TABLE OF CONTENTS
As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on January 29, 2024
Registration Nos. 333-       
333-     -01
333-     -02
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM S-3
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
International Business Machines Corporation
(Exact name of each registrant as specified in its charter)
New York
13-0871985
(State or other jurisdiction
of incorporation or organization)
(I.R.S. employer
identification number)
IBM International Group Capital LLC
(Exact name of each registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware
61-1533315
(State or other jurisdiction
of incorporation or organization)
(I.R.S. employer
identification number)
IBM International Capital Pte. Ltd.
(Exact name of each registrant as specified in its charter)
Republic of Singapore
98-1763477
(State or other jurisdiction
of incorporation or organization)
(I.R.S. employer
identification number)
One New Orchard Road
Armonk, New York 10504
(914) 499-1900
(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of each registrant’s principal executive offices)
Mr. Frank Sedlarcik, Esq.
Vice President, Assistant General Counsel and Secretary
International Business Machines Corporation
Armonk, New York 10504
(914) 499-1900
(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)
Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public: From time to time after the effective date of this Registration Statement.
If the only securities being registered on this Form are being offered pursuant to dividend or interest reinvestment plans, please check the following box: ☐
If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, other than securities offered only in connection with dividend or interest reinvestment plans, check the following box: ☒
If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering: ☐
If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering: ☐
If this Form is a registration statement pursuant to General Instruction I.D. or a post-effective amendment thereto that shall become effective upon filing with the Commission pursuant to Rule 462(e) under the Securities Act, check the following box. ☒
If this Form is a post-effective amendment to a registration statement filed pursuant to General Instruction I.D. filed to register additional securities or additional classes of securities pursuant to Rule 413(b) under the Securities Act, check the following box. ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act:
Large accelerated filer
Accelerated filer
Non-accelerated filer
Smaller reporting company
Emerging growth company
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 7(a)(2)(B) of Securities Act. ☐

TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
EXPLANATORY NOTE
This registration statement contains three forms of base prospectus.
The first base prospectus will be used in connection with offerings of Debt Securities, Preferred Stock, Depositary Shares, Capital Stock or Warrants issued by International Business Machines Corporation.
The second base prospectus will be used in connection with offerings of Debt Securities issued by IBM International Group Capital LLC and the related Guarantee of such Debt Securities issued by International Business Machines Corporation.
The third base prospectus will be used in connection with offerings of Debt Securities issued by IBM International Capital Pte. Ltd. and the related Guarantee of such Debt Securities issued by International Business Machines Corporation.
 

TABLE OF CONTENTS
PROSPECTUS
International Business Machines Corporation
DEBT SECURITIES
PREFERRED STOCK
DEPOSITARY SHARES
CAPITAL STOCK
WARRANTS
We will provide specific terms of these securities in supplements to this prospectus.
You should read this prospectus and any supplement carefully before you invest.
IBM’s capital stock is traded on The New York Stock Exchange under the trading symbol “IBM”.
The mailing address of our principal executive office is One New Orchard Road, Armonk, NY 10504. Our telephone number is (914) 499-1900.
Investing in our securities involves certain risks. See “Risk Factors” in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, which is incorporated by reference herein, as well as in any other recently filed quarterly or current reports and, if any, in the relevant prospectus supplement.
These securities have not been approved by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) or any state securities commission, nor have these organizations determined that this prospectus is accurate or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
The date of this prospectus is January 29, 2024.

TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
1
3
4
4
15
20
20
22
23
23
 
i

TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
SUMMARY
This summary highlights selected information from this document and may not contain all of the information that is important to you. To understand the terms of our securities, you should carefully read this document with the attached prospectus supplement. Together these documents will give the specific terms of the securities we are offering. You should also read the documents we have incorporated by reference into this prospectus for information on us and our financial statements. Certain capitalized terms used in this summary are defined elsewhere in this prospectus.
About this Prospectus
This prospectus is part of a registration statement we have filed with the SEC using a “shelf” registration process. Using this process we may offer securities or any combination of the securities described in this prospectus in one or more offerings. This prospectus provides you with a general description of the securities we may offer. Each time we use this prospectus to offer securities, we will provide a prospectus supplement and, if applicable, a pricing supplement that will describe the specific terms of the offering. The prospectus supplement and any pricing supplement may also add to, update or change the information contained in this prospectus. Please carefully read this prospectus, the prospectus supplement and any applicable pricing supplement, in addition to the information contained in the documents we refer to under the heading “Summary — Where You Can Find More Information.”
About International Business Machines Corporation
International Business Machines Corporation (IBM or the company) was incorporated in the State of New York on June 16, 1911, as the Computing-Tabulating-Recording Co. (C-T-R), a consolidation of the Computing Scale Co. of America, the Tabulating Machine Co. and The International Time Recording Co. of New York. Since that time, IBM has focused on the intersection of business insight and technological innovation, and its operations and aims have been international in nature. This was signaled almost 100 years ago, in 1924, when C-T-R changed its name to International Business Machines Corporation. And it continues today — we create sustained value for clients by helping them leverage the power of hybrid cloud and artificial intelligence (AI). Our hybrid cloud platform and AI technology support clients’ digital transformations and helps them reimagine critical workflows, at scale, and modernize applications to increase agility, drive innovation and create operational efficiencies. Our offerings draw from leading IBM capabilities in software, consulting services capability to deliver business outcomes, and deep incumbency in mission-critical infrastructure, all bolstered by one of the world’s leading research organizations. The mailing address of our principal executive office is One New Orchard Road, Armonk, NY 10504. Our telephone number is (914) 499-1900.
Debt Securities
We may offer unsecured general obligations of our company, which may be senior or subordinated. The senior debt securities and the subordinated debt securities are together referred to in this prospectus as the “debt securities”. The senior debt securities will have the same rank as all of our other unsecured, unsubordinated debt. The subordinated debt securities will be entitled to payment only after payment on our senior indebtedness. Senior indebtedness includes all indebtedness for money borrowed by us, except indebtedness that is stated to be not superior to, or to have the same rank as, the subordinated debt securities. In addition, the senior and subordinated debt securities will be effectively subordinated to creditors of our subsidiaries.
The senior debt securities will be issued under an indenture between us and The Bank of New York Mellon, as the trustee. The subordinated debt securities will be issued under an indenture to be entered into between us and the trustee we name in the prospectus supplement. We have summarized general features of the debt securities from the indentures. We encourage you to read the indentures which are exhibits to the registration statement and our recent periodic and current reports that we file with the SEC.
General Indenture Provisions That Apply to Senior and Subordinated Debt Securities
Neither indenture limits the amount of debt that we may issue. In addition, neither indenture provides holders any protection should there be a recapitalization or restructuring involving our company.
 
1

TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
The indentures allow us to merge or consolidate with another company, or to sell all or most of our assets to another company. If these events occur, the other company will be required to assume our responsibilities relating to the debt securities, and we will be released from all liabilities and obligations.
The indentures provide that holders of a majority of the outstanding principal amount of any series of debt securities may vote to change our obligations or your rights concerning that series. However, to change the amount or timing of principal, interest or other payments under the debt securities, every holder in the series must consent.
We may discharge our obligations under the indentures by depositing with the trustee sufficient funds or government obligations to pay the debt securities when due.
Events of default.   Each indenture provides that the following are events of default in connection with any series of debt securities:

If we do not pay interest for 30 days after its due date.

If we do not pay principal or premium when due.

If we do not make any sinking fund payment for 30 days after its due date.

If we continue to breach a covenant for 90 days after notice.

If we enter bankruptcy or become insolvent.
If an event of default occurs under any series of debt securities, the trustee or holders of 25% of the outstanding principal amount of that series may declare the principal amount of the series immediately payable. However, holders of a majority of the principal amount of a series may rescind this action.
General Indenture Provisions That Apply Only to Senior Debt Securities
The indenture relating to the senior debt securities contains covenants restricting our ability to incur secured indebtedness and enter into sale and leaseback transactions.
General Indenture Provisions That Apply Only to Subordinated Debt Securities
The subordinated debt securities will be subordinated to all senior indebtedness. In addition, claims of our subsidiaries’ creditors generally will have priority with respect to the subsidiaries’ assets and earnings over the claims of our creditors, including holders of the subordinated debt securities. The subordinated debt securities, therefore, will be effectively subordinated to creditors of our subsidiaries.
The indenture relating to the subordinated debt securities does not provide holders any protection in the event of a highly leveraged transaction.
Preferred Stock and Depositary Shares
We may issue our preferred stock, par value $0.01 per share, in one or more series. Our Board of Directors will determine the dividend, voting, conversion and other rights of the series being offered and the terms and conditions relating to its offering and sale at the time of the offer and sale. We may also issue fractional shares of preferred stock that will be represented by depositary shares and depositary receipts.
Capital Stock
We may issue our capital stock, par value $0.20 per share. Holders of capital stock are entitled to receive dividends if and when those dividends are declared by our Board of Directors, subject to rights of preferred stockholders. Each holder of capital stock is entitled to one vote per share. The holders of capital stock have no preemptive rights or cumulative voting rights.
Warrants
We may issue warrants for the purchase of debt securities, preferred stock or capital stock. We may issue warrants independently or together with other securities.
 
2

TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION
We file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. Our SEC filings are available to the public at the SEC’s web site at http://www.sec.gov. Our reports on Forms 10-K, 10-Q and 8-K, and amendments to those reports, are also available for download, free of charge, as soon as reasonably practicable after these reports are filed with the SEC, at our web site at http://www.ibm.com. Except as stated herein, no information contained in, or that can be accessed through, our website is incorporated by reference into this prospectus, and no such information should be considered a part of this prospectus.
The SEC allows us to “incorporate by reference” into this prospectus the information we file with it. This means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to those documents. The information incorporated by reference is considered to be part of this prospectus, and later information that we file with the SEC will automatically update and supersede this information. We incorporate by reference the documents listed below and any future filings made with the SEC under Section 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 until our offering is completed, other than, in each case, those documents or the portions of those documents which are furnished and not filed:
i.
ii.
Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended March 31, 2023, June 30, 2023 and September 30, 2023; and
iii.
Current Reports on Form 8-K or, where applicable, filed portions of those reports (but not portions of those reports which were furnished) filed on January 5, 2023, February 3, 2023, February 3, 2023, April 28, 2023, June 16, 2023, July 31, 2023 and December 12, 2023.
We encourage you to read our periodic and current reports. Not only do we think these items are interesting reading, we think these reports provide additional information about our company which prudent investors find important. You may request a copy of these filings at no cost, by writing to or telephoning our transfer agent at the following address:
Computershare Trust Company, N.A.
P.O. Box 505005
Louisville, KY 40233-5005
(781) 575-2727
We have not authorized anyone else to provide you with any information other than that contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus or any accompanying prospectus supplement. We take no responsibility for, and can provide no assurance as to the reliability of, any other information. We are not making an offer of these securities in any state where the offer is not permitted. You should not assume that the information in this prospectus or any prospectus supplement is accurate as of any date other than the date on the front of the document.
 
3

TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
USE OF PROCEEDS
Unless we otherwise specify in the applicable prospectus supplement, the net proceeds we receive from the sale of the securities offered by this prospectus and the accompanying prospectus supplement will be used for general corporate purposes. General corporate purposes may include the repayment of debt, investments in or extensions of credit to our subsidiaries, redemption of any preferred stock we may issue, or the financing of possible acquisitions or business expansion. The net proceeds may be invested temporarily or applied to repay short-term debt until they are used for their stated purpose.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DEBT SECURITIES
The following description of the terms of the debt securities sets forth general terms that may apply to the debt securities. The particular terms of any debt securities will be described in the prospectus supplement relating to those debt securities.
The debt securities will be either our senior debt securities or our subordinated debt securities. The senior debt securities will be issued under an indenture dated as of October 1, 1993, as supplemented on December 15, 1995, between us and The Bank of New York Mellon, as trustee. This indenture is referred to as the “senior indenture”. The subordinated debt securities will be issued under an indenture to be entered into between us and the trustee named in a prospectus supplement. This indenture is referred to as the “subordinated indenture”. The senior indenture and the subordinated indenture are together called the “indentures”.
The following is a summary of some of the important provisions of the indentures. Copies of the entire indentures are exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part. These descriptions do not restate the indentures in their entirety. We urge you to read the indentures because they, not this description, define your rights as holders of debt securities. Section references below are to the section in the applicable indenture.
General
Neither indenture limits the amount of debt securities that we may issue. Each indenture provides that debt securities may be issued up to the principal amount authorized by us from time to time. The senior debt securities will be unsecured and will have the same rank as all of our other unsecured and unsubordinated debt. The subordinated debt securities will be unsecured and will be subordinated and junior to all senior indebtedness. The debt securities may be issued in one or more separate series of senior debt securities and/or subordinated debt securities. The prospectus supplement relating to the particular series of debt securities being offered will specify the particular amounts, prices and terms of those debt securities. These terms may include:

the title of the debt securities;

any limit upon the aggregate principal amount of the debt securities;

the maturity date or dates, or the method of determining the maturity dates;

the interest rate or rates, or the method of determining those rates;

the interest payment dates and, for debt securities in registered form, the regular record dates;

the places where payments may be made;

any mandatory or optional redemption provisions;

any sinking fund or analogous provisions;

any conversion or exchange provisions;

any terms for the attachment to the debt securities of warrants, options or other rights to purchase or sell our securities;

the portion of principal amount of the debt security payable upon acceleration of maturity if other than the full principal amount;
 
4

TABLE OF CONTENTS
 

any deletions of, or changes or additions to, the events of default or covenants;

if other than U.S. dollars, the currency, currencies or composite currencies, in which payments on the debt securities will be payable and whether the holder may elect payment to be made in a different currency;

the method of determining the amount of any payments on the debt securities which are linked to an index;

whether the debt securities will be issued in fully registered form without coupons or in bearer form, with or without coupons, or any combination of these, and whether they will be issued in the form of one or more global securities in temporary or definitive form;

any terms relating to the delivery of the debt securities if they are to be issued upon the exercise of warrants;

whether and on what terms we will pay additional amounts to holders of the debt securities that are not U.S. persons for any tax, assessment or governmental charge withheld or deducted and, if so, whether and on what terms we will have the option to redeem the debt securities rather than pay the additional amounts; and

any other specific terms of the debt securities. (Sections 202 and 301)
Unless we otherwise specify in the prospectus supplement:

the debt securities will be registered debt securities;

registered debt securities denominated in U.S. dollars will be issued in denominations of $1,000 or an integral multiple of $1,000; and

bearer debt securities denominated in U.S. dollars will be issued in denominations of $5,000.
Debt securities may bear legends required by U.S. Federal tax law and regulations. (Section 401)
If any of the debt securities are sold for any foreign currency or currency unit, or if any payments on the debt securities are payable in any foreign currency or currency unit, the prospectus supplement will contain any restrictions, elections, tax consequences, specific terms and other information relating to the debt securities and the foreign currency or currency unit.
Some of the debt securities may be issued as original issue discount debt securities. Original issue discount securities bear no interest or bear interest at below-market rates. These are sold at a discount below their stated principal amount. If we issue these securities, the prospectus supplement will describe any special tax, accounting or other information which we think is important. We encourage you to consult with your own competent tax and financial advisors on these important matters.
IBM may in the future, without the consent of the holders, increase the outstanding principal amount of any series of debt securities on the same terms and conditions and with the same CUSIP numbers as debt securities of that series previously issued. Any such additional debt securities will vote together with all other debt securities of the same series for purposes of amendments, waivers and all other matters with respect to such series.
Exchange, Registration and Transfer
Debt securities may be transferred or exchanged at the corporate trust office of the security registrar or at any other office or agency which is maintained for these purposes. No service charge will be payable upon the transfer or exchange, except for any applicable tax or governmental charge.
The designated security registrar in the United States for the senior debt securities is BNY Mellon Corporate Trust, US Corporate Client Service Management, located at 500 Ross Street, 12th Floor, Pittsburgh, PA 15262. The security registrar for the subordinated debt securities will be designated in a prospectus supplement.
If debt securities are issuable in both registered and bearer form, the bearer securities will be exchangeable for registered securities. If a bearer security with related coupons is surrendered in exchange
 
5

TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
for a registered security between a record date and the date set for the payment of interest, the bearer security will be surrendered without the coupon relating to that interest payment. That interest payment will be made only to the holder of the coupon when due.
We will not be required to:

issue, register the transfer of, or exchange, debt securities of any series between the opening of business 15 business days before any selection of debt securities of that series to be redeemed and the close of business on:

the day of mailing of the relevant notice of redemption (if debt securities of the series are issuable only in registered form), and

the day of the first publication of the relevant notice of redemption (if the debt securities of the series are issuable in bearer form) or,

the day of mailing of the relevant notice of redemption (if the debt securities of the series are issuable in bearer and registered form) and there is no publication;

register the transfer of, or exchange, any registered security selected for redemption, in whole or in part, except the unredeemed portion of any registered security being redeemed in part; or

exchange any bearer security selected for redemption, except to exchange it for a registered security which is simultaneously surrendered for redemption. (Section 404)
Payment and Paying Agent
We will pay principal, interest and any premium on fully registered securities in the designated currency or currency unit at the office of the paying agent. Payment of interest on fully registered securities may be made by check mailed to the persons in whose names the debt securities are registered on days specified in the indentures or any prospectus supplement. (Sections 406 and 410)
We will pay principal, interest and any premium on bearer securities in the designated currency or currency unit at the office of the paying agent or agents outside of the United States. Payments will be made at the offices of the paying agent in the United States only if the designated currency is U.S. dollars and payment outside of the United States is illegal or effectively precluded. (Sections 410 and 1102)
If any amount payable on any debt security or coupon remains unclaimed at the end of two years after the amount became due and payable, the paying agent will release any unclaimed amounts to us. (Section 1103)
Our paying agent in the United States for the senior debt securities is BNY Mellon Corporate Trust, US Corporate Client Service Management, located at 500 Ross Street, 12th Floor, Pittsburgh, PA 15262. If and when we issue subordinated debt securities, we’ll designate the paying agent for those subordinated debt securities in the applicable prospectus supplement.
Global Securities
The debt securities of a series may be issued in whole or in part in the form of one or more global certificates. Those certificates will be deposited with a depositary that we will identify in a prospectus supplement. Global debt securities may be issued in either registered or bearer form and can be in either temporary or definitive form. All global securities in bearer form will be deposited with a depositary outside of the United States. We will describe the specific terms of the depositary arrangement relating to a series of debt securities in the prospectus supplement.
Other than for payments, we can treat a person having a beneficial interest in a definitive global security as the holder of the principal amount of outstanding debt securities represented by the global security. For these purposes, we can rely upon a written statement delivered to the trustee by the holder of the definitive global security, or, in the case of a definitive global security in bearer form, by the operator of the Euroclear System or Clearstream Banking, société anonyme (Clearstream). (Section 411)
 
6

TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
Neither we, the trustee nor any of our respective agents will be responsible for any aspect of the records relating to or payments made on account of beneficial ownership interests in a global security or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records relating to such beneficial ownership interests. (Section 411)
Temporary Global Securities
All or any portion of the debt securities of a series that are issuable in bearer form initially may be represented by one or more temporary global securities, without interest coupons. The temporary global securities will be deposited with a depositary in London for Euroclear and Clearstream for credit to the accounts of the beneficial owners of the debt securities or to such other accounts as they may direct.
On and after an exchange date provided in the applicable prospectus supplement, each temporary global security will be exchangeable for definitive debt securities in bearer form, registered form, definitive global bearer form or a combination of these, as will be specified in the prospectus supplement.
No bearer security delivered in exchange for a portion of a temporary global security will be mailed or delivered to any location in the United States. (Sections 402 and 403)
Interest on a temporary global bearer security will be paid to Euroclear and/or Clearstream for the portion held for its account only after a certificate is delivered to the trustee stating that the portion:

is not beneficially owned by a United States person;

has not been acquired by or on behalf of a United States person or for offer to resell or for resale to a United States person or any person inside the United States; or

if a beneficial interest has been acquired by a United States person, that:

such person is a financial institution (as defined in the Internal Revenue Code), purchasing for its own account or has acquired the debt security through a financial institution; and

the debt securities are held by a financial institution that has agreed in writing to comply with the requirements of Section 165(j)(3)(A), (B) or (C) of the Internal Revenue Code and the regulations thereunder, and that it did not purchase for resale inside the United States.
The certificate must be based on statements provided by the beneficial owners of interests in the temporary global security. Each of Euroclear and Clearstream will credit the interest received by it to the accounts of the beneficial owners of the debt security, or to other accounts as they may direct. (Section 403)
Definitive Global Securities
Bearer securities.   The applicable prospectus supplement will describe the exchange provisions, if any, of debt securities issuable in definitive global bearer form. We will not deliver any bearer securities in exchange for a portion of a definitive global security to any location in the United States. (Section 404)
U.S. Book-entry securities.   Debt securities of a series represented by a definitive global registered security and deposited with or on behalf of a depositary in the United States will be registered in the name of the depositary or its nominee. These securities are referred to as “book-entry securities”.
When a global security is issued and deposited with the depositary, the depositary will credit, on its book-entry registration and transfer system, the respective principal amounts represented by that global security to the accounts of institutions that have accounts with the depositary or its nominee. Institutions that have accounts with the depositary or its nominee are referred to as “participants”.
The accounts to be credited shall be designated by the underwriters or agents for the sale of such book- entry securities or by us, if we offer and sell those securities directly.
Ownership of book-entry securities are limited to participants or persons that may hold interests through participants. In addition, ownership of these securities will be evidenced only by, and the transfer of that ownership will be effected only through, records maintained by the depositary or its nominee or by participants or persons that hold through other participants.
 
7

TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
So long as the depositary, or its nominee, is the registered owner of a global security, that depositary or nominee will be considered the sole owner or holder of the book-entry securities represented by the global security for all purposes under the indenture. Payments of principal, interest and premium on those securities will be made to the depositary or its nominee as the registered owner or the holder of the global security.
Owners of book-entry securities:

will not be entitled to have the debt securities registered in their names;

will not be entitled to receive physical delivery of the debt securities in definitive form; and

will not be considered the owners or holders of those debt securities under the indenture.
The laws of some jurisdictions require that purchasers of securities take physical delivery of the securities in definitive form. These laws may impair the ability to purchase or transfer book-entry securities.
We expect that the depositary for book-entry securities of a series will immediately credit participants’ accounts with payments received by the depositary or nominee in amounts proportionate to the participants’ beneficial interests as shown on the records of such depositary.
We also expect that payments by participants to owners of beneficial interests in a global security held through the participants will be governed by standing instructions and customary practices, as is now the case with securities held for the accounts of customers in bearer form or registered in “street name”. The payments by participants to the owners of beneficial interests will be the responsibility of those participants.
Practical Implications of Holding Debt Securities in Street Name
Investors who hold debt securities in accounts at banks or brokers will not generally be recognized by us as the legal holders of debt securities. Since we recognize as the holder the bank or broker, or the financial institution the bank or broker uses to hold its debt securities, it is the responsibility of these intermediary banks, brokers and other financial institutions to pass along principal, interest and other payments on the debt securities, either because they agree to do so in their agreements with their customers, or because they are legally required to do so. If you hold debt securities in street name, you really ought to check with your own institution to find out:

How it handles securities payments and notices;

Whether it imposes additional fees or charges;

How it would handle voting and related issues if ever required;

How it would pursue or enforce rights under the debt securities if there were a default or other event triggering the need for direct holders to act to protect their interests; and

Whether and how it would react on other matters which are important to persons who hold debt securities in “street name”.
Covenants
Limitation on merger, consolidation and certain sales of assets.   We may, without the consent of the holders of the debt securities, merge into or consolidate with any other corporation, or convey or transfer all or substantially all of our properties and assets to another person provided that:

the successor is a U.S. corporation;

the successor assumes on the same terms and conditions all the obligations under the debt securities and the indentures; and

immediately after giving effect to the transaction, there is no default under the applicable indenture. (Section 901)
The remaining or acquiring corporation will take over all of our rights and obligations under the indentures. (Section 902)
 
8

TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
Satisfaction and Discharge; Defeasance
We may be discharged from our obligations on the debt securities of any series that have matured or will mature or be redeemed within one year if we deposit with the trustee enough cash to pay all the principal, interest and any premium due to the stated maturity date or redemption date of the debt securities. (Section 501)
Each indenture contains a provision that permits us to elect:
1.
to be discharged after 90 days from all of our obligations (subject to limited exceptions) with respect to any series of debt securities then outstanding; and/or
2.
to be released from our obligations under the following covenants and from the consequences of an event of default or cross-default resulting from a breach of these covenants:
a.
the limitations on mergers, consolidations and sale of assets,
b.
the limitations on sale and leaseback transactions under the senior indenture, and
c.
the limitations on secured indebtedness under the senior indenture.
To make either of the above elections, we must deposit in trust with the trustee enough money to pay in full the principal, interest and premium on the debt securities. This amount may be made in cash and/or U.S. government obligations, if the debt securities are denominated in U.S. dollars. This amount may be made in cash, and/or foreign government securities if the debt securities are denominated in a foreign currency. As a condition to either of the above elections, we must deliver to the trustee an opinion of counsel that the holders of the debt securities will not recognize income, gain or loss for U.S. Federal income tax purposes as a result of the action. (Section 503)
If either of the above events occur, the holders of the debt securities of the series will not be entitled to the benefits of the indenture, except for registration of transfer and exchange of debt securities and replacement of lost, stolen or mutilated debt securities. (Sections 501 and 503)
Events of Default, Notice and Waiver
If an event of default for any series of debt securities occurs and continues, the trustee or the holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the debt securities of the series may declare the entire principal amount of all the debt securities of that series to be due and payable immediately.
The declaration may be annulled and past defaults may be waived by the holders of a majority of the principal amount of the debt securities of that series. However, payment defaults that are not cured may only be waived by all holders of the debt securities. (Sections 602 and 613)
Each indenture defines an event of default in connection with any series of debt securities as one or more of the following events:

we fail to pay interest on any debt security of the series for 30 days when due;

we fail to pay the principal or any premium on any debt securities of the series when due;

we fail to make any sinking fund payment for 30 days when due;

we fail to perform any other covenant in the debt securities of the series or in the applicable indenture relating to debt securities of that series for 90 days after being given notice; and

we enter into bankruptcy or become insolvent.
An event of default for one series of debt securities is not necessarily an event of default for any other series of debt securities. (Section 601)
Each indenture requires the trustee to give the holders of a series of debt securities notice of a default for that series within 90 days unless the default is cured or waived. However, the trustee may withhold this
 
9

TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
notice if it determines in good faith that it is in the interest of those holders. The trustee may not, however, withhold this notice in the case of a payment default. (Section 702)
Other than the duty to act with the required standard of care during an event of default, a trustee is not obligated to exercise any of its rights or powers under the indenture at the request or direction of any of the holders of debt securities, unless the holders have offered to the trustee reasonable indemnification. (Section 703)
Generally, the holders of a majority in principal amount of outstanding debt securities of any series may direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the trustee, or exercising any trust or other power conferred on the trustee. (Section 612)
Each indenture includes a covenant that we will file annually with the trustee a certificate of no default, or specifying any default that exists. (Section 1106 of senior indenture and Section 1104 of subordinated indenture)
Street name and other indirect holders should consult their banks and brokers for information on their requirements for giving notice or taking other actions upon a default.
Modification of the Indentures
Together with the trustee, we may modify the indentures without the consent of the holders for limited purposes, including adding to our covenants or events of default, establishing forms or terms of debt securities, curing ambiguities and other purposes which do not adversely affect the holders in any material respect. (Section 1001)
Together with the trustee, we may also make modifications and amendments to each indenture with the consent of the holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of all affected series. However, without the consent of each affected holder, no modification may:

change the stated maturity of any debt security;

reduce the principal, premium (if any) or rate of interest on any debt security;

change any place of payment or the currency in which any debt security is payable;

impair the right to enforce any payment after the stated maturity or redemption date;

adversely affect the terms of any conversion right;

reduce the percentage of holders of outstanding debt securities of any series required to consent to any modification, amendment or waiver under the indenture;

change any of our obligations for any outstanding series of debt securities to maintain an office or agency in the places and for the purposes specified in the indenture for that series; or

change the provisions in the indenture that relate to its modification or amendment. (Section 1002)
Meetings
The indentures contain provisions for convening meetings of the holders of debt securities of a series. (Section 1401)
A meeting may be called at any time by the trustee, upon request by us or upon request by the holders of at least 10% in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of the series. In each case, notice will be given to the holders of debt securities of the series. (Section 1402)
Persons holding a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of a series will constitute a quorum at a meeting. A meeting called by us or the trustee that did not have a quorum may be adjourned for not less than 10 days, and if there is not a quorum at the adjourned meeting, the meeting may be further adjourned for not less than 10 days.
 
10

TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
Generally, any resolution presented at a meeting at which a quorum is present may be adopted by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series. However, to change the amount or timing of payments under the debt securities, every holder in the series must consent.
In addition, if the indenture provides that an action may be taken by the holders of a specified percentage in principal amount of outstanding debt securities of a series, that action may be taken at a meeting at which a quorum is present by the affirmative vote of the holders of such specified percentage in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series. Any resolution passed or decision taken at any meeting of holders of debt securities of any series duly held in accordance with an indenture will be binding on all holders of debt securities of that series and the related coupons. (Section 1404)
Notices to Holders
In most instances, notices to holders of bearer securities will be given by publication at least once in a daily newspaper in The City of New York and in London. Notices may also be published in another city or cities as may be specified in the securities. In addition, notices to holders of bearer securities will be mailed to those persons whose names and addresses were previously filed with the applicable trustee. Notice to holders of registered securities will be given by mail to the addresses of the holders as they appear in the security register. (Section 106)
Title
Title to any bearer securities and any related coupons will pass by delivery. We, the trustee and any agent of ours or the trustee may treat the holder of any bearer security or related coupon as the absolute owner of that security for all purposes. We may also treat the registered owner of any registered security as the absolute owner of that security for all purposes. (Section 407)
Replacement of Securities and Coupons
We think it’s very important for you to keep your securities safe. If you don’t, you’ll have to follow these procedures. We’ll replace debt securities or coupons that have been mutilated, but you’ll have to pay for the replacement, and you’ll have to surrender the mutilated debt security or coupon to the security registrar first. Debt securities or coupons that become destroyed, stolen or lost will only be replaced by us, again at your expense, upon your providing evidence of destruction, loss or theft which we and the security registrar are willing to accept. In the case of a destroyed, lost or stolen debt security or coupon, we may also require you, as the holder of the debt security or coupon, to indemnify the security registrar and us before we’ll go about issuing any replacement debt security or coupon. (Section 405)
Governing Law
The indentures, the debt securities and the coupons will be governed by, and construed under, the laws of the State of New York.
Our Relationship with the Trustee
We may from time to time maintain lines of credit, and have other customary banking relationships, with the trustee under the senior indenture or the trustee under the subordinated indenture.
Senior Debt Securities
The senior debt securities will be unsecured and will rank equally with all of our other unsecured and non-subordinated debt.
Covenants in the Senior Indenture
Limitation on secured indebtedness.   Neither we nor any Restricted Subsidiary will create, assume, incur or guarantee any Secured Indebtedness without securing the senior debt securities equally and ratably
 
11

TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
with, or prior to, that Secured Indebtedness, unless the sum of the following amounts would not exceed 10% of Consolidated Net Tangible Assets:

the total amount of all Secured Indebtedness that the senior debt securities are not secured equally and ratably with, and

the discounted present value of all net rentals payable under leases entered into in connection with sale and leaseback transactions entered into after July 15, 1985.
You should note that we don’t include in this calculation any leases entered into by a Restricted Subsidiary before the time it became a Restricted Subsidiary. (Section 1104 of senior indenture)
Limitation on sale and leaseback transactions.   Neither we nor any Restricted Subsidiary will enter into any lease longer than three years covering any Principal Property that is sold to any other person in connection with that lease unless either:
1.
the sum of the following amounts does not exceed 10% of Consolidated Net Tangible Assets:

the discounted present value of all net rentals payable under all these leases entered into after July 15, 1985; and

the total amount of all Secured Indebtedness that the senior debt securities are not secured equally and ratably with.
We don’t include in this calculation any leases entered into by a Restricted Subsidiary before the time it became a Restricted Subsidiary. or
2.
an amount equal to the greater of the following amounts is applied within 180 days to the retirement of our long-term debt or the debt of a Restricted Subsidiary:

the net proceeds to us or a Restricted Subsidiary from the sale; and

the discounted present value of all net rentals payable under the lease.
Amounts applied to debt which is subordinated to the senior debt securities or which is owing to us or a Restricted Subsidiary will not be included in this calculation. (Section 1105 of senior indenture)
We think it’s important for you to be aware that this limitation on sale and leaseback transactions won’t apply to any leases that we may enter into relating to newly acquired, improved or constructed property.
We think it’s also important for you to note that the holders of a majority in principal amount of all affected series of outstanding debt securities may waive compliance with each of the above covenants. (Section 1107 of senior indenture)
Definitions
Secured Indebtedness” means our indebtedness or indebtedness of a Restricted Subsidiary for borrowed money secured by any lien on, or any conditional sale or other title retention agreement covering, any Principal Property or any stock or indebtedness of a Restricted Subsidiary. Excluded from this definition is all indebtedness:

outstanding on July 15, 1985, secured by liens, or arising from conditional sale or other title retention agreements, existing on that date;

incurred after July 15, 1985 to finance the acquisition, improvement or construction of property, and either secured by purchase money mortgages or liens placed on the property within 180 days of acquisition, improvement or construction or arising from conditional sale or other title retention agreements;

secured by liens on Principal Property or on the stock or indebtedness of Restricted Subsidiaries, and, in either case, existing at the time of its acquisition;

owing to us or any Restricted Subsidiary;
 
12

TABLE OF CONTENTS
 

secured by liens, or conditional sale or other title retention devices, existing at the time a corporation became or becomes a Restricted Subsidiary after July 15, 1985;

constituting our guarantees of Secured Indebtedness and Attributable Debt of any Restricted Subsidiaries and guarantees by a Restricted Subsidiary of Secured Indebtedness and Attributable Debt of ours and any other Restricted Subsidiaries;

arising from any sale and leaseback transaction;

incurred to finance the acquisition or construction of property secured by liens in favor of any country or any political subdivision; and

constituting any replacement, extension or renewal of any indebtedness to the extent the amount of indebtedness is not increased.
Principal Property” means land, land improvements, buildings and associated factory, laboratory and office equipment constituting a manufacturing, development, warehouse, service or office facility owned by or leased to us or a Restricted Subsidiary which is located within the United States and which has an acquisition cost plus capitalized improvements in excess of 0.15% of Consolidated Net Tangible Assets as of the date of such determination. Principal Property does not include:

products marketed by us or our subsidiaries;

any property financed through the issuance of tax-exempt governmental obligations;

any property which our Board of Directors determines is not of material importance to us and our Restricted Subsidiaries taken as a whole; or

any property in which the interest of us and all of our subsidiaries does not exceed 50%.
Consolidated Net Tangible Assets” means the total assets of us and our subsidiaries, less current liabilities and intangible assets. We include in intangible assets the balance sheet value of:

all trade names, trademarks, licenses, patents, copyrights and goodwill;

organizational and development costs;

deferred charges other than prepaid items such as insurance, taxes, interest, commissions, rents and similar items and tangible items we are amortizing; and

unamortized debt discount and expense minus unamortized premium.
We don’t include in intangible assets any program products.
Attributable Debt” means the discounted present value of a lessee’s obligation for rental payments under a sale and leaseback transaction of Principal Property, reduced by amounts owed by any sublessee for rental obligations during the remaining term of that transaction. The discount rate we use for the Attributable Debt is called the “Attributable Interest Rate.” We compute the Attributable Interest Rate as the weighted average of the interest rates of all securities then issued and outstanding under the senior indenture.
Restricted Subsidiary” means:
1.
any of our subsidiaries:
a.
which has substantially all its property in the United States;
b.
which owns or is a lessee of any Principal Property; and,
c.
in which our investment and the investment of our subsidiaries exceeds 0.15% of Consolidated Net Tangible Assets as of the date of such determination; and
2.
any other subsidiary the Board of Directors may designate as a Restricted Subsidiary.
Restricted Subsidiary” doesn’t include financing subsidiaries and subsidiaries formed or acquired after July 15, 1985 for the purpose of acquiring the stock, business or assets of another person and that have not
 
13

TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
and do not acquire all or any substantial part of our business or assets or the business or assets of any Restricted Subsidiary. (Section 101 of senior indenture)
Subordinated Debt Securities
The subordinated debt securities will be unsecured. The subordinated debt securities will be subordinate in right of payment to all senior indebtedness. (Section 1501 of subordinated indenture)
In addition, claims of our subsidiaries’ creditors generally will have priority with respect to the assets and earnings of the subsidiaries over the claims of our creditors, including holders of the subordinated debt securities, even though those obligations may not constitute senior indebtedness. The subordinated debt securities, therefore, will be effectively subordinated to creditors, including trade creditors of our subsidiaries.
The subordinated indenture defines “senior indebtedness” to mean the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on:

all indebtedness for money borrowed or guaranteed by us other than the subordinated debt securities, unless the indebtedness expressly states to have the same rank as, or to rank junior to, the subordinated debt securities; and

any deferrals, renewals or extensions of any senior indebtedness.
However, the term “senior indebtedness” will not include:

any of our obligations to our subsidiaries;

any liability for Federal, state, local or other taxes owed or owing by us;

any accounts payable or other liability to trade creditors arising in the ordinary course of business, including guarantees of instruments evidencing those liabilities;

any indebtedness, guarantee or obligation of ours which is expressly subordinate or junior in right of payment in any respect to any other indebtedness, guarantee or obligation of ours, including any senior subordinated indebtedness and any subordinated obligations;

any obligations with respect to any capital stock; or

any indebtedness incurred in violation of the subordinated indenture.
There is no limitation on our ability to issue additional senior indebtedness. The senior debt securities constitute senior indebtedness under the subordinated indenture. The subordinated debt securities will rank equally with our other subordinated indebtedness.
Under the subordinated indenture, no payment may be made on the subordinated debt securities and no purchase, redemption or retirement of any subordinated debt securities may be made in the event:

any senior indebtedness is not paid when due, or

the maturity of any senior indebtedness is accelerated as a result of a default, unless the default has been cured or waived and the acceleration has been rescinded or that senior indebtedness has been paid in full.
We may, however, pay the subordinated debt securities without regard to the above restriction if the representatives of the holders of the applicable senior indebtedness approve the payment in writing to us and the trustee.
The representatives of the holders of senior indebtedness may notify us and the trustee in writing of a default which can result in the acceleration of that senior indebtedness’ maturity without further notice or the expiration of any grace periods. In this event, we may not pay the subordinated debt securities for 179 days after receipt of that notice. If the holders of senior indebtedness or their representatives have not accelerated the maturity of the senior indebtedness at the end of the 179 day period, we may resume payments on the subordinated debt securities. Not more than one such notice may be given in any consecutive 360-day period, irrespective of the number of defaults with respect to senior indebtedness during that period. (Section 1503 of subordinated indenture)
 
14

TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
In the event we pay or distribute our assets to creditors upon a total or partial liquidation, dissolution or reorganization of us or our property, the holders of senior indebtedness will be entitled to receive payment in full of the senior indebtedness before the holders of subordinated debt securities are entitled to receive any payment. Until the senior indebtedness is paid in full, any payment or distribution to which holders of subordinated debt securities would be entitled but for the subordination provisions of the subordinated indenture will be made to holders of the senior indebtedness. (Section 1502 of subordinated indenture)
If a distribution is made to holders of subordinated debt securities that, due to the subordination provisions, should not have been made to them, those holders of subordinated debt securities are required to hold it in trust for the holders of senior indebtedness, and pay it over to them as their interests may appear. (Section 1505 of subordinated indenture)
If payment of the subordinated debt securities is accelerated because of an event of default, either we or the trustee will promptly notify the holders of senior indebtedness or their representatives of the acceleration. We may not pay the subordinated debt securities until five business days after the holders of senior indebtedness or their representatives receive notice of the acceleration. Thereafter, we may pay the subordinated debt securities only if the subordination provisions of the subordinated indenture otherwise permit payment at that time. (Section 1504 of subordinated indenture)
As a result of the subordination provisions contained in the subordinated indenture, in the event of insolvency, our creditors who are holders of senior indebtedness may recover more, ratably, than the holders of subordinated debt securities. In addition, our creditors who are not holders of senior indebtedness may recover less, ratably, than holders of senior indebtedness and may recover more, ratably, than the holders of subordinated indebtedness. It’s important to keep this in mind if you decide to hold our subordinated debt securities.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED STOCK
The following is a description of general terms and provisions of the preferred stock. The particular terms of any series of preferred stock will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement.
All of the terms of the preferred stock are, or will be, contained in our Certificate of Incorporation and the certificate of amendment relating to each series of the preferred stock, which will be filed with the SEC at or before the time we issue a series of the preferred stock.
We are authorized to issue up to 150,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $0.01 per share. As of the date of this prospectus, we have no shares of preferred stock outstanding. Subject to limitations prescribed by law, the Board of Directors is authorized at any time to:

issue one or more series of preferred stock;

determine the designation for any series by number, letter or title that shall distinguish the series from any other series of preferred stock; and

determine the number of shares in any series.
The Board of Directors is authorized to determine, for each series of preferred stock, and the prospectus supplement will set forth with respect to the series the following information:

whether dividends on that series of preferred stock will be cumulative, noncumulative or partially cumulative;

the dividend rate (or method for determining the rate);

the liquidation preference per share of that series of preferred stock, if any;

any conversion provisions applicable to that series of preferred stock;

any redemption or sinking fund provisions applicable to that series of preferred stock;

the voting rights of that series of preferred stock, if any; and

the terms of any other preferences or rights, if any, applicable to that series of preferred stock.
 
15

TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
The preferred stock, when issued, will be fully paid and nonassessable.
Dividends
Holders of preferred stock will be entitled to receive, when, as and if declared by our Board of Directors, cash dividends at the rates and on the dates as set forth in the prospectus supplement. Generally, no dividends will be declared or paid on any series of preferred stock unless full dividends for all series of preferred stock, including any cumulative dividends still owing, have been or contemporaneously are declared and paid. When those dividends are not paid in full, dividends will be declared pro-rata so that the amount of dividends declared per share on each series of preferred stock will bear to each other series the same ratio that accrued dividends per share for each respective series of preferred stock bear to aggregate accrued dividends for all outstanding shares of preferred stock. In addition, generally, unless all dividends on the preferred stock have been paid, no dividends will be declared or paid on the capital stock and we may not redeem or purchase any capital stock.
Payment of dividends on any series of preferred stock may be restricted by loan agreements, indentures and other transactions we may enter into.
Convertibility
No series of preferred stock will be convertible into, or exchangeable for, other securities or property except as set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement.
Redemption and Sinking Fund
No series of preferred stock will be redeemable or receive the benefit of a sinking fund except as set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement.
Shares of preferred stock that we redeem or otherwise reacquire will resume the status of authorized and unissued shares of preferred stock undesignated as to series, and will be available for subsequent issuance. There are no restrictions on repurchase or redemption of the preferred stock while there is any arrearage on sinking fund installments except as may be set forth in a prospectus supplement.
Liquidation
In the event we voluntarily or involuntarily liquidate, dissolve or wind up our affairs, the holders of each series of preferred stock will be entitled to receive the liquidation preference per share specified in the prospectus supplement, plus any accrued and unpaid dividends. Holders of preferred stock will be entitled to receive these amounts before any distribution is made to the holders of capital stock.
If the amounts payable to preferred stockholders are not paid in full, the holders of preferred stock will share ratably in any distribution of assets based upon the aggregate liquidation preference for all outstanding shares for each series. After the holders of shares of preferred stock are paid in full, they will have no right or claim to any of our remaining assets.
Neither the par value nor the liquidation preference is indicative of the price at which the preferred stock will actually trade on or after the date of issuance.
Voting
Generally, the holders of preferred stock will not be entitled to vote. However, if the equivalent of six quarterly dividends payable on any series of preferred stock is in default, the number of directors constituting our Board of Directors will be increased by two and the holders of such series of preferred stock, voting together as a class with all other series of preferred stock entitled to vote on such election of directors, will be entitled to elect those additional directors. In the event of this type of default, the Board of Directors will call a special meeting for the holders of all affected series within 10 business days of the default for the purpose of electing the additional directors. Alternatively, the holders of record of a majority of the outstanding shares of all affected series who are entitled to participate in the election of directors may elect those additional directors by written consent. If all accumulated dividends on any series of preferred
 
16

TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
stock have been paid in full, the holders of shares of that series will no longer have the right to vote on directors, the term of office of each director so elected will terminate, and the number of our directors will, without further action, be reduced by two.
Unless we otherwise specify in a prospectus supplement, the vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of each series of preferred stock voting together as a class, is required to authorize any amendment, alteration or repeal of our Certificate of Incorporation or any certificate of amendment which would adversely affect the powers, preferences, or special rights of the preferred stock including authorizing any class of stock with superior dividend and liquidation preferences.
No Other Rights
The shares of a series of preferred stock will not have any preemptive rights, preferences, voting powers or relative, participating, optional or other special rights except as set forth above or in the prospectus supplement, the Certificate of Incorporation or certificate of amendment or as otherwise required by law.
Transfer Agent and Registrar
We’ll designate the transfer agent for each series of preferred stock in the prospectus supplement.
Description of the Depositary Shares
We may, at our option, elect to offer fractional shares of preferred stock, rather than full shares of preferred stock. If we do, we will issue to the public receipts for depositary shares, and each of these depositary shares will represent a fraction of a share of a particular series of preferred stock. Each owner of a depositary share will be entitled, in proportion to the applicable fractional interest in shares of preferred stock underlying that depositary share, to all rights and preferences of the preferred stock underlying that depositary share. Those rights include dividend, voting, redemption and liquidation rights.
The shares of preferred stock underlying the depositary shares will be deposited with a depositary under a deposit agreement between us, the depositary and the holders of the depositary receipts evidencing the depositary shares. The depositary will be a bank or trust company selected by us. The depositary will also act as the transfer agent, registrar and dividend disbursing agent for the depositary shares.
Holders of depositary receipts agree to be bound by the deposit agreement, which requires holders to take certain actions such as filing proof of residence and paying certain charges.
The following is a summary of the most important terms of the depositary shares. The deposit agreement, our Certificate of Incorporation and the certificate of amendment for the applicable series of preferred stock that are, or will be, filed with the SEC will set forth all of the terms relating to the depositary shares.
Dividends
The depositary will distribute all cash dividends or other cash distributions received relating to the series of preferred stock underlying the depositary shares, to the record holders of depositary receipts in proportion to the number of depositary shares owned by those holders on the relevant record date. The record date for the depositary shares will be the same date as the record date for the preferred stock.
In the event of a distribution other than in cash, the depositary will distribute property received by it to the record holders of depositary receipts that are entitled to receive the distribution. However, if the depositary determines that it is not feasible to make the distribution, the depositary may, with our approval, adopt another method for the distribution. The method may include selling the property and distributing the net proceeds to the holders.
Liquidation Preference
In the event of our voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up, the holders of each depositary share will be entitled to receive the fraction of the liquidation preference accorded each share of the applicable series of preferred stock, as set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement.
 
17

TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
Redemption
If a series of preferred stock underlying the depositary shares is subject to redemption, the depositary shares will be redeemed from the proceeds received by the depositary resulting from the redemption, in whole or in part, of preferred stock held by the depositary. Whenever we redeem any preferred stock held by the depositary, the depositary will redeem, as of the same redemption date, the number of depositary shares representing the preferred stock so redeemed. The depositary will mail the notice of redemption to the record holders of the depositary receipts promptly upon receiving the notice from us and not less than 35 nor more than 60 days prior to the date fixed for redemption of the preferred stock and the depositary shares.
Voting
Upon receipt of notice of any meeting at which the holders of preferred stock are entitled to vote, the depositary will mail the information contained in the notice of meeting to the record holders of the depositary receipts underlying the preferred stock. Each record holder of those depositary receipts on the record date will be entitled to instruct the depositary as to the exercise of the voting rights pertaining to the amount of preferred stock underlying that holder’s depositary shares. The record date for the depositary shares will be the same date as the record date for the preferred stock. The depositary will try, as far as practicable, to vote the preferred stock underlying the depositary shares in a manner consistent with the instructions of the holders of the depositary receipts. We will agree to take all action which may be deemed necessary by the depositary in order to enable the depositary to do so. The depositary will not vote the preferred stock to the extent that it does not receive specific instructions from the holders of depositary receipts.
Withdrawal of Preferred Stock
Owners of depositary shares are entitled, upon surrender of depositary receipts at the principal office of the depositary and payment of any unpaid amount due the depositary, to receive the number of whole shares of preferred stock underlying the depositary shares. Partial shares of preferred stock will not be issued. These holders of preferred stock will not be entitled to deposit the shares under the deposit agreement or to receive depositary receipts evidencing depositary shares for the preferred stock.
Amendment and Termination of Deposit Agreement
The form of depositary receipt evidencing the depositary shares and any provision of the deposit agreement may be amended at any time and from time to time by agreement between us and the depositary. However, any amendment which materially and adversely alters the rights of the holders of depositary shares, other than any change in fees, will not be effective unless the amendment has been approved by at least a majority of the depositary shares then outstanding. The deposit agreement may be terminated by us or the depositary only if:

all outstanding depositary shares have been redeemed; or

there has been a final distribution relating to the preferred stock in connection with our dissolution, and that distribution has been made to all the holders of depositary shares.
Charges of Depositary
We’ll pay all transfer and other taxes and governmental charges arising solely from the existence of the depositary arrangements. We’ll also pay charges of the depositary in connection with the initial deposit of the preferred stock and the initial issuance of the depositary shares, any redemption of the preferred stock and all withdrawals of preferred stock by owners of depositary shares. Holders of depositary receipts will pay transfer, income and other taxes and governmental charges and certain other charges as provided in the deposit agreement. In certain circumstances, the depositary may refuse to transfer depositary shares, withhold dividends and distributions, and sell the depositary shares evidenced by the depositary receipt, if the charges are not paid.
Reports to Holders
The depositary will forward to the holders of depositary receipts all reports and communications we deliver to the depositary that we are required to furnish to the holders of the preferred stock. In addition,
 
18

TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
the depositary will make available for inspection by holders of depositary receipts at the principal office of the depositary — and at other places as it thinks advisable — any reports and communications we deliver to the depositary as the holder of preferred stock.
Liability and Legal Proceedings
Neither we nor the depositary will be liable if either of us are prevented or delayed by law or any circumstance beyond our control in performing our obligations under the deposit agreement. Our obligations and those of the depositary will be limited to performance in good faith of our duties under the deposit agreement. Neither we nor the depositary will be obligated to prosecute or defend any legal proceeding in respect of any depositary shares or preferred stock unless satisfactory indemnity is furnished. We and the depositary may rely on written advice of counsel or accountants, on information provided by holders of depositary receipts or other persons believed in good faith to be competent to give such information and on documents believed to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper persons.
Resignation and Removal of Depositary
The depositary may resign at any time by delivering a notice to us of its election to do so. We may also remove the depositary at any time. Any such resignation or removal will take effect upon the appointment of a successor depositary and its acceptance of such appointment. The successor depositary must be appointed within 60 days after delivery of the notice for resignation or removal. In addition, the successor depositary must be a bank or trust company having its principal office in the United States of America and must have a combined capital and surplus of at least $150,000,000.
U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences
Owners of the depositary shares will be treated for Federal income tax purposes as if they were owners of the preferred stock underlying the depositary shares. Accordingly, the owners will be entitled to take into account for U.S. Federal income tax purposes income and deductions to which they would be entitled if they were holders of the preferred stock. In addition:

no gain or loss will be recognized for U.S. Federal income tax purposes upon the withdrawal of preferred stock in exchange for depositary shares;

the tax basis of each share of preferred stock to an exchanging owner of depositary shares will, upon the exchange, be the same as the aggregate tax basis of the depositary shares exchanged; and

the holding period for preferred stock in the hands of an exchanging owner of depositary shares will include the period during which the person owned the depositary shares.
Series A Preferred Stock
On October 1, 2021, we established the terms, rights, obligations and preferences of our Series A Preferred Stock by filing a Certificate of Amendment to our Certificate of Incorporation with the Secretary of State of New York. The Certificate of Amendment designated 75,000,000 shares as Series A Preferred Stock, par value $0.01 per share, of which 57,916,244 shares of Series A Preferred Stock were issued to a wholly owned subsidiary of ours. We do not intend to issue or transfer any shares of Series A Preferred Stock to any third parties and such shares were issued in reliance on the exemption contained in Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. Consistent with New York Business Corporation Law Section 612(b), so long as such shares are held by our wholly owned subsidiary, the shares of Series A Preferred Stock issued on October 1, 2021 are not entitled to vote and are not counted in determining the total number of outstanding shares of IBM.
Each share of Series A Preferred Stock will be entitled, when, as and if declared, to a per share dividend payment equal to three times the dividend declared per share of our common stock; provided that if we distribute equity securities of a subsidiary, then, in lieu of participating in such distribution, each share of Series A Preferred Stock will receive an additional number of shares of Series A Preferred Stock or other property of at least equivalent value, in each case as determined by our Board of Directors.
 
19

TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
Each share of Series A Preferred Stock will entitle the holder thereof to one vote on all matters submitted to a vote of our stockholders; however, shares of Series A Preferred Stock held by a subsidiary of ours will not be entitled to any voting rights.
Upon liquidation, a holder of Series A Preferred Stock will be entitled to the greater of the par value per share of Series A Preferred Stock or the amount that would be distributable on three shares of our common stock.
The terms of the Series A Preferred Stock are subject to customary anti-dilution adjustments.
DESCRIPTION OF THE CAPITAL STOCK
As of the date of this prospectus, we are authorized to issue up to 4,687,500,000 shares of capital stock, $0.20 par value per share. As of December 31, 2023, 2,266,911,159 shares of capital stock were issued and 915,013,646 were outstanding.
Dividends.   Holders of capital stock are entitled to receive dividends, in cash, securities, or property, as may from time to time be declared by our Board of Directors, subject to the rights of the holders of the preferred stock.
Voting.   Each holder of capital stock is entitled to one vote per share on all matters requiring a vote of the stockholders.
Rights upon liquidation.   In the event of our voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution, or winding up, the holders of capital stock will be entitled to share equally in our assets available for distribution after payment in full of all debts and after the holders of preferred stock have received their liquidation preferences in full.
Miscellaneous.   Shares of capital stock are not redeemable and have no subscription, conversion or preemptive rights.
DESCRIPTION OF THE WARRANTS
We may issue warrants for the purchase of debt securities, preferred stock or capital stock. Warrants may be issued independently or together with our debt securities, preferred stock or capital stock and may be attached to or separate from any offered securities. Each series of warrants will be issued under a separate warrant agreement to be entered into between us and a bank or trust company, as warrant agent. The warrant agent will act solely as our agent in connection with the warrants and will not have any obligation or relationship of agency or trust for or with any holders or beneficial owners of warrants. A copy of the warrant agreement will be filed with the SEC in connection with the offering of warrants.
Debt Warrants
The prospectus supplement relating to a particular issue of warrants to issue debt securities will describe the terms of those warrants, including the following:

the title of the warrants;

the offering price for the warrants, if any;

the aggregate number of the warrants;

the designation and terms of the debt securities purchasable upon exercise of the warrants;

if applicable, the designation and terms of the debt securities that the warrants are issued with and the number of warrants issued with each debt security;

if applicable, the date from and after which the warrants and any debt securities issued with them will be separately transferable;

the principal amount of debt securities that may be purchased upon exercise of a warrant and the price at which the debt securities may be purchased upon exercise;
 
20

TABLE OF CONTENTS
 

the dates on which the right to exercise the warrants will commence and expire;

if applicable, the minimum or maximum amount of the warrants that may be exercised at any one time;

whether the warrants represented by the warrant certificates or debt securities that may be issued upon exercise of the warrants will be issued in registered or bearer form;

information relating to book-entry procedures, if any;

the currency or currency units in which the offering price, if any, and the exercise price are payable;

if applicable, a discussion of material U.S. Federal income tax considerations;

anti-dilution provisions of the warrants, if any;

redemption or call provisions, if any, applicable to the warrants; and

any additional terms of the warrants, including terms, procedures and limitations relating to the exchange and exercise of the warrants.
Stock Warrants
The prospectus supplement relating to a particular issue of warrants to issue capital stock or preferred stock will describe the terms of the warrants, including the following:

the title of the warrants;

the offering price for the warrants, if any;

the aggregate number of the warrants;

the designation and terms of the capital stock or preferred stock that may be purchased upon exercise of the warrants;

if applicable, the designation and terms of the securities that the warrants are issued with and the number of warrants issued with each security;

if applicable, the date from and after which the warrants and any securities issued with the warrants will be separately transferable;

the number of shares of capital stock or preferred stock that may be purchased upon exercise of a warrant and the price at which the shares may be purchased upon exercise;

the dates on which the right to exercise the warrants commence and expire;

if applicable, the minimum or maximum amount of the warrants that may be exercised at any one time;

the currency or currency units in which the offering price, if any, and the exercise price are payable;

if applicable, a discussion of material U.S. Federal income tax considerations;

antidilution provisions of the warrants, if any;

redemption or call provisions, if any, applicable to the warrants;

any additional terms of the warrants, including terms, procedures and limitations relating to the exchange and exercise of the warrants; and

any other information we think is important about the warrants.
 
21

TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
We may sell the securities:

through underwriters;

through agents; or

directly to purchasers.
In this connection, we may also make sales through the Internet or through other electronic means. Since we may from time to time elect to offer securities directly to the public, with or without the involvement of agents, underwriters or dealers, utilizing the Internet or other forms of electronic bidding or ordering systems for the pricing and allocation of such securities, you’ll want to pay particular attention to the description of that system we’ll provide in a prospectus supplement.
Such a system may allow bidders to directly participate, through electronic access to an auction site, by submitting conditional offers to buy that are subject to acceptance by us, and which may directly affect the price or other terms and conditions at which such securities are sold. Such a bidding or ordering system may present to each bidder, on a so-called “real-time” basis, relevant information to assist in making a bid, such as the clearing spread at which the offering would be sold, based on the bids submitted, and whether a bidder’s individual bids would be accepted, prorated or rejected. For example, in the case of a note, the clearing spread could be indicated as a number of “basis points” above an index treasury note. Of course, many pricing methods can and may also be used.
Upon completion of such an auction process, securities will be allocated based on prices bid, terms of bid or other factors. The final offering price at which securities would be sold and the allocation of securities among bidders would be based in whole or in part on the results of the Internet or other electronic bidding process or auction.
Many variations of Internet or other electronic auction or pricing and allocation systems are likely to be developed in the future as new technology evolves, and we may utilize such systems in connection with the sale of securities. The specific rules of such an auction would be described to potential bidders in a prospectus supplement. You should review carefully the auction and other rules we will describe in a prospectus supplement in order to understand and participate intelligently in the applicable offering.
We’ll describe in a prospectus supplement the particular terms of the offering of the securities, including the following:

the names of any underwriters;

the purchase price and the proceeds we will receive from the sale;

any underwriting discounts and other items constituting underwriters’ compensation;

any initial public offering price and any discounts or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid to dealers;

any securities exchanges on which the securities of the series may be listed; and

any other information we think is important.
If we use underwriters in the sale, the securities will be acquired by the underwriters for their own account and may be resold from time to time in one or more transactions, including negotiated transactions, either at a fixed public offering price, or at varying prices determined at the time of sale.
The securities may be either offered to the public through underwriting syndicates represented by managing underwriters or by underwriters without a syndicate. The obligations of the underwriters to purchase securities will be subject to conditions precedent, and the underwriters will be obligated to purchase all the securities of a series if any are purchased. Any initial public offering price and any discounts or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid to dealers may be changed from time to time.
Securities may be sold directly by us or through agents designated by us from time to time. Any agent involved in the offer or sale of the securities for which this prospectus is delivered will be named, and any
 
22

TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
commissions payable by us to that agent will be set forth, in the prospectus supplement. Unless otherwise indicated in the prospectus supplement, any agent will be acting on a best efforts basis for the period of its appointment.
We may authorize agents or underwriters to solicit offers by certain types of institutions to purchase securities from us at the public offering price set forth in the prospectus supplement pursuant to delayed delivery contracts. These contracts will provide for payment and delivery on a specified date in the future. The conditions to these contracts and the commissions payable for solicitation of such contracts will be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement.
Agents and underwriters may be entitled to indemnification by us against civil liabilities arising out of this prospectus, including liabilities under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or to contribution for payments which the agents or underwriters may be required to make relating to those liabilities. Agents and underwriters may be customers of, engage in transactions with, or perform services for, us in the ordinary course of business.
Each series of securities, other than our capital stock, will be a new issue of securities with no established trading market. Any underwriter may make a market in the securities, but won’t be obligated to do so, and may discontinue any market making at any time without notice. We can’t and won’t give any assurances as to the liquidity of the trading market for any of our securities.
LEGAL OPINIONS
The legality of the securities will be passed upon by Mr. Frank Sedlarcik, Esq., our Vice President, Assistant General Counsel and Secretary. Mr. Sedlarcik owns and has other interests in common stock of IBM.
EXPERTS
The financial statements and management’s assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting (which is included in Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting) incorporated in this Prospectus by reference to the Annual Report on Form 10-K of International Business Machines Corporation for the year ended December 31, 2022 have been so incorporated in reliance on the report of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, given on the authority of said firm as experts in auditing and accounting.
 
23

TABLE OF CONTENTS
PROSPECTUS
IBM INTERNATIONAL GROUP CAPITAL LLC
Debt Securities
fully and unconditionally guaranteed by
INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
We will provide specific terms of the debt securities in supplements to this prospectus.
You should read this prospectus and any supplement carefully before you invest.
The mailing address of our principal executive office is One New Orchard Road, Armonk, NY 10504. Our telephone number is (914) 499-1900.
Investing in our securities involves certain risks. See “Risk Factors” in International Business Machines Corporation’s most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, which is incorporated by reference herein, as well as in any other recently filed quarterly or current reports and, if any, in the relevant prospectus supplement.
These securities have not been approved by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) or any state securities commission, nor have these organizations determined that this prospectus is accurate or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
The date of this prospectus is January 29, 2024.

TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
1
1
1
1
2
2
14
15
15
 
i

TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS
This prospectus is part of a registration statement we have filed with the SEC using a “shelf” registration process. Using this process we may offer debt securities and the related guarantee of such debt securities described in this prospectus in one or more offerings. This prospectus provides you with a general description of the securities we may offer. Each time we use this prospectus to offer securities, we will provide a prospectus supplement and, if applicable, a pricing supplement that will describe the specific terms of the offering. The prospectus supplement and any pricing supplement may also add to, update or change the information contained in this prospectus. Please carefully read this prospectus, the prospectus supplement and any applicable pricing supplement, in addition to the information contained in the documents we refer to under the heading “Where You Can Find More Information About IBM.” The debt securities we may offer will be fully and unconditionally guaranteed by International Business Machines Corporation (IBM).
ABOUT IBM INTERNATIONAL GROUP CAPITAL LLC
IBM International Group Capital LLC (we, our or the Company) was formed on June 11, 2007, as a limited liability company under the laws of the State of Delaware. The Company is an indirect, 100% owned subsidiary of International Business Machines Corporation. The Company is a “finance subsidiary” of IBM, as described by the SEC in Rule 13-01(a)(4)(vi) of Regulation S-X, the primary purpose of which is to borrow money to be made available for the benefit of IBM International Group B.V. and its affiliates. The mailing address of our principal executive office is One New Orchard Road, Armonk, NY 10504. Our telephone number is (914) 499-1900.
ABOUT INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
International Business Machines Corporation (IBM) was incorporated in the State of New York on June 16, 1911, as the Computing-Tabulating-Recording Co. (C-T-R), a consolidation of the Computing Scale Co. of America, the Tabulating Machine Co. and The International Time Recording Co. of New York. Since that time, IBM has focused on the intersection of business insight and technological innovation, and its operations and aims have been international in nature. This was signaled almost 100 years ago, in 1924, when C-T-R changed its name to International Business Machines Corporation. And it continues today — IBM creates sustained value for clients by helping them leverage the power of hybrid cloud and artificial intelligence (AI). IBM’s hybrid cloud platform and AI technology support clients’ digital transformations and helps them reimagine critical workflows, at scale, and modernize applications to increase agility, drive innovation and create operational efficiencies. IBM’s offerings draw from leading IBM capabilities in software, consulting services capability to deliver business outcomes, and deep incumbency in mission- critical infrastructure, all bolstered by one of the world’s leading research organizations. The mailing address of IBM’s principal executive office is One New Orchard Road, Armonk, NY 10504. IBM’s telephone number is (914) 499-1900.
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION ABOUT IBM
IBM files annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. IBM’s SEC filings are available to the public at the SEC’s web site at http://www.sec.gov. IBM’s reports on Forms 10-K, 10-Q and 8-K, and amendments to those reports, are also available for download, free of charge, as soon as reasonably practicable after these reports are filed with the SEC, at IBM’s web site at http://www.ibm.com. Except as stated herein, no information contained in, or that can be accessed through, IBM's website is incorporated by reference into this prospectus, and no such information should be considered a part of this prospectus.
The SEC allows IBM to “incorporate by reference” into this prospectus the information IBM files with it. This means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to those documents. The information incorporated by reference is considered to be part of this prospectus, and later information that IBM files with the SEC will automatically update and supersede this information.
 
1

TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
We incorporate by reference the documents listed below and any future filings made by IBM with the SEC under Section 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 until our offering is completed, other than, in each case, those documents or the portions of those documents which are furnished and not filed:
i.
Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022;
ii.
Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended March 31, 2023, June 30, 2023 and September 30, 2023; and
iii.
Current Reports on Form 8-K or, where applicable, filed portions of those reports (but not portions of those reports which were furnished) filed on January 5, 2023, February 3, 2023, February 3, 2023, April 28, 2023, June 16, 2023, July 31, 2023 and December 12, 2023.
We encourage you to read IBM’s periodic and current reports. Not only do we think these items are interesting reading, we think these reports provide additional information about IBM which prudent investors find important. You may request a copy of these filings at no cost, by writing to or telephoning IBM’s transfer agent at the following address:
Computershare Trust Company, N.A.
P.O. Box 505005
Louisville, KY 40233-5005
(781) 575-2727
We have not authorized anyone else to provide you with any information other than that contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus or any accompanying prospectus supplement. We take no responsibility for, and can provide no assurance as to the reliability of, any other information. We are not making an offer of these securities in any state where the offer is not permitted. You should not assume that the information in this prospectus or any prospectus supplement is accurate as of any date other than the date on the front of the document.
We will not be providing you with any financial statements for IBM International Group Capital LLC. The Company is a 100% owned “finance subsidiary” of IBM, as described by the SEC in Rule 13-01(a)(4)(vi) of Regulation S-X, and since the debt securities we may issue under this prospectus will be fully and unconditionally guaranteed by IBM, you should look to, read, and rely solely upon the financial statements that IBM files with the SEC.
USE OF PROCEEDS
Unless we otherwise specify in the applicable prospectus supplement, the net proceeds we receive from the sale of the debt securities offered by this prospectus and the accompanying prospectus supplement will be used for general corporate purposes. General corporate purposes may include, without limitation, the repayment of debt of the Company or the debt of our parent, IBM International Group B.V., or other extensions of credit to IBM International Group B.V. or any of its subsidiaries and affiliates. The net proceeds may be invested temporarily or applied to repay short-term debt until they are used for their stated purpose.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DEBT SECURITIES AND GUARANTEE
IBM International Group Capital LLC will issue the debt securities under an indenture entered into as of August 13, 2007 between IBM International Group Capital LLC, as issuer, and The Bank of New York Mellon, as trustee. IBM fully and unconditionally guarantees the payment of all amounts due on the debt securities under a guarantee agreement entered into between IBM, as guarantor, and The Bank of New York Mellon, as trustee.
The indenture provides for the issuance of an unlimited aggregate principal amount of debt securities in an unlimited number of series. Each issuance of debt securities will constitute a separate series under the indenture. The IBM guarantee provided under the guarantee agreement covers all debt securities issued under the indenture. The following description is a summary of the material provisions of the debt securities which may be issued. Specific terms of the debt securities will be set forth in supplements to this prospectus,
 
2

TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
or if applicable, pricing supplements. We also describe below general provisions relating to the indenture and the guarantee agreement. These descriptions do not restate the indenture or the guarantee agreement in their entirety. IBM and IBM International Group Capital LLC urge you to read the indenture and the guarantee agreement because they, and not this description, define your rights as holders of debt securities. Unless otherwise stated, all references to “issuer” mean IBM International Group Capital LLC, and all references to “guarantor” mean IBM.
The prospectus supplement relating to the particular series of debt securities being offered will specify the particular amounts, prices and terms of those debt securities. These terms may include:

the title of the debt securities;

any limit upon the aggregate principal amount of the debt securities;

the maturity date or dates, or the method of determining the maturity dates;

the interest rate or rates, or the method of determining those rates;

the interest payment dates and, for debt securities in registered form, the regular record dates;

the places where payments may be made;

any mandatory or optional redemption provisions;

any sinking fund or analogous provisions;

any conversion or exchange provisions;

the portion of principal amount of the debt security payable upon acceleration of maturity if other than the full principal amount;

any deletions of, or changes or additions to, the events of default or covenants;

if other than U.S. dollars, the currency, currencies or composite currencies, in which payments on the debt securities will be payable and whether the holder may elect payment to be made in a different currency;

the method of determining the amount of any payments on the debt securities which are linked to an index;

whether the debt securities will be issued in fully registered form without coupons or in bearer form, with or without coupons, or any combination of these, and whether they will be issued in the form of one or more global securities in temporary or definitive form;

whether and on what terms we will pay additional amounts to holders of the debt securities that are not U.S. persons for any tax, assessment or governmental charge withheld or deducted and, if so, whether and on what terms we will have the option to redeem the debt securities rather than pay the additional amounts; and

any other specific terms of the debt securities.
Unless we otherwise specify in the prospectus supplement:

the debt securities will be registered debt securities;

registered debt securities denominated in U.S. dollars will be issued in denominations of $1,000 or an integral multiple of $1,000; and

bearer debt securities denominated in U.S. dollars will be issued in denominations of $5,000.
Debt securities may bear legends required by U.S. Federal tax law and regulations.
If any of the debt securities are sold for any foreign currency or currency unit, or if any payments on the debt securities are payable in any foreign currency or currency unit, the prospectus supplement will contain any restrictions, elections, tax consequences, specific terms and other information relating to the debt securities and the foreign currency or currency unit.
 
3

TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
Some of the debt securities may be issued as original issue discount debt securities. Original issue discount securities bear no interest or bear interest at below-market rates. These are sold at a discount below their stated principal amount. If we issue these securities, the prospectus supplement will describe any special tax, accounting or other information which we think is important. We encourage you to consult with your own competent tax and financial advisors on these important matters.
IBM International Group Capital LLC may in the future, without the consent of the holders, increase the outstanding principal amount of any series of debt securities on the same terms and conditions and with the same CUSIP numbers as debt securities of that series previously issued. Any such additional debt securities will vote together with all other debt securities of the same series for purposes of amendments, waivers and all other matters with respect to such series.
Ranking of Debt Securities and Guarantee
The debt securities issued by IBM International Group Capital LLC will be:

unsecured obligations of IBM International Group Capital LLC and will rank equally and ratably with all other unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness of IBM International Group Capital LLC; and

guaranteed on a senior unsecured basis by IBM, which guarantee will rank equally and ratably with all other unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness of IBM.
Guarantee
Pursuant to the guarantee agreement, IBM will fully and unconditionally guarantee to each holder of a series of debt securities issued under the indenture by IBM International Group Capital LLC and authenticated and delivered by the trustee the due and punctual payment of the principal of, and any premium and interest on, the debt securities, when and as it becomes due and payable, whether at maturity, upon acceleration, by call for redemption, repayment or otherwise in accordance with the terms of the debt securities and of the indenture.
IBM:

agrees that, if an event of default occurs under any series of debt securities, its obligations under the guarantee will be absolute and unconditional and will be enforceable irrespective of any invalidity, irregularity or unenforceability of the debt securities or the indenture or any supplement thereto,

waives its right to require the trustee or the holders to pursue or exhaust their legal or equitable remedies against IBM International Group Capital LLC before exercising their rights under the guarantee, and

agrees to be subject to the restrictions applicable to IBM set forth below under “— Covenants in the Indenture and Guarantee Agreement”.
Substitution of Other Parties as Issuer
Under the indenture, the rights and obligations of the issuer under the indenture and the debt securities may be assigned or transferred:

to another person with which the issuer is consolidated or merged or which acquires by conveyance or transfer any of the properties or assets of the issuer;

to IBM; or

to any subsidiary of IBM,
in which case, upon any such assignment or transfer, all of the obligations of the issuer under the indenture and the debt securities will cease and the issuer will be released from all obligations under the indenture and the debt securities. If the issuer assigns its obligations to IBM with respect to any series of debt securities, all guarantees of outstanding debt securities of such series will automatically terminate and be discharged.
 
4

TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
In the case of any assignment other than to IBM, the obligations of IBM set forth in the guarantee agreement will remain in full force and effect.
Exchange, Registration and Transfer
Debt securities may be transferred or exchanged at the corporate trust office of the security registrar or at any other office or agency which is maintained for these purposes. No service charge will be payable upon the transfer or exchange, except for any applicable tax or governmental charge.
The designated security registrar in the United States for our debt securities is BNY Mellon Corporate Trust, US Corporate Client Service Management, located at 500 Ross Street, 12th Floor, Pittsburgh, PA 15262.
If debt securities are issuable in both registered and bearer form, the bearer securities will be exchangeable for registered securities. If a bearer security with related coupons is surrendered in exchange for a registered security between a record date and the date set for the payment of interest, the bearer security will be surrendered without the coupon relating to that interest payment. That interest payment will be made only to the holder of the coupon when due.
We will not be required to:

issue, register the transfer of, or exchange debt securities of any series between the opening of business 15 business days before any selection of debt securities of that series to be redeemed and the close of business on:

the day of mailing of the relevant notice of redemption (if debt securities of the series are issuable only in registered form) and

the day of the first publication of the relevant notice of redemption (if the debt securities of the series are issuable in bearer form) or,

the day of mailing of the relevant notice of redemption (if the debt securities of the series are issuable in bearer and registered form) and there is no publication;

register the transfer of, or exchange, any registered security selected for redemption, in whole or in part, except the unredeemed portion of any registered security being redeemed in part; or

exchange any bearer security selected for redemption, except to exchange it for a registered security which is simultaneously surrendered for redemption.
Payment and Paying Agent
We will pay principal, interest and any premium on fully registered securities in the designated currency or currency unit at the office of the paying agent. Payment of interest on fully registered securities may be made by check mailed to the persons in whose names the debt securities are registered on days specified in the indenture or any prospectus supplement.
We will pay principal, interest and any premium on bearer securities in the designated currency or currency unit at the office of the paying agent or agents outside of the United States. Payments will be made at the offices of the paying agent in the United States only if the designated currency is U.S. dollars and payment outside of the United States is illegal or effectively precluded.
If any amount payable on any debt security or coupon remains unclaimed at the end of two years after the amount became due and payable, the paying agent will release any unclaimed amounts to us.
Our paying agent in the United States for the debt securities is BNY Mellon Corporate Trust, US Corporate Client Service Management, located at 500 Ross Street, 12th Floor, Pittsburgh, PA 15262.
Global Securities
The debt securities of a series may be issued in whole or in part in the form of one or more global certificates. Those certificates will be deposited with a depositary that we will identify in a prospectus
 
5

TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
supplement. Global debt securities may be issued in either registered or bearer form and can be in either temporary or definitive form. All global securities in bearer form will be deposited with a depositary outside of the United States. We will describe the specific terms of the depositary arrangement relating to a series of debt securities in the prospectus supplement.
Other than for payments, we can treat a person having a beneficial interest in a definitive global security as the holder of the principal amount of outstanding debt securities represented by the global security. For these purposes, we can rely upon a written statement delivered to the trustee by the holder of the definitive global security, or, in the case of a definitive global security in bearer form, by the operator of the Euroclear System or Clearstream Banking, société anonyme (Clearstream).
Neither we, the trustee nor any of our respective agents will be responsible for any aspect of the records relating to or payments made on account of beneficial ownership interests in a global security or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records relating to such beneficial ownership interests.
Temporary Global Securities
All or any portion of the debt securities of a series that are issuable in bearer form initially may be represented by one or more temporary global securities, without interest coupons. The temporary global securities will be deposited with a depositary in London for Euroclear and Clearstream for credit to the accounts of the beneficial owners of the debt securities or to such other accounts as they may direct.
On and after an exchange date provided in the applicable prospectus supplement, each temporary global security will be exchangeable for definitive debt securities in bearer form, registered form, definitive global bearer form or a combination of these, as will be specified in the prospectus supplement.
No bearer security delivered in exchange for a portion of a temporary global security will be mailed or delivered to any location in the United States.
Interest on a temporary global bearer security will be paid to Euroclear and/or Clearstream for the portion held for its account only after a certificate is delivered to the trustee stating that the portion:

is not beneficially owned by a United States person;

has not been acquired by or on behalf of a United States person or for offer to resell or for resale to a United States person or any person inside the United States; or

if a beneficial interest has been acquired by a United States person, that:

such person is a financial institution (as defined in the Internal Revenue Code), purchasing for its own account or has acquired the debt security through a financial institution; and

the debt securities are held by a financial institution that has agreed in writing to comply with the requirements of Section 165(j)(3)(A), (B) or (C) of the Internal Revenue Code and the regulations thereunder, and that it did not purchase for resale inside the United States.
The certificate must be based on statements provided by the beneficial owners of interests in the temporary global security. Each of Euroclear and Clearstream will credit the interest received by it to the accounts of the beneficial owners of the debt security, or to other accounts as they may direct.
Definitive Global Securities
Bearer securities.   The applicable prospectus supplement will describe the exchange provisions, if any, of debt securities issuable in definitive global bearer form. We will not deliver any bearer securities in exchange for a portion of a definitive global security to any location in the United States.
U.S. Book-entry securities.   Debt securities of a series represented by a definitive global registered security and deposited with or on behalf of a depositary in the United States will be registered in the name of the depositary or its nominee. These securities are referred to as “book-entry securities”.
When a global security is issued and deposited with the depositary, the depositary will credit, on its book-entry registration and transfer system, the respective principal amounts represented by that global
 
6

TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
security to the accounts of institutions that have accounts with the depositary or its nominee. Institutions that have accounts with the depositary or its nominee are referred to as “participants”.
The accounts to be credited shall be designated by the underwriters or agents for the sale of such book- entry securities or by us, if we offer and sell those securities directly.
Ownership of book-entry securities are limited to participants or persons that may hold interests through participants. In addition, ownership of these securities will be evidenced only by, and the transfer of that ownership will be effected only through, records maintained by the depositary or its nominee or by participants or persons that hold through other participants.
So long as the depositary, or its nominee, is the registered owner of a global security, that depositary or nominee will be considered the sole owner or holder of the book-entry securities represented by the global security for all purposes under the indenture. Payments of principal, interest and premium on those securities will be made to the depositary or its nominee as the registered owner or the holder of the global security.
Owners of book-entry securities:

will not be entitled to have the debt securities registered in their names;

will not be entitled to receive physical delivery of the debt securities in definitive form; and

will not be considered the owners or holders of those debt securities under the indenture.
The laws of some jurisdictions require that purchasers of securities take physical delivery of the securities in definitive form. These laws may impair the ability to purchase or transfer book-entry securities.
We expect that the depositary for book-entry securities of a series will immediately credit participants’ accounts with payments received by the depositary or nominee in amounts proportionate to the participants’ beneficial interests as shown on the records of such depositary.
We also expect that payments by participants to owners of beneficial interests in a global security held through the participants will be governed by standing instructions and customary practices, as is now the case with securities held for the accounts of customers in bearer form or registered in “street name”. The payments by participants to the owners of beneficial interests will be the responsibility of those participants.
Practical Implications of Holding Debt Securities in Street Name
Investors who hold debt securities in accounts at banks or brokers will not generally be recognized by us as the legal holders of debt securities. Since we recognize as the holder the bank or broker, or the financial institution the bank or broker uses to hold its debt securities, it is the responsibility of these intermediary banks, brokers and other financial institutions to pass along principal, interest and other payments on the debt securities, either because they agree to do so in their agreements with their customers, or because they are legally required to do so. If you hold debt securities in street name, you really ought to check with your own institution to find out:

How it handles securities payments and notices;

Whether it imposes additional fees or charges;

How it would handle voting and related issues if ever required;

How it would pursue or enforce rights under the debt securities if there were a default or other event triggering the need for direct holders to act to protect their interests; and

Whether and how it would react on other matters which are important to persons who hold debt securities in “street name”.
Satisfaction and Discharge; Defeasance
We may be discharged from our obligations on any series of the debt securities when they have matured or will mature or be redeemed within one year if we deposit with the trustee sufficient funds to pay all the principal, interest and any premium due to the stated maturity date or redemption date of such debt securities.
 
7

TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
The indenture contains provisions that permit us to elect:
(1)
to be discharged after 90 days from all of our obligations (subject to limited exceptions) with respect to a series of debt securities then outstanding; and/or
(2)
to be released from the limitations on mergers, consolidations and sale of assets and from the consequences of an event of default or cross-default resulting from a breach of this covenant.
To make either of the above elections, we must deposit in trust with the trustee enough money to pay in full the principal, interest and premium on the series of debt securities. This amount may be made in cash and/or U.S. government obligations, if the debt securities are denominated in U.S. dollars. This amount may be made in cash, and/or foreign government securities, if the debt securities are denominated in a foreign currency. As a condition to either of the above elections, we must deliver to the trustee an opinion of counsel that the holders of the debt securities will not recognize income, gain or loss for U.S. Federal income tax purposes as a result of the action.
If either of the above events occur, the holders of the series of debt securities will not be entitled to the benefits of the indenture, except for registration of transfer and exchange of debt securities and replacement of lost, stolen or mutilated debt securities.
Events of Default, Notice and Waiver
If an event of default with respect to a series of debt securities occurs and continues, the trustee or the holders of at least 25% in principal amount of such series may declare the entire principal amount of the debt securities of such series to be due and payable immediately.
The declaration may be annulled and past defaults may be waived by the holders of a majority of the principal amount of the series of debt securities. However, payment defaults that are not cured may only be waived by all holders of the debt securities.
The indenture defines an event of default in connection with a series of debt securities as one or more of the following events:

the issuer fails to pay interest on any debt securities of the series for 30 days when due;

the issuer fails to pay the principal or any premium on any debt securities of the series when due;

the issuer fails to make any sinking fund payment for 30 days when due;

the issuer or the guarantor fails to perform any other covenant in the debt securities of the series, the indenture or the guarantee agreement relating to the debt securities of that series for 90 days after being given notice;

the issuer or the guarantor enters into bankruptcy or becomes insolvent; or

the guarantee ceases to be in full force or effect (other than in accordance with the terms of the guarantee agreement) or the guarantor denies or disaffirms its obligations under the guarantee.
An event of default for one series of debt securities is not necessarily an event of default for any other series of debt securities.
The indenture requires the trustee to give the holders of a series of debt securities notice of a default within 90 days unless the default is cured or waived. However, the trustee may withhold this notice if it determines in good faith that it is in the interest of those holders. The trustee may not, however, withhold this notice in the case of a payment default.
Other than the duty to act with the required standard of care during an event of default, a trustee is not obligated to exercise any of its rights or powers under the indenture at the request or direction of any of the holders of debt securities, unless the holders have offered to the trustee reasonable indemnification.
Generally, the holders of a majority in principal amount of outstanding debt securities of any series may direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the trustee, or exercising any trust or other power conferred on the trustee.
 
8

TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
The indenture includes a covenant that the issuer will file annually with the trustee a certificate of no default, or specifying any default that exists.
Street name and other indirect holders should consult their banks and brokers for information on their requirements for giving notice or taking other actions upon a default.
Modification of the Indenture and Guarantee Agreement
The indenture and the guarantee agreement provide that the issuer, the guarantor and the trustee, may modify the indenture or the guarantee agreement, as the case may be, without the consent of the holders for limited purposes, including adding to our covenants or events of default, curing ambiguities and other purposes which do not adversely affect the holders in any material respect.
The indenture and the guarantee agreement also contain provisions permitting the issuer, the guarantor and the trustee to make modifications and amendments to the indenture or the guarantee agreement, as the case may be, with the consent of the holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of all affected series. However, without the consent of each affected holder, no modification may:

change the stated maturity of the debt securities;

reduce the principal, premium (if any) or rate of interest on the debt securities;

change any place of payment or the currency in which the debt securities are payable;

impair the right to enforce any payment after the stated maturity or redemption date;

adversely affect the terms of any conversion right;

reduce the percentage of holders of outstanding debt securities of any series required to consent to any modification, amendment or waiver under the indenture or the guarantee agreement;

modify the terms of the unconditional guarantee in a manner that adversely affects the holders of outstanding debt securities;

change our obligation for any outstanding series of debt securities to maintain an office or agency in the places and for the purposes specified in the indenture for that series; or

change the provisions in the indenture or the guarantee agreement that relate to its modification or amendment.
Meetings
The indenture contains provisions for convening meetings of the holders of the debt securities of a series.
A meeting may be called at any time by the trustee, upon request by us or upon request by the holders of at least 10% in principal amount of the debt securities of a series. In each case, notice will be given to the holders of debt securities of the series.
Persons holding a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of a series will constitute a quorum at a meeting. A meeting called by us or the trustee that did not have a quorum may be adjourned for not less than 10 days, and if there is not a quorum at the adjourned meeting, the meeting may be further adjourned for not less than 10 days.
Generally, any resolution presented at a meeting at which a quorum is present may be adopted by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series. However, to change the amount or timing of payments under the any series of debt securities, every holder in the series must consent.
In addition, if the indenture provides that an action may be taken by the holders of a specified percentage in principal amount of outstanding debt securities of a series, that action may be taken at a meeting at which a quorum is present by the affirmative vote of the holders of such specified percentage in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series. Any resolution passed or decision taken at any meeting
 
9

TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
of holders of debt securities of any series duly held in accordance with the indenture will be binding on all holders of debt securities of that series and the related coupons.
Notice to Holders
In most instances, notices to holders of bearer securities will be given by publication at least once in a daily newspaper in The City of New York and in London. Notices may also be published in another city or cities as may be specified in the securities of any series. In addition, notices to holders of bearer securities will be mailed to those persons whose names and addresses were previously filed with the applicable trustee. Notice to holders of registered securities will be given by mail to the addresses of the holders as they appear in the security register.
Title
Title to any bearer securities and any related coupons will pass by delivery. We, the trustee and any agent of ours or the trustee may treat the holder of any bearer security or related coupon as the absolute owner of that security for all purposes. We may also treat the registered owner of any registered security as the absolute owner of that security for all purposes.
Replacement of Securities and Coupons
We think it’s very important for you to keep your securities safe. If you don’t, you’ll have to follow these procedures. We’ll replace debt securities or coupons that have been mutilated, but you’ll have to pay for the replacement, and you’ll have to surrender the mutilated debt security or coupon to the security registrar first. Debt securities or coupons that become destroyed, stolen or lost will only be replaced by us, again at your expense, upon your providing evidence of destruction, loss or theft which we and the security registrar are willing to accept. In the case of a destroyed, lost or stolen debt security or coupon, we may also require you, as the holder of the debt security or coupon, to indemnify the security registrar and us before we’ll go about issuing any replacement debt security or coupon.
Governing Law
The indenture, the debt securities, the coupons and the guarantee agreement will be governed by, and construed under, the laws of the State of New York, without giving effect to applicable principles of conflicts of laws to the extent the law of another jurisdiction would be required thereby.
Covenants in the Indenture and Guarantee Agreement
Limitation on merger, consolidation and certain sales of assets.   IBM or the issuer, as the case may be, may, without the consent of the holders of any debt securities, merge into or consolidate with any other entity, or convey or transfer all or substantially all of its properties and assets to another person provided that:

the successor is a U.S. corporation in the case of IBM or, a U.S. corporation or limited liability company in the case of the issuer;

in the case of a successor to the issuer, such successor assumes on the same terms and conditions all the obligations under the indenture;

in the case of a successor to IBM, such successor assumes on the same terms and conditions all the obligations under the guarantee agreement; and

immediately after giving effect to the transaction, there is no default under the indenture.
The remaining or acquiring corporation will take over all of IBM’s or the issuer’s rights and obligations under the guarantee agreement or the indenture, as the case may be.
Limitation on secured indebtedness.   Neither IBM nor any Restricted Subsidiary will create, assume, incur or guarantee any Secured Indebtedness without securing the guarantee equally and ratably with, or
 
10

TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
prior to, that Secured Indebtedness, unless the sum of the following amounts would not exceed 10% of Consolidated Net Tangible Assets:

the total amount of all Secured Indebtedness that the guarantee is not secured equally and ratably with, and

the discounted present value of all net rentals payable under leases entered into in connection with sale and leaseback transactions entered into after July 15, 1985.
You should note that we don’t include in this calculation any leases entered into by a Restricted Subsidiary before the time it became a Restricted Subsidiary.
Limitation on sale and leaseback transactions.   Neither IBM nor any Restricted Subsidiary will enter into any lease longer than three years covering any Principal Property that is sold to any other person in connection with that lease unless either:
(1)   the sum of the following amounts does not exceed 10% of Consolidated Net Tangible Assets:

the discounted present value of all net rentals payable under all these leases entered into after July 15, 1985; and

the total amount of all Secured Indebtedness that the guarantee is not secured equally and ratably with.
We don’t include in this calculation any leases entered into by a Restricted Subsidiary before the time it became a Restricted Subsidiary. or
(2)   an amount equal to the greater of the following amounts is applied within 180 days to the retirement of IBM’s long-term debt or the debt of a Restricted Subsidiary:

the net proceeds to IBM or a Restricted Subsidiary from the sale; and

the discounted present value of all net rentals payable under the lease.
Amounts applied to debt which is subordinated to the debt securities or which is owing to IBM or a Restricted Subsidiary will not be included in this calculation.
We think it’s important for you to be aware that this limitation on sale and leaseback transactions won’t apply to any leases that IBM may enter into relating to newly acquired, improved or constructed property.
We think it’s also important for you to note that the holders of a majority in principal amount of all affected series of outstanding debt securities may waive compliance with each of the above covenants.
Definitions Under the Guarantee
Secured Indebtedness” means IBM’s indebtedness or indebtedness of a Restricted Subsidiary for borrowed money secured by any lien on, or any conditional sale or other title retention agreement covering, any Principal Property or any stock or indebtedness of a Restricted Subsidiary. Excluded from this definition is all indebtedness:

outstanding on July 15, 1985, secured by liens, or arising from conditional sale or other title retention agreements, existing on that date;

incurred after July 15, 1985 to finance the acquisition, improvement or construction of property, and either secured by purchase money mortgages or liens placed on the property within 180 days of acquisition, improvement or construction or arising from conditional sale or other title retention agreements;

secured by liens on Principal Property or on the stock or indebtedness of Restricted Subsidiaries, and, in either case, existing at the time of its acquisition;

owing to IBM or any Restricted Subsidiary;
 
11

TABLE OF CONTENTS
 

secured by liens, or conditional sale or other title retention devices, existing at the time a corporation became or becomes a Restricted Subsidiary after July 15, 1985;

constituting IBM’s guarantees of Secured Indebtedness and Attributable Debt of any Restricted Subsidiaries and guarantees by a Restricted Subsidiary of Secured Indebtedness and Attributable Debt of IBM and any other Restricted Subsidiaries;

arising from any sale and leaseback transaction;

incurred to finance the acquisition or construction of property secured by liens in favor of any country or any political subdivision; and

constituting any replacement, extension or renewal of any indebtedness to the extent the amount of indebtedness is not increased.
Principal Property” means land, land improvements, buildings and associated factory, laboratory and office equipment constituting a manufacturing, development, warehouse, service or office facility owned by or leased to IBM or a Restricted Subsidiary which is located within the United States and which has an acquisition cost plus capitalized improvements in excess of 0.15% of Consolidated Net Tangible Assets as of the date of such determination. Principal Property does not include:

products marketed by IBM or its subsidiaries;

any property financed through the issuance of tax-exempt governmental obligations;

any property which IBM’s Board of Directors determines is not of material importance to IBM and its Restricted Subsidiaries taken as a whole; or

any property in which the interest of IBM and all of its subsidiaries does not exceed 50%.
Consolidated Net Tangible Assets” means the total assets of IBM and its subsidiaries, less current liabilities and intangible assets. We include in intangible assets the balance sheet value of:

all trade names, trademarks, licenses, patents, copyrights and goodwill;

organizational and development costs;

deferred charges other than prepaid items such as insurance, taxes, interest, commissions, rents and similar items and tangible items we are amortizing; and

unamortized debt discount and expense minus unamortized premium.
We don’t include in intangible assets any program products.
Attributable Debt” means the discounted present value of a lessee’s obligation for rental payments under a sale and leaseback transaction of Principal Property, reduced by amounts owed by any sublessee for rental obligations during the remaining term of that transaction. The discount rate we use for the Attributable Debt is called the “Attributable Interest Rate.” We compute the Attributable Interest Rate as the weighted average of the interest rates of all securities then issued and outstanding under IBM’s senior indenture.
Restricted Subsidiary” means:
(1)
any of IBM’s subsidiaries:
(a)
which has substantially all its property in the United States;
(b)
which owns or is a lessee of any Principal Property; and,
(c)
in which IBM’s investment and the investment of its subsidiaries exceeds 0.15% of Consolidated Net Tangible Assets as of the date of such determination; and
(2)
any other subsidiary the Board of Directors may designate as a Restricted Subsidiary.
Restricted Subsidiary” doesn’t include IBM International Group Capital LLC and does not include financing subsidiaries and subsidiaries formed or acquired after July 15, 1985 for the purpose of acquiring
 
12

TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
the stock, business or assets of another person and that have not and do not acquire all or any substantial part of IBM’s business or assets or the business or assets of any Restricted Subsidiary.
Our Relationship With the Trustee
The Bank of New York Mellon is the trustee under the indenture of IBM International Group Capital LLC. It also serves as trustee under various indentures relating to the obligations of IBM and its subsidiaries.
 
13

TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
We may sell the securities:

through underwriters;

through agents; or

directly to purchasers.
In this connection, we may also make sales through the Internet or through other electronic means. Since we may from time to time elect to offer securities directly to the public, with or without the involvement of agents, underwriters or dealers, utilizing the Internet or other forms of electronic bidding or ordering systems for the pricing and allocation of such securities, you’ll want to pay particular attention to the description of that system we’ll provide in a prospectus supplement.
Such a system may allow bidders to directly participate, through electronic access to an auction site, by submitting conditional offers to buy that are subject to acceptance by us, and which may directly affect the price or other terms and conditions at which such securities are sold. Such a bidding or ordering system may present to each bidder, on a so-called “real-time” basis, relevant information to assist in making a bid, such as the clearing spread at which the offering would be sold, based on the bids submitted, and whether a bidder’s individual bids would be accepted, prorated or rejected. For example, in the case of a note, the clearing spread could be indicated as a number of “basis points” above an index treasury note. Of course, many pricing methods can and may also be used.
Upon completion of such an auction process, debt securities will be allocated based on prices bid, terms of bid or other factors. The final offering price at which securities would be sold and the allocation of securities among bidders would be based in whole or in part on the results of the Internet or other electronic bidding process or auction.
Many variations of Internet or other electronic auction or pricing and allocation systems are likely to be developed in the future as new technology evolves, and we may utilize such systems in connection with the sale of debt securities. The specific rules of such an auction would be described to potential bidders in a prospectus supplement. You should review carefully the auction and other rules we will describe in a prospectus supplement in order to understand and participate intelligently in the applicable offering.
We’ll describe in a prospectus supplement, the particular terms of the offering of the debt securities, including the following:

the names of any underwriters;

the purchase price and the proceeds we will receive from the sale;

any underwriting discounts and other items constituting underwriters’ compensation;

any initial public offering price and any discounts or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid to dealers;

any securities exchanges on which the debt securities of the series may be listed; and

any other information we think is important.
If we use underwriters in the sale, the debt securities will be acquired by the underwriters for their own account and may be resold from time to time in one or more transactions, including negotiated transactions, either at a fixed public offering price, or at varying prices determined at the time of sale.
The debt securities may be either offered to the public through underwriting syndicates represented by managing underwriters or by underwriters without a syndicate. The obligations of the underwriters to purchase debt securities will be subject to conditions precedent, and the underwriters will be obligated to purchase all the debt securities of a series if any are purchased. Any initial public offering price and any discounts or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid to dealers may be changed from time to time.
Debt securities may be sold directly by us or through agents designated by us from time to time. Any agent involved in the offer or sale of the securities for which this prospectus is delivered will be named, and
 
14

TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
any commissions payable by us to that agent will be set forth, in the prospectus supplement. Unless otherwise indicated in the prospectus supplement, any agent will be acting on a best efforts basis for the period of its appointment.
We may authorize agents or underwriters to solicit offers by certain types of institutions to purchase debt securities from us at the public offering price set forth in the prospectus supplement pursuant to delayed delivery contracts. These contracts will provide for payment and delivery on a specified date in the future. The conditions to these contracts and the commissions payable for solicitation of such contracts will be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement.
Agents and underwriters may be entitled to indemnification by us against civil liabilities arising out of this prospectus, including liabilities under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or to contribution for payments which the agents or underwriters may be required to make relating to those liabilities. Agents and underwriters may be customers of, engage in transactions with, or perform services for, us in the ordinary course of business.
Each series of debt securities will be a new issue of securities with no established trading market. Any underwriter may make a market in the securities, but won’t be obligated to do so, and may discontinue any market making at any time without notice. We can’t and won’t give any assurances as to the liquidity of the trading market for any of our debt securities.
LEGAL OPINIONS
The legality of the debt securities and guarantee will be passed upon by Mr. Frank Sedlarcik, Esq., Vice President, Assistant General Counsel and Secretary of IBM. Mr. Sedlarcik owns and has other interests in common stock of IBM.
EXPERTS
The financial statements and management’s assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting (which is included in Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting) incorporated in this Prospectus by reference to the Annual Report on Form 10-K of International Business Machines Corporation for the year ended December 31, 2022 have been so incorporated in reliance on the report of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, given on the authority of said firm as experts in auditing and accounting.
 
15

TABLE OF CONTENTS
PROSPECTUS
IBM INTERNATIONAL CAPITAL PTE. LTD.
(UEN/Company Registration No. 202345465D)
Debt Securities
fully and unconditionally guaranteed by
INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
We will provide specific terms of the debt securities in supplements to this prospectus.
You should read this prospectus and any supplement carefully before you invest.
The mailing address of our registered office is 10 Collyer Quay, #10-01, Ocean Financial Centre, Singapore 049315. Our telephone number is (914) 499-1900.
Investing in our securities involves certain risks. See “Risk Factors” in International Business Machines Corporation’s most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, which is incorporated by reference herein, as well as in any other recently filed quarterly or current reports and, if any, in the relevant prospectus supplement.
These securities have not been approved by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) or any state securities commission, nor have these organizations determined that this prospectus is accurate or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
The date of this prospectus is January 29, 2024.

TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
1
1
1
1
2
2
13
14
14
14
 
i

TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS
This prospectus is part of a registration statement we have filed with the SEC using a “shelf” registration process. Using this process we may offer debt securities and the related guarantee of such debt securities described in this prospectus in one or more offerings. This prospectus provides you with a general description of the securities we may offer. Each time we use this prospectus to offer securities, we will provide a prospectus supplement and, if applicable, a pricing supplement that will describe the specific terms of the offering. The prospectus supplement and any pricing supplement may also add to, update or change the information contained in this prospectus. Please carefully read this prospectus, the prospectus supplement and any applicable pricing supplement, in addition to the information contained in the documents we refer to under the heading “Where You Can Find More Information About IBM.” The debt securities we may offer will be fully and unconditionally guaranteed by International Business Machines Corporation (IBM).
ABOUT IBM INTERNATIONAL CAPITAL PTE. LTD.
IBM International Capital Pte. Ltd. (we, our or the Company) was formed on November 17, 2023, as a private company limited by shares incorporated under the laws of the Republic of Singapore and was assigned company registration number 202345465D. The Company is a 100% owned subsidiary of International Business Machines Corporation. The Company is a “finance subsidiary” of IBM, as described by the SEC in Rule 13-01(a)(4)(vi) of Regulation S-X, the primary purpose of which is to borrow money to be made available for the benefit of IBM and its affiliates. The mailing address of our registered office is 10 Collyer Quay, #10-01, Ocean Financial Centre, Singapore 049315. Our telephone number is (914) 499-1900.
ABOUT INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
International Business Machines Corporation (IBM) was incorporated in the State of New York on June 16, 1911, as the Computing-Tabulating-Recording Co. (C-T-R), a consolidation of the Computing Scale Co. of America, the Tabulating Machine Co. and The International Time Recording Co. of New York. Since that time, IBM has focused on the intersection of business insight and technological innovation, and its operations and aims have been international in nature. This was signaled almost 100 years ago, in 1924, when C-T-R changed its name to International Business Machines Corporation. And it continues today — IBM creates sustained value for clients by helping them leverage the power of hybrid cloud and artificial intelligence (AI). IBM’s hybrid cloud platform and AI technology support clients’ digital transformations and helps them reimagine critical workflows, at scale, and modernize applications to increase agility, drive innovation and create operational efficiencies. IBM’s offerings draw from leading IBM capabilities in software, consulting services capability to deliver business outcomes, and deep incumbency in mission- critical infrastructure, all bolstered by one of the world’s leading research organizations. The mailing address of IBM’s principal executive office is One New Orchard Road, Armonk, NY 10504. IBM’s telephone number is (914) 499-1900.
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION ABOUT IBM
IBM files annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. IBM’s SEC filings are available to the public at the SEC’s web site at http://www.sec.gov. IBM’s reports on Forms 10-K, 10-Q and 8-K, and amendments to those reports, are also available for download, free of charge, as soon as reasonably practicable after these reports are filed with the SEC, at IBM’s web site at http://www.ibm.com. Except as stated herein, no information contained in, or that can be accessed through, IBM’s website is incorporated by reference into this prospectus, and no such information should be considered a part of this prospectus.
The SEC allows IBM to “incorporate by reference” into this prospectus the information IBM files with it. This means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to those documents. The information incorporated by reference is considered to be part of this prospectus, and later information that IBM files with the SEC will automatically update and supersede this information.
We incorporate by reference the documents listed below and any future filings made by IBM with the SEC under Section 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 until our offering is
 
1

TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
completed, other than, in each case, those documents or the portions of those documents which are furnished and not filed:
i.
Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022;
ii.
Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended March 31, 2023, June 30, 2023 and September 30, 2023; and
iii.
Current Reports on Form 8-K or, where applicable, filed portions of those reports (but not portions of those reports which were furnished) filed on January 5, 2023, February 3, 2023, February 3, 2023, April 28, 2023, June 16, 2023, July 31, 2023 and December 12, 2023.
We encourage you to read IBM’s periodic and current reports. Not only do we think these items are interesting reading, we think these reports provide additional information about IBM which prudent investors find important. You may request a copy of these filings at no cost, by writing to or telephoning IBM’s transfer agent at the following address:
Computershare Trust Company, N.A.
P.O. Box 505005
Louisville, KY 40233-5005
(781) 575-2727
We have not authorized anyone else to provide you with any information other than that contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus or any accompanying prospectus supplement. We take no responsibility for, and can provide no assurance as to the reliability of, any other information. We are not making an offer of these securities in any state where the offer is not permitted. You should not assume that the information in this prospectus or any prospectus supplement is accurate as of any date other than the date on the front of the document.
We will not be providing you with any financial statements for IBM International Capital Pte. Ltd. The Company is a 100% owned “finance subsidiary” of IBM, as described by the SEC in Rule 13-01(a)(4)(vi) of Regulation S-X, and since the debt securities we may issue under this prospectus will be fully and unconditionally guaranteed by IBM, you should look to, read, and rely solely upon the financial statements that IBM files with the SEC.
USE OF PROCEEDS
Unless we otherwise specify in the applicable prospectus supplement, the net proceeds we receive from the sale of the debt securities offered by this prospectus and the accompanying prospectus supplement will be used for general corporate purposes. General corporate purposes may include, without limitation, the repayment of debt of the Company or the debt of IBM or any of its other subsidiaries and affiliates or other extensions of credit to IBM or any of its subsidiaries and affiliates. The net proceeds may be invested temporarily or applied to repay short-term debt until they are used for their stated purpose.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DEBT SECURITIES AND GUARANTEE
IBM International Capital Pte. Ltd. will issue the debt securities under an indenture to be entered into between IBM International Capital Pte. Ltd., as issuer, International Business Machines Corporation, as guarantor, and The Bank of New York Mellon, as trustee, the form of which is filed as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part.
The indenture provides for the issuance of an unlimited aggregate principal amount of debt securities in an unlimited number of series. Each issuance of debt securities will constitute a separate series under the indenture. The IBM guarantee set forth in the indenture covers all debt securities issued under the indenture. The following description is a summary of the material provisions of the debt securities which may be issued. Specific terms of the debt securities will be set forth in supplements to this prospectus, or if applicable, pricing supplements. We also describe below general provisions relating to the indenture. These descriptions do not restate the indenture in their entirety. IBM and IBM International Capital Pte. Ltd. urge you to read the indenture because it, and not this description, defines your rights as holders of debt
 
2

TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
securities. Unless otherwise stated, all references to “issuer” mean IBM International Capital Pte. Ltd., and all references to “guarantor” mean IBM.
The prospectus supplement relating to the particular series of debt securities being offered will specify the particular amounts, prices and terms of those debt securities. These terms may include:

the title of the debt securities;

any limit upon the aggregate principal amount of the debt securities;

the maturity date or dates, or the method of determining the maturity dates;

the interest rate or rates, or the method of determining those rates;

the interest payment dates and, for debt securities in registered form, the regular record dates;

the places where payments may be made;

any mandatory or optional redemption provisions;

any sinking fund or analogous provisions;

any conversion or exchange provisions;

the portion of principal amount of the debt security payable upon acceleration of maturity if other than the full principal amount;

any deletions of, or changes or additions to, the events of default or covenants;

if other than U.S. dollars, the currency, currencies or composite currencies, in which payments on the debt securities will be payable and whether the holder may elect payment to be made in a different currency;

the method of determining the amount of any payments on the debt securities which are linked to an index;

whether the debt securities will be issued in fully registered form without coupons or in bearer form, with or without coupons, or any combination of these, and whether they will be issued in the form of one or more global securities in temporary or definitive form;

whether and on what terms we will pay additional amounts to holders of the debt securities for any tax, assessment or governmental charge withheld or deducted and, if so, whether and on what terms we will have the option to redeem the debt securities rather than pay the additional amounts; and

any other specific terms of the debt securities.
Unless we otherwise specify in the prospectus supplement:

the debt securities will be registered debt securities;

registered debt securities denominated in U.S. dollars will be issued in denominations of $1,000 or an integral multiple of $1,000; and

bearer debt securities denominated in U.S. dollars will be issued in denominations of $5,000.
Debt securities may bear legends required by U.S. Federal tax law and regulations.
If any of the debt securities are sold for any foreign currency or currency unit, or if any payments on the debt securities are payable in any foreign currency or currency unit, the prospectus supplement will contain any restrictions, elections, tax consequences, specific terms and other information relating to the debt securities and the foreign currency or currency unit.
Some of the debt securities may be issued as original issue discount debt securities. Original issue discount securities bear no interest or bear interest at below-market rates. These are sold at a discount below their stated principal amount. If we issue these securities, the prospectus supplement will describe any special tax, accounting or other information which we think is important. We encourage you to consult with your own competent tax and financial advisors on these important matters.
 
3

TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
IBM International Capital Pte. Ltd. may in the future, without the consent of the holders, increase the outstanding principal amount of any series of debt securities on the same terms and conditions and with the same CUSIP numbers as debt securities of that series previously issued. Any such additional debt securities will vote together with all other debt securities of the same series for purposes of amendments, waivers and all other matters with respect to such series.
Ranking of Debt Securities and Guarantee
The debt securities issued by IBM International Capital Pte. Ltd. will be:

unsecured obligations of IBM International Capital Pte. Ltd. and will rank equally and ratably with all other unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness of IBM International Capital Pte. Ltd.; and

guaranteed on a senior unsecured basis by IBM, which guarantee will rank equally and ratably with all other unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness of IBM.
Guarantee
Pursuant to the indenture, IBM will fully and unconditionally guarantee to each holder of a series of debt securities issued under the indenture by IBM International Capital Pte. Ltd. and authenticated and delivered by the trustee the due and punctual payment of the principal of, and any premium and interest on, the debt securities, when and as it becomes due and payable, whether at maturity, upon acceleration, by call for redemption, repayment or otherwise in accordance with the terms of the debt securities and of the indenture.
IBM:

agrees that, if an event of default occurs under any series of debt securities, its obligations under the guarantee will be absolute and unconditional and will be enforceable irrespective of any invalidity, irregularity or unenforceability of the debt securities or the indenture or any supplement thereto,

waives its right to require the trustee or the holders to pursue or exhaust their legal or equitable remedies against IBM International Capital Pte. Ltd. before exercising their rights under the guarantee, and

agrees to be subject to the restrictions applicable to IBM set forth below under “— Covenants in the Indenture”.
Substitution of IBM as Issuer
Under the indenture, IBM will have the right, at its option at any time, without the consent of any holders of any series of debt securities, to be substituted for, and assume the obligations of, the issuer under each series of debt securities that are then outstanding under the indenture if, immediately after giving effect to such substitution, no event of default, or event which with notice or lapse of time or both, would become an event of default, has occurred and is continuing (other than such an event or event of default that would be cured by such substitution), provided that IBM executes a supplemental indenture in which it agrees to be bound by the terms of each such series of debt securities and the indenture, which is referred to as the “IBM Assumption”. In the case of such IBM Assumption, (i) the issuer will be relieved of all obligations and covenants under the assumed series of debt securities and the indenture and (ii) IBM will be relieved of all obligations under the guarantee, and will instead become the primary (and sole) obligor under such debt securities and the related indenture provisions. Following such IBM Assumption, references herein and in the indenture to the “issuer” shall be deemed to instead refer to IBM.
Exchange, Registration and Transfer
Debt securities may be transferred or exchanged at the corporate trust office of the security registrar or at any other office or agency which is maintained for these purposes. No service charge will be payable upon the transfer or exchange, except for any applicable tax or governmental charge.
The designated security registrar in the United States for our debt securities is BNY Mellon Corporate Trust, US Corporate Client Service Management, located at 500 Ross Street, 12th Floor, Pittsburgh, PA 15262.
 
4

TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
If debt securities are issuable in both registered and bearer form, the bearer securities will be exchangeable for registered securities. If a bearer security with related coupons is surrendered in exchange for a registered security between a record date and the date set for the payment of interest, the bearer security will be surrendered without the coupon relating to that interest payment. That interest payment will be made only to the holder of the coupon when due.
We will not be required to:

issue, register the transfer of, or exchange debt securities of any series between the opening of business 15 business days before any selection of debt securities of that series to be redeemed and the close of business on:

the day of mailing of the relevant notice of redemption (if debt securities of the series are issuable only in registered form) and

the day of the first publication of the relevant notice of redemption (if the debt securities of the series are issuable in bearer form) or,

the day of mailing of the relevant notice of redemption (if the debt securities of the series are issuable in bearer and registered form) and there is no publication;

register the transfer of, or exchange, any registered security selected for redemption, in whole or in part, except the unredeemed portion of any registered security being redeemed in part; or

exchange any bearer security selected for redemption, except to exchange it for a registered security which is simultaneously surrendered for redemption.
Payment and Paying Agent
We will pay principal, interest and any premium on fully registered securities in the designated currency or currency unit at the office of the paying agent. Payment of interest on fully registered securities may be made by check mailed to the persons in whose names the debt securities are registered on days specified in the indenture or any prospectus supplement.
We will pay principal, interest and any premium on bearer securities in the designated currency or currency unit at the office of the paying agent or agents outside of the United States. Payments will be made at the offices of the paying agent in the United States only if the designated currency is U.S. dollars and payment outside of the United States is illegal or effectively precluded.
If any amount payable on any debt security or coupon remains unclaimed at the end of two years after the amount became due and payable, the paying agent will release any unclaimed amounts to us.
Our paying agent in the United States for the debt securities is BNY Mellon Corporate Trust, US Corporate Client Service Management, located at 500 Ross Street, 12th Floor, Pittsburgh, PA 15262.
Global Securities
The debt securities of a series may be issued in whole or in part in the form of one or more global certificates. Those certificates will be deposited with a depositary that we will identify in a prospectus supplement. Global debt securities may be issued in either registered or bearer form and can be in either temporary or definitive form. All global securities in bearer form will be deposited with a depositary outside of the United States. We will describe the specific terms of the depositary arrangement relating to a series of debt securities in the prospectus supplement.
Other than for payments, we can treat a person having a beneficial interest in a definitive global security as the holder of the principal amount of outstanding debt securities represented by the global security. For these purposes, we can rely upon a written statement delivered to the trustee by the holder of the definitive global security, or, in the case of a definitive global security in bearer form, by the operator of the Euroclear System or Clearstream Banking, société anonyme (Clearstream).
Neither we, the trustee nor any of our respective agents will be responsible for any aspect of the records relating to or payments made on account of beneficial ownership interests in a global security or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records relating to such beneficial ownership interests.
 
5

TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
Temporary Global Securities
All or any portion of the debt securities of a series that are issuable in bearer form initially may be represented by one or more temporary global securities, without interest coupons. The temporary global securities will be deposited with a depositary in London for Euroclear and Clearstream for credit to the accounts of the beneficial owners of the debt securities or to such other accounts as they may direct.
On and after an exchange date provided in the applicable prospectus supplement, each temporary global security will be exchangeable for definitive debt securities in bearer form, registered form, definitive global bearer form or a combination of these, as will be specified in the prospectus supplement.
No bearer security delivered in exchange for a portion of a temporary global security will be mailed or delivered to any location in the United States.
Interest on a temporary global bearer security will be paid to Euroclear and/or Clearstream for the portion held for its account only after a certificate is delivered to the trustee stating that the portion:

is not beneficially owned by a United States person;

has not been acquired by or on behalf of a United States person or for offer to resell or for resale to a United States person or any person inside the United States; or

if a beneficial interest has been acquired by a United States person, that:

such person is a financial institution (as defined in the Internal Revenue Code), purchasing for its own account or has acquired the debt security through a financial institution; and

the debt securities are held by a financial institution that has agreed in writing to comply with the requirements of Section 165(j)(3)(A), (B) or (C) of the Internal Revenue Code and the regulations thereunder, and that it did not purchase for resale inside the United States.
The certificate must be based on statements provided by the beneficial owners of interests in the temporary global security. Each of Euroclear and Clearstream will credit the interest received by it to the accounts of the beneficial owners of the debt security, or to other accounts as they may direct.
Definitive Global Securities
Bearer securities.   The applicable prospectus supplement will describe the exchange provisions, if any, of debt securities issuable in definitive global bearer form. We will not deliver any bearer securities in exchange for a portion of a definitive global security to any location in the United States.
U.S. Book-entry securities.   Debt securities of a series represented by a definitive global registered security and deposited with or on behalf of a depositary in the United States will be registered in the name of the depositary or its nominee. These securities are referred to as “book-entry securities”.
When a global security is issued and deposited with the depositary, the depositary will credit, on its book-entry registration and transfer system, the respective principal amounts represented by that global security to the accounts of institutions that have accounts with the depositary or its nominee. Institutions that have accounts with the depositary or its nominee are referred to as “participants”.
The accounts to be credited shall be designated by the underwriters or agents for the sale of such book- entry securities or by us, if we offer and sell those securities directly.
Ownership of book-entry securities are limited to participants or persons that may hold interests through participants. In addition, ownership of these securities will be evidenced only by, and the transfer of that ownership will be effected only through, records maintained by the depositary or its nominee or by participants or persons that hold through other participants.
So long as the depositary, or its nominee, is the registered owner of a global security, that depositary or nominee will be considered the sole owner or holder of the book-entry securities represented by the global security for all purposes under the indenture. Payments of principal, interest and premium on those securities will be made to the depositary or its nominee as the registered owner or the holder of the global security.
 
6

TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
Owners of book-entry securities:

will not be entitled to have the debt securities registered in their names;

will not be entitled to receive physical delivery of the debt securities in definitive form; and

will not be considered the owners or holders of those debt securities under the indenture.
The laws of some jurisdictions require that purchasers of securities take physical delivery of the securities in definitive form. These laws may impair the ability to purchase or transfer book-entry securities.
We expect that the depositary for book-entry securities of a series will immediately credit participants’ accounts with payments received by the depositary or nominee in amounts proportionate to the participants’ beneficial interests as shown on the records of such depositary.
We also expect that payments by participants to owners of beneficial interests in a global security held through the participants will be governed by standing instructions and customary practices, as is now the case with securities held for the accounts of customers in bearer form or registered in “street name”. The payments by participants to the owners of beneficial interests will be the responsibility of those participants.
Practical Implications of Holding Debt Securities in Street Name
Investors who hold debt securities in accounts at banks or brokers will not generally be recognized by us as the legal holders of debt securities. Since we recognize as the holder the bank or broker, or the financial institution the bank or broker uses to hold its debt securities, it is the responsibility of these intermediary banks, brokers and other financial institutions to pass along principal, interest and other payments on the debt securities, either because they agree to do so in their agreements with their customers, or because they are legally required to do so. If you hold debt securities in street name, you really ought to check with your own institution to find out:

How it handles securities payments and notices;

Whether it imposes additional fees or charges;

How it would handle voting and related issues if ever required;

How it would pursue or enforce rights under the debt securities if there were a default or other event triggering the need for direct holders to act to protect their interests; and

Whether and how it would react on other matters which are important to persons who hold debt securities in “street name”.
Satisfaction and Discharge; Defeasance
We may be discharged from our obligations on any series of the debt securities when they have matured or will mature or be redeemed within one year if we deposit with the trustee sufficient funds to pay all the principal, interest and any premium due to the stated maturity date or redemption date of such debt securities.
The indenture contains provisions that permit us to elect:
(1)
to have us and IBM be discharged after 90 days from all of our obligations (subject to limited exceptions) with respect to a series of debt securities then outstanding; and/or
(2)
to have us and IBM be released from the applicable limitations on mergers, consolidations and sale of assets, secured indebtedness and sale and leaseback transactions and from the consequences of an event of default or cross-default resulting from a breach of this covenant.
To make either of the above elections, we must deposit in trust with the trustee enough money to pay in full the principal, interest and premium on the series of debt securities. This amount may be made in cash and/or U.S. government obligations, if the debt securities are denominated in U.S. dollars. This amount may be made in cash, and/or foreign government securities, if the debt securities are denominated in a foreign currency. As a condition to either of the above elections, we must deliver to the trustee an opinion of counsel
 
7

TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
that the holders of the debt securities will not recognize income, gain or loss for U.S. Federal income tax purposes as a result of the action.
If either of the above events occur, the holders of the series of debt securities will not be entitled to the benefits of the indenture, except for registration of transfer and exchange of debt securities and replacement of lost, stolen or mutilated debt securities.
Events of Default, Notice and Waiver
If an event of default with respect to a series of debt securities occurs and continues, the trustee or the holders of at least 25% in principal amount of such series may declare the entire principal amount of the debt securities of such series to be due and payable immediately.
The declaration may be annulled and past defaults may be waived by the holders of a majority of the principal amount of the series of debt securities. However, payment defaults that are not cured may only be waived by all holders of the debt securities.
The indenture defines an event of default in connection with a series of debt securities as one or more of the following events:

the issuer fails to pay interest on any debt securities of the series for 30 days when due;

the issuer fails to pay the principal or any premium on any debt securities of the series when due;

the issuer fails to make any sinking fund payment for 30 days when due;

the issuer or the guarantor fails to perform any other covenant in the debt securities of the series or the indenture relating to the debt securities of that series for 90 days after being given notice;

the issuer or the guarantor enters into bankruptcy or becomes insolvent; or

the guarantee ceases to be in full force or effect (other than in accordance with the terms of the indenture) or the guarantor denies or disaffirms its obligations under the guarantee (other than in accordance with the terms thereof or upon release of the guarantee in accordance with the indenture).
An event of default for one series of debt securities is not necessarily an event of default for any other series of debt securities.
The indenture requires the trustee to give the holders of a series of debt securities notice of a default within 90 days unless the default is cured or waived. However, the trustee may withhold this notice if it determines in good faith that it is in the interest of those holders. The trustee may not, however, withhold this notice in the case of a payment default.
Other than the duty to act with the required standard of care during an event of default, a trustee is not obligated to exercise any of its rights or powers under the indenture at the request or direction of any of the holders of debt securities, unless the holders have offered to the trustee reasonable indemnification.
Generally, the holders of a majority in principal amount of outstanding debt securities of any series may direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the trustee, or exercising any trust or other power conferred on the trustee.
The indenture includes a covenant that the issuer and guarantor will each file annually with the trustee a certificate of no default, or specifying any default that exists.
Street name and other indirect holders should consult their banks and brokers for information on their requirements for giving notice or taking other actions upon a default.
Modification of the Indenture
The indenture provides that the issuer, the guarantor and the trustee, may modify the indenture without the consent of the holders for limited purposes, including adding to our covenants or events of default, curing ambiguities and other purposes which do not adversely affect the holders in any material respect.
 
8

TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
The indenture also contains provisions permitting the issuer, the guarantor and the trustee to make modifications and amendments to the indenture with the consent of the holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of all affected series. However, without the consent of each affected holder, no modification may:

change the stated maturity of the debt securities;

reduce the principal, premium (if any) or rate of interest on the debt securities;

change any place of payment or the currency in which the debt securities are payable;

impair the right to enforce any payment after the stated maturity or redemption date;

adversely affect the terms of any conversion right;

reduce the percentage of holders of outstanding debt securities of any series required to consent to any modification, amendment or waiver under the indenture;

release the guarantor from its obligations in respect of the guarantee or adversely modify in any material respect the guarantee other than in accordance with the indenture;

change our obligation for any outstanding series of debt securities to maintain an office or agency in the places and for the purposes specified in the indenture for that series; or

change the provisions in the indenture that relate to its modification or amendment.
Meetings
The indenture contains provisions for convening meetings of the holders of the debt securities of a series.
A meeting may be called at any time by the trustee, upon request by us or upon request by the holders of at least 10% in principal amount of the debt securities of a series. In each case, notice will be given to the holders of debt securities of the series.
Persons holding a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of a series will constitute a quorum at a meeting. A meeting called by us or the trustee that did not have a quorum may be adjourned for not less than 10 days, and if there is not a quorum at the adjourned meeting, the meeting may be further adjourned for not less than 10 days.
Generally, any resolution presented at a meeting at which a quorum is present may be adopted by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series. However, to change the amount or timing of payments under the any series of debt securities, every holder in the series must consent.
In addition, if the indenture provides that an action may be taken by the holders of a specified percentage in principal amount of outstanding debt securities of a series, that action may be taken at a meeting at which a quorum is present by the affirmative vote of the holders of such specified percentage in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series. Any resolution passed or decision taken at any meeting of holders of debt securities of any series duly held in accordance with the indenture will be binding on all holders of debt securities of that series and the related coupons.
The indenture also provides that holders may also act by written consent in lieu of a meeting.
Notice to Holders
In most instances, notices to holders of bearer securities will be given by publication at least once in a daily newspaper in The City of New York and in London. Notices may also be published in another city or cities as may be specified in the securities of any series. In addition, notices to holders of bearer securities will be mailed to those persons whose names and addresses were previously filed with the applicable trustee. Notice to holders of registered securities will be given by mail to the addresses of the holders as they appear in the security register. Where the indenture or any security provides for notice to a holder of a global security, such notice will be sufficiently given if given to the applicable person designated as depositary
 
9

TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
for that global security pursuant to the standing instructions from, by agreement with or by applicable procedures of such depositary or its designee, including by electronic mail in accordance with accepted practices at such depositary.
Title
Title to any bearer securities and any related coupons will pass by delivery. We, the trustee and any agent of ours or the trustee may treat the holder of any bearer security or related coupon as the absolute owner of that security for all purposes. We may also treat the registered owner of any registered security as the absolute owner of that security for all purposes.
Replacement of Securities and Coupons
We think it’s very important for you to keep your securities safe. If you don’t, you’ll have to follow these procedures. We’ll replace debt securities or coupons that have been mutilated, but you’ll have to pay for the replacement, and you’ll have to surrender the mutilated debt security or coupon to the security registrar first. Debt securities or coupons that become destroyed, stolen or lost will only be replaced by us, again at your expense, upon your providing evidence of destruction, loss or theft which we and the security registrar are willing to accept. In the case of a destroyed, lost or stolen debt security or coupon, we may also require you, as the holder of the debt security or coupon, to indemnify the security registrar and us before we’ll go about issuing any replacement debt security or coupon.
Governing Law
The indenture, the debt securities and the coupons will be governed by, and construed under, the laws of the State of New York, without giving effect to applicable principles of conflicts of laws to the extent the law of another jurisdiction would be required thereby.
Covenants in the Indenture
Limitation on merger, consolidation and certain sales of assets.   IBM or the issuer, as the case may be, may, without the consent of the holders of any debt securities, merge into or consolidate with any other person (as defined in the indenture), or convey or transfer all or substantially all of its properties and assets to another person provided that:

the successor is a U.S. person in the case of IBM or, a Singapore or U.S. person in the case of the issuer;

in the case of a successor to the issuer, such successor assumes on the same terms and conditions all the obligations of the issuer under the indenture;

in the case of a successor to IBM, such successor assumes on the same terms and conditions all the obligations of IBM under the indenture; and

immediately after giving effect to the transaction, there is no default under the indenture.
The remaining or acquiring person will take over all of IBM’s or the issuer’s rights and obligations under the indenture, as the case may be.
Limitation on secured indebtedness.   Neither IBM nor any Restricted Subsidiary will create, assume, incur or guarantee any Secured Indebtedness without securing the guarantee of all the debt securities (or, following the substitution of the issuer by IBM as described above under “Substitution of IBM as Issuer”, all the debt securities) equally and ratably with, or prior to, that Secured Indebtedness, unless the sum of the following amounts would not exceed 10% of Consolidated Net Tangible Assets:

the total amount of all Secured Indebtedness that the guarantee is (or, following the substitution of the issuer by IBM as described above under “Substitution of IBM as Issuer”, the debt securities are) not secured equally and ratably with, and

the discounted present value of all net rentals payable under leases entered into in connection with sale and leaseback transactions entered into after July 15, 1985.
 
10

TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
You should note that we don’t include in this calculation any leases entered into by a Restricted Subsidiary before the time it became a Restricted Subsidiary.
Limitation on sale and leaseback transactions.   Neither IBM nor any Restricted Subsidiary will enter into any lease longer than three years covering any Principal Property that is sold to any other person in connection with that lease unless either:
(1)   the sum of the following amounts does not exceed 10% of Consolidated Net Tangible Assets:

the discounted present value of all net rentals payable under all these leases entered into after July 15, 1985; and

the total amount of all Secured Indebtedness that the guarantee is (or, following the substitution of the issuer by IBM as described above under “Substitution of IBM as Issuer”, the debt securities are) not secured equally and ratably with.
We don’t include in this calculation any leases entered into by a Restricted Subsidiary before the time it became a Restricted Subsidiary. or
(2)   an amount equal to the greater of the following amounts is applied within 180 days to the retirement of IBM’s long-term debt or the debt of a Restricted Subsidiary:

the net proceeds to IBM or a Restricted Subsidiary from the sale; and

the discounted present value of all net rentals payable under the lease.
Amounts applied to debt which is subordinated to the debt securities or which is owing to IBM or a Restricted Subsidiary will not be included in this calculation.
We think it’s important for you to be aware that this limitation on sale and leaseback transactions won’t apply to any leases that IBM may enter into relating to newly acquired, improved or constructed property.
We think it’s also important for you to note that the holders of a majority in principal amount of all affected series of outstanding debt securities may waive compliance with each of the above covenants.
Certain Definitions
Secured Indebtedness” means IBM’s indebtedness or indebtedness of a Restricted Subsidiary for borrowed money secured by any lien on, or any conditional sale or other title retention agreement covering, any Principal Property or any stock or indebtedness of a Restricted Subsidiary. Excluded from this definition is all indebtedness:

outstanding on July 15, 1985, secured by liens, or arising from conditional sale or other title retention agreements, existing on that date;

incurred after July 15, 1985 to finance the acquisition, improvement or construction of property, and either secured by purchase money mortgages or liens placed on the property within 180 days of acquisition, improvement or construction or arising from conditional sale or other title retention agreements;

secured by liens on Principal Property or on the stock or indebtedness of Restricted Subsidiaries, and, in either case, existing at the time of its acquisition;

owing to IBM or any Restricted Subsidiary;

secured by liens, or conditional sale or other title retention devices, existing at the time a corporation became or becomes a Restricted Subsidiary after July 15, 1985;

constituting IBM’s guarantees of Secured Indebtedness and Attributable Debt of any Restricted Subsidiaries and guarantees by a Restricted Subsidiary of Secured Indebtedness and Attributable Debt of IBM and any other Restricted Subsidiaries;

arising from any sale and leaseback transaction;
 
11

TABLE OF CONTENTS
 

incurred to finance the acquisition or construction of property secured by liens in favor of any country or any political subdivision; and

constituting any replacement, extension or renewal of any indebtedness to the extent the amount of indebtedness is not increased.
Principal Property” means land, land improvements, buildings and associated factory, laboratory and office equipment constituting a manufacturing, development, warehouse, service or office facility owned by or leased to IBM or a Restricted Subsidiary which is located within the United States and which has an acquisition cost plus capitalized improvements in excess of 0.15% of Consolidated Net Tangible Assets as of the date of such determination. Principal Property does not include:

products marketed by IBM or its subsidiaries;

any property financed through the issuance of tax-exempt governmental obligations;

any property which IBM’s Board of Directors determines is not of material importance to IBM and its Restricted Subsidiaries taken as a whole; or

any property in which the interest of IBM and all of its subsidiaries does not exceed 50%.
Consolidated Net Tangible Assets” means the total assets of IBM and its subsidiaries, less current liabilities and intangible assets. We include in intangible assets the balance sheet value of:

all trade names, trademarks, licenses, patents, copyrights and goodwill;

organizational and development costs;

deferred charges other than prepaid items such as insurance, taxes, interest, commissions, rents and similar items and tangible items we are amortizing; and

unamortized debt discount and expense minus unamortized premium.
We don’t include in intangible assets any program products.
Attributable Debt” means the discounted present value of a lessee’s obligation for rental payments under a sale and leaseback transaction of Principal Property, reduced by amounts owed by any sublessee for rental obligations during the remaining term of that transaction. The discount rate we use for the Attributable Debt is called the “Attributable Interest Rate.” We compute the Attributable Interest Rate as the weighted average of the interest rates of all debt securities then issued and outstanding under the indenture and securities then issued and outstanding under IBM’s senior indenture.
Restricted Subsidiary” means:
(1)
any of IBM’s subsidiaries:
(a)
which has substantially all its property in the United States;
(b)
which owns or is a lessee of any Principal Property; and,
(c)
in which IBM’s investment and the investment of its subsidiaries exceeds 0.15% of Consolidated Net Tangible Assets as of the date of such determination; and
(2)   any other subsidiary the Board of Directors may designate as a Restricted Subsidiary.
Restricted Subsidiary” doesn’t include IBM International Capital Pte. Ltd. and does not include financing subsidiaries and subsidiaries formed or acquired after July 15, 1985 for the purpose of acquiring the stock, business or assets of another person and that have not and do not acquire all or any substantial part of IBM’s business or assets or the business or assets of any Restricted Subsidiary.
Our Relationship With the Trustee
The Bank of New York Mellon is the trustee under the indenture of IBM International Capital Pte. Ltd. It also serves as trustee under various indentures relating to the obligations of IBM and its subsidiaries.
 
12

TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
We may sell the securities:

through underwriters;

through agents; or

directly to purchasers.
In this connection, we may also make sales through the Internet or through other electronic means. Since we may from time to time elect to offer securities directly to the public, with or without the involvement of agents, underwriters or dealers, utilizing the Internet or other forms of electronic bidding or ordering systems for the pricing and allocation of such securities, you’ll want to pay particular attention to the description of that system we’ll provide in a prospectus supplement.
Such a system may allow bidders to directly participate, through electronic access to an auction site, by submitting conditional offers to buy that are subject to acceptance by us, and which may directly affect the price or other terms and conditions at which such securities are sold. Such a bidding or ordering system may present to each bidder, on a so-called “real-time” basis, relevant information to assist in making a bid, such as the clearing spread at which the offering would be sold, based on the bids submitted, and whether a bidder’s individual bids would be accepted, prorated or rejected. For example, in the case of a note, the clearing spread could be indicated as a number of “basis points” above an index treasury note. Of course, many pricing methods can and may also be used.
Upon completion of such an auction process, debt securities will be allocated based on prices bid, terms of bid or other factors. The final offering price at which securities would be sold and the allocation of securities among bidders would be based in whole or in part on the results of the Internet or other electronic bidding process or auction.
Many variations of Internet or other electronic auction or pricing and allocation systems are likely to be developed in the future as new technology evolves, and we may utilize such systems in connection with the sale of debt securities. The specific rules of such an auction would be described to potential bidders in a prospectus supplement. You should review carefully the auction and other rules we will describe in a prospectus supplement in order to understand and participate intelligently in the applicable offering.
We’ll describe in a prospectus supplement, the particular terms of the offering of the debt securities, including the following:

the names of any underwriters;

the purchase price and the proceeds we will receive from the sale;

any underwriting discounts and other items constituting underwriters’ compensation;

any initial public offering price and any discounts or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid to dealers;

any securities exchanges on which the debt securities of the series may be listed; and

any other information we think is important.
If we use underwriters in the sale, the debt securities will be acquired by the underwriters for their own account and may be resold from time to time in one or more transactions, including negotiated transactions, either at a fixed public offering price, or at varying prices determined at the time of sale.
The debt securities may be either offered to the public through underwriting syndicates represented by managing underwriters or by underwriters without a syndicate. The obligations of the underwriters to purchase debt securities will be subject to conditions precedent, and the underwriters will be obligated to purchase all the debt securities of a series if any are purchased. Any initial public offering price and any discounts or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid to dealers may be changed from time to time.
Debt securities may be sold directly by us or through agents designated by us from time to time. Any agent involved in the offer or sale of the securities for which this prospectus is delivered will be named, and
 
13

TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
any commissions payable by us to that agent will be set forth, in the prospectus supplement. Unless otherwise indicated in the prospectus supplement, any agent will be acting on a best efforts basis for the period of its appointment.
We may authorize agents or underwriters to solicit offers by certain types of institutions to purchase debt securities from us at the public offering price set forth in the prospectus supplement pursuant to delayed delivery contracts. These contracts will provide for payment and delivery on a specified date in the future. The conditions to these contracts and the commissions payable for solicitation of such contracts will be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement.
Agents and underwriters may be entitled to indemnification by us against civil liabilities arising out of this prospectus, including liabilities under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or to contribution for payments which the agents or underwriters may be required to make relating to those liabilities. Agents and underwriters may be customers of, engage in transactions with, or perform services for, us in the ordinary course of business.
Each series of debt securities will be a new issue of securities with no established trading market. Any underwriter may make a market in the securities, but won’t be obligated to do so, and may discontinue any market making at any time without notice. We can’t and won’t give any assurances as to the liquidity of the trading market for any of our debt securities.
LEGAL OPINIONS
The legality of the debt securities and guarantee will be passed upon by Mr. Frank Sedlarcik, Esq., Vice President, Assistant General Counsel and Secretary of IBM. Mr. Sedlarcik owns and has other interests in common stock of IBM. Certain matters under the laws of the Republic of Singapore related to the debt securities of the issuer will be passed upon for the issuer by Drew & Napier LLC.
EXPERTS
The financial statements and management’s assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting (which is included in Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting) incorporated in this Prospectus by reference to the Annual Report on Form 10-K of International Business Machines Corporation for the year ended December 31, 2022 have been so incorporated in reliance on the report of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, given on the authority of said firm as experts in auditing and accounting.
ENFORCEMENT OF CIVIL LIABILITIES AND SERVICE OF PROCESS
The indenture and debt securities will be governed by New York law. IBM International Capital Pte. Ltd. is a private company limited by shares incorporated under the laws of the Republic of Singapore and has no assets or operations, and will have no assets or operations, other than as related to the issuance, administration and repayment of any debt securities it may issue in the future that are fully and unconditionally guaranteed by IBM. In addition, some of IBM International Capital Pte. Ltd.’s directors, and all or a substantial portion of the assets of IBM International Capital Pte. Ltd., are, or will be located, outside the United States. As a result, it may not be possible for investors to effect service of process within the United States upon IBM International Capital Pte. Ltd. or to enforce against IBM International Capital Pte. Ltd. in United States courts, judgments obtained in such courts predicated upon the civil liability provisions of the federal securities laws of the United States. IBM International Capital Pte. Ltd. has, however, agreed to appoint IBM to be its authorized agent for service of process with respect to actions based on offers and sales of debt securities made in the United States and other violations of United States securities laws.
As the United States and Singapore do not currently have a treaty providing for reciprocal recognition and enforcement of judgments in civil and commercial matters, and the United States is not listed as a country under the Reciprocal Enforcement of Foreign Judgments Act 1959 of Singapore, there is uncertainty as to whether judgments of courts in the United States based upon the civil liability provisions of the federal securities laws of the United States would be recognized or enforceable in Singapore courts, and there is
 
14

TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
doubt as to whether Singapore courts would enter judgments in original actions brought in Singapore courts based solely upon the civil liability provisions of the federal securities laws of the United States. However, if a final and conclusive judgment in the federal or state courts of the United States under which a fixed sum of money is payable, other than a sum payable in respect of taxes, fines, penalties or similar charges is awarded to a party, such party may make a fresh claim on the final and conclusive judgment that has been rendered in the United States and submit to the Singapore court the final and conclusive judgment as evidence of fact in relation to the claim for the money judgment. If, and to the extent, the Singapore court finds that the court in the United States is of competent jurisdiction to render the judgment, it is an in personam final and conclusive judgment, which is also judgment for a definite sum of money, the Singapore court may, in principle, grant a Singapore judgment for the sum under the foreign judgment, without substantive re-examination or re-litigation on the merits of the subject matter thereof, unless such judgment was procured by fraud or its enforcement would be contrary to public policy in Singapore or that the proceedings in which it was obtained were contrary to natural justice.
Civil liability provisions of the federal and state securities law of the United States permit the award of punitive damages against IBM International Capital Pte. Ltd. and its directors. Singapore courts may not recognize or enforce judgments against IBM International Capital Pte. Ltd. and its directors to the extent that the judgment is punitive or penal. It is uncertain as to whether a judgment of the courts of the United States under civil liability provisions of the federal securities law of the United States would be determined by the Singapore courts to be or not be punitive or penal in nature. The Singapore courts also may not recognize or enforce a foreign judgment if the foreign judgment is inconsistent with a prior local judgment, contravenes public policy, or amounts to the direct or indirect enforcement of a foreign penal, revenue or other public law.
 
15

TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
PART II
INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS
Item 14.   Other Expenses of Issuance and Distribution.
The following statement sets forth the estimated amounts of expenses, other than underwriting discounts, to be borne by us in connection with the offerings described in this Registration Statement:
Securities and Exchange Commission Registration Fee
$     *
Trustee’s Fees
200,000
Printing and Engraving Expenses
300,000
Rating Agency Fees
5,000,000
Accounting Fees and Expenses
750,000
Legal Fees and Expenses
1,800,000
Listing Fees
50,000
Miscellaneous Expenses
800,000
Total
$ 8,900,000
*
SEC Registration Fees are not estimable.
Item 15.   Indemnification of Directors and Officers.
For International Business Machines Corporation:
The By-Laws of International Business Machines Corporation (Article VI, Section 6) provide the following:
“The Corporation shall, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law as in effect at any time, indemnify any person made, or threatened to be made, a party to an action or proceeding whether civil or criminal (including an action or proceeding by or in the right of the Corporation) by reason of the fact that such person is (i) an officer or director of the Corporation or (ii) an officer or director of the Corporation who is asked to serve in any capacity at the request of the Corporation in any corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise, against, in each case, judgments, fines, amounts paid in settlement and reasonable expenses, including attorneys’ fees actually and necessarily incurred as a result of such action or proceeding, or any appeal therein. Such indemnification shall be a contract right that vests upon the occurrence or alleged occurrence of any act or omission to act that forms the basis for or is related to the claim for which indemnification is sought and shall include the right to be paid advances of any expenses incurred by such person in connection with such action, suit or proceeding, and the right to be indemnified for expenses incurred by such person in connection with successfully establishing a right to indemnification, in each case consistent with the provisions of applicable law in effect at any time. Indemnification shall be deemed to be ‘permitted’ within the meaning of the first sentence hereof if it is not expressly prohibited by applicable law as in effect at the time. The indemnification rights hereunder shall continue as to any such person who has ceased to be an officer or director of the Corporation and shall inure to the benefit of the heirs, executors and administrators of any such person. If the right of indemnification provided for in this Section 6 is amended or repealed, such amendment or repeal will not limit the indemnification provided for herein with respect to any acts or omissions to act occurring prior to any such amendment or repeal.”
Our Certificate of Incorporation (Article ELEVEN) provides the following:
“Pursuant to Section 402(b) of the Business Corporation Law of the State of New York, the liability of the Corporation’s directors to the Corporation or its stockholders for damages for breach of duty as a director shall be eliminated to the fullest extent permitted by the Business Corporation Law of the State of New York, as it exists on the date hereof or as it may hereafter be amended. No amendment to or repeal of this
 
II-1

TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
Article shall apply to or have any effect on the liability or alleged liability of any director of the Corporation for or with respect to any acts or omissions of such director occurring prior to such amendment or repeal.”
With certain limitations, Sections 721 through 726 of the New York Business Corporation Law permit a corporation to indemnify a director or officer made a party to an action (i) by a corporation or in its right in order to procure a judgment in its favor unless he shall have breached his duties, or (ii) other than an action by or in the right of the corporation in order to procure a judgment in its favor, if such director or officer acted in good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in or, in certain cases not opposed to such corporation’s interest and additionally, in criminal actions, had no reasonable cause to believe his conduct was unlawful.
In addition, we maintain directors’ and officers’ liability insurance policies that cover the directors and officers of IBM and its subsidiaries, including the managers and officers of IBM International Group Capital LLC.
For IBM International Group Capital LLC:
Section 18-108 of the Delaware Limited Liability Company Act provides:
“Indemnification. Subject to such standards and restrictions, if any, as are set forth in its limited liability company agreement, a limited liability company may, and shall have the power to, indemnify and hold harmless any member or manager or other person from and against any and all claims and demands whatsoever.”
Section 21 of the limited liability company agreement of IBM International Group Capital LLC provides:
21.   Exculpation and Indemnification.
(a)   The Member shall not be personally liable for any breach of duty in such capacity; provided, however, that the foregoing shall not eliminate or limit the liability of any member if a judgment or other final adjudication adverse to such member establishes: (i) that such Member’s acts or omissions were in bad faith or involved intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law, or (ii) that such Member in fact personally gained a financial profit or other advantage to which it was not legally entitled.
(b)   The Company shall, to the fullest extent permitted by the Act, indemnify and hold harmless, and advance expenses to, the Member against any losses, claims, damages or liabilities to which such Member may become subject in connection with any matter arising from, related to, or in connection with, this Agreement or the Company’s business or affairs; provided, however, that no indemnification may be made to or on behalf of such Member if a judgment or other final adjudication adverse to such Member establishes (i) that the acts of such Member were committed in bad faith or were the result of active and deliberate dishonesty and were material to the cause of action so adjudicated; or (ii) that such Member personally gained in fact a financial profit or other advantage to which such member was not legally entitled; provided, further, that any indemnity under this Section 21 by the Company shall be provided out of and to the extent of Company assets only, and the Member shall have no liability on account thereof.
(c)   Notwithstanding anything else contained in this Agreement, the provisions of Section 19 of this Agreement and the indemnity obligations of the Company under paragraph (b) of this Section 21 shall:
(i)
be in addition to any liability that the Company may otherwise have;
(ii)
extend upon the same terms and conditions to the Managers, Officers, directors, stockholders, partners, members, employees, agents, attorneys and representatives of the Member and the Company (collectively, the “Covered Persons”);
(iii)
inure to the benefit of the successors, assigns, heirs and personal representatives of the Member and any such Covered Persons; and
(iv)
be limited to the assets of the Company.
 
II-2

TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
(d)   A Covered Person shall be fully protected in relying in good faith upon the records of the Company and upon such information, opinions, reports or statements presented to the Company by any Person as to matters the Covered Person reasonably believes are within such other Person’s professional or expert competence and who has been selected with reasonable care by or on behalf of the Company, including information, opinions, reports or statements as to the value and amount of the assets, liabilities, or any other facts pertinent to the existence and amount of assets from which distributions to the Member might properly be paid.
(e)   To the extent that, at law or in equity, a Covered Person has duties (including fiduciary duties) and liabilities relating thereto to the Company or to any other Covered Person, a Covered Person acting under this Agreement shall not be liable to the Company or to any other Covered Person for its good faith reliance on the provisions of this Agreement or any approval or authorization granted by the Company or any other Covered Person. The provisions of this Agreement, to the extent that they restrict the duties and liabilities of a Covered Person otherwise existing at law or in equity, are agreed by the Member to replace such other duties and liabilities of such Covered Person.
(f)   This Section 21 shall survive any termination of this Agreement and the dissolution and termination of the Company.
For IBM International Capital Pte. Ltd.:
Under Singapore law, any provision that purports to exempt any officer of a company (to any extent) from any liability that would otherwise attach to him or her in connection with any negligence, default, breach of duty or breach of trust in relation to the company is void.
Further, any provision by which a company directly or indirectly provides an indemnity (to any extent) for an officer of the company against any liability attaching to him or her in connection with any negligence, default, breach of duty or breach of trust in relation to the company is void, except as permitted by section 172A or section 172B of the Companies Act 1967 of Singapore (“Companies Act”):

Under Section 172A of the Companies Act, a company can maintain insurance for an officer against any liability attaching to him or her in connection with any negligence, default, breach of duty or breach of trust in relation to the company; and

Under Section 172B of the Companies Act, a company can generally indemnify an officer against liability incurred by the officer to a person other than the company, other than in certain exceptions including inter alia, any liability of the officer to pay a fine in criminal proceedings or a sum payable to a regulatory authority by way of a penalty in respect of non-compliance with any requirement of a regulatory nature (however arising) or any liability incurred by the officer in defending criminal proceedings in which he or she is convicted or in defending civil proceedings brought by the company or a related company in which judgment is given against him or her.
Item 16.   Exhibits.
(1)(a)
(1)(b) Proposed Form of Agency Agreement(8)
(3)(a)
(3)(b)
(3)(c)
(3)(d)
(3)(e)
(4)(a)
(4)(b) Indenture dated as of October 1, 1993, between IBM and The Bank of New York Mellon, as successor to The Chase Manhattan Bank (National Association) as Trustee(7)
 
II-3

TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
(4)(c) First Supplemental Indenture dated as of December 15, 1995, to Indenture dated as of October 1, 1993, between IBM and The Bank of New York Mellon, as successor to The Chase Manhattan Bank (National Association)(7)
(4)(d)
(4)(e)
(4)(f)
(4)(g) Form of Indenture between IBM International Capital Pte. Ltd., International Business Machines Corporation, as Guarantor, and The Bank of New York Mellon, as Trustee(1)
(4)(h)
Form of Temporary Global Fixed Rate Bearer Medium-Term Note(2)
(4)(i) Form of Definitive Global Fixed Rate Bearer Medium-Term Note(2)
(4)(j) Form of Definitive Fixed Rate Bearer Medium-Term Note(2)
(4)(k)
Form of Fixed Rate Debt Security with Optional Redemption(2)
(4)(l) Form of Fixed Rate Debt Security with Optional Redemption and Sinking Fund(2)
(4)(m) Form of Extendible Debt Security with Optional Redemption(2)
(4)(n)
Form of Zero Coupon Debt Security with Optional Redemption(2)
(4)(o)
Form of Original Issue Discount Debt Security with Optional Redemption(2)
(4)(p)
Form of Certificate of Amendment(4)
(4)(q)
Form of Preferred Stock Certificate(4)
(4)(r) Form of Deposit Agreement(4)
(4)(s) Form of Depositary Receipt (included as Exhibit A to the Form of Deposit Agreement(4)
(4)(t) Form of Warrant Agreement(5)
(4)(u)
Form of Warrant Certificate(5)
(4)(aa)
(5)(a)
(5)(b)
(23)(a)
(23)(b) Consent of IBM Legal Counsel (included in Exhibit (5)(a))(1)
(23)(c)
(24)(a) Powers of Attorney(1)
(24)(b)
(24)(c)
(24)(d)
(25)(a)
(25)(b) Statement of Eligibility and Qualification on Form T-1 of the Subordinated Trustee to act as Trustee under the Subordinated Indenture(12)
(25)(c)
(25)(d)
107
 
II-4

TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
(1)
Filed with this registration statement.
(2)
Incorporated by reference to our Registration Statement on Form S-3 (Registration No. 33-50537) (paper filed).
(3)
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 of IBM’s Form 10-K filed February 22, 2022.
(4)
Incorporated by reference to our Registration Statement on Form S-3 (Registration No. 33-49475) (paper filed).
(5)
To be filed as an Exhibit to a report pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
(6)
Incorporated by reference to our Registration Statement on Form S-3 (Registration No. 33-65119).
(7)
Incorporated by reference to Exhibits 4.1 and 4.2 of IBM’s Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended September 30, 2017.
(8)
Incorporated by reference to our Registration Statement on Form S-3 (Registration No. 333-37034).
(9)
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 of IBM’s Form 8-K filed December 12, 2023.
(10)
Incorporated by reference to our Registration Statement on Form S-3 (Registration No. 333-102603).
(11)
Incorporated by reference to our Registration Statement on Form S-3 (Registration No. 333-190160).
(12)
To be filed on Form T-1 separate from this registration statement when the trustee is designated.
Item 17.   Undertakings.
Each undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:
(1)   To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this registration statement (other than as provided in the proviso and instructions to Item 512(a) of Regulation S-K) (i) to include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act of 1933; (ii) to reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of the registration statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in the registration statement; and (iii) to include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the registration statement or any material change to such information in the registration statement, provided, however, that the foregoing (i), (ii) and (iii) do not apply if the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in periodic reports filed with or furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission by the registrant pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that are incorporated by reference in this registration statement, or is contained in a form of prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) that is part of the registration statement.
(2)   That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
(3)   To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering.
(4)   That, for the purpose of determining liability under the Securities Act of 1933 to any purchaser:
(i)
Each prospectus filed by the registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(3) shall be deemed to be part of the registration statement as of the date the filed prospectus was deemed part of and included in the registration statement; and
(ii)
Each prospectus required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424(b)(2), (b)(5), or (b)(7) as part of a registration statement in reliance on Rule 430B relating to an offering made pursuant to Rule 415(a)(1)(i), (vii), or (x) for the purpose of providing the information required by Section 10(a) of the Securities Act of 1933 shall be deemed to be part of and included in the
 
II-5

TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
registration statement as of the earlier of the date such form of prospectus is first used after effectiveness or the date of the first contract of sale of securities in the offering described in the prospectus. As provided in Rule 430B, for liability purposes of the issuer and any person that is at that date an underwriter, such date shall be deemed to be a new effective date of the registration statement relating to the securities in the registration statement to which that prospectus relates, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof. Provided, however, that no statement made in a registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement or made in a document incorporated or deemed incorporated by reference into the registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement will, as to a purchaser with a time of contract of sale prior to such effective date, supersede or modify any statement that was made in the registration statement or prospectus that was part of the registration statement or made in any such document immediately prior to such effective date.
(5)   That, for the purpose of determining liability of the registrant under the Securities Act of 1933 to any purchaser in the initial distribution of the securities, the undersigned registrant undertakes that in a primary offering of securities of the undersigned registrant pursuant to this registration statement, regardless of the underwriting method used to sell the securities to the purchaser, if the securities are offered or sold to such purchaser by means of any of the following communications, the undersigned registrant will be a seller to the purchaser and will be considered to offer or sell such securities to such purchaser:
(i)
Any preliminary prospectus or prospectus of the undersigned registrant relating to the offering required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424;
(ii)
Any free writing prospectus relating to the offering prepared by or on behalf of the undersigned registrant or used or referred to by the undersigned registrant;
(iii)
The portion of any other free writing prospectus relating to the offering containing material information about the undersigned registrant or its securities provided by or on behalf of the undersigned registrant; and
(iv)
Any other communication that is an offer in the offering made by the undersigned registrant to the purchaser.
(6)   That, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each filing of the registrant’s annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that is incorporated by reference in the registration statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
(7)   To file an application for the purpose of determining the eligibility of the trustee to act under subsection (a) of Section 310 of the Trust Indenture Act in accordance with the rules and regulations prescribed by the Commission under Section 305(b)(2) of the Trust Indenture Act.
Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the registrant pursuant to the provisions described in Item 15 above, or otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission, such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such officer, director or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question of whether or not such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
 
II-6

TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the Town of North Castle, State of New York on the 29th day of January, 2024.
INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES
CORPORATION
By:
*
Arvind Krishna
Chairman of the Board,
and Chief Executive Officer
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Registration Statement has been signed below by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
Signature
Title
Date
*
Arvind Krishna
Chairman of the Board, and Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer)
January 29, 2024
*
James J. Kavanaugh
Senior Vice President, and Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer)
January 29, 2024
*
Nicolas A. Fehring
Vice President and Controller (Principal Accounting Officer)
January 29, 2024
*
Marianne C. Brown
Director
January 29, 2024
*
Thomas Buberl
Director
January 29, 2024
*
David N. Farr
Director
January 29, 2024
*
Alex Gorsky
Director
January 29, 2024
*
Michelle J. Howard
Director
January 29, 2024
*
Andrew N. Liveris
Director
January 29, 2024
*
F. William McNabb III
Director
January 29, 2024
 
II-7

TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
Signature
Title
Date
*
Michael Miebach
Director
January 29, 2024
*
Martha E. Pollack
Director
January 29, 2024
*
Joseph R. Swedish
Director
January 29, 2024
*
Peter R. Voser
Director
January 29, 2024
*
Frederick H. Waddell
Director
January 29, 2024
*
Alfred W. Zollar
Director
January 29, 2024
*By:
/s/ Frank Sedlarcik
Frank Sedlarcik
Attorney-in-Fact
 
II-8

TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the Town of North Castle, State of New York on the 29th day of January, 2024.
IBM INTERNATIONAL GROUP CAPITAL LLC
By:
*
Brendan Turnbull
Manager and President
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Registration Statement has been signed below by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
Signature
Title
Date
*
Brendan Turnbull
Manager and President
(Principal Executive Officer)
January 29, 2024
*
Simon Beaumont
Manager and Treasurer
(Principal Financial Officer)
January 29, 2024
*
Karl Minahan
Manager and Controller
(Principal Accounting Officer)
January 29, 2024
*By:
/s/ Laura Sousa
Laura Sousa
Attorney-in-Fact
 
II-9

TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the Town of North Castle, State of New York on the 29th day of January, 2024.
IBM INTERNATIONAL CAPITAL PTE. LTD.
By:
*
Mark William Hobbert
Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Chief Accounting Officer, President, Treasurer, Controller and Director
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Registration Statement has been signed below by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
Signature
Title
Date
*
Mark William Hobbert
Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Chief Accounting Officer, President, Treasurer, Controller and Director (Principal Executive Officer, Principal Financial Officer, Principal Accounting Officer and Authorized U.S. Representative)
January 29, 2024
*
Heng Koh Yen
Director
January 29, 2024
*
Chang Shu Lei
Director
January 29, 2024
*
Ong Shalley
Director
January 29, 2024
*By:
/s/ Laura Sousa
Laura Sousa
Attorney-in-Fact
 
II-10

 

Exhibit (3)(e)

 

Registration Number:

202345465D

 

 

REPUBLIC OF SINGAPORE

 

THE COMPANIES ACT 1967

 

CONSTITUTION

 

of

 

ibm international capital PTE. LTD.

 

A Private Company Limited by Shares

 

Incorporated on the 17th day of November 2023

 

 

 

 

THE COMPANIES ACT 1967

 

A PRIVATE COMPANY LIMITED BY SHARES

 

CONSTITUTION

 

OF

 

IBM INTERNATIONAL CAPITAL PTE. LTD.

 

 

 

1.The name of the Company is IBM INTERNATIONAL CAPITAL PTE. LTD..

 

2.The registered office of the Company is situated in the Republic of Singapore.

 

3.The liability of the members is limited.

 

4.We, the persons whose names and occupations are set out in this Constitution, desire to form a company in pursuance of this Constitution and we each agree to take the number of shares in the capital of the Company set out against our respective names.

 

INTERPRETATION

 

5.(A)        In this Constitution, the words in the first column of the following table shall have the meanings set opposite to them in the second column, unless otherwise defined or the context otherwise requires:

 

  WORDS MEANINGS

 

ActThe Companies Act 1967 of Singapore, as may from time to time be amended, supplemented or re-enacted.

 

Auditor(s)The auditor(s) for the time being of the Company, if any.

 

CompanyIBM INTERNATIONAL CAPITAL PTE. LTD.

 

ConstitutionThis Constitution, as may from time to time be altered in accordance with the requirements of the Act.

 

DirectorsThe directors for the time being of the Company, and Director shall be construed accordingly.

 

  Electronic Register The electronic register of members of the Company kept by the Registrar under section 196A of the Act.

 

MemberAny registered holder of shares for the time being in the Company, and Members shall be construed accordingly, excluding the Company where it is a Member by reason of its holding of shares as treasury shares.

 

MonthCalendar month.

 

  Office The registered office for the time being of the Company.

 

  Registrar The Registrar of Companies appointed under the Act.

 

1

 

 

SecretaryAny person appointed by the Directors to perform the duties of a secretary of the Company and shall include an assistant or deputy Secretary or joint Secretaries.

 

  Seal The common seal of the Company.

 

  treasury share Has the meaning set out in the Act.

 

YearCalendar year.

 

$The lawful currency of the Republic of Singapore.

 

(B)           In this Constitution, unless the context otherwise requires:

 

(i)           references to “writing” and “written” shall include printing, lithography, typewriting and any other mode or modes of representing or reproducing words in a visible form;

 

(ii)          words importing the singular shall include the plural and vice versa;

 

(iii)         references to persons shall include individuals, bodies corporate (wherever incorporated), unincorporated associations and partnerships;

 

(iv)         references to Regulations are to regulations to this Constitution unless otherwise specified;

 

(v)          the headings and marginal notes are inserted for convenience only and shall not affect the construction of this Constitution;

 

(vi)         references to one gender include all genders;

 

(vii)        any reference to an enactment or statutory provision is a reference to it as it may have been, or may from time to time be modified, consolidated or re-enacted;

 

(viii)       words or expressions defined in the Act which are used but not defined in this Constitution shall have the same meanings in this Constitution; and

 

(ix)          in the event that the Company has only one (1) Director, any reference to the Directors shall be a reference to that Director and any reference to the doing of any act by two (2) or more Directors shall be construed as the doing of that act by that Director.

 

MODEL CONSTITUTION EXCLUDED

 

6.The regulations in the model constitution prescribed under section 36(1)(a) of the Act, shall not apply to the Company, but the following shall, subject to repeal, addition and alteration as provided by the Act or this Constitution, be the regulations of the Company.

 

SHARES

 

7.The shares taken by the subscribers to the Constitution shall be duly issued by the Directors. Subject to this Constitution, the allotment and issue of shares shall be determined by the Company in a general meeting or by resolution by written means but the Company in a general meeting or by resolution by written means may authorise the Directors to allot and issue shares in accordance with the provisions of the Act.

 

8.The Company is a private company, and accordingly (A) the number of the Members (not including persons who are in the employment of the Company or of its subsidiary, and persons who, having been formerly in the employment of the Company or of its subsidiary, were while in that employment and have continued after the determination of that employment, to be Members) shall be limited to fifty (50), provided that, for the purposes of this provision, where two (2) or more persons hold one (1) or more shares in the Company jointly they shall be treated as a single Member; and (B) the right to transfer the shares of the Company shall be restricted in the manner provided in this Constitution.

 

2

 

 

9.Where any shares are issued for the purpose of raising money to defray the expenses of the construction of any works or buildings or the provision of any plant which cannot be made profitable for a lengthened period, the Company may pay interest on so much of such share capital (except treasury shares) as is for the time being paid-up for the period and subject to the conditions and restrictions mentioned in the Act, and may charge the same to capital (except treasury shares) as part of the cost of construction of the works, buildings or plant.

 

10.If two (2) or more persons are registered as joint holders of any share, any one of such persons may give effectual receipts for any dividends or other moneys payable in respect of such share. No person shall be recognised by the Company as having title to a fractional part of a share or otherwise than as the sole or a joint holder of the entirety of such share.

 

11.(A)  Except as recognised by law, no person is to be recognised by the Company as holding any share upon any trust.

 

(B)         Except as required by law or by this Constitution, the Company is not bound by or compelled in any way to recognise (a) any equitable, contingent, future or partial interest in any share; or (b) any other rights in respect of any share or unit of share, other than the registered holder’s absolute right to the entirety of the share or unit of share.

 

(C)         Regulation 11(B) applies even when the Company has notice of any interest or right referred to in Regulation 11(A) or (B).

 

12.Subject to the provisions of the Act, every Member shall be entitled without payment to receive within sixty (60) days after allotment or thirty (30) days after lodgment of a notice of transfer with the Registrar (unless the conditions of issue provide for a longer interval) one (1) certificate for all the shares registered in his name, specifying the number of the shares in respect of which it is issued, the class of shares, whether the shares are fully or partly paid up and the amount (if any) unpaid on the shares. In the case of joint holders, the Company shall not be bound to issue more than one (1) certificate to all the joint holders, and delivery of such certificate to any one of them shall be sufficient delivery to all. Every certificate shall be signed by (i) one Director and the Secretary; or (ii) at least two Directors; or (iii) one (1) Director in the presence of a witness who attests the Director’s signature. Where there is only one (1) Director on the board of directors, it shall be sufficient if the certificate is signed by such Director or by some other person nominated by such Director without requiring any other signature.

 

13.Subject to the provisions of the Act, if any share certificate shall be defaced, worn out, destroyed or lost, it may be renewed on such evidence being produced and such indemnity (if any) being given as the Directors shall require, and (in case of defacement or wearing out) on delivery of the old certificate, and in any case on payment of such sum not exceeding two dollars ($2) as the Directors may from time to time require.

 

LIEN

 

14.The Company shall have a first and paramount lien upon all shares (whether fully paid or not) registered in the name of any Member, either alone or jointly with any other person, for his debts, liabilities and engagements, whether solely or jointly with any other person, to or with the Company, whether the period for the payment, fulfillment or discharge thereof shall have actually arrived or not, and such lien shall extend to all dividends from time to time declared in respect of such shares. However the Directors may at any time declare any share to be exempt, wholly or partially, from the provisions of this Regulation.

 

15.The Directors may sell the shares subject to any such lien at such time or times and in such manner as they think fit, but no sale shall be made until such time as the money in respect of which such lien exists or a part of the money is payable and until a demand and notice in writing stating the amount due or specifying the liability and demanding payment of the liability and giving notice of intention to sell in default shall have been served on such Member or the persons (if any) entitled by transmission to the shares, and default in payment shall have been made by him or them for seven (7) days after such notice.

 

16.The net proceeds of any such sale shall be applied in or towards satisfaction of the amount due to the Company and the balance (if any) shall be paid to the Member or the person (if any) entitled by transmission to the shares so sold.

 

3

 

 

17. (A)          Upon any such sale, the Directors may authorise any person to transfer the shares sold to the purchaser, and the purchaser shall not be bound to see to the application of the purchase money, nor shall his title to the shares be affected by any irregularity or invalidity in the proceedings in reference to the sale.

 

(B)           The Company must lodge a notice of transfer of shares with the Registrar in relation to the shares sold to the purchaser in accordance with this Constitution.

 

CALLS ON SHARES

 

18.No Member shall be entitled to receive any dividend or to exercise any privileges as a Member until he has paid all calls for the time being due and payable on every share held by him, whether alone or jointly with any other person, together with interest and expenses (if any).

 

19.The Directors may, from time to time, make such calls upon the Members in respect of all moneys unpaid on their shares as they think fit, provided that at least fourteen (14) days’ notice is given of each call and each Member shall be liable to pay the amount of every call so made upon him to the persons and at the times and places appointed by the Directors. Payments of a call may be made in instalments.

 

20.A call shall be deemed to have been made at the time when the resolution of the Directors authorising such call was passed.

 

21.The joint holders of a share shall be jointly and severally liable to the payment of all calls and instalments in respect of that share.

 

22.If payment of a call or instalment in respect of a share is not paid by the time appointed by the Directors, the person from whom the same is due shall pay interest on the amount of the call or instalment at such rate not exceeding eight percent (8%) per annum as the Directors shall fix from the day appointed for payment to the time of actual payment, but the Directors may waive payment of such interest wholly or in part.

 

23.Any sum which by the terms of issue of a share is made payable upon allotment or at any fixed date, shall, for the purposes of this Constitution, be deemed to be a call duly made and payable on the date fixed for payment, and in case of non-payment, the provisions of this Constitution as to payment of interest and expenses, forfeiture and the like, shall apply as if such sum were a call duly made.

 

24.The Directors may, from time to time, on the issue of shares, differentiate between the holders of shares as to the amount of calls to be paid and the times of payment of such calls.

 

25.The Directors may, if they think fit, receive from any Member (willing to advance the same) all or any part of the money uncalled and unpaid upon any shares held by such Member, and upon the money so paid in advance, or so much of the money as exceeds the amount for the time being called up on the shares in respect of which such advance has been made, the Directors may pay interest at such rate as may be agreed between them and such Member (unless the Company in general meeting or by resolution by written means may otherwise direct), in addition to the dividend payable upon such part of the share in respect of which such advance has been made.

 

TRANSFER OF SHARES

 

26.(A)          Subject to the restrictions of this Constitution, shares shall be transferable, but every transfer must be effected by an instrument in writing in any usual or common form, or in such other form as the Directors may approve. For the avoidance of doubt, the instrument of transfer may be signed in counterparts. The instrument of transfer must be deposited at the Office, accompanied by the certificate of the shares to be transferred and such other evidence (if any) as the Directors may require to prove the title of the intending transferor.

 

(B)           No share shall in any circumstances be knowingly transferred to any infant, bankrupt or person of unsound mind.

 

27.(A)          Subject to the provisions of Regulation 29, any share may be transferred by a Member (being a company) or a liquidator of any Member (being a company in liquidation) to any company which is its holding company or to any company or companies which is or are a subsidiary or subsidiaries of such Member or of any company which is its holding company, and the restrictions set out below shall not apply to any transfer of shares in these circumstances.

 

4

 

 

(B)           Save as otherwise provided in this Constitution, shares shall not be transferred to any person who is not a Member so long as any Member is willing to purchase those shares in the manner provided in this Regulation. Any Member may agree in writing to waive his pre-emption rights contained in this Regulation.

 

(C)           Any Member proposing to transfer any shares (Transferor) shall give notice in writing (a transfer notice) to the Company that he wishes to transfer those shares (transfer shares). Every transfer notice shall specify the number of transfer shares which the Transferor wishes to transfer at a fair value (to be determined in the manner set out below), and shall appoint the Company as agent of the Transferor in relation to the transfer of the transfer shares to other Members. A transfer notice may not be withdrawn except with the written sanction of the Directors.

 

(D)           The other Members shall, within the period of thirty (30) days after service of a transfer notice (transfer period), have the option to purchase all but not part of the transfer shares specified in the transfer notice. Each Member wishing to purchase transfer shares (a purchasing Member) shall, within the transfer period, give notice in writing (purchase notice) to the Transferor specifying the number of transfer shares the purchasing Member is willing to purchase. In the event that there is more than one purchasing Member and the number of transfer shares specified in the purchase notices in aggregate exceeds the number of transfer shares available for transfer, the Directors shall allocate the transfer shares, in proportion, as nearly as may be, to the purchasing Members’ holdings of shares in the Company as between those purchasing Members. Subject to the provisions of sub-paragraph (E) below, the Transferor shall be bound upon payment of the price to transfer the relevant transfer shares to such purchasing Member, who shall be bound to complete the purchase within twenty-one (21) days from the end of the transfer period.

 

(E)           The fair value of the transfer shares shall be either (i) the amount mutually agreed between the Transferor and the purchasing Member(s) or (ii) if no such agreement is reached by the relevant parties within fourteen (14) days after the date(s) of the relevant purchase notice(s), then such amount as the Auditor or, if there shall be no Auditor, the Expert, shall certify to be the fair value of the Company attributable to the relevant transfer shares. Upon the written request of any party concerned, and in so certifying the Auditor or the Expert (as the case may be) shall be considered to be acting as an expert and not as an arbitrator. Any such request to the Auditor or the Expert (as the case may be) shall be made within seven (7) days after the expiration of the foregoing fourteen (14) days, and all costs and expenses of the Auditor or the Expert (as the case may be) shall be borne by the party requesting the certification. If following the issue of the Auditor’s certificate or the Expert’s certificate (as the case may be), the Transferor or any purchasing Member does not wish to purchase the transfer shares, written notice to this effect must be given to the Company within seven (7) days after the date of the Auditor’s certificate or the Expert’s certificate (as the case may be), failing which the Transferor or the purchasing Member(s) (as the case may be) shall be deemed to have agreed to purchase the transfer shares at the amount certified by the Auditor or the Expert (as the case may be) to be the fair value of the shares, and the parties shall be bound to complete the sale and transfer of the transfer shares within twenty-one (21) days after the date of the Auditor’s certificate or the Expert’s certificate (as the case may be). For the purposes of this Regulation, the Expert refers to an independent firm of public accountants in Singapore as appointed by the Directors for the purpose of determining the fair value of the shares.

 

(F)           In the event the Transferor fails to carry out the transfer of any transfer shares which he shall have become bound to transfer, the Directors may authorise some person to execute a transfer of the transfer shares to the purchasing Member and may give a good receipt for the price of such transfer shares. The Transferor shall in such case be bound to deliver up his certificate for those transfer shares, and on such delivery shall be entitled to receive the price, without interest, and if such certificate shall comprise any shares which he has not become bound to transfer as aforesaid, the Company shall issue to him a balance certificate for such shares.

 

(G)           If (i) the Company shall not, within the transfer period, find a purchasing Member or Members for all of the transfer shares comprised in the transfer notice, (ii) the Transferor has received notice from any purchasing Member that such purchasing Member does not wish to purchase the transfer shares at the fair value certified by the Auditor or the Expert (as the case may be), or (iii) through no default of the Transferor, the purchase of any transfer shares in respect of which any purchase notice shall be given shall not be completed within the relevant period stipulated above, the Transferor shall, at any time within six (6) months thereafter, be at liberty, subject to Regulation 30, to sell and transfer such of the transfer shares comprised in his transfer notice (as shall not have been sold to a purchasing Member), to any person and at any price.

 

5

 

 

28.The instrument of transfer of a share shall be executed both by the transferor and the transferee, and the transferor shall be deemed to remain the holder of the share until the name of the transferee is entered in the Electronic Register in respect thereof.

 

29.Upon receipt of the items referred to in Regulation 26(A), the Company must, subject to Regulation 30, lodge with the Registrar a notice of transfer of shares and retain the instrument of transfer referred to in Regulation 26.

 

30.The Directors may, in their absolute discretion, decline to lodge a notice of transfer of shares with the Registrar. If the Directors refuse to register a transfer of any shares, they shall, within thirty (30) days after the date on which the transfer was lodged with the Company, send to the transferor and transferee notice of the refusal, as required by the Act.

 

31.Such fee, not exceeding two dollars ($2) for each transfer, as the Directors may from time to time determine, may be charged for registration of a transfer.

 

32.The lodging of a notice of any transfer of shares with the Registrar for the purpose of updating the Electronic Register may be suspended at such times and for such periods as the directors may from time to time determine provided that such suspension shall not in aggregate exceed thirty (30) days in any year.

 

TRANSMISSION OF SHARES

 

33.(A)          In the case of the death of a Member, the survivor(s) (where the deceased Member was a joint holder) and the executors or administrators of the estate (where the deceased was a sole or only surviving holder) shall be the only persons recognised by the Company as having any title to the shares of the deceased Member, but nothing in this Constitution shall release the estate of a deceased joint holder from any liability in respect of any share jointly held by him.

 

(B)           Any person becoming entitled to a share in consequence of the death or bankruptcy of any Member may, upon producing such evidence of title as the Directors shall require, (i) be registered himself as holder of that share in the Electronic Register upon delivery to the Company of a notice in writing signed by such person stating that he elects to be registered in the electronic register of members as the holder of the share, or, (ii) subject to the provisions as to transfers contained in this Constitution, elect to nominate another person to be registered as the transferee of the share in the Electronic Register by executing a transfer to that person a transfer of the share.

 

(C)           The Directors shall have the same right to decline or suspend the lodging of a notice of transfer of shares with the Registrar for the purpose of updating the Electronic Register under Regulation 29 as they would have had in the case of a transfer of the share by the Member referred to in paragraph (A) before the death or bankruptcy of the Member.

 

(D)           All the limitations, restrictions and provisions of this Constitution relating to the right to transfer and the lodging of a notice of transfer in relation to any transfer or shares are applicable to any notice referred to in this Regulation as if the death or bankruptcy of the Member concerned had not occurred and the notice or transfer were a transfer signed by the Member.

 

34.A person entitled to a share by transmission shall be entitled to receive, and may give a discharge for, any dividends or other moneys payable in respect of that share, but he shall not be entitled in respect of it to receive notices of, or to attend or vote at, meetings of the Company or receive notices of or vote on a resolution by written means, or to exercise any of the rights or privileges of a Member (other than those mentioned above), unless and until he shall become a Member in respect of that share.

 

6

 

 

FORFEITURE OF SHARES

 

35.If, in relation to any share, any Member fails to pay the whole or any part of any call or instalment of a call on or before the due date for payment, the Directors may serve written notice (a payment notice) on him (or on any person entitled to that share by transmission) requiring him to pay such call or instalment that remains unpaid, together with interest at such rate set out in this Constitution, and any expenses that may have accrued by reason of such non-payment.

 

36.The payment notice shall specify the date (not being earlier than the expiration of seven (7) days from the date of the payment notice) by which payment of all or any part of such call, instalment, accrued interest and expenses must be paid. It shall also state (1) the place of payment, and (2) that, in the event of non-payment by or at the time appointed and place, the share(s) in respect of which such call was made will be liable to be forfeited.

 

37.If the requirements of any payment notice are not complied with, any share(s) in respect of which that payment notice has been given may, at any time, before payment required by the payment notice has been made, be forfeited by a resolution of the Directors to that effect. Forfeiture shall include the forfeiture of all declared but unpaid dividends in respect of the forfeited share(s).

 

38.When any share has been forfeited in accordance with this Constitution, notice of forfeiture shall promptly be given to the holder of the shares or to the person entitled to the share by transmission, and an entry of such notice having been given, and of the forfeiture with the forfeiture date, shall promptly be lodged with the Registrar for the purpose of updating the Electronic Register. The provisions of this Regulation are administrative only, and any omission or neglect to give such notice or to make such entry shall not invalidate or otherwise affect any forfeiture of shares.

 

39.Notwithstanding any forfeiture of any share, the Directors may, at any time before the forfeited share has been sold, re-allotted, cancelled or otherwise disposed, cancel the forfeiture, upon such terms as the Directors shall see fit.

 

40.(A)          A forfeited share may be sold, re-allotted, cancelled or otherwise disposed of upon such terms and in such manner as the Directors shall think fit.

 

(B)           A person whose shares have been forfeited shall, notwithstanding his cessation to be a Member in respect of the forfeited shares, remain liable to pay to the Company all unpaid calls on such shares at the time of forfeiture, together with all accrued interest and expenses, and to satisfy all claims and demands (if any) which the Company might have enforced in respect of the shares at the time of forfeiture, without any deduction or allowance for the value of the shares at the time of forfeiture. Such liability shall cease if and when the Company receives payment in full of all such moneys in respect of the shares and the Directors may waive payment of such interest either wholly or in part.

 

41.The forfeiture of a share shall involve the extinction at the time of forfeiture of all interest in, and claims and demands against, the Company in respect of that share, and all other rights and liabilities incidental to that share as between the Member concerned and the Company, save for rights and liabilities expressly reserved in this Constitution, or given or imposed by the Act, in the case of past Members.

 

42.A statutory declaration in writing that the declarant is a Director or the Secretary, and that a share has been duly forfeited in pursuance of this Constitution, and stating the date upon which it was forfeited, shall, as against all persons claiming to be entitled to the share adversely to the forfeiture of the share, be conclusive evidence of the facts stated in such declaration. Such declaration, together with the receipt of the Company for the consideration (if any) given on the sale or disposition of the share, and a certificate of proprietorship of the share delivered to the person to whom the share is sold or disposed, shall constitute good title to the share and (subject to the execution of any necessary transfer) such person shall be registered as the holder of the share and shall be discharged from all calls made prior to such sale or disposition, and shall not be bound to see to the application of the purchase money (if any), nor shall his title to the share be affected by any act, omission or irregularity relating to or connected with the proceedings in reference to the forfeiture, sale, re-allotment, cancellation or other disposal of the share.

 

7

 

 

CONVERSION OF SHARES INTO STOCK

 

43.(A)          The Company may, from time to time, by resolution of a general meeting or by a resolution by written means convert all or any of its paid-up shares into stock and may from time to time, in like manner, re-convert any such stock into paid-up shares.

 

(B)           When any shares have been converted into stock, the several holders of such stock may transfer their respective interests in such stock, or any part of such interests, in such manner as the Company in general meeting or by resolution by written means shall direct, but in default of any such direction in the same manner and subject to the same regulations as and subject to which the shares from which the stock arose might prior to conversion have been transferred, or as near thereto as circumstances will admit. But the Directors may, if they think fit, from time to time fix the minimum amount of stock transferable, and restrict or forbid the transfer of fractions of that minimum.

 

(C)           The several holders of stock shall be entitled to participate in the dividends and profits of the Company according to the amount of their respective interests in such stock, and such interests shall, in proportion to the amount thereof, confer on the holders thereof respectively the same privileges and advantages for the purpose of voting at meetings or by resolutions by written means of the Company and for other purposes as if they held the shares from which the stock arose, but so that none of such privileges or advantages, except the participation in the dividends, profits and assets of the Company, shall be conferred by any holding or part of a holding of stock as would not if existing in shares, have conferred such privileges or advantages.

 

(D)           All such provisions of this Constitution as are applicable to paid-up shares shall apply to stock, and in all such provisions the words share and Member shall include stock and stockholder.

 

ALTERATIONS OF CAPITAL

 

44.The Company may alter its share capital in any of the circumstances below, and from time to time (i) by ordinary resolution:

 

(A)          consolidate and divide all or any of its shares ; or

 

(B)           cancel the number of any shares not taken or agreed to be taken by any person or which have been forfeited and diminish its share capital in accordance with the Act; or

 

(C)          subdivide its shares or any of them (subject to the provisions of the Act) provided always that in such subdivision the proportion between the amount paid and the amount, if any, unpaid on each reduced share shall be the same as it was in the case of the share from which the reduced share is derived, or

 

(D)          subject to the Act and this Constitution, convert any class of shares into any other class of shares,

 

and (ii) by special resolution reduce its capital in any manner permissible and subject to any conditions and consents prescribed by the Act and by law.

 

45.Subject to and in accordance with the provisions of the Act, the Company may purchase or otherwise acquire shares issued by it on such terms as the Company may think fit and in the manner prescribed by the Act. All shares repurchased by the Company may be cancelled or held as treasury shares and dealt with in accordance with the Act.

 

8

 

 

ISSUE OF SHARES

 

46.(A)          Subject to the Act and this Constitution, no shares may be issued by the Directors without the prior approval of the Company in general meeting or by resolution by written means, but subject thereto, Directors may allot and issue shares or convertible securities and may grant options over or otherwise deal with or dispose of the same to such persons on such terms and conditions and for such consideration as the Directors may think fit and any shares issued (subject to any special rights for the time being attached to any existing class of shares) may carry such preferential, deferred or other special rights, or be subjected to such conditions or restrictions, as the Directors may determine pursuant to the authority granted to them by Members in accordance with the Act.

 

(B)           Subject to the Act, any preference shares may, with the sanction of an ordinary resolution, be issued on the terms that they are, or at the option of the Company are liable, to be redeemed.

 

47.Unless otherwise determined by the Company in a general meeting or a resolution by written means, any new shares from time to time to be created shall, before they are issued, be offered to the Members in proportion as nearly as possible, to the number of shares held by them. The offer shall be made by notice specifying the number of shares offered, and time limit within which the offer, if not accepted, will be deemed to be declined, and after the expiration of such time or on the receipt of an intimation from the person to whom the offer is made that he declines to accept the shares offered, the Directors may, subject to this Constitution, dispose of the same in such manner as they think most beneficial to the Company. The Directors may, in like manner dispose of any such new shares as stated above, which, by reason of the proportion borne by them to the number of persons entitled to such offer as stated above or by reason of any other difficulty in apportioning the same, cannot in the opinion of the Directors, be conveniently offered under this Regulation.

 

MODIFICATION OF CLASS RIGHTS

 

48.(A)          Subject to the provisions of the Act, all or any of the rights, privileges or conditions attached or belonging to any class of shares forming part of the capital of the Company may from time to time be varied or revoked in any manner with the consent in writing of the holders of not less than seventy-five percent (75%) of the issued and paid-up shares (other than treasury shares) of that class, or with the sanction of a special resolution passed at a separate meeting of the holders of shares (other than treasury shares) of that class. To any such separate meeting, the provisions in this Constitution as to general meetings of the Company shall apply (with the necessary changes having been made), but so that the necessary quorum shall be holders of shares (other than treasury shares) of the class holding or representing by proxy one-third (1/3) of the issued and paid-up shares (other than treasury shares) of the class, and every holder of shares (other than treasury shares) of the class present (in person or by proxy) shall be entitled on a poll to one (1) vote for every such share (other than treasury shares) held by him. If, however, at any adjourned meeting of the holders of shares (other than treasury shares) of such class a quorum is not present, holders of shares (other than treasury shares) of that class who are present shall form a quorum.

 

(B)           The rights conferred upon the holders of the shares of any class issued with preferred or other rights are, unless otherwise expressly provided by the terms of issues of the shares of that class, treated as being varied by the creation or issue of further shares which ranks equally with the shares of that class.

 

GENERAL MEETINGS

 

49.Without prejudice to the Company’s rights to dispense with annual general meetings under the Act, the Company shall hold an annual general meeting, in addition to any other meeting, in accordance with the provisions of the Act.

 

50.Any Director may call an extraordinary general meeting whenever he thinks fit, and extraordinary general meetings shall be convened on such requisition, or in default may be convened by such requisitionists, as provided by the Act.

 

9

 

 

51.Subject to the provisions of the Act relating to the convening of general meetings to pass special resolutions, and any agreements for shorter notice, at least fourteen (14) days' notice (exclusive of both the day on which the notice is served or deemed to be served and the day for which notice is given) specifying the place, the date and the time of meeting, and in the case of special business, the general nature of such business, shall be given in the manner provided in this Constitution to such persons as are entitled to receive notices of general meetings from the Company. The accidental omission to give such notice to, or the non-receipt of such notice by, any such person shall not invalidate any resolution passed or proceeding held at any such general meeting. A general meeting, notwithstanding that it has been called by a shorter notice than that specified above, shall be deemed to have been duly called if, in accordance with the Act, it is so agreed:-

 

(A)          in the case of an Annual General Meeting by all the Members entitled to attend and vote; and

 

(B)          in the case of an Extraordinary General Meeting by that number or majority in number of the Members having a right to attend and vote, being a majority together holding not less than ninety-five percent (95%) of the total voting rights of all the Members having a right to vote at that general meeting.

 

52.All business shall be deemed special that is transacted at any extraordinary general meeting, and all that is transacted at an annual general meeting shall also be deemed special, with the exception of declaring a dividend, the consideration of the financial statements, the Directors’ statement and report of the Auditor and any other documents annexed to the balance sheets, the appointment of Directors in the place of those retiring, the fixing of the remuneration of the Directors and the appointment and fixing of the remuneration of the Auditor.

 

PROCEEDINGS AT GENERAL MEETINGS

 

53.No business shall be transacted at any general meeting unless a quorum is present. Unless otherwise provided in this Constitution, the quorum shall be not less than two (2) Members being personally present or represented by proxy. In the event of a corporation being beneficially entitled to the whole of the issued share capital (other than treasury shares) of the Company, then one (1) person representing such corporation shall be a quorum and shall be deemed to constitute a general meeting, and to the extent not inconsistent with this Constitution, the provisions of section 179 of the Act shall apply. For the purpose of this Regulation, Member includes a person attending by proxy or by attorney or by a corporate representative in the case of a corporation which has appointed a corporate representative, provided that (i) a proxy representing more than one Member shall only count as one Member for the purpose of determining the quorum; and (ii) where a Member is represented by more than one proxy such proxies shall count as only one Member for purposes of determining the quorum.

 

54.If within half an hour from the time appointed for the holding of a general meeting a quorum is not present, the meeting, if convened on the requisition of Members, shall be dissolved. In any other case, it shall be adjourned to the same day in the next week, at the same time and place, and if at such adjourned meeting a quorum is not present within half an hour from the time appointed for holding the meeting, any Member or Members present shall constitute a quorum.

 

55.Subject to the provisions of the Act, the Members may participate in a general meeting by means of a conference telephone or a video conference telephone or similar communications equipment by which all persons participating in the general meeting are able to hear and be heard by all other Members without the need for a Member to be in the physical presence of another Member(s) and participation in the general meeting in this manner shall be deemed to constitute presence in person at such meeting. The Members participating in any such general meeting shall be counted in the quorum for such general meeting and subject to there being a requisite quorum under this Constitution, all resolutions agreed by the Members in such general meeting shall be deemed to be as effective as a resolution passed at a meeting in person of the Members duly convened and held. A general meeting conducted by means of a conference telephone or a video conference telephone or similar communications equipment as aforesaid is deemed to be held at the place agreed upon by the Members attending the general meeting, provided that at least one of the Members present at the general meeting was at that place for the duration of the general meeting.

 

56.The chairman (if any) of the board of Directors shall preside as chairman at every general meeting, but if there be no such chairman, or if at any meeting he shall not be present within fifteen (15) minutes after the time appointed for holding the meeting, or shall be unwilling to act as chairman, the Members present shall choose a chairman from among those Directors present and willing to so act, and otherwise they shall choose a Member present to be chairman of the meeting.

 

10

 

 

57.The chairman may, with the consent of any general meeting at which a quorum is present, and shall, if so directed by the general meeting, adjourn any general meeting from time to time and from place to place as the general meeting shall determine. No Member shall be entitled to any notice of an adjournment or of the business to be transacted at an adjourned general meeting save that whenever a general meeting is adjourned for ten (10) days or more, notice of the adjourned general meeting shall be given in the same manner as in the case of the original meeting. No business shall be transacted at any adjourned general meeting other than the business which might have been transacted at the general meeting from which the adjournment took place.

 

58.At all general meetings, resolutions put to the vote of the meeting shall be decided on a show of hands, unless before the show of hands or before or upon the declaration of the result of the show of hands, a poll is demanded:

 

(A)          by the chairman;

 

(B)           by not less than 5 Members having the right to vote at the meeting, present in person or by proxy;

 

(C)           by a Member or Members representing not less than 5% of the total voting rights of all the Members having the right to vote at the meeting; or

 

(D)          by a Member or Members holding shares in the Company conferring a right to vote at the meeting, being shares on which an aggregate sum has been paid up equal to not less than 5% of the total sum paid up on all the shares conferring that right,

 

and unless a poll be so demanded a declaration by the chairman of the meeting that a resolution has on a show of hands been carried, or carried unanimously, or by a particular majority, or lost, shall be conclusive, and an entry to that effect in the minute book of the Company shall be conclusive evidence of the fact without proof of the number or proportion of the votes recorded in favour of or against such resolution. The demand for a poll may be withdrawn.

 

59.(A)          If a poll is demanded, it shall be taken at such time and place, and in such manner (including the use of ballot, voting papers or other electronic means) as the chairman shall direct, and the result of the poll shall be deemed to be the resolution of the general meeting at which the poll was demanded. No poll shall be demanded on the election of a chairman of a general meeting, or on any question of adjournment.

 

(B)           If any votes be counted which ought not to have been counted or might have been rejected, the error shall not vitiate the result of the voting unless it be pointed out at the same meeting or at any adjournment thereof and not in any case unless it shall in the opinion of the chairman be of sufficient magnitude.

 

(C)           In the case of an equality of votes, whether on a show of hands or on a poll, the chairman of the general meeting shall be entitled to a second or casting vote.

 

60.The demand for a poll shall not prevent the continuance of a general meeting for the transaction of any business, other than the question for which a poll has been demanded.

 

61.Proper minutes shall be made of all general meetings of the Company and of all business transacted at such meetings, and such minutes if signed by the chairman of such meeting shall (save in the case of manifest error) be conclusive evidence of the facts stated in the minutes.

 

RESOLUTIONS BY WRITTEN MEANS

 

62.The Members may pass any resolution by written means in accordance with and subject to the provisions of the Act.

 

63.Resolutions by written means may consist of several documents each signed by one or more of the Members in counterpart(s). The Company may accept copies of signed resolutions by written means delivered to the Company by personal delivery, post, facsimile or electronic communications. The expression “signed” include approval by any such Member by letter, facsimile, electronic mail or any form of electronic communication approved by the Members for such purposes from time to time, incorporating if the Members deemed necessary, the use of security and/or identification procedures and devices approved by the Members.

 

11

 

 

64.Subject to the provisions of the Act, resolutions by written means may be signed by proxy on behalf of a Member.

 

65.Notwithstanding any other provision of this Constitution, where the Company has only one (1) Member, the Company may pass a resolution by that Member recording the resolution and signing the record.

 

VOTES OF MEMBERS

 

66.Subject to any privileges or restrictions as to voting attached to any class of shares for the time being forming part of the capital of the Company, every Member present in person or by proxy, or represented by attorney, shall have one (1) vote on a show of hands (provided that in the case of a member who is represented by two proxies, only one of the two proxies as determined by that Member, or failing such determination, by the Chairman of the meeting (or a person authorized by him) in his sole discretion shall be entitled to vote on a show of hands) and on a poll every such Member shall have one (1) vote for each share held by him.

 

67.A Member of unsound mind or whose person or estate is liable to be dealt with in any way under the law relating to mental disorder may vote, whether on a show of hands or on a poll or for a resolution by written means, by his committee or by such other person as properly has the management of his estate, and any such committee or other person may vote either by proxy or attorney.

 

68.If two (2) or more persons are jointly entitled to a share (other than treasury shares), the vote of the senior who tenders a vote, whether in person or by proxy or by an attorney, or who signs his vote in a resolution by written means shall be accepted to the exclusion of the votes of the other registered holders of the shares (other than treasury shares), and for this purpose seniority shall be determined by the order in which the names stand in the Electronic Register.

 

69.Save as expressly provided in this Constitution, no person other than a Member duly registered and who shall have paid everything for the time being due from him and payable to the Company in respect of his shares (other than treasury shares), shall be entitled to be present or to vote on any question either personally or by proxy, or by an attorney, or to be constituted in a quorum, at any general meeting or to sign his vote in a resolution by written means. A proxy or attorney need not be a Member.

 

70.The original instrument appointing a proxy shall be in writing, in the common or usual form, and (A) in the case of an individual shall be signed under the hand of the appointer or of his attorney; and (B) in the case of a corporation, under the common seal (if any) or by (i) one Director and the Secretary; or (ii) at least two Directors; or (iii) one Director in the presence of a witness who attests the Director’s signature, or signed by its attorney or by an officer on behalf of the corporation. An instrument appointing a proxy to vote at a meeting shall be deemed to include the power to demand or concur in demanding a poll. The Directors may, but shall not be bound to, require evidence of the authority of any such attorney or officer.

 

71.The original instrument appointing a proxy, together with the power of attorney (if any) under which it is signed or a certified copy thereof, shall be deposited at the Office at least seventy-two hours before the time appointed for holding the meeting or adjourned meeting at which the person named in such instrument proposes to vote; otherwise the instrument of proxy shall not be treated as valid unless the Directors otherwise determine.

 

72.A vote given in accordance with the terms of an instrument of proxy (which for the purposes of this Constitution shall also include a power of attorney) shall be valid notwithstanding the previous death or insanity of the principal or revocation of the proxy, or of the authority under which the proxy was executed or the transfer of the share in respect of which the proxy is given, provided that no intimation in writing of such death, insanity, revocation or transfer shall have been received by the Company at the Office (or such other place as may be specified for the deposit of instruments appointing proxies) before the commencement of the meeting or adjourned meeting at which the proxy is used.

 

73.Any corporation which is a Member may by resolution of its directors or other governing body authorise such person as it thinks fit to act as its representative at any meeting of the Company or any class of Members, and the person so authorised shall be entitled to exercise the same powers on behalf of the corporation which he represents as that corporation could exercise if it were an individual Member, creditor or holder of debentures of the Company.

 

12

 

 

DIRECTORS

 

74.The Company in general meeting or by resolution by written means may, subject to the provisions of this Constitution and the Act, appoint new Directors, and may increase or reduce the number of Directors in office, provided that the number of Directors shall not at any time be less than one (1).

 

75.The Company may by ordinary resolution remove any Director before the expiration of his period of office, notwithstanding anything in this Constitution or in any agreement between the Company and such Directors.

 

76.Subject to the provisions of this Constitution, the Directors shall from time to time have power to appoint any person to be a Director, either to fill a casual vacancy or as an additional Director. A Director so appointed shall retire from office at the close of the next annual general meeting or, if the Company has dispensed with the annual general meeting, at the date of expiry of the period within which the annual general meeting would have otherwise been required to be held, but shall be eligible for re-election provided that where the Company has only one (1) Director who is ordinarily resident in Singapore, such Director shall not be subject to retirement under this Regulation.

 

77.A Director shall not be required to hold any shares in the Company.

 

78.Any Director (with the approval of the Directors) may at any time appoint any person to be an alternate Director in his place during such period as he thinks fit, and may at any time remove such alternate Director from office. An alternate Director so appointed shall not be entitled to receive any remuneration from the Company, but shall be entitled to receive notices of, and attend, all meetings of the Directors, and to vote as Director at such meetings at which the Director appointing him is not present, and generally, in the absence of his appointer, to perform all the functions of his appointer as Director. If the alternate Director’s appointer ceases for any reason to be a Director, the alternate Director shall immediately cease to be an alternate Director and vacate office. All appointments and removals of alternate Directors made in accordance with this Regulation shall be in writing signed by the Director(s) making the appointments and delivered to the Office by personal delivery, post, facsimile or electronic communications.

 

79.The remuneration of the Directors in respect of their offices as Directors shall from time to time be determined by the Company in general meeting or by resolution by written means. The Directors shall also be paid such travelling, hotel and other expenses as may reasonably be incurred by them in the execution of their duties including any such expenses incurred by them in connection with their attendance at meetings of Directors. If by arrangement with the other Directors, any Director shall perform or render any special duties or services to the Company which are outside his ordinary duties as a Director, the Directors may pay him special remuneration, in addition to his ordinary remuneration, and such special remuneration may be by way of salary, commission, participation in profits or otherwise as may be arranged.

 

80.A Director may hold any other office or place of profit under the Company (except that of Auditor) in conjunction with his office of Director, and on such terms as to remuneration and otherwise as the other Directors shall approve.

 

81.In addition to any disqualification, removal or revocation of a Director’s appointment as a director under the Act, relevant laws or the terms of any subsisting agreement, the office of a Director shall be vacated if:

 

(A)          a bankruptcy order is made against him or he makes any arrangement or composition with his creditors;

 

(B)           he becomes mentally disordered and incapable of managing himself or herself or his or her affairs or a person whose person or estate is liable to be dealt with in any way under the law relating to mental capacity;

 

13

 

 

(C)           he absents himself from the meetings of Directors for a period of six (6) months without special leave of absence from the other Directors, and they pass a resolution that he has by reason of such absence vacated his office;

 

(D)           he is prohibited from being a Director by any order made under the provision of the Act;

 

(E)           subject to section 145 of the Act, he resigns from his office by notice in writing given to the Company; or

 

(F)he dies.

 

82.The Directors may from time to time appoint one (1) or more of their body to the office of managing Director, for such period and on such terms and conditions as they think fit, and may entrust to and confer upon such managing Director(s) any or all of the powers exercisable by the Directors generally subject to such restrictions as the Directors may impose. The remuneration of a managing Director may be by way of salary, commission and/or participation in profits, or otherwise as the Directors may consider appropriate.

 

83.A managing Director shall, subject to the provisions of any contract between him and the Company, be subjected to the same provisions as to resignation and removal as the other Directors of the Company, and if he ceases to hold the office of Director, he shall immediately cease to be a managing Director.

 

POWERS AND DUTIES OF DIRECTORS

 

84.The business of the Company shall be managed by or under the direction or supervision of the Directors. The Directors may exercise all such powers of the Company as are not, by the Act or this Constitution, required to be exercised by the Company in general meeting or by resolution by written means, not inconsistent with the Act and this Constitution. No regulation made by the Company in general meeting or by resolution by written means shall invalidate any prior act of the Directors which would have been valid if such regulation had not been made.

 

85.The Directors may from time to time by power of attorney or otherwise appoint any corporation, firm, or person or body of persons, whether nominated directly or indirectly by the Directors, to be the agent(s) of the Company for such purposes and with such powers, authorities and discretions (not exceeding those vested in or exercisable by the Directors under this Constitution) and for such period and subject to such conditions as they may think fit, and may also authorise any such agent(s) to delegate all or any of the powers, authorities and discretions vested in the agent(s).

 

86.Without limiting the generality of Regulation 84:

 

(A)          The Directors may exercise all the powers of the Company to borrow money and to mortgage or charge all or any part of its undertaking, property, and uncalled capital, and to issue debentures and other securities whether outright or as security for any debt, liability, or obligation of the Company or of any third party.

 

(B)           The Directors on behalf of the Company may pay a gratuity, pension or allowance on retirement to any employee or former employee, any Director or former Director or to the surviving spouse, dependants or other relations of such employee, former employee, Director or former Director, and for these purposes, may make contributions to any fund and pay premiums for the purchase or provision of any such gratuity, pension or allowance.

 

87.The Directors may act at any time notwithstanding any vacancy in their body, but if and so long as the number of Directors is reduced below the number fixed by this Constitution as the necessary quorum of Directors, the continuing Directors or Director may act for the purpose of increasing the number of Directors to that number, of summoning a general meeting of the Company or of seeking agreement to a resolution of the Company to be passed by written means, but for no other purpose. If there are no Directors or Director able or willing to act, then subject to this Constitution, (A) where the Company has only one (1) Member, the Company may pass a resolution by that Member; and (B) in all other circumstances, any two (2) Members holding not less than 10% of the total number of issued shares of the Company (excluding treasury shares) may summon a general meeting, for the purpose of appointing Directors.

 

14

 

 

88.A Director who is in any way, whether directly or indirectly, interested in a transaction or proposed transaction with the Company shall declare the nature of his interest in accordance with the provisions of the Act. Subject to such disclosure, a Director shall be entitled to vote in respect of any transaction or proposed transaction in which he is interested and he shall be taken into account in ascertaining whether a quorum is present.

 

89.The Directors may procure the establishment and maintenance of, participate in or contribute towards, any pension or superannuation fund or life assurance scheme for the benefit of any person (including Directors and other officers) who are or shall have been at any time in the employment or service of the Company or any of its subsidiaries or of the predecessors in business of the Company or their subsidiaries, or the spouses, surviving spouses, families or dependents of any such persons, and may pay, provide for or procure the grant of donations, gratuities, pensions, allowances, benefits or emoluments to such persons. The Directors may also procure the establishment of, and support to, any institution, association, club, fund or trust for the benefit of any such persons or otherwise to advance the interests and well-being of the Company, any of its subsidiaries or Members, or towards the insurance of any such persons mentioned above, or for any charitable or benevolent objects.

 

PROCEEDINGS OF DIRECTORS

 

90.(A)          The Directors may meet together in person or by telephone conference, video conference or any other form of audio or audio-visual instantaneous communication by which all persons participating in the meeting are able to hear and be heard by all other participants for the despatch of business, adjourn and otherwise regulate their meetings as they think fit, and determine the quorum necessary for the transaction of business. In the event the Company has more than one (1) Director, two (2) Directors shall be a quorum unless otherwise determined by the Directors. A meeting of the Directors at which a quorum is present shall be competent to exercise all the powers and discretions for the time being exercisable by the Directors. Unless otherwise provided in this Constitution or prescribed by the Act, questions arising at any meeting shall be decided by a simple majority of votes. In case of an equality of votes the chairman shall have a second or casting vote.

 

(B)           All Directors participating at a meeting by telephone conference, video conference or any other form of audio or audio-visual instantaneous communication by which all persons participating in the meeting are able to hear and be heard by all other participants shall be considered for all purposes of this Constitution to be present in person at that meeting and the place at which such a meeting was held shall be deemed to be the place where the chairman of the meeting conducted the meeting, unless otherwise agreed by the Directors. The minutes of such a meeting signed by the chairman of the meeting shall be conclusive evidence of any resolutions of any meeting conducted in the manner stated above.

 

91.A Director may, and the Secretary shall (on the request of any Director), at any time summon a meeting of the Directors.

 

92.The Directors may from time to time elect a chairman, who shall preside at meetings of the Directors, and determine the period for which he is to hold office. If no such chairman is elected, or if at any meeting the chairman is not present within ten (10) minutes after the time appointed for holding the meeting, the Directors present shall choose one (1) of their number to be chairman of the meeting.

 

93.The Directors may delegate any of their powers to committees consisting of such Directors as they think fit. Any committee so formed shall in the exercise of the powers so delegated conform to any regulations that may be imposed on it by the Directors.

 

94.A committee may elect a chairman of its meetings. If no such chairman is elected, or if at any meeting the chairman is not present within ten (10) minutes after the time appointed for holding the meeting, the committee members present may choose one (1) of their number to be chairman of the meeting.

 

95.A committee may meet and adjourn as its committee members think proper. Questions arising at any meeting shall be determined by a majority of votes of the committee members present and in the case of an equality of votes, the chairman shall have a second or casting vote.

 

96.All acts done by any meeting of Directors, or of a committee of Directors, or by any person acting as a Director, shall, notwithstanding that it is afterwards discovered that there was some defect in the appointment of any such Director or person acting as aforesaid, or that they or any of them were disqualified, be as valid as if every such person had been duly appointed and was qualified to be a Director.

 

15

 

 

97.The Directors shall cause proper minutes to be made of all appointments of officers, the attendances and proceedings of all meetings of Directors and committees, and of all business transacted at such meetings; and minutes taken of any meeting, if purporting to be signed by the chairman of such meeting, or by the chairman of the next succeeding meeting, shall (save in the case of manifest error) be conclusive evidence of the facts stated in the minutes.

 

98.A resolution in writing, a copy of which is sent or circulated by letter, facsimile or electronic communications to all the Directors for the time being entitled to receive notice of a meeting of the Directors and which is signed by a majority of the Directors, shall be as valid and effectual as if it had been passed at a meeting of the Directors duly convened and held. Any such resolution may consist of several documents in like form, each signed by one (1) or more Directors. The Company may accept copies of resolutions in writing delivered to the Company by personal delivery, post, facsimile or electronic communications. Where a Director has appointed an alternate Director, the Director or (in lieu of the Director) his alternate director may sign. The expressions “in writing” and “signed” include approval by any such Director by letter, facsimile, electronic mail or any form of electronic communication approved by the Directors for such purposes from time to time, incorporating if the Directors deemed necessary, the use of security and/or identification procedures and devices approved by the Directors.

 

99.Notwithstanding any other provision of this Constitution, where the Company has only one (1) Director, that Director may pass a resolution by recording it and signing the record.

 

SECRETARY

 

100.A Secretary shall in accordance with the Act be appointed by the Directors for such term, at such remuneration and upon such conditions as they may think fit, and any Secretary so appointed may be removed by them.

 

THE SEAL

 

101.The Company may have a Seal. If a Seal is adopted, the Directors shall provide for the safe custody of the Seal, which shall only be used by the authority of a resolution of the Directors or of a committee of the Directors authorised by the Directors in that behalf, and every instrument to which the Seal is affixed shall be signed by a Director and shall be countersigned by the Secretary, a second Director or a witness who attests the Director’s signature, but where there is only one (1) Director on the board of Directors, every instrument to which the Seal is affixed shall be signed by such Director and the Secretary or such Director in the presence of a witness who attests the Director’s signature.

 

102.The Company may exercise the powers conferred by the Act with regard to having an official seal for use abroad, and such powers shall be vested in the Directors. The Company may also have a ‘Share Seal’ pursuant to the Act.

 

AUTHENTICATION OF DOCUMENTS

 

103.Any Director, the Secretary or any person appointed by the Directors for the purpose shall have power to authenticate any documents affecting the constitution of the Company and any resolutions passed by the Company or the Directors, and any books, records, documents and accounts relating to the business of the Company, and to certify copies of the same or extracts from them as true copies or extracts, and where any books, records, documents or accounts are elsewhere than at the Office, the local manager and other officer of the Company having custody of them shall be deemed to be a person appointed by the Directors according to this Regulation.

 

104.A document purporting to be a copy of a resolution of the Directors or an extract from the minutes of a meeting of Directors which is certified as such in accordance with the provisions of the last preceding Regulation shall be conclusive evidence in favour of all persons dealing with the Company upon the faith thereof that such resolution has been duly passed or, as the case may be, that such extract is a true and accurate record of a duly constituted meeting of the Directors.

 

16

 

 

DIVIDENDS AND RESERVE FUND

 

105.Subject to any preferential or other special rights for the time being attached to any special class of shares, the profits of the Company (which shall from time to time be determined to be distributed by way of dividend) shall be applied in payment of dividends upon the shares (other than treasury shares) of the Company in proportion to the amounts paid-up or credited as paid-up on the shares respectively, otherwise than in advance of calls.

 

106.(A)          The Company may, in general meeting or by resolution by written means, declare dividends but no such dividend shall exceed the amount recommended by the Directors. The Directors may, with the sanction of a general meeting or of a resolution by written means, declare dividends. Further, the Directors may, if they think fit, from time to time declare and pay to the Members such interim dividends as appear to them to be justified by the profits of the Company, and may from time to time, if in their opinion such payment is so justified, pay any preferential dividends which by the terms of issue of any shares (other than treasury shares) are made payable on fixed dates. Dividends shall not be paid except out of the profits of the Company.

 

(B)           With the sanction of a general meeting or of a resolution by written means, any dividend may be paid wholly or in part by the distribution of specific assets and in particular of paid-up shares or debentures of any other company or in any one (1) or more of such ways. Where any difficulty arises in regard to such distribution, the Directors may settle the same as they think expedient, and in particular may issue fractional certificates and fix the value for distribution of such specific assets or any part of such specific assets and may determine that cash payments shall be made to any Members upon the footing of the value so fixed, in order to adjust the rights of all Members, and may vest any such specific assets in trustees upon trust for the Members entitled to the dividend as may seem expedient to the Directors.

 

107.The Directors may, before recommending or declaring any dividend, set aside out of the profits of the Company such sums as they think proper as reserves, which shall, at the discretion of the Directors, be applicable for meeting contingencies, or for repairing or maintaining any works connected with the business of the Company, or shall, as to the whole or in part be applicable for equalising dividends, or for distribution by way of special dividend or bonus, or for such other purposes for which the profits of the Company may be lawfully applied, and pending such application, the Directors may employ the sums from time to time so set apart in the business of the Company or invest the same in such investments (other than shares in the Company) as they may deem fit. The Directors may also from time to time (without placing the same to reserves) carry forward any profits as they may deem prudent not to distribute.

 

108.The Directors may establish a reserve to be called either capital reserve or realisation account and shall either carry to the credit of such reserve from time to time all moneys realised on the sale of any investments held by the Company in excess of the then book price of the same or apply the same in providing for depreciation or contingencies. Such capital reserve or realisation account and all other moneys in the nature of accretion to capital, whether on sale of investments held or otherwise, shall be treated for all purposes as capital moneys and not as profits available for dividend. Any losses realised on the sale of any investments may be carried to the debit of capital reserve or realisation account except in so far as the Directors shall decide to make good the same out of other funds of the Company.

 

109.The Directors shall be at liberty to invest any sums carried to any reserves in such investments as they think fit, and (save as provided in this Constitution) from time to time deal with and vary such investments and dispose of all or any part of the investments for the benefit of the Company and to divide the ordinary reserve account or accounts into such special accounts as they think fit with full power to employ the assets constituting the ordinary reserve account or accounts in the business of the Company.

 

110.Every dividend warrant may, unless otherwise directed, be sent by post to the last registered address of the Member entitled to the same, and the receipt of the person whose name at the date of the declaration of the dividend appears in the Electronic Register as the owner of any share, or, in the case of joint holders, of any one (1) of such joint holders, shall be a good discharge to the Company for all payments made in respect of such share. No unpaid dividend or interest shall bear interest as against the Company.

 

17

 

 

CAPITALISATION OF RESERVES

 

111.(A)          The Company may at any time in general meeting or by resolution by written means resolve that any sum not required for the payment or provision of any fixed preferential dividend, and (i) being any part of the undivided profits in the hands of the Company or (ii) for the time being standing to the credit of any reserve account of the Company or otherwise available for distribution be capitalised, and that such sum be appropriated to the Members in proportion to their holding of the ordinary shares in the Electronic Register in such manner as the resolution may direct, and the Directors shall in accordance with such resolution apply such sum in paying up in full any new shares of the Company on behalf of the Members, and allot and distribute such new shares as bonus shares credited as fully paid-up to such Members in the proportions as stated above or shall apply the whole or any part of such sums on behalf of the Members in paying up the whole or any part of any uncalled balance which shall for the time being be unpaid in respect of any issued ordinary shares held by such Members or otherwise deal with such sum as directed by such resolution.

 

(B)           Where any difficulty arises in respect of any such distribution as provided in Regulation 111(A) above, the Directors may settle the same as they think expedient, and in particular they may issue fractional certificates, fix the value for distribution of any fully paid-up shares or debentures, make cash payments to any Members on the footing of the value so fixed in order to adjust rights, and vest any such shares in trustees upon such trusts for the persons entitled to share in the appropriation and distribution as may seem just and expedient to the Directors. When deemed requisite a proper contract for the allotment and acceptance of any shares to be distributed as stated above shall be delivered to the Registrar for registration in accordance with the Act and the Directors may appoint any person to sign such contract on behalf of the persons entitled to share in the appropriation and distribution and such appointment shall be effective and binding on all concerned.

 

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

112.(A) The Directors must:

 

(1)          cause proper accounting and other records to be kept;

 

(2)          distribute copies of financial statements and other documents as required by the Act; and

 

(3)          determine whether, to what extent, at what times and places, and under what conditions or regulations the accounting and other records of the company are open to the inspection of Members who are not directors.

 

(B)           No Member (who is not a director) has any right of inspecting any account or book or paper of the Company except as conferred by statute or authorised by the directors or by the company in general meeting.

 

113.The Directors shall from time to time determine whether, in any particular case or class of cases, or generally and to what extent, and at what times and places and under what conditions or regulations, the financial statements and books of the Company, or any of them, shall be open to the inspection of Members (not being a Director), and no Member (not being a Director) shall have any right of inspecting any account or book or document of the Company, except as conferred by the Act or authorised by the Directors or by a resolution of the Company in a general meeting or by a resolution by written means.

 

114.(A)        Unless the Company is exempt from audit requirements in accordance with the provisions of the Act, subject to Regulation 49 above, the Directors shall lay before the Company at its annual general meeting duly audited financial statements for the financial year in respect of which the annual general meeting is held. Duly audited financial statements shall also be made out in every year as at the date to which the financial statements are made up, and shall be laid before the Company at its annual general meeting. The financial statements shall be accompanied by such reports and documents and shall contain such particulars as are prescribed by the Act and the Directors shall in their report state the amount which they recommend to be paid by way of dividend, and the amount (if any) which they propose to carry to any reserve fund. A copy of every financial statements (including every document required by law to be attached to them) shall be sent to all persons entitled to receive notice of such meeting as required by the Act.

 

18

 

 

(B)            In the event that the Company has dispensed with the annual general meeting then the financial statements and such reports and documents required by the Act that would otherwise be required to be laid before the Company in an annual general meeting shall be sent to persons entitled to receive notice of general meetings of the Company.

 

AUDIT

 

115.Subject to the provision of the Company’s rights relating to exemption from audit requirements under the Act, the financial statements of the Company shall be examined at least once every year, and the correctness of the financial statements ascertained by one (1) or more Auditor(s), and the provisions of the Act in relating to financial statements and audit shall be observed.

 

NOTICES AND DOCUMENTS

 

116.Any notice, communication and/or document (Document) may be given, sent or served by the Company to any Member by:

 

(A)          delivering the Document personally;

 

(B)           sending it by prepaid post addressed to such Member at his registered address in Singapore as appearing in the Electronic Register, or if he has no registered address in Singapore, to the address, if any, in Singapore supplied by him to the Company for the giving of Documents to him;

 

(C)           facsimile transmission sent to such Member at the facsimile number in Singapore which such Member has last notified the Company in writing; or

 

(D)           electronic communications, whether by electronic mail sent to such Member at the electronic address which such Member has last notified the Company in writing, or the publication of such Document on the website of the Company (Electronic Communications),

 

or such other manner permitted under the Act.

 

117.(A)          Unless otherwise required by the Act, Members shall agree to receive all Documents by way of Electronic Communications and shall not have a right to elect to receive a physical copy of the Documents.

 

(B)          Where a Document is sent by electronic means, service of the Document is treated as effected properly by sending it to an electronic address specified for the purpose by the Member generally or specifically.

 

118.With respect to joint holders of any shares, notices or other communications may be given to the joint holder named first in the Electronic Register, and any notice so given shall be sufficient notice to the joint holders of such shares.

 

119.Any notice or any other document given to any Member by the Company in accordance with this Constitution shall, notwithstanding that such Member is deceased or bankrupt, be deemed to have been duly given in respect of any shares held by such Member and shall, for all purposes of this Constitution, be deemed sufficient service of such notice or document on such Member’s executors, trustees, assignees and all other persons entitled to a share in consequence of the death or bankruptcy of such Member.

 

120.Any Document so given or sent by personal delivery, post, facsimile or electronic communications in accordance with this Constitution shall be deemed to have been duly given:

 

(A)         in the case of personal delivery, at the time when delivered;

 

(B)         in the case of post, on the date of posting and it shall be sufficient to prove that the Document was properly addressed, affixed with pre-paid postage and posted;

 

(C)         in the case of facsimile transmission, at the time of completion of transmission; or

 

19

 

 

(D)        in the case of electronic communications, at the time transmission of the electronic communications is made.

 

WINDING UP

 

121.(A) If the Company is wound up, the liquidator may, with the sanction of a special resolution of the Company —

 

(1)            divide amongst the Members in kind the whole or any part of the assets of the Company, whether they consist of property of the same kind or not;

 

(2)            set a value as the liquidator considers fair upon the property referred to in sub-paragraph (a);

 

(3)            determine how the division of property is to be carried out as between the Members or different classes of Members; and

 

(4)            vest the whole or any part of the assets of the Company in trustees upon such trusts for the benefit of the contributories as the liquidator thinks fit.

 

(B)        No Member is compelled to accept any shares or other securities on which there is any liability.

 

INDEMNITY

 

122.(A)         Subject to the provisions of and so far as may be permitted by the Act, every officer of the Company shall be entitled to be indemnified by the Company against all costs, charges, losses, expenses and liabilities incurred by him,

 

(1)in the execution and discharge of his duties as an officer of the Company unless the same arises as a result of any negligence, default, breach of duty or breach of trust on his part in relation to the Company; or

 

(2)in defending any proceeding whether civil or criminal (relating to the affairs of the Company) in which judgement is given in his favour or in which he is acquitted or in connection with any application under the Act in which relief is granted to him by the Court.

 

(B)         Without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing, no officer of the Company shall be liable for any acts, receipts, neglects, omission or default of any other Director or officer, joining in any receipt or other act for conformity, any loss or expense happening to the Company through the insufficiency or deficiency of title to any property acquired by order of the Directors for or on behalf of the Company, the insufficiency or deficiency of any security in or upon which any of the moneys of the Company shall be invested, any loss or damage arising from the bankruptcy, insolvency or tortious act of any person with whom any moneys, securities or effects shall be deposited or left, or any other loss, damage or misfortune which shall occur in the execution of the duties of his office or in relation thereto, unless the same shall occur through his own negligence, wilful default, breach of duty or breach of trust.

 

20

 

 

We, the subscriber to this Constitution, whose name, address and description are set out below, wish to be formed into a company pursuant to this Constitution. We agree to take the number of share in the capital of the Company shown opposite to our name.

 

Name, Address and Description of Subscriber Number of share
taken by Subscriber

 

/s/ Mark Hobbert                                                                             

 

Signed for and on behalf of
INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION

 

By Mr Mark Hobbert

 

Address of INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION

1 New Orchard Road, Armonk, NY 10504

 

(Corporation)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ONE (1) 

Total number of share(s) taken:       ONE (1)

 

Dated this 16th day of November 2023

 

21

 

 

Exhibit (4)(g)

 

 

IBM INTERNATIONAL CAPITAL PTE. LTD.,

 

INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION,

 

as Guarantor

 

and

 

THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON,

 

as Trustee

 

 

 

INDENTURE

 

Dated as of [                ], 20[         ]

 

 

 

Providing for the Issuance of
Debt Securities in Series

 

 

 

 

 

Reconciliation and Tie between Trust Indenture Act of 1939
and Indenture Provisions*

 

Trust Indenture Act Section

 

Indenture
Section

       
Section 310 (a)(1)   7.09
  (a)(2)   7.09
  (a)(3)   Not Applicable
  (a)(4)   Not Applicable
  (a)(5)   7.09
  (b)   7.08
      7.10
Section 311 (a)   Not Applicable
  (b)   Not Applicable
  (b)(2)   Not Applicable
Section 312 (a)   8.01
      8.02(a)
  (b)   8.02(b)
  (c)   8.02(c)
Section 313 (a)   8.03(a)
  (b)   Not Applicable
  (c)   8.03(c)
  (d)   8.03(b)
Section 314 (a)   8.04
  (b)   Not Applicable
  (c)(1)   1.02
  (c)(2)   1.02
  (c)(3)   Not Applicable
  (d)   Not Applicable
  (e)   1.02
Section 315 (a)   7.01(a)
  (b)   7.02
  (c)   7.01(b)
  (d)   7.01(c)
  (d)(1)   7.01(a)
  (d)(2)   7.01(c)(ii)
  (d)(3)   7.01(c)(iii)
  (e)   6.14
Section 316 (a) (last sentence)   1.01
  (a)(1)(A)   6.02
      6.12
  (a)(1)(B)   6.13
  (a)(2)   Not Applicable
  (b)   6.08
  (c)   1.04(h)
Section 317 (a)(1)   6.03
  (a)(2)   6.04
  (b)   11.03
Section 318 (a)   1.07

 

* This reconciliation and tie shall not for any purpose, be deemed to be a part of the Indenture.

 

 

 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

    Page
ARTICLE I
 
Definitions and Other Provisions of General Application
 
SECTION 1.01. Definitions 1
SECTION 1.02. Compliance Certificates and Opinions 13
SECTION 1.03. Form of Documents Delivered to Trustee 14
SECTION 1.04. Acts of Holders 15
SECTION 1.05. Notices, Etc., to Trustee, Company and Guarantor 16
SECTION 1.06. Notice to Holders; Waiver 17
SECTION 1.07. Conflict with Trust Indenture Act 18
SECTION 1.08. Effect of Headings and Table of Contents 18
SECTION 1.09. Successors and Assigns 18
SECTION 1.10. Separability Clause 18
SECTION 1.11. Benefits Of Indenture 18
SECTION 1.12. Governing Law 18
SECTION 1.13. Legal Holidays 19
SECTION 1.14. Moneys of Different Currencies to be Segregated 19
SECTION 1.15. Payment to be in Proper Currency 19
SECTION 1.16. Language of Notices, etc. 19
SECTION 1.17. Changes in Exhibits 19
SECTION 1.18. Counterparts 20
SECTION 1.19. Submission to Jurisdiction 20
     
ARTICLE II    
 
Issuance of Securities    
 
SECTION 2.01. Creation of Securities in Amount Unlimited 20
SECTION 2.02. Documents Required for Issuance of Each Series of Securities Other Than Medium-Term Debt Securities 21
     
ARTICLE III    
 
Issuance of Medium-Term Debt Securities    
 
SECTION 3.01. Documents Required for Issuance of Each Series of Medium-Term Debt Securities 24
SECTION 3.02. Form of Medium-Term Debt Securities 29
SECTION 3.03. Initial Issuance of Medium-Term Debt Securities 29

 

i

 

 

    Page
     
ARTICLE IV    
 
The Securities    
 
SECTION 4.01. Form and Denomination 29
SECTION 4.02. Execution, Delivery, Dating and Authentication 30
SECTION 4.03. Temporary Securities 31
SECTION 4.04. Registration, Registration of Transfer and Exchange 33
SECTION 4.05. Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost and Stolen Securities 36
SECTION 4.06. Payment of Interest; Interest Rights Preserved 37
SECTION 4.07. Persons Deemed Owners 38
SECTION 4.08. Cancellation 40
SECTION 4.09. Computation of Interest 40
SECTION 4.10. Currency and Manner of Payment in Respect of Securities 40
SECTION 4.11. Securities in Global Form 44
     
ARTICLE V    
 
Satisfaction and Discharge    
 
SECTION 5.01. Satisfaction and Discharge of Indenture in Respect of any Series of Securities 45
SECTION 5.02. Application of Trust Money 46
SECTION 5.03. Satisfaction, Discharge and Defeasance of Securities of any Series 46
SECTION 5.04. Reinstatement 48
SECTION 5.05. Definitions 49
     
ARTICLE VI    
 
Remedies    
 
SECTION 6.01. Events of Default 50
SECTION 6.02. Acceleration of Maturity; Rescission and Annulment 51
SECTION 6.03. Collection of Indebtedness and Suits for Enforcement by Trustee 52
SECTION 6.04. Trustee May File Proofs of Claim 53
SECTION 6.05. Trustee May Enforce Claims Without Possession of Securities 53
SECTION 6.06. Application of Money Collected 54
SECTION 6.07. Limitation on Suits 54
SECTION 6.08. Unconditional Right of Holders to Receive Principal, Premium and Interest 55
SECTION 6.09. Restoration of Rights and Remedies 55
SECTION 6.10. Rights and Remedies Cumulative 55
SECTION 6.11. Delay or Omission Not Waiver 55
SECTION 6.12. Control by Holders 55
SECTION 6.13. Waiver of Past Defaults 56
SECTION 6.14. Undertaking for Costs 56
SECTION 6.15. Waiver of Stay or Extension Laws 56

 

ii

 

 

    Page
     
ARTICLE VII    
 
The Trustee    
 
SECTION 7.01. Certain Duties and Responsibilities 57
SECTION 7.02. Notice of Defaults 58
SECTION 7.03. Certain Rights of Trustee 58
SECTION 7.04. Not Responsible for Recitals or Issuance of Securities 59
SECTION 7.05. May Hold Securities 60
SECTION 7.06. Money Held in Trust 60
SECTION 7.07. Compensation and Reimbursement 60
SECTION 7.08. Disqualification; Conflicting Interests 61
SECTION 7.09. Corporate Trustee Required; Eligibility 61
SECTION 7.10. Resignation and Removal; Appointment of Successor 62
SECTION 7.11. Acceptance of Appointment by Successor 63
SECTION 7.12. Merger, Conversion, Consolidation or Succession to Business 64
SECTION 7.13. Judgment Currency 64
SECTION 7.14. Appointment of Authenticating Agent 65
SECTION 7.15. Force Majeure 67
SECTION 7.16. Consequential Damages 67
SECTION 7.17. Electronic Means 67
SECTION 7.18. Tax Withholding 68
     
ARTICLE VIII    
 
Holders’ Lists and Reports by Trustee and Company    
 
SECTION 8.01. Company to Furnish Trustee Names and Addresses of Holders 68
SECTION 8.02. Preservation of Information; Communications to Holders 68
SECTION 8.03. Reports by Trustee 69
SECTION 8.04. Reports by Guarantor 70
     
ARTICLE IX    
 
Consolidation, Merger, Conveyance or Transfer    
 
SECTION 9.01. Company and Guarantor May Consolidate, Etc., Only on Certain Terms 70
SECTION 9.02. Successor Person Substituted 71
SECTION 9.03. Substitution of the Company 72

 

iii

 

 

    Page
     
ARTICLE X    
 
Supplemental Indentures    
 
SECTION 10.01. Supplemental Indentures Without Consent of Holders 72
SECTION 10.02. Supplemental Indentures with Consent of Holders 73
SECTION 10.03. Execution of Supplemental Indentures 75
SECTION 10.04. Effect of Supplemental Indentures 75
SECTION 10.05. Conformity with Trust Indenture Act 75
SECTION 10.06. Reference in Securities to Supplemental Indentures 75
     
ARTICLE XI
 
Covenants
 
SECTION 11.01. Payment of Principal, Premium and Interest 75
SECTION 11.02. Maintenance of Office or Agency 76
SECTION 11.03. Money for Securities Payments to be Held in Trust 77
SECTION 11.04. Statement by Officers as to Default 78
SECTION 11.05. Additional Amounts 78
SECTION 11.06. Limitation on Secured Indebtedness 79
SECTION 11.07. Limitation on Sale and Leaseback Transactions 79
SECTION 11.08. Waiver of Certain Covenants 80
     
ARTICLE XII
 
Redemption of Securities
 
SECTION 12.01. Applicability of Article 80
SECTION 12.02. Election to Redeem; Notice to Trustee 80
SECTION 12.03. Selection by Trustee of Securities to be Redeemed 80
SECTION 12.04. Notice of Redemption 81
SECTION 12.05. Deposit of Redemption Price 81
SECTION 12.06. Securities Payable on Redemption Date 82
SECTION 12.07. Securities Redeemed in Part 82
     
ARTICLE XIII  
     
Sinking Funds  
     
SECTION 13.01. Applicability of Article 83
SECTION 13.02. Satisfaction of Sinking Fund Payments with Securities 83
SECTION 13.03. Redemption of Securities for Sinking Fund 83

 

iv

 

 

    Page
     
ARTICLE XIV    
 
Meetings of Holders of Securities    
 
SECTION 14.01. Purposes for Which Meetings may be Called 84
SECTION 14.02. Call, Notice and Place of Meetings 84
SECTION 14.03. Persons Entitled to Vote at Meetings 84
SECTION 14.04. Quorum; Action 84
SECTION 14.05. Determination of Voting Rights; Conduct and Adjournment of Meetings 85
SECTION 14.06. Counting Votes and Recording Action of Meetings 86
SECTION 14.07. Action without Meeting 86
     
ARTICLE XV  
     
Guarantee  
     
SECTION 15.01. Guarantee 87

 

v

 

 

EXHIBIT A Reserved
   
EXHIBIT B.1 Form of Certificate to be given by Person entitled to receive Bearer Security
   
EXHIBIT B.2 Form of Certificate to be given by Euroclear and Clearstream in connection with the Exchange of a portion of Temporary Global Security.
   
EXHIBIT B.3 Form of Certificate to be given by Euroclear and Clearstream to obtain Interest prior to an Exchange Date
   
EXHIBIT B.4 Form of Certificate to be given by Beneficial Owners to obtain Interest prior to an Exchange Date
   
EXHIBIT B.5 Form of Confirmation to be sent to purchasers of Bearer Securities

 

vi

 

 

INDENTURE, dated as of [               ], 20[     ], between IBM INTERNATIONAL CAPITAL PTE. LTD., a private company limited by shares incorporated under the laws of the Republic of Singapore (hereinafter called the “Company”), having its registered office at #10-01, Ocean Financial Centre, Singapore 049315, INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION, a corporation duly organized and existing under the laws of the State of New York (hereinafter called the “Guarantor”), having its principal office at One New Orchard Road, Armonk, New York 10504, and THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON, as Trustee (hereinafter called the “Trustee”), having a corporate trust office at BNY Mellon Corporate Trust, US Corporate Client Service Management, 500 Ross Street, 12th Floor, Pittsburgh, PA 15262.

 

The Company has duly authorized the execution and delivery of this Indenture to provide for the issuance from time to time of its unsecured debentures, notes or other evidences of indebtedness (herein called the “Securities”), to be issued in one or more series as in this Indenture provided, and the Guarantor has agreed to guarantee the Securities and other obligations of the Company hereunder pursuant to the terms of this Indenture.

 

All things necessary to make this Indenture a valid agreement of the Company and Guarantor, in accordance with its terms, have been done.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, THIS INDENTURE WITNESSETH:

 

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

 

ARTICLE I

 

Definitions and Other Provisions of General Application

 

SECTION 1.01. Definitions. For all purposes of this Indenture, except as otherwise expressly provided or unless the context otherwise requires:

 

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

 

(b)  all other terms used herein which are defined in the Trust Indenture Act, either directly or by reference therein, have the meanings assigned to them therein;

 

(c)  all accounting terms not otherwise defined herein have the meanings assigned to them in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and, except as otherwise herein expressly provided, the term “generally accepted accounting principles” with respect to any computation required or permitted hereunder shall mean such accounting principles as are generally accepted in the United States of America at the date of such computation; and

 

 

 

 

(d)  the words “herein”, “hereof” and “hereunder” and other words of similar import refer to this Indenture as a whole and not to any particular Article, Section or other subdivision. Certain terms, used principally within an Article of this Indenture, may be defined in that Article.

 

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

 

applicants” has the meaning specified in Section 8.02(b).

 

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

 

Attributable Debt” means, as of the date of its determination, the present value (discounted semiannually at the Attributable Interest Rate) of the obligation of a lessee for rental payments pursuant to any Sale and Leaseback Transaction (reduced by the amount of the rental obligations of any sublessee of all or part of the same property) during the remaining term of such Sale and Leaseback Transaction (including any period for which the lease relating thereto has been extended), such rental payments not to include amounts payable by the lessee for maintenance and repairs, insurance, taxes, assessments and similar charges and for contingent rents (such as those based on sales). In the case of any Sale and Leaseback Transaction in which the lease is terminable by the lessee upon the payment of a penalty, such rental payments shall be considered for purposes of this definition to be the lesser of (a) the rental payments to be paid under such Sale and Leaseback Transaction until the first date (after the date of such determination) upon which it may be so terminated plus the then applicable penalty upon such termination and (b) the rental payments required to be paid during the remaining term of such Sale and Leaseback Transaction (assuming such termination provision is not exercised).

 

Attributable Interest Rate” means, as of the date of its determination, the weighted average of the interest rates (or the effective rate in the case of Original Issue Discount Securities or discount securities) of all Outstanding Securities, all securities issued and outstanding (as defined in the 1985 Indenture) under the 1985 Indenture to which Sections 6.05 and 6.06 of the 1985 Indenture apply (and whose application has not been waived) and all Outstanding Securities (as defined in the 1993 Indenture) under the 1993 Indenture to which Sections 1104 and 1105 of the 1993 Indenture apply (and whose application has not been waived).

 

Authenticating Agent” means any Person authorized by the Trustee pursuant to Section 7.14 to act on behalf of the Trustee to authenticate Securities of one or more series.

 

Authorized Agent” has the meaning specified in Section 1.19.

 

Authorized Newspaper” means a newspaper of general circulation in the place of publication, printed in the official language of the country of publication and customarily published on each Business Day, whether or not published on Saturdays, Sundays or holidays. Whenever successive weekly publications in an Authorized Newspaper are authorized or required hereunder, they may be made (unless otherwise expressly provided herein) on the same or different days of the week and in the same or different Authorized Newspapers.

 

2

 

 

Authorized Officers” has the meaning specified in Section 7.17.

 

Bearer Security” means any Security which is not registered in the Security Register as to both principal and interest (including without limitation any Security in temporary or definitive global bearer form).

 

Business Day”, when used with respect to (i) New York, means a day that is not a Saturday or a Sunday, or a day on which banks or trust companies in New York City are authorized or obligated by law, regulation or executive order to be closed and, (ii) any other Place of Payment or place of publication, means each day on which commercial banks and foreign exchange markets settle payments in the Place of Payment or place of publication, or as specified for a series of Securities pursuant to Section 2.02 or Section 3.01, as the case may be.

 

Clearstream” has the meaning specified in Section 4.03(c).

 

Commission” means the Securities and Exchange Commission, as from time to time constituted, created under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, or, if at any time after the execution of this instrument such Commission is not existing and performing the duties now assigned to it under the Trust Indenture Act, then the body performing such duties at such time.

 

Common Depositary” has the meaning specified in Section 4.03(c).

 

Company” means the Person named as the “Company” in the first paragraph of this instrument until a successor Person shall have become such pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Indenture, and thereafter “Company” shall mean such successor Person.

 

Company Board of Directors” means either the board of directors of the Company, any officer or director of the Company duly authorized to act in the name of or on behalf of that board or any committee of or established by the board of directors of the Company duly authorized to act in the name of or on behalf of that board.

 

Company Board Resolution” means a copy of a resolution certified by an officer of the Company to have been duly adopted by the Company Board of Directors and to be in full force and effect on the date of such certification.

 

Company Officers’ Certificate” means a certificate signed by an officer of the Company, and delivered to the Trustee. Each such Company Officers’ Certificate shall contain the statements provided in Section 1.02 if and to the extent required by the provisions of such Section.

 

Company Request”, “Request of the Company”, “Company Order” or “Order of the Company” means a written request or order signed in the name of the Company by one of its officers and delivered to the Trustee.

 

3

 

 

Component Currency” has the meaning specified in Section 4.10(i).

 

Consolidated Net Tangible Assets” means, at any date, the total assets appearing on the most recently prepared consolidated balance sheet of the Guarantor and the Subsidiaries as of the end of a fiscal quarter of the Guarantor, prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, less (a) all current liabilities as shown on such balance sheet and (b) intangible assets. “Intangible assets” means the value (net of any applicable reserves), as shown on or reflected in such balance sheet, of: (i) all trade names, trademarks, licenses, patents, copyrights and goodwill; (ii) organizational and development costs; (iii) deferred charges (other than prepaid items such as insurance, taxes, interest, commissions, rents and similar items and tangible assets being amortized); and (iv) unamortized debt discount and expense, less unamortized premium; but in no event shall the term “intangible assets” include program products.

 

Conversion Date” has the meaning specified in Section 4.10(e).

 

Conversion Rate” has the meaning specified in Section 7.13.

 

Corporate Trust Office” means the corporate trust office of the Trustee at which at any particular time this Indenture shall be principally administered, which office at the date of execution of this instrument is BNY Mellon Corporate Trust, US Corporate Client Service Management, 500 Ross Street, 12th Floor, Pittsburgh, PA 15262, or such other office as the Trustee may designate from time to time by notice to the Company, except that with respect to the presentation of Securities (or Coupons, if any, representing an installment of interest) for payment or for registration of transfer and exchange, such term shall mean the office or the agency of the Trustee designated for such purpose.

 

corporation” includes corporations, associations, companies (including limited liability companies) and business trusts.

 

Coupon” or “coupon” means any interest coupon appertaining to a Bearer Security.

 

Defaulted Interest” has the meaning specified in Section 4.06(b).

 

Discharged” has the meaning specified in Section 5.05.

 

Dollar” means the coin or currency of the United States of America as at the time of payment is legal tender for the payment of public and private debts.

 

Dollar Equivalent of the Currency Unit” has the meaning specified in Section 4.10(h).

 

Dollar Equivalent of the Foreign Currency” has the meaning specified in Section 4.10(g).

 

Electronic Means” means the following communications methods: S.W.I.F.T., e-mail, facsimile transmission, secure electronic transmission containing applicable authorization codes, passwords and/or authentication keys issued by the Trustee, or another method or system specified by the Trustee as available for use in connection with its services hereunder.

 

4

 

 

Euroclear” means the operator of the Euroclear System.

 

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

 

Exchange Date” has the meaning specified in Section 4.03(d).

 

Exchange Rate Agent” means the entity appointed by the Company pursuant to Section 1.04(g).

 

Exchange Rate Officers’ Certificate” means a telecopy or a certificate setting forth (i) the applicable Official Currency Unit Exchange Rate and (ii) the Dollar or Foreign Currency or currency unit amounts of principal, premium, if any, and interest, if any, respectively (on an aggregate basis and on the basis of a Security having a principal amount of 1,000 units in the relevant currency or currency unit), payable on the basis of such Official Currency Unit Exchange Rate, sent (in the case of a telecopy) or executed (in the case of a certificate) by the Controller or any Assistant Controller or by the Treasurer or any Assistant Treasurer of the Company and delivered to the Trustee; such telecopy or certificate need not comply with Section 1.02.

 

Foreign Currency” means a currency issued by the government of any country other than the United States of America.

 

Foreign Government Securities” has the meaning specified in Section 5.05.

 

Funded Debt” means any Indebtedness maturing by its terms more than one year from the date of the issuance thereof, including any Indebtedness renewable or extendible at the option of the obligor to a date later than one year from the date of the original issuance thereof.

 

Guarantee” shall mean the guarantee by the Guarantor of the Company’s obligations under the Securities and this Indenture as provided in Article XV.

 

Guarantor” means the Person named as the “Guarantor” in the first paragraph of this instrument until a successor Person shall have become such pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Indenture, and thereafter “Guarantor” shall mean such successor Person.

 

Guarantor Board of Directors” means either the board of directors of the Guarantor, any executive officer of the Guarantor duly authorized to act in the name of or on behalf of that board or any committee of or established by the board of directors of the Guarantor duly authorized to act in the name of or on behalf of that board.

 

Guarantor Board Resolution” means a copy of a resolution certified by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Guarantor to have been duly adopted by the Guarantor Board of Directors and to be in full force and effect on the date of such certification.

  

5

 

 

Guarantor Officers’ Certificate” means a certificate signed by the Chairman of the Board, the President or any Vice President, and by the Treasurer, the Controller, the Secretary or any Assistant Treasurer, Assistant Controller or Assistant Secretary, of the Guarantor, and delivered to the Trustee. Each such Guarantor Officers’ Certificate shall contain the statements provided in Section 1.02 if and to the extent required by the provisions of such Section.

 

Holder” or “holder” means, with respect to a Registered Security, the Person in whose name at the time a particular Registered Security is registered in the Security Register and, with respect to a Bearer Security and/or a Coupon, the bearer thereof.

 

Indebtedness” of any corporation means all indebtedness representing money borrowed which is created, assumed, incurred or guaranteed in any manner by such corporation or for which such corporation is otherwise responsible or liable (whether by agreement to purchase indebtedness of, or to supply funds to or invest in, others).

 

Indenture” means this instrument as originally executed or as it may from time to time be supplemented or amended by one or more indentures supplemental hereto entered into pursuant to the applicable provisions hereof and shall include the terms of particular series of Securities established as contemplated by Section 2.02 and Section 3.01, as the case may be.

 

Instructions” has the meaning specified in Section 7.17.

 

interest”, when used with respect to an Original Issue Discount Security which by its terms bears interest only after Maturity, means interest payable after Maturity.

 

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

 

Lien” means any mortgage, pledge, security interest, lien, charge or other encumbrance, but does not include any of the foregoing types of encumbrances that are incidental to the conduct of the business of the Guarantor or any Restricted Subsidiary or the ownership of the property and assets of any of them and that were not incurred in connection with the incurrence of any Indebtedness. Such incidental encumbrances that are to be excluded from the term “Liens” include without limitation: pledges or deposits made to secure obligations of the Guarantor or a Restricted Subsidiary under workmen’s compensation laws or similar legislation; liens imposed by law, such as materialmen’s, mechanics’, carriers’, workmen’s, vendors’, repairmen’s or other like liens incurred in the ordinary course of business; governmental (Federal, state or municipal) liens arising out of contracts for the purchase of products of the Guarantor or a Restricted Subsidiary, and deposits or pledges to obtain the release of any of the foregoing liens; liens created by or resulting from any litigation or legal proceeding that is currently being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings; leases made or existing on Principal Property entered into in the ordinary course of business by the Guarantor or a Restricted Subsidiary; landlords’ liens under leases of Principal Property to which the Guarantor or a Restricted Subsidiary is a party; zoning restrictions, easements, licenses or restrictions on the use of Principal Property or minor irregularities in the title thereto; deposits in connection with bids, tenders or contracts (other than for the payment of money) to which the Guarantor or any Restricted Subsidiary is a party; deposits to secure public or statutory obligations of the Guarantor or any Restricted Subsidiary; deposits in connection with obtaining or maintaining self-insurance or to obtain the benefits of any law, regulation or arrangement pertaining to unemployment insurance, old age pensions, social security or similar matters; deposits of cash or obligations of the United States of America to secure surety, appeal or customs bonds to which the Guarantor or any Restricted Subsidiary is a party; and liens for taxes or assessments or governmental charges or levies not yet due or delinquent, or which can thereafter be paid without penalty, or which are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings.

 

6

 

 

Market Exchange Rate” has the meaning specified in Section 4.10(i).

 

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

 

Medium-Term Debt Securities” has the meaning specified in Section 3.01.

 

Medium-Term Debt Securities Certificate” shall mean a certificate signed by an officer of the Company, or any other employee of the Company designated by a Company Board Resolution as having the authority to deliver a Medium-Term Debt Securities Certificate hereunder.

 

Official Currency Unit Exchange Rate” means, with respect to any payment to be made hereunder, the exchange rate between the relevant currency unit and the currency or currency unit of payment calculated by the Exchange Rate Agent for the Securities of the relevant series, on the Business Day (in the city in which such Exchange Rate Agent has its principal office) immediately preceding delivery of any Exchange Rate Officers’ Certificate.

 

Opinion of Counsel” means a written opinion of counsel, who may be counsel for or an employee of the Company or Guarantor, and who shall be acceptable to the Trustee. Each Opinion of Counsel shall contain the statements provided in Section 1.02 if and to the extent required by the provisions of such Section.

 

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, means, as of the date of determination, all Securities theretofore authenticated and delivered under this Indenture, except:

 

(i)  Securities theretofore canceled by the Trustee or delivered or deemed delivered to the Trustee for cancelation;

 

(ii)  Securities for whose payment or redemption money in the necessary amount and in the required currency or currency unit has been theretofore deposited with the Trustee or any Paying Agent (other than the Company or Guarantor) in trust or set aside and segregated in trust by the Company or Guarantor (if the Company or Guarantor shall act as Paying Agent) for the Holders of such Securities; provided, that, if such Securities are to be redeemed, notice of such redemption has been duly given pursuant to this Indenture or provision therefor satisfactory to the Trustee has been made; and

 

7

 

 

(iii)  Securities which have been paid pursuant to Section 4.05 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 protected purchaser in whose hands such Securities are valid obligations of the Company;

 

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 hereunder or whether a quorum is present at a meeting of Holders of Outstanding Securities or the number of votes entitled to be cast by each Holder of a Security in respect of such Security at any such meeting, (i) the principal amount of an Original Issue Discount Security that shall be deemed to be Outstanding for such purposes shall be the amount of the principal thereof that would be due and payable as of the date of such determination upon a declaration of acceleration of the Maturity thereof pursuant to Section 6.02, (ii) the principal amount of a Security denominated in a Foreign Currency or currency unit shall be the Dollar equivalent obtained by converting the specified Foreign Currency or currency unit into Dollars at the Market Exchange Rate on the date of such determination (or, in the case of a Security denominated in a currency unit for which there is no Market Exchange Rate, the Dollar equivalent obtained by adding together the results obtained by converting the Specified Amount of each Component Currency into Dollars at the Market Exchange Rate for each such Component Currency on the date of such determination) of the principal amount (or, in the case of an Original Issue Discount Security, of the amount determined as provided in (i) above) of such Security, and (iii) Securities owned by the Company, the Guarantor or any other obligor upon the Securities or any Affiliate of the Company or Guarantor or of such other obligor shall be disregarded and deemed not to be Outstanding, except that, in determining whether the Trustee shall be protected in relying upon any such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent or waiver, only Securities which a Responsible Trust Officer of the Trustee actually knows to be so owned shall be so disregarded. Securities so owned which have been pledged in good faith may be regarded as Outstanding if the pledgee establishes to the satisfaction of the Trustee the pledgee’s right so to act with respect to such Securities and that the pledgee is not the Company or Guarantor or any other obligor upon the Securities or any Affiliate of the Company or Guarantor or of such other obligor.

 

Paying Agent” means the Trustee or any other Person authorized by the Company or Guarantor, as applicable, to pay the principal of (and premium, if any) or interest, if any, on any Securities on behalf of the Company or Guarantor, as applicable.

 

Person” or “person” means any individual, corporation, partnership, joint venture, association, joint-stock company, trust, unincorporated organization or government or any agency or political subdivision thereof.

 

8

 

 

Place of Payment”, when used with respect to the Securities of any series, means the place or places where the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, on the Securities of that series are payable as specified in accordance with Section 2.02 or Section 3.01, as the case may be.

 

Predecessor Security” of any particular Security means every previous Security evidencing all or a portion of the same debt as that evidenced by such particular Security; and, for the purposes of this definition, any Security authenticated and delivered under Section 4.05 in exchange for or in lieu of a mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Security shall be deemed to evidence the same debt as the mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Security.

 

Principal Property” means any land, land improvements, buildings and associated factory, laboratory and office equipment (excluding all products marketed by the Guarantor or any Subsidiary) constituting a manufacturing facility, development facility, warehouse facility, service facility or office facility (including any portion thereof), which facility (a) is owned by or leased to the Guarantor or any Restricted Subsidiary, (b) is located within the United States, and (c) has an acquisition cost plus capitalized improvements in excess of 0.15% of Consolidated Net Tangible Assets as of the date of such determination, other than (i) any such facility, or portion thereof, which has been financed by obligations issued by or on behalf of a state, a Territory or a possession of the United States, or any political subdivision of any of the foregoing, or the District of Columbia, the interest on which is, or at the time of issuance of such obligations was determined by counsel to be, excludable from the gross income of the holders thereof (other than a “substantial user” of such facility or a “related person” as those terms were used in Section 147 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (the “Code”)) pursuant to the provisions of Section 103 and related Sections of the Code (or any similar provisions hereafter enacted) as in effect at the time of issuance of such obligations, (ii) any such facility which the Guarantor Board of Directors may by Guarantor Board Resolution declare is not of material importance to the Guarantor and the Restricted Subsidiaries taken as a whole, and (iii) any such facility, or portion thereof, owned or leased jointly or in common with one or more Persons other than the Guarantor and any Subsidiary and in which the interest of the Guarantor and all Subsidiaries does not exceed 50%.

 

Redemption Date”, when used with respect to any Security to be redeemed, means the date fixed for such redemption by or pursuant to this Indenture.

 

Redemption Price”, when used with respect to any Security to be redeemed, means the price, in the currency or currency unit in which such Security is payable, at which it is to be redeemed pursuant to this Indenture.

 

Registered Security” means any Security registered in the Security Register (including without limitation any Security in temporary or definitive global registered form).

 

Regular Record Date” for the interest payable on any Interest Payment Date on the Registered Securities of any series means the date specified for that purpose as contemplated by Section 2.02 or Section 3.01, as the case may be, which date shall be, unless otherwise specified pursuant to Section 2.02 or Section 3.01, as the case may be, the fifteenth day preceding such Interest Payment Date, whether or not such day shall be a Business Day.

 

9

 

 

Required Currency” has the meaning specified in Section 1.15.

 

Responsible Trust Officer”, when used with respect to the Trustee, means any officer assigned to the Corporate Trust Division – Corporate Finance Unit (or any successor division or unit) of the Trustee located at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee, who shall have direct responsibility for the administration of this Indenture, and for the purposes of Section 6.12(iii), Section 7.01(c)(ii) and the first proviso of Section 7.02 shall also include any other officer of the Trustee to whom any corporate trust matter is referred because of such officer’s knowledge of and familiarity with the particular subject.

 

Restricted Securities” means any shares of the capital stock or Indebtedness of any Restricted Subsidiary.

 

Restricted Subsidiary” means (a) any Subsidiary (i) which has substantially all its property within the United States of America, (ii) which owns or is a lessee of any Principal Property, and (iii) in which the investment of the Guarantor and all other Subsidiaries exceeds 0.15% of Consolidated Net Tangible Assets as of the date of such determination; provided, however, that the term “Restricted Subsidiary” shall not include (A) any Subsidiary (x) primarily engaged in the business of purchasing, holding, collecting, servicing or otherwise dealing in and with installment sales contracts, leases, trust receipts, mortgages, commercial paper or other financing instruments, and any collateral or agreements relating thereto, including in the business, individually or through partnerships, of financing (whether through long- or short-term borrowings, pledges, discounts or otherwise) the sales, leasing or other operations of the Guarantor and the Subsidiaries or any of them, or (y) engaged in the business of financing the assets and operations of third parties, and (z) in any case, not, except as incidental to such financing business, engaged in owning, leasing or operating any property which but for this proviso would qualify as Principal Property or (B) any Subsidiary acquired or organized after July 15, 1985, for the purpose of acquiring the stock or business or assets of any Person other than the Guarantor or any Restricted Subsidiary, whether by merger, consolidation, acquisition of stock or assets or similar transaction analogous in purpose or effect, so long as such Subsidiary shall not have, since such date, and does not hereafter acquire by merger, consolidation, acquisition of stock or assets or similar transaction analogous in purpose or effect all or any substantial part of the business or assets of the Guarantor or any Restricted Subsidiary; and (b) any other Subsidiary which is hereafter designated by the Guarantor Board of Directors as a Restricted Subsidiary.

 

Sale and Leaseback Transaction” means any arrangement with any Person providing for the leasing by the Guarantor or any Restricted Subsidiary of any Principal Property (whether such Principal Property is now owned or hereafter acquired) that has been or is to be sold or transferred by the Guarantor or such Restricted Subsidiary to such Person, other than (a) temporary leases for a term, including renewals at the option of the lessee, of not more than three years; (b) leases between the Guarantor and a Restricted Subsidiary or between Restricted Subsidiaries; and (c) leases of Principal Property executed by the time of, or within 180 days after the latest of, the acquisition, the completion of construction or improvement (including any improvements on property which will result in such property becoming Principal Property), or the commencement of commercial operation of such Principal Property.

 

10

 

 

Secured Indebtedness” means (a) Indebtedness of the Guarantor or a Restricted Subsidiary which is secured by any Lien upon any Principal Property or Restricted Securities and (b) Indebtedness of the Guarantor or a Restricted Subsidiary in respect of any conditional sale or other title retention agreement covering Principal Property or Restricted Securities; but “Secured Indebtedness” shall not include any of the following:

 

(i)  Indebtedness of the Guarantor and the Restricted Subsidiaries outstanding on July 15, 1985, secured by then existing Liens upon, or incurred in connection with conditional sales agreements or other title retention agreements with respect to, Principal Property or Restricted Securities;

 

(ii)  Indebtedness which is secured by (A) purchase money Liens upon Principal Property or Restricted Securities acquired after July 15, 1985, or (B) Liens placed on Principal Property after July 15, 1985, during construction or improvement thereof (including any improvements on property which resulted or will result in such property becoming Principal Property) or placed thereon within 180 days after the later of acquisition, completion of construction or improvement or the commencement of commercial operation of such Principal Property or improvement, or placed on Restricted Securities acquired after July 15, 1985, or (C) conditional sale agreements or other title retention agreements with respect to any Principal Property or Restricted Securities acquired after July 15, 1985, if (in each case referred to in this subparagraph (ii)) (x) such Lien or agreement secures all or any part of the Indebtedness incurred for the purpose of financing all or any part of the purchase price or cost of construction of such Principal Property or improvement or Restricted Securities and (y) such Lien or agreement does not extend to any Principal Property or Restricted Securities other than the Principal Property or Restricted Securities so acquired or the Principal Property, or portion thereof, on which the property so constructed, or such improvement, is located; provided, however, that the amount by which the aggregate principal amount of Indebtedness secured by any such Lien or agreement exceeds the cost to the Guarantor or such Restricted Subsidiary of the related acquisition, construction or improvement shall be considered to be “Secured Indebtedness”;

 

(iii)  Indebtedness which is secured by Liens on Principal Property or Restricted Securities, which Liens exist at the time of acquisition (by any manner whatsoever) of such Principal Property or Restricted Securities by the Guarantor or a Restricted Subsidiary;

 

(iv)  Indebtedness of Restricted Subsidiaries owing to the Guarantor or any other Restricted Subsidiary and Indebtedness of the Guarantor owing to any Restricted Subsidiary;

 

(v)  in the case of any corporation which shall have become or becomes (by any manner whatsoever), as the case may be, a Restricted Subsidiary after July 15, 1985, Indebtedness which is secured by Liens upon, or conditional sale agreements or other title retention agreements with respect to, its property which constitutes Principal Property or Restricted Securities, which Liens shall have existed or exist, as the case may be, at the time such corporation shall have become or becomes, as the case may be, a Restricted Subsidiary;

 

(vi)  guarantees by the Guarantor of Secured Indebtedness and Attributable Debt of any Restricted Subsidiaries and guarantees by a Restricted Subsidiary of Secured Indebtedness and Attributable Debt of the Guarantor and any other Restricted Subsidiaries;

 

11

 

 

 

(vii)  Indebtedness arising from any Sale and Leaseback Transaction;

 

(viii)  Indebtedness secured by Liens on property of the Guarantor or a Restricted Subsidiary in favor of the United States of America or Canada, any state, Territory or possession thereof, or the District of Columbia, or any department, agency or instrumentality or political subdivision of the United States of America or Canada, any state, Territory or possession thereof, or the District of Columbia, or in favor of any other country or any political subdivision thereof, if such Indebtedness was incurred for the purpose of financing all or any part of the purchase price or the cost of construction of the property subject to such Liens; provided, however, that the amount by which the aggregate principal amount of Indebtedness secured by any such Lien exceeds the cost to the Guarantor or such Restricted Subsidiary of the related acquisition or construction shall be considered to be “Secured Indebtedness”; and

 

(ix)  the replacement, extension or renewal (or successive replacements, extensions or renewals) of any Indebtedness (in whole or in part) excluded from the definition of “Secured Indebtedness” by subparagraphs (i) through (viii) above; provided, however, that no Lien securing, or conditional sale or title retention agreement with respect to, such Indebtedness shall extend to or cover any Principal Property or any Restricted Securities, other than such property which secured the Indebtedness so replaced, extended or renewed (plus improvements on or to any such Principal Property); provided, further, however, that to the extent that such replacement, extension or renewal increased or increases the principal amount of Indebtedness secured by such Lien or was or is in a principal amount in excess of the principal amount of Indebtedness excluded from the definition of “Secured Indebtedness” by subparagraphs (i) through (viii) above, the amount of such increase or excess shall be considered to be “Secured Indebtedness”.

 

In no event shall the foregoing provisions be interpreted to mean or their operation to cause the same Indebtedness to be included more than once in the calculation of “Secured Indebtedness” as that term is used in this Indenture.

 

Securities” has the meaning stated in the first recital of this Indenture and more particularly means any Securities (including Medium-Term Debt Securities) authenticated and delivered under this Indenture and, in the case of any Bearer Security, shall include where appropriate any Coupons appertaining thereto.

 

Security Register” has the meaning specified in Section 4.04(a).

 

Security Registrar” means the Person appointed as the initial Security Registrar in Section 4.04(a) or any Person appointed by the Company as a successor or replacement Security Registrar.

 

Special Record Date” for the payment of any Defaulted Interest means a date fixed by the Trustee pursuant to Section 4.06(b).

 

Specified Amount” has the meaning specified in Section 4.10(i).

 

Stated Maturity”, when used with respect to any Security (or Coupon, if any, representing an installment of interest) or any installment of principal thereof or interest thereon, means the date specified in such Security (or Coupon) as the fixed date on which the principal of such Security or such installment of principal or interest is due and payable.

 

12

 

 

Subsidiary” means any corporation a majority of the Voting Shares of which are at the time owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by the Guarantor or by one or more Subsidiaries, or by the Guarantor and one or more Subsidiaries.

 

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

 

Trust Indenture Act” means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended by the Trust Indenture Reform Act of 1990, and as in force at the date as of which this instrument was executed, except as provided in Section 10.05.

 

United States” means the United States of America (including the states and the District of Columbia), its territories, its possessions and other areas subject to its jurisdiction.

 

U.S. Government Obligations” has the meaning specified in Section 5.05.

 

Valuation Date” has the meaning specified in Section 4.10(e).

 

Vice President”, when used with respect to the Trustee, means any vice president, whether or not designated by a number or a word or words added before or after the title “vice president”.

 

Voting Shares” means, as to shares of a particular corporation, outstanding shares of stock of any class of such corporation entitled to vote in the election of directors, excluding shares entitled so to vote only upon the happening of some contingency.

 

1985 Indenture” means the Indenture dated as of July 15, 1985, between the Guarantor and The Bank of New York (successor to Morgan Guaranty Trust Company of New York), as Trustee, as supplemented and amended by the Instrument of Resignation, Appointment and Acceptance dated as of May 1, 1996, among the Guarantor, Morgan Guaranty Trust Company of New York and The Bank of New York.

 

1993 Indenture” means the Indenture dated as of October 1, 1993, between the Guarantor and The Bank of New York Mellon, as Trustee, as amended by the First Supplemental Indenture dated as of December 15, 1995.

 

SECTION 1.02. Compliance Certificates and Opinions. (a)  Upon any application or request by the Company or Guarantor to the Trustee to take any action under any provision of this Indenture, the Company or Guarantor, as the case may be, shall furnish to the Trustee a Company Officers’ Certificate or Guarantor Officers’ Certificate, as applicable, stating that all conditions precedent, if any, provided for in this Indenture relating to the proposed action have been complied with and an Opinion of Counsel stating that in the opinion of such counsel all such conditions precedent, if any, have been complied with, except that in the case of any such application or request as to which the furnishing of such documents is specifically required by any provision of this Indenture relating to such particular application or request, no additional certificate or opinion need be furnished.

 

13

 

 

(b)  Unless expressly otherwise specified with respect to any certificate or opinion provided for in this Indenture, every certificate or opinion with respect to compliance with a condition or covenant provided for in this Indenture (other than annual certificates provided pursuant to Section 11.04) shall include:

 

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

 

(ii)  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;

 

(iii)  a statement that, in the opinion of each such individual, he has made such examination or investigation as is necessary to enable him to express an informed opinion as to whether or not such covenant or condition has been complied with; and

 

(iv)  a statement as to whether or not, in the opinion of each such individual, such condition or covenant has been complied with.

 

SECTION 1.03. Form of Documents Delivered to Trustee. (a)  In any case where several matters are required to be certified by, or covered by an opinion of, any specified Person, it is not necessary that all such matters be certified by, or covered by the opinion of, only one such Person, or that they be so certified or covered by only one document, but one such Person may certify or give an opinion with respect to some matters and one or more other such Persons as to other matters, and any such Person may certify or give an opinion as to such matters in one or several documents.

 

(b)  Any certificate or opinion of an officer of the Company or Guarantor may be based, insofar as it relates to legal matters, upon a certificate or opinion of, or representations by, counsel, unless such officer knows, or in the exercise of reasonable care should know, that the certificate or opinion or representations with respect to the matters upon which his certificate or opinion is based are erroneous. Any such certificate or Opinion of Counsel may be based, insofar as it relates to factual matters, upon a certificate or opinion of, or representations by, an officer or officers of the Company or Guarantor, as applicable, stating that the information with respect to such factual matters is in the possession of the Company or Guarantor, as applicable, unless such counsel knows, or in the exercise of reasonable care should know, that the certificate or opinion or representations with respect to such matters are erroneous.

 

(c)  Where any Person is required to make, give or execute two or more applications, requests, consents, certificates, statements, opinions or other instruments under this Indenture, they may, but need not, be consolidated and form one instrument.

 

14

 

 

SECTION 1.04. 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 Securities of any series may be embodied in and evidenced by (i) one or more instruments of substantially similar tenor signed by such Holders in person or by proxies duly appointed in writing, (ii) the record of such Holders voting in favor thereof, either in person or by proxies duly appointed in writing, at any meeting of Holders of Securities of such series duly called and held in accordance with the provisions of Article XIV, or (iii) a combination of any such record and one or more instruments of substantially similar tenor signed by such Holders in person or by proxies duly appointed in writing. Except as herein otherwise expressly provided, such action shall become effective when such record and/or instrument or instruments are delivered to the Trustee and, where it is hereby expressly required, to the Company and Guarantor. Such record or 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 or so voting at any such meeting. Proof of execution of any such instrument or of a writing appointing any such proxy shall be sufficient for any purpose of this Indenture and (subject to Section 7.01) conclusive in favor of the Trustee and the Company, if made in the manner provided in this Section. The record of any meeting of Holders of Securities shall be proved in the manner provided in Section 14.06.

 

(b)  The fact and date of the execution by any Person of any such instrument or writing may be proved in any reasonable manner which the Trustee deems sufficient. Where such execution is by a signer acting in a capacity other than his individual capacity, such certificate or affidavit shall also constitute sufficient proof of his authority.

 

(c)  The principal amount and serial numbers of Bearer Securities held by any Person, and the date of holding the same, may be proved by the production of such Bearer Securities or by a certificate executed by any trust company, bank, banker or other depository, wherever situated, showing that at the date therein mentioned such Person had on deposit with such depository, or exhibited to it, the Bearer Securities therein described; or such facts may be proved by the certificate or affidavit of the Person holding such Bearer Securities, if such certificate or affidavit is deemed by the Trustee to be satisfactory. The Trustee and the Company may assume that such ownership of any Bearer Security continues until (1) another certificate or affidavit bearing a later date issued in respect of the same Bearer Security is produced, (2) such Bearer Security is produced to the Trustee by some other Person, (3) such Bearer Security is surrendered in exchange for a Registered Security, or (4) such Bearer Security is no longer Outstanding.

 

(d)  The fact and date of execution of any such instrument or writing pursuant to clause (c) above, the authority of the Person executing the same and the principal amount and serial numbers of Bearer Securities held by the Person so executing such instrument or writing and the date of holding the same may also be proved in any other manner which the Trustee deems sufficient; and the Trustee may in any instance require further proof with respect to any of the matters referred to in this clause.

 

(e)  The principal amount and serial numbers of Registered Securities held by any Person and the date of holding the same shall be proved by the Security Register.

 

15

 

 

(f)  Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other Act of a Holder shall bind every future Holder of the same Security and/or Coupon and the Holder of every Security and/or Coupon issued upon the registration of transfer thereof or in exchange therefor or in lieu thereof in respect of anything done, omitted or suffered to be done by the Trustee or the Company in reliance thereon, whether or not notation of such action is made upon such Security and/or Coupon.

 

(g)  Whenever any Act is to be taken hereunder by the Holders of two or more series of Securities denominated in different currencies (or currency units), then, for the purpose of determining the principal amount of Securities held by such Holders, the aggregate principal amount of the Securities denominated in a Foreign Currency (or any currency unit) shall be deemed to be that amount determined by the Company or by an authorized Exchange Rate Agent and evidenced to the Trustee by a Company Officers’ Certificate as of the date the taking of such Act by the Holders of the requisite percentage in principal amount of the Securities is evidenced to the Trustee to be equal to the Dollar equivalent obtained by converting the specified Foreign Currency or currency unit into Dollars at the Market Exchange Rate on such date (or, in the case of a Security denominated in a currency unit for which there is no Market Exchange Rate, the Dollar equivalent obtained by adding together the results obtained by converting the Specified Amount of each Component Currency into Dollars at the Market Exchange Rate for each such Component Currency on such date) of the principal amount (or, in the case of an Original Issue Discount Security, the principal amount thereof that would be due and payable as of the declaration of acceleration of the Maturity thereof pursuant to Section 6.02) of such Security. An Exchange Rate Agent may be authorized in advance or from time to time by the Company. Any such determination by the Company or by any such Exchange Rate Agent shall be conclusive and binding on all Holders, the Company and the Trustee, and neither the Company nor any such Exchange Rate Agent shall be liable therefor in the absence of bad faith.

 

(h)  If the Company shall solicit from the Holders of Registered Securities any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other Act, the Company may, at its option, by or pursuant to a Company 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 Company shall have no obligation to do so. If such a record date is fixed, such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other Act may be given before or after such record date, but only the Holders of record at the close of business on such record date shall be deemed to be Holders for the purposes 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 six months after the record date.

 

SECTION 1.05. Notices, Etc., to Trustee, Company and Guarantor. Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other Act of Holders or other document provided or permitted by this Indenture to be made upon, given or furnished to, or filed with:

 

(a)  the Trustee by any Holder or by the Company shall be made, given, furnished or filed in writing to or with the Trustee at its Corporate Trust Office and unless otherwise herein expressly provided, any such document shall be deemed to be sufficiently made, given, furnished or filed upon its receipt by a Responsible Trust Officer of the Trustee,

 

16

 

 

(b)  the Company by the Trustee or by any Holder shall be sufficient for every purpose hereunder (unless otherwise herein expressly provided) if in writing and mailed, first-class postage prepaid, to the Company addressed to it at the address of its registered office specified in the first paragraph of this Indenture or at any other address previously furnished in writing to the Trustee by the Company, Attention: Secretary, or

 

(c)  the Guarantor by the Trustee or by any Holder shall be sufficient for every purpose hereunder (unless otherwise herein expressly provided) if in writing and mailed, first-class postage prepaid, to the Guarantor addressed to it at the address of its principal office specified in the first paragraph of this Indenture or at any other address previously furnished in writing to the Trustee by the Guarantor, Attention:  Assistant Treasurer.

 

SECTION 1.06. Notice to Holders; Waiver. (a)  Where this Indenture provides for notice to Holders of any event:

 

(i)  if any of the Securities affected by such event are Registered Securities, such notice shall be sufficiently given (unless otherwise herein expressly provided or unless otherwise specified in such Securities) if in writing and delivered in person, mailed, first-class postage prepaid or sent by overnight courier, to each Holder affected by such event, at his address as it appears in the Security Register, within the time prescribed for the giving of such notice, and

 

(ii)  if any of the Securities affected by such event are Bearer Securities, such notice shall be sufficiently given (unless otherwise herein expressly provided or unless otherwise specified in such Securities) if (A) published once in an Authorized Newspaper in New York City and London and, if applicable, in such other place of publication as may be required pursuant to the rules and regulations of any securities exchange on which such Securities are listed, and (B) delivered in person, mailed, first-class postage prepaid or sent by overnight courier to such Persons whose names were previously filed with the Trustee, within the time prescribed for the giving of such notice.

 

(b)  In case by reason of the suspension of regular mail service or by reason of any other cause it shall be impracticable to give such notice to Holders of Registered Securities in the manner specified above, then such notification as shall be made with the approval of the Trustee shall constitute a sufficient notification for every purpose hereunder. In case by reason of the suspension of publication of any Authorized Newspaper or Authorized Newspapers or by reason of any other cause it shall be impracticable to publish any notice to Holders of Bearer Securities as provided above, then such notification to Holders of Bearer Securities as shall be given with the approval of the Trustee shall constitute sufficient notice to such Holders for every purpose hereunder.

 

(c)  In any case where notice to a Holder of Registered Securities is given in any manner specified in paragraph (a) above, such notice shall be conclusively presumed to have been duly given, whether or not such Holder receives such notice. In any case where notice to Holders of Registered Securities is given in any manner specified in paragraph (a) above, neither the failure to deliver, mail or send such notice, nor any defect in any notice so mailed or sent, to any particular Holder of a Registered Security shall affect the sufficiency of such notice with respect to other Holders of Registered Securities or the sufficiency of any notice to Holders of Bearer Securities given as provided herein. Neither the failure to give notice by publication to Holders of Bearer Securities as provided in paragraph (a) above, nor any defect in any notice so published, shall affect the sufficiency of any notice to Holders of Registered Securities given as provided herein.

 

17

 

 

(d)  Where this Indenture provides for notice in any manner, such notice may be waived in writing by the Person entitled to receive such notice, either before or after the event, and such waiver shall be the equivalent of such notice. Waivers of notice by Holders of Securities shall be filed with the Trustee, but such filing shall not be a condition precedent to the validity of any action taken in reliance upon such waiver.

 

(e)  Where this Indenture or any Security provides for notice of any event or any other communication to a Holder of a global Security (whether by mail or otherwise), such notice shall be sufficiently given if given to the applicable Person designated as depositary for such global Security pursuant to the standing instructions from, by agreement with or by applicable procedures of such depositary or its designee, including by electronic mail in accordance with accepted practices at such depositary.

 

SECTION 1.07. Conflict with Trust Indenture Act. If any provision hereof limits, qualifies or conflicts with the duties imposed by any of Sections 310 to 317, inclusive, of the Trust Indenture Act through operation of Section 318(c) thereof, such imposed duties shall control.

 

SECTION 1.08. Effect of Headings and Table of Contents. The Article and Section headings herein and the Table of Contents are for convenience only and shall not affect the construction hereof.

 

SECTION 1.09. Successors and Assigns. All covenants and agreements in this Indenture by the Company or Guarantor shall bind its respective successors and assigns, whether so expressed or not.

 

SECTION 1.10. Separability Clause. In case any provision in this Indenture or in the Securities shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.

 

SECTION 1.11. Benefits Of Indenture. Nothing in this Indenture or in the Securities or Coupons, express or implied, shall give to any Person, other than the parties hereto and their successors hereunder and the Holders, any benefit or any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under this Indenture.

 

SECTION 1.12. Governing Law. THIS INDENTURE AND THE SECURITIES AND COUPONS SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, WITHOUT GIVING EFFECT TO APPLICABLE PRINCIPLES OF CONFLICTS OF LAWS TO THE EXTENT THE LAWS OF ANOTHER JURISDICTION WOULD BE REQUIRED THEREBY.

 

18

 

  

SECTION 1.13. Legal Holidays. Except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 2.02 or Section 3.01, as the case may be, in any case where any Interest Payment Date, Redemption Date or Stated Maturity of any Security or Coupon shall not be a Business Day at any Place of Payment, then (notwithstanding any other provision of this Indenture or of such Security or Coupon) 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 Place of Payment with the same force and effect as if made on the Interest Payment Date or Redemption Date, or at the Stated Maturity, as the case may be, provided that no interest shall accrue for the period from and after such Interest Payment Date, Redemption Date or Stated Maturity, as the case may be, to the next succeeding Business Day at such Place of Payment.

 

SECTION 1.14. Moneys of Different Currencies to be Segregated. The Trustee shall segregate moneys, funds and accounts held by the Trustee hereunder in one currency (or currency unit) from any moneys, funds or accounts in any other currencies (or currency units), notwithstanding any provision herein which would otherwise permit the Trustee to commingle such amounts.

 

SECTION 1.15. Payment to be in Proper Currency. In the case of any Security denominated in any particular currency or currency unit (the “Required Currency”), subject to applicable law and except as otherwise provided herein, therein or in or pursuant to the related Company Board Resolution, Medium-Term Debt Securities Certificate or supplemental indenture, the obligation of the Company to make any payment of principal, premium or interest thereon shall not be discharged or satisfied by any tender by the Company, or recovery by the Trustee, in any currency or currency unit other than the Required Currency, except to the extent that such tender or recovery shall result in the Trustee’s timely holding the full amount of the Required Currency then due and payable. If any such tender or recovery is made in other than the Required Currency, the Trustee may take such actions as it considers appropriate to exchange such other currency or currency unit for the Required Currency. The costs and risks of any such exchange, including without limitation the risks of delay and exchange rate fluctuation, shall be borne by the Company, the Company shall be liable for any shortfall or delinquency in the full amount of the Required Currency then due and payable, and in no circumstances shall the Trustee be liable therefor. The Company hereby waives any defense of payment based upon any such tender or recovery which is not in the Required Currency, or which, when exchanged for the Required Currency by the Trustee, is less than the full amount of the Required Currency then due and payable

 

SECTION 1.16. Language of Notices, etc. Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent or waiver required or permitted under this Indenture shall be in the English language, except that any published notice may be in an official language of the country of publication.

 

SECTION 1.17. Changes in Exhibits. At any time and from time to time, the Company may substitute a new form, or add new forms, of the Exhibits hereto. Such substitution shall be effective upon receipt by the Trustee of such new form of Exhibit and a Company Board Resolution or Company Officers’ Certificate adopting such new form of Exhibit, and thereafter all references in this Indenture to such Exhibit shall be deemed to refer to such new form of Exhibit.

 

19

 

  

SECTION 1.18. Counterparts. This Indenture, the Securities and any document to be signed in connection with the Indenture or the Securities (including the Securities and the Trustee’s certificate of authentication thereof and amendments, supplements, waivers, consents and other modifications, Company Officers’ Certificates, Guarantor Officers’ Certificates, Company Orders and Opinions of Counsel and other issuance, authentication and delivery documents) may be executed by any one or more of the parties hereto in any number of counterparts (which may include counterparts delivered by any standard form of telecommunication), each of which shall be deemed to be an original, but all such respective counterparts shall together constitute one and the same agreement. Counterparts may be delivered via facsimile, electronic mail (including any electronic signature covered by the U.S. federal ESIGN Act of 2000, Uniform Electronic Transactions Act, the Electronic Signatures and Records Act or other applicable law, e.g., www.docusign.com) or other transmission method and any counterpart so delivered shall be deemed to have been duly and validly delivered and be valid and effective for all purposes.

 

SECTION 1.19. Submission to Jurisdiction. Each party hereto hereby irrevocably submits to the jurisdiction of any New York State court sitting in the Borough of Manhattan in the City of New York or any federal court sitting in the Borough of Manhattan in the City of New York in respect of any suit, action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Indenture and the Securities, and irrevocably accepts for itself and in respect of its property, generally and unconditionally, jurisdiction of the aforesaid courts. The Company has appointed the Guarantor as its authorized agent (the “Authorized Agent”) upon whom process may be served in any such action arising out of or based on this Indenture, the Securities or the transactions contemplated hereby which may be instituted in any New York court, expressly consents to the jurisdiction of any such court in respect of any such action, and waives any other requirements of or objections to personal jurisdiction with respect thereto. Such appointment shall be irrevocable prior to a substitution of the Company by the Guarantor in accordance with Section 9.03. The Company represents that the Authorized Agent has agreed to act as such agent for service of process and agrees to take any and all action, including the filing of any and all documents and instruments, that may be necessary to continue such appointment in full force and effect as aforesaid. Service of process upon the Authorized Agent and written notice of such service to the Company and the Guarantor shall be deemed, in every respect, effective service of process upon the Company and the Guarantor.

 

ARTICLE II

 

Issuance of Securities

 

SECTION 2.01. Creation of Securities in Amount Unlimited. An unlimited aggregate principal amount of Securities may be issued pursuant to this Article II and, in the case of Medium-Term Debt Securities, pursuant to Article III. The Securities (including Medium-Term Debt Securities) may be authenticated and delivered, as authorized by the Company Board of Directors, in an unlimited number of series.

 

20

 

 

SECTION 2.02. Documents Required for Issuance of Each Series of Securities Other Than Medium-Term Debt Securities. At any time and from time to time, Securities of each series created pursuant to the provisions of this Article II may be executed by the Company and delivered to the Trustee and shall be authenticated by the Trustee and delivered to, or upon the order of, the Company upon receipt by the Trustee of the following:

 

(a)  A Company Board Resolution or Company Board Resolutions authorizing the execution, authentication and delivery of the Securities of the series, and specifying:

 

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

 

(ii)  any limit upon the aggregate principal amount of the Securities of the series which may be authenticated and delivered under this Article II (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 4.03, 4.04, 4.05, 10.06 or 12.07 and except for any Securities which, pursuant to Section 4.02, are deemed never to have been authenticated and delivered hereunder);

 

(iii)  the date or dates on which the principal (and premium, if any) of any of the Securities of the series are payable or the method of determination thereof;

 

(iv)  the rate or rates, or the method of determination thereof, at which any of the Securities of the series shall bear interest, if any, the date or dates from which such interest shall accrue, the Interest Payment Dates on which such interest shall be payable and the Regular Record Date for the interest payable on any Registered Securities on any Interest Payment Date;

 

(v)  the place or places where the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, on any of the Securities and Coupons, if any, of the series shall be payable and the office or agency for the Securities of the series maintained by the Company pursuant to Section 11.02;

 

(vi)  the period or periods within which, the price or prices at which and the terms and conditions upon which any of the Securities of the series may be redeemed, in whole or in part, at the option of the Company;

 

(vii)  the terms of any sinking fund and the obligation, if any, of the Company to redeem or purchase Securities of the series pursuant to any sinking fund or analogous provisions or at the option of a Holder thereof and the period or periods within which, the price or prices at which and the terms and conditions upon which Securities of the series shall be redeemed or purchased, in whole or in part;

 

(viii)  the terms of the obligation of the Company, if any, to permit the conversion of the Securities of the series into stock or other securities of the Company or of any other corporation;

 

(ix)  the terms, if any, for the attachment to Securities of the series of warrants, options or other rights to purchase or sell stock or other securities of the Company;

 

21

 

 

(x)  if other than denominations of $1,000 and in any integral multiple thereof, if Registered Securities, and $5,000 if Bearer Securities, for Securities denominated in Dollars, the denominations in which the Securities of the series shall be issuable;

 

(xi)  if other than the principal amount thereof, the portion of the principal amount of any of the Securities of the series which shall be payable upon declaration of acceleration of the Maturity thereof pursuant to Section 6.02;

 

(xii)  the application, if any, of Section 5.03, or such other means of satisfaction and discharge as may be specified for the Securities and Coupons, if any, for a series;

 

(xiii)  any deletions or modifications of or additions to the Events of Default set forth in Section 6.01 or covenants of the Company or Guarantor set forth in Article IX or XI pertaining to the Securities of the series (including without limitation whether the provisions of Section 11.06 or Section 11.07 shall not be applicable to the Securities of the series);

 

(xiv)  the forms of the Securities and Coupons, if any, of the series;

 

(xv)  if other than Dollars, the currency or currencies, or currency unit or units, in which the Securities of such series will be denominated and/or in which payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, on any of the Securities of the series shall be payable and the Exchange Rate Agent, if any, for such series;

 

(xvi)  if the principal of (and premium, if any) or interest, if any, on any of the Securities of the series are to be payable at the election of the Company or a Holder thereof, or under some or all other circumstances, in a currency or currencies, or currency unit or units, other than that in which the Securities are denominated, the period or periods within which, and the terms and conditions upon which, such election may be made, or the other circumstances under which any of the Securities are to be so payable, including without limitation the application of Section 4.10(b) and any deletions to, modifications of or additions to the provisions thereof, and any provision requiring the Holder to bear currency exchange costs by deduction from such payments;

 

(xvii)  if the amount of payments of principal of (and premium, if any) or interest, if any, on any of the Securities of the series may be determined with reference to an index based on (A) a currency or currencies or currency unit or units other than that in which such Securities are stated to be payable or (B) any method, not inconsistent with the provisions of this Indenture, specified in or pursuant to such Company Board Resolution, then in each case (A) and (B) the manner in which such amounts shall be determined;

 

(xviii)  whether the Securities of the series are to be issued as Registered Securities or Bearer Securities (with or without Coupons), or any combination thereof, whether Bearer Securities may be exchanged for Registered Securities of the series and whether Registered Securities may be exchanged for Bearer Securities of the series (if permitted by applicable laws and regulations) and the circumstances under which and the place or places where any such exchanges, if permitted, may be made; and whether any Securities of the series are to be issuable initially in temporary global form and whether any Securities of the series are to be issuable in definitive global form with or without Coupons and, if so, whether beneficial owners of interests in any such definitive global Security may exchange such interests for Securities of such series and of like tenor of any authorized form and denomination and the circumstances under which and the place or places where any such exchanges may occur, if other than in the manner provided in Section 4.04;

 

22

 

 

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

 

(xx)  whether and under what circumstances and with what procedures and documentation the Company will pay additional amounts on any of the Securities and Coupons, if any, of the series to any Holder in respect of any tax assessment or governmental charge withheld or deducted and, if so, whether the Company will have the option to redeem such Securities rather than pay additional amounts (and the terms of any such option);

 

(xxi)  the Person to whom any interest on any Registered Security of the series shall be payable, if other than the Person in whose name that Security (or one or more Predecessor Securities) is registered at the close of business on the Regular Record Date for such interest, the manner in which, or the Person to whom, any interest on any Bearer Security of the series shall be payable, if otherwise than upon presentation and surrender of the Coupons appertaining thereto as they severally mature 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 if other than in the manner provided in Section 4.03; and

 

(xxii)  any other terms of any of the Securities of the series (which terms shall not be inconsistent with the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act, but may modify, amend, supplement or delete any of the terms of this Indenture with respect to such series).

 

If any of the terms of the series are established by action taken pursuant to a Company Board Resolution or Company Board Resolutions, a Company Officers’ Certificate certifying as to such action also shall be delivered to the Trustee.

 

(b)  In case the Securities of the series to be authenticated and delivered are to be created pursuant to one or more supplemental indentures, such supplemental indenture or indentures, accompanied by a Company Board Resolution or Company Board Resolutions authorizing such supplemental indenture or indentures and designating the new series to be created and prescribing pursuant to paragraph (a) above, consistent with the applicable provisions of this Indenture, the terms and provisions relating to the Securities of the series.

 

(c)  Either (i) a certificate or other official document evidencing the due authorization, approval or consent of any governmental body or bodies, at the time having jurisdiction in the premises, together with an Opinion of Counsel that the Trustee is entitled to rely thereon and that the authorization, approval or consent of no other governmental body is required, or (ii) an Opinion of Counsel that no authorization, approval or consent of any governmental body is required.

 

(d)  An Opinion of Counsel that all instruments furnished to the Trustee conform to the requirements of this Indenture and constitute sufficient authority hereunder for the Trustee to authenticate and deliver the Securities and to deliver the Coupons, if any, of the series; that all conditions precedent provided for in this Indenture relating to the authentication and delivery of the Securities and delivery of the Coupons, if any, of the series have been complied with and the Company is duly entitled to the authentication and delivery of the Securities and Coupons, if any, of the series in accordance with the provisions of this Indenture; that all laws and requirements with respect to the form and execution by the Company of the supplemental indenture, if any, and the execution and delivery by the Company of the Securities and Coupons, if any, of the series have been complied with; that the Company has all requisite power to execute and deliver the supplemental indenture, if any, and to issue the Securities and Coupons, if any, of the series and has duly taken all necessary action for those purposes; and that the supplemental indenture, if any, as executed and delivered and the Securities and Coupons, if any, of the series, when issued, will be legal, valid and binding obligations of the Company enforceable against the Company in accordance with their terms (subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent transfer, reorganization, moratorium or other laws affecting creditors’ rights generally from time to time in effect, the enforceability of the Company’s obligations also being subject to general principles of equity (regardless of whether such enforceability is considered in a proceeding in equity or at law); that the Securities and Coupons, if any, of the series, when issued, will be entitled to the benefits of this Indenture, equally and ratably with all other Securities and Coupons, if any, of such series theretofore issued and then Outstanding hereunder; and that the amount of Securities then Outstanding under this Indenture, including the Securities of the series, will not exceed the amount at the time permitted by law or this Indenture.

 

23

 

 

(e)  A Company Officers’ Certificate stating that the Company is not in default under this Indenture and that the issuance of the Securities and Coupons, if any, of the series will not result in any breach of any of the terms, conditions or provisions of, or constitute a default under, the Company’s constituting documents or any indenture, mortgage, deed of trust or other agreement or instrument to which the Company is a party or by which it is bound, or any order of any court or administrative agency entered in any proceeding to which the Company is a party or by which it may be bound or to which it may be subject; and that all conditions precedent provided in this Indenture relating to the authentication and delivery of the Securities and Coupons, if any, of the series have been complied with.

 

(f)  Such other documents as the Trustee may reasonably require.

 

ARTICLE III

 

Issuance of Medium-Term Debt Securities

 

SECTION 3.01. Documents Required for Issuance of Each Series of Medium-Term Debt Securities. At any time, and from time to time, Securities (sometimes referred to herein as “Medium-Term Debt Securities”) of each series created pursuant to the provisions of this Article III may be executed by the Company and delivered to the Trustee and shall be authenticated by the Trustee and delivered to, or upon the order of, the Company upon receipt by the Trustee of the following:

 

(a)  A Company Board Resolution or Company Board Resolutions authorizing the execution, authentication and delivery of Medium-Term Debt Securities up to a specified aggregate principal amount, in such series and subject to such terms as shall be established by officers of the Company authorized by such resolutions to establish such series and terms.

 

24

 

 

(b)  A Medium-Term Debt Securities Certificate requesting the Trustee to authenticate and deliver Medium-Term Debt Securities of a series as contemplated by Section 4.02, and specifying the following terms with respect to the Medium-Term Debt Securities of the particular series, authorized pursuant to the Company Board Resolution or Company Board Resolutions referred to in paragraph (a) above:

 

(i)  the title of the Medium-Term Debt Securities of the series (which shall distinguish the Medium-Term Debt Securities of the series from all other Medium-Term Debt Securities);

 

(ii)  the date of the Medium-Term Debt Securities of the series;

 

(iii)  any limit upon the aggregate principal amount of the Medium-Term Debt Securities of the series which may be authenticated and delivered under this Article III (except for Medium-Term Debt Securities authenticated and delivered upon registration of transfer of, or in exchange for, or in lieu of, other Medium-Term Debt Securities of the series pursuant to Section 4.03, 4.04, 4.05, 10.06 or 12.07 and except for any Medium-Term Debt Securities which, pursuant to Section 4.02, are deemed never to have been authenticated and delivered hereunder);

 

(iv)  the date or dates on which the principal (and premium, if any) of any of the Medium-Term Debt Securities of the series are payable or the method of determination thereof, which in any event may not be less than nine months subsequent to the date of the first authentication of Medium-Term Debt Securities of the series;

 

(v)  the rate or rates, or the method of determination thereof, at which any of the Medium-Term Debt Securities of the series shall bear interest, if any, the date or dates from which such interest shall accrue, the Interest Payment Dates on which such interest shall be payable and the Regular Record Date for the interest payable on any Medium-Term Debt Securities of the series that are Registered Securities on any Interest Payment Date;

 

(vi)  the place or places where the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, on any of the Medium-Term Debt Securities and Coupons, if any, of the series shall be payable and the office or agency for the Medium-Term Debt Securities of the series maintained by the Company pursuant to Section 11.02;

 

(vii)  the period or periods within which, the price or prices at which and the terms and conditions upon which any of the Medium-Term Debt Securities of the series may be redeemed, in whole or in part, at the option of the Company;

 

(viii)  the terms of any sinking fund and the obligation, if any, of the Company to redeem or purchase Medium-Term Debt Securities of the series pursuant to any sinking fund or analogous provisions or at the option of a Holder thereof and the period or periods within which, the price or prices at which and the terms and conditions upon which Medium-Term Debt Securities of the series shall be redeemed or purchased, in whole or in part;

 

25

 

 

(ix)  the terms of the obligation of the Company, if any, to permit the conversion of the Medium-Term Debt Securities of the series into stock or other securities of the Company or of any other corporation;

 

(x)  the terms, if any, for the attachment to Medium-Term Debt Securities of the series of warrants, options or other rights to purchase or sell stock or other securities of the Company;

 

(xi)  if other than denominations of $1,000 and in any integral multiple thereof, if Registered Securities, and $5,000 if Bearer Securities, for Medium-Term Debt Securities denominated in Dollars, the denominations in which the Medium-Term Debt Securities of the series shall be issuable;

 

(xii)  if other than the principal amount thereof, the portion of the principal amount of any of the Medium-Term Debt Securities of the series which shall be payable upon declaration of acceleration of the Maturity thereof pursuant to Section 6.02;

 

(xiii)  the application, if any, of Section 5.03, or such other means of satisfaction and discharge as may be specified for the Medium-Term Debt Securities and Coupons, if any, for a series;

 

(xiv)  any deletions or modifications of or additions to the Events of Default set forth in Section 6.01 or covenants of the Company or Guarantor set forth in Article IX or XI pertaining to the Medium-Term Debt Securities of the series (including without limitation whether the provisions of Section 11.06 or Section 11.07 shall not be applicable to the Medium-Term Debt Securities of the series);

 

(xv)  if other than Dollars, the currency or currencies, or currency unit or units, in which the Medium-Term Debt Securities of such series will be denominated and/or in which payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, on any of the Medium-Term Debt Securities of the series shall be payable and the Exchange Rate Agent, if any, for such series;

 

(xvi)  if the principal of (and premium, if any) or interest, if any, on any of the Securities of the series are to be payable at the election of the Company or a Holder thereof, or under some or all other circumstances, in a currency or currencies, or currency unit or units, other than that in which the Medium-Term Debt Securities are denominated, the period or periods within which, and the terms and conditions upon which, such election may be made, or the other circumstances under which any of the Medium-Term Debt Securities are to be so payable, including without limitation the application of Section 4.10(b) and any deletions to, modifications of or additions to the provisions thereof, and any provision requiring the Holder to bear currency exchange costs by deduction from such payments;

 

(xvii)  if the amount of payments of principal of (and premium, if any) or interest, if any, on any of the Medium-Term Debt Securities of the series may be determined with reference to an index based on (A) a currency or currencies or currency unit or units other than that in which such Securities are stated to be payable or (B) any method, not inconsistent with the provisions of this Indenture, specified in or pursuant to such Company Board Resolution, then in each case (A) and (B) the manner in which such amounts shall be determined;

 

26

 

 

(xviii)  whether the Medium-Term Debt Securities of the series are to be issued as Registered Securities or Bearer Securities (with or without Coupons), or any combination thereof, whether Bearer Securities may be exchanged for Registered Securities of the series and whether Registered Securities may be exchanged for Bearer Securities of the series (if permitted by applicable laws and regulations) and the circumstances under which and the place or places where any such exchanges, if permitted, may be made; and whether any Medium-Term Debt Securities of the series are to be issuable initially in temporary global form and whether any Medium-Term Debt Securities of the series are to be issuable in definitive global form with or without Coupons and, if so, whether beneficial owners of interests in any such definitive global Medium-Term Debt Security may exchange such interests for Medium-Term Debt Securities of such series and of like tenor of any authorized form and denomination and the circumstances under which and the place or places where any such exchanges may occur, if other than in the manner provided in Section 4.04;

 

(xix)  if the Medium-Term Debt Securities and Coupons, if any, of the series are to be issued upon the exercise of warrants, the time, manner and place for such Medium-Term Debt Securities and Coupons, if any, to be authenticated and delivered;

 

(xx)  whether and under what circumstances and with what procedures and documentation the Company will pay additional amounts on any of the Medium-Term Debt Securities and Coupons, if any, of the series to any Holder in respect of any tax assessment or governmental charge withheld or deducted and, if so, whether the Company will have the option to redeem such Medium-Term Debt Securities rather than pay additional amounts (and the terms of any such option);

 

(xxi)  the Person to whom any interest on any Medium-Term Debt Security of the series that are Registered Securities shall be payable, if other than the Person in whose name that Medium-Term Debt Security (or one or more Predecessor Securities) is registered at the close of business on the Regular Record Date for such interest, the manner in which, or the Person to whom, any interest on any Bearer Security of the series shall be payable, if otherwise than upon presentation and surrender of the Coupons appertaining thereto as they severally mature and the extent to which, or the manner in which, any interest payable on a temporary global Medium-Term Debt Security on an Interest Payment Date will be paid if other than in the manner provided in Section 4.03;

 

(xxii)  the forms of the Medium-Term Debt Securities and Coupons, if any, of the series; and

 

(xxiii)  any other terms of any of the Medium-Term Debt Securities of the series (which terms shall not be inconsistent with the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act, but may modify, amend, supplement or delete any of the terms of this Indenture with respect to such series).

 

Unless the Company shall be required to deliver a Company Officers’ Certificate pursuant to paragraph (d) below in connection with the authentication of the Medium-Term Debt Securities of the series, the delivery of such Medium-Term Debt Securities Certificate to the Trustee shall be deemed to be a certification by the Company that all matters certified in the most recent Company Officers’ Certificate delivered to the Trustee pursuant to paragraph (d) below continue to be true and correct, as if such Company Officers’ Certificate related to the Medium-Term Debt Securities covered by such Medium-Term Debt Securities Certificate, on and as of the date of such Medium-Term Debt Securities Certificate. The delivery of such Medium-Term Debt Securities Certificate also shall be deemed to be a certification that the Company Board Resolution or Company Board Resolutions referred to in paragraph (a) above are in full force and effect on and as of the date of such Medium-Term Debt Securities Certificate and that the terms and form or forms of the Medium-Term Debt Securities and Coupons, if any, of the series have been established by an officer or officers of the Company authorized by such Company Board Resolution or Company Board Resolutions in accordance with the provisions thereof and hereof.

 

27

 

 

(c)  If (i) the Company shall not have previously delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel to the effect set forth in this paragraph (c) with respect to the Medium-Term Debt Securities authorized pursuant to the Company Board Resolution or Company Board Resolutions referred to in paragraph (a) above or (ii) if the Medium-Term Debt Securities Certificate referred to in paragraph (b) above specifies a means of satisfaction and discharge other than the application of Section 5.03 with respect to the series of Medium-Term Debt Securities to which such Medium-Term Debt Securities Certificate relates, an Opinion of Counsel that the Medium-Term Debt Securities have been duly authorized by resolutions of the Company Board of Directors, subject to the establishment of certain terms of the Medium-Term Debt Securities and Coupons, if any, of the series by officers of the Company authorized by such resolutions to establish such terms, that when the terms of the Medium-Term Debt Securities and Coupons, if any, of the series have been established as provided in such resolutions and in this Indenture and the Medium-Term Debt Securities and Coupons, if any, of the series have been executed, authenticated and delivered in accordance with the provisions of this Indenture, the Medium-Term Debt Securities and Coupons, if any, of the series will constitute legal, valid and binding obligations of the Company entitled to the benefits of this Indenture, equally and ratably with all other Securities and Coupons, if any, of such series theretofore issued and then Outstanding hereunder, that the amount of Securities then Outstanding under this Indenture, including the Medium-Term Debt Securities of the series, will not exceed the amount at the time permitted by law or this Indenture and that all conditions precedent provided in this Indenture relating to the authentication and delivery of the Medium-Term Debt Securities and Coupons, if any, of the series have been complied with.

 

(d)  If the Company shall not have delivered a Company Officers’ Certificate pursuant to the provisions of this paragraph (d) to the Trustee during the immediately preceding 12-month period, a Company Officers’ Certificate stating that the Company is not in default under this Indenture, that the issuance of the Medium-Term Debt Securities and Coupons, if any, of the series will not result in any breach of any of the terms, conditions or provisions of, or constitute a default under, the Company’s constituting documents or any indenture, mortgage, deed of trust or other agreement or instrument to which the Company is a party or by which it is bound, or any order of any court or administrative agency entered in any proceeding to which the Company is a party or by which it may be bound or to which it may be subject, that all laws and requirements with respect to the execution and delivery by the Company of the Medium-Term Debt Securities and Coupons, if any, of the series have been complied with and that all conditions precedent provided in this Indenture relating to the authentication and delivery of the Medium-Term Debt Securities and Coupons, if any, of the series have been complied with.

 

28

 

 

(e)  Such other documents as the Trustee shall reasonably request.

 

SECTION 3.02. Form of Medium-Term Debt Securities. The Medium-Term Debt Securities and Coupons, if any, of each series shall be in such forms as shall be specified as contemplated by Section 3.01.

 

SECTION 3.03. Initial Issuance of Medium-Term Debt Securities. Prior to the initial issuance of any Medium-Term Debt Securities pursuant to this Indenture, the Company shall give the Trustee at least 30 days’ prior written notice of the intended date of such initial issuance and, if reasonably determined by the Trustee to be necessary for such issuance, enter into a supplemental indenture pursuant to Section 10.01 hereto to add, change or eliminate any of the provisions of this Indenture relating to the issuance of Medium-Term Debt Securities to such extent as shall be reasonably necessary to facilitate the initial issuance of Medium-Term Debt Securities. The Trustee shall not be required to proceed with any such issuance of any Medium-Term Debt Securities unless the Trustee is satisfied that such additions, changes or eliminations have been properly adopted in such supplemental indenture.

 

ARTICLE IV

 

The Securities

 

SECTION 4.01. Form and Denomination. All Securities of any one series and the Coupons appertaining to any Bearer Securities of such series shall be substantially identical except, in the case of Registered Securities, as to denomination and except as may otherwise be provided in or pursuant to the Company Board Resolution referred to in Section 2.02 or Section 3.01, as the case may be, and (subject to Section 4.02) set forth in the Company Officers’ Certificate or Medium-Term Debt Securities Certificate referred to in Section 2.02 or Section 3.01, as the case may be, or in any indenture supplemental hereto.

 

The Securities of each series shall be issuable in such denominations as shall be specified as contemplated by Section 2.02 or Section 3.01, as the case may be. In the absence of any such provisions with respect to the Securities of any series, the Securities of such series denominated in Dollars shall be issuable in denominations of $1,000 and in any integral multiple thereof, if registered, and in denominations of $5,000 if bearer. Securities of each series shall be numbered, lettered or otherwise distinguished in such manner or in accordance with such plan as the officers of the Company executing the same may determine with the approval of the Trustee. Each Security shall bear the appropriate legends, if any, as required by U.S. Federal tax law and regulations.

 

29

 

 

SECTION 4.02. Execution, Delivery, Dating and Authentication. (a)  The Securities shall be executed on behalf of the Company by a manual, electronic or facsimile signature of one of its officers. Any Coupons shall be executed on behalf of the Company by the manual, electronic or facsimile signature of any such officer of the Company. In case any of the above referenced officers of the Company who shall have signed any of the Securities or Coupons shall cease to be such officer before the Securities so signed shall have been authenticated and delivered by the Trustee or disposed of by the Company, such Securities nevertheless may be authenticated and delivered or disposed of as though the person who signed such Securities and/or Coupons had not ceased to be such officer; and any Securities or Coupons may be signed on behalf of the Company by such persons as, at the actual date of the execution of such Security or Coupon, shall be such officers of the Company, although at the date of the execution of this Indenture any such person was not such officer. Prior to the initial issuance of any Bearer Securities pursuant to this Indenture, the Company shall give the Trustee at least 30 days’ prior written notice of the intended date of such initial issuance and, if reasonably determined by the Trustee to be necessary for such issuance, enter into a supplemental indenture pursuant to Section 10.01 hereto to add, change or eliminate any of the provisions of this Indenture relating to the issuance of Bearer Securities to such extent as shall be reasonably necessary to facilitate the initial issuance of Bearer Securities. The Trustee shall not be required to proceed with any such issuance of any Bearer Securities unless the Trustee is satisfied that such additions, changes or eliminations have been properly adopted in such supplemental indenture.

 

(b)  At any time and from time to time, the Company may deliver Securities of any series, together with any Coupons appertaining thereto, executed by the Company to the Trustee for authentication, together (except in the case of any Medium-Term Debt Securities) with a Company Order for the authentication and delivery of such Securities, and the Trustee in accordance with the Company Order (or, in the case of Medium-Term Debt Securities of any series, upon receipt of a Medium-Term Debt Securities Certificate and in accordance with the terms thereof) shall authenticate and make available for delivery such Securities; provided, however, that, unless otherwise specified in the Company Board Resolution (or, in the case of any Bearer Securities that are Medium-Term Debt Securities in the Medium-Term Debt Securities Certificate) with respect to an Bearer Securities, in connection with its original issuance, no Bearer Security (including any temporary Bearer Security issued pursuant to Section 4.03 which is not in global form) shall be mailed or otherwise delivered to any location in the United States; and provided further, that unless otherwise specified in the Company Board Resolution (or, in the case of any Bearer Securities that are Medium-Term Debt Securities, in the Medium-Term Debt Securities Certificate) with respect to such Bearer Securities, such Bearer Security may be delivered in connection with its original issuance only if the Person entitled to receive such Bearer Security (including any temporary Bearer Security issued pursuant to Section 4.03 which is not in global form) shall have furnished to the Company or any agent, underwriter or selling group member a certificate substantially in the form set forth in Exhibit B.1 to this Indenture, dated no earlier than 15 days prior to the earlier of the date on which such Bearer Security is delivered and the date on which any temporary Security first becomes exchangeable for such Bearer Security in accordance with the terms of such temporary Security and this Indenture. In connection with the original issuance of any Bearer Security and unless otherwise specified in the Company Board Resolution (or, in the case of any Bearer Securities that are Medium-Term Debt Securities, in the Medium-Term Debt Securities Certificate) with respect to such Bearer Securities, a confirmation substantially in the form set forth in Exhibit B.5 to this Indenture shall be sent to each purchaser thereof. If any Security shall be represented by a definitive global Bearer Security, then, for purposes of this Section and Section 4.03, the notation of a beneficial owner’s interest therein upon original issuance of such Security or upon exchange of a portion of a temporary global Security shall be deemed to be delivery in connection with its original issuance of such beneficial owner’s interest in such definitive global Bearer Security. Except as permitted by Section 4.05, the Trustee shall not authenticate and make available for delivery any Bearer Security unless all appurtenant Coupons for interest then matured have been detached and canceled.

 

30

 

 

(c)  The Trustee shall not be required to authenticate Securities of any series if the issue of such Securities pursuant to this Indenture will affect the Trustee’s own rights, duties or immunities under the Securities and this Indenture or otherwise in a manner which is not reasonably acceptable to the Trustee, or if the Trustee determines that such action may not lawfully be taken.

 

(d)  Unless otherwise specified pursuant to Section 3.01(b)(ii), each Registered Security shall be dated the date of its authentication, and each Bearer Security and any Bearer Security in global form shall be dated as of the date of original issuance of the first Security of such series to be issued.

 

(e)  No Security or Coupon shall be entitled to any benefit under this Indenture or be valid or obligatory for any purpose unless there appears on such Security a certificate of authentication substantially in the form provided for below executed by the Trustee by manual, electronic or facsimile signature, and such certificate upon any Security shall be conclusive evidence, and the only evidence, that such Security has been duly authenticated and delivered hereunder. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if any Security shall have been duly authenticated and delivered hereunder but never issued and sold by the Company, and the Company shall deliver such Security to the Trustee for cancelation as provided in Section 4.08 together with a written statement (which need not comply with Section 1.02 and need not be accompanied by an Opinion of Counsel) stating that such Security has never been issued and sold by the Company, for all purposes of this Indenture such Security shall be deemed never to have been authenticated and delivered hereunder and shall never be entitled to the benefits of this Indenture.

 

(f)  The Trustee’s certificate of authentication shall be in substantially the following form:

 

TRUSTEE’S CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICATION

 

This is one of the Securities of the Series designated herein issued under the within-mentioned Indenture.

 

  the bank of new york MELLON,
as Trustee
   
  by
     
    Authorized Signatory

 

SECTION 4.03. Temporary Securities. (a)  Pending the preparation of definitive Securities of any series, the Company may execute, and upon Company Order (or, in the case of Medium-Term Debt Securities, receipt of the Medium-Term Debt Securities Certificate with respect to such Medium-Term Debt Securities) the Trustee shall authenticate and make available for delivery, temporary Securities which are printed, lithographed, typewritten, mimeographed or otherwise produced, in any authorized denomination, substantially of the tenor of the definitive Securities in lieu of which they are issued, in registered form or, if authorized, in bearer form with one or more Coupons or without Coupons, and with such appropriate insertions, omissions, substitutions and other variations as the officers executing such Securities may determine (but which do not affect the rights, duties or immunities of the Trustee), as evidenced conclusively by their execution of such Securities. Such temporary Securities may be in global form.

 

31

 

 

(b)  Except in the case of temporary Securities in global form (which shall be exchanged in accordance with the provisions of the following paragraphs), if temporary Securities of any series are issued, the Company will cause definitive Securities of that series to be prepared without unreasonable delay. After the preparation of definitive Securities of such series, the temporary Securities of such series shall be exchangeable for definitive Securities of such series upon surrender of the temporary Securities of such series at the office or agency of the Company maintained pursuant to Section 11.02 in a Place of Payment for such series for the purpose of exchanges of Securities of such series, without charge to the Holder. Upon surrender for cancelation of any one or more temporary Securities of any series (accompanied by any unmatured Coupons) the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and make available for delivery in exchange therefor a like aggregate principal amount of definitive Securities of the same series and of like tenor or authorized denominations; provided, however, that, unless otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 2.02 or Section 3.01, as the case may be, no definitive Bearer Security shall be delivered in exchange for a temporary Registered Security; provided further that a definitive Bearer Security shall be delivered in exchange for a temporary Bearer Security only in compliance with the conditions set forth in Section 4.02.

 

(c)  If temporary Bearer Securities of any series are issued in global form, such temporary global Bearer Securities shall, unless otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 2.02 or Section 3.01, as the case may be, be delivered to the London office of a depository or common depository (the “Common Depositary”), for the benefit of Euroclear and Clearstream Banking, société anonyme (“Clearstream”), for credit to the respective accounts of the beneficial owners of interests in such Securities (or to such other accounts as they may direct).

 

(d)  Without unnecessary delay but in any event not later than the date specified in, or determined pursuant to the terms of, any such temporary global Security (the “Exchange Date”), the Company shall deliver to the Trustee definitive Securities, in aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of such temporary global Security, executed by the Company. On or after the Exchange Date such temporary global Security shall be surrendered by the Common Depositary to the Trustee, as the Company’s agent for such purpose, to be exchanged, in whole or from time to time in part, for definitive Securities without charge and the Trustee shall authenticate and make available for delivery, in exchange for each portion of such temporary global Security, an equal aggregate principal amount of definitive Securities of the same series of authorized denominations and of like tenor as the portion of such temporary global Security to be exchanged. The definitive Securities to be delivered in exchange for any such temporary global Security shall be in bearer form, registered form, definitive global form or any combination thereof, as specified as contemplated by Section 2.02 or Section 3.01, as the case may be, and, if any combination thereof is so specified, as requested by the beneficial owner thereof; provided, however, that, unless otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 2.02 or Section 3.01, as the case may be, upon such presentation by the Common Depositary, such temporary global Security shall be accompanied by a certificate dated the Exchange Date or a subsequent date and signed by Euroclear as to the portion of such temporary global Security held for its account then to be exchanged and a certificate dated the Exchange Date or a subsequent date and signed by Clearstream as to the portion of such temporary global Security held for its account then to be exchanged, each in the form set forth in Exhibit B.2 to this Indenture; provided further that definitive Bearer Securities (including a definitive global Bearer Security) shall be delivered in exchange for a portion of a temporary global Security only in compliance with the requirements of Section 4.02.

 

32

 

 

(e)  Unless otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 2.02 or Section 3.01, as the case may be, the interest of a beneficial owner of Securities of a series in a temporary global Bearer Security shall be exchanged for definitive Bearer Securities of the same series and of like tenor following the Exchange Date when the beneficial owner instructs Euroclear or Clearstream, as the case may be, to request such exchange on his behalf and delivers to Euroclear or Clearstream, as the case may be, a certificate substantially in the form set forth in Exhibit B.1 to this Indenture, dated no earlier than 15 days prior to the Exchange Date, copies of which certificate shall be available from the offices of Euroclear, Clearstream, the Trustee, any Authenticating Agent appointed for such series of Securities and any Paying Agent appointed for such series of Securities. Unless otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 2.02 or Section 3.01, as the case may be, any such exchange shall be made free of charge to the beneficial owners of such temporary global Security, except that a Person receiving definitive Securities must bear the cost of insurance, postage, transportation and the like in the event that such Person does not take delivery of such definitive Securities in person at the offices of Euroclear or Clearstream. The definitive Bearer Securities to be delivered in exchange for any portion of a temporary global Security shall be delivered only outside the United States.

 

(f)  Until exchanged in full as provided above, the temporary Securities of any series shall in all respects be entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture as definitive Securities of the same series and of like tenor authenticated and delivered hereunder, except that, unless otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 2.02 or Section 3.01, as the case may be, interest payable on a temporary global Bearer Security on an Interest Payment Date for Securities of such series occurring prior to the applicable Exchange Date shall be payable to Euroclear and Clearstream on such Interest Payment Date upon delivery by Euroclear and Clearstream to the Trustee of a certificate or certificates substantially in the form set forth in Exhibit B.3 to this Indenture, for credit without further interest on or after such Interest Payment Date to the respective accounts of the Persons who are the beneficial owners of such temporary global Security (or to such other accounts as they may direct) on such Interest Payment Date and who have each delivered to Euroclear or Clearstream, as the case may be, a certificate substantially in the form set forth in Exhibit B.4 to this Indenture. Any interest so received by Euroclear and Clearstream and not paid as herein provided shall be returned to the Trustee immediately prior to the expiration of two years after such Interest Payment Date in order to be repaid to the Company in accordance with Section 11.03.

 

SECTION 4.04. Registration, Registration of Transfer and Exchange. (a)  The Company shall cause to be kept at an office or agency to be maintained by the Company in accordance with Section 11.02 a register (being the combined register of the Security Registrar and all additional transfer agents designated pursuant to Section 11.02 for the purpose of registration of transfer of Securities and sometimes collectively referred to as the “Security Register”) in which, subject to such reasonable regulations as it may prescribe, the Company shall provide for the registration of Registered Securities and the registration of transfers of Registered Securities. The Bank of New York Mellon is hereby appointed the initial Security Registrar, with the Security Register initially to be kept at BNY Mellon Corporate Trust, 500 Ross Street, Suite 625, Pittsburgh, PA 15262. At all reasonable times each register maintained by the Security Registrar and any additional transfer agents shall be open for inspection by the Trustee. The Security Registrar shall provide a written copy of the Security Register to the Company upon reasonable request.

 

33

 

 

(b)  Upon surrender for registration of transfer of any Registered Security of any series at the office or agency of the Company maintained pursuant to Section 11.02 for such purpose in a Place of Payment for such series, the Company shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and make available for delivery, in the name of the designated transferee or transferees, one or more new Registered Securities of the same series of any authorized denominations and of a like aggregate principal amount and tenor.

 

(c)  At the option of the Holder, Registered Securities of any series may be exchanged for other Registered Securities of the same series of any authorized denominations and of a like aggregate principal amount and tenor, upon surrender of the Securities to be exchanged at any such office or agency. Whenever any Securities are so surrendered for exchange, the Company shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and make available for delivery, the Securities which the Holder making the exchange is entitled to receive. Unless otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 2.02 or Section 3.01, as the case may be, Bearer Securities may not be issued in exchange for Registered Securities.

 

(d)  At the option of the Holder and unless otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 2.02 or Section 3.01, as the case may be, Bearer Securities of any series may be exchanged for Registered Securities of the same series of any authorized denominations and of a like aggregate principal amount and tenor, upon surrender of the Bearer Securities to be exchanged at any such office or agency, with all unmatured Coupons and all matured Coupons in default appertaining thereto. If the Holder of a Bearer Security is unable to produce any such unmatured Coupon or Coupons or matured Coupon or Coupons in default, such exchange may be effected if the Bearer Securities are accompanied by payment in funds acceptable to the Company in an amount equal to the face amount of such missing Coupon or Coupons, or the surrender of such missing Coupon or Coupons may be waived by the Company and the Trustee if there is furnished to them such security or indemnity as they may require to save each of them and any Paying Agent harmless. If thereafter the Holder of such Security shall surrender to any Paying Agent any such missing Coupon in respect of which such a payment shall have been made, such Holder shall be entitled to receive the amount of such payment; provided, however, that, except as otherwise provided in Section 11.02, interest represented by Coupons shall be payable only upon presentation and surrender of those Coupons at an office or agency located outside the United States. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in case a Bearer Security of any series is surrendered at any such office or agency in exchange for a Registered Security of the same series and like tenor after the close of business at such office or agency on (i) any Regular Record Date and before the opening of business at such office or agency on the relevant Interest Payment Date, or (ii) any Special Record Date and before the opening of business at such office or agency on the related proposed date for payment of Defaulted Interest, such Bearer Security shall be surrendered without the Coupon relating to such Interest Payment Date or proposed date for payment, as the case may be, and interest or Defaulted Interest, as the case may be, will not be payable on such Interest Payment Date or proposed date for payment, as the case may be, in respect of the Registered Security issued in exchange for such Bearer Security, but will be payable only to the Holder of such Coupon when due in accordance with the provisions of this Indenture.

 

34

 

 

(e)  Whenever any Securities are so surrendered for exchange, the Company shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and make available for delivery, the Securities which the Holder making the exchange is entitled to receive.

 

(f)  Notwithstanding the foregoing, except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 2.02 or Section 3.01, as the case may be, any definitive global Bearer Security shall be exchangeable only as provided in this paragraph. If the beneficial owners of interests in a definitive global Bearer Security are entitled to exchange such interests for Securities of such series and of like tenor and principal amount of another authorized form and denomination, as specified as contemplated by Section 2.02 or Section 3.01, as the case may be, then without unnecessary delay but in any event not later than the earliest date on which such interest may be so exchanged, the Company shall deliver to the Trustee definitive Securities in an aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of such definitive global Bearer Security, executed by the Company. On or after the earliest date on which such interests may be so exchanged, such definitive global Bearer Security shall be surrendered by the Common Depositary or such other depositary or Common Depositary as shall be specified in the Company Order or Medium-Term Debt Securities Certificate, as the case may be, with respect thereto to the Trustee, as the Company’s agent for such purpose, to be exchanged, in whole or from time to time in part, for definitive Securities without charge and the Trustee shall authenticate and make available for delivery, in exchange for each portion of such definitive global Bearer Security, an equal aggregate principal amount of definitive Securities of the same series of authorized denominations and of like tenor as the portion of such definitive global Bearer Security to be exchanged which, unless the Securities of the series are not issuable both as Bearer Securities and as Registered Securities, as specified as contemplated by Section 2.02 or Section 3.01, as the case may be, shall be in the form of Bearer Securities or Registered Securities, or any combination thereof, as shall be specified by the beneficial owner thereof; provided, however, that no such exchanges may occur during a period beginning at the opening of business 15 Business Days before any selection of Securities of that series to be redeemed and ending on the relevant Redemption Date; provided further, that no Bearer Security delivered in exchange for a portion of a definitive global Security shall be mailed or otherwise delivered to any location in the United States. If a Registered Security is issued in exchange for any portion of a definitive global Bearer Security after the close of business at the office or agency where such exchange occurs on (i) any Regular Record Date and before the opening of business at such office or agency on the relevant Interest Payment Date, or (ii) any Special Record Date and before the opening of business at such office or agency on the related proposed date for payment of Defaulted Interest, interest or Defaulted Interest, as the case may be, will not be payable on such Interest Payment Date or proposed date for payment, as the case may be, in respect of such Registered Security, but will be payable on such Interest Payment Date or proposed date for payment, as the case may be, only to the Person to whom interest in respect of such portion of such definitive global Bearer Security is payable in accordance with the provisions of this Indenture.

 

35

 

 

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

 

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

 

(i)  No service charge shall be made for any registration of transfer or exchange of Securities, but the Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge that may be imposed in connection with any registration of transfer or exchange of Securities, other than exchanges pursuant to Section 4.03, 10.06 or 12.07 not involving any transfer.

 

(j)  The Company shall not be required (i) to issue, register the transfer of or exchange Securities of any series during a period beginning at the opening of business 15 Business Days before any selection of Securities of that series to be redeemed and ending at the close of business on (A) if Securities of the series are issuable only as Registered Securities, the day of the mailing of the relevant notice of redemption and (B) if Securities of the series are issuable as Bearer Securities, the day of the first publication of the relevant notice of redemption or, if Securities of the series are also issuable as Registered Securities and there is no publication, the day of mailing of the relevant notice of redemption, or (ii) to register the transfer of or exchange any Registered Security so selected for redemption, in whole or in part, except the unredeemed portion of any Security being redeemed in part, or (iii) to exchange any Bearer Security so selected for redemption except that such a Bearer Security may be exchanged for a Registered Security of that series and like tenor; provided that such Registered Security shall be simultaneously surrendered for redemption.

 

(k)  None of the Trustee, the Paying Agent and the Security Registrar shall have any obligation or duty to monitor, determine or inquire as to compliance with any restrictions on transfer imposed under this Indenture or under applicable law with respect to any transfer of any interest in any Security (including any transfers between or among depositary participants, members or beneficial owners in any global Security) other than to require delivery of such certificates and other documentation or evidence as are expressly required by, and to do so if and when expressly required by, the terms of this Indenture, and to examine the same to determine substantial compliance as to form with the express requirements hereof.

 

SECTION 4.05. Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost and Stolen Securities. (a)  If any mutilated Security or Security with a mutilated Coupon appertaining to it is surrendered to the Trustee, the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and make available for delivery in exchange therefor a new Security of the same series and of like tenor and principal amount and bearing a number not contemporaneously outstanding with Coupons corresponding to the Coupons, if any, appertaining to the surrendered Security, provided that if such new Security is a Bearer Security, such Security shall be delivered only outside the United States.

 

36

 

 

(b)  If there shall be delivered to the Company and the Trustee (i) evidence to their satisfaction of the destruction, loss or theft of any Security or Coupon and (ii) such security or indemnity as may be required by them to save each of them and any agent of either of them harmless, then, in the absence of notice to the Company or the Trustee that such Security or Coupon has been acquired by a protected purchaser, the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and make available for delivery, in lieu of any such destroyed, lost or stolen Security or in exchange for the Security to which a destroyed, lost or stolen Coupon appertains (upon surrender to the Trustee of such Security with all appurtenant Coupons not destroyed, lost or stolen), a new Security of the same series and of like tenor and principal amount and bearing a number not contemporaneously outstanding, with Coupons corresponding to the Coupons, if any, appertaining to such destroyed, lost or stolen Security or to the Security to which such destroyed, lost or stolen Coupon appertains.

 

(c)  In case any such mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Security or Coupon has become or is about to become due and payable, the Company in its discretion may, instead of issuing a new Security or Coupon, pay such Security or Coupon; provided, however, that principal of (and premium, if any) and any interest on Bearer Securities shall, except as otherwise provided in Section 11.02, be payable only at an office or agency located outside the United States and, unless otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 2.02 or Section 3.01, as the case may be, any interest on Bearer Securities shall be payable only upon presentation and surrender of the Coupons appertaining thereto.

 

(d)  Upon the issuance of any new Security or Coupon under this Section, the Company may require the payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge that may be imposed in relation thereto and any other expenses (including the fees and expenses of the Trustee) connected therewith.

 

(e)  Every new Security or Coupon of any series issued pursuant to this Section in lieu of any mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Security or Coupon shall constitute an original additional contractual obligation of the Company, whether or not the mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Security shall be at any time enforceable by anyone, and shall be entitled to all the benefits of this Indenture equally and proportionately with any and all other Securities or Coupons of that series duly issued hereunder.

 

(f)  The provisions of this Section are exclusive and shall preclude (to the extent lawful) all other rights and remedies with respect to the replacement or payment of mutilated. destroyed, lost or stolen Securities or Coupons.

 

SECTION 4.06. Payment of Interest; Interest Rights Preserved. (a)  Unless otherwise provided as contemplated by Section 2.02 or Section 3.01, as the case may be, with respect to any series of Securities, interest on any Registered Security which is payable, and is punctually paid or duly provided for, on any Interest Payment Date shall be paid to the Person in whose name that Security (or one or more Predecessor Securities) is registered at the close of business on the Regular Record Date for such interest. At the option of the Company, interest on the Registered Securities of any series that bears interest may be paid by mailing a check to the address of any Holder as such address shall appear in the Security Register.

 

37

 

 

(b)  Any interest on any Registered Security of any series which is payable, but is not punctually paid or duly provided for, on any Interest Payment Date (herein called “Defaulted Interest”) shall forthwith cease to be payable to the Holder on the relevant Regular Record Date by virtue of having been such Holder, and such Defaulted Interest may be paid by the Company, at its election in each case, as provided in clause (i) or (ii) below:

 

(i)  The Company may elect to make payment of any Defaulted Interest to the Persons in whose names the Registered Securities of such series (or their respective Predecessor Securities) are registered at the close of business on a Special Record Date for the payment of such Defaulted Interest, which shall be fixed in the following manner. The Company shall notify the Trustee in writing of the amount of Defaulted Interest proposed to be paid on each Security of such series and the date of the proposed payment, and at the same time the Company shall deposit with the Trustee an amount of money equal to the aggregate amount proposed to be paid in respect of such Defaulted Interest or shall make arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for such deposit prior to the date of the proposed payment, such money when deposited to be held in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled to such Defaulted Interest as in this Clause provided. Thereupon the Trustee shall fix a Special Record Date for the payment of such Defaulted Interest which shall be not more than 15 days and not less than 10 days prior to the date of the proposed payment and not less than 10 days after the receipt by the Trustee of the notice of the proposed payment. The Trustee shall promptly notify the Company of such Special Record Date and, in the name and at the expense of the Company, shall cause notice of the proposed payment of such Defaulted Interest and the Special Record Date therefor to be mailed, first-class postage prepaid, to each Holder of Securities of such series at his address as it appears in the Security Register, not less than 10 days prior to such Special Record Date. Notice of the proposed payment of such Defaulted Interest and the Special Record Date therefor having been so mailed, such Defaulted Interest shall be paid to the Persons in whose names the Securities of such series (or their respective Predecessor Securities) are registered at the close of business on such Special Record Date and shall no longer be payable pursuant to the following clause (ii).

 

(ii)  The Company may make payment of any Defaulted Interest on the Registered Securities of any series in any other lawful manner not inconsistent with the requirements of any securities exchange on which such Securities may be listed, and upon such notice as may be required by such exchange, if, after notice given by the Company to the Trustee of the proposed payment pursuant to this clause, such manner of payment shall be deemed practicable by the Trustee.

 

Subject to the foregoing provisions of this Section and Section 4.04, each Security delivered under this Indenture upon registration of transfer of or in exchange for or in lieu of any other Security shall carry the rights to interest accrued and unpaid, and to accrue, which were carried by such other Security.

 

SECTION 4.07. Persons Deemed Owners. (a)  Prior to due presentment of a Registered Security for registration of transfer, the Company, the Trustee and any agent of the Company or the Trustee may treat the Person in whose name such Registered Security is registered as the owner of such Registered Security for the purpose of receiving payment of principal of (and premium, if any) and (subject to Sections 4.04, 4.06 and 4.11 and unless otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 2.02 or Section 3.01, as the case may be) interest on such Security and for all other purposes whatsoever, whether or not such Security is overdue, and neither the Company, the Trustee nor any agent of the Company or the Trustee shall be affected by notice to the contrary.

 

38

 

 

(b)  Title to any Bearer Security and any Coupons shall pass by delivery. The Company, the Trustee and any agent of the Company or the Trustee may treat the Holder of any Bearer Security and the Holder of any Coupon as the absolute owner of such Security or Coupon for the purpose of receiving payment thereof or on account thereof (unless otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 2.02 or Section 3.01, as the case may be) and for all other purposes whatsoever, whether or not such Security or Coupon be overdue, and neither the Company, the Trustee nor any agent of the Company or the Trustee shall be affected by notice to the contrary.

 

(c)  None of the Company, the Trustee, the Paying Agent and the Security Registrar shall have any responsibility or obligation to any beneficial owner in a global Security, a depositary participant or other Person with respect to the accuracy of the records of any applicable depositary or its nominee or of any applicable depositary participant, with respect to any ownership interest in the Securities or with respect to the delivery to any depositary participant, beneficial owner or other Person (other than a depositary) of any notice (including any notice of redemption) or the payment of any amount, under or with respect to such Securities. All notices and communications to be given to the Holders and all payments to be made to Holders under the Securities and this Indenture shall be given or made only to or upon the order of the registered holders (which shall be the applicable depositary or its nominee in the case of the global Security). The rights of beneficial owners in the global Security shall be exercised only through the applicable depositary subject to the applicable procedures. The Trustee, the Paying Agent and the Security Registrar shall be entitled to conclusively rely and shall be fully protected in relying upon information furnished by the applicable depositary with respect to its members, participants and any beneficial owners. The Company, the Guarantor, the Trustee, the Paying Agent and the Security Registrar shall be entitled to deal with the depositary, and any nominee thereof, that is the registered holder of any global Security for all purposes of this Indenture relating to such global Security (including the payment of principal, premium, if any, and interest and additional amounts, if any, and the giving of instructions or directions by or to the owner or holder of a beneficial ownership interest in such global Security) as the sole holder of such global Security and shall have no obligations to the beneficial owners thereof. None of the Trustee, the Paying Agent and the Security Registrar shall have any responsibility or liability for any acts or omissions of the depositary with respect to such global Security, for the records of any such depositary, including records in respect of beneficial ownership interests in respect of any such global Security, for any transactions between the depositary and any depositary participant or between or among the depositary, any such depositary participant and/or any holder or owner of a beneficial interest in such global Security, or for any transfers of beneficial interests in any such global Security.

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, with respect to any global Security, nothing herein shall prevent the Company, the Trustee, or any agent of the Company or the Trustee from giving effect to any written certification, proxy or other authorization furnished by any applicable depositary (or its nominee), as a Holder, with respect to such global Security or shall impair, as between such depositary and owners of beneficial interests in such global Security, the operation of customary practices governing the exercise of the rights of such depositary (or its nominee) as Holder of such global Security.

 

39

 

 

SECTION 4.08. Cancellation. All Securities and Coupons surrendered for payment, redemption, registration of transfer or exchange or for credit against any sinking fund payment shall, if surrendered to any Person other than the Trustee, be delivered to the Trustee. All Securities and Coupons so delivered shall be promptly canceled by the Trustee. All Bearer Securities and unmatured Coupons held by the Trustee pending such cancelation shall be deemed to be delivered for cancelation for all purposes of this Indenture and the Securities. The Company may at any time deliver to the Trustee for cancelation any Securities previously authenticated and delivered hereunder which the Company may have acquired in any manner whatsoever, and may deliver to the Trustee (or to any other Person for delivery to the Trustee) for cancelation any Securities previously authenticated hereunder which the Company has not issued and sold, and all Securities so delivered to the Trustee shall be promptly canceled by the Trustee. No Securities shall be authenticated in lieu of or in exchange for any Securities canceled as provided in this Section, except as expressly permitted by this Indenture. All canceled Securities and Coupons held by the Trustee shall be disposed of in a manner selected by the Trustee unless otherwise directed by a Company Order; provided, however, that the Trustee may, but shall not be required to, destroy such canceled Securities and Coupons.

 

SECTION 4.09. Computation of Interest. Except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 2.02 or Section 3.01, as the case may be, for Securities of any series, interest on the Securities of each series shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months.

 

SECTION 4.10. Currency and Manner of Payment in Respect of Securities. The provisions of this Section shall apply to the Securities of any series unless otherwise provided as contemplated by Section 2.02 or Section 3.01, as the case may be.

 

(a)  The following payment provisions shall apply to any Registered Security of any series denominated in a Foreign Currency or any currency unit, except as provided in paragraph (b) below:

 

(i)  Except as provided in subparagraph (a)(ii) or in paragraph (e) below, payment of principal of and premium, if any, on such Registered Security will be made at the Place of Payment by delivery of a check in the currency or currency unit in which the Security is denominated on the payment date against surrender of such Registered Security, and any interest on any Registered Security will be paid at the Place of Payment by mailing a check in the currency or currency unit in which such interest is payable (which shall be the same as that in which the Security is denominated unless otherwise provided) to the Person entitled thereto at the address of such Person appearing on the Security Register.

 

(ii)  Payment of the principal of, premium, if any, and interest, if any, on such Security may also, subject to applicable laws and regulations, be made at such other place or places as may be designated by the Company by any appropriate method.

 

40

 

 

(b)  With respect to any Registered Security of any series denominated in any currency unit, if the following provisions (or any substitute therefor, or addition thereto, not inconsistent with this Indenture) are established pursuant to Section 2.02 or Section 3.01, as the case may be, and if the Company has not, before the delivery of the election referred to in clause (i) below, deposited funds or securities in compliance with Section 5.01 or clause (a)(i) or (if specified pursuant to Section 2.02 or Section 3.01, as the case may be) clause (a)(ii) of Section 5.03, the following payment provisions shall apply to any payment to be made prior to the giving of any notice to Holders of any election to redeem pursuant to Section 12.04, except as otherwise provided in paragraphs (e) and (f) below:

 

(i)  A Holder of Securities of a series shall have the option to elect to receive payments of principal of, premium, if any, and interest, if any, on such Securities in a currency or currency unit (including Dollars), other than that in which the Security is denominated, such election, as designated in the certificates for such Securities (or as provided by Section 2.02 or Section 3.01, as the case may be, or a supplemental indenture hereto with respect to uncertificated securities), shall be made by delivering to the Paying Agent a written election, to be in form and substance satisfactory to the Paying Agent, not later than the close of business in New York, New York, on the day 15 days prior to the applicable payment date. Such election will remain in effect for such Holder until changed by the Holder by written notice to the Paying Agent (but any such written notice must be received by the Paying Agent not later than the close of business on the day 15 days prior to the next payment date to be effective for the payment to be made on such payment date and no such change may be made with respect to payments to be made on any Security of such series with respect to which notice of redemption has been given by the Company pursuant to Article XII). Any Holder of any such Security who shall not have delivered any such election to the Paying Agent in accordance with this paragraph (b) will be paid the amount due on the applicable payment date in the relevant currency unit as provided in paragraph (a) of this Section. Payment of principal of and premium, if any, shall be made on the payment date therefor against surrender of such Security. Payment of principal, premium, if any, and interest, if any, shall be made at the Place of Payment by mailing at such location a check, in the applicable currency or currency unit, to the Holder entitled thereto at the address of such Holder appearing on the Security Register.

 

(ii)  Payment of the principal of, premium, if any, and interest, if any, on such Security may also, subject to applicable laws and regulations, be made at such other place or places as may be designated by the Company by any appropriate method.

 

(c)  Payment of the principal of and premium, if any, and interest, if any, on any Bearer Security will be made, except as provided in Section 4.03 with respect to temporary global Securities, unless otherwise specified pursuant to Section 2.02 or Section 3.01, as the case may be, and/or Section 10.01(viii), at such place or places outside the United States as may be designated by the Company pursuant to any applicable laws or regulations by any appropriate method in the currency or currencies or currency unit or units in which the Security is payable (except as provided in paragraph (e) below) on the payment date therefor against surrender of the Bearer Security, in the case of payment of principal and premium, if any, or the relevant Coupon, in the case of payment of interest, if any, to a Paying Agent designated for such series pursuant to Section 11.02.

 

(d)  Not later than 10 Business Days (with respect to any Place of Payment) prior to each payment date, the Paying Agent shall deliver to the Company a copy of its record of the respective aggregate amounts of principal of, premium, if any, and interest, if any, on the Securities to be made on such payment date, in the currency or currency unit in which each of the Securities is payable, specifying the amounts so payable in respect of Registered Securities and Bearer Securities and in respect of the Registered Securities as to which the Holders of Securities denominated in any currency unit shall have elected to be paid in another currency or currency unit as provided in paragraph (b) above. If the election referred to in paragraph (b) above has been provided for pursuant to Section 2.02 or Section 3.01, as the case may be, and if at least one Holder has made such election, then, not later than the fifth Business Day (with respect to any Place of Payment) prior to the applicable payment date the Company will deliver to the Trustee an Exchange Rate Officers’ Certificate in respect of the Dollar or Foreign Currency or currency unit payments to be made on such payment date. The Dollar or Foreign Currency or currency unit amount receivable by Holders of Registered Securities denominated in a currency unit who have elected payment in another currency or currency unit as provided in paragraph (b) above shall be determined by the Company on the basis of the applicable Official Currency Unit Exchange Rate set forth in the applicable Exchange Rate Officers’ Certificate.

 

41

 

 

(e)  If a Foreign Currency in which any Security is denominated or payable ceases to be recognized both by the government of the country which issued such currency and for the settlement of transactions by public institutions of or within the international banking community, or if any other currency unit in which a Security is denominated or payable ceases to be used for the purposes for which it was established, in each case as determined in good faith by the Company, then with respect to each date for the payment of principal of, premium, if any, and interest, if any, on the applicable Security denominated or payable in such Foreign Currency, or such other currency unit occurring after the last date on which such Foreign Currency, or such other currency unit was so used (the “Conversion Date”), the Dollar shall become the currency of payment for use on each such payment date (but the Foreign Currency or the currency unit previously the currency of payment shall, at the Company’s election, resume being the currency of payment on the first such payment date preceded by 15 Business Days during which the circumstances which gave rise to the Dollar becoming such currency no longer prevail, in each case as determined in good faith by the Company). The Dollar amount to be paid by the Company to the Trustee and by the Trustee or any Paying Agent to the Holder of such Security with respect to such payment date shall be the Dollar Equivalent of the Foreign Currency or, in the case of a currency unit, the Dollar Equivalent of the currency unit, as determined by the Exchange Rate Agent (which shall be delivered in writing to the Trustee not later than the fifth Business Day prior to the applicable payment date) as of the Conversion Date or, if later, the date most recently preceding the payment date in question on which such determination is possible of performance, but not more than 15 days before such payment date (such Conversion Date or date preceding a payment date as aforesaid being called the “Valuation Date”) in the manner provided in paragraph (g) or (h) below.

 

(f)  If the Holder of a Registered Security denominated in a currency unit elects payment in a specified Foreign Currency or currency unit as provided for by paragraph (b) and such Foreign Currency ceases to be used both by the government of the country which issued such currency and for the settlement of transactions by public institutions of or within the international banking community, or if a currency unit ceases to be used for the purposes for which it is established, in each case as determined in good faith by the Company, such Holder shall (subject to paragraph (e) above) receive payment in the currency unit in which the Security is denominated. Each payment covered by an election pursuant to paragraph (b) above shall be governed by the provisions of this paragraph (f) (but, subject to any contravening valid election pursuant to paragraph (b) above, the specified Foreign Currency or other currency unit shall, at the Company’s election, resume being the currency or currency unit, as applicable, of payment with respect to Holders who have so elected, but only with respect to payments on payment dates preceded by 15 Business Days during which the circumstances which gave rise to such currency unit becoming the currency unit of payment, no longer prevail, in each case as determined in good faith by the Company).

 

42

 

 

(g)  The “Dollar Equivalent of the Foreign Currency” shall be determined by the Exchange Rate Agent as of each Valuation Date and shall be obtained by converting the specified Foreign Currency into Dollars at the Market Exchange Rate on the Valuation Date.

 

(h)  The “Dollar Equivalent of the Currency Unit” shall be determined by the Exchange Rate Agent as of each Valuation Date and shall be the sum obtained by adding together the results obtained by converting the Specified Amount of each Component Currency into Dollars at the Market Exchange Rate on the Valuation Date for such Component Currency.

 

(i)  For purposes of this Section 4.10 the following terms shall have the following meanings:

 

A “Component Currency” shall mean any currency which, on the Conversion Date, was a component currency of the relevant currency unit.

 

A “Specified Amount” of a Component Currency shall mean the number of units (including decimals) which such Component Currency represented in the relevant currency unit, on the Conversion Date or, the Valuation Date or the last date the currency unit was so used, whichever is later. If after such date the official unit of any Component Currency is altered by way of combination or subdivision, the Specified Amount of such Component Currency shall be divided or multiplied in the same proportion. If after such date two or more Component Currencies are consolidated into a single currency, the respective Specified Amounts of such Component Currencies shall be replaced by an amount in such single currency equal to the sum of the respective Specified Amounts of such consolidated Component Currencies expressed in such single currency, and such amount shall thereafter be a Specified Amount and such single currency shall thereafter be a Component Currency. If after such date any Component Currency shall be divided into two or more currencies, the Specified Amount of such Component Currency shall be replaced by specified amounts of such two or more currencies, the sum of which, at the Market Exchange Rate of such two or more currencies on the date of such replacement, shall be equal to the Specified Amount of such former Component Currency and such amounts shall thereafter be Specified Amounts and such currencies shall thereafter be Component Currencies.

 

Market Exchange Rate” shall mean, as of any date, for any currency or currency unit the noon Dollar buying rate for that currency or currency unit, as the case may be, for cable transfers quoted in New York City on such date as certified for customs purposes by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York or such other rate as may be established pursuant to Section 2.02 or Section 3.01, as the case may be. If such rates are not available for any reason with respect to one or more currencies or currency units for which an Exchange Rate is required, the Exchange Rate Agent shall use, in its sole discretion and without liability on its part, such quotation of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York as of the most recent available date, or quotations from one or more major banks in New York City or in the country of issue of the currency or currency unit in question, or such other quotations as the Exchange Rate Agent shall deem appropriate. Unless otherwise specified by the Exchange Rate Agent, if there is more than one market for dealing in any currency or currency unit by reason of foreign exchange regulations or otherwise, the market to be used in respect of such currency or currency unit shall be that upon which a nonresident issuer of securities designated in such currency or currency unit would, as determined in its sole discretion and without liability on the part of the Exchange Rate Agent, purchase such currency or currency unit in order to make payments in respect of such securities.

 

43

 

 

(j)  All decisions and determinations of the Exchange Rate Agent regarding the Dollar Equivalent of the Foreign Currency, the Dollar Equivalent of the Currency Unit and the Market Exchange Rate shall be in its sole discretion and shall, in the absence of manifest error, be conclusive for all purposes and irrevocably binding upon the Company and all Holders of the Securities and Coupons denominated or payable in the relevant currency or currency units. In the event that a Foreign Currency ceases to be used both by the government of the country which issued such currency and for the settlement of transactions by public institutions of or within the international banking community, the Company, after learning thereof, will immediately give notice thereof to the Trustee (and the Trustee will promptly thereafter give notice in the manner provided in Section 1.06 to the Holders) specifying the Conversion Date. In the event a currency unit in which Securities or Coupons are denominated or payable, ceases to be used for the purposes for which it was established, the Company, after learning thereof, will immediately give notice thereof to the Trustee (and the Trustee will promptly thereafter give notice in the manner provided in Section 1.06 to the Holders) specifying the Conversion Date. Any actions taken pursuant to the parentheticals at the end of the first sentence of Section 4.10(e) and at the end of Section 4.10(f) shall be promptly set forth in like notices from the Company to the Trustee and then from the Trustee to the Holders (which notice may be mailed with payment to the Holders). Subject to the provisions of Sections 7.01 and 7.03, the Trustee shall be fully justified and protected in relying and acting upon information received by it from the Company and the Exchange Rate Agent, and shall not otherwise have any duty or obligation to determine such information independently.

 

SECTION 4.11. Securities in Global Form. (a)  If Securities of a series are issuable in global form, as specified as contemplated by Section 2.02 or Section 3.01, as the case may be, then, notwithstanding clause (a)(viii) of Section 2.02 or clause (b)(ix) of Section 3.01, as the case may be, and the provisions of Section 4.01, such Security shall represent such of the Outstanding Securities of such series as shall be specified therein and may provide that it shall represent the aggregate amount of Outstanding Securities from time to time endorsed thereon and that the aggregate amount of Outstanding Securities represented thereby may from time to time be reduced or increased to reflect exchanges. Any endorsement of a Security in global form to reflect the amount, or any increase or decrease in the amount, of Outstanding Securities represented thereby shall be made by the Trustee in such manner and upon instructions given by such Person or Persons as shall be specified therein or in the Company Order (or, in the case of Medium-Term Debt Securities, the Medium-Term Debt Securities Certificate) to be delivered to the Trustee pursuant to Section 4.02 or Section 4.03. Subject to the provisions of Section 4.02 and, if applicable, Section 4.03, the Trustee shall deliver and redeliver any Security in definitive global bearer form in the manner and upon written instructions given by the Person or Persons specified therein or in the applicable Company Order (or, in the case of Medium-Term Debt Securities, the Medium-Term Debt Securities Certificate). If a Company Order (or, in the case of Medium-Term Debt Securities, Medium-Term Debt Securities Certificate) pursuant to Section 4.02 or 4.03 has been, or simultaneously is, delivered, any instructions by the Company with respect to endorsement or delivery or redelivery of a Security in global form shall be in writing but need not comply with Section 1.02 and need not be accompanied by an Opinion of Counsel. The Company may identify each Person designated as depositary or common depositary for such global Security in a Company Board Resolution (including but not limited to the Company Board Resolution authorizing the execution, authentication and delivery of the Securities of the series), a Company Officers’ Certificate or in the definitive global Security.

 

44

 

 

(b)  The provisions of the last sentence of Section 4.02(e) shall apply to any Security represented by a Security in global form if such Security was never issued and sold by the Company and the Company delivers to the Trustee the Security in global form together with written instructions (which need not comply with Section 1.02 and need not be accompanied by an Opinion of Counsel) with regard to the reduction in the principal amount of Securities represented thereby, together with the written statement contemplated by the last sentence of Section 4.02(e).

 

(c)  Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 4.06, unless otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 2.02 or Section 3.01, as the case may be, payment of principal of and any premium and any interest on any Security in definitive global form shall be made to the Person or Persons specified therein.

 

(d)  Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 4.07 and except as provided in the preceding paragraph, the Company, and any agent of the Company may, and the Trustee and any agent of the Trustee, at the direction of the Company, may treat a Person as the Holder of such principal amount of Outstanding Securities represented by a definitive global Security as shall be specified in a written statement of the Holder of such definitive global Security or, in the case of a definitive global Security in bearer form, of Euroclear or Clearstream which is produced to the Trustee by such Person; provided, however, that none of the Company, the Trustee, the Security Registrar or any Paying Agent shall have any responsibility or liability for any aspect of the records relating to or payments made on account of beneficial ownership interests in a Security in global form or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records relating to such beneficial ownership interests.

 

ARTICLE V

 

Satisfaction and Discharge

 

SECTION 5.01. Satisfaction and Discharge of Indenture in Respect of any Series of Securities. This Indenture shall upon Company Request cease to be of further effect with respect to a series of Securities (except as to any surviving rights of (as applicable) registration of transfer or exchange of Securities and Coupons, if any, of such series herein expressly provided for), and the Trustee, at the request and expense of the Company, shall execute proper instruments acknowledging satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture with respect to such series, when:

 

(a)  Either

 

45

 

 

(i)  all Securities and Coupons, if any, of such series theretofore authenticated and delivered (other than (A) Securities and Coupons of such series which have been destroyed, lost or stolen and which have been replaced or paid as provided in Section 4.05 and (B) Securities and Coupons of such series for whose payment money has theretofore been deposited in trust or segregated and held in trust by the Company and thereafter repaid to the Company or discharged from such trust, as provided in Section 11.03) have been delivered to the Trustee for cancelation; or

 

(ii)  all such Securities and Coupons of such series not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancelation (A) have become due and payable, or (B) will become due and payable at their Stated Maturity within one year, or (C) are to be called for redemption within one year under arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for the giving of notice of redemption by the Trustee in the name, and at the expense, of the Company,

 

and the Company, in the case of (ii)(A), (B) or (C) above, has deposited or caused to be deposited with the Trustee as trust funds in trust for the purpose an amount in the currency or currency unit in which such Securities and Coupons of such series are payable sufficient to pay and discharge the entire indebtedness on such Securities and Coupons of such series not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancelation, for principal (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, to the date of such deposit (in the case of Securities and Coupons of such series which have become due and payable) or to the Stated Maturity or Redemption Date, as the case may be;

 

(b)  the Company has paid or caused to be paid all other sums payable hereunder by the Company with respect to such series of Securities; and

 

(c)  the Company has delivered to the Trustee a Company Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent herein provided for relating to the satisfaction and discharge of such series of Securities under this Indenture have been complied with.

 

Notwithstanding the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture with respect to a series, the obligations of the Company to the Trustee under Section 7.07, the obligations of the Trustee to any Authenticating Agent under Section 7.14 and, if money shall have been deposited with the Trustee pursuant to subclause (ii) of clause (a) of this Section, the obligations of the Trustee under Section 5.02 and Section 11.03(e) shall survive.

 

SECTION 5.02. Application of Trust Money. Subject to the provisions of Section 11.03(e), all money deposited with the Trustee pursuant to Sections 5.01 and 5.03 (and all money received as payment in connection with U.S. Government Obligations and Foreign Government Securities deposited pursuant to Section 5.03) shall be held in trust and applied by it, in accordance with the provisions of the Securities and Coupons, if any, and this Indenture, to the payment, either directly or through any Paying Agent (including the Company or Guarantor acting as Paying Agent) as the Trustee may determine, to the Persons entitled thereto, of the principal (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, for whose payment such money has been deposited with the Trustee.

 

SECTION 5.03. Satisfaction, Discharge and Defeasance of Securities of any Series. (a)  If this Section is specified, as contemplated by Section 2.02 or Section 3.01, as the case may be, to be applicable to Securities and Coupons, if any, of any series, at the Company’s option, either

 

46

 

 

(i)  the Company and the Guarantor will be deemed to have been Discharged (as defined below) from its obligations with respect to Securities and Coupons, if any, of such series or

 

(ii)  the Company and the Guarantor will cease to be under any obligation with respect to such series to comply with any term, provision or condition set forth in (x) Sections 9.01, 9.02, 11.06 and 11.07 or (y) the instrument or instruments setting forth the terms, provisions or conditions of such series pursuant to Section 2.02 or Section 3.01, as the case may be (provided, in the case of this subclause (y), that such instrument or instruments specify which terms, provisions or conditions, if any, are subject to this clause (a)(ii) and that no such instrument may specify that the Company or Guarantor may cease to comply with any obligations as to which it may not be Discharged pursuant to the definition of “Discharged”).

 

(b)  A Discharge pursuant to clause (a)(i) above shall be effective with respect to the Securities and Coupons, if any, of such series on the 91st day after the applicable conditions set forth below in (i) and either (ii) or (iii) have been satisfied, and the Company’s and Guarantor’s release from their respective obligations to comply with certain obligations with respect to such series pursuant to clause (a)(ii) above shall be effective with respect to the Securities and Coupons, if any, of such series on the first day after the applicable conditions set forth below in (i) and either (ii) or (iii) have been satisfied:

 

(i)  the Company has:

 

(A)  paid or caused to be paid all other sums payable with respect to the Outstanding Securities and Coupons, if any, of such series (in addition to any required under clause (b)(ii) or (b)(iii)); and

 

(B)  delivered to the Trustee a Company Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent herein provided for relating to the satisfaction and discharge of the entire indebtedness on all Outstanding Securities and Coupons, if any, of any such series have been complied with;

 

(ii)  (A)  the Company shall have deposited or caused to be deposited irrevocably with the Trustee as a trust fund specifically pledged as security for, and dedicated solely to, the benefit of the Holders of the Securities and Coupons, if any, of such series (1) money in an amount (in such currency, currencies or currency unit or units in which any Outstanding Securities and Coupons, if any, of such series are payable) or (2) in the case of Securities and Coupons, if any, denominated in Dollars, U.S. Government Obligations (as defined below) or, in the case of Securities and Coupons, if any, denominated in a Foreign Currency, Foreign Government Securities (as defined below), which through the payment of interest and principal in respect thereof in accordance with their terms without reinvestment will provide, not later than one day before the due date of any payment of principal (including any premium) and interest, if any, under the Securities and Coupons, if any, of such series, money in an amount or (3) a combination of (1) and (2), which in any case of clauses (1), (2) and (3) is sufficient (in the opinion with respect to (2) and (3) of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants expressed in a written certification thereof delivered to the Trustee) to pay and discharge each installment of principal of (including premium, if any, on), and interest, if any, on, the Outstanding Securities and Coupons, if any, of such series on the dates such installments of interest or principal are due, in the currency, currencies or currency unit or units, in which such Securities and Coupons, if any, are payable;

 

47

 

 

(B)  no Event of Default or event (including such deposit) which with notice or lapse of time would become an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing on the date of such deposit, (2) no Event of Default as defined in clause (v) or (vi) of Section 6.01, or event which with notice or lapse of time or both would become an Event of Default under either such clause, shall have occurred within 90 days after the date of such deposit, and (3) such deposit and the related intended consequence under clause (a)(i) or (a)(ii) above will not result in any default or event of default under any material indenture, agreement or other instrument binding upon the Company;

 

(C)  the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that Holders of the Securities and Coupons, if any, of such series will not recognize income, gain or loss for Federal income tax purposes as a result of the Company’s exercise of its option under this Section 5.03 and will be subject to Federal income tax in the same amount, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such option had not been exercised; and

 

(D)  if the Securities of such series are then listed on the New York Stock Exchange, the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that such Securities will not be delisted as the result of the Company’s exercise of its option under this Section 5.03;

 

(iii)  the Company has properly fulfilled such other means of satisfaction and discharge as is specified, as contemplated by Section 2.02 or Section 3.01, as the case may be, to be applicable to the Securities and Coupons, if any, of such series.

 

(c)  Any deposits with the Trustee referred to in clause (b)(ii)(A) above will be made under the terms of an escrow trust agreement in form and substance satisfactory to the Trustee. If any Outstanding Securities and Coupons, if any, of such series are to be redeemed prior to their Stated Maturity, whether pursuant to any mandatory redemption provisions or in accordance with any mandatory sinking fund requirement, the applicable escrow trust agreement will provide therefor and the Company will make arrangements for the giving of notice of redemption by the Trustee in the name, and at the expense, of the Company.

 

SECTION 5.04. Reinstatement. If the Trustee is unable to apply any money, U.S. Government Obligations or Foreign Government Securities in accordance with Section 5.01 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 Company’s and Guarantor’s obligations under this Indenture and the Securities and Coupons, if any, of such series shall be revived and reinstated as though no deposit had occurred pursuant to Section 5.01 until such time as the Trustee is permitted to apply all such money, U.S. Government Obligations or Foreign Government Securities in accordance with Section 5.01; provided, however, that if the Company or Guarantor has made any payment of interest on or principal of (and premium, if any) on any Securities and Coupons, if any, of such series because of the reinstatement of its obligations, the Company or Guarantor shall be subrogated to the rights of the Holders of such series of Securities and Coupons, if any, to receive such payment from the money, U.S. Government Obligations or Foreign Government Securities held by the Trustee.

 

48

 

 

SECTION 5.05. Definitions. The following terms, as used in this Article, shall have the following meanings:

 

Discharged” means that the Company and Guarantor will be deemed to have paid and discharged the entire indebtedness represented by, and obligations under, the Securities and Coupons, if any, of the series as to which this Section is specified as applicable as aforesaid and to have satisfied all the obligations under this Indenture relating to the Securities and Coupons, if any, of such series (and the Trustee, at the request and expense of the Company, will execute proper instruments acknowledging the same), except (A) the rights of Holders thereof to receive, from the trust fund described in Section 5.03(b)(ii)(A), payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) and the interest, if any, on such Securities and Coupons, if any, when such payments are due, (B) the Company’s obligations with respect to such Securities and Coupons, if any, under Sections 4.04 and 4.05 (insofar as applicable to Securities of such series), 5.02, 11.02 and 11.03(e) and the Company’s obligations to the Trustee under Section 7.07, (C) the rights of Holders of Securities of any series with respect to the currency or currency units in which they are to receive payments of principal, premium, if any, and interest, if any, and (D) the rights, powers, trusts, duties and immunities of the Trustee hereunder, will survive such discharge. The Company will reimburse the trust fund for any loss suffered by it as a result of any tax, fee or other charge imposed on or assessed against deposited U.S. Government Obligations or Foreign Government Securities, as the case may be, or any principal or interest paid on such obligations, and, subject to the provisions of Section 7.07, will indemnify the Trustee against any claims made against the Trustee in connection with any such loss.

 

Foreign Government Securities” means, with respect to Securities and Coupons, if any, of any series that are denominated in a Foreign Currency, securities that are (i) direct obligations of the government that issued or caused to be issued such currency for the payment of which obligations its full faith and credit is pledged or (ii) obligations of a Person controlled or supervised by and acting as an agency or instrumentality of such government the timely payment of which is unconditionally guaranteed as a full faith and credit obligation by such government, which, in either case under clause (i) or (ii), are not callable or redeemable at the option of the issuer thereof.

 

U.S. Government Obligations” means securities that are (i) direct obligations of the United States of America for the payment of which its full faith and credit is pledged or (ii) obligations of a Person controlled or supervised by and acting as an agency or instrumentality of the United States of America the timely payment of which is unconditionally guaranteed as a full faith and credit obligation of the United States of America, which, in either case under clause (i) or (ii), are not callable or redeemable at the option of the issuer thereof, and will also include a depository receipt issued by a bank or trust company as custodian with respect to any such U.S. Government Obligation or a specific payment of interest on or principal of any such U.S. 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 U.S. Government Obligation or the specific payment of interest on or principal of the U.S. Government Obligation evidenced by such depository receipt.

 

49

 

 

ARTICLE VI

 

Remedies

 

SECTION 6.01. Events of Default. “Event of Default” with respect to any series of Securities means each one of the events specified below in this Section 6.01, unless it is either inapplicable to a particular series or is specifically deleted or modified in or pursuant to the supplemental indenture, Company Board Resolution or Medium-Term Debt Securities Certificate establishing such series of Securities:

 

(i)  default in the payment of any installment of interest upon any of the Securities of such series, as and when the same shall become due and payable, and continuance of such default for a period of 30 days; or

 

(ii)  default in the payment of the principal of or premium, if any, on any of the Securities of such series, as and when the same shall become due and payable (subject to clause (iii) below) either at maturity, upon redemption, by declaration or otherwise; or

 

(iii)  default in the making of any payment for a sinking, purchase or analogous fund provided for in respect of such series of Securities, as and when the same shall become due and payable, and continuance of such default for a period of 30 days; or

 

(iv)  failure on the part of the Company or the Guarantor, in each case subject to Section 11.08, duly to observe or perform any other of the covenants or agreements in respect of the Securities of such series, or contained in this Indenture with respect to such series, for a period of 90 days after the date on which written notice of such failure requiring the Company or the Guarantor, as the case may be, to remedy the same and stating that such notice is a ‘Notice of Default’ hereunder, shall have been given, by registered or certified mail, to the Company and the Guarantor by the Trustee, or to the Company and the Trustee by the holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of such series at the time Outstanding; or

 

(v)  entry of a decree or order for relief in respect of the Company or the Guarantor by a court having jurisdiction in the premises in an involuntary case under any applicable Federal or state bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar law now or hereafter in effect, or appointing a receiver, liquidator, assignee, custodian, trustee, sequestrator (or similar official) of the Company or the Guarantor, as the case may be, or for any substantial part of its property, or ordering the winding-up or liquidation of its affairs and such decree or order shall remain unstayed and in effect for a period of 60 consecutive days; or

 

50

 

 

(vi)  commencement by the Company or the Guarantor of a voluntary case under any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar law now or hereafter in effect, or consent by the Company or the Guarantor to the appointment of or taking possession by a receiver, liquidator, assignee, trustee, custodian, sequestrator (or other similar official) of the Company or the Guarantor, as the case may be, or for any substantial part of its property, or any general assignment by the Company or the Guarantor for the benefit of creditors, or failure by the Company or the Guarantor, as the case may be, generally to pay its debts as they become due, or the taking by the Company or the Guarantor of any corporate action in furtherance of any of the foregoing;

 

(vii)  the Guarantee shall be held in a judicial proceeding to be unenforceable or ceases for any reason to be in full force and effect (other than in accordance with the terms of this Indenture) or the Guarantor denies or disaffirms its obligations under the Guarantee other than in accordance with the terms thereof or upon release of the Guarantee in accordance with this Indenture; or

 

(viii)  any other Event of Default provided with respect to Securities of that series.

 

SECTION 6.02. Acceleration of Maturity; Rescission and Annulment. (a)  If an Event of Default with respect to Securities of any series at the time Outstanding occurs and is continuing, then in each and every such case, either the Trustee or the Holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of that series or, in the case of an Event of Default specified in clause (v) or (vi) of Section 6.01, of all series (voting as a class) with respect to which such Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, may declare the principal amount (or, if the Securities of that series are Original Issue Discount Securities, such portion of the principal amount as may be specified in the terms of that series) of all of the Securities of that series, together with accrued interest thereon, if any, to be due and payable immediately, by a notice in writing to the Company and the Guarantor (and to the Trustee if given by Holders), and upon any such declaration such principal amount (or specified amount), together with accrued interest thereon, if any, shall become immediately due and payable.

 

(b)  At any time after such a declaration of acceleration with respect to Securities of any series has been made and before a judgment or decree for payment of the money due has been obtained by the Trustee as hereinafter in this Article provided, the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of that series, by written notice to the Company, the Guarantor and the Trustee, may rescind and annul such declaration and its consequences if

 

(i)  the Company or the Guarantor has paid or deposited with the Trustee a sum sufficient to pay

 

(A)  all overdue interest on all Securities of that series,

 

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

 

51

 

 

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

 

(D)  in Dollars all sums paid or advanced by the Trustee hereunder and the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel;

 

and

 

(ii)  all Events of Default with respect to Securities of that series, other than the nonpayment of the principal of Securities of that series which have become due solely by such declaration of acceleration, have been cured or waived as provided in Section 6.13.

 

No such rescission shall affect any subsequent default or impair any right consequent thereon,

 

SECTION 6.03. Collection of Indebtedness and Suits for Enforcement by Trustee. (a)  The Company covenants that if:

 

(i)  default shall be made in the payment of any installment of interest on any Security or Coupon as and when the same shall become due and payable, and such default shall have continued for the period of grace provided for with respect to such Security or Coupon, as the case may be,

 

(ii)  default shall be made in the payment of the principal of or premium, if any, on any Security as and when the same shall have become due and payable (subject to clause (iii) below), whether at maturity of the Security or upon redemption or by declaration or otherwise, and such default shall have continued for any period of grace provided for with respect to such Security, or

 

(iii)  default shall be made in the payment for any sinking, purchase or analogous fund provided for in respect of any Security as and when the same shall become due and payable, and such default shall have continued for any period of grace provided for with respect to such Security,

 

the Company will, upon demand of the Trustee, pay to it, for the benefit of the Holders of such Securities and Coupons, if any, the whole amount then due and payable on such Securities and Coupons, if any, for principal (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, and, to the extent that payment of such interest shall be legally enforceable, interest on any overdue principal (and premium, if any) and on any overdue installments of interest, if any, at the rate or rates prescribed therefor in such Securities and Coupons, if any, and, in addition thereto, such further amount as shall be sufficient to cover the costs and expenses of collection, including the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel.

 

(b)  If the Company fails to pay such amounts forthwith upon such demand, the Trustee, in its own name and as trustee of an express trust, may institute a judicial proceeding for the collection of the sums so due and unpaid, may prosecute such proceeding to judgment or final decree and may enforce the same against the Company, the Guarantor or any other obligor upon such Securities and Coupons, if any, and collect the moneys adjudged or decreed to be payable in the manner provided by law out of the property of the Company, the Guarantor or any other obligor upon such Securities and Coupons, if any, wherever situated.

 

52

 

 

(c)  If an Event of Default with respect to Securities and Coupons, if any, of any series occurs and is continuing, the Trustee may in its discretion proceed to protect and enforce its rights and the rights of the Holders of Securities and/or Coupons of such series by such appropriate judicial proceedings as the Trustee shall deem most effectual to protect and enforce any such rights, whether for the specific enforcement of any covenant or agreement in this Indenture or in aid of the exercise of any power granted herein, or to enforce any other proper remedy.

 

SECTION 6.04. Trustee May File Proofs of Claim. (a)  In case of the pendency of any receivership, insolvency, liquidation, bankruptcy, reorganization, arrangement, adjustment, composition or other judicial proceeding relative to the Company or any other obligor upon the Securities or the property of the Company or of such other obligor or their creditors, the Trustee (irrespective of whether the principal of the Securities shall then be due and payable as therein expressed or by declaration or otherwise and irrespective of whether the Trustee shall have made any demand on the Company for the payment of overdue principal or interest) shall be entitled and empowered, by intervention in such proceeding or otherwise,

 

(i)  to file and prove a claim for the whole amount of principal (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, owing and unpaid in respect of the Securities and to file such other papers or documents as may be necessary or advisable in order to have the claims of the Trustee (including any claim for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel) and of the Holders allowed in such judicial proceeding, and

 

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

 

and any custodian, receiver, assignee, trustee, liquidator, sequestrator or other similar official in any such judicial proceeding is hereby authorized by each Holder to make such payments to the Trustee and, in the event that the Trustee shall consent to the making of such payments directly to the Holders, to pay to the Trustee any amount due it for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel, and any other amounts due the Trustee under Section 7.07.

 

(b)  Nothing herein contained shall be deemed to authorize the Trustee to authorize or consent to or accept or adopt on behalf of any Holder any plan of reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition affecting the Securities and/or Coupons or the rights of any Holder thereof or to authorize the Trustee to vote in respect of the claim of any Holder in any such proceeding.

 

SECTION 6.05. Trustee May Enforce Claims Without Possession of Securities. All rights of action and claims under this Indenture or the Securities and Coupons, if any, may be prosecuted and enforced by the Trustee without the possession of any of the Securities or Coupons, if any, or the production thereof in any proceeding relating thereto, and any such proceeding instituted by the Trustee shall be brought in its own name as trustee of an express trust, and any recovery of judgment shall, after provision for the payment of the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel, be for the ratable benefit of the Holders of the Securities and Coupons, if any, in respect of which such judgment has been recovered.

 

53

 

 

SECTION 6.06. Application of Money Collected. Any money collected by the Trustee pursuant to this Article or, after an Event of Default, any money or other property distributable in respect of the Company’s obligations under this Indenture, shall be applied in the following order, at the date or dates fixed by the Trustee and, in case of the distribution of such money or other property on account of principal (or premium, if any) or interest, upon presentation of the Securities and Coupons, if any, and the notation thereon of the payment if only partially paid and upon surrender thereof if fully paid:

 

FIRST: to the payment of all amounts due the Trustee (including any predecessor trustee) under Section 7.07;

 

SECOND: to the payment of the amounts then due and unpaid for principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on the Securities and Coupons, if any, in respect of which or for the benefit of which such money has been collected, ratably, without preference or priority of any kind, according to the amounts due and payable on such Securities and/or Coupons for principal (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, respectively; and

 

THIRD: the balance, if any, to the Person or Persons entitled thereto.

 

SECTION 6.07. Limitation on Suits. No Holder of Securities of any series shall have any right to institute any proceeding, judicial or otherwise, with respect to this Indenture, or for the appointment of a receiver or trustee, or for any other remedy hereunder, unless

 

(i)  an Event of Default with respect to Securities of such series shall have occurred and be continuing and such Holder has previously given written notice to the Trustee of such continuing Event of Default;

 

(ii)  the Holders of not less than 25% in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of that series or, in the case of an Event of Default specified in clause (v) or (vi) of Section 6.01, of all series (voting as a class) with respect to which such Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, shall have made written request to the Trustee to institute proceedings in respect of such Event of Default in its own name as Trustee hereunder;

 

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

 

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

 

(v)  no direction inconsistent with such written request has been given to the Trustee during such 60-day period by the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of that series or, in the case of an Event of Default specified in clause (v) or (vi) of Section 6.01, of all series (voting as a class) with respect to which such Event of Default has occurred and is continuing;

 

it being understood and intended that no one or more of such Holders shall have any right in any manner whatever by virtue of, or by availing of, any provision of this Indenture (including without limitation the provisions of Section 6.12) to affect, disturb or prejudice the rights of any other of such Holders, or to obtain or to seek to obtain priority or preference over any other of such Holders or to enforce any right under this Indenture, except in the manner herein provided and for the equal and ratable benefit of all such Holders.

 

54

 

 

SECTION 6.08. Unconditional Right of Holders to Receive Principal, Premium and Interest. Notwithstanding any other provision in this Indenture, the Holder of any Security or any Coupon shall have the right, which is absolute and unconditional, to receive payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) and (subject to Section 4.06) interest, if any, on such Security or Coupon on the Stated Maturity or Maturities expressed in such Security (or, in the case of redemption, on the Redemption Date) and to institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment, and such rights shall not be impaired without the consent of such Holder.

 

SECTION 6.09. Restoration of Rights and Remedies. If the Trustee or any Holder has instituted any proceeding to enforce any right or remedy under this Indenture and such proceeding has been discontinued or abandoned for any reason, or has been determined adversely to the Trustee or to such Holder, then and in every such case, subject to and determination in such proceeding, the Company, the Guarantor, the Trustee and the Holders shall be restored severally and respectively to their former positions hereunder and thereafter all rights and remedies of the Trustee and the Holders shall continue as though no such proceeding had been instituted.

 

SECTION 6.10. Rights and Remedies Cumulative. Except as otherwise provided with respect to the replacement or payment of mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Securities and/or Coupons, if any, in Section 4.05(f), no right or remedy herein conferred upon or reserved to the Trustee or to the Holders is intended to be exclusive of any other right or remedy, and every right and remedy shall, to the extent permitted by law, be cumulative and in addition to every other right and remedy given hereunder or now or hereafter existing at law or in equity or otherwise. The assertion or employment of any right or remedy hereunder, or otherwise, shall not prevent the concurrent assertion or employment of any other appropriate right or remedy.

 

SECTION 6.11. Delay or Omission Not Waiver. No delay or omission of the Trustee or of any Holder of any Securities and/or Coupons to exercise any right or remedy accruing upon any Event of Default shall impair any such right or remedy or constitute a waiver of any such Event of Default or an acquiescence therein. Subject to the provisions of Section 6.07, every right and remedy given by this Article or by law to the Trustee or to the Holders may be exercised from time to time, and as often as may be deemed expedient, by the Trustee or by the Holders, as the case may be.

 

SECTION 6.12. Control by Holders. The Holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of any series shall have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee, or exercising any trust or power conferred on the Trustee, with respect to the Securities of such series; provided that

 

(i)  such direction shall not be in conflict with any rule of law or with this Indenture.

 

55

 

 

(ii)  the Trustee may take any other action deemed proper by the Trustee which is not inconsistent with such direction, and

 

(iii)  subject to the provisions of Section 7.01, the Trustee shall have the right to decline to follow any such direction if the Trustee in good faith shall, by a Responsible Trust Officer or Officers of the Trustee, determine that the action so directed would involve the Trustee in personal liability or be unduly prejudicial to Holders not joining therein.

 

SECTION 6.13. Waiver of Past Defaults. The Holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of any series may on behalf of the Holders of all the Securities of such series waive any past default hereunder with respect to such series and its consequences, except a default

 

(i)  in the payment of the principal of (or premium, if any) or interest, if any, on any Security of such series, or

 

(ii)  in respect of a covenant or provision hereof which under Article X cannot be modified or amended without the consent of the Holder of each Outstanding Security of such series affected.

 

Upon any such waiver, such default shall cease to exist with respect to such series, and any Event of Default with respect to such series 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 6.14. Undertaking for Costs. All parties to this Indenture agree, and each Holder of a Security and/or Coupon by his acceptance thereof shall be deemed to have agreed, that any court may in its discretion require, in any suit for the enforcement of any right or remedy under this Indenture, or in any suit against the Trustee for any action taken, suffered or omitted by it as Trustee, the filing by any party litigant in such suit of an undertaking to pay the costs of such suit, and that such court may in its discretion assess reasonable costs, including reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses, against any party litigant in such suit, having due regard to the merits and good faith of the claims or defenses made by such party litigant; but the provisions of this Section shall not apply to any suit instituted by the Company or the Guarantor, to any suit instituted by the Trustee, to any suit instituted by any Holder, or group of Holders, holding in the aggregate more than 10% in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of any series, or to any suit instituted by any Holder for the enforcement of the payment of the principal of (or premium, if any) or interest, if any, on any Security or the payment of interest on any Coupon on or after the Stated Maturity or Maturities expressed in such Security (or, in the case of redemption, on or after the Redemption Date).

 

SECTION 6.15. Waiver of Stay or Extension Laws. The Company covenants (to the extent that it may lawfully do so) that it will not at any time insist upon, or plead, or in any manner whatsoever claim or take the benefit or advantage of, any stay or extension law wherever enacted, now or at any time hereafter in force, which may affect the covenants or the performance of this Indenture; and the Company (to the extent that it may lawfully do so) hereby expressly waives all benefit or advantage of any such law and covenants that it will not hinder, delay or impede the execution of any power herein granted to the Trustee, but will suffer and permit the execution of every such power as though no such law had been enacted.

 

56

 

 

ARTICLE VII

 

The Trustee

 

SECTION 7.01. Certain Duties and Responsibilities. (a)  Except during the continuance of an Event of Default,

 

(i)  the Trustee undertakes to perform such duties and only such duties as are specifically set forth in this Indenture, and no implied covenants or obligations shall be read into this Indenture against the Trustee; and

 

(ii)  in the absence of bad faith on its part, the Trustee may conclusively rely, as to the truth of the statements and the correctness of the opinions expressed therein, upon certificates or opinions furnished to the Trustee and conforming to the requirements of this Indenture; but in the case of any such certificates or opinions which by any provision hereof are specifically required to be furnished to the Trustee, the Trustee shall be under a duty to examine the same to determine whether or not they conform to the requirements of this Indenture (but need not confirm or investigate the accuracy of mathematical calculations or other facts, statements, opinions or conclusions stated therein).

 

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

 

(c)  No provision of this Indenture shall be construed to relieve the Trustee from liability for its own negligent action, its own negligent failure to act, or its own willful misconduct, except that

 

(i)  this SubSection shall not be construed to limit the effect of SubSections (a) or (d) of this Section;

 

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

 

(iii)  the Trustee shall not be liable with respect to any action taken or omitted to be taken by it in good faith in accordance with the direction of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of any series, given pursuant to Section 6.12, relating to the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee, or exercising any trust or power conferred upon the Trustee, under this Indenture with respect to the Securities of such series.

 

(d)  No provision of this Indenture shall require the Trustee to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise incur any financial liability in the performance of any of its duties hereunder, or in the exercise of any of its rights or powers, if it shall have reasonable grounds for believing that repayment of such funds or adequate indemnity against such risk or liability is not reasonably assured to it.

 

57

 

 

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

 

SECTION 7.02. Notice of Defaults. Within 90 days after the occurrence of any default hereunder with respect to the Securities of any series, the Trustee shall transmit to the Holders of Securities of such series notice as provided in Section 1.06 of such default hereunder known to the Trustee, unless such default shall have been cured or waived; provided, however, that, except in the case of a default in the payment of the principal of (or premium, if any, on) or interest on any Security of such series or in the payment of any sinking fund installment with respect to Securities of such series, the Trustee shall be protected in withholding such notice if and so long as the board of directors, the executive committee or a trust committee of directors or Responsible Trust Officers of the Trustee in good faith determines that the withholding of such notice is in the interest of the Holders of Securities of such series; provided, further, that in the case of any default of the character specified in Section 6.01(iv) with respect to Securities of such series, no such notice to Holders shall be given until at least 30 days after the occurrence of such default. For the purpose of this Section, the term “default” means any event which is, or after notice or lapse of time or both would become, an Event of Default with respect to the Securities of such series.

 

The Trustee shall not be deemed to have, or be charged with, notice or knowledge of any default or Event of Default unless written notice of such default or Event of Default from the Company, the Guarantor or any Holder is received by a Responsible Trust Officer of the Trustee at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee, and such notice references the Securities of such series and this Indenture.

 

SECTION 7.03. Certain Rights of Trustee. Subject to the provisions of Section 7.01:

 

(a)  the Trustee may conclusively rely and shall be fully protected in acting or refraining from acting in reliance upon any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, direction, consent, order, bond, debenture, note, coupon, other evidence of indebtedness or other paper or document believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper party or parties;

 

(b)  any request or direction of the Company mentioned herein shall be sufficiently evidenced by a Company Request or Company Order and any resolution of the Company Board of Directors may be sufficiently evidenced by a Company Board Resolution;

 

(c)  whenever in the administration of this Indenture the Trustee shall deem it desirable that a matter be proved or established prior to taking, suffering or omitting any action hereunder, the Trustee (unless other evidence be herein specifically prescribed) may, in the absence of bad faith on its part, rely upon a Company Officers’ Certificate;

 

58

 

 

(d)  the Trustee may consult with counsel and the advice of such counsel or any Opinion of Counsel shall be full and complete authorization and protection in respect of any action taken, suffered or omitted by it hereunder in good faith and in reliance thereon;

 

(e)  the Trustee shall be under no obligation to exercise any of the rights or powers vested in it by this Indenture at the request or direction of any of the Holders pursuant to this Indenture, unless such Holders shall have offered to the Trustee reasonable security or indemnity against the costs, expenses and liabilities which might be incurred by it in compliance with such request or direction;

 

(f)  the Trustee shall not be bound to make any investigation into the facts or matters stated in any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, direction, consent, order, approval, appraisal, bond, debenture, note, other evidence of indebtedness or other paper or document, but the Trustee, in its discretion, may make such further inquiry or investigation into such facts or matters as it may see fit, and, if the Trustee shall determine to make such further inquiry or investigation, it shall be entitled to examine the books, records and premises of the Company, personally or by agent or attorney at the sole cost of the Company;

 

(g)  the Trustee may execute any of the trusts or powers hereunder or perform any duties hereunder either directly or by or through agents or counsel, and the Trustee shall not be responsible for any misconduct or negligence on the part of any agent or counsel appointed with due care by it hereunder;

 

(h)  the Trustee shall not be liable for any action taken, suffered or omitted by it in good faith and believed by it to be authorized or within the discretion or rights or powers conferred upon it by this Indenture;

 

(i)  the rights, privileges, protections, immunities and benefits given to the Trustee, including, without limitation, its right to be indemnified, are extended to, and shall be enforceable by, the Trustee in each of its capacities hereunder, and each agent, custodian and other Person employed to act hereunder; and

 

(j)  the Trustee may request that the Company and the Guarantor deliver a certificate setting forth the names of individuals and/or titles of officers authorized at such time to take specified actions pursuant to this Indenture, which certificate may be signed by any person authorized to sign a Company Officers’ Certificate or a Guarantor Officers’ Certificate, as applicable, including any person specified as so authorized in any such certificate previously delivered and not superseded.

 

SECTION 7.04. Not Responsible for Recitals or Issuance of Securities. The recitals contained herein and in the Securities, except the Trustee’s certificates of authentication, shall be taken as the statements of the Company and the Guarantor, and the Trustee assumes no responsibility for their correctness. The Trustee makes no representations as to the validity or sufficiency of this Indenture or of the Securities. Neither the Trustee nor any Authenticating Agent shall be accountable for the use or application by the Company of Securities or the proceeds thereof. The Trustee shall not be responsible to make any calculation with respect to any matter under this Indenture. The Trustee shall have no duty to monitor or investigate the Company’s or Guarantor’s compliance with or the breach of, or cause to be performed or observed, any representation, warranty, or covenant, or agreement of any Person, other than the Trustee, made in this Indenture.

 

59

 

 

SECTION 7.05. May Hold Securities. The Trustee, any Paying Agent, any Security Registrar or any other agent of the Company, in its individual or any other capacity, may become the owner or pledgee of Securities or warrants to purchase Securities and, subject to Section 7.08, may otherwise deal with the Company with the same rights it would have if it were not Trustee, Paying Agent, Security Registrar or such other agent.

 

SECTION 7.06. Money Held in Trust. Except as provided in Section 1.14, money held by the Trustee or any Paying Agent in trust hereunder need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law. The Trustee or any Paying Agent shall be under no liability for interest on any money received by it hereunder except as otherwise agreed with the Company.

 

SECTION 7.07. Compensation and Reimbursement. (a)  The Company agrees:

 

(i)  to pay to the Trustee from time to time in Dollars such compensation as shall be agreed to in writing between the Company and the Trustee for all services rendered by it hereunder (which compensation shall not be limited by any provision of law in regard to the compensation of a trustee of an express trust);

 

(ii)  except as otherwise expressly provided herein, to reimburse the Trustee in Dollars upon its request for all reasonable expenses, disbursements and advances incurred or made by the Trustee in accordance with any provision of this Indenture (including the reasonable compensation and the expenses and disbursements of its agents and counsel), except any such expense, disbursement or advance as may be attributable to its negligence or bad faith; and

 

(iii)  to indemnify the Trustee in Dollars for, and to hold it harmless against, any and all loss, liability, damage, claim or expense (including reasonable fees and expenses of counsel), including taxes (other than taxes based upon, or measured or determined by, the income of the Trustee) incurred without negligence or bad faith on its part, arising out of or in connection with this Indenture, the Securities, the acceptance or administration of the trust or trusts hereunder, including the costs and expenses of defending itself against any claim (whether asserted by the Company, the Guarantor or any Holder or any other Person) or liability in connection with the exercise or performance of any of its powers or duties hereunder or in connection with enforcing the provisions of this Section.

 

(b)  As security for the performance of the obligations of the Company under this Section, the Trustee shall have a lien prior to the Securities upon all property and funds held or collected by the Trustee as such, except funds held in trust for the payment of principal of, premium, if any, or interest, if any, on particular Securities.

 

(c)  In addition to, but without prejudice to its other rights under this Indenture, when the Trustee incurs expenses or renders services in connection with an Event of Default specified in Section 6.01(v) and Section 6.01(vi), the expenses (including the reasonable charges and expenses of its counsel) and the compensation for the services are intended to constitute expenses of administration under any applicable Federal or state bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar law.

 

60

 

 

(d)  The provisions of this Section shall survive the satisfaction and discharge of the Indenture and the Securities, the termination for any reason of this Indenture and the resignation or removal of the Trustee.

 

SECTION 7.08. Disqualification; Conflicting Interests. (a)  If the Trustee has or shall acquire any conflicting interest, as defined in Section 310(b) of the Trust Indenture Act, with respect to the Securities of any series, it shall, within 90 days after ascertaining that it has such conflicting interest, either eliminate such conflicting interest or resign with respect to the Securities of that series in the manner and with the effect provided by, and subject to the provisions of, Section 310(b) of the Trust Indenture Act and this Indenture.

 

(b)  In the event that the Trustee shall fail to comply with the provisions of the preceding sentence with respect to the Securities of any series, the Trustee shall, within 10 days after the expiration of such 90-day period, transmit, in the manner and to the extent provided in Section 1.06, to all Holders of Securities of that series notice of such failure.

 

(c)  Nothing herein shall prevent the Trustee from filing with the Commission the application referred to in the penultimate paragraph of Section 310(b) of the Trust Indenture Act.

 

(d)  To the extent permitted by the Trust Indenture Act, the Trustee shall not be deemed to have a conflicting interest with respect to (i) the Securities of any series by virtue of being trustee with respect to the Securities of any particular series of Securities other than that series, (ii) the 1993 Indenture, (iii) the Indenture, dated as of August 13, 2007, between the IBM International Group Capital LLC and The Bank of New York as trustee and (iv) any other indenture or indentures under which other securities or certificates of interest or participation in other securities of the Company or the Guarantor are outstanding.

 

SECTION 7.09. Corporate Trustee Required; Eligibility. There shall at all times be a Trustee for each series of Securities hereunder which shall be either (1) a corporation organized and doing business under the laws of the United States of America, any State thereof or the District of Columbia, which is authorized under such laws to exercise corporate trust powers and is subject to supervision or examination by Federal or State authority and having its Corporate Trust Office located in The City of New York or (2) a corporation or other Person organized and doing business under the laws of a foreign government that is permitted to act as Trustee pursuant to a rule, regulation or order of the Commission, which is authorized under such laws to exercise corporate trust powers and is subject to supervision or examination by authority of such foreign government or a political subdivision thereof substantially equivalent to supervision or examination applicable to United States institutional trustees; in either case having a combined capital and surplus of at least $50,000,000. If such corporation or Person publishes reports of condition at least annually, pursuant to law or to the requirements of said supervising or examining authority, then for the purposes of this Section, the combined capital and surplus of such corporation or Person shall be deemed to be its combined capital and surplus as set forth in its most recent report of condition so published. Neither the Company nor any Person directly or indirectly controlling, controlled by, or under common control with the Company shall serve as trustee for the Securities of any series issued hereunder. If at any time the Trustee shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the provisions of this Section, it shall resign immediately in the manner and with the effect hereinafter specified in this Article.

 

61

 

 

SECTION 7.10. Resignation and Removal; Appointment of Successor. (a)  No resignation or removal of the Trustee and no appointment of a successor Trustee pursuant to this Article shall become effective until the acceptance of appointment by the successor Trustee in accordance with the applicable requirements of Section 7.11.

 

(b)  The Trustee may resign at any time with respect to the Securities of one or more series by giving written notice thereof to the Company. If the instrument of acceptance by a successor Trustee required by Section 7.11 shall not have been delivered to the resigning Trustee within 30 days after the giving of such notice of resignation, the resigning Trustee may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of such series.

 

(c)  The Trustee may be removed at any time with respect to the Securities of any series by Act of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series, delivered to the Trustee and to the Company.

 

(d)  If at any time:

 

(i)  the Trustee shall fail to comply with Section 7.08 after written request therefor by the Company or by any Holder who has been a bona fide Holder of a Security of a series as to which the Trustee has a conflicting interest for at least six months, or

 

(ii)  the Trustee for a series shall cease to be eligible under Section 7.09 and shall fail to resign after written request therefor by the Company or by any Holder of Securities of such series, or

 

(iii)  the Trustee shall become incapable of acting or shall be adjudged a bankrupt or insolvent or a receiver of the Trustee or of its property shall be appointed or any public officer shall take charge or control of the Trustee or of its property or affairs for the purpose of rehabilitation, conservation or liquidation,

 

then, in any such case, (i) the Company by a Company Board Resolution may remove the Trustee with respect to all Securities, or (ii) subject to Section 6.14, any Holder who has been a bona fide Holder of a Security for at least six months (and, in the case of clause (i) above, who is a holder of a Security of a series as to which the Trustee has a conflicting interest) may, on behalf of himself and all others similarly situated, petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the removal of the Trustee with respect to all Securities and the appointment of a successor Trustee or Trustees.

 

(e)  If the Trustee shall resign, be removed or become incapable of acting, or if a vacancy shall occur in the office of the Trustee for any cause, with respect to the Securities of one or more series, the Company, by a Company Board Resolution, shall promptly appoint a successor Trustee or Trustees with respect to the Securities of that or those series (it being understood that any such successor Trustee may be appointed with respect to the Securities of one or more of or all such series and that at any time there shall be only one Trustee with respect to the Securities of any particular series) and such successor Trustee or Trustees shall comply with the applicable requirements of Section 7.11. If, within one year after such resignation, removal or incapability, or the occurrence of such vacancy, a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series shall be appointed by Act of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series delivered to the Company and the retiring Trustee, the successor Trustee so appointed shall, forthwith upon its acceptance of such appointment in accordance with the applicable requirements of Section 7.11, become the successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of such series and to that extent supersede the successor Trustee appointed by the Company. If no successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series shall have been so appointed by the Company or the Holders and accepted appointment in the manner required by Section 7.11, any Holder who has been a bona fide Holder of a Security of such series for at least six months may, on behalf of himself and all others similarly situated, petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of such series.

 

62

 

 

(f)  The Company shall give notice of each resignation and each removal of the Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series and each appointment of a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series by giving notice of such event to all Holders of Securities of such series as provided by Section 1.06. Each notice shall include the name of the successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of such series and the address of its Corporate Trust Office.

 

SECTION 7.11. Acceptance of Appointment by Successor. (a)  In case of the appointment hereunder of a successor Trustee with respect to all Securities, every such successor Trustee so appointed shall execute, acknowledge and deliver to the Company and to the retiring Trustee an instrument accepting such appointment, and thereupon the resignation or removal of the retiring Trustee shall become effective and such successor Trustee, without any further act, deed or conveyance, shall become vested with all the rights, powers, trusts and duties of the retiring Trustee; but, on the request of the Company or the successor Trustee, such retiring Trustee shall, upon payment of its charges, execute and deliver an instrument transferring to such successor Trustee all the rights, powers and trusts of the retiring Trustee and shall duly assign, transfer and deliver to such successor Trustee all property and money held by such retiring Trustee hereunder, subject to the lien provided for in Section 7.07(b).

 

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

 

63

 

 

(c)  Upon request of any such successor Trustee, the Company shall execute any and all instruments for more fully and certainly vesting in and confirming to such successor Trustee all such rights, powers and trusts referred to in paragraph (a) or (b) of this Section, as the case may be.

 

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

 

SECTION 7.12. Merger, Conversion, Consolidation or Succession to Business. Any corporation into which the Trustee may be merged or converted or with which it may be consolidated, or any corporation resulting from any merger, conversion or consolidation to which the Trustee shall be a party, or any corporation succeeding to all or substantially all the corporate trust business of the Trustee, shall be the successor of the Trustee hereunder, provided that such corporation shall be otherwise qualified and eligible under this Article, without the execution or filing of any paper or any further act on the part of any of the parties hereto. In case any Securities shall have been authenticated, but not delivered, by the Trustee then in office, any successor by merger, conversion or consolidation to such authenticating Trustee may adopt such authentication and deliver the Securities so authenticated with the same effect as if such successor Trustee had itself authenticated such Securities.

 

SECTION 7.13. Judgment Currency. (a)  If, for the purpose of obtaining a judgment in any court with respect to any obligation of the Company or the Guarantor hereunder or under any Security or Coupon, it shall become necessary to convert into any other currency or currency unit any amount in the currency or currency unit due hereunder or under such Security or Coupon, then such conversion shall be made at the Conversion Rate (as defined below) as in effect on the date the Company shall make payment to any Person in satisfaction of such judgment. If pursuant to any such judgment, conversion shall be made on a date other than the date payment is made and there shall occur a change between such Conversion Rate and the Conversion Rate as in effect on the date of payment or distribution, the Company agrees to pay such additional amounts (if any) as may be necessary to ensure that the amount paid is the amount in such other currency or currency unit which, when converted at the Conversion Rate as in effect on the date of payment or distribution, is the amount then due hereunder or under such Security or Coupon. Any amount due from the Company under this Section 7.13 shall be due as a separate debt and is not to be affected by or merged into any judgment being obtained for any other sums due hereunder or in respect of any Security or Coupon so that in any event the Company’s obligations hereunder or under such Security or Coupon will be effectively maintained as obligations in such currency or currency unit. In no event, however, shall the Company be required to pay more in the currency or currency unit stated to be due hereunder or under such Security or Coupon.

 

64

 

 

(b)  For purposes of this Section 7.13, “Conversion Rate” shall mean, as of any date, for any currency or currency unit into which an amount due hereunder or under any Security or Coupon is to be converted, the noon buying rate in the other currency or currency unit for that currency or currency unit for cable transfers quoted in New York City on such date as certified for customs purposes by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. If such rates are not available for any reason with respect to one or more currencies or currency units for which a Conversion Rate is required, the Exchange Rate Agent shall use, in its sole discretion and without liability on its part, such quotation of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York as of the most recent available date, or quotations from one or more major banks in New York City or in the country of issue of the currency in question, or such other quotations as the Exchange Rate Agent shall deem appropriate. Unless otherwise specified by the Exchange Rate Agent, if there is more than one market for dealing in a currency or currency unit by reason of foreign exchange regulations or otherwise, the market to be used in respect of such currency or currency unit shall be that upon which a nonresident issuer of securities designated in such currency or currency unit would, as determined in its sole discretion and without liability on the part of the Exchange Rate Agent, purchase such currency or currency unit in order to make payments in respect of such Securities. If there does not exist a quoted exchange rate in any currency or currency unit (the “First Currency”) for another currency unit (the “Second Currency”), then the Conversion Rate for the Second Currency shall be equal to equivalent amount in the First Currency obtained by converting the Specified Amount of each Component Currency of the Second Currency into the First Currency at the Conversion Rate (determined as provided above) for each such Component Currency on such date (or, if the First Currency is a currency unit for which there is no quoted exchange rate in any Component Currency, by converting the Specified Amount of each Component Currency of the Second Currency into the Specified Amount of each Component Currency of the First Currency at the Conversion Rate (determined as provided above) for each such Component Currency on such date).

 

SECTION 7.14. Appointment of Authenticating Agent. (a)  The Company may appoint an Authenticating Agent or Agents with respect to one or more series of Securities which shall be authorized to act on behalf of the Trustee to authenticate Securities of such series issued upon original issue or upon exchange, registration of transfer or partial redemption thereof or pursuant to Section 4.05, and Securities so authenticated shall be entitled to the benefits of this Indenture and shall be valid and obligatory for all purposes as if authenticated by the Trustee hereunder. Wherever reference is made in this Indenture to the authentication and delivery of Securities by the Trustee or the Trustee’s certificate of authentication, such reference shall be deemed to include authentication and delivery on behalf of the Trustee by an Authenticating Agent and a certificate of authentication executed on behalf of the Trustee by an Authenticating Agent. Each Authenticating Agent shall be acceptable to the Trustee and shall at all times be a corporation having a combined capital and surplus of not less than the equivalent of $50,000,000 and subject to supervision or examination by Federal, state or District of Columbia authority or the equivalent foreign authority, in the case of an Authenticating Agent who is not organized and doing business under the laws of the United States of America, any state thereof or the District of Columbia. If such Authenticating Agent publishes reports of condition at least annually, pursuant to law or to the requirements of said supervising or examining authority, then for the purposes of this Section, the combined capital and surplus of such Authenticating Agent shall be deemed to be its combined capital and surplus as set forth in its most recent report of condition so published. If at any time an Authenticating Agent shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the provisions of this Section, such Authenticating Agent shall resign immediately in the manner and with the effect specified in this Section.

 

65 

 

 

(b)  Any corporation into which an Authenticating Agent may be merged or converted or with which it may be consolidated, or any corporation resulting from any merger, conversion or consolidation to which such Authenticating Agent shall be a party, or any corporation succeeding to the corporate agency or corporate trust business of such Authenticating Agent, shall continue to be an Authenticating Agent; provided such corporation shall be otherwise eligible under this Section, without the execution or filing of any paper or any further act on the part of the Trustee or such Authenticating Agent.

 

(c)  An Authenticating Agent may resign at any time by giving written notice thereof to the Trustee and to the Company. The Company may at any time terminate the agency of an Authenticating Agent by giving written notice thereof to such Authenticating Agent and to the Trustee. Upon receiving such a notice of resignation or upon such a termination, or in case at any time such Authenticating Agent shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the provisions of this Section, the Company may appoint a successor Authenticating Agent which shall be acceptable to the Trustee and shall mail, or cause to be mailed, written notice of such appointment by first-class mail, postage prepaid, to all Holders of Registered Securities, if any, of the series with respect to which such Authenticating Agent will serve, as their names and addresses appear in the Security Register. Any successor Authenticating Agent upon acceptance of its appointment hereunder shall become vested with all the rights, powers and duties of its predecessor hereunder, with like effect as if originally named as an Authenticating Agent. No successor Authenticating Agent shall be appointed unless eligible under the provisions of this Section.

 

(d)  The Company agrees to pay to each Authenticating Agent from time to time reasonable compensation for its services under this Section.

 

(e)  If an appointment with respect to one or more series is made pursuant to this Section, the Securities of such series may have endorsed thereon, in addition to the Trustee’s certificate of authentication, an alternative certificate of authentication in the following form:

 

This is one of the Securities of the Series designated herein issued under the within-mentioned Indenture.

 

THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON, as Trustee

 

By  
   
  [                       ]  
  As Authenticating Agent  
   
By  
   
  Authorized [Officer] [Signatory]  

 

66 

 

 

(f)  If all the Securities of a series may not be originally issued at one time, and if the Trustee does not have an office capable of authenticating Securities upon original issuance located in a Place of Payment or other place where the Company wishes to have Securities of such series authenticated upon original issuance, the Company shall appoint in accordance with this Section an Authenticating Agent (which may be an Affiliate of the Company if eligible to be appointed as an Authenticating Agent hereunder) having an office in such Place of Payment or other place designated by the Company with respect to such series of Securities.

  

SECTION 7.15. Force Majeure. The Trustee shall not be responsible or liable for any failure or delay in the performance of its obligations hereunder because of circumstances beyond its control, including, but not limited to, acts of God, flood, war (whether declared or undeclared), terrorism, strikes, work stoppages, civil or military disturbances, epidemics or pandemics, disease, fire, riot, embargo, declared or threatened state of emergency, the interruption, loss or malfunction of utilities or transportation, communications or computer (software and hardware) services or systems and government action; it being understood that the Trustee shall use reasonable efforts which are consistent with accepted practices in the banking industry to resume performance as soon as practicable under the circumstances.

 

SECTION 7.16. Consequential Damages. Anything in this Indenture notwithstanding, in no event shall the Trustee be liable for special, indirect, punitive or consequential loss or damage of any kind whatsoever (including but not limited to loss of profit), even if the Trustee has been advised as to the likelihood of such loss or damage and regardless of the form of action.

 

SECTION 7.17. Electronic Means. The Trustee shall have the right to accept and act upon instructions, including funds transfer instructions (“Instructions”) given pursuant to this Indenture and related financing documents and delivered using Electronic Means; provided, however, that the Company and/or the Guarantor, as applicable, shall provide to the Trustee an incumbency certificate listing officers with the authority to provide such Instructions (“Authorized Officers”) and containing specimen signatures of such Authorized Officers, which incumbency certificate shall be amended by the Company and/or the Guarantor, as applicable, whenever a person is to be added or deleted from the listing. If the Company and/or the Guarantor, as applicable, elects to give the Trustee Instructions using Electronic Means and the Trustee in its discretion elects to act upon such Instructions, the Trustee’s understanding of such Instructions shall be deemed controlling. The Company and the Guarantor understand and agree that the Trustee cannot determine the identity of the actual sender of such Instructions and that the Trustee shall conclusively presume that directions that purport to have been sent by an Authorized Officer listed on the incumbency certificate provided to the Trustee have been sent by such Authorized Officer. The Company and the Guarantor shall be responsible for ensuring that only Authorized Officers transmit such Instructions to the Trustee and that the Company, the Guarantor and all Authorized Officers are solely responsible to safeguard the use and confidentiality of applicable user and authorization codes, passwords and/or authentication keys upon receipt by the Company and/or the Guarantor, as applicable. The Trustee shall not be liable for any losses, costs or expenses arising directly or indirectly from the Trustee’s reliance upon and compliance with such Instructions notwithstanding such directions conflict or are inconsistent with a subsequent written instruction. The Company and the Guarantor agree to assume all risks arising out of the use of Electronic Means to submit Instructions to the Trustee, including without limitation the risk of the Trustee acting on unauthorized Instructions, and the risk of interception and misuse by third parties.

 

67 

 

 

SECTION 7.18. Tax Withholding. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Indenture, the Trustee shall be entitled to make a deduction or withholding from any payment which it makes under this Indenture for or on account of any present or future taxes, duties or charges if and to the extent so required by any applicable law and any current or future regulations or agreements thereunder or official interpretations thereof or any law implementing an intergovernmental approach thereto or by virtue of the relevant holder failing to satisfy any certification or other requirements in respect of the Securities, in which event the Trustee shall make such payment after such withholding or deduction has been made and shall account to the relevant authorities for the amount so withheld or deducted and shall have no obligation to gross up any payment hereunder or pay any additional amount as a result of such withholding tax.

 

ARTICLE VIII

 

Holders’ Lists and Reports by Trustee and Company

 

SECTION 8.01. Company to Furnish Trustee Names and Addresses of Holders. The Company will furnish or cause to be furnished to the Trustee:

 

(a)  semiannually, not later than January 15 and July 15 in each year, a list in such form as the Trustee may reasonably require, of the names and addresses of the Holders of each series of Registered Securities as of the preceding January 1 or July 1, as the case may be, and such information concerning the Holders of Bearer Securities which is known to the Company or any Paying Agent other than the Company or Guarantor; provided, however, that the Company and such Paying Agents shall have no obligation to investigate any matter relating to any Holder of a Bearer Security or a Coupon; and

 

(b)  at such other times as the Trustee may request in writing, within 30 days after the receipt by the Company of any such request, a list of similar form and content, such list to be dated as of a date not more than 15 days prior to the time such list is furnished, and such information concerning the Holders of Bearer Securities which is known to the Company or any such Paying Agent; provided, however, that the Company and such Paying Agents shall have no obligation to investigate any matter relating to any Holder of a Bearer Security or a Coupon; notwithstanding the foregoing SubSections (a) and (b), at such times as the Trustee is the Security Registrar and Paying Agent with respect to a particular series of Securities, no such list shall be required to be furnished in respect of such series.

 

SECTION 8.02. Preservation of Information; Communications to Holders. (a)  The Trustee shall preserve, in as current a form as is reasonably practicable, the names and addresses of Holders of each series contained in the most recent list furnished to the Trustee as provided in Section 8.01 and the names and addresses of Holders of each series received by the Trustee in any capacity as Security Registrar or Paying Agent. The Trustee may destroy any list furnished to it as provided in Section 8.01 upon receipt of a new list so furnished.

 

68 

 

 

(b)  If three or more Holders of Securities of any series (herein referred to as “applicants”) apply in writing to the Trustee, and furnish to the Trustee reasonable proof that each such applicant has owned a Security of such series for a period of at least six months preceding the date of such application, and such application states that the applicants desire to communicate with other Holders of Securities of such series with respect to their rights under this Indenture or under such Securities and is accompanied by a copy of the form of proxy or other communication which such applicants propose to transmit, then the Trustee shall, within five business days after the receipt of such application, at its election, either:

 

(i)  afford such applicants access to the information preserved at the time by the Trustee in accordance with Section 8.02(a), or

 

(ii)  inform such applicants as to the approximate number of Holders of Securities of such series whose names and addresses appear in the information preserved at the time by the Trustee in accordance with Section 8.02(a), and as to the approximate cost of mailing to such Holders the form of proxy or other communication, if any, specified in such application.

 

If the Trustee shall elect not to afford such applicants access to such information, the Trustee shall, upon the written request of such applicants, mail to each Holder of Securities of such series whose name and address appear in the information preserved at the time by the Trustee in accordance with Section 8.02(a) a copy of the form of proxy or other communication which is specified in such request, with reasonable promptness after a tender to the Trustee of the material to be mailed and of payment, or provision for the payment, of the reasonable expenses of mailing, unless within five days after such tender the Trustee shall mail to such applicants and file with the Commission, together with a copy of the material to be mailed, a written statement to the effect that, in the opinion of the Trustee, such mailing would be contrary to the best interest of the Holders of such series or would be in violation of applicable law. Such written statement shall specify the basis of such opinion. If the Commission, after opportunity for a hearing upon the objections specified in the written statement so filed, shall enter an order refusing to sustain any of such objections or if, after the entry of an order sustaining one or more of such objections, the Commission shall find, after notice and opportunity for hearing, that all the objections so sustained have been met and shall enter an order so declaring, the Trustee shall mail copies of such material to all such Holders with reasonable promptness after the entry of such order and the renewal of such tender; otherwise the Trustee shall be relieved of any obligation or duty to such applicants respecting their application.

 

(c)  Every Holder of Securities or Coupons, by receiving and holding the same, agrees with the Company and the Trustee that neither the Company nor the Trustee nor any agent of either of them shall be held accountable by reason of the disclosure of any such information as to the names and addresses of the Holders in accordance with Section 8.02(b), regardless of the source from which such information was derived, and that the Trustee shall not be held accountable by reason of mailing any material pursuant to a request made under Section 8.02(b).

 

SECTION 8.03. Reports by Trustee. (a)  Within 60 days after May 15 of each year commencing with the May 15 occurring after the initial issuance of Securities hereunder, the Trustee shall transmit by mail to the Holders of Securities, as provided in SubSection (c) of this Section, a brief report dated as of such May 15 in accordance with and to the extent required under Section 313 of the TIA.

 

69 

 

 

(b)  A copy of each such report shall, at the time of such transmission to Holders, be filed by the Trustee with each United States stock exchange upon which any Securities are listed, with the Commission and with the Company.

 

(c)  Reports pursuant to Section 8.03(a) shall be transmitted by mail (i) to all Holders, as their names and addresses appear in the Security Register, (ii) to all Holders as have, within two years preceding such transmission, filed their names and addresses with the Trustee for such purpose, and (iii) to all Holders whose names and addresses have been furnished or received by the Trustee pursuant to Sections 8.01 and 8.02.

 

SECTION 8.04. Reports by Guarantor. The Guarantor shall file with the Trustee, within 15 days after the 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 Guarantor is required to file with the Commission pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended and shall otherwise comply with Section 314(a) of the Trust Indenture Act. Reports, information and documents filed by the Guarantor with the Commission via EDGAR (or any successor system thereto) will be deemed filed with the Trustee for purposes of this Section 8.04 as of the time that such reports, information and documents are filed via EDGAR (or any successor system thereto). Delivery of such reports, information and documents to the Trustee is for informational purposes only and the Trustee’s receipt of such shall not constitute actual or constructive knowledge or notice of any information contained therein or determinable from information contained therein, including the Guarantor’s compliance with any of its covenants hereunder (as to which the Trustee is entitled to rely exclusively on a Guarantor’s Officers’ Certificate). Following a substitution of the Company by the Guarantor pursuant to Section 9.03, references to “Guarantor” in this Section 8.04 shall instead refer to the Company.

 

ARTICLE IX

 

Consolidation, Merger, Conveyance or Transfer

 

SECTION 9.01. Company and Guarantor May Consolidate, Etc., Only on Certain Terms. (a)   The Company shall not consolidate with or merge into any other Person or convey or transfer its properties and assets substantially as an entirety to any Person, unless:

 

(i)  the Person formed by such consolidation or into which the Company is merged or the Person which acquires by conveyance or transfer the properties and assets of the Company substantially as an entirety shall be a Person organized and existing under the laws of the Republic of Singapore, the United States of America or any state or the District of Columbia, and shall expressly assume, by an indenture supplemental hereto, executed and delivered to the Trustee, in form satisfactory to the Trustee, the due and punctual payment of the principal of, and premium, if any, and interest, if any, on all the Securities and the performance or observance of every covenant of this Indenture on the part of the Company to be performed or observed;

 

70 

 

 

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

 

(iii)  the Company has delivered to the Trustee a Company Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel each stating that such consolidation, merger, conveyance or transfer and such supplemental indenture comply with this Article and that all conditions precedent herein provided for relating to such transaction have been complied with.

 

(b)  The Guarantor shall not consolidate with or merge into any other Person or convey or transfer its properties and assets substantially as an entirety to any Person, unless:

 

(i)  the Person formed by such consolidation or into which the Guarantor is merged or the Person which acquires by conveyance or transfer the properties and assets of the Guarantor substantially as an entirety shall be a Person organized and existing under the laws of the United States of America or any state or the District of Columbia, and shall expressly assume, by an indenture supplemental hereto, executed and delivered to the Trustee, in form satisfactory to the Trustee, the due and punctual payment of the principal of, and premium, if any, and interest, if any, on all the Securities and the performance or observance of every covenant of this Indenture on the part of the Guarantor to be performed or observed;

 

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

 

(iii)  the Guarantor has delivered to the Trustee a Guarantor Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel each stating that such consolidation, merger, conveyance or transfer and such supplemental indenture comply with this Article and that all conditions precedent herein provided for relating to such transaction have been complied with.

 

SECTION 9.02. Successor Person Substituted. Upon any consolidation or merger, or any conveyance or transfer of the properties and assets of the Company or Guarantor, as applicable, substantially as an entirety in accordance with Section 9.01, the successor Person formed by such consolidation or into which the Company or Guarantor, as applicable, is merged or to which such conveyance or transfer is made shall succeed to, and be substituted for, and may exercise every right and power of, the Company or Guarantor, as applicable, under this Indenture with the same effect as if such successor Person had been named as the Company or Guarantor, as applicable, herein; and in the event of any such conveyance or transfer, the Company (which term shall for this purpose mean the Person named as the “Company” in the first paragraph of this instrument or any successor Person which shall have theretofore become such in the manner prescribed in Section 9.01(a)) or Guarantor (which term shall for this purpose mean the Person named as the “Guarantor” in the first paragraph of this instrument or any successor Person which shall have theretofore become such in the manner prescribed in Section 9.01(b)), as applicable, shall be discharged from all liability under this Indenture and in respect of the Securities and may be dissolved and liquidated.

 

71 

 

 

SECTION 9.03. Substitution of the Company. (a)  The Company and the Guarantor may at any time, without the consent of any Holders, arrange for and cause the substitution of the Company as the principal obligor by the Guarantor (including any successor Guarantor pursuant to Section 9.02) in respect of each series of Securities then Outstanding, if, immediately after giving effect to such substitution, no Event of Default, or event which with notice or lapse of time or both would become an Event of Default, has occurred and is continuing (other than such an event or Event of Default that would be cured by such substitution); provided that such substitution shall be conditioned upon the Guarantor executing an indenture supplemental hereto in which it agrees to be bound by the terms of this Indenture and the Securities of each such series as fully as if the Guarantor had been named in this Indenture and on the Securities of each such series in place of the Company.

 

(b)  Upon the substitution of the Company by the Guarantor in accordance with this Section 9.03, the Guarantor 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 the Guarantor had been named as the Company herein, and thereafter (i) the Company shall be relieved of all obligations and covenants under this Indenture and the Securities and (ii) the Guarantor shall be relieved of all obligations with respect to the Guarantee under Article XV.

 

ARTICLE X

 

Supplemental Indentures

 

SECTION 10.01. Supplemental Indentures Without Consent of Holders. Without the consent of any Holders, the Company, when authorized by or pursuant to a Company Board Resolution, the Guarantor, when authorized by or pursuant to a Guarantor Board Resolution, and the Trustee, at any time and from time to time, may enter into one or more indentures supplemental hereto, in form satisfactory to the Trustee, for any of the following purposes:

 

(i)  to evidence the succession of another Person to the Company or Guarantor and the assumption by any such successor of the covenants of the Company or Guarantor herein and in the Securities (including the substitution of the Company by the Guarantor (and simultaneous release of the Guarantee of the Guarantor) pursuant to Section 9.03);

 

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

 

(iii)  to add any additional Events of Default with respect to all or any series of the Securities (and, if such Event of Default is applicable to less than all series of Securities, specifying the series to which such Event of Default is applicable);

 

(iv)  to add to or change any of the provisions of this Indenture to such extent as shall be necessary to facilitate the issuance of Securities in bearer form, registrable or not registrable as to principal, and with or without interest coupons; to change or eliminate any restrictions on the payment of principal of or any premium or interest on Bearer Securities, to permit Bearer Securities to be issued in exchange for Registered Securities, to permit Bearer Securities to be issued in exchange for Bearer Securities of other authorized denominations; provided that any such addition or change shall not adversely affect the interests of the Holders of Securities of any series or any related Coupons in any material respect;

 

72 

 

 

(v)  to change or eliminate any of the provisions of this Indenture; provided that any such change or elimination shall become effective only when there is no Security Outstanding of any series created prior to the execution of such supplemental indenture which is adversely affected by such change in or elimination of such provision;

 

(vi)  to establish the form or terms of Securities of any series as permitted by Sections 2.02 and 3.01;

 

(vii)  to evidence and provide for the acceptance of appointment hereunder by a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of one or more series and to add to or change any of the provisions of this Indenture as shall be necessary to provide for or facilitate the administration of the trusts hereunder by more than one Trustee, pursuant to the requirements of Section 7.11(b);

 

(viii)  if allowed under applicable laws and regulations, to permit payment in the United States of principal, premium or interest on Bearer Securities or Coupons, if any;

 

(ix)  to provide for the issuance of uncertificated Securities of one or more series in addition to or in place of certificated Securities;

 

(x)  to cure any ambiguity or to correct or supplement any provision herein which may be defective or inconsistent with any other provision herein; or

 

(xi)  to make any other provisions with respect to matters or questions arising under this Indenture; provided such other provisions as may be made shall not adversely affect the interests of the Holders of outstanding Securities of any series in any material respect.

 

SECTION 10.02. Supplemental Indentures with Consent of Holders. (a)  With the consent of the Holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of all series affected by such supplemental indenture (acting as one class), by Act of said Holders delivered to the Company, the Guarantor and the Trustee, the Company, when authorized by or pursuant to a Company Board Resolution, the Guarantor, when authorized by or pursuant to a Guarantor Board Resolution, and the Trustee may enter into an indenture or indentures supplemental hereto for the purpose of adding any provisions to or changing in any manner or eliminating any of the provisions of this Indenture or of modifying in any manner the rights of the Holders of Securities of such series under this indenture; provided, however, that no such supplemental indenture shall, without the consent of the Holder of each outstanding Security affected thereby,

 

(i)  change the Stated Maturity of the principal of, or any installment of principal of or interest on, any Security, or reduce the principal amount thereof or the rate of interest thereon or any premium payable upon the redemption thereof, or reduce the amount of the principal of an Original Issue Discount Security that would be due and payable upon a declaration of acceleration of the Maturity thereof pursuant to Section 6.02, or change any Place of Payment where, or the currency, currencies or currency unit or units in which, any Security or any premium or the interest thereon is payable, or impair the right to institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment on or after the Stated Maturity thereof (or, in the case of redemption, on or after the Redemption Date), or affect adversely the terms, if any, of conversion of any Security into stock or other securities of the Company or of any other corporation,

 

73 

 

 

(ii)  reduce the percentage in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of any series, the consent of whose Holders is required for any such supplemental indenture, or the consent of whose Holders is required for any waiver (of compliance with certain provisions of this Indenture or certain defaults hereunder and their consequences) provided for in this Indenture,

 

(iii)  change any obligation of the Company, with respect to Outstanding Securities of a series, to maintain an office or agency in the places and for the purposes specified in Section 11.02 for such series,

 

(iv)  release the Guarantor from its obligations in respect of the Guarantee or adversely modify in any material respect the Guarantee other than in accordance with this Indenture, or

 

(v)  modify any of the provisions of this Section or Section 6.13, except to increase any such percentage or to provide with respect to any particular series the right to condition the effectiveness of any supplemental indenture as to that series on the consent of the Holders of a specified percentage of the aggregate principal amount of Outstanding Securities of such series (which provision may be made pursuant to Section 2.02 or Section 3.01, as the case may be, without the consent of any Holder) or to provide that certain other provisions of this Indenture cannot be modified or waived without the consent of the Holder of each Outstanding Security affected thereby; provided, however, that this clause shall not be deemed to require the consent of any Holder with respect to changes in the references to “the Trustee” and concomitant changes in this Section, or the deletion of this proviso, in accordance with the requirements of Section 7.11(b) and 10.01(vii).

 

(b)  For purposes of this Section 10.02, if the Securities of any series are issuable upon the exercise of warrants, each holder of an unexercised and unexpired warrant with respect to such series shall be deemed to be a Holder of Outstanding Securities of such series in the amount issuable upon the exercise of such warrant. For such purposes, the ownership of any such warrant shall be determined by the Company in a manner consistent with customary commercial practices. The Trustee for such series shall be entitled to rely on a Company Officers’ Certificate as to the principal amount of Securities of such series in respect of which consents shall have been executed by holders of such warrants.

 

(c)  A supplemental indenture which changes or eliminates any covenant or other provision of this Indenture which has expressly been included solely for the benefit of one or more particular series of Securities, or which modifies the rights of the Holders of Securities of such series with respect to such covenant or other provision, shall be deemed not to affect the rights under this Indenture of the Holders of Securities of any other series. It shall not be necessary for any Act of Holders under this Section to approve the particular form of any proposed supplemental indenture, but it shall be sufficient if such Act shall approve the substance thereof.

 

74 

 

 

SECTION 10.03. Execution of Supplemental Indentures. In executing, or accepting the additional trusts created by, any supplemental indenture permitted by this Article or the modifications thereby of the trusts created by this Indenture, the Trustee shall be entitled to receive (in addition to the opinion which the Trustee is entitled to receive pursuant to Section 2.02), and (subject to Section 7.01) shall be fully protected in relying upon, an Opinion of Counsel stating that the execution of such supplemental indenture is authorized or permitted by this Indenture. The Trustee may, but shall not be obligated to, enter into any such supplemental indenture which affects the Trustee’s own rights, duties, immunities or liabilities under this Indenture or otherwise.

 

SECTION 10.04. Effect of Supplemental Indentures. Upon the execution of any supplemental indenture under this Article, this Indenture shall be modified in accordance therewith, and such supplemental indenture shall form a part of this Indenture for all purposes; and every Holder of Securities theretofore or thereafter authenticated and delivered hereunder shall be bound thereby.

 

SECTION 10.05. Conformity with Trust Indenture Act. Every supplemental indenture executed pursuant to this Article shall conform to the requirements of the Trust Indenture Act as then in effect.

 

SECTION 10.06. Reference in Securities to Supplemental Indentures. Securities of any series authenticated and delivered after the execution of any supplemental indenture pursuant to this Article may, and shall if required by the Trustee, bear a notation in form approved by the Trustee as to any matter provided for in such supplemental indenture. If the Company shall so determine, new Securities of any series so modified as to conform, in the opinion of the Trustee and the Company, to any such supplemental indenture may be prepared and executed by the Company and authenticated and delivered by the Trustee in exchange for Outstanding Securities of such series.

 

ARTICLE XI

 

Covenants

 

SECTION 11.01. Payment of Principal, Premium and Interest. The Company covenants and agrees for the benefit of each series of Securities and Coupons, if any, that it will duly and punctually pay the principal of (and premium, if any, on) and interest, if any, on the Securities and Coupons, if any, of that series in accordance with the terms of the Securities and Coupons, if any, of such series and this Indenture.

 

75 

 

 

SECTION 11.02. Maintenance of Office or Agency. (a)  If Securities of a series are issuable only as Registered Securities, the Company will maintain in each Place of Payment for such series an office or agency where Securities of that series may be presented or surrendered for payment, where Securities of that series may be surrendered for registration of transfer or exchange and where notices and demands to or upon the Company in respect of the Securities of that series and this Indenture may be served. If Securities of a series are issuable as both Registered or Bearer Securities or only as Bearer Securities, the Company will maintain (i) in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, an office or agency where any Registered Securities of that series may be presented or surrendered for payment, where any Registered Securities of that series may be surrendered for registration of transfer, where Securities of that series may be surrendered for exchange, where notices and demands to or upon the Company in respect of the Securities of that series and this Indenture may be served and where Bearer Securities of that series and related Coupons may be presented or surrendered for payment in the circumstances described in the proviso contained in the last sentence of this paragraph (a) of Section 11.02 (and not otherwise), (ii) subject to any laws or regulations applicable thereto, in a Place of Payment for that series which is located outside the United States, an office or agency where Securities of that series and related Coupons may be presented and surrendered for payment (including payment of any additional amounts payable on Securities of that series pursuant to Section 11.05); provided, however, that if the Securities of that series are listed on any stock exchange located outside the United States and such stock exchange shall so require, the Company will maintain a Paying Agent for the Securities of that series in any required city located outside the United States, so long as the Securities of that series are listed on such exchange, and (iii) subject to any laws or regulations applicable thereto, in a Place of Payment for that series located outside the United States, an office or agency where any Registered Securities of that series may be surrendered for registration of transfer, where Securities of that series may be surrendered for exchange and where notices and demands to or upon the Company in respect of the Securities of that series and this Indenture may be served. The Company will give prompt written notice to the Trustee and the Holders of the location, and any change in the location, of any such office or agency. If at any time the Company shall fail to maintain any such required office or agency in respect of any series of Securities or shall fail to furnish the Trustee with the address thereof, such presentations and surrenders of Securities of that series may be made and notices and demands may be made or served at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee, except that Bearer Securities of that series and the related Coupons may be presented and surrendered for payment (including payment of any additional amounts payable on Bearer Securities of that series pursuant to Section 11.05) at the London office of the Trustee (or an agent with a London office appointed by the Trustee and acceptable to the Company), and the Company hereby appoints the same as its agent to receive such respective presentations, surrenders, notices and demands. No payment of principal, premium or interest on Bearer Securities shall be made at any office or agency of the Company in the United States or by check mailed to any address in the United States or by transfer to an account maintained with a bank located in the United States; provided, however, that, if the Securities of a series are denominated and payable in Dollars, payment of principal of and any premium and interest on any Bearer Security (including any additional amounts payable on Securities of such series pursuant to Section 11.05) shall be made at the office of the Company’s Paying Agent in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, if (but only if) payment in Dollars of the full amount of such principal, premium, interest or additional amounts, as the case may be, at all offices or agencies outside the United States maintained for the purpose by the Company in accordance with this Indenture is illegal or effectively precluded by exchange controls or other similar restrictions.

 

(b)  The Company may also from time to time designate one or more other offices or agencies where the Securities of one or more 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 designation or rescission shall in any manner relieve the Company of its obligation to maintain an office or agency in accordance with the requirements set forth above for Securities of any series for such purposes. The Company will give prompt written notice to the Trustee and the Holders of any such designation or rescission and of any change in the location of any such other office or agency.

 

76 

 

 

SECTION 11.03. Money for Securities Payments to be Held in Trust. (a)  If the Company or Guarantor shall at any time act as Paying Agent with respect to any series of Securities, it will, on or before each due date of the principal of (or premium, if any) or interest, if any, on any of the Securities of that series, segregate and hold in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled thereto a sum in the relevant currency (or a sufficient number of currency units, as the case may be) sufficient to pay the principal (or premium, if any) or interest, if any, so becoming due until such sums shall be paid to such Persons or otherwise disposed of as herein provided and will promptly notify the Trustee of its action or failure to so act.

 

(b)  Whenever the Company shall have one or more Paying Agents for any series of Securities, it will, at or prior to the opening of business on each due date of the principal of (and premium, if any, on) or interest, if any, on any Securities of that series, deposit with a Paying Agent a sum sufficient to pay the principal (and premium, if any) or interest so becoming due, such sum to be held in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled to such principal, premium or interest, and (unless such Paying Agent is the Trustee) the Company will promptly notify the Trustee of its action or failure so to act.

 

(c)  The Company will cause each Paying Agent for any series of Securities other than the Trustee to execute and deliver to the Trustee an instrument in which such Paying Agent shall agree with the Trustee, subject to the provisions of this Section, that such Paying Agent will:

 

(i)  hold all sums held by it for the payment of the principal of (and premium, if any, on) or interest, if any, on Securities of that series in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled thereto until such sums shall be paid to such Persons or otherwise disposed of as herein provided;

 

(ii)  give the Trustee notice of any default by the Company (or any other obligor upon the Securities of that series) in making of any payment of principal (and premium, if any, on) or interest, if any, on the Securities of that series; and

 

(iii)  at any time during the continuance of any such default, upon the written request of the Trustee, forthwith pay to the Trustee all sums so held in trust by such Paying Agent.

 

(d)  The Company may at any time, for the purpose of obtaining the satisfaction and charge of this Indenture or for any other purpose, pay, or by Company Order direct any Paying Agent to pay, to the Trustee all sums held in trust by the Company or such Paying Agent, such sums to be held by the Trustee upon the same trusts as those upon which such sums were held by the Company or such Paying Agent; and, upon such payment by any Paying Agent to the Trustee, such Paying Agent shall be released from all further liability with respect to such money.

 

(e)  Any money deposited with the Trustee or any Paying Agent, or then held by the Company, in trust for the payment of the principal of (and premium, if any, on) or interest, if any, on any Security of any series and remaining unclaimed for two years after such principal (and premium, if any) or interest has become due and payable shall be paid to the Company, or (if then held by the Company) shall be discharged from such trust; and the Holder of such Security and Coupons, if any, shall thereafter, as an unsecured general creditor, look only to the Company for payment thereof, and all liability of the Trustee or such Paying Agent with respect to such trust money, and all liability of the Company as trustee thereof, shall thereupon cease; provided, however, that the Trustee or such Paying Agent, before being required to make any such repayment, may at the expense and at the direction of the Company cause to be published once, in a newspaper published in the English language, customarily published on each Business Day and of general circulation in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, notice that such money remains unclaimed and that, after a date specified herein, which shall not be less than 30 days from the date of such publication, any unclaimed balance of such money then remaining will be repaid to the Company. All moneys payable to the Company by the Trustee or any Paying Agent as provided in the preceding sentence shall be paid to the Company on May 31 of each year.

 

77 

 

 

SECTION 11.04. Statement by Officers as to Default. Each of the Company and Guarantor will deliver to the Trustee, within 120 days after the end of each fiscal year (which as of the date hereof ends on December 31), a written certificate signed by the principal executive officer, the principal financial officer or the principal accounting officer of the Company or Guarantor, as applicable, stating that:

 

(i)  a review of the activities of the Company or Guarantor, as applicable, during such year and of performance under this Indenture has been made under his supervision; and

 

(ii)  to his knowledge, based on such review, the Company or Guarantor, as applicable, has fulfilled all its obligations, and has complied with all conditions and covenants, under this Indenture throughout such year, or, if there has been a default in the fulfillment of any such obligation, condition or covenant, specifying each such default known to him and the nature and status thereof. For purposes of this Section 11.04, compliance shall be determined without regard to any grace period or requirement of notice provided pursuant to the terms of this Indenture.

 

SECTION 11.05. Additional Amounts. (a)  If the Securities of a series provide for the payment of additional amounts, the Company will pay to the Holder of any Security of such series or any related Coupon additional amounts as provided therein. Whenever in this Indenture there is mentioned, in any context, the payment of the principal of or any premium or interest on, or in respect of, any Security of any series or payment of any related Coupon 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 for in this Section to the extent that, in such context, additional amounts are, were or would be payable in respect thereof pursuant to the provisions of this Section 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.

 

(b)  If the Securities of a series provide for the payment of additional amounts, at least 10 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 10 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 Company Officers’ Certificate, the Company will furnish the Trustee and the Company’s Paying Agent or Paying Agents, if other than the Trustee, with a Company 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 or any related Coupons without withholding for or on account of any tax, assessment or other governmental charge described in the Securities of that series. If any such withholding shall be required, then such Company Officers’ Certificate shall specify by country the amount, if any, required to be withheld on such Payments to such Holders of Securities or Coupons and the Company will pay to the Trustee or such Paying Agent the additional amounts required by this Section. The Company 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 in reliance on any Company Officers’ Certificate furnished pursuant to this Section.

 

78 

 

 

SECTION 11.06. Limitation on Secured Indebtedness. Unless specified, as contemplated by Section 2.02 or Section 3.01, as the case may be, not to be applicable to Securities of any series, this Section shall be applicable to Securities of each series for the benefit of the Securities of such series as long as any Securities of such series are Outstanding (subject to clause (a)(ii) of Section 5.03, as contemplated by subclause (x) thereof). The Guarantor will not, and will not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, create, assume, incur or guarantee any Secured Indebtedness without making provision whereby the Guarantee of all the Securities (or, following the substitution of the Company by the Guarantor in accordance with Section 9.03, all the Securities) shall be secured equally and ratably with (or prior to) such Secured Indebtedness (together with, if the Guarantor shall so determine, any other indebtedness of the Guarantor or such Restricted Subsidiary then existing or thereafter created which is not subordinate to the Securities) so long as such Secured Indebtedness shall be outstanding unless such Secured Indebtedness, when added to (a) the aggregate amount of all Secured Indebtedness then outstanding (not including in this computation Secured Indebtedness if the Guarantee is (or, following the substitution of the Company by the Guarantor in accordance with Section 9.03, the Securities are) secured equally and ratably with (or prior to) such Secured Indebtedness and further not including in this computation any Secured Indebtedness which is concurrently being retired) and (b) the aggregate amount of all Attributable Debt then outstanding pursuant to Sale and Leaseback Transactions entered into by the Guarantor after July 15, 1985, or, entered into by a Restricted Subsidiary after July 15, 1985, or, if later, the date on which it became a Restricted Subsidiary (not including in this computation any Attributable Debt which is concurrently being retired), would not exceed 10% of Consolidated Net Tangible Assets.

 

SECTION 11.07. Limitation on Sale and Leaseback Transactions. Unless specified, as contemplated by Section 2.02 or Section 3.01, as the case may be, not to be applicable to Securities of any series, this Section shall be applicable to Securities of each series for the benefit of the Securities of such series as long as any Securities of such series are Outstanding (subject to clause (a)(ii) of Section 5.03, as contemplated by subclause (x) thereof). The Guarantor will not, and will not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, enter into any Sale and Leaseback Transaction unless (a) the sum of (i) the Attributable Debt to be outstanding pursuant to such Sale and Leaseback Transaction, (ii) all Attributable Debt then outstanding pursuant to all other Sale and Leaseback Transactions entered into by the Guarantor after July 15, 1985, or entered into by a Restricted Subsidiary after July 15, 1985, or, if later, the date on which it became a Restricted Subsidiary, and (iii) the aggregate of all Secured Indebtedness then outstanding (not including in this computation Secured Indebtedness if the Guarantee is (or, following the substitution of the Company by the Guarantor in accordance with Section 9.03, the Securities are) secured equally and ratably with (or prior to) such Secured Indebtedness) would not exceed 10% of Consolidated Net Tangible Assets or (b) an amount equal to the greater of (i) the net proceeds to the Guarantor or the Restricted Subsidiary of the sale of the Principal Property sold and leased back pursuant to such Sale and Leaseback Transaction and (ii) the amount of Attributable Debt to be outstanding pursuant to such Sale and Leaseback Transaction, is applied to the retirement of Funded Debt of the Guarantor or any Restricted Subsidiaries (other than Funded Debt which is subordinated to the Securities or which is owing to the Guarantor or any Restricted Subsidiaries) within 180 days after the consummation of such Sale and Leaseback Transaction.

 

79 

 

 

SECTION 11.08. Waiver of Certain Covenants. The Company or Guarantor, as applicable, may omit in any particular instance to comply with any covenant or condition set forth in Section 8.04, Section 11.03, Section 11.04, Section 11.06 and Section 11.07 if, before or after the time for such compliance, the Holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of all series affected thereby shall, by notice to the Trustee, either waive such compliance in such instance or generally waive compliance with such covenant or condition, but no such waiver shall extend to or affect such covenant or condition except to the extent so expressly waived, and, until such waiver shall become effective, the obligations of the Guarantor and the duties of the Trustee in respect of any such covenant or condition shall remain in full force and effect.

 

ARTICLE XII

 

Redemption of Securities

 

SECTION 12.01. Applicability of Article. Securities of any series which are redeemable before their Stated Maturity shall be redeemable in accordance with their terms and (except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 2.02 or Section 3.01, as the case may be, for Securities of any series) in accordance with this Article.

 

SECTION 12.02. Election to Redeem; Notice to Trustee. If the Company shall desire to exercise the right to redeem all, or, as the case may be, any part of the Securities of any series, the Company shall, at least 15 days prior to the date the notice of redemption is sent to the Holders of Securities (unless a shorter notice shall be satisfactory to the Trustee), notifying the Trustee of such Redemption Date and of the principal amount of Securities of such series to be redeemed. In the case of any redemption of Securities prior to the expiration of any restriction on such redemption provided in the terms of such Securities or elsewhere in this Indenture, the Company shall furnish the Trustee with a Company Officers’ Certificate evidencing compliance with such restriction.

 

SECTION 12.03. Selection by Trustee of Securities to be Redeemed. (a)  If less than all the Securities of any series are to be redeemed, the particular Securities to be redeemed shall be selected not more than 60 days prior to the Redemption Date by the Trustee, from the Outstanding Securities of such series not previously called for redemption, by such method as the Trustee shall deem fair and appropriate and which may provide for the selection for redemption of portions (equal to the minimum authorized denomination for Securities of that series or any integral multiple thereof) of the principal amount of Securities of such series of a denomination larger than the minimum authorized denomination for Securities of that series.

 

80 

 

 

(b)  The Trustee shall promptly notify the Company in writing of the Securities selected for redemption and, in the case of any Securities selected for partial redemption, the principal amount thereof to be redeemed.

 

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

 

SECTION 12.04. Notice of Redemption. (a)  Notice of redemption shall be given not less than 10 nor more than 60 days prior to the Redemption Date, to each Holder of Securities to be redeemed, by mail, electronic delivery or otherwise in accordance with the applicable depositary’s procedures.

 

(b)  Each such notice of redemption shall specify the Redemption Date, the Redemption Price, the Place or Places of Payment, that the Securities of such series are being redeemed at the option of the Company pursuant to provisions contained in the terms of the Securities of such series or in a supplemental indenture establishing such series, if such be the case, together with a brief statement of the facts permitting such redemption, that on the Redemption Date the Redemption Price will become due and payable upon each Security redeemed, that payment will be made upon presentation and surrender of the applicable Securities, that all Coupons, if any, maturing subsequent to the date fixed for redemption shall be void, that any interest accrued to the Redemption Date will be paid as specified in said notice, that the redemption is pursuant to the sinking fund, if such is the case, and that on and after said Redemption Date any interest thereon or on the portions thereof to be redeemed will cease to accrue. If less than all the Securities of any series are to be redeemed, the notice of redemption shall specify the registration and, if any, CUSIP numbers of the Securities of such series to be redeemed, and, if only Bearer Securities of any series are to be redeemed, and if such Bearer Securities may be exchanged for Registered Securities, the last date on which exchanges of Bearer Securities for Registered Securities not subject to redemption may be made. In case any Security of any series is to be redeemed in part only, the notice of redemption shall state the portion of the principal amount thereof to be redeemed and shall state that on and after the Redemption Date, upon surrender of such Security and any Coupons appertaining thereto, a new Security or Securities of such series in principal amount equal to the unredeemed portion thereof and with appropriate Coupons will be issued, or, in the case of Registered Securities providing appropriate space for such notation, at the option of the Holders, the Trustee, in lieu of delivering a new Security or Securities as aforesaid, may make a notation on such Security of the payment of the redeemed portion thereof.

 

(c)  Notice of redemption of Securities to be redeemed at the election of the Company shall be given by the Company or, at the Company’s request, by the Trustee in the name and at the expense of the Company.

 

SECTION 12.05. Deposit of Redemption Price. On or before the opening of business on any Redemption Date, the Company shall deposit with the Trustee or with a Paying Agent (or, if the Company or Guarantor is acting as Paying Agent, segregate and hold in trust as provided in Section 11.03) an amount of money in the relevant currency (or a sufficient number of currency units, as the case may be) sufficient to pay the Redemption Price of, and (except if the Redemption Date shall be an Interest Payment Date) accrued interest on, all the Securities which are to be redeemed on that date.

 

81 

 

 

SECTION 12.06. Securities Payable on Redemption Date. (a)  Notice of redemption having been given as aforesaid, the Securities so to be redeemed shall, on the Redemption Date, become due and payable at the Redemption Price therein specified, and from and after such date (unless the Company shall default in the payment of the Redemption Price and accrued interest) such Securities shall cease to bear interest and the Coupons for such interest appertaining to any Bearer Securities so to be redeemed, except to the extent provided below, shall be void. Upon surrender of any such Security for redemption in accordance with said notice, together with all Coupons, if any, appertaining thereto maturing after the Redemption Date, such Security shall be paid by the Company at the Redemption Price, together with accrued interest to the Redemption Date; provided, however, that installments of interest on Bearer Securities whose Stated Maturity is on or prior to the Redemption Date shall be payable only at an office or agency located outside the United States (except otherwise provided in Section 11.02) and, unless otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 2.02 or Section 3.01, as the case may be, only upon presentation and surrender of Coupons for such interest; provided further, that unless otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 2.02 or Section 3.01, as the case may be, installments of interest on Registered Securities whose Stated 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 their terms and the provisions of Section 4.06.

 

(b)  If any Bearer Security surrendered for redemption shall not be accompanied by all appurtenant Coupons maturing after the Redemption Date, such Security may be paid after deducting from the Redemption Price an amount equal to the face amount of all such missing Coupons, or the surrender of such missing Coupon or Coupons may be waived by the Company and the Trustee if there be furnished to them such security or indemnity as they may require to save each of them and any Paying Agent harmless. If thereafter the Holder of such Security shall surrender to the Trustee or any Paying Agent any such missing Coupon in respect of which a deduction shall have been made from the Redemption Price, such Holder shall be entitled to receive the amount so deducted; provided, however, that interest represented by Coupons shall be payable only at an office or agency located outside the United States (except as otherwise provided in Section 11.02) and, unless otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 2.02 or Section 3.01, as the case may be, only upon presentation and surrender of those coupons.

 

(c)  If any Security called for redemption shall not be so paid upon surrender thereof for redemption, the principal and any premium shall, until paid, bear interest from the Redemption Date at the rate prescribed therefor in the Security.

 

SECTION 12.07. Securities Redeemed in Part. Any Security which is to be redeemed only in part shall be surrendered at a Place of Payment therefor (with, if the Company or the Trustee so requires, due endorsement by, or a written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the Company and the Trustee duly executed by, the Holder thereof or his attorney duly authorized in writing), and the Company shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and make available for delivery to the Holder of such Security without service charge, a new Security or Securities (with appropriate Coupons) of the same series and Stated Maturity, of any authorized denomination as requested by such Holder, in aggregate principal amount equal to and in exchange for the unredeemed portion of the principal of the Security so surrendered or, in the case of Registered Securities providing appropriate space for such notation, at the option of the Holder, the Trustee, in lieu of delivering a new Security or Securities as aforesaid, may make a notation on such Security of the Payment of the redeemed portion thereof.

 

82 

 

 

ARTICLE XIII

 

Sinking Funds

 

SECTION 13.01. Applicability of Article. (a)  The provisions of this Article shall be applicable to any sinking fund for the retirement of Securities of a series, except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 2.02 or Section 3.01, as the case may be, for Securities of such series.

 

(b)  The minimum amount of any sinking fund payment provided for by the terms of Securities of any series is herein referred to as a “mandatory sinking fund payment”, and any payment in excess of such minimum amount provided for by the terms of Securities of any series is herein referred to as an “optional sinking fund payment”. If provided for by the terms of Securities of any series, the cash amount of any sinking fund payment may be subject to reduction as provided in Section 13.02. Each sinking fund payment shall be applied to the redemption of Securities of any series as provided for by the terms of Securities of such series.

 

SECTION 13.02. Satisfaction of Sinking Fund Payments with Securities. The Company (1) may deliver Outstanding Securities (including all unmatured Coupons appertaining thereto) of a series (other than any previously called for redemption) and (2) may apply as a credit Securities of a series which have been redeemed either at the election of the Company pursuant to the terms of such Securities or through the application of permitted optional sinking fund payments pursuant to the terms of such Securities, in each case in satisfaction of all or any part of any sinking fund payment with respect to the Securities of such series required to be made pursuant to the terms of such Securities as provided for by the terms of such series; provided that such Securities have not been previously so credited. Such Securities shall be received and the outstanding principal amount thereof credited for such purpose by the Trustee at the Redemption Price specified in such Securities for redemption through operation of the sinking fund and the amount of such sinking fund payment shall be reduced accordingly.

 

SECTION 13.03. Redemption of Securities for Sinking Fund. Not less than 60 days prior to each sinking fund payment date for any series of Securities, the Company will deliver to the Trustee a Company Officers’ Certificate specifying the amount of the next ensuing sinking fund payment for that series pursuant to the terms of that series, the portion thereof, if any, which is to be satisfied by payment of cash and the portion thereof, if any, which is to be satisfied by delivering and crediting Securities of that series pursuant to Section 13.02 and will also deliver to the Trustee any Securities (including all unmatured Coupons appertaining thereto) to be so delivered. Not less than 30 days before each such sinking fund payment date the Trustee shall select the Securities to be redeemed upon such sinking fund payment date in the manner specified in Section 12.03 and cause notice of the redemption thereof to given in the name of and at the expense of the Company in the manner provided in Section 12.04. Such notice having been duly given, the redemption of such Securities shall be made upon the terms and in the manner stated in Section 12.06 and 12.07.

 

83 

 

 

ARTICLE XIV

 

Meetings of Holders of Securities

 

SECTION 14.01. Purposes for Which Meetings may be Called. A meeting of Holders of Securities of any series may be called at any time and from time to time pursuant to this Article to make, give or take any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action provided by this Indenture to be made, given or taken by Holders of Securities of such series.

 

SECTION 14.02. Call, Notice and Place of Meetings. (a)  The Trustee may at any time call a meeting of Holders of Securities of any series for any purpose specified in Section 14.01, to be held at such time and at such place in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, or in London, as the Trustee shall determine. Notice of every meeting of Holders of Securities of any series, setting forth the time and the place of such meeting and in general terms the action proposed to be taken at such meeting, shall be given, in the manner provided in Section 1.06, not less than 20 nor more than 180 days prior to the date fixed for the meeting.

 

(b)  In case at any time the Company, by or pursuant to a Company Board Resolution, or the Holders of at least 10% in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of any series shall have requested the Trustee to call a meeting of the Holders of Securities of such series for any purpose specified in Section 14.01, by written request setting forth in reasonable detail the action proposed to be taken at the meeting, and the Trustee shall not have made the first publication of the notice of such meeting within 20 days after receipt of such request or shall not thereafter proceed to cause the meeting to be held as provided herein, then the Company or the Holders of Securities of such series in the amount above specified, as the case may be, may determine the time and the place in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, or in London, for such meeting and may call such meeting for such purposes by giving notice thereof as provided in SubSection (a) of this Section.

 

SECTION 14.03. Persons Entitled to Vote at Meetings. To be entitled to vote at any meeting of Holders of Securities of any series, a Person shall be (i) a Holder of one or more Outstanding Securities of such series or (ii) a Person appointed by an instrument in writing as proxy for a Holder or Holders of one or more Outstanding Securities of such series by such Holder or Holders. The only Persons who shall be entitled to be present or to speak at any meeting of Holders of Securities of any series shall be the Persons entitled to vote at such meeting and their counsel, any representatives of the Trustee and its counsel and any representatives of the Company and its counsel.

 

SECTION 14.04. Quorum; Action. (a)  The Persons entitled to vote a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of a series shall constitute a quorum for a meeting of Holders of Securities of such series. In the absence of a quorum within 30 minutes of the time appointed for any such meeting, the meeting shall, if convened at the request of Holders of Securities of such series, be dissolved. In any other case the meeting may be adjourned for a period of not less than 10 days as determined by the chairman of the meeting prior to the adjournment of such meeting. In the absence of a quorum at any such adjourned meeting, such adjourned meeting may be further adjourned for a period of not less than 10 days as determined by the chairman of the meeting prior to the adjournment of such adjourned meeting. Notice of the reconvening of any adjourned meeting shall be given as provided in Section 14.02(a), except that such notice need be given only once not less than five days prior to the date on which the meeting is scheduled to be reconvened.

 

84 

 

 

(b)  Except as limited by the proviso to Section 10.02, and subject to the provisions described in the next succeeding paragraph, any resolution presented to a meeting or adjourned meeting duly reconvened at which a quorum is present as aforesaid may be adopted by the affirmative vote of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of that series; provided, however, that any resolution with respect to any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action which this Indenture expressly provides may be made, given or taken by the Holders of a specified percentage, which is equal to or less than a majority, in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of a series may be adopted at a meeting or an adjourned meeting duly reconvened and at which a quorum is present as aforesaid by the affirmative vote of the Holders of such specified percentage in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of that series. Any resolution passed or decision taken at any meeting of Holders of Securities of any series duly held in accordance with this Section shall be binding on all the Holders of Securities of such series and the related Coupons, whether or not present or represented at the meeting.

 

(c)  With respect to any consent, waiver or other action which this Indenture expressly provides may be given by the Holders of a specified percentage of Outstanding Securities of all series affected thereby (acting as one class), only the principal amount of Outstanding Securities of any series represented at a meeting or adjourned meeting duly reconvened at which a quorum is present, held in accordance with this Section, and voting in favor of such action, shall be counted for purposes of calculating the aggregate principal amount of Outstanding Securities of all series affected thereby favoring such action.

 

SECTION 14.05. Determination of Voting Rights; Conduct and Adjournment of Meetings. (a)  Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Indenture, the Trustee may make such reasonable regulations as it may deem advisable for any meeting of Holders of Securities of a series in regard to proof of the holding of Securities of such series and of the appointment of proxies and in regard to the appointment and duties of inspectors of votes, the submission and examination of proxies, certificates and other evidence of the right to vote, and such other matters concerning the conduct of the meeting as it shall deem appropriate. Except as otherwise permitted or required by any such regulations, the holding of Securities shall be proved in the manner specified in Section 1.04 and the appointment of any proxy shall be proved in the manner specified in Section 1.04 or by having the signature of the person executing the proxy witnessed or guaranteed by any trust company, bank or banker authorized by Section 1.04 to certify to the holder of Bearer Securities. Such regulations may provide that written instruments appointing proxies, regular on their face, may be presumed valid and genuine without the proof specified in Section 1.04 or other proof.

 

85 

 

 

(b)  The Trustee shall, by an instrument in writing, appoint a temporary chairman of the meeting, unless the meeting shall have been called by the Company or by Holders of Securities as provided in Section 14.02(b), in which case the Company or the Holders of Securities of the series calling the meeting, as the case may be, shall in like manner appoint a temporary chairman. A permanent chairman and a permanent secretary of the meeting shall be elected by vote of the Persons entitled to vote a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Securities of such series represented at the meeting.

 

(c)  At any meeting each Holder of a Security of such series or proxy shall be entitled to one vote for each $1,000 (or the equivalent thereof) principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series held or represented by him; provided, however, that no vote shall be cast or counted at any meeting in respect of any Security challenged as not Outstanding and ruled by the chairman of the meeting to be not Outstanding. The chairman of the meeting shall have no right to vote, except as a Holder of a Security of such series or proxy.

 

(d)  Any meeting of Holders of Securities of any series duly called pursuant to Section 14.02 at which a quorum is present may be adjourned from time to time by Persons entitled to vote a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series represented at the meeting; and the meeting may be held as so adjourned without further notice.

 

SECTION 14.06. Counting Votes and Recording Action of Meetings. The vote upon any resolution submitted to any meeting of Holders of Securities of any series shall be by written ballots on which shall be subscribed the signatures of the Holders of Securities of such series or of their representatives by proxy and the principal amounts and serial numbers of the Outstanding Securities of such series held or represented by them. The permanent chairman of the meeting shall appoint two inspectors of votes who shall count all votes cast at the meeting for or against any resolution and who shall make and file with the secretary of the meeting their verified written reports in duplicate of all votes cast at the meeting. A record, at least in duplicate, of the proceedings of each meeting of Holders of Securities of any series shall be prepared by the secretary of the meeting and there shall be attached to said record the original reports of the inspectors of votes on any vote by ballot taken thereat and affidavits by one or more persons having knowledge of the facts setting forth a copy of the notice of the meeting and showing that said notice was given as provided in Section 14.02 and, if applicable, Section 14.04. Each copy shall be signed and verified by the affidavits of the permanent chairman and secretary of the meeting and one such copy shall be delivered to the Company, and another to the Trustee to be preserved by the Trustee, the latter to have attached thereto the ballots voted at the meeting. Any record so signed and verified shall be conclusive evidence of the matters therein stated.

 

SECTION 14.07. Action without Meeting. In lieu of a vote of Holders at a meeting as hereinabove contemplate in this Article, any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action may be made, given or taken by Holders by written instruments as provided in Section 1.04.

 

86 

 

 

ARTICLE XV

 

Guarantee

 

SECTION 15.01. Guarantee.

 

(a)  Subject to the provisions of this Article XV, Guarantor hereby fully and unconditionally guarantees to each Holder of a Security authenticated by the Trustee and to the Trustee and its successors and assigns that:  the principal of, premium thereon (if any) and interest on each series of Securities will be promptly paid in full when due, subject to any applicable grace period, whether at maturity, by acceleration or otherwise, and interest on any overdue principal and interest on any overdue interest on each series of Securities and all other obligations of the Company to the Holders or the Trustee under this Indenture or such series of Securities will be promptly paid in full or performed, all in accordance with the terms hereof and thereof. The Guarantor hereby agrees that its obligations hereunder shall be unconditional, irrespective of the validity, regularity or enforceability of this Indenture or any series of Securities, the absence of any action to enforce the same, any waiver or consent by any Holder or the Trustee with respect to any provisions of this Indenture or any series of Securities, the recovery of any judgment against the Company, any action to enforce the same or any other circumstance which might otherwise constitute a legal or equitable discharge or defense of the Guarantor.  The Guarantor hereby waives diligence, presentment, demand of payment, filing of claims with a court in the event of insolvency or bankruptcy of the Company, any right to require proceeding first against the Company, protest, notice and all demands whatsoever and covenants that the Guarantee will not be discharged except by complete performance of the obligations contained in this Indenture and each series of Securities.  If any Holder or Trustee is required by any court or otherwise to return to the Company or the Guarantor or any custodian, trustee, liquidator or other similar official acting in relation to the Company or the Guarantor, any amount paid by the Company or Guarantor to the Trustee or such Holder, the Guarantee, to the extent theretofore discharged, shall be reinstated in full force and effect.

 

(b)  The Guarantor hereby agrees that any claim against the Company that arises from the payment, performance or enforcement of the Guarantor’s obligations under the Guarantee or this Indenture, including, without limitation, any right of subrogation, shall be subject and subordinate to, and no payment with respect to any such claim of the Guarantor shall be made before, the payment in full in cash of all outstanding Securities of each series in accordance with the provisions provided therefor in this Indenture.

 

(c)  The Guarantee shall be evidenced solely by the execution and delivery of this Indenture and no notation of the Guarantee need be endorsed on any Security. The Guarantor hereby agrees that the Guarantee set forth in this Section 15.01 shall remain in full force and effect notwithstanding the absence of the endorsement of any notation of such Guarantee on the Notes.

 

87 

 

 

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

 

  IBM INTERNATIONAL CAPITAL PTE. LTD.
   
  By:  
    Name
    Title
   
  INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION, as Guarantor
   
  By:  
    Name
    Title
   
  THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON, as Trustee,
   
  By:  
    Name
    Title

 

88 

 

 

EXHIBIT B
[FORMS OF CERTIFICATION]

 

EXHIBIT B.1

 

[FORM OF CERTIFICATE TO BE GIVEN BY
PERSON ENTITLED TO RECEIVE BEARER SECURITY]
CERTIFICATE

 

iBM INTERNATIONAL CAPITAL PTE. LTD.

 

[INSERT TITLE OR SUFFICIENT DESCRIPTION

 

OF SECURITIES TO BE DELIVERED]

 

This is to certify that the above-captioned Securities are not being acquired by or on behalf of a United States person, or for offer to resell or for resale to a United States person or any person inside the United States, or, if a beneficial interest in the Securities is being acquired by a United States person, that such United States person is a financial institution as defined in Section 1.165-12(c)(1)(v) of the United States Treasury Regulations, or is acquiring through a financial institution, and that the Securities were held by a financial institution that has agreed to comply with the requirements of Section 165(j)(3)(A), (B) or (C) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and the regulations thereunder and that it is not purchasing for offer to resell or for resale inside the United States.

 

As used herein, “United States person” means any citizen or resident of the United States, any corporation, partnership or other entity created or organized in or under the laws of the United States, or any estate or trust the income of which is subject to United States Federal income taxation regardless of its source, and “United States” means the United States of America (including the states and the District of Columbia), its territories, its possessions and other areas subject to its jurisdiction.

 

We undertake to advise you promptly if the above statement as to beneficial ownership is not correct on the date of delivery of the above-captioned Securities in bearer form as to all such Securities.

 

 

 

 

We understand that this certificate may be required in connection with certain tax legislation in the United States. If administrative or legal proceedings are commenced or threatened in connection with which this certificate is or would be relevant, we irrevocably authorize you to produce this certificate or a copy thereof to any interested party in such proceedings.

 

Dated: __________, 20__

[To be dated on or after

_____________, 20__ the date

determined as provided in the

Indenture]

 

  [Name of Person Entitled to
  Receive Bearer Security]
   
   
  (Authorized Signatory)
  Name:
  Title:

 

2

 

 

EXHIBIT B.2
[FORM OF CERTIFICATE TO BE GIVEN BY EUROCLEAR
AND CLEARSTREAM Banking, société anonyme IN
CONNECTION WITH THE EXCHANGE OF A PORTION OF A
TEMPORARY GLOBAL SECURITY]

 

CERTIFICATE
iBM INTERNATIONAL CAPITAL PTE. LTD.

 

[INSERT TITLE OR SUFFICIENT DESCRIPTION
OF SECURITIES TO BE DELIVERED]

 

This is to certify with respect to $_________ principal amount of the above-captioned Securities (i) that we have received from each of the persons appearing in our records as persons entitled to a portion of such principal amount (our “Qualified Account Holders”) a certificate with respect to such portion substantially in the form attached hereto and (ii) that we are not submitting herewith for exchange any portion of the temporary global Security representing the above-captioned Securities excepted in such certificates.

 

We further certify that as of the date hereof we have not received any notification from any of our Qualified Account Holders to the effect that the statements made by such Qualified Account Holders with respect to any portion of the part submitted herewith for exchange are no longer true and cannot be relied upon as of the date hereof.

 

Date:_________, 20__  
[To be dated no earlier than  
The Exchange Date]  
 
  [MORGAN GUARANTY TRUST COMPANY
OF NEW YORK, BRUSSELS OFFICE, as
  Operator of the Euroclear System]
  [CLEARSTREAM Banking, société anonyme]
   
  By  
   
     

 

 

 

 

EXHIBIT B.3
[FORM OF CERTIFICATE TO BE GIVEN BY EUROCLEAR
AND CLEARSTREAM Banking, société anonyme TO OBTAIN
INTEREST PRIOR TO AN EXCHANGE DATE]

 

CERTIFICATE

 

iBM INTERNATIONAL CAPITAL PTE. LTD.

 

[INSERT TITLE OR SUFFICIENT
DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES]

 

We confirm that the interest payable on the Interest Payment Date on [Insert Date] will be paid to each of the persons appearing in our records as being entitled to interest payable on such date from whom we have received a written certification, dated not earlier than such Interest Payment Date, substantially in the form attached hereto. We undertake to retain certificates received from our member organizations in connection herewith for four years from the end of the calendar year in which such certificates are received.

 

We undertake that any interest received by us and not paid as provided above shall be returned to the Trustee for the above Securities immediately prior to the expiration of two years after such Interest Payment Date in order to be repaid by such Trustee to the above issuer at the end of two years after such Interest Payment Date.

 

Date: _______________, 20__  
[To be dated on or after the  
relevant Interest Payment Date]  
 
  [MORGAN GUARANTY TRUST COMPANY OF
NEW YORK, BRUSSELS OFFICE, as
  Operator of the Euroclear System]
  [CLEARSTREAM Banking, société anonyme]
 
  By                             

 

2

 

 

EXHIBIT B.4
[FORM OF CERTIFICATE TO BE GIVEN BY BENEFICIAL OWNERS
TO OBTAIN INTEREST PRIOR TO AN EXCHANGE DATE]

 

CERTIFICATE

 

iBM INTERNATIONAL CAPITAL PTE. LTD.

 

[INSERT TITLE OR SUFFICIENT
DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES]

 

This is to certify that as of the Interest Payment Date on [Insert Date] and except as provided in the third paragraph hereof, the above-captioned Securities held by you for our account are not beneficially owned by a United States person, and have not been acquired by or on behalf of a United States person, or for offer to resell or for resale to a United States person or any person inside the United States, or, if any of such Securities held by you for our account are beneficially owned by a United States person, (i) such United States person is a financial institution within the meaning of Section 1.165-12(c)(1)(v) of the United States Treasury Regulations purchasing for its own account or has acquired such Securities through a financial institution and (ii) such Securities are held by a financial institution that has agreed to comply with the requirements of Section 165(j)(3)(A), (B) or (C) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and the regulations thereunder and that it did not purchase for offer to resell or for resale inside the United States.

 

As used herein, “United States person” means any citizen or resident of the United States, any corporation, partnership or other entity created or organized in or under the laws of the United States or any estate or trust the income of which is subject to United States Federal income taxation regardless of its source, and “United States” means the United States of America (including the states and the District of Columbia), its territories, its possessions and other areas subject to its jurisdiction.

 

This certificate excepts and does not relate to U.S. $______________ principal amount of the above-captioned Securities appearing in your books as being held for our account as to which we are not yet able to certify and as to which we understand interest cannot be credited unless and until we are able to so certify.

 

 

 

 

We understand that this certificate may be required in connection with certain tax legislation in the United States. If administrative or legal proceedings are commenced or threatened in connection with which this certificate is or would be relevant, we irrevocably authorize you to produce this certificate or a copy thereof to any interested party in such proceedings.

 

Date: __________, 20__  
[To be dated on or after  
the 15th day before the  
relevant Interest Payment Date]  
 
  [Name of Person Entitled to Receive Interest]
 
   
  (Authorized Signature)
  Name:
  Title:

 

2

 

 

EXHIBIT B.5

 

[FORM OF CONFIRMATION TO BE SENT TO
PURCHASERS OF BEARER SECURITIES]

 

By your purchase of the securities referred to in the accompanying confirmation (the “Securities”):

 

You represent that you are not a United States person or, if you are a United States person, you are a financial institution as that term is defined in Section 1.165-12(c)(1)(v) of the United States Treasury Regulations, or are acquiring through a financial institution, and that the Securities will be held by a financial institution that agrees to comply with the requirements of Section 165(j)(3)(A), (B) or (C) of the United States Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and the regulations thereunder and are not purchasing the Securities on behalf of any United States person other than such a financial institution or for offer to resell or for resale inside the United States.

 

If you are a dealer, (a) you also represent that you have not offered, sold or delivered, and agree that you will not offer, sell, resell or deliver, any of such Securities, directly or indirectly, in the United States or to any United States person other than such a financial institution and (b) you agree that you will deliver to all purchasers of such Securities from you a written statement in this form.

 

As used herein, “United States” means the United States of America (including the states and the District of Columbia), its territories, its possessions and other areas subject to its jurisdiction and “United States person” means a citizen or resident of the United States, a corporation, partnership or other entity created or organized in or under the laws of the United States and an estate or trust the income of which is subject to United States Federal income taxation regardless of its source.

 

 

 

 

Exhibit (5)(a)

 

INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION

Office of the Vice President, Assistant General Counsel and Secretary
Armonk, New York 10504

 

January 29, 2024

 

Ladies & Gentlemen:

 

As the Vice President, Assistant General Counsel and Secretary of International Business Machines Corporation (“IBM”) and an attorney duly admitted to practice in the State of New York, I am giving this opinion in connection with the proposed issuance and sale from time to time pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933 (the “Securities Act”) of senior or subordinated debt securities (the “IBM Debt Securities”) of IBM, to be issued under an Indenture dated as of October 1, 1993, as supplemented by the First Supplemental Indenture thereto dated as of December 15, 1995 (the “Senior IBM Indenture”), between IBM and The Bank of New York Mellon, as successor to The Chase Manhattan Bank (National Association) (the “Senior Trustee”) or an Indenture (the “Subordinated IBM Indenture”) to be entered into between IBM and a Trustee (the “Subordinated Trustee”), debt securities (the “IIGC Debt Securities”) of IBM International Group Capital LLC (“IIGC”), fully and unconditionally guaranteed (the “IIGC Guarantee”) by IBM, to be issued under an indenture (the “IIGC Indenture”) dated as of August 13, 2007 between IIGC and The Bank of New York Mellon, as trustee (the “IIGC Trustee”) and a guarantee agreement (the “IIGC Guarantee Agreement”) dated as of August 13, 2007 between IBM and the IIGC Trustee, debt securities (the “IIC Debt Securities”) of IBM International Capital Pte. Ltd. (“IIC”), fully and unconditionally guaranteed (the “IIC Guarantee”) by IBM, to be issued under an indenture (the “IIC Indenture”) to be entered into among IIC, IBM and The Bank of New York Mellon, as trustee (the “IIC Trustee”), preferred stock (the “Preferred Stock”) of IBM, depositary shares (the “Depositary Shares”) of IBM representing a fractional interest in a share of Preferred Stock, capital stock (the “Capital Stock”) of IBM and/or warrants to purchase IBM Debt Securities, Preferred Stock or Capital Stock (the “Warrants”) of IBM (the IBM Debt Securities, IIGC Debt Securities, IIGC Guarantee, IIC Debt Securities, IIC Guarantee, Preferred Stock, Depositary Shares, Capital Stock and Warrants are collectively referred to herein as the “Securities”).

 

I, working together with members of IBM’s legal department, have examined the Certificate of Incorporation of IBM, as amended; the By-laws of IBM; the Certificate of Formation of IIGC: the Limited Liability Company Agreement of IIGC; the Senior IBM Indenture; the IIGC Indenture; the IIGC Guarantee Agreement; and the forms of Subordinated IBM Indenture, IIC Indenture and Deposit Agreement (the “Deposit Agreement”) filed as Exhibits to the Registration Statement. In addition, I am familiar with the proceedings by which such instruments and the transactions contemplated thereby were authorized by IBM and IIGC. I am also familiar with the proceedings by which the IIC Guarantee was authorized by IBM.

 

Based upon and subject to the foregoing, and assuming that: (i) the Registration Statement and any amendments thereto (including post-effective amendments) will have become effective and comply with all applicable laws; (ii) the Registration Statement will be effective and will comply with all applicable laws at the time the Securities are offered or issued as contemplated by the Registration Statement; (iii) a Prospectus Supplement, Pricing Supplement or term sheet will have been prepared and filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission describing the Securities offered thereby and will comply with all applicable laws; (iv) all Securities will be issued and sold in compliance with applicable federal and state securities laws and in the manner stated in the Registration Statement and the appropriate Prospectus Supplement; (v) a definitive purchase, underwriting or similar agreement with respect to any Securities offered or issued will have been duly authorized and validly executed and delivered by IBM, IIGC or IIC, as applicable, and the other parties thereto; (vi) any Securities issuable upon conversion, exchange or exercise of any Security being offered or issued will be duly authorized, created and, if appropriate, reserved for issuance upon such conversion, exchange or exercise; and (vii) IIC has been duly incorporated as a private company limited by shares and is validly existing, in each case, under the laws of the Republic of Singapore and IIC has the applicable power and authority to execute, deliver and perform all its obligations under the IIC Indenture, I am of the opinion that:

 

(1)          IBM has been duly incorporated and is a validly existing corporation under the laws of the State of New York.

 

(2)          IIGC has been duly created and is a validly existing limited liability company under the laws of the State of Delaware.

 

 

 

 

(3)          with respect to IBM Debt Securities to be issued under either the Senior IBM Indenture or Subordinated IBM Indenture, when (A) the Senior Trustee or Subordinated Trustee, as applicable, is qualified to act as Senior Trustee or Subordinated Trustee, as applicable, under the Senior IBM Indenture or Subordinated IBM Indenture, as applicable, (B) the Senior Trustee or Subordinated Trustee, as applicable, has duly executed and delivered the Senior IBM Indenture or Subordinated IBM Indenture, as applicable, (C) the Senior IBM Indenture or Subordinated IBM Indenture, as applicable, has been duly authorized and validly executed and delivered by IBM to the Senior Trustee or Subordinated Trustee, as applicable, (D) the Senior IBM Indenture or Subordinated IBM Indenture, as applicable, has been duly qualified under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, (E) the Board of Directors of IBM or a duly constituted and acting committee thereof (such Board of Directors or committee being hereinafter referred to as the “IBM Board”) has taken all necessary corporate action to approve the issuance and terms of such IBM Debt Securities, the terms of the offering thereof and related matters, and (F) such IBM Debt Securities have been duly executed, authenticated, issued and delivered in accordance with the provisions of the Senior IBM Indenture or Subordinated IBM Indenture, as applicable, and the applicable definitive purchase, underwriting or similar agreement approved by the IBM Board, upon payment of the consideration therefor provided for therein, such IBM Debt Securities will be validly issued and will constitute valid and binding obligations of IBM, enforceable against IBM in accordance with their terms (subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, fraudulent conveyance, moratorium or other similar laws in effect and subject to general principles of equity, regardless of whether such enforceability is considered in a proceeding in equity or at law);

 

(4)          with respect to IIGC Debt Securities to be issued under the IIGC Indenture and the IIGC Guarantee to be issued under the IIGC Guarantee Agreement, when (A) the IIGC Trustee is qualified to act as IIGC Trustee under the IIGC Indenture and IIGC Guarantee Agreement, (B) the IIGC Trustee has duly executed and delivered the IIGC Indenture and IIGC Guarantee Agreement, (C) the IIGC Indenture has been duly authorized and validly executed and delivered by IIGC to the IIGC Trustee and the IIGC Guarantee Agreement has been duly authorized and validly executed and delivered by IBM to the IIGC Trustee, (D) the IIGC Indenture has been duly qualified under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, (E) the Managing Members (the “Managers”) of IIGC have taken all necessary action to approve the issuance and terms of such IIGC Debt Securities, the terms of the offering thereof and related matters and the IBM Board has taken all necessary corporate action to approve the issuance and terms of the IIGC Guarantee, the terms of the offering thereof and related matters, and (F) such IIGC Debt Securities and IIGC Guarantee have been duly executed, authenticated, issued and delivered in accordance with the provisions of the IIGC Indenture, the IIGC Guarantee Agreement and the applicable definitive purchase, underwriting or similar agreement approved by the Managers and the IBM Board, upon payment of the consideration therefor provided for therein, such IIGC Debt Securities will be validly issued and will constitute valid and binding obligations of IIGC, enforceable against IIGC in accordance with their terms (subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, fraudulent conveyance, moratorium or other similar laws in effect and subject to general principles of equity, regardless of whether such enforceability is considered in a proceeding in equity or at law) and such IIGC Guarantee will be validly issued and will constitute valid and binding obligations of IBM, enforceable against IBM in accordance with their terms (subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, fraudulent conveyance, moratorium or other similar laws in effect and subject to general principles of equity, regardless of whether such enforceability is considered in a proceeding in equity or at law);

 

(5)          with respect to IIC Debt Securities and IIC Guarantee to be issued under the IIC Indenture, when (A) the IIC Trustee is qualified to act as IIC Trustee under the IIC Indenture, (B) the IIC Trustee has duly executed and delivered the IIC Indenture, (C) the IIC Indenture has been duly authorized and validly executed and delivered by IIC and IBM to the IIC Trustee, (D) the IIC Indenture has been duly qualified under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, (E) the Board of Directors of IIC or a duly constituted and acting committee thereof (such Board of Directors or committee being hereinafter referred to as the “IIC Board”) has taken all necessary action to approve the issuance and terms of such IIC Debt Securities, the terms of the offering thereof and related matters and the IBM Board has taken all necessary corporate action to approve the issuance and terms of the IIC Guarantee, the terms of the offering thereof and related matters, and (F) such IIC Debt Securities have been duly executed, authenticated, issued and delivered in accordance with the provisions of the IIC Indenture and the applicable definitive purchase, underwriting or similar agreement approved by the IIC Board and the IBM Board, upon payment of the consideration therefor provided for therein, such IIC Debt Securities will be validly issued and will constitute valid and binding obligations of IIC, enforceable against IIC in accordance with their terms (subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, fraudulent conveyance, moratorium or other similar laws in effect and subject to general principles of equity, regardless of whether such enforceability is considered in a proceeding in equity or at law) and such IIC Guarantee will be validly issued and will constitute valid and binding obligations of IBM, enforceable against IBM in accordance with their terms (subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, fraudulent conveyance, moratorium or other similar laws in effect and subject to general principles of equity, regardless of whether such enforceability is considered in a proceeding in equity or at law);

 

(6)          with respect to shares of Preferred Stock, when both (A) the IBM Board has taken all necessary corporate action to approve the issuance and terms of the shares of Preferred Stock, the terms of the offering thereof, and related matters, including the adoption of a Certificate of Amendment relating to such Preferred Stock (a “Certificate”) and the filing of the Certificate with the Secretary of State of the State of New York, and (B) certificates representing the shares of Preferred Stock have been duly executed, countersigned, registered and delivered either (i) in accordance with the applicable definitive purchase, underwriting or similar agreement approved by the IBM Board upon payment of the consideration therefor (not less than the par value of the Preferred Stock) provided for therein or (ii) upon conversion or exercise of such Security or the instrument governing such Security providing for such conversion or exercise as approved by the IBM Board, for the consideration approved by the IBM Board (not less than the par value of the Preferred Stock), then the shares of Preferred Stock will be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable;

 

(7)          with respect to Depositary Shares, when (A) the IBM Board has taken all necessary corporate action to approve the issuance and terms of the Depositary Shares, the terms of the offering thereof, and related matters, including the adoption of a Certificate relating to the Preferred Stock underlying such Depositary Shares and the filing of the Certificate with the Secretary of State of the State of New York, (B) the Deposit Agreement or Agreements relating to the Depositary Shares and the related Depositary Receipts have been duly authorized and validly executed and delivered by IBM and the Depositary appointed by IBM, (C) the shares of Preferred Stock underlying such Depositary Shares have been deposited with a bank or trust company (which meets the requirements for the Depositary set forth in the Registration Statement) under the applicable Deposit Agreement, and (D) the Depositary Receipts representing the Depositary Shares have been duly executed, countersigned, registered and delivered in accordance with the appropriate Deposit Agreement and the applicable definitive purchase, underwriting or similar agreement approved by the IBM Board upon payment of the consideration therefor provided for therein, the Depositary Shares will be validly issued;

 

 

 

 

(8)         with respect to shares of Capital Stock, when both (A) the IBM Board has taken all necessary corporate action to approve the issuance of and the terms of the offering of the shares of Capital Stock and related matters and (B) certificates representing the shares of Capital Stock have been duly executed, countersigned, registered and delivered either (i) in accordance with the applicable definitive purchase, underwriting or similar agreement approved by the IBM Board upon payment of the consideration therefor (not less than the par value of the Capital Stock) provided for therein or (ii) upon conversion or exercise of any other Security, in accordance with the terms of such Security or the instrument governing such Security providing for such conversion or exercise as approved by the IBM Board, for the consideration approved by the IBM Board (not less than the par value of the Capital Stock), then the shares of Capital Stock will be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable; and

 

(9)          with respect to the Warrants, when (A) the IBM Board has taken all necessary corporate action to approve the creation of and the issuance and terms of the Warrants, the terms of the offering thereof, and related matters, (B) the Warrant Agreement or Agreements relating to the Warrants have been duly authorized and validly executed and delivered by IBM and the Warrant Agent appointed by IBM, and (C) the Warrants or certificates representing the Warrants have been duly executed, countersigned, registered and delivered in accordance with the appropriate Warrant Agreement or Agreements and the applicable definitive purchase, underwriting or similar agreement approved by the IBM Board upon payment of the consideration therefor provided for therein, the Warrants will be validly issued.

 

In giving this opinion, I express no opinion as to: (i) any laws other than the laws of the State of New York and the Federal Laws of the United States of America or (ii) whether a state court outside the State of New York or a Federal court of the United States would give effect to the choice of New York law provided for in the IIC Indenture or the IIC Debt Securities. In particular, I do not purport to pass on any matter governed by the laws of Singapore.

 

I understand that I may be referred to, as counsel who has passed upon the validity of the IBM Debt Securities, IIGC Debt Securities, IIGC Guarantee, IIC Debt Securities or IIC Guarantee or the issuance of the Preferred Stock, Depositary Shares, Capital Stock or Warrants, in each case, on behalf of IBM, IIGC or IIC, as applicable, in a supplement to the Prospectus forming a part of the Registration Statement on Form S-3 relating to the Securities filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to the Securities Act, and I hereby consent to such use of my name in said Registration Statement and to the use of this opinion for filing with said Registration Statement as Exhibit (5)(a) thereto. In giving this consent, I do not admit that I am within the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Securities Act.

 

/s/ Frank P. Sedlarcik  
Frank P. Sedlarcik  

 

 

 

Exhibit (5)(b)

 

 
   
29 January 2024 We do not accept service
of court documents by fax

 

BY EMAIL

No. of pages: 15 (excluding enclosures)

 

International Business Machines Corporation

One New Orchard Road Armonk

New York 10504

 

IBM International Capital Pte. Ltd.

10 Collyer Quay

#10-01, Ocean Financial Centre

Singapore 049315

 

Dear Sirs,

 

IBM International Capital Pte. Ltd. (Company Reg. No.: 202345465D) (Company) – Legal Opinion in respect of the Registration Statement on Form S-3ASR

 

1.Background

 

1.1           We have acted as advisers as to Singapore law to the Company in connection with the Registration Statement on Form S-3ASR (the Registration Statement) filed by the Company with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the Commission) on or about 29 January 2024 under the United States Securities Act of 1933 (Securities Act), in connection with the offer and sale from time to time, in one or more offerings, of, among other securities, one or more series of debt securities of the Company (the Debt Securities) to be issued pursuant to an indenture to be entered into between the Company, as issuer, International Business Machines Corporation (IBM), as guarantor, and The Bank of New York Mellon, as trustee (the Trustee), a form of which is included as exhibit 4(g) to the Registration Statement (the Singapore Indenture), and one or more supplements thereto (including any pricing term sheets), in each case, establishing the terms of each such series (such Singapore Indenture, together with the applicable supplement(s) pertaining to the applicable series of Debt Securities, collectively, the Indenture), in each case as contemplated by the Registration Statement. The Debt Securities, if issued, will be fully and unconditionally guaranteed by IBM. The Registration Statement and the Indenture are referred to herein collectively as the Documents.

 

1.2           This opinion is being furnished to you in connection with the filing of the Registration Statement.

 

2.Definitions

 

2.1           The headings in this opinion do not affect its interpretation.

 

2.2           Unless otherwise defined in this opinion, terms defined or given a particular construction in the Registration Statement have the same meaning in this opinion.

 

2.3           References to paragraphs and schedules are to paragraphs of, and schedules to, this opinion.

 

 

 

DREW & NAPIER LLC 10 Collyer Quay, #10-01 Ocean Financial Centre, Singapore 049315

T:+65 6535 0733 T:+65 9726 0573 (After Hours) F:+65 6535 4906 E: mail@drewnapier.com www.drewnapier.com

Drew & Napier LLC (UEN 200102509E) is a law corporation with limited liability.

 

 

 

 

 


29 January 2024
Page 2

 

 

3.Documents examined and enquiries made

 

For the purposes of giving this opinion, we have only examined the documents listed in Schedule 1 and only made the searches and enquiries listed in Schedule 2. We have relied upon the statements as to factual matters contained in or made pursuant to each of the documents mentioned in this paragraph 3.

 

4.Assumptions and qualifications

 

The opinions in this opinion are given on the basis of the assumptions set out in Schedule 3 and are subject to the qualifications set out in Schedule 4 and to any other matters not disclosed to us. The opinions in this opinion are strictly limited to the matters stated in paragraph 5 and do not extend to any other matters.

 

5.Opinion

 

On the basis of, and subject to, the foregoing and the matters set out in paragraph 6 below and having regard to such considerations of Singapore law in force as at the date of this opinion as we consider relevant, we are of the opinion that:

 

(a)the Company has been duly incorporated as a private company limited by shares and is validly existing under the laws of Singapore;

 

(b)the Company has the requisite corporate power and capacity to enter into and issue the Debt Securities and to perform its obligations thereunder; and

 

(c)the Debt Securities, upon issuance and delivery of certificate(s) for such Debt Securities against payment therefor of such lawful consideration as the Board of Directors of the Company (or an authorised committee thereof) may determine, will be duly authorised by the Company for issuance.

 

6.Scope of opinion

 

6.1           This opinion is confined to the laws of Singapore of general application as at the date of this opinion as applied by the Singapore courts, and is given on the basis that it will be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of Singapore.

 

6.2           We express no opinion with respect to the laws of any other jurisdiction. Insofar as any law other than the laws of Singapore may be relevant to this opinion, we have taken no account of, and have made no investigation of, such law and have assumed that no such law would affect the opinion stated herein.

 

6.3           We express no opinion on matters of fact.

 

6.4           By giving this opinion, we do not assume any obligation to notify you of future changes in law which may affect the opinions expressed in this opinion, or otherwise to update this opinion in any respect.

 

6.5           We should also like to make the following observations:

 

(a)it should be understood that we have not been responsible and do not assume any responsibility for investigating or verifying the accuracy or completeness of the facts or any of the statements of foreign law, or the reasonableness or fairness of any of the statements of opinion or intention, contained in or relevant to the Documents or the Debt Securities, or that no material information has been omitted therefrom. Except for the documents listed in Schedule 1, we have not examined any contracts or other documents entered into by or affecting the Company or any corporate records of the Company. We have also not made any other enquiries or searches concerning the Company (whether within our law corporation or otherwise) except as mentioned in Schedule 2;

 

 

 

 

 


29 January 2024
Page 3

 

 

(b)we have not considered the particular circumstances of any party (save for the Company to the extent expressly stated in this opinion) nor the effect of any such particular circumstances on the Documents or the Debt Securities or the effect of the transaction contemplated by any document referred to herein on any such particular circumstances and we express no opinion as to the correctness of any factual matters, or, any representation or warranty given by the Company (expressly or impliedly) under or by virtue of the Documents or the Debt Securities, save if and insofar as the matters warranted are the subject matter of specific opinions in this opinion; and

 

(c)we have not been involved in the detailed preparation of the Documents and have reviewed such documents only for the limited purpose of giving this opinion in relation to the Company. Accordingly, we express no view as to the suitability of the Documents or of their provisions or their general compliance with market practice or any commercial aspects of such documents.

 

7.Benefit of opinion

 

This opinion is addressed to you solely for your own benefit in relation to the Registration Statement and, except with our prior written consent, is not to be transmitted or furnished to or quoted or used or relied upon by any other person or used or relied upon by you for any other purpose. Please note that this opinion is intended to be strictly limited to the matters stated herein and is not to be read as extending by implication to any other matter in connection with the Documents or the Registration Statement or otherwise.

 

8.Consent

 

We consent to the filing of this opinion with the Commission as an exhibit to the Registration Statement. We also hereby consent to the reference to our name under the heading “Legal Opinions” in the prospectus that is a part of the Registration Statement. 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 Securities Act.

 

Yours faithfully

 

/s/ DREW & NAPIER LLC  
   
DREW & NAPIER LLC  

 

 

 

 

 


29 January 2024
Page 4

 

 

Schedule 1 – Documents examined

 

(a)a copy of the Registration Statement;

 

(b)the form of the Singapore Indenture which is included as an exhibit to the Registration Statement; and

 

(c)a copy of the director’s certificate signed by a director of the Company dated as of 29 January 2024 (Director’s Certificate), together with the following documents attached thereto:

 

(i)the Certificate of Incorporation of the Company;

 

(ii)the Constitution of the Company; and

 

(iii)the directors’ resolutions in writing of the Company dated as of 29 January 2024 (the Resolutions).

 

 

 

 

 


29 January 2024
Page 5

 

 

Schedule 2 – Searches and enquiries

 

We have only made the following searches and enquiries in Singapore for the purpose of this opinion:

 

(a)a Bizfile instant information search against the name “IBM International Capital Pte. Ltd.” via the electronic search service on 29 January 2024; and

 

(b)electronic company winding up and composite litigation searches against the Company based on the databases of the Singapore Supreme Court and the State Court registries for the period from 17 November 2023 to 29 January 2024 on 29 January 2024.

 

 

 

 

 


29 January 2024
Page 6

 

 

Schedule 3 – Assumptions

 

We have with your consent and without any further enquiry assumed:

 

(a)the genuineness of all signatures and seals on, and the authenticity and completeness of, all documents submitted to us whether as originals or copies and that no amendments or variations have been made to such documents and, in the case of any document which is a deed, that the signatures and seals pertaining to such deed were made or affixed on a single, complete, physical version of that deed which has remained intact since those signatures or seals were made or affixed;

 

(b)the conformity to originals of all documents supplied to us as copies, electronic copies (including PDFs) or facsimile copies;

 

(c)that, where a document has been examined by us in draft or specimen form, it will be or has been executed in the form of that draft or specimen;

 

(d)that each party to the Indenture and the Debt Securities (other than the Company) has been duly incorporated in its jurisdiction of incorporation;

 

(e)that the Company has not breached and is not in breach of, and following the execution of the Documents or the Debt Securities, was not as a consequence thereof in breach or will not as a consequence thereof be in breach, as applicable, of any obligations binding on it (other than the Constitution of the Company);

 

(f)that the execution of the Documents, the performance of the obligations under the Documents, and the issue and the delivery of, and the performance of the obligations under the Debt Securities, in each case, has been and will be in compliance with applicable laws and regulations in Singapore;

 

(g)that no steps have been taken for the striking off, winding-up, liquidation, receivership, judicial management, moratorium or analogous circumstances of the Company (other than as revealed by the results of the searches referred to in paragraph (b) of Schedule 2);

 

(h)that the Constitution referred to in paragraph (c)(ii) of Schedule 1 is a true, complete and up-to-date copy of the Constitution of the Company as in force as at the date hereof;

 

(i)that each of the names of the authorised signatories as set out in the Director’s Certificate is a duly appointed officer, director, company secretary and/or authorised signatory of the Company and the persons who executed (or will execute) the Documents and the Debt Securities on behalf of the Company are the people authorised to do so by the Resolutions;

 

(j)the Resolutions were duly passed at properly convened meetings of the directors of the Company and have not been amended, modified or revoked and are in full force and effect and such minutes are true, complete and correct records of the proceedings described therein;

 

(k)each of the directors of the Company having any interest in the transactions contemplated by the Documents or the Debt Securities has duly disclosed his interest therein and was entitled to be counted in the quorum for such meeting and to vote on the resolutions proposed thereat;

 

(l)the capacity, power and authority of each of the parties (other than the Company) to execute the Documents and the Debt Securities and the due, proper and effective execution and unconditional delivery of the Documents and the Debt Securities by such parties;

 

 

 

 

 


29 January 2024
Page 7

 

 

(m)the capacity, power and authority of each of the parties (other than the Company) to exercise its rights and perform its obligations under the Documents and the Debt Securities;

 

(n)that all consents, licences, permits, approvals, authorisations, exemptions or orders necessary under any applicable laws whether in or outside Singapore and all other requirements whether in or outside Singapore for the execution, delivery and performance of the Documents and the Debt Securities by each of the parties thereto (other than, in the case of the Company, the laws of Singapore) or for the legality, validity and enforceability of the Documents and the Debt Securities have been or will be, as applicable, duly obtained or fulfilled and are and will remain in full force and effect and that any conditions to which they are subject have been or will be, as applicable, satisfied;

 

(o)that all registration, recording, lodging or filing requirements of any governmental or other authority or agency for the legality, validity and enforceability of each of the Documents and the Debt Securities and the offering, issue, sale and delivery of the Debt Securities, have been or will be, as applicable, duly fulfilled;

 

(p)that where the Registration Statement has been executed and/or filed on behalf of the Company by attorneys appointed under powers of attorney, such powers of attorney are legal, valid and binding under the laws of the United States;

 

(q)with respect to any Debt Securities, that:

 

(i)the Registration Statement has been duly delivered on behalf of the Company and the Indenture will have been duly authorised, executed and delivered on behalf of the Company;

 

(ii)all terms of such Debt Securities not provided for in the Indenture will be established in accordance with the provisions of the Indenture and reflected in appropriate documentation reviewed by us and, if applicable, will be executed and delivered by the Company and the parties to the Indenture;

 

(iii)such Debt Securities will be duly prepared, completed, executed, authenticated, issued and delivered in accordance with the provisions of such Indenture;

 

(iv)the Registration Statement in the form examined by us, and any amendments thereto, became effective prior to the time of issuance of any Debt Securities in connection therewith (and will remain effective at the time of issuance of any Debt Securities in connection therewith);

 

(v)the prospectus supplement(s), which will describe each class or series of Debt Securities offered in connection with the Registration Statement, to the extent required by applicable laws and relevant rules and regulations of the Commission, will be timely filed with the Commission;

 

(vi)the issuance of each series of Debt Securities will be duly authorised by, and the definitive terms of each class or series of Debt Securities shall have been or will be established in accordance with, resolutions duly passed by the directors of the Company and, where applicable, resolutions duly adopted by the shareholders of the Company, and in accordance with the provisions of the relevant Documents under which the Debt Securities are to be created, issued and delivered;

 

(vii)such Debt Securities will be duly prepared and will be duly executed, authenticated (where applicable), issued and delivered on behalf of the Company in accordance with the terms and subject to the conditions set out in relevant resolutions duly passed by the directors of the Company and, where applicable, resolutions duly passed by the shareholders of the Company, the Constitution and the provisions of the relevant Documents under which the Debt Securities are created, issued and delivered; and

 

 

 

 

 


29 January 2024
Page 8

 

 

(viii)such Debt Securities, and each Document, as has been or will be executed and delivered, as applicable, do not or will not, as applicable, at the relevant time, violate any law applicable to the Company or result in a default under or breach of any agreement or instrument binding upon the Company;

 

(r)that none of the Debt Securities has been or will be offered for subscription in Singapore and no invitation to subscribe for or purchase any of the Debt Securities shall be issued, circulated or distributed in Singapore unless all relevant laws in Singapore (including but not limited to the provisions of the Securities and Futures Act 2001 of Singapore (SFA1)) have been complied with and such offer or (as the case may be) invitation will not be in breach of any rules, regulations or directives issued by any regulatory body or agency or supervisory authority in Singapore;

 

(s)that any offer and sale of any Debt Securities in Singapore will be made only in accordance with the applicable provisions of the SFA (i) to an institutional investor (as defined in Section 4A of the SFA) pursuant to Section 274 of the SFA, or (ii) to an accredited investor (as defined in Section 4A of the SFA) pursuant to and in accordance with the conditions specified in Section 275 of the SFA, and (where applicable) Regulation 3 of the Securities and Futures (Classes of Investors) Regulations 2018;

 

(t)that, where the Documents and the Debt Securities were or will be, as applicable, executed outside Singapore, formalities for such execution required by the laws of the place of execution have been or will be, as applicable, complied with;

 

(u)that the Documents and the Debt Securities and all other documents relevant to this transaction, as executed or to be executed, as applicable, by the respective parties thereto, constitute or will constitute, as applicable, legal, valid and binding obligations of each of the parties thereto enforceable under all applicable laws;

 

(v)that the choice of the laws of the State of New York to govern each of the Documents and the Debt Securities, to the extent applicable, and the submission by the parties to each Document to the competent courts in the State of New York with regard to any disputes under such Opinion Document, to the extent applicable, is valid and binding under the laws of any applicable jurisdiction (other than, in the case of the Company, Singapore) and that such choice and submission would be recognised and given effect by the courts of any such jurisdiction and that such choice is bona fide and legal and there are no reasons for avoiding the choice on grounds of public policy;

 

(w)that there are no provisions of law of any jurisdiction which have been or will be, as applicable, contravened by the execution or delivery of the Documents and/or the offering, issue, sale and delivery of the Debt Securities;

 

(x)that each of the Documents and the Debt Securities has been or will be, as applicable, unconditionally delivered by the Company and is not or will not be, as applicable, subject to any escrow or other similar arrangement;

 

 

1 Any reference to the SFA is a reference to the Securities and Futures Act 2001 of Singapore and a reference to any term as defined in the SFA or any provision in the SFA is a reference to that term as modified or amended from time to time including by such of its subsidiary legislation as may be applicable at the relevant time.

 

 

 

 

 


29 January 2024
Page 9

 

 

(y)that each of the Documents and the Debt Securities has been entered into or will be entered into, as applicable, for bona fide commercial reasons and on arm’s length terms by each of the parties thereto;

 

(z)that the directors of the Company have acted and will act in good faith and in the best interests and to the benefit of the Company in approving the preparation, execution and filing of the Registration Statement with the Commission, the entry into the Documents and the Debt Securities and the transactions contemplated thereby, and without intention to defraud any of the creditors of the Company;

 

(aa)that the directors of the Company in authorising execution of the Documents and the Debt Securities have or will have, as applicable, exercised their powers in accordance with their duties under all applicable laws and the Constitution of the Company and that no regulation or resolution has been, or will be, passed at any general meeting of shareholders of the Company which has the effect of limiting the powers of the board of directors of the Company in relation to the said directors’ resolutions;

 

(bb)that the Company will offer, sell, issue and deliver the Debt Securities in the manner contemplated by the Documents and by any applicable underwriting, purchase or similar agreement and in compliance with all applicable laws (other than the laws of Singapore);

 

(cc)that all parties have complied with all laws, rules and regulations relating to their respective businesses which are relevant to the Documents and the Debt Securities;

 

(dd)that in so far as any of the obligations under the Documents and the Debt Securities are to be performed in any jurisdiction outside Singapore, its performance will not be illegal or ineffective by virtue of the laws of that jurisdiction;

 

(ee)that no party is, or will be, engaging in misleading or unconscionable conduct or seeking to conduct any relevant transaction or associated activity in a manner or for a purpose not evident on the face of the Documents or the Debt Securities which might render any of the Documents or the Debt Securities (as applicable) or any relevant transaction or associated activity illegal, void or voidable;

 

(ff)that the information disclosed by our searches on the Company is accurate, complete and up-to-date in all respects and since the time of such searches to the date of this opinion there has been no alteration to such information or to the state or condition of the Company and that such searches did not fail to disclose any information which had been submitted for filing or registration but was not disclosed or, as the case may be, did not appear on the public file at the time of the searches;

 

(gg)that all documents, forms and notices which should have been delivered to, filed and/or registered with the Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority of Singapore (ACRA) on behalf of or relating to the Company have been so delivered, filed or registered within the time limits prescribed for such delivery, filing or registration;

 

(hh)that there is no prohibition or restriction, whether contractual or otherwise, binding on the Company which may in any way have prohibited or restricted it, or prohibit or restrict it, as applicable, from entering into and performing its obligations under the Documents and the Debt Securities;

 

(ii)that the Company was, is and will be solvent and able to pay its debts (including contingent and prospective liabilities) at the time of, and immediately after, the execution and delivery of the Documents and the Debt Securities and that the Company was not or will not be, as applicable, rendered insolvent or unable to pay its debts within the meaning of Section 125(2) of the Insolvency, Restructuring and Dissolution Act 2018 of Singapore (IRDA) as a result of its execution and delivery of the Documents and the Debt Securities or the transactions contemplated thereby, and further that:

 

 

 

 

 


29 January 2024
Page 10

 

  

(i)the Company’s execution and delivery of the Documents and the Debt Securities or its performance of any of the transactions contemplated thereby do not or will not, as applicable, constitute:

 

(A)a transaction at an undervalue (within the meaning of Section 224 of the IRDA or any analogous provision);

 

(B)an unfair preference (within the meaning of Section 225 of the IRDA or any analogous provision);

 

(C)an extortionate transaction (within the meaning of Section 228 of the IRDA or any analogous provision);

 

(D)a transaction at an undervalue (within the meaning of Section 438 of the IRDA or any analogous provision);

 

(E)a breach of the anti-deprivation principle at common law; or

 

(F)a breach of the rule in British Eagle International Airlines Limited v Compagnie National Air France [1975] 1 WLR 758;

 

(ii)the Documents and the Debt Securities or any transaction contemplated thereby are not or will not, as applicable, be disclaimed by a liquidator under Section 230 of the IRDA or any analogous provision; and

 

(iii)any exercise of rights under the Documents and the Debt Securities or any transaction contemplated thereby are not or will not, as applicable, be affected by Section 440 of the IRDA;

 

(jj)that the Company has received or will receive, as applicable, valuable and valid consideration under the Indenture and the Debt Securities;

 

(kk)that none of the parties to the Documents and the Debt Securities and none of their assets, has any immunity from suit, execution, attachment prior to award or on award or any other proceedings or the enforcement of any judgement (whether on the grounds of sovereign immunity or otherwise) under the laws of any jurisdiction;

 

(ll)that the Documents and the Debt Securities have not been or will not be, as applicable, varied, amended or modified in any way, whether by any other document, by parole agreement or by any course of conduct of the parties inconsistent with the terms of the Documents or the Debt Securities, and that no party has waived or will waive, whether expressly or by implication, compliance by any other party of all or any part of its respective obligations under the Documents and the Debt Securities;

 

(mm)that the parties have complied (and will continue to comply) with all applicable anti-terrorism, anti-corruption and anti-money laundering laws and regulations, and that there is nothing in any transaction or associated activity connected with the Documents and the Debt Securities that is inconsistent with all such laws and regulations;

 

 

 

 

 


29 January 2024
Page 11

 

 

(nn)that there has been no (and there will not be) bad faith or fraud, coercion, duress or undue influence on the part of any of the parties to the Indenture and the Debt Securities and/or their respective directors, employees, agents and advisers;

 

(oo)that the transactions contemplated under the Documents and the Debt Securities have not been or will not be, as applicable, rescinded or terminated and the relevant parties thereto have not breached or will not breach, as applicable, and are not in default or will not be in default of any provisions of the Documents and the Debt Securities;

 

(pp)the correctness of all facts stated or to be stated, as applicable, in each of the Documents and the Debt Securities;

 

(qq)that the Company is not a company whose holding company or ultimate holding company is a public company incorporated in Singapore; and

 

(rr)there are no provisions of the laws of any jurisdiction outside Singapore which would have any implication for the opinions we express and, insofar as the laws of any jurisdiction outside Singapore may be relevant, such laws have been or will be complied with.

 

 

 

 

 


29 January 2024
Page 12

 

 

Schedule 4 – Qualifications

 

Our opinion is subject to the following qualifications:

 

(a)the term enforceable as used in this opinion means that the obligations assumed by the relevant party under the relevant document are of a type which the Singapore courts generally enforce. This opinion is not to be taken to imply that any obligation would necessarily be capable of enforcement in all circumstances in accordance with its terms. In particular:

 

(i)a Singapore court will not necessarily grant any remedy the availability of which is subject to equitable considerations or which is otherwise in the discretion of the court. In particular, orders for specific performance and injunctions are, in general, discretionary remedies under Singapore law and specific performance is not available where damages are considered by the court to be an adequate alternative remedy;

 

(ii)claims may become barred under the Limitation Act 1959 of Singapore or may be or become subject to the defence of set-off or to counterclaim;

 

(iii)enforcement of the obligations of the Company under the Documents or the Debt Securities may be affected by bankruptcy, insolvency, liquidation, judicial management, moratorium, reorganisation, reconstruction or similar laws generally relating to or affecting creditors' rights;

 

(iv)where obligations are to be performed in a jurisdiction outside Singapore, they may not be enforceable in Singapore to the extent that performance would be illegal under the laws, or contrary to the exchange control regulations, of the other jurisdiction;

 

(v)no opinion is expressed as to the enforceability of any waiver in the Documents or the Debt Securities in which the Company purports to waive any and all of its defences or rights or terms;

 

(vi)the enforcement of obligations may be limited by the provisions of Singapore law applicable to agreements held to have been frustrated by events happening after their execution;

 

(vii)enforcement of obligations may be subject to the availability of defences such as, without limitation, fraud, misrepresentation, unforeseen circumstances, undue influence, duress, mistake and counter-claim, and failure to exercise any right may constitute a waiver thereof, notwithstanding any contrary provisions in the Documents or the Debt Securities; and

 

(viii)where a judgment is obtained against a State, the State may, even where it has submitted to the jurisdiction of the Singapore courts in relation to the substantive dispute, be able to resist the enforcement of the judgment on grounds of State immunity;

 

(b)the term validly existing as used in this opinion means that a company is a “live” company as reflected in the records of ACRA;

 

(c)the searches referred to in paragraph (a) of Schedule 2 may not contain accurate information with respect to a company as of the date of the Bizfile instant information search as Singapore company law allows for a statutorily prescribed period within which companies are to update such information with ACRA. In addition, the onus is on the company to update such information and a company may not have done so within the statutorily prescribed period;

 

 

 

 

 


29 January 2024
Page 13

 

 

(d)the searches referred to in paragraph (b) of Schedule 2 are not capable of conclusively revealing whether or not:

 

(i)a winding-up order has been made or a resolution passed for the winding up of a company; or

 

(ii)a judicial manager, receiver or liquidator has been appointed or a resolution passed for such appointment,

 

as notice of these matters may not be updated in the relevant databases of the Singapore Supreme Court and the State Court registries immediately. In addition, the searches are not capable of revealing, prior to the making of the relevant order, whether or not a winding-up petition or an application for judicial management has been presented;

 

(e)a certificate, determination, notification or opinion as to any matter provided for in the Documents or the Debt Securities might be held by the Singapore courts not to be conclusive if it could be shown to have an unreasonable or arbitrary basis or in the event of manifest error and will not necessarily prevent judicial enquiry into the merits of any claim by an aggrieved party;

 

(f)a judgment debt may carry interest at a rate fixed by the court, notwithstanding any contractual stipulation to the contrary;

 

(g)any term of an agreement may be varied orally by the parties notwithstanding any contrary provisions in the Documents or the Debt Securities;

 

(h)where, under the Documents or the Debt Securities, any party is vested with a discretion or may determine a matter in its opinion, the laws of Singapore may require that such discretion is exercised reasonably, in good faith and for a proper purpose, or that such opinion is based upon reasonable grounds;

 

(i)it is possible that a Singapore court would hold that a judgment on the Documents or the Debt Securities, whether given in a Singapore court or elsewhere, would supersede such Documents or the Debt Securities to all intents and purposes, so that any obligations which would, by their terms, survive such a judgment might not in fact be held to do so;

 

(j)the effectiveness of provisions excusing a party from, or limiting a person's liability in respect of, a liability or duty otherwise owed may be limited by law;

 

(k)any provision in the Documents or the Debt Securities (as the case may be) purporting to sever any provision of the Documents or the Debt Securities (as the case may be) that is illegal, invalid or unenforceable in any jurisdiction without affecting or impairing the validity, legality or enforceability of the remaining provisions thereof, would be enforced only to the extent that a court determined that such illegal, invalid or unenforceable provision could be severed without impairing the interpretation and application of the remainder of the applicable Document or the Debt Securities (as the case may be) and a court would have discretion on whether to allow the severance of an invalid or unenforceable provision in the applicable Document or the Debt Securities (as the case may be);

 

(l)in some circumstances a Singapore court would not give effect to clauses providing for severability of any provisions held to be invalid or unenforceable, in particular if to do so would not accord with public policy or would involve the court in making a new contract for the parties;

 

(m)the scope of public policy has not been conclusively established or settled by the courts of Singapore and is uncertain;

 

 

 

 

 


29 January 2024
Page 14

 

 

(n)any clause in the Documents or the Debt Securities providing for legality, validity or enforceability in the event that the Documents or the Debt Securities or any of the provisions therein are illegal, invalid or unenforceable for any reason, may not be effective as it depends on the nature of the illegality, invalidity or unenforceability in question;

 

(o)any clause in the Documents or the Debt Securities would be unenforceable if the provisions of that clause were held to constitute a penalty and not a genuine and reasonable pre-estimate of the loss likely to be suffered as a result of the default in payment of the amount in question. We express no opinion on whether any such provision does constitute such a genuine and reasonable pre-estimate;

 

(p)a Singapore court may refuse to give effect to any provision in an agreement (i) for the payment of expenses in respect of the costs of enforcement (actual or contemplated) or of unsuccessful litigation brought before a Singapore court or where the court has itself made an order for costs or (ii) which would involve the enforcement of foreign revenue or penal laws;

 

(q)notwithstanding that the Documents and the Debt Securities are or will be, as applicable, expressed to be governed by the laws of the State of New York, Singapore law may prevail in respect of certain matters including the following:

 

(i)the laws of the State of New York will be disregarded if its application will be illegal or contrary to the public policy of Singapore; and

 

(ii)in relation to proceedings in the Singapore courts, matters of procedure, including questions of set-off and counter-claim, interest chargeable on judgment debts, priorities, measure of damages, time bar on actions and submission to the jurisdiction of foreign courts are as a general rule governed by Singapore law;

 

(r)notwithstanding that the parties to the Indenture will agree to submit to the jurisdiction of any New York State court sitting in the Borough of Manhattan in the City of New York or any federal court sitting in the Borough of Manhattan in the City of New York, a Singapore court may, in exceptional circumstances where there is strong cause, assume jurisdiction or proceedings in a Singapore court may be stayed or struck out on grounds of:

 

(i)forum non conveniens (where there is some other forum with competent jurisdiction which is more appropriate for the trial) or there are other exceptional circumstances for choosing another forum;

 

(ii)lis alibi pendens (where proceedings are pending in another jurisdiction); or

 

(iii)res judicata (where the merits of the issues in dispute have already been judicially determined or should have been raised in previous proceedings between the parties);

 

(s)where the Documents or the Debt Securities do not provide for submission by the parties thereto to the jurisdiction of the Singapore courts, in order for the Singapore courts to assume jurisdiction, originating process of a legal proceeding commenced in Singapore relating thereto may have to be served personally, that is, by leaving a copy of the document with an officer of the relevant company or by leaving it at, or sending it by registered post to, the registered office of such company;

 

(t)any indemnity provision in the Documents may not be enforceable in the Singapore courts in relation to any judgment delivered by any court and expressed in a currency other than that in which the relevant sum is payable;

 

 

 

 

 


29 January 2024
Page 15

 

 

(u)a Singapore court may give judgement in currencies other than Singapore Dollars if, subject to the terms of the Documents or the Debt Securities, it is the currency which most fairly expresses the claimant’s loss, but such judgements may be required to be converted into Singapore Dollars for enforcement purposes;

 

(v)any provision in the Documents or the Debt Securities stating that any rights and obligations thereunder shall bind successors and assigns of any party thereto may not be enforceable in Singapore in the absence of any further agreements to that effect with such successors or assigns;

 

(w)save for statements of Singapore law set out in the Registration Statement, we express no opinion on disclosure or other applicable requirements in the context of an offer of securities under Singapore law;

 

(x)save for statements of Singapore law set out in the Registration Statement, we express no opinion on tax matters and in particular, express no opinion on tax matters affecting the Documents or the Debt Securities or any related document or the parties thereto or the tax consequences of any of the transactions contemplated thereby;

 

(y)regulations in Singapore restrict or prohibit payments, transactions and dealings with assets having a prescribed connection with certain countries or named individuals or entities subject to international sanctions or associated with terrorism;

 

(z)any provision in the Documents or the Debt Securities purporting to restrict the exercise of any statutory power by any person may be void;

 

(aa)a provision requiring payments to be made without deduction or withholding will not be enforced if a deduction or withholding is made pursuant to a legal obligation;

 

(bb)despite any provision in any of the Documents to the effect that the written terms of that Document constitute the entire agreement between the parties to it, a court may hold that oral or other assurances given in the course of negotiations may be binding;

 

(cc)the enforcement in Singapore of the Documents and the Debt Securities and of foreign judgements will be subject to Singapore rules of civil procedure and laws in relation to the recognition and enforcement of foreign judgments, including, without limitation, the Choice of Court Agreements Act 2016 of Singapore;

 

(dd)under the rules of procedure, a Singapore court may, in certain circumstances, order a claimant in an action, to provide security for costs; and

 

(ee)an agreement between the parties to the Indenture or the Debt Securities to discuss, negotiate or agree on a certain matter or thing may not be enforced by the Singapore courts.

 

 

Exhibit (23)(a)

 

CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

 

We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in this Registration Statement on Form S-3 of our report dated February 28, 2023 relating to the financial statements and the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, which appears in the 2022 Annual Report to Stockholders, which is incorporated by reference in International Business Machines Corporation’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022. We also consent to the incorporation by reference of our report dated February 28, 2023 relating to the financial statement schedule which appears in such Annual Report on Form 10-K. We also consent to the references to us under the headings "Experts" in such Registration Statement.

 

/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP 

New York, New York 

January 29, 2024

 

 

 

 

Exhibit 24(a)

 

POWER OF ATTORNEY OF IBM DIRECTOR

 

KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that I, the undersigned Director of International Business Machines Corporation, a New York corporation (the “Company”), which is to file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) an automatic or other shelf registration statement on Form S-3ASR or other appropriate Form under Rule 415 of the Securities Act of 1933 (“Registration Statements”), which filings are authorized by resolutions dated the date hereof, for Indebtedness, Preferred Stock, Depositary Shares, Capital Stock, Warrants, and Guarantees of the Indebtedness of IBM International Group Capital LLC, IBM International Capital Pte. Ltd. and certain other wholly-owned finance subsidiaries of the Company (collectively the “Securities”) of and by the Company, hereby constitute and appoint Arvind Krishna, James J. Kavanaugh, Michelle H. Browdy, Nicolas A. Fehring, Simon J. Beaumont and Frank P. Sedlarcik and each of them, my true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power to act, together or each without the others, for me and in my name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign, or cause to be signed electronically any and all of said Registration Statements (which Registration Statements may constitute post-effective amendments to registration statements previously filed with the SEC) and any and all amendments to the aforementioned Registration Statements, and to file said Registration Statements and amendments thereto so signed with all exhibits thereto, and with any and all other documents in connection therewith, with the SEC, hereby granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform any and all acts and things requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as I might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents or any of them may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof. This Power of Attorney may only be revoked by a written document executed by the undersigned that expressly revokes this power by referring to the date and subject hereof.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I, the undersigned, have executed this Power of Attorney as of this 17th day of December 2023.
 
  /s/ Marianne C. Brown
  Director

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I, the undersigned, have executed this Power of Attorney as of this 15th day of December 2023.
 
  /s/ Thomas Buberl
  Director

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I, the undersigned, have executed this Power of Attorney as of this 15th day of December 2023.
 
  /s/ David N. Farr
  Director

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I, the undersigned, have executed this Power of Attorney as of this 15th day of December 2023.
 
  /s/ Alex Gorsky
  Director

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I, the undersigned, have executed this Power of Attorney as of this 20th day of December 2023.
 
  /s/ Michelle J. Howard
  Director

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I, the undersigned, have executed this Power of Attorney as of this 15th day of December 2023.
 
  /s/ Andrew N. Liveris
  Director

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I, the undersigned, have executed this Power of Attorney as of this 14th day of December 2023.
 
  /s/ F. William McNabb III
  Director

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I, the undersigned, have executed this Power of Attorney as of this 15th day of December 2023.
 
  /s/ Michael Miebach
  Director

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I, the undersigned, have executed this Power of Attorney as of this 15th day of December 2023.
 
  /s/ Martha E. Pollack
  Director

 

 

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I, the undersigned, have executed this Power of Attorney as of this 19th day of January 2024.
 
  /s/ Joseph R. Swedish
  Director

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I, the undersigned, have executed this Power of Attorney as of this 15th day of December 2023.
 
  /s/ Peter R. Voser
  Director

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I, the undersigned, have executed this Power of Attorney as of this 18th day of December 2023.
 
  /s/ Frederick H. Waddell
  Director

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I, the undersigned, have executed this Power of Attorney as of this 14th day of December 2023.
 
  /s/ Alfred W. Zollar
  Director

 

 

 

 

POWER OF ATTORNEY OF ARVIND KRISHNA

 

KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that I, the undersigned Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of International Business Machines Corporation, a New York corporation (the “Company”), which is to file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) an automatic or other shelf registration statement on Form S-3ASR or other appropriate Form under Rule 415 of the Securities Act of 1933 (“Registration Statements”), which filings are authorized by resolutions dated on or about December 12, 2023, for Indebtedness, Preferred Stock, Depositary Shares, Capital Stock, Warrants, and Guarantees of the dated the date hereof, for Indebtedness, Preferred Stock, Depositary Shares, Capital Stock, Warrants, and Guarantees of the Indebtedness of IBM International Group Capital LLC, IBM International Capital Pte. Ltd. and certain other wholly-owned finance subsidiaries of the Company (collectively the “Securities”) of and by the Company, hereby constitute and appoint James J. Kavanaugh, Michelle H. Browdy, Nicolas A. Fehring, Simon J. Beaumont and Frank P. Sedlarcik and each of them, my true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power to act, together or each without the others, for me and in my name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign, or cause to be signed electronically any and all of said Registration Statements (which Registration Statements may constitute post-effective amendments to registration statements previously filed with the SEC) and any and all amendments to the aforementioned Registration Statements, and to file said Registration Statements and amendments thereto so signed with all exhibits thereto, and with any and all other documents in connection therewith, with the SEC, hereby granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform any and all acts and things requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as I might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents or any of them may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof. This Power of Attorney may only be revoked by a written document executed by the undersigned that expressly revokes this power by referring to the date and subject hereof.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I, the undersigned, have executed this Power of Attorney as of this 8th day of January 2024.
 
  /s/ Arvind Krishna
  Arvind Krishna
  Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

 

 

 

 

POWER OF ATTORNEY OF JAMES J. KAVANAUGH

 

KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that I, the undersigned Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of International Business Machines Corporation, a New York corporation (the “Company”), which is to file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) an automatic or other shelf registration statement on Form S-3ASR or other appropriate Form under Rule 415 of the Securities Act of 1933 (“Registration Statements”), which filings are authorized by resolutions dated on or about December 12, 2023, for Indebtedness, Preferred Stock, Depositary Shares, Capital Stock, Warrants, and Guarantees of the Indebtedness of IBM International Group Capital LLC, IBM International Capital Pte. Ltd. and certain other wholly-owned finance subsidiaries of the Company (collectively the “Securities”) of and by the Company, hereby constitute and appoint Arvind Krishna, Michelle H. Browdy, Nicolas A. Fehring, Simon J. Beaumont and Frank P. Sedlarcik and each of them, my true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power to act, together or each without the others, for me and in my name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign, or cause to be signed electronically any and all of said Registration Statements (which Registration Statements may constitute post-effective amendments to registration statements previously filed with the SEC) and any and all amendments to the aforementioned Registration Statements, and to file said Registration Statements and amendments thereto so signed with all exhibits thereto, and with any and all other documents in connection therewith, with the SEC, hereby granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform any and all acts and things requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as I might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents or any of them may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof. This Power of Attorney may only be revoked by a written document executed by the undersigned that expressly revokes this power by referring to the date and subject hereof.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I, the undersigned, have executed this Power of Attorney as of this 3rd day of January 2024.
 
  /s/ James J. Kavanaugh
  James J. Kavanaugh
  Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

 

 

 

 

POWER OF ATTORNEY OF NICOLAS A. FEHRING

 

KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that I, the undersigned Vice President and Controller of International Business Machines Corporation, a New York corporation (the “Company”), which is to file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) an automatic or other shelf registration statement on Form S-3ASR or other appropriate Form under Rule 415 of the Securities Act of 1933 (“Registration Statements”), which filings are authorized by resolutions dated on or about December 12, 2023, for Indebtedness, Preferred Stock, Depositary Shares, Capital Stock, Warrants, and Guarantees of the Indebtedness of IBM International Group Capital LLC, IBM International Capital Pte. Ltd. and certain other wholly-owned finance subsidiaries of the Company (collectively the “Securities”) of and by the Company, hereby constitute and appoint Arvind Krishna, James J. Kavanaugh, Michelle H. Browdy, Simon J. Beaumont and Frank P. Sedlarcik and each of them, my true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power to act, together or each without the others, for me and in my name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign, or cause to be signed electronically any and all of said Registration Statements (which Registration Statements may constitute post-effective amendments to registration statements previously filed with the SEC) and any and all amendments to the aforementioned Registration Statements, and to file said Registration Statements and amendments thereto so signed with all exhibits thereto, and with any and all other documents in connection therewith, with the SEC, hereby granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform any and all acts and things requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as I might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents or any of them may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof. This Power of Attorney may only be revoked by a written document executed by the undersigned that expressly revokes this power by referring to the date and subject hereof.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I, the undersigned, have executed this Power of Attorney as of this 3rd day of January 2024.
 
  /s/ Nicolas A. Fehring
  Nicolas A. Fehring
  Vice President and Controller

 

 

 

 

POWER OF ATTORNEY

 

KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned, a Member of the Board of Managers and President of IBM International Group Capital LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “Company”), which is to file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), Washington, D.C., under the provisions of the Securities Act of 1933 a Registration Statement relating to Indebtedness of the Company, hereby constitute and appoint Simon Beaumont, Karl Minahan and Laura Sousa, and each of them individually, my true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power to act, together or each without the others, for me and in my name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign, or cause to be signed electronically, any and all of said Registration Statements and any and all amendments to the aforementioned Registration Statements and to file said Registration Statements and amendments thereto so signed with all exhibits thereto, as well as to prepare, execute and file any and all other documents with the SEC, all state securities authorities under the Blue Sky and securities laws of the States of the United States of America, and the New York Stock Exchange (and other stock exchanges), hereby granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform any and all acts and things requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as I might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents, or any of them may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I, the undersigned, have executed this Power of Attorney as of this 18th day of January 2024.
 
  /s/ Brendan Turnbull
  Brendan Turnbull
  Manager and President

 

 

 

 

POWER OF ATTORNEY

 

KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned, a Member of the Board of Managers and Treasurer of IBM International Group Capital LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “Company”), which is to file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), Washington, D.C., under the provisions of the Securities Act of 1933 a Registration Statement relating to Indebtedness of the Company, hereby constitute and appoint Brendan Turnbull, Karl Minahan and Laura Sousa, and each of them individually, my true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power to act, together or each without the others, for me and in my name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign, or cause to be signed electronically, any and all of said Registration Statements and any and all amendments to the aforementioned Registration Statements and to file said Registration Statements and amendments thereto so signed with all exhibits thereto, as well as to prepare, execute and file any and all other documents with the SEC, all state securities authorities under the Blue Sky and securities laws of the States of the United States of America, and the New York Stock Exchange (and other stock exchanges), hereby granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform any and all acts and things requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as I might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents, or any of them may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I, the undersigned, have executed this Power of Attorney as of this 22nd day of January 2024.
 
  /s/ Simon Beaumont
  Simon Beaumont
  Manager and Treasurer

 

 

 

 

POWER OF ATTORNEY

 

KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned, a Member of the Board of Managers and Controller of IBM International Group Capital LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “Company”), which is to file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), Washington, D.C., under the provisions of the Securities Act of 1933 a Registration Statement relating to Indebtedness of the Company, hereby constitute and appoint Brendan Turnbull, Simon Beaumont and Laura Sousa, and each of them individually, my true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power to act, together or each without the others, for me and in my name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign, or cause to be signed electronically, any and all of said Registration Statements and any and all amendments to the aforementioned Registration Statements and to file said Registration Statements and amendments thereto so signed with all exhibits thereto, as well as to prepare, execute and file any and all other documents with the SEC, all state securities authorities under the Blue Sky and securities laws of the States of the United States of America, and the New York Stock Exchange (and other stock exchanges), hereby granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform any and all acts and things requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as I might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents, or any of them may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I, the undersigned, have executed this Power of Attorney as of this 19th day of January 2024.
 
  /s/ Karl Minahan
  Karl Minahan
  Manager and Controller

 

 

 

 

POWER OF ATTORNEY

 

KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that I, the undersigned Director of IBM International Capital Pte. Ltd., a private company limited by shares incorporated under the laws of the Republic of Singapore (the “Company”), which is to file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) an automatic or other shelf registration statement on Form S-3ASR or other appropriate Form under Rule 415 of the Securities Act of 1933 for notes, debentures or other debt instruments including but not limited to debt securities of the Company (“Registration Statements”), hereby constitute and appoint any director or officer of the Company, Laura Sousa (Counsel of International Business Machines Corporation (“IBM”)) and Ajay Dua (Associate General Counsel of IBM), and each of them individually, my true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power to act, together or each without the others, for me and in my name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign, or cause to be signed electronically, any and all of said Registration Statements and any and all amendments to the aforementioned Registration Statements and to file said Registration Statements and amendments thereto so signed with all exhibits thereto, as well as to prepare, execute and file any and all other documents with the SEC, all state securities authorities under the Blue Sky and securities laws of the States of the United States of America, and the New York Stock Exchange (and other stock exchanges), hereby granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform any and all acts and things requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as I might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents, or any of them may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I, the undersigned, have executed this Power of Attorney as of this 25th day of January 2024.
 
  /s/ Heng Koh Yen
  Heng Koh Yen
  Director

 

 

 

 

POWER OF ATTORNEY

 

KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that I, the undersigned Director of IBM International Capital Pte. Ltd., a private company limited by shares incorporated under the laws of the Republic of Singapore (the “Company”), which is to file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) an automatic or other shelf registration statement on Form S-3ASR or other appropriate Form under Rule 415 of the Securities Act of 1933 for notes, debentures or other debt instruments including but not limited to debt securities of the Company (“Registration Statements”), hereby constitute and appoint any director or officer of the Company, Laura Sousa (Counsel of International Business Machines Corporation (“IBM”)) and Ajay Dua (Associate General Counsel of IBM), and each of them individually, my true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power to act, together or each without the others, for me and in my name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign, or cause to be signed electronically, any and all of said Registration Statements and any and all amendments to the aforementioned Registration Statements and to file said Registration Statements and amendments thereto so signed with all exhibits thereto, as well as to prepare, execute and file any and all other documents with the SEC, all state securities authorities under the Blue Sky and securities laws of the States of the United States of America, and the New York Stock Exchange (and other stock exchanges), hereby granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform any and all acts and things requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as I might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents, or any of them may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I, the undersigned, have executed this Power of Attorney as of this 25th day of January 2024.
 
  /s/ Chang Shu Lei
  Chang Shu Lei
  Director

 

 

 

 

POWER OF ATTORNEY

 

KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that I, the undersigned Director of IBM International Capital Pte. Ltd., a private company limited by shares incorporated under the laws of the Republic of Singapore (the “Company”), which is to file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) an automatic or other shelf registration statement on Form S-3ASR or other appropriate Form under Rule 415 of the Securities Act of 1933 for notes, debentures or other debt instruments including but not limited to debt securities of the Company (“Registration Statements”), hereby constitute and appoint any director or officer of the Company, Laura Sousa (Counsel of International Business Machines Corporation (“IBM”)) and Ajay Dua (Associate General Counsel of IBM), and each of them individually, my true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power to act, together or each without the others, for me and in my name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign, or cause to be signed electronically, any and all of said Registration Statements and any and all amendments to the aforementioned Registration Statements and to file said Registration Statements and amendments thereto so signed with all exhibits thereto, as well as to prepare, execute and file any and all other documents with the SEC, all state securities authorities under the Blue Sky and securities laws of the States of the United States of America, and the New York Stock Exchange (and other stock exchanges), hereby granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform any and all acts and things requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as I might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents, or any of them may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I, the undersigned, have executed this Power of Attorney as of this 25th day of January 2024.
 
  /s/ Ong Shalley
  Ong Shalley
  Director

 

 

 

 

POWER OF ATTORNEY

 

KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that I, the undersigned Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, President, Treasurer, Controller, Director and Authorized U.S. Representative of IBM International Capital Pte. Ltd., a private company limited by shares incorporated under the laws of the Republic of Singapore (the “Company”), which is to file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) an automatic or other shelf registration statement on Form S-3ASR or other appropriate Form under Rule 415 of the Securities Act of 1933 for notes, debentures or other debt instruments including but not limited to debt securities of the Company (“Registration Statements”), hereby constitute and appoint any director or officer of the Company, Laura Sousa (Counsel of International Business Machines Corporation (“IBM”)) and Ajay Dua (Associate General Counsel of IBM), and each of them individually, my true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power to act, together or each without the others, for me and in my name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign, or cause to be signed electronically, any and all of said Registration Statements and any and all amendments to the aforementioned Registration Statements and to file said Registration Statements and amendments thereto so signed with all exhibits thereto, as well as to prepare, execute and file any and all other documents with the SEC, all state securities authorities under the Blue Sky and securities laws of the States of the United States of America, and the New York Stock Exchange (and other stock exchanges), hereby granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform any and all acts and things requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as I might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents, or any of them may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I, the undersigned, have executed this Power of Attorney as of this 24th day of January 2024.
 
  /s/ Mark William Hobbert
  Mark William Hobbert
  Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, President, Treasurer,
Controller, Director and Authorized U.S. Representative

 

 

 

 

Exhibit 24(b)

 

INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION

CERTIFICATE OF THE SECRETARY

 

I, Frank P. Sedlarcik, the undersigned Vice President, Assistant General Counsel and Secretary of International Business Machines Corporation, a New York Corporation, do hereby certify as follows:

 

Attached hereto as Exhibit A is a true copy of the resolutions adopted by the Board of Directors of International Business Machines Corporation, authorizing the officers of the Corporation to execute the Registration Statement, to which this certificate is attached as an exhibit, by power of attorney.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have executed this certificate as of this 29th day of January 2024.

 

/s/ Frank P. Sedlarcik  
Vice President, Assistant General Counsel and Secretary  

 

 

 

 

RESOLUTIONS REGARDING

 

IBM SHELF REGISTRATION STATEMENT

 

RESOLVED, that the Board of Directors of International Business Machines Corporation (the "Company") hereby authorizes the issuance and sale of: (a) notes, debentures or other debt instruments of the Company (the "Indebtedness"); (b) shares of preferred stock, $.01 par value, of the Company (the "Preferred Stock") or depositary shares representing ownership of and entitlement to all rights and preferences of a fraction of a share of Preferred Stock (the "Depositary Shares"); (c) shares of Capital Stock, $0.20 par value, of the Company (the "Capital Stock"); (d) warrants or other rights to acquire Capital Stock, Preferred Stock or Indebtedness of the Company or securities of any other corporation (the "Warrants"); (e) guarantees of the Indebtedness of IBM International Group Capital LLC ("IIGC"), a wholly-owned finance subsidiary of the Company ("IIGC Guarantees"); (f) guarantees of the Indebtedness of IBM International Capital Pte. Ltd. ("IIC"), a wholly-owned finance subsidiary of the Company ("IIC Guarantees"); and (g) guarantees of the Indebtedness of certain other wholly-owned finance subsidiaries of the Company identified by the Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, the Vice President and Treasurer, the Corporate Treasurer, or any Assistant Treasurer (the "Other Guarantees" and, together with the IIGC Guarantees and the IIC Guarantees, the "Guarantees"). The Indebtedness, Preferred Stock, Depositary Shares, Capital Stock, Warrants and Guarantees shall sometimes hereinafter be referred to collectively as the "Securities,” and be it further

 

RESOLVED, that the Indebtedness shall include, without limitation, debt denominated in U.S. dollars or in a foreign currency computed at a conversion rate prevailing on dates determined by either the Chief Executive Officer, the Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, the Vice President and Treasurer, the Corporate Treasurer, or any Assistant Treasurer, to be relevant to the issuance of such Indebtedness, and be it further

 

RESOLVED, that the Chief Executive Officer, the Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, the Vice President and Treasurer, the Corporate Treasurer, and any Assistant Treasurer, or any of them acting individually, be, and they hereby are, delegated full power and authority to authorize and approve the issuance of Indebtedness of the Company, as well as to issue full and unconditional IIGC Guarantees of the Indebtedness of IIGC full and unconditional IIC Guarantees of the Indebtedness of IIC, and full and unconditional Other Guarantees of the Indebtedness of certain other wholly-owned finance subsidiaries of the Company identified by the Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, the Vice President and Treasurer, the Corporate Treasurer, or any Assistant Treasurer pursuant to these resolutions, and in connection therewith, to determine and approve the terms and provisions of such Indebtedness and Guarantees and of the issuance and sale thereof, including, without limitation, the following: (i) the principal amount of such Indebtedness, (ii) the final maturity date of such Indebtedness, and any sinking fund or other repayment provisions, (iii) the effective rate of interest of such Indebtedness, (iv) the price at which such Indebtedness shall be sold by the Company, (v) the provisions, if any, for the redemption of such Indebtedness and the premiums, if any, to be paid upon any such redemption, (vi) the right to convert such Indebtedness into or exchange such Indebtedness for shares or other securities of the Company or any other corporation or to issue warrants or other rights to acquire shares or other securities of the Company or any other corporation in conjunction with such Indebtedness, and all terms of such conversion or exchange provisions or warrants or other rights, including the conversion, exchange or exercise prices and any anti-dilution provisions, and the authorization of the issuance of any shares and the delivery of such shares or other securities of the Company or any other corporation upon the conversion or exchange of such Indebtedness or the exercise of such warrants or other rights, (vii) the form, terms and provisions of any indentures, fiscal agency agreements, or other instruments under which such Indebtedness may be issued or guaranteed and the banks or trust companies to act as trustees, fiscal agents and paying agents thereunder, (viii) the preparation and filing of all documents necessary or appropriate in connection with the registration of the Indebtedness and associated Guarantees under the Securities Act of 1933, the qualification of an indenture under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 and the qualification under any other applicable Federal, foreign, state, local or other governmental requirements, (ix) the preparation of any offering memorandum or other descriptive material relating to the issuance of such Indebtedness and associated Guarantees, (x) the listing of the Indebtedness and Guarantees on any United States or non-United States stock exchange, and (xi) underwriting arrangements; and be it further

 

 

 

 

RESOLVED, that the Executive Committee of the Board of Directors, is delegated, without further action of the Board of Directors, full power and authority to authorize the issuance and sale by the Company of Capital Stock, Preferred Stock and Depositary Shares. In connection therewith, the Executive Committee be, and it hereby is, delegated full power and authority to determine the terms and provisions of the Preferred Stock and of the issuance and sale thereof, including, without limitation, with respect to: (i) whether the holders thereof shall be entitled to cumulative, noncumulative or partially cumulative dividends and, with respect to shares entitled to dividends, the dividend rate or rates, including, without limitation, the methods and procedures for determining such rate or rates, and any other terms and conditions relating to such dividends, (ii) whether, and if so, to what extent and upon what terms and conditions, the holders thereof shall be entitled to rights upon the liquidation of, or upon any distribution of the assets of, the Company, (iii) whether, and if so, upon what terms and conditions, such shares shall be convertible into, or exchangeable for, shares or other securities of the Company or any other corporation, (iv) whether, and if so, upon what terms and conditions, such shares shall be redeemable, (v) whether the shares shall be redeemable and subject to any sinking fund provided for the purchase or redemption of such shares, and if so, the terms of such fund, (vi) whether the holders thereof shall be entitled to voting rights, and if so, the terms and conditions for the exercise thereof, subject to the provisions of Section 2(f) of Article Four of the Certificate of Incorporation, and (vii) whether the holders thereof shall be entitled to any other preferences or rights, and if so, the qualifications, limitations, or restrictions of such preferences or rights; and be it further

 

RESOLVED, that the Executive Committee of the Board of Directors, is delegated, without further action of the Board of Directors, full power and authority to authorize the issuance and sale by the Company of Warrants, and the Executive Committee be, and it hereby is, delegated power and authority to determine the terms and provisions of the Warrants and of the issuance and sale thereof, including, without limitation, with respect to: (i) whether such warrants will be for Indebtedness, Preferred Stock, Depositary Shares or Capital Stock, and (ii) the form, terms and provisions of any warrant agreements; and be it further

 

RESOLVED, that the Chief Executive Officer, the Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, the Vice President and Treasurer, the Corporate Treasurer, and any Assistant Treasurer, or any of them acting individually, be, and hereby are, authorized, and directed to prepare, or cause to be prepared, for filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"), Washington, D.C., an automatic or other shelf registration statement on Form S-3ASR or other appropriate form under Rule 415 of the Securities Act of 1933, for Indebtedness, Preferred Stock, Depositary Shares, Capital Stock, Warrants, and the Guarantees, and that each of Arvind Krishna, James J. Kavanaugh, Michelle H. Browdy, Nicolas A. Fehring, Simon J. Beaumont and Frank P. Sedlarcik may sign, or cause to be signed electronically any and all of said Registration Statements (which Registration Statements may constitute post-effective amendments to registration statements previously filed with the SEC) and any and all amendments to the aforementioned Registration Statements, and to file said Registration Statements and amendments thereto so signed with all exhibits thereto, and with any and all other documents in connection therewith, with the SEC on behalf of and as attorneys for the Company, and any actions undertaken by such persons are hereby ratified, approved and adopted in all respects; and be it further

 

RESOLVED, that the Chief Executive Officer, the Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, the Vice President and Treasurer, the Corporate Treasurer, and any Assistant Treasurer, or any of them acting individually, be, and they hereby are, authorized in the name and on behalf of the Company, to take any and all action which they may deem necessary or advisable in order to effect the registration or qualification (or exemption therefrom) of the Securities for issue, offer, sale or trade under the Blue Sky or securities laws of any of the States of the United States of America as well as in any foreign jurisdiction, and in connection therewith to execute, acknowledge, verify, deliver, file or cause to be published any applications, reports, consents to service of process, appointments of attorneys to receive service of process and other papers and instruments which may be required under such laws, and to take any and all further action which they may deem necessary or advisable in order to maintain any such registration, qualification or exemption for as long as they deem necessary or as required by law, and that the execution by such officers of any such paper or document, or the doing by them of any act in connection with the foregoing matters shall conclusively establish their authority from the Company and the ratification by the Company of the papers and documents so executed and the actions so taken; and be it further

 

 

 

 

RESOLVED, that the Company is hereby authorized to list the Securities on any public exchanges, and that the Chief Executive Officer, the Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, the Vice President and Treasurer, the Corporate Treasurer, and any Assistant Treasurer, or any of them acting individually, are hereby authorized on behalf of the Company to execute, or cause to be executed, all listing applications, fee agreements and other documents in connection with the foregoing; and be it further

 

RESOLVED, that the Chief Executive Officer, the Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, the Vice President and Treasurer, the Corporate Treasurer, and any Assistant Treasurer, or any of them acting individually, be, and they hereby are, authorized to take all such further action and to execute all such further instruments and documents in the name and on behalf of the Company and under its corporate seal or otherwise, and to pay all expenses, duties, imposts and taxes as in their judgment shall be necessary, proper or advisable in order fully to carry out the intent and accomplish the purposes of the foregoing Resolutions; and be it further

 

RESOLVED, that the Chief Executive Officer, the Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, the Vice President and Treasurer, the Corporate Treasurer, and any Assistant Treasurer, or any of them acting individually, shall have the authority to further delegate, in whole or in part, the authority provided in these Resolutions to any other officer or employee of the Company or its subsidiaries.

 

 

 

 

Exhibit 24(c)

 

IBM INTERNATIONAL GROUP CAPITAL LLC

CERTIFICATE OF THE SECRETARY

 

I, Pam McMinn, the undersigned Secretary of IBM International Group Capital LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, do hereby certify as follows:

 

Attached hereto as Exhibit A is a true copy of the resolutions adopted by the Board of Managers of IBM International Group Capital LLC, authorizing the officers of the Company to execute the Registration Statement, to which this certificate is attached as an exhibit, by power of attorney.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have executed this certificate as of this 29th day of January 2024.

 

/s/ Pamela McMinn  
Secretary  

 

 

 

 

BOARD RESOLUTIONS

of IBM International Group Capital LLC

 

The undersigned:

 

1.Mr. Simon Beaumont
2.Mr. Karl Minahan and
3.Mr. Brendan Turnbull

 

acting in their capacity of members of the Board of Managers (hereinafter "the Board"), and jointly constituting the entire Board of IBM International Group Capital LLC, a limited liability company organized and existing under the laws of the State of Delaware (hereinafter "the Company"), hereby unanimously adopt the following resolutions:

 

WHEREAS:

 

1.The Company was formed as a finance subsidiary under Rule 13-01(a)(4)(vi) of Regulation S-X. It has issued and may continue to issue debt which shall carry the full and unconditional guarantee of International Business Machines Corporation ("IBM").

 

2.In accordance with the terms of Section 7(d) of the Limited Liability Company Agreement, the Board may take any action without holding a meeting if all of the Managers consent in writing.

 

THEREFORE, IT IS HEREBY:

 

RESOLVED, that the Company is, and continues to be, authorized to enter into Indebtedness which may take any form or tenure, which shall be fully and unconditionally guaranteed by IBM, and which may include, without limitation, Indebtedness issued pursuant to a registration statement filed by the Company and IBM (as guarantor) under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as well as Indebtedness issued pursuant to an exemption therefrom; Indebtedness with a maturity of less than one year at the time of issuance; Indebtedness in the form of commercial paper, extendible notes and/or any other form of debt or program offering which may be sold publicly or privately placed pursuant to exemptions from applicable securities laws.

 

RESOLVED, that the Managers of the Company, or any of them acting individually be, and each hereby individually is, delegated full power and authority to authorize and approve the issuance and sale of all Indebtedness pursuant to these resolutions and, in connection therewith, to negotiate and finalize all of the terms and provisions related to such Indebtedness, and to execute and implement all agreements relating to the issuance and sale of such Indebtedness.

 

RESOLVED, that the Managers of the Company be, and each of them acting individually hereby is, authorized and empowered to prepare for filing with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"), Washington, D.C., under the provisions of the Securities Act of 1933, a shelf registration statement under the Securities Act of 1933, for all Indebtedness which may be registered pursuant to these resolutions and that the Managers and Officers of the Company be, and each of them is, hereby vested with full power to act, together or each without the others, in any and all capacities, in the name and on behalf of the Company to sign, or cause to be signed electronically, such registration statement (which may constitute one or more post-effective amendments to registration statements previously filed with the SEC), and any and all amendments to the aforementioned registration statement, and to file said registration statement and amendments thereto so signed with all exhibits thereto, and any and all other documents in connection therewith, with the SEC, and all actions in connection with the preparation, execution and filing of said registration statement with the SEC on behalf of and as attorneys for the Company are hereby ratified, approved and adopted in all respects.

 

RESOLVED, that the Managers of the Company be, and each hereby individually is, fully authorized in the name and on behalf of the Company, to take any and all action which they may deem necessary or advisable in order to effect the registration or qualification (or exemption therefrom) of the Indebtedness for issue, offer, sale or trade under the Blue Sky or securities laws of any of the States of the United States of America as well as in any non-US jurisdiction and in connection therewith, to execute, acknowledge, verify, deliver, file or cause to be published any applications, reports, consents to service of process, appointments of attorneys to receive service of process and other papers and instruments which may be required under such laws, and to take any and all further action which they may deem necessary or advisable in order to maintain any such registration, qualification or exemption for as long as they deem necessary or as required by law, and that the execution by such manager of any such paper or document, or the doing by them of any act in connection with the foregoing matters shall conclusively establish their authority therefor from the Company and the ratification by the Company of the papers and documents so executed and the actions so taken.

 

RESOLVED, that the Company is hereby authorized to list the Indebtedness on any public exchange, and the Managers of the Company are each hereby individually authorized on behalf of the Company to execute all listing applications, fee agreements and other documents in connection with the foregoing.

 

 

 

 

RESOLVED, that the Managers of the Company be, and they each hereby individually is, authorized to take all such further action and to execute all such further instruments and documents in the name and on behalf of the Company, and to pay all expenses and taxes as in their judgment shall be necessary, proper or advisable in order fully to carry out the intent and accomplish the purposes of the foregoing Resolutions.

 

RESOLVED, that the Managers of the Company be, and they each hereby individually is, authorized in the name and on behalf of the Company, to further delegate, in whole or in part, the authority provided in these Resolutions to any Officer of the Company or any employee of IBM.

 

RESOLVED, that each of the Managers, may, by a written Power of Attorney, authorize any person, to take any action and to execute and deliver any agreement, instrument, or other document referred to in the foregoing resolutions in place of or on behalf of such Manager, as if each such person was taking such action personally; and

 

RESOLVED, that any and all actions heretofore taken by any person acting within the terms of the foregoing resolutions, are hereby ratified and confirmed as the valid act and deed of the Company.

 

These Resolutions may be executed on any number of separate counterparts (including counterparts returned by scan, Portable Document Format ("PDF"), fax, TIFF, telecopy or other reliable electronic means), and all of said counterparts taken together shall be deemed to constitute one and the same. A set of the copies of this Resolution, signed by all of the Managers, shall be filed with the minutes of proceedings of the Board of Managers and maintained as part of the official records of the Company.

 

Dated as of January 22, 2024

 

IBM International Group Capital LLC

 

/s/ Simon Beaumont  
Mr. Simon Beaumont  
   
/s/ Karl Minahan  
Mr. Karl Minahan  
   
/s/ Brendan Turnbull  
Mr. Brendan Turnbull  
   

 

 

 

Exhibit 24(d)

 

IBM INTERNATIONAL CAPITAL PTE. LTD.
CERTIFICATE OF THE SECRETARY

 

I, Chang Shu Lei, the undersigned Secretary of IBM International Capital Pte. Ltd., a private company limited by shares incorporated under the laws of the Republic of Singapore, do hereby certify as follows:

 

Attached hereto as Exhibit A is a true copy of the resolutions adopted by the Board of Directors of IBM International Capital Pte. Ltd., authorizing the officers of the Company to execute the Registration Statement, to which this certificate is attached as an exhibit, by power of attorney.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have executed this certificate as of this 29th day of January 2024.

 

/s/ Chang Shu Lei   
Chang Shu Lei   
Secretary  

 

 

 

 

IBM INTERNATIONAL CAPITAL PTE. LTD.

 

(Company Registration No. 202345465D)

 

(Incorporated in Singapore)

 

DIRECTORS’ RESOLUTIONS IN WRITING PURSUANT TO
THE CONSTITUTION OF THE COMPANY

 

The undersigned:

 

1.Heng Koh Yen
2.Chang Shu Lei
3.Ong Shalley and
4.Mark William Hobbert

 

acting in their capacity as Directors of IBM International Capital Pte. Ltd., a private company limited by shares incorporated under the laws of the Republic of Singapore (hereinafter “the Company”), and jointly constituting the entire board of Directors of the Company (hereinafter “the Board”), hereby unanimously adopt the following resolutions:

 

WHEREAS:

 

1.The Company was formed as a “finance subsidiary” of International Business Machines Corporation (“IBM”), as described by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) in Rule 13-01(a)(4)(vi) of Regulation S-X. It may issue debt which shall carry the full and unconditional guarantee of IBM.

 

2.In connection with the adoption of the following resolutions and actions to be taken hereunder, Heng Koh Yen, Chang Shu Lei, Ong Shalley and Mark William Hobbert of the Company (the “Authorized Persons” and each an “Authorized Person”) may further delegate, in whole or in part, the authority provided in these resolutions as set forth below and any such delegation is hereby approved and acknowledged.

 

3.In connection with the adoption of the following resolutions and actions to be taken hereunder, each Authorized Person and officer1 of the Company may enter into a written Power of Attorney (“Power of Attorney”) as set forth below and the entry into any such Power of Attorney, and the appointment of the attorneys thereunder, is hereby approved and acknowledged.

 

4.In accordance with Regulation 98 of the Constitution of the Company, a resolution in writing which is signed by a majority of the Directors shall be valid and effectual as if it had been passed at a meeting of the Directors duly convened and held.

 

THEREFORE, IT IS HEREBY:

 

RESOLVED, that the Company is authorized to offer, issue and sell notes, debentures or other debt instruments including but not limited to debt securities of the Company (the “Indebtedness”) which may take any form or tenure, which shall be fully and unconditionally guaranteed by IBM, and which may include, without limitation, Indebtedness issued pursuant to a registration statement filed by the Company and IBM (as guarantor) under the United States Securities Act of 1933 (the “Securities Act”), as well as Indebtedness issued pursuant to an exemption therefrom; Indebtedness with a maturity of less than one year at the time of issuance; Indebtedness in the form of commercial paper, extendible notes and/or any other form of debt or program offering which may be sold publicly or privately placed pursuant to exemptions from applicable securities laws.

 

RESOLVED, that the Authorized Persons, or any of them acting individually be, and each hereby individually is, delegated full power and authority to authorize and approve the offer, issuance and sale of all Indebtedness pursuant to these resolutions and, in connection therewith, to negotiate and finalize all of the terms and provisions related to such Indebtedness, and to execute and implement all agreements relating to the issuance and sale of such Indebtedness.

 

RESOLVED, that the Authorized Persons be, and each of them acting individually hereby is, authorized and empowered to prepare for filing with the SEC an automatic or other shelf registration statement on Form S-3ASR or other appropriate Form under Rule 415 of the Securities Act for all Indebtedness which may be registered pursuant to these resolutions (any such registration statement hereinafter, a “Registration Statement”) and that the Authorized Persons and officers of the Company be, and each of them is, hereby vested with full power to act, together or each without the others, in any and all capacities, in the name and on behalf of the Company to sign, or cause to be signed electronically, such Registration Statement (which may constitute one or more post-effective amendments to registration statements previously filed with the SEC), and any and all amendments to the aforementioned Registration Statement, and to file said Registration Statement and amendments thereto so signed with all exhibits thereto, and any and all other documents in connection therewith, with the SEC, and all actions in connection with the preparation, execution and filing of said Registration Statement with the SEC on behalf of and as attorneys for the Company are hereby ratified, approved and adopted in all respects.

 

RESOLVED, that the Authorized Persons be, and each hereby individually is, fully authorized in the name and on behalf of the Company, to take any and all action which they may deem necessary or advisable in order to effect the registration or qualification (or exemption therefrom) of the Indebtedness for issue, offer, sale or trade under the Blue Sky or securities laws of any of the States of the United States of America as well as in any non-US jurisdiction and in connection therewith, to execute, acknowledge, verify, deliver, file or cause to be published any applications, reports, consents to service of process, appointments of attorneys to receive service of process and other papers and instruments which may be required under such laws, and to take any and all further action which they may deem necessary or advisable in order to maintain any such registration, qualification or exemption for as long as they deem necessary or as required by law, and that the execution by such person of any such paper or document, or the doing by them of any act in connection with the foregoing matters shall conclusively establish their authority therefor from the Company and the ratification by the Company of the papers and documents so executed and the actions so taken.

 

 

1 As defined in Section 4 of the Companies Act 1967 of Singapore.

 

 

 

 

RESOLVED, that the Company is hereby authorized to list the Indebtedness on any public exchange, and the Authorized Persons are each hereby individually authorized on behalf of the Company to execute all listing applications, fee agreements and other documents in connection with the foregoing.

 

RESOLVED, that the Authorized Persons be, and they each hereby individually is, authorized to take all such further action and to execute all such further instruments and documents in the name and on behalf of the Company, and to pay all expenses and taxes as in their judgment shall be necessary, proper or advisable in order fully to carry out the intent and accomplish the purposes of the foregoing resolutions.

 

RESOLVED, that the Authorized Persons be, and each hereby individually is, authorized in the name and on behalf of the Company, to further delegate, in whole or in part, the authority provided in these resolutions to any officer or director of the Company or to the Corporate Treasurer of IBM or any Assistant Treasurer of IBM, and any such delegation is hereby approved and acknowledged.

 

RESOLVED, that each of the Authorized Persons and officers of the Company, may, by Power of Attorney, authorize any director or officer of the Company, the Corporate Treasurer of IBM, any Assistant Treasurer of IBM or any Counsel of IBM or any Associate General Counsel of IBM to take any action and to execute and deliver any agreement, instrument, or other document referred to in the foregoing resolutions in place of or on behalf of such person, as if each such person was taking such action personally, and the entry into any such Power of Attorney, and the appointment of the attorneys thereunder, is hereby approved and acknowledged; and

 

RESOLVED, that any and all actions heretofore taken by any person acting within the terms of the foregoing resolutions, are hereby ratified, confirmed, approved and adopted in all respects as the valid act and deed of the Company.

 

These resolutions may be executed on any number of separate counterparts (including counterparts returned by scan, Portable Document Format (“PDF”), fax, TIFF, telecopy or other reliable electronic means), and all of said counterparts taken together shall be deemed to constitute one and the same. A set of the copies of these resolutions, signed by the Directors, shall be filed with the minutes of proceedings of the Board of Directors and maintained as part of the official records of the Company.

 

[signature pages to follow]

 

 

 

 

Dated as of January 29, 2024  
   
IBM International Capital Pte. Ltd.  
   
/s/ Heng Koh Yen  
heng koh yen  
Place of signing: Singapore  
   
/s/ Chang Shu Lei  
chang shu lei  
Place of signing: Singapore  
   
/s/ Ong Shalley  
ong shalley  
Place of signing: Singapore  
   
/s/ Mark William Hobbert  
Mark William HobbErt  
Place of signing: Armonk, NY, USA  

 

 

 

Exhibit(25)(a)

 

 

 

 

UNITED STATES 

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION 

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

FORM T-1

 

STATEMENT OF ELIGIBILITY UNDER THE TRUST 

INDENTURE ACT OF 1939 OF A CORPORATION 

DESIGNATED TO ACT AS TRUSTEE

 

CHECK IF AN APPLICATION TO DETERMINE ELIGIBILITY OF A 

TRUSTEE PURSUANT TO SECTION 305(b)(2)  ¨

 

 

 

THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON 

(Exact name of trustee as specified in its charter)

 

New York

(Jurisdiction of incorporation of organization if
not a U.S. national bank)

 

13-5160382

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification Number)

240 Greenwich Street

New York, New York

(Address of principal executive offices)

 

10286

(Zip code)

 

Legal Department 

The Bank of New York Mellon 

240 Greenwich Street 

New York, NY 10286 

(212) 635-1270 

(Name, address and telephone number of agent for service)

 

INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION 

(Exact name of obligor as specified in its charter)

 

New York

(State or other jurisdiction

of incorporation or organization)

 

13-0871985

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification Number)

 

One New Orchard Road
Armonk, New York

(Address of principal executive offices)

 

 

10504

(Zip code)

 

 

 

Debt Securities 

(Title of the indenture securities)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Item 1. General Information.

 

Furnish the following information as to the Trustee:

 

(a)   Name and address of each examining or supervising authority to which it is subject.

 

Superintendent of the Department of Financial One State Street, New York, N.Y. 10004-1417
     Services of the State of New York     and Albany, N.Y. 12203
Federal Reserve Bank of New York 33 Liberty Street, New York, N.Y. 10045
Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation 550 17th Street, NW, Washington, D.C. 20429
The Clearing House Association L.L.C. 100 Broad Street, New York, N.Y. 10004

 

(b)  Whether it is authorized to exercise corporate trust powers.

 

Yes.

 

Item 2. Affiliations with Obligor.

 

If the obligor is an affiliate of the trustee, describe each such affiliation.

 

None.

 

Item 16. List of Exhibits.

 

Exhibits identified in parentheses below, on file with the Commission, are incorporated herein by reference as an exhibit hereto, pursuant to Rule 7a-29 under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 (the "Act").

 

1. -A copy of the Organization Certificate of The Bank of New York Mellon (formerly The Bank of New York (formerly Irving Trust Company)) as now in effect, which contains the authority to commence business and a grant of powers to exercise corporate trust powers. (Exhibit 1 to Amendment No. 1 to Form T-1 filed with Registration Statement No. 33-6215, Exhibits 1a and 1b to Form T-1 filed with Registration Statement No. 33-21672, Exhibit 1 to Form T-1 filed with Registration Statement No. 33-29637, Exhibit 1 to Form T-1 filed with Registration Statement No. 333-121195 and Exhibit 1 to Form T-1 filed as Exhibit 25.1 to Current Report on Form 8-K of Nevada Power Company, Date of Report (Date of Earliest Event Reported) July 25, 2008 (File No. 000-52378).)

 

4.- A copy of the existing By-laws of the Trustee. (Exhibit 4 to Form T-1 with Registration Statement No. 333-229494.)

 

6.- The consent of the Trustee required by Section 321(b) of the Act. (Exhibit 6 to Form T-1 filed with Registration Statement No. 333-229519.)

 

7.- A copy of the latest report of condition of the Trustee published pursuant to law or to the requirements of its supervising or examining authority.

 

 

 

 

SIGNATURE

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Act, the Trustee, The Bank of New York Mellon, a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the State of New York, has duly caused this statement of eligibility to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, all in The City of New York, and State of New York, on the 29th day of January, 2024.

 

  THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON
   
  By: /s/ Francine Kincaid
  Name: Francine Kincaid
    Title:   Vice President

 

 

 

 

EXHIBIT 7

 

(Page i of iii)

 

Consolidated Report of Condition of

 

THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON

 

of 240 Greenwich Street, New York, N.Y. 10286
And Foreign and Domestic Subsidiaries, 

a member of the Federal Reserve System, at the close of business September 30, 2023, published in accordance with a call made by the Federal Reserve Bank of this District pursuant to the provisions of the Federal Reserve Act.

 

    Dollar amounts in thousands 
ASSETS    
Cash and balances due from depository institutions:    
Noninterest-bearing balances and currency and coin  3,927,000 
Interest-bearing balances  117,548,000 
Securities:    
Held-to-maturity securities  51,007,000 
Available-for-sale debt securities  76,909,000 
Equity securities with readily determinable fair values not held for trading  0 
Federal funds sold and securities purchased under agreements to resell:    
   Federal funds sold in domestic offices  0 
   Securities purchased under agreements to resell  11,324,000 
Loans and lease financing receivables:    
Loans and leases held for sale  0 
Loans and leases held for investment  32,188,000 
LESS: Allowance for loan and lease losses  191,000 
Loans and leases held for investment, net of allowance  31,997,000 
Trading assets  5,271,000 
Premises and fixed assets (including capitalized leases)  2,820,000 
Other real estate owned  2,000 
Investments in unconsolidated subsidiaries and associated companies  1,188,000 
Direct and indirect investments in real estate ventures  0 
Intangible assets  6,903,000 
Other assets  19,572,000 
Total assets  328,468,000 

 

 

 

 

EXHIBIT 7

 

(Page ii of iii)

 

LIABILITIES
     
Deposits:     
In domestic offices    189,421,000 
Noninterest-bearing    59,576,000 
Interest-bearing    129,845,000 
In foreign offices, Edge and Agreement subsidiaries, and IBFs    91,289,000 
Noninterest-bearing    5,210,000 
Interest-bearing    86,079,000 
Federal funds purchased and securities sold under agreements to repurchase:     
   Federal funds purchased in domestic offices    0 
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase    4,227,000 
Trading liabilities    3,215,000 
Other borrowed money:
(includes mortgage indebtedness and obligations under capitalized leases)
   2,000,000 
Not applicable     
Not applicable     
Subordinated notes and debentures    0 
Other liabilities    11,199,000 
Total liabilities    301,351,000 
      
EQUITY CAPITAL     
Perpetual preferred stock and related surplus   0 
Common stock    1,135,000 
Surplus (exclude all surplus related to preferred stock)    12,157,000 
Retained earnings    18,051,000 
Accumulated other comprehensive income   -4,226,000 
Other equity capital components   0 
Total bank equity capital    27,117,000 
Noncontrolling (minority) interests in consolidated subsidiaries   0 
Total equity capital    27,117,000 
Total liabilities and equity capital    328,468,000 

 

 

 

 

EXHIBIT 7

 

(Page iii of iii)

 

I, Dermot McDonogh, Chief Financial Officer of the above-named bank do hereby declare that this Report of Condition is true and correct to the best of my knowledge and belief.

 

Dermot McDonogh
Chief Financial Officer

 

We, the undersigned directors, attest to the correctness of this statement of resources and liabilities. We declare that it has been examined by us, and to the best of our knowledge and belief has been prepared in conformance with the instructions and is true and correct.

 

Robin A. Vince    
Jeffrey A. Goldstein   Directors
Joseph J. Echevarria    

 

 

 

 

Exhibit (25)(c)

 

 

UNITED STATES  

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

FORM T-1

 

STATEMENT OF ELIGIBILITY UNDER THE TRUST 

INDENTURE ACT OF 1939 OF A CORPORATION

DESIGNATED TO ACT AS TRUSTEE

 

CHECK IF AN APPLICATION TO DETERMINE ELIGIBILITY OF A 

TRUSTEE PURSUANT TO SECTION 305(b)(2)  ¨

 

 

 

THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON

(Exact name of trustee as specified in its charter)

 
New York 13-5160382
(Jurisdiction of incorporation of organization (I.R.S. Employer
if not a U.S. national bank) Identification Number)
   
240 Greenwich Street  
New York, New York 10286
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip code)

 

Legal Department 

The Bank of New York Mellon

240 Greenwich Street

New York, NY 10286

(212) 635-1270

(Name, address and telephone number of agent for service)

 

IBM INTERNATIONAL GROUP CAPITAL LLC*

(Exact name of obligor as specified in its charter)

 

Delaware 61-1533315
(State or other jurisdiction (I.R.S. Employer
of incorporation or organization) Identification Number)
   
One New Orchard Road  
Armonk, New York 10504
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip code)

  

 

 

Debt Securities

(Title of the indenture securities)

 

 

 

* See additional obligor named on next page

 

 

 

 

 

ADDITIONAL OBLIGOR GUARANTOR

 

Exact name of obligor guarantor as specified in
its charter(1)
 

State or other
jurisdiction
of incorporation or
organization

  I.R.S. Employer
Identification
Number
International Business Machines Corporation  New York  13-0871985

 

 

(1)The address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of each additional obligor guarantor’s executive offices is One New Orchard Road, Armonk, NY 10504, (914) 499-1900.

 

 

 

 

Item 1. General Information.

 

Furnish the following information as to the Trustee:

 

(a)  Name and address of each examining or supervising authority to which it is subject. 

 

Superintendent of the Department of Financial       One State Street, New York, N.Y. 10004-1417
Services of the State of New York and Albany, N.Y. 12203
Federal Reserve Bank of New York       33 Liberty Street, New York, N.Y. 10045
Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation       550 17th Street, NW, Washington, D.C. 20429
The Clearing House Association L.L.C. 100 Broad Street, New York, N.Y. 10004

 

(b)  Whether it is authorized to exercise corporate trust powers.

 

Yes.

 

Item 2. Affiliations with Obligor.

 

If the obligor is an affiliate of the trustee, describe each such affiliation.

 

None.

 

Item 16. List of Exhibits.

 

Exhibits identified in parentheses below, on file with the Commission, are incorporated herein by reference as an exhibit hereto, pursuant to Rule 7a-29 under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 (the "Act").

 

1. -A copy of the Organization Certificate of The Bank of New York Mellon (formerly The Bank of New York (formerly Irving Trust Company)) as now in effect, which contains the authority to commence business and a grant of powers to exercise corporate trust powers. (Exhibit 1 to Amendment No. 1 to Form T-1 filed with Registration Statement No. 33-6215, Exhibits 1a and 1b to Form T-1 filed with Registration Statement No. 33-21672, Exhibit 1 to Form T-1 filed with Registration Statement No. 33-29637, Exhibit 1 to Form T-1 filed with Registration Statement No. 333-121195 and Exhibit 1 to Form T-1 filed as Exhibit 25.1 to Current Report on Form 8-K of Nevada Power Company, Date of Report (Date of Earliest Event Reported) July 25, 2008 (File No. 000-52378).)

 

4. -A copy of the existing By-laws of the Trustee. (Exhibit 4 to Form T-1 with Registration Statement No. 333-229494.)

 

6. -The consent of the Trustee required by Section 321(b) of the Act. (Exhibit 6 to Form T-1 filed with Registration Statement No. 333-229519.)

 

7. -A copy of the latest report of condition of the Trustee published pursuant to law or to the requirements of its supervising or examining authority.

 

 

 

 

SIGNATURE

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Act, the Trustee, The Bank of New York Mellon, a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the State of New York, has duly caused this statement of eligibility to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, all in The City of New York, and State of New York, on the 29th day of January, 2024.

 

  THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON
   
  By: /s/ Francine Kincaid
  Name:  Francine Kincaid
  Title:  Vice President

 

 

 

 

EXHIBIT 7

 

(Page i of iii)

 

Consolidated Report of Condition of

 

THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON

 

of 240 Greenwich Street, New York, N.Y. 10286
And Foreign and Domestic Subsidiaries,

a member of the Federal Reserve System, at the close of business September 30, 2023, published in accordance with a call made by the Federal Reserve Bank of this District pursuant to the provisions of the Federal Reserve Act.

 

   Dollar amounts in thousands  

ASSETS

   
Cash and balances due from depository institutions:     
Noninterest-bearing balances and currency and coin    3,927,000 
Interest-bearing balances    117,548,000 
Securities:     
Held-to-maturity securities    51,007,000 
Available-for-sale debt securities    76,909,000 
Equity securities with readily determinable fair values not held for trading   0 
Federal funds sold and securities purchased under agreements to resell:     
   Federal funds sold in domestic offices    0 
   Securities purchased under agreements to resell   11,324,000 
Loans and lease financing receivables:     
Loans and leases held for sale   0 
Loans and leases held for investment   32,188,000 
LESS: Allowance for loan and lease losses   191,000 
Loans and leases held for investment, net of allowance    31,997,000 
Trading assets    5,271,000 
Premises and fixed assets (including capitalized leases)    2,820,000 
Other real estate owned    2,000 
Investments in unconsolidated subsidiaries and associated companies    1,188,000 
Direct and indirect investments in real estate ventures   0 
Intangible assets   6,903,000 
Other assets    19,572,000 
Total assets    328,468,000 

 

 

 

 

EXHIBIT 7

 

(Page ii of iii)

 

LIABILITIES     
Deposits:     
In domestic offices    189,421,000 
Noninterest-bearing    59,576,000 
Interest-bearing    129,845,000 
In foreign offices, Edge and Agreement subsidiaries, and IBFs    91,289,000 
Noninterest-bearing    5,210,000 
Interest-bearing    86,079,000 
Federal funds purchased and securities sold under agreements to repurchase:     
   Federal funds purchased in domestic offices   0 
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase    4,227,000 
Trading liabilities    3,215,000 
Other borrowed money:
(includes mortgage indebtedness and obligations under capitalized leases)
   2,000,000 
Not applicable     
Not applicable     
Subordinated notes and debentures    0 
Other liabilities    11,199,000 
Total liabilities    301,351,000 
      
EQUITY CAPITAL     
Perpetual preferred stock and related surplus   0 
Common stock    1,135,000 
Surplus (exclude all surplus related to preferred stock)    12,157,000 
Retained earnings    18,051,000 
Accumulated other comprehensive income   -4,226,000 
Other equity capital components   0 
Total bank equity capital    27,117,000 
Noncontrolling (minority) interests in consolidated subsidiaries   0 
Total equity capital    27,117,000 
Total liabilities and equity capital    328,468,000 

 

 

 

 

EXHIBIT 7

 

(Page iii of iii)

 

I, Dermot McDonogh, Chief Financial Officer of the above-named bank do hereby declare that this Report of Condition is true and correct to the best of my knowledge and belief.

 

Dermot McDonogh

Chief Financial Officer

 

We, the undersigned directors, attest to the correctness of this statement of resources and liabilities. We declare that it has been examined by us, and to the best of our knowledge and belief has been prepared in conformance with the instructions and is true and correct.

 

Robin A. Vince

Jeffrey A. Goldstein
Joseph J. Echevarria

  Directors

 

 

 

 

Exhibit (25)(d)

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

FORM T-1

 

STATEMENT OF ELIGIBILITY UNDER THE TRUST

INDENTURE ACT OF 1939 OF A CORPORATION 

DESIGNATED TO ACT AS TRUSTEE

 

CHECK IF AN APPLICATION TO DETERMINE ELIGIBILITY OF A

TRUSTEE PURSUANT TO SECTION 305(b)(2)  ¨

 

 

 

THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON

(Exact name of trustee as specified in its charter)

 

New York

(Jurisdiction of incorporation of organization
if not a U.S. national bank)

 

13-5160382

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification Number)

240 Greenwich Street

New York, New York

(Address of principal executive offices)

 

10286

(Zip code)

 

Legal Department

The Bank of New York Mellon 

240 Greenwich Street

New York, NY 10286 

(212) 635-1270

(Name, address and telephone number of agent for service)

 

IBM INTERNATIONAL CAPITAL PTE. LTD.*

(Exact name of obligor as specified in its charter)

 

Republic of Singapore

(State or other jurisdiction

of incorporation or organization)

98-1763477

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification Number)

 

One New Orchard Road
Armonk, New York

(Address of principal executive offices)

 

 

10504

(Zip code)

 

 

 

Debt Securities

(Title of the indenture securities)

 

 

* See additional obligor named on next page

 

 

 

 

 

 

ADDITIONAL OBLIGOR GUARANTOR

 

Exact name of obligor guarantor as specified in
its charter(1)
 

State or other
jurisdiction

of incorporation or
organization

  I.R.S. Employer
Identification
Number
International Business Machines Corporation  New York  13-0871985

 

 

(1)The address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of each additional obligor guarantor’s executive offices is One New Orchard Road, Armonk, NY 10504, (914) 499-1900.

 

 

 

 

Item 1.       General Information.

 

Furnish the following information as to the Trustee:

 

(a)  Name and address of each examining or supervising authority to which it is subject.

 

Superintendent of the Department of Financial
   Services of the State of New York
One State Street, New York, N.Y. 10004-1417
   and Albany, N.Y. 12203
Federal Reserve Bank of New York 33 Liberty Street, New York, N.Y. 10045
Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation 550 17th Street, NW, Washington, D.C. 20429
The Clearing House Association L.L.C. 100 Broad Street, New York, N.Y. 10004

 

(b)  Whether it is authorized to exercise corporate trust powers.

 

Yes.

 

Item 2.      Affiliations with Obligor.

 

If the obligor is an affiliate of the trustee, describe each such affiliation.

 

None.

 

Item 16. List of Exhibits.

 

Exhibits identified in parentheses below, on file with the Commission, are incorporated herein by reference as an exhibit hereto, pursuant to Rule 7a-29 under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 (the "Act").

 

1.- A copy of the Organization Certificate of The Bank of New York Mellon (formerly The Bank of New York (formerly Irving Trust Company)) as now in effect, which contains the authority to commence business and a grant of powers to exercise corporate trust powers. (Exhibit 1 to Amendment No. 1 to Form T-1 filed with Registration Statement No. 33-6215, Exhibits 1a and 1b to Form T-1 filed with Registration Statement No. 33-21672, Exhibit 1 to Form T-1 filed with Registration Statement No. 33-29637, Exhibit 1 to Form T-1 filed with Registration Statement No. 333-121195 and Exhibit 1 to Form T-1 filed as Exhibit 25.1 to Current Report on Form 8-K of Nevada Power Company, Date of Report (Date of Earliest Event Reported) July 25, 2008 (File No. 000-52378).)

 

4.- A copy of the existing By-laws of the Trustee. (Exhibit 4 to Form T-1 with Registration Statement No. 333-229494.)

 

6.- The consent of the Trustee required by Section 321(b) of the Act. (Exhibit 6 to Form T-1 filed with Registration Statement No. 333-229519.)

 

7.- A copy of the latest report of condition of the Trustee published pursuant to law or to the requirements of its supervising or examining authority.

 

 

 

 

SIGNATURE

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Act, the Trustee, The Bank of New York Mellon, a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the State of New York, has duly caused this statement of eligibility to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, all in The City of New York, and State of New York, on the 29th day of January, 2024.

 

THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON

 

By: /s/ Francine Kincaid
  Name:  Francine Kincaid
  Title:    Vice President

 

 

 

 

EXHIBIT 7

 

(Page i of iii)

 

Consolidated Report of Condition of

 

THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON

 

of 240 Greenwich Street, New York, N.Y. 10286
And Foreign and Domestic Subsidiaries,

a member of the Federal Reserve System, at the close of business September 30, 2023, published in accordance with a call made by the Federal Reserve Bank of this District pursuant to the provisions of the Federal Reserve Act.

 

   Dollar amounts in thousands  
ASSETS      
Cash and balances due from depository institutions:      
Noninterest-bearing balances and currency and coin    3,927,000  
Interest-bearing balances    117,548,000  
Securities:      
Held-to-maturity securities    51,007,000  
Available-for-sale debt securities    76,909,000  
Equity securities with readily determinable fair values not held for trading   0  
Federal funds sold and securities purchased under agreements to resell:      
Federal funds sold in domestic offices    0  
Securities purchased under agreements to resell   11,324,000  
Loans and lease financing receivables:      
Loans and leases held for sale   0  
Loans and leases held for investment   32,188,000  
LESS: Allowance for loan and lease losses    191,000  
Loans and leases held for investment, net of allowance    31,997,000  
Trading assets    5,271,000  
Premises and fixed assets (including capitalized leases)    2,820,000  
Other real estate owned    2,000  
Investments in unconsolidated subsidiaries and associated companies    1,188,000  
Direct and indirect investments in real estate ventures   0  
Intangible assets   6,903,000  
Other assets    19,572,000  
Total assets    328,468,000  

 

 

 

 

EXHIBIT 7

 

(Page ii of iii)

 

LIABILITIES      
Deposits:      
In domestic offices    189,421,000  
Noninterest-bearing    59,576,000  
Interest-bearing    129,845,000  
In foreign offices, Edge and Agreement subsidiaries, and IBFs    91,289,000  
Noninterest-bearing    5,210,000  
Interest-bearing    86,079,000  
Federal funds purchased and securities sold under agreements to repurchase:      
Federal funds purchased in domestic offices    0  
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase    4,227,000  
Trading liabilities    3,215,000  
Other borrowed money:
(includes mortgage indebtedness and obligations under capitalized leases)
   2,000,000  
Not applicable      
Not applicable      
Subordinated notes and debentures    0  
Other liabilities    11,199,000  
Total liabilities    301,351,000  
       
EQUITY CAPITAL      
Perpetual preferred stock and related surplus   0  
Common stock    1,135,000  
Surplus (exclude all surplus related to preferred stock)    12,157,000  
Retained earnings    18,051,000  
Accumulated other comprehensive income   -4,226,000  
Other equity capital components   0  
Total bank equity capital    27,117,000  
Noncontrolling (minority) interests in consolidated subsidiaries   0  
Total equity capital    27,117,000  
Total liabilities and equity capital    328,468,000  

 

 

 

 

EXHIBIT 7

 

(Page iii of iii)

  

I, Dermot McDonogh, Chief Financial Officer of the above-named bank do hereby declare that this Report of Condition is true and correct to the best of my knowledge and belief.

 

Dermot McDonogh
Chief Financial Officer

 

We, the undersigned directors, attest to the correctness of this statement of resources and liabilities. We declare that it has been examined by us, and to the best of our knowledge and belief has been prepared in conformance with the instructions and is true and correct.

 

Robin A. Vince
Jeffrey A. Goldstein
Joseph J. Echevarria
  Directors

 

 

 

EX-FILING FEES

 

Calculation of Filing Fee Tables

 

Form S-3

(Form Type)

 

International Business Machines Corporation
IBM International Group Capital LLC

IBM International Capital Pte. Ltd.

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in their respective Charters)

 

Table 1: Newly Registered and Carry Forward Securities

 

  Security Type Security
Class
Title
Fee
Calculation
or Carry
Forward Rule
Amount
Registered
Proposed
Maximum
Offering Price
Per Unit
Maximum
Aggregate
Offering
Price
Fee Rate Amount of
Registration Fee
Carry
Forward
Form Type
Carry
Forward
File
Number
Carry
Forward
Initial
Effective
Date
Filing Fee
Previously Paid
in Connection
with Unsold
Securities to be
Carried Forward
Newly Registered Securities
Fees to Be Paid                        
  Equity Preferred Stock of International Business Machines Corporation (1) Rule 456(b) and Rule 457(r) (2) (3) (3) (3) (2) (2)        
  Equity Depositary Shares of International Business Machines Corporation (1) Rule 456(b) and Rule 457(r) (2) (3) (3) (3) (2) (2)        
  Equity Capital Stock of International Business Machines Corporation (1) Rule 456(b) and Rule 457(r) (2) (3) (3) (3) (2) (2)        
  Debt Debt Securities of International Business Machines Corporation (1) Rule 456(b) and Rule 457(r) (2) (3) (3) (3) (2) (2)        
  Debt Debt Securities of IBM International Group Capital LLC (1) Rule 456(b) and Rule 457(r) (2) (3) (3) (3) (2) (2)        
  Debt Debt Securities of IBM International Capital Pte. Ltd. (1) Rule 456(b) and Rule 457(r) (2) (3) (3) (3) (2) (2)        
  Other Warrants of International Business Machines Corporation (1) Rule 456(b) and Rule 457(r) (2) (3) (3) (3) (2) (2)        
  Other Guarantees of the Debt Securities of IBM International Group Capital LLC by International Business Machines Corporation (1)(4) Rule 457(n) (4) (3) (3) (3) (2) (2)        
  Other Guarantees of the Debt Securities of IBM International Capital Pte. Ltd. by International Business Machines Corporation (1)(4) Rule 457(n) (4) (3) (3) (3) (2) (2)        
Fees Previously Paid                        
  Total Offering Amounts   N/A   N/A        
  Total Fees Previously Paid       N/A (5)        
  Total Fee Offsets       $1,266,380.13 (6)        
  Net Fee Due       N/A (2)        

 

 

(1)Separate consideration may or may not be received for securities that are issuable on exercise, conversion or exchange of other securities. Any securities registered hereunder may be sold separately or as units with other securities registered hereunder.
(2)This registration statement is being filed to replace the automatic shelf Registration Statement on Form S-3ASR (Registration No. 333-262911) filed on February 22, 2022 (the 2022 IBM Shelf Registration Statement). In accordance with Rule 415(a)(6) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the Securities Act), effectiveness of this registration statement will be deemed to terminate the 2022 IBM Shelf Registration Statement. In accordance with Rules 456(b) and 457(r) under the Securities Act, the registrants are deferring payments of all of the registration fee, except for $443,711.11 of unused registration fees previously paid in connection with the 2022 IBM Shelf Registration Statement. A registration fee in the amount of $1,710,091.24 (the 2022 IBM Shelf Registration Statement Previously Paid Fees) was previously paid by the registrant in connection with its filing of the 2022 IBM Shelf Registration Statement. As detailed in the filing fees exhibit to the 2022 IBM Shelf Registration Statement, the 2022 IBM Shelf Registration Statement Previously Paid Fees were the result of the registrant’s application of $1,710,091.24 of unused registration fees previously paid in connection with the Registration Statement on Form S-3 (Registration No. 333-219724) of IBM Credit LLC, an indirect, wholly owned subsidiary of International Business Machines, filed on August 4, 2017 and declared effective on August 17, 2017, as payment of fees payable pursuant to the 2022 IBM Shelf Registration Statement under applicable prospectus supplements. The 2022 IBM Shelf Registration Statement became effective on February 22, 2022. The registrant applied (i) $299,716.95 of the 2022 IBM Shelf Registration Statement Previously Paid Fees to pay the registration fee owed in connection with its final prospectus supplement dated July 20, 2022 (Registration No. 333-262911) as detailed in the filing fees exhibit thereto, (ii) $609,280.89 of the 2022 IBM Shelf Registration Statement Previously Paid Fees to pay the registration fee owed in connection with its final prospectus supplement dated January 30, 2023 (related to its offering of euro- and sterling-denominated notes) (Registration No. 333-262911) as detailed in the filing fees exhibit thereto and (iii) $357,382.29 of the 2022 IBM Shelf Registration Statement Previously Paid Fees to pay the registration fee owed in connection with its final prospectus supplement dated January 30, 2023 (related to its offering of U.S. dollar-denominated notes) (Registration No. 333-262911) as detailed in the filing fees exhibit thereto, resulting in $443,711.11 of the 2022 IBM Shelf Registration Statement Previously Paid Fees remaining unused. Pursuant to Rule 457(p) under the Securities Act, these unused fees are being applied as payment of fees payable pursuant to this registration statement under applicable prospectus supplements. In connection with the securities offered hereby, except for the application of these previously-paid fees, the registrants are deferring payment of all of the registration fee.
(3)An indeterminate aggregate initial offering price or number of the securities of each identified class is being registered as may from time to time be issued at indeterminate prices.
(4)International Business Machines Corporation is registering hereunder all guarantees and other obligations that it may have with respect to debt securities that may be issued by IBM International Group Capital LLC and IBM International Capital Pte. Ltd. No separate consideration will be received for such guarantees or any other such obligations. Pursuant to Rule 457(n) under the Securities Act, no registration fee is required with respect to such guarantees or obligations.
(5)The aggregate of registration fees previously paid for the newly registered securities in connection with the filing of this registration statement is $0. However, as set forth in footnote (2), $1,710,091.24 was previously paid in connection with the filing of the 2022 IBM Shelf Registration Statement, offset by the total of the historical fee offsets related to the 2022 IBM Shelf Registration Statement claimed prior to the filing of this registration statement in the amount of $1,266,380.13.
(6)Represents the total of the historical fee offsets claimed prior to the filing of this registration statement against the registration fees paid at the time of filing the 2022 IBM Shelf Registration Statement, as set forth in Table 2.

 

 

 

Table 2: Fee Offset Claims and Sources

 

  Registrant or
Filer Name
Form or
Filing Type
File
Number
Initial
Filing Date
Filing Date  Fee Offset
Claimed
(7)
Security Type
Associated with
Fee
Offset Claimed
Security Title
Associated with
Fee Offset
Claimed
Unsold
Securities
Associated with
Fee Offset

Claimed
Unsold Aggregate
Offering Amount
Associated with
Fee Offset Claimed
Fee Paid with
Fee Offset
Source
Rule 457(p)
Fee Offset Claims International Business Machines Corporation 424(b)(5) 333-262911 February 1, 2023   $357,382.29 Debt Debt securities - -  
Fee Offset Claims International Business Machines Corporation 424(b)(5) 333-262911 February 1, 2023   $609,280.89 Debt Debt securities - -  
Fee Offset Claims International Business Machines Corporation 424(b)(5) 333-262911 July 22, 2022   $299,716.95 Debt Debt securities - -  
Fee Offset Sources International Business Machines Corporation S-3ASR 333- 262911   February 22, 2022           $1,710,091.24

 

(7)The total of the historical fee offset claims against the registration fees of $1,710,091.24 paid at the time of filing the 2022 IBM Shelf Registration Statement is $1,266,380.13, resulting in $443,711.11 in registration fees paid at the time of filing the 2022 IBM Shelf Registration Statement remaining unused prior to the filing of this registration statement. Pursuant to Rule 457(p) under the Securities Act, these unused fees are being applied as payment of fees payable pursuant to this registration statement under applicable prospectus supplements. In connection with the securities offered hereby, except for the application of these previously-paid fees, the registrants are deferring payment of all of the registration fee.