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):  February 13, 2018

 

VENTAS, INC.

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

 

Delaware

 

1-10989

 

61-1055020

(State or Other Jurisdiction
of Incorporation)

 

(Commission
File Number)

 

(IRS Employer
Identification No.)

 

353 N. Clark Street, Suite 3300, Chicago, Illinois

 

60654

(Address of Principal Executive Offices)

 

(Zip Code)

 

Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code: (877) 483-6827

 

Not applicable

Former Name or Former Address, if Changed Since Last Report

 

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

 

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

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

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

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

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company 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 o

 

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. o

 

 

 



 

Item 8.01                                            Other Events.

 

Closing of the Offering of 4.000% Senior Notes due 2028

 

On February 23, 2018, Ventas Realty, Limited Partnership (“Ventas Realty”), a wholly owned subsidiary of Ventas, Inc. (the “Company”), issued and sold $650 million in aggregate principal amount of its 4.000% Senior Notes due 2028 (the “Notes”) in a registered public offering pursuant to the Company’s existing Registration Statement on Form S-3 (File No. 333-222998) filed under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. The Notes are guaranteed by the Company on a senior unsecured basis.

 

The Notes were sold pursuant to an Underwriting Agreement, dated February 13, 2018 (the “Underwriting Agreement”), among Ventas Realty, the Company and the underwriters named therein. The Notes were issued under an indenture, dated February 23, 2018 (the “Base Indenture”), as supplemented by a first supplemental indenture, dated February 23, 2018 (the “First Supplemental Indenture”), among Ventas Realty, the Company and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee.

 

The Underwriting Agreement, the Base Indenture and the First Supplemental Indenture are filed as Exhibits 1.1, 4.1 and 4.2, respectively, and are each incorporated herein by reference.

 

Results of Tender Offer for 4.00% Senior Notes due 2019

 

On February 21, 2018, the Company announced the results of the previously announced cash tender offer (the “Tender Offer”) by Ventas Realty and Ventas Capital Corporation (“Ventas Capital” and, together with Ventas Realty, the “Issuers”) for any and all of the outstanding $600 million in aggregate principal amount of 4.00% Senior Notes due 2019 (the “Tender Offer Notes”), which were jointly issued by the Issuers and are fully and unconditionally guaranteed by the Company. The Tender Offer expired at 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on February 20, 2018. A copy of the press release, dated February 21, 2018, announcing the results of the Tender Offer is attached as Exhibit 99.1 hereto and is incorporated herein by reference.

 

Following the conclusion of the guaranteed delivery procedures described in the offer to purchase relating to the Tender Offer, on February 23, 2018 the Issuers accepted for payment a total of $502,109,000 aggregate principal amount of Tender Offer Notes, or 83.68% of the aggregate principal amount of Tender Offer Notes outstanding.

 

Item 9.01.                                         Financial Statements and Exhibits.

 

(d)          E xhibits:

 

Exhibit
Number

 

Description

1.1

 

Underwriting Agreement, dated February 13, 2018, among Ventas Realty, Limited Partnership, Ventas, Inc. and the Underwriters named therein, relating to the 4.000% Senior Notes due 2028.

 

 

 

4.1

 

Indenture, dated February 23, 2018, among Ventas Realty, Limited Partnership, Ventas, Inc., the Guarantors named therein and U.S. Bank National Association, as Trustee.

 

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4.2

 

First Supplemental Indenture, dated February 23, 2018, among Ventas Realty, Limited Partnership, as Issuer, Ventas, Inc., as Guarantor, and U.S. Bank National Association, as Trustee (including the form of the 4.000% Senior Notes due 2028).

 

 

 

5.1

 

Opinion of Latham & Watkins LLP.

 

 

 

23.1

 

Consent of Latham & Watkins LLP (included in Exhibit 5.1).

 

 

 

99.1

 

Press release, dated February 21, 2018, announcing the results of the Tender Offer.

 

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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.

 

 

VENTAS, INC.

 

 

 

 

 

Date: February 23, 2018

By:

/s/ T. Richard Riney

 

 

T. Richard Riney

 

 

Executive Vice President, Chief Administrative Officer, General Counsel and Ethics and Compliance Officer

 

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Exhibit 1.1

 

EXECUTION VERSION

 

VENTAS REALTY, LIMITED PARTNERSHIP

$650,000,000  4.000% Senior Notes due 2028

 

UNDERWRITING AGREEMENT
Dated February 13, 2018

 

Jefferies LLC

Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith

Incorporated

MUFG Securities Americas Inc.

UBS Securities LLC

 



 

UNDERWRITING AGREEMENT

 

February 13, 2018

 

Jefferies LLC

Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith

Incorporated

MUFG Securities Americas Inc.

UBS Securities LLC

as Representatives of the

Underwriters listed on Schedule A hereto

 

c/o

Jefferies LLC

520 Madison Avenue

New York, NY 10022

 

c/o

Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith

Incorporated

One Bryant Park

New York, New York 10036

 

Ladies and Gentlemen:

 

Ventas Realty, Limited Partnership, a Delaware limited partnership (the “ Issuer ”), and Ventas, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“ Ventas ”), propose to issue and sell to the underwriters listed in Schedule A hereto (the “ Underwriters ”), for whom Jefferies LLC, Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated, MUFG Securities Americas Inc. and UBS Securities LLC are acting as representatives (together, the “ Representatives ”), $650,000,000 aggregate principal amount of 4.000% Senior Notes due 2028 (the “ Notes ”).  The Notes will be issued under an Indenture, dated as of February 13, 2018 (the “ Base Indenture ”), among the Issuer, Ventas and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee (the “ Trustee ”), as supplemented by the First Supplemental Indenture (the “ First Supplemental Indenture ” and, together with the Base Indenture, the “ Indenture ”), among the Issuer, Ventas and the Trustee. The Issuer’s obligations under the Notes and the Indenture will be fully and unconditionally guaranteed, collectively and individually (the “ Guarantee ”), at the Closing Time (as defined in Section 2(c) hereof) by Ventas (the “ Guarantor ”).  All references herein to the Notes include the related Guarantee unless the context otherwise requires.  The Issuer and Ventas are referred to herein sometimes individually as a “ Ventas Entity ” and collectively as the “ Ventas Entities .”

 

The Ventas Entities have prepared and filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “ Commission ”) a registration statement on Form S-3 (File No. 333-222998), which contains a base prospectus (the “ Base Prospectus ”) to be used in connection with the public offer and sale of the Notes.  Such registration statement, as amended through the date hereof, including the financial statements, exhibits and schedules thereto, at each time of effectiveness under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder (collectively, the “ Securities Act ”), including any required information deemed to be a part thereof at the time of effectiveness pursuant to Rule 430B under the

 



 

Securities Act, is called the “ Registration Statement .”  Any preliminary prospectus supplement that describes the Notes and the offering thereof and is used prior to the filing of the Prospectus is hereafter called, together with the Base Prospectus, a “ preliminary prospectus .”  The term “ Prospectus ” shall mean the final prospectus supplement relating to the Notes that is first filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) under the Securities Act after the date and time that this Agreement is executed and delivered by the parties hereto (the “ Execution Time ”), together with the Base Prospectus.  Any reference herein to the Registration Statement, the Base Prospectus, any preliminary prospectus or the Prospectus shall be deemed to refer to and include the documents incorporated by reference therein pursuant to Item 12 of Form S-3 under the Securities Act; any reference to any amendment or supplement to the Registration Statement, the Base Prospectus, any preliminary prospectus or the Prospectus shall be deemed to refer to and include any documents filed after the date of such Registration Statement, Base Prospectus, preliminary prospectus or Prospectus, as the case may be, under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder (collectively, the “ Exchange Act ”), and incorporated by reference in such Registration Statement, Base Prospectus, preliminary prospectus or Prospectus, as the case may be.  The term “ Disclosure Package ” shall mean (i) the Base Prospectus and any preliminary prospectus, as amended or supplemented, (ii) any issuer free writing prospectus, as defined in Rule 433 under the Securities Act (each, an “ Issuer Free Writing Prospectus ”), identified in Schedule B hereto, (iii) any other free writing prospectus that the parties hereto shall hereafter expressly agree in writing to treat as part of the Disclosure Package and (iv) the Final Term Sheet (as defined in Section 3(d) hereof), which also shall be identified in Schedule B hereto.

 

SECTION 1.                             Representations and Warranties .

 

(a)                                  Representations and Warranties by the Ventas Entities.  The Ventas Entities, jointly and severally, represent and warrant to each Underwriter as of the date hereof, as of the Applicable Time (as defined in Section 1(a)(i)(C) hereof) and as of the Closing Time, and agree with each Underwriter, as follows:

 

(i)                                      Compliance with Registration Requirements .

 

(A)                                The Registration Statement is an “automatic shelf registration statement,” as defined in Rule 405 under the Securities Act, that has become effective upon filing with the Commission under the Securities Act.  Ventas has not received from the Commission any notice pursuant to Rule 401(g)(2) under the Securities Act objecting to the use of the automatic shelf registration statement form or any post-effective amendment thereto.  No stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement is in effect, the Commission has not issued any order or notice preventing or suspending the use of the Registration Statement, any preliminary prospectus or the Prospectus and no proceedings for such purpose have been instituted or are pending or, to the knowledge of the Ventas Entities, have been threatened by the Commission.

 

(B)                                Each of the Registration Statement and any post-effective amendment thereto, at the respective times the Registration Statement and any post-effective amendment thereto became effective and at the date hereof, complied and complies 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 promulgated thereunder (collectively, the “ Trust Indenture Act ”), and did not and does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein not misleading.  Each of the preliminary prospectus, if any, and the Prospectus, when filed with the Commission,

 

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complied or will comply in all material respects with the requirements of the Securities Act, and the Prospectus, as amended or supplemented, as of its date, at the time of any filing pursuant to Rule 424(b) under the Securities Act and at the Closing Time, did not and will not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.  The Indenture, when filed with the Commission, complied in all material respects with the requirements of the Trust Indenture Act and was duly qualified as an indenture under the Trust Indenture Act.  The representations and warranties set forth in the first two sentences of this Section 1(a)(i)(B) do not apply to statements in or omissions from the Registration Statement or any post-effective amendment thereto, or the Prospectus, as amended or supplemented, (A) made in reliance upon and in conformity with information furnished to the Ventas Entities in writing by or on behalf of any Underwriter through the Representatives expressly for use therein, it being understood and agreed that the only such information furnished by or on behalf of any Underwriter through the Representatives consists of the Underwriter Information described as such in Section 6(b) hereof, or (B) made in reliance upon the Trustee’s Statement of Eligibility and Qualification on Form T-1. There is no contract or other document required to be described in the Prospectus or to be filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement that has not been described or filed as required.

 

(C)                                As of 5:15 p.m. (New York City time) on the date of this Agreement (the “ Applicable Time ”), the Disclosure Package did not include any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.  The representation and warranty set forth in the immediately preceding sentence do not apply to statements in or omissions from the Disclosure Package made in reliance upon and in conformity with information furnished to the Ventas Entities in writing by or on behalf of any Underwriter through the Representatives expressly for use therein, it being understood and agreed that the only such information furnished by or on behalf of any Underwriter through the Representatives consists of the Underwriter Information described as such in Section 6(b) hereof.

 

(ii)                                   Well-Known Seasoned Issuer .  (A) At the time of the filing of the Registration Statement, (B) at the time of the most recent amendment thereto, if applicable, for the purposes of complying with Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act (whether such amendment was by post-effective amendment, incorporated report filed pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act or form of prospectus), and (C) at the time the Issuer or any person acting on its behalf (within the meaning, for this clause only, of Rule 163(c) under the Securities Act) made any offer relating to the Notes in reliance on the exemption from Section 5(c) of the Securities Act set forth in Rule 163 under the Securities Act, Ventas was and is a “well-known seasoned issuer” as defined in Rule 405 under the Securities Act.

 

(iii)                                Issuer Not Ineligible Issuer .  (A) At the earliest time after the filing of the Registration Statement that the Issuer or another offering participant made a bona fide offer (within the meaning of Rule 164(h)(2) under the Securities Act) in the offering of the Notes and (B) at the time of the most recent amendment to the Registration Statement, if applicable, for the purposes of complying with Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act (whether such amendment was by post-effective amendment, incorporated report filed pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act or form of prospectus), the Issuer was not and is not an Ineligible Issuer (as defined in Rule 405 under the Securities Act), without taking account of any determination by the Commission pursuant

 

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to Rule 405 under the Securities Act that it is not necessary under the circumstances that the Issuer be considered an Ineligible Issuer.

 

(iv)                               Distribution of Offering Material by the Issuer .  The Issuer has not distributed and will not distribute, prior to the Closing Time, any written communication (as defined in Rule 405 under the Securities Act) that constitutes an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy the Notes, other than (1) any document not constituting a prospectus pursuant to Section 2(a)(10)(a) of the Securities Act or Rule 134 under the Securities Act, (2) the Prospectus and the Disclosure Package, and (3) any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus reviewed and consented to by the Representatives or identified in Schedule B hereto.

 

(v)                                  Issuer Free Writing Prospectuses .  Each Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, as of its issue date and at all subsequent times through the completion of the offer and sale of the Notes contemplated hereby or until any earlier date that the Ventas Entities notify the Representatives in accordance with Section 3(f) hereof, did not, does not and will not include any information that conflicted, conflicts or will conflict with the information contained in the Registration Statement.

 

(vi)                               Capitalization .  Ventas has an authorized capitalization of 600,000,000 shares of common stock, $0.25 par value (“ Common Stock ”), and 10,000,000 shares of preferred stock, $1.00 par value (“ Preferred Stock ”).  All of the issued and outstanding shares of Common Stock of Ventas have been duly authorized and validly issued, are fully paid and nonassessable and were not issued in violation of any preemptive or similar right.  There are no shares of Preferred Stock of Ventas outstanding.  All of the issued and outstanding shares of capital stock or other equity interests of the Issuer and each Significant Subsidiary (as defined in Section 17 hereof) have been duly authorized and validly issued, are fully paid and (except in the case of general partnership interests) nonassessable, were not issued in violation of any preemptive or similar right and, except as set forth in the Registration Statement, the Disclosure Package or the Prospectus, are owned by Ventas, directly or indirectly through one or more Subsidiaries (as defined in Section 17 hereof), free and clear of all Liens (as defined in Section 17 hereof), other than Liens (A) that will be discharged at or prior to the Closing Time or (B) that are not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on the business, condition (financial or otherwise), results of operations or assets of Ventas and its Subsidiaries, considered as one enterprise (a “ Material Adverse Effect ”).

 

(vii)                            Organization and Good Standing; Power and Authority .  Each Ventas Entity and each Significant Subsidiary (A) is a corporation, partnership, limited liability company or real estate investment trust duly organized and validly existing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its organization, (B) has all requisite corporate, partnership, limited liability company or trust power and authority necessary to own its property and carry on its business as described in the Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, and (C) is qualified to do business and is in good standing in all jurisdictions in which the nature of the business conducted by it makes such qualification necessary, except for any failures to be so qualified and in good standing that are not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

(viii)                         Authorization of this Agreement .  This Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by each of the Ventas Entities.

 

(ix)                               Authorization of the Indenture .  The Indenture has been duly authorized by the Issuer and the Guarantor and, at the Closing Time, will have been duly executed and delivered by the Issuer and the Guarantor and will be a valid and binding obligation of the Issuer and the Guarantor (assuming the due authorization, execution and delivery thereof by the Trustee),

 

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enforceable against the Issuer and the Guarantor in accordance with its terms, except as enforcement thereof may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, fraudulent conveyance, moratorium or similar laws relating to or affecting creditors’ rights generally or by general principles of equity and the discretion of the court before which any proceedings therefor may be brought.

 

(x)                                  Authorization of the Notes .  The Notes have been duly authorized by the Issuer and, at the Closing Time, will have been duly executed by the Issuer and will be in the form contemplated by the Indenture and, when authenticated in the manner provided for in the Indenture and delivered by the Issuer against payment therefor by the Underwriters in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, will be valid and binding obligations of the Issuer, entitled to the benefits of the Indenture and enforceable against the Issuer in accordance with their terms, except as enforcement thereof may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, fraudulent conveyance, moratorium or similar laws relating to or affecting creditors’ rights generally or by general principles of equity and the discretion of the court before which any proceedings therefor may be brought.

 

(xi)                               Authorization of the Guarantee .  The Guarantee has been duly authorized by the Guarantor and, at the Closing Time, will have been duly executed by the Guarantor and will be in the form contemplated by the Indenture and, when the Notes are authenticated in the manner provided for in the Indenture and delivered by the Issuer against payment therefor by the Underwriters in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, will be a valid and binding obligation of the Guarantor, enforceable against the Guarantor in accordance with its terms, except as enforcement thereof may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, fraudulent conveyance, moratorium or similar laws relating to or affecting creditors’ rights generally or by general principles of equity and the discretion of the court before which any proceedings therefor may be brought.

 

(xii)                            Absence of Violations and Defaults .  None of the Ventas Entities nor any Subsidiary is (A) in violation of its charter, bylaws or other constitutive documents, (B) in default in the performance or observance of any obligation, agreement, covenant or condition contained in any note, indenture, mortgage, deed of trust, loan or credit agreement, lease, license or other agreement or instrument to which it is a party or by which it is bound or to which its assets or properties is subject (collectively, “ Agreements and Instruments ”) or (C) in violation of any law, statute, rule, regulation, judgment, order or decree of any domestic or foreign court with jurisdiction over it or its assets or properties or other governmental or regulatory authority, agency or body (each, a “ Governmental Entity ”), except, in the case of clauses (B) and (C), for any such defaults or violations that are set forth in the Registration Statement, the Disclosure Package or the Prospectus or that are not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

(xiii)                         No Conflicts .  Neither the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement, the Indenture, the Guarantee and the Notes (collectively, the “ Note Documents ”) by the Ventas Entities party thereto nor the issuance, offer and sale of the Notes contemplated hereby does or will (A) violate the charter, bylaws or other constitutive documents of any Ventas Entity or any Subsidiary, (B) conflict with, result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under any Agreements and Instruments, (C) violate any law, statute, rule, regulation, judgment, order or decree of any domestic or foreign court with jurisdiction over any Ventas Entity or any Subsidiary or any of their assets or properties or other Governmental Entity, except, in the case of clauses (B) and (C), for any such conflicts, breaches, defaults, or violations that are not, individually or in the

 

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aggregate, reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect.  No consent, approval, authorization or order of, or filing with, any domestic or foreign court with jurisdiction over any Ventas Entity or any Subsidiary or any of their assets or properties or other Governmental Entity is required to be obtained or made by any Ventas Entity or any Subsidiary for the execution, delivery and performance of the Note Documents by the Ventas Entities party thereto or the issuance, offer and sale of the Notes contemplated hereby, except such as have been or will be obtained or made at or prior to the Closing Time or as may be required by state securities laws, blue sky laws or the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. (“ FINRA ”).

 

(xiv)                        Absence of Proceedings .  Except as set forth in the Registration Statement, the Disclosure Package or the Prospectus, there is no action, suit or proceeding before or by any domestic or foreign court, arbitrator or other Governmental Entity pending or, to the knowledge of the Ventas Entities, threatened, to which any Ventas Entity or any Subsidiary is a party or to which the assets or properties of any Ventas Entity or any Subsidiary are subject, that is, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably likely (A) to have a Material Adverse Effect or (B) to materially and adversely affect the offer and sale of the Notes contemplated hereby.  Except as set forth in the Registration Statement, the Disclosure Package or the Prospectus, there is no injunction, restraining order or order of any nature by a federal or state court or foreign court of competent jurisdiction to which Ventas or any Subsidiary is subject that is, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably likely to materially and adversely affect the offer and sale of the Notes contemplated hereby.

 

(xv)                           Exchange Act Compliance .  Ventas is subject to and in compliance in all material respects with the reporting requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act.

 

(xvi)                        Possession of Licenses and Permits .  Each Ventas Entity and each Subsidiary possesses all licenses, certificates, permits, authorizations and approvals issued by the appropriate federal, state, local or foreign Governmental Entities (collectively, “ Authorizations ”) necessary to carry on its business as described in the Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, except for any failures to hold such Authorizations that are not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect.  All such Authorizations are valid and in full force and effect, except for any failures to be valid or in full force and effect that are not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect, and none of the Ventas Entities nor any Subsidiary has received any written notice of proceedings relating to the limitation, suspension or revocation of any such Authorization, except for any limitations, suspensions or revocations that are not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

(xvii)                     Owned and Leased Real Property .  Ventas and its Subsidiaries have good and marketable title in fee simple to, or a ground leasehold interest in, all real property (other than properties capitalized under capital leases) described as owned by them in the Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, in each case free and clear of all Liens, except (A) for Liens described in the Disclosure Package and the Prospectus and (B) for any failures to have such title or any Liens that are not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect.  Any real property held under lease by Ventas and its Subsidiaries is held under a valid and enforceable lease, except for any failures to so hold such real property that are not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect.  To the knowledge of any of the Ventas Entities, no lessee or sublessee of any portion of any of the properties owned or leased by Ventas and/or any Subsidiary is in default under its respective lease and there is no event that, but for the passage of time or the giving of notice or both, would constitute a default under any such lease, except as described in each of the Disclosure Package and the Prospectus and except for such

 

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defaults that are not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

(xviii)                  Qualification as a REIT .  Commencing with Ventas’s taxable year ended December 31, 1999, Ventas has been organized and has operated in conformity with the requirements for qualification and taxation as a real estate investment trust (“ REIT ”) under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “ Code ”), and Ventas’s current and proposed method of operation will enable Ventas to continue to meet the current requirements for qualification and taxation as a REIT under the Code.

 

(xix)                        Tax Returns and Payment of Taxes .  (A) All tax returns required to be filed by Ventas and each Subsidiary have been timely filed in all jurisdictions where such returns are required to be filed; (B) Ventas and each Subsidiary have paid all taxes, including, but not limited to, income, value added, property and franchise taxes, penalties and interest, assessments, fees and other charges due or claimed to be due from such entities or that are due and payable, other than those being contested in good faith and for which reserves have been provided in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (“ GAAP ”) or those currently payable without penalty or interest; and (C) Ventas and each Subsidiary have complied with all withholding tax obligations; except in the case of any of clause (A), (B) or (C), where the failure to make such required filings, payments or withholdings is not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

(xx)                           Investment Company Act .  None of the Ventas Entities is or, upon the issuance and sale of the Notes as herein contemplated and the application of the net proceeds therefrom as described in the Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, will be an “investment company” or a company “controlled” by an “investment company” as such terms are defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “ 1940 Act ”).

 

(xxi)                        Disclosure Controls and Procedures .  Ventas maintains “disclosure controls and procedures” (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act) that (A) are designed to ensure that material information is accumulated and communicated to Ventas’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer on a timely basis, (B) were evaluated for effectiveness as of the end of Ventas’s most recent fiscal quarter and (C) are effective at a reasonable assurance level to perform the functions for which they were established.

 

(xxii)                     Internal Control over Financial Reporting .  Ventas maintains “internal control over financial reporting” (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act) that is designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with GAAP.  Such internal control over financial reporting was evaluated for effectiveness as of the end of Ventas’s most recent fiscal year and, as of that date, was effective.  Except as set forth in the Registration Statement, the Disclosure Package or the Prospectus, since the end of Ventas’s most recent audited fiscal year, there have been no changes in Ventas’s internal control over financial reporting that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, Ventas’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

(xxiii)                  No Material Adverse Change in Business .  Since the respective dates as of which information is given in the Registration Statement, the Disclosure Package and the Prospectus (in each case as supplemented or amended), except as otherwise set forth therein, (A) none of the Ventas Entities or any Subsidiary has (1) incurred any liability or obligation, direct or contingent, that is, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect, or (2)

 

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entered into any material transaction not in the ordinary course of business, (B) there has been no event or development in respect of the business or financial condition of Ventas and its Subsidiaries that is, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect and (C) there has been no material change in the long-term debt of Ventas and its Subsidiaries or in the authorized capitalization of Ventas.

 

(xxiv)                 Independent Accountants and Financial Statements .  KPMG LLP is an independent registered public accounting firm with respect to Ventas as required by the Securities Act and the Exchange Act.  The historical consolidated financial statements of Ventas and its Subsidiaries, together with the related financial statement schedules and notes thereto, if any, included or incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement, the Disclosure Package and the Prospectus present fairly in all material respects the consolidated financial position and results of operations of Ventas and its Subsidiaries at the respective dates and for the respective periods presented therein.  Such historical consolidated financial statements and the related financial statement schedules and notes thereto, if any, have been prepared in accordance with GAAP applied on a consistent basis throughout the periods presented, except as otherwise set forth in the Registration Statement, the Disclosure Package or the Prospectus.  The pro forma condensed, consolidated financial statements of Ventas and its Subsidiaries and the related notes thereto included or incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement, the Disclosure Package or the Prospectus have been prepared in accordance with the Commission’s rules and guidelines with respect to pro forma financial statements, and the assumptions used in the preparation thereof are reasonable and the adjustments used therein are appropriate to give effect to the transactions and circumstances referred to therein. The interactive data in eXtensible Business Reporting Language included or incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement, Disclosure Package and the Prospectus fairly presents in all material respects the information called for and has been prepared in accordance with the Commission’s rules and guidelines applicable thereto.

 

(xxv)                    Incorporated Documents .  The documents incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement, the Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, when filed with the Commission (the “ Incorporated Documents ”), complied or will comply in all material respects with the requirements of the Securities Act or the Exchange Act, as applicable.

 

(xxvi)                 No Stabilization or Manipulation .  None of Ventas or any Subsidiary or, to the knowledge of the Ventas Entities, any director, officer or affiliate of any Ventas Entity has taken or will take, directly or indirectly, any action designed to, or that would reasonably be expected to, cause or result in the stabilization or manipulation of the price of the Notes to facilitate the sale or resale of the Notes.

 

(xxvii)              Sarbanes-Oxley Compliance .  Ventas is in compliance in all material respects with the applicable provisions of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 

(xxviii)           No Unlawful Payments .  None of the Ventas Entities nor, to the knowledge of the Ventas Entities, any director, officer, agent or employee of any Ventas Entity 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 (collectively, the “ FCPA ”), including, without limitation, making use of the mails or any means or instrumentality of interstate commerce corruptly 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

 

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office, in contravention of the FCPA.  The Ventas Entities and, to the knowledge of the Ventas Entities, their affiliates have conducted their businesses in compliance in all material respects with the FCPA.

 

(xxix)                 No Conflict with Money Laundering Laws .  The operations of Ventas and its Subsidiaries are conducted in compliance in all material respects with applicable financial recordkeeping and reporting requirements of the Currency and Foreign Transactions Reporting Act of 1970, as amended, the money laundering statutes of all jurisdictions in which Ventas and its Subsidiaries conduct business and the rules and regulations thereunder and any related or similar rules, regulations or guidelines issued, administered or enforced by any Governmental Entity (collectively, the “ Money Laundering Laws ”), and no action, suit or proceeding by or before any court or Governmental Entity or any arbitrator involving Ventas and its Subsidiaries with respect to the Money Laundering Laws is pending or, to the knowledge of the Ventas Entities, threatened.

 

(xxx)                    No Conflict with OFAC Laws .  None of the Ventas Entities nor any Subsidiary nor, to the knowledge of the Ventas Entities, any director, officer, agent, employee or affiliate of any Ventas Entity 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 ”).  The Ventas Entities will not, directly or indirectly, use the proceeds of the offering, or lend, contribute or otherwise make available such proceeds to any subsidiary, joint venture partner or other person or entity, for the purpose of financing the activities of any person currently subject to any U.S. sanctions administered by OFAC.

 

(b)                                  Officer s Certificates.  Any certificate signed by any officer of any Ventas Entity addressed and delivered to the Representatives, as representatives of the Underwriters, or to counsel for the Underwriters shall be deemed a representation and warranty by the Ventas Entities to the Underwriters as to the matters covered thereby.  The Ventas Entities acknowledge that the Underwriters and, for purposes of the opinions to be delivered to the Representatives, as representatives of the Underwriters, pursuant to Section 5 hereof, counsel to the Ventas Entities and counsel to the Underwriters will rely upon the accuracy of the foregoing representations, and the Ventas Entities hereby consent to such reliance.

 

SECTION 2.                             Sale and Delivery to the Underwriters; Closing .

 

(a)                                  Purchase and Sale.  On the basis of the representations, warranties and agreements herein contained, and upon the terms but subject to the conditions herein set forth, the Underwriters agree, severally and not jointly, to purchase from the Issuer the respective aggregate principal amount of Notes set forth opposite their names on Schedule A hereto.  The purchase price per Note to be paid by the several Underwriters to the Issuer shall be equal to 98.583% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, from February 23, 2018 to the Closing Time.

 

(b)                                  Public Offering of the Notes .  The Representatives hereby advise the Ventas Entities that the Underwriters intend to offer for sale to the public, as set forth in the Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, their respective portions of the Notes as soon after this Agreement has been executed as the Representatives, in their sole judgment, have determined is advisable and practicable.

 

(c)                                   Delivery of and Payment for the Notes.   Delivery of the Notes to be purchased by the Underwriters and payment therefor shall be made at 9:00 a.m. (New York City time), on February 23, 2018, or such other time and date as the Representatives and the Ventas Entities shall agree (the time and date of such closing, the “ Closing Time ”).  Delivery of the Notes shall be made through the facilities of The Depository Trust Company (“ DTC ”) unless the Representatives shall otherwise instruct.  Payment for the Notes shall be made at the Closing Time by wire transfer of immediately available funds to the order of the

 

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Ventas Entities to a bank account designated by the Ventas Entities.  It is understood that the Representatives have been authorized, for their own account and the accounts of the several Underwriters, to accept delivery of and receipt for, and make payment of the purchase price for, the Notes.

 

(d)           Delivery of Prospectus to the Underwriters .  Not later than 10:00 a.m. (New York City time) on the second business day following the date the Notes are first released by the Underwriters for sale to the public, the Ventas Entities shall deliver or cause to be delivered, copies of the Prospectus in such quantities and at such places as the Representatives shall reasonably request.

 

SECTION 3.             Covenants of the Ventas Entities and of the Underwriters .  The Ventas Entities, jointly and severally, covenant with the Underwriters and, as applicable, the Underwriters covenant with the Ventas Entities as follows:

 

(a)           Representatives’ Review of Proposed Amendments and Supplements.  During the period beginning on the Applicable Time and ending on the later of the Closing Time or such date as, in the opinion of counsel for the Underwriters, the Prospectus is no longer required by law to be delivered in connection with sales of the Notes by an Underwriter or dealer (disregarding any exemption pursuant to Rule 172 under the Securities Act) (the “ Prospectus Delivery Period ”), prior to amending or supplementing the Registration Statement, the Disclosure Package or the Prospectus, the Ventas Entities shall furnish to the Representatives for review a copy of each such proposed amendment or supplement, and the Ventas Entities shall not file or use any such proposed amendment or supplement to which the Representatives reasonably object within a reasonable time following their receipt thereof.

 

(b)           Securities Act Compliance.   After the date of this Agreement, the Ventas Entities shall promptly advise the Representatives in writing (i) when the Registration Statement, if not effective at the Execution Time, shall have become effective, (ii) of the receipt of any comments or requests for additional or supplemental information from the Commission that relate to the Registration Statement or the Prospectus, (iii) of the time and date of the filing of any post-effective amendment to the Registration Statement or any amendment or supplement to any preliminary prospectus or the Prospectus, (iv) of the time and date that any post-effective amendment to the Registration Statement becomes effective, and (v) of the issuance by the Commission of any stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement or any order or notice preventing or suspending the use of the Registration Statement, any preliminary prospectus or the Prospectus, or the receipt by the Ventas Entities of any notification with respect to the suspension of the qualification of the Notes for sale in any jurisdiction or the initiation of any proceedings for any of such purposes.  The Ventas Entities shall use their commercially reasonable efforts to prevent the issuance of any such stop order or order or notice of prevention or suspension of such use.  If the Commission shall enter any such stop order or issue any such order or notice at any time, the Ventas Entities shall use their commercially reasonable efforts to obtain the lifting or reversal of such stop order or order or notice at the earliest practicable moment or, subject to Section 3(a) hereof, shall file an amendment to the Registration Statement or a new registration statement and use their commercially reasonable efforts to have such amendment or new registration statement declared effective as soon as practicable.

 

(c)           Exchange Act Compliance.  During the Prospectus Delivery Period, the Ventas Entities shall file all reports and documents required to be filed with the Commission pursuant to Section 13, 14 or 15 of the Exchange Act in the manner and within the time periods required by the Exchange Act.

 

(d)           Final Term Sheet.   The Ventas Entities shall prepare a final term sheet reflecting the final terms of the Notes, including the price at which the Notes are to be sold to the public, in the form attached hereto, and shall file such term sheet pursuant to Rule 433(d) under the Securities Act within the time required by such rule (such term sheet, the “ Final Term Sheet ”).

 

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(e)           Permitted Free Writing Prospectuses.   The Ventas Entities shall not make any offer relating to the Notes that constitutes or would constitute an Issuer Free Writing Prospectus or that otherwise constitutes or would constitute a “free writing prospectus” (as defined in Rule 405 under the Securities Act) or a portion thereof required to be filed by the Ventas Entities with the Commission or retained by the Ventas Entities under Rule 433 under the Securities Act without the prior written consent of the Representatives; provided that the prior written consent of the Representatives shall be deemed to have been given in respect of the Issuer Free Writing Prospectuses identified in Schedule B hereto and any electronic road show.  Any such Issuer Free Writing Prospectus or other free writing prospectus consented to by the Representatives is hereinafter referred to as a “ Permitted Free Writing Prospectus .”  The Ventas Entities agree that (i) they have treated and will treat, as the case may be, each Permitted Free Writing Prospectus as an Issuer Free Writing Prospectus and (ii) they have complied and will comply, as the case may be, with the requirements of Rules 164 and 433 under the Securities Act applicable to any Permitted Free Writing Prospectus, including in respect of timely filing with the Commission, legending and record keeping.  The Ventas Entities consent to the use by any Underwriter of a free writing prospectus that (a) is not an “issuer free writing prospectus” as defined in Rule 433, and (b) contains only (i) information describing the preliminary terms of the Notes or their offering, (ii) information that describes the final terms of the Notes or their offering and that is included in the Final Term Sheet of the Ventas Entities contemplated in Section 1(iv) hereof, or (iii) information permitted under Rule 134 under the Securities Act; provided that each Underwriter severally covenants with the Ventas Entities not to take any action without the Ventas Entities’ consent (which consent shall be confirmed in writing) that would result in the Ventas Entities being required to file with the Commission under Rule 433(d) under the Securities Act a free writing prospectus prepared by or on behalf of such Underwriter that would not be required to be filed by the Ventas Entities thereunder but for the action of the Underwriter.  If, at any time following issuance of an Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, any event shall occur as a result of which such Issuer Free Writing Prospectus would conflict with the information contained in the Registration Statement that has not been superseded or modified, the Ventas Entities agree to promptly notify the Representatives of such event and promptly amend or supplement such Issuer Free Writing Prospectus to eliminate or correct such conflict.

 

(f)            Amendments and Supplements to the Registration Statement, Disclosure Package and Prospectus and Other Securities Act Matters.  If, during the Prospectus Delivery Period, any event shall occur or condition exist as a result of which the Disclosure Package or the Prospectus, as then amended or supplemented, would include any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made or then prevailing, as the case may be, not misleading, or if it shall be necessary to amend or supplement the Disclosure Package or the Prospectus, or to file under the Exchange Act any document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference in the Disclosure Package or the Prospectus, in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made or then prevailing, as the case may be, not misleading, or if, in the reasonable judgment of the Ventas Entities or their counsel, it is otherwise necessary to amend or supplement the Registration Statement, the Disclosure Package or the Prospectus, or to file under the Exchange Act any document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference in the Disclosure Package or the Prospectus, or to file a new registration statement containing the Prospectus, in order to comply with applicable law, including in connection with the delivery of the Prospectus, the Ventas Entities agree to (i) notify the Representatives of any such event or condition and (ii) upon reasonable notice to the Representatives and subject to Section 3(a) hereof, promptly prepare and file with the Commission (and use their commercially reasonable efforts to have any amendment to the Registration Statement or any new registration statement declared effective) and furnish to the Underwriters and to dealers, such amendments or supplements to the Registration Statement, the Disclosure Package or the Prospectus, or any new registration statement, necessary in order to make the statements in the Disclosure Package or the Prospectus, as so amended or supplemented, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made or then prevailing, as the case may be, not misleading or so that the

 

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Registration Statement, the Disclosure Package or the Prospectus, as amended or supplemented, will comply with applicable law.

 

(g)           Copies of the Registration Statement and the Prospectus.   The Ventas Entities shall furnish to the Representatives and counsel for the Underwriters signed copies of the Registration Statement (including exhibits thereto) and, during the Prospectus Delivery Period, as many copies as the Representatives may reasonably request of each preliminary prospectus, the Prospectus and any amendments and supplements thereto (including any documents incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference therein) and any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus.

 

(h)           Blue Sky Qualifications.  The Ventas Entities agree to use their commercially reasonable efforts, in cooperation with the Underwriters, to qualify the Notes for offer and sale under the applicable securities laws of such states and other jurisdictions of the United States as the Representatives may designate; provided , however , that the Ventas Entities shall not be obligated to file any general consent to service of process or to qualify as a foreign corporation or as a dealer in securities in any jurisdiction in which they are not so qualified or to subject themselves to taxation in respect of doing business in any jurisdiction in which they are not otherwise so subject.  In each state or jurisdiction in which the Notes have been so qualified, the Ventas Entities shall file such statements and reports as may be required by the laws of such jurisdiction to continue such qualification in effect for so long as required for the distribution of the Notes.

 

(i)            Clear Market .  Without the prior written consent of the Representatives, the Ventas Entities shall not, during the period starting on the date hereof and ending at the Closing Time, 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 to purchase, lend, or otherwise transfer or dispose of, directly or indirectly, any non-convertible debt securities of any Ventas Entity or any Subsidiary (other than as contemplated by this Agreement).

 

(j)            Use of Proceeds .  The Issuer shall use the net proceeds from the sale of the Notes in the manner described in the Prospectus under the heading “Use of Proceeds.”

 

(k)           Filing Fees .  The Ventas Entities agree to pay the required Commission filing fees relating to the Notes within the time required by Rule 456(b)(1) of the Securities Act without regard to the proviso therein and otherwise in accordance with Rules 456(b) and 457(r) of the Securities Act.

 

(l)            DTC .  The Ventas Entities will use their commercially reasonable efforts to comply with all of their agreements set forth in their representation letters relating to the approval of debt securities of the Ventas Entities by DTC for “book-entry” transfer.

 

(m)          Earning Statement .  Ventas shall timely file such reports pursuant to the Exchange Act as are necessary in order to make generally available to its security holders (within the meaning of Rule 158 under the Securities Act) an earning statement that satisfies the provisions of, and includes the information and covers the period described in, Section 11(a) of the Securities Act and Rule 158 thereunder for the purposes of, and to provide the benefits contemplated by, the last paragraph of Section 11(a) of the Securities Act.

 

SECTION 4.             Payment of Expenses .

 

(a)           Expenses.  The Ventas Entities, jointly and severally, shall pay all costs, fees and expenses incident to the performance of their obligations under this Agreement, including (i) the issuance, transfer and delivery of the Notes and the Guarantee to the Underwriters, including any transfer taxes and any stamp

 

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or other duties payable upon the sale, issuance or delivery of the Notes to the Underwriters, (ii) the fees and disbursements of the Ventas Entities’ counsel, accountants and other advisors, (iii) the qualification of the Notes under securities laws in accordance with the provisions of Section 3(h) hereof, including filing fees and the reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel for the Underwriters in connection therewith and in connection with the preparation of a Blue Sky Survey and any supplements thereto ( provided that the Ventas Entities shall only be responsible for paying costs, fees and expenses incurred under this clause (iii) in an aggregate amount not to exceed $5,000), (iv) the printing and delivery to the Underwriters of such copies of the Disclosure Package and Prospectus (including financial statements and exhibits) and any amendments or supplements thereto, as may be reasonably requested for use in connection with the offer and sale of the Notes contemplated hereby, (v) the printing and delivery to the Underwriters of a reasonable number of copies of the Blue Sky Survey and any supplement thereto (not to exceed $1,000), (vi) the fees and expenses of the Trustee, including the fees and disbursements of counsel for the Trustee incurred in connection with the Indenture and the Notes, (vii) the rating of the Notes by rating agencies and (viii) all other fees, costs and expenses referred to in Item 14 of Part II of the Registration Statement.

 

(b)           Termination of Agreement.  If this Agreement is terminated by the Representatives in accordance with the provisions of Section 5 or Section 9(a)(i) hereof, the Ventas Entities agree to reimburse the Underwriters for all out-of-pocket costs and expenses (including fees and expenses of their counsel) reasonably incurred by the Underwriters in connection with this Agreement and the offer and sale of the Notes contemplated hereby.

 

SECTION 5.             Conditions of the Underwriters’ Obligations .  The obligations of the Underwriters hereunder are subject to the accuracy of the representations and warranties of the Ventas Entities contained in Section 1(a) hereof and in the certificates of any officer of any Ventas Entity delivered pursuant to the provisions hereof, to the performance by the Ventas Entities of their covenants and other obligations hereunder, and to the following further conditions:

 

(a)           Compliance with Registration Requirements; No Stop Order.  For the period from and after the Execution Time and prior to the Closing Time:

 

(i)            Ventas shall have filed the Prospectus with the Commission in the manner and within the time period required by Rule 424(b) under the Securities Act;

 

(ii)           The Final Term Sheet and any other material required to be filed by Ventas pursuant to Rule 433(d) under the Securities Act with respect to the offer and sale of the Notes shall have been filed with the Commission within the applicable time periods prescribed for such filings under Rule 433 by Rule 164(b) under the Securities Act; and

 

(iii)          No stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement, or any post-effective amendment to the Registration Statement, shall be in effect and no proceedings for such purpose shall have been instituted or threatened by the Commission; and Ventas shall not have received from the Commission any notice pursuant to Rule 401(g)(2) under the Securities Act objecting to use of the automatic shelf registration statement form.

 

(b)           No Proceedings .  No action shall have been taken and no statute, rule, regulation or order shall have been enacted, adopted or issued by any Governmental Entity that would, as of the Closing Time, prevent the issuance of the Notes.

 

(c)           No Change in Rating .  There shall not have occurred any downgrade, nor shall any notice have been given of (i) any intended or potential downgrade or (ii) any review for a possible change in rating that does not indicate the direction of the possible change or indicates a negative change, in each case in

 

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the rating accorded any long-term debt securities of Ventas or any of its Subsidiaries by any “nationally recognized statistical rating organization” as such term is defined for purposes of Section 3(a)(62) under the Exchange Act.

 

(d)           Opinions of Counsel for the Ventas Entities.  At the Closing Time, the Representatives shall have received:

 

(i)            The favorable opinion, dated as of the Closing Time, of T. Richard Riney, general counsel for the Ventas Entities, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to counsel for the Underwriters to the effect set forth in Exhibit A-1 hereto and to such further effect as counsel to the Underwriters may reasonably request;

 

(ii)           The favorable opinions, dated as of the Closing Time, of Latham & Watkins LLP, as counsel for the Ventas Entities, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to counsel for the Underwriters to the effect set forth in Exhibit A-2 and Exhibit A-3 hereto and to such further effect as counsel to the Underwriters may reasonably request; and

 

(iii)          The negative assurance letter, dated as of the Closing Time, of Latham & Watkins LLP, as counsel for the Ventas Entities, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to counsel for the Underwriters to the effect set forth in Exhibit A-4 hereto and to such further effect as counsel to the Underwriters may reasonably request.

 

(e)           Opinion of Counsel for the Underwriters.  At the Closing Time, the Underwriters shall have received the favorable opinion, dated as of the Closing Time, and a negative assurance letter, dated as of the Closing Time, of Goodwin Procter LLP, counsel for the Underwriters in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Underwriters.

 

(f)            Officers Certificate.  At the Closing Time, there shall not have been, since the date hereof or since the respective dates as of which information is given in the Registration Statement, the Disclosure Package, any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, the Prospectus and any amendment or supplement thereto, any event or development in respect of the business or financial condition of Ventas and its Subsidiaries that is, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect, whether or not arising in the ordinary course of business, and the Representatives shall have received a certificate of the Chief Executive Officer, President or an Executive Vice President of Ventas and the Chief Financial Officer or Chief Accounting Officer of Ventas, dated as of the Closing Time, to the effect that (i) there has been no Material Adverse Effect, (ii) the representations and warranties of the Ventas Entities in Section 1(a) hereof are true and correct with the same force and effect as though expressly made at and as of the Closing Time and the provisions in Sections 5(a)(i)-(iii) and, to the knowledge of the Ventas Entities, Section 5(b) hereof are true and correct as of the Closing Time, and (iii) the Ventas Entities have complied with all agreements and satisfied all conditions on their part to be performed or satisfied at or prior to the Closing Time.

 

(g)           Accountant s Comfort Letter - Ventas.   At the Applicable Time, the Representatives shall have received from KPMG LLP, a letter, dated such date, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Representatives containing statements and information of the type ordinarily included in accountants’ “comfort letters” to underwriters with respect to the financial statements of Ventas and its Subsidiaries and certain other financial information relating to Ventas and its Subsidiaries included or incorporated by reference in the Disclosure Package.

 

(h)           Bring-down Comfort Letter - Ventas.  At the Closing Time, the Representatives shall have received from KPMG LLP, a letter, dated as of the Closing Time, to the effect that it reaffirms the statements made in the letter furnished pursuant to Section 5(g) hereof, except that (i) such letter shall cover the

 

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financial information (including any pro forma presentation) relating to Ventas and its Subsidiaries in the Prospectus and any amendment or supplement to the Disclosure Package or the Prospectus and (ii) the specified date referred to therein shall be a date not more than three business days prior to the Closing Time.

 

(i)            Good Standing .  The Representatives shall have received at and as of the Closing Time satisfactory evidence of the good standing of the Ventas Entities in their respective jurisdictions of organization, in each case in writing or any standard form of telecommunication, from the appropriate governmental authorities of such jurisdictions.

 

(j)            Notes and Indenture.  At or prior to the Closing Time, the Notes and the Indenture, in substantially the form previously delivered to the Representatives, shall have been executed by each Ventas Entity.

 

(k)           Additional Documents.   At or prior to the Closing Time, counsel for the Underwriters shall have been furnished with such additional documents and opinions as they may reasonably require for the purpose of enabling them to pass upon the issuance and sale of the Notes as herein contemplated, or in order to evidence the accuracy of any of the representations or warranties, or the fulfillment of any of the conditions, herein contained; and all proceedings taken by the Ventas Entities in connection with the issuance and sale of the Notes as herein contemplated shall be reasonably satisfactory in form and substance to the Representatives and counsel for the Underwriters.

 

If any condition specified in this Section 5 shall not have been fulfilled when and as required to be fulfilled, this Agreement may be terminated by the Representatives by notice to the Ventas Entities at any time at or prior to the Closing Time, and such termination shall be without liability of any party to any other party except as provided in Section 4 hereof.  Notwithstanding any such termination, the provisions of Sections 1, 4, 6, 7 and 8 hereof shall survive any such termination and remain in full force and effect.

 

SECTION 6.             Indemnification .

 

(a)           Indemnification of the Underwriters by the Ventas Entities .  Each of the Ventas Entities, jointly and severally, agrees to indemnify and hold harmless each Underwriter, its directors, officers, selling agents and each person, if any, who controls any Underwriter within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20(a) of the Exchange Act:

 

(i)            against any and all loss, liability, claim, damage and expense whatsoever, as incurred, arising out of (A) any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact included in the Registration Statement, or any amendment thereto or the omission or alleged omission therefrom of a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading; or (B) any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact included in the Disclosure Package, any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, any preliminary prospectus or the Prospectus (or any amendment or supplement thereto), or the omission or alleged omission therefrom of a material fact, in each case necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading;

 

(ii)           against any and all loss, liability, claim, damage and expense whatsoever, as incurred, to the extent of the aggregate amount paid in settlement of any litigation, any investigation or proceeding by any Governmental Entity, commenced or threatened, or any claim whatsoever based upon any such untrue statement or omission or alleged untrue statement or omission; provided that (subject to Section 6(d) hereof) any such settlement is effected with the prior written consent of Ventas; and

 

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(iii)          against any and all expense whatsoever, as incurred (including, subject to Section 6(c) hereof, the fees and disbursements of counsel chosen by the Underwriters), reasonably incurred in investigating, preparing or defending against any litigation, any investigation or proceeding by any Governmental Entity, commenced or threatened, or any claim whatsoever based upon any such untrue statement or omission or alleged untrue statement or omission, to the extent that any such expense is not paid under (i) or (ii) above;

 

provided , however , that this indemnity agreement shall not apply to any loss, liability, claim, damage or expense to the extent arising out of any untrue statement or omission or alleged untrue statement or omission made in reliance upon and in conformity with the Underwriter Information (as defined below).  This indemnity agreement will be in addition to any liability that the Ventas Entities may otherwise have, including, but not limited to, liability under this Agreement.

 

(b)           Indemnification of Ventas Entities, Directors and Officers.  Each Underwriter, severally and not jointly, agrees to indemnify and hold harmless each Ventas Entity, its directors and officers, and each person, if any, who controls any Ventas Entity within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20(a) of the Exchange Act against any and all loss, liability, claim, damage and expense described in the indemnity contained in Section 6(a) hereof, as incurred, but only with respect to untrue statements or omissions or alleged untrue statements or omissions relating to such Underwriter made in the Registration Statement, the Disclosure Package, any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, any preliminary prospectus or the Prospectus (or any amendment or supplement thereto) in reliance upon and in conformity with information furnished by or on behalf of such Underwriter through the Representatives expressly for use in the Registration Statement, the Disclosure Package, any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, any preliminary prospectus or the Prospectus; provided that, with respect to the preceding clause, the Ventas Entities acknowledge that the only information furnished in writing by or on behalf of the Underwriters through the Representatives expressly for use in the Registration Statement, the Disclosure Package, any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, any preliminary prospectus or the Prospectus is the information set forth in the statements contained in the second and third sentences of the fourth paragraph, the first and second sentences of the sixth paragraph, the seventh paragraph and the ninth paragraph (other than the fourth sentence of that paragraph) under the caption “Underwriting” in the Prospectus (the “ Underwriter Information ”).  This indemnity agreement will be in addition to any liability that the Underwriters may otherwise have, including, but not limited to, liability under this Agreement.

 

(c)           Actions Against Parties; Notification.  Each indemnified party shall give notice as promptly as reasonably practicable to each indemnifying party of any action commenced against it in respect of which indemnity may be sought hereunder, but failure to so notify an indemnifying party shall not relieve such indemnifying party from any liability hereunder, except to the extent the indemnifying party is materially prejudiced as a result thereof and in any event shall not relieve the indemnifying party from any liability that it may have otherwise than on account of this indemnity agreement.  In the case of parties indemnified pursuant to Section 6(a) hereof, counsel to the indemnified parties shall be selected by the Representatives, subject to the reasonable approval of the indemnifying party, and, in the case of parties indemnified pursuant to Section 6(b) hereof, counsel to the indemnified parties shall be selected by Ventas, subject to the reasonable approval of the indemnifying party.  An indemnifying party may participate at its own expense in the defense of any such action; provided , however , that counsel to the indemnifying party shall not (except with the consent of the indemnified party) also be counsel to the indemnified party; provided further , if the defendants in any such action include both the indemnified party and the indemnifying party and the indemnified party shall have reasonably concluded that a conflict may arise between the positions of the indemnifying party and the indemnified party in conducting the defense of any such action or that there may be legal defenses available to it or other indemnified parties that are different from or additional to those available to the indemnifying party, the indemnified party or parties shall have the right to select

 

16



 

separate counsel to assume such legal defenses and to otherwise participate in the defense of such action on behalf of such indemnified party or parties.  Upon receipt of notice from the indemnifying party to the indemnified party of such indemnifying party’s election to assume the defense of such action and approval by the indemnified party of counsel, the indemnifying party will not be liable to such indemnified party under this Section 6 for any fees and expenses of counsel subsequently incurred by such indemnified party in connection with the defense thereof unless (i) the indemnified party shall have employed separate counsel in accordance with the proviso to the preceding sentence or (ii) the indemnifying party shall not have employed counsel reasonably satisfactory to the indemnified party to represent the indemnified party within a reasonable time after notice of the action, in each of which cases the fees and expenses of such indemnified party’s counsel shall be at the expense of the indemnifying party.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, in no event shall the indemnifying parties be liable for the fees and expenses of more than one counsel (in addition to any local counsel) separate from their own counsel for all indemnified parties in connection with any one action or separate but similar or related actions in the same jurisdiction arising out of the same general allegations or circumstances.  No indemnifying party shall, without the prior written consent of the indemnified parties, settle or compromise or consent to the entry of any judgment with respect to any litigation, or any investigation or proceeding by any Governmental Entity, commenced or threatened, or any claim whatsoever in respect of which indemnification or contribution could reasonably be sought under this Section 6 or Section 7 hereof (whether or not the indemnified parties are actual or potential parties thereto), unless such settlement, compromise or consent (i) includes an unconditional release of each indemnified party from all liability arising out of such litigation, investigation, proceeding or claim and (ii) does not include a statement as to or an admission of fault, culpability or a failure to act by or on behalf of any indemnified party.

 

(d)           Settlement Without Consent if Failure to Reimburse.  If, at any time, an indemnified party shall have requested an indemnifying party to reimburse the indemnified party for fees and expenses of counsel, such indemnifying party agrees that it shall be liable for any settlement of the nature contemplated by Section 6(a)(ii) hereof effected without its prior written consent if (i) such settlement is entered into more than 45 days after receipt by such indemnifying party of the aforesaid request, (ii) such indemnifying party shall have received notice of the terms of such settlement at least 30 days prior to such settlement being entered into and (iii) such indemnifying party shall not have reimbursed such indemnified party in accordance with such request prior to the date of such settlement; provided that an indemnifying party shall not be liable for any such settlement effected without its prior written consent if such indemnifying party (A) reimburses such indemnified party in accordance with such request to the extent it considers such request to be reasonable and (B) provides written notice to the indemnified party substantiating the unpaid balance as unreasonable, in each case prior to the date of such settlement.

 

(e)           Other Agreements With Respect to Indemnification.  The provisions of this Section 6 shall not affect any agreement between the Ventas Entities with respect to indemnification.

 

SECTION 7.             Contribution .  If the indemnification provided for in Section 6 hereof is for any reason unavailable to or insufficient to hold harmless an indemnified party in respect of any losses, liabilities, claims, damages or expenses referred to therein, then each indemnifying party shall contribute to the aggregate amount of such losses, liabilities, claims, damages and expenses incurred by such indemnified party, as incurred, (a) in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative benefits received by the Ventas Entities, on the one hand, and the Underwriters, on the other hand, from the offering of the Notes pursuant to this Agreement or (b) if the allocation provided by clause (a) is not permitted by applicable law, in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect not only the relative benefits referred to in clause (a) above but also the relative fault of the Ventas Entities, on the one hand, and of the Underwriters, on the other hand, in connection with the statements or omissions that resulted in such losses, liabilities, claims, damages or expenses, as well as any other relevant equitable considerations.

 

17



 

The relative benefits received by the Ventas Entities, on the one hand, and the Underwriters, on the other hand, in connection with the offering of the Notes pursuant to this Agreement shall be deemed to be in the same respective proportions as the total net proceeds from the offering of the Notes pursuant to this Agreement (before deducting expenses) received by the Issuer and the total underwriting discount received by the Underwriters, in each case as set forth on the cover of the Prospectus, bear to the aggregate public offering price of the Notes as set forth on the cover of the Prospectus.

 

The relative fault of the Ventas Entities, on the one hand, and the Underwriters, on the other hand, shall be determined by reference to, among other things, whether any such untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or omission or alleged omission to state a material fact relates to information furnished by the Ventas Entities or the Underwriter Information and the parties’ relative intent, knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent such statement or omission.

 

The Ventas Entities and the Underwriters agree that it would not be just and equitable if contribution pursuant to this Section 7 were determined by pro rata allocation or by any other method of allocation that does not take account of the equitable considerations referred to above in this Section 7.  The aggregate amount of losses, liabilities, claims, damages and expenses incurred by an indemnified party and referred to above in this Section 7 shall be deemed to include any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by such indemnified party in investigating, preparing or defending against any litigation, or any investigation or proceeding by any Governmental Entity, commenced or threatened, or any claim whatsoever based upon any such untrue or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission.

 

Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section 7, no Underwriter shall be required to contribute any amount in excess of the amount by which the total price at which the Notes purchased by it hereunder were offered to the public exceeds the amount of any damages that such Underwriter has otherwise been required to pay by reason of any such untrue or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission.  The Underwriters’ obligations to contribute pursuant to this Section 7 shall be several in proportion to their respective purchase obligations hereunder and not joint.

 

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.

 

For purposes of this Section 7, each officer and director of an Underwriter, and each person, if any, who controls an Underwriter within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20(a) of the Exchange Act shall have the same rights to contribution as such Underwriter, and each officer and director of a Ventas Entity, and each person, if any, who controls a Ventas Entity within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20(a) of the Exchange Act shall have the same rights to contribution as such Ventas Entity.

 

The provisions of this Section 7 shall not affect any agreement among the Ventas Entities with respect to contribution.

 

SECTION 8.             Representations, Warranties and Agreements to Survive Delivery .  All representations, warranties and agreements contained in this Agreement, or in the certificates of any officer of any Ventas Entity delivered pursuant to the provisions hereof, shall remain operative and in full force and effect, regardless of any investigation made by or on behalf of the Underwriters or a controlling person, or by or on behalf of the Ventas Entities or a controlling person, and shall survive delivery of the Notes to the Underwriters.

 

18



 

SECTION 9.             Termination of Agreement .

 

(a)           Termination; General.  The Representatives may terminate this Agreement, by notice to Ventas, at any time at or prior to the Closing Time, (i) if there has been, since the Execution Time or since the respective dates as of which information is given in the Disclosure Package or the Prospectus, any Material Adverse Effect, whether or not arising in the ordinary course of business, or (ii) if there has occurred any material adverse change in the financial markets in the United States or in the international financial markets, any outbreak of hostilities or escalation thereof or other calamity or crisis or any change or development involving a prospective change in national or international political, financial or economic conditions, in each case the effect of which is such as to make it, in the judgment of the Representatives, impracticable or inadvisable to market the Notes in the manner and on the terms described in the Prospectus or to enforce contracts for the sale of the Notes, or (iii) if trading in any securities of the Ventas Entities has been suspended or materially limited by the Commission or the New York Stock Exchange, or if trading generally on the New York Stock Exchange or in the NASDAQ Stock Market has been suspended or materially limited, or minimum or maximum prices for trading have been fixed, or maximum ranges for prices have been required, by any of said exchanges or by order of the Commission, FINRA or any other Governmental Entity, or a material disruption has occurred in commercial banking or securities settlement or clearance services in the United States, or (iv) if a banking moratorium has been declared by either Federal or New York authorities.

 

(b)           Liabilities.  If this Agreement is terminated pursuant to this Section 9, such termination shall be without liability of any party to any other party except as provided in Section 4 hereof, and provided further that Sections 1, 4, 6 and 7 hereof shall survive such termination and remain in full force and effect.

 

SECTION 10.          Default of One or More of the Several Underwriters .  If any one or more of the several Underwriters shall fail or refuse at the Closing Time to purchase Notes that they have agreed to purchase hereunder, and the aggregate principal amount of Notes that such defaulting Underwriters have agreed but fail or refuse to purchase does not exceed 10% of the aggregate principal amount of the Notes to be purchased hereunder, each non-defaulting Underwriter shall be obligated, severally, in the proportion that the principal amount of Notes set forth opposite its name on Schedule A hereto bears to the aggregate principal amount of Notes set forth opposite the names of all such non-defaulting Underwriters on Schedule A hereto, or in such other proportions as may be specified by the Representatives with the consent of the non-defaulting Underwriters, to purchase the Notes that such defaulting Underwriters have agreed but fail or refuse to purchase.  If any one or more of the Underwriters shall fail or refuse at the Closing Time to purchase Notes that they have agreed to purchase hereunder, and the aggregate principal amount of Notes that such defaulting Underwriters have agreed but fail or refuse to purchase exceeds 10% of the aggregate principal amount of the Notes to be purchased hereunder, and arrangements satisfactory to the Representatives and the Issuer for the purchase of such Notes are not made within 48 hours after such default, this Agreement shall terminate without liability of any party (other than the defaulting Underwriters) to any other party except that the provisions of Sections 4, 6 and 7 hereof shall at all times be effective and shall survive such termination.  In any such case, either the Representatives or the Ventas Entities shall have the right to postpone the Closing Time, but in no event for longer than seven days, in order that required changes, if any, to the Disclosure Package or the Prospectus or any other documents or arrangements may be effected.

 

As used in this Agreement, the term “Underwriter” shall be deemed to include any person substituted for a defaulting Underwriter under this Section 10.  Any action taken under this Section 10 shall not relieve any defaulting Underwriter from liability in respect of any default of such Underwriter under this Agreement.

 

19



 

SECTION 11.          No Advisory or Fiduciary Responsibility .  Each of the Ventas Entities acknowledges and agrees on its behalf that:  (a) the purchase and sale of the Notes pursuant to this Agreement, including the deter mination of the offering price of the Notes and any related discounts and commissions, is an arm’s-length commercial transaction between the Ventas Entities, on the one hand, and the Underwriters, on the other hand, and the Ventas Entities are capable of evaluating and understanding and understand and accept the terms, risks and conditions of the offer and sale of the Notes pursuant to this Agreement; (b) in connection with the offer and sale of the Notes, the Underwriters are and have been acting solely as principals and are not the agents or fiduciaries of the Ventas Entities or their respective affiliates, stockholders, creditors or employees or any other party; (c) the Underwriters have not assumed and will not assume an advisory or fiduciary responsibility in favor of the Ventas Entities with respect to the offer and sale of the Notes (irrespective of whether the Underwriters have advised or are currently advising the Ventas Entities on other matters) or any other obligation to the Ventas Entities with respect to the offer and sale of the Notes except the obligations expressly set forth in this Agreement; (d) the Underwriters and their respective affiliates may be engaged in a broad range of transactions that involve interests that differ from those of the Ventas Entities; and (e) the Underwriters have not provided any legal, accounting, regulatory or tax advice with respect to the offer and sale of the Notes and the Ventas Entities have consulted their own legal, accounting, regulatory and tax advisors to the extent they deemed appropriate.  The Ventas Entities hereby waive and release, to the fullest extent permitted by law, any claims that the Ventas Entities may have against the Underwriters with respect to any breach or alleged breach of fiduciary duty in connection with the offer and sale of the Notes.

 

SECTION 12.          Notices .  All notices and other communications hereunder shall be sufficient if in writing and sent (a) by facsimile transmission (providing confirmation of transmission) or e-mail of a pdf attachment (provided that any notice received by facsimile or e-mail transmission or otherwise at the addressee’s location on any business day after 5:00 p.m. (New York City time) shall be deemed to have been received at 9:00 a.m. (New York City time) on the next business day), or (b) by reliable overnight delivery service (with proof of service), hand delivery or certified or registered mail (return receipt requested and first-class postage prepaid).  Notices to the Underwriters shall be directed to Jefferies at 520 Madison Avenue, New York, New York 10022, Attention: 520 Madison Avenue, New York, New York 10022, Attn: High Grade Debt Capital Markets, or by calling 1-877-877-0696, to Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated, 50 Rockefeller Plaza, NY1-050-12-01, New York, NY 10020, Attn: High Grade Debt Capital Markets Transaction Management/Legal, Telephone: 646-855-0724, Fax: 212-901-7881, to MUFG Securities Americas Inc., 1221 Avenue of the Americas, 6th Floor, New York, New York 10020-1001, Attention: Capital Markets Group, Telephone: 1-877-649-6848, Facsimile: 1-646-434-3455, and to UBS Securities LLC, 1285 Avenue of the Americas, New York, New York 10019, Attention: Fixed Income Syndicate, Telephone: 203-719-1088, Facsimile: 203-719- 0495; with a copy to Goodwin Procter LLP, 620 Eighth Avenue, New York, New York 10018, Attention: Mark Schonberger; and notices to the Ventas Entities shall be directed to Ventas at 10350 Ormsby Park Place, Suite 300, Louisville, Kentucky 40223, Attention: General Counsel, with a copy to Latham & Watkins LLP, 330 North Wabash Avenue, Suite 2800, Chicago, Illinois 60611, Attention: Cathy A. Birkeland and Roderick O. Branch.

 

SECTION 13.          Parties .  This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the Underwriters and the Ventas Entities and their respective successors.  Nothing expressed or mentioned in this Agreement is intended or shall be construed to give any person, firm or corporation, other than the Underwriters and the Ventas Entities and their respective successors and the controlling persons and officers and directors referred to in Sections 6 and 7 hereof and their heirs and legal representatives, any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under or in respect of this Agreement or any provision herein contained.  This Agreement and all conditions and provisions hereof are intended to be for the sole and exclusive benefit of the Underwriters and the Ventas Entities, their respective successors, and said

 

20



 

controlling persons and officers and directors and their heirs and legal representatives, and for the benefit of no other person, firm or corporation.  No purchaser of Notes from any Underwriter shall be deemed to be a successor by reason merely of such purchase.

 

SECTION 14.          GOVERNING LAW .  THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE INTERNAL LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK APPLICABLE TO AGREEMENTS MADE AND TO BE PERFORMED IN SUCH STATE.

 

SECTION 15.          Submission to Jurisdiction .  Any legal suit, action or proceeding arising out of or based upon this Agreement or the offer and sale of the Notes contemplated hereby may be instituted in the federal courts of the United States of America located in the City and County of New York or the courts of the State of New York in each case located in the City and County of New York (collectively, the “ Specified Courts ”), and each party hereto irrevocably submits to the jurisdiction of such courts in any such suit, action or proceeding.  Service of any process, summons, notice or document by mail to such party’s address set forth above shall be effective service of process for any suit, action or other proceeding brought in any such court.  The parties hereto irrevocably and unconditionally waive any objection to the laying of venue of any suit, action or other proceeding in the Specified Courts and irrevocably and unconditionally waive and agree not to plead or claim in any such court that any such suit, action or other proceeding brought in any such court has been brought in an inconvenient forum.  The parties hereby irrevocably waive, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, any and all right to trial by jury in any legal proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the offer and sale of the Notes contemplated hereby.

 

SECTION 16.          Effect of Headings .  The Article and Section headings herein are for convenience only and shall not affect the construction hereof.

 

SECTION 17.          Certain Defined Terms .  For purposes of this Agreement, except where otherwise expressly provided, (a) the term “ affiliate ” has the meaning set forth in Rule 405 under the Securities Act; (b) the term “ business day ” means any day other than a day on which banks are permitted or required to be closed in New York City; (c) the term “ Lien ” means, with respect to any asset, any mortgage, lien, pledge, charge, security interest or encumbrance of any kind in respect of such asset, whether or not filed, recorded or otherwise perfected under applicable law, including any conditional sale or other title retention agreement, any lease in the nature thereof, any option or other agreement to sell or give a security interest in and any filing of or agreement to give any financing statement under the Uniform Commercial Code (or equivalent statutes) of any jurisdiction; (d) the term “ Subsidiary ” means any “subsidiary,” as such term is defined in Rule 405 under the Securities Act, of Ventas; and (e) the term “ Significant Subsidiary ” means any Subsidiary whose total assets or annualized revenues (when aggregated with those of its Subsidiaries) as of the date of this Agreement exceed 10% of the consolidated total assets or consolidated annualized revenues of Ventas and its Subsidiaries as of the date of this Agreement.

 

SECTION 18.          Authority of the Representatives .   Any action by the Underwriters hereunder may be taken by the Representatives on behalf of the Underwriters, and any such action taken by the Representatives shall be binding upon the Underwriters.

 

SECTION 19.          Entire Agreement .  This Agreement supersedes all prior agreements and understandings (whether written or oral) between the Ventas Entities and the Underwriters, or any of them, with respect to the subject matter hereof.

 

SECTION 20.          Counterparts .   This Agreement may be signed in two or more counterparts (which may include counterparts delivered by any standard form of telecommunication), each of which shall be an original and all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument.

 

21



 

SECTION 21.          Amendments or Waivers .   No amendment or waiver of any provision of this Agreement, nor any consent or approval to any departure therefrom, shall in any event be effective unless the same shall be in writing and signed by the parties hereto.

 

SECTION 22.          Patriot Act. In accordance with the requirements of the USA Patriot Act (Title III of Pub. L. 107-56 (signed into law October 26, 2001)), the Underwriters are required to obtain, verify and record information that identifies their respective clients, including the Ventas Entities, which information may include the name and address of their respective clients, as well as other information that will allow the Underwriters to properly identify their respective clients.

 

22



 

If the foregoing is in accordance with your understanding of our agreement, please sign and return to Ventas a counterpart hereof, whereupon this instrument, along with all counterparts (including via facsimile), will become a binding agreement between the Underwriters and the Ventas Entities in accordance with its terms.

 

 

Very truly yours,

 

 

 

VENTAS, INC.

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Robert F. Probst

 

 

Robert F. Probst

 

 

Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

 

 

 

 

VENTAS REALTY, LIMITED PARTNERSHIP

 

 

 

 

By:

Ventas, Inc., its General Partner

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Robert F. Probst

 

 

Robert F. Probst

 

 

Executive Vice president and Chief Financial Officer

 

[ Signature Page to Ventas Underwriting Agreement ]

 



 

CONFIRMED AND ACCEPTED,

 

 

as of the date first above written:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

JEFFERIES LLC

 

 

MERRILL LYNCH, PIERCE, FENNER & SMITH
INCORPORATED

 

 

 

 

 

MUFG SECURITIES AMERICAS INC.

 

 

UBS SECURITIES LLC

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

JEFFERIES LLC

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Matthew Casey

 

 

 

Name:

Matthew Casey

 

 

 

Title:

Managing Director

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

MERRILL LYNCH, PIERCE, FENNER & SMITH

 

 

 

INCORPORATED

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Douglas Muller

 

 

 

Name:

Douglas Muller

 

 

 

Title:

Managing Director

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

MUFG SECURITIES AMERICAS INC.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Richard Testa

 

 

 

Name:

Richard Testa

 

 

 

Title:

Managing Director

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

UBS SECURITIES LLC

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Christopher Allred

 

 

 

Name:

Christopher Allred

 

 

 

Title:

Managing Director

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Alvaro Cortes

 

 

 

Name:

Alvaro Cortes

 

 

 

Title:

Director

 

 

 

[ Signature Page to Ventas Underwriting Agreement ]

 



 

SCHEDULE A

 

UNDERWRITERS

 

PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
OF NOTES

 

Jefferies LLC

 

$

71,500,000

 

Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith

 

 

 

Incorporated

 

71,500,000

 

MUFG Securities Americas Inc.

 

71,500,000

 

UBS Securities LLC

 

71,500,000

 

Barclays Capital Inc.

 

29,250,000

 

Citigroup Global Markets Inc.

 

29,250,000

 

Credit Agricole Securities (USA) Inc.

 

29,250,000

 

Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC

 

29,250,000

 

RBC Capital Markets, LLC

 

29,250,000

 

TD Securities (USA) LLC

 

29,250,000

 

Wells Fargo Securities, LLC

 

29,250,000

 

BB&T Capital Markets, a division of BB&T Securities, LLC

 

16,070,000

 

BBVA Securities Inc.

 

16,070,000

 

BMO Capital Markets Corp.

 

16,070,000

 

Capital One Securities, Inc.

 

16,070,000

 

Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC

 

16,069,000

 

J.P. Morgan Securities LLC

 

16,069,000

 

Mizuho Securities USA Inc.

 

16,069,000

 

Scotia Capital (USA) Inc.

 

16,069,000

 

SMBC Nikko Securities America, Inc.

 

16,069,000

 

BNP Paribas Securities Corp.

 

4,875,000

 

Fifth Third Securities, Inc.

 

4,875,000

 

Loop Capital Markets LLC

 

4,875,000

 

 

 

 

 

Total

 

$

650,000,000

 

 

Sch A- 1



 

SCHEDULE B

 

Issuer Free Writing Prospectus

 

Schedule of Free Writing Prospectuses included in the Disclosure Package:

 

Final Term Sheet for Notes dated February 13, 2018

 

Sch B- 1



 

Exhibit A-1

 

FORM OF OPINION OF THE VENTAS ENTITIES’ GENERAL COUNSEL
TO BE DELIVERED PURSUANT TO
SECTION 5(d)(i)

 

(a)           Ventas has been duly incorporated as a corporation under the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware.

 

(b)           The Issuer has been duly formed as a limited partnership under the Revised Uniform Limited Partnership Act of the State of Delaware.

 

(c)           To my knowledge, except as set forth in the Registration Statement or the Prospectus, there are no legal or governmental proceedings pending to which Ventas or any of its Subsidiaries is a party or to which the assets or properties of Ventas or any of its Subsidiaries are subject that are required to be disclosed by Ventas in the Registration Statement or the Prospectus pursuant to Item 103 of Regulation S-K promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

 

(d)           The execution and delivery of the Underwriting Agreement and the Indenture, and the issuance and sale to you and the other Underwriters of the Notes by the Issuer and the Guarantee[s] by Ventas pursuant to the Underwriting Agreement, do not on the date hereof violate any court or governmental orders, writs judgements or decrees specifically directed to Ventas or any of its Subsidiaries and known to me.

 

(e)           To my knowledge, based solely on a review of the limited partnership agreement of the Issuer, all of the issued and outstanding equity interests in the Issuer are owned by Ventas, directly or indirectly through one or more Subsidiaries.

 

(f)            To my knowledge, there are no contracts or other documents of a character required to be filed as exhibits to or incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement that are not so filed or incorporated.

 

[Signature page follows]

 

Ex. A- 1



 

Exhibit A-2

 

FORM OF OPINION OF THE VENTAS ENTITIES’ COUNSEL
TO BE DELIVERED PURSUANT TO
SECTION 5(d)(ii)

 

1.             The Issuer is a limited partnership under the DRULPA with limited partnership power and authority to own, lease and operate its properties and conduct its business as described in the Registration Statement, the Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus.  With your consent, based solely on certificates from public officials, we confirm that the Issuer is validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware and is qualified to do business in the following States: California, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Massachusetts and Texas.

 

2.             The Parent Guarantor is a corporation under the DGCL with corporate power and authority to own, lease and operate its properties and to conduct its business as described in the Registration Statement, the Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus.  With your consent, based solely on certificates from public officials, we confirm that the Parent Guarantor is validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware and is qualified to do business in the following States: California, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Massachusetts, North Carolina, Pennsylvania and Texas.

 

3.             The execution, delivery and performance of the Underwriting Agreement have been duly authorized by all necessary limited partnership or corporate action of the Issuer and the Parent Guarantor, respectively, and the Underwriting Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by each of the Ventas Entities.

 

4.             The Indenture has been duly authorized by all necessary limited partnership action of the Issuer, has been duly executed and delivered by the Issuer and is the legally valid and binding agreement of the Issuer, enforceable against the Issuer in accordance with its terms.

 

5.             The Indenture, including the Guarantee[s] therein, has been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action of the Parent Guarantor and has been duly executed and delivered by the Parent Guarantor.  The Indenture, including the Guarantee[s] therein, is the legally valid and binding agreement of the Parent Guarantor, enforceable against the Parent Guarantor in accordance with its terms.

 

6.             The Notes have been duly authorized by all necessary limited partnership action of the Issuer and, when executed, issued and authenticated in accordance with the terms of the Indenture and delivered against and paid for in accordance with the terms of the Underwriting Agreement, will be legally valid and binding obligations of the Issuer, enforceable against the Issuer in accordance with their terms.

 

7.             The Indenture has been qualified under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended.

 

8.             The execution and delivery of the Underwriting Agreement and the Indenture by the Ventas Entities, and the issuance and sale to you [and the other Underwriters] of the Notes by the Issuer and the Guarantee[s] by the Parent Guarantor pursuant to the Underwriting Agreement, as applicable, do not on the date hereof:

 

(i)                                      violate the Governing Documents;

 

(ii)                                   result in the breach of or a default under any of the Specified Agreements;

 

Ex. A- 2



 

(iii)                                violate any federal or New York statute, rule or regulation applicable to the Ventas Entities, or the DGCL or the DRULPA, as applicable; or

 

(iv)                               require any consents, approvals or authorizations to be obtained by the Ventas Entities from, or any registrations, declarations or filings to be made by the Ventas Entities with, any governmental authority under any federal or New York statute, rule or regulation applicable to the Ventas Entities, or the DGCL or the DRULPA, as applicable, on or prior to the date hereof that have not been obtained or made.

 

9.             The Registration Statement has become effective under the Act.  With your consent, based solely on our review of the stop orders listed on the Commission’s website at http://www.sec.gov/litigation/stoporders.shtml, no stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement has been issued under the Act and no proceedings therefor have been initiated by the Commission.  The Preliminary Prospectus has been filed in accordance with Rule 424(b) under the Act and the Prospectus has been filed in accordance with Rule 424(b) and 430B under the Act.

 

10.          The Registration Statement, at [ · ], 2018, including the information deemed to be a part thereof pursuant to Rule 430B under the Act, and the Prospectus, as of its date, each appeared on their face to be appropriately responsive in all material respects to the applicable form requirements for registration statements on Form S-3 under the Act and the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder; it being understood, however, that we express no view with respect to Regulation S-T, the financial statements, schedules or other financial data included or incorporated by reference in, or omitted from, the Registration Statement or the Prospectus or any Statement of Eligibility on Form T-1 filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement.  For purposes of this paragraph, we have assumed that the statements made in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus are correct and complete.

 

11.          Each of the Incorporated Documents, as of its filing or effective date, as applicable, appeared on its face to be appropriately responsive in all material respects to the applicable requirements for reports on Forms 10-K, 10-Q and 8-K and proxy statements under Regulation 14A, as the case may be, under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder; it being understood, however, that we express no view with respect to Regulation S-T or the financial statements, schedules or other financial data included or incorporated by reference in, or omitted from the Incorporated Documents.  For purposes of this paragraph, we have assumed that the statements made in the Incorporated Documents are correct and complete.

 

12.          The statements in the Preliminary Prospectus (together with the Specified IFWPs) and the Prospectus under the captions “[Description of Debt Securities]” and “[Description of Notes],” insofar as they purport to describe or summarize the terms of the Notes, the Guarantee[s] or the Indenture, are accurate descriptions or summaries in all material respects.

 

13.          Neither the Issuer nor the Parent Guarantor is, and, immediately after giving effect to the sale of the Notes in accordance with the Underwriting Agreement and the application of the proceeds as described in the Prospectus under the caption “Use of Proceeds,” neither of them will be, required to be registered as an “investment company” within the meaning of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.  With your consent, in rendering this opinion, we have relied as to factual matters solely on a certificate of an officer of the Issuer and the Parent Guarantor.

 



 

Exhibit A-3

 

FORM OF TAX OPINION OF THE VENTAS ENTITIES’ COUNSEL
TO BE DELIVERED PURSUANT TO
SECTION 5(d)(ii)

 

1.               Commencing with its taxable year ended December 31, 2013, the Parent Guarantor has been organized and has operated in conformity with the requirements for qualification and taxation as a real estate investment trust (a “ REIT ”) under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “ Code ”), and its proposed method of operation will enable it to continue to meet the requirements for qualification and taxation as a REIT under the Code; and

 

2.               The statements set forth in the Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus under the caption “Material United States Federal Income Tax Consequences,” and in Part I, Item 1 of the Form 10-K under the caption “Certain U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations,” insofar as such statements purport to constitute summaries of United States federal income tax law and regulations or legal conclusions with respect thereto, constitute accurate summaries of the matters described therein in all material respects.

 

Ex. A- 3



 

Exhibit A-4

 

FORM OF NEGATIVE ASSURANCE LETTER OF THE VENTAS ENTITIES’ COUNSEL
TO BE DELIVERED PURSUANT TO
SECTION 5(d)(iii)

 

Based on our participation, review and reliance as described above, we advise you that no facts came to our attention that caused us to believe that:

 

·                   the Registration Statement, at the time it became effective on [ · ], 2018, including the information deemed to be a part of the Registration Statement pursuant to Rule 430B under the Act (together with the Incorporated Documents at that time), contained an untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading;

 

·                   the Preliminary Prospectus, at [ · ] (Eastern Standard Time) on [ · ], 2018 (together with the Incorporated Documents at that time and the Specified IFWPs), contained an untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to state a material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; or

 

·                   the Prospectus, as of its date or as of the date hereof (together with the Incorporated Documents at those respective dates), contained or contains an untrue statement of a material fact or omitted or omits to state a material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading;

 

it being understood that we express no belief with respect to the financial statements, schedules or other financial data included or incorporated by reference in, or omitted from, the Registration Statement, the Preliminary Prospectus, the Specified IFWPs, the Prospectus or the Incorporated Documents, or with respect to any Statement of Eligibility on Form T-1 filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement.

 

Ex. A- 4


Exhibit 4.1

 

Ventas, Inc.,

 

Ventas Realty, Limited Partnership,

 

and each of the Guarantors named herein

 


 

INDENTURE

 

Dated as of February 23, 2018

 

Senior Debt Securities

 


 

U.S. Bank National Association,

 

Trustee

 


 



 

CROSS-REFERENCE TABLE*

 

Trust Indenture Act Section

 

Indenture Section

310(a)(1)

 

7.10

(a)(2)

 

7.10

(a)(3)

 

N.A.

(a)(4)

 

N.A.

(a)(5)

 

7.10

(b)

 

7.10

(c)

 

N.A.

311(a)

 

7.11

(b)

 

7.11

(c)

 

N.A.

312(a)

 

2.06

(b)

 

13.03

(c)

 

13.03

313(a)

 

2.06, 7.06

(b)(2)

 

7.06; 7.07

(c)

 

4.03, 7.06; 13.02

(d)

 

7.06

314(a)(4)

 

13.05

(c)(1)

 

N.A.

(c)(2)

 

N.A.

(c)(3)

 

N.A.

(e)

 

13.05

(f)

 

N.A.

315(a)

 

2.03

(b)

 

2.03

(c)

 

2.03

(d)

 

2.03

(e)

 

N.A.

316(a) (last sentence)

 

N.A.

(a)(1)(A)

 

N.A.

(a)(1)(B)

 

N.A.

(a)(2)

 

N.A.

(b)

 

N.A.

(c)

 

13.16

317(a)(1)

 

N.A.

(a)(2)

 

N.A.

(b)

 

N.A.

318(a)

 

N.A.

(b)

 

N.A.

(c)

 

13.01

 


N.A. means not applicable.

 

* This Cross Reference Table is not, for any purpose, part of the Indenture.

 



 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

 

 

Page

 

 

 

ARTICLE 1 DEFINITIONS AND INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

5

 

 

 

Section 1.01

Definitions

5

Section 1.02

Other Definitions

13

Section 1.03

Incorporation by Reference of Trust Indenture Act

13

Section 1.04

Rules of Construction

14

 

 

 

ARTICLE 2 THE SECURITIES

14

 

 

 

Section 2.01

Form, Dating and Denominations

14

Section 2.02

Amount Unlimited; Issuable in Series

15

Section 2.03

Execution and Authentication

18

Section 2.04

Registrar and Paying Agent

19

Section 2.05

Paying Agent to Hold Money in Trust

19

Section 2.06

Holder Lists

20

Section 2.07

Transfer and Exchange

20

Section 2.08

Replacement Securities

24

Section 2.09

Outstanding Securities

25

Section 2.10

Treasury Securities

26

Section 2.11

Temporary Securities

26

Section 2.12

Cancellation

26

Section 2.13

Defaulted Interest

27

 

 

 

ARTICLE 3 REDEMPTION AND PREPAYMENT

27

 

 

 

Section 3.01

Applicability of Article

27

Section 3.02

Notices to Trustee

27

Section 3.03

Selection of Securities to Be Redeemed

27

Section 3.04

Notice of Redemption

28

Section 3.05

Effect of Notice of Redemption

29

Section 3.06

Deposit of Redemption or Purchase Price

29

Section 3.07

Securities Redeemed or Purchased in Part

30

Section 3.08

Conversion Arrangement on Call for Redemption

30

 

 

 

ARTICLE 4 COVENANTS

31

 

 

 

Section 4.01

Payment of Securities

31

Section 4.02

Maintenance of Office or Agency

31

Section 4.03

Reports

32

Section 4.04

Compliance Certificate

33

Section 4.05

Additional Amounts

33

Section 4.06

Entity Existence

34

 

 

 

ARTICLE 5 SUCCESSORS

34

 

 

 

Section 5.01

Merger, Consolidation or Sale of Assets

34

Section 5.02

Successor Substituted

35

 

2



 

Section 5.03

Assumption by the Guarantor

36

Section 5.04

Termination of the Guarantee

36

 

 

 

ARTICLE 6 DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES

36

 

 

 

Section 6.01

Events of Default

36

Section 6.02

Acceleration

38

Section 6.03

Other Remedies

38

Section 6.04

Waiver of Past Defaults

38

Section 6.05

Control by Majority

39

Section 6.06

Limitation on Suits

39

Section 6.07

Rights of Holders of Securities to Receive Payment

39

Section 6.08

Collection Suit by Trustee

40

Section 6.09

Trustee May File Proofs of Claim

40

Section 6.10

Priorities

40

Section 6.11

Undertaking for Costs

41

 

 

 

ARTICLE 7 TRUSTEE

41

 

 

 

Section 7.01

Duties of Trustee

41

Section 7.02

Rights of Trustee

42

Section 7.03

Individual Rights of Trustee

43

Section 7.04

Trustee’s Disclaimer

43

Section 7.05

Notice of Defaults

43

Section 7.06

Reports by Trustee to Holders of the Securities

43

Section 7.07

Compensation and Indemnity

44

Section 7.08

Replacement of Trustee

45

Section 7.09

Successor Trustee by Merger, etc.

46

Section 7.10

Eligibility; Disqualification

47

Section 7.11

Preferential Collection of Claims Against Issuer

47

 

 

 

ARTICLE 8 LEGAL DEFEASANCE AND COVENANT DEFEASANCE

47

 

 

 

Section 8.01

Applicability of Article; Option to Effect Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance

47

Section 8.02

Legal Defeasance and Discharge

47

Section 8.03

Covenant Defeasance

48

Section 8.04

Conditions to Legal or Covenant Defeasance

48

Section 8.05

Deposited Money and Government Securities to be Held in Trust; Other Miscellaneous Provisions

50

Section 8.06

Repayment to Issuer

50

Section 8.07

Reinstatement

51

 

 

 

ARTICLE 9 AMENDMENT, SUPPLEMENT AND WAIVER

52

 

 

 

Section 9.01

Without Consent of Holders of Securities

52

Section 9.02

With Consent of Holders of Securities

53

Section 9.03

Compliance with Trust Indenture Act

55

Section 9.04

Revocation and Effect of Consents

55

Section 9.05

Notation on or Exchange of Securities

55

Section 9.06

Trustee to Sign Amendments, etc.

55

 

3



 

ARTICLE 10 SECURITIES GUARANTEES

56

 

 

 

Section 10.01

Applicability of Article; Securities Guarantee

56

Section 10.02

Limitation on Guarantor Liability

57

Section 10.03

Execution and Delivery of Securities Guarantee

58

Section 10.04

Guarantors May Consolidate, etc., on Certain Terms

58

 

 

 

ARTICLE 11 SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE

59

 

 

 

Section 11.01

Satisfaction and Discharge

59

Section 11.02

Application of Trust Money

60

 

 

 

ARTICLE 12 CONVERSION OF SECURITIES

61

 

 

 

Section 12.01

Applicability of Article

61

Section 12.02

Right of Holders to Convert Securities into Common Stock

61

Section 12.03

Issuance of Shares of Common Stock on Conversions

62

Section 12.04

No Payment or Adjustment for Interest or Dividends

62

Section 12.05

Adjustment of Conversion Price

63

Section 12.06

No Fractional Shares to be Issued

66

Section 12.07

Preservation of Conversion Rights Upon Consolidation, Merger, Sale or Conveyance

66

Section 12.08

Notice to Holders of the Securities of a Series Prior to Taking Certain Types of Action

67

Section 12.09

Covenants to Reserve Shares for Issuance on Conversion of Securities

68

Section 12.10

Compliance with Governmental Requirements

68

Section 12.11

Payment of Taxes upon Certificates for Shares Issued upon Conversion

68

Section 12.12

Trustee’s Duties with Respect to Conversion Provisions

69

 

 

 

ARTICLE 13 MISCELLANEOUS

69

 

 

 

Section 13.01

Trust Indenture Act Controls

69

Section 13.02

Notices

69

Section 13.03

Communication by Holders of Securities with Other Holders of Securities

70

Section 13.04

Certificate and Opinion as to Conditions Precedent

70

Section 13.05

Statements Required in Certificate or Opinion

71

Section 13.06

Rules by Trustee and Agents

71

Section 13.07

No Personal Liability of Directors, Officers, Employees and Stockholders

71

Section 13.08

Governing Law

71

Section 13.09

No Adverse Interpretation of Other Agreements

72

Section 13.10

Successors

72

Section 13.11

Severability

72

Section 13.12

Counterpart Originals

72

Section 13.13

Table of Contents, Headings, etc.

72

Section 13.14

Benefits of Indenture

72

Section 13.15

Legal Holidays

72

Section 13.16

Acts of Holders

73

 

4



 

INDENTURE dated as of February 23, 2018 among Ventas, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “ Company ”), Ventas Realty, Limited Partnership, a Delaware limited partnership (the “ Partnership ”), the Guarantors (as defined herein) party hereto from time to time and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee (the “ Trustee ”).

 

The Company, as a sole issuer, or the Partnership, as a sole issuer (as applicable, the “ Issuer ”), deems it necessary to issue from time to time for its lawful purposes senior debt securities (the “ Securities ”) evidencing its unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness, and has duly authorized the execution and delivery of this Indenture to provide for the issuance from time to time of the Securities, unlimited as to principal amount, to bear interest at such rate or pursuant to such formula, to mature at such times and to have such other provisions, including the benefit of guarantees, as shall be fixed as hereinafter provided.

 

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

 

ARTICLE 1

 

DEFINITIONS AND INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

 

Section 1.01                             Definitions .

 

Additional Amounts means, when used with respect to a Security of a series issued with the benefits provided by Section 4.05 , as specified as contemplated by Section 2.02 , all additional interest then owing pursuant to said Section 4.05 and the Board Resolution or indenture supplemental hereto under which such Security shall be issued.

 

Affiliate ” of any specified Person means any other Person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with such specified Person.  For purposes of this definition, “control,” as used with respect to any Person, means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management or policies of such Person, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by agreement or otherwise.  For purposes of this definition, the terms “controlling,” “controlled by” and “under common control with” have correlative meanings.

 

Agent ” means any Registrar, co-registrar, Paying Agent or additional paying agent.

 

Applicable Procedures ” means, with respect to any transfer or exchange of or for beneficial interests in any Global Security, the rules and procedures of the Depositary, Euroclear and Clearstream that apply to such transfer or exchange.

 

Authorized Newspaper ” means a newspaper, printed in the English language or in an official language of the country of publication, customarily published on each Business Day, whether or not published on Saturdays, Sundays or holidays, and of general circulation in each place in connection with which the term is used or in the financial community of each such

 

5



 

place.  Whenever successive publications are required to be made in Authorized Newspapers, the successive publications may be made in the same or in different Authorized Newspapers in the same city meeting the foregoing requirements and in each case on any Business Day.

 

Bankruptcy Law ” means Title 11, U.S. Code or any similar federal or state law for the relief of debtors.

 

Board of Directors ” means:

 

(1)            with respect to a corporation, the Board of Directors of the corporation;

 

(2)            with respect to a partnership, the Board of Directors of the general partner of the partnership or the board or committee of the general partner of the partnership serving a similar function; and

 

(3)            with respect to any other Person, the board or committee of such Person serving a similar function.

 

Board Resolutions ” means a copy of resolutions certified by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Company or the general partner of the Partnership, as applicable, to have been duly adopted by the Board of Directors and to be in full force and effect on the date of such certification, and delivered to the Trustee.

 

Business Day ” means, when used with respect to any Place of Payment or any other particular location referred to in this Indenture or in the Securities, unless otherwise specified with respect to any Securities as contemplated by Section 2.02 , any day, other than a Saturday or Sunday, that is neither a legal holiday nor a day on which banking institutions in that Place of Payment or particular location are authorized or required by law, regulation or executive order to close.

 

Capital Stock ” means, with respect to any entity, any capital stock (including preferred stock), shares, interests, or participation or other ownership interests (however designated) of such entity and any rights (other than debt securities convertible into or exchangeable for capital stock), warrants or options to purchase any thereof; provided , however , that leases of real property that provide for contingent rent based on the financial performance of the tenant shall not be deemed to be Capital Stock.

 

Capitalized Lease Obligation ” means, at the time any determination is to be made, the amount of the liability in respect of a capital lease that would at that time be required to be capitalized on a balance sheet in accordance with GAAP.

 

Clearstream ” means Clearstream Banking, S.A., or its successor.

 

Commission ” means the Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

Common Stock ” means the common stock, $0.25 par value, of the Company.

 

Company ” has the meaning stated in the preamble to this Indenture.

 

6



 

Contingent Liabilities of the Company and Subsidiaries ” means, as of any date, those liabilities of the Company and its Subsidiaries consisting of (without duplication) indebtedness for borrowed money, as determined in accordance with GAAP, that are or would be stated and quantified as contingent liabilities in the notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements of the Company as of the date of determination.

 

Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee ” will be at the address of the Trustee specified in Section 13.02 or such other address as to which the Trustee may give notice to the Issuer.

 

Custodian ” means the Trustee, as custodian with respect to the Securities in global form, or any successor entity thereto.

 

Debt ” means, as of any date (without duplication), (1) all indebtedness and liabilities for borrowed money, secured or unsecured, of the Company and its Subsidiaries, including mortgages and other notes payable, but excluding any indebtedness, including mortgages and other notes payable, which is secured by cash, cash equivalents or marketable securities or defeased (it being understood that cash collateral shall be deemed to include cash deposited with a trustee with respect to third-party indebtedness) and (2) all Contingent Liabilities of the Company and Subsidiaries, excluding in each of clauses (1) and (2) Intercompany Debt and all liabilities associated with customary exceptions to Non-Recourse Debt, such as for fraud, misapplication of funds, environmental indemnities, voluntary bankruptcy, collusive involuntary bankruptcy and other similar exceptions.

 

It is understood that Debt shall not include any redeemable equity interest in the Company.

 

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

 

Definitive Security ” means a certificated Security registered in the name of the Holder thereof and issued in accordance with Section 2.07 , substantially in the form established in one or more indentures supplemental hereto or pursuant to Board Resolutions in accordance with Section 2.02 except that such Security shall not bear the Global Security Legend and shall not have any related schedule of exchanges of interests in the global security attached thereto.

 

Depositary ” means, with respect to the Securities issuable or issued in whole or in part in global form, the Person specified in Section 2.04 as the Depositary with respect to the Securities, and any and all successors thereto appointed as the Depositary hereunder and having become such pursuant to the applicable provision of this Indenture.

 

Disqualified Stock ,” when used with respect to Securities of any series, shall have the meaning given to such term in the Board Resolution or indenture supplemental hereto under which such Securities shall be issued.

 

Equity Interests ” means Capital Stock and all warrants, options or other rights to acquire Capital Stock (but excluding any debt security that is convertible into, or exchangeable for, Capital Stock).

 

7



 

Euroclear ” means Euroclear Bank S.A./N.V., as operator of the Euroclear system, or its successor.

 

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

 

Fair Market Value ” means, with respect to any asset, the price (after taking into account any liabilities relating to such assets) which could be negotiated in an arm’s-length free market transaction between a willing seller and a willing buyer, neither of which is under pressure or compulsion to complete the transaction.  Fair Market Value shall be determined by the Board of Directors of the Company in good faith.

 

Foreign Currency ” means any currency, currency unit or composite currency issued by the government of one or more countries other than the United States of America or by any recognized confederation or association of such governments.

 

GAAP ” means generally accepted accounting principles in the United States, consistently applied, as in effect from time to time.

 

Global Security ” means a permanent global Security substantially in the form of established by one or more indentures supplemental hereto or pursuant to Board Resolutions in accordance with Section 2.02 that bears the Global Security Legend and that has a schedule of exchanges of interests in the Global Security attached thereto, and that is deposited with or on behalf of and registered in the name of the Depositary.

 

Global Security Legend ” means the legend set forth in Section 2.07(f) , which is required to be placed on all Global Securities issued under this Indenture.

 

Government Obligations ” means securities which are (1) direct obligations of the United States of America or the government which issued the Foreign Currency in which the Securities of a particular series are payable, for the payment of which its full faith and credit is pledged or (2) obligations of a Person controlled or supervised by and acting as an agency or instrumentality of the United States of America or such government which issued the Foreign Currency in which the Securities of that series are payable, the payment of which is unconditionally guaranteed as a full faith and credit obligation by the United States of America or such other government, which, in either case, are not callable or redeemable at the option of the issuer thereof, and shall also include a depository receipt issued by a bank or trust company as custodian with respect to any such Government Obligation or a specific payment of interest on or principal of any such Government Obligation held by such custodian for the account of the holder of a depository receipt, provided that (except as required by law) such custodian is not authorized to make any deduction from the amount payable to the holder of such depository receipt from any amount received by the custodian in respect of the Government Obligation or the specific payment of interest on or principal of the Government Obligation evidenced by such depository receipt.

 

Guarantee ” means a guarantee other than by endorsement of negotiable instruments for collection in the ordinary course of business, direct or indirect, in any manner including, without limitation, by way of a pledge of assets or through letters of credit or reimbursement agreements in respect thereof, of all or any part of any Debt.

 

8



 

Guarantors ” means, when used with respect to a Security of a series issued with the benefit of Securities Guarantees as specified as contemplated by Section 2.02 , (1) each of the Persons listed on Schedule I hereto that becomes a guarantor of such Security in compliance with the provisions of Section 10.03 , (2) each Person executing an indenture supplemental hereto after the date hereof in which such Person agrees to be bound by the terms of this Indenture and (3) in each case, their respective successors and assigns; provided , however , that any Person constituting a Guarantor as described herein shall cease to constitute a Guarantor when its Securities Guarantee is released in accordance with the terms of this Indenture.

 

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

 

Incur ” means, with respect to any Debt or other obligation of any Person, to create, assume, guarantee or otherwise become liable in respect of such Debt or other obligation.  For purposes of this definition, the terms “Incurrence” and “Incurred” have correlative meanings.

 

Indenture ” means this Indenture, as amended or supplemented from time to time by one or more indentures supplemental hereto entered into pursuant to the applicable provisions hereof, and shall include the terms of particular series of Securities established as contemplated by Section 2.02 ; provided, however , that, if at any time more than one Person is acting as Trustee under this instrument, “Indenture,” as used with respect to any one or more series of Securities for which such Person is Trustee, means this Indenture, as amended or supplemented from time to time by one or more indentures supplemental hereto entered into pursuant to the applicable provisions hereof, and shall include the terms of such one or more series of Securities for which such Person is Trustee established as contemplated by Section 2.02 , exclusive, however, of any provisions or terms which relate solely to other series of Securities for which such Person is Trustee, regardless of when such terms or provisions were adopted, and exclusive of any provisions or terms adopted by means of one or more indentures supplemental hereto executed and delivered after such Person had become such Trustee but to which such Person, as such Trustee, was not a party.

 

Indexed Security ” means a Security the terms of which provide that the principal amount thereof payable at maturity may be more or less than the principal face amount thereof at original issuance.

 

Indirect Participant ” means a Person who holds a beneficial interest in a Global Security through a Participant.

 

Intercompany Debt ” means, as of any date, Debt to which the only parties are the Company and any of its Subsidiaries as of such date; provided , however, that with respect to any such Debt of which the Issuer or the Guarantor is the borrower, such Debt is subordinate in right of payment to the Securities of any series.

 

interest ” means, when used with respect to an Original Issue Discount Security which by its terms bears interest only after maturity, interest payable after maturity, and, when used with respect to a Security which provides for the payment of Additional Amounts, includes such Additional Amounts.

 

Interest Payment Date ” has the meaning set forth in the Securities.

 

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Issuer ” means, when used with respect to Securities of any series, either (1) the Company or (2) the Partnership, and in each case any and all respective successors thereto, as applicable.

 

Lien ” means (without duplication) any lien, mortgage, trust deed, deed of trust, deed to secure debt, pledge, security interest, assignment for collateral purposes, deposit arrangement or other security agreement, excluding any right of setoff but including, without limitation, any conditional sale or other title retention agreement, any financing lease having substantially the same economic effect as any of the foregoing and any other like agreement granting or conveying a security interest; provided , that for purposes hereof, “Lien” shall not include any mortgage that has been defeased by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries in accordance with the provisions thereof through the deposit of cash, cash equivalents or marketable securities (it being understood that cash collateral shall be deemed to include cash deposited with a trustee with respect to third-party indebtedness).

 

NASDAQ ” means the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. Automated Quotations System.

 

Non-Recourse Debt ” means Debt:

 

(1)           as to which neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries (a) provides credit support of any kind (including any undertaking, agreement or instrument that would constitute Debt), other than pursuant to Standard Securitization Undertakings, (b) is directly or indirectly liable as a guarantor or otherwise, other than pursuant to Standard Securitization Undertakings or (c) constitutes the lender;

 

(2)            no default with respect to which (including any rights that the holders of the Debt may have to take enforcement action against a Subsidiary) would permit upon notice, lapse of time or both any holder of any other Debt (other than the Securities) of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries to declare a default on such other Debt or cause the payment of the Debt to be accelerated or payable prior to its stated maturity; and

 

(3)            as to which the lenders have been notified in writing that they will not have any recourse to the stock or assets of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, other than pursuant to Standard Securitization Undertakings.

 

Officer ” means, with respect to any Person, the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, the President, the Chief Operating Officer, the Chief Financial Officer, the Chief Investment Officer, the Treasurer, any Assistant Treasurer, the Controller, the Secretary or any Vice-President of such Person.

 

Officers’ Certificate ” means a certificate signed on behalf of the Issuer by two Officers of the Issuer, one of whom must be the principal executive officer, the principal financial officer, the principal investment officer, the treasurer or the principal accounting officer of the Issuer or a general partner of the Issuer, that meets the requirements of Section 2.03 , 8.04 or 13.05 , as applicable.

 

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Opinion of Counsel ” means an opinion from legal counsel, who is reasonably acceptable to the Trustee, that meets the requirements of Section 2.03 , 8.04 or 13.05 , as applicable.  The counsel may be an employee of or counsel to the Trustee or the Company, the Partnership or any of their respective Subsidiaries.

 

Original Issue Discount Security ” means any security which provides for an amount less than the principal amount thereof to be due and payable upon a declaration of acceleration of the maturity thereof pursuant to Section 6.02 .

 

Outstanding ,” when used with respect to Securities of a series, shall have the meaning ascribed thereto in Section 2.09 .

 

Participant ” means, with respect to the Depositary, Euroclear or Clearstream, a Person who has an account with the Depositary, Euroclear or Clearstream, respectively (and, with respect to DTC, shall include Euroclear and Clearstream).

 

Partnership ” has the meaning stated in the preamble to this Indenture.

 

Person ” means any individual, corporation, partnership, joint venture, association, joint-stock company, trust, unincorporated organization, limited liability company, or government or other entity.

 

Place of Payment ” means, when used with respect to the Securities of or within any series, the place or places where the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on such Securities are payable as specified as contemplated by Section 2.02 .

 

Qualified CMBS Transaction ” means any transaction or series of transactions entered into by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries pursuant to which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries sells, conveys or otherwise transfers to a Subsidiary, or grants a security interest in, any Real Estate Assets or mortgage receivables (whether now existing or arising in the future) of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, and any assets related thereto including, without limitation, all collateral securing such Real Estate Assets or mortgage receivables, all contracts and all guarantees or other obligations in respect of such Real Estate Assets or mortgage receivables, proceeds of such Real Estate Assets or mortgage receivables and other assets which are customarily transferred or in respect of which security interests are customarily granted in connection with asset securitization transactions involving Real Estate Assets or mortgage receivables.

 

Real Estate Assets ” means, with respect to any Person as of any date, the real estate assets of such Person and its Subsidiaries on such date, on a consolidated basis determined in accordance with GAAP.

 

Record Date ” has the meaning set forth in the Securities.

 

Responsible Officer, ” when used with respect to the Trustee, means any officer within the Corporate Trust Administration of the Trustee (or any successor group of the Trustee) or any other officer of the Trustee customarily performing functions similar to those performed by any of the above designated officers and also means, with respect to a particular corporate trust

 

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matter, any other officer to whom such matter is referred because of his knowledge of and familiarity with the particular subject.

 

Securities Act ” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

 

Securities Guarantee ” means the Guarantee by each Guarantor of the Issuer’s payment obligations under this Indenture and the Securities, executed pursuant to the provisions of this Indenture.

 

Security ” has the meaning stated in the preamble to this Indenture and, more particularly, means any Security or Securities authenticated and delivered under this Indenture; provided, however , that if at any time there is more than one Person acting as Trustee under this Indenture, “ Securities ” with respect to this Indenture as to which such Person is Trustee shall have the meaning stated in the preamble to this Indenture and shall more particularly mean Securities authenticated and delivered under this Indenture, exclusive, however, of Securities of any series as to which such Person is not Trustee.

 

Significant Subsidiary ” means any Subsidiary that is a “significant subsidiary,” if any, of the Company, as such term is defined in Regulation S-X under the Securities Act.

 

Standard Securitization Undertakings ” means representations, warranties, covenants and indemnities entered into by the Company or any Subsidiary thereof which are reasonably customary in Qualified CMBS Transactions by the parent or sponsoring entity.

 

Subsidiary ” means, for any Person, any corporation or other entity of which a majority of the Voting Stock is owned, directly or indirectly, by such Person or one or more other Subsidiaries of such Person.

 

TIA ” means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 (15 U.S.C. §§ 77aaa-77bbbb), as amended, as in effect on the date on which this Indenture is qualified under the TIA; provided , however , that in the event the Trust Indenture Act is amended after such date, “TIA” means, to the extent required by any such amendment, the Trust Indenture Act as so amended.

 

Trading Day ,” with respect to the Common Stock, means (1) if the Common Stock is listed or admitted for trading on the New York Stock Exchange or another national securities exchange, a day on which the New York Stock Exchange or such other national securities exchange is open for business, (2) if the Common Stock is quoted on the National Market System of NASDAQ, a day on which trades may be made on such National Market System or (3) otherwise, any day other than a Saturday or Sunday or a day on which banking institutions in the State of New York are authorized or obligated by law or executive order to close.

 

Trustee ” means the Person named as the “ Trustee ” in the preamble to this Indenture until a successor Trustee shall have become such pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Indenture, and thereafter “ Trustee ” shall mean or include each Person who is then a Trustee hereunder; provided , however , that if at any time there is more than one such Person, “ Trustee ” as used with respect to the Securities of any series shall mean only the Trustee with respect to Securities of that series.

 

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Voting Stock ” of any Person as of any date means the Capital Stock of such Person that is at the time entitled to vote in the election of the Board of Directors of such Person.

 

Section 1.02                             Other Definitions .

 

Term

 

Defined in
Section

 

 

 

Authentication Order

 

2.03

 

 

 

Covenant Defeasance

 

8.03

 

 

 

DTC

 

2.04

 

 

 

Event of Default

 

6.01

 

 

 

Legal Defeasance

 

8.02

 

 

 

Paying Agent

 

2.04

 

 

 

Registrar

 

2.04

 

 

 

Special Securities

 

12.05(c)

 

Section 1.03                             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.

 

The following TIA terms used in this Indenture have the following meanings:

 

indenture securities ” means the Securities;

 

indenture security holder ” means a Holder of a Security;

 

indenture to be qualified ” means this Indenture;

 

indenture trustee ” or “ institutional trustee ” means the Trustee; and

 

obligor ” on the Securities and the Securities Guarantees means the Issuer and the Guarantors, respectively, and any successor obligor upon the Securities and the Securities Guarantees, respectively.

 

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

 

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Section 1.04                             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 GAAP;

 

(c)            the term “or” is not exclusive;

 

(d)            terms in the singular include the plural, and terms in the plural include the singular;

 

(e)            the term “will” shall be interpreted to express a command;

 

(f)             provisions shall apply to successive events and transactions; and

 

(g)            references to sections of or rules under the Securities Act will be deemed to include substitute, replacement of successor sections or rules adopted by the Commission from time to time.

 

ARTICLE 2

 

THE SECURITIES

 

Section 2.01                             Form, Dating and Denominations .

 

(a)            General.  The Securities of each series will be substantially in such forms as shall be established in one or more indentures supplemental hereto or approved from time to time by or pursuant to Board Resolutions in accordance with Section 2.02 , shall have such appropriate insertions, omissions, substitutions and other variations as are required or permitted by this Indenture or any indenture supplemental hereto, and may have such letters, numbers or other marks of identification or designation and such legends or endorsements placed thereon as the Issuer may deem appropriate and as are consistent with the provisions of this Indenture, or as may be required to comply with any law or with any rule or regulation made pursuant thereto or with any rule or regulation of any stock exchange on which the Securities may be listed, or to conform to usage.  Each Security will be dated the date of its authentication.  Except as specified as contemplated by Section 2.02 in respect of Securities of any series, the Securities shall be in denominations of $1,000 and integral multiples thereof.

 

The terms and provisions contained in the Securities will constitute, and are hereby expressly made, a part of this Indenture, and the Issuer, the Guarantors and the Trustee, by their execution and delivery of this Indenture, expressly agree to such terms and provisions and to be bound thereby.  However, to the extent any provision of any Security conflicts with the express provisions of this Indenture, the provisions of this Indenture shall govern and be controlling.

 

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(b)            Form of Trustee’s Certificate of Authentication.  Subject to Section 2.03 , the Trustee’s certificate of authentication shall be in substantially the following form:

 

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

 

U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,
as Trustee

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Authorized Signatory

 

(c)            Global Securities.  If Securities of or within a series are issued in global form, as specified as contemplated by Section 2.02 , then, notwithstanding the provisions of Section 2.01(a)  and clause (15) of Section 2.02 , any such Security shall represent such of the Outstanding Securities of that series as shall be specified therein and shall include the Global Security Legend and a related schedule of exchanges of interests in the Global Securities attached thereto.  Securities issued in definitive form will not include such legend or schedule.  Each Global Security may provide that it shall represent the Outstanding Securities as will be specified therein and each Global Security shall provide that it represents the aggregate principal amount of Outstanding Securities from time to time endorsed thereon and that the aggregate principal amount of Outstanding Securities represented thereby may from time to time be reduced or increased, as appropriate, to reflect exchanges and redemptions.  Any endorsement of a Global Security to reflect the amount of any increase or decrease in the aggregate principal amount of Outstanding Securities represented thereby will be made by the Trustee or the Custodian, at the direction of the Trustee, in accordance with instructions given by the Holder thereof as required by Section 2.07 .

 

Section 2.02                             Amount Unlimited; Issuable in Series .

 

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

 

The Securities may be issued in one or more series.  There shall be established in one or more Board Resolutions or pursuant to authority granted by one or more Board Resolutions and, subject to Section 2.03 , set forth, or determined in the manner provided, in an Officers’ Certificate, or established in one or more indentures supplemental hereto, prior to the issuance of Securities of any series, any or all of the following, as applicable (each of which (except for the matters set forth in clauses (1), (2), (3) and (14) below), if so provided, may be determined from time to time by the Issuer with respect to unissued Securities of the series when issued from time to time):

 

(1)            the identity of the Issuer and Guarantors, if any, of the Securities of the series and the terms and conditions, if any, in addition to those provided in Article 10 upon which such Guarantors may be released;

 

(2)            the title of the Securities of the series (which shall distinguish the Securities of the series from all other series of Securities);

 

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(3)            any limit upon the aggregate principal amount of the Securities of the series that may be authenticated and delivered under this Indenture (except for Securities authenticated and delivered upon registration of transfer of, or in exchange for, or in lieu of, other Securities of the series pursuant to Section 2.07 , 2.08 , 2.11 , 3.07 or 9.05 );

 

(4)            the date or dates, or the method by which such date or dates will be determined or extended, on which the principal of the Securities of the series shall be payable;

 

(5)            the rate or rates at which the Securities of the series shall bear interest, if any, or the method by which such rate or rates shall be determined, the date or dates from which such interest shall accrue or the method by which such date or dates shall be determined, the interest payment dates on which such interest will be payable, and the basis upon which interest shall be calculated if other than that of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months;

 

(6)            the place or places, if any, other than or in addition to the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, where the principal of (and premium, if any), interest, if any, on, and Additional Amounts, if any, payable in respect of, Securities of the series shall be payable, Securities of the series may be surrendered for registration of transfer, Securities of the series may be surrendered for exchange or conversion and notices or demands to or upon the Issuer in respect of the Securities of the series and this Indenture may be served;

 

(7)            if applicable, the period or periods within which, the price or prices at which, and other terms and conditions upon which Securities of the series may be redeemed, in whole or in part, at the option of the Issuer;

 

(8)            the obligation, if any, of the Issuer to redeem, repay or purchase Securities of the series pursuant to any sinking fund or analogous provision or at the option of a Holder thereof, and the period or periods within which or the date or dates on which, the price or prices at which, and other terms and conditions upon which Securities of the series shall be redeemed, repaid or purchased, in whole or in part, pursuant to such obligation;

 

(9)            if other than denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiple thereof, the denominations in which any Securities of the series shall be issuable;

 

(10)          the identity of the Trustee, if other than U.S. Bank National Association, and the identity of each Registrar and/or Paying Agent, if other than the Trustee;

 

(11)          if other than the principal amount thereof, the portion of the principal amount of Securities of the series that shall be payable upon declaration of acceleration of the maturity thereof pursuant to Section 6.02 or, if applicable, the portion of the principal amount of Securities of the series that is convertible in accordance with the provisions of this Indenture or the method by which such portion shall be determined;

 

(12)          whether the amount of payments of principal of (and premium, if any) or interest, if any, on the Securities of the series may be determined with reference to an index, formula or other method (which index, formula or method may be based, without limitation, on one or more currencies, currency units, composite currencies, commodities, equity indices or other indices), and the manner in which such amounts shall be determined;

 

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(13)          provisions, if any, granting special rights to the Holders of Securities of the series upon the occurrence of such events as may be specified;

 

(14)          any deletions from, modifications of or additions to the Events of Default or covenants of the Issuer with respect to Securities of the series, whether or not such Events of Default or covenants are consistent with the Events of Default or covenants set forth herein;

 

(15)          whether any Securities of the series are to be issuable initially in temporary global form and the date as of which any temporary global Security representing Outstanding Securities of the series shall be dated if other than the date of original issuance of the first Security of the series to be issued, and whether any Securities of the series are to be issuable in permanent global form and, if so, whether owners of beneficial interests in any such permanent global Security may exchange such interests for Definitive Securities of that series of like tenor of any authorized form and denomination or transfer such beneficial interest to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a Definitive Security and vice versa and if so, the circumstances under which any such exchange or transfer may occur, if other than in the manner provided in Section 2.07 and the identity of the Depositary;

 

(16)          the Person to whom any interest on any Security of the series shall be payable, if other than the Person in whose name such Security (or one or more predecessor Securities) is registered at the close of business on the Record Date for such interest and the extent to which, or the manner in which, any interest payable on a temporary global Security on an interest payment date will be paid;

 

(17)          the applicability, if any, of Sections 8.02 and/or 8.03 to the Securities of the series and any provisions in modification of, in addition to or in lieu of any of the provisions of Article 8 ;

 

(18)          if the Securities of the series are to be issuable in definitive form (whether upon original issue or upon exchange of a temporary Security of the series) only upon receipt of certain certificates or other documents or satisfaction of other conditions, then the form and/or terms of such certificates, documents or conditions;

 

(19)          if the Securities of the series are to be issued upon the exercise of warrants, the time, manner and place for such Securities to be authenticated and delivered;

 

(20)          whether and under what circumstances the Issuer will pay Additional Amounts as contemplated by Section 4.05 on the Securities of the series to any Holder who is not a United States person (including any modification to the definition of such term) in respect of any tax, assessment or governmental charge and, if so, whether the Issuer will have the option to redeem such Securities rather than pay such Additional Amounts (and the terms of any such option);

 

(21)          the obligation, if any, of the Company to permit the conversion of the Securities of the series into Common Stock, and the terms and conditions upon which such conversion shall be effected (including, without limitation, the initial conversion price or rate, the conversion period, any adjustment of the applicable conversion price, any requirements relative to reservation of shares for purposes of conversion and any other provision in addition to or in lieu

 

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of those set forth in this Indenture or any indenture supplemental hereto relative to such obligation);

 

(22)          if other than U.S. Dollars, the Foreign Currency in which payment of the principal of, premium, if any, interest and Additional Amounts, if any, on the Securities of the series shall be payable or in which such Securities shall be denominated and the particular provisions applicable thereto; and

 

(23)          any other terms of the Securities of the series (which terms shall not be inconsistent with the provisions of this Indenture).

 

All Securities of any one series shall be substantially identical except as to denomination and except as may otherwise be provided in or pursuant to such Board Resolution (subject to Section 2.03 ) and set forth in such Officers’ Certificate or in any such indenture supplemental hereto.  All Securities of any one series need not be issued at the same time and, unless otherwise provided, a series may be reopened, without the consent of the Holders, for issuances of additional Securities of such series.

 

If any of the terms of the Securities of any series are established by action taken pursuant to one or more Board Resolutions, a copy of an appropriate record of such action(s) shall be certified by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Issuer and delivered to the Trustee at or prior to the delivery of the Officers’ Certificate setting forth the terms of the Securities of such series.

 

Section 2.03                             Execution and Authentication .

 

Two Officers must sign the Securities of any series for the Issuer by manual or facsimile signature.

 

If an Officer whose signature is on a Security no longer holds that office at the time a Security is authenticated, the Security will nevertheless be valid.

 

A Security will not be valid until authenticated by the manual signature of the Trustee.  The signature will be conclusive evidence that the Security has been authenticated under this Indenture.

 

The Trustee will, upon receipt at any time or from time to time of a written order of the Issuer signed by two Officers (an “ Authentication Order ”), authenticate Securities of any series for original issue up to the aggregate principal amount set forth in such Authentication Order.  The Trustee may appoint an authenticating agent acceptable to the Issuer to authenticate Securities.  An authenticating agent may authenticate Securities whenever the Trustee may do so.  Each reference in this Indenture to authentication by the Trustee includes authentication by such agent.  An authenticating agent has the same rights as an Agent to deal with Holders or an Affiliate of the Issuer.

 

In authenticating Securities of any series, and accepting the additional responsibilities under this Indenture in relation to such Securities, the Trustee shall be entitled to receive and, subject to Sections 315(a) through 315(d) of the TIA, shall be fully protected in relying upon,

 

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(a)            an Opinion of Counsel stating that (i) the form or forms of such Securities have been established in conformity with the provisions of this Indenture, (ii) the terms of such Securities have been established in conformity with the provisions of this Indenture and (iii) such Securities, when completed by appropriate insertions and executed and delivered by the Issuer to the Trustee for authentication in accordance with this Indenture, authenticated and delivered by the Trustee in accordance with this Indenture and issued by the Issuer in the manner and subject to any conditions specified in such Opinion of Counsel, will constitute legal, valid and binding obligations of the Issuer, enforceable in accordance with their terms, subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization and other similar laws of general applicability relating to or affecting the enforcement of creditors’ rights, to general equitable principles and to such other qualifications as such counsel shall conclude do not materially affect the rights of Holders of such Securities; and

 

(b)            an Officers’ Certificate stating that all conditions precedent provided for in this Indenture relating to the issuance of such Securities have been complied with and that, to the best of the knowledge of the signers of such Certificate, no Event of Default with respect to any of the Securities shall have occurred and be continuing.

 

Section 2.04                             Registrar and Paying Agent .

 

The Issuer will maintain in each Place of Payment for Securities of any series an office or agency where such Securities may be presented for registration of transfer or for exchange (the “ Registrar ”) and an office or agency where such Securities may be presented for payment (the “ Paying Agent ”).  The Registrar will keep a register of the Securities of that series and of their transfer and exchange.  The Issuer may appoint one or more co-registrars and one or more additional paying agents.  The term “Registrar” includes any co-registrar and the term “Paying Agent” includes any additional paying agent.  The Issuer may change any Paying Agent or Registrar without notice to any Holder.  The Issuer will notify the Trustee in writing of the name and address of any Agent not a party to this Indenture.  If the Issuer fails to appoint or maintain another entity as Registrar or Paying Agent, the Trustee shall act as such.  The Issuer or any of its Subsidiaries may act as Paying Agent or Registrar.

 

The Issuer initially appoints The Depository Trust Company (“ DTC ”) to act as Depositary with respect to the Global Securities.

 

The Issuer initially appoints the Trustee to act as the Registrar, the Paying Agent and the Custodian with respect to the Global Securities.

 

Section 2.05                             Paying Agent to Hold Money in Trust .

 

The Issuer will require each Paying Agent for Securities of a series other than the Trustee to agree in writing that the Paying Agent will hold in trust for the benefit of Holders or the Trustee all money held by the Paying Agent for the payment of principal, premium, interest or Additional Amounts, if any, on the Securities of that series, and will notify the Trustee of any default by the Issuer in making any such payment.  While any such default continues, the Trustee may require a Paying Agent to pay all money held by it to the Trustee.  The Issuer at any time may require a Paying Agent to pay all money held by it to the Trustee.  Upon payment over to

 

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the Trustee, the Paying Agent (if not the Issuer or any of its Subsidiaries) will have no further liability for the money.  If the Issuer or any of its Subsidiaries acts as Paying Agent, it will segregate and hold in a separate trust fund for the benefit of the Holders all money held by it as Paying Agent.  Upon any bankruptcy or reorganization proceedings relating to the Issuer, the Trustee will serve as Paying Agent for the Securities.

 

Section 2.06                             Holder Lists .

 

The Trustee in respect of Securities of a series will preserve in as current a form as is reasonably practicable the most recent list available to it of the names and addresses of all Holders of Securities of that series and shall otherwise comply with Section 312(a) of the TIA.  If the Trustee is not the Registrar of such Securities, the Issuer will furnish to the Trustee at least seven Business Days before each Interest Payment Date, and at such other times as the Trustee may request in writing, a list in such form and as of such date as the Trustee may reasonably require of the names and addresses of the Holders of such Securities and the Issuer shall otherwise comply with Section 312(a) of the TIA.

 

Section 2.07                             Transfer and Exchange .

 

(a)            Transfer and Exchange of Global Securities .  A Global Security may not be transferred as a whole except by the Depositary to a nominee of the Depositary, by a nominee of the Depositary to the Depositary or to another nominee of the Depositary, or by the Depositary or any such nominee to a successor Depositary or a nominee of such successor Depositary.  All Global Securities will be exchanged by the Issuer for Definitive Securities if:

 

(1)            the Issuer delivers to the Trustee notice from the Depositary that it is unwilling or unable to continue to act as Depositary or that it is no longer a clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act and, in either case, a successor Depositary is not appointed by the Issuer within 120 days after the date of such notice from the Depositary; or

 

(2)            the Issuer in its sole discretion determines that the Global Securities (in whole but not in part) should be exchanged for Definitive Securities and delivers a written notice to such effect to the Trustee.

 

Upon the occurrence of either of the preceding events in subparagraph (1) or (2) above, Definitive Securities shall be issued in such names as the Depositary shall instruct the Trustee.  Global Securities also may be exchanged or replaced, in whole or in part, as provided in Sections 2.08 and 2.11 .  Every Security authenticated and delivered in exchange for, or in lieu of, a Global Security or any portion thereof, pursuant to this Section 2.07 or Section 2.08 or 2.11 , shall be authenticated and delivered in the form of, and shall be, a Global Security.  A Global Security may not be exchanged for another Security other than as provided in this Section 2.07(a) , provided, however , that beneficial interests in a Global Security may be transferred and exchanged as provided in Section 2.07(b)  or 2.07(c) .

 

(b)            Transfer and Exchange of Beneficial Interests in the Global Securities.  The transfer and exchange of beneficial interests in the Global Securities will be effected through the Depositary, in accordance with the provisions of this Indenture and the Applicable Procedures.  Transfers of beneficial interests in the Global Securities also require compliance with either

 

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Section 2.07(b)(1)  or 2.07(b)(2) , as applicable, as well as one or more of the other following paragraphs, as applicable:

 

(1)            Transfer of Beneficial Interests in the Same Global Security.  Beneficial interests in any Global Security may be transferred to Persons who take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in the same Global Security.  No written orders or instructions shall be required to be delivered to the Registrar to effect the transfers described in this Section 2.07(b)(1) .

 

(2)            All Other Transfers and Exchanges of Beneficial Interests in Global Securities.  In connection with all transfers and exchanges of beneficial interests that are not subject to Section 2.07(b)(1) , the transferor of such beneficial interest must deliver to the Registrar either:

 

(i)             both:

 

(A)           a written order from a Participant or an Indirect Participant given to the Depositary in accordance with the Applicable Procedures directing the Depositary to credit or cause to be credited a beneficial interest in another Global Security in an amount equal to the beneficial interest to be transferred or exchanged; and

 

(B)           instructions given in accordance with the Applicable Procedures containing information regarding the Participant account to be credited with such increase; or

 

(ii)            both:

 

(A)           a written order from a Participant or an Indirect Participant given to the Depositary in accordance with the Applicable Procedures directing the Depositary to cause to be issued a Definitive Security in an amount equal to the beneficial interest to be transferred or exchanged; and

 

(B)           instructions given by the Depositary to the Registrar containing information regarding the Person in whose name such Definitive Security shall be registered to effect the transfer or exchange referred to in (A) above.  Upon satisfaction of all of the requirements for transfer or exchange of beneficial interests in Global Securities contained in this Indenture and the Securities or otherwise applicable under the Securities Act, the Trustee shall adjust the principal amount of the relevant Global Security(s) pursuant to Section 2.07(g) .

 

(c)            Transfer or Exchange of Beneficial Interests for Definitive Securities.  If any holder of a beneficial interest in a Global Security is entitled to exchange such beneficial interest for a Definitive Security or to transfer such beneficial interest to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a Definitive Security of the same series and of like tenor and principal amount of authorized form and denomination, as specified as contemplated by clause (15) of Section 2.02 , then, upon satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 2.07(b)(2) , the Trustee will cause the aggregate principal amount of the applicable Global Security to be reduced

 

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accordingly pursuant to Section 2.07(g) , and the Issuer will execute and the Trustee will authenticate and deliver to the Person designated in the instructions a Definitive Security in the appropriate principal amount.  Any Definitive Security issued in exchange for a beneficial interest pursuant to this Section 2.07(c)  will be registered in such name or names and in such authorized denomination or denominations as the holder of such beneficial interest requests through instructions to the Registrar from or through the Depositary and the Participant or Indirect Participant.  The Trustee will deliver such Definitive Securities to the Persons in whose names such Securities are so registered.

 

(d)            Transfer and Exchange of Definitive Securities for Beneficial Interests.  If at any time a Holder of a Definitive Security is entitled to exchange such Security for a beneficial interest in a Global Security or transfer such Definitive Security to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in a Global Security of the same series and of like tenor and principal amount of authorized form and denomination, as specified as contemplated by clause (15) of Section 2.02 , then, upon receipt of a request for such an exchange or transfer, the Trustee will cancel the applicable Definitive Security and increase or cause to be increased the aggregate principal amount of one of the appropriate Global Securities.  If any such exchange or transfer from a Definitive Security to a beneficial interest is effected pursuant to this Section 2.07(d)  at a time when a Global Security has not yet been issued, the Issuer will issue and, upon receipt of an Authentication Order in accordance with Section 2.03 , the Trustee will authenticate one or more Global Securities in an aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of the Definitive Security proposed to be so exchanged or transferred.

 

(e)            Transfer and Exchange of Definitive Securities for Definitive Securities.  Upon request by a Holder of Definitive Securities and such Holder’s compliance with the provisions of this Section 2.07(e) , the Registrar will register the transfer of such Holder’s Definitive Securities to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of one or more Definitive Securities of the same series, of any authorized denominations and of like aggregate principal amount or the exchange of such Holder’s Definitive Securities for Definitive Securities of the same series, of any authorized denominations and of like aggregate principal amount.  Prior to such registration of transfer or exchange, the requesting Holder must present or surrender to the Registrar the Definitive Securities duly endorsed or accompanied by a written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the Registrar duly executed by such Holder or by its attorney, duly authorized in writing.  A Holder of Definitive Securities may transfer such Securities.  Upon receipt of a request to register such a transfer, the Registrar shall register the Definitive Securities pursuant to the instructions from the Holder thereof.

 

(f)             Global Security Legend.  The following legend will appear on the face of all Global Securities issued under this Indenture unless specifically stated otherwise in the applicable provisions of one or more indentures supplemental hereto or approved from time to time by or pursuant to Board Resolutions in accordance with Section 2.02 :

 

“THIS GLOBAL SECURITY IS HELD BY THE DEPOSITARY (AS DEFINED IN THE INDENTURE GOVERNING THIS SECURITY) OR ITS NOMINEE IN CUSTODY FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE BENEFICIAL OWNERS HEREOF, AND IS NOT TRANSFERABLE TO ANY PERSON UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES EXCEPT THAT (1) THE TRUSTEE MAY MAKE SUCH NOTATIONS HEREON AS MAY BE REQUIRED PURSUANT TO

 

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SECTION 2.07 OF THE INDENTURE, (2) THIS GLOBAL SECURITY MAY BE EXCHANGED IN WHOLE BUT NOT IN PART PURSUANT TO SECTION 2.07(a)  OF THE INDENTURE, (3) THIS GLOBAL SECURITY MAY BE DELIVERED TO THE TRUSTEE FOR CANCELLATION PURSUANT TO SECTION 2.12 OF THE INDENTURE AND (4) THIS GLOBAL SECURITY MAY BE TRANSFERRED TO A SUCCESSOR DEPOSITARY WITH THE PRIOR WRITTEN CONSENT OF THE ISSUER.

 

UNLESS AND UNTIL IT IS EXCHANGED IN WHOLE OR IN PART FOR SECURITIES IN DEFINITIVE FORM, THIS SECURITY MAY NOT BE TRANSFERRED EXCEPT AS A WHOLE BY THE DEPOSITARY TO A NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY OR BY A NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY TO THE DEPOSITARY OR ANOTHER NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY OR BY THE DEPOSITARY OR ANY SUCH NOMINEE TO A SUCCESSOR DEPOSITARY OR A NOMINEE OF SUCH SUCCESSOR DEPOSITARY.  UNLESS THIS CERTIFICATE IS PRESENTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY (55 WATER STREET, NEW YORK, NEW YORK) (“ DTC ”), TO THE ISSUER OR ITS AGENT FOR REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER, EXCHANGE OR PAYMENT, AND ANY CERTIFICATE ISSUED IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF CEDE & CO. OR SUCH OTHER NAME AS MAY BE REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC (AND ANY PAYMENT IS MADE TO CEDE & CO. OR SUCH OTHER ENTITY AS MAY BE REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC), ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR OTHERWISE BY OR TO ANY PERSON IS WRONGFUL INASMUCH AS THE REGISTERED OWNER HEREOF, CEDE & CO., HAS AN INTEREST HEREIN.”

 

(g)            Cancellation and/or Adjustment of Global Securities.  At such time as all beneficial interests in a particular Global Security have been exchanged for Definitive Securities or a particular Global Security has been redeemed, repurchased or canceled in whole and not in part, each such Global Security will be returned to or retained and canceled by the Trustee in accordance with Section 2.12 .  At any time prior to such cancellation, if any beneficial interest in a Global Security is exchanged for or transferred to a Person who will take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in another Global Security or for Definitive Securities, the principal amount of Securities represented by such Global Security will be reduced accordingly and an endorsement will be made on such Global Security by the Trustee or by the Depositary at the direction of the Trustee to reflect such reduction; and if the beneficial interest is being exchanged for or transferred to a Person who will take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in another Global Security, such other Global Security will be increased accordingly and an endorsement will be made on such Global Security by the Trustee or by the Depositary at the direction of the Trustee to reflect such increase.

 

(h)            General Provisions Relating to Transfers and Exchanges.

 

(1)            To permit registrations of transfers and exchanges, the Issuer will execute and the Trustee will authenticate Global Securities and Definitive Securities upon receipt of an Authentication Order in accordance with Section 2.03 or at the Registrar’s request.

 

(2)            No service charge will be made to a Holder of a Global Security or to a Holder of a Definitive Security for any registration of transfer or exchange, but the Issuer may require

 

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payment of a sum sufficient to cover any transfer tax or similar governmental charge payable in connection therewith (other than any such transfer taxes or similar governmental charge payable upon exchange or transfer pursuant to Sections 2.11 , 3.07 and 9.05 ).  The Registrar will not be required to register the transfer of or exchange any Security selected for redemption in whole or in part, except the unredeemed portion of any Security being redeemed in part.

 

(3)            All Global Securities and Definitive Securities issued upon any registration of transfer or exchange of Global Securities or Definitive Securities will be the valid obligations of the Issuer, evidencing the same debt, and entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture, as the Global Securities or Definitive Securities surrendered upon such registration of transfer or exchange.

 

(4)            The Issuer will not be required:

 

(i)             to issue, to register the transfer of or to exchange any Securities during a period beginning at the opening of business 15 days before the day of any selection of Securities for redemption under Section 3.03 and ending at the close of business on the day of selection;

 

(ii)            to register the transfer of or to exchange any Security selected for redemption in whole or in part, except the unredeemed portion of any Security being redeemed in part;

 

(iii)           to register the transfer of or to exchange a Security between a Record Date and the next succeeding Interest Payment Date; or

 

(iv)           to register the transfer of any Security which has been surrendered for repayment at option of Holder, except the portion, if any, of such Security not to be so repaid.

 

(5)            Prior to due presentment for the registration of a transfer of any Security, the Trustee, any Agent and the Issuer may deem and treat the Person in whose name any Security is registered as the absolute owner of such Security for the purpose of receiving payment of principal of and interest on such Securities and for all other purposes, and none of the Trustee, any Agent or the Issuer shall be affected by notice to the contrary.

 

(6)            The Trustee will authenticate Global Securities and Definitive Securities in accordance with the provisions of Section 2.03 .

 

(7)            All orders and instructions required to be submitted to the Registrar or the Issuer pursuant to this Section 2.07 to effect a registration of transfer or exchange may be submitted by facsimile.

 

Section 2.08                             Replacement Securities .

 

If any mutilated Security is surrendered to the Trustee or the Issuer or the Trustee receives evidence to its satisfaction of the destruction, loss or theft of any Security, the Issuer will issue and the Trustee, upon receipt of an Authentication Order, will authenticate a

 

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replacement Security if the Trustee’s requirements are met.  If required by the Trustee or the Issuer, an indemnity bond must be supplied by the Holder that is sufficient in the judgment of the Trustee and the Issuer to protect the Issuer, the Trustee, any Agent and any authenticating agent from any loss that any of them may suffer if a Security is replaced.  The Issuer may charge for their expenses in replacing a Security.

 

Every replacement Security is an additional obligation of the Issuer and will be entitled to all of the benefits of this Indenture equally and proportionately with all other Securities duly issued hereunder.

 

Notwithstanding the provisions of the previous two paragraphs, in case any such mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Security has become or is about to become due and payable, the Issuer in its discretion may, instead of issuing a new Security, pay such Security.

 

Section 2.09                             Outstanding Securities .

 

The Securities “Outstanding” at any time are all the Securities authenticated by the Trustee except for:

 

(1)            Securities theretofore cancelled by the Trustee or delivered to the Trustee for cancellation;

 

(2)            Securities, or portions thereof, for whose payment or redemption or repayment at the option of the Holder money in the necessary amount has been theretofore deposited with the Trustee or any Paying Agent (other than the Issuer) in trust or set aside and segregated in trust by the Issuer (if the Issuer shall act as its own Paying Agent) for the Holders of such Securities, provided that if such Securities are to be redeemed, notice of such redemption has been duly given pursuant to this Indenture or provision therefor satisfactory to the Trustee has been made;

 

(3)            Securities, except to the extent provided in Sections 8.02 and 8.03 , with respect to which the Issuer has effected defeasance and/or covenant defeasance as provided in Article 8 ;

 

(4)            Securities which have been paid pursuant to Section 4.01 or 11.01 or in exchange for or in lieu of which other Securities have been authenticated and delivered pursuant to this Indenture, other than any such Securities in respect of which there shall have been presented to the Trustee proof satisfactory to it that such Securities are held by a bona fide purchaser in whose hands such Securities are valid obligations of the Issuer; and

 

(5)            Securities converted into Common Stock in accordance with or as contemplated by this Indenture, if the terms of such Securities provide for convertibility as contemplated by Section 2.02 ;

 

provided, however , that in determining whether the Holders of the requisite principal amount of the Outstanding Securities have given any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent or waiver, and for the purpose of making the calculations required by Section 313 of the TIA, (i) the principal amount of an Original Issue Discount Security that may be counted in making such determination or calculation and that shall be deemed to be Outstanding for such purpose shall be equal to the amount of principal thereof that would be (or shall have been

 

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declared to be) due and payable, at the time of such determination, upon a declaration of acceleration of the maturity thereof pursuant to Section 6.02 , (ii) the principal amount of any Indexed Security that may be counted in making such determination or calculation and that shall be deemed Outstanding for such purpose shall be equal to the principal face amount of such Indexed Security at original issuance, unless otherwise provided with respect to such Security as contemplated by Section 2.02 , and (iii) Securities owned by the Issuer or any other obligor upon the Securities or any Affiliate of the Issuer or of such other obligor shall be disregarded and deemed not to be Outstanding to the extent provided in Section 2.10 .

 

Section 2.10                             Treasury Securities .

 

In determining whether the Holders of the requisite principal amount of Outstanding Securities have given any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, waiver or consent, and for the purpose of making the calculations required by Section 313 of the TIA, Securities owned by the Issuer or any other obligor upon the Securities or any Affiliate of the Issuer or of such other obligor shall be disregarded and deemed not to be Outstanding, except that in determining whether the Trustee shall be protected in making such calculation or in relying upon any such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent or waiver, only Securities which the Trustee knows to be so owned shall be so disregarded.  Securities so owned which have been pledged in good faith may be regarded as Outstanding if the pledgee establishes to the satisfaction of the Trustee the pledgee’s right so to act with respect to such Securities and that the pledgee is not the Issuer or any other obligor upon the Securities or any Affiliate of the Issuer or of such other obligor.

 

Section 2.11                             Temporary Securities .

 

Until certificates representing Securities are ready for delivery, the Issuer may prepare and the Trustee, upon receipt of an Authentication Order, will authenticate temporary Securities.  Temporary Securities will be substantially in the form of certificated Securities but may have variations that the Issuer considers appropriate for temporary Securities and as may be reasonably acceptable to the Trustee.  Without unreasonable delay, the Issuer will prepare and the Trustee will authenticate Definitive Securities in exchange for temporary Securities.  Until so exchanged, temporary Securities shall have the same rights under this Indenture as Definitive Securities.

 

Holders of temporary Securities will be entitled to all of the benefits of this Indenture.

 

Section 2.12                             Cancellation .

 

The Issuer at any time may deliver Securities to the Trustee for cancellation.  The Registrar and Paying Agent will forward to the Trustee any Securities surrendered to them for registration of transfer, exchange or payment.  The Trustee and no one else will cancel all Securities surrendered for registration of transfer, exchange, payment, replacement or cancellation and will dispose of canceled Securities (subject to the record retention requirement of the Exchange Act).  The Issuer may not issue new Securities to replace Securities that it has paid or that have been delivered to the Trustee for cancellation, except for replacement Securities for mutilated Securities pursuant to Section 2.08 .

 

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Section 2.13                             Defaulted Interest .

 

If the Issuer defaults in a payment of interest on the Securities of any series, it will pay the defaulted interest in any lawful manner plus, to the extent lawful, interest payable on the defaulted interest, to the Persons who are Holders of Securities of that series on a subsequent special record date, in each case at the rate provided in the Securities of that series and in Section 4.01 .  The Issuer will notify the Trustee in writing of the amount of defaulted interest proposed to be paid on each Security of that series and the date of the proposed payment.  The Issuer will fix or cause to be fixed each such special record date and payment date, provided that no such special record date may be less than ten days prior to the related payment date for such defaulted interest.  At least 15 days before the special record date, the Issuer (or, upon the written request of the Issuer, the Trustee in the name and at the expense of the Issuer) will mail or cause to be mailed to Holders of Securities of that series a notice that states the special record date, the related payment date and the amount of such interest to be paid on such Securities.

 

ARTICLE 3

 

REDEMPTION AND PREPAYMENT

 

Section 3.01                             Applicability of Article .

 

Securities of any series which are redeemable before their maturity shall be redeemable in accordance with their terms and (except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 2.02 for Securities of any series) in accordance with this Article 3 .

 

Section 3.02                             Notices to Trustee .

 

The election of the Issuer to redeem or purchase in an offer to purchase Securities of any series shall be evidenced by a Board Resolution.  The Issuer shall, at least 45 days prior to the redemption date fixed by the Issuer (unless a shorter notice shall be satisfactory to the Trustee), notify the Trustee of such redemption date and of the principal amount of Securities of that series to be redeemed by delivering to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate setting forth:

 

(1)            the paragraph of the Securities and/or Section of this Indenture or any indenture supplemental hereto pursuant to which the redemption shall occur;

 

(2)            the redemption date;

 

(3)            the principal amount of Securities of that series to be redeemed, plus accrued interest and Additional Amounts, if any, to the redemption date; and

 

(4)            the redemption price, including any make-whole amount or premium, if applicable.

 

Section 3.03                             Selection of Securities to Be Redeemed .

 

If less than all of the Securities of any series are to be redeemed or purchased in an offer to purchase at any time, the Trustee will select the particular Securities for redemption or

 

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purchase from the Outstanding Securities of that series not previously called for redemption, as follows:

 

(1)            if the Securities of that series are listed on any national securities exchange, in compliance with the requirements of the principal national securities exchange on which such Securities are listed; or

 

(2)            if the Securities of that series are not listed on any national securities exchange, on a pro rata basis, by lot or by such method as the Trustee shall deem fair and appropriate.

 

In the event of partial redemption by lot, the particular Securities to be redeemed will be selected, unless otherwise provided in this Indenture, not less than 30 days nor more than 60 days prior to the redemption date by the Trustee.

 

The Trustee will promptly notify the Issuer in writing of the Securities selected for redemption or purchase and, in the case of any Security selected for partial redemption or purchase, the principal amount thereof to be redeemed or purchased.  Securities and portions of Securities of any series selected will be in amounts equal to the minimum authorized denomination for Securities of that series or any integral multiple thereof; provided, however , that if all of the Outstanding Securities of a Holder are to be redeemed or purchased, the entire amount of such Securities held by such Holder, even if not a multiple of the minimum authorized denomination for Securities of that series, shall be redeemed or purchased.  Except as provided in the preceding sentence, provisions of this Indenture that apply to Securities called for redemption or purchase also apply to portions of Securities called for redemption or purchase.

 

Section 3.04                             Notice of Redemption .

 

At least 30 days but not more than 60 days before a redemption date, unless a shorter period is specified by the terms of that series as contemplated by Section 2.02 , the Issuer will mail or cause to be mailed, by first class mail, a notice of redemption to each Holder whose Securities are to be redeemed at its registered address, except that redemption notices may be mailed more than 60 days prior to a redemption date if the notice is issued in connection with a defeasance of the Securities or a satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture pursuant to Article 8 or 11 .  Any notice that is mailed to the Holders of Securities in the manner herein provided shall be conclusively presumed to have been duly given, whether or not the Holder receives such notice.

 

The notice will identify the Securities to be redeemed and will state:

 

(1)            the redemption date;

 

(2)            the redemption price, including the accrued interest and Additional Amounts, if any, to the redemption date and any make-whole amount or premium, if applicable;

 

(3)            if any Security is being redeemed in part, the portion of the principal amount of such Security to be redeemed and that, after the redemption date upon surrender of such Security, a new Security or Securities of the same series and tenor in principal amount equal to the unredeemed portion will be issued upon cancellation of the original Security;

 

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

 

(5)            that Securities called for redemption must be surrendered to the Paying Agent at the Place of Payment to collect the redemption price or to convert (if applicable);

 

(6)            that, unless the Issuer defaults in making such redemption payment, interest on Securities called for redemption ceases to accrue on and after the redemption date;

 

(7)            the paragraph of the Securities and/or Section of this Indenture or any indenture supplemental hereto pursuant to which the Securities called for redemption are being redeemed;

 

(8)            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;

 

(9)            that the redemption is for a sinking fund, if applicable; and

 

(10)          if applicable, that a Holder of Securities who desires to convert Securities in connection with a redemption must satisfy the requirements for conversion contained in such Securities, the then existing conversion price or rate, and the date and time when the option to convert shall expire.

 

At the Issuer’s request, the Trustee will give the notice of redemption in the Issuer’s name and at their expense; provided , however , that the Issuer has delivered to the Trustee, at least 45 days (or such shorter period of time as is satisfactory to the Trustee) prior to the redemption date, an Officers’ Certificate requesting that the Trustee give such notice and setting forth the information to be stated in such notice as provided in the preceding paragraph.

 

Section 3.05                             Effect of Notice of Redemption .

 

Once notice of redemption is mailed in accordance with Section 3.04 , Securities called for redemption become irrevocably due and payable on the redemption date at the redemption price therein specified.  Except as otherwise provided pursuant to Section 2.02 with respect to the Securities of any series, a notice of redemption of Securities of that series may not be conditional.

 

Section 3.06                             Deposit of Redemption or Purchase Price .

 

On the redemption or purchase date, the Issuer will deposit with the Trustee or with the Paying Agent money in the currency or currencies, currency unit or units or composite currency or currencies in which the Securities are payable sufficient to pay the redemption or purchase price of and accrued interest and Additional Amounts, if any, on all Securities to be redeemed or purchased on that date.  The Trustee or the Paying Agent will promptly return to the Issuer any money deposited with the Trustee or the Paying Agent by the Issuer in excess of the amounts necessary to pay the redemption or purchase price of, and accrued interest and Additional Amounts, if any, on, all Securities to be redeemed or purchased.

 

If the Issuer complies with the provisions of the preceding paragraph, on and after the redemption or purchase date, interest will cease to accrue on the Securities or the portions of

 

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Securities called for redemption or purchase.  If a Security is redeemed or purchased on or after a Record Date but on or prior to the related Interest Payment Date, then any accrued and unpaid interest shall be paid to the Person in whose name such Security was registered at the close of business on such Record Date; provided , however , that except as otherwise provided with respect to Securities convertible into Common Stock, installments of interest on Securities whose maturity is on or prior to the redemption date shall be payable to the Holders of such Securities, or one or more predecessor Securities, registered as such at the close of business on the relevant Record Dates according to the terms and provisions of Section 2.02 .  If any Security called for redemption or purchase is not so paid upon surrender for redemption or purchase because of the failure of the Issuer to comply with the preceding paragraph, interest shall be paid on the unpaid principal, from the redemption or purchase date until such principal is paid, and to the extent lawful on any interest not paid on such unpaid principal, in each case at the rate provided in the Securities and in Section 4.01 .

 

Section 3.07                             Securities Redeemed or Purchased in Part .

 

Upon surrender of a Security of a series that is redeemed or purchased in part at a Place of Payment therefor (with, if the Issuer or the Trustee so requires, due endorsement by, or a written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the Issuer and the Trustee duly executed by, the Holder thereof or his attorney duly authorized in writing), the Issuer will issue and, upon receipt of an Authentication Order, the Trustee will authenticate for the Holder at the expense of the Issuer a new Security of the same series of any authorized denomination as requested by the Holder in an aggregate principal amount equal to and in exchange for the unredeemed or unpurchased portion of the principal of the Security so surrendered.

 

Section 3.08                             Conversion Arrangement on Call for Redemption .

 

In connection with any redemption of Securities, the Issuer may arrange for the purchase and conversion of any Securities called for redemption by an agreement with one or more investment bankers or other purchasers to purchase such Securities by paying to the Trustee or the Paying Agent in trust for the Holders of Securities, on or before 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time on the redemption date, an amount not less than the redemption price, together with interest, if any, accrued to the redemption date of such Securities, in immediately available funds.  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Article 3 , the obligation of the Issuer to pay the redemption price of such Securities, including all accrued interest, if any, shall be deemed to be satisfied and discharged to the extent such amount is so paid by such purchasers.  If such an agreement is entered into, any Securities not duly surrendered for conversion by the Holders thereof may, at the option of the Issuer, be deemed, to the fullest extent permitted by law, acquired by such purchasers from such Holders and surrendered by such purchasers for conversion, all as of immediately prior to the close of business on the last day on which Securities of that series called for redemption may be converted in accordance with this Indenture and the terms of such Securities, subject to payment to the Trustee or Paying Agent of the above-described amount.  The Trustee or the Paying Agent shall hold and pay to the Holders whose Securities are selected for redemption any such amount paid to it in the same manner as it would pay moneys deposited with it by the Issuer for the redemption of Securities.  Without the Trustee’s and the Paying Agent’s prior written consent, no arrangement between the Issuer and such purchasers for the purchase and conversion of any Securities shall increase or otherwise

 

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affect any of the powers, duties, responsibilities or obligations of the Trustee and the Paying Agent as set forth in this Indenture, and the Issuer agrees to indemnify the Trustee and the Paying Agent from, and hold them harmless against, any loss, liability or expense owing out of or in connection with any such arrangement for the purchase and conversion of any Securities between the Issuer and such purchasers, including the costs and expenses Incurred by the Trustee and Paying Agent (including the fees and expenses of their agents and counsel) in the defense of any claim or liability arising out of or in connection with the exercise or performance of any of their powers, duties, responsibilities or obligations under this Indenture.

 

ARTICLE 4

 

COVENANTS

 

Section 4.01                             Payment of Securities .

 

The Issuer will pay or cause to be paid the principal of, premium, if any, and interest and Additional Amounts, if any, on the Securities of each series on the dates, in the currency or currency unit and in the manner provided in the terms of that series of Securities and this Indenture.  Principal, premium, if any, and interest and Additional Amounts, if any, will be considered paid on the date due if the Paying Agent, if other than the Company or a Subsidiary thereof, holds as of 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time on the due date money deposited by the Issuer in immediately available funds and designated for and sufficient to pay all principal, premium, if any, and interest then due.

 

The Issuer will pay interest (including post-petition interest in any proceeding under any Bankruptcy Law) on overdue principal at the rate equal to 1% per annum in excess of the then applicable interest rate on the Securities of the applicable series to the extent lawful; the Issuer will pay interest (including post-petition interest in any proceeding under any Bankruptcy Law) on overdue installments of interest and Additional Amounts (without regard to any applicable grace period) at the same rate to the extent lawful.

 

Section 4.02                             Maintenance of Office or Agency .

 

The Issuer will maintain in each Place of Payment for Securities of any series an office or agency (which may be an office of the Trustee or an affiliate of the Trustee, Registrar or co-registrar) where Securities of that series may be presented or surrendered for payment or conversion, where Securities of that series may be surrendered for registration of transfer or for exchange and where notices and demands to or upon the Issuer in respect of the Securities of that series and this Indenture may be served.  The Issuer 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 Issuer fails to maintain any such required office or agency or fails to furnish the Trustee with the address thereof, such presentations, surrenders, notices and demands may be made or served at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee.

 

The Issuer may also from time to time designate one or more other offices or agencies where the Securities of any series may be presented or surrendered for any or all such purposes and may from time to time rescind such designations; provided , however , that no such

 

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designation or rescission will in any manner relieve the Issuer of its obligation to maintain an office or agency in the Place of Payment for such purposes.  The Issuer 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.

 

Unless otherwise specified with respect to Securities of any series as contemplated by Section 2.02 , the Issuer hereby designates as a Place of Payment for each series of Securities the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee in the Borough of Manhattan in the City of New York as one such office or agency of the Issuer in accordance with Section 2.04 .

 

Section 4.03                             Reports .

 

So long as any Securities of a series are outstanding, the Issuer and each Guarantor shall:

 

(1)            file with the Trustee, within 15 days after the Issuer or such Guarantor is required to file the same with the Commission, copies of the annual reports and of the information, documents and other reports (or copies of such portions of any of the foregoing as the Commission may from time to time by rules and regulations prescribe) which the Issuer or such Guarantor may be required to file with the Commission pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act; or, if the Issuer or such Guarantor is not required to file information, documents or reports pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, then they/it will file with the Trustee and the Commission, in accordance with rules and regulations prescribed from time to time by the Commission, such of the supplementary and periodic information, documents and reports which may be required pursuant to Section 13 of the Exchange Act in respect of a security listed and registered on a national securities exchange as may be prescribed from time to time in such rules and regulations;

 

(2)            file with the Trustee and the Commission, in accordance with rules and regulations prescribed from time to time by the Commission, such additional information, documents and reports with respect to compliance by the Issuer and such Guarantor with the conditions and covenants of this Indenture as may be required from time to time by such rules and regulations (it being understood that any Guarantor not required to file with the Commission pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act shall not be required to file such reports with the Commission or the Trustee); and

 

(3)            transmit by mail to the Holders of Securities, within 30 days after the filing thereof with the Trustee, in the manner and to the extent provided in Section 313(c) of the TIA, such summaries of any information, documents and reports required to be filed by the Issuer or any Guarantor pursuant to paragraphs (1) and (2) of this Section as may be required by rules and regulations prescribed from time to time by the Commission.

 

The availability of the foregoing materials on the Commission’s website or on the Company’s website shall be deemed to satisfy the foregoing delivery obligations.

 

In the event that the rules and regulations of the Commission permit the Issuer and any direct or indirect parent of the Issuer to report at such parent entity’s level on a consolidated basis, consolidating reporting at the parent entity’s level in a manner consistent with that described in this Section 4.03 for the Issuer will satisfy this Section 4.03 , and the obligations in

 

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this Section 4.03 with respect to financial information relating to the Issuer shall be deemed to be satisfied by furnishing financial information relating to such direct or indirect parent; provided that such financial information is accompanied by consolidating information that explains in reasonable detail the differences between the information relating to such direct or indirect parent and any of its Subsidiaries other than the Issuer and its Subsidiaries, on the one hand, and the information relating to the Issuer and its Subsidiaries on a standalone basis, on the other hand.

 

Section 4.04                             Compliance Certificate .

 

(a)            The Company and each Guarantor (to the extent that such Guarantor is so required under the TIA) shall deliver to the Trustee, within 120 days after the end of each fiscal year, an Officers’ Certificate stating that a review of the activities of the Company and its Subsidiaries during the preceding fiscal year has been made under the supervision of the signing Officers with a view to determining whether the Company has kept, observed, performed and fulfilled its obligations under this Indenture, and further stating, as to each such Officer signing such certificate, that to the best of his or her knowledge the Company has kept, observed, performed and fulfilled each and every covenant contained in this Indenture and is not in default in the performance or observance of any of the terms, provisions and conditions of this Indenture (or, if a Default or Event of Default has occurred, describing all such Defaults or Events of Default of which he or she may have knowledge and what action the Company is taking or proposes to take with respect thereto) and that to the best of his or her knowledge no event has occurred and remains in existence by reason of which payments on account of the principal of or interest, if any, on the Securities of any series is prohibited or if such event has occurred, a description of the event and what action the Company is taking or proposes to take with respect thereto.  For purposes of this Section 4.04 , such compliance shall be determined without regard to any period of grace or requirement of notice under this Indenture.

 

(b)            So long as any of the Securities are outstanding, the Company will deliver to the Trustee, forthwith upon any Officer becoming aware of any Default or Event of Default, an Officers’ Certificate specifying such Default or Event of Default and what action the Issuer is taking or proposes to take with respect thereto.

 

Section 4.05                             Additional Amounts .

 

If any Securities of a series provide for the payment of Additional Amounts, the Issuer will pay to the Holder of any Security of that series Additional Amounts as may be specified as contemplated by Section 2.02 .  Whenever in this Indenture there is mentioned the payment of the principal of or any premium or interest on, or in respect of, any Security of any series or the net proceeds received on the sale or exchange of any Security of any series, such mention shall be deemed to include mention of the payment of Additional Amounts provided by the terms of that series established pursuant to Section 2.02 to the extent that, in such context, Additional Amounts are, were or would be payable in respect thereof pursuant to such terms and express mention of the payment of Additional Amounts (if applicable) in any provisions hereof shall not be construed as excluding Additional Amounts in those provisions hereof where such express mention is not made.

 

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Except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 2.02 , if the Securities of a series provide for the payment of Additional Amounts, at least ten days prior to the first interest payment date with respect to that series of Securities (or if the Securities of that series will not bear interest prior to maturity, the first day on which a payment of principal and any premium is made), and at least ten days prior to each date of payment of principal and any premium or interest if there has been any change with respect to the matters set forth in the below-mentioned Officers’ Certificate, the Issuer will furnish the Trustee and the Issuer’s principal Paying Agent or Paying Agents, if other than the Trustee, with an Officers’ Certificate instructing the Trustee and such Paying Agent or Paying Agents whether such payment of principal of and any premium or interest on the Securities of that series shall be made to Holders of Securities of that series who are not United States persons without withholding for or on account of any tax, assessment or other governmental charge described in the Securities of the series.  If any such withholding shall be required, then such Officers’ Certificate shall specify by country the amount, if any, required to be withheld on such payments to such Holders of Securities of that series and the Issuer will pay to the Trustee or such Paying Agent the Additional Amounts required by the terms of such Securities.  In the event that the Trustee or any Paying Agent, as the case may be, shall not so receive the above-mentioned certificate, then the Trustee or such Paying Agent shall be entitled (i) to assume that no such withholding or deduction is required with respect to any payment of principal or interest with respect to any Securities of a series until it shall have received a certificate advising otherwise and (ii) to make all payments of principal and interest with respect to the Securities of a series without withholding or deductions until otherwise advised.  The Issuer covenants to indemnify the Trustee and any Paying Agent for, and to hold them harmless against, any loss, liability or expense reasonably Incurred without negligence or bad faith on their part arising out of or in connection with actions taken or omitted by any of them or in reliance on any Officers’ Certificate furnished pursuant to this Section 4.05 or in reliance on the Issuer’s not furnishing such an Officers’ Certificate.

 

Section 4.06                             Entity Existence .

 

Except as permitted by Article 5 and Section 10.04 , the Company and its Subsidiaries shall do all things necessary to preserve and keep their existence, rights and franchises; provided , however , that the existence of a Subsidiary may be terminated if the Board of Directors of the Company shall determine reasonably and in good faith that the preservation thereof is no longer desirable in the conduct of its business.

 

ARTICLE 5

 

SUCCESSORS

 

Section 5.01                             Merger, Consolidation or Sale of Assets .

 

The Company may not, directly or indirectly:  (1) consolidate or merge with or into another Person (whether or not the Company is the surviving corporation); or (2) sell, assign, transfer, convey, lease (other than to an unaffiliated operator in the ordinary course of business) or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of the properties or assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole, in one or more related transactions, to another Person; unless:

 

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(1)            either (i) the Company is the surviving corporation or (ii) the Person formed by or surviving any such consolidation or merger (if other than the Company) or to which such sale, assignment, transfer, conveyance or other disposition has been made is organized or existing under the laws of the United States, any state of the United States or the District of Columbia;

 

(2)            the Person formed by or surviving any such consolidation or merger (if other than the Company) or the Person to which such sale, assignment, transfer, conveyance or other disposition has been made assumes all the obligations of the Company under the Securities and this Indenture pursuant to agreements reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee; and

 

(3)            immediately after such transaction, on a pro forma basis giving effect to such transaction or series of transactions (and treating any obligation of the Company or any Subsidiary Incurred in connection with or as a result of such transaction or series of transactions as having been Incurred at the time of such transaction), no Default or Event of Default exists.

 

In addition, in the case of any lease of all or substantially all of its properties or assets (other than to an unaffiliated operator in the ordinary course of business), in one or more related transactions, to any other Person the terms of the lease must be reasonably acceptable to the Trustee or to Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Securities.

 

This Section 5.01 will not apply to:  (i) a sale, assignment, transfer, conveyance or other disposition of assets between or among the Company and its Subsidiaries; (ii) a sale or transfer of assets from a Guarantor to the Issuer; or (iii) a consolidation or merger of a Guarantor with or into the Issuer.

 

Section 5.02                             Successor Substituted .

 

Upon any consolidation or merger, or any sale, assignment, transfer, conveyance, lease or other disposition of all or substantially all of the properties or assets of the Company in accordance with Section 5.01 , the successor Person formed by such consolidation or into or with which the Company is merged or to which such sale, assignment, transfer, conveyance, lease or other disposition is made, shall succeed to, and be substituted for, and may exercise every right and power of, the Company under this Indenture with the same effect as if such successor Person has been named as the Company herein.  Such successor 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, instead of the Company, and subject to all the terms, conditions and limitations in this Indenture prescribed, the Trustee shall authenticate and shall deliver any Securities which previously shall have been signed and delivered by the Officers of the Company to the Trustee for authentication, and any Securities which such successor 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.

 

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In case of any such consolidation or merger, or any such sale, assignment, transfer, conveyance, lease or other disposition, such changes in phraseology and form (but not in substance) may be made in the Securities thereafter to be issued as may be appropriate.

 

When a successor assumes all the obligations of its predecessor under this Indenture and the Securities following a consolidation or merger, or any sale, assignment, transfer, conveyance, transfer or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the predecessor in accordance with the foregoing provisions, the predecessor shall be released from those obligations.

 

Section 5.03                             Assumption by the Guarantor .

 

The Guarantor, or a Subsidiary thereof that is organized and existing under the laws of the United States, any State of the United States or the District of Columbia, may directly assume, by an indenture supplemental hereto, executed and delivered to the Trustee, in form reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee, the due and punctual payment of the principal of and interest on all the Securities of a series and the performance of every covenant of this Indenture on the part of the Issuer to be performed or observed.  Upon any such assumption, the Guarantor or such Subsidiary shall succeed to, and be substituted for and may exercise every right and power of, the Issuer under this Indenture with the same effect as if the Guarantor or such Subsidiary had been named as the Issuer in the Indenture, and the Issuer shall be released from liability as obligor on the Securities of such series.

 

Section 5.04                             Termination of the Guarantee .

 

The obligations of the Guarantor under the Indenture shall terminate at such time the Guarantor merges or consolidates with the Issuer or at such other time as the Guarantor acquires all of the assets and partnership interests of the Issuer.

 

ARTICLE 6

 

DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES

 

Section 6.01                             Events of Default .

 

Each of the following is an “Event of Default” wherever used herein with respect to any particular series of Securities:

 

(1)            the Company or its Subsidiaries do not pay the principal or any premium on any Security of that series when due and payable;

 

(2)            the Company or its Subsidiaries do not pay interest on any Security of that series within 30 days after the applicable due date;

 

(3)            the Company or its Subsidiaries fail to deposit any sinking fund payment, when and as due by the terms of any Security of that series;

 

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(4)            the Company or its Subsidiaries remain in breach of any other term of this Indenture for 60 days after they receive a notice of Default stating they are in breach.  Either the Trustee or the Holders of more than 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of that series then Outstanding may send the notice;

 

(5)            except as permitted by this Indenture and the Securities of that series, the Securities Guarantee by any Guarantor shall cease to be in full force and effect or any Guarantor shall deny or disaffirm its obligations with respect thereto;

 

(6)            the Company or its Subsidiaries default under any of their indebtedness (including a default with respect to Securities of any series other than that series) in an aggregate principal amount exceeding $100 million after the expiration of any applicable grace period, which default results in the acceleration of the maturity of such indebtedness.  Such default is not an Event of Default if the other indebtedness is discharged, or the acceleration is rescinded or annulled, within a period of ten days after the Company or its Subsidiaries receive notice specifying the default and requiring that they discharge the other indebtedness or cause the acceleration to be rescinded or annulled.  Either the Trustee or the Holders of more than 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of that series then Outstanding may send the notice;

 

(7)            the Company or any of its Significant Subsidiaries, or any group of Subsidiaries that, taken as a whole, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary:  (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 all or substantially all of its property; (iv) makes a general assignment for the benefit of its creditors; or (v) generally is not paying its debts as they become due;

 

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

 

(i)             is for relief against the Company or any of its Significant Subsidiaries, or any group of Subsidiaries that, taken as a whole, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary, in an involuntary case;

 

(ii)            appoints a custodian of the Company or any of its Significant Subsidiaries, or any group of Subsidiaries that, taken as a whole, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary, or for all or substantially all of the property of the Company or any of its Significant Subsidiaries, or any group of Subsidiaries that, taken as a whole, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary; or

 

(iii)           orders the liquidation of the Company or any of its Significant Subsidiaries, or any group of Subsidiaries that, taken as a whole, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary;

 

and the order or decree remains unstayed and in effect for 60 consecutive days; or

 

(9)            any other Event of Default provided with respect to Securities of that series as contemplated by Section 2.02 .

 

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Section 6.02                             Acceleration .

 

In the case of an Event of Default specified in clause (7) or (8) of Section 6.01 , with respect to the Company or any of its Significant Subsidiaries or any group of Subsidiaries that, taken as a whole, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary, all Outstanding Securities will become due and payable immediately without further action or notice.  If any other Event of Default with respect to Securities of any series at the time Outstanding occurs and has not been cured, the Trustee or the Holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of that series then Outstanding may declare the entire principal amount (or, if any Securities are Original Issue Discount Securities or Indexed Securities, such portion of the principal as may be specified in the terms thereof) of the Securities of that series to be due and immediately payable by written notice to the Issuer, the Company (if not the Issuer) and the Trustee.  Upon any such declaration, such principal amount (or specified amount) of the Securities of that series shall become due and payable immediately.  The Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of that series then Outstanding by written notice to the Trustee may on behalf of all of the Holders rescind and annul an acceleration and its consequences if the rescission or annulment would not conflict with any judgment or decree and if all existing Events of Default (except nonpayment of principal, interest or premium that has become due solely because of the acceleration) have been cured or waived.

 

Section 6.03                             Other Remedies .

 

If an Event of Default occurs and is continuing with respect to Securities of any series at the time Outstanding, the Trustee may pursue any available remedy to collect the payment of principal, premium and Additional Amounts, if any, and interest on the Securities of that series or to enforce the performance of any provision of the Securities of that series or this Indenture.

 

The Trustee may maintain a proceeding even if it does not possess any of the Securities of that series or does not produce any of them in the proceeding.  A delay or omission by the Trustee or any Holder of a Security of that series in exercising any right or remedy accruing upon an Event of Default shall not impair the right or remedy or constitute a waiver of or acquiescence in the Event of Default.  All remedies are cumulative to the extent permitted by law.

 

Section 6.04                             Waiver of Past Defaults .

 

Holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then Outstanding Securities of any series by notice to the Trustee may on behalf of the Holders of all of the Securities of that series waive an existing Default or Event of Default and its consequences hereunder, except a continuing Default or Event of Default in the payment of the principal of, premium and Additional Amounts, if any, or interest on, the Securities of that series (excluding in connection with an offer to purchase) or in respect of a covenant or provision of this Indenture which under Article 9 may not be modified or amended without the consent of the Holder of each Outstanding Security of the affected series; provided , however , that the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then Outstanding Securities of that series may rescind an acceleration and its consequences, including any related payment default that resulted from such acceleration as provided in Section 6.02 .  Upon any such waiver, such Default shall

 

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cease to exist, and any Event of Default arising therefrom shall be deemed to have been cured for every purpose of this Indenture, but no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other Default or impair any right consequent thereon.

 

Section 6.05                             Control by Majority .

 

Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of any series then Outstanding may direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for exercising any remedy available to the Trustee or exercising any trust or power conferred on it with respect to the Securities of that series.  However, the Trustee may refuse to follow any direction that conflicts with law or this Indenture that the Trustee determines may be unduly prejudicial to the rights of other Holders of Securities of that series or to the Holders of the Securities of any other series or that may involve the Trustee in personal liability.

 

Section 6.06                             Limitation on Suits .

 

A Holder of a Security of any series may pursue a remedy with respect to this Indenture or the Securities of that series only if:

 

(1)            such Holder has given the Trustee written notice that an Event of Default has occurred and remains uncured;

 

(2)            the Holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of all Outstanding Securities of that series have made a written request that the Trustee take action because of the Default, and offered reasonable indemnity to the Trustee against the cost and other liabilities of taking that action;

 

(3)            the Trustee has not taken action for 60 days after receipt of the notice and offer of indemnity; and

 

(4)            the Holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of all Outstanding Securities of that series have not given the Trustee a direction inconsistent with such request within such 60-day period.

 

A Holder of any Security of any series may not use this Indenture to prejudice the rights of another Holder of a Security of that series or to obtain a preference or priority over another Holder of a Security of that series.

 

Section 6.07                             Rights of Holders of Securities to Receive Payment .

 

Notwithstanding any other provision of this Indenture, the right of any Holder of any Security to receive payment of principal, premium and Additional Amounts, if any, and interest on such Security, on or after the respective due dates expressed in such Security (excluding in connection with an offer to purchase), or to bring suit for the enforcement of any such payment on or after such respective dates, shall not be impaired or affected without the consent of such Holder.

 

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Section 6.08                             Collection Suit by Trustee .

 

If an Event of Default specified in clause (1), (2) or (3) of Section 6.01 occurs and is continuing with respect to the Securities of any series, the Trustee is authorized to recover judgment in its own name and as trustee of an express trust against the Issuer for the whole amount of principal (including any sinking fund payment), premium and Additional Amounts, if any, and interest remaining unpaid on the Securities of that series and interest on overdue principal and, to the extent lawful, interest and such further amount as shall be sufficient to cover the costs and expenses of collection, including the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel.

 

Section 6.09                             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 in order to have the claims of the Trustee (including any claim for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel) and the Holders of the Securities of any series allowed in any judicial proceedings relative to the Issuer or any other obligor upon the Securities of that series, their creditors or their property and shall be entitled and empowered 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 of Securities of that series to make such payments to the Trustee, and in the event that the Trustee shall consent to the making of such payments directly to the Holders of Securities of that series, 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 7.07 .  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 7.07 out of the estate in any such proceeding, shall be denied for any reason, payment of the same shall be secured by a Lien on, and shall be paid out of, any and all distributions, dividends, money, securities and other properties that the Holders of Securities of that series may be entitled to receive in such proceeding whether in liquidation or under any plan of reorganization or arrangement or otherwise.  Nothing herein contained shall be deemed to authorize the Trustee to authorize or consent to or accept or adopt on behalf of any Holder of a Security any plan of reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition affecting the Securities or the rights of any Holder thereof, or to authorize the Trustee to vote in respect of the claim of any Holder of a Security in any such proceeding.

 

Section 6.10                             Priorities .

 

If the Trustee collects any money pursuant to this Article 6 , it shall pay out the money in the following order:

 

First:  to the Trustee, its agents and attorneys for amounts due under Section 7.07 , including payment of all compensation, expense and liabilities Incurred, and all advances made, by the Trustee and the costs and expenses of collection;

 

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Second:  to Holders of Securities in respect of which or for the benefit of which such money has been collected for amounts due and unpaid on such Securities for principal, premium and Additional Amounts, if any, and interest, ratably, without preference or priority of any kind, according to the amounts due and payable on such Securities for principal, premium and Additional Amounts, if any, and interest, respectively; and

 

Third:  to the Issuer or to such party as a court of competent jurisdiction shall direct.

 

The Trustee may fix a record date and payment date for any payment to Holders of Securities pursuant to this Section 6.10 .

 

Section 6.11                             Undertaking for Costs .

 

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 a 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, 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 6.11 does not apply to a suit by the Trustee, a suit by a Holder of a Security pursuant to Section 6.07 , or a suit by Holders of more than 10% in principal amount of the then Outstanding Securities of any series.

 

ARTICLE 7

 

TRUSTEE

 

Section 7.01                             Duties of Trustee .

 

(a)            If an Event of Default with respect to the Securities of any series has occurred and is continuing, the Trustee will exercise such of the rights and powers vested in it by this Indenture, and use the same degree of care and skill in its exercise, as a prudent person would exercise or use under the circumstances in the conduct of such person’s own affairs.

 

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

 

(1)            the duties of the Trustee will be determined solely by the express provisions of this Indenture and the Trustee need perform only those duties that are specifically set forth in this Indenture and no others, and no implied covenants or obligations shall be read into this Indenture against the Trustee; and

 

(2)            in the absence of bad faith on its part, the Trustee may conclusively rely, as to the truth of the statements and the correctness of the opinions expressed therein, upon certificates or opinions furnished to the Trustee and conforming to the requirements of this Indenture.  However, the Trustee will examine the certificates and opinions to determine whether or not they conform to the requirements of this Indenture.

 

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

 

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(1)            this Section 7.01(c)  does not limit the effect of Section 7.01(b) ;

 

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

 

(3)            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 .

 

(d)            Whether or not therein expressly so provided, every provision of this Indenture that in any way relates to the Trustee is subject to Sections 7.01(a) , 7.01(b)  and 7.01(c) .

 

(e)            No provision of this Indenture will require the Trustee to expend or risk its own funds or Incur any liability.  The Trustee will be under no obligation to exercise any of its rights and powers under this Indenture at the request of any Holder, unless such Holder has offered to the Trustee security and 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 Issuer.  Money held in trust by the Trustee need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law.

 

(g)            Whether or not therein expressly so provided, every provision of this Indenture relating to the conduct or affecting the liability of or affording protection to the Trustee shall be subject to the provisions of this Section 7.01 .

 

Section 7.02                             Rights of Trustee .

 

(a)            The Trustee may conclusively rely upon any document (whether original or facsimile) 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, an Opinion of Counsel or both.  The Trustee will not be liable for any action it takes or omits to take in good faith in reliance on such Officers’ Certificate or Opinion of Counsel.  The Trustee may consult with counsel and the written advice of such counsel or any Opinion of Counsel will be full and complete authorization and protection from liability in respect of any action taken, suffered or omitted by it hereunder in good faith and in reliance thereon.

 

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

 

(d)            The Trustee will not be liable for any action it takes or omits to take in good faith that it believes to be authorized or within the rights or powers conferred upon it by this Indenture.

 

(e)            Unless otherwise specifically provided in this Indenture, any demand, request, direction or notice from the Issuer will be sufficient if signed by an Officer of the Issuer.

 

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(f)             The Trustee will be under no obligation to exercise any of the rights or powers vested in it by this Indenture at the request or direction of any of the Holders unless such Holders have offered to the Trustee reasonable security or indemnity against the costs, expenses and liabilities that might be Incurred by it in compliance with such request or direction.

 

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 Issuer or any Affiliate of the Issuer with the same rights it would have if it were not Trustee.  However, in the event that the Trustee acquires any conflicting interest it must eliminate such conflict within 90 days, apply to the Commission for permission to continue as trustee or resign.  Any Agent may do the same with like rights and duties.  The Trustee is also subject to Sections 7.10 and 7.11 .

 

Section 7.04                             Trustee’s Disclaimer .

 

The Trustee will not be responsible for and makes no representation as to the validity or adequacy of this Indenture or the Securities, it shall not be accountable for the Issuer’s use of the proceeds from the Securities or any money paid to the Issuer or upon the Issuer’s direction under any provision of this Indenture, it will not be responsible for the use or application of any money received by any Paying Agent other than the Trustee, and it will not be responsible for any statement or recital herein or any statement in the Securities or any other document in connection with the sale of the Securities or pursuant to this Indenture other than its certificate of authentication.

 

Section 7.05                             Notice of Defaults .

 

If a Default or Event of Default occurs and is continuing with respect to the Securities of any series and if it is known to the Trustee, the Trustee will mail to Holders of Securities of that series a notice of the Default or Event of Default within 90 days after it occurs, unless such default shall have been cured or waived.  Except in the case of a Default or Event of Default in payment of principal of, premium or Additional Amounts, if any, or interest on any Security, the Trustee may withhold the notice if and so long as a committee of its Responsible Officers in good faith determines that withholding the notice is in the interests of the Holders of the Securities of that series.

 

Section 7.06                             Reports by Trustee to Holders of the Securities .

 

(a)            Within 120 days after the end of each fiscal year beginning with the end of the fiscal year following the date of this Indenture, and for so long as Securities of any series remain Outstanding, the Trustee will mail to all Holders of the Securities of that series a brief report dated as of such reporting date that complies with Section 313(a) of the TIA (but if no event described in Section 313(a) of the TIA has occurred within the 12 months preceding the reporting date, no report need be transmitted).  The Trustee also will comply with Section 313(b)(2) of the TIA and will transmit by mail all reports as required by Section 313(c) of the TIA.

 

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(b)            A copy of each report at the time of its mailing to the Holders of Securities will be mailed by the Trustee to the Issuer and filed by the Trustee with the Commission and each stock exchange on which such Securities are listed in accordance with Section 313(d) of the TIA.  The Issuer will promptly notify the Trustee when the Securities of any series are listed on any stock exchange.

 

Section 7.07                             Compensation and Indemnity .

 

(a)            The Issuer will pay to the Trustee from time to time reasonable compensation as agreed upon between the Trustee and Issuer for its acceptance of this Indenture and services hereunder.  The Trustee’s compensation will not be limited by any law on compensation of a trustee of an express trust.  The Issuer will reimburse the Trustee promptly upon written request for all reasonable disbursements, advances and expenses Incurred or made by it in addition to the compensation for its services (including the reasonable compensation, disbursements and expenses of the Trustee’s agents and counsel), except any such disbursement, advances and expenses as shall be determined to have been caused by the Trustee’s own negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct.

 

(b)            The Issuer and each Guarantor will indemnify the Trustee against any and all losses, liabilities or expenses Incurred by it arising out of or in connection with the acceptance or administration of its duties under this Indenture, including the costs and expenses of enforcing this Indenture against the Issuer and the Guarantors (including this Section 7.07 ) and defending itself against any claim (whether asserted by the Issuer, the Guarantors, any Holder or any other Person) or liability in connection with the exercise or performance of any of its powers or duties hereunder, except to the extent any such loss, liability or expense may be attributable to its negligence, bad faith, or willful misconduct.  The Trustee will notify the Issuer in writing promptly of any claim for which it may seek indemnity.  Failure by the Trustee to so notify the Issuer will not relieve the Issuer or any of the Guarantors of its obligations hereunder.  The Issuer or such Guarantor will defend the claim and the Trustee will cooperate in the defense.  The Trustee may have separate counsel and the Issuer will pay the reasonable fees and expenses of such counsel.  Neither the Issuer nor any Guarantor need pay for any settlement made without its consent, which consent will not be unreasonably withheld.

 

(c)            The obligations of the Issuer and the Guarantors under this Section 7.07 will survive the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture.

 

(d)            To secure the Issuer’s payment obligations in this Section 7.07 , the Trustee will have a Lien prior to the Securities of any series on all money or property held or collected by the Trustee, except that held in trust to pay principal and interest on particular Securities of any series.  Such Lien will survive the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture.

 

(e)            When the Trustee Incurs expenses or renders services after an Event of Default specified in clause (7) or (8) of Section 6.01 occurs, the expenses and the compensation for the services (including the fees and expenses of its agents and counsel) are intended to constitute expenses of administration under any Bankruptcy Law.

 

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(f)             The Trustee will comply with the provisions of Section 313(b)(2) of the TIA to the extent applicable.

 

Section 7.08                             Replacement of Trustee .

 

(a)            A resignation or removal of the Trustee and appointment of a successor Trustee will become effective only upon the successor Trustee’s acceptance of appointment as provided in this Section 7.08 .

 

(b)            The Trustee may resign with respect to the Securities of one or more series in writing at any time and be discharged from the trust hereby created by so notifying the Issuer.  The Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then Outstanding Securities of any series may remove the Trustee with respect to the Securities of that series by so notifying the Trustee and the Issuer in writing.  The Issuer may remove the Trustee if:

 

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

 

(2)            the Trustee is adjudged a bankrupt or an insolvent or an order for relief is entered with respect to the Trustee under any Bankruptcy Law;

 

(3)            a custodian or public officer takes charge of the Trustee or its property; or

 

(4)            the Trustee becomes incapable of acting.

 

(c)            If the Trustee resigns, is removed, is incapable of acting or if a vacancy exists in the office of Trustee for any reason with respect to the Securities of one or more series, the Issuer, by Board Resolution, will promptly appoint a successor Trustee or Trustees with respect to the Securities of that or those series.  Within one year after the successor Trustee or Trustees with respect to the Securities of any series takes office, the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then Outstanding Securities of that series may appoint a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of that series to replace the successor Trustee appointed by the Issuer.

 

(d)            If a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series does not take office within 60 days after the retiring Trustee resigns or is removed, the retiring Trustee, the Issuer or the Holders of at least 10% in aggregate principal amount of the then Outstanding Securities of that series may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee with respect to Securities of that series.

 

(e)            If the Trustee, after written request by any Holder of Securities of any series who has been a Holder of Securities of that series for at least six months, fails to comply with Section 7.10 , such Holder may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the removal of the Trustee and the appointment of a successor Trustee with respect to Securities of that series.

 

(f)             In case of the appointment hereunder of a successor Trustee with respect to all Securities, every such successor Trustee will deliver a written acceptance of its appointment to the retiring Trustee and to the Issuer.  Thereupon, the resignation or removal of the retiring Trustee will become effective, and the successor Trustee will have all the rights, powers and

 

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duties of the Trustee under this Indenture without any further act, deed or conveyance.  The successor Trustee will mail a notice of its succession to Holders.  The retiring Trustee will promptly transfer all property held by it as Trustee to the successor Trustee, provided all sums owing to the Trustee hereunder have been paid and subject to the Lien provided for in Section 7.07 .  Notwithstanding replacement of the Trustee pursuant to this Section 7.08 , the Issuer’s obligations under Section 7.07 will continue for the benefit of the retiring Trustee.

 

(g)            In case of the appointment hereunder of a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of one or more (but not all) series, the Issuer, the retiring Trustee and each successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of one or more series shall execute and deliver an indenture supplemental hereto, pursuant to Article 9 , wherein each successor Trustee shall accept such appointment and which (1) shall contain such provisions as shall be necessary or desirable to transfer and confirm to, and to vest in, each successor Trustee all the rights, powers, trusts and duties of the retiring Trustee with respect to the Securities of that or those series to which the appointment of such successor Trustee relates, (2) if the retiring Trustee is not retiring with respect to all Securities, shall contain such provisions as shall be deemed necessary or desirable to confirm that all the rights, powers, trusts and duties of the retiring Trustee with respect to the Securities of that or those series as to which the retiring Trustee is not retiring shall continue to be vested in the retiring Trustee and (3) shall add to or change any of the provisions of this Indenture as shall be necessary to provide for or facilitate the administration of the trusts hereunder by more than one Trustee, it being understood that nothing herein or in such supplemental indenture shall constitute such Trustees co-trustees of the same trust and that each such Trustee shall be trustee of a trust or trusts hereunder separate and apart from any trust or trusts hereunder administered by any other such Trustee; and upon the execution and delivery of such supplemental indenture the resignation or removal of the retiring Trustee shall become effective to the extent provided therein and each such successor Trustee, without any further act, deed or conveyance, shall become vested with all the rights, powers, trusts and duties of the retiring Trustee with respect to the Securities of that or those series to which the appointment of such successor Trustee relates; but, on request of the Issuer or any successor Trustee, such retiring Trustee shall duly assign, transfer and deliver to such successor Trustee all property and money held by such retiring Trustee hereunder with respect to the Securities of that or those series to which the appointment of such successor Trustee relates.

 

(h)            Upon request of any such successor Trustee, the Issuer shall execute any and all instruments for more fully and certainly vesting in and confirming to such successor Trustee all such rights, powers and trusts referred to in Sections 7.08(f)  and 7.08(g) , as the case may be.

 

(i)             No successor Trustee shall accept its appointment unless at the time of such acceptance such successor Trustee shall be qualified and eligible under this Article 7 .

 

Section 7.09                             Successor Trustee by Merger, etc.

 

If the Trustee consolidates, merges or converts into, or transfers all or substantially all of its corporate trust business to, another corporation, the successor corporation without any further act will be the successor Trustee, provided such corporation shall be otherwise qualified and eligible under this Article 7 , without the execution or filing of any paper or any further act on the part of the parties hereto.

 

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Section 7.10                             Eligibility; Disqualification .

 

There will at all times be a Trustee hereunder that is a corporation organized and doing business under the laws of the United States or of any state thereof that is authorized under such laws to exercise corporate trustee power, that is subject to supervision or examination by federal or state authorities and that has a combined capital and surplus of at least $100 million as set forth in its most recent published annual report of condition.

 

This Indenture will always have a Trustee who satisfies the requirements of Sections 310(a)(1), 310(a)(2) and 310(a)(5) of the TIA.  The Trustee is subject to Section 310(b) of the TIA.

 

Section 7.11                             Preferential Collection of Claims Against Issuer .

 

The Trustee is subject to Section 311(a) of the TIA, excluding any creditor relationship listed in Section 311(b) of the TIA.  A Trustee who has resigned or been removed shall be subject to Section 311(a) of the TIA to the extent indicated therein.

 

ARTICLE 8

 

LEGAL DEFEASANCE AND COVENANT DEFEASANCE

 

Section 8.01                             Applicability of Article; Option to Effect Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance .

 

If, pursuant to Section 2.02 , provision is made for either or both of (a) defeasance of the Securities of or within a series under Section 8.02 or (b) covenant defeasance of the Securities of or within a series under Section 8.03 , then the provisions of such Section or Sections, as the case may be, together with the other provisions of this Article 8 (with such modifications thereto as may be specified pursuant to Section 2.02 with respect to any Securities), shall be applicable to such Securities, and the Issuer may at its option by Board Resolutions, at any time, with respect to such Securities, elect to have Section 8.02 or 8.03 (if applicable) be applied to such Outstanding Securities upon compliance with the conditions set forth below in this Article.

 

Section 8.02                             Legal Defeasance and Discharge .

 

Upon the Issuer’s exercise under Section 8.01 of the option applicable to this Section 8.02 with respect to any Outstanding Securities of or within a series, the Issuer and each of the Guarantors will, subject to the satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 8.04 , be deemed to have been discharged from their obligations with respect to all such Outstanding Securities (including the related Securities Guarantees) on the date the conditions set forth below are satisfied (hereinafter, “ Legal Defeasance ”).  For this purpose, Legal Defeasance means that the Issuer and the Guarantors will be deemed to have paid and discharged the entire Debt represented by such Outstanding Securities (including the related Securities Guarantees), which will thereafter be deemed to be “Outstanding” only for the purposes of Section 8.05 and the other Sections of this Indenture referred to in clauses (1) and (2) below, and to have satisfied all their other obligations under such Securities, such Guarantees and this Indenture (and the Trustee, on demand of and at the expense of the Issuer, shall execute proper instruments acknowledging the

 

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same), except for the following provisions which will survive until otherwise terminated or discharged hereunder:

 

(1)            the rights of Holders of such Outstanding Securities to receive payments in respect of the principal of, or interest or premium and Additional Amounts, if any, on such Securities when such payments are due from the trust referred to in Section 8.04 ;

 

(2)            the Issuer’s obligations with respect to such Securities under Article 2 and Section 4.02 ;

 

(3)            the rights, powers, trusts, duties and immunities of the Trustee hereunder and the Issuer’s and the Guarantors’ obligations in connection therewith; and

 

(4)            this Article 8 .

 

Subject to compliance with this Article 8 , the Issuer may exercise its option under this Section 8.02 notwithstanding the prior exercise of its option under Section 8.03 .

 

Section 8.03                             Covenant Defeasance .

 

Upon the Issuer’s exercise under Section 8.01 of the option applicable to this Section 8.03 with respect to any Outstanding Securities of or within a series, the Issuer and the Guarantors will, subject to the satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 8.04 , be released from each of their obligations under the covenant contained in Section 4.04 and, if specified as contemplated by Section 2.02 , its obligations under any other covenant, with respect to such Outstanding Securities on and after the date the conditions set forth in Section 8.04 are satisfied (hereinafter, “ Covenant Defeasance ”), and such Securities will thereafter be deemed not “Outstanding” for the purposes of any direction, waiver, consent or declaration or act of Holders (and the consequences of any thereof) in connection with such covenants, but will continue to be deemed “Outstanding” for all other purposes hereunder.  For this purpose, Covenant Defeasance means that, with respect to the Outstanding Securities and the related Securities Guarantees, the Issuer and the Guarantors may omit to comply with and will have no liability in respect of any term, condition or limitation set forth in any such covenant, whether directly or indirectly, by reason of any reference elsewhere herein to any such covenant or by reason of any reference in any such covenant to any other provision herein or in any other document and such omission to comply will not constitute a Default or an Event of Default under Section 6.01 , but, except as specified above, the remainder of this Indenture and such Securities and the related Securities Guarantees will be unaffected thereby.  In addition, upon the Issuer’s exercise under Section 8.01 of the option applicable to this Section 8.03 with respect to any Outstanding Securities of or within a series, subject to the satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 8.04 , clauses (4) through (6) of Section 6.01 will not constitute Events of Default.

 

Section 8.04                             Conditions to Legal or Covenant Defeasance .

 

In order to exercise either Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance under either Section 8.02 or 8.03 with respect to any Outstanding Securities of or within a series:

 

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(1)            the Issuer irrevocably deposits with the Trustee for the Securities of that series, in trust, for the benefit of the Holders, money in such currency or currencies, or currency unit or currency units, in which such Security is then specified as payable at maturity, non-callable Government Obligations applicable to such Securities (determined on the basis of the currency or currencies, or currency unit or currency units, in which such Securities are then specified as payable at maturity), or any combination thereof, in such amounts as will be sufficient, in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants, to pay the principal of (including any sinking fund payment or analogous payments applicable to such Outstanding Securities), premium and Additional Amounts, if any, and interest on such Outstanding Securities on the stated date for payment thereof or on the applicable redemption date, as the case may be;

 

(2)            in the case of an election under Section 8.02 , the Issuer has delivered to the Trustee for the Securities of that series an Opinion of Counsel in the United States reasonably acceptable to such Trustee confirming that (i) the Issuer has received from, or there has been published by, the Internal Revenue Service a ruling or (ii) since the date of this Indenture, there has been a change in the applicable federal income tax law, in either case to the effect that, and based thereon such Opinion of Counsel shall confirm that, the Holders of such Outstanding Securities will not recognize income, gain or loss for federal income tax purposes as a result of such Legal Defeasance and will be subject to federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such Legal Defeasance had not occurred;

 

(3)            in the case of an election under Section 8.03 , the Issuer must deliver to such Trustee for Securities of that series an Opinion of Counsel in the United States reasonably acceptable to such Trustee confirming that the Holders of such Outstanding Securities will not recognize income, gain or loss for federal income tax purposes as a result of such Covenant Defeasance and will be subject to federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such Covenant Defeasance had not occurred;

 

(4)            no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred in respect of Securities of that series and be continuing on the date of such deposit (other than a Default or Event of Default in respect of that series resulting from the borrowing of funds to be applied to such deposit);

 

(5)            such Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance will not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under, any material agreement or instrument (other than this Indenture in respect of Securities of that series) to which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is a party or by which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is bound;

 

(6)            the Issuer must deliver to the Trustee for Securities of that series an Officers’ Certificate stating that the deposit was not made by Issuer with the intent of preferring the Holders of such Securities over the other creditors of Issuer with the intent of defeating, hindering, delaying or defrauding any other creditors of the Issuer or others;

 

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(7)            the Issuer must deliver to the Trustee for Securities of that series an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent provided for or relating to the Legal Defeasance or the Covenant Defeasance have been complied with; and

 

(8)            notwithstanding any other provisions of this Section 8.04 , such Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance shall be effected in compliance with any additional or substitute terms, conditions or limitations which may be imposed on the Issuer in connection therewith pursuant to Section 2.02 .

 

Section 8.05                             Deposited Money and Government Securities to be Held in Trust; Other Miscellaneous Provisions .

 

Subject to Section 8.06 , all money, Government Obligations or other property as may be provided pursuant to Section 2.02 (including the proceeds thereof) deposited with the Trustee (or other qualifying trustee, collectively for purposes of this Section 8.05 , the “ Trustee ”) pursuant to Section 8.04 in respect of any Outstanding Securities of any series will be held in trust and applied by such Trustee, in accordance with the provisions of such Securities and this Indenture, to the payment, either directly or through any Paying Agent (including the Issuer acting as Paying Agent) as such Trustee may determine, to the Holders of such Securities of all sums due and to become due thereon in respect of principal, premium and Additional Amounts, if any, and interest, but such money need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law.

 

The Issuer will pay and indemnify such Trustee against any tax, fee or other charge imposed on or assessed against the money or non-callable Government Obligations deposited pursuant to Section 8.04 or the principal and interest received in respect thereof other than any such tax, fee or other charge which by law is for the account of the Holders of such Outstanding Securities.

 

Notwithstanding anything in this Article 8 to the contrary, such Trustee will deliver or pay to the Issuer from time to time upon the request of the Issuer any money or non-callable Government Obligations held by it as provided in Section 8.04 which, in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants expressed in a written certification thereof delivered to such Trustee (which may be the opinion delivered under clause (1) of Section 8.04 ), are in excess of the amount thereof that would then be required to be deposited to effect an equivalent Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance.

 

Section 8.06                             Repayment to Issuer .

 

Any money deposited with the Trustee or any Paying Agent, or then held by the Issuer, in trust for the payment of the principal of, premium or Additional Amounts, if any, or interest on any Security and remaining unclaimed for two years after such principal, premium or Additional Amounts, if any, or interest has become due and payable shall be paid to the Issuer upon its request or (if then held by the Issuer) will be discharged from such trust; and the Holder of such Security will thereafter be permitted to look only to the Issuer for payment thereof, and all liability of the Trustee or such Paying Agent with respect to such trust money, and all liability of the Issuer as trustee thereof, will thereupon cease; provided , however , that the Trustee or such

 

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Paying Agent, before being required to make any such repayment, may at the expense of the Issuer cause to be published once, in an Authorized Newspaper, notice that such money remains unclaimed and that, after a date specified therein, which will not be less than 30 days from the date of such notification or publication, any unclaimed balance of such money then remaining will be repaid to the Issuer.

 

Section 8.07                             Reinstatement .

 

(a)            If the Trustee or Paying Agent is unable to apply any money or non-callable Government Obligations deposited in respect of Securities of or within a series in accordance with Section 8.02 or 8.03 , as the case may be, by reason of any order or judgment of any court or governmental authority enjoining, restraining or otherwise prohibiting such application, then the Issuer’s and the Guarantor’s obligations under this Indenture and such Securities and the related Securities Guarantees will be revived and reinstated as though no deposit had occurred pursuant to Section 8.02 or 8.03 hereof until such time as the Trustee or Paying Agent is permitted to apply all such money in accordance with Section 8.02 or 8.03 hereof, as the case may be; provided , however , that unless otherwise provided in the Board Resolution or indenture supplemental hereto pursuant to which such Securities shall have been issued, the principles set forth in Sections 8.07(b)  and 8.07(c)  shall apply following such reinstatement; provided further , however , that if the Issuer makes any payment of principal of, premium or Additional Amounts, if any, or interest on any Security following the reinstatement of its obligations, the Issuer will be subrogated to the rights of the Holders of such Securities to receive such payment from the money held by the Trustee or Paying Agent.

 

(b)            If reinstatement of the Issuer’s and Guarantors’ obligations under this Indenture, the Securities and the related Securities Guarantees shall occur as provided in Section 8.07(a) , such reinstatement shall be deemed to have occurred as of the date of such deposit except that no Default will be deemed to have occurred solely by reason of a breach while any such obligation was suspended.

 

(c)            Neither (1) the continued existence following the reinstatement of the foregoing obligations of facts and circumstances or obligations that were Incurred or otherwise came into existence while the foregoing obligations were suspended nor (2) the performance of any such obligations, including the consummation of any transaction pursuant to, and on materially the same terms as, a contractual agreement in existence prior to the reinstatement of the foregoing obligations, shall constitute a breach of any such obligations or cause a Default or Event of Default in respect thereof; provided, however , that the Company and its Subsidiaries (A) did not Incur or otherwise cause such facts and circumstances or obligations to exist in anticipation of the reinstatement of the foregoing obligations and (B) did not reasonably believe that such Incurrence or actions would result in such reinstatement.  For purposes of clauses (A) and (B) above, anticipation and reasonable belief may be determined by the Company and shall be conclusively evidenced by a Board Resolution to such effect.

 

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ARTICLE 9

 

AMENDMENT, SUPPLEMENT AND WAIVER

 

Section 9.01                             Without Consent of Holders of Securities .

 

Notwithstanding Section 9.02 , the Issuer, the Guarantors and the Trustee may amend or supplement this Indenture, the Securities Guarantees or the Securities without the consent of any Holder of a Security:

 

(1)            to cure any ambiguity, defect or inconsistency;

 

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

 

(3)            to provide for the assumption of the Issuer’s obligations to Holders of Securities in the case of a merger or consolidation or sale of all or substantially all of the Issuer’s assets;

 

(4)            to add to the covenants of the Issuer for the benefit of the Holders of all or any series of Securities (and if such covenants are to be for the benefit of less than all series of Securities, stating that such covenants are expressly being included solely for the benefit of that series) or to surrender any right or power herein conferred upon the Issuer;

 

(5)            to add any additional Events of Default for the benefit of the Holders of all or any series of Securities (and if such Events of Default are to be for the benefit of less than all series of Securities, stating that such Events of Default are expressly being included solely for the benefit of that series); provided , however , that in respect of any such additional Events of Default such supplemental indenture may provide for a particular period of grace after default (which period may be shorter or longer than that allowed in the case of other defaults) or may provide for an immediate enforcement upon such default or may limit the remedies available to the Trustee upon such default or may limit the right of the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of that or those series of Securities to which such additional Events of Default apply to waive such default;

 

(6)            to add to, change or eliminate any of the provisions of this Indenture so long as any such addition not otherwise permitted under this Indenture shall (i) neither apply to any Securities of any series created prior to the execution of such amendment or supplement and entitled to the benefit of such provision nor modify the rights of the Holders of any such Security with respect to the benefit of such provision or (ii) become effective only when there is no such Security outstanding;

 

(7)            to establish the form or terms of Securities of any series as permitted by Sections 2.01 and 2.02 , including the provisions and procedures relating to Securities convertible into Common Stock;

 

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

 

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of the provisions of this Indenture as shall be necessary to provide for or facilitate the administration of the trusts hereunder by more than one Trustee;

 

(9)            subject to compliance with the conditions set forth in Article 5 , to evidence the succession of another entity to the Company and the assumption by the successor of the covenants of the Company contained in this Indenture;

 

(10)          to supplement any of the provisions of this Indenture to such extent as shall be necessary to permit or facilitate the defeasance and discharge of any series of Securities pursuant to Sections 8.02 , 8.03 and 11.01 , provided that any such action shall not adversely affect the interests of the Holders of Securities of that series or any other series of Securities in any material respect;

 

(11)          to add additional Securities Guarantees with respect to the Securities;

 

(12)          to secure the Securities;

 

(13)          to make any other change that would provide any additional rights or benefits to the Holders of Securities or that does not adversely affect the legal rights under this Indenture of any such Holder;

 

(14)          to comply with requirements of the Commission in order to effect or maintain the qualification of this Indenture under the TIA;

 

(15)          with respect to the Securities of any series, to conform the text of such series of Securities or this Indenture to any provision of the “Description of the Notes,” “Description of Notes” or “Description of Debt Securities” sections of the offering memorandum, prospectus supplement or other like offering document relating to the initial offering of such series of Securities, to the extent that such provision was intended to be a verbatim recitation of a provision of such series of Securities or this Indenture; or

 

(16)          to provide for the issuance of additional Securities as permitted by this Indenture.

 

Section 9.02                             With Consent of Holders of Securities .

 

Except as provided below in this Section 9.02 , the Issuer, the Guarantors and the Trustee may amend or supplement this Indenture, the Securities Guarantees and the Securities with the consent of the Holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then Outstanding Securities affected by such amendment or supplemental indenture voting as a single class (including, without limitation, consents obtained in connection with a tender offer or exchange offer for, or purchase of, the Securities), and, subject to Sections 6.04 and 6.07 , any existing Default or Event of Default (other than a Default or Event of Default in the payment of the principal of, premium or Additional Amounts, if any, or interest on the Securities, except a payment default resulting from an acceleration that has been rescinded) or compliance with any provision of this Indenture, the Securities Guarantees or the Securities may be waived generally or in a particular instance with the consent of the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then Outstanding Securities affected thereby voting as a single class (including

 

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consents obtained in connection with a tender offer or exchange offer for, or purchase of, the Securities).

 

However, without the consent of the Holder of each Outstanding Security affected thereby, an amendment or waiver under this Section 9.02 may not (with respect to any Securities held by a non-consenting Holder):

 

(1)            reduce the principal amount of Securities of any series whose Holders must consent to an amendment, supplement or waiver;

 

(2)            reduce the principal amount, or change the fixed maturity, of any Security of a series, reduce the rate of, or change the time for payment of, interest or any premium on any Securities of a series or alter the provisions in Article 3 hereof with respect to redemption of the Securities (excluding, for the avoidance of doubt, the number of days before a redemption date that a notice of redemption may be mailed to the Holders, which may be amended with the written consent of the Holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the then Outstanding Securities of such series);

 

(3)            reduce the amount of principal of an Original Issue Discount Security that would be due and payable upon declaration of acceleration of its maturity;

 

(4)            waive a Default or Event of Default in the payment of principal of, or interest or premium, or Additional Amounts, if any, on the Securities of any series (except a rescission of acceleration of the Securities by the Holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of that series then Outstanding and a waiver of the payment Default that resulted from such acceleration);

 

(5)            make any Security payable in a currency or currencies or currency unit or currency units other than that stated in the Securities;

 

(6)            make any change in Section 6.04 or 6.07 relating to waivers of past Defaults or the rights of Holders of Securities to receive payments of principal of, or interest or premium or Additional Amounts, if any, on the Securities;

 

(7)            impair the rights of Holders of the Securities to convert their Securities, if convertible, upon the terms and in accordance with the provisions of this Indenture;

 

(8)            release any Guarantor from any of its obligations under its Securities Guarantee or this Indenture, except in accordance with the terms of this Indenture;

 

(9)            waive a redemption payment with respect to any Security of a series; or

 

(10)          make any change in the amendment and waiver provisions set forth in clauses (1) through (9) of this Section 9.02 .

 

Section 2.09 shall determine which Securities are considered to be “Outstanding” for purposes of this Section 9.02 .

 

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An indenture supplemental hereto which changes or eliminates any covenant or other provision of this Indenture that has expressly been included solely for the benefit of Holders of one or more particular series of Securities, or which modifies the rights of the Holders of Securities of that series with respect to such covenant or other provision, shall be deemed not to affect the rights under this Indenture of the Holders of Securities of any other series.

 

It is not necessary for the consent of the Holders of Securities under this Section 9.02 to approve the particular form of any proposed amendment or waiver, but it is sufficient if such consent approves the substance thereof.

 

After an amendment, supplement or waiver under this Section 9.02 becomes effective, the Issuer will mail to the Holders of Securities affected thereby a notice briefly describing the amendment, supplement or waiver.  Any failure of the Issuer to mail such notice, or any defect therein, will not, however, in any way impair or affect the validity of any such amended or supplemental indenture or waiver.

 

Section 9.03                             Compliance with Trust Indenture Act .

 

Every amendment or supplement to this Indenture or the Securities will be set forth in an amended or supplemental indenture that complies with the TIA as then in effect.

 

Section 9.04                             Revocation and Effect of Consents .

 

Until an amendment, supplement or waiver becomes effective, a consent to it by a Holder of a Security is a continuing consent by the Holder of a Security 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 of a Security or subsequent Holder of a Security may revoke the consent as to its Security if the Trustee receives written notice of revocation before the date the waiver, supplement or amendment becomes effective.  An amendment, supplement or waiver becomes effective in accordance with its terms and thereafter binds every Holder.

 

Section 9.05                             Notation on or Exchange of Securities .

 

The Trustee may place an appropriate notation about an amendment, supplement or waiver on any Outstanding Security thereafter authenticated.  The Issuer in exchange for all Outstanding Securities of a series may issue and the Trustee shall, upon receipt of an Authentication Order, authenticate new Securities of that series that reflect the amendment, supplement or waiver.

 

Failure to make the appropriate notation or issue a new Security of that series will not affect the validity and effect of such amendment, supplement or waiver.

 

Section 9.06                             Trustee to Sign Amendments, etc.

 

Upon the request of the Issuer accompanied by Board Resolutions authorizing the execution of any amended or supplemental indenture, and upon the filing with the Trustee of evidence satisfactory to the Trustee of the consent of the Holders of Securities as aforesaid, and

 

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upon receipt by the Trustee of the documents described in Section 7.02 , the Trustee will join with the Issuer in the execution of an amended or supplemental indenture unless such amended or supplemental indenture directly affects the Trustee’s own rights, duties, liabilities or immunities under this Indenture or otherwise, in which case the Trustee may in its discretion, but will not be obligated to, enter into such amended or supplemental indenture.  In executing any amended or supplemental indenture, the Trustee will be entitled to receive and (subject to Section 7.01 ) will be fully protected in relying upon, in addition to the documents required by Section 13.04 , an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel stating that the execution of such amended or supplemental indenture is authorized or permitted by this Indenture.

 

ARTICLE 10

 

SECURITIES GUARANTEES

 

Section 10.01                      Applicability of Article; Securities Guarantee .

 

(a)                                  If the Issuer elects to issue any series of Securities with the benefit of Securities Guarantees as contemplated by Section 2.02 , then the provisions of this Article 10 (with such modifications thereto as may be specified pursuant to Section 2.02 with respect to any series of Securities), will be applicable to such Securities.  Each reference in this Article 10 to a “Security” or the “Securities” refers to the Securities of the particular series as to which provision has been made for such Securities Guarantees.  If more than one series of Securities as to which such provision has been made are Outstanding at any time, the provisions of this Article 10 shall be applied separately to each that series.

 

(b)                                  Subject to this Article 10 , each of the Guarantors, jointly and severally, fully and unconditionally guarantees to each Holder of a Security of any series issued with the benefit of Securities Guarantees authenticated and delivered by the Trustee and to the Trustee and its successors and assigns, irrespective of the validity and enforceability of this Indenture, such Security or the obligations of the Issuer hereunder or thereunder, that:

 

(1)                                  the principal of, premium and Additional Amounts, if any, and interest on such Security will be promptly paid in full when due, whether at maturity, by acceleration, redemption or otherwise, and interest on the overdue principal of and interest on such Security, if any, if lawful, and all other obligations of the Issuer to the Holders or the Trustee hereunder or thereunder will be promptly paid in full or performed, all in accordance with the terms hereof and thereof; and

 

(2)                                  in case of any extension of time of payment or renewal of any Securities of that series or any of such other obligations, that same will be promptly paid in full when due or performed in accordance with the terms of the extension or renewal, whether at stated maturity, by acceleration or otherwise.

 

Failing payment when due of any amount so guaranteed or any performance so guaranteed for whatever reason, the Guarantors will be jointly and severally obligated to pay the same immediately.  Each Guarantor agrees that this is a guarantee of payment and not a guarantee of collection.

 

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(c)                                   The Guarantors hereby agree that their obligations hereunder are unconditional, irrespective of the validity, regularity or enforceability of the Securities of any series issued with the benefit of Securities Guarantees or this Indenture, the absence of any action to enforce the same, any waiver or consent by any Holder of the Securities of that series with respect to any provisions hereof or thereof, the recovery of any judgment against the Issuer, any action to enforce the same or any other circumstance which might otherwise constitute a legal or equitable discharge or defense of a guarantor, other than payment in full of all obligations under the Securities of that series.  Each Guarantor in respect of a series of Securities hereby waives diligence, presentment, demand of payment, filing of claims with a court in the event of insolvency or bankruptcy of the Issuer in respect of that series, any right to require a proceeding first against the Issuer, protest, notice and all demands whatsoever and covenant that this Securities Guarantee will not be discharged except by complete performance of the obligations contained in such Securities and this Indenture.

 

(d)                                  If any Holder or the Trustee is required by any court or otherwise to return to the Issuer, the Guarantors or any custodian, trustee, liquidator or other similar official acting in relation to either the Issuer or the Guarantors, any amount paid by either to the Trustee or such Holder, this Securities Guarantee, to the extent theretofore discharged, will be reinstated in full force and effect.

 

(e)                                   Each Guarantor agrees that it will not be entitled to any right of subrogation in relation to the Holders in respect of any obligations guaranteed hereby until payment in full of all obligations guaranteed hereby.  Each Guarantor further agrees that, as between the Guarantors, on the one hand, and the Holders and the Trustee, on the other hand, (1) the maturity of the obligations guaranteed hereby may be accelerated as provided in Article 6 for the purposes of its Securities Guarantee notwithstanding any stay, injunction or other prohibition preventing such acceleration in respect of the obligations guaranteed hereby, and (2) in the event of any declaration of acceleration of such obligations as provided in Article 6 , such obligations (whether or not due and payable) will forthwith become due and payable by such Guarantor for the purpose of its Securities Guarantee.  The Guarantors will have the right to seek contribution from any non-paying Guarantor so long as the exercise of such right does not impair the rights of the Holders under the Securities Guarantee.

 

Section 10.02                      Limitation on Guarantor Liability .

 

Each Guarantor, and by its acceptance of Securities of any series issued with the benefit of Securities Guarantees, each Holder, hereby confirms that it is the intention of all such parties that the Securities Guarantee of such Guarantor not constitute a fraudulent transfer or conveyance for purposes of Bankruptcy Law, the Uniform Fraudulent Conveyance Act, the Uniform Fraudulent Transfer Act or any similar federal or state law to the extent applicable to any Securities Guarantee.  To effectuate the foregoing intention, the Trustee, the Holders and the Guarantors hereby irrevocably agree that the obligations of each such Guarantor will, after giving effect to any maximum amount and all other contingent and fixed liabilities of such Guarantor that are relevant under such laws, and after giving effect to any collections from, rights to receive contribution from or payments made by or on behalf of any other Guarantor in respect of the obligations of such other Guarantor under this Article 10 , result in the obligations

 

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of such Guarantor under its Securities Guarantee not constituting a fraudulent transfer or conveyance.

 

Section 10.03                      Execution and Delivery of Securities Guarantee .

 

To evidence its Securities Guarantee set forth in Section 10.01 in respect of Securities of a series issued with the benefit of Securities Guarantees, each Guarantor hereby agrees that a notation of such Securities Guarantee substantially in the form as shall be established in one or more indentures supplemental hereto or approved from time to time pursuant to Board Resolutions in accordance with Section 2.02 , will be endorsed by an Officer of such Guarantor on each Security of that series authenticated and delivered by the Trustee and that this Indenture will be executed on behalf of such Guarantor by one of its Officers.

 

Each Guarantor hereby agrees that its Securities Guarantee set forth in Section 10.01 will remain in full force and effect notwithstanding any failure to endorse on each Security of that series a notation of such Securities Guarantee.

 

If an Officer whose signature is on this Indenture or on the Securities Guarantee no longer holds that office at the time the Trustee authenticates the Security of that series on which a Securities Guarantee is endorsed, such Securities Guarantee will be valid nevertheless.

 

The delivery of any Security of a series issued with the benefit of Securities Guarantees by the Trustee, after the authentication thereof hereunder, will constitute due delivery of the Securities Guarantee set forth in this Indenture on behalf of the Guarantors.

 

Section 10.04                      Guarantors May Consolidate, etc., on Certain Terms .

 

Subject to Article 5 and except as otherwise may be provided in a supplemental indenture pursuant to Section 2.02 in respect of the release of Guarantors in connection with a sale of assets permitted by such supplemental indenture or otherwise, no Guarantor may sell or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of its assets to, or consolidate with or merge with or into (whether or not such Guarantor is the surviving Person), another Person, other than the Issuer or another Guarantor, unless:

 

(1)                                  immediately after giving effect to that transaction, no Default or Event of Default exists; and

 

(2)                                  the Person acquiring the property in any such sale or disposition or the Person formed by or surviving any such consolidation or merger assumes all the obligations of that Guarantor under this Indenture and its Securities Guarantee pursuant to a supplemental indenture.

 

In case of any such consolidation, merger, sale or conveyance and upon the assumption by the successor Person, by supplemental indenture, of the Securities Guarantee endorsed upon the Securities of any series and the due and punctual performance of all of the covenants and conditions of this Indenture to be performed by the Guarantor, such successor Person will succeed to and be substituted for the Guarantor with the same effect as if it had been named herein as a Guarantor.  Such successor Person thereupon may cause to be signed any or all of the

 

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Securities Guarantees to be endorsed upon all of the Securities of that series issuable hereunder which theretofore shall not have been signed by the Issuer and delivered to the Trustee.  All the Securities Guarantees so issued will in all respects have the same legal rank and benefit under this Indenture as the Securities Guarantees theretofore and thereafter issued in accordance with the terms of this Indenture as though all of such Securities Guarantees had been issued at the date of the execution hereof.

 

Except as set forth in Article 5 or as otherwise may be provided in a supplemental indenture pursuant to Section 2.02 , and notwithstanding this Section 10.04 , nothing contained in this Indenture or in any of the Securities of any series will prevent any consolidation or merger of a Guarantor with or into the Issuer or another Guarantor of that series, or will prevent any sale or conveyance of the property of a Guarantor as an entirety or substantially as an entirety to the Issuer or another Guarantor of that series.

 

ARTICLE 11

 

SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE

 

Section 11.01                      Satisfaction and Discharge .

 

This Indenture will be discharged and will cease to be of further effect as to any series of Securities issued hereunder (except as to any surviving rights of registration of transfer or exchange of Securities of that series herein expressly provided for and the right to receive Additional Amounts), when:

 

(1)                                  either:

 

(A)                                all Securities of that series that have been authenticated (except lost, stolen or destroyed Securities that have been replaced or paid and Securities for whose payment money has theretofore been deposited in trust and thereafter repaid to the Issuer) have been delivered to the Trustee for cancellation; or

 

(B)                                all Securities of that series that have not been delivered to the Trustee for cancellation have become due and payable by reason of the making of a notice of redemption or otherwise or will become due and payable within one year and the Issuer or any Guarantor has irrevocably deposited or caused to be deposited with the Trustee for Securities of that series as trust funds in trust solely for the benefit of the Holders, money in such currency or currencies, or currency unit or currency units, in which such Securities are then specified as payable at maturity, non-callable Government Obligations applicable to such Securities (determined on the basis of the currency or currencies, or currency unit or currency units, in which such Securities are then specified as payable at maturity), or a combination thereof, in such amounts as will be sufficient without consideration of any reinvestment of interest, to pay and discharge the entire indebtedness on such Securities not delivered to the Trustee for

 

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cancellation for principal, premium and Additional Amounts, if any, and accrued interest to the date of maturity or redemption;

 

(2)                                  no Default or Event of Default with respect to the Securities of that series has occurred and is continuing on the date of such deposit or will occur as a result of such deposit and such deposit will not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under, any other instrument to which the Issuer or any Guarantor is a party or by which the Issuer or any Guarantor is bound;

 

(3)                                  the Issuer or any Guarantor has paid or caused to be paid all sums payable by it under this Indenture with respect to the Securities of that series; and

 

(4)                                  the Issuer has delivered irrevocable instructions to the Trustee for Securities of that series, to apply the money on deposit in the trust referred to in subclause (B) of clause (1) above toward the payment of such Securities at maturity or on the redemption date, as the case may be.

 

In addition, the Issuer must deliver an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel to the Trustee for Securities of that series stating that all conditions precedent to satisfaction and discharge have been satisfied.

 

Notwithstanding the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture in respect of Securities of a series, if money has been deposited with the Trustee pursuant to subclause (B) of clause (1) of this Section 11.01 , the provisions of Section 11.02 and Section 8.06 will survive.  In addition, nothing in this Section 11.01 will be deemed to discharge those provisions of Section 7.07 that, by their terms, survive the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture.

 

Section 11.02                      Application of Trust Money .

 

Subject to the provisions of Section 8.06 , all money deposited with the Trustee in respect of any Securities pursuant to Section 11.01 shall be held in trust and applied by it, in accordance with the provisions of such Securities and this Indenture, to the payment, either directly or through any Paying Agent (including the Issuer acting as its own Paying Agent) as the Trustee may determine, to the Persons entitled thereto, of the principal (and premium, if any) and interest and Additional Amounts for whose payment such money has been deposited with the Trustee, but such money need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law and Section 2.05 .

 

If the Trustee or Paying Agent is unable to apply any money or Government Obligations in accordance with Section 11.01 in respect of any Securities by reason of any legal proceeding or by reason of any order or judgment of any court or governmental authority enjoining, restraining or otherwise prohibiting such application, the Issuer’s and any Guarantor’s obligations under this Indenture and such Securities shall be revived and reinstated as though no deposit had occurred pursuant to Section 11.01 and the provisions of Section 8.07 shall apply to the extent provided therein.

 

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ARTICLE 12

 

CONVERSION OF SECURITIES

 

Section 12.01                      Applicability of Article .

 

Securities of any series issued by the Company which are convertible into Common Stock at the option of the Holder of such Securities shall be convertible in accordance with their terms and (unless otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 2.02 for the Securities of any series) in accordance with this Article 12 .  Each reference in this Article 12 to “a Security” or the “Securities” refers to the Securities of the particular series that is convertible into Common Stock.  If more than one series of Securities with conversion privileges is Outstanding at any time, the provisions of this Article 12 shall be applied separately to each that series.

 

Section 12.02                      Right of Holders to Convert Securities into Common Stock .

 

Subject to and upon compliance with the terms of the Securities and the provisions of this Article 12 , at the option of the Holder thereof, any Security of any series of any authorized denomination which is convertible into Common Stock, or any portion of the principal amount thereof which is $1,000 or any integral multiple thereof, may, at any time during the period specified in the Securities of that series, or in case such Security or portion thereof shall have been called for redemption, then in respect of such Security or portion thereof until and including, but not after (unless the Company shall default in payment due upon the redemption thereof) the close of business on the Business Day prior to the redemption date (except that in the case of repayment at the option of the Holder, if specified in the terms of the relevant Security, such right shall terminate upon the Company’s receipt of written notice of the exercise of such option), be converted into duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable shares of Common Stock, as specified in such Security, at the conversion price or conversion rate for each $1,000 principal amount of Securities (such initial conversion rate reflecting an initial conversion price specified in such Security) in effect on the conversion date, or, in case an adjustment in the conversion price has taken place pursuant to the provisions of this Article 12 , then at the applicable conversion price as so adjusted, upon surrender of the Security or Securities, the principal amount of which is so to be converted, to the Company at any time during usual business hours at the office or agency to be maintained by it in accordance with the provisions of Section 4.02 , accompanied by a written notice of election to convert as provided in Section 12.03 and, if so required by the Company and/or the Trustee, by a written instrument or instruments of transfer in form satisfactory to Ventas, Inc. and/or the Trustee, as applicable, duly executed by the Holder thereof or his attorney duly authorized in writing.  All Securities surrendered for conversion shall, if surrendered to the Company or any conversion agent, be delivered to the Trustee for cancellation and cancelled by it, or shall, if surrendered to the Trustee, be cancelled by it, as provided in Section 2.12 .

 

The initial conversion price or conversion rate in respect of a series of Securities shall be as specified in the Securities of that series.  The conversion price or conversion rate will be subject to adjustment on the terms set forth in Section 12.05 or such other or different terms, if any, as may be specified as contemplated by Section 2.02 for Securities of that series.  Provisions

 

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of this Indenture that apply to conversion of all of a Security also apply to conversion of any portion of it.

 

Section 12.03                      Issuance of Shares of Common Stock on Conversions .

 

As promptly as practicable after the surrender, as herein provided, of any Security or Securities for conversion into Common Stock, the Company shall deliver or cause to be delivered at its said office or agency to or upon the written order of the Holder of the Security or Securities so surrendered a certificate or certificates representing the number of duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable shares of Common Stock into which such Security or Securities may be converted in accordance with the terms thereof and the provisions of this Article 12 .  Prior to delivery of such certificate or certificates, the Company shall require written notice at its said office or agency from the Holder of the Security or Securities so surrendered stating that the Holder irrevocably elects to convert such Security or Securities, or, if less than the entire principal amount thereof is to be converted, stating the portion thereof to be converted.  Such notice shall also state the name or names (with address and social security or other taxpayer identification number) in which said certificate or certificates are to be issued.  Such conversion shall be deemed to have been made at the time that such Security or Securities shall have been surrendered for conversion and such notice shall have been received by the Company or the Trustee, the rights of the Holder of such Security or Securities as a Holder shall cease at such time, the Person or Persons entitled to receive the shares of Common Stock upon conversion of such Security or Securities shall be treated for all purposes as having become either record holder or holders of such shares of Common Stock at such time and such conversion shall be at the conversion price in effect at such time.  In the case of any Security of any series which is converted in part only, upon such conversion, the Company shall execute and, upon the Company’s request and at the Company’s expense, the Trustee or an authenticating agent shall authenticate and deliver to the Holder thereof, as requested by such Holder, a new Security or Securities of that series of authorized denominations in aggregate principal amount equal to the unconverted portion of such Security.

 

If the last day on which such Security may be converted is not a Business Day in a place where the conversion agent for that Security is located, such Security may be surrendered to that conversion agent on the next succeeding day that is a Business Day.

 

The Company shall not be required to deliver certificates for shares of Common Stock upon conversion while its stock transfer books are closed for a meeting of shareholders or for the payment of dividends or for any other purpose, but certificates for shares of Common Stock shall be delivered as soon as the stock transfer books shall again be opened.

 

Section 12.04                      No Payment or Adjustment for Interest or Dividends .

 

Unless otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 2.02 for Securities of that series, Securities surrendered for conversion into Common Stock during the period from the close of business on any Record Date next preceding any Interest Payment Date to the opening of business on such Interest Payment Date (except Securities called for redemption on a redemption date within such period) when surrendered for conversion must be accompanied by payment (by certified or official bank check to the order of the Company payable by check or in clearing

 

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house funds at the location where the Securities are surrendered) of an amount equal to the interest thereon which the Holder is entitled to receive on such Interest Payment Date.  Payment of interest shall be made, on such Interest Payment Date or such other payment date (as set forth in Section 2.13 ), as the case may be, to the Holder of the Securities as of such Record Date.  Except where Securities surrendered for conversion must be accompanied by payment as described above, no interest on converted Securities will be payable by the Company on any Interest Payment Date subsequent to the date of conversion.  No other payment or adjustment for interest or dividends is to be made upon conversion.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, upon conversion of any Original Issue Discount Security, the fixed number of shares of Common Stock into which such Security is convertible delivered by the Company to the Holder thereof shall be applied, first, to the portion attributable to the accrued original issue discount relating to the period from the date of issuance to the date of conversion of such Security, and, second, to the portion attributable to the balance of the principal amount of such Security.

 

Section 12.05                      Adjustment of Conversion Price .

 

Unless otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 2.02 for Securities of that series, the conversion price for Securities convertible into Common Stock shall be adjusted from time to time as follows:

 

(a)                                  In case the Company shall (1) pay a dividend or make a distribution on Common Stock in shares of Common Stock, (2) subdivide the outstanding Common Stock into a greater number of shares or (3) combine the outstanding Common Stock into a smaller number of shares, the conversion price for the Securities of that series shall be adjusted so that the Holder of any such Security thereafter surrendered for conversion shall be entitled to receive the number of shares of Common Stock which he would have owned or have been entitled to receive after the happening of any of the events described above had such Security been converted immediately prior to the record date in the case of a dividend or distribution or the effective date in the case of subdivision or combination.  An adjustment made pursuant to this Section 12.05(a)  shall become effective immediately after the record date in the case of a dividend or distribution, except as provided in Section 12.05(h) , and shall become effective immediately after the effective date in the case of a subdivision or combination.

 

(b)                                  In case the Company shall issue rights or warrants to all holders of Common Stock entitling them (for a period expiring within 45 days after the record date mentioned below) to subscribe for or purchase shares of Common Stock at a price per share less than the current market price per share of Common Stock (as defined for purposes of this Section 12.05(b)  in Section 12.05(e) ), at the record date for the determination of stockholders entitled to receive such rights or warrants, the conversion price in effect immediately prior thereto shall be adjusted so that the same shall equal the price determined by multiplying the conversion price in effect immediately prior to the date of issuance of such rights or warrants by a fraction, the numerator of which shall be the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding on the date of issuance of such rights or warrants plus the number of shares of Common Stock which the aggregate offering price of the total number of shares of Common Stock so offered would purchase at such current market price, and the denominator of which shall be the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding on the date of issuance of such rights or warrants plus the number of additional shares of Common Stock receivable upon exercise of such rights or warrants.  Such

 

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adjustment shall be made successively whenever any such rights or warrants are issued, and shall become effective immediately, except as provided in Section 12.05(h) , after such record date.  In determining whether any rights or warrants entitle the Holders of the Securities of that series to subscribe for or purchase shares of Common Stock at less than such current market price, and in determining the aggregate offering price of such shares of Common Stock, there shall be taken into account any consideration received by the Company for such rights or warrants plus the exercise price thereof, the value of such consideration or exercise price, as the case may be, if other than cash, to be determined by the Board of Directors.

 

(c)                                   In case the Company shall distribute to all holders of Common Stock any shares of Capital Stock of the Company (other than Common Stock) or evidences of its indebtedness or assets (excluding cash dividends or distributions paid from retained earnings of the Company) or rights or warrants to subscribe for or purchase any of its securities (excluding those rights or warrants referred to in Section 12.05(b)  above) (any of the foregoing, for purposes of this paragraph (c), the “ Special Securities ”), then, in each such case, unless the Company elects to reserve such Special Securities for distribution to the Holders of Securities of that series upon the conversion so that any such Holder converting such Securities will receive upon such conversion, in addition to the shares of Common Stock to which such Holder is entitled, the amount and kind of Special Securities which such Holder would have received if such Holder had, immediately prior to the record date for the distribution of the Special Securities, converted Securities into Common Stock, the conversion price shall be adjusted so that the same shall equal the price determined by multiplying the conversion price in effect immediately prior to the date of such distribution by a fraction the numerator of which shall be the current market price per share (as defined, for purposes of this Section 12.05(c) , in Section 12.05(e) ) of Common Stock on the record date mentioned above less the then fair market value (as determined by the Board of Directors of the Company, whose determination shall, if made in good faith, be conclusive) of the portion of the Special Securities so distributed applicable to one share of Common Stock, and the denominator of which shall be the current market price per share (as defined in Section 12.05(e) ) of Common Stock; provided, however , that in the event the then fair market value (as so determined) of the portion of the Special Securities so distributed applicable to one share of Common Stock is equal to or greater than the current market price per share (as defined in Section 12.05(e) ) of Common Stock on the record date mentioned above, in lieu of the foregoing adjustment, adequate provision shall be made so that each Holder of Securities of that series shall have the right to receive the amount and kind of Special Securities such Holder would have received had such Holder converted such Securities immediately prior to the record date for the distribution of the Special Securities.  Such adjustment shall become effective immediately, except as provided in Section 12.05(h)  below, after the record date for the determination of stockholders entitled to receive such distribution.

 

(d)                                  If, pursuant to Sections 12.05(b)  or 12.05(c) , the number of shares of Common Stock shall have been adjusted because the Company has declared a dividend, or made a distribution, on the outstanding shares of Common Stock in the form of any right or warrant to purchase securities of the Company, or the Company has issued any such right or warrant, then, upon the expiration of any such unexercised right or unexercised warrant, the conversion price shall forthwith be adjusted to equal the conversion price that would have applied had such right or warrant never been declared, distributed or issued.

 

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(e)                                   For the purpose of any computation under Section 12.05(b) , the current market price per share of Common Stock on any date shall be deemed to be the average of the reported last sales prices for the 30 consecutive Trading Days commencing 45 Trading Days before the date in question.  For the purpose of any computation under Section 12.05(c)  above, the current market price per share of Common Stock on any date shall be deemed to be the average of the reported last sales prices for the ten consecutive Trading Days before the date in question.  The reported last sales price for each day (whether for purposes of Section 12.05(b)  or 12.05(c) ) shall be the reported last sales price, regular way, or, in case no sale takes place on such day, the average of the reported closing bid and asked prices, regular way, in either case as reported on the New York Stock Exchange Composite Tape or, if the Common Stock is not listed or admitted to trading on the New York Stock Exchange, on the principal national securities exchange on which the Common Stock is listed or admitted to trading or, if not listed or admitted to trading on any national securities exchange, on the National Market System of NASDAQ or, if the Common Stock is not quoted on such National Market System, the average of the closing bid and asked prices on such day in the over-the-counter market as reported by NASDAQ or, if bid and asked prices for the Common Stock on each such day shall not have been reported through NASDAQ, the average of the bid and asked prices for such day as furnished by any New York Stock Exchange member firm regularly making a market in the Common Stock selected for such purpose by the Board of Directors of the Company or a committee thereof or, if no such quotations are available, the fair market value of the Common Stock as determined by a New York Stock Exchange Member firm regularly making a market in the Common Stock selected for such purpose by the Board of Directors of the Company or a committee thereof or, if no such quotations are available, the fair market value of the Common Stock as determined by a New York Stock Exchange member firm regularly making a market in the Common Stock selected for such purpose by the Board of Directors of the Company or a committee thereof.

 

(f)                                    No adjustment in the conversion price shall be required unless such adjustment would require an increase or decrease of at least 1% in such price; provided, however , that any adjustments which by reason of this Section 12.05(f)  are not required to be made shall be carried forward and taken into account in any subsequent adjustment; and, provided, further , that adjustment shall be required and made in accordance with the provisions of this Article 12 (other than this Section 12.05(f) ) not later than such time as may be required in order to preserve the tax free nature of a distribution to the holders of Common Stock.  All calculations under this Article 12 shall be made to the nearest cent or to the nearest 1/100 of a share, as the case may be, with one-half cent and 1/200 of a share, respectively, being rounded upward.  Anything in this Section 12.05 to the contrary notwithstanding, the Company shall be entitled to make such reductions in the conversion price, in addition to those required by this Section 12.05 , as it in its discretion shall determine to be advisable in order that any stock dividend, subdivision of shares, distribution of rights or warrants to purchase stock or securities, or distribution of other assets (other than cash dividends) hereafter made by the Company to its stockholders shall not be taxable.

 

(g)                                   Whenever the conversion price is adjusted, as herein provided, the Company shall promptly file with the Trustee, at the corporate trust office of the Trustee, and with the office or agency maintained by the Company for the conversion of Securities of that series pursuant to Section 4.02 , an Officers’ Certificate, setting forth the conversion price after such adjustment and setting forth a brief statement of the facts requiring such adjustment, which certificate shall be

 

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conclusive evidence of the correctness of such adjustment.  Neither the Trustee nor any conversion agent shall be under any duty or responsibility with respect to any such certificate or any facts or computations set forth therein, except to exhibit said certificate from time to time to any Holder of a Security of that series desiring to inspect the same.  The Company shall promptly cause a notice setting forth the adjusted conversion price to be mailed to the Holders of Securities of that series, as their names and addresses appear upon the Security Register of the Company.

 

(h)                                  In any case in which this Section 12.05 provides that an adjustment shall become effective immediately after a record date for an event, the Company may defer until the occurrence of such event (1) issuing to the Holder of any Security of that series converted after such record date and before the occurrence of such event the additional shares of the Common Stock issuable upon such conversion by reason of the adjustment required by such event over and above the Common Stock issuable upon such conversion before giving effect to such adjustment and (2) paying to such Holder any amount in cash in lieu of any fractional share of Common Stock pursuant to Section 12.06 .

 

Section 12.06                      No Fractional Shares to be Issued .

 

No fractional shares of Common Stock shall be issued upon any conversion of Securities.  If more than one Security of any series shall be surrendered for conversion at one time by the same Holder, the number of full shares which shall be issuable upon conversion thereof shall be computed on the basis of the aggregate principal amount of the Securities of that series (or specified portions thereof to the extent permitted hereby) so surrendered.  Instead of a fraction of a share of Common Stock which would otherwise be issuable upon conversion of any Security or Securities (or specified portions thereof), the Company shall pay a cash adjustment (computed to the nearest cent, with one-half cent being rounded upward) in respect of such fraction of a share in an amount equal to the same fractional interest of the reported last sales price (as defined in Section 12.05(e) ) of the Common Stock on the Trading Day (as defined in Section 12.05(e) ) next preceding the day of conversion.

 

Section 12.07                      Preservation of Conversion Rights Upon Consolidation, Merger, Sale or Conveyance .

 

In case of any consolidation of the Company with, or merger of the Company into, any other corporation (other than a consolidation or merger in which the Company is the continuing corporation), or in the case of any sale or transfer of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company, the corporation formed by such consolidation or the corporation into which the Company shall have been merged or the corporation which shall have acquired such assets, as the case may be, shall execute and deliver to the Trustee, a supplemental indenture, in accordance with the provisions of Articles 5 and 9 as they relate to supplemental indentures, providing that the Holder of each Security then Outstanding of a series which was convertible into Common Stock shall have the right thereafter to convert such Security into the kind and amount of shares of stock and other securities and property, including cash, receivable upon such consolidation, merger, sale or transfer by a holder of the number of shares of Common Stock of the Company into which such Securities might have been converted immediately prior to such consolidation, merger, sale or transfer.  Such supplemental indenture shall conform to the

 

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provisions of the TIA as then in effect and shall provide for adjustments which shall be as nearly equivalent as may be practicable to the adjustments provided for in this Article 12 .  Neither the Trustee nor any conversion agent shall have any liability or responsibility for determining the correctness of any provision contained in any such supplemental indenture relating either to the kind or amount of shares of stock or other securities or property receivable by Holders of the Securities upon the conversion of their Securities after any such consolidation, merger, sale or transfer, or to any adjustment to be made with respect thereto and, subject to the provisions of Section 3.13 of the TIA, may accept as conclusive evidence of the correctness of any such provisions, and shall be protected in relying upon, an Officers’ Certificate with respect thereto and an Opinion of Counsel with respect to legal matters related thereto.  If in the case of any such consolidation, merger, sale or transfer, the stock or other securities and property receivable by a Holder of the Securities includes stock or other securities and property of a corporation other than the successor or purchasing corporation, then such supplemental indenture shall also be executed by such other corporation and shall contain such additional provisions to protect the interests of the Holders of the Securities as the Board of Directors shall reasonably consider necessary.  The above provisions of this Section 12.07 shall similarly apply to successive consolidations, mergers, sales or transfers.

 

Section 12.08                      Notice to Holders of the Securities of a Series Prior to Taking Certain Types of Action .

 

With respect to the Securities of any series, in case:

 

(a)                                  the Company shall authorize the issuance to all holders of Common Stock of rights or warrants to subscribe for or purchase shares of its Capital Stock or of any other right;

 

(b)                                  the Company shall authorize the distribution to all holders of Common Stock of evidences of indebtedness or assets (except for cash dividends or distributions paid from retained earnings of the Company);

 

(c)                                   of any subdivision or combination of Common Stock or of any consolidation or merger to which the Company is a party and for which approval by the shareholders of the Company is required, or of the sale or transfer of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company; or

 

(d)                                  of the voluntary or involuntary dissolution, liquidation or winding up of the Company;

 

then the Company shall cause to be filed with the Trustee and at the office or agency maintained for the purpose of conversion of Securities of that series pursuant to Section 4.02 , and shall cause to be mailed to the Holders of Securities of that series, at their last addresses as they shall appear on the register of the Company maintained by the Registrar, at least ten days prior to the applicable record date hereinafter specified, a notice stating (1) the date as of which the holders of Common Stock to be entitled to receive any such rights, warrants or distribution are to be determined or (2) the date on which any such subdivision, combination, consolidation, merger, sale, transfer, dissolution, liquidation, winding up or other action is expected to become effective, and the date as of which it is expected that holders of record of Common Stock shall be

 

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entitled to exchange their Common Stock for securities or other property, if any, deliverable upon such subdivision, combination, consolidation, merger, sale, transfer, dissolution, liquidation, winding up or other action.  The failure to give the notice required by this Section 12.08 or any defect therein shall not affect the legality or validity of any distribution, right, warrant, subdivision, combination, consolidation, merger, sale, transfer, dissolution, liquidation, winding up or other action, or the vote upon any of the foregoing.  Such notice shall also be published by and at the expense of the Company not later than the aforesaid filing date at least once in an Authorized Newspaper.

 

Section 12.09                      Covenants to Reserve Shares for Issuance on Conversion of Securities .

 

The Company covenants that (1) at all times it will reserve and keep available out of each class of its authorized Common Stock, free from preemptive rights, solely for the purpose of issue upon conversion of Securities of any series as herein provided, such number of shares of Common Stock as shall then be issuable upon the conversion of all outstanding Securities of that series and (2) that all shares of Common Stock which shall be so issuable shall, when issued or delivered, be duly and validly issued shares of Common Stock into which Securities of that series are convertible, and shall be fully paid and nonassessable, free of all liens and charges and not subject to preemptive rights and that, upon conversion, the appropriate capital stock accounts of the Company will be duly credited.

 

Section 12.10                      Compliance with Governmental Requirements .

 

The Company covenants that if any shares of Common Stock required to be reserved for purposes of conversion of Securities hereunder require registration or listing with or approval of any governmental authority under any federal or state law, pursuant to the Securities Act or the Exchange Act or any national or regional securities exchange on which Common Stock is listed at the time of delivery of any shares of Common Stock, before such shares may be issued upon conversion, the Company will use its best efforts to cause such shares to be duly registered, listed or approved, as the case may be.

 

Section 12.11                      Payment of Taxes upon Certificates for Shares Issued upon Conversion .

 

The issuance of certificates for shares of Common Stock upon the conversion of Securities shall be made without charge to the converting Holders for any tax (including, without limitation, all documentary and stamp taxes) in respect of the issuance and delivery of such certificates, and such certificates shall be issued in the respective names of, or in such names as may be directed by, the Holders of the Securities converted; provided, however , that the Company shall not be required to pay any tax which may be payable in respect of any transfer involved in the issuance and delivery of any such certificate in a name other than that of the Holder of the Security converted, and the Company shall not be required to issue or deliver such certificate unless or until the Person or Persons requesting the issuance thereof shall have paid to the Company the amount of such tax or shall have established to the satisfaction of the Company that such tax has been paid.

 

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Section 12.12                      Trustee’s Duties with Respect to Conversion Provisions .

 

The Trustee and any conversion agent shall have no duty, responsibility or liability to any Holder to determine whether any facts exist which may require any adjustment of the conversion rate, or with respect to the nature or extent of any such adjustment when made, or with respect to the method employed, or herein or in any supplemental indenture provided to be employed, in making the same.  Neither the Trustee nor any conversion agent shall be accountable with respect to the registration under securities laws, listing, validity or value (or the kind or amount) of any shares of Common Stock, or of any other securities or property, which may at any time be issued or delivered upon the conversion of any Security, and neither the Trustee nor any conversion agent makes any representation with respect thereto.  Neither the Trustee nor any conversion agent shall be responsible for any failure of the Company to make any cash payment or to issue, transfer or deliver any shares of stock or stock certificates or other securities or property upon the surrender of any Security for the purpose of conversion; and the Trustee and any conversion agent, subject to the provisions of Section 3.13 of the TIA, shall not be responsible for any failure of the Company to comply with any of the covenants of the Company contained in this Article 12 .

 

ARTICLE 13

 

MISCELLANEOUS

 

Section 13.01                      Trust Indenture Act Controls .

 

If any provision of this Indenture limits, qualifies or conflicts with the duties imposed by Section 318(c) of the TIA, such imposed duties will control.

 

Section 13.02                      Notices .

 

Any notice or communication by the Issuer, any Guarantor or the Trustee to the others is duly given if in writing in the English language and delivered in Person or mailed by first class mail (registered or certified, return receipt requested), telex, telecopier or overnight air courier guaranteeing next day delivery, to the others’ address:

 

If to the Issuer and/or any Guarantor:

 

Ventas, Inc.
10350 Ormsby Park Place, Suite 300
Louisville, Kentucky 40223
Telecopier No.:  (502) 357-9029
Attention:  General Counsel

 

With a copy to:

 

Latham & Watkins LLP
330 North Wabash Avenue, Suite 2800
Chicago, Illinois 60611

 

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Telecopier No.:  (312) 876-7681
Attention:  Cathy A. Birkeland

 

If to the Trustee:

 

U.S. Bank National Association
425 Walnut ML CN WN 06 CT
Cincinnati, Ohio 45202
Telecopier No.:  (513) 632-5511
Attention:  Corporate Trust Administration

 

The Issuer, any Guarantor or the Trustee, by notice to the others may designate additional or different addresses for subsequent notices or communications.

 

All notices and communications (other than those sent to Holders) will be deemed to have been duly given:  at the time delivered by hand, if personally delivered; five Business Days after being deposited in the mail, postage prepaid, if mailed; when receipt acknowledged, if telecopied; and the next Business Day after timely delivery to the courier, if sent by overnight air courier guaranteeing next day delivery.

 

Any notice or communication to a Holder will be mailed by first class mail, certified or registered, return receipt requested, or by overnight air courier guaranteeing next day delivery to its address shown on the register kept by the Registrar.  Any notice or communication will also be so mailed to any Person described in Section 313(c) of the TIA, to the extent required by the TIA.  Failure to mail a notice or communication to a Holder or any defect in it will not affect its sufficiency with respect to other Holders.

 

If a notice or communication is mailed in the manner provided above within the time prescribed, it is duly given, whether or not the addressee receives it.

 

If the Issuer mails a notice or communication to Holders, it will mail a copy to the Trustee and each Agent at the same time.

 

Section 13.03                      Communication by Holders of Securities with Other Holders of Securities .

 

Holders may communicate pursuant to Section 312(b) of the TIA with other Holders with respect to their rights under this Indenture or the Securities.  The Issuer, the Trustee, the Registrar and anyone else shall have the protection of Section 312(c) of the TIA.

 

Section 13.04                      Certificate and Opinion as to Conditions Precedent .

 

Upon any request or application by the Issuer to the Trustee to take any action under this Indenture, the Issuer shall furnish to the Trustee:

 

(1)                                  an Officers’ Certificate in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee (which must include the statements set forth in Section 13.05 ) stating that, in the opinion of the signers, all conditions precedent and covenants, if any, provided for in this Indenture relating to the proposed action have been satisfied; and

 

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(2)                                  an Opinion of Counsel in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee (which must include the statements set forth in Section 13.05 ) stating that, in the opinion of such counsel, all such conditions precedent and covenants have been satisfied.

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the case of any such request or application as to which the furnishing of such documents is specifically required by any provision of this Indenture relating to such particular request or application, no additional certificate or opinion need be furnished unless specifically required.

 

Section 13.05                      Statements Required in Certificate or Opinion .

 

Each certificate or opinion with respect to compliance with a condition or covenant provided for in this Indenture (other than a certificate provided pursuant to Section 314(a)(4) of the TIA) must comply with the provisions of Section 314(e) of the TIA and must include:

 

(1)                                  a statement that the Person making such certificate or opinion has read such covenant or condition;

 

(2)                                  a brief statement as to the nature and scope of the examination or investigation upon which the statements or opinions contained in such certificate or opinion are based;

 

(3)                                  a statement that, in the opinion of such Person, he or she has made such examination or investigation as is necessary to enable him or her to express an informed opinion as to whether or not such covenant or condition has been satisfied; and

 

(4)                                  a statement as to whether or not, in the opinion of such Person, such condition or covenant has been satisfied.

 

Section 13.06                      Rules by Trustee and Agents .

 

The Trustee may make reasonable rules for action by or at a meeting of Holders.  The Registrar or Paying Agent may make reasonable rules and set reasonable requirements for its functions.

 

Section 13.07                      No Personal Liability of Directors, Officers, Employees and Stockholders .

 

No director, officer, employee or stockholder of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, as such, will have any liability for any obligations of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries under the Securities or this Indenture 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 foregoing waiver and release are an integral part of the consideration for the issuance of the Securities.

 

Section 13.08                      Governing Law .

 

THE INTERNAL LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK WILL GOVERN AND BE USED TO CONSTRUE THIS INDENTURE, THE SECURITIES AND THE SECURITIES GUARANTEES WITHOUT GIVING EFFECT TO APPLICABLE PRINCIPLES OF

 

71



 

CONFLICTS OF LAW TO THE EXTENT THAT THE APPLICATION OF THE LAWS OF ANOTHER JURISDICTION WOULD BE REQUIRED THEREBY.

 

Section 13.09                      No Adverse Interpretation of Other Agreements .

 

This Indenture may not be used to interpret any other indenture, loan or debt agreement of the Issuer or its Subsidiaries or of any other Person.  Any such indenture, loan or debt agreement may not be used to interpret this Indenture.

 

Section 13.10                      Successors .

 

All agreements of the Issuer in this Indenture and the Securities will bind its successors.  All agreements of the Trustee in this Indenture will bind its successors.  All agreements of each Guarantor in this Indenture will bind its successors, except as otherwise provided in Article 10 and any applicable indentures supplemental hereto.

 

Section 13.11                      Severability .

 

In case any provision in this Indenture or in the Securities is invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions will not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.

 

Section 13.12                      Counterpart Originals .

 

The parties may sign any number of copies of this Indenture.  Each signed copy will be an original, but all of them together represent the same agreement.

 

Section 13.13                      Table of Contents, Headings, etc.

 

The Table of Contents, Cross-Reference Table and Headings of the Articles and Sections of this Indenture have been inserted for convenience of reference only, are not to be considered a part of this Indenture and will in no way modify or restrict any of the terms or provisions hereof.

 

Section 13.14                      Benefits of Indenture .

 

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

 

Section 13.15                      Legal Holidays .

 

In any case where any Interest Payment Date, redemption date, purchase date or stated maturity of any Security shall not be a Business Day at any Place of Payment, then (notwithstanding any other provision of this Indenture or of such Security (other than a provision of such Security which specifically states that such provision shall apply in lieu of this Section 13.15 )) payment of interest or principal (and premium, if any) need not be made at such Place of Payment on such date, but may be made on the next succeeding Business Day at such

 

72



 

Place of Payment with the same force and effect as if made on the Interest Payment Date, redemption date or purchase date, or at the stated maturity.

 

Section 13.16                      Acts of Holders .

 

(a)                                  Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action provided by this Indenture to be given or taken by Holders of the Outstanding Securities of all series or one or more series, as the case may be, may be embodied in and evidenced by one or more instruments of substantially similar tenor signed by such Holders in person or by agents duly appointed in writing.  Except as herein otherwise expressly provided, such action shall become effective when such instrument or instruments are delivered to the Trustee and, where it is hereby expressly required, to the Issuer.  Such instrument or instruments (and the action embodied therein and evidenced thereby) are herein sometimes referred to as the “act” of the Holders signing such instrument or instruments.  Proof of execution of any such instrument or of a writing appointing any such agent, or of the holding by any Person of a Security, shall be sufficient for any purpose of this Indenture and conclusive in favor of the Trustee and the Issuer and any agent of the Trustee or the Issuer, if made in the manner provided in this Section 13.16 .

 

(b)                                  The fact and date of the execution of any such instrument or writing, or the authority of the Person executing the same, may be proved in any reasonable manner which the Trustee deems sufficient.

 

(c)                                   The ownership of Securities shall be proved by the register maintained by the Registrar.

 

(d)                                  If the Issuer shall solicit from the Holders of Securities any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other act, the Issuer may, at its or their option, in or pursuant to a Board Resolution, fix in advance a record date for the determination of Holders entitled to give such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other act, but the Issuer shall have no obligation to do so.  Notwithstanding Section 316(c) of the TIA, such record date shall be the record date specified in or pursuant to such Board Resolution, which shall be a date not earlier than the date 30 days prior to the first solicitation of Holders generally in connection therewith and not later than the date such solicitation is completed.  If such a record date is fixed, such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other act may be given before or after such record date, but only the Holders of record at the close of business on such record date shall be deemed to be Holders for the purpose of determining whether Holders of the requisite proportion of Outstanding Securities have authorized or agreed or consented to such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other act, and for that purpose the Outstanding Securities shall be computed as of such record date; provided that no such authorization, agreement or consent by the Holders on such record date shall be deemed effective unless it shall become effective pursuant to the provisions of this Indenture not later than eleven months after the record date.

 

(e)                                   Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other act of the Holder of any Security shall bind every future Holder of the same Security and the Holder of every Security issued upon the registration of transfer thereof or in exchange therefor or in lieu thereof in respect of anything done, omitted or suffered to be done by the Trustee, any

 

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Registrar, any Paying Agent, any authenticating agent or the Issuer in reliance thereon, whether or not notation of such action is made upon such Security.

 

[Signatures on following page.]

 

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SIGNATURES

 

Dated as of February 23, 2018

 

 

Ventas, Inc.

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Robert F. Probst

 

 

Name:

Robert F. Probst

 

 

Title:

Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

 

 

 

Ventas Realty, Limited Partnership

 

 

 

By:        Ventas, Inc., its General Partner

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Robert F. Probst

 

 

Name:

Robert F. Probst

 

 

Title:

Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

 

 

 

TRUSTEE:

 

 

 

U.S. Bank National Association

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Daniel Boyers

 

 

Name:

Daniel Boyers

 

 

Title:

Vice President

 

[Signature Page to Indenture]

 



 

Schedule I

 

SCHEDULE OF GUARANTORS

 

The following schedule lists each entity as of the date of this Indenture which may, subject to provisions the Section 2.02 hereof, be a Guarantor under this Indenture:

 

Ventas, Inc.

 

Ventas Realty, Limited Partnership

 

I- 1


Exhibit 4.2

 

EXECUTION VERSION

 

FIRST SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE


by and among


Ventas Realty, Limited Partnership, as Issuer,

Ventas, Inc., as Guarantor


and


U.S. Bank National Association,

as Trustee

 

$650,000,000

4.000% Senior Notes due 2028

 


 

Dated as of February 23, 2018

 

Supplement to Indenture dated as of February 23, 2018 (Senior Debt Securities)

 



 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

 

 

Page

ARTICLE I CREATION OF THE SECURITIES

2

 

 

Section 1.01

 

Designation of the Series; Securities Guarantee

2

Section 1.02

 

Form of Notes

2

Section 1.03

 

No Limit on Amount of Notes

2

Section 1.04

 

Ranking

2

Section 1.05

 

Certificate of Authentication

2

Section 1.06

 

No Sinking Fund

3

Section 1.07

 

No Additional Amounts

3

Section 1.08

 

Definitions

3

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE II REDEMPTION

10

 

 

Section 2.01

 

Amendment to Article 3

10

 

 

 

ARTICLE III COVENANTS

10

 

 

Section 3.01

 

Amendments to Article 4

10

 

 

 

ARTICLE IV SUCCESSORS

14

 

 

Section 4.01

 

Amendments to Article 5

14

 

 

 

ARTICLE V DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES

15

 

 

Section 5.01

 

Amendments to Article 6

15

 

 

 

ARTICLE VI TRUSTEE

18

 

 

Section 6.01

 

Amendments to Article 7

18

 

 

 

ARTICLE VII LEGAL DEFEASANCE AND COVENANT DEFEASANCE

18

 

 

Section 7.01

 

Applicability of Defeasance Provisions

18

Section 7.02

 

Determinations Under Section 8.03

18

Section 7.03

 

Determination Under Section 8.07

18

Section 7.04

 

Amendments to Article 8

18

 

 

ARTICLE VIII GUARANTEES

18

 

 

Section 8.01

 

Applicability of Guarantee Provisions

18

 

 

ARTICLE IX MISCELLANEOUS

19

 

 

Section 9.01

 

Determination Under Section 13.10

19

Section 9.02

 

Application of First Supplemental Indenture; Ratification

19

 



 

Section 9.03

 

Benefits of First Supplemental Indenture

19

Section 9.04

 

Effective Date

19

Section 9.05

 

Governing Law

20

Section 9.06

 

Counterparts

20

 

 

 

 

SCHEDULE 1

 

Real Estate Revenues

 

 

 

 

 

EXHIBIT A

 

Form of Note

 

 



 

THIS FIRST SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE, dated as of February 23, 2018 (the “ First Supplemental Indenture ”), is by and among Ventas Realty, Limited Partnership, a Delaware limited partnership (the “ Issuer ”), Ventas, Inc., a Delaware corporation, and U.S. Bank National Association, having a Corporate Trust Office at 425 Walnut ML CN WN 06 CT, Cincinnati, Ohio 45202, as Trustee (the “ Trustee ”) under the Indenture (as defined below).

 

WHEREAS, Ventas, Inc., the Issuer and the Trustee are parties to that certain indenture dated as of February 23, 2018 (the “ Base Indenture ” and, together with this First Supplemental Indenture, as amended and supplemented from time to time, the “ Indenture ”), providing for the issuance by Ventas, Inc. or by the Issuer together from time to time of their respective senior debt securities in one or more series (the “ Securities ”);

 

WHEREAS, Sections 2.01, 2.02 and 9.01 of the Base Indenture provide, among other things, that, without the consent of the Holders of the Securities, one or more indentures supplemental to the Base Indenture may be entered into to establish the form or terms of Securities of any series or to change or eliminate any of the provisions of the Base Indenture; provided that any such change or elimination shall become effective only when there is no Security Outstanding of any series created prior to the execution of such supplemental indenture which is entitled to the benefit of such provisions;

 

WHEREAS, the Issuer, acting in its capacity as issuer under the Base Indenture, desires to issue a series of its Securities under the Base Indenture, and has duly authorized the creation and issuance of such series of Securities and the execution and delivery of this First Supplemental Indenture to establish such series of Securities, to modify certain terms of the Base Indenture as they apply to such series of Securities and to provide certain additional provisions in respect of such Securities as hereinafter described;

 

WHEREAS, the Issuer desires to issue such Securities with the benefit of a Securities Guarantee provided by Ventas, Inc. on the terms set forth in the Indenture;

 

WHEREAS, the Issuer, Ventas, Inc. and the Trustee deem it advisable to enter into this First Supplemental Indenture for the purposes of establishing the terms of such series of Securities and the related Securities Guarantee, and providing for the rights, obligations and duties of the Trustee with respect to such Securities;

 

WHEREAS, concurrently with the execution hereof, the Issuer has delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate and has caused its counsel to deliver to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel or a reliance letter upon an Opinion of Counsel satisfying the requirements of Section 2.03 of the Base Indenture; and

 

WHEREAS, all conditions and requirements of the Base Indenture necessary to make this First Supplemental Indenture a valid, binding and legal instrument, enforceable in accordance with its terms, have been performed and fulfilled by the parties hereto, and the execution and delivery hereof have been in all respects duly authorized by the parties hereto.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, for and in consideration of the premises and agreements herein contained, it is mutually covenanted and agreed, for the equal and proportionate benefit of all Holders of the Securities of such series established hereby, as follows:

 



 

ARTICLE I

 

CREATION OF THE SECURITIES

 

Section 1.01          Designation of the Series; Securities Guarantee .

 

(a)           The changes, modifications and supplements to the Base Indenture effected by this First Supplemental Indenture shall be applicable only with respect to, and govern the terms of, the Notes (as defined below), which shall not apply to any other Securities that have been or may be issued under the Base Indenture, unless a supplemental indenture with respect to such other Securities specifically incorporates such changes, modifications and supplements. Pursuant to the terms hereof and Sections 2.01 and 2.02 of the Base Indenture, the Issuer hereby creates a series of Securities designated as the “4.000% Senior Notes due 2028” (the “ Notes ”), which Notes shall be deemed “ Securities ” for all purposes under the Base Indenture.  Except as otherwise provided in the Base Indenture, the Notes shall form their own series for voting purposes and shall not be part of the same class or series as any other Securities issued by the Issuer or by Ventas, Inc.

 

(b)           Each of the Notes will be guaranteed by the Guarantor in accordance with Article 10 of the Base Indenture and Article VIII of this First Supplemental Indenture.

 

Section 1.02          Form of Notes .  The Notes will be issued in permanent global form as one or more Global Securities substantially in the form set forth in Exhibit A attached hereto, which is incorporated herein and made a part hereof.  The Notes shall bear interest, be payable and have such other terms as are stated in such form of global Note or in the Indenture.  The stated maturity of the principal of the Notes shall be March 1, 2028.

 

Section 1.03          No Limit on Amount of Notes .  The Trustee shall authenticate and deliver on the Issue Date under the Indenture Notes for original issue in an aggregate principal amount of up to $650,000,000.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, the aggregate principal amount of the Notes that may be authenticated and delivered under the Indenture shall be unlimited, subject to the covenants set forth in the Indenture, including under Section 4.10 hereof; provided , that the terms of all Notes issued under this First Supplemental Indenture (other than the date of issuance, the issuance price, and the initial Interest Payment Date) shall be the same.  The Issuer may, upon the execution and delivery of this First Supplemental Indenture or from time to time thereafter, execute and deliver the Notes to the Trustee for authentication, and the Trustee shall thereupon authenticate and deliver said Notes upon an Authentication Order and delivery of an Officers’ Certificate and Opinion of Counsel as contemplated by Section 2.03 of the Base Indenture, without further action by the Issuer.

 

Section 1.04          Ranking .  The Notes will be the Issuer’s unsecured and unsubordinated obligations and rank equal in right of payment with all of the Issuer’s existing and future unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness.

 

Section 1.05          Certificate of Authentication .  The Trustee shall authenticate the Notes by executing the Global Security substantially as provided in the form of Note attached hereto as Exhibit A .

 

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Section 1.06          No Sinking Fund .  No sinking fund will be provided with respect to the Notes (notwithstanding any provisions of the Base Indenture with respect to sinking fund obligations).

 

Section 1.07          No Additional Amounts .  No Additional Amounts will be payable with respect to the Notes (notwithstanding any provisions of the Base Indenture with respect to Additional Amount obligations).

 

Section 1.08          Definitions .

 

(a)           Capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined herein shall have the respective meanings assigned thereto in the Base Indenture.

 

(b)           Solely for purposes of this First Supplemental Indenture and the Notes, the following definitions in Section 1.01 of the Base Indenture are hereby amended in their entirety to read as follows:

 

Business Day ” means any day other than a Saturday or Sunday or a day on which banking institutions in The City of New York are required or authorized to close.

 

(c)           Solely for purposes of this First Supplemental Indenture and the Notes, the following terms shall have the indicated meanings:

 

Consolidated EBITDA ” means, for any period of time, the net income (loss) of Ventas, Inc. and its Subsidiaries, determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP for such period, before deductions for (without duplication):

 

(1)           Interest Expense;

 

(2)           taxes;

 

(3)           depreciation, amortization and all other non-cash items, as determined reasonably and in good faith by Ventas, Inc., deducted in arriving at net income (loss);

 

(4)           extraordinary items;

 

(5)           non-recurring items or other unusual items, as determined reasonably and in good faith by Ventas, Inc. (including, without limitation, all prepayment penalties and all costs or fees incurred in connection with any debt financing or amendment thereto, acquisition, disposition, recapitalization or similar transaction (regardless of whether such transaction is completed));

 

(6)           noncontrolling interests;

 

(7)           income or expense attributable to transactions involving derivative instruments that do not qualify for hedge accounting in accordance with GAAP; and

 

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(8)           gains or losses on dispositions of depreciable real estate investments, property valuation losses and impairment charges.

 

For purposes of calculating Consolidated EBITDA, all amounts shall be as determined reasonably and in good faith by Ventas, Inc. and in accordance with GAAP except to the extent that GAAP is not applicable with respect to the determination of all non-cash and non-recurring items.

 

Consolidated Financial Statements ” means, with respect to any Person, collectively, the consolidated financial statements and notes to those financial statements, of that Person and its Subsidiaries prepared in accordance with GAAP.

 

Contingent Liabilities of Ventas, Inc. and Subsidiaries ” means, as of any date, those liabilities of Ventas, Inc. and its Subsidiaries consisting of (without duplication) indebtedness for borrowed money, as determined in accordance with GAAP, that are or would be stated and quantified as contingent liabilities in the notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements of Ventas, Inc. as of the date of determination.

 

Debt ” means, as of any date (without duplication), (1) all indebtedness and liabilities for borrowed money, secured or unsecured, of Ventas, Inc. and its Subsidiaries, including mortgages and other notes payable (including the Notes to the extent outstanding from time to time), but excluding any indebtedness, including mortgages and other notes payable, which is secured by cash, cash equivalents or marketable securities or defeased (it being understood that cash collateral shall be deemed to include cash deposited with a trustee with respect to third-party indebtedness) and (2) all Contingent Liabilities of Ventas, Inc. and its Subsidiaries, excluding in each of clauses (1) and (2) Intercompany Debt and all liabilities associated with customary exceptions to Non-Recourse Debt, such as for fraud, misapplication of funds, environmental indemnities, voluntary bankruptcy, collusive involuntary bankruptcy and other similar exceptions.

 

It is understood that Debt shall not include any redeemable equity interest in Ventas, Inc.

 

First Supplemental Indenture ” has the meaning stated in the preamble.

 

Guarantor ” means Ventas, Inc. and its successors and assigns; provided , however , that any Person constituting a Guarantor as described above shall cease to constitute a Guarantor when its Guarantee of the Notes is released in accordance with the terms of the Indenture.

 

Intercompany Debt ” means, as of any date, Debt to which the only parties are Ventas, Inc. and any of its Subsidiaries as of such date; provided , however , that with respect to any such Debt of which the Issuer or the Guarantor is the borrower, such Debt is subordinate in right of payment to the Notes.

 

Interest Expense ” means, for any period of time, the aggregate amount of interest recorded in accordance with GAAP for such period by Ventas, Inc. and its Subsidiaries, but excluding (i) interest reserves funded from the proceeds of any loan, (ii) prepayment penalties,

 

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(iii) amortization of deferred financing costs and (iv) non-cash swap ineffectiveness charges, in all cases as reflected in the applicable Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

Issue Date ” means February 23, 2018.

 

Issuer ” has the meaning stated in the preamble.

 

Latest Completed Quarter ” means, as of any date, the then most recently ended fiscal quarter of Ventas, Inc. for which Consolidated Financial Statements of Ventas, Inc. have been completed, it being understood that at any time when Ventas, Inc. is subject to the informational requirements of the Exchange Act, and in accordance therewith files annual and quarterly reports with the Commission, the term “Latest Completed Quarter” shall be deemed to refer to the fiscal quarter covered by Ventas, Inc.’s most recently filed Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, or, in the case of the last fiscal quarter of the year, Ventas, Inc.’s Annual Report on Form 10-K.

 

Make-Whole Amount ” means, in connection with any optional redemption of the Notes, the excess, if any, of:

 

(1)           the aggregate present value as of the date of such redemption of each dollar of principal of the Notes being redeemed or paid and the amount of interest (exclusive of interest accrued to the date of redemption or accelerated payment) that would have been payable in respect of each such dollar if such redemption or accelerated payment had been made on December 1, 2027, determined by discounting, on a semi-annual basis, such principal and interest at the Reinvestment Rate (determined on the third Business Day preceding the date a notice of redemption is given or declaration of acceleration is made) from the respective dates on which such principal and interest would have been payable if such redemption or payment had been made on December 1, 2027, over

 

(2)           the aggregate principal amount of the Notes being redeemed or paid.

 

Notes ” has the meaning stated in Section 1.01 hereof.

 

Obligations ” means any principal, interest, penalties, fees, indemnifications, reimbursements, damages and other liabilities payable under the documentation governing any Debt.

 

Property EBITDA ” means, for any property owned by Ventas, Inc. or any of its Subsidiaries as of the date of determination, for any period of time (without duplication), the net income (loss) derived from such property for such period, before deductions for:

 

(1)           Interest Expense;

 

(2)           taxes;

 

(3)           depreciation, amortization and all other non-cash items, as determined reasonably and in good faith by Ventas, Inc., deducted in arriving at net income (loss);

 

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(4)                                  general and administrative expenses that are not allocated by management to a property segment, as reflected in Ventas, Inc.’s Consolidated Financial Statements available for the four (4) consecutive fiscal quarters ending with the Latest Completed Quarter;

 

(5)                                  extraordinary items;

 

(6)                                  non-recurring items or other unusual items, as determined reasonably and in good faith by Ventas, Inc. (including, without limitation, all prepayment penalties and all costs or fees incurred in connection with any debt financing or amendment thereto, acquisition, disposition, recapitalization or similar transaction (regardless of whether such transaction is completed));

 

(7)                                  noncontrolling interests;

 

(8)                                  income or expense attributable to transactions involving derivative instruments that do not qualify for hedge accounting in accordance with GAAP; and

 

(9)                                  property valuation losses and impairment charges;

 

in each case attributable to such property.

 

For purposes of calculating Property EBITDA, all amounts shall be determined reasonably and in good faith by Ventas, Inc. and in accordance with GAAP except to the extent that GAAP is not applicable with respect to the determination of all non-cash and non-recurring items.

 

Property EBITDA shall be adjusted (without duplication) to give pro forma effect:

 

(x)                                  in the case of any assets having been placed-in-service or removed from service since the first day of the period to the date of determination, to include or exclude, as the case may be, any Property EBITDA earned or eliminated as a result of the placement of such assets in service or removal of such assets from service as if the placement of such assets in service or removal of such assets from service occurred as of the first day of the period; and

 

(y)                                  in the case of any acquisition or disposition of any asset or group of assets since the first day of the period to the date of determination, including, without limitation, by merger, or stock or asset purchase or sale, to include or exclude, as the case may be, any Property EBITDA earned or eliminated as a result of the acquisition or disposition of those assets as if the acquisition or disposition occurred as of the first day of the period.

 

Reinvestment Rate ” means 0.200% plus the arithmetic mean of the yields under the respective heading Day Ending published in the most recent Statistical Release under Treasury Constant Maturities for the maturity (rounded to the nearest month) corresponding to the remaining life to maturity of the principal of the Notes being redeemed or paid as of such redemption or payment date, which maturity shall be deemed to be March 1, 2028. If no maturity

 

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exactly corresponds to such deemed maturity, yields for the two published maturities most closely corresponding to such maturity shall be calculated pursuant to the immediately preceding sentence and the Reinvestment Rate in respect of the Notes shall be interpolated or extrapolated from such yields on a straight-line basis, rounding in each of such relevant periods to the nearest month. For the purpose of calculating the Reinvestment Rate in respect of the Notes, the most recent Statistical Release published prior to the date of determination of the Make-Whole Amount shall be used.

 

Secured Debt ” means, as of any date, that portion of the aggregate principal amount of all outstanding Debt of Ventas, Inc. and its Subsidiaries as of that date that is secured by a Lien on properties or other assets of Ventas, Inc. or any of its Subsidiaries.

 

Stabilized Development Asset ” means, as of any date, a new construction or development Real Estate Asset at such date that, following the first four (4) consecutive fiscal quarters occurring after substantial completion of construction or development, either (i) an additional six (6) consecutive fiscal quarters have occurred or (ii) such Real Estate Asset is at least 90% leased, whichever shall first occur.

 

Statistical Release ” means that statistical release that is published by the Federal Reserve System and that establishes annual yields on actively traded United States government securities adjusted to constant maturities, or, if such statistical release is not published at the time of any determination under the Indenture, then such other reasonably comparable index the Issuer designates.

 

Subsidiary ” means, with respect to any Person, a corporation, partnership association, joint venture, trust, limited liability company or other business entity which is required to be consolidated with such Person in accordance with GAAP.

 

Total Assets ” means, as of any date, in each case as determined reasonably and in good faith by Ventas, Inc., the sum of (without duplication):

 

(1)                                  with respect to Real Estate Assets that were owned by Ventas, Inc. and its Subsidiaries as of April 17, 2002 and that continue to be owned as of the date of determination, the annualized rental revenues specified for such Real Estate Assets on Schedule 1 attached to this First Supplemental Indenture, divided by 0.0900, plus any annualized incremental rental revenue generated by such Real Estate Assets as a result of, arising out of or in connection with annual rent escalations or rent reset rights of Ventas, Inc. and its Subsidiaries with respect to such Real Estate Assets (whether by agreement or exercise of such right or otherwise), divided by 0.0900; for the purpose of this clause (1), “annualized incremental rental revenue” in respect of a Real Estate Asset shall mean the increase in daily rental revenue generated by such Real Estate Asset as a result of, arising out of or in connection with such annual rent escalations or rent reset rights over the daily rental revenue generated by such Real Estate Asset immediately prior to the effective date of such increase, annualized by multiplying such daily increase by 365;

 

(2)                                  with respect to all other Real Estate Assets owned by Ventas, Inc. and its Subsidiaries as of the date of determination (except as set forth in clause (3)

 

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below), the cost (original cost plus capital improvements before depreciation and amortization) thereof, determined in accordance with GAAP;

 

(3)                                  with respect to Stabilized Development Assets owned by Ventas, Inc. and its Subsidiaries as of the date of determination, the aggregate sum of all Property EBITDA for such Stabilized Development Assets for the four (4) consecutive fiscal quarters ending with the Latest Completed Quarter divided by (i) 0.0900, in the case of a government reimbursed property and (ii) 0.0700 in all other cases; provided , however, that if the value of a particular Stabilized Development Asset calculated pursuant to this clause (3) is less than the cost (original cost plus capital improvements before depreciation and amortization) of such Real Estate Asset, as determined in accordance with GAAP, such cost shall be used in lieu thereof with respect to such Real Estate Asset;

 

(4)                                  the proceeds of the Debt, or the assets to be acquired in exchange for such proceeds, as the case may be, incurred since the end of the Latest Completed Quarter;

 

(5)                                  mortgages and other notes receivable of Ventas, Inc. and its Subsidiaries, determined in accordance with GAAP;

 

(6)                                  cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities of Ventas, Inc. and its Subsidiaries but excluding all cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities securing, or applied to defease or discharge, in each case as of that date, any indebtedness, including mortgages and other notes payable (including cash deposited with a trustee with respect to third-party indebtedness), all determined in accordance with GAAP; and

 

(7)                                  all other assets of Ventas, Inc. and its Subsidiaries (excluding goodwill), determined in accordance with GAAP.

 

Unencumbered Assets ” means, as of any date, in each case as determined reasonably and in good faith by Ventas, Inc., the sum of (without duplication):

 

(1)                                  with respect to Real Estate Assets that were owned by Ventas, Inc. and its Subsidiaries as of April 17, 2002 and that continue to be owned as of the date of determination, but excluding any such Real Estate Assets that are serving as collateral for Secured Debt, the annualized rental revenues specified for such Real Estate Assets on Schedule 1 attached to this First Supplemental Indenture, divided by 0.0900, plus any annualized incremental rental revenue generated by such Real Estate Assets as a result of, arising out of or in connection with annual rent escalations or rent reset rights of Ventas, Inc. and its Subsidiaries with respect to such Real Estate Assets (whether by agreement or exercise of such right or otherwise), divided by 0.0900; for the purpose of this clause (1), “annualized incremental rental revenue” in respect of a Real Estate Asset shall mean the increase in daily rental revenue generated by such Real Estate Asset as a result of, arising out of or in connection with such annual rent escalations or rent reset rights over the daily rental revenue generated by such Real Estate Asset immediately prior to the effective date of such increase, annualized by multiplying such daily increase by 365;

 

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(2)                                  with respect to all other Real Estate Assets owned by Ventas, Inc. and its Subsidiaries as of the date of determination (except as set forth in clause (3) below), but excluding any such Real Estate Assets that are serving as collateral for Secured Debt, the cost (original cost plus capital improvements before depreciation and amortization) thereof, determined in accordance with GAAP;

 

(3)                                  with respect to Stabilized Development Assets owned by Ventas, Inc. and its Subsidiaries as of the date of determination, excluding any such Stabilized Development Assets that are serving as collateral for Secured Debt, the aggregate sum of all Property EBITDA for such Stabilized Development Assets for the four (4) consecutive fiscal quarters ending with the Latest Completed Quarter divided by (i) 0.0900, in the case of a government reimbursed property and (ii) 0.0700 in all other cases; provided , however, that if the value of a particular Stabilized Development Asset calculated pursuant to this clause (3) is less than the cost (original cost plus capital improvements before depreciation and amortization) of such Real Estate Asset, as determined in accordance with GAAP, such cost shall be used in lieu thereof with respect to such Real Estate Asset;

 

(4)                                  the proceeds of the Debt, or the assets to be acquired in exchange for such proceeds, as the case may be, incurred since the end of the Latest Completed Quarter;

 

(5)                                  mortgages and other notes receivable of Ventas, Inc. and its Subsidiaries, except any mortgages or other notes receivable that are serving as collateral for Secured Debt, determined in accordance with GAAP;

 

(6)                                  cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities of Ventas, Inc. and its Subsidiaries but excluding all cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities securing, or applied to defease or discharge, in each case as of that date, any indebtedness, including mortgages and other notes payable (including cash deposited with a trustee with respect to third-party indebtedness), all determined in accordance with GAAP; and

 

(7)                                  all other assets of Ventas, Inc. and its Subsidiaries (excluding goodwill), other than assets pledged to secure Debt, determined in accordance with GAAP; provided , however, that Unencumbered Assets shall not include net real estate investments in unconsolidated joint ventures of Ventas, Inc. and its Subsidiaries.

 

For the avoidance of doubt, cash held by a “qualified intermediary” in connection with proposed like-kind exchanges pursuant to Section 1031 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, which may be classified as “restricted” for GAAP purposes shall nonetheless be included in clause (6) above, so long as Ventas, Inc. or any of its Subsidiaries has the right to (i) direct the qualified intermediary to return such cash to Ventas, Inc. or such Subsidiary if and when Ventas, Inc. or such Subsidiary fails to identify or acquire the proposed like-kind property or at the end of the 180-day replacement period or (ii) direct the qualified intermediary to use such cash to acquire like-kind property.

 

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Unsecured Debt ” means, as of any date, that portion of the aggregate principal amount of all outstanding Debt of Ventas, Inc. and its Subsidiaries as of that date that is neither Secured Debt nor Contingent Liabilities of Ventas, Inc. and its Subsidiaries.

 

Ventas Capital ” means Ventas Capital Corporation, a Delaware corporation.

 

ARTICLE II

 

REDEMPTION

 

Section 2.01                              Amendment to Article 3 .  Pursuant to Sections 2.02(7) and 2.02(8) of the Base Indenture, Article 3 of the Base Indenture is hereby amended with respect to the Notes by adding to the end the following new Sections 3.09 and 3.10, in each case to read as follows:

 

Section 3.09  Optional Redemption .

 

(a)                                  The Issuer may, at its option, redeem the Notes at any time prior to maturity, in whole or from time to time in part.

 

(b)                                  The redemption price for any redemption of the Notes before December 1, 2027 shall be equal to the sum of (1) the principal amount of the Notes being redeemed, (2) accrued and unpaid interest thereon, if any, to (but excluding) the redemption date and (3) the Make-Whole Amount, if any (subject to the right of holders of record on the relevant Record Date to receive interest due on the relevant Interest Payment Date).  The calculation of the Make-Whole Amount shall be the responsibility of the Issuer or such other party appointed by the Issuer. The redemption price for any redemption of the Notes on or after December 1, 2027 shall be equal to the sum of (1) the principal amount of the Notes being redeemed and (2) accrued and unpaid interest thereon, if any, to (but excluding) the redemption date.

 

(c)                                   Any redemption pursuant to this Section 3.09 shall be made pursuant to the provisions of Sections 3.01 through 3.07 of the Indenture.

 

Section 3.10  Mandatory Redemption .  The Issuer is not required to make mandatory redemption payments with respect to the Notes.”

 

ARTICLE III

 

COVENANTS

 

Section 3.01                              Amendments to Article 4 .

 

(a)                                  Pursuant to Section 2.02(14) of the Base Indenture, Section 4.03 of the Base Indenture is hereby amended with respect to the Notes by deleting the text thereof in its entirety and inserting in its place the following:

 

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Section 4.03  Reports .  Whether or not required by the Commission, so long as any Notes are outstanding, Ventas, Inc. shall file with the Trustee, within 15 days after it files the same with the Commission (or if not subject to the periodic reporting requirements of the Exchange Act, within 15 days after it would have been required to file the same with the Commission had it been so subject):

 

(1)                                  all quarterly and annual financial information that is required to be contained in filings with the Commission on Forms 10-Q and 10-K, including a “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and, with respect to the annual information only, a report on the annual financial statements by Ventas, Inc.’s certified independent accountants; and

 

(2)                                  all current reports that are required to be filed with the Commission on Form 8-K.

 

For so long as any Notes remain Outstanding, if at any time Ventas, Inc. is not required to file with the Commission the reports required by the preceding paragraph of this Section 4.03, Ventas, Inc. shall furnish to the Holders and to securities analysts and prospective investors, upon their request, the information required to be delivered pursuant to Rule 144A(d)(4) under the Securities Act.

 

The availability of the foregoing materials on the Commission’s website or on Ventas, Inc.’s website shall be deemed to satisfy the foregoing delivery obligations. In the event that the rules and regulations of the Commission permit Ventas, Inc. and any direct or indirect parent of Ventas, Inc. to report at such parent entity’s level on a consolidated basis, consolidating reporting at the parent entity’s level in a manner consistent with that described in this Section 4.03 for Ventas, Inc. will satisfy this Section 4.03, and the obligations in this Section 4.03 with respect to financial information relating to Ventas, Inc. shall be deemed to be satisfied by furnishing financial information relating to such direct or indirect parent; provided that such financial information is accompanied by consolidating information that explains in reasonable detail the differences between the information relating to such direct or indirect parent and any of its Subsidiaries other than Ventas, Inc. and its Subsidiaries, on the one hand, and the information relating to Ventas, Inc. and its Subsidiaries on a standalone basis, on the other hand.”“

 

(b)                                  Pursuant to Section 2.02(14) of the Base Indenture, Section 4.04 of the Base Indenture is hereby amended with respect to the Notes by deleting the text thereof in its entirety and inserting in its place the following:

 

Section 4.04  Compliance Certificate .  “Ventas, Inc. shall deliver to the Trustee, within 120 days after the end of each fiscal year, an Officers’

 

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Certificate stating that a review of the activities of Ventas, Inc. and its Subsidiaries during the preceding fiscal year has been made under the supervision of the signing Officers with a view to determining whether Ventas, Inc. has kept, observed, performed and fulfilled its obligations under the Indenture, and further stating, as to each such Officer signing such certificate, that to the best of his or her knowledge, Ventas, Inc. has kept, observed, performed and fulfilled each and every covenant contained in the Indenture and is not in default in the performance or observance of any of the terms, provisions and conditions of the Indenture (or, if a Default or Event of Default has occurred, describing all such Defaults or Events of Default of which he or she may have knowledge and what action Ventas, Inc. is taking or proposes to take with respect thereto) and that to the best of his or her knowledge, no event has occurred and remains in existence by reason of which payments on account of the principal of or interest, if any, on the Securities of any series is prohibited or if such event has occurred, a description of the event and what action Ventas, Inc. is taking or proposes to take with respect thereto.  For purposes of this Section 4.04, such compliance shall be determined without regard to any period of grace or requirement of notice under the Indenture.”

 

(c)                                   Pursuant to Section 2.02(14) of the Base Indenture, Section 4.06 of the Base Indenture is hereby amended with respect to the Notes by deleting the text thereof in its entirety and inserting in its place the following:

 

Section 4.06  Corporate Existence .  Except as permitted by Article 5 and Section 10.04, Ventas, Inc. and the Issuer shall do all things necessary to preserve and keep their existence, rights and franchises, except that neither Ventas, Inc. nor the Issuer shall be required to preserve any such right or franchise if Ventas, Inc. or the Issuer, as applicable, shall determine reasonably and in good faith that the preservation thereof is no longer desirable in the conduct of its business.”

 

(d)                                  Pursuant to Section 2.02(14) of the Base Indenture, Article 4 of the Base Indenture is hereby amended with respect to the Notes by adding to the end the following new Sections 4.07 through 4.11, in each case to read as follows:

 

Section 4.07  Taxes .  Ventas, Inc. will pay, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to pay, prior to delinquency, all material taxes, assessments, and governmental levies except such as are contested in good faith and by appropriate proceedings or where the failure to effect such payment is not adverse in any material respect to the Holders of the Notes.

 

Section 4.08  Stay, Extension and Usury Laws .  Each of Ventas, Inc. and the Issuer covenants (to the extent that it may lawfully do so) that: (1) 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

 

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covenants or the performance of the Indenture; and (2) it hereby expressly waives all benefit or advantage of any such law; and (3) 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 suffer and permit the execution of every such power as though no such law has been enacted.

 

Section 4.09  Restrictions on Activities of Ventas Capital .  Neither Ventas, Inc. nor the Issuer shall permit Ventas Capital to hold any material assets, become liable for any material obligations or engage in any significant business activities, except that Ventas Capital may be a co-obligor with respect to Debt if the Issuer is a primary obligor of such Debt and the net proceeds of such Debt are received by the Issuer or one or more of its Subsidiaries other than Ventas Capital.

 

Section 4.10  Limitations on Incurrence of Debt .

 

(a)           Ventas, Inc. shall not, and shall not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, Incur any Debt if, immediately after giving effect to the Incurrence of such additional Debt and any other Debt Incurred since the end of the Latest Completed Quarter and the application of the net proceeds therefrom, the aggregate principal amount of all outstanding Debt would exceed 60% of the sum of (without duplication) (i) Total Assets as of the end of the Latest Completed Quarter and (ii) the purchase price of any Real Estate Assets or mortgages receivable acquired, and the amount of any securities offering proceeds received (to the extent such proceeds were not used to acquire Real Estate Assets or mortgages receivable or to reduce Debt), since the end of the Latest Completed Quarter.

 

(b)           Ventas, Inc. shall not, and shall not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, Incur any Secured Debt if, immediately after giving effect to the Incurrence of such additional Secured Debt and any other Secured Debt Incurred since the end of the Latest Completed Quarter and the application of the net proceeds therefrom, the aggregate principal amount of all outstanding Secured Debt would exceed 50% of the sum of (without duplication) (i) Total Assets as of the end of the Latest Completed Quarter and (ii) the purchase price of any Real Estate Assets or mortgages receivable acquired, and the amount of any securities offering proceeds received (to the extent such proceeds were not used to acquire Real Estate Assets or mortgages receivable or to reduce Debt), since the end of the Latest Completed Quarter.

 

(c)           Ventas, Inc. shall not, and shall not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, Incur any Debt if, immediately after giving effect to the Incurrence of such additional Debt and any other Debt Incurred since the end of the Latest Completed Quarter and the application of the net proceeds therefrom, the ratio of Consolidated EBITDA to Interest Expense for the four (4) consecutive fiscal quarters ending with the Latest Completed

 

13



 

Quarter would be less than 1.50 to 1.00 on a pro forma basis and calculated on the assumption (without duplication) that:

 

(i)            the additional Debt and any other Debt Incurred by Ventas, Inc. or any of its Subsidiaries since the first day of such four-quarter period to the date of determination, which was outstanding at the date of determination, had been Incurred at the beginning of that period and continued to be outstanding throughout that period, and the application of the net proceeds of such Debt, including to refinance other Debt, had occurred at the beginning of such period, except that in determining the amount of Debt so Incurred, the amount of Debt under any revolving credit facility shall be computed based upon the average daily balance of such Debt during such period;

 

(ii)           the repayment or retirement of any other Debt repaid or retired by Ventas, Inc. or any of its Subsidiaries since the first day of such four-quarter period to the date of determination had occurred at the beginning of that period, except that in determining the amount of Debt so repaid or retired, the amount of Debt under any revolving credit facility shall be computed based upon the average daily balance of such Debt during such period; and

 

(iii)          in the case of any acquisition or disposition of any asset or group of assets (including, without limitation, by merger, or stock or asset purchase or sale) or the placement of any assets in service or removal of any assets from service by Ventas, Inc. or any of its Subsidiaries since the first day of such four-quarter period to the date of determination, the acquisition, disposition, placement in service or removal from service and any related repayment or refinancing of Debt had occurred as of the first day of such period, with the appropriate adjustments to Consolidated EBITDA and Interest Expense with respect to the acquisition, disposition, placement in service or removal from service being included in that pro forma calculation.

 

Section 4.11  Maintenance of Unencumbered Assets . Ventas, Inc. and its Subsidiaries shall maintain at all times Unencumbered Assets of not less than 150% of the aggregate principal amount of all outstanding Unsecured Debt.”

 

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ARTICLE IV

 

SUCCESSORS

 

Section 4.01          Amendments to Article 5 .

 

(a)           Pursuant to Section 2.02(23) of the Base Indenture, Section 5.01 of the Base Indenture is hereby amended with respect to the Notes by deleting the text thereof in its entirety and inserting in its place the following:

 

Section 5.01        Merger, Consolidation, or Sale of Assets .

 

Ventas, Inc. may not, directly or indirectly: (a) consolidate or merge with or into another Person (whether or not Ventas, Inc. is the surviving corporation); or (b) sell, assign, transfer, convey, lease (other than to an unaffiliated operator in the ordinary course of business) or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of the properties or assets of Ventas, Inc. and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole, in one or more related transactions, to another Person, unless:

 

(1)           either:

 

(i)            Ventas, Inc. is the surviving corporation; or

 

(ii)           the Person formed by or surviving any such consolidation or merger (if other than Ventas, Inc.) or to which such sale, assignment, transfer, conveyance or other disposition has been made is a corporation organized or existing under the laws of the United States, any state of the United States or the District of Columbia;

 

(2)           the Person formed by or surviving any such consolidation or merger (if other than Ventas, Inc.) or the Person to which such sale, assignment, transfer, conveyance or other disposition has been made assumes all of Ventas, Inc.’s obligations under the Notes and the Indenture pursuant to agreements reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee; and

 

(3)            immediately after such transaction, on a pro forma basis giving effect to such transaction or series of transactions (and treating any obligation of Ventas, Inc. or any Subsidiary incurred in connection with or as a result of such transaction or series of transactions as having been incurred at the time of such transaction), no Default or Event of Default exists under the Indenture.

 

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 5.01, the Guarantor may consolidate or merge with or into the Issuer, or sell and/or transfer to the Issuer all or substantially all of its assets, in each case, without compliance with any of the requirements set forth in this Article 5.”

 

15



 

ARTICLE V

 

DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES

 

Section 5.01          Amendments to Article 6 .

 

(a)           Pursuant to Section 2.02(14) of the Base Indenture, Section 6.01 of the Base Indenture is hereby amended with respect to the Notes by deleting the text thereof in its entirety and inserting in its place the following:

 

Section 6.01.  Events of Default .

 

Each of the following is an “Event of Default”:

 

(1)           Ventas, Inc. or the Issuer does not pay the principal or any premium on any Note when due and payable;

 

(2)           Ventas, Inc. or the Issuer does not pay interest on any Note within 30 days after the applicable due date;

 

(3)           Ventas, Inc. or its Subsidiaries remain in breach of any other term of the Indenture for 90 days after they receive a notice of Default stating they are in breach.  Either the Trustee or the Holders of more than 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Notes then Outstanding may send the notice;

 

(4)           except as permitted by the Indenture and the Notes, the Securities Guarantee by the Guarantor shall cease to be in full force and effect or the Guarantor shall deny or disaffirm its obligations with respect thereto;

 

(5)           the Issuer, Ventas, Inc. or any of its Significant Subsidiaries default under any of their indebtedness (including a default with respect to Securities of any series issued under the Base Indenture other than the Notes) in an aggregate principal amount exceeding $50.0 million after the expiration of any applicable grace period, which default results in the acceleration of the maturity of such indebtedness.  Such default is not an Event of Default if the other indebtedness is discharged, or the acceleration is rescinded or annulled, within a period of 30 days after the Issuer, Ventas, Inc. or any such Significant Subsidiary, as the case may be, receives notice specifying the default and requiring that they discharge the other indebtedness or cause the acceleration to be rescinded or annulled.  Either the Trustee or the Holders of more than 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Notes then Outstanding may send the notice;

 

(6)           the Issuer, Ventas, Inc. or any of its Significant Subsidiaries, or any group of Subsidiaries that, taken as a whole, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary:

 

(i)            commence a voluntary case;

 

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

 

(iii)          consent to the appointment of a custodian of them or for all or substantially all of their property;

 

16



 

(iv)          make a general assignment for the benefit of their creditors; or

 

(v)           generally are not paying their debts as they become due; or

 

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

 

(i)            is for relief against the Issuer, Ventas, Inc. or any of its Significant Subsidiaries, or any group of Subsidiaries that, taken as a whole, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary, in an involuntary case;

 

(ii)           appoints a custodian of the Issuer, Ventas, Inc. or any of its Significant Subsidiaries, or any group of Subsidiaries that, taken as a whole, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary, or for all or substantially all of the property of the Issuer, Ventas, Inc. or any of its Significant Subsidiaries, or any group of Subsidiaries that, taken as a whole, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary; or

 

(iii)          orders the liquidation of the Issuer, Ventas, Inc. or any of its Significant Subsidiaries, or any group of Subsidiaries that, taken as a whole, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary;

 

and the order or decree remains unstayed and in effect for 60 consecutive days.”

 

(b)           Pursuant to Section 2.02(14) of the Base Indenture, Section 6.02 of the Base Indenture is hereby amended with respect to the Notes by (i) deleting the first sentence thereof in its entirety and inserting in its place the following:

 

“In the case of an Event of Default specified in clause (6) or (7) of Section 6.01, with respect to the Issuer, Ventas, Inc. or any of its Significant Subsidiaries or any group of Subsidiaries that, taken as a whole, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary, all Outstanding Notes will become due and payable immediately without further action or notice.”

 

and (ii) adding to the end of Section 6.02 the following:

 

“Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in the Indenture, the sole remedy for an Event of Default relating to a failure to comply with any of the provisions of Section 4.03 hereof shall consist exclusively of the right to receive additional interest on the Notes at an annual rate equal to 0.25% of the outstanding principal amount of the Notes.  This additional interest will be payable in the same manner and on the same dates as the stated interest payable on the Notes and will accrue on all Outstanding Notes from and including the date on which such Event of Default first occurs to, but not including, the date on which such Event of Default shall have been cured or waived.”

 

17



 

(c)           Pursuant to Section 2.02(14) of the Base Indenture, Section 6.08 of the Base Indenture is hereby amended with respect to the Notes by deleting from the first line thereof the reference to clause (3) of Section 6.01 of the Base Indenture.

 

ARTICLE VI

 

TRUSTEE

 

Section 6.01          Amendments to Article 7 .  Pursuant to Section 2.02(14) of the Base Indenture, Section 7.07(e) of the Base Indenture is hereby amended with respect to the Notes by changing the references to Section 6.01(7) or (8) therein to Section 6.01(6) or (7).

 

ARTICLE VII

 

LEGAL DEFEASANCE AND COVENANT DEFEASANCE

 

Section 7.01          Applicability of Defeasance Provisions .  Pursuant to Sections 2.02(17) and 8.01 of the Base Indenture, so long as any of the Notes are Outstanding, Sections 8.02 and 8.03 of the Base Indenture shall be applicable to the Notes.

 

Section 7.02          Determinations Under Section 8.03 .  For the purposes of Sections 2.02(17) and 8.03 of the Base Indenture, Section 8.03 of the Base Indenture shall apply to Sections 4.09 through 4.11, inclusive.

 

Section 7.03          Determination Under Section 8.07 .  For the purposes of Sections 8.07 and 11.02 of the Base Indenture, the provisions of Section 8.07 of the Base Indenture shall apply to the Notes.

 

Section 7.04          Amendments to Article 8 .

 

(a)           Pursuant to Section 2.02(17) of the Base Indenture, the last sentence of Section 8.03 of the Base Indenture is hereby amended with respect to the Notes by changing the references to Sections 6.01(4) through 6.01(6) therein to Sections 6.01(3) through 6.01(5).

 

ARTICLE VIII

 

GUARANTEES

 

Section 8.01          Applicability of Guarantee Provisions .

 

(a)           Pursuant to Sections 2.02(1) and 10.01 of the Base Indenture, so long as any of the Notes are Outstanding, Article 10 shall be applicable to the Notes.

 

(b)           Pursuant to Section 2.02(23) of the Base Indenture, Section 10.03 of the Base Indenture is hereby amended with respect to the Notes by deleting the text thereof in its entirety and inserting in its place the following:

 

18



 

“To evidence its Securities Guarantee as set forth in Section 10.01 in respect of the Notes, an Officer of the Guarantor shall execute the Indenture on behalf of such Guarantor, and the Guarantor hereby agrees that such Securities Guarantee shall become effective upon such execution and shall remain in full force and effect thereafter, subject to the terms of the Indenture.”

 

If an Officer whose signature is on this Indenture no longer holds that office at the time the Trustee authenticates the Notes, such Securities Guarantee will be valid nonetheless.

 

The delivery of any Note by the Trustee after the authentication thereof hereunder will constitute the delivery of the Securities Guarantee set forth in this Indenture on behalf of the Guarantor.”

 

ARTICLE IX

 

MISCELLANEOUS

 

Section 9.01          Determination Under Section 13.10 .  For the purposes of Section 13.10 of the Base Indenture, the agreements of the Guarantor will bind its successors except as otherwise provided in Article 10 of the Base Indenture.

 

Section 9.02          Application of First Supplemental Indenture; Ratification .

 

(a)           Each and every term and condition contained in this First Supplemental Indenture that modifies, amends or supplements the terms and conditions of the Base Indenture shall apply only to the Notes created hereby and not to any future series of Securities established under the Indenture.

 

(b)           The Base Indenture, as supplemented and amended by this First Supplemental Indenture, is in all respects ratified and confirmed, and the Base Indenture and this First Supplemental Indenture shall be read, taken and construed as the same instrument.

 

(c)           In the event of any conflict between this First Supplemental Indenture and the Base Indenture, the provisions of this First Supplemental Indenture shall prevail.

 

Section 9.03          Benefits of First Supplemental Indenture .  Nothing contained in this First Supplemental Indenture shall or shall be construed to confer upon any Person other than a Holder of the Notes, the Issuer, the Guarantor or the Trustee any right or interest to avail itself of any benefit under any provision of the Base Indenture or this First Supplemental Indenture.

 

Section 9.04          Effective Date .  This First Supplemental Indenture shall be effective as of the date first above written and upon the execution and delivery hereof by each of the parties hereto.

 

19



 

Section 9.05          Governing Law .  This First Supplemental Indenture shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York, without regard to conflicts of laws principles thereof.

 

Section 9.06          Counterparts .  This First Supplemental Indenture may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which so executed shall be deemed to be an original, but all such counterparts shall together constitute but one and the same instrument.

 

[REMAINDER OF PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK]

 

20



 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this First Supplemental Indenture to be duly executed by their respective officers hereunto duly authorized, all as of the day and year first above written.

 

 

ISSUER

 

 

 

VENTAS REALTY, LIMITED PARTNERSHIP

 

 

 

 

By:

Ventas, Inc., its General Partner

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Robert F. Probst

 

 

 

 

Name:

Robert F. Probst

 

 

 

 

Title:

Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

 

 

 

 

 

GUARANTOR

 

 

 

VENTAS, INC.

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Robert F. Probst

 

 

 

Name:

Robert F. Probst

 

 

 

Title:

Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

 

[Signature Page to First Supplemental Indenture]

 



 

 

TRUSTEE

 

 

 

U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Daniel Boyers

 

 

 

Name: Daniel Boyers

 

 

 

Title: Vice President

 

[Signature Page to First Supplemental Indenture]

 



 

SCHEDULE 1

 

See Attached.

 

B- 1


Exhibit 5.1

 

 

330 North Wabash Avenue

 

Suite 2800

 

Chicago, Illinois 60611

 

Tel: +1.312.876.7700 Fax: +1.312.993.9767

 

www.lw.com

 

 

FIRM / AFFILIATE OFFICES

 

Barcelona

Moscow

 

Beijing

Munich

 

Boston

New York

 

Brussels

Orange County

 

Century City

Paris

 

Chicago

Riyadh

 

Dubai

Rome

 

Düsseldorf

San Diego

February 23, 2018

Frankfurt

San Francisco

 

Hamburg

Seoul

 

Hong Kong

Shanghai

 

Houston

Silicon Valley

 

London

Singapore

Ventas, Inc.

Los Angeles

Tokyo

353 N. Clark Street, Suite 3300

Madrid

Washington, D.C.

Chicago, Illinois 60654

Milan

 

 

Re:                              Registration Statement No. 333-222998; $650,000,000 Aggregate Principal Amount of 4.000% Senior Notes due 2028

 

Ladies and Gentlemen:

 

We have acted as special counsel to Ventas Realty, Limited Partnership, a Delaware limited partnership (the “ Issuer ”), and Ventas, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “ Parent Guarantor ” and, together with the Issuer, the “ Ventas Entities ”), in connection with the issuance of $650,000,000 in aggregate principal amount of the Issuer’s 4.000% Senior Notes due 2028 (the “ Notes ”) and the guarantees of the Notes (the “ Guarantees ”) by the Parent Guarantor, under an indenture, dated the date hereof (the “ Base Indenture ”), by and among the Ventas Entities and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee, as supplemented by a first supplemental indenture, dated the date hereof (the “ First Supplemental Indenture ” and, together with the Base Indenture, the “ Indenture ”), specifying the terms of the Notes, and pursuant to a registration statement on Form S-3 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “ Act ”), filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “ Commission ”) on February 13, 2018 (Registration No. 333-222998) (as so filed and as amended, the “ Registration Statement ”), a base prospectus, dated February 13, 2018, included in the Registration Statement at the time it originally became effective (the “ Base Prospectus ”), a final prospectus supplement, dated February 13, 2018, filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) under the Act on February 15, 2018 (together with the Base Prospectus, the “ Prospectus ”), and an underwriting agreement, dated February 13, 2018, among the underwriters named therein and the Ventas Entities (the “ Underwriting Agreement ”).

 

This opinion is being furnished in connection with the requirements of Item 601(b)(5) of Regulation S-K under the Act, and no opinion is expressed herein as to any matter pertaining to the contents of the Registration Statement or the Prospectus, other than as expressly stated herein with respect to the issue of the Notes and the Guarantees.

 



 

As such counsel, we have examined such matters of fact and questions of law as we have considered appropriate for purposes of this letter.  With your consent, we have relied upon certificates and other assurances of officers of the Ventas Entities and others as to factual matters without having independently verified such factual matters.  We are opining herein as to the internal laws of the State of New York, the Delaware Revised Uniform Limited Partnership Act and the Delaware General Corporation Law, and we express no opinion with respect to the applicability thereto, or the effect thereon, of the laws of any other jurisdiction or, in the case of Delaware, any other laws, or as to any matters of municipal law or the laws of any local agencies within any state.

 

Subject to the foregoing and the other matters set forth herein, it is our opinion that, as of the date hereof, the Notes and the Guarantees have been duly authorized by all necessary limited partnership or corporate action of the Issuer and the Parent Guarantor, respectively, and when the Notes have been duly executed, issued and authenticated in accordance with the terms of the Indenture and delivered against payment therefor in the circumstances contemplated by the Underwriting Agreement, the Notes and the Guarantees will be legally valid and binding obligations of the Issuer and the Parent Guarantor, respectively, enforceable against the Issuer and the Parent Guarantor in accordance with their respective terms.

 

Our opinion is subject to: (i) the effect of bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, preference, fraudulent transfer, moratorium or other similar laws relating to or affecting the rights and remedies of creditors; (ii) the effect of general principles of equity, whether considered in a proceeding in equity or at law (including the possible unavailability of specific performance or injunctive relief), concepts of materiality, reasonableness, good faith and fair dealing, and the discretion of the court before which a proceeding is brought; (iii) the invalidity under certain circumstances under law or court decisions of provisions providing for the indemnification of or contribution to a party with respect to a liability where such indemnification or contribution is contrary to public policy; and (iv) we express no opinion as to (a) any provision for liquidated damages, default interest, late charges, monetary penalties, make-whole premiums or other economic remedies to the extent such provisions are deemed to constitute a penalty, (b) consents to, or restrictions upon, governing law, jurisdiction, venue, arbitration, remedies or judicial relief, (c) waivers of rights or defenses, (d) any provision requiring the payment of attorneys’ fees, where such payment is contrary to law or public policy, (e) any provision permitting, upon acceleration of the Notes, collection of that portion of the stated principal amount thereof which might be determined to constitute unearned interest thereon, (f) the creation, validity, attachment, perfection, or priority of any lien or security interest, (g) advance waivers of claims, defenses, rights granted by law, or notice, opportunity for hearing, evidentiary requirements, statutes of limitation, trial by jury or at law, or other procedural rights, (h) waivers of broadly or vaguely stated rights, (i) provisions for exclusivity, election or cumulation of rights or remedies, (j) provisions authorizing or validating conclusive or discretionary determinations, (k) grants of setoff rights, (l) proxies, powers and trusts, (m) provisions prohibiting, restricting, or requiring consent to assignment or transfer of any right or property, (n) any provision to the extent it requires that a claim with respect to a security denominated in other than U.S. dollars (or a judgment in respect of such a claim) be converted into U.S. dollars at a rate of exchange at a particular date, to the extent applicable law otherwise provides, (o) provisions purporting to make a guarantor primarily liable rather than as a surety

 

2



 

and provisions purporting to waive modifications of any guaranteed obligation to the extent such modification constitutes a novation and (p) the severability, if invalid, of provisions to the foregoing effect.

 

With your consent, we have assumed (a) that the Indenture, the Notes and the Guarantees (collectively, the “ Documents ”) have been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the parties thereto other than the Ventas Entities, (b) that the Documents constitute legally valid and binding obligations of the parties thereto other than the Ventas Entities, enforceable against each of them in accordance with their respective terms, and (c) that the status of the Documents as legally valid and binding obligations of the parties is not affected by any (i) breaches of, or defaults under, agreements or instruments, (ii) violations of statutes, rules, regulations or court or governmental orders or (iii) failures to obtain required consents, approvals or authorizations from, or make required registrations, declarations or filings with, governmental authorities.

 

This opinion is for your benefit in connection with the Registration Statement and may be relied upon by you and by persons entitled to rely upon it pursuant to the applicable provisions of the Act.  We consent to your filing this opinion as an exhibit to the Parent Guarantor’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Commission on the date hereof, and to the reference to our firm contained in the Prospectus under the heading “Legal Matters.”  In giving such consent, we do not thereby admit that we are in the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Act or the rules and regulations of the Commission promulgated thereunder.

 

 

 

Very truly yours,

 

 

 

 

3


Exhibit 99.1

 

 

News Release

 

Ventas Announces Expiration and Results of Tender Offer for 4.00% Senior Notes Due 2019

 

CHICAGO—(BUSINESS WIRE)—Feb. 21, 2018— Ventas, Inc. (NYSE: VTR) announced today the expiration and results of the previously announced offer by Ventas Realty, Limited Partnership (“Ventas Realty”) and Ventas Capital Corporation (“Ventas Capital” and, together with Ventas Realty, the “Issuers”), its wholly-owned subsidiaries, to purchase for cash (the “Tender Offer”) any and all of their outstanding 4.00% Senior Notes due 2019 (the “Notes”), jointly issued by the Issuers and fully and unconditionally guaranteed by Ventas, which expired at 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on February 20, 2018 (the “Expiration Time”).

 

As of the Expiration Time, $502,122,000 aggregate principal amount of Notes, or 83.69% of the aggregate principal amount of Notes outstanding, had been validly tendered and not validly withdrawn. This excludes $97,878,000 aggregate principal amount of Notes that remain subject to guaranteed delivery procedures. The complete terms and conditions of the Tender Offer were set forth in an Offer to Purchase, dated February 13, 2018, and the related Letter of Transmittal.

 

The Issuers expect to accept for payment all Notes validly tendered and not validly withdrawn prior to the Expiration Time and, in accordance with the terms of the Offer to Purchase, will pay all holders of such Notes $1,018.30 per $1,000 principal amount for all Notes accepted in the Tender Offer, including those properly tendered and not validly withdrawn prior to the Expiration Time and those tendered by the guaranteed delivery procedures described within the Offer to Purchase, three business days after the Expiration Time, or February 23, 2018 (the “Payment Date”). Also, on the Payment Date, the Issuers will pay accrued and unpaid interest from the last interest payment date of the Notes to, but not including, the Payment Date. For avoidance of doubt, interest on the Notes will cease to accrue on the Payment Date for all Notes accepted in the Tender Offer. All Notes purchased on the Payment Date will subsequently be retired. The Issuers will fund the payment for tendered and accepted notes with the net proceeds from Ventas Realty’s previously announced issuance and sale of $650.0 million aggregate principal amount of its 4.000% Senior Notes due 2028, together with cash on hand and/or borrowings under the Company’s unsecured revolving credit facility. Jefferies LLC and Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated acted as dealer managers for the Tender Offer. Ipreo LLC was the information agent and tender agent for the Tender Offer.

 

Ventas, Inc., an S&P 500 company, is a leading real estate investment trust. Its diverse portfolio of more than 1,200 assets in the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom consists of seniors housing communities, medical office buildings, life science and innovation centers, inpatient rehabilitation and long-term acute care facilities, health systems and skilled nursing facilities. Through its Lillibridge subsidiary, Ventas provides management, leasing, marketing, facility development and advisory services to highly rated hospitals and health systems throughout the United States. References to “Ventas” or the “Company” mean Ventas, Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries unless otherwise expressly noted. More information about Ventas and Lillibridge can be found at www.ventasreit.com and www.lillibridge.com.

 

This press release includes forward-looking statements. All statements regarding the Company’s or its tenants’, operators’, borrowers’ or managers’ expected future financial condition, results of operations, cash flows, funds from operations, dividends and dividend plans, financing opportunities and plans,

 



 

capital markets transactions, business strategy, budgets, projected costs, operating metrics, capital expenditures, competitive positions, acquisitions, investment opportunities, dispositions, merger or acquisition integration, growth opportunities, expected lease income, continued qualification as a real estate investment trust (“REIT”), plans and objectives of management for future operations and statements that include words such as “anticipate,” “if,” “believe,” “plan,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “may,” “could,” “should,” “will” and other similar expressions are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are inherently uncertain, and actual results may differ from the Company’s expectations. The Company does not undertake a duty to update these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date on which they are made.

 

The Company’s actual future results and trends may differ materially from expectations depending on a variety of factors discussed in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. These factors include without limitation: (a) the ability and willingness of the Company’s tenants, operators, borrowers, managers and other third parties to satisfy their obligations under their respective contractual arrangements with the Company, including, in some cases, their obligations to indemnify, defend and hold harmless the Company from and against various claims, litigation and liabilities; (b) the ability of the Company’s tenants, operators, borrowers and managers to maintain the financial strength and liquidity necessary to satisfy their respective obligations and liabilities to third parties, including without limitation obligations under their existing credit facilities and other indebtedness; (c) the Company’s success in implementing its business strategy and the Company’s ability to identify, underwrite, finance, consummate and integrate diversifying acquisitions and investments; (d) macroeconomic conditions such as a disruption of or lack of access to the capital markets, changes in the debt rating on U.S. government securities, default or delay in payment by the United States of its obligations, and changes in the federal or state budgets resulting in the reduction or nonpayment of Medicare or Medicaid reimbursement rates; (e) the nature and extent of future competition, including new construction in the markets in which the Company’s seniors housing communities and medical office buildings (“MOBs”) are located; (f) the extent and effect of future or pending healthcare reform and regulation, including cost containment measures and changes in reimbursement policies, procedures and rates; (g) increases in the Company’s borrowing costs as a result of changes in interest rates and other factors; (h) the ability of the Company’s tenants, operators and managers, as applicable, to comply with laws, rules and regulations in the operation of the Company’s properties, to deliver high-quality services, to attract and retain qualified personnel and to attract residents and patients; (i) changes in general economic conditions or economic conditions in the markets in which the Company may, from time to time, compete, and the effect of those changes on the Company’s revenues, earnings and funding sources; (j) the Company’s ability to pay down, refinance, restructure or extend its indebtedness as it becomes due; (k) the Company’s ability and willingness to maintain its qualification as a REIT in light of economic, market, legal, tax and other considerations; (l) final determination of the Company’s taxable net income for the year ended December 31, 2017 and for the year ending December 31, 2018; (m) the ability and willingness of the Company’s tenants to renew their leases with the Company upon expiration of the leases, the Company’s ability to reposition its properties on the same or better terms in the event of nonrenewal or in the event the Company exercises its right to replace an existing tenant, and obligations, including indemnification obligations, the Company may incur in connection with the replacement of an existing tenant; (n) risks associated with the Company’s senior living operating portfolio, such as factors that can cause volatility in the Company’s operating income and earnings generated by those properties, including without limitation national and regional economic conditions, costs of food, materials, energy, labor and services, employee benefit costs, insurance costs and professional and general liability claims, and the timely delivery of accurate property-level financial results for those properties; (o) changes in exchange rates for any foreign currency in which the Company may, from time to time, conduct business; (p) year-over-year changes in the Consumer Price Index or the UK Retail Price Index and the effect of those changes on the rent escalators contained in the Company’s leases and the Company’s earnings; (q) the Company’s ability and the ability of its tenants, operators, borrowers and managers to obtain and

 



 

maintain adequate property, liability and other insurance from reputable, financially stable providers; (r) the impact of increased operating costs and uninsured professional liability claims on the Company’s liquidity, financial condition and results of operations or that of the Company’s tenants, operators, borrowers and managers, and the ability of the Company and the Company’s tenants, operators, borrowers and managers to accurately estimate the magnitude of those claims; (s) risks associated with the Company’s MOB portfolio and operations, including the Company’s ability to successfully design, develop and manage MOBs and to retain key personnel; (t) the ability of the hospitals on or near whose campuses the Company’s MOBs are located and their affiliated health systems to remain competitive and financially viable and to attract physicians and physician groups; (u) risks associated with the Company’s investments in joint ventures and unconsolidated entities, including its lack of sole decision-making authority and its reliance on its joint venture partners’ financial condition; (v) the Company’s ability to obtain the financial results expected from its development and redevelopment projects; (w) the impact of market or issuer events on the liquidity or value of the Company’s investments in marketable securities; (x) consolidation activity in the seniors housing and healthcare industries resulting in a change of control of, or a competitor’s investment in, one or more of the Company’s tenants, operators, borrowers or managers or significant changes in the senior management of the Company’s tenants, operators, borrowers or managers; (y) the impact of litigation or any financial, accounting, legal or regulatory issues that may affect the Company or its tenants, operators, borrowers or managers; and (z) changes in accounting principles, or their application or interpretation, and the Company’s ability to make estimates and the assumptions underlying the estimates, which could have an effect on the Company’s earnings.

 

Source: Ventas, Inc.

 

Ventas, Inc.

Ryan Shannon

(877) 4-VENTAS