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As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on October 1, 2007

Registration No. 333-


SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 


FORM S-3

REGISTRATION STATEMENT

UNDER

THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

 


LIMITED BRANDS, INC.

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

 

Delaware    31-1029810

(State or Other Jurisdiction of

Incorporation or Organization)

  

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification Number)

Three Limited Parkway

P.O. Box 16000

Columbus, Ohio, 43216

(614) 415-7000

(Address, Including Zip Code, and Telephone Number, Including Area Code, of Registrant’s Principal Executive Offices)

Douglas L. Williams

Senior Vice President and General Counsel

Limited Brands, Inc.

Three Limited Parkway, P.O. Box 16000

Columbus, Ohio, 43216

(614) 415-7000

(Name, Address, Including Zip Code, and Telephone Number, Including Area Code, of Agent For Service)

 


Copy to:

Sarah Beshar

Davis Polk & Wardwell

450 Lexington Avenue

New York, NY 10017

(212) 450-4000

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.   x

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.   ¨

 

CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE

Title of Shares to be Registered    Amount to be
Registered (1)
   Proposed Maximum
Offering Price Per
Unit (1)
   Proposed Maximum
Aggregate Offering
Price (1)
   Amount of
Registration Fee

Common Stock, $0.50 par value;

           

Preferred Stock, $1.00 par value;

           

Depository Shares;

           

Debt Securities;

           

Warrants;

           

Purchase Contracts;

           

Units;

           

Total

           

(1) An indeterminate amount of securities to be offered at indeterminate prices is being registered pursuant to this registration statement. The Registrant is deferring payment of the registration fee pursuant to Rule 456(b) and is omitting this information in reliance on Rule 456(b) and Rule 457(r).

 


The Registrant hereby amends this registration statement on such date or dates as may be necessary to delay its effective date until 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 of 1933 or until the registration statement shall become effective on such date as the Commission, acting pursuant to said Section 8(a), may determine.

 



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PROSPECTUS

LIMITED BRANDS, INC.

COMMON STOCK

PREFERRED STOCK

DEPOSITARY SHARES

DEBT SECURITIES

WARRANTS

PURCHASE CONTRACTS

UNITS

 


This prospectus relates to common stock, preferred stock, depositary shares, debt securities, warrants, purchase contracts and units that Limited Brands, Inc. may sell from time to time in one or more offerings. This prospectus will allow us to issue securities over time.

We will provide a prospectus supplement each time we issue securities, which will inform you about the specific terms of that offering and may also supplement, update or amend information contained in this document. You should read this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement carefully before you invest.

Our common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “LTD.” We have not yet determined whether any of the other securities that may be offered by this prospectus will be listed on any exchange, inter-dealer quotation system or over-the-counter market. If we decide to seek the listing of any such securities upon issuance, the prospectus supplement relating to those securities will disclose the exchange, quotation system or market on which the securities will be listed.

Investing in our securities involves risk. See “ Risk Factors ” beginning on page 5 of this prospectus.

 


Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved these securities, or determined if this prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

The date of this prospectus is October 1, 2007


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In this prospectus the terms “Limited Brands,” “we,” “us” and “our” refer to Limited Brands, Inc.

Table of Contents

 

     Page
About This Prospectus    2
Where You Can Find More Information    3
Disclosure About Forward-Looking Statements    4
Limited Brands, Inc.    5
Risk Factors    5
Use of Proceeds    5
Ratios of Earnings to Fixed Charges    5
Description of Capital Stock    6
Description of Debt Securities    8
Description of Warrants    17
Description of Purchase Contracts    18
Description of Units    18
Plan of Distribution    18
Legal Opinions    20
Experts    20

ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS

This prospectus is part of a registration statement that we filed with the SEC utilizing a “shelf” registration process. Under this shelf process, we may sell the securities described in this prospectus in one or more offerings. This prospectus provides you with a general description of the securities we may offer. Each time we sell securities, we will provide a prospectus supplement that will contain specific information about the terms of that offering. The prospectus supplement may also add, update or change information contained in this prospectus. You should read both this prospectus and any prospectus supplement together with additional information described under the heading “Where You Can Find More Information.”

 

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WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

We file annual, quarterly and special reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. Our SEC filings are available to the public over the Internet at the SEC’s web site at http://www.sec.gov. You may also read and copy any document we file at the SEC’s public reference rooms in Washington, D.C. Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information on their public reference room.

The SEC allows us to incorporate by reference the information we file with them, which means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to those documents. The information incorporated by reference is an important part of this prospectus, and information that we file later with the SEC will automatically update and supersede this information. We incorporate by reference the documents listed below and any future filings we make with the SEC under Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14, or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 until we sell all of the securities. Information under Item 2.02 or 7.01 furnished in Current Reports on Form 8-K is not incorporated by reference herein:

 

   

Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended February 3, 2007 (the “2006 Annual Report”) (including the portions of the proxy statement for our annual meeting of stockholders held on May 21, 2007, filed on April 16, 2007 and incorporated by reference therein).

 

   

Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarterly periods ended May 5, 2007 and August 4, 2007.

 

   

Current Reports on Form 8-K filed on April 11, 2007, May 15, 2007 (with respect to Items 1.01, 8.01 and 9.01), June 22, 2007, July 9, 2007, July 11, 2007, July 31, 2007 and September 10, 2007.

 

   

The description of our capital stock contained in the Form 8 Amendment to Form 8-A, filed on September 11, 1989, as amended.

You may request a copy of these filings, at no cost, by writing or telephoning us at our principal executive offices at the following address:

Limited Brands, Inc.

Three Limited Parkway

P.O. Box 16000

Columbus, Ohio 43216

(614) 415-7076

You should rely only on the information incorporated by reference or provided in this prospectus. We have not authorized anyone else to provide you with different information. We are not making an offer of these securities in any state where the offer is not permitted. You should not assume that the information in this prospectus is accurate as of any date other than the date on the front of this prospectus.

 

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DISCLOSURE ABOUT FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

We caution that any forward-looking statements (as such term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995) contained in this prospectus or made by us or management involve risks and uncertainties and are subject to change based on various important factors, many of which are beyond our control. Accordingly, our future performance and financial results may differ materially from those expressed or implied in any such forward-looking statements. Words such as “estimate,” “project,” “plan,” “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “planned,” “potential” and similar expressions may identify forward-looking statements. The following factors, among others, in some cases have affected and in the future could affect our financial performance and actual results and could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in any forward-looking statements included in this prospectus or otherwise made by us: risks associated with general economic conditions, consumer confidence and consumer spending patterns; the potential impact of national and international security concerns on the retail environment, including any possible military action, terrorist attacks or other hostilities; risks associated with the seasonality of our business; risks associated with the highly competitive nature of the retail industry generally and the segments in which we operate particularly; risks related to consumer acceptance of our products and our ability to keep up with fashion trends, develop new merchandise, launch new product lines successfully, offer products at the appropriate price points and enhance our brand image; risks associated with our ability to retain, hire and train key personnel and management; risks associated with the possible inability of our manufacturers to deliver products in a timely manner or meet quality standards; risks associated with our reliance on foreign sources of production, including risks related to the disruption of imports by labor disputes, risks related to political instability, risks associated with legal and regulatory matters, risks related to duties, taxes, other charges and quotas on imports, risks related to local business practices, potential delays or disruptions in shipping and related pricing impacts and political issues and risks related to currency and exchange rates; risks associated with the dependence on a high volume of mall traffic and the possible lack of availability of suitable store locations on appropriate terms; risks associated with labor shortages or increased labor costs; risks associated with increases in the costs of mailing, paper and printing; risks associated with our ability to service any debt we incur from time to time as well as the requirements the agreements related to such debt impose upon us; risks associated with our reliance on information technology, including risks related to the implementation of new information technology and distribution systems and risks related to utilizing third parties to provide information technology services; risks associated with severe weather conditions, natural disasters or health hazards; risks associated with rising energy costs; and risks associated with independent licensees. We are not under any obligation and we do not intend to make publicly available any update or other revisions to any of the forward-looking statements contained in this prospectus to reflect circumstances existing after the date of this prospectus or to reflect the occurrence of future events even if experience or future events make it clear that any expected results expressed or implied by those forward-looking statements will not be realized.

 

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LIMITED BRANDS, INC.

Limited Brands, through Victoria’s Secret, Bath & Body Works, C.O. Bigelow, La Senza, White Barn Candle Co. and Henri Bendel, presently operates 2,911 specialty stores. The Company’s products are also available online at www.VictoriasSecret.com, www.BathandBodyWorks.com and www.LaSenza.com.

Limited Brands was re-incorporated as The Limited, Inc. under the laws of Delaware in 1982 and changed its name to Limited Brands, Inc. in May 2002. Our principal executive offices are located at Three Limited Parkway, P.O. Box 16000, Columbus, Ohio 43216. Our Investor Relations telephone number is 614-415-7076. Internet users can obtain information about Limited Brands and its services at www.limitedbrands.com. However, the information on our website, on the Victoria’s Secret website, on the Bath & Body Works website and on the La Senza website is not a part of this prospectus.

RISK FACTORS

Investing in our securities may involve risks. You should carefully consider the specific factors discussed under the caption “Risk Factors” in the applicable prospectus supplement, together with all the other information contained in the prospectus supplement or appearing or incorporated by reference in this prospectus. You should also consider the risks, uncertainties and assumptions discussed under the caption “Risk Factors” in our annual report on Form 10-K filed for the year ended February 3, 2007, which is incorporated by reference in this prospectus, and which may be amended, supplemented or superseded from time to time by other reports we file with the SEC in the future.

USE OF PROCEEDS

Except as otherwise set forth in a prospectus supplement, we intend to use the net proceeds from the sale of the securities for general corporate purposes, which could include repayments of outstanding debt, and for business acquisitions or investments.

RATIOS OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES

The table below sets forth our ratios of earnings to fixed charges for the periods indicated. The ratios have been calculated based upon earnings from continuing operations before fixed charges and taxes on income. Fixed charges include interest and an estimate of the portion of minimum rentals that represents interest.

 

For the Twenty-Six Weeks Ended

  

For the Fiscal Years Ended

August 4,

2007

  

July 29,

2006

  

February 3,

2007

  

January 28,

2006

  

January 29,

2005

  

January 31,

2004

  

February 1,

2003

5.2

   3.8    5.7    5.0    6.0    6.2    5.5

For the purpose of calculating the ratios of earnings to fixed charges, we calculate earnings by adding fixed charges and distributions from equity method investees, net of income or losses from equity method investees, to pre-tax income from continuing operations before minority interests in consolidated subsidiaries and cumulative effect of changes in accounting principle. Fixed charges include total interest and a portion of rent expense, which we believe is representative of the interest factor of our rent expense. Interest associated with income tax liabilities is excluded from our calculation. Pre-tax income includes the effect of the following special items:

In the twenty-six weeks ended August 4, 2007: (1) a $302 million gain related to the divestiture of a 75% interest in Express to affiliates of Golden Gate Capital (2) a $72 million loss related to the divestiture of a 75% interest in Limited Stores to affiliates of Sun Capital Partners (3) a $100 million gain related to the refinancing of Easton Town Center, in which the Company has an investment interest (4) a $47 million

 

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restructuring charge for costs of disposing of non-core assets and severance related to the termination of approximately 10% of the Company’s home office headcount and (5) a $17 million gain related to interest rate locks entered into in the first quarter in anticipation of the future issuance of debt.

In the fiscal year ended February 3, 2007: $26 million in incremental share-based compensation expense related to the adoption of SFAS 123(R).

In the fiscal year ended January 28, 2006: (1) a $30 million gain related to the recognition of gift card breakage and (2) $40 million of interest income related to the settlement of a tax matter.

In the fiscal year ended January 29, 2005: (1) a $45 million gain resulting from the early collection of a long-term note receivable and the sale of New York & Company warrants held by us (2) a $45 million gain resulting from the initial public offering of New York & Company and (3) a $18 million gain resulting from the sale of our remaining ownership interest in Galyan’s.

In the fiscal year ended January 31, 2004: a $208 million gain resulting from the sale of our investment in Alliance Data Systems Corporation.

In the fiscal year ended February 1, 2003: (1) a $34 million non-cash, special and nonrecurring charge resulting from the Intimate Brands, Inc. recombination and (2) a $6 million gain resulting from the sale of our interest in Charming Shoppes, Inc. common stock.

DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK

The following summary of the terms of our capital stock is not meant to be complete and is qualified by reference to our certificate of incorporation and by-laws. Copies of our certificate of incorporation and by-laws are incorporated by reference and will be sent upon request. See “Where You Can Find More Information.”

Authorized Capital Stock

Under our charter, our authorized capital stock consists of:

 

   

1,000,000,000 shares of common stock with $.50 par value,

 

   

10,000,000 shares of preferred stock with $1.00 par value, and

 

   

On August 31, 2007, there were outstanding:

 

   

362,312,188 shares of our common stock;

 

   

3,642,187 shares of restricted common stock;

 

   

employee stock options to purchase an aggregate of approximately 19,008,498 shares of our common stock; and

 

   

no shares of our preferred stock.

Our common stock is listed for trading on the New York Stock Exchange under the trading symbol “LTD.”

Common Stock

Common Stock Outstanding

The outstanding shares of common stock are, and any shares of common stock issued will be, duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable.

Voting Rights

Each holder of common stock is entitled to one vote for each share of common stock held of record on the applicable record date on all matters submitted to a vote of stockholders. Holders of common stock do not have cumulative voting rights.

 

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Dividend Rights

Subject to the rights of any shares of preferred stock which may at the time be outstanding, holders of common stock are entitled to receive dividends as may be declared from time to time by our Board of Directors out of funds legally available therefor.

Rights upon Liquidation or Dissolution

In the event of liquidation or dissolution, each share of common stock is entitled to share pro rata in any distribution of our assets after payment or providing for the payment of liabilities and the liquidation preference of any outstanding preferred stock. Holders of our common stock have no preferential, preemptive, conversion or redemption rights.

Preferred Stock

The following summary contains a description of some of the principal terms of our preferred stock. This description of the principal provisions of our preferred stock does not purport to be complete and is subject to and qualified in its entirety by reference to the applicable provisions of our certificate of incorporation relating to each particular series of preferred stock. The particular terms of any series of preferred stock we offer, including the extent to which the terms described below may apply to that series of preferred stock, will be described in a prospectus supplement relating to that series of preferred stock.

Serial Preferred Stock

Under our certificate of incorporation, without further stockholder action, our Board of Directors is authorized to provide for the issuance of up to 10,000,000 shares of preferred stock. Preferred stock may be issued in one or more series, with such designations of titles, dividend rates, any redemption provisions, special or relative rights in the event of liquidation, dissolution, distribution or winding-up of Limited Brands, Inc., any sinking fund provisions, any conversion provisions, any voting rights, and any other preferences, privileges, powers, rights, qualifications, limitations and restrictions as shall be set forth as and when established by our Board of Directors.

The shares of any series of serial preferred stock will be, when issued, fully paid and nonassessable and the holders will have no preemptive rights in connection with the preferred stock.

Blank Check Preferred Stock

Under our certificate of incorporation, our Board of Directors has the authority, without stockholder approval, to create one or more classes or series within a class of preferred stock, to issue shares of preferred stock in such class or series up to the maximum number of shares of the relevant class or series of preferred stock authorized, and to determine the preferences, rights, privileges and restrictions of any such class or series, including the dividend rights, voting rights, the rights and terms of redemption, the rights and terms of conversion, liquidation preferences, the number of shares constituting any such class or series and the designation of such class or series. Acting under this authority, our Board of Directors could create and issue a class or series of preferred stock with rights, privileges or restrictions, and adopt a stockholder rights plan having the effect of, discriminating against an existing or prospective holder of securities as a result of such stockholder beneficially owning or commencing a tender offer for a substantial amount of our common stock. One of the effects of authorized but unissued and unreserved shares of capital stock may be to render more difficult or discourage an attempt by a potential acquiror to obtain control of Limited Brands, Inc. by means of a merger, tender offer, proxy contest or otherwise, and thereby protect the continuity of our management. The issuance of such shares of capital stock may have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a change in control of Limited Brands, Inc. without any further action by our stockholders. We have no present intention to adopt a stockholder rights plan, but could do so without stockholder approval at any future time.

Depositary Shares

We may, at our option, elect to offer fractional shares of preferred stock rather than full shares of preferred stock. If we exercise this option, we will issue to the public receipts for depositary shares, and each of these depositary shares will represent a fraction (to be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement) of a share of a particular series of preferred stock.

 

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The shares of any series of preferred stock underlying the depositary shares will be deposited under a deposit agreement between us and a bank or trust company selected by us. The depositary will have its principal office in the United States and a combined capital and surplus of at least $50,000,000. Subject to the terms of the deposit agreement, each owner of a depositary share will be entitled, in proportion to the applicable fraction of a share of preferred stock underlying the depositary share, to all of the rights and preferences of the preferred stock underlying that depositary share. Those rights may include dividend, voting, redemption, conversion and liquidation rights.

The depositary shares will be evidenced by depositary receipts issued under a deposit agreement. Depositary receipts will be distributed to those persons purchasing the fractional shares of preferred stock underlying the depositary shares, in accordance with the terms of the offering. We will describe the material terms of the deposit agreement, the depositary shares and the depositary receipts in a prospectus supplement relating to the depositary shares. You should also refer to the forms of the deposit agreement and depositary receipts that will be filed with the SEC in connection with the offering of the specific depositary shares.

DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES

The following description of the terms of the debt securities provides certain general terms and provisions of the debt securities to which any prospectus supplement may relate. We will describe in any prospectus supplement the particular terms of the debt securities offered and the extent, if any, to which the general provisions apply to the debt securities.

We will issue senior debt securities under an indenture, dated as of March 15, 1988, between us and The Bank of New York, as trustee, as amended by a supplemental indenture, dated as of May 31, 2005, among us, The Bank of New York, as resigning trustee, and The Bank of New York Trust Company, N.A., as successor trustee and as further amended by the second supplemental indenture, dated as of July 17, 2007 between us and The Bank of New York Trust Company, N.A., as trustee.

We will issue subordinated debt securities under an indenture to be entered into between us and The Bank of New York Trust Company, N.A., as trustee.

Copies of each indenture and the supplemental indentures are filed as exhibits to the registration statement to which this prospectus relates. The following summary of the indentures does not purport to be complete and is subject to, and qualified in its entirety by reference to, the indentures. Numerical references in parentheses below are to sections in the indentures. Wherever we refer to particular sections of, or defined terms in, the indentures, we intend that these sections or defined terms shall be incorporated herein by reference.

General

The debt securities will be unsecured general obligations of Limited Brands, Inc. and will constitute either senior or subordinated debt of Limited Brands, Inc. With respect to the subordinated debt securities, the payment of principal of, interest on and all other amounts owing in respect of the subordinated debt securities will be subordinated in right of payment to the prior payment in full in cash of principal of, interest on and all other amounts owing in respect of all of our senior indebtedness (as defined below). Upon any payment or distribution of our assets of any kind or character, whether in cash, property or securities, to creditors upon any total or partial liquidation, dissolution, winding up, reorganization, assignment for the benefit of creditors or marshaling of our assets or in a bankruptcy, reorganization, insolvency, receivership or other similar proceeding relating to us or our property, whether voluntary or involuntary, all principal of, interest on and all other amounts due or to become due will be paid, first, to all senior indebtedness in full in cash, or such payment duly provided for to the satisfaction of the holders of senior indebtedness, before any payment or distribution of any kind or character is made on account of any principal of, interest on or other amounts owing in respect of the subordinated debt securities (other than in permitted junior securities), or for the acquisition of any of the subordinated debt securities for cash, property or otherwise.

 

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As a holding company, our principal source of funds is dividends and advances from subsidiaries. Also, because we are a holding company, our rights and the rights of our creditors, including the holders of debt securities, to participate in the assets of any subsidiary upon the subsidiary’s liquidation or reorganization would be subject to the prior claims of such subsidiary’s creditors, except to the extent that Limited Brands, Inc. may itself be a creditor with allowable claims against the subsidiary.

If any default occurs and is continuing in the payment when due, whether at maturity, upon any redemption, by declaration or otherwise, of any principal of, premium, interest on, unpaid drawings for letters of credit issued in respect of, or regularly accruing fees with respect to, any senior indebtedness, no payment of any kind or character will be made by or on behalf of us or any other person on our or their behalf with respect to any principal of, interest on or other amounts owing in respect of the subordinated debt securities (other than in permitted junior securities) or to acquire any of the subordinated debt securities for cash, property or otherwise.

If any other event of default occurs and is continuing with respect to any designated senior indebtedness, as such event of default is defined in the instrument creating or evidencing such designated senior indebtedness, permitting the holders of such designated senior indebtedness then outstanding to accelerate the maturity thereof and if the representative (as defined in the applicable indenture) for the respective issue of designated senior indebtedness gives written notice of the event of default to the trustee, then, unless and until all events of default have been cured or waived or have ceased to exist or the trustee receives notice from the representative for the respective issue of designated senior indebtedness terminating the blockage period (as defined below), during the period commencing on the date of receipt of such default notice by the trustee and ending 179 days thereafter, neither we nor any other person on our behalf will:

 

   

make any payment of any kind or character with respect to any principal of, interest on or other amounts owing in respect of the subordinated debt securities (other than in permitted junior securities); or

 

   

acquire any of the subordinated debt securities for cash, property or otherwise.

Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, in no event will a blockage period extend beyond 179 days from the date the payment on the subordinated debt securities was due and only one such blockage period may be commenced within any 360 consecutive days. No event of default which existed or was continuing on the date of the commencement of any blockage period with respect to the designated senior indebtedness will be, or be made, the basis for commencement of a second blockage period by the representative of such designated senior indebtedness whether or not within a period of 360 consecutive days unless such event of default will have been cured or waived for a period of not less than 90 consecutive days (it being acknowledged that any subsequent action or any breach of any financial covenants for a period commencing after the date of commencement of such blockage period that, in either case, would give rise to an event of default pursuant to any provisions under which an event of default previously existed or was continuing will constitute a new event of default for this purpose).

As a result of the foregoing provisions, in the event of our insolvency, holders of the subordinated debt securities may recover ratably less than our general creditors.

“Senior indebtedness” means:

 

  (1) the principal, including redemption payments, premium. if any, interest and other payment obligations in respect of (a) our indebtedness for money borrowed, (b) our indebtedness evidenced by securities, debentures, bonds, notes or other similar instruments issued by us, including any such securities issued under any deed, indenture or other instrument to which we are a party and (c) guarantees of any of the foregoing;

 

  (2) all of our capital lease obligations;

 

  (3) all of our obligations issued or assumed as the deferred purchase price of property, all of our conditional sale obligations, all of our hedging agreements and agreements of a similar nature thereto and all agreements relating to any such agreements, and all of our obligations under any title retention agreement, but excluding trade accounts payable arising in the ordinary course of business;

 

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  (4) all of our obligations for reimbursement on any letter of credit, banker’s acceptance, security purchase facility or similar credit transaction;

 

  (5) all obligations of the type referred to in clauses (1) through (4) above of other persons for the payment of which we are responsible or liable as obligor, guarantor or otherwise;

 

  (6) all obligations of the type referred to in clauses (1) through (5) above of other persons secured by any lien on any of our property or assets, whether or not such obligation is assumed by us; and

 

  (7) any deferrals, amendments, renewals, extensions, modifications and refundings of all obligations of the type referred to in clauses (1) through (6) above, in each case whether or not contingent and whether outstanding at the date of effectiveness of the applicable indenture or thereafter incurred,

except, in each case, for the subordinated debt securities and (i) any such other securities to be issued by us in the future that contain express terms, or are issued under a deed, indenture or other instrument, which contains express terms, providing that such securities are subordinate to or rank equal with the subordinated debt securities, (ii) trade accounts payable or accrued liabilities arising in the ordinary course of business and (iii) indebtedness owed by us to our subsidiaries, which also will rank equally in right of payment and upon liquidation to the subordinated debt securities.

Such senior indebtedness will continue to be senior indebtedness and be entitled to the benefits of the subordination provisions of the applicable indenture irrespective of any amendment, modification or waiver of any term of such senior indebtedness and notwithstanding that no express written subordination agreement may have been entered into between the holders of such senior indebtedness and the trustee for any of the holders.

“Permitted junior securities” means:

 

   

our capital stock; or

 

   

debt securities issued pursuant to a confirmed plan of reorganization that are subordinated in right of payment to all senior indebtedness and any debt securities issued in exchange for senior indebtedness that are subordinated to substantially the same extent as, or to a greater extent than, the subordinated debt securities are subordinated to the senior indebtedness under the indenture.

“Designated senior indebtedness” means any senior indebtedness the principal amount of which is at least $20.0 million or more at the time we designate such senior indebtedness as designated senior indebtedness in a writing delivered to the trustee.

Each indenture provides that debt securities may be issued from time to time in one or more series. We may authorize the issuance and provide for the terms of a series of debt securities pursuant to a supplemental indenture or pursuant to a resolution of our Board of Directors, any duly authorized committee of the Board of Directors or any committee of officers or other representatives of Limited Brands, Inc. duly authorized by the Board of Directors for this purpose.

Each indenture provides Limited Brands, Inc. with the ability to “reopen” a previous issue of a series of debt securities and to issue additional debt securities of such series. The indentures do not limit or otherwise restrict the amount of indebtedness which may be issued in accordance with it or that may otherwise be issued by us or any of our subsidiaries. (Sections 301 and 1301)

The indentures do not contain any covenants or provisions that would afford holders of debt securities protection in the event of a highly-leveraged transaction, reorganization, restructuring or similar transaction.

You should refer to the prospectus supplement relating to a particular series of debt securities for the terms of those debt securities, including, where applicable:

 

   

classification as senior or subordinated debt securities;

 

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ranking of the specific series of debt securities relative to other outstanding indebtedness, including subsidiaries’ debt;

 

   

if the debt securities are subordinated, the aggregate amount of outstanding indebtedness, as of a recent date, that is senior to the subordinated securities, and any limitation on the issuance of additional senior indebtedness;

 

   

the designation, aggregate principal amount, currency or currencies and denominations of the debt securities;

 

   

the price (expressed as a percentage of the aggregate principal amount of the debt securities) at which the debt securities will be issued;

 

   

the date or dates of maturity;

 

   

the currency or currencies in which the relevant debt securities are being sold and in which the principal of, premium if any, or interest on these debt securities will be payable and, if the holders of any of these debt securities may elect the currency in which payments according to such debt securities are to be made, the manner of the election;

 

   

the annual rate or rates (which may be fixed, variable or zero) at which the relevant debt securities will bear interest;

 

   

the date from which the interest on the relevant debt securities will accrue, the dates on which this interest will be payable and the date on which payment of this interest will commence;

 

   

provisions relating to the deferral of interest payments or extension of interest payments on the subordinated debt securities, including the duration of any such deferral or extension period and the maximum period during which interest payments may be deferred or extended and any provisions relating to the obligations of the Company or limitations on claims of Holders with respect to deferred interest;

 

   

if the amount of payments of principal and premium, if any, or any interest may be determined with reference to an index based on a currency or currencies other than that in which the debt securities are stated to be payable, the manner in which these amounts shall be determined;

 

   

if the amount of payments of principal and premium, if any, or any interest may be determined with reference to an index based on the prices of securities or commodities, with reference to changes in the prices of particular securities or commodities or otherwise by application of a formula, the manner in which this amount shall be determined;

 

   

the dates on which and the price or prices at which the relevant debt securities will, pursuant to any mandatory sinking fund provision, or may, pursuant to any optional redemption or required repayment provisions, be redeemed or repaid and the other terms and provisions of any optional redemption or required repayment;

 

   

whether such debt securities are to be issued in the form of one or more global securities and, if so, the identity of the depositary (see definition below) for such global security or securities;

 

   

whether the subordinated debt securities will be convertible or exchangeable into shares of common stock or preferred stock, or any of our other capital stock, or any capital stock of any other issuer, cash, or any other property, or any combination of the foregoing, the terms on which such subordinated debt securities are convertible and any requirements relating to the reservation of such shares of common stock or preferred stock for purposes of conversion;

 

   

any listing of debt securities on any securities exchange;

 

   

the applicability of any guarantees to the subordinated debt securities;

 

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the terms of any debt warrants offered together with the relevant debt securities; and

 

   

any other specific terms of or matters relating to the relevant debt securities.

The debt securities will be issuable only in fully registered form without coupons or in the form of one or more global securities, as described below under “global securities.” Unless the prospectus supplement specifies otherwise, debt securities denominated in U.S. dollars will be issued only in denominations of U.S. $1,000 and any integral multiple of this amount. The prospectus supplement relating to debt securities denominated in a foreign or composite currency will specify the authorized denominations. (Sections 302 and 305)

If the amount of payments of principal of, premium, if any, or any interest on debt securities of any series is determined with reference to any type of index or formula or changes in prices of particular securities or commodities, the federal income tax consequences, specific terms and other information with respect to these debt securities and this index or formula, securities or commodities will be described in the relevant prospectus supplement.

If the principal of, premium, if any, or any interest on debt securities of any series is payable in a foreign or composite currency, the restrictions, elections, federal income tax consequences, specific terms and other information with respect to such debt securities and such currency will be described in the relevant prospectus supplement.

Holders of debt securities (other than global securities) may present them for transfer (with the form of transfer endorsed thereon duly executed) or exchange for other debt securities of the same series at the office of any transfer agent or such other agency as may be designated by Limited Brands, Inc. without service charge and upon payment of any taxes and other governmental charges as described in the indenture. (Section 305)

Payment of principal of and premium, if any, on debt securities will be made in the designated currency against surrender of any debt securities at the Corporate Trust Office of the trustee in The City of New York. Unless otherwise indicated in the prospectus supplement, payment of any installment of interest on debt securities will be made to the person in whose name a relevant debt security is registered at the close of business on the regular record date for such interest. Unless otherwise indicated in the prospectus supplement, payments of such interest will be made at the Corporate Trust Office of the trustee in The City of New York or by a check in the designated currency mailed to the holder at such holder’s registered address. (Sections 307 and 501)

All moneys paid by us to a paying agent for the payment of principal of, or premium, if any, or interest on any debt security that remain unclaimed at the end of two years after such principal, premium or interest shall have become due and payable will be repaid to us, and the holder of such debt security will thereafter look only to us for payment thereof. (Section 503)

Debt securities may be issued as original issue discount securities to be offered and sold at a substantial discount below their stated principal amount. Federal income tax consequences and other special considerations applicable to any original issue discount securities will be described in the relevant prospectus supplement. “Original issue discount security” means any debt security that provides for an amount less than the principal amount thereof to be due and payable upon a declaration of acceleration of the maturity thereof upon the occurrence of an event of default and the continuation thereof. (Section 101)

Global Securities

The debt securities of a series may be issued in the form of one or more fully registered global securities that will be deposited with, or on behalf of, a depositary identified in the prospectus supplement relating to such series. In such case, one or more global securities will be issued in a denomination or aggregate denominations equal to the aggregate principal amount of outstanding debt securities of the series represented by such global security or securities. Unless and until it is exchanged in whole or in part for debt securities in definitive registered form, a global security may not be transferred except as a whole by a depositary for such global security to a nominee of such depositary or by a nominee of such depositary to such depositary or another nominee of such depositary or by such depositary or any such nominee to a successor of such depositary or a nominee of such successor. (Section 303)

 

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The specific terms of the depositary arrangement with respect to a series of debt securities will be described in the prospectus supplement relating to such series. We anticipate that the following provisions will apply to all depositary arrangements, unless otherwise specified in the relevant prospectus supplement.

Upon the issuance of a global security, the depositary for such global security will credit, on its book-entry registration and transfer system, the respective principal amounts of the debt securities represented by such global security to the accounts of persons that have accounts with such depositary (“participants”). The accounts to be credited will be designated by the underwriters or agents with respect to such debt securities or by us if such securities are offered and sold directly by us. Ownership of beneficial interests in a global security will be limited to participants or persons that may hold interests through participants. Ownership of beneficial interests in a global security will be shown on, and the transfer of that ownership will be effected only through, records maintained by the depositary for such global security or by participants or persons that hold beneficial interests through participants. The laws of some states require that certain purchasers of securities take physical delivery of such securities in definitive form. Such limits and such laws may impair the ability to transfer beneficial interests in a global security.

So long as the depositary for a global security, or its nominee, is the registered owner of such global security, such depositary or such nominee, as the case may be, will be considered the sole owner or holder of the debt securities represented by such global security for all purposes under the indenture. Except as set forth below, owners of beneficial interests in a global security will not be entitled to have debt securities of the series represented by such global security registered in their names, will not receive or be entitled to receive physical delivery of debt securities of such series in definitive form and will not be considered the owners or holders of any debt securities under the indenture.

Principal, premium, if any, and interest payments on debt securities registered in the name of a depositary or its nominee will be made to the depositary or its nominee, as the case may be, as the registered owner of a global security representing such debt securities. Limited Brands, Inc., the trustee or any paying agent for such debt securities will not have any responsibility or liability for any aspect of the records relating to or payments made on account of beneficial ownership interests in the global security or securities for such debt securities or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records relating to such beneficial ownership interests. (Section 308)

We expect that the depositary for a series of debt securities, upon receipt of any payment of principal, premium or interest, will credit immediately participants’ accounts with payments in amounts proportionate to their respective beneficial interests in the principal amount of the global security or securities for such debt securities as shown on the records of such depositary. We also expect that payments by participants to owners of beneficial interests in such global security or securities held through such participants will be governed by standing instructions and customary practices, as is now the case with securities held for the accounts of customers in bearer form or registered in “street name,” and will be the responsibility of such participants.

If a depositary for a series of debt securities is at any time unwilling or unable to continue as depositary and a successor depositary is not appointed by us within ninety days, we will issue debt securities of such series in definitive form in exchange for the global security or securities representing such series of securities. In addition, we may at any time and in our sole discretion determine not to have the debt securities of a series represented by one or more global securities and, in such event, will issue debt securities of such series in definitive form in exchange for the global security or securities representing such series of debt securities. (Section 305)

Further, if we make this decision with respect to the debt securities of a series, an owner of a beneficial interest in a global security representing debt securities of such series may, on terms acceptable to us and the depositary for such global security, receive debt securities of such series in definitive form. In any such instance, an owner of a beneficial interest in a global security will be entitled to have debt securities of the series represented by such global security equal in principal amount to such beneficial interest registered in its name and will be entitled to physical delivery of such debt securities in definitive form. Debt securities of such series so issued in definitive form will, except as set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement, be issued in denominations of $1,000 and integral multiples of such amount and will be issued in registered form only without coupons. (Section 305)

 

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Limitations on Liens under the Senior Debt Indenture

We have agreed under the senior debt indenture that we will not, and will not permit any subsidiary (as defined below) to, incur, issue, assume or guarantee any indebtedness for money borrowed if such indebtedness is secured by a pledge of, lien on or security interest in any shares of voting stock (as defined below) of any significant subsidiary (as defined below), whether such voting stock is now owned or is hereafter acquired, without providing that each series of senior debt securities issued under such indenture (together with, if we shall so determine, any other indebtedness or obligations of Limited Brands, Inc. or any subsidiary ranking equally with such senior debt securities and then existing or thereafter created) shall be secured equally and ratably with such indebtedness. The foregoing limitation shall not apply to indebtedness secured by a pledge of, lien on or security interest in any shares of voting stock of any corporation at the time it becomes a significant subsidiary. (Section 504)

The term “subsidiary” means any corporation of which securities entitled to elect at least a majority of the corporation’s directors shall at the time be owned, directly or indirectly, by us or one or more other subsidiaries, or by us and one or more other subsidiaries. (Section 101)

The term “significant subsidiary” means a subsidiary (treated for purposes of this definition on a consolidated basis together with its subsidiaries) which meets any of the following conditions:

 

   

our and our other subsidiaries’ investments in and advances to the subsidiary exceed ten percent of the total assets of ours and our subsidiaries consolidated as of the end of the most recently completed fiscal year;

 

   

our and our other subsidiaries’ proportionate share of the total assets (after intercompany eliminations) of the subsidiary exceeds ten percent of the total assets of ours and our subsidiaries consolidated as of the end of the most recently completed fiscal year; or

 

   

our and our other subsidiaries’ equity in the income from continuing operations before income taxes, extraordinary items and cumulative effect of a change in accounting principles of the subsidiary exceeds ten percent of such income of ours and our subsidiaries consolidated for the most recently completed fiscal year. (Section 504)

The term “voting stock” means capital stock the holders of which have general voting power under ordinary circumstances to elect at least a majority of the Board of Directors of a corporation; provided that, for the purpose of such definition, capital stock which carries only the right to vote conditioned on the occurrence of an event shall not be considered voting stock whether or not such event shall have occurred. (Section 504)

Limitations on Mergers and Sales of Assets

We have agreed under each indenture not to consolidate with or merge into another corporation, or sell other than for cash or lease all or substantially all our assets to another corporation, or purchase all or substantially all the assets of another corporation, unless

 

   

either Limited Brands, Inc. is the continuing corporation or the successor corporation (if other than Limited Brands, Inc.) expressly assumes by supplemental indenture the obligations of the debt securities (in which case, except in the case of such a lease, we will be discharged from these obligations) and

 

   

immediately after the merger, consolidation, sale or lease, we or the successor corporation (if other than us) would not be in default in the performance of any covenant or condition of the respective indenture. (Sections 505 and 1401 of the senior debt indenture and Section 801 of the subordinated debt indenture)

Modification of the Indenture

Each indenture contains provisions permitting us and the trustee, without the consent of the holders of debt securities, to establish, among other things, the form and terms of any series of debt securities issuable under each

 

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indenture by one or more supplemental indentures and, with the consent of the holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the debt securities at the time outstanding of each series which are affected thereby, to modify each indenture or any supplemental indenture or the rights of the holders of the debt securities of such series to be affected; provided that no such modification will:

 

   

extend the fixed maturity of any debt securities, reduce the rate or extend the time of payment of interest thereon (except for any deferral of interest permitted pursuant to Section 3.01), reduce the principal amount thereof or the premium, if any, thereon, reduce the amount of the principal of original issue discount securities payable on any date, change the coin or currency in which principal of or any premium or interest on any debt securities is payable or impair the right to institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment on or after the maturity thereof, without the consent of the holder of each debt security so affected, or

 

   

reduce the aforesaid percentage of debt securities of any series, the consent of the holders of which is required for any such modification or for the waiver of past default in the case of subordinated debt securities, without the consent of the holders of all debt securities of such series then outstanding, or

 

   

with respect to the subordinated debt securities, modify any provision of Section 606, 1302 or Section 506 of the subordinated debt indenture or

 

   

modify without the written consent of the trustee the rights, duties or immunities of the trustee. (Sections 1301 and 1302)

Defaults

The senior debt indenture provides that events of default with respect to any series of debt securities will be:

 

   

default for 30 days in payment of interest upon any debt security of such series;

 

   

default in payment of principal (other than a sinking fund installment) or premium, if any, on any debt security of such series;

 

   

default for 30 days in payment of any sinking fund installment when due by the terms of the debt securities of such series;

 

   

default, for 90 days after notice, in the performance of any other covenant in the indenture (other than a covenant included in the indenture solely for the benefit of a series of debt securities other than such series); and

 

   

certain events of bankruptcy or insolvency. (Section 601)

The subordinated debt indenture provides that the failure to pay deferred interest on any subordinated debt securities for a period of 30 days after the conclusion of any permitted deferral period constitutes an event of default. (Section 601)

Additional events of default may be applicable to a series of debt securities if so provided in the supplemental indenture or board resolution applicable to such series. The prospectus supplement will describe any such additional events of default. If an event of default with respect to debt securities of any series should occur and be continuing, either the trustee or the holders of 25% in aggregate principal amount of the debt securities of such series then outstanding may declare each debt security of that series due and payable. (Section 602) We will be required to file annually with the trustee a statement of an officer as to the fulfillment of our obligations under the indenture during the preceding year. (Section 506 of the senior debt indenture and Section 505 of the subordinated debt indenture)

No event of default with respect to a single series of debt securities issued under each indenture (and under or pursuant to any supplemental indenture or board resolution) necessarily constitutes an event of default with respect to any other series of debt securities. (Section 602)

 

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Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the debt securities of any series then outstanding will be entitled to control certain actions of the trustee under the indenture and to waive past defaults with respect to such series. (Sections 602 and 606) Subject to the provisions of each indenture relating to the duties of the trustee, the trustee will not be under any obligation to exercise any of the rights or powers vested in it by the respective indenture at the request, order or direction of any of the holders of debt securities, unless one or more of such holders of debt securities shall have offered to the trustee security or indemnity satisfactory to it. (Section 1001)

If an event of default occurs and is continuing with respect to a series of debt securities, any sums held or received by the trustee under each indenture may be applied to reimburse the respective trustee for its reasonable compensation and expenses incurred prior to any payments to holders of debt securities of such series. (Section 605)

The right of any holder of any series of debt securities to institute an action for any remedy (except such holder’s right to enforce payment of the principal of, and premium, if any, and interest on such holder’s debt security when due) will be subject to certain conditions precedent, including a written notice to the trustee by such holder of the occurrence of one or more events of default with respect to such series of debt securities, a request to the trustee by the holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount of the debt securities of that series then outstanding to take action and an offer satisfactory to the trustee of security and indemnity against liabilities incurred by it in so doing. (Section 607 of the senior debt indenture and Section 602 of the subordinated debt indenture)

Satisfaction and Discharge of the Indenture

At our request, an indenture will be cancelled by the trustee if all sums due to the trustee under such indenture have been paid in full and

 

   

all debt securities previously issued under such indenture have been cancelled or delivered to the trustee for cancellation,

 

   

the principal of and premium, if any, and the amounts due upon conversion or exchange of, if applicable, and interest on, all debt securities issued under such indenture then outstanding have been paid in full, or

 

   

funds have been deposited with the trustee at the maturity of the debt securities sufficient to pay in full the principal of, and premium, if any, and interest on all debt securities then outstanding. (Sections 1101 and 1102)

Defeasance

If so described in the prospectus supplement relating to debt securities of a specific series, we may discharge our indebtedness and our obligations or terminate certain of our obligations under the relevant indenture with respect to the debt securities of such series by depositing funds or obligations issued or guaranteed by the United States of America with the trustee. The prospectus supplement will more fully describe the provisions, if any, relating to such discharge or termination of obligations. (Sections 1103 and 1104)

Concerning the Trustee

The Bank of New York Trust Company, N.A. will be the trustee under each indenture. We have and may from time to time in the future have banking relationships with the trustee in the ordinary course of business.

Each indenture will contain certain limitations on a right of the trustee, as our creditor, to obtain payment of claims in certain cases, or to realize on certain property received in respect of any such claim as security or otherwise. The trustee will be permitted to engage in other transactions; provided that if it acquires any conflicting interest, it must eliminate such conflict or resign.

Subject to the terms of each indenture, the holders of a majority in principal amount of the securities issued and outstanding under each indenture will have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for exercising any remedy or power available to the trustee.

 

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In case an event of default occurs, and is continuing under either indenture and is actually known to a responsible officer of the trustee, the trustee will exercise such of the rights and powers vested in it by the respective indenture and use the same degree of care and skill in its exercise as a prudent person would exercise or use under the circumstances in the conduct of his own affairs. Subject to such provisions, the trustee will not be under any obligation to exercise any of its rights or powers under either indenture at the request of any of the holders of securities issued under such indenture (including the subordinated debt securities) unless they will have offered to the trustee security and indemnity satisfactory to it.

DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS

We may issue warrants to purchase our debt or equity securities or securities of third parties or other rights, including rights to receive payment in cash or securities based on the value, rate or price of one or more specified commodities, currencies, securities or indices, or any combination of the foregoing. Warrants may be issued independently or together with any other securities and may be attached to, or separate from, such securities. Each series of warrants will be issued under a separate warrant agreement to be entered into between us and a warrant agent. The terms of any warrants to be issued and a description of the material provisions of the applicable warrant agreement will be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement.

The applicable prospectus supplement will describe the following terms of any warrants in respect of which this prospectus is being delivered:

 

   

the title of such warrants;

 

   

the aggregate number of such warrants;

 

   

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

 

   

the currency or currencies in which the price of such warrants will be payable;

 

   

the securities or other rights, including rights to receive payment in cash or securities based on the value, rate or price of one or more specified commodities, currencies, securities or indices, or any combination of the foregoing, purchasable upon exercise of such warrants;

 

   

the price at which, and the currency or currencies in which, the securities or other rights purchasable upon exercise of such warrants may be purchased;

 

   

the date on which the right to exercise such warrants shall commence and the date on which such right shall expire;

 

   

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

 

   

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

 

   

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

 

   

information with respect to book-entry procedures, if any;

 

   

if applicable, a discussion of any material United States Federal income tax considerations; and

 

   

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

 

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DESCRIPTION OF PURCHASE CONTRACTS

We may issue purchase contracts for the purchase or sale of:

 

   

debt or equity securities issued by us or securities of third parties, a basket of such securities, an index or indices of such securities or any combination of the above as specified in the applicable prospectus supplement;

 

   

currencies; or

 

   

commodities.

Each purchase contract will entitle the holder thereof to purchase or sell, and obligate us to sell or purchase, on specified dates, such securities, currencies or commodities at a specified purchase price, which may be based on a formula, all as set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement. We may, however, satisfy our obligations, if any, with respect to any purchase contract by delivering the cash value of such purchase contract or the cash value of the property otherwise deliverable or, in the case of purchase contracts on underlying currencies, by delivering the underlying currencies, as set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement. The applicable prospectus supplement will also specify the methods by which the holders may purchase or sell such securities, currencies or commodities and any acceleration, cancellation or termination provisions or other provisions relating to the settlement of a purchase contract.

The purchase contracts may require us to make periodic payments to the holders thereof or vice versa, which payments may be deferred to the extent set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement, and those payments may be unsecured or prefunded on some basis. The purchase contracts may require the holders thereof to secure their obligations in a specified manner to be described in the applicable prospectus supplement. Alternatively, purchase contracts may require holders to satisfy their obligations thereunder when the purchase contracts are issued.

DESCRIPTION OF UNITS

As specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, we may issue units consisting of one or more purchase contracts, warrants, debt securities, shares of preferred stock, shares of common stock or any combination of such securities. The applicable prospectus supplement will describe:

 

   

the terms of the units and of the purchase contracts, warrants, debt securities, preferred stock and common stock comprising the units, including whether and under what circumstances the securities comprising the units may be traded separately;

 

   

a description of the terms of any unit agreement governing the units; and

 

   

a description of the provisions for the payment, settlement, transfer or exchange of the units.

PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

We may sell the securities, separately or together in units, in several ways, including:

 

   

through underwriters or dealers;

 

   

through agents; or

 

   

directly to a limited number of purchasers or to a single purchaser.

The prospectus supplement with respect to a particular offering of securities will set forth the terms of the offering of such securities, including the name or names of any underwriters or agents, the purchase price of such securities, the proceeds to Limited Brands, Inc. from such sale, any underwriting discounts and other items constituting underwriters’ compensation, any initial public offering price, any discounts or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid to dealers and any securities exchanges on which such securities may be listed.

 

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If underwriters are used in the sale, the securities will be acquired by the underwriters for their own account and may be resold from time to time in one or more transactions, including negotiated transactions, at a fixed public offering price or at varying prices determined at the time of sale. The securities may be either offered to the public through underwriting syndicates represented by managing underwriters or by underwriters without a syndicate. Any initial public offering price and any discounts or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid to dealers may be changed from time to time.

Only underwriters named in a prospectus supplement will be deemed to be underwriters in connection with the securities described in such prospectus supplement. Firms not so named will have no direct or indirect participation in the underwriting of such securities, although such a firm may participate in the distribution of such securities under circumstances entitling it to a dealer’s commission. We anticipate that any underwriting agreement pertaining to any such securities will:

 

   

entitle the underwriters to indemnification by us against certain civil liabilities under the Securities Act of 1933 (the “Act”) or to contribution with respect to payments which the underwriters may be required to make in respect of such liabilities;

 

   

provide that the obligations of the underwriters will be subject to certain conditions precedent; and

 

   

provide that the underwriters generally will be obligated to purchase all such securities if any are purchased.

Securities also may be offered directly by us or through agents designated by us from time to time. Any such agent will be named, and the terms of any such agency (including any commissions payable by us to any such agent) will be set forth, in the prospectus supplement relating to such securities. Unless otherwise indicated in such prospectus supplement, any such agent will act on a best efforts basis for the period of its appointment. Agents named in a prospectus supplement may be deemed to be underwriters (within the meaning of the Act) of the securities described in such prospectus supplement and, under agreements which may be entered into with us, may be entitled to indemnification by us against certain civil liabilities under the Act or to contribution with respect to payments which the agents may be required to make in respect of such liabilities.

We may enter into derivative or other hedging transactions with financial institutions. These financial institutions may in turn engage in sales of common stock to hedge their position, deliver this prospectus in connection with some or all of those sales and use the shares covered by this prospectus to close out any short position created in connection with those sales. We may also sell shares of common stock short using this prospectus and deliver common stock covered by this prospectus to close out such short positions, or loan or pledge common stock to financial institutions that in turn may sell the shares of common stock using this prospectus. We may pledge or grant a security interest in some or all of the common stock covered by this prospectus to support a derivative or hedging position or other obligations and, if we default in the performance of our obligations, the pledgees or secured parties may offer and sell the common stock from time to time pursuant to this prospectus.

Underwriters and agents may be customers of, engage in transactions with, or perform services for, Limited Brands, Inc. and its subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business.

If so indicated in a prospectus supplement, we will authorize underwriters, dealers or other agents of ours to solicit offers by certain specified entities to purchase securities from us pursuant to contracts providing for payment and delivery at a future date. The obligations of any purchaser under any such contract will not be subject to any conditions except those described in such prospectus supplement. Such prospectus supplement will set forth the commissions payable for solicitations of such contracts.

Underwriters and agents may from time to time purchase and sell securities in the secondary market, but are not obligated to do so, and there can be no assurance that there will be a secondary market for the securities or liquidity in the secondary market if one develops. From time to time, underwriters and agents may make a market in the securities.

 

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One or more firms, referred to as “remarketing firms,” may also offer or sell the securities, if the prospectus supplement so indicates, in connection with a remarketing arrangement upon their purchase. Remarketing firms will act as principals for their own accounts or as agents for us. These remarketing firms will offer or sell the securities in accordance with a redemption or repayment pursuant to the terms of the securities. The prospectus supplement will identify any remarketing firm and the terms of its agreement, if any, with us and will describe the remarketing firm’s compensation. Remarketing firms may be deemed to be underwriters in connection with the securities they remarket. Remarketing firms may be entitled under agreements that may be entered into with us to indemnification by us against certain civil liabilities, including liabilities under the Act, as amended, and may be customers of, engage in transactions with or perform services for us in the ordinary course of business.

LEGAL OPINIONS

Certain legal matters in connection with the securities to be offered by this prospectus will be passed upon for us by Douglas L. Williams, our Senior Vice President and General Counsel, and by Davis Polk & Wardwell, New York, New York. As of the date of this prospectus, Mr. Williams has options to purchase shares of our common stock.

EXPERTS

Ernst & Young LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, has audited our consolidated financial statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended February 3, 2007 as set forth in their report (which contains an explanatory paragraph regarding the Company’s change in accounting principle to the cost method of inventory valuation as described in Note 2 to the consolidated financial statements and the Company’s change in its method of accounting for stock-based compensation as described in Note 13 to the consolidated financial statements) and management’s assessment of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of February 3, 2007, as set forth in their reports, which are incorporated by reference in this registration statement and related prospectus. Our financial statements and management’s assessment are incorporated by reference in reliance on Ernst & Young LLP’s reports, given on their authority as experts in accounting and auditing.

With respect to the unaudited consolidated interim financial information of the Company for the thirteen and twenty-six week periods ended August 4, 2007 and July 29, 2006 and the thirteen week periods ended May 5, 2007 and April 29, 2006, incorporated by reference in this registration statement and related prospectus, Ernst & Young LLP reported that they have applied limited procedures in accordance with professional standards for a review of such information. However, their separate reports dated September 6, 2007 and June 5, 2007 included in the Company’s Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the thirteen and twenty-six week periods ended August 4, 2007 and the thirteen week period ended May 5, 2007, respectively, and incorporated by reference herein, states that they did not audit and they do not express an opinion on that interim financial information. Accordingly, the degree of reliance on their report on such information should be restricted in light of the limited nature of the review procedures applied. Ernst & Young LLP is not subject to the liability provisions of Section 11 of the Act for their report on the unaudited interim financial information because that report is not a “report” or a “part” of the Registration Statement prepared or certified by Ernst & Young LLP within the meaning of Sections 7 and 11 of the Act.

 

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PART II

INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS

 

Item 14. Other Expenses of Issuance and Distribution

The following table sets forth the costs and expenses payable by the Registrant in connection with the sale of the securities being registered hereby. All amounts are estimates except the registration fee.

 

    

Amount to be

Paid

 

Registration fee

   $ (1 )

Printing

  

Legal fees and expenses (including Blue Sky fees)

  

Trustee fees

  

Rating agency fees

  

Accounting fees and expenses

  

Miscellaneous

  
        

TOTAL

   $    
        

  
  (1) Deferred in reliance upon Rule 456(b) and Rule 457(r).

 

Item 15. Indemnification of Directors and Officers

Section 145 of the Delaware General Corporation Law permits a corporation to indemnify any of its directors or officers who was or is a party, or is threatened to be made a party, to any third party action, suit or proceeding by reason of the fact that such person is or was a director or officer of the corporation, against expenses (including attorneys’ fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by such person in connection with such action, suit or proceeding, if such person acted in good faith and in a manner such person reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no reason to believe that such person’s conduct was unlawful. In a derivative action, i.e., one by or in the right of a corporation, the corporation is permitted to indemnify directors and officers against expenses (including attorneys’ fees) actually and reasonably incurred by them in connection with the defense or settlement of an action or suit if they acted in good faith and in a manner that they reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation, except that no indemnification shall be made if such person shall have been adjudged liable to the corporation, unless and only to the extent that the court in which the action or suit was brought shall determine upon application that the defendant directors or officers are fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnity for such expenses despite such adjudication of liability.

Expenses, including attorneys’ fees, incurred by any such person in defending any such action, suit or proceeding may be paid or reimbursed by the corporation in advance of the final disposition of such action, suit or proceeding upon receipt by it of an undertaking of such person to repay such expenses if it shall ultimately be determined that such person is not entitled to be indemnified by the corporation.

Delaware law does not permit a corporation to indemnify persons against judgments in actions brought by or in the right of the corporation unless the Delaware Court of Chancery approves the indemnification.

The Registrant’s certificate of incorporation provides that a director of the Registrant shall not be personally liable to the Registrant or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of any fiduciary duty as a director, except for liability (i) for any breach of the director’s duty of loyalty to the Registrant or its stockholders, (ii) for acts or omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law, (iii) under Section 174 of the Delaware General Corporation Law or (iv) for any transaction from which the director derives an improper personal benefit. If the Delaware General Corporation Law shall be amended after approval by the

 

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stockholders of the relevant section of the bylaws to authorize corporate action further eliminating or limiting the personal liability of directors, then the liability of a director of the Registrant shall be eliminated or limited to the fullest extent permitted by the Delaware General Corporation Law, as so amended.

The Registrant’s bylaws provide that it shall indemnify any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending, or completed action, suit, or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative, by reason of the fact that this person, his testator or intestate is or was a director or officer of the Registrant, or is or was serving at the request of the Registrant as a director, officer, employee, or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, or as a member of any committee or similar body against all expenses (including attorneys’ fees), judgment, penalties, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by such person in connection with such action, suit or proceeding (including appeals) or the defense or settlement thereof or any claim, issue, or matter therein, to the fullest extent permitted by the laws of Delaware as they may exist from time to time.

The proper officers of the Registrant, without further authorization by the Board of Directors, may in their discretion purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of any person who is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of such person, or is or was serving at its request as a director, officer, employee or agent for another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, against any liability.

These provisions of the Registrant’s bylaws shall be deemed to be a contract between the Registrant and each director and officer who serves in such capacity at any time while the relevant section of the bylaws is in effect, and any repeal or modification thereof shall not affect any rights or obligations then existing with respect to any state of facts then or theretofore existing or any action, suit or proceeding theretofore or thereafter brought based in whole or in part upon any such state of facts.

The foregoing provisions are not exclusive. The Registrant may indemnify, or agree to indemnify, any person against any liabilities and expenses and pay any expenses, including attorneys’ fees, in advance of final disposition of any action, suit or proceeding, under any circumstances, if such indemnification and/or payment is approved by the vote of the stockholders or of the disinterested directors, or is, in the opinion of independent legal counsel selected by the Board of Directors, to be made on behalf of an indemnitee who acted in good faith and in a manner be reasonably believed to be in, or not opposed to, the best interests of the Registrant.

The Registrant intends to purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of any person who is or was one of its directors, officers, employees or agents, or a director, officer, employee or agent of a subsidiary of the Registrant or is or was serving at the request of the Registrant or its subsidiary as a director, officer, employee or agent of another entity against any liability asserted against him or her and incurred by him or her in that capacity, or arising out of his or her status as such, whether or not the Registrant or its subsidiary would have the power or the obligation to indemnify him or her against that liability under the respective provisions of its certificate of incorporation or its bylaws.

The proposed form of Underwriting Agreement filed as Exhibit 1.1 to this registration statement provides for indemnification of directors and officers of the Registrant by the underwriters against certain liabilities.

 

Item 16. Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules

See Exhibit Index.

 

Item 17. Undertakings

The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes:

(a) 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;

 

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(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% change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the “Calculation of Registration Fee” table in the effective registration statement;

(iii) To include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the registration statement or any material change to such information in the registration statement;

provided, however, that the undertakings set forth in paragraphs (i), (ii) and (iii) above do not apply if the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in periodic reports filed with or furnished to the 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 this registration statement, or is contained in a form of prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) that is part of the registration statement.

(b) 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.

(c) 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.

(d) That, for the purpose of determining liability under the Securities Act of 1933 to any purchaser:

(i) Each prospectus filed by the Registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(3) shall be deemed to be part of the registration statement as of the date the filed prospectus was deemed part of and included in the registration statement; and

(ii) Each prospectus filed by the Registrant 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.

(e) 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;

 

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(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.

(f) 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.

(g) To file an application for the purpose of determining the eligibility of the trustee under each indenture to act under subsection (a) of Section 310 of the Trust Indenture Act (“Act”) in accordance with the rules and regulations prescribed by the Securities and Exchange Commission under Section 305(b)(2) of the Act.

(h) 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.

 

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Columbus, State of Ohio, on October 1, 2007.

 

LIMITED BRANDS, INC.
By:  

/s/ Stuart B. Burgdoerfer

  Stuart B. Burgdoerfer
  Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

POWER OF ATTORNEY

KNOW ALL BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below hereby constitutes and appoints Leslie H. Wexner, Stuart B. Burgdoerfer and Martyn R. Redgrave his or her true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, each of them with full power of substitution and resubstitution and full power to act without the other, for him or her and in his or her name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign the Registration Statement and any and all amendments and other documents or instruments relating thereto, with power where appropriate to affix the corporate seal, and to file on behalf of the Company the Registration Statement and any and all amendments with all exhibits thereto, including post-effective amendments and any filings under Rule 462 promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and any and all other information and documents or instruments in connection therewith, with the Commission, hereby granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform any and all acts and things requisite, necessary or advisable to be done in and about the premises as fully as 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, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

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

 

Signature

       

Title

     

Date

/s/ Leslie H. Wexner

    Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer     October 1, 2007
Leslie H. Wexner     (Principal Executive Officer)    

/s/ Stuart B. Burgdoerfer

    Chief Financial Officer     October 1, 2007
Stuart B. Burgdoerfer     (Principal Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer)    

 

    Director    
E. Gordon Gee        

/s/ Dennis S. Hersch

    Director     October 1, 2007
Dennis S. Hersch        

/s/ James L. Heskett

    Director     October 1, 2007
James L. (Jim) Heskett        

 

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Signature

       

Title

     

Date

/s/ Donna A. James

    Director     October 1, 2007

Donna A. James

       

/s/ David T. Kollat

    Director     October 1, 2007

David T. Kollat

       

/s/ William R. Loomis Jr.

    Director     October 1, 2007

William R. Loomis Jr.

       

/s/ Jeffrey H. Miro

    Director     October 1, 2007

Jeffrey H. Miro

       

 

    Director    

Jeffrey B. Swartz

       

/s/ Allan R. Tessler

    Director     October 1, 2007

Allan R. Tessler

       

/s/ Abigail S. Wexner

    Director     October 1, 2007

Abigail S. Wexner

       

/s/ Raymond Zimmerman

    Director     October 1, 2007

Raymond Zimmerman

       

 

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EXHIBIT INDEX

 

Exhibit No.   

Document

  1.1*    Proposed form of Terms Agreement (including Annex A thereto) which constitutes the Underwriting Agreement for Debt Securities and Warrants to purchase Debt Securities
  1.2    Proposed form of Underwriting Agreement for Securities other than Debt Securities and Warrants to purchase Debt Securities (to be filed on Form 8-K or by amendment)
  4.1.1*    Indenture dated as of March 15, 1988 between the Registrant and The Bank of New York (filed as Exhibit 4.1 to the Registration Statement on Form S-3 (Reg. No. 333-105484) filed May 22, 2003)
  4.1.2*    First Supplemental Indenture dated as of May 31, 2005 among the Registrant, The Bank of New York and The Bank of New York Trust Company, N.A. (filed as Exhibit 4.1.2 to the Registration Statement on Form S-3 (Reg. No. 333-125561) filed June 6, 2005)
  4.1.3*    Second Supplemental Indenture dated as of July 17, 2007 between the Registrant and The Bank of New York Trust Company, N.A.
  4.1.4*    Form of Subordinated Debt Indenture between the Registrant and the Bank of New York Trust Company, N.A.
  4.2    Proposed form of Debt Warrant Agreement for Debt Warrants attached to Debt Securities, with proposed form of Debt Warrant Certificate attached as Exhibit A thereto (filed as Exhibit 4.2 to the Registration Statement on Form S-3 (Reg. No. 33-53366) filed October 16, 1992)
  4.3    Proposed form of Debt Warrant Agreement for Debt Warrants not attached to Debt Securities, with proposed form of Debt Warrant Certificate attached as Exhibit A thereto (filed as Exhibit 4.3 to the Registration Statement on Form S-3 (Reg. No. 33-53366) filed October 16, 1992)
  5.1*    Opinion of Davis Polk & Wardwell
12.1*    Computation of Ratios of Earnings to Fixed Charges
23.1*    Consent of Ernst & Young LLP
23.2*    Consent of Douglas L. Williams, Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary of Limited Brands, Inc.
23.3    Consent of Davis Polk & Wardwell (included in opinion filed as Exhibit 5.1)
24    Powers of Attorney (included on signature page)
25*    Form T-1 Statement of Eligibility of Trustee
26*    Form T-1 Statement of Eligibility of Trustee for the Subordinated Debt Indenture

* Filed herewith.

 

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EXHIBIT 1.1

LIMITED BRANDS, INC.

TERMS AGREEMENT

[Date]

Limited Brands, Inc.

Three Limited Parkway

Columbus, Ohio 43230

Ladies and Gentlemen:

We (the “Representative”) understand that Limited Brands, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), proposes to issue and sell to the underwriters named in Schedule II hereto (the “Underwriters”) (i) the principal amount of its senior debt securities (the “Senior Debt Securities”) or subordinated debt securities (the “Subordinated Debt Securities”) (both Senior Debt Securities and Subordinated Debt Securities are hereinafter referred to as the “Debt Securities”), if any, identified in Schedule I hereto (the “Underwritten Debt Securities”) and/or (ii) the warrants (the “Warrants”), if any, identified in Schedule I hereto (the “Underwritten Warrants”) to purchase the aggregate principal amount of the debt securities identified in Schedule I hereto (the “Warrant Securities”). If such Debt Securities and Warrants are being issued together in units, such units are referred to herein as the “Underwritten Units.” The Underwritten Debt Securities, if any, the Underwritten Warrants, if any, and the Underwritten Units, if any, are hereinafter referred to as the “Underwritten Securities.”

All the provisions contained in the document constituting Annex A hereto entitled “Limited Brands, Inc. - Debt Securities/Warrants to Purchase Debt Securities - Underwriting Agreement Basic Provisions” are incorporated herein in their entirety and shall be deemed to be a part of this Terms Agreement to the same extent as if such provisions had been set forth in full herein. Terms defined in such document are used herein as therein defined.

Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein or incorporated by reference herein, the Underwriters offer to purchase, severally and not jointly, at the respective purchase price set forth in Schedule I hereto, the principal amount of the Underwritten Securities and/or the number of Underwritten Warrants and/or the number of Underwritten Units set forth opposite their respective names in Schedule II hereto.

If the firm or firms identified as Underwriters include only the firm or firms identified as the Representative, then the terms Underwriters and Representative shall each be deemed to refer to such firm or firms.


Please accept this offer by signing a copy of this Terms Agreement in the space set forth below and returning the signed copy to us.

Very truly yours,

 

[Representative and Address for Notices]

By:

 

 

Name:

 

Title:

 

Acting severally and on behalf of itself and the several Underwriters named on Schedule II hereto

Accepted:

 

LIMITED BRANDS, INC.

By:

 

 

Name:

 

Title:

 

 

2


SCHEDULE I TO TERMS AGREEMENT

Description of Debt Securities:

Title:

Principal amount (including currency or composite currency):

Maturity Date:

Interest Rate:

Purchase Price:

Offering Price:

Interest Payment Dates:

Optional Redemption:

Sinking Fund Provisions:

Subordination Provisions:

Time of Sale:

Delivery Date:

 

3


Description of Warrants:

Title of Warrants:

Number: If Warrants are not to be purchased with Debt Securities as Units, purchase price, currency, public offering price, if any, and underwriting discount:

Warrant Agent:

Warrant Agreement:

Warrant exercise price and currency:

Title:

Principal amount (including currency or composite currency) of Warrant Securities issuable upon exercise of one Warrant:

Date after which Warrants may be exercised:

Expiration date:

Other provisions:

Description of Underwritten Units:

Maturity Date:

Interest Rate:

Purchase price and currency:

Public offering price, if any, and underwriting discount:

Detachable date (if applicable):

Other provisions:

Description of Warrant Securities:

Title:

Principal amount (including currency or composite currency):

Sinking fund provisions:

Offering Price:

Interest Payment Dates:


Optional Redemption provisions:

Other provisions:

Sinking Fund Provisions:

Subordination Provisions:

Time of Sale:

Delivery Date and Time:


SCHEDULE II TO TERMS AGREEMENT

 

Underwriter

   Principal Amount of
Underwritten Securities
to be Purchased
  

Number of Underwritten
Warrants to be Purchased

(if any)

  

Number of Underwritten
Units to be Purchased

(if any)

   $        
                

Total

   $        
                


SCHEDULE III TO TERMS AGREEMENT

 

7


SCHEDULE IV TO TERMS AGREEMENT


ANNEX A TO TERMS AGREEMENT

LIMITED BRANDS, INC.

Debt Securities/Warrants to Purchase Debt Securities

UNDERWRITING AGREEMENT BASIC PROVISIONS

1. Introductory.

1.1. Offerings of Securities. The Company proposes to issue and sell certain of its debt securities, issuable under (in the case of Senior Debt Securities) an indenture dated as of March 15, 1988 (the “Original Indenture”) between the Company and The Bank of New York, as trustee, as amended by the first supplemental indenture, dated as of May 31, 2005 (the “First Supplemental Indenture), among the Company, The Bank of New York, as resigning trustee, and The Bank of New York Trust Company, N.A., as successor trustee (the “Trustee”) and as further amended by the second supplemental indenture, dated as of July 17, 2007, between the Company and the Trustee (the “Second Supplemental Indenture, together with the First Supplemental Indenture and the Original Indenture, the “Indenture”), (in the case of Subordinated Debt Securities), an indenture dated as of                     , between the Company and The Bank of New York Trust Company, N.A., as trustee (the “Indenture”) and/or certain of its warrants to purchase debt securities issuable pursuant to the warrant agreement (the “Warrant Agreement”) identified in the Terms Agreement (as hereinafter defined) (such debt securities and warrants being sometimes collectively referred to herein as the “Securities”), in one or more offerings on terms determined at the time of sale. Such debt securities and warrants may be issued separately or together in units.

1.2. Terms Agreement. The terms with respect to the purchase of the Securities from the Company by the several Underwriters listed in the applicable terms agreement entered into between the Representative, on behalf of such Underwriters, and the Company (the “Terms Agreement”), to which these Underwriting Agreement Basic Provisions constitute Annex A, are set forth in the Terms Agreement, which together with the provisions hereof incorporated therein by reference, is sometimes herein referred to as this “Agreement.” Terms defined in the Terms Agreement are used herein as therein defined.

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

2.1. Registration Statement. An automatic shelf registration statement (as defined under Rule 405 under the the Securities Act of 1933 (the “Act”)) on Form S-3 (File No. 333-            ) (the “Initial Registration Statement”) with respect to the Securities has been prepared by the Company in conformity with the requirements of the Act, and the rules and regulations (the “Rules and Regulations”) of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) thereunder, has been filed with the Commission and has become effective. No stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Initial Registration Statement, any post-effective amendment thereto or any registration statement increasing the size of the offering (a “Rule 462(b) Registration Statement”), pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Act which became or will become effective upon filing has been issued and, to the Company’s knowledge, no proceeding for that purpose has been initiated or threatened by the Commission. As used in this Agreement (i) “Registration Statement” means the Initial Registration Statement and any Rule 462(b) Registration Statement, including all exhibits thereto and all documents incorporated therein by reference; (ii) “Base Prospectus” means the prospectus and all documents incorporated therein by reference included in the Initial Registration Statement; (iii) “Prospectus” means the Base Prospectus, together with any amendments or supplements theretofinal prospectus supplement specifically relating to the Securities, together with the Base Prospectus; (iv) “Preliminary Prospectus” means the preliminary prospectus supplement specifically relating to the Securities together with the Base Prospectus and, in each case, all documents incorporated therein by reference specifically relating to the Securities, as filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) of the Rules and Regulations. and (v) “Time of Sale Information” means the Base Prospectus, including any preliminary prospectus supplement, as amended or supplemented, each Issuer Free


Writing Prospectus, as defined in subsection 2.4 hereof, if any, identified in Schedule III to the Terms Agreement, any other free writing prospectus that the parties hereto shall hereafter expressly agree in writing to treat as part of the Time of Sale Information, and the Final Term Sheet, as defined in subsection 7.6 hereof, which shall also be identified in Schedule III to the Terms Agreement.

2.2. Compliance with Applicable Law. The Registration Statement and the Prospectus comply, and (in the case of any amendment or supplement to any such document, or any material incorporated by reference in any such document filed with the Commission after the date as of which this representation is being made) will comply at all times during the period specified in subsection 7.3 hereof, with the provisions of the Act, the Rules and Regulations, or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”) and the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder. The Indenture, including any amendments and supplements thereto, pursuant to which the Securities will be issued will conform with the requirements of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended (the “Trust Indenture Act”), and the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder. The Registration Statement does not contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, and the Prospectus does not, and (in the case of any amendment or supplement to any such document, or any material incorporated by reference in any such document filed with the Commission after the date as of which this representation is being made) will not at any time during the period specified in subsection 7.3 hereof, contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. The Company makes no representation or warranty as to (a) that part of the Registration Statement which constitutes the Statement of Eligibility and Qualification under the Trust Indenture Act (Form T-1) of the Trustee or (b) information contained in or omitted from the Registration Statement or the Prospectus in reliance upon and in conformity with information furnished in writing to the Company through the Representative by or on behalf of any Underwriter specifically for inclusion therein.

2.3. Time of Sale Information. The Time of Sale Information, at the Time of Sale and at the Delivery Date did not and will not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; provided that the Company makes no representation and warranty with respect to any statements or omissions made in reliance upon and in conformity with information relating to any Underwriter furnished to the Company in writing by such Underwriter through the Representative expressly for use in such Time of Sale Information. No statement of material fact included in the Prospectus has been omitted from the Time of Sale Information and no statement of material fact included in the Time of Sale Information that is required to be included in the Prospectus has been omitted therefrom.

2.4. Issuer Free Writing Prospectus. The Company (including its agents and representatives, other than the Underwriters in their capacity as such) has not prepared, made, used, authorized, approved or referred to and will not prepare, make, use, authorize, approve or refer to any “written communication” (as defined in Rule 405 under the Act) that constitutes an offer to sell or solicitation of an offer to buy the Securities (each such communication by the Company or its agents and representatives (other than a communication referred to in clauses (i), (ii) and (iii) below) an “Issuer Free Writing Prospectus”) other than (i) any document not constituting a prospectus pursuant to Section 2(a)(10)(a) of the Act or Rule 134 under the Act, (ii) the Preliminary Prospectus, (iii) the Prospectus, (iv) the documents listed on Schedule III to the Terms Agreement as constituting the Time of Sale Information and (v) any electronic road show or other written communications, in each case approved in writing in advance by the Representative. Each such Issuer Free Writing Prospectus complied in all material respects with the Act, has been or will be (within the time period specified in Rule 433) filed in accordance with the Act (to the extent required thereby) and, when taken together with the Preliminary Prospectus accompanying, or delivered prior to delivery of, or filed prior to the first use of such Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, did not, and at the Delivery Date will not, contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; provided that the Company makes no representation or warranty with respect to any statements or omissions made in each such Issuer Free Writing Prospectus in reliance upon and in conformity with information relating to any Underwriter furnished to the Company in writing by such Underwriter through the Representative expressly for use in any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus.

2.5. Company is Well-Known Seasoned Issuer. (i) At the time of filing the Registration Statement, (ii) at the time of the most recent amendment thereto for the purposes of complying with Section 10(a)(3)

 

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of the Securities Act (whether such amendment was by post-effective amendment, incorporated report filed pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act or form of prospectus), (iii) at the time the Company or any person acting on its behalf (within the meaning, for this clause only, of Rule 163(c) of the Securities Act) made any offer relating to the Securities in reliance on the exemption of Rule 163 of the Securities Act, and (iv) at the Execution Time of this Agreement (with such date being used as the determination date for purposes of this clause (iv)), the Company was and is a “well-known seasoned issuer” as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.

2.6. Company Not Ineligible Issuer. (i) At the earliest time after the filing of the Registration Statement relating to the Securities that the Company or another offering participant made a bona fide offer (within the meaning of Rule 164(h)(2)) of the Securities Act and (ii) as of the date of the execution and delivery of this Agreement (with such date being used as the determination date for purposes of this clause (ii)), the Company was not and is not an Ineligible Issuer (as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act), without taking account of any determination by the Commission pursuant to Rule 405 of the Securities Act that it is not necessary that the Company be considered an Ineligible Issuer.

2.7. Compliance with Reporting Requirements. The Company is subject to and in full compliance with the reporting requirements of Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act.

2.8. Stabilization or Manipulation of Price. The Company has not taken, directly or indirectly, any action designed to cause or which has constituted or which might reasonably be expected to cause or result under the Exchange Act or otherwise, in the stabilization or manipulation of the price of any security of the Company to facilitate the sale or resale of the Securities.

2.9. Duly Incorporated and Validly Existing; Power and Authority. Each of the Company and its Significant Subsidiaries (as defined in Rule 1-02 of Regulation S-X under the Act) has been duly incorporated and is validly existing as a corporation in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction in which it is chartered or organized with full corporate power and authority to own or lease, as the case may be, and to operate its properties and conduct its business as described in the Prospectus and the Time of Sale Information, and is duly qualified to do business as a foreign corporation and is in good standing under the laws of each jurisdiction which requires such qualification, except, in each case, to the extent that the failure to qualify or be in good standing would not have a material adverse effect on the financial condition or results of operations of the Company and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole. There are no Significant Subsidiaries of the Company as defined in Rule 1-02 of Regulation S-X under the Act that are not listed on Exhibit A attached hereto.

2.10. Capital Stock. All the outstanding shares of capital stock of the Company and each Significant Subsidiary have been duly and validly authorized and issued and are fully paid and nonassessable, and, except as otherwise set forth in the Prospectus and the Time of Sale Information, all outstanding shares of capital stock of the Significant Subsidiaries are owned by the Company either directly or through wholly owned subsidiaries free and clear of any perfected security interest or any other security interests, claims, liens, encumbrances, charges, restrictions upon voting or transfer or any other claim of any third party, except for any such security interests, claims, liens, encumbrances, charges and restrictions that would not have a material adverse effect on the financial condition or results of operations of the Company and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole.

2.11. Prospectus Summary Statements. The statements in the Prospectus and the Time of Sale Information under the headings “Use of Proceeds”, “Description of the Notes” and “Description of Debt Securities” fairly summarize the matters therein described.

2.12. Authorization, Execution and Delivery. This Terms Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company. If Debt Securities are to be issued, the Indenture has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company and qualified under the Trust Indenture Act and, assuming the due authorization, execution and delivery thereof by the Trustee, constitutes the legal, valid, binding instrument enforceable against the Company in accordance with its terms (subject, as to the enforcement of remedies, to applicable bankruptcy, reorganization, insolvency, moratorium or other laws affecting creditors’ rights generally from time to time in effect and to general principles of equity). If Warrants are to be issued, the Warrant Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company and, assuming the due authorization, execution and delivery thereof by the warrant agent named therein (the “Warrant Agent”), constitutes the legal, valid, binding

 

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instrument enforceable against the Company in accordance with its terms (subject, as to the enforcement of remedies, to applicable bankruptcy, reorganization, insolvency, moratorium or other laws affecting creditors’ rights generally from time to time in effect and to general principles of equity). The Securities have been duly authorized, and, when executed and authenticated in accordance with the provisions of the Indenture and delivered to and paid for by the Underwriters, will have been duly executed and delivered by the Company and will constitute the legal, valid and binding obligations of the Company, enforceable against the Company and entitled to the benefits of the Indenture (subject, as to the enforcement of remedies, to applicable bankruptcy, reorganization, insolvency, moratorium or other laws affecting creditors’ rights generally from time to time in effect and to general principles of equity).

2.13. No Conflicts. Neither the execution and delivery of the Indenture or the Terms Agreement, the issue and sale of the Securities, the consummation of any other of the transactions herein or therein contemplated, nor the fulfillment of the terms hereof or thereof will conflict with, result in a breach or violation or imposition of any lien, charge or encumbrance upon any property or assets of the Company or any of its Significant Subsidiaries pursuant to, (i) the charter or by-laws of the Company or any of its Significant Subsidiaries; (ii) the terms of any indenture, contract, lease, mortgage, deed of trust, note agreement, loan agreement or other agreement, obligation, condition, covenant or instrument to which the Company or any of its Significant Subsidiaries is a party or bound or to which its or their property is subject, except, in each case, for conflicts, breaches, violations and liens that would not have a material adverse effect on the financial condition or results of operations of the Company and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole; or (iii) any statute, law, rule, regulation, judgment, order or decree applicable to the Company or any of its Significant Subsidiaries of any court, regulatory body, administrative agency, governmental body, arbitrator or other authority having jurisdiction over the Company or any of its Significant Subsidiaries or any of its or their properties except, in each case, for conflicts, breaches, violations and liens that would not have a material adverse effect on the financial condition or results of operations of the Company and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole.

2.14. Financial Statements. The consolidated historical financial statements and schedules of the Company and its consolidated subsidiaries included or incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement the Prospectus and the Time of Sale Information present fairly in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the Company as of the dates and for the periods indicated, comply as to form with the applicable accounting requirements of the Act and have been prepared in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) applied on a consistent basis throughout the periods involved (except as otherwise noted therein).

2.15. Forward-looking Statements. No forward-looking statement (within the meaning of Section 27A of the Act and Section 21E of the Exchange Act) contained in the Prospectus and the Time of Sale Information has been made or reaffirmed without a reasonable basis or has been disclosed other than in good faith.

2.16. No Material Adverse Change. Since the dates as of which information is given in the Prospectus and the Time of Sale Information, except as otherwise stated therein, (i) there has been no material adverse change in the condition (financial or otherwise), prospects, earnings, business, management or properties of the Company and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole, whether or not arising in the ordinary course of business, (ii) none of the Company nor any Significant Subsidiary has incurred any material liability or obligation, direct or contingent, other than in the ordinary course of business, and (iii) there has not been any material decrease in the capital stock or material increase in the long-term debt of the Company, or any dividend or distribution of any kind declared, paid or made by the Company on any class of their respective capital stock other than quarterly cash dividends consistent with past practice.

2.17. Investment Company Act. The Company is not and, after giving effect to the offering and sale of the Securities and the application of the proceeds thereof as described in the Prospectus, will not be required to register as an “investment company” under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.

2.18. Accounting Controls. The Company maintains (i) effective internal controls over financial reporting as defined in Rule 13a-15 under the Exchange Act, and (ii) a system of internal accounting controls sufficient to provide reasonable assurance that (A) transactions are executed in accordance with management’s general or specific authorizations; (B) transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles and to maintain asset accountability; (C) access to assets is permitted only in accordance with management’s general or specific authorization; and (D) the

 

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recorded accountability for assets is compared with the existing assets at reasonable intervals and appropriate action is taken with respect to any differences. Except as disclosed in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Information and the Prospectus, there are no material weaknesses in the Company’s internal controls.

2.19. Sarbanes-Oxley Act. There is and has been no failure on the part of the Company or its Significant Subsidiaries or any of their respective directors or officers, in their capacities as such, to comply with any provision of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, and the rules and regulations promulgated in connection therewith (the “Sarbanes-Oxley Act”), including Section 402 related to loans and Sections 302 and 906 related to certifications.

Any certificate signed by any officer of the Company and delivered to the Representative or counsel for the Representative in connection with the offering of the Securities shall be deemed a representation and warranty by the Company, as to matters covered thereby, to each Underwriter.

3. Purchase of the Securities.

3.1. Effect of Terms Agreement. The obligation of the Underwriters to purchase, and the Company to sell, the Securities is evidenced by the Terms Agreement delivered at the time the Company determines to sell the Securities. The Terms Agreement specifies the firm or firms which will be the Underwriters, the principal amount or number of the Securities to be purchased by each Underwriter, the purchase price or prices to be paid by the Underwriters for the Securities, the public offering price, if any, of the Securities, the Underwriters’ compensation therefor and any terms of the Securities not already specified in the Indenture or the Warrant Agreement, as the case may be. The Terms Agreement specifies any details of the terms of the offering which should be reflected in the supplement to the Base Prospectus relating to the offering of the Securities.

3.2. Obligation to Purchase Several, Not Joint. It is understood that, in making this Agreement, the Underwriters are contracting severally and not jointly, and that their several agreements to purchase the Securities on the basis of the agreements and representations herein contained shall be several and not joint and shall apply only to the respective principal amounts or number of the Securities to be purchased by them as provided herein.

4. Delivery of the Securities. The Company shall not be obligated to deliver any Securities except upon payment for all Securities to be purchased pursuant to this Agreement as hereinafter provided.

5. Default in Performance by Underwriter.

5.1. Obligations of Non-Defaulting Underwriters. If any Underwriter defaults in the performance of its obligations under this Agreement, the remaining non-defaulting Underwriters shall be obligated severally to purchase the Securities which the defaulting Underwriter agreed but failed to purchase in the respective proportions which the principal amount of Securities set forth in the applicable column in Schedule II to the Terms Agreement to be purchased by each remaining non-defaulting Underwriter set forth in such column bears to the aggregate principal amount or number of Securities set forth in such column to be purchased by all the remaining non-defaulting Underwriters; provided that the remaining non-defaulting Underwriters shall not be obligated to purchase any Securities that constitute Securities if the aggregate principal amount or number of such Securities which the defaulting Underwriter or Underwriters agreed but failed to purchase exceeds 10% of the total principal amount of such Securities. If the foregoing maximum is exceeded, the remaining non-defaulting Underwriters, or other underwriters satisfactory to the Representative, shall have the right, but shall not be obligated, to purchase, in such proportion as may be agreed upon among them, all the Securities.

5.2. Termination of Agreement. If the remaining non-defaulting Underwriters or other underwriters satisfactory to the Representative do not elect pursuant to the last sentence of subsection 5.1 to purchase the aggregate principal amount or number of Securities which the defaulting Underwriter or Underwriters agreed but failed to purchase that exceeds 10% of the total principal amount of such Securities, this Agreement with respect to such Securities shall terminate without liability on the part of any non-defaulting Underwriter or the Company.

5.3. Liability of Defaulting Underwriter. Nothing contained in this Section 5 shall relieve a defaulting Underwriter of any liability it may have to the Company and any non-defaulting Underwriter for damages

 

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caused by its default. If other underwriters are obligated or agree to purchase the Securities of a defaulting Underwriter, either the Representative or the Company may postpone the Delivery Date for up to five full business days in order to effect any changes that the Underwriters shall determine may be necessary in the Registration Statement, the Prospectus and the Time of Sale Information or in any other document or arrangement.

6. Delivery and Payment.

6.1. Date and Time of Delivery. Delivery of and payment for the Securities shall be made at such location as may be agreed upon by the Representative and the Company (as set forth in Schedule I to the Terms Agreement) at 10:00 A.M., New York City time, on the fifth business day following the date of the Terms Agreement, or at such other time and date as shall be agreed upon, or as provided in Section 5.3. This date and time are sometimes referred to as the “Delivery Date”.

6.2. Payment. On the Delivery Date, the Company shall deliver the Securities to the Representative for the account of each Underwriter against payment to or upon the order of the Company of the purchase price by wire transfer payable in same-day funds, to the account specified by the Company.

6.3. Form. Delivery of the Securities shall be made either at such location as the Representative shall reasonably designate at least one business day in advance of the Delivery Date or through the facilities of The Depository Trust Company. Certificates for the Securities shall be registered in such names and in such denominations as the Representative may request not less than two business days in advance of the Delivery Date. The Company agrees to have the Securities available for inspection, checking and packaging by the Representative in New York, New York, not later than 1:00 PM on the business day prior to the Delivery Date.

7. Further Agreements of the Company. The Company further agrees:

7.1 Registration Statement; Prospectus. To prepare the Prospectus in a form approved by the Representative and to file such Prospectus and any Preliminary Prospectus pursuant to Rule 424(b) under the Act and to prepare and file any Rule 462(b) Registration Statement in each case within the time periods required by the Act and the Rules and Regulations. To furnish promptly to the Representative and to counsel for the Underwriters a signed copy of the Registration Statement as originally filed and a copy of each amendment thereto (in each case together with all exhibits filed therewith) filed prior to the date of the Terms Agreement or relating to or covering the Securities, and a copy of the Prospectus filed with the Commission.

7.2 Other Documents. To deliver promptly to the Representative, without charge, such number of the following documents as the Representative may request: (a) conformed copies of the Registration Statement (including exhibits), (b) the Prospectus, (c) any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus and (d) any documents incorporated by reference in the Prospectus, and the Company authorizes the Underwriters and all dealers to whom any Securities may be offered or sold by the Underwriters to use such documents in connection with the sale of the Securities in accordance with the applicable provisions of the Act and the Rules and Regulations.

7.3 Supplemental Information. During such period following the date of the Terms Agreement as, in the opinion of counsel for the Underwriters, a prospectus is required by law to be delivered, the Company will furnish copies of (a) any amendment to the Registration Statement; (b) the Prospectus or any amendment or supplement thereto, (c) any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus or (d) any document incorporated by reference in any of the foregoing or any amendment or supplement to any such incorporated document to the Representative and to counsel for the Underwriters prior to filing any of such items with the Commission and will not file any such item to which the Representative shall reasonably object; provided that, despite any such objection but after consultation with the Representative, including the furnishing to the Representative of drafts thereof, the Company may file any report or statement which in the written opinion of its counsel it is required to file pursuant to the Exchange Act. The Company will file promptly all reports and any definitive proxy or information statements required to be filed by the Company with the Commission pursuant to Section 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act subsequent to the date of the Prospectus and for so long as the delivery of a prospectus is required in connection with the offering or sale of the Securities.

 

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7.4 Duty to Notify of Certain Events. To advise the Representative promptly (a) when any post-effective amendment to the Registration Statement relating to or covering the Securities becomes effective, (b) of any request or proposed request by the Commission for an amendment or supplement (insofar as the amendment or supplement relates to or covers the Securities) to the Registration Statement, any Rule 462(b) Registration Statement, to the Time of Sale Information, to the Prospectus, to any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, to any document incorporated by reference in any of the foregoing or for any additional information relating to the Registration Statement or the Prospectus (insofar as such information relates to or covers the Securities), (c) of the issuance by the Commission of any stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement or any order directed to the Prospectus or any document incorporated therein by reference or the initiation of any stop order proceeding or of any challenge to the accuracy or adequacy of any document incorporated by reference in the Time of Sale Information or the Prospectus, and (d) of receipt by the Company of any notification with respect to the suspension of the qualification of the Securities for sale in any jurisdiction or the initiation of any proceeding for that purpose. If at any time during the period referred to in Section 7.3 above that the Prospectus relating to the Securities is required to be delivered under the Act, any event occurs as a result of which the Prospectus as then amended or supplemented would include any untrue statement of material fact or omit to state any material fact necessary to make the statements therein in the light of the circumstances under which they were made not misleading, or if it shall be necessary to amend or supplement the Prospectus to comply with the Act, the Rules and Regulations, the Exchange Act or the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder, the Company (i) will notify the Representative of any such event, (ii) promptly will prepare and file with the Commission, subject to Section 7.3, an amendment or supplement which will correct such statement or omission or an amendment or supplement which will effect such compliance and (iii) will supply any supplemented or amended prospectus to the several Underwriters and counsel for the Underwriters without charge in such quantities as they may reasonably request.

7.5. Time of Sale Information. If at any time during the period referred to in Section 7.3 above (i) any event shall occur or condition shall exist as a result of which the Time of Sale Information as then amended or supplemented would include any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading or (ii) it is necessary to amend or supplement the Time of Sale Information to comply with law, the Company will immediately notify the Underwriters thereof and forthwith prepare and, subject to Section 7.3, file with the Commission (to the extent required) and furnish to the Underwriters and to such dealers as the Representative may designate, such amendments or supplements to the Time of Sale Information as may be necessary so that the statements in the Time of Sale Information, as so amended or supplemented, will not, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, be misleading or so that the Time of Sale Information will comply with law.

7.6. Final Term Sheet. The Company will prepare a final term sheet containing only a description of the Securities, in a form approved by the Representative and included in Schedule IV to the Terms Agreement, and will file such term sheet pursuant to Rule 433(d) under the Securities Act within the time required by such rule (such term sheet, the “Final Term Sheet”).

7.7. Permitted Free Writing Prospectuses. The Company represents that it has not made, and agrees that, unless it obtains the prior written consent of the Representative, it will not make, any offer relating to the Securities that would constitute an Issuer Free Writing Prospectus or that would otherwise constitute a “free writing prospectus” (as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act) required to be filed by the Company with the Commission or retained by the Company under Rule 433 of the Securities Act; provided that the prior written consent of the Representative hereto shall be deemed to have been given in respect of the Free Writing Prospectuses included in Schedule III to the Terms Agreement. Any such free writing prospectus consented to by the Representative is hereinafter referred to as a “Permitted Free Writing Prospectus”. The Company agrees that (i) it has treated and will treat, as the case may be, each Permitted Free Writing Prospectus as an Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, and (ii) has complied and will comply, as the case may be, with the requirements of Rules 164 and 433 of the Securities Act applicable to any Permitted Free Writing Prospectus, including in respect of timely filing with the Commission, legending and record keeping. The Company consents to the use by any Underwriter of a free writing prospectus that (a) is not an “issuer free writing prospectus” as defined in Rule 433, and (b) contains only (i) information describing the preliminary terms of the Securities or their offering, (ii) information permitted by Rule 134 under the Securities Act or (iii) information that describes the final terms of the Securities or their offering and that is included in the Final Term Sheet of the Company contemplated in Section 7.6 above.

 

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7.8. Stop Orders; Action Required. If, during the period referred to in Section 7.3 above, the Commission shall issue a stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement during a time the Prospectus relating to the Securities is required to be delivered under the Act, to make every reasonable effort to obtain the lifting of that order at the earliest possible time.

7.9 Earnings Statement. As soon as practicable, or in accordance with Rule 158 of the Rules and Regulations, to make generally available to its security holders and to the Representative an earnings statement (which need not be audited) of the Company and its consolidated subsidiaries, which will satisfy the provisions of Section 11(a) of the Act and Rule 158 thereunder.

7.10. Further Assurances. Arrange, if necessary, for the qualification of the Securities for sale under the laws of such jurisdictions as the Representative may reasonably designate and pay all expenses (including reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel) in connection with such qualification, to maintain such qualifications in effect during the period referred to in Section 7.3 above and to arrange for the determination of the legality of the Securities for purchase by institutional investors; provided, however , that the Company shall not be required to qualify to do business in any jurisdiction where it is not so qualified at the date of the Terms Agreement or to take any action which would subject it to general or unlimited service of process in suits, other than those arising out of the offering or sale of the Securities, or to the imposition of any taxes based on, or measured by, all or any part of the income of the Company in any jurisdiction where it is not at such date so subject. The Company will promptly advise the Representative of the receipt by the Company of any notification with respect to the suspension of the qualification of the Securities for sale in any jurisdiction or the initiation or threatening of any proceeding for such purpose.

7.11. Failure to Perform. If the sale of the Securities provided for herein is not consummated because any condition to the obligations of the Underwriters set forth in Section 11 hereof is not satisfied or because of any termination pursuant to Section 10 hereof or because of any refusal, inability or failure on the part of the Company to perform any agreement herein or comply with any provision hereof other than by reason of a default by any of the Underwriters, to reimburse the Underwriters severally through the Representative upon demand for all out-of-pocket expenses (including the reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel for the Underwriters) that shall have been reasonably incurred by them in connection with the proposed purchase and sale of the Securities.

7.12. No Announcements. The Company will not, for the period of time following the date and time that this Agreement is executed and delivered by the parties hereto (the “Execution Time”) until the Delivery Date, without the prior written consent of the Representative, offer, sell or contract to sell, or otherwise dispose of (or enter into any transaction which is designed to, or might reasonably be expected to, result in the disposition (whether by actual disposition or effective economic disposition due to cash settlement or otherwise) by the Company or any person in privity with the Company), directly or indirectly, or announce the offering of, any debt securities issued or guaranteed by the Company (other than the Securities).

8. Offering Restrictions

In relation to each Member State of the European Economic Area which has implemented the Prospectus Directive (each, a “Relevant Member State”), each Underwriter represents and agrees that with effect from and including the date on which the Prospectus Directive is implemented in that Relevant Member State (the “Relevant Implementation Date”) it has not made and will not make an offer of the Securities to the public in that Relevant Member State other than:

(a) to legal entities which are authorized or regulated to operate in the financial markets or, if not so authorized or regulated, whose corporate purpose is solely to invest in securities;

(b) to any legal entity which has two or more of (1) an average of at least 250 employees during the last financial year; (2) a total balance sheet of more than €43,000,000 and (3) an annual net turnover of more than €50,000,000, as shown in its last annual or consolidated accounts;

(c) to fewer than 100 natural or legal persons (other than qualified investors as defined in the Prospectus Directive) subject to obtaining the prior consent of the Representative; or

 

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(d) in any other circumstances falling within Article 3(2) of the Prospectus Directive.

provided that no such offer of the Securities shall require the Company or any Underwriter to publish a prospectus pursuant to Article 3 of the Prospectus Directive.

For the purposes of this provision, the expression an “offer of securities to the public” in relation to any securities in any Relevant Member State means the communication in any form and by any means of sufficient information on the terms of the offer and the Securities to be offered so as to enable an investor to decide to purchase or subscribe the Securities, as the same may be varied in that Member State by any measure implementing the Prospectus Directive in that Member State and the expression Prospectus Directive means Directive 2003/71/ EC and includes any relevant implementing measure in each Relevant Member State.

Each Underwriter further represents and agrees that:

(a) it has only communicated or caused to be communicated and will only communicate or cause to be communicated an invitation or inducement to engage in investment activity (within the meaning of Section 21 of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (“FSMA”)) received by it in connection with the issue or sale of the Securities in circumstances in which Section 21(1) of FSMA does not apply to the Company; and

(b) it has complied and will comply with all applicable provisions of the FSMA with respect to anything done by it in relation to the Securities in, from or otherwise involving the United Kingdom.

9. Indemnification.

9.1 Indemnification by the Company. The Company shall indemnify and hold harmless each Underwriter, the directors and officers of each Underwriter and each person who controls any Underwriter within the meaning of either the Act or the Exchange Act from and against any and all losses, claims, damages or liabilities, joint or several, and any action in respect thereof, to which they or any of them may become subject, under the Act, the Exchange Act or other federal or state statutory law or regulation, at common law or otherwise, insofar as such losses, claims, damages, liabilities (or actions in respect thereof) arise out of, or are based upon, any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in the Registration Statement or the Prospectus, any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus or any Time of Sale Information or arises out of, or is based upon, the omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in the case of the Prospectus, any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus and the Time of Sale Information, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, and shall reimburse each such indemnified party, as incurred, for any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by such indemnified party in connection with investigating or defending against any such loss, claim, damage, liability or action; provided, however , that the Company shall not be liable in any such case to the extent that any such loss, claim, damage, liability or action arises out of, or is based upon, any such untrue statement or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission (a) made in the Registration Statement or the Prospectus, any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus or any Time of Sale Information in reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the Company through the Representative by or on behalf of any Underwriter specifically for inclusion therein or (b) contained in that part of the Registration Statement constituting the Statement of Eligibility and Qualification under the Trust Indenture Act (Form T-1) of the Trustee; provided further , that the Company will not be liable for the amount of any settlement of any claim made without its consent, such consent not to be unreasonably withheld. The foregoing indemnity agreement is in addition to and not in limitation or duplication of any liability or right which the Company may otherwise have to an Underwriter or any person who controls an Underwriter.

9.2 Indemnification by the Underwriters. Each Underwriter agrees severally and not jointly to indemnify and hold harmless the Company, each of its directors, each of its officers and each person who controls the Company within the meaning of either the Act or the Exchange Act, to the same extent as the foregoing indemnity from the Company to each Underwriter as set forth in subsection 9.1 above, but only with reference to written information furnished to the Company through the Representative by or on behalf of that Underwriter specifically for inclusion in the documents referred to in the foregoing indemnity. The foregoing indemnity agreement is in addition to and not in limitation or duplication of any liability which any Underwriter may otherwise have to the Company or any of its directors, officers or controlling persons.

 

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9.3 Notice of Claim or Action. Promptly after receipt by an indemnified party under subsection 9.1 or 9.2 above of notice of the commencement of any action, the indemnified party shall, if a claim in respect thereof is to be made against the indemnifying party under such subsection, notify the indemnifying party in writing of the commencement of that action, but the failure so to notify the indemnifying party (i) will not relieve it from liability under Sections 9.1 and 9.2 above unless such failure results in the forfeiture by the indemnifying party of substantial rights and defenses; and (ii) will not, in any event, relieve the indemnifying party from any obligations to any indemnified party other than the indemnification obligation provided in Sections 9.1 and 9.2 above. The indemnifying party shall be entitled to appoint counsel of the indemnifying party’s choice at the indemnifying party’s expense to represent the indemnified party in any action for which indemnification is sought (in which case the indemnifying party shall not thereafter be responsible for the fees and expenses of any separate counsel retained by the indemnified party or parties except as set forth below); provided, however, that such counsel shall be reasonably satisfactory to the indemnified party. Notwithstanding the indemnifying party’s election to appoint counsel to represent the indemnified party in an action, the indemnified party shall have the right to employ separate counsel (including local counsel), and the indemnifying party shall bear the reasonable fees, costs and expenses of one such separate counsel (in addition to local counsel) for such indemnified party if (i) the use of counsel chosen by the indemnifying party to represent the indemnified party would present such counsel with a conflict of interest; (ii) the actual or potential defendants in, or targets of, any such action include both the indemnified party and the indemnifying party and the indemnified party shall have reasonably concluded that there may be legal defenses available to it and/or other indemnified parties which are different from or additional to those available to the indemnifying party; (iii) the indemnifying party shall not have employed counsel reasonably satisfactory to the indemnified party to represent the indemnified party within a reasonable time after notice of the institution of such action; or (iv) the indemnifying party shall authorize the indemnified party to employ separate counsel at the expense of the indemnifying party. An indemnifying party will not, without the prior written consent of the indemnified parties, settle or compromise or consent to the entry of any judgment with respect to any pending or threatened claim, action, suit or proceeding in respect of which indemnification or contribution may be sought hereunder (whether or not the indemnified parties are actual or potential parties to such claim or action) unless such settlement, compromise or consent includes an unconditional release of each indemnified party from all liability arising out of such claim, action, suit or proceeding.

9.4 Contribution. In the event that the indemnity provided in Sections 9.1 or 9.2 is unavailable to or insufficient to hold harmless an indemnified party for any reason, the Company and the Underwriters agree to contribute to the aggregate losses, claims, damages and liabilities (including legal or other expenses reasonably incurred in connection with investigating or defending same) (collectively “Losses”) to which the Company and one or more of the Underwriters may be subject in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative benefits received by the Company on the one hand and by the Underwriters on the other from the offering of the Securities; provided, however , that in no case shall any Underwriter (except as may be provided in any agreement among the Underwriters relating to the offering of the Securities) be responsible for any amount in excess of the purchase discount or commission applicable to the Securities purchased by such Underwriter hereunder. If the allocation provided by the immediately preceding sentence is unavailable for any reason, the Company and the Underwriters shall contribute in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect not only such relative benefits but also the relative fault of the Company on the one hand and of the Underwriters on the other in connection with the statements or omissions which resulted in such Losses, as well as any other relevant equitable considerations. Benefits received by the Company shall be deemed to be equal to the total net proceeds from the offering (before deducting expenses) received by it, and benefits received by the Underwriters shall be deemed to be equal to the total purchase discounts and commissions in each case set forth on the cover of the Prospectus. Relative fault shall be determined by reference to, among other things, whether any untrue or any alleged untrue statement of a material fact or the omission or alleged omission to state a material fact relates to information provided by the Company on the one hand or the Underwriters on the other, the intent of the parties and their relative knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent such untrue statement or omission. The Company and the Underwriters agree that it would not be just and equitable if contribution were determined by pro rata allocation or any other method of allocation which does not take account of the equitable considerations referred to above. Notwithstanding the provisions of this paragraph, no person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the Act) shall be entitled to contribution from any person who was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation. For purposes of this Section 9, each person who controls an Underwriter within the meaning of either the Act or the Exchange Act and each director, officer, employee and agent of an Underwriter shall have the same rights to contribution as such Underwriter, and each person who controls the Company within the meaning of either the Act or the Exchange Act and each officer and director of the Company shall have the same rights to contribution as the Company, subject in each case to the applicable terms and conditions of this paragraph.

 

10


10. Termination of Underwriter Obligations. The obligations of the Underwriters under this Agreement may be terminated by the Representative, in their absolute discretion, by notice given to and received by the Company prior to delivery of and payment for the Securities, if, during the period beginning on the date of the Terms Agreement to and including the Delivery Date, (i) trading in the Company’s Common Stock shall have been suspended by the Commission or the New York Stock Exchange or trading in securities generally on the New York Stock Exchange shall have been suspended or limited or minimum prices shall have been established on such Exchange; (ii) a banking moratorium shall have been declared either by Federal or New York State authorities; or (iii) there shall have occurred any outbreak or material escalation of hostilities or acts of terrorism or declaration by the United States of a national emergency or war or other calamity or crisis or any change in financial, political or economic conditions in the United States or elsewhere the effect of which on the financial markets of the United States and Europe is such as to make it, in the judgment of the Representative, impracticable or inadvisable to proceed with the offering or delivery of the Securities as contemplated by the Prospectus (exclusive of any amendment or supplement thereto).

11. Additional Conditions to the Respective Obligations of the Underwriters.

11.1 Accuracy of Representations and Warranties. The respective obligations of the Underwriters under this Agreement with respect to the Securities are subject to the accuracy, on the date of the Terms Agreement and on the Delivery Date, of the representations and warranties of the Company contained herein, to the accuracy of the statements of the Company made in any certificates pursuant to the provisions hereof, to performance by the Company of its obligations hereunder, and to each of the following additional terms and conditions applicable to the Securities:

11.1.1 At or before the Delivery Date, no stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement or any order directed to any document incorporated by reference in the Time of Sale Information or the Prospectus shall have been issued and remain in effect and no proceeding for that purpose shall be pending or, to the knowledge of the Company or the Representative, threatened by the Commission.

11.1.2 The Company shall have requested and caused its General Counsel, Douglas L. Williams, Esq., to furnish to the Representative his opinion, dated the Delivery Date and addressed to the Representative, to the effect that:

(a) each of the Company and its Significant Subsidiaries has been duly incorporated or organized and is validly existing as a corporation in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction in which it is chartered or organized, with full corporate power and authority to own or lease, as the case may be, and to operate its properties and conduct its business as described in the Prospectus and the Time of Sale Information, and is duly qualified to do business as a foreign corporation or organization and is in good standing under the laws of each jurisdiction which requires such qualification, except, in each case, to the extent that the failure to qualify or be in good standing would not have a material adverse effect on the financial condition or results of operations of the Company and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole;

(b) other than as set forth or contemplated in the Prospectus or the Time of Sale Information, such counsel does not know of any legal or governmental proceedings pending to which the Company or any of its subsidiaries is a party or to which any property of the Company or any of its subsidiaries is subject where there is a material risk that such proceeding will be determined adversely to the Company or any of its subsidiaries and which, if so determined, individually or in the aggregate, is expected to have a material adverse effect on the consolidated financial position, shareholders’ equity or results of operations of the Company and its subsidiaries, considered as a whole, and to the best of such counsel’s knowledge, no such proceedings are threatened or contemplated by governmental authorities or threatened by others;

 

11


(c) this Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company;

(d) no consent, approval, authorization, filing with or order of any court or governmental authority or agency or regulatory body is required in connection with the transactions contemplated herein or in the Indenture, except such as will be obtained under the Act and the Trust Indenture Act and such as may be required under the blue sky or securities laws of any jurisdiction in connection with the purchase and sale of the Securities by the Underwriters in the manner contemplated in this Agreement, the Prospectus and the Time of Sale Information and such other approvals (specified in such opinion) as have been obtained;

(e) neither the execution and delivery of this Agreement, the issue and sale of the Securities, nor the consummation of any other of the transactions herein or therein contemplated, nor the fulfillment of the terms hereof or thereof will conflict with, result in a breach or violation of, or imposition of any lien, charge or encumbrance upon any property or asset of the Company or its Significant Subsidiaries pursuant to, (i) the charter or by-laws of the Company or its Significant Subsidiaries; (ii) the terms of any indenture, contract, lease, mortgage, deed of trust, note agreement, loan agreement or other agreement, obligation, condition, covenant or instrument known to such counsel to which the Company or any of its Significant Subsidiaries is a party or bound or to which its respective property is subject, except, in each case, for conflicts, breaches, violations and liens that would not have a material adverse effect on the financial condition or results of operations of the Company and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole; or (iii) any statute, law, rule, regulation, judgment, order or decree known to such counsel to be applicable to the Company or any of its Significant Subsidiaries of any court, regulatory body, administrative agency, governmental body, arbitrator or other authority having jurisdiction over the Company, any of its Significant Subsidiaries or any of their respective properties, except, in each case, for conflicts, breaches, violations and liens that would not have a material adverse effect on the financial condition or results of operations of the Company and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole;

(f) the Company is not and, after giving effect to the offering and sale of the Securities and the application of the proceeds thereof as described in the Prospectus and the Time of Sale Information, will not be an “investment company” as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, without taking account of any exemption arising out of the number of holders of the Company’s securities; and

(g) the documents incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement, the Prospectus and the Time of Sale Information (other than financial statements therein, including the notes and schedules thereto (as to which such counsel need express no view)), when they were filed with the Commission, complied as to form in all material respects with the requirements of the Exchange Act and the applicable rules and regulations thereunder.

In rendering such opinion, such counsel may rely (A) as to matters involving the application of laws of any jurisdiction other than the jurisdiction of incorporation of the Company, the Delaware General Corporation Law, the State of Ohio or the Federal laws of the United States, to the extent it deems proper and specified in such opinion, upon the opinion of other counsel of good standing whom it believes to be reliable and who are satisfactory to counsel for the Underwriters; and (B) as to matters of fact, to the extent it deems proper, on certificates of responsible officers of the Company and public officials.

In addition, such counsel shall advise by letter, based on such counsel’s participation in the preparation of the Registration Statement, the Prospectus and the Time of Sale Information (but without independent check or verification of the contents thereof except as specified therein), that such counsel has no reason to believe that the Registration Statement (except the financial statements and other financial and statistical data included or incorporated by reference therein, as to which such counsel need express no view), at the Execution Time and on the Delivery Date, contained or contains any untrue statement of a material fact or omitted or omits to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, that the Time of Sale Information, at the

 

12


Time of Sale, contained an untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to state a material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, or that the Prospectus (except as aforesaid), at the Execution Time and on the Delivery Date, contained or contains any untrue statement of a material fact or omitted or omits to state a material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.

11.1.3. The Company shall have requested and caused Davis Polk & Wardwell, counsel for the Company, to furnish to the Representative its opinion, dated the Delivery Date and addressed to the Representative, to the effect that:

(a) the Company has been duly incorporated and is validly existing as a corporation in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction in which it is chartered or organized, with full corporate power and authority to own or lease, as the case may be, and to operate its properties and conduct its business as described in the Prospectus and the Time of Sale Information;

(b) if Debt Securities are to be issued, the Indenture has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company and qualified under the Trust Indenture Act and, assuming the due authorization, execution and delivery thereof by the Trustee, constitutes a legal, valid and binding instrument enforceable against the Company in accordance with its terms (subject, as to the enforcement of remedies, to applicable bankruptcy, reorganization, insolvency, moratorium or other laws affecting creditors’ rights generally from time to time in effect and to general principles of equity); the Securities have been duly and validly authorized and, when executed and authenticated in accordance with the provisions of the Indenture and delivered to and paid for by the Underwriters under this Agreement, will constitute legal, valid and binding obligations of the Company, enforceable against the Company and entitled to the benefits of the Indenture (subject, as to the enforcement of remedies, to applicable bankruptcy, reorganization, insolvency, moratorium or other laws affecting creditors’ rights generally from time to time in effect and to general principles of equity); if Warrants are to be issued, the Warrant Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company and, assuming the due authorization, execution and delivery thereof by the Warrant Agent constitutes the legal, valid, binding instrument enforceable against the Company in accordance with its terms (subject, as to the enforcement of remedies, to applicable bankruptcy, reorganization, insolvency, moratorium or other laws affecting creditors’ rights generally from time to time in effect and to general principles of equity); and the statements set forth under the heading “Description of the Debt Securities” (if Debt Securities are to be issued) and “Description of the Warrants” (if Warrants are to be issued) Notes” in the Prospectus and the Time of Sale Information and the related heading in the relevant prospectus supplement, insofar as such statements purport to summarize certain provisions of the Securities and the Indenture and the Warrant Agreement, provide a fair summary of such provisions;

(c) this Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company;

(d) no consent, approval, authorization, filing with or order of any court or governmental authority or agency or regulatory body is required in connection with the transactions contemplated herein or in the Indenture, except such as will be obtained under the Act and the Trust Indenture Act and such as may be required under the blue sky or securities laws of any jurisdiction in connection with the purchase and sale of the Securities by the Underwriters in the manner contemplated in this Agreement and the Registration Statement, the Prospectus and the Time of Sale Information and such other approvals (specified in such opinion) as have been obtained;

(e) the Company is not and, after giving effect to the offering and sale of the Securities and the application of the proceeds thereof as described in the Registration Statement, the Prospectus and the Time of Sale Information, will not be required to register as an “investment company” under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended;

 

13


(f) the Registration Statement is effective under the Act, any required filing of each of the Prospectus and the Preliminary Prospectus and any supplement thereto pursuant to Rule 424(b) has been made in the manner and within the time period required by Rule 424(b) and, to the best knowledge of such counsel, no stop order with respect thereto has been issued, or proceeding for that purpose has been instituted or threatened, by the Commission; and

(g) neither the execution and delivery of this Agreement, the issue and sale of the Securities, the consummation of any other of the transactions herein or therein contemplated, nor the fulfillment of the terms hereof or thereof will conflict with, result in a breach or violation of, or imposition of any lien, charge or encumbrance upon any property or asset of the Company or its Significant Subsidiaries pursuant to, any statute, law, rule, regulation, judgment, order or decree known to such counsel to be applicable to the Company or any of its Significant Subsidiaries of any court, regulatory body, administrative agency, governmental body, arbitrator or other authority having jurisdiction over the Company, any of its Significant Subsidiaries or any of their respective properties, except, in each case, for conflicts, breaches, violations and liens that would not have a material adverse effect on the financial condition or results of operations of the Company and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole.

In rendering such opinion, such counsel may (A) rely as to matters involving the application of laws of any jurisdiction other than the jurisdiction of incorporation of the Company, the State of New York or the Federal laws of the United States, to the extent it deems proper and specified in such opinion, upon the opinion of other counsel of good standing whom it believes to be reliable and who are satisfactory to counsel for the Underwriters; and (B) rely, as to matters of fact, to the extent it deems proper, on certificates of responsible officers of the Company and public officials.

In addition, such counsel shall advise by letter, based on such counsel’s participation in the preparation of the Registration Statement and the Prospectus (but without independent check or verification of the contents thereof except as specified therein), that:

(i) the Registration Statement and the Prospectus appear on their face to be appropriately responsive in all material respects to the requirements of the Act and the applicable rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder; and

(ii) nothing has come to such counsel’s attention that causes such counsel to believe that, insofar as relevant to the offering of the Securities:

(a) on the date of this Agreement, the Registration Statement contained any untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading,

(b) at the Execution Time, the Time of Sale Information contained any untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, or

(c) the Prospectus as of the date of this Agreement or as of the Delivery Date contained or contains any untrue statement of a material fact or omitted or omits to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.

11.1.4. On the date of the Terms Agreement, the Company shall have requested and caused Ernst & Young LLP or another nationally recognized firm of certified public accountants or registered public accounting firm, to furnish to the Representative a letter, dated as of the date of the Terms Agreement, in form and substance satisfactory to the Representative, confirming that they are independent accountants within the meaning of

 

14


the Act and the Exchange Act and the applicable rules and regulations thereunder and containing statements and information of the type ordinarily included in accountants’ “comfort letters” with respect to the consolidated financial statements of the Company and certain financial information contained in the Preliminary Prospectus, the Prospectus, the Time of Sale Information and the Registration Statement (including information incorporated in each such Prospectus and the Registration Statement by reference) and (ii) at the Delivery Date, the Company shall have requested and caused Ernst & Young LLP to furnish to the Representative a letter, dated as of the Delivery Date, to the effect that they reaffirm the statements made in the letter furnished pursuant to subsection (a)(i) of this Section.

11.1.5. The Representative shall have received, on the Delivery Date, from                                                  , counsel for the Underwriters, such opinion or opinions, dated the Delivery Date, with respect to the issuance and sale of the Securities, the Indenture, the Registration Statement, the Prospectus, the Time of Sale Information and other related matters as the Representative may reasonably require, and the Company shall have furnished to such counsel such documents as they reasonably request for the purpose of enabling them to pass upon such matters.

11.1.6. The Company shall have furnished to the Representative, on the Delivery Date, a certificate of the Company, signed by the Executive Vice President and the Chief Financial Officer or the Vice President-Treasury, Mergers and Acquisitions or any other officer reasonably satisfactory to the Representative, dated the Delivery Date, to the effect that the signers of such certificate have carefully examined the Registration Statement, the Prospectus and the Time of Sale Information and this Agreement and that:

(i) The representations and warranties of the Company in this Agreement are true and correct in all material respects on and as of the Delivery Date with the same effect as if made on the Delivery Date and the Company has complied with all the agreements and satisfied all the conditions on its part to be performed or satisfied at or prior to the Delivery Date;

(ii) No stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement has been issued and remains in effect and no proceedings for that purpose are pending or, to the knowledge of each such person, threatened by the Commission, and no order directed to any document incorporated by reference in the Prospectus and the Time of Sale Information has been issued and remains in effect or, to the knowledge of each such person, is threatened to be issued by the Commission; and

(iii) Since the date of the most recent financial statements included or incorporated by reference in the Prospectus and the Time of Sale Information, there has been no material adverse change in the condition (financial or otherwise), prospects, earnings, business or properties of the Company and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole, whether or not arising from transactions in the ordinary course of business, except as set forth in or contemplated in the Prospectus and the Time of Sale Information.

11.2. The Securities shall be eligible for clearance and settlement through The Depository Trust Company.

11.3. Subsequent to the Execution Time, there shall not have been any decrease in the rating of any of the Company’s debt securities by any “nationally recognized statistical rating organization” (as defined for purposes of Rule 436(g) under the Act) or any notice given of any intended or potential decrease in any such rating or any notice that the rating of the Company’s debt securities is under surveillance or review.

11.4. The Indenture shall have been duly executed and delivered by the Company and the Trustee, and the Securities shall have been duly executed and delivered by the Company and duly authenticated by the Trustee.

11.5. No action shall have been taken and no statute, rule, regulation or order shall have been enacted, adopted or issued by any governmental agency or body which would, as of the Delivery Date, prevent the

 

15


issuance or sale of the Securities; and no injunction, restraining order or order of any other nature by any federal or state court of competent jurisdiction shall have been issued as of the Delivery Date which would prevent the issuance or sale of the Securities.

11.6. Prior to the Delivery Date, the Company shall have furnished to the Representative such further information, certificates and documents as the Representative may reasonably request.

If any of the conditions specified in this Section 11 shall not have been fulfilled in all material respects when and as provided in this Agreement, or if any of the opinions, letters and certificates mentioned above or elsewhere in this Agreement shall not be in all material respects reasonably satisfactory in form and substance to the Representative and counsel for the Underwriters, this Agreement and all obligations of the Underwriters hereunder may be cancelled at, or at any time prior to, the Delivery Date by the Representative. Notice of such cancellation shall be given to the Company in writing or by telephone or facsimile confirmed in writing.

The documents required to be delivered by this Section 11 will be delivered at the office of counsel for the Underwriters, at                                                  , on the Delivery Date.

12. Survival of Representations and Indemnification. The respective agreements, representations, warranties, indemnities and other statements of the Company or its officers and of the Underwriters set forth in or made pursuant to this Agreement will remain in full force and effect, regardless of any investigation made by or on behalf of any Underwriter or the Company or any of the officers, directors or controlling persons referred to in Section 9 hereof, and will survive delivery of and payment for the Securities. The provisions of subsection 7.8 and Sections 9, 13 and 18 hereof shall survive the termination or cancellation of this Agreement.

13. Payment of Expenses. Whether or not the transactions contemplated by this Agreement are consummated or this Agreement is terminated, the Company will pay or cause to be paid all costs and expenses incident to the performance of its obligations hereunder, including without limitation, (a) the costs incident to the authorization, issuance, sale, preparation and delivery of the Securities and any taxes payable in that connection; (b) the costs incident to the preparation, printing and filing under the Act of the Registration Statement, the Prospectus (including all exhibits, amendments and supplements thereto) and the distribution thereof; (c) the costs of reproducing and distributing the Terms Agreement and the Securities; (d) the fees and expenses of the Company’s counsel and independent accountants; (e) the fees and expenses incurred in connection with the registration or qualification and determination of eligibility for investment of the Securities under the laws of such jurisdictions as the Representative may designate and the preparation, printing and distribution of a Blue Sky Memorandum (including the related fees and expenses of counsel for the Underwriters); (f) any fees charged by rating agencies for rating the Securities; (g) the fees and expenses of the Trustee and any paying agent (including related fees and expenses of any counsel to such parties); and (h) all expenses and application fees incurred in connection with any filing with, and clearance of any offering by, the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority. It is understood, however, that, except as provided in this Section, and Sections 7.8 and 9.1 hereof, the Underwriters will pay all of their own costs and expenses, including the fees of their counsel, transfer taxes on resale of any of the Securities by them, and any advertising expenses connected with any offers they may make.

14. Notices. All communications hereunder will be in writing and effective only on receipt, and, if sent to the Underwritten Representative, will be mailed, delivered or telefaxed to the Representative named in the Terms Agreement at the address or telefax number set forth therein; or, if sent to the Company, will be mailed, delivered or telefaxed to Douglas L. Williams, Esq., Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary of Limited Brands (telefax no. (614) 415-7188), and confirmed to Douglas L. Williams, Esq., Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary of Limited Brands, Inc. at Three Limited Parkway, P.O. Box 16000, Columbus, Ohio 43216, Attention of the Legal Department, with a copy to Davis Polk & Wardwell, 450 Lexington Avenue, New York, New York 10017, Telefax (212) 450-3800, Attention: Sarah Beshar.

15. Successors. This Agreement will inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the parties hereto and their respective successors and the officers and directors and controlling persons referred to in Section 9 hereof, and no other person will have any right or obligation hereunder.

 

16


16. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall constitute an original, with the same effect as if the signatures thereto and hereto were upon the same instrument.

17. No Advisory or Fiduciary Responsibility. The Company acknowledges and agrees that the Underwriters are acting solely in the capacity of an arm’s length contractual counterparty to the Company with respect to the offering of Securities contemplated hereby (including in connection with determining the terms of the offering) and not as a financial advisor or a fiduciary to, or an agent of, the Company or any other person. Additionally, neither the Representative nor any other Underwriter is advising the Company or any other person as to any legal, tax, investment, accounting or regulatory matters in any jurisdiction. The Company shall consult with its own advisors concerning such matters and shall be responsible for making its own independent investigation and appraisal of the transactions contemplated hereby, and the Underwriters shall have no responsibility or liability to the Company with respect thereto. Any review by the Underwriters of the Company, the transactions contemplated hereby or other matters relating to such transactions will be performed solely for the benefit of the Underwriters and shall not be on behalf of the Company.

18. Applicable Law. This Agreement will be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York applicable to contracts made and to be performed within the State of New York.

 

17


EXHIBIT A

Exhibit 4.1.1

CONFORMED COPY

 


THE LIMITED, INC.

And

THE BANK OF NEW YORK,

Trustee

 


Indenture

Dated as of March 15, 1988

 


Debt Securities

 



This Cross Reference Sheet, showing the location in the Indenture of the provisions inserted pursuant to Section 310-318(a), inclusive, of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, is not to be considered a part of the Indenture.

TRUST INDENTURE ACT CROSS REFERENCE SHEET

 

Sections of Trust Indenture Act

  

Sections of
Indenture

310(a)(1)

   1005

310(a)(2)

   1005

310(a)(3)

   Not Applicable

310(a)(4)

   Not Applicable

310(b)

   1006

310(c)

   Not Applicable

311

   1009

312

   903

313

   901

314(a)

   902

314(b)

   Not Applicable

314(c)

   1403

314(d)

   Not Applicable

314(e)

   1403

315(a)

   1002(a)

315(b)

   1003

315(c)

   1002

315(d)

   1002

315(e)

   608

316(a)

   606 and 703

316(b)

   607

317(a)

   603 and 604

317(b)

   503

318(a)

   1404


TABLE OF CONTENTS*

 

     Page
Parties    1
Recitals    1
ARTICLE ONE   
DEFINITIONS   
SECTION 101.    Definitions    2
   Affiliate; control    2
   Board of Directors    2
   Board Resolution    2
   Business Day    3
   Commission    3
   Company    3
   Company Request; Company Order    3
   Components    3
   Conversion Date    3
   Corporate Trust Office    3
   corporation    4
   Debt Securities    4
   Defaulted Interest    4
   Depositary    4
   Dollar    4
   ECU    4
   European Communities    4
   Event of Default    4
   Exchange Rate    4
   Exchange Rate Officer’s Certificate    5
   Foreign Currency    6
   Global Security    6
   Government Obligations    6
   Governmental Authority    6
   Holder    6
   Indebtedness    6
   Indenture    6
   interest    6
   Interest Payment Date    7
   Mandatory Sinking Fund Payment    7
   Maturity    7
   Officers’ Certificate    7

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


          Page
   Opinion of Counsel    7
   Optional Sinking Fund Payment    7
   Original Issue Discount Security    7
   Outstanding    7
   Paying Agent    8
   Person    8
   Place of Payment    8
   Predecessor Security    8
   Redemption Date    8
   Redemption Price    8
   Regular Record Date    8
   Responsible Officer    8
   Security Register; Security Registrar    9
   Significant Subsidiary    9
   Special Record Date    9
   Stated Maturity    9
   Subsidiary    9
   Trustee    9
   Trust Indenture Act    9
   United States    9
   Voting Stock    9
ARTICLE TWO   
DEBT SECURITY FORMS   
SECTION 201.    Forms Generally    10
SECTION 202.    Forms of Debt Securities    10
SECTION 203.    Form of Trustee’s Certificate of Authentication    10
ARTICLE THREE   
THE DEBT SECURITIES   
SECTION 301.    Amount Unlimited; Issuable in Series    11
SECTION 302.    Denominations    13
SECTION 303.    Execution, Authentication, Delivery and Dating    13
SECTION 304.    Temporary Debt Securities    16

 

ii


          Page
SECTION 305.    Registration, Transfer and Exchange    17
SECTION 306.    Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost and Stolen Debt Securities    20
SECTION 307.    Payment of Interest; Interest Rights Preserved    20
SECTION 308.    Persons Deemed Owners    22
SECTION 309.    Cancellation    22
SECTION 310.    Computation of Interest    23
SECTION 311.    Payment in Currencies    23
ARTICLE FOUR   
REDEMPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES; SINKING FUND   
SECTION 401.    Applicability of Right of Redemption    27
SECTION 402.    Notice of Redemption    27
SECTION 403.    Selection of Debt Securities on Partial Redemption    28
SECTION 404.    Deposit of Redemption Price    28
SECTION 405.    Debt Securities Payable on Redemption Date    28
SECTION 406.    Debt Securities Redeemed in Part    29
SECTION 407.    Applicability of Sinking Fund    29
SECTION 408.    Mandatory and Optional Sinking Funds    30
SECTION 409.    Application of Sinking Fund Payments    31
ARTICLE FIVE   
PARTICULAR COVENANTS OF THE COMPANY   
SECTION 501.    To Pay Principal, Premium, If Any, and Interest    32
SECTION 502.    To Maintain Offices or Agencies    32

 

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          Page
SECTION 503.    Money for Debt Security Payments To Be Held in Trust    32
SECTION 504.    Restrictions on Liens Upon Voting Stock of Significant Subsidiaries    34
SECTION 505.    Restrictions on Consolidation, Merger, Sale, Etc    35
SECTION 506.    Annual Statement Concerning Compliance With Covenants    36
SECTION 507.    Compliance With Covenants and Conditions May Be Waived By Holders of Debt Securities    36
ARTICLE SIX   
REMEDIES   
SECTION 601.    Events of Default    37
SECTION 602.    Acceleration of Maturity on Default; Waiver    38
SECTION 603.    Collection of Amounts Due and Suits for Enforcement by Trustee    39
SECTION 604.    Trustee Appointed Attorney-in-Fact for Holders to File Claims    40
SECTION 605.    Application of Moneys Collected by Trustee    41
SECTION 606.    Holders May Direct Proceedings and Waive Defaults    42
SECTION 607.    Limitations on Right of Holders to Institute Proceedings    42
SECTION 608.    Assessment of Costs and Attorneys’ Fees in Legal Proceedings    43
SECTION 609.    Rights and Remedies Cumulative    44

 

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          Page
ARTICLE SEVEN   
ACTIONS BY HOLDERS   
SECTION 701.    Actions By Holders    44
SECTION 702.    Instruments    45
SECTION 703.    Determining Principal Amount of Outstanding Debt Securities    45
SECTION 704.    Revocation by Holders of Consents to Action    46
ARTICLE EIGHT   
MEETINGS OF HOLDERS OF DEBT SECURITIES   
SECTION 801.    Purposes of Meetings    46
SECTION 802.    Call of Meetings by Trustee    47
SECTION 803.    Call of Meetings by Company or Holders    47
SECTION 804.    Qualifications For Voting    47
SECTION 805.    Regulation of Meetings    48
SECTION 806.    Voting    48
SECTION 807.    No Delay of Rights by Meeting    49
ARTICLE NINE   
REPORTS BY THE COMPANY AND THE TRUSTEE; HOLDERS’ LISTS   
SECTION 901.    Reports by Trustee    49
  

(a)    Annual Report to Holders

   49
  

(b)    Special Reports to Holders

   50
  

(c)    Manner and Extent of Transmitting Reports

   51

 

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          Page
  

(d)    Copies to be Filed with Commission and Securities Exchanges

   51
SECTION 902.    Reports by the Company    51
  

(a)    Reports and Information to be Filed with Trustee

   51
  

(b)    Additional Information to Be Filed with Trustee and Commission

   51
  

(c)    Reports to Holders

   52
SECTION 903.    Holders’ Lists    52
  

(a)    Names and Addresses of Holders

   52
  

(b)    Trustee to Preserve Information

   52
  

(c)    Trustee to Furnish Certain Information to Holders on Request

   52
ARTICLE TEN   
CONCERNING THE TRUSTEE   
SECTION 1001.    Acceptance of Trusts Upon Specified Conditions    54
  

(a)    Trustee Entitled to Compensation and Expenses; Indemnification

   54
  

(b)    Trustee May Act by Agents and Attorneys

   54
  

(c)    Trustee Not Responsible for Recitals of Fact

   55
  

(d)    Trustee May Consult With Counsel

   55
  

(e)    Trustee May Rely Upon Certificate as to Adoption of Resolutions; Requests May Be Evidenced by Officers’ Certificate

   55
  

(f)     Trustee May Become Owner or Pledgee of Debt Securities

   55
  

(g)    Segregation of Funds

   55

 

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          Page
  

(h)    Action at Request of or with Consent of Holder Binding on Future Holders

   56
  

(i)     Trustee May Rely on Instruments Believed by It to Be Genuine

   56
  

(j)     Trustee Need Not Exercise Rights or Powers Unless Indemnified by Holders

   56
  

(k)    Trustee Not Liable for Action Taken or Omitted in Good Faith

   56
  

(l)     Trustee Not Bound to Make Investigation

   56
  

(m)   Trustee Not Deemed to Have Knowledge of Default

   56
SECTION 1002.    Duties of Trustee in Case of Default    57
  

(a)    When No Default Subsisting

   57
  

(b)    Trustee Not Liable for Error of Judgment Made in Good Faith by Responsible Officer

   57
  

(c)    Trustee Not Liable for Certain Action or Non-Action at Direction of Holders of Majority of Debt Securities

   58
SECTION 1003.    Notice to Holders of Defaults    58
SECTION 1004.    Resignation of Trustee and Notice Thereof    58
SECTION 1005.    Qualifications of Trustee    59
SECTION 1006.    Disqualification of Trustee by Reason of Conflicting Interest    59
  

(a)    Trustee to Resign

   59
  

(b)    Notice to Holders of Failure to Resign

   59
  

(c)    Right of Holders to Petition for Removal of Trustee

   59
  

(d)    Meaning of the Term “Conflicting Interest”; Calculation of Percentages of Debt Securities

   60

 

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     Page
SECTION 1007.    Appointment of Successor Trustee    65
SECTION 1008.   

Merger, Conversion or Consolidation of Trustee or Transfer of its Corporate Trust Business; Authentication of Debt Securities by Successor Trustee

   67
SECTION 1009.   

Trustee Required to Account for Amounts Collected as Creditor of the Company Under Certain Conditions

   67
  

(a)    Trustee, as a Creditor, to Set Apart and Hold Certain Moneys in a Special Account During Default

   67
  

(b)    Situations Not Requiring Trustee to Account

   68
  

(c)    Apportionment of Funds and Property Set Apart

   69
  

(d)    In Case of Resignation or Removal of Trustee

   70
  

(e)    Meaning of Certain Terms as Used in Section 1009

   70
  

(f)     Creditor Relationships to Which Section 1009 Inapplicable

   70
SECTION 1010.    Trustee May Rely on Officers’ Certificate    72
ARTICLE ELEVEN   
SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE   
SECTION 1101.    Discharge of Indenture Upon Payment of Debt Securities    73
SECTION 1102.    Discharge of Indenture Upon Deposit of Moneys    73
SECTION 1103.    Discharge of Certain Indebtedness Upon Deposit of Moneys    73
SECTION 1104.    Termination of Certain Obligations Upon Deposit of Moneys    74
SECTION 1105.    Certain Deposits With the Trustee to be Held in Escrow    75

 

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          Page
SECTION 1106.    Repayment to Company    76
SECTION 1107.    Reinstatement    76
SECTION 1108.    Indemnity for Government Obligations    77
SECTION 1109.    Deposits of Foreign Currencies    77
ARTICLE TWELVE   

IMMUNITY OF INCORPORATORS, STOCKHOLDERS,

OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS

  
SECTION 1201.    Liability Solely Corporate    77
ARTICLE THIRTEEN   
SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES   
SECTION 1301.   

Without Consent of Holders, Company and Trustee May Enter Into Supplemental Indentures for Specified Purposes

   78
SECTION 1302.    Modification of Indenture by Supplemental Indenture With Consent of Holders    79
SECTION 1303.    Trustee to Join in Execution of Supplemental Indenture    80
SECTION 1304.    Effect of Supplemental Indenture    81
SECTION 1305.   

Matters Provided for in Supplemental Indenture May Be Noted on Debt Securities, or New Debt Securities Appropriately Modified May Be Issued in Exchange for Outstanding Debt Securities

   81
SECTION 1306.    Supplemental Indentures to Conform to Trust Indenture Act    82
ARTICLE FOURTEEN   
PROVISIONS OF GENERAL APPLICATION   
SECTION 1401.    Consolidation, Merger, Sale or Lease    82

 

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          Page
SECTION 1402.    Benefits of Indenture    82
SECTION 1403.    Evidence of Compliance with Conditions Precedent; Form of Documents Delivered to Trustee    83
SECTION 1404.    Conflict with Trust Indenture Act    84
SECTION 1405.    Notices, etc., to Trustee and Company    84
SECTION 1406.    Notice to Holders; Waiver    85
SECTION 1407.    Effect of Headings and Table of Contents    85
SECTION 1408.    Successors and Assigns    85
SECTION 1409.    Separability Clause    85
SECTION 1410.    Governing Law    86
SECTION 1411.    Legal Holidays    86
SECTION 1412.    Execution in Counterparts    86
Signatures and Seals    87
Acknowledgements    88
Exhibit A    89

 

x


INDENTURE

INDENTURE, dated as of March 15, 1988, between THE LIMITED, INC., a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the State of Delaware (hereinafter called the “Company”) having its principal place of business at Two Limited Parkway, Columbus, Ohio 43216, and THE BANK OF NEW YORK, a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the State of New York, as trustee (hereinafter called the “Trustee”) having its Corporate Trust Office at 21 West Street, New York, New York 10286, attention: Corporate Trust Trustee Administration.

WITNESSETH:

WHEREAS, the Company has duly authorized the issue, in one or more series as in this Indenture provided, from time to time of its debentures, notes, bonds and other evidences of indebtedness (herein called the “Debt Securities”) and, to provide the general terms and conditions upon which the Debt Securities are to be authenticated, issued and delivered, the Company has duly authorized the execution and delivery of this Indenture; and

WHEREAS, the Trustee has power to enter into this Indenture and to accept and execute the trusts herein created; and

WHEREAS, the Company represents that all acts and things necessary to constitute these presents a valid indenture and agreement according to its terms, have been done and performed, that the execution and delivery of the Debt Securities of any series will, at the time of such execution and delivery, have been duly authorized by the Company and that any such Debt Securities, when so executed and delivered by the Company and when authenticated, issued and delivered by the Trustee, will be legal, valid and binding obligations of the Company; and the Company, in the exercise of each and every legal right and power in it vested, executes this Indenture and proposes to make, execute, issue and deliver Debt Securities from time to time as herein provided;

NOW, THEREFORE, the parties hereto, intending to be legally bound, agree that, in consideration of the acceptance and purchase of the Debt Securities by the holders thereof, the Company covenants and agrees with the Trustee, for the equal benefit of all the holders from time to time of the Debt Securities, without preference, priority or distinction of any thereof over any other thereof by reason of priority in time of issuance or negotiation, or otherwise, as follows:


ARTICLE ONE

DEFINITIONS

SECTION 101. Definitions .

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

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

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

(3) all accounting terms not otherwise defined herein have the meanings assigned to them in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles; and

(4) the words “herein”, “hereof” and “hereunder” and other words of similar import refer to this Indenture as a whole and not to any particular Article, Section or other subdivision.

Certain terms, used principally in Article Ten, are defined in that Article.

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

Board of Directors ” means either the board of directors of the Company or any duly authorized committee of that board or any committee of officers or other representatives of the Company duly authorized by a Board Resolution to act on behalf of that board or in its stead.

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

 

2


Business Day ”, when used with respect to any Place of Payment or any other particular location referred to in this Indenture or in the Debt Securities, means each Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday that is not a day on which banking institutions in that Place of Payment or other particular location are authorized or obligated by law to close.

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

Company ” means The Limited, Inc. and, subject to the provisions of Section 1401, shall also include its successors and assigns.

Company Request ” and “ Company Order ” mean, respectively, a written request or order signed in the name of the Company by the Chairman of the Board of Directors, the President or an Executive Vice President, and by the Treasurer, an Assistant Treasurer, the Controller, an Assistant Controller, the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Company, and delivered to the Trustee.

Components ” with respect to a composite currency (including but not limited to the ECU) means the currency amounts that are components of such composite currency on the Conversion Date. If after such Conversion Date the official unit of any component currency is altered by way of combination or subdivision, the number of units of such currency shall be divided or multiplied in the same proportion to calculate the Component. If after such Conversion Date two or more component currencies are consolidated into a single currency, the amounts of those currencies as Components shall be replaced by an amount in such single currency equal to the sum of the amounts of such consolidated component currencies expressed in such single currency, and such amount shall thereafter be a Component. If after such Conversion Date any component currency shall be divided into two or more currencies, the amount of such currency as a Component shall be replaced by amounts of such two or more currencies, each of which shall be equal to the amount of such former component currency divided by the number of currencies into which such component currency was divided, and such amounts shall thereafter be Components.

Conversion Date ” with respect to a composite currency (including but not limited to the ECU) has the meaning specified in Section 311.

Corporate Trust Office ” means the principal office of the Trustee at which at any particular time its corporate trust business shall be administered. The Corporate Trust Office of the initial Trustee shall be at the address set forth in the first paragraph of this Indenture until the Trustee shall notify the Company of a change thereof.

 

3


The term “ corporation ” includes corporations, associations, companies and business trusts.

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

Defaulted Interest ” has the meaning specified in Section 307.

Depositary ” means, with respect to the Debt Securities of any series issuable or issued in the form of one or more Global Securities, the Person designated as Depositary by the Company pursuant to Section 301 until a successor Depositary shall have become such pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Indenture, and thereafter “Depositary” shall mean or include each Person who is then a Depositary hereunder, and if at any time there is more than one such Person, “Depositary” as used with respect to the Debt Securities of any such series shall mean the Depositary with respect to the Debt Securities of that series.

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

ECU ” means the European Currency Unit as defined and revised from time to time by the Council of the European Communities.

European Communities ” means the European Economic Community, the European Coal and Steel Community and the European Atomic Energy Community.

Event of Default ” has the meaning specified in Section 601.

Exchange Rate ” means (a) with respect to a currency (other than a composite currency) in which payment is to be made on a series of Debt Securities denominated in a composite currency, the exchange rate between such composite currency and such currency reported by the agency or organization, if any, designated pursuant to Section 301(11) or, in the case of ECU, by the Council of the European Communities (whose reports are currently based on the rates in effect at 2:30 P.M., Brussels time, on the relevant exchange markets), as appropriate, or if such exchange rate is not or ceases to be so reported, then such exchange rate as shall be determined by the Company using, in its sole discretion and without liability on its part, quotations from one or more major banks in The City of New York or such other quotations as the Company shall deem appropriate, on the applicable Regular or Special Record Date or the fifteenth day

 

4


immediately preceding Maturity, as the case may be, with respect to Debt Securities of such series, (b) with respect to Dollars in which payment is to be made on a series of Debt Securities denominated in a Foreign Currency, the noon Dollar buying rate for that currency for cable transfers quoted in The City of New York on the Regular or Special Record Date with respect to such Interest Payment Date or the fifteenth day immediately preceding Maturity, as the case may be, with respect to Debt Securities of such series, as certified for customs purposes by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, (c) with respect to a Foreign Currency in which payment is to be made on a series of Debt Securities denominated in Dollars or converted into Dollars pursuant to Section 311(d)(ii), the noon Dollar selling rate for that currency for cable transfers quoted in The City of New York on the Regular or Special Record Date with respect to such Interest Payment Date or the fifteenth day immediately preceding Maturity, as the case may be, with respect to Debt Securities of such series, as certified for customs purposes by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, and (d) with respect to a Foreign Currency in which payment is to be made on a series of Debt Securities denominated in a different Foreign Currency, the exchange rate between such Foreign Currencies determined in the manner specified pursuant to Section 301(14). Except in the situation contemplated in (a) above, if for any reason such rates are not available with respect to one or more currencies for which an Exchange Rate is required, the Company shall use, in its sole discretion and without liability on its part, such quotations of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York as of the most recent available date, or quotations from one or more major banks in The City of New York or in the country of issue of the currency in question, or such other quotations as the Company shall deem appropriate. Any reference herein to the “applicable” Exchange Rate shall mean the Exchange Rate as set forth in the applicable Exchange Rate Officer’s Certificate. Unless otherwise specified by the Company, if there is more than one market for dealing in any currency by reason of foreign exchange regulations or otherwise, the market to be used in respect of such currency shall be that upon which an issuer of securities denominated in such currency that is similar to the Company in all material respects would purchase such currency in order to make payments in respect of such securities.

Exchange Rate Officer’s Certificate ”, with respect to any date for the payment of principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on any series of Debt Securities, means a certificate setting forth the applicable Exchange Rate as of the Regular or Special Record Date with respect to such Interest Payment Date or the fifteenth day immediately preceding Maturity, as the case may be, with respect to Debt Securities of such series and the amounts payable in Dollars and Foreign Currencies in respect of the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on any such Debt Securities denominated in ECU, any other composite currency or any Foreign Currency, and signed by the Chairman or a Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors, the President, an Executive Vice President or a Vice President, the Treasurer or any Assistant Treasurer or the Controller or any Assistant Controller of the Company, and delivered to the Trustee.

 

5


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

Global Security ” means a Debt Security evidencing all or a part of a series of Debt Securities, issued to the Depositary for such series in accordance with Section 303, and bearing the legend prescribed in Section 303(c).

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

Governmental Authority ” means any nation or government, any state or other political subdivision thereof, and any entity exercising executive, legislative, judicial, regulatory or administrative functions of or pertaining to government.

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

Indebtedness ” means any and all obligations of a corporation for money borrowed which in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles would be reflected on the balance sheet of such corporation as a liability on the date as of which Indebtedness is to be determined.

Indenture ” means this instrument as originally executed or as it may from time to time be supplemented, amended or restated by or pursuant to one or more indentures supplemental hereto entered into pursuant to the applicable provisions hereof and, unless the context otherwise requires, shall include the terms of a particular series Debt Securities established as contemplated by Section 301.

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

 

6


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

Mandatory Sinking Fund Payment ” has the meaning specified in Section 407.

Maturity ” with respect to any Debt Security means the date on which the principal of such Debt Security or any instalment thereof becomes due and payable as therein or herein provided, whether at the Stated Maturity or by declaration of acceleration, call or redemption, operation of any sinking fund, repayment at the option of the Holder or otherwise.

Officers’ Certificate ”, when used with respect to the Company, means a certificate signed by the Chairman of the Board of Directors, the President or an Executive Vice President, and by the Treasurer, an Assistant Treasurer, the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Company, and delivered to the Trustee.

Opinion of Counsel ” means an opinion in writing prepared in accordance with Section 1403 and signed by legal counsel, who may be an employee of or of counsel to the Company, or may be other counsel satisfactory to the Trustee, which is delivered to the Trustee.

Optional Sinking Fund Payment ” has the meaning specified in Section 407.

Original Issue Discount Security ” means any Debt Security which provides for an amount less than the principal amount thereof to be due and payable upon a declaration of acceleration of the maturity thereof pursuant to Section 602.

Outstanding ”, when used as of any particular time with reference to Debt Securities, means, subject to Section 703, all Debt Securities theretofore authenticated and delivered by the Trustee under this Indenture, except:

(i) Debt Securities or portions thereof for which funds sufficient to pay the principal thereof, premium, if any, thereon and all unpaid interest thereon at Maturity or to the date fixed for redemption shall have been deposited in trust for such purpose as provided herein 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 that, if such Debt Securities are to be redeemed, notice of such redemption thereof shall have been duly given or provision satisfactory to the Trustee for the giving of such notice shall have been made;

 

7


(ii) Debt Securities theretofore cancelled and delivered to the Trustee or which have been surrendered to the Trustee for cancellation; and

(iii) Debt Securities which have been paid pursuant to Section 306 or in exchange for or in lieu of which other Debt Securities have been authenticated and delivered pursuant to this Indenture, other than any such Debt Securities in respect of which there shall have been presented to the Trustee proof satisfactory to it that such Debt Securities are held by a bona fide purchaser in whose hands such Debt Securities are valid obligations of the Company.

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

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

Place of Payment ”, when used with respect to the Debt Securities of any series, means each place where the principal of (and premium, if any) or interest on the Debt Securities of that series are payable, as specified in the manner contemplated by Section 301.

Predecessor Security ” of any particular Debt Security means every previous Debt Security evidencing all or a portion of the same debt as that evidenced by such particular Debt Security; and, for the purposes of this definition, any Debt Security authenticated and delivered under Section 306 in lieu of a lost, destroyed or stolen Debt Security shall be deemed to evidence the same debt as the lost, destroyed or stolen Debt Security.

Redemption Date ”, when used with respect to any Debt Security to be redeemed, in whole or in part, means the date fixed for such redemption by or pursuant to this Indenture and the terms of such Debt Security.

Redemption Price ”, when used with respect to any Debt Security to be redeemed, means the price (exclusive of accrued interest) at which it is to be redeemed pursuant to this Indenture and the terms of such Debt Security.

Regular Record Date ” for the interest payable on any Interest Payment Date on the Debt Securities of any series means the date specified for that purpose as contemplated by Section 301.

Responsible Officer ”, when used with respect to the Trustee, means any officer or employee in the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee or any other

 

8


officer or employee of the Trustee customarily performing functions similar to those performed by any of the above-designated officers or employees and also means, with respect to a particular corporate trust matter, any other officer to whom such matter is referred because of his knowledge of and familiarity with the particular subject.

Security Register ” and “ Security Registrar ” have the respective meanings specified in Section 305.

Significant Subsidiary ” has the meaning specified in Section 504.

Special Record Date ” for the payment of any Defaulted Interest means a date fixed by the Trustee pursuant to Section 307.

Stated Maturity ”, when used with respect to any Debt Security or any instalment of interest thereon, means the date specified in such Debt Security as the fixed date on which the principal of such Debt Security or such instalment of interest is due and payable.

Subsidiary ” means a corporation, a majority of the outstanding voting stock of which is owned, directly or indirectly, by the Company or by one or more other Subsidiaries, or by the Company and one or more other Subsidiaries. For the purposes of this definition, “voting stock” means stock having voting power for the election of directors, whether at all times or only so long as no senior class of stock has such voting power by reason of any contingency; provided , however , that “voting stock” shall not include stock which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries owning such stock are required or have agreed not to vote, or the voting rights with respect to which have been granted to a Person other than the Company or any of its Subsidiaries.

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

Trust Indenture Act ” means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 as in force at the date as of which this instrument was executed, except as provided in Section 1306.

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

Voting Stock ” has the meaning specified in Section 504.

 

9


ARTICLE TWO

DEBT SECURITY FORMS

SECTION 201. Forms Generally .

All Debt Securities and the Trustee’s certificate of authentication shall have such appropriate insertions, omissions, substitutions and other variations as are required or permitted by this Indenture or by a Board Resolution and as set forth in an Officers’ Certificate or by an indenture supplemental hereto and may have such letters, numbers or other marks of identification or designation and such legends or endorsements placed thereon as the 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 any of the Debt Securities may be listed or of any automated quotation system on which they may be quoted, or to conform to usage.

Debt Securities in definitive form shall be printed, lithographed or engraved, or produced by any combination of these methods or in any other manner determined by the officers executing such Debt Securities, as evidenced by their execution of such Debt Securities.

SECTION 202. Forms of Debt Securities .

Each Debt Security shall be substantially in such form as shall be established from time to time in or pursuant to a Board Resolution and set forth in an Officers’ Certificate, or established in one or more indentures supplemental hereto, which shall set forth the information required by Section 301. If so provided as contemplated by Section 301, the Debt Securities of a series shall be issuable in the form of one or more Global Securities.

SECTION 203. Form of Trustee’s Certificate of Authentication .

The form of the Trustee’s certificate of authentication to be borne by each Debt Security shall be substantially as follows:

TRUSTEE’S CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICATION

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

 

THE BANK OF NEW YORK,

as Trustee

By:  

 

  Authorized Signatory

 

10


ARTICLE THREE

THE DEBT SECURITIES

SECTION 301. Amount Unlimited; Issuable in Series .

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

The Debt Securities may be issued in one or more series. There shall be established in or pursuant to one or more Board Resolutions and set forth in an Officers’ Certificate, or established in one or more indentures supplemental hereto, prior to the issuance of Debt Securities of any series:

(1) the title of the Debt Securities of the series (which shall distinguish the Debt Securities of the series from all other Debt Securities, except to the extent that additional Debt Securities of an existing series are being issued);

(2) the limit, if any, upon the aggregate principal amount of the Debt Securities of the series which may be authenticated and delivered under this Indenture (except for Debt Securities authenticated and delivered upon registration of transfer of, or in exchange for, or in lieu of, other Debt Securities of the series pursuant to Section 304, 305, 306, 406 or 1305);

(3) the date or dates on which the principal of the Debt Securities of the series is payable;

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

(5) the place or places where the principal of (and premium, if any) or interest on Debt Securities of the series shall be payable, and whether any such payments may be made by wire transfer;

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

 

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

(8) whether the Debt Securities of the series shall be issued in the form of one or more Global Securities and, in such case, the Depositary for such Global Security or Securities;

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

(10) if other than the principal amount thereof, the portion of the principal amount of Debt Securities of the series which shall be payable upon declaration of acceleration of the maturity thereof pursuant to Section 602;

(11) the currency of denomination of the Debt Securities of the series, which may be in Dollars, any Foreign Currency or any composite currency (including but not limited to ECU), and, if such currency of denomination is a composite currency other than ECU, the agency or organization, if any, responsible for overseeing such composite currency;

(12) the currency or currencies in which payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on Debt Securities of the series will be made, and the currency or currencies (in addition to Dollars), if any, in which payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) or interest on Debt Securities of the series, at the election of each of the Holders thereof, may also be payable;

(13) if the amount of payments of principal of (and premium, if any) or interest on Debt Securities of the series may be determined with reference to an index based on a currency or currencies other than that in which the Debt Securities of the series denominated or designated to be payable, the manner in which such amounts shall be determined;

(14) if the payments of principal of (and premium, if any) or the interest on the Debt Securities of the series are to be made in a Foreign Currency other than the Foreign Currency in which such Debt Securities are denominated, the manner in which the exchange rate with respect to such payments shall be determined;

 

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(15) whether the Debt Securities of the series shall be subject to defeasance pursuant to either or both of Sections 1103 and 1104;

(16) whether the Debt Securities of the series shall be issued with warrants to purchase such Debt Securities or the Debt Securities of any other series attached thereto; and

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

All Debt Securities of any one series shall be substantially identical except as to denomination and except as may otherwise be provided in or pursuant to such Board Resolution (as set forth in such Officers’ Certificate) or in any such indenture supplemental hereto.

If any of the terms of a series of Debt Securities are established by action taken pursuant to a Board Resolution, 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 Officers’ Certificate setting forth the terms of the series.

SECTION 302. Denominations .

The Debt Securities of each series shall be issuable in registered form without coupons in such denominations as shall be specified in accordance with the requirements of Section 301. In the absence of any such provisions with respect to the Debt Securities of any series and except as provided in Section 303, the Debt Securities of such series shall be issuable in denominations of $1,000 or any integral multiple thereof.

SECTION 303. Execution, Authentication, Delivery and Dating .

(a) The Debt Securities shall be executed on behalf of the Company by the Chairman of its Board of Directors, its President or one of its Executive Vice Presidents, and by its Treasurer or any Assistant Treasurer or its Secretary or any Assistant Secretary under its corporate seal. The signature of any of these officers on the Debt Securities may be manual or facsimile. The seal of the Company may be in the form of a facsimile thereof and may be impressed, affixed, imprinted or otherwise reproduced on the Debt Securities. Typographical and other minor errors or defects in any such reproduction of the seal or any such signature shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any Debt Security that has been duly authenticated and delivered by the Trustee.

 

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Debt Securities bearing the manual or facsimile signatures of individuals who were at any time the proper officers of the Company shall bind the Company, notwithstanding that such individuals or any of them have ceased to hold such offices prior to the authentication and delivery of such Debt Securities or did not hold such offices at the date of such Debt Securities.

(b) At any time and from time to time after the execution and delivery of this Indenture, the Company may deliver Debt 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 Debt Securities; and the Trustee in accordance with the Company Order shall authenticate and deliver such Debt Securities. The Trustee shall be entitled to receive, prior to the authentication and delivery of such Debt Securities, the supplemental indenture or the Board Resolution in or pursuant to which the terms and form of such Debt Securities have been established (and, if such terms and form are established in or pursuant to a Board Resolution, the Officers’ Certificate setting forth such terms and form), an Officers’ Certificate as to the absence of any event which is, or after notice or lapse of time or both would become, an Event of Default, and an Opinion of Counsel stating that:

(1) all instruments furnished by the Company to the Trustee in connection with the authentication and delivery of such Debt Securities conform to the requirements of this Indenture and constitute sufficient authority hereunder for the Trustee to authenticate and deliver such Debt Securities;

(2) the form of such Debt Securities has been established in conformity with the provisions of this Indenture;

(3) the terms of such Debt Securities have been established in conformity with the provisions of this Indenture;

(4) in the event that the form or terms of such Debt Securities have been established in a supplemental indenture, the execution and delivery of such supplemental indenture have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action of the Company, such supplemental indenture has been duly executed and delivered by the Company and, assuming due authorization, execution and delivery by the Trustee, is a legal, valid, binding and enforceable instrument of the Company, subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency and similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally, and subject, as to enforceability, to general principles of equity (regardless of whether enforcement is sought in a proceeding in equity or at law);

 

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(5) the execution and delivery of such Debt Securities have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action of the Company and such Debt Securities have been duly executed by the Company and, assuming due authentication by the Trustee and delivery by the Company, are the legal, valid, binding and enforceable obligations of the Company, entitled to the benefits of the Indenture, subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency and similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally, and subject, as to enforceability, to general principles of equity (regardless of whether enforcement is sought in a proceeding in equity or at law); and

(6) such other matters as the Trustee may reasonably request.

Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 301 and of this Section 303, if all the Debt Securities of a series are not to be originally issued at one time, it shall not be necessary to deliver the Officers’ Certificate or supplemental indenture otherwise required pursuant to Section 301 or the Company Order, Board Resolution and Officers’ Certificate or supplemental indenture, and Opinion of Counsel required pursuant to this Section 303 at or prior to the time of authentication of each Debt Security of such series if such documents were delivered at or prior to the time of authentication upon original issuance of the first Debt Security of such series to be issued.

(c) If the Company shall establish pursuant to Section 301 that the Debt Securities of a series are to be issued in the form of one or more Global Securities, then the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall, in accordance with this Section and the Company Order with respect to such series, authenticate and deliver one or more Global Securities that (i) shall represent and shall be denominated in an amount equal to the aggregate principal amount of all of the Debt Securities of such series issued and not yet cancelled, (ii) shall be registered in the name of the Depositary for such Global Security or Securities or the nominee of such Depositary, (iii) shall be delivered by the Trustee to such Depositary or pursuant to such Depositary’s instructions and (iv) shall bear a legend substantially to the following effect:

“Unless and until it is exchanged in whole or in part for Debt Securities in definitive registered form, this Debt Security may not be transferred except as a whole by the Depositary to the nominee of the Depositary or by a nominee of the Depositary to the Depositary or another

 

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nominee of the Depositary or by the Depositary or any such nominee to a successor Depositary or a nominee of such successor Depositary.”

(d) Each Depositary designated pursuant to Section 301 must, at the time of its designation and at all times while it serves as Depositary, be a clearing agency registered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and any other applicable statute or regulation.

(e) The Trustee shall have the right to decline to authenticate and deliver any Debt Security under this Section if the Trustee, upon the advice of counsel, determines that such action may not lawfully be taken or if the Trustee, by a committee of Responsible Officers, shall determine in good faith that the authentication and delivery of such Debt Security would be unjustly prejudicial to Holders of Outstanding Debt Securities.

(f) Each Debt Security shall be dated the date of its authentication.

(g) No Debt Security shall be entitled to any benefit under this Indenture or be valid or obligatory for any purpose unless there appears on such Debt Security a certificate of authentication substantially in the form provided for herein executed by the Trustee by manual signature of one of its authorized signatories, and such certificate upon any Debt Security shall be conclusive evidence, and the only evidence, that such Debt Security has been duly authenticated and delivered hereunder and is entitled to the benefits of this Indenture.

(h) The Trustee shall have the right to decline to authenticate and deliver any Debt Securities under this Section if the issue of such Debt Securities pursuant to this Indenture will affect the Trustee’s own rights, duties or immunities under the Debt Securities and this Indenture or otherwise in a manner which is not reasonably acceptable to the Trustee.

SECTION 304. Temporary Debt Securities .

Pending the preparation of definitive Debt Securities of any series, the Company may execute, and upon Company Order the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, temporary Debt Securities which are printed, lithographed, typewritten, mimeographed or otherwise produced, in any authorized denomination, substantially of the tenor of the definitive Debt Securities in lieu of which they are issued, in registered form and with such appropriate insertions, omissions, substitutions and other variations as the officers executing such Debt Securities may determine, as evidenced by their execution of such Debt Securities. In the case of Debt Securities of any series, such temporary Debt Securities may be in global form, representing all of the Outstanding Debt Securities of such series.

 

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If temporary Debt Securities of any series are issued, the Company will cause definitive Debt Securities of such series to be prepared without unreasonable delay. After the preparation of definitive Debt Securities of such series, the temporary Debt Securities of such series shall be exchangeable for definitive Debt Securities of such series upon surrender of the temporary Debt Securities of such series at the office or agency of the Company in a Place of Payment for such series without charge to the Holder. Upon surrender for cancellation of any one or more temporary Debt Securities of any series, the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver in exchange therefor a like principal amount of definitive Debt Securities of such series in any authorized denominations. Until so exchanged, the temporary Debt Securities of any series shall in all respects be entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture as definitive Debt Securities of such series.

SECTION 305. Registration, Transfer and Exchange .

The Company shall cause to be kept a register (herein sometimes referred to as the “Security Register”) in which, subject to such reasonable regulations as it may prescribe, the Company shall provide for the registration of Debt Securities and of transfers of Debt Securities. Separate registers may be kept for separate series of Debt Securities. Unless and until otherwise determined by the Company, the Security Register shall be kept at the office or agency of the Company maintained pursuant to Section 502, which office or agency is hereby appointed “Security Registrar” for the purpose of registering Debt Securities and registering the transfer of Debt Securities as herein provided. At all reasonable times the Security Register shall be open for inspection by the Trustee.

Upon surrender for registration of transfer of any Debt Security of any series at the office or agency of the Company maintained for such purpose, the Company shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, in the name of the designated transferee or transferees, a like aggregate principal amount of one or more new Debt Securities of the same series in any authorized denominations.

Notwithstanding any other provision of this Section 305, unless and until it is exchanged in whole or in part for Debt Securities in definitive registered form, a Global Security representing all or a portion of the Debt Securities of a series may not be transferred except as a whole by the Depositary for such series to a nominee of such Depositary or by a nominee of such Depositary to such Depositary or another nominee of such Depositary or by such Depositary or any such nominee to a successor Depositary for such series or a nominee of such successor Depositary.

 

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At the option of the Holder, Debt Securities of any series (except a Global Security) may be exchanged for a like aggregate principal amount of other Debt Securities of the same series in any authorized denominations upon surrender of the Debt Securities to be exchanged at such office or agency. Whenever any Debt Securities are so surrendered for exchange, the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver the Debt Securities which the Holder making the exchange is entitled to receive.

If at any time the Depositary for the Debt Securities of a series notifies the Company that it is unwilling or unable to continue as Depositary for the Debt Securities of such series or if at any time the Depositary for the Debt Securities of such series shall no longer be eligible under Section 303(d), the Company shall appoint a successor Depositary with respect to the Debt Securities of such series. If a successor Depositary for the Debt Securities of such series is not appointed by the Company within 90 days after the Company receives such notice or becomes aware of such ineligibility, the Company’s election pursuant to Section 301(8) shall no longer be effective with respect to the Debt Securities of such series and the Company will execute, and the Trustee, upon receipt of a Company Order for the authentication and delivery of definitive Debt Securities of such series, will authenticate and deliver, Debt Securities of such series in definitive registered form without coupons, in any authorized denominations, in an aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of the Global Security or Securities representing such series, in exchange for such Global Security or Securities.

The Company may at any time and in its sole discretion determine that the Debt Securities of any series issued in the form of one or more Global Securities shall no longer be represented by a Global Security or Securities. In such event the Company will execute, and the Trustee, upon receipt of a Company Order for the authentication and delivery of definitive Debt Securities of such series, will authenticate and deliver, Debt Securities of such series in definitive registered form without coupons, in any authorized denominations, in an aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of the Global Security or Securities representing such series, in exchange for such Global Security or Securities.

If specified by the Company pursuant to Section 301 with respect to a series of Debt Securities, the Depositary for such series of Debt Securities may surrender a Global Security for such series of Debt Securities in exchange in whole or in part for Debt Securities of such series in definitive registered form on such terms as are acceptable to the Company and such Depositary. Thereupon, the Company shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, without service charge,

 

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(i) to the Person specified by such Depositary a new Debt Security or Securities of the same series, of any authorized denomination as requested by such Person, in an aggregate principal amount equal to and in exchange for such Person’s beneficial interest in the Global Security; and

(ii) to such Depositary a new Global Security in a denomination equal to the difference, if any, between the principal amount of the surrendered Global Security and the aggregate principal amount of Debt Securities authenticated and delivered pursuant to Clause (i) above.

Upon the exchange of a Global Security for Debt Securities in definitive registered form without coupons, in authorized denominations, such Global Security shall be cancelled by the Trustee. Debt Securities in definitive registered form without coupons issued in exchange for a Global Security pursuant to this Section 305 shall be registered in such names and in such authorized denominations as the Depositary for such Global Security, pursuant to instructions from its direct or indirect participants or otherwise, shall instruct the Trustee. The Trustee shall deliver such Debt Securities to or as directed by the Persons in whose names such Debt Securities are so registered.

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

Every Debt Security presented or surrendered for registration of transfer or for exchange shall (if so required by the Company, the Security Registrar or the Trustee) be duly endorsed by the appropriate persons and be accompanied by reasonable assurances that the endorsements are genuine and effective, or shall be accompanied by a written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the Company, the Security Registrar and the Trustee, duly executed by the Holder thereof or his attorney duly authorized in writing, and such other documentation as the Company, the Security Registrar or the Trustee may reasonably require.

No service charge shall be made for any transfer or exchange of Debt Securities, but the Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge that may be imposed in connection with any transfer or exchange of Debt Securities, other than exchanges pursuant to Section 304, 406 or 1305 not involving any transfer.

The Company shall not be required (i) to issue, register the transfer of or exchange any Debt Security of any particular series during a period

 

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beginning at the opening of business 15 days before the day of the mailing of a notice of redemption of Debt Securities of such series selected for redemption under Section 402 and ending at the close of business on the day of such mailing, or (ii) to register the transfer of or exchange any Debt Security so selected for redemption in whole or in part, except the unredeemed portion of any Debt Security being redeemed in part.

SECTION 306. Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost and Stolen Debt Securities .

If (i) any mutilated Debt Security is surrendered to the Trustee or (ii) the Company and the Trustee receive evidence to their satisfaction of the ownership of and the destruction, loss or theft of any Debt Security, and there is delivered to the Company and the Trustee such security or indemnity as may be required by them to save each of them harmless, then, in the absence of notice to the Company or the Trustee that such Debt Security has been acquired by a bona fide purchaser, the Company shall execute and upon its request the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, in exchange for or in lieu of any such mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Debt Security, a new Debt Security of like tenor and principal amount, bearing a number not contemporaneously outstanding.

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

Upon the issuance of any new Debt Security under this Section 306, 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 Company and the Trustee) connected therewith.

Every new Debt Security of any series issued pursuant to this Section 306 in lieu of any destroyed, lost or stolen Debt Security shall constitute an original additional contractual obligation of the Company, whether or not the destroyed, lost or stolen Debt Security shall be at any time enforceable by anyone, and shall be entitled to all the benefits of this Indenture equally and proportionately with any and all other Debt Securities of such series duly issued hereunder.

The provisions of this Section 306 are exclusive and shall preclude (to the extent lawful) all other rights and remedies with respect to the replacement or payment of mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Debt Securities.

SECTION 307. Payment of Interest; Interest Rights Preserved .

Interest on any Debt Security which is payable and is punctually paid or duly provided for on any Interest Payment Date shall be paid to the Person

 

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in whose name that Debt Security (or one or more Predecessor Securities) is registered at the close of business on the Regular Record Date for such interest. At the option of the Company, payment of interest on any Debt Security may be made by check mailed to the address of the Person entitled thereto as such address shall appear in the Security Register or, if so specified in the manner contemplated by Section 301, by wire transfer to an account designated by such Person in writing to the Trustee.

Any interest on any Debt Security of any series which is payable but is not punctually paid or duly provided for on any Interest Payment Date (herein called “Defaulted Interest”) shall forthwith cease to be payable to the Holder on the relevant Regular Record Date by virtue of his having been such Holder; and such Defaulted Interest may be paid by the Company, at its election in each case, as provided in Clause (1) or (2) below:

(1) The Company may elect to make payment of any Defaulted Interest to the Persons in whose names the Debt 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 Debt Security of such series, the date of the proposed payment and the Special Record Date therefor, which shall be not more than 15 days and not less than 10 days prior to the date of the proposed payment and not less then 10 days after the receipt by the Trustee of the notice of the proposed payment. 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. Unless the Trustee is acting as the Security Registrar, promptly after such Special Record Date the Company shall furnish the Trustee a list, or shall make arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee with respect thereto, of the names and addresses of, and principal amounts of Debt Securities held by, the Holders appearing on the Security Register at the close of business on such Special Record Date. In the name and at the expense of the Company, the Trustee shall cause notice of the proposed payment of such Defaulted Interest and the Special Record Date therefor to be mailed, first-class postage prepaid, to each Holder of Debt Securities of such series at his address as it appears in the Security Register, not less than 10 days prior to such Special Record Date.

 

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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 the Debt Securities of such series (or their respective Predecessor Securities) are registered on such Special Record Date and shall no longer be payable pursuant to the following Clause (2).

(2) The Company may make payment of any Defaulted Interest on the Debt Securities of any series in any other lawful manner not inconsistent with the requirements of any securities exchange on which the Debt Securities may be listed, and upon such notice as may be required by such exchange, if, after notice given by the Company to the Trustee of the proposed payment pursuant to this Clause (2), such manner of payment shall be deemed practicable by the Trustee.

Subject to the foregoing provisions of this Section 307, each Debt Security delivered under this Indenture upon transfer of or in exchange for or in lieu of any other Debt Security shall carry the rights to interest accrued and unpaid, and to accrue, which were carried by such other Debt Security.

SECTION 308. Persons Deemed Owners .

Prior to due presentment of a Debt Security for registration of transfer, the Company, the Trustee and any agent of the Company or the Trustee may treat the Person whose name such Debt Security is registered as the owner of such Debt Security for the purpose of receiving payment of principal of (and premium, if any) and (subject to Section 307) interest on such Debt Security and for all other purposes whatsoever, whether or not such Debt Security shall be overdue, and neither the Company, the Trustee nor any agent of the Company or the Trustee shall be affected by notice to the contrary.

None of the Company, the Trustee, any Paying Agent or the Security Registrar will have any responsibility or liability for any aspect of the records relating to or payments made on account of beneficial ownership interests in a Global Security or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records relating to such beneficial ownership interests.

SECTION 309. Cancellation .

All Debt Securities surrendered for payment, redemption, transfer or exchange shall, if surrendered to any Person other than the Trustee, be delivered to the Trustee and shall be promptly cancelled by it. The Company may at any time deliver to the Trustee for cancellation any Debt Securities previously authenticated and delivered hereunder which the Company may have acquired in

 

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any manner whatsoever, and all Debt Securities so delivered shall be promptly cancelled by the Trustee. Acquisition by the Company of any Debt Security shall not operate as a redemption or satisfaction of the indebtedness represented by such Debt Securities unless and until the same is delivered to the Trustee for cancellation. No Debt Securities shall be authenticated in lieu of or in exchange for any Debt Securities cancelled as provided in this Section, except as expressly permitted in this Indenture. All cancelled Debt Securities held by the Trustee may be destroyed, and the Trustee shall certify to the Company any destruction thereof, unless, by a Company Order, the Company shall direct that cancelled Debt Securities be returned to it.

SECTION 310. Computation of Interest .

Except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 301 for Debt Securities of any series, interest on the Debt Securities of each series shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months.

SECTION 311. Payment in Currencies .

(a) Payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on the Debt Securities of any series shall be made in the currency or currencies specified pursuant to Section 301; provided that, if so specified in the manner provided in Section 301, the Holder of a Debt Security of such series may elect to receive such payment in any one of (i) Dollars and (ii) any other currency designated for such purpose pursuant to Section 301. A Holder may make such election by delivering to the Trustee a written notice thereof, substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A or in such other form as may be acceptable to the Trustee, not later than the close of business on the Regular or Special Record Date immediately preceding the applicable Interest Payment Date or the fifteenth day immediately preceding Maturity, as the case may be, with respect to Debt Securities of such series. Such election shall remain in effect with respect to such Holder until such Holder delivers to the Trustee a written notice substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A or in such other form as may be acceptable to the Trustee specifying a change in the currency in which such payment is to be made; provided that any such notice must be delivered to the Trustee not later than the close of business on the Regular or Special Record Date immediately preceding the next Interest Payment Date or the fifteenth day immediately preceding Maturity, as the case may be, with respect to Debt Securities of such series in order to be effective for the payment to be made thereon; and provided further that no such change in currency may be made with respect to payments to be made on any Debt Security with respect to which notice of redemption has been given by the Company pursuant to Section 402.

(b) Except as otherwise specified in the manner contemplated by Section 301, the Trustee shall deliver to the Company, not later than the fourth

 

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Business Day following each Regular or Special Record Date with respect to an Interest Payment Date or the tenth Business Day immediately preceding Maturity, as the case may be, with respect to a series of Debt Securities, a written notice specifying, in the currency in which such series of Debt Securities is denominated, the aggregate amount of the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on such series of Debt Securities to be paid on such payment date. If payments in respect of such series of Debt Securities are designated to be made in a currency other than the currency in which such series of Debt Securities is denominated or if at least one Holder has made the election referred to in Subsection (a) above with respect to such series of Debt Securities, then the written notice referred to in the preceding sentence shall also specify, in each currency in which payment in respect of such series of Debt Securities is to be made pursuant to said Subsection (a), the amount of principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on such series of Debt Securities to be paid in such currency on such payment date.

(c) The Company shall deliver to the Trustee, not later than the eighth Business Day following each Regular or Special Record Date or the tenth day immediately preceding Maturity, as the case may be, with respect to a series of Debt Securities, an Exchange Rate Officer’s Certificate in respect of the Dollar or Foreign Currency payments to be made on such payment date in respect of such Debt Securities. Except as otherwise specified in the manner contemplated by Section 301, the amount receivable by Holders of a series of Debt Securities who have elected payment in a currency other than the currency in which such series of Debt Securities is denominated as provided in Subsection (a) above shall be determined by the Company on the basis of the applicable Exchange Rate.

(d) (i) If the Foreign Currency in which a series of Debt Securities is denominated ceases to be used both by the government of the country that issued such currency and for the settlement of transactions by public institutions of or within the international banking community, then, with respect to each date for the payment of principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on such series of Debt Securities occurring after the final date on which such Foreign Currency was so used, all payments with respect to the Debt Securities of such series shall be made in Dollars. If payment is to be made in Dollars to the Holders of any such series of Debt Securities pursuant to the provisions of the preceding sentence, then the amount to be paid in Dollars on a payment date by the Company to the Trustee and by the Trustee or any Paying Agent to Holders shall be determined by the Trustee as of the Regular or Special Record Date immediately preceding the applicable Interest Payment Date or the fifteenth day immediately preceding Maturity, as the case may be, with respect to Debt Securities of such series, and shall be equal to the sum obtained by translating the specified Foreign Currency into Dollars at the applicable Exchange Rate on the last Record Date on which such Foreign Currency was so used in either fashion; provided that payment to a Holder of a Debt Security of such series shall be made in a different Foreign Currency if that holder has properly elected or properly elects payment in such Foreign Currency as provided for by Subsection (a) above.

 

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If a Holder of a Debt Security denominated in a composite currency has elected payment in a specified Foreign Currency as provided for by Subsection (a) above and such Foreign Currency ceases to be used both by the government of the country that issued such currency and for the settlement of transactions by public institutions of or within the international banking community, such Holder shall, subject to Subsection (d)(ii) below, receive payment in such composite currency; provided that such payment to such Holder shall be made in a different Foreign Currency or in Dollars if that Holder has properly elected or properly elects payments in such Foreign Currency or in Dollars as provided for by Subsection (a) above.

(ii) If the ECU ceases to be used both within the European Monetary System and for the settlement of transactions by public institutions of or within the European Communities, or if any other composite currency in which a Debt Security is denominated or payable ceases to be used for the purposes for which it was established, then, with respect to each date for the payment of principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on a series of Debt Securities denominated or payable in ECU or such other composite currency, as the case may be, occurring after the last date on which the ECU or such other composite currency, as the case may be, was so used (the “Conversion Date”), all payments in respect of the Debt Securities of such series shall be made in Dollars; provided that payment to a Holder of a Debt Security of such series shall be made in a Foreign Currency if that Holder has properly elected or properly elects payment in such Foreign Currency as provided for by Subsection (a) above.

If payment in respect of Debt Securities of a series denominated in ECU or any other composite currency is to be made in Dollars pursuant to the provisions of the preceding paragraph, then the amount to be paid in Dollars on a payment date by the Company to the Trustee and by the Trustee or any Paying Agent to Holders shall be determined by the Trustee as of the Regular or Special Record Date immediately preceding the applicable Interest Payment Date or the fifteenth day immediately preceding Maturity, as the case may be, with respect to Debt Securities of such series, and shall be equal to the sum of the amounts obtained by translating each Component of such composite currency into Dollars at the applicable Exchange Rate for such Component on such Record Date or fifteenth day, as the case may be, multiplied by the number of ECU or units of such other composite currency, as the case may be, that would have been so paid had the ECU or such other composite currency, as the case may be, not ceased to be so used. If payment is to be made in a Foreign Currency to a Holder of a Debt Security of such series pursuant to the preceding paragraph, then the amount to be

 

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paid in such Foreign Currency on a payment date by the Company to the Trustee and by the Trustee or any Paying Agent to such Holder shall be determined by the Trustee as of such Record Date or fifteenth day, as the case may be, and shall be determined by (A) translating each Component of such composite currency into Dollars at the applicable Exchange Rate for such Component on such Record Date or fifteenth day, as the case may be, and (B) translating the sum in Dollars so obtained into such Foreign Currency at the applicable Exchange Rate for such Foreign Currency on such Record Date or fifteenth day, as the case may be.

All decisions and determinations of the Trustee regarding the translation of Foreign Currency into Dollars or the translation of ECU or any other composite currency into Dollars or the translation of Dollars into Foreign Currency pursuant to this Subsection (d) shall, in the absence of manifest error, be conclusive for all purposes and irrevocably binding upon the Company and all Holders of the Debt Securities.

If a Foreign Currency in which a series of Debt Securities is denominated or in which payments in respect of Debt Securities of such series may be made ceases to be used both by the government of the country that issued such currency and for the settlement of transactions by public institutions of or within the international banking community, the Company, in the event that it learns thereof (without any duty to investigate), will immediately give notice thereof to the Trustee (and the Trustee promptly thereafter will give notice to the relevant Holders in the manner provided in Section 1406) specifying the last date on which such Foreign Currency was so used in either fashion. In the event the ECU ceases to be used both within the European Monetary System and for the settlement of transactions by public institutions of or within the European Communities, or any other composite currency in which a Debt Security is denominated or payable ceases to be used for the purposes for which it was established, the Company, upon learning thereof, will immediately give notice thereof to the Trustee (and the Trustee promptly thereafter will give notice to the relevant Holders in the manner provided in Section 1406) specifying the Conversion Date with respect to the ECU or such other composite currency and the Components of the ECU or such other composite currency on such Conversion Date. In the event of any subsequent change in any such Component, the Company, upon learning thereof, will give notice to the Trustee similarly. The Trustee shall be fully justified and protected in relying and acting upon the information so received by it from the Company and shall not otherwise have any duty or obligation to determine such information independently.

 

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ARTICLE FOUR

REDEMPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES; SINKING FUND

SECTION 401. Applicability of Right of Redemption .

Redemption of Debt Securities (other than pursuant to a sinking fund or analogous provision) permitted by the terms of any series of Debt Securities shall be made in accordance with such terms and the applicable provisions of this Article; provided , however , that if any such terms of a series of Debt Securities shall conflict with any provision of this Article, the terms of such series shall govern.

SECTION 402. Notice of Redemption .

If the Company shall elect to redeem the Debt Securities of any series in whole or in part as aforesaid, it shall fix a date for redemption and give notice of its election so to redeem by mailing written notice, postage prepaid, at least 30 days but not more than 60 days before the Redemption Date, to each Holder of Debt Securities to be redeemed as a whole or in part. Any notice which shall be mailed in the manner herein provided shall be conclusively presumed to have been duly given, whether or not the Holder shall receive such notice. Failure to mail such notice, or any defect in the notice mailed, to the Holder of any Debt Security designated for redemption as a whole or in part shall not affect the validity of the proceedings for the redemption of any other Debt Security.

Each notice of redemption shall state such election to redeem on the part of the Company, the Redemption Date, the Place or Places of Payment for the Debt Securities to be redeemed and the Redemption Price and shall state further that the Debt Securities designated in such notice for redemption are required to be presented on or after such Redemption Date and at such Place or Places of Payment and that interest to the Redemption Date on the Debt Securities called for redemption will be paid as specified in said notice and shall cease to accrue thereon on such date. If less than all Outstanding Debt Securities of a series are to be redeemed, the notice shall also identify (and, in the case of partial redemption, state the principal amounts of) the particular Debt Securities that are to be redeemed. In case of partial redemption, the notice shall state the portion of the principal amount thereof to be redeemed and shall state that on and after the date fixed for redemption, upon surrender of such Debt Security, a new Debt Security of the same series in aggregate principal amount equal to the unredeemed portion thereof will be issued.

Any notice of redemption of Debt Securities at the option of the Company shall be given by the Company or, at the Company’s request, by the Trustee in the name and at the expense of the Company.

 

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SECTION 403. Selection of Debt Securities on Partial Redemption .

Except as otherwise specified in the manner contemplated by Section 301 for the Debt Securities of any series, if the Company shall at any time elect to redeem less than all the Debt Securities of such series then Outstanding, it shall notify the Trustee of the principal amount of Debt Securities to be redeemed before the mailing of the notice of redemption pursuant to Section 402, and thereupon the Trustee shall select, in such manner as the Trustee shall deem appropriate and fair and which may provide for the selection for redemption of portions (equal to the minimum authorized denomination for Debt Securities of such series or any integral multiple thereof that is also an authorized denomination, but in no event shall such portion be less than $1,000) of the principal amount of Debt Securities of such series of a denomination larger than the minimum authorized denomination for Debt Securities of such series.

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

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

SECTION 404. Deposit of Redemption Price .

On or prior to any Redemption Date, the Company shall deposit with the Trustee or with a Paying Agent (or, if the Company is acting as its own Paying Agent, segregate and hold in trust as provided in Section 503) an amount of money sufficient to pay the Redemption Price of, and (except if the Redemption Date shall be an Interest Payment Date) accrued interest on, all the Debt Securities or portions thereof which are to be redeemed on that date, in the currency or currencies in which such Redemption Price shall be paid.

SECTION 405. Debt Securities Payable on Redemption Date .

Notice of redemption having been given as aforesaid, the Debt Securities so to be redeemed shall, on the Redemption Date specified in such notice, become due and payable at the applicable Redemption Price, together with interest accrued thereon to such Redemption Date, and from and after such Redemption Date (unless the Company shall default in the payment of such Redemption Price or any such accrued interest), interest on such Debt Securities shall cease to accrue. Upon surrender of such Debt Securities for redemption in accordance with said notice, such Debt Securities shall be paid by the Company at the applicable Redemption Price, together with interest accrued to the

 

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Redemption Date; provided , however , that instalments of interest whose Stated Maturity is on or prior to the Redemption Date shall be payable to the Holders of such Debt Securities, or one or more Predecessor Securities, registered as such on the relevant Record Dates according to their terms and the provisions of Section 307.

If any Debt Security called for redemption shall not be so paid upon surrender thereof for redemption, the principal thereof and premium, if any, thereon shall, until paid, bear interest from the Redemption Date at the rate prescribed therefor in such Debt Security.

SECTION 406. Debt Securities Redeemed in Part .

Any Debt Security which is to be redeemed only in part shall be surrendered at a Place of Payment therefor (with, if the Company, the Security Registrar or the Trustee so requires, due endorsement by, or a written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the Company, the Security Registrar and the Trustee duly executed by, the Holder thereof or his attorney duly authorized in writing), and the Company shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver to the Holder of such Debt Security without service charge, a new Debt Security or Debt Securities of the same series, in any authorized denomination as requested by such Holder, in an aggregate principal amount equal to and in exchange for the unredeemed portion of the principal of the Debt Security so surrendered, except that if a Global Security is so surrendered, the Company shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver to the Depositary for such Global Security, without service charge, a new Global Security or Securities in a denomination equal to and in exchange for the unredeemed portion of the principal of the Global Security so surrendered.

SECTION 407. Applicability of Sinking Fund .

Redemption of Debt Securities permitted or required pursuant to a sinking fund for the retirement of Debt Securities of a series shall be made in accordance with the applicable provisions of this Article, except as otherwise specified in the manner contemplated by Section 301 for Debt Securities of such series.

The minimum amount of any sinking fund payment provided for by the terms of Debt 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 Debt Securities of any series is herein referred to as an “Optional Sinking Fund Payment”. The cash amount of any Mandatory Sinking Fund Payment shall be subject to reduction as provided in Section 408.

 

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SECTION 408. Mandatory and Optional Sinking Funds .

In lieu of making all or any part of any Mandatory Sinking Fund Payment with respect to any series of Debt Securities in cash, the Company may at its option (a) deliver to the Trustee Debt Securities of such series therefore purchased or otherwise acquired (except upon redemption pursuant to the mandatory sinking fund) by the Company or receive credit for Debt Securities of such series (not previously so credited) theretofore purchased or otherwise acquired (except as aforesaid) by the Company and delivered to the Trustee for cancellation pursuant to Section 309, (b) receive credit for Optional Sinking Fund Payments (not previously so credited) made pursuant to this Section 408, or (c) receive credit for Debt Securities of such series (not previously so credited) redeemed by the Company through any optional redemption provision contained in the terms of such series. Debt Securities so delivered or credited shall be received or credited by the Trustee at the sinking fund redemption price specified in such Debt Securities.

On or before the 45th day next preceding each sinking fund payment date for any series, the Company will deliver to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate (a) specifying the portion of the Mandatory Sinking Fund Payment to be satisfied by credit of Debt Securities of such series, (b) stating that none of the Debt Securities of such series has theretofore been so credited, (c) stating whether or not the Company intends to exercise its right to make an Optional Sinking Fund Payment with respect to such series and, if so, specifying the amount of such Optional Sinking Fund Payment which the Company intends to pay on or before the next succeeding sinking fund payment date and (d) specifying such sinking fund payment date. Any Debt Securities of such series to be credited and required to be delivered to the Trustee in order for the Company to be entitled to credit therefor as aforesaid which have not theretofore been delivered to the Trustee shall be delivered for cancellation pursuant to Section 309 to the Trustee with such written statement (or reasonably promptly thereafter if acceptable to the Trustee). Such written statement shall be irrevocable and upon its receipt by the Trustee the Company shall become unconditionally obligated to make all the cash payments or payments therein referred to, if any, on or before the next succeeding sinking fund payment date. Failure of the Company, on or before any such 45th day, to deliver such written statement and Debt Securities specified in this paragraph, if any, shall not constitute a default but shall constitute, on and as of such date, the irrevocable election of the Company (i) that the Mandatory Sinking Fund Payment for such series due on the next succeeding sinking fund payment date shall be paid entirely in cash without the option to deliver or credit Debt Securities of such series in respect thereof and (ii) that the Company will make no Optional Sinking Fund Payment with respect to such series as provided in this Section 408.

 

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SECTION 409. Application of Sinking Fund Payments .

If a Mandatory Sinking Fund Payment or Optional Sinking Fund Payment made in cash with respect to a particular series of Debt Securities, plus any unused balance of any preceding sinking fund payments made in cash with respect to such series, shall exceed $50,000 (or a lesser sum if the Company shall so request), such funds shall be applied by the Trustee on the sinking fund payment date provided for in the terms of a particular series of Debt Securities next following the date of such payment, unless the date of such payment shall be a sinking fund payment date, in which case such payment shall be applied on such sinking fund payment date, to a redemption of Debt Securities of such series at the Redemption Price specified therein. Not less than 45 days (unless a shorter period shall be satisfactory to the Trustee) before each such sinking fund payment date, the Trustee shall select, in the manner provided in Section 403, for redemption on such sinking fund payment date, a sufficient principal amount of Debt Securities of such series to absorb said funds, as nearly as may be, and shall, at the expense and in the name of the Company, thereupon cause notice of the redemption of such Debt Securities to be given in substantially the manner provided in Section 402 for the redemption of Debt Securities in part at the option of the Company, except that the notice of redemption shall also state that such Debt Securities are being redeemed for the sinking fund. Any sinking fund moneys not so applied by the Trustee to the redemption of Debt Securities of such series shall be added to the next sinking fund payment received in funds by the Trustee and, together with such payment, shall be applied in accordance with the provisions of this Section 409. Any and all sinking fund moneys held by the Trustee on the last sinking fund payment date with respect to Debt Securities of such series, and not held for the payment or redemption of particular Debt Securities of such series, shall be applied by the Trustee to the payment of the principal of the Debt Securities of such series at Maturity.

On or prior to each sinking fund payment date, the Company shall pay to the Trustee a sum equal to all interest accrued to the date fixed for redemption on Debt Securities to be redeemed on such sinking fund payment date pursuant to this Section 409.

The Trustee shall not redeem any Debt Securities of a series with sinking fund moneys or mail any notice of redemption of Debt Securities of such series by operation of the sinking fund during the continuance of any Event of Default (other than an Event of Default occurring as a consequence of this paragraph) of which the Trustee has actual knowledge, except that if the notice of redemption of any Debt Securities of such series shall theretofore have been mailed in accordance with the provisions hereof, the Trustee shall redeem such Debt Securities if cash sufficient for the purpose shall be deposited with the Trustee in accordance with the terms of this Article Four. Except as aforesaid, any moneys in the sinking fund at the time any such Event of Default shall occur and

 

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any moneys thereafter paid into the sinking fund shall, during the continuation of such Event of Default, be held as security for the payment of all the Debt Securities of such series; provided , however , that in case such Event of Default shall have been cured or waived as provided herein, such moneys shall thereafter be applied on the next sinking fund payment date on which such moneys are required to be applied pursuant to the provisions of this Section 409.

ARTICLE FIVE

PARTICULAR COVENANTS OF THE COMPANY

SECTION 501. To Pay Principal, Premium, If Any, and Interest .

The Company covenants and agrees for the benefit of each series of Debt Securities that it will duly and punctually pay the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on the Debt Securities of such series in accordance with the terms of the Debt Securities of such series and this Indenture.

The Company shall pay interest on overdue principal of a Debt Security of any series at the rate of interest prescribed therefor in such Debt Security and, to the extent lawful, it shall pay interest on overdue instalments of interest at the same rate.

SECTION 502. To Maintain Offices or Agencies .

As long as any of the Debt Securities shall remain outstanding, the Company will maintain or will cause to be maintained, in each Place of Payment for any series of Debt Securities, one or more offices or agencies where Debt Securities of such series may be presented or surrendered for payment, exchange and registration of transfer as in this Indenture provided and where notices and demands to or upon the Company in respect of this Indenture and of the Debt Securities of such series may be served. The Company will from time to time give written notice to the Trustee of the location of any such office or agency and of any change in the location thereof. In case the Company shall fail to maintain any such office or agency or to give such notice of its location or of any change in the location thereof, presentations, surrenders, notices and demands may be made or served at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee. The Company hereby initially appoints the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee as its office or agency for all the above purposes.

SECTION 503. Money for Debt Security Payments To Be Held in Trust .

If the Company shall at any time act as its own Paying Agent with respect to any series of Debt Securities, then, on or before each date on which the principal of (and premium, if any) or interest on any of the Debt Securities of that

 

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series shall become payable, by their terms or as a result of the calling thereof for redemption, the Company will set apart and 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 which shall have become so payable until such sums shall be paid to such Persons or otherwise disposed of as herein provided, and will notify the Trustee of its action or failure so to act and of any failure by any other obligor upon the Debt Securities of that series to make any such payment.

If the Company shall appoint and at the time have a Paying Agent for the payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) or interest on any series of Debt Securities, then, on or before the date on which the principal of (and premium, if any) or interest on any of the Debt Securities of that series shall become payable as aforesaid, the Company will pay to such Paying Agent a sum sufficient to pay such principal (and premium, if any) or interest, to be held in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled thereto, and (unless such Paying Agent is the Trustee) the Company will notify the Trustee of its action or failure so to act.

If such Paying Agent shall be other than the Trustee, the Company will cause such Paying Agent to execute and deliver to the Trustee an instrument in which such Paying Agent shall agree with the Trustee, subject to the provisions of this Section 503, (1) that such Paying Agent shall hold all sums held by it for the payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) or interest on the Debt Securities of that series in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled thereto until such sums shall be paid to such Persons or otherwise disposed of as herein provided; (2) that such Paying Agent shall give the Trustee notice of any default by the Company or any other obligor upon the Debt Securities of that series in the making of any payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) or interest on the Debt Securities of that series when the same shall have become due and payable; and (3) that such Paying Agent shall, at any time during the continuance of any such default, upon the written request of the Trustee, pay to the Trustee all sums so held in trust by it.

Anything in this Section 503 to the contrary notwithstanding, the Company may at any time, for the purpose of obtaining the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture or for any other reason, pay or cause to be paid to the Trustee all sums held in trust by it or by any Paying Agent (other than the Trustee) as required by this Section 503, such sums to be held by the Trustee upon the same trusts as those upon which such sums were held by the Company or such Paying Agent.

Any money deposited with the Trustee or any Paying Agent, or then held by the Company, in trust for the payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) or interest on any Debt Securities of any series and remaining unclaimed for two years after such principal (and premium, if any) or interest has

 

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become due and payable shall be paid to the Company on Company Request, or (if then held by the Company) shall be discharged from such trust; and the Holder of such Debt Security shall thereafter, as an unsecured general creditor, look only to the Company for payment thereof, and all liability of the Trustee or such Paying Agent with respect to such trust money, and all liability of the Company as trustee thereof, shall thereupon cease.

SECTION 504. Restrictions on Liens Upon Voting Stock of Significant Subsidiaries .

(a) The Company will not, and will not permit any Subsidiary to, incur, issue, assume or guarantee any Indebtedness if such Indebtedness is secured by a pledge of, lien on, or security interest in any shares of Voting Stock of any Significant Subsidiary, whether such Voting Stock is now owned or shall hereafter be acquired, without effectively providing that the Debt Securities (together with, if the Company shall so determine, any other indebtedness or obligations of the Company or any Subsidiary ranking equally with such Debt Securities and then existing or thereafter created) shall be secured equally and ratably with such Indebtedness. For the purposes of the foregoing, pledging, placing a lien on or creating a security interest in any shares of Voting Stock of a Significant Subsidiary in order to secure then outstanding Indebtedness of the Company or any Subsidiary shall be deemed to be the incurrence, issuance, assumption or guarantee (as the case may be) of such Indebtedness, but the foregoing shall not apply to Indebtedness secured by a pledge of, lien on or security interest in any shares of Voting Stock of any corporation at the time it becomes a Significant Subsidiary, including extensions, renewals and replacements of such Indebtedness without increase in the amount thereof.

(b) For the purposes of Subsection (a) of this Section 504, the term “Voting Stock” shall mean capital stock the holders of which have general voting power under ordinary circumstances to elect at least a majority of the board of directors of a corporation; provided that, for the purposes hereof, capital stock which carries only the right to vote conditioned on the occurrence of an event shall not be considered voting stock whether or not such event shall have occurred.

(c) For the purposes of Subsection (a) of this Section 504, the term “Significant Subsidiary” shall mean a Subsidiary, including its Subsidiaries, which meets any of the following conditions:

(1) The Company’s and its other Subsidiaries’ investments in and advances to the Subsidiary exceed 10 percent of the total assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries consolidated as of the end of the most recently completed fiscal year;

 

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(2) The Company’s and its other Subsidiaries’ proportionate share of the total assets (after inter-company eliminations) of the Subsidiary exceeds 10 percent of the total assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries consolidated as of the end of the most recently completed fiscal year; or

(3) The Company’s and its other Subsidiaries’ equity in the income from continuing operations before income taxes, extraordinary items and cumulative effect of a change in accounting principles of the Subsidiary exceeds 10 percent of such income of the Company and its Subsidiaries consolidated for the most recently completed fiscal year.

(d) For the purposes of making the prescribed income test in clause (3) of Subsection (c) of this Section 504, the following shall be applicable:

(1) When a loss has been incurred by either the Company and its Subsidiaries consolidated or the tested Subsidiary, but not both, the equity in the income or loss of the tested Subsidiary shall be excluded from the income of the Company and its Subsidiaries consolidated for purposes of the computation; and

(2) If income of the Company and its Subsidiaries consolidated for the most recent fiscal year is at least 10 percent lower than the average of the income for the last five fiscal years, such average income shall be substituted for purposes of the computation. Any loss years shall be omitted for purposes of computing average income.

SECTION 505. Restrictions on Consolidation, Merger, Sale, Etc .

The Company shall not consolidate with any other corporation or accept a merger of any other corporation into the Company or permit the Company to be merged into any other corporation, or sell other than for cash or lease all or substantially all its assets to another corporation, or purchase all or substantially all the assets of another corporation, unless (a) either the Company shall be the continuing corporation, or the successor, transferee or lessee corporation (if other than the Company) shall expressly assume, by indenture supplemental hereto satisfactory to the Trustee, executed and delivered by such corporation prior to or simultaneously with such consolidation, merger, sale or lease, the due and punctual payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on all the Debt Securities, according to their tenor, and the due and punctual performance and observance of all the covenants and conditions of this Indenture to be performed or observed by the Company, and (b) immediately after

 

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giving effect to such consolidation, merger, sale, lease or purchase the Company or the successor, transferee or lessee corporation (if any other than the Company) would not be in default in the performance of any covenant or condition of this Indenture. A purchase by a Subsidiary of all or substantially all of the assets of another corporation shall not be deemed to be a purchase of such assets by the Company.

SECTION 506. Annual Statement Concerning Compliance With Covenants .

The Company will deliver to the Trustee, within 120 days after the end of each fiscal year, a written statement signed by the Chairman of the Board of Directors, the President, any Vice President or the Treasurer of the Company, stating that:

(a) a review of the activities of the Company during such year with regard to its compliance with this Indenture has been made under such officer’s supervision; and

(b) to the best of such officer’s knowledge, based on such review, the Company has fulfilled all its obligations under this Indenture throughout such year, or, if there has been a default in the fulfillment of any such obligation, specifying each such default known to such officer and the nature and status thereof.

SECTION 507. Compliance With Covenants and Conditions May Be Waived By Holders of Debt Securities .

Anything in this Indenture to the contrary notwithstanding, the Company or any Subsidiary may fail or omit in any particular instance to comply with a covenant or condition set forth in Section 504 or Section 505 with respect to any series of Debt Securities if the Company shall have obtained and filed with the Trustee, prior to the time for such compliance, evidence (as provided in Article Seven) of the consent of the Holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Debt Securities of such series at the time Outstanding, either waiving such compliance in such instance or generally waiving compliance with such covenant or condition, but no such waiver shall extend to or affect any obligation not waived by the terms of such waiver or impair any right consequent thereon.

 

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ARTICLE SIX

REMEDIES

SECTION 601. Events of Default .

Except where otherwise indicated by the context or where the term is otherwise defined for a specific purpose, the term “Event of Default” as used in this Indenture with respect to Debt Securities of any series shall mean one of the following described events unless it is either inapplicable to a particular series or it is specifically deleted or modified in the supplemental indenture, if any, under which such series of Debt Securities is issued:

(a) the failure of the Company to pay any instalment of interest on any Debt Security of such series, when and as the same shall become due and payable, which failure shall have continued unremedied for a period of 30 days;

(b) the failure of the Company to pay the principal or premium, if any, on any Debt Security of such series, when and as the same shall become payable, whether at maturity as therein expressed, by call for redemption (otherwise than pursuant to a sinking fund), by declaration as authorized by this Indenture or otherwise;

(c) the failure of the Company to pay a sinking fund instalment, if any, when and as the same shall become due and payable by the terms of a Debt Security of such series, which failure shall have continued unremedied for a period of 30 days;

(d) the failure of the Company, subject to the provisions of Section 507, to observe and perform any other of the covenants or agreements on the part of the Company contained in this Indenture (including any indenture supplemental hereto), other than a covenant or agreement which has been expressly included in this Indenture solely for the benefit of a series of Debt Securities other than that series, which failure shall not have been remedied to the satisfaction of the Trustee, or without provision deemed by the Trustee to be adequate for the remedying thereof having been made, for a period of 90 days after written notice shall have been given to the Company by the Trustee or shall have been given to the Company and the Trustee by Holders of 25% or more in aggregate principal amount of the Debt Securities of such series then Outstanding, specifying such failure and requiring the Company to remedy the same;

(e) the entry by a court having jurisdiction in the premises of a decree or order for relief in respect of the Company in an involuntary case under the Federal bankruptcy laws, as now or hereafter constituted, or any other applicable Federal or State bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar law now or hereafter in effect, or appointing a receiver, liquidator, assignee, custodian, trustee

 

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or sequestrator (or similar official) of the Company or for substantially all of its property, or ordering the winding-up or liquidation of the Company’s affairs, and such decree or order shall remain unstayed and in effect for a period of 90 consecutive days;

(f) the commencement by the Company of a voluntary case under the Federal bankruptcy laws, as now or hereafter constituted, or any other applicable Federal or State bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar law now or hereafter in effect, or the consent by the Company to the entry of an order for relief in an involuntary case under any such law, or the consent by the Company to the appointment of or taking possession by a receiver, liquidator, assignee, trustee, custodian or sequestrator (or similar official) of the Company or for substantially all of its property, or the making by it of an assignment for the benefit of creditors; or

(g) the occurrence of any other event of default with respect to the Debt Securities of such series as provided in a supplemental indenture applicable to such series of Debt Securities or a Board Resolution pursuant to which such series of Debt Securities is established.

SECTION 602. Acceleration of Maturity on Default; Waiver .

If any one or more Events of Default shall happen with respect to Debt Securities of any series at the time Outstanding, then, and in each and every such case, during the continuance of any such Event of Default, the Trustee or the Holders of 25% or more in aggregate principal amount of the Debt Securities of such series then Outstanding may, and upon the written request of the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of such Debt Securities then Outstanding the Trustee shall, declare the principal amount (or, if the Debt Securities of that series are Original Issue Discount Securities, such portion of the principal amount as may be specified in the terms of that series) of and all accrued but unpaid interest (if any) on all the Debt Securities of such series then Outstanding, if not then due and payable, to be due and payable, and upon any such declaration the same shall become and be immediately due and payable, anything contained in this Indenture or in the Debt Securities of such series to the contrary notwithstanding; provided that no Event of Default with respect to Debt Securities of a series, except with respect to an Event of Default under Subsections (e) and (f) of Section 601, shall constitute an Event of Default with respect to Debt Securities of any other series. The foregoing provision, however, is subject to the condition that, if at any time after the principal amount (or specified amount) of and all accrued but unpaid interest (if any) on all the Debt Securities of such series shall have been so declared to be due and payable, all arrears of interest, if any, upon all the Debt Securities of such series (with interest, to the extent that interest thereon shall be legally enforceable, on any overdue instalment of interest at the rate borne by the Debt Securities of such series) and all amounts owed to

 

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the Trustee and any predecessor trustee hereunder under Section 1001(a) and all other sums payable under this Indenture (except the principal of the Debt Securities of such series which would not be due and payable were it not for such declaration), shall be paid by the Company, and every other default and Event of Default under this Indenture shall have been cured to the reasonable satisfaction of the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Debt Securities of such series then Outstanding, or provision deemed by such Holders to be adequate therefor shall have been made, then and in every such case the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Debt Securities of such series then Outstanding may, on behalf of the Holders of all the Debt Securities of such series, waive the Event of Default by reason of which the principal of the Debt Securities of such series shall have been so declared to be due and payable and may rescind and annul such declaration and its consequences; but no such waiver, recission or annulment shall extend to or affect any subsequent default or Event of Default or impair any right consequent thereon. Any declaration by the Trustee pursuant to this Section 602 shall be by written notice to the Company, and any declaration or waiver by the Holders of Debt Securities of any series pursuant to this Section 602 shall be by written notice to the Company and the Trustee.

SECTION 603. Collection of Amounts Due and Suits for Enforcement by Trustee .

If the Company shall fail for a period of 30 days to pay any instalment of interest on the Debt Securities of any series, or shall fail to pay the principal of and premium, if any, on any of the Debt Securities of such series when and as the same shall become due and payable, whether at maturity, or by call for redemption (otherwise than pursuant to a sinking fund), by declaration as authorized by this Indenture or otherwise, or shall fail for a period of 30 days to make any sinking fund payment as to a series of Debt Securities, then, upon demand of the Trustee, the Company will pay to the Trustee for the benefit of the Holders of the Debt Securities of such series then Outstanding the whole amount which then shall have become due and payable on all the Debt Securities of such series, with interest on the overdue principal and premium, if any, and (so far as the same may be legally enforceable) on the overdue instalments of interest at the rate borne by the Debt Securities of such series, and all amounts owed to the Trustee and any predecessor trustee hereunder under Section 1001(a).

Until such demand is made by the Trustee, the Company may pay the principal of and interest on the Debt Securities of any series to the Holders, whether or not the principal of and interest on the Debt Securities of such series be overdue.

In case the Company fails forthwith to pay such amounts 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

 

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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 any other obligor upon the Debt Securities of such series, and collect the moneys adjudged or decreed to be payable out of the property of the Company or any other obligor upon the Debt Securities of such series, wherever situated, in the manner provided by law. Every recovery of judgment in any such action or other proceeding, subject to the payment to the Trustee of all amounts owed to the Trustee and any predecessor trustee hereunder under Section 1001(a), shall be for the ratable benefit of the Holders of such series of Debt Securities which shall be the subject of such action or proceeding. All rights of action upon or under any of the Debt Securities or this Indenture may be enforced by the Trustee with out the possession of any of the Debt Securities and without the production of any thereof at any trial or any proceeding relative thereto.

SECTION 604. Trustee Appointed Attorney-in-Fact for Holders to File Claims .

The Trustee is hereby appointed, and each and every Holder, by receiving and holding Debt Securities, shall be conclusively deemed to have appointed the Trustee, the true and lawful attorney-in-fact of such Holder, with authority to make or file (whether or not the Company shall be in default in respect of the payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) or interest on any of the Debt Securities), in its own name and as trustee of an express trust or otherwise as it shall deem advisable, in any receivership, insolvency, liquidation, bankruptcy, reorganization or other judicial proceeding relative to the Company or any other obligor upon the Debt Securities or to their respective creditors or property, any and all claims, proofs of claim, proofs of debt, petitions, consents, other papers and documents and amendments of any thereof, as may be necessary or advisable in order to have the claims of the Trustee and any predecessor trustee hereunder and of the Holders allowed in any such proceeding and to collect and receive any moneys or other property payable or deliverable on any such claim, and to execute and deliver any and all other papers and documents and to do and perform any and all other acts and things, as it may deem necessary or advisable in order to enforce in any such proceeding any of the claims of the Trustee and any predecessor trustee hereunder and any of the Holders, and any receiver, assignee, trustee, custodian or debtor in any such proceeding is hereby authorized, and each and every holder, by receiving and holding Debt Securities, shall be conclusively deemed to have authorized any such receiver, assignee, trustee, custodian or debtor to make any such payment or delivery only to or on the order of the Trustee, and to pay to the Trustee any amount due it and any predecessor trustee hereunder under Section 1001(a); provided , however , that nothing herein contained shall be deemed to authorize or empower the Trustee to consent to or accept or adopt, on behalf of any Holder, any plan of reorganization or readjustment of the Company affecting the Debt Securities or the rights of any Holder thereof, or to authorize or empower the Trustee to vote in respect of the claim of any Holder in any such proceeding.

 

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SECTION 605. Application of Moneys Collected by Trustee .

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

First : To the payment of all amounts due to the Trustee and any predecessor trustee hereunder under Section 1001(a);

Second : In case the principal of the Outstanding Debt Securities of such series shall not have become due and be unpaid, to the payment of interest on the Debt Securities of such series, in the order of the Maturity of the instalments of such interest, with interest (to the extent that such interest is legally enforceable and has been collected by the Trustee) upon the overdue instalments of interest at the rate borne by such Debt Securities, such payments to be made ratably to the Persons entitled thereto;

Third : In case the principal of the Outstanding Debt Securities of such series shall have become due and payable, by declaration or otherwise, to the payment of the whole amount then owing and unpaid upon the Debt Securities of such series for principal (and premium, if any) and interest, with interest on the overdue principal and premium, if any, and (to the extent that such interest is legally enforceable and has been collected by the Trustee) upon overdue instalments of interest at the rate borne by the Debt Securities of such series, and in case such moneys shall be insufficient to pay in full the whole amounts so due and unpaid upon the Debt Securities of such series, then to the payment of such principal (and premium, if any) and interest without preference or priority of principal and premium, if any, over interest, or of interest over principal and premium, if any, or of any instalment of interest over any other instalment of interest, or of any Debt Security of such series over any other Debt Security of such series, ratably according to the aggregate amounts of such principal (and premium, if any) and accrued and unpaid interest. The Holders of each series of Debt Securities denominated in ECU, any other composite currency or a Foreign Currency shall be entitled to receive a ratable portion of the amount determined by the Trustee by converting the principal amount Outstanding of such series of Debt Securities and matured but unpaid interest on such series of Debt

 

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Securities in the currency in which such series of Debt Securities is denominated into Dollars at the applicable Exchange Rate as of the date of declaration of acceleration of the Maturity of the Debt Securities (or, if there is no such Exchange Rate as of such date for the reasons specified in Section 311(d)(i), such Exchange Rate on the date specified in such Section).

Any surplus then remaining shall be paid to the Company or to such other Persons as shall be entitled to receive it.

SECTION 606. Holders May Direct Proceedings and Waive Defaults .

The Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Debt Securities of any series shall have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee hereunder, or of exercising any trust or power hereby conferred upon the Trustee with respect to the Debt Securities of such series; provided , however , that, subject to the provisions of Section 1001 and 1002, the Trustee shall have the right to decline to follow any such direction if the Trustee, being advised by counsel, determines that the action so directed may not lawfully be taken or would be unduly prejudicial to Holders not joining in such direction or would involve the Trustee in personal liability.

Prior to any declaration accelerating the Maturity of the Debt Securities of any series, the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Debt Securities of such series may on behalf of the Holders of all of the Debt Securities of such series waive any past default or Event of Default hereunder and its consequences, except a default in the payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) or interest on any Debt Security of such series. Upon any such waiver the Company, the Trustee and the Holders of the Debt 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 Event of Default or impair any right consequent thereon. Whenever any default or Event of Default hereunder shall have been waived as permitted by this Section 606, said default or Event of Default shall for all purposes of the Debt Securities of such series and this Indenture be deemed to have been cured and to be not continuing.

SECTION 607. Limitations on Right of Holders to Institute Proceedings .

No Holder of any Debt Security of any series shall have any right to institute an action, suit or proceeding at law or in equity with respect to this Indenture, or for the execution of any trust hereunder or for the appointment of a receiver or for any other remedy hereunder, in each case with respect to an Event of Default with respect to such series of Debt Securities, unless (1) such Holder

 

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previously shall have given to the Trustee written notice of the occurrence of one or more Events of Default with respect to such series of Debt Securities; (2) the Holders of 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Debt Securities of such series shall have requested the Trustee in writing to take action in respect of the matter complained of; and (3) unless such Holder or Holders have offered to the Trustee security and indemnity satisfactory to it against the costs, expenses and liabilities to be incurred therein or thereby and the Trustee, for 60 days after receipt of such notification, request and offer of indemnity, shall have neglected or refused to institute any such action, suit or proceeding, and such notification, request and offer of indemnity are hereby declared in every such case to be conditions precedent to any such action, suit or proceeding by any Holder of any Debt Security of such series, it being understood and intended that no one or more of such Holders shall have any right in any manner whatsoever by his or their action to enforce any right hereunder, except in the manner herein provided, and that every action, suit or proceeding at law or in equity shall be instituted, had and maintained in the manner herein provided and for the equal benefit of all Holders of the Outstanding Debt Securities of such series; provided , however , that nothing contained in this Indenture or in the Debt Securities of such series shall affect or impair the obligation of the Company, which is absolute and unconditional, to pay the principal of (and premium, if any) and (subject to Section 307) interest on the Debt Securities of such series to the respective Holders of such Debt Securities at the Stated Maturity or Maturities expressed in such Debt Securities, or affect or impair the right, which is also absolute and unconditional, of such Holders to institute suit to enforce any such payment.

SECTION 608. Assessment of Costs and Attorneys’ Fees in Legal Proceedings .

All parties to this Indenture agree, and each Holder of any Debt Security by his acceptance thereof shall be deemed to have agreed, that any court may in its discretion require, in any action, suit or proceeding for the enforcement of any right or remedy under this Indenture, or in any action, suit or proceeding against the Trustee for any action taken or omitted by it as Trustee, the filing by any party litigant in such action, suit or proceeding of an undertaking to pay the costs of such action, suit or proceeding, and that such court may in its discretion assess reasonable costs, including reasonable attorneys’ fees, against any party litigant in such action, suit or proceeding, having due regard to the merits and good faith of the claims or defenses made by such party litigant; provided , however , that the provisions of this Section 608 shall not apply to any action, suit or proceeding instituted by the Trustee, to any action, suit or proceeding instituted by any one or more Holders holding in the aggregate more than 10% in principal amount of the Outstanding Debt Securities of any series, or to any action, suit or proceeding instituted by any Holder for the enforcement of the payment of the principal of (or premium, if any) or interest on any of the Debt Securities of such series, on or after the respective Stated Maturity or Maturities expressed in such Debt Securities (or, in the case of redemption, on or after the Redemption Date).

 

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SECTION 609. Rights and Remedies Cumulative .

No right or remedy herein conferred upon or reserved to the Trustee or to the Holders is intended to be exclusive of any other right or rights or remedy or remedies, and each and every right and remedy shall be cumulative and shall be in addition to every other right and remedy given hereunder or now or hereafter existing at law or in equity or by statute.

No delay or omission of the Trustee or of any Holder to exercise any right or remedy accruing upon any default or Event of Default shall impair any such right or remedy or shall be construed to be a waiver of any such default or Event of Default or an acquiescence therein, and every right and remedy given by this Article Six to the Trustee and to the Holders, respectively, may be exercised from time to time and as often as may be deemed expedient by the Trustee or by the Holders, as the case may be.

In case the Trustee or any Holder shall have proceeded to enforce any right or remedy under this Indenture and the proceedings for the enforcement thereof shall have been discontinued or abandoned because of waiver or for any other reason or shall have been adjudicated adversely to the Trustee or to such Holder, then and in every such case the Company, the Trustee and the Holders shall be restored severally and respectively to their former positions and rights hereunder, and thereafter all rights, remedies and powers of the Trustee and the Holders shall continue as though no such proceedings had been taken, except as to any matters so waived or adjudicated.

ARTICLE SEVEN

ACTIONS BY HOLDERS

SECTION 701. Actions By Holders .

Whenever in this Indenture it is provided that the Holders of a specified percentage or a majority in aggregate principal amount of Outstanding Debt Securities of any 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), such action may be taken by (a) a meeting of the Holders in accordance with Article Eight or (b) by any instrument or instruments of a substantially similar tenor executed and delivered by the requisite number of Holders in accordance with the provisions of this Article Seven.

 

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SECTION 702. Instruments .

In order to be effective to take any action under this Article Seven, an instrument shall (a) be in writing, (b) express the action to be taken, (c) be executed by or on behalf of a Holder who is such (i) if such instruments have been requested by the Company or the Trustee pursuant to a written notice mailed to all Holders of the affected series, on the date such notice is mailed or (ii) in any other case, on the date the first instrument expressing such action is delivered to the Trustee, and (d) indicate the principal amount of Debt Securities to which the instrument relates. Each such instrument must be duly acknowledged or witnessed. If such instrument is executed by a Person other than the Holder, then such instrument shall include, or be accompanied by proof acceptable to the Trustee of, such Person’s authority to execute the instrument.

The ownership of Debt Securities shall be proved by the Security Register. The Trustee may accept such other proof or may require such additional proof of any other matter referred to in this Section 702 as it shall reasonably deem appropriate or necessary.

SECTION 703. Determining Principal Amount of Outstanding Debt Securities .

In determining whether the Holders of the requisite principal amount of Outstanding Debt Securities have given any authorization, demand, direction, request, notice, waiver or consent or taken any other action under this Indenture, Debt Securities owned by the Company or any other obligor on the Debt Securities or any Affiliate of the Company or such other obligor shall be disregarded and deemed not to be Outstanding, except that for the purpose of determining whether the Trustee shall be protected in relying on any such authorization, demand, direction, request, notice, waiver, consent or action, only Debt Securities which the Trustee knows are so owned shall be disregarded. Debt Securities so owned which have been pledged in good faith may be regarded as Outstanding for the purposes of this Section 703 if the pledgee shall establish to the satisfaction of the Trustee the pledgee’s right to vote such Debt Securities and that the pledgee is not the Company or any other obligor upon the Debt Securities or any Affiliate of the Company or 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.

For purposes of determining the principal amount of Outstanding Debt Securities of any series the Holders of which are required, requested or permitted to give any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or take any other action under this Indenture, (i) each Original Issue Discount Security shall be deemed to have the principal amount determined by the Trustee that could be declared to be due and payable pursuant to the terms of such Original Issue Discount Security as of a date fixed by the Trustee and (ii)

 

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each Debt Security denominated in a Foreign Currency or composite currency shall be deemed to have the principal amount determined by the Trustee by translating the principal amount of such Debt Security in the currency in which such Debt Security is denominated into Dollars at the applicable Exchange Rate as of a date fixed by the Trustee.

Upon receipt of instruments representing the Holders of a sufficient amount of Debt Securities to take the action stated thereon, the Trustee shall promptly tabulate such instruments and deliver a report thereof to the Company.

SECTION 704. Revocation by Holders of Consents to Action .

At any time prior to (but not after) the evidencing to the Trustee, as provided in Section 701, of the taking of any action by the Holders of the requisite proportion of Outstanding Debt Securities of any series, any Holder of a Debt Security that is shown by the evidence to be included among the Debt Securities whose Holders consented to such action may, by filing written notice with the Trustee and upon proof of holding as provided in Section 702, revoke such action so far as concerns such Debt Security. Except as aforesaid, any such action taken by the Holder of any Debt Security shall be conclusive and binding upon such Holder and upon all future Holders of the same Debt Security and the Holder of every Debt Security issued upon the transfer thereof or in exchange therefor or in lieu thereof, irrespective of whether or not any notation in regard thereto is made upon such Debt Security or any Debt Security issued in exchange or substitution therefor.

ARTICLE EIGHT

MEETINGS OF HOLDERS OF DEBT SECURITIES

SECTION 801. Purposes of Meetings .

A meeting of Holders of any series or of all series may be called at any time and from time to time pursuant to the provisions of this Article Eight for any of the following purposes:

(a) to give any notice to the Company or to the Trustee, or to give any directions to the Trustee, or to consent to the waiving of any default hereunder and its consequences, or to take any other action authorized to be taken by Holders pursuant to any of the provisions of Article Six;

(b) to remove the Trustee and nominate a successor trustee pursuant to the provisions of Article Ten;

 

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(c) to consent to the execution of an indenture or indentures supplemental hereto pursuant to the provisions of Section 1302; or

(d) to take any other action authorized to be taken by or on behalf of the Holders of any specified aggregate principal amount of the Debt Securities of any one or more or all series, as the case may be, under any other provision of this Indenture or under applicable law.

SECTION 802. Call of Meetings by Trustee .

The Trustee may at any time, and shall upon receipt of a Board Resolution or written requests by the Holders of at least 10% in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Debt Securities of a series that may be affected by the action proposed to be taken (such Board Resolution or written requests setting forth in reasonable detail the action proposed to be taken at the meeting), call a meeting of the Holders of the Debt Securities of all series that may be affected by the action proposed to be taken. Such meeting shall be held at such time and at such place as the Trustee shall determine. Notice of every meeting of the Holders of Debt Securities of a series, setting forth the time and the place of such meeting and in general terms the action proposed to be taken at such meeting, shall be mailed to such Holders at their addresses as they shall appear on the Security Register as of a record date determined by the Trustee in its reasonable discretion. Such notice shall be mailed not less than 20 nor more than 60 days prior to the date fixed for the meeting.

SECTION 803. Call of Meetings by Company or Holders .

If a meeting of Holders has been duly requested by the Company or the Holders pursuant to Section 802, and if the Trustee has not mailed the notice of such meeting within 20 days after receipt of such request, then the Company or such Holders may determine the time and the place for such meeting and may call such meeting to take any action authorized in Section 801, by mailing notice thereof as provided in Section 802.

SECTION 804. Qualifications For Voting .

To be entitled to vote at any meeting of Holders, a Person shall (a) be a Holder of one or more Debt Securities of a series affected by the action proposed to be taken at such meeting as of the date of the mailing of notice of such meeting or (b) be a Person appointed by an instrument in writing as proxy by a Holder of one or more of such Debt Securities who was a Holder of such Debt Securities as of the date of the mailing of notice of such meeting. The only Persons who shall be entitled to be present or to speak at any meeting of Holders shall be the Persons entitled to vote at such meeting and their counsel and any representatives of the Trustee and its counsel and any representatives of the Company and its counsel.

 

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SECTION 805. Regulation of Meetings .

Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Indenture, the Trustee may make such reasonable regulations as it may deem advisable for any meeting of Holders, in regard to proof of the holding of Debt Securities and of the appointment of proxies, and in regard to the appointment and duties of inspectors of votes, the submission and examination of proxies, certificates and other evidence of the right to vote, and such other matters concerning the conduct of the meeting as it shall think fit.

The Trustee shall, by an instrument in writing, appoint a temporary chairman of the meeting, unless the meeting shall have been called by the Company or by Holders as provided in Section 803, in which case the Company or the Holders calling the meeting, as the case may be, shall in like manner appoint a temporary chairman. A permanent chairman and a permanent secretary of the meeting shall be elected by majority vote of the meeting.

Subject to the provisions of Section 703, at any meeting of Holders of the Debt Securities of a series, each such Holder or such Holder’s proxy shall be entitled to one vote for each $1,000 principal amount (or the equivalent in ECU, any other composite currency or a Foreign Currency) of Outstanding Debt Securities of such series held or represented by him; provided , however , that no vote shall be cast or counted at any meeting in respect of any Debt Security challenged as not Outstanding and ruled by the chairman of the meeting to be not Outstanding. The chairman of the meeting shall have no right to vote other than by virtue of Debt Securities of such series held by him or instruments in writing as aforesaid duly designating him as the Person to vote on behalf of other Holders of the Debt Securities of such series. At any meeting of Holders duly called pursuant to the provisions of Section 802 or 803, the presence of Persons holding or representing Debt Securities in an aggregate principal amount sufficient to take action upon the business for the transaction of which such meeting was called shall be necessary to constitute a quorum, and any such meeting may be adjourned from time to time by a majority of those present, whether or not constituting a quorum, and the meeting may be held as so adjourned without further notice.

SECTION 806. Voting .

The vote upon any resolution submitted to any meeting of the Holders of the Debt Securities of a series shall be written ballots on which shall be subscribed the signatures of such Holders or their representatives by proxy and the principal amounts of such Debt Securities held or represented by them. The

 

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permanent chairman of the meeting shall appoint two inspectors of votes who shall count all votes cast at the meeting for or against any resolution and who shall make and file with the secretary of the meeting their verified written reports in duplicate of all votes cast at the meeting. A record in duplicate of the proceedings of each meeting of Holders shall be prepared by the secretary of the meeting and there shall be attached to said record the original reports of the inspectors of votes by ballot taken thereat and affidavits by one or more Persons having knowledge of the facts setting forth a copy of the notice of the meeting and showing that said notice was mailed as provided in Section 802. The record shall show the principal amounts of the Debt Securities voting in favor of or against any resolution. The record shall be signed and verified by the affidavits of the permanent chairman and secretary of the meeting and one of the duplicates shall be delivered to the Company and the other to the Trustee to be preserved by the Trustee.

Any record so signed and verified shall be conclusive evidence of the matters therein stated.

SECTION 807. No Delay of Rights by Meeting .

Nothing contained in this Article Eight shall be deemed or construed to authorize or permit, by reason of any call of a meeting of Holders of the Debt Securities of any series or by reason of any right expressly or impliedly conferred hereunder to make any such call, any hindrance or delay in the exercise of any right or rights or remedy or remedies conferred upon or reserved to the Trustee or to such Holders under any of the provisions of this Indenture or of such Debt Securities.

ARTICLE NINE

REPORTS BY THE COMPANY AND THE TRUSTEE; HOLDERS’ LISTS

SECTION 901. Reports by Trustee .

(a) Annual Report to Holders . On or before the first July 15 following the issuance of any series of Debt Securities and on or before July 15 in each year thereafter, the Trustee shall transmit to all Holders of such Debt Securities, as hereinafter provided, a brief report dated as of the preceding May 15 with respect to:

(1) its eligibility and qualifications under Sections 1005 and 1006 to serve as Trustee hereunder, or in lieu thereof, if to the best of its knowledge it has continued to be eligible and qualified under said Sections, a written statement to such effect;

 

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(2) the character and amount of any advances made by it, as Trustee, which remain unpaid on the date as of which such report is made and for the reimbursement of which it claims or may claim a lien or charge, prior to that of the Debt Securities of such series, on any property or funds held or collected by it as Trustee, if such advances so remaining unpaid aggregate more than 1/2 of 1% of the principal amount of the Outstanding Debt Securities of such series on the date as of which such report is made;

(3) the amount, interest rate and maturity date of all other indebtedness owing to it in its individual capacity, on the date as of which such report is made, by the Company or any other obligor upon the Debt Securities of such series, with a brief description of any property held as collateral security therefor, except an indebtedness based upon a creditor relationship arising in any manner described in Section 1009(f)(2), 1009(f)(3), 1009(f)(4) or 1009(f)(6);

(4) the property and funds, if any, physically in its possession as Trustee on the date as of which such report is made;

(5) any additional issue of Debt Securities which it has not previously reported; and

(6) any action taken by the Trustee in the performance of its duties under this Indenture which it has not previously reported and which in its opinion materially affects the Debt Securities, except action in respect of a default, notice of which has been or is to be withheld by the Trustee in accordance with the provisions of Section 1003.

(b) Special Reports to Holders . The Trustee shall transmit to all Holders of Debt Securities of any series, as hereinafter provided, a brief report with respect to the character and amount of any advances made by the Trustee (as such) since the date of the last report transmitted pursuant to the provisions of Subsection (a) above (or, if no such report has yet been transmitted, since the date of execution of this Indenture), for the reimbursement of which it claims or may claim a lien or charge, prior to that of the Debt Securities of such series, on property or funds held or collected by it as Trustee, and which it has not previously reported pursuant to this Subsection (b), except that the Trustee shall not be required (but may elect) to report such advances if such advances remaining unpaid at any time aggregate 10% or less of the principal amount of the Outstanding Debt Securities of such series at such time, such report to be so transmitted within 90 days after such time.

 

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(c) Manner and Extent of Transmitting Reports . Each report pursuant to the provisions of this Section 901 shall be transmitted by mail to all Holders of Debt Securities at their addresses as the same shall then appear on the Security Register.

(d) Copies to be Filed with Commission and Securities Exchanges . The Trustee shall, at the time of the transmission to the Holders of the Debt Securities of any series of any report pursuant to the provisions of this Section 901, file a copy of such report with each securities exchange upon which any Debt Securities of such series are listed, with the Commission and also with the Company. The Company agrees to notify the Trustee when, as and if any Debt Securities become listed on any securities exchange.

The Company will reimburse the Trustee for all expenses incurred in the preparation and transmission of any report pursuant to the provisions of this Section 901 and of Section 902.

SECTION 902. Reports by the Company .

(a) Reports and Information to be Filed with Trustee . The Company will file with the Trustee, within 30 days after the Company shall be required so to file the same with the Commission, copies of the annual reports and of the information, documents and other reports which the Company may be required to file with the Commission pursuant to the provisions of Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (or copies of such portions of any of the foregoing as the Commission may by rules and regulations prescribe); or, if the Company is not required to file information, documents or reports pursuant to the provisions of either of such Sections, then the Company will file with the Trustee and the Commission, in accordance with rules and regulations prescribed by the Commission, such of the supplementary and periodic information, documents and reports which may be required pursuant to the provisions of Section 13 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, in respect of a security listed and registered on a national securities exchange, as may be prescribed in such rules and regulations.

(b) Additional Information to Be Filed with Trustee and Commission . The Company will file with the Trustee and the Commission, in accordance with rules and regulations prescribed by the Commission, such additional information, documents and reports with respect to compliance by the Company with the conditions and covenants provided for in this Indenture as may be required by such rules and regulations.

 

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(c) Reports to Holders . The Company will transmit to all Holders, within 30 days after the filing thereof with the Trustee (unless some other time shall be fixed by the Commission), in the manner and to the extent provided in Section 901(c), such summaries of any information, documents and reports required to be filed by the Company pursuant to the provisions of Subsections (a) and (b) above as may be required by rules and regulations prescribed from time to time by the Commission.

SECTION 903. Holders’ Lists .

(a) Names and Addresses of Holders . The Company covenants and agrees that it will furnish or cause to be furnished to the Trustee with respect to the Debt Securities of each series for which it acts as Trustee:

(1) at least semiannually, within 10 days after each Regular Record Date with respect to such Debt Securities, a list in such form as the Trustee may reasonably require of the names and addresses of the Holders of such Debt Securities, as of such Record Date; and

(2) at such other times as the Trustee may request in writing, within 30 days after 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 so long as the Trustee shall be the Security Registrar, no such list need be furnished.

(b) Trustee to Preserve Information . The Trustee will preserve, in as current a form as is reasonably practicable, all information as to the names and addresses of Holders so furnished or caused to be furnished to it by the Company or received by it in its capacity as Paying Agent or Security Registrar. The Trustee may (1) destroy any information furnished to it as provided in Subsection (a) above upon receipt of new similar information so furnished to it; and (2) destroy any information received by it as Paying Agent or Security Registrar, but not until 45 days after a subsequent interest payment shall have been made.

(c) Trustee to Furnish Certain Information to Holders on Request . Within five Business Days after receipt by the Trustee of a written application by any three or more Holders (hereinafter referred to as the “applicants”) stating that such applicants desire to communicate with

 

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other Holders with respect to their rights under this Indenture or under the Debt Securities, and accompanied by a copy of the form of proxy or other communication which such applicants propose to transmit, and by reasonable proof that each such applicant has owned a Debt Security for a period of at least six months preceding the date of such application, the Trustee shall, at its election, either

(1) afford to such applicants access to all information furnished to, or received by, and preserved by, the Trustee pursuant to the provisions of this Section 903; or

(2) inform such applicants as to the approximate number of Holders according to the most recent information so furnished to, or received by, and preserved by, the Trustee, and as to the approximate cost of mailing to such Holders the form of proxy or other communication, if any, specified in such application.

If the Trustee shall elect not to afford to such applicants access to such information, the Trustee shall, upon the written request of such applicants, mail to each Holder whose name and address are contained in the information so furnished to, or received by, and preserved by, the Trustee, a copy of the form of proxy or other communication which is specified in such request, with reasonable promptness after a tender to the Trustee of the material to be mailed and of payment, or provision for the payment, of the reasonable expenses of such mailing, unless, within five days after such tender, the Trustee shall mail to such applicants and file with the Commission, together with a copy of the material to be mailed, a written statement to the effect that, in the opinion of the Trustee, such mailing would be contrary to the best interests of the Holders or would be in violation of applicable law. Such written statement shall specify the basis of such opinion. If the Commission, after opportunity for a hearing upon the objections specified in the written statement so filed, shall enter an order refusing to sustain any of the objections specified in the written statement so filed, or if, after the entry of an order sustaining one or more of such objections, the Commission shall find, after notice and opportunity for hearing, that all objections so sustained have been met, and shall enter an order so declaring, the Trustee shall mail copies of such material to all such Holders with reasonable promptness after the entry of such order and the renewal of such tender; otherwise the Trustee shall be relieved of any obligation or duty to such applicants respecting their application.

Each and every Holder of a Debt Security, by receiving and holding the same, agrees with the Company and the Trustee that none of the Company, the Trustee or any agent of either of them shall be held

 

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accountable by reason of the disclosure of any such information as to the names and addresses of the Holders in accordance with the provisions of this Subsection (c), regardless of the source from which such information was derived, and that the Trustee shall not be held accountable by reason of mailing any material pursuant to a request made under this Subsection (c).

ARTICLE TEN

CONCERNING THE TRUSTEE

SECTION 1001. Acceptance of Trusts Upon Specified Conditions .

The Trustee accepts the trusts created by this Indenture upon the terms and conditions hereof, including the following, to all of which the parties hereto and the Holders from time to time of the Debt Securities agree:

(a) Trustee Entitled to Compensation and Expenses; Indemnification . The Trustee shall be entitled to such compensation as is agreed upon in writing for all services rendered by it hereunder (which compensation shall not be limited by any provision of law in regard to the compensation of a trustee of an express trust), and the Company agrees to pay such compensation, and all other reasonable expenses (including the fees of Trustee’s counsel), disbursements and advances incurred or made by the Trustee hereunder, promptly on demand from time to time as such services shall be rendered and as such expenses shall be incurred. The Company also agrees to indemnify each of the Trustee and any predecessor trustee hereunder for, and to hold it or them harmless against, any loss, liability or expense incurred without its or their own negligence or bad faith, arising out of or in connection with the acceptance or administration of the trust or trusts hereunder and the performance of its or their duties, as well as the costs and expenses of defending itself or themselves against any claim or liability in connection with the exercise or performance of any of its or their powers or duties hereunder. As security for the performance of the obligations of the Company under this Subsection (a), the Trustee shall have a lien therefor on any moneys held by the Trustee hereunder prior to any rights therein of the Holders. Notwithstanding any provisions of this Indenture to the contrary, the obligations of the Company to indemnify the Trustee under this Section 1001(a) shall survive any satisfaction and discharge under Article Eleven.

(b) Trustee May Act by Agents and Attorneys . The Trustee may execute any of the trusts or powers hereof and perform any duty hereunder either directly or by its agents and attorneys and shall not be responsible for any misconduct or negligence on the part of any agent or attorney appointed with due care by it hereunder.

 

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(c) Trustee Not Responsible for Recitals of Fact . The Trustee shall not be responsible in any manner whatsoever for the correctness of the recitals contained herein or in the Debt Securities (except its certificates of authentication thereon), all of which are made by the Company solely; and the Trustee shall not be responsible or accountable in any manner whatsoever for or with respect to the validity or execution or sufficiency of this Indenture or of the Debt Securities (except its certificates of authentication thereon), and the Trustee makes no representation with respect thereto. The Trustee shall not be accountable for the use or application by the Company of any Debt Securities, or the proceeds of any Debt Securities, authenticated and delivered by the Trustee in conformity with the provisions of this Indenture.

(d) Trustee May Consult With Counsel . The Trustee may consult with counsel, and, to the extent permitted by Section 1002, any Opinion of Counsel shall be full and complete authorization and protection in respect of any action taken or suffered to be taken by the Trustee hereunder in good faith and in accordance with such Opinion of Counsel.

(e) Trustee May Rely Upon Certificate as to Adoption of Resolutions; Requests May Be Evidenced by Officers’ Certificate . The Trustee, to the extent permitted by Section 1002, may rely upon the certificate of the Secretary or one of the Assistant Secretaries of the Company as to the adoption of any resolution by the Board of Directors or stockholders of the Company, and any request, direction, order or demand of the Company mentioned herein shall be sufficiently evidenced by, and whenever in the administration of this Indenture the Trustee shall deem it desirable that a matter be proved or established prior to taking, offering or omitting any action hereunder, the Trustee may rely upon, an Officers’ Certificate (unless other evidence in respect thereof be herein specifically prescribed).

(f) Trustee May Become Owner or Pledgee of Debt Securities . The Trustee or any agent of the Trustee, in its individual or any other capacity, may become the owner or pledgee of Debt Securities and, subject to Sections 1006 and 1009, may otherwise deal with the Company with the same rights it would have had if it were not a Trustee or such agent.

(g) Segregation of Funds . Money held by the Trustee in trust hereunder need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law. The Trustee shall be under no liability for interest on any money received by it hereunder except as otherwise agreed with the Company.

 

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(h) Action at Request of or with Consent of Holder Binding on Future Holders . Any action taken by the Trustee pursuant to any provision hereof at the request or with the consent of any Person who at the time is the Holder of any Debt Security shall be conclusive and binding in respect of any such Debt Security upon all future Holders thereof or of any Debt Security or Securities that may be issued for or in lieu thereof in whole or in part, whether or not such Debt Security shall have noted thereon the fact that such request or consent had been made or given.

(i) Trustee May Rely on Instruments Believed by It to Be Genuine . Subject to the provisions of Section 1002, the Trustee may rely and shall be protected in acting or refraining from acting upon any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, consent, order, approval, bond, debenture or other paper or document believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper party or parties.

(j) Trustee Need Not Exercise Rights or Powers Unless Indemnified by Holders . Subject to the provisions of Section 1002, the Trustee shall not be under any obligation to exercise any of the rights or powers vested in it by this Indenture at the request, order or direction of any Holders, pursuant to any provision of this Indenture, unless one or more Holders shall have offered to the Trustee reasonable security or indemnity against the costs, expenses and liabilities that may be incurred by it therein or thereby.

(k) Trustee Not Liable for Action Taken or Omitted in Good Faith . Subject to the provisions of Section 1002, the Trustee shall not be liable for any action taken or omitted by it in good faith and believed by it to be authorized or within its discretion or within the rights or powers conferred upon it by this Indenture.

(l) Trustee Not Bound to Make Investigation . Subject to the provisions of the first paragraph of Section 1002, 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, debenture or other paper or document.

(m) Trustee Not Deemed to Have Knowledge of Default . Subject to the provisions of Section 1002, the Trustee shall not be deemed

 

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to have knowledge or notice of any default or Event of Default unless a Responsible Officer of the Trustee has actual knowledge thereof or unless the Holders of not less than 25% of the Outstanding Debt Securities of any series notify the Trustee in writing thereof.

SECTION 1002. Duties of Trustee in Case of Default .

If one or more Events of Default with respect to the Debt Securities of any series shall have happened, then, during the continuance thereof, the Trustee shall, with respect to the Debt Securities of such series, exercise such of the rights and powers vested in it by this Indenture, and shall use the same degree of care and skill in their exercise, as a prudent man would exercise or use under the circumstances in the conduct of his own affairs.

None of the provisions of this Indenture shall be construed as relieving the Trustee from liability for its own negligent action, its own negligent failure to act, or its own willful misconduct, except that, anything contained in this Indenture to the contrary notwithstanding:

(a) When No Default Subsisting . Unless and until an Event of Default with respect to the Debt Securities of any series shall have happened, which at the time is continuing,

(1) the Trustee undertakes to perform such duties and only such duties with respect to the Debt Securities of that series as are specifically set out in this Indenture, and no implied covenants or obligations shall be read into this Indenture against the Trustee, whose duties and obligations shall be determined solely by the express provisions of this Indenture; and

(2) the Trustee may conclusively rely, as to the truth of the statements and the correctness of the opinions expressed therein, in the absence of bad faith on the part of the Trustee, upon certificates and opinions furnished to it pursuant to the express provisions of this Indenture; but in the case of any such certificates or opinions which, by the provisions of this Indenture, 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;

(b) Trustee Not Liable for Error of Judgment Made in Good Faith by Responsible Officer . The Trustee shall not be liable to any Holder or to any other Person for error of judgment made in good faith by a Responsible Officer or Officers of the Trustee, unless it shall be proved that the Trustee was negligent in ascertaining the pertinent facts; and

 

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(c) Trustee Not Liable for Certain Action or Non-Action at Direction of Holders of Majority of Debt Securities . The Trustee shall not be liable to any Holder or to any other Person with respect to any action taken or omitted to be taken by it in good faith, in accordance with the direction of Holders given as provided in Section 606, relating to the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to it or exercising any trust or power conferred upon it by this Indenture.

None of the provisions of this Indenture shall be construed as requiring the Trustee to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise to incur any personal financial liability in the performance of any of its duties hereunder or in the exercise of any of its right or remedies, if there shall be reasonable grounds for believing that repayment of such funds or adequate indemnity against such risk or liability is not reasonably assured to it.

SECTION 1003. Notice to Holders of Defaults .

Within 90 days after the occurrence thereof, the Trustee shall give to the Holders of the Debt Securities of a series, as provided in Section 901(c), notice of each default with respect to the Debt Securities of such series known to the Trustee, unless such default shall have been cured before the giving of such notice (the term “default” for the purposes of this Section 1003 being hereby defined to be the events specified in Section 601, which are, or after notice or lapse of time or both would become, Events of Default as defined in said Section); but, unless such default be the failure to pay the principal of (or premium, if any) or interest on any of the Debt Securities of such series when and as the same shall become due and payable, or to make any sinking fund payment as to Debt Securities of the same series, the Trustee shall be protected in withholding such notice, if and so long as the board of directors, the executive committee or a trust committee of directors or Responsible Officers of the Trustee in good faith determines that the withholding of such notice is in the interests of the Holders of the Debt Securities of such series.

SECTION 1004. Resignation of Trustee and Notice Thereof .

The Trustee, or any successor to it hereafter appointed, may at any time resign and be discharged of the trusts hereby created with respect to any one or more or all series of Debt Securities by giving to the Company notice in writing and by mailing notice thereof to the Holders of the Debt Securities of such series at their addresses as the same shall then appear in the Security Register. Such resignation shall take effect upon the appointment of a successor Trustee and the acceptance of such appointment by such successor Trustee. Any Trustee hereunder may be removed with respect to any series of Debt Securities at any time by the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Debt Securities of such series, acting pursuant to the provisions of Article Seven or Article Eight.

 

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Upon its resignation or removal, any Trustee shall be entitled to the payment of reasonable compensation for the services rendered hereunder by such Trustee and to the payment of all reasonable expenses incurred hereunder and all moneys then due to it hereunder. The Trustee’s rights to indemnification provided in Section 1001(a) shall survive its resignation or removal.

SECTION 1005. Qualifications of Trustee .

There shall at all times be a Trustee under this Indenture, and such Trustee shall at all times be a corporation organized and doing business under the laws of the United States or of any State, which is authorized under such laws to exercise corporate trust powers and is subject to supervision or examination by Federal or State authority and which has a combined capital and surplus of not less than $10,000,000. For the purposes of this Section 1005, the combined capital and surplus of any such Trustee shall be deemed to be the combined capital and surplus as set forth in the most recent report of its condition published by such Trustee; provided that such reports are published at least annually, pursuant to law or to the requirements of a Federal or State supervising or examining authority. If such Trustee or any successor shall at any time cease to have the qualifications prescribed in this Section 1005, it shall promptly resign as Trustee hereunder.

SECTION 1006. Disqualification of Trustee by Reason of Conflicting Interest .

(a) Trustee to Resign . If the Trustee has or shall acquire any conflicting interest, as the term “conflicting interest” is defined in Subsection (d) below, with respect to the Debt Securities of any series, the Trustee shall, within 90 days after ascertaining that it has such conflicting interest, either eliminate such conflicting interest or resign with respect to the Debt Securities of that series, such resignation to become effective upon the appointment of a successor Trustee and the acceptance by such successor Trustee of such appointment. If the Trustee shall resign, the Company shall take prompt steps to have a successor appointed in the manner provided in Section 1007.

(b) Notice to Holders of Failure to Resign . In the event that the Trustee shall fail to comply with the provisions of Subsection (a) above, the Trustee shall, within ten days after the expiration of such 90 day period, transmit notice of its failure in that regard to the Holders as provided in Section 901(c).

(c) Right of Holders to Petition for Removal of Trustee . Subject to the provisions of Section 607, any Holder of a Debt Security of any series, who has been a bona fide Holder of a Debt Security of such

 

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series for at least six months may, on behalf of himself and all others similarly situated, petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the removal of the Trustee with respect to the Debt Securities of that series and the appointment of a successor Trustee, if the Trustee shall fail, after written request therefor by such Holder, to comply with the provisions of Subsection (a) above.

(d) Meaning of the Term “Conflicting Interest”; Calculation of Percentages of Debt Securities . For the purposes of this Section 1006, the Trustee shall be deemed to have a “conflicting interest” with respect to the Debt Securities of any series, if

(1) the Trustee is trustee under this Indenture with respect to Outstanding Debt Securities of any series other than that series or is trustee under another indenture under which any other securities, or certificates of interest or participation in any other securities, of the Company are outstanding; provided , however , that there shall be excluded from the operation of this paragraph (1) this Indenture with respect to the Debt Securities of any series other than that series and any other indenture or indentures under which other securities or certificates of interest or participation in other securities of the Company are outstanding, if (i) this Indenture (with respect to the Debt Securities of that series and each other series for which the Trustee is trustee hereunder) and such other indenture or indentures are wholly unsecured, and such other indenture or indentures are hereafter qualified under the Trust Indenture Act, unless the Commission shall have found and declared by order pursuant to subsection (b) of Section 305 or subsection (c) of Section 307 of the Trust Indenture Act that differences exist between the provisions of this Indenture with respect to Debt Securities of that series and one or more other series or between provisions of this Indenture with respect to Debt Securities of that series and the provisions of such other indenture or indentures, which are so likely to involve a material conflict of interest as to make it necessary in the public interest or for the protection of investors to disqualify the Trustee from acting as trustee under this Indenture with respect to the Debt Securities of that series and such other series or under one of said other indentures; or (ii) the Company shall have sustained the burden of proving, on application to the Commission and after the opportunity for hearing thereon, that the trusteeship under this Indenture with respect to the Debt Securities of that series and, as the case may be, with respect to Securities of such other series or under such other indenture is not so likely to involve a material conflict of interest as to make it necessary in the public interest or

 

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for the protection of investors to disqualify the Trustee from acting as such under this Indenture with respect to the Debt Securities of that series and such other series or under one of such indentures;

(2) the Trustee or any of its directors or executive officers is an obligor upon the Debt Securities of such series issued under this Indenture or an underwriter for the Company;

(3) the Trustee directly or indirectly controls, or is directly or indirectly controlled by, or is under direct or indirect common control with, the Company or an underwriter for the Company;

(4) the Trustee or any of its directors or executive officers is a director, officer, partner, employee, appointee or representative of the Company, or of any underwriter (other than the Trustee itself) for the Company who is currently engaged in the business of underwriting, except that (A) one individual may be a director and/or an executive officer of the Trustee and a director and/or an executive officer of the Company, but may not be at the same time an executive officer of both the Trustee and the Company, and (B) if and so long as the number of directors of the Trustee in office is more than nine, one additional individual may be a director and/or an executive officer of the Trustee and a director of the Company, and (C) the Trustee may be designated by the Company or by any underwriter for the Company to act in the capacity of transfer agent, registrar, custodian, paying agent, fiscal agent, escrow agent or depositary, or in any other similar capacity, or, subject to the provisions of paragraph (1) of this Subsection (d), to act as trustee, whether under an indenture or otherwise;

(5) 10% or more of the voting securities of the Trustee is beneficially owned either by the Company or by any director, partner or executive officer thereof, or 20% or more of such voting securities is beneficially owned, collectively, by any two or more of such persons; or 10% or more of such voting securities is beneficially owned either by an underwriter for the Company or by any director, partner or executive officer thereof, or is beneficially owned, collectively, by any two or more of such persons;

(6) the Trustee is the beneficial owner of, or holds as collateral security for an obligation which is in default (as hereinafter in this Subsection (d) defined), (A) 5% or more of the voting securities, or 10% or more of any other class of security, of the Company, not including any of the Debt Securities and not

 

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including securities issued under any other indenture under which the Trustee is also trustee, or (B) 10% or more of any class of security of an underwriter for the Company;

(7) the Trustee is the beneficial owner of, or holds as collateral security for an obligation which is in default (as hereinafter in this Subsection (d) defined), 5% or more of the voting securities of any person who, to the knowledge of the Trustee, owns 10% or more of the voting securities of, or controls directly or indirectly, or is under direct or indirect common control with, the Company;

(8) the Trustee is the beneficial owner of, or holds as collateral security for an obligation which is in default (as hereinafter in this Subsection (d) defined), 10% or more of any class of security of any person who, to the knowledge of the Trustee, owns 50% or more of the voting securities of the Company; or

(9) the Trustee owns, on May 15 in any calendar year, in the capacity of executor, administrator, testamentary or inter vivos trustee, guardian, committee or conservator, or in any other similar capacity, an aggregate of 25% or more of the voting securities, or of any class of security, of any person, the beneficial ownership of a specified percentage of which would have constituted a conflicting interest under paragraph (6), (7) or (8) of this Subsection (d). As to any of such securities of which the Trustee acquired ownership through becoming executor, administrator or testamentary trustee of an estate which included them, the provisions of the preceding sentence shall not apply, for a period of not more than two years from the date of such acquisition, to the extent that such securities included in such estate do not exceed 25% of such voting securities or 25% of any such class of security. Promptly after May 15 in each calendar year, the Trustee shall make a check of its holdings of such securities in any of the above-mentioned capacities as of such May 15. If the Company shall fail to make payment in full of the principal of (or premium, if any) or interest of any of the Debt Securities under this Indenture, when and as the same becomes due and payable, and such failure shall continue for 30 days thereafter, the Trustee shall make a prompt check of its holdings of such securities in any of the above-mentioned capacities as of the date of the expiration of such 30-day period, and after such date, notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this paragraph (9), all such securities so held by the Trustee, with sole or joint control

 

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over such securities vested in it, shall, but only so long as such failure shall continue, be considered as though beneficially owned by the Trustee, for the purposes of paragraphs (6), (7) and (8) of this Subsection (d).

The specification of percentages in paragraphs (5) to (9), inclusive, of this Subsection (d) shall not be construed as indicating that the ownership of such percentages of the securities of a person is or is not necessary or sufficient to constitute direct or indirect control for the purposes of paragraph (3) or paragraph (7) of this Subsection (d).

For the purposes of paragraphs (6), (7), (8) and (9) of this Subsection (d), (A) the terms “security” and “securities” shall include only such securities as are generally known as corporate securities, but shall not include any note or other evidence of indebtedness issued to evidence an obligation to repay moneys lent to a person by one or more banks, trust companies or banking firms, or any certificate of interest or participation in any such note or evidence of indebtedness; (B) an obligation shall be deemed to be “in default” when a default in payment of principal shall have continued for 30 days or more and shall not have been cured; and (C) the Trustee shall not be deemed the owner or holder of (i) any security which it holds as collateral security (as trustee or otherwise) for an obligation which is not in default as defined in clause (B) above, or (ii) any security which it holds as collateral security under this Indenture, irrespective of any default hereunder, or (iii) any security which it holds as agent for collection, or as a custodian, escrow agent or depositary or in any similar representative capacity.

For the purposes of this Subsection (d) the term “underwriter” when used with reference to the Company means every person who, within three years prior to the time as of which the determination is made, has purchased from the Company with a view to, or has offered for or has sold for the Company in connection with, the distribution of any security of the Company which is outstanding at the time the determination is made, or has participated or has had a direct or indirect participation in any such undertaking, or has participated or has had a participation in the direct or indirect underwriting of any such undertaking; but such term shall not include a person whose interest was limited to a commission from an underwriter or dealer not in excess of the usual and customary distributors’ or sellers’ commission.

The percentages of voting securities and other securities specified in this Subsection (d) shall be calculated in accordance with the following provisions:

(A) A specified percentage of the voting securities of a person means such amount of the outstanding voting securities of

 

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such person as entitles the holder or holders thereof to cast such specified percentage of the aggregate votes which the holders of all the outstanding voting securities of such person are entitled to cast in the direction or management of the affairs of such person.

(B) A specified percentage of a class of securities of a person means such percentage of the aggregate amount of securities of the class outstanding.

(C) The term “amount”, when used in regard to securities, means the principal amount, if relating to evidence of indebtedness; the number of shares, if relating to capital shares; and the number of units, if relating to any other kind of security.

(D) The term “outstanding” means issued and not held by or for the account of the issuer. The following securities shall not be deemed outstanding within the meaning of this definition:

(i) securities of an issuer held in a sinking fund relating to securities of the issuer of the same class;

(ii) securities of an issuer held in a sinking fund relating to another class of securities of the issuer, if the obligation evidenced by such other class of securities is not in default as to principal or interest or otherwise;

(iii) securities pledged by the issuer thereof as security for an obligation of the issuer not in default as to principal or interest or otherwise; and

(iv) securities held in escrow, if placed in escrow by the issuer thereof;

provided , however , that any voting securities of an issuer shall be deemed outstanding if any person other than the issuer is entitled to exercise the voting rights thereof.

(E) A security shall be deemed to be of the same class as another security if both securities confer upon the holder or holders thereof substantially the same rights and privileges; provided , however , (i) that, in the case of secured evidences of indebtedness, all of which are issued under a single indenture, differences in the interest rates or maturity dates of various series thereof shall not be deemed sufficient to constitute such series different classes, and (ii) that, in the case of unsecured evidences of indebtedness, differences in the interest rates or maturity dates

 

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thereof shall not be deemed sufficient to constitute them securities of different classes, whether or not they are issued under a single indenture.

In the event that any person other than the Company shall at any time become an obligor upon any of the Debt Securities, so long as such person shall continue to be such obligor the provisions of this Subsection (d), in addition to being applicable to the Trustee and the Company, shall be applicable to the Trustee and such obligor.

SECTION 1007. Appointment of Successor Trustee .

In case at any time the Trustee shall resign, or shall be removed (unless the Trustee shall be removed as provided in Subsection (c) of Section 1006, in which event the vacancy shall be filled as provided in said Subsection), or shall become incapable of acting, or shall be adjudged a bankrupt or insolvent, or if a receiver of the Trustee or of its property shall be appointed, or if any public officer shall take charge or control of the Trustee or of its property of affairs for the purpose of rehabilitation, conservation or liquidation with respect to the Debt Securities of one or more series, a successor Trustee with respect to the Debt Securities of that or those series (it being understood that any such successor Trustee may be appointed with respect to the Debt Securities of one or more or all of such series and that at any time there shall be only one Trustee with respect to the Debt Securities of any series) may be appointed by the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Debt Securities of that or those series, by an instrument or instruments in writing signed in duplicate by such Holders and filed, one original thereof with the Company and the other with the successor Trustee; but, until a successor Trustee shall have been so appointed by the Holders of Debt Securities of that or those series as herein authorized, the Company by Board Resolution, or, in case all or substantially all the assets of the Company shall be in the possession of one or more custodians or receivers lawfully appointed, or of trustees in bankruptcy or reorganization proceedings (including a trustee or trustees appointed under the provisions of the Federal bankruptcy laws, as now or hereafter constituted), or of assignees for the benefit of creditors, such receivers, custodians, trustees or assignees, as the case may be, by an instrument in writing, shall appoint a successor Trustee with respect to the Debt Securities of such series. Subject to the provisions of Sections 1004, 1005 and 1006, upon the appointment as aforesaid of a successor Trustee with respect to the Debt Securities of any series, the Trustee with respect of the Debt Securities of such series shall cease to be Trustee hereunder. After any such appointment (other than by the Holders of Debt Securities of that or those series) the person making such appointment shall forthwith cause notice thereof to be mailed to the Holders of Debt Securities of such series at their addresses as the same shall then appear on the Security Register; but any successor Trustee with respect to the Debt Securities of such series so appointed shall immediately and without further

 

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act, be superseded by a successor Trustee appointed by the Holders of Debt Securities of such series in the manner above prescribed, if such appointment be made prior to the expiration of one year from the date of the mailing of such notice by the Company, or by such receivers, trustees or assignees.

If any Trustee with respect to the Debt Securities of one or more series shall resign because of conflict of interest as provided in Section 1006(a) and a successor Trustee shall not have been appointed by the Company or by the Holders of the Debt Securities of such series or, if any successor Trustee so appointed shall not have accepted its appointment within 30 days after such appointment shall have been made, the resigning Trustee may apply to any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee. If in any other case a successor Trustee shall not be appointed pursuant to the foregoing provisions of this Section 1007 within three months after such appointment might have been made hereunder, the Holder of any Debt Security of the applicable series or any retiring Trustee may apply to any court of competent jurisdiction to appoint a successor Trustee. Such court may thereupon, in any such case, after such notice, if any, as such court may deem proper, appoint a successor Trustee.

Any successor Trustee appointed hereunder with respect to the Debt Securities of one or more series shall execute, acknowledge and deliver to its predecessor Trustee and to the Company, or to the receivers, trustees, assignees or court appointing it, as the case may be, an instrument accepting such appointment hereunder, and thereupon such successor Trustee, without any further act, deed or conveyance, shall become vested with all the authority, rights, powers, trusts, immunities, duties and obligations with respect to such series of such predecessor Trustee with like effect as if originally named as Trustee hereunder, and such predecessor Trustee, upon payment of its charges and disbursements then unpaid, shall thereupon become obligated to pay over, and such successor Trustee shall be entitled to receive, all moneys and properties held by such predecessor Trustee as Trustee hereunder. Nevertheless, on the written request of the Company or of the successor Trustee or of the Holders of at least 10% in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Debt Securities of such series, such predecessor Trustee, upon payment of its said charges and disbursements, shall execute and deliver an instrument transferring to such successor Trustee upon the trusts herein expressed all the rights, powers and trusts of such predecessor Trustee and shall assign, transfer and deliver to the successor Trustee all moneys and properties held by such predecessor Trustee; and, upon request of any such successor Trustee, the Company shall make, execute, acknowledge and deliver any and all instruments in writing for more fully and effectually vesting in and confirming to such successor Trustee all such authority, rights, powers, trusts, immunities, duties and obligations.

 

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SECTION 1008. Merger, Conversion or Consolidation of Trustee or Transfer of its Corporate Trust Business; Authentication of Debt Securities by Successor Trustee .

Any corporation into which the Trustee or any successor to it in the trusts created by this Indenture shall be merged or converted, or any corporation with which it or any successor to it shall be consolidated, or any corporation resulting from any merger, conversion or consolidation to which the Trustee or any such successor to it shall be a party, or any corporation to which the Trustee or any successor to it shall sell or otherwise transfer all or substantially all of the corporate trust business of the Trustee, shall be the successor Trustee under this Indenture without the execution or filing of any paper or any further act on the part of any of the parties hereto. In case at the time such successor to the Trustee shall succeed to the trusts created by this Indenture with respect to one or more series of Debt Securities, any of such Debt Securities shall have been authenticated but not delivered, any such successor to the Trustee may adopt the certificate of authentication of any predecessor Trustee, and deliver such Debt Securities so authenticated; and in case at that time any of the Debt Securities shall not have been authenticated, any successor to the Trustee may authenticate such Debt Securities either in the name of any predecessor Trustee hereunder or in the name of the successor Trustee; and in all such cases such certificates shall have the full force which it is anywhere in the Debt Securities or in this Indenture provided that the certificate of the Trustee shall have.

SECTION 1009. Trustee Required to Account for Amounts Collected as Creditor of the Company Under Certain Conditions .

(a) Trustee, as a Creditor, to Set Apart and Hold Certain Moneys in a Special Account During Default .

If the Trustee in its individual capacity shall be, or shall become, a creditor, directly or indirectly, secured or unsecured, of the Company within four months prior to a default, as the term “default” is defined in Subsection (e) of this Section 1009, or subsequent to such a default, then, unless and until such default shall be cured, the Trustee shall set apart and hold in a special account for the benefit of the Trustee individually, the Holders of Debt Securities and the holders of any other indenture securities as the term “other indenture securities” is defined in said Subsection (e):

(1) an amount equal to any and all reductions in the amount due and owing upon any claim as such creditor in respect of principal or interest, effected after the beginning of such four months’ period and valid as against the Company and its other creditors, except any such reduction resulting from the receipt or

 

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disposition of any property described in paragraph (2) of this Subsection (a), or from the exercise of any right of setoff which the Trustee could have exercised, if any voluntary or involuntary case had been commenced in respect of the Company under the Federal bankruptcy laws, as now or hereafter constituted, or any other applicable Federal or State bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar law upon the date of such default; and

(2) all property received by the Trustee in respect of any claim as such creditor, either as security therefor, or in satisfaction or composition thereof or otherwise, after the beginning of such four months’ period, or an amount equal to the proceeds of any such property, if disposed of, subject, however, to the rights, if any, of the Company and its other creditors in such property or such proceeds.

(b) Situations Not Requiring Trustee to Account . Nothing contained in this Section 1009 shall affect the right of the Trustee:

(1) to retain for its own account (A) payments made on account of any such claim by any person (other than the Company) who is liable thereon, and (B) the proceeds of the bona fide sale of any such claim by the Trustee to a third person, and (C) distributions made in cash, securities or other property in respect of claims filed against the Company in bankruptcy or receivership or in proceedings for reorganization pursuant to the Federal bankruptcy laws, as now or hereafter constituted, or applicable State law;

(2) to realize, for its own account, upon any property held by it as security for any such claim, if such property was so held prior to the beginning of such four months’ period;

(3) to realize, for its own account, but only to the extent of the claim hereinafter mentioned, upon any property held by it as security for any such claim, if such claim was created after the beginning of such four months’ period and such property was received as security therefor simultaneously with the creation thereof, and if the Trustee shall sustain the burden of proving that at the time such property was so received the Trustee had no reasonable cause to believe that a default, as defined in Subsection (e) of this Section 1009, would occur within four months; or

(4) to receive payment on any claim referred to in paragraph (2) or paragraph (3) of this Subsection (b), against the

 

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release of any property held as security for such claim as provided in said paragraph (2) or said paragraph (3), as the case may be, to the extent of the fair value of such property.

For the purposes of paragraphs (2), (3) and (4) of this Subsection (b), property substituted after the beginning of such four months’ period for property held as security at the time of such substitution shall, to the extent of the fair value of the property released, have the same status as the property released, and, to the extent that any claim referred to in any of such paragraphs is created in renewal of, or in substitution for, or for the purpose of repaying or refunding, any preexisting claim of the Trustee as such creditor, such claim shall have the same status as such pre-existing claim.

(c) Apportionment of Funds and Property Set Apart . If the Trustee shall be required to account, the funds and property held in a special account pursuant to the provisions of this Section 1009 and the proceeds thereof shall be apportioned among the Trustee, the Holders of Debt Securities and the holders of other indenture securities in such manner that the Trustee, the Holders of Debt Securities and the holders of other indenture securities realize, as a result of payments from such special account and payments of dividends on claims filed against the Company in receivership or liquidation proceedings or any voluntary or involuntary case under the Federal bankruptcy laws, as now or hereafter constituted, or applicable State law, the same percentage of their respective claims, figured before crediting to the claim of the Trustee anything on account of the receipt by it from the Company of the funds and property in such special account and before crediting to the respective claims of the Trustee, the Holders of Debt Securities and the holders of other indenture securities dividends on claims filed against the Company in receivership or liquidation proceedings or any voluntary or involuntary case under the Federal bankruptcy laws, as now or hereafter constituted, or applicable State law, but after crediting thereon receipts on account of the indebtedness represented by their respective claims from all sources other than from such dividends and from the funds and property so held in such special account. As used in this Subsection (c) with respect to any claim, the term “dividends” shall include any distribution with respect to such claim in receivership or liquidation proceedings or any voluntary or involuntary case under the Federal bankruptcy laws, as now or hereafter constituted, or applicable State law, whether such distribution is made in cash, securities or other property, but shall not include any such distribution with respect to the secured portion, if any, of such claim. The court in which such receivership or liquidation proceeding or such voluntary or involuntary case under the Federal bankruptcy laws, as now or hereafter constituted, or applicable State law shall be pending shall have jurisdiction (A) to apportion among the Trustee, the Holders of Debt

 

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Securities and the holders of other indenture securities, in accordance with the provisions of this Subsection (c), the funds and property held in such special account and the proceeds thereof, or (B) in lieu of such an apportionment thereof, in whole or in part, to give to the provisions of this Subsection (c) due consideration in determining the fairness of the distributions to be made to the Trustee, the Holders of Debt Securities and the holders of other indenture securities with respect to their respective claims, in which event it shall not be necessary to liquidate or to appraise the value of any securities or other property held in such special account or as security for any such claim, or to make a specific allocation of such distributions as between the secured and unsecured portions of such claims, or otherwise to apply the provisions of this Subsection (c) as a mathematical formula.

(d) In Case of Resignation or Removal of Trustee . In case the Trustee shall have resigned or been removed after the beginning of such four months’ period, the Trustee shall be subject to the provisions of this Section 1009 as though such resignation or removal had not occurred. If the Trustee shall have resigned or been removed prior to the beginning of such four months’ period, it shall be subject to the provisions of this Section 1009 if and only if the receipt of property or reduction of claim which would have given rise to the obligation to account, if the Trustee had continued as such trustee hereunder, occurred after the beginning of such four months’ period and within four months after such resignation or removal.

(e) Meaning of Certain Terms as Used in Section 1009 . As used in this Section 1009, the term “default” means any failure to make payment in full of the principal of (or premium, if any) or interest or the Debt Securities or any other indenture securities, when and as such principal (or premium) or interest becomes due and payable; and the term “other indenture securities” means securities upon which the Company is an obligor (as the term “obligor” is defined in the Trust Indenture Act) outstanding under any other indenture which is qualified under the Trust Indenture Act and under which the Trustee is also trustee and under which a default exists at the time of the apportionment of the funds and property held in said special account.

(f) Creditor Relationships to Which Section 1009 Inapplicable . None of the foregoing provisions of this Section 1009 shall be applicable in respect of a creditor relationship arising from:

(1) the ownership or acquisition of securities issued under any indenture, or any security or securities having a maturity of one year or more at the time of acquisition by the Trustee;

 

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(2) advances authorized by a court of competent jurisdiction in the premises, in any voluntary or involuntary case under the Federal bankruptcy laws, as now or hereafter constituted, or any other applicable Federal or State bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar law, or by this Indenture, for the purposes of preserving any property which shall at the time be subject to the lien of this Indenture or of discharging tax liens or other prior liens or encumbrances thereon, if notice of such advance and of the circumstances surrounding the making thereof is given to the Holders of the Debt Securities at the time and in the manner provided in Section 901 with respect to reports pursuant to Subsections (a) and (b) thereof;

(3) disbursements made in the ordinary course of business in the capacity of trustee under an indenture, transfer agent, registrar, custodian, paying agent, fiscal agent or depositary, or other similar capacity;

(4) an indebtedness created as a result of services rendered or premises rented; or an indebtedness created as a result of goods or securities sold in a cash transaction, as defined in this Subsection (f);

(5) the ownership of stock or of other securities of a corporation organized under the provisions of Section 25(a) of the Federal Reserve Act, as amended, which is directly or indirectly a creditor of the Company; or

(6) the acquisition, ownership, acceptance or negotiation of any drafts, bills of exchange, acceptances or obligations which fall within the classification of self-liquidating paper, as the term “self-liquidating paper” is defined in this Subsection (f).

The term “security” or “securities” as used in this Subsection (f) shall mean any note, stock, treasury stock, bond, debenture, evidence of indebtedness, certificate of interest or participation in any profit-sharing agreement, collateral-trust certificate, preorganization certificate or subscription, transferable share, investment contract, voting-trust certificate, certificate of deposit for a security, fractional undivided interest in oil, gas or other mineral rights, or, in general, any interest or instrument commonly known as a “security,” or any certificate of interest or participation in, temporary or interim certificate for, receipt for, guarantee of, or warrant or right to subscribe to or purchase, any of the foregoing.

 

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The term “cash transaction” as used in paragraph (4) of this Subsection (f) means any transaction in which full payment for goods or securities sold is made within seven days after the delivery of the goods or securities in currency or in checks or other orders drawn upon banks or bankers and payable upon demand.

The term “self-liquidating paper” as used in paragraph (6) of this Subsection (f) means any draft, bill of exchange, acceptance or obligation which is made, drawn, negotiated or incurred by the Company for the purpose of financing the purchase, processing, manufacture, shipment, storage or sale of goods, wares or merchandise and which is secured by documents evidencing title to, possession of or a lien upon the goods, wares or merchandise or the receivables or proceeds arising from the sale of the goods, wares or merchandise previously constituting the security; provided that the security is received by the Trustee simultaneously with the creation of the creditor relationship with the Company arising from the making, drawing, negotiating or incurring of the draft, bill of exchange, acceptance or obligation.

In the event that any person other than the Company shall at any time become an obligor upon any of the Debt Securities, so long as such person shall continue to be such obligor the provisions of this Section 1009, in addition to being applicable to the Trustee and the Company, shall be applicable to the Trustee and such obligor.

SECTION 1010. Trustee May Rely on Officers’ Certificate .

Subject to Section 1002, and subject to the provisions of Section 1403 with respect to the certificates required thereby, whenever in the administration of the provisions of this Indenture the Trustee shall deem it necessary or desirable that a matter be proved or established prior to taking or suffering any action hereunder, such matter (unless other evidence in respect thereof be herein specifically prescribed) may, in the absence of negligence or bad faith on the part of the Trustee, be deemed to be conclusively proved and established by an Officers’ Certificate with respect thereto delivered to the Trustee, and such Officers’ Certificate, in the absence of negligence or bad faith on the part of the Trustee, shall be full warrant to the Trustee for any action taken, suffered to be taken or omitted by it under the provisions of this Indenture upon the faith thereof.

 

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ARTICLE ELEVEN

SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE

SECTION 1101. Discharge of Indenture Upon Payment of Debt Securities .

If and when the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on all the Outstanding Debt Securities and all other sums due hereunder shall have been fully paid, this Indenture shall cease and terminate, and, upon receipt of a Company Request accompanied by the Officers’ Certificate and Opinion of Counsel required by Section 1403, and upon proof being given to the reasonable satisfaction of the Trustee that all the Debt Securities have been paid or satisfied, and upon payment of the costs, charges and expenses incurred or to be incurred by the Trustee in relation thereto or in carrying out the provisions of this Indenture, the Trustee shall cancel this Indenture and execute and deliver to the Company such instruments as shall be requisite to evidence the satisfaction hereof.

If at any time no Debt Securities have been issued and authenticated or if all previously issued and authenticated Debt Securities have been cancelled or delivered to the Trustee for cancellation, upon receipt of a Company Request accompanied by the Officers’ Certificate and Opinion of Counsel required by Section 1403, and upon payment of the costs, charges and expenses incurred or to be incurred by the Trustee in relation thereto or in carrying out the provisions of this Indenture, the Trustee shall cancel this Indenture and execute and deliver to the Company such instruments as shall be requisite to evidence the satisfaction hereof.

SECTION 1102. Discharge of Indenture Upon Deposit of Moneys .

If, at the Maturity of the Debt Securities of any series, the Company shall deposit with the Trustee, in trust for the benefit of the Holders thereof, funds sufficient to pay the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on all of the Outstanding Debt Securities of such series, and shall pay all costs, charges and expenses incurred or to be incurred by the Trustee in relation thereto or in carrying out the provisions of this Indenture, the Trustee, upon receipt of a Company Request accompanied by the Officers’ Certificate and Opinion of Counsel required by Section 1403, shall cancel and satisfy this Indenture. The Trustee shall apply the moneys so deposited to the payment to the Holders of the Debt Securities of such series of all sums due thereon for principal (and premium, if any) and interest.

SECTION 1103. Discharge of Certain Indebtedness Upon Deposit of Moneys .

If this Section 1103 is specified in the manner contemplated by Section 301 to be applicable to Debt Securities of any series, the Company shall

 

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be deemed to have paid and discharged the entire indebtedness on all Outstanding Debt Securities of such series if the Company shall (a) deposit with the Trustee, in trust for the benefit of the Holders thereof, (1) funds sufficient to pay or (2) such amount of Government Obligations as will or will together with the income thereon, without consideration of any reinvestment thereof, be sufficient to pay the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on the Debt Securities of such series, as such payments shall become due from time to time, and (b) pay or make arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for paying all costs, charges and expenses incurred by the Trustee in relation thereto or in carrying out the provisions of this Indenture in relation thereto, then this Indenture shall cease to be of further effect with respect to Debt Securities of such series (except as to (i) rights of registration of transfer, substitution and exchange of Debt Securities of such series, (ii) rights of Holders to receive payments of the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on the Debt Securities of such series as such payments shall become due from time to time and other rights, duties and obligations of Holders as beneficiaries hereof with respect to the amounts so deposited with the Trustee, (iii) provisions, if any, applicable to such series relating to optional redemption and Mandatory and Optional Sinking Fund Payments and (iv) the rights, obligations and immunities of the Trustee hereunder (for which purposes the Debt Securities of such series shall be deemed Outstanding)), and the Company shall have no further obligations or liability with respect to any Debt Securities of such series.

In any such case the Trustee, upon receipt of a Company Request accompanied by the Officers’ Certificate and Opinion of Counsel required by Section 1403, shall execute and deliver to the Company such instruments as shall be requisite to evidence the satisfaction thereof with respect to Debt Securities of such series. The Trustee shall apply the amounts so deposited and the proceeds thereof to the payment to the Holders of the Debt Securities of such series of all sums due thereon for principal (and premium, if any) and interest.

SECTION 1104. Termination of Certain Obligations Upon Deposit of Moneys .

If this Section 1104 is specified in the manner contemplated by Section 301 to be applicable to Debt Securities of any series, the Company’s obligations on all Debt Securities of such series shall be deemed to be terminated on the 91st day after the Company deposits with the Trustee, in trust for the benefit of the Holders thereof, (a) funds sufficient to pay, or (b) such amount of Government Obligations as will or will together with the income thereon, without consideration of any reinvestment thereof, be sufficient to pay the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on all of the Debt Securities of such series, as such payments shall become due from time to time; provided , however , that no Event of Default under Section 601(e) or 601(f) or event which, with notice or lapse of time or both, would constitute such an Event of Default, shall have occurred and be continuing on such date; and provided further that such

 

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termination shall not relieve the Company of its obligations under the Debt Securities of such series and this Indenture to pay when due the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on the Debt Securities of such series if not paid (or considered paid) when due from the funds and Government Obligations (and the income thereon) so deposited. Notwithstanding the termination of any obligations of the Company in accordance with this Section 1104, the Company’s rights and obligations under Sections 305, 306, 501, 502, 503, 903, 1001, 1004, 1105 and 1106, and provisions, if any, applicable to such series relating to optional redemption and Mandatory and Optional Sinking Fund Payments, shall survive until the Debt Securities of such series are no longer Outstanding. Thereafter the Company’s rights and obligations under Sections 1001, 1105 and 1106 shall survive.

After a deposit as provided herein, the Trustee, upon receipt of a Company Request, shall acknowledge in writing the discharge of the Company’s obligations under this Indenture with respect to Debt Securities of a particular series except for those surviving obligations specified above. The Trustee shall apply the amounts so deposited and the proceeds thereof to the payment to the Holders of the Debt Securities of such series of all sums due thereon for principal (and premium, if any) and interest.

SECTION 1105. Certain Deposits With the Trustee to be Held in Escrow .

Any deposits with the Trustee referred to in Section 1103 or 1104 shall be irrevocable (except to the extent provided in Section 1106) and shall be made under the terms of an escrow trust agreement in form and substance satisfactory to the Trustee. If any Outstanding Debt Securities of a series are to be redeemed prior to their Stated Maturity, whether pursuant to any optional redemption provisions or in accordance with any Mandatory or Optional Sinking Fund Payments, the applicable escrow trust agreement shall provide therefor, and the Company shall make such arrangements as are satisfactory to the Trustee for the giving of notice of redemption by the Trustee in the name, and at the expense, of the Company. The agreement shall provide that, upon satisfaction of any Mandatory Sinking Fund Payments, whether by deposit of funds, application of proceeds of deposited Government Obligations or, if permitted, by delivery of Debt Securities, the Trustee shall pay or deliver over to the Company as excess funds pursuant to Section 1106 all funds or obligations then held under the agreement and allocable to the Mandatory Sinking Fund Payments so satisfied.

If Debt Securities of a series with respect to which such deposits are made may be subject to later redemption at the option of the Company or pursuant to Optional Sinking Fund Payments, the applicable escrow trust agreement may, at the option of the Company, provide therefor. In the case of an optional redemption in whole or in part, such agreement shall require the Company to deposit with the Trustee on or before the date on which notice of

 

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redemption is given funds sufficient to pay the Redemption Price of the Debt Securities to be redeemed together with all unpaid interest thereon to the Redemption Date. Upon such deposit of funds, the Trustee shall pay or deliver over to the Company as excess funds pursuant to Section 1106 all funds or obligations then held under such agreement and allocable to the Debt Securities to be redeemed. In the case of exercise of optional Sinking Fund Payment rights by the Company, such agreement may, at the option of the Company, provide that upon deposit by the Company with the Trustee of funds pursuant to such exercise the Trustee shall pay or deliver over to the Company as excess funds pursuant to Section 1106 all funds or obligations then held under such agreement for such series and allocable to the Debt Securities to be redeemed.

SECTION 1106. Repayment to Company .

The Trustee and any Paying Agent shall promptly pay or return to the Company upon Company Request any money or Government Obligations held by them at any time that are not required for the payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on the Debt Securities of any series for which money or Government Obligations have been deposited, including any such money or Government Obligations held by the Trustee under any escrow trust agreement entered into pursuant to Section 1105.

The provisions of the last paragraph of Section 503 shall apply to any money held by the Trustee or any Paying Agent under this Article that remains unclaimed for two years after the Maturity of any series of Debt Securities for which money or Government Obligations have been deposited pursuant to Article Eleven.

SECTION 1107. Reinstatement .

If the Trustee or any Paying Agent is unable to apply any money and/or Government Obligations deposited in trust in accordance with Section 1103 or 1104 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 (including any such order or judgment requiring the payment of such money and/or Government Obligations to the Company), the Company’s obligations under this Indenture and the Debt Securities shall be revived and reinstated as of such date, until such time as the Trustee or such Paying Agent is permitted to apply all such money and/or Government Obligations in accordance with Section 1103 or 1104, as the case may be; provided , however , that if the Company has made any payment of the principal of (or premium, if any) or interest on any Debt Securities because of the reinstatement of its obligations, the Company shall be entitled to receive the aggregate amount of such payments from the Trustee or such Paying Agent as excess funds pursuant to Section 1106. In the event that for any reason the Trustee

 

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or such Paying Agent is unable to pay any such amount pursuant to Section 1106, the Company shall be subrogated to the rights of the Holders of such Debt Securities to receive such payments from the money and/or Government Obligations held by the Trustee or such Paying Agent pursuant to Section 1105.

SECTION 1108. Indemnity for Government Obligations .

The Company shall pay and shall indemnify the Trustee against any tax, fee or other charge imposed on or assessed against the deposited Government Obligations or the principal or interest received on such Obligations.

SECTION 1109. Deposits of Foreign Currencies .

Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Article Eleven, if the Debt Securities of any series are payable in a Foreign Currency, the coin or currency or currency unit or the nature of the government obligations to be deposited with the Trustee under the foregoing provisions of this Article Eleven shall be as set forth in the Officers’ Certificate or established in the supplemental indenture under which the Debt Securities of such series are issued.

ARTICLE TWELVE

IMMUNITY OF INCORPORATORS, STOCKHOLDERS,

OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS

SECTION 1201. Liability Solely Corporate .

No recourse shall be had for the payment of the principal of (or premium, if any) or interest on any Debt Security or for any claim based thereon or otherwise in respect thereof or of the indebtedness represented thereby, or upon any obligation, covenant or agreement of this Indenture, against any incorporator, stockholder, officer or director, as such, past, present or future, of the Company or of any successor corporation, either directly or through the Company or any successor corporation, whether by virtue of any constitutional provision, statute or rule of law, or by the enforcement of any assessment or penalty or otherwise; it being expressly agreed and understood that this Indenture and the Debt Securities are solely corporate obligations, and that no personal liability whatsoever shall attach to, or be incurred by, any incorporator, stockholder, officer or director, as such, past, present or future, of the Company or of any successor corporation, either directly or through the Company or any successor corporation, because of the incurring of the indebtedness hereby authorized or under or by reason of any of the obligations, covenants, promises or agreements contained in this Indenture or in any of the Debt Securities or to be implied herefrom or therefrom, and that all liability, if any, of that character against every such incorporator, stockholder, officer and director is, by the acceptance of the Debt Securities and as a condition of, and as part of the consideration for, the execution of this Indenture and the issue of the Debt Securities, expressly waived and released.

 

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ARTICLE THIRTEEN

SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES

SECTION 1301. Without Consent of Holders, Company and Trustee May Enter Into Supplemental Indentures for Specified Purposes .

The Company and the Trustee, at any time and from time to time, may enter into one or more indentures supplemental hereto, in form satisfactory to the Trustee, for any one or more or all of the following purposes:

(a) to add to the covenants and agreements of the Company, to be observed thereafter and during the period, if any, in such supplemental indenture or indentures expressed, and to add Events of Default, in each case for the protection or benefit of the Holders of all or any series of the Debt Securities (and if such covenants, agreements and Events of Default are to be for the benefit of fewer than all series of Debt Securities, stating that such covenants, agreements and Events of Default are expressly being included for the benefit of such series as shall be identified therein);

(b) to evidence and provide for the acceptance of appointment hereunder by a successor trustee with respect to the Debt Securities of one or more series;

(c) to evidence the succession of another corporation to the Company, or successive successions, and the assumption by a successor, transferee or lessee corporation of the covenants and obligations of the Company contained in the Debt Securities of one or more series and in this Indenture or any supplemental indenture;

(d) to cure any ambiguity or to correct or supplement any provision contained herein or in any indenture supplemental hereto which may be defective or inconsistent with any other provision contained herein or in any supplemental indenture, or to make any other provision in regard to matters or questions arising under this Indenture which the Board of Directors may deem necessary or desirable and which shall not materially adversely affect the interests of the Holders of the Debt Securities;

(e) to convey, transfer, assign, mortgage or pledge to the Trustee as security for the Debt Securities any property or assets which the Company may be required to convey, transfer, assign, mortgage or pledge in accordance with the provisions of Section 504;

 

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(f) to prohibit the authentication and delivery of additional series of Debt Securities;

(g) to establish the forms and terms of the Debt Securities of any series as permitted in Sections 201, 202 and 301 and to delete or modify any Events of Default with respect to such Debt Securities, or to authorize the issuance of additional Debt Securities of a series previously authorized or to add to the conditions, limitations or restrictions on the authorized amount, terms or purposes of issue, authentication or delivery of the Debt Securities of any series, as herein set forth, or other conditions, limitations or restrictions thereafter to be observed; and

(h) to modify, eliminate or add to the provisions of this Indenture to such extent as shall be necessary to effect or maintain the qualification of this Indenture under the Trust Indenture Act.

Subject to the provisions of Section 1303, the Trustee is authorized to join with the Company in the execution of any such supplemental indenture, to make the further agreements and stipulations which may be therein contained and to accept the conveyance, transfer, assignment, mortgage or pledge of any property or assets thereunder.

Any supplemental indenture authorized by the provisions of this Section 1301 may be executed by the Company and the Trustee without the consent of the Holders of any of the Outstanding Debt Securities, notwithstanding any of the provisions of Section 1302.

SECTION 1302. Modification of Indenture by Supplemental Indenture With Consent of Holders .

With the consent (evidenced as provided in Article Seven) of the holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Debt Securities at the time Outstanding which are affected by such indenture supplemental hereto (voting as a single class), the Company, when authorized by a resolution of the Board of Directors, and the Trustee may from time to time and at any time enter into an indenture or indentures supplemental hereto for the purpose of adding any provisions to or changing in any manner or eliminating any of the provisions of this Indenture or of any supplemental indenture or of modifying in any manner the rights of the Holders of the Debt Securities of such series to be affected; provided , however , that no such supplemental indenture shall (a) extend the Stated Maturity of any Debt Security, or reduce the rate or extend the time of payment of interest thereon, or reduce the amount of the

 

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principal thereof, or reduce any premium payable upon the redemption thereof, or reduce the amount of the principal of any Original Issue Discount Security that would be due and payable upon a declaration of the acceleration of the Maturity thereof pursuant to Section 602 or make the principal thereof or interest or premium thereon payable in any coin or currency other than that provided in the Debt Securities, or impair the right to institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment on or after the Maturity thereof as provided in Section 607, without the consent of the Holder of each Debt Security so affected, or (b) reduce the aforesaid percentage of Debt Securities of any series, the Holders of which are required to consent to any such supplemental indenture, without the consent of the Holders of all the Debt Securities then Outstanding, or (c) modify, without the written consent of the Trustee, the rights, duties or immunities of the Trustee.

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

It shall not be necessary for the consent of the Holders under this Section 1302 to approve the particular form of any proposed supplemental indenture, but it shall be sufficient if such consent shall approve the substance thereof.

Promptly after the execution by the Company and the Trustee of any supplemental indenture pursuant to the provisions of this Section 1302, the Company shall mail a notice, setting forth in general terms the substance of such supplemental indenture, to the Holders of Debt Securities at their addresses as the same shall then appear in 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.

SECTION 1303. Trustee to Join in Execution of Supplemental Indenture .

Upon receipt of a Company Request accompanied by the Officers’ Certificate and Opinion of Counsel required by Section 1403 and by

(a) a supplemental indenture duly executed on behalf of the Company;

(b) a copy of a Board Resolution, certified by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Company, authorizing the execution of said supplemental indenture;

 

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(c) an Opinion of Counsel, stating that said supplemental indenture complies with, and that the execution thereof is authorized or permitted by, the provisions of this Indenture; and

(d) if said supplemental indenture shall be executed pursuant to Section 1302, evidence (as provided in Article Seven) of the consent thereto of the Holders required to consent thereto as in Section 1302 provided,

then the Trustee shall join with the Company in the execution of said supplemental indenture unless said 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 said supplemental indenture.

SECTION 1304. Effect of Supplemental Indenture .

Upon the execution of any supplemental indenture pursuant to the provisions of this Article Thirteen, this Indenture shall be and be deemed to be modified and amended in accordance therewith and, except as herein otherwise expressly provided, the respective rights, limitations of rights, obligations, duties and immunities under this Indenture of the Trustee, the Company and the Holders of all of the Debt Securities or of the Debt Securities of any series affected, as the case may be, 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 1305. Matters Provided for in Supplemental Indenture May Be Noted on Debt Securities, or New Debt Securities Appropriately Modified May Be Issued in Exchange for Outstanding Debt Securities .

Debt Securities authenticated and delivered after the execution of any supplemental indenture pursuant to the provisions of this Article Thirteen may bear a notation in a form approved by the Trustee as to any matter provided for in such supplemental indenture. If the Company or the Trustee shall so determine, new Debt Securities so modified as to conform, in the opinion of the Trustee and 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 Debt Securities then Outstanding in equal aggregate principal amounts, and such exchange shall be made without cost to the Holders of the Debt Securities.

 

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SECTION 1306. Supplemental Indentures to Conform to Trust Indenture Act .

Every supplemental indenture executed pursuant to the provisions of this Article Thirteen shall conform to the requirements of the Trust Indenture Act.

ARTICLE FOURTEEN

PROVISIONS OF GENERAL APPLICATION

SECTION 1401. Consolidation, Merger, Sale or Lease .

Subject to the provisions of Section 505, nothing contained in this Indenture or in the Debt Securities shall be deemed to prevent the consolidation or merger of the Company with or into any other corporation, or the merger into the Company of any other corporation, or the sale or lease by the Company of its property and assets as, or substantially as, an entirety, or otherwise.

Upon any consolidation or merger, or any sale other than for cash or lease of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company in accordance with the provisions of Section 505, the corporation formed by such consolidation or into which the Company shall have been merged or to which such sale or lease shall have been made shall succeed to and be substituted for the Company with the same effect as if it had been named herein as a party hereto, and thereafter from time to time such corporation may exercise each and every right and power of the Company under this Indenture, in the name of the Company or in its own name; and any act or proceeding by any provision of this Indenture required or permitted to be done by the Board of Directors or any officer of the Company may be done with like force and effect by the like board or officer of any corporation that shall at the time be the successor of the Company hereunder. In the event of any such sale or conveyance, but not any such lease, the Company (or any successor corporation which shall theretofore have become such in the manner described in Section 505) shall be discharged from all obligations and covenants under the Indenture and the Debt Securities and may thereupon be dissolved and liquidated.

SECTION 1402. Benefits of Indenture .

Nothing in this Indenture or in the Debt Securities, express or implied, is intended, or shall be construed, to confer upon, or to give to, any Person other than the parties hereto and their successors and the Holders of Debt Securities any right, remedy or claim under or by reason of this Indenture or any covenant, condition, stipulation, promise or agreement hereof or herein, and all covenants, conditions, stipulations, promises and agreements hereof and herein shall be for the sole and exclusive benefit of the parties hereto and their successors and of the Holders of the Debt Securities.

 

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SECTION 1403. Evidence of Compliance with Conditions Precedent; Form of Documents Delivered to Trustee .

As evidence of compliance with the conditions precedent provided for in this Indenture (including any covenants, compliance with which constitutes a condition precedent) which relate to the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture or to any other action to be taken by the Trustee upon Company Order or Request, the Company will furnish to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate, stating that such conditions precedent have been complied with, and an Opinion of Counsel stating that, in the opinion of such counsel, such conditions precedent have been complied with.

Each certificate or opinion with respect to compliance with a condition or covenant provided for in this Indenture shall include (1) a statement that each individual making such certificate or opinion has read such condition or covenant; (2) a brief statement as to the nature and scope of the examination or investigation upon which the statements or opinions contained in such certificate or opinion are based; (3) a statement that, in the opinion of each such individual, he has made such examination or investigation as is necessary to enable him to express an informed opinion as to whether or not such condition or covenant has been complied with; and (4) a statement as to whether or not, in the opinion of each such individual, such condition or covenant has been complied with.

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

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

 

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

Notwithstanding any provision of this Indenture authorizing the Trustee conclusively to rely upon any certificates or opinions, the Trustee before granting any application by the Company or taking or refraining from taking any other action in reliance thereon, may require any further evidence or make any further investigation as to the facts or matters stated therein which it may, in good faith, deem reasonable in the circumstances, and in connection therewith the Trustee may examine or cause to be examined the pertinent books, records and premises of the Company or of any Subsidiary; and the Trustee shall, in any such case, require such further evidence or make such further investigation as may be requested by the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Debt Securities then Outstanding; provided that, if payment to the Trustee of the costs, expenses and liabilities likely to be incurred by it in making such investigation is not reasonably assured to the Trustee by the security afforded to it by the terms of this Indenture, the Trustee before making such investigation may require reasonable indemnity against such costs, expenses or liabilities. Any further evidence that may be requested by the Trustee pursuant to any of the provisions of this paragraph shall be furnished by the Company at its own expense, and any cost, expenses and liabilities incurred by the Trustee pursuant to any of the provisions of this paragraph shall be paid by the Company, or, if paid by the Trustee, shall be repaid by the Company, upon demand, with interest at the lowest rate borne by the Debt Securities of any series, but in no event less than 5%, and, until such repayment, shall be secured by a lien on any moneys held by the Trustee hereunder prior to any rights therein of the Holders of Debt Securities.

SECTION 1404. Conflict with Trust Indenture Act .

If any provision of this Indenture limits, qualifies or conflicts with another provision included in this Indenture which is required to be included in this Indenture by any of the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act, such required provision shall control.

SECTION 1405. Notices, etc., to Trustee and Company .

Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or action of Holders or other document provided or permitted by this Indenture to be made upon, given or furnished to, or filed with,

(1) the Trustee by any Holder or by the Company shall be sufficient for every purpose hereunder if made, given, furnished or filed in writing to or with the Trustee at its Corporate Trust Office, or

 

84


(2) the Company by the Trustee or by any Holder shall be sufficient for every purpose hereunder (unless otherwise herein expressly provided) if in writing and mailed, first-class postage prepaid, to the Company addressed to it at Two Limited Parkway, Columbus, Ohio 43216, attention: Chief Financial Officer, or at any other address previously furnished in writing to the Trustee by the Company. Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent or waiver addressed as provided in this Subsection (2) and given by first-class mail, postage prepaid, shall be conclusively presumed given when mailed.

SECTION 1406. Notice to Holders; Waiver .

Where this Indenture provides for notice to Holders of any event, such notice shall be sufficiently given (unless otherwise herein expressly provided) if in writing and mailed, first-class postage prepaid, to each Holder affected by such event, at his address as it appears in the Security Register, not later than the latest date, and not earlier than the earliest date, prescribed for the giving of such notice. In any case where notice to Holders is given by mail, neither the failure to mail such notice, nor any defect in any notice so mailed, to any particular Holder shall affect the sufficiency of such notice with respect to other Holders. Where this Indenture provides for notice in any manner, such notice may be waived in writing by the Person entitled to receive such notice. Waivers of notice by Holders shall be with the Trustee, but such filing shall not be a condition precedent to the validity of any action taken in reliance upon such waiver.

If, in the event of suspension of regular mail service or for any other reason, it shall be impracticable to give such notice by mail, then such notification as shall be made with the approval of the Trustee shall constitute a sufficient notification for every purpose hereunder.

SECTION 1407. Effect of Headings and Table of Contents .

The Article, Section and Subsection headings herein and the Table of Contents are for convenience only and shall not affect the construction hereof.

SECTION 1408. Successors and Assigns .

All covenants and agreements in this Indenture by the Company shall bind its successors and assigns, whether so expressed or not.

SECTION 1409. Separability Clause .

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

 

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SECTION 1410. Governing Law .

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

SECTION 1411. Legal Holidays .

In any case where any Interest Payment Date, Redemption Date or Stated Maturity of any Debt Security shall not be a Business Day at any Place of Payment for such Debt Security, then (notwithstanding any other provision of this Indenture or of the Debt Securities) payments of principal (and premium, if any) and interest need not be made at such Place of Payment on such date, but may be made on the next succeeding Business Day at such Place of Payment with the same force and effect as if made on the Interest Payment Date or Redemption Date, or at the Stated Maturity, and no interest shall accrue for the period from and after such Interest Payment Date, Redemption Date or Stated Maturity, as the case may be, to the date of such payment.

SECTION 1412. Execution in Counterparts .

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

 

86


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, THE LIMITED, INC. has caused this Indenture to be executed in its corporate name by one of its officers thereunto duly authorized, and its corporate seal to be hereunto affixed and to be attested by its Secretary, an Assistant Secretary, its Treasurer or an Assistant Treasurer, and THE BANK OF NEW YORK has caused this Indenture to be executed in its corporate name by one of its officers thereunto duly authorized, and its corporate seal to be hereunto affixed and to be attested by one of its authorized officers, all as of the date first above written.

 

    THE LIMITED, INC.
[CORPORATE SEAL]     By:  

/s/ Margaret T. Monaco

    Print Name:   Margaret T. Monaco
    Print Title:   VP-Treasurer

 

Attest:  

/s/ Patrick C. Hectorne

Print Name:   Patrick C. Hectorne
Print Title:   Assistant Treasurer

 

    THE BANK OF NEW YORK
[CORPORATE SEAL]     By:  

/s/ Vincent P. McConnell

    Print Name:   Vincent P. McConnell
    Print Title:   Assistant Vice President

 

Attest:  

/s/ Lloyd A. McKenzie

Print Name:   Lloyd A. McKenzie
Print Title:   Assistant Vice President

 

87


STATE OF OHIO   :  
  :   ss.:
COUNTY OF FRANKLIN   :  

On the day 23 rd day of March, in the year 1989, before me personally came Margaret Monaco to me known, who, being by me duly sworn, did depose and say that [s]he resides at Columbus, Ohio; that [s]he is the Vice President of The Limited, Inc., a Delaware corporation, the corporation described in and which executed the above instrument; that [s]he knows the seal of said corporation; that the seal affixed to said instrument bearing the corporate name of said corporation is such corporate seal; that it was so affixed by authority of the Board of Directors of said corporation, and that [s]he signed his name thereto by like authority.

 

/s/ Susan L. Flynn

Print Name:   Susan L. Flynn
  Notary Public
Serial Number, if any:  

 

My commission expires:   September 16, 1993

 

STATE OF NEW YORK   :  
  :   ss.:
COUNTY OF NEW YORK   :  

On the day 22nd day of March, in the year 1989, before me personally came Vincent P. McConnell to me known, who, being by me duly sworn, did depose and say that he resides at Brooklyn, N.Y., that he is the Assistant Vice President of The Bank of New York, the corporation described in and which executed the foregoing instrument; that he knows the seal of said corporation; that the seal affixed to said instrument bearing the corporate name of said corporation is such corporate seal; that it was so affixed by authority of the Board of Directors of said corporation, and that he signed his name thereto by like authority.

 

[CORPORATE SEAL]    
   

/s/ William I. McGann

 

88


Exhibit A

Form of election to receive payments in

[Dollars or other applicable currency]

or to rescind such election

The undersigned, registered owner of certificate number R-        , representing [name of series of Debt Securities] of The Limited, Inc. (the “Debt Securities”) in an aggregate principal amount of             , hereby.

 

  ¨ elects to receive all payments in respect of the Debt Securities in [Dollars or other applicable currency], it being understood that such election shall take effect as provided in the Debt Securities and, subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the indenture under which the Debt Securities were issued, shall remain in effect until it is rescinded by the undersigned or until such certificate is transferred.

 

  ¨ rescinds the election previously submitted by the undersigned to receive all payments in respect of the Debt Securities in [Dollars or other applicable currency], it being understood that such rescission shall take effect as provided in the Debt Securities.

 

 

(Name of Owner)

 

(Signature of Owner)

 

89

Exhibit 4.1.2

CONFORMED COPY

LIMITED BRANDS, INC.

(formerly known as THE LIMITED, INC.)

THE BANK OF NEW YORK

as Resigning Trustee

AND

THE BANK OF NEW YORK TRUST COMPANY, N.A.

as Successor Trustee

 


FIRST SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE

Dated as of May 31, 2005

to

Indenture

Dated as of March 15, 1988

 


 


FIRST SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE (this “ Supplemental Indenture ”), dated as of May 31, 2005, among LIMITED BRANDS, INC. (formerly known as THE LIMITED, INC.), a Delaware corporation (the “ Company ”), THE BANK OF NEW YORK TRUST COMPANY, N.A., a national banking association, as successor trustee (the “ Trustee ” or “ Successor Trustee ”) and THE BANK OF NEW YORK, a banking corporation organized and existing under the laws of the State of New York, as resigning trustee (the “ Trustee ” or “ Resigning Trustee ”).

Capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined herein have the meanings assigned to those terms in the Indenture unless otherwise indicated.

RECITALS

WHEREAS, the Company executed and delivered an indenture dated as of March 15, 1988 (the “ Indenture ”) between the Company and the Resigning Trustee;

WHEREAS, Section 1301(d) of the Indenture provides that the Company and the Trustee may enter into one or more indentures supplemental to the Indenture, without consent of the Holders, to make any provision in regard to matters arising under the Indenture which the Board of Directors may deem necessary or desirable and which shall not materially adversely affect the interests of the Holders of the Debt Securities;

WHEREAS, the Company and the Successor Trustee wish to enter into this Supplemental Indenture to make additions that clarify and expand the terms of Debt Securities that the Company may issue under the Indenture;

WHEREAS, all requirements necessary to make this Supplemental Indenture a valid, binding and enforceable instrument in accordance with its terms have been done and performed, and the execution and delivery of this Supplemental Indenture has been duly authorized in all respects;

WHEREAS, the Resigning Trustee hereby resigns and the Successor Trustee hereby accepts appointment as Successor Trustee.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the covenants and agreements set forth herein, the parties hereto hereby agree as follows:

ARTICLE 1

A MENDMENTS TO C ERTAIN P ROVISIONS OF I NDENTURE

Section 1.01 . Amendment of Section 301(9) of the Indenture. Section 301(9) of the Indenture is hereby amended by restating said section in its entirety as follows:

(9) if other than denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiple thereof, the denominations in which Debt Securities of the series shall be issuable and whether any such denominations may change at any time while such Debt Securities are outstanding, or upon registration or transfer of, or in exchange for, or in lieu of, other Debt Securities of the series pursuant to Sections 304, 305, 306, 406 or 1305;

 

1


Section 1.02. Addition of a new Section 301(17) of the Indenture. A new Section 301(17) will be added as follows:

(17) whether the Debt Securities of the series shall be convertible or exchangeable into shares of common stock of the Company, or any of its other capital stock, or any capital stock of any other issuer, cash, or any other property, or any combination of the foregoing;

Section 1.03. Amendment of the existing Section 301(17) of the Indenture. The existing Section 301(17) will now become Section 301(18).

ARTICLE 2

M ISCELLANEOUS

Section 2.01 . Effect Of Supplemental Indenture. Upon the execution and delivery of this Supplemental Indenture by the Company and the Successor Trustee, the Indenture shall be modified in accordance herewith, and this Supplemental Indenture shall form a part of the Indenture for all purposes; and every Holder of Debt Securities heretofore or hereafter authenticated and delivered under the Indenture shall be bound thereby.

Section 2.02. Indenture Remains in Full Force and Effect. Except as supplemented and amended hereby, all provisions in the Indenture shall remain in full force and effect.

Section 2.03 . Indenture and Supplemental Indenture Construed Together. This Supplemental Indenture is an indenture supplemental to and in implementation of the Indenture, and the Indenture and this Supplemental Indenture shall henceforth be read and construed together.

Section 2.04 . Confirmation of Indenture. The Indenture, as supplemented and amended by this Supplemental Indenture, is in all respects confirmed and ratified.

Section 2.05 . Conflict with Trust Indenture Act. If any provision of this Supplemental Indenture limits, qualifies or conflicts with another provision hereof which is required to be included in this Supplemental Indenture by any of the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act, such required provision shall control.

 

2


Section 2.06 . Separability. In case any one or more of the provisions contained in this Supplemental Indenture shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality or enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.

Section 2.07 . Successors and Assigns. All agreements in this Supplemental Indenture shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the respective successors and assigns of the Company and the Trustee.

Section 2.08 . Certain Duties and Responsibilities of the Trustee. In entering into this Supplemental Indenture, the Trustee shall be entitled to the benefit of every provision of the Indenture relating to the conduct or affecting the liability of or affording protection to the Trustee, whether or not elsewhere herein so provided. The Trustee, for itself and its successor or successors, accepts the terms of the Indenture as amended by this Supplemental Indenture, and agrees to perform the same, but only upon the terms and provisions defining and limiting the liabilities and responsibilities of the Trustee, which terms and provisions shall in like manner define and limit its liabilities and responsibilities in the performance of the trust created by the Indenture. The Trustee makes no representations as to the validity or sufficiency of this Supplemental Indenture other than as to the validity of its execution and delivery by the Trustee. The recitals and statements herein are deemed to be those of the Company and not of the Trustee.

Section 2.09 . Governing Law. THIS SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK WITHOUT GIVING EFFECT TO ANY OTHER CONFLICTS OF LAW PROVISIONS.

Section 2.10 . Counterparts. This Supplemental Indenture may be executed in any number of counterparts by the parties hereto on separate counterparts, each of which, when so executed and delivered, shall be deemed an original, but all such counterparts shall together constitute one and the same instrument.

 

3


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

 

LIMITED BRANDS, INC. (f/k/a THE LIMITED, INC.)

By:  

/s/ Timothy J. Faber

Name:   Timothy J. Faber
Title:   Vice President, Treasury/M&A

 

THE BANK OF NEW YORK, as Resigning Trustee

By:  

/s/ Van K. Brown

Name:   Van K. Brown
Title:   Vice President

 

THE BANK OF NEW YORK TRUST COMPANY, N.A., as Successor Trustee

By:  

/s/ Roxane Ellwanger

Name:   Roxane Ellwanger
Title:   Assistant Vice President

 

4

Exhibit 4.1.3

CONFORMED COPY

LIMITED BRANDS, INC.

(formerly known as THE LIMITED, INC.)

AND

THE BANK OF NEW YORK TRUST COMPANY, N.A.

as Trustee

 


SECOND SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE

Dated as of July 17, 2007

to

Indenture

Dated as of March 15, 1988

 


 


SECOND SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE (this “ Supplemental Indenture ”), dated as of July 17, 2007, between LIMITED BRANDS, INC. (formerly known as THE LIMITED, INC.), a Delaware corporation (the “ Company ”) and THE BANK OF NEW YORK TRUST COMPANY, N.A., a national banking association, as trustee (the “ Trustee ”).

Capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined herein have the meanings assigned to those terms in the Indenture unless otherwise indicated.

RECITALS

WHEREAS, the Company executed and delivered an indenture dated as of March 15, 1988 (the “ Indenture ”) between the Company and The Bank of New York;

WHEREAS, the Company executed and delivered the first supplemental indenture dated as of May 31, 2005 among the Company, The Bank of New York, as resigning trustee, and The Bank of New York Trust Company, N.A., as successor trustee;

WHEREAS, Section 1301(a) of the Indenture provides that the Company and the Trustee may enter into one or more indentures supplemental to the Indenture, without consent of the Holders, to add, among other things, covenants and agreements of the Company to be observed thereafter for the protection of the Holders of all or any series of Debt Securities;

WHEREAS, the Company and the Trustee wish to enter into this Supplemental Indenture to add a covenant (“Section 508”) to the Indenture, it being understood and agreed that, in accordance with Section 1301(a), (i) such Section 508 is included solely for the benefit of Holders of $700,000,000 6.90% Notes Due 2017 and $300,000,000 7.60% Notes Due 2037 and (ii) Holders of any other series of Debt Securities shall not be entitled to the benefit of Section 508;

WHEREAS, all requirements necessary to make this Supplemental Indenture a valid, binding and enforceable instrument in accordance with its terms have been done and performed, and the execution and delivery of this Supplemental Indenture has been duly authorized in all respects.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the covenants and agreements set forth herein, the parties hereto hereby agree as follows:

ARTICLE 1

A MENDMENTS TO C ERTAIN P ROVISIONS OF I NDENTURE

Section 1.01 . Amendment of Article 5. Article 5 is hereby amended as follows to add a Section 508:

 

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If a Change of Control Triggering Event occurs, unless the Company has exercised its right to redeem the Securities, Holders of Securities will have the right to require the Company to repurchase all or any part (equal to $2,000 or an integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof) of their Securities pursuant to the offer described below (the “Change of Control Offer”). In the Change of Control Offer, the Company shall offer payment in cash equal to 101% of the aggregate principal amount of Securities repurchased plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on the Securities repurchased, to the date of purchase (the “Change of Control Payment”). Within 30 days following any Change of Control Triggering Event, or, at the Company’s option, prior to any Change of Control, but after the public announcement of the Change of Control, the Company shall mail a notice to Holders of Securities describing the transaction or transactions that constitute or may constitute the Change of Control Triggering Event and offering to repurchase the Securities on the date specified in the notice, which date will be no earlier than 30 days and no later than 60 days from the date such notice is mailed (the “Change of Control Payment Date”), pursuant to the procedures described herein and in such notice. The notice shall, if mailed prior to the date of consummation of the Change of Control, state that the offer to purchase is conditioned on the Change of Control Triggering Event occurring on or prior to the payment date specified in the notice. The Company shall comply with the requirements of Rule 14e-1 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”) and any other securities laws and regulations thereunder to the extent those laws and regulations are applicable in connection with the repurchase of the Securities as a result of a Change of Control Triggering Event. To the extent that the provisions of any securities laws or regulations conflict with the Change of Control provisions herein, the Company shall be required to comply with the applicable securities laws and regulations and shall not be deemed to have breached its obligations under the Change of Control provisions herein by virtue of such conflicts.

On the Change of Control Payment Date, the Company shall, to the extent lawful, (i) accept for payment all Securities or portions of Securities properly tendered pursuant to the Change of Control Offer; (ii) deposit with the paying agent an amount equal to the Change of Control Payment in respect of all Securities or portions of Securities properly tendered; and (iii) deliver or cause to be delivered to the Trustee the Securities properly accepted together with an officers’ certificate stating the aggregate principal amount of Securities or portions of Securities being purchased.

“Below Investment Grade Rating Event” means the Securities are rated below an Investment Grade Rating by both of the Rating Agencies (as defined below) on any date from the date of the public notice of an arrangement that could result in a Change of Control until the end of the 60-day period following public notice of the occurrence of the Change of Control (which 60-day period shall be extended so long as the rating of the Securities is under publicly announced consideration for possible downgrade by any of the Rating Agencies); provided that a Below Investment Grade Rating Event otherwise arising by virtue of a particular reduction in rating shall not be deemed to have occurred in respect of a particular Change of Control (and thus shall not be deemed a Below Investment Grade Rating Event for purposes of the definition of Change of Control Triggering Event) if the Rating Agencies making the reduction in rating to which this definition would otherwise apply do not announce or publicly confirm or inform the

 

2


trustee in writing at the Company’s request that the reduction was the result, in whole or in part, of any event or circumstance comprised of or arising as a result of, or in respect of, the applicable Change of Control (whether or not the applicable Change of Control shall have occurred at the time of the Below Investment Grade Rating Event).

“Change of Control” means the occurrence of any of the following: (1) the direct or indirect sale, transfer, conveyance or other disposition (other than by way of merger or consolidation), in one or a series of related transactions, of all or substantially all of the properties or assets of the Company and its subsidiaries taken as a whole to any “person” (as that term is used in Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act) other than the Company or one of its subsidiaries; (2) the consummation of any transaction (including, without limitation, any merger or consolidation) the result of which is that any “person” (as that term is used in Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act) becomes the beneficial owner, directly or indirectly, of more than 50% of the then outstanding number of shares of the Company’s voting stock; or (3) the first day on which a majority of the members of the Company’s Board of Directors are not Continuing Directors. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a transaction will not be deemed to involve a Change of Control if (1) the Company becomes a wholly owned subsidiary of a holding company that has agreed to be bound by the terms of the Securities and (2) the Holders of the voting stock of such holding company immediately following that transaction are substantially the same as the Holders of the Company’s voting stock immediately prior to that transaction.

“Change of Control Triggering Event” means the occurrence of both a Change of Control and a Below Investment Grade Rating Event.

“Continuing Directors” means, as of any date of determination, any member of the Board of Directors of the Company who (1) was a member of such Board of Directors on the date of original issuance of the Securities; or (2) was nominated for election or elected to such Board of Directors with the approval of a majority of the Continuing Directors who were members of such Board of Directors at the time of such nomination or election (either by a specific vote or by approval of the Company’s proxy statement in which such member was named as a nominee for election as a director, without objection to such nomination).

“Investment Grade Rating” means a rating equal to or higher than Baa3 (or the equivalent) by Moody’s and BBB- (or the equivalent) by S&P, and the equivalent investment grade credit rating from any replacement rating agency or rating agencies selected by the Company.

“Moody’s” means Moody’s Investors Service, Inc.

“Person” means any individual, partnership, corporation, limited liability company, joint stock company, business trust, trust, unincorporated association, joint venture or other entity, or a government or political subdivision or agency thereof.

“Rating Agencies” means (1) each of Moody’s and S&P; and (2) if either Moody’s or S&P ceases to rate the Securities or fails to make a rating of the Securities publicly

 

3


available for reasons outside of the Company’s control, a “nationally recognized statistical rating organization” within the meaning of Rule 15c3-1(c)(2)(vi)(F) under the Exchange Act, selected by the Company (as certified by a Board Resolution) as a replacement agency for Moody’s or S&P, or both of them, as the case may be.

“S&P” means Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services, a division of The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

ARTICLE 2

M ISCELLANEOUS

Section 2.01 . Effect Of Supplemental Indenture. Upon the execution and delivery of this Supplemental Indenture by the Company and the Trustee, the Indenture shall be modified in accordance herewith, and this Supplemental Indenture shall form a part of the Indenture for all purposes; and every Holder of Debt Securities heretofore or hereafter authenticated and delivered under the Indenture shall be bound thereby.

Section 2.02. Indenture Remains in Full Force and Effect. Except as supplemented and amended hereby, all provisions in the Indenture shall remain in full force and effect.

Section 2.03 . Indenture and Supplemental Indenture Construed Together. This Supplemental Indenture is an indenture supplemental to and in implementation of the Indenture, and the Indenture and this Supplemental Indenture shall henceforth be read and construed together.

Section 2.04 . Confirmation of Indenture. The Indenture, as supplemented and amended by this Supplemental Indenture, is in all respects confirmed and ratified.

Section 2.05 . Conflict with Trust Indenture Act. If any provision of this Supplemental Indenture limits, qualifies or conflicts with another provision hereof which is required to be included in this Supplemental Indenture by any of the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act, such required provision shall control.

Section 2.06 . Separability. In case any one or more of the provisions contained in this Supplemental Indenture shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality or enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.

Section 2.07 . Successors and Assigns. All agreements in this Supplemental Indenture shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the respective successors and assigns of the Company and the Trustee.

 

4


Section 2.08 . Certain Duties and Responsibilities of the Trustee. In entering into this Supplemental Indenture, the Trustee shall be entitled to the benefit of every provision of the Indenture relating to the conduct or affecting the liability of or affording protection to the Trustee, whether or not elsewhere herein so provided. The Trustee, for itself and its successor or successors, accepts the terms of the Indenture as amended by this Supplemental Indenture, and agrees to perform the same, but only upon the terms and provisions defining and limiting the liabilities and responsibilities of the Trustee, which terms and provisions shall in like manner define and limit its liabilities and responsibilities in the performance of the trust created by the Indenture. The Trustee makes no representations as to the validity or sufficiency of this Supplemental Indenture other than as to the validity of its execution and delivery by the Trustee. The recitals and statements herein are deemed to be those of the Company and not of the Trustee.

Section 2.09 . Governing Law. THIS SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK WITHOUT GIVING EFFECT TO ANY OTHER CONFLICTS OF LAW PROVISIONS.

Section 2.10 . Counterparts. This Supplemental Indenture may be executed in any number of counterparts by the parties hereto on separate counterparts, each of which, when so executed and delivered, shall be deemed an original, but all such counterparts shall together constitute one and the same instrument.

 

5


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

 

LIMITED BRANDS, INC. (f/k/a THE LIMITED, INC.)

By:  

/s/ Stuart B. Burgdoerfer

Name:   Stuart B. Burgdoerfer
Title:   EVP & Chief Financial Officer

 

THE BANK OF NEW YORK TRUST COMPANY, N.A., as Trustee

By:  

/s/ Roxane Ellwanger

Name:   Roxane Ellwanger
Title:   Assistant Vice President

 

6

Exhibit 4.1.4

 


LIMITED BRANDS, INC.

And

THE BANK OF NEW YORK TRUST COMPANY, N.A.

Trustee

 


Indenture

Dated as of [                    ], 200   

 


Subordinated Debt Securities

 



TRUST INDENTURE ACT CROSS REFERENCE SHEET

 

Sections of Trust Indenture Act

  

Sections of
Indenture

310(a)(1)

   1005

310(a)(2)

   1005

310(a)(3)

   Not Applicable

310(a)(4)

   Not Applicable

310(b)

   1006

310(c)

   Not Applicable

311

   1009

312

   903

313

   901

314(a)

   902

314(b)

   Not Applicable

314(c)

   1403

314(d)

   Not Applicable

314(e)

   1403

315(a)

   1002(a)

315(b)

   1003

315(c)

   1002

315(d)

   1002

315(e)

   608

316(a)

   606 and 703

316(b)

   607

317(a)

   603 and 604

317(b)

   503

318(a)

   1404

 

i


TABLE OF CONTENTS 1

 

          P AGE
   ARTICLE ONE   
   DEFINITIONS   

Section 101 .

   Definitions.    2
   ARTICLE TWO   
   SUBORDINATED DEBT SECURITY FORMS   

Section 201 .

   Forms Generally.    11

Section 202 .

   Forms of Subordinated Debt Securities.    12

Section 203 .

   Form of Trustee’s Certificate of Authentication.    12
   ARTICLE THREE   
   THE SUBORDINATED DEBT SECURITIES   

Section 301 .

   Amount Unlimited; Issuable in Series.    13

Section 302 .

   Denominations.    16

Section 303 .

   Execution, Authentication, Delivery and Dating.    16

Section 304 .

   Temporary Subordinated Debt Securities.    19

Section 305 .

   Registration, Transfer and Exchange.    20

Section 306 .

   Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost and Stolen Subordinated Debt Securities.    23

Section 307 .

   Payment of Interest; Interest Rights Preserved.    23

Section 308 .

   Persons Deemed Owners.    25

Section 309 .

   Cancellation.    25

Section 310 .

   Computation of Interest.    26

Section 311 .

   Cusip And ISIN Numbers.    26

Section 312 .

   Payment in Currencies.    26
   ARTICLE FOUR   
   REDEMPTION OF SUBORDINATED DEBT SECURITIES; SINKING FUND   

Section 401 .

   Applicability of Right of Redemption.    29

Section 402 .

   Notice of Redemption.    30

Section 403 .

   Selection of Subordinated Debt Securities on Partial Redemption.    31

Section 404 .

   Deposit of Redemption Price.    32

Section 405 .

   Subordinated Debt Securities Payable on Redemption Date.    32

Section 406 .

   Subordinated Debt Securities Redeemed in Part.    32

Section 407 .

   Applicability of Sinking Fund.    33

Section 408 .

   Mandatory and Optional Sinking Funds.    33

1

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

 

ii


Section 409.

   Application of Sinking Fund Payments.    34
   ARTICLE FIVE   
   COVENANTS   

Section 501.

   Payment of Principal and Interest.    35

Section 502.

   Maintenance of Offices or Agencies.    36

Section 503.

   Money for Subordinated Debt Security; Payments to be Held in Trust.    36

Section 504.

   Corporate Existence.    37

Section 505.

   Annual Statement Concerning Compliance with Covenants.    38

Section 506.

   Compliance with Covenants and Conditions May Be Waived by Holders of Subordinated Debt Securities.    38
   ARTICLE SIX   
   REMEDIES   

Section 601.

   Events of Default.    38

Section 602.

   Acceleration of Maturity on Default; Waiver.    39

Section 603.

   Collection of Amounts Due and Suits for Enforcement by Trustee.    41

Section 604.

   Trustee Appointed Attorney-in-Fact for Holders to File Claims.    41

Section 605.

   Application of Moneys Collected by Trustee.    42

Section 606.

   Holders May Direct Proceedings and Waive Defaults.    43

Section 607.

   Limitations on Right of Holders to Institute Proceedings.    44

Section 608.

   Assessment of Costs and Attorneys’ Fees in Legal Proceedings.    45

Section 609.

   Rights and Remedies Cumulative.    45
   ARTICLE SEVEN   
   ACTIONS BY HOLDERS   

Section 701.

   Actions by Holders.    46

Section 702.

   Instruments.    46

Section 703.

   Determining Principal Amount of Outstanding Subordinated Debt Securities.    46

Section 704.

   Revocation by Holders of Consents to Action.    47
   ARTICLE EIGHT   
   SUCCESSOR CORPORATION   

Section 801.

   Company May Not Consolidate, etc., Except Under Certain Conditions.    48

Section 802.

   Successor Corporation or Limited Liability Company to be Substituted.    48

Section 803.

   Documents to be Given to the Trustee.    49
   ARTICLE NINE   
   REPORTS BY THE COMPANY AND THE TRUSTEE; HOLDERS’ LISTS   

Section 901.

   Reports by Trustee.    49

 

iii


Section 902.

   Reports by the Company.    50

Section 903.

   Holders’ Lists.    50
   ARTICLE TEN   
   CONCERNING THE TRUSTEE   

Section 1001.

   Acceptance of Trusts Upon Specified Conditions.    52

Section 1002.

   Duties of Trustee in Case of Default.    55

Section 1003.

   Notice to Holders of Defaults.    56

Section 1004.

   Resignation of Trustee and Notice Thereof.    57

Section 1005.

   Qualifications of Trustee.    57

Section 1006.

   Disqualification of Trustee by Reason of Conflicting Interest.    57

Section 1007.

   Appointment of Successor Trustee.    58

Section 1008.

   Merger, Conversion or Consolidation of Trustee or Transfer of its Corporate Trust Business; Authentication of Subordinated Debt Securities by Successor Trustee.    60

Section 1009.

   Trustee May Rely on Officers’ Certificate.    60
   ARTICLE ELEVEN   
   SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE   

Section 1101.

   Discharge of Indenture Upon Payment of Subordinated Debt Securities.    61

Section 1102.

   Discharge of Indenture Upon Deposit of Moneys.    61

Section 1103.

   Discharge of Certain Indebtedness Upon Deposit of Moneys.    61

Section 1104.

   Termination of Certain Obligations Upon Deposit of Moneys.    62

Section 1105.

   Certain Deposits With the Trustee To Be Held in Escrow.    63

Section 1106.

   Repayment to Company.    64

Section 1107.

   Reinstatement.    64

Section 1108.

   Indemnity for Government Obligations.    65

Section 1109.

   Deposits of Foreign Currencies.    65
   ARTICLE TWELVE   
   IMMUNITY OF INCORPORATORS, STOCKHOLDERS, OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS   

Section 1201.

   Liability Solely Corporate.    65
   ARTICLE THIRTEEN   
   SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES   

Section 1301.

   Without Consent of Holders, Company and Trustee May Enter Into Supplemental Indentures for Specified Purposes.    66

Section 1302.

   Modification of Indenture by Supplemental Indenture with Consent of Holders.    67

Section 1303.

   Trustee to Join in Execution of Supplemental Indenture.    69

Section 1304.

   Effect of Supplemental Indenture.    69

Section 1305.

   Matters Provided for in Supplemental Indenture May Be Noted on Subordinated Debt Securities, or New Subordinated Debt Securities Appropriately Modified May Be Issued in Exchange for Outstanding Subordinated Debt Securities.    70

 

iv


Section 1306.

   Supplemental Indentures to Conform to Trust Indenture Act.    70
   ARTICLE FOURTEEN   
   SUBORDINATION   

Section 1401.

   Agreement To Subordinate.    70

Section 1402.

   Default On Senior Indebtedness.    71

Section 1403.

   Liquidation; Dissolution; Bankruptcy.    72

Section 1404.

   Subrogation.    73

Section 1405.

   Trustee To Effectuate Subordination.    74

Section 1406.

   Notice By The Company.    74

Section 1407.

   Rights Of The Trustee; Holders Of Senior Indebtedness.    75

Section 1408.

   Subordination May Not Be Impaired.    76

Section 1409.

   Article Applicable to Paying Agents.    76

Section 1410.

   Defeasance of This Article.    77

Section 1411.

   Subordination Language to be Included in Subordinated Debt Securities.    77
   ARTICLE FIFTEEN   
   PROVISIONS OF GENERAL APPLICATION   

Section 1501.

   Benefits of Indenture.    77

Section 1502.

   Evidence of Compliance with Conditions Precedent; Form of Documents Delivered to Trustee.    78

Section 1503.

   Conflict with Trust Indenture Act.    79

Section 1504

   Notices, Etc., to Trustee and Company.    79

Section 1505.

   Notice to Holders; Waiver.    80

Section 1506.

   Effect of Headings and Table of Contents.    80

Section 1507.

   Successors and Assigns.    80

Section 1508.

   Separability Clause.    80

Section 1509.

   Governing Law.    81

Section 1510.

   Legal Holidays.    81

Section 1511.

   Execution in Counterparts.    81

Section 1512.

   Waiver Of Jury Trial.    81

Section 1513.

   Force Majeure.    81

 

v


Signatures and Seals

   95

Acknowledgements

   95

Exhibit A

   96

 

vi


INDENTURE

INDENTURE, dated as of [                    ], 200    , between LIMITED BRANDS, INC., a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the State of Delaware (hereinafter called the “ Company ”) having its principal place of business at Three Limited Parkway, Columbus, Ohio 43216, and THE BANK OF NEW YORK TRUST COMPANY, N.A., a national banking association, as trustee (hereinafter called the “ Trustee ”) having its Corporate Trust Office at 2 N. LaSalle Street, Suite 1020, Chicago, IL 60602, Attention: Corporate Trust Administration.

WITNESSETH:

WHEREAS, the Company has duly authorized the issue, in one or more series as in this Indenture provided, from time to time of its debentures, notes, bonds and other evidences of indebtedness (herein called the “ Subordinated Debt Securities ” or “ Securities ”) and, to provide the general terms and conditions upon which the Subordinated Debt Securities are to be authenticated, issued and delivered, the Company has duly authorized the execution and delivery of this Indenture; and

WHEREAS, the Trustee has power to enter into this Indenture and to accept and execute the trusts herein created; and

WHEREAS, the Company represents that all acts and things necessary to constitute these presents a valid indenture and legally binding agreement according to its terms, have been done and performed, that the execution and delivery of the Subordinated Debt Securities of any series will, at the time of such execution and delivery, have been duly authorized by the Company and that any such Subordinated Debt Securities, when so executed and delivered by the Company and when authenticated, issued and delivered by the Trustee, will be legal, valid and binding obligations of the Company; and the Company, in the exercise of each and every legal right and power in it vested, executes this Indenture and proposes to make, execute, issue and deliver Subordinated Debt Securities from time to time as herein provided;

NOW, THEREFORE, the parties hereto, intending to be legally bound, agree that, in consideration of the acceptance and purchase of the Subordinated Debt Securities by the holders thereof, the Company covenants and agrees with the Trustee, for the equal and proportionate benefit of all the holders from time to time of the Subordinated Debt Securities, without preference, priority or distinction of any thereof over any other thereof by reason of priority in time of issuance or negotiation, or otherwise, as follows:

 

1


ARTICLE ONE

D EFINITIONS

Section 101 . Definitions.

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

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

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

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

(4) the words “herein”, “hereof” and “hereunder” and other words of similar import refer to this Indenture as a whole and not to any particular Article, Section or other subdivision.

Certain terms, used principally in Article Ten, are defined in that Article.

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

Board of Directors ” means either the board of directors of the Company or any duly authorized committee of that board or any committee of officers or other representatives of the Company duly authorized by a Board Resolution to act on behalf of that board or in its stead.

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

 

2


Business Day ”, when used with respect to any Place of Payment or any other particular location referred to in this Indenture or in the Subordinated Debt Securities, means each Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday that is not a day on which banking institutions in that Place of Payment or other particular location are authorized or obligated by law to close.

Capital Stock ” for any entity means any and all shares, interests, rights to purchase, warrants, options, participations or other equivalents of or interests in (however designated) shares issued by that entity.

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

Company ” means Limited Brands, Inc. and, subject to the provisions of Article Eight, shall also include its successors and assigns.

Company Request ” and “ Company Order ” mean, respectively, a written request or order signed in the name of the Company by the Chairman of the Board of Directors, the President or an Executive Vice President, and by the Treasurer, an Assistant Treasurer, the Controller, an Assistant Controller, the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Company, and delivered to the Trustee.

Components ” with respect to a composite currency means the currency amounts that are components of such composite currency on the Conversion Date. If after such Conversion Date the official unit of any component currency is altered by way of combination or subdivision, the number of units of such currency shall be divided or multiplied in the same proportion to calculate the Component. If after such Conversion Date two or more component currencies are consolidated into a single currency, the amounts of those currencies as Components shall be replaced by an amount in such single currency equal to the sum of the amounts of such consolidated component currencies expressed in such single currency, and such amount shall thereafter be a Component. If after such Conversion Date any component currency shall be divided into two or more currencies, the amount of such currency as a Component shall be replaced by amounts of such two or more currencies, each of which shall be equal to the amount of such former component currency divided by the number of currencies into which such component currency was divided, and such amounts shall thereafter be Components.

Conversion Date ” with respect to a composite currency has the meaning specified in Section 312.

Corporate Trust Office ” means the principal office of the Trustee at which at any particular time its corporate trust business shall be administered. The

 

3


Corporate Trust Office of the initial Trustee shall be at the address set forth in the first paragraph of this Indenture until the Trustee shall notify the Company of a change thereof.

The term “ corporation ” includes corporations, associations, companies and business trusts.

Defaulted Interest ” has the meaning specified in Section 307.

Depositary ” means, with respect to the Subordinated Debt Securities of any series issuable or issued in the form of one or more Global Securities, the Person designated as Depositary by the Company pursuant to Section 301 until a successor Depositary shall have become such pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Indenture, and thereafter “Depositary” shall mean or include each Person who is then a Depositary hereunder, and if at any time there is more than one such Person, “Depositary” as used with respect to the Subordinated Debt Securities of any such series shall mean the Depositary with respect to the Subordinated Debt Securities of that series.

[“ Designated Senior Indebtedness ” means any Senior Indebtedness of the Company the principal amount of which is [$20.0 million] or more at the time of the designation of such Senior Indebtedness as “Designated Senior Indebtedness” by the Company, which designation shall be made in a written instrument delivered to the Trustee.]

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

Event of Default ” has the meaning specified in Section 601.

Exchange Rate ” means (a) with respect to a currency (other than a composite currency) in which payment is to be made on a series of Subordinated Debt Securities denominated in a composite currency, the exchange rate between such composite currency and such currency reported by the agency or organization, if any, designated pursuant to Section 301(xiii), or if such exchange rate is not or ceases to be so reported, then such exchange rate as shall be determined by the Company using, in its sole discretion and without liability on its part, quotations from one or more major banks in The City of New York or such other quotations as the Company shall deem appropriate, on the applicable Regular or Special Record Date or the fifteenth day immediately preceding Maturity, as the case may be, with respect to Subordinated Debt Securities of such series, (b) with respect to Dollars in which payment is to be made on a series of Subordinated Debt Securities denominated in a Foreign Currency, the noon Dollar buying rate for that currency for cable transfers quoted in The City of New York on the Regular or Special Record Date with respect to such Interest Payment Date or the fifteenth day immediately preceding Maturity, as the case may be, with respect to Subordinated Debt Securities of such series, as certified for customs

 

4


purposes by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, (c) with respect to a Foreign Currency in which payment is to be made on a series of Subordinated Debt Securities denominated in Dollars or converted into Dollars pursuant to Section 3.12(d)(i)Section 312(d)(i), the noon Dollar selling rate for that currency for cable transfers quoted in The City of New York on the Regular or Special Record Date with respect to such Interest Payment Date or the fifteenth day immediately preceding Maturity, as the case may be, with respect to Subordinated Debt Securities of such series, as certified for customs purposes by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, and (d) with respect to a Foreign Currency in which payment is to be made on a series of Subordinated Debt Securities denominated in a different Foreign Currency, the exchange rate between such Foreign Currencies determined in the manner specified pursuant to Section 301(xvi). Except in the situation contemplated in (a) above, if for any reason such rates are not available with respect to one or more currencies for which an Exchange Rate is required, the Company shall use, in its sole discretion and without liability on its part, such quotations of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York as of the most recent available date, or quotations from one or more major banks in The City of New York or in the country of issue of the currency in question, or such other quotations as the Company shall deem appropriate. Any reference herein to the “applicable” Exchange Rate shall mean the Exchange Rate as set forth in the applicable Exchange Rate Officer’s Certificate. Unless otherwise specified by the Company, if there is more than one market for dealing in any currency by reason of foreign exchange regulations or otherwise, the market to be used in respect of such currency shall be that upon which an issuer of securities denominated in such currency that is similar to the Company in all material respects would purchase such currency in order to make payments in respect of such securities.

Exchange Rate Officer’s Certificate ”, with respect to any date for the payment of principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on any series of Subordinated Debt Securities, means a certificate setting forth the applicable Exchange Rate as of the Regular or Special Record Date with respect to such Interest Payment Date or the fifteenth day immediately preceding Maturity, as the case may be, with respect to Subordinated Debt Securities of such series and the amounts payable in Dollars and Foreign Currencies in respect of the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on any such Subordinated Debt Securities denominated in any composite currency or any Foreign Currency, and signed by the Chairman or a Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors, the President, an Executive Vice President or a Vice President, the Treasurer or any Assistant Treasurer or the Controller or any Assistant Controller of the Company, and delivered to the Trustee.

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

Global Security ” means a Subordinated Debt Security evidencing all or a part of a series of Subordinated Debt Securities, executed by the Company and authenticated and delivered by the Trustee to the Depositary or pursuant to the Depositary’s instructions for such series in accordance with Section 303, and bearing the legend prescribed in Section 303(c).

 

5


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

Governmental Authority ” means any nation or government, any state or other political subdivision thereof, and any entity exercising executive, legislative, judicial, regulatory or administrative functions of or pertaining to government.

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

Indenture ” means this instrument as originally executed or as it may from time to time be supplemented, amended or restated by or pursuant to one or more indentures supplemental hereto entered into pursuant to the applicable provisions hereof and, unless the context otherwise requires, shall include the terms of a particular series Subordinated Debt Securities established as contemplated by Section 301.

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

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

Mandatory Sinking Fund Payment ” has the meaning specified in Section 407.

Maturity ” with respect to any Subordinated Debt Security means the date on which the principal of such Subordinated Debt Security or any installment thereof becomes due and payable as therein or herein provided, whether at the Stated Maturity or by declaration of acceleration, call or redemption, operation of any sinking fund, repayment at the option of the Holder or otherwise.

 

6


Officers’ Certificate ”, when used with respect to the Company, means a certificate signed by the Chairman of the Board of Directors, the Chief Executive Officer, the President or an Executive Vice President, and by the Treasurer, an Assistant Treasurer, the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Company, and delivered to the Trustee.

Opinion of Counsel ” means an opinion in writing prepared in accordance with Section 1502 and signed by legal counsel, who may be an employee of or of counsel to the Company, which is delivered to the Trustee.

Optional Sinking Fund Payment ” has the meaning specified in Section 407.

Original Issue Discount Security ” means any Subordinated Debt Security which provides for an amount less than the principal amount thereof to be due and payable upon a declaration of acceleration of the maturity thereof pursuant to Section 602.

Outstanding ”, when used as of any particular time with reference to Subordinated Debt Securities, means, subject to Section 703, all Subordinated Debt Securities theretofore authenticated and delivered by the Trustee under this Indenture, except:

(i) Subordinated Debt Securities or portions thereof for which funds sufficient to pay the principal thereof, premium, if any, thereon and all unpaid interest thereon at Maturity or to the date fixed for redemption shall have been deposited in trust for such purpose as provided herein 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 that, if such Subordinated Debt Securities are to be redeemed, notice of such redemption thereof shall have been duly given or provision satisfactory to the Trustee for the giving of such notice shall have been made;

(ii) Subordinated Debt Securities theretofore cancelled and delivered to the Trustee or which have been surrendered to the Trustee for cancellation; and

(iii) Subordinated Debt Securities which have been paid pursuant to Section 306 or in exchange for or in lieu of which other Subordinated Debt Securities have been authenticated and delivered pursuant to this Indenture, other than any such Subordinated Debt Securities in respect of which there shall have been presented to the Trustee proof satisfactory to it that such Subordinated Debt Securities are held by a bona fide purchaser in whose hands such Subordinated Debt Securities are valid obligations of the Company.

 

7


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

Payment Blockage Notice ” has the meaning specified in Section 14.02(b).

Payment Blockage Period ” has the meaning specified in Section 14.02(b).

Permitted Junior Securities ” means:

(1) the Company’s Capital Stock; or

(2) debt securities issued pursuant to a confirmed plan of reorganization that are subordinated in right of payment to all Senior Indebtedness and

(3) any debt securities issued in exchange for Senior Indebtedness to substantially the same extent as, or to a greater extent than, the Subordinated Debt Securities are subordinated to the Senior Indebtedness under this Indenture.

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

Place of Payment ”, when used with respect to the Subordinated Debt Securities of any series, means each place where the principal of (and premium, if any) or interest on the Subordinated Debt Securities of that series is payable, as specified in the manner contemplated by Section 301.

Predecessor Security ” of any particular Subordinated Debt Security means every previous Subordinated Debt Security evidencing all or a portion of the same debt as that evidenced by such particular Subordinated Debt Security; and, for the purposes of this definition, any Subordinated Debt Security authenticated and delivered under Section 306 in lieu of a lost, destroyed or stolen Subordinated Debt Security shall be deemed to evidence the same debt as the lost, destroyed or stolen Subordinated Debt Security.

Redemption Date ”, when used with respect to any Subordinated Debt Security to be redeemed, in whole or in part, means the date fixed for such redemption by or pursuant to this Indenture and the terms of such Subordinated Debt Security.

 

8


Redemption Price ”, when used with respect to any Subordinated Debt Security to be redeemed, means the price (exclusive of accrued interest) at which it is to be redeemed pursuant to this Indenture and the terms of such Subordinated Debt Security.

Regular Record Date ” for the interest payable on any Interest Payment Date on the Subordinated Debt Securities of any series means the date specified for that purpose as contemplated by Section 301.

Responsible Officer ”, when used with respect to the Trustee, means any officer or employee in the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee or any other officer or employee of the Trustee customarily performing functions similar to those performed by any of the above-designated officers or employees and also means, with respect to a particular corporate trust matter, any other officer to whom such matter is referred because of his knowledge of and familiarity with the particular subject and who shall have direct responsibility for the administration of this Indenture.

Security Register ” and “ Security Registrar ” have the respective meanings specified in Section 305.

Senior Indebtedness ” unless otherwise specified in one or more indentures supplemental hereto or approved pursuant to a Board Resolution in accordance with Section 301, means:

(i) the principal (including redemption payments), premium, if any, interest and other payment obligations in respect of (A) indebtedness of the Company for money borrowed, (B) indebtedness evidenced by securities, debentures, bonds, notes or other similar instruments issued by the Company, including any such securities issued under any deed, indenture or other instrument to which the Company is a party and (C) guarantees of any of the foregoing issued by the Company;

(ii) all capital lease obligations of the Company;

(iii) all obligations of the Company issued or assumed as the deferred purchase price of property, all conditional sale obligations of the Company, all hedging agreements and agreements of a similar nature thereto and all agreements relating to any such agreements, and all obligations of the Company under any title retention agreement, but excluding trade accounts payable arising in the ordinary course of business;

(iv) all obligations of the Company for reimbursement on any letter of credit, banker’s acceptance, security purchase facility or similar credit transaction;

(v) all obligations of the Company to make payment pursuant to the terms of financial instruments, such as (a) securities contracts and foreign

 

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currency exchange contracts, (b) derivative instruments, such as swap agreements (including interest rate and foreign exchange rate swap agreements), cap agreements, floor agreements, collar agreements, interest rate agreements, foreign exchange rate agreements, options, commodity futures contracts and commodity option contracts and (c) in the case of both (a) and (b) above, similar financial instruments;

(vi) all obligations of the type referred to in clauses (i) through (v) above of other Persons for the payment of which the Company is responsible or liable as obligor, guarantor or otherwise;

(vii) all obligations of the type referred to in clauses (i) through (vi) above of other Persons secured by any lien on any property or asset of the Company (whether or not such obligation is assumed by the Company); and

(viii) any deferrals, amendments, renewals, extensions, modifications and refundings of all obligations of the type referred to in clauses (i) through (vii) above, in each case whether or not contingent and whether outstanding at the date hereof or thereafter incurred,

except, in each case, for the Subordinated Debt Securities and (x) any such other indebtedness or deferral, amendment, renewal, extension, modification or refunding that contains express terms, or is issued under a deed, indenture or other instrument that contains express terms, providing that it is subordinate to or ranks pari passu with the Subordinated Debt Securities, (y) trade accounts payable or accrued liabilities arising in the ordinary course of business and (z) indebtedness owed by the Company to its Subsidiaries, which also shall rank equally in right of payment and upon liquidation with the Subordinated Debt Securities.

Such Senior Indebtedness shall continue to be Senior Indebtedness and be entitled to the benefits of the subordination provisions of this Indenture irrespective of any amendment, modification or waiver of any term of such Senior Indebtedness and notwithstanding that no express written subordination agreement may have been entered into between the holders of such Senior Indebtedness and the Trustee or any of the Holders.

Special Record Dat e” for the payment of any Defaulted Interest means a date fixed by the Trustee pursuant to Section 307.

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

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

 

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Subsidiary ” means, with respect to any Person:

(1) any corporation or company, a majority of the outstanding voting stock of which is owned, directly or indirectly, by the Company or by one or more other Subsidiaries, or by the Company and one or more other Subsidiaries. For the purposes of this definition, “voting stock” means stock or other equity interests having voting power for the election of directors, whether at all times or only so long as no senior class of stock has such voting power by reason of any contingency; provided , however , that “voting stock” shall not include stock or other equity interests which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries owning such stock or other equity interests are required or have agreed not to vote, or the voting rights with respect to which have been granted to a Person other than the Company or any of its Subsidiaries;

(2) any partnership in which such Person or a subsidiary of such Person is, at the date of determination, a general partner of such partnership; or

(3) any partnership, limited liability company or other Person in which such Person, a subsidiary of such Person or such Person and one or more subsidiaries of such Person, directly or indirectly, at the date of determination, have (x) at least a majority ownership interest or (y) the power to elect or appoint or direct the election or appointment of the managing partner or member of such Person or, if applicable, a majority of the directors or other governing body of such Person.

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

Trust Indenture Act ” means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 as in force at the date as of which this instrument was executed, except as provided in Section 1306.

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

 

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ARTICLE TWO

S UBORDINATED D EBT S ECURITY F ORMS

Section 201 . Forms Generally.

All Subordinated Debt Securities and the Trustee’s certificate of authentication shall have such appropriate insertions, omissions, substitutions and other variations as are required or permitted by this Indenture or by a Board Resolution and as set forth in an Officers’ Certificate or by an indenture supplemental hereto and may have such letters, numbers or other marks of identification or designation and such legends or endorsements placed thereon as the 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 regulatory authority or any securities exchange on which any of the Subordinated Debt Securities may be listed or of any automated quotation system on which they may be quoted, or to conform to usage.

Subordinated Debt Securities in definitive form shall be printed, lithographed or engraved, or produced by any combination of these methods or in any other manner determined by the officers executing such Subordinated Debt Securities, as evidenced by their execution of such Subordinated Debt Securities.

Section 202 . Forms of Subordinated Debt Securities.

Each Subordinated Debt Security shall be substantially in such form as shall be established from time to time in or pursuant to a Board Resolution and set forth in an Officers’ Certificate, or established in one or more indentures supplemental hereto, which shall set forth the information required by Section 301. If so provided as contemplated by Section 301, the Subordinated Debt Securities of a series shall be issuable in the form of one or more Global Securities.

Section 203 . Form of Trustee’s Certificate of Authentication.

The form of the Trustee’s certificate of authentication to be borne by each Subordinated Debt Security shall be substantially as follows:

TRUSTEE’S CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICATION

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

 

    THE BANK OF NEW YORK TRUST COMPANY, N.A.,
   

as Trustee

Dated:                              By:  

 

      Authorized Signatory

 

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ARTICLE THREE

T HE S UBORDINATED D EBT S ECURITIES

Section 301 . Amount Unlimited; Issuable in Series.

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

The Subordinated Debt Securities may be issued in one or more series. There shall be established in or pursuant to one or more Board Resolutions and set forth in an Officers’ Certificate, or established in one or more indentures supplemental hereto, prior to the issuance of Subordinated Debt Securities of any series:

(i) the title of the Subordinated Debt Securities of the series (which shall distinguish the Subordinated Debt Securities of the series from all other Subordinated Debt Securities, except to the extent that additional Subordinated Debt Securities of an existing series are being issued);

(ii) the limit, if any, upon the aggregate principal amount of the Subordinated Debt Securities of the series which may be authenticated and delivered under this Indenture (except for Subordinated Debt Securities authenticated and delivered upon registration of transfer of, or in exchange for, or in lieu of, other Subordinated Debt Securities of the series pursuant to Section 304, 305, 306, 406 or Section 1305);

(iii) the issue price for such Subordinated Debt Securities, expressed as a percentage of the aggregate principal amount;

(iv) the date or dates on which the principal of the Subordinated Debt Securities of the series is payable;

(v) the rate or rates, if any, at which the Subordinated Debt Securities of the series shall bear interest, or the method by which such rate or rates shall be determined, the date or dates from which such interest shall accrue, the Interest Payment Dates on which such interest shall be payable and the Regular Record Date for the interest payable on any Interest Payment Date;

(vi) any provisions relating to the deferral of interest payments or extension of interest payments on the Securities of the series at the option of the Company or otherwise, including the duration of any such deferral or extension period and the maximum period during which interest payments may be deferred or extended and any provisions relating to obligations of the Company or limitation on claims of Holders with respect to deferred interest;

 

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(vii) the place or places where the principal of (and premium, if any) or interest on Subordinated Debt Securities of the series shall be payable, and whether any such payments may be made by wire transfer;

(viii) the period or periods within which or the date or dates on which, if any, the price or prices or ratios at which and the terms and conditions upon which Subordinated Debt Securities of the series may be redeemed, converted or exchanged, in whole or in part, at the option of the Company;

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

(x) whether the Subordinated Debt Securities of the series shall be issued in whole or in part in the form of one or more Global Securities, the terms and conditions, if any, upon which such Global Securities may be exchanged in whole or in part for other Subordinated Debt Securities and, the Depositary for such Global Security or Securities;

(xi) if other than denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiple thereof, the denominations in which Subordinated Debt Securities of the series shall be issuable and whether any such denominations may change at any time while such Subordinated Debt Securities are outstanding, or upon registration or transfer of, or in exchange for, or in lieu of, other Subordinated Debt Securities of the series pursuant to Sections 3.04, 3.05, 4.06 or 13.05;

(xii) if other than the full principal amount thereof, the portion of the principal amount and/or accrued interest of Subordinated Debt Securities of the series which shall be payable upon declaration of acceleration of the maturity thereof pursuant to Section 602 or allowable in bankruptcy;

(xiii) the currency or currencies of denomination of the Subordinated Debt Securities of the series, which may be in Dollars, any Foreign Currency or any composite currency, and, if such currency of denomination is a composite currency, the agency or organization, if any, responsible for overseeing such composite currency;

(xiv) the currency or currencies in which payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on Subordinated Debt Securities of the series will be made, and the currency or currencies (in

 

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addition to Dollars), if any, in which payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) or interest on Subordinated Debt Securities of the series, at the election of each of the Holders thereof, may also be payable;

(xv) if the amount of payments of principal of (and premium, if any) or interest on Subordinated Debt Securities of the series may be determined with reference to an index, formula or other method based on a coin, currency or currencies other than that in which the Subordinated Debt Securities of the series denominated or designated to be payable, the manner in which such amounts shall be determined;

(xvi) if the payments of principal of (and premium, if any) or the interest on the Subordinated Debt Securities of the series are to be made in a Foreign Currency other than the Foreign Currency in which such Subordinated Debt Securities are denominated, the manner in which the exchange rate with respect to such payments shall be determined;

(xvii) if other than as set forth in this Indenture, any terms with respect to subordination of such Subordinated Debt Securities, including, without limitation, the definition of “Senior Indebtedness”;

(xviii) any listing of such Subordinated Debt Securities on any securities exchange;

(xix) the applicability of any guarantees of the Subordinated Debt Securities;

(xx) provisions, if any, granting special rights to the Holders of Subordinated Debt Securities of the series upon the occurrence of such events as may be specified (including, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, any make-whole amount payable upon any such specified event);

(xxi) whether the Subordinated Debt Securities of the series shall be subject to defeasance pursuant to either or both of Sections 1103 and 1104;

(xxii) whether the Subordinated Debt Securities of the series shall be issued with warrants to purchase such Subordinated Debt Securities or the Subordinated Debt Securities of any other series attached thereto;

(xxiii) whether the Subordinated Debt Securities of the series shall be convertible or exchangeable into shares of common stock or preferred stock of the Company, or any of its other Capital Stock, or any Capital Stock of any other issuer, cash, or any other property, or any combination of the foregoing, the terms on which such Subordinated Debt Securities are convertible, including the initial conversion price, the conversion

 

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period, any events requiring an adjustment of the applicable conversion price and any requirements relating to the reservation of such shares of common stock or preferred stock for purposes of conversion; and

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

All Subordinated Debt Securities of any one series shall be substantially identical except as to denomination and except as may otherwise be provided in or pursuant to such Board Resolution (as set forth in such Officers’ Certificate) or in any such indenture supplemental hereto.

If any of the terms of a series of Subordinated Debt Securities are established by action taken pursuant to a Board Resolution, 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 Officers’ Certificate setting forth the terms of the series.

Section 302 . Denominations.

The Subordinated Debt Securities of each series shall be issuable in registered form without coupons in such denominations as shall be specified in accordance with the requirements of Section 301. In the absence of any such provisions with respect to the Subordinated Debt Securities of any series and except as provided in Section 303, the Subordinated Debt Securities of such series shall be issuable in denominations of $1,000 or any integral multiple thereof.

Section 303 . Execution, Authentication, Delivery and Dating.

(a) The Subordinated Debt Securities shall be executed on behalf of the Company by the Chairman of its Board of Directors, its President or one of its Executive Vice Presidents, and by its Treasurer or any Assistant Treasurer or its Secretary or any Assistant Secretary under its corporate seal. The signature of any of these officers on the Subordinated Debt Securities may be manual or facsimile. The seal of the Company may be in the form of a facsimile thereof and may be impressed, affixed, imprinted or otherwise reproduced on the Subordinated Debt Securities. Typographical and other minor errors or defects in any such reproduction of the seal or any such signature shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any Subordinated Debt Security that has been duly authenticated and delivered by the Trustee.

Subordinated Debt Securities bearing the manual or facsimile signatures of individuals who were at any time the proper officers of the Company shall bind the Company, notwithstanding that such individuals or any of them have ceased to hold such offices prior to the authentication and delivery of such Subordinated Debt Securities or did not hold such offices at the date of such Subordinated Debt Securities.

 

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(b) At any time and from time to time after the execution and delivery of this Indenture, the Company may deliver Subordinated Debt 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 Subordinated Debt Securities; and the Trustee in accordance with the Company Order shall authenticate and deliver such Subordinated Debt Securities. The Trustee shall be provided with, prior to the authentication and delivery of such Subordinated Debt Securities, the supplemental indenture or the Board Resolution in or pursuant to which the terms and form of such Subordinated Debt Securities have been established (and, if such terms and form are established in or pursuant to a Board Resolution, the Officers’ Certificate setting forth such terms and form), an Officers’ Certificate as to the absence of any event which is, or after notice or lapse of time or both would become, an Event of Default, and an Opinion of Counsel stating that:

(i) all instruments furnished by the Company to the Trustee in connection with the authentication and delivery of such Subordinated Debt Securities conform to the requirements of this Indenture and constitute sufficient authority hereunder for the Trustee to authenticate and deliver such Subordinated Debt Securities;

(ii) the form of such Subordinated Debt Securities has been established in conformity with the provisions of this Indenture;

(iii) the terms of such Subordinated Debt Securities have been established in conformity with the provisions of this Indenture;

(iv) in the event that the form or terms of such Subordinated Debt Securities have been established in a supplemental indenture, the execution and delivery of such supplemental indenture have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action of the Company, such supplemental indenture has been duly executed and delivered by the Company and, assuming due authorization, execution and delivery by the Trustee, is a legal, valid, binding and enforceable instrument of the Company, subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency and similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally, and subject, as to enforceability, to general principles of equity (regardless of whether enforcement is sought in a proceeding in equity or at law);

(v) the execution and delivery of such Subordinated Debt Securities have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action of the Company and such Subordinated Debt Securities have been duly executed by the Company and, assuming due authentication by the Trustee and delivery by the Company, are the legal, valid, binding and enforceable

 

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obligations of the Company, entitled to the benefits of the Indenture, subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency and similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally, and subject, as to enforceability, to general principles of equity (regardless of whether enforcement is sought in a proceeding in equity or at law); and

(vi) such other matters as the Trustee may reasonably request.

Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 301 and of this Section 303, if all the Subordinated Debt Securities of a series are not to be originally issued at one time, it shall not be necessary to deliver the Officers’ Certificate or supplemental indenture otherwise required pursuant to Section 301 or the Company Order, Board Resolution and Officers’ Certificate or supplemental indenture, and Opinion of Counsel required pursuant to this Section 303 at or prior to the time of authentication of each Subordinated Debt Security of such series if such documents were delivered at or prior to the time of authentication upon original issuance of the first Subordinated Debt Security of such series to be issued.

(c) If the Company shall establish pursuant to Section 301 that the Subordinated Debt Securities of a series are to be issued in whole or in part in the form of one or more Global Securities, then the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall, in accordance with this Section and the Company Order with respect to such series, authenticate and deliver one or more Global Securities that (i) shall represent and shall be denominated in an amount equal to the aggregate principal amount of all of the Outstanding Subordinated Debt Securities of such series issued and not yet cancelled, (ii) shall be registered in the name of the Depositary for such Global Security or Securities or its nominee, (iii) shall be delivered by the Trustee to such Depositary or its custodian or pursuant to such Depositary’s instructions and (iv) shall bear a legend substantially to the following effect:

Unless and until it is exchanged in whole or in part for Subordinated Debt Securities in definitive registered form, this Subordinated Debt Security may not be transferred except as a whole by the Depositary to the nominee of the Depositary or by a nominee of the Depositary to the Depositary or another nominee of the Depositary or by the Depositary or any such nominee to a successor Depositary or a nominee of such successor Depositary.

(d) Each Depositary designated pursuant to Section 301 must, at the time of its designation and at all times while it serves as Depositary, be a clearing agency registered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and any other applicable statute or regulation.

(e) The Trustee shall have the right to decline to authenticate and deliver any Subordinated Debt Security under this Section if the Trustee, upon the

 

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advice of counsel, determines that such action may not lawfully be taken or if the Trustee, by a committee of Responsible Officers, shall determine in good faith that the authentication and delivery of such Subordinated Debt Security would be unjustly prejudicial to Holders of Outstanding Subordinated Debt Securities.

(f) Each Subordinated Debt Security shall be dated the date of its authentication, unless otherwise provided by the terms established and contemplated by Section 301.

(g) No Subordinated Debt Security shall be entitled to any benefit under this Indenture or be valid or obligatory for any purpose unless there appears on such Subordinated Debt Security a certificate of authentication substantially in the form provided for herein executed by the Trustee by manual or facsimile signature of one of its authorized signatories, and such certificate upon any Subordinated Debt Security shall be conclusive evidence, and the only evidence, that such Subordinated Debt Security has been duly authenticated and delivered hereunder and is entitled to the benefits of this Indenture.

(h) The Trustee shall have the right to decline to authenticate and deliver any Subordinated Debt Securities under this Section if the issue of such Subordinated Debt Securities pursuant to this Indenture will affect the Trustee’s own rights, duties or immunities under the Subordinated Debt Securities and this Indenture or otherwise in a manner which is not reasonably acceptable to the Trustee.

Section 304 . Temporary Subordinated Debt Securities.

Pending the preparation of definitive Subordinated Debt Securities of any series, the Company may execute, and upon Company Order the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, temporary Subordinated Debt Securities which are printed, lithographed, typewritten, mimeographed or otherwise produced, in any authorized denomination, substantially of the tenor of the definitive Subordinated Debt Securities in lieu of which they are issued, in registered form and with such appropriate insertions, omissions, substitutions and other variations as the officers executing such Subordinated Debt Securities may determine, as evidenced by their execution of such Subordinated Debt Securities. In the case of Subordinated Debt Securities of any series, such temporary Subordinated Debt Securities may be in global form, representing all of the Outstanding Subordinated Debt Securities of such series.

If temporary Subordinated Debt Securities of any series are issued, the Company will cause definitive Subordinated Debt Securities of such series to be prepared without unreasonable delay. After the preparation of definitive Subordinated Debt Securities of such series, the temporary Subordinated Debt Securities of such series shall be exchangeable for definitive Subordinated Debt Securities of such series upon surrender of the temporary Subordinated Debt Securities of such series at the office or agency of the Company in a Place of

 

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Payment for such series without charge to the Holder. Upon surrender for cancellation of any one or more temporary Subordinated Debt Securities of any series, the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver in exchange therefor a like principal amount of definitive Subordinated Debt Securities of such series in any authorized denominations. Until so exchanged, the temporary Subordinated Debt Securities of any series shall in all respects be entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture as definitive Subordinated Debt Securities of such series.

Section 305 . Registration, Transfer and Exchange.

The Company shall cause to be kept a register (herein sometimes referred to as the “ Security Register ”) in which, subject to such reasonable regulations as it may prescribe, the Company shall provide for the registration of Subordinated Debt Securities and of transfers of Subordinated Debt Securities. Separate registers may be kept for separate series of Subordinated Debt Securities. Unless and until otherwise determined by the Company, the Security Register shall be kept at the office or agency of the Company maintained pursuant to Section 502, which office or agency is hereby appointed “Security Registrar” for the purpose of registering Subordinated Debt Securities and registering the transfer of Subordinated Debt Securities as herein provided. At all reasonable times the Security Register shall be open for inspection by the Trustee during normal business hours.

Upon surrender for registration of transfer of any Subordinated Debt Security of any series at the office or agency of the Company maintained for such purpose, the Company shall execute, and the Trustee, upon receipt of a Company Order to do so, shall authenticate and deliver, in the name of the designated transferee or transferees, a like aggregate principal amount of one or more new Subordinated Debt Securities of the same series in any authorized denominations.

Notwithstanding any other provision of this Section 305, unless and until it is exchanged in whole or in part for Subordinated Debt Securities in definitive registered form, a Global Security representing all or a portion of the Subordinated Debt Securities of a series may not be transferred except as a whole by the Depositary for such series to a nominee of such Depositary or by a nominee of such Depositary to such Depositary or another nominee of such Depositary or by such Depositary or any such nominee to a successor Depositary for such series or a nominee of such successor Depositary.

At the option of the Holder, Subordinated Debt Securities of any series (except a Global Security) may be exchanged for a like aggregate principal amount of other Subordinated Debt Securities of the same series in any authorized denominations upon surrender of the Subordinated Debt Securities to be exchanged at such office or agency. Whenever any Subordinated Debt Securities are so surrendered for exchange, the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall, upon receipt of a Company Order to do so, authenticate and deliver the Subordinated Debt Securities which the Holder making the exchange is entitled to receive.

 

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If at any time the Depositary for the Subordinated Debt Securities of a series notifies the Company that it is unwilling or unable to continue as Depositary for the Subordinated Debt Securities of such series or if at any time the Depositary for the Subordinated Debt Securities of such series shall no longer be eligible under Section 303(d), the Company shall appoint a successor Depositary with respect to the Subordinated Debt Securities of such series. If a successor Depositary for the Subordinated Debt Securities of such series is not appointed by the Company within 90 days after the Company receives such notice or becomes aware of such ineligibility, the Company’s election pursuant to Section 301(x) shall no longer be effective with respect to the Subordinated Debt Securities of such series and the Company will execute, and the Trustee, upon receipt of a Company Order for the authentication and delivery of definitive Subordinated Debt Securities of such series, will authenticate and deliver, Subordinated Debt Securities of such series in definitive registered form without coupons, in any authorized denominations, in an aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of the Global Security or Securities representing such series, in exchange for such Global Security or Securities.

The Company may at any time and in its sole discretion determine that the Subordinated Debt Securities of any series issued in the form of one or more Global Securities shall no longer be represented by a Global Security or Securities. In such event the Company will execute, and the Trustee, upon receipt of a Company Order for the authentication and delivery of definitive Subordinated Debt Securities of such series, will authenticate and deliver, Subordinated Debt Securities of such series in definitive registered form without coupons, in any authorized denominations, in an aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of the Global Security or Securities representing such series, in exchange for such Global Security or Securities.

If specified by the Company pursuant to Section 301 with respect to a series of Subordinated Debt Securities, the Depositary for such series of Subordinated Debt Securities may surrender a Global Security for such series of Subordinated Debt Securities in exchange in whole or in part for Subordinated Debt Securities of such series in definitive registered form on such terms as are acceptable to the Company and such Depositary. Thereupon, the Company shall execute, and the Trustee shall, upon receipt of a Company Order to do so, authenticate and deliver, without service charge,

(i) to the Person specified by such Depositary a new Subordinated Debt Security or Securities of the same series, of any authorized denomination as requested by such Person, in an aggregate principal amount equal to and in exchange for such Person’s beneficial interest in the Global Security; and

 

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(ii) to such Depositary a new Global Security in a denomination equal to the difference, if any, between the principal amount of the surrendered Global Security and the aggregate principal amount of Subordinated Debt Securities authenticated and delivered pursuant to Clause (i) above.

Upon the exchange of a Global Security for Subordinated Debt Securities in definitive registered form without coupons, in authorized denominations, such Global Security shall be cancelled by the Trustee. Subordinated Debt Securities in definitive registered form without coupons issued in exchange for a Global Security pursuant to this Section 305 shall be registered in such names and in such authorized denominations as the Depositary for such Global Security, pursuant to instructions from its direct or indirect participants or otherwise, shall instruct the Trustee. The Trustee shall deliver such Subordinated Debt Securities to or as directed by the Persons in whose names such Subordinated Debt Securities are so registered.

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

Every Subordinated Debt Security presented or surrendered for registration of transfer or for exchange shall (if so required by the Company, the Security Registrar or the Trustee) be duly endorsed by the appropriate persons and be accompanied by reasonable assurances that the endorsements are genuine and effective, or shall be accompanied by a written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the Company, the Security Registrar and the Trustee, duly executed by the Holder thereof or his attorney duly authorized in writing, and such other documentation as the Company, the Security Registrar or the Trustee may reasonably require.

No service charge shall be made for any transfer or exchange of Subordinated Debt Securities, but the Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge that may be imposed in connection with any transfer or exchange of Subordinated Debt Securities, other than exchanges pursuant to Section 304, 406 or 1305 not involving any transfer.

The Company shall not be required (i) to issue, register the transfer of or exchange any Subordinated Debt Security of any particular series during a period beginning at the opening of business 15 days before the day of the mailing of a notice of redemption of Subordinated Debt Securities of such series selected for redemption under Section 402 and ending at the close of business on the day of such mailing, or (ii) to register the transfer of or exchange any Subordinated Debt Security so selected for redemption in whole or in part, except the unredeemed portion of any Subordinated Debt Security being redeemed in part.

 

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Section 306 . Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost and Stolen Subordinated Debt Securities.

If (i) any mutilated Subordinated Debt Security is surrendered to the Trustee or (ii) the Company and the Trustee receive evidence to their satisfaction of the ownership of and the destruction, loss or theft of any Subordinated Debt Security, and there is delivered to the Company and the Trustee such security or indemnity as may be required by them to hold each of them and any agent of either of them harmless, then, in the absence of notice to the Company or the Trustee that such Subordinated Debt Security has been acquired by a bona fide purchaser, the Company shall execute and upon receipt of a Company Order to do so, the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, in exchange for or in lieu of any such mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Subordinated Debt Security, a new Subordinated Debt Security of like tenor and principal amount, bearing a number not contemporaneously outstanding.

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

Upon the issuance of any new Subordinated Debt Security under this Section 306, 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 Company and the Trustee) connected therewith.

Every new Subordinated Debt Security of any series issued pursuant to this Section 306 in lieu of any destroyed, lost or stolen Subordinated Debt Security shall constitute an original additional contractual obligation of the Company, whether or not the destroyed, lost or stolen Subordinated Debt Security shall be at any time enforceable by anyone, and shall be entitled to all the benefits of this Indenture equally and proportionately with any and all other Subordinated Debt Securities of such series duly issued hereunder.

The provisions of this Section 306 are exclusive and shall preclude (to the extent lawful) all other rights and remedies with respect to the replacement or payment of mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Subordinated Debt Securities.

Section 307 . Payment of Interest; Interest Rights Preserved.

Interest on any Subordinated Debt Security which is payable and is punctually paid or duly provided for on any Interest Payment Date shall be paid to the Person in whose name that Subordinated Debt Security (or one or more Predecessor Securities) is registered at the close of business on the Regular Record Date for such interest. At the option of the Company, payment of interest on any Subordinated Debt Security may be made by check mailed to the address

 

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of the Person entitled thereto as such address shall appear in the Security Register or, if so specified in the manner contemplated by Section 301, by wire transfer to an account designated by such Person in writing to the Trustee.

Any interest on any Subordinated Debt Security of any series which is payable but is not punctually paid or duly provided for on any Interest Payment Date (herein called “ Defaulted Interest ”) shall forthwith cease to be payable to the Holder on the relevant Regular Record Date by virtue of his having been such Holder; and such Defaulted Interest may be paid by the Company, at its election in each case, as provided in Clause (1) or (2) below:

(i) The Company may elect to make payment of any Defaulted Interest to he Persons in whose names the Subordinated Debt 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 Subordinated Debt Security of such series, the date of the proposed payment and the Special Record Date therefor, which shall be not more than 15 days and not less than 10 days prior to the date of the proposed payment and not less then 10 days after the receipt by the Trustee of the notice of the proposed payment. 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. Unless the Trustee is acting as the Security Registrar, promptly after such Special Record Date the Company shall furnish the Trustee a list, or shall make arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee with respect thereto, of the names and addresses of, and principal amounts of Subordinated Debt Securities held by, the Holders appearing on the Security Register at the close of business on such Special Record Date. In the name and at the expense of the Company, the Trustee shall cause notice of the proposed payment of such Defaulted Interest and the Special Record Date therefor to be mailed, first-class postage prepaid, to each Holder of Subordinated Debt Securities of such series at his address as it appears in the Security Register, not less than 10 days prior to such Special Record Date.

Notice of the proposed payment of such Defaulted Interest and the Special Record Date therefor having been mailed as aforesaid, such Defaulted Interest shall be paid to the Persons in whose names the Subordinated Debt Securities of such series (or their respective Predecessor Securities) are registered on such Special Record Date and shall no longer be payable pursuant to the following Clause (2).

 

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(ii) The Company may make payment of any Defaulted Interest on the Subordinated Debt Securities of any series in any other lawful manner not inconsistent with the requirements of any securities exchange on which the Subordinated Debt Securities may be listed, and upon such notice as may be required by such exchange, if, after notice given by the Company to the Trustee of the proposed payment pursuant to this Clause (2), such manner of payment shall be deemed practicable by the Trustee.

Subject to the foregoing provisions of this Section 307, each Subordinated Debt Security delivered under this Indenture upon registration of transfer of or in exchange for or in lieu of any other Subordinated Debt Security shall carry the rights to interest accrued and unpaid, and to accrue, which were carried by such other Subordinated Debt Security.

Section 308 . Persons Deemed Owners.

Prior to due presentment of a Subordinated Debt Security for registration of transfer, the Company, the Trustee and any agent of the Company or the Trustee may treat the Person whose name such Subordinated Debt Security is registered as the owner of such Subordinated Debt Security for the purpose of receiving payment of principal of (and premium, if any) and (subject to Section 307) interest on such Subordinated Debt Security and for all other purposes whatsoever, whether or not such Subordinated Debt Security shall be overdue, and neither the Company, the Trustee nor any agent of the Company or the Trustee shall be affected by notice to the contrary.

None of the Company, the Trustee, any Paying Agent or the Security Registrar will have any responsibility or liability for any aspect of the records relating to or payments made on account of beneficial ownership interests in a Global Security or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records relating to such beneficial ownership interests.

Section 309 . Cancellation.

All Subordinated Debt Securities surrendered for payment, redemption, registration of transfer or exchange shall, if surrendered to any Person other than the Trustee, be delivered to the Trustee and shall be promptly cancelled by it. The Company may at any time deliver to the Trustee for cancellation any Subordinated Debt Securities previously authenticated and delivered hereunder which the Company may have acquired in any manner whatsoever, and all Subordinated Debt Securities so delivered shall be promptly cancelled by the Trustee. Acquisition by the Company of any Subordinated Debt Security shall not operate as a redemption or satisfaction of the indebtedness represented by such Subordinated Debt Securities unless and until the same is delivered to the Trustee for cancellation. No Subordinated Debt Securities shall be authenticated in lieu of or in exchange for any Subordinated Debt Securities cancelled as provided in this Section, except as expressly permitted in this Indenture. All cancelled

 

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Subordinated Debt Securities held by the Trustee may be disposed of, and the Trustee shall certify to the Company upon its request therefor any disposal thereof, unless, by a Company Order, the Company shall direct that cancelled Subordinated Debt Securities be returned to it.

Section 310 . Computation of Interest.

Except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 301 for Subordinated Debt Securities of any series, interest on the Subordinated Debt Securities of each series shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months.

Section 311 . Cusip And ISIN Numbers.

The Company in issuing the Securities may use “CUSIP” and/or “ISIN” numbers (if then generally in use), and the Trustee shall use CUSIP or ISIN numbers, as the case may be, in notices of redemption or exchange as a convenience to Holders and no representation shall be made as to the correctness of such numbers either as printed on the Securities or as contained in any notice of redemption, exchange or conversion. The Company will promptly notify, and in any event within 10 Business Days, the Trustee of any initial CUSIP and/or ISIN numbers and of any changes in the CUSIP and/or ISIN numbers.

Section 312 . Payment in Currencies.

(a) Payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on the Subordinated Debt Securities of any series shall be made in the currency or currencies specified pursuant to Section 301; provided that, if so specified in the manner provided in Section 301, the Holder of a Subordinated Debt Security of such series may elect to receive such payment in any one of (i) Dollars and (ii) any other currency acceptable to the Trustee designated for such purpose pursuant to Section 301. A Holder may make such election by delivering to the Trustee a written notice thereof, substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A or in such other form as may be acceptable to the Trustee, not later than the close of business on the Regular or Special Record Date immediately preceding the applicable Interest Payment Date or the fifteenth day immediately preceding Maturity, as the case may be, with respect to Subordinated Debt Securities of such series. Such election shall remain in effect with respect to such Holder until such Holder delivers to the Trustee a written notice substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A or in such other form as may be acceptable to the Trustee specifying a change in the currency in which such payment is to be made; provided that any such notice must be delivered to the Trustee not later than the close of business on the Regular or Special Record Date immediately preceding the next Interest Payment Date or the fifteenth day immediately preceding Maturity, as the case may be, with respect to Subordinated Debt Securities of such series in order to be effective for the payment to be made thereon; and provided further that no such change in currency may be made with respect to payments to be made on any Subordinated Debt Security with respect to which notice of redemption has been given by the Company pursuant to Section 402.

 

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(b) Except as otherwise specified in the manner contemplated by Section 301, the Trustee shall deliver to the Company, not later than the fourth Business Day following each Regular or Special Record Date with respect to an Interest Payment Date or the tenth Business Day immediately preceding Maturity, as the case may be, with respect to a series of Subordinated Debt Securities, a written notice specifying, in the currency in which such series of Subordinated Debt Securities is denominated, the aggregate amount of the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on such series of Subordinated Debt Securities to be paid on such payment date. If payments in respect of such series of Subordinated Debt Securities are designated to be made in a currency other than the currency in which such series of Subordinated Debt Securities is denominated or if at least one Holder has made the election referred to in Subsection (a) above with respect to such series of Subordinated Debt Securities, then the written notice referred to in the preceding sentence shall also specify, in each currency in which payment in respect of such series of Subordinated Debt Securities is to be made pursuant to said Subsection (a), the amount of principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on such series of Subordinated Debt Securities to be paid in such currency on such payment date.

(c) The Company shall deliver to the Trustee, not later than the eighth Business Day following each Regular or Special Record Date or the tenth day immediately preceding Maturity, as the case may be, with respect to a series of Subordinated Debt Securities, an Exchange Rate Officer’s Certificate in respect of the Dollar or Foreign Currency payments to be made on such payment date in respect of such Subordinated Debt Securities. Except as otherwise specified in the manner contemplated by Section 301, the amount receivable by Holders of a series of Subordinated Debt Securities who have elected payment in a currency other than the currency in which such series of Subordinated Debt Securities is denominated as provided in Subsection (a) above shall be determined by the Company on the basis of the applicable Exchange Rate.

(d) If the Foreign Currency in which a series of Subordinated Debt Securities is denominated ceases to be used both by the government of the country that issued such currency and for the settlement of transactions by public institutions of or within the international banking community, then, with respect to each date for the payment of principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on such series of Subordinated Debt Securities occurring after the final date on which such Foreign Currency was so used, all payments with respect to the Subordinated Debt Securities of such series shall be made in Dollars. If payment is to be made in Dollars to the Holders of any such series of Subordinated Debt Securities pursuant to the provisions of the preceding sentence, then the amount to be paid in Dollars on a payment date by the Company to the Trustee and by the Trustee or any Paying Agent to Holders shall be determined by the Trustee as of the Regular or Special Record Date immediately preceding the applicable Interest Payment

 

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Date or the fifteenth day immediately preceding Maturity, as the case may be, with respect to Subordinated Debt Securities of such series, and shall be equal to the sum obtained by translating the specified Foreign Currency into Dollars at the applicable Exchange Rate on the last Record Date on which such Foreign Currency was so used in either fashion; provided that payment to a Holder of a Subordinated Debt Security of such series shall be made in a different Foreign Currency if that holder has properly elected or properly elects payment in such Foreign Currency as provided for by Subsection (a) above.

If a Holder of a Subordinated Debt Security denominated in a composite currency has elected payment in a specified Foreign Currency as provided for by Subsection (a) above and such Foreign Currency ceases to be used both by the government of the country that issued such currency and for the settlement of transactions by public institutions of or within the international banking community, such Holder shall, subject to Subsection (d)(i) below, receive payment in such composite currency; provided that such payment to such Holder shall be made in a different Foreign Currency or in Dollars if that Holder has properly elected or properly elects payments in such Foreign Currency or in Dollars as provided for by Subsection (a) above.

(i) If any composite currency in which a Subordinated Debt Security is denominated or payable ceases to be used for the purposes for which it was established, then, with respect to each date for the payment of principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on a series of Subordinated Debt Securities denominated or payable in such composite currency, occurring after the last date on which such composite currency, as the case may be, was so used (the “Conversion Date”), all payments in respect of the Subordinated Debt Securities of such series shall be made in Dollars; provided that payment to a Holder of a Subordinated Debt Security of such series shall be made in a Foreign Currency if that Holder has properly elected or properly elects payment in such Foreign Currency as provided for by Subsection (a) above.

If payment in respect of Subordinated Debt Securities of a series denominated in any composite currency is to be made in Dollars pursuant to the provisions of the preceding paragraph, then the amount to be paid in Dollars on a payment date by the Company to the Trustee and by the Trustee or any Paying Agent to Holders shall be determined by the Trustee as of the Regular or Special Record Date immediately preceding the applicable Interest Payment Date or the fifteenth day immediately preceding Maturity, as the case may be, with respect to Subordinated Debt Securities of such series, and shall be equal to the sum of the amounts obtained by translating each Component of such composite currency into Dollars at the applicable Exchange Rate for such Component on such Record Date or fifteenth day, as the case may be, multiplied by the number of units of such composite currency that would have been so paid had such composite currency not ceased to be so used. If payment is to be made in a Foreign Currency to a Holder of a Subordinated Debt Security of such series pursuant to the

 

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preceding paragraph, then the amount to be paid in such Foreign Currency on a payment date by the Company to the Trustee and by the Trustee or any Paying Agent to such Holder shall be determined by the Trustee as of such Record Date or fifteenth day, as the case may be, and shall be determined by (A) translating each Component of such composite currency into Dollars at the applicable Exchange Rate for such Component on such Record Date or fifteenth day, as the case may be, and (B) translating the sum in Dollars so obtained into such Foreign Currency at the applicable Exchange Rate for such Foreign Currency on such Record Date or fifteenth day, as the case may be.

All decisions and determinations of the Trustee regarding the translation of Foreign Currency into Dollars or the translation of any composite currency into Dollars or the translation of Dollars into Foreign Currency pursuant to this Subsection (d) shall, in the absence of manifest error, be conclusive for all purposes and irrevocably binding upon the Company and all Holders of the Subordinated Debt Securities.

If a Foreign Currency in which a series of Subordinated Debt Securities is denominated or in which payments in respect of Subordinated Debt Securities of such series may be made ceases to be used both by the government of the country that issued such currency and for the settlement of transactions by public institutions of or within the international banking community, the Company, in the event that it learns thereof (without any duty to investigate), will immediately give notice thereof to the Trustee (and the Trustee promptly thereafter will give notice to the relevant Holders in the manner provided in Section 1505) specifying the last date on which such Foreign Currency was so used in either fashion. In the event any composite currency in which a Subordinated Debt Security is denominated or payable ceases to be used for the purposes for which it was established, the Company, upon learning thereof, will immediately give notice thereof to the Trustee (and the Trustee promptly thereafter will give notice to the relevant Holders in the manner provided in Section 1505) specifying the Conversion Date with respect to such composite currency and the Components of such composite currency on such Conversion Date. In the event of any subsequent change in any such Component, the Company, upon learning thereof, will give notice to the Trustee similarly. The Trustee shall be fully justified and protected in relying and acting upon the information so received by it from the Company and shall not otherwise have any duty or obligation to determine such information independently.

ARTICLE FOUR

R EDEMPTION OF S UBORDINATED D EBT S ECURITIES ; S INKING F UND

Section 401 . Applicability of Right of Redemption.

Redemption of Subordinated Debt Securities (other than pursuant to a sinking fund or analogous provision) permitted by the terms of any series of

 

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Subordinated Debt Securities shall be made in accordance with such terms and the applicable provisions of this Article; provided , however , that if any such terms of a series of Subordinated Debt Securities shall conflict with any provision of this Article, the terms of such series shall govern. In addition, the Company may purchase, acquire or otherwise hold Subordinated Debt Securities.

Section 402 . Notice of Redemption.

If the Company shall elect to redeem the Subordinated Debt Securities of any series in whole or in part as aforesaid, it shall fix a date for redemption and give notice of its election so to redeem by mailing written notice, postage prepaid, at least 15 days but not more than 30 days before the Redemption Date, to each Holder of Subordinated Debt Securities to be redeemed as a whole or in part. Any notice which shall be mailed in the manner herein provided shall be conclusively presumed to have been duly given, whether or not the Holder shall receive such notice. Failure to mail such notice, or any defect in the notice mailed, to the Holder of any Subordinated Debt Security designated for redemption as a whole or in part shall not affect the validity of the proceedings for the redemption of any other Subordinated Debt Security.

Each notice of redemption shall state:

(i) such election to redeem on the part of the Company;

(ii) the Redemption Date;

(iii) the Place or Places of Payment where such Subordinated Debt Securities to be surrendered for payment of the Redemption Price and any accrued interest;

(iv) the Redemption Price, or if the Redemption Price is not then ascertainable, the manner of calculation thereof;

(v) that the Subordinated Debt Securities designated in such notice for redemption are required to be presented on or after such Redemption Date and at such Place or Places of Payment and that interest to the Redemption Date on the Subordinated Debt Securities called for redemption will be paid as specified in said notice and shall cease to accrue thereon on such date;

(vi) if less than all Outstanding Subordinated Debt Securities of a series are to be redeemed, the notice shall also identify (and, in the case of partial redemption, state the principal amounts of) the particular Subordinated Debt Securities that are to be redeemed.

(vii) in case of partial redemption, the notice shall state the portion of the principal amount thereof to be redeemed and shall state that

 

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on and after the date fixed for redemption, upon surrender of such Subordinated Debt Security, a new Subordinated Debt Security of the same series in aggregate principal amount equal to the unredeemed portion thereof will be issued; and

(viii) that the redemption is for a sinking fund, if such is the case; and

(ix) the CUSIP Number and, if applicable, the ISIN Number of the Subordinated Debt Securities being redeemed.

Any notice of redemption of Subordinated Debt Securities at the option of the Company shall be given by the Company or, at the Company’s request, by the Trustee in the name and at the expense of the Company; provided however that in the latter case the Company will give the Trustee at least 15 days prior notice to the requested date of the giving of such notice.

Section 403 . Selection of Subordinated Debt Securities on Partial Redemption.

Except as otherwise specified in the manner contemplated by Section 301 for the Subordinated Debt Securities of any series, if the Company shall at any time elect to redeem less than all the Subordinated Debt Securities of such series then Outstanding, it shall notify the Trustee of the principal amount of Subordinated Debt Securities to be redeemed before the mailing of the notice of redemption pursuant to Section 402, and thereupon the Trustee shall select, in such manner as the Trustee shall deem appropriate and fair and which may provide for the selection for redemption of portions (equal to the minimum authorized denomination for Subordinated Debt Securities of such series or any integral multiple thereof that is also an authorized denomination, but in no event shall such portion be less than $1,000) of the principal amount of Subordinated Debt Securities of such series of a denomination larger than the minimum authorized denomination for Subordinated Debt Securities of such series.

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

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

 

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Section 404 . Deposit of Redemption Price.

On or prior to any Redemption Date, the Company shall deposit with the Trustee or with a Paying Agent (or, if the Company is acting as its own Paying Agent, segregate and hold in trust as provided in Section 503) an amount of money sufficient to pay the Redemption Price of, and (except if the Redemption Date shall be an Interest Payment Date) accrued interest on, all the Subordinated Debt Securities or portions thereof which are to be redeemed on that date, in the currency or currencies in which such Redemption Price shall be paid.

Section 405 . Subordinated Debt Securities Payable on Redemption Date.

Notice of redemption having been given as aforesaid, the Subordinated Debt Securities so to be redeemed shall, on the Redemption Date specified in such notice, become due and payable at the applicable Redemption Price, together with interest accrued thereon to such Redemption Date, and from and after such Redemption Date (unless the Company shall default in the payment of such Redemption Price or any such accrued interest), interest on such Subordinated Debt Securities shall cease to accrue. Upon surrender of such Subordinated Debt Securities for redemption in accordance with said notice, such Subordinated Debt Securities shall be paid by the Company at the applicable Redemption Price, together with interest accrued to the Redemption Date; provided , however , that installments of interest whose Stated Maturity is on or prior to the Redemption Date shall be payable to the Holders of such Subordinated Debt Securities, or one or more Predecessor Securities, registered as such on the relevant Record Dates according to their terms and the provisions of Section 307.

If any Subordinated Debt Security called for redemption shall not be so paid upon surrender thereof for redemption, the principal thereof and premium, if any, thereon shall, until paid, bear interest from the Redemption Date at the rate prescribed therefor in such Subordinated Debt Security.

Section 406 . Subordinated Debt Securities Redeemed in Part.

Any Subordinated Debt Security which is to be redeemed only in part shall be surrendered at a Place of Payment therefor (with, if the Company, the Security Registrar or the Trustee so requires, due endorsement by, or a written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the Company, the Security Registrar and the Trustee duly executed by, the Holder thereof or his attorney duly authorized in writing), and the Company shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver to the Holder of such Subordinated Debt Security without service charge, a new Subordinated Debt Security or Subordinated Debt Securities of the same series, in any authorized denomination as requested by such Holder, in an aggregate principal amount equal to and in exchange for the unredeemed portion of the principal of the Subordinated Debt Security so surrendered, except that if a Global Security is so surrendered, the Company shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver to the Depositary for such Global Security, without service charge, a new Global Security or Securities in a denomination equal to and in exchange for the unredeemed portion of the principal of the Global Security so surrendered.

 

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Section 407 . Applicability of Sinking Fund.

Redemption of Subordinated Debt Securities permitted or required pursuant to a sinking fund for the retirement of Subordinated Debt Securities of a series shall be made in accordance with the applicable provisions of this Article, except as otherwise specified in the manner contemplated by Section 301 for Subordinated Debt Securities of such series.

The minimum amount of any sinking fund payment provided for by the terms of Subordinated Debt 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 Subordinated Debt Securities of any series is herein referred to as an “Optional Sinking Fund Payment”. The cash amount of any Mandatory Sinking Fund Payment shall be subject to reduction as provided in Section 408.

Section 408 . Mandatory and Optional Sinking Funds.

In lieu of making all or any part of any Mandatory Sinking Fund Payment with respect to any series of Subordinated Debt Securities in cash, the Company may at its option (a) deliver to the Trustee Subordinated Debt Securities of such series therefore purchased or otherwise acquired (except upon redemption pursuant to the mandatory sinking fund) by the Company or receive credit for Subordinated Debt Securities of such series (not previously so credited) theretofore purchased or otherwise acquired (except as aforesaid) by the Company and delivered to the Trustee for cancellation pursuant to Section 309, (b) receive credit for Optional Sinking Fund Payments (not previously so credited) made pursuant to this Section 408, or (c) receive credit for Subordinated Debt Securities of such series (not previously so credited) redeemed by the Company through any optional redemption provision contained in the terms of such series. Subordinated Debt Securities so delivered or credited shall be received or credited by the Trustee at the sinking fund redemption price specified in such Subordinated Debt Securities.

On or before the 45th day next preceding each sinking fund payment date for any series, the Company will deliver to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate (a) specifying the portion of the Mandatory Sinking Fund Payment to be satisfied by credit of Subordinated Debt Securities of such series, (b) stating that none of the Subordinated Debt Securities of such series has theretofore been so credited, (c) stating whether or not the Company intends to exercise its right to make an Optional Sinking Fund Payment with respect to such series and, if so, specifying the amount of such Optional Sinking Fund Payment which the Company intends to pay on or before the next succeeding sinking fund payment date and (d) specifying such sinking fund payment date. Any Subordinated Debt Securities of

 

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such series to be credited and required to be delivered to the Trustee in order for the Company to be entitled to credit therefor as aforesaid which have not theretofore been delivered to the Trustee shall be delivered for cancellation pursuant to Section 309 to the Trustee with such written statement (or reasonably promptly thereafter if acceptable to the Trustee). Such written statement shall be irrevocable and upon its receipt by the Trustee the Company shall become unconditionally obligated to make all the cash payments or payments therein referred to, if any, on or before the next succeeding sinking fund payment date. Failure of the Company, on or before any such 45th day, to deliver such written statement and Subordinated Debt Securities specified in this paragraph, if any, shall not constitute a default but shall constitute, on and as of such date, the irrevocable election of the Company (i) that the Mandatory Sinking Fund Payment for such series due on the next succeeding sinking fund payment date shall be paid entirely in cash without the option to deliver or credit Subordinated Debt Securities of such series in respect thereof and (ii) that the Company will make no Optional Sinking Fund Payment with respect to such series as provided in this Section 409.

Section 409 . Application of Sinking Fund Payments.

If a Mandatory Sinking Fund Payment or Optional Sinking Fund Payment made in cash with respect to a particular series of Subordinated Debt Securities, plus any unused balance of any preceding sinking fund payments made in cash with respect to such series, shall exceed $50,000 (or a lesser sum if the Company shall so request), such funds shall be applied by the Trustee on the sinking fund payment date provided for in the terms of a particular series of Subordinated Debt Securities next following the date of such payment, unless the date of such payment shall be a sinking fund payment date, in which case such payment shall be applied on such sinking fund payment date, to a redemption of Subordinated Debt Securities of such series at the Redemption Price specified therein. Not less than 45 days (unless a shorter period shall be satisfactory to the Trustee) before each such sinking fund payment date, the Trustee shall select, in the manner provided in Section 403, for redemption on such sinking fund payment date, a sufficient principal amount of Subordinated Debt Securities of such series to absorb said funds, as nearly as may be, and shall, at the expense and in the name of the Company, thereupon cause notice of the redemption of such Subordinated Debt Securities to be given in substantially the manner provided in Section 402 for the redemption of Subordinated Debt Securities in part at the option of the Company, except that the notice of redemption shall also state that such Subordinated Debt Securities are being redeemed for the sinking fund. Any sinking fund moneys not so applied by the Trustee to the redemption of Subordinated Debt Securities of such series shall be added to the next sinking fund payment received in funds by the Trustee and, together with such payment, shall be applied in accordance with the provisions of this Section 409. Any and all sinking fund moneys held by the Trustee on the last sinking fund payment date with respect to Subordinated Debt Securities of such series, and not held for the

 

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payment or redemption of particular Subordinated Debt Securities of such series, shall be applied by the Trustee to the payment of the principal of the Subordinated Debt Securities of such series at Maturity.

On or prior to each sinking fund payment date, the Company shall pay to the Trustee a sum equal to all interest accrued to the date fixed for redemption on Subordinated Debt Securities to be redeemed on such sinking fund payment date pursuant to this Section 409.

The Trustee shall not redeem any Subordinated Debt Securities of a series with sinking fund moneys or mail any notice of redemption of Subordinated Debt Securities of such series by operation of the sinking fund during the continuance of any Event of Default (other than an Event of Default occurring as a consequence of this paragraph) of which the Trustee has actual knowledge, except that if the notice of redemption of any Subordinated Debt Securities of such series shall theretofore have been mailed in accordance with the provisions hereof, the Trustee shall redeem such Subordinated Debt Securities if cash sufficient for the purpose shall be deposited with the Trustee in accordance with the terms of this Article Four. Except as aforesaid, any moneys in the sinking fund at the time any such Event of Default shall occur and any moneys thereafter paid into the sinking fund shall, during the continuation of such Event of Default, be held as security for the payment of all the Subordinated Debt Securities of such series; provided , however , that in case such Event of Default shall have been cured or waived as provided herein, such moneys shall thereafter be applied on the next sinking fund payment date on which such moneys are required to be applied pursuant to the provisions of this Section 409.

ARTICLE FIVE

C OVENANTS

Section 501 . Payment of Principal and Interest.

The Company covenants and agrees for the benefit of each series of Subordinated Debt Securities that it will duly and punctually pay the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on the Subordinated Debt Securities of such series in accordance with the terms of the Subordinated Debt Securities of such series and this Indenture.

The Company shall pay interest on overdue principal of a Subordinated Debt Security of any series at the rate of interest prescribed therefor in such Subordinated Debt Security and, to the extent lawful, it shall pay interest on overdue installments of interest at the same rate.

At the option of the Company, payment of principal (and premium, if any) and interest on the Subordinated Debt Securities may be made either by wire transfer or (subject to collection) by check mailed to the address of such person

 

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entitled thereto at such address as shall appear in the Securities Register; provided that, in connection with payment by wire transfer, the Paying Agent shall have received appropriate wire transfer instructions at least five (5) Business Days prior to the applicable payment date.

Section 502 . Maintenance of Offices or Agencies.

As long as any of the Subordinated Debt Securities shall remain outstanding, the Company will maintain or will cause to be maintained, in each Place of Payment for any series of Subordinated Debt Securities, one or more offices or agencies where Subordinated Debt Securities of such series may be presented or surrendered for payment, exchange and registration of transfer as in this Indenture provided and where notices and demands to or upon the Company in respect of this Indenture and of the Subordinated Debt Securities of such series may be served. The Company will from time to time give written notice to the Trustee of the location of any such office or agency and of any change in the location thereof. In case the Company shall fail to maintain any such office or agency or to give such notice of its location or of any change in the location thereof, presentations, surrenders, notices and demands may be made or served at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee. The Company hereby initially appoints the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee as its office or agency for all the above purposes.

Section 503 . Money for Subordinated Debt Security; Payments to be Held in Trust.

If the Company shall at any time act as its own Paying Agent with respect to any series of Subordinated Debt Securities, then, on or before each date on which the principal of (and premium, if any) or interest on any of the Subordinated Debt Securities of that series shall become payable, by their terms or as a result of the calling thereof for redemption, the Company will set apart and 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 which shall have become so payable until such sums shall be paid to such Persons or otherwise disposed of as herein provided, and will notify the Trustee of its action or failure so to act and of any failure by any other obligor upon the Subordinated Debt Securities of that series to make any such payment.

If the Company shall appoint and at the time have a Paying Agent for the payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) or interest on any series of Subordinated Debt Securities, then, on or before the date on which the principal of (and premium, if any) or interest on any of the Subordinated Debt Securities of that series shall become payable as aforesaid, the Company will pay to such Paying Agent a sum sufficient to pay such principal (and premium, if any) or interest, to be held in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled thereto, and (unless such Paying Agent is the Trustee) the Company will notify the Trustee of its action or failure so to act.

 

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If such Paying Agent shall be other than the Trustee, the Company will cause such Paying Agent to execute and deliver to the Trustee an instrument in which such Paying Agent shall agree with the Trustee, subject to the provisions of this Section 503, (i) that such Paying Agent shall hold all sums held by it for the payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) or interest on the Subordinated Debt Securities of that series in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled thereto until such sums shall be paid to such Persons or otherwise disposed of as herein provided; (ii) that such Paying Agent shall give the Trustee notice of any default by the Company or any other obligor upon the Subordinated Debt Securities of that series in the making of any payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) or interest on the Subordinated Debt Securities of that series when the same shall have become due and payable; and (iii) that such Paying Agent shall, at any time during the continuance of any such default, upon the written request of the Trustee, pay to the Trustee all sums so held in trust by it.

Anything in this Section 503 to the contrary notwithstanding, the Company may at any time, for the purpose of obtaining the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture or for any other reason, pay or cause to be paid to the Trustee all sums held in trust by it or by any Paying Agent (other than the Trustee) as required by this Section 503, such sums to be held by the Trustee upon the same trusts as those upon which such sums were held by the Company or such Paying Agent.

Any money deposited with the Trustee or any Paying Agent, or then held by the Company, in trust for the payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) or interest on any Subordinated Debt Securities of any series and remaining unclaimed for two years after such principal (and premium, if any) or interest has become due and payable shall be paid to the Company on Company Request, or (if then held by the Company) shall be discharged from such trust; and the Holder of such Subordinated Debt Security shall thereafter, as an unsecured general creditor, look only to the Company for payment thereof, and all liability of the Trustee or such Paying Agent with respect to such trust money, and all liability of the Company as trustee thereof, shall thereupon cease.

Section 504 . Corporate Existence.

Subject to Article Eight, the Company will do or cause to be done all things necessary to preserve and keep in full force and effect its corporate existence, rights (charter and statutory) and franchises; provided, however , that the Company shall not be required to preserve any such right or franchise if the Board of Directors or senior management of the Company shall determine that the preservation thereof is no longer desirable in the conduct of the business of the Company and that the loss thereof is not disadvantageous in any material respect to the Holders.

 

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Section 505 . Annual Statement Concerning Compliance with Covenants.

The Company will deliver to the Trustee, within 120 days after the end of each fiscal year, a written statement signed by the Chairman of the Board of Directors, the President, any Vice President or the Treasurer of the Company, stating that:

(a) a review of the activities of the Company during such year with regard to its compliance with this Indenture has been made under such officer’s supervision; and

(b) to the best of such officer’s knowledge , based on such review, the Company has fulfilled all its obligations under this Indenture throughout such year, or, if there has been a default in the fulfillment of any such obligation, specifying each such default known to such officer and the nature and status thereof.

Section 506 . Compliance with Covenants and Conditions May Be Waived by Holders of Subordinated Debt Securities.

Anything in this Indenture to the contrary notwithstanding, the Company or any Subsidiary may fail or omit in any particular instance to comply with any term, provision or condition set forth in this Article 5 or in a supplemental indenture with respect to any series of Subordinated Debt Securities if the Company shall have obtained and filed with the Trustee, before or after the time for such compliance, evidence (as provided in Article Seven) of the consent of the Holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Subordinated Debt Securities of such series at the time Outstanding, either waiving such compliance in such instance or generally waiving compliance with such term, provision or condition, but no such waiver shall extend to or affect any obligation not waived by the terms of such waiver or impair any right consequent thereon.

ARTICLE SIX

R EMEDIES

Section 601 . Events of Default.

Except where otherwise indicated by the context or where the term is otherwise defined for a specific purpose, the term “Event of Default” as used in this Indenture with respect to Subordinated Debt Securities of any series shall mean one of the following described events unless it is either inapplicable to a particular series or it is specifically deleted or modified in the supplemental indenture, if any, under which such series of Subordinated Debt Securities is issued:

(a) the failure of the Company to pay any installment of interest on any Subordinated Debt Security of such series, when and as the same shall become due and payable, which failure shall have continued unremedied for a period of 30

 

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days or, if interest deferral is applicable to such series pursuant to Section 301, failure to pay in full the interest accrued on any Subordinated Debt Securities of such series when such interest becomes due and payable upon the conclusion of an interest deferral period having the maximum permitted length specified pursuant to Section 301 and continuance of that failure for a period of 30 days thereafter;

(b) the failure of the Company to pay the principal or premium, if any, on any Subordinated Debt Security of such series, when and as the same shall become payable, whether at maturity as therein expressed, by call for redemption (otherwise than pursuant to a sinking fund), by declaration of acceleration as authorized by this Indenture or otherwise;

(c) the failure of the Company to pay a sinking fund installment, if any, when and as the same shall become due and payable by the terms of a Subordinated Debt Security of such series, which failure shall have continued unremedied for a period of 30 days;

(d) the entry by a court having jurisdiction in the premises of a decree or order for relief in respect of the Company in an involuntary case under the Federal bankruptcy laws, as now or hereafter constituted, or any other applicable Federal or State bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar law now or hereafter in effect, or appointing a receiver, liquidator, assignee, custodian, trustee or sequestrator (or similar official) of the Company or for substantially all of its property, or ordering the winding-up or liquidation of the Company’s affairs, and such decree or order shall remain unstayed and in effect for a period of 90 consecutive days;

(e) the commencement by the Company of a voluntary case under the Federal bankruptcy laws, as now or hereafter constituted, or any other applicable Federal or State bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar law now or hereafter in effect, or the consent by the Company to the entry of an order for relief in an involuntary case under any such law, or the consent by the Company to the appointment of or taking possession by a receiver, liquidator, assignee, trustee, custodian or sequestrator (or similar official) of the Company or for substantially all of its property, or the making by it of an assignment for the benefit of creditors; or

(f) the occurrence of any other event of default with respect to the Subordinated Debt Securities of such series as provided in a supplemental indenture applicable to such series of Subordinated Debt Securities or a Board Resolution pursuant to which such series of Subordinated Debt Securities is established.

Section 602 . Acceleration of Maturity on Default; Waiver.

If any one or more Events of Default shall happen with respect to Subordinated Debt Securities of any series at the time Outstanding, then, and in

 

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each and every such case, during the continuance of any such Event of Default, the Trustee or the Holders of 25% or more in aggregate principal amount of the Subordinated Debt Securities of such series then Outstanding may, and upon the written request of the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of such Subordinated Debt Securities then Outstanding the Trustee shall, declare the principal amount (or, if the Subordinated Debt Securities of that series are Original Issue Discount Securities, such portion of the principal amount as may be specified in the terms of that series) of and all accrued but unpaid interest (if any) on all the Subordinated Debt Securities of such series then Outstanding, if not then due and payable, to be due and payable, and upon any such declaration the same shall become and be immediately due and payable, anything contained in this Indenture or in the Subordinated Debt Securities of such series to the contrary notwithstanding; provided that no Event of Default with respect to Subordinated Debt Securities of a series, except with respect to an Event of Default under Subsections (e) and (f) of Section 601, shall constitute an Event of Default with respect to Subordinated Debt Securities of any other series. The foregoing provision, however, is subject to the condition that, if at any time after the principal amount (or specified amount) of and all accrued but unpaid interest (if any) on all the Subordinated Debt Securities of such series shall have been so declared to be due and payable, all arrears of interest, if any, upon all the Subordinated Debt Securities of such series (with interest, to the extent that interest thereon shall be legally enforceable, on any overdue installment of interest at the rate borne by the Subordinated Debt Securities of such series) and all amounts owed to the Trustee and any predecessor trustee hereunder under Section 1001(a) and all other sums payable under this Indenture (except the principal of the Subordinated Debt Securities of such series which would not be due and payable were it not for such declaration), shall be paid by the Company, and every other default and Event of Default under this Indenture shall have been cured to the reasonable satisfaction of the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Subordinated Debt Securities of such series then Outstanding, or provision deemed by such Holders to be adequate therefor shall have been made, then and in every such case the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Subordinated Debt Securities of such series then Outstanding may, on behalf of the Holders of all the Subordinated Debt Securities of such series, waive the Event of Default by reason of which the principal of the Subordinated Debt Securities of such series shall have been so declared to be due and payable and may rescind and annul such declaration and its consequences; but no such waiver, recission or annulment shall extend to or affect any subsequent default or Event of Default or impair any right consequent thereon. Any declaration by the Trustee pursuant to this Section 602 shall be by written notice to the Company, and any declaration or waiver by the Holders of Subordinated Debt Securities of any series pursuant to this Section 602 shall be by written notice to the Company and the Trustee.

 

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Section 603 . Collection of Amounts Due and Suits for Enforcement by Trustee.

If the Company shall fail for a period of 30 days to pay any installment of interest on the Subordinated Debt Securities of any series, or shall fail to pay the principal of and premium, if any, on any of the Subordinated Debt Securities of such series when and as the same shall become due and payable, whether at maturity, or by call for redemption (otherwise than pursuant to a sinking fund), by declaration as authorized by this Indenture or otherwise, or shall fail for a period of 30 days to make any sinking fund payment as to a series of Subordinated Debt Securities, then, upon demand of the Trustee, the Company will pay to the Trustee for the benefit of the Holders of the Subordinated Debt Securities of such series then Outstanding the whole amount which then shall have become due and payable on all the Subordinated Debt Securities of such series, with interest on the overdue principal and premium, if any, and (so far as the same may be legally enforceable) on the overdue installments of interest at the rate borne by the Subordinated Debt Securities of such series, and all amounts owed to the Trustee and any predecessor trustee hereunder under Section 1001(a).

Until such demand is made by the Trustee, the Company may pay the principal of and interest on the Subordinated Debt Securities of any series to the Holders, whether or not the principal of and interest on the Subordinated Debt Securities of such series be overdue.

In case the Company fails forthwith to pay such amounts 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 any other obligor upon the Subordinated Debt Securities of such series, and collect the moneys adjudged or decreed to be payable out of the property of the Company or any other obligor upon the Subordinated Debt Securities of such series, wherever situated, in the manner provided by law. Every recovery of judgment in any such action or other proceeding, subject to the payment to the Trustee of all amounts owed to the Trustee and any predecessor trustee hereunder under Section 1001(a), shall be for the ratable benefit of the Holders of such series of Subordinated Debt Securities which shall be the subject of such action or proceeding. All rights of action upon or under any of the Subordinated Debt Securities or this Indenture may be enforced by the Trustee with out the possession of any of the Subordinated Debt Securities and without the production of any thereof at any trial or any proceeding relative thereto.

Section 604 . Trustee Appointed Attorney-in-Fact for Holders to File Claims.

The Trustee is hereby appointed, and each and every Holder, by receiving and holding Subordinated Debt Securities, shall be conclusively deemed to have appointed the Trustee, the true and lawful attorney-in-fact of such Holder, with authority to make or file (whether or not the Company shall be in default in

 

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respect of the payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) or interest on any of the Subordinated Debt Securities), in its own name and as trustee of an express trust or otherwise as it shall deem advisable, in any receivership, insolvency, liquidation, bankruptcy, reorganization or other judicial proceeding relative to the Company or any other obligor upon the Subordinated Debt Securities or to their respective creditors or property, any and all claims, proofs of claim, proofs of debt, petitions, consents, other papers and documents and amendments of any thereof, as may be necessary or advisable in order to have the claims of the Trustee and any predecessor trustee hereunder and of the Holders allowed in any such proceeding and to collect and receive any moneys or other property payable or deliverable on any such claim, and to execute and deliver any and all other papers and documents and to do and perform any and all other acts and things, as it may deem necessary or advisable in order to enforce in any such proceeding any of the claims of the Trustee and any predecessor trustee hereunder and any of the Holders, and any receiver, assignee, trustee, custodian or debtor in any such proceeding is hereby authorized, and each and every holder, by receiving and holding Subordinated Debt Securities, shall be conclusively deemed to have authorized any such receiver, assignee, trustee, custodian or debtor to make any such payment or delivery only to or on the order of the Trustee, and to pay to the Trustee any amount due it and any predecessor trustee hereunder under Section 1001(a); provided , however , that nothing herein contained shall be deemed to authorize or empower the Trustee to consent to or accept or adopt, on behalf of any Holder, any plan of reorganization or readjustment of the Company affecting the Subordinated Debt Securities or the rights of any Holder thereof, or to authorize or empower the Trustee to vote in respect of the claim of any Holder in any such proceeding.

Section 605 . Application of Moneys Collected by Trustee.

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

First : To the payment of all amounts due to the Trustee and any predecessor trustee hereunder under Section 1001(a);

Second : In case the principal of the Outstanding Subordinated Debt Securities of such series shall not have become due and be unpaid, to the payment of interest on the Subordinated Debt Securities of such series, in the order of the Maturity of the installments of such interest, with interest (to the extent that such interest is legally enforceable and has been collected by the Trustee) upon the overdue installments of interest at the rate borne by such Subordinated Debt Securities, such payments to be made ratably to the Persons entitled thereto;

 

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Third : In case the principal of the Outstanding Subordinated Debt Securities of such series shall have become due and payable, by declaration or otherwise, to the payment of the whole amount then owing and unpaid upon the Subordinated Debt Securities of such series for principal (and premium, if any) and interest, with interest on the overdue principal and premium, if any, and (to the extent that such interest is legally enforceable and has been collected by the Trustee) upon overdue installments of interest at the rate borne by the Subordinated Debt Securities of such series, and in case such moneys shall be insufficient to pay in full the whole amounts so due and unpaid upon the Subordinated Debt Securities of such series, then to the payment of such principal (and premium, if any) and interest without preference or priority of principal and premium, if any, over interest, or of interest over principal and premium, if any, or of any installment of interest over any other installment of interest, or of any Subordinated Debt Security of such series over any other Subordinated Debt Security of such series, ratably according to the aggregate amounts of such principal (and premium, if any) and accrued and unpaid interest. The Holders of each series of Subordinated Debt Securities denominated in any composite currency or a Foreign Currency shall be entitled to receive a ratable portion of the amount determined by the Trustee by converting the principal amount Outstanding of such series of Subordinated Debt Securities and matured but unpaid interest on such series of Subordinated Debt Securities in the currency in which such series of Subordinated Debt Securities is denominated into Dollars at the applicable Exchange Rate as of the date of declaration of acceleration of the Maturity of the Subordinated Debt Securities (or, if there is no such Exchange Rate as of such date for the reasons specified in Section 3.12(d)(i), such Exchange Rate on the date specified in such Section).

Any surplus then remaining shall be paid to the Company.

Section 606 . Holders May Direct Proceedings and Waive Defaults.

The Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Subordinated Debt Securities of any series shall have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee hereunder, or of exercising any trust or power hereby conferred upon the Trustee with respect to the Subordinated Debt Securities of such series; provided , however , that, subject to the provisions of Section 1001 and 1002, the Trustee shall have the right to decline to follow any such direction if the Trustee, being advised by counsel, determines that the action so directed may not lawfully be taken or would be unduly prejudicial to Holders not joining in such direction or would involve the Trustee in personal liability. The Trustee may take any other action which is not inconsistent with such direction.

Prior to any declaration accelerating the Maturity of the Subordinated Debt Securities of any series, the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Subordinated Debt Securities of such series may on behalf of the Holders of all of the Subordinated Debt Securities of such series

 

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waive any past default or Event of Default hereunder and its consequences, except a default in the payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) or interest on any Subordinated Debt Security of such series. Upon any such waiver the Company, the Trustee and the Holders of the Subordinated Debt 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 Event of Default or impair any right consequent thereon. Whenever any default or Event of Default hereunder shall have been waived as permitted by this Section 606, said default or Event of Default shall for all purposes of the Subordinated Debt Securities of such series and this Indenture be deemed to have been cured and to be not continuing.

Section 607 . Limitations on Right of Holders to Institute Proceedings.

No Holder of any Subordinated Debt Security of any series shall have any right to institute an action, suit or proceeding at law or in equity with respect to this Indenture, or for the execution of any trust hereunder or for the appointment of a receiver or for any other remedy hereunder, in each case with respect to an Event of Default with respect to such series of Subordinated Debt Securities, unless (i) such Holder previously shall have given to the Trustee written notice of the occurrence and continuation of one or more Events of Default with respect to such series of Subordinated Debt Securities; (ii) the Holders of 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Subordinated Debt Securities of such series shall have requested the Trustee in writing to take action in respect of the matter complained of; and (iii) unless such Holder or Holders have offered to the Trustee security and indemnity satisfactory to it against the costs, expenses and liabilities to be incurred therein or thereby and the Trustee, for 60 days after receipt of such notification, request and offer of indemnity, shall have neglected or refused to institute any such action, suit or proceeding, and such notification, request and offer of indemnity are hereby declared in every such case to be conditions precedent to any such action, suit or proceeding by any Holder of any Subordinated Debt Security of such series, it being understood and intended that no one or more of such Holders shall have any right in any manner whatsoever by his or their action to enforce any right hereunder, except in the manner herein provided, and that every action, suit or proceeding at law or in equity shall be instituted, had and maintained in the manner herein provided and for the equal benefit of all Holders of the Outstanding Subordinated Debt Securities of such series; provided , however , that nothing contained in this Indenture or in the Subordinated Debt Securities of such series shall affect or impair the obligation of the Company, which is absolute and unconditional, to pay the principal of (and premium, if any) and (subject to Section 307) interest on the Subordinated Debt Securities of such series to the respective Holders of such Subordinated Debt Securities at the Stated Maturity or Maturities expressed in such Subordinated Debt Securities, or affect or impair the right, which is also absolute and unconditional, of such Holders to institute suit to enforce any such payment.

 

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Section 608 . Assessment of Costs and Attorneys’ Fees in Legal Proceedings.

All parties to this Indenture agree, and each Holder of any Subordinated Debt Security by his acceptance thereof shall be deemed to have agreed, that any court may in its discretion require, in any action, suit or proceeding for the enforcement of any right or remedy under this Indenture, or in any action, suit or proceeding against the Trustee for any action taken or omitted by it as Trustee, the filing by any party litigant in such action, suit or proceeding of an undertaking to pay the costs of such action, suit or proceeding, and that such court may in its discretion assess reasonable costs, including reasonable attorneys’ fees, against any party litigant in such action, suit or proceeding, having due regard to the merits and good faith of the claims or defenses made by such party litigant; provided , however , that the provisions of this Section 608 shall not apply to any action, suit or proceeding instituted by the Trustee, to any action, suit or proceeding instituted by any one or more Holders holding in the aggregate more than 10% in principal amount of the Outstanding Subordinated Debt Securities of any series, or to any action, suit or proceeding instituted by any Holder for the enforcement of the payment of the principal of (or premium, if any) or interest on any of the Subordinated Debt Securities of such series, on or after the respective Stated Maturity or Maturities expressed in such Subordinated Debt Securities (or, in the case of redemption, on or after the Redemption Date).

Section 609 . Rights and Remedies Cumulative.

No right or remedy herein conferred upon or reserved to the Trustee or to the Holders is intended to be exclusive of any other right or rights or remedy or remedies, and each and every right and remedy shall, to the extent permitted by law, be cumulative and shall be in addition to every other right and remedy given hereunder or now or hereafter existing at law or in equity or otherwise.

No delay or omission of the Trustee or of any Holder to exercise any right or remedy accruing upon any default or Event of Default shall impair any such right or remedy or shall be construed to be a waiver of any such default or Event of Default or an acquiescence therein, and every right and remedy given by this Article Six to the Trustee and to the Holders, respectively, may be exercised from time to time and as often as may be deemed expedient by the Trustee or by the Holders, as the case may be.

In case the Trustee or any Holder shall have proceeded to enforce any right or remedy under this Indenture and the proceedings for the enforcement thereof shall have been discontinued or abandoned because of waiver or for any other reason or shall have been adjudicated adversely to the Trustee or to such Holder, then and in every such case the Company, the Trustee and the Holders shall be restored severally and respectively to their former positions and rights hereunder, and thereafter all rights, remedies and powers of the Trustee and the Holders shall continue as though no such proceedings had been taken, except as to any matters so waived or adjudicated.

 

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ARTICLE SEVEN

A CTIONS BY H OLDERS

Section 701 . Actions by Holders.

Whenever in this Indenture it is provided that the Holders of a specified percentage or a majority in aggregate principal amount of Outstanding Subordinated Debt Securities of any 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), such action may be taken by (a) a meeting of the Holders in accordance with Article Eight or (b) by any instrument or instruments of a substantially similar tenor executed and delivered by the requisite number of Holders in accordance with the provisions of this Article Seven.

Section 702 . Instruments.

In order to be effective to take any action under this Article Seven, an instrument shall (a) be in writing, (b) express the action to be taken, (c) be executed by or on behalf of a Holder who is such (i) if such instruments have been requested by the Company or the Trustee pursuant to a written notice mailed to all Holders of the affected series, on the date such notice is mailed or (ii) in any other case, on the date the first instrument expressing such action is delivered to the Trustee, and (d) indicate the principal amount of Subordinated Debt Securities to which the instrument relates. Each such instrument must be duly acknowledged or witnessed. If such instrument is executed by a Person other than the Holder, then such instrument shall include, or be accompanied by proof acceptable to the Trustee of, such Person’s authority to execute the instrument.

The ownership of Subordinated Debt Securities shall be proved by the Security Register. The Trustee may accept such other proof or may require such additional proof of any other matter referred to in this Section 702 as it shall reasonably deem appropriate or necessary.

Section 703 . Determining Principal Amount of Outstanding Subordinated Debt Securities.

In determining whether the Holders of the requisite principal amount of Outstanding Subordinated Debt Securities have given any authorization, demand, direction, request, notice, waiver or consent or taken any other action under this Indenture, Subordinated Debt Securities owned by the Company or any other obligor on the Subordinated Debt Securities or any Affiliate of the Company or such other obligor shall be disregarded and deemed not to be Outstanding, except that for the purpose of determining whether the Trustee shall be protected in

 

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relying on any such authorization, demand, direction, request, notice, waiver, consent or action, only Subordinated Debt Securities which the Trustee knows are so owned shall be disregarded. Subordinated Debt Securities so owned which have been pledged in good faith may be regarded as Outstanding for the purposes of this Section 703 if the pledgee shall establish to the satisfaction of the Trustee the pledgee’s right to vote such Subordinated Debt Securities and that the pledgee is not the Company or any other obligor upon the Subordinated Debt Securities or any Affiliate of the Company or 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.

For purposes of determining the principal amount of Outstanding Subordinated Debt Securities of any series the Holders of which are required, requested or permitted to give any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or take any other action under this Indenture, (i) each Original Issue Discount Security shall be deemed to have the principal amount determined by the Trustee that could be declared to be due and payable pursuant to the terms of such Original Issue Discount Security as of a date fixed by the Trustee and (ii) each Subordinated Debt Security denominated in a Foreign Currency or composite currency shall be deemed to have the principal amount determined by the Trustee by translating the principal amount of such Subordinated Debt Security in the currency in which such Subordinated Debt Security is denominated into Dollars at the applicable Exchange Rate as of a date fixed by the Trustee.

Upon receipt of instruments representing the Holders of a sufficient amount of Subordinated Debt Securities to take the action stated thereon, the Trustee shall promptly tabulate such instruments and deliver a report thereof to the Company.

Section 704 . Revocation by Holders of Consents to Action.

At any time prior to (but not after) the evidencing to the Trustee, as provided in Section 701, of the taking of any action by the Holders of the requisite proportion of Outstanding Subordinated Debt Securities of any series, any Holder of a Subordinated Debt Security that is shown by the evidence to be included among the Subordinated Debt Securities whose Holders consented to such action may, by filing written notice with the Trustee and upon proof of holding as provided in Section 702, revoke such action so far as concerns such Subordinated Debt Security. Except as aforesaid, any such action taken by the Holder of any Subordinated Debt Security shall be conclusive and binding upon such Holder and upon all future Holders of the same Subordinated Debt Security and the Holder of every Subordinated Debt Security issued upon the transfer thereof or in exchange therefor or in lieu thereof, irrespective of whether or not any notation in regard thereto is made upon such Subordinated Debt Security or any Subordinated Debt Security issued in exchange or substitution therefor.

 

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ARTICLE EIGHT

S UCCESSOR C ORPORATION

Section 801 . Company May Not Consolidate, etc., Except Under Certain Conditions.

The Company covenants that it will not merge or consolidate with any other Person or sell, convey, transfer or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of its assets to any other Person, unless (i) either the Company shall be the continuing corporation, or the successor Person (if other than the Company) shall be a corporation or a limited liability company organized and existing under the laws of the United States of America or a state thereof or the District of Columbia and such corporation or limited liability company, as the case may be, shall expressly assume the due and punctual payment of the principal of, and premium, if any, and interest, if any, on all the Subordinated Debt Securities according to their tenor, and the due and punctual performance and observance of all of the covenants and conditions of this Indenture to be performed by the Company by supplemental indenture in form satisfactory to the Trustee, executed and delivered to the Trustee by such corporation or limited liability company, as the case may be, and (ii) the Company or such successor corporation or limited liability company, as the case may be, shall not, immediately after such merger or consolidation, or such sale, conveyance, transfer or other disposition, be in default in the performance of any such covenant or condition. In the event of any such merger, consolidation, sale, conveyance (other than by way of lease), transfer or other disposition, the predecessor company may be dissolved, wound up and liquidated at any time thereafter.

Section 802 . Successor Corporation or Limited Liability Company to be Substituted.

Subject to compliance with Section 801, nothing contained in this Indenture or in the Subordinated Debt Securities shall be deemed to prevent the consolidation or merger of the Company with or into any other corporation, or the merger into the Company of any other corporation, or the sale or lease by the Company of its property and assets as, or substantially as, an entirety, or otherwise.

In case of any such merger, consolidation, sale, conveyance (other than by way of lease), transfer or other disposition, and upon any such assumption by the successor corporation or limited liability company, such successor corporation or limited liability company shall succeed to and be substituted for the Company, with the same effect as if it had been named herein as the Company, and the Company shall be relieved of any further obligation under this Indenture and under the Subordinated Debt Securities. Such successor corporation or limited liability company thereupon may cause to be signed, and may issue either in its own name or in the name of Limited Brands, Inc., any or all of the Securities issuable hereunder which theretofore shall not have been signed by the Company

 

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and delivered to the Trustee; and, upon the order of such successor corporation or limited liability company, instead of the Company, and subject to all the terms, conditions and limitations in this Indenture prescribed, the Trustee shall authenticate and shall deliver any Subordinated Debt Securities which previously shall have been signed and delivered by the officers of the Company to the Trustee for authentication, and any Subordinated Debt Securities which such successor corporation or limited liability company thereafter shall cause to be signed and delivered to the Trustee for that purpose. All the Subordinated Debt Securities so issued shall in all respects have the same legal rank and benefit under this Indenture as the Subordinated Debt Securities theretofore or thereafter issued in accordance with the terms of this Indenture as though all of such Subordinated Debt Securities had been issued at the date of the execution hereof.

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

Section 803 . Documents to be Given to the Trustee.

The Trustee, subject to the provisions of Article 10, shall be provided with an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel as conclusive evidence that any such consolidation, merger, sale, conveyance, transfer or other disposition complies with the provisions of this Article 8.

ARTICLE NINE

R EPORTS BY THE C OMPANY AND THE T RUSTEE ; H OLDERS ’ L ISTS

Section 901 . Reports by Trustee.

(a) The Trustee shall transmit to Holders such reports concerning the Trustee and its actions under this Indenture as may be required pursuant to the Trust Indenture Act at the times and in the manner provided pursuant thereto. If required by Section 313 (a) of the Trust Indenture Act, the Trustee shall, within sixty days after each May 15 following the date of the initial issuance of Securities under 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) A copy of each such report shall, at the time of such transmission to Holders, be filed by the Trustee with each stock exchange, if any, upon which the Securities are listed, with the Commission and with the Company. The Company will promptly notify the Trustee in writing when the Securities are listed on any stock exchange and of any delisting thereof.

 

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Section 902. Reports by the Company.

(a) Reports and Information to be Filed with Trustee. The Company will file with the Trustee, within 30 days after the Company files the same with the Commission, copies of the annual reports and of the information, documents and other reports which the Company may be required to file with the Commission pursuant to the provisions of Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (or copies of such portions of any of the foregoing as the Commission may by rules and regulations prescribe); or, if the Company is not required to file information, documents or reports pursuant to the provisions of either of such Sections, then the Company will file with the Trustee and the Commission, in accordance with rules and regulations prescribed by the Commission, such of the supplementary and periodic information, documents and reports which may be required pursuant to the provisions of Section 13 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, in respect of a security listed and registered on a national securities exchange, as may be prescribed in such rules and regulations.

(b) Additional Information to Be Filed with Trustee and Commission. The Company will file with the Trustee and the Commission, in accordance with rules and regulations prescribed by the Commission, such additional information, documents and reports with respect to compliance by the Company with the conditions and covenants provided for in this Indenture as may be required by such rules and regulations.

(c) Reports to Holders. The Company will transmit to all Holders, within 30 days after the filing thereof with the Trustee (unless some other time shall be fixed by the Commission), in the manner and to the extent provided in Section 901(c), such summaries of any information, documents and reports required to be filed by the Company pursuant to the provisions of Subsections (a) and (b) above as may be required by rules and regulations prescribed from time to time by the Commission.

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

Section 903 . Holders’ Lists.

(a) Names and Addresses of Holders. The Company covenants and agrees that it will furnish or cause to be furnished to the Trustee with respect to the Subordinated Debt Securities of each series for which it acts as Trustee:

(i) at least semiannually, within 10 days after each Regular Record Date with respect to such Subordinated Debt Securities, a list in such form as the Trustee may reasonably require of the names and addresses of the Holders of such Subordinated Debt Securities, as of such Record Date; and

 

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(ii) at such other times as the Trustee may request in writing, within 30 days after 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 so long as the Trustee shall be the Security Registrar, no such list need be furnished.

(b) Trustee to Preserve Information. The Trustee will preserve, in as current a form as is reasonably practicable, all information as to the names and addresses of Holders so furnished or caused to be furnished to it by the Company or received by it in its capacity as Paying Agent or Security Registrar. The Trustee may (1) destroy any information furnished to it as provided in Subsection (a) above upon receipt of new similar information so furnished to it; and (2) destroy any information received by it as Paying Agent or Security Registrar, but not until 45 days after a subsequent interest payment shall have been made.

(c) Trustee to Furnish Certain Information to Holders on Request. Promptly after receipt by the Trustee of a written application by any three or more Holders (hereinafter referred to as the “ applicants ”) stating that such applicants desire to communicate with other Holders with respect to their rights under this Indenture or under the Subordinated Debt Securities, and accompanied by a copy of the form of proxy or other communication which such applicants propose to transmit, and by reasonable proof that each such applicant has owned a Subordinated Debt Security for a period of at least six months preceding the date of such application, the Trustee shall, at its election, either

(i) afford to such applicants access to all information furnished to, or received by, and preserved by, the Trustee pursuant to the provisions of this Section 903; or

(ii) inform such applicants as to the approximate number of Holders according to the most recent information so furnished to, or received by, and preserved by, the Trustee, and as to the approximate cost of mailing to such Holders the form of proxy or other communication, if any, specified in such application.

If the Trustee shall elect not to afford to such applicants access to such information, the Trustee shall, upon the written request of such applicants, mail to each Holder whose name and address are contained in the information so furnished to, or received by, and preserved by, the Trustee, a copy of the form of proxy or other communication which is specified in such request, with reasonable promptness after a tender to the Trustee of the material to be mailed and of payment, or provision for the payment, of the reasonable expenses of such mailing, unless, within five days after such tender, the Trustee shall mail to such applicants and file with the Commission, together with a copy of the material to

 

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be mailed, a written statement to the effect that, in the opinion of the Trustee, such mailing would be contrary to the best interests of the Holders or would be in violation of applicable law. Such written statement shall specify the basis of such opinion. If the Commission, after opportunity for a hearing upon the objections specified in the written statement so filed, shall enter an order refusing to sustain any of the objections specified in the written statement so filed, or if, after the entry of an order sustaining one or more of such objections, the Commission shall find, after notice and opportunity for hearing, that all objections so sustained have been met, and shall enter an order so declaring, the Trustee shall mail copies of such material to all such Holders with reasonable promptness after the entry of such order and the renewal of such tender; otherwise the Trustee shall be relieved of any obligation or duty to such applicants respecting their application.

Each and every Holder of a Subordinated Debt Security, by receiving and holding the same, agrees with the Company and the Trustee that none of the Company, the Trustee or any agent of either of them shall be held accountable by reason of the disclosure of any such information as to the names and addresses of the Holders in accordance with the provisions of this Subsection (c), regardless of the source from which such information was derived, and that the Trustee shall not be held accountable by reason of mailing any material pursuant to a request made under this Subsection (c).

ARTICLE TEN

C ONCERNING THE T RUSTEE

Section 1001 . Acceptance of Trusts Upon Specified Conditions.

The Trustee accepts the trusts created by this Indenture upon the terms and conditions hereof, including the following, to all of which the parties hereto and the Holders from time to time of the Subordinated Debt Securities agree:

(a) Trustee Entitled to Compensation and Expenses; Indemnification. The Trustee shall be entitled to such compensation as is agreed upon in writing for all services rendered by it hereunder (which compensation shall not be limited by any provision of law in regard to the compensation of a trustee of an express trust), and the Company agrees to pay such compensation, and all other reasonable expenses (including the fees and expenses of Trustee’s counsel), disbursements and advances incurred or made by the Trustee hereunder, promptly on demand from time to time as such services shall be rendered and as such expenses shall be incurred. The Company also agrees to indemnify each of the Trustee and any predecessor trustee hereunder for, and to hold it or them harmless against, any loss, liability, claim, damage, cost or expense incurred without its or their own negligence or willful misconduct, arising out of or in connection with the acceptance or administration of the trust or trusts hereunder and the performance of its or their duties, as well as the costs and expenses of defending itself or themselves against any claim or liability in connection with the exercise

 

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or performance of any of its or their powers or duties hereunder. As security for the performance of the obligations of the Company under this Subsection (a), the Trustee shall have a lien therefor on any moneys held by the Trustee hereunder prior to any rights therein of the Holders. Notwithstanding any provisions of this Indenture to the contrary, the obligations of the Company to indemnify the Trustee under this Section 1001(a) shall survive any satisfaction and discharge under Article Eleven.

(b) Trustee May Act by Agents and Attorneys. The Trustee may execute any of the trusts or powers hereof and perform any duty hereunder either directly or by its agents and attorneys and shall not be responsible for any misconduct or negligence on the part of any agent or attorney appointed with due care by it hereunder.

(c) Trustee Not Responsible for Recitals of Fact. The Trustee shall not be responsible in any manner whatsoever for the correctness of the recitals contained herein or in the Subordinated Debt Securities (except its certificates of authentication thereon), all of which are made by the Company solely; and the Trustee shall not be responsible or accountable in any manner whatsoever for or with respect to the validity or execution or sufficiency of this Indenture or of the Subordinated Debt Securities (except its certificates of authentication thereon), and the Trustee makes no representation with respect thereto. The Trustee shall not be accountable for the use or application by the Company of any Subordinated Debt Securities, or the proceeds of any Subordinated Debt Securities, authenticated and delivered by the Trustee in conformity with the provisions of this Indenture.

(d) Trustee May Consult With Counsel. The Trustee may consult with counsel, and, to the extent permitted by Section 1002, any advice of counsel shall be full and complete authorization and protection in respect of any action taken or suffered to be taken by the Trustee hereunder in good faith and in accordance with such advice.

(e) Trustee May Rely Upon Certificate as to Adoption of Resolutions; Requests May Be Evidenced by Officers’ Certificate. The Trustee, to the extent permitted by Section 1002, may rely upon the certificate of the Secretary or one of the Assistant Secretaries of the Company as to the adoption of any resolution by the Board of Directors or stockholders of the Company, and any request, direction, order or demand of the Company mentioned herein shall be sufficiently evidenced by, and whenever in the administration of this Indenture the Trustee shall deem it desirable that a matter be proved or established prior to taking, offering or omitting any action hereunder, the Trustee may rely upon, an Officers’ Certificate (unless other evidence in respect thereof be herein specifically prescribed).

(f) Trustee May Become Owner or Pledgee of Subordinated Debt Securities. The Trustee or any agent of the Trustee, in its individual or any other

 

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capacity, may become the owner or pledgee of Subordinated Debt Securities and, subject to Section 1006 and 1009, may otherwise deal with the Company with the same rights it would have had if it were not a Trustee or such agent.

(g) Segregation of Funds. Money held by the Trustee in trust hereunder need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law. The Trustee shall be under no liability for interest on any money received by it hereunder except as otherwise agreed in writing with the Company.

(h) Action at Request of or with Consent of Holder Binding on Future Holders. Any action taken by the Trustee pursuant to any provision hereof at the request or with the consent of any Person who at the time is the Holder of any Subordinated Debt Security shall be conclusive and binding in respect of any such Subordinated Debt Security upon all future Holders thereof or of any Subordinated Debt Security or Securities that may be issued for or in lieu thereof in whole or in part, whether or not such Subordinated Debt Security shall have noted thereon the fact that such request or consent had been made or given.

(i) Trustee May Rely on Instruments Believed by It to Be Genuine. Subject to the provisions of Section 1002, the Trustee may rely conclusively 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, debenture or other paper or document believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper party or parties.

(j) Trustee Need Not Exercise Rights or Powers Unless Indemnified by Holders. Subject to the provisions of Section 1002, the Trustee shall not be under any obligation to exercise any of the rights or powers vested in it by this Indenture at the request, order or direction of any Holders, pursuant to any provision of this Indenture, unless one or more Holders shall have offered to the Trustee security or indemnity satisfactory to it against the costs, expenses and liabilities that may be incurred by it therein or thereby.

(k) Trustee Not Liable for Action Taken or Omitted in Good Faith. Subject to the provisions of Section 1002, the Trustee shall not be liable for any action taken or omitted by it in good faith and believed by it to be authorized or within its discretion or within the rights or powers conferred upon it by this Indenture.

(l) Trustee Not Bound to Make Investigation. Subject to the provisions of the first paragraph of Section 1002, 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, debenture or other paper or document (including mathematical calculations therein).

 

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(m) Trustee Not Deemed to Have Knowledge of Default. Subject to the provisions of Section 1002, the Trustee shall not be deemed to have knowledge or notice of any default or Event of Default unless a Responsible Officer of the Trustee has actual knowledge thereof or unless the Holders of not less than 25% of the Outstanding Subordinated Debt Securities of any series notify the Trustee in writing thereof.

(n) In no event shall the Trustee be responsible or liable for special, indirect, 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.

(o) 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.

Section 1002 . Duties of Trustee in Case of Default.

If one or more Events of Default with respect to the Subordinated Debt Securities of any series shall have happened, then, during the continuance thereof, the Trustee shall, with respect to the Subordinated Debt Securities of such series, exercise such of the rights and powers vested in it by this Indenture, and shall use the same degree of care and skill in their exercise, as a prudent man would exercise or use under the circumstances in the conduct of his own affairs.

None of the provisions of this Indenture shall be construed as relieving the Trustee from liability for its own negligent action, its own negligent failure to act, or its own willful misconduct, except that, anything contained in this Indenture to the contrary notwithstanding:

(a) When No Default Subsisting. Unless and until an Event of Default with respect to the Subordinated Debt Securities of any series shall have happened, which at the time is continuing,

(i) the Trustee undertakes to perform such duties and only such duties with respect to the Subordinated Debt Securities of that series as are specifically set out in this Indenture, and no implied covenants or obligations shall be read into this Indenture against the Trustee, whose duties and obligations shall be determined solely by the express provisions of this Indenture; and

(ii) the Trustee may conclusively rely, as to the truth of the statements and the correctness of the opinions expressed therein, in the absence of bad faith on the part of the Trustee, upon certificates and opinions furnished to it pursuant to the express provisions of this Indenture; but in the case of any such certificates or opinions which, by

 

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the provisions of this Indenture, 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 investigate mathematical calculations or other facts stated therein);

(b) Trustee Not Liable for Error of Judgment Made in Good Faith by Responsible Officer. The Trustee shall not be liable to any Holder or to any other Person for error of judgment made in good faith by a Responsible Officer or Officers of the Trustee, unless it shall be proved that the Trustee was negligent in ascertaining the pertinent facts; and

(c) Trustee Not Liable for Certain Action or Non-Action at Direction of Holders of Majority of Subordinated Debt Securities. The Trustee shall not be liable to any Holder or to any other Person with respect to any action taken or omitted to be taken by it in good faith, in accordance with the direction of Holders given as provided in Section 606, relating to the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to it or exercising any trust or power conferred upon it by this Indenture.

None of the provisions of this Indenture shall be construed as requiring the Trustee to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise to incur any personal financial liability in the performance of any of its duties hereunder or in the exercise of any of its right or remedies, if there shall be reasonable grounds for believing that repayment of such funds or adequate indemnity against such risk or liability is not reasonably assured to it.

Section 1003 . Notice to Holders of Defaults.

Within 90 days after the occurrence thereof, the Trustee shall give to the Holders of the Subordinated Debt Securities of a series, as provided in Section 901(c), notice of each default with respect to the Subordinated Debt Securities of such series known to the Trustee, unless such default shall have been cured before the giving of such notice (the term “default” for the purposes of this Section 1003 being hereby defined to be the events specified in Section 601, which are, or after notice or lapse of time or both would become, Events of Default as defined in said Section); but, unless such default be the failure to pay the principal of (or premium, if any) or interest on any of the Subordinated Debt Securities of such series when and as the same shall become due and payable, or to make any sinking fund payment as to Subordinated Debt Securities of the same series, the Trustee shall be protected in withholding such notice, if and so long as the board of directors, the executive committee or a trust committee of directors or Responsible Officers of the Trustee in good faith determines that the withholding of such notice is in the interests of the Holders of the Subordinated Debt Securities of such series.

 

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Section 1004. Resignation of Trustee and Notice Thereof.

The Trustee, or any successor to it hereafter appointed, may at any time resign and be discharged of the trusts hereby created with respect to any one or more or all series of Subordinated Debt Securities by giving to the Company notice in writing and by mailing notice thereof to the Holders of the Subordinated Debt Securities of such series at their addresses as the same shall then appear in the Security Register. Such resignation shall take effect upon the appointment of a successor Trustee and the acceptance of such appointment by such successor Trustee. Any Trustee hereunder may be removed with respect to any series of Subordinated Debt Securities at any time by the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Subordinated Debt Securities of such series, acting pursuant to the provisions of Article Seven or Article Eight.

Upon its resignation or removal, any Trustee shall be entitled to the payment of reasonable compensation for the services rendered hereunder by such Trustee and to the payment of all reasonable expenses incurred hereunder and all moneys then due to it hereunder. The Trustee’s rights to indemnification provided in Section 1001(a) shall survive its resignation or removal.

Section 1005 . Qualifications of Trustee.

There shall at all times be a Trustee under this Indenture, and such Trustee shall at all times be a corporation organized and doing business under the laws of the United States or of any State, which is authorized under such laws to exercise corporate trust powers and is subject to supervision or examination by Federal or State authority and which has a combined capital and surplus of not less than $10,000,000. For the purposes of this Section 1005, the combined capital and surplus of any such Trustee shall be deemed to be the combined capital and surplus as set forth in the most recent report of its condition published by such Trustee; provided that such reports are published at least annually, pursuant to law or to the requirements of a Federal or State supervising or examining authority. If such Trustee or any successor shall at any time cease to have the qualifications prescribed in this Section 1005, it shall promptly resign as Trustee hereunder.

Section 1006 . Disqualification of Trustee by Reason of Conflicting Interest.

(a) Trustee to Resign. If the Trustee has or shall acquire any conflicting interest, as the term “conflicting interest” is defined in the TIA, with respect to the Subordinated Debt Securities of any series, the Trustee shall, within 90 days after ascertaining that it has such conflicting interest, either eliminate such conflicting interest or resign with respect to the Subordinated Debt Securities of that series, such resignation to become effective upon the appointment of a successor Trustee and the acceptance by such successor Trustee of such appointment. If the Trustee shall resign, the Company shall take prompt steps to have a successor appointed in the manner provided in Section 1007.

 

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(b) Notice to Holders of Failure to Resign. In the event that the Trustee shall fail to comply with the provisions of Subsection (a) above, the Trustee shall, within ten days after the expiration of such 90 day period, transmit notice of its failure in that regard to the Holders as provided in Section 901(c).

(c) Right of Holders to Petition for Removal of Trustee. Subject to the provisions of Section 607, any Holder of a Subordinated Debt Security of any series, who has been a bona fide Holder of a Subordinated Debt Security of such series for at least six months may, on behalf of himself and all others similarly situated, petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the removal of the Trustee with respect to the Subordinated Debt Securities of that series and the appointment of a successor Trustee, if the Trustee shall fail, after written request therefor by such Holder, to comply with the provisions of Subsection (a) above.

Section 1007 . Appointment of Successor Trustee.

In case at any time the Trustee shall resign, or shall be removed (unless the Trustee shall be removed as provided in Subsection (c) of Section 1006, in which event the vacancy shall be filled as provided in said Subsection), or shall become incapable of acting, or shall be adjudged a bankrupt or insolvent, or if a receiver of the Trustee or of its property shall be appointed, or if any public officer shall take charge or control of the Trustee or of its property of affairs for the purpose of rehabilitation, conservation or liquidation with respect to the Subordinated Debt Securities of one or more series, a successor Trustee with respect to the Subordinated Debt Securities of that or those series (it being understood that any such successor Trustee may be appointed with respect to the Subordinated Debt Securities of one or more or all of such series and that at any time there shall be only one Trustee with respect to the Subordinated Debt Securities of any series) may be appointed by the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Subordinated Debt Securities of that or those series, by an instrument or instruments in writing signed in duplicate by such Holders and filed, one original thereof with the Company and the other with the successor Trustee; but, until a successor Trustee shall have been so appointed by the Holders of Subordinated Debt Securities of that or those series as herein authorized, the Company by Board Resolution, or, in case all or substantially all the assets of the Company shall be in the possession of one or more custodians or receivers lawfully appointed, or of trustees in bankruptcy or reorganization proceedings (including a trustee or trustees appointed under the provisions of the Federal bankruptcy laws, as now or hereafter constituted), or of assignees for the benefit of creditors, such receivers, custodians, trustees or assignees, as the case may be, by an instrument in writing, shall appoint a successor Trustee with respect to the Subordinated Debt Securities of such series. Subject to the provisions of Sections 1004, 1005 and 1006, upon the appointment as aforesaid of a successor Trustee with respect to the Subordinated Debt Securities of any series, the Trustee with respect of the Subordinated Debt Securities of such series shall cease to be Trustee hereunder. After any such

 

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appointment (other than by the Holders of Subordinated Debt Securities of that or those series) the person making such appointment shall forthwith cause notice thereof to be mailed to the Holders of Subordinated Debt Securities of such series at their addresses as the same shall then appear on the Security Register; but any successor Trustee with respect to the Subordinated Debt Securities of such series so appointed shall immediately and without further act, be superseded by a successor Trustee appointed by the Holders of Subordinated Debt Securities of such series in the manner above prescribed, if such appointment be made prior to the expiration of one year from the date of the mailing of such notice by the Company, or by such receivers, trustees or assignees.

If any Trustee with respect to the Subordinated Debt Securities of one or more series shall resign because of conflict of interest as provided in Section 1006(a) and a successor Trustee shall not have been appointed by the Company or by the Holders of the Subordinated Debt Securities of such series or, if any successor Trustee so appointed shall not have accepted its appointment within 30 days after such appointment shall have been made, the resigning Trustee may petition at the expense of the Company to any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee. If in any other case a successor Trustee shall not be appointed pursuant to the foregoing provisions of this Section 1007 within three months after such appointment might have been made hereunder, the Holder of any Subordinated Debt Security of the applicable series or any retiring Trustee may apply to any court of competent jurisdiction to appoint a successor Trustee. Such court may thereupon, in any such case, after such notice, if any, as such court may deem proper, appoint a successor Trustee.

Any successor Trustee appointed hereunder with respect to the Subordinated Debt Securities of one or more series shall execute, acknowledge and deliver to its predecessor Trustee and to the Company, or to the receivers, trustees, assignees or court appointing it, as the case may be, an instrument accepting such appointment hereunder, and thereupon such successor Trustee, without any further act, deed or conveyance, shall become vested with all the authority, rights, powers, trusts, immunities, duties and obligations with respect to such series of such predecessor Trustee with like effect as if originally named as Trustee hereunder, and such predecessor Trustee, upon payment of its charges and disbursements then unpaid, shall thereupon become obligated to pay over, and such successor Trustee shall be entitled to receive, all moneys and properties held by such predecessor Trustee as Trustee hereunder. Nevertheless, on the written request of the Company or of the successor Trustee or of the Holders of at least 10% in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Subordinated Debt Securities of such series, such predecessor Trustee, upon payment of its said charges and disbursements, shall execute and deliver an instrument transferring to such successor Trustee upon the trusts herein expressed all the rights, powers and trusts of such predecessor Trustee and shall assign, transfer and deliver to the successor Trustee all moneys and properties held by such predecessor Trustee; and, upon request of any such successor Trustee, the Company shall make,

 

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execute, acknowledge and deliver any and all instruments in writing for more fully and effectually vesting in and confirming to such successor Trustee all such authority, rights, powers, trusts, immunities, duties and obligations.

Section 1008 . Merger, Conversion or Consolidation of Trustee or Transfer of its Corporate Trust Business; Authentication of Subordinated Debt Securities by Successor Trustee.

Any corporation into which the Trustee or any successor to it in the trusts created by this Indenture shall be merged or converted, or any corporation with which it or any successor to it shall be consolidated, or any corporation resulting from any merger, conversion or consolidation to which the Trustee or any such successor to it shall be a party, or any corporation to which the Trustee or any successor to it shall sell or otherwise transfer all or substantially all of the corporate trust business of the Trustee, shall be the successor Trustee under this Indenture without the execution or filing of any paper or any further act on the part of any of the parties hereto.

In case at the time such successor to the Trustee shall succeed to the trusts created by this Indenture with respect to one or more series of Subordinated Debt Securities, any of such Subordinated Debt Securities shall have been authenticated but not delivered, any such successor to the Trustee may adopt the certificate of authentication of any predecessor Trustee, and deliver such Subordinated Debt Securities so authenticated; and in case at that time any of the Subordinated Debt Securities shall not have been authenticated, any successor to the Trustee may authenticate such Subordinated Debt Securities either in the name of any predecessor Trustee hereunder or in the name of the successor Trustee; and in all such cases such certificates shall have the full force which it is anywhere in the Subordinated Debt Securities or in this Indenture provided that the certificate of the Trustee shall have.

Section 1009 . Trustee May Rely on Officers’ Certificate.

Subject to Section 1002, and subject to the provisions of Section 1502 with respect to the certificates required thereby, whenever in the administration of the provisions of this Indenture the Trustee shall deem it necessary or desirable that a matter be proved or established prior to taking or suffering any action hereunder, such matter (unless other evidence in respect thereof be herein specifically prescribed) may, in the absence of negligence or bad faith on the part of the Trustee, be deemed to be conclusively proved and established by an Officers’ Certificate with respect thereto delivered to the Trustee, and such Officers’ 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 to be taken or omitted by it under the provisions of this Indenture upon the faith thereof.

 

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ARTICLE ELEVEN

S ATISFACTION AND D ISCHARGE

Section 1101 . Discharge of Indenture Upon Payment of Subordinated Debt Securities.

If and when the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on all the Outstanding Subordinated Debt Securities and all other sums due hereunder shall have been fully paid, this Indenture shall cease and terminate, and, upon receipt of a Company Request accompanied by the Officers’ Certificate and Opinion of Counsel required by Section 1502, and upon proof being given to the reasonable satisfaction of the Trustee that all the Subordinated Debt Securities have been paid or satisfied, and upon payment of the costs, charges and expenses incurred or to be incurred by the Trustee in relation thereto or in carrying out the provisions of this Indenture, the Trustee shall cancel this Indenture and execute and deliver to the Company such instruments as shall be requisite to evidence the satisfaction hereof.

If at any time no Subordinated Debt Securities have been issued and authenticated or if all previously issued and authenticated Subordinated Debt Securities have been cancelled or delivered to the Trustee for cancellation, upon receipt of a Company Request accompanied by the Officers’ Certificate and Opinion of Counsel required by Section 1502, and upon payment of the costs, charges and expenses incurred or to be incurred by the Trustee in relation thereto or in carrying out the provisions of this Indenture, the Trustee shall cancel this Indenture and execute and deliver to the Company such instruments as shall be requisite to evidence the satisfaction hereof.

Section 1102 . Discharge of Indenture Upon Deposit of Moneys.

If, at the Maturity of the Subordinated Debt Securities of any series, the Company shall deposit with the Trustee, in trust for the benefit of the Holders thereof, funds sufficient to pay the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on all of the Outstanding Subordinated Debt Securities of such series, and shall pay all costs, charges and expenses incurred or to be incurred by the Trustee in relation thereto or in carrying out the provisions of this Indenture, the Trustee, upon receipt of a Company Request accompanied by the Officers’ Certificate and Opinion of Counsel required by Section 1502, shall cancel and satisfy this Indenture. The Trustee shall apply the moneys so deposited to the payment to the Holders of the Subordinated Debt Securities of such series of all sums due thereon for principal (and premium, if any) and interest.

Section 1103 . Discharge of Certain Indebtedness Upon Deposit of Moneys.

If this Section 1103 is specified in the manner contemplated by Section 301 to be applicable to Subordinated Debt Securities of any series, the Company

 

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shall be deemed to have paid and discharged the entire indebtedness on all Outstanding Subordinated Debt Securities of such series if the Company shall (a) deposit with the Trustee, in trust for the benefit of the Holders thereof, (1) funds sufficient to pay or (2) such amount of Government Obligations as will or will together with the income thereon, without consideration of any reinvestment thereof, be sufficient to pay the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on the Subordinated Debt Securities of such series, as such payments shall become due from time to time, and (b) pay or make arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for paying all costs, charges and expenses incurred by the Trustee in relation thereto or in carrying out the provisions of this Indenture in relation thereto, then this Indenture shall cease to be of further effect with respect to Subordinated Debt Securities of such series (except as to (i) rights of registration of transfer, substitution and exchange of Subordinated Debt Securities of such series, (ii) rights of Holders to receive payments of the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on the Subordinated Debt Securities of such series as such payments shall become due from time to time and other rights, duties and obligations of Holders as beneficiaries hereof with respect to the amounts so deposited with the Trustee, (iii) provisions, if any, applicable to such series relating to optional redemption and Mandatory and Optional Sinking Fund Payments and (iv) the rights, obligations and immunities of the Trustee hereunder (for which purposes the Subordinated Debt Securities of such series shall be deemed Outstanding)), and the Company shall have no further obligations or liability with respect to any Subordinated Debt Securities of such series.

In any such case the Trustee, upon receipt of a Company Request accompanied by the Officers’ Certificate and Opinion of Counsel required by Section 1502, shall execute and deliver to the Company such instruments as shall be requisite to evidence the satisfaction thereof with respect to Subordinated Debt Securities of such series. The Trustee shall apply the amounts so deposited and the proceeds thereof to the payment to the Holders of the Subordinated Debt Securities of such series of all sums due thereon for principal (and premium, if any) and interest.

Section 1104 . Termination of Certain Obligations Upon Deposit of Moneys.

If this Section 1104 is specified in the manner contemplated by Section 301 to be applicable to Subordinated Debt Securities of any series, the Company’s obligations on all Subordinated Debt Securities of such series shall be deemed to be terminated on the 91st day after the Company deposits with the Trustee, in trust for the benefit of the Holders thereof, (a) funds sufficient to pay, or (b) such amount of Government Obligations as will or will together with the income thereon, without consideration of any reinvestment thereof, be sufficient to pay the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on all of the Subordinated Debt Securities of such series, as such payments shall become due from time to time; provided , however , that no Event of Default under Section 601(d) or 601(e) or event which, with notice or lapse of time or both, would constitute such an Event

 

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of Default, shall have occurred and be continuing on such date; and provided further that such termination shall not relieve the Company of its obligations under the Subordinated Debt Securities of such series and this Indenture to pay when due the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on the Subordinated Debt Securities of such series if not paid (or considered paid) when due from the funds and Government Obligations (and the income thereon) so deposited. Notwithstanding the termination of any obligations of the Company in accordance with this Section 1104, the Company’s rights and obligations under Sections 305, 306, 501, 502, 503, 903, 1001, 1004, 1105 and 1106, and provisions, if any, applicable to such series relating to optional redemption and Mandatory and Optional Sinking Fund Payments, shall survive until the Subordinated Debt Securities of such series are no longer Outstanding. Thereafter the Company’s rights and obligations under Sections 1001, 1105 and 1106 shall survive.

After a deposit as provided herein, the Trustee, upon receipt of a Company Request, shall acknowledge in writing the discharge of the Company’s obligations under this Indenture with respect to Subordinated Debt Securities of a particular series except for those surviving obligations specified above. The Trustee shall apply the amounts so deposited and the proceeds thereof to the payment to the Holders of the Subordinated Debt Securities of such series of all sums due thereon for principal (and premium, if any) and interest.

Section 1105 . Certain Deposits With the Trustee To Be Held in Escrow.

Any deposits with the Trustee referred to in Section 1103 or 1104 shall be irrevocable (except to the extent provided in Section 1106) and shall be made under the terms of an escrow trust agreement in form and substance satisfactory to the Trustee. If any Outstanding Subordinated Debt Securities of a series are to be redeemed prior to their Stated Maturity, whether pursuant to any optional redemption provisions or in accordance with any Mandatory or Optional Sinking Fund Payments, the applicable escrow trust agreement shall provide therefor, and the Company shall make such arrangements as are satisfactory to the Trustee for the giving of notice of redemption by the Trustee in the name, and at the expense, of the Company. The agreement shall provide that, upon satisfaction of any Mandatory Sinking Fund Payments, whether by deposit of funds, application of proceeds of deposited Government Obligations or, if permitted, by delivery of Subordinated Debt Securities, the Trustee shall pay or deliver over to the Company as excess funds pursuant to Section 1106 all funds or obligations then held under the agreement and allocable to the Mandatory Sinking Fund Payments so satisfied.

If Subordinated Debt Securities of a series with respect to which such deposits are made may be subject to later redemption at the option of the Company or pursuant to Optional Sinking Fund Payments, the applicable escrow trust agreement may, at the option of the Company, provide therefor. In the case of an optional redemption in whole or in part, such agreement shall require the Company to deposit with the Trustee on or before the date on which notice of

 

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redemption is given funds sufficient to pay the Redemption Price of the Subordinated Debt Securities to be redeemed together with all unpaid interest thereon to the Redemption Date. Upon such deposit of funds, the Trustee shall pay or deliver over to the Company as excess funds pursuant to Section 1106 all funds or obligations then held under such agreement and allocable to the Subordinated Debt Securities to be redeemed. In the case of exercise of optional Sinking Fund Payment rights by the Company, such agreement may, at the option of the Company, provide that upon deposit by the Company with the Trustee of funds pursuant to such exercise the Trustee shall pay or deliver over to the Company as excess funds pursuant to Section 1106 all funds or obligations then held under such agreement for such series and allocable to the Subordinated Debt Securities to be redeemed.

Section 1106 . Repayment to Company.

The Trustee and any Paying Agent shall promptly pay or return to the Company upon Company Request any money or Government Obligations held by them at any time that are not required for the payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on the Subordinated Debt Securities of any series for which money or Government Obligations have been deposited, including any such money or Government Obligations held by the Trustee under any escrow trust agreement entered into pursuant to Section 1105.

The provisions of the last paragraph of Section 503 shall apply to any money held by the Trustee or any Paying Agent under this Article that remains unclaimed for two years after the Maturity of any series of Subordinated Debt Securities for which money or Government Obligations have been deposited pursuant to Article Eleven.

Section 1107 . Reinstatement.

If the Trustee or any Paying Agent is unable to apply any money and/or Government Obligations deposited in trust in accordance with Section 1103 or 1104 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 (including any such order or judgment requiring the payment of such money and/or Government Obligations to the Company), the Company’s obligations under this Indenture and the Subordinated Debt Securities shall be revived and reinstated as of such date, until such time as the Trustee or such Paying Agent is permitted to apply all such money and/or Government Obligations in accordance with Section 1103 or 1104, as the case may be; provided , however , that if the Company has made any payment of the principal of (or premium, if any) or interest on any Subordinated Debt Securities because of the reinstatement of its obligations, the Company shall be entitled to receive the aggregate amount of such payments from the Trustee or such Paying Agent as excess funds pursuant to Section 1106. In the event that for any reason the Trustee or such Paying Agent is unable to pay any such amount pursuant to Section 1106,

 

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the Company shall be subrogated to the rights of the Holders of such Subordinated Debt Securities to receive such payments from the money and/or Government Obligations held by the Trustee or such Paying Agent pursuant to Section 1105.

Section 1108 . Indemnity for Government Obligations.

The Company shall pay and shall indemnify the Trustee against any tax, fee or other charge imposed on or assessed against the deposited Government Obligations or the principal or interest received on such Obligations other than any amount payable by or on behalf of the Holders.

Section 1109 . Deposits of Foreign Currencies.

Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Article Eleven, if the Subordinated Debt Securities of any series are payable in a Foreign Currency, the coin or currency or currency unit or the nature of the government obligations to be deposited with the Trustee under the foregoing provisions of this Article Eleven shall be as set forth in the Officers’ Certificate or established in the supplemental indenture under which the Subordinated Debt Securities of such series are issued.

ARTICLE TWELVE

I MMUNITY OF I NCORPORATORS , S TOCKHOLDERS , O FFICERS AND D IRECTORS

Section 1201 . Liability Solely Corporate.

No recourse shall be had for the payment of the principal of (or premium, if any) or interest on any Subordinated Debt Security or for any claim based thereon or otherwise in respect thereof or of the indebtedness represented thereby, or upon any obligation, covenant or agreement of this Indenture, against any incorporator, stockholder, officer or director, as such, past, present or future, of the Company or of any successor corporation, either directly or through the Company or any successor corporation, whether by virtue of any constitutional provision, statute or rule of law, or by the enforcement of any assessment or penalty or otherwise; it being expressly agreed and understood that this Indenture and the Subordinated Debt Securities are solely corporate obligations, and that no personal liability whatsoever shall attach to, or be incurred by, any incorporator, stockholder, officer or director, as such, past, present or future, of the Company or of any successor corporation, either directly or through the Company or any successor corporation, because of the incurring of the indebtedness hereby authorized or under or by reason of any of the obligations, covenants, promises or agreements contained in this Indenture or in any of the Subordinated Debt Securities or to be implied herefrom or therefrom, and that all liability, if any, of that character against every such incorporator, stockholder, officer and director is, by the acceptance of the Subordinated Debt Securities and as a condition of, and as part of the consideration for, the execution of this Indenture and the issue of the Subordinated Debt Securities, expressly waived and released.

 

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ARTICLE THIRTEEN

S UPPLEMENTAL I NDENTURES

Section 1301 . Without Consent of Holders, Company and Trustee May Enter Into Supplemental Indentures for Specified Purposes.

The Company and the Trustee, at any time and from time to time, may enter into one or more indentures supplemental hereto, in form satisfactory to the Trustee, for any one or more or all of the following purposes:

(a) to add to the covenants and agreements of the Company, to be observed thereafter and during the period, if any, in such supplemental indenture or indentures expressed, and to add Events of Default, in each case for the protection or benefit of the Holders of all or any series of the Subordinated Debt Securities (and if such covenants, agreements and Events of Default are to be for the benefit of fewer than all series of Debt Securities, stating that such covenants, agreements and Events of Default are expressly being included for the benefit of such series as shall be identified therein);

(b) to evidence and provide for the acceptance of appointment hereunder by a successor trustee with respect to the Subordinated Debt Securities of one or more series or to add to or change any of the provisions of this Indenture as shall be necessary to provide for or facilitate the administration of the trusts hereunder by more than one trustee, pursuant to the requirements of Section 1007;

(c) to evidence the succession of another corporation to the Company, or successive successions, and the assumption by a successor, transferee or lessee corporation of the covenants and obligations of the Company contained in the Subordinated Debt Securities of one or more series and in this Indenture or any supplemental indenture;

(d) to cure any ambiguity or to correct or supplement any provision contained herein or in any indenture supplemental hereto which may be defective or inconsistent with any other provision contained herein or in any supplemental indenture, or to make any other provision in regard to matters or questions arising under this Indenture which the Board of Directors may deem necessary or desirable and which shall not materially adversely affect the interests of the Holders of the Subordinated Debt Securities; provided, however, that any amendment made solely to conform the provisions of this Indenture to the description of the Securities of a series contained in the prospectus or other offering document pursuant to which such Subordinated Debt Securities were sold will not be deemed to adversely affect the interests of the Holders of such Subordinated Debt Securities;

 

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(e) to prohibit the authentication and delivery of additional series of Subordinated Debt Securities;

(f) to establish the forms and terms of the Subordinated Debt Securities of any series as permitted in Sections 201, 202 and 301 and to delete or modify any covenants or Events of Default with respect to such Subordinated Debt Securities, or to authorize the issuance of additional Subordinated Debt Securities of a series previously authorized or to add to the conditions, limitations or restrictions on the authorized amount, terms or purposes of issue, authentication or delivery of the Subordinated Debt Securities of any series, as herein set forth, or other conditions, limitations or restrictions thereafter to be observed;

(g) to add guarantees with respect to the Subordinated Debt Securities of any series or to secure the Subordinated Debt Securities of any series; and

(h) to modify, eliminate or add to the provisions of this Indenture to such extent as shall be necessary to effect or maintain the qualification of this Indenture under the Trust Indenture Act.

Subject to the provisions of Section 1303, the Trustee is authorized to join with the Company in the execution of any such supplemental indenture, to make the further agreements and stipulations which may be therein contained and to accept the conveyance, transfer, assignment, mortgage or pledge of any property or assets thereunder.

Any supplemental indenture authorized by the provisions of this Section 1301 may be executed by the Company and the Trustee without the consent of the Holders of any of the Outstanding Subordinated Debt Securities, notwithstanding any of the provisions of Section 1302.

Section 1302 . Modification of Indenture by Supplemental Indenture with Consent of Holders.

With the consent (evidenced as provided in Article Seven) of the Holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Subordinated Debt Securities at the time Outstanding which are affected by such indenture supplemental hereto (each series voting as a class), the Company, when authorized by a resolution of the Board of Directors, and the Trustee may from time to time and at any time enter into an indenture or indentures supplemental hereto for the purpose of adding any provisions to or changing in any manner or eliminating any of the provisions of this Indenture or of any supplemental indenture or of modifying in any manner the rights of the Holders of the Subordinated Debt Securities of such series to be affected; provided , however , that no such supplemental indenture shall:

(a) change the Stated Maturity of principal of, or any installment of principal of or interest on (except for any deferral of interest permitted pursuant to Section 301) any Subordinated Debt Security;

 

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(b) reduce the rate or extend the time of payment of interest, if any, on any Subordinated Debt Security, or alter the manner of calculation of interest payable on any Subordinated Debt Security (except for any deferral of interest permitted pursuant to Section 301 or as part of any remarketing of the Subordinated Debt Securities of any series, or any interest rate reset with respect thereto, in each case in accordance with the terms thereof);

(c) reduce the amount of the principal or premium, if any, on any Subordinated Debt Security;

(d) make the principal thereof or interest or premium thereon payable in any coin or currency other than that provided in the Subordinated Debt Securities;

(e) reduce the percentage in principal amount of Subordinated Debt Securities of any series, the Holders of which are required to consent to any such supplemental indenture or any waiver of any past default or Event of Default;

(f) impair the right to institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment on or after the Maturity thereof as provided in Section 602;

(g) modify any provision of Section 606, 1302 or Section 506 (except to increase any such percentage or to provide that certain other provisions of the Indenture cannot be modified or waived without the consent of the Holder of each Security so affected); or

(h) modify, without the written consent of the Trustee, the rights, duties or immunities of the Trustee.

without, in the case of each of the foregoing clauses (a) through (h), the consent of the Holder of each Security so affected. A supplemental indenture which changes or eliminates any covenant or other provision of this Indenture that has expressly been included solely for the benefit of one or more particular series of Subordinated Debt Securities, or which modifies the rights of the Holders of Subordinated Debt Securities of such series with respect of such provision, shall be deemed not to affect the rights under this Indenture of the Holders of Subordinated Debt Securities of any other series.

It shall not be necessary for the consent of the Holders under this Section 1302 to approve the particular form of any proposed supplemental indenture, but it shall be sufficient if such consent shall approve the substance thereof.

Promptly after the execution by the Company and the Trustee of any supplemental indenture pursuant to the provisions of this Section 1302, the

 

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Company shall mail a notice, setting forth in general terms the substance of such supplemental indenture, to the Holders of Subordinated Debt Securities at their addresses as the same shall then appear in 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.

Section 1303 . Trustee to Join in Execution of Supplemental Indenture.

Upon receipt of a Company Request accompanied by:

(a) a supplemental indenture duly executed on behalf of the Company;

(b) a copy of a Board Resolution, certified by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Company, authorizing the execution and delivery of said supplemental indenture; and

(c) an Opinion of Counsel and an Officer’s Certificate, each stating that said supplemental indenture complies with, and that the execution and delivery thereof is authorized or permitted by, the provisions of this Indenture

(d) if said supplemental indenture shall be executed pursuant to Section 1302, evidence (as provided in Article Seven) of the consent thereto of the Holders required to consent thereto as in Section 1302 provided ,

then the Trustee shall join with the Company in the execution of said supplemental indenture unless said 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 said supplemental indenture.

Section 1304 . Effect of Supplemental Indenture.

Upon the execution of any supplemental indenture pursuant to the provisions of this Article Thirteen, this Indenture shall be and be deemed to be modified and amended in accordance therewith and, except as herein otherwise expressly provided, the respective rights, limitations of rights, obligations, duties and immunities under this Indenture of the Trustee, the Company and the Holders of all of the Subordinated Debt Securities or of the Subordinated Debt Securities of any series affected, as the case may be, 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.

 

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Section 1305. Matters Provided for in Supplemental Indenture May Be Noted on Subordinated Debt Securities, or New Subordinated Debt Securities Appropriately Modified May Be Issued in Exchange for Outstanding Subordinated Debt Securities.

Subordinated Debt Securities authenticated and delivered after the execution of any supplemental indenture pursuant to the provisions of this Article Thirteen may bear a notation in a form approved by the Trustee as to any matter provided for in such supplemental indenture. If the Company or the Trustee shall so determine, new Subordinated Debt Securities so modified as to conform, in the opinion of the Trustee and 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 Subordinated Debt Securities then Outstanding in equal aggregate principal amounts, and such exchange shall be made without cost to the Holders of the Subordinated Debt Securities.

Section 1306 . Supplemental Indentures to Conform to Trust Indenture Act.

Every supplemental indenture executed pursuant to the provisions of this Article Thirteen shall conform to the requirements of the Trust Indenture Act.

ARTICLE FOURTEEN

S UBORDINATION

Section 1401 . Agreement To Subordinate.

(a) The Company covenants and agrees, and each Holder of Subordinated Debt Securities of each series issued hereunder by such Holder’s acceptance thereof likewise covenants and agrees, that (except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 301 for Subordinated Debt Securities of any series) all Subordinated Debt Securities shall be issued subject to the provisions of this Article Fourteen and each Holder of a Subordinated Debt Security, whether upon original issue or upon transfer or assignment thereof, accepts and agrees to be bound by such provisions.

(b) The payment by the Company of the principal of (and premium, if any), and interest on, the Subordinated Debt Securities issued hereunder shall, to the extent and in the manner hereinafter set forth, be subordinated and junior in right of payment to the prior payment in full of all Senior Indebtedness of the Company, whether outstanding at the date of this Indenture or thereafter incurred.

(c) No provision of this article shall prevent the occurrence of any default or Event of Default or Enforcement Event hereunder.

 

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Section 1402. Default On Senior Indebtedness.

(a) No direct or indirect payment by or on behalf of the Company of principal of, premium, if any, or interest on the Subordinated Debt Securities (other than in Permitted Junior Securities), whether pursuant to the terms of the Subordinated Debt Securities or upon acceleration, by way of repurchase, redemption, defeasance or otherwise, will be made if, at the time of such payment, there exists a default in the payment when due of all or any portion of the obligations under or in respect of any Senior Indebtedness, whether at maturity, on account of mandatory redemption or prepayment, acceleration or otherwise, and such default shall not have been cured or waived or the benefits of this Section 1402(a) waived by or on behalf of the holders of Senior Indebtedness.

(b) In addition, during the continuance of any non-payment event of default with respect to any Designated Senior Indebtedness pursuant to which the maturity thereof may be accelerated, and upon receipt by the Trustee of written notice (a “ Payment Blockage Notice ”) from a holder or holders of such Designated Senior Indebtedness or the trustee or agent acting on behalf of such Designated Senior Indebtedness, then, unless and until such event of default has been cured or waived or has ceased to exist or such Designated Senior Indebtedness has been discharged or repaid in full in cash, or the requisite holders of such Designated Senior Indebtedness have otherwise agreed in writing, (a) no payment of any kind or character with respect to any principal of, premium or interest on or distribution will be made by or on behalf of the Company on account of or with respect to the Subordinated Debt Securities (other than in Permitted Junior Securities) and (b) the Company may not acquire any Subordinated Debt Securities for cash, property or otherwise, during a period (a “ Payment Blockage Period ”) commencing on the date of receipt of such Payment Blockage Notice by the Trustee and ending 179 days thereafter.

Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, (x) in no event will a Payment Blockage Period extend beyond 179 days from the date the Payment Blockage Notice in respect thereof was given and (y) not more than one Payment Blockage Period may be commenced with respect to the Subordinated Debt Securities during any period of 360 consecutive days. No event of default that existed or was continuing on the date of commencement of any Payment Blockage Period with respect to the Designated Senior Indebtedness initiating such Payment Blockage Period may be, or be made, the basis for the commencement of any other Payment Blockage Period by the holder or holders of such Designated Senior Indebtedness or the trustee or agent acting on behalf of such Designated Senior Indebtedness, whether or not within a period of 360 consecutive days, unless such default or event of default has been cured or waived for a period of not less than 90 consecutive days.

(c) In the event that, notwithstanding the foregoing, any payment shall be received by the Trustee when such payment is prohibited by Section 1402(a) or Section 1402(b) such payment shall be held in trust for the benefit of, and shall be paid over or delivered to, the holders of Senior Indebtedness or their respective representatives, or to the trustee or trustees under any indenture pursuant to which

 

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any instruments evidencing such Senior Indebtedness may have been issued, as their respective interests may appear, as calculated by the Company, to the extent necessary to pay such Senior Indebtedness in full, in cash, after giving effect to any concurrent payment or distribution to or for the benefit of the holders of such Senior Indebtedness, before any payment or distribution is made to the Holders or to the Trustee.

Section 1403 . Liquidation; Dissolution; Bankruptcy.

(a) Upon any distribution of assets of the Company of any kind or character, whether in cash, property or securities, to creditors upon any total or partial dissolution, winding-up, liquidation or reorganization of the Company, whether voluntary or involuntary, assignment for the benefit of creditors or marshalling of the Company’s assets, or in bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or other similar proceedings, whether voluntary or involuntary, all principal, premium, if any, and interest due or to become due to all Senior Indebtedness of the Company shall first be paid in full in cash, or such payment duly provided for to the satisfaction of the holders of the Senior Indebtedness, before the Holders are entitled to receive or retain any payment; and upon any such dissolution or winding-up or liquidation or reorganization, any payment by the Company, or distribution of assets of the Company of any kind or character whether in cash, property or securities, which the Holders or the Trustee would be entitled to receive from the Company, except for the provisions of this Article, shall be paid by the Company or by any receiver, trustee in bankruptcy, liquidating trustee, agent or other Person making such payment or distribution, or by the Holders or by the Trustee under this Indenture if received by them or it, directly to the holders of Senior Indebtedness of the Company or their respective representatives, or to the trustee or trustees under any indenture pursuant to which any instruments evidencing such Senior Indebtedness may have been issued, as their respective interests may appear, as calculated by the Company, to the extent necessary to pay such Senior Indebtedness in full in cash, or to cause such payment to be duly provided for to the satisfaction of the holders of the Senior Indebtedness, after giving effect to any concurrent payment or distribution to or for the benefit of the holders of such Senior Indebtedness, before any payment or distribution is made to the Holders or to the Trustee.

(b) In the event that, notwithstanding Section 1403(a), any payment or distribution of assets of the Company of any kind or character, whether in cash, property or securities, prohibited by Section 1403(a), shall be received by the Trustee before all Senior Indebtedness of the Company is paid in full, or provision is made for such payment in money in accordance with its terms, such payment or distribution shall be held in trust for the benefit of, and shall be paid over or delivered to, the holders of such Senior Indebtedness or their respective representatives, or to the trustee or trustees under any indenture pursuant to which any instruments evidencing such Senior Indebtedness may have been issued, as their respective interests may appear, as calculated by the Company, to the extent necessary to pay such Senior Indebtedness in full, in cash, after giving effect to

 

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any concurrent payment or distribution to or for the benefit of the holders of such Senior Indebtedness, before any payment or distribution is made to the Holders or to the Trustee.

(c) For purposes of this Article Fourteen, the words “cash, property or securities” shall not be deemed to include shares of stock of the Company as reorganized or readjusted, or securities of the Company or any other corporation provided for by a plan of reorganization or readjustment, the payment of which is subordinated at least to the extent provided in this Article with respect to the Subordinated Debt Securities to the payment of all Senior Indebtedness of the Company that may at the time be outstanding; provided, however , that (i) such Senior Indebtedness is assumed by the new corporation, if any, resulting from any such reorganization or readjustment, and (ii) the rights of the holders of such Senior Indebtedness are not, without the consent of such holders, altered by such reorganization or readjustment. The consolidation of the Company with, or the merger of the Company into, another corporation or the liquidation or dissolution of the Company following the conveyance or transfer of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company, to another corporation or limited liability company upon the terms and conditions provided for in Article 8 of this Indenture shall not be deemed a dissolution, winding-up, liquidation or reorganization for the purposes of this Section 1403 if such other corporation or limited liability company shall, as part of such consolidation, merger, conveyance or transfer, comply with the conditions stated in Article 14 of this Indenture. Nothing in Section 1402 or in this Section 1403 shall apply to claims of, or payments to, the Trustee under or pursuant to Section 1001(a) of this Indenture.

(d) If the Trustee or any Holder of Subordinated Debt Securities does not file a proper claim or proof of debt in the form required in any proceeding referred to above prior to 30 days before the expiration of the time to file such claim in such proceeding, then the holder of any Senior Indebtedness is hereby authorized, and has the right, to file an appropriate claim or claims for or on behalf of such Holder of Subordinated Debt Securities.

Section 1404 . Subrogation.

(a) Subject to the payment in full of all Senior Indebtedness of the Company then outstanding, the rights of the Holders shall be subrogated to the rights of the holders of such Senior Indebtedness to receive payments or distributions of cash, property or securities of the Company applicable to such Senior Indebtedness until the principal of and premium, if any, and interest on the Subordinated Debt Securities shall be paid in full; and, for the purposes of such subrogation, no payments or distributions to the holders of such Senior Indebtedness of any cash, property or securities to which the Holders or the Trustee would be entitled except for the provisions of this Article Fourteen, and no payment over pursuant to the provisions of this Article Fourteen to or for the benefit of the holders of such Senior Indebtedness by Holders or the Trustee, shall, as between the Company, its creditors other than holders of Senior Indebtedness,

 

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and the Holders, be deemed to be a payment by the Company to or on account of such Senior Indebtedness. It is understood that the provisions of this Article Fourteen are and are intended solely for the purposes of defining the relative rights of the Holders, on the one hand, and the holders of such Senior Indebtedness, on the other hand.

(b) Nothing contained in this Article Fourteen or elsewhere in this Indenture or in the Subordinated Debt Securities is intended to or shall impair, as between the Company, its creditors other than the holders of Senior Indebtedness, and the Holders, the obligation of the Company, which is absolute and unconditional, to pay to the Holders the principal of (premium, if any) and interest on the Subordinated Debt Securities as and when the same shall become due and payable in accordance with their terms, or is intended to or shall affect the relative rights of the Holders and creditors of the Company other than the holders of Senior Indebtedness nor shall anything herein or therein prevent the Trustee or any Holder of Subordinated Debt Securities from exercising all remedies otherwise permitted by applicable law upon default under this Indenture, subject to the rights, if any, under this Article of the holders of such Senior Indebtedness in respect of cash, property or securities of the Company received upon the exercise of any such remedy.

(c) Upon any payment or distribution of assets of the Company referred to in this Article Fourteen, the Trustee, subject to the provisions of Section 1001 of this Indenture, and the Holders shall be entitled to rely conclusively upon any order or decree made by any court of competent jurisdiction in which such dissolution, winding-up, liquidation or reorganization proceedings are pending, or a certificate of the receiver, trustee in bankruptcy, liquidation trustee, agent or other Person making such payment or distribution, delivered to the Trustee or the Holders, for the purposes of ascertaining the Persons entitled to participate in such distribution, the holders of Senior Indebtedness and other indebtedness of the Company the amount thereof or payable thereon, the amount or amounts paid or distributed thereon and all other facts pertinent thereto or to this article.

Section 1405 . Trustee To Effectuate Subordination.

Each Holder of Subordinated Debt Securities by such Holder’s acceptance thereof authorizes and directs the Trustee on such Holder’s behalf, if so directed by the Company to take such action as may be necessary or appropriate to effectuate the subordination provided in this Article Fourteen and appoints the Trustee such Holder’s attorney-in-fact for any and all such purposes.

Section 1406 . Notice By The Company.

(a) The Company shall give prompt written notice to a Responsible Officer of the Trustee of any fact known to the Company that would prohibit the making of any payment of monies to or by the Trustee in respect of the Subordinated Debt Securities pursuant to the provisions of this Article Fourteen.

 

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Notwithstanding the provisions of this Article Fourteen or any other provision of this Indenture, the Trustee shall not be charged with knowledge of the existence of any facts that would prohibit the making of any payment of monies to or by the Trustee in respect of the Subordinated Debt Securities pursuant to the provisions of this Article Fourteen, unless and until a Responsible Officer of the Trustee shall have received written notice thereof from the Company or a Holder or holders of Senior Indebtedness or from any representative or trustee therefor; and before the receipt of any such written notice, the Trustee, subject to the provisions of Section 1001 of this Indenture, shall be entitled in all respects to assume that no such facts exist; provided, however, that if the Trustee shall not have received the notice provided for in this Section 1406 at least two Business Days prior to the date upon which by the terms hereof any money may become payable for any purpose (including, without limitation, the payment of the principal of or interest on any Subordinated Debt Security), then, anything herein contained to the contrary notwithstanding, the Trustee shall have full power and authority to receive such money and to apply the same to the purposes for which such money was received, and shall not be affected by any notice to the contrary that may be received by it within two Business Days prior to such date.

(b) The Trustee, subject to the provisions of Section 1001 of this Indenture, shall be entitled to conclusively rely on the delivery to it of a written notice by a Person representing himself to be a holder of Senior Indebtedness (or a trustee or representative on behalf of such holder), to establish that such notice has been given by a holder of such Senior Indebtedness or a trustee or representative on behalf of any such holder or holders. In the event that the Trustee determines in good faith that further evidence is required with respect to the right of any Person as a holder of such Senior Indebtedness to participate in any payment or distribution pursuant to this Article Fourteen, the Trustee may request such Person to furnish evidence to the reasonable satisfaction of the Trustee as to the amount of such Senior Indebtedness held by such Person, the extent to which such Person is entitled to participate in such payment or distribution and any other facts pertinent to the rights of such Person under this Article and, if such evidence is not furnished, the Trustee may defer any payment to such Person pending judicial determination as to the right of such Person to receive such payment.

Section 1407 . Rights Of The Trustee; Holders Of Senior Indebtedness.

(a) The Trustee in its individual capacity shall be entitled to all the rights set forth in this Article Fourteen in respect of any Senior Indebtedness at any time held by it, to the same extent as any other holder of Senior Indebtedness, and nothing in this Indenture shall deprive the Trustee of any of its rights as such holder.

(b) With respect to the holders of Senior Indebtedness, the Trustee undertakes to perform or to observe only such of its covenants and obligations as are specifically set forth in this Article Fourteen and no implied covenants or

 

75


obligations with respect to the holders of such Senior Indebtedness shall be read into this Indenture against the Trustee. The Trustee shall not be deemed to owe any fiduciary duty to the holders of such Senior Indebtedness and, subject to the provisions of Section 1001 of this Indenture, the Trustee shall not be liable to any holder of such Senior Indebtedness if it shall pay over or deliver to Holders, the Company or any other Person money or assets to which any holder of such Senior Indebtedness shall be entitled by virtue of this Article Fourteen or otherwise.

Section 1408 . Subordination May Not Be Impaired.

(a) No right of any present or future holder of any Senior Indebtedness of the Company to enforce subordination provided in this Article Fourteen shall at any time in any way be prejudiced or impaired by any act or failure to act on the part of the Company or by any act or failure to act, in good faith, by any such holder, or by any noncompliance by the Company with the terms, provisions and covenants of this Indenture, regardless of any knowledge thereof that any such holder may have or otherwise be charged with.

(b) Without in any way limiting the generality of the foregoing paragraph, the holders of Senior Indebtedness of the Company may, at any time and from time to time, without the consent of or notice to the Trustee or the Holders, without incurring responsibility to the Holders and without impairing or releasing the subordination provided in this Article Fourteen or the obligations hereunder of the Holders to the holders of such Senior Indebtedness, do any one or more of the following: (a) change the manner, place or terms of payment or extend the time of payment of, or renew or alter, such Senior Indebtedness, or otherwise amend or supplement in any manner such Senior Indebtedness or any instrument evidencing the same or any agreement under which such Senior Indebtedness is outstanding; (b) sell, exchange, release or otherwise deal with any property pledged, mortgaged or otherwise securing such Senior Indebtedness; (c) release any Person liable in any manner for the collection of such Senior Indebtedness; and (d) exercise or refrain from exercising or waive any rights against the Company and any other Person.

(c) Each present and future holder of Senior Indebtedness shall be entitled to the benefit of the provisions of this Article notwithstanding that such holder is not a party to this Indenture.

Section 1409 . Article Applicable to Paying Agents.

In case at any time any Paying Agent other than the Trustee shall have been appointed by the Company and be then acting hereunder, the term “Trustee” as used in this Article Fourteen shall in such case (unless the context otherwise requires) be construed as extending to and including such Paying Agent within its meaning as fully for all intents and purposes as if such Paying Agent were named in this Article Fourteen in addition to or in place of the Trustee; provided, however, that this Section 1409 shall not apply to the Company or any Affiliate of the Company if it or such Affiliate acts as Paying Agent.

 

76


Section 1410 . Defeasance of This Article.

Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, payments from cash or the proceeds of U.S. Government Obligations held in trust under Article Eleven hereof by the Trustee and which were deposited in accordance with the terms of Article Eleven hereof and not in violation of Section 1402 hereof for the payment of principal of and premium, if any, and interest on the Subordinated Debt Securities shall not be subordinated to the prior payment of any Senior Indebtedness or subject to the restrictions set forth in this Article, and none of the Holders or the Trustee shall be obligated to pay over any such amount to the Company or any holder of Senior Indebtedness or any representative or trustee therefor or any other creditor of the Company.

Section 1411 . Subordination Language to be Included in Subordinated Debt Securities.

Unless otherwise provided as contemplated by Section 301, each Subordinated Debt Security shall contain a subordination provision which will be substantially in the following form:

“The Subordinated Debt Securities of this series are subordinated in right of payment, in the manner and to the extent set forth in the Indenture, to the prior payment in full of all Senior Indebtedness (as defined in the Indenture, or as set forth in one or more indentures supplemental hereto, in or pursuant to a Board Resolution in accordance with Section 301 of the Indenture or in this Subordinated Debt Security). Each Holder by accepting a Subordinated Debt Security of this series agrees to such subordination and authorizes the Trustee to give it effect.”

ARTICLE FIFTEEN

P ROVISIONS OF G ENERAL A PPLICATION

Section 1501 . Benefits of Indenture.

Nothing in this Indenture or in the Subordinated Debt Securities, express or implied, is intended, or shall be construed, to confer upon, or to give to, any Person other than the parties hereto and their successors and the Holders of Subordinated Debt Securities any right, remedy or claim under or by reason of this Indenture or any covenant, condition, stipulation, promise or agreement

 

77


hereof or herein, and all covenants, conditions, stipulations, promises and agreements hereof and herein shall be for the sole and exclusive benefit of the parties hereto and their successors and of the Holders of the Subordinated Debt Securities.

Section 1502 . Evidence of Compliance with Conditions Precedent; Form of Documents Delivered to Trustee.

As evidence of compliance with the conditions precedent provided for in this Indenture (including any covenants, compliance with which constitutes a condition precedent) which relate to the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture or to any other action to be taken by the Trustee upon Company Order or Request, the Company will furnish to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate, stating that such conditions precedent have been complied with, and an Opinion of Counsel stating that, in the opinion of such counsel, such conditions precedent have been complied with.

Each certificate or opinion with respect to compliance with a condition or covenant provided for in this Indenture shall include (1) a statement that each individual making such certificate or opinion has read such condition or covenant; (2) a brief statement as to the nature and scope of the examination or investigation upon which the statements or opinions contained in such certificate or opinion are based; (3) a statement that, in the opinion of each such individual, he has made such examination or investigation as is necessary to enable him to express an informed opinion as to whether or not such condition or covenant has been complied with; and (4) a statement as to whether or not, in the opinion of each such individual, such condition or covenant has been complied with.

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

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

 

78


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

Notwithstanding any provision of this Indenture authorizing the Trustee conclusively to rely upon any certificates or opinions, the Trustee before granting any application by the Company or taking or refraining from taking any other action in reliance thereon, may require any further evidence or make any further investigation as to the facts or matters stated therein which it may, in good faith, deem reasonable in the circumstances, and in connection therewith the Trustee may examine or cause to be examined the pertinent books, records and premises of the Company or of any Subsidiary; and the Trustee shall, in any such case, require such further evidence or make such further investigation as may be requested by the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Subordinated Debt Securities then Outstanding; provided that, if payment to the Trustee of the costs, expenses and liabilities likely to be incurred by it in making such investigation is not reasonably assured to the Trustee by the security afforded to it by the terms of this Indenture, the Trustee before making such investigation may require indemnity satisfactory to it against such costs, expenses or liabilities. Any further evidence that may be requested by the Trustee pursuant to any of the provisions of this paragraph shall be furnished by the Company at its own expense, and any cost, expenses and liabilities incurred by the Trustee pursuant to any of the provisions of this paragraph shall be paid by the Company, or, if paid by the Trustee, shall be repaid by the Company, upon demand, with interest at the lowest rate borne by the Subordinated Debt Securities of any series, but in no event less than 5%, and, until such repayment, shall be secured by a lien on any moneys held by the Trustee hereunder prior to any rights therein of the Holders of Subordinated Debt Securities.

Section 1503 . Conflict with Trust Indenture Act.

If any provision of this Indenture limits, qualifies or conflicts with another provision included in this Indenture which is required to be included in this Indenture by any of the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act, such required provision shall control.

Section 1504 . Notices, Etc., to Trustee and Company.

Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or action of Holders or other document provided or permitted by this Indenture to be made upon, given or furnished to, or filed with,

(i) the Trustee by any Holder or by the Company shall be sufficient for every purpose hereunder if made, given, furnished or filed in writing to or with the Trustee at its Corporate Trust Office, or

 

79


(ii) the Company by the Trustee or by any Holder shall be sufficient for every purpose hereunder (unless otherwise herein expressly provided) if in writing and mailed, first-class postage prepaid, to the Company addressed to it at Three Limited Parkway, Columbus, Ohio 43216, attention: [Chief Financial Officer], or at any other address previously furnished in writing to the Trustee by the Company. Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent or waiver addressed as provided in this Subsection (2) and given by first-class mail, postage prepaid, shall be conclusively presumed given when mailed.

Section 1505 . Notice to Holders; Waiver.

Where this Indenture provides for notice to Holders of any event, such notice shall be sufficiently given (unless otherwise herein expressly provided) if in writing and mailed, first-class postage prepaid, to each Holder affected by such event, at his address as it appears in the Security Register, not later than the latest date, and not earlier than the earliest date, prescribed for the giving of such notice. In any case where notice to Holders is given by mail, neither the failure to mail such notice, nor any defect in any notice so mailed, to any particular Holder shall affect the sufficiency of such notice with respect to other Holders. Where this Indenture provides for notice in any manner, such notice may be waived in writing by the Person entitled to receive such notice. Waivers of notice by Holders shall be with the Trustee, but such filing shall not be a condition precedent to the validity of any action taken in reliance upon such waiver.

If, in the event of suspension of regular mail service or for any other reason, it shall be impracticable to give such notice by mail, then such notification as shall be made with the approval of the Trustee shall constitute a sufficient notification for every purpose hereunder.

Section 1506 . Effect of Headings and Table of Contents.

The Article, Section and Subsection headings herein and the Table of Contents are for convenience only and shall not affect the construction hereof.

Section 1507 . Successors and Assigns.

All covenants and agreements in this Indenture by the Company shall bind its successors and assigns, whether so expressed or not.

Section 1508 . Separability Clause.

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

 

80


Section 1509 . Governing Law.

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

Section 1510 . Legal Holidays.

In any case where any Interest Payment Date, Redemption Date or Stated Maturity of any Subordinated Debt Security shall not be a Business Day at any Place of Payment for such Subordinated Debt Security, then (notwithstanding any other provision of this Indenture or of the Subordinated Debt Securities) payments of principal (and premium, if any) and interest need not be made at such Place of Payment on such date, but may be made on the next succeeding Business Day at such Place of Payment with the same force and effect as if made on the Interest Payment Date or Redemption Date, or at the Stated Maturity, and no interest shall accrue for the period from and after such Interest Payment Date, Redemption Date or Stated Maturity, as the case may be, to the date of such payment.

Section 1511 . Execution in Counterparts.

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

Section 1512 Waiver Of Jury Trial .

EACH OF THE COMPANY AND THE TRUSTEE HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY AND ALL RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS INDENTURE, THE NOTES OR THE TRANSACTION CONTEMPLATED HEREBY.

Section 1513 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.

 

81


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, LIMITED BRANDS, INC. has caused this Indenture to be executed in its corporate name by one of its officers thereunto duly authorized, and its corporate seal to be hereunto affixed and to be attested by its Secretary, an Assistant Secretary, its Treasurer or an Assistant Treasurer, and THE BANK OF NEW YORK TRUST COMPANY, N.A. has caused this Indenture to be executed in its corporate name by one of its officers thereunto duly authorized, all as of the date first above written.

 

LIMITED BRANDS, INC.

By:

 

 

Name:

 

Title:

 

Attest:

 

 

Name:

 

Title:

 

THE BANK OF NEW YORK TRUST COMPANY, N.A.

By:

 

 

Name:

 

Title:

 

 

82


Exhibit A

Form of election to receive payments in [Dollars or other applicable currency]

or to rescind such election

The undersigned, registered owner of certificate number R- , representing [name of series of Subordinated Debt Securities] of Limited Brands, Inc. (the “Subordinated Debt Securities”) in an aggregate principal amount of             , hereby.

¨ elects to receive all payments in respect of the Debt Securities in [Dollars or other applicable currency], it being understood that such election shall take effect as provided in the Subordinated Debt Securities and, subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the indenture under which the Subordinated Debt Securities were issued, shall remain in effect until it is rescinded by the undersigned or until such certificate is transferred.

¨ rescinds the election previously submitted by the undersigned to receive all payments in respect of the Debt Securities in [Dollars or other applicable currency], it being understood that such rescission shall take effect as provided in the Subordinated Debt Securities.

 

 

(Name of Owner)

 

(Signature of Owner)

Exhibit 5.1

DAVIS POLK & WARDWELL

450 LEXINGTON AVENUE

NEW YORK, NY 10017

October 1, 2007

Limited Brands, Inc.

Three Limited Parkway, P.O. Box 16000

Columbus, Ohio 43216

Ladies and Gentlemen:

We have acted as counsel to Limited Brands, Inc., a Delaware Corporation (the “ Company ”), in connection with the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-3 (the “ Registration Statement ”) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, for the registration of the sale from time to time of (i) senior debt securities (the “ Senior Debt Securities ”), which may be issued pursuant to an indenture, dated as of March 15, 1988, between the Company and The Bank of New York, as trustee, as amended by a supplemental indenture, dated as of May 31, 2005, among the Company, The Bank of New York, as resigning trustee, and The Bank of New York Trust Company, N.A., as successor trustee and as further amended by the second supplemental indenture, dated as of July 17, 2007 between the Company and The Bank of New York Trust Company, N.A., as trustee (the “ Senior Indenture ”); (ii) subordinated debt securities (the “ Subordinated Debt Securities ” and together with the Senior Debt Securities, the “ Debt Securities ”) which may be issued pursuant to an indenture between the Company and The Bank of New York Trust Company, N.A., as trustee (the “ Subordinated Debt Indenture ” and together with the Senior Debt Indenture, the “ Indenture ”); (iii) shares of preferred stock, par value $1.00 per share (the “ Preferred Stock ”) of the Company; (iv) shares of common stock, par value $0.50 per share (the “ Common Stock ”) of the Company; (v) depositary shares (the “ Depositary Shares ”) representing interests in preferred stock of the Company, to be evidenced by depositary receipts issued pursuant to a deposit agreement; (vi) warrants to purchase Debt Securities, Preferred Stock and Common Stock of the Company and other securities or rights (the “ Warrants ”); (vii) purchase contracts (the “ Purchase Contracts ”) for the purchase or sale of (A) the Company’s securities or securities of third parties, a basket of such securities, an index or indices of such securities or any combination of the above, (B) currencies and (C) commodities; and (viii) units (the “ Units ”) consisting of one or more Purchase Contracts, Warrants, Debt Securities, shares of Preferred Stock, shares of Common Stock or Depositary Shares or any combination of such securities.


We have examined originals or copies, certified and otherwise identified to our satisfaction, of such documents, corporate records, certificates of public officials and other instruments as we have deemed necessary for the purposes of rendering this opinion.

On the basis of the foregoing, we are of the opinion that:

1. When the specific terms of a particular series of Debt Securities have been duly authorized and established in accordance with the respective Indenture and such Debt Securities have been duly authorized, executed, authenticated, issued and delivered in accordance with the respective Indenture and the applicable underwriting or other agreement, such Debt Securities will constitute valid and binding obligations of the Company, enforceable in accordance with their terms, subject to the effects of applicable bankruptcy, reorganization, insolvency, moratorium and similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally and equitable principles of general applicability.

2. Upon designation of the relative rights, preferences and limitations of any series of Preferred Stock by the Board of Directors of the Company and the proper filing with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware of a Certificate of Designation relating to such series of Preferred Stock, all necessary corporate action on the part of the Company will have been taken to authorize the issuance and sale of such series of Preferred Stock proposed to be sold by the Company, and when such shares of Preferred Stock are issued and delivered in accordance with the applicable underwriting or other agreement, such shares of Preferred Stock will be validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable, enforceable in accordance with their terms, subject to the effects of applicable bankruptcy, reorganization, insolvency, moratorium and similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally and equitable principles of general applicability.

3. When necessary corporate action on the part of the Company has been taken to authorize the issuance and sale of such shares of Common Stock proposed to be sold by the Company, and when such shares of Common Stock are issued and delivered in accordance with the applicable underwriting or other agreement, such shares of Common Stock will be validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable.

4. When the applicable deposit agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the parties thereto, and Preferred Stock has been deposited thereunder, any Depositary Shares when issued in accordance with the terms thereof will be valid and binding instruments in accordance with their terms and the terms of the applicable deposit agreement.

 

2


5. When the Warrants have been duly authorized by the Company, the applicable warrant agreement and the applicable warrant certificates have been duly authorized, executed and delivered, and the Warrants have been duly issued and delivered by the Company as contemplated by the Registration Statement and any prospectus supplement relating thereto, the Warrants will constitute valid and binding obligations of the Company, enforceable in accordance with their terms, subject to the effects of applicable bankruptcy, reorganization, insolvency, moratorium and similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally and equitable principles of general applicability.

6. When the Purchase Contracts have been duly authorized by the Company, and the applicable purchase contract agreement and pledge agreement have been duly authorized, executed and delivered, the Purchase Contracts will constitute valid and binding obligations of the Company, enforceable in accordance with their terms, subject to the effects of applicable bankruptcy, reorganization, insolvency, moratorium and similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally and equitable principles of general applicability.

7. When the Units have been duly authorized by the Company, all corporate action on the part of the Company has been taken to authorize and execute and deliver or issue the securities underlying such Units, and the applicable unit agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered, the Units will constitute valid and binding obligations of the Company, enforceable in accordance with their terms, subject to the effects of applicable bankruptcy, insolvency and similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally and equitable principles of general applicability.

In connection with the opinions expressed above, we have assumed that, at or prior to the time of the delivery of any such security, (i) the Board of Directors shall have duly established the terms of such security and duly authorized the issuance and sale of such security and such authorization shall not have been modified or rescinded; (ii) the Registration Statement shall be effective and such effectiveness shall not have been terminated or rescinded; and (iii) there shall not have occurred any change in law affecting the validity or enforceability of such security. We have also assumed that none of the terms of any security to be established subsequent to the date hereof, nor the issuance and delivery of such security, nor the compliance by the Company with the terms of such security will violate any applicable law or will result in a violation of any provision of any instrument or agreement then binding upon the Company, or any restriction imposed by any court or governmental body having jurisdiction over the Company.

We are members of the Bar of the State of New York and the foregoing opinion is limited to the laws of the State of New York, the federal laws of the United States of America and the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware.

 

3


We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the Registration Statement and to the reference to our name under the caption “Legal Opinions” in the prospectus.

This opinion is rendered solely to you in connection with the above matter. This opinion may not be relied upon by you for any other purposes or relied upon by or furnished to any other person without our prior written consent.

Very truly yours,

/s/ Davis Polk & Wardwell

 

4

Exhibit 12.1

Limited Brands, Inc.

Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges

(Dollars in Millions)

 

     For the Twenty-Six
Weeks Ended
   For the Fiscal Years Ended
     August 4,
2007
   July 29,
2006
   February 3,
2007
   January 28,
2006
   January 29,
2005
   January 31,
2004
   February 1,
2003

Earnings:

                    

Income before income taxes, minority interest and cumulative effect of change in accounting principle

   494    350    1,096    958    1,116    1,166    843

Fixed charges (excluding capitalized interest)

   114    123    230    247    225    228    197

Distributions from equity method investments, net of income or loss from equity investees

   9    —      6    26    11    17    39
                                  

Total earnings

   617    473    1,332    1,231    1,352    1,411    1,079
                                  

Fixed charges:

                    

Portion of minimum rent representative of interest

   58    75    128    153    167    166    167

Interest on indebtedness (including capitalized interest)

   60    51    106    94    58    62    30
                                  

Total fixed charges

   118    126    234    247    225    228    197
                                  

Ratio of earnings to fixed charges

   5.2    3.8    5.7    5.0    6.0    6.2    5.5
                                  

Exhibit 23.1

Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

We consent to the reference to our firm under the caption “Experts” in the Registration Statement (Form S-3) and related Prospectus of Limited Brands, Inc. for the registration of debt or equity securities under a universal shelf registration and to the incorporation by reference therein of our reports dated March 28, 2007, with respect to the consolidated financial statements of Limited Brands, Inc. and subsidiaries, Limited Brands, Inc. and subsidiaries management’s assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, and the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting of Limited Brands, Inc. and subsidiaries, included in its Annual Report (Form 10-K) for the year ended February 3, 2007, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

/s/ Ernst & Young, LLP

Columbus, Ohio

September 26, 2007

Exhibit 23.2

CONSENT

I hereby consent to the reference to my name under the heading “Legal Opinions” in the Prospectus included as a part of this Registration Statement without admitting that I am an “expert” under the Securities Act of 1933, or the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission issued thereunder, with respect to any part of this Registration Statement, including this exhibit.

Dated: September 28, 2007

 

/s/ Douglas L. Williams

Douglas L. Williams
Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary
Limited Brands, Inc.

Exhibit 25

 


FORM T-1

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

STATEMENT OF ELIGIBILITY

UNDER THE TRUST INDENTURE ACT OF 1939 OF A

CORPORATION DESIGNATED TO ACT AS TRUSTEE

CHECK IF AN APPLICATION TO DETERMINE

ELIGIBILITY OF A TRUSTEE PURSUANT TO

SECTION 305(b)(2)  ¨

 


THE BANK OF NEW YORK TRUST COMPANY, N.A.

(Exact name of trustee as specified in its charter)

 

  95-3571558

(State of incorporation

if not a U.S. national bank)

 

(I.R.S. employer

identification no.)

 

700 South Flower Street Suite 500

Los Angeles, California

  90017
(Address of principal executive offices)   (Zip code)

 


LIMITED BRANDS, INC.

(Exact name of obligor as specified in its charter)

 

Delaware   31-1029810

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

 

(I.R.S. employer

identification no.)

 

Three Limited Parkway

P.O. Box 16000

Columbus, Ohio

  43216
(Address of principal executive offices)   (Zip code)

 


Debt Securities

(Title of the indenture securities)

 



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.

 

Name

  

Address

Comptroller of the Currency United States Department of the Treasury

   Washington, D.C. 20219

Federal Reserve Bank

   San Francisco, California 94105

Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation

   Washington, D.C. 20429

 

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

Yes.

 

2. Affiliations with Obligor.

If the obligor is an affiliate of the trustee, describe each such affiliation.

None.

 

16. List of Exhibits.

Exhibits identified in parentheses below, on file with the Commission, are incorporated herein by reference as an exhibit hereto, pursuant to Rule 7a-29 under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 (the “Act”) and 17 C.F.R. 229.10(d).

 

  1. A copy of the articles of association of The Bank of New York Trust Company, N.A. (Exhibit 1 to Form T-1 filed with Registration Statement No. 333-121948).

 

  2. A copy of certificate of authority of the trustee to commence business. (Exhibit 2 to Form T-1 filed with Registration Statement No. 333-121948).

 

  3. A copy of the authorization of the trustee to exercise corporate trust powers. (Exhibit 3 to Form T-1 filed with Registration Statement No. 333-121948).

 

  4. A copy of the existing by-laws of the trustee. (Exhibit 4 to Form T-1 filed with Registration Statement No. 333-121948).

 

- 2 -


  6. The consent of the trustee required by Section 321(b) of the Act. (Exhibit 6 to Form T-1 filed with Registration Statement No. 333-121948).

 

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

 

- 3 -


SIGNATURE

Pursuant to the requirements of the Act, the trustee, The Bank of New York Trust Company, N.A., a 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 Chicago, and State of Illinois, on the 14th day of September, 2007.

 

THE BANK OF NEW YORK TRUST COMPANY, N.A.

By:  

/S/ J. BARTOLINI

Name:   J. BARTOLINI
Title:   VICE PRESIDENT

 

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EXHIBIT 7

Consolidated Report of Condition of

THE BANK OF NEW YORK TRUST COMPANY, N.A.

of 700 South Flower Street, Suite 200, Los Angeles, CA 90017

At the close of business June 30, 2007, published in accordance with Federal regulatory authority instructions.

 

         

Dollar Amounts

in Thousands

     
ASSETS      

Cash and balances due from depository institutions:

     

Noninterest-bearing balances and currency and coin

        9,835

Interest-bearing balances

        0

Securities:

     

Held-to-maturity securities

        42

Available-for-sale securities

        114,959

Federal funds sold and securities purchased under agreements to resell:

     

Federal funds sold

        50,000

Securities purchased under agreements to resell

        89,000

Loans and lease financing receivables:

     

Loans and leases held for sale

        0

Loans and leases, net of unearned income

   0   

LESS: Allowance for loan and lease losses

   0   

Loans and leases, net of unearned income and allowance

        0

Trading assets

        0

Premises and fixed assets (including capitalized leases)

        12,013

Other real estate owned

        0

Investments in unconsolidated subsidiaries and associated companies

        0

Not applicable

     

Intangible assets:

     

Goodwill

        923,997

Other Intangible Assets

        262,780

Other assets

        142,822
         

Total assets

      $ 1,605,448
         

 

1


LIABILITIES      

Deposits:

     

In domestic offices

      2,255

Noninterest-bearing

   2,255   

Interest-bearing

   0   

Not applicable

     

Federal funds purchased and securities sold under agreements to repurchase:

     

Federal funds purchased

      0

Securities sold under agreements to repurchase

      0

Trading liabilities

      0

Other borrowed money:

     

(includes mortgage indebtedness and obligations under capitalized leases)

      143,691

Not applicable

     

Not applicable

     

Subordinated notes and debentures

      0

Other liabilities

      165,588

Total liabilities

      311,534

Minority interest in consolidated subsidiaries

      0
EQUITY CAPITAL      

Perpetual preferred stock and related surplus

      0

Common stock

      1,000

Surplus (exclude all surplus related to preferred stock)

      1,121,520

Retained earnings

      171,493

Accumulated other comprehensive income

      -99

Other equity capital components

      0

Total equity capital

      1,293,914
       

Total liabilities, minority interest, and equity capital (sum of items 21, 22, and 28)

      1,605,448
       

I, Karen Bayz, Vice President of the above-named bank do hereby declare that the Reports of Condition and Income (including the supporting schedules) for this report date have been prepared in conformance with the instructions issued by the appropriate Federal regulatory authority and are true to the best of my knowledge and belief.

 

Karen Bayz   )    Vice President

We, the undersigned directors (trustees), attest to the correctness of the Report of Condition (including the supporting schedules) for this report date 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.

 

Michael K. Klugman, President   )   
Frank P. Sulzberger, MD   )    Directors (Trustees)
Michael F. McFadden, MD   )   

 

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Exhibit 26

 


FORM T-1

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

STATEMENT OF ELIGIBILITY

UNDER THE TRUST INDENTURE ACT OF 1939 OF A

CORPORATION DESIGNATED TO ACT AS TRUSTEE

CHECK IF AN APPLICATION TO DETERMINE

ELIGIBILITY OF A TRUSTEE PURSUANT TO

SECTION 305(b)(2)  ¨

 


THE BANK OF NEW YORK TRUST COMPANY, N.A.

(Exact name of trustee as specified in its charter)

 

  95-3571558

(State of incorporation

if not a U.S. national bank)

 

(I.R.S. employer

identification no.)

 

700 South Flower Street

Suite 500

Los Angeles, California

  90017
(Address of principal executive offices)   (Zip code)

 


LIMITED BRANDS, INC.

(Exact name of obligor as specified in its charter)

 

Delaware   31-1029810

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

 

(I.R.S. employer

identification no.)

 

Three Limited Parkway

P.O. Box 16000

Columbus, Ohio

  43216
(Address of principal executive offices)   (Zip code)

 


Debt Securities

(Title of the indenture securities)

 



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.

 

Name

  

Address

Comptroller of the Currency United States Department of the Treasury

   Washington, D.C. 20219
Federal Reserve Bank    San Francisco, California 94105
Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation    Washington, D.C. 20429

 

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

Yes.

 

2. Affiliations with Obligor.

If the obligor is an affiliate of the trustee, describe each such affiliation.

None.

 

16. List of Exhibits.

Exhibits identified in parentheses below, on file with the Commission, are incorporated herein by reference as an exhibit hereto, pursuant to Rule 7a-29 under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 (the “Act”) and 17 C.F.R. 229.10(d).

 

  1. A copy of the articles of association of The Bank of New York Trust Company, N.A. (Exhibit 1 to Form T-1 filed with Registration Statement No. 333-121948).

 

  2. A copy of certificate of authority of the trustee to commence business. (Exhibit 2 to Form T-1 filed with Registration Statement No. 333-121948).

 

  3. A copy of the authorization of the trustee to exercise corporate trust powers. (Exhibit 3 to Form T-1 filed with Registration Statement No. 333-121948).

 

  4. A copy of the existing by-laws of the trustee. (Exhibit 4 to Form T-1 filed with Registration Statement No. 333-121948).

 

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  6. The consent of the trustee required by Section 321(b) of the Act. (Exhibit 6 to Form T-1 filed with Registration Statement No. 333-121948).

 

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

 

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SIGNATURE

Pursuant to the requirements of the Act, the trustee, The Bank of New York Trust Company, N.A., a 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 Chicago, and State of Illinois, on the 26th day of September, 2007.

 

THE BANK OF NEW YORK TRUST COMPANY, N.A.

By:  

/S/ M. CALLAHAN

Name:   M. CALLAHAN
Title:   VICE PRESIDENT

 

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EXHIBIT 7

Consolidated Report of Condition of

THE BANK OF NEW YORK TRUST COMPANY, N.A.

of 700 South Flower Street, Suite 200, Los Angeles, CA 90017

At the close of business June 30, 2007, published in accordance with Federal regulatory authority instructions.

 

         

Dollar Amounts

in Thousands

     
ASSETS      

Cash and balances due from depository institutions:

     

Noninterest-bearing balances and currency and coin

        9,835

Interest-bearing balances

        0

Securities:

     

Held-to-maturity securities

        42

Available-for-sale securities

        114,959

Federal funds sold and securities purchased under agreements to resell:

     

Federal funds sold

        50,000

Securities purchased under agreements to resell

        89,000

Loans and lease financing receivables:

     

Loans and leases held for sale

        0

Loans and leases, net of unearned income

   0   

LESS: Allowance for loan and lease losses

   0   

Loans and leases, net of unearned income and allowance

        0

Trading assets

        0

Premises and fixed assets (including capitalized leases)

        12,013

Other real estate owned

        0

Investments in unconsolidated subsidiaries and associated companies

        0

Not applicable

     

Intangible assets:

     

Goodwill

        923,997

Other Intangible Assets

        262,780

Other assets

        142,822
         

Total assets

      $ 1,605,448
         

 

1


LIABILITIES      

Deposits:

     

In domestic offices

      2,255

Noninterest-bearing

   2,255   

Interest-bearing

   0   

Not applicable

     

Federal funds purchased and securities sold under agreements to repurchase:

     

Federal funds purchased

      0

Securities sold under agreements to repurchase

      0

Trading liabilities

      0

Other borrowed money:

     

(includes mortgage indebtedness and obligations under capitalized leases)

      143,691

Not applicable

     

Not applicable

     

Subordinated notes and debentures

      0

Other liabilities

      165,588

Total liabilities

      311,534

Minority interest in consolidated subsidiaries

      0
EQUITY CAPITAL      

Perpetual preferred stock and related surplus

      0

Common stock

      1,000

Surplus (exclude all surplus related to preferred stock)

      1,121,520

Retained earnings

      171,493

Accumulated other comprehensive income

      -99

Other equity capital components

      0

Total equity capital

      1,293,914
       

Total liabilities, minority interest, and equity capital (sum of items 21, 22, and 28)

      1,605,448
       

I, Karen Bayz, Vice President of the above-named bank do hereby declare that the Reports of Condition and Income (including the supporting schedules) for this report date have been prepared in conformance with the instructions issued by the appropriate Federal regulatory authority and are true to the best of my knowledge and belief.

 

Karen Bayz   )    Vice President

We, the undersigned directors (trustees), attest to the correctness of the Report of Condition (including the supporting schedules) for this report date 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.

 

Michael K. Klugman, President   )   
Frank P. Sulzberger, MD   )    Directors (Trustees)
Michael F. McFadden, MD   )   

 

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