists of the information described as such in Section 12 hereof.

 

(d)                                  Each part of the Registration Statement, at the time such part became effective (including each deemed effective date with respect to the Representative pursuant to Rule 430B of the Rules and Regulations or otherwise under the Securities Act), at all other subsequent times until the expiration of the Prospectus Delivery Period (as defined below), and at the Closing Date, and the Prospectus, at the time of filing or the time of first use within the meaning of the Rules and Regulations, at all subsequent times until expiration of the Prospectus Delivery Period, and at the Closing Date complied and will comply in all material respects with the applicable requirements and provisions of the Securities Act, the Rules and Regulations, the Exchange Act and the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, and the rules and regulations of the Commission promulgated thereunder (collectively the “ Trust Indenture Act ”). Each part of the Registration Statement at the time such part became effective, did not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading. The Prospectus, as amended or supplemented, as of its date, or the time of first use within the meaning of the Rules and Regulations, at all subsequent times until the expiration of the Prospectus Delivery Period, and at each applicable Closing Date (as defined below) did not and will not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. The representations and warranties set forth in the two immediately preceding sentences do not apply to statements in or omissions from the Registration Statement or the Prospectus made in reliance upon and in conformity with written information relating to the Representative furnished to the Company by any Underwriter through the Representative specifically for use therein; it being understood and agreed that the only such information furnished by the Representative consists of the information described as such in Section 12 hereof.

 

(e)                                   Neither (A) any Issuer General-Use Free Writing Prospectus(es) issued at or prior to the Time of Sale and set forth on Schedule II attached hereto and the Statutory Prospectus at the Time of Sale, all considered together (collectively, the “ Time of Sale Disclosure Package ”), nor (B) any individual Issuer Limited-Use Free Writing Prospectus, when considered together with the Time of Sale Disclosure Package, includes or included as of the Time of Sale any untrue statement of a material fact or omits or omitted as of the Time of Sale to

 

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state any material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. The preceding sentence does not apply to statements in or omissions from any Statutory Prospectus or any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus based upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the Company by any Underwriter through the Representative specifically for use therein; it being understood and agreed that the only such information furnished by any Underwriter through the Representative consists of the information described as such in Section 12 hereof. As used in this paragraph and elsewhere in this Agreement:

 

(i)                                      Time of Sale ” means 7:00 p.m. (New York City time) on the date of this Agreement.

 

(ii)                                   Statutory Prospectus ” means the Base Prospectus, as amended and supplemented immediately prior to the Time of Sale, including any document incorporated by reference therein and any prospectus supplement deemed to be a part thereof. For purposes of this definition, Rule 430B Information contained in a form of prospectus that is deemed retroactively to be a part of the Registration Statement shall be considered to be included in the Statutory Prospectus as of the actual time that such form of prospectus is filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) of the Rules and Regulations.

 

(iii)                                Issuer Free Writing Prospectus ” means any “issuer free writing prospectus,” as defined in Rule 433 of the Rules and Regulations, relating to the Securities that (A) is required to be filed with the Commission by the Company, (B) is exempt from filing pursuant to Rule 433(d)(5)(i) of the Rules and Regulations because it contains a description of the Securities or of the Offering that does not reflect the final terms, or (C) is a “ bona fide electronic roadshow,” as defined in Rule 433 of the Rules and Regulations, in each case in the form filed or required to be filed with the Commission or, if not required to be filed, in the form retained in the Company’s records pursuant to Rule 433(g) under the Securities Act.

 

(iv)                               Issuer General-Use Free Writing Prospectus ” means any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus that is intended for general distribution to prospective investors (other than a “ bona fide electronic road show,” as defined in Rule 433 under the Securities Act), as evidenced by its being specified in Schedule II attached hereto.

 

(v)                                  Issuer Limited-Use Free Writing Prospectus ” means any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus that is not an Issuer General-Use Free Writing Prospectus.

 

(f)                                                                                    (A)                                Each Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, as of its issue date and at all subsequent times through the Prospectus Delivery Period or until any earlier date that the Company notified or notifies the Representative as prescribed in Section 11 hereof, did not, does not and will not include any information that conflicted, conflicts or will conflict with the information contained in the Registration Statement, any Statutory Prospectus or the Prospectus. The foregoing sentence does not apply to statements in or omissions from any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus made in reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished in writing to the Company by any Underwriter through the Representative specifically for use therein; it being understood and agreed that the only such information furnished by any

 

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Underwriter through the Representative consists of the information described as such in Section 12 hereof.

 

(B)                                (1) At the earliest time after the filing of the Registration Statement that the Company or another offering participant made a bona fide offer (within the meaning of Rule 164(h)(2) of the Rules and Regulations) of the Securities and (2) at the date hereof, the Company was not and is not an “ineligible issuer,” as defined in Rule 405 of the Rules and Regulations (without taking account of any determination by the Commission pursuant to Rule 405 of the Rules and Regulations that it is not necessary that the Company be considered an ineligible issuer), nor an “excluded issuer” as defined in Rule 164 of the Rules and Regulations.

 

(C)                                Each Issuer Free Writing Prospectus satisfied, as of its issue date and at all subsequent times through the Prospectus Delivery Period, all other conditions to use thereof as set forth in Rules 164 and 433 under the Securities Act.

 

(g)                                   The Company has not distributed and will not distribute, prior to the later of the Option Closing Date (as defined below) and the completion of the Underwriters’ distribution of the Securities, any offering material in connection with the Offering and sale of the Securities other than any Preliminary Prospectus, the Prospectus, any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus reviewed and consented to by the Representative and listed in Schedule II attached hereto, or the Registration Statement.

 

(h)                                  Grant Thornton LLP (“ Grant Thornton ”), whose report appears in the Registration Statement, and is included in the Time of Sale Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, is an independent registered public accounting firm as required by the Securities Act, the Rules and Regulations and the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (including the rules and regulations promulgated by such entity, the “ PCAOB ”). To the knowledge of the Company, Grant Thornton is duly registered and in good standing with the PCAOB. Grant Thornton has not during the periods covered by the financial statements included in the Registration Statement and in the Time of Sale Disclosure Package and Prospectus, provided to the Company any non-audit services, as such term is defined in Section 10A(g) of the Exchange Act, except for such non-audit services as have been pre-approved by the Audit Committee of the Company’s Board of Directors. The financial statements and schedules (including the related notes) included in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Disclosure Package and the Prospectus present fairly the financial condition, the results of the operations and changes in financial condition of the entities purported to be shown thereby at the dates or for the periods indicated and have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles as applied in the United States and on a consistent basis throughout the periods indicated. All adjustments necessary for a fair presentation of results for such periods have been made. The consolidated financial statements of the Company and its consolidated subsidiaries, together with related notes and schedules as set forth or incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, comply in all material respects with the applicable accounting requirements of the Securities Act. The selected financial, operating and statistical data set forth or incorporated by reference in the Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus under the caption “ Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations ” fairly present, when read in conjunction with the

 

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Company’s financial statements and the related notes and schedules and on the basis stated in the Registration Statement, the information set forth therein and such data has been compiled on a basis consistent with the financial statements presented therein and the books and records of the Company. There are no financial statements (historical or pro forma) that are required to be included or incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Disclosure Package or the Prospectus under applicable law or the Rules and Regulations that are not so included. The interactive data in eXtensible Business Reporting Language incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Disclosure Package and the Prospectus fairly present the information called for in all material respects and have been prepared in accordance with the Commission’s rules and guidelines applicable thereto.

 

(i)                                      Each of the Company and its subsidiaries (each, a “ Subsidiary ” and, together, the “ Subsidiaries ”) has been duly incorporated or organized and is validly existing as a corporation, general or limited partnership, limited liability company or statutory trust, as the case may be, in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its organization, with full corporate, partnership or limited liability company power, as the case may be, and authority to own, lease or operate its respective properties and conduct its respective business as presently conducted and as described in the Time of Sale Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, and is duly qualified to do business and is in good standing as a foreign corporation in each jurisdiction in which the character of the business conducted by it or the location of the properties owned or leased by it makes such qualification necessary and, except where any failure to do so would not reasonably be expected to result in a material adverse effect on the condition (financial or otherwise), business, prospects, properties or results of operations of the Company and the Subsidiaries taken as a whole (a “ Material Adverse Effect ”); each of the Company and the Subsidiaries is in possession of and operating in compliance with all necessary authorizations, licenses, permits, consents, certificates and orders required for the conduct of its business, all of which are valid and in full force and effect, except where the failure to do so would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; and neither the Company nor any of the Subsidiaries has received any notice of proceedings relating to the revocation or modification of any such authorization, license, permit, consent, certificate or order which, individually or in the aggregate, if the subject of an unfavorable decision, would reasonably be expected to result, individually or in the aggregate, in a Material Adverse Effect.

 

(j)                                     The capitalization of the Company as of September 30, 2016 is as set forth in the Time of Sale Disclosure Package and Prospectus. The Indenture, the Securities and the Underlying Securities issuable upon conversion of the Securities, when issued, will conform in all material respects to the description thereof contained under the captions “ Description of the Notes, ” “ Description of Debt Securities, ” and “ Description of Common Stock ” in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Disclosure Package and the Prospectus. The outstanding shares of capital stock have been duly authorized and validly issued and are fully paid and nonassessable. There are no preemptive rights or other rights to subscribe for or to purchase, or any restriction upon the voting or transfer of, any shares of capital stock pursuant to the Company’s charter, bylaws or other governing documents or any agreement or other instrument to which the Company or any of the Subsidiaries is a party or by which any of them may be bound other than those described in the Time of Sale Disclosure Package and the Prospectus. None of the outstanding shares of the Company’s capital stock were issued in violation of any preemptive rights, rights of first refusal or other similar rights to subscribe for or

 

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purchase securities of the Company. There are no authorized or outstanding options, warrants, preemptive rights, rights of first refusal or other rights to purchase, or equity or debt securities convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for, any capital stock of the Company other than those specifically described in the Time of Sale Disclosure Package and the Prospectus. The Company has no obligations to register for resale under the Securities Act any of its outstanding securities, including, but not limited to, any that would, as a result of the filing of the Registration Statement or the Offering of the Securities as contemplated by this Agreement, give rise to any rights for or relating to the registration of any shares of Common Stock or other securities. All of the outstanding limited liability company, partnership or other equity interests of each Subsidiary of the Company have been duly authorized and validly issued, are fully paid and nonassessable and are owned directly by the Company, free and clear of any claim, lien, encumbrance or security interest. There are no authorized or outstanding options, warrants, preemptive rights, rights of first refusal or other rights to purchase, or other interests convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for, any limited liability company, partnership or other equity interests of any Subsidiary other than those described in the Time of Sale Disclosure Package and the Prospectus.

 

(k)                                  Subsequent to the respective dates as of which information is given in the Time of Sale Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, and except as described or contemplated in the Time of Sale Disclosure Package and the Prospectus or otherwise disclosed to the Representative in writing, neither the Company nor any of the Subsidiaries has incurred any liabilities or obligations, direct or contingent, nor entered into any transactions not in the ordinary course of business, which in either case are material to the Company or such Subsidiary, as the case may be; there has not been any Material Adverse Effect nor any development or event that would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; and there has been no dividend or other distribution of any kind declared, paid or made by the Company on any class of its capital stock.

 

(l)                                      Neither the Company nor any of the Subsidiaries is, or with the giving of notice or lapse of time or both would be, in violation of or in default under, nor will the execution or delivery hereof or consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby result in a violation of, or constitute a default under (i) the charter, bylaws or other governing documents of the Company or any of the Subsidiaries, or (ii) any agreement, contract, mortgage, deed of trust, loan agreement, note, lease, indenture or other instrument, to which the Company or any of the Subsidiaries is a party or by which any of them is bound, or to which any of their properties is subject, (iii) any law, rule, administrative regulation or decree of any court, or any governmental agency or body having jurisdiction over the Company, the Subsidiaries or any of their properties, or (iv) result in the creation or imposition of any lien, charge, claim or encumbrance upon any property or asset of the Company or any of the Subsidiaries except with respect to clauses (ii) through (iv) above, any such breach or violation or default that would be reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

(m)                              This Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company and constitutes a legal, valid and binding agreement of the Company and is enforceable against the Company in accordance with its terms, except as may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or other similar legal requirements affecting the enforcement of creditors’ rights generally and by general principles of equity and except to the

 

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extent that the indemnification provisions hereof may be limited by federal or state securities laws and public policy considerations in respect thereof.

 

(n)                                  The Indenture has been duly authorized by the Company and, at the First Closing Date (as defined below), will have been duly executed by the Company and duly qualified under the Trust Indenture Act and will constitute a valid and binding agreement of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with its terms, except as may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or other similar legal requirements affecting the enforcement of creditors’ rights generally and by general principles of equity and except to the extent that the indemnification provisions of the Indenture may be limited by federal or state securities laws and public policy considerations in respect thereof.

 

(o)                                  The Company has all requisite corporate power and authority to execute, issue, sell and perform its obligations under the Indenture and the Securities.  The Securities have been duly authorized and, at the applicable Closing Date (as defined below), will have been duly executed by the Company and, when authenticated, issued and delivered in the manner provided for in the Indenture and delivered against payment therefor pursuant to this Agreement, will constitute valid and binding obligations of the Company entitled to the benefits of the Indenture, enforceable against the Company in accordance with their terms, except as may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency (including, without limitation, all laws relating to fraudulent transfers), reorganization, moratorium or other similar legal requirements affecting the enforcement of creditors’ rights generally and by general principles of equity (regardless of whether enforcement is considered in a proceeding in equity or at law) and except to the extent that the indemnification provisions thereof may be limited by federal or state securities laws and public policy considerations in respect thereof, and will be in the form contemplated by, and entitled to the benefits of, the Indenture. Upon issuance and delivery of the Securities in accordance with this Agreement and the Indenture, the Securities will be convertible at the option of the holder thereof into shares of the Underlying Securities, in accordance the terms of the Securities and the Indenture. The Underlying Securities issuable upon conversion of the Securities have been duly authorized and, when issued in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, will be fully paid and non-assessable, issued in compliance with all applicable state, federal and foreign securities laws in effect as of the date hereof and the issuance of the Underlying Securities will not be subject to any preemptive rights, rights of first refusal or other similar rights to subscribe for or purchase securities of the Company.  The Company has reserved for future issuance a sufficient number of shares of Common Stock to be issued upon conversion of the Securities.

 

(p)                                  The Company and the Subsidiaries have good and marketable title in fee simple to all real property, if any, owned by them and good title to all personal property, if any, owned by them, in each case clear of all liens, encumbrances and defects except such as are described or referred to in the Time of Sale Disclosure Package and Prospectus or such as would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; and any real property and buildings held under lease by the Company and the Subsidiaries are held by them under valid, existing and enforceable leases with such exceptions (A) as are not material and do not interfere with the use made or proposed to be made of such property and buildings by the Company or such Subsidiaries or (B) as may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization,

 

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moratorium or similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally, and by general principles of equity.

 

(q)                                  There is no litigation or governmental proceeding to which the Company or any of the Subsidiaries is a party or to which any property of the Company or any of the Subsidiaries is subject or that is pending or, to the knowledge of the Company, threatened against the Company which, individually or in the aggregate, would reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, which would materially and adversely affect the consummation of this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby or which is required to be disclosed in the Time of Sale Disclosure Package and Prospectus but is not so disclosed.

 

(r)                                     Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary is in violation of any law, statute, ordinance, rule or regulation or any court decree, ruling or order to which it or any of its assets may be subject which violation would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

(s)                                    Except for permitted activity under Regulation M, the Company has not taken, directly or indirectly, any action designed to cause or result in, or which has constituted or which would reasonably be expected to constitute, the stabilization or manipulation of the price of any securities of the Company, to facilitate the sale or resale of the Securities.

 

(t)                                     The Company and the Subsidiaries have filed (i) all federal and state franchise and income tax returns and (ii) all other material income tax returns, and all such tax returns are complete and correct in all material respects, except where any omission or inaccuracy would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, and the Company and the Subsidiaries have not failed to pay any material taxes which were payable pursuant to said returns or any assessments with respect thereto. The Company has no knowledge of any tax deficiency which has been or is likely to be threatened or asserted against the Company or the Subsidiaries.

 

(u)                                  The Company maintains a system or systems of internal accounting controls sufficient to provide reasonable assurances that (i) transactions are executed in accordance with management’s general or specific authorization; (ii) transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of the consolidated financial statements of the Company in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles as applied in the United States and to maintain accountability for assets; (iii) access to assets is permitted only in accordance with management’s general or specific authorization; (iv) the recorded accountability for assets is compared with existing assets at reasonable intervals and appropriate action is taken with respect to any differences; and (v) the interactive data in eXtensible Business Reporting Language incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Disclosure Package and the Prospectus fairly present the information called for in all material respects and are prepared in accordance with the Commission’s rules and guidelines applicable thereto. Except as disclosed in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, since the date of the most recent evaluation of such system of internal accounting controls, there has been no material change in internal control over financial reporting, including any corrective actions with regard to significant deficiencies or material weaknesses.

 

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(v)                                  The Company has established and maintains disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15 under the Exchange Act). Such disclosure controls and procedures are designed to ensure that material information relating to the Company is made known to the Company’s principal executive officer and its principal financial officer, particularly during the periods in which the periodic reports required under the Exchange Act are being prepared. To the Company’s knowledge, such disclosure controls and procedures are effective in timely alerting the Company’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer to material information required to be included in the Company’s periodic reports required under the Exchange Act.

 

(w)                                The Company maintains insurance of the types and in the amounts as are, in the reasonable opinion of management, prudent for its business, all of which insurance is in full force and effect. The Company has not been refused any insurance coverage sought or applied for, and the Company has no reason to believe that it will not be able to renew its existing insurance coverage as and when such coverage expires or to obtain similar coverage from similar insurers as may be necessary to continue its business at a cost that would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

(x)                                  Neither the Company nor any of the Subsidiaries nor, to the Company’s knowledge, any director, officer, agent, employee or affiliate of the Company or any of the Subsidiaries: (i) has used any corporate funds for any unlawful contribution, gift, entertainment or other unlawful expense relating to political activity: (ii) has made any direct or indirect unlawful contribution or payment to any official of, or candidate for, or any employee of, any federal, state or foreign office from corporate funds; (iii) has made any bribe, unlawful rebate, payoff, influence payment, kickback or other unlawful payment; or (iv) is aware of or has taken any action, directly or indirectly, that would result in a violation by such persons of the OECD Convention on Bribery of Foreign Public Officials in International Business Transactions, the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, as amended, and the rules and regulations thereunder (collectively, the “ FCPA ”) or any similar law or regulation to which the Company, any of its Subsidiaries, any director, officer, agent, employee, affiliate or other person associated with or acting on behalf of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is subject.  The Company, the Subsidiaries and their affiliates have each conducted its businesses in compliance with the FCPA and any applicable similar law or regulation and has instituted and maintain policies and procedures designed to ensure, and which are reasonably expected to continue to ensure, continued compliance therewith.

 

(y)                                  The operations of the Company and the Subsidiaries are and have been conducted at all times in material compliance with all applicable financial recordkeeping and reporting requirements, including those of the Bank Secrecy Act, as amended by Title III of the Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act of 2001 (USA PATRIOT Act), the Currency and Foreign Transactions Reporting Act of 1970, as amended, the applicable anti-money laundering statutes of jurisdictions where the Company or any Subsidiaries conduct business, the rules and regulations thereunder and any related or similar applicable rules, regulations or guidelines, issued, administered or enforced by any governmental agency (collectively, the “ Anti-Money Laundering Laws ”), and no action, suit or proceeding by or before any court or governmental

 

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agency, authority or body involving the Company or any of the Subsidiaries with respect to the Anti-Money Laundering Laws is pending or, to the knowledge of the Company, threatened.

 

(z)                                   Neither the Company nor any of the Subsidiaries, nor, to the Company’s knowledge, any director, officer, employee, agent or affiliate of the Company or any of the Subsidiaries is (A) currently the subject of any sanctions administered or enforced by the U.S. Department of Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control or any similar sanctions imposed by any other relevant sanction authority to which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is subject (collectively, “ Sanctions ”), nor (B) located, organized or resident in the country or territory that is the subject of Sanctions; and the Company will not directly or indirectly use the proceeds of the Offering, or lend, contribute or otherwise make available such proceeds to any subsidiary, joint venture partner or other person or entity, for the purpose of financing the activities of any person that, at the time of such funding, is subject to any such Sanctions.

 

(aa)                           The Company is not and, after giving effect to the Offering and sale of the Securities and the application of the proceeds thereof as described under the caption “ Use of Proceeds ” in the Time of Sale Disclosure Package or the Prospectus, will not be required to register as an “investment company” as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.

 

(bb)                           The shares of Common Stock are listed on the Nasdaq Global Select Market and the Company is currently in compliance in all material respects with all continued listing standards and corporate governance standards of the Nasdaq Global Select Market and the Company has no knowledge of any proceeding intended to suspend or terminate listing of its securities on the Nasdaq Global Select Market. The Common Stock is registered under Section 12(b) of the Exchange Act.

 

(cc)                             The Company has applied to have the Underlying Securities listed for trading on the Nasdaq Global Select Market.

 

(dd)                           The Company is in material compliance with all applicable provisions of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 that are currently effective and the rules and regulations promulgated in connection therewith. There are no outstanding loans or other extensions of credit made by the Company to any executive officer (as defined in Rule 3b-7 under the Exchange Act) or director of the Company.

 

(ee)                             No consent, approval, authorization or order of, or filing with, any governmental agency or body is required for the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement in connection with the issuance and sale of the Firm Securities by the Company, except such as have been obtained or made, or will be obtained or made on or before the First Closing Date, under the Securities Act and such as may be required by the Nasdaq Global Select Market, the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. (“ FINRA ”) or under state securities laws or the laws of any foreign jurisdiction.  No consent, approval, authorization or order of, or filing with, any governmental agency or body is required for the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement in connection with the issuance and sale of the Optional Securities by the Company, except such as have been obtained or made, or will be obtained or made on or before any Option Closing Date, under the Securities Act and such as

 

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may be required by the Nasdaq Global Select Market, FINRA or under state securities laws or the laws of any foreign jurisdiction.

 

(ff)                               The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement, the issuance and sale of the Securities and the issuance of Underlying Securities to be issued upon conversion of the Securities will not result in a breach or violation of any of the terms and provisions of, or constitute a default under: (i) any statute, any rule, regulation or order of any governmental agency or body or any court, domestic or foreign, having jurisdiction over the Company, except in the case of this clause (i) for such breaches, violations or defaults which would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; (ii) any agreement or instrument to which the Company is a party or by which the Company is bound, except in the case of this clause (ii) for such breaches, violations or defaults which would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; or (iii) the charter or bylaws of the Company, and the Company has full power and authority to authorize, issue and sell the Securities as contemplated by this Agreement and to authorize and issue the Underlying Securities to be issued upon conversion of the Securities.

 

(gg)                             No labor dispute with the employees of the Company or the Subsidiaries exists or, to the knowledge of the Company, is imminent, that would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

(hh)                           The Company or the Subsidiaries own or possess the right to use any trademarks, trade names, patent rights, copyrights, domain names, licenses, approvals, trade secrets, inventions, technology, know-how and other similar rights (collectively, “ Intellectual Property Rights ”) that would reasonably be deemed necessary or material to conduct its business as now conducted and as described in the Time of Sale Disclosure Package and the Prospectus. There is no pending or, to the knowledge of the Company, threatened action, suit, proceeding, or claim by others challenging the rights of the Company or any of the Subsidiaries in or to any Intellectual Property Rights. There is no pending, or to the Company’s knowledge, threatened action, suit, proceeding, or claim by others that the Company’s or any Subsidiaries’ use of the Intellectual Property Rights infringes, misappropriates or otherwise violates any intellectual property rights of others.

 

(ii)                                   Except as would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has breached and is currently in breach of any provision of any license, contract or other agreement governing the use by the Company or its Subsidiaries of Intellectual Property Rights owned by third parties (collectively, the “ Licenses ”) and, except as described in the Time of Sale Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, no third party has alleged any such breach and the Company is unaware of any facts that would form a reasonable basis for such a claim. Each of the Licenses is in full force and effect and constitutes a valid and binding agreement between the parties thereto, enforceable in accordance with its terms, and there has not occurred any breach or default under any such Licenses or any event that with the giving of notice or lapse of time would constitute a breach or default thereunder. Except as would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has been and is currently involved in any disputes regarding the Licenses.  Except as would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, the Company and the Subsidiaries own or have a valid right to access and use all

 

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computer systems, networks, hardware, software, databases, websites, and equipment used to process, store, maintain and operate data, information, and functions used in connection with the business of the Company and the Subsidiaries (the “ Company IT Systems ”).  The Company IT Systems are adequate for, and operate and perform in all material respects as required in connection with, the operation of the business of the Company and the Subsidiaries as currently conducted, except as would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.  The Company and the Subsidiaries have implemented commercially reasonable backup, security and disaster recovery technology.

 

(jj)                                 The Company is organized and has operated in conformity with the requirements for qualification as a real estate investment trust (a “ REIT ”) under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “ Code ”); the Company qualified as a REIT for the taxable years ended December 31, 2004 through December 31, 2015 and the present and contemplated method of operation of the Company and the Subsidiaries will enable the Company to meet the requirements for qualification and taxation as a REIT under the Code for its tax year ending December 31, 2016 and subsequent taxable years; the Company intends to continue to qualify as a REIT until the Board of Directors of the Company determines that it is no longer in the best interests of the Company to continue to qualify as a REIT and; neither the Company nor any of the Subsidiaries has taken any action that would reasonably be expected to cause the Company to fail to qualify as a REIT under the Code at any time.

 

(kk)                           The description of the Company’s organization and actual and proposed method of operation and its qualification and taxation as a REIT set forth in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Disclosure Package and the Prospectus is accurate and presents fairly the matters referred to therein in all material respects; the Company’s operating policies and investment guidelines described in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Disclosure Package and the Prospectus accurately reflect in all material respects the current intentions of the Company with respect to the operation of its business, and no material deviation from such guidelines or policies is currently contemplated.

 

(ll)                                   The investment management agreement, dated February 11, 2011, between the Company and The Midway Group, L.P. (“ Midway ”), as amended by the First Amendment to Investment Management Agreement by and between the Company and Midway, dated March 9, 2012 and the Second Amendment to Investment Management Agreement by and between the Company and Midway, dated April 1, 2014 (the “ Midway Management Agreement ”), provides that Midway serves as investment manager of a separate account established and owned solely by the Company. Each of the Company and, to the Company’s knowledge, Midway, is, as of the date hereof, in compliance in all material respects with the terms of the Midway Management Agreement and no circumstances exist that would entitle Midway to terminate such agreement.  Each investment management agreement, by and between Headlands Asset Management, LLC (“ Headlands ”) and any consolidated subsidiary of the Company (the “ Securitization Subsidiaries ”) (each a “ Headlands Management Agreement ”) provides that Headlands serves as the asset manager of certain notes issued by such Securitization Subsidiary.  Each such Securitization Subsidiary and, to the Company’s knowledge, Headlands are, as of the date hereof, in compliance in all material respects with the terms of the respective Headlands Management Agreement to which it is a party and no circumstances exist that would entitle Headlands to terminate such agreement.

 

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(mm)                   There are no relationships or related-party transactions involving the Company or any Subsidiary or any other person required by the Securities Act to be described in the Time of Sale Disclosure Package and the Prospectus that have not been so described.

 

(nn)                           Except as would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, (i) neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries is in violation of any federal, state, local or foreign law or regulation relating to pollution or protection of human health or the environment (including, without limitation, ambient air, surface water, groundwater, land surface or subsurface strata) or wildlife, including without limitation, laws and regulations relating to emissions, discharges, releases or threatened releases of chemicals, pollutants, contaminants, wastes, toxic substances, hazardous substances, petroleum and petroleum products (collectively, “ Materials of Environmental Concern ”), or otherwise relating to the manufacture, processing, distribution, use, treatment, storage, disposal, transport or handling of Materials of Environmental Concern (collectively, “ Environmental Laws ”), which violation includes, but is not limited to, noncompliance with any permits or other governmental authorizations required for the operation of the business of the Company under applicable Environmental Laws, or noncompliance with the terms and conditions thereof, nor has the Company or any of its Subsidiaries received any written communication, whether from a governmental authority, citizens group, employee or otherwise, that alleges that the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is in violation of any Environmental Law; (ii) there is no claim, action or cause of action filed with a court or governmental authority, no investigation with respect to which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries has received written notice, and no written notice by any person or entity alleging potential liability for investigatory costs, cleanup costs, governmental responses costs, natural resources damages, property damages, personal injuries, attorneys’ fees or penalties arising out of, based on or resulting from the presence, or release into the environment, of any Material of Environmental Concern at any location owned, leased or operated by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, now or in the past (collectively, “ Environmental Claims ”), pending or, to the knowledge of the Company, threatened against the Company, any of its Subsidiaries, or any person or entity whose liability for any Environmental Claim the Company or any of its Subsidiaries has retained or assumed either contractually or by operation of law; and (iii) to the knowledge of the Company, there are no past or present actions, activities, circumstances, conditions, events or incidents, including, without limitation, the release, emission, discharge, presence or disposal of any Material of Environmental Concern, that reasonably could result in a violation of any Environmental Law or form the basis of a potential Environmental Claim against the Company, any of its Subsidiaries, or against any person or entity whose liability for any Environmental Claim the Company or any of its Subsidiaries has retained or assumed either contractually or by operation of law.

 

(oo)                           The Company and the Subsidiaries are in compliance in all material respects with all presently applicable provisions of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, and the regulations and published interpretations thereunder (collectively, “ ERISA ”). No “reportable event” (as defined under ERISA) has occurred or is reasonably expected to occur with respect to any “pension plan” (as defined under ERISA) for which the Company or any of the Subsidiaries would have any material liability. Neither the Company, nor any of the Subsidiaries has incurred or reasonably expects to incur any liability under (i) Title IV of ERISA with respect to termination of, or withdrawal from, any “pension plan” or (ii) Sections 412 or 4971 of the Code. Each “pension plan” for which the Company or

 

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any of the Subsidiaries that is intended to be qualified under Section 401(a) of the Code is so qualified and nothing has occurred, whether by action or failure to act, which would cause the loss of such qualification, the result of which would reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

 

(pp)                           The market data and industry forecasts included in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Disclosure Package and the Prospectus were obtained or derived from industry publications that are and were not at any time under the Company’s control and that the Company reasonably and in good faith believes are reliable and accurate.

 

(qq)                           All “non-GAAP financial measures” (as defined in the Rules and Regulations) included in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Disclosure Package or the Prospectus comply with the requirements of Regulation G and Item 10 of Regulation S-K under the Rules and Regulations.

 

(rr)                                 To the knowledge of the Company, no director, officer or other key person of the Company, its Subsidiaries or its affiliates named in the Time of Sale Disclosure Package, plans to terminate his or her employment with the Company, its Subsidiaries or its affiliates. None of the directors, officers or other key persons of the Company named in the Time of Sale Disclosure Package is subject to any noncompete, nondisclosure, confidentiality, employment, consulting or similar agreement that would be violated by the present or proposed business activities of the Company as described in the Time of Sale Disclosure Package.

 

(ss)                               The Company has not offered, or caused the Underwriters to offer, the Securities to any person or entity with the intention of unlawfully influencing a journalist or publication to write or publish favorable information about the Company or any such affiliate.

 

(tt)                                 Except as described in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Disclosure Package, the Prospectus or as contemplated by this Agreement, there are no (1) claims, payments, arrangements, agreements or understandings relating to the payment of a finder’s, consulting or origination fee or commission or similar payment by the Company of any Underwriter with respect to the sale of the Securities hereunder or (2) arrangements, agreements or understandings of the Company or any affiliate of the Company that may affect such Underwriter’s compensation, as determined by FINRA.

 

(uu)                           Except as described in the Registration Statement, the Company has not made any direct or indirect payments (in cash, securities or otherwise) to: (i) any FINRA member; or (ii) any person or entity that has any direct or indirect affiliation or association with any FINRA member within the past twelve months other than payments to the Underwriters in connection with the Offering.

 

(vv)                           To the Company’s knowledge, no affiliate of the Company has made a subordinated loan to any member of FINRA.

 

(ww)                       No proceeds from the sale of the Securities (excluding underwriting compensation) will be paid to any FINRA member participating in the Offering, or any persons associated or affiliated with a FINRA member participating in the Offering, except as specifically authorized herein. It is hereby acknowledged that payments to FINRA members

 

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solely in connection with bona fide purchase and sale transactions of the securities in which the Company invests are not covered by this representation.

 

(xx)                           Except with respect to the Representative in connection with the Offering, or as described in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Disclosure Package or the Prospectus, the Company has not entered into any agreement or arrangement (including, without limitation, any consulting agreement or any other type of agreement) during the 180-day period prior to the initial filing date of the Registration Statement, which arrangement or agreement provides for the receipt of any item of value and/or the transfer or issuance of any warrants, options or other securities from the Company to a FINRA member, any person associated with a member (as defined by FINRA rules), any potential underwriters in the Offering and/or any related persons.

 

(yy)                           Except for those subsidiaries of the Company listed on Schedule I(yy) hereto, no Subsidiary of the Company is currently prohibited, directly or indirectly, from paying any dividends to the Company, from making any other distribution on such Subsidiary’s capital stock, from repaying to the Company any loans or advances to such Subsidiary from the Company or from transferring any of such Subsidiary’s property or assets to the Company or any other Subsidiary of the Company.

 

Any certificate signed by an officer of the Company and delivered to the Representative or to counsel for the Underwriters shall be deemed to be a representation and warranty by the Company to each Underwriter as to the matters set forth therein.

 

The Company acknowledges that the Underwriters and, for purposes of the opinions to be delivered pursuant to Section 6 hereof, counsel to the Company and counsel to the Underwriters will rely upon the accuracy and truthfulness of the foregoing representations and hereby consents to such reliance.

 

2.                                       Representations and Warranties of the Underwriters . Each Underwriter severally represents and agrees that:

 

(a)                                  It has not and will not use, authorize use of, refer to or participate in the planning for use of, any “free writing prospectus,” as defined in Rule 405 of the Rules and Regulations (which term includes use of any written information furnished to the Commission by the Company and not incorporated by reference into the Registration Statement and any press release issued by the Company) other than (i) any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus or (ii) any other free writing prospectus that the parties hereto shall hereafter expressly agree in writing to treat as part of the Time of Sale Disclosure Package.

 

(b)                                  It will retain copies of each free writing prospectus used or referred to by it to the extent required by Rule 433 of the Rules and Regulations.

 

3.                                       Purchase of the Securities by the Underwriters.

 

(a)                                  Subject to the terms and conditions and upon the basis of the representations, warranties and agreements herein set forth, the Company agrees to issue and sell to the Underwriters, and each of the Underwriters agrees, severally and not jointly, to purchase

 

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from the Company the respective principal amount of Firm Securities set forth opposite such Underwriter’s name in Schedule I hereto at a price equal to 92.40% of the principal amount thereof (the “ Purchase Price ”), plus accrued interest, if any, from January 23, 2017 to the date of payment and delivery. Each Underwriter agrees, severally and not jointly, to offer the Firm Securities to the public as set forth in the Prospectus.

 

(b)                                  The Company hereby grants to the Representative and its designees an option to purchase from the Company all or any portion of the Optional Securities for a period of thirteen (13) days from the date hereof at a price equal to at the Purchase Price plus accrued interest, if any, from January 23, 2017 to the date of payment and delivery to cover over-allotments, if any. If any Optional Securities are to be purchased, the principal amount of Optional Securities to be purchased by each Underwriter shall be the principal amount of Optional Securities which bears the same ratio to the aggregate principal amount of Optional Securities being purchased as the principal amount of Firm Securities set forth opposite the name of such Underwriter in Schedule I hereto bears to the aggregate principal amount of Firm Securities being purchased from the Company by the several Underwriters, subject, however, to such adjustments to eliminate Securities in denominations other than $1,000 as the Representative in its sole discretion shall make. No Optional Securities shall be sold and delivered unless the Firm Securities previously have been, or simultaneously are, sold and delivered.

 

4.                                       Delivery of and Payment for Securities.  Delivery of a global note representing the Firm Securities to be purchased by the Underwriters from the Company against payments for such securities shall be made through the facilities of The Depository Trust Company (“ DTC ”) or at the offices of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP, Four Times Square, New York, New York 10036 (or such other place as mutually may be agreed upon) at 10:00 a.m., New York City time, on the third full Business Day following the date hereof or, if the pricing of the Firm Securities occurs after 4:30 p.m., New York City time, at such time on the second full Business Day thereafter, or at such other date and time as shall be determined by the Representative and the Company (the “ First Closing Date ”).

 

The option to purchase Optional Securities granted in Section 3(b) hereof may be exercised during the term thereof by written notice to the Company from the Representative. The option may be exercised in whole or part, and if in part, the option may be exercised on multiple occasions. Such notice shall set forth the aggregate principal amount of Optional Securities plus accrued interest as to which the option is being exercised and the time and date, not earlier than either the First Closing Date or the second Business Day after the date on which the option shall have been exercised nor later than the fifth Business Day after the date of such exercise, as determined by the Representative, when the Optional Securities are to be delivered (the “ Option Closing Date ”). Delivery and payment for such Optional Securities is to be at the offices set forth above for delivery and payment of the Firm Securities. (The First Closing Date and the Option Closing Date are herein individually referred to as the “ Closing Date ” and collectively referred to as the “ Closing Dates .”)

 

Delivery of a global note representing the Firm Securities and a global note representing the Optional Securities shall be made through the facilities of DTC by or on behalf of the Company to the Representative, for the respective accounts of the Underwriters, against

 

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payment by the Representative, for the several accounts of the Underwriters, of the purchase price therefor by wire transfer of immediately available funds to a bank account designated by the Company. The global notes representing the Firm Securities and the Optional Securities shall be registered in such names and denominations as the Representative shall have requested at least two full Business Days prior to the applicable Closing Date and shall be made available for checking and packaging at a location in New York, New York as may be designated by the Representative at least one full Business Day prior to such Closing Date. Time shall be of the essence and delivery at the time and place specified in this Agreement is a further condition to the obligations of each Underwriter.

 

5.                                       Covenants of the Company.  The Company covenants and agrees with each Underwriter as follows:

 

(a)                                  During such period beginning on the Time of Sale and ending on the later of the Closing Date or such date, as in the opinion of counsel for the Underwriters, the Prospectus is no longer required by law to be delivered in connection with sales as contemplated by this Agreement by an Underwriter or dealer, including in circumstances where such requirement may be satisfied pursuant to Rule 172 of the Rules and Regulations (the “ Prospectus Delivery Period ”), prior to amending or supplementing the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Disclosure Package or the Prospectus, the Company shall furnish to the Representative for review a copy of each such proposed amendment or supplement, and the Company shall not file any such proposed amendment or supplement to which the Representative reasonably object.

 

(b)                                  After the date of this Agreement and through the Prospectus Delivery Period, the Company shall promptly advise the Representative in writing (i) when the Registration Statement, if not effective at the date and time this Agreement is executed and delivered to the parties, shall have become effective, (ii) of the receipt of any comments of, or requests for additional or supplemental information from, the Commission, (iii) of the time and date of any filing of any post-effective amendment to the Registration Statement or any amendment or supplement to any preliminary prospectus or the Prospectus, (iv) of the time and date that any post-effective amendment to the Registration Statement becomes effective and (v) of the issuance by the Commission of any stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement or any post-effective amendment thereto or of any order or notice preventing or suspending the use of the Registration Statement, any preliminary prospectus or the Prospectus, or of any proceedings to remove, suspend or terminate from listing or quotation the Common Stock from any securities exchange upon which it is listed (or approved for listing) for trading or included or designated (or approved for inclusion or designation) for quotation, or of the threatening or initiation of any proceedings for any of such purposes. The Company shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to prevent the issuance of any such stop order or prevention or suspension of such use. If the Commission shall enter any such stop order or order or notice of prevention or suspension at any time, the Company will use its commercially reasonable efforts to obtain the lifting of such order at the earliest possible moment or will file a new registration statement and use its commercially reasonable efforts to have such new registration statement declared effective as soon as practicable. Additionally, the Company agrees that it shall comply with the provisions of Rules 424(b) and 434, as applicable, of the Rules and Regulations, including with respect to the timely filing of documents thereunder, and

 

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will use its commercially reasonable efforts to confirm that any filings made by the Company under such Rule 424(b) of the Rules and Regulations were received in a timely manner by the Commission.

 

(c)                                   (i)  If any event or development shall occur or condition exist as a result of which it is necessary to amend or supplement the Time of Sale Disclosure Package in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made or then prevailing, as the case may be, not misleading (in which case the Company agrees to notify the Representative of any such event or condition), or if in the reasonable opinion of the Representative it is otherwise necessary to amend or supplement the Time of Sale Disclosure Package to comply with law, the Company agrees to promptly prepare, file with the Commission and furnish to the Underwriters, at its own expense, amendments or supplements to the Time of Sale Disclosure Package, and to furnish to the Underwriters such number of copies of such amendment or supplement as the Underwriters may reasonably request, so that the statements in the Time of Sale Disclosure Package as so amended or supplemented will not be, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made or then prevailing, as the case may be, misleading or so that the Time of Sale Disclosure Package, as amended or supplemented, will comply with law; (ii) if, during the Prospectus Delivery Period, any event or development shall occur or condition exist as a result of which it is necessary to amend or supplement the Registration Statement or the Prospectus in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made or then prevailing, as the case may be, not misleading (in which case the Company agrees to notify the Representative of any such event or condition), or if in the reasonable opinion of the Representative it is otherwise necessary to amend or supplement the Registration Statement or the Prospectus to comply with law, including in connection with the delivery of the Prospectus, the Company agrees to promptly prepare, file with the Commission (and use its best efforts to have any amendment to the Registration Statement or any new registration statement to be declared effective) and furnish to the Underwriters, amendments or supplements to the Registration Statement or the Prospectus, or any new registration statement, and to furnish to the Underwriters such number of copies of such amendment or supplement as the Underwriters may reasonably request, so that the statements in the Registration Statement or the Prospectus as so amended or supplemented will not be, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made or then prevailing, as the case may be, misleading or so that the Registration Statement or the Prospectus, as amended or supplemented, will comply with law.

 

(d)                                  The Company agrees that, until the Option Closing Date, unless it obtains the prior written consent of the Representative, it will not make any offer relating to the Securities that would constitute an Issuer Free Writing Prospectus or that would otherwise constitute a “free writing prospectus” (as defined in Rule 405 of the Rules and Regulations) required to be filed by the Company with the Commission or retained by the Company under Rule 433 of the Rules and Regulations; provided that the prior written consent of the Representative shall be deemed to have been given in respect of any Issuer Free Writing Prospectuses included in Schedule II attached hereto. Any such free writing prospectus consented to by the Representative is hereinafter referred to as a “ Permitted Free Writing Prospectus .” The Company agrees that it (i) has treated and will treat, as the case may be, each Permitted Free Writing Prospectus as an Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, and (ii) has complied and will comply, as the case may be, with the requirements of Rules 164 and 433 of the Rules

 

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and Regulations applicable to any Permitted Free Writing Prospectus, including in respect of timely filing with the Commission where required, legending and record keeping.

 

(e)                                   The Company shall furnish to the Underwriters upon request, from time to time and without charge, copies of the Registration Statement of which three shall be signed and shall include exhibits and all amendments and supplements to any of such Registration Statement, in each case as soon as available and in such quantities as the Representative may from time to time reasonably request.

 

(f)                                    The Company shall take or cause to be taken all necessary action and furnish to whomever the Representative may direct such information as may be required in qualifying the Securities for sale under the laws of such jurisdictions which the Representative shall designate and to continue such qualifications in effect for as long as may be necessary for the distribution of the Securities; except that in no event shall the Company be obligated in connection therewith to qualify as a foreign corporation, to execute a general consent for service of process or to subject itself to taxation in respect of doing business in any jurisdiction in which it is not otherwise so subject.

 

(g)                                   The Company shall make generally available to its securityholders, in the manner contemplated by Rule 158(b) of the Rules and Regulations, as soon as practicable but in any event not later than 60 days after the end of its fiscal quarter in which the first anniversary date of the effective date of the Registration Statement occurs, an earning statement which will comply with Section 11(a) of the Securities Act covering a period of at least 12 consecutive months beginning after the effective date of the Registration Statement.

 

(h)                                  Except for the Securities to be issued hereunder, the Company will not, without the prior consent of the Representative (which consent may be withheld in the Representative’ sole discretion), directly or indirectly, (1) offer for sale, sell, pledge or otherwise dispose of (or enter into any transaction or device that is designed to, or could be expected to, result in the disposition by any person at any time in the future of) any shares of Common Stock (including, without limitation shares of Common Stock that may be deemed to be beneficially owned by the Company in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Commission and shares of Common Stock that may be issued upon exercise of any options or warrants) or securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for Common Stock (other than Common Stock issued pursuant to employee benefit plans, qualified stock option plans, or other employee compensation plans existing on the date of the Prospectus), or sell or grant options, rights or warrants with respect to any shares of Common Stock or securities convertible into or exchangeable for Common Stock (other than the grant of options pursuant to option plans existing on the date of the Prospectus), (2) enter into any swap or other derivatives transaction described in clause (1) or this clause (2) that transfers to another, in whole or in part, any of the economic benefits or risks of ownership of shares of Common Stock, whether any such transaction described in clause (1) or this clause (2) is to be settled by delivery of Common Stock or other securities, in cash or otherwise, (3) file or cause to be filed a registration statement, including any amendments thereto, with respect to the registration of any shares of Common Stock or securities convertible, exercisable or exchangeable into Common Stock (other than any registration statement on Form S-8), or (4) publicly disclose the intention to do any of the

 

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foregoing, for a period commencing on the date of the Prospectus and continuing through the close of trading on the date 60 days after the date of the Prospectus (the “ Lock-Up Period ”).

 

(i)                                      The Company shall maintain, at its expense, a registrar and transfer agent for the Underlying Securities.

 

(j)                                     The Company shall apply the net proceeds of the sale of the Securities substantially in the manner specified in the Prospectus under the heading “ Use of Proceeds .”

 

(k)                                  The Company will furnish to its securityholders annual reports containing financial statements audited by independent public accountants and quarterly reports containing financial statements and financial information which may be unaudited. During the period of two years from the date hereof, the Company will furnish to the Representative and, upon request, to each of the other Underwriters, copies of each annual report of the Company and each other report furnished by the Company to its securityholders and will deliver to the Representative, as soon as they are available, copies of any other reports (financial or otherwise) which the Company shall publish or otherwise make available to any of its securityholders as such, and as soon as they are available, copies of any reports and financial statements furnished to or filed with the Commission.

 

(l)                                      The Company will use its commercially reasonable efforts to effect the listing of the Underlying Securities on the Nasdaq Global Select Market within the time period specified in the Prospectus.

 

(m)                              Prior to the Closing Date, the Company will reserve a sufficient number of shares of Common Stock to satisfy the conversion of the Securities into shares of Common Stock in accordance with the terms of the Indenture and, for so long as any Securities are outstanding, the Company will continue to hold in reserve a sufficient number of shares of Common Stock to satisfy the conversion of such aggregate principal amount of Securities outstanding into shares of Common Stock in accordance with the terms of the Indenture.

 

(n)                                  The Company will use its best efforts to enable the Company to meet the requirements to qualify as a REIT under the Code until the Board of Directors of the Company determines that it is no longer in the best interests of the Company to qualify as a REIT.

 

(o)                                  Except for activity permitted under Regulation M, the Company will not take, directly or indirectly, any action designed to or that would constitute or that might reasonably be expected to cause or result in, stabilization or manipulation of the price of any securities of the Company to facilitate the sale or resale of the Firm Securities.

 

(p)                                  During the period of five (5) years hereafter, the Company will furnish to the Representative and, upon request, to each of the other Underwriters, as soon as practicable after the end of each fiscal year, a copy of its annual report to shareholders for such year; and the Company will furnish to the Representative (A) as soon as available, a copy of each report and any definitive proxy statement of the Company filed with the Commission under the Exchange Act or mailed to shareholders, and (B) from time to time, such other information concerning the Company as the Representative may reasonably request. However, so long as the Company is subject to the reporting requirements of either Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act

 

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and is timely filing reports with the Commission on EDGAR, it is not required to furnish such reports or statements to the Underwriters.

 

(q)                                  The Company shall pay or cause to be paid (A) all expenses (including stock transfer taxes) incurred in connection with the delivery to the several Underwriters of the Securities, (B) all fees and expenses (including, without limitation, fees and expenses of the Company’s accountants and counsel) in connection with the preparation, printing, filing, delivery and shipping of the Registration Statement (including the financial statements therein and all amendments and exhibits thereto), each preliminary prospectus, the Time of Sale Disclosure Package and the Prospectus as amended or supplemented, (C) any applicable listing fees, (D) to the extent necessary, the cost of printing global notes representing the Securities, (E) the fees and expenses of the Trustee and any paying agent (including related fees and expenses of any counsel to such parties) (F) the cost and charges of any transfer agent or registrar for the Underlying Securities and (G) all other costs and expenses incident to the performance of its obligations hereunder which are not otherwise provided for in this subsection. The Company, on the one hand, and the Underwriters, on the other hand, shall be responsible for their own expenses in connection with any road shows and other presentations undertaken in connection with the Offering (including all travel, hotel and food expenses for their respective personnel). The Company shall not in any event be liable to any of the Underwriters for loss of anticipated profits from the transactions covered by this Agreement. The Representative may deduct, after providing the Company with an itemized list and supporting documentation of expenses actually incurred, from the net proceeds of the Offering payable to the Company on the Closing Date the expenses set forth above (which shall be mutually agreed upon between the Company and the Representative prior to the Closing Date) to be paid by the Company to the Underwriters and others. If the Offering is not consummated for any reason whatsoever, other than a breach of this Agreement by the Underwriters, a default pursuant to Section 8 hereof or a termination of this Agreement pursuant to Section 9(iii), (v), (vi), (vii) or (viii), then the Company shall reimburse the Underwriters in full for their respective out-of-pocket accountable expenses actually incurred through such date, including, without limitation, fees of counsel to the Underwriters (up to a maximum of $50,000), less any amounts previously paid.

 

6.                                       Conditions of Underwriters’ Obligations.  The respective obligations of the several Underwriters hereunder are subject to the accuracy, at and as of the date hereof and the First Closing Date (as if made at the First Closing Date) and, with respect to the Optional Securities, the Option Closing Date (as if made at the Option Closing Date), of the representations and warranties of the Company contained herein, to the performance by the Company of its obligations hereunder and to the following additional conditions:

 

(a)                                  The Registration Statement shall be effective and remain effective on the date of this Agreement, or such later time and date as the Representative shall approve, and all filings required by Rules 424, 430A and 433 of the Rules and Regulations shall have been timely made; no stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement or any amendment thereof shall have been issued; no proceedings for the issuance of such an order shall have been initiated or threatened; and any request of the Commission for additional information (to be included in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Disclosure Package, the Prospectus, any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus or otherwise) shall have been complied with to

 

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the Representative’s satisfaction. The Prospectus shall have been filed with the Commission in a timely manner in accordance with Section 5(b) hereof.

 

(b)                                  On each Closing Date, the Representative shall have received the favorable opinions of (i) Vinson & Elkins L.L.P. , counsel for the Company, dated as of such Closing Date, in form and substance satisfactory to counsel for the Underwriters, substantially to the effect set forth in Exhibits A-1 , A-2 and A-3 attached hereto and (ii) Venable LLP, special Maryland counsel to the Company, dated as of the Closing Date, in form and substance satisfactory to counsel for the Underwriters, substantially to the effect set forth in Exhibit A-4 attached hereto.

 

(c)                                   On each Closing Date, the Representative shall have received the favorable opinion of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP, counsel for the Underwriters, dated as of such Closing Date, in form and substance satisfactory to the Representative.

 

(d)                                  There shall have been furnished to the Representative a certificate of the Company, dated as of each Closing Date and addressed to the Representative, signed by the Chief Executive Officer and by the Chief Financial Officer of the Company to the effect that:

 

(i)                                      The representations and warranties of the Company in this Agreement, are true and correct, as if made at and as of such Closing Date (except to the extent that such representations and warranties speak as of another date, in which case such representations and warranties shall be true and correct as of such other date);

 

(ii)                                   The Company has complied with all the agreements and satisfied all the conditions on its part to be performed or satisfied, in each case with respect to the Offering, at or prior to such Closing Date;

 

(iii)                                No stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement has been issued, and no proceedings for that purpose have been initiated or are pending or, to their knowledge, contemplated by the Commission;

 

(iv)                               Any and all filings required of the Company by Rules 424, 430A, 430B and 430C of the Rules and Regulations have been timely made;

 

(v)                                  The signers of said certificate have carefully examined the Registration Statement and the Time of Sale Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, and any amendments or supplements thereto, and such documents contain all statements and information required to be included therein; the Registration Statement or any amendment thereto does not include any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading; and the Time of Sale Disclosure Package and the Prospectus or any supplements thereto do not include any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading;

 

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(vi)                               Since the effective date of the Registration Statement, there has occurred no event required to be set forth in an amendment to the Registration Statement which has not been so set forth; and

 

(e)                                   On the date hereof, and on each Closing Date, the Representative shall have received from Grant Thornton a letter dated the date hereof addressed to the Representative, on behalf of the several Underwriters, in form and substance satisfactory to the Representative, containing statements and information of the type ordinarily included in accountants’ “comfort letters” to underwriters, delivered according to Statement of Auditing Standards No. 72 (or any successor bulletin), with respect to the audited and unaudited financial statements and certain financial information contained in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Disclosure Package and the Prospectus.

 

(f)                                    Since the date of the Prospectus, there has not been a Material Adverse Effect.

 

(g)                                   The Securities shall be eligible for clearance and settlement through DTC.

 

(h)                                  On or before each Closing Date, the Representative and counsel for the Underwriters shall have received such information, certificates, agreements, opinions and other documents as they may reasonably require.

 

The Company shall furnish the Representative with such conformed copies of such opinions, certificates, letters and other documents as the Representative shall reasonably request. If any of the conditions specified in this Section 6 shall not have been fulfilled when and as required by this Agreement, this Agreement and all obligations of the Underwriters hereunder may be canceled at, or at any time prior to, the First Closing Date or the Option Closing Date, as the case may be, by the Representative. Any such cancellation shall be without liability of the Underwriters to the Company. Notice of such cancellation shall be given to the Company in writing, or by telegraph or telephone and promptly confirmed in writing.

 

7.                                       Indemnification and Contribution.

 

(a)                                  The Company agrees to indemnify, defend and hold harmless each Underwriter and any person who controls any Underwriter within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act, and the respective directors, officers, employees and agents of each Underwriter from and against any loss, expense, liability, damage or claim (including the reasonable cost of investigation) which, jointly or severally, any such Underwriter or controlling person may incur under the Securities Act, the Exchange Act or otherwise, insofar as such loss, expense, liability, damage or claim arises out of or is based upon (A) any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in the Registration Statement (or any amendment thereof), the Preliminary Prospectus, any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus or the Prospectus, (B) any omission or alleged omission to state a material fact required to be stated in any such Registration Statement, or necessary to make the statements made therein not misleading, (C) any omission or alleged omission from the Preliminary Prospectus, any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus or Prospectus of a material fact necessary to make the statements made therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made,

 

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not misleading; except in the case of (A), (B) and (C) above for any such loss, expense, liability, damage or claim that arises out of or is based upon information furnished in writing by any Underwriter through the Representative to the Company expressly for use in such Registration Statement, Preliminary Prospectus, Issuer Free Writing Prospectus or Prospectus, it being understood and agreed that the only such information consists of the information described as such in Section 12 hereof; and to reimburse the Underwriters or any such director, officer, employee, agent or controlling person for any legal and other expense reasonably incurred by the Underwriters or any such director, officer, employee or controlling person in connection with investigating, defending, settling, compromising or paying any such loss, expense, liability, damage or claim.  The indemnity agreement set forth in this Section 7(a) shall be in addition to any liability which the Company may otherwise have.

 

(b)           Each Underwriter agrees, severally and not jointly, to indemnify, defend and hold harmless the Company, and its respective directors and officers that signed the Registration Statement, and any person who controls the Company within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act, from and against any loss, expense, liability, damage or claim (including the reasonable cost of investigation) which the Company or any such person may incur under the Securities Act, the Exchange Act or otherwise, insofar as such loss, expense, liability, damage or claim arises out of or is based upon (A) any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in the Registration Statement (or any amendment thereof), the Preliminary Prospectus, any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus or Prospectus, (B) any omission or alleged omission to state a material fact required to be stated in any such Registration Statement, or necessary to make the statements made therein not misleading, or (C) any omission or alleged omission from the Preliminary Prospectus, any such Issuer Free Writing Prospectus or Prospectus of a material fact necessary to make the statements made therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, but in each case only insofar as such untrue statement or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission was made in such Registration Statement, Preliminary Prospectus, Issuer Free Writing Prospectus or Prospectus in reliance upon and in conformity with information furnished in writing by or on behalf of any Underwriter through the Representative to the Company expressly for use therein, it being understood and agreed that the only such information furnished by any Underwriter through the Representative consists of the information described as such in Section 12 hereof; and to reimburse the Company or any such director, officer, employee or controlling person for any legal and other expense reasonably incurred by the Company or any such director, officer, employee or controlling person in connection with investigating, defending, settling, compromising or paying any such loss, expense, liability, damage or claim. The indemnity agreement set forth in this Section 7(b) shall be in addition to any liabilities that each Underwriter may otherwise have.

 

(c)           Each indemnified party shall give notice as promptly as reasonably practicable to each indemnifying party of any action commenced against it in respect of which indemnity may be sought hereunder, but failure to so notify an indemnifying party shall not relieve such indemnifying party from any liability hereunder to the extent it is not materially prejudiced as a result thereof and in any event shall not relieve it from any liability which it may have otherwise than on account of this indemnity agreement. In the case of parties indemnified pursuant to Section 7(a) above, counsel to

 

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the indemnified parties shall be selected by the Representative, and, in the case of parties indemnified pursuant to Section 7(b) above, counsel to the indemnified parties shall be selected by the Company. An indemnifying party may participate at its own expense in the defense of any such action; provided, however, that counsel to the indemnifying party shall not (except with the consent of the indemnified party) also be counsel to the indemnified party. In no event shall the indemnifying parties be liable for fees and expenses of more than one counsel (in addition to any local counsel) separate from their own counsel for all indemnified parties in connection with any one action or separate but similar or related actions in the same jurisdiction arising out of the same general allegations or circumstances. No indemnifying party shall, without the prior written consent of the indemnified parties, settle or compromise or consent to the entry of any judgment with respect to any litigation, or any investigation or proceeding by any governmental agency or body, commenced or threatened, or any claim whatsoever in respect of which indemnification or contribution could be sought under this Section 7 (whether or not the indemnified parties are actual or potential parties thereto), unless such settlement, compromise or consent (i) includes an unconditional release of each indemnified party from all liability arising out of such litigation, investigation, proceeding or claim and (ii) does not include a statement as to or an admission of fault, culpability or a failure to act by or on behalf of any indemnified party.

 

(d)           If the indemnification provided for in this Section 7 is unavailable or insufficient to hold harmless an indemnified party under subsections (a) and (b) of this Section 7 in respect of any losses, expenses, liabilities, damages or claims referred to therein, then each applicable indemnifying party, in lieu of indemnifying such indemnified party, shall contribute to the amount paid or payable by such indemnified party as a result of such losses, expenses, liabilities, damages or claims (i) in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative benefits received by the Company, on the one hand, and the Underwriters, on the other hand, from the Offering of the Securities or (ii) if (but only if) the allocation provided by clause (i) above is not permitted by applicable law, in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect not only the relative benefits referred to in clause (i) above but also the relative fault of the Company, on the one hand, and of the Underwriters, on the other hand, in connection with the statements or omissions which resulted in such losses, expenses, liabilities, damages or claims, as well as any other relevant equitable considerations. The relative benefits received by the Company, on the one hand, and the Underwriters, on the other hand, shall be deemed to be in the same respective proportion as (i) the total net proceeds (before deducting expenses) received by the Company from the sale of the Securities pursuant to this Agreement and (ii) the difference between (x) the aggregate price to the public received by the Underwriters from the sale of the Securities and (y) the aggregate price paid by the Underwriters to the Company for the Securities purchased pursuant to this Agreement, bear to the aggregate price to the public received by the Underwriters from the sale of the Securities pursuant to this Agreement. The relative fault of the Company, on the one hand, and of the Underwriters, on the other hand, shall be determined by reference to, among other things, whether the untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or omission or alleged omission relates to information supplied by the Company, on the one hand, or by the Underwriters, on the other hand, and the parties’ relative intent, knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent such statement or omission.  The amount paid or payable by a party as a result of the losses, expenses, liabilities, damages and claims referred to above shall be deemed to include any legal or other fees or expenses reasonably incurred by such party in connection with investigating or defending any claim or action.

 

26



 

(e)           The Company, on the one hand, and the Underwriters, on the other hand, agree that it would not be just and equitable if contribution pursuant to this Section 7 were determined by pro rata allocation (even if the Underwriters were treated as one entity for such purpose) or by any other method of allocation which does not take account of the equitable considerations referred to in subsection (d)(i) and, if applicable (ii), above.  Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section 7, no Underwriter shall be required to contribute any amount in excess of the underwriting discounts and commissions applicable to the Securities purchased by such Underwriter.  No person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the Securities Act) shall be entitled to contribution from any person who was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation.  The Underwriters’ obligations to contribute pursuant to this Section 7 are several in proportion to their respective underwriting commitments and not joint.  For purposes of this Section 7, each person, if any, who controls an Underwriter within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act and such Underwriters’ directors, officers, employees, and agents shall have the same rights to contribution as the Underwriters, and each director of the Company, each officer of the Company, and each person, if any, who controls the Company within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act shall have the same rights to contribution as the Company.

 

8.             Substitution of Underwriters.  If there is more than one Underwriter listed on Schedule I hereto and any Underwriter defaults in its obligation to purchase the aggregate principal amount of Securities which it has agreed to purchase under this Agreement, the non-defaulting Underwriters shall be obligated to purchase (in the respective proportions which the aggregate principal amount of Securities set forth opposite the name of each non-defaulting Underwriter in Schedule I hereto bears to the total aggregate principal amount of Securities set forth opposite the names of all the non-defaulting Underwriters in Schedule I hereto) the aggregate principal amount of Securities which the defaulting Underwriter agreed but failed to purchase (the “ Default Securities ”); except that the non-defaulting Underwriters shall not be obligated to purchase any of the aggregate principal amount of Securities if the total aggregate principal amount of Securities which the defaulting Underwriter or Underwriters agreed but failed to purchase exceeds 10% of the total aggregate principal amount of Firm Securities, and any non-defaulting Underwriter shall not be obligated to purchase more than 110% of the aggregate principal amount of Securities set forth opposite its name in Schedule I attached hereto purchasable by it pursuant to the terms of Section 3 hereof. If the foregoing maximums are exceeded, (i) the non-defaulting Underwriters, and any other underwriters satisfactory to the Representative who so agree, shall have the right, but shall not be obligated, to purchase (in such proportions as may be agreed upon among them) all the Default Securities on the terms contained herein. If the non-defaulting Underwriters or the other underwriters satisfactory to the Representative do not elect to purchase the Default Securities, this Agreement shall terminate without liability on the part of any non-defaulting Underwriter or the Company except for the payment of expenses to be borne by the Company and the Underwriters as provided in Section 5 hereof and the indemnity and contribution agreements of the Company and the Underwriters contained in Section 7 hereof.

 

Nothing contained herein shall relieve a defaulting Underwriter of any liability it may have for damages caused by its default. If the other underwriters satisfactory to the Representative are obligated or agree to purchase the aggregate principal amount of Securities of

 

27



 

a defaulting Underwriter, either the Representative or the Company may postpone the First Closing Date for up to five full Business Days in order to effect any changes that may be necessary in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Disclosure Package or the Prospectus or in any other document or agreement, and to file promptly any amendments or any supplements to the Registration Statement or the Time of Sale Disclosure Package or the Prospectus which in the Representative’s opinion may thereby be made necessary. The term “Underwriter” as used in this Agreement shall include any party substituted under this Section 8 with like effect as if it had originally been a party to this Agreement with respect to the Securities.

 

9.             Effective Time and Termination.   Until the First Closing Date, this Agreement may be terminated by the Representative by giving notice as hereinafter provided to the Company, if (i) the Company shall have failed, refused or been unable, at or prior to the First Closing Date, to perform any agreement on its part to be performed hereunder unless the failure to perform any agreement is due to the default or omission by any Underwriter; (ii) any other condition of the obligations of the Underwriters hereunder is not fulfilled; (iii) trading in securities generally on the New York Stock Exchange (the “ NYSE ”) or the Nasdaq Global Select Market shall have been suspended or minimum or maximum prices shall have been established on either of such exchanges by the Commission or by such exchange or other regulatory body or governmental authority having jurisdiction; (iv) trading or quotation in any of the Company’s securities shall have been suspended or materially limited by the Commission or by the NYSE or the Nasdaq Stock Market or other regulatory body of governmental authority having jurisdiction; (v) a general banking moratorium has been declared by Federal or New York authorities; (vi) a material disruption in securities settlement, payment or clearance services in the United States shall have occurred; (vii) there shall have been any material adverse change in general economic, political or financial conditions or if the effect of international conditions on the financial markets in the United States which, in the Representative’s reasonable judgment, makes it inadvisable to proceed with the delivery of the Securities; or (viii) any attack on, outbreak or escalation of hostilities, declaration of war or act of terrorism involving the United States or any other national or international calamity or emergency has occurred if, in the Representative’s reasonable judgment, the effect of any such attack, outbreak, escalation, declaration, act, calamity or emergency makes it impractical or inadvisable to proceed with the completion of the public offering or the delivery of the Securities. Any termination of this Agreement pursuant to this Section 9 shall be without liability on the part of the Company or any Underwriter, except as otherwise provided in Sections 5 and 7 hereof.

 

Any notice referred to above may be given at the address of the Company as specified in Section 11 hereof in writing or by telegraph or telephone, and if by telegraph or telephone, shall be promptly confirmed in writing.

 

10.          Survival of Indemnities, Contribution, Warranties and Representations.  All representations, warranties and agreements of the Company and the Underwriters herein or in certificates delivered pursuant hereto, and the agreements of the several Underwriters and the Company contained in Section 7 hereof, shall remain operative and in full force and effect regardless of any investigation made by or on behalf of any Underwriter or any affiliate or selling agent thereof, or any person controlling an Underwriter, any officers or directors of the

 

28



 

Company or any of the Company’s officers, directors or controlling persons, and shall survive delivery of, and payment for, the Securities.

 

11.          Notices.  All communications hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given if mailed, hand delivered or transmitted by any standard form of telecommunication to the parties hereto as follows:

 

If to the Representative:

 

Nomura Securities International, Inc.

Worldwide Plaza

309 West 49th Street

New York, New York 10019-7316

Attention:  Head of Equity Capital Markets, Americas

Fax: (646) 587-8768

with a copy to the General Counsel, Fax: (212) 315-1261)

 

with a copy (which shall not constitute notice) to:

 

Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP

Four Times Square

New York, New York 10036

Attention: David J. Goldschmidt
Fax: (212) 735-2000

 

If to the Company:

 

New York Mortgage Trust, Inc.
275 Madison Avenue, 32
nd  Floor
New York, New York 10016
Attention:  Steven R. Mumma, CEO
Facsimile:  (732) 559-8250

 

with a copy (which shall not constitute notice) to:

 

Vinson & Elkins L.L.P.
2200 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Suite 500 West
Washington, D.C. 20037-1701
Attention:  Christopher C. Green, Esq.
Facsimile: (202) 879-8941

 

The Company shall be entitled to act and rely upon any request, consent, notice or agreement given or made on behalf of the Underwriters by the Representative.

 

12.          Information Furnished by Underwriters.  The statements set forth under the caption “ Underwriting ,” (a) in the table concerning the names of each Underwriter and the aggregate principal amount of Securities each Underwriter has agreed to purchase, (b) in the first

 

29



 

two sentences of paragraph 4, and (c) in the section entitled “Other Relationships,” constitute the only written information furnished by or on behalf of any Underwriter referred to in paragraphs (c), (d), (e) and (f) of Section 1 hereof and in paragraphs (a) and (b) of Section 7 hereof.

 

13.          Parties.  This Agreement is made solely for the benefit of the several Underwriters, the Company, any officer, director or controlling person referred to in Section 7 hereof, and their respective successors and assigns or heirs and legal representatives, as applicable, and no other person shall acquire or have any right by virtue of this Agreement. The term “successors and assigns,” as used in this Agreement, shall not include any purchaser of any of the Securities from any of the Underwriters merely by reason of such purchase.

 

14.          Definition of “Business Day.”  For purposes of this Agreement, “Business Day” means any day on which the Nasdaq Global Select Market is open for trading.

 

15.          Governing Law.  This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the internal law of the State of New York, including Section 5-1401 of the General Obligations Law, but otherwise without regard to conflict of laws principles.

 

16.          Partial Unenforceability .  The invalidity or unenforceability of any section, paragraph or provision of this Agreement shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other section, paragraph or provision hereof. If any section, paragraph or provision of this Agreement is for any reason determined to be invalid or unenforceable, there shall be permitted to be made such minor changes (and only such minor changes) as are necessary to make it valid and enforceable.

 

17.          Absence of Fiduciary Relationship . The Company acknowledges and agrees that:

 

(a)           the Underwriters have been retained solely to act as underwriters in connection with the sale of the Securities and that no fiduciary, advisory or agency relationship between the Company, on the one hand, and the Underwriters, on the other hand, has been created in respect of any of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, irrespective of whether the Underwriters have advised or are advising the Company on other matters;

 

(b)           the price of the Securities set forth in this Agreement was established by the Company following discussions and arm’s length negotiations with the Underwriters, and the Company is capable of evaluating and understanding and understands and accepts the terms, risks and conditions of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement;

 

(c)           The Company has been advised that the Underwriters and their affiliates are engaged in a broad range of transactions which may involve interests that differ from those of the Company, and that the Underwriters have no obligation to disclose such interests and transactions to the Company by virtue of any fiduciary, advisory or agency relationship; and

 

(d)           the Company waives, to the fullest extent permitted by law, any claims it may have against the Underwriters for breach of fiduciary duty or alleged breach of fiduciary duty and agrees that the Underwriters shall have no liability (whether direct or indirect) to the Company in respect of such a fiduciary duty claim or to any person asserting a fiduciary duty

 

30



 

claim on behalf of or in right of the Company, including stockholders, employees or creditors of the Company.

 

18.          General Provisions .  This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement of the parties to this Agreement and supersedes all prior written or oral and all contemporaneous oral agreements, understandings and negotiations with respect to the subject matter hereof. This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, each one of which shall be an original, with the same effect as if the signatures thereto and hereto were upon the same instrument. This Agreement may not be amended or modified unless in writing by all of the parties hereto, and no condition herein (express or implied) may be waived unless waived in writing by each party whom the condition is meant to benefit. The section headings herein are for the convenience of the parties only and shall not affect the construction or interpretation of this Agreement.

 

19.          Jury Trial . The Company (on its behalf and, to the extent permitted by applicable law, on behalf of its stockholders and affiliates) and each of the Underwriters hereby irrevocably waives, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, any and all right to trial by jury in any legal proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby.

 

20.          Submission to Jurisdiction .  Except as set forth below, no claim may be commenced, prosecuted or continued in any court other than the courts of the State of New York located in the City and County of New York or in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York in New York County, which courts shall have exclusive jurisdiction over the adjudication of such matters, and the Company consents to the jurisdiction of such courts and personal service with respect thereto.  The Company consents to personal jurisdiction, service and venue in any court in which any claim arising out of or in any way relating to this Agreement is brought by any third party against any Underwriter or any indemnified party.  The Company agrees that a final judgment in any such action, proceeding or counterclaim brought in any such court shall be conclusive and binding upon the Company and may be enforced in any other courts to the jurisdiction of which the Company is or may be subject by suit upon such judgment.

 

[ Signature page follows. ]

 

31



 

Please confirm, by signing and returning to us two (2) counterparts of this Agreement, that the Representative is acting on behalf of itself and the several Underwriters and that the foregoing correctly sets forth the agreement among the Company and the several Underwriters.

 

 

Very truly yours,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NEW YORK MORTGAGE TRUST, INC.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Kristine R. Nario

 

 

Name:

Kristine R. Nario

 

 

Title:

Chief Financial Officer

 

 

Confirmed and accepted as of the date first above mentioned:

 

NOMURA SECURITIES INTERNATIONAL, INC.

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Donald Sung

 

Name:

Donald Sung

 

Title:

Managing Director

 

 

 

As Representative of the Several Underwriters named in Schedule I hereto

 



 

SCHEDULE I

 

Underwriting Agreement dated January 17, 2017

 

Underwriters

 

Principal Amount
of Firm Securities to
be Purchased

 

Nomura Securities International, Inc.

 

$

120,000,000

 

Total

 

$

120,000,000

 

 


Exhibit 4.1

 


 

NEW YORK MORTGAGE TRUST, INC.

 

TO

 

U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,

 

Trustee

 


 

INDENTURE

 

(FOR DEBT SECURITIES)

 

Dated as of January 23, 2017

 


 



 

TABLE OF CONTENTS (1)

 

ARTICLE I

DEFINITIONS AND OTHER PROVISIONS OF GENERAL APPLICATION

1

 

 

 

Section 1.01

Definitions

1

Section 1.02

Compliance Certificates and Opinions

7

Section 1.03

Form of Documents Delivered to Trustee

8

Section 1.04

Acts of Holders

9

Section 1.05

Notices, Etc. to Trustee and Company

10

Section 1.06

Notice to Holders of Debt Securities; Waiver

11

Section 1.07

Conflict with Trust Indenture Act

12

Section 1.08

Effect of Headings and Table of Contents

12

Section 1.09

Successors and Assigns

12

Section 1.10

Separability Clause

12

Section 1.11

Benefits of Indenture

12

Section 1.12

Governing Law

12

Section 1.13

Legal Holidays

12

 

 

 

ARTICLE II

DEBT SECURITY FORMS

13

 

 

 

Section 2.01

Forms Generally

13

Section 2.02

Form of Trustee’s Certificate of Authentication

13

Section 2.03

Debt Securities Issuable in the Form of a Global Security

14

 

 

 

ARTICLE III

THE DEBT SECURITIES

16

 

 

 

Section 3.01

Amount Unlimited; Issuable in Series

16

Section 3.02

Denominations

19

Section 3.03

Execution, Authentication, Delivery and Dating

19

Section 3.04

Temporary Debt Securities

21

Section 3.05

Registration, Registration of Transfer and Exchange

22

Section 3.06

Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost and Stolen Debt Securities

23

Section 3.07

Payment of Interest and Additional Interest; Interest Rights Preserved

24

Section 3.08

Persons Deemed Owners

25

Section 3.09

Cancellation by Debt Security Registrar

25

Section 3.10

Computation of Interest

25

Section 3.11

Payment to be in Proper Currency

25

 

 

 

ARTICLE IV

REDEMPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES

26

 


(1)  This table of contents shall not, for any purpose, be deemed to be a part of the Indenture.

 

i



 

Section 4.01

Applicability of Article

26

Section 4.02

Election to Redeem; Notice to Trustee

26

Section 4.03

Selection of Debt Securities to be Redeemed

26

Section 4.04

Notice of Redemption

27

Section 4.05

Debt Securities Payable on Redemption Date

28

Section 4.06

Debt Securities Redeemed in Part

28

 

 

 

ARTICLE V

SINKING FUNDS

29

 

 

 

Section 5.01

Applicability of Article

29

Section 5.02

Satisfaction of Sinking Fund Payments with Debt Securities

29

Section 5.03

Redemption of Debt Securities for Sinking Fund

29

 

 

 

ARTICLE VI

COVENANTS

30

 

 

 

Section 6.01

Payment of Principal, Premium and Interest

30

Section 6.02

Maintenance of Office or Agency

30

Section 6.03

Money for Debt Securities Payments to be Held in Trust

31

Section 6.04

Corporate Existence

32

Section 6.05

Annual Officer’s Certificate as to Compliance

32

Section 6.06

Waiver of Certain Covenants

33

 

 

 

ARTICLE VII

DEFEASANCE; SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE

33

 

 

 

Section 7.01

Defeasance and Discharge

33

Section 7.02

Satisfaction and Discharge of Indenture

35

Section 7.03

Application of Trust Money

36

 

 

 

ARTICLE VIII

EVENTS OF DEFAULT; REMEDIES

37

 

 

 

Section 8.01

Events of Default

37

Section 8.02

Acceleration of Maturity; Rescission and Annulment

38

Section 8.03

Collection of Indebtedness and Suits for Enforcement by Trustee

39

Section 8.04

Trustee May File Proofs of Claim

40

Section 8.05

Trustee May Enforce Claims Without Possession of Debt Securities

40

Section 8.06

Application of Money Collected

41

Section 8.07

Limitation on Suits

41

Section 8.08

Unconditional Right of Holders to Receive Principal, Premium and Interest

42

Section 8.09

Restoration of Rights and Remedies

42

Section 8.10

Rights and Remedies Cumulative

42

Section 8.11

Delay or Omission Not Waiver

42

Section 8.12

Control by Holders of Debt Securities

43

 

ii



 

Section 8.13

Waiver of Past Defaults

43

Section 8.14

Undertaking for Costs

43

Section 8.15

Waiver of Stay or Extension Laws

44

 

 

 

ARTICLE IX

THE TRUSTEE

44

 

 

 

Section 9.01

Certain Duties and Responsibilities

44

Section 9.02

Notice of Defaults

45

Section 9.03

Certain Rights of Trustee

45

Section 9.04

Not Responsible for Recitals or Issuance of Debt Securities

47

Section 9.05

May Hold Debt Securities

48

Section 9.06

Money Held in Trust

48

Section 9.07

Compensation and Reimbursement

48

Section 9.08

Disqualification; Conflicting Interests

49

Section 9.09

Corporate Trustee Required; Eligibility

49

Section 9.10

Resignation and Removal; Appointment of Successor

50

Section 9.11

Acceptance of Appointment by Successor

51

Section 9.12

Merger, Conversion, Consolidation or Succession to Business

52

Section 9.13

Preferential Collection of Claims Against Company

53

Section 9.14

Co-Trustees and Separate Trustees

53

Section 9.15

Appointment of Authenticating Agent

54

 

 

 

ARTICLE X

HOLDERS’ LISTS AND REPORTS BY TRUSTEE AND COMPANY

56

 

 

 

Section 10.01

Lists of Holders

56

Section 10.02

Reports by Trustee and Company

56

 

 

 

ARTICLE XI

CONSOLIDATION, MERGER, CONVEYANCE OR OTHER TRANSFER

57

 

 

 

Section 11.01

Company May Consolidate, Etc., Only on Certain Terms

57

Section 11.02

Successor Corporation Substituted

57

 

 

 

ARTICLE XII

SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES

58

 

 

 

Section 12.01

Supplemental Indentures Without Consent of Holders

58

Section 12.02

Supplemental Indentures With Consent of Holders

59

Section 12.03

Execution of Supplemental Indentures

61

Section 12.04

Effect of Supplemental Indentures

61

Section 12.05

Conformity With Trust Indenture Act

61

Section 12.06

Reference in Debt Securities to Supplemental Indentures

61

Section 12.07

Modification without Supplemental Indenture

61

 

 

 

ARTICLE XIII

MEETINGS OF HOLDERS; ACTION WITHOUT MEETING

62

 

iii



 

Section 13.01

Purposes for which Meetings may be Called

62

Section 13.02

Call, Notice and Place of Meetings

62

Section 13.03

Persons Entitled to Vote at Meetings

63

Section 13.04

Quorum; Action

63

Section 13.05

Attendance at Meetings; Determination of Voting Rights; Conduct and Adjournment of Meetings

64

Section 13.06

Counting Votes and Recording Action of Meetings

65

Section 13.07

Action Without Meeting

65

 

 

 

ARTICLE XIV

IMMUNITY OF INCORPORATORS, STOCKHOLDERS, OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS

65

 

 

 

Section 14.01

Liability Solely Corporate

65

 

iv



 

NEW YORK MORTGAGE TRUST, INC.

 

RECONCILIATION AND TIE BETWEEN TRUST INDENTURE ACT OF 1939

 

AND INDENTURE, DATED AS OF JANUARY 23, 2017

 

Trust Indenture Act Section

 

Indenture Section

 

 

 

§310

(a)(1)

 

9.09

 

(a)(2)

 

9.09

 

(a)(3)

 

9.14

 

(a)(4)

 

Not Applicable

 

(b)

 

9.08, 9.10

§311

(a)

 

9.13

 

(b)

 

9.13

 

(c)

 

9.13

§312

(a)

 

10.01

 

(b)

 

10.01

 

(c)

 

10.01

§313

(a)

 

10.02

 

(b)

 

10.02

 

(c)

 

10.02

 

(d)

 

10.02

§314

(a)(4)

 

6.05

 

(b)

 

Not Applicable

 

(c)(1)

 

1.02

 

(c)(2)

 

1.02

 

(c)(3)

 

Not Applicable

 

(d)

 

Not Applicable

 

(e)

 

1.02

§315

(a)

 

9.01, 9.03

 

(b)

 

9.02

 

(c)

 

9.01

 

(d)

 

9.01

 

(e)

 

8.14

§316

(a)

 

8.12, 8.13

 

(a)(1)(A)

 

8.02, 8.12

 

(a)(1)(B)

 

8.13

 

(a)(2)

 

Not Applicable

 

(b)

 

8.08

 

(c)

 

1.04(g)

§317

(a)(1)

 

8.03

 

(a)(2)

 

8.04

 

(b)

 

6.03

§318

(a)

 

1.07

 

v



 

INDENTURE (FOR DEBT SECURITIES) , dated as of January 23, 2017, between NEW YORK MORTGAGE TRUST, INC., a Maryland corporation (herein called the “ Company ”), having its principal office at 275 Madison Avenue, Suite 3200, New York, New York 10016, and U.S. Bank National Association, a national banking association organized and existing under the laws of the United States of America, as Trustee (herein called the “ Trustee ”).

 

RECITAL 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 certain of its debentures, notes or other evidences of indebtedness (herein called the “ Debt Securities ”), in an unlimited aggregate principal amount, to be issued in one or more series as contemplated herein; and all acts necessary to make this Indenture a valid agreement of the Company have been performed.

 

For all purposes of this Indenture, except as otherwise expressly provided or unless the context otherwise requires, capitalized terms used herein shall have the meanings assigned to them in  Article I  of this Indenture.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, THIS INDENTURE WITNESSETH:

 

For and in consideration of the premises and the purchase of the Debt Securities by the Holders thereof, it is mutually covenanted and agreed, for the equal and proportionate benefit of all Holders of the Debt Securities or of series thereof, as follows:

 

ARTICLE I
DEFINITIONS AND OTHER PROVISIONS OF GENERAL APPLICATION

 

Section 1.01          Definitions.

 

For all purposes of this Indenture, 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 terms used herein without definition that are defined in the Trust Indenture Act, either directly or by reference therein, have the meanings assigned to them therein;

 

(c)           all accounting terms not otherwise defined herein have the meanings assigned to them in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States, 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 in the United States at the date of such computation or, at the election of the Company from time to time, at the date of the execution and delivery of this Indenture; provided, however, that in determining generally accepted accounting principles applicable to the Company, the Company shall, to the extent required, conform to any order, rule or regulation of any administrative agency, regulatory authority or other governmental body having jurisdiction over the Company; and

 



 

(d)           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 IX , are defined in that Article.

 

Act ” when used with respect to any Holder of a Debt Security, has the meaning specified in  Section 1.04 .

 

Additional Interest ” means the interest, if any, that shall accrue on any interest on the Debt Securities of any series, the payment of which has not been made on the applicable Interest Payment Date and which shall accrue at the rate per annum specified or determined as specified in such Debt Security.

 

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 (other than the Company or an Affiliate of the Company) authorized by the Trustee pursuant to  Section 9.15  to act on behalf of the Trustee to authenticate one or more series of Debt Securities or Tranche thereof.

 

Authorized Officer ” means the Chief Executive Officer, President, the Chief Financial Officer, any Vice President or the Secretary of the Company.

 

Board of Directors ” means either the board of directors of the Company or any committee thereof duly authorized to act or any director or directors and/or officer or officers of the Company to whom that board or committee shall have duly delegated its authority in respect of matters relating to this Indenture.

 

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 ,” when used with respect to a Place of Payment or any other particular location specified in the Debt Securities or this Indenture, means any day, other than a Saturday or Sunday, which is not a day on which banking institutions or trust companies in such Place of Payment or other location are generally authorized or required by law, regulation or executive order to remain closed, except as may be otherwise specified as contemplated by  Section 3.01 .

 

Commission ” means the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, as from time to time constituted, created under the Exchange Act, or, if at any time after the date of execution and delivery of this Indenture such Commission is not existing and performing the duties now assigned to it under the Trust Indenture Act, then the body, if any, performing such duties at such time.

 

2



 

Company ” means the Person named as the “Company” in the first paragraph of this Indenture 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 ” or “ Company Order ” means a written request or order signed in the name of the Company by an Authorized Officer and delivered to the Trustee.

 

Corporate Trust Office ” means the office of the Trustee at which at any particular time this Indenture shall be principally administered, which office at the date of execution and delivery of this Indenture is located at 100 Wall Street, New York, New York 10005.

 

Corporation ” means a real estate investment trust, corporation, association, company, limited liability company, joint stock company, limited partnership or business trust.

 

Debt Securities ” has the meaning stated in the first recital of this Indenture and more particularly means any securities authenticated and delivered under this Indenture.

 

Debt Security Register ” and “ Debt Security Registrar ” have the respective meanings specified in  Section 3.05 .

 

Defaulted Interest ” has the meaning specified in  Section 3.07 .

 

Depositary ” shall mean, with respect to Debt Securities of any series, for which the Company shall determine that such Debt Securities will be issued as a Global Security, The Depository Trust Company, New York, New York, another clearing agency or any successor registered as a clearing agency under the Exchange Act or other applicable statute or regulation, which, in each case, shall be designated by the Company pursuant to  Section 2.03(c) .

 

Discount Debt Security ” means any Debt Security that 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 8.02 .

 

Dollar  “ or “ $ ” means a dollar or other equivalent unit in such coin or currency of the United States as at the time shall be legal tender for the payment of public and private debts.

 

Eligible Obligations ” means:

 

(a)           with respect to Debt Securities denominated in Dollars, Government Obligations; or

 

(b)           with respect to Debt Securities denominated in a currency other than Dollars or in a composite currency, such other obligations or instruments as shall be specified with respect to such Debt Securities, as contemplated by  Section 3.01 .

 

Event of Default ” has the meaning specified in  Section 8.01 .

 

Exchange Act ” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

 

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Global Security ” means, with respect to the Debt Securities, a Debt Security executed by the Company and delivered by the Trustee to the Depositary or pursuant to the Depositary’s instruction, all in accordance with this Indenture, which shall be registered in the name of the Depositary or its nominee.

 

Governmental Authority ” means the government of the United States or of any state or territory thereof or of the District of Columbia or of any county, municipality or other political subdivision of any thereof, or any department, agency, authority or other instrumentality of any of the foregoing.

 

Government Obligations ” means:

 

(a)           direct obligations of, or obligations the timely payment of principal of and interest on which are unconditionally guaranteed by, the United States entitled to the benefit of the full faith and credit thereof; and

 

(b)           certificates, depositary receipts or other instruments that evidence a direct ownership interest in obligations described in clause (a) above or in any specific interest or principal payments due in respect thereof; provided, however, that the custodian of such obligations or specific interest or principal payments shall be a bank or trust company (which may include the Trustee or any Paying Agent) subject to federal or state supervision or examination with a combined capital and surplus of at least $100,000,000; and provided, further, that except as may be otherwise required by law, such custodian shall be obligated to pay to the holders of such certificates, depositary receipts or other instruments the full amount received by such custodian in respect of such obligations or specific payments and shall not be permitted to make any deduction therefrom.

 

Holder ” means a Person in whose name a Debt Security is registered in the Debt Security Register.

 

Indenture ” means this instrument as originally executed and delivered and as it may from time to time be supplemented or amended by one or more indentures or Officer’s Certificates supplemental hereto entered into pursuant to the applicable provisions hereof and shall include the terms of particular series of Debt Securities established as contemplated by  Section 3.01 .

 

Interest ” with respect to a Discount Debt Security means interest, if any, borne by such Debt Security at a Stated Interest Rate.

 

Interest Payment Date ,” when used with respect to any Debt Security, means the Stated Maturity of an installment of interest on such Debt Security.

 

Maturity ,” when used with respect to any Debt Security, means the date on which the principal of such Debt Security or an installment of principal becomes due and payable as provided in such Debt Security or in this Indenture, whether at the Stated Maturity, by declaration of acceleration, upon call for redemption or otherwise.

 

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Officer’s Certificate ” means a certificate signed by an Authorized Officer and delivered to the Trustee.

 

Opinion of Counsel ” means a written opinion of counsel, who may be counsel for the Company, or other counsel acceptable to the Trustee.

 

Outstanding ,” when used with respect to Debt Securities, means, as of the date of determination, all Debt Securities theretofore authenticated and delivered under this Indenture, except:

 

(a)           Debt Securities theretofore canceled by the Trustee or the Debt Security Registrar or delivered to the Trustee or the Debt Security Registrar for cancellation;

 

(b)           Debt Securities deemed to have been paid in accordance with  Section 7.01 ; and

 

(c)           Debt Securities that have been paid pursuant to  Section 3.06 or in exchange for or in lieu of which other Debt Securities have been authenticated and delivered pursuant to this Indenture, other than any such Debt Securities in respect of which there shall have been presented to the Trustee proof satisfactory to it and the Company that such Debt Securities are held by a bona fide purchaser or purchasers in whose hands such Debt Securities are valid obligations of the Company;

 

provided , however, that in determining whether or not the Holders of the requisite principal amount of the Debt Securities Outstanding under this Indenture, or the Outstanding Debt Securities of any series or Tranche, have given any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent or waiver hereunder or whether or not a quorum is present at a meeting of Holders of Debt Securities,

 

(x)           Debt Securities owned by the Company or any other obligor upon the Debt Securities or any Affiliate of the Company or of such other obligor (unless the Company, such Affiliate or such obligor owns all Debt Securities Outstanding under this Indenture, or all Outstanding Debt Securities of each such series and each such Tranche, as the case may be, determined without regard to this clause (x)) 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 or upon any such determination as to the presence of a quorum, only Debt Securities that the Trustee knows to be so owned shall be so disregarded; provided, however, that Debt Securities so owned that 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 Debt Securities and that the pledgee is not the Company or any other obligor upon the Debt Securities or any Affiliate of the Company or of such other obligor; and

 

(y)           the principal amount of a Discount Debt Security that shall be deemed to be Outstanding for such purposes shall be the amount of the principal thereof that would be due and payable as of the date of such determination upon a declaration of acceleration of the Maturity thereof pursuant to  Section 8.02 ;

 

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provided, further, that, in the case of any Debt Security the principal of which is payable from time to time without presentment or surrender, the principal amount of such Debt Security that shall be deemed to be Outstanding at any time for all purposes of this Indenture shall be the original principal amount thereof less the aggregate amount of principal thereof theretofore paid.

 

Paying Agent ” means any Person, including the Company, authorized by the Company to pay the principal of and premium, if any, or interest (including Additional Interest), if any, on any Debt Securities on behalf of the Company.

 

Periodic Offering ” means an offering of Debt Securities of a series from time to time any or all of the specific terms of which Debt Securities, including without limitation the rate or rates of interest (including Additional Interest), if any, thereon, the Stated Maturity or Maturities thereof and the redemption provisions, if any, with respect thereto, are to be determined by the Company or its agents upon the issuance of such Debt Securities.

 

Person ” means any individual, Corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or unincorporated organization or any Governmental Authority.

 

Place of Payment ,” when used with respect to the Debt Securities of any series, or Tranche thereof, means the place or places, specified as contemplated by  Section 3.01 , at which, subject to  Section 6.02 , principal of and premium, if any, and interest (including Additional Interest), if any, on the Debt Securities of such series or Tranche are payable.

 

Predecessor Debt Security ” of any particular Debt Security means every previous Debt Security evidencing all or a portion of the same debt as that evidenced by such particular Debt Security; and, for the purposes of this definition, any Debt Security authenticated and delivered under  Section 3.06  in exchange for or in lieu of a mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Debt Security shall be deemed (to the extent lawful) to evidence the same debt as the mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Debt Security.

 

Redemption Date ,” when used with respect to any Debt 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 Debt 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 Debt Securities of any series means the date specified for that purpose as contemplated by Section 3.01 .

 

Required Currency ” has the meaning specified in  Section 3.11 .

 

Responsible Officer ,” when used with respect to the Trustee, means the officer of the Trustee at its Corporate Trust Office assigned by the Trustee to administer this Indenture, and any other duly authorized officer of the Trustee to whom a matter arising under this Indenture may be referred.

 

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Special Record Date ” for the payment of any Defaulted Interest on the Debt Securities of any series means a date fixed by the Trustee pursuant to  Section 3.07 .

 

Stated Interest Rate ” means a rate (whether fixed or variable) at which an obligation by its terms is stated to bear interest.  Any calculation or other determination to be made under this Indenture by reference to the Stated Interest Rate on a Debt Security shall be made without regard to the effective interest cost to the Company of such Debt Security and without regard to the Stated Interest Rate on, or the effective cost to the Company of, any other indebtedness in respect of which the Company’s obligations are evidenced or secured in whole or in part by such Debt Security.

 

Stated Maturity ,” when used with respect to any obligation or any installment of principal thereof or interest thereon, means the date on which the principal of such obligation or such installment of principal or interest is stated to be due and payable (without regard to any provisions for redemption, prepayment, acceleration, purchase or extension).

 

Tranche ” means a group of Debt Securities that (a) are of the same series and (b) have identical terms except as to principal amount.

 

Trust Indenture Act ” means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, as in force and effect as of the date of execution of this Indenture; provided, however, that in the event the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 is succeeded by another statute or is amended after such date, “Trust Indenture Act” shall mean such successor statute or the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as so amended, to the extent such successor statute or amendment is applicable to this Indenture or to the actions of the Company or the Trustee under or pursuant to this Indenture.

 

Trustee ” means the Person named as the “Trustee” in the first paragraph of this Indenture until a successor Trustee shall have become such with respect to one or more series of Debt Securities 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 Debt Securities of any series shall mean the Trustee with respect to Debt Securities of that series.

 

United States ” means the United States of America, its territories, its possessions and other areas subject to its political jurisdiction.

 

Section 1.02          Compliance Certificates and Opinions.

 

Except as otherwise expressly provided in this Indenture, 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 Officer’s Certificate stating that all conditions 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, 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.

 

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Every certificate or opinion with respect to compliance with a condition or covenant provided for in this Indenture shall include:

 

(a)           a statement that each Person signing such certificate or opinion has read such covenant or condition and the definitions herein relating thereto;

 

(b)           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;

 

(c)           a statement that, in the opinion of each such Person, such Person has made such examination or investigation as is necessary to enable such Person 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 Person, such condition or covenant has been complied with.

 

Section 1.03          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 such officer’s certificate or opinion are 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.

 

Whenever, subsequent to the receipt by the Trustee of any Board Resolution, Officer’s Certificate, Opinion of Counsel or other document or instrument, a clerical, typographical or other inadvertent or unintentional error or omission shall be discovered therein, a new document or instrument may be substituted therefor in corrected form with the same force and effect as if originally filed in the corrected form and, irrespective of the date or dates of the actual execution and/or delivery thereof, such substitute document or instrument shall be deemed to have been executed and/or delivered as of the date or dates required with respect to the document or instrument for which it is substituted.  Anything in this Indenture to the contrary

 

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notwithstanding, if any such corrective document or instrument indicates that action has been taken by or at the request of the Company which could not have been taken had the original document or instrument not contained such error or omission, the action so taken shall not be invalidated or otherwise rendered ineffective but shall be and remain in full force and effect (except to the extent that such action was a result of willful misconduct or bad faith or had or could be expected to have a material adverse effect on the Holders of any Debt Securities issued hereunder).

 

Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, any Debt Securities issued under the authority of such defective document or instrument shall nevertheless be the valid obligations of the Company entitled to the benefits of this Indenture equally and ratably with all other Outstanding Debt Securities.

 

Section 1.04                              Acts of Holders.

 

(a)                                  Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, election, waiver or other action provided by this Indenture to be made, given 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 or, alternatively, may be embodied in and evidenced by the record of Holders voting in favor thereof, either in person or by proxies duly appointed in writing, at any meeting of Holders duly called and held in accordance with the provisions of  Article XIII , or a combination of such instruments and any such record.  Except as herein otherwise expressly provided, such action shall become effective when such instrument or instruments or record or both are delivered to the Trustee and, where it is hereby expressly required, to the Company.  Such instrument or instruments and any such record (and the action embodied therein and evidenced thereby) are herein sometimes referred to as the “ Act ” of the Holders signing such instrument or instruments and so voting at any such meeting.  Proof of execution of any such instrument or of a writing appointing any such agent, or of the holding by any Person of a Debt Security, shall be sufficient for any purpose of this Indenture and (subject to Section 9.01 ) conclusive in favor of the Trustee and the Company, if made in the manner provided in this Section.  The record of any meeting of Holders shall be proved in the manner provided in  Section 13.06 .

 

(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 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 or may be proved in any other manner that the Trustee and the Company deem sufficient.  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.

 

(c)                                   The principal amount (except as otherwise contemplated in clause (y) of the proviso to the definition of Outstanding) and serial numbers of Debt Securities held by any Person, and the date of holding the same, shall be proved by the Debt Security Register.

 

(d)                                  Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, election, waiver or other Act of a Holder shall bind every future Holder of the same Debt Security and the Holder of

 

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every Debt 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 Debt Security.

 

(e)                                   Until such time as written instruments shall have been delivered to the Trustee with respect to the requisite percentage of principal amount of Debt Securities for the action contemplated by such instruments, any such instrument executed and delivered by or on behalf of a Holder may be revoked with respect to any or all of such Debt Securities by written notice by such Holder or any subsequent Holder, proven in the manner in which such instrument was proven.

 

(f)                                    Debt Securities of any series, or any Tranche thereof, authenticated and delivered after any Act of Holders may, and shall if required by the Trustee, bear a notation in form approved by the Trustee as to any action taken by such Act of Holders.  If the Company shall so determine, new Debt Securities of any series, or any Tranche thereof, so modified as to conform, in the opinion of the Trustee and the Company, to such action may be prepared and executed by the Company and authenticated and delivered by the Trustee in exchange for Outstanding Debt Securities of such series or Tranche.

 

(g)                                   If the Company shall solicit from Holders any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other Act, the Company may, at its option, fix in advance a record date for the determination of Holders entitled to give such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other Act, but the Company shall have no obligation to do so.  If such a record date is fixed, such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other Act may be given before or after such record date, but only the Holders of record at the close of business on the record date shall be deemed to be Holders for the purposes of determining whether Holders of the requisite proportion of the Outstanding Debt Securities have authorized or agreed or consented to such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other Act, and for that purpose the Outstanding Debt Securities shall be computed as of the record date.

 

Section 1.05                              Notices, Etc. to Trustee and Company.

 

Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, election, 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, the Trustee by any Holder or by the Company, or 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 delivered personally to an officer or other responsible employee of the addressee, or transmitted by facsimile transmission or other direct written electronic means to such telephone number or other electronic communications address as the parties hereto shall from time to time designate, or transmitted by certified or registered mail, charges prepaid, to the applicable address set opposite such party’s name below or to such other address as either party hereto may from time to time designate:

 

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If to the Trustee, to:

 

U.S. Bank National Association

Global Corporate Trust Services

100 Wall Street, 16th floor

New York, NY 10005

Fax: (212) 361-6153

Attention: Administrator New York Mortgage Trust

 

If to the Company, to:

 

New York Mortgage Trust, Inc.

275 Madison Avenue, Suite 3200

New York, New York 10016

Attention: Chief Executive Officer

Telephone: (212) 792-0109

Facsimile: (732) 559-8250

 

with a copy to:

 

Vinson & Elkins L.L.P.

2200 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Suite 500 West

Washington, DC 20037

Attention: Christopher C. Green, Esq.

Telephone: (202) 639-6521

Facsimile: (202) 879-8941

 

Any communication contemplated herein shall be deemed to have been made, given, furnished and filed if personally delivered, on the date of delivery, if transmitted by facsimile transmission or other direct written electronic means, upon date of receipt of the transmission, and if transmitted by certified or registered mail, on the date of receipt.

 

Section 1.06                              Notice to Holders of Debt Securities; Waiver.

 

Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, where this Indenture provides for notice to Holders of any event, such notice shall be sufficiently given, and shall be deemed given, to Holders if in writing and delivered to each Holder affected by such event, at the address of such Holder as it appears in the Debt Security Register, not later than the latest date, and not earlier than the earliest date, prescribed for the giving of such notice.

 

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 to Holders by mail, then such notification as shall be made with the approval of the Trustee shall constitute a sufficient notification for every purpose hereunder.  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.

 

Any notice required by this Indenture may be waived in writing by the Person entitled to receive such notice, either before or after the event otherwise to be specified therein, and such

 

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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 1.07                              Conflict with Trust Indenture Act.

 

If any provision of this Indenture limits, qualifies or conflicts with another provision hereof that is required or deemed to be included in this Indenture by, or is otherwise governed by, any of the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act, such other provision shall control; and if any provision hereof otherwise conflicts with the Trust Indenture Act, the Trust Indenture Act shall control.

 

Section 1.08                              Effect of Headings and Table of Contents.

 

The Article and Section headings in this Indenture and the Table of Contents are for convenience only and shall not affect the construction hereof.

 

Section 1.09                              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 1.10                              Separability Clause.

 

In case any provision in this Indenture or the Debt 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 1.11                              Benefits of Indenture.

 

Nothing in this Indenture or the Debt Securities, express or implied, shall give to any Person, other than the parties hereto, their successors hereunder and the Holders, any benefit or any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under this Indenture.

 

Section 1.12                              Governing Law.

 

This Indenture and the Debt Securities shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York.

 

Section 1.13                              Legal Holidays.

 

In any case where any Interest Payment Date, Redemption Date or Stated Maturity of any Debt Security shall not be a Business Day at any Place of Payment, then (notwithstanding any other provision of this Indenture or of the Debt Securities other than a provision in Debt Securities of any series, or any Tranche thereof, or in the indenture supplemental hereto, Board Resolution or Officer’s Certificate that establishes the terms of the Debt Securities of such series or Tranche, 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 at such Place of Payment

 

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on such date, but may be made on the next succeeding Business Day at such Place of Payment with the same force and effect as if made on the Interest Payment Date or Redemption Date, or at the Stated Maturity, and, if such payment is made or duly provided for on such Business Day, no interest shall accrue on the amount so payable for the period from and after such Interest Payment Date, Redemption Date or Stated Maturity, as the case may be, to such Business Day.

 

ARTICLE II
DEBT SECURITY FORMS

 

Section 2.01                              Forms Generally.

 

The definitive Debt Securities of each series shall be in substantially the form or forms thereof established in the indenture supplemental hereto establishing such series or in a Board Resolution establishing such series, or in an Officer’s Certificate pursuant to such supplemental indenture or Board Resolution, 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 the rules of any securities exchange or as may, consistently herewith, be determined by the officers executing such Debt Securities, as evidenced by their execution of the Debt Securities.  If the form or forms of Debt Securities of any series are established in a Board Resolution or in an Officer’s Certificate pursuant to an indenture supplement hereto or to a Board Resolution, such Board Resolution and Officer’s Certificate, if any, shall be delivered to the Trustee at or prior to the delivery of the Company Order contemplated by Section 3.03  for the authentication and delivery of such Debt Securities.

 

Unless otherwise specified as contemplated by  Sections 3.01  or  12.01(g) , the Debt Securities of each series shall be issuable in registered form without coupons.  The definitive Debt Securities shall be produced in such manner as shall be determined by the officers executing such Debt Securities, as evidenced by their execution thereof.

 

Section 2.02                              Form of Trustee’s Certificate of Authentication.

 

The Trustee’s certificate of authentication shall be in substantially the form set forth below:

 

This is one of the Debt Securities of the series designated therein referred to in the within-mentioned Indenture.

 

Dated:

 

 

 

U.S. Bank National Association, as Trustee

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Authorized Signatory

 

 

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Section 2.03                              Debt Securities Issuable in the Form of a Global Security.

 

(a)                                  If the Company shall establish pursuant to  Section 3.01  that the Debt Securities of a particular series are to be issued in whole or in part in the form of one or more Global Securities, then the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall, in accordance with  Section 3.03  and the Company Order delivered to the Trustee thereunder, authenticate and deliver such Global Security or Securities, which (i) shall represent, and shall be denominated in an amount equal to the aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Debt Securities of such series to be represented by such Global Security or Securities, (ii) may provide that the aggregate amount of Outstanding Debt Securities represented thereby may from time to time be increased or reduced to reflect exchanges, (iii) shall be registered in the name of the Depositary for such Global Security or Securities or its nominee, (iv) shall be delivered by the Trustee to the Depositary or pursuant to the Depositary’s instruction and (v) shall bear a legend in accordance with the requirements of the Depositary and applicable securities laws.

 

(b)                                  Notwithstanding any other provision of this Section or of  Section 3.05 , except as contemplated by the provisions of paragraph (c) below, unless the terms of a Global Security expressly permit such Global Security to be exchanged in whole or in part for individual Debt Securities, a Global Security may be transferred, in whole but not in part and in the manner provided in  Section 3.05 , only to a nominee of the Depositary for such Global Security, or to the Depositary, or to a successor Depositary for such Global Security selected or approved by the Company, or to a nominee of such successor Depositary.

 

(c)

 

(1)                                  If at any time the Depositary for a Global Security notifies the Company that it is unwilling or unable to continue as the Depositary for such Global Security or if at any time the Depositary for the Debt Securities for such series shall no longer be eligible or in good standing under the Exchange Act, or other applicable statute or regulation, the Company shall appoint a successor Depositary with respect to such Global Security.  If a successor Depositary for such Global Security 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 Debt Securities of such series in the form of definitive certificates in exchange for such Global Security, will authenticate and deliver Debt Securities of such series in the form of definitive certificates of like tenor and terms in an aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of the Global Security in exchange for such Global Security.  Such Debt Securities will be issued to and registered in the name of such Person or Persons as are specified by the Depositary.

 

(2)                                  To the extent legally permitted and subject to the rules and regulations of the acting Depositary, the Company may at any time and in its sole discretion determine that the Debt Securities of any series issued or issuable in the form of one or more Global Securities shall no longer be represented by such Global Security or Securities.  In any such event, the Company will execute, and the Trustee, upon receipt of a Company Request for the authentication and delivery of Debt Securities in the form of definitive certificates in exchange in whole or in part for such Global Security, will authenticate and deliver without service charge to each Person specified by the Depositary Debt Securities in the form of definitive certificates of like tenor and terms in an aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of such Global Security

 

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representing such series, or the aggregate principal amount of such Global Securities representing such series, in exchange for such Global Security or Securities.

 

(3)                                  If specified by the Company pursuant to  Section 3.01  with respect to Debt Securities issued or issuable in the form of a Global Security, the Depositary for such Global Security may surrender such Global Security in exchange in whole or in part for Debt Securities in the form of definitive certificates of like tenor and terms on such terms as are acceptable to the Company and such Depositary.  Thereupon, the Company shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, without service charge, (A) to each Person specified by such Depositary a new Debt Security or Securities of the same series of like tenor and terms and any authorized denomination as requested by such Person in an aggregate principal amount equal to and in exchange for such Person’s beneficial interest in the Global Security and (B) to such Depositary a new Global Security of like tenor and terms and in an authorized denomination equal to the difference, if any, between the principal amount of the surrendered Global Security and the aggregate principal amount of Debt Securities delivered to Holders thereof.

 

(4)                                  In any exchange provided for in any of the preceding three subparagraphs, the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver Debt Securities in the form of definitive certificates in authorized denominations.  Upon the exchange of the entire principal amount of a Global Security for Debt Securities in the form of definitive certificates, such Global Security shall be canceled by the Trustee.  Except as provided in the immediately preceding subparagraph, Debt 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, acting pursuant to instructions from its direct or indirect participants or otherwise, shall instruct the Trustee.  Provided that the Company and the Trustee have so agreed, the Trustee shall deliver such Debt Securities to the Persons in whose names the Debt Securities are so registered.

 

(5)                                  Any endorsement of a Global Security to reflect the principal amount thereof, or any increase or decrease in such principal amount, or changes in the rights of Holders of Outstanding Debt Securities represented thereby shall be made in such manner and by such Person or Persons as shall be specified in or pursuant to any applicable letter of representations or other arrangement entered into with, or procedures of, the Depositary with respect to such Global Security or in the Company Order delivered or to be delivered pursuant to  Section 3.03  with respect thereto.  Subject to the provisions of  Section 3.03 , the Trustee shall deliver and redeliver any such Global Security in the manner and upon instructions given by the Person or Persons specified in or pursuant to any applicable letter of representations or other arrangement entered into with, or procedures of, the Depositary with respect to such Global Security or in any applicable Company Order.

 

(6)                                  The Depositary or, if there be one, its nominee, shall be the Holder of a Global Security for all purposes under this Indenture; and beneficial owners with respect to such Global Security shall hold their interests pursuant to applicable procedures of such Depositary.  The Company, the Trustee and the Debt Security Registrar shall be entitled to deal with such Depositary for all purposes of this Indenture relating to such Global Security (including the payment of principal, premium, if any, and interest (including Additional Interest) and the giving of instructions or directions by or to the beneficial owners of such Global Security

 

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as the sole Holder of such Global Security, and shall have no obligations to the beneficial owners thereof (including any direct or indirect participants in such Depositary)).  None of the Company, the Trustee, any Paying Agent or the Debt Security Registrar shall 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 in or pursuant to any applicable letter of representations or other arrangement entered into with, or procedures of, the Depositary with respect to such Global Security or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records relating to such beneficial ownership interests.

 

ARTICLE III
THE DEBT SECURITIES

 

Section 3.01                              Amount Unlimited; Issuable in Series.

 

The aggregate principal amount of Debt Securities that may be authenticated and delivered under this Indenture is unlimited.

 

The Debt Securities may be issued in one or more series.  Subject to the last paragraph of this Section, prior to the authentication and delivery of Debt Securities of any series there shall be established by specification in a supplemental indenture or in a Board Resolution, or in an Officer’s Certificate pursuant to a supplemental indenture or a Board Resolution:

 

(a)                                  the title of the Debt Securities of such series (which shall distinguish the Debt Securities of such series from Debt Securities of all other series);

 

(b)                                  any limit upon the aggregate principal amount of the Debt Securities of such series that may be authenticated and delivered under this Indenture (except for Debt Securities authenticated and delivered upon registration of transfer of, or in exchange for, or in lieu of, other Debt Securities of the series pursuant to  Section 3.04 3.05 3.06 4.06  or  12.06  and, except for any Debt Securities that, pursuant to  Section 3.03 , are deemed never to have been authenticated and delivered hereunder);

 

(c)                                   the Person or Persons (without specific identification) to whom interest on Debt Securities of such series, or any Tranche thereof, shall be payable on any Interest Payment Date, if other than the Persons in whose names such Debt Securities (or one or more Predecessor Debt Securities) are registered at the close of business on the Regular Record Date for such interest;

 

(d)                                  the date or dates on which the principal of the Debt Securities of such series, or any Tranche thereof, is payable or any formulary or other method or other means by which such date or dates shall be determined, by reference to an index or other fact or event ascertainable outside of this Indenture or otherwise (without regard to any provisions for redemption, prepayment, acceleration, purchase or extension);

 

(e)                                   the rate or rates at which the Debt Securities of such series, or any Tranche thereof, shall bear interest, if any (including (i) the rate or rates at which overdue principal shall bear interest, if different from the rate or rates at which such Debt Securities shall bear interest prior to Maturity, (ii) and, if applicable, the rate or rates at which overdue premium shall bear interest, if any, and (iii) the rate or rates and the extent to which Additional Interest, if any, shall

 

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be payable), the period or periods during which such rate or rates shall be applicable, or any formulary or other method or other means by which such rate or rates, and any period or periods, shall be determined, by reference to an index or other fact or event ascertainable outside of this Indenture or otherwise; the date or dates from which such interest shall accrue; the Interest Payment Dates on which such interest shall be payable and the Regular Record Date, if any, for the interest payable on such Debt Securities on any Interest Payment Date; and the basis of computation of interest, if other than as provided in  Section 3.10 ;

 

(f)                                    the place or places at which or methods by which (1) the principal of and premium, if any, and interest (including Additional Interest), if any, on Debt Securities of such series, or any Tranche thereof, shall be payable, (2) registration of transfer of Debt Securities of such series, or any Tranche thereof, may be effected, (3) exchanges of Debt Securities of such series, or any Tranche thereof, may be effected and (4) notices and demands to or upon the Company in respect of the Debt Securities of such series, or any Tranche thereof, and this Indenture may be served; the Debt Security Registrar for such series; and if such is the case, that the principal of such Debt Securities shall be payable without presentment or surrender thereof;

 

(g)                                   the period or periods within which, or the date or dates on which, the price or prices at which and the terms and conditions upon which the Debt Securities of such series, or any Tranche thereof, may be redeemed, in whole or in part, at the option of the Company and any restrictions on such redemptions, including but not limited to a restriction on a partial redemption by the Company of the Debt Securities of any series, or any Tranche thereof, resulting in delisting of such Debt Securities from any national exchange;

 

(h)                                  the obligation or obligations, if any, of the Company to redeem or purchase the Debt Securities of such series, or any Tranche thereof, pursuant to any sinking fund or other mandatory redemption or tender provisions or at the option of a Holder thereof and the period or periods within which or the date or dates on which, the price or prices at which and the terms and conditions upon which such Debt Securities shall be redeemed or purchased, in whole or in part, pursuant to such obligation, and applicable exceptions to the requirements of Section 4.04 in the case of mandatory redemption or redemption at the option of the Holder;

 

(i)                                      the denominations in which Debt Securities of such series, or any Tranche thereof, shall be issuable if other than in minimum denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiple thereof;

 

(j)                                     the currency or currencies, including composite currencies, in which payment of the principal of and premium, if any, and interest (including Additional Interest), if any, on the Debt Securities of such series, or any Tranche thereof, shall be payable (if other than in Dollars);

 

(k)                                  if the principal of or premium, if any, or interest (including Additional Interest), if any, on the Debt Securities of such series, or any Tranche thereof, are to be payable, at the election of the Company or a Holder thereof, in a coin or currency other than that in which the Debt Securities are stated to be payable, the period or periods within which and the terms and conditions upon which, such election may be made;

 

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(l)                                      if the principal of or premium, if any, or interest (including Additional Interest), if any, on the Debt Securities of such series, or any Tranche thereof, are to be payable, or are to be payable at the election of the Company or a Holder thereof, in securities or other property, the type and amount of such securities or other property, or the formulary or other method or other means by which such amount shall be determined, and the period or periods within which, and the terms and conditions upon which, any such election may be made;

 

(m)                              if the amount payable in respect of principal of or premium, if any, or interest, if any, on the Debt Securities of such series, or any Tranche thereof, may be determined with reference to an index or other fact or event ascertainable outside this Indenture, the manner in which such amounts shall be determined to the extent not established pursuant to clause (e) of this paragraph;

 

(n)                                  if other than the principal amount thereof, the portion of the principal amount of Debt Securities of such series, or any Tranche thereof, that shall be payable upon declaration of acceleration of the Maturity thereof pursuant to  Section 8.02 ;

 

(o)                                  any Events of Default, in addition to or in lieu of those specified in  Section 8.01 , with respect to the Debt Securities of such series, and any covenants of the Company for the benefit of the Holders of the Debt Securities of such series, or any Tranche thereof, in addition to those set forth in  Article VI ;

 

(p)                                  the terms, if any, pursuant to which the Debt Securities of such series, or any Tranche thereof, may be converted into or exchanged for shares of common stock or other securities or property of the Company or any other Person;

 

(q)                                  the obligations or instruments, if any, that shall be considered to be Eligible Obligations in respect of the Debt Securities of such series, or any Tranche thereof, denominated in a currency other than Dollars or in a composite currency, and any additional or alternative provisions for the reinstatement of the Company’s indebtedness in respect of such Debt Securities after the satisfaction and discharge thereof as provided in  Section 7.01 ;

 

(r)                                     whether the Debt Securities of the series shall be issued in whole or in part in the form of a Global Security or Securities; the terms and conditions, if any, upon which such Global Security or Securities may be exchanged in whole or in part for certificated Debt Securities of such series and of like tenor of any authorized denomination and the circumstances under which such exchange may occur, if other than in the manner provided for in  Section 2.03 ; the Depositary for such Global Security or Securities if other than The Depository Trust Company; and the form of any legend or legends to be borne by any such Global Security in addition to or in lieu of the legend referred to in  Section 2.03 ;

 

(s)                                    if the Debt Securities of such series, or any Tranche thereof, are to be issuable in bearer form, any and all matters incidental thereto that are not specifically addressed in a supplemental indenture as contemplated by  Section 12.01(g) ;

 

(t)                                     to the extent not established pursuant to clause (r) of this paragraph, any limitations on the rights of the Holders of the Debt Securities of such series, or any Tranche thereof, to transfer or exchange such Debt Securities or to obtain the registration of transfer

 

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thereof; and if a service charge will be made for the registration of transfer or exchange of Debt Securities of such series, or any Tranche thereof, the amount or terms thereof;

 

(u)                                  any exceptions to  Section 1.13 , or variation in the definition of Business Day, with respect to the Debt Securities of such series, or any Tranche thereof;

 

(v)                                  any collateral security, assurance or guarantee for such series of Debt Securities;

 

(w)                                any credit enhancement applicable to the Debt Securities of such series; and

 

(x)                                  any other terms of the Debt Securities of such series, or any Tranche thereof, not inconsistent with the provisions of this Indenture.

 

With respect to Debt Securities of a series subject to a Periodic Offering, the indenture supplemental hereto or the Board Resolution that establishes such series, or the Officer’s Certificate pursuant to such supplemental indenture or Board Resolution, as the case may be, may provide general terms or parameters for Debt Securities of such series and provide either that the specific terms of Debt Securities of such series, or any Tranche thereof, shall be specified in a Company Order or that such terms shall be determined by the Company or its agents in accordance with procedures specified in a Company Order as contemplated by clause (b) of the third paragraph of  Section 3.03 .

 

Section 3.02                              Denominations.

 

Unless otherwise provided as contemplated by  Section 3.01  with respect to any series of Debt Securities, or any Tranche thereof, the Debt Securities of each series shall be issuable in minimum denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiple thereof.

 

Section 3.03                              Execution, Authentication, Delivery and Dating.

 

Unless otherwise provided as contemplated by  Section 3.01  with respect to any series of Debt Securities, or any Tranche thereof, the Debt Securities shall be executed on behalf of the Company by an Authorized Officer.  The signature of any such officer on the Debt Securities may be manual or facsimile.

 

Debt Securities bearing the manual or facsimile signatures of individuals who were at the time of execution Authorized 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 Debt Securities or did not hold such offices at the date of such Debt Securities.

 

The Trustee shall authenticate and deliver Debt Securities of a series, for original issue, at one time or from time to time in accordance with the Company Order referred to below, upon receipt by the Trustee of:

 

(a)                                  the instrument or instruments establishing the form or forms and terms of such series, as provided in  Sections 2.01  and  3.01 ;

 

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(b)                                  a Company Order requesting the authentication and delivery of such Debt Securities and, to the extent that the terms of such Debt Securities shall not have been established in an indenture supplemental hereto or in a Board Resolution, or in an Officer’s Certificate pursuant to a supplemental indenture or Board Resolution, all as contemplated by  Sections 2.01  and  3.01 , either (i) establishing such terms or (ii) in the case of Debt Securities of a series subject to a Periodic Offering, specifying procedures, acceptable to the Trustee, by which such terms are to be established (which procedures may provide, to the extent acceptable to the Trustee, for authentication and delivery pursuant to oral or electronic instructions from the Company or any agent or agents thereof, which oral instructions are to be promptly confirmed electronically or in writing), in either case in accordance with the instrument or instruments delivered pursuant to clause (a) above;

 

(c)                                   such Debt Securities, executed on behalf of the Company by an Authorized Officer;

 

(d)                                  an Opinion of Counsel and Officer’s Certificate to the effect that:

 

(i)                                      the form or forms of such Debt Securities have been duly authorized by the Company and have been established in conformity with the provisions of this Indenture; and

 

(ii)                                   the terms of such Debt Securities have been duly authorized by the Company and have been established in conformity with the provisions of this Indenture;

 

provided , however , that, with respect to Debt Securities of a series subject to a Periodic Offering, the Trustee shall be entitled to receive such Opinion of Counsel only once at or prior to the time of the first authentication of such Debt Securities (provided that such Opinion of Counsel addresses the authentication and delivery of all Debt Securities of such series) and that in lieu of the opinions described in clause (ii) above Counsel may opine that when the terms of such Debt Securities shall have been established pursuant to a Company Order or Orders or pursuant to such procedures (acceptable to the Trustee) as may be specified from time to time by a Company Order or Orders, all as contemplated by and in accordance with the instrument or instruments delivered pursuant to clause (a) above, such terms will have been duly authorized by the Company and will have been established in conformity with the provisions of this Indenture.

 

With respect to Debt Securities of a series subject to a Periodic Offering, the Trustee may conclusively rely, as to the authorization by the Company of any of such Debt Securities, the form and terms thereof and the legality, validity, binding effect and enforceability thereof, upon the Opinion of Counsel and other documents delivered pursuant to  Sections 2.01  and  3.01  and this Section, as applicable, at or prior to the time of the first authentication of Debt Securities of such series unless and until such opinion or other documents have been superseded or revoked or expire by their terms.  In connection with the authentication and delivery of Debt Securities of a series subject to a Periodic Offering, the Trustee shall be entitled to assume that the Company’s instructions to authenticate and deliver such Debt Securities do not violate any rules, regulations or orders of any Governmental Authority having jurisdiction over the Company.

 

If the form or terms of the Debt Securities of any series have been established by or pursuant to a Board Resolution or an Officer’s Certificate as permitted by  Sections 2.01  or  3.01 ,

 

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the Trustee shall not be required to authenticate such Debt Securities if the issuance of such Debt Securities pursuant to this Indenture will materially or adversely affect the Trustee’s own rights, duties or immunities under the Debt Securities and this Indenture or otherwise in a manner that is not reasonably acceptable to the Trustee.

 

Unless otherwise specified as contemplated by  Section 3.01  with respect to any series of Debt Securities, or any Tranche thereof, each Debt Security shall be dated the date of its authentication.

 

Unless otherwise specified as contemplated by  Section 3.01  with respect to any series of Debt Securities, or any Tranche thereof, no Debt Security shall be entitled to any benefit under this Indenture or be valid or obligatory for any purpose unless there appears on such Debt Security a certificate of authentication substantially in the form provided for herein executed by the Trustee or its agent by manual signature, and such certificate upon any Debt Security shall be conclusive evidence, and the only evidence, that such Debt Security has been duly authenticated and delivered hereunder and is entitled to the benefits of this Indenture.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, if any Debt Security shall have been authenticated and delivered hereunder to the Company, or any Person acting on its behalf, but shall never have been issued and sold by the Company, and the Company shall deliver such Debt Security to the Debt Security Registrar for cancellation as provided in  Section 3.09  together with a written statement (which need not comply with  Section 1.02  and need not be accompanied by an Opinion of Counsel) stating that such Debt Security has never been issued and sold by the Company, for all purposes of this Indenture such Debt Security shall be deemed never to have been authenticated and delivered hereunder and shall never be entitled to the benefits hereof.

 

Section 3.04                              Temporary Debt Securities.

 

Pending the preparation of definitive Debt Securities of any series, or any Tranche thereof, the Company may execute, and upon Company Order the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, temporary Debt Securities that are printed, lithographed, typewritten, mimeographed or otherwise produced, in any authorized denomination, substantially of the tenor of the definitive Debt Securities in lieu of which they are issued, with such appropriate insertions, omissions, substitutions and other variations as the officers executing such Debt Securities may determine, as evidenced by their execution of such Debt Securities; provided, however, that temporary Debt Securities need not recite specific redemption, sinking fund, conversion or exchange provisions.

 

Unless otherwise specified as contemplated by  Section 3.01  with respect to the Debt Securities of any series, or any Tranche thereof, after the preparation of definitive Debt Securities of such series or Tranche, the temporary Debt Securities of such series or Tranche shall be exchangeable, without charge to the Holder thereof, for definitive Debt Securities of such series or Tranche, upon surrender of such temporary Debt Securities at the office or agency of the Company maintained pursuant to  Section 6.02  in a Place of Payment for such Debt Securities.  Upon such surrender of temporary Debt Securities, the Company shall, except as aforesaid, execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver in exchange therefor definitive Debt Securities of the same series and Tranche, of authorized denominations and of like tenor and aggregate principal amount.

 

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Until exchanged in full as hereinabove provided, temporary Debt Securities shall in all respects be entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture as definitive Debt Securities of the same series and Tranche and of like tenor authenticated and delivered hereunder.

 

Section 3.05                              Registration, Registration of Transfer and Exchange.

 

The Company shall cause to be kept in each office designated pursuant to  Section 6.02 , with respect to the Debt Securities of each series or any Tranche thereof, a register (all registers kept in accordance with this Section being collectively referred to as the “ Debt Security Register ”) in which, subject to such reasonable regulations as it may prescribe, the Company shall provide for the registration of Debt Securities of such series or Tranche and the registration of transfer thereof.  The Company shall designate one Person to maintain the Debt Security Register for the Debt Securities of each series on a consolidated basis, and such Person is referred to herein, with respect to such series, as the “ Debt Security Registrar .” Anything herein to the contrary notwithstanding, the Company may designate one or more of its offices as an office in which the Debt Security Register shall be maintained, and the Company may designate itself the Debt Security Registrar with respect to one or more of such series.  The Debt Security Register shall be open for inspection by the Trustee and the Company at all reasonable times.

 

Except as otherwise specified as contemplated by  Section 3.01  with respect to the Debt Securities of any series, or any Tranche thereof, upon surrender for registration of transfer of any Debt Security of such series or Tranche at the office or agency of the Company maintained pursuant to  Section 6.02  in a Place of Payment for such series or Tranche, the Company shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, in the name of the designated transferee or transferees, one or more new Debt Securities of the same series and Tranche, of authorized denominations and of like tenor and aggregate principal amount.

 

Except as otherwise specified as contemplated by  Section 3.01  with respect to the Debt Securities of any series, or any Tranche thereof, any Debt Security of such series or Tranche may be exchanged at the option of the Holder for one or more new Debt Securities of the same series and Tranche, of authorized denominations and of like tenor and aggregate principal amount, upon surrender of the Debt Securities to be exchanged at any such office or agency. Whenever any Debt Securities are so surrendered for exchange, the Company shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, the Debt Securities that the Holder making the exchange is entitled to receive.

 

All Debt Securities delivered upon any registration of transfer or exchange of Debt Securities shall be valid obligations of the Company, evidencing the same debt, and entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture, as the Debt Securities surrendered upon such registration of transfer or exchange.

 

Every Debt Security presented or surrendered for registration of transfer or for exchange shall (if so required by the Company, the Trustee or the Debt Security Registrar) be duly endorsed or shall be accompanied by a written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the Company, the Trustee or the Debt Security Registrar, as the case may be, duly executed by the Holder thereof or his attorney duly authorized in writing.

 

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Unless otherwise specified as contemplated by  Section 3.01  with respect to Debt Securities of any series, or any Tranche thereof, no service charge shall be made for any registration of transfer or exchange of Debt 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 registration of transfer or exchange of Debt Securities, other than exchanges pursuant to  Section 3.04 4.06  or  12.06  not involving any transfer.

 

The Company shall not be required to execute or to provide for the registration of transfer of or the exchange of (a) Debt Securities of any series, or any Tranche thereof, during a period of 15 days immediately preceding the day the delivery of a notice of redemption of the Debt Securities of such series or Tranche is to be made or (b) any Debt Security so selected for redemption in whole or in part, except the unredeemed portion of any Debt Security being redeemed in part.

 

None of the Company, the Trustee, any Paying Agent or the Debt Security Registrar 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 for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records relating to such beneficial ownership interests.

 

Section 3.06                              Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost and Stolen Debt Securities.

 

If any mutilated Debt Security is surrendered to the Trustee, the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver in exchange therefor a new Debt Security of the same series, and of like tenor and principal amount and bearing a number not contemporaneously outstanding.

 

If there shall be delivered to the Company and the Trustee (a) evidence to their satisfaction of the ownership of and the destruction, loss or theft of any Debt Security and (b) such security or indemnity as may be reasonably 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 Debt Security is held by a Person purporting to be the owner of such Debt Security, the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, in lieu of any such destroyed, lost or stolen Debt Security, a new Debt Security of the same series and Tranche, and of like tenor and principal amount and bearing a number not contemporaneously outstanding.

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, in case any such mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Debt Security has become or is about to become due and payable, the Company in its discretion may, instead of issuing a new Debt Security, pay such Debt Security.

 

Upon the issuance of any new Debt 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 reasonable expenses (including the fees and expenses of the Trustee) connected therewith.

 

Every new Debt Security of any series issued pursuant to this Section in lieu of any destroyed, lost or stolen Debt Security shall constitute an original additional contractual obligation of the Company, whether or not the destroyed, lost or stolen Debt Security shall be at

 

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any time enforceable by anyone other than the Holder of such new Debt Security, and any such new Debt Security shall be entitled to all the benefits of this Indenture equally and proportionately with any and all other Debt Securities of such series 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 Debt Securities.

 

Section 3.07                              Payment of Interest and Additional Interest; Interest Rights Preserved.

 

Unless otherwise specified as contemplated by  Section 3.01  with respect to the Debt Securities of any series, or any Tranche thereof, interest and Additional Interest, if any, on any Debt Security that 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 Debt Security (or one or more Predecessor Debt Securities) is registered at the close of business on the Regular Record Date for such interest.

 

Any interest on any Debt Security of any series that is payable, but is not punctually paid or duly provided for, on any Interest Payment Date after any grace period therefor (herein called “ Defaulted Interest ”) shall forthwith cease to be payable to the Holder on the related 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 (a) or (b) below:

 

(a)                                  The Company may elect to make payment of any Defaulted Interest to the Persons in whose names the Debt Securities of such series (or their respective Predecessor Debt Securities) are registered at the close of business on a date (herein called 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 Debt Security of such series 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 promptly cause notice of the proposed payment of such Defaulted Interest and the Special Record Date therefor to be delivered to each Holder of Debt Securities of such series at the address of such Holder as it appears in the Debt 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 delivered, such Defaulted Interest shall be paid to the Persons in whose names the Debt Securities of such series (or their respective Predecessor Debt Securities) are registered at the close of business on such Special Record Date.

 

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(b)                                  The Company may make payment of any Defaulted Interest on the Debt Securities of any series in any other lawful manner not inconsistent with the requirements of any securities exchange on which such Debt Securities may be listed, and upon such notice as may be required by such exchange, 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 and  Section 3.05 , each Debt Security delivered under this Indenture upon registration of transfer of or in exchange for or in lieu of any other Debt Security shall carry the rights to interest (including any Additional Interest) accrued and unpaid, and to accrue, that were carried by such other Debt Security.

 

Section 3.08                              Persons Deemed Owners.

 

Prior to due presentment of a Debt 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 such Debt Security is registered as the absolute owner of such Debt Security for the purpose of receiving payment of principal of and premium, if any, and (subject to  Sections 3.05  and  3.07 ) interest, if any, on such Debt Security and for all other purposes whatsoever, whether or not such Debt Security is 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 3.09                              Cancellation by Debt Security Registrar.

 

All Debt Securities surrendered for payment, redemption, registration of transfer or exchange shall, if surrendered to any Person other than the Debt Security Registrar, be delivered to the Debt Security Registrar and, if not theretofore canceled, shall be promptly canceled by the Debt Security Registrar.  The Company may at any time deliver to the Debt Security Registrar for cancellation any Debt Securities previously authenticated and delivered hereunder which the Company may have acquired in any manner whatsoever or which the Company shall not have issued and sold, and all Debt Securities so delivered shall be promptly canceled by the Debt Security Registrar.  No Debt Securities shall be authenticated in lieu of or in exchange for any Debt Securities canceled as provided in this Section, except as expressly permitted by this Indenture.  All certificates representing canceled Debt Securities held by the Debt Security Registrar shall be disposed of in accordance with the customary practices of the Debt Security Registrar at the time in effect, and the Debt Security Registrar shall not be required to destroy any such certificates.

 

Section 3.10                              Computation of Interest.

 

Except as otherwise specified as contemplated by  Section 3.01  for Debt Securities of any series, or any Tranche thereof, interest on the Debt Securities of each series shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months.

 

Section 3.11                              Payment to be in Proper Currency.

 

In the case of the Debt Securities of any series, or any Tranche thereof, denominated in any currency other than Dollars or in a composite currency (the “ Required Currency ”), except

 

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as otherwise specified with respect to such Debt Securities as contemplated by  Section 3.01 , the obligation of the Company to make any payment of the principal thereof, or the premium or interest thereon, shall not be discharged or satisfied by any tender by the Company, or recovery by the Trustee, in any currency other than the Required Currency, except to the extent that such tender or recovery shall result in the Trustee timely holding the full amount of the Required Currency then due and payable.  If any such tender or recovery is in a currency other than the Required Currency, the Trustee may take such actions as it considers appropriate to exchange such currency for the Required Currency.  The costs and risks of any such exchange, including without limitation the risks of delay and exchange rate fluctuation, shall be borne by the Company, the Company shall remain fully liable for any shortfall or delinquency in the full amount of Required Currency then due and payable, and in no circumstances shall the Trustee be liable therefor except in the case of its negligence or willful misconduct.

 

ARTICLE IV
REDEMPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES

 

Section 4.01                              Applicability of Article.

 

Debt Securities of any series, or any Tranche thereof, that are redeemable before their Stated Maturity shall be redeemable in accordance with their terms and (except as otherwise specified as contemplated by  Section 3.01  for Debt Securities of such series or Tranche) in accordance with this Article.

 

Section 4.02                              Election to Redeem; Notice to Trustee.

 

The election of the Company to redeem any Debt Securities shall be evidenced by a Board Resolution and/or an Officer’s Certificate.  The Company shall, at least 45 days prior to the Redemption Date fixed by the Company (unless a shorter notice shall be satisfactory to the Trustee), notify the Trustee in writing of such Redemption Date and of the principal amount of such Debt Securities to be redeemed.  In the case of any redemption of Debt Securities (a) prior to the expiration of any restriction on such redemption provided in the terms of such Debt Securities or elsewhere in this Indenture or (b) pursuant to an election of the Company that is subject to a condition specified in the terms of such Debt Securities, the Company shall furnish the Trustee with an Officer’s Certificate evidencing compliance with such restriction or condition.

 

Section 4.03                              Selection of Debt Securities to be Redeemed.

 

If less than all the Debt Securities of any series, or any Tranche thereof, are to be redeemed, the particular Debt Securities to be redeemed shall be selected by the Trustee from the Outstanding Debt Securities of such series or Tranche not previously called for redemption, by such method as shall be provided for any particular series, or, in the absence of any such provision, by lot or pro rata as the Trustee shall deem fair and appropriate in accordance with DTC customary procedures as applicable.

 

The Trustee shall promptly notify the Company and the Debt Security Registrar in writing of the Debt Securities selected for redemption and, in the case of any Debt Securities selected to be redeemed in part, the principal amount thereof to be redeemed.

 

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For all purposes of this Indenture, unless the context otherwise requires, all provisions relating to the redemption of Debt Securities shall relate, in the case of any Debt Securities redeemed or to be redeemed only in part, to the portion of the principal amount of such Debt Securities that has been or is to be redeemed.

 

Section 4.04                              Notice of Redemption.

 

Notice of redemption shall be given in the manner provided in  Section 1.06  to the Holders of the Debt Securities to be redeemed not less than 30 nor more than 60 days prior to the Redemption Date.

 

All notices of redemption shall state:

 

(a)                                  the Redemption Date,

 

(b)                                  the Redemption Price,

 

(c)                                   if less than all the Debt Securities of any series or Tranche are to be redeemed, the identification of the particular Debt Securities to be redeemed and the portion of the principal amount of any Debt Security to be redeemed in part,

 

(d)                                  that, subject to satisfaction of any conditions to the redemption, on the Redemption Date, the Redemption Price, together with accrued interest (including Additional Interest), if any, to the Redemption Date, will become due and payable upon each such Debt Security to be redeemed and, if applicable and provided that the Redemption Price is received by the Paying Agent or Agents on or prior to the Redemption Date, that interest (including any Additional Interest) thereon will cease to accrue on and after said date,

 

(e)                                   the place or places where such Debt Securities are to be surrendered for payment of the Redemption Price and accrued interest, if any, unless it shall have been specified as contemplated by  Section 3.01  with respect to such Debt Securities that such surrender shall not be required,

 

(f)                                    that the redemption is for a sinking or other fund, if such is the case,

 

(g)                                   any conditions precedent to the redemption, and

 

(h)                                  such other matters as the Company shall deem desirable or appropriate (including CUSIP numbers with respect to such Debt Securities, if the Company shall so elect, in which event such notice of redemption may contain a disclaimer as to the correctness of such numbers either as printed on the Debt Securities or on such notice of redemption).

 

Unless otherwise specified with respect to any Debt Securities in accordance with  Section 3.01 , with respect to any notice of redemption of Debt Securities at the election of the Company, unless, upon the giving of such notice, such Debt Securities shall be deemed to have been paid in accordance with  Section 7.01 , such notice may state that such redemption shall be conditional upon the receipt by the Paying Agent or Agents for such Debt Securities, on or prior to the date fixed for such redemption, of money sufficient to pay the principal of and

 

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premium, if any, and interest (including Additional Interest), if any, on such Debt Securities and that if such money shall not have been so received such notice shall be of no force or effect and the Company shall not be required to redeem such Debt Securities.  In the event that such notice of redemption contains such a condition and such money is not so received, the redemption shall not be made and within a reasonable time thereafter notice shall be given, in the manner in which the notice of redemption was given, that such money was not so received and such redemption was not required to be made, and the Paying Agent or Agents for the Debt Securities otherwise to have been redeemed shall promptly return to the Holders thereof any of such Debt Securities that had been surrendered for payment upon such redemption.

 

Notice of redemption of Debt Securities to be redeemed at the election of the Company, and any notice of non-satisfaction of a condition for redemption as aforesaid, shall be given by the Company or, at the Company’s request, by the Debt Security Registrar in the name and at the expense of the Company.  Notice of mandatory redemption of Debt Securities shall be given by the Debt Security Registrar in the name and at the expense of the Company.

 

Section 4.05                              Debt Securities Payable on Redemption Date.

 

Notice of redemption having been given as aforesaid, and the conditions, if any, set forth in such notice having been satisfied, the Debt Securities or portions thereof so to be redeemed shall, on the Redemption Date, become due and payable at the Redemption Price therein specified, and from and after such date (unless, in the case of an unconditional notice of redemption, the Company shall default in the payment of the Redemption Price and accrued interest (including Additional Interest), if any) such Debt Securities or portions thereof, if interest-bearing, shall cease to bear interest.  Upon surrender of any such Debt Security for redemption in accordance with such notice, such Debt Security or portion thereof shall be paid by the Company at the Redemption Price, together with accrued interest (including Additional Interest), if any, to the Redemption Date; provided, however, that no such surrender shall be a condition to such payment if so specified as contemplated by  Section 3.01  with respect to such Debt Security; and provided, further, that except as otherwise specified as contemplated by  Section 3.01  with respect to such Debt Security, any installment of interest on any Debt Security the Stated Maturity of which installment is on or prior to the Redemption Date shall be payable to the Holder of such Debt Security, or one or more Predecessor Debt Securities, registered as such at the close of business on the related Regular Record Date according to the terms of such Debt Security and subject to the provisions of  Section 3.07 .

 

Section 4.06                              Debt Securities Redeemed in Part.

 

Upon the surrender of any Debt Security that is to be redeemed only in part 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), the Company shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver to the Holder of such Debt Security, without service charge, a new Debt Security or Debt Securities of the same series and Tranche, of any authorized denomination requested by such Holder and of like tenor and in aggregate principal amount equal to and in exchange for the unredeemed portion of the principal of the Debt Security so surrendered.

 

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ARTICLE V
SINKING FUNDS

 

Section 5.01                              Applicability of Article.

 

The provisions of this Article shall be applicable to any sinking fund for the retirement of the Debt Securities of any series, or any Tranche thereof, except as otherwise specified as contemplated by  Section 3.01  for Debt Securities of such series or Tranche.

 

The minimum amount of any sinking fund payment provided for by the terms of Debt Securities of any series, or any Tranche thereof, is herein referred to as a “mandatory sinking fund payment,” and any payment in excess of such minimum amount provided for by the terms of Debt Securities of any series, or any Tranche thereof, is herein referred to as an “optional sinking fund payment.” If provided for by the terms of Debt Securities of any series, or any Tranche thereof, the cash amount of any sinking fund payment may be subject to reduction as provided in Section 5.02 .  Each sinking fund payment shall be applied to the redemption of Debt Securities of the series or Tranche in respect of which it was made as provided for by the terms of such Debt Securities.

 

Section 5.02                              Satisfaction of Sinking Fund Payments with Debt Securities.

 

The Company (a) may deliver to the Trustee Outstanding Debt Securities (other than any previously called for redemption) of a series or Tranche in respect of which a mandatory sinking fund payment is to be made and (b) may apply as a credit Debt Securities of such series or Tranche that have been purchased by the Company or redeemed either at the election of the Company pursuant to the terms of such Debt Securities or through the application of permitted optional sinking fund payments pursuant to the terms of such Debt Securities, in each case in satisfaction of all or any part of such mandatory sinking fund payment; provided, however, that no Debt Securities shall be applied in satisfaction of a mandatory sinking fund payment if such Debt Securities shall have been previously so applied.  Debt Securities so applied shall be received and credited for such purpose by the Trustee at the Redemption Price specified in such Debt Securities for redemption through operation of the sinking fund and the amount of such mandatory sinking fund payment shall be reduced accordingly.

 

Section 5.03                              Redemption of Debt Securities for Sinking Fund.

 

Not less than 45 days prior to each sinking fund payment date for the Debt Securities of any series, or any Tranche thereof, the Company shall deliver to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate specifying:

 

(a)                                  the amount of the next succeeding mandatory sinking fund payment for such series or Tranche;

 

(b)                                  the amount, if any, of the optional sinking fund payment to be made together with such mandatory sinking fund payment;

 

(c)                                   the aggregate sinking fund payment;

 

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(d)                                  the portion, if any, of such aggregate sinking fund payment that is to be satisfied by the payment of cash; and

 

(e)                                   the portion, if any, of such aggregate sinking fund payment that is to be satisfied by delivering and crediting Debt Securities of such series or Tranche pursuant to  Section 5.02  and stating the basis for such credit and that such Debt Securities have not previously been so credited, and, if it has not already done so, the Company shall also deliver to the Trustee any Debt Securities to be so delivered.

 

If the Company shall not have delivered such Officer’s Certificate and, to the extent applicable, all such Debt Securities, on or prior to the 45th day prior to such sinking fund payment date, the sinking fund payment for such series or Tranche in respect of such sinking fund payment date shall be made entirely in cash in the amount of the mandatory sinking fund payment.  Not less than 30 days before each such sinking fund payment date, the Trustee shall select the Debt Securities to be redeemed upon such sinking fund payment date in the manner specified in Section 4.03  and the Debt Security Registrar shall cause notice of the redemption thereof to be given in the name of and at the expense of the Company in the manner provided in Section 4.04 .  Such notice having been duly given, the redemption of such Debt Securities shall be made upon the terms and in the manner stated in  Sections 4.05  and  4.06 .

 

ARTICLE VI
COVENANTS

 

Section 6.01                              Payment of Principal, Premium and Interest.

 

The Company shall pay the principal of and premium, if any, and interest, if any, on the Debt Securities of each series in accordance with the terms of such Debt Securities and this Indenture.

 

Section 6.02                              Maintenance of Office or Agency.

 

The Company shall maintain in each Place of Payment for the Debt Securities of each series, or any Tranche thereof, an office or agency where payment of such Debt Securities shall be made, where the registration of transfer or exchange of such Debt Securities may be effected and where notices and demands to or upon the Company in respect of such Debt Securities and this Indenture may be served.  The Company shall give prompt written notice to the Trustee of the location, and any change in the location, of each such office or agency and prompt notice to the Holders of any such change in the manner specified in  Section 1.06 .  If at any time the Company shall fail to maintain any such required office or agency in respect of Debt Securities of any series, or any Tranche thereof, or shall fail to furnish the Trustee with the address thereof, payment of such Debt Securities shall be made, registration of transfer or exchange thereof may be effected and notices and demands in respect thereof may be served at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee (excluding service of process), and the Company hereby appoints the Trustee as its agent for all such purposes in any such event.

 

The Company may also from time to time designate one or more other offices or agencies with respect to the Debt Securities of one or more series, or any Tranche thereof, for any or all of the foregoing purposes and may from time to time rescind such designations; provided, however,

 

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that, unless otherwise specified as contemplated by  Section 3.01  with respect to the Debt Securities of such series or Tranche no such designation or rescission shall in any manner relieve the Company of its obligation to maintain an office or agency for such purposes in each Place of Payment for such Debt Securities in accordance with the requirements set forth above.  The Company shall give prompt written notice to the Trustee, and prompt notice to the Holders in the manner specified in  Section 1.06 , of any such designation or rescission and of any change in the location of any such other office or agency.

 

Anything herein to the contrary notwithstanding, any office or agency required by this Section may be maintained at an office of the Company, in which event the Company shall perform all functions to be performed at such office or agency.

 

Section 6.03                              Money for Debt Securities Payments to be Held in Trust.

 

If the Company shall at any time act as its own Paying Agent with respect to the Debt Securities of any series, or any Tranche thereof, it shall, on or before each due date of the principal of and premium, if any, and interest (including Additional Interest), if any, on any of such Debt Securities, segregate and hold in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled thereto a sum sufficient to pay the principal and premium or interest (including Additional Interest) so becoming due until such sums shall be paid to such Persons or otherwise disposed of as herein provided.  The Company shall promptly notify the Trustee of any failure by the Company (or any other obligor on such Debt Securities) to make any payment of principal of or premium, if any, or interest (including Additional Interest), if any, on such Debt Securities.

 

Whenever the Company shall have one or more Paying Agents for the Debt Securities of any series, or any Tranche thereof, it shall, on or before each due date of the principal of and premium, if any, and interest (including Additional Interest), if any, on such Debt Securities, deposit with such Paying Agents sums sufficient (without duplication) to pay the principal and premium or interest (including Additional Interest) so becoming due, such sum to be held in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled to such principal, premium or interest (including Additional Interest), and (unless such Paying Agent is the Trustee) the Company shall promptly notify the Trustee of any failure by it so to act.

 

The Company shall cause each Paying Agent for the Debt Securities of any series, or any Tranche thereof, other than the Company or 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 shall:

 

(a)                                  hold all sums held by it for the payment of the principal of and premium, if any, or interest (including Additional Interest), if any, on such Debt 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;

 

(b)                                  give the Trustee notice of any failure by the Company (or any other obligor upon such Debt Securities) to make any payment of principal of or premium, if any, or interest (including Additional Interest), if any, on such Debt Securities; and

 

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(c)                                   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 furnish to the Trustee such information as it possesses regarding the names and addresses of the Persons entitled to such sums.

 

The Company may at any time 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, if so stated in a Company Order delivered to the Trustee, in accordance with the provisions of  Article VII ; and, upon such payment by 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 (including Additional Interest), if any, on any Debt Security and remaining unclaimed for two years after such principal and premium, if any, or interest (including Additional Interest) has become due and payable shall be paid to the Company on Company Request, or, if then held by the Company, shall be discharged from such trust; and, upon such payment or discharge, the Holder of such Debt Security shall, as an unsecured general creditor and not as a Holder of an Outstanding Debt Security, look only to the Company for payment of the amount so due and payable and remaining unpaid, 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 payment to the Company, may at the expense of the Company cause to be delivered, on one occasion only, notice to such Holder 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 delivery, any unclaimed balance of such money then remaining will be paid to the Company.

 

Section 6.04                              Corporate Existence.

 

Subject to the rights of the Company under  Article XI or similar provisions in the terms of any series of Debt Securities, the Company shall do or cause to be done all things necessary to preserve and keep in full force and effect its corporate existence.

 

Section 6.05                              Annual Officer’s Certificate as to Compliance.

 

Not later than May 30 in each year, commencing May 30, 2018, the Company shall deliver to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate, which need not comply with Section 1.02 , executed by the principal executive officer, the principal financial officer or the principal accounting officer of the Company, stating whether, to such officer’s knowledge, the Company is in compliance with all conditions and covenants under this Indenture, such compliance to be determined without regard to any period of grace or requirement of notice under this Indenture, and making any other statements as may be required by the provisions of Section 314(a)(4) of the Trust Indenture Act.

 

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Section 6.06                              Waiver of Certain Covenants.

 

The Company may omit in any particular instance to comply with any term, provision or condition set forth in (a)  Section 6.02  or any additional covenant or restriction specified with respect to the Debt Securities of any series, or any Tranche thereof, as contemplated by  Section 3.01  if before the time for such compliance the Holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Debt Securities of all series and Tranches with respect to which compliance with  Section 6.02  or such additional covenant or restriction is to be omitted, considered as one class, shall, by Act of such Holders, either waive such compliance in such instance or generally waive compliance with such term, provision or condition and (b)  Sections 6.04  and  6.05  or Article XI  if before the time for such compliance the Holders of at least a majority in principal amount of Debt Securities Outstanding under this Indenture shall, by Act of such Holders, either waive such compliance in such instance or generally waive compliance with such term, provision or condition; but, in the case of (a) or (b), 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 VII
DEFEASANCE; SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE

 

Section 7.01                              Defeasance and Discharge.

 

Any Debt Security or Debt Securities, or any portion of the principal amount thereof, shall be deemed to have been paid for all purposes of this Indenture, and the entire indebtedness of the Company in respect thereof shall be deemed to have been satisfied and discharged, if there shall have been irrevocably deposited with the Trustee or any Paying Agent (other than the Company), in trust:

 

(a)                                  money in an amount that shall be sufficient, or

 

(b)                                  in the case of a deposit made prior to the Maturity of such Debt Securities or portions thereof, Eligible Obligations, which shall not contain provisions permitting the redemption or other prepayment thereof at the option of the issuer thereof, the principal of and the interest on that when due, without any regard to reinvestment thereof, will provide moneys which, together with the money, if any, deposited with or held by the Trustee or such Paying Agent, shall be sufficient, or

 

(c)                                   a combination of (a) or (b) that shall be sufficient,

 

to pay when due the principal of and premium, if any, and interest (including Additional Interest), if any, due and to become due on such Debt Securities or portions thereof on or prior to Maturity; provided, however, that in the case of the provision for payment or redemption of less than all the Debt Securities of any series or Tranche, such Debt Securities or portions thereof shall have been selected by the Trustee as provided herein and, in the case of a redemption, the notice requisite to the validity of such redemption shall have been given or irrevocable authority shall have been given by the Company to the Trustee to give such notice, under arrangements

 

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satisfactory to the Trustee; and provided, further, that the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee and such Paying Agent:

 

(x)                                  if such deposit shall have been made prior to the Maturity of such Debt Securities, a Company Order stating that the money and Eligible Obligations deposited in accordance with this Section shall be held in trust, as provided in  Section 7.03 ;

 

(y)                                  if Eligible Obligations shall have been deposited, an Officer’s Certificate that the obligations so deposited constitute Eligible Obligations and do not contain provisions permitting the redemption or other prepayment at the option of the issuer thereof, and an opinion of an independent public accountant of nationally recognized standing, selected by the Company, to the effect that the requirements set forth in clause (b) above have been satisfied; and

 

(z)                                   if such deposit shall have been made prior to the Maturity of such Debt Securities, an Officer’s Certificate stating the Company’s intention that, upon delivery of such Officer’s Certificate, its indebtedness in respect of such Debt Securities or portions thereof will have been satisfied and discharged as contemplated in this Section.

 

If the Company shall make any deposit of money and/or Eligible Obligations with respect to any Debt Securities, or any portion of the principal amount thereof, as contemplated by this Section, the Company shall not deliver an Officer’s Certificate described in clause (z) above unless the Company shall also deliver to the Trustee, together with such Officer’s Certificate, an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that, as a result of a change in law occurring after the date of this Indenture, the Holders of such Debt Securities, or portions thereof, will not recognize income, gain or loss for United States federal income tax purposes as a result of the satisfaction and discharge of the Company’s indebtedness in respect thereof and will be subject to United States federal income tax on the same amounts, at the same times and in the same manner as if such satisfaction and discharge had not been effected.

 

Upon the deposit of money or Eligible Obligations, or both, in accordance with this Section, together with the documents required by clauses (x), (y) and (z) above and an Officer’s Certificate and Opinion of Counsel to the effect that the above conditions are satisfied, the Trustee shall, upon receipt of a Company Request, acknowledge in writing that the Debt Security or Debt Securities or portions thereof with respect to which such deposit was made are deemed to have been paid for all purposes of this Indenture and that the entire indebtedness of the Company in respect thereof has been satisfied and discharged as contemplated in this Section.  In the event that all of the conditions set forth in the first paragraph of this Section shall have been satisfied in respect of any Debt Securities or portions thereof except that, for any reason, the Officer’s Certificate specified in clause (z) shall not have been delivered, such Debt Securities or portions thereof shall nevertheless be deemed to have been paid for all purposes of this Indenture, and the Holders of such Debt Securities or portions thereof shall nevertheless be no longer entitled to the benefits of this Indenture or of any of the covenants of the Company under  Article VI  (except the covenants contained in  Sections 6.02  and  6.03 ) or any other covenants made in respect of such Debt Securities or portions thereof as contemplated by  Section 3.01 , but the indebtedness of the Company in respect of such Debt Securities or portions thereof shall not be deemed to have been satisfied and discharged prior to Maturity for any other purpose, and the Holders of such Debt Securities or portions thereof shall continue to

 

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be entitled to look to the Company for payment of the indebtedness represented thereby; and, upon receipt of a Company Request, the Trustee shall acknowledge in writing that such Debt Securities or portions thereof are deemed to have been paid for all purposes of this Indenture.

 

If payment at Stated Maturity of less than all of the Debt Securities of any series, or any Tranche thereof, is to be provided for in the manner and with the effect provided in this Section, the Trustee shall select such Debt Securities, or portions of principal amount thereof, in the manner specified by  Section 4.03  for selection for redemption of less than all the Debt Securities of a series or Tranche.

 

In the event that Debt Securities that shall be deemed to have been paid for purposes of this Indenture, and, if such is the case, in respect of which the Company’s indebtedness shall have been satisfied and discharged, all as provided in this Section, do not mature and are not to be redeemed within the 60-day period commencing with the date of the deposit of moneys or Eligible Obligations, as aforesaid, the Company shall, as promptly as practicable, give a notice, in the same manner as a notice of redemption with respect to such Debt Securities, to the Holders of such Debt Securities to the effect that such deposit has been made and the effect thereof.

 

Notwithstanding that any Debt Securities shall be deemed to have been paid for purposes of this Indenture, as aforesaid, the obligations of the Company and the Trustee in respect of such Debt Securities under  Sections 3.04 3.05 3.06 4.04 5.03  (as to notice of redemption),  6.02 6.03 9.07 9.14  and  9.15  and this Article shall survive.

 

The Company shall pay, and shall indemnify the Trustee or any Paying Agent with which Eligible Obligations shall have been deposited as provided in this Section against any tax, fee or other charge imposed on or assessed against such Eligible Obligations or the principal or interest received in respect of such Eligible Obligations, including, but not limited to, any such tax payable by any entity deemed, for tax purposes, to have been created as a result of such deposit.

 

Anything herein to the contrary notwithstanding, (a) if, at any time after a Debt Security would be deemed to have been paid for purposes of this Indenture, and, if such is the case, the Company’s indebtedness in respect thereof would be deemed to have been satisfied or discharged, pursuant to this Section (without regard to the provisions of this paragraph), the Trustee or any Paying Agent, as the case may be, shall be required to return the money or Eligible Obligations, or combination thereof, deposited with it as aforesaid to the Company or its representative under any applicable federal or state bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar law, such Debt Security shall thereupon be deemed retroactively not to have been paid and any satisfaction and discharge of the Company’s indebtedness in respect thereof shall retroactively be deemed not to have been effected, and such Debt Security shall be deemed to remain Outstanding and (b) any satisfaction and discharge of the Company’s indebtedness in respect of any Debt Security shall be subject to the provisions of the last paragraph of  Section 6.03 .

 

Section 7.02                              Satisfaction and Discharge of Indenture.

 

This Indenture shall upon Company Request cease to be of further effect (except as hereinafter expressly provided), and the Trustee, at the expense of the Company, shall execute proper instruments acknowledging satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture, when

 

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(a)                                  no Debt Securities remain Outstanding hereunder; and

 

(b)                                  the Company has paid or caused to be paid all other sums payable hereunder by the Company; and

 

(c)                                   the Company has delivered an Officer’s Certificate and Opinion of Counsel to the Trustee to the effect that the conditions of this Section 7.02 have been satisfied;

 

provided , however , that if, in accordance with the last paragraph of  Section 7.01 , any Debt Security, previously deemed to have been paid for purposes of this Indenture, shall be deemed retroactively not to have been so paid, this Indenture shall thereupon be deemed retroactively not to have been satisfied and discharged, as aforesaid, and to remain in full force and effect, and the Company shall execute and deliver such instruments as the Trustee shall reasonably request to evidence and acknowledge the same.

 

Notwithstanding the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture as aforesaid, the obligations of the Company and the Trustee under  Sections 3.04 3.05 3.06 4.04 5.03  (as to notice of redemption),  6.02 6.03 9.07 9.14  and  9.15  and this Article shall survive.

 

Upon satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture as provided in this Section, the Trustee shall assign, transfer and turn over to the Company, subject to the lien provided by Section 9.07 , any and all money, securities and other property then held by the Trustee for the benefit of the Holders of the Debt Securities other than money and Eligible Obligations held by the Trustee pursuant to  Section 7.03 .

 

Section 7.03                              Application of Trust Money.

 

Neither the Eligible Obligations nor the money deposited pursuant to  Section 7.01 , nor the principal or interest payments on any such Eligible Obligations, shall be withdrawn or used for any purpose other than, and shall be held in trust for, the payment of the principal of, and premium, if any, and interest (including Additional Interest), if any, on, the Debt Securities or portions of principal amount thereof in respect of which such deposit was made, all subject, however, to the provisions of  Section 6.03 ; provided, however, that, so long as there shall not have occurred and be continuing an Event of Default, or an event that, with the giving of notice or the passage of time, would become an Event of Default, any cash received from such principal or interest payments on such Eligible Obligations, if not then needed for such purpose, shall, to the extent practicable, be invested in Eligible Obligations of the type described in  Section 7.01(b)  maturing at such times and in such amounts as shall be sufficient to pay when due the principal of and premium, if any, and interest (including Additional Interest), if any, due and to become due on such Debt Securities or portions thereof on and prior to the Maturity thereof, and interest earned from such reinvestment shall be paid over to the Company as received, free and clear of any trust, lien or pledge under this Indenture except the lien provided by  Section 9.07 ; and provided, further, that, so long as there shall not have occurred and be continuing an Event of Default, or an event that, with the giving of notice or the passage of time, would become an Event of Default, any moneys held in accordance with this Section on the Maturity of all such Debt Securities in excess of the amount required to pay the principal of and premium, if any, and interest (including Additional Interest), if any, then due on such Debt Securities shall be paid

 

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over to the Company free and clear of any trust, lien or pledge under this Indenture except the lien provided by  Section 9.07 ; and provided, further, that if an Event of Default, or an event that, with the giving of notice or the passage of time, would become an Event of Default, shall have occurred and be continuing, moneys to be paid over to the Company pursuant to this Section shall be held until such Event of Default, or event that, with the giving of notice or the passage of time, would become an Event of Default, shall have been waived or cured.

 

ARTICLE VIII
EVENTS OF DEFAULT; REMEDIES

 

Section 8.01                              Events of Default.

 

Event of Default ,” wherever used herein with respect to Debt Securities of any series, means any one of the following events:

 

(a)                                  failure to pay interest (including Additional Interest), if any, on any Debt Security of such series within 30 days after the same becomes due and payable; or

 

(b)                                  failure to pay the principal of or premium, if any, on any Debt Security of such series when due and payable under this Indenture; or

 

(c)                                   failure to make any sinking fund payment with respect to such series when due; or

 

(d)                                  failure to perform 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 breach of which is elsewhere in this Section specifically dealt with or which has expressly been included in this Indenture solely for the benefit of one or more series of Debt Securities other than such series) for a period of 60 days after there has been delivered to the Company by the Trustee, or to the Company and the Trustee by the Holders of at least 33% in principal amount of the Outstanding Debt Securities of such 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, unless the Trustee, or the Trustee and the Holders of a principal amount of Debt Securities of such series not less than the principal amount of Debt Securities the Holders of which gave such notice, as the case may be, shall agree in writing to an extension of such period prior to its expiration; provided, however, that the Trustee, or the Trustee and the Holders of such principal amount of Debt Securities of such series, as the case may be, shall be deemed to have agreed to an extension of such period for a maximum of one hundred twenty (120) days if corrective action is initiated by the Company within such period and is being diligently pursued; or

 

(e)                                   the entry by a court having jurisdiction in the premises of (1) a decree or order for relief in respect of the Company in an involuntary case or proceeding under any applicable federal or state bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or other similar law or (2) a decree or order adjudging the Company a bankrupt or insolvent, or approving as properly filed a petition by one or more Persons other than the Company seeking reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition of or in respect of the Company under any applicable federal or state law, or appointing a custodian, receiver, liquidator, assignee, trustee, sequestrator or other similar official for the Company or for any substantial part of its property, or ordering the winding up or

 

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liquidation of its affairs, and any such decree or order for relief or any such other decree or order shall have remained unstayed and in effect for a period of 90 consecutive days; or

 

(f)                                    the commencement by the Company of a voluntary case or proceeding under any applicable federal or state bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or other similar law or of any other case or proceeding to be adjudicated a bankrupt or insolvent, or the consent by it to the entry of a decree or order for relief in respect of the Company in a case or proceeding under any applicable federal or state bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or other similar law or to the commencement of any bankruptcy or insolvency case or proceeding against it, or the filing by it of a petition or answer or consent seeking reorganization or relief under any applicable federal or state law, or the consent by it to the filing of such petition or to the appointment of or taking possession by a custodian, receiver, liquidator, assignee, trustee, sequestrator or 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, or the authorization of such action by the Board of Trustees; or

 

(g)                                   any other Event of Default specified with respect to Debt Securities of such series.

 

Section 8.02                              Acceleration of Maturity; Rescission and Annulment.

 

If an Event of Default due to the default in payment of principal of, or premium, if any, or interest (including Additional Interest) on, any series of Debt Securities or due to the default in the performance or breach of any other covenant or warranty of the Company applicable to the Debt Securities of such series but not applicable to all Outstanding Debt Securities shall have occurred and be continuing, either the Trustee or the Holders of not less than 33% in principal amount of the Debt Securities of such series may then declare the principal amount (or, if any of the Debt Securities of such series are Discount Debt Securities, such portion of the principal amount as may be specified in the terms thereof as contemplated by  Section 3.01 ) of all Debt Securities of such series and premium, if any, and interest (including Additional Interest) accrued thereon to be due and payable immediately, by a notice in writing to the Company (and to the Trustee if given by the Holders).  If an Event of Default due to default in the performance of any other of the covenants or warranties herein applicable to all Outstanding Debt Securities or an Event of Default specified in  Sections 8.01(e)  or  (f)  shall have occurred and be continuing, either the Trustee or the Holders of not less than 33% in principal amount of all Debt Securities then Outstanding (considered as one class), and not the Holders of the Debt Securities of any one of such series, may declare the principal amount (or, if any of the Debt Securities are Discount Debt Securities, such portion of the principal amount of such Debt Securities as may be specified in the terms thereof as contemplated by  Section 3.01 ) of all Debt Securities and premium, if any, and interest accrued thereon to be due and payable immediately, by a notice in writing to the Company (and to the Trustee if given by the Holders).  As a consequence of each such declaration (herein referred to as a declaration of acceleration) with respect to Debt Securities of any series, the principal amount (or portion thereof in the case of Discount Debt Securities) of such Debt Securities, premium, if any, and interest (including Additional Interest) accrued thereon shall become due and payable immediately.

 

With respect to a series of Debt Securities to which a credit enhancement is applicable, the applicable supplemental indenture may provide that the provider of such credit enhancement

 

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may, if default has occurred and is continuing with respect to such series, and subject to certain conditions, have all the rights with respect to remedies that would otherwise have been exercisable by the Holders of Debt Securities of that series.

 

At any time after such a declaration of acceleration with respect to Debt Securities of any series shall have been made and before a judgment or decree for payment of the money due shall have been obtained by the Trustee as hereinafter in this Article provided, the Event or Events of Default giving rise to such declaration of acceleration shall, without further act, be deemed to have been waived, and such declaration and its consequences shall, without further act, be deemed to have been rescinded and annulled, if

 

(a)                                  the Company shall have paid or deposited with the Trustee a sum sufficient to pay

 

(1)                                  all overdue interest on all Debt Securities of such series;

 

(2)                                  the principal of and premium, if any, on any Debt Securities of such series that have become due otherwise than by such declaration of acceleration and interest (including Additional Interest) thereon at the rate or rates prescribed therefor in such Debt Securities;

 

(3)                                  to the extent that payment of such interest is lawful, interest upon overdue interest at the rate or rates prescribed therefor in such Debt Securities;

 

(4)                                  all amounts due to the Trustee under  Section 9.07 ; and

 

(b)                                  any other Event or Events of Default with respect to Debt Securities of such series, other than the non-payment of the principal of Debt Securities of such series that shall have become due solely by reason of such declaration of acceleration, shall have been cured or waived as provided in  Section 8.13 .

 

No such rescission shall affect any subsequent Event of Default or impair any right consequent thereon.

 

Section 8.03                              Collection of Indebtedness and Suits for Enforcement by Trustee.

 

If an Event of Default described in clause (a), (b) or (c) of  Section 8.01  shall have occurred and be continuing, the Company shall, upon demand of the Trustee, pay to it, for the benefit of the Holders of the Debt Securities of the series with respect to which such Event of Default shall have occurred, the whole amount then due and payable on such Debt Securities for principal and premium, if any, and interest, if any, and, to the extent permitted by law, (i) interest on premium, if any, (ii) interest on any overdue principal and (iii) Additional Interest, at the rate or rates prescribed therefor in such Debt Securities, and, in addition thereto, such further amount as shall be sufficient to cover any amounts due to the Trustee under  Section 9.07 .

 

If the Company shall fail 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 such Debt Securities and collect the moneys adjudged or decreed to be payable in the manner provided by

 

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law out of the property of the Company or any other obligor upon such Debt Securities, wherever situated.

 

If an Event of Default with respect to Debt Securities of any series shall have occurred and be continuing, the Trustee may in its discretion proceed to protect and enforce its rights and the rights of the Holders of Debt Securities of such series under the Indenture 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 8.04                              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 Debt Securities or the property of the Company or of such other obligor or their creditors, the Trustee (irrespective of whether the principal of the Debt Securities 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 or interest (including Additional Interest)) shall be entitled and empowered, by intervention in such proceeding or otherwise,

 

(a)                                  to file and prove a claim for the whole amount of principal, premium, if any, and interest (including Additional Interest), if any, owing and unpaid in respect of the Debt Securities and to file such other papers or documents as may be necessary or advisable in order to have the claims of the Trustee (including any claim for amounts due to the Trustee hereunder) and of the Holders allowed in such judicial proceeding, and

 

(b)                                  to collect and receive any moneys or other property payable or deliverable on any such claims and to distribute the same,

 

and 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 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 amounts due it hereunder.

 

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 Debt 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 8.05                              Trustee May Enforce Claims Without Possession of Debt Securities.

 

All rights of action and claims under this Indenture or the Debt Securities may be prosecuted and enforced by the Trustee without the possession of any of the Debt 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,

 

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disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel, be for the ratable benefit of the Holders in respect of which such judgment has been recovered.

 

Section 8.06                              Application of Money Collected.

 

Any money collected by the Trustee 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 on account of principal or premium, if any, or interest (including Additional Interest), if any, upon presentation of the Debt Securities in respect of which or for the benefit of which such money shall have been collected 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 (acting in any capacity) hereunder;

 

SECOND: To the payment of the amounts then due and unpaid upon the Debt Securities for principal of and premium, if any, and interest (including Additional Interest), if any, 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 Debt Securities for principal, premium, if any, and interest (including Additional Interest), if any, respectively; and

 

THIRD: To the payment of the remainder, if any, to the Company, or to whomsoever may be lawfully entitled to receive the same or as a court of competent jurisdiction may direct.

 

Section 8.07                              Limitation on Suits.

 

No Holder 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:

 

(a)                                  such Holder shall have previously given written notice to the Trustee of a continuing Event of Default with respect to the Debt Securities of such series;

 

(b)                                  the Holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Debt Securities of all series in respect of which an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, considered as one class, 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;

 

(c)                                   such Holder or Holders shall have offered to the Trustee security and indemnity against the costs, expenses and liabilities to be incurred in compliance with such request;

 

(d)                                  the Trustee for 60 days after its receipt of such notice, request and offer of indemnity shall have failed to institute any such proceeding; and

 

(e)                                   no direction inconsistent with such written request shall have been given to the Trustee during such 60-day period by the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of

 

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the Outstanding Debt Securities of all series in respect of which an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, considered as one class;

 

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 8.08                              Unconditional Right of Holders to Receive Principal, Premium and Interest.

 

Notwithstanding any other provision in this Indenture, the Holder of any Debt 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 3.07 ) interest (including Additional Interest), if any, on such Debt Security on the Stated Maturity or Maturities expressed in such Debt 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 8.09                              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 shall have been discontinued or abandoned for any reason, or shall have 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, Trustee and such Holder shall be restored severally and respectively to their former positions hereunder and thereafter all rights and remedies of the Trustee and such Holder shall continue as though no such proceeding had been instituted.

 

Section 8.10                              Rights and Remedies Cumulative.

 

Except as otherwise provided in the last paragraph of  Section 3.06 , 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 8.11                              Delay or Omission Not Waiver.

 

No delay or omission of the Trustee or of any Holder 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.

 

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Section 8.12                              Control by Holders of Debt Securities.

 

If an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing in respect of a series of Debt Securities, the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Debt Securities of such 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 Debt Securities of such series; provided, however, that if an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing with respect to more than one series of Debt Securities, the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Debt Securities of all such series, considered as one class, shall have the right to make such direction, and not the Holders of the Debt Securities of any one of such series; and provided, further, that

 

(a)                                  such direction shall not be in conflict with any rule of law or with this Indenture, and may not involve the Trustee in personal liability in circumstances where indemnity would not in the Trustee’s reasonable discretion be adequate, and

 

(b)                                  the Trustee may take any other action deemed proper by the Trustee which is not inconsistent with such direction.

 

Before proceeding to exercise any right or power hereunder at the direction of such Holders, the Trustee shall be entitled to receive from such Holders reasonable security or indemnity against the costs, expenses and liabilities that might be incurred by it in compliance with any such direction.

 

Section 8.13                              Waiver of Past Defaults.

 

The Holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Debt Securities of any series may on behalf of the Holders of all the Debt Securities of such series waive any past default hereunder with respect to such series and its consequences, except a default:

 

(a)                                  in the payment of the principal of or premium, if any, or interest (including Additional Interest), if any, on any Debt Security of such series, or

 

(b)                                  in respect of a covenant or provision hereof that under  Section 12.02  cannot be modified or amended without the consent of the Holder of each Outstanding Debt Security of such series affected.

 

Upon any such waiver, such default shall cease to exist, and any and all Events 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 8.14                              Undertaking for Costs.

 

The Company and the Trustee agree, and each Holder 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, 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

 

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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 Company, 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 aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Debt Securities of all series in respect of which such suit may be brought, considered as one class, 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 Additional Interest), if any, on any Debt Security on or after the Stated Maturity or Maturities expressed in such Debt Security (or, in the case of redemption, on or after the Redemption Date).

 

Section 8.15                              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, that 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 IX
THE TRUSTEE

 

Section 9.01                              Certain Duties and Responsibilities.

 

(a)                                  The Trustee shall have and be subject to all the duties and responsibilities specified with respect to an indenture trustee in the Trust Indenture Act as set forth herein, and no implied covenants or obligations shall be read into this Indenture against the Trustee.

 

(b)                                  The Trustee, prior to the occurrence of an Event of Default and after the curing or waiving of all Events of Default that may have occurred, undertakes to perform such duties and only such duties as are specifically set forth in this Indenture.  In case an Event of Default of which a Responsible Officer of the Trustee has actual knowledge 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 such person’s 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 prior to the occurrence of an Event of Default and after the curing or waiving of all Events of Default that may have occurred:

 

(i)                                      the duties and obligations of the Trustee shall be determined solely by the express provisions of this Indenture, and the Trustee shall not be liable except for the performance of, or failure to perform, such duties and obligations as are specifically set forth in

 

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this Indenture, and no implied covenants or obligations shall be read into this Indenture against the Trustee; and

 

(ii)                                   the 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 Trustee and conforming to the requirements of this Indenture; but, in the case of any such certificates or opinions that by any provision 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.

 

(d)                                  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 the Holders of Debt Securities pursuant to  Section 8.12 , 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.

 

(e)                                   No provision of this Indenture shall require the Trustee to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise incur any personal or 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 it is not reasonably assured of receiving (i) repayment of such funds or (ii) indemnity, in an amount deemed adequate to the Trustee in its reasonable judgment, against such risk or liability.

 

(f)                                    Notwithstanding anything contained in this Indenture to the contrary, the duties and responsibilities of the Trustee under this Indenture shall be subject to the protections, exculpations and limitations on liability afforded to the Trustee under the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act, including those provisions of such Act deemed by such Act to be included herein.

 

(g)                                   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 9.02                              Notice of Defaults.

 

The Trustee shall give the Holders notice of any default hereunder with respect to the Debt Securities of any series to the Holders of Debt Securities of such series of which it has knowledge (within the meaning of  Section 9.03(h) ) in the manner and to the extent required to do so by the Trust Indenture Act, unless such default shall have been cured or waived; provided, however, that in the case of any default of the character specified in  Section 8.01(d) , no such notice to Holders shall be given until at least 60 days after the occurrence thereof.  For the purpose of this Section, the term “default” means any event that is, or after notice or lapse of time, or both, would become, an Event of Default.

 

Section 9.03                              Certain Rights of Trustee.

 

Subject to the provisions of  Section 9.01  and to the applicable provisions of the Trust Indenture Act:

 

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(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, 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)                                  any request or direction of the Company mentioned herein shall be sufficiently evidenced by a Company Request or Company Order, or as otherwise expressly provided herein, 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 rely upon an Officer’s 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 Holder pursuant to this Indenture, unless the requisite numbers of Holders hereunder shall have offered to the Trustee reasonable security or indemnity against the costs, expenses and liabilities that 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, 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 (subject to applicable legal requirements) be entitled to examine, during normal business hours, the books, records and premises of the Company, personally or by agent or attorney;

 

(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;

 

(h)                                  the Trustee shall not be charged with knowledge of any default or Event of Default with respect to the Debt Securities of any series for which it is acting as Trustee unless either (1) a Responsible Officer of the Trustee shall have actual knowledge of the default or Event of Default or (2) written notice of such default or Event of Default shall have been given to the Trustee by the Company, any other obligor on such Debt Securities or by any Holder of such Debt Securities;

 

(i)                                      the rights, privileges, protections, immunities and benefits given to the Trustee, including, without limitation, its right to be compensated, reimbursed and indemnified, are

 

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extended to, and shall be enforceable by, the Trustee in each of its capacities hereunder, and each agent, custodian and other Person employed to act hereunder;

 

(j)                                     the Trustee shall not be liable or responsible for any action or inaction of the Depositary or any other clearinghouse or depositary;

 

(k)                                  the Trustee shall have no obligation to undertake any calculation hereunder or have any liability for any calculation performed in connection herewith or the transactions contemplated hereunder;

 

(l)                                      the Trustee shall not be required to give any bond or surety in respect of the performance of its powers and duties hereunder; and

 

(m)                              in no event shall the Trustee be responsible or liable for any special, indirect, punitive or consequential loss or damage of any kind whatsoever (including but not limited to, loss of profit), irrespective of whether the Trustee has been advised of the likelihood of such loss or damage and regardless of the form of action.

 

In no event shall the Trustee be responsible or liable for any failure or delay in the performance of its obligations hereunder arising out of or caused by, directly or indirectly, forces beyond its control, including, without limitation, strikes, work stoppages, accidents, acts of war or terrorism, civil or military disturbances, nuclear or natural catastrophes or acts of God, and interruptions, loss or malfunctions of utilities, communications or computer (software and hardware) services; it being understood that the Trustee shall use reasonable efforts which are consistent with accepted practices in the banking industry to resume performance as soon as practicable under the circumstances.

 

The parties hereto acknowledge that in accordance with Section 326 of the U.S.A. Patriot Act, the Trustee, like all financial institutions and in order to help fight the funding of terrorism and money laundering, is required to obtain, verify, and record information that identifies each person or legal entity that establishes a relationship or opens an account with the Trustee.  The parties to this Indenture agree that they will provide the Trustee with such information as it may request in order for the Trustee to satisfy the requirements of the U.S.A. Patriot Act.

 

Section 9.04                              Not Responsible for Recitals or Issuance of Debt Securities.

 

The recitals contained herein and in the Debt 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 responsibility for their correctness.  The Trustee makes no representations as to the validity or sufficiency of this Indenture or of the Debt Securities.  Neither the Trustee nor any Authenticating Agent shall be accountable for the use or application by the Company of Debt Securities or the proceeds thereof.  The Trustee shall not incur any liability for non-performance or breach of any obligation hereunder to the extent that the Trustee is delayed in performing, unable to perform or breaches such obligation because of acts of God, war, terrorism, fire, floods, electrical outages or other causes reasonably beyond its control; provided, however, that the Trustee shall use commercially reasonable efforts consistent with accepted practices for corporate trustees to maintain performance without delay or resume performance as soon as reasonably practicable under the circumstances.

 

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Section 9.05                              May Hold Debt Securities.

 

Each of the Trustee, any Authenticating Agent, any Paying Agent, any Debt Security Registrar or any other agent of the Company, in its individual or any other capacity, may become the owner or pledgee of Debt Securities and, subject to  Sections 9.08  and  9.13 , may otherwise deal with the Company with the same rights it would have if it were not the Trustee, Authenticating Agent, Paying Agent, Debt Security Registrar or such other agent.

 

Section 9.06                              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 investment of any money received by it hereunder except as expressly provided herein or otherwise agreed with, and for the sole benefit of, the Company.

 

Section 9.07                              Compensation and Reimbursement.

 

The Company shall:

 

(a)                                  pay to the Trustee from time to time such compensation as agreed among the parties in writing 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);

 

(b)                                  except as otherwise expressly provided herein, reimburse the Trustee upon its request for all reasonable expenses, disbursements and advances reasonably incurred or made by the Trustee in accordance with any provision of this Indenture, including the costs of collection (including the reasonable compensation and the expenses and disbursements of its agents and counsel), except to the extent that any such expense, disbursement or advance may be attributable to its gross negligence or willful misconduct; and

 

(c)                                   indemnify the Trustee and hold it harmless from and against any and all losses, demands, claims, liabilities, causes of action or expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses) incurred by it arising out of or in connection with the acceptance or administration of the trust or trusts hereunder or the performance of its duties hereunder, including the reasonable 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, except to the extent any such loss, demand, claim, liability, cause of action or expense may be attributable to its gross negligence or willful misconduct and may assume the defense of the Trustee with counsel acceptable to the Trustee, unless the Trustee shall have been advised by counsel that there may be one or more legal defenses available to it that are different from or additional to those available to the Company, in which case the Trustee may engage separate counsel, and the fees and expenses of such counsel shall be assumed by the Company.

 

As security for the performance of the obligations of the Company under this Section, the Trustee shall have a lien prior to the Debt Securities upon all property and funds held or collected by the Trustee as such other than property and funds held in trust for the payment of principal, premium, if any, and interest on Debt Securities.  “Trustee” for purposes of this Section shall include any predecessor Trustee; provided, however, that the negligence, willful

 

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misconduct or bad faith of any Trustee hereunder shall not affect the rights of any other Trustee hereunder.  When a Trustee incurs expenses or renders services in connection with an Event of Default specified in  Sections 8.01(e)  or  (f) , 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.  The provisions of this Section shall survive termination of this Indenture and the resignation or removal of the Trustee.

 

Section 9.08                              Disqualification; Conflicting Interests.

 

If the Trustee shall have or acquire any conflicting interest within the meaning of the Trust Indenture Act, it shall either eliminate such conflicting interest or resign to the extent, in the manner and with the effect, and subject to the conditions, provided in the Trust Indenture Act and this Indenture.  For purposes of Section 310(b)(1) of the Trust Indenture Act and to the extent permitted thereby, the Trustee shall not be deemed to have a conflicting interest by virtue of being a Trustee under (i) this Indenture with respect to Debt Securities of one or more series or (ii) any other indenture to which the Trustee and the Company are a party, if any, or with respect to the securities issued thereunder, if any.

 

Section 9.09                              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, any state or territory thereof or the District of Columbia, authorized under such laws to exercise corporate trust powers, having a combined capital and surplus of at least $100,000,000 and subject to supervision or examination by federal or state authority, or

 

(b)                                  if and to the extent permitted by the Commission by rule, regulation or order upon application, a corporation or other Person organized and doing business under the laws of a foreign government, authorized under such laws to exercise corporate trust powers, having a combined capital and surplus of at least $100,000,000 or the Dollar equivalent of the applicable foreign currency 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,

 

and, in either case, qualified and eligible under this Article and the Trust Indenture Act.  If such corporation publishes reports of condition at least annually, pursuant to law or to the requirements of such 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 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.

 

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Section 9.10                              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 in accordance with the applicable requirements of  Section 9.11 .

 

(b)                                  The Trustee may resign at any time with respect to the Debt 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 9.11  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 Debt Securities of such series.

 

(c)                                   The Trustee may be removed at any time with respect to the Debt Securities of any series by Act of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Debt 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 9.08  after written request therefor by the Company or by any Holder who has been a bona fide Holder for at least six months, or

 

(2)                                  the Trustee shall cease to be eligible under  Section 9.09  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, (x) the Company by a Board Resolution may remove the Trustee with respect to all Debt Securities or (y) subject to  Section 8.14 , any Holder who has been a bona fide Holder 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 with respect to all Debt Securities and the appointment of a successor Trustee or Trustees.

 

(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 (other than as contemplated in clause (y) in Subsection (d) of this Section), with respect to the Debt Securities of one or more series, the Company, by a Board Resolution, shall promptly appoint a successor Trustee or Trustees with respect to the Debt Securities of that or those series (it being understood that any such successor Trustee may be appointed with respect to the Debt Securities of one or more or all of such series and that at any time there shall be only one Trustee with respect to the Debt Securities of any particular series) and shall comply with the applicable requirements of  Section 9.11 .  If, within one year after such resignation, removal or incapability, or the occurrence of such vacancy, a successor Trustee with respect to the Debt Securities of any series shall be appointed by Act of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Debt 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

 

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the applicable requirements of  Section 9.11 , become the successor Trustee with respect to the Debt Securities of such series and to that extent supersede the successor Trustee appointed by the Company.  If no successor Trustee with respect to the Debt Securities of any series shall have been so appointed by the Company or the Holders and accepted appointment in the manner required by  Section 9.11 , any Holder who has been a bona fide Holder of a Debt Security of such series for at least six months may, on behalf of itself and all others similarly situated, petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee with respect to the Debt Securities of such series.

 

(f)                                    So long as no event that is, or after notice or lapse of time, or both, would become, an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, and except with respect to a Trustee appointed by Act of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Debt Securities pursuant to Subsection (e) of this Section, if the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee (i) a Board Resolution appointing a successor Trustee, effective as of a date specified therein, and (ii) an instrument of acceptance of such appointment, effective as of such date, by such successor Trustee in accordance with  Section 9.11 , the Trustee shall be deemed to have resigned as contemplated in Subsection (b) of this Section, the successor Trustee shall be deemed to have been appointed by the Company pursuant to Subsection (e) of this Section and such appointment shall be deemed to have been accepted as contemplated in  Section 9.11 , all as of such date, and all other provisions of this Section and  Section 9.11  shall be applicable to such resignation, appointment and acceptance except to the extent inconsistent with this Subsection (f).

 

(g)                                   The Company or, should the Company fail so to act promptly, the successor Trustee, at the expense of the Company, shall give notice of each resignation and each removal of the Trustee with respect to the Debt Securities of any series and each appointment of a successor Trustee with respect to the Debt Securities of any series by delivering written notice of such event to all Holders of Debt Securities of such series as their names and addresses appear in the Debt Security Register.  Each notice shall include the name of the successor Trustee with respect to the Debt Securities of such series and the address of its corporate trust office.

 

Section 9.11                              Acceptance of Appointment by Successor.

 

(a)                                  In case of the appointment hereunder of a successor Trustee with respect to the Debt Securities of all series, 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 all sums owed to it, 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 Debt Securities of one or more (but not all) series, the Company, the retiring Trustee and each successor Trustee with respect to the Debt Securities of one or more series shall execute and

 

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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 Debt 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 Debt 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 Debt 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 Debt 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, upon payment of all sums owed to it, shall duly assign, transfer and deliver to such successor Trustee all property and money held by such retiring Trustee hereunder with respect to the Debt 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 instruments that fully vest in and confirm to such successor Trustee all such rights, powers and trusts referred to in Subsection (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 9.12                              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 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 Debt 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 Debt Securities so authenticated with the same effect as if such successor Trustee had itself authenticated such Debt Securities.

 

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Section 9.13                              Preferential Collection of Claims Against Company.

 

If the Trustee shall be or become a creditor of the Company or any other obligor upon the Debt Securities (other than by reason of a relationship described in Section 311(b) of the Trust Indenture Act), the Trustee shall be subject to any and all applicable provisions of the Trust Indenture Act regarding the collection of claims against the Company or such other obligor.  For purposes of Section 311(b) of the Trust Indenture Act:

 

(a)                                  the term “cash transaction” means any transaction in which full payment for goods or securities sold is made within seven days after delivery of the goods or securities in currency or in checks or other orders drawn upon banks or bankers and payable upon demand; and

 

(b)                                  the term “self-liquidating paper” means any draft, bill of exchange, acceptance or obligation that is made, drawn, negotiated or incurred by the Company for the purpose of financing the purchase, processing, manufacturing, shipment, storage or sale of goods, wares or merchandise and that is secured by documents evidencing title to, possession of, or a lien upon, the goods, wares or merchandise or the receivables or proceeds arising from the sale of the goods, wares or merchandise previously constituting the security, provided the security is received by the Trustee simultaneously with the creation of the creditor relationship with the Company arising from the making, drawing, negotiating or incurring of the draft, bill of exchange, acceptance or obligation.

 

Section 9.14                              Co-Trustees and Separate Trustees.

 

At any time or times, for the purpose of meeting the legal requirements of any applicable jurisdiction, the Company and the Trustee shall have power to appoint, and, upon the written request of the Trustee or of the Holders of at least 33% in principal amount of the Debt Securities then Outstanding, the Company shall for such purpose join with the Trustee in the execution and delivery of all instruments and agreements necessary or proper to appoint, one or more Persons approved by the Trustee either to act as co-trustee, jointly with the Trustee, or to act as separate trustee, 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 Company does not join in such appointment within 15 days after the receipt by it of a request so to do, or if an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, the Trustee alone shall have power to make such appointment.

 

Should any written instrument or instruments from the Company be required by any co-trustee or separate trustee so appointed to more fully confirm 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 Company.

 

Every co-trustee or separate trustee shall, to the extent permitted by law, but to such extent only, be appointed subject to the following conditions:

 

(a)                                  the Debt Securities shall be authenticated and delivered, and all rights, powers, duties and obligations hereunder in respect of the custody of securities, cash and other personal

 

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property held by, or required to be deposited or pledged with, the Trustee hereunder, shall be exercised solely, by the Trustee;

 

(b)                                  the rights, powers, duties and obligations hereby conferred or imposed upon the Trustee in respect of any property covered by such appointment shall be conferred or imposed upon and exercised or performed either by the Trustee or by the 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 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 Trustee at any time, by an instrument in writing executed by it, with the concurrence of the Company, may accept the resignation of or remove any co-trustee or separate trustee appointed under this Section, and, if an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, the Trustee shall have power to accept the resignation of, or remove, any such co-trustee or separate trustee without the concurrence of the Company.  Upon the written request of the Trustee, the Company shall join with the Trustee in the execution and delivery 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 Trustee, or any other such trustee hereunder, and the Trustee shall have no liability, personally or in its capacity as Trustee, for any act or omission of any co-trustee or separate trustee hereunder; and

 

(e)                                   any Act of Holders delivered to the Trustee shall be deemed to have been delivered to each such co-trustee and separate trustee.

 

Section 9.15                              Appointment of Authenticating Agent.

 

The Trustee may appoint an Authenticating Agent or Agents with respect to the Debt Securities of one or more series, or any Tranche thereof, which shall be authorized to act on behalf of the Trustee to authenticate Debt Securities of such series or Tranche issued upon original issuance, exchange, registration of transfer or partial redemption thereof or pursuant to  Section 3.06 , and Debt 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 Debt 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, any state or territory thereof or the District of Columbia or the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, 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

 

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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 the corporate agency or corporate trust business of an Authenticating Agent, shall continue to be an Authenticating Agent, 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 45 days 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 that shall be acceptable to the Company.  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.

 

The provisions of  Sections 3.08 9.04  and  9.05  shall be applicable to each Authenticating Agent.

 

If an appointment with respect to the Debt Securities of one or more series, or any Tranche thereof, shall be made pursuant to this Section, the Debt Securities of such series or Tranche may have endorsed thereon, in addition to the Trustee’s certificate of authentication, an alternate certificate of authentication substantially in the following form:

 

This is one of the Debt Securities of the series designated therein referred to in the within-mentioned Indenture.

 

Date:

By:

 

 

 

 

 

 

As Trustee

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

 

 

 

As Authenticating Agent

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Authorized Signatory

 

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If all of the Debt Securities of a series may not be originally issued at one time, and if the Trustee does not have an office capable of authenticating Debt Securities upon original issuance located in a Place of Payment where the Company wishes to have Debt Securities of such series authenticated upon original issuance, the Trustee, if so requested by the Company in writing (which writing need not comply with  Section 1.02  and need not be accompanied by an Opinion of Counsel), shall appoint, in accordance with this Section and in accordance with such procedures as shall be acceptable to the Trustee, an Authenticating Agent having an office in a Place of Payment designated by the Company with respect to such series of Debt Securities.

 

ARTICLE X
HOLDERS’ LISTS AND REPORTS BY TRUSTEE AND COMPANY

 

Section 10.01                       Lists of Holders.

 

At such times as the Trustee may request in writing, the Company shall furnish or cause to be furnished to the Trustee information as to the names and addresses of the Holders, and the Trustee shall preserve such information and similar information received by it in any other capacity and afford to the Holders access to information so preserved by it, all to such extent, if any, and in such manner as shall be required by the Trust Indenture Act; provided, however, that no such list need be furnished so long as the Trustee shall be the Debt Security Registrar.  Every holder of Debt 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 any such information as to the names and addresses of the Holders of Debt Securities in accordance with Section 312 of the Trust Indenture Act, or any successor Section of such Act, regardless of the source from which such information was derived, and that the Trustee shall not be held accountable by reason of delivery of any material pursuant to a request made under Section 312(b) of the Trust Indenture Act, or any successor Section of such Act.

 

Section 10.02                       Reports by Trustee and Company.

 

Annually, not later than May 30 in each year, commencing in the year following the date of this Indenture, the Trustee shall transmit to the Holders, the Commission and each securities exchange upon which any Debt Securities are listed, a report, dated as of the next preceding May 30, with respect to any events and other matters described in Section 313(a) of the Trust Indenture Act, in such manner and to the extent required by the Trust Indenture Act.  The Trustee shall transmit to the Holders, the Commission and each securities exchange upon which any Debt Securities are listed, and the Company shall file with the Trustee (within 30 days after filing with the Commission in the case of reports that pursuant to the Trust Indenture Act must

 

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be filed with the Commission and furnished to the Trustee) and transmit to the Holders, such other information, reports and other documents, if any, at such times and in such manner, as shall be required by the Trust Indenture Act.

 

The Company shall notify the Trustee of the listing of any Debt Securities on any securities exchange.  Delivery of such reports, information and documents by the Company to the Trustee is for informational purposes only, and the Trustee’s receipt of such shall not constitute constructive notice of any information contained therein or determinable from information contained therein, including the Company’s compliance with any of its covenants hereunder (as to which the Trustee is entitled to rely exclusively on Officer’s Certificates).

 

ARTICLE XI
CONSOLIDATION, MERGER, CONVEYANCE OR OTHER TRANSFER

 

Section 11.01       Company May Consolidate, Etc., Only on Certain Terms.

 

The Company shall not consolidate with or merge into any other Corporation, or convey or otherwise transfer or lease its properties and assets substantially as an entirety to any Person, unless:

 

(a)           the Corporation formed by such consolidation or into which the Company is merged or the Person that acquires by conveyance or transfer, or that leases, the properties and assets of the Company substantially as an entirety shall be a Person organized and existing under the laws of the United States, any state thereof 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 Additional Interest), if any, on all Outstanding Debt Securities and the performance of every covenant of this Indenture on the part of the Company to be performed or observed;

 

(b)           immediately after giving effect to such transaction and treating any indebtedness for borrowed money that becomes an obligation of the Company as a result of such transaction as having been incurred by the Company at the time of such transaction, no Event of Default, and no event that, after notice or lapse of time or both, would become an Event of Default, shall have occurred and be continuing; and

 

(c)           the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that such consolidation, merger, conveyance, or other transfer or lease and such supplemental indenture comply with this Article and that all conditions precedent herein provided for relating to such transactions have been complied with.

 

Section 11.02       Successor Corporation Substituted.

 

Upon any consolidation by the Company with or merger by the Company into any other Corporation or any conveyance or other transfer or lease of the properties and assets of the Company substantially as an entirety in accordance with  Section 11.01 , the successor Corporation formed by such consolidation or into which the Company is merged or the Person to which such conveyance, transfer or lease is made shall succeed to, and be substituted for, and

 

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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 a lease, the predecessor Person shall be relieved of all obligations and covenants under this Indenture and the Debt Securities Outstanding hereunder.

 

ARTICLE XII
SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES

 

Section 12.01       Supplemental Indentures Without Consent of Holders.

 

Without the consent of any Holders, the Company 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:

 

(a)           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 Debt Securities, all as provided in  Article XI ; or

 

(b)           to add one or more covenants of the Company or other provisions for the benefit of all Holders or for the benefit of the Holders of, or to remain in effect only so long as there shall be Outstanding, Debt Securities of one or more specified series, or one or more specified Tranches thereof, or to surrender any right or power herein conferred upon the Company; or

 

(c)           to add any additional Events of Default with respect to all or any series of Debt Securities Outstanding hereunder; or

 

(d)           to change or eliminate any provision of this Indenture or to add any new provision to this Indenture; provided, however, that if such change, elimination or addition shall adversely affect the interests of the Holders of Debt Securities of any series or Tranche Outstanding on the date of such indenture supplemental hereto in any material respect, such change, elimination or addition shall become effective with respect to such series or Tranche only pursuant to the provisions of Section 12.02 hereof or when no Debt Security of such series or Tranche remains Outstanding; or

 

(e)           to provide collateral security for, or provide for guarantees of, the Debt Securities of any series or Tranche; or

 

(f)            to establish the form or terms of Debt Securities of any series or Tranche as contemplated by  Sections 2.01  and  3.01 ; or

 

(g)           to provide for the authentication and delivery of bearer securities and coupons appertaining thereto representing interest, if any, thereon and for the procedures for the registration, exchange and replacement thereof and for the giving of notice to, and the solicitation of the vote or consent of, the holders thereof, and for any and all other matters incidental thereto; or

 

(h)           to evidence and provide for the acceptance of appointment hereunder by a separate or successor Trustee with respect to the Debt Securities of one or more series and to add

 

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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 9.11(b) ; or

 

(i)            to provide for the procedures required to permit the Company to utilize, at its option, a non-certificated system of registration for all, or any series or Tranche of, the Debt Securities; or

 

(j)            to change any place or places where (1) the principal of and premium, if any, and interest (including Additional Interest), if any, on all or any series of Debt Securities, or any Tranche thereof, shall be payable, (2) all or any series of Debt Securities, or any Tranche thereof, may be surrendered for registration of transfer, (3) all or any series of Debt Securities, or any Tranche thereof, may be surrendered for exchange and (4) notices and demands to or upon the Company in respect of all or any series of Debt Securities, or any Tranche thereof, and this Indenture may be served; or

 

(k)           to cure any ambiguity or to correct or supplement any provision herein that may be defective or inconsistent with any other provision herein; provided that no such changes or additions shall adversely affect the interests of the Holders of Debt Securities of any series or Tranche in any material respect.

 

Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, if the Trust Indenture Act as in effect at the date of the execution and delivery of this Indenture or at any time thereafter shall be amended and:

 

(x)           if any such amendment shall require one or more changes to any provisions hereof or the inclusion herein of any additional provisions, or shall by operation of law be deemed to effect such changes or incorporate such provisions by reference or otherwise, this Indenture shall be deemed to have been amended so as to conform to such amendment to the Trust Indenture Act, and the Company and the Trustee may, without the consent of any Holders, enter into an indenture supplemental hereto to effect or evidence such changes or additional provisions; or

 

(y)           if any such amendment shall permit one or more changes to, or the elimination of, any provisions hereof that, at the date of the execution and delivery hereof or at any time thereafter, are required by the Trust Indenture Act to be contained herein, this Indenture shall be deemed to have been amended to effect such changes or elimination, and the Company and the Trustee may, without the consent of any Holders, enter into an indenture supplemental hereto to evidence such amendment hereof, provided such amendment does not have a material adverse effect on any Holders.

 

Section 12.02       Supplemental Indentures With Consent of Holders.

 

With the consent of the Holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Debt Securities of all series then Outstanding under this Indenture, considered as one class, 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

 

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eliminating any of the provisions of, this Indenture; provided, however, that if there shall be Debt Securities of more than one series Outstanding hereunder and if a proposed supplemental indenture shall directly affect the rights of the Holders of Debt Securities of one or more, but less than all, of such series, then the consent only of the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Debt Securities of all series so directly affected, considered as one class, shall be required; and provided, further, that if the Debt Securities of any series shall have been issued in more than one Tranche and if the proposed supplemental indenture shall directly affect the rights of the Holders of Debt Securities of one or more, but less than all, of such Tranches, then the consent only of the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Debt Securities of all Tranches so directly affected, considered as one class, shall be required; and provided, further, that no such supplemental indenture shall:

 

(a)           change the Stated Maturity of the principal of, or any installment of principal of or interest (including Additional Interest) on any Debt Security, or reduce the principal amount thereof or the rate of interest thereon (or the amount of any installment of interest thereon) or change the method of calculating such rate or reduce any premium payable upon the redemption thereof, or reduce the amount of the principal of a Discount Debt Security that would be due and payable upon a declaration of acceleration of the Maturity thereof pursuant to  Section 8.02 , or change the coin or currency (or other property) in which any Debt Security or any premium or the interest (including Additional Interest) thereon is payable, or impair the right to institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment on or after the Stated Maturity of any Debt Security (or, in the case of redemption, on or after the Redemption Date), without, in any such case, the consent of the Holder of such Debt Security, or

 

(b)           reduce the percentage in principal amount of the Outstanding Debt Securities of any series or any Tranche thereof, the consent of the Holders of which is required for any such supplemental indenture, or the consent of the Holders of which is required for any waiver of compliance with any provision of this Indenture or of any default hereunder and its consequences, or reduce the requirements of  Section 13.04  for quorum or voting, without, in any such case, the consent of the Holders of each Outstanding Debt Security of such series or Tranche, or

 

(c)           modify any of the provisions of this Section,  Section 6.06  or  Section 8.13  with respect to the Debt Securities of any series, or any Tranche thereof (except to increase the percentages in principal amount referred to in this Section or such other Sections or to provide that other provisions of this Indenture cannot be modified or waived without the consent of the Holder of each Outstanding Debt 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, or the deletion of this proviso, in accordance with the requirements of  Sections 9.11(b) 9.14  and  12.01(h) .

 

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 Debt Securities, or of one or more Tranches thereof, or that modifies the rights of the Holders of Debt Securities of such series or Tranches with respect to such covenant or other provision, shall be deemed not to affect the rights under this Indenture of the Holders of Debt Securities of any other series or Tranche.

 

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Upon the request of the Company, subject to compliance by the Company with Section 12.03  hereof, and the filing with the Trustee of evidence of the consent of the Holders of the Debt Securities required hereunder with respect to the proposed supplemental indenture, the Trustee shall join with the Company in the execution of such supplemental indenture unless the supplemental indenture affects the Trustee’s own rights, duties or immunities under this Indenture, or otherwise, in which case the Trustee may in its discretion but shall not be obligated to enter into such supplemental indenture.

 

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.  A waiver by a Holder of such Holder’s right to consent under this Section shall be deemed to be a consent of such Holder.

 

Section 12.03       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 provided and (subject to  Section 9.01 ) shall be fully protected in relying upon an Officer’s Certificate and Opinion of Counsel, each stating that the execution of such supplemental indenture is authorized or permitted by this Indenture.

 

Section 12.04       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 Debt Securities theretofore or thereafter authenticated and delivered hereunder shall be bound thereby.  Any supplemental indenture permitted by this Article may restate this Indenture in its entirety, and, upon the execution and delivery thereof, any such restatement shall supersede this Indenture as theretofore in effect for all purposes.

 

Section 12.05       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 12.06       Reference in Debt Securities to Supplemental Indentures.

 

Debt Securities of any series, or any Tranche thereof, 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 Debt Securities of any series, or any Tranche thereof, so modified as to conform, in the opinion of the Trustee and the Company, to any such supplemental indenture may be prepared and executed by the Company and authenticated and delivered by the Trustee in exchange for Outstanding Debt Securities of such series or Tranche.

 

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Section 12.07       Modification without Supplemental Indenture.

 

If the terms of any particular series of Debt Securities shall have been established in a Board Resolution or an Officer’s Certificate pursuant to a Board Resolution as contemplated by Section 3.01 , and not in an indenture supplemental hereto, additions to, changes in or the elimination of any of such terms may be effected by means of a supplemental Board Resolution or Officer’s Certificate, as the case may be, delivered to, and accepted by, the Trustee; provided, however, that such supplemental Board Resolution or Officer’s Certificate shall not be accepted by the Trustee or otherwise be effective unless all conditions set forth in this Indenture that would be required to be satisfied if such additions, changes or elimination were contained in a supplemental indenture shall have been appropriately satisfied.  Upon the acceptance thereof by the Trustee, any such supplemental Board Resolution or Officer’s Certificate shall be deemed to be a “supplemental indenture” for purposes of  Sections 12.04  and  12.06 .

 

ARTICLE XIII
MEETINGS OF HOLDERS; ACTION WITHOUT MEETING

 

Section 13.01       Purposes for which Meetings may be Called.

 

A meeting of Holders of Debt Securities of one or more, or all, series, or any Tranche or Tranches thereof, may be called at any time and from time to time pursuant to this Article to make, give or take any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action provided by this Indenture to be made, given or taken by Holders of Debt Securities of such series or Tranches.

 

Section 13.02       Call, Notice and Place of Meetings.

 

(a)           The Trustee may at any time call a meeting of Holders of Debt Securities of one or more, or all, series, or any Tranche or Tranches thereof, for any purpose specified in Section 13.01 , to be held at such time and at such place in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, as the Trustee shall determine, or, with the approval of the Company, at any other place. Notice of every such meeting, setting forth the time and the place of such meeting and in general terms the action proposed to be taken at such meeting, shall be given, in the manner provided in  Section 1.06 , not less than 21 nor more than 180 days prior to the date fixed for the meeting.

 

(b)           If the Trustee shall have been requested to call a meeting of the Holders of Debt Securities of one or more, or all, series, or any Tranche or Tranches thereof, by the Company or by the Holders of at least 33% in aggregate principal amount of all of such series and Tranches, considered as one class, for any purpose specified in  Section 13.01 , by written request setting forth in reasonable detail the action proposed to be taken at the meeting, and the Trustee shall not have given the notice of such meeting within 21 days after receipt of such request or shall not thereafter proceed to cause the meeting to be held as provided herein, then the Company or the Holders of Debt Securities of such series and Tranches in the amount above specified, as the case may be, may determine the time and the place in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, or in such other place as shall be determined or approved by the Company, for such meeting and may call such meeting for such purposes by giving notice thereof as provided in Subsection (a) of this Section.

 

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(c)           Any meeting of Holders of Debt Securities of one or more, or all, series, or any Tranche or Tranches thereof, shall be valid without notice if the Holders of all Outstanding Debt Securities of such series or Tranches are present in person or by proxy and if representatives of the Company and the Trustee are present, or if notice is waived in writing before or after the meeting by the Holders of all Outstanding Debt Securities of such series, or by such of them as are not present at the meeting in person or by proxy, and by the Company and the Trustee.

 

Section 13.03       Persons Entitled to Vote at Meetings.

 

To be entitled to vote at any meeting of Holders of Debt Securities of one or more, or all, series, or any Tranche or Tranches thereof, a Person shall be (a) a Holder of one or more Outstanding Debt Securities of such series or Tranches, or (b) a Person appointed by an instrument in writing as proxy for a Holder or Holders of one or more Outstanding Debt Securities of such series or Tranches by such Holder or Holders.  The only Persons who shall be entitled to attend any meeting of Holders of Debt Securities of any series or Tranche shall be the Persons entitled to vote at such meeting and their counsel, any representatives of the Trustee and its counsel and any representatives of the Company and its counsel.

 

Section 13.04       Quorum; Action.

 

The Persons entitled to vote a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Debt Securities of the series and Tranches with respect to which a meeting shall have been called as hereinbefore provided, considered as one class, shall constitute a quorum for a meeting of Holders of Debt Securities of such series and Tranches; provided, however, that if any action is to be taken at such meeting that this Indenture expressly provides may be taken by the Holders of a specified percentage, which is less than a majority, in principal amount of the Outstanding Debt Securities of such series and Tranches, considered as one class, the Persons entitled to vote such specified percentage in principal amount of the Outstanding Debt Securities of such series and Tranches, considered as one class, shall constitute a quorum.  In the absence of a quorum within one hour of the time appointed for any such meeting, the meeting shall, if convened at the request of Holders of Debt Securities of such series and Tranches, be dissolved.  In any other case, the meeting may be adjourned for such period as may be determined by the chairman of the meeting prior to the adjournment of such meeting.  In the absence of a quorum at any such adjourned meeting, such adjourned meeting may be further adjourned for such period as may be determined by the chairman of the meeting prior to the adjournment of such adjourned meeting.  Except as provided by  Section 13.05(e) , notice of the reconvening of any meeting adjourned for more than 30 days shall be given as provided in  Section 13.02(a)  not less than ten days prior to the date on which the meeting is scheduled to be reconvened.  Notice of the reconvening of an adjourned meeting shall state expressly the percentage, as provided above, of the principal amount of the Outstanding Debt Securities of such series and Tranches that shall constitute a quorum.

 

Except as limited by  Section 12.02 , any resolution presented to a meeting or adjourned meeting duly reconvened at which a quorum is present as aforesaid may be adopted only by the affirmative vote of the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Debt Securities of the series and Tranches with respect to which such meeting shall have been called, considered as one class; provided, however, that, except as so limited, any resolution with

 

63



 

respect to any action that this Indenture expressly provides may be taken by the Holders of a specified percentage, which is less than a majority, in principal amount of the Outstanding Debt Securities of such series and Tranches, considered as one class, may be adopted at a meeting or an adjourned meeting duly reconvened and at which a quorum is present as aforesaid by the affirmative vote of the Holders of such specified percentage in principal amount of the Outstanding Debt Securities of such series and Tranches, considered as one class.

 

Any resolution passed or decision taken at any meeting of Holders of Debt Securities duly held in accordance with this Section shall be binding on all the Holders of Debt Securities of the series and Tranches with respect to which such meeting shall have been held, whether or not present or represented at the meeting.

 

Section 13.05       Attendance at Meetings; Determination of Voting Rights; Conduct and Adjournment of Meetings.

 

(a)           Attendance at meetings of Holders of Debt Securities may be in person or by proxy; and, to the extent permitted by law, any such proxy shall remain in effect and be binding upon any future Holder of the Debt Securities with respect to which it was given unless and until specifically revoked by the Holder or future Holder of such Debt Securities before being voted.

 

(b)           Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Indenture, the Trustee may make such reasonable regulations as it may deem advisable for any meeting of Holders of  Debt Securities in regard to proof of the holding of such Debt Securities and of the appointment of proxies and in regard to the appointment and duties of inspectors of votes, the submission and examination of proxies, certificates and other evidence of the right to vote, and such other matters concerning the conduct of the meeting as it shall deem appropriate.  Except as otherwise permitted or required by any such regulations, the holding of Debt Securities shall be proved in the manner specified in  Section 1.04  and the appointment of any proxy shall be proved in the manner specified in Section 1.04 .  Such regulations may provide that written instruments appointing proxies, regular on their face, may be presumed valid and genuine without the proof specified in  Section 1.04  or other proof.

 

(c)           The Trustee shall, by an instrument in writing, appoint a temporary chairman of the meeting, unless the meeting shall have been called by the Company or by Holders as provided in  Section 13.02(b) , in which case the Company or the Holders of Debt Securities of the series and Tranches calling the meeting, as the case may be, shall in like manner appoint a temporary chairman.  A permanent chairman and a permanent secretary of the meeting shall be elected by vote of the Persons entitled to vote a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Debt Securities of all series and Tranches represented at the meeting, considered as one class.

 

(d)           At any meeting, each Holder or proxy shall be entitled to one vote for each $1 principal amount of Debt Securities held or represented by him; provided, however, that no vote shall be cast or counted at any meeting in respect of any Debt Security challenged as not Outstanding and ruled by the chairman of the meeting to be not Outstanding.  The chairman of the meeting shall have no right to vote, except as a Holder of a Debt Security or proxy.

 

64



 

(e)           Any meeting duly called pursuant to  Section 13.02  at which a quorum is present may be adjourned from time to time by Persons entitled to vote a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Debt Securities of all series and Tranches represented at the meeting, considered as one class; and the meeting may be held as so adjourned without further notice.

 

Section 13.06       Counting Votes and Recording Action of Meetings.

 

The vote upon any resolution submitted to any meeting of Holders shall be by written ballots on which shall be subscribed the signatures of the Holders or of their representatives by proxy and the principal amounts and serial numbers of the Outstanding Debt Securities, of the series and Tranches with respect to which the meeting shall have been called, held or represented by them.  The permanent chairman of the meeting shall appoint two inspectors of votes who shall count all votes cast at the meeting for or against any resolution and who shall make and file with the secretary of the meeting their verified written reports of all votes cast at the meeting.  A record of the proceedings of each meeting of Holders shall be prepared by the secretary of the meeting, and there shall be attached to said record the original reports of the inspectors of votes on any vote by ballot taken thereat and affidavits by one or more persons having knowledge of the facts setting forth a copy of the notice of the meeting and showing that said notice was given as provided in  Section 13.02  and, if applicable,  Section 13.04 .  Each copy shall be signed and verified by the affidavits of the permanent chairman and secretary of the meeting and one such copy shall be delivered to the Company, and another to the Trustee to be preserved by the Trustee, the latter to have attached thereto the ballots voted at the meeting.  Any record so signed and verified shall be conclusive evidence of the matters therein stated.

 

Section 13.07       Action Without Meeting.

 

In lieu of a vote of Holders at a meeting as hereinbefore contemplated in this Article, any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action may be made, given or taken by Holders by written instruments as provided in  Section 1.04 .

 

ARTICLE XIV
IMMUNITY OF INCORPORATORS, STOCKHOLDERS, OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS

 

Section 14.01       Liability Solely Corporate.

 

No recourse shall be had for the payment of the principal of or premium, if any, or interest (including Additional Interest), if any, on any Debt Securities, or any part thereof, or for any claim based thereon or otherwise in respect thereof, or of the indebtedness represented thereby, or upon any obligation, covenant or agreement under this Indenture, against any incorporator, stockholder, officer or director, as such, past, present or future, of the Company or of any predecessor or successor corporation (either directly or through the Company or a predecessor or successor corporation), whether by virtue of any constitutional provision, statute or rule of law, or by the enforcement of any assessment or penalty or otherwise; it being expressly agreed and understood that this Indenture and all the Debt Securities are solely corporate obligations, and that no personal liability whatsoever shall attach to, or be incurred by, any incorporator, stockholder, officer or director, past, present or future, of the Company or of

 

65



 

any predecessor or successor corporation, either directly or indirectly through the Company or any predecessor or successor corporation, because of the indebtedness hereby authorized or under or by reason of any of the obligations, covenants or agreements contained in this Indenture or in any of the Debt Securities or to be implied herefrom or therefrom, and that any such personal liability is hereby expressly waived and released as a condition of, and as part of the consideration for, the execution of this Indenture and the issuance of the Debt Securities.

 

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.

 

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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.

 

 

NEW YORK MORTGAGE TRUST, INC.

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Steven R. Mumma

 

Name:

Steven R. Mumma

 

Title:

Chief Executive Officer

 

[SEAL]

 

 

 

[ATTEST]

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Kristine R. Nario

 

 

 

 

 

Name:

Kristine R. Nario

 

 

 

 

Title:

CFO

 

 

[ Trustee’s signature page follows. ]

 

67



 

 

U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION , Trustee

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Hazrat R. Haniff

 

 

Name:

Hazrat R. Haniff

 

 

Title:

Assistant Vice President

 

 

 

[SEAL]

 

 

 

 

 

[ATTEST]

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ William Keenan

 

 

Authorized Representative

 

 

68


Exhibit 4.2

 

 

 

New York Mortgage Trust, Inc.

as the Issuer

 

and

 

U.S. Bank National Association

as Trustee

 

First Supplemental Indenture

 

Dated as of January 23, 201 7

 

to the Indenture


Dated as of January 23, 201
7

 

6.25% Senior Convertible Notes due 2022

 

 

 



 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

ARTICLE 1

 

SCOPE OF SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE

 

 

 

Section 1.01

Scope

2

 

 

 

ARTICLE 2

 

DEFINITIONS

 

 

 

Section 2.01

Definitions and Other Provisions of General Application

2

Section 2.02

References to Interest

7

 

 

 

ARTICLE 3

 

ISSUE, DESCRIPTION, EXECUTION, REGISTRATION AND CONVERSION OF NOTES

 

 

 

Section 3.01

Designation and Amount

7

Section 3.02

Form of Notes

7

Section 3.03

Date and Denomination of Notes; Payments of Interest; Defaulted Interest

8

Section 3.04

Exchange and Registration of Transfer of Notes; Depositary

9

Section 3.05

Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost or Stolen Notes

9

Section 3.06

Additional Notes; Repurchases

10

 

 

 

ARTICLE 4

 

SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE; DEFEASANCE

 

 

 

Section 4.01

Applicability of Article VII of the Base Indenture

11

Section 4.02

Satisfaction and Discharge

11

 

 

 

ARTICLE 5

 

PARTICULAR COVENANTS OF THE COMPANY

 

 

 

Section 5.01

Payment of Principal and Interest

11

Section 5.02

Consolidation and Merger

12

Section 5.03

Reports by the Company

12

Section 5.04

Statements as to Defaults; Compliance with Indenture

12

 

 

 

ARTICLE 6

 

DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES

 

 

 

Section 6.01

Amendments to Base Indenture Events of Default

13

 



 

Section 6.02

Additional Interest

15

Section 6.03

Waiver of Past Defaults

16

Section 6.04

Notice of Events of Default

16

Section 6.05

Limitation on Suits

16

Section 6.06

Control by Majority

17

 

 

 

ARTICLE 7

 

SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES

 

 

 

Section 7.01

Applicability of Article XII of the Base Indenture

17

Section 7.02

Supplemental Indentures Without Consent of Holders

17

Section 7.03

Supplemental Indentures with Consent of Holders

18

Section 7.04

Notice of Amendment or Supplement

19

 

 

 

ARTICLE 8

 

CONVERSION OF NOTES

 

 

 

Section 8.01

Conversion Privilege

19

Section 8.02

Conversion Procedure; Settlement Upon Conversion

19

Section 8.03

Increased Conversion Rate Applicable to Certain Notes Surrendered in Connection with Make-Whole Fundamental Changes

21

Section 8.04

Adjustment of Conversion Rate

23

Section 8.05

Adjustments of Prices

31

Section 8.06

Reservation of Shares

32

Section 8.07

Effect of Recapitalizations, Reclassifications and Changes of the Shares

32

Section 8.08

Certain Covenants

33

Section 8.09

Responsibility of Trustee

33

Section 8.10

Shareholder Rights Plans

34

 

 

 

ARTICLE 9

 

REPURCHASE OF NOTES AT OPTION OF HOLDERS

 

 

 

Section 9.01

Repurchase at Option of Holders Upon a Fundamental Change

34

Section 9.02

Withdrawal of Fundamental Change Repurchase Notice

37

Section 9.03

Deposit of Fundamental Change Repurchase Price

37

Section 9.04

Covenant to Comply with Applicable Laws Upon Repurchase of Notes

38

 

 

 

ARTICLE 10

 

NO REDEMPTION AND NO SINKING FUND

 

 

 

Section 10.01

No Redemption; No Sinking Fund

38

 



 

ARTICLE 11

 

MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

 

 

 

Section 11.01

Trust Indenture Act of 1939

38

Section 11.02

Governing Law

39

Section 11.03

Duplicate Originals

39

Section 11.04

Separability

39

Section 11.05

Ratification

39

Section 11.06

Effectiveness

39

Section 11.07

Successors

39

Section 11.08

Trustee’s Disclaimer

39

Section 11.09

No Security Interest Created

39

Section 11.10

Calculations

39

 

 

 

EXHIBIT

 

 

 

 

 

Exhibit A

Form of Note

A-1

 



 

FIRST SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE

 

FIRST SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE dated as of January 23, 2017 among New York Mortgage Trust, Inc., a Maryland corporation (the “ Company ”), and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee (the “ Trustee ”).

 

RECITALS OF THE COMPANY

 

WHEREAS , the Company and the Trustee executed and delivered an Indenture, dated as of January 23, 2017 (the “ Base Indenture ” and as supplemented by this First Supplemental Indenture, the “ Indenture ”), to provide for the issuance by the Company from time to time of its debentures, notes or other evidences of indebtedness (the “ Debt Securities ”);

 

WHEREAS , Section 3.01 of the Base Indenture provides that the terms of any series of Debt Securities may be established pursuant to a supplemental indenture and Section 12.01 of the Base Indenture provides that the Company and the Trustee, at any time and from time to time, may enter into one or more indentures supplemental to the Base Indenture, without the consent of any Holders, to, among other things, establish the form or terms of Debt Securities of any series as permitted by Section 3.01 of the Base Indenture;

 

WHEREAS , the Company has duly authorized the issuance of the Company’s 6.25% Senior Convertible Notes due 2022 (the “ Notes ”), initially in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $138,000,000, and in order to provide the terms and conditions upon which the Notes are to be authenticated, issued and delivered, the Company has duly authorized the execution and delivery of this First Supplemental Indenture; and

 

WHEREAS , the Company desires to issue and sell $138,000,000 aggregate principal amount of the Notes as of the date hereof;

 

WHEREAS , the Company desires to establish the form and terms of the Notes as a series of Debt Securities under the Indenture;

 

WHEREAS , all things necessary to make this First Supplemental Indenture a legal and binding supplement to the Base Indenture in accordance with its terms and the terms of the Base Indenture have been done;

 

WHEREAS , the Company has complied with all conditions precedent provided for in the Base Indenture relating to this First Supplemental Indenture; and

 

WHEREAS , the Company has requested that the Trustee execute and deliver this First Supplemental Indenture.

 

NOW, THEREFORE :

 

For and in consideration of the premises stated herein and the purchase of the Notes by the Holders thereof, the Company and the Trustee covenant and agree, for the equal and proportionate benefit of the Holders of the Notes, as follows:

 



 

ARTICLE 1

 

SCOPE OF SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE

 

Section 1.01                              Scope . This First Supplemental Indenture constitutes a supplement to the Base Indenture and an integral part of the Indenture and shall be read together with the Base Indenture (with such modifications to the Base Indenture as are expressly set forth in this First Supplemental Indenture) as though all the provisions thereof are contained in one instrument. Except as expressly amended by this First Supplemental Indenture, the terms and provisions of the Base Indenture shall remain in full force and effect. Notwithstanding the foregoing, this First Supplemental Indenture shall only apply to the Notes. For all purposes under the Base Indenture, the Notes shall constitute a single series of Debt Securities.

 

ARTICLE 2

 

DEFINITIONS

 

Section 2.01                              Definitions and Other Provisions of General Application . For all purposes of this First Supplemental Indenture unless otherwise specified herein:

 

(a)                                  all terms used in this First Supplemental Indenture which are not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings they are given in the Base Indenture;

 

(b)                                  the provisions of general application stated in Section 1.01 of the Base Indenture shall apply to this First Supplemental Indenture, except that references to “this Indenture” shall be substituted with references to “this First Supplemental Indenture”;

 

(c)                                   references herein to Sections and Articles refer to Sections and Articles of this First Supplemental Indenture, unless stated otherwise; and

 

(d)                                  Section 1.01 of the Base Indenture is amended and supplemented, solely with respect to the Notes, by inserting the following additional defined terms in their appropriate alphabetical positions and deleting any defined terms therein that are also defined in this Section 2.01 ;

 

Additional Interest ” means all amounts, if any, payable pursuant to Section 6.02 .

 

Additional Shares ” shall have the meaning specified in Section 8.03(a) .

 

Applicable Procedures ” means, with respect to any matter at any time, the policies and procedures of the Depositary, if any, that are applicable to such matter at such time.

 

Averaging Period ” shall have the meaning specified in Section 8.04(e) .

 

Base Indenture ” shall have the meaning specified in the first paragraph of the recitals of this First Supplemental Indenture.

 

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Business Day ” means any day other than a Saturday, a Sunday or a day on which the Federal Reserve Bank of New York is authorized or required by law or executive order to close or be closed.

 

Capital Stock ” means, for any Person, any and all shares, interests, rights to purchase, warrants, options, participations or other equivalents of or interests in (however designated) the equity of such Person, but excluding any debt securities convertible into such equity.

 

Clause A Distribution “ shall have the meaning specified in Section 8.04(c) .

 

Clause B Distribution “ shall have the meaning specified in Section 8.04(c) .

 

Clause C Distribution “ shall have the meaning specified in Section 8.04(c) .

 

close of business ” means 5:00 p.m. (New York City time).

 

Commission ” shall have the meaning specified in Section 5.03(a).

 

Common Equity ” of any Person means Capital Stock of such Person that is generally entitled (a) to vote in the election of directors of such Person or (b) if such Person is not a corporation, to vote or otherwise participate in the selection of the governing body, partners, managers or others that will control the management or policies of such Person.

 

Company ” shall, subject to Section 5.02(b) , have the meaning specified in the first paragraph of this First Supplemental Indenture.

 

Conversion Agent ” shall have the meaning specified in Section 3.04(d) .

 

Conversion Date ” shall have the meaning specified in Section 8.02(c) .

 

Conversion Obligation ” shall have the meaning specified in Section 8.01(a) .

 

Conversion Rate ” shall have the meaning specified in Section 8.01(a) .

 

Custodian ” means the Trustee, as custodian for The Depository Trust Company, with respect to the Global Notes, or any successor entity thereto.

 

Default ” means any event that is, or with the passage of time or the giving of notice or both would be, an Event of Default.

 

defaulted interest ” means, solely for purposes of the Notes, any amounts on any Note (including, without limitation, the Fundamental Change Repurchase Price, principal and interest) that are payable but are not punctually paid or duly provided for.

 

Distributed Property ” shall have the meaning specified in Section 8.04(c)(i) .

 

Dividend Threshold Amount ” shall have the meaning specified in Section 8.04(d) .

 

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Effective Date ” shall have the meaning specified in Section 8.03(c) , except that, as used in Section 8.04 , “Effective Date” means the first date on which the Shares trade on the applicable exchange or in the applicable market, regular way, reflecting the relevant share split or share combination, as applicable.

 

Ex-Dividend Date ” means the first date on which the Shares trade on the applicable exchange or in the applicable market, regular way, without the right to receive the issuance, dividend or distribution in question, from the Company or, if applicable, from the seller of the Shares on such exchange or market (in the form of due bills or otherwise) as determined by such exchange or market.

 

First Supplemental Indenture ” means this instrument as originally executed or, if amended, or supplemented as herein provided, as so amended or supplemented.

 

Form of Fundamental Change Repurchase Notice ” shall mean the “Form of Fundamental Change Repurchase Notice” attached as Attachment 2 to the Form of Note attached hereto as Exhibit A .

 

Form of Notice of Conversion ” shall mean the “Form of Notice of Conversion” attached as Attachment 1 to the Form of Note attached hereto as Exhibit A .

 

Fundamental Change ” shall be deemed to have occurred when any of the following occurs:

 

(a)                                  the consummation of any transaction (other than a transaction described in clause (b)(ii) below) the result of which is that any “person” or “group” (within the meaning of Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act) becomes the “beneficial owner” (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, of more than 50% of the Company’s Capital Stock that is at the time entitled to vote by the holder thereof in the election of the Board of Directors (or comparable body); or

 

(b)                                  the consummation of (i) any recapitalization, reclassification or change of the Shares (other than changes resulting from a subdivision or combination) as a result of which the Shares would be converted into, or exchanged for, stock, other securities, other property or assets; (ii) any share exchange, consolidation or merger of the Company pursuant to which the Shares will be converted into cash, securities or other property; or (iii) any sale, lease or other transfer in one transaction or a series of transactions of all or substantially all of the consolidated assets of the Company and the Company’s subsidiaries, taken as a whole, to any person or group; provided , however , that a transaction described in clause (ii) in which the holders of all classes of the Company’s Common Equity immediately prior to such transaction own, directly or indirectly, more than 50% of all classes of Common Equity of the continuing or surviving corporation or transferee or any parent thereof immediately after such transaction in substantially the same proportions vis-à-vis each other as such ownership immediately prior to such transaction shall not be a fundamental change pursuant to this clause (b); or

 

(c)                                   the adoption of a plan relating to liquidation or dissolution of the Company; or

 

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(d)                                  the Shares (or other Common Equity underlying the Notes) cease to be listed on any of The New York Stock Exchange, The NASDAQ Global Select Market or The NASDAQ Global Market (or any of their respective successors).

 

provided , however , that, notwithstanding the foregoing, any transaction or event described in clause (a) or (b) above will not constitute a Fundamental Change, if in connection with such transaction or event, or as a result thereof, at least 90% of the consideration received or to be received for the Shares (excluding cash payments in lieu of fractional Shares and cash payments made pursuant to dissenters’ appraisal rights) in the transaction or transactions that would otherwise constitute a “Fundamental Change” consists of shares of common stock traded on any of The New York Stock Exchange, The NASDAQ Global Select Market or The NASDAQ Global Market (or any of their respective successors) or that will be so traded when issued or exchanged in connection with the transaction and, the Notes become convertible into the applicable Reference Property as a result of such transaction.

 

Fundamental Change Company Notice ” shall have the meaning specified in Section 9.01(c) .

 

Fundamental Change Repurchase Date ” shall have the meaning specified in Section 9.01(a) .

 

Fundamental Change Repurchase Notice ” shall have the meaning specified in Section 9.01(b)(i) .

 

Fundamental Change Repurchase Price ” shall have the meaning specified in Section 9.01(a) .

 

Global Note ” shall have the meaning specified in Section 3.04(b) .

 

Indenture ” shall have the meaning specified in the first paragraph of the recitals of this First Supplemental Indenture.

 

Interest Payment Date ” means each January 15 and July 15 of each year, beginning on July 15, 2017.

 

Last Reported Sale Price ” of the Shares on any date means the closing sale price per Share (or if no closing sale price is reported, the average of the bid and ask prices or, if more than one in either case, the average of the average bid and the average ask prices) on that Trading Day as reported in composite transactions for the principal U.S. national or regional securities exchange on which the Shares are traded. If the Shares are not listed or admitted for trading, the “Last Reported Sale Price” of the Shares shall be the last quoted bid price for the Shares in the over-the-counter market on the relevant Trading Day as reported by OTC Markets Group Inc. or another similar organization selected by the Company. If the Shares are not so quoted, the “Last Reported Sale Price” of the Shares shall be the average of the mid-point of the last bid and ask prices for the Shares on the relevant date from each of at least three nationally recognized independent investment banking firms selected by the Company for this purpose.

 

Make-Whole Fundamental Change ” means any transaction or event that constitutes a Fundamental Change (determined after giving effect to any exceptions to or exclusions from such definition, but without regard to the proviso in clause (b) of the definition thereof).

 

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Maturity Date ” means January 15, 2022.

 

 

Merger Event ” shall have the meaning specified in Section 8.07(a) .

 

Note ” or “ Notes ” shall have the meaning specified in the third paragraph of the recitals of this First Supplemental Indenture.

 

Notice of Conversion ” shall have the meaning specified in Section 8.02(b) .

 

open of business ” means 9:00 a.m. (New York City time).

 

outstanding ,” when used with reference to Notes, shall mean “Outstanding” as defined in the Base Indenture, with the additional exceptions (which will not be deemed Outstanding) set forth below:

 

(a)                                  Notes converted pursuant to Article 8 and required to be cancelled pursuant to Section 3.06 ; and

 

(b)                                  Notes repurchased by the Company pursuant to the penultimate sentence of Section 3.06 .

 

Physical Notes ” means permanent certificated Notes in registered form.

 

Predecessor Note ” of any particular Note means every previous Note evidencing all or a portion of the same debt as that evidenced by such particular Note; and, for the purposes of this definition, any Note authenticated and delivered under Section 3.05 in lieu of or in conversion for a mutilated, lost, destroyed or stolen Note shall be deemed to evidence the same debt as the mutilated, lost, destroyed or stolen Note that it replaces.

 

Prospectus Supplement ” means the preliminary prospectus supplement dated January 17, 2017, as supplemented by the pricing term sheet dated January 17, 2017, relating to the offering and sale of the Notes.

 

Record Date ” means, with respect to any dividend, distribution or other transaction or event in which the holders of the Shares (or other applicable security) have the right to receive any cash, securities or other property or in which the Shares (or such other security) are exchanged for or converted into any combination of cash, securities or other property, the date fixed for determination of holders of the Shares (or such other security) entitled to receive such cash, securities or other property (whether such date is fixed by the Board of Directors, statute, contract or otherwise).

 

Reference Property ” shall have the meaning specified in Section 8.07(a) .

 

Regular Record Date ,” with respect to any Interest Payment Date, shall mean the January 1 or July 1 (whether or not such day is a Business Day) immediately preceding the applicable January 15 or July 15 Interest Payment Date, respectively.

 

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Shares ” means shares of common stock of the Company, $0.01 par value, subject to Section 8.07 .

 

Significant Subsidiary ” shall have the meaning specified in Rule 1-02(w) of Regulation S-X.

 

 

Spin-Off ” shall have the meaning specified in Section 8.04(c)(ii) .

 

Stock Price ” shall have the meaning specified in Section 8.03(c) .

 

Trading Day ” means a day on which (i) trading in the Shares (or other security for which a closing sale price must be determined) generally occurs on The NASDAQ Global Select Market or, if the Shares are not then listed on The NASDAQ Global Select Market, on the principal other United States national or regional securities exchange or market on which the Shares (or such other security) are then traded, and (ii) a Last Reported Sale Price for the Shares (or such other security) is available on such securities exchange or market. If the Shares (or such other security) are not so listed or admitted for trading, “Trading Day” means a Business Day.

 

Trigger Event ” shall have the meaning specified in Section 8.04(c).

 

unit of Reference Property ” shall have the meaning specified in Section 8.07(a) .

 

Valuation Period ” shall have the meaning specified in Section 8.04(c)(ii) .

 

Section 2.02                              References to Interest . Unless the context otherwise requires, any reference to interest on, or in respect of, any Note in the Indenture shall be deemed to include Additional Interest if, in such context, Additional Interest is, was or would be payable pursuant to Section 6.02 . Unless the context otherwise requires, any express mention of Additional Interest in any provision hereof shall not be construed as excluding Additional Interest in those provisions hereof where such express mention is not made.

 

ARTICLE 3

 

ISSUE, DESCRIPTION, EXECUTION, REGISTRATION AND CONVERSION OF NOTES

 

Section 3.01                              Designation and Amount . The Notes shall be designated as the “6.25% Senior Convertible Notes due 2022.” The aggregate principal amount of Notes that may be authenticated and delivered under the Indenture is initially limited to $138,000,000, subject to Section 3.06 and except for Notes authenticated and delivered upon registration or transfer of, or in exchange for, or in lieu of other Notes pursuant to Section 3.05, Section 3.06 and Section 12.06 of the Base Indenture and (as amended, if applicable, by) Section 3.04 , Section 3.05 and Section 9.03 of this First Supplemental Indenture.

 

Section 3.02                              Form of Notes . The Notes and the Trustee’s certificate of authentication to be borne by such Notes shall be substantially in the respective forms set forth in Exhibit A , the terms and provisions of which shall constitute, and are hereby expressly incorporated in and made a part of the Indenture. To the extent applicable, the Company and the Trustee, by their

 

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execution and delivery of the Indenture, expressly agree to such terms and provisions and to be bound thereby.

 

Any Global Note may be endorsed with or have incorporated in the text thereof such legends or recitals or changes not inconsistent with the provisions of the Indenture as may be required by the Custodian or the Depositary, or as may be required to comply with any applicable law or any regulation thereunder or with the rules and regulations of any securities exchange or automated quotation system upon which the Notes may be listed or traded or designated for issuance or to conform with any usage with respect thereto, or to indicate any special limitations or restrictions to which any particular Notes are subject.

 

Any of the Notes may have such letters, numbers or other marks of identification and such notations, legends or endorsements as the Officers executing the same may approve (execution thereof to be conclusive evidence of such approval) and as are not inconsistent with the provisions of the Indenture, or as may be required to comply with any law or with any rule or regulation made pursuant thereto or with any rule or regulation of any securities exchange or automated quotation system on which the Notes may be listed or designated for issuance, or to conform to usage or to indicate any special limitations or restrictions to which any particular Notes are subject.

 

Each Global Note shall represent such principal amount of the outstanding Notes as shall be specified therein and shall provide that it shall represent the aggregate principal amount of outstanding Notes from time to time endorsed thereon and that the aggregate principal amount of outstanding Notes represented thereby may from time to time be increased or reduced to reflect repurchases, cancellations, transfers or conversions permitted hereby. Any endorsement of the Global Note to reflect the amount of any increase or decrease in the amount of outstanding Notes represented thereby shall be made by the Trustee or the Custodian, at the direction of the Trustee, in accordance with the Indenture.

 

Section 3.03                              Date and Denomination of Notes; Payments of Interest; Defaulted Interest . (a) The Notes shall be issuable in registered form without coupons in minimum denominations of $1,000 principal amount and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof. Each Note shall be dated the date of its authentication and shall bear interest from the date specified on the face of such Note. Accrued interest on the Notes shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day year composed of twelve 30-day months. Unless prohibited by applicable law, payments of principal or interest (including Additional Interest, if any) on the Notes that are not made when due will accrue defaulted interest at the then-applicable interest rate on the Notes from the required payment date; provided , however , that if a payment date is not a Business Day, payment will be made on the next succeeding Business Day and no interest will accrue thereon for such days preceding the first succeeding Business Day.

 

(b)                                  The Person in whose name any Note (or its Predecessor Note) is registered on the Security Register at the close of business on any Regular Record Date with respect to any Interest Payment Date shall be entitled to receive the interest payable on such Interest Payment Date. Interest shall be payable at the office or agency of the Company maintained by the Company for such purposes, which shall initially be the Corporate Trust Office in New York City. The Company shall pay interest (i) on any Physical Notes (A) to Holders holding Physical

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Notes having an aggregate principal amount of less than $5.0 million, by check mailed to the Holders of these Notes at their address as it appears in the Security Register and (B) to Holders holding Physical Notes having an aggregate principal amount of $5.0 million or more, by wire transfer in immediately available funds at the election of the Holders of these Notes duly delivered to the trustee at least five Business Days prior to the relevant Interest Payment Date or (ii) on any Global Note by wire transfer of immediately available funds to the account of the Depositary or its nominee.

 

Section 3.04          Exchange and Registration of Transfer of Notes; Depositary .

 

(a)           Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 3.05 of the Base Indenture, none of the Company, the Trustee or the Registrar shall be required to exchange Notes for other Notes or register a transfer of (i) any Notes surrendered for conversion in accordance with Article 8 for Shares, or, if a portion of any Note is surrendered for conversion for Shares, such portion thereof surrendered for conversion in accordance with Article 8 or (ii) any Notes, or a portion of any Note, surrendered for repurchase (and not withdrawn) in accordance with Article 9 .

 

(b)           So long as the Notes are eligible for book-entry settlement with the Depositary, unless otherwise required by law, all Notes shall be represented by one or more Global Securities (each, a “ Global Note ”) registered in the name of the Depositary or the nominee of the Depositary. The transfer and exchange of beneficial interest in a Global Note that does not involve the issuance of a Physical Note, shall be effected through the Depositary (but not the Trustee or the Custodian) in accordance with the Indenture (including the restrictions on transfer set forth herein) and the Applicable Procedures.

 

(c)           The Depositary shall be a clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act. The Company initially appoints The Depository Trust Company to act as Depositary with respect to each Global Note. Initially, each Global Note shall be issued to the Depositary, registered in the name of Cede & Co., as the nominee of the Depositary, and deposited with the Trustee as custodian for Cede & Co. A Global Note may be transferred, in whole or in part, only to another nominee of DTC or to a successor of DTC or its nominee.

 

(d)           The Company shall cause to be kept an office or agency where Notes may be presented for conversion in accordance with Article 8 of this First Supplemental Indenture (the “ Conversion Agent ”). The Company initially appoints the Trustee as Conversion Agent. The Company may have one or more additional Conversion Agents with respect to the Notes. If the Company fails to maintain a Conversion Agent, the Trustee shall act as such. The Company or any Affiliate of the Company may act as Conversion Agent; provided that neither the Company nor an Affiliate of the Company shall act as Conversion Agent in connection with the discharge of the Indenture under Article 4 of this First Supplemental Indenture.

 

Section 3.05          Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost or Stolen Notes . Solely for purposes of the Notes, the third and fourth paragraphs of Section 3.06 of the Base Indenture are hereby deleted in their entirety and replaced with the following: “In case any Note that has matured or is about to mature or has been surrendered for required repurchase or is about to be converted in accordance with Article 8 shall become mutilated or be destroyed, lost or stolen, the Company may, in its

 

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sole discretion, instead of issuing a substitute Note, pay or authorize the payment of or convert or authorize the conversion of the same (without surrender thereof except in the case of a mutilated Note), as the case may be, if the applicant for such payment or conversion shall furnish to the Company, to the Trustee and, if applicable, to such authenticating agent such security or indemnity as may be required by them to save each of them harmless for any loss, liability, cost or expense caused by or connected with such substitution, and, in every case of destruction, loss or theft, evidence satisfactory to the Company, the Trustee and, if applicable, any Paying Agent or Conversion Agent evidence of their satisfaction of the destruction, loss or theft of such Note and of the ownership thereof. No service charge shall be imposed by the Company, the Trustee, the Registrar, any co-Registrar or the Paying Agent upon the issuance of any substitute Note, but the Company may require a Holder to pay a sum sufficient to cover any documentary, stamp or similar issue or transfer tax required in connection therewith as a result of the name of the Holder of the new substitute Note being different from the name of the Holder of the old Note that became mutilated or was destroyed, lost or stolen.”

 

Section 3.06          Additional Notes; Repurchases .

 

(a)           The Company may, without the consent of the Holders and notwithstanding Section 3.01 , reopen the Indenture and issue additional Notes hereunder with the same terms and conditions, except for any differences in the issue price and interest accrued prior to the issue date of the additional Notes (and with the same CUSIP numbers or different CUSIP numbers as the Notes) as the Notes initially issued hereunder in an unlimited aggregate principal amount; provided that if the same CUSIP number is used for any such additional Notes, such additional Notes must be part of the same issue as the Notes initially issued under this First Supplemental Indenture for U.S. federal income tax purposes. If such additional Notes are not part of the same issue as the Notes initially issued under this First Supplemental Indenture for U.S. federal income tax purposes, such additional Notes shall have a separate CUSIP number. Prior to the issuance of any such additional Notes, the Company shall deliver to the Trustee a Company Order, an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, such Officer’s Certificate and Opinion of Counsel to the effect that such issuance is permitted under the Indenture. In addition, the Company may, to the extent permitted by law, and directly or indirectly (regardless of whether such Notes are surrendered to the Company), repurchase Notes in the open market or otherwise, whether by the Company or its Subsidiaries or through a private or public tender or conversion offer or through counterparties to private agreements, including by cash-settled swaps or other derivatives.

 

(b)           No additional Notes may be issued if any Event of Default has occurred and is continuing with respect to the Notes.

 

(c)           The Company shall cause any Notes so repurchased (other than Notes repurchased pursuant to cash-settled swaps or other derivatives) to be surrendered to the Trustee for cancellation in accordance with Section 3.09 of the Base Indenture.

 

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ARTICLE 4

 

SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE; DEFEASANCE

 

Section 4.01          Applicability of Article VII of the Base Indenture . Article VII of the Base Indenture shall not apply with respect to the Notes. Instead, the satisfaction and discharge provisions set forth in this Article 4 shall, with respect to the Notes, supersede in their entirety Article VII of the Base Indenture, and all references in the Base Indenture to such Sections and satisfaction and discharge provisions therein, as the case may be, shall, with respect to the Notes, be deemed to be references to this Article 4 and the satisfaction and discharge provisions set forth in this Article 4 .

 

Section 4.02          Satisfaction and Discharge . This First Supplemental Indenture and the Base Indenture with respect to the Notes shall upon request of the Company contained in an Officer’s Certificate cease to be of further effect, and the Trustee, at the expense of the Company, shall execute proper instruments acknowledging satisfaction and discharge of the Indenture, when (a) (i) all Notes theretofore authenticated and delivered (other than (x) Notes which have been destroyed, lost or stolen and which have been replaced or paid as provided in Section 3.06 of the Base Indenture and (y) Notes 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 6.03 of the Base Indenture) have been delivered to the Trustee for cancellation; or (ii) the Company has deposited with the Trustee or delivered to Holders, as applicable, after the Notes have become due and payable, whether on the Maturity Date, any Fundamental Change Repurchase Date, upon conversion or otherwise, cash and/or Shares (solely to satisfy the Company’s outstanding Conversion Obligation, if applicable), sufficient to pay all of the outstanding Notes and all other sums due and payable under the Indenture by the Company; and (b) the Company has delivered to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent herein provided for relating to the satisfaction and discharge of the Indenture have been complied with. Notwithstanding the satisfaction and discharge of this First Supplemental Indenture, the obligations of the Company to the Trustee under Section 9.07 of the Base Indenture shall survive.

 

ARTICLE 5

 

PARTICULAR COVENANTS OF THE COMPANY

 

Section 5.01          Payment of Principal and Interest . (a) Section 6.01 of the Base Indenture shall not apply to the Notes.

 

(b)           The Company covenants and agrees that it will cause to be paid the principal of, and accrued and unpaid interest on, each of the Notes at the places, at the respective times and in the manner provided herein and in the Notes.

 

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Section 5.02          Consolidation and Merger .

 

(a)           Sections 11.01 and 11.02 of the Base Indenture shall not apply to the Notes. The Company shall not, in a single transaction or a series of related transactions, consolidate with or merge with or into any other Person or sell, convey, transfer or lease its property and assets substantially as an entirety to another Person, unless:

 

(i)            either (a) the Company is the continuing or surviving corporation or (b) the resulting, surviving or transferee Person (if other than the Company) is a corporation or limited liability company organized and existing under the laws of the United States, any state thereof or the District of Columbia and such person assumes, by a supplemental indenture in a form reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee, all of the Company’s obligations under the Notes and the Indenture;

 

(ii)           immediately after giving effect to such transaction, no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing under the Indenture; and

 

(iii)          it shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate and Opinion of Counsel to the effect that the foregoing conditions are satisfied.

 

(b)           In the event of any transaction described in and complying with the conditions listed in the immediately preceding paragraph in which the Company is not the continuing or surviving corporation, the successor person formed or remaining shall succeed, and be substituted for, and may exercise every right and power of, the Company, and, except in the case of a lease, the Company shall be discharged from its obligations under the Notes and the Indenture.

 

Section 5.03          Reports by the Company . (a) The Company shall deliver to the Trustee, within 15 days after filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (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 by rules and regulations prescribe) that the Company is required to file with the Commission pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, provided that public availability of the foregoing on the Commission’s website or the Commission’s “EDGAR” system will be deemed to satisfy such delivery obligations.

 

(b)           Delivery of the reports and documents described in subsection (a) above to the Trustee or to any Holder is for informational purposes only, and the Trustee’s or such Holder’s receipt of such shall not constitute constructive notice of any information contained therein or determinable from information contained therein, including the Company’s compliance with any of its covenants hereunder (as to which the Trustee is entitled to conclusively rely on an Officer’s Certificate) and the Trustee shall have no liability or responsibility for the filing, content or timeliness of such reports.

 

Section 5.04          Statements as to Defaults; Compliance with Indenture

 

(a)           Section 6.05 of the Base Indenture shall not apply to the Notes.

 

(b)           The Company shall deliver to the Trustee, on or before a date not more than 120 calendar days after the end of each fiscal year, a written statement as to compliance with the Indenture, including whether or not any Default has occurred. In addition, the Company

 

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shall notify the Trustee promptly (and in any event within 30 days) upon becoming aware of the occurrence of any Event of Default or Default and deliver an Officer’s Certificate setting forth the details of such Event of Default or Default, its status and the action that the Company is taking or proposing to take in respect thereof.

 

ARTICLE 6

 

DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES

 

Section 6.01          Amendments to Base Indenture Events of Default .

 

(a)           Sections 8.01, 8.02 and 8.13 of the Base Indenture shall not apply to the Notes. All references in the Base Indenture to Sections 8.01(a) , (b) , (e)  or 8.01(f) , as the case maybe, shall with respect to the Notes, be deemed to be references to clauses 6.01(a)(i) , (ii) , (ix) or (x) , respectively, of this Section 6.01 and the provisions set forth therein. The following events shall be “Events of Default” with respect to the Notes:

 

(i)            the Company fails to pay any interest on the Notes when due and such failure continues for a period of 30 calendar days;

 

(ii)           the Company fails to pay principal of the Notes when due at maturity, or the Company fails to pay the Fundamental Change Repurchase Price payable in respect of any Notes when due;

 

(iii)          the Company fails to deliver Shares upon the conversion of any Notes and such failures continues for more than five Business Days;

 

(iv)          the Company fails to comply with Section 5.02 ;

 

(v)           the Company fails to provide notice of the effective date of a Fundamental Change as required by Section 9.01(c)  or a notice of a Make-Whole Fundamental Change as required by Section 8.03(b)  and such failure continues for more than five Business Days;

 

(vi)          the Company fails to perform or observe any other term, covenant or agreement in the Notes or the Indenture for a period of 60 calendar days after written notice of such failure is given 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 Notes then outstanding;

 

(vii)         a failure to pay when due (whether at stated maturity or otherwise) or a default that results in the acceleration of maturity, of any indebtedness for borrowed money of the Company or any of its Significant Subsidiaries in an aggregate amount in excess of $25,000,000 (or its foreign currency equivalent), unless such indebtedness is discharged, or such acceleration is rescinded, stayed or annulled, within a period of 30 calendar days after written notice of such failure is given to the Company by the Trustee or to the Company or the Trustee by the Holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Notes then outstanding;

 

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(viii)        a final judgment for the payment in excess of $25,000,000 (or its foreign currency equivalent), excluding any amounts covered by insurance, rendered against the Company any of its subsidiaries, which judgment is not discharged or stayed within 30 calendar days after (i) the date on which the right to appeal or petition for review thereof has expired if no such appeal or review has commenced, or (ii) the date on which all rights to appeal or petition for review have been extinguished;

 

(ix)          the entry by a court having jurisdiction in the premises of (A) a decree or order for relief in respect of the Company or any Significant Subsidiary in an involuntary case or proceeding under any applicable federal or state bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or other similar law or (B) a decree or order adjudging the Company or a Significant Subsidiary a bankrupt or insolvent, or approving as properly filed a petition seeking reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition of or in respect of the Company or any Significant Subsidiary under any applicable federal or state law, or appointing a custodian, receiver, liquidator, assignee, trustee, sequestrator or other similar official of the Company or any Significant Subsidiary 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 for relief or any such other decree or order unstayed and in effect for a period of 60 consecutive days; or

 

(x)           the commencement by the Company or any Significant Subsidiary of a voluntary case or proceeding under any applicable federal or state bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or other similar law or of any other case or proceeding to be adjudicated a bankrupt or insolvent, of the consent by it to the entry of a decree or order for relief in respect of the Company or any Significant Subsidiary in an involuntary case or proceeding under any applicable federal or state bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or other similar law or to the commencement of any bankruptcy or insolvency case or proceeding against it, or the filing by it of a petition or answer or consent seeking reorganization or relief under any applicable federal or state law, or the consent by it to the filing of such petition or to the appointment of or taking possession by a custodian, receiver, liquidator, assignee, trustee, sequestrator or other similar official of the Company or any Significant Subsidiary 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.

 

(b)           If an Event of Default, other than an Event of Default with respect to the Company (and not any Significant Subsidiary) specified in Sections 6.01(a)(ix)  or 6.01(a)(x) , occurs and is continuing, then the Trustee or the Holders of not less than 25% in principal amount of all the outstanding Notes may declare the principal amount of the Notes 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 shall become immediately due and payable. If an Event of Default with respect to the Company (and not any Significant Subsidiary) specified in Section 6.01(a)(ix)  or 6.01(a)(x)  occurs, the principal amount of all the outstanding Notes shall automatically, and without any declaration or other action on the part of the Trustee or any Holder, become immediately due and payable. Thereupon, the Trustee may, in its discretion, proceed to protect and enforce the rights of the Holders of the Notes by appropriate judicial proceedings.

 

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(c)           At any time after such acceleration has occurred but before a judgment or decree for payment of the money due has been obtained by the Trustee, the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Notes outstanding, by written notice to the Company and the Trustee, may rescind and annul such declaration and its consequences if:

 

(i)            the Company has paid or deposited with the Trustee a sum sufficient to pay: (1) all overdue interest on all Notes; (2) the principal amount of any Notes that have become due otherwise than by such declaration of acceleration; (3) to the extent that payment of such interest is lawful, interest upon overdue interest; (4) all sums paid or advanced by the Trustee under this First Supplemental Indenture and the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel; and

 

(ii)           all Events of Default, other than the non-payment of the principal amount and any accrued and unpaid interest that have become due solely by such declaration of acceleration, have been cured or waived.

 

Section 6.02          Additional Interest . Notwithstanding anything in the Indenture or in the Notes to the contrary, to the extent the Company elects, the sole remedy for Event of Default relating to (i) the Company’s failure to file with the Trustee pursuant to Section 314(a)(1) of the Trust Indenture Act any documents or reports that the Company is required to file with the Commission pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act or (ii) the Company’s failure to comply with its obligations as set forth in Section 5.03 shall for the first 180 days after the occurrence of such an Event of Default consist exclusively of the right to receive Additional Interest on the Notes at a rate equal to (i) 0.25% per annum of the principal amount of the Notes outstanding for each day during the first 90 day period on which such Event of Default is continuing beginning on, and including, the date on which such an Event of Default first occurs and (ii) 0.50% per annum of the principal amount of the Notes outstanding for each day during the next 90-day period during which such Event of Default is continuing beginning on, and including, the 91st day after such an Event of Default first occurred. However, in no event will Additional Interest exceed an aggregate rate of 0.50% per annum on any Note. The Additional Interest will accrue on all outstanding Notes from and including the date on which an Event of Default relating to a failure to comply with the reporting obligations referenced above first occurs to, but not including, the 181st day thereafter (or such earlier date on which the Event of Default relating to the reporting obligations shall have been cured or waived). On the 181st day, if such Event of Default is continuing, such Additional Interest will cease to accrue and the Notes will be subject to acceleration as provided in Section 6.01(b) . The provisions of the Indenture described in this paragraph will not affect the rights of Holders of Notes in the event of the occurrence of any other Event of Default. If the Company elects to pay Additional Interest as the sole remedy during the first 181 days after the occurrence of any Event of Default described in the immediately preceding paragraph, then the Company must notify all Holders of the Notes, the Trustee and the Paying Agent of such election prior to the beginning of such 181-day period. In the event the Company does not elect to pay Additional Interest following an Event of Default in accordance with this Section 6.02 or the Company elected to make such payment but does not pay the Additional Interest when due, the Notes shall be subject to acceleration as provided in Section 6.01(b) .

 

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Section 6.03          Waiver of Past Defaults . The Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Notes outstanding, may, on behalf of the Holders of all of the Notes, waive any past Default or Event of Default under the indenture and its consequences, except:

 

(a)           The Company’s failure to pay principal of or interest on any Notes when due;

 

(b)           The Company’s failure to convert any Notes into the conversion consideration specified by this Indenture;

 

(c)           The Company’s failure to pay the repurchase price on the Fundamental Change Repurchase Date in connection with a Holder exercising its repurchase rights; or

 

(d)           The Company’s failure to comply with any of the provisions of this Indenture that would require the consent of the Holder of each outstanding Note affected.

 

Section 6.04          Notice of Events of Default.

 

(a)           Section 9.02 of the Base Indenture shall not apply with respect to the Notes. In addition to any notice of default required under the Trust Indenture Act, within 90 calendar days of becoming aware of the occurrence of any Event of Default, the Trustee shall give notice to Holders of the Notes of all uncured Events of Default actually known to it. The Trustee may withhold notice to the Holder of the Notes of any Event of Default, except defaults in payment of principal or interest on the Notes or defaults in the failure to deliver the consideration due upon conversion, if the Trustee, in good faith, determines that the withholding of such notice is in the interest of the Holders.

 

Section 6.05          Limitation on Suits

 

(a)           Section 8.07 of the Base Indenture shall not apply to the Notes.

 

(b)           No Holder may pursue a remedy with respect to the Indenture or the Notes, except in the case of a default in the payment of principal or interest on the Notes, unless:

 

(i)            such Holder has previously delivered to the Trustee written notice that an Event of Default has occurred;

 

(ii)           the Holders of at least 25% of the aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes deliver to the Trustee a written request that the Trustee pursue a remedy, and offer security or indemnity reasonably satisfactory to it against any cost, liability or expense of the Trustee;

 

(iii)          the Trustee fails to comply with the request within 60 calendar days after receipt of the request and offer of indemnity; and

 

(iv)          the Trustee does not receive an inconsistent direction from the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Notes.

 

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Section 6.06                              Control by Majority

 

(a)                                  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in Section 8.12 of the Base Indenture, at any time, upon the occurrence of an Event of Default, the Holders of the majority of the aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes may direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee or for exercising any trust or power conferred on the Trustee, subject to limitations specified in this First Supplemental Indenture.

 

ARTICLE 7

 

SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES

 

Section 7.01                              Applicability of Article XII of the Base Indenture . Sections 12.01 and 12.02 of the Base Indenture shall not apply to the Notes. Instead the provision set forth in this Article 7 shall apply to the Notes and shall supersede in its entirely Section 12.01 and 12.02 of the Base Indenture, and all references in the Base Indenture to 12.01 and 12.02 thereof and the provisions therein, as the case may be, shall, with respect to the Notes, be deemed to be references to Sections 7.02 and 7.03 , as the case may be, and the provisions set forth in this Article 7 .

 

Section 7.02                              Supplemental Indentures Without Consent of Holders . Notwithstanding Section 7.03 , solely for purposes of the Notes, the Company and the Trustee may amend or supplement the Indenture or the Notes without notice to or the consent of any Holder:

 

(a)                                  to provide for changes to conversion rights of Holders of the Notes in connection with a transaction described in Section 8.07 ;

 

(b)                                  to secure the Notes;

 

(c)                                   to provide for the assumption of the Company’s obligations to the Holders of the Notes in the event of a merger or consolidation, or sale, conveyance, transfer or lease of the Company’s property and assets substantially as an entirety pursuant to Section 5.02 ;

 

(d)                                  to surrender any right or power conferred upon the Company;

 

(e)                                   to add to the Company’s covenants for the benefits of the Holders of the Notes;

 

(f)                                    to cure any ambiguity or correct or supplement any inconsistent or otherwise defective provision contained in the Indenture; provided that such modification or amendment does not adversely affect the interests of the Holders of the Notes; provided , further , that any amendment made solely to conform the provisions of the Indenture to the Description of the Notes contained in the Prospectus Supplement will not be deemed to adversely affect the interests of the Holders of the Notes;

 

(g)                                   to make any provision with respect to matters or questions arising under the Indenture that the Company may deem necessary or desirable and that shall not be

 

17



 

inconsistent with provisions of the Indenture; provided that such change or modification does not adversely affect the interests of the Holders of the Notes in any material respect;

 

(h)                                  to increase the Conversion Rate pursuant to Section 8.04(i) ;

 

(i)                                      comply with the requirements of the Commission in order to effect or maintain the qualification of the Indenture under the Trust Indenture Act;

 

(j)                                     to add guarantees of obligations under the Notes;

 

(k)                                  issue additional Notes pursuant to Section 3.06 ; and

 

(l)                                      provide for a successor Trustee.

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Base Indenture may be amended or supplemented without the consent of Holders as provided therein with respect to establishing the terms of other series of Debt Securities or other changes that do not apply to the Notes.

 

Section 7.03                              Supplemental Indentures with Consent of Holders . With the consent of the Holders of not less than 50% in aggregate principal amount of the Notes then outstanding, the Company and the Trustee, may from time to time and at any time 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 the Notes or the Indenture or any supplemental indenture (in each case as they relate to the Notes) or modifying in any manner the rights of the Holders; provided , however , that without the consent of each Holder of an outstanding Note affected, no such supplemental indenture shall:

 

(a)                                  change the Maturity Date of any Notes;

 

(b)                                  reduce the rate or extend the time for payment of interest of any Note;

 

(c)                                   reduce the principal amount of any Notes;

 

(d)                                  reduce any amount payable upon repurchase of any Note;

 

(e)                                   impair the right of a Holder to institute suit for the enforcement of any payment due on, or any conversion right with respect to, any Notes;

 

(f)                                    change the currency in which any Notes is payable;

 

(g)                                   change the Company’s obligation to repurchase any Notes upon a Fundamental Change in a manner adverse to Holders;

 

(h)                                  affect the right of any Holder to convert any Notes into Shares or reduce the number of Shares or any other property, including cash receivable upon conversion pursuant to the terms of this Indenture; or

 

(i)                                      modify any of the provisions of this Section 7.03 or Section 6.03 hereof, except to increase any such percentage or to provide that certain other provisions of the

 

18



 

Indenture cannot be modified or waived without the consent of the Holder of each outstanding Note 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 “Trustee” and concomitant changes in this Section 7.03 , or the deletion of this proviso, in accordance with the requirements of Section 9.10 of the Base Indenture and Section 7.02(k)  hereof.

 

It shall not be necessary for any Act of Holders of Notes under this Section 7.03 to approve the particular form of any proposed supplemental indenture, but it shall be sufficient if such Act shall approve the substance thereof.

 

Section 7.04                              Notice of Amendment or Supplement

 

(a)                                  After an amendment or supplement under this Article 7 becomes effective, the Company shall mail to the Holders a notice briefly describing such amendment or supplement. However, the failure to give such notice to all the Holders, or any defect in the notice, shall not impair or affect the validity of the amendment or supplement.

 

ARTICLE 8

 

CONVERSION OF NOTES

 

Section 8.01                              Conversion Privilege . (a) Subject to and upon compliance with the provisions of this Article 8 , each Holder of a Note shall have the right, at such Holder’s option, to convert all or any portion (if the portion to be converted is $1,000 principal amount or an integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof) of such Note at any time prior to the close of business on the Business Day preceding the Maturity Date at an initial Conversion Rate of 142.7144 Shares (subject to adjustment as provided in this Article 8 , the “ Conversion Rate ”) per $1,000 principal amount of Notes (the “ Conversion Obligation ”).

 

(b)                                  Notwithstanding any provision of the Notes or this Indenture, no Person will be entitled to convert Notes for Shares to the extent that receipt of such Shares following conversion would cause such Person to exceed the ownership limits contained in the Company’s charter. Any attempted conversion of Notes that would result in the issuance of Shares in excess of limits in the Company’s charter, shall, in the absence of an exemption in the Company’s charter, be void to the extent of the number of Shares that would cause such violation and the related Note or portion thereof shall be returned to the Holder as promptly as practicable. The Company will have no further obligation to the Holder with respect to such voided conversion and such Notes will be treated as if they had not been submitted for conversion. A Holder of returned Notes may resubmit those Notes for conversion at a later date subject to compliance with the terms of this Indenture and ownership limits described in the Company’s charter.

 

Section 8.02                              Conversion Procedure; Settlement Upon Conversion . (a) Subject to this Section 8.02 , and Sections 8.03(b)  and 8.07(a) , upon conversion of the Notes, the Company will deliver to the converting Holder, on the third Business Day immediately following the relevant Conversion Date, a number of Shares (subject to Section 8.02(j)) equal to the product of (i) the aggregate principal amount of Notes to be converted, divided by $1,000, and (ii) the applicable

 

19



 

Conversion Rate. Each conversion will be deemed to have been effected as to any Notes surrendered for conversion at the close of business on the Conversion Date.

 

(b)                                  Subject to Section 8.02(c) , before any Holder of a Note shall be entitled to convert a Note as set forth above, such Holder shall (i) in the case of a Global Note, comply with Applicable Procedures and, if required, pay funds equal to interest payable on the next Interest Payment Date to which such Holder is not entitled as set forth in Section 8.02(h)  and (ii) in the case of a Physical Note (1) complete, manually sign and deliver a notice to the Conversion Agent as set forth in the Form of Notice of Conversion (or a facsimile thereof) (a “ Notice of Conversion ”) at the office of the Conversion Agent and state in writing therein the principal amount of Notes to be converted and the name or names (with addresses) in which such Holder wishes the certificate or certificates for any Shares to be delivered upon settlement of the Conversion Obligation to be registered, (2) surrender such Notes, duly endorsed to the Company or in blank (and accompanied by appropriate endorsement and transfer documents), at the office of the Conversion Agent, (3) if required, furnish appropriate endorsements and transfer documents, (4) if required, pay funds equal to interest payable on the next Interest Payment Date to which such Holder is not entitled as set forth in Section 8.02(h)  and (5) pay any required taxes pursuant to Section 8.02(d) . The Trustee (and if different, the Conversion Agent) shall notify the Company of any conversion pursuant to this Article 8 on the Conversion Date for such conversion. No Notice of Conversion with respect to any Notes may be surrendered by a Holder thereof if such Holder has also delivered a Fundamental Change Repurchase Notice to the Company in respect of such Notes and not validly withdrawn such Fundamental Change Repurchase Notice in accordance with Section 9.02 .

 

If more than one Note shall be surrendered for conversion at one time by the same Holder, the Conversion Obligation with respect to such Notes shall be computed on the basis of the aggregate principal amount of the Notes (or specified portions thereof to the extent permitted thereby) so surrendered.

 

(c)                                   Any Note shall be deemed to have been converted as of the close of business on the date on which the Holder of such Note satisfies all of the applicable requirements set forth in subsection (b) above with respect to such Note and on which conversion of such Note is not otherwise prohibited under the Indenture shall be the Conversion Date with respect to such Note (the “ Conversion Date ”). The Company shall cause to be issued and deliver to the Conversion Agent or to such Holder, or such Holder’s nominee or nominees, certificates or a book-entry transfer through the Depositary for the full number of Shares to which such Holder shall be entitled in satisfaction of the Company’s Conversion Obligation.

 

(d)                                  In case any Note shall be surrendered for partial conversion, the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver to or upon the written order of the Holder of the Note so surrendered a new Note or Notes in authorized denominations in an aggregate principal amount equal to the unconverted portion of the surrendered Note, without payment of any service charge by the exchanging Holder but, if required by the Company or Trustee, with payment of a sum sufficient to cover any transfer tax or similar governmental charge required by law or that may be imposed in connection therewith as a result of the name of the Holder of the new Notes issued upon such conversion being different from the name of the Holder of the old Notes surrendered for such conversion.

 

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(e)                                   The Company shall pay any documentary, stamp or similar issue or transfer tax due upon conversion other than any tax that may be payable relating to any transfer involved in the issuance or delivery of Shares, if any, due upon conversion in a name other than that of the converting Holder, which such taxes shall be the obligation of the Holder. Certificates representing Shares shall be issued and delivered only after all applicable transfer or similar taxes, if any, payable by the Holder have been paid in full.

 

(f)                                    Except as provided in Section 8.04 , no adjustment shall be made for dividends on any Shares delivered upon the conversion of any Note as provided in this Article 8 .

 

(g)                                   Upon the conversion of an interest in a Global Note, the Trustee, or the Custodian at the direction of the Trustee, shall make a notation on such Global Note as to the reduction in the principal amount represented thereby. The Company shall notify the Trustee in writing of any conversion of Notes effected through any Conversion Agent other than the Trustee.

 

(h)                                  Upon conversion, a Holder shall not receive any separate cash payment for accrued and unpaid interest, if any, except as set forth below. The Company’s settlement of the Conversion Obligation shall be deemed to satisfy in full its obligation to pay the principal amount of the Note and accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but not including, the relevant Conversion Date. As a result, accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but not including, the relevant Conversion Date shall be deemed to be paid in full rather than cancelled, extinguished or forfeited. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if Notes are converted after the close of business on a Regular Record Date, Holders of such Notes as of the close of business on such Regular Record Date will receive the full amount of interest payable on such Notes on the corresponding Interest Payment Date notwithstanding the conversion. Notes surrendered for conversion during the period from the close of business on any Regular Record Date but prior to the open of business on the immediately following Interest Payment Date must be accompanied by funds equal to the amount of interest payable on the Notes so converted; provided that no such payment shall be required (1) for conversions following the close of business on the Regular Record Date immediately preceding the Maturity Date; (2) if the Company has specified a Fundamental Change Repurchase Date that is after a Regular Record Date and on or prior to the Business Day immediately following the corresponding Interest Payment Date; or (3) to the extent of any overdue interest, if any overdue interest exists at the time of conversion with respect to such Note.

 

(i)                                      The Person in whose name the certificate for any Shares delivered upon conversion is registered shall be treated as a stockholder of record as of the close of business on the Conversion Date.

 

(j)                                     Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company shall not deliver any fractional Shares upon conversion and instead shall deliver cash in lieu of fractional Shares based on the Last Reported Sale Price of the Shares on the Conversion Date.

 

Section 8.03                              Increased Conversion Rate Applicable to Certain Notes Surrendered in Connection with Make-Whole Fundamental Changes . (a) If a Make-Whole Fundamental Change occurs prior to the Maturity Date and a Holder elects to convert its Notes in connection with such

 

21



 

Make-Whole Fundamental Change, the Company shall, under the circumstances described below, increase the Conversion Rate for the Notes so surrendered for conversion by a number of additional Shares (the “ Additional Shares ”), as described below. A conversion of Notes shall be deemed for these purposes to be “in connection with” such Make-Whole Fundamental Change only if the Conversion Date occurs on or following the Effective Date of the Make-Whole Fundamental Change but before the close of business on the Business Day immediately preceding the related Fundamental Change Repurchase Date (or in the case of a Make-Whole Fundamental Change that would have been a Fundamental Change but for the proviso in clause (b) of the definition thereof, the 35th Trading Day immediately following the Effective Date of such Make-Whole Fundamental Change).

 

(b)                                  Upon surrender of Notes for conversion in connection with a Make-Whole Fundamental Change, the Company shall pay or deliver, as the case may be, the consideration due in respect of such converted Notes in accordance with Section 8.02 based on the Conversion Rate as increased to reflect the Additional Shares pursuant to the table below; provided , however , that if, at the effective time of a Make-Whole Fundamental Change described in clause (b) of the definition of Fundamental Change, the Reference Property following such Make-Whole Fundamental Change is composed entirely of cash, for any conversion of Notes following the Effective Date of such Make-Whole Fundamental Change, the Conversion Obligation shall be calculated based solely on the Stock Price for the transaction and shall be deemed to be an amount of cash per $1,000 principal amount of converted Notes equal to the Conversion Rate (including any adjustment for Additional Shares), multiplied by such Stock Price. In such event, the Conversion Obligation shall be paid to Holders in cash on the third Business Day following the Conversion Date. The Company shall notify the Holders of Notes of the Effective Date of any Make-Whole Fundamental Change and issue a press release announcing such Effective Date no later than five Business Days after such Effective Date.

 

(c)                                   The number of Additional Shares, if any, by which the Conversion Rate shall be increased shall be determined by reference to the table below, based on the date on which the Make-Whole Fundamental Change occurs or becomes effective (the “ Effective Date ”) and the price (the “ Stock Price ”) paid (or deemed to be paid) per Share in the Make-Whole Fundamental Change. If the holders of the Shares receive in conversion only cash in a Make-Whole Fundamental Change described in clause (b) of the definition of Fundamental Change, the Stock Price shall be the cash amount paid per Share. Otherwise, the Stock Price shall be the average of the Last Reported Sale Prices of the Shares over the five Trading Day period ending on, and including, the Trading Day immediately preceding the Effective Date of the Make-Whole Fundamental Change. The Board of Directors shall make appropriate adjustments to the Stock Price, in its good faith determination, to account for any adjustments to the Conversion Rate that becomes effective, or any event requiring an adjustment to the Conversion Rate where the Ex-Dividend Date of the event occurs, during such five Trading Day period.

 

(d)                                  The Stock Prices set forth in the column headings of the table below shall be adjusted as of any date on which the Conversion Rate of the Notes is otherwise adjusted. The adjusted Stock Prices shall equal the Stock Prices applicable immediately prior to such adjustment, multiplied by a fraction, the numerator of which is the Conversion Rate immediately prior to such adjustment giving rise to the Stock Price adjustment and the denominator of which is the Conversion Rate as so adjusted. The number of Additional Shares set forth in the table

 

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below shall be adjusted in the same manner and at the same time as the Conversion Rate as set forth in Section 8.04 .

 

(e)                                   The following table sets forth the number of Additional Shares by which the Conversion Rate shall be increased upon conversion in connection with a Make-Whole Fundamental Change for each Stock Price and Effective Date set forth below:

 

Stock Price

 

Effective Date

 

$6.37

 

$6.75

 

$7.01

 

$7.25

 

$7.50

 

$8.50

 

$9.50

 

January 23, 2017

 

7.9920

 

7.0258

 

6.4522

 

6.2511

 

4.6189

 

0.2267

 

0.0000

 

January 15, 2018

 

9.2479

 

7.2466

 

6.5312

 

5.5614

 

3.9522

 

0.1679

 

0.0000

 

January 15, 2019

 

10.5038

 

7.3485

 

6.6422

 

4.8718

 

3.2856

 

0.1091

 

0.0000

 

January 15, 2020

 

11.7597

 

7.4980

 

6.7411

 

4.1821

 

2.6189

 

0.0973

 

0.0000

 

January 15, 2021

 

13.0156

 

7.5701

 

6.8215

 

3.4925

 

1.9522

 

0.0000

 

0.0000

 

January 15, 2022

 

14.2714

 

7.7215

 

0.0000

 

0.0000

 

0.0000

 

0.0000

 

0.0000

 

 

The exact Stock Prices and Effective Dates may not be set forth in the table above, in which case:

 

(i)                                      if the Stock Price is between two Stock Prices on the table or the Effective Date is between two Effective Dates on the table, the number of Additional Shares shall be determined by straight-line interpolation between the number of Additional Shares set forth for the higher and lower Stock Prices and the earlier and later Effective Dates, as applicable, based on a 365-day year;

 

(ii)                                   if the Stock Price is greater than $9.50 per
Share (subject to adjustment in the same manner and at the same time as the Stock Prices in the table above), the Conversion Rate will not be increased; and

 

(iii)                                if the Stock Price less than $6.37 per Share (subject to adjustment in the same manner and at the same time as the Stock Prices in the table above), the Conversion Rate will not be increased.

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, in no event will the total number of Shares issuable upon conversion exceed 156.9858 per $1,000 principal amount of Notes, subject to adjustment in the same manner as the Conversion Rate.

 

(f)                                    Nothing in this Section 8.03 shall prevent an adjustment to the Conversion Rate pursuant to Section 8.04 .

 

Section 8.04                              Adjustment of Conversion Rate . The Conversion Rate shall be adjusted from time to time by the Company if any of the following events occurs, except that the Company shall not make any adjustments to the Conversion Rate if Holders of the Notes participate (other than in the case of a share split or share combination), at the same time and

 

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upon the same terms as holders of the Shares and solely as a result of holding the Notes, in any of the transactions described in this Section 8.04 , without having to convert their Notes, as if they held a number of Shares equal to the Conversion Rate for each $1,000 of principal amount of Notes held by such Holder.

 

(a)                                  If the Company issues Shares as a dividend or distribution on Shares, or if the Company effects a share split or share combination, the Conversion Rate will be adjusted based on the following formula:

 

 

where,

 

CR 1  =

the Conversion Rate in effect immediately after the close of business on the Record Date for such dividend or distribution or immediately after the open of business on the Effective Date of such share split or combination, as the case may be;

 

 

CR 0  =

the Conversion Rate in effect immediately prior to the close of business on the Record Date for such dividend or distribution or immediately prior to the open of business on the Effective Date of such share split or combination, as the case may be;

 

 

OS 0  =

the number of Shares outstanding immediately prior to the close of business on the Record Date for such dividend or distribution or immediately prior to the open of business on the Effective Date of such share split or combination, as the case may be; and

 

 

OS 1  =

the number of Shares that would be outstanding immediately after, and solely as a result of, such dividend, distribution, share split or combination, as the case may be.

 

Any adjustment made under this Section 8.04(a)  shall become effective immediately after the close of business on the Record Date for such dividend or distribution, or immediately after the open of business on the effective date for such share split or share combination, as applicable. If any dividend or distribution of the type described in this Section 8.04(a)  is declared but not so paid or made, the Conversion Rate shall be immediately readjusted, effective as of the date the Board of Directors determines not to pay such dividend or distribution, to the Conversion Rate that would then be in effect if such dividend or distribution had not been declared.

 

(b)                                  If the Company distributes to all or substantially all holders of Shares any rights, options or warrants entitling them to purchase, for a period of 45 calendar days or less from the declaration date for such distribution, Shares at a price per Share less than the average of the Last Reported Sale Prices of the Shares during the 10 consecutive Trading Days immediately preceding, but excluding, the declaration date for such distribution, the Conversion Rate will be increased based on the following formula:

 

 

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where,

 

CR 1  =

 

the Conversion Rate in effect immediately after the close of business on the Record Date for such distribution;

 

 

 

CR 0  =

 

the Conversion Rate in effect immediately prior to the close of business on the Record Date for such distribution;

 

 

 

OS 0  =

 

the number of Shares outstanding immediately prior to the close of business on the Record Date for such distribution;

 

 

 

X =

 

the total number of Shares issuable pursuant to such rights or warrants; and 

 

 

 

Y =

 

the number of Shares equal to the aggregate price payable to exercise such rights or warrants, divided by the average of the Last Reported Sale Prices of the Shares during the 10 consecutive Trading Day period ending on, and including, the Trading Day immediately preceding the declaration date for such distribution.

 

Any increase made under this Section 8.04(b)  will be made successively whenever any such rights, options or warrants are distributed and shall become effective immediately after the close of business on the Record Date for such distribution. To the extent that Shares are not delivered after the expiration of such rights, options or warrants, the Conversion Rate shall be decreased to the Conversion Rate that would then be in effect had the increase with respect to the distribution of such rights, options or warrants been made on the basis of delivery of only the number of Shares actually delivered. If such rights, options or warrants are not so distributed, the Conversion Rate shall be decreased to the Conversion Rate that would then be in effect if such Record Date for such distribution had not occurred.

 

For the purpose of this Section 8.04(b) , in determining whether any rights, options or warrants entitle the Holders to purchase Shares at a price per Share less than the average of the Last Reported Sale Prices for the 10 consecutive Trading Days ending on, and including, the Trading Day immediately preceding the declaration date for such distribution, and in determining the aggregate offering price of such Shares, there shall be taken into account any consideration received by the Company for such rights, options or warrants and any amount payable upon exercise or conversion thereof, the value of such consideration, if other than cash, to be determined by the Board of Directors.

 

(c)           (i) If the Company distributes shares of its Capital Stock, evidences of its indebtedness, other of its assets or property or rights, options or warrants to acquire the Company’s Capital Stock to all or substantially all holders of the Shares, excluding (1) dividends or distributions described in Section 8.04(a)  or Section 8.04(b) , (2) dividends or distributions paid exclusively in cash, (3) distributions of Reference Property in connection with a transaction described in Section 8.07 and (4) Spin-Offs as to which the provisions set forth below in this Section 8.04(c)  shall apply (any of such shares, evidences of indebtedness, other assets or property, the “ Distributed Property ”), then the Conversion Rate shall be increased based on the following formula:

 

 

25



 

where,

 

CR 1  =

 

the Conversion Rate in effect immediately after the close of business on the Record Date for such distribution;

 

 

 

CR 0  =

 

the Conversion Rate in effect immediately prior to the close of business on the Record Date for such distribution;

 

 

 

SP 0  =

 

the average of the Last Reported Sale Prices of the Shares during the 10 consecutive Trading Day period ending on, and including, the Trading Day immediately preceding the Ex-Dividend Date for such distribution; and

 

 

 

FMV =

 

the fair market value (as determined by the Board of Directors) of the Distributed Property distributed with respect to each Share as of the open of business on the Ex-Dividend Date for such distribution.

 

Any increase made under this Section 8.04(c)(i)  will become effective immediately after the close of business on the Record Date for such distribution. If such distribution is not so paid or made, the Conversion Rate shall be decreased to be the Conversion Rate that would then be in effect if such dividend or distribution had not been declared.

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, if “FMV” (as defined above) is equal to or greater than “SP 0 ” (as defined above), in lieu of the foregoing increase, each Holder of a Note shall receive, in respect of each $1,000 principal amount thereof, at the same time and upon the same terms as holders of the Shares without having to convert its Notes, the amount and kind of Distributed Property such Holder would have received as if such Holder owned a number of Shares equal to the Conversion Rate in effect on the Record Date for the distribution.

 

(ii)           With respect to an adjustment pursuant to this Section 8.04(c)where there has been a payment of a dividend or other distribution on the Shares in shares of Capital Stock of any class or series of or relating to a subsidiary or other business unit of the Company’s that will be, upon distribution, listed on a U.S. national or regional securities exchange (a “ Spin-Off ”) the Conversion Rate will be increased based on the following formula:

 

where,

 

CR 1  =

 

the Conversion Rate in effect immediately after the close of business on the Record Date for the Spin-Off;

 

 

 

CR 0  =

 

the Conversion Rate in effect in effect immediately prior to the close of business on the Record Date for the Spin-Off;

 

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FMV =

 

the average of the Last Reported Sale Prices (determined in good faith by the Company in a manner consistent with the definition of Last Reported Sale Price, as if the distributed Capital Stock was the Shares) of the Capital Stock distributed to holders of the Shares applicable to one Share over the first 10 consecutive Trading Day period beginning on, and including, the Ex-Dividend Date for such Spin-Off (such period, the “ Valuation Period ”); and 

 

 

 

MP 0  =

 

the average of the Last Reported Sale Prices of the Shares during the Valuation Period.

 

 

Any adjustment to the Conversion Rate under this Section 8.04(c)(ii)  will be made immediately after the close of business on the last day of the Valuation Period, but will be given effect as of the open of business on the Record Date for the Spin-Off; provided that, if the relevant Conversion Date occurs with respect to any conversions during the Valuation Period, references to the 10 consecutive Trading Day period shall be replaced with such lesser number of days as have elapsed between the Ex-Dividend Date for such Spin-Off and the Conversion Date in determining the applicable Conversion Rate.

 

Subject to Section 8.10, for the purposes of this Section 8.04(c) , rights, options or warrants distributed by the Company to all holders of the Shares entitling them to subscribe for or purchase shares of the Company’s Capital Stock (either initially or under certain circumstances), which rights, options or warrants, until the occurrence of a specified event or events (a “ Trigger Event ”): (1) are deemed to be transferred with such Shares; (2) are not exercisable; and (3) are also issued in respect of future issuances of Shares, shall be deemed not to have been distributed for purposes of this Section 8.04(c)  (and no adjustment to the Conversion Rate under this Section 8.04(c)  will be required), until the occurrence of the earliest Trigger Event, whereupon such rights, options or warrants shall be deemed to have been distributed and an appropriate adjustment (if any is required) to the Conversion Rate shall be made under this Section 8.04(c) . In addition, in the event of any distribution or deemed distribution of rights, options or warrants, or any Trigger Event or other event (of the type described in the preceding sentence) with respect thereto that was counted for purposes of calculating a distribution amount for which an adjustment to the Conversion Rate under this Section 8.04(c)  was made, (1) in the case of any such rights, options or warrants which shall all have been redeemed or purchased without exercise by any holders thereof, upon such final redemption or purchase (x) the Conversion Rate shall be readjusted as if such rights, options or warrants had not been issued and (y) the Conversion Rate shall then again be readjusted to give effect to such distribution, deemed distribution or Trigger Event, as the case may be, as though it were a cash distribution, equal to the per Share redemption or purchase price received by holders of Shares with respect to such rights, options or warrants (assuming each such Holder had retained such rights, options or warrants), made to all holders of Shares as of the date of such redemption or purchase, and (2) in the case of such rights, options or warrants which shall have expired or been terminated without exercise by any holders thereof, the Conversion Rate shall be readjusted as if such rights and warrants had not been issued.

 

For purposes of Section 8.04(a)  hereof, Section 8.04(b)  hereof and this Section 8.04(c), if any dividend or distribution to which this Section 8.04(c)  applies includes one or both of:

 

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(1)           a dividend or distribution of Shares to which Section 8.04(a)  hereof also applies (the “ Clause A Distribution ”); or

 

(2)           a dividend or distribution of rights, options or warrants to which Section 8.04(b)  hereof also applies (the “ Clause B Distribution ”),

 

then (i) such dividend or distribution, other than the Clause A Distribution and the Clause B Distribution, shall be deemed to be a dividend or distribution to which this Section 8.04(c)  applies (the “ Clause C Distribution ”) and any Conversion Rate adjustment required to be made under this Section 8.04(c)  with respect to such Clause C Distribution shall be made, and (ii) the Clause A Distribution and Clause B Distribution, if any, shall be deemed to immediately follow the Clause C Distribution and any Conversion Rate adjustment required by Section 8.04(a)  and Section 8.04(b)  with respect thereto shall then be made, except that, if determined by the Company (I) the “Record Date” of the Clause A Distribution and the Clause B Distribution shall be deemed to be the Record Date of the Clause C Distribution and (II) any shares of Common Stock included in the Clause A Distribution or Clause B Distribution shall be deemed not to be “outstanding immediately prior to the close of business on such Record Date or the open of business on such Effective Date” within the meaning of Section 8.04(a)  or “outstanding immediately prior to the close of business on such Record Date” within the meaning of Section 8.04(b) .

 

(d)           If the Company pays any cash dividends or distributions exclusively in cash to all or substantially all holders of the Shares, other than regular, periodic cash dividends that do not exceed the dividend threshold amount defined below, the Conversion Rate will be increased based on the following formula:

 

where,

 

CR 1  =

 

the Conversion Rate in effect immediately after the close of business on the Record Date for such dividend or distribution;

 

 

 

CR 0  =

 

the Conversion Rate in effect immediately prior to the close of business on the Record Date for such dividend or distribution;

 

 

 

SP 0  =

 

the Last Reported Sale Price of the Shares on the Trading Day immediately preceding the Ex-Dividend date for such distribution;

 

 

 

DTA =

 

the dividend threshold amount (the “ Dividend Threshold Amount ”), which shall initially be $0.24 per quarter per Share (provided that if the Board of Directors announces any change to the length of a regular dividend period, the Company will proportionately adjust the dividend threshold amount); and

 

 

 

C =

 

the amount in cash per Share that the Company distributes to holders of the Shares.

 

28



 

Any adjustment made under this Section 8.04(d)  shall become effective immediately after the close of business on the Record Date for such dividend or distribution. The Dividend Threshold Amount is subject to adjustment on an inversely proportional basis whenever the Conversion Rate is adjusted, other than adjustments made pursuant to this Section 8.04(d) . If an adjustment is required to be made as set forth in this Section 8.04(d)  as a result of a distribution that is not a regular periodic dividend, the Dividend Threshold Amount will be deemed to be zero.

 

If such dividend or distribution is not so paid, the Conversion Rate shall be decreased to be the Conversion Rate that would then be in effect if such dividend or distribution had not been declared.

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, if “C” (as defined above) is equal to or greater than “SP 0 ” (as defined above), in lieu of the foregoing increase, each Holder of a Note shall receive, for each $1,000 principal amount of Notes, at the same time and upon the same terms as Holders of Shares, the amount of cash that such Holder would have received if such Holder owned a number of Shares equal to the Conversion Rate on the Record Date for such cash dividend or distribution.

 

(e)           If the Company or any of its Subsidiaries makes a payment in respect of a tender offer or exchange offer for the Shares, to the extent that the cash and value of any other consideration included in the payment per Share exceeds the average of the Last Reported Sale Prices of the Shares during the Averaging Period, the Conversion Rate will be increased based on the following formula:

 

where,

 

CR 1  =

 

the Conversion Rate in effect immediately after the close of business on the last trading day of the 10 consecutive Trading Day period commencing on, and including, the trading day next succeeding the date such tender or exchange offer expires (the “ Averaging Period ”);

 

 

 

CR 0  =

 

the Conversion Rate in effect immediately prior to the close of business on the Last Trading Day of the Averaging Period;

 

 

 

AC =

 

the aggregate value of all cash and any other consideration (as determined by the Board of Directors) paid or payable for Shares purchased in such tender or exchange offer;

 

 

 

SP 1  =

 

the average of the Last Reported Sale Prices of the Shares during the Averaging Period;

 

 

 

OS 1  =

 

the number of Shares outstanding immediately after the close of business on the date such tender or exchange offer expires (after giving effect to the purchase or exchange of all Shares accepted for purchase or exchange in such tender offer or exchange

 

29



 

 

 

offer); and

 

 

 

OS 0  =

 

the number of Shares outstanding immediately prior to the close of business on the date such tender or exchange offer expires (prior to giving effect to the purchase or exchange of any Shares in such tender offer or exchange offer).

 

Any adjustment to the Conversion Rate under this Section 8.04(e)  will be made immediately after the close of business on the last day of the Averaging Period, but will be given effect as of the open of business on the Trading Day next succeeding the date such tender offer or exchange offer expires; provided that, if the relevant Conversion Date occurs during the Averaging Period, references to the 10 consecutive trading day period shall be replaced with such lesser number of trading days as have elapsed between the expiration date of such tender or exchange offer and such Conversion Date in determining the applicable Conversion Rate.

 

(f)            In addition, notwithstanding the foregoing, if a Conversion Rate adjustment becomes effective on any Record Date as described above, and a Holder that has converted its Notes on or prior to such Record Date such that it would be treated as the record Holder of Shares as of such Record Date described in Section 8.02 based on an adjusted Conversion Rate for such Record Date, then notwithstanding the foregoing Conversion Rate adjustment provisions, the Conversion Rate adjustment relating to such Record Date will not be made for such converting Holder. Instead, such Holder will be treated as if such Holder were the record owner of the Shares on an unadjusted basis and participate in the related dividend, distribution or other event giving rise to such adjustment.

 

(g)           Except as stated herein, the Company shall not adjust the Conversion Rate for the issuance of Shares or any securities convertible into or exchangeable for Shares or carrying the right to purchase Shares or such convertible or exchangeable securities.

 

(h)           In addition to those adjustments required by clauses (a) , (b) , (c) , (d)  and (e)  of this Section 8.04 , and to the extent permitted by applicable law and subject to the applicable rules of The NASDAQ Global Select Market, the Company from time to time may increase the Conversion Rate by any amount for a period of at least 20 Business Days if the Board of Directors determines that such increase would be in the Company’s best interest. In addition, the Company may (but is not required to) increase the Conversion Rate to avoid or diminish any income tax to holders of the Shares or rights to purchase Shares in connection with a dividend or distribution of Shares (or rights to acquire Shares) or similar event. Whenever the Conversion Rate is increased pursuant to either of the preceding two sentences, the Company shall mail to the Holder of each Note at its last address appearing on the Security Register a notice of the increase prior to the date the increased Conversion Rate takes effect, and such notice shall state the increased Conversion Rate and the period during which it will be in effect.

 

(i)            Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Article 8 , the Conversion Rate shall not be adjusted:

 

(i)            upon the issuance of Shares at a price below the conversion price or otherwise, unless otherwise expressly described in the above provisions of this Article 8 ;

 

30



 

(ii)           on account of Share repurchases that are not tender offers referred to in Section 8.04(e)  above, including structured or derivative transactions, or pursuant to a share repurchase program approved by the Board of Directors or otherwise;

 

(iii)          upon the issuance of any Shares pursuant to any present or future plan providing for the reinvestment of dividends or interest payable on the Company’s securities and the investment of additional optional amounts in Shares under any plan;

 

(iv)          upon the issuance of any Shares or options or rights to purchase those Shares pursuant to any present or future employee, director or consultant benefit plan or program of or assumed by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries;

 

(v)           upon the issuance of any Shares pursuant to any option, warrant, right or exercisable, exchangeable or convertible security not described above and outstanding as of the date the Notes were first issued;

 

(vi)          solely for a change in the par value of the Shares; or

 

(vii)         for accrued and unpaid interest, if any.

 

(j)            Whenever the Conversion Rate is adjusted as herein provided, the Company shall promptly file with the Trustee (and the Conversion Agent if not the Trustee) an Officer’s Certificate setting forth the Conversion Rate after such adjustment, detailing the calculation of the Conversion Rate and describing the facts upon which the adjustment is based. The Company shall publish this information on its website or through such other public medium as the Company may use at that time.

 

(k)           Whenever the Company is required to calculate the Conversion Rate, or any adjustment thereto, the Company will do so to the nearest 1/10,000th of a Share.

 

(l)            For purposes of this Section 8.04 , the number of Shares at any time outstanding shall not include Shares held in the treasury of the Company so long as the Company does not pay any dividend or make any distribution on Shares held in its treasury, but shall include Shares issuable in respect of scrip certificates issued in lieu of fractions of Shares.

 

(m)          Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company not be required to make an adjustment in the Conversion Rate unless the adjustment would require a change of at least 1% in the Conversion Rate. However, the Company shall carry forward any adjustment that is less than 1% of the Conversion Rate, take such carried-forward adjustments into account in any subsequent adjustment, and make such carried forward adjustments, regardless of whether the aggregate adjustment is less than 1%, (a) annually on the anniversary of the first date of issue of the Notes and (b) upon the conversion of any Notes.

 

Section 8.05          Adjustments of Prices . Whenever any provision of the Indenture requires the Company to calculate the Last Reported Sale Prices over a span of multiple days, the Company shall make appropriate adjustments to each to account for any adjustment to the Conversion Rate that becomes effective, or any event requiring an adjustment to the Conversion

 

31



 

Rate where the Ex-Dividend Date of the event occurs, at any time during the period when the closing sale prices or Last Reported Sale Prices are to be calculated.

 

Section 8.06          Reservation of Shares . The Company shall provide, free from preemptive rights, out of the Company’s authorized but unissued Shares or Shares held in treasury, a number of Shares equal to the Conversion Rate multiplied by the aggregate principal amount of Notes presented for conversion (expressed in thousands and assuming that at the time of computation of such number of Shares, all such Notes would be converted by a single Holder).

 

Section 8.07          Effect of Recapitalizations, Reclassifications and Changes of the Shares .

 

(a)           In the case of:

 

(i)            any recapitalization, reclassification or change of the Shares (other than changes resulting from a subdivision or combination),

 

(ii)           any consolidation, merger or combination involving the Company,

 

(iii)          any sale, lease or other transfer to a third party of the consolidated assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries substantially as an entirety or

 

(iv)          any statutory share exchange,

 

in each case, as a result of which the Shares would be converted into, or exchanged for, stock, other securities, other property or assets (including cash or any combination thereof) (any such event, a “ Merger Event ”), then, at and after the effective time of such Merger Event, the right to convert each $1,000 principal amount of Notes shall be changed into a right to convert such principal amount of Notes for the kind and amount of shares of common stock, other securities or other property or assets (including cash or any combination thereof) that a Holder of a number of Shares equal to the Conversion Rate immediately prior to such Merger Event would have owned or been entitled to receive (the “ Reference Property ”, with each “ unit of Reference Property ” meaning the kind and amount of Reference Property that a Holder of one Share is entitled to receive) upon such Merger Event, and the Company shall execute and deliver to the Trustee a supplemental indenture permitted under Section 7.02(c)  providing for the foregoing; provided , however , that at and after the effective time of the Merger Event the Conversion Obligation shall be calculated and settled in accordance with Section 8.02 , such that (A) the number of Shares, if any, otherwise deliverable upon conversion of the Notes in accordance with Section 8.02 shall instead be deliverable in the amount and type of Reference Property that a Holder of that number of Shares would have received in such Merger Event and (B) the Last Reported Sale Price shall be calculated based on the value of a unit of Reference Property.

 

If the Merger Event causes the Shares to be converted into, or exchanged for, the right to receive more than a single type of consideration (determined based in part upon any form of stockholder election), then (i) the Reference Property for which the Notes will be convertible shall be deemed to be the weighted average of the types and amounts of consideration actually received by the holders of Shares that affirmatively make such an election or (ii) if no holders of the Shares affirmatively make such an election, the types and amounts of consideration actually received by the holders of the Shares. The Company shall notify Holders, the Trustee and the

 

32



 

Conversion Agent (if other than the Trustee) of such weighted average as soon as practicable after such determination is made.

 

If the holders of Shares receive only cash in such Merger Event, then for all conversions that occur after the effective date of such Merger Event (x) the consideration due upon conversion of each $1,000 principal amount of Notes shall be solely cash in an amount equal to the Conversion Rate in effect on the Conversion Date (as may be increased by any Additional Shares pursuant to Section 8.03 ), multiplied by the price paid per Share in such Merger Event and (y) the Company shall satisfy the Conversion Obligation by paying cash to converting Holders on the third Business Day immediately following the Conversion Date.

 

If the consideration received by holders of Shares in a Merger Transaction consists of Capital Stock then such supplemental indenture described above shall provide for anti-dilution and other adjustments that shall be as nearly equivalent as is possible to the adjustments provided for in this Article 8 , as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors. If, in the case of any Merger Event, the Reference Property includes shares of common stock, securities or other property or assets (including cash or any combination thereof) of a Person other than the successor or purchasing corporation, as the case may be, in such Merger Event, then such supplemental indenture shall also be executed by such other Person and shall contain such additional provisions to protect the interests of the Holders of the Notes as the Board of Directors shall reasonably consider necessary by reason of the foregoing.

 

(b)                                  In the event the Company shall execute a supplemental indenture pursuant to subsection (a) of this Section 8.07 , the Company shall promptly deliver to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate briefly stating the reasons therefor, the kind or amount of cash, securities or property or asset that will comprise a unit of Reference Property after any such Merger Event, any adjustment to be made with respect thereto and that all conditions precedent have been complied with, and shall promptly mail notice thereof to all Holders.

 

(c)                                   The Company shall not become a party to any Merger Event unless its terms are consistent with this Section 8.07 . None of the foregoing provisions shall affect the right of a Holder of Notes to convert its Notes into Shares, if any, as set forth in Section 8.01 and Section 8.02 prior to the effective date of such Merger Event.

 

(d)                                  The above provisions of this Section 8.07 shall similarly apply to successive Merger Events.

 

Section 8.08                              Certain Covenants . (a) The Company covenants that all Shares delivered upon conversion of Notes will be fully paid and non-assessable and free from all taxes, liens and charges with respect to the issue and delivery thereof.

 

(b)                                  The Company further covenants that if at any time the Shares shall be listed on any national or regional securities exchange or automated quotation system the Company will list and keep listed, so long as the Shares shall be so listed on such exchange or automated quotation system, any Shares deliverable upon conversion of the Notes.

 

Section 8.09                              Responsibility of Trustee . The Trustee and any other Conversion Agent shall not at any time be under any duty or responsibility to any Holder to determine the

 

33



 

Conversion Rate (or any adjustment thereto) or whether any facts exist that may require any adjustment (including any increase) of the Conversion Rate, or with respect to the nature or extent or calculation of any such adjustment when made, or with respect to the method employed, or herein or in any supplemental indenture provided to be employed, in making the same. The Trustee and any other Conversion Agent shall not be accountable with respect to the validity or value (or the kind or amount) of any Shares, or of any securities, property or cash that may at any time be issued or delivered upon the conversion of any Note; and the Trustee and any other Conversion Agent make no representations with respect thereto. Neither the Trustee nor any Conversion Agent shall be responsible for any failure of the Company to issue or of the Company to transfer or deliver any shares or stock certificates or other securities or property or cash upon the surrender of any Note for the purpose of conversion or to comply with any of the duties, responsibilities or covenants of the Company contained in this Article. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, neither the Trustee nor any Conversion Agent shall be under any responsibility to determine the correctness of any provisions contained in any supplemental indenture entered into pursuant to Section 8.07 relating either to the kind or amount of Shares of stock or securities or property (including cash) receivable by Holders upon the conversion of their Notes after any event referred to in such Section 8.07 or to any adjustment to be made with respect thereto, but, subject to the provisions of Section 9.03 of the Base Indenture, may accept (without any independent investigation) as conclusive evidence of the correctness of any such provisions, and shall be protected in relying upon, the Officer’s Certificate (which the Company shall be obligated to file with the Trustee prior to the execution of any such supplemental indenture) with respect thereto.

 

Section 8.10                              Shareholder Rights Plans . To the extent that the Company has a shareholder rights plan in effect upon conversion of the Notes, each Holder will receive, in addition to any Shares due upon conversion, the rights under the applicable rights agreement. However, if, prior to any conversion, the rights have separated from the Shares in accordance with the provisions of the applicable shareholders’ rights plan, the Conversion Rate will be adjusted at the time of separation as if the Company distributed to all holders of the Shares, shares of the Company’s Capital Stock, evidences of indebtedness, securities, assets or property as described in Section 8.04(c)  above, subject to readjustment in the event of the expiration, termination or redemption of such rights.

 

ARTICLE 9

 

REPURCHASE OF NOTES AT OPTION OF HOLDERS

 

Section 9.01                              Repurchase at Option of Holders Upon a Fundamental Change . (a) If a Fundamental Change occurs at any time prior to the Maturity Date, each Holder of Notes shall have the right, at such Holder’s option, to require the Company to repurchase for cash all of such Holder’s Notes, or any portion thereof that is equal to $1,000 or an integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof, on the date (the “ Fundamental Change Repurchase Date ”) specified by the Company that is not less than 20 Business Days nor more than 35 Business Days following the date of the Fundamental Change Company Notice at a repurchase price equal to 100% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon to, but excluding, the Fundamental Change Repurchase Date (the “ Fundamental Change Repurchase Price ”), unless the Fundamental Change Repurchase Date falls after a Regular Record Date but on or prior to

 

34



 

the Interest Payment Date to which such Regular Record Date relates, in which case the Company shall instead pay the full amount of accrued and unpaid interest to Holders of Notes of record as of such Regular Record Date, and the Fundamental Change Repurchase Price shall be equal to 100% of the principal amount of Notes to be repurchased pursuant to this Article 9 .

 

(b)                                  Repurchases of Notes under this Section 9.01 shall be made, at the option of the Holder thereof, upon:

 

(i)                                      delivery to the Paying Agent by a Holder of a duly completed notice (the “ Fundamental Change Repurchase Notice ”) in the form set forth in Attachment 2 to the Form of Note attached hereto as Exhibit A , if the Notes are Physical Notes, or in compliance with the Depositary’s procedures for surrendering interests in Global Notes, if the Notes are Global Notes, in each case on or before the close of business on the Business Day immediately preceding the Fundamental Change Repurchase Date; and

 

(ii)                                   delivery of the Notes, if the Notes are Physical Notes, to the Paying Agent at any time after delivery of the Fundamental Change Repurchase Notice (together with all necessary endorsements for transfer) at the Corporate Trust Office of the Paying Agent, or book-entry transfer of the Notes, if the Notes are Global Notes, in compliance with the procedures of the Depositary, in each case such delivery being a condition to receipt by the Holder of the Fundamental Change Repurchase Price therefor.

 

The Fundamental Change Repurchase Notice in respect of any Notes to be repurchased shall state:

 

(i)                                      in the case of Physical Notes, the certificate numbers of the Notes to be delivered for repurchase;

 

(ii)                                   the portion of the principal amount of Notes to be repurchased, which must be $1,000 or an whole multiples thereof; and

 

(iii)                                that the Notes are to be repurchased by the Company pursuant to the applicable provisions of the Notes and the Indenture;

 

provided , however , that if the Notes are Global Notes, the Fundamental Change Repurchase Notice must comply with appropriate Depositary procedures.

 

Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, any Holder delivering to the Paying Agent the Fundamental Change Repurchase Notice contemplated by this Section 9.01 shall have the right to withdraw, in whole or in part, such Fundamental Change Repurchase Notice at any time prior to the close of business on the Business Day immediately preceding the Fundamental Change Repurchase Date by delivery of a written notice of withdrawal to the Paying Agent in accordance with Section 9.02 .

 

The Paying Agent shall promptly notify the Company of the receipt by it of any Fundamental Change Repurchase Notice or written notice of withdrawal thereof.

 

35



 

(c)                                   On or before the 20th calendar day after the occurrence of the effective date of a Fundamental Change, the Company shall provide to all Holders of Notes and the Trustee and the Paying Agent (in the case of a Paying Agent other than the Trustee) a written notice (the “ Fundamental Change Company Notice ”) of the occurrence of the effective date of the Fundamental Change and of the repurchase right at the option of the Holders arising as a result thereof. In the case of Physical Notes, such notice shall be by first class mail or, in the case of Global Notes, such notice shall be delivered in accordance with the Applicable Procedures. Each Fundamental Change Company Notice shall specify:

 

(i)                                      the events causing the Fundamental Change;

 

(ii)                                   the effective date of the Fundamental Change;

 

(iii)                                the last date on which a Holder may exercise the repurchase right pursuant to this Article 9;

 

(iv)                               the Fundamental Change Repurchase Price;

 

(v)                                  the Fundamental Change Repurchase Date;

 

(vi)                               the name and address of the Paying Agent and the Conversion Agent, if applicable;

 

(vii)                            if applicable, the Conversion Rate and any adjustments to the Conversion Rate;

 

(viii)                         that the Notes with respect to which a Fundamental Change Repurchase Notice has been delivered by a Holder may be converted only if the Holder withdraws the Fundamental Change Repurchase Notice in accordance with the terms of the Indenture; and

 

(ix)                               the procedures that Holders must follow to require the Company to repurchase their Notes.

 

No failure of the Company to give the foregoing notices and no defect therein shall limit the Holders’ repurchase rights or affect the validity of the proceedings for the repurchase of the Notes pursuant to this Section 9.01 .

 

Simultaneously with providing such notice, the Company shall publish such information in a newspaper of general circulation in The City of New York, on the Company’s website or through such other public medium as the Company may use at that time.

 

(d)                                  Notwithstanding the foregoing, no Notes may be repurchased by the Company on any date at the option of the Holders upon a Fundamental Change if the principal amount of the Notes has been accelerated, and such acceleration has not been rescinded, on or prior to such Fundamental Change Repurchase Date (except in the case of an acceleration resulting from a Default by the Company in the payment of the Fundamental Change Repurchase Price with respect to such Notes). The Paying Agent will promptly return to the respective

 

36



 

Holders thereof any Physical Notes held by it during the acceleration of the Notes (except in the case of an acceleration resulting from a Default by the Company in the payment of the Fundamental Change Repurchase Price with respect to such Notes), or any instructions for book-entry transfer of the Notes in compliance with the procedures of the Depositary shall be deemed to have been cancelled, and, upon such return or cancellation, as the case may be, the Fundamental Change Repurchase Notice with respect thereto shall be deemed to have been withdrawn.

 

Section 9.02                              Withdrawal of Fundamental Change Repurchase Notice . (a) A Fundamental Change Repurchase Notice may be withdrawn (in whole or in part) by means of a written notice of withdrawal delivered to the Corporate Trust Office of the Paying Agent in accordance with this Section 9.02 at any time prior to the close of business on the Business Day immediately preceding the Fundamental Change Repurchase Date, specifying:

 

(i)                                      the principal amount of the Notes with respect to which such notice of withdrawal is being submitted,

 

(ii)                                   in the case of Physical Notes, the certificate number of the Note in respect of which such notice of withdrawal is being submitted, and

 

(iii)                                the principal amount, if any, of such Note that remains subject to the original Fundamental Change Repurchase Notice, which portion must be in principal amounts of $1,000 or an integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof;

 

provided , however , that if the Notes are Global Notes, the notice must comply with the Applicable Procedures.

 

Section 9.03                              Deposit of Fundamental Change Repurchase Price . (a) The Company will deposit with the Trustee (or other Paying Agent appointed by the Company, or if the Company is acting as its own Paying Agent, set aside, segregate and hold in trust as provided in Section 9.06 of the Base Indenture) on or prior to 11:00 a.m., New York City time, on the Fundamental Change Repurchase Date an amount of money sufficient to repurchase all of the Notes to be repurchased at the appropriate Fundamental Change Repurchase Price. Subject to receipt of funds and/or Notes by the Trustee (or other Paying Agent appointed by the Company), payment for Notes surrendered for repurchase (and not withdrawn prior to the close of business on the Business Day immediately preceding the Fundamental Change Repurchase Date) will be made on the later of (i) the Fundamental Change Repurchase Date ( provided the Holder has satisfied the conditions in Section 9.01 ) and (ii) the time of book-entry transfer or the delivery of such Note to the Trustee (or other Paying Agent appointed by the Company) by the Holder thereof in the manner required by Section 9.01 by mailing checks for the amount payable to the Holders of such Notes entitled thereto as they shall appear in the Security Register; provided , however , that payments to the Depositary shall be made by wire transfer of immediately available funds to the account of the Depositary or its nominee. The Trustee shall, promptly after such payment and upon written demand by the Company, return to the Company any funds in excess of the Fundamental Change Repurchase Price.

 

37



 

(b)                                  If by 11:00 a.m. New York City time, on the Fundamental Change Repurchase Date, the Trustee (or other Paying Agent appointed by the Company) holds money sufficient to make payment on all the Notes or portions thereof that are to be repurchased on such Fundamental Change Repurchase Date, then, with respect to the Notes that have been properly surrendered for repurchase and not validly withdrawn, (i) such Notes will cease to be outstanding, (ii) interest will cease to accrue on such Notes (whether or not book-entry transfer of the Notes has been made or the Notes have been delivered to the Trustee or Paying Agent, as the case may be) and (iii) all other rights of the Holders of such Notes will terminate (other than the right to receive the Fundamental Change Repurchase Price upon delivery or transfer of such Notes).

 

(c)                                   Upon surrender of a Note that is to be repurchased in part pursuant to Section 9.01 , the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver to the Holder a new Note in an authorized denomination equal in principal amount to the unrepurchased portion of the Note surrendered.

 

Section 9.04                              Covenant to Comply with Applicable Laws Upon Repurchase of Notes . In connection with any repurchase offer, the Company will, if required:

 

(a)                                  comply with the provisions of Rule 13e-4, Rule 14e-1 and any other tender offer rules under the Exchange Act that may be applicable at the time of the offer to repurchase the Notes;

 

(b)                                  file a Schedule TO or any successor or similar schedule to the extent required under the Exchange Act; and

 

(c)                                   otherwise comply with all federal and state securities laws in connection with any offer by the Company to repurchase the Notes;

 

in each case, so as to permit the rights and obligations under this Article 9 to be exercised in the time and in the manner specified in this Article 9 .

 

ARTICLE 10

 

NO REDEMPTION AND NO SINKING FUND

 

Section 10.01                       No Redemption; No Sinking Fund . Articles IV and V of the Base Indenture shall not apply to the Notes. The Notes shall not be redeemable by the Company prior to the Maturity Date, and no sinking fund is provided for the Notes.

 

ARTICLE 11

 

MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

 

Section 11.01                       Trust Indenture Act of 1939 . This First Supplemental Indenture shall incorporate and be governed by the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act that are required to be part of and to govern indentures qualified under the Trust Indenture Act.

 

38



 

Section 11.02                       Governing Law . The laws of the State of New York shall govern this First Supplemental Indenture and the Notes.

 

Section 11.03                       Duplicate Originals . The parties may sign any number of copies of this First Supplemental Indenture. Each signed copy shall be an original, but all of them together represent the same agreement.

 

Section 11.04                       Separability . In case any provision in this First Supplemental Indenture or the Notes 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 11.05                       Ratification . The Base Indenture, as supplemented and amended by this First Supplemental Indenture, is in all respects ratified and confirmed. The Base Indenture and this First Supplemental Indenture shall be read, taken and construed as one and the same instrument. All provisions included in this First Supplemental Indenture supersede any conflicting provisions included in the Base Indenture unless not permitted by law. The Trustee accepts the trusts created by the Base Indenture, as supplemented by this First Supplemental Indenture, and agrees to perform the same upon the terms and conditions of the Base Indenture, as supplemented by this First Supplemental Indenture.

 

Section 11.06                       Effectiveness . The provisions of this First Supplemental Indenture shall become effective as of the date hereof.

 

Section 11.07                       Successors . All agreements of the Company in this First Supplemental Indenture shall bind its successors. All agreements of the Trustee in this First Supplemental Indenture shall bind its successors.

 

Section 11.08                       Trustee’s Disclaimer . The recitals contained herein shall be taken as the statements of the Company and the Trustee assumes no responsibility for their correctness. The Trustee shall not be responsible in any manner whatsoever for or in respect of the validity or sufficiency of this First Supplemental Indenture, the Notes or for or in respect of the recitals contained herein, all of which recitals are made solely by the Company.

 

Section 11.09                       No Security Interest Created . Nothing in this First Supplemental Indenture or in the Notes, expressed or implied, shall be construed to constitute a security interest under the Uniform Commercial Code or similar legislation, as now or hereafter enacted and in effect, in any jurisdiction.

 

Section 11.10                       Calculations . Except as otherwise provided herein, the Company shall be responsible for making all calculations called for under the Notes. These calculations include, but are not limited to, determinations of the Last Reported Sale Prices of the Shares, accrued interest payable on the Notes and the Conversion Rate of the Notes. The Company shall make all these calculations in good faith and, absent manifest error, the Company’s calculations shall be final and binding on Holders of Notes. The Company shall provide a schedule of its calculations to each of the Trustee and the Conversion Agent, and each of the Trustee and Conversion Agent is entitled to rely conclusively upon the accuracy of the Company’s calculations without independent verification and shall have no liability or responsibility for such calculations or any information used in connection therewith. The Trustee will forward the Company’s calculations

 

39



 

to any Holder of Notes upon the request of that Holder at the sole cost and expense of the Company.

 

[ Remainder of page intentionally left blank ]

 

40



 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this First Supplemental Indenture to be duly executed as of the date first written above.

 

 

NEW YORK MORTGAGE TRUST, INC.,

 

as the Company

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Steven R. Mumma

 

 

Name: Steven R. Mumma

 

 

Title: Chief Executive Officer

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,

 

as Trustee

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Hazrat R. Haniff

 

 

Name: Hazrat R. Haniff

 

 

Title: Assistant Vice President

 



 

EXHIBIT A

 

[FORM OF FACE OF NOTE]

 

[INCLUDE FOLLOWING LEGEND IF A GLOBAL NOTE]

 

[UNLESS THIS CERTIFICATE IS PRESENTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY, TO THE COMPANY OR ITS AGENT FOR REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER, EXCHANGE OR PAYMENT, AND ANY CERTIFICATE ISSUED IN EXCHANGE FOR THIS CERTIFICATE OR ANY PORTION HEREOF IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF CEDE & CO. OR IN SUCH OTHER NAME AS IS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY OR SUCH OTHER REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY OR SUCH OTHER NAME AS IS 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 OR TO ANY PERSON OTHER THAN THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY OR CEDE & CO. IS WRONGFUL INASMUCH AS THE REGISTERED OWNER HEREOF, CEDE & CO., HAS AN INTEREST HEREIN.]

 

[THIS NOTE IS A GLOBAL SECURITY AND IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF A DEPOSITORY OR A NOMINEE THEREOF. TRANSFERS OF THIS GLOBAL NOTE SHALL BE LIMITED TO TRANSFERS IN WHOLE, BUT NOT IN PART, TO NOMINEES OF THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY OR TO A SUCCESSOR THEREOF OR SUCH SUCCESSOR’S NOMINEE AND TRANSFERS OF PORTIONS OF THIS GLOBAL NOTE SHALL BE LIMITED TO TRANSFERS MADE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE RESTRICTIONS SET FORTH IN THE INDENTURE REFERRED TO ON THE REVERSE HEREOF.]

 

New York Mortgage Trust, Inc.

 

6.25% Senior Convertible Note due 2022

 

No. [            ]

[Initially](1) $[                     ]

 

CUSIP No.                                      649604 AD7

 

ISIN                                                                       US649604AD74

 

NEW YORK MORTGAGE TRUST, INC., a Maryland corporation (the “ Company ,” which term includes any successor corporation or other entity under the Indenture referred to on the reverse hereof), for value received hereby promises to pay to [CEDE & CO.](2)

 


(1)          Include if a Global Note.

 

(2)          Include if a Global Note.

 

A- 1



 

[                  ](3), or registered assigns, the principal sum [of $[                  ]](4) [as set forth in the “Schedule of Increases and Decreases of Convertible Notes” attached hereto, which amount, taken together with the principal amounts of all other outstanding Notes, shall not, unless permitted by the Indenture, exceed $138,000,000 in aggregate at any time](5), on January 15, 2022, and interest thereon as set forth below.

 

This Note shall bear interest on the outstanding principal amount at the rate of 6.25% per year from January 23, 2017, or from the most recent date to which interest had been paid or provided for to, but excluding, the next scheduled Interest Payment Date, until January 15, 2022. Interest is payable semi-annually in arrears on each January 15 and July 15, commencing on July 15, 2017, to Holders of record at the close of business on the preceding January 1 and July 1 (whether or not such day is a Business Day), respectively. Accrued interest on the Notes shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day year composed of twelve 30-day months. If a payment date is not a Business Day, payment will be made on the next succeeding Business Day, and no additional interest will accrue thereon. Additional Interest may be payable as set forth in Section 6.02 of the within-mentioned First Supplemental Indenture, and any reference to interest on, or in respect of, any Note therein shall be deemed to include Additional Interest if, in such context, Additional Interest is, was or would be payable pursuant to Section 6.02, and any express mention of the payment of Additional Interest in any provision therein shall not be construed as excluding Additional Interest in those provisions thereof where such express mention is not made.

 

Any overdue principal or interest shall accrue interest per annum at the rate borne by the Notes, subject to the enforceability thereof under applicable law, from, and including, the relevant payment date to, but excluding, the date on which such principal or interest shall have been paid by the Company in accordance with the Indenture.

 

The Company shall pay the principal of and interest on this Note, if such Note is a Global Note, in immediately available funds to the Depositary or its nominee, as the case may be, as the registered Holder of such Note. The Company shall pay the principal of any Notes (other than Notes that are Global Notes) as provided in the Indenture. The Company has initially designated the Trustee as its Paying Agent and Registrar in respect of the Notes and its agency in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, as a place where Notes may be presented for registration of transfer.

 

Reference is made to the further provisions of this Note set forth on the reverse hereof, including, without limitation, provisions giving the Holder of this Note the right to convert this Note into Shares (and cash in lieu of fractional Shares) on the terms and subject to the limitations set forth in the Indenture. Such further provisions shall for all purposes have the same effect as though fully set forth at this place.

 


(3)          Include if a definitive Registered Security.

 

(4)          Include if a definitive Registered Security.

 

(5)          Include if a Global Note.

 

A- 2



 

This Note shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York.

 

In the case of any conflict between this Note and the Indenture, the provisions of the Indenture shall control and govern.

 

This Note shall not be valid or become obligatory for any purpose until the certificate of authentication hereon shall have been signed manually by the Trustee or a duly authorized authenticating agent under the Indenture.

 

[ Remainder of page intentionally left blank ]

 

A- 3



 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this Note to be duly executed.

 

 

NEW YORK MORTGAGE TRUST, INC.

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

A- 4



 

TRUSTEE’S CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICATION

 

This is one of the Notes of the series designated therein referred to in the within-mentioned Indenture.

 

Dated: [ · ]

 

 

 

 

 

 

U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION

 

as the Trustee

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

A- 5



 

[FORM OF REVERSE OF NOTE]

 

New York Mortgage Trust, Inc.
6.25% Senior Convertible Notes due 2022

 

This Note is one of a duly authorized issue of Notes of the Company, designated as its 6.25% Senior Convertible Notes due 2022 (the “ Notes ”), limited to the aggregate principal amount of $138,000,000 all issued or to be issued under and pursuant to a First Supplemental Indenture dated as of January 23, 2017 (the “ First Supplemental Indenture ”), between the Company and U.S. Bank National Association (the “ Trustee ”), which amends and supplements the Indenture dated as of January 23, 2017 between the Company and the Trustee (the “ Base Indenture ” and, as amended and supplemented by the First Supplemental Indenture and from time to time with respect to the Notes, the “ Indenture ”). Reference is hereby made to the Indenture for a description of the rights, limitations of rights, obligations, duties and immunities thereunder of the Trustee, the Company and the Holders of the Notes.

 

In case an Event of Default, as defined in the Indenture, shall have occurred and be continuing, the principal of, and interest on, all Notes may be declared, by either the Trustee or Holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of Notes then outstanding, and upon said declaration shall become, due and payable, in the manner, with the effect and subject to the conditions and certain exceptions set forth in the Indenture.

 

Subject to the terms and conditions of the Indenture, the Company will make all payments and deliveries in respect of the Fundamental Change Repurchase Price and the principal amount on the Maturity Date, as the case may be, to the Holder who surrenders a Note to a Paying Agent to collect such payments in respect of the Note. The Company will pay cash amounts in money of the United States that at the time of payment is legal tender for payment of public and private debts.

 

The Company may, without the consent of the Holders, reopen the Indenture and issue additional Notes with the same terms and with the same CUSIP number as the Notes initially issued thereunder in an unlimited aggregate principal amount; provided that if any such additional Notes are not fungible with the Notes initially issued thereunder for U.S. federal income tax purposes, such additional Notes shall have a separate CUSIP number.

 

The Indenture contains provisions permitting the Company and the Trustee in certain circumstances, without the consent of the Holders of the Notes, and in certain other circumstances, with the consent of the Holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Notes at the time outstanding, evidenced as in the Indenture provided, to execute supplemental indentures modifying the terms of the Indenture and the Notes as described therein. It is also provided in the Indenture that, subject to certain exceptions, the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Notes at the time outstanding may on behalf of the Holders of all of the Notes waive any past Default or Event of Default under the Indenture and its consequences.

 

No reference herein to the Indenture and no provision of this Note or of the Indenture shall alter or impair the obligation of the Company, which is absolute and unconditional, to pay

 

A- 6



 

or deliver, as the case may be, the principal of, accrued and unpaid interest on, and the consideration due upon conversion of, this Note at the place, at the respective times, at the rate and in the lawful money herein prescribed.

 

The Notes are issuable in registered form without coupons in denominations of $1,000 principal amount and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof. At the office or agency of the Company referred to on the face hereof, and in the manner and subject to the limitations provided in the Indenture, Notes may be converted for a like aggregate principal amount of Notes of other authorized denominations, without payment of any service charge but, if required by the Company or Trustee, with payment of a sum sufficient to cover any documentary, stamp or similar issue or transfer tax that may be imposed in connection therewith as a result of the name of the Holder of the new Notes issued upon such conversion of Notes being different from the name of the Holder of the old Notes surrendered for such conversion.

 

The Notes are not subject to redemption through the operation of any sinking fund or otherwise.

 

This Note shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York.

 

Upon the occurrence of a Fundamental Change, the Holder has the right, at such Holder’s option, to require the Company to repurchase for cash all of such Holder’s Notes or any portion thereof (in principal amounts of $1,000 or integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof) on the Fundamental Change Repurchase Date at a price equal to the Fundamental Change Repurchase Price.

 

Subject to the provisions of the Indenture, the Holder hereof has the right, at its option, prior to the close of business on the Business Day immediately preceding the Maturity Date, to convert any Notes or portion thereof that is $1,000 or an integral multiple thereof, into Shares (and cash in lieu of fractional Shares) at the Conversion Rate specified in the Indenture, as adjusted from time to time as provided in the Indenture.

 

Terms used in this Note and defined in the Indenture are used herein as therein defined.

 

A- 7



 

ABBREVIATIONS

 

The following abbreviations, when used in the inscription of the face of this Note, shall be construed as though they were written out in full according to applicable laws or regulations:

 

TEN COM = as tenants in common

 

UNIF GIFT MIN ACT = Uniform Gifts to Minors Act

 

CUST = Custodian

 

TEN ENT = as tenants by the entireties

 

JT TEN = joint tenants with right of survivorship and not as tenants in common

 

Additional abbreviations may also be used though not in the above list.

 

A- 8



 

SCHEDULE A (6)

 

SCHEDULE OF INCREASES AND DECREASES OF CONVERTIBLE NOTES

 

New York Mortgage Trust, Inc.
6.25% Senior Convertible Notes due 2022

 

The initial principal amount of this Global Note is $[                ]. The following increases or decreases in this Global Note have been made:

 

Date of
conversion

 

Amount of decrease
in principal amount
of this Global Note

 

Amount of increase
in principal amount
of this Global Note

 

Principal amount of
this Global Note
following such decrease
or increase

 

Signature of
authorized signatory
of Trustee or
Custodian

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


(6)          Include if a Global Note.

 

A- 9



 

ATTACHMENT 1

 

[FORM OF NOTICE OF CONVERSION]

 

To: New York Mortgage Trust, Inc.

 

The undersigned registered owner of this Note hereby exercises the option to convert this Note, or the portion hereof (that is $1,000 principal amount or an integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof) below designated, into Shares (and cash in lieu of fractional Shares) in accordance with the terms of the Indenture referred to in this Note, and directs the Shares issuable and deliverable upon such conversion, together with any cash for any fractional Share, and any Notes representing any unconverted principal amount hereof, be issued and delivered to the registered Holder hereof unless a different name has been indicated below.

 

If any Shares or any portion of this Note not converted are to be issued in the name of a Person other than the undersigned, the undersigned will pay all documentary, stamp or similar issue or transfer taxes, if any in accordance with Section 8.03(d) and Section 8.03(e) of the First Supplemental Indenture. Any amount required to be paid to the undersigned on account of interest accompanies this Note.

 

Dated:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Signature(s)

 

 

 

Signature Guarantee

 

 

 

 

 

Signature(s) must be guaranteed by an eligible Guarantor Institution (banks, stock brokers, savings and loan associations and credit unions) with membership in an approved signature guarantee medallion program pursuant to Securities and Exchange Commission Rule 17Ad-15 if Shares are to be issued, or Notes are to be delivered, other than to and in the name of the registered holder.

 

 

 

 

 

Fill in for registration of Shares if to be issued, and Notes if to be delivered, other than to and in the name of the registered holder:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Name)

 

 

 

A- 10



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Street Address)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(City, State and Zip Code)

 

 

Please print name and address

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Principal amount to be converted (if less than all):

 

 

$       ,000

 

 

 

 

 

NOTICE: The above signature(s) of the Holder(s) hereof must correspond with the name as written upon the face of the Note in every particular without alteration or enlargement or any change whatever.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Social Security or Other Taxpayer

 

 

Identification Number

 

A- 11



 

ATTACHMENT 2

 

[FORM OF FUNDAMENTAL CHANGE REPURCHASE NOTICE]

 

To: New York Mortgage Trust, Inc.

 

The undersigned registered owner of this Note hereby acknowledges receipt of a notice from New York Mortgage Trust, Inc. (the “ Company ”) as to the occurrence of a Fundamental Change with respect to the Company and specifying the Fundamental Change Repurchase Date and requests and instructs the Company to pay to the registered holder hereof in accordance with Section 9.01 of the First Supplemental Indenture referred to in this Note (1) the entire principal amount of this Note, or the portion thereof (that is $1,000 principal amount or an integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof) below designated, and (2) if such Fundamental Change Repurchase Date does not fall during the period after a Regular Record Date and on or prior to the corresponding Interest Payment Date, accrued and unpaid interest, if any, thereon to, but excluding, such Fundamental Change Repurchase Date.

 

In the case of Physical Notes, the certificate numbers of the Notes to be repurchased are as set forth below:

 

Dated:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Signature(s)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Social Security or Other Taxpayer

 

 

Identification Number

 

 

Principal amount to be repaid (if less than all):

 

 

$       ,000

 

 

 

 

 

NOTICE: The above signature(s) of the Holder(s) hereof must correspond with the name as written upon the face of the Note in every particular without alteration or enlargement or any change whatever.

 

A- 12


Exhibit 5.1

 

 

January 23, 2017

 

New York Mortgage Trust, Inc.

275 Madison Avenue

New York, New York 10016

 

Re:                              Registration Statement on Form S-3

Commission File No 333-213316           

 

Ladies and Gentlemen:

 

We have served as Maryland counsel to New York Mortgage Trust, Inc., a Maryland corporation (the “Company”), in connection with certain matters of Maryland law arising out of the registration of $138,000,000 aggregate principal amount of the Company’s 6.25% Senior Convertible Notes due 2022 (the “Notes”), pursuant to the above-referenced Registration Statement, and all amendments thereto (collectively, the “Registration Statement”), filed by the Company with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”).

 

In connection with our representation of the Company, and as a basis for the opinion hereinafter set forth, we have examined originals, or copies certified or otherwise identified to our satisfaction, of the following documents (hereinafter collectively referred to as the “Documents”):

 

1.                                       The Registration Statement and the related form of prospectus included therein, substantially in the form transmitted to the Commission under the Securities Act;

 

2.                                       The Prospectus Supplement, dated January 17, 2017, in the form filed with the Commission under the Securities Act;

 

3.                                       The charter of the Company (the “Charter”), certified by the State Department of Assessments and Taxation of Maryland (the “SDAT”);

 

4.                                       The Bylaws of the Company, as amended, certified as of the date hereof by an officer of the Company;

 

5.                                       A certificate of the SDAT as to the good standing of the Company, dated as of a recent date;

 



 

6.                                       Resolutions (the “Resolutions”) adopted by the Board of Directors of the Company relating to, among other matters, (i) the registration and issuance of the Notes and the Conversion Shares (as defined below) and (ii) the Indenture (as defined below), certified as of the date hereof by an officer of the Company;

 

7.                                       The Indenture, as supplemented by the first supplemental indenture thereto, each dated as of the date hereof (collectively, the “Indenture”), by and between the Company and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee;

 

8.                                       A certificate executed by an officer of the Company, dated as of the date hereof; and

 

9.                                       Such other documents and matters as we have deemed necessary or appropriate to express the opinion set forth below, subject to the assumptions, limitations and qualifications stated herein.

 

In expressing the opinion set forth below, we have assumed the following:

 

1.                                       Each individual executing any of the Documents, whether on behalf of such individual or another person, is legally competent to do so.

 

2.                                       Each individual executing any of the Documents on behalf of a party (other than the Company) is duly authorized to do so.

 

3.                                       Each of the parties (other than the Company) executing any of the Documents has duly and validly executed and delivered each of the Documents to which such party is a signatory, and such party’s obligations set forth therein are legal, valid and binding and are enforceable in accordance with all stated terms.

 

4.                                       All Documents submitted to us as originals are authentic.  The form and content of all Documents submitted to us as unexecuted drafts do not differ in any respect relevant to this opinion from the form and content of such Documents as executed and delivered. All Documents submitted to us as certified or photostatic copies conform to the original documents.  All signatures on all Documents are genuine.  All public records reviewed or relied upon by us or on our behalf are true and complete.  All representations, warranties, statements and information contained in the Documents are true and complete.  There has been no oral or

 

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written modification of or amendment to any of the Documents, and there has been no waiver of any provision of any of the Documents, by action or omission of the parties or otherwise.

 

5.                                       Upon the sale of any shares of common stock, $0.01 par value per share (the “Common Stock”), of the Company issuable upon the conversion of the Notes (the “Conversion Shares”), the total number of shares of Common Stock issued and outstanding will not exceed the total number of shares of Common Stock that the Company is then authorized to issue under the Charter.

 

6.                                       The Conversion Shares will not be issued or transferred in violation of the restrictions on transfer and ownership contained in Article VII of the Charter.

 

The phrase “known to us” is limited to the actual knowledge, without independent inquiry, of the lawyers at our firm who have performed legal services in connection with the issuance of this opinion.

 

Based upon the foregoing, and subject to the assumptions, limitations and qualifications stated herein, it is our opinion that:

 

1.                                       The Company is a corporation duly incorporated and validly existing under and by virtue of the laws of the State of Maryland and is in good standing with the SDAT.

 

2.                                       The Company has the corporate power to enter into and perform its obligations under the Indenture.  The Indenture has been duly authorized, executed and, so far as is known to us, delivered by the Company.

 

3.                                       The issuance of the Notes has been duly authorized by the Company.

 

4.                                       The issuance of the Conversion Shares has been duly authorized and, when issued and delivered by the Company upon conversion of the Notes in accordance with the Resolutions, the Registration Statement, the Indenture and the terms of the Notes, the Conversion Shares will be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable.

 

The foregoing opinion is limited to the laws of the State of Maryland and we do not express any opinion herein concerning any other law.  We express no opinion as to the applicability or effect of federal or state securities laws, including the securities laws of the State of Maryland, or as to federal or state laws regarding fraudulent transfers.  We note that the Indenture is governed by the laws of the State of New York.  To the extent that any matter as to

 

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which our opinion is expressed herein would be governed by the laws of any jurisdiction other than the State of Maryland, we do not express any opinion on such matter.  The opinion expressed herein is subject to the effect of any judicial decision which may permit the introduction of parol evidence to modify the terms or the interpretation of agreements.

 

The opinion expressed herein is limited to the matters specifically set forth herein and no other opinion shall be inferred beyond the matters expressly stated.  We assume no obligation to supplement this opinion if any applicable law changes after the date hereof or if we become aware of any fact that might change the opinion expressed herein after the date hereof.

 

This opinion is being furnished to you for submission to the Commission as an exhibit to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K relating to the issuance of the Notes (the “Current Report”), which is incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement. We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the Current Report and to the use of the name of our firm therein. In giving this consent, we do not admit that we are within the category of persons whose consent is required by Section 7 of the Securities Act.

 

 

Very truly yours,

 

 

/s/ Venable LLP

 

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Exhibit 5.2

 

January 23, 2017

 

Board of Directors

New York Mortgage Trust, Inc.

275 Madison Avenue

New York, New York 10016

 

Re:                              New York Mortgage Trust, Inc. — 6.25% Senior Convertible Notes Due 2022

 

Ladies and Gentlemen:

 

We have acted as special counsel to New York Mortgage Trust, Inc., a Maryland corporation (the “ Company ”), in connection with the issuance and sale by the Company of $138,000,000 aggregate principal amount of 6.25% Senior Convertible Notes Due 2022 of the Company (the “ Notes ”) to be issued under a supplemental indenture (the “ Supplemental Indenture ”) to the indenture (the “ Base Indenture ” and, together with the Supplemental Indenture, the “ Indenture ”), each dated as of the date hereof, between the Company and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee (the “ Trustee ”), and sold to the Underwriters (as defined below) pursuant to the Underwriting Agreement, dated January 17, 2017 (the “ Underwriting Agreement ”), by and among the Company, on the one hand, and Nomura Securities International, Inc. (the “ Underwriter ”), including an additional $18,000,000 aggregate principal amount of the Notes to be issued to the Underwriter pursuant to its exercise of the option to purchase additional Notes set forth in Section 3(b) of the Underwriting Agreement.

 

This opinion is being furnished in accordance with the requirements of Item 601(b)(5) of Regulation S-K under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “ Securities Act ”).

 

In connection with the foregoing, we have examined the following documents:

 

(i)                                      the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-3ASR (Registration No. 333-213316), as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “ Commission ”) on August 25, 2016, which became automatically effective upon filing with the Commission pursuant to the Securities Act (the “ Registration Statement ”);

 

(ii)                                   the preliminary prospectus supplement, dated January 17, 2017, in the form filed with the Commission on January 17, 2017 pursuant to Rule 424(b) under the Securities Act, together with the base prospectus, dated August 25, 2016;

 

Vinson & Elkins LLP Attorneys at Law
Austin Beijing Dallas Dubai Hong Kong Houston London Moscow New York

Palo Alto Richmond Riyadh San Francisco Taipei Tokyo Washington

2200 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Suite 500 West

Washington, DC 20037-1701

Tel +1.202.639.6500 Fax +1.202.639.6604 www.velaw.com

 



 

(iii)                                the final prospectus supplement, dated January 17, 2017, as filed with the Commission on January 19, 2017 pursuant to Rule 424(b) under the Securities Act;

 

(iv)                               the Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, dated January 17, 2017, as filed with the Commission on January 18, 2017;

 

(v)                                  an executed copy of the Underwriting Agreement;

 

(vi)                               executed copies of the Base Indenture and the Supplemental Indenture;

 

(vii)                            a certificate of the Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer of the Company, dated as of the date hereof, as to certain factual matters (the “ Officers’ Certificate ”); and

 

(viii)                         the form of certificate used to evidence the Notes, as certified by the Secretary of the Company on the date hereof.

 

In addition to our examination of the documents referred to above, we also have examined originals or reproductions or certified copies of certain records of the Company and certificates of officers of the Company and of public officials. In these examinations and for purposes of the opinions expressed below, we have assumed (i) the authenticity of all documents submitted to us as originals, (ii) the conformity to the originals of all documents submitted as certified or photostatic copies and the authenticity of the originals of such documents, (iii) the due authorization, execution and delivery of all documents by all parties, and, except to the extent expressly stated in the opinions contained herein, the validity, binding effect and enforceability thereof, (iv) the legal capacity of natural persons, (v) the genuineness of all signatures, (vi) the conformity of the documents filed with the Commission via the Electronic Data Gathering, Analysis and Retrieval System, as supplemented by its Interactive Data Electronic Applications system (“ EDGAR ”), except for required EDGAR formatting changes, to physical copies of the documents prepared by the Company and submitted for our examination, (vii) that the Notes have been duly authenticated, issued and delivered by the Trustee and (viii) the accuracy of the representations and warranties, and the respective performance of the agreements, of each of the Company and of the Underwriter in the Underwriting Agreement.

 

As to factual matters, we have relied upon the accuracy of the representations and warranties made in the Underwriting Agreement, on certificates of officers of the Company and on certificates and oral advice of public officials. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, for purposes of our opinion, we have not searched any electronic or other databases, nor have we conducted a search of the dockets of any court or administrative or other regulatory agency.

 

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Based upon the foregoing, and subject to the qualifications and limitations stated herein, we are of the opinion that the Notes, when executed and delivered by the Company and duly authenticated by the Trustee in accordance with the provisions of the Indenture and delivered to and paid for by the Underwriter in accordance with the terms of the Underwriting Agreement, will constitute valid and binding obligations of the Company, enforceable in accordance with their terms, subject to the qualification that the enforceability of obligations of the Company thereunder may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent conveyance and similar laws affecting rights and remedies of creditors generally, by general principles of equity and an implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing, and will be entitled to the benefits of the Indenture.

 

We express no opinion concerning (i) the validity or enforceability of any provisions contained in the Indenture that purport to waive or not give effect to rights to notices, defenses, subrogation or other rights or benefits that cannot be effectively waived under applicable law or (ii) the enforceability of indemnification provisions to the extent they purport to relate to liabilities resulting from or based upon negligence or any violation of federal or state securities or blue sky laws. With respect to the opinions expressed, we express no opinion as to the enforceability of provisions of the Indenture or the Notes (i) that obligate the Company to increase the Conversion Rate (as defined in the Indenture) in the event of a Make-Whole Fundamental Change (as defined in the Indenture) to the extent such increase may be deemed an unenforceable penalty or (ii) relating to amounts payable on the Notes upon acceleration that may be deemed to be unearned interest.

 

We do not purport to express any opinion on any laws other than the laws of the State of New York.

 

We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion of counsel as Exhibit 5.2 to the Current Report on Form 8-K of the Company dated on or about the date hereof, to the incorporation by reference of this opinion of counsel into the Registration Statement and to the reference to our Firm under the heading “Legal Matters” in the Prospectus.  In giving this consent, we do not thereby admit that we come within the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Securities Act or the rules and regulations of the Commission promulgated thereunder.  This opinion is given as of the date hereof, and we do not undertake to advise you of any changes in the opinions expressed herein from matters that might hereafter arise or be brought to our attention.

 

Very truly yours,

 

/s/ Vinson & Elkins L.L.P.

 

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Exhibit 8.1

 

 

January 23, 2017

 

New York Mortgage Trust, Inc.

275 Madison Avenue, Suite 3200

New York, New York 10016

 

Re:                              New York Mortgage Trust, Inc. Qualification as a Real Estate Investment Trust

 

Ladies and Gentlemen:

 

We have acted as counsel to New York Mortgage Trust, Inc., a Maryland corporation (the “ Company ”), in connection with the offer and sale of $138,000,000 in aggregate principal amount (if the Underwriters’ option is exercised in full) of 6.25% Convertible Senior Notes due 2022 (the “ Notes ”), pursuant to a preliminary prospectus supplement dated January 17, 2017, and a final prospectus supplement dated January 17, 2017 (together, the “ Prospectus Supplement ”) to a prospectus dated August 25, 2016 (the “ Prospectus ”), forming part of the Registration Statement on Form S-3 (File No. 333-213316) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 25, 2016, as amended through the date hereof (the “ Registration Statement ”), with respect to shares of common stock, $0.01 par value per share, of the Company, shares of preferred stock, $0.01 par value per share, of the Company, and debt securities of the Company that may be offered and sold from time to time by the Company. You have requested our opinion regarding certain federal income tax matters.

 

In giving this opinion letter, we have examined the following:

 

1.             the Company’s Articles of Amendment and Restatement;

 

2.             the Company’s Bylaws;

 

3.             the organizational documents for New York Mortgage Funding, LLC (“ NYMF ”), Hypotheca Capital, LLC (“ Hypotheca ”), NYMT Residential Tax, LLC (“ NYMT Residential ”), NYMT Residential Tax 2013-RP1, LLC (“ Residential Tax 1 ”), NYMT Residential Tax 2013-RP2, LLC (“ Residential Tax 2 ”), NYMT Residential Tax 2013-RP3, LLC (“ Residential Tax 3 ”) and NYMT Residential Tax 2016-RP1, LLC (“ Residential Tax 4 ”);

 

4.                                       the Registration Statement, the Prospectus, and the Prospectus Supplement;

 

5.             the Underwriting Agreement;

 

Vinson & Elkins LLP Attorneys at Law

2200 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Suite 500 West

Abu Dhabi Austin Beijing Dallas Dubai Hong Kong Houston London

Washington, DC 20037-1701

Moscow New York Palo Alto Riyadh San Francisco Tokyo Washington

Tel +1.202.639.6500 Fax +1.202.639.6604 www.velaw.com

 



 

6.             the “taxable REIT subsidiary” (“ TRS ”) election for Hypotheca, which election, as amended, lists The New York Mortgage Company, Inc. and NYMC Loan Corporation as greater than 35%-owned subsidiaries;

 

7.             the TRS election for NYMF;

 

8.             the TRS election for NYMT Residential;

 

9.             the TRS election for Residential Tax 1;

 

10.          the TRS election for Residential Tax 2;

 

11.          the TRS election for Residential Tax 3;

 

12.          the TRS election for Residential Tax 4; and

 

13.          such other documents as we have deemed necessary or appropriate for purposes of this opinion.

 

In connection with the opinions rendered below, we have assumed, with your consent, that:

 

1.             each of the documents referred to above has been duly authorized, executed, and delivered; is authentic, if an original, or is accurate, if a copy; and has not been amended;

 

2.             during its taxable year ending December 31, 2017, and future taxable years, the Company has operated and will operate in a manner that will make the representations contained in a certificate, dated the date hereof and executed by a duly appointed officer of the Company (the “ Officer’s Certificate ”), true for such years, without regard to any qualifications as to knowledge or belief;

 

3.             the Company will not make any amendments to its organizational documents or the organizational documents of NYMF, Hypotheca, NYMT Residential, Residential Tax 1, Residential Tax 2, Residential Tax 3, Residential Tax 4 or any other subsidiary after the date of this opinion that would affect the Company’s qualification as a real estate investment trust (a “ REIT ”) for any taxable year; and

 

4.             no action will be taken by the Company, NYMF, Hypotheca, NYMT Residential, Residential Tax 1, Residential Tax 2, Residential Tax 3, Residential Tax 4 or any other subsidiary after the date hereof that would have the effect of altering the facts upon which the opinions set forth below are based.

 

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In connection with the opinions rendered below, we have also relied upon the correctness, without regard to any qualification as to knowledge or belief, of the factual representations and covenants contained in the Officer’s Certificate and the factual matters discussed in the Prospectus and in the Prospectus Supplement that relate to the Company’s status as a REIT. We are not aware of any facts that are inconsistent with the representations contained in the Officer’s Certificate. Furthermore, where the factual representations in the Officer’s Certificate involve terms defined in the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “ Code ”), the Treasury regulations thereunder (the “ Regulations ”), published rulings of the Internal Revenue Service (the “ Service ”), or other relevant authority, we have reviewed with the individuals making such representations the relevant provisions of the Code, the applicable Regulations, the published rulings of the Service, and other relevant authority.

 

Based on the documents and assumptions set forth above, the representations and covenants set forth in the Officer’s Certificate, and the factual matters discussed in the Prospectus under the caption “Material Federal Income Tax Considerations” and in the Prospectus Supplement under the caption “Additional Material Federal Income Tax Considerations” (which are incorporated herein by reference), we are of the opinion that:

 

(a)           the Company qualified to be taxed as a REIT pursuant to sections 856 through 860 of the Code, for its short taxable year ended December 31, 2004 and its taxable years ended December 31, 2005 through December 31, 2016, and the Company’s organization and current and proposed method of operation (as described in the Officer’s Certificate) will enable it to continue to qualify as a REIT under the Code for its taxable year ending December 31, 2017 and thereafter; and

 

(b)           the descriptions of the law and the legal conclusions in the Prospectus under the caption “Material Federal Income Tax Considerations” and in the Prospectus Supplement under the caption “Additional Material Federal Income Tax Considerations” are correct in all material respects, and the discussions thereunder fairly summarize the federal income tax considerations that are likely to be material to a holder of the Notes.

 

We will not review on a continuing basis the Company’s compliance with the documents or assumptions set forth above, or the representations set forth in the Officer’s Certificate. Accordingly, no assurance can be given that the actual results of the Company’s operations for any given taxable year will satisfy the requirements for qualification and taxation as a REIT. Although we have made such inquiries and performed such investigations as we have deemed necessary to fulfill our professional responsibilities as counsel, we have not undertaken an independent investigation of all the facts referred to in this opinion letter or the Officer’s Certificate.

 

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The foregoing opinions are based on current provisions of the Code and the Regulations, published administrative interpretations thereof; and published court decisions. The Service has not issued Regulations or administrative interpretations with respect to various provisions of the Code relating to REIT qualification. No assurance can be given that the law will not change in a way that will prevent the Company from qualifying as a REIT.

 

The foregoing opinions are limited to the federal income tax matters addressed herein, and no other opinions are rendered with respect to other federal tax matters or to any issues arising under the tax laws of any other country, or any state or locality. Additional issues may exist that could affect the federal income tax treatment of the transaction or matter that is the subject of this opinion, and this opinion letter does not consider or provide a conclusion with respect to any such additional issues. We undertake no obligation to update the opinions expressed herein after the date of this letter. This opinion letter is solely for the information and use of the addressees, and it speaks only as of the date hereof. This opinion letter may not be distributed, quoted in whole or in part or otherwise reproduced in any document, or filed with any governmental agency without our express written consent.

 

We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the Registration Statement. We also consent to the references to Vinson & Elkins LLP under the caption “Legal Matters” in the Prospectus Supplement. In giving consent, we do not admit that we are in the category of persons whose consent is required by Section 7 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the rules and regulations promulgated there under by the Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

 

Sincerely,

 

 

 

/s/ VINSON & ELKINS LLP

 

 

 

VINSON & ELKINS LLP

 

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