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): August 3, 2017

 


 

SUTHERLAND ASSET MANAGEMENT

CORPORATION

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)

 


 

Maryland

 

001-35808

 

90-0729143

(State or Other Jurisdiction
of Incorporation)

 

(Commission
File Number)

 

(IRS Employer
Identification No.)

 

1140 Avenue of the Americas

7 th  Floor

New York, NY 10036

(Address of Principal Executive Offices)

 

(Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code)

(212) 257-4600

 


 

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 (see General Instruction A.2. below):

 

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))

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§ 230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§ 240.12b-2 of this chapter).

 

Emerging growth company  x

 

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.  x

 

 

 



 

Item 1.01.                                         Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement.

 

7.00% Convertible Senior Notes due 2023

 

On August 9, 2017, Sutherland Asset Management Corporation (the “Company”) completed the public offer and sale of $115,000,000 aggregate principal amount of its 7.00% Convertible Senior Notes due 2023 which includes $15,000,000 million in aggregate principal amount pursuant to the underwriters’ exercise of their option to purchase additional notes (the “Notes”). The net proceeds from the sale of the Notes are approximately $110,920,000, after deducting underwriters’ discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses. The Company will contribute the net proceeds to Sutherland Partners, L.P. (the “Operating Partnership”), its operating partnership subsidiary, in exchange for the issuance by the Operating Partnership of a senior unsecured note with terms that are substantially equivalent to the terms of the Notes.   The Operating Partnership intends to use the net proceeds to originate or acquire the Company’s target assets and for general corporate purposes.

 

Underwriting  Agreement

 

On August 3, 2017, the Company entered into an underwriting agreement (the “Underwriting Agreement”), by and among the Company, the Operating Partnership and Waterfall Asset Management, LLC and Keefe, Bruyette & Woods, Inc. and JMP Securities LLC (the “Representatives”), on behalf of each of the underwriters listed therein (collectively, the “Underwriters”). The Underwriting Agreement contains customary representations and warranties of the parties and indemnification and contribution provisions whereby the Company and the Operating Partnership, on the one hand, and the Underwriters, on the other hand, have agreed to indemnify each other against certain liabilities.

 

Indenture

 

The Company issued the Notes under a base indenture, dated August 9, 2017, as supplemented by the first supplemental indenture, dated as of August 9, 2017 (together, the “Indenture”), between the Company and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee.

 

The Notes bear interest at a rate of 7.00% per annum, payable quarterly in arrears on February 15, May 15, August 15 and November 15 of each year, beginning on November 15, 2017. The Notes will mature on August 15, 2023, unless earlier converted, redeemed or repurchased. Prior to February 15, 2023, the Notes will be convertible only upon certain circumstances as described in the Indenture and thereafter will be convertible at any time prior to the close of business on the second scheduled trading day prior to maturity by the holders into shares of the Company’s common stock at an initial conversion rate of 1.4997 shares of common stock per $25.00 principal amount of Notes (which represents an initial conversion price of approximately $16.67 per share of common stock), subject to adjustment in certain circumstances as set forth in the Indenture. Following the occurrence of a make-whole fundamental change or if the Company delivers a notice of redemption, the Company will, in certain circumstances, increase the conversion rate for a holder that converts its Notes in connection with such make-whole fundamental change or notice of redemption, as the case may be.  Upon conversion, holders will receive, at the Company’s discretion, cash, shares of the Company’s common stock or a combination thereof.

 

Prior to August 15, 2021, the Notes will not be redeemable by the Company. On or after April 15, 2021, the Company may redeem for cash all or any portion of the Notes, at its option, under certain circumstances described in the Indenture, at a redemption price payable in cash equal to 100% of the principal amount of the Notes to be redeemed, plus accrued and unpaid interest to, but excluding, the redemption date.    If the Company undergoes a fundamental change, holders may require it to purchase the Notes, in whole or in part, for cash at a fundamental change purchase price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the Notes to be purchased, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but excluding, the fundamental change purchase date, as described in greater detail in the Indenture.

 

The Notes are the Company’s senior direct unsecured obligations and will not be guaranteed by any of its subsidiaries, except to the extent described in the Indenture upon the occurrence of certain events. The Notes rank equal in right of payment to any of the Company’s existing and future unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness; effectively junior in right of payment to any of its existing and future secured indebtedness to the extent of the value

 

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of the assets securing such indebtedness; and structurally junior to all existing and future indebtedness, other liabilities (including trade payables) and (to the extent not held by the Company) preferred stock, if any, of its subsidiaries.

 

The occurrence of an Event of Default (as defined in the Indenture) may, subject to certain conditions set forth in the Indenture, lead to the outstanding principal, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, of the Notes being immediately due and payable.

 

The Company has applied to list the notes on the New York Stock Exchange and expects trading of the Notes to commence thereon within 30 days after the original issue date.

 

The foregoing description of the Underwriting Agreement, the Indenture and the Notes does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the Underwriting Agreement, the Indenture and the form of Note, copies of which are filed as Exhibits 1.1, 4.2 and 4.3 and 4.4 to this Current Report on Form 8-K, and are incorporated herein by reference.

 

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 above with respect to the Notes and the Indenture is hereby incorporated by reference into this Item 2.03 insofar as it relates to the creation of a direct financial obligation.

 

Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits

 

Exhibit

 

Description

1.1

 

Underwriting Agreement, dated August 3, 2017, by and among Sutherland Asset Management Corporation, Sutherland Partners, L.P., Waterfall Asset Management LLC and the Representatives on behalf of the Underwriters.

4.1

 

Amended and Restated Form of Indenture.

4.2

 

Indenture, dated as of August 9, 2017, by and between Sutherland Asset Management Corporation and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee.

4.3

 

First Supplemental Indenture, dated as of August 9, 2017, by and between Sutherland Asset Management Corporation and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee.

4.4

 

Form of 7.00% Convertible Senior Note (included in Exhibit 4.3).

5.1

 

Opinion of Clifford Chance US LLP.

8.1

 

Opinion of Clifford Chance US LLP regarding certain tax matters.

12.1

 

Statements of Computation of Ratios of Earnings to Fixed Charges and Earnings to Combined Fixed Charges and Preferred Stock Dividends

23.1

 

Consent of Clifford Chance US LLP (included in Exhibit 5.1).

23.2

 

Consent of Clifford Chance US LLP regarding certain tax matters (included in Exhibit 8.1).

 

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SIGNATURES

 

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.

 

 

SUTHERLAND ASSET MANAGEMENT CORPORATION

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Frederick C. Herbst

 

Name:

Frederick C. Herbst

 

Title:

Chief Financial Officer

 

 

Dated: August 9, 2017

 

 

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Exhibit 1.1

 

EXECUTION VERSION

 

SUTHERLAND ASSET MANAGEMENT CORPORATION
(a Maryland corporation)

 

$100,000,000
7.00% Convertible Notes Due 2023

 

UNDERWRITING AGREEMENT

 

KEEFE, BRUYETTE & WOODS, INC.

August 3, 2017

JMP SECURITIES LLC

 

As Representatives of the several Underwriters

 

c/o

 

KEEFE, BRUYETTE & WOODS, INC.
787 Seventh Avenue, Fifth Floor
New York, New York 10019

 

JMP SECURITIES LLC

600 Montgomery Street, Suite 1100

San Francisco, California 94111

 

Ladies and Gentlemen:

 

Sutherland Asset Management Corporation, a Maryland corporation (the “ Company ”), Sutherland Partners, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership (the “ Operating Partnership ”), and Waterfall Asset Management, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “ Manager ”), each confirms its agreement with each of the Underwriters listed on Schedule I hereto (the “ Underwriters ”), for whom Keefe, Bruyette & Woods, Inc. and JMP Securities LLC are acting as Representatives (in such capacity, the “ Representatives ”), with respect to (i) the issuance and sale by the Company of $100,000,000 principal amount of its 7.00% convertible notes due 2023 (the “ Initial Notes ”), and the purchase by the Underwriters, acting severally and not jointly, of the respective principal amount of the Initial Notes set forth opposite the names of each of the Underwriters listed in Schedule I hereto and (ii) the grant of the option described in Section 3(b) hereof to purchase all or any part of $15,000,000 principal amount of additional 7.00% convertible notes due 2023 (the “ Option Notes ”) from the Company to the Underwriters, acting severally and not jointly, in the respective principal amount of the Option Notes set forth opposite the names of each of the Underwriters listed in Schedule I hereto. The Initial Notes to be purchased by the Underwriters and all or any part of the Option Notes subject to the option described in Section 3(b) hereof are hereinafter called, collectively, the “ Notes .” The Notes shall be convertible into shares of common stock, $0.0001 par value per share, of the Company (the “ Common Stock ”), per $25.00 principal amount of the Notes, as described in the Prospectus, defined below. The shares of Common Stock into which the Notes may be converted are referred to herein as the “ Conversion Shares .” The Notes and the Conversion Shares hereinafter are referred to collectively as the “ Securities .” The Notes will be issued pursuant to an indenture (the “ Base Indenture ”) to be dated as of August 9, 2017 between the Company and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee (the “ Trustee ”), as supplemented by a first supplemental indenture (the “ First Supplemental Indenture ” and, together with the Base Indenture, the “ Indenture ”) to be dated as of August 9, 2017 between the Company and the Trustee.

 



 

The Company understands that the Underwriters propose to make a public offering of the Notes as soon as the Underwriters deem advisable after this Underwriting Agreement (the “ Agreement ”) has been executed and delivered.

 

The Company has filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “ Commission ”), a registration statement on Form S-3 (No. 333-219213) including a related base prospectus, for the registration of the Securities under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations thereunder (the “ Securities Act ”). The registration statement has been declared effective under the Securities Act by the Commission. Such registration statement, as of any time, means such registration statement as amended by any post-effective amendments thereto to such time, including the exhibits and any schedules thereto at such time, the documents incorporated by reference therein at such time pursuant to Item 12 of Form S-3 under the Securities Act and the documents otherwise deemed to be a part thereof as of such time pursuant to Rule 430B (“ Rule 430B ”) under the Securities Act (the “ Rule 430B Information ”), is referred to herein as the “Registration Statement”; provided, however, that the “Registration Statement” without reference to a time means such registration statement as amended by any post-effective amendments thereto as of the time of the first contract of sale for the Notes, which time shall be considered the “new effective date” of such registration statement with respect to the Notes within the meaning of paragraph (f)(2) of Rule 430B of the Securities Act, including the exhibits and schedules thereto as of such time, the documents incorporated or deemed incorporated by reference therein at such time pursuant to Item 12 of Form S-3 under the Securities Act and the Rule 430B Information. Any registration statement filed pursuant to Rule 462(b) of the Securities Act is hereinafter called the “ Rule 462(b) Registration Statement, ” and after such filing the term “Registration Statement” shall include the 462(b) Registration Statement.

 

The base prospectus in the form in which it has most recently been filed with the Commission on or prior to the date of this Agreement is herein called 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 (including the Final Term Sheet, as defined herein) in accordance with the provisions of Rule 430B and Rule 424(b) of the Securities Act. Such final prospectus supplement (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 refer 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 Rule 462(b) 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 or any successor system thereto (“ EDGAR ”). All references in this Agreement to financial statements and schedules and other information which 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 which is incorporated by reference in or otherwise deemed by the Securities Act 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

 

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deemed to mean and include the subsequent filing of any document under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations thereunder (the “ Exchange Act ”), and which is deemed to be incorporated by reference therein or otherwise deemed by the Rules and Regulations to be a part thereof.

 

The term “ Disclosure Package ” means (i) the Preliminary Prospectus, as most recently amended or supplemented immediately prior to the Initial Sale Time (as defined herein), (ii) the Issuer Free Writing Prospectuses (as defined below), if any, identified in Schedule II hereto, (iii) any other Free Writing Prospectus (as defined below) that the parties hereto shall hereafter expressly agree to treat as part of the Disclosure Package and (iv) the information set forth on Exhibit A (the “ Final Term Sheet ”).

 

The term “ Issuer Free Writing Prospectus ” means any issuer free writing prospectus, as defined in Rule 433 of the Securities Act. The term “ Free Writing Prospectus ” means any free writing prospectus, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.

 

The Company and Operating Partnership have entered into a management agreement (the “ Management Agreement ”), dated as of April 6, 2016 and as amended as of May 9, 2016, with the Manager, pursuant to which the Manager acts as the manager and adviser of the Company, the Operating Partnership and their respective subsidiaries.

 

1.                                       Representations and Warranties of the Company and the Operating Partnership . The Company and the Operating Partnership, jointly and severally, represent and warrant to, and agree with, the Underwriters as set forth below in this Section 1:

 

(a)                                  The Company meets the requirements for use of Form S-3 under the Securities Act; each of the Registration Statement and any Rule 462(b) Registration Statement has become effective under the Securities Act and no stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement or any Rule 462(b) Registration Statement has been issued under the Securities Act and no proceedings for that purpose have been instituted or are pending or, to the knowledge of the Company, are contemplated or threatened by the Commission; and the Company has complied to the Commission’s satisfaction with any request on the part of the Commission for additional information.

 

(b)                                  The Preliminary Prospectus when filed and the Registration Statement as of each effective date (including each deemed effective date with respect to the Underwriters pursuant to Rule 430B or otherwise under the Securities Act) and as of the date hereof, complied or will comply, and the Prospectus and any further amendments or supplements to the Registration Statement, the Preliminary Prospectus or the Prospectus will, when they become effective or are filed with the Commission, as the case may be, comply, in all material respects with the requirements of the Securities Act and the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, and the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder (the “ Trust Indenture Act ”). The documents incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus, when they became effective or at the time they were or hereafter are filed with the Commission, complied and will comply in all material respects with the requirements of the Exchange Act.

 

(c)                                   The Registration Statement, as of each effective date (including each deemed effective date with respect to the Underwriters pursuant to Rule 430B or otherwise under the Securities Act) and as of the date hereof and at the Closing Time or any Option Closing Time, each as defined herein, did not, and does 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 not misleading; and the Preliminary Prospectus does not, and the Prospectus or any amendment

 

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or supplement thereto will not, as of the applicable filing date, the date hereof and at the Closing Time and on each Option Closing Time (if any), contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; provided, however, that the Company makes no warranty or representation with respect to any statement contained in or omitted from the Registration Statement, the Preliminary Prospectus or the Prospectus in reliance upon and in conformity with the information concerning the Underwriters and furnished in writing by or on behalf of the Underwriters by the Representatives to the Company expressly for use therein (that information being limited to that described in the last sentence of the first paragraph of Section 9(b) hereof); the documents incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement, the Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, at the time the Registration Statement became effective or when such documents incorporated by reference were filed with the Commission, as the case may be, when read together with the other information in the Registration Statement, the Disclosure Package or the Prospectus, as the case may be, did not and will not include 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 not misleading.

 

(d)                                  As of 8:30 a.m. (Eastern time) on August 4, 2017 (the “ Initial Sale Time ”), the Disclosure Package did not, and at the time of each sale of Notes and at the Closing Time and each Option Closing Time, the Disclosure Package will not, contain an 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; as of the issue date or date of first use and at all subsequent times through the Initial Sale Time, each Issuer Free Writing Prospectus did not, and at the time of each sale of Notes and at the Closing Time and each Option Closing Time, each such Issuer Free Writing Prospectus will not, contain an 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; provided, however, that the Company makes no warranty or representation with respect to any statement contained in or omitted from the Disclosure Package in reliance upon and in conformity with the information concerning the Underwriters and furnished in writing by or on behalf of the Underwriters by the Representatives to the Company expressly for use therein (that information being limited to that described in the last sentence of the first paragraph of Section 8(a) hereof).

 

(e)                                   In connection with this offering, the Company has not offered and will not offer the Securities or any other securities convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for Common Stock in a manner in violation of the Securities Act; and the Company has not distributed and will not distribute any offering material in connection with the offer and sale of the Securities except for the Preliminary Prospectus, the Prospectus, any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus or the Registration Statement.

 

(f)                                    Each Issuer Free Writing Prospectus (including the Final Term Sheet), if any, as of its issue date and at all subsequent times through the completion of the public offer and sale of the Notes did not, does not and will not include any information that conflicted, conflicts or will conflict with the information contained in the Registration Statement, Preliminary Prospectus or the Prospectus, including any document incorporated by reference therein, and any preliminary or other prospectus deemed to be a part thereof that has not been superseded or modified.

 

(g)                                   The Company is eligible to use Free Writing Prospectuses in connection with this offering pursuant to Rules 164 and 433 under the Securities Act; any Free Writing Prospectus that the Company is required to file pursuant to Rule 433(d) under the Securities Act has been, or will be, filed with the Commission in accordance with the requirements of the Securities Act; and

 

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each Free Writing Prospectus that the Company has filed, or is required to file, pursuant to Rule 433(d) under the Securities Act or that was prepared by or on behalf of or used by the Company complies or will comply in all material respects with the requirements of the Securities Act.

 

(h)                                  Except for the Issuer Free Writing Prospectuses identified in Schedule II hereto, the information set forth on Exhibit A and any electronic road show relating to the public offering of the Securities contemplated herein, the Company has not prepared, used or referred to, and will not, without the prior consent of the Representatives, prepare, use or refer to, any Free Writing Prospectus.

 

(i)                                      The Preliminary Prospectus, the Prospectus and any Issuer Free Writing Prospectuses (to the extent any such Issuer Free Writing Prospectus was required to be filed with the Commission) delivered to the Underwriters for use in connection with the public offering of the Securities contemplated herein have been and will be identical to the versions of such documents transmitted to the Commission for filing via EDGAR, except to the extent permitted by Regulation S-T of the Securities Act.

 

(j)                                     The Company filed the Registration Statement with the Commission before using any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus; and each Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, if any, was preceded or accompanied by the most recent Preliminary Prospectus satisfying the requirements of Section 10 under the Securities Act, which Preliminary Prospectus included an estimated price range.

 

(k)                                  The Commission has not issued any order preventing or suspending the use of any Preliminary Prospectus.

 

(l)                                      There are no persons with registration or other similar rights to have any equity or debt securities, including securities which are convertible into or exchangeable for equity securities, registered pursuant to the Registration Statement or otherwise registered by the Company or the Operating Partnership under the Securities Act, all of which registration or similar rights are fairly summarized in the Registration Statement, the Prospectus and the Disclosure Package.

 

(m)                              The capitalization of the Company as of June 30, 2017 is as set forth under the heading “Capitalization” in the Registration Statement, the Disclosure Package and the Prospectus (except for subsequent issuances, if any, pursuant to reservations, agreements or employee benefit plans or the exercise of convertible or exchangeable securities or options, in each case referred to in the Registration Statement, the Disclosure Package and the Prospectus). All of the issued and outstanding shares of capital stock of the Company have been duly authorized and validly issued, are fully paid and nonassessable, have been issued in compliance with federal and state securities laws and the requirements of the New York Stock Exchange, Inc. (the “ NYSE ”) and were not issued in violation of any preemptive, right of first refusal, or similar right. Attached as Schedule III is a true and complete list of each entity (other than a securitization entity) in which the Company has a direct or indirect majority equity or voting interest that is consolidated with the Company for financial reporting purposes under U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (each, a “ Subsidiary ” and, together, “ Subsidiaries ”) and their jurisdictions of organization. All of the issued and outstanding equity interests of each Subsidiary that is a significant subsidiary within the meaning of Regulation S-X (each, a “ Significant Subsidiary ” and, together, the “ Significant Subsidiaries ”) have been duly and validly authorized and issued, are fully paid and nonassessable, have been issued in compliance with federal and state securities laws and the requirements of the NYSE, were not issued in violation

 

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of any preemptive, right of first refusal, or similar right and, except as set forth in the Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, are owned, directly or indirectly, by the Company free and clear of all liens. There are no outstanding options, warrants or other rights to acquire or purchase, or instruments convertible into or exchangeable for, any equity interests of the Company or any Subsidiary, except as set forth in the Disclosure Package and the Prospectus or held by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries.

 

(n)                                  Each of the Company and each Significant Subsidiary has been duly organized and is validly existing and in good standing under the laws of its jurisdiction of organization, is duly qualified to do business and is in good standing in each jurisdiction in which its ownership or lease of property or the conduct of its business requires such qualification, and has all power and authority necessary to own or hold its property and to conduct its business, except where the failure to be so qualified or in good standing or have such power or authority would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on the business, management, financial position, results of operations or prospects of the Company and the Subsidiaries taken as a whole or on the performance by the Company or the Operating Partnership of its obligations under this Agreement (a “ Material Adverse Effect ”).

 

(o)                                  The Securities conform in all material respects to the descriptions thereof contained in the Registration Statement, the Prospectus and the Disclosure Package; the Indenture conforms in all material respects to the descriptions thereof contained in the Registration Statement, the Disclosure Package and the Prospectus; and the statements in the Registration Statement, the Disclosure Package and the Prospectus under the heading “U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations” fairly summarize in all material respects the legal matters therein described.

 

(p)                                  The execution and delivery of, and the performance by each of the Company and the Operating Partnership of its obligations under, this Agreement have been duly and validly authorized by the Company and the Operating Partnership, and this Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by the Company and the Operating Partnership and, assuming due authorization, execution, delivery, validity, legally binding effect and enforceability hereof by you and thereof by the counterparties thereto, this Agreement constitutes the valid and legally binding agreements of the Company and the Operating Partnership, enforceable against the Company and the Operating Partnership in accordance with its terms, except as rights to indemnity and contribution hereunder and thereunder may be limited by federal or state securities laws or principles of public policy and subject to the qualification that the enforceability of the Company’s and the Operating Partnership’s obligations hereunder may be limited by bankruptcy, fraudulent conveyance, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium and other laws relating to or affecting creditors’ rights generally and by general equitable principles, regardless whether enforcement is considered in a proceeding in equity or at law. The execution and delivery of, and the performance by the Company of its obligations under the Indenture have been duly and validly authorized by the Company, and the Indenture will constitute the valid and legally binding agreements of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with its terms, except as rights to indemnity and contribution hereunder and thereunder may be limited by federal or state securities laws or principles of public policy and subject to the qualification that the enforceability of the Company’s obligations thereunder may be limited by bankruptcy, fraudulent conveyance, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium and other laws relating to or affecting creditors’ rights generally and by general equitable principles, regardless whether enforcement is considered in a proceeding in equity or at law.

 

(q)                                  The Notes to be issued and sold by the Company to the Underwriters hereunder have been duly and validly authorized and, when issued, authenticated and delivered against

 

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payment therefor in accordance with this Agreement and the Indenture, will constitute valid and legally binding obligations of the Company, except as may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, reorganization, insolvency, moratorium, fraudulent conveyance or other similar laws affecting the rights of creditors now or hereafter in effect, and to equitable principles that may limit the right to specific enforcement of remedies and will be in the form contemplated by, and entitled to the benefits of, the Indenture.

 

(r)                                     The Conversion Shares have been duly and validly authorized and reserved for issuance by the Company, and, when issued upon conversion of the Notes in accordance with the terms of the Notes and the Indenture, will be fully paid and nonassessable, and the issuance of the Conversion Shares will not be subject to any preemptive right, right of first refusal or other similar rights to subscribe or purchase securities of the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company.

 

(s)                                    The Common Stock and Conversion Shares have been approved for listing on the NYSE; the Company has taken all necessary actions to ensure that, upon and at all times since the NYSE shall have approved the Common Stock and Conversion Shares for listing, it is and will be in compliance with all applicable corporate governance requirements set forth in the NYSE’s listing standards that are then in effect; the Company has taken all necessary actions to ensure that the Notes will be approved for listing on the NYSE, subject to official notice of issuance; the Company has taken all necessary actions to ensure that, upon and at all times after the NYSE approves the Notes for listing, the Company is and will be in compliance with all applicable corporate governance requirements set forth in the NYSE’s listing standards that are then in effect.

 

(t)                                     Neither the Company nor the Subsidiaries, or any of their respective directors, officers, representatives or affiliates has taken, nor will take, directly or indirectly, any action which is designed to or which has constituted or which might reasonably be expected to cause or result in stabilization or manipulation of the price of any security of the Company to facilitate the sale or resale of the Securities or to result in a violation of Regulation M under the Exchange Act.

 

(u)                                  Neither the Company nor any of the Subsidiaries or any of their respective affiliates (i) is required to register as a “broker” or “dealer” in accordance with the provisions of the Exchange Act, or (ii) directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, controls or has any other association with any member firm of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. (“ FINRA ”).

 

(v)                                  No approval, authorization, consent or order of or filing with any federal, state, local or foreign governmental or regulatory commission, board, body, authority or agency is required in connection with the execution, delivery and performance of the this Agreement and the Indenture by the Company or the Operating Partnership, as applicable, their consummation of the transactions contemplated herein or thereunder (including the Company’s sale and delivery of the Notes and the Company’s issuance of the Conversion Shares upon conversion thereof), other than (A) such as have been obtained, or will have been obtained at the Closing Time or the relevant Option Closing Time, as the case may be, under the Securities Act, the Trust Indenture Act and the Exchange Act, (B) such approvals as have been obtained in connection with the approval of the listing of the Securities on the NYSE and (C) any necessary qualification under the securities or blue sky laws of the various jurisdictions in which the Securities are being offered by the Underwriters.

 

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(w)                                Subsequent to the respective dates as of which information is given in the Disclosure Package and the Prospectus (exclusive of any amendments or supplements thereto subsequent to the date of this Agreement): (i) there has been no Material Adverse Effect; and (ii) neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries (considered as one enterprise) has incurred any material liability or obligation, indirect, direct or contingent, not in the ordinary course of business nor entered into any material transaction or agreement not in the ordinary course of business.

 

(x)                                  Neither the issuance and sale of the Securities, the execution, delivery or performance of this Agreement or the Indenture by the Company or the Operating Partnership, nor the consummation by the Company or the Operating Partnership of the transactions herein or therein contemplated (i) conflicts or will conflict with or constitutes or will constitute a breach of the charter, bylaws or other organizational documents of the Company or the Operating Partnership, (ii) conflicts or will conflict with or constitutes or will constitute a breach of or a default under, any material agreement, indenture, lease or other instrument to which the Company or any Subsidiary is a party or by which it or any of its properties may be bound, except for such conflicts that would not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect or (iii) violates or will violate any material statute, law, regulation or filing or judgment, injunction, order or decree applicable to the Company or any Subsidiary or any of their properties or will result in the creation or imposition of any lien, charge or encumbrance upon any property or assets of the Company or any Subsidiary pursuant to the terms of any agreement or instrument to which it is a party or by which it may be bound or to which any of the property or assets of the Company or any Subsidiary is subject, except for such violations that would not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

 

(y)                                  The financial statements, together with related schedules and notes, included in the Registration Statement, the Disclosure Package and the Prospectus present fairly in all material respects the consolidated financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the Company as of the dates and for the periods indicated, comply as to form with the applicable account requirements of the Exchange Act and have been prepared in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles applied on a consistent basis throughout the periods involved (except as otherwise noted therein); the other financial information and data included in the Registration Statement, the Disclosure Package and the Prospectus are accurately derived from such financial statements and the books and records of the Company; and the pro forma financial information and the related notes thereto included in the Registration Statement, the Disclosure Package and the Prospectus have been prepared in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles applied on a consistent basis throughout the periods involved (except as otherwise noted therein) and the assumptions underlying such pro forma financial information provide a reasonable basis for presenting the significant effects directly attributable to the transactions or events described therein, the related pro forma adjustments give appropriate effect to those assumptions, the pro forma columns therein reflect the proper application of those adjustments to the corresponding historical financial statement amounts and the assumptions underlying such pro forma financial information are set forth in the Registration Statement, the Disclosure Package and the Prospectus.

 

(z)                                   Except as described in the Registration Statement, the Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, there are no legal, governmental or regulatory investigations, actions, suits or proceedings pending to which the Company or any Subsidiary is a party or to which any property of the Company or any Subsidiary is the subject that, if determined adversely to the Company or any Subsidiary, could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; and no such investigations, actions, suits or proceedings are, to the knowledge of the Company and the

 

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Operating Partnership, threatened in writing by any governmental or regulatory authority or by others.

 

(aa)                           The Company has elected to be taxed as a real estate investment trust (“REIT”) for U.S. federal income tax purposes, commencing with its taxable year ended December 31, 2011, and has maintained such election through the date hereof. All statements regarding the Company’s qualification and taxation as a REIT and descriptions of the Company’s organization and operations set forth in the Registration Statement, the Disclosure Package and the Prospectus are true, complete and correct in all material respects.

 

(bb)                           Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary is (i) in violation of its charter, bylaws or other organizational document, (ii) in breach or default in the performance of the terms of any indenture, contract, lease, mortgage, deed of trust, note agreement, loan agreement or other agreement, obligation, condition, covenant or instrument to which it is a party or bound or to which its property is subject, except for such breaches or defaults that would not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect or (iii) in violation of any law, ordinance, administrative or governmental rule or regulation applicable to any of their or of any decree of the Commission, any state securities commission, any national securities exchange, any arbitrator, any court or any other governmental, regulatory, self-regulatory or administrative agency or any official having jurisdiction over the Company or its Subsidiaries, except for such violations that would not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

 

(cc)                             Deloitte & Touche LLP, who have certified certain financial statements of the Company and its Subsidiaries, is an independent registered public accounting firm with respect to the Company and its Subsidiaries within the applicable rules and regulations adopted by the Commission and the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) and as required by the Securities Act.

 

(dd)                           The Company and each Subsidiary have good and marketable title in fee simple (in the case of real property) to, or have valid and marketable rights to lease or otherwise use, all items of real and personal property and assets that are material to the business of the Company and the Subsidiaries taken as a whole, in each case free and clear of all liens, encumbrances, claims and defects and imperfections of title except those that (i) do not materially interfere with the use made and proposed to be made of such property by the Company and the Subsidiaries or (ii) could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

(ee)                             There are no transfer taxes or other similar fees or charges under federal law or the laws of any state, or any political subdivision thereof, required to be paid in connection with the execution and delivery of this Agreement or the issuance or sale of the Securities.

 

(ff)                               The Company and each Subsidiary have filed all necessary U.S. federal, state, local and foreign taxes and tax returns which have been required to be filed, except insofar as the failure to file such returns would not result in a Material Adverse Effect, and have paid all taxes required to be paid by them, whether or not shown as due on such returns, except for such taxes, if any, as are being contested in good faith and as to which adequate reserves have been provided or with respect to which the failure to pay such taxes would not result in a Material Adverse Effect; and except as otherwise disclosed in the Registration Statement, the Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, there is no material tax deficiency that has been asserted against the Company, any Subsidiary or any of their respective properties or assets, and there is no tax audit of Company of any Subsidiary that is pending or threatened in writing and is reasonably expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

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(gg)                             The Company and each Subsidiary have insurance covering their properties, operations, personnel and business, including business interruption insurance, which insurance is in amounts and insures against such losses and risks as are adequate to protect the business of the Company and the Subsidiaries taken as a whole; and neither the Company and nor any Subsidiary has any 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 at reasonable cost from similar insurers as may be necessary to continue its business, except where any such matter would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

(hh)                           The Company and each Subsidiary possess all licenses, certificates, permits and other authorizations issued by, and have made all declarations and filings with, the appropriate federal, state, local or foreign governmental or regulatory authorities that are necessary for the ownership or lease of its properties or the conduct of its businesses as described in the Registration Statement, the Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, except where the failure to possess or make the same would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; and except as described in the Registration Statement, the Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, neither the Company nor any Subsidiary has received notice of any revocation or modification of any such license, certificate, permit or authorization or has any reason to believe that any such license, certificate, permit or authorization will not be renewed in the ordinary course, except where such revocation, modification or non-renewal would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

(ii)                                   (i) The Company and each Subsidiary (a) are, and at all prior times were, in compliance in all material respects with any and all applicable federal, state, local and foreign laws, rules, regulations, requirements, decisions, judgments, decrees, orders and the common law relating to pollution or the protection of the environment, natural resources or human health or safety, including those relating to the generation, storage, treatment, use, handling, transportation, Release (as defined below) or threat of Release of Hazardous Materials (as defined below) (collectively, “ Environmental Laws ”), (b) have received and are in compliance in all material respects with all permits, licenses, certificates or other authorizations or approvals required of them under applicable Environmental Laws to conduct their respective businesses, (c) have not received notice of any actual or potential liability under or relating to, or actual or potential violation of, any Environmental Laws, including for the investigation or remediation of any Release or threat of Release of Hazardous Materials, and have no knowledge of any event or condition that would reasonably be expected to result in any such notice, (d) are not conducting or paying for, in whole or in part, any investigation, remediation or other corrective action pursuant to any Environmental Law at any location, and (e) are not a party to any order, decree or agreement that imposes any obligation or liability under any Environmental Law, and (ii) there are no costs or liabilities associated with Environmental Laws of or relating to the Company and its Subsidiaries, except in the case of each of (i) and (ii) above, for any such matter, as would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

(jj)                                 There has been no storage, generation, transportation, use, handling, treatment, Release or threat of Release of Hazardous Materials by, relating to or caused by the Company or any Subsidiary (or, to the knowledge of the Company or any Subsidiary, any other entity (including any predecessor) for whose acts or omissions the Company or any Subsidiary is liable) at, on, under or from any property or facility now or previously owned, operated or leased by the Company or any Subsidiary, or at, on, under or from any other property or facility, in violation of any Environmental Laws or in a manner or amount or to a location that could reasonably be expected to result in any liability under any Environmental Law, except for any violation or liability which would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a

 

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Material Adverse Effect. “ Hazardous Materials ” means any material, chemical, substance, waste, pollutant, contaminant, compound, mixture, or constituent thereof, in any form or amount, including petroleum (including crude oil or any fraction thereof) and petroleum products, natural gas liquids, asbestos and asbestos containing materials, naturally occurring radioactive materials, brine, and drilling mud, regulated or which can give rise to liability under any Environmental Law. “ Release ” means any spilling, leaking, seepage, pumping, pouring, emitting, emptying, discharging, injecting, escaping, leaching, dumping, disposing, depositing, dispersing, or migrating in, into or through the environment, or in, into, from or through any building or structure.

 

(kk)                           The Company and the Subsidiaries maintain systems of “internal control over financial reporting” (as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) under the Exchange Act) that comply with the requirements of the Exchange Act and have been designed by, or under the supervision of, their respective principal executive and principal financial officers, or persons performing similar functions, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, including, but not limited to, internal accounting controls sufficient to provide reasonable assurance that: (i) transactions are executed in accordance with management’s general or specific authorizations; (ii) transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles and to maintain asset accountability; (iii) access to assets is permitted only in accordance with management’s general or specific authorization; and (iv) the recorded accountability for assets is compared with the existing assets at reasonable intervals and appropriate action is taken with respect to any differences. Based on the Company’s most recent evaluation of its internal control over financial reporting pursuant to Rule 13a-15(c) under the Exchange Act, except as disclosed in the Registration Statement, the Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, there are no material weaknesses therein. The Company’s auditors and the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors of the Company have been advised of: (i) all significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which have adversely affected or are reasonably likely to adversely affect the Company’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and (ii) any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

(ll)                                   The Company and the Subsidiaries maintain an effective system of “disclosure controls and procedures” (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) under the Exchange Act) that complies with the requirements of the Exchange Act and that has been designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Company in reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Commission’s rules and forms, including controls and procedures designed to ensure that such information is accumulated and communicated to the Company’s management as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. The Company and the Subsidiaries have carried out evaluations of the effectiveness of their disclosure controls and procedures as required by Rule 13a-15 under the Exchange Act.

 

(mm)                   Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary has taken, directly or indirectly, any action designed to or that would constitute or that might reasonably be expected to cause or result in, under the Exchange Act or otherwise, stabilization or manipulation of the price of any security of the Company or any Subsidiary to facilitate the sale or resale of the Securities, and neither the Company nor the Operating Partnership is aware of any such action taken or to be taken by any affiliates of the Company or any Subsidiary.

 

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(nn)                           Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary is or, after giving effect to the offering and sale of the Securities and the application of the proceeds thereof received by the Company as described in the Registration Statement, the Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, will be required to register as an “investment company” under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, and the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder.

 

(oo)                           The Company and each Subsidiary own or possess adequate rights to use all patents, patent applications, trademarks, service marks, trade names, trademark registrations, service mark registrations, copyrights, licenses and know-how (including trade secrets and other unpatented and/or unpatentable proprietary or confidential information, systems or procedures) necessary for the conduct of business of the Company and the Subsidiaries taken as a whole as currently conducted and as proposed to be conducted, and the conduct of such business will not conflict with any such rights of others, except where the failure to own or possess such rights or any such conflict would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary has received any notice of any claim of infringement, misappropriation or conflict with any such rights of others in connection with its patents, patent rights, licenses, inventions, trademarks, service marks, trade names, copyrights and know-how, except for any claim that would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

(pp)                           Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary has any material lending or other relationship with any bank or lending affiliate of the Underwriters, except as disclosed in the Registration Statement, the Disclosure Package and the Prospectus.

 

(qq)                           The Company intends to use any of the proceeds from the sale of the Securities hereunder as disclosed in the Registration Statement, the Disclosure Package and the Prospectus.

 

(rr)                                 Solely to the extent that Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated by the Commission and thereunder (collectively, the “ Sarbanes-Oxley Act ”) have been applicable to the Company, there is and has been no failure on the part of the Company or any of the Company’s directors or officers, in their capacities as such, to comply with any provision of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, including Section 402 related to loans and Sections 302 and 906 related to certifications.

 

(ss)                               The operations of the Company and the Subsidiaries are and have been conducted at all times in compliance in all material respects with any applicable financial recordkeeping and reporting requirements of the Currency and Foreign Transactions Reporting Act of 1970, as amended, the money laundering statutes of all applicable jurisdictions, the applicable rules and regulations thereunder and any applicable related or similar rules, regulations or guidelines, issued, administered or enforced by any applicable governmental agency (collectively, the “ Money Laundering Laws ”) and no action, suit or proceeding by or before any court or governmental agency, authority or body or any arbitrator involving the Company or any Subsidiary with respect to the Money Laundering Laws is pending or, to the knowledge of the Company and the Operating Partnership, threatened.

 

(tt)                                 Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary nor, to the knowledge of the Company and the Operating Partnership, any director, officer, agent, employee or affiliate of the Company or any Subsidiary is currently subject to any U.S. sanctions administered by the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the U.S. Treasury Department (“ OFAC ”); and the Company will not directly or indirectly use the proceeds from the sale of the Securities hereunder, or lend, contribute or otherwise make available such proceeds to any other person or entity, for the purpose of financing the activities of any person currently subject to any U.S. sanctions administered by OFAC.

 

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(uu)                           Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary nor, to the knowledge of the Company and the Operating Partnership, any director, officer, agent, employee or affiliate of the Company or any Subsidiary is aware of or has taken any action, directly or indirectly, that would result in a violation by such persons of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, as amended, and the rules and regulations thereunder (the “ FCPA ”), including, without limitation, making use of the mails or any means or instrumentality of interstate commerce in furtherance of an offer, payment, promise to pay or authorization of the payment of any money, or other property, gift, promise to give, or authorization of the giving of anything of value, to any “foreign official” (as such term is defined in the FCPA) or any foreign political party or official thereof or any candidate for foreign political office, in contravention of the FCPA and the Company and each Subsidiary, and, to the knowledge of the Company and the Operating Partnership, affiliates of the Company and the Subsidiaries have conducted their businesses in compliance with the FCPA and have instituted and maintain policies and procedures designed to ensure, and which are reasonably expected to continue to ensure, continued compliance therewith.

 

(vv)                           (i) Each employee benefit plan, within the meaning of Section 3(3) of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (“ ERISA ”) maintained or contributed to by the Company or any Subsidiary or for which the Company or any Subsidiary or any member of its “Controlled Group” (defined as any organization which is a member of a controlled group of corporations or group of trades or business (whether or not incorporated) under common control within the meaning of Section 414 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “ Code ”) that includes the Company or any Subsidiary) would have any liability (each, a “ Plan ”) has been maintained in compliance with its terms and the requirements of any applicable statutes, orders, rules and regulations, including but not limited to, ERISA and the Code, except for noncompliance that could not reasonably be expected to result in material liability to the Company and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole; (ii) no prohibited transaction, within the meaning of Section 406 of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code, has occurred with respect to any Plan (excluding transactions effected pursuant to a statutory or administrative exemption) that could reasonably be expected to result in a material liability to the Company and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole; (iii) for each Plan that is subject to the funding rules of Section 412 of the Code or Section 302 of ERISA, the minimum funding standard of Section 412 of the Code or Section 302 of ERISA, as applicable, has been satisfied (without taking into account any waiver thereof or extension of any amortization period) and is reasonably expected to be satisfied in the future (without taking into account any waiver thereof or extension of any amortization period) except as could not reasonably be expected to result in material liability to the Company and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole; (iv) the fair market value of the assets of each Plan that is subject to the funding rules of Section 412 of the Code or Section 302 of ERISA exceeds the present value of all benefits accrued under such Plan (determined based on those assumptions used to fund such Plan) except as could not reasonably be expected to result in material liability to the Company and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole; (v) no “reportable event” (within the meaning of Section 4043(c) of ERISA) has occurred or is reasonably expected to occur with respect to any Plan subject to Title IV of ERISA that either has resulted, or could reasonably be expected to result, in material liability to the Company and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole; (vi) neither the Company nor any member of the Controlled Group has incurred, nor reasonably expects to incur, any liability under Title IV of ERISA (other than contributions to the Plan or premiums to the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (“ PBGC ”), in the ordinary course and without default) in respect of a Plan (including a “multiemployer plan,” within the meaning of Section 4001(a)(3) of ERISA); and (vii) there is no pending audit or investigation by the Internal Revenue Service, the U.S. Department of Labor, the PBGC or any other governmental agency or any foreign regulatory agency with respect to any Plan maintained by the Company or any Subsidiary or, to the knowledge of the Company and the Operating Partnership, any other Plan,

 

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that could reasonably be expected to result in material liability to the Company and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole. None of the following events has occurred or is reasonably likely to occur: (x) a material increase in the aggregate amount of contributions required to be made to all Plans by the Company and its Subsidiaries in the current fiscal year of the Company compared to the amount of such contributions made in the Company’s most recently completed fiscal year; or (y) a material increase in the “accumulated post-retirement benefit obligations” (within the meaning of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards 106) of the Company and its Subsidiaries compared to the amount of such obligations in the Company’s most recently completed fiscal year.

 

(ww)                       Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary is a party to any contract, agreement or understanding with any person (other than this Agreement) that would give rise to a valid claim against the Company or any Subsidiary or any Underwriter for a brokerage commission, finder’s fee or like payment in connection with the offering and sale of the Securities.

 

Any certificate signed by any officer of the Company or the Operating Partnership and delivered to the Underwriters or counsel for the Underwriters in connection with the offering of the Securities shall be deemed a representation and warranty by the Company or the Operating Partnership, as applicable, as to matters covered therein to the Underwriters.

 

2.                                       Representations and Warranties of the Manager . The Manager represents and warrants to the Underwriters as follows:

 

(a)                                  The Manager has been duly organized and is validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware, is duly qualified to do business and is in good standing in each jurisdiction in which its ownership or lease of property or the conduct of its business requires such qualification, and has all power and authority necessary to own or hold its properties and to conduct the business in which it is engaged, except where the failure to be so qualified or in good standing or have such power or authority would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a material adverse effect on the performance by the Manager of its obligations under the Management Agreement (a “ Manager Material Adverse Effect ”).

 

(b)                                  The Manager has full right, power and authority to execute and deliver this Agreement, and all action required to be taken for the due and proper authorization, execution and delivery by it of this Agreement has been duly and validly taken.

 

(c)                                   This Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Manager.

 

(d)                                  The execution, delivery and performance by the Manager of this Agreement or the Management Agreement will not (i) conflict with or result in a breach or violation of any of the terms or provisions of, or constitute a default under, or result in the creation or imposition of any lien, charge or encumbrance upon any property or assets of the Manager pursuant to, any indenture, mortgage, deed of trust, loan agreement or other agreement or instrument to which the Manager is a party or by which the Manager is bound or to which any of the property or assets of the Manager is subject, (ii) result in any violation of the provisions of the charter or by-laws or similar organizational documents of the Manager or (iii) result in the violation of any law or statute or any judgment, order, rule or regulation of any court or arbitrator or governmental or regulatory authority, except, in the case of clauses (i) and (iii) above, for any such conflict, breach, violation, default, creation or imposition that would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Manager Material Adverse Effect.

 

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(e)                                   No consent, approval, authorization, order, license, registration or qualification of or with any court or arbitrator or governmental or regulatory authority is required for the execution, delivery and performance by the Manager of this Agreement or the Management Agreement.

 

(f)                                    There are no legal, governmental or regulatory investigations, actions, suits or proceedings pending to which the Manager is or may be a party or to which any property of the Manager is or may be the subject that, if determined adversely to the Manager, could reasonably be expected to have a Manager Material Adverse Effect, and no such investigations, actions, suits or proceedings are, to the knowledge of the Manager, threatened in writing by any governmental or regulatory authority or others.

 

(g)                                   The Manager or its subsidiaries possess all material licenses, certificates, permits and other authorizations issued by, and have made all material declarations and filings with, the appropriate federal, state, local or foreign governmental or regulatory authorities that are necessary for the ownership or lease of their respective properties or the conduct of their respective businesses as described in the Registration Statement, the Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, except where the failure to possess or make the same would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Manager Material Adverse Effect.

 

(h)                                  The Manager has not taken, directly or indirectly, any action designed to or that could reasonably be expected to cause or result in any stabilization or manipulation of the price of the Securities to facilitate the sale or resale of the Securities.

 

(i)                                      Any financial or other data regarding the Manager that is included in the Registration Statement, the Disclosure Package and the Prospectus is derived from the Manager’s accounting or other applicable records and is accurate in all material respects.

 

(j)                                     The Management Agreement constitutes a valid and legally binding agreement of the Manager; enforceable against the Manager in accordance with its terms, except as rights to indemnity and contribution thereunder may be limited by federal or state securities laws or principles of public policy and except to the extent that enforcement thereof may be limited by bankruptcy, fraudulent conveyance, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium and other laws relating to or affecting creditors’ rights or by general equitable principles, regardless whether enforcement is considered in a proceeding in equity or at law.

 

3.                                       Purchase and Sale .

 

(a)                                  Initial Notes . Upon the basis of the representations and warranties and other terms and conditions herein set forth, at the purchase price equal to 97% of their principal amount, the Company agrees to issue and sell to the Underwriters the Initial Notes, and each Underwriter agrees, severally and not jointly, to purchase from the Company the principal amount of the Initial Notes set forth in Schedule I opposite such Underwriter’s name, plus any additional principal amount of the Initial Notes which such Underwriter may become obligated to purchase pursuant to the provisions of Section 9 hereof, subject in each case, to such adjustments among the Underwriters as the Representatives in their sole discretion shall make to eliminate any sales or purchases of the Initial Notes in denominations other than $25.00.

 

(b)                                  Option Notes . In addition, upon the basis of the representations and warranties and other terms and conditions herein set forth, at the purchase price equal to 97% of their principal amount, the Company hereby grants an option to the Underwriters, acting severally and

 

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not jointly, to purchase from the Company, all or any part of the Option Notes, plus any additional principal amount of Option Notes in the same proportion which such Underwriter may become obligated to purchase pursuant to the provisions of Section 9 hereof. The option hereby granted will expire 30 days after the date hereof and may be exercised in whole or in part from time to time within such 30-day period upon notice by the Representatives to the Company setting forth the principal amount of Option Notes as to which the several Underwriters are then exercising the option and the time and date of payment and delivery for such Option Notes. Any such time and date of delivery (an “ Option Closing Time ”) shall be determined by the Representatives, but shall not be later than five full business days (or earlier, without the consent of the Company, than two full business days) after the exercise of such option, nor in any event prior to the Closing Time, as hereinafter defined. If the option is exercised as to all or any portion of the Option Notes, each of the Underwriters, acting severally and not jointly, will purchase its proportionate share of the principal amount of Option Notes then being purchased based on its proportionate share of the principal amount of Initial Notes set forth in Schedule I opposite the name of such Underwriter, subject in each case, to such adjustments among the Underwriters as the Representatives in its sole discretion shall make to eliminate any sales or purchases of the Option Notes in denominations other than $25.00.

 

4.                                       Delivery and Payment .

 

(a)                                  Initial Notes . One or more global notes representing the Initial Notes (collectively, the “ Initial Global Note ”), shall be delivered by or on behalf of the Company to the nominee of The Depository Trust Company (“ DTC ”) for the respective accounts of the Underwriters, with any transfer taxes payable in connection with the sale of the Initial Notes duly paid by the Company, against payment by or on behalf of the Underwriters of the purchase price therefor by wire transfer of Federal (same-day) funds to the account specified to the Representatives by the Company. The time and date of such delivery and payment shall be 10:00 a.m., New York City time, at the office of Kirkland & Ellis LLP, 601 Lexington Avenue, New York, New York 10022 (the “ Designated Office ”), on August 9, 2017, or at such time or place on the same or such other date, not later than the fifth business day thereafter, as shall be agreed to by the Representatives and the Company. The time and date at which such delivery and payment are actually made is hereinafter called the “ Closing Time .” The Initial Global Note will be made available for inspection by the Representatives not later than 1:00 P.M., New York City time, on the business day prior to the Closing Time.

 

(b)                                  Option Notes . One or more global notes (collectively, the “ Option Global Note ”) shall be delivered by or on behalf of the Company to the nominee of DTC for the respective accounts of the Underwriters, with any transfer taxes payable in connection with the sale of the Option Notes duly paid by the Company, against payment by or on behalf of the Underwriters of the purchase price therefor by wire transfer of Federal (same-day) funds to the account specified to the Representatives by the Company. The time and date of such delivery and payment shall be 10:00 a.m., New York City time, at the Designated Office, on the date specified by the Representatives in the notice given by the Representatives to the Company of the Underwriters’ election to purchase such Option Notes or on such other time and date as the Company and the Representatives may agree upon in writing. The Option Global Note will be made available for inspection by the Representatives not later than 1:00 P.M., New York City time, on the business day prior to the Option Closing Time.

 

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5.                                       Agreements of the Company and the Operating Partnership . The Company and the Operating Partnership, jointly and severally, agree with each Underwriter:

 

(a)                                  The Company shall furnish such information as may be required and otherwise to cooperate in qualifying the Securities for offering and sale under the securities or blue sky laws of such jurisdictions (both domestic and foreign) as the Representatives may designate and to maintain such qualifications in effect as long as requested by the Representatives for the distribution of the Securities, provided that the Company shall not be required to qualify as a foreign corporation or to consent to the service of process under the laws of any such jurisdiction (except service of process with respect to the offering and sale of the Securities).

 

(b)                                  If, at the time this Agreement is executed and delivered, it is necessary for a post-effective amendment to the Registration Statement to be declared effective before the offering of the Securities may commence, the Company will endeavor to cause such post-effective amendment to become effective as soon as possible and will advise the Representatives promptly and, if requested by the Representatives, will confirm such advice in writing, when such post-effective amendment has become effective.

 

(c)                                   The Company shall prepare the Prospectus in a form approved by the Underwriters and file such Prospectus with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) under the Securities Act not later than 5:30 p.m. (New York City time), on August 7, 2017 or on such other day as the parties may mutually agree and to furnish promptly (and with respect to the initial delivery of such Prospectus, not later than 5:30 p.m. New York City time) on the day following the execution and delivery of this Agreement or on such other day as the parties may mutually agree to the Underwriters copies of the Prospectus (or of the Prospectus as amended or supplemented if the Company shall have made any amendments or supplements thereto after the effective date of the Registration Statement) in such quantities and at such locations as the Underwriters may reasonably request for the purposes contemplated by the Securities Act, which Prospectus and any amendments or supplements thereto furnished to the Underwriters will be identical to the version transmitted to the Commission for filing via EDGAR, except to the extent permitted by Regulation S-T of the Securities Act.

 

(d)                                  The Company shall prepare the Final Term Sheet containing a description of the Notes and the offering contemplated hereby, in a form approved by the Underwriters and contained in Exhibit A of this Agreement, and will file such term sheet pursuant to Rule 433(d) under the Securities Act as promptly as possible, but in any case not later than the time required by such rule.

 

(e)                                   The Company shall advise the Representatives promptly and (if requested by the Representatives) to confirm such advice in writing, when any post-effective amendment to the Registration Statement becomes effective under the Securities Act.

 

(f)                                    The Company shall furnish a copy of each proposed Free Writing Prospectus to the Representatives and counsel for the Underwriters and obtain the consent of the Representatives prior to referring to, using or filing with the Commission any Free Writing Prospectus pursuant to Rule 433(d) under the Securities Act, other than the Issuer Free Writing Prospectuses, if any, identified in Schedule II hereto.

 

(g)                                   The Company shall comply with the requirements of Rules 164 and 433 of the Securities Act applicable to any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, including timely filing with the Commission, legending and record keeping, as applicable.

 

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(h)                                  The Company shall advise the Representatives immediately, confirming such advice in writing, of (i) the receipt of any comments from, or any request by, the Commission for amendments or supplements to the Registration Statement, the Preliminary Prospectus, the Prospectus or any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, or for additional information with respect thereto, (ii) the issuance by the Commission of any stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement or of any order preventing or suspending the use of the Preliminary Prospectus, the Prospectus or any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, or of the suspension of the qualification of the Securities for offering or sale in any jurisdiction, or of the initiation or threatening of any proceedings for any of such purposes and, if the Commission or any other government agency or authority should issue any such order, to make every reasonable effort to obtain the lifting or removal of such order as soon as possible, (iii) any examination pursuant to Section 8(e) of the Securities Act concerning the Registration Statement, or (iv) if the Company becomes subject to a proceeding under Section 8A of the Securities Act in connection with the public offering of Securities contemplated herein; to advise the Representatives promptly of any proposal to amend or supplement the Registration Statement, the Preliminary Prospectus, the Prospectus or any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus and to file no such amendment or supplement to which the Representatives shall reasonably object in writing.

 

(i)                                      To the extent not available on EDGAR, the Company shall furnish to the Underwriters for a period of five years from the date of this Agreement (i) as soon as available, copies of all annual, quarterly and current reports or other communications supplied to holders of the Securities, (ii) as soon as practicable after the filing thereof, copies of all reports filed by the Company with the Commission, FINRA or any securities exchange and (iii) such other information as the Underwriters may reasonably request regarding the Company and the Subsidiaries.

 

(j)                                     The Company shall advise the Underwriters promptly of the happening of any event or development known to the Company within the time during which a Prospectus relating to the Securities (or in lieu thereof the notice referred to in Rule 173(a) under the Securities Act) is required to be delivered under the Securities Act which, in the judgment of the Company or in the reasonable opinion of the Representatives or counsel for the Underwriters, (i) would require the making of any change in the Registration Statement, the Prospectus or the Disclosure Package so that the Registration Statement, the Prospectus or the Disclosure Package would not include 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, (ii) as a result of which any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus conflicted or would conflict with the information contained in the Registration Statement relating to the Securities, or (iii) if it is necessary at any time to amend or supplement the Prospectus or the Disclosure Package to comply with any law and, during such time, to promptly prepare and furnish to the Underwriters copies of the proposed amendment or supplement before filing any such amendment or supplement with the Commission and thereafter promptly furnish at the Company’s own expense to the Underwriters and to dealers, copies in such quantities and at such locations as the Representatives may from time to time reasonably request of an appropriate amendment or supplement to the Prospectus or the Disclosure Package so that the Prospectus or the Disclosure Package as so amended or supplemented will not, in the light of the circumstances when it (or in lieu thereof the notice referred to in Rule 173(a) under the Securities Act) is so delivered, be misleading or, in the case of any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, conflict with the information contained in the Registration Statement, or so that the Prospectus or the Disclosure Package will comply with the law.

 

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(k)                                  The Company shall file promptly with the Commission any amendment or supplement to the Registration Statement, any Preliminary Prospectus, the Prospectus or any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus that may, in the judgment of the Company or the Representatives, be required by the Securities Act or requested by the Commission.

 

(l)                                      The Company and the Operating Partnership agree to pay the costs and expenses relating to the following matters: (i) the preparation of the Registration Statement and the Prospectus, any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus and each amendment or supplement to any of them; (ii) the printing (or reproduction) and delivery (including postage, air freight charges and charges for counting and packaging) of such copies of the Prospectus, Issuer Free Writing Prospectus and the Registration Statement and all amendments or supplements to any of them, as may, in each case, be reasonably requested for use in connection with the offering and sale of the Securities; (iii) the preparation, printing, authentication, issuance and delivery of certificates for the Securities, including any stamp or transfer taxes in connection with the original issuance and sale of the Securities to the Underwriters; (iv) the printing (or reproduction) and delivery of this Agreement, any blue sky memorandum, dealer agreements and all other agreements or documents printed (or reproduced) and delivered in connection with the offering of the Securities; (v) any expenses and fees for the cost of ratings agencies; (vi) any registration or qualification of the Securities for offer and sale under the securities or blue sky laws of the several states (including filing fees and the reasonable and documented fees and expenses of counsel for the Underwriters, which shall not exceed $5,000, relating to such registration and qualification and the preparation of the blue sky memorandum); (vii) any filings required to be made with FINRA (including filing fees and the reasonable fees and expenses of counsel for the Underwriters, which shall not exceed $5,000, relating to such filings); (viii) the transportation and other expenses of the Company’s officers in connection with presentations to prospective purchasers of the Securities; (ix) the fees and expenses of the Company’s accountants and the fees and expenses of counsel (including local and special counsel) for the Company; (x) the costs and expenses of causing the Securities to be eligible for clearance and settlement through DTC; (xi) the reasonable and documented fees, expenses, and costs of Kirkland & Ellis LLP, counsel to the Underwriters, and (xii) all other costs and expenses incident to the performance by the Company of its obligations hereunder.

 

(m)                              Prior to filing with the Commission any amendment or supplement to the Registration Statement, any Preliminary Prospectus, the Prospectus or any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, the Company shall furnish a copy thereof to the Representatives and counsel for the Underwriters and obtain the consent of the Representatives to the filing.

 

(n)                                  During the period referred to in paragraph (j) above, the Company shall file all such documents in the manner and within the time periods required by the Exchange Act.

 

(o)                                  The Company shall apply the net proceeds of the sale of the Notes in accordance with its statements under the caption “Use of Proceeds” in the Registration Statement, the Prospectus and the Disclosure Package.

 

(p)                                  The Company shall make generally available to its security holders and to deliver to the Representatives as soon as practicable, but in any event not later than the end of the fiscal quarter first occurring after the first anniversary of the effective date of the Registration Statement an earnings statement complying with the provisions of Section 11(a) of the Securities Act (in form, at the option of the Company, complying with the provisions of Rule 158 of the Securities Act) covering a period of 12 months beginning after the effective date of the Registration Statement.

 

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(q)                                  At all times, reserve and keep available, free of preemptive rights, enough shares of Common Stock for the purpose of enabling the Company to satisfy its obligations to issue the Conversion Shares upon conversion of the Notes.

 

(r)                                     The Company shall use its best efforts to maintain the listing of the Conversion Shares on the NYSE and to file with the NYSE all documents and notices required by the NYSE of companies that have securities that are listed on the NYSE.

 

(s)                                    The Company shall use its best efforts to effect the listing of the Notes on the NYSE list within 30 days of the Closing Time.

 

(t)                                     The Company shall refrain, from the date hereof until 45 days after the date of the Prospectus, without the prior written consent of the Representatives, from, directly or indirectly, (i) offering, pledging, selling, contracting to sell, selling any option or contract to purchase, purchasing any option or contract to sell, granting any option for the sale of, or otherwise disposing of or transferring, (or entering into any transaction or device which is designed to, or could be expected to, result in the disposition by any person at any time in the future of), any share of Common Stock or any securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for Common Stock, or filing any registration statement under the Securities Act with respect to any of the foregoing, or (ii) entering into any swap or any other agreement or any transaction that transfers, in whole or in part, directly or indirectly, the economic consequence of ownership of the Common Stock, whether any such swap or transaction described in clause (i) or (ii) above is to be settled by delivery of Common Stock or such other securities, in cash or otherwise, provided however , that the Company may issue and sell Common Stock pursuant to any employee stock option plan, equity incentive plan, stock ownership plan or dividend reinvestment plan of the Company in effect as of the date of this Agreement, the Company may issue Common Stock issuable upon the conversion of securities or the exercise of warrants outstanding as of the date of this Agreement and the Company may file a registration statement with regard to securities issued or to be issued under any equity incentive plan. The foregoing sentence shall not apply to (A) the Notes to be sold hereunder or (B) the issuance of the Conversion Shares.

 

(u)                                  The Company agrees not to, and to use its best efforts to cause its officers, directors and affiliates not to, (i) take, directly or indirectly prior to termination of the underwriting syndicate contemplated by this Agreement, any action designed to stabilize or manipulate the price of any security of the Company, or which may cause or result in, or which might in the future reasonably be expected to cause or result in, the stabilization or manipulation of the price of any security of the Company, to facilitate the sale or resale of any of the Securities, (ii) sell, bid for, purchase or pay anyone any compensation for soliciting purchases of the Securities or (iii) pay or agree to pay to any person any compensation for soliciting any order to purchase any other securities of the Company.

 

(v)                                  The Company shall cause each officer and director of the Company to furnish to the Representatives, prior to the Initial Sale Time, a letter or letters, substantially in the form of Exhibit B hereto, pursuant to which each such person shall agree to the lock-up provisions as set forth in Exhibit B .

 

(w)                                The Company shall continue to use its best efforts to meet the requirements to qualify as a REIT under the Code.

 

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(x)           The Company is not and, after giving effect to the offering and sale of the Securities, will not be an “investment company” or an entity “controlled” by an “investment company,” as such terms are defined in the Investment Company Act.

 

6.              Conditions to the Obligation of the Underwriters . The obligation of the Underwriters to purchase the Notes at the Closing Time or on each Option Closing Time, as applicable, shall be subject to the accuracy of the representations and warranties on the part of the Company, the Operating Partnership and the Manager contained herein as of the date and time that this Agreement is executed and delivered by the parties hereto (the “ Execution Time ”), the Initial Sale Time, the Closing Time and each Option Closing Time, to the accuracy of the statements of the Company, the Operating Partnership and the Manager made in any certificates pursuant to the provisions hereof, to the performance by the Company and the Operating Partnership of their obligations hereunder and to the following additional conditions at the Closing Time or on each Option Closing Time, as applicable (except to the extent that any such conditions may have been waived in writing by the Underwriters on or prior to such respective dates):

 

(a)           The Company shall have requested and caused each of Clifford Chance US LLP and Venable LLP, counsel for the Company, to have furnished to the Underwriters at the Closing Time or the Option Closing Time, as applicable, their respective opinions, dated the Closing Time or the Option Closing Time, as applicable, and addressed to the Underwriters, in each case in the form and substance as set forth in Exhibit C hereto and to such further effect as the Representatives may reasonably request.

 

(b)           The Underwriters shall have received at the Closing Time or the Option Closing Time, as applicable, the favorable opinion of Kirkland & Ellis LLP, counsel for the Underwriters, dated the Closing Time or the Option Closing Time, as applicable, and addressed to the Underwriters.

 

(c)           The Company, on behalf of the Company and the Operating Partnership, and the Manager shall have each furnished to the Underwriters certificates, signed by the Chief Executive Officer and the principal financial or accounting officer of the Company and the Manager, all, dated the Closing Time or the Option Closing Time, as applicable, to the effect that the signers of such certificates have carefully examined the Disclosure Package, Prospectus, any supplements or amendments to the Registration Statement and this Agreement and that:

 

(i)            The representations and warranties of the Company and the Operating Partnership or the Manager, as applicable, in this Agreement are true and correct with the same effect as if made at the Closing Time or the Option Closing Time, as applicable, and the Company and the Operating Partnership have complied with all the agreements and satisfied all the conditions on their part that are respectively required to be performed or satisfied by them at or prior to the Closing Time or the Option Closing Time, as applicable;

 

(ii)           No stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement or any post-effective amendment thereto and no proceedings for that purpose have been instituted or are pending or threatened under the Securities Act;

 

(iii)          They have examined the Registration Statement, the Disclosure Package and the Prospectus and, in their opinion, the Disclosure Package, as of the Applicable Time, the Registration Statement and the Prospectus, as of their dates and as of the Closing Time or the Option Closing Time, as applicable, did not and do not contain any

 

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untrue statement of a material fact and did not and do not omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; and

 

(iv)          Since the date of the most recent financial statements included in the Registration Statement, the Disclosure Package and the Prospectus (with respect to the certificate of the Company and the Operating Partnership) and since the dates of the Registration Statement, the Disclosure Package and the Prospectus (with respect to the certificate of the Manager), there has been no Material Adverse Effect or Manager Material Adverse Effect, as applicable.

 

(d)           The Company shall have requested and caused Deloitte & Touche LLP to have furnished to the Underwriters, at the Execution Time, at the Closing Time and at each Option Closing Time, letters, dated respectively as of the Execution Time, the Closing Time and each Option Closing Time, in form and substance heretofore approved by the Representatives.

 

(e)           The Representatives shall have received lock-up agreements, signed by the persons listed on Schedule IV hereto, in the form of Exhibit B attached hereto, and such letter agreements shall be in full force and effect.

 

(f)            No amendment or supplement to the Registration Statement, the Prospectus or any document in the Disclosure Package shall have been filed to which the Underwriters shall have objected in writing.

 

(g)           Prior to the Closing Time and each Option Closing Time (i) no stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement or any order preventing or suspending the use of the Prospectus or any document in the Disclosure Package shall have been issued, and no proceedings for such purpose shall have been initiated or threatened, by the Commission, and no suspension of the qualification of the Securities for offering or sale in any jurisdiction, or the initiation or threatening of any proceedings for any of such purposes, has occurred; (ii) all requests for additional information on the part of the Commission shall have been complied with to the reasonable satisfaction of the Representatives; (iii) the Registration Statement shall 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 not misleading; and (iv) the Registration Statement, Prospectus and the Disclosure Package shall not contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.

 

(h)           All filings with the Commission required by Rule 424 under the Securities Act to have been filed by the Closing Time shall have been made within the applicable time period prescribed for such filing by such Rule.

 

(i)            The Conversion Shares shall have been approved for listing on the NYSE.

 

(j)            The Company shall have applied for listing of the Notes on the NYSE.

 

(k)           FINRA shall not have raised any objection with respect to the fairness and reasonableness of the underwriting terms and arrangements.

 

(l)            Subsequent to the Execution Time or, if earlier, the dates as of which information is given in the Disclosure Package (exclusive of any supplement thereto), the Prospectus and the

 

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Registration Statement (exclusive of any supplement thereto), there shall not have been (i) any material adverse change specified in the letter or letters referred to in paragraph (d) of this Section 6 delivered at the Closing Time or the Option Closing Time, as applicable, from the letter delivered at the Execution Time or (ii) any material adverse change in the business, management, financial position, results of operations or prospects of the Company and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole or in the ability of the Manager to perform its obligations under the Management Agreement, whether or not arising from transactions in the ordinary course of business except as set forth in or contemplated in the Registration Statement, the Disclosure Package and the Prospectus (exclusive of any supplement thereto), the effect of which, in any case referred to in clause (i) or (ii) above, is, in the sole judgment of the Representatives, makes it impractical or inadvisable to proceed with the offering or delivery of the Securities as contemplated by the Registration Statement, the Disclosure Package and the Prospectus (exclusive of any supplement thereto).

 

(m)          The Company and the Trustee shall have executed and delivered the Indenture in form and substance satisfactory to the Underwriters and the Underwriters shall have received copies thereof.

 

(n)           Prior to the Closing Time and each Option Closing Time, the Company, the Operating Partnership and the Manager shall have furnished to the Underwriters such further information, certificates and documents as the Underwriters may reasonably request.

 

(o)           Subsequent to the Execution Time, there shall not have been any decrease in the rating of any debt securities of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries by any “nationally recognized statistical rating organization” (as defined in Section 3(a)(62) of the Exchange Act) or any notice given of any intended or potential decrease in any such rating or of a possible change in any such rating that does not indicate the direction of the possible change.

 

(p)           The Securities shall be eligible for clearance and settlement through DTC and at the Closing Time and each Option Closing Time the Securities shall be cleared and settled through DTC.

 

(q)           The Company shall have furnished to the Underwriters a certificate, signed by the principal financial or accounting officer of the Company, dated the Closing Time or the Option Closing Time, as applicable, in the form and substance as set forth in Exhibit D .

 

If any of the conditions specified in this Section 6 shall not have been fulfilled when and as provided for in this Agreement, or if any of the opinions and certificates mentioned above or elsewhere in this Agreement shall not be reasonably satisfactory in form and substance to the Representatives and counsel for the Underwriters, this Agreement and all obligations of the Underwriters hereunder may be canceled at, or at any time prior to, the Closing Time and each Option Closing Time, as applicable, by the Representatives (unless any such conditions have been waived in writing by the Representatives on or prior to the Closing Time or the Option Closing Time, as applicable). Notice of such cancellation shall be given to the Company in writing or by telephone or facsimile confirmed in writing.

 

The documents required to be delivered by this Section 6 shall be delivered at the office of Kirkland & Ellis LLP, counsel for the Underwriters, at 601 Lexington Avenue, New York, NY 10022, Attention: Richard B. Aftanas and Tim Cruickshank, at the Closing Time and each Option Closing Time.

 

7.              Reimbursement of Underwriters’ Expenses . If the sale of the Securities provided for herein is not consummated (i) because any condition to the obligations of the Underwriters set forth in

 

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Section 6 hereof is not satisfied, (ii) because of any termination of this Agreement pursuant to Section 9 hereof, or (iii) because of any refusal, inability or failure on the part of the Company, the Operating Partnership or the Manager to perform any agreement herein or comply with any provision hereof, the Company and the Operating Partnership, without duplication, will reimburse the Underwriters on demand for all out-of-pocket expenses (including reasonable and documented fees and disbursements of counsel) that shall have been incurred by it in connection with the proposed purchase and sale of the Securities.

 

8.              Indemnification and Contribution .

 

(a)           The Company and the Operating Partnership, jointly and severally, agree 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 affiliates, 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 indemnified party may incur arising 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 breach of any representation, warranty or covenant of the Company or the Operating Partnership contained herein, (B) an untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in the Registration Statement (or any amendment), any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus that the Company has filed or was required to file with the Commission or is otherwise required retain, or the Prospectus (the term Prospectus for the purpose of this Section 8 being deemed to include any Preliminary Prospectus, the Prospectus and the Prospectus as amended or supplemented by the Company), (C) any application or other document, or any amendment or supplement thereto, executed by the Company or the Operating Partnership or based upon written information furnished by or on behalf of the Company filed in any jurisdiction (domestic or foreign) in order to qualify the Securities under the securities or blue sky laws thereof or filed with the Commission or any securities association or securities exchange (each an “ Application ”), (D) an 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, (E) an omission or alleged omission from any such Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, Prospectus or any Application of a material fact necessary to make the statements made therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, (F) an untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in any audio or visual materials used in connection with the marketing of the Securities, including, without limitation, slides, videos, films and tape recordings; except, in each case of (B), (D) and (E) above only, insofar as any such loss, expense, liability, damage or claim arises out of or is based upon an untrue statement or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission of a material fact contained in and in conformity with the statements set forth in the second sentence of the second paragraph under “Underwriting-Market Marking” and the first sentence of the first paragraph “Underwriting-Commissions and Discounts” in the Preliminary Prospectus, the Disclosure Package and the Prospectus (to the extent such statements relate to the Underwriters). The indemnity agreement set forth in this Section 8(a) shall be in addition to any liability which the Company or the Operating Partnership may otherwise have.

 

If any action is brought against an Underwriter or controlling person in respect of which indemnity may be sought against the Company or the Operating Partnership pursuant to this subsection (a), such Underwriter shall promptly notify the Company in writing of the institution of such action, and the Company shall assume the defense of such action, including the employment of counsel and payment of expenses; provided, however, that any failure or delay to so notify the Company will not relieve the Company of any obligation hereunder, except to the extent that its ability to defend is actually impaired by such failure or delay. Such Underwriter or

 

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controlling person shall have the right to employ its or their own counsel in any such case, but the fees and expenses of such counsel shall be at the expense of such Underwriter or such controlling person unless the employment of such counsel shall have been authorized in writing by the Company in connection with the defense of such action, or the Company shall not have employed counsel to have charge of the defense of such action within a reasonable time or such indemnified party or parties shall have reasonably concluded (based on the advice of counsel) that there may be defenses available to it or them which are different from or additional to those available to the Company, (in which case neither the Company shall have the right to direct the defense of such action on behalf of the indemnified party or parties or the named parties in any such proceeding (including any impleaded parties included by the Company and the indemnified person)) or representation by both parties by the same counsel would be inappropriate due to a conflict or potential differing interests between such parties, in any of which events such fees and expenses shall be borne by the Company and paid as incurred (it being understood, however, that the Company shall not be liable for the expenses of more than one separate firm of attorneys for the Underwriters or controlling persons in any one action or series of related actions in the same jurisdiction (other than local counsel in any such jurisdiction) representing the indemnified parties who are parties to such action). Anything in this paragraph to the contrary notwithstanding, the Company shall not be liable for any settlement of any such claim or action effected without its consent.

 

(b)           Each Underwriter agrees, severally and not jointly, to indemnify, defend and hold harmless the Company, the Company’s directors, the Company’s officers that signed the Registration Statement, any person who controls the Company within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act, and the Operating Partnership from and against any loss, expense, liability, damage or claim (including the reasonable cost of investigation) which the Company, the Operating Partnership 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) an untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in the Registration Statement (or any amendment), any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus that the Company has filed or was required to file with the Commission, or the Prospectus, or any Application, (B) an 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) an omission or alleged omission from any such Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, Prospectus or any Application 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, Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, Prospectus or Application in reliance upon and in conformity with information furnished in writing by the Underwriters through the Representatives to the Company or the Operating Partnership expressly for use therein. The statements set forth in the second sentence of the second paragraph under “Underwriting-Market Marking” and the first sentence of the first paragraph “Underwriting-Commissions and Discounts” in the Preliminary Prospectus, the Disclosure Package and the Prospectus (to the extent such statements relate to the Underwriters) constitute the only information furnished by or on behalf of any Underwriter through the Representatives to the Company or the Operating Partnership for purposes of this Agreement.

 

If any action is brought against the Company, the Operating Partnership, the Manager or any such person in respect of which indemnity may be sought against any Underwriter pursuant to the foregoing paragraph, the Company, the Operating Partnership, the Manager or such person shall promptly notify the Representatives in writing of the institution of such action and the Representatives, on behalf of the Underwriters, shall assume the defense of such action, including

 

25



 

the employment of counsel and payment of expenses. The Company, the Operating Partnership, the Manager or such person shall have the right to employ its own counsel in any such case, but the fees and expenses of such counsel shall be at the expense of the Company, the Operating Partnership, the Manager or such person unless the employment of such counsel shall have been authorized in writing by the Representatives in connection with the defense of such action or the Representatives shall not have employed counsel to have charge of the defense of such action within a reasonable time or such indemnified party or parties shall have reasonably concluded (based on the advice of counsel) that there may be defenses available to it or them which are different from or additional to those available to the Underwriters (in which case the Representatives shall not have the right to direct the defense of such action on behalf of the indemnified party or parties), in any of which events such fees and expenses shall be borne by such Underwriter and paid as incurred (it being understood, however, that the Underwriters shall not be liable for the expenses of more than one separate firm of attorneys in any one action or series of related actions in the same jurisdiction (other than local counsel in any such jurisdiction) representing the indemnified parties who are parties to such action). Anything in this paragraph to the contrary notwithstanding, no Underwriter shall be liable for any settlement of any such claim or action effected without the written consent of the Representatives.

 

(c)           If the indemnification provided for in this Section 8 is unavailable or insufficient to hold harmless an indemnified party under subsections (a) and (b) of this Section 8 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, the Operating Partnership and the Underwriters from the offering of the Notes 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 and of the Underwriters 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, the Operating Partnership and the Underwriters shall be deemed to be in the same proportion as the total proceeds from the offering (net of underwriting discounts and commissions but before deducting expenses) received by the Company or the Operating Partnership bear to the underwriting discounts and commissions received by the Underwriters. The relative fault of the Company, the Operating Partnership and of the Underwriters 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, the Operating Partnership or by the Underwriters 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, claims, damages and liabilities 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.

 

(d)           The Company, the Operating Partnership and the Underwriters agree that it would not be just and equitable if contribution pursuant to this Section 8 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 (c)(i) and, if applicable (ii), above.

 

Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section 8, no Underwriter shall be required to contribute any amount in excess of the underwriting discounts and commissions applicable to the Notes purchased

 

26



 

by such Underwriter pursuant to this Agreement. 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 8 are several in proportion to their respective underwriting commitments and not joint.

 

9.              Termination .

 

(a)           This Agreement shall be subject to termination in the absolute discretion of the Underwriters, without liability on the part of the Underwriters to the Company, the Operating Partnership or the Manager , by written notice given to the Company prior to delivery of and payment for the Securities, if at any time prior to such time (i) there has been, since the Execution Time, or since the respective dates as of which information is given in the Registration Statement, the Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, any material adverse change in the business, management, financial position, results of operations or prospects of the Company and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole or in the ability of the Manager to perform its obligations under the Management Agreement, which would, in the sole judgment of the Representatives, make it impractical or inadvisable to proceed with the sale or delivery of the Securities as contemplated by the Registration Statement, the Disclosure Package or the Prospectus (exclusive of any supplement thereto), (ii) trading in the Company’s Common Stock shall have been suspended by the Commission or the NYSE or trading in securities generally on the NYSE shall have been suspended or limited or minimum prices shall have been established on such exchange, (iii) a banking moratorium shall have been declared either by federal or New York State authorities, (iv) a material disruption has occurred in securities settlement or securities clearance in the United States or (v) there shall have occurred any outbreak or escalation of hostilities, declaration by the United States of a national emergency or war, or other calamity or crisis the effect of which on financial markets is such as to make it, in the sole judgment of the Representatives, impractical or inadvisable to proceed with the sale or delivery of the Securities as contemplated by the Registration Statement, the Disclosure Package or the Prospectus (exclusive of any supplement thereto).

 

(b)           If any one or more Underwriters shall fail to purchase and pay for any of the Notes agreed to be purchased by such Underwriter hereunder and such failure to purchase shall constitute a default in the performance of its or their obligations under this Agreement, the remaining Underwriters shall be obligated severally to take up and pay for (in the respective proportions which the principal amount of Notes set forth opposite their names in Schedule I hereto bears to the aggregate principal amount of Securities set forth opposite the names of all the remaining Underwriters) the Notes which the defaulting Underwriter or Underwriters agreed but failed to purchase; provided , however , that in the event that the aggregate principal amount of Notes which the defaulting Underwriter or Underwriters agreed but failed to purchase shall exceed 10% of the aggregate principal amount of Notes set forth in Schedule I hereto, the remaining Underwriters shall have the right to purchase all, but shall not be under any obligation to purchase any, of the Notes, and if such non-defaulting Underwriters do not purchase all the Notes, this Agreement will terminate without liability to any non-defaulting Underwriter, the Company or the Operating Partnership. In the event of a default by any Underwriter as set forth in this Section 9(b), the Closing Time or the Option Closing Time, as applicable, shall be postponed for such period, not exceeding seven Business Days, as the non-defaulting Underwriters and the Company shall agree in order that the required changes in the Registration Statement or the Prospectus or in any other documents or arrangements may be effected. Nothing contained in this Agreement shall relieve any defaulting Underwriter of its liability, if any, to the Company, the Operating Partnership, the Manager or any non-defaulting Underwriter for damages occasioned by its default hereunder.

 

27



 

10.           Representations and Indemnities to Survive . The respective agreements, representations, warranties, indemnities, contribution provisions and other statements of each of the Company, the Operating Partnership and the Manager or its officers and of the Underwriters set forth in or made pursuant to this Agreement (including the provisions of Sections 7 and 8) will remain operative and in full force and effect, regardless of (i) any investigation made by or on behalf of the Underwriters or any person controlling the Underwriters, the Company, the Operating Partnership, the Manager or their trustees, directors, managers, members, officers, employees or agents or any person controlling the Company or the Operating Partnership (control to be determined within the meaning of the Securities Act or the Exchange Act), (ii) delivery and acceptance of any Securities and payment therefor hereunder and (iii) any termination or cancellation of this Agreement.

 

11.           No Fiduciary Duty . The Company, the Operating Partnership and the Manager hereby acknowledge and agree that (a) the purchase and sale of the Securities pursuant to this Agreement is an arm’s-length commercial transaction between the Company and the Operating Partnership, on the one hand, and the Underwriters and any affiliate through which they may be acting, on the other, (b) the Underwriters are acting as principal and not as an agent or fiduciary of the Company, the Operating Partnership or the Manager and (c) the Company’s and the Operating Partnership’s engagement of the Underwriters in connection with the offering of the Securities and the process leading up to the offering is as independent contractors and not in any other capacity. Furthermore, the Company, the Operating Partnership and the Manager agree that each of them is solely responsible for making their own judgments in connection with the offering of the Securities (irrespective of whether the Underwriters have advised or are currently advising the Company, the Operating Partnership or the Manager on related or other matters). Each of the Company, the Operating Partnership and the Manager agrees that it will not claim that the Underwriters have rendered advisory services of any nature or respect, or owe an agency, fiduciary or similar duty, to the Company, the Operating Partnership or the Manager, in connection with such transaction or the process leading thereto.

 

12.           Integration . This Agreement supersedes all prior agreements and understandings (whether written or oral) between the Company, the Operating Partnership, the Manager and the Underwriters, or any of them, with respect to the subject matter hereof.

 

13.           Notices . Except as otherwise herein provided, all statements, requests, notices and agreements shall be in writing or by telegram or facsimile and, if to the Underwriters, shall be sufficient in all respects if delivered or sent to Keefe, Bruyette & Woods, LLC on behalf of the Underwriters, 787 Seventh Avenue, Fifth Floor, New York, NY 10019, with a copy (for informational purposes only) to Richard B. Aftanas and Tim Cruickshank, Kirkland & Ellis LLP, 601 Lexington Avenue, New York, NY 10022 and to Yossi Vebman, Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP, Four Times Square, New York, NY 10019; and if to the Company, shall be sufficient in all respects if delivered or sent to the Company at the offices of the Company at 1140 Avenue of the Americas, Seventh Floor, New York, NY 10036, Attention: General Counsel with a copy to Jay Bernstein, Clifford Chance US LLP, 31 West 52 nd  Street, New York, NY 10019.

 

14.           Successors . This Agreement will inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the parties hereto and their respective successors and the officers, trustees, directors, managers, members, employees, agents and controlling persons referred to in Section 8 hereof, and no other person will have any right or obligation hereunder.

 

15.           Applicable Law; Waiver of Jury Trial . This Agreement will be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York applicable to contracts made and to be performed within the State of New York. The parties hereby waive any right to trial by jury in any action,

 

28



 

proceeding or counterclaim arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby.

 

16.           Counterparts . This Agreement may be signed in one or more counterparts, each of which shall constitute an original and all of which together shall constitute one and the same agreement.

 

17.           Headings . The section headings used herein are for convenience only and shall not affect the construction hereof.

 

If the foregoing is in accordance with your understanding of our agreement, please sign and return to us the enclosed duplicate hereof, whereupon this letter and your acceptance shall represent a binding agreement among the Company, the Operating Partnership, the Manager and the Underwriters.

 

[Signature Pages Follow]

 

29



 

 

Very truly yours,

 

 

 

SUTHERLAND ASSET MANAGEMENT CORPORATION

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Frederick C. Herbst

 

 

Name:

Frederick C. Herbst

 

 

Title:

Authorized Person

 

 

 

SUTHERLAND PARTNERS, L.P.

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Frederick C. Herbst

 

 

Name:

Frederick C. Herbst

 

 

Title:

Authorized Person

 

 

 

WATERFALL ASSET MANAGEMENT, LLC

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Thomas E. Capasee

 

 

Name:

Thomas E. Capasee

 

 

Title:

Principal

 

[Signature Page to Underwriting Agreement]

 



 

Accepted and agreed to as of the date first above written, on behalf of themselves and the Underwriters named herein:

 

 

 

KEEFE, BRUYETTE & WOODS, INC.

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Jennifer Fuller

 

 

Name:

Jennifer Fuller

 

 

Title:

Managing Director

 

 

[Signature Page to Underwriting Agreement]

 



 

JMP SECURITIES LLC

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Thomas Kilian

 

 

Name:

Thomas Kilian

 

 

Title:

COO, Investment Banking

 

 

[Signature Page to Underwriting Agreement]

 



 

SCHEDULE I

 

Underwriters

 

Aggregate Principal
Amount of
Initial Notes to Be
Purchased

 

Aggregate Principal
Amount of
Option Notes
Eligible to Be
Purchased

 

Keefe, Bruyette & Woods, Inc.

 

$

46,250,000

 

$

6,937,500

 

JMP Securities LLC

 

$

46,250,000

 

$

6,937,500

 

Compass Point Research & Trading, LLC

 

$

7,500,000

 

$

1,125,000

 

Total

 

$

100,000,000

 

$

15,000,000

 

 

I- 1



 

SCHEDULE II

 

OTHER ISSUER WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS

 

II- 1



 

SCHEDULE III

 

SUBSIDIARIES

 

1.               SAMC Asset III, LLC

2.               SAMC TRUST

3.               SAMC TRUST TRS I, LLC

4.               SAMC Honeybee Holdings, LLC

5.               SAMC HONEYBEE TRS, LLC

6.               GMFS, LLC

7.               Sutherland Asset I, LLC

8.               Waterfall Commercial Depositor, LLC

9.               Cascade Re, LLC

10.        Waterfall Commercial Depositor II, LLC

11.        Sutherland 2016 FCB Grantor Trust

12.        Sutherland 2016-1 JPM Grantor Trust

13.        Sutherland Warehouse Trust

14.        Sutherland Warehouse Trust II

15.        Sutherland Commercial Mortgage Depositor, LLC

16.        Sutherland Asset II, LLC

17.        SAMC REO 2013-01, LLC

18.        ReadyCap Holdings, LLC

19.        ReadyCap Commercial, LLC

20.        ReadyCap Warehouse Financing LLC

21.        ReadyCap Lending, LLC

22.        ReadyCap Lending SBL Depositor, LLC

23.        Silverthread Falls Holdings, LLC

24.        Sutherland Commercial Mortgage Depositor II, LLC

25.        Silverthread Capital, LLC

26.        Sutherland Asset III, LLC

 

III- 1



 

SCHEDULE IV

 

Lock-Up Agreement Signatories

 

1.               Thomas Capasse

2.               Jack Ross

3.               Frederick Herbst

4.               Frank Filipps

5.               Todd Sinai

6.               J. Mitchell Reese

7.               David Holman

8.               Carole Mortensen

9.               Thomas Buttacavoli

 

IV-1



 

EXHIBIT A

 

Final Term Sheet

 

See attached.

 

A- 1



 

PRICING TERM SHEET
Dated August 3, 2017

Issuer Free Writing Prospectus
Filed Pursuant to Rule 433
Registration Statement No. 333-219213
Supplementing the Preliminary
Prospectus Supplement
dated August 3, 2017 and the
Prospectus dated July 7, 2017

 

Sutherland Asset Management Corporation

$100,000,000 7.00% Convertible Senior Notes due 2023

 

This pricing term sheet supplements Sutherland Asset Management Corporation’s preliminary prospectus supplement, dated August 3, 2017 (the “Preliminary Prospectus Supplement”), including the documents incorporated by reference therein, relating to the offering of the Notes (as defined below), and supersedes the information in the Preliminary Prospectus Supplement to the extent inconsistent with the information in the Preliminary Prospectus Supplement. In all other respects, this pricing term sheet is qualified in its entirety by reference to the Preliminary Prospectus Supplement. Terms used herein but not defined herein shall have the respective meanings as set forth in the Preliminary Prospectus Supplement. Unless the context otherwise requires, references to the “Issuer,” “we,” “us” and “our” in this pricing term sheet mean Sutherland Asset Management Corporation and not its subsidiaries.

 

Issuer:

 

Sutherland Asset Management Corporation, a Maryland corporation

 

 

 

Title of Securities:

 

7.00% Convertible Senior Notes due 2023 (the “Notes”)

 

 

 

Ticker / Exchange of Common Stock:

 

SLD / New York Stock Exchange (the “NYSE”)

 

 

 

Securities Offered:

 

$100,000,000 principal amount of Notes (or $115,000,000 if the underwriters’ option to purchase additional Notes is exercised in full)

 

 

 

Maturity:

 

August 15, 2023 unless earlier converted, repurchased or redeemed

 

 

 

Issue Price:

 

100%, plus accrued interest, if any, from August 9, 2017

 

 

 

Price to Underwriter:

 

97%

 

 

 

Use of Proceeds:

 

The net proceeds from this offering will be approximately $96,370,000 (or approximately $110,920,000 if the underwriters exercise their option to purchase additional notes in full).

We intend to contribute the net proceeds from this offering to our Operating Partnership in exchange for the issuance by the Operating Partnership of a senior unsecured note with terms that are substantially equivalent to the terms of the notes offered through this prospectus supplement. Our Operating Partnership intends to use the net proceeds to originate or acquire our target assets and for general corporate purposes.

Until appropriate assets can be identified, our Manager may repay borrowings outstanding under our loan repurchase agreements or credit facilities and invest the net proceeds of this offering in interest-bearing

 

2



 

 

 

short-term investments, including money market accounts, in each case that are consistent with our intention to continue to qualify as a REIT. These investments are expected to provide a lower net return than we will seek to achieve from our target assets. As of June 30, 2017, the annual weighted average coupon payable on the loan repurchase agreements and credit facilities which may be repaid with the net proceeds of this offering was approximately one month LIBOR + 2.2% and the aggregate borrowings outstanding were $686 million, and the weighted average maturity of these loan repurchase agreements and credit facilities is January 2018.

 

 

 

Interest:

 

7.00% per year. Interest will accrue from August 9, 2017 (the scheduled date of original issuance)

 

 

 

Conversion Premium:

 

Approximately 13% above the NYSE last reported sale price on August 3, 2017

 

 

 

Interest Payment Dates:

 

Each February 15, May 15, August 15 and November 15, beginning on November 15, 2017

 

 

 

Interest Payment Record Dates:

 

Each February 1, May 1, August 1 and November 1

 

 

 

NYSE Last Reported Sale Price on August 3, 2017:

 

$14.75 per share of the Issuer’s common stock

 

 

 

Initial Conversion Rate:

 

1.4997 shares of the Issuer’s common stock for each $25.00 principal amount of Notes

 

 

 

Initial Conversion Price:

 

Approximately $16.67 per share of the Issuer’s common stock

 

 

 

Redemption:

 

The Issuer may not redeem the Notes prior to August 15, 2021. On or after August 15, 2021, if the last reported sale price of the Issuer’s common stock has been at least 120% of the conversion price then in effect for at least 20 trading days (whether or not consecutive) during any 30 consecutive trading day period ending on, and including, the trading day immediately preceding the date on which the Issuer provides notice of redemption, the Issuer may redeem all or any portion of the Notes for cash at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the Notes to be redeemed, plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon to, but excluding, the redemption date.

 

 

 

Trade Date:

 

August 4, 2017

 

 

 

Expected Settlement Date:

 

August 9, 2017

 

 

 

Joint Book-Running Managers:

 

Keefe, Bruyette & Woods and JMP Securities

 

 

 

Co-Manager:

 

Compass Point

 

3



 

CUSIP / ISIN:

 

86933F AA5 / US86933FAA57

 

 

 

Adjustment to Shares Delivered Upon Conversion Upon a Make-Whole Fundamental Change or Notice of Redemption:

 

The following table sets forth the number of additional shares (as defined under “Description of the Notes—Adjustment to Conversion Rate Upon Conversion in Connection with a Make-Whole Fundamental Change or Notice of Redemption” in the Preliminary Prospectus Supplement) to be received per $25.00 principal amount of Notes for each stock price and effective date set forth below:

 

 

 

Stock Price

 

Effective Date

 

$14.75

 

$15.00

 

$15.50

 

$16.00

 

$16.50

 

$16.67

 

$17.00

 

$17.50

 

$18.00

 

$19.00

 

$20.00

 

August 9, 2017

 

0.1952

 

0.1772

 

0.1441

 

0.1150

 

0.0897

 

0.0819

 

0.0679

 

0.0496

 

0.0344

 

0.0131

 

0.0025

 

August 15, 2018

 

0.1952

 

0.1772

 

0.1441

 

0.1145

 

0.0884

 

0.0804

 

0.0662

 

0.0477

 

0.0326

 

0.0118

 

0.0020

 

August 15, 2019

 

0.1952

 

0.1772

 

0.1441

 

0.1139

 

0.0872

 

0.0791

 

0.0646

 

0.0459

 

0.0308

 

0.0105

 

0.0015

 

August 15, 2020

 

0.1952

 

0.1772

 

0.1441

 

0.1120

 

0.0845

 

0.0762

 

0.0615

 

0.0427

 

0.0279

 

0.0087

 

0.0010

 

August 15, 2021

 

0.1952

 

0.1772

 

0.1405

 

0.1068

 

0.0785

 

0.0701

 

0.0553

 

0.0369

 

0.0227

 

0.0058

 

0.0004

 

August 15, 2022

 

0.1952

 

0.1742

 

0.1314

 

0.0953

 

0.0657

 

0.0571

 

0.0426

 

0.0253

 

0.0134

 

0.0019

 

0.0000

 

August 15, 2023

 

0.1952

 

0.1670

 

0.1132

 

0.0628

 

0.0155

 

0.0000

 

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:

 

·                   if the stock price is between two stock prices in the table or the effective date is between two effective dates in the table, the number of additional shares will be determined by a 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;

 

·                   if the stock price is greater than $20.00 per share (subject to adjustment in the same manner as the stock prices set forth in the column headings of the table above), no additional shares will be added to the conversion rate; or

 

·                   if the stock price is less than $14.75 per share (subject to adjustment in the same manner as the stock prices set forth in the column headings of the table above), no additional shares will be added to the conversion rate.

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, in no event will the conversion rate exceed 1.6949 shares of the Issuer’s common stock per $25.00 principal amount of Notes, subject to adjustments in the same manner as the conversion rate is required to be adjusted as set forth under “Description of the Notes—Conversion Rights—Conversion Rate Adjustments” in the Preliminary Prospectus Supplement.

 

General

 

This communication is intended for the sole use of the person to whom it is provided by the sender.

 

4



 

This communication shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy securities nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any state in which such solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification of these securities under the laws of any such state.

 

The Issuer has filed a registration statement (including a prospectus, dated July 7, 2017, and a preliminary prospectus supplement, dated August 3, 2017) with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or SEC, for the offering of the Notes. Before you invest, you should read the preliminary prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus and the other documents the Issuer has filed with the SEC for more complete information about the Issuer and the offering of the Notes. You may get these documents for free by visiting EDGAR on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. Alternatively, the Issuer, the underwriter or any dealer participating in the offering of the Notes will arrange to send you the preliminary prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus if you request it by contacting Keefe, Bruyette & Woods, Inc., 787 Seventh Avenue, Fourth Floor, New York, NY 10019 (telephone: 800-966-1559) or email: USCapitalMarkets@kbw.com or JMP Securities LLC, 600 Montgomery Street, Suite 1100, San Francisco, CA 94111, Attention: Syndicate Department, or by calling (415) 835-3959.

 

ANY DISCLAIMERS OR OTHER NOTICES THAT MAY APPEAR BELOW ARE NOT APPLICABLE TO THIS COMMUNICATION AND SHOULD BE DISREGARDED. SUCH DISCLAIMERS OR OTHER NOTICES WERE AUTOMATICALLY GENERATED AS A RESULT OF THIS COMMUNICATION BEING SENT VIA BLOOMBERG OR ANOTHER EMAIL SYSTEM.

 

5



 

AMENDED AND RESTATED

Issuer Free Writing Prospectus

PRICING TERM SHEET

Filed Pursuant to Rule 433

Dated August 4, 2017

Registration Statement No. 333-219213

 

Supplementing the Preliminary

 

Prospectus Supplement

 

dated August 3, 2017 and the

 

Prospectus dated July 7, 2017

 

Sutherland Asset Management Corporation

$100,000,000 7.00% Convertible Senior Notes due 2023

 

This pricing term sheet supplements Sutherland Asset Management Corporation’s preliminary prospectus supplement, dated August 3, 2017 (the “Preliminary Prospectus Supplement”), including the documents incorporated by reference therein, relating to the offering of the Notes (as defined below), and supersedes the information in the Preliminary Prospectus Supplement to the extent inconsistent with the information in the Preliminary Prospectus Supplement. In all other respects, this pricing term sheet is qualified in its entirety by reference to the Preliminary Prospectus Supplement. Terms used herein but not defined herein shall have the respective meanings as set forth in the Preliminary Prospectus Supplement. Unless the context otherwise requires, references to the “Issuer,” “we,” “us” and “our” in this pricing term sheet mean Sutherland Asset Management Corporation and not its subsidiaries.

 

Issuer:

Sutherland Asset Management Corporation, a Maryland corporation

 

 

Title of Securities:

7.00% Convertible Senior Notes due 2023 (the “Notes”)

 

 

Ticker / Exchange of Common Stock:

SLD / New York Stock Exchange (the “NYSE”)

 

 

Securities Offered:

$100,000,000 principal amount of Notes (or $115,000,000 if the underwriters’ option to purchase additional Notes is exercised in full)

 

 

Maturity:

August 15, 2023 unless earlier converted, repurchased or redeemed

 

 

Issue Price:

100%, plus accrued interest, if any, from August 9, 2017

 

 

Price to Underwriter:

97%

 

 

Use of Proceeds:

The net proceeds from this offering will be approximately $96,370,000 (or approximately $110,920,000 if the underwriters exercise their option to purchase additional notes in full).

 

 

 

We intend to contribute the net proceeds from this offering to our Operating Partnership in exchange for the issuance by the Operating Partnership of a senior unsecured note with terms that are substantially equivalent to the terms of the notes offered through this prospectus supplement. Our Operating Partnership intends to use the net proceeds to originate or acquire our target assets and for general corporate purposes.

 

 

 

Until appropriate assets can be identified, our Manager may repay borrowings outstanding under our loan repurchase agreements or credit facilities and invest the net proceeds of this offering in interest-bearing

 

6



 

 

short-term investments, including money market accounts, in each case that are consistent with our intention to continue to qualify as a REIT. These investments are expected to provide a lower net return than we will seek to achieve from our target assets. As of June 30, 2017, the annual weighted average coupon payable on the loan repurchase agreements and credit facilities which may be repaid with the net proceeds of this offering was approximately one month LIBOR + 2.2% and the aggregate borrowings outstanding were $686 million, and the weighted average maturity of these loan repurchase agreements and credit facilities is January 2018.

 

 

Interest:

7.00% per year. Interest will accrue from August 9, 2017 (the scheduled date of original issuance)

 

 

Conversion Premium:

Approximately 13% above the NYSE last reported sale price on August 3, 2017

 

 

Interest Payment Dates:

Each February 15, May 15, August 15 and November 15, beginning on November 15, 2017

 

 

Interest Payment Record Dates:

Each February 1, May 1, August 1 and November 1

 

 

NYSE Last Reported Sale Price on August 3, 2017:

$14.75 per share of the Issuer’s common stock

 

 

Initial Conversion Rate:

1.4997 shares of the Issuer’s common stock for each $25.00 principal amount of Notes

 

 

Initial Conversion Price:

Approximately $16.67 per share of the Issuer’s common stock

 

 

Redemption:

The Issuer may not redeem the Notes prior to August 15, 2021. On or after August 15, 2021, if the last reported sale price of the Issuer’s common stock has been at least 120% of the conversion price then in effect for at least 20 trading days (whether or not consecutive) during any 30 consecutive trading day period ending on, and including, the trading day immediately preceding the date on which the Issuer provides notice of redemption, the Issuer may redeem all or any portion of the Notes for cash at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the Notes to be redeemed, plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon to, but excluding, the redemption date.

 

 

Trade Date:

August 4, 2017

 

 

Expected Settlement Date:

August 9, 2017

 

 

Joint Book-Running Managers:

Keefe, Bruyette & Woods and JMP Securities

 

 

Co-Manager:

Compass Point

 

7



 

CUSIP / ISIN:

86933F 602 / US86933F6025

 

 

Adjustment to Shares Delivered Upon Conversion Upon a Make-Whole Fundamental Change or Notice of Redemption:

The following table sets forth the number of additional shares (as defined under “Description of the Notes—Adjustment to Conversion Rate Upon Conversion in Connection with a Make-Whole Fundamental Change or Notice of Redemption” in the Preliminary Prospectus Supplement) to be received per $25.00 principal amount of Notes for each stock price and effective date set forth below:

 

 

 

Stock Price

 

Effective Date

 

$14.75

 

$15.00

 

$15.50

 

$16.00

 

$16.50

 

$16.67

 

$17.00

 

$17.50

 

$18.00

 

$19.00

 

$20.00

 

August 9, 2017

 

0.1952

 

0.1772

 

0.1441

 

0.1150

 

0.0897

 

0.0819

 

0.0679

 

0.0496

 

0.0344

 

0.0131

 

0.0025

 

August 15, 2018

 

0.1952

 

0.1772

 

0.1441

 

0.1145

 

0.0884

 

0.0804

 

0.0662

 

0.0477

 

0.0326

 

0.0118

 

0.0020

 

August 15, 2019

 

0.1952

 

0.1772

 

0.1441

 

0.1139

 

0.0872

 

0.0791

 

0.0646

 

0.0459

 

0.0308

 

0.0105

 

0.0015

 

August 15, 2020

 

0.1952

 

0.1772

 

0.1441

 

0.1120

 

0.0845

 

0.0762

 

0.0615

 

0.0427

 

0.0279

 

0.0087

 

0.0010

 

August 15, 2021

 

0.1952

 

0.1772

 

0.1405

 

0.1068

 

0.0785

 

0.0701

 

0.0553

 

0.0369

 

0.0227

 

0.0058

 

0.0004

 

August 15, 2022

 

0.1952

 

0.1742

 

0.1314

 

0.0953

 

0.0657

 

0.0571

 

0.0426

 

0.0253

 

0.0134

 

0.0019

 

0.0000

 

August 15, 2023

 

0.1952

 

0.1670

 

0.1132

 

0.0628

 

0.0155

 

0.0000

 

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:

 

·                   if the stock price is between two stock prices in the table or the effective date is between two effective dates in the table, the number of additional shares will be determined by a 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;

 

·                   if the stock price is greater than $20.00 per share (subject to adjustment in the same manner as the stock prices set forth in the column headings of the table above), no additional shares will be added to the conversion rate; or

 

·                   if the stock price is less than $14.75 per share (subject to adjustment in the same manner as the stock prices set forth in the column headings of the table above), no additional shares will be added to the conversion rate.

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, in no event will the conversion rate exceed 1.6949 shares of the Issuer’s common stock per $25.00 principal amount of Notes, subject to adjustments in the same manner as the conversion rate is required to be adjusted as set forth under “Description of the Notes—Conversion Rights—Conversion Rate Adjustments” in the Preliminary Prospectus Supplement.

 

General

 

This communication is intended for the sole use of the person to whom it is provided by the sender.

 

8



 

This communication shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy securities nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any state in which such solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification of these securities under the laws of any such state.

 

The Issuer has filed a registration statement (including a prospectus, dated July 7, 2017, and a preliminary prospectus supplement, dated August 3, 2017) with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or SEC, for the offering of the Notes. Before you invest, you should read the preliminary prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus and the other documents the Issuer has filed with the SEC for more complete information about the Issuer and the offering of the Notes. You may get these documents for free by visiting EDGAR on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. Alternatively, the Issuer, the underwriter or any dealer participating in the offering of the Notes will arrange to send you the preliminary prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus if you request it by contacting Keefe, Bruyette & Woods, Inc., 787 Seventh Avenue, Fourth Floor, New York, NY 10019 (telephone: 800-966-1559) or email: USCapitalMarkets@kbw.com or JMP Securities LLC, 600 Montgomery Street, Suite 1100, San Francisco, CA 94111, Attention: Syndicate Department, or by calling (415) 835-3959.

 

ANY DISCLAIMERS OR OTHER NOTICES THAT MAY APPEAR BELOW ARE NOT APPLICABLE TO THIS COMMUNICATION AND SHOULD BE DISREGARDED. SUCH DISCLAIMERS OR OTHER NOTICES WERE AUTOMATICALLY GENERATED AS A RESULT OF THIS COMMUNICATION BEING SENT VIA BLOOMBERG OR ANOTHER EMAIL SYSTEM.

 

9



 

EXHIBIT B

 

Form of Lock-Up Agreement

 

See attached.

 

B- 1



 

Form of Lock-Up Agreement

 

August 3, 2017

 

KEEFE, BRUYETTE & WOODS, INC.

787 Seventh Avenue, 4 th  Floor

New York, New York 10019

 

JMP SECURITIES LLC

600 Montgomery Street, Suite 1100

San Francisco, California 94111

 

As Representatives of the several Underwriters

 

Ladies and Gentlemen:

 

The undersigned, an officer and/or director of Sutherland Asset Management Corporation, a Maryland corporation (the “ Company ”), understands that Keefe, Bruyette & Woods, Inc. and JMP Securities LLC (the “ Representatives ”), as representatives of the several Underwriters (the “ Underwriters ”), propose to enter into an Underwriting Agreement (the “ Underwriting Agreement ”) with the Company, Sutherland Partners, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership, and Waterfall Asset Management, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, providing for the offering (the “ Offering ”) of the Company’s convertible notes.

 

In recognition of the benefit that the Offering will confer upon the undersigned as a shareholder, officer and/or director of the Company, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the undersigned agrees with each Underwriter to be named in the Underwriting Agreement that, commencing on the date hereof and ending on, and including, the date that is 45 days from the date of the Underwriting Agreement (such 45-day period being referred to herein as the “ Lock-Up Period ”), the undersigned will not (and will cause any spouse or immediate family member (as defined in Rule 16a-1(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, referred to herein as the “ Exchange Act ”)) of the spouse or the undersigned living in the undersigned’s household, any partnership, corporation or other entity within the undersigned’s control, and any trustee of any trust that holds shares of common stock of the Company (“ Common Stock ”) or other securities of the Company for the benefit of the undersigned or such spouse or family member not to), without the prior written consent of the Representatives, directly or indirectly, (i) offer, pledge, sell, contract to sell, sell any option or contract to purchase, purchase any option or contract to sell, grant any option, right or warrant for the sale of, hypothecate, establish an open “put equivalent position” within the meaning of Rule 16a-1(h) under the Exchange Act, or otherwise dispose of or transfer any shares of Common Stock or any securities convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for Common Stock, whether now owned or hereafter acquired by the undersigned or with respect to which the undersigned has or hereafter acquires the power of disposition (including, without limitation, any Common Stock or such other securities which may be deemed to be beneficially owned by the undersigned in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission), or exercise any right with respect to the registration of any of the foregoing, or file or cause to be filed any registration statement in connection therewith under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, (ii) enter into any swap, hedge or any other agreement or any transaction that transfers, in whole or in part, any of the economic consequence of ownership of the Common Stock or any such other securities, whether any such swap, hedge or transaction is to be settled by delivery of Common Stock or other securities, in cash or otherwise, or (iii) publicly disclose the intention to make any such offer, pledge, sale or disposition, or to enter into any such swap, hedge, transaction or other arrangement.

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, the undersigned may transfer the undersigned’s shares of Common Stock or any securities convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for Common Stock (i) as a bona fide gift or gifts, (ii) to any corporation, trust, family limited partnership or other entity for the direct or indirect benefit of the undersigned or the immediate family of the undersigned, (iii)  to satisfy tax obligations in connection with the

 

B- 2



 

granting or vesting of equity awards acquired pursuant to one or more of our equity incentive plans and (iv) if such shares of Common Stock are transferred by a partnership or other entity within the undersigned’s control to the other limited partners of such partnership in connection with a redemption by such limited partners of their interest in the partnership , provided that, in the case of any gift, transfer or distribution pursuant to clauses (i) or (ii), (1) any donee, the corporation, trustee of the trust, general partner of the family limited partnership or other entity, as the case may be, agrees to be bound in writing by the restrictions set forth herein, (2) any such gift, transfer or distribution shall not involve a disposition for value and (3) no public reports or filings (including filings under Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act) reporting a reduction in beneficial ownership of Common Stock shall be required or voluntarily made during the Lock-Up Period.

 

The undersigned represents and warrants that the undersigned beneficially owns the shares of Common Stock covered by this Lock-Up Agreement and that the undersigned now has and, except as contemplated by clauses (i) and (ii) above, for the duration of this Lock-Up Agreement will have good and marketable title to the undersigned’s shares of Common Stock and other securities, free and clear of all liens, encumbrances, and claims whatsoever. The undersigned also agrees and consents to the entry of stop transfer instructions with the Company’s transfer agent and registrar against the transfer of the undersigned’s shares of Common Stock and other securities, except in compliance with this Lock-Up Agreement. In furtherance of the foregoing, the Company and its transfer agent are hereby authorized to decline to make any transfer of securities if such transfer would constitute a violation or breach of this Lock-Up Agreement.

 

In addition, the undersigned agrees that, during the Lock-Up Period, without the prior written consent of the Representatives (which consent may be withheld in their sole discretion): (i) the undersigned will not request, make any demand for or exercise any right with respect to, the registration of any Common Stock or any shares of Common Stock or securities convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for any shares of Common Stock (“ Related Securities ”) and (ii) the undersigned waives any and all notice requirements and rights with respect to the registration of any shares of Common Stock or Related Securities pursuant to any agreement, understanding or otherwise to which the undersigned is a party.

 

The undersigned represents and warrants that the undersigned has full power and authority to enter into this Lock-Up Agreement. The undersigned agrees that the provisions of this Lock-Up Agreement shall be binding also upon the successors, assigns, heirs and personal representatives of the undersigned.

 

The undersigned understands that, if the Underwriting Agreement does not become effective, or if the Underwriting Agreement (other than the provisions thereof which survive termination) shall terminate or be terminated prior to payment for and delivery of the shares of Common Stock to be sold thereunder, the undersigned shall be released from all obligations under this Lock-Up Agreement. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, this agreement shall automatically terminate and be of no further effect as of 5:00 p.m. New York City time on August 15, 2017, if a closing for the Offering has not yet occurred as of that time. The undersigned understands that the Underwriters are entering into the Underwriting Agreement and proceeding with the Offering in reliance upon this Lock-Up Agreement.

 

This Lock-Up Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York.

 

[ Signature page follows ]

 

B- 3



 

 

Very truly yours,

 

 

 

Signature:

 

 

 

 

 

Print Name:

 

 

B- 4



 

EXHIBIT C

 

Forms of Company Counsel Opinions

 

C- 1



 

EXHIBIT D

 

Form of CFO Certificate

 

See attached.

 

D- 1



 

CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER’S CERTIFICATE OF

 

Sutherland Asset Management Corporation

 

August 9, 2017

 


 

This certificate is being delivered in connection with the Underwriting Agreement dated as of August 3, 2017, among Sutherland Asset Management Corp., a Maryland corporation (the “ Company ”), Sutherland Partners, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership (the “ Operating Partnership ”) and Waterfall Asset Management, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “ Manager ”), and Keefe, Bruyette & Woods, Inc., JMP Securities LLC and Compass Point Research & Trading, LLC (collectively, the “ Underwriters ”).

 

Pursuant to the Underwriting Agreement, I, Frederick C. Herbst, Chief Financial Officer of the Company, based on the examination of the Company’s financial and accounting records and schedules undertaken by myself and members of my staff who are responsible for the Company’s financial and accounting matters and my participation in the financial and accounting affairs of the Company, hereby certify to my knowledge and on behalf of the Company (and not in my individual capacity) that:

 

I hereby confirm that the numbers identified on the pages attached hereto as Exhibit A from the preliminary prospectus supplement dated August 3, 2017 and the documents incorporated by reference therein were derived from the accounting or business records of the Company and its subsidiaries and that such information is accurate and correct in all material respects and there is no reason to believe any modification should be made to such information.

 

This certificate is solely to assist the Underwriters in conducting and documenting their investigation of the affairs of the Company and its subsidiaries in connection with the offering of the securities pursuant to the Underwriting Agreement. This certificate may be relied upon by the Underwriters solely for this purpose. Subject to applicable law and regulatory requirements, without the written consent of the Company: (i) no person other than the Underwriters may rely on this certificate for any purpose; (ii) this certificate may not be cited or quoted in any financial statement, prospectus, private placement memorandum or other similar document; (iii) this certificate may not be cited or quoted in any other document or communication which might encourage reliance upon this certificate by any person for any purpose excluded by the restrictions in this paragraph; and (iv) copies of this certificate may not be furnished to anyone for purposes of encouraging such reliance.

 

[ Remainder of this page intentionally blank ]

 

D- 2



 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto signed my name on the date written first above

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

Frederick C. Herbst

 

 

Title:

Chief Financial Officer

 

D- 3


Exhibit 4.1

 

CLIFFORD CHANCE US LLP

 

Dated as of August , 2017

 

SUTHERLAND ASSET MANAGEMENT CORPORATION,

as Issuer

 

and

 

U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,

as Trustee

 


 

INDENTURE

 


 



 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

 

Page

 

 

ARTICLE I DEFINITIONS AND INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

1

 

 

 

 

Section 1.01.

 

Definitions

1

 

 

 

 

Section 1.02.

 

Incorporation by Reference of Trust Indenture Act

3

 

 

 

 

Section 1.03.

 

Rules of Construction

3

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE II THE SECURITIES

4

 

 

 

 

Section 2.01.

 

Form and Dating

4

 

 

 

 

Section 2.02.

 

Amount Unlimited; Issuable in Series

4

 

 

 

 

Section 2.03.

 

Denominations

5

 

 

 

 

Section 2.04.

 

Execution and Authentication

5

 

 

 

 

Section 2.05.

 

Registrar and Paying Agent

5

 

 

 

 

Section 2.06.

 

Paying Agent to Hold Money in Trust

5

 

 

 

 

Section 2.07.

 

Securityholder Lists

6

 

 

 

 

Section 2.08.

 

Transfer and Exchange

6

 

 

 

 

Section 2.09.

 

Replacement Securities

7

 

 

 

 

Section 2.10.

 

Outstanding Securities

7

 

 

 

 

Section 2.11.

 

Temporary Securities

7

 

 

 

 

Section 2.12.

 

Cancellation

7

 

 

 

 

Section 2.13.

 

Defaulted Interest

8

 

 

 

 

Section 2.14.

 

CUSIP Numbers

8

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE III REDEMPTION

8

 

 

 

 

Section 3.01.

 

Company’s Option to Redeem

8

 

 

 

 

Section 3.02.

 

Notices to Trustee

8

 

 

 

 

Section 3.03.

 

Selection of Securities to be Redeemed

8

 

 

 

 

Section 3.04.

 

Notice of Redemption at the Company’s Option

9

 

 

 

 

Section 3.05.

 

Effect of Notice of Redemption

9

 

 

 

 

Section 3.06.

 

Deposit of Redemption Price

10

 

 

 

 

Section 3.07.

 

Holder’s Right to Require Redemption

10

 

 

 

 

Section 3.08.

 

Procedure for Requiring Redemption

10

 

 

 

 

Section 3.09.

 

Securities Redeemed in Part

10

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE IV COVENANTS

11

 

 

 

 

Section 4.01.

 

Payment of Securities

11

 

i



 

Section 4.02.

 

Reporting

11

 

 

 

 

Section 4.03.

 

Corporate Existence

11

 

 

 

 

Section 4.04.

 

Compliance Certificate

12

 

 

 

 

Section 4.05.

 

Further Instruments and Acts

12

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE V SUCCESSOR CORPORATION

12

 

 

 

 

Section 5.01.

 

Company may Consolidate, etc., only on Certain Terms

12

 

 

 

 

Section 5.02.

 

Successor Corporation Substituted

12

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE VI DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES

13

 

 

 

 

Section 6.01.

 

Events of Default

13

 

 

 

 

Section 6.02.

 

Acceleration

14

 

 

 

 

Section 6.03.

 

Other Remedies

14

 

 

 

 

Section 6.04.

 

Waiver of Existing Defaults

15

 

 

 

 

Section 6.05.

 

Control by Majority

15

 

 

 

 

Section 6.06.

 

Payments of Securities on Default; Suit Therefor

15

 

 

 

 

Section 6.07.

 

Limitation on Suits

15

 

 

 

 

Section 6.08.

 

Rights of Holders to Receive Payment and to Demand Conversion

16

 

 

 

 

Section 6.09.

 

Collection Suit by Trustee

16

 

 

 

 

Section 6.10.

 

Trustee May File Proofs of Claim

16

 

 

 

 

Section 6.11.

 

Restoration of Positions

17

 

 

 

 

Section 6.12.

 

Priorities

17

 

 

 

 

Section 6.13.

 

Undertaking for Costs

17

 

 

 

 

Section 6.14.

 

Stay, Extension or Usury Laws

17

 

 

 

 

Section 6.15.

 

Liability of Stockholders, Officers, Directors and Incorporators

18

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE VII TRUSTEE

18

 

 

 

 

Section 7.02.

 

Rights of Trustee

19

 

 

 

 

Section 7.03.

 

Individual Rights of Trustee

20

 

 

 

 

Section 7.04.

 

Trustee’s Disclaimer

20

 

 

 

 

Section 7.05.

 

Notice of Defaults

21

 

 

 

 

Section 7.06.

 

Reports by Trustee

21

 

 

 

 

Section 7.07.

 

Compensation and Indemnity

21

 

 

 

 

Section 7.08.

 

Replacement of Trustee

22

 

 

 

 

Section 7.09.

 

Successor Trustee by Merger, Etc.

23

 

 

 

 

Section 7.10.

 

Eligibility; Disqualification

23

 

 

 

 

Section 7.11.

 

Preferential Collection of Claims

23

 

ii



 

ARTICLE VIII DISCHARGE OF INDENTURE

23

 

 

 

 

Section 8.01.

 

Termination of the Company’s Obligations

23

 

 

 

 

Section 8.02.

 

Application of Trust Money

24

 

 

 

 

Section 8.03.

 

Repayment to the Company

24

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE IX AMENDMENTS, SUPPLEMENTS AND WAIVERS

25

 

 

 

 

Section 9.01.

 

Without Consent of Holders

25

 

 

 

 

Section 9.02.

 

With Consent of Holders

25

 

 

 

 

Section 9.03.

 

Compliance with Trust Indenture Act

26

 

 

 

 

Section 9.04.

 

Revocation and Effect of Consents

26

 

 

 

 

Section 9.05.

 

Notation on or Exchange of Securities

26

 

 

 

 

Section 9.06.

 

Trustee to Sign Amendments, Etc.

26

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE X CONVERSION OR EXCHANGE OF SECURITIES

27

 

 

 

 

Section 10.01.

 

Provisions Relating to Conversion or Exchange of Securities

27

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE XI SINKING OR PURCHASE FUNDS

27

 

 

 

 

Section 11.01.

 

Provisions Relating to Sinking or Purchase Funds

27

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE XII MISCELLANEOUS

28

 

 

 

 

Section 12.01.

 

Trust Indenture Act Controls

28

 

 

 

 

Section 12.02.

 

Supplemental Indentures Contract

28

 

 

 

 

Section 12.03.

 

Notices

28

 

 

 

 

Section 12.04.

 

Communication by Holders with Other Holders

29

 

 

 

 

Section 12.05.

 

Certificate and Opinion as to Conditions Precedent

29

 

 

 

 

Section 12.06.

 

When Treasury Securities Disregarded

29

 

 

 

 

Section 12.07.

 

Rules by Trustee, Paying Agent, Registrar

30

 

 

 

 

Section 12.08.

 

Legal Holidays

30

 

 

 

 

Section 12.09.

 

Governing Law and Submission to Jurisdiction; Waiver of Jury Trial

30

 

 

 

 

Section 12.10.

 

Actions by the Company

30

 

 

 

 

Section 12.11.

 

No Adverse Interpretation of Other Agreements

30

 

 

 

 

Section 12.12.

 

Successors

31

 

 

 

 

Section 12.13.

 

Duplicate Originals

31

 

 

 

 

Section 12.14.

 

Table of Contents, Headings, etc.

31

 

 

 

 

Section 12.15.

 

U.S.A. PATRIOT Act

31

 

 

 

 

Section 12.16.

 

Force Majeure

31

 

iii



 

This INDENTURE, dated as of August , 2017 between SUTHERLAND ASSET MANAGEMENT CORPORATION (the “ Company ”), a Maryland corporation having its principal office at 1140 Avenue of the Americas, 7th Floor, New York, New York 10036, and U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION (the “ Trustee ”), a national banking association organized under the laws of the United States of America which has its corporate trust office at 60 Livingston Avenue, St. Paul, MN, 55107.

 

Each party agrees as follows for the benefit of each other party and for the equal and ratable benefit of the Holders of the Company’s debentures, notes or other evidences of unsecured indebtedness to be issued in one or more series (“ Securities ”):

 

ARTICLE I

 

DEFINITIONS AND INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

 

Section 1.01.         Definitions .

 

Board Resolution ” means a resolution by the Board of Directors, or other body with analogous authority with respect to the Company or any duly authorized Committee of the Board of Directors or such body, certified by its Secretary or an Assistant Secretary as being duly adopted and in full force and effect.

 

Business Day ” means each Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday which is not a Legal Holiday.

 

Common Stock ” means the common stock, par value $.0001 per share, of the Company, as that stock may be reconstituted from time to time.

 

Company ” means the Person named as such in this Indenture until a successor replaces it and after that means the successor.

 

Corporate Trust Office ” means the principal office of the Trustee at which at any particular time its corporate trust business is principally administered (which at the date of this Indenture is at the location set forth in the first paragraph of this Indenture).

 

Corporation ” includes corporations, associations, companies and business trusts.

 

Custodian ” has the meaning provided in Section 6.01.

 

Default ” means any event which, upon the giving of notice or passage of time, or both, would be an Event of Default.

 

$ ” means the lawful currency of the United States.

 

Event of Default ” has the meaning provided in Section 6.01.

 

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

 

1



 

Fiscal Year ” means the period commencing on January 1 of a year and ending on the next December 31 or such other period (not to exceed 12 months or 53 weeks) as the Company may from time to time adopt as its fiscal year.

 

Holder ” or “ Securityholder ” means a Person in whose name a Security is registered on the Registrar’s books.

 

Indenture ” means this Indenture as amended or supplemented from time to time and will include the form and terms of the Securities of each series established as contemplated by Section 2.01.

 

Interest Payment Date ” means the date on which an installment of interest on the Securities is due and payable.

 

Legal Holiday ” has the meaning provided in Section 12.08.

 

Maturity Date ” means the date the principal of Securities is due and payable.

 

Officer ” means the Chairman of the Board, any Vice Chairman of the Board, the President, the Chief Executive Officer, the Chief Financial Officer, any Vice President, the Treasurer, the Secretary, the Controller or any Assistant Secretary of a Person.

 

Officers’ Certificate ” when used with respect to the Company means a certificate signed by two Officers.  Each such certificate will comply with Section 314 of the TIA and include the statements described in Section 12.05.

 

Opinion of Counsel ” means a written opinion from legal counsel which is reasonably acceptable to the Trustee.  That counsel may be an employee of or counsel to the Company.  Each such opinion will include the statements described in Section 12.05 if and to the extent required by that Section.

 

Paying Agent ” has the meaning provided in Section 2.05.

 

Person ” means any individual, corporation, limited liability company, partnership, joint venture, joint-stock company, trust, unincorporated organization or government or any government agency or political subdivision.

 

Registrar ” has the meaning provided in Section 2.05.

 

SEC ” means the Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

Securities ” has the meaning provided in the recitals to this Indenture.

 

State ” means any state of the United States or the District of Columbia.

 

Subsidiary ” means, with respect to the Company, any Person (other than an individual), a majority of the outstanding voting stock, partnership interests, membership interests or other equity interest, as the case may be, of which is owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by the

 

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Company or one or more other Subsidiaries of the Company.  For the purposes of this definition, “voting stock” means stock having voting power for the election of directors, trustees or managers, as the case may be, whether at all times or only so long as no senior class of stock has such voting power by reason of any contingency.

 

Supplemental Indenture ” means an indenture between the Company and the Trustee which supplements this Indenture.

 

TIA ” means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, as in effect on the date of this Indenture.

 

Trustee ” means the Person named as such in this Indenture and, subject to the provisions of Article VII, any successor to that person.

 

Trust Officer ” means any officer within the corporate trust department of the Trustee, including any vice president, assistant vice president, assistant secretary, assistant treasurer, trust officer or any other officer of the Trustee who customarily performs functions similar to those performed by the Persons who at the time shall be such officers, respectively, or to whom any corporate trust matter is referred because of such person’s knowledge of and familiarity with the particular subject and who shall have direct responsibility for the administration of this Indenture.

 

United States ” means the United States of America.

 

Section 1.02.         Incorporation by Reference of Trust Indenture Act .  Whenever this Indenture refers to a provision of the TIA, the provision is incorporated by reference in and made a part of this Indenture.  In addition, the provisions of Sections 310 to and including 317 of the TIA that impose duties on any person are incorporated by reference in, and form a part of, this Indenture.

 

The following TIA terms mean the following when used in this Indenture: “ Commission ” means the SEC; “ indenture securities ” means the Securities; “ indenture security holder ” means a Holder; “ indenture to be qualified ” means this Indenture; “ indenture trustee ” or “ institutional trustee ” means the Trustee; and “ obligor ” on the indenture securities means the Company.

 

All other TIA terms used in this Indenture that are defined in the TIA, defined in the TIA by reference to another statute or defined by SEC rule have the meanings assigned to them.

 

Section 1.03.         Rules of Construction .  Unless the context otherwise requires:

 

(a)           a term has the meaning assigned to it;

 

(b)           an accounting term not otherwise defined has the meaning assigned to it in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States;

 

(c)           “or” is not exclusive; and

 

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(d)           words in the singular include the plural, and in the plural include the singular.

 

ARTICLE II

 

THE SECURITIES

 

Section 2.01.         Form and Dating .

 

(a)           The Securities of each series will be substantially in the form established by a Supplemental Indenture relating to the Securities of that series.  The Securities may have notations, legends or endorsements required by law, stock exchange rules or usage.  The Company will approve the form of the Securities and any notation, legend or endorsement on them.  Each Security will be dated the date of its authentication.

 

(b)           The Trustee’s certificate of authentication will be substantially in the form of Exhibit A.

 

Section 2.02.         Amount Unlimited; Issuable in Series .  The aggregate principal amount of the Securities which may be authenticated and delivered under this Indenture is unlimited.

 

The Securities may be issued in one or more series.  Prior to the issuance of Securities of a series, the Company and the Trustee will execute a Supplemental Indenture which will set forth as to the Securities of that series, to the extent applicable:

 

(a)           the title of the Securities;

 

(b)           any limit upon the aggregate principal amount of Securities which may be issued;

 

(c)           the date or dates on which the Securities will mature and the amounts to be paid upon maturity of the Securities;

 

(d)           the rate or rates (which may be fixed or variable) at which the Securities will bear interest, if any, the dates from which interest will accrue, the dates on which interest will be payable and the record date for the interest payable on any interest payment date;

 

(e)           the currency or currencies in which principal, premium, if any, and interest, if any, will be payable;

 

(f)            the place or places where principal of, premium, if any, and interest, if any, on the Securities will be payable;

 

(g)           any provisions regarding the right of the Company to redeem Securities or of holders to require the Company to redeem Securities;

 

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(h)           the right, if any, of holders of the Securities to convert them into stock or other securities of the Company, including any provisions intended to prevent dilution of those conversion rights;

 

(i)            any provisions by which the Company will be required or permitted to make payments to a sinking fund which will be used to redeem Securities or a purchase fund which will be used to purchase Securities;

 

(j)            the percentage of the principal amount of the Securities which is payable if maturity of the Securities is accelerated because of a default; and

 

(k)           any other terms of the Securities.

 

Section 2.03.         Denominations .  Unless otherwise provided in the Supplemental Indenture relating to a series of Securities, the Securities of each series will be issuable in registered form without coupons in denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiple thereof unless otherwise specified as to any series in the applicable Supplemental Indenture.

 

Section 2.04.         Execution and Authentication .  One Officer will sign the Securities of each series for the Company by manual or facsimile signature. If an Officer whose signature is on a Security no longer holds office at the time the Trustee authenticates the Security, the Security will be valid nonetheless.

 

A Security will not be valid until an authorized signatory of the Trustee manually signs the certificate of authentication on the Security.  The signature will be conclusive evidence that the Security has been authenticated under this Indenture.

 

Section 2.05.         Registrar and Paying Agent .  The Company will maintain an office or agency where Securities of each series may be presented for conversion, registration of transfer or for exchange (the “ Registrar ”) and an office or agency where Securities of each series may be presented for payment (“ Paying Agent ”).  The Registrar will keep a register of the Securities of each series and of their transfer and exchange.  The Company may have one or more co-registrars and one or more additional paying agents.  The term “Paying Agent” includes any additional paying agent.

 

The Company will enter into an appropriate agency agreement with any Registrar, Paying Agent or co-registrar not a party to this Indenture which will incorporate the terms of the TIA.  The agreement will implement the provisions of this Indenture that relate to that agent.  The Company will notify the Trustee of the name and address of any such agent.  If the Company fails to maintain a Registrar or Paying Agent, the Trustee will act as such.  The Company or any Subsidiary may act as Paying Agent, Registrar, co-registrar or transfer agent.

 

The Company initially appoints the Trustee to act as Registrar and Paying Agent in connection with the Securities of each series, except in instances in which the Supplemental Indenture relating to a series of Securities appoints a different Registrar or Paying Agent.

 

Section 2.06.         Paying Agent to Hold Money in Trust .  Prior to each due date of the principal of, premium, if any, or interest, if any, on any Security, the Company will deposit with

 

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the Paying Agent a sum sufficient to pay that principal, premium or interest when due.  The Paying Agent will hold in trust for the benefit of the Holders of the Securities of a series, and if the Paying Agent is not the Trustee, in trust for the benefit of the Trustee, all sums held by the Paying Agent for the payment of principal, premium or interest on the Securities of that series and, in the case of a Paying Agent other than the Trustee, the Paying Agent will give the Trustee notice of any default by the Company in making any such payment.  If the Company or a Subsidiary acts as Paying Agent, it will segregate the money held by it as Paying Agent and hold it as a separate trust fund.  The Company at any time may require a Paying Agent to pay all money held by it to the Trustee and to account for any funds disbursed by the Paying Agent.  Upon complying with this Section, the Paying Agent will have no further liability for the money.

 

Section 2.07.         Securityholder Lists .  The Trustee will preserve in as current a form as is reasonably practicable the most recent list available to it of the names and addresses of the Holders of the Securities of each series.  If the Trustee is not the Registrar, the Company will furnish to the Trustee in writing (a) at least five Business Days before each Interest Payment Date and (b) at such other times as the Trustee may request in writing, all information in the possession or control of the Company or its Paying Agent as to the names and addresses of Holders of the Securities of a series; provided , however , that if the provisions of (a) and (b) do not provide for the furnishing of such information at stated intervals of not more than six months, at least as frequently as semiannually.

 

Section 2.08.         Transfer and Exchange .  Unless otherwise provided in the Supplemental Indenture relating to Securities of a series, Securities which are issued in registered form will be transferred only upon the surrender of the Securities for registration of transfer.  When a Security is presented to the Registrar or a co-registrar with a request to register a transfer, the Registrar will register the transfer as requested if the requirements of Article VIII of the New York Uniform Commercial Code are met.  When Securities are presented to the Registrar or a co-registrar with a request to exchange them for an equal principal amount of Securities of the same series of other denominations, the Registrar will make the exchange as requested if the same requirements are met.  To permit registration of transfers and exchanges, the Company will execute and the Trustee will authenticate Securities at the Registrar’s or co-registrar’s request.  The Company will not charge a fee for transfers or exchanges.

 

The Company will not be required to make, and the Registrar need not register, transfers or exchanges of (i) Securities selected for redemption (except, in the case of Securities to be redeemed in part, transfers or exchanges of the portion of the Securities not to be redeemed) or (ii) any Securities of a series for a period of 15 days before the first mailing of a notice of the Securities of that series which are to be redeemed.

 

Prior to the due presentation for registration or transfer of any Security which was issued in registered form, the Company, the Trustee, the Paying Agent, the Registrar or any co-registrar may deem and treat the person in whose name the Security is registered as the absolute owner of the Security for all purposes, and none of the Company, the Trustee, the Paying Agent, the Registrar or any co-registrar will be affected by notice to the contrary.

 

Neither the Trustee nor any Agent shall have any responsibility or liability for any actions taken or not taken by the depository.

 

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Section 2.09.         Replacement Securities .  If a mutilated Security which had been issued in registered form is surrendered to the Registrar or if the Holder presents evidence to the satisfaction of the Company and the Trustee that a Security which had been issued in registered form has been lost or destroyed, the Company will issue and the Trustee will authenticate a replacement Security of the same series if the requirements of Section 8-405 of the New York Uniform Commercial Code are met and the Holder satisfies any other reasonable requirements of the Trustee.  The replacement Security will not be issued until the Holder furnishes an indemnity bond sufficient in the judgment of the Company and the Trustee to protect the Company, the Trustee, the Paying Agent and the Registrar or any co-registrar from any loss which any of them may suffer if the Security is replaced.  The Company may charge the Holder for its expenses in replacing a Security.

 

Every replacement Security will be an obligation of the Company, even if the replaced Security is subsequently found.

 

Section 2.10.         Outstanding Securities .  The Securities outstanding at any time will be all the Securities authenticated by the Trustee, except those cancelled by it, those delivered to it for cancellation and those described in this Section as not outstanding.  A Security does not cease to be outstanding because the Company or its affiliate holds the Security.

 

If a Security is replaced pursuant to Section 2.09, it ceases to be outstanding unless the Trustee and the Company receive proof satisfactory to them that the replaced Security is held by a protected purchaser (in which case the replaced Security will be treated as outstanding to the extent permitted by Section 8-210 of the New York Uniform Commercial Code).

 

If the Paying Agent (other than the Company or a Subsidiary) segregates and holds in trust, in accordance with this Indenture, on a redemption date or Maturity Date money sufficient to pay all principal, premium, if any, and interest, if any, payable on that date with respect to the Securities to be redeemed or maturing, as the case may be, then on that date those Securities will cease to be outstanding and interest on them will cease to accrue.

 

Section 2.11.         Temporary Securities .  Until definitive Securities of a series are ready for delivery, the Company may prepare and the Trustee will authenticate temporary Securities of that series.  Temporary Securities will be substantially in the form of definitive Securities but may have variations that the Company considers appropriate for temporary Securities.  Without unreasonable delay, the Company will prepare and the Trustee will authenticate definitive Securities and deliver them in exchange for temporary Securities.

 

Section 2.12.         Cancellation .  The Company at any time may deliver Securities of a series to the Trustee for cancellation and the Trustee will reduce accordingly the aggregate amount of the Securities of that series which are outstanding.  The Registrar and the Paying Agent will forward to the Trustee any Securities surrendered to them for registration of transfer, exchange, payment, or conversion.  The Trustee and no one else will cancel and dispose of (subject to the record retention requirements of the Exchange Act) all Securities surrendered for registration of transfer, exchange, payment, conversion or cancellation and deliver evidence of such disposal to the Company.  Subject to Section 2.09, the Company may not issue new

 

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Securities of a series to replace Securities of the series it has redeemed, paid, converted or delivered to the Trustee for cancellation.

 

Section 2.13.         Defaulted Interest .  If the Company defaults in a payment of interest on the Securities of a series, it will pay defaulted interest (plus interest on such defaulted interest to the extent lawful) to the persons who are Holders of the Securities of that series on a subsequent special record date, which date will be at least five Business Days prior to the payment date.  The Company will fix the special record date and payment date, and, at least 15 days before the special record date, the Company will mail to each Holder of Securities of that series a notice that states the special record date, the payment date and the amount of defaulted interest and any interest on that defaulted interest which is to be paid.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company may pay defaulted interest in any other lawful manner.

 

Section 2.14.         CUSIP Numbers .  The Company in issuing the Securities may use “CUSIP” numbers (if then generally in use), and, if so, the Trustee shall use “CUSIP” numbers in notices of redemption as a convenience to Holders; provided that the Trustee shall have no liability for any defect in the “CUSIP” numbers as they appear on the any Security, notice or elsewhere, and, provided further that any such notice may state that no representation is made as to the correctness of such numbers either as printed on the Securities or as contained in any notice of a redemption and that reliance may be placed only on the other identification numbers printed on the Securities, and any such redemption shall not be affected by any defect in or omission of such numbers.  The Company will promptly notify the Trustee in writing of any change in the “CUSIP” numbers.

 

ARTICLE III

 

REDEMPTION

 

Section 3.01.         Company’s Option to Redeem .  The Company will have the option to redeem Securities of a series only to the extent, if any, and only on the terms, set forth in the Supplemental Indenture relating to the Securities of that series.  If the Company has the option to redeem Securities of a series, unless otherwise provided in the Supplemental Indenture relating to the series, the terms of the redemption will include those set forth in Sections 3.02 through 3.06.

 

Section 3.02.         Notices to Trustee .  If the Company elects to redeem Securities of a series, it will notify the Trustee of the redemption date and the principal amount and series of Securities to be redeemed.  The Company will give each notice provided for in this Section at least 45 days before the redemption date.  If fewer than all the Securities of a series are to be redeemed, the record date for determining which Securities of the series are to be redeemed will be selected by the Company, which will give notice of the record date to the Trustee at least 15 days before the record date.

 

Section 3.03.         Selection of Securities to be Redeemed .  If fewer than all the Securities of a series are to be redeemed at the Company’s option, the Trustee will select the Securities of that series to be redeemed by lot or, in its sole discretion, pro-rata or in accordance with the customary procedures of the depository.  The Trustee will make the selection from outstanding

 

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Securities of that series not previously called for redemption.  The Trustee may select for redemption portions of the principal of Securities that have denominations larger than the minimum denomination in which Securities of the applicable series may be issued.  Securities and portions of Securities the Trustee selects will be in amounts equal to the minimum denomination in which Securities of the applicable series may be issued and multiples of that amount.  Provisions of this Indenture that apply to Securities called for redemption also apply to portions of Securities called for redemption.  The Trustee will notify the Company promptly of the Securities or portions of Securities to be redeemed.

 

Section 3.04.         Notice of Redemption at the Company’s Option .  At least 10 days and not more than 60 days before a date set for redemption at the Company’s option, the Company will mail a notice of redemption by first-class mail to each Holder of Securities to be redeemed in whole or in part.

 

The notice will identify the principal amount and series of each Security (including the CUSIP number) to be redeemed and will state:

 

(a)           the redemption date;

 

(b)           the redemption price plus accrued interest, if any;

 

(c)           the name and address of the Paying Agent;

 

(d)           that Securities called for redemption in whole or in part must be surrendered to the Paying Agent to collect the redemption price plus accrued interest, if any;

 

(e)           any conditions precedent to such redemption;

 

(f)            that, subject to any applicable conditions precedent, unless the Company defaults in making the redemption payment, interest on Securities (or portions of Securities) called for redemption will cease to accrue on the redemption date and, if applicable, that those Securities (or the portions of then called for redemption) will cease on the redemption date (or such other date as is provided in the Supplemental Indenture relating to the Securities) to be convertible into, or exchangeable for, other securities or assets;

 

(g)           if applicable, the current conversion or exchange price; and

 

(h)           that no representation is made as to the correctness or accuracy of the CUSIP number, if any, listed in such notice or printed on the Securities.

 

At the Company’s request, pursuant to an Officers’ Certificate delivered to the Trustee at least 15 days prior to the redemption date, the Trustee will give the notice of redemption in the Company’s name and at the Company’s expense.  In such event, the Company will provide the Trustee with the information required by clauses (a) through (c), (e) and (g).

 

Section 3.05.         Effect of Notice of Redemption .  Once notice of redemption is mailed, Securities, or portions of Securities called for redemption will become due and payable on the redemption date and at the redemption price.  Notice of redemption may, at the Company’s

 

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option and discretion, be subject to one or more conditions precedent. Subject to any such conditions precedent, (i) upon surrender to the Paying Agent, those Securities will be paid at the redemption price, plus accrued and unpaid interest to the redemption date and (ii) on and after the date fixed for redemption (unless the Company defaults in the payment of the redemption price, together with interest accrued to the redemption date) interest on the Securities, or portions of them, which are redeemed will cease to accrue and any right to convert those Securities into, or exchange them for, other securities or assets will terminate and those Securities will cease to be convertible or exchangeable.  Failure to give notice or any defect in the notice to any Holder will not affect the validity of the notice to any other Holder.

 

Section 3.06.         Deposit of Redemption Price .  No later than 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time on the redemption date specified in a notice of redemption, the Company will deposit with the Paying Agent (or, if the Company or a Subsidiary is the Paying Agent, segregate and hold in trust) money sufficient to redeem on the redemption date all the Securities called for redemption on that redemption date at the appropriate redemption price, together with accrued interest to the redemption date, other than Securities or portions of Securities called for redemption which have been delivered by the Company to the Trustee for cancellation or Securities which have been surrendered for conversion or exchange.  If any Securities called for redemption are converted or exchanged, any money deposited with the Paying Agent for redemption of those Securities will be paid to the Company upon its request, or, if the money is held in trust by the Company or a Subsidiary as Paying Agent, the money will be discharged from the trust.

 

Section 3.07.         Holder’s Right to Require Redemption .  Holders of Securities of a series will have the right to require the Company to redeem those Securities only to the extent, and only on the terms, set forth in the Supplemental Indenture relating to the Securities of that series.  If Holders of Securities of a series have the right to require the Company to redeem those Securities, unless otherwise provided in the Supplemental Indenture relating to the Securities of that series, the terms of the redemption will include those set forth in Section 3.08.

 

Section 3.08.         Procedure for Requiring Redemption .  If a Holder has the right to require the Company to redeem Securities, to exercise that right, the Holder must deliver the Securities to the Paying Agent, endorsed for transfer and with the form on the reverse side entitled “Option to Require Redemption” completed.  Delivery of Securities to the Paying Agent as provided in this Section will constitute an irrevocable election to cause the specified principal amount of Securities to be redeemed.  When Securities are delivered to the Paying Agent as provided in this Section, unless the Company fails to make the payments due as a result of the redemption within 20 days after the Securities are delivered to the Paying Agent as provided in this Section interest on the Securities will cease to accrue and, if the Securities are convertible or exchangeable, the Holder’s right to convert or exchange the Securities will terminate.

 

The Company’s determination of all questions regarding the validity, eligibility (including time of receipt) and acceptance of any Security for redemption will be final and binding.

 

Section 3.09.         Securities Redeemed in Part .  Upon surrender of a Security that is redeemed in part, the Company will execute and the Trustee will authenticate and deliver to the

 

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Holder (at the Company’s expense) a new Security equal of the same series in principal amount equal to the unredeemed portion of the Security which was surrendered.

 

ARTICLE IV

 

COVENANTS

 

Section 4.01.         Payment of Securities .  The Company will promptly pay or cause to be paid the principal of, premium, if any, and interest, if any, on each of the Securities of a series at the places and time and in the manner provided in the Securities and in the Supplemental Indenture relating to the series.  An installment of principal, premium or interest will be considered paid on the date it is due if the Trustee or Paying Agent holds on that date in accordance with this Indenture or the applicable Supplemental Indenture money designated for and sufficient to pay the installment then due.

 

The Company will pay or cause to be paid interest on overdue principal at the rate specified in the Securities; it will also pay interest on overdue installments of interest at the same rate (or such other rate as is provided in the applicable Supplemental Indenture), to the extent lawful.

 

Section 4.02.         Reporting .

 

(a)           To the extent any Securities of a series are outstanding, the Company shall deliver to the Trustee within 15 days after it files them with the SEC 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 SEC may by rules and regulations prescribe) which the Company is required to file with the SEC pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act. The Company also shall comply with the other provisions of TIA Section 314(a).  Reports, information and documents filed with the SEC via the EDGAR system will be deemed to be delivered to the Trustee as of the time of such filing via EDGAR for purposes of this Section 4.02, provided, however, that the Trustee shall have no obligation whatsoever to determine whether or not such reports, information or documents have been filed pursuant to the “EDGAR” system.

 

(b)           The Trustee shall not be under a duty to review or evaluate any report or information delivered to the Trustee pursuant to the provisions of this Section 4.02 for the purposes of making such reports available to it and to the Holders of Securities of any Series who may request such information.  Delivery of such reports, information and documents to the Trustee as may be required under this Section 4.02 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 Officers’ Certificates).

 

Section 4.03.         Corporate Existence .  Subject to Article V, the Company will do or cause to be done all things necessary to preserve and keep in full force and effect its corporate existence, rights (charter and statutory) and franchises; provided , however , that the Company will not be required to preserve any such right or franchise if the Board of Directors determines

 

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that the preservation of the right or franchise is no longer desirable in the conduct of the business of the Company and that its loss will not be disadvantageous in any material respect to the Holders of Securities of any series.

 

Section 4.04.         Compliance Certificate .  The Company will deliver to the Trustee within 120 days after the end of each fiscal year of the Company (which fiscal year ends on December 31) an Officers’ Certificate stating that in the course of the performance by the signers of their duties as Officers of the Company they would normally have knowledge of any default by the Company and whether or not the signers know of any default that occurred during the fiscal year.  If they do, the certificate will describe the default, its status and what action the Company is taking or proposes to take with respect thereto.  The Company also will comply with TIA Section 314(a)(4).

 

Section 4.05.         Further Instruments and Acts .  Upon request of the Trustee, the Company will execute and deliver such further instruments and do such further acts as may be reasonably necessary or proper to carry out more effectively the purpose of this Indenture.

 

ARTICLE V

 

SUCCESSOR CORPORATION

 

Section 5.01.         Company May Consolidate, Etc., Only on Certain Terms .  The Company will not consolidate with or merge into any other corporation or convey, transfer or lease its properties and assets substantially as an entirety to any person, unless:

 

(a)           the corporation formed by the consolidation or into which the Company is merged or the person which acquires by conveyance or transfer, or which leases, the properties and assets of the Company substantially as an entirety will be a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the United States of America, a State of the United States of America or the District of Columbia and expressly assumes, by a one or more supplemental indentures, executed and delivered to the Trustee, in form satisfactory to the Trustee, the due and punctual payment of the principal of, premium, if any, and interest, if any, on all the Securities of each series and the performance of every covenant of this Indenture and of all Supplemental Indentures to be performed or observed by the Company;

 

(b)           immediately after giving effect to the transaction, no Event of Default, and no event which, after notice or lapse of time or both, would become an Event of Default, will have occurred and be continuing; and

 

(c)           the Company has delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that the consolidation, merger, conveyance, transfer or lease and the supplemental indenture (or the supplemental indentures together) comply with this Article and that all the conditions precedent relating to the transaction set forth in this Section have been fulfilled.

 

Section 5.02.         Successor Corporation Substituted .  Upon any event described in Section 5.01, the successor corporation will succeed to, and be substituted for, and may exercise every right and power of, the Company under this Indenture and all the Supplemental Indentures

 

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relating to outstanding series of Securities, and the predecessor corporation will be relieved of all obligations and covenants under this Indenture and each of those Supplemental Indentures.

 

ARTICLE VI

 

DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES

 

Section 6.01.         Events of Default .  An “ Event of Default ” occurs if:

 

(a)           The Company defaults in the payment of interest on any Security of any series when it becomes due and payable and the default continues for a period of 30 days (or such other period, which may be no period) as is specified in the Supplemental Indenture relating to the series;

 

(b)           The Company defaults in the payment of the principal of, or premium, if any, on any Security of any series as and when it becomes due and payable at its stated maturity or upon redemption, acceleration or otherwise and, if provided in the Supplemental Indenture relating to a series, the default continues for a period specified in the Supplemental Indenture;

 

(c)           The Company fails to comply with any of its other covenants or agreements with regard to Securities of a series or this Indenture (other than a covenant or agreement, a default in whose performance or whose breach is dealt with specifically elsewhere in this Section) and that failure continues for a period of 60 days after the date of the notice specified below;

 

(d)           the Company, pursuant to any Bankruptcy Law applicable to the Company:

 

(i)            commences a voluntary case;

 

(ii)           consents to the entry of an order for relief against it in an involuntary case;

 

(iii)          consents to the appointment of a Custodian of it or for any substantial part of its property; or

 

(iv)          makes a general assignment for the benefit of its creditors; or

 

(e)           a court of competent jurisdiction enters an order or decree under any applicable Bankruptcy Law:

 

(i)            for relief in an involuntary case;

 

(ii)           appointing a Custodian of the Company or for any substantial part of its property; or

 

(iii)          ordering its winding up or liquidation; and the order or decree remains unstayed and in effect for 90 days.

 

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Each of the occurrences described in clauses (a) through (e) will constitute an Event of Default whatever the reason for the occurrence and whether it is voluntary or involuntary or is effected by operation of law or pursuant to any judgment, decree or order of any court or any order, rule or regulation of any administrative or governmental body.

 

The term “ Bankruptcy Law ” means Title 11 of the United States Code or any similar United States Federal or State law for the relief of debtors.  The term “ Custodian ” means any receiver, trustee, assignee, liquidator, custodian or similar official under any Bankruptcy Law.

 

A Default under clause (c) of this Section is not an Event of Default until the Trustee notifies the Company, or the Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the then outstanding Securities of a series with regard to which the Company has failed to comply with a covenant or agreement notify the Company and the Trustee, of the Default and the Company does not cure the Default within 60 days after the giving of the notice.  The notice must specify the Default, demand that it be remedied and state that the notice is a “ Notice of Default .”

 

A Default under clause (a), (b) or (c) with regard to Securities of a series will not constitute a Default with regard to Securities of any other series except to the extent, if any, provided in the Supplemental Indenture relating to the other series.

 

The Company will deliver to the Trustee, within 20 days after it occurs, written notice in the form of an Officers’ Certificate of any event of which the Company is aware which with the giving of notice and the lapse of time would become an Event of Default under clause (c), its status and what action the Company is taking or proposes to take with respect to it.

 

Section 6.02.         Acceleration .  If an Event of Default as to the Securities of a series occurs and is continuing, unless the principal of all of the Securities of the series has already become due and payable, the Trustee by notice to the Company, or the Holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of the series then outstanding by notice to the Company and the Trustee, may declare the principal of and accrued interest, if any, on all the Securities of the series to be due and payable.  Upon such a declaration, that principal and interest will be due and payable immediately.  If an Event of Default specified in Section 6.01(d) or (e) occurs, the principal of, premium, if any, and accrued interest, if any, on all the Securities will automatically become and be immediately due and payable without any declaration or other act on the part of the Trustee or any Securityholders.  The Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Securities of a series then outstanding, on behalf of the Holders of all the Securities of the series, by written notice to the Trustee may rescind an acceleration and its consequences if all existing Events of Default have been cured or waived except nonpayment of principal, premium, if any, or interest, if any, that has become due solely because of acceleration, and if the rescission would not conflict with any judgment or decree.  No such rescission will affect any subsequent default or impair any consequent right.

 

Section 6.03.         Other Remedies .  If an Event of Default as to a series occurs and is continuing, the Trustee may pursue any available remedy to collect the payment of principal of, premium, if any, and interest, if any, on the Securities of the series or to enforce the performance of any provision under this Indenture or any applicable Supplemental Indenture.

 

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The Trustee may maintain a proceeding even if it does not possess any of the Securities or does not produce any of them in the proceeding.  A delay or omission by the Trustee or any Securityholder in exercising any right or remedy accruing upon an Event of Default will not impair the right or remedy or constitute a waiver of or acquiescence in the Event of Default.  No remedy is exclusive of any other remedy.  All available remedies are cumulative.

 

Section 6.04.         Waiver of Existing Defaults .  The Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of a series then outstanding, on behalf of the Holders of all the Securities of that series, by written notice to the Trustee may consent to the waiver of any past Default with regard to Securities of the series and its consequences except (i) a default in the payment of interest or premium, if any, on, or the principal of, Securities of the series, or (ii) a default in respect of a covenant or a provision that under Section 9.02 cannot be modified or amended without the consent of the Holders of all Securities of the series then outstanding.  The defaults described in clauses (i) and (ii) in the previous sentence may be waived with the consent of the Holders of all Securities of the series then outstanding.  When a Default or Event of Default is waived, it is deemed cured and not continuing, but no waiver will extend to any subsequent or other Default or impair any consequent right.

 

Section 6.05.         Control by Majority .  The Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Securities of a series then outstanding may direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee with regard to the Securities of that series or of exercising any trust or power conferred on the Trustee with regard to the Securities of that series.  However, the Trustee may refuse to follow any direction that conflicts with law or this Indenture or, subject to Section 7.01, that the Trustee determines is unduly prejudicial to the rights of other Securityholders or that would involve the Trustee in personal liability; provided , however , that the Trustee may take any other action deemed proper by the Trustee that is not inconsistent with such direction.  Prior to taking any action as a result of a direction given under this Section, the Trustee will be entitled to indemnification satisfactory to it in its sole discretion against all losses and expenses caused by taking or not taking that action.

 

Section 6.06.         Payments of Securities on Default; Suit Therefor .  The Company covenants that upon the occurrence of an Event of Default described in Section 6.01(a) or (b), then, upon demand of the Trustee, the Company will pay to the Trustee, for the benefit of the holders of the Securities in all series, the whole amount that will then have become due and payable on all such Securities for principal, premium, if any, and interest, with interest on the overdue principal and premium, if any, and (to the extent that payment of such interest is enforceable under applicable law) on the overdue installments of interest at the rate borne by the Securities in all series; and, in addition, such further amount as will be sufficient to cover the costs and expenses of collection, including a reasonable compensation to the Trustee, its agents, attorneys and counsel, and any expenses or liabilities incurred by the Trustee hereunder other than through its negligence or willful misconduct.  Until such demand by the Trustee, the Company may pay the principal of and premium, if any, and interest on the Securities of all series to the registered Holders, whether or not the Securities in that series are overdue.

 

Section 6.07.         Limitation on Suits .  A Securityholder may not pursue any remedy with respect to this Indenture unless:

 

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(a)           the Holder gives to the Trustee written notice stating that an Event of Default as to a series is continuing;

 

(b)           the Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the Securities of the series then outstanding make a written request to the Trustee to pursue the remedy;

 

(c)           such Holder or Holders offer to the Trustee security or indemnity satisfactory to the Trustee against any loss, liability or expense;

 

(d)           the Trustee does not comply with the request within 60 days after receipt of the request and the offer of security or indemnity, and the Event of Default has not been waived; and

 

(e)           the Trustee has received no contrary direction from the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Securities of the series then outstanding during such 60-day period.

 

A Securityholder may not use this Indenture to prejudice the rights of another Holder of the same series of Securities or to obtain a preference or priority over another Holder of the same series of Securities (it being understood that the Trustee does not have an affirmative duty to ascertain whether or not such actions or forbearances are unduly prejudicial to such Holders).

 

Section 6.08.         Rights of Holders to Receive Payment and to Demand Conversion .  Notwithstanding any other provision of this Indenture, the right of any Holder of a Security of any series to receive payment of principal of, premium, if any, and interest, if any, on the Security (and interest on overdue principal and interest on overdue installments of interest, if any, as provided in Section 4.01), on or after the respective due dates expressed in the Security or, in the case of redemption, on or after the redemption date, or in the case of conversion or exchange, to receive the security issuable upon conversion or exchange or to institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment, conversion or exchange on or after the applicable due date, redemption date or conversion or exchange date, as the case may be, against the Company, will not be impaired or affected without the consent of the Holder.

 

Section 6.09.         Collection Suit by Trustee .  If an Event of Default in payment of principal, premium, if any, or interest, if any, specified in clause (a) or (b) of Section 6.01 occurs and is continuing, the Trustee may recover judgment in its own name and as trustee of an express trust against the Company for the whole amount of principal, premium, if any, and interest remaining unpaid (together with interest on that unpaid interest to the extent lawful) and the amounts provided for in Section 7.07.

 

Section 6.10.         Trustee May File Proofs of Claim .  The Trustee may file such proofs of claim and other papers or documents as may be necessary or advisable in order to have the claims of the Trustee and the Holders of the Securities of any or all series allowed in any judicial proceedings relative to the Company, its creditors or its property and, unless prohibited by law or applicable regulations, may vote on behalf of the Holders in any election of a trustee in bankruptcy or other person performing similar functions, and any Custodian in any such judicial proceeding is hereby authorized by each Holder to make payments to the Trustee and, if the Trustee consents to the making of such payments directly to the Holders, to pay to the Trustee

 

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any amount due it for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and its counsel, and any other amounts due the Trustee under Section 7.07.

 

Section 6.11.         Restoration of Positions .  If a judicial proceeding by the Trustee or a Securityholder to enforce any right or remedy under this Indenture or any Supplemental Indenture is dismissed or decided favorably to the Company, except as otherwise provided in the judicial proceeding, the Company, the Trustee and the Securityholders will be restored to the positions they would have been in if the judicial proceeding had not been instituted.

 

Section 6.12.         Priorities .  If the Trustee collects any money pursuant to this Article VI with respect to Securities of a series, subject to Article XI, it will pay out the money or property in the following order:

 

FIRST : to the Trustee and its attorneys and agents for amounts due under Section 7.07;

 

SECOND : to Securityholders for amounts due and unpaid on the Securities of the series for principal and interest, ratably, without preference or priority of any kind, according to the amounts due and payable on the Securities of the series for principal and interest, respectively; and

 

THIRD : to the Company.

 

The Trustee may fix a record date and payment date for any payment to Holders of Securities of a series pursuant to this Section.  At least 15 days before the record date, the Company will mail to each Holder of Securities of the series and the Trustee a notice that states the record date, the payment date and the amount to be paid.

 

Section 6.13.         Undertaking for Costs .  In any suit for the enforcement of any right or remedy under this Indenture or any Supplemental Indenture, or in any suit against the Trustee for any action taken or omitted by it as Trustee, a court in its discretion may require the filing by any party litigant in the suit of an undertaking to pay the costs of the suit, and the court in its discretion may assess reasonable costs, including reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses, against any party litigant in the suit, having due regard to the merits and good faith of the claims or defenses made by the party litigant.  This Section 6.13 does not apply to a suit by the Trustee, a suit by a Holder pursuant to Section 6.07, or a suit by Holders of in aggregate more than 10% in principal amount of the Securities of a series then outstanding, or to any suit instituted by any Holder for the enforcement of the payment of the principal of, premium, if any, or interest on any Security held by that Holder on or after the due date provided in the Security or to any suit for the enforcement of the right to convert or exchange any Security in accordance with the provisions of a Supplemental Indenture applicable to that Security.

 

Section 6.14.         Stay, Extension or Usury Laws .  The Company agrees (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, and will resist any and all efforts to be compelled to take the benefit or advantage of, any stay or extension law or any usury or other law, wherever enacted, now or at any subsequent time in force, which would prohibit or forgive the Company from paying all or any portion of the principal of, premium, if any, and/or interest on any of the Securities as contemplated in this Indenture or a Supplemental Indenture, or which may affect the covenants

 

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or 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 agrees that it will not hinder, delay or impede the execution of any power granted to the Trustee in this Indenture or any Supplemental Indenture, but (to the extent that it may lawfully do so) will suffer and permit the execution of any such power as though no such law had been enacted.

 

Section 6.15.         Liability of Stockholders, Officers, Directors and Incorporators .  No stockholder, officer, director or incorporator, as such, past, present or future, of the Company, or any of its successor corporations, will have any personal liability in respect of the Company’s obligations under this Indenture or any Securities by reason of his or its status as such stockholder, officer, director or incorporator; provided , however , that nothing in this Indenture or in the Securities will prevent recourse to and enforcement of the liability of any stockholder or subscriber to capital stock in respect of shares of capital stock which have not been fully paid up.

 

ARTICLE VII

 

TRUSTEE

 

Section 7.01.         Duties of Trustee .

 

(a)           If an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Trustee will exercise the rights and powers vested in it by this Indenture and any applicable Supplemental Indenture and use the same degree of care and skill in their exercise as a prudent man would exercise or use under the circumstances in the conduct of his own affairs.

 

(b)           Except during the continuance of an Event of Default:

 

(i)            the Trustee undertakes to perform such duties and only such duties as are specifically set forth in this Indenture and any Supplemental Indentures and no implied covenants or obligations will be read into this Indenture or any Supplemental 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 in them, upon certificates or opinions furnished to the Trustee and conforming to the requirements of this Indenture in the absence of willful misconduct on the Trustee’s part; provided , however , that the Trustee will examine the certificates and opinions to determine whether or not they substantially conform to the requirements of this Indenture (but need not confirm or investigate the accuracy of mathematical calculations or other facts stated therein).

 

(c)           The Trustee may not be relieved from liability for its own negligent action, its own negligent failure to act, or its own willful misconduct, except that:

 

(i)            this paragraph does not limit the effect of paragraph (b) of this Section 7.01;

 

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(ii)           the Trustee will not be liable for any error of judgment made in good faith by a Trust Officer, unless it is proved that the Trustee was negligent in ascertaining the pertinent facts;

 

(iii)          the Trustee will not be liable with respect to any action it takes or omits to take in good faith in accordance with a direction received by it pursuant to Section 6.05; and

 

(iv)          the Trustee will not be required to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise incur financial liability in the performance of any of its duties under this Indenture or any Supplemental Indenture or in the exercise of any of its rights or powers, if it has reasonable grounds to believe repayment of the funds or adequate indemnity against the risk or liability is not reasonably assured to it.

 

(d)           Every provision of this Indenture relating to the conduct or affecting the liability of or affording protection to the Trustee is subject to the provisions of this Section 7.01 and to the provisions of the TIA.

 

(e)           The Trustee may refuse to perform any duty or exercise any right or power unless it receives indemnity satisfactory to it against any loss, liability or expense.

 

(f)            The Trustee will not be liable for interest on any money received by it except as the Trustee may agree in writing with the Company.  Money and Government Obligations held in trust by the Trustee need not be segregated from other funds or items except to the extent required by law.

 

(g)           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 not less than a majority in principal amount of the Securities at the time outstanding given pursuant to Section 6.05 of this Indenture, 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 or any Supplemental Indenture.

 

Section 7.02.         Rights of Trustee .

 

(a)           The Trustee may conclusively rely on any document believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper person.  The Trustee need not investigate any fact or matter stated in the document.

 

(b)           Before the Trustee acts or refrains from acting, it may require an Officers’ Certificate or an Opinion of Counsel or both which conforms to Section 12.05.  The Trustee will not be liable for any action it takes or omits to take in good faith in reliance on such an Officers’ Certificate or Opinion of Counsel.

 

(c)           The Trustee may act through agents or attorneys and will not be responsible for the misconduct or negligence of any agent or attorney appointed with due care.

 

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(d)           The Trustee will not be liable for any action it takes or omits to take in good faith which it believes to be authorized or within its rights or powers, except conduct which constitutes willful misconduct or negligence.

 

(e)           The Trustee may consult with counsel of its selection, and the Trustee will not be liable for any action it takes or omits in reliance on, and in accordance with, the advice of counsel and in good faith.

 

(f)            The Trustee will not be required to investigate any facts or matters stated in any document, but if it decides to investigate any matters or facts, the Trustee or its agents or attorneys will be entitled to examine the books, records and premises of the Company at the expense of the Company, and shall incur no liability or additional liability of any kind by reason of such inquiry or investigation.

 

(g)           The Trustee shall not be deemed to have notice of any Default or Event of Default unless a Trust Officer of the Trustee has actual knowledge thereof or unless written notice of any event which is in fact such a default is received by the Trustee at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee, and such notice references the Securities and this Indenture.

 

(h)           The rights, privileges, protections, immunities and benefits given to the Trustee, including, without limitation, its right to be indemnified, are 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.

 

(i)            In no event shall the Trustee be responsible or liable for 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.

 

(j)            The Trustee may request that the Company deliver a certificate setting forth the names of individuals and/or titles of officers authorized at such time to take specified actions pursuant to this Indenture.

 

Section 7.03.         Individual Rights of Trustee .  The Trustee in its individual or any other capacity may become the owner or pledgee of Securities and may otherwise deal with the Company or any of its affiliates with the same rights it would have if it were not Trustee.  Any Paying Agent, Registrar, co-registrar or co-paying agent may do the same with like rights.  However, the Trustee must comply with Sections 7.10 and 7.11.

 

Section 7.04.         Trustee’s Disclaimer .  The Trustee (i) is not responsible for and makes no representation as to the validity or adequacy of this Indenture, (ii) will not be responsible for and will not make any representation as to the validity or adequacy of any Supplemental Indenture, (iii) will not be accountable for the Company’s use of the proceeds from the Securities of any series, and (iv) will not be responsible for any statement of the Company in this Indenture or any Supplemental Indenture, other than the Trustee’s certificate of authentication, or in any prospectus used in the sale of any of the Securities, other than statements, if any, provided in writing by the Trustee for use in such a prospectus.

 

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Section 7.05.                           Notice of Defaults .  The Trustee will give to the Holders of the Securities of a series notice of any Default with regard to the Securities of that series actually known to a Trust Officer, within 90 days after receipt of such knowledge and in the manner and to the extent provided in TIA Section 313(c), and otherwise as provided in Section 12.03 of this Indenture; provided , however , that , except in the case of a Default in the payment of the principal of, or premium, if any, or interest on any Security, the Trustee will be protected in withholding notice of the Default if and so long as it in good faith determines that the withholding of the notice is in the interests of the Holders of the Securities of the series.

 

Section 7.06.                           Reports by Trustee .  Within 60 days after each May 15 beginning with the May 15 following the date of this Indenture, the Trustee will mail to each Securityholder, if any, at the name and address which appears on the registration books of the Company, and to each Securityholder who has, within the two years preceding the mailing, filed that person’s name and address with the Trustee for that purpose and each Securityholder whose name and address have been furnished to the Trustee pursuant to Section 2.07, a brief report dated as of that May 15 which complies with TIA Section 313(a) Reports to Securityholders pursuant to this Section 7.06 shall be transmitted in the manner and to the extent provided in TIA Section 313(c) The Trustee also will comply with TIA Section 313(b).

 

A copy of each report will at the time of its mailing to Securityholders as required be filed with each stock exchange on which Securities are listed, if any, and also with the SEC.  The Company will promptly notify the Trustee in writing when the Securities of any series are listed on any stock exchange and of any delisting of Securities of any series.

 

Section 7.07.                           Compensation and Indemnity .  The Company will pay to the Trustee from time to time such compensation for its services as mutually agreed to in writing.  The Trustee’s compensation will not be limited by any law on compensation of a trustee of an express trust.  The Company will reimburse the Trustee upon request for all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred or made by it, including costs of collection, in addition to the compensation for its services.  Those expenses will include the reasonable compensation and expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee’s agents, counsel, accountants and experts.  The Company will indemnify the Trustee against any and all loss, liability, claims (whether asserted by the Company, a holder or any other person) or expense (including reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses) incurred by it in connection with the administration of the trust created by this Indenture or any Supplemental Indenture and the performance of its duties under this Indenture or any Supplemental Indenture.  The Trustee will notify the Company promptly of any claim for which it may seek indemnity.  Failure by the Trustee to so notify the Company will not relieve the Company of its obligations under this Section.  The Company will defend the claim and the Trustee may have separate counsel and the Company will pay the fees and expenses of such counsel.  The Company need not pay for any settlement made without its consent, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld. The Company need not reimburse any expense or indemnify against any loss, expense or liability incurred by the Trustee to the extent it is due to the Trustee’s own willful misconduct or negligence.

 

To secure the Company’s obligation to make payments to the Trustee under this Section 7.07, the Trustee will have a lien prior to the Securities on all money or property held or collected by the Trustee, other than money or property held in trust to pay principal or interest on

 

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particular Securities.  Those obligations of the Company will survive the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture and the resignation or removal of the Trustee.

 

When the Trustee incurs expenses or renders services after an Event of Default specified in clause (d) or (e) of Section 6.01 occurs, the expenses and the compensation for the services of the Trustee are intended to constitute expenses of administration under any Bankruptcy Law.

 

For purposes of this Section 7.07, “Trustee” will include any predecessor Trustee, but the willful misconduct, negligence or bad faith of any Trustee will not affect the rights of any other Trustee under this Section 7.07.

 

Section 7.08.                           Replacement of Trustee .  The Trustee may resign at any time by so notifying the Company.  The Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of all series then outstanding may remove the Trustee by so notifying the Trustee and the Company and may appoint a successor Trustee.  The Company may remove the Trustee if:

 

(a)                                  the Trustee fails to comply with Section 7.10;

 

(b)                                  the Trustee is adjudged bankrupt or insolvent or an order for relief is entered with respect to the Trustee under any bankruptcy law;

 

(c)                                   a receiver or other public officer takes charge of the Trustee or its property; or

 

(d)                                  the Trustee becomes incapable of acting.

 

If the Trustee resigns or is removed or if a vacancy exists in the office of Trustee for any reason, the Company will promptly appoint a successor Trustee.  Within one year after the successor Trustee takes office, the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of Securities of all series then outstanding may appoint a successor Trustee to replace the successor Trustee appointed by the Company.

 

No removal or appointment of a Trustee will be valid if that removal or appointment would conflict with any law applicable to the Company.

 

A successor Trustee will deliver a written acceptance of its appointment to the retiring Trustee and to the Company.  Immediately after that, the retiring Trustee will, subject to the lien provided for in Section 7.07, transfer all property held by it as a Trustee to the successor Trustee, the resignation or removal of the retiring Trustee will become effective, and the successor Trustee will have all the rights, powers and duties of the Trustee under this Indenture and all Supplemental Indentures.  A successor Trustee will mail notice of its succession to each Securityholder.

 

If a successor Trustee does not take office within 60 days after the retiring Trustee resigns or is removed, the retiring Trustee, the Company or the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of Securities of all series then outstanding may petition any court of competent jurisdiction, at the expense of the Company, for the appointment of a successor Trustee.

 

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If the Trustee fails to comply with Section 7.10, any Securityholder may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the removal of the Trustee and the appointment of a successor Trustee.

 

Notwithstanding the replacement of the Trustee pursuant to this Section, the Company’s obligations under Section 7.07 will continue for the benefit of the retiring Trustee.

 

Section 7.09.                           Successor Trustee by Merger, Etc .  If the Trustee consolidates with, merges or converts into, or transfers all or substantially all of its corporate trust assets to, another Person, the resulting, surviving or transferee Person will, without any further act, be the successor Trustee.

 

If at the time a successor by merger, conversion or consolidation to the Trustee succeeds to the trusts created by this Indenture any of the Securities have been authenticated but not delivered, the successor to the Trustee may adopt the certificate of authentication of the predecessor Trustee, and deliver the Securities which were authenticated by the predecessor Trustee; and if at that time any of the Securities have not been authenticated, the successor to the Trustee may authenticate those Securities in its own name as the successor to the Trustee; and in either case the certificates of authentication will have the full force provided in this Indenture for certificates of authentication.

 

Section 7.10.                           Eligibility; Disqualification .  The Trustee will at all times satisfy the requirements of TIA Section 310(a).  The Trustee will at all times have (or shall be a member of a bank holding company system whose parent corporation has) a combined capital and surplus of at least $50,000,000 as set forth in its most recently published annual report of condition, which will be deemed for this paragraph to be its combined capital and surplus.  The Trustee will comply with TIA Section 310(b).

 

Section 7.11.                           Preferential Collection of Claims .  The Trustee will comply with TIA Section 311(a), excluding any creditor relationship listed in TIA Section 311(b).  A Trustee who has resigned or been removed will be subject to TIA Section 311(a) to the extent indicated.

 

ARTICLE VIII

 

DISCHARGE OF INDENTURE

 

Section 8.01.                           Termination of the Company’s Obligations .  When (i) the Company delivers to the Trustee all outstanding Securities of all series (other than Securities replaced pursuant to Section 2.09) for cancellation or (ii) all outstanding Securities of all series have become due and payable, or are due and payable within one year or are to be called for redemption within one year, under arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for giving the notice of redemption, and the Company irrevocably deposits in trust with the Trustee (subject to Article XI) money or U.S. Government Obligations sufficient to pay the principal, premium, if any, and interest, if any, on the Securities of all series to maturity or redemption, as the case may be, and if, in the case of either (i) or (ii) above the Company also pays or causes to be paid all other sums payable by the Company under this Indenture, then this Indenture will cease to be of further effect.

 

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Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company’s obligations to pay principal, premium, if any, and interest, if any, on the Securities and the Company’s obligations in Sections 2.05, 2.06, 2.07, 2.08, 2.09, 7.07, 7.08 and in Article X will survive until all the Securities of all series are no longer outstanding.  Thereafter, the Company’s obligations in Section 7.07 will survive.

 

Before or after a deposit the Company may make arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for the redemption of Securities of a series at a future date to the extent the Securities are redeemable in accordance with Article III and the applicable Supplemental Indenture.

 

After a deposit pursuant to this Section 8.01 or after all outstanding Securities of all series have been delivered to the Trustee for cancellation, the Trustee upon written request from the Company, accompanied by an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel which complies with Section 12.05, and at the cost of the Company, will acknowledge in writing the satisfaction and discharge of the Company’s obligations under the Securities of all series and this Indenture except for those surviving obligations specified above.

 

In order to have money available on payment dates to pay principal, premium, if any, or interest, if any, on the Securities of a series, the U.S. Government Obligations will be payable as to principal, premium, if any, or interest on or before those payment dates in amounts sufficient to provide the necessary money.  U.S. Government Obligations used for this purpose may not be callable at the issuer’s option.

 

U.S. Government Obligations ” means:

 

(a)                                  direct obligations of the United States for the payment of which its full faith and credit is pledged;

 

or

 

(b)                                  obligations of a person controlled or supervised by and acting as an agency or instrumentality of the United States the payment of which is unconditionally guaranteed as a full faith and credit obligation by the United States.

 

Section 8.02.                           Application of Trust Money .  Subject to Article XI and Section 8.03, the Trustee will hold in trust money or U.S. Government Obligations deposited with it pursuant to Section 8.01.  It will apply the deposited money and the money from the U.S. Government Obligations through the Paying Agent and in accordance with this Indenture and any applicable Supplemental Indentures to the payment of principal of, premium, if any, and interest, if any, on the Securities with regard to which the money or U.S. Government Obligations were deposited.

 

Section 8.03.                           Repayment to the Company .  The Trustee and the Paying Agent will promptly pay to the Company upon written request any excess money or securities held by them at any time.  The Trustee and the Paying Agent will, subject to applicable escheatment laws, pay to the Company upon written request any money held by them for the payment of principal, premium or interest that remains unclaimed for two years.  After such payment, the Holder of any Securities shall thereafter look to the Company for any payment which such Holder may be entitled to collect, and all liability of the Trustee and the Paying Agent with respect to that money will cease.

 

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ARTICLE IX

 

AMENDMENTS, SUPPLEMENTS AND WAIVERS

 

Section 9.01.                           Without Consent of Holders .  The Company and the Trustee may amend or supplement this Indenture or the Securities without notice to or consent of any Securityholder:

 

(a)                                  to cure any ambiguity, defect or inconsistency, or to conform any provision hereof to any provision under the heading “Description of Debt Securities” in the applicable prospectus, in each case as evidenced in an Officers’ Certificate;

 

(b)                                  to comply with Article V;

 

(c)                                   to establish the form and terms of the Securities of any series as contemplated in Article II of this Indenture;

 

(d)                                  to provide for uncertificated Securities in addition to or in place of certificated Securities; or

 

(e)                                   to make any change that does not materially adversely affect the rights of any Securityholder.

 

After an amendment under this Section becomes effective, the Company will mail to the Securityholders a notice briefly describing the amendment.  The failure to give such notice to all Securityholders, or any defect in a notice, will not impair or affect the validity of an amendment under this Section.

 

Section 9.02.                           With Consent of Holders .  The Company and the Trustee may (i) amend or supplement this Indenture or the Securities without notice to any Securityholder but with the written consent of the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of all series then outstanding or (ii) supplement this Indenture with regard to a series of Securities, amend or supplement a Supplemental Indenture relating to a series of Securities, or amend the Securities of a series, without notice to any Securityholder but with the written consent of the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of that series then outstanding.  The Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Securities of all series then outstanding may waive compliance by the Company with any provision of this Indenture or the Securities without notice to any Securityholder.  The Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Securities of any series then outstanding may waive compliance with any provision of this Indenture, any Supplemental Indenture or the Securities of that series with regard to the Securities of that series without notice to any Securityholder.  However, without the consent of the Holder so affected, no amendment, supplement or waiver, including a waiver pursuant to Section 6.04, may:

 

(a)                                  extend the fixed maturity of any Security, reduce the rate or extend the time for payment of interest on any Security, reduce the principal amount of any Security or premium, if any, on any Security;

 

25



 

(b)                                  impair or affect the right of a Holder to institute suit for the payment of interest, if any, principal or premium, if any, on the Securities;

 

(c)                                   change the currency in which the Securities are payable from that specified in the Securities or in a Supplemental Indenture applicable to the Securities;

 

(d)                                  impair the right, if any, to convert the Securities into, or exchange the Securities for, other securities or assets;

 

(e)                                   reduce the percentage of Securities required to consent to an amendment, supplement or waiver;

 

(f)                                    reduce the amount payable upon the redemption of any Security or change the time at which any Security may or will be redeemed;

 

(g)                                   modify the provisions of any Supplemental Indenture with respect to subordination of the Securities of a series in a manner adverse to the Securityholders; or

 

(h)                                  make any change in Section 6.04 or 6.08 or the fourth sentence of this Section.

 

It will not be necessary for the consent of the Holders under this Section to approve the particular form of any proposed amendment, supplement or waiver, but it will be sufficient if the consent approves the substance of the amendment, supplement or waiver.

 

Section 9.03.                           Compliance with Trust Indenture Act .  Every amendment or supplement to this Indenture, any Supplemental Indenture or the Securities will comply with the TIA as then in effect.

 

Section 9.04.                           Revocation and Effect of Consents .  A consent to an amendment, supplement or waiver by a Holder of a Security will bind the Holder and every subsequent Holder of a Security or portion of a Security that evidences the same debt as the consenting Holder’s Security, even if notation of the consent is not made on any Security.  However, any such Holder or subsequent Holder may revoke the consent as to the Holder’s Security or portion of a Security.  For a revocation to be effective, the Trustee must receive written notice of the revocation before the date the amendment, supplement or waiver becomes effective.  After an amendment, supplement or waiver becomes effective in accordance with its terms, it will bind every Holder of every Security of every series to which it applies.

 

Section 9.05.                           Notation on or Exchange of Securities .  If an amendment changes the terms of a series of Securities, the Trustee may require the Holder of a Security of the series to deliver the Holder’s Security to the Trustee, who will place an appropriate notation about the amendment, supplement or waiver on the Security and will return it to the Holder.  Alternatively, the Company may, in exchange for the Security, issue, and the Trustee will authenticate, a new Security that reflects the amendment, supplement or waiver.

 

Section 9.06.                           Trustee to Sign Amendments, Etc .  The Trustee will sign any amendment, supplement or waiver authorized pursuant to Article II or this Article IX if the

 

26



 

amendment, supplement or waiver does not adversely affect the rights, liabilities or immunities of the Trustee.  If it does adversely affect those rights, liabilities or immunities, the Trustee may but need not sign it.  The Company may not sign an amendment or supplement until the amendment or supplement is approved by an appropriate Board Resolution. A Board Resolution authorizing the creation of one or more series of Securities pursuant to Article II may provide that, prior to the issuance of any such series, any or all terms of such series may be set forth in or determined in the manner provided in an Officers’ Certificate. In executing any Supplemental Indenture permitted by this Article the Trustee shall receive, and shall be fully protected in relying upon, an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel stating that the execution of such Supplemental Indenture is authorized or permitted by this Indenture and that such Supplemental Indenture is the legal, valid and binding obligation of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with its terms.

 

ARTICLE X

 

CONVERSION OR EXCHANGE OF SECURITIES

 

Section 10.01.                    Provisions Relating to Conversion or Exchange of Securities .  Any rights which Holders of Securities of a series will have to convert those Securities into other securities of the Company or to exchange those Securities for securities of other Persons or other assets, including but not limited to the terms of the conversion or exchange and the circumstances, if any, under which those terms will be adjusted to prevent dilution or otherwise, will be set forth in a Supplemental Indenture relating to the series of Securities.  In the absence of provisions in a Supplemental Indenture relating to a series of Securities setting forth rights to convert or exchange the Securities of that series into or for other securities or assets, Holders of the Securities of that series will not have any such rights.

 

ARTICLE XI

 

SINKING OR PURCHASE FUNDS

 

Section 11.01.                    Provisions Relating to Sinking or Purchase Funds .  Any requirements that the Company make, or rights of the Company to make at its option, payments prior to maturity of the Securities of a series which will be used as a fund with which to redeem or to purchase Securities of that series, including but not limited to provisions regarding the amount of the payments, when the Company will be required, or will have the option, to make the payments and when the payments will be applied, will be set forth in a Supplemental Indenture relating to the series of Securities.  In the absence of provisions in a Supplemental Indenture relating to a series of Securities setting forth requirements that the Company make, or rights of the Company to make at its option, payments to be used as a fund with which to redeem or purchase Securities of the series, the Company will not be subject to any such requirements and will not have any such rights.  However, unless otherwise specifically provided in a Supplemental Indenture relating to a series of Securities, the Company will at all times have the right to purchase Securities from Holders in market transactions or otherwise.

 

27



 

ARTICLE XII

 

MISCELLANEOUS

 

Section 12.01.                    Trust Indenture Act Controls .  If any provision of this Indenture or any Supplemental Indenture limits, qualifies or conflicts with the duties imposed by Sections 310 through 317 of the TIA, the imposed duties will control.

 

Section 12.02.                    Supplemental Indentures Contract .  If any provision of a Supplemental Indenture relating to a series of Securities is inconsistent with any provision of this Indenture, the provision of the Supplemental Indenture will control with regard to the Securities of the series to which it relates.

 

Section 12.03.                    Notices .  Any notice or communication under or relating to this Indenture or any Supplemental Indenture will be sufficiently given if in writing and delivered in person, emailed to the address that follows or mailed by first-class mail, certified or registered, overnight delivery return receipt requested, addressed as follows:

 

if to the Company:

Sutherland Asset Management Corporation

 

1140 Avenue of the Americas, 7th Floor

 

New York, New York 10036

 

Attention: Chief Executive Officer

 

 

 

Email: Rherbst@waterfallam.com

 

 

if to the Trustee:

U.S. Bank National Association,

 

60 Livingston Avenue St. Paul, MN 55107

 

Attention: Global Corporate Trust Services

 

Either the Company or the Trustee by a notice to the other may designate additional or different addresses for subsequent notices or communications.

 

Any notice or communication mailed to a Securityholder will be mailed to the Securityholder at the Securityholder’s address as it appears on the registration books of the Registrar and will be sufficiently given to the Securityholder if so mailed within the time prescribed.

 

Failure to mail a notice or communication to a Securityholder or any defect in it will not affect its sufficiency with respect to other Securityholders.  If a notice or communication is emailed or mailed in the manner provided above, it is duly given, whether or not the addressee receives it.

 

If by reason of the suspension of regular mail service, or by reason of any other cause, it is impossible to mail any notice as required by this Indenture or any Supplemental Indenture, then any method of notification which is approved by the Trustee will constitute a sufficient mailing of the notice.

 

28



 

The Company may set a record date for purposes of determining the identity of Securityholders entitled to vote or consent to any action by vote or consent authorized or permitted by Sections 6.04 and 6.05.  The record date will be the later of 30 days prior to the first solicitation of consents or the date of the most recent list of Holders furnished to the Trustee pursuant to Section 2.07 prior to the solicitation.

 

Section 12.04.                    Communication by Holders with Other Holders .  Securityholders may communicate pursuant to TIA Section 312(b) with other Securityholders with respect to their rights under this Indenture or the Securities.  Each of the Company, the Trustee, the Registrar and anyone else will have the protection of TIA Section 312(c).

 

Section 12.05.                    Certificate and Opinion as to Conditions Precedent .  Upon any request or application by the Company to the Trustee to take any action under this Indenture or any Supplemental Indenture, the Company will furnish to the Trustee:

 

(a)                                  an Officers’ Certificate stating that, in the opinion of the signer, all conditions precedent, if any, provided for in this Indenture or any Supplemental Indenture relating to the proposed action have been complied with;

 

(b)                                  an Opinion of Counsel stating that, in the opinion of such counsel, all those conditions precedent have been complied with; and

 

(c)                                   such other opinions and certificates as may be required by applicable provisions of this Indenture or the Supplemental Indenture.

 

Each certificate or opinion with respect to compliance with a condition or covenant provided for in this Indenture or a Supplemental Indenture will include (i) a statement that the person making the certificate or opinion has read the covenant or condition; (ii) a brief statement as to the nature and scope of the examination or investigation upon which the statements or opinions contained in the certificate or opinion are based; (iii) a statement that, in the opinion of the person giving the certificate or opinion, that person has made such examination or investigation as is necessary to enable that person to express an informed opinion as to whether or not the covenant or condition has been complied with; and (iv) a statement as to whether or not, in the opinion of that person, the condition or covenant has been complied with.  Nothing in this Section 12.05 will be construed as requiring that the Company furnish to the Trustee any evidence of compliance with the conditions and covenants provided for in this Indenture or any Supplemental Indenture other than the evidence specified in this Section 12.05.

 

Section 12.06.                    When Treasury Securities Disregarded .  In determining whether the Holders of the required principal amount of Securities have concurred in any direction, waiver or consent, Securities owned by the Company, or anyone under direct or indirect control or under direct or indirect common control with the Company will be disregarded and deemed not to be outstanding, except that for the purposes of determining whether the Trustee will be protected in relying on any such direction, waiver or consent, only Securities which a Trust Officer of the Trustee actually knows are so owned will be so disregarded.  Securities so owned which have been pledged in good faith will not be disregarded if the pledgee establishes to the satisfaction of the Trustee the pledgee’s right to act with respect to the Securities and that the pledgee is not the

 

29



 

Company or a person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by, or under common control with, the Company.  Nothing in this Section 12.06 will be construed as requiring that the Company furnish to the Trustee any evidence of compliance with the conditions and covenants provided for in the Indenture other than the evidence specified in this Section 12.06.

 

Section 12.07.                    Rules by Trustee, Paying Agent, Registrar .  The Trustee may make reasonable rules for action by or at a meeting of Securityholders.  The Paying Agent or Registrar may make reasonable rules for its functions.

 

Section 12.08.                    Legal Holidays .  A “ Legal Holiday ” is a Saturday, a Sunday, or a day on which banking institutions are not required to be open in the State of New York.  If a payment date is a Legal Holiday at a place of payment, payment may be made at that place on the next succeeding day that is not a Legal Holiday, and no interest on the sum being paid will accrue for the intervening period.

 

Section 12.09.                    Governing Law and Submission to Jurisdiction; Waiver of Jury Trial .  The laws of the State of New York will govern this Indenture, each Supplemental Indenture and the Securities.  The Company submits to the jurisdiction of the courts of the State of New York sitting in the Borough of Manhattan, City of New York, and of the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, in any action or proceeding to enforce any of its obligations under this Indenture or any Supplemental Indenture or with regard to the Securities, and agrees not to seek a transfer of any such action or proceeding on the basis of inconvenience of the forum or otherwise (but the Company will not be prevented from removing any such action or proceeding from a state court to the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York).  The Company agrees that process in any such action or proceeding may be served upon it by registered mail or in any other manner permitted by the rules of the court in which the action or proceeding is brought.

 

EACH OF THE COMPANY, THE HOLDERS AND THE TRUSTEE 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 INDENTURE, THE NOTES OR THE TRANSACTION CONTEMPLATED HEREBY.

 

Section 12.10.                    Actions by the Company .  Any action or proceeding brought by the Company to enforce any right, assert any claim or obtain any relief in connection with this Indenture, any Supplemental Indenture or the Securities will be brought by the Company exclusively in the courts of the State of New York sitting in the Borough of Manhattan, City of New York or in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York.

 

Section 12.11.                    No Adverse Interpretation of Other Agreements .  Neither this Indenture nor any Supplemental Indenture may be used to interpret another indenture, loan or debt agreement of the Company or any Subsidiary.  No such indenture, loan or debt agreement may be used to interpret this Indenture or any Supplemental Indenture.

 

30



 

Section 12.12.      Successors .  All agreements of the Company in this Indenture, any Supplemental Indentures and the Securities will bind its successors.  All agreements of the Trustee in this Indenture and any Supplemental Indentures will bind its successors.

 

Section 12.13.      Duplicate Originals .  The parties may sign any number of copies of this Indenture or any Supplemental Indenture.  Each signed copy will be an original, but all of them together will represent the same agreement.  The exchange of copies of this Indenture or any Supplemental Indenture and of signature pages by facsimile or PDF transmission shall constitute effective execution and delivery of this Indenture or any Supplemental Indenture as to the parties hereto and may be used in lieu of the original Indenture or any Supplemental Indenture for all purposes.  Signatures of the parties hereto transmitted by facsimile or PDF shall be deemed to be their original signatures for all purposes.

 

Section 12.14.      Table of Contents, Headings, etc .  The table of contents, cross-reference sheet and headings of the Articles and Sections of this Indenture have been inserted for convenience of reference only.  They are not to be considered a part of this Indenture, and will in no way modify or restrict any of the terms or provisions of this Indenture.

 

Section 12.15.      U.S.A. PATRIOT Act.  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 12.16.      Force Majeure.  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.

 

31



 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties to this Indenture have caused it to be duly executed as of the day and year first above written.

 

 

SUTHERLAND ASSET MANGEMENT CORPORATION

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name: Thomas E. Capasse

 

 

Title: Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as Trustee

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 



 

EXHIBIT A

 

FORM OF TRUSTEE’S CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICATION

 

This is one of the Securities of the series described in the within-mentioned Indenture and Supplemental Indenture.

 

 

U.S. Bank, National Association as Trustee

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Authorized Signatory

 

 

 

 

Dated:

 

A- 1


Exhibit 4.2

 

 

CLIFFORD CHANCE US LLP

 

 

Dated as of August 9, 2017

 

SUTHERLAND ASSET MANAGEMENT CORPORATION,
as Issuer

 

and

 

U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,
as Trustee

 


 

INDENTURE

 


 



 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

 

Page

 

 

 

ARTICLE I DEFINITIONS AND INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

1

 

 

 

 

Section 1.01.

 

Definitions

1

 

 

 

 

Section 1.02.

 

Incorporation by Reference of Trust Indenture Act

3

 

 

 

 

Section 1.03.

 

Rules of Construction

3

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE II THE SECURITIES

4

 

 

 

 

Section 2.01.

 

Form and Dating

4

 

 

 

 

Section 2.02.

 

Amount Unlimited; Issuable in Series

4

 

 

 

 

Section 2.03.

 

Denominations

5

 

 

 

 

Section 2.04.

 

Execution and Authentication

5

 

 

 

 

Section 2.05.

 

Registrar and Paying Agent

5

 

 

 

 

Section 2.06.

 

Paying Agent to Hold Money in Trust

5

 

 

 

 

Section 2.07.

 

Securityholder Lists

6

 

 

 

 

Section 2.08.

 

Transfer and Exchange

6

 

 

 

 

Section 2.09.

 

Replacement Securities

7

 

 

 

 

Section 2.10.

 

Outstanding Securities

7

 

 

 

 

Section 2.11.

 

Temporary Securities

7

 

 

 

 

Section 2.12.

 

Cancellation

7

 

 

 

 

Section 2.13.

 

Defaulted Interest

8

 

 

 

 

Section 2.14.

 

CUSIP Numbers

8

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE III REDEMPTION

8

 

 

 

 

Section 3.01.

 

Company’s Option to Redeem

8

 

 

 

 

Section 3.02.

 

Notices to Trustee

8

 

 

 

 

Section 3.03.

 

Selection of Securities to be Redeemed

8

 

 

 

 

Section 3.04.

 

Notice of Redemption at the Company’s Option

9

 

 

 

 

Section 3.05.

 

Effect of Notice of Redemption

9

 

 

 

 

Section 3.06.

 

Deposit of Redemption Price

10

 

 

 

 

Section 3.07.

 

Holder’s Right to Require Redemption

10

 

 

 

 

Section 3.08.

 

Procedure for Requiring Redemption

10

 

 

 

 

Section 3.09.

 

Securities Redeemed in Part

10

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE IV COVENANTS

11

 

 

 

 

Section 4.01.

 

Payment of Securities

11

 

i



 

Section 4.02.

 

Reporting

11

 

 

 

 

Section 4.03.

 

Corporate Existence

11

 

 

 

 

Section 4.04.

 

Compliance Certificate

12

 

 

 

 

Section 4.05.

 

Further Instruments and Acts

12

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE V SUCCESSOR CORPORATION

12

 

 

 

 

Section 5.01.

 

Company may Consolidate, etc., only on Certain Terms

12

 

 

 

 

Section 5.02.

 

Successor Corporation Substituted

12

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE VI DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES

13

 

 

 

 

Section 6.01.

 

Events of Default

13

 

 

 

 

Section 6.02.

 

Acceleration

14

 

 

 

 

Section 6.03.

 

Other Remedies

14

 

 

 

 

Section 6.04.

 

Waiver of Existing Defaults

15

 

 

 

 

Section 6.05.

 

Control by Majority

15

 

 

 

 

Section 6.06.

 

Payments of Securities on Default; Suit Therefor

15

 

 

 

 

Section 6.07.

 

Limitation on Suits

15

 

 

 

 

Section 6.08.

 

Rights of Holders to Receive Payment and to Demand Conversion

16

 

 

 

 

Section 6.09.

 

Collection Suit by Trustee

16

 

 

 

 

Section 6.10.

 

Trustee May File Proofs of Claim

16

 

 

 

 

Section 6.11.

 

Restoration of Positions

17

 

 

 

 

Section 6.12.

 

Priorities

17

 

 

 

 

Section 6.13.

 

Undertaking for Costs

17

 

 

 

 

Section 6.14.

 

Stay, Extension or Usury Laws

17

 

 

 

 

Section 6.15.

 

Liability of Stockholders, Officers, Directors and Incorporators

18

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE VII TRUSTEE

18

 

 

 

 

Section 7.02.

 

Rights of Trustee

19

 

 

 

 

Section 7.03.

 

Individual Rights of Trustee

20

 

 

 

 

Section 7.04.

 

Trustee’s Disclaimer

20

 

 

 

 

Section 7.05.

 

Notice of Defaults

21

 

 

 

 

Section 7.06.

 

Reports by Trustee

21

 

 

 

 

Section 7.07.

 

Compensation and Indemnity

21

 

 

 

 

Section 7.08.

 

Replacement of Trustee

22

 

 

 

 

Section 7.09.

 

Successor Trustee by Merger, Etc.

23

 

 

 

 

Section 7.10.

 

Eligibility; Disqualification

23

 

 

 

 

Section 7.11.

 

Preferential Collection of Claims

23

 

ii



 

ARTICLE VIII DISCHARGE OF INDENTURE

23

 

 

 

 

Section 8.01.

 

Termination of the Company’s Obligations

23

 

 

 

 

Section 8.02.

 

Application of Trust Money

24

 

 

 

 

Section 8.03.

 

Repayment to the Company

24

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE IX AMENDMENTS, SUPPLEMENTS AND WAIVERS

25

 

 

 

 

Section 9.01.

 

Without Consent of Holders

25

 

 

 

 

Section 9.02.

 

With Consent of Holders

25

 

 

 

 

Section 9.03.

 

Compliance with Trust Indenture Act

26

 

 

 

 

Section 9.04.

 

Revocation and Effect of Consents

26

 

 

 

 

Section 9.05.

 

Notation on or Exchange of Securities

26

 

 

 

 

Section 9.06.

 

Trustee to Sign Amendments, Etc.

26

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE X CONVERSION OR EXCHANGE OF SECURITIES

27

 

 

 

 

Section 10.01.

 

Provisions Relating to Conversion or Exchange of Securities

27

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE XI SINKING OR PURCHASE FUNDS

27

 

 

 

 

Section 11.01.

 

Provisions Relating to Sinking or Purchase Funds

27

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE XII MISCELLANEOUS

28

 

 

 

 

Section 12.01.

 

Trust Indenture Act Controls

28

 

 

 

 

Section 12.02.

 

Supplemental Indentures Contract

28

 

 

 

 

Section 12.03.

 

Notices

28

 

 

 

 

Section 12.04.

 

Communication by Holders with Other Holders

29

 

 

 

 

Section 12.05.

 

Certificate and Opinion as to Conditions Precedent

29

 

 

 

 

Section 12.06.

 

When Treasury Securities Disregarded

29

 

 

 

 

Section 12.07.

 

Rules by Trustee, Paying Agent, Registrar

30

 

 

 

 

Section 12.08.

 

Legal Holidays

30

 

 

 

 

Section 12.09.

 

Governing Law and Submission to Jurisdiction; Waiver of Jury Trial

30

 

 

 

 

Section 12.10.

 

Actions by the Company

30

 

 

 

 

Section 12.11.

 

No Adverse Interpretation of Other Agreements

30

 

 

 

 

Section 12.12.

 

Successors

31

 

 

 

 

Section 12.13.

 

Duplicate Originals

31

 

 

 

 

Section 12.14.

 

Table of Contents, Headings, etc.

31

 

 

 

 

Section 12.15.

 

U.S.A. PATRIOT Act

31

 

 

 

 

Section 12.16.

 

Force Majeure

31

 

iii



 

This INDENTURE, dated as of August 9, 2017 between SUTHERLAND ASSET MANAGEMENT CORPORATION (the “ Company ”), a Maryland corporation having its principal office at 1140 Avenue of the Americas, 7th Floor, New York, New York 10036, and U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION (the “ Trustee ”), a national banking association organized under the laws of the United States of America which has its corporate trust office at 60 Livingston Avenue, St. Paul, MN, 55107.

 

Each party agrees as follows for the benefit of each other party and for the equal and ratable benefit of the Holders of the Company’s debentures, notes or other evidences of unsecured indebtedness to be issued in one or more series (“ Securities ”):

 

ARTICLE I

 

DEFINITIONS AND INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

 

Section 1.01.         Definitions .

 

Board Resolution ” means a resolution by the Board of Directors, or other body with analogous authority with respect to the Company or any duly authorized Committee of the Board of Directors or such body, certified by its Secretary or an Assistant Secretary as being duly adopted and in full force and effect.

 

Business Day ” means each Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday which is not a Legal Holiday.

 

Common Stock ” means the common stock, par value $.0001 per share, of the Company, as that stock may be reconstituted from time to time.

 

Company ” means the Person named as such in this Indenture until a successor replaces it and after that means the successor.

 

Corporate Trust Office ” means the principal office of the Trustee at which at any particular time its corporate trust business is principally administered (which at the date of this Indenture is at the location set forth in the first paragraph of this Indenture).

 

Corporation ” includes corporations, associations, companies and business trusts.

 

Custodian ” has the meaning provided in Section 6.01.

 

Default ” means any event which, upon the giving of notice or passage of time, or both, would be an Event of Default.

 

$ ” means the lawful currency of the United States.

 

Event of Default ” has the meaning provided in Section 6.01.

 

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

 

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Fiscal Year ” means the period commencing on January 1 of a year and ending on the next December 31 or such other period (not to exceed 12 months or 53 weeks) as the Company may from time to time adopt as its fiscal year.

 

Holder ” or “ Securityholder ” means a Person in whose name a Security is registered on the Registrar’s books.

 

Indenture ” means this Indenture as amended or supplemented from time to time and will include the form and terms of the Securities of each series established as contemplated by Section 2.01.

 

Interest Payment Date ” means the date on which an installment of interest on the Securities is due and payable.

 

Legal Holiday ” has the meaning provided in Section 12.08.

 

Maturity Date ” means the date the principal of Securities is due and payable.

 

Officer ” means the Chairman of the Board, any Vice Chairman of the Board, the President, the Chief Executive Officer, the Chief Financial Officer, any Vice President, the Treasurer, the Secretary, the Controller or any Assistant Secretary of a Person.

 

Officers’ Certificate ” when used with respect to the Company means a certificate signed by two Officers.  Each such certificate will comply with Section 314 of the TIA and include the statements described in Section 12.05.

 

Opinion of Counsel ” means a written opinion from legal counsel which is reasonably acceptable to the Trustee.  That counsel may be an employee of or counsel to the Company.  Each such opinion will include the statements described in Section 12.05 if and to the extent required by that Section.

 

Paying Agent ” has the meaning provided in Section 2.05.

 

Person ” means any individual, corporation, limited liability company, partnership, joint venture, joint-stock company, trust, unincorporated organization or government or any government agency or political subdivision.

 

Registrar ” has the meaning provided in Section 2.05.

 

SEC ” means the Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

Securities ” has the meaning provided in the recitals to this Indenture.

 

State ” means any state of the United States or the District of Columbia.

 

Subsidiary ” means, with respect to the Company, any Person (other than an individual), a majority of the outstanding voting stock, partnership interests, membership interests or other equity interest, as the case may be, of which is owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by the

 

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Company or one or more other Subsidiaries of the Company.  For the purposes of this definition, “voting stock” means stock having voting power for the election of directors, trustees or managers, as the case may be, whether at all times or only so long as no senior class of stock has such voting power by reason of any contingency.

 

Supplemental Indenture ” means an indenture between the Company and the Trustee which supplements this Indenture.

 

TIA ” means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, as in effect on the date of this Indenture.

 

Trustee ” means the Person named as such in this Indenture and, subject to the provisions of Article VII, any successor to that person.

 

Trust Officer ” means any officer within the corporate trust department of the Trustee, including any vice president, assistant vice president, assistant secretary, assistant treasurer, trust officer or any other officer of the Trustee who customarily performs functions similar to those performed by the Persons who at the time shall be such officers, respectively, or to whom any corporate trust matter is referred because of such person’s knowledge of and familiarity with the particular subject and who shall have direct responsibility for the administration of this Indenture.

 

United States ” means the United States of America.

 

Section 1.02.         Incorporation by Reference of Trust Indenture Act .  Whenever this Indenture refers to a provision of the TIA, the provision is incorporated by reference in and made a part of this Indenture.  In addition, the provisions of Sections 310 to and including 317 of the TIA that impose duties on any person are incorporated by reference in, and form a part of, this Indenture.

 

The following TIA terms mean the following when used in this Indenture: “ Commission ” means the SEC; “ indenture securities ” means the Securities; “ indenture security holder ” means a Holder; “ indenture to be qualified ” means this Indenture; “ indenture trustee ” or “ institutional trustee ” means the Trustee; and “ obligor ” on the indenture securities means the Company.

 

All other TIA terms used in this Indenture that are defined in the TIA, defined in the TIA by reference to another statute or defined by SEC rule have the meanings assigned to them.

 

Section 1.03.         Rules of Construction .  Unless the context otherwise requires:

 

(a)           a term has the meaning assigned to it;

 

(b)           an accounting term not otherwise defined has the meaning assigned to it in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States;

 

(c)           “or” is not exclusive; and

 

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(d)           words in the singular include the plural, and in the plural include the singular.

 

ARTICLE II

 

THE SECURITIES

 

Section 2.01.         Form and Dating .

 

(a)           The Securities of each series will be substantially in the form established by a Supplemental Indenture relating to the Securities of that series.  The Securities may have notations, legends or endorsements required by law, stock exchange rules or usage.  The Company will approve the form of the Securities and any notation, legend or endorsement on them.  Each Security will be dated the date of its authentication.

 

(b)           The Trustee’s certificate of authentication will be substantially in the form of Exhibit A.

 

Section 2.02.         Amount Unlimited; Issuable in Series .  The aggregate principal amount of the Securities which may be authenticated and delivered under this Indenture is unlimited.

 

The Securities may be issued in one or more series.  Prior to the issuance of Securities of a series, the Company and the Trustee will execute a Supplemental Indenture which will set forth as to the Securities of that series, to the extent applicable:

 

(a)           the title of the Securities;

 

(b)           any limit upon the aggregate principal amount of Securities which may be issued;

 

(c)           the date or dates on which the Securities will mature and the amounts to be paid upon maturity of the Securities;

 

(d)           the rate or rates (which may be fixed or variable) at which the Securities will bear interest, if any, the dates from which interest will accrue, the dates on which interest will be payable and the record date for the interest payable on any interest payment date;

 

(e)           the currency or currencies in which principal, premium, if any, and interest, if any, will be payable;

 

(f)            the place or places where principal of, premium, if any, and interest, if any, on the Securities will be payable;

 

(g)           any provisions regarding the right of the Company to redeem Securities or of holders to require the Company to redeem Securities;

 

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(h)           the right, if any, of holders of the Securities to convert them into stock or other securities of the Company, including any provisions intended to prevent dilution of those conversion rights;

 

(i)            any provisions by which the Company will be required or permitted to make payments to a sinking fund which will be used to redeem Securities or a purchase fund which will be used to purchase Securities;

 

(j)            the percentage of the principal amount of the Securities which is payable if maturity of the Securities is accelerated because of a default; and

 

(k)           any other terms of the Securities.

 

Section 2.03.         Denominations .  Unless otherwise provided in the Supplemental Indenture relating to a series of Securities, the Securities of each series will be issuable in registered form without coupons in denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiple thereof unless otherwise specified as to any series in the applicable Supplemental Indenture.

 

Section 2.04.         Execution and Authentication .  One Officer will sign the Securities of each series for the Company by manual or facsimile signature. If an Officer whose signature is on a Security no longer holds office at the time the Trustee authenticates the Security, the Security will be valid nonetheless.

 

A Security will not be valid until an authorized signatory of the Trustee manually signs the certificate of authentication on the Security.  The signature will be conclusive evidence that the Security has been authenticated under this Indenture.

 

Section 2.05.         Registrar and Paying Agent .  The Company will maintain an office or agency where Securities of each series may be presented for conversion, registration of transfer or for exchange (the “ Registrar ”) and an office or agency where Securities of each series may be presented for payment (“ Paying Agent ”).  The Registrar will keep a register of the Securities of each series and of their transfer and exchange.  The Company may have one or more co-registrars and one or more additional paying agents.  The term “Paying Agent” includes any additional paying agent.

 

The Company will enter into an appropriate agency agreement with any Registrar, Paying Agent or co-registrar not a party to this Indenture which will incorporate the terms of the TIA.  The agreement will implement the provisions of this Indenture that relate to that agent.  The Company will notify the Trustee of the name and address of any such agent.  If the Company fails to maintain a Registrar or Paying Agent, the Trustee will act as such.  The Company or any Subsidiary may act as Paying Agent, Registrar, co-registrar or transfer agent.

 

The Company initially appoints the Trustee to act as Registrar and Paying Agent in connection with the Securities of each series, except in instances in which the Supplemental Indenture relating to a series of Securities appoints a different Registrar or Paying Agent.

 

Section 2.06.         Paying Agent to Hold Money in Trust .  Prior to each due date of the principal of, premium, if any, or interest, if any, on any Security, the Company will deposit with

 

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the Paying Agent a sum sufficient to pay that principal, premium or interest when due.  The Paying Agent will hold in trust for the benefit of the Holders of the Securities of a series, and if the Paying Agent is not the Trustee, in trust for the benefit of the Trustee, all sums held by the Paying Agent for the payment of principal, premium or interest on the Securities of that series and, in the case of a Paying Agent other than the Trustee, the Paying Agent will give the Trustee notice of any default by the Company in making any such payment.  If the Company or a Subsidiary acts as Paying Agent, it will segregate the money held by it as Paying Agent and hold it as a separate trust fund.  The Company at any time may require a Paying Agent to pay all money held by it to the Trustee and to account for any funds disbursed by the Paying Agent.  Upon complying with this Section, the Paying Agent will have no further liability for the money.

 

Section 2.07.         Securityholder Lists .  The Trustee will preserve in as current a form as is reasonably practicable the most recent list available to it of the names and addresses of the Holders of the Securities of each series.  If the Trustee is not the Registrar, the Company will furnish to the Trustee in writing (a) at least five Business Days before each Interest Payment Date and (b) at such other times as the Trustee may request in writing, all information in the possession or control of the Company or its Paying Agent as to the names and addresses of Holders of the Securities of a series; provided , however , that if the provisions of (a) and (b) do not provide for the furnishing of such information at stated intervals of not more than six months, at least as frequently as semiannually.

 

Section 2.08.         Transfer and Exchange .  Unless otherwise provided in the Supplemental Indenture relating to Securities of a series, Securities which are issued in registered form will be transferred only upon the surrender of the Securities for registration of transfer.  When a Security is presented to the Registrar or a co-registrar with a request to register a transfer, the Registrar will register the transfer as requested if the requirements of Article VIII of the New York Uniform Commercial Code are met.  When Securities are presented to the Registrar or a co-registrar with a request to exchange them for an equal principal amount of Securities of the same series of other denominations, the Registrar will make the exchange as requested if the same requirements are met.  To permit registration of transfers and exchanges, the Company will execute and the Trustee will authenticate Securities at the Registrar’s or co-registrar’s request.  The Company will not charge a fee for transfers or exchanges.

 

The Company will not be required to make, and the Registrar need not register, transfers or exchanges of (i) Securities selected for redemption (except, in the case of Securities to be redeemed in part, transfers or exchanges of the portion of the Securities not to be redeemed) or (ii) any Securities of a series for a period of 15 days before the first mailing of a notice of the Securities of that series which are to be redeemed.

 

Prior to the due presentation for registration or transfer of any Security which was issued in registered form, the Company, the Trustee, the Paying Agent, the Registrar or any co-registrar may deem and treat the person in whose name the Security is registered as the absolute owner of the Security for all purposes, and none of the Company, the Trustee, the Paying Agent, the Registrar or any co-registrar will be affected by notice to the contrary.

 

Neither the Trustee nor any Agent shall have any responsibility or liability for any actions taken or not taken by the depository.

 

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Section 2.09.         Replacement Securities .  If a mutilated Security which had been issued in registered form is surrendered to the Registrar or if the Holder presents evidence to the satisfaction of the Company and the Trustee that a Security which had been issued in registered form has been lost or destroyed, the Company will issue and the Trustee will authenticate a replacement Security of the same series if the requirements of Section 8-405 of the New York Uniform Commercial Code are met and the Holder satisfies any other reasonable requirements of the Trustee.  The replacement Security will not be issued until the Holder furnishes an indemnity bond sufficient in the judgment of the Company and the Trustee to protect the Company, the Trustee, the Paying Agent and the Registrar or any co-registrar from any loss which any of them may suffer if the Security is replaced.  The Company may charge the Holder for its expenses in replacing a Security.

 

Every replacement Security will be an obligation of the Company, even if the replaced Security is subsequently found.

 

Section 2.10.         Outstanding Securities .  The Securities outstanding at any time will be all the Securities authenticated by the Trustee, except those cancelled by it, those delivered to it for cancellation and those described in this Section as not outstanding.  A Security does not cease to be outstanding because the Company or its affiliate holds the Security.

 

If a Security is replaced pursuant to Section 2.09, it ceases to be outstanding unless the Trustee and the Company receive proof satisfactory to them that the replaced Security is held by a protected purchaser (in which case the replaced Security will be treated as outstanding to the extent permitted by Section 8-210 of the New York Uniform Commercial Code).

 

If the Paying Agent (other than the Company or a Subsidiary) segregates and holds in trust, in accordance with this Indenture, on a redemption date or Maturity Date money sufficient to pay all principal, premium, if any, and interest, if any, payable on that date with respect to the Securities to be redeemed or maturing, as the case may be, then on that date those Securities will cease to be outstanding and interest on them will cease to accrue.

 

Section 2.11.         Temporary Securities .  Until definitive Securities of a series are ready for delivery, the Company may prepare and the Trustee will authenticate temporary Securities of that series.  Temporary Securities will be substantially in the form of definitive Securities but may have variations that the Company considers appropriate for temporary Securities.  Without unreasonable delay, the Company will prepare and the Trustee will authenticate definitive Securities and deliver them in exchange for temporary Securities.

 

Section 2.12.         Cancellation .  The Company at any time may deliver Securities of a series to the Trustee for cancellation and the Trustee will reduce accordingly the aggregate amount of the Securities of that series which are outstanding.  The Registrar and the Paying Agent will forward to the Trustee any Securities surrendered to them for registration of transfer, exchange, payment, or conversion.  The Trustee and no one else will cancel and dispose of (subject to the record retention requirements of the Exchange Act) all Securities surrendered for registration of transfer, exchange, payment, conversion or cancellation and deliver evidence of such disposal to the Company.  Subject to Section 2.09, the Company may not issue new

 

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Securities of a series to replace Securities of the series it has redeemed, paid, converted or delivered to the Trustee for cancellation.

 

Section 2.13.         Defaulted Interest .  If the Company defaults in a payment of interest on the Securities of a series, it will pay defaulted interest (plus interest on such defaulted interest to the extent lawful) to the persons who are Holders of the Securities of that series on a subsequent special record date, which date will be at least five Business Days prior to the payment date.  The Company will fix the special record date and payment date, and, at least 15 days before the special record date, the Company will mail to each Holder of Securities of that series a notice that states the special record date, the payment date and the amount of defaulted interest and any interest on that defaulted interest which is to be paid.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company may pay defaulted interest in any other lawful manner.

 

Section 2.14.         CUSIP Numbers .  The Company in issuing the Securities may use “CUSIP” numbers (if then generally in use), and, if so, the Trustee shall use “CUSIP” numbers in notices of redemption as a convenience to Holders; provided that the Trustee shall have no liability for any defect in the “CUSIP” numbers as they appear on the any Security, notice or elsewhere, and, provided further that any such notice may state that no representation is made as to the correctness of such numbers either as printed on the Securities or as contained in any notice of a redemption and that reliance may be placed only on the other identification numbers printed on the Securities, and any such redemption shall not be affected by any defect in or omission of such numbers.  The Company will promptly notify the Trustee in writing of any change in the “CUSIP” numbers.

 

ARTICLE III

 

REDEMPTION

 

Section 3.01.         Company’s Option to Redeem .  The Company will have the option to redeem Securities of a series only to the extent, if any, and only on the terms, set forth in the Supplemental Indenture relating to the Securities of that series.  If the Company has the option to redeem Securities of a series, unless otherwise provided in the Supplemental Indenture relating to the series, the terms of the redemption will include those set forth in Sections 3.02 through 3.06.

 

Section 3.02.         Notices to Trustee .  If the Company elects to redeem Securities of a series, it will notify the Trustee of the redemption date and the principal amount and series of Securities to be redeemed.  The Company will give each notice provided for in this Section at least 45 days before the redemption date.  If fewer than all the Securities of a series are to be redeemed, the record date for determining which Securities of the series are to be redeemed will be selected by the Company, which will give notice of the record date to the Trustee at least 15 days before the record date.

 

Section 3.03.         Selection of Securities to be Redeemed .  If fewer than all the Securities of a series are to be redeemed at the Company’s option, the Trustee will select the Securities of that series to be redeemed by lot or, in its sole discretion, pro-rata or in accordance with the customary procedures of the depository.  The Trustee will make the selection from outstanding

 

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Securities of that series not previously called for redemption.  The Trustee may select for redemption portions of the principal of Securities that have denominations larger than the minimum denomination in which Securities of the applicable series may be issued.  Securities and portions of Securities the Trustee selects will be in amounts equal to the minimum denomination in which Securities of the applicable series may be issued and multiples of that amount.  Provisions of this Indenture that apply to Securities called for redemption also apply to portions of Securities called for redemption.  The Trustee will notify the Company promptly of the Securities or portions of Securities to be redeemed.

 

Section 3.04.         Notice of Redemption at the Company’s Option .  At least 10 days and not more than 60 days before a date set for redemption at the Company’s option, the Company will mail a notice of redemption by first-class mail to each Holder of Securities to be redeemed in whole or in part.

 

The notice will identify the principal amount and series of each Security (including the CUSIP number) to be redeemed and will state:

 

(a)           the redemption date;

 

(b)           the redemption price plus accrued interest, if any;

 

(c)           the name and address of the Paying Agent;

 

(d)           that Securities called for redemption in whole or in part must be surrendered to the Paying Agent to collect the redemption price plus accrued interest, if any;

 

(e)           any conditions precedent to such redemption;

 

(f)            that, subject to any applicable conditions precedent, unless the Company defaults in making the redemption payment, interest on Securities (or portions of Securities) called for redemption will cease to accrue on the redemption date and, if applicable, that those Securities (or the portions of then called for redemption) will cease on the redemption date (or such other date as is provided in the Supplemental Indenture relating to the Securities) to be convertible into, or exchangeable for, other securities or assets;

 

(g)           if applicable, the current conversion or exchange price; and

 

(h)           that no representation is made as to the correctness or accuracy of the CUSIP number, if any, listed in such notice or printed on the Securities.

 

At the Company’s request, pursuant to an Officers’ Certificate delivered to the Trustee at least 15 days prior to the redemption date, the Trustee will give the notice of redemption in the Company’s name and at the Company’s expense.  In such event, the Company will provide the Trustee with the information required by clauses (a) through (c), (e) and (g).

 

Section 3.05.         Effect of Notice of Redemption .  Once notice of redemption is mailed, Securities, or portions of Securities called for redemption will become due and payable on the redemption date and at the redemption price.  Notice of redemption may, at the Company’s

 

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option and discretion, be subject to one or more conditions precedent. Subject to any such conditions precedent, (i) upon surrender to the Paying Agent, those Securities will be paid at the redemption price, plus accrued and unpaid interest to the redemption date and (ii) on and after the date fixed for redemption (unless the Company defaults in the payment of the redemption price, together with interest accrued to the redemption date) interest on the Securities, or portions of them, which are redeemed will cease to accrue and any right to convert those Securities into, or exchange them for, other securities or assets will terminate and those Securities will cease to be convertible or exchangeable.  Failure to give notice or any defect in the notice to any Holder will not affect the validity of the notice to any other Holder.

 

Section 3.06.         Deposit of Redemption Price .  No later than 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time on the redemption date specified in a notice of redemption, the Company will deposit with the Paying Agent (or, if the Company or a Subsidiary is the Paying Agent, segregate and hold in trust) money sufficient to redeem on the redemption date all the Securities called for redemption on that redemption date at the appropriate redemption price, together with accrued interest to the redemption date, other than Securities or portions of Securities called for redemption which have been delivered by the Company to the Trustee for cancellation or Securities which have been surrendered for conversion or exchange.  If any Securities called for redemption are converted or exchanged, any money deposited with the Paying Agent for redemption of those Securities will be paid to the Company upon its request, or, if the money is held in trust by the Company or a Subsidiary as Paying Agent, the money will be discharged from the trust.

 

Section 3.07.         Holder’s Right to Require Redemption .  Holders of Securities of a series will have the right to require the Company to redeem those Securities only to the extent, and only on the terms, set forth in the Supplemental Indenture relating to the Securities of that series.  If Holders of Securities of a series have the right to require the Company to redeem those Securities, unless otherwise provided in the Supplemental Indenture relating to the Securities of that series, the terms of the redemption will include those set forth in Section 3.08.

 

Section 3.08.         Procedure for Requiring Redemption .  If a Holder has the right to require the Company to redeem Securities, to exercise that right, the Holder must deliver the Securities to the Paying Agent, endorsed for transfer and with the form on the reverse side entitled “Option to Require Redemption” completed.  Delivery of Securities to the Paying Agent as provided in this Section will constitute an irrevocable election to cause the specified principal amount of Securities to be redeemed.  When Securities are delivered to the Paying Agent as provided in this Section, unless the Company fails to make the payments due as a result of the redemption within 20 days after the Securities are delivered to the Paying Agent as provided in this Section interest on the Securities will cease to accrue and, if the Securities are convertible or exchangeable, the Holder’s right to convert or exchange the Securities will terminate.

 

The Company’s determination of all questions regarding the validity, eligibility (including time of receipt) and acceptance of any Security for redemption will be final and binding.

 

Section 3.09.         Securities Redeemed in Part .  Upon surrender of a Security that is redeemed in part, the Company will execute and the Trustee will authenticate and deliver to the

 

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Holder (at the Company’s expense) a new Security equal of the same series in principal amount equal to the unredeemed portion of the Security which was surrendered.

 

ARTICLE IV

 

COVENANTS

 

Section 4.01.         Payment of Securities .  The Company will promptly pay or cause to be paid the principal of, premium, if any, and interest, if any, on each of the Securities of a series at the places and time and in the manner provided in the Securities and in the Supplemental Indenture relating to the series.  An installment of principal, premium or interest will be considered paid on the date it is due if the Trustee or Paying Agent holds on that date in accordance with this Indenture or the applicable Supplemental Indenture money designated for and sufficient to pay the installment then due.

 

The Company will pay or cause to be paid interest on overdue principal at the rate specified in the Securities; it will also pay interest on overdue installments of interest at the same rate (or such other rate as is provided in the applicable Supplemental Indenture), to the extent lawful.

 

Section 4.02.         Reporting .

 

(a)           To the extent any Securities of a series are outstanding, the Company shall deliver to the Trustee within 15 days after it files them with the SEC 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 SEC may by rules and regulations prescribe) which the Company is required to file with the SEC pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act. The Company also shall comply with the other provisions of TIA Section 314(a).  Reports, information and documents filed with the SEC via the EDGAR system will be deemed to be delivered to the Trustee as of the time of such filing via EDGAR for purposes of this Section 4.02, provided, however, that the Trustee shall have no obligation whatsoever to determine whether or not such reports, information or documents have been filed pursuant to the “EDGAR” system.

 

(b)           The Trustee shall not be under a duty to review or evaluate any report or information delivered to the Trustee pursuant to the provisions of this Section 4.02 for the purposes of making such reports available to it and to the Holders of Securities of any Series who may request such information.  Delivery of such reports, information and documents to the Trustee as may be required under this Section 4.02 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 Officers’ Certificates).

 

Section 4.03.         Corporate Existence .  Subject to Article V, the Company will do or cause to be done all things necessary to preserve and keep in full force and effect its corporate existence, rights (charter and statutory) and franchises; provided , however , that the Company will not be required to preserve any such right or franchise if the Board of Directors determines

 

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that the preservation of the right or franchise is no longer desirable in the conduct of the business of the Company and that its loss will not be disadvantageous in any material respect to the Holders of Securities of any series.

 

Section 4.04.         Compliance Certificate .  The Company will deliver to the Trustee within 120 days after the end of each fiscal year of the Company (which fiscal year ends on December 31) an Officers’ Certificate stating that in the course of the performance by the signers of their duties as Officers of the Company they would normally have knowledge of any default by the Company and whether or not the signers know of any default that occurred during the fiscal year.  If they do, the certificate will describe the default, its status and what action the Company is taking or proposes to take with respect thereto.  The Company also will comply with TIA Section 314(a)(4).

 

Section 4.05.         Further Instruments and Acts .  Upon request of the Trustee, the Company will execute and deliver such further instruments and do such further acts as may be reasonably necessary or proper to carry out more effectively the purpose of this Indenture.

 

ARTICLE V

 

SUCCESSOR CORPORATION

 

Section 5.01.         Company May Consolidate, Etc., Only on Certain Terms .  The Company will not consolidate with or merge into any other corporation or convey, transfer or lease its properties and assets substantially as an entirety to any person, unless:

 

(a)           the corporation formed by the consolidation or into which the Company is merged or the person which acquires by conveyance or transfer, or which leases, the properties and assets of the Company substantially as an entirety will be a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the United States of America, a State of the United States of America or the District of Columbia and expressly assumes, by a one or more supplemental indentures, executed and delivered to the Trustee, in form satisfactory to the Trustee, the due and punctual payment of the principal of, premium, if any, and interest, if any, on all the Securities of each series and the performance of every covenant of this Indenture and of all Supplemental Indentures to be performed or observed by the Company;

 

(b)           immediately after giving effect to the transaction, no Event of Default, and no event which, after notice or lapse of time or both, would become an Event of Default, will have occurred and be continuing; and

 

(c)           the Company has delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that the consolidation, merger, conveyance, transfer or lease and the supplemental indenture (or the supplemental indentures together) comply with this Article and that all the conditions precedent relating to the transaction set forth in this Section have been fulfilled.

 

Section 5.02.         Successor Corporation Substituted .  Upon any event described in Section 5.01, the successor corporation will succeed to, and be substituted for, and may exercise every right and power of, the Company under this Indenture and all the Supplemental Indentures

 

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relating to outstanding series of Securities, and the predecessor corporation will be relieved of all obligations and covenants under this Indenture and each of those Supplemental Indentures.

 

ARTICLE VI

 

DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES

 

Section 6.01.         Events of Default .  An “ Event of Default ” occurs if:

 

(a)           The Company defaults in the payment of interest on any Security of any series when it becomes due and payable and the default continues for a period of 30 days (or such other period, which may be no period) as is specified in the Supplemental Indenture relating to the series;

 

(b)           The Company defaults in the payment of the principal of, or premium, if any, on any Security of any series as and when it becomes due and payable at its stated maturity or upon redemption, acceleration or otherwise and, if provided in the Supplemental Indenture relating to a series, the default continues for a period specified in the Supplemental Indenture;

 

(c)           The Company fails to comply with any of its other covenants or agreements with regard to Securities of a series or this Indenture (other than a covenant or agreement, a default in whose performance or whose breach is dealt with specifically elsewhere in this Section) and that failure continues for a period of 60 days after the date of the notice specified below;

 

(d)           the Company, pursuant to any Bankruptcy Law applicable to the Company:

 

(i)            commences a voluntary case;

 

(ii)           consents to the entry of an order for relief against it in an involuntary case;

 

(iii)          consents to the appointment of a Custodian of it or for any substantial part of its property; or

 

(iv)          makes a general assignment for the benefit of its creditors; or

 

(e)           a court of competent jurisdiction enters an order or decree under any applicable Bankruptcy Law:

 

(i)            for relief in an involuntary case;

 

(ii)           appointing a Custodian of the Company or for any substantial part of its property; or

 

(iii)          ordering its winding up or liquidation; and the order or decree remains unstayed and in effect for 90 days.

 

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Each of the occurrences described in clauses (a) through (e) will constitute an Event of Default whatever the reason for the occurrence and whether it is voluntary or involuntary or is effected by operation of law or pursuant to any judgment, decree or order of any court or any order, rule or regulation of any administrative or governmental body.

 

The term “ Bankruptcy Law ” means Title 11 of the United States Code or any similar United States Federal or State law for the relief of debtors.  The term “ Custodian ” means any receiver, trustee, assignee, liquidator, custodian or similar official under any Bankruptcy Law.

 

A Default under clause (c) of this Section is not an Event of Default until the Trustee notifies the Company, or the Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the then outstanding Securities of a series with regard to which the Company has failed to comply with a covenant or agreement notify the Company and the Trustee, of the Default and the Company does not cure the Default within 60 days after the giving of the notice.  The notice must specify the Default, demand that it be remedied and state that the notice is a “ Notice of Default .”

 

A Default under clause (a), (b) or (c) with regard to Securities of a series will not constitute a Default with regard to Securities of any other series except to the extent, if any, provided in the Supplemental Indenture relating to the other series.

 

The Company will deliver to the Trustee, within 20 days after it occurs, written notice in the form of an Officers’ Certificate of any event of which the Company is aware which with the giving of notice and the lapse of time would become an Event of Default under clause (c), its status and what action the Company is taking or proposes to take with respect to it.

 

Section 6.02.         Acceleration .  If an Event of Default as to the Securities of a series occurs and is continuing, unless the principal of all of the Securities of the series has already become due and payable, the Trustee by notice to the Company, or the Holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of the series then outstanding by notice to the Company and the Trustee, may declare the principal of and accrued interest, if any, on all the Securities of the series to be due and payable.  Upon such a declaration, that principal and interest will be due and payable immediately.  If an Event of Default specified in Section 6.01(d) or (e) occurs, the principal of, premium, if any, and accrued interest, if any, on all the Securities will automatically become and be immediately due and payable without any declaration or other act on the part of the Trustee or any Securityholders.  The Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Securities of a series then outstanding, on behalf of the Holders of all the Securities of the series, by written notice to the Trustee may rescind an acceleration and its consequences if all existing Events of Default have been cured or waived except nonpayment of principal, premium, if any, or interest, if any, that has become due solely because of acceleration, and if the rescission would not conflict with any judgment or decree.  No such rescission will affect any subsequent default or impair any consequent right.

 

Section 6.03.         Other Remedies .  If an Event of Default as to a series occurs and is continuing, the Trustee may pursue any available remedy to collect the payment of principal of, premium, if any, and interest, if any, on the Securities of the series or to enforce the performance of any provision under this Indenture or any applicable Supplemental Indenture.

 

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The Trustee may maintain a proceeding even if it does not possess any of the Securities or does not produce any of them in the proceeding.  A delay or omission by the Trustee or any Securityholder in exercising any right or remedy accruing upon an Event of Default will not impair the right or remedy or constitute a waiver of or acquiescence in the Event of Default.  No remedy is exclusive of any other remedy.  All available remedies are cumulative.

 

Section 6.04.         Waiver of Existing Defaults .  The Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of a series then outstanding, on behalf of the Holders of all the Securities of that series, by written notice to the Trustee may consent to the waiver of any past Default with regard to Securities of the series and its consequences except (i) a default in the payment of interest or premium, if any, on, or the principal of, Securities of the series, or (ii) a default in respect of a covenant or a provision that under Section 9.02 cannot be modified or amended without the consent of the Holders of all Securities of the series then outstanding.  The defaults described in clauses (i) and (ii) in the previous sentence may be waived with the consent of the Holders of all Securities of the series then outstanding.  When a Default or Event of Default is waived, it is deemed cured and not continuing, but no waiver will extend to any subsequent or other Default or impair any consequent right.

 

Section 6.05.         Control by Majority .  The Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Securities of a series then outstanding may direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee with regard to the Securities of that series or of exercising any trust or power conferred on the Trustee with regard to the Securities of that series.  However, the Trustee may refuse to follow any direction that conflicts with law or this Indenture or, subject to Section 7.01, that the Trustee determines is unduly prejudicial to the rights of other Securityholders or that would involve the Trustee in personal liability; provided , however , that the Trustee may take any other action deemed proper by the Trustee that is not inconsistent with such direction.  Prior to taking any action as a result of a direction given under this Section, the Trustee will be entitled to indemnification satisfactory to it in its sole discretion against all losses and expenses caused by taking or not taking that action.

 

Section 6.06.         Payments of Securities on Default; Suit Therefor .  The Company covenants that upon the occurrence of an Event of Default described in Section 6.01(a) or (b), then, upon demand of the Trustee, the Company will pay to the Trustee, for the benefit of the holders of the Securities in all series, the whole amount that will then have become due and payable on all such Securities for principal, premium, if any, and interest, with interest on the overdue principal and premium, if any, and (to the extent that payment of such interest is enforceable under applicable law) on the overdue installments of interest at the rate borne by the Securities in all series; and, in addition, such further amount as will be sufficient to cover the costs and expenses of collection, including a reasonable compensation to the Trustee, its agents, attorneys and counsel, and any expenses or liabilities incurred by the Trustee hereunder other than through its negligence or willful misconduct.  Until such demand by the Trustee, the Company may pay the principal of and premium, if any, and interest on the Securities of all series to the registered Holders, whether or not the Securities in that series are overdue.

 

Section 6.07.         Limitation on Suits .  A Securityholder may not pursue any remedy with respect to this Indenture unless:

 

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(a)           the Holder gives to the Trustee written notice stating that an Event of Default as to a series is continuing;

 

(b)           the Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the Securities of the series then outstanding make a written request to the Trustee to pursue the remedy;

 

(c)           such Holder or Holders offer to the Trustee security or indemnity satisfactory to the Trustee against any loss, liability or expense;

 

(d)           the Trustee does not comply with the request within 60 days after receipt of the request and the offer of security or indemnity, and the Event of Default has not been waived; and

 

(e)           the Trustee has received no contrary direction from the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Securities of the series then outstanding during such 60-day period.

 

A Securityholder may not use this Indenture to prejudice the rights of another Holder of the same series of Securities or to obtain a preference or priority over another Holder of the same series of Securities (it being understood that the Trustee does not have an affirmative duty to ascertain whether or not such actions or forbearances are unduly prejudicial to such Holders).

 

Section 6.08.         Rights of Holders to Receive Payment and to Demand Conversion .  Notwithstanding any other provision of this Indenture, the right of any Holder of a Security of any series to receive payment of principal of, premium, if any, and interest, if any, on the Security (and interest on overdue principal and interest on overdue installments of interest, if any, as provided in Section 4.01), on or after the respective due dates expressed in the Security or, in the case of redemption, on or after the redemption date, or in the case of conversion or exchange, to receive the security issuable upon conversion or exchange or to institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment, conversion or exchange on or after the applicable due date, redemption date or conversion or exchange date, as the case may be, against the Company, will not be impaired or affected without the consent of the Holder.

 

Section 6.09.         Collection Suit by Trustee .  If an Event of Default in payment of principal, premium, if any, or interest, if any, specified in clause (a) or (b) of Section 6.01 occurs and is continuing, the Trustee may recover judgment in its own name and as trustee of an express trust against the Company for the whole amount of principal, premium, if any, and interest remaining unpaid (together with interest on that unpaid interest to the extent lawful) and the amounts provided for in Section 7.07.

 

Section 6.10.         Trustee May File Proofs of Claim .  The Trustee may file such proofs of claim and other papers or documents as may be necessary or advisable in order to have the claims of the Trustee and the Holders of the Securities of any or all series allowed in any judicial proceedings relative to the Company, its creditors or its property and, unless prohibited by law or applicable regulations, may vote on behalf of the Holders in any election of a trustee in bankruptcy or other person performing similar functions, and any Custodian in any such judicial proceeding is hereby authorized by each Holder to make payments to the Trustee and, if the Trustee consents to the making of such payments directly to the Holders, to pay to the Trustee

 

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any amount due it for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and its counsel, and any other amounts due the Trustee under Section 7.07.

 

Section 6.11.         Restoration of Positions .  If a judicial proceeding by the Trustee or a Securityholder to enforce any right or remedy under this Indenture or any Supplemental Indenture is dismissed or decided favorably to the Company, except as otherwise provided in the judicial proceeding, the Company, the Trustee and the Securityholders will be restored to the positions they would have been in if the judicial proceeding had not been instituted.

 

Section 6.12.         Priorities .  If the Trustee collects any money pursuant to this Article VI with respect to Securities of a series, subject to Article XI, it will pay out the money or property in the following order:

 

FIRST : to the Trustee and its attorneys and agents for amounts due under Section 7.07;

 

SECOND : to Securityholders for amounts due and unpaid on the Securities of the series for principal and interest, ratably, without preference or priority of any kind, according to the amounts due and payable on the Securities of the series for principal and interest, respectively; and

 

THIRD : to the Company.

 

The Trustee may fix a record date and payment date for any payment to Holders of Securities of a series pursuant to this Section.  At least 15 days before the record date, the Company will mail to each Holder of Securities of the series and the Trustee a notice that states the record date, the payment date and the amount to be paid.

 

Section 6.13.         Undertaking for Costs .  In any suit for the enforcement of any right or remedy under this Indenture or any Supplemental Indenture, or in any suit against the Trustee for any action taken or omitted by it as Trustee, a court in its discretion may require the filing by any party litigant in the suit of an undertaking to pay the costs of the suit, and the court in its discretion may assess reasonable costs, including reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses, against any party litigant in the suit, having due regard to the merits and good faith of the claims or defenses made by the party litigant.  This Section 6.13 does not apply to a suit by the Trustee, a suit by a Holder pursuant to Section 6.07, or a suit by Holders of in aggregate more than 10% in principal amount of the Securities of a series then outstanding, or to any suit instituted by any Holder for the enforcement of the payment of the principal of, premium, if any, or interest on any Security held by that Holder on or after the due date provided in the Security or to any suit for the enforcement of the right to convert or exchange any Security in accordance with the provisions of a Supplemental Indenture applicable to that Security.

 

Section 6.14.         Stay, Extension or Usury Laws .  The Company agrees (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, and will resist any and all efforts to be compelled to take the benefit or advantage of, any stay or extension law or any usury or other law, wherever enacted, now or at any subsequent time in force, which would prohibit or forgive the Company from paying all or any portion of the principal of, premium, if any, and/or interest on any of the Securities as contemplated in this Indenture or a Supplemental Indenture, or which may affect the covenants

 

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or 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 agrees that it will not hinder, delay or impede the execution of any power granted to the Trustee in this Indenture or any Supplemental Indenture, but (to the extent that it may lawfully do so) will suffer and permit the execution of any such power as though no such law had been enacted.

 

Section 6.15.         Liability of Stockholders, Officers, Directors and Incorporators .  No stockholder, officer, director or incorporator, as such, past, present or future, of the Company, or any of its successor corporations, will have any personal liability in respect of the Company’s obligations under this Indenture or any Securities by reason of his or its status as such stockholder, officer, director or incorporator; provided , however , that nothing in this Indenture or in the Securities will prevent recourse to and enforcement of the liability of any stockholder or subscriber to capital stock in respect of shares of capital stock which have not been fully paid up.

 

ARTICLE VII

 

TRUSTEE

 

Section 7.01.         Duties of Trustee .

 

(a)           If an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Trustee will exercise the rights and powers vested in it by this Indenture and any applicable Supplemental Indenture and use the same degree of care and skill in their exercise as a prudent man would exercise or use under the circumstances in the conduct of his own affairs.

 

(b)           Except during the continuance of an Event of Default:

 

(i)            the Trustee undertakes to perform such duties and only such duties as are specifically set forth in this Indenture and any Supplemental Indentures and no implied covenants or obligations will be read into this Indenture or any Supplemental 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 in them, upon certificates or opinions furnished to the Trustee and conforming to the requirements of this Indenture in the absence of willful misconduct on the Trustee’s part; provided , however , that the Trustee will examine the certificates and opinions to determine whether or not they substantially conform to the requirements of this Indenture (but need not confirm or investigate the accuracy of mathematical calculations or other facts stated therein).

 

(c)           The Trustee may not be relieved from liability for its own negligent action, its own negligent failure to act, or its own willful misconduct, except that:

 

(i)            this paragraph does not limit the effect of paragraph (b) of this Section 7.01;

 

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(ii)           the Trustee will not be liable for any error of judgment made in good faith by a Trust Officer, unless it is proved that the Trustee was negligent in ascertaining the pertinent facts;

 

(iii)          the Trustee will not be liable with respect to any action it takes or omits to take in good faith in accordance with a direction received by it pursuant to Section 6.05; and

 

(iv)          the Trustee will not be required to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise incur financial liability in the performance of any of its duties under this Indenture or any Supplemental Indenture or in the exercise of any of its rights or powers, if it has reasonable grounds to believe repayment of the funds or adequate indemnity against the risk or liability is not reasonably assured to it.

 

(d)           Every provision of this Indenture relating to the conduct or affecting the liability of or affording protection to the Trustee is subject to the provisions of this Section 7.01 and to the provisions of the TIA.

 

(e)           The Trustee may refuse to perform any duty or exercise any right or power unless it receives indemnity satisfactory to it against any loss, liability or expense.

 

(f)            The Trustee will not be liable for interest on any money received by it except as the Trustee may agree in writing with the Company.  Money and Government Obligations held in trust by the Trustee need not be segregated from other funds or items except to the extent required by law.

 

(g)           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 not less than a majority in principal amount of the Securities at the time outstanding given pursuant to Section 6.05 of this Indenture, 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 or any Supplemental Indenture.

 

Section 7.02.         Rights of Trustee .

 

(a)           The Trustee may conclusively rely on any document believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper person.  The Trustee need not investigate any fact or matter stated in the document.

 

(b)           Before the Trustee acts or refrains from acting, it may require an Officers’ Certificate or an Opinion of Counsel or both which conforms to Section 12.05.  The Trustee will not be liable for any action it takes or omits to take in good faith in reliance on such an Officers’ Certificate or Opinion of Counsel.

 

(c)           The Trustee may act through agents or attorneys and will not be responsible for the misconduct or negligence of any agent or attorney appointed with due care.

 

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(d)           The Trustee will not be liable for any action it takes or omits to take in good faith which it believes to be authorized or within its rights or powers, except conduct which constitutes willful misconduct or negligence.

 

(e)           The Trustee may consult with counsel of its selection, and the Trustee will not be liable for any action it takes or omits in reliance on, and in accordance with, the advice of counsel and in good faith.

 

(f)            The Trustee will not be required to investigate any facts or matters stated in any document, but if it decides to investigate any matters or facts, the Trustee or its agents or attorneys will be entitled to examine the books, records and premises of the Company at the expense of the Company, and shall incur no liability or additional liability of any kind by reason of such inquiry or investigation.

 

(g)           The Trustee shall not be deemed to have notice of any Default or Event of Default unless a Trust Officer of the Trustee has actual knowledge thereof or unless written notice of any event which is in fact such a default is received by the Trustee at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee, and such notice references the Securities and this Indenture.

 

(h)           The rights, privileges, protections, immunities and benefits given to the Trustee, including, without limitation, its right to be indemnified, are 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.

 

(i)            In no event shall the Trustee be responsible or liable for 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.

 

(j)            The Trustee may request that the Company deliver a certificate setting forth the names of individuals and/or titles of officers authorized at such time to take specified actions pursuant to this Indenture.

 

Section 7.03.         Individual Rights of Trustee .  The Trustee in its individual or any other capacity may become the owner or pledgee of Securities and may otherwise deal with the Company or any of its affiliates with the same rights it would have if it were not Trustee.  Any Paying Agent, Registrar, co-registrar or co-paying agent may do the same with like rights.  However, the Trustee must comply with Sections 7.10 and 7.11.

 

Section 7.04.         Trustee’s Disclaimer .  The Trustee (i) is not responsible for and makes no representation as to the validity or adequacy of this Indenture, (ii) will not be responsible for and will not make any representation as to the validity or adequacy of any Supplemental Indenture, (iii) will not be accountable for the Company’s use of the proceeds from the Securities of any series, and (iv) will not be responsible for any statement of the Company in this Indenture or any Supplemental Indenture, other than the Trustee’s certificate of authentication, or in any prospectus used in the sale of any of the Securities, other than statements, if any, provided in writing by the Trustee for use in such a prospectus.

 

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Section 7.05.                           Notice of Defaults .  The Trustee will give to the Holders of the Securities of a series notice of any Default with regard to the Securities of that series actually known to a Trust Officer, within 90 days after receipt of such knowledge and in the manner and to the extent provided in TIA Section 313(c), and otherwise as provided in Section 12.03 of this Indenture; provided , however , that , except in the case of a Default in the payment of the principal of, or premium, if any, or interest on any Security, the Trustee will be protected in withholding notice of the Default if and so long as it in good faith determines that the withholding of the notice is in the interests of the Holders of the Securities of the series.

 

Section 7.06.                           Reports by Trustee .  Within 60 days after each May 15 beginning with the May 15 following the date of this Indenture, the Trustee will mail to each Securityholder, if any, at the name and address which appears on the registration books of the Company, and to each Securityholder who has, within the two years preceding the mailing, filed that person’s name and address with the Trustee for that purpose and each Securityholder whose name and address have been furnished to the Trustee pursuant to Section 2.07, a brief report dated as of that May 15 which complies with TIA Section 313(a) Reports to Securityholders pursuant to this Section 7.06 shall be transmitted in the manner and to the extent provided in TIA Section 313(c) The Trustee also will comply with TIA Section 313(b).

 

A copy of each report will at the time of its mailing to Securityholders as required be filed with each stock exchange on which Securities are listed, if any, and also with the SEC.  The Company will promptly notify the Trustee in writing when the Securities of any series are listed on any stock exchange and of any delisting of Securities of any series.

 

Section 7.07.                           Compensation and Indemnity .  The Company will pay to the Trustee from time to time such compensation for its services as mutually agreed to in writing.  The Trustee’s compensation will not be limited by any law on compensation of a trustee of an express trust.  The Company will reimburse the Trustee upon request for all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred or made by it, including costs of collection, in addition to the compensation for its services.  Those expenses will include the reasonable compensation and expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee’s agents, counsel, accountants and experts.  The Company will indemnify the Trustee against any and all loss, liability, claims (whether asserted by the Company, a holder or any other person) or expense (including reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses) incurred by it in connection with the administration of the trust created by this Indenture or any Supplemental Indenture and the performance of its duties under this Indenture or any Supplemental Indenture.  The Trustee will notify the Company promptly of any claim for which it may seek indemnity.  Failure by the Trustee to so notify the Company will not relieve the Company of its obligations under this Section.  The Company will defend the claim and the Trustee may have separate counsel and the Company will pay the fees and expenses of such counsel.  The Company need not pay for any settlement made without its consent, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld. The Company need not reimburse any expense or indemnify against any loss, expense or liability incurred by the Trustee to the extent it is due to the Trustee’s own willful misconduct or negligence.

 

To secure the Company’s obligation to make payments to the Trustee under this Section 7.07, the Trustee will have a lien prior to the Securities on all money or property held or collected by the Trustee, other than money or property held in trust to pay principal or interest on

 

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particular Securities.  Those obligations of the Company will survive the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture and the resignation or removal of the Trustee.

 

When the Trustee incurs expenses or renders services after an Event of Default specified in clause (d) or (e) of Section 6.01 occurs, the expenses and the compensation for the services of the Trustee are intended to constitute expenses of administration under any Bankruptcy Law.

 

For purposes of this Section 7.07, “Trustee” will include any predecessor Trustee, but the willful misconduct, negligence or bad faith of any Trustee will not affect the rights of any other Trustee under this Section 7.07.

 

Section 7.08.                           Replacement of Trustee .  The Trustee may resign at any time by so notifying the Company.  The Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of all series then outstanding may remove the Trustee by so notifying the Trustee and the Company and may appoint a successor Trustee.  The Company may remove the Trustee if:

 

(a)                                  the Trustee fails to comply with Section 7.10;

 

(b)                                  the Trustee is adjudged bankrupt or insolvent or an order for relief is entered with respect to the Trustee under any bankruptcy law;

 

(c)                                   a receiver or other public officer takes charge of the Trustee or its property; or

 

(d)                                  the Trustee becomes incapable of acting.

 

If the Trustee resigns or is removed or if a vacancy exists in the office of Trustee for any reason, the Company will promptly appoint a successor Trustee.  Within one year after the successor Trustee takes office, the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of Securities of all series then outstanding may appoint a successor Trustee to replace the successor Trustee appointed by the Company.

 

No removal or appointment of a Trustee will be valid if that removal or appointment would conflict with any law applicable to the Company.

 

A successor Trustee will deliver a written acceptance of its appointment to the retiring Trustee and to the Company.  Immediately after that, the retiring Trustee will, subject to the lien provided for in Section 7.07, transfer all property held by it as a Trustee to the successor Trustee, the resignation or removal of the retiring Trustee will become effective, and the successor Trustee will have all the rights, powers and duties of the Trustee under this Indenture and all Supplemental Indentures.  A successor Trustee will mail notice of its succession to each Securityholder.

 

If a successor Trustee does not take office within 60 days after the retiring Trustee resigns or is removed, the retiring Trustee, the Company or the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of Securities of all series then outstanding may petition any court of competent jurisdiction, at the expense of the Company, for the appointment of a successor Trustee.

 

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If the Trustee fails to comply with Section 7.10, any Securityholder may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the removal of the Trustee and the appointment of a successor Trustee.

 

Notwithstanding the replacement of the Trustee pursuant to this Section, the Company’s obligations under Section 7.07 will continue for the benefit of the retiring Trustee.

 

Section 7.09.                           Successor Trustee by Merger, Etc .  If the Trustee consolidates with, merges or converts into, or transfers all or substantially all of its corporate trust assets to, another Person, the resulting, surviving or transferee Person will, without any further act, be the successor Trustee.

 

If at the time a successor by merger, conversion or consolidation to the Trustee succeeds to the trusts created by this Indenture any of the Securities have been authenticated but not delivered, the successor to the Trustee may adopt the certificate of authentication of the predecessor Trustee, and deliver the Securities which were authenticated by the predecessor Trustee; and if at that time any of the Securities have not been authenticated, the successor to the Trustee may authenticate those Securities in its own name as the successor to the Trustee; and in either case the certificates of authentication will have the full force provided in this Indenture for certificates of authentication.

 

Section 7.10.                           Eligibility; Disqualification .  The Trustee will at all times satisfy the requirements of TIA Section 310(a).  The Trustee will at all times have (or shall be a member of a bank holding company system whose parent corporation has) a combined capital and surplus of at least $50,000,000 as set forth in its most recently published annual report of condition, which will be deemed for this paragraph to be its combined capital and surplus.  The Trustee will comply with TIA Section 310(b).

 

Section 7.11.                           Preferential Collection of Claims .  The Trustee will comply with TIA Section 311(a), excluding any creditor relationship listed in TIA Section 311(b).  A Trustee who has resigned or been removed will be subject to TIA Section 311(a) to the extent indicated.

 

ARTICLE VIII

 

DISCHARGE OF INDENTURE

 

Section 8.01.                           Termination of the Company’s Obligations .  When (i) the Company delivers to the Trustee all outstanding Securities of all series (other than Securities replaced pursuant to Section 2.09) for cancellation or (ii) all outstanding Securities of all series have become due and payable, or are due and payable within one year or are to be called for redemption within one year, under arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for giving the notice of redemption, and the Company irrevocably deposits in trust with the Trustee (subject to Article XI) money or U.S. Government Obligations sufficient to pay the principal, premium, if any, and interest, if any, on the Securities of all series to maturity or redemption, as the case may be, and if, in the case of either (i) or (ii) above the Company also pays or causes to be paid all other sums payable by the Company under this Indenture, then this Indenture will cease to be of further effect.

 

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Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company’s obligations to pay principal, premium, if any, and interest, if any, on the Securities and the Company’s obligations in Sections 2.05, 2.06, 2.07, 2.08, 2.09, 7.07, 7.08 and in Article X will survive until all the Securities of all series are no longer outstanding.  Thereafter, the Company’s obligations in Section 7.07 will survive.

 

Before or after a deposit the Company may make arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for the redemption of Securities of a series at a future date to the extent the Securities are redeemable in accordance with Article III and the applicable Supplemental Indenture.

 

After a deposit pursuant to this Section 8.01 or after all outstanding Securities of all series have been delivered to the Trustee for cancellation, the Trustee upon written request from the Company, accompanied by an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel which complies with Section 12.05, and at the cost of the Company, will acknowledge in writing the satisfaction and discharge of the Company’s obligations under the Securities of all series and this Indenture except for those surviving obligations specified above.

 

In order to have money available on payment dates to pay principal, premium, if any, or interest, if any, on the Securities of a series, the U.S. Government Obligations will be payable as to principal, premium, if any, or interest on or before those payment dates in amounts sufficient to provide the necessary money.  U.S. Government Obligations used for this purpose may not be callable at the issuer’s option.

 

U.S. Government Obligations ” means:

 

(a)                                  direct obligations of the United States for the payment of which its full faith and credit is pledged;

 

or

 

(b)                                  obligations of a person controlled or supervised by and acting as an agency or instrumentality of the United States the payment of which is unconditionally guaranteed as a full faith and credit obligation by the United States.

 

Section 8.02.                           Application of Trust Money .  Subject to Article XI and Section 8.03, the Trustee will hold in trust money or U.S. Government Obligations deposited with it pursuant to Section 8.01.  It will apply the deposited money and the money from the U.S. Government Obligations through the Paying Agent and in accordance with this Indenture and any applicable Supplemental Indentures to the payment of principal of, premium, if any, and interest, if any, on the Securities with regard to which the money or U.S. Government Obligations were deposited.

 

Section 8.03.                           Repayment to the Company .  The Trustee and the Paying Agent will promptly pay to the Company upon written request any excess money or securities held by them at any time.  The Trustee and the Paying Agent will, subject to applicable escheatment laws, pay to the Company upon written request any money held by them for the payment of principal, premium or interest that remains unclaimed for two years.  After such payment, the Holder of any Securities shall thereafter look to the Company for any payment which such Holder may be entitled to collect, and all liability of the Trustee and the Paying Agent with respect to that money will cease.

 

24



 

ARTICLE IX

 

AMENDMENTS, SUPPLEMENTS AND WAIVERS

 

Section 9.01.                           Without Consent of Holders .  The Company and the Trustee may amend or supplement this Indenture or the Securities without notice to or consent of any Securityholder:

 

(a)                                  to cure any ambiguity, defect or inconsistency, or to conform any provision hereof to any provision under the heading “Description of Debt Securities” in the applicable prospectus, in each case as evidenced in an Officers’ Certificate;

 

(b)                                  to comply with Article V;

 

(c)                                   to establish the form and terms of the Securities of any series as contemplated in Article II of this Indenture;

 

(d)                                  to provide for uncertificated Securities in addition to or in place of certificated Securities; or

 

(e)                                   to make any change that does not materially adversely affect the rights of any Securityholder.

 

After an amendment under this Section becomes effective, the Company will mail to the Securityholders a notice briefly describing the amendment.  The failure to give such notice to all Securityholders, or any defect in a notice, will not impair or affect the validity of an amendment under this Section.

 

Section 9.02.                           With Consent of Holders .  The Company and the Trustee may (i) amend or supplement this Indenture or the Securities without notice to any Securityholder but with the written consent of the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of all series then outstanding or (ii) supplement this Indenture with regard to a series of Securities, amend or supplement a Supplemental Indenture relating to a series of Securities, or amend the Securities of a series, without notice to any Securityholder but with the written consent of the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of that series then outstanding.  The Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Securities of all series then outstanding may waive compliance by the Company with any provision of this Indenture or the Securities without notice to any Securityholder.  The Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Securities of any series then outstanding may waive compliance with any provision of this Indenture, any Supplemental Indenture or the Securities of that series with regard to the Securities of that series without notice to any Securityholder.  However, without the consent of the Holder so affected, no amendment, supplement or waiver, including a waiver pursuant to Section 6.04, may:

 

(a)                                  extend the fixed maturity of any Security, reduce the rate or extend the time for payment of interest on any Security, reduce the principal amount of any Security or premium, if any, on any Security;

 

25



 

(b)                                  impair or affect the right of a Holder to institute suit for the payment of interest, if any, principal or premium, if any, on the Securities;

 

(c)                                   change the currency in which the Securities are payable from that specified in the Securities or in a Supplemental Indenture applicable to the Securities;

 

(d)                                  impair the right, if any, to convert the Securities into, or exchange the Securities for, other securities or assets;

 

(e)                                   reduce the percentage of Securities required to consent to an amendment, supplement or waiver;

 

(f)                                    reduce the amount payable upon the redemption of any Security or change the time at which any Security may or will be redeemed;

 

(g)                                   modify the provisions of any Supplemental Indenture with respect to subordination of the Securities of a series in a manner adverse to the Securityholders; or

 

(h)                                  make any change in Section 6.04 or 6.08 or the fourth sentence of this Section.

 

It will not be necessary for the consent of the Holders under this Section to approve the particular form of any proposed amendment, supplement or waiver, but it will be sufficient if the consent approves the substance of the amendment, supplement or waiver.

 

Section 9.03.                           Compliance with Trust Indenture Act .  Every amendment or supplement to this Indenture, any Supplemental Indenture or the Securities will comply with the TIA as then in effect.

 

Section 9.04.                           Revocation and Effect of Consents .  A consent to an amendment, supplement or waiver by a Holder of a Security will bind the Holder and every subsequent Holder of a Security or portion of a Security that evidences the same debt as the consenting Holder’s Security, even if notation of the consent is not made on any Security.  However, any such Holder or subsequent Holder may revoke the consent as to the Holder’s Security or portion of a Security.  For a revocation to be effective, the Trustee must receive written notice of the revocation before the date the amendment, supplement or waiver becomes effective.  After an amendment, supplement or waiver becomes effective in accordance with its terms, it will bind every Holder of every Security of every series to which it applies.

 

Section 9.05.                           Notation on or Exchange of Securities .  If an amendment changes the terms of a series of Securities, the Trustee may require the Holder of a Security of the series to deliver the Holder’s Security to the Trustee, who will place an appropriate notation about the amendment, supplement or waiver on the Security and will return it to the Holder.  Alternatively, the Company may, in exchange for the Security, issue, and the Trustee will authenticate, a new Security that reflects the amendment, supplement or waiver.

 

Section 9.06.                           Trustee to Sign Amendments, Etc .  The Trustee will sign any amendment, supplement or waiver authorized pursuant to Article II or this Article IX if the

 

26



 

amendment, supplement or waiver does not adversely affect the rights, liabilities or immunities of the Trustee.  If it does adversely affect those rights, liabilities or immunities, the Trustee may but need not sign it.  The Company may not sign an amendment or supplement until the amendment or supplement is approved by an appropriate Board Resolution. A Board Resolution authorizing the creation of one or more series of Securities pursuant to Article II may provide that, prior to the issuance of any such series, any or all terms of such series may be set forth in or determined in the manner provided in an Officers’ Certificate. In executing any Supplemental Indenture permitted by this Article the Trustee shall receive, and shall be fully protected in relying upon, an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel stating that the execution of such Supplemental Indenture is authorized or permitted by this Indenture and that such Supplemental Indenture is the legal, valid and binding obligation of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with its terms.

 

ARTICLE X

 

CONVERSION OR EXCHANGE OF SECURITIES

 

Section 10.01.                    Provisions Relating to Conversion or Exchange of Securities .  Any rights which Holders of Securities of a series will have to convert those Securities into other securities of the Company or to exchange those Securities for securities of other Persons or other assets, including but not limited to the terms of the conversion or exchange and the circumstances, if any, under which those terms will be adjusted to prevent dilution or otherwise, will be set forth in a Supplemental Indenture relating to the series of Securities.  In the absence of provisions in a Supplemental Indenture relating to a series of Securities setting forth rights to convert or exchange the Securities of that series into or for other securities or assets, Holders of the Securities of that series will not have any such rights.

 

ARTICLE XI

 

SINKING OR PURCHASE FUNDS

 

Section 11.01.                    Provisions Relating to Sinking or Purchase Funds .  Any requirements that the Company make, or rights of the Company to make at its option, payments prior to maturity of the Securities of a series which will be used as a fund with which to redeem or to purchase Securities of that series, including but not limited to provisions regarding the amount of the payments, when the Company will be required, or will have the option, to make the payments and when the payments will be applied, will be set forth in a Supplemental Indenture relating to the series of Securities.  In the absence of provisions in a Supplemental Indenture relating to a series of Securities setting forth requirements that the Company make, or rights of the Company to make at its option, payments to be used as a fund with which to redeem or purchase Securities of the series, the Company will not be subject to any such requirements and will not have any such rights.  However, unless otherwise specifically provided in a Supplemental Indenture relating to a series of Securities, the Company will at all times have the right to purchase Securities from Holders in market transactions or otherwise.

 

27



 

ARTICLE XII

 

MISCELLANEOUS

 

Section 12.01.                    Trust Indenture Act Controls .  If any provision of this Indenture or any Supplemental Indenture limits, qualifies or conflicts with the duties imposed by Sections 310 through 317 of the TIA, the imposed duties will control.

 

Section 12.02.                    Supplemental Indentures Contract .  If any provision of a Supplemental Indenture relating to a series of Securities is inconsistent with any provision of this Indenture, the provision of the Supplemental Indenture will control with regard to the Securities of the series to which it relates.

 

Section 12.03.                    Notices .  Any notice or communication under or relating to this Indenture or any Supplemental Indenture will be sufficiently given if in writing and delivered in person, emailed to the address that follows or mailed by first-class mail, certified or registered, overnight delivery return receipt requested, addressed as follows:

 

if to the Company:

Sutherland Asset Management Corporation

 

1140 Avenue of the Americas, 7th Floor

 

New York, New York 10036

 

Attention: Chief Executive Officer

 

 

 

Email: Rherbst@waterfallam.com

 

 

if to the Trustee:

U.S. Bank National Association,

 

60 Livingston Avenue St. Paul, MN 55107

 

Attention: Global Corporate Trust Services

 

Either the Company or the Trustee by a notice to the other may designate additional or different addresses for subsequent notices or communications.

 

Any notice or communication mailed to a Securityholder will be mailed to the Securityholder at the Securityholder’s address as it appears on the registration books of the Registrar and will be sufficiently given to the Securityholder if so mailed within the time prescribed.

 

Failure to mail a notice or communication to a Securityholder or any defect in it will not affect its sufficiency with respect to other Securityholders.  If a notice or communication is emailed or mailed in the manner provided above, it is duly given, whether or not the addressee receives it.

 

If by reason of the suspension of regular mail service, or by reason of any other cause, it is impossible to mail any notice as required by this Indenture or any Supplemental Indenture, then any method of notification which is approved by the Trustee will constitute a sufficient mailing of the notice.

 

28



 

The Company may set a record date for purposes of determining the identity of Securityholders entitled to vote or consent to any action by vote or consent authorized or permitted by Sections 6.04 and 6.05.  The record date will be the later of 30 days prior to the first solicitation of consents or the date of the most recent list of Holders furnished to the Trustee pursuant to Section 2.07 prior to the solicitation.

 

Section 12.04.                    Communication by Holders with Other Holders .  Securityholders may communicate pursuant to TIA Section 312(b) with other Securityholders with respect to their rights under this Indenture or the Securities.  Each of the Company, the Trustee, the Registrar and anyone else will have the protection of TIA Section 312(c).

 

Section 12.05.                    Certificate and Opinion as to Conditions Precedent .  Upon any request or application by the Company to the Trustee to take any action under this Indenture or any Supplemental Indenture, the Company will furnish to the Trustee:

 

(a)                                  an Officers’ Certificate stating that, in the opinion of the signer, all conditions precedent, if any, provided for in this Indenture or any Supplemental Indenture relating to the proposed action have been complied with;

 

(b)                                  an Opinion of Counsel stating that, in the opinion of such counsel, all those conditions precedent have been complied with; and

 

(c)                                   such other opinions and certificates as may be required by applicable provisions of this Indenture or the Supplemental Indenture.

 

Each certificate or opinion with respect to compliance with a condition or covenant provided for in this Indenture or a Supplemental Indenture will include (i) a statement that the person making the certificate or opinion has read the covenant or condition; (ii) a brief statement as to the nature and scope of the examination or investigation upon which the statements or opinions contained in the certificate or opinion are based; (iii) a statement that, in the opinion of the person giving the certificate or opinion, that person has made such examination or investigation as is necessary to enable that person to express an informed opinion as to whether or not the covenant or condition has been complied with; and (iv) a statement as to whether or not, in the opinion of that person, the condition or covenant has been complied with.  Nothing in this Section 12.05 will be construed as requiring that the Company furnish to the Trustee any evidence of compliance with the conditions and covenants provided for in this Indenture or any Supplemental Indenture other than the evidence specified in this Section 12.05.

 

Section 12.06.                    When Treasury Securities Disregarded .  In determining whether the Holders of the required principal amount of Securities have concurred in any direction, waiver or consent, Securities owned by the Company, or anyone under direct or indirect control or under direct or indirect common control with the Company will be disregarded and deemed not to be outstanding, except that for the purposes of determining whether the Trustee will be protected in relying on any such direction, waiver or consent, only Securities which a Trust Officer of the Trustee actually knows are so owned will be so disregarded.  Securities so owned which have been pledged in good faith will not be disregarded if the pledgee establishes to the satisfaction of the Trustee the pledgee’s right to act with respect to the Securities and that the pledgee is not the

 

29



 

Company or a person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by, or under common control with, the Company.  Nothing in this Section 12.06 will be construed as requiring that the Company furnish to the Trustee any evidence of compliance with the conditions and covenants provided for in the Indenture other than the evidence specified in this Section 12.06.

 

Section 12.07.                    Rules by Trustee, Paying Agent, Registrar .  The Trustee may make reasonable rules for action by or at a meeting of Securityholders.  The Paying Agent or Registrar may make reasonable rules for its functions.

 

Section 12.08.                    Legal Holidays .  A “ Legal Holiday ” is a Saturday, a Sunday, or a day on which banking institutions are not required to be open in the State of New York.  If a payment date is a Legal Holiday at a place of payment, payment may be made at that place on the next succeeding day that is not a Legal Holiday, and no interest on the sum being paid will accrue for the intervening period.

 

Section 12.09.                    Governing Law and Submission to Jurisdiction; Waiver of Jury Trial .  The laws of the State of New York will govern this Indenture, each Supplemental Indenture and the Securities.  The Company submits to the jurisdiction of the courts of the State of New York sitting in the Borough of Manhattan, City of New York, and of the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, in any action or proceeding to enforce any of its obligations under this Indenture or any Supplemental Indenture or with regard to the Securities, and agrees not to seek a transfer of any such action or proceeding on the basis of inconvenience of the forum or otherwise (but the Company will not be prevented from removing any such action or proceeding from a state court to the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York).  The Company agrees that process in any such action or proceeding may be served upon it by registered mail or in any other manner permitted by the rules of the court in which the action or proceeding is brought.

 

EACH OF THE COMPANY, THE HOLDERS AND THE TRUSTEE 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 INDENTURE, THE NOTES OR THE TRANSACTION CONTEMPLATED HEREBY.

 

Section 12.10.                    Actions by the Company .  Any action or proceeding brought by the Company to enforce any right, assert any claim or obtain any relief in connection with this Indenture, any Supplemental Indenture or the Securities will be brought by the Company exclusively in the courts of the State of New York sitting in the Borough of Manhattan, City of New York or in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York.

 

Section 12.11.                    No Adverse Interpretation of Other Agreements .  Neither this Indenture nor any Supplemental Indenture may be used to interpret another indenture, loan or debt agreement of the Company or any Subsidiary.  No such indenture, loan or debt agreement may be used to interpret this Indenture or any Supplemental Indenture.

 

30



 

Section 12.12.      Successors .  All agreements of the Company in this Indenture, any Supplemental Indentures and the Securities will bind its successors.  All agreements of the Trustee in this Indenture and any Supplemental Indentures will bind its successors.

 

Section 12.13.      Duplicate Originals .  The parties may sign any number of copies of this Indenture or any Supplemental Indenture.  Each signed copy will be an original, but all of them together will represent the same agreement.  The exchange of copies of this Indenture or any Supplemental Indenture and of signature pages by facsimile or PDF transmission shall constitute effective execution and delivery of this Indenture or any Supplemental Indenture as to the parties hereto and may be used in lieu of the original Indenture or any Supplemental Indenture for all purposes.  Signatures of the parties hereto transmitted by facsimile or PDF shall be deemed to be their original signatures for all purposes.

 

Section 12.14.      Table of Contents, Headings, etc .  The table of contents, cross-reference sheet and headings of the Articles and Sections of this Indenture have been inserted for convenience of reference only.  They are not to be considered a part of this Indenture, and will in no way modify or restrict any of the terms or provisions of this Indenture.

 

Section 12.15.      U.S.A. PATRIOT Act.  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 12.16.      Force Majeure.  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.

 

31



 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties to this Indenture have caused it to be duly executed as of the day and year first above written.

 

 

SUTHERLAND ASSET MANGEMENT CORPORATION

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Thomas E. Capasse

 

 

Name: Thomas E. Capasse

 

 

Title: Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as Trustee

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

Richard Prokosch

 

 

Name: Richard Prokosch

 

 

Title: Vice Preisdent

 



 

EXHIBIT A

 

FORM OF TRUSTEE’S CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICATION

 

This is one of the Securities of the series described in the within-mentioned Indenture and Supplemental Indenture.

 

 

U.S. Bank, National Association as Trustee

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Authorized Signatory

 

 

 

 

Dated:

 

A- 1


Exhibit 4.3

 

EXECUTION VERSION

 

Sutherland Asset Management Corporation

 

as Issuer

 

U.S. Bank National Association

 

as Trustee

 

First Supplemental Indenture

 

Dated as of August 9, 2017

 

to the Indenture

 

Dated as of August 9, 2017

 

7.00% Convertible Senior Notes due 2023

 



 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

 

 

Page

 

 

 

 

Article 1

 

 

 

 

 

DEFINITIONS AND OTHER PROVISIONS OF GENERAL APPLICATION

 

 

 

 

Section 1.01

Scope of Supplemental Indenture

1

Section 1.02

Definitions

1

Section 1.03

References to Interest

9

Section 1.04

References to Principal

10

 

 

 

 

Article 2

 

 

 

 

 

THE SECURITIES

 

 

 

 

Section 2.01

Title and Terms; Payments

10

Section 2.02

Forms

11

Section 2.03

Transfer and Exchange

12

Section 2.04

Payments on the Securities

14

 

 

 

 

Article 3

 

 

 

 

 

PURCHASES

 

 

 

 

Section 3.01

Purchase at Option of Holders upon a Fundamental Change

15

Section 3.02

Effect of Fundamental Change Purchase Notice

16

Section 3.03

Withdrawal of Fundamental Change Purchase Notice

17

Section 3.04

Deposit of Fundamental Change Purchase Price

17

Section 3.05

Securities Purchased in Whole or in Part

17

Section 3.06

Covenant To Comply with Applicable Laws upon Purchase of Securities

17

Section 3.07

Repayment to the Company

18

 

 

 

 

Article 4

 

 

 

 

 

OPTIONAL REDEMPTION

 

 

 

 

Section 4.01

Applicability of Article III of the Base Indenture

18

Section 4.02

No Sinking Fund

18

Section 4.03

Redemption

18

Section 4.04

Notice of Redemption; Selection of Securities

18

Section 4.05

Payment of Securities Called for Redemption

19

Section 4.06

Restrictions on Redemption

20

 

 

 

 

Article 5

 

 

 

 

 

CONVERSION

 

 

 

 

Section 5.01

Right To Convert

20

Section 5.02

Conversion Procedures

22

Section 5.03

Settlement Upon Conversion

23

Section 5.04

Adjustment of Conversion Rate

25

Section 5.05

Discretionary and Voluntary Adjustments

33

 

i



 

Section 5.06

Adjustment to Conversion Rate Upon Conversion in Connection with a Make-Whole Fundamental Change or Redemption Notice

34

Section 5.07

Effect of Recapitalization, Reclassification, Consolidation, Merger or Sale

35

Section 5.08

Stock Issued Upon Conversion

36

Section 5.09

Responsibility of Trustee

36

Section 5.10

Notice to Holders

37

 

 

 

 

Article 6

 

 

 

 

 

PARTICULAR COVENANTS OF THE COMPANY

 

 

 

 

Section 6.01

Payment of Principal, Interest, Fundamental Change Purchase Price and Redemption Price

38

Section 6.02

Maintenance of Office or Agency

38

Section 6.03

Appointments to Fill Vacancies in Trustee’s Office

38

Section 6.04

Provisions as to Paying Agent

38

Section 6.05

Reports

39

Section 6.06

Statements as to Defaults

39

Section 6.07

Supplementary Interest Notice

40

Section 6.08

Covenant to Take Certain Actions

40

Section 6.09

Limitation on Liens to Secure Payment of Company Borrowings

40

Section 6.10

Limitation on Unsecured Borrowings or Guaranty of Unsecured Borrowings by Subsidiaries

40

 

 

 

 

Article 7

 

 

 

 

 

REMEDIES

 

 

 

 

Section 7.01

Amendments to the Base Indenture

41

Section 7.02

Events of Default

41

Section 7.03

Acceleration; Rescission and Annulment

42

Section 7.04

Supplementary Interest

42

Section 7.05

Waiver of Past Defaults

43

Section 7.06

Control by Majority

43

Section 7.07

Limitation on Suits

43

Section 7.08

Rights of Holders to Receive Payment and to Convert

43

Section 7.09

Collection of Indebtedness; Suit for Enforcement by Trustee

43

Section 7.10

Trustee May Enforce Claims Without Possession of Securities

44

Section 7.11

Trustee May File Proofs of Claim

44

Section 7.12

Restoration of Rights and Remedies

44

Section 7.13

Rights and Remedies Cumulative

44

Section 7.14

Delay or Omission Not a Waiver

44

Section 7.15

Priorities

44

Section 7.16

Undertaking for Costs

45

Section 7.17

Waiver of Stay, Extension and Usury Laws

45

Section 7.18

Notices from the Trustee

45

 

 

 

 

Article 8

 

 

 

 

 

SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE

 

 

 

 

Section 8.01

Inapplicability of Provisions of Base Indenture; Satisfaction and Discharge of the Indenture

45

Section 8.02

Deposited Monies to Be Held in Trust by Trustee

46

Section 8.03

Paying Agent to Repay Monies Held

46

Section 8.04

Return of Unclaimed Monies

46

 

ii



 

Section 8.05

Reinstatement

46

 

 

 

 

Article 9

 

 

 

 

 

SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES

 

 

 

 

Section 9.01

Supplemental Indentures Without Consent of Holders

47

Section 9.02

Supplemental Indentures With Consent of Holders

47

Section 9.03

Notice of Amendment or Supplement

48

 

 

 

 

Article 10

 

 

 

 

 

SUCCESSOR COMPANY

 

 

 

 

Section 10.01

Consolidation, Merger and Sale of Assets

49

Section 10.02

Company May Consolidate, Etc. on Certain Terms

49

Section 10.03

Successor Corporation to Be Substituted

49

Section 10.04

Opinion of Counsel to Be Given to Trustee

49

 

 

 

 

Article 11

 

 

 

 

 

MISCELLANEOUS

 

 

 

 

Section 11.01

Effect on Successors and Assigns

50

Section 11.02

Governing Law

50

Section 11.03

No Security Interest Created

50

Section 11.04

Trust Indenture Act

50

Section 11.05

Benefits of Supplemental Indenture

50

Section 11.06

Calculations

50

Section 11.07

Execution in Counterparts

50

Section 11.08

Notices

50

Section 11.09

Ratification of Base Indenture

51

Section 11.10

The Trustee

51

Section 11.11

No Recourse Against Others

51

Section 11.12

Submission to Jurisdiction

51

Section 11.13

Applicable Tax Law

51

 

 

 

SCHEDULE

 

 

 

 

 

Schedule A

Additional Shares

 

 

 

 

EXHIBIT

 

 

 

 

 

Exhibit A

Form of Security

 

 

iii



 

FIRST SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE (this “ Supplemental Indenture ”), dated as of August 9, 2017, between Sutherland Asset Management Corporation, a Maryland corporation (the “ Company ”), and U.S. Bank National Association (the “ Trustee ”), as trustee under the Indenture dated as of August 9, 2017, between the Company and the Trustee (as amended or supplemented from time to time in accordance with the terms thereof, the “ Base Indenture ”).

 

RECITALS OF THE COMPANY

 

WHEREAS, the Company executed and delivered the Base Indenture to the Trustee to provide, among other things, for the issuance, from time to time, of the Company’s senior unsecured debt Securities, in an unlimited aggregate principal amount, in one or more series to be established by the Company under, and authenticated and delivered as provided in, the Base Indenture;

 

WHEREAS, Section 9.01(c) of the Base Indenture provides for the Company and the Trustee to enter into supplemental indentures to the Base Indenture to establish the form and terms of Securities of any series as contemplated by Article II of the Base Indenture;

 

WHEREAS, the Board of Directors has duly adopted resolutions authorizing the Company to execute and deliver this Supplemental Indenture;

 

WHEREAS, pursuant to the terms of the Base Indenture, the Company has authorized the creation and issuance under this Supplemental Indenture of its 7.00% Convertible Senior Notes due 2023 (the “ Securities ”), the form and substance of such Securities and the terms, provisions and conditions thereof to be set forth as provided in the Base Indenture and this Supplemental Indenture; and

 

WHEREAS, the Company has requested that the Trustee execute and deliver this Supplemental Indenture, and that all requirements necessary to make (i) this Supplemental Indenture a valid instrument in accordance with its terms, and (ii) the Securities, when executed by the Company and authenticated and delivered by the Trustee, the valid obligations of the Company have been performed, and the execution and delivery of this Supplemental Indenture have been duly authorized in all respects.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, THIS SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE WITNESSETH, for and in consideration of the premises and the purchases of the Securities by the Holders thereof, it is mutually agreed, for the benefit of the Company and the equal and proportionate benefit of all Holders, as follows:

 

ARTICLE 1

 

DEFINITIONS AND OTHER PROVISIONS OF GENERAL APPLICATION

 

Section 1.01                              Scope of Supplemental Indenture . The changes, modifications and supplements to the Base Indenture effected by this Supplemental Indenture shall be applicable only with respect to, and shall govern only the terms of (and only the rights of the Holders and the obligations of the Company with respect to), the Securities, which may be issued from time to time, and shall not apply to any other securities that may be issued under the Base Indenture (or govern the rights of the Holders or the obligations of the Company with respect to any such other securities) unless a supplemental indenture with respect to such other securities specifically incorporates such changes, modifications and supplements. The provisions of this Supplemental Indenture shall, with respect to the Securities, supersede any corresponding provisions in the Base Indenture. Subject to the preceding sentence, and except as otherwise provided herein, the provisions of the Base Indenture shall apply to the Securities and govern the rights of the Holders of the Securities and the obligations of the Company and the Trustee with respect thereto.

 

Section 1.02                              Definitions . For all purposes of the Indenture, except as otherwise expressly provided or unless the context otherwise requires:

 



 

(1)                                  the terms defined in this Article 1 shall have the meanings assigned to them in this Article 1 and include the plural as well as the singular; and

 

(2)                                  all words, terms and phrases defined in the Base Indenture (but not otherwise defined herein) shall have the same meanings as in the Base Indenture.

 

Additional Shares ” has the meaning specified in Section 5.06(a)  hereof.

 

Agent Members ” has the meaning specified in Section 2.02(c)  hereof.

 

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

 

Applicable Tax Law ” has the meaning specified in Section 11.13  hereof.

 

Authenticating Agent ” means any authenticating agent appointed by the Trustee pursuant to Section 2.03 of the Base Indenture to act on behalf of the Trustee to authenticate Securities of one or more series.

 

Base Indenture ” has the meaning specified in the first paragraph of this Supplemental Indenture, as such instrument may be supplemented from time to time by one or more indentures supplemental thereto, including this Supplemental Indenture, entered into pursuant to the applicable provisions of the Base Indenture, including, for all purposes of the Base Indenture, this Supplemental Indenture and any such other supplemental indenture, the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act that are deemed to be a part of and govern the Base Indenture, this Supplemental Indenture and any other such supplemental indenture, respectively.

 

Bid Solicitation Agent ” means the Company or such other person (including the Trustee) as may be appointed, from time to time, by the Company to solicit bids for the Trading Price of the Securities in accordance with Section 5.01(b)(2)  hereof. Initially, the “Bid Solicitation Agent” means the Company.

 

Board of Directors ” means the board of directors of the Company or a committee of such board duly authorized to act for it hereunder.

 

Business Day ” means, notwithstanding anything to the contrary in Section 1.01 of the Base Indenture, 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 to 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.

 

Cash Settlement ” has the meaning specified in Section 5.03(a)(4)  hereof.

 

Cash Settlement Averaging Period ” means, with respect to any Security as to which Cash Settlement or Combination Settlement is applicable, the 30 consecutive Trading Day period beginning on, and including, the third Trading Day immediately following the related Conversion Date; except that “Cash Settlement Averaging Period” means, (1) with respect to any Conversion Date occurring during the Final Conversion Period, the 30 consecutive Trading Day period beginning on, and including, the 32nd Scheduled Trading Day immediately preceding the Maturity Date and (2) with respect to any Conversion Date for Securities that have been called for Optional Redemption occurring on or after the date of the Company’s issuance of a Redemption Notice and prior to the related Redemption Date, the 30 consecutive Trading Day period beginning on, and including, the 32nd Scheduled Trading Day immediately preceding the Redemption Date.

 

Clause A Distribution ” has the meaning specified in Section 5.04(c)  hereof.

 

Clause B Distribution ” has the meaning specified in Section 5.04(c)  hereof.

 

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Clause C Distribution ” has the meaning specified in Section 5.04(c)  hereof.

 

Close of Business ” means 5:00 p.m., New York City time.

 

Combination Settlement ” has the meaning specified in Section 5.03(a)(4)  hereof.

 

Common Equity ” of any Person means the 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.

 

Common Stock ” means, subject to Section 5.07 , the shares of common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, of the Company authorized at the date of this instrument as originally executed or shares of any class or classes of common stock resulting from any reclassification or reclassifications thereof; provided , however , that if at any time there shall be more than one such resulting class, the shares so issuable on conversion of Securities shall include shares of all such classes, and the shares of each such class then so issuable shall be substantially in the proportion which the total number of shares of such class resulting from all such reclassifications bears to the total number of shares of all such classes resulting from all such reclassifications. “Common Stock” includes any stock of any class of Capital Stock which has no preference in respect of dividends or of amounts payable in the event of any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the issuer thereof and which is not subject to redemption by the issuer thereof.

 

Company ” has the meaning specified in the first paragraph of this Supplemental Indenture, and subject to the provisions of Section 10.02 , shall include its successors and assigns.

 

Continuing Director ” means a director who either was a member of the Board of Directors on the date of the Preliminary Prospectus Supplement or who becomes a member of the Board of Directors subsequent to that date and whose election, appointment or nomination for election by the Company’s stockholders is duly approved by a majority of the “Continuing Directors” on the Board of Directors at the time of such approval, either by a specific vote or by approval of the proxy statement issued by the Company on behalf of the Company’s entire Board of Directors in which such individual is named as nominee for election as a director, and whose election is recommended by the Board of Directors.

 

Conversion Agent ” means the office or agency designated by the Company where Securities may be presented for conversion.

 

Conversion Date ” has the meaning specified in Section 5.02(b)  hereof.

 

Conversion Notice ” has the meaning specified in Section 5.02(b)(1)  hereof.

 

Conversion Price ” means, in respect of each Security, as of any date, $25.00 divided by the Conversion Rate in effect on such date.

 

Conversion Rate ” means initially 1.4997 shares of Common Stock per $25.00 principal amount of Securities, subject to adjustment as set forth herein.

 

Corporate Trust Office ” means the office of the Trustee at which, at any particular time, its corporate trust business shall be principally administered, which office at the date hereof is located at 60 Livingston Avenue St. Paul, MN 55107, Attention: Global Corporate Trust Services.

 

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Custodian ” means the Trustee, as custodian with respect to the Securities (so long as the Securities constitute Global Securities), or any successor entity

 

Daily Conversion Value ” means, with respect to any Security as to which Cash Settlement or Combination Settlement is applicable, for each of the 30 consecutive Trading Days during the Cash Settlement Averaging Period, one-thirtieth (1/30th) of the product of (i) the Conversion Rate in effect on such Trading Day and (ii) the Daily VWAP on such Trading Day.

 

Daily Measurement Value ” has the meaning specified in Section 5.03(a)(6)(A)  hereof.

 

Daily Settlement Amount ” has the meaning specified in Section 5.03(a)(6)  hereof.

 

Daily VWAP ” means, with respect to any Security as to which Cash Settlement or Combination Settlement is applicable, for any Trading Day, the per-share volume-weighted average price as displayed under the heading “Bloomberg VWAP” on Bloomberg page “SLD <equity> AQR” (or its equivalent successor if such page is not available) in respect of the period from the scheduled open of trading until the scheduled close of trading of the primary trading session on such Trading Day (or if such volume-weighted average price is unavailable, the market value of one share of the Common Stock on such Trading Day determined, using a volume-weighted average method, by a nationally recognized independent investment banking firm retained for this purpose by the Company). The “Daily VWAP” will be determined without regard to after-hours trading or any other trading outside of the regular trading session trading hours.

 

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.

 

Dividend Period ” shall have the meaning specified in Section 5.04(d)  hereof.

 

DTA ” has the meaning specified in Section 5.04(d)  hereof.

 

Effective Date ” has the meaning specified in Section 5.06(c)  hereof.

 

Event of Default ” has the meaning, notwithstanding anything to the contrary in Section 1.01 of the Base Indenture, specified in Section 7.02 hereof.

 

Ex-Dividend Date ” means, except to the extent otherwise provided under Section 5.04(c)  hereof, the first date on which shares of the Common Stock trade on the applicable exchange or in the applicable market, regular way, without the right to receive the issuance, dividend or distribution in question.

 

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

 

Final Conversion Period ” means the period beginning on, and including, the 30th Scheduled Trading Day immediately preceding the Maturity Date, and ending at the Close of Business on the second Scheduled Trading Day immediately prior to the Maturity Date.

 

Form of Assignment and Transfer ” means the “Form of Assignment and Transfer” attached as Attachment 3 to the Form of Security attached hereto as Exhibit A .

 

Form of Fundamental Change Purchase Notice ” means the “Form of Fundamental Change Purchase Notice” attached as Attachment 2 to the Form of Security attached hereto as Exhibit A .

 

Form of Notice of Conversion ” means the “Form of Notice of Conversion” attached as Attachment 1 to the Form of Security attached hereto as Exhibit A .

 

Fundamental Change ” shall be deemed to have occurred at the time after the Securities are originally issued if any of the following occurs:

 

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(1)                                  any “person” or “group” (within the meaning of Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act, other than the Company or its Subsidiaries or entities controlled by its manager) files a Schedule TO or any schedule, form or report under the Exchange Act disclosing that such person or group has become the “beneficial owner,” (as used in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act, directly or indirectly, of 50% or more of the total outstanding voting power of all classes of the Company’s capital stock entitled to vote generally in the election of the Board of Directors;

 

(2)                                  the consummation of (x) any consolidation, merger, amalgamation, scheme of arrangement or other binding share exchange or reclassification or similar transaction between the Company and another person (other than any of the Company’s Subsidiaries), in each case pursuant to which the outstanding Common Stock shall be converted into cash, securities or other property, other than a transaction (i) that results in the holders of all classes of the Company’s Common Equity immediately prior to such transaction owning, directly or indirectly, as a result of such transaction, more than 50% of the surviving corporation or transferee or the parent thereof immediately after such event, or (ii) effected solely to change the Company’s jurisdiction of incorporation or to form a holding company for the Company and that results in a share exchange or reclassification or similar exchange of the outstanding Common Stock solely into shares of common stock of the surviving entity or (y) any sale or other disposition in one transaction or a series of transactions of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries, on a consolidated basis, to another person (other than any of the Company’s Subsidiaries);

 

(3)                                  Continuing Directors cease to constitute at least a majority of the Board of Directors;

 

(4)                                  the Company’s stockholders approve any plan or proposal for the liquidation or dissolution of the Company (other than in a transaction described in clause (2) above); or

 

(5)                                  the Common Stock ceases to be listed on the New York Stock Exchange, The NASDAQ Global Select Market or The NASDAQ Global Market (or any of their respective successors);

 

provided , however , that in the case of a transaction or event described in clause (1) or (2) above, if at least 90% of the consideration received or to be received by holders of the Common Stock (excluding cash payments for fractional shares) in the transaction or transactions that would otherwise constitute a “Fundamental Change” consists of shares of common stock or common equity interests that are traded on 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 that would otherwise constitute a “Fundamental Change” under clause (1) or (2) above (“ Publicly Traded Securities ”), and as a result of such transaction or transactions, the Securities become convertible into or by reference to such Publicly Traded Securities, excluding cash payments for fractional shares (subject to settlement in accordance with the provisions of Sections 5.03 , 5.04 and 5.06 hereof), such event shall not be a “Fundamental Change.”

 

Fundamental Change Company Notice ” has the meaning specified in Section 3.01(b)  hereof.

 

Fundamental Change Expiration Time ” has the meaning specified in Section 3.01(a)(1)  hereof.

 

Fundamental Change Purchase Date ” has the meaning specified in Section 3.01(a)  hereof.

 

Fundamental Change Purchase Notice ” has the meaning specified in Section 3.01(a)  hereof.

 

Fundamental Change Purchase Price ” has the meaning specified in Section 3.01(a)  hereof.

 

GAAP ” means generally accepted accounting principles in the United States applied consistently from time to time.

 

Global Security ” means a Security which is executed by the Company and authenticated and delivered to the Depository or its nominee, all in accordance with the Indenture and pursuant to a Company Order, which shall be registered in the name of the Depository or its nominee and which shall represent the amount of uncertificated Securities as specified therein.

 

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Guarantee ” means, any obligation, contingent or otherwise, of any Person directly or indirectly guaranteeing any indebtedness of any other Person, including any such obligation, direct or indirect, contingent or otherwise, of such Person:

 

(1)                                  to purchase or pay (or advance or supply funds for the purchase or payment of) such indebtedness of such other Person (whether arising by virtue of partnership arrangements, or by agreements to keepwell, to purchase assets, goods, securities or services, to take-or-pay or to maintain financial statement conditions or otherwise); or

 

(2)                                  entered into primarily for purposes of assuring in any other manner the obligee of such indebtedness of the payment thereof or to protect such obligee against loss in respect thereof (in whole or in part).

 

Holder ” means, notwithstanding anything to the contrary in Section 1.01 of the Base Indenture, the Person in whose name a Security is registered in the Security Register.

 

incur ” mean to, directly or indirectly, create, incur, assume, guarantee or otherwise become liable for payment of.

 

Indenture ” means, notwithstanding anything to the contrary in Section 1.01 of the Base Indenture, the Base Indenture, as originally executed and as supplemented by this Supplemental Indenture, each as may be amended or supplemented from time to time.

 

Interest Payment Date ” means, with respect to the payment of interest on the Securities and notwithstanding anything to the contrary in Section 1.01 of the Base Indenture, each February 15, May 15, August 15 and November 15, beginning on November 15, 2017.

 

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

 

Lien ” means any lien, mortgage, deed of trust, pledge, security interest, charge or encumbrance of any kind (including any conditional sale or other title retention agreement, any lease in the nature thereof and any agreement to give any security interest).

 

Make-Whole Fundamental Change ” means any event that (i) is a Fundamental Change or (ii) would be a Fundamental Change, but for the exclusion in section (i) of clause (2) of the definition thereof.

 

Market Disruption Event ” means, if the Common Stock is listed for trading on The New York Stock Exchange or listed on another U.S. national or regional securities exchange, the occurrence or existence during the one-half-hour period ending on the scheduled close of trading on any Trading Day of any material suspension or limitation imposed on trading (by reason of movements in price exceeding limits permitted by the stock exchange or otherwise) in the Common Stock or in any options, contracts or futures contracts relating to the Common Stock. For the purposes of determining amounts due upon conversion only pursuant to Section 5.03 , “ Market Disruption Event ” means (1) a failure by the primary exchange or quotation system on which the Common Stock trades or is quoted to open for trading during its regular trading session or (2) the occurrence or existence, prior to 1:00 p.m., New York City time, on any Trading Day for the Common Stock, of an aggregate one half-hour period of any suspension or limitation imposed on trading (by reason of movements in price exceeding limits permitted by the

 

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stock exchange or otherwise) in the Common Stock or in any options, contracts or future contracts relating to the Common Stock.

 

Maturity Date ” means, with respect to any Security and the payment of the principal amount thereof, August 15, 2023.

 

Measurement Period ” has the meaning specified in Section 5.01(b)(2)  hereof.

 

Merger Event ” has the meaning specified in Section 5.07(a)  hereof.

 

Note Guarantor ” means any Subsidiary of the Company that Guarantees the Securities, until such Guarantee is released in accordance with the terms of this Indenture.

 

Notice of Default ” has the meaning, notwithstanding anything to the contrary in Section 1.01 of the Base Indenture, specified in Section 7.02(f)  hereof.

 

Offer Expiration Date ” has the meaning specified in Section 5.04(e)  hereof.

 

Open of Business ” means 9:00 a.m., New York City time.

 

Operating Partnership ” means Sutherland Partners, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership.

 

Optional Redemption ” has the meaning specified in Section 4.03(a) .

 

Outstanding ” means, with respect to the Securities, notwithstanding anything to the contrary in Section 1.01 of the Base Indenture, any Securities authenticated by the Trustee except (i) Securities cancelled by it, (ii) Securities delivered to it for cancellation and (iii)(A) Securities replaced pursuant to Section 2.09 of the Base Indenture, on and after the time such Security is replaced (unless the Trustee and the Company receive proof satisfactory to them that such Security is held by a bona fide purchaser), (B) Securities converted pursuant to Article 5 hereof, on and after their Conversion Date, (C) any and all Securities, as of the Maturity Date, if the Paying Agent holds, in accordance with this Indenture, money sufficient to pay all of the Securities then payable, and (D) any and all Securities owned by the Company or any other obligor upon the Securities or any Affiliate of the Company or of such other obligor, except that in determining whether the Trustee shall be protected in relying upon any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent or waiver or other action that is to be made by a requisite principal amount of Outstanding Securities, only such Securities which a Responsible Officer of the Trustee knows to be so owned shall be disregarded.

 

Paying Agent ” has the meaning set forth in the Base Indenture and shall be the person authorized by the Company to pay the principal amount of, interest on, Fundamental Change Purchase Price of or Redemption Price of, any Securities on behalf of the Company.

 

Person ” means any individual, corporation, partnership, joint venture, association, joint-stock company, trust, unincorporated organization, limited liability company, government or any agency or political subdivision thereof or any other entity.

 

Physical Securities ” means any non-Global Security issued pursuant to Section 2.03 hereof that is in definitive, fully registered form, without interest coupons.

 

Physical Settlement ” has the meaning specified in Section 5.03(a)(4)  hereof.

 

Preliminary Prospectus Supplement ” means the Preliminary Prospectus Supplement of the Company, dated August 3, 2017, to the Prospectus of the Company dated July 7, 2017, relating to the offering and sale of the Securities.

 

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Publicly Traded Securities ” has the meaning specified in the definition of “Fundamental Change” in this Section 1.02 .

 

Redemption Date ” has the meaning specified in Section 4.04(a) .

 

Redemption Notice ” has the meaning specified in Section 4.04(a) .

 

Redemption Price ” has the meaning specified in Section 4.03(a) .

 

Reference Property ” has the meaning specified in Section 5.07(a)  hereof.

 

Regular Record Date ” means, with respect to any Interest Payment Date, the February 1, May 1, August 1 and November 1 (whether or not a Business Day), as the case may be, immediately preceding such Interest Payment Date.

 

Reporting Event of Default ” has the meaning specified in Section 7.04(a)  hereof.

 

Responsible Officer ” means, when used with respect to the Trustee, any officer within the corporate trust department of the Trustee, including any vice president, assistant vice president, assistant secretary, assistant treasurer, trust officer or any other officer of the Trustee who customarily performs functions similar to those performed by the Persons who at the time shall be such officers, respectively, or to whom any corporate trust matter relating to this Indenture is referred because of such person’s knowledge of and familiarity with the particular subject and who shall, in each case, have direct responsibility for the administration of this Indenture.

 

Scheduled Trading Day ” means a day that is scheduled to be a Trading Day on the principal U.S. national or regional securities exchange or market on which the Common Stock is listed or admitted for trading. If the Common Stock is not so listed or admitted for trading, “Scheduled Trading Day” means a Business Day.

 

Security ” or “ Securities ” has the meaning specified in the fourth paragraph of the Recitals of this Supplemental Indenture, notwithstanding anything to the contrary in Section 1.01 of the Base Indenture.

 

Settlement Amount ” has the meaning specified in Section 5.03(a)  hereof.

 

Settlement Method ” has the meaning specified in Section 5.03(a)(2)  hereof.

 

Settlement Notice ” has the meaning specified in Section 5.03(a)(4)  hereof.

 

Significant Subsidiary ” means, with respect to any person, a Subsidiary of such person that would constitute a “significant subsidiary” as such term is defined in Article 1 , Rule 1-02 of Regulation S-X, promulgated pursuant to the Securities Act, as in effect on the original date of issuance of the Securities.

 

Specified Dollar Amount ” has the meaning specified in Section 5.03(a)(6)(A)  hereof.

 

Spin-Off ” has the meaning specified in Section 5.04(c)  hereof.

 

Stock Price ” has the meaning specified in Section 5.06(c)  hereof.

 

Subsidiary ” means, with respect to any Person and at any time, any other Person if more than 50% of the total combined voting power of all of such other Person’s outstanding Voting Stock is at the time owned, directly or indirectly, by such referent Person and/or one or more other Subsidiaries of such referent Person. For purposes of clarity, it is understood and agreed that, anything in this Indenture to the contrary notwithstanding, variable interest entities (within the meaning of GAAP) shall not be deemed to be Subsidiaries of any Person.

 

Successor Company ” has the meaning specified in Section 10.02(a)  hereof.

 

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Supplemental Indenture ” has the meaning specified in the first paragraph hereof, as such instrument may be supplemented from time to time by one or more indentures supplemental thereto, entered into pursuant to the applicable provisions of the Base Indenture and the Supplemental Indenture, including, for all purposes of this Supplemental Indenture and any such other supplemental indenture, the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act that are deemed to be a part of and govern the Base Indenture, this Supplemental Indenture and any other such supplemental indenture, respectively.

 

Supplementary Interest ” has the meaning specified in Section 7.04(a)  hereof.

 

Total Stockholders’ Equity ” means, with respect to any Person as of any determination date, the total stockholders’ equity (or, if such Person is not a corporation, the total equity interests of its partners, members or other equity owners) of such Person and its Subsidiaries, determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP.

 

Trading Day ” means a Scheduled Trading Day on which (i) trading in the Common Stock generally occurs on The New York Stock Exchange or, if the Common Stock is not then listed on The New York Stock Exchange, on the principal other U.S. national or regional securities exchange on which the Common Stock is then listed or, if the Common Stock is not then listed on a U.S. national or regional securities exchange, on the principal other market on which the Common Stock is then traded, and (ii) there is no Market Disruption Event. If the Common Stock is not so listed or traded, “Trading Day” means a “Business Day.” Notwithstanding the foregoing, for the purposes of determining amounts due upon conversion only pursuant to Section 5.03 , “Trading Day” means a day during which (i) trading in the Common Stock generally occurs on the primary exchange or quotation system on which the Common Stock then trades or is quoted and (ii) there is no Market Disruption Event.

 

Trading Price ” of the Securities on any Trading Day means the average of the secondary market bid quotations obtained by the Bid Solicitation Agent for $1.0 million principal amount of the Securities at approximately 3:30 p.m., New York City time, on such Trading Day from three independent nationally recognized securities dealers selected by the Company; provided that, if three such bids cannot reasonably be obtained by the Bid Solicitation Agent but two such bids are obtained, then the average of the two bids shall be used, and if only one such bid can reasonably be obtained by the Bid Solicitation Agent, that one bid shall be used. If the Bid Solicitation Agent cannot reasonably obtain at least one bid for $1.0 million principal amount of the Securities from a nationally recognized securities dealer, then the Trading Price per $25.00 principal amount of Securities will be deemed to be less than 98% of the product of (i) the Conversion Rate in effect on such Trading Day and (ii) the Last Reported Sale Price of the Common Stock on such Trading Day. Any such determination will be conclusive absent manifest error. If the Company does not so instruct the Bid Solicitation Agent (if other than the Company) to obtain bids when required, or the Bid Solicitation Agent fails to solicit bids when required, the Trading Price per $25.00 principal amount of the Securities will be deemed to be less than 98% of the product of (i) the Conversion Rate and (ii) the Trading Price for each Trading Day on which the Company or the Bid Solicitation Agent fails to do so, as the case may be.

 

Trigger Event ” has the meaning specified in Section 5.04(c)  hereof.

 

Trustee ” means the Person named as the “Trustee” in the first paragraph of this Supplemental Indenture until a successor Trustee shall have become such pursuant to the applicable provisions of the Base Indenture and this Supplemental Indenture, and thereafter “Trustee” shall mean or include each Person who is then a Trustee hereunder.

 

Unit of Reference Property ” has the meaning specified in Section 5.07(a)  hereof.

 

U.S. ” or “ United States ” means the United States of America.

 

Valuation Period ” has the meaning specified in Section 5.04(c)  hereof.

 

Section 1.03                              References to Interest . Any reference to interest on, or in respect of, any Security in the Indenture shall be deemed to include Supplementary Interest if, in such context, Supplementary Interest is, was or

 

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would be payable pursuant to Section 7.04 . Any express mention of the payment of Supplementary Interest in any provision hereof shall not be construed as excluding Supplementary Interest in those provisions hereof where such express mention is not made.

 

Section 1.04                              References to Principal .

 

(a)                                  Unless the context otherwise requires, any reference to the principal of, or the principal amount of, any Security or Note in the Base Indenture or this Supplemental Indenture shall be deemed to include the Redemption Price and/or the Fundamental Change Purchase Price, if, in such context, the Redemption Price and/or the Fundamental Change Purchase Price (as applicable) is, was or would be payable in accordance with Article 3 or Article 4, as applicable. Unless the context otherwise requires, any express mention of the Redemption Price or the Fundamental Change Purchase Price in any provision hereof shall not be construed as excluding the Redemption Price or the Fundamental Change Purchase Price, as applicable, in those provisions hereof where such express mention is not made.

 

ARTICLE 2

 

THE SECURITIES

 

Section 2.01                              Title and Terms; Payments .

 

(a)                                  Establishment; Designation . Pursuant to Section 2.02 of the Base Indenture, there is hereby established and authorized a new series of Securities under the Indenture, which series of Securities shall be designated the “7.00% Convertible Senior Notes due 2023.”

 

(b)                                  Initial Issuance . Subject to Section 2.01(c)  hereof, the aggregate principal amount of Securities that may initially be authenticated and delivered under the Indenture is limited to $115,000,000. In addition, the Company may execute, and the Trustee may authenticate and deliver, in each case, in accordance with Section 2.04 of the Base Indenture, an unlimited aggregate principal amount of additional Securities upon the transfer, exchange, purchase or conversion of Securities pursuant to Sections 2.08, 2.09 and 2.11 of the Base Indenture and Sections 3.05 and 5.02 hereof.

 

(c)                                   Further Issues . The Company may, without the consent of the Holders, issue additional Securities under the Indenture with the same terms and the same CUSIP number as the Securities initially issued under the Indenture in an unlimited aggregate principal amount; provided , that the Company may issue such additional Securities only if they are part of the same issue as the Securities initially issued hereunder for United States federal income tax purposes. Any such additional Securities will, for all purposes of the Indenture, including waivers, amendments and offers to purchase, be treated as part of the same series as the Securities initially issued under the Indenture.

 

(d)                                  Purchases . The Company and its Subsidiaries may from time to time purchase Securities in open market purchases in negotiated transactions or otherwise without giving prior notice to or obtaining any consent of the Holders. Any Securities purchased by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries pursuant to the foregoing sentence or otherwise will be retired and will no longer be Outstanding under the Indenture.

 

(e)                                   Denominations . Pursuant to Section 2.02 of the Base Indenture, and notwithstanding Section 2.03 of the Base Indenture, the Securities will be issued only in minimum denominations of $25.00 and integral multiples of $25.00 in excess thereof.

 

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Section 2.02          Forms .

 

(a)           In General . Pursuant to Section 2.01 of the Base Indenture, the Securities will be substantially in the forms set forth in Exhibit A hereto, and may include such insertions, omissions, substitutions and other variations as are required or permitted by the 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 Securities, as evidenced by their execution of the Securities.

 

Notwithstanding Section 2.08 of the Base Indenture, each Security will bear a Trustee’s certificate of authentication substantially in the form included in Exhibit A hereto. Each Security will also bear the Form of Notice of Conversion, the Form of Fundamental Change Purchase Notice and the Form of Assignment and Transfer.

 

Any Security that is a Global Security will bear a legend substantially in the form of the legend set forth in Exhibit A hereto and shall also bear the “Schedule of Increases and Decreases of Global Security” set forth in Annex A to Exhibit A hereto.

 

The terms and provisions contained in the Securities will constitute, and are hereby expressly made, a part of this Indenture and, to the extent applicable, the Company and the Trustee, by their execution and delivery of this Supplemental Indenture, expressly agree to such terms and provisions and to be bound thereby. However, to the extent that any provision of any Security conflicts with the express provisions of the Indenture, the provisions of this Indenture will govern and control.

 

(b)           Initial and Subsequent Form of Securities . The Company hereby initially appoints The Depository Trust Company as the Depository for the Securities, which initially shall be issued in the form of one or more Global Securities without interest coupons (i) registered in the name of Cede & Co., as nominee of the Depository, and (ii) delivered to the Trustee as custodian for the Depository.

 

So long as the Securities are eligible for book-entry settlement with the Depository, unless otherwise required by law, and except to the extent provided in Section 2.03(c)(1)  through (3) hereof, all Securities will be represented by one or more Global Securities.

 

(c)           Global Securities . Each Global Security will represent the aggregate principal amount of the then Outstanding Securities endorsed thereon and provide that it represents such aggregate principal amount of the then Outstanding Securities, which aggregate principal amount may, from time to time, be reduced or increased to reflect transfers, exchanges, conversions or purchases by the Company.

 

Only the Trustee, or the Custodian holding such Global Security for the Depository, at the direction of the Trustee, may endorse a Global Security to reflect the amount of any increase or decrease in the aggregate principal amount of the then Outstanding Securities represented thereby, and whenever the Holder of a Global Security delivers instructions to the Trustee to increase or decrease the aggregate principal amount of the then Outstanding Securities represented by a Global Security in accordance with the Indenture and the Applicable Procedures, the Trustee, or the Custodian holding such Global Security for the Depository, at the direction of the Trustee, will endorse such Global Security to reflect such increase or decrease in the aggregate principal amount of the then Outstanding Securities represented thereby. None of the Trustee, the Company or any agent of the Trustee or the Company will have any responsibility or bear any liability for any aspect of the records relating to or payments made on account of the ownership of any beneficial interest in a Global Security or with respect to maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records relating to such beneficial interest.

 

Members of, or participants in, the Depository (“ Agent Members ”) shall have no rights under the Indenture with respect to any Global Security held on their behalf by the Depository, or the Trustee as its custodian, or under the Global Security, and Cede & Co., or such other person designated by the Depository as its nominee, may be treated by the Company, the Trustee and any agent of the Company or the Trustee as the absolute owner of the Global Security for all purposes whatsoever. Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing herein shall prevent the Company, the Trustee or any agent of the Company or the Trustee from giving effect to any written certification,

 

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proxy or other authorization furnished by the Depository or impair, as between the Depository and its Agent Members, the operation of customary practices governing the exercise of the rights of any Holder.

 

Section 2.03          Transfer and Exchange .

 

(a)           In General . Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in Article II of the Base Indenture, the Company is not required to transfer or exchange any Securities or portions thereof that have been surrendered for purchase in accordance with Article 3 hereof (unless the related Fundamental Change Purchase Notice is withdrawn in accordance with the provisions of Section 3.03 ) or for conversion in accordance with Article 5 hereof or that have been called for redemption in accordance with the provisions of Article 4 hereof, and a written form of transfer substantially in the form of the Form of Assignment and Transfer will be deemed to be a written instrument of transfer satisfactory to the Company and the Security Registrar.

 

At such time as all interests in a Global Security have been purchased, converted, cancelled or exchanged for Securities in certificated form, such Global Security shall, upon receipt thereof, be canceled by the Trustee in accordance with standing procedures and instructions existing between the Depository and the Custodian for the Global Security. At any time prior to such cancellation, if any interest in a Global Security is purchased, converted, cancelled or exchanged for Securities in certificated form, the principal amount of such Global Security shall, in accordance with the standing procedures and instructions existing between the Depository and the Custodian for the Global Security, be appropriately reduced, and an endorsement shall be made on such Global Security, by the Trustee or the Custodian for the Global Security, at the direction of the Trustee, to reflect such reduction.

 

(b)           Global Securities . Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in Section 2.08 of the Base Indenture, every transfer and exchange of a beneficial interest in a Global Security will be effected through the Depository in accordance with the Applicable Procedures and the provisions of the Indenture, and each Global Security may be transferred only as a whole and only (A) by the Depository to a nominee of the Depository, (B) by a nominee of the Depository to the Depository or to another nominee of the Depository, or (C) by the Depository or any such nominee to a successor Depository or a nominee of such successor Depository.

 

(c)           Holders Deemed Owners . Prior to due presentment of a 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 Security is registered as the owner of such Security for the purpose of receiving payment of principal of and any interest (subject to Section 2.13 of the Base Indenture) on such Security at the Maturity Date, in connection with a Fundamental Change, upon any conversion and for all other purposes whatsoever, including delivery of shares of Common Stock on conversion, for distribution of notices to such Holders or solicitations of their consent, whether or not such Security be overdue, and neither the Company, the Trustee nor any agent of the Company or the Trustee shall be affected by notice to the contrary.

 

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in Section 2.08 of the Base Indenture:

 

(1)           Each Global Security will be exchanged for Physical Securities if the Depository delivers notice to the Company that the Depository is unwilling, unable or no longer permitted under applicable law to continue to act as Depository, and, in each case, the Company promptly delivers a copy of such notice to the Trustee and the Company fails to appoint a successor Depository within 90 days after receiving notice from the Depository.

 

(2)           If an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, any owner of a beneficial interest in a Global Security may exchange such beneficial interest for Physical Securities by delivering a written request to the Security Registrar.

 

(3)           If the Company notifies the Trustee that it wishes to terminate and exchange all or part of a Global Security for Physical Securities and the beneficial owners of the majority of the principal amount of such Global Security (or portion thereof) to be exchanged consent to such exchange, the Company may exchange all beneficial interests in such Global Security (or portion thereof) for Physical Securities by delivering a written request to the Security Registrar.

 

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In the case of an exchange for Physical Securities under clause (1) above:

 

(A)          each Global Security will be deemed surrendered to the Trustee for cancellation;

 

(B)          the Trustee will cause each Global Security to be cancelled in accordance with the Applicable Procedures; and

 

(C)          the Company, in accordance with Section 2.04 of the Base Indenture, will promptly execute, and, upon receipt of a Company Request, the Trustee, in accordance with Section 2.04 of the Base Indenture, will promptly authenticate and deliver, for each beneficial interest in each Global Security so exchanged, an aggregate principal amount of Physical Securities equal to the aggregate principal amount of such beneficial interest, registered in such names and in such authorized denominations as the Depository specifies, and bearing any legends that such Physical Securities are required to bear under this Indenture.

 

In the case of an exchange for Physical Securities under clause (2) above:

 

(A)          the Security Registrar will deliver notice of such request to the Company and the Trustee, which notice will identify the owner of the beneficial interest to be exchanged, the aggregate principal amount of such beneficial interest and the CUSIP of the relevant Global Security, in each case if and as such information is provided to the Security Registrar by the Depository;

 

(B)          the Company, in accordance with Section 2.04 of the Base Indenture, will promptly execute, and, upon receipt of a Company Request, the Trustee, in accordance with Section 2.04 of the Base Indenture, will promptly authenticate and deliver to such owner, for the beneficial interest so exchanged by such owner, Physical Securities registered in such owner’s name having an aggregate principal amount equal to the aggregate principal amount of such beneficial interest and bearing any legends that such Physical Securities are required to bear under this Indenture; and

 

(C)          the Security Registrar, in accordance with the Applicable Procedures, will cause the principal amount of such Global Security to be decreased by the aggregate principal amount of the beneficial interest so exchanged. If all of the beneficial interests in a Global Security are so exchanged, such Global Security will be deemed surrendered to the Trustee for cancellation, and the Trustee will cause such Global Security to be cancelled in accordance with the Applicable Procedures.

 

In the case of an exchange for Physical Securities under clause (3) above:

 

(A)          the Company will deliver notice of such request to the Security Registrar and the Trustee, which notice will identify each owner of a beneficial interest to be exchanged, the aggregate principal amount of each such beneficial interest and the CUSIP of the relevant Global Security;

 

(B)          the Company, in accordance with Section 2.04 of the Base Indenture, will promptly execute, and, upon receipt of a Company Request, the Trustee, in accordance with Section 2.04 of the Base Indenture, will promptly authenticate and deliver to each such beneficial owner, Physical Securities registered in such beneficial owner’s name having an aggregate principal amount equal to the aggregate principal amount of its exchanged beneficial interest and bearing any legends that such Physical Securities are required to bear under this Indenture and any applicable law; and

 

(C)          the Security Registrar, in accordance with the Applicable Procedures, will cause the principal amount of each relevant Global Security to be decreased by the aggregate principal amount of the beneficial interests so exchanged. If all of the beneficial interests in a Global Security are so exchanged, such Global Security will be deemed surrendered to the Trustee for cancellation, and the Trustee will cause such Global Security to be cancelled in accordance with the Applicable Procedures.

 

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In each of the cases described in clauses (1), (2) and (3) above, the Company may rely on the Depository to provide all names of beneficial owners and their respective principal amounts beneficially owned and may issue Physical Securities registered in the names and amounts so provided by the Depository.

 

(d)           Physical Securities . Except to the extent otherwise provided in Section 2.03(a)  hereof, Physical Securities may be transferred or exchanged in accordance with Section 2.08 of the Base Indenture.

 

Section 2.04          Payments on the Securities .

 

(a)           In General . Each Security will accrue interest at a rate equal to 7.00% per annum from the most recent date to which interest has been paid or duly provided for, or, if no interest has been paid or duly provided for, August 9, 2017. Interest on a Security will cease to accrue upon the earliest of the Maturity Date, subject to the provisions of Article 3 hereof, any Fundamental Change Purchase Date for such Security, subject to the provisions of Article 4 hereof, any Redemption Date for such security and, subject to the provisions of Article 5 hereof, any Conversion Date for such Security. Interest on any Security will be payable quarterly in arrears on each Interest Payment Date, beginning November 15, 2017, to the Holder of such Security as of the Close of Business on the Regular Record Date immediately preceding the applicable Interest Payment Date. Interest will be computed on the basis of a 360-day year comprised of twelve 30-day months. Pursuant to Section 7.04 hereof, in certain circumstances, the Company may be obligated to pay Holders Supplementary Interest.

 

The Securities will mature on the Maturity Date, and on the Maturity Date, each Holder of a then Outstanding Security will be entitled on such date to receive $25.00 in cash for each $25.00 in principal amount of then Outstanding Securities held, together with accrued and unpaid interest to, but not including, the Maturity Date on such then Outstanding Securities.

 

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, if the Maturity Date or any Interest Payment Date, Redemption Date, Fundamental Change Purchase Date or any Conversion Date falls, or if any payment, delivery, notice or other action by the Company is otherwise due, on a day that is not a Business Day, then any action to be taken on such date need not be taken on such date, but may be taken on the immediately following Business Day with the same force and effect as if taken on such date, and no additional interest will accrue and no Default shall occur on account of such delay.

 

(b)           Method of Payment . The Company will pay the principal of, the Fundamental Change Purchase Price for, the Redemption Price for, and any cash portion of the Settlement Amount with respect to, any Physical Security to the Holder of such Security in cash at the designated office of the Paying Agent in Saint Paul, Minnesota prior to 10:00 a.m. on the relevant payment or settlement date, as the case may be. The Company will pay any interest on any Physical Security to the Holder of such Security (i) if such Holder holds $2,000,000 or less aggregate principal amount of Securities, by check mailed to such Holder’s registered address, and (ii) if such Holder holds more than $2,000,000 aggregate principal amount of Securities, (A) by check mailed to such Holder’s registered address or, (B) if such Holder delivers to the Security Registrar a written request that the Company make such payments by wire transfer to an account of such Holder within the United States, for each interest payment corresponding to each Regular Record Date occurring during the period beginning on the date on which such Holder delivered such request and ending on the date, if any, on which such Holder delivers to the Security Registrar a written instruction to the contrary, by wire transfer of immediately available funds to the account specified by such Holder.

 

The Company will pay the principal of, interest on, the Fundamental Change Purchase Price for, the Redemption Price for, and any cash portion of the Settlement Amount with respect to, any Global Security to the Depository by wire transfer of immediately available funds on the relevant payment date in accordance with Applicable Procedures.

 

(c)           Defaulted Payments . The Company shall pay any interest on the Securities that is payable, but is not punctually paid or duly provided for, on the applicable Interest Payment Date, in accordance with Section 2.13 of the Base Indenture.

 

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ARTICLE 3

 

PURCHASES

 

Section 3.01          Purchase at Option of Holders upon a Fundamental Change . (a) If a Fundamental Change occurs, then each Holder shall have the right, at such Holder’s option, to require the Company to purchase for cash all of such Holder’s Securities, or any portion thereof such that the remaining principal amount of each Security that is not purchased in full equals $25.00 or an integral multiple of $25.00 in excess thereof, on a date (the “ Fundamental Change Purchase Date ”) specified by the Company that is not less than 20 or more than 35 Business Days following the date on which the Company delivers the Fundamental Change Company Notice, at a purchase price equal to 100% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon, if any, to, but excluding, the Fundamental Change Purchase Date (the “ Fundamental Change Purchase Price ”); provided , however , that if the Company purchases a Security on a Fundamental Change Purchase Date that is after a Regular Record Date and on or prior to the Interest Payment Date corresponding to such Regular Record Date, the Company shall instead pay such accrued and unpaid interest on such Security on the Interest Payment Date to the Holder of record of such Security as of such Regular Record Date.

 

Purchases of Securities under this Section 3.01 shall be made, at the option of the Holder thereof, upon:

 

(1)           if the Securities to be purchased are Physical Securities, delivery to the Paying Agent by the Holder of a duly completed notice (the “ Fundamental Change Purchase Notice ”) in the form set forth in Attachment 2 to the Form of Security attached hereto as Exhibit A and of the Securities, duly endorsed for transfer, on or before the Close of Business on the Business Day immediately preceding the Fundamental Change Purchase Date, subject to extensions to comply with applicable law (the “ Fundamental Change Expiration Time ”); and

 

(2)           if the Securities to be purchased are Global Securities, delivery of the Securities, by book-entry transfer, in compliance with the Applicable Procedures of the Depository and the satisfaction of any other requirements of the Depository in connection with tendering beneficial interests in a Global Security for purchase, by the Fundamental Change Expiration Time.

 

The Fundamental Change Purchase Notice in respect of any Securities to be purchased shall state:

 

(1)           if certificated, the certificate numbers of such Securities;

 

(2)           the portion of the principal amount of such Securities, which must be such that the principal amount that is not to be purchased of each Security that is not to be purchased in full equals $25.00 or an integral multiple of $25.00 in excess thereof; and

 

(3)           that such Securities are to be purchased by the Company pursuant to the applicable provisions of the Securities and this Indenture.

 

Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, any Holder delivering to the Paying Agent the Fundamental Change Purchase Notice contemplated by this Section 3.01 shall have the right to withdraw, in whole or in part, such Fundamental Change Purchase Notice at any time prior to the Fundamental Change Expiration Time by delivery of a written notice of withdrawal to the Paying Agent in accordance with Section 3.03 .

 

The Paying Agent shall promptly notify the Company of the receipt by it of any Fundamental Change Purchase Notice or written notice of withdrawal thereof.

 

(b)           On or before the 20th calendar day after the occurrence of a Fundamental Change, the Company shall provide to all Holders of the Securities, the Trustee and the Paying Agent (in the case of any Paying Agent other than the Trustee) a notice (the “ Fundamental Change Company Notice ”) of the occurrence of such Fundamental Change and of the purchase right at the option of the Holders arising as a result thereof. Such notice shall be sent by first class mail or, in the case of any Global Securities, in accordance with the procedures of the Depository for providing notices. Simultaneously with providing such Fundamental Change Company Notice, the

 

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Company shall publish this information in a newspaper of general circulation in The City of New York or publish the information on the Company’s website or through such other public medium as the Company may use at that time.

 

Each Fundamental Change Company Notice shall specify:

 

(1)           the events causing the Fundamental Change;

 

(2)           the date of the Fundamental Change;

 

(3)           the last date on which a Holder of Securities may exercise the purchase right pursuant to this Article 3 ;

 

(4)           the Fundamental Change Purchase Price;

 

(5)           the Fundamental Change Purchase Date;

 

(6)           the name and address of the Paying Agent and the Conversion Agent, if applicable;

 

(7)           the applicable Conversion Rate and any adjustments to the applicable Conversion Rate;

 

(8)           that the Securities with respect to which a Fundamental Change Purchase Notice has been delivered by a Holder may be converted only if the Holder withdraws the Fundamental Change Purchase Notice in accordance with this Indenture;

 

(9)           that the Holder shall have the right to withdraw any Securities surrendered for purchase prior to the Fundamental Change Expiration Time; and

 

(10)         the procedures that Holders must follow to require the Company to purchase their Securities.

 

No failure of the Company to give the foregoing notices and no defect therein shall limit the purchase rights of the Holders of Securities or affect the validity of the proceedings for the purchase of the Securities pursuant to this Section 3.01 .

 

(c)           Notwithstanding the foregoing, there shall be no purchase of any Securities pursuant to this Section 3.01 if the principal amount of the Securities has been accelerated, and such acceleration has not been rescinded, on or prior to the Fundamental Change Purchase Date (except in the case of an acceleration resulting from a Default by the Company in the payment of the Fundamental Change Purchase Price with respect to such Securities). The Paying Agent will promptly return to the respective Holders thereof any Physical Securities held by it during the acceleration of the Securities (except in the case of an acceleration resulting from a Default by the Company in the payment of the Fundamental Change Purchase Price with respect to such Securities) and shall deem to be cancelled any instructions for book-entry transfer of the Securities in compliance with the procedures of the Depository, in which case, upon such return or cancellation, as the case may be, the Fundamental Change Purchase Notice with respect thereto shall be deemed to have been withdrawn.

 

Section 3.02          Effect of Fundamental Change Purchase Notice . Upon receipt by the Paying Agent of a Fundamental Change Purchase Notice specified in Section 3.01 , the Holder of the Security in respect of which such Fundamental Change Purchase Notice was given shall (unless such Fundamental Change Purchase Notice is withdrawn in accordance with Section 3.03) thereafter be entitled to receive solely the Fundamental Change Purchase Price in cash with respect to such Security (and any previously accrued and unpaid interest on such Security). Such Fundamental Change Purchase Price shall be paid to such Holder, subject to receipt of funds by the Paying Agent, on the later of (x) the applicable Fundamental Change Purchase Date (provided the conditions in Section 3.01 have been satisfied) and (y) the time of delivery or book-entry transfer of such Security to the Paying

 

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Agent by the Holder thereof in the manner required by Section 3.01 , subject in each case to extensions to comply with applicable law.

 

Section 3.03          Withdrawal of Fundamental Change Purchase Notice . A Fundamental Change Purchase Notice may be withdrawn (in whole or in part) by means of a written notice of withdrawal delivered to the Paying Agent in accordance with the Fundamental Change Company Notice at any time prior to the Fundamental Change Expiration Time, specifying:

 

(1)           the principal amount of the Securities with respect to which such notice of withdrawal is being submitted;

 

(2)           if Physical Securities have been issued, the certificate numbers of the withdrawn Securities; and

 

(3)           the principal amount, if any, of each Security that remains subject to the Fundamental Change Purchase Notice, which must be such that the principal amount not to be purchased equals $25.00 or an integral multiple of $25.00 in excess thereof;

 

provided , however , that if the Securities are Global Securities, the notice must comply with Applicable Procedures of the Depository.

 

The Paying Agent will promptly return to the respective Holders thereof any Physical Securities with respect to which a Fundamental Change Purchase Notice has been withdrawn in compliance with the provisions of this Section 3.03 .

 

Section 3.04          Deposit of Fundamental Change Purchase Price . Prior to 10:00 a.m., New York City time, on the Fundamental Change Purchase Date, the Company shall deposit with the Paying Agent (or, if the Company or a Subsidiary or an Affiliate of either of them is acting as the Paying Agent, shall segregate and hold in trust as provided herein) an amount of money (in immediately available funds if deposited on such Business Day) sufficient to pay the Fundamental Change Purchase Price of all the Securities or portions thereof that are to be purchased as of the Fundamental Change Purchase Date. If the Paying Agent holds cash sufficient to pay the Fundamental Change Purchase Price of the Securities for which a Fundamental Change Purchase Notice has been tendered and not withdrawn in accordance with this Indenture on the Fundamental Change Purchase Date, then as of such Fundamental Change Purchase Date, (a) such Securities will cease to be Outstanding and interest will cease to accrue thereon (whether or not book-entry transfer of such Securities is made or such Securities have been delivered to the Paying Agent) and (b) all other rights of the Holders in respect thereof will terminate (other than the right to receive the Fundamental Change Purchase Price upon delivery or book-entry transfer of such Securities).

 

Section 3.05          Securities Purchased in Whole or in Part . Any Security that is to be purchased, whether in whole or in part, shall be surrendered at the office of the Paying Agent (with, if the Company or the Trustee so requires in the case of Physical Securities, 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 such Holder’s attorney duly authorized in writing) and the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver to the Holder of such Security, without service charge, a new Security or Securities, of any authorized denomination as requested by such Holder in aggregate principal amount equal to, and in exchange for, the portion of the principal amount of the Security so surrendered that is not purchased.

 

Section 3.06          Covenant To Comply with Applicable Laws upon Purchase of Securities . In connection with any offer to purchase Securities under Section 3.01 , the Company shall, in each case if required by law, (i) comply with Rule 13e-4, Rule 14e-1 and any other tender offer rules under the Exchange Act that may then be applicable, (ii) file a Schedule TO or any other required schedule under the Exchange Act and (iii) otherwise comply with all federal and state securities laws applicable to the Company in connection with such purchase offer, in each case, so as to permit the rights and obligations under Section 3.01 to be exercised in the time and in the manner specified in Section 3.01 .

 

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Section 3.07          Repayment to the Company . To the extent that the aggregate amount of cash deposited by the Company pursuant to Section 3.04 exceeds the aggregate Fundamental Change Purchase Price of the Securities or portions thereof that the Company is obligated to purchase as of the Fundamental Change Purchase Date, then, following the Fundamental Change Purchase Date, the Paying Agent shall promptly return any such excess to the Company.

 

ARTICLE 4

 

OPTIONAL REDEMPTION

 

Section 4.01          Applicability of Article III of the Base Indenture .

 

(a)           Article III of the Base Indenture shall not apply to the Securities. Instead, the provisions of this Article 4 shall, with respect to the Securities, supersede in its entirety Article III of the Base Indenture.

 

Section 4.02          No Sinking Fund .

 

(a)           Article XI of the Base Indenture shall not apply with respect to the Securities.

 

Section 4.03          Redemption .

 

(a)           The Securities shall not be redeemed by the Company prior to August 15, 2021. On or after August 15, 2021, the Company may redeem the Securities (an “ Optional Redemption ”) for cash, in whole or from time to time in part, at the Company’s option, at a redemption price (the “ Redemption Price ”) equal to 100% of the principal amount of the Securities to be redeemed, plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon to, but excluding, the Redemption Date, if the Last Reported Sale Price of the Common Stock has been at least 120% of the Conversion Price then in effect for at least 20 trading days (whether or not consecutive), including the Trading Day immediately preceding the date on the Redemption Notice is provided, during any 30 consecutive Trading Day period ending on, and including, the Trading Day immediately preceding the date on which the Company provides the Redemption Notice; provided , however , that if the Redemption Date falls after a Regular Record Date but on or prior to the immediately succeeding Interest Payment Date, the Company will pay the full amount of accrued and unpaid interest to the Holder of record as of the Close of Business on such Regular Record Date, and the Redemption Price will be equal to 100% of the principal amount of the Securities to be redeemed. If a Holder surrenders its Securities for conversion following the date the Company delivers a Redemption Notice and prior to the related Redemption Date, interest will continue to accrue until the date on which the Company delivers the Settlement Amount in respect of such Securities that such Holder converts, and will be payable to the Holder together with the Settlement Amount (without duplication of any interest such Holder is otherwise entitled to by virtue of being the Holder on a Regular Record Date).

 

Section 4.04          Notice of Redemption; Selection of Securities .

 

(a)           If the Company wishes to exercise its right to redeem all or, as the case may be, any part of the Securities pursuant to Section 4.03 , it shall fix a date for redemption (each, a “ Redemption Date ”), and it or, at its written request received by the Trustee not less than five calendar days prior to the date of the Redemption Notice (or such shorter period of time as may be acceptable to the Trustee), the Trustee, in the name of and at the expense of the Company, shall provide notice of such redemption (a “ Redemption Notice ”) not less than 30 nor more than 60 calendar days prior to the Redemption Date by mail or electronic delivery to each Holder of Securities so to be redeemed as a whole or in part at its last address as the same appears on the Security Register. The Redemption Date must be a Business Day.

 

(b)           The Redemption Notice, if mailed in the manner herein provided, shall be conclusively presumed to have been duly given, whether or not the Holder receives such notice. In any case, failure to give such Redemption Notice by mail or any defect in the Redemption Notice to the Holder of any Security designated for redemption as a whole or in part shall not affect the validity of the proceedings for the redemption of any other Security.

 

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(c)           Each Redemption Notice shall specify:

 

(1)           the Redemption Date;

 

(2)           the Redemption Price;

 

(3)           that on the Redemption Date, the Redemption Price will become due and payable upon each Security to be redeemed, and that interest thereon, if any, shall cease to accrue on and after the Redemption Date;

 

(4)           the place or places where such Securities are to be surrendered for payment of the Redemption Price;

 

(5)           that Holders may surrender their Securities for conversion at any time prior to the Close of Business on the Business Day immediately preceding the Redemption Date;

 

(6)           the procedures a converting Holder must follow to convert its Securities and the Specified Dollar Amount, if applicable;

 

(7)           the then-current Conversion Rate;

 

(8)           the CUSIP and ISIN or other similar numbers, if any, assigned to such Securities; and

 

(9)           in case any Security is redeemed in part only, the portion of the principal amount thereof to be redeemed and that on and after the Redemption Date, upon surrender of such Security, a new Security in principal amount equal to the unredeemed portion thereof shall be issued.

 

(d)           A Redemption Notice shall be irrevocable.

 

(e)           If fewer than all of the outstanding Securities are to be redeemed, the Securities shall be selected for Optional Redemption (in principal amounts of $25.00 or multiples thereof) in accordance with the applicable procedures of DTC, in the case of Global Securities, and by lot, in the case of certificated Securities.

 

(f)            In the event of any redemption in part, the Company shall not be required to register the transfer of or exchange any Security so selected for redemption, in whole or in part, except the unredeemed portion of any Security being redeemed in part.

 

Section 4.05          Payment of Securities Called for Redemption .

 

(a)           If any Redemption Notice has been given in respect of the Securities in accordance with Section 4.04 , the Securities shall become due and payable on the Redemption Date at the place or places stated in the Redemption Notice and at the applicable Redemption Price. On presentation and surrender of the Securities at the place or places stated in the Redemption Notice, the Securities shall be paid and redeemed by the Company at the applicable Redemption Price.

 

(b)           Prior to the Open of Business on the Redemption Date, the Company shall deposit with the Paying Agent or, if the Company or a Subsidiary of the Company is acting as the Paying Agent, shall segregate and hold in trust as provided in Section 3.06 of the Base Indenture an amount of cash (in immediately available funds if deposited on the Redemption Date), sufficient to pay the Redemption Price of all of the Securities to be redeemed on such Redemption Date. Subject to receipt of funds by the Paying Agent, payment for the Securities to be redeemed shall be made on the Redemption Date for such Securities. The Paying Agent shall, promptly after such payment and upon written demand by the Company, return to the Company any funds in excess of the Redemption Price.

 

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Section 4.06          Restrictions on Redemption .

 

(a)           The Company may not redeem any Securities on any date if the principal amount of the Securities has been accelerated in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, and such acceleration has not been rescinded, on or prior to the Redemption Date (except in the case of an acceleration resulting from a Default by the Company in the payment of the Redemption Price with respect to such Securities).

 

ARTICLE 5

 

CONVERSION

 

Section 5.01          Right To Convert . (a) Subject to and upon compliance with the provisions of the Indenture, each Holder shall have the right, at such Holder’s option, to convert its Securities, or any portion of its Securities such that the principal amount that remains Outstanding of each Security that is not converted in full equals $25.00 or an integral multiple of $25.00 in excess thereof, into the Settlement Amount determined in accordance with Section 5.03(a)  hereof, (x) prior to the Close of Business on the Business Day immediately preceding February 15, 2023, only upon satisfaction of one or more of the conditions described in Section 5.01(b)  hereof, and (y) on or after February 15, 2023, at any time prior to the Close of Business on the second Scheduled Trading Day immediately preceding the Maturity Date.

 

(b)           (1)           A Holder may surrender Securities for conversion during any fiscal quarter commencing after September 30, 2017 (and only during such fiscal quarter) if the Last Reported Sale Price of the Common Stock for at least 20 Trading Days (whether or not consecutive) during the period of 30 consecutive Trading Days ending on the last Trading Day of the immediately preceding fiscal quarter is greater than or equal to 120% of the Conversion Price in effect on each Trading Day.

 

(2)           A Holder may surrender Securities for conversion during the five Business Day period after any five consecutive Trading Day period (the “ Measurement Period ”) in which the Trading Price per $25.00 principal amount of Securities, as determined following a request by a Holder in accordance with the procedures set forth in this Section 5.01(b)(2) , for each Trading Day of such Measurement Period was less than 98% of the product of (i) the Conversion Rate in effect on such Trading Day and (ii) the Last Reported Sale Price of the Common Stock on such Trading Day. The Trading Price shall be determined by the Bid Solicitation Agent pursuant to this Section 5.01(b)(2)  and the definition of “Trading Price” set forth in Section 1.02 hereof. The Company shall provide written notice to the Bid Solicitation Agent (if other than the Company) of the three independent nationally recognized securities dealers selected by the Company in accordance with the definition of Trading Price, along with the appropriate contact information for each. The Bid Solicitation Agent (if other than the Company) shall have no obligation to determine the Trading Price of the Securities unless the Company has requested such determination; and the Company shall have no obligation to make such request (or, if the Company is the Bid Solicitation Agent, to determine the Trading Price of the Securities) unless a Holder of a Security provides it with reasonable evidence that the Trading Price per $25.00 principal amount of Securities would be less than 98% of the product of (i) the Conversion Rate in effect on the next Trading Day and (ii) the Last Reported Sale Price of the Common Stock on such Trading Day. At such time, the Company shall instruct the Bid Solicitation Agent (if other than the Company) to determine (or, if the Company is the Bid Solicitation Agent, the Company shall determine) the Trading Price per $25.00 principal amount of the Securities beginning on the next Trading Day and on each successive Trading Day until the Trading Price per $25.00 principal amount of Securities for a Trading Day is greater than or equal to 98% of the product of (i) the Conversion Rate in effect on such Trading Day and (ii) the Last Reported Sale Price of the Common Stock on such Trading Day. Whenever the condition to conversion set forth in this Section 5.01(b)(2)  has been met, but was not met on the immediately preceding Trading Day, the Company will so notify the Holders and the Trustee. If, at any time after the condition to conversion set forth in this Section 5.01(b)(2)  has been met, the condition to conversion set forth in this Section 5.01(b)(2)  ceases to be met, the Company will so notify the Holders and the Trustee on the first Trading Day on which such condition ceases to be met.

 

(3)           If the Company calls the Securities for Redemption pursuant to Article 4, Holders may convert at any time prior to the Close of Business on the Trading Day prior to the Redemption Date, even if the Securities are not otherwise convertible at such time. After that time, the right to convert such Securities on account of the Company’s delivery of the Redemption Notice will expire, unless the Company defaults in the payment of the Redemption Price (in which case a Holder may convert all or any portion of its Securities until the Business Day immediately preceding the date on which the Redemption Price has been paid or duly provided for.

 

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(4)           If the Company elects to (x) issue to all or substantially all holders of the Common Stock rights, options or warrants entitling them for a period of not more than 45 calendar days after the date of such issuance to subscribe for or purchase shares of the Common Stock, at a price per share less than the average of the Last Reported Sale Prices of the Common Stock for the 10 consecutive Trading Day period ending on the Trading Day immediately preceding the date of announcement of such issuance; or (y) distribute to all or substantially all holders of the Common Stock the Company’s assets, debt securities or rights to purchase the Company’s securities, which distribution has a per-share value, as reasonably determined by the Board of Directors, exceeding 10% of the Last Reported Sale Price of the Common Stock on, and including, the Trading Day immediately preceding the date of announcement for such distribution, then, the Company must deliver notice of such issuance or distribution, and of the Ex-Dividend Date for such issuance or distribution, to the Holders at least 40 Scheduled Trading Days prior to the Ex-Dividend Date for such issuance or distribution. Holders may surrender their Securities for conversion at any time during the period beginning on the 35th Scheduled Trading Day immediately prior to the Ex-Dividend Date for such issuance or distribution and ending on the earlier of (a) the Close of Business on the Business Day immediately preceding the Ex-Dividend Date for such issuance or distribution or (b) its announcement that such issuance or distribution will not take place, even if the Securities are not otherwise convertible at such time; provided , however , that Holders may not convert their Securities pursuant to this Section 5.01(b)(4)  if the Company provides that Holders shall participate, at the same time and upon the same terms as holders of the Common Stock, and as a result of holding the Securities, in the relevant issuance or distribution without having to convert their Securities as if they held a number of shares of the Common Stock equal to the Conversion Rate in effect on the Ex-Dividend Date for such issuance or distribution multiplied by the principal amount (expressed in thousands) of Securities held by such Holder on the Ex-Dividend Date for such issuance or distribution.

 

(5)           If (i) a Make-Whole Fundamental Change occurs or (ii) the Company is a party to (a) a consolidation, merger, binding share exchange, pursuant to which the Common Stock would be converted into cash, securities or other assets or (b) a sale, conveyance, transfer or lease of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries, on a consolidated basis, to another person (other than any of the Company’s Subsidiaries), the Securities may be surrendered for conversion at any time from or after the date that is 35 Scheduled Trading Days prior to the anticipated Fundamental Change Effective Date or the anticipated effective date of such sale, conveyance, transfer or lease, as the case may be (or, if later, the Business Day after the Company gives notice of such transaction) until the Close of Business (i) if such transaction is a Fundamental Change, on the Business Day immediately preceding the Fundamental Change Purchase Date, and, (ii) otherwise, on the 30th Business Day immediately following the effective date for such transaction. The Company will notify the Holders of any such transaction:

 

(A)          as promptly as practicable following the date the Company publicly announces such transaction but in no event less than 40 Scheduled Trading Days prior to the anticipated effective date of such transaction; or

 

(B)          if the Company does not have knowledge of such transaction at least 40 Scheduled Trading Days prior to the anticipated effective date of such transaction, within one Business Day of the date upon which the Company receives notice, or otherwise becomes aware, of such transaction, but in no event later than the actual effective date of such transaction.

 

(c)           Notwithstanding any provision of the Securities or this Indenture, no Holder will be entitled to convert Securities for shares of Common Stock to the extent that receipt of such shares of Common Stock following conversion would cause such Holder to Beneficially Own or Constructively Own (as such terms are defined in the Company’s charter) more than 9.8% (by value or number, whichever is more restrictive) of the shares of Common Stock or of the Company’s Capital Stock, outstanding at such time. Any attempted conversion of Securities that would result in the issuance of shares of Common Stock in excess of such limitation contained 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 of Common Stock that would cause such violation and the related Security 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 Securities will be treated as if they had not been submitted for conversion.

 

(d)           If the Company calls any or all of the Securities for redemption pursuant to Article 4 , a Holder of Securities may convert all or any portion of its Securities called for redemption only until Close of Business, on the

 

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Business Day immediately preceding the Redemption Date. If a portion of a Holder’s Security is selected for partial redemption and such Holder converts a portion of the same Security, the converted portion will be deemed to be from the portion selected for redemption.

 

Section 5.02          Conversion Procedures .

 

(a)           Each Security shall be convertible at the office of the Conversion Agent and, if applicable, in accordance with the Applicable Procedures of the Depository.

 

(b)           To exercise the conversion privilege with respect to a beneficial interest in a Global Security, the Holder must complete the appropriate instruction form for conversion pursuant to the Depository’s book-entry conversion program, furnish appropriate endorsements and transfer documents if required by the Company or the Conversion Agent, and pay the funds, if any, required by Section 5.02(f)  and any taxes or duties if required pursuant to Section 5.02(g) , and the Conversion Agent must be informed of the conversion in accordance with the customary practice of the Depository.

 

To exercise the conversion privilege with respect to any Physical Securities, the Holder of such Physical Securities shall:

 

(1)           complete and manually sign a conversion notice in the form set forth in the Form of Notice of Conversion (the “ Conversion Notice ”) or a facsimile of the Conversion Notice;

 

(2)           deliver the Conversion Notice, which is irrevocable, and the Security to the Conversion Agent;

 

(3)           if required, furnish appropriate endorsements and transfer documents,

 

(4)           if required, make any payment required under Section 5.02(f) ; and

 

(5)           if required, pay all transfer or similar taxes as set forth in Section 5.02(g) .

 

If a Security is subject to a Fundamental Change Purchase Notice, such Security may not be converted unless such Fundamental Change Purchase Notice is withdrawn in accordance with Section 3.03 hereof prior to the relevant Fundamental Change Expiration Time.

 

For any Security, the first Business Day on which the Holder of such Security satisfies all of the applicable requirements set forth above with respect to such Security and on which conversion of such Security is not otherwise prohibited under this Indenture shall be the “ Conversion Date ” with respect to such Security.

 

Each conversion shall be deemed to have been effected as to any such Securities (or portion thereof) surrendered for conversion at the Close of Business on the applicable Conversion Date; provided , however , that the person in whose name the certificate for any shares of Common Stock delivered upon conversion is registered shall be treated as a stockholder of record as of the Close of Business on (i) such Conversion Date (in the case of Physical Settlement) or (ii) the last Trading Day of the applicable Cash Settlement Averaging Period (in the case of Combination Settlement) except to the extent required by Section 5.04 hereof. At the Close of Business on the Conversion Date for a Security, the converting Holder shall no longer be the Holder of such Security.

 

(c)           Endorsement . Any Securities surrendered for conversion shall, unless shares of Common Stock issuable on conversion are to be issued in the same name as the registration of such Securities, be duly endorsed by, or be accompanied by instruments of transfer in form satisfactory to the Company duly executed by, the Holder or its duly authorized attorney.

 

(d)           Physical Securities . If any Securities in a denomination greater than $25.00 shall be surrendered for partial conversion, the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver to the Holder of the

 

22



 

Securities so surrendered, without charge, new Securities in authorized denominations in an aggregate principal amount equal to the unconverted portion of the surrendered Securities.

 

(e)           Global Securities . Upon the conversion of a beneficial interest in Global Securities, the Conversion Agent shall make a notation in its records as to the reduction in the principal amount represented thereby. The Company shall notify the Trustee in writing of any conversions of Securities effected through any Conversion Agent other than the Trustee.

 

(f)            Interest Due Upon Conversion . If a Holder converts a Security after the Close of Business on a Regular Record Date but prior to the Open of Business on the Interest Payment Date corresponding to such Regular Record Date, such Holder must accompany such Security with an amount of cash equal to the amount of interest that will payable on such Security on the corresponding Interest Payment Date; provided , however , that a Holder need not make such payment (1) if the Conversion Date follows the Regular Record Date immediately preceding the Maturity Date; (2) if the Company has specified a Fundamental Change Purchase Date that is after a Regular Record Date and on or prior to the corresponding Interest Payment Date and the Holder converts its Security after the Close of Business on such Regular Record Date and on or prior to the Open of Business on such 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 Security.

 

(g)           Taxes Due upon Conversion . If a Holder converts a Security, the Company will pay any documentary, stamp or similar issue or transfer tax due on the issue of any shares of the Common Stock upon the conversion, unless the tax is due because the Holder requests that any shares be issued in a name other than the Holder’s name, in which case the Holder will pay that tax.

 

Section 5.03          Settlement Upon Conversion .

 

(a)           Settlement Amount . Subject to this Section 5.03 , if a Holder converts a Security, the Company shall pay or deliver to such Holder, as the case may be, in respect of each $25.00 principal amount of Securities being converted, solely cash, solely shares of Common Stock or a combination of cash and Common Stock (the “ Settlement Amount ”), at the Company’s election, as set forth in this Section 5.03 .

 

(1)           The Company shall pay or deliver, as the case may be, the Settlement Amount on the second Trading Day immediately following the last Trading Day of the Cash Settlement Averaging Period; provided , that;

 

(A)          if the Company elects to fulfill its conversion obligation solely in shares of Common Stock, the Company shall deliver such Common Stock on the second Trading Day immediately following the relevant Conversion Date; and

 

(B)          if prior to the relevant Conversion Date, the Common Stock has been replaced by Reference Property consisting solely of cash, pursuant to Section 5.07 , the Company shall pay such cash on the second Trading Day immediately following the relevant Conversion Date. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if any information required to calculate the conversion obligation is not available as of the applicable settlement date, the Company will deliver the additional shares of Common Stock resulting from such adjustment on the second Trading Day after the earliest Trading Day on which such calculation can be made.

 

(2)           All conversions during the Final Conversion Period will be settled in the same relative proportions of cash and/or shares of Common Stock (the “ Settlement Method ”).

 

(3)           Prior to the first day of the Final Conversion Period, the Company will elect (or be deemed to have elected) the same Settlement Method for all conversions occurring on any given Conversion Day. Except for any conversions that occur during the Final Conversion Period, the Company need not elect the same Settlement Method with respect to conversions that occur on different Conversion Dates.

 

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(4)           With respect to each Conversion Date occurring prior to the Final Conversion Period, the Company shall deliver a notice (each, a “ Settlement Notice ”) of the relevant Settlement Method not later than the Close of Business on the second Trading Day following the related Conversion Date. With respect to each Conversion Date occurring during the Final Conversion Period, the Company shall, prior to the Final Conversion Period, deliver a single Settlement Notice that shall apply to all conversions occurring during the Final Conversion Period. Each such Settlement Notice shall specify whether the Company shall satisfy its conversion obligation by (i) delivering solely shares of Common Stock (“ Physical Settlement ”), (ii) paying solely cash (“ Cash Settlement ”) or (iii) paying and delivering, as the case may be, a combination of cash and shares of Common Stock (“ Combination Settlement ”). In the case of an election that provides for Combination Settlement, the relevant Settlement Notice shall indicate the Specified Dollar Amount. If the Company does not deliver a Settlement Notice within the time periods specified above, or if the Company provides a Settlement Notice within the time periods specified above and elects Combination Settlement but the Settlement Notice does not specify a Specified Dollar Amount, the Company will be deemed to have elected Combination Settlement with a Specified Dollar Amount of $25.00.

 

(5)           The Settlement Amount in respect of any conversion shall be computed as follows:

 

(A)          if the Company elects to satisfy its conversion obligation in respect of such conversion through Physical Settlement, the Company will deliver to the converting Holder a number of shares of Common Stock equal to (1) (i) the aggregate principal amount of Securities to be converted, divided by (ii) $25.00, multiplied by (2) the then-applicable Conversion Rate on the date the converting Holder becomes a record owner of Common Stock pursuant to the last paragraph of Section 5.02(b) ;

 

(B)          if the Company elects to satisfy its conversion obligation in respect of such conversion through Cash Settlement, the Company shall pay to the converting Holder cash in an amount per $25.00 principal amount of Securities being converted equal to the sum of the Daily Conversion Values for each of the 30 consecutive Trading Days during the related Cash Settlement Averaging Period; and

 

(C)          if the Company elects to satisfy its conversion obligation in respect of such conversion through Combination Settlement, the Company shall pay and deliver to the converting Holder, as the case may be, in respect of each $25.00 principal amount of Securities being converted, a Settlement Amount equal to the sum of the Daily Settlement Amounts for each of the 30 consecutive Trading Days during the related Cash Settlement Averaging Period.

 

(6)           The “ Daily Settlement Amount ” for each of the 30 consecutive Trading Days of the applicable Cash Settlement Averaging Period, will consist of:

 

(A)          cash equal to the lesser of (i) a dollar amount per Security to be received upon conversion as specified by the Company in the Settlement Notice (the “ Specified Dollar Amount ”), if any, divided by 30 (such quotient being referred to as the “ Daily Measurement Value ”) and (ii) the Daily Conversion Value; and

 

(B)          to the extent the Daily Conversion Value for such Trading Day exceeds the Daily Measurement Value for such Trading Day, a number of shares of Common Stock equal to (i) the difference between the Daily Conversion Value and the Daily Measurement Value, divided by (ii) the Daily VWAP of the Common Stock for such Trading Day.

 

(7)           In the case of Cash Settlement or Combination Settlement, the Settlement Amount shall be determined by the Company promptly following the last day of the Cash Settlement Averaging Period. Promptly after such determination of the Settlement Amount and the amount of cash deliverable in lieu of fractional shares (if any), the Company shall notify the Trustee and the Conversion Agent of the Daily Settlement Amounts or the Daily Conversion Values, as the case may be, and the amount of cash deliverable in lieu of fractional shares of Common Stock. The Trustee and the Conversion Agent shall be entitled to rely exclusively on the notice given by the Company and shall have no responsibility for any such determination.

 

24



 

(b)           Fractional Shares . Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company will not issue fractional shares of Common Stock as part of the Settlement Amount due with respect to any converted Security in respect of which shares of Common Stock are deliverable. Instead, if any such Settlement Amount includes a fraction of a share of Common Stock, the Company will, in lieu of delivering such fraction of a share of Common Stock, pay an amount of cash equal to the product of (i) such fraction of a share and (ii) the Daily VWAP of the Common Stock on the relevant Conversion Date (in the case of Physical Settlement) or on the last Trading Day of the applicable Cash Settlement Averaging Period (in the case of Combination Settlement), subject in each case to the following paragraph.

 

If a Holder surrenders more than one Security for conversion on a single Conversion Date, the Company will calculate the amount of cash and the number of shares of Common Stock due with respect to such Securities as if such Holder had surrendered for conversion one Security having an aggregate principal amount equal to the sum of the principal amounts of each of the Securities surrendered for conversion by such Holder on such Conversion Date.

 

(c)           Settlement of Accrued Interest and Deemed Payment of Principal . If a Holder converts a Security, the Company will not adjust the Conversion Rate to account for any accrued and unpaid interest on such Security and the Company’s delivery of the amount of cash and the number of shares of Common Stock, if any, into which a Security is convertible will be deemed to satisfy and discharge in full the Company’s obligation to pay the principal of, and accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on, such Security to, but excluding, the Conversion Date; provided , however , that if a Holder converts a Security after a Regular Record Date and prior to the Open of Business on the corresponding Interest Payment Date, the Company will still be obligated to pay the interest due on such Interest Payment Date to the Holder of such Security on such Regular Record Date (provided the Holder makes the interest payment upon conversion if so required by Section 5.02(f) ).

 

As a result, except as otherwise provided in the proviso to the immediately preceding sentence, any accrued and unpaid interest with respect to a converted Security will be deemed to be paid in full rather than cancelled, extinguished or forfeited. In addition, if the Settlement Amount for any Security includes both cash and shares of the Common Stock, accrued and unpaid interest will be deemed to be paid first out of the amount of cash delivered upon such conversion. In no event will a Holder be entitled to receive any dividend or other distribution with respect to any Common Stock issued on conversion of such Holder’s Securities if the applicable Conversion Date is after the Regular Record Date for such dividend or distribution. Prior to the settlement of any conversion in accordance with this Section 5.03 , a Holder shall not be the owner of any Common Stock issuable upon conversion of such Holder’s Securities.

 

(d)           Notices . Whenever a Conversion Date occurs with respect to a Security, the Conversion Agent will, as promptly as possible, and in no event later than the Business Day immediately following such Conversion Date, deliver to the Company and the Trustee, if it is not then the Conversion Agent, notice that a Conversion Date has occurred, which notice will state such Conversion Date, the principal amount of Securities converted on such Conversion Date and the names of the Holders that converted Securities on such Conversion Date.

 

Section 5.04          Adjustment of Conversion Rate . The Conversion Rate will be adjusted as described in this Section 5.04 , except that the Company shall not make any adjustment to the Conversion Rate if Holders participate (other than in the case of a share split or share combination), at the same time and upon the same terms as holders of the Common Stock and as a result of holding the Securities, in any of the transactions described below without having to convert their Securities, as if they held a number of shares of Common Stock equal to the applicable Conversion Rate, multiplied by the principal amount (expressed in thousands) of Securities held by such Holder.

 

(a)           If the Company exclusively issues shares of Common Stock as a dividend or distribution on all or substantially all outstanding shares of the Common Stock, or if the Company effects a share split or share combination, the Conversion Rate will be adjusted based on the following formula:

 

CR 1

=

CR 0  x

OS 1

 

 

 

OS 0

 

25



 

where,

 

CR 0

 

=

 

the Conversion Rate in effect immediately prior to the Open of Business on the Ex-Dividend Date of such dividend or distribution, or immediately prior to the Open of Business on the effective date of such share split or combination, as applicable;

 

 

 

 

 

CR 1

 

=

 

the Conversion Rate in effect immediately after the Open of Business on such Ex-Dividend Date or such effective date;

 

 

 

 

 

OS 0

 

=

 

the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately prior to the Open of Business on such Ex-Dividend Date or such effective date, as applicable, before giving effect to such dividend, distribution, share split or share combination; and

 

 

 

 

 

OS 1

 

=

 

the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately after giving effect to such dividend, distribution, share split or share combination, as applicable.

 

Any adjustment made under this Section 5.04(a)  shall become effective immediately after the Open of Business on the Ex-Dividend Date for such dividend or distribution, or immediately after the Open of Business on the effective date for such share split or share combination. If any dividend or distribution of the type described in this Section 5.04(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 issues to all or substantially all holders of the outstanding Common Stock any rights, options or warrants entitling them, for a period of not more than 45 calendar days after the date of such issuance, to subscribe for or purchase shares of the Common Stock, at a price per share less than the average of the Last Reported Sale Prices of the Common Stock for the 10 consecutive Trading Day period ending on, and including, the Trading Day immediately preceding the date of announcement of such issuance, the Conversion Rate will be increased based on the following formula:

 

CR 1

=

CR x

OS 0  + X

 

 

 

OS 0  + Y

 

where,

 

CR 0

 

=

 

the Conversion Rate in effect immediately prior to the Open of Business on the Ex-Dividend Date for such issuance;

 

 

 

 

 

CR 1

 

=

 

the Conversion Rate in effect immediately after the Open of Business on such Ex-Dividend Date;

 

 

 

 

 

OS 0

 

=

 

the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately prior to the Open of Business on such Ex-Dividend Date;

 

 

 

 

 

X

 

=

 

the total number of shares of Common Stock issuable pursuant to such rights, options or warrants; and

 

 

 

 

 

Y

 

=

 

the number of shares of Common Stock equal to the aggregate price payable to exercise such rights, options or warrants divided by the average of the Last Reported Sale Prices of the Common Stock over the 10 consecutive Trading Day period ending on, and including, the Trading Day immediately preceding the date of announcement of the issuance of such rights, options or warrants.

 

Any increase made under this Section 5.04(b)  will be made successively whenever any such rights, options or warrants are issued and shall become effective immediately after the Open of Business on the Ex-Dividend Date for such issuance. To the extent that such rights, options or warrants are not exercised prior to their expiration or

 

26



 

shares of Common Stock are not delivered upon the expiration of such rights, options or warrants, the Conversion Rate shall be readjusted to the Conversion Rate that would then be in effect had the increase with respect to the issuance of such rights, options or warrants been made on the basis of delivery of only the number of shares of Common Stock actually delivered. If such rights, options or warrants are not so issued, or if such rights, options or warrants are not exercised prior to their expiration, the Conversion Rate shall be decreased to be the Conversion Rate that would then be in effect if such Ex-Dividend Date for such issuance had not occurred.

 

For purposes of this Section 5.04(b)  and Section 5.01(b)(3)  hereof, in determining whether any rights, options or warrants entitle the holders of the Common Stock to subscribe for or purchase shares of the Common Stock at a price per share less than such average of the Last Reported Sale Prices of the Common Stock for the 10 consecutive Trading Day period ending on the Trading Day immediately preceding the date of announcement for such issuance, and in determining the aggregate offering price of such shares of the Common Stock, there shall be taken into account any consideration received by the Company for such rights, options or warrants and any amount payable on exercise or conversion thereof, the value of such consideration, if other than cash, to be determined by the Board of Directors.

 

(c)           If the Company distributes shares of its Capital Stock, evidences of its indebtedness, other assets or property of the Company or rights, options or warrants to acquire its Capital Stock or other securities, to all or substantially all holders of the outstanding Common Stock, excluding:

 

(1)           dividends or distributions, rights options or warrants as to which an adjustment was effected pursuant to Section 5.04(a)  hereof or Section 5.04(b)  hereof;

 

(2)           dividends or distributions paid exclusively in cash as to which an adjustment was effected pursuant to Section 5.04(d)  hereof; and

 

(3)           Spin-Offs as to which the provisions set forth below in this Section 5.04(c)  shall apply;

 

then the Conversion Rate shall be increased based on the following formula:

 

CR 1

=

CR 0  x

SP 0

 

 

 

SP 0  - FMV

 

where,

 

CR 0

 

=

 

the Conversion Rate in effect immediately prior to the Open of Business on the Ex-Dividend Date for such distribution;

 

 

 

 

 

CR 1

 

=

 

the Conversion Rate in effect immediately after the Open of Business on such Ex-Dividend Date;

 

 

 

 

 

SP 0

 

=

 

the average of the Last Reported Sale Prices of the Common Stock over 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 shares of the Company’s Capital Stock, evidences the Company’s indebtedness, other assets, or property of the Company or rights, options or warrants to acquire the Company’s Capital Stock or other securities distributed with respect to each outstanding share of the Common Stock on the Ex-Dividend Date for such distribution.

 

If “FMV” (as defined above) is equal to or greater than the “SP 0 ” (as defined above), in lieu of the foregoing increase, each Holder of Securities shall receive, in respect of each $25.00 principal amount of Securities it holds, at the same time and upon the same terms as holders of the Common Stock, the amount and kind of the Company’s Capital Stock, evidences of the Company’s indebtedness, other assets or property of the Company or

 

27



 

rights, options or warrants to acquire the Company’s Capital Stock or other securities that such Holder would have received as if such Holder owned a number of shares of Common Stock equal to the Conversion Rate in effect on the Ex-Dividend Date for the distribution.

 

Any increase made under the portion of this Section 5.04(c)  will become effective immediately after the Open of Business on the Ex-Dividend 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.

 

With respect to an adjustment pursuant to this Section 5.04(c)  where there has been a payment of a dividend or other distribution on the Common Stock of shares of Capital Stock of any class or series, or similar equity interest, of or relating to a Subsidiary of the Company or other business unit of the Company, and such Capital Stock or similar equity interest is listed or quoted (or will be listed or quoted upon the consummation of the distribution) on a United States national securities exchange (a “ Spin-Off ”), the Conversion Rate will be increased based on the following formula:

 

CR 1

=

CR0 x

FMV 0  + MP 0

 

 

 

MP 0

 

where,

 

CR 0

 

=

 

the Conversion Rate in effect immediately prior to the Close of Business on the last day of the Valuation Period;

 

 

 

 

 

CR 1

 

=

 

the Conversion Rate in effect immediately after the Close of Business on the last day of the Valuation Period;

 

 

 

 

 

FMV 0

 

=

 

the average of the Last Reported Sale Prices of the Capital Stock or similar equity interest distributed to holders of Common Stock applicable to one share of Common Stock over the first 10 consecutive Trading Day period after, and including, the effective date of the Spin-Off (the “ Valuation Period ”); and

 

 

 

 

 

MP 0

 

=

 

the average of the Last Reported Sale Prices of Common Stock over the Valuation Period.

 

If the Ex-Dividend Date for the Spin-Off is less than 10 Trading Days prior to, and including, the end of the Cash Settlement Averaging Period in respect of any conversion, references within this Section 5.04(c)  to 10 Trading Days shall be deemed replaced, for purposes of calculating the affected Daily Conversion Values in respect of that conversion, with such lesser number of Trading Days as have elapsed from, and including, the Ex-Dividend Date for the Spin-Off to, and including, the last Trading Day of such Cash Settlement Averaging Period. For purposes of determining the applicable Conversion Rate, in respect of any conversion during the 10 Trading Days commencing on the Ex-Dividend Date for any Spin-Off, references within the portion of this Section 5.04(c)  related to “Spin-Offs” to 10 Trading Days shall be deemed replaced with such lesser number of Trading Days as have elapsed from, and including, the Ex-Dividend Date for such Spin-Off to, and including, the relevant Conversion Date.

 

For purposes of the second adjustment set forth in this Section 5.04(c) , (i) the Last Reported Sale Price of any Capital Stock or similar equity interest shall be calculated in a manner analogous to that used to calculate the Last Reported Sale Price of the Common Stock in the definition of “Last Reported Sale Price” set forth in Section 1.02 hereof, (ii) whether a day is a Trading Day (and whether a day is a Scheduled Trading Day and whether a Market Disruption Event has occurred) for such Capital Stock or similar equity interest shall be determined in a manner analogous to that used to determine whether a day is a Trading Day (or whether a day is a Scheduled Trading Day and whether a Market Disruption Event has occurred) for the Common Stock, and (iii) whether a day is a Trading Day to be included in a Valuation Period will be determined based on whether a day is a Trading Day for both the Common Stock and such Capital Stock or similar equity interest.

 

28



 

Subject to Section 5.04(g) , for the purposes of this Section 5.04(c) , rights, options or warrants distributed by the Company to all holders of the Common Stock 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 of Common Stock; (2) are not exercisable; and (3) are also issued in respect of future issuances of Common Stock, shall be deemed not to have been distributed for purposes of this Section 5.04(c) , (and no adjustment to the Conversion Rate under this Section 5.04(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 5.04(c) . If any such right, option or warrant, distributed prior to the date of this Supplemental Indenture are subject to events, upon the occurrence of which such rights, options or warrants become exercisable to purchase different securities, evidences of indebtedness or other assets, then the date of the occurrence of any and each such event shall be deemed to be the date of distribution and Ex-Dividend Date of such deemed distribution (in which case the original rights, options or warrants shall be deemed to terminate and expire on such date without exercise by any of the holders). 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 5.04(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 Common Stock with respect to such rights, options or warrants (assuming each such holder had retained such rights, options or warrants), made to all holders of Common Stock 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 5.04(a)  hereof, Section 5.04(b)  hereof and this Section 5.04(c) , if any dividend or distribution to which this Section 5.04(c)  applies includes one or both of:

 

(A)          a dividend or distribution of shares of Common Stock to which Section 5.04(a)  hereof also applies (the “ Clause A Distribution ”); or

 

(B)          a dividend or distribution of rights, options or warrants to which Section 5.04(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 5.04(c)  applies (the “ Clause C Distribution ”) and any Conversion Rate adjustment required to be made under this Section 5.04(c)  with respect to such Clause C Distribution shall be made, (ii) the Clause B Distribution, if any, shall be deemed to immediately follow the Clause C Distribution and any Conversion Rate adjustment required by Section 5.04(b)  hereof with respect thereto shall then be made, except that, if determined by the Company, (A) the “Ex-Dividend Date” of the Clause B Distribution and the Clause A Distribution, if any, shall be deemed to be the Ex-Dividend Date of the Clause C Distribution and (B) any shares of Common Stock included in the Clause A Distribution or the Clause B Distribution shall not be deemed to be “outstanding immediately prior to the Open of Business on such Ex-Dividend Date” within the meaning of Section 5.04(b)  hereof, and (iii) the Clause A Distribution, if any, shall be deemed to immediately follow the Clause C Distribution or the Clause B Distribution, as the case may be, except that, if determined by the Company, (A) the “Ex-Dividend Date” of the Clause A Distribution and the Clause B Distribution, if any, shall be deemed to be the Ex-Dividend Date of the Clause C Distribution, and (B) any shares of Common Stock included in the Clause A distribution shall not be deemed to be “outstanding immediately prior to the Open of Business on such Ex-Dividend Date or such effective date” within the meaning of Section 5.04(a)  hereof.

 

(d)           If any cash dividend or distribution is made to all or substantially all holders of the Common Stock that, together will all prior dividends or distributions paid during the calendar quarter in which the ex-dividend date for such dividend or distribution occurs (such calendar quarter, the “ Dividend Period ”), exceeds $0.37 per share, the Conversion Rate shall be increased based on the following formula:

 

29



 

CR 1

=

CR 0  x

SP 0  – T

 

 

 

SP 0  – C

 

where,

 

CR 0

 

=

 

the Conversion Rate in effect immediately prior to the Open of Business on the Ex-Dividend Date for such dividend or distribution;

 

 

 

 

 

CR 1

 

=

 

the Conversion Rate in effect immediately after the Open of Business on the Ex-Dividend Date for such dividend or distribution;

 

 

 

 

 

SP 0

 

=

 

the Last Reported Sale Price of the Common Stock on the Trading Day immediately preceding the Ex-Dividend Date for such dividend or distribution;

 

 

 

 

 

T

 

=

 

$0.37 (the “ DTA ”) ; provided, however, that the DTA with respect to any date shall be reduced by the aggregate per share cash dividends or distributions that were paid to all or substantially all holders of Common Stock during the applicable dividend period prior to such payment and provide further that if the result of such reduction is a negative number, the DTA shall be deemed to be zero; and

 

 

 

 

 

C

 

=

 

the amount in cash per share that the Company distributes to holders of the Common Stock in such dividend or distribution.

 

The DTA is subject to adjustment on an inversely proportional basis whenever the Conversion Rate is adjusted other than adjustments made pursuant to this Section 5.04(d) .

 

If “C” (as defined above) is equal to or greater than “SP 0 ” (as defined above), in lieu of the foregoing increase, each Holder shall receive, for each $25.00 principal amount of Securities it holds, at the same time and upon the same terms as holders of shares of the Common Stock, the amount of cash that such Holder would have received if such Holder had owned a number of shares of Common Stock equal to the Conversion Rate on the Ex-Dividend Date for such cash dividend or distribution. Such increase shall become effective immediately after the Open of Business on the Ex-Dividend Date for such dividend or distribution. 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.

 

(e)           If the Company or any of its Subsidiaries make a payment in respect of a tender offer or exchange offer for the Common Stock, to the extent that the cash and value of any other consideration included in the payment per share of the Common Stock exceeds the Last Reported Sale Price of the Common Stock on the Trading Day next succeeding the last date on which tenders or exchanges may be made pursuant to such tender or exchange offer (the “ Offer Expiration Date ”), the Conversion Rate shall be increased based on the following formula:

 

CR 1

=

CR 0  x

AC + (SP 1  x OS 1 )

 

 

 

OS 0  x SP 1

 

where,

 

CR 0

 

=

 

the Conversion Rate in effect immediately prior to the Close of Business on the Offer Expiration Date;

 

 

 

 

 

CR 1

 

=

 

the Conversion Rate in effect immediately after the Close of Business the Offer Expiration Date;

 

 

 

 

 

AC

 

=

 

the aggregate value of all cash and any other consideration (as determined by the Board of Directors) paid or payable for shares of Common Stock purchased in such tender offer or exchange offer;

 

30



 

OS 0

=

the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately prior to the expiration time of the tender or exchange offer on the Offer Expiration Date (prior to giving effect to the purchase of all shares accepted for purchase or exchange in such tender offer or exchange offer);

 

 

 

OS 1

 

the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately after the expiration time of the tender or exchange offer on the Offer Expiration Date (after giving effect to the purchase of all shares accepted for purchase or exchange in such tender or exchange offer); and

 

 

 

SP 1

 

the average of the Last Reported Sale Prices of the Common Stock over the 10 consecutive Trading Day period commencing on, and including, the Trading Day next succeeding the Offer Expiration Date.

 

The adjustment to the applicable Conversion Rate under the preceding paragraph of this Section 5.04(e)  will be given effect at the Open of Business on the Trading Day next succeeding the Offer Expiration Date. If the Trading Day next succeeding the Offer Expiration Date is less than 10 Trading Days prior to, and including, the end of the Cash Settlement Averaging Period in respect of any conversion, references within this Section 5.04(e)  to 10 Trading Days shall be deemed replaced, for purposes of calculating the affected Daily Conversion Values in respect of that conversion, with such lesser number of Trading Days as have elapsed from, and including, the Trading Day next succeeding the Offer Expiration Date to, and including, the last Trading Day of such Cash Settlement Averaging Period. For purposes of determining the applicable Conversion Rate, in respect of any conversion during the 10 Trading Days commencing on the Trading Day next succeeding the Offer Expiration Date, references within this Section 5.04(e)  to 10 Trading Days shall be deemed replaced with such lesser number of Trading Days as have elapsed from, and including, the Trading Day next succeeding the Offer Expiration Date to, and including, the relevant Conversion Date.

 

(f)            Special Settlement Provisions . Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein with respect to converted Securities as to which Combination Settlement is applicable, if a Holder converts a Security and the Daily Settlement Amount for any Trading Day during the Cash Settlement Averaging Period applicable to such Security:

 

(1)           is calculated based on a Conversion Rate adjusted on account of any event described in Sections 5.04(a)  through (e) hereof; and

 

(2)           includes any shares of Common Stock that, but for this provision, would entitle their holder to participate in such event;

 

then, although the Company will otherwise treat such Holder as the holder of record of such shares of Common Stock on the last Trading Day of such Cash Settlement Averaging Period, the Company will not permit such Holder to participate in such event on account of such shares of Common Stock.

 

In addition, if a Holder converts a Security to which Combination Settlement is applicable and:

 

(1)           the record date, effective date or Offer Expiration Date for any event that requires an adjustment to the Conversion Rate under any of Sections 5.04(a)  through (e) hereof occurs:

 

(A)          on or after the first Trading Day of such Cash Settlement Averaging Period; and

 

(B)          on or prior to the last Trading Day of such Cash Settlement Averaging Period; and

 

(2)           the Daily Settlement Amount for any Trading Day in such Cash Settlement Averaging Period that occurs on or prior to such record date, effective date or Offer Expiration Date:

 

31



 

(A)          includes shares of the Common Stock that do not entitle their holder to participate in such event; and

 

(B)          is calculated based on a Conversion Rate that is not adjusted on account of such event;

 

then on account of such conversion, the Company will, on such record date, effective date or Offer Expiration Date, treat such Holder, as a result of having converted such Securities, as though it were the record holder of a number of shares of Common Stock equal to the total number of shares of Common Stock that:

 

(1)           are deliverable as part of the Daily Settlement Amount:

 

(A)          for a Trading Day in such Cash Settlement Averaging Period that occurs on or prior to such record date, effective date or Offer Expiration Date; and

 

(B)          is calculated based on a Conversion Rate that is not adjusted for such event; and

 

(2)           if not for this provision, would not entitle such Holder to participate in such event.

 

In addition, and notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, with respect to any Securities as to which Physical Settlement is applicable, if a Conversion Rate adjustment becomes effective on any Ex-Dividend Date as described above, and a Holder that has converted its Securities on or after such Ex-Dividend Date and on or prior to the related Regular Record Date would be treated as the record holder of shares of Common Stock as of the related Conversion Date in accordance with the provisions of the last paragraph of Section 5.02(b)  based on an adjusted Conversion Rate for such Ex-Dividend Date, then, notwithstanding the foregoing Conversion Rate adjustment provisions, the Conversion Rate adjustment relating to such Ex-Dividend Date will not be made for such converting Holder. Instead, such Holder will be treated as if such Holder were the record owners of the shares of Common Stock on an unadjusted basis and participate in the related dividend, distribution or other event giving rise to such adjustment.

 

(g)           Poison Pill . Whenever a Holder converts a Security, to the extent that the Company has a rights plan in effect, the Holder converting such Security will receive, in addition to any shares of Common Stock otherwise received in connection with such conversion, the rights under the rights plan unless the rights have separated from the Common Stock, in which case, and only in such case, the Conversion Rate will be adjusted at the time of separation (and not at the time of issuance of the rights) as if the Company distributed to all holders of the Common Stock, shares of Capital Stock, evidences of indebtedness, assets, property, rights, options or warrants as described in Section 5.04(c)  hereof, subject to readjustment in the event of the expiration, termination or redemption of such rights.

 

(h)           Deferral of Adjustments . Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, except on and after the first Trading Day of any Cash Settlement Averaging Period with respect to a Security and on or prior to the last Trading Day of such Cash Settlement Averaging Period, the Company will not be required to adjust the Conversion Rate unless such adjustment would require an increase or decrease of at least one percent; provided , however , that any such minor adjustments that are not required to be made will be carried forward and taken into account in any subsequent adjustment, and provided , further , that any such adjustment of less than one percent that has not been made shall be made upon the occurrence of (i) the Effective Date for any Make-Whole Fundamental Change, (ii) if the Company calls the Securities for Optional Redemption, (iii) the first Trading Day of any Cash Settlement Averaging Period and (iv) if the Company elects to satisfy its conversion obligation solely in shares of Common Stock, upon any conversion of Securities. In addition, the Company shall not account for such deferrals when determining whether any of the conditions to conversion have been satisfied or what number of shares of Common Stock a Holder would have held on a given day had it converted its Securities.

 

(i)            Limitation on Adjustments . Except as stated in this Section 5.04 , the Company will not adjust the Conversion Rate for the issuance of shares of Common Stock or any securities convertible into or exchangeable for shares of Common Stock or the right to purchase shares of the Common Stock or such convertible or exchangeable securities. If, however, the application of the formulas in Sections 5.04(a)  through (e) hereof would result in a

 

32



 

decrease in the Conversion Rate, then, except to the extent of any readjustment to the Conversion Rate, no adjustment to the Conversion Rate will be made (other than as a result of a reverse share split, share combination or readjustment).

 

In addition, notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, the Conversion Rate will not be adjusted:

 

(1)           on account of stock repurchases that are not tender offers referred to in Section 5.04(e)  hereof, including structured or derivative transactions, or transactions pursuant to a stock repurchase program approved by the Board of Directors or otherwise;

 

(2)           upon the issuance or acquisition by us of any shares of Common Stock 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 of Common Stock under any plan;

 

(3)           upon the issuance of any shares of Common Stock or options or rights to purchase those shares pursuant to any present or future employee, officer, director or consultant benefit plan, program or agreement of or assumed by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries;

 

(4)           upon the issuance of any shares of Common Stock pursuant to any option, warrant, right or exercisable, exchangeable or convertible security not described in the preceding clause (3) and outstanding as of the date the Securities were first issued;

 

(5)           for a change in the par value of the Common Stock;

 

(6)           for accrued and unpaid interest on the Securities, if any; or

 

(7)           for an event otherwise requiring an adjustment under this Indenture if such event is not consummated.

 

(j)            For purposes of this Section 5.04 , the number of shares of Common Stock 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 of Common Stock held in the treasury of the Company, but shall include shares issuable in respect of scrip certificates issued in lieu of fractions of shares of Common Stock.

 

(k)           Withholding on Adjustments . If, in connection with any adjustment to the Conversion Rate as set forth in this Section 5.04 a Holder shall be deemed for U.S. federal tax purposes to have received a distribution, the Company may set off any withholding tax it reasonably believes it is required to collect with respect to any such deemed distribution against cash payments of interest in accordance with the provisions of Section 2.04 hereof or from cash and Common Stock, if any, otherwise deliverable to a Holder upon a conversion of Securities in accordance with the provisions of Section 5.03 hereof or repurchase of a Security in accordance with the provisions of Article 3 hereof.

 

Section 5.05          Discretionary and Voluntary Adjustments .

 

(a)           Discretionary Adjustments . Whenever any provision of this Indenture requires the Company to calculate the Last Reported Sale Prices, the Daily VWAPs or any function thereof over a span of multiple days (including during a Cash Settlement Averaging Period), the Company will 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 Rate where the Effective Date, Ex-Dividend Date or Offer Expiration Date of the event occurs, at any time during the period when such Last Reported Sale Prices, the Daily VWAPs or function thereof is to be calculated.

 

(b)           Voluntary Adjustments . To the extent permitted by applicable law, the Company is permitted to increase the Conversion Rate of the Securities 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. The Company may also (but is

 

33



 

not required to) increase the Conversion Rate to avoid or diminish income tax to holders of Common Stock or rights to purchase shares of Common Stock in connection with a dividend or distribution of shares (or rights to acquire shares) or similar event.

 

Section 5.06          Adjustment to Conversion Rate Upon Conversion in Connection with a Make-Whole Fundamental Change or Redemption Notice .

 

(a)           Increase in the Conversion Rate . If (i) a Make-Whole Fundamental Change occurs or (ii) the Company gives a Redemption Notice with respect to any or all of the Securities, and a Holder elects to convert its Securities in connection with such Make-Whole Fundamental Change or such Redemption Notice, the Company shall, under the circumstances specified in this Section 5.06 , increase the Conversion Rate for the Securities so surrendered for conversion by a number of additional shares of Common Stock (the “ Additional Shares ”), as described in this Section 5.06 . A conversion of Securities shall be deemed for these purposes to be “in connection with” a Make-Whole Fundamental Change if the relevant Conversion Notice is received by the Conversion Agent during the period from, and including, the Effective Date of the Make-Whole Fundamental Change up to, and including, the Close of Business on the Business Day immediately prior to the related Fundamental Change Purchase Date or, if such Make-Whole Fundamental Change is not a Fundamental Change, the 35th Business Day immediately following the Effective Date for such Make-Whole Fundamental Change. A conversion of Securities will be deemed to be “in connection with” a Redemption Notice if the notice of conversion of the Securities is received by the Conversion Agent from, and including, the date of the Redemption Notice until the Close of Business on the Business Day immediately preceding the Redemption Date. Pursuant to Section 5.03 , upon the Holder’s surrender of Securities for conversion in connection with a Make-Whole Fundamental Change or Redemption Notice, the Company will, at its option, satisfy its conversion obligation by delivering or paying, as the case may be, Common Stock (together with cash in lieu of fractional shares), cash or a combination of cash and shares of Common Stock.

 

(b)           Cash Mergers . Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, if the consideration paid to holders of the Common Stock in any Make-Whole Fundamental Change described in clause (2) of the definition of Fundamental Change is comprised entirely of cash, then, for any conversion of Securities following the Effective Date of such Make-Whole Fundamental Change, the payment and delivery obligations upon the conversion of a Security shall be calculated based solely on the Stock Price for such Make-Whole Fundamental Change and shall, for each $25.00 principal amount of Securities converted, be deemed to be an amount of cash equal to the product of (i) the Conversion Rate in effect on the applicable Conversion Date (as increased by any number of Additional Shares required by this Section 5.06 ) multiplied by (ii) such Stock Price. In such event, the Company will pay such amount of cash to a converting Holder on the second Business Day following the applicable Conversion Date. Otherwise, the Company will settle any conversion of the Securities following the Effective Date for a Make-Whole Fundamental Change in accordance with Section 5.02 hereof (but subject to Section 5.07 hereof).

 

(c)           Determining the Number of Additional Shares . The number of Additional Shares, if any, by which the Conversion Rate will be increased for a Holder that converts its Securities in connection with a Make-Whole Fundamental Change shall be determined by reference to the table attached as Schedule A hereto, based on the date on which the Make-Whole Fundamental Change occurs or becomes effective or the date of the Redemption Notice, in each case (the “ Effective Date ”) and the stock price (the “ Stock Price ”) which shall be the average of the Last Reported Sale Price of the Common Stock over the five (5) Trading Day period ending on, and including, the Trading Day immediately preceding the Effective Date of the Make-Whole Fundamental Change or Redemption Notice; provided, however , that if the holders of the Common Stock receive only cash in a Make-Whole Fundamental Change described in clause (2) of the definition of Fundamental Change, the Stock Price shall be deemed to be the cash amount paid per share.

 

(d)           Interpolation and Limits . The exact Stock Prices and Effective Dates may not be set forth in the table in Schedule A , in which case:

 

(1)           If the Stock Price is between two Stock Prices in the table or the Effective Date is between two Effective Dates in the table, the number of Additional Shares shall be determined by a 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.

 

34



 

(2)           If the Stock Price is greater than $$20.00 per share (subject to adjustment in the same manner as the Stock Prices set forth in the column headings of the table in Schedule A pursuant to Section 5.06(d)(4)  hereof), the Conversion Rate shall not be increased.

 

(3)           If the Stock Price is less than $14.75 per share (subject to adjustments in the same manner as the Stock Prices set forth in the column headings of the table in Schedule A pursuant to Section 5.06(d)(4)  hereof), the Conversion Rate shall not be increased.

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, in no event will the Conversion Rate exceed 1.6949 shares of Common Stock per $25.00 principal amount of Securities, subject to adjustments in the same manner as the Conversion Rate is required to be adjusted as set forth in Section 5.04 hereof.

 

(4)           The Stock Prices set forth in the column headings of the table in Schedule A hereto shall be adjusted as of any date on which the Conversion Rate of the Securities is otherwise required to be 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 such table shall be adjusted in the same manner and at the same time as the Conversion Rate is required to be adjusted as set forth in Section 5.04 .

 

(e)           Notices . The Company shall notify the Trustee and the Holders 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.

 

Section 5.07          Effect of Recapitalization, Reclassification, Consolidation, Merger or Sale .

 

(a)           Merger Events . In the case of:

 

(1)           any recapitalization, reclassification or change of the outstanding Common Stock (other than a change in par value, or from par value to no par value, or from no par value to par value, or as a result of a split, subdivision or combination for which an adjustment was made pursuant to Section 5.04(a)  hereof);

 

(2)           any consolidation, merger or combination involving the Company;

 

(3)           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

 

(4)           any statutory share exchange;

 

and, in each case, as a result of which the outstanding shares of Common Stock 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 ,” any such stock, other securities, other property or assets, “ Reference Property ,” and the amount of kind of Reference Property that a holder of one share of Common Stock (i) is entitled to receive in the applicable Merger Event or (ii) if as a result of the applicable Merger Event, each share of Common Stock is converted into the right to receive more than a single type of consideration (determined based in part upon any form of stockholder election), the per-share of Common Stock weighted average of the types and amounts of Reference Property received by the holders of Common Stock that affirmatively make such an election, a “ Unit of Reference Property ”) then, at the effective time of such Merger Event, the right to convert each $25.00 principal amount of Securities based on a number of shares of the Common Stock equal to the applicable Conversion Rate will, without the consent of the Holders, be changed into a right to convert each $25.00 principal amount of Securities based on a number of Units of Reference Property equal to the applicable Conversion Rate and, prior to or at the effective time of such Merger Event, the Company or the successor or purchasing person, as the case may be, shall execute with the Trustee a supplemental indenture (which shall comply with the Trust Indenture Act as in force at the date of execution of such supplemental indenture) providing for such change in the right to convert each $25.00 principal amount of Securities; provided , however , that (i) any amount payable in cash upon conversion of the Securities in

 

35



 

accordance with Sections 5.03 and 5.06 hereof shall continue to be payable in cash, (ii) the number of shares of Common Stock that the Company would have been required to deliver upon conversion of the Securities in accordance with Sections 5.03 and 5.06 hereof shall instead be deliverable in Units of Reference Property and (iii) the Daily VWAP and the Last Reported Sale Price will, to the extent reasonably possible, be calculated based on the value of a Unit of Reference Property and the definitions of Trading Day and Market Disruption Event shall be determined by reference to the components of a Unit of Reference Property.

 

If the Merger Event causes the outstanding Common Stock 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) as contemplated by the preceding paragraph such that a Unit of Reference Property is comprised of the per-share of Common Stock weighted average of the types and amounts of consideration received by the holders of the Common Stock in the Merger Event that affirmatively make such an election, the Company shall notify Holders of the weighted average as soon as practicable after such determination is made.

 

The Company shall not become a party to any Merger Event unless its terms are consistent with this Section 5.07 . Such supplemental indenture described in the second immediately preceding paragraph shall provide for adjustments which shall be as nearly equivalent to the adjustments provided for in this Article 5 in the judgment of the Board of Directors or the board of directors of the successor person. If, in the case of any such Merger Event, the Reference Property receivable thereupon by a holder of Common Stock includes shares of stock, securities or other property or assets (including cash or any combination thereof) of a person other than the successor or purchasing person, as the case may be, in such Merger Event, then such supplemental indenture shall also be executed by such other person.

 

(b)           Notice of Supplemental Indentures . The Company shall cause notice of the execution of such supplemental indenture to be mailed to each Holder, at the address of such Holder as it appears on the register of the Securities maintained by the Security Registrar, within 20 days after execution thereof. Failure to deliver such notice shall not affect the legality or validity of such supplemental indenture. The above provisions of this Section 5.07 shall similarly apply to successive Merger Events.

 

Section 5.08          Stock Issued Upon Conversion .

 

(a)           Reservation of Shares . To the extent necessary to satisfy its obligations under this Indenture, prior to issuing any shares of Common Stock, the Company will reserve out of its authorized but unissued shares of Common Stock a sufficient number of shares of Common Stock to permit the conversion of the Securities.

 

(b)           Certain other Covenants . The Company covenants that all shares of Common Stock that may be issued upon conversion of Securities shall be newly issued shares or treasury shares, shall be duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable and shall be free from preemptive rights and free from any tax, lien or charge (other than those created by the Holder or due to a change in registered owner). The Company shall list or cause to have quoted any shares of Common Stock to be issued upon conversion of Securities on each national securities exchange or over-the-counter or other domestic market on which the Common Stock is then listed or quoted.

 

Section 5.09          Responsibility of Trustee . The Trustee and any Conversion Agent shall not at any time be under any duty or responsibility to any Holder of Securities to determine or calculate the Conversion Rate, to determine whether any facts exist which may require any adjustment of the Conversion Rate, or to confirm the accuracy of any such adjustment when made or the appropriateness of 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 of Common Stock or of any other securities or property that may at any time be issued or delivered upon the conversion of any Securities; and the Trustee and the 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, transfer or deliver any shares of Common Stock or stock certificates or other securities or property or cash upon the surrender of any Securities for the purpose of conversion or to comply with any of the duties, responsibilities or covenants of the Company contained in this Article 5 . The rights, privileges, protections, immunities and benefits given to the

 

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Trustee, including without limitation its right to be compensated, reimbursed, and indemnified, are extended to, and shall be enforceable by, the Trustee in each of its capacities hereunder, including its capacity as Conversion Agent.

 

Section 5.10          Notice to Holders .

 

(a)           Notice to Holders Prior to Certain Actions . The Company shall deliver notices of the events specified below at the times specified below and containing the information specified below unless, in each case, (i) pursuant to this Indenture, the Company is already required to deliver notice of such event containing at least the information specified below at an earlier time or, (ii) the Company, at the time it is required to deliver a notice, does not have knowledge of all of the information required to be included in such notice, in which case, the Company shall (A) deliver notice at such time containing only the information that it has knowledge of at such time (if it has knowledge of any such information at such time), and (B) promptly upon obtaining knowledge of any such information not already included in a notice delivered by the Company, deliver notice to each Holder containing such information. In each case, the failure by the Company to give such notice, or any defect therein, shall not affect the legality or validity of such event.

 

(1)           Issuances, Distributions, and Dividends and Distributions . If the Company (A) announces any issuance of any rights, options or warrants that would require an adjustment in the Conversion Rate pursuant to Section 5.04(b)  hereof; (B) authorizes any distribution that would require an adjustment in the Conversion Rate pursuant to Section 5.04(c)  hereof (including any separation of rights from the Common Stock described in Section 5.04(g)  hereof); or (C) announces any dividend or distribution that would require an adjustment in the Conversion Rate pursuant to Section 5.04(d)  hereof, then the Company shall deliver to the Holders, as promptly as possible, but in any event at least 15 calendar days prior to the applicable Ex-Dividend Date, notice describing such issuance, distribution, dividend or distribution, as the case may be, and stating the expected Ex-Dividend Date and record date for such issuance, distribution, dividend or distribution, as the case may be. In addition, the Company shall deliver to the Holders notice if the consideration included in such issuance, distribution, dividend or distribution, or the Ex-Dividend Date or record date of such issuance, distribution, dividend or distribution, as the case may be, changes.

 

(2)           Voluntary Increases . If the Company increases the Conversion Rate pursuant to Section 5.05(b) , the Company shall deliver notice to the Holders at least 15 calendar days prior to the date on which such increase will become effective, which notice shall state the date on which such increased will become effective and the amount by which the Conversion Rate will be increased.

 

(3)           Dissolutions, Liquidations and Winding-Ups . If there is a voluntary or involuntary dissolution, liquidation or winding-up of the Company, the Company shall deliver notice to the Holders as promptly as possible, but in any event at least 15 calendar days prior to the earlier of (i) the date on which such dissolution, liquidation or winding-up, as the case may be, is expected to become effective or occur, and (ii) the date as of which it is expected that holders of Common Stock of record shall be entitled to exchange their Common Stock for securities or other property deliverable upon such dissolution, liquidation or winding-up, as the case may be, which notice shall state the expected effective date and record date for such event, as applicable, and the amount and kind of property that a holder of one share of the Common Stock is expected to be entitled, or may elect, to receive in such event. The Company shall deliver an additional notice to holders, as promptly as practicable, whenever the expected effective date or record date, as applicable, or the amount and kind of property that a holder of one share of the Common Stock is expect to be entitled to receive in such event, changes.

 

(b)           Notices After Certain Actions and Events . Whenever an adjustment to the Conversion Rate becomes effective pursuant to Sections 5.04 , 5.05 or 5.06 hereof, the Company will (i) file with the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate stating that such adjustment has become effective, the Conversion Rate, and the manner in which the adjustment was computed and (ii) deliver notice to the Holder’s stating that such adjustment has become effective and the Conversion Rate or conversion privilege as adjusted. Failure to give any such notice, or any defect therein, shall not affect the validity of any such adjustment.

 

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ARTICLE 6

 

PARTICULAR COVENANTS OF THE COMPANY

 

Section 6.01          Payment of Principal, Interest, Fundamental Change Purchase Price and Redemption Price . This Section 6.01 shall replace Section 4.01 of the Base Indenture in its entirety.

 

The Company covenants and agrees that it will cause to be paid the principal of (including the Fundamental Change Purchase Price and the Redemption Price, if applicable), and accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on each of the Securities at the places, at the respective times and in the manner provided herein and in the Securities.

 

Section 6.02          Maintenance of Office or Agency . This Section 6.02 replaces Section 2.05 of the Base Indenture in its entirety and references in the Base Indenture to Section 2.05 of the Base Indenture shall be deemed replaced with references to this Section 6.02 .

 

The Company will maintain an office of the Paying Agent, an office of the Security Registrar and an office or agency where Securities may be surrendered for conversion (“ Conversion Agent ”) and where notices and demands to or upon the Company in respect of the Securities and this Indenture may be served. The Company will give prompt written notice to the Trustee of the location, and any change in the location, of such office or agency. If at any time the Company shall fail to maintain any such required office or agency or shall fail to furnish the Trustee with the address thereof, such presentations, surrenders, notices and demands may be made or served at the Corporate Trust Office or the office or agency of the Trustee.

 

The Company may also from time to time designate coregistrars one or more other offices or agencies where the Securities may be presented or surrendered for any or all such purposes and may from time to time rescind such designations; provided that no such designation or rescission shall in any manner relieve the Company of its obligation to maintain an office or agency for such purposes. The Company will give prompt written notice to the Trustee of any such designation or rescission and of any change in the location of any such other office or agency. The terms “Paying Agent” and “Conversion Agent” include any such additional or other offices or agencies, as applicable.

 

The Company hereby initially designates the Trustee as the Paying Agent, Security Registrar, Custodian, Conversion Agent and the Corporate Trust Office, which shall be in the continental United States, shall be considered as one such office or agency of the Company for each of the aforesaid purposes.

 

With respect to any Global Security, the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee or any Paying Agent shall be the place of payment where such Global Security may be presented or surrendered for payment or conversion or for registration of transfer or exchange, or where successor Securities may be delivered in exchange therefor; provided , however , that any such payment, conversion, presentation, surrender or delivery effected pursuant to the Applicable Procedures of the Depository for such Global Security shall be deemed to have been effected at the place of payment for such Global Security in accordance with the provisions of this Indenture.

 

Section 6.03          Appointments to Fill Vacancies in Trustee’s Office . The Company, whenever necessary to avoid or fill a vacancy in the office of Trustee, will appoint, in the manner provided in Section 7.08 of the Base Indenture, a Trustee, so that there shall at all times be a Trustee hereunder.

 

Section 6.04          Provisions as to Paying Agent . This Section 6.04 shall replace Section 7.07 of the Base Indenture in its entirety and references in the Base Indenture to Section 7.07 of the Base Indenture shall be deemed replace with references to this Section 6.04 .

 

(a)           If the Company shall appoint a Paying Agent other than the Trustee, the Company will cause such Paying Agent to execute and deliver to the Trustee an instrument in which such agent shall agree with the Trustee, subject to the provisions of this Section 6.04 :

 

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(1)           that it will hold all sums held by it as such agent for the payment of the principal of, accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on, the Fundamental Change Purchase Price for, and the Redemption Price for, the Securities in trust for the benefit of the holders of the Securities;

 

(2)           that it will give the Trustee prompt notice of any failure by the Company to make any payment of the principal of, accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on, the Fundamental Change Purchase Price for, or the Redemption Price for, the Securities when the same shall be due and payable; and

 

(3)           that at any time during the continuance of an Event of Default, upon request of the Trustee, it will forthwith pay to the Trustee all sums so held in trust.

 

The Company shall, on or before each due date of the principal of, accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on, Fundamental Change Purchase Price for, and the Redemption Price for, the Securities, deposit with the Paying Agent a sum sufficient to pay such principal, accrued and unpaid interest, Fundamental Change Purchase Price or Redemption Price, as the case may be, and (unless such Paying Agent is the Trustee) the Company will promptly notify the Trustee of any failure to take such action, provided that, if such deposit is made on the due date, such deposit must be received by the Paying Agent by 10:00 a.m., New York City time, on such date.

 

(b)           If the Company shall act as its own Paying Agent, it will, on or before each due date of the principal of, accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on, Fundamental Change Purchase Price for or Redemption Price for, the Securities, set aside, segregate and hold in trust for the benefit of the holders of the Securities a sum sufficient to pay such principal, accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on, Fundamental Change Purchase Price or Redemption Price, as the case may be, so becoming due and will promptly notify the Trustee in writing of any failure to take such action and of any failure by the Company to make any payment of the principal of, accrued and unpaid interest on, Fundamental Change Purchase Price for or Redemption Price for, the Securities when the same shall become due and payable.

 

(c)           Anything in this Section 6.04 to the contrary notwithstanding, the Company may, at any time, for the purpose of obtaining a satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture, or for any other reason, pay or cause to be paid to the Trustee all sums held in trust by the Company or any Paying Agent hereunder as required by this Section 6.04 , such sums to be held by the Trustee upon the trusts herein contained and upon such payment by the Company or any Paying Agent to the Trustee, the Company or such Paying Agent shall be released from all further liability with respect to such sums.

 

Section 6.05          Reports . This Section 6.05 will replace Section 4.02 of the Base Indenture in its entirety.

 

The Company will file with the Trustee, within 15 days after it is required to file the same with the SEC, copies of the quarterly and annual reports and of the information, documents and other reports, if any, that it is required to file with the Commission pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, and to otherwise comply with Section 314(a) of the Trust Indenture Act. Any such report, information or document that the Company files with the Commission through the EDGAR system (or any successor thereto) will be deemed to be delivered to the Trustee for the purposes of this Section 6.05 at the time of such filing through the EDGAR system (or such successor thereto); provided , however , that the Trustee shall have no obligation whatsoever to determine whether or not such filing has occurred.

 

Delivery of any such reports, information and documents to the Trustee shall be for informational purposes only, and the Trustee’s receipt of such reports, information and documents 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 Officers’ Certificates).

 

Section 6.06          Statements as to Defaults . The Company shall deliver to the Trustee, as soon as possible, and in any event within thirty days after the Company becomes aware of the occurrence of any Default or Event of Default, an Officers’ Certificate setting forth the details of such Default or Event of Default, its status and the action

 

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that the Company proposes to take with respect thereto. Such Officers’ Certificate shall also comply with any additional requirements set forth in Section 4.04 of the Base Indenture.

 

Section 6.07          Supplementary Interest Notice . If Supplementary Interest is payable by the Company pursuant to Section 7.04 hereof, the Company shall deliver to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate to that effect stating (a) the amount of such Supplementary Interest that is payable and (b) the date on which such interest is payable. Unless and until a Responsible Officer of the Trustee receives at the Corporate Trust Office such a certificate, the Trustee may assume without inquiry that no such Supplementary Interest is payable. If the Company has paid Supplementary Interest directly to the Persons entitled to them, the Company shall deliver to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate setting forth the particulars of such payment.

 

Section 6.08          Covenant to Take Certain Actions . Before taking any action which would cause an adjustment to the Conversion Rate such that the Conversion Price per share of Common Stock issuable upon conversion of the Securities would be less than the par value of the Common Stock, the Company shall take all corporate actions that may, in the opinion of its counsel, be necessary so it may validly and legally issue shares of Common Stock at such adjusted Conversion Rate.

 

Section 6.09          Limitation on Liens to Secure Payment of Company Borrowings . The Company will not, and will not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, create, incur or suffer to exist any Lien that secures obligations under any indebtedness of the Company (other than Guarantees of indebtedness of its Subsidiaries) on any of its or its Subsidiaries’ assets or property, unless the Securities and any Guarantee of the Securities are equally and ratably secured with the obligations secured by such other Lien. Any Lien created for the benefit of the Holders pursuant to this Section 6.09 may provide by its terms that such Lien shall be automatically and unconditionally released and discharged upon the release and discharge of the Lien that gave rise to the obligation to so secure the Securities.

 

Section 6.10          Limitation on Unsecured Borrowings or Guaranty of Unsecured Borrowings by Subsidiaries .

 

(a)           The Company will not permit any of its Subsidiaries to incur any unsecured indebtedness or Guarantee the payment of, assume or in any other manner become liable with respect to any unsecured indebtedness of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries (other than (1) a mirror note issued by the Operating Partnership to the Company in connection with the incurrence by the Company of an unsecured borrowing, (2) other indebtedness issued by the Operating Partnership that ranks equal in right of payment with the mirror note issued on the date hereof to the Company in connection with the offering of the Securities described in the Preliminary Prospectus Supplement, (3) other indebtedness in an aggregate outstanding principal amount which when taken together with the principal amount of all other indebtedness incurred, Guaranteed, assumed or for which a Subsidiary has become liable for pursuant to this clause (3) and then outstanding will not exceed the greater of (a) $25.0 million and (b) 5.0% of the Company’s Total Stockholders’ Equity or (4) intercompany loans or other indebtedness where the borrower and lender are both Subsidiaries of the Company, provided that if a future Note Guarantor is the obligor on any such intercompany indebtedness which is owed to a Subsidiary which is not a Note Guarantor, the intercompany indebtedness will be expressly subordinated in right of payment to the Guarantee of the Securities), unless prior to incurring, Guaranteeing, assuming or becoming liable with respect to such indebtedness, such Subsidiary executes and delivers a supplemental indenture providing for a Guarantee of the obligations under Securities and this Indenture in the same or higher ranking as, and otherwise be on terms comparable or better than, such unsecured indebtedness or Guarantee provided by such Subsidiary of such other unsecured indebtedness.

 

(b)           The Company may elect, in its sole discretion, to cause any Subsidiary that is not otherwise required to be a Note Guarantor to become a Note Guarantor. Any Guarantee will be limited as necessary to prevent such Guarantee from constituting a fraudulent conveyance under applicable law.

 

(c)           A Note Guarantor will be released from its obligations under its Guarantee upon the release or discharge of any other indebtedness or Guarantee in respect of other indebtedness that resulted in the issuance of the Guarantee of the Securities.

 

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ARTICLE 7

 

REMEDIES

 

Section 7.01                              Amendments to the Base Indenture .

 

(a)                                  The Holders shall not have the benefit of Article VI of the Base Indenture and, with respect to the Securities, this Article 7 supersedes Article VI of the Base Indenture in its entirety.

 

(b)                                  Each reference in the Base Indenture to Section 6.04 is, with respect to the Securities, hereby deemed replaced by a reference to Section 7.05 hereof.

 

(c)                                   Each reference in the Base Indenture to Section 6.05 is, with respect to the Securities, hereby deemed replaced by a reference to Section 7.06 hereof.

 

(d)                                  Section 7.01(c) of the Base Indenture will be amended to delete “, or its willful misconduct,”.

 

Section 7.02                              Events of Default . Each of the following events (and only the following events) shall be an “ Event of Default ” wherever used with respect to the Securities:

 

(a)                                  default in any payment of interest on any Security when due and payable, and the default continues for a period of thirty days;

 

(b)                                  default in the payment of the principal of any Security (including the Fundamental Change Purchase Price or the Redemption Price) when due and payable on the Maturity Date, upon Optional Redemption, upon required repurchase, upon declaration of acceleration or otherwise;

 

(c)                                   failure by the Company to comply with its obligations under Article 5 hereof to convert the Securities into the amount of cash or the combination of cash and shares of Common Stock, if any, determined in accordance with Article 5 hereof upon exercise of a Holder’s conversion right and that failure continues for five (5) Business Days;

 

(d)                                  failure by the Company to comply with its obligations under Article 10 hereof;

 

(e)                                   failure by the Company to issue a notice in accordance with the provisions of Section 5.01(b)(3)  hereof or Section 3.01(b)  hereof when due;

 

(f)                                    failure by the Company for 60 days after written notice from the Trustee or the Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the Securities then Outstanding (a copy of which notice, if given by Holders, must also be given to the Trustee) has been received by the Company to comply with any of its other agreements contained in the Securities or this Indenture (other than a covenant or warranty a default in whose performance or whose breach is elsewhere in this Section 7.02 specifically provided for or that is not applicable to the Securities), which notice shall state that it is a “ Notice of Default ” hereunder;

 

(g)                                   failure by the Company or any Subsidiary to pay beyond any applicable grace period, or the acceleration of, indebtedness of the Company or any of the Company’s Subsidiaries in an aggregate amount greater than $25,000,000 (or its foreign currency equivalent at the time);

 

(h)                                  a final judgment or judgments for the payment of $25,000,000 (or its foreign currency equivalent) or more (excluding any amounts covered by insurance) in the aggregate rendered against the Company or its Subsidiaries (other than securitization entities), which judgment is not discharged, bonded, paid, waived or stayed within 60 days after (i) the date on which the right to appeal thereof has expired if no such appeal has commenced, of (ii) the date on which all rights to appeal have been extinguished;

 

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(i)                                      the Company or any Significant Subsidiary of the Company shall commence a voluntary case or other proceeding seeking the liquidation, reorganization or other relief with respect to the Company or such Significant Subsidiary or its debts under any bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar law now or hereafter in effect or seeking the appointment of a trustee, receiver, liquidator, custodian or other similar official of the Company or such Significant Subsidiary of the Company or any substantial part of the Company’s or such Significant Subsidiary of the Company’s property, or shall consent to any such relief or to the appointment of or taking possession by any such official in an involuntary case or other proceeding commenced against it, or shall make a general assignment for the benefit of creditors, or shall fail generally to pay its debts as they become due; or

 

(j)                                     an involuntary case or other proceeding shall be commenced against the Company or any Significant Subsidiary of the Company seeking liquidation, reorganization or other relief with respect to the Company or such Significant Subsidiary of the Company or its debts under any bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar law now or hereafter in effect or seeking the appointment of a trustee, receiver, liquidator, custodian or other similar official of the Company or such Significant Subsidiary of the Company or any substantial part of its property, and such involuntary case or other proceeding shall remain undismissed and unstayed for a period of thirty consecutive days.

 

Section 7.03                              Acceleration; Rescission and Annulment . If one or more Events of Default shall have occurred and be continuing (whatever the reason for such Event of Default and whether it shall be voluntary or involuntary or be effected by operation of law or pursuant to any judgment, decree or order of any court or any order, rule or regulation of any administrative or governmental body), then, and in each and every such case (other than an Event of Default specified in Section 7.02(j)  or Section 7.02(j)  with respect to the Company (and not solely with respect to a Significant Subsidiary of the Company)), unless the principal of all of the Securities shall have already become due and payable, either the Trustee or the holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Securities then Outstanding, by notice in writing to the Company (and to the Trustee if given by the Holders), may declare 100% of the principal of, and accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on all the Securities to be due and payable immediately. If an Event of Default specified in Section 7.02(j)  or Section 7.02(j)  with respect to the Company (and not solely with respect to a Significant Subsidiary of the Company) occurs and is continuing, the principal of, and accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on all Securities shall be immediately due and payable.

 

Section 7.04                              Supplementary Interest .

 

(a)                                  Notwithstanding any provisions of the Indenture to the contrary, if the Company so elects, the sole remedy for an 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 it 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 Section 6.05 hereof (a “ Reporting Event of Default ”), will consist exclusively of the right to receive additional interest on the Securities (the “ Supplementary Interest ”) at a rate per year equal to (i) 0.25% per annum of the Outstanding principal amount of the Securities for the first 90 days of the 180-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 Outstanding principal amount of the Securities for the last 90 days of such 180-day period as long as such Event of Default is continuing. If the Company so elects, such Supplementary Interest will be payable in the same manner and on the same dates as the stated interest payable on the Securities. On the 181st day after such Event of Default (if the Reporting Event of Default is not cured or waived prior to such 181st day), the Securities will be subject to acceleration pursuant to Section 7.03 . The provisions of this Section 7.04 will not affect the rights of Holders of Securities in the event of the occurrence of any Event of Default that is not a Reporting Event of Default. In the event the Company does not elect to pay the Supplementary Interest following an Event of Default in accordance with this Section 7.04  or the Company elected to make such payment but do not pay the Supplementary Interest when due, the Securities will be immediately subject to acceleration as provided in Section 7.03 .

 

(b)                                  In order to elect to pay the Supplementary Interest as the sole remedy during the first 180 days after the occurrence of an Reporting Event of Default, the Company must notify all Holders of Securities, the Trustee and the Paying Agent of such election prior to the beginning of such 180-day period. Upon the Company’s failure to timely give such notice, the Securities will be immediately subject to acceleration as provided in Section 7.03 .

 

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Section 7.05                              Waiver of Past Defaults . The Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Securities then Outstanding, by written notice to the Company and to the Trustee, may waive (including by way of consents obtained in connection with a repurchase of, or tender or exchange offer for, the Securities) all past Defaults or Events of Default with respect to the Securities (other than a Default or an Event of Default resulting from nonpayment of principal or interest, a failure to deliver consideration due upon conversion or any other provisions that requires the consent of each affected Holder to amend) and rescind any such acceleration with respect to the Securities and its consequences if (i) rescission would not conflict with any judgment or decree of a court of competent jurisdiction and (ii) all existing Events of Default, other than the nonpayment of the principal of, and interest on, the Securities that have become due solely by such declaration of acceleration have been cured or waived.

 

Section 7.06                              Control by Majority . At any time, the Holders of a majority of the aggregate principal amount of the then Outstanding Securities 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. However, the Trustee may refuse to follow any direction that conflicts with law or this Indenture or that the Trustee determines to be unduly prejudicial to the rights of a Holder or to the Trustee, or that would potentially involve the Trustee in personal liability unless the Trustee is offered indemnity or security reasonably satisfactory to it against any loss, liability or expense to the Trustee that may result from the Trustee’s instituting such proceeding as the Trustee. Prior to taking any action hereunder, the Trustee will be entitled to indemnification reasonably satisfactory to it against all losses and expenses caused by taking or not taking such action.

 

Section 7.07                              Limitation on Suits . Subject to Section 7.08 hereof, no Holder may pursue a remedy with respect to this Indenture or the Securities unless:

 

(a)                                  such Holder has previously delivered to the Trustee written notice that an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing;

 

(b)                                  the Holders of at least 25% of the aggregate principal amount of the then Outstanding Securities deliver to the Trustee a written request that the Trustee pursue a remedy with respect to such Event of Default;

 

(c)                                   such Holder or Holders have offered and, if requested, provided to the Trustee indemnity reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee against any loss, liability or other expense of compliance with such written request;

 

(d)                                  the Trustee has not complied with such written request within 60 days after receipt of such written request and offer of indemnity; and

 

(e)                                   during such 60-day period, the Holders of a majority of the aggregate principal amount of the then Outstanding Securities did not deliver to the Trustee a direction inconsistent with such written request.

 

A Holder may not use this Indenture to prejudice the rights of any other Holder or to obtain a preference or priority over any other Holder, it being understood that the Trustee does not have any affirmative duty to ascertain whether any usage of this Indenture by a Holder is unduly prejudicial to such other Holders.

 

Section 7.08                              Rights of Holders to Receive Payment and to Convert . Notwithstanding anything to the contrary elsewhere in this Indenture, the right of any Holder to receive payment of the principal of, interest on, Fundamental Change Purchase Price for, or Redemption Price for, its Securities, on or after the respective due date, and to convert its Securities and receive payment or delivery of the consideration due with respect to such Securities in accordance with Article 5 hereof, or to bring suit for the enforcement of any such payment or conversion rights, will not be impaired or affected without the consent of such Holder and will not be subject to the requirements of Section 7.07 hereof.

 

Section 7.09                              Collection of Indebtedness; Suit for Enforcement by Trustee . If an Event of Default specified in Section 7.02(a) , 7.02(b)  or 7.02(c)  hereof occurs and is continuing, the Trustee is authorized to recover judgment in its own name and as trustee of an express trust against the Company for the whole amount of principal

 

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of, interest on, Fundamental Change Purchase Price for, Redemption Price for, and the amount of cash or the combination of cash and shares of Common Stock, if any, as the case may be, due upon the conversion of, the Securities, as the case may be, and such further amount as is sufficient to cover the costs and expenses of collection, including the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel, as well as any other amounts that may be due under Section 7.07 of the Base Indenture.

 

Section 7.10                              Trustee May Enforce Claims Without Possession of Securities . All rights of action and claims under this Indenture or the Securities may be prosecuted and enforced by the Trustee without the possession of any of the Securities or the production thereof in any proceeding relating thereto, and any such proceeding instituted by the Trustee shall be brought in its own name as trustee of an express trust, and any recovery of judgment shall, after provision for the payment of the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel, be for the ratable benefit of the Holders in respect of which such judgment has been recovered.

 

Section 7.11                              Trustee May File Proofs of Claim . The Trustee is authorized to file such proofs of claim and other papers or documents as may be necessary or advisable to have the claims of the Trustee and the Holders allowed in any judicial proceedings relative to the Company, its creditors or its property and, unless prohibited by law or applicable regulations, will be entitled to collect, receive and distribute any money or other property payable or deliverable on any such claims, and any custodian 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 consents to the making of such payments directly to the Holders, to pay to the Trustee any amount due to it for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel, and any other amounts due the Trustee under Section 7.10 of the Base Indenture. To the extent that the payment of any such compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel, and any other amounts due the Trustee under Section 7.10 of the Base Indenture out of the estate in any such proceeding, will be denied for any reason, payment of the same will be secured by a lien on, and is paid out of, any and all distributions, dividends, money, securities and other properties that the Holders may be entitled to receive in such proceeding, whether in liquidation or under any plan of reorganization or arrangement or otherwise. Nothing herein contained will be deemed to authorize the Trustee to authorize or consent to, or to accept or to adopt on behalf of any Holder, any plan of reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition affecting the Securities or the rights of any Holder, or to authorize the Trustee to vote in respect of the claim of any Holder in any such proceeding.

 

Section 7.12                              Restoration of Rights and Remedies . If the Trustee or any Holder has instituted any proceeding to enforce any right or remedy under this Indenture and such proceeding has been discontinued or abandoned for any reason, or has been determined adversely to the Trustee or to such Holder, then and in every such case, subject to any determination in such proceeding, the Company, the Trustee and the Holders shall be restored severally and respectively to their former positions hereunder and thereafter all rights and remedies of the Trustee and the Holders shall continue as though no such proceeding had been instituted.

 

Section 7.13                              Rights and Remedies Cumulative . Except as otherwise provided with respect to the replacement or payment of mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Securities in Section 2.09 of the Base Indenture, 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 7.14                              Delay or Omission Not a 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 7 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 (subject to the limitations contained in this Indenture) or by the Holders, as the case may be.

 

Section 7.15                              Priorities . If the Trustee collects any money pursuant to this Article 7 , it will pay out the money in the following order:

 

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FIRST: to the Trustee, its agents and attorneys for amounts due under Section 7.07 of the Base Indenture, including payment of all compensation, expenses and liabilities incurred, and all advances made, by the Trustee and the costs and expenses of collection;

 

SECOND: to the Holders, for any amounts due and unpaid on the principal of, accrued and unpaid interest on, Fundamental Change Purchase Price for, Redemption Price for, and any cash due upon conversion of, any Security, without preference or priority of any kind, according to such amounts due and payable on all of the Securities; and

 

THIRD: the balance, if any, to the Company or to such other party as a court of competent jurisdiction directs.

 

The Trustee may fix a record date and payment date for any payment to the Holders pursuant to this Section 7.15 . If the Trustee so fixes a record date and a payment date, at least 15 days prior to such record date, the Company will deliver to each Holder and the Trustee a written notice, which notice will state such record date, such payment date and the amount of such payment.

 

Section 7.16                              Undertaking for Costs . All parties to this Indenture agree, and each Holder, by such Holder’s acceptance of a Security, shall be deemed to have agreed, that any court may in its discretion require, in any suit for the enforcement of any right or remedy under this Indenture, or in any suit against the Trustee for any action taken or omitted by it as Trustee, the filing by any party litigant in such suit of an undertaking to pay the costs of such suit, and that such court may in its discretion assess reasonable costs, including reasonable attorneys’ fees, against any party litigant in such suit, having due regard to the merits and good faith of the claims or defenses made by such party litigant; provided , however , that the provisions of this Section 7.16 shall not apply to any suit instituted by the Trustee, to any suit instituted by any Holder, or group of Holders, holding in the aggregate more than 10% in aggregate principal amount of the Securities then Outstanding, or to any suit instituted by any Holder for the enforcement of the payment of the principal of, accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on, Fundamental Change Purchase Price for, or Redemption Price for, any Security on or after the due date expressed or provided for in this Indenture or to any suit for the enforcement of the right to convert any Security in accordance with the provisions of Article 5 hereof.

 

Section 7.17                              Waiver of Stay, Extension and Usury Laws . The Company covenants that, to the extent that it may lawfully do so, it will not at any time insist upon, plead, or in any manner whatsoever claim or take the benefit or advantage of, any stay, extension or usury 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, by resort to any such law, hinder, delay or impede the execution of any power herein granted to the Trustee, but will instead suffer and permit the execution of every such power as though no such law has been enacted.

 

Section 7.18                              Notices from the Trustee . Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the Base Indenture, including Section 7.05 of the Base Indenture, whenever a Default occurs and is continuing and is actually known to the Trustee, the Trustee must deliver notice of such Default to the Holders within 90 days after the date on which such Default first occurred. Except in the case of a Default in the payment of the principal of, interest on, Fundamental Change Purchase Price for or Redemption Price for, any Security or of a Default in the payment or delivery, as the case may be, of the consideration due upon conversion of a Security, the Trustee shall be protected in withholding such notice if and so long as the Trustee in good faith determine that the withholding of such notice is in the interests of the Holders.

 

ARTICLE 8

 

SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE

 

Section 8.01                              Inapplicability of Provisions of Base Indenture; Satisfaction and Discharge of the Indenture . The provisions set forth in this Article 8 shall, with respect to the Securities, supersede in their entirety Article VIII of the Base Indenture.

 

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When (a) the Company shall deliver to the Security Registrar for cancellation all Securities theretofore authenticated (other than any Securities that have been destroyed, lost or stolen and in lieu of or in substitution for which other Securities shall have been authenticated and delivered) and not theretofore canceled, or (b) all the Securities not theretofore canceled or delivered to the Trustee for cancellation shall have become due and payable (whether on the Maturity Date, any Redemption Date, on any Fundamental Change Purchase Date, upon conversion or otherwise) and the Company shall deposit with the Trustee, in trust, or deliver to the Holders, as applicable, an amount of cash or the combination of cash and shares of Common Stock, if any, as the case may be (solely to settle amounts due with respect to outstanding conversions), sufficient to pay all amounts due on all of such Securities (other than any Securities that shall have been mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen and in lieu of or in substitution for which other Securities shall have been authenticated and delivered) not theretofore canceled or delivered to the Trustee for cancellation, including principal and interest due, accompanied, except in the event the Securities are due and payable solely in cash at the Maturity Date or upon an earlier Redemption Date or Fundamental Change Purchase Date, by a verification report as to the sufficiency of the deposited amount from an independent certified accountant or other financial professional reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee, and if the Company shall also pay or cause to be paid all other sums payable hereunder by the Company, then this Indenture shall cease to be of further effect (except as to (i) rights hereunder of Holders to receive all amounts owing upon the Securities and the other rights, duties and obligations of Holders, as beneficiaries hereof with respect to the amounts, if any, so deposited with the Trustee and (ii) the rights, obligations and immunities of the Trustee hereunder), and the Trustee, on written demand of the Company accompanied by an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel and at the cost and expense of the Company, shall execute proper instruments acknowledging satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture; the Company, however, hereby agrees to reimburse the Trustee for any costs or expenses thereafter reasonably and properly incurred by the Trustee, including the fees and expenses of its counsel, and to compensate the Trustee for any services thereafter reasonably and properly rendered by the Trustee in connection with this Indenture or the Securities.

 

Section 8.02                              Deposited Monies to Be Held in Trust by Trustee . Subject to Section 8.04 hereof, all monies and shares of Common Stock, if any, deposited with the Trustee pursuant to Section 8.01 hereof shall be held in trust for the sole benefit of the Holders of the Securities, and such monies and shares of Common Stock shall be applied by the Trustee to the payment, either directly or through any Paying Agent (including the Company if acting as its own Paying Agent), to the Holders of the particular Securities for the payment or settlement of which such monies or shares of Common Stock have been deposited with the Trustee, of all sums or amounts due and to become due thereon for principal and interest, if any.

 

Section 8.03                              Paying Agent to Repay Monies Held . Upon the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture, all monies and shares of Common Stock, if any, then held by any Paying Agent (if other than the Trustee) shall, upon written request of the Company, be repaid to it or paid to the Trustee, and thereupon such Paying Agent shall be released from all further liability with respect to such monies and shares of Common Stock.

 

Section 8.04                              Return of Unclaimed Monies . Subject to the requirements of applicable law, any monies and shares of Common Stock deposited with or paid to the Trustee for payment of the principal of or interest, if any, on the Securities and not applied but remaining unclaimed by the Holders of the Securities for two years after the date upon which the principal of or interest, if any, on such Securities, as the case may be, shall have become due and payable, shall be repaid to the Company by the Trustee on demand, and all liability of the Trustee shall thereupon cease with respect to such monies and shares of Common Stock; and the Holder shall thereafter look only to the Company for any payment or delivery that such Holder may be entitled to collect unless an applicable abandoned property law designates another person.

 

Section 8.05                              Reinstatement . If the Trustee or the Paying Agent is unable to apply any money or shares of Common Stock in accordance with Section 8.02 by reason of any order or judgment of any court or governmental authority enjoining, restraining or otherwise prohibiting such application, the Company’s obligations under the Indenture and the Securities shall be revived and reinstated as though no deposit had occurred pursuant to Section 8.01 until such time as the Trustee or the Paying Agent is permitted to apply all such money and shares of Common Stock in accordance with Section 8.02 ; provided , however , that if the Company makes any payment of interest on, principal of or payment or delivery in respect of any Security following the reinstatement of its obligations, the Company shall be subrogated to the rights of the Holders of such Securities to receive such payment from the money or shares of Common Stock, if any, held by the Trustee or Paying Agent.

 

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ARTICLE 9

 

SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES

 

Section 9.01                              Supplemental Indentures Without Consent of Holders . Section 9.01 of the Base Indenture shall not apply with respect to the Securities, and this Section 9.01 shall replace Section 9.01 of the Base Indenture in its entirety.

 

Without the consent of any Holder, the Company (when authorized by a Board Resolution) and the Trustee, at any time and from time to time, may enter into one or more indentures supplemental hereto, in form satisfactory to the Trustee, for any of the following purposes:

 

(a)                                  to conform the terms of this Indenture or the Securities to the description thereof in the Preliminary Prospectus Supplement, as supplemented by the issuer free writing prospectus related to the offering of the Securities filed by the Company with the Commission pursuant to Rule 433 under the Securities Act of 1933 on August 4, 2017;

 

(b)                                  to evidence the succession by a Successor Company and to provide for the assumption by a Successor Company of the Company’s obligations under the Indenture;

 

(c)                                   to add guarantees with respect to the Securities and to remove guarantees in accordance with the terms of this Indenture and the Securities;

 

(d)                                  to secure the Securities;

 

(e)                                   to add to the Company’s covenants such further covenants, restrictions or conditions for the benefit of the Holders (or any other holders) or surrender any right or power conferred upon the Company by the Indenture;

 

(f)                                    to cure any ambiguity, omission, defect or inconsistency in this Indenture or the Securities, including to eliminate any conflict with the Trust Indenture Act, so long as such action will not materially adversely affect the interests of Holders;

 

(g)                                   to make any change that does not adversely affect the rights of any Holder;

 

(h)                                  to increase the Conversion Rate;

 

(i)                                      to provide for a successor Trustee;

 

(j)                                     to comply with the Applicable Procedures of the Depository; or

 

(k)                                  to comply with any requirement of the Commission in connection with the qualification of the Indenture under the Trust Indenture Act.

 

Section 9.02                              Supplemental Indentures With Consent of Holders . Section 9.02 of the Base Indenture shall not apply with respect to the Securities, and this Section 9.02 shall replace Section 9.02 of the Base Indenture in its entirety.

 

With the consent of the Holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities affected by such supplemental indenture, including without limitation, consents obtained in connection with a purchase of, or tender or exchange offer for, Securities and by act of said Holders delivered to the Company and the Trustee, the Company, when authorized by a Board Resolution, and the Trustee may enter into an indenture or indentures supplemental hereto for the purpose of adding any provisions to or changing in any manner or eliminating any of the provisions of this Indenture or of modifying in any manner the rights of the Holders under

 

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this Indenture; provided , however , that no such supplemental indenture shall, without the consent of the Holder of each Outstanding Security affected thereby:

 

(a)                                  reduce the percentage in aggregate principal amount of Securities Outstanding necessary to waive any past Default or Event of Default;

 

(b)                                  reduce the rate of interest on any Security or change the time for payment of interest on any Security;

 

(c)                                   reduce the principal of any Security or the amount payable upon Optional Redemption of any Security or change the Maturity Date;

 

(d)                                  change the place or currency of payment on any Security;

 

(e)                                   make any change that impairs or adversely affects the conversion rights of any Securities;

 

(f)                                    reduce the Fundamental Change Purchase Price of any Security or amend or modify in any manner adverse to the rights of the Holders of the Securities the Company’s obligation to pay the Fundamental Change Purchase Price, whether through an amendment or waiver of provisions in the covenants, definitions related thereto or otherwise;

 

(g)                                   impair the right of any Holder of Securities to receive payment of principal of, and interest, if any, on, its Securities, or the right to receive payment of the amount of cash or the combination of cash and shares of Common Stock, if any, as the case may be, due upon conversion of its Securities on or after the due dates therefore or to institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment or delivery, as the case may be, with respect to such Holder’s Securities;

 

(h)                                  modify the ranking provisions of this Indenture in a manner that is adverse to the rights of the Holders of the Securities; or

 

(i)                                      make any change to the provisions of this Article 9 that requires each Holder’s consent or in the waiver provisions in Section 7.05 of this Supplemental Indenture if such change is adverse to the rights of Holders of the Securities.

 

It shall not be necessary for any Act or consent of Holders under this Section 9.02 to approve the particular form of any proposed supplemental indenture, but it shall be sufficient if such Act or consent shall approve the substance thereof. The Company may, but shall not be obligated to, fix a record date for the purpose of determining the Persons entitled to consent to any indenture supplemental hereto. If a record date is fixed, the Holders on such record date, or their duly designated proxies, and only such Persons, shall be entitled to consent to such supplemental indenture, whether or not such Holders remain Holders after such record date; provided that, unless such consent shall have become effective by virtue of the requisite percentage having been obtained prior to the date which is 90 days after such record date, any such consent previously given shall automatically and without further action by any Holder be cancelled and of no further effect.

 

Section 9.03                              Notice of Amendment or Supplement . After an amendment or supplement under this Article 9 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.

 

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ARTICLE 10

 

SUCCESSOR COMPANY

 

Section 10.01                       Consolidation, Merger and Sale of Assets .

 

(a)                                  The provisions in Articles V of the Base Indenture shall not apply with respect to the Securities, and this Article 10 supersedes the entirety thereof.

 

Section 10.02                       Company May Consolidate, Etc. on Certain Terms . Subject to the provisions of Section 10.04 , the Company shall not amalgamate or consolidate with, merge with or into or convey, transfer or lease its properties and assets substantially as an entirety to another Person, unless:

 

(a)                                  the Company shall be the surviving Person or the resulting, surviving or transferee Person (the “ Successor Company ”), if not the Company, shall be a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the United States of America, any State thereof or the District of Columbia, and the Successor Company (if not the Company) shall expressly assume, by supplemental indenture, executed and delivered to the Trustee, in form satisfactory to the Trustee, all of the obligations of the Company under the Securities and this Indenture as applicable to the Securities; and

 

(b)                                  immediately after giving effect to such transaction, no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing under this Indenture.

 

Section 10.03                       Successor Corporation to Be Substituted . In case of any such amalgamation, consolidation, merger, conveyance, transfer or lease and upon the assumption by the Successor Company, by supplemental indenture, executed and delivered to the Trustee and satisfactory in form to the Trustee, of the due and punctual payment of the principal of (including any Fundamental Change Purchase Price or Redemption Price), accrued and unpaid interest and accrued and unpaid Supplementary Interest, if any, on all of the Securities, the due and punctual delivery or payment, as the case may be, of any consideration due upon conversion of the Securities and the due and punctual performance of all of the covenants and conditions of this Indenture to be performed by the Company under this Indenture, such Successor Company shall succeed to and be substituted for, and may exercise every right and power of, the Company under this Indenture, with the same effect as if it had been named herein as the party of the first part. Such Successor Company thereupon may cause to be signed, and may issue either in its own name or in the name of the Company any or all of the Securities issuable hereunder which theretofore shall not have been signed by the Company and delivered to the Trustee; and, upon the order of such Successor Company instead of the Company and subject to all the terms, conditions and limitations in this Indenture prescribed, the Trustee shall authenticate and shall deliver, or cause to be authenticated and delivered, any Securities that previously shall have been signed and delivered by the officers of the Company to the Trustee for authentication, and any Securities that such Successor Company thereafter shall cause to be signed and delivered to the Trustee for that purpose. All the Securities so issued shall in all respects have the same legal rank and benefit under this Indenture as the Securities theretofore or thereafter issued in accordance with the terms of this Indenture as though all of such Securities had been issued at the date of the execution hereof. In the event of any such amalgamation, consolidation, merger, conveyance or transfer (but not in the case of a lease), the Person named as the “Company” in the first paragraph of this Indenture or any successor that shall thereafter have become such in the manner prescribed in this Article 10 may be dissolved, wound up and liquidated at any time thereafter and, except in the case of a lease, such Person shall be released from its liabilities as obligor and maker of the Securities and from its obligations under this Indenture.

 

In case of any such amalgamation, consolidation, merger, conveyance, transfer or lease, such changes in phraseology and form (but not in substance) may be made in the Securities thereafter to be issued as may be appropriate.

 

Section 10.04                       Opinion of Counsel to Be Given to Trustee . In the case of an such amalgamation, merger, consolidation, conveyance, transfer or lease the Trustee shall receive an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel stating that any such amalgamation, consolidation, merger, conveyance, transfer or lease and any such assumption and, if a supplemental indenture is required in connection with such transaction, such supplemental indenture, complies with the provisions of this Article 10 .

 

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ARTICLE 11

 

MISCELLANEOUS

 

Section 11.01                       Effect on Successors and Assigns . Notwithstanding Section 12.12 of the Base Indenture, all agreements of the Company, the Trustee, the Security Registrar, the Paying Agent and the Conversion Agent in this Indenture and the Securities will bind their respective successors.

 

Section 11.02                       Governing Law . THE INTERNAL LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK SHALL GOVERN AND BE USED TO CONSTRUE THIS INDENTURE AND THE SECURITIES, INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION, SECTIONS 5-1401 AND 5-1402 OF THE NEW YORK GENERAL OBLIGATIONS LAW AND NEW YORK CIVIL PRACTICE LAWS AND RULES 327(B).

 

Section 11.03                       No Security Interest Created . Nothing in this Indenture or in the Securities, 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 11.04                       Trust Indenture Act . If any provision hereof limits, qualifies or conflicts with a provision of the Trust Indenture Act that is required under such Act to be a part of and govern this Indenture, the latter provision shall control. If any provision of this Indenture modifies or excludes any provision of the Trust Indenture Act that may be so modified or excluded, the latter provision shall be deemed to apply to this Indenture as so modified or to be excluded, as the case may be.

 

Section 11.05                       Benefits of Supplemental Indenture . Nothing in this Supplemental Indenture or in the Securities, expressed or implied, will give to any Person, other than the parties hereto, any Paying Agent, any Conversion Agent, any Authenticating Agent, any Security Registrar or their successors hereunder or the Holders of the Securities, any benefit or any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under this Supplemental Indenture.

 

Section 11.06                       Calculations . Except as otherwise provided in this Indenture, the Company shall be responsible for making all calculations called for under the Securities. These calculations include, but are not limited to, determinations of the Last Reported Sale Prices of the Common Stock, accrued interest payable on the Securities and the Conversion Rate. 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 Securities. 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. The Trustee will forward the Company’s calculations as provided to the Trustee to any Holder upon the written request of that Holder at the sole cost and expense of the Company.

 

Whenever the Company is required to calculate the Conversion Rate, the Company will do so to the nearest 1/10,000th of a share of Common Stock.

 

Section 11.07                       Execution in Counterparts . This Supplemental Indenture may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be an original, but such counterparts shall together constitute but one and the same instrument.

 

Section 11.08                       Notices . The Company or the Trustee, by notice given to the other in the manner provided in Section 3.02 of the Base Indenture, may designate additional or different addresses for subsequent notices or communications.

 

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in Section 3.02 of the Base Indenture, whenever the Company is required to deliver notice to the Holders, the Company will, by the date it is required to deliver such notice to the Holders, deliver a copy of such notice to the Trustee, the Paying Agent, the Security Registrar and the Conversion Agent. Each notice to the Trustee, the Paying Agent, the Security Registrar and the Conversion Agent shall be sufficiently given if in writing and mailed, first-class postage prepaid to the address most recently sent by the Trustee, the Paying Agent, the Security Registrar or the Conversion Agent, as the case may be, to the Company.

 

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The Trustee agrees to accept and act upon instructions or directions from the Company pursuant to this Indenture sent by unsecured e-mail, pdf, facsimile transmission or other similar unsecured electronic methods, provided, however, that the Trustee shall have received an incumbency certificate listing persons designated to give such instructions or directions and containing specimen signatures of such designated persons, which such incumbency certificate shall be amended and replaced whenever a person is to be added or deleted from the listing. If the Company elects to give the Trustee e-mail or facsimile instructions (or instructions by a similar electronic method) and the Trustee in its discretion elects to act upon such instructions, the Trustee’s understanding of such instructions shall be deemed controlling. The Trustee shall not be liable for any losses, costs or expenses arising directly or indirectly from the Trustee’s reliance upon and compliance with such instructions. The Company agrees to assume all risks arising out of the use of such electronic methods to submit instructions and directions to the Trustee, including without limitation the risk of the Trustee acting on unauthorized instructions, and the risk of interception and misuse by third parties.

 

Section 11.09                       Ratification of Base Indenture . The Base Indenture, as supplemented by this Supplemental Indenture, is in all respects ratified and confirmed, and this Supplemental Indenture shall be deemed part of the Base Indenture in the manner and to the extent herein provided. For the avoidance of doubt, each of the Company and each Holder of Securities, by its acceptance of such Securities, acknowledges and agrees that all of the rights, privileges, protections, immunities and benefits afforded to the Trustee under the Base Indenture are deemed to be incorporated herein, and shall be enforceable by the Trustee hereunder, in each of its capacities hereunder as if set forth herein in full.

 

Section 11.10                       The Trustee . The recitals in this Supplemental Indenture are made by the Company only and not by the Trustee, and all of the provisions contained in the Base Indenture in respect of the rights, privileges, immunities, powers and duties of the Trustee shall be applicable in respect of the Securities and of this Supplemental Indenture as fully and with like effect as set forth in full herein.

 

Section 11.11                       No Recourse Against Others . No director, officer, employee, incorporator or stockholder of the Company shall have any liability for any obligations of the Company under the Securities, the Indenture or any claim based on, in respect of, or by reason of, such obligations or their creation. Each Holder, by accepting a Security, waives and releases all such liability. The waiver and release are part of the consideration for issuance of the Securities.

 

Section 11.12                       Submission to Jurisdiction . THE COMPANY HEREBY IRREVOCABLY SUBMITS TO THE JURISDICTION OF ANY NEW YORK STATE COURT SITTING IN THE BOROUGH OF MANHATTAN IN THE CITY OF NEW YORK OR ANY FEDERAL COURT SITTING IN THE BOROUGH OF MANHATTAN IN THE CITY OF NEW YORK IN RESPECT OF ANY SUIT, ACTION OR PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS INDENTURE AND THE SECURITIES, AND IRREVOCABLY ACCEPTS FOR ITSELF AND IN RESPECT OF ITS PROPERTY, GENERALLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY, JURISDICTION OF THE AFORESAID COURTS.

 

Section 11.13                       Applicable Tax Law . In order to enable the Trustee to comply with its obligations under applicable tax laws, rules and regulations (including directives, guidelines and interpretations promulgated by competent authorities) in effect from time to time (“ Applicable Tax Law ”), the Company agrees (i) to provide to the Trustee, following written request from the Trustee delivered to the Company in accordance with Section 11.08 of this Indenture, such information concerning the Holders of the Securities as the Trustee may reasonably request in order to determine whether the Trustee has any tax-related obligations under Applicable Tax Law with respect to the payments made to Holders of the Securities under this Indenture, but only to the extent (a) such information is in the Company’s possession, (b) such information is not subject to any confidentiality or similar agreement or undertaking or otherwise deemed by the Company to be confidential and (c) providing such information to the Trustee does not, in the judgment of the Company, breach or violate or constitute a default under any applicable law, rules or regulations or any instrument or agreement to which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is a party or by which any of them is bound, and (ii) that the Trustee shall be entitled to make any withholding or deduction from payments made to Holders of Securities under this Indenture to the extent necessary to comply with the Trustee’s obligations under Applicable Tax Law. Each Holder of Securities by accepting a Security shall be deemed to have agreed to the foregoing provisions of this Section 11.13 and to provide to the Trustee or the Company such information concerning such Holder as the Trustee or the Company may reasonably request in order to determine

 

51



 

whether the Trustee or the Company has any tax-related obligations under Applicable Tax Law with respect to the payments made to such Holder under this Indenture; and such agreement by each Holder is part of the consideration for the issuance of the Securities.

 

[ Remainder of the page intentionally left blank ]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Supplemental Indenture to be duly executed as of the day and year first above written.

 

 

SUTHERLAND ASSET MANAGEMENT CORPORATION

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Frederick C. Herbst

 

 

Name:

Frederick C. Herbst

 

 

Title:

Authorized Person

 

 

 

 

U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,

 

as Trustee

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Rick Prokosch

 

 

Name:

Rick Prokosch

 

 

Title:

Vice President

 



 

SCHEDULE A

 

The following table sets forth the number of Additional Shares by which the Conversion Rate shall be increased pursuant to Section 5.06 based on the Stock Price and Effective Date set forth below.

 

 

 

Stock Price

 

Effective Date

 

$14.75

 

$15.00

 

$15.50

 

$16.00

 

$16.50

 

$16.67

 

$17.00

 

$17.50

 

$18.00

 

$19.00

 

$20.00

 

August 9, 2017

 

0.1952

 

0.1772

 

0.1441

 

0.1150

 

0.0897

 

0.0819

 

0.0679

 

0.0496

 

0.0344

 

0.0131

 

0.0025

 

August 15, 2018

 

0.1952

 

0.1772

 

0.1441

 

0.1145

 

0.0884

 

0.0804

 

0.0662

 

0.0477

 

0.0326

 

0.0118

 

0.0020

 

August 15, 2019

 

0.1952

 

0.1772

 

0.1441

 

0.1139

 

0.0872

 

0.0791

 

0.0646

 

0.0459

 

0.0308

 

0.0105

 

0.0015

 

August 15, 2020

 

0.1952

 

0.1772

 

0.1441

 

0.1120

 

0.0845

 

0.0762

 

0.0615

 

0.0427

 

0.0279

 

0.0087

 

0.0010

 

August 15, 2021

 

0.1952

 

0.1772

 

0.1405

 

0.1068

 

0.0785

 

0.0701

 

0.0553

 

0.0369

 

0.0227

 

0.0058

 

0.0004

 

August 15, 2022

 

0.1952

 

0.1742

 

0.1314

 

0.0953

 

0.0657

 

0.0571

 

0.0426

 

0.0253

 

0.0134

 

0.0019

 

0.0000

 

August 15, 2023

 

0.1952

 

0.1670

 

0.1132

 

0.0628

 

0.0155

 

0.0000

 

0.0000

 

0.0000

 

0.0000

 

0.0000

 

0.0000

 

 



 

EXHIBIT A

 

[FORM OF FACE OF SECURITY]

 

[ For Global Securities, include the following legend :

 

THIS SECURITY IS A GLOBAL SECURITY WITHIN THE MEANING OF THE INDENTURE HEREINAFTER REFERRED TO AND IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF A DEPOSITARY OR A NOMINEE THEREOF. THIS SECURITY MAY NOT BE EXCHANGED IN WHOLE OR IN PART FOR A SECURITY REGISTERED, AND NO TRANSFER OF THIS SECURITY IN WHOLE OR IN PART MAY BE REGISTERED, IN THE NAME OF ANY PERSON OTHER THAN SUCH DEPOSITARY OR A NOMINEE THEREOF, EXCEPT IN THE LIMITED CIRCUMSTANCES DESCRIBED IN THE INDENTURE.]

 

No.:

 

[                 ]

CUSIP:

 

86933F 602

ISIN:

 

US86933F6025

 

Principal Amount $[                 ]
[as revised by the Schedule of Increases
and Decreases in the Global Security attached hereto](1)

 

Sutherland Asset Management Corporation
7.00% Convertible Senior Notes due 2023

 

Sutherland Asset Management Corporation, a Maryland corporation, promises to pay to [                 ] [include “ Cede & Co. ” for Global Security] or registered assigns, the principal amount of $[                 ] on August 15, 2023 (the “ Maturity Date ”).

 

Interest Payment Dates: February 15, May 15, August 15 and November 15, beginning on November 15, 2017.

 

Regular Record Dates: February 1, May 1, August 1 and November 1.

 

Additional provisions of this Security are set forth on the other side of this Security.

 


(1)  Include for Global Securities only.

 

A- 1



 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, SUTHERLAND ASSET MANAGEMENT CORPORATION has caused this instrument to be duly signed.

 

 

SUTHERLAND ASSET MANAGEMENT CORPORATION.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

Dated:

 

 

 

 

 

A- 2



 

TRUSTEE’S CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICATION

 

U.S. Bank National Association, as Trustee, certifies that this is one of the Securities referred to in the within-mentioned Indenture.

 

U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as Trustee

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dated:

 

 

A- 3



 

[FORM OF REVERSE OF SECURITY]

 

SUTHERLAND ASSET MANAGEMENT CORPORATION

7.00% Convertible Senior Notes due 2023

 

This Security is one of a duly authorized issue of securities of the Company (herein called the “ Securities ”), issued under an Indenture dated as of August 9, 2017 (herein called the “ Base Indenture ”), and as further supplemented by the Supplemental Indenture, dated as of August 9, 2017 (herein called the “ Supplemental Indenture ” and the Base Indenture, as supplemented by the Supplemental Indenture, the “ Indenture ”) by and between the Company and U.S. Bank National Association, herein called the “ Trustee ”, and reference is hereby made to the Indenture for a statement of the respective rights, limitations of rights, duties and immunities thereunder of the Company, the Trustee and the Holders of the Securities and of the terms upon which the Securities are, and are to be, authenticated and delivered. This Security is not subject to redemption prior to August 15, 2021. On or after August 15, 2021, this Security is subject to redemption in accordance with the terms and subject to the conditions specified in the Indenture.

 

As provided in and subject to the provisions of the Indenture, upon the occurrence of a Fundamental Change, the Holder of this Security will have the right, at such Holder’s option, to require the Company to purchase this Security, or any portion of this Security such that the principal amount of this Security that is not purchased equals $25.00 or an integral multiple of $25.00 in excess thereof, on the Fundamental Change Purchase Date at a price equal to the Fundamental Change Purchase Price for such Fundamental Change Purchase Date.

 

As provided in and subject to the provisions of the Indenture, the Holder hereof has the right, at its option (i) during certain periods and upon the occurrence of certain conditions specified in the Indenture, prior to the Close of Business on the Business Day immediately preceding February 15, 2023, and (ii) on or after February 15, 2023, at any time prior to the Close of Business on the second Scheduled Trading Day immediately preceding the Stated Maturity, to convert this Security or a portion of this Security such that the principal amount of this Security that is not converted equals $25.00 or an integral multiple of $25.00 in excess thereof, into an amount of cash, shares of Common Stock or a combination of cash and shares of Common Stock, as the case may be, determined in accordance with Article 5 of the Supplemental Indenture.

 

The Securities shall not be redeemed by the Company prior to August 15, 2021. As provided in and subject to the provisions of the Indenture, on or after August 15, 2021, the Company may redeem the Securities for cash, in whole or from time to time in part, at the Company’s option, upon the occurrence of certain conditions specified in the Indenture.

 

As provided in and subject to the provisions of the Indenture, the Company will make all payments in respect of the Fundamental Change Purchase Price for, and the principal amount of, this Security to the Holder that surrenders this Security to the Paying Agent to collect such payments in respect of this Security. 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 Indenture permits, with certain exceptions as therein provided, the amendment thereof and the modification of the rights and obligations of the Company and the rights of the Holders of the Securities to be effected under the Indenture at any time by the Company and the Trustee with the consent of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Securities at the time Outstanding. The Indenture also contains provisions permitting the Holders of specified percentages in principal amount of the Securities at the time Outstanding, on behalf of the Holders of all Securities, to waive compliance by the Company with certain provisions of the Indenture and certain past Defaults under the Indenture and their consequences. Any such consent or waiver by the Holder of this Security shall be conclusive and binding upon such Holder and upon all future Holders of this Security and of any Security issued upon the registration of transfer hereof or in exchange herefor or in lieu hereof, whether or not notation of such consent or waiver is made upon this Security.

 

As provided in and subject to the provisions of the Indenture, the Holder of this Security shall not have the right to institute any proceeding with respect to the Indenture, or for the appointment of a receiver or trustee, or for any other remedy thereunder, unless such Holder shall have previously given the Trustee written notice of a

 

A- 4



 

continuing Event of Default with respect to the Security, the Holders of not less than 25% in principal amount of the Securities at the time Outstanding shall have made written request to the Trustee to institute proceedings in respect of such Event of Default as Trustee and offered the Trustee indemnity, and the Trustee shall not have received from the Holders of a majority in principal amount of Securities at the time Outstanding a direction inconsistent with such request, and shall have failed to institute any such proceeding, for 60 days after receipt of such notice, request and offer of indemnity. The foregoing shall not apply to any suit instituted by the Holder of this Security for the enforcement of any payment of principal hereof or interest hereon or amounts due upon conversion on or after the respective due dates expressed herein.

 

No reference herein to the Indenture and no provision of this Security or of the Indenture shall alter or impair the obligation of the Company, which is absolute and unconditional, to pay or deliver, as the case may be, the principal of (including the Fundamental Change Purchase Price or the Redemption Price), interest on and the amount of cash, shares of Common Stock or combination of cash and shares of Common Stock, as the case may be, due upon conversion of, this Security at the time, place and rate, and in the coin and currency, herein prescribed.

 

As provided in the Indenture and subject to certain limitations therein set forth, the transfer of this Security is registrable in the Register, upon surrender of this Security for registration of transfer at the office or agency of the Company in any place where the principal of and interest on this Security are payable, duly endorsed by, or accompanied by a written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the Company and the Security Registrar duly executed by, the Holder hereof or its attorney duly authorized in writing, and thereupon one or more new Securities of this series and of like tenor, of authorized denominations and for the same aggregate principal amount, will be issued to the designated transferee or transferees.

 

The Securities are issuable only in registered form without coupons in denominations of $25.00 and integral multiples of $25.00 in excess thereof. As provided in the Indenture and subject to certain limitations therein set forth, the Securities are exchangeable for a like aggregate principal amount of Securities and of like tenor of a different authorized denomination, as requested by the Holder surrendering the same.

 

Prior to due presentment of this Security for registration of transfer, the Company, the Trustee and any agent of the Company or Trustee may treat the Person in whose name the Security is registered as the owner hereof for all purposes, whether or not this Security be overdue, and neither the Company, the Trustee nor any such agent shall be affected by notice to the contrary.

 

No service charge shall be made for any such registration of transfer or exchange, but the Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge payable in connection therewith.

 

All defined terms used in this Security that are defined in the Indenture shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Indenture. If any provision of this Security limits, qualifies or conflicts with a provision of the Indenture, such provision of the Indenture shall control.

 

A- 5



 

ABBREVIATIONS

 

The following abbreviations, when used in the inscription of the face of this Security, shall be construed as though they were written out in full

 

TEN COM - as tenants in common

    UNIF GIFT MIN ACT

Custodian

 

(Cust)

 

 

 

 

TEN ENT -as tenants by the entireties

                                  

 

 

(Minor)

 

 

 

 

JT TEN - as joint tenants with right of Survivorship and not as tenants in common

Uniform Gifts to Minors Act

              

(State)

 

Additional abbreviations may also be used though not in the above list.

 

A- 6



 

ANNEX A

 

[Include for Global Security]

 

SCHEDULE OF INCREASES AND DECREASES OF GLOBAL SECURITY

 

Initial principal amount of Global Security:

 

Date

 

Amount of
Increase in
principal
amount of
Global Security

 

Amount of
Decrease in
principal
amount of
Global Security

 

principal
amount of
Global Security
after Increase
or Decrease

 

Notation by
Security
Registrar or
Custodian

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A- 7



 

ATTACHMENT 1

 

[FORM OF NOTICE OF CONVERSION]

 

To:         Sutherland Asset Management Corporation

 

The undersigned Holder of this Security hereby irrevocably exercises the option to convert this Security, or a portion hereof (which is such that the principal amount of the portion of this Security that will not be converted equals $25.00 or an integral multiple of $25.00 in excess thereof) below designated, into an amount of cash, shares of Common Stock or combination of cash and shares of Common Stock, as the case may be, in accordance with the terms of the Indenture referred to in this Security, and directs that any cash payable and any shares of Common Stock issuable and deliverable upon conversion, together with any Securities representing any unconverted principal amount hereof, be paid and/or issued and/or delivered, as the case may be, to the registered Holder hereof unless a different name is indicated below.

 

Subject to certain exceptions set forth in the Indenture, if this notice is being delivered on a date after the Close of Business on a Regular Record Date and prior to the Open of Business on the Interest Payment Date corresponding to such Regular Record Date, this notice must be accompanied by payment of an amount equal to the interest payable on such Interest Payment Date on the principal amount of this Security to be converted. If any shares of Common Stock are to be issued in the name of a Person other than the undersigned, the undersigned will pay all transfer taxes payable with respect to such issuance and transfer as set forth in the Indenture.

 

Principal amount to be converted (in an integral multiple of $25.00, if less than all):

 

 

 

 

Signature(s)

 

 

 

 

 

Signature(s) must be guaranteed by an institution which is a member of one of the following recognized signature Guarantee Programs:

 

(i) The Securities Transfer Agent Medallion Program (STAMP); (ii) The New York Stock Exchange Medallion Program (MNSP); (iii) The Stock Exchange Medallion Program (SEMP); or (iv) another guarantee program acceptable to the Trustee.

 

 

 

 

 

Signature Guarantee

 

A- 8



 

Fill in for registration of any shares of Common Stock and Securities if to be issued otherwise than to the registered Holder.

 

 

 

(Name)

 

 

 

 

 

(Address)

 

 

 

Please print Name and Address

 

(including zip code number)

 

Social Security or other Taxpayer

 

 

 

Identifying

 

Number

 

 

 

A- 9



 

ATTACHMENT 2

 

[FORM OF FUNDAMENTAL CHANGE PURCHASE NOTICE]

 

To:          Sutherland Asset Management Corporation

 

The undersigned registered owner of this Security hereby acknowledges receipt of a notice from Sutherland Asset Management Corporation (the “ Company ”) as to the occurrence of a Fundamental Change with respect to the Company and specifying the Fundamental Change Purchase Date and requests and instructs the Company to pay to the registered holder hereof in accordance with the applicable provisions of the Indenture referred to in this Security (i) the entire principal amount of this Security, or the portion thereof (that is such that the portion not to be purchased has a principal amount equal to $25.00 or an integral multiple of $25.00 in excess thereof) below designated, and (ii) if such Fundamental Change Purchase Date does not occur during the period after a Regular Record Date and on or prior to the Interest Payment Date corresponding to such Regular Record Date, accrued and unpaid interest, if any, thereon to, but excluding, such Fundamental Change Purchase Date.

 

In the case of certificated Securities, the certificate numbers of the Securities to be purchased are as set forth below:

 

Dated:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Signature(s)

 

 

 

 

 

Social Security or Other Taxpayer Identification Number

 

 

 

 

 

principal amount to be repaid (if less than all):

 

$

 

NOTICE: The signature on the Fundamental Change Purchase Notice must correspond with the name as written upon the face of the Security in every particular without alteration or enlargement or any change whatever.

 

A- 10



 

ATTACHMENT 3

 

[FORM OF ASSIGNMENT AND TRANSFER]

 

For value received                 hereby sell(s), assign(s) and transfer(s) unto                 (Please insert social security or Taxpayer Identification Number of assignee) the within Security, and hereby irrevocably constitutes and appoints                      to                      transfer the said Security on the books of the Company, with full power of substitution in the premises.

 

 

 

 

Signature(s)

 

 

 

 

 

Signature(s) must be guaranteed by an institution which is a member of one of the following recognized signature Guarantee Programs:

 

 

 

 

 

(i) The Securities Transfer Agent Medallion Program (STAMP); (ii) The New York Stock Exchange Medallion Program (MNSP); (iii) The Stock Exchange Medallion Program (SEMP); or (iv) another guarantee program

 

A- 11


Exhibit 5.1

 

 

CLIFFORD CHANCE US LLP

 

31 WEST 52ND STREET

NEW YORK, NY 10019-6131

 

TEL +1 212 878 8000

FAX +1 212 878 8375

 

www.cliffordchance.com

 

August 9, 2017

 

Sutherland Asset Management Corporation

1140 Avenue of the Americas

7 th  Floor

New York, NY 10036

 

Ladies and Gentlemen:

 

We have acted as counsel to Sutherland Asset Management Corporation, a Maryland corporation (the “Company”), in connection with a registration statement on Form S-3 (File No. 333-219213) (the “Registration Statement”), filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”). We are furnishing this letter to you in connection with the offer and sale by the Company of $115,000,000 aggregate principal amount of its 7.00% Convertible Senior Notes due 2023 (the “Notes”) (which includes $15,000,000 aggregate principal amount subject to the underwriters’ option to purchase additional Notes), for issuance pursuant to the Underwriting Agreement, dated August 3, 2017 (the “Underwriting Agreement”), among the Company, Sutherland Partners, L.P., Waterfall Asset Management LLC, and JMP Securities LLC and Keefe, Bruyette & Woods, Inc., as representatives of the several underwriters named therein, and an Indenture, dated as of August 9, 2017, as supplemented by a First Supplement Indenture, dated as of August 9, 2017 (collectively, the “Indenture”), by and between the Company and U.S. Bank, National Association (the “Trustee”).

 

In rendering the opinion expressed below, we have examined and relied upon originals or copies, certified or otherwise identified to our satisfaction, of the Registration Statement, the Indenture, the Notes and certain resolutions of the board of directors of the Company (the “Board of Directors”) and of a pricing committee of the Board of Directors (the “Pricing Committee”), relating to the transactions contemplated by the Underwriting Agreement and other related matters.  As to factual matters relevant to the opinion set forth below, we have relied upon certificates of officers of the Company and public officials and representations and warranties of the parties set forth in the Underwriting Agreement.

 

Based on, and subject to, the foregoing, the qualifications and assumptions set forth herein and such other examination of law as we have deemed necessary, we are of the opinion that:

 

1.                                       The Notes are the valid and binding obligations of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with their terms, except as the enforcement thereof may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other similar laws relating to or affecting enforcement of creditors’ rights generally, or by general principles of equity (regardless of whether enforcement is considered in a proceeding in equity or at law); and

 



 

2.                                       The issuance of the shares of the Company’s common stock, par value $0.0001 per share (the “Conversion Shares”) upon conversion of the Notes pursuant to the terms of the Notes and the Indenture have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action on the part of the Company and, if and when issued and delivered by the Company pursuant to the terms of the Notes and the Indenture upon conversion of the Notes, the Conversion Shares will be legally issued, fully paid and nonassessable.

 

The opinions set forth in this letter relates only to the laws of the State of New York and the Maryland General Corporation Law. We express no opinion as to the laws of another jurisdiction and we assume no responsibility for the applicability, or effect of the law of any other jurisdiction.

 

We consent to the filing of this opinion as Exhibit 5.1 to a Current Report on Form 8-K that shall be incorporated by reference into the Registration Statement and to the reference to us under the caption “Legal Matters” in the prospectus supplement which is a part of the Registration Statement. In giving this consent, we do not concede that we are within the category of persons whose consent is required under the Securities Act or the rules and regulations of the Commission promulgated thereunder.

 

Very truly yours,

 

/s/ Clifford Chance US LLP

 

2


Exhibit 8.1

 

August 9, 2017

 

Sutherland Asset Management Corporation

1140 Avenue of the Americas, 7 th  Floor

New York, New York, 10036

 

Re:                              REIT Qualification of Sutherland Asset Management Corporation

 

Ladies and Gentlemen:

 

We have acted as counsel to Sutherland Asset Management Corporation, a Maryland corporation (the “Company”), in connection with a registration statement on Form S-3 (File No. 333-219213) (the “Registration Statement”) filed on July 7, 2017 and the related prospectus supplement included therein filed on August 3, 2017 (together with any amendments thereto, the “Prospectus Supplement,” and together with the Registration Statement, the “Registration Statements”), by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. We are furnishing this letter to you in connection with the offer and sale by the Company of $115,000,000 aggregate principal amount of its 7.00% Convertible Senior Notes due 2023 (the “Notes”) (which includes $15,000,000 aggregate principal amount subject to the underwriters’ option to purchase additional Notes), for issuance pursuant to the Underwriting Agreement, dated August 3, 2017 (the “Underwriting Agreement”), among the Company, Sutherland Partners, L.P., Waterfall Asset Management LLC, and JMP Securities LLC and Keefe, Bruyette & Woods, Inc., as representatives of the several underwriters named therein, and an Indenture, dated as of August 3, 2017, as supplemented by a First Supplement Indentured, dated as of August 9, 2017 (collectively, the “Indenture”), by and between the Company and U.S. Bank, National Association (the “Trustee”).  Except as otherwise indicated, capitalized terms used in this opinion letter have the meanings given to them in the Registration Statement.

 

In rendering the opinions expressed herein, we have examined and, with your permission, relied on the following items:

 

1.                                       the Articles of Amendment and Restatement of the Company;

 

2.                                       the bylaws of the Company;

 

3.                                       a Certificate of Representations, (the “Certificate of Representations”) dated as of the date hereof, provided to us by the Company, Sutherland Partners, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership (the “Operating Partnership”), and Waterfall Asset Management, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “Manager”), and a Certificate of Representations (the “ZAIS Certificate”) dated as of October 31, 2016, provided to us by ZAIS Financial Corp., ZAIS Financial Partners, L.P., and ZAIS REIT Management, LLC;

 

4.                                       the Registration Statements; and

 

1



 

5.                                       such other documents, records and instruments as we have deemed necessary in order to enable us to render the opinions referred to in this letter.

 

In our examination of the foregoing documents, we have assumed, with your consent, that (i) all documents reviewed by us are original documents, or true and accurate copies of original documents and have not been subsequently amended, (ii) the signatures of each original document are genuine, (iii) all representations and statements set forth in such documents are true and correct, (iv) all obligations imposed by any such documents on the parties thereto have been or will be performed or satisfied in accordance with their terms, and (v) each of the Company and the Operating Partnership at all times has been and will continue to be organized and operated in accordance with the method of operation described in its organizational documents, the Registration Statements, the Certificate of Representations and the ZAIS Certificate.

 

For purposes of rendering the opinions stated below, we have also assumed, with your consent, the accuracy of the representations contained in the Certificate of Representations and the ZAIS Certificate, and that each representation contained in the Certificate of Representations and the ZAIS Certificate that is qualified as to the best of the knowledge or belief of the person making such representation is accurate and complete without regard to such qualification as to the best of such person’s knowledge or belief.  These representations generally relate to the organization and method of operation of the Company as a real estate investment trust (a “REIT”) and the Operating Partnership as a partnership under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”).

 

Based upon, subject to, and limited by the assumptions and qualifications set forth herein and in the Registration Statements, we are of the opinion that:

 

1.                                       Commencing with its taxable year ended on December 31, 2011, the Company has been organized and operated in conformity with the requirements for qualification and taxation as a REIT under the Code, and its proposed method of operation as described in the Registration Statements and as set forth in the Certificate of Representations will enable it to continue to meet the requirements for qualification and taxation as a REIT under the Code; and

 

2.                                       The statements in the Registration Statement under the caption “U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations,” as modified and supplemented by the statements in the Prospectus Supplement under the caption “Additional U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations,” to the extent they summarize or describe applicable U.S. federal income tax law or legal conclusions, are correct in all material respects.

 

The opinions set forth in this letter are based on relevant provisions of the Code, Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder, interpretations of the foregoing as expressed in court decisions, legislative history, and existing administrative rulings and practices of the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) (including its practices and policies in issuing private letter rulings,

 

2



 

which are not binding on the IRS except with respect to a taxpayer that receives such a ruling), all as of the date hereof.  These provisions and interpretations are subject to change, which may or may not be retroactive in effect, and which may result in modifications of our opinions.  Our opinions do not foreclose the possibility of a contrary determination by the IRS or a court of competent jurisdiction, or of a contrary determination by the IRS or the Treasury Department in regulations or rulings issued in the future.  In this regard, an opinion of counsel with respect to an issue represents counsel’s best professional judgment with respect to the outcome on the merits with respect to such issue, if such issue were to be litigated, but an opinion is not binding on the IRS or the courts and is not a guarantee that the IRS will not assert a contrary position with respect to such issue or that a court will not sustain such a position asserted by the IRS.

 

The opinions set forth above represent our conclusions based upon the documents, facts, representations and assumptions referred to above.  Any material amendments to such documents, changes in any significant facts or inaccuracy of such representations or assumptions could affect the opinions referred to herein.  Moreover, the Company’s qualification as a REIT depends upon the ability of the Company to meet, for each taxable year, through actual annual operating results, requirements under the Code regarding gross income, assets, distributions and diversity of stock ownership.  We have not undertaken, and will not undertake, to review the Company’s compliance with these requirements on a continuing basis.  Accordingly, no assurance can be given that the actual results of the Company’s operations for any single taxable year have satisfied or will satisfy the tests necessary to qualify as a REIT under the Code.  In addition, the opinion set forth above does not foreclose the possibility that the Company may have to pay a deficiency dividend or excise or penalty tax, which could be significant in amount, in order to maintain its REIT qualification.  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 of the facts referred to in this letter or the Certificate of Representations or the ZAIS Certificate, and we note that the Company will likely engage in transactions in connection with which we will not provide legal advice, and of which we may be unaware.

 

The opinions set forth in this letter are: (i) limited to those matters expressly covered and no opinion is expressed in respect of any other matter, (ii) as of the date hereof, and (iii) rendered by us at the request of the Company.  We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion with the SEC as an exhibit to the Registration Statements and to the references therein to us. In giving such consent, we do not thereby admit that we are within the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the rules and regulations of the SEC promulgated thereunder.

 

Very truly yours,

 

Clifford Chance US LLP

 

3


EXHIBIT 12.1

 

SUTHERLAND ASSET MANAGEMENT CORPORATION

 

STATEMENT OF COMPUTATION OF RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES

 

(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT RATIOS)

 

 

 

For the six
months
ended

 

For the year ended December 31,

 

 

 

June 30,
2017

 

2016

 

2015

 

2014

 

2013

 

2012

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fixed Charges

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest-Expensed

 

$

33,673

 

$

57,772

 

$

47,806

 

$

19,245

 

$

2,183

 

$

 

Total Fixed Charges

 

$

33,673

 

$

57,772

 

$

47,806

 

$

19,245

 

$

2,183

 

$

 

Earnings

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net Income

 

$

20,710

 

$

53,406

 

$

44,768

 

$

32,722

 

$

460

 

$

43,285

 

Add Back:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fixed Charges

 

$

33,673

 

$

57,772

 

$

47,806

 

$

19,245

 

$

2,183

 

$

 

Total Earnings (Loss)

 

$

54,383

 

$

111,178

 

$

92,574

 

$

51,967

 

$

2,643

 

$

43,285

 

Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges

 

1.62x

 

1.92x

 

1.94x

 

2.70x

 

1.21x

 

N/A(1)

 

 

SUTHERLAND ASSET MANAGEMENT CORPORATION

 

STATEMENT OF COMPUTATION OF RATIO OF EARNINGS TO COMBINED FIXED CHARGES AND PREFERRED STOCK DIVIDENDS

 

(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT RATIOS)

 

 

 

For the six
months
ended

 

For the year ended December 31,

 

 

 

June 30,
2017

 

2016

 

2015

 

2014

 

2013

 

2012

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fixed Charges

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest-Expensed

 

$

33,673

 

$

57,772

 

$

47,806

 

$

19,245

 

$

2,183

 

$

 

Preferred Stock Dividends

 

$

 

$

 

$

13

 

$

16

 

$

3

 

$

 

Total Fixed Charges

 

$

33,673

 

$

57,772

 

$

47,819

 

$

19,261

 

$

2,186

 

$

 

Earnings

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net Income

 

$

20,710

 

$

53,406

 

$

44,768

 

$

32,722

 

$

460

 

$

43,285

 

Add Back:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fixed Charges

 

$

33,673

 

$

57,772

 

$

47,819

 

$

19,261

 

$

2,186

 

$

 

Total Earnings (Loss)

 

$

54,383

 

$

111,178

 

$

92,587

 

$

51,983

 

$

2,646

 

$

43,285

 

Ratio of Earnings to Combined Fixed Charges and Preferred Stock Dividends

 

1.62x

 

1.92x

 

1.94x

 

2.70x

 

1.21x

 

N/A(1)

 

 


(1)          For the year ended December 31, 2012, we used investment company accounting which accounted for our securitized debt on an unconsolidated basis. Additionally, we did not have outstanding borrowings under repurchase agreements or borrowings under credit facilities.