As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 4, 2016

 

Registration No. 333-           

 

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

 

FORM S-3

REGISTRATION STATEMENT

UNDER

THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

 

 

 

SALEM MEDIA GROUP, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Delaware

(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)

77-0121400

(I.R.S. Employer
Identification Number)

 

AND

 

Additional Registrants Named in the Table of Additional Registrants Below

 

 

 

4880 Santa Rosa Road

Camarillo, California 93012

(805) 987-0400

(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code of registrant’s principal executive offices)

 

 

 

Christopher J. Henderson

Senior Vice President and General Counsel

Salem Media Group, Inc.

4880 Santa Rosa Road

Camarillo, California 93012

(805) 987-0400

(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)

 

 

 

Copy to:

 

David C. Lee

Matthew A. Susson

K&L Gates LLP

1 Park Plaza, Twelfth Floor

Irvine, CA 92614

(949) 253-0900

 

 

 

Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public:   From time to time after this Registration Statement becomes effective.

 

If the only securities being registered on this Form are being offered pursuant to dividend or interest reinvestment plans, please check the following box:   ¨

 

If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, other than securities offered only in connection with dividend or interest reinvestment plans, check the following box:   x

 

If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering:   ¨

 

If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering:   ¨

 

If 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, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

 

Large accelerated filer   ¨ Accelerated filer   x Non-accelerated filer   ¨ Smaller reporting company  ¨
    (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)  

 

 

 

   

CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE

 

Title of Each Class of Securities to be Registered   Amount to be
Registered/Proposed
Maximum Offering Price
Per Unit/Proposed
Maximum Aggregate
Offering Price
   

Amount of

Registration Fee

 
Primary Offering:            
Class A Common Stock, $0.01 par value per share     (1)(2)        
Preferred Stock, $0.01 par value per share     (1)(2)      
Depositary Shares     (1)      
Debt Securities     (1)      
Warrants     (1)      
Purchase Contracts     (1)      
Units     (1)      
Guarantees of the Debt Securities(6)(7)     (1)      
Total Primary Offering   $ 150,000,000 (3)   $ 15,105 (4)
Secondary Offering:            
Class A Common Stock, $0.01 par value per share     1,000,000 shares     $ 714 (5)
Total Registration Fee         $ 15,819  

 

(1) This registration statement covers an indeterminate number or amount of securities as may from time to time be issued and offered at unspecified prices, which together shall have an aggregate initial offering price not to exceed $150,000,000. Pursuant to Rule 416 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), the shares being registered hereunder include such indeterminate number of shares of Class A common stock and preferred stock as may be issuable with respect to the shares being registered hereunder as a result of stock splits, stock dividends or similar transactions. In addition, this registration statement also covers an indeterminate amount of shares of Class A common stock and preferred stock as may be issued upon conversion, exercise of or in exchange for the debt securities, warrants or preferred stock registered hereunder.  Except for shares of Class A common stock offered by the selling stockholders, any securities registered hereunder may be sold separately or as units with other securities registered hereunder. No separate consideration will be received for any securities registered hereunder that are issued in exchange for, or upon conversion of, as the case may be, the debt securities, preferred stock or warrants registered hereunder.

 

(2) Includes rights to acquire Class A common stock or preferred stock of the Company under any stockholder rights plan then in effect, if applicable, under the terms of any such plan.

 

(3) Estimated solely for the purpose of calculating the registration fee. No separate consideration will be received for shares of Class A common stock that are issued upon conversion of preferred stock, depositary shares or debt securities, or upon exercise of warrants registered hereunder.

 

(4) With respect to the primary offering, the registration fee has been calculated in accordance with Rule 457(o) under the Securities Act.

 

(5) With respect to the secondary offering, the registration fee has been calculated in accordance with Rule 457(c) under the Securities Act, based on the average high and low prices reported for the registrant’s Class A common stock on August 3, 2016. The maximum aggregate offering price listed is for fee computation purposes only and does not reflect the actual sale price of the shares registered.

 

(6) Consists of guarantees of debt securities of Salem Media Group, Inc. by any one or more of the guarantor registrants listed on the Table of Additional Registrants below.

 

(7) Pursuant to Rule 457(n) under the Securities Act, no separate filing fee is payable for the guarantees.

 

 

 

 

The registrant hereby amends this registration statement on such date or dates as may be necessary to delay its effective date until the registrant shall file a further amendment which specifically states that this registration statement shall thereafter become effective in accordance with Section 8(a) of the Securities Act or until this registration statement shall become effective on such date as the Commission, acting pursuant to said Section 8(a), may determine.

 

 

 

 

TABLE OF ADDITIONAL REGISTRANTS

 

The following direct and indirect subsidiaries of the registrant may guarantee certain of the debt securities and are co-registrants under this registration statement:

 

Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter  

State or Other
Jurisdiction of
Incorporation
or
Organization

 

Primary

Standard

Industrial

Classification

Code
Numbers

  I.R.S.
Employer
Identification
Number
Air Hot, Inc.   Delaware   4832   80-0316086
Bison Media, Inc.   Colorado   4832   77-0434654
Caron Broadcasting, Inc.   Ohio   4832   77-0439370
Common Ground Broadcasting, Inc.   Oregon   4832   93-1079989
Eagle Products, LLC   Delaware   2721   32-0427053
Inspiration Media, Inc.   Washington   4832   77-0132974
Inspiration Media of Texas, LLC   Texas   4832   75-2615876
New Inspiration Broadcasting Company, Inc.   California   4832   95-3356921
NI Acquisition Corporation   California   4832   77-0472233
Pennsylvania Media Associates, Inc.   Pennsylvania   4832   94-3134636
Reach Satellite Network, Inc.   Tennessee   4832   62-1499223
Salem Consumer Products, Inc.   Delaware   5399   26-0592055
Salem Communications Holding Corporation   Delaware   4832   52-2253737
Salem Media of Colorado, Inc.   Colorado   4832   84-1239646
Salem Media of Hawaii, Inc.   Delaware   4832   91-1973005
Salem Media of Illinois, LLC   Delaware   4832   52-2295222
Salem Media of Kentucky, Inc.   Kentucky   4832   61-1346985
Salem Media of Massachusetts, LLC   Delaware   4832   26-1524392
Salem Media of New York, LLC   Delaware   4832   52-2293254
Salem Media of Ohio, Inc.   Ohio   4832   95-3690954
Salem Media of Oregon, Inc.   Oregon   4832   77-0114986
Salem Media of Texas, Inc.   Texas   4832   77-0379125
Salem Media of Virginia, Inc.   Virginia   4832   54-1927897
Salem Media Representatives, Inc.   Texas   4899   77-0281576
Salem Publishing, Inc.   Tennessee   2721   95-3394730
Salem Radio Network Incorporated   Delaware   4899   77-0305542
Salem Radio Operations, LLC   Delaware   4832   77-0581097
Salem Radio Properties, Inc.   Delaware   6532   52-2194731
Salem Satellite Media, LLC   Delaware   4832   52-2324849
Salem Web Network, LLC   Delaware   5399   52-2141739
SCA License Corporation   Delaware   4832   52-2255733
SCA-Palo Alto, LLC   Delaware   4832   36-4502016
South Texas Broadcasting, Inc.   Texas   4832   77-0388924
SRN News Network, Inc.   Texas   4899   77-0426090
SRN Store, Inc.   Texas   5399   42-3434092

 

 

 

 

The information in this prospectus is not complete and may be changed. We may not sell these securities until the registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission is effective. This prospectus is not an offer to sell these securities and we are not soliciting offers to buy these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted.

 

Subject to Completion, Dated August 4, 2016

 

PROSPECTUS

 

SALEM MEDIA GROUP, INC.

 

$150,000,000

 

Class A Common Stock

Preferred Stock

Depositary Shares

Debt Securities

Warrants

Purchase Contracts

Units

Guarantees

 

 

 

1,000,000 Shares

 

Class A Common Stock

Offered by the Selling Stockholders

 

We may offer and sell from time to time up to $150,000,000 in the aggregate of any combination of the securities described in this prospectus, in one or more classes or series and in amounts, at prices and on terms that we will determine at the time of the offering. This prospectus provides you with a general description of the securities.

 

The selling stockholders named herein may offer and sell from time to time up to 1,000,000 shares in the aggregate of Class A common stock identified above, in one or more offerings. All of these shares of Class A common stock are outstanding shares of Class A common stock held by the selling stockholders. We will not receive any proceeds from sales of Class A common stock by the selling stockholders.

 

Each time we offer and sell securities, we will provide a supplement to this prospectus that contains specific information about the offering, including the amount, price and terms of the securities. Any prospectus supplement may also add, update or change information contained in this prospectus. You should carefully read this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement before you invest in any of our securities.

 

We may offer and sell the securities described in this prospectus and any prospectus supplement to or through one or more underwriters, dealers and agents, or directly to purchasers, or through a combination of these methods. In addition, the selling stockholders may offer and sell shares of Class A common stock from time to time. If any underwriters, dealers or agents are involved in the sale of any of the securities, their names and any applicable purchase price, fee, commission or discount arrangement between or among them will be set forth, or will be calculable from the information set forth, in the applicable prospectus supplement. See the sections of this prospectus entitled “About this Prospectus” and “Plan of Distribution” for more information. No securities may be sold without delivery of this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement describing the method and terms of the offering of such securities.

 

 

 

Investing in our securities involves A HIGH DEGREE OF risk. See “Risk Factors” beginning on page 3 of this prospectus and any similar section contained in the applicable prospectus supplement AND ANY RELATED FREE WRITING PROSPECTUS concerning factors you should consider before investing in our securities.

 

Our Class A common stock is listed on the NASDAQ Global Market under the symbol “SALM”. On August 3, 2016, the last reported sale price of our Class A common stock on the NASDAQ Global Market was $7.20 per share.

 

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or passed upon the adequacy or accuracy of this prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

 

 

 

This prospectus is dated              , 2016.

 

 

 

  

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS 1
THE COMPANY 2
RISK FACTORS 3
CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS 4
USE OF PROCEEDS 5
RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES 6
DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK 7
DESCRIPTION OF DEPOSITARY SHARES 13
DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES AND GUARANTEES 16
DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS 25
DESCRIPTION OF PURCHASE CONTRACTS 27
DESCRIPTION OF UNITS 28
SELLING STOCKHOLDERS 30
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION 31
LEGAL MATTERS 34
EXPERTS 34
WHERE YOU CAN FIND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION 35
INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN INFORMATION BY REFERENCE 36

 

i  

 

 

ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS

 

This prospectus is part of a registration statement that we filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, or the SEC, using a “shelf” registration process. By using a shelf registration statement, we may sell securities from time to time and in one or more offerings up to a total dollar amount of $150,000,000. In addition, the selling stockholders may, from time to time, sell up to 1,000,000 shares of Class A common stock from time to time in one or more offerings as described in this prospectus. Each time that we offer and sell securities, we will provide a prospectus supplement to this prospectus that contains specific information about the securities being offered and sold and the specific terms of that offering. A prospectus supplement may add, update or change information contained in this prospectus. We may also authorize one or more free writing prospectuses to be provided to you that may contain material information relating to any such offering. If there is any inconsistency between the information in this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement, you should rely on the prospectus supplement. Before purchasing any securities, you should carefully read this prospectus, the applicable prospectus supplement and any related free writing prospectuses, together with the additional information described under the heading “Where You Can Find More Information.”

 

Neither we nor the selling stockholders have authorized any other person to provide you with different information. If anyone provides you with different or inconsistent information, you should not rely on it. We and the selling stockholders will not make an offer to sell these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted. You should assume that the information appearing in this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement to this prospectus is accurate as of the date on its respective cover, and that any information incorporated by reference is accurate only as of the date of the document incorporated by reference, unless we indicate otherwise. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since those dates.

 

When we refer to “Salem Media Group,” “Salem Media,” “Salem,” “we,” “our,” “us” and the “Company” in this prospectus, we mean Salem Media Group, Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries, unless otherwise specified.

 

  1  

 

 

THE COMPANY

 

Salem Media Group, Inc. is a domestic multi-media company specializing in Christian and Conservative content, with media properties comprising radio broadcasting, digital media, and book, magazine and newsletter publishing. Our content is intended for audiences interested in Christian and family-themed programming and conservative news talk.

 

We were incorporated in 1986 under the laws of the State of California and reincorporated in Delaware in 1999. Effective as of February 19, 2015, we changed our name from Salem Communications Corporation to Salem Media Group, Inc. to more accurately reflect our multimedia business. Our principal executive offices are located at 4880 Santa Rosa Road, Camarillo, California 93012, and our telephone number is (805) 987-0400. We maintain a website at www.salemmedia.com. The information contained in or that can be accessed through our website is not a part of this prospectus.

 

  2  

 

 

RISK FACTORS

 

Investment in any securities offered pursuant to this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement involves risks. Before making an investment decision, you should carefully consider the risk factors incorporated by reference to our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and any subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K that we file after the date of this prospectus, and all other information contained or incorporated by reference into this prospectus, as updated by our subsequent filings under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act, as well as the risk factors and other information contained in the applicable prospectus supplement and any related free writing prospectuses that we have authorized for use in connection with a specific offering. Additional risks and uncertainties not presently known to us, or that we currently view as immaterial, may also impair our business. The occurrence of any of these risks might cause you to lose all or part of your investment in the offered securities.

 

  3  

 

  

CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

 

This prospectus contains or incorporates forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act and Section 21E of the Exchange Act. All statements other than statements of historical fact contained in this prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference herein are forward-looking statements, and the words “believes,” “anticipates,” “estimates,” “expects,” “intends,” “will,” “may,” “intends,” “could,” “would,” “should” “seeks” “predicts,” or “plans” and similar expressions and variations thereof are intended to identify forward-looking statements but are not the exclusive means of identifying such statements. These forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other important factors that may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include, but are not limited to, those discussed in the section entitled “Risk Factors” set forth above. New risk factors and uncertainties may emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for our management to predict all risks and uncertainties.

 

You should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which are based on our management’s current expectations, beliefs and assumptions. Except as required by law, we undertake no obligation to update or revise any of these forward-looking statements, or to update the reasons actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking statements, even if new information becomes available in the future.

 

  4  

 

 

USE OF PROCEEDS

 

We intend to use the net proceeds from the sale of the securities as set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement. We will not receive any of the proceeds from the sale of Class A common stock being offered by any of the selling stockholders.

 

  5  

 

 

RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES

 

The following table sets forth the historical ratios of earnings to fixed charges for Salem Media Group and its consolidated subsidiaries for the periods indicated. This table is qualified by the more detailed information appearing in the computation table set forth in Exhibit 12.1 to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part.

 

The following table sets forth our ratio of earnings to fixed charges for the periods indicated:

 

    Six Months Ended     Year Ended December 31,  
    June 30, 2016     2015     2014     2013     2012     2011  
Ratio of earnings to fixed charges(1)     1.8       1.8       1.5       0.7       1.2       1.4  

 

(1) For purposes of calculating the ratio of earnings to fixed charges, earnings consist of pre-tax income from continuing operations, plus fixed charges and amortization of capitalized interest less capitalized interest, and fixed charges consist of interest expense (including amortized premiums and discounts related to indebtedness), capitalized interest and an estimated allocation of a portion of rent expenses representing interest.

 

  6  

 

  

DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK

 

The following description of our capital stock is a summary and may not contain all the information you should consider before investing in our capital stock. This description is summarized from, and qualified in its entirety by reference to, our amended and restated certificate of incorporation, as amended, which has been publicly filed with the SEC. See “Where You Can Find More Information.”

 

In this section entitled “Description of Capital Stock,” references to “we,” “our” and “us” refer to Salem Media Group, Inc. and not to any subsidiaries, unless the context requires otherwise.

 

As of the date of this prospectus, our authorized capital stock consists of:

 

· 80,000,000 shares of Class A common stock, $0.01 par value;

 

· 20,000,000 shares of Class B common stock, $0.01 par value; and

 

· 10,000,000 shares of preferred stock, $0.01 par value.

 

Common Stock

 

As of June 30, 2016, we had 20,055,927 shares of Class A common stock outstanding, held of record by approximately 44 stockholders, and 5,553,696 shares of Class B common stock outstanding, held of record by Edward G. Atsinger III, Stuart W. Epperson and Nancy A. Epperson.

 

· Voting . Holders of Class A common stock are entitled to one vote for each share held of record, and holders of Class B common stock are entitled to 10 votes for each share held of record, except that:

 

· in the case of a proposed acquisition of the stock or assets of another company where any director, officer, holder of 10% or more of any class of voting stock of the Company, or any of their affiliates, has a direct or indirect interest in the company, the assets to be acquired or in the consideration to be paid in the transaction, holders of both Class A and Class B common stock are entitled to one vote for each share held of record; and

 

· in the case of a proposed going private transaction involving the Company or Edward G. Atsinger III, Stuart W. Epperson or Nancy A. Epperson, or any of their affiliates, holders of both Class A and Class B common stock are entitled to one vote for each share held of record.

 

The Class A and Class B common stock vote together as a single class on all matters submitted to a vote of stockholders, including the election of directors, except as required by law and except as follows. The holders of Class A common stock vote as a separate class for two independent directors, in addition to voting together with holders of Class B common stock as a single class for the remaining directors. Shares of common stock do not have cumulative voting rights with respect to the election of directors.

 

As of June 30, 2016, Edward G. Atsinger III, Stuart W. Epperson, Nancy A. Epperson and Edward C. Atsinger controlled approximately 84% in aggregate of the voting power of our capital stock, which means that they have the ability to control fundamental corporate transactions requiring stockholder approval, including but not limited to, the election of all of our directors (other than the two independent directors for whom the holders of Class A common stock have a separate class vote), approval of merger transactions involving the Company and the sale of all or substantially all of our assets.

 

  7  

 

 

· Dividends . Holders of Class A and Class B common stock are entitled to receive ratably, as may be declared by the board of directors from time to time out of funds of the Company legally available therefor, such dividends, whether in cash, stock or otherwise, subject to any dividend preferences that may be attributable to preferred stock that may be authorized. In the case of stock dividends, only shares of Class A common stock will be distributed with respect to the Class A common stock and only shares of Class B common stock will be distributed with respect to Class B common stock.

 

· Conversions . The shares of Class A common stock are not convertible into any other series or class of securities. Each share of Class B common stock, however, is freely convertible into one share of Class A common stock at the option of the holder of Class B common stock. Shares of Class B common stock may not be transferred to third parties. Except for transfers to certain family members and for estate planning purposes, any such attempt to transfer Class B common stock will result in the automatic conversion of such shares into shares of Class A common stock. All conversions of Class B common stock are subject to any necessary approvals of the Federal Communications Commission.

 

· Adjustments for Stock Splits and Stock Dividends . The Class A and Class B common stock will be treated identically in respect of any subdivisions or combinations, including stock splits.

 

· Liquidation . Upon any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company, the holders of Class A and Class B common stock are entitled to share ratably in all assets available for distribution after payment in full of creditors and holders of the preferred stock, if any.

 

Preferred Stock

 

As of June 30, 2016, there were no shares of our preferred stock outstanding.

 

Our board of directors, without further action by our stockholders, is authorized to issue an aggregate of 10,000,000 shares of preferred stock. Our board of directors may, without stockholder approval, issue preferred stock in one or more series with dividend rates, redemption prices, designations, rights, preferences, conversion rights, voting rights and any other special rights. Information regarding any such shares of preferred stock to be sold by the Company will be set forth in one or more prospectus supplements.

 

Each prospectus supplement relating to the sale of preferred stock will describe:

 

· the series of preferred stock;

 

· the price per share at which the preferred stock will be sold;

 

· if applicable, the voting rights of the preferred stock;

 

· if applicable, the dividend rate per share of the preferred stock;

 

· if applicable, the redemption price per share of the preferred stock;

 

  8  

 

 

· if applicable, the liquidation preference of the preferred stock upon liquidation or dissolution;

 

· if applicable, the conversion features of the preferred stock;

 

· if applicable, any provisions for adjustment of the number or amount of shares of Class A common stock or other securities receivable upon conversion of the preferred stock; and

 

· any other material terms of the preferred stock.

 

Anti-Takeover Effects of Our Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws and the Delaware Anti-Takeover Statute

 

Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation and Second Amended and Restated Bylaws

 

Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation, as amended, and our second amended and restated bylaws, as applicable, among other things:

 

· provide that special meetings of the stockholders may be called at any time by the board of directors, the chairman of the board or the chief executive officer;

 

· establish procedures with respect to stockholder nominations and other business to be brought before the annual meeting of stockholders, including requiring that advance written notice of such stockholder nominations and other business must be delivered to our principal executive offices not later than the close of business on the 90th day nor earlier than the close of business on the 120th day prior to the first anniversary of the previous year’s annual meeting of stockholders; provided, however, that in the event the date of the annual meeting of stockholders is more than 30 days before or more than 60 days after such anniversary date, then notice by the stockholder must be delivered not earlier than the close of business on the 120th day prior to such annual meeting and not later than the close of business on the later of the 90th day prior to such annual meeting or the 10th day following the day on which public announcement of the date of such meeting is first made;

 

· do not include a provision for cumulative voting in the election of directors. Under cumulative voting, a minority stockholder holding a sufficient number of shares may be able to ensure the election of one or more directors. The absence of cumulative voting may have the effect of limiting the ability of minority stockholders to effect changes in the board of directors and, as a result, may have the effect of deterring a hostile takeover or delaying or preventing changes in control or management of our company;

 

· provide that vacancies on our board of directors may be filled by a majority of directors in office, even if less than a quorum, or by a sole remaining director; provided, that whenever the holders of any class or classes of stock or series thereof are entitled to elect one or more directors by the provisions of the certificate of incorporation, vacancies and newly created directorships of such class or classes or series may be filled by a majority of the directors elected by such class or classes or series thereof then in office, or by a sole remaining director so elected;

 

· provide that no action may be taken by our stockholders by written consent; and

 

  9  

 

 

· allow us to issue without stockholder approval up to 10,000,000 shares of undesignated preferred stock with rights senior to those of the Class A and Class B common stock and that otherwise could adversely affect the rights and powers, including voting rights, of the holders of Class A and Class B common stock. In some circumstances, this issuance could have the effect of decreasing the market price of the Class A common stock as well as having the anti-takeover effect discussed above.

 

Delaware Anti-Takeover Statute

 

We are subject to the provisions of Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporation Law regulating corporate takeovers. In general, Section 203 prohibits certain publicly-held Delaware corporations from engaging, under certain circumstances, in a business combination with an interested stockholder for a period of three years following the date such stockholder became an interested stockholder unless:

 

· before such date, the board of directors of the corporation approved either the business combination or the transaction which resulted in the stockholder becoming an interested stockholder;

 

· upon completion of the transaction that resulted in the stockholder becoming an interested stockholder, the interested stockholder owned at least 85% of the voting stock of the corporation outstanding at the time the transaction commenced, excluding for purposes of determining the voting stock outstanding, but not for determining the outstanding voting stock owned by the interested stockholder, (i) shares owned by persons who are directors and also officers, and (ii) shares owned by employee stock plans in which employee participants do not have the right to determine confidentially whether shares held subject to the plan will be tendered in a tender or exchange offer; or

 

· on or after such date, the business combination is approved by the board of directors of the corporation and authorized at an annual or special meeting of stockholders, and not by written consent, by the affirmative vote of at least 66-2/3% of the outstanding voting stock which is not owned by the interested stockholder.

 

In general, Section 203 defines a business combination to include (i) any merger or consolidation involving the corporation and the interested stockholder, (ii) any sale, lease, exchange, mortgage, pledge, transfer or other disposition of 10% or more of the assets of the corporation involving the interested stockholder, (iii) subject to certain exceptions, any transaction which results in the issuance or transfer by the corporation or by any majority-owned subsidiary of the corporation of any stock of the corporation to the interested stockholder, (iv) any transaction involving the corporation or any majority-owned subsidiary of the corporation which has the effect of increasing the proportionate share of the stock or any class or series of the corporation beneficially owned by the interested stockholder, or (v) the receipt by the interested stockholder of the benefit of any loss, advances, guarantees, pledges or other financial benefits by or through the corporation.

 

In general, Section 203 defines an “interested stockholder” as an entity or person who, together with affiliates and associates, beneficially owns, or within three years prior to the determination of interested stockholder status, did own, 15% or more of a corporation’s outstanding voting stock.

 

  10  

 

 

Foreign Ownership Restrictions

 

Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation, as amended, includes provisions designed to ensure that control and management of the Company remains with citizens of the United States and/or corporations formed under the laws of the United States or any of the states of the United States, as required by the Communications Act of 1934, as amended, or the Communications Act.

 

These provisions include restrictions on transfers to and holdings of our capital stock by an “Alien.” For the purposes of these restrictions, an Alien is (i) a person who is a citizen of a country other than the United States; (ii) any entity organized under the laws of a government other than the government of the United States or any state, territory, or possession of the United States; (iii) a government other than the government of the United States or of any state, territory, or possession of the United States; or (iv) a representative of, or an individual or entity controlled by, any of the foregoing.

 

Specifically, our foreign ownership restrictions provide that:

 

· we will not issue to an Alien any shares of our capital stock if such issuance would result in the total number of shares of such capital stock held or voted by Aliens (or for or by the account of Aliens) to exceed 25% of (i) the total number of all shares of such capital stock outstanding at any time and from time to time or (ii) the total voting power of all shares of such capital stock outstanding and entitled to vote at any time and from time to time. We will not permit the transfer on our books of any capital stock to any Alien that would result in the total number of shares of such capital stock held or voted by Aliens (or for or by the account of Aliens) exceeding such 25% limits.

 

· no Alien or Aliens, individually or collectively, are entitled to vote or direct or control the vote of more than 25% of (i) the total number of all shares of our capital stock outstanding at any time and from time to time or (ii) the total voting power of all shares of our capital stock outstanding and entitled to vote at any time and from time to time. The issuance or transfer of our capital stock in violation of this provision is prohibited.

 

Our board of directors has all powers necessary to implement these provisions of our amended and restated certificate of incorporation, as amended, and to ensure compliance with the alien ownership restrictions, or the Alien Ownership Restrictions, of the Communications Act, including, without limitation, the power to prohibit the transfer of any shares of our capital stock to any Alien and to take or cause to be taken such action as we deem appropriate to implement such prohibition, including placing a legend regarding restrictions on foreign ownership of our capital stock on certificates representing such capital stock.

 

In addition, any shares of our capital stock that our board of directors determines are owned beneficially by an Alien or Aliens will always remain subject to redemption by us by action of our board of directors or any other applicable provision of law, to the extent necessary, in the judgment of our board of directors, to comply with the Alien Ownership Restrictions. The terms and conditions of such redemption are as follows:

 

· the redemption price will be equal to the lower of (i) the fair market value of the shares to be redeemed, as determined by our board of directors in good faith, and (ii) such Alien’s purchase price for such shares;

 

· the redemption price may be paid in cash, securities or any combination thereof;

 

  11  

 

 

· if less than all the shares held by Aliens are to be redeemed, the shares to be redeemed will be selected in any manner determined by our board of directors to be fair and equitable;

 

· at least 10 days’ prior written notice of the redemption date will be given to the holders of record of the shares selected to be redeemed (unless waived in writing by any such holder), provided that the redemption date may be the date on which written notice is given to holders if the cash or securities necessary to effect the redemption have been deposited in trust for the benefit of such holders and are subject to immediate withdrawal by them upon surrender of the stock certificates for their shares to be redeemed, duly endorsed in blank or accompanied by duly executed proper instruments of transfer;

 

· from and after the redemption date, the shares to be redeemed will cease to be regarded as outstanding and any and all rights of the holders in respect of the shares to be redeemed or attaching to such shares of whatever nature (including without limitation any rights to vote or participate in dividends declared on capital stock of the same class or series as such shares) will cease and terminate, and the holders thereof thereafter will be entitled only to receive the cash or securities payable upon redemption; and

 

· such other terms and conditions as our board of directors determines.

 

Transfer Agent and Registrar

 

The transfer agent and registrar for our common stock is Broadridge Corporate Issuer Solutions, Inc.

 

  12  

 

 

DESCRIPTION OF DEPOSITARY SHARES

 

General

 

We may, at our option, elect to offer fractional shares of preferred stock, rather than full shares of preferred stock. If we elect to offer fractional shares of preferred stock, we will issue receipts for depositary shares, called depositary receipts, each of which will represent a fraction of a share of a particular series of preferred stock, as described in the applicable prospectus supplement. Unless otherwise provided in the prospectus supplement, each owner of a depositary share will be entitled, in proportion to the applicable fractional interest in a share of preferred stock represented by the depositary share, to all the rights and preferences of the preferred stock represented by the depositary share. Those rights may include dividend, voting, redemption, conversion and liquidation rights.

 

The shares of preferred stock underlying the depositary shares will be deposited with a bank or trust company selected by us to act as depositary under a deposit agreement between us, the depositary and the holders of the depositary receipts. The depositary will be the transfer agent, registrar and dividend disbursing agent for the depositary shares.

 

The depositary shares will be evidenced by depositary receipts issued pursuant to the deposit agreement. 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 summary of the terms of the depositary shares contained in this prospectus does not purport to be a complete description of the terms of the depositary shares and is subject to, and qualified in its entirety by, the provisions of the deposit agreement, our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and the certificate of designation for the applicable series of preferred stock that are, or will be, filed with the SEC.

 

Dividends and Other Distributions

 

The depositary will distribute all cash dividends or other cash distributions, if any, received in respect of the preferred stock underlying the depositary shares to the record holders of depositary shares in proportion to the number of depositary shares owned by those holders on the relevant record date. The relevant record date for depositary shares will be the same date as the record date for the underlying preferred stock.

 

In the event of a distribution other than in cash, the depositary will distribute property (including securities) received by it to the record holders of depositary shares entitled thereto, as nearly as may be practicable, to the number of depositary shares owned by such holders on the relevant record date, unless the depositary determines (after consultation with us) that it is not feasible to make such distribution, in which case the depositary may (with our approval) adopt any other method for such distribution as it deems equitable and appropriate, including the sale of such property (at such place or places and upon such terms as it may deem equitable and appropriate) and distribution of the net proceeds from such sale to such holders.

 

Liquidation Preference

 

If a series of preferred stock underlying the depositary shares has a liquidation preference, in the event of the voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of Salem Media Group, holders of depositary shares 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.

 

  13  

 

 

Withdrawal of Preferred Stock

 

Unless the related depositary shares have been previously called for redemption, upon surrender of the depositary receipts at the principal office of the depositary and payment of any unpaid amount due the depositary, the holder of the depositary shares will be entitled to delivery of the number of whole shares of the preferred stock and any money or other property represented by the depositary shares. If the depositary receipts delivered by the holder evidence a number of depositary shares in excess of the number of depositary shares representing the number of whole shares of preferred stock to be withdrawn, the depositary will deliver to the holder at the same time a new depositary receipt evidencing the excess number of depositary shares. In no event will the depositary deliver fractional shares of preferred stock upon surrender of depositary receipts. Holders of preferred stock thus withdrawn may not thereafter deposit those shares under the deposit agreement or receive depositary receipts evidencing depositary shares therefor.

 

Redemption of Depositary Shares

 

Whenever we redeem shares of preferred stock held by the depositary, the depositary will redeem as of the same redemption date the number of depositary shares representing shares of the preferred stock so redeemed, so long as we have paid in full to the depositary the redemption price of the preferred stock to be redeemed plus an amount equal to any accumulated and unpaid dividends on the preferred stock to the date fixed for redemption. The redemption price per depositary share will be equal to the redemption price and any other amounts per share payable on the preferred stock multiplied by the fraction of a share of preferred stock represented by one depositary share. If less than all of the depositary shares are to be redeemed, the depositary shares to be redeemed will be selected by lot or pro rata or by any other equitable method as may be determined by the depositary.

 

After the date fixed for redemption, depositary shares called for redemption will no longer be deemed to be outstanding and all rights of the holders of depositary shares will cease, except the right to receive the monies payable upon redemption and any money or other property to which the holders of the depositary shares were entitled upon redemption upon surrender to the depositary of the depositary receipts evidencing the depositary shares.

 

Voting the Preferred Stock

 

Upon receipt of notice of any meeting at which the holders of the series 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 applicable series of depositary receipts relating to that preferred stock. The record date for the depositary receipts relating to the preferred stock will be the same date as the record date for the preferred stock. Each record holder of the depositary shares on the record date will be entitled to instruct the depositary as to the exercise of the voting rights pertaining to the number of shares of preferred stock represented by that holder’s depositary shares. The depositary will endeavor, insofar as practicable, to vote the number of shares of preferred stock represented by the depositary shares in accordance with those instructions, and we will agree to take all action that may be deemed necessary by the depositary in order to enable the depositary to do so. The depositary will not vote any shares of preferred stock except to the extent it receives specific instructions from the holders of depositary shares representing that number of shares of preferred stock.

 

  14  

 

 

Charges of Depositary

 

We will pay all transfer and other taxes and governmental charges arising solely from the existence of the depositary arrangements. We will pay charges of the depositary in connection with the initial deposit of the preferred stock and any redemption of the preferred stock. Holders of depositary receipts will pay transfer, income and other taxes and governmental charges and such other charges (including those in connection with the receipt and distribution of dividends, the sale or exercise of rights, the withdrawal of the preferred stock and the transferring, splitting or grouping of depositary receipts) as are expressly provided in the deposit agreement for their accounts. If these charges have not been paid by the holders of depositary receipts, the depositary may refuse to transfer depositary shares, withhold dividends and distributions and sell the depositary shares evidenced by the depositary receipt.

 

Amendment and Termination of the Deposit Agreement

 

The form of depositary receipt evidencing the depositary shares and any provision of the deposit agreement may be amended by agreement between us and the depositary. However, any amendment that materially and adversely alters the rights of the holders of depositary shares, other than fee changes, will not be effective unless the amendment has been approved by the holders of a majority of the outstanding depositary shares. The deposit agreement may be terminated by the depositary or us only if:

 

· all outstanding depositary shares have been redeemed; or

 

· there has been a final distribution of the preferred stock in connection with our dissolution and such distribution has been made to all the holders of depositary shares.

 

Resignation and Removal of Depositary

 

The depositary may resign at any time by delivering to us notice of its election to do so, and we may remove the depositary at any time. Any resignation or removal of the depositary will take effect upon our 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 of resignation or removal and must be a bank or trust company having its principal office in the United States and having the requisite combined capital and surplus as set forth in the applicable agreement.

 

Notices

 

The depositary will forward to holders of depositary receipts all notices, reports and other communications, including proxy solicitation materials received from us, that are delivered to the depositary and that we are required to furnish to the holders of the preferred stock. In addition, the depositary will make available for inspection by holders of depositary receipts at the principal office of the depositary, and at such other places as it may from time to time deem advisable, any reports and communications we deliver to the depositary as the holder of preferred stock.

 

Limitation of Liability

 

Neither the depositary nor we will be liable if either the depositary is or we are prevented or delayed by law or any circumstance beyond its or our control in performing our respective obligations under the deposit agreement. Our obligations and those of the depositary will be limited to performance in good faith of our and their respective duties thereunder. We and the depositary will not 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 upon written advice of counsel or accountants, on information provided by persons presenting preferred stock for deposit, holders of depositary receipts or other persons believed to be competent to give such information and on documents believed to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper party or parties.

 

  15  

 

 

DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES AND GUARANTEES

 

The following description summarizes certain general terms and provisions of the debt securities that we may offer under this prospectus and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the applicable indenture and its associated documents, including the form of note. When we offer to sell a particular series of debt securities, we will describe the specific terms of the series in the applicable prospectus supplement. If so described in a prospectus supplement, the terms of that series of debt securities may differ from the general description of terms presented below and the form of indenture filed as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part.

 

In this section entitled “Description of Debt Securities and Guarantees,” references to the “Company,” “we,” “our” and “us” refer to Salem Media Group, Inc. and not to any subsidiaries, unless the context requires otherwise.

 

General

 

The indenture does not limit the aggregate principal amount of debt securities that may be issued thereunder. The debt securities may be issued from time to time in one or more series.

 

We will describe in the applicable prospectus supplement the terms relating to a series of debt securities, including:

 

· the title;

 

· the principal amount being offered, and, if a series, the total amount authorized and the total amount outstanding;

 

· any limit on the amount that may be used;

 

· whether or not we will issue the series of debt securities in global form and, if so, the terms and who the depositary will be;

 

· the maturity date(s);

 

· the principal amount due at maturity, and whether the debt securities will be issued with any original issue discount;

 

· whether and under what circumstances, if any, we will pay additional amounts on any debt securities held by a person who is not a U.S. person for tax purposes, and whether we can redeem the debt securities if we have to pay such additional amounts;

 

· the interest rate(s), which may be fixed or variable, or the method for determining the rate, the date interest will begin to accrue, the dates interest will be payable and the regular record dates for interest payment dates or the method for determining such dates;

 

· whether the debt securities will be secured or unsecured, and the terms of any secured debt;

 

· the terms of the subordination of any series of subordinated debt;

 

· the place where payments will be payable;

 

· restrictions on transfer, sale or other assignment, if any;

 

· our right, if any, to defer payment of interest and the maximum length of any such deferral period;

 

· the date, if any, after which, the conditions upon which, and the price at which we may, at our option, redeem the series of debt securities pursuant to any optional or provisional redemption provisions, and any other applicable terms of those redemption provisions;

 

· provisions for a sinking fund, purchase or other analogous fund, if any;

 

· the date, if any, on which, and the price at which we are obligated, pursuant to any mandatory sinking fund or analogous fund provisions or otherwise, to redeem, or at the holder’s option to purchase, the series of debt securities;

 

  16  

 

 

· whether the indenture will require us to maintain any interest coverage, fixed charge, cash flow-based, asset-based or other financial ratios;

 

· whether the indenture will contain any additional covenants, or eliminate or change any existing covenants, that apply to the debt securities;

 

· a discussion of any material U.S. federal income tax considerations applicable to the debt securities;

 

· information describing any book-entry features;

 

· the procedures for any auction and remarketing, if any;

 

· the denominations in which we will issue the series of debt securities, if other than denominations of $2,000 and any integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof;

 

· if other than U.S. dollars, the currency in which the series of debt securities will be denominated;

 

· the identity of any guarantors and the terms of the guarantees; and

 

· any other specific terms, preferences, rights or limitations of, or restrictions on, the debt securities, including any events of default that are in addition to those described in this prospectus or any covenants, including restrictive covenants, provided with respect to the debt securities, and any terms which may be required by us or advisable under applicable laws or regulations or advisable in connection with the marketing of the debt securities.

 

Conversion or Exchange Rights

 

We will describe in the applicable prospectus supplement the terms on which a series of debt securities may be convertible into or exchangeable for Salem Media Class A common stock or other securities, including the conversion or exchange rate, as applicable, or how it will be calculated, and the applicable conversion or exchange period. We will include provisions as to whether conversion or exchange is mandatory, at the option of the holder or at our option. We may include provisions pursuant to which the number of our securities that the holders of the series of debt securities receive upon conversion or exchange would, under the circumstances described in those provisions, be subject to adjustment, or pursuant to which those holders would, under those circumstances, receive other property upon conversion or exchange, for example in the event of our merger or consolidation with another entity.

 

Certain Covenants

 

The indenture may include covenants of Salem Media or any of our subsidiaries, as the case may be. These covenants may impose limitations on our indebtedness, limitations on liens, limitations on the issuance of preferred stock of certain of our subsidiaries, limitations on certain distributions and limitations on transactions with our affiliates, or other limitations. Any such covenants applicable to a series of debt securities will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement.

 

Consolidation, Merger or Sale

 

The indenture in the form initially filed as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part does not contain any covenant that restricts the ability of Salem Media or any of our subsidiaries to merge or consolidate, or sell, convey, transfer or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of ours or their assets, as applicable. However, any successor of such entity or acquiror of such assets must assume all of the obligations of Salem Media or any of our subsidiaries, as applicable, under the indenture and the debt securities.

 

If the debt securities are convertible into other securities of Salem Media or any of its subsidiaries, as applicable, the person with whom such entity consolidates or merges or to whom such entity sells all of its property must make provisions for the conversion of the debt securities into securities similar to the securities that the holders of the debt securities would have received if they had converted the debt securities before the consolidation, merger or sale.

 

  17  

 

 

Guarantees

 

Salem Media has no independent assets or operations. To the extent provided in the applicable prospectus supplement, the debt securities offered and sold pursuant to this registration statement may be guaranteed by certain subsidiaries of Salem Media. These guarantees will be full and unconditional and joint and several obligations of the guarantors. If a series of debt securities is so guaranteed, an indenture, or a supplemental indenture thereto, will be executed by the guarantor. The obligations of each guarantor under its guarantee will be limited as necessary to prevent that guarantee from constituting a fraudulent conveyance under applicable law. The terms of the guarantee will be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement.

 

Structural Subordination

 

We conduct all of our operations through our subsidiaries. As a result, we depend on dividends from the earnings of our subsidiaries to generate the funds necessary to meet our financial obligations, including the debt securities. These subsidiaries are separate and distinct legal entities and have no obligation whatsoever to pay any amounts due on our financial obligations, except to the extent that they have agreed to guarantee the obligations or to make funds available to us. The subsidiaries’ ability to pay dividends or make other payments or advances to us will depend on their operating results and will be subject to applicable laws and contractual restrictions. Holders of our debt securities will have a position junior to the prior claims of creditors of our subsidiaries, including trade creditors, debt holders, secured creditors, taxing authorities and guarantee holders, and any preferred stockholders, except to the extent that we may be a creditor with recognized and unsubordinated claims against our subsidiaries. In addition, our subsidiaries may be prohibited or limited from time to time, under the terms of the instruments governing their indebtedness, from paying dividends or otherwise making payments or advances or transferring assets to us. If specified in the prospectus supplement, the guarantees will be general obligations of our subsidiaries that execute subsidiary guarantees. Unless otherwise specified in the prospectus supplement, such subsidiary guarantees will be unsecured obligations.

 

Events of Default Under the Indenture

 

Unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, the following are events of default under the indenture with respect to any series of debt securities that we may issue:

 

· default in the payment of principal of, or premium, if any, on any debt security when it is due and payable at maturity, upon acceleration, redemption or otherwise;

 

· default in the payment of interest on any debt security when it is due and payable, and such default continues for a period of 30 days;

 

· default in the performance or breach of the covenants contained in the indenture or under the debt securities, and such default or breach continues for a period of 90 consecutive days after written notice by the trustee or the holders of 25% or more in aggregate principal amount of the debt securities of the applicable series;

 

· if specified events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization occur; and

 

· if certain other specified events occur, as described in the applicable prospectus supplement.

 

  18  

 

 

If an event of default with respect to debt securities of any series occurs and is continuing, other than an event of default specified in the penultimate bullet point above, the trustee or the holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series, by notice to us in writing, and to the trustee if notice is given by such holders, may, and the trustee at the request of the holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series will, declare the unpaid principal, premium, if any, and accrued interest, if any, due and payable immediately. Upon a declaration of acceleration, such principal of, premium, if any, and accrued interest will be immediately due and payable. If an event of default specified in the penultimate bullet point above occurs with respect to us, the principal amount of and accrued interest, if any, of each series of debt securities then outstanding shall be due and payable without any notice or other action on the part of the trustee or any holder.

 

At any time after a declaration of acceleration with respect to debt securities of any series has been made, but before a judgment or decree for payment of the money due has been obtained by the trustee, the holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series may rescind and annul the acceleration if:

 

· we have paid or deposited with the trustee a sum sufficient to pay all matured installments of interest upon all the debt securities of that series and the principal of and premium, if any, on any and all debt securities of that series that shall have become due otherwise than by acceleration (with interest upon such principal and premium, if any, and, to the extent that such payment is enforceable under applicable law, upon overdue installments of interest, at the rate per annum expressed in the debt securities of that series to the date of such payment or deposit) and the amount payable to the trustee under the indenture; and

 

· all events of default, other than the non-payment of accelerated principal and interest, if any, with respect to debt securities of that series, have been cured or waived as provided in the indenture.

 

The holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of an affected series may waive any default or event of default with respect to the series and its consequences, except that defaults or events of default regarding payment of principal, premium, if any, or interest, require the consent of each holder affected by such waiver; provided, however, that the holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of any series may rescind an acceleration and its consequences, including any related payment default that resulted from the acceleration.

 

The holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the 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 power conferred on the trustee. However, the trustee may refuse to follow any direction that conflicts with law or the applicable indenture or that the trustee determines in good faith may, subject to the trustee’s duties under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, involve the trustee in personal liability or may be unduly prejudicial to the rights of holders not joining in the giving of such direction, and the trustee may take any other action it deems proper that is not inconsistent with any such direction received from holders of the applicable series of debt securities. A holder may not pursue any remedy with respect to the indenture or the debt securities unless:

 

· the holder gives the trustee written notice of a continuing event of default;

 

· the holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of outstanding debt securities of the applicable series make a written request to the trustee to pursue the remedy;

 

· such holder or holders offer the trustee indemnity reasonably satisfactory to the trustee against any costs, losses, liability or expense;

 

· the trustee does not comply with the request within 60 days after receipt of the request and the offer of indemnity; and

 

· during such 60-day period, the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of the applicable series do not give the trustee a direction that is inconsistent with the request.

 

  19  

 

 

However, such limitations do not apply to the right of any holder of a debt security to receive payment of the principal of, premium, if any, or interest on, such debt security or to bring suit for the enforcement of any such payment on or after the due date expressed in the debt security, which right shall not be impaired or affected without the consent of the holder.

 

We will periodically file statements with the trustee regarding our compliance with the covenants in the indenture.

 

Modifications of Indenture; Waiver

 

Subject to certain limited exceptions, modifications, waivers and amendments of the indenture, the debt securities and the debt security guarantees may be made with the consent of the holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of each series that is affected (including consents obtained in connection with a tender offer or exchange offer for such debt securities) and any past default or compliance with any provisions may also be waived with the consent of the holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of each series that is affected; provided that no such modification, waiver or amendment may, without the consent of each holder affected thereby:

 

· change the stated maturity of the principal of, or any installment of interest on, any debt security;

 

· reduce the principal amount of, or premium, if any, or rate of interest on, any debt security;

 

· change the currency of payment of principal of, or premium, if any, or interest on, any debt security;

 

· impair the right to institute suit for the enforcement of any payment on or after the stated maturity (or, in the case of a redemption, on or after the redemption date) of any debt security;

 

· reduce the percentage or aggregate principal amount of outstanding debt securities the consent of whose holders is necessary to modify or amend the indenture or to waive compliance with certain provisions of the indenture or certain defaults;

 

· waive a default in the payment of principal of, premium, if any, or interest on the debt security (except a rescission of acceleration of the debt securities of any series by the holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding debt securities of that series and a waiver of the payment default that resulted from such acceleration); or

 

· voluntarily release a guarantor of the debt securities other than in accordance with the indenture.

 

Modifications, waivers and amendments of the indenture, the debt securities and the debt security guarantees may, without notice to or the consent of any holder, be made:

 

· to cure any ambiguity, defect, omission or inconsistency in the indenture or the debt securities as evidenced by an Officers’ Certificate;

 

· to provide for the assumption of our or a guarantor’s obligations to holders of the debt securities and the debt securities guarantees in the case of a merger or consolidation or sale of all or substantially all of our or such guarantor’s assets to comply with the provisions under the caption “—Consolidation, Merger or Sale”;

 

· to comply with any requirements of the SEC in connection with the qualification of the indenture under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939;

 

· to evidence and provide for the acceptance of an appointment by a successor trustee;

 

· to provide for uncertificated debt securities in addition to or in place of certificated debt securities; provided that the uncertificated debt securities are issued in registered form for purposes of Section 163(f) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended;

 

  20  

 

 

· to provide for any guarantee of the debt securities, to secure the debt securities or to confirm and evidence the release, termination or discharge of any guarantee of or lien securing the debt securities when such release, termination or discharge is permitted by the indenture;

 

· to add to our covenants or the covenants of any guarantor for the benefit of the holders of the debt securities or to surrender any right or power conferred upon us or any guarantor;

 

· to provide for the issuance of additional debt securities in accordance with the terms of the indenture;

 

· to make any change that would provide any additional rights or benefits to the holders of the debt securities or that does not adversely affect the legal rights under the indenture of any holder;

 

· to conform the indenture, the debt securities and any debt security guarantees to any provision of this “Description of Debt Securities and Guarantees” section or any subsequent description of debt securities or guarantees contained in any prospectus supplement to the extent that such provision in this “Description of Debt Securities and Guarantees” section or any subsequent description of debt securities or guarantees contained in any prospectus supplement is intended to be a verbatim recitation of a provision of the indenture, the debt securities or the debt security guarantees, as applicable as evidenced by an Officers’ Certificate;

 

· to make any amendment to the provisions of the indenture relating to the transfer and legending of debt securities; provided, however, that (a) compliance with the indenture as so amended would not result in debt securities being transferred in violation of the Securities Act or any other applicable securities law and (b) such amendment does not materially and adversely affect the rights of holders to transfer debt securities; or

 

· to make certain other modifications, waivers or amendments as described in the applicable prospectus supplement.

 

Defeasance and Discharge; Legal Defeasance and Covenant Defeasance

 

Each indenture will be discharged and will cease to be of further effect as to all debt securities issued thereunder, when:

 

1. either:

 

A. all debt securities that have been authenticated, except lost, stolen or destroyed debt securities that have been replaced or paid and debt securities for whose payment money has been deposited in trust and thereafter repaid to us, have been delivered to the trustee for cancellation; or

 

B. all debt securities that have not been delivered to the trustee for cancellation have become due and payable by reason of the mailing of a notice of redemption or otherwise or will become due and payable within one year and we or any guarantor has irrevocably deposited or caused to be deposited with the trustee as trust funds in trust solely for the benefit of the holders, cash in U.S. dollars, non-callable government securities, or a combination thereof, in amounts as will be sufficient, without consideration of any reinvestment of interest, to pay and discharge the entire indebtedness on the debt securities not delivered to the trustee for cancellation for principal of, premium on, if any, interest on, the debt securities to the date of maturity or redemption;

 

2. in respect of clause (1)(B) of this paragraph, no event of default has occurred and is continuing on the date of the deposit (other than an event of default resulting from the borrowing of funds to be applied to such deposit and any similar deposit relating to other indebtedness and, in each case, the granting of certain liens to secure such borrowings);

 

  21  

 

 

3. we or any guarantor has paid or caused to be paid all sums payable by it under the indenture; and

 

4. we have delivered irrevocable instructions to the trustee under the indenture to apply the deposited money toward the payment of the debt securities at maturity or on the redemption date, as the case may be.

 

We may, at our option at any time, elect to have all of our obligations discharged with respect to the outstanding debt securities of any series and all obligations of any guarantors discharged with respect to their guarantees of that series, or Legal Defeasance, except for:

 

· the rights of holders of outstanding debt securities of the applicable series to receive payments in respect of the principal of, premium on, if any, interest on, such debt securities when such payments are due from the trust referred to below;

 

· our obligations with respect to the debt securities of the applicable series concerning issuing temporary debt securities, registering the transfer and exchange of debt securities, replacing mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen debt securities and maintaining an office or agency for presentation of debt securities for registration of transfer and exchange or payment and service of notices upon the Company in respect of the debt securities and the indenture;

 

· the rights, powers, trusts, duties and immunities of the trustee under the applicable indenture, and our and any guarantor’s obligations in connection therewith; and

 

· the Legal Defeasance and Covenant Defeasance (as defined below) provisions of the applicable indenture.

 

In addition, we may, at our option and at any time, elect to have our obligations and the obligations of any guarantors released with respect to certain covenants to be described in the applicable indenture, or Covenant Defeasance, and thereafter any omission to comply with those covenants will not constitute a default or event of default with respect to the debt securities of the applicable series.

 

In order to exercise either Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance:

 

· we must irrevocably deposit with the trustee, in trust, for the benefit of the holders of the debt securities of the applicable series, cash in U.S. dollars, non-callable government securities, or a combination thereof, in amounts as will be sufficient, in the opinion of a nationally recognized investment bank, appraisal firm or firm of independent public accountants, to pay the principal of, premium on, if any, and interest on, the outstanding debt securities of the applicable series on the stated date for payment thereof or on the applicable redemption date, as the case may be, and we must specify whether such debt securities are being defeased to such stated date for payment or to a particular redemption date;

 

· in the case of Legal Defeasance, we must deliver to the trustee an opinion of counsel reasonably acceptable to the trustee confirming that (a) we have received from, or there has been published by, the Internal Revenue Service, or the IRS, a ruling or (b) since the date of the applicable indenture, there has been a change in the applicable federal income tax law, in either case to the effect that, and based thereon such opinion of counsel will confirm that, the holders of the outstanding debt securities of the applicable series will not recognize income, gain or loss for federal income tax purposes as a result of such Legal Defeasance and will be subject to federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such Legal Defeasance had not occurred;

 

· in the case of Covenant Defeasance, we must deliver to the trustee an opinion of counsel reasonably acceptable to the trustee confirming that the holders of the outstanding debt securities of the applicable series will not recognize income, gain or loss for federal income tax purposes as a result of such Covenant Defeasance and will be subject to federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such Covenant Defeasance had not occurred;

 

  22  

 

 

· no default or event of default has occurred and is continuing on the date of such deposit (other than a default or event of default resulting from the borrowing of funds to be applied to such deposit (and any similar concurrent deposit relating to other indebtedness), and the granting of liens to secure such borrowings);

 

· such Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance will not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under, any material agreement or instrument (other than the applicable indenture and the agreements governing any other indebtedness being defeased, discharged or replaced) to which we or any guarantor is a party or by which we or any guarantor is bound; and

 

· we must deliver to the trustee an officers’ certificate and an opinion of counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent relating to the Legal Defeasance or the Covenant Defeasance have been complied with.

 

Form, Exchange and Transfer

 

We will issue the debt securities of each series only in fully registered form without coupons and, unless we otherwise specify in the applicable prospectus supplement, in minimum denominations of $2,000 and any integral multiples of $1,000 in excess of $2,000. The indenture provides that we may issue debt securities of a series in temporary or permanent global form and as book-entry securities that will be deposited with a depositary named by us and identified in a prospectus supplement with respect to that series.

 

Subject to the terms of the indenture and the limitations applicable to global securities set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement, holders of the debt securities may present the debt securities for exchange or for registration of transfer, duly endorsed or with the form of transfer endorsed thereon duly executed if so required by us or the security registrar, at the office of the security registrar or at the office of any transfer agent designated by us for this purpose. Unless otherwise provided in the debt securities that the holder presents for transfer or exchange, the holder will be required to pay any related taxes or other governmental charges.

 

We will name in the applicable prospectus supplement the security registrar, and any transfer agent in addition to the security registrar, that we initially designate for any debt securities.

 

If we elect to redeem the debt securities of any series, we will not be required to:

 

· issue, register the transfer of, or exchange any debt securities of any series being redeemed in part during a period beginning at the opening of business 15 days before the day of mailing of a notice of redemption of any debt securities that may be selected for redemption and ending at the close of business on the day of the mailing; or

 

· register the transfer of or exchange any debt securities so selected for redemption, in whole or in part, except the unredeemed portion of any debt securities we are redeeming in part.

 

Information Concerning the Trustee

 

The trustee, other than during the occurrence and continuance of an event of default under the indenture, undertakes to perform only those duties as are specifically set forth in the indenture. Upon an event of default under the indenture, the trustee must use the same degree of care as a prudent person would exercise or use in the conduct of his or her own affairs. Subject to this provision, the trustee is under no obligation to exercise any of the powers given it by the indenture at the request of any holder of debt securities unless it is offered security or indemnity reasonably satisfactory to it against the costs, expenses and liabilities that it might incur.

 

  23  

 

 

The indenture and provisions of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 contain limitations on the rights of the trustee, should it become a creditor of us or any guarantor, to obtain payment of claims in certain cases or to realize on certain property received by it in respect of any such claims, as security or otherwise.

 

The trustee may hold debt securities and is permitted to engage in other transactions with us and any of our subsidiaries or affiliates; provided that if it acquires any conflicting interest, it must eliminate such conflict or resign.

 

Payment and Paying Agents

 

Unless we otherwise indicate in the applicable prospectus supplement, we will make payment of the interest on any debt securities on any interest payment date to the person in whose name the debt securities, or one or more predecessor securities, are registered at the close of business on the regular record date for the interest.

 

We will pay principal of, and any premium and interest on, the debt securities of a particular series at the office of the paying agents designated by us, except that, unless we otherwise indicate in the applicable prospectus supplement, we may make payments of principal or interest by check, which we will mail to the holder or by wire transfer to certain holders. The trustee will initially act as paying agent and registrar. We will name in the applicable prospectus supplement any other paying agents that we initially designate for the debt securities of a particular series.

 

Subject to applicable escheatment laws, any money deposited with the trustee or any paying agent, or then held by us, in trust for the payment of the principal of, premium on, if any, or interest on any debt security and remaining unclaimed for two years after such principal, premium, if any, or interest, has become due and payable shall be paid to us on our request or (if then held by us) will be discharged from such trust; and the holder of such debt security will thereafter be permitted to look only to us for payment thereof and all liability of the Trustee shall cease.

 

Governing Law

 

The indenture, the debt securities and any guarantees thereunder will be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York.

 

  24  

 

 

DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS

 

We may issue warrants for the purchase of Class A common stock, preferred stock, debt securities or other securities, or units of two or more of these types of securities. Warrants may be issued independently or together with Class A common stock, preferred stock or debt securities and may be attached to or separate from these securities. Each series of warrants will be issued under a separate warrant agreement.

 

The summary of the terms of the warrants contained in this prospectus does not purport to be a complete description of the terms of the warrants and is subject to, and qualified in its entirety by, the provisions of the warrant agreement and warrant certificate applicable to a particular series of warrants. A prospectus supplement will be issued with regard to each issue or series of warrants.

 

Warrants to Purchase Class A Common Stock, Preferred Stock and Other Securities

 

Each prospectus supplement for warrants to purchase Class A common stock, preferred stock and other securities will describe:

 

· the title of the warrants;

 

· the securities for which the warrants are exercisable;

 

· the price or prices at which the warrants will be issued;

 

· if applicable, the number of the warrants issued with each share of Class A common stock, preferred stock or other securities or that of another issuer;

 

· any provisions for adjustment of the number or amount of shares of Class A common stock, preferred stock or other securities or that of another issuer receivable upon exercise of the warrants or the exercise price of the warrants;

 

· if applicable, the date on and after which such warrants and related Class A common stock, preferred stock or other securities or that of another issuer will be separately transferable;

 

· if applicable, a discussion of material federal income tax considerations; and

 

· any other material terms of such warrants, including terms, procedures and limitations relating to the exchange and exercise of such warrants.

 

Warrants to Purchase Debt Securities

 

Each prospectus supplement for warrants to purchase debt securities will describe:

 

· the title of the debt warrants;

 

· the aggregate number of the debt warrants;

 

· the price or prices at which the debt warrants will be issued;

 

  25  

 

 

· the designation, aggregate principal amount and terms of the debt securities purchasable upon exercise of the debt warrants, and the procedures and conditions relating to the exercise of the debt warrants;

 

· if applicable, the number of the warrants issued with each share of Class A common stock, preferred stock or other securities or that of another issuer;

 

· if applicable, the date on and after which the debt warrants and the related securities will be separately transferable;

 

· the principal amount of and exercise price for debt securities that may be purchased upon exercise of each debt warrant;

 

· the maximum or minimum number of the debt warrants which may be exercised at any time;

 

· if applicable, a discussion of any material federal income tax considerations; and

 

· any other material terms of the debt warrants and terms, procedures and limitations relating to the exercise of the debt warrants.

 

Certificates for warrants to purchase debt securities will be exchangeable for new debt warrant certificates of different denominations. Warrants may be exercised at the corporate trust office of the warrant agent or any other office indicated in the prospectus supplement.

 

Exercise of Warrants

 

Each warrant will entitle the holder of the warrant to purchase shares of Class A common stock or preferred stock, the principal amount of debt securities or amounts of other securities at the exercise price as shall in each case be set forth in, or be determinable as set forth in, the applicable prospectus supplement relating to the warrants. Warrants may be exercised at any time up to the close of business on the expiration date set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement. After the close of business on the expiration date, unexercised warrants will become void.

 

Upon receipt of payment and the warrant certificate properly completed and duly executed at the corporate trust office of the warrant agent or any other office indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, we will, as soon as practicable, forward the shares of Class A common stock or preferred stock, debt securities, or other securities to be purchased upon such exercise. If less than all of the warrants represented by a warrant certificate are exercised, a new warrant certificate will be issued for the remaining warrants.

 

Prior to the exercise of any warrants to purchase shares of Class A common stock, preferred stock or debt securities, holders of the warrants will not have any of the rights of holders of Class A common stock, preferred stock or debt securities purchasable upon exercise, including:

 

· in the case of warrants for the purchase of Class A common stock or preferred stock, the right to vote or to receive any payments of dividends on the Class A common stock or preferred stock purchasable upon exercise; or

 

· in the case of warrants for the purchase of debt securities, the right to receive payments of principal of, or any premium or interest on, the debt securities purchasable upon exercise or to enforce covenants in the applicable indenture.

 

  26  

 

 

DESCRIPTION OF PURCHASE CONTRACTS

 

We may issue purchase contracts, including contracts obligating holders to purchase from us, and for us to sell to holders, a specific or variable number of our shares of Class A common stock or preferred stock, depositary shares, debt securities or warrants, or debt obligations of an entity unaffiliated with us, or any combination of the above, at a future date or dates. Alternatively, the purchase contracts may obligate us to purchase from holders, and obligate holders to sell to us, a specific or variable number of our shares of Class A common stock or preferred stock, depositary shares, debt securities, warrants or other property, or any combination of the above. The price of the securities or other property subject to the purchase contracts may be fixed at the time the purchase contracts are issued or may be determined by reference to a specific formula described in the purchase contracts. We may issue purchase contracts separately or as a part of units, each consisting of a purchase contract and one or more of our other securities described in this prospectus or debt obligations of third parties, including U.S. Treasury securities, securing the holder’s obligations under the purchase contract. The purchase contracts may require us to make periodic payments to holders or vice versa and the payments may be unsecured or pre-funded on some basis. The purchase contracts may require holders to secure the holder’s obligations in a manner specified in the applicable prospectus supplement.

 

The applicable prospectus supplement will describe the terms of any purchase contracts in respect of which this prospectus is being delivered, including, to the extent applicable, the following:

 

· whether the purchase contracts obligate the holder or us to purchase or sell, or both purchase and sell, the securities subject to purchase under the purchase contract, and the nature and amount of each of those securities, or the method of determining those amounts;

 

· whether the purchase contracts are to be prepaid;

 

· whether the purchase contracts are to be settled by delivery, or by reference or linkage to the value, performance or level of the securities subject to purchase under the purchase contract;

 

· any acceleration, cancellation, termination or other provisions relating to the settlement of the purchase contracts;

 

· any applicable U.S. federal income tax considerations; and

 

· whether the purchase contracts will be issued in fully registered or global form.

 

To the extent any purchase contract relates to third party debt obligations, we will comply with the registration and disclosure requirements of the Securities Act and any other applicable rules and regulations and will include disclosure as necessary in the applicable prospectus supplement or other offering materials, including, as necessary, any required financial statement and non-financial statement disclosure about the issuer of such third party debt obligations.

 

The preceding description sets forth certain general terms and provisions of the purchase contracts to which any prospectus supplement may relate. The particular terms of the purchase contracts to which any prospectus supplement may relate and the extent, if any, to which the general provisions may apply to the purchase contracts so offered will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement. To the extent that any particular terms of the purchase contracts described in a prospectus supplement differ from any of the terms described above, then the terms described above will be deemed to have been superseded by that prospectus supplement. We encourage you to read the applicable purchase contract for additional information before you decide whether to purchase any of our purchase contracts.

 

  27  

 

 

DESCRIPTION OF UNITS

 

We may issue units comprised of one or more of the other securities described in this prospectus in one or more series and in any combination. Each unit will be issued so that the holder of the unit is also the holder of each security included in the unit. Thus, the holder of a unit will have the rights and obligations of a holder of each included security. The unit agreement under which a unit is issued may provide that the securities included in the unit may not be held or transferred separately, at any time or at any time before a specified date.

 

We may evidence each series of units by unit certificates that we will issue under a separate agreement. We may enter into unit agreements with a unit agent. Each unit agent will be a bank or trust company that we select. We will indicate the name and address of the unit agent in the applicable prospectus supplement relating to a particular series of units.

 

The applicable prospectus supplement may describe:

 

· the designation and terms of the units and of the securities comprising the units, including whether and under what circumstances those securities may be held or transferred separately;

 

· the price or prices at which the units will be issued;

 

· any provisions for the issuance, payment, settlement, transfer or exchange of the units or of the securities comprising the units; and

 

· any other terms of the units and their constituent securities.

 

  28  

 

 

SELLING STOCKHOLDERS

 

This prospectus also relates to the possible resale from time to time by certain of our stockholders, who we refer to in this prospectus as the “selling stockholders,” of up to 1,000,000 shares of our Class A common stock that were issued and outstanding prior to the original date of filing of the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part. Edward G. Atsinger III currently serves as Chief Executive Officer and a Director of Salem Media Group, and Stuart W. Epperson currently serves as Chairman of the Board of Salem Media Group. The following table sets forth, as of August 3, 2016, the number of shares of Class A and Class B common stock that each stockholder beneficially owns. The term “selling stockholders,” as used in this prospectus, includes the holder listed below and his transferees, pledgees, donees, heirs or other successors receiving shares from the holder listed below after the date of this prospectus. The selling stockholders may sell, transfer or otherwise dispose of some or all of their shares of the Class A common stock owned by such stockholder in transactions exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act.

 

Name of       Number
of
Shares of
Class A
   

Class A Common
Stock Beneficial

Ownership

   

Class B Common
Stock Beneficial

Ownership

   

Percent
of

Vote of
All
Classes
of

Common
Stock

   

Beneficial
Ownership if

all Class A Shares
Being

Registered Are Sold

   

Percent
of

Vote of
all

Classes
of

Common
Stock

 
Beneficial
Owner(1)
  Positions   Being
Registered
   

Number

of Shares

    %Vote(2)
(Class A)
   

Number

of Shares

   

%Vote(2)

(Class B)

   

%Vote(2)

(All)

   

Number

of Shares

   

%Vote(2)

(Class A)

   

%Vote(2)

(All)

 
Stuart W. Epperson   Chairman of the Board     500,000       3,789,824 (3)     18.65 %     2,776,848 (4)     50.00 %     41.44 %     3,289,824       17.03 %     41.49 %
Edward G. Atsinger III   Chief Executive Officer and Director     500,000       4,476,580 (5)     22.03 %     2,776,848 (5)     50.00 %     42.34 %     3,976,580       20.58 %     42.41 %

 

* Less than 1%.

 

(1) Except as otherwise indicated, the address for each person is c/o Salem Media Group, Inc., 4880 Santa Rosa Road, Camarillo, California 93012. Calculated pursuant to Rule 13d-3(d) under the Exchange Act, shares of Class A common stock not outstanding that are subject to options exercisable by the holder thereof within 60 days of August 3, 2016, are deemed outstanding for the purposes of calculating the number and percentage ownership by such stockholder, but not deemed outstanding for the purpose of calculating the percentage owned by each other stockholder listed. Unless otherwise noted, all shares listed as beneficially owned by a stockholder are actually outstanding.

 

(2) Percentage voting power is based upon 20,043,109 shares of Class A common stock and 5,553,696 shares of Class B common stock, all of which were outstanding as of August 3, 2016, plus shares of Class A common stock that are subject to options exercisable by holders within 60 days of August 3, 2016 and the general voting power of one (1) vote for each share of Class A common stock and ten (10) votes for each share of Class B common stock.

 

(3) Includes 1,012,520 shares of Class A common stock held by trusts of which Mr. and Mrs. Epperson are trustees and shares held directly by Mr. and Mrs. Epperson. As husband and wife, Mr. and Mrs. Epperson are each deemed to be the beneficial owner of shares held by the other and share voting and dispositive power; therefore, their combined beneficial ownership is shown in the table. Includes 126,250 shares of Class A common stock subject to options that are exercisable within 60 days of August 3, 2016.

 

(4) These shares of Class B common stock are held directly by Mr. Epperson.

 

(5) These shares of Class A and Class B common stock are held by trusts of which Mr. Atsinger is trustee. Includes 150,000 shares of Class A common stock subject to options that are exercisable within 60 days of August 3, 2016.

 

  29  

 

 

PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

 

We or the selling stockholders may sell the securities offered by this prospectus in any one or more of the following ways from time to time:

 

· through agents;

 

· to or through underwriters;

 

· to or through brokers or dealers;

 

· directly to investors, including through a specific bidding, auction or other process;

 

· directly to agents;

 

· through a combination of any such methods of sale; or

 

· by any other method permitted pursuant to applicable law.

 

The distribution of securities may be effected from time to time in one or more transactions, including block transactions and transactions on the NASDAQ Global Market or any other organized market where the shares may be traded. The securities may be sold at a fixed price or prices, which may be changed, or at market prices prevailing at the time of sale, at prices relating to the prevailing market prices or at negotiated prices. The consideration may be cash or another form negotiated by the parties. Agents, underwriters or broker-dealers may be paid compensation for offering and selling the securities. That compensation may be in the form of discounts, concessions or commissions to be received from us or the selling stockholders, or from the purchasers of the securities. Selling stockholders, dealers and agents participating in the distribution of the securities may be deemed to be underwriters, and compensation received by them on resale of the securities may be deemed to be underwriting discounts.

 

Agents may from time to time solicit offers to purchase the securities. If required, any agent involved in the offer or sale of the securities will be named, and any compensation payable to the agent will be described, in the applicable 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. Any agent selling the securities covered by this prospectus may be deemed to be an underwriter, as that term is defined in the Securities Act, of the securities.

 

If underwriters are used in a sale, 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, at a fixed public offering price or at varying prices determined at the time of sale, or under delayed delivery contracts or other contractual commitments. Securities may be offered to the public either through underwriting syndicates represented by one or more managing underwriters or directly by one or more firms acting as underwriters. If an underwriter or underwriters are used in the sale of securities, an underwriting agreement will be executed with the underwriter or underwriters at the time an agreement for the sale is reached. The underwriter may sell the securities to or through dealers, and those dealers may receive compensation in the form of discounts, concessions or commissions from the underwriters and/or commissions from the purchasers for which they may act as agent. The applicable prospectus supplement will set forth the managing underwriter or underwriters, as well as any other underwriter or underwriters, with respect to a particular underwritten offering of securities, and will set forth the terms of the transactions, including compensation of the underwriters and dealers and the public offering price, if applicable. Unless otherwise indicated in a prospectus supplement, an agent will be acting on a best efforts basis and a dealer will purchase securities as a principal, and may then resell the securities at varying prices to be determined by the dealer. The prospectus and prospectus supplement will be used by the underwriters to resell the securities.

 

  30  

 

 

If a dealer is used in the sale of the securities, we, the selling stockholders or an underwriter will sell the securities to the dealer, as principal. The dealer may then resell the securities to the public at varying prices to be determined by the dealer at the time of resale. To the extent required, the name of the dealer and the terms of the transactions will be set forth in the prospectus supplement.

 

We may directly solicit offers to purchase the securities and we or the selling stockholders may make sales of securities directly to institutional investors or others. These persons may be deemed to be underwriters within the meaning of the Securities Act with respect to any resale of the securities. To the extent required, the prospectus supplement will describe the terms of any such sales, including the terms of any bidding or auction process, if used.

 

Agents, underwriters and dealers may be entitled under agreements which may be entered into with us or the selling stockholders to indemnification by us or the selling stockholders against specified liabilities, including liabilities incurred under the Securities Act, or to contribution by us or the selling stockholders to payments they may be required to make in respect of such liabilities. The prospectus supplement will describe the terms and conditions of such indemnification or contribution. Some of the agents, underwriters or dealers, or their affiliates may be customers of, engage in transactions with or perform services for us or our subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business.

 

Under the securities laws of some states, the securities offered by this prospectus may be sold in those states only through registered or licensed brokers or dealers.

 

We will not receive any of the proceeds from the sale by the selling stockholders of the shares of Class A common stock. If such shares of Class A common stock are sold through underwriters or broker-dealers, the selling stockholder will be responsible for underwriting discounts or commissions or agent’s commissions. In addition to the above-mentioned methods of sale, the selling stockholders may also resell all or a portion of their securities in reliance upon Rule 144 under the Securities Act, as permitted by that rule, or Section 4(a)(1) under the Securities Act, if available, rather than under this prospectus or an applicable prospectus supplement, provided that the selling stockholders meet the criteria and conform to the requirements of those provisions.

 

In connection with sales of the shares of Class A common stock or otherwise, the selling stockholders may enter into hedging transactions with broker-dealers or other financial institutions, which may in turn engage in short sales of the shares of Class A common stock in the course of hedging in positions they assume. The selling stockholders may also sell shares of Class A common stock short and if such short sale shall take place after the date that the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part is declared effective by the Commission, the selling stockholders may deliver shares of Class A common stock covered by this prospectus to close out short positions and to return borrowed shares in connection with such short sales. The selling stockholders may also loan or pledge shares of Class A common stock to broker-dealers that in turn may sell such shares, to the extent permitted by applicable law. The selling stockholders may also enter into option or other transactions with broker-dealers or other financial institutions or the creation of one or more derivative securities which require the delivery to such broker-dealer or other financial institution of shares offered by this prospectus, which shares such broker-dealer or other financial institution may resell pursuant to this prospectus (as supplemented or amended to reflect such transaction). Notwithstanding the foregoing, the selling stockholders have been advised that they may not use shares registered on the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part to cover short sales of our Class A common stock made prior to the date the registration statement, of which this prospectus forms a part, has been declared effective by the Commission.

 

  31  

 

 

The selling stockholders may, from time to time, pledge or grant a security interest in some or all of the shares of Class A common stock owned by the selling stockholders and, if any such selling stockholder defaults in the performance of its secured obligations, the pledgees or secured parties may offer and sell the shares of Class A common stock from time to time pursuant to this prospectus, or an amendment or supplement thereto, under Rule 424(b)(3) or other applicable provision of the Securities Act, amending, if necessary, the list of selling stockholders to include the pledgee, transferee or other successors in interest as selling stockholders under this prospectus. The selling stockholders also may transfer and donate the shares of Class A common stock in other circumstances in which case the transferees, donees, pledgees or other successors in interest will be the selling beneficial owners for purposes of this prospectus.

 

Because selling stockholders may be deemed to be “underwriters” within the meaning of Section 2(a)(11) of the Securities Act, selling stockholders may be subject to the prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act, which may include delivery through the facilities of the NASDAQ Global Market pursuant to Rule 153 under the Securities Act.

 

Any person participating in the distribution of Class A common stock registered under the registration statement that includes this prospectus will be subject to applicable provisions of the Exchange Act and the applicable SEC rules and regulations, including, among others, Regulation M, which may limit the timing of purchases and sales of any of Class A common stock by any such person. Furthermore, Regulation M may restrict the ability of any person engaged in the distribution of Class A common stock to engage in market-making activities with respect to Class A common stock. These restrictions may affect the marketability of Class A common stock and the ability of any person or entity to engage in market-making activities with respect to Class A common stock.

 

Certain persons participating in the offering may engage in over-allotment, stabilizing transactions, short-covering transactions and penalty bids in accordance with Regulation M under the Exchange Act that stabilize, maintain or otherwise affect the price of the offered securities. For a description of these activities, see the information under the heading “Underwriting” in the applicable prospectus supplement.

 

We may engage in at-the-market offerings into an existing trading market in accordance with Rule 415(a)(4) under the Securities Act. In addition, we may enter into derivative transactions with third parties, or sell securities not covered by this prospectus to third parties in privately negotiated transactions. If the applicable prospectus supplement so indicates, in connection with those derivatives, the third parties may sell securities covered by this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement, including in short sale transactions. If so, the third party may use securities pledged by us or borrowed from us or others to settle those sales or to close out any related open borrowings of stock, and may use securities received from us in settlement of those derivatives to close out any related open borrowings of stock. The third party in such sale transactions will be an underwriter and, if not identified in this prospectus, will be named in the applicable prospectus supplement (or a posteffective amendment). In addition, we may otherwise loan or pledge securities to a financial institution or other third party that in turn may sell the securities short using this prospectus and an applicable prospectus supplement. Such financial institution or other third party may transfer its economic short position to investors in our securities or in connection with a concurrent offering of other securities.

 

The specific terms of any lock-up provisions in respect of any given offering will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement.

 

In compliance with the guidelines of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc., or FINRA, the maximum consideration or discount to be received by any FINRA member or independent broker dealer may not exceed 8% of the aggregate proceeds of the offering.

 

The underwriters, dealers and agents may engage in transactions with us, or perform services for us, in the ordinary course of business for which they receive compensation.

 

  32  

 

 

LEGAL MATTERS

 

K&L Gates LLP will pass upon certain legal matters relating to the issuance and sale of the securities offered hereby on behalf of Salem Media Group, Inc. Additional legal matters may be passed upon for us, the selling stockholders or any underwriters, dealers or agents, by counsel that we will name in the applicable prospectus supplement.

 

EXPERTS

 

The consolidated financial statements as of December 31, 2015 and 2014, and for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2015 are incorporated in this prospectus by reference to the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015 and have been so incorporated in reliance on the report of SingerLewak LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, given on authority of said firm as experts in auditing and accounting.

 

  33  

 

   

WHERE YOU CAN FIND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

 

We file reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC as required by the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. You can find, copy and inspect information we file at the SEC’s public reference room, which is located at 100 F Street, N.E., Room 1580, Washington, DC 20549. You may also obtain copies of this information by mail from the public reference room of the SEC at prescribed rates. Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for more information about the operation of the SEC’s public reference room. You can review our electronically filed reports and other information that we file with the SEC on the SEC’s web site at http://www.sec.gov.

 

This prospectus and any prospectus supplement form a part of a registration statement on Form S-3 that we filed with the SEC under the Securities Act. As permitted by the SEC, this prospectus and any prospectus supplement do not contain all the information in the registration statement. Forms of the indenture and other documents establishing the terms of the offered securities are or may be filed as exhibits to the registration statement. Statements in this prospectus or any prospectus supplement about these documents are summaries and each statement is qualified in all respects by reference to the document to which it refers. You should refer to the actual documents for a more complete description of the relevant matters. You may inspect a copy of the registration statement at the SEC’s public reference room in Washington, D.C. or obtain a copy from the SEC’s website, as provided above.

 

  34  

 

  

INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN INFORMATION BY REFERENCE

 

The SEC allows us to “incorporate by reference” into this prospectus certain of the information we file with the SEC. This means we can disclose important information to you by referring you to another document that has been filed separately with the SEC. The information incorporated by reference is considered to be a part of this prospectus, and information that we file later with the SEC will automatically update and supersede information contained in this prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement. Any statement contained in a previously filed document incorporated by reference will be deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes of this prospectus to the extent that a statement contained in this prospectus modifies or replaces that statement.

 

We incorporate by reference the following documents and all documents we file with the SEC pursuant to Section 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) pursuant to the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act, on or after the date of this prospectus and prior to the termination of the offering of the securities described in this prospectus or any prospectus supplement (other than, in each case, documents or information deemed to have been furnished and not filed in accordance with SEC rules, including our Compensation Committee report and performance graph or any information furnished pursuant to Items 2.02 or 7.01 of Form 8-K or related exhibits furnished pursuant to Item 9.01 of Form 8-K):

 

· our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2015, filed with the SEC on March 11, 2016;

 

· our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2016, filed with the SEC on May 6, 2016;

 

· our Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A, filed with the SEC on April 8, 2016;

 

· our Current Reports on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on March 3, 2016, May 13, 2016, May 19, 2016 and June 13, 2016; and

 

· the description of our common stock contained in our Registration Statement on Form 8-A filed on June 25, 1999, including any amendments or reports filed for the purpose of updating such description.

 

All reports and other documents we subsequently file pursuant to Section 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act prior to the termination of this offering, including all such documents we may file with the SEC after the date of the initial registration statement and prior to the effectiveness of the registration statement, but excluding any information furnished to, rather than filed with, the SEC, will also be incorporated by reference into this prospectus and deemed to be part of this prospectus from the date of the filing of such reports and documents.

 

You may request, orally or in writing, a copy of any or all of the documents incorporated herein by reference (other than exhibits to such documents, unless such exhibits have been specifically incorporated by reference thereto) by writing or telephoning us at the following address:

 

Salem Media Group, Inc.

Attn: Investor Relations

4880 Santa Rosa Road

Camarillo, California 93012

(805) 987-0400

 

  35  

 

 

 

$150,000,000

 

Class A Common Stock

Preferred Stock

Depositary Shares

Debt Securities

Warrants

Purchase Contracts

Units

Guarantees

 

 

 

1,000,000 Shares

 

Class A Common Stock

Offered by the Selling Stockholders

 

 

 

Prospectus

 

 

  

            , 2016

 

 

 

 

PART II

 

INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN THE PROSPECTUS

 

Item 14. Other Expenses of Issuance and Distribution.

 

The following table sets forth the expenses (all of which are to be paid by the registrant) expected to be incurred in connection with the issuance and distribution of the securities being registered. All amounts are estimated except the SEC registration fee.

 

SEC Registration Fee   $ 15,819 (1)
FINRA Filing Fee   $ * (2)
Legal Fees and Expenses   $ * (2)
Accounting Fees and Expenses   $ * (2)
Printing and Engraving Expenses   $ * (2)
Fees and Expenses of the Transfer Agent or Trustee   $ * (2)
Miscellaneous   $ * (2)
Total   $ (2)

 

 

 

(1) Includes $714 for the registration of shares held by the selling stockholders.
(2) These fees are calculated based on the securities offered and the number of issuances and accordingly cannot be estimated at this time.

 

Item 15. Indemnification of Directors and Officers.

 

Section 102 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware permits a corporation to eliminate the personal liability of directors of a corporation to the corporation or its stockholders for monetary damages for a breach of fiduciary duty as a director, except for breaches of the director’s duty of loyalty to the corporation or its stockholders, acts or omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of a law, authorizations of the payments of a dividend or approval of a stock repurchase or redemption in violation of Delaware corporate law or for any transactions from which the director derived an improper personal benefit. The registrant’s amended and restated certificate of incorporation provides that no director will be liable to the registrant or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duties as a director, subject to the same exceptions as described above. The registrant has entered into separate indemnification agreements with each of its directors which may, in some cases, be broader than the specific indemnification provisions contained under Delaware law. These indemnification agreements generally require the registrant, among other things, to indemnify its directors against liabilities that may arise by reason of their status or service as directors. These indemnification agreements also generally require the registrant to advance any expenses incurred by the directors as a result of any proceeding against them as to which they could be indemnified. The registrant has also purchased and expects to maintain standard insurance policies that provide coverage (1) to its directors and officers against loss arising from claims made by reason of breach of duty or other wrongful act and (2) to it with respect to indemnification payments the registrant may make to such officers and directors.

 

  II- 1  

 

 

Section 145 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware provides that a corporation has the power to indemnify a director, officer, employee, or agent of the corporation and certain other persons serving at the request of the corporation in related capacities against expenses (including attorneys’ fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlements actually and reasonably incurred by the person in connection with a threatened, pending, or completed action, suit or proceeding to which he or she is or is threatened to be made a party by reason of such position, if such person acted in good faith and in a manner he or she reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation, and, in any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe his or her conduct was unlawful, except that, in the case of actions brought by or in the right of the corporation, indemnification is limited to expenses (including attorneys’ fees) actually and reasonably incurred by the person in connection with defense or settlement of such action or suit and no indemnification shall be made with respect to any claim, issue, or matter as to which such person shall have been adjudged to be liable to the corporation unless and only to the extent that the Court of Chancery or other adjudicating court determines that, despite the adjudication of liability but in view of all of the circumstances of the case, such person is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnity for such expenses which the Court of Chancery or such other court shall deem proper. In addition, to the extent that a present or former director or officer of a corporation has been successful on the merits or otherwise in defense of any action, suit, or proceeding described above (or claim, issue, or matter therein), such person shall be indemnified against expenses (including attorneys’ fees) actually and reasonably incurred by such person in connection therewith. Expenses (including attorneys’ fees) incurred by an officer or director in defending any civil, criminal, administrative, or investigative action, suit, or proceeding may be advanced by the corporation upon receipt of an undertaking by such person to repay such amount if it is ultimately determined that such person is not entitled to indemnification by the corporation under Section 145 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware.

 

The registrant’s amended and restated certificate of incorporation provides that the registrant will, to the fullest extent permitted by law, indemnify any person made or threatened to be made a party to an action or proceeding by reason of the fact that he or she (or his or her testators or intestate) is or was a director or officer of the Company or serves or served at any other corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise in a similar capacity or as an employee or agent at the registrant’s request, including service with respect to employee benefit plans maintained or sponsored by the registrant, against expenses (including attorneys’), judgments, fines, penalties and amounts paid in settlement incurred in connection with the investigation, preparation to defend, or defense of such action, suit, proceeding, or claim. However, the registrant is not required to indemnify or advance expenses in connection with any action, suit, proceeding, claim, or counterclaim initiated by the registrant or on behalf of it. The registrant’s amended and restated bylaws provide that it will indemnify and hold harmless each person who was or is a party or threatened to be made a party to any action, suit, or proceeding by reason of the fact that he or she is or was a director or officer of the registrant, or is or was serving at its request in a similar capacity of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, including service with respect to employee benefit plans (whether the basis of such action, suit, or proceeding is an action in an official capacity as a director or officer or in any other capacity while serving as a director of officer) to the fullest extent authorized by the Delaware General Corporation Law against all expense, liability and loss (including attorneys’ fees, judgments, fines, ERISA excise taxes, or penalties and amounts paid in settlement) reasonably incurred or suffered by such person in connection with such action, suit or proceeding, and this indemnification continues after such person has ceased to be an officer or director and inures to the benefit of such person’s heirs, executors and administrators. The indemnification rights also include the right generally to be advanced expenses, subject to any undertaking required under Delaware General Corporation Law, and the right generally to recover expenses to enforce an indemnification claim or to defend specified suits with respect to advances of indemnification expenses.

 

The indemnification rights set forth above are not exclusive of any other right which an indemnified person may have or hereafter acquire under any statute, provision of the registrant’s amended and restated certificate of incorporation, amended and restated bylaws, agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors or otherwise.

 

  II- 2  

 

 

Item 16. Exhibits.

 

The list of exhibits in the Exhibit Index to this registration statement is incorporated herein by reference.

 

Item 17. Undertakings.

 

(a) The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:

 

(1) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this registration statement:

 

(i) to include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act of 1933;

 

(ii) to reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of the registration statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in the registration statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the SEC pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than a 20 percent change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the “Calculation of Registration Fee” table in the effective 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 subsections (i), (ii) and (iii) above do not apply if the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those subsections is contained in reports filed with or furnished to the SEC by the registrant pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that are incorporated by reference in the registration statement, 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:

 

(A) 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- 3  

 

 

(B) 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 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.

 

(b) The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes 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 (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan’s annual report pursuant to section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) that is incorporated by reference in the registration statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

 

  II- 4  

 

 

(c) 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 foregoing provisions, 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 Securities Act of 1933 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 of the registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, 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 whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act of 1933 and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.

 

(d) The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes 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 (“Act”) in accordance with the rules and regulations prescribed by the Commission under section 305(b)(2) of the Act.

 

  II- 5  

 

 

SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements of 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 City of Camarillo, California, on the 3rd day of August, 2016.

 

  SALEM MEDIA GROUP, INC.
     
  By: /s/ Edward G. Atsinger III
    Edward G. Atsinger III
    Chief Executive Officer

 

POWER OF ATTORNEY

 

KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints Edward G. Atsinger III and Evan D. Masyr, and each of them, his or her true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power of substitution and re-substitution, for him or her and in his or her name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any or all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to this registration statement (and any registration statement filed pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, as amended, for the offering which this registration statement relates), and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the SEC, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he or she might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents or any of them, or their or his or her substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this registration statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

 

Signature   Title   Date
         
/s/ Edward G. Atsinger III   Chief Executive Officer and Director   August 3, 2016
Edward G. Atsinger III   (Principal Executive Officer)    
         
/s/ Evan D. Masyr   Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer   August 3, 2016
Evan D. Masyr   (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)    
         
/s/ Stuart W. Epperson   Chairman   August 3, 2016
Stuart W. Epperson        
         
/s/ Roland S. Hinz   Director   August 3, 2016
Roland S. Hinz        
         
/s/ Jonathan Venverloh   Director   August 3, 2016
Jonathan Venverloh        
         
/s/ Richard A. Riddle   Director   August 3, 2016
Richard A. Riddle        
         
/s/ James Keet Lewis   Director   August 3, 2016
James Keet Lewis        
         
/s/ Eric Halvorson   Director   August 3, 2016
Eric Halvorson        
         
/s/ Edward C. Atsinger   Director   August 3, 2016
Edward C. Atsinger        
         
/s/ Stuart W. Epperson Jr.   Director   August 3, 2016
Stuart W. Epperson Jr.        

 

  II- 6  

 

 

SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, each of the co-registrants named below certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements of 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 City of Camarillo, California, on the 3rd day of August, 2016.

 

  Air Hot, Inc.
  Bison Media, Inc.
  Caron Broadcasting, Inc.
  Common Ground Broadcasting, Inc.
  Inspiration Media, Inc.
  New Inspiration Broadcasting CoMPANY, Inc.
  NI Acquisition CorpORATION
  Pennsylvania Media Associates, Inc.
  Reach Satellite Network, Inc.
  Salem Consumer Products, Inc.
  Salem Communications Holding CorpORATION
  Salem Media of Colorado, Inc.
  Salem Media of Hawaii, Inc.
  Salem Media of Kentucky, Inc.
  Salem Media of Ohio, Inc.
  Salem Media of Oregon, Inc.
  Salem Media of Texas, Inc.
  Salem Media of Virginia, Inc.
  Salem Media Representatives, Inc.
  Salem Publishing, Inc.
  Salem Radio Network IncORPORATED
  Salem Radio Properties, Inc.
  SCA License CORPORATION
  South Texas Broadcasting, Inc.
  SRN News Network, Inc.
  SRN Store, Inc.
     
  By: /s/ Edward G. Atsinger III
    Edward G. Atsinger III
    Chief Executive Officer

 

  II- 7  

 

 

POWER OF ATTORNEY

 

KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints Edward G. Atsinger III and Evan D. Masyr, and each of them, his or her true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power of substitution and re-substitution, for him or her and in his or her name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any or all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to this registration statement (and any registration statement filed pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, as amended, for the offering which this registration statement relates), and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the SEC, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he or she might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents or any of them, or their or his or her substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this registration statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

 

Signature   Title   Date
         
/s/ Edward G. Atsinger III   Chief Executive Officer and Director   August 3, 2016
Edward G. Atsinger III   (Principal Executive Officer)    
         
/s/ Evan D. Masyr   Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer   August 3, 2016
Evan D. Masyr   (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)    
         
/s/ Christopher J. Henderson   Director   August 3, 2016
Christopher J. Henderson        

    

  II- 8  

 

 

SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the co-registrant named below certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements of 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 City of Camarillo, California, on the 3rd day of August, 2016.

 

  Eagle Products, LLC
  By: Caron Broadcasting, Inc.,
  ITS MANAGING MEMBER
     
  By: /s/ Edward G. Atsinger III
    Edward G. Atsinger III
    Chief Executive Officer

 

  II- 9  

 

 

POWER OF ATTORNEY

 

KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints Edward G. Atsinger III and Evan D. Masyr, and each of them, his or her true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power of substitution and re-substitution, for him or her and in his or her name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any or all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to this registration statement (and any registration statement filed pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, as amended, for the offering which this registration statement relates), and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the SEC, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he or she might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents or any of them, or their or his or her substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this registration statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

 

Signature   Title   Date
         
/s/ Edward G. Atsinger III   Chief Executive Officer and Director   August 3, 2016
Edward G. Atsinger III   (Principal Executive Officer)    
         
/s/ Evan D. Masyr   Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer   August 3, 2016
Evan D. Masyr   (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)    
         
/s/ Christopher J. Henderson   Director   August 3, 2016
Christopher J. Henderson        

   

  II- 10  

 

 

SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, each of the co-registrants named below certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements of 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 City of Camarillo, California, on the 3rd day of August, 2016.

 

  Inspiration Media of Texas, LLC
  By: SCA License CORPORATION,
    ITS MANAGING MEMBER
     
  Salem Media of Illinois, LLC
  By: SCA License CORPORATION,
    ITS MANAGING MEMBER
     
  Salem Media of Massachusetts, LLC
  By: SCA License CORPORATION,
    ITS MANAGING MEMBER
     
  Salem Media of New York, LLC
  By: SCA License CORPORATION,
    ITS MANAGING MEMBER
     
  Salem Radio Operations, LLC
  By: SCA License CORPORATION,
    ITS MANAGING MEMBER
     
  Salem Satellite Media, LLC
  By: SCA License CORPORATION,
    ITS MANAGING MEMBER
     
  Salem Web Network, LLC
  By: SCA License CORPORATION,
    ITS MANAGING MEMBER
     
  SCA-Palo Alto, LLC
  By: SCA License CORPORATION,
    ITS MANAGING MEMBER
     
  By: /s/ Edward G. Atsinger III
    Edward G. Atsinger III
    Chief Executive Officer

 

  II- 11  

 

 

POWER OF ATTORNEY

 

KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints Edward G. Atsinger III and Evan D. Masyr, and each of them, his or her true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power of substitution and re-substitution, for him or her and in his or her name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any or all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to this registration statement (and any registration statement filed pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, as amended, for the offering which this registration statement relates), and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the SEC, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he or she might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents or any of them, or their or his or her substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this registration statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

 

Signature   Title   Date
         
/s/ Edward G. Atsinger III   Chief Executive Officer and Director   August 3, 2016
Edward G. Atsinger III   (Principal Executive Officer)    
         
/s/ Evan D. Masyr   Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer   August 3, 2016
Evan D. Masyr   (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)    
         
/s/ Christopher J. Henderson   Director   August 3, 2016
Christopher J. Henderson        

   

  II- 12  

 

 

EXHIBIT INDEX

 

Exhibit
Number
  Exhibit Description   Form   File No.   Date of First
Filing
  Exhibit
Number
  Filed
Herewith
                         
1.1*   Form of Underwriting Agreement                    
4.1   Specimen of Class A common stock certificate   S-1/A   333-76649   Effective 06/30/99   4.09    
4.2*   Form of Preferred Stock Certificate                    
4.3*   Form of Certificate of Designation                    
4.4*   Form of Deposit Agreement and Deposit Receipt                    
4.5   Form of Indenture                   X
4.6*   Form of Note                    
4.7*   Form of Warrant Agreement (including form of warrant)                    
4.8*   Form of Purchase Contract                    
4.9*   Form of Unit Agreement                    
5.1   Opinion of K&L Gates LLP                   X
12.1   Statement Regarding the Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges                   X
23.1   Consent of SingerLewak LLP, Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm                   X
23.2   Consent of Bond & Pecaro, Inc.                   X
23.3   Consent of Noble Financial Capital Markets                   X
23.4   Consent of K&L Gates LLP (included in Exhibit 5.1)                   X
24.1   Powers of Attorney (incorporated by reference to the signature page hereto)                   X
25.1   Statement of Eligibility of Trustee on Form T-1 under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended                   X

 

*To be filed by amendment or incorporated herein by reference in connection with the offering of the securities.

 

  II- 13  

 

 

 

Exhibit 4.5

 

  

  

 

SALEM MEDIA GROUP, INC.

 

Issuer

 

AND

 

 

WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,

 

as Trustee

 

 

INDENTURE

 

Dated as of           , 20

 

 

Debt Securities

 

 

 

 

CROSS-REFERENCE TABLE (1)

 

SECTION OF

TRUST INDENTURE

ACT OF 1939, AS AMENDED

 

 

SECTION(S) OF

INDENTURE

310(a)   7.9
310(b)   7.8
311(a)   7.13
311(b)   7.13
312(a)   5.1, 5.2(a)
312(b)   5.2(b)
312(c)   5.2(c)
313(a)   5.4
313(b)   5.4
313(c)   5.4
313(d)   5.4
314(a)   5.3, 14.12
314(c)   14.7(a)
314(e)   14.7(b)
315(a)   7.1
315(b)   7.14
315(c)   7.1
315(d)   7.1
315(e)   6.7
316(a)   6.6, 8.4
316(b)   6.4
316(c)   8.1
317(a)   6.2
317(b)   4.2
318(a)   14.9

 

(1) This Cross-Reference Table does not constitute part of the Indenture and shall not have any bearing on the interpretation of any of its terms or provisions.

 

 

 

  

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

      Page
       
ARTICLE I DEFINITIONS  
Section 1.1   Definitions of Terms 1
Section 1.2   Incorporation by Reference of Trust Indenture Act 4
       
ARTICLE II ISSUE, DESCRIPTION, TERMS, EXECUTION, REGISTRATION AND EXCHANGE OF SECURITIES  
Section 2.1   Designation and Terms of Securities 5
Section 2.2   Form of Securities and Trustee’s Certificate 7
Section 2.3   Denominations; Provisions for Payment 7
Section 2.4   Execution and Authentication 8
Section 2.5   Registration of Transfer and Exchange 9
Section 2.6   Temporary Securities 10
Section 2.7   Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost or Stolen Securities 10
Section 2.8   Cancellation 10
Section 2.9   Benefits of Indenture 11
Section 2.10   Authenticating Agent 11
Section 2.11   Global Securities 11
Section 2.12   CUSIP and ISIN Numbers 12
       
ARTICLE III REDEMPTION OF SECURITIES AND SINKING FUND PROVISIONS  
Section 3.1   Redemption 12
Section 3.2   Notice of Redemption 12
Section 3.3   Payment Upon Redemption 13
Section 3.4   Sinking Fund 14
Section 3.5   Satisfaction of Sinking Fund Payments with Securities 14
Section 3.6   Redemption of Securities for Sinking Fund 14
       
ARTICLE IV COVENANTS  
Section 4.1   Payment of Principal, Premium and Interest 14
Section 4.2   Paying Agent and Security Registrar 15
Section 4.3   Appointment to Fill Vacancy in Office of Trustee 16
Section 4.4   Compliance with Consolidation Provisions 16
       
ARTICLE V SECURITYHOLDERS’ LISTS AND REPORTS BY THE COMPANY AND THE TRUSTEE  
Section 5.1   Company to Furnish Trustee Names and Addresses of Securityholders 16
Section 5.2   Preservation of Information; Communications With Securityholders 16
Section 5.3   Reports by the Company 17
Section 5.4   Reports by the Trustee 17
       
ARTICLE VI REMEDIES OF THE TRUSTEE AND SECURITYHOLDERS ON EVENT OF DEFAULT  
Section 6.1   Events of Default 17
Section 6.2   Collection of Indebtedness and Suits for Enforcement by Trustee 19
Section 6.3   Application of Moneys Collected 20
Section 6.4   Limitation on Suits 20
Section 6.5   Rights and Remedies Cumulative; Delay or Omission Not Waiver 21
Section 6.6   Control by Securityholders 21
Section 6.7   Undertaking to Pay Costs 22
       
ARTICLE VII CONCERNING THE TRUSTEE  
Section 7.1   Certain Duties and Responsibilities of Trustee 22
Section 7.2   Certain Rights of Trustee 23
Section 7.3   Trustee Not Responsible for Recitals or Issuance or Securities 24

 

  i

 

 

Section 7.4   May Hold Securities and Otherwise Deal With the Company 24
Section 7.5   Moneys Held in Trust 25
Section 7.6   Compensation and Reimbursement 25
Section 7.7   Reliance on Officer’s Certificate 25
Section 7.8   Disqualification; Conflicting Interests 25
Section 7.9   Corporate Trustee Required; Eligibility 26
Section 7.10   Resignation and Removal; Appointment of Successor 26
Section 7.11   Acceptance of Appointment By Successor 27
Section 7.12   Merger, Conversion, Consolidation or Succession to Business. 28
Section 7.13   Preferential Collection of Claims Against the Company 28
Section 7.14   Notice of Default 28
Section 7.15   Limitation of Liability 28
       
ARTICLE VIII CONCERNING THE SECURITYHOLDERS  
Section 8.1   Evidence of Action by Securityholders 28
Section 8.2   Proof of Execution by Securityholders 29
Section 8.3   Who May be Deemed Owners 29
Section 8.4   Certain Securities Owned by Company Disregarded 29
Section 8.5   Actions Binding on Future Securityholders 30
       
ARTICLE IX SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES  
Section 9.1   Supplemental Indentures Without the Consent of Securityholders 30
Section 9.2   Supplemental Indentures With the Consent of Securityholders 31
Section 9.3   Effect of Supplemental Indentures 32
Section 9.4   Securities Affected by Supplemental Indentures 32
Section 9.5   Execution of Supplemental Indentures 32
       
ARTICLE X SUCCESSOR ENTITY  
Section 10.1   Company May Consolidate, Etc. 33
Section 10.2   Successor Entity Substituted 33
Section 10.3   Evidence of Consolidation, Etc. to Trustee 33
       
ARTICLE XI SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE  
Section 11.1   Satisfaction and Discharge of Indenture 34
Section 11.2   Application of Trust Money 35
       
ARTICLE XII LEGAL DEFEASANCE AND COVENANT DEFEASANCE  
Section 12.1   Option to Effect Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance 35
Section 12.2   Legal Defeasance and Discharge 35
Section 12.3   Covenant Defeasance 36
Section 12.4   Conditions to Legal or Covenant Defeasance 36
Section 12.5   Deposited Money and Government Securities to be Held in Trust; Other Miscellaneous Provisions 37
Section 12.6   Repayment to Company 37
Section 12.7   Reinstatement 38
       
ARTICLE XIII IMMUNITY OF INCORPORATORS, STOCKHOLDERS, OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS  
Section 13.1   No Recourse 38
       
ARTICLE XIV MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS  
Section 14.1   Effect on Successors and Assigns 38
Section 14.2   Actions by Successor 38
Section 14.3   Surrender of Company Powers 39
Section 14.4   Notices 39
Section 14.5   Governing Law/Waiver of Jury Trial 39
Section 14.6   Treatment of Securities as Debt 39
Section 14.7   Compliance Certificates and Opinions 39
Section 14.8   Payments on Business Days 40
Section 14.9   Conflict with Trust Indenture Act 40
Section 14.10   Counterparts 40
Section 14.11   Severability 40
Section 14.12   Compliance Certificates 40
Section 14.13   USA Patriot Act 40
Section 14.14   Consent to Jurisdiction and Service 41
Section 14.15   Force Majeure 41

 

  ii

 

 

INDENTURE

 

INDENTURE, dated as of           , 20 , among SALEM MEDIA GROUP, INC., a Delaware corporation (the “ Company ”), and WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, a national banking association organized under the laws of the United States, as trustee (the “ Trustee ”):

 

WHEREAS, for its lawful corporate purposes, the Company has duly authorized the execution and delivery of this Indenture to provide for the issuance of debt securities (hereinafter referred to as the “Securities”), in an unlimited aggregate principal amount to be issued from time to time in one or more series as in this Indenture provided, as registered Securities without coupons, to be authenticated by the Trustee;

 

WHEREAS, to provide the terms and conditions upon which the Securities are to be authenticated, issued and delivered, the Company has duly authorized the execution of this Indenture; and

 

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

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the purchase of the Securities by the holders thereof, it is mutually covenanted and agreed as follows for the equal and ratable benefit of the holders of Securities:

 

 

ARTICLE I

DEFINITIONS

 

SECTION 1.1 DEFINITIONS OF TERMS.

 

The terms defined in this Section (except as in this Indenture or any Board Resolution or indenture supplemental hereto otherwise expressly provided or unless the context otherwise requires) for all purposes of this Indenture and of any Board Resolution or indenture supplemental hereto shall have the respective meanings specified in this Section and shall include the plural as well as the singular. All other terms used in this Indenture that are defined in the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, or that are by reference in such Act defined in the Securities Act (except as herein or any Board Resolution or indenture supplemental hereto otherwise expressly provided or unless the context otherwise requires), shall have the meanings assigned to such terms in said Trust Indenture Act and in said Securities Act as in force at the date of the execution of this instrument.

 

Authenticating Agent ” means an authenticating agent with respect to all or any of the series of Securities appointed by the Trustee pursuant to Section 2.10.

 

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

 

Authorized Officer ,” when used with respect to the Company, means the Chairman of the Board of Directors, the Chief Executive Officer, the President, the Chief Operating Officer, the Chief Financial Officer, the Treasurer, any Assistant Treasurer, the Controller, the Secretary or any Executive Vice President or Senior Vice President of the Company.

 

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

 

Board of Directors ” means the Board of Directors of the Company or any duly authorized committee of such Board.

 

Board Resolution ” means a copy of one or more resolutions certified by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Company to have been duly adopted by the Board of Directors, or such committee of the Board of Directors or officers of the Company to which authority to act on behalf of the Board of Directors has been delegated, and to be in full force and effect on the date of such certification, and to be delivered to the Trustee.

 

1  

 

 

Business Day ” means, with respect to any series of Securities, any day other than a day on which federal or state banking institutions in the Borough of Manhattan, the City and State of New York, are authorized or obligated by law, executive order or regulation to close.

 

Code ” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

 

Commission ” means the Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

Company ” means Salem Media Group, Inc., a corporation duly organized and existing under the laws of the State of Delaware, and, subject to the provisions of Article X, shall also include its successors and assigns.  

 

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

 

Corporate Trust Office ” means the principal office of the Trustee at which, at any particular time, this Indenture shall be administered, which office at the date hereof is located at 333 S. Grand Avenue, 5th Floor, Suite 5A, MAC: E2064-05A, Los Angeles, CA 90071; Attention: Corporate, Municipal and Escrow Services. With respect to presentation for transfer or exchange, conversions or principal payment, such address shall be 608 2 nd Avenue South, Minneapolis, MN 55402, attention: Bondholder Communications, or such other address as the Trustee may designate from time to time by written notice to the Securityholders and the Company, or the principal corporate trust office of any successor Trustee (or such other address as such successor Trustee may designate from time to time by written notice to the Securityholders and the Company).

 

Covenant Defeasance ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 12.3.

 

Custodian ” means any receiver, trustee, assignee, liquidator or similar official under any Bankruptcy Law.

 

Default ” means any event, act or condition that with notice or lapse of time, or both, would constitute an Event of Default.

 

Depositary ” means, with respect to Securities of any series for which the Company shall determine that such Securities will be issued as a Global Security, The Depository Trust Company, New York, New York, another clearing agency, or any successor registered as a clearing agency under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, or other applicable statute or regulation, which, in each case, shall be designated by the Company pursuant to either Section 2.1 or 2.11.

 

Event of Default ” means, with respect to Securities of a particular series, any event specified in Section 6.1, continued for the period of time, if any, therein designated.

 

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

 

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

 

Governmental Obligations ” means securities that are (a) direct obligations of the U.S. for the payment of which its full faith and credit is pledged or (b) obligations of a Person controlled or supervised by and acting as an agency or instrumentality of the U.S., the payment of which is unconditionally guaranteed as a full faith and credit obligation by the U.S. that, in either case, are not callable or redeemable at the option of the issuer thereof, and shall also include a depositary receipt issued by a bank (as defined in Section 3(a)(2) of the Securities Act) as custodian with respect to any such Governmental Obligation or a specific payment of principal of or interest on any such Governmental Obligation held by such custodian for the account of the holder of such depositary receipt; provided, however, that (except as required by law) such custodian is not authorized to make any deduction from the amount payable to the holder of such depositary receipt from any amount received by the custodian in respect of the Governmental Obligation or the specific payment of principal of or interest on the Governmental Obligation evidenced by such depositary receipt.

 

2  

 

 

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.

 

Indenture ” means this instrument as originally executed or as it may from time to time be supplemented or amended by one or more Board Resolutions or one or more indentures supplemental hereto entered into in accordance with the terms hereof.

 

Interest Payment Date ,” when used with respect to any installment of interest on a Security of a particular series, means the date specified in such Security or in a Board Resolution or in an indenture supplemental hereto with respect to such series as the fixed date on which an installment of interest with respect to Securities of that series is due and payable.

 

Legal Defeasance ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 12.2.

 

Officer’s Certificate ” means a certificate signed by an Authorized Officer of the Company that is delivered to the Trustee in accordance with the terms hereof. Each such certificate shall include the statements provided for in Section 14.7, if and to the extent required by the provisions thereof. An Officer’s Certificate given pursuant to Section 14.12 shall be signed by the principal executive, financial or accounting officer of the Company but need not contain the statements provided for in Section 14.7.

 

Opinion of Counsel ” means an opinion in writing subject to customary exceptions of legal counsel, who may be an employee of or counsel for the Company, that is delivered to the Trustee in accordance with the terms hereof. Each such opinion shall include the statements provided for in Section 14.7, if and to the extent required by the provisions thereof.

 

Outstanding ,” when used with reference to Securities of any series, means, subject to the provisions of Section 8.4, as of any particular time, all Securities of that series theretofore authenticated and delivered by the Trustee under this Indenture, except (a) Securities theretofore canceled by the Trustee, or delivered to the Trustee or any Paying Agent for cancellation or that have previously been canceled; (b) Securities or portions thereof for the payment or redemption of which cash or Governmental Obligations in the necessary amount shall have been irrevocably deposited in trust with the Trustee or with any Paying Agent (other than the Company) or shall have been set aside and segregated in trust by the Company (if the Company shall act as its own Paying Agent); provided, however, that if such Securities or portions of such Securities are to be redeemed prior to the maturity thereof, notice of such redemption shall have been given as in Article III provided, or provision satisfactory to the Trustee shall have been made for giving such notice; and (c) Securities in lieu of or in substitution for which other Securities shall have been authenticated and delivered pursuant to the terms of Section 2.7, unless the Trustee and the Company receive proof satisfactory to them that the replaced Security is held by a protected purchaser.

 

Paying Agent ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 4.2(a).

 

Person ” means any individual, corporation, partnership, joint venture, association, joint-stock company, trust, unincorporated organization, limited liability company or government or other entity, and includes any syndicate or group that would be deemed to be a “person” under Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act.

 

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 2.7 in lieu of a lost, destroyed or stolen Security shall be deemed to evidence the same debt as the lost, destroyed or stolen Security.

 

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.

 

3  

 

  

Securities ” means the debt Securities authenticated and delivered under this Indenture.

 

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

 

Securityholder ,” “ holder of Securities ,” “ registered holder ,” or other similar term, means the Person or Persons in whose name or names a particular Security shall be registered on the Security Register in accordance with the terms of this Indenture.

 

Security Register ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 4.2(a).

 

Security Registrar ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 4.2(a).

 

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

 

Subsidiary ” means, with respect to any Person, (i) any corporation at least a majority of whose outstanding Voting Stock shall at the time be owned, directly or indirectly, by such Person or by one or more of its Subsidiaries or by such Person and one or more of its Subsidiaries, (ii) any general partnership, joint venture or similar entity, at least a majority of whose outstanding partnership or similar interests shall at the time be owned by such Person, or by one or more of its Subsidiaries, or by such Person and one or more of its Subsidiaries and (iii) any limited partnership of which such Person or any of its Subsidiaries is a general partner.

 

Trustee ” means Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, and, subject to the provisions of Article VII, shall also include its successors and assigns, and, if at any time there is more than one Person acting in such capacity hereunder, “Trustee” shall mean each such Person. The term “Trustee” as used with respect to a particular series of the Securities shall mean the trustee with respect to that series.

 

Trust Indenture Act ” means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended.

 

Trust Officer ” means any officer of the Trustee with direct responsibility for the administration of this Indenture and also means, with respect to a particular corporate trust matter hereunder, any other officer of the Trustee to whom such matter is referred because of his or her knowledge of and familiarity with the particular subject.

 

Uniform Commercial Code ” means the New York Uniform Commercial Code as in effect from time to time.

 

U.S. ” means the United States of America.

 

USA Patriot Act ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 14.13.

 

Voting Stock ,” as applied to stock of any Person, means shares, interests, participations or other equivalents in the equity interest (however designated) in such Person having ordinary voting power for the election of a majority of the directors (or the equivalent) of such Person, other than shares, interests, participations or other equivalents having such power only by reason of the occurrence of a contingency. 

 

SECTION 1.2 INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE OF TRUST INDENTURE ACT.

 

Whenever this Indenture refers to a provision of the Trust Indenture Act, the provision is incorporated by reference in and made a part of this Indenture.

 

All Trust Indenture Act terms used in this Indenture that are defined by the Trust Indenture Act, defined by Trust Indenture Act reference to another statute or defined by Commission rule have the meanings assigned to them by such definitions.

 

4  

 

 

ARTICLE II

ISSUE, DESCRIPTION, TERMS, EXECUTION, REGISTRATION

AND EXCHANGE OF SECURITIES

 

SECTION 2.1 DESIGNATION AND TERMS OF SECURITIES.

 

The aggregate principal amount of Securities that may be authenticated and delivered under this Indenture is unlimited. The Securities may be issued in one or more series up to the aggregate principal amount of Securities of that series from time to time authorized by or pursuant to a Board Resolution or pursuant to one or more indentures supplemental hereto. Prior to the initial issuance of Securities of any series, there shall be established in or pursuant to a Board Resolution, and set forth in an Officer’s Certificate, or established in one or more indentures supplemental hereto:

 

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

 

(2)                  the principal amount of the Securities being offered and any limit upon the aggregate principal amount of the Securities of that series that may be authenticated and delivered under this Indenture (except for Securities authenticated and delivered upon registration of transfer of, or in exchange for, or in lieu of, other Securities of that series);

 

(3)                  the date or dates on which the principal of the Securities of the series is payable, any original issue discount that may apply to the Securities of that series upon their issuance, the principal amount due at maturity, and the place(s) of payment;

 

(4)                  the rate or rates at which the Securities of the series shall bear interest or the manner of calculation of such rate or rates, if any, and whether the rate(s) are fixed or variable;

 

(5)                  the date or dates from which such interest shall accrue, the Interest Payment Dates on which such interest will be payable or the manner of determination of such Interest Payment Dates, the place(s) of payment, and the record date for the determination of holders to whom interest is payable on any such Interest Payment Dates or the manner of determination of such record dates;

 

(6)                  the right, if any, to extend the interest payment periods and the duration of such extension;

 

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

 

(8)                  the obligation, if any, of the Company to redeem or purchase Securities of the series pursuant to any sinking fund, mandatory redemption, or analogous provisions (including payments made in cash in satisfaction of future sinking fund obligations) 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, pursuant to such obligation;

 

(9)                  the terms of the subordination of any series of subordinated debt;

 

(10)               the form of the Securities of the series including the form of the certificate of authentication for such series;

 

(11)               if other than minimum denominations of two thousand U.S. dollars ($2,000) or any integral multiple of one thousand U.S. dollars ($1,000) in excess thereof, the minimum denominations and multiples in excess thereof in which the Securities of the series shall be issuable;

 

(12)              whether the Securities are issuable as a Global Security and, in such case, the terms and the identity of the Depositary for such series;

 

5  

 

 

(13)              whether the Securities will be convertible into or exchangeable for shares of common stock or other securities of the Company or any other Person or other securities and, if so, the terms and conditions upon which such Securities will be so convertible or exchangeable, including the conversion or exchange price, as applicable, or how it will be calculated and may be adjusted, any mandatory or optional (at the Company’s option or the holders’ option) conversion or exchange features, and the applicable conversion or exchange period;

 

(14)              if other than the principal amount thereof, the portion of the principal amount of Securities of the series which shall be payable upon declaration of acceleration of the maturity thereof pursuant to Section 6.1;

 

(15)              any additional or different Events of Default or restrictive covenants (which may but shall not be required to include, among other restrictions, restrictions on the Company’s ability or the ability of the Company’s Subsidiaries to: incur additional indebtedness; issue additional securities; create liens; pay dividends or make distributions in respect of their capital stock; redeem capital stock; in the case of such Subsidiaries, pay dividends, make distributions or transfer assets; make investments or other restricted payments; sell or otherwise dispose of assets; enter into sale leaseback transactions; engage in transactions with stockholders and affiliates; issue or sell stock of the Company’s Subsidiaries; or effect a consolidation or merger) or financial covenants (which may include, among other financial covenants, financial covenants that require the Company and its Subsidiaries to maintain specified interest coverage, fixed charge, cash flow-based, asset-based or other financial ratios) provided for with respect to the Securities of the series;

 

(16)              if other than U.S. dollars, the coin or currency in which the Securities of the series are denominated (including, but not limited to, foreign currency);

 

(17)              the terms and conditions, if any, upon which the Company shall pay amounts in addition to the stated interest, premium, if any, and principal amounts of the Securities of the series to any Securityholder that is not a “United States person” for federal tax purposes, and the terms and conditions, if any, relating to the Company’s ability to redeem such Securities if the Company is required to pay such additional amounts;

 

(18)              a discussion of any material U.S. federal income tax considerations applicable to the Securities of the series;

 

(19)              any restrictions on transfer, sale or assignment of the Securities of the series;

 

(20)              the terms, if any, relating to any auction or remarketing of the Securities of the series and any security for the obligations of the Company with respect to such Securities;

 

(21)              whether the Securities of the series are secured or unsecured, and if the Securities are secured, the terms of the secured Securities;

 

(22)              information describing any book-entry features;

 

(23)              the identity of any guarantors and the terms of the guarantees; and

 

(24)              any and all other terms with respect to the series (which terms shall not be inconsistent with the terms of this Indenture, as amended by any Board Resolution or supplemental indenture, but which may modify or delete any provisions of this Indenture insofar as it applies to such series), including any terms which may be required by or advisable under the laws of the U.S. or regulations thereunder or advisable (as determined by the Company) in connection with the marketing of Securities of that series.

 

All Securities of any one series shall be substantially identical except as to denomination and except as may otherwise be provided in or pursuant to any such Board Resolution or in any indentures supplemental hereto.

 

If any of the terms of the series are established by action taken pursuant to a Board Resolution of the Company, a copy of an appropriate record of such action shall be certified by the secretary or an assistant secretary of the Company and delivered to the Trustee at or prior to the delivery of the Officer’s Certificate of the Company setting forth the terms of the series.

 

6  

 

 

Securities of any particular series may be issued at various times, with different dates on which the principal or any installment of principal is payable, with different rates of interest, if any, or different methods by which rates of interest may be determined, with different dates on which such interest may be payable and with different redemption dates. A series may be reopened for issuances of additional Securities of such series or to establish additional terms of such Securities. 

 

SECTION 2.2 FORM OF SECURITIES AND TRUSTEE’S CERTIFICATE.

 

The Securities of any series and the Trustee’s certificate of authentication to be borne by such Securities shall be substantially of the tenor and purport as set forth in one or more indentures supplemental hereto or as provided in a Board Resolution, and set forth in an Officer’s Certificate, and they may have such letters, numbers or other marks of identification or designation and such legends or endorsements printed, lithographed or engraved thereon as the Company may deem appropriate and as are not inconsistent with the provisions of this Indenture, or as may be required to comply with any law or with any rule or regulation made pursuant thereto or with any rule or regulation of any securities exchange on which Securities of that series may be listed, or to conform to usage. 

 

SECTION 2.3 DENOMINATIONS; PROVISIONS FOR PAYMENT.

 

The Securities shall be issuable as registered Securities and in the minimum denomination of two thousand U.S. dollars ($2,000) or any integral multiple of one thousand U.S. dollars ($1,000) in excess thereof, subject to Section 2.1(11). The Securities of a particular series shall bear interest payable on the dates and at the rate specified with respect to that series. The principal of and the interest on the Securities of any series, as well as any premium thereon, shall be payable in the coin or currency of the U.S. that at the time is legal tender for public and private debt, at the office or agency of the Company maintained for that purpose in the United States, which shall initially be an office or agency of the Trustee. Each Security shall be dated the date of its authentication. Interest on the Securities shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day year composed of twelve 30-day months. Presentment and surrender of the Securities is required for final payment thereon.

The interest installment on any Security that is payable, and is punctually paid or duly provided for, on any Interest Payment Date for Securities of that series shall be paid to the Person in whose name said Security (or one or more Predecessor Securities) is registered at the close of business on the regular record date for such interest installment. In the event that any Security of a particular series or portion thereof is called for redemption and the redemption date is subsequent to a regular record date with respect to any Interest Payment Date and prior to such Interest Payment Date, interest on such Security will be paid upon presentation and surrender of such Security as provided in Section 3.3.

 

Any interest on any Security that is payable, but is not punctually paid or duly provided for, on any Interest Payment Date for Securities of the same series (herein called “ Defaulted Interest ”) shall forthwith cease to be payable to the registered holder on the relevant regular record date by virtue of having been such holder; and such Defaulted Interest shall be paid by the Company, at its election, as provided in clause (1) or clause (2) below:

 

(1)                  The Company may make payment of any Defaulted Interest on Securities to the Persons in whose names such Securities (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 such Security and the date of the proposed payment, and at the same time the Company shall deposit with the Trustee an amount of money equal to the aggregate amount proposed to be paid in respect of such Defaulted Interest or shall make arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for such deposit prior to the date of the proposed payment, such money when deposited to be held in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled to such Defaulted Interest as in this clause provided. Thereupon the Trustee shall fix a special record date for the payment of such Defaulted Interest which shall not be more than 15 nor 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 (or, in the case of Securities held in book-entry form, by electronic transmission), to each Securityholder at his or her address as it appears in the Security Register (as hereinafter defined), 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 mailed as aforesaid, such Defaulted Interest shall be paid to the Persons in whose names such Securities (or their respective Predecessor Securities) are registered on such special record date.

 

7  

 

 

(2)                  The Company may make payment of any Defaulted Interest on any Securities 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.

 

Unless otherwise set forth in a Board Resolution or one or more indentures supplemental hereto establishing the terms of any series of Securities pursuant to Section 2.1 hereof, the term “ regular record date ” as used in this Section with respect to a series of Securities and any Interest Payment Date for such series shall mean either the fifteenth day of the month immediately preceding the month in which an Interest Payment Date established for such series pursuant to Section 2.1 hereof shall occur, if such Interest Payment Date is the first day of a month, or the last day of the month immediately preceding the month in which an Interest Payment Date established for such series pursuant to Section 2.1 hereof shall occur, if such Interest Payment Date is the fifteenth day of a month, whether or not such date is a Business Day.  

 

Subject to the foregoing provisions of this Section and Sections 2.5 and 2.11, each Security of a series delivered under this Indenture upon transfer of or in exchange for or in lieu of any other Security of such series shall carry the rights to interest accrued and unpaid, and to accrue, that were carried by such other Security. 

 

SECTION 2.4 EXECUTION AND AUTHENTICATION.

 

The Securities shall be signed on behalf of the Company by an Authorized Officer and, to the extent necessary, under its corporate seal. Signatures may be in the form of a manual or facsimile signature.

 

The Company may use the facsimile signature of any Person who shall have been an Authorized Officer thereof, notwithstanding the fact that at the time the Securities shall be authenticated and delivered or disposed of such Person shall have ceased to be such an officer of the Company. To the extent a Company seal is necessary, the Company seal may be in the form of a facsimile of such seal and may be impressed, affixed, imprinted or otherwise reproduced on the Securities. The Securities may contain such notations, legends or endorsements required by law, stock exchange rule or usage. Each Security shall be dated the date of its authentication by the Trustee.

 

A Security shall not be valid until authenticated manually by an authorized signatory of the Trustee. Such signature shall be conclusive evidence that the Security so authenticated has been duly authenticated and delivered hereunder and that the holder is entitled to the benefits of this Indenture. At any time and from time to time after the execution and delivery of this Indenture, the Company may deliver Securities of any series executed by the Company to the Trustee for authentication, together with a Company Order for the authentication and delivery of such Securities, signed by an Authorized Officer, and the Trustee in accordance with such Company Order shall authenticate and deliver such Securities.

 

In authenticating such Securities and accepting the additional responsibilities under this Indenture in relation to such Securities, the Trustee shall receive, and (subject to Section 7.1) shall be fully protected in conclusively relying upon, an Opinion of Counsel stating that the form and terms thereof have been established in conformity with the provisions of this Indenture.

 

The Trustee shall not be required to authenticate such Securities 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 that is not reasonably acceptable to the Trustee.  

 

8  

 

 

SECTION 2.5 REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER AND EXCHANGE.

 

(a)                  Securities of any series may be exchanged upon presentation thereof at the office of the Security Registrar, for other Securities of such series of authorized denominations, and for a like aggregate principal amount, upon payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge in relation thereto, all as provided in this Section. In respect of any Securities so surrendered for exchange, the Company shall execute, the Trustee shall authenticate and such office or agency shall deliver in exchange therefor the Security or Securities of the same series that the Securityholder making the exchange shall be entitled to receive, bearing numbers not contemporaneously outstanding.

 

(b)                  Upon surrender for transfer of any Security at the office of the Security Registrar, the Company shall execute, the Trustee shall authenticate and the Security Registrar shall deliver in the name of the transferee or transferees a new Security or Securities of the same series as the Security presented for a like aggregate principal amount.

 

All Securities presented or surrendered for exchange or registration of transfer, as provided in this Section, shall be accompanied (if so required by the Company or the Security Registrar) by a written instrument or instruments of transfer, in form satisfactory to the Company or the Security Registrar, duly executed by the registered holder or by such holder’s duly authorized attorney in writing.

 

(c)                  Except as provided pursuant to Section 2.1 pursuant to a Board Resolution, and set forth in an Officer’s Certificate, or established in one or more indentures supplemental to this Indenture, no service charge shall be made for any exchange or registration of transfer of Securities, or issue of new Securities in case of partial repurchase or redemption of any series, but the Company and the Trustee may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge in relation thereto, other than exchanges pursuant to Section 2.6, Section 3.3(b) and Section 9.4 not involving any transfer.

 

(d)                  The Company shall not be required (i) to issue, exchange or register the transfer of any Securities during a period beginning at the opening of business 15 days before the day of the mailing of a notice of redemption of less than all the Outstanding Securities of the same series and ending at the close of business on the day of such mailing, nor (ii) to register the transfer of or exchange any Securities of any series or portion thereof called for redemption, other than the unredeemed portion of any such Securities being redeemed in part.

 

(e)                  Successive registrations and registrations of transfers and exchanges as aforesaid may be made from time to time as desired, and each such registration shall be noted on the register for the Securities.

 

(f)                   The Security Registrar shall provide to the Trustee such information as the Trustee may reasonably require in connection with the delivery by such Security Registrar of Securities upon transfer or exchange of Securities.

 

(g)                  The provisions of this Section 2.5 are, with respect to any Global Security, subject to Section 2.11 hereof.

 

(h)                  The Trustee shall have no 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 or beneficial owners of interests 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.

 

(i)                    Neither the Trustee nor any agent shall have any responsibility or liability for any actions taken or not taken by the Depositary.

 

9  

 

 

 

SECTION 2.6 TEMPORARY SECURITIES.

 

Pending the preparation of definitive Securities of any series, the Company may execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, temporary Securities (printed, lithographed or typewritten) of any authorized denomination. Such temporary Securities shall be substantially in the form of the definitive Securities in lieu of which they are issued, but with such omissions, insertions and variations as may be appropriate for temporary Securities, all as may be determined by the Company. Every temporary Security of any series shall be executed by the Company and be authenticated by the Trustee upon the same conditions and in substantially the same manner, and with like effect, as the definitive Securities of such series. Without unnecessary delay the Company will execute and will furnish definitive Securities of such series and thereupon any or all temporary Securities of such series may be surrendered in exchange therefor (without charge to the holders), at the office of the Security Registrar, and the Trustee shall authenticate and the Security Registrar shall deliver in exchange for such temporary Securities an equal aggregate principal amount of definitive Securities of such series, unless the Company advises the Trustee to the effect that definitive Securities need not be executed and furnished until further notice from the Company. Until so exchanged, the temporary Securities of such series shall be entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture as definitive Securities of such series authenticated and delivered hereunder. 

 

SECTION 2.7 MUTILATED, DESTROYED, LOST OR STOLEN SECURITIES.

 

In case any temporary or definitive Security shall become mutilated or be destroyed, lost or stolen, the Company (subject to the next succeeding sentence) shall execute, and upon a Company Request, the Trustee (subject as aforesaid) shall authenticate and deliver, a new Security of the same series, bearing a number not contemporaneously outstanding, in exchange and substitution for the mutilated Security, or in lieu of and in substitution for the Security so destroyed, lost or stolen. In every case, the requirements of Section 8-405 of the Uniform Commercial Code shall be met and the applicant for a substituted Security shall furnish to the Company and the Trustee such security or indemnity as may be required by them to save each of them harmless, and, in every case of destruction, loss or theft, the applicant shall also furnish to the Company and the Trustee evidence to their satisfaction of the destruction, loss or theft of the applicant’s Security and of the ownership thereof. The Trustee may authenticate any such substituted Security and deliver the same upon the delivery of a Company Order. Upon the issuance of any substituted Security, 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.

 

In case any Security that has matured or is about to mature shall become mutilated or be destroyed, lost or stolen, the Company may, instead of issuing a substitute Security, pay or authorize the payment of the same (without surrender thereof except in the case of a mutilated Security) if the applicant for such payment shall furnish to the Company and the Trustee such security or indemnity as they may require to save them harmless, and, in case of destruction, loss or theft, evidence to the satisfaction of the Company and the Trustee of the destruction, loss or theft of such Security and of the ownership thereof.

 

Every replacement Security issued pursuant to the provisions of this Section shall constitute an additional contractual obligation of the Company whether or not the mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Security shall be found at any time, or be enforceable by anyone, and shall be entitled to all the benefits of this Indenture equally and proportionately with any and all other Securities of the same series duly issued hereunder. All Securities shall be held and owned upon the express condition that the foregoing provisions are exclusive with respect to the replacement or payment of mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Securities, and shall preclude (to the extent lawful) any and all other rights or remedies, notwithstanding any law or statute existing or hereafter enacted to the contrary with respect to the replacement or payment of negotiable instruments or other securities without their surrender. 

 

SECTION 2.8 CANCELLATION.

 

All Securities surrendered for the purpose of payment, redemption, exchange or registration of transfer shall, if surrendered to the Company or any Paying Agent, be delivered to the Trustee for cancellation, or, if surrendered to the Trustee, shall be cancelled by it, and no Securities shall be issued in lieu thereof except as expressly required or permitted by any of the provisions of this Indenture. On the delivery of a Company Order at the time of such surrender, the Trustee shall cancel Securities held by the Trustee in accordance with its standard procedures and applicable law and provide confirmation to the Company of such cancellation if requested by the Company. In the absence of such request, the Trustee may dispose of canceled Securities in accordance with its standard procedures and deliver evidence of cancellation to the Company. If the Company shall otherwise acquire any of the Securities, however, such acquisition shall not operate as a redemption or satisfaction of the indebtedness represented by such Securities unless and until the same are delivered to the Trustee for cancellation.

 

10  

 

 

 

SECTION 2.9 BENEFITS OF INDENTURE.

 

Nothing in this Indenture or in the Securities, express or implied, shall give or be construed to give to any Person, other than the parties hereto and the holders of the Securities any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under or in respect of this Indenture, or under any covenant, condition or provision herein contained; all such covenants, conditions and provisions being for the sole benefit of the parties hereto and of the holders of the Securities. 

 

SECTION 2.10 AUTHENTICATING AGENT.

 

So long as any of the Securities of any series remain Outstanding there may be an Authenticating Agent for any or all such series of Securities which the Trustee shall have the right to appoint. Said Authenticating Agent shall be authorized to act on behalf of the Trustee to authenticate Securities of such series issued upon exchange, transfer or partial redemption thereof, and Securities so authenticated shall be entitled to the benefits of this Indenture and shall be valid and obligatory for all purposes as if authenticated by the Trustee hereunder. All references in this Indenture to the authentication of Securities by the Trustee shall be deemed to include authentication by an Authenticating Agent for such series. Each Authenticating Agent shall be acceptable to the Company and shall be a corporation that has a combined capital and surplus, as most recently reported or determined by it, sufficient under the laws of any jurisdiction under which it is organized or in which it is doing business to conduct a trust business, and that is otherwise authorized under such laws to conduct such business and is subject to supervision or examination by federal or state authorities. If at any time any Authenticating Agent shall cease to be eligible in accordance with these provisions, it shall resign immediately.

 

Any Authenticating Agent may at any time resign by giving written notice of resignation to the Trustee and to the Company. The Trustee may at any time (and upon a Company Request shall) terminate the agency of any Authenticating Agent by giving written notice of termination to such Authenticating Agent and to the Company. Upon resignation, termination or cessation of eligibility of any Authenticating Agent, the Trustee may appoint an eligible successor Authenticating Agent acceptable to the Company. Any successor Authenticating Agent, upon acceptance of its appointment hereunder, shall become vested with all the rights, powers and duties of its predecessor hereunder as if originally named as an Authenticating Agent pursuant hereto. 

 

SECTION 2.11 GLOBAL SECURITIES.

 

(a)                  If the Company shall establish pursuant to Section 2.1 that the Securities of a particular series are to be issued as a Global Security, then the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall, in accordance with Section 2.4, authenticate and deliver, a Global Security that (i) shall represent, and shall be denominated in an amount equal to the aggregate principal amount of, all of the Outstanding Securities of such series, (ii) shall be registered in the name of the Depositary or its nominee, (iii) shall be delivered by the Trustee to the Depositary or pursuant to the Depositary’s instruction and (iv) shall bear a legend substantially to the following effect: “Except as otherwise provided in Section 2.11 of this Indenture, this Security may be transferred, in whole but not in part, only to another nominee of the Depositary or to a successor Depositary or to a nominee of such successor Depositary.”

 

(b)                  Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 2.5, the Global Security of a series may be transferred, in whole but not in part and in the manner provided in Section 2.5, only to another nominee of the Depositary for such series, or to a successor Depositary for such series selected or approved by the Company or to a nominee of such successor Depositary. Nothing in this Section 2.11(b) shall prohibit or render ineffective any transfer of a beneficial interest in a Global Security effected in accordance with the other provisions of this Indenture.

 

11  

 

 

(c)                  If at any time the Depositary for a series of the Securities notifies the Company that it is unwilling or unable to continue as Depositary for such series or if at any time the Depositary for such series shall no longer be registered or in good standing under the Exchange Act, or other applicable statute or regulation, and a successor Depositary for such series is not appointed by the Company within 90 days after the Company receives such notice or becomes aware of such condition, as the case may be, or if an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing and the Company has received a request from the Depositary, this Section 2.11 shall no longer be applicable to the Securities of such series and the Company will execute, and subject to Section 2.4, the Trustee will authenticate and deliver the Securities of such series in definitive registered form without coupons, in authorized denominations, and in an aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of the Global Security of such series in exchange for such Global Security. In addition, the Company may at any time determine that the Securities of any series shall no longer be represented by a Global Security and that the provisions of this Section 2.11 shall no longer apply to the Securities of such series. In such event the Company will execute and, subject to Section 2.4, the Trustee, upon receipt of an Officer’s Certificate evidencing such determination by the Company, will authenticate and deliver the Securities of such series in definitive registered form without coupons, in authorized denominations, and in an aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of the Global Security of such series in exchange for such Global Security. Upon the exchange of the Global Security for such Securities in definitive registered form without coupons, in authorized denominations, the Global Security shall be canceled by the Trustee. Such Securities in definitive registered form issued in exchange for the Global Security pursuant to this Section 2.11(c) shall be registered in such names and in such authorized denominations as the Depositary, pursuant to instructions from its direct or indirect participants or otherwise, shall instruct the Trustee. The Trustee shall deliver such Securities to the Persons in whose names such Securities are so registered. 

 

SECTION 2.12 CUSIP AND ISIN NUMBERS.

 

The Company, in issuing the Securities, shall use CUSIP and ISIN numbers for such Securities (if then generally in use). The Trustee shall use CUSIP and ISIN numbers in notices of redemption as a convenience to holders; provided, however, that neither the Company nor the Trustee shall have any responsibility for any defect in the CUSIP or ISIN number that appears on any Security, check, advice of payment or redemption notice, and any such notice may state that no representation is made as to the correctness of such numbers either as printed on the Securities or as contained in any notice of redemption and that reliance may be placed only on the other identification numbers printed on the Securities, and any such redemption shall not be affected by any defect in or omission of such numbers. The Company shall promptly notify the Trustee in writing in the event of any change in the CUSIP or ISIN numbers. 

 

ARTICLE III

REDEMPTION OF SECURITIES AND

SINKING FUND PROVISIONS

 

SECTION 3.1 REDEMPTION.

 

The Company may redeem the Securities of any series issued hereunder on and after the dates and in accordance with the terms established for such series pursuant to Section 2.1 hereof. The provisions of this Article III may be modified, amended or replaced, in part or in their entirety, with Securities of any series, by an Officer’s Certificate pursuant to a Board Resolution or one or more indentures supplemental hereto, in each case in accordance with Section 2.1 hereof. 

 

SECTION 3.2 NOTICE OF REDEMPTION.

 

(a)                  In case the Company shall desire to exercise such right to redeem all or, as the case may be, a portion of the Securities of any series in accordance with any right the Company reserved for itself to do so pursuant to Section 2.1 hereof, the Company shall, or shall cause the Trustee to, give notice of such redemption to holders of the Securities of such series to be redeemed by mailing, first class postage prepaid (or, in the case of Securities held in book-entry form, by electronic transmission), a notice of such redemption not less than 30 days and not more than 60 days (except in accordance with Articles XI and XII) before the date fixed for redemption of that series to such holders at their last addresses as they shall appear upon the Security Register, unless a shorter period is specified in the Securities to be redeemed. Any notice that is mailed in the manner herein provided shall be conclusively presumed to have been duly given, whether or not the registered holder receives the notice. In any case, failure duly to give such notice to the holder of any Security of any series designated for redemption in whole or in part, or any defect in the notice, shall not affect the validity of the proceedings for the redemption of any other Securities of such series or any other series. 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 an Officer’s Certificate evidencing compliance with any such restriction.

 

12  

 

 

Each such notice of redemption shall specify the date fixed for redemption and the redemption price at which Securities of that series are to be redeemed, and shall state that payment of the redemption price of such Securities to be redeemed will be made at the office or agency of the Paying Agent or as otherwise established in a Board Resolution or an indenture supplemental hereto, upon presentation and surrender of such Securities, that interest accrued to the date fixed for redemption will be paid as specified in said notice, that from and after said date interest will cease to accrue and that the redemption is from a sinking fund, if such is the case. If less than all the Securities of a series are to be redeemed, the notice to the holders of Securities of that series to be redeemed in part shall specify the particular Securities to be so redeemed.

 

In case any Security is to be redeemed in part only, the notice that relates to such Security 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, a new Security or Securities of such series in principal amount equal to the unredeemed portion thereof will be issued.

 

(b)                  If less than all the Securities of a series are to be redeemed, the Company shall give the Trustee at least 45 days’ notice (unless a shorter notice shall be satisfactory to the Trustee) in advance of the date fixed for redemption as to the aggregate principal amount of Securities of the series to be redeemed, and thereupon the Trustee shall select, (i) if the Securities are in the form of Global Securities, by lot, or otherwise in accordance with the procedures of the Depositary, or (ii) if the Securities are not in the form of Global Securities, by lot, a portion or portions (equal to one thousand U.S. dollars ($1,000) or any integral multiple thereof) of the principal amount of such Securities of a denomination larger than $2,000, the Securities to be redeemed and shall thereafter promptly notify the Company in writing of the numbers of the Securities to be redeemed, in whole or in part. The Company may, if and whenever it shall so elect, by delivery of instructions signed on its behalf by an Authorized Officer, instruct the Trustee or any Paying Agent to call all or any part of the Securities of a particular series for redemption and to give notice of redemption in the manner set forth in this Section, such notice to be in the name of the Company or its own name as the Trustee or such Paying Agent may deem advisable. In any case in which notice of redemption is to be given by the Trustee or any such Paying Agent, the Company shall deliver or cause to be delivered to, or permit to remain with, the Trustee or such Paying Agent, as the case may be, such Security Register, transfer books or other records, or suitable copies or extracts therefrom, sufficient to enable the Trustee or such Paying Agent to give any notice by mail that may be required under the provisions of this Section. 

 

SECTION 3.3 PAYMENT UPON REDEMPTION.

 

(a)                  If the giving of notice of redemption shall have been completed as above provided, the Securities or portions of Securities of the series to be redeemed specified in such notice shall become due and payable on the date and at the place stated in such notice at the applicable redemption price, together with interest accrued to the date fixed for redemption and interest on such Securities or portions of Securities shall cease to accrue on and after the date fixed for redemption, unless the Company shall default in the payment of such redemption price and accrued interest with respect to any such Security or portion thereof. On presentation and surrender of such Securities on or after the date fixed for redemption at the place of payment specified in the notice, said Securities shall be paid and redeemed at the applicable redemption price for such series, together with interest accrued thereon to the date fixed for redemption (but if the date fixed for redemption is an interest payment date, the interest installment payable on such date shall be payable to the registered holder at the close of business on the applicable record date pursuant to Section 2.3).

 

13  

 

 

(b)                  Upon presentation of any Security of such series that is to be redeemed in part only, the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and the office or agency where the Security is presented shall deliver to the holder thereof, at the expense of the Company, a new Security of the same series of authorized denominations in principal amount equal to the unredeemed portion of the Security so presented. 

 

SECTION 3.4 SINKING FUND.

 

If Securities of a series provide for a sinking fund as contemplated by Section 2.1, the provisions of this Section 3.4 and Sections 3.5 and 3.6 shall be applicable to any sinking fund for the retirement of Securities of a series, except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 2.1 for Securities of such series.

 

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 3.5. 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 3.5 SATISFACTION OF SINKING FUND PAYMENTS WITH SECURITIES.

 

The Company (i) may deliver Outstanding Securities of a series and (ii) may apply as a credit Securities of a series that 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 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 3.6 REDEMPTION OF SECURITIES FOR SINKING FUND.

 

Not less than 45 days prior to each sinking fund payment date for any series of Securities (unless a shorter period shall be satisfactory to the Trustee), the Company will deliver to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate specifying the amount of the next ensuing sinking fund payment for that series pursuant to the terms of the series, the portion thereof, if any, that is to be satisfied by delivering and crediting Securities of that series pursuant to Section 3.5 and the basis for such credit and will, together with such Officer’s Certificate, deliver to the Trustee any Securities 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 3.2 and cause notice of the redemption thereof to be given in the name of and at the expense of the Company in the manner provided in Section 3.2. Such notice having been duly given, the redemption of such Securities shall be made upon the terms and in the manner stated in Section 3.3. 

 

ARTICLE IV

COVENANTS

 

SECTION 4.1 PAYMENT OF PRINCIPAL, PREMIUM AND INTEREST.

 

The Company will duly and punctually pay or cause to be paid the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on the Securities of that series at the time and place and in the manner provided herein and established with respect to such Securities. Payments of principal on the Securities may be made at the time provided herein and established with respect to such Securities by U.S. dollar check drawn on and mailed to the address of the Securityholder entitled thereto as such address shall appear in the Security Register, or U.S. dollar wire transfer to, a U.S. dollar account (such a wire transfer to be made only to a Securityholder of an aggregate principal amount of Securities of the applicable series in excess of U.S. $2,000,000 and only if such Securityholder shall have furnished wire instructions to the Trustee no later than 15 days prior to the relevant payment date). Payments of interest on the Securities may be made at the time provided herein and established with respect to such Securities by U.S. dollar check mailed to the address of the Securityholder entitled thereto as such address shall appear in the Security Register, or U.S. dollar wire transfer to, a U.S. dollar account (such a wire transfer to be made only to a Securityholder of an aggregate principal amount of Securities of the applicable series in excess of U.S. $2,000,000 and only if such Securityholder shall have furnished wire instructions in writing to the Security Registrar and the Trustee no later than 15 days prior to the relevant payment date).

 

14  

 

  

SECTION 4.2 PAYING AGENT AND SECURITY REGISTRAR.

 

(a)                  So long as any series of the Securities remain Outstanding, the Company shall maintain an office or agency where Securities may be presented for registration of transfer or for exchange (“ Security Registrar ”), an office or agency where Securities may be presented for payment (“ Paying Agent ”) and an office or agency where notices to or upon the Company in respect of the Securities and this Indenture may be served. The Security Registrar shall keep a register for the recordation of, and shall record, the names and addresses of holders of the Securities, the Securities held by each holder and the transfer and exchange of Securities (the “ Security Register ”). The entries in the Security Register shall be conclusive, and the parties may treat each Person whose name is recorded in the Security Register pursuant to the terms hereof as a holder hereunder for all purposes of this Indenture. The Company may have one or more co-Security Registrars and one or more additional Paying Agents.

 

The Company hereby initially designates the Trustee as Paying Agent and Security Registrar, and the Corporate Trust Office shall be considered as one such office or agency of the Company for each of the aforesaid purposes, such designation to continue with respect to such office or agency until the Company shall, by written notice signed by an Authorized Officer and delivered to the Trustee, designate some other office or agency for such purposes or any of them.

 

(b)                  The Company shall enter into an appropriate agency agreement with any Security Registrar, Paying Agent, or co-registrar not a party to this Indenture, which shall incorporate the terms of the Trust Indenture Act. The agreement shall implement the provisions of this Indenture that relate to such agent. The Company shall notify the Trustee in writing of the name and address of any such agent. If the Company fails to maintain a Security Registrar or Paying Agent, the Trustee shall act as such and shall be entitled to appropriate compensation therefor. The Company and any of its Subsidiaries may act as Paying Agent, Security Registrar or co-registrar.

 

(c)                  If the Company shall appoint one or more Paying Agents for all or any series of the Securities, other than the Trustee, the Company will cause each such Paying Agent to execute and deliver to the Trustee an instrument in which such agent shall agree with the Trustee, subject to the provisions of this Section:

 

(1)                  that it will hold all sums held by it as such agent for the payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) or interest on the Securities of that series (whether such sums have been paid to it by the Company or by any other obligor of such Securities) in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled thereto;

 

(2)                  that it will give the Trustee notice of any failure by the Company (or by any other obligor of such Securities) to make any payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) or interest on the Securities of that series when the same shall be due and payable;

 

(3)                  that it will, at any time during the continuance of any failure referred to in the preceding paragraph (a)(2) above, upon the written request of the Trustee, forthwith pay to the Trustee all sums so held in trust by such Paying Agent; and

 

(4)                  that it will perform all other duties of Paying Agent as set forth in this Indenture.

 

(d)                  If the Company shall act as its own Paying Agent with respect to any series of the Securities, it will on or before each due date of the principal of (and premium, if any) or interest on Securities of that series, set aside, segregate and hold in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled thereto a sum sufficient to pay such principal (and premium, if any) or interest so becoming due on Securities of that series until such sums shall be paid to such Persons or otherwise disposed of as herein provided and will promptly notify the Trustee of such action, or any failure (by it or any other obligor on such Securities) to take such action. Whenever the Company shall have one or more Paying Agents for any series of Securities, it will, prior to each due date of the principal of (and premium, if any) or interest on any Securities of that series, deposit with the 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 this action or failure so to act.

 

15  

 

 

(e)                  Notwithstanding anything in this Section to the contrary, the Company may at any time, for the purpose of obtaining the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture or for any other purpose, pay, or 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 terms and conditions as those upon which such sums were held by the Company or such Paying Agent; and, upon such payment by the Company or any Paying Agent to the Trustee, the Company or such Paying Agent shall be released from all further liability with respect to such money. 

 

SECTION 4.3 APPOINTMENT TO FILL VACANCY IN OFFICE OF TRUSTEE.

 

The Company, whenever necessary to avoid or fill a vacancy in the office of Trustee, will appoint, in the manner provided in Section 7.10, a Trustee, so that there shall at all times be a Trustee hereunder. 

 

SECTION 4.4 COMPLIANCE WITH CONSOLIDATION PROVISIONS.

 

The Company will not, while any of the Securities remain Outstanding, consolidate with or merge into any other Person, in either case where the Company is not the survivor of such transaction, or sell or convey all or substantially all of its property to any other Person unless the provisions of Article X hereof are complied with. 

 

ARTICLE V

SECURITYHOLDERS’ LISTS AND REPORTS BY

THE COMPANY AND THE TRUSTEE

 

SECTION 5.1 COMPANY TO FURNISH TRUSTEE NAMES AND ADDRESSES OF SECURITYHOLDERS.

 

The Company will furnish or cause to be furnished to the Trustee (a) on each regular record date (as defined in Section 2.3) a list, in such form as the Trustee may reasonably require, of the names and addresses of the holders of each series of Securities as of such regular record date, provided that the Company shall not be obligated to furnish or cause to furnish such list at any time that the list shall not differ in any respect from the most recent list furnished to the Trustee by the Company and (b) at such other times as the Trustee may request in writing within 30 days after the receipt by the Company of any such request, a list of similar form and content as of a date not more than 15 days prior to the time such list is furnished; provided, however, that, in either case, no such list need be furnished for any series for which the Trustee shall be the Security Registrar.

 

SECTION 5.2 PRESERVATION OF INFORMATION; COMMUNICATIONS WITH SECURITYHOLDERS.

 

(a)                  The Trustee shall preserve in as current a form as is reasonably practicable the most recent list available to it of the names and addresses of the Securityholders of each series of Securities and shall otherwise comply with Section 312(a) of the Trust Indenture Act. If the Trustee is not the Security Registrar, the Company shall furnish to the Trustee at least ten (10) days before each interest payment date with respect to any series of Securities and at such other times as the Trustee may request in writing a list, in such form and as of such date as the Trustee may reasonably require, of the names and addresses of the Securityholders of such series of Securities, which list may be conclusively relied upon by the Trustee.

 

16  

 

 

(b)                  Securityholders of any series may communicate pursuant to Section 312(b) of the Trust Indenture Act with other Securityholders of that series or any other series with respect to their rights under this Indenture or the Securities of that series or any other series.

 

(c)                  The Company, the Trustee, the Security Registrar and any other Person shall have the protection of Section 312(c) of the Trust Indenture Act. 

 

SECTION 5.3 REPORTS BY THE COMPANY.

 

(a)                  So long as any Security is Outstanding, the Company shall furnish a copy to the Trustee, within 15 days after the Company files 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) that the Company files with the Commission pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act; provided, however, the Company shall not be required to deliver to the Trustee any materials for which the Company has sought and received confidential treatment by the Commission; and provided further, so long as such filings by the Company are available on the Commission’s Electronic Data Gathering, Analysis and Retrieval System (EDGAR), such filings shall be deemed to have been furnished to the Trustee for purposes of this Section 5.3 without any further action required by the Company. The Trustee shall have no obligation whatsoever to determine whether or not such filings have been made.

 

(b)                  Delivery of such reports, information and documents to the Trustee shall be for informational purposes only and the Trustee’s receipt of such shall not constitute constructive notice of any information contained therein or determinable from information contained therein, including the Company’s compliance with any of the covenants contained in this Indenture (as to which the Trustee is entitled to conclusively rely upon an Officer’s Certificate). 

 

SECTION 5.4 REPORTS BY THE TRUSTEE.

 

(a)                  The Trustee shall transmit to the Securityholders such reports concerning the Trustee and its actions under this Indenture as may be required pursuant to the Trust Indenture Act at the time and in the manner provided pursuant thereto. If required by Section 313(a) of the Trust Indenture Act, the Trustee shall, within 60 days after each May 15 following the date of this Indenture, deliver to holders a brief report, dated as of such May 15, which complies with the provisions of such Section 313(a).

 

(b)                  The Trustee shall comply with Section 313(b) and 313(c) of the Trust Indenture Act.

 

(c)                  A copy of each such report shall, at the time of such transmission to Securityholders, be filed by the Trustee with the Company, with each securities exchange upon which any Securities are listed (if so listed) and also with the Commission. The Company agrees to notify the Trustee when any Securities become listed on any securities exchange.

 

 

ARTICLE VI

REMEDIES OF THE TRUSTEE AND SECURITYHOLDERS

ON EVENT OF DEFAULT

 

SECTION 6.1 EVENTS OF DEFAULT.

 

(a)                  Whenever used herein with respect to Securities of a particular series, unless otherwise specified in a Board Resolution or in an indenture supplemental hereto, “ Event of Default ” means any one or more of the following events that has occurred and is continuing:

 

17  

 

 

(1)                  the Company defaults in the payment of any installment of interest upon any of the Securities of that series, as and when the same shall become due and payable, and such default continues for a period of 30 days; provided, however, that a valid extension of an interest payment period by the Company in accordance with the terms of any Board Resolution or indenture supplemental hereto shall not constitute a default in the payment of interest for this purpose;

 

(2)                  the Company defaults in the payment of the principal of (or premium, if any, on) any of the Securities of that series as and when the same shall become due and payable whether at maturity, upon redemption, by declaration or otherwise, or in any payment required by any sinking or analogous fund established with respect to that series; provided, however, that a valid extension of the maturity of such Securities in accordance with the terms of any Board Resolution or indenture supplemental hereto shall not constitute a default in the payment of principal or premium, if any;

 

(3)                  the Company defaults in the performance or breach of its covenants or agreements with respect to that series contained in this Indenture or otherwise established with respect to that series of Securities pursuant to Section 2.1 hereof (other than a covenant or agreement that has been expressly included in this Indenture solely for the benefit of one or more series of Securities other than such series) for a period of 90 consecutive days after the date on which written notice of such failure, requiring the same to be remedied and stating that such notice is a “ Notice of Default ” hereunder, shall have been given to the Company by the Trustee, by registered or certified mail, or to the Company and the Trustee by the holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the Securities of that series at the time Outstanding;

 

(4)                  the Company pursuant to or within the meaning of any Bankruptcy Law (i) commences a voluntary case, (ii) consents to the entry of an order for relief against it in an involuntary case, (iii) consents to the appointment of a Custodian of it or for all or substantially all of its property or (iv) makes a general assignment for the benefit of its creditors;

 

(5)                  a court of competent jurisdiction enters an order under any Bankruptcy Law that (i) is for relief against the Company in an involuntary case, (ii) appoints a Custodian of the Company for all or substantially all of its property or (iii) orders the liquidation of the Company, and the order or decree remains unstayed and in effect for 60 consecutive days; or

 

(6)                  certain other specified events, as may be provided for in a Board Resolution or in a supplemental indenture.

 

(b)                  In each and every such case (other than an Event of Default specified in clause (4) or clause (5) above), unless the principal of all the Securities of that series shall have already become due and payable, either the Trustee or the holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of that series then Outstanding hereunder, by notice in writing to the Company (and to the Trustee if given by such Securityholders), may, and the Trustee at the request of the holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of that series then outstanding hereunder shall, declare the principal of (and premium, if any, on) and accrued and unpaid interest on all the Securities of that series to be due and payable immediately, and upon any such declaration the same shall become and shall be immediately due and payable. If an Event of Default specified in clause (4) or clause (5) above occurs, the principal of and accrued and unpaid interest on all the Securities of that series shall automatically be immediately due and payable without any declaration or other act on the part of the Trustee or the holders of the Securities.

 

(c)                  At any time after the principal of (and premium, if any, on) and accrued and unpaid interest on the Securities of that series shall have been so declared due and payable, and before any judgment or decree for the payment of the moneys due shall have been obtained or entered as hereinafter provided, the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of that series then Outstanding hereunder, by written notice to the Company and the Trustee, may rescind and annul such declaration and its consequences if: (i) the Company has paid or deposited with the Trustee a sum sufficient to pay all matured installments of interest upon all the Securities of that series and the principal of (and premium, if any, on) any and all Securities of that series that shall have become due otherwise than by acceleration (with interest upon such principal and premium, if any, and, to the extent that such payment is enforceable under applicable law, upon overdue installments of interest, at the rate per annum expressed in the Securities of that series to the date of such payment or deposit) and the amount payable to the Trustee under Section 7.6, and (ii) any and all Events of Default under this Indenture with respect to such series, other than the nonpayment of principal of (and premium, if any, on) and accrued and unpaid interest on Securities of that series that shall not have become due by their terms, shall have been remedied or waived as provided in Section 6.6.

 

18  

 

 

No such rescission and annulment shall extend to or shall affect any subsequent default or impair any right consequent thereon.

 

(d)                  In case the Trustee shall have proceeded to enforce any right with respect to Securities of that series under this Indenture and such proceedings shall have been discontinued or abandoned because of such rescission or annulment or for any other reason or shall have been determined adversely to the Trustee, then and in every such case, subject to any determination in such proceedings, the Company and the Trustee shall be restored respectively to their former positions and rights hereunder, and all rights, remedies and powers of the Company and the Trustee shall continue as though no such proceedings had been taken. 

 

SECTION 6.2 COLLECTION OF INDEBTEDNESS AND SUITS FOR ENFORCEMENT BY TRUSTEE.

 

(a)                  The Company covenants that (i) in case it shall default in the payment of any installment of interest on any of the Securities of a series, and such default shall have continued for a period of 30 days, or (ii) in case it shall default in the payment of the principal of (or premium, if any, on) any of the Securities of a series when the same shall have become due and payable, whether upon maturity of the Securities of a series or upon redemption or upon declaration or otherwise, or in any payment required by any sinking or analogous fund established with respect to that series as and when the same shall have become due and payable, then, upon demand of the Trustee, the Company will pay to the Trustee, for the benefit of the holders of the Securities of that series, the whole amount that then shall have been become due and payable on all such Securities for principal (and premium, if any) or interest, or both, as the case may be, with interest upon the overdue principal (and premium, if any) and (to the extent that payment of such interest is enforceable under applicable law) upon overdue installments of interest at the rate per annum expressed in the Securities of that series; and, in addition thereto, such further amount as shall be sufficient to cover the costs and expenses of collection, and the amount payable to the Trustee under Section 7.6.

 

(b)                  If the Company shall fail to pay such amounts forthwith upon such demand, the Trustee, in its own name and as trustee of an express trust, shall be entitled and empowered to institute any action or proceeding at law or in equity for the collection of the sums so due and unpaid, and may prosecute any such action or proceeding to judgment or final decree, and may enforce any such judgment or final decree against the Company or other obligor upon the Securities of that series and collect the moneys adjudged or decreed to be payable in the manner provided by law or equity out of the property of the Company or other obligor upon the Securities of that series, wherever situated.

 

(c)                  In case of any receivership, insolvency, liquidation, bankruptcy, reorganization, readjustment, arrangement, composition or judicial proceedings affecting the Company, or its creditors or property, the Trustee shall have power to intervene in such proceedings and take any action therein that may be permitted by the court and shall (except as may be otherwise provided by law) be entitled to file such proofs of claim and other papers and documents as may be necessary or advisable in order to have the claims of the Trustee and of the holders of Securities of such series allowed for the entire amount due and payable by the Company under this Indenture at the date of institution of such proceedings and for any additional amount that may become due and payable by the Company after such date, and to collect and receive any moneys or other property payable or deliverable on any such claim, and to distribute the same after the deduction of the amount payable to the Trustee under Section 7.6; and any receiver, assignee or trustee in bankruptcy or reorganization is hereby authorized by each of the holders of Securities of such series to make such payments to the Trustee, and, in the event that the Trustee shall consent to the making of such payments directly to such Securityholders, to pay to the Trustee any amount due it under Section 7.6.

 

(d)                  All rights of action and of asserting claims under this Indenture, or under any of the terms established with respect to Securities of that series, may be enforced by the Trustee without the possession of any of such Securities, or the production thereof at any trial or other proceeding relative thereto, and any such suit or 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 payment to the Trustee of any amounts due under Section 7.6, be for the ratable benefit of the holders of the Securities of such series.

 

19  

 

 

In case of an Event of Default hereunder, the Trustee may in its discretion proceed to protect and enforce the rights vested in it by this Indenture by such appropriate judicial proceedings as the Trustee shall deem most effectual to protect and enforce any of such rights, either at law or in equity or in bankruptcy or otherwise, whether for the specific enforcement of any covenant or agreement contained in this Indenture or in aid of the exercise of any power granted in this Indenture, or to enforce any other legal or equitable right vested in the Trustee by this Indenture or by law.

 

Nothing contained herein shall be deemed to authorize the Trustee to authorize or consent to or accept or adopt on behalf of any Securityholder any plan of reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition affecting the Securities of that series or the rights of any holder thereof or to authorize the Trustee to vote in respect of the claim of any Securityholder in any such proceeding. 

 

SECTION 6.3 APPLICATION OF MONEYS COLLECTED.

 

Any moneys collected by the Trustee pursuant to this Article VI with respect to a particular series of Securities shall be applied in the following order, at the date or dates fixed by the Trustee and, in case of the distribution of such moneys on account of principal (or premium, if any) or interest, upon presentation of the Securities of that series, and notation thereon of the payment, if only partially paid, and upon surrender thereof if fully paid:

 

FIRST: To the payment of reasonable costs and expenses of collection and of all amounts payable to the Trustee under Section 7.6;

 

SECOND: To the payment to holders of Securities of the amounts then due and unpaid upon Securities of such series for principal (and premium, if any), amounts payable upon redemption or repurchase of the Securities, and interest, in respect of which or for the benefit of which such money has been collected, ratably, without preference or priority of any kind, according to the amounts due and payable on such Securities for principal (and premium, if any) and interest, respectively; and

 

THIRD: To the payment of the remainder, if any, to the Company or any other Person lawfully entitled thereto.

 

The Trustee may fix a record date and payment date for any payment to holders pursuant to this Section 6.3. At least 15 days before such record date, the Company shall mail to each holder and the Trustee a notice that states the record date, the payment date and the amount to be paid. 

 

SECTION 6.4 LIMITATION ON SUITS.

 

No holder of any Security of any series shall have any right by virtue or by availing of any provision of this Indenture to institute any suit, action or proceeding in equity or at law upon or under or with respect to this Indenture or for the appointment of a receiver or trustee, or for any other remedy hereunder, unless (i) such holder previously shall have given to the Trustee written notice of an Event of Default and of the continuance thereof with respect to the Securities of such series specifying such Event of Default, as hereinbefore provided; (ii) the holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of such series then Outstanding shall have made written request upon the Trustee to institute such action, suit or proceeding in its own name as Trustee hereunder; (iii) such holder or holders shall have offered to the Trustee such indemnity reasonably satisfactory to it against the costs, losses, expenses and liabilities to be incurred therein or thereby; (iv) the Trustee for 60 days after its receipt of such notice, request and offer of indemnity, shall have failed to institute any such action, suit or proceeding and (v) during such 60 day period, the holders of a majority in principal amount of the Securities of that series do not give the Trustee a direction inconsistent with the request.

 

20  

 

 

Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary or any other provisions of this Indenture, the right of any holder of any Security to receive payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on such Security, as therein provided, on or after the respective due dates expressed in such Security (or in the case of redemption, on the redemption date), or to institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment on or after such respective dates or redemption date, shall not be impaired or affected without the consent of such holder and by accepting a Security hereunder it is expressly understood, intended and covenanted by the taker and holder of every Security of such series with every other such taker and holder and the Trustee, that no one or more holders of Securities of such series shall have any right in any manner whatsoever by virtue or by availing of any provision of this Indenture to affect, disturb or prejudice the rights of the holders of any other of such Securities, or to obtain or seek to obtain priority over or preference to any other such holder, or to enforce any right under this Indenture, except in the manner herein provided and for the equal, ratable and common benefit of all holders of Securities of such series (it being understood that the Trustee does not have an affirmative duty to ascertain whether or not such actions or forbearances are unduly prejudicial to such holders). For the protection and enforcement of the provisions of this Section, each and every Securityholder and the Trustee shall be entitled to such relief as can be given either at law or in equity. 

 

SECTION 6.5 RIGHTS AND REMEDIES CUMULATIVE; DELAY OR OMISSION NOT WAIVER.

 

(a)                  Except as otherwise provided in Section 2.7, all powers and remedies given by this Article VI to the Trustee or to the Securityholders shall, to the extent permitted by law, be deemed cumulative and not exclusive of any other powers and remedies available to the Trustee or the holders of the Securities, by judicial proceedings or otherwise, to enforce the performance or observance of the covenants and agreements contained in this Indenture or otherwise established with respect to such Securities.

 

(b)                  No delay or omission of the Trustee or of any holder of any of the Securities to exercise any right or power accruing upon any Event of Default occurring and continuing as aforesaid shall impair any such right or power, or shall be construed to be a waiver of any such default or an acquiescence therein; and, subject to the provisions of Section 6.4, every power and remedy given by this Article VI or by law to the Trustee or the Securityholders may be exercised from time to time, and as often as shall be deemed expedient, by the Trustee or by the Securityholders. 

 

SECTION 6.6 CONTROL BY SECURITYHOLDERS.

 

The holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of any series at the time Outstanding, determined in accordance with Section 8.4, 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 such series; provided, however, that such direction shall not be in conflict with any rule of law or with this Indenture. Subject to the provisions of Section 7.1, the Trustee shall have the right to decline to follow any such direction if the Trustee in good faith shall, by a Trust Officer or officers of the Trustee, determine that the proceeding so directed, subject to the Trustee’s duties under the Trust Indenture Act, would involve the Trustee in personal liability or might be unduly prejudicial to the Securityholders not involved in the proceeding. The holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of any series at the time Outstanding affected thereby, determined in accordance with Section 8.4, may on behalf of the holders of all of the Securities of such series waive any past default in the performance of any of the covenants contained herein or established pursuant to Section 2.1 with respect to such series and its consequences, except a default in the payment of the principal of, or premium, if any, or interest on, any of the Securities of that series as and when the same shall become due by the terms of such Securities otherwise than by acceleration (unless such default has been cured and a sum sufficient to pay all matured installments of interest and principal and any premium has been deposited with the Trustee (in accordance with Section 6.1(c)), which requires the consent of each holder affected by such waiver. Upon any such waiver, the default covered thereby shall be deemed to be cured for all purposes of this Indenture and the Company, the Trustee and the holders of the Securities of such series shall be restored to their former positions and rights hereunder, respectively; but no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other default or impair any right consequent thereon. 

 

21  

 

 

SECTION 6.7 UNDERTAKING TO PAY COSTS.

 

All parties to this Indenture agree, and each holder of any Securities by such holder’s acceptance thereof shall be deemed to have agreed, that any court may in its discretion require, in any suit for the enforcement of any right or remedy under this Indenture, or in any suit against the Trustee for any action taken or omitted by it as Trustee, the filing by any party litigant in such suit of an undertaking to pay the costs of such suit, and that such court may in its discretion assess reasonable costs, including reasonable attorneys’ fees, against any party litigant in such suit, having due regard to the merits and good faith of the claims or defenses made by such party litigant; but the provisions of this Section shall not apply to any suit instituted by the Trustee, to any suit instituted by any Securityholder, or group of Securityholders, holding more than 10% in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of any series, or to any suit instituted by any Securityholder for the enforcement of the payment of the principal of (or premium, if any) or interest on any Security of such series, on or after the respective due dates expressed in such Security or established pursuant to this Indenture.

 

 

ARTICLE VII

CONCERNING THE TRUSTEE

 

SECTION 7.1 CERTAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF TRUSTEE.

 

(a)                  The Trustee, prior to the occurrence of an Event of Default with respect to the Securities of a series and after the curing of all Events of Default with respect to the Securities of that series that may have occurred, shall undertake to perform with respect to the Securities of such series such duties and only such duties as are specifically set forth in this Indenture, and no implied covenants shall be read into this Indenture against the Trustee. In case an Event of Default with respect to the Securities of a series has occurred (that has not been cured or waived), the Trustee shall exercise with respect to Securities of that series such of the rights and powers vested in it by this Indenture, and use the same degree of care and skill in their exercise, as a prudent person would exercise or use under the circumstances in the conduct of his or her own affairs. Except during the continuance of an Event of Default with respect to the Securities of a series, in the absence of bad faith on its part, the Trustee may with respect to the Securities of such series 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 stated therein).

 

(b)                  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 (b) shall not be construed to limit the effect of subsection (a) of this Section;

 

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

 

(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 not less than a majority in principal amount of the Securities of any series at the time Outstanding 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 that series; and

 

(iv)                None of the provisions contained in this Indenture shall require the Trustee to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise incur personal financial liability in the performance of any of its duties or in the exercise of any of its rights or powers if there is reasonable ground for believing that the repayment of such funds or liability is not reasonably assured to it under the terms of this Indenture or adequate indemnity against such risk is not reasonably assured to it.

 

22  

 

 

(c)                  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 7.2 CERTAIN RIGHTS OF TRUSTEE.

 

Except as otherwise provided in Section 7.1:

 

(a)                  The Trustee may conclusively rely and shall be fully protected in acting or refraining from acting upon any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, consent, order, approval, bond, security or other paper or document believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper party or parties;

 

(b)                  Any request, direction, order or demand of the Company mentioned herein shall be sufficiently evidenced by a Board Resolution or an instrument signed in the name of the Company by any authorized officer of the Company (unless other evidence in respect thereof is specifically prescribed herein);

 

(c)                  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 or suffered or omitted hereunder in good faith and in reliance thereon;

 

(d)                  The Trustee shall be under no obligation to exercise any of the rights or powers vested in it by this Indenture at the request, order or direction of any of the Securityholders pursuant to the provisions of this Indenture, unless such Securityholders shall have offered to the Trustee security or indemnity reasonably satisfactory to it against the costs, losses, expenses and liabilities that may be incurred therein or thereby; nothing contained herein shall, however, relieve the Trustee of the obligation, upon the occurrence of an Event of Default with respect to a series of the Securities (that has not been cured or waived), to exercise with respect to Securities of that series such of the rights and powers vested in it by this Indenture, and to use the same degree of care and skill in their exercise, as a prudent person would exercise or use under the circumstances in the conduct of his or her own affairs;

 

(e)                  The Trustee shall not be liable for any action taken or omitted to be taken 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;

 

(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, consent, order, approval, bond, security, or other papers or documents, unless requested in writing so to do by the holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of the particular series affected thereby (determined as provided in Section 8.4), and, if so requested, except as otherwise prohibited by applicable law or as would reasonably be expected to violate or result in the loss or impairment of any attorney-client or work product privilege, the Trustee shall be entitled to examine the books, records, and premises of the Company, personally or by agent, or attorney, and it shall incur no liability or additional liability of any kind by reason of such inquiry or investigation; provided, however, that the Company shall not be required to provide access or furnish information in the event of any litigation involving this Indenture or the Securities except pursuant to applicable rules of discovery; and provided, further, that if the payment within a reasonable time to the Trustee of the costs, expenses or liabilities likely to be incurred by it in the making of such investigation is, in the opinion of the Trustee, not reasonably assured to the Trustee by the security afforded to it by the terms of this Indenture, the Trustee may require reasonable indemnity against such costs, expenses or liabilities as a condition to so proceeding. The reasonable expense of every such examination shall be paid by the Company or, if paid by the Trustee, shall be repaid by the Company upon demand;

 

(g)                  The Trustee may execute any of the trusts or powers hereunder or perform any duties hereunder either directly or by or through agents or attorneys and the Trustee shall not be responsible for any misconduct or negligence on the part of any agent or attorney appointed with due care by it hereunder;

 

23  

 

 

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

 

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

 

(j)                   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;

 

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

 

(l)                   The Trustee shall not be liable for the acts or omissions of any other agent of the Company, and may assume performance by any such agent of its duties, absent written notice or actual knowledge to the contrary; and

 

(m)                 The permissive right of the Trustee to take the actions permitted by this Indenture shall not be construed as an obligation or duty to do so. 

 

SECTION 7.3 TRUSTEE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR RECITALS OR ISSUANCE OR SECURITIES.

 

(a)                  The recitals contained herein and in the Securities shall be taken as the statements of the Company, and the Trustee assumes no responsibility for the correctness of the same.

 

(b)                  The Trustee makes no representations as to the validity or sufficiency of this Indenture or of the Securities.

 

(c)                  The Trustee shall not be accountable for the use or application by the Company of any of the Securities or of the proceeds of such Securities, or for the use or application of any moneys paid over by the Trustee in accordance with any provision of this Indenture or established pursuant to Section 2.1, or for the use or application of any moneys received by any Paying Agent other than the Trustee. 

 

SECTION 7.4 MAY HOLD SECURITIES AND OTHERWISE DEAL WITH THE COMPANY.

 

Subject to the Trust Indenture Act, the Trustee, the Security Registrar, any Paying Agent or any other agent of the Company, in its individual or any other capacity, may buy, own, hold, sell and become the pledgee of any of the Securities or any other evidences of indebtedness or other securities, whether heretofore or hereafter created or issued, of the Company or any Subsidiary or Affiliate of the Company with the same rights it would have if it were not Trustee, Security Registrar, Paying Agent or such other agent; and the Trustee may engage or be interested in any financial or other transaction with the Company or any Subsidiary or Affiliate of the Company, including, without limitation, secured and unsecured loans to the Company or any Subsidiary or Affiliate of the Company; and may maintain any and all other general banking and business relations with the Company and any Subsidiary or Affiliate of the Company with like effect and in the same manner and to the same extent as if the Trustee were not a party to this Indenture; and no implied covenant shall be read into this Indenture against the Trustee in respect of any such matters.

 

24  

 

 

SECTION 7.5 MONEYS HELD IN TRUST.

 

Subject to the provisions of Sections 11.2, 12.5, 12.6 and 12.7, all moneys received by the Trustee shall, until used or applied as herein provided, be held in trust for the purposes for which they were received, but need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law. The Trustee shall be under no liability for interest on any moneys received by it hereunder except such as it may agree with the Company to pay thereon. 

 

SECTION 7.6 COMPENSATION AND REIMBURSEMENT.

 

(a)                  The Company covenants and agrees to pay to the Trustee, and the Trustee shall be entitled to, such compensation (which shall not be limited by any provision of law in regard to the compensation of a trustee of an express trust) as the Company and the Trustee may from time to time agree in writing, for all services rendered by it in the execution of the trusts hereby created and in the exercise and performance of any of the powers and duties hereunder of the Trustee, and, except as otherwise expressly provided herein, the Company will pay or reimburse the Trustee upon its request for all reasonable expenses, disbursements and advances incurred or made by the Trustee in accordance with any of the provisions of this Indenture (including the reasonable compensation and the expenses and disbursements of its counsel and of all Persons not regularly in its employ), except any such expense, disbursement or advance as may arise from its negligence or willful misconduct and except as the Company and Trustee may from time to time agree in writing. The Company also covenants to indemnify the Trustee (and its officers, agents, directors and employees) for, and to hold it harmless against, any loss, costs, damages, liability or expense incurred without negligence or willful misconduct on the part of the Trustee (as determined by a court of competent jurisdiction in a final and non-appealable judgment) and arising out of or in connection with the acceptance or administration of this trust, including the reasonable costs and expenses of defending itself against any claim of liability in the premises.

 

(b)                  To secure the Company’s payment obligations in this Section 7.6, the Trustee shall have a lien prior to the Securities of any series on all money or property held or collected by the Trustee, except that held in trust to pay principal of and interest on particular Securities of such series.

 

When the Trustee incurs expenses or renders services after an Event of Default specified in Section 6.1(a)(4) or 6.1(a)(5) occurs, the expenses and the compensation for the services are intended to constitute expenses of administration under any Bankruptcy Law.

 

The provisions of this Section 7.6 shall survive the resignation or removal of the Trustee and the termination or satisfaction of this Indenture. 

 

SECTION 7.7 RELIANCE ON OFFICER’S CERTIFICATE.

 

Except as otherwise provided in Section 7.1, whenever in the administration of the provisions of this Indenture the Trustee shall deem it reasonably necessary or desirable that a matter be proved or established prior to taking or suffering or omitting to take any action hereunder, such matter (unless other evidence in respect thereof be herein specifically prescribed) may, in the absence of negligence or willful misconduct on the part of the Trustee, be deemed to be conclusively proved and established by an Officer’s Certificate delivered to the Trustee and such certificate, in the absence of negligence or willful misconduct on the part of the Trustee, shall be full warrant to the Trustee for any action taken, suffered or omitted to be taken by it under the provisions of this Indenture upon the faith thereof. 

 

SECTION 7.8 DISQUALIFICATION; CONFLICTING INTERESTS.

 

If the Trustee has or shall acquire any “conflicting interest” within the meaning of Section 310(b) of the Trust Indenture Act, the Trustee and the Company shall in all respects comply with the provisions of Section 310(b) of the Trust Indenture Act.

 

25  

 

 

 

SECTION 7.9 CORPORATE TRUSTEE REQUIRED; ELIGIBILITY.

 

There shall at all times be a Trustee with respect to the Securities issued hereunder which shall at all times be a corporation organized and doing business under the laws of the U.S. or any state or territory thereof or of the District of Columbia, or a corporation or other Person permitted to act as trustee by the Commission, authorized under such laws to exercise corporate trust powers, having (or, in the case of a subsidiary of a bank holding company, its bank holding company parent shall have) a combined capital and surplus of at least one hundred million U.S. dollars ($100,000,000), and subject to supervision or examination by federal, state, territorial, or District of Columbia authority.

 

  If such corporation or other Person publishes reports of condition at least annually, pursuant to law or to the requirements of the aforesaid supervising or examining authority, then for the purposes of this Section, the combined capital and surplus of such corporation or other Person shall be deemed to be its combined capital and surplus as set forth in its most recent report of condition so published. The Company may not, nor may any Person directly or indirectly controlling, controlled by, or under common control with the Company, serve as Trustee. In case at any time the Trustee shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the provisions of this Section, the Trustee shall resign immediately in the manner and with the effect specified in Section 7.10. 

 

SECTION 7.10 RESIGNATION AND REMOVAL; APPOINTMENT OF SUCCESSOR.

 

(a)                  The Trustee or any successor hereafter appointed may at any time resign with respect to the Securities of one or more series by giving written notice thereof to the Company and by transmitting notice of resignation by mail, first class postage prepaid (or, in the case of Securities held in book-entry form, by electronic transmission), to the Securityholders of such series, as their names and addresses appear upon the Security Register. Upon receiving such notice of resignation, the Company shall promptly appoint a successor trustee with respect to Securities of such series by written instrument, in duplicate, executed by order of the Board of Directors, one copy of which instrument shall be delivered to the resigning Trustee and one copy to the successor trustee. If no successor trustee shall have been so appointed and have accepted appointment within 30 days after the mailing of such notice of resignation, the resigning Trustee may at the expense of the Company, petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor trustee with respect to Securities of such series, or the holders of at least 10% in the aggregate principal amount of Outstanding Securities may petition any such court for the appointment of a successor trustee. Such court may thereupon after such notice, if any, as it may deem proper and prescribe, appoint a successor trustee.

 

(b)                  In case at any time any one of the following shall occur:

 

(i)                    the Trustee shall fail to comply with the provisions of Section 7.8 after written request therefor by the Company or by any Securityholder who has been a bona fide holder of a Security or Securities for at least six months; or

 

(ii)                  the Trustee shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the provisions of Section 7.9 and shall fail to resign after written request therefor by the Company or by any such Securityholder; or

 

(iii)                 the Trustee shall become incapable of acting, or shall be adjudged a bankrupt or insolvent, or commence a voluntary bankruptcy proceeding, or a receiver of the Trustee or of its property shall be appointed or consented to, 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, the Company may remove the Trustee with respect to all Securities and appoint a successor trustee by written instrument, in duplicate, executed by order of the Board of Directors, one copy of which instrument shall be delivered to the Trustee so removed and one copy to the successor trustee, or any Securityholder who has been a bona fide holder of a Security or Securities for at least six months may, on behalf of that holder and all others similarly situated, petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the removal of the Trustee and the appointment of a successor trustee. Such court may thereupon after such notice, if any, as it may deem proper and prescribe, remove the Trustee and appoint a successor trustee.

 

26  

 

 

(c)                  The holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of any series at the time Outstanding may, upon 30 days’ notice, remove the Trustee with respect to such series by so notifying the Trustee and the Company and may appoint a successor Trustee for such series with the consent of the Company.

 

(d)                  Any resignation or removal of the Trustee and appointment of a successor trustee with respect to the Securities of a series pursuant to any of the provisions of this Section shall become effective upon acceptance of appointment by the successor trustee as provided in Section 7.11.

 

(e)                  Any successor trustee appointed pursuant to this Section may be appointed with respect to the Securities of one or more series or all of such series, and at any time there shall be only one Trustee with respect to the Securities of any particular series. 

 

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.

 

(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 (i) 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, (ii) 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 (iii) 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, 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 that no Trustee shall be responsible for any act or failure to act on the part of any other Trustee hereunder; 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, such retiring Trustee shall with respect to the Securities of that or those series to which the appointment of such successor trustee relates have no further responsibility for the exercise of rights and powers or for the performance of the duties and obligations vested in the Trustee under this Indenture, 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, to the extent contemplated by such supplemental indenture, the property and money held by such retiring Trustee hereunder with respect to the Securities of that or those series to which the appointment of such successor trustee relates.

 

(c)                  Upon request of any such successor trustee, the Company shall execute any and all instruments for more fully and certainly vesting in and confirming to such successor trustee all such rights, powers and trusts referred to in 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 VII.

 

27  

 

 

(e)                  Upon acceptance of appointment by a successor trustee as provided in this Section, the Company shall transmit notice of the succession of such trustee hereunder by mail, first class postage prepaid, to the Securityholders, as their names and addresses appear upon the Security Register. If the Company fails to transmit such notice within ten days after acceptance of appointment by the successor trustee, the successor trustee shall cause such notice to be transmitted at the expense of the Company. 

 

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 of the corporate trust business of the Trustee (including the administration of the trust created by this Indenture), shall be the successor of the Trustee hereunder, provided that such corporation shall be qualified under the provisions of Section 7.8 and eligible under the provisions of Section 7.9, without the execution or filing of any paper or any further act on the part of any of the parties hereto, anything herein to the contrary notwithstanding. 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 PREFERENTIAL COLLECTION OF CLAIMS AGAINST THE COMPANY.

 

The Trustee shall comply with Section 311(a) of the Trust Indenture Act, excluding any creditor relationship described in Section 311(b) of the Trust Indenture Act. A Trustee who has resigned or been removed shall be subject to Section 311(a) of the Trust Indenture Act to the extent included therein. 

 

SECTION 7.14 NOTICE OF DEFAULT.

 

If any Default or any Event of Default occurs and is continuing and if the Trustee has notice of such Default or Event of Default, the Trustee shall mail to each Securityholder in the manner and to the extent provided in Section 313(c) of the Trust Indenture Act notice of the Default or Event of Default within 90 days after it occurs (or, the Trustee does not have notice of such Default or Event of Default until after that time, 15 days after the Trustee has notice of such Default or Event of Default), unless such Default or Event of Default has been cured; provided, however, that, except in the case of a default in the payment of the principal of (or premium, if any) or interest on any Security, the Trustee shall be protected in withholding such notice if and so long as the Trustee in good faith determines that the withholding of such notice is in the interest of the Securityholders.

 

SECTION 7.15 LIMITATION OF LIABILITY

 

The Trustee is entering into this Indenture and the other documents contemplated hereby and related hereto to which it is a party solely in its capacity as trustee under the Indenture and not in its individual capacity (except as expressly stated herein) and in no case shall the Trustee (or any Person acting as successor trustee under this Indenture) be personally liable for or on account of any of the statements, representations, warranties, covenants or obligations stated to be those of the Company hereunder or thereunder, all such liability, if any, being expressly waived by the parties hereto and any person claiming by, through or under such party.

 

 

ARTICLE VIII

CONCERNING THE SECURITYHOLDERS

 

SECTION 8.1 EVIDENCE OF ACTION BY SECURITYHOLDERS.

 

Whenever in this Indenture it is provided that the holders of a majority or specified percentage in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of a particular series may take any action (including the making of any demand or request, the giving of any notice, consent or waiver or the taking of any other action), the fact that at the time of taking any such action the holders of such majority or specified percentage of that series have joined therein may be evidenced by any instrument or any number of instruments of similar tenor executed by such holders of Securities of that series in person or by agent or proxy appointed in writing.

 

28  

 

 

If the Company shall solicit from the Securityholders of any series any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action, the Company may, at its option, as evidenced by an Officer’s Certificate, fix in advance a record date for such series for the determination of Securityholders entitled to give such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action, 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 action may be given before or after the record date, but only the Securityholders of record at the close of business on the record date shall be deemed to be Securityholders for the purposes of determining whether Securityholders of the requisite proportion of Outstanding Securities of that series have authorized or agreed or consented to such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action, and for that purpose the Outstanding Securities of that series shall be computed as of the record date; provided, however, that no such authorization, agreement or consent by such Securityholders on the 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 8.2 PROOF OF EXECUTION BY SECURITYHOLDERS.

 

Subject to the provisions of Section 7.1, proof of the execution of any instrument by a Securityholder (such proof will not require notarization) or his agent or proxy and proof of the holding by any Person of any of the Securities shall be sufficient if made in the following manner:

 

(a)                  The fact and date of the execution by any such Person of any instrument may be proved in any reasonable manner acceptable to the Trustee.

 

(b)                  The ownership of Securities shall be proved by the Security Register of such Securities or by a certificate of the Security Registrar thereof.

 

The Trustee may require such additional proof of any matter referred to in this Section as it shall deem necessary. 

 

SECTION 8.3 WHO MAY BE DEEMED OWNERS.

 

Prior to the due presentment for registration of transfer of any Security, the Company, the Trustee, any Paying Agent and any Security Registrar may deem and treat the Person in whose name such Security shall be registered upon the books of the Security Registrar as the absolute owner of such Security (whether or not such Security shall be overdue and notwithstanding any notice of ownership or writing thereon made by anyone other than the Security Registrar) for the purpose of receiving payment of or on account of the principal of, premium, if any, and (subject to Section 2.3) interest on such Security and for all other purposes; and neither the Company nor the Trustee nor any Paying Agent nor any Security Registrar shall be affected by any notice to the contrary. 

 

SECTION 8.4 CERTAIN SECURITIES OWNED BY COMPANY DISREGARDED.

 

In determining whether the holders of the requisite aggregate principal amount of Securities of a particular series have concurred in any direction, consent or waiver under this Indenture, the Securities of that series that are owned by the Company or any other obligor on the Securities of that series or by any Person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under common control with the Company or any other obligor on the Securities of that series shall be disregarded and deemed not to be Outstanding for the purpose of any such determination, except that for the purpose of determining whether the Trustee shall be protected in relying on any such direction, consent or waiver, only Securities of such series that the Trustee actually knows are so owned shall be so disregarded. The Securities so owned that have been pledged in good faith may be regarded as Outstanding for the purposes of this Section, if the pledgee shall establish to the satisfaction of the Trustee the pledgee’s right so to act with respect to such Securities and that the pledgee is not a Person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with the Company or any such other obligor. In case of a dispute as to such right, any decision by the Trustee taken upon the advice of counsel shall be full protection to the Trustee. 

 

29  

 

 

SECTION 8.5 ACTIONS BINDING ON FUTURE SECURITYHOLDERS.

 

At any time prior to (but not after) the evidencing to the Trustee, as provided in Section 8.1, of the taking of any action by the holders of the majority or percentage in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of a particular series specified in this Indenture in connection with such action, any holder of a Security of that series that is shown by the evidence to be included in the Securities the holders of which have consented to such action may, by filing written notice with the Trustee, and upon proof of holding as provided in Section 8.2, revoke such action so far as concerns such Security. Except as aforesaid any such action taken by the holder of any Security shall be conclusive and binding upon such holder and upon all future holders and owners of such Security, and of any Security issued in exchange therefor, on registration of transfer thereof or in place thereof, irrespective of whether or not any notation in regard thereto is made upon such Security. Any action taken by the holders of the majority or percentage in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of a particular series specified in this Indenture in connection with such action shall be conclusively binding upon the Company, the Trustee and the holders of all the Securities of that series. 

 

ARTICLE IX

SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES

 

SECTION 9.1 SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES WITHOUT THE CONSENT OF SECURITYHOLDERS.

 

In addition to any supplemental indenture otherwise authorized by this Indenture, the Company and the Trustee may from time to time and at any time enter into an indenture or indentures supplemental hereto (which shall comply with the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act as then in effect), without the consent of the Securityholders, for one or more of the following purposes:

 

(a)                  to cure any ambiguity, defect, omission or inconsistency herein or in the Securities of any series (with such ambiguity, defect, omission or inconsistency being evidenced by an Officer’s Certificate);

 

(b)                  to comply with Article X, including to evidence the succession of another Person to the Company and the assumption by any such successor of the covenants of the Company herein and in the Securities contained or to provide for the assumption of a guarantor’s obligations to holders of the Securities in the case of a merger or consolidation or sale of all or substantially all of the guarantor’s assets;

 

(c)                  to provide for uncertificated Securities in addition to or in place of certificated Securities; provided that the uncertificated Securities are issued in registered form for purposes of Section 163(f) of the Code;

 

(d)                  to add to the covenants of the Company or any guarantor for the benefit of the holders of the Securities of any series or to surrender any right or power conferred upon the Company or any guarantor;

 

(e)                  to provide for the issuance of additional Securities of any series in accordance with the terms of this Indenture;

 

(f)                   to evidence and provide for the acceptance of appointment hereunder by a successor trustee;

 

(g)                  to comply with any requirements of the Commission or any successor in connection with the qualification of this Indenture under the Trust Indenture Act;

 

(h)                  to provide security for the Securities of any series or to provide for any guarantee of the Securities of any series or to confirm or evidence the release, termination or discharge of any guarantee of or lien securing the Securities of any series when such release, termination or discharge is permitted by this Indenture;

 

(i)                    to make any change that would provide any additional rights or benefits to the holders of the Securities of any series or that does not adversely affect the legal rights under this Indenture of any holder;

 

30  

 

 

(j)                   to make any amendment to the provision of this Indenture relating to the transfer and legending of the Securities of any series; provided, however, that (1) compliance with this Indenture as so amended would not result in Securities of such series being transferred in violation of the Securities Act or any other applicable securities law and (2) such amendment does not materially and adversely affect the rights of holders to transfer Securities of such series; or

 

(k)                 to conform the text of this Indenture, any guarantee of the Securities of any series or the notes to any provision of the “Description of Debt Securities and Guarantees” included in the prospectus forming a part of the registration statement filed by the Company with the Commission on Form S-3 on August 4, 2016 or any subsequent description of Securities contained in any prospectus supplement, to the extent that such provision in that “Description of Debt Securities and Guarantees” or any subsequent description of Securities contained in any prospectus supplement was intended by the Company to be a verbatim recitation of a provision of this Indenture, any guarantee of the Securities of any series or the Securities, as applicable (with such intention being evidenced by an Officer’s Certificate).

 

The Trustee is hereby authorized to join with the Company in the execution of any such supplemental indenture, and to make any further appropriate agreements and stipulations that may be therein contained, but the Trustee shall not be obligated to enter into any such supplemental indenture that affects the Trustee’s own rights, duties or immunities under this Indenture or otherwise.

 

Any supplemental indenture authorized by the provisions of this Section may be executed by the Company and the Trustee without the consent of the holders of any of the Securities at the time Outstanding, notwithstanding any of the provisions of Section 9.2. 

 

SECTION 9.2 SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES WITH THE CONSENT OF SECURITYHOLDERS.

 

With the consent (evidenced as provided in Section 8.1) of the holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of each series affected by such supplemental indenture or indentures at the time Outstanding (including consents obtained in connection with a tender offer or exchange offer for the Securities), the Company, when authorized by a Board Resolution, and the Trustee may from time to time and at any time enter into an indenture or indentures supplemental hereto (which shall comply with the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act as then in effect) for the purpose of adding any provisions to or changing in any manner or eliminating (or waiving any past default or compliance with) any of the provisions of this Indenture or of any supplemental indenture or of modifying in any manner not covered by Section 9.1 the rights of the holders of the Securities of such series under this Indenture; provided, however, that no such supplemental indenture shall, without the consent of the holders of each Security then Outstanding and affected thereby,

 

(a)                  reduce the percentage or aggregate principal amount of Securities, the holders of which are required to consent to any modification, amendment, supplement or waiver;

 

(b)                  reduce the principal amount of, or premium, if any, or rate of interest on, such Securities;

 

(c)                  extend the fixed maturity of such Securities;

 

(d)                  extend the time for payment of interest on such Securities;

 

(e)                  reduce the redemption or repurchase price of such Securities or change the time at which the Securities may or must be redeemed or repurchased;

 

31  

 

 

(f)                   change the currency of payment of principal of, or premium, if any, or interest on, such Securities;

 

(g)                  waive a default in the payment of principal of, premium, if any, or interest on such Securities (except as provided in Section 6.1(c));

 

(h)                  voluntarily release a guarantor of such Securities other than in accordance with this Indenture;

 

(i)                   reduce the percentage or aggregate principal amount of Outstanding Securities the consent of whose holders is necessary for waiver of compliance with certain provisions of this Indenture or for waiver of certain defaults; or

 

(j)                  impair the right to institute suit for the enforcement of any payment on or after the stated maturity (or, in the case of a redemption, on or after the redemption date) of such Securities.

 

It shall not be necessary for the consent of the Securityholders of any series affected thereby under this Section to approve the particular form of any proposed supplemental indenture, but it shall be sufficient if such consent shall approve the substance thereof. 

 

SECTION 9.3 EFFECT OF SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES.

 

Upon the execution of any supplemental indenture pursuant to the provisions of this Article IX or of Section 10.1, this Indenture shall, with respect to such series, be and be deemed to be modified and amended in accordance therewith and the respective rights, limitations of rights, obligations, duties and immunities under this Indenture of the Trustee, the Company and the holders of Securities of the series affected thereby shall thereafter be determined, exercised and enforced hereunder subject in all respects to such modifications and amendments, and all the terms and conditions of any such supplemental indenture shall be and be deemed to be part of the terms and conditions of this Indenture for any and all purposes. 

 

SECTION 9.4 SECURITIES AFFECTED BY SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES.

 

Securities of any series affected by a supplemental indenture, authenticated and delivered after the execution of such supplemental indenture pursuant to the provisions of this Article IX or of Section 10.1, may bear a notation in form approved by the Company, provided such form meets the requirements of any securities exchange upon which such series may be listed, as to any matter provided for in such supplemental indenture. If the Company shall so determine, new Securities of that series so modified as to conform, in the opinion of the Board of Directors, to any modification of this Indenture contained in any such supplemental indenture may be prepared by the Company, authenticated by the Trustee and delivered in exchange for the Securities of that series then Outstanding. 

 

SECTION 9.5 EXECUTION OF SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES.

 

Upon the request of the Company, accompanied by its Board Resolutions authorizing the execution of any such supplemental indenture, and upon the filing with the Trustee of evidence of the consent of Securityholders required to consent thereto as aforesaid, the Trustee shall join with the Company in the execution of such supplemental indenture unless such supplemental indenture affects the Trustee’s own rights, duties or immunities under this Indenture or otherwise, in which case the Trustee may in its discretion but shall not be obligated to enter into such supplemental indenture. The Trustee shall receive, in addition to the documents required by Section 14.7(a), an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel stating that and as conclusive evidence that any supplemental indenture executed pursuant to this Article IX is authorized or permitted by, and conforms to, the terms of this Article IX, constitutes the legal, valid and binding obligation of the Company, enforceable against it in accordance with its terms (subject to customary exceptions) and that it is proper for the Trustee under the provisions of this Article IX to join in the execution thereof.

 

Promptly after the execution by the Company and the Trustee of any supplemental indenture pursuant to the provisions of this Section, the Company shall transmit by mail, first class postage prepaid, a notice, setting forth in general terms the substance of such supplemental indenture, to the Securityholders of all series affected thereby as their names and addresses appear upon the Security Register. Any failure of the Company to mail such notice, or any defect therein, shall not, however, in any way impair or affect the validity of any such supplemental indenture.

 

32  

 

 

 

ARTICLE X

SUCCESSOR ENTITY

 

SECTION 10.1 COMPANY MAY CONSOLIDATE, ETC.

 

Except as provided pursuant to Section 2.1 pursuant to a Board Resolution, and set forth in an Officer’s Certificate, or established in one or more indentures supplemental to this Indenture, nothing contained in this Indenture shall prevent any consolidation or merger of the Company with or into any other Person (whether or not affiliated with the Company) or successive consolidations or mergers in which the Company or its successor or successors shall be a party or parties, or shall prevent any sale, conveyance, transfer or other disposition of the property of the Company or its successor or successors as an entirety, or substantially as an entirety, to any other corporation (whether or not affiliated with the Company or its successor or successors) authorized to acquire and operate the same; provided, however, the Company hereby covenants and agrees that, upon any such consolidation or merger (in each case, if the Company is not the survivor of such transaction), sale, conveyance, transfer or other disposition, (a) the due and punctual payment of the principal of (premium, if any) and interest on all of the Securities of all series in accordance with the terms of each series, according to their tenor, and the due and punctual performance and observance of all the covenants and conditions of this Indenture with respect to each series or established with respect to such series pursuant to Section 2.1 to be kept or performed by the Company shall be expressly assumed, by supplemental indenture (which shall conform to the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act, as then in effect) executed and delivered to the Trustee by the entity formed by such consolidation, or into which the Company shall have been merged, or by the entity which shall have acquired such property and (b) in the event that the Securities of any series then Outstanding are convertible into or exchangeable for shares of common stock or other securities of the Company, such entity shall, by such supplemental indenture, make provision so that the Securityholders of Securities of that series shall thereafter be entitled to receive upon conversion or exchange of such Securities the number of securities or property to which a holder of the number of shares of common stock or other securities of the Company deliverable upon conversion or exchange of those Securities would have been entitled had such conversion or exchange occurred immediately prior to such consolidation, merger, sale, conveyance, transfer or other disposition. 

 

SECTION 10.2 SUCCESSOR ENTITY SUBSTITUTED.

 

(a)                  In case of any such consolidation, merger, sale, conveyance, transfer or other disposition and upon the assumption by the successor entity by supplemental indenture, executed and delivered to the Trustee and satisfactory in form to the Trustee of the obligations set forth under Section 10.1 on all of the Securities of all series Outstanding, such successor entity shall succeed to and be substituted for the Company with the same effect as if it had been named as the Company herein, and thereupon the predecessor corporation shall be relieved of all obligations and covenants under this Indenture and the Securities.

 

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

 

(c)                  Nothing contained in this Article X shall require any action by the Company in the case of a consolidation or merger of any Person into the Company where the Company is the survivor of such transaction, or the acquisition by the Company, by purchase or otherwise, of all or any part of the property of any other Person (whether or not affiliated with the Company). 

 

SECTION 10.3 EVIDENCE OF CONSOLIDATION, ETC. TO TRUSTEE.

 

The Trustee, subject to the provisions of Section 7.1, shall receive an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel stating that and as conclusive evidence that any such consolidation, merger, sale, conveyance, transfer or other disposition, and any such assumption, comply with the provisions of this Article X.

 

33  

 

 

 

ARTICLE XI

SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE

 

SECTION 11.1 SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE OF INDENTURE.

 

This Indenture shall upon Company Request cease to be of further effect with respect to any series of Securities (except as to any surviving rights of registration of transfer or exchange of Securities of such series herein expressly provided for or in the form of Security for such series and any right to receive additional amounts), and the Trustee, at the expense of the Company, shall execute proper instruments acknowledging satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture as to such series, when

 

(a)                  either

 

(i)                    all Securities of such series theretofore authenticated and delivered (other than (i) Securities which have been destroyed, lost or stolen and which have been replaced or paid as provided in Section 2.7 and (ii) Securities for whose payment cash, Governmental Obligations or a combination thereof 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 Sections 12.5 and 12.6) have been delivered to the Trustee for cancellation; or

 

(ii)                  all such Securities of such series not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation, or

 

                                                                (A)                         have become due and payable by reason of the mailing of a notice of redemption or otherwise, or

 

                                                                (B)                         will become due and payable within one year,

 

and the Company, in the case of (A) or (B) above, has deposited or caused to be deposited with the Trustee as trust funds in trust specifically pledged as security for, and dedicated solely to, the benefit of the Securityholders of the Securities of that series, cash in U.S. dollars, Governmental Obligations or a combination thereof in such amount as will be sufficient, without consideration of any reinvestment of interest, to pay and discharge the entire indebtedness on such Securities not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation, for principal (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, to the date of such deposit (in the case of Securities which have become due and payable), or to the Stated Maturity or the Redemption Date, as the case may be;

 

(b)                  in respect of clause (a)(ii), no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing on the date of deposit (other than an Event of Default resulting from the borrowing of funds to be applied to such deposit and any similar deposit relating to other indebtedness and, in each case, the granting of certain liens to secure such borrowing);

 

(c)                  the Company or any guarantor has paid or caused to be paid all other sums payable hereunder by the Company with respect to such series; and

 

(d)                  the Company has delivered irrevocable instructions to the Trustee under this Indenture to apply the deposited money towards the payment of the notes at maturity or on the redemption date, as the case may be.

 

Notwithstanding the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture with respect to such series, the obligations of the Company to the Trustee with respect to such series under this Section 11.1 and Sections 7.6 and 7.10, the obligations of the Company to any Authenticating Agent under Section 2.10, and, if cash, Governmental Obligations or a combination thereof shall have been deposited with the Trustee pursuant to subclause (ii) of clause (a) of this Section, the obligations of the Trustee under Section 11.2, shall survive.

 

34  

 

 

 

SECTION 11.2 APPLICATION OF TRUST MONEY.

 

Subject to the provisions of Section 12.6, all cash and Governmental Obligations deposited with the Trustee pursuant to Section 11.1 shall be held in trust and applied by the Trustee, in accordance with the provisions of the series of Securities and this Indenture, to the payment, either directly or through any Paying Agent (including the Company or any of its Subsidiaries acting as Paying Agent) as the Trustee may determine, to the Persons entitled thereto, of all sums due and to become due thereon in respect of the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, on the Securities for which payment of such cash and Governmental Obligations has been deposited with the Trustee.

 

If the Trustee or Paying Agent is unable to apply any cash or Governmental Obligations in accordance with this Article XI 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, then the obligations of the Company under this Indenture and the Securities of such series shall be revived and reinstated as though no deposit had occurred pursuant to this Article XI until such time as the Trustee or Paying Agent is permitted to apply all such cash and Governmental Obligations in accordance with this Article XI; provided, however, that, if the Company has made any payment of principal, premium, if any, interest on or principal of any Securities because of the reinstatement of its obligations, the Company shall be subrogated to the rights of the holders of such Securities to receive such payment from the cash and Governmental Obligations held by the Trustee or Paying Agent. 

 

ARTICLE XII

LEGAL DEFEASANCE AND COVENANT DEFEASANCE

 

SECTION 12.1 OPTION TO EFFECT LEGAL DEFEASANCE OR COVENANT DEFEASANCE .

 

The Company may at any time, at the option of its Board of Directors evidenced by a Board Resolution set forth in an Officer’s Certificate, elect to have either Section 12.2 or 12.3 hereof be applied to all outstanding Securities of a series upon compliance with the conditions set forth below in this Article XII. 

 

SECTION 12.2 LEGAL DEFEASANCE AND DISCHARGE .

 

Upon the Company’s exercise under Section 12.1 hereof of the option applicable to this Section 12.2 with respect to a series of Securities, the Company will, subject to the satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 12.4 hereof, be deemed to have been discharged from its obligations with respect to all outstanding Securities of such series on the date the conditions set forth below are satisfied (hereinafter, “ Legal Defeasance ”). For this purpose, Legal Defeasance means that the Company will be deemed to have paid and discharged the entire Indebtedness represented by the Outstanding Securities of such series, which will thereafter be deemed to be Outstanding only for the purposes of Section 12.5 hereof and the Articles and other Sections of this Indenture referred to in clauses (1) and (2) below, and to have satisfied all their other obligations under such Securities and this Indenture (and the Trustee, on demand of and at the expense of the Company, shall execute proper instruments acknowledging the same), except for the following provisions which will survive until otherwise terminated or discharged hereunder:

 

(1)                  the rights of holders of Outstanding Securities of such series to receive payments in respect of the principal of, premium on, if any, or interest on such Securities when such payments are due from the trust referred to in Section 12.4 hereof;

 

(2)                  the Issuers’ obligations with respect to such Securities under Article 2 and Section 4.2 hereof;

 

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

 

35  

 

 

(4)                  this Article XII.

 

Subject to compliance with this Article XII, the Company may exercise its option under this Section 12.2 with respect to a series of Securities, notwithstanding the prior exercise of its option under Section 12.3 hereof with respect to such series of Securities. 

 

SECTION 12.3 COVENANT DEFEASANCE .

 

Upon the Company’s exercise under Section 12.1 hereof of the option applicable to this Section 12.3 with respect to a series of Securities, the Company will, subject to the satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 12.4 hereof, be released from its obligations under Section 5.3 and Article X and any additional covenants specified in any Board Resolution or indenture supplemental hereto with respect to the Outstanding Securities of such series on and after the date the conditions set forth in Section 12.4 hereof are satisfied (hereinafter, “ Covenant Defeasance ”), and the Securities of such series will thereafter be deemed not Outstanding for the purposes of any direction, waiver, consent or declaration or act of holders (and the consequences of any thereof) in connection with such covenants, but will continue to be deemed Outstanding for all other purposes hereunder (it being understood that such Securities will not be deemed Outstanding for accounting purposes). For this purpose, Covenant Defeasance means that, with respect to the Outstanding Securities of such series, the Company may omit to comply with and shall have no liability in respect of any term, condition or limitation set forth in Section 5.3 or Article X and any additional covenants specified in any Board Resolution or indenture supplemental hereto, whether directly or indirectly, by reason of any reference elsewhere herein to any such Section or Article or by reason of any reference in any such Section or Article to any other provision herein or in any other document and such omission to comply shall not constitute a Default or an Event of Default under Section 6.1 hereof with respect to Outstanding Securities of such series, but, except as specified above, the remainder of this Indenture and such Securities shall be unaffected thereby. 

 

SECTION 12.4 CONDITIONS TO LEGAL OR COVENANT DEFEASANCE .

 

In order to exercise either Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance under either Section 12.2 or 12.3 hereof with respect to the Outstanding Securities of a particular series:

 

(1)                  the Company must irrevocably deposit with the Trustee, in trust, for the benefit of the Securityholders of the Securities of that series, cash in U.S. dollars, Governmental Obligations, or a combination thereof, in such amounts as will be sufficient, in the opinion of a nationally recognized investment bank, appraisal firm, or firm of independent public accountants, to pay the principal of, premium on, if any, and interest on, the Outstanding Securities of such series on the stated date for payment thereof or on the applicable redemption date, as the case may be, and the Company must specify whether the Securities of such series are being defeased to such stated date for payment or to a particular redemption date;

 

(2)                  in the case of an election under Section 12.2 hereof, the Company must deliver to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel reasonably acceptable to the Trustee confirming that:

 

                                        (A)                         the Company has received from, or there has been published by, the Internal Revenue Service a ruling; or

 

                                        (B)                         since the date of this Indenture, there has been a change in the applicable federal income tax law,

 

in either case to the effect that, and based thereon such Opinion of Counsel shall confirm that, the holders of the Outstanding Securities of such series will not recognize income, gain or loss for federal income tax purposes as a result of such Legal Defeasance and will be subject to federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such Legal Defeasance had not occurred;

 

(3)                  in the case of an election under Section 12.3 hereof, the Company must deliver to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel reasonably acceptable to the Trustee confirming that the holders of the Outstanding Securities of such series will not recognize income, gain or loss for federal income tax purposes as a result of such Covenant Defeasance and will be subject to federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such Covenant Defeasance had not occurred;

 

36  

 

 

(4)                  no Default or Event of Default with respect to the Securities of such series shall have occurred and be continuing on the date of such deposit (other than a Default or Event of Default resulting from the borrowing of funds to be applied to such deposit (and any similar concurrent deposit relating to other Indebtedness), and the granting of liens to secure such borrowings);

 

(5)                  such Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance will not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under, any material agreement or instrument (other than this Indenture and the agreements governing any other Indebtedness being defeased, discharged or replaced) to which the Company is a party or by which the Company is bound; and

 

(6)                  the Company must deliver to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent relating to the Legal Defeasance or the Covenant Defeasance have been complied with. 

 

SECTION 12.5 DEPOSITED MONEY AND GOVERNMENT SECURITIES TO BE HELD IN TRUST; OTHER MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS .

 

Subject to Section 12.6 hereof, all cash and Governmental Obligations (including the proceeds thereof) deposited with the Trustee pursuant to Section 12.4 hereof in respect of the Outstanding Securities of a particular series shall be held in trust and applied by the Trustee, in accordance with the provisions of such Securities and this Indenture, to the payment, either directly or through any Paying Agent (including the Company acting as Paying Agent) as the Trustee may determine, to the holders of such Securities of all sums due and to become due thereon in respect of principal, premium, if any, and interest, but such money need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law.

 

The Company will pay and indemnify the Trustee against any tax, fee or other charge imposed on or assessed against the cash or Governmental Obligations deposited pursuant to Section 12.4 hereof or the principal and interest received in respect thereof other than any such tax, fee or other charge which by law is for the account of the holders of the Outstanding Securities of the applicable series.

 

Notwithstanding anything in this Article XII to the contrary, the Trustee shall deliver or pay to the Company from time to time upon Company Request any cash or Governmental Obligations held by it as provided in Section 12.4 hereof which, in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants expressed in a written certification thereof delivered to the Trustee (which may be the opinion delivered under Section 12.4(1) hereof), are in excess of the amount thereof that would then be required to be deposited to effect an equivalent Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance. 

 

SECTION 12.6 REPAYMENT TO COMPANY .

 

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, premium on, if any, or interest on any Security and remaining unclaimed for two years after such principal, premium, if any, or interest, has become due and payable shall, unless otherwise required by mandatory provisions of applicable escheat or abandoned or unclaimed property law, be paid to the Company on its request or (if then held by the Company) will be discharged from such trust; and the holder of such Security will thereafter, as an unsecured general creditor, be permitted to 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, will thereupon cease; provided, however , that the Trustee or such Paying Agent, before being required to make any such repayment, may give written notice to the holder of such Security, at such holder’s address as it appears upon the Security Register, that such money remains unclaimed and that, after a date specified therein, which will not be less than 30 days from the date of such notification, any unclaimed balance of such money then remaining will, unless otherwise required by mandatory provisions of applicable escheat or abandoned or unclaimed property law, be repaid to the Company.

 

37  

 

 

 

SECTION 12.7 REINSTATEMENT .

 

If the Trustee or Paying Agent is unable to apply any cash or Governmental Obligations in accordance with Section 12.2 or 12.3 hereof, as the case may be, by reason of any order or judgment of any court or governmental authority enjoining, restraining or otherwise prohibiting such application, then the Company’s obligations under this Indenture and the Securities of the particular series shall be revived and reinstated as though no deposit had occurred pursuant to Section 12.2 or 12.3 hereof until such time as the Trustee or Paying Agent is permitted to apply all such cash or Governmental Obligations in accordance with Section 12.2 or 12.3 hereof, as the case may be; provided, however , that, if the Company makes any payment of principal of, premium on, if any, or interest on, any Security of the particular series following the reinstatement of its obligations, the Company shall be subrogated to the rights of the holders of such Securities to receive such payment from the cash or Governmental Obligations held by the Trustee or Paying Agent. 

 

ARTICLE XIII

IMMUNITY OF INCORPORATORS, STOCKHOLDERS,

OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS

 

SECTION 13.1 NO RECOURSE.

 

No recourse under or upon any obligation, covenant or agreement of this Indenture, or of any Security, or for any claim based thereon or otherwise in respect thereof, shall be had against any incorporator, stockholder, officer or director, past, present or future as such, of the Company or of any predecessor or successor corporation, either directly or through the Company or any such predecessor or successor corporation, whether by virtue of any constitution, statute or rule of law, or by the enforcement of any assessment or penalty or otherwise; it being expressly understood that this Indenture and the obligations issued hereunder are solely corporate obligations, and that no such personal liability whatever shall attach to, or is or shall be incurred by, the incorporators, stockholders, officers or directors as such, of the Company or of any predecessor or successor corporation, or any of them, because of the creation of the indebtedness hereby authorized, or under or by reason of the obligations, covenants or agreements contained in this Indenture or in any of the Securities or implied therefrom; and that any and all such personal liability of every name and nature, either at common law or in equity or by constitution or statute, of, and any and all such rights and claims against, every such incorporator, stockholder, officer or director as such, because of the creation of the indebtedness hereby authorized, or under or by reason of the obligations, covenants or agreements contained in this Indenture or in any of the Securities or implied therefrom, are hereby expressly waived and released as a condition of, and as a consideration for, the execution of this Indenture and the issuance of such Securities.

 

 

ARTICLE XIV

MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

 

SECTION 14.1 EFFECT ON SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS.

 

All the covenants, stipulations, promises and agreements in this Indenture made by or on behalf of the Company shall bind its successors and assigns, whether so expressed or not. All the covenants, stipulations, promises and agreements in this Indenture made by or on behalf of the Trustee shall bind its successors and assigns, whether so expressed or not. 

 

SECTION 14.2 ACTIONS BY SUCCESSOR.

 

Any act or proceeding by any provision of this Indenture authorized or required to be done or performed by any board, committee or officer of the Company shall and may be done and performed with like force and effect by the corresponding board, committee or officer of any corporation that shall at the time be the lawful successor of the Company.

 

38  

 

 

 

SECTION 14.3 SURRENDER OF COMPANY POWERS.

 

The Company by instrument in writing executed by authority of its Board of Directors and delivered to the Trustee may surrender any of the powers reserved to the Company, and thereupon such power so surrendered shall terminate both as to the Company and as to any successor corporation. 

 

SECTION 14.4 NOTICES.

 

Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, any notice, request or demand that by any provision of this Indenture is required or permitted to be given, made or served by the Trustee or by the holders of Securities or by any other Person pursuant to this Indenture to or on the Company may be given or served by being deposited in first class mail, postage prepaid, addressed, as follows: Salem Media Group, Inc., 4880 Santa Rosa Road, Camarillo, California 93012, Attention: Secretary. Any notice, election, request or demand by the Company or any Securityholder or by any other Person pursuant to this Indenture to or upon the Trustee shall be deemed to have been sufficiently given or made, for all purposes, if given or made in writing at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee. 

 

SECTION 14.5 GOVERNING LAW/WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL.

 

This Indenture and each Security shall be deemed to be a contract made under the internal laws of the State of New York, and for all purposes shall be construed in accordance with the laws of said State, except to the extent that the Trust Indenture Act is applicable. EACH PARTY HERETO HEREBY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN RESPECT OF ANY LITIGATION DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY ARISING OUT OF, UNDER OR IN CONNECTION WITH THIS AGREEMENT. 

 

SECTION 14.6 TREATMENT OF SECURITIES AS DEBT.

 

It is intended that the Securities will be treated as indebtedness and not as equity for federal income tax purposes. The provisions of this Indenture shall be interpreted to further this intention. 

 

SECTION 14.7 COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATES AND OPINIONS.

 

(a)                  Upon any application or demand by the Company to the Trustee to take any action under any of the provisions of this Indenture, the Company shall furnish to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate stating that all conditions precedent 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 have been complied with, except that in the case of any such application or demand as to which the furnishing of such documents is specifically required by any provision of this Indenture relating to such particular application or demand, no additional certificate or opinion need be furnished.

 

(b)                  Each certificate or opinion provided for in this Indenture and delivered to the Trustee with respect to compliance with a condition or covenant in this Indenture shall include (i) a statement that the Person making such certificate or opinion has read such covenant or condition; (ii) a brief statement as to the nature and scope of the examination or investigation upon which the statements or opinions contained in such certificate or opinion are based; (iii) a statement that, in the opinion of such Person, he has made such examination or investigation as is reasonably 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 such Person, such condition or covenant has been complied with.

 

39  

 

 

 

SECTION 14.8 PAYMENTS ON BUSINESS DAYS.

 

Except as provided pursuant to Section 2.1 pursuant to a Board Resolution, and set forth in an Officer’s Certificate, or established in one or more indentures supplemental to this Indenture, in any case where the date of maturity of interest or principal of any Security or the date of redemption of any Security shall not be a Business Day, then payment of interest or principal (and premium, if any) may be made on the next succeeding Business Day with the same force and effect as if made on the nominal date of maturity or redemption, and no interest shall accrue for the period after such nominal date. 

 

SECTION 14.9 CONFLICT WITH TRUST INDENTURE ACT.

 

If and to the extent that any provision of this Indenture limits, qualifies or conflicts with any provision of the Trust Indenture Act, such Trust Indenture Act provision shall control. 

 

SECTION 14.10 COUNTERPARTS.

 

This Indenture may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but such counterparts shall together constitute but one and the same instrument. 

 

SECTION 14.11 SEVERABILITY.

 

In case any one or more of the provisions contained in this Indenture or in the Securities of any series shall for any reason be held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect, such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability shall not affect any other provisions of this Indenture or of such Securities, but this Indenture and such Securities shall be construed as if such invalid or illegal or unenforceable provision had never been contained herein or therein. 

 

SECTION 14.12 COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATES.

 

The Company shall deliver to the Trustee, within 120 days after the end of each fiscal year during which any Securities of any series were outstanding, an Officer’s Certificate stating whether or not the signers know of any Default or Event of Default that occurred during such fiscal year. Such certificate shall contain a certification from the principal executive officer, principal financial officer or principal accounting officer of the Company that a review has been conducted of the activities of the Company and the Company’s performance under this Indenture and that the Company has complied with all conditions and covenants under this Indenture. For purposes of this Section 14.12, such compliance shall be determined without regard to any period of grace or requirement of notice provided under this Indenture. If any of the officers of the Company signing such certificate has knowledge of such a Default or Event of Default, the certificate shall describe any such Default or Event of Default and its status. 

 

SECTION 14.13 USA PATRIOT ACT

 

The parties hereto acknowledge that, in accordance with Section 326 of the USA Patriot Act (Title III of Pub. L. 107-56 (signed into law October 26, 2001)) (as amended, modified or supplemented from time to time, the “ USA Patriot Act ”), the Trustee, like all financial institutions, is required to obtain, verify, and record information that identifies each Person or legal entity that opens an account. The parties to this Indenture agree that they will provide the Trustee with such information as the Trustee may request in order for the Trustee to satisfy the requirements of the USA Patriot Act.

 

40  

 

 

SECTION 14.14 CONSENT TO JURISDICTION AND SERVICE

 

To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, each party hereby irrevocably submits to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of any Federal or State court located in the Borough of Manhattan in The City of New York, New York in any suit, action or proceeding based on or arising out of or relating to this Indenture or any Securities and irrevocably agrees that all claims in respect of such suit or proceeding may be determined in any such court. Each party irrevocably waives, to the fullest extent permitted by law, any objection which it may have to the laying of the venue of any such suit, action or proceeding brought in an inconvenient forum. Each party agrees that final judgment in any such suit, action or proceeding brought in such a court shall be conclusive and binding upon such party, and may be enforced in any courts to the jurisdiction of which such party is subject by a suit upon such judgment, provided, that service of process is effected upon such party in the manner specified herein or as otherwise permitted by law.

 

SECTION 14.15 FORCE MAJEURE

 

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

 

 

 

[ Signature page follows ]

 

41  

 

 

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

 

 

 

  SALEM MEDIA GROUP, INC.  
       
  By:    
    Name:  
    Title:  

 

  WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as Trustee  
       
  By:    
    Name:  
    Title:  

 

  

Signature Page to Indenture

 

 

 

 

 

 

K&L Gates llp

1 Park Plaza

Twelfth Floor
Irvine, CA 92614

T 949.253.0900 F 949.253.0902
klgates.com

 

August 4, 2016

 

Salem Media Group, Inc.

4880 Santa Rosa Road

Camarillo, California 93012

 

Re: Registration Statement on Form S-3

 

Ladies and Gentlemen:

 

We have acted as counsel to Salem Media Group, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “ Company ”), in connection with the preparation and filing of a Registration Statement on Form S-3 (the “ Registration Statement ”) with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “ Commission ”) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “ Securities Act ”), relating to the following:

 

(a)     The registration under the Securities Act and the proposed issuance and sale from time to time by the Company of up to an aggregate initial offering amount of $150,000,000 of the following securities (each a “ Company Security ” and collectively, or in any combination, the “ Company Securities ”):

 

(i)           shares of the Company’s Class A common stock, $0.01 par value per share (the “ Class A Common Stock ”);

 

(ii)          one or more classes or series of shares of the Company’s preferred stock, $0.01 par value per share (the “ Preferred Stock ”);

 

(iii)         depositary shares (the “ Depositary Shares ”);

 

(iv)         one or more series of debt securities, which may be issued in one or more series (the “ Debt Securities ”), and which may be fully and unconditionally guaranteed (the “ Guarantees ”) by one or more of the Company’s subsidiaries that are listed as co-registrants in the Registration Statement (each, a “ Subsidiary Guarantor ” and collectively, the “ Subsidiary Guarantors ”);

 

(v)          warrants representing the rights to purchase shares of Class A Common Stock, Preferred Stock, Debt Securities or other Company Securities, or units of two or more of such Company Securities (the “ Warrants ”);

 

(vi)         purchase contracts (the “ Purchase Contracts ”), which may be issued under one or more purchase contract agreements (each, a “ Purchase Contract Agreement ”) to be entered into between the Company and the purchase contract agent to be named therein (the “ Purchase Contract Agent ”); and

 

(vii)        units comprised of one or more of the Company Securities in one or more series and in any combination (the “ Units ”); and

 

 

 

Page 2

August 4, 2016

 

(b)     The registration under the Securities Act and the proposed offer and sale from time to time by the selling stockholders described in the Registration Statement of up to 1,000,000 shares of Class A Common Stock (the “ Resale Shares ”).

 

This opinion letter is being furnished to you in accordance with the requirements of Item 601(b)(5) of Regulation S-K.

 

The Company Securities may be issued and sold by the Company, and the Resale Shares may be sold by the selling stockholders, from time to time on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to applicable provisions of Rule 415 under the Securities Act, in amounts, at prices and on terms to be determined in light of market conditions at the time of sale, and as set forth in the Registration Statement, any amendment thereto, the prospectus contained therein (the “ Base Prospectus ”) and any supplements to the Prospectus (each, together with the Base Prospectus, a “ Prospectus ”).

 

For purposes of rendering the opinions expressed below, we have examined the Registration Statement, the Indenture (as hereinafter defined), the Company’s Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, as amended (the “ Certificate of Incorporation ”), and Second Amended and Restated Bylaws (the “ Bylaws ”), and we have made such investigation of law as we have deemed appropriate. We have examined and relied upon certificates of public officials and, as to certain matters of fact that are material to our opinions, we have also relied on a certificate of an officer of the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors. For purposes of this opinion letter, we have assumed that (i) each document submitted to us is accurate and complete; (ii) each such document that is an original is authentic; (iii) each such document that is a copy conforms to an authentic original; and (iv) all signatures on each such document are genuine. We have further assumed the legal capacity of natural persons, and we have assumed that each party to the documents we have examined or relied on has the legal capacity or authority and has satisfied all legal requirements that are applicable to that party to the extent necessary to make such documents enforceable against that party. We have not verified any of these assumptions.

 

Unless otherwise provided in any Prospectus relating to a particular series of Debt Securities, the Debt Securities will be issued pursuant to an indenture (the “ Indenture ”) between the Company and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as Trustee (the “ Trustee ”), substantially in the form that is included as an exhibit to the Registration Statement. Any Debt Securities may be convertible into shares of Class A Common Stock or other Company Securities. The Warrants will be issued under one or more warrant agreements (each, a “ Warrant Agreement ”).

 

The opinions expressed in this opinion letter are limited to (i) the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the “ DGCL ”), and (ii) with respect to opinion paragraphs 3 through 7, the laws of the State of New York. We are not opining on, and we assume no responsibility for, the applicability to or effect on any of the matters covered herein of (a) any other laws; (b) the laws of any other jurisdiction; or (c) the laws of any county, municipality or other political subdivision or local governmental agency or authority.

 

Based upon and subject to the foregoing and in reliance thereon, and subject to the assumptions, qualifications, limitations and exceptions set forth below, we are of the opinion that:

 

 

 

Page 3

August 4, 2016

 

(1)       With respect to shares of Class A Common Stock, when all necessary corporate action of the Company has been taken to approve an issuance of shares of Class A Common Stock, and certificates representing the shares of Class A Common Stock have been duly executed, countersigned, registered and delivered (or non-certificated shares of Common Stock shall have been properly issued), either (i) in accordance with the applicable definitive purchase, underwriting or similar agreement approved by the board of directors of the Company, upon payment of the consideration therefor (which consideration shall not be less than the par value of the Class A Common Stock) provided for in such definitive purchase, underwriting or similar agreement, as applicable, or (ii) upon conversion, exchange or exercise of any other Company Security in accordance with the terms of such Company Security or the instrument governing such Company Security providing for the conversion, exchange or exercise as approved by the board of directors of the Company, for the consideration therefor set forth in the applicable agreement and approved by the board of directors of the Company, which consideration shall not be less than the par value of the Class A Common Stock, such shares of Class A Common Stock, including the shares of Class A Common Stock that form a part of any Units, will be validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable.

 

(2)       With respect to shares of any series of Preferred Stock, when all necessary corporate action of the Company has been taken to approve an issuance of shares of Preferred Stock and the terms of the shares of such series, including the adoption of a certificate of designation or amendment to the Certificate of Incorporation fixing and determining the terms of such Preferred Stock conforming to the DGCL, the filing of a certificate or amendment, as applicable, with the Secretary of State of Delaware, the payment in full of any filing fees attendant thereto, and the due reservation of any Class A Common Stock and Preferred Stock for issuance, and certificates representing the shares of the series 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 board of directors of the Company, upon payment of the consideration therefor (which consideration shall not be less than the par value of the Preferred Stock) provided for in such definitive purchase, underwriting or similar agreement, as applicable, or (ii) upon conversion, exchange or exercise of any other Company Security in accordance with the terms of such Company Security or the instrument governing such Company Security providing for the conversion, exchange or exercise as approved by the board of directors of the Company, for the consideration approved by the board of directors of the Company, which consideration shall not be less than the par value of the Preferred Stock, the shares of such series of Preferred Stock, including the shares of Preferred Stock that form a part of any Units, will be validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable.

 

(3)       With respect to any Depositary Shares, when all necessary corporate action of the Company has been taken to authorize, execute and deliver the applicable deposit agreement, and when the specific terms of a particular issuance of Depositary Shares have been duly established in accordance with the terms of the applicable deposit agreement and authorized by all necessary corporate action of the board of directors of the Company, and such Depositary Shares have been duly executed, authenticated, issued and delivered against payment therefor in accordance with the terms of the applicable deposit agreement, such Depositary Shares will be legally issued and will entitle their holders to the rights specified in the applicable deposit agreement and the related depositary receipts.

 

(4)       With respect to any series of Debt Securities and, if applicable, Guarantees to be issued under an Indenture, when (a) the Indenture and the applicable supplement, if any, to the Indenture have been duly authorized and validly executed and delivered by the Company and (i) if applicable, each Subsidiary Guarantor and (ii) any Trustee named in the Prospectus relating to such series, (b) the Indenture, as then and theretofore amended or supplemented, and, if applicable, the related Guarantees, have been duly qualified under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, (c) the Company and each Subsidiary Guarantor has taken all necessary corporate or limited liability company action to authorize and approve the issuance and terms of such series of Debt Securities and, if applicable, the related Guarantees, (d) the terms of such Debt Securities and, if applicable, the related Guarantees, and of their issuance and sale have been duly established in conformity with the applicable Indenture, and (e) such Debt Securities have been duly executed, authenticated, issued and delivered in accordance with the provisions of the Indenture and the applicable supplement, the Debt Securities of such series, including the Debt Securities that form a part of any Units, and, if applicable, the related Guarantees will constitute valid and binding obligations of the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors, respectively, enforceable against the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors, respectively, in accordance with their terms.

 

 

 

Page 4

August 4, 2016

 

(5)       With respect to Warrants to be issued under a Warrant Agreement, when all necessary corporate action of the Company has been taken to approve the issuance and terms of such Warrants, the terms of the offering thereof and related matters, the Warrant Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by the Company, and such Warrants have been duly executed, issued and delivered in accordance with the terms of the Warrant Agreement and the applicable definitive purchase, underwriting or similar agreement approved by the board of directors of the Company, upon payment (or delivery) of the consideration therefor provided for therein, such Warrants, including the Warrants that form a part of any Units, will constitute valid and binding obligations of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with their terms.

 

(6)       With respect to the Purchase Contracts, when all necessary corporate action of the Company has been taken to authorize, execute and deliver the applicable Purchase Contract Agreement and when the Purchase Contract Agreement to be entered into in connection with the issuance of any Purchase Contracts has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Purchase Contract Agent and the Company, and the specific terms of the Purchase Contracts have been established in accordance with the Purchase Contract Agreement and such Purchase Contracts have been duly executed, issued and delivered in accordance with the Purchase Contract Agreement and the applicable underwriting or other agreement against payment therefor, such Purchase Contracts will constitute valid and binding obligations of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with their terms.

 

(7)       With respect to the Units, when all necessary corporate action of the Company has been taken to approve and establish the terms of the Units and to authorize and approve the issuance of the Company Securities comprising the Units, the terms of the offering and related matters, the purchase agreement for the Units has been duly authorized, validly executed and delivered by the parties thereto, and the Units and/or the Company Securities comprising the Units have been duly executed and delivered in accordance with the applicable definitive purchase, underwriting or similar agreement approved by the board of directors of the Company, upon payment of the consideration provided therefor in the definitive purchase, underwriting or similar agreement as applicable and approved by the board of directors of the Company, which consideration shall not be less than the aggregate par value of any Class A Common Stock and/or Preferred Stock included in the Units, the Units will constitute valid and binding obligations of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with their terms.

 

(8)       With respect to the Resale Shares, the Resale Shares have been validly issued and are fully paid and non-assessable.

 

The opinions set forth above are subject to the following additional assumptions:

 

(a)     The Registration Statement and any amendment thereto (including any post-effective amendment) will have become effective under the Securities Act, and such effectiveness will not have been terminated, suspended or rescinded;

 

(b)     A supplement to the Prospectus will have been prepared and filed with the Commission describing the securities offered thereby and will comply with all applicable laws;

 

 

 

Page 5

August 4, 2016

 

(c)     All Company Securities offered pursuant to the Registration Statement will be issued and sold (i) in compliance with all applicable federal and state securities laws, rules and regulations and solely in the manner provided in the Registration Statement or any supplement to the Prospectus and (ii) only upon payment of the consideration fixed therefor in accordance with the terms and conditions of any applicable definitive underwriting, purchase, agency or similar agreement relating to the particular offering, including any amendment or supplement thereto (each a “Purchase Agreement”), and any other applicable agreement relating to the particular offering (including the Indenture, any certificate of designation or amendment to the Certificate of Incorporation, Warrant Agreement, deposit agreement, Purchase Contract Agreement, purchase agreement for the Units or other agreement pursuant to which any Company Securities offered pursuant to the Registration Statement are to be issued or governed, including any amendment or supplement to any of the foregoing), and there will not have occurred any change in law or fact affecting the validity of any of the opinions rendered herein with respect thereto;

 

(d)     In the case of the Indenture pursuant to which any Debt Securities offered pursuant to the Registration Statement are to be issued or governed, there will have been no addition, deletion or modification of the terms or provisions contained in the form of Indenture included as Exhibit 4.5 to the Registration Statement that would affect the validity of any of the opinions rendered herein;

 

(e)     A definitive Purchase Agreement, any other applicable agreement relating to the particular offering (including any Indenture, certificate of designation or amendment to the Certificate of Incorporation, Warrant Agreement, deposit agreement, Purchase Contract Agreement, purchase agreement for the Units or other agreement pursuant to which any Company Securities offered pursuant to the Registration Statement are to be issued or governed, including any amendment or supplement to any of the foregoing) will have been duly authorized and validly executed and delivered by the Company and each of the other parties thereto;

 

(f)     In the case of any definitive Purchase Agreement, the Indenture, any certificate of designation or amendment to the Certificate of Incorporation, Warrant Agreement, deposit agreement, Purchase Contract Agreement, purchase agreement for the Units or other agreement pursuant to which any Company Securities offered pursuant to the Registration Statement are to be issued or governed, including any amendment or supplement to any of the foregoing, there will be no terms or provisions contained therein which would affect the validity of any of the opinions rendered herein;

 

(g)     The final terms of any Company Securities offered pursuant to the Registration Statement, and, when issued, the issuance, sale and delivery thereof, and the incurrence and performance of the obligations thereunder or in respect thereof in accordance with the terms thereof, and any consideration to be received for any such issuance, sale and delivery, (i) will comply with, and will not violate, (A) the Certificate of Incorporation and the Bylaws, as they may be amended or supplemented hereafter, or (B) any applicable law, rule or regulation; (ii) will not result in a default under or breach of any agreement or instrument binding upon the Company; (iii) will comply with any requirement or restriction imposed by any court or governmental body having jurisdiction over the Company, or to which the issuance, sale and delivery of such Company Securities or the incurrence and performance of such obligations may be subject; and (iv) will not violate any applicable public policy or be subject to any defense in law or equity;

 

(h)     Any Company Securities issuable upon conversion, exchange or exercise of any Company Security being offered or issued will be duly authorized, created, and, if appropriate, reserved for issuance upon such conversion, exchange or exercise;

 

 

 

Page 6

August 4, 2016

 

(i)     Any Warrant Agreement, deposit agreement, Purchase Contract Agreement or purchase contract for the Units will be governed by the laws of the State of New York, and the choice of law selected by the parties to any Purchase Agreement, the Indenture, any Warrant Agreement, deposit agreement, Purchase Contract Agreement, purchase agreement for the Units or other agreement pursuant to which any Securities offered pursuant to the Registration Statement are to be issued or governed, including any amendment or supplement to any of the foregoing, is a valid and legal provision; and

 

(j)     that the Company will continue to be validly existing under the laws of the State of Delaware.

 

To the extent that the obligations of the Company under any offered Debt Securities and the Indenture may be dependent upon such matters, we assume for purposes of this opinion letter that (i) the Trustee will be duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of its jurisdictions of organization; (ii) the Trustee will be duly qualified to engage in the activities contemplated by the Indenture, as it may be amended or supplemented; (iii) the Indenture and any amendment or supplement thereto will have been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Trustee and will constitute the valid and binding obligation of the Trustee, enforceable against the Trustee in accordance with its terms; (iv) the Trustee will be in compliance, with respect to acting as a trustee under the Indenture and any amendment or supplement thereto, with all applicable laws and regulations; (v) the Trustee will have the requisite organizational and legal power and authority to perform its obligations under the Indenture and any amendment or supplement thereto; and (vi) the Trustee will have been qualified under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended (the “ TIA ”), and an appropriate Form T-1 with respect to the Trustee will have been properly filed in accordance with the TIA.

 

To the extent that the obligations of the Company under any Warrant Agreement, deposit agreement, Purchase Contract Agreement, purchase agreement for the Units or other agreement pursuant to which any Company Securities offered pursuant to the Registration Statement are to be issued or governed, including any amendment or supplement thereto, may be dependent upon such matters, we assume for purposes of this opinion letter that (i) each party to any such agreement other than the Company (including any applicable warrant agent, depositary, purchase contract agent or other party acting in a similar capacity with respect to any Company Securities) will be duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of its jurisdiction of organization; that each such other party will be duly qualified to engage in the activities contemplated thereby; (ii) each such agreement and the applicable Company Securities will have been duly authorized, executed and delivered by each such other party and will constitute the valid and binding obligations of each such other party, enforceable against each such other party in accordance with their terms; (iii) each such other party will be in compliance, with respect to acting in any capacity contemplated by any such agreement, with all applicable laws and regulations; and (iv) each such other party will have the requisite organizational and legal power and authority to perform its obligations under each such agreement.

 

The opinions set forth above are subject to the following additional qualifications:

 

A. The opinions in paragraphs 3 through 7 above are subject to the effects of (i) bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent conveyance, fraudulent transfer, reorganization, receivership, moratorium and other similar laws relating to or affecting creditors’ rights or remedies generally, (ii) general principles of equity, whether such principles are considered in a proceeding at law or in equity, and (iii) an implied covenant of good faith, reasonableness and fair dealing and standards of materiality.

 

 

 

Page 2

August 4, 2016

 

B. We express no opinions concerning (i) any provisions that purport to waive or not give effect to rights to notices, defenses, subrogation or other rights or benefits that cannot be effectively waived under applicable law, (ii) any indemnification, exculpation or contribution provisions to the extent that such provisions may be held unenforceable as contrary to public policy or federal or state securities laws, (iii) any waiver of the right to jury trial or forum non conveniens; (iv) any provisions relating to choice of governing law to the extent that the enforceability of any such provision is to be determined by any court other than a court of the State of New York or may be subject to constitutional limitations; (v) (a) consents to or restrictions upon judicial relief, (b) waivers of rights or defenses with respect to stay, extension or usury laws or waivers of broadly or vaguely stated rights, (c) grants of set-off rights or (d) proxies, powers and trusts; (vi) any provisions that purport to require that amendments or waivers to any agreement must be in writing to be effective; (vii) any provisions that provide for liquidated damages, make-whole or other prepayment premiums or similar payments or other economic remedies to the extent a court were to determine that any such economic remedy constitutes a penalty or (viii) any provisions that relate to judgments in currencies other than U.S. dollars. We also express no opinion concerning whether a U.S. federal court would accept jurisdiction in any dispute, action, suit or proceeding arising out of or relating to any agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby or the net impact or result of any conflict of laws between or among laws of competing jurisdictions and the applicability of the law of any jurisdiction in such instance.

 

We assume no obligation to update or supplement any of our opinions to reflect any changes of law or fact that may occur after the date hereof.

 

We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion letter as an exhibit to the Registration Statement and to the reference to this firm in the Prospectus under the caption “Legal Matters.” In giving our consent, we do not hereby admit that we are in the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Securities Act or the rules and regulations thereunder.

 

 

Yours truly,

 

/s/ K&L Gates LLP

 

K&L Gates LLP

 

 

 

Exhibit 12.1

 

Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges

 

   

Six Months
Ended

June 30,

    Year Ended December 31,  
    2016     2015     2014     2013     2012     2011  
    (dollars in thousands)  
Earnings:                                                
Pre-tax income (loss) from continuing operations   $ 5,546     $ 17,845     $ 10,240     $ (6,891 )   $ 4,676     $ 12,469  
Plus:                                                
Fixed charges     6,649       21,940       22,063       22,596       30,199       32,694  
Amortization of capitalized interest     93       180       178       176       171       167  
Less:                                                
Capitalized interest     (138 )     (144 )     (103 )     (71 )     (55 )     (62 )
Total Earnings Adjusted for Fixed Charges   $ 12,150     $ 39,821     $ 32,378     $ 15,810     $ 34,991     $ 45,268  
Fixed Charges:                                                
Interest expense (including amortized premiums and discounts)   $ 3,730     $ 15,429     $ 15,993     $ 16,892     $ 24,911     $ 27,665  
Capitalized interest     138       144       103       71       55       62  
Interest expense within rental expense (1)     2,781       6,367       5,967       5,633       5,233       4,967  
Total Fixed Charges   $ 6,649     $ 21,940     $ 22,063     $ 22,596     $ 30,199     $ 32,694  
Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges     1.8       1.8       1.5       0.7       1.2       1.4  

 

(1) One-third of rent expense is deemed to be representative of interest.

 

 

 

 

Exhibit 23.1

 

CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

 

We consent to the incorporation by reference in this Registration Statement on Form S-3 of Salem Media Group, Inc. and Subsidiaries (collectively, the “Company”) of our reports dated March 11, 2016, relating to the consolidated financial statements and the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting of the Company, appearing in the Annual Report on Form 10-K of the Company for the year ended December 31, 2015.

 

We also consent to the reference to our firm under the caption “Experts” in the Prospectus, which is part of this Registration Statement.

 

/s/ SingerLewak LLP

SingerLewak LLP

 

Los Angeles, California

August 4, 2016

 

 

 

Exhibit 23.2

 

 

James R. Bond, Jr.

Timothy S. Pecaro

John S. Sanders

Jeffrey P. Anderson

Andrew R. Gefen

Matthew H. Lochte

Benjamin K. Steinbock
stephanie M. Wong

Michael P. Garvey

Colleen E.thombs

Andrew D. Bolton

Gina C. Gatti

 

Consent of Bond & Pecaro, Inc.

 

We hereby consent to the inclusion of our name and the description of our valuation work product contained in the Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2015 filed by Salem Media Group, Inc. (the “Company”), which has been incorporated by reference in the registration statement on Form S-3 filed by the Company.

 

  Bond & Pecaro, Inc.
   
 

 

August 4, 2016

Washington, D.C.

 

1990 M Street, N.W., Suite 400 • Washington, D.C. 20036 • (202) 775-8870 • Fax (202) 775-0175
WWW.BONDPECARO.COM E-MAIL: BP@BONDPECARO.COM

 

 

 

Exhibit 23.3

 

951 Yamato Road

Suite 210

Boca Raton, FL 33431

Tel: 561.998.5478

Fax: 561.994.5741

www.noblefcm.com

Member FINRA and SIPC

 

 

August 4, 2016

 

Mr. Evan D. Masyr

Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer

Salem Media Group, Inc.

4880 Santa Rosa Road

Camarillo, CA 93012

 

 

PERSONAL & CONFIDENTIAL

 

Dear Mr. Masyr:

 

This letter is to confirm that Salem Media Group, Inc. (the “Company”) is granted permission to disclose through its SEC Form S-3 registration statement the name of “Noble Financial Capital Markets” in reference to Noble’s goodwill impairment testing and related valuation work as described in the Company’s filed Form 10-K for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2015.

 

  Noble Financial Capital Markets
   
  By:  
  Name: Richard H. Giles
  Title: Managing Director

 

    Page 1 of 1

Exhibit 25.1

 

 

 

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)

 

WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION

(Exact name of trustee as specified in its charter)

 

A National Banking Association 94-1347393
(Jurisdiction of incorporation or (I.R.S. Employer
organization if not a U.S. national Identification No.)
bank)  
   
101 North Phillips Avenue  
Sioux Falls, South Dakota 57104
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip code)

 

Wells Fargo & Company
Law Department, Trust Section

MAC N9305-175

Sixth Street and Marquette Avenue, 17 th Floor

Minneapolis, Minnesota 55479

(612) 667-4608

(Name, address and telephone number of agent for service)

 

 

 

SALEM MEDIA GROUP, INC.

(Exact name of obligor as specified in its charter)

 

Additional Registrants Named in the Table of Additional Registrants

 

Delaware 77-0121400
(State or other jurisdiction of (I.R.S. Employer
incorporation or organization) Identification No.)
   
4880 Santa Rosa Road  
Camarillo, California 93012
 (Address of principal executive offices) (Zip code)

 

 

 

Debt Securities
(Title of the indenture securities)

 

 

 

 

TABLE OF ADDITIONAL REGISTRANTS

 

Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter   State or Other
Jurisdiction of
Incorporation or
Organization
  I.R.S. Employer
Identification
Number
Air Hot, Inc.   Delaware   80-0316086
Bison Media, Inc.   Colorado   77-0434654
Caron Broadcasting, Inc.   Ohio   77-0439370
Common Ground Broadcasting, Inc.   Oregon   93-1079989
Eagle Products, LLC   Delaware   32-0427053
Inspiration Media, Inc.   Washington   77-0132974
Inspiration Media of Texas, LLC   Texas   75-2615876
New Inspiration Broadcasting Company, Inc.   California   95-3356921
NI Acquisition Corporation   California   77-0472233
Pennsylvania Media Associates, Inc.   Pennsylvania   94-3134636
Reach Satellite Network, Inc.   Tennessee   62-1499223
Salem Consumer Products, Inc.   Delaware   26-0592055
Salem Communications Holding Corporation   Delaware   52-2253737
Salem Media of Colorado, Inc.   Colorado   84-1239646
Salem Media of Hawaii, Inc.   Delaware   91-1973005
Salem Media of Illinois, LLC   Delaware   52-2295222
Salem Media of Kentucky, Inc.   Kentucky   61-1346985
Salem Media of Massachusetts, LLC   Delaware   26-1524392
Salem Media of New York, LLC   Delaware   52-2293254
Salem Media of Ohio, Inc.   Ohio   95-3690954
Salem Media of Oregon, Inc.   Oregon   77-0114986
Salem Media of Texas, Inc.   Texas   77-0379125
Salem Media of Virginia, Inc.   Virginia   54-1927897
Salem Media Representatives, Inc.   Texas   77-0281576
Salem Publishing, Inc.   Tennessee   95-3394730
Salem Radio Network Incorporated   Delaware   77-0305542
Salem Radio Operations, LLC   Delaware   77-0581097
Salem Radio Properties, Inc.   Delaware   52-2194731
Salem Satellite Media, LLC   Delaware   52-2324849
Salem Web Network, LLC   Delaware   52-2141739
SCA License Corporation   Delaware   52-2255733
SCA-Palo Alto, LLC   Delaware   36-4502016
South Texas Broadcasting, Inc.   Texas   77-0388924
SRN News Network, Inc.   Texas   77-0426090
SRN Store, Inc.   Texas   42-3434092

 

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.

 

Comptroller of the Currency
Treasury Department
Washington, D.C.

  

Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation
Washington, D.C.

 

Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco
San Francisco, California 94120

 

 

 

 

(b) Whether it is authorized to exercise corporate trust powers.

 

The trustee is authorized to exercise corporate trust powers.

 

Item 2. Affiliations with Obligor. If the obligor is an affiliate of the trustee, describe each such affiliation.

 

None with respect to the trustee.

 

No responses are included for Items 3-14 of this Form T-1 because the obligor is not in default as provided under Item 13.

 

Item 15. Foreign Trustee. Not applicable.

 

Item 16. List of Exhibits. List below all exhibits filed as a part of this Statement of Eligibility.

 

Exhibit 1. A copy of the Articles of Association of the trustee now in effect.*

 

Exhibit 2. A copy of the Comptroller of the Currency Certificate of Corporate
Existence for Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, dated January 14, 2015.*

Exhibit 3. A copy of the Comptroller of the Currency Certification of Fiduciary Powers for Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, dated January 6, 2014.*

 

Exhibit 4. Copy of By-laws of the trustee as now in effect.*

 

Exhibit 5. Not applicable.

 

Exhibit 6. The consent of the trustee required by Section 321(b) of the Act.

 

Exhibit 7. A copy of the latest report of condition of the trustee published pursuant to law or the requirements of its supervising or examining authority.

 

Exhibit 8. Not applicable.

 

Exhibit 9. Not applicable.

 

* Incorporated by reference to the exhibit of the same number to the trustee’s Form T-1 filed as exhibit to the Filing 305B2 dated March 13, 2015 of file number 333-190926.

 

 

 

 

SIGNATURE

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, the trustee, Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, a national banking association organized and existing under the laws of the United States of America, has duly caused this statement of eligibility to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, all in the City of Los Angeles and State of California on the 1st day of August, 2016.

 

  WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION  
     
  /s/ Maddy H ughes  
  Maddy H ughes  
  Vice President  

 

 

 

 

EXHIBIT 6

 

August 1, 2016

 

Securities and Exchange Commission

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

Gentlemen:

 

In accordance with Section 321(b) of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, the undersigned hereby consents that reports of examination of the undersigned made by Federal, State, Territorial, or District authorities authorized to make such examination may be furnished by such authorities to the Securities and Exchange Commission upon its request therefor.

 

  Very truly yours,  
     
  WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION  
     
  /s/  Maddy.H ughes  
  Maddy H ughes  
  Vice President  

 

 

 

 

Exhibit 7

Consolidated Report of Condition of

 

Wells Fargo Bank National Association

of 101 North Phillips Avenue, Sioux Falls, SD 57104

And Foreign and Domestic Subsidiaries,

at the close of business March 31, 2016, filed in accordance with 12 U.S.C. §161 for National Banks.

 

          Dollar Amounts  
          In Millions  
             
ASSETS                
Cash and balances due from depository institutions:                
Noninterest-bearing balances and currency and coin           $ 17,096  
Interest-bearing balances             249,869  
Securities:                
Held-to-maturity securities             79,348  
Available-for-sale securities             236,036  
Federal funds sold and securities purchased under agreements to resell:                
Federal funds sold in domestic offices             88  
Securities purchased under agreements to resell             21,788  
Loans and lease financing receivables:                
Loans and leases held for sale             13,154  
Loans and leases, net of unearned income     905,478          
LESS: Allowance for loan and lease losses     10,504          
Loans and leases, net of unearned income and allowance             894,974  
Trading Assets             37,241  
Premises and fixed assets (including capitalized leases)             7,767  
Other real estate owned             1,205  
Investments in unconsolidated subsidiaries and associated companies             10,083  
Direct and indirect investments in real estate ventures             0  
Intangible assets                
Goodwill             23,004  
Other intangible assets             16,667  
Other assets             59,465  
                 
Total assets           $ 1,667,785  
                 
LIABILITIES                
Deposits:                
In domestic offices           $ 1,139,478  
Noninterest-bearing     348,335          
Interest-bearing     791,143          
In foreign offices, Edge and Agreement subsidiaries, and IBFs             145,961  
Noninterest-bearing     959          
Interest-bearing     145,002          
Federal funds purchased and securities sold under agreements to repurchase:                
Federal funds purchased in domestic offices             6,268  
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase             20,054  

 

 

 

 

    Dollar Amounts  
    In Millions  
       
Trading liabilities     25,900  
Other borrowed money        
(includes mortgage indebtedness and obligations under capitalized leases)     130,425  
Subordinated notes and debentures     14,780  
Other liabilities     30,233  
         
Total liabilities   $ 1,513,099  
         
EQUITY CAPITAL        
Perpetual preferred stock and related surplus     0  
Common stock     519  
Surplus (exclude all surplus related to preferred stock)     106,704  
Retained earnings     43,436  
Accumulated other comprehensive income     3,626  
Other equity capital components     0  
         
Total bank equity capital     154,285  
Noncontrolling (minority) interests in consolidated subsidiaries     401  
         
Total equity capital     154,686  
         
Total liabilities, and equity capital   $ 1,667,785  

 

I, John R. Shrewsberry, Sr. EVP & CFO of the above-named bank do hereby declare that this Report of Condition has been prepared in conformance with the instructions issued by the appropriate Federal regulatory authority and is true to the best of my knowledge and belief.

 

  John R. Shrewsberry
  Sr. EVP & CFO  

 

We, the undersigned directors, attest to the correctness of this Report of Condition and declare that it has been examined by us and to the best of our knowledge and belief has been prepared in conformance with the instructions issued by the appropriate Federal regulatory authority and is true and correct.

 

John Stumpf Directors
James Quigley  
Enrique Hernandez, Jr